Three-pipe multi-split system and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-split hot water systems face issues with refrigerant throttling and supercooling, leading to condensate water formation and safety risks, as well as inadequate heat dissipation in the compressor frequency conversion module, which can result in high temperatures and reliability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A three-pipe multi-split system with specific valve configurations and sensors to control refrigerant flow, ensuring unidirectional refrigerant passage and optimizing refrigerant heat dissipation, including the use of one-way valves and temperature sensors to manage the compressor and indoor unit operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If refrigerant flows through electronic expansion valve and plate heat exchanger for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation function is improved, but refrigerant temperature drops causing condensation and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the refrigerant flow path into separate channels using one-way valves. The refrigerant heat dissipation module has dedicated flow paths that prevent mixed flow with throttled/supercooled refrigerant, segmenting the system to avoid condensation while maintaining heat dissipation function
Solution Approach 2:
One-way valves are introduced as intermediary components to control refrigerant flow direction. These valves ensure that only properly conditioned refrigerant flows into the heat dissipation module, preventing low-temperature refrigerant from causing condensation while allowing heat dissipation to occur
2Adaptability or versatility
If outdoor unit heat exchanger is switched off, then system operation flexibility is improved, but compressor frequency conversion module cannot achieve sufficient heat dissipation and temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes dedicated refrigerant flow paths to the compressor heat dissipation module before the outdoor unit heat exchanger is switched off. The one-way valves pre-configured in the system ensure continuous refrigerant flow to the frequency conversion module for heat dissipation, preventing temperature rise even when the outdoor heat exchanger is inactive
Solution Approach 2:
One-way valves act as intermediaries to redirect refrigerant flow directly to the compressor heat dissipation module when the outdoor heat exchanger is off, ensuring the frequency conversion module receives sufficient refrigerant for heat dissipation without being affected by outdoor unit operation status
3Temperature
If refrigerant is supercooled by plate heat exchanger in heating mode, then heating function is improved, but refrigerant temperature drops causing condensation risk in heat dissipation module
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the refrigerant flow paths using one-way valves to separate the supercooling function in the plate heat exchanger from the heat dissipation function in the frequency conversion module. This ensures that supercooled refrigerant does not enter the heat dissipation module, eliminating condensation risk while maintaining heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
One-way valves serve as intermediaries that control refrigerant flow direction based on operating mode. In heating mode, they direct supercooled refrigerant away from the heat dissipation module, preventing condensation while allowing the plate heat exchanger to perform its supercooling function for efficient heating
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 prevents refrigerant throttling and supercooling, reduces the risk of condensation, ensures sufficient refrigerant flow through the heat dissipation module, and effectively manages the temperature of the compressor module, enhancing the system's reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic module including a refrigerant water heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant heat dissipation of a current multi-split hot water system occurs after electronic expansion during refrigeration, which has a certain throttling effect on the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor unit comprising a compressor
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant heat dissipation module has a low temperature, bringing a relatively great risk of condensation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and in particular to a three-pipe multi-split system and a control method thereof. The three-pipe multi-split system includes an outdoor unit, a multi-split indoor unit, and a hydraulic module. By optimizing a refrigerant system, the phenomenon that a refrigerant is throttled before flowing through a refrigerant heat dissipation module or super-cooled when passing through a plate heat exchanger (6) which causes a relatively low temperature of the refrigerant entering the refrigerant heat dissipation module and consequent condensation on the refrigerant heat dissipation module to produce condensate water and then causes a damage to a compressor frequency conversion module can be avoided. In addition, more refrigerant is caused to flow through the refrigerant heat dissipation module to reduce the temperature of the module. Meanwhile, a cooperation system increases control logics to avoid an excessively high temperature of the module, thereby effectively reducing the temperature of the compressor module (1), ensuring the uni-directionality of the refrigerant flowing through a first electronic expansion valve (8), and improving the cut-off capacity and reliability of the first electronic expansion valve (8).