Split-type air conditioning and heat pump system with energy efficient arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional split-type air conditioning and heat pump systems have a low Coefficient of Performance (C.O.P.), which is inefficient in meeting the increasing global energy demand.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an energy-saving heat exchanger on the indoor unit that pre-heats or cools air before it reaches the indoor heat exchanger, enhancing the heat exchange process by using an additional heat exchanger in series with the indoor unit, thereby increasing the refrigerant temperature and improving energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an energy-saving heat exchanger is added to the indoor unit, then energy efficiency and C.O.P. are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy-saving heat exchanger is integrated into the indoor unit structure, merging the pre-heating function with the existing air conditioning components. The heat exchanger is positioned within the indoor housing and connected to the refrigerant circulation system, combining multiple functions (cooling, heating, and pre-heating) into a unified system rather than separate standalone components.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange process is segmented into multiple stages: the energy-saving heat exchanger performs pre-heating of incoming air in series with the main indoor heat exchanger. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific temperature range, with the energy-saving heat exchanger handling the initial heating phase and the main indoor heat exchanger completing the heating process, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If an energy-saving heat exchanger is added to preheat air, then heat exchange effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy-saving heat exchanger is designed to serve multiple functions within the air conditioning system. It acts as a pre-heater for incoming air, utilizes waste heat from the refrigerant circulation, and integrates with the existing cooling and heating modes. This multi-functionality allows a single component to perform several tasks, reducing the need for additional separate components and thereby controlling manufacturing costs while improving heat exchange effectiveness.
3Loss of energy
If refrigerant flows through additional heat exchangers, then energy efficiency is improved, but system pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy-saving heat exchanger is positioned to perform pre-heating of the incoming air before the refrigerant enters the main indoor heat exchanger. This preliminary action allows the refrigerant to enter the main heat exchanger at a more favorable temperature and pressure condition, reducing the overall pressure drop across the system while maintaining effective heat exchange. The sequential arrangement optimizes the thermodynamic conditions for each stage of the heat exchange process.
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
This configuration increases the effective surface area for heat exchange and reduces energy loss, leading to improved energy efficiency and a higher C.O.P. compared to conventional systems, while maintaining the same work done by the compressor in both air conditioning and heat pump modes.
Implementation Method 1
an energy saving heat exchanger supported in the indoor housing and connected to the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger through the connecting pipes respectively, the energy saving heat exchanger being positioned between the indoor air inlet and the indoor heat exchanger so that air from an indoor space is arranged to pass through the energy saving heat exchanger before reaching the indoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a predetermined amount of vaporous refrigerant is arranged to leave the compressor and guided to enter the outdoor heat exchanger for releasing heat to ambient atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant leaving the energy saving heat exchanger being guided to flow into the indoor heat exchanger also for absorbing heat from the air drawn from the indoor space
Implementation Method 4
a compressor supported in the outdoor housing, the compressor having a compressor outlet and a compressor inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A split-type air conditioning and heat pump system an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and an energy efficient arrangement. The indoor unit includes an indoor housing having an indoor air inlet, and an indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit includes an outdoor housing, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and a fan unit. The energy efficient arrangement includes an energy saving heat exchanger supported in the indoor housing and connected to the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger. The energy saving heat exchanger is positioned between the indoor air inlet and the indoor heat exchanger so that air from an indoor space is arranged to pass through the energy saving heat exchanger before reaching the indoor heat exchanger.