Refrigeration cycle device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigeration cycle devices with a single large connection pipe for transferring high-pressure refrigerant face challenges in construction efficiency due to the need for thick pipes, which increases processing difficulties and costs.
Innovation Solution
The refrigeration cycle device employs two separate connection pipes with smaller diameters, allowing the refrigerant to flow between the heat source unit and the use unit, reducing pipe diameters and facilitating easier processing and installation by dividing the refrigerant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single large connection pipe is used to transfer high-pressure refrigerant, then the pipe can withstand the refrigerant pressure, but the pipe wall thickness increases making processing difficult and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single large connection pipe is divided into two separate smaller connection pipes. Each smaller pipe carries a portion of the refrigerant flow, allowing them to have thinner walls while collectively handling the same total flow. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining pressure resistance through distributed flow while improving processability due to smaller individual pipe dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If a single large connection pipe is used, then the refrigerant flow is maintained, but the construction time and costs increase due to processing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow is divided between two smaller connection pipes rather than forcing all refrigerant through a single large pipe. The smaller pipes are easier to handle, bend, and install, significantly reducing construction time while maintaining the same total refrigerant flow capacity through parallel flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Two separate connection pipes are combined to achieve the total refrigerant flow capacity of what would have been a single large pipe. By merging the flow capacity of two smaller, more manageable pipes, the system achieves equivalent performance with reduced installation complexity and time.
3Productivity
If a single large connection pipe is used, then the refrigerant transfer is efficient, but sound propagation through the pipe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single large pipe carrying all refrigerant flow is segmented into two smaller pipes that carry divided flows. This segmentation reduces the refrigerant velocity in each individual pipe, thereby reducing noise generation from turbulence and flow-induced vibrations, while maintaining overall transfer efficiency through the combined capacity of both pipes.
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 improves construction efficiency by allowing easier handling and installation of thinner pipes, reduces construction time and costs, and enhances quietness by minimizing sound propagation through the pipes.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration cycle device that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle by using a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a heat source unit that has a compressor and a heat-source-side heat exchanger; one first use unit that is installed by being separated from the heat source unit and that has a first use-side heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle device improves work efficiency at the time of construction related to connection pipes. A first connection flow path (50) connects a heat source unit (10) and a first use unit (31) and causes a refrigerant to flow. A second connection flow path (80) connects the heat source unit (10) and the first use unit and causes a refrigerant whose specific enthalpy is smaller than a specific enthalpy of the refrigerant that flows in the first connection flow path (50) to flow. A refrigerant whose saturation pressure is 4.5 MPa or higher when the saturation temperature reaches 65°C, or a refrigerant whose critical temperature is 65°C or lower is used. The first connection flow path (50) includes a metallic first connection pipe (51) and a metallic second connection pipe (52). A refrigerant flows from one of the heat source unit (10) and the first use unit (31) to both of the first connection pipe (51) and the second connection pipe (52), and both refrigerants that each flow in a corresponding one of the first connection pipe (51) and the second connection pipe (52) each flow from the corresponding one of the first connection pipe (51) and the second connection pipe (52) to the other of the heat source unit (10) and the first use unit (31).