Parallel Refrigerant Circuit Layout for Easier Compressor Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlling the discharge temperature of a compressor in air conditioners with parallel channels is complicated due to the need to control two expansion valves, making timely and proper control difficult.
Innovation Solution
Providing the decompression structure in the principal channel allows for easier control of the refrigerant circuit pressure, and placing the valve structure in the second channel enables adjustment of refrigerant flow rate and direction, improving durability and noise reduction by positioning it downstream of the radiation panel during heating operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two expansion valves are provided in parallel channels to control refrigerant flow to both indoor heat exchanger and radiation panel, then refrigerant flow control is achieved, but control complexity increases and discharge temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decompression function from individual channel control and consolidates it into a single decompression structure in the principal channel. This single decompression structure controls the refrigerant pressure before it branches to both the indoor heat exchanger and radiation panel, eliminating the need for two separate expansion valves and simplifying the control system while maintaining effective refrigerant flow control to both components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If decompression structure is provided in outdoor unit, then noise from switching operation is reduced in indoor space, but refrigerant pressure control distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decompression structure from the indoor unit and relocates it to the outdoor unit. This separation removes the noise-generating switching operation from the indoor environment while the refrigerant circuit is designed with sufficient insulation and routing to maintain effective pressure control despite the increased distance between the outdoor decompression structure and the indoor heat exchanger.
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 simplifies compressor discharge temperature control, enhances valve durability, prevents dew condensation, and reduces noise during switching operations by isolating the decompression structure in the outdoor unit.
Implementation Method 1
simply by controlling the decompression structure provided in the principal channel, the pressure in the refrigerant circuit is depressurized
Implementation Method 2
the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the radiation panel can be adjusted
Implementation Method 3
an indoor heat exchanger and a radiation panel are disposed in parallel
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Control of a decompression structure is made easier. An air conditioner (1) is provided with a refrigerant circuit (10) for connecting an indoor unit (2) and an outdoor unit (3). The indoor unit (2) has: an indoor heat exchanger (20) provided in the interior thereof so as to face a fan (21); and a radiation panel (22) provided on the surface thereof. The cooling circuit (10) has: a principal channel (11) in which a decompression structure (34), an outdoor heat exchanger (32) and a compressor (30) are provided in order; a first channel (12) for, during heating operation, connecting a branching section (11a) provided downstream from the compressor (30) in the principal channel (11), and a merging section (11b) provided upstream from the decompression structure (34), and having the indoor heat exchanger (20) provided therein; and a second channel (13) for, during heating operation, connecting the branching section (11a) and the merging section (11b) in parallel with the first channel (12), and having the radiation panel (22) provided therein. In addition, a valve structure (23) is provided within the second channel (13).