Outside-air processing device and air-conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outside-air processing devices with reheating functions increase power consumption and manufacturing costs due to the use of electrothermal heaters or heating coils, and require additional components like shutters and deflecting units, which also raise costs.
Innovation Solution
An outside-air processing device with a total heat exchanger and an opening-closing unit to create a bypass path between the return-air and supply-air paths, allowing return air to be mixed with supply air to enhance comfort without increasing costs through reheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If reheating is performed using electrothermal heater or heating coil, then supply air temperature is increased and comfort is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the return air that is already present in the room and naturally returns to the air conditioner to reheat the supply air. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external heating energy sources, as the warmth already in the room is reused to prevent discomfort from cold supply air.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers thermal energy from the return air that would otherwise be discarded or wasted. By capturing the warmth from air that has already circulated through the room and mixing it with the cold supply air, the system prevents energy waste and improves comfort without additional power consumption.
2Temperature
If reheating components are added to the outside-air processing device, then supply air temperature control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return air path, which already exists for the purpose of cooling, is given a dual function by enabling it to also serve as a heating source. The same air circulation system that cools the room during the day is reused to provide warmth during nighttime hours, eliminating the need for separate heating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between cooling and heating modes based on the time of day and temperature conditions. The control unit adjusts the operation of the total heat exchanger and mixing ratios to provide cooling during daytime and automatic reheating during nighttime, making the system adaptable without additional components.
3Productivity
If additional components like shutters and deflecting units are added to control supply air flow, then air conditioning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and utilizes the thermal energy from return air that is already flowing through the system, removing the need for additional heating components. By taking the warmth already present in the return air stream and applying it to the supply air, the system achieves temperature control without adding complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the cooling and heating functions into a single integrated process using the total heat exchanger and air mixing mechanism. The same air handling components that provide cooling are also used for reheating, combining multiple functions into existing structures rather than adding separate systems.
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 enhances resident comfort by heating the supply air through mixing with return air, minimizing the need for additional reheating components and thus reducing power and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a total heat exchanger arranged in the main body and configured to exchange heat between outdoor air and the return air
Implementation Method 2
the return air is introduced to the supply air through this bypass path
Implementation Method 3
return air to be mixed with supply air to enhance comfort
Data Source
AI summary
An outside-air processing device includes a main body having a return-air introducing port for introducing return air from a room and a supply-air outlet port for blowing out supply air into the room, a total heat exchanger arranged in the main body and configured to exchange heat between outdoor air and the return air, and to blow out the heat-exchanged outdoor air from the supply-air outlet port as the supply air, and an opening-closing unit configured to open and close a bypass path formed in the main body to bypass between the return-air introducing port and the supply-air outlet port.