Refrigerant Flow Path Switching for Wider Air Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners have limited temperature adjustment ranges due to inadequate adjustment of the refrigerant's heat absorbing and radiating capacities in the outdoor heat exchanger, leading to restricted comfort air conditioning and potential issues like frost formation or insufficient dehumidification.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant cycle device with a compressor, refrigerant radiator, outdoor heat exchanger, evaporator, and adjustable throttle parts to control refrigerant passages, allowing the outdoor heat exchanger and evaporator to be coupled in series or parallel, enabling flexible heat exchange capacity adjustments to expand the temperature adjustment range of air blown into the space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the refrigerant passage is switched to couple the indoor evaporator to the outdoor heat exchanger in parallel to make the outdoor heat exchanger function as a heat absorbing device, then the heating and dehumidifying operation can be performed, but the temperature adjustment range of the air blown off into the chamber is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant passage into multiple independent controllable paths with separate throttle parts. The first throttle part controls the refrigerant flow to the outdoor heat exchanger, while the second throttle part controls the refrigerant flow to the evaporator. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of heat absorption in each component, enabling wide temperature adjustment range without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of refrigerant flow distribution by using electronically controllable throttle parts that can adjust their opening areas based on operational requirements. The control device dynamically switches between series and parallel configurations of the outdoor heat exchanger and evaporator, allowing the system to adapt to different temperature adjustment needs while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.
2Temperature
If the refrigerant evaporation temperature in the outdoor heat exchanger is decreased to increase the amount of heat absorbed, then the temperature of the air blown off can be increased, but frost can be formed on the indoor evaporator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant flow control into two independent paths with separate throttle parts. The first throttle part controls refrigerant flow to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the second throttle part controls refrigerant flow to the evaporator. This allows the system to decrease the refrigerant evaporation temperature in the outdoor heat exchanger to increase heat absorption and raise the blowoff temperature, while independently maintaining appropriate refrigerant flow to the evaporator to prevent frost formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different refrigerant flow conditions to different parts of the system. The outdoor heat exchanger operates with lower refrigerant evaporation temperature to maximize heat absorption, while the evaporator receives controlled refrigerant flow to maintain temperatures above frost point. This local differentiation of operational parameters allows the system to achieve high blowoff temperatures without causing frost on the evaporator.
3Temperature
If the refrigerant passage is switched to couple the indoor condenser to the outdoor heat exchanger in parallel on the downstream side of the compressor to make the outdoor heat exchanger function as a refrigerant radiator, then the moderate cooling and dehumidifying operation can be performed, but the temperature adjustment range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between series and parallel configurations of the outdoor heat exchanger and evaporator through electronically controllable opening/closing parts. In the parallel configuration, the system can adjust the refrigerant flow distribution dynamically using the first and second throttle parts, enabling wide temperature adjustment range for the blowoff air while maintaining the moderate cooling and dehumidifying operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger cannot be adequately adjusted, then the temperature adjustment range of the air blown off into the chamber cannot be expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat exchange capacity control by providing separate throttle parts for the outdoor heat exchanger and the evaporator. The first throttle part independently controls the refrigerant flow to the outdoor heat exchanger, allowing its heat exchange capacity to be adjusted without affecting the evaporator's operation. This segmentation enables the system to expand the temperature adjustment range of the blowoff air while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple and modular.
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 allows for a wide range of temperature adjustments of air blown into the space, enhancing comfort air conditioning by effectively managing heat absorption and radiation, preventing frost, and ensuring sufficient dehumidification and heating capacities.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor which compresses and discharges refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant radiator disposed to make refrigerant discharged from the compressor exchange heat with the feed air to thereby radiate an amount of heat of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor heat exchanger disposed to make the refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant radiator exchange heat with outdoor air
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator disposed to make the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger exchange heat with the feed air before passing through the refrigerant radiator to thereby evaporate the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
an evaporator disposed to make the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger exchange heat with the feed air
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant cycle device includes a first refrigerant passage for guiding refrigerant from a refrigerant radiator to an inlet side of an outdoor heat exchanger, a first throttle part capable of varying an opening area of the first refrigerant passage, a second refrigerant passage for guiding the refrigerant from the outdoor heat exchanger to a compressor-suction side, a first opening/closing part for opening/closing the second refrigerant passage, a third refrigerant passage for guiding the refrigerant from the outdoor heat exchanger to the compressor-suction side via an evaporator, a second throttle part capable of varying an opening area of the third refrigerant passage, a bypass passage for guiding the refrigerant flowing between the refrigerant radiator and the first throttle part to a position between the outdoor heat exchanger and the second throttle part in the third refrigerant passage, and a second opening/closing part for opening/closing the bypass passage.