Refrigerant Storage Portion Design for Compact Outdoor Unit Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration cycle systems face limitations in storing and recovering refrigerants efficiently, particularly in compact outdoor units and multi-type air conditioning systems, where the amount of refrigerant that can be stored is limited due to space constraints and the need for compact designs.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a refrigerant storage portion that communicates with the refrigerant circulation path through dedicated pipes, allowing for the storage and recovery of refrigerants from both indoor and outdoor units, enabling larger refrigerant storage capacity and efficient recovery operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact outdoor unit is used, then the device size is reduced, but the refrigerant storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the refrigerant storage function into two separate components: the outdoor unit and a dedicated refrigerant storage portion. The outdoor unit maintains its compact size for installation flexibility, while the refrigerant storage portion provides additional capacity. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the space constraint in compact outdoor units by adding storage capacity externally rather than internally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant is stored in the outdoor unit, then storage is integrated, but the amount of refrigerant that can be stored is limited due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant storage function is extracted from the outdoor unit and placed in a separate refrigerant storage portion. This extraction allows the outdoor unit to remain compact and adaptable for various installation locations, while the refrigerant storage portion can be sized independently to provide sufficient storage capacity. The system maintains the benefit of integrated functionality while eliminating the space constraint.
3Quantity of substance
If a refrigerant storage portion is added, then refrigerant storage capacity increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant storage portion is merged with the existing refrigerant circulation path through strategic connection points. The storage portion connects to the refrigerant circulation path at multiple locations, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with the existing system architecture. This merging approach increases storage capacity while minimizing the addition of new complex components, as the storage portion utilizes existing refrigerant flow paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle system includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus and a refrigerant storage portion. The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a gas-side connection pipe, and a liquid-side connection pipe. The refrigerant storage portion stores the refrigerant present inside a refrigerant circulation path. The refrigerant storage portion communicates with the refrigerant circulation path through a first storage portion pipe and a second storage portion pipe. The first storage portion pipe causes a first refrigerant pipe of an outdoor refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant storage portion to communicate with each other, or causes the gas-side connection pipe and the refrigerant storage portion to communicate with each other. The second storage portion pipe causes the second refrigerant pipe of the outdoor refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant storage portion to communicate with each other.