Refrigeration cycle device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration cycle devices face challenges in simultaneously cooling multiple heat generators with different heat generation rates, leading to temperature control issues and increased costs due to the need for multiple expansion devices and pipes, and condensation problems that can cause controller failure.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle device with a bypass pipe and adjustable second expansion device allows for controlled refrigerant flow, enabling safe and cost-effective cooling of multiple refrigerant coolers by adjusting the flow rate and preventing condensation on controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a plurality of heat generators are cooled in series with one flow passage and one expansion device, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but temperature control precision deteriorates because the heat generators cannot be simultaneously controlled to temperature values within the dew point temperature or above and equal to or below the overtemperature limit
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant cooling system is segmented into multiple independent refrigerant coolers (first refrigerant cooler and second refrigerant cooler), each equipped with its own expansion device (first expansion device and second expansion device). This segmentation allows independent temperature control for each heat generator, enabling precise control of multiple controllers with different heat generation characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
2Temperature
If refrigerant flow rate is increased to cool multiple heat generators, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but condensation forms on the controller plates when temperature reaches dew point, causing reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different refrigerant flow rates to different refrigerant coolers based on the specific heat generation characteristics of each controller. The first expansion device and second expansion device independently regulate refrigerant flow to the first and second refrigerant coolers respectively, allowing each controller to receive customized cooling appropriate to its heat generation rate, thereby preventing condensation while maintaining effective cooling.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple expansion devices and pipes are provided to cool multiple heat generators in parallel, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves a balance between precision and complexity by designing a multi-functional refrigerant cooling system where multiple refrigerant coolers and expansion devices work together within a unified refrigerant circuit. Each component serves its specific function while contributing to the overall cooling objective, providing precise temperature control for multiple controllers without requiring completely separate cooling systems for each controller.
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 device effectively cools multiple refrigerant coolers while preventing condensation and reducing costs by adjusting the refrigerant flow rate, ensuring safe operation and efficient temperature control across varying heat generation rates.
Implementation Method 1
The bypassed refrigerant is caused to reject heat in a pre-cooling heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
heat is exchanged between the controller and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant cooler to cool the controller
Implementation Method 3
flows to the low-pressure side of the refrigerant circuit through an expansion device that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigerant cooler
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure includes: a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, a first expansion device, and a load-side heat exchanger, refrigerant cycling through the compressor, the heat-source-side heat exchanger, the first expansion device, and the load-side heat exchanger; a plurality of controllers configured to control the refrigerant circuit; a bypass pipe branching from a high pressure pipe on a discharge side of the compressor and connected to a low pressure pipe on a suction side of the compressor; a second expansion device provided to the bypass pipe, and configured to adjust a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe; and a plurality of refrigerant coolers provided to the bypass pipe, and configured to cool the plurality of controllers by using the refrigerant the flow rate of which is adjusted by the second expansion device, each of the plurality of refrigerant coolers including a refrigerant cooling pipe and a plate, the refrigerant cooling pipe forming the bypass pipe, the plate being joined between the refrigerant cooling pipe and a controller of the plurality of controllers.