Receiver-Separation Control in Multi-Split Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-type air conditioners, the non-uniform distribution of refrigerant due to varying operational indoor units affects system efficiency, especially when partially operated in cooling mode, leading to suboptimal refrigerant distribution and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a receiver and gas/liquid separator to temporarily store and control refrigerant flow, using flow rate regulators and detection units to manage refrigerant circulation, ensuring optimal refrigerant levels across the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the refrigerant is sealed in the outdoor heat exchanger to accommodate varying operational indoor units, then the refrigerant distribution becomes non-uniform, but the system can adapt to partial operation of indoor units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant storage function into separate components: the outdoor heat exchanger handles condensation while the receiver handles refrigerant storage. This segmentation allows the refrigerant to be distributed more uniformly through dedicated flow control mechanisms in each component, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a receiver as an intermediary component between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor units. This receiver acts as a buffer that maintains uniform refrigerant distribution while allowing the system to adapt to varying operational conditions of indoor units, effectively mediating between the conflicting requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If the receiver and gas/liquid separator are integrated into a single component, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the device complexity is simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the receiver and gas/liquid separator into a single integrated component. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts, simplifies the device structure, and lowers manufacturing costs while still maintaining the functional separation needed for refrigerant management and gas-liquid separation through internal design features.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated component performs multiple functions: it serves as both a receiver for refrigerant storage and a gas/liquid separator. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require two separate components, achieving cost reduction and simplification without sacrificing necessary functional capabilities.
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 solution enhances system efficiency by maintaining optimal refrigerant levels, improving cooling and heating performance, and reducing manufacturing costs through integrated components.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver and a gas/liquid separator are integrated with each other to reduce manufacturing costs and a refrigerant is temporarily stored in the receiver to effectively adjust the amount of refrigerant circulating in a system
Implementation Method 2
a receiver and a gas/liquid separator are integrated with each other
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant discharged from the compressor 140 passes through a 4-way valve and is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 120
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant is phase-changed into a two-phase refrigerant while passing through an electric expansion valve (EEV) of each of the indoor units 110. Also, the refrigerant is heated by heat-exchanging with indoor air while passing through the indoor units 110 (e.g., evaporator)
Implementation Method 5
the refrigerant is heated by heat-exchanging with indoor air while passing through the indoor units 110
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same. The air conditioner including a compressor (240), a condenser 8210), an evaporator (220), a receiver (260) for storing at least one portion of a refrigerant passing through the condenser and a gas/liquid separator (270) for filtering a liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant introduced from the receiver to supply a gaseous refrigerant into the compressor includes a first flow rate regulator (261) for controlling the amount of refrigerant supplied into the receiver, a second flow rate regulator (262) for controlling the amount of refrigerant introduced from the receiver into the gas/liquid separator, a first detection unit (264) for detecting the amount of refrigerant stored in the receives and a control unit (290) for controlling an opening degree of the first or second flow rate regulator, based on information of at least one of the amount of refrigerant detected by the first detection unit and the amount of refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner.