Refrigerant Circuit Layout for Accurate Charge Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners face challenges in accurately judging the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit due to factors like changes in outdoor air temperature, leading to complex operational conditions and reduced judgment accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design that includes a refrigerant circuit with a shutoff valve and a refrigerant detection unit, allowing for the collection and detection of refrigerant upstream of the shutoff valve during cooling operations, simplifying the judgment process and improving accuracy by hermetically sealing the refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant communication pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If superheating degree control by utilization side expansion mechanism and evaporation pressure control by compressor are implemented, then judgment accuracy for refrigerant amount is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the refrigerant amount judgment function from complex multi-parameter control (superheating degree and evaporation pressure control) and isolates it to a specific location upstream of the shutoff valve. By taking out the detection function from the complex control system and placing it at a localized position where refrigerant accumulates, the judgment accuracy is maintained while operational complexity is reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using the shutoff valve as a boundary that creates a isolated detection zone upstream. This intermediary structure allows refrigerant to accumulate in a controlled manner upstream of the valve, providing a stable detection environment without requiring complex control mechanisms throughout the entire refrigerant circuit.
2Measurement precision
If multiple control mechanisms are used for refrigerant judgment, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex multi-mechanism control and isolates it to a simple location-based detection upstream of the shutoff valve. This extraction eliminates the need for operators to manage multiple control mechanisms while maintaining accurate refrigerant amount judgment through the accumulated refrigerant in the isolated zone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant detection is performed under varying outdoor temperature conditions, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having refrigerant accumulate upstream of the shutoff valve before detection occurs. This pre-accumulation creates a stable detection environment that is independent of outdoor temperature variations, allowing accurate measurement to be performed in advance before external conditions affect the refrigerant circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutoff valve acts as an intermediary that isolates the detection zone from external temperature influences. By creating this boundary, the system can perform detections under various outdoor conditions while maintaining precision, as the accumulated refrigerant upstream of the valve is protected from external variations.
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 design simplifies the conditions for judging the refrigerant amount, reduces judgment errors, and allows for stable detection, even with changes in refrigerant levels due to pipe length variations, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of refrigerant assessment.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant detection unit is disposed upstream of the shutoff valve in the refrigerant flow direction in the cooling operation, and is configured to perform detection for the amount or the amount-related value of refrigerant that exists upstream of the shutoff valve
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner refrigerant circuit performs a cooling operation in which an outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser of the refrigerant compressed in a compressor and an indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger. Further, an outdoor expansion valve is disposed at a position that is at once downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger and upstream of a liquid refrigerant communication pipe in the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant circuit in the cooling operation, and shuts off the refrigerant flow. A refrigerant detection unit is disposed upstream of the outdoor expansion valve and detects the amount or the amount-related value of refrigerant accumulated upstream of the outdoor expansion valve.