Outdoor Unit Flowpath Switching for Dual-Cycle Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners require separate outdoor units for heat pump and heat recovery cycles, leading to increased size and complexity, and refrigerant loss during cooling operations due to insufficient internal space.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design with an outdoor unit featuring a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, and flowpath switching valve, along with a mode controller that directs refrigerant flow through multiple pipes and valves to enable both heat pump and heat recovery cycles, and includes a bypass valve to prevent refrigerant loss by redirecting liquefied refrigerants during cooling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate outdoor units are manufactured for heat pump cycle and heat recovery cycle, then each unit can be optimized for its specific function, but the device complexity and the number of models to be manufactured and stocked increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is designed to perform both heat pump cycle and heat recovery cycle functions through a unified structure. The system uses a flowpath switching valve and mode controller to direct refrigerant flow differently, enabling the same outdoor unit to serve multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If components for heat recovery cycle are accommodated in the outdoor unit, then the outdoor unit can perform both cycles, but the outdoor unit size increases when internal space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat recovery cycle components with the existing heat pump cycle components within the outdoor unit. By integrating the flowpath switching valve and utilizing the existing refrigerant circulation system, the design merges multiple functions into a single compact unit rather than adding separate standalone components.
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit is designed as a multi-functional system where the same physical components serve both heat pump and heat recovery operations. The flowpath switching valve enables a single refrigerant circulation system to perform multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each cycle type.
3Device complexity
If refrigerant flowpath is simplified, then the device configuration becomes simpler, but refrigerant loss during cooling operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamic flowpath switching mechanism controlled by a mode controller and flowpath switching valve. The refrigerant flowpath is not fixed but can be dynamically adjusted based on operational mode (cooling or heating), allowing the system to maintain simple configuration while preventing refrigerant loss through appropriate flow direction control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flowpath switching valve acts as an intermediary component that manages refrigerant flow between different paths. This mediator enables the system to switch between cooling and heating modes without complex permanent connections, maintaining simplicity while controlling refrigerant distribution to prevent loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for a compact outdoor unit capable of performing both cycles with reduced refrigerant loss, as liquefied refrigerants are redirected to indoor units, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the size of the outdoor unit.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (11)
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger (12)
Implementation Method 3
a flowpath switching valve (14) disposed on a refrigerant flowpath between the compressor (11) and the outdoor heat exchanger (12)
Implementation Method 4
a bypass valve (101) configured to open or close the bypath flowpath
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a flowpath switching valve disposed on a refrigerant flowpath between the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger, a plurality of indoor units configured to operate in a cooling mode or in a heating mode, a mode controller configured to selectively guide refrigerant received from the outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units. The mode controller guiding the refrigerant through one or more of: a first refrigerant pipe extending from the flowpath switching valve to the mode control unit, a second refrigerant pipe extending from the flowpath switching valve and diverging to the outdoor heat exchanger, and to the mode control unit, and a third refrigerant pipe extending from the outdoor heat exchanger to the mode controller.