Outdoor Heat Exchanger Split Defrosting for Continuous Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning apparatuses face challenges in defrosting without stopping heating operations due to complex configurations and high manufacturing costs, particularly with the use of refrigerant flow diverters and multiple electromagnetic valves, which complicate size reduction and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus with a simple configuration that divides the outdoor heat exchanger into independent first and second heat exchange units, utilizing a single switching valve to alternate defrosting operations without stopping heating, allowing continuous heating performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a refrigerant flow diverter and multiple electromagnetic valves are used to enable defrosting without stopping heating, then defrosting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor heat exchanger is divided into first and second heat exchange paths, allowing independent defrosting of each path. This segmentation enables the system to defrost one path while the other continues heating operation, achieving defrosting capability without requiring complex multi-valve configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single switching valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it can switch refrigerant flow between different paths, enable defrosting operations, and maintain heating operations simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate electromagnetic valves and flow diverters, reducing device complexity while maintaining defrosting capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a refrigerant flow diverter and multiple electromagnetic valves are used to enable defrosting without stopping heating, then defrosting capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow control functions that previously required separate electromagnetic valves and a refrigerant flow diverter are merged into a single switching valve. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to perform defrosting operations without stopping heating.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outdoor heat exchanger is divided into multiple heat exchange paths with multiple valves, then defrosting capability is improved, but the size of the outdoor heat exchanger increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor heat exchanger is segmented into first and second heat exchange paths that can operate independently. By dividing the heat exchanger into these paths, the system can defrost one path while the other continues heating, achieving defrosting capability without requiring additional valves that would increase overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The single switching valve serves multiple purposes within the divided heat exchange paths, enabling defrosting operations without requiring separate valuation for each path. This multi-functional approach allows the outdoor heat exchanger to maintain a compact size while still providing effective defrosting capability.
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
Enables defrosting without halting heating operations while simplifying the apparatus configuration, reducing size, and lowering manufacturing costs by using a single switching valve to manage refrigerant flow between independent heat exchange units.
Implementation Method 1
The switching valve is configured to change the communication relation among the first to fourth connection ports
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant circulates through a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve and an outdoor heat exchanger in this order during heating operation
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant from the expansion valve is divided and supplied to the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus includes a flow path switching valve. An outdoor heat exchanger is divided into a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. During heating operation, a refrigerant is diverted and supplied to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. During the heating operation, the flow path switching valve combines the flows of the refrigerants discharged from the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and returns the resultant refrigerant to a refrigerant inlet of a compressor. Three ports of the flow path switching valve are internally communicated with one another while being isolated from an other single port during the heating operation. Two ports of the flow path switching valve are internally communicated with each other and other two ports are internally communicated with each other during defrosting operation of the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger.