Refrigerant Switching Unit Layout to Reduce Height Dimension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerant flow path switching units have a large height dimension due to one pipe connected to the high-pressure valve being vertically oriented, which increases the overall height of the refrigerant flow path switching unit.
Innovation Solution
The collective unit for switching refrigerant flow is designed with high-pressure and low-pressure valves arranged such that their heights are equal, allowing the low-pressure gas pipe and header to be positioned above the high-pressure valves, reducing the downward projection and overall height of the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If one pipe connected to the high-pressure valve is provided vertically, then the refrigerant flow path switching unit can be configured with standard pipe connections, but the dimension of the refrigerant flow path switching unit in the height direction becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement of pipes by having the low-pressure gas pipe and header extend in the horizontal direction rather than vertically downward. This dimensional change allows the unit to achieve compact height while maintaining all necessary connection points, resolving the contradiction between standard connections and height reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having pipes extend downward from the valves as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the low-pressure gas pipe and header to extend horizontally above the high-pressure valves. This inversion achieves the same functional connections with reduced height dimension.
2Volume of moving object
If the refrigerant flow path switching unit is made compact in height, then it can be installed in ceiling spaces and charged with foam insulation, but the pipe arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the low-pressure gas pipe and header into a single integrated component that extends horizontally. This consolidation reduces the number of separate pipe elements needed and simplifies the overall arrangement while achieving compact height, countering the claim that complexity increases.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A collective unit for switching refrigerant flow (3) is arranged between an indoor unit (1) and an outdoor unit (2). The collective unit for switching refrigerant flow (3) includes multiple high-pressure valves (11), multiple low-pressure valves (12), a high-pressure header (14), a low-pressure header (17), a high-pressure gas pipe (15) connecting each high-pressure valve (11) and the high-pressure header (14), and a low-pressure gas pipe (18) connecting each low-pressure valve (12) and the low-pressure header (17). The multiple high-pressure valves (11) are arranged next to each other in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The multiple low-pressure valves (12) are arranged next to each other in the first direction. The low-pressure valves (12), the low-pressure header (17), and the low-pressure gas pipe (18) are arranged on one side in a second direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction with respect to the high-pressure valves (11), the high-pressure header (14), and the high-pressure gas pipe (15).