Temperature adjustment system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump air conditioners using flammable HC refrigerants and water circulation circuits face the risk of the plate-type heat exchanger freezing and breaking down under certain outdoor temperature conditions, leading to potential refrigerant leakage and system failure.
Innovation Solution
A temperature adjustment system with a refrigerant circuit using a highly flammable refrigerant, a water circuit, and a first heat exchanger, equipped with an automatic on-off valve that releases water at low temperatures to prevent freezing, and a control unit to manage operations and defrosting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual water draining is used to prevent heat exchanger freezing, then freezing protection is achieved, but operational convenience deteriorates and reliability is compromised due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic on-off valve enables the system to drain water autonomously when freezing conditions are detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The valve automatically senses temperature conditions and performs drainage operations, making the system self-protecting against freezing while maintaining operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated temperature-sensing and valve-control system. The automatic on-off valve uses temperature sensing mechanisms to trigger drainage operations, substituting human mechanical action with an automated control system that improves both reliability and ease of operation.
2Productivity
If water is continuously circulated through the heat exchanger, then temperature adjustment efficiency is improved, but freezing risk increases under low outdoor temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic drainage operations through the automatic on-off valve, which activates at specific temperature thresholds and deactivates when conditions improve. This periodic action allows water to be drained during freezing conditions while maintaining continuous circulation during safe conditions, balancing efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of water circulation by introducing temperature-based control. The automatic on-off valve monitors temperature parameters and adjusts water flow accordingly, stopping circulation when temperatures indicate freezing risk and resuming when safe, thereby adapting the system's operational state to environmental conditions.
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 system effectively prevents freezing of the heat exchanger, thereby avoiding refrigerant leakage and system failure, while maintaining efficient temperature adjustment operations.
Implementation Method 1
The first heat exchanger exchanges heat between the water and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an automatic on-off valve that automatically releases the water in the first heat exchanger at a low temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature adjustment system includes a first unit. The first unit includes a refrigerant circuit through which a highly flammable refrigerant circulates, a second water pipe, and a first heat exchanger. The second water pipe is a heat source-side water pipe connected to the first water pipe. The first heat exchanger exchanges heat between the water and the refrigerant. The first unit further includes an automatic on-off valve that automatically releases the water in the first heat exchanger at a low temperature.