Refrigeration device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration devices with four-way switching valves face issues with noise, vibration, and complex circuit configurations due to high differential pressures, especially when using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, leading to potential pipe damage and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration device with a flow path switching mechanism using four flow rate adjustment valves that can open and close specific paths, driven by motor or electromagnetic forces, allowing for adjustable refrigerant flow rates and simplified circuit configurations, preventing sharp pressure changes and reducing noise and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If four-way switching valves are used to switch refrigerant flow paths, then multiple operation modes can be achieved, but noise and vibration increase due to high differential pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant flow path switching into multiple independent two-stage valves instead of using a single four-way valve. Each valve handles a specific stage of pressure differential, segmenting the switching process to reduce noise and vibration from any single valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate pressure stage between the high-pressure discharge side and low-pressure suction side. The first two-stage valve switches at high differential pressure, while the second two-stage valve switches at low differential pressure, acting as an intermediary to reduce harmful noise and vibration.
2Ease of operation
If four-way switching valves are used in high differential pressure applications, then flow path switching is achieved, but complex circuit configurations and potential pipe damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow path switching into two independent stages with separate valves, each handling specific pressure differentials. This simplifies the circuit configuration for each valve while achieving the same overall flow switching capability, reducing complexity compared to a single four-way valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flow path switching function from a single complex four-way valve and distributes it across two simpler two-stage valves. This extraction reduces the complexity of individual valve components and their associated circuit configurations.
3Productivity
If carbon dioxide is used as refrigerant, then refrigeration efficiency is improved, but noise and vibration increase due to high differential pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure differential switching into two stages, with each stage handling a portion of the total pressure differential. This allows carbon dioxide refrigeration to maintain high efficiency while reducing noise and vibration from any single switching operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate pressure stage as a mediator between the high-pressure discharge and low-pressure suction sides. This intermediary stage reduces the differential pressure at any single switching point, thereby reducing noise and vibration while maintaining carbon dioxide refrigeration 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
The solution enables efficient and noise-free operation across various refrigeration modes, maintains stable differential pressures, and simplifies the circuit configuration, ensuring reliable performance and reduced risk of pipe damage, particularly with carbon dioxide as the refrigerant.
Implementation Method 1
an opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes a corresponding one of the flow paths
Implementation Method 2
a compression unit
Implementation Method 3
a heat source heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a first utilization heat exchanger and a second utilization heat exchanger connected in parallel to the heat source heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A flow path switching mechanism (70) includes first to fourth flow paths (71, 72, 73, 74) and opening and closing mechanisms (V1, V2, V3, V4, 75, 76) that can each open and close a corresponding one of the flow paths (71, 72, 73, 74). A first connection point (C1) connecting an inflow portion of the first flow path (71) and an inflow portion of the second flow path (72) is connected to a discharge portion of a compression unit (30). A second connection point (C2) connecting an outflow portion of the first flow path (71) and an inflow portion of the third flow path (73) is connected to a gas-side end of a heat source heat exchanger (22). A third connection point (C3) connecting an outflow portion of the second flow path (72) and an inflow portion of the fourth flow path (74) is connected to a gas-side end of a second utilization heat exchanger (85, 93). A fourth connection point (C4) connecting an outflow portion of the third flow path (73) and an outflow portion of the fourth flow path (74), and a gas-side end of a first utilization heat exchanger (83) are connected to a suction portion of the compression unit (30).