Refrigeration Cycle Coupled Valve to Reduce Mode-Switching Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration cycle devices require multiple control valves to switch between heating and cooling modes, leading to increased complexity and potential inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle device with a coupled valve mechanism that integrates the pre-exterior device switching unit and passage switching unit, reducing the number of control valves by mechanically coupling them to perform both switching functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control valves are used to switch between heating and cooling modes, then the refrigeration cycle device can achieve mode switching, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control valves (pre-exterior device switching unit and passage switching unit) into a single integrated control valve. This merging of functions reduces the total number of control valves from two to one, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining the ability to switch between heating and cooling modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control valve is designed to perform multiple functions that were previously handled by separate valves. It can switch the refrigerant flow path between heating and cooling modes while also controlling the flow to the exterior heat exchanger, making a single component multi-functional and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control valves are used for switching operations, then heating and cooling modes can be controlled, but the operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pre-exterior device switching unit and passage switching unit into one integrated control valve, the patent reduces the number of switching operations required. This consolidation allows for more efficient mode transitions as the single valve can coordinate multiple flow path changes simultaneously, improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control valve enables smoother and more continuous refrigerant flow control during mode transitions. By having all switching functions in one coordinated component, the system maintains more continuous useful action without interruptions or delays that would occur with multiple separate valves operating independently.
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 configuration reduces the number of control valves, simplifies the device, and enhances operational efficiency by allowing seamless switching between heating and cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor that includes a suction port and a discharge port, the compressor sucking in refrigerant from the suction port, compresses the refrigerant, and then discharges the compressed refrigerant from the discharge port
Implementation Method 2
a heat dissipater, the refrigerant which flowed out from the compressor flowing into the heat dissipater, the heat dissipater dissipating heat held by the refrigerant to ventilation air toward an air conditioning target space
Implementation Method 3
an exterior heat exchanger, the refrigerant that flowed out from the compressor flowing into the exterior heat exchanger, the exterior heat exchanger exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outside air
Implementation Method 4
a pre-evaporator decompression unit that decompresses the refrigerant which flowed out from the exterior heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
an evaporator that exchanges heat between the refrigerant which flowed out from the pre-evaporator decompression unit and the ventilation air to evaporate the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle device includes a pre-evaporator decompression unit that decompresses refrigerant which flowed out from an exterior heat exchanger, and an evaporator passage that guides the refrigerant which flowed out from the exterior heat exchanger to a suction port of a compressor while passing through a pre-evaporator decompression unit and an evaporator. Further, the refrigeration cycle device includes a bypass passage that guides the refrigerant which flowed out from the exterior heat exchanger to the suction port of the compressor while bypassing the pre-evaporator decompression unit and the evaporator, a pre-exterior device switching unit, and a passage switching unit that opens and closes the bypass passage. Further, the pre-exterior device switching unit and the passage switching unit form a coupled valve where the pre-exterior device switching unit and the passage switching unit are mechanically coupled.