Split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system, method of gassing and/or re-gassing a refrigerant circuit of a split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system, and method for regenerating at least one adsorption device of a split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of split-type air conditioning and heat pump systems requires specialized training and equipment, specifically a vacuum pump, to remove air, moisture, and nitrogen from the refrigerant circuit, making the process complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an adsorption device in the refrigerant circuit, specifically designed to adsorb moisture, oxygen, and nitrogen in the gaseous state, allowing for direct refrigerant filling without vacuum pumping, thus simplifying the installation process and eliminating the need for a vacuum pump.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vacuum pump is used to remove air and moisture from the refrigerant circuit during installation, then the system reliability is improved by removing detrimental substances, but the device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful substances (moisture, oxygen, nitrogen) are extracted from the refrigerant circuit using an adsorption device containing adsorption material, eliminating the need for vacuum pumping and simplifying the installation process while maintaining system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An adsorption device is introduced as an intermediary component in the refrigerant circuit that passively removes detrimental substances through adsorption, replacing the active vacuum pumping process and reducing installation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a vacuum pump is required for installation, then moisture and oxygen are effectively removed from the refrigerant circuit, but the installation cost and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture and oxygen removalVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adsorption device uses relatively inexpensive adsorption material that can be easily replaced or regenerated, eliminating the need for expensive vacuum pumps and their ongoing maintenance, while still achieving effective removal of moisture and oxygen from the refrigerant circuit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the adsorption device is placed in the liquid refrigerant portion, then moisture adsorption is enhanced, but the refrigerant flow is disrupted and system performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture adsorption efficiencyVSAvoidrefrigerant circulation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adsorption device is specifically positioned in the gaseous refrigerant portion of the circuit where it can adsorb moisture without interfering with liquid refrigerant flow, optimizing both moisture removal efficiency and system productivity through localized functional placement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables easier and cost-effective installation of split-type air conditioning and heat pump systems by eliminating the requirement for vacuum pumps and specialized training, while effectively removing detrimental gases from the refrigerant circuit.

Implementation Method 1

at least one adsorption device for adsorbing at least moisture, oxygen, and/or nitrogen present in the refrigerant circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4435348A1Split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system, method of gassing and/or re-gassing a refrigerant circuit of a split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system, and method for regenerating at least one adsorption device of a split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4435348A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4435348A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4435348A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, wherein the split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system comprises a refrigerant circuit configured by connecting a compressor, at least one adsorption device for adsorbing at least moisture, oxygen, and/or nitrogen present in the refrigerant circuit, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator by piping, and wherein the at least one adsorption device is disposed in a portion of the refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant is substantially in a gaseous state. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method of gassing and/or re-gassing the refrigerant circuit of the split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system according to the present invention, and also to a method for regenerating the at least one adsorption device of the split-type air conditioning and/or heat pump system according to the present invention.