Refrigerant Leak Airflow Control in Flammable-Refrigerant Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners using flammable refrigerants face challenges in energy efficiency and safety, particularly due to increased electric input from brine circulation pumps, leading to deteriorated energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner equipped with temperature distribution detecting means using pyroelectric elements and Fresnel lenses, refrigerant leakage detecting means, air-blowing control, and wind-direction control to disperse leaked refrigerant away from inhabitants and heat sources, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary cycle using flammable refrigerant and a secondary cycle using brine are used for hazard prevention, then safety is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to increased electric input of the brine circulation pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the brine circulation pump and secondary cycle system, using only a single-cycle system with flammable refrigerant. Intelligent safety control is implemented through temperature distribution detection and automatic air-blowing activation to disperse leaked refrigerant away from heat sources and inhabitants, achieving both high energy efficiency and adequate safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flammable refrigerant such as R32 is used to reduce global warming potential, then environmental impact is improved, but safety risk increases due to flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary safety actions by continuously monitoring temperature distribution in the room using an infrared camera before refrigerant leakage can cause harm. When a leak is detected, the system proactively activates air-blowing means to disperse the refrigerant away from heat sources and inhabitants, and sends alarm notifications, preventing ignition and minimizing safety risks before they materialize
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control through continuous temperature field monitoring using infrared technology. The system detects temperature changes caused by refrigerant leakage, automatically responds by activating air-blowing means to disperse the refrigerant, and sends alarm notifications. This closed-loop feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts safety measures based on real-time conditions, effectively managing the flammability risk of R32 refrigerant
3Reliability
If temperature distribution detecting means with pyroelectric elements and Fresnel lens is added to detect inhabitants and heat sources, then safety control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air-blowing means serve multiple functions: it acts as both the normal air circulation component for air conditioning operation and the emergency refrigerant dispersion mechanism when leakage occurs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate safety equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced safety control capability through intelligent temperature distribution detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the temperature distribution detection system with the existing air-blowing control system. The infrared camera and control unit are integrated with the air-blowing means, combining safety monitoring and emergency response functions into a unified system. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating separate safety equipment while maintaining enhanced safety control capability
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
The solution enables high energy efficiency and improved safety by effectively dispersing refrigerant leaks away from occupants and heat sources, preventing ignition and decomposition, while reducing global warming potential.
Implementation Method 1
temperature distribution detecting means for detecting a temperature distribution in a room and comprising a sensor composed of a pyroelectric element which is configured to react with an article having a high temperature
Implementation Method 2
Fresnel lens which is configured to widen a range of a field of view detecting infrared radiation
Implementation Method 3
the air-blowing control means and/or the wind-direction control means disperses a leaked refrigerant in a direction different from an inhabitant and a heat source apparatus
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner of the present invention includes temperature distribution detecting means 12 for detecting a temperature distribution in a room 1, refrigerant leakage detecting means 13 for detecting refrigerant leakage, air-blowing means 14, air-blowing control means 17c for controlling air-blowing means 14, and wind-direction control means 17d for controlling a wind direction of the air-blowing means 14. When the refrigerant leakage detecting means 13 detects refrigerant leakage, the air-blowing control means 17c and/or the wind-direction control means 17d disperses a leaked refrigerant in a direction different from inhabitants 3 and a heat source apparatus 4 detected by the temperature distribution detecting means 12 thereby enhancing the energy efficiency and safety when a flammable refrigerant is used as a refrigerant.