Relay-Unit Air Conditioning for Mixed Cooling and Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-conditioning apparatuses for buildings face challenges such as refrigerant leakage, complex installation, energy loss, and safety concerns due to the use of flammable refrigerants, particularly when attempting simultaneous cooling and heating operations.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning apparatus with a relay unit and outdoor unit connected via two heat transfer medium pipes, utilizing a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, flow switching devices, and intermediate heat exchangers to enable simultaneous cooling and heating without introducing refrigerant pipes into the building, reducing refrigerant usage and minimizing leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant pipes are introduced into the building to enable simultaneous cooling and heating operations, then the air-conditioning system can serve multiple indoor units with different requirements, but the risk of refrigerant leakage into the room increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer medium (water or antifreeze solution) as an intermediary substance that carries thermal energy between the outdoor unit and indoor units. This medium circulates through pipes that can be safely installed within the building without the hazards associated with refrigerant pipes, enabling simultaneous cooling and heating operations while eliminating refrigerant leakage risks into occupied spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the refrigerant from the indoor unit circulation system, confining it exclusively to the outdoor unit. By separating the refrigerant circuit from the heat transfer medium circuit, the system allows heat transfer medium to circulate through indoor units via safe piping, while refrigerant remains contained in the outdoor unit, thus eliminating the harmful effect of refrigerant leakage into buildings
2Adaptability or versatility
If four water pipes are connected between the outdoor unit and each indoor unit to allow simultaneous cooling and heating, then each indoor unit can select its operation mode, but the installation work becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a two-pipe heat transfer medium circulation system where the same pipes serve dual functions for both cooling and heating operations. The system uses flow direction control and heat exchanger configuration to enable each indoor unit to select between cooling and heating modes without requiring separate dedicated pipes for each function, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic flow control mechanisms including three-way valves and flow switching devices that can redirect the heat transfer medium flow in real-time based on the selected operation mode. This dynamic adjustment of flow paths allows the same physical infrastructure to adapt to different operational requirements, eliminating the need for complex fixed piping configurations
3Productivity
If the refrigerant circulates as far as the indoor units, then the air-conditioning system can directly cool or heat the air, but the refrigerant may leak into the room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer medium as an intermediary substance that transfers thermal energy between the refrigerant (confined to outdoor unit) and the air (processed in indoor units). This indirect heat transfer mechanism maintains the efficiency of direct air conditioning while eliminating the safety hazard of refrigerant presence in indoor spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the refrigerant from the indoor air processing system and confines it to the outdoor unit only. By separating the refrigerant function from the air treatment function, the system achieves direct air cooling and heating in indoor units through heat transfer medium, while eliminating refrigerant leakage risks into occupied spaces
4Productivity
If a heat exchanger is located in the vicinity of each indoor unit to transfer heat between refrigerant and heat transfer medium, then cooling and heating can be performed, but the refrigerant leakage risk cannot be eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat exchanger functionality from the indoor units and relocates it entirely to the outdoor unit. By concentrating all refrigerant-handling components in the outdoor unit and using heat transfer medium for indoor distribution, the system maintains full cooling and heating operational capability while completely eliminating the possibility of refrigerant leakage into indoor spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs heat transfer medium as an intermediary that performs the heat transfer function previously requiring refrigerant circulation near indoor units. This mediator substance circulates through safe piping to indoor units, enabling thermal exchange operations without introducing refrigerant into or near indoor spaces, thus maintaining productivity while eliminating leakage risks
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 allows for efficient, safe, and simplified installation of air-conditioning systems that can perform both cooling and heating operations simultaneously, reducing refrigerant leakage risks and energy losses while maintaining safety by minimizing the amount of refrigerant used.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer medium
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant transfers heat to air to heat the air or removes heat from the air to cool the air
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for compressing the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning apparatus cools and heats a first heat transfer medium at the same time in a relay unit, and the cooled first heat transfer medium and the heated first heat transfer medium are separately distributed to a plurality of indoor units.