Refrigeration cycle device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems lack an efficient method for determining when and how to perform defrosting in refrigeration cycle devices that absorb heat from outside air, leading to suboptimal defrosting processes.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle device incorporating a compressor, heat radiation unit, decompression unit, evaporation unit, outside-air heat absorption unit, heat source, first and second circulation circuits, and a flow path switching unit to determine and facilitate efficient defrosting by switching the flow path of the heat medium through the outside-air heat absorption unit when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the coolant temperature is reduced to 0°C or lower in the outside-air heat absorption unit, then heat absorption efficiency is improved, but frost adheres to the surface of the unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the heat source unit to generate heat that is directed to the outside-air heat absorption unit for defrosting. The harmful frost accumulation is converted into an opportunity to utilize waste heat from the heat source, transforming a negative effect into a beneficial heating function that maintains system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path switching unit monitors the temperature and operational status of the outside-air heat absorption unit, and before frost severely impacts performance, it switches the heat medium flow path to enable defrosting. This preliminary action prevents complete frost coverage and maintains continuous heat absorption capability.
2Reliability
If defrosting is performed continuously, then frost removal is ensured, but operational efficiency and energy consumption are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path switching unit continuously monitors temperature conditions and operational parameters of the outside-air heat absorption unit. Based on this feedback, it intelligently determines when defrosting is necessary and switches the heat medium flow path accordingly, avoiding unnecessary defrosting cycles and maintaining optimal operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous defrosting, the system implements periodic defrosting cycles triggered by specific conditions (temperature thresholds, operational duration). The flow path switching unit enables defrosting only when required conditions are met, creating an optimized periodic maintenance rhythm that balances frost removal with operational efficiency.
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
Ensures efficient defrosting by allowing the device to perform defrosting only when required, utilizing waste heat or heating heat for effective frost removal, thereby improving the operational efficiency and reliability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
The heat radiation unit is configured to cause the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to release heat
Implementation Method 2
The evaporation unit is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant decompressed in the decompression unit and a heat medium to evaporate the refrigerant and to cool the heat medium
Implementation Method 3
The outside-air heat absorption unit is configured to cause the heat medium cooled in the evaporation unit to absorb heat from outside air
Implementation Method 4
The heat source is configured to release heat to the heat medium to heat the heat medium
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle device includes a flow path switching unit configured to determine whether an outside-air heat absorption unit is required to be defrosted. The flow path switching unit is further configured to: cause a heat medium to circulate separately between a first circulation circuit configured to cause the heat medium to circulate through a heat source and a second circulation circuit configured to cause the heat medium to circulate between an evaporation unit and the outside-air heat absorption unit, when it is determined that the outside-air heat absorption unit is not required to be defrosted; and switch a flow path of the heat medium to cause the heat medium in the first circulation circuit to circulate through the outside-air heat absorption unit, when it is determined that the outside-air heat absorption unit is required to be defrosted.