Relay-Unit Air Conditioning for Leak-Safe Heat Medium Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems for buildings face issues such as refrigerant leakage into indoor spaces, high energy consumption due to long heat medium circulation paths, poor construction ease, noise, and cost associated with secondary medium circulation, and inefficient heat exchange performance with non-azeotropic refrigerant mixtures, leading to uncomfortable temperature control and energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning apparatus that uses a relay unit to transfer heat capacity from an outdoor unit to indoor units via a heat medium, avoiding direct refrigerant conveyance and allowing for comfortable heating or cooling operations by controlling the heat medium temperature, with a configuration of two pipes connecting the outdoor unit to the relay unit and two pipes connecting the relay unit to each indoor unit, facilitating energy saving and improved safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If refrigerant is circulated directly to indoor units, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but refrigerant leakage into indoor spaces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat medium (water or antifreeze solution) as an intermediary substance that carries thermal energy between the outdoor heat source unit and indoor distribution units. This eliminates direct refrigerant contact with indoor spaces while maintaining effective heat transfer through the heat medium circulation system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heat medium circulation path is made long to reach multiple indoor units, then coverage area is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat medium circulation system into multiple independent loops, each serving specific indoor units. The heat source unit is segmented into multiple heat exchangers that can independently serve different zones, allowing optimized circulation paths for each segment rather than one long circulation path serving all units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic flow control mechanisms including variable speed pumps and electronic expansion valves that adjust the heat medium flow rate and distribution in real-time based on actual heating or cooling demands of different indoor units, optimizing energy consumption regardless of circulation path length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If four water pipes are used to connect outdoor unit to each indoor unit for simultaneous cooling and heating, then operational flexibility is improved, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the heat medium circulation system with universal two-pipe connections that can serve both heating and cooling functions. By using flow direction control valves and reversible heat exchangers, the same pipe infrastructure supports dual operational modes, eliminating the need for separate four-pipe systems for each indoor unit.
4Use of energy by moving object
If secondary refrigerant system is used near each indoor unit, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but noise and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the noisy secondary refrigerant circulation components (pumps and heat exchangers) from the indoor unit locations and consolidates them in the outdoor heat source unit. The indoor units receive only the thermal energy through the heat medium circulation system, eliminating local noise sources while maintaining heat exchange efficiency through optimized outdoor equipment design.
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 reduces energy consumption, enhances safety by minimizing refrigerant leakage, and ensures comfortable indoor temperatures by effectively controlling the heat medium temperature, improving both operational efficiency and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger included in an outdoor unit and it is conveyed to a fan coil unit or a panel heater, serving as an indoor unit, to perform heating or cooling
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant transfers or removes heat to or from air to heat or cool the air, thus heating or cooling an air-conditioned space with the heated or cooled air
Data Source
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AI summary
Upon switching of an air-conditioning apparatus 100 from an operation mode in which all of indoor units 3 each including a use side heat exchanger 35 are in non-operation to another operation mode in which at least one of the indoor units 3 starts a cooling operation mode or a heating operation mode, a heat medium conveyed to the use side heat exchanger 35 included in the indoor unit 3 which has received a start instruction is cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature by a heat source side refrigerant, and after that, an air-sending device included in the indoor unit 3 which starts the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode is actuated.