Refrigeration apparatus-use unit, heat source unit, utilization unit, and refrigeration apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The refrigeration apparatus faces malfunctions due to high-pressure refrigerant flow through expansion valves, which causes pressure to act on the needle valve, leading to potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerant circuit is configured to ensure high-pressure refrigerant always flows through a specific order of flow paths in the expansion valves, preventing pressure from acting on the needle valve and thus avoiding malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-pressure refrigerant flows through the expansion valve, then the refrigeration cycle can operate, but pressure acts on the needle valve causing potential malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion valve's flow path is segmented into a first flow path and a second flow path. The needle valve is positioned to close only the first flow path, while the second flow path remains separate and allows refrigerant to bypass the needle valve area, preventing pressure from acting on the needle valve in a harmful manner.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication passage is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the first flow path and the second flow path. This passage is positioned such that when the needle valve closes the first flow path, refrigerant can still flow through the communication passage without exerting harmful pressure on the needle valve, thus mediating between the two flow paths.
2Ease of manufacture
If the expansion valve structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but pressure control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple segments (first flow path, second flow path, and communication passage) that can be manufactured as separate features and then assembled or integrated. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of each individual component while maintaining the overall precision of the pressure control system through the coordinated function of the segmented paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve mechanism (14a, 14b, 63a, 63b, 90) includes: a valve body (80, 95); a first flow path (81) located opposite a distal end (80a, 95b) of the valve body (80, 95); a driver (85) configured to move the valve body (80, 95) to a first position where the distal end (80a, 95b) of the valve body (80, 95) closes the first flow path (81) and a second position where the distal end (80a, 95b) of the valve body (80) opens the first flow path (81); and a second flow path (82) configured to communicate with the first flow path (81) when the valve body (80) is at the second position. The high-pressure flow path (I1, I2, O2, O3, 48) causes the high-pressure refrigerant to always flow through the second flow path (82) and first flow path (81) of the valve mechanism (14a, 14b, 63a, 63b, 90) in this order.