Ventilation Heat Exchanger Layout for Air Temperature and Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems face challenges in continuously providing comfortable indoor air due to limited circulation of stagnant indoor air, inefficient temperature control, and high energy consumption when using separate cooling coils or dehumidifying agents.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring a ventilation device with multiple heat exchangers connected through refrigerant pipes, including a main heat exchanger, recovery heat exchanger, and re-heat heat exchanger, which allows for efficient heat exchange and precise temperature control by using a single compressor, minimizing power consumption and enhancing dehumidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate cooling coil is used to control the temperature of outside air supplied to the indoor, then the temperature control is achieved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to large power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function with the dehumidification function by using the same evaporator (first heat exchanger) for both purposes. The refrigerant circulation system is integrated such that the evaporator cools and dehumidifies the air simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate cooling coil and reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the primary cooling/dehumidification device and provides temperature control for the supplied air. By making the evaporator multi-functional, the system achieves temperature control without requiring additional dedicated cooling components that would increase energy consumption.
2Temperature
If multiple separate heat exchangers are disposed in the ventilation device, then detailed temperature control is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat exchange functions into distinct heat exchangers (evaporator, condenser, reheat heat exchanger) with specific roles, while using a centralized refrigerant circulation system to coordinate them. This segmentation allows detailed temperature control at different stages (cooling, dehumidifying, reheating) while managing complexity through systematic refrigerant flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of refrigerant flow distribution to multiple heat exchangers based on real-time temperature and humidity requirements. The refrigerant circulation system can dynamically adjust which heat exchangers are active and how refrigerant is distributed, enabling flexible temperature control without requiring all heat exchangers to be permanently configured for specific functions.
3Ease of operation
If only stagnant indoor air is circulated, then the system is simple, but it is not possible to continuously provide comfortable air to a user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces outdoor air as an intermediary element to refresh the indoor environment. The ventilation device incorporates outdoor air intake and mixing functionality, allowing fresh outdoor air to enter and mix with indoor air before being supplied to the room, thereby continuously providing comfortable air while managing the complexity through integrated air handling.
4Loss of substance
If outside air is dehumidified using a liquid dehumidifying agent, then dehumidification is achieved, but the temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical dehumidification method (liquid dehumidifying agent) with a mechanical refrigeration-based dehumidification system. The evaporator condenses moisture from the air through refrigeration, providing precise control over both humidity and temperature. This substitution allows simultaneous control of dehumidification and temperature through the refrigerant circulation system.
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 controls indoor air temperature and humidity, reducing energy consumption by utilizing multiple heat exchangers to manage air exchange and refrigerant flow, providing comfortable indoor conditions while minimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
an outdoor unit including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outside air
Implementation Method 3
a main heat exchanger which is disposed in the supply flow path, and exchanges heat between flowing air and refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air; a recovery heat exchanger which is disposed in the discharge flow path, and exchanges heat between flowing air and refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outside air. A ventilation device is connected to the outdoor unit through a liquid refrigerant pipe, a high-pressure refrigerant pipe, and a low-pressure refrigerant pipe. The ventilation device supplies the outside air to an indoor space, and discharges indoor air to the outside. The ventilation device includes a case, a main heat exchanger, a recovery heat exchanger, a refrigerant distributor, and a re-heat heat exchanger. A liquid refrigerant pipe valve is disposed in the liquid refrigerant pipe for controlling an amount of refrigerant.