Refrigerant Amount Detection for Stable Air Conditioner Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioners face challenges in preventing rapid flow of refrigerant from storage to the main circuit when operation types are switched, leading to inefficiencies and potential system damage.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner system with a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator, equipped with a refrigerant amount detection device to determine the refrigerant state and calculate the refrigerant amount ratio based on temperature and pressure, and a controller to manage the refrigerant flow, using a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant containing R32 and HFO1234yf or HFO1234ze, with a subcooler and receiver to store surplus refrigerant in a subcooled state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If refrigerant storage is used to store surplus refrigerant, then refrigerant amount can be optimized for different operations, but rapid refrigerant flow occurs when operation type is switched

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant amountVSAvoidrefrigerant flow speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

A flow control valve is introduced as an intermediary device between the refrigerant storage and the main refrigerant circuit. This valve mediates the refrigerant flow, allowing controlled transfer of refrigerant from storage to the main circuit during operation switching, preventing rapid uncontrolled flow while maintaining the ability to optimize refrigerant distribution for different operational modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the opening degree of the flow control valve based on real-time detection of refrigerant state (subcooled or gas-liquid two phase) and calculated refrigerant amount ratio. This dynamic control adapts the refrigerant flow rate to match the current operational requirements, preventing sudden rushes of refrigerant while enabling flexible refrigerant management across different operation types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If refrigerant amount is optimized for each operation type, then system efficiency is improved, but complex detection and control is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoiddetection and control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with electronic sensors and computational algorithms. Temperature and pressure sensors combined with a microprocessor-based controller calculate the refrigerant state and amount ratio through programmed logic, simplifying the physical complexity while enabling precise refrigerant management for optimized system efficiency across different operation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-regulation by automatically detecting refrigerant state and amount, then autonomously adjusting the flow control valve opening degree without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external control systems while maintaining optimized refrigerant distribution for maximum system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents rapid refrigerant flow during operation type switches, optimizing refrigerant usage, enhancing system efficiency, and ensuring reliable operation by accurately detecting and managing refrigerant levels.

Implementation Method 1

with a subcooler and receiver to store surplus refrigerant in a subcooled state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSubcooling: Supercooling

Implementation Method 2

configured to calculate a refrigerant amount ratio in the refrigerant circuit, based on a predetermined set value according to at least one of a temperature and a pressure detected in the refrigerant circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 4

a refrigerant circuit provided with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS10551101B2Air conditioner and control method thereof for determining an amount of refrigerant

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An air conditioner may prevent a refrigerant stored in a refrigerant storage from rapidly flowing into a main refrigerant circuit when the type of operation is switched. The air conditioner may include a refrigerant circuit provided with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator; a refrigerant amount detection device configured to determine whether a refrigerant state in an outlet of the compressor is a subcooled state or a gas-liquid two phase state. The refrigerant amount detection device is configured to calculate a refrigerant amount ratio in the refrigerant circuit based on a predetermined set value according to at least one of a temperature and a pressure detected and the refrigerant state; and a controller configured to control the refrigerant circuit according to the refrigerant amount ratio calculated by the refrigerant amount detection device.