Relay Unit Valve Block Integration for Compact Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems face challenges with refrigerant leakage, leading to environmental concerns and increased costs due to the need for larger refrigerant amounts, as well as inefficiencies in energy consumption and labor costs associated with complex pipeline installations, particularly in restricted spaces.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus with a relay unit that uses a valve block unit with integrated branch pipes and main pipes, along with a heat medium flow direction switching device, to simplify pipeline structures and reduce size, allowing for efficient heat exchange and easy maintenance in compact environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-pressure refrigerant is conveyed to an indoor unit, then cooling or heating operation can be performed, but the refrigerant charged amount becomes extremely large leading to environmental harm and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
A relay unit is introduced as an intermediary device between the outdoor unit and indoor units. The relay unit contains a heat exchanger that transfers heat between the refrigerant and a heat medium (water), allowing the refrigerant to remain confined to the outdoor unit while still delivering cooling or heating effects to indoor units through the heat medium circulation system.
2Reliability
If heat is exchanged between refrigerant and water in the outdoor unit and water is conveyed to the indoor unit, then cooling or heating can be supplied, but water conveying power becomes extremely large increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent circulation loops: a refrigerant circulation loop confined to the outdoor unit, and a heat medium (water) circulation loop that connects to indoor units. The relay unit acts as a heat transfer interface between these two loops, allowing each loop to operate independently with optimized flow rates and pressures, thereby reducing the energy required for fluid conveyance.
3Device complexity
If both cold and heat are supplied by water or the like, then the pipeline structure can be simplified, but the number of connected pipelines needs to be increased resulting in increased installation labor and time
Solution Approach 1:
The relay unit is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving as both a heat exchanger and a flow distribution center. It contains multiple valves and flow paths that can handle both heating and cooling operations through a single integrated device, eliminating the need for separate pipeline systems for different functions and reducing overall installation complexity.
4Length of stationary object
If the relay unit is made thinner to cope with restricted spaces, then installation in attics and similar locations becomes feasible, but maintenance and serviceability become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve block unit is designed with a nested structure where components are arranged in compact, space-efficient configurations. The integrated design allows multiple functional elements to be contained within a reduced footprint while maintaining accessibility through strategic placement of service ports and modular components that can be serviced even in confined spaces.
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 a thinner, more efficient air conditioning system that reduces energy consumption, simplifies installation, and enhances maintenance capabilities in restricted spaces, while minimizing refrigerant leakage and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a heat medium heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A relay unit 3 connected to one or a plurality of outdoor units 1 and a plurality of indoor units 2 by different pipeline systems, respectively, so as to exchange heat between a refrigerant circulating through the outdoor unit 1 and a heat medium different from the refrigerant and to circulate the heat medium through the indoor unit 2, provided with a valve block unit 300 in which a plurality of valve blocks 350 integrated with at least a plurality of branch pipes 301 and 302 connected to the indoor unit 1, a plurality of main pipes 305 to 308 which become channels for the heat medium relating to the heat exchange, and heat medium flow direction switching devices 22 and 23 that switch the main pipes 305 to 308 to communicate with the branch pipes 301 and 302 are connected.