Refrigeration cycle system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration cycle systems face challenges in properly detecting anomalies in the refrigerant circuit due to variations in measurement instruments and environmental conditions, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle system that includes a compressor, cooler, decompressor, and evaporator, equipped with a detector to measure physical quantities and a controller that switches the decompressor between two decompression states to determine anomalies by comparing initial and subsequent measurement values, allowing for accurate detection and stopping the compressor when anomalies are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a detector measures current to determine refrigerant circuit anomaly, then anomaly detection capability is provided, but measurement variations due to individual differences in measuring instruments and environmental conditions cause improper anomaly detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from absolute current value to current change amount (ΔI). By measuring the change in current when the expansion valve opening degree changes, the system eliminates the influence of individual measuring instrument characteristics and environmental conditions, as these factors affect both measurement points equally and cancel out in the differential measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary variable (current change amount ΔI) that serves as a mediator between the physical quantity measurement and anomaly determination. This intermediary approach allows the system to detect anomalies through the relationship between expansion valve opening degree changes and corresponding current changes, rather than relying on absolute current thresholds that vary with measurement conditions.
2Productivity
If the decompressor operates at high decompression amount to enable anomaly detection, then detection speed is improved, but system complexity and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by automatically switching the expansion valve between first and second opening degrees at predetermined time intervals. This periodic switching enables continuous anomaly detection without manual intervention, improving detection speed while maintaining simple operation through automated cyclic measurement cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting the first and second opening degrees of the expansion valve and the predetermined time interval for switching. These parameters are determined in advance to ensure optimal detection performance, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations or manual adjustments during operation.
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
This system effectively detects refrigerant circuit anomalies, reducing the impact of measurement variations and enabling routine anomaly diagnosis in a shorter time, thereby protecting the refrigerant circuit and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor to compress a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a cooler to cool the refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Implementation Method 3
a decompressor to decompress the refrigerant that passes through the cooler
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator to evaporate the refrigerant that passes through the decompressor
Data Source
AI summary
When the anomaly determination mode starts, the controller brings the decompressor into the first decompression amount state, and operates a compressor at a first speed. The controller is configured to store a value of the related physical quantity measured by the detector at a time point at which a first time elapses from a start of the anomaly determination mode, as a first measurement value, and thereafter switch the decompressor to the second decompression amount state from the first decompression amount state, store a value of the related physical quantity measured by the detector after the decompressor is switched to the second decompression amount state from the first decompression amount state, as a second measurement value, and determine that there is anomaly in the refrigerant circuit when a value obtained by subtracting the first measurement value from the second measurement value is larger than a first anomaly determination value.