Refrigerant Flow Switching for Rapid Air Conditioner Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners with large-capacity compressors have low reliability and inefficient rapid heating due to liquid back issues, where refrigerant is not effectively circulated through heat exchangers during temperature raising operations.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design with a refrigerant cycle, flow path switch, and controller that redirects a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to either the compressor inlet or heat exchangers, allowing for efficient temperature raising without relying on large compressors, using a flow path switch with multiple ports and valves to manage refrigerant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a large-capacity compressor is used for rapid heating, then heating speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to liquid back and high temperature rise requiring large heat energy
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow from the compressor outlet is divided into two separate paths: one path reintroduces refrigerant to the compressor inlet for rapid temperature raising, while the other path sends refrigerant to heat exchangers for heating. This segmentation allows the system to achieve rapid heating without requiring a large-capacity compressor, thereby improving both heating speed and compressor reliability.
2Speed
If refrigerant temperature is raised quickly by reintroducing discharged refrigerant to compressor inlet, then heating performance is improved, but refrigerant circulation through heat exchangers is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow is segmented into two paths at the compressor outlet: one path quickly raises refrigerant temperature by reintroducing it to the compressor inlet, while the other path ensures sufficient refrigerant circulation through heat exchangers for effective heating. This dual-path segmentation resolves the contradiction between rapid temperature raising and adequate heat exchange.
3Temperature
If all refrigerant is reintroduced to compressor inlet for rapid temperature raising, then compressor temperature is improved, but heat exchanger operation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reintroducing all refrigerant to the compressor inlet, the system segments the refrigerant flow into two paths: one path raises compressor refrigerant temperature, while the other path maintains sufficient refrigerant circulation through heat exchangers. This segmentation ensures both temperature raising and heat exchanger productivity are maintained.
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 enables rapid heating and defrosting operations by increasing refrigerant pressure and temperature quickly, improving performance while simplifying the piping structure and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an outdoor unit having a compressor
Implementation Method 2
an indoor unit having a first heat exchanger; an outdoor unit having a compressor and a second heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner and control method thereof. The air conditioner and control method thereof is to improve rapid heating performance without using a large-capacity compressor. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit having a first heat exchanger, an outdoor unit having a compressor and a second heat exchanger, a refrigerant cycle configured to form a refrigerant circulation path between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, a flow path switch configured to switch a flow of a refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle, and a controller configured to control the flow path switch to allow one part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to flow into an inlet of the compressor and the other part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to flow into at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.