Heat-Exchange Water Bypass Layout for Precise Air Humidity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems for large buildings have complex structures and high costs due to numerous components, including multiple valves and piping, which complicates installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning system simplifies structure and reduces costs by minimizing piping length and the number of valves through a configuration where the second water passage branches off from the first, allowing precise control with only two water regulating valves and incorporating a humidifier for energy-efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple two-way valves and series piping are used to control heat-exchange water flow through multiple heat exchangers, then temperature and humidity control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature and humidity control precisionVSAvoidnumber of valves and piping
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate water flow control paths into a single integrated water passage. Instead of using multiple two-way valves to control separate heat exchanger circuits, the invention uses one three-way valve to distribute heat-exchange water between multiple heat exchangers sharing a common water passage, thereby reducing valve count from four to one while maintaining control precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single three-way valve performs multiple functions that previously required four separate two-way valves. It controls water flow distribution to the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and enables bypass flow, effectively replacing multiple specialized valves with one multi-functional component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If four two-way valves are installed to regulate heat-exchange water flow rates through multiple heat exchangers, then air-conditioning performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair-conditioning performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple water flow control functions into a single integrated system. Instead of installing four separate two-way valves in different locations, the invention uses one three-way valve with a common water passage that serves multiple heat exchangers, reducing installation complexity and manufacturing cost while preserving air-conditioning performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential function of water flow regulation from multiple distributed valves and consolidates it into a single three-way valve located at one point in the system. This centralizes the control function and eliminates the need for multiple valve installations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces unnecessary air-conditioning loads, achieves precise temperature and humidity control, and enables energy savings by adjusting water flow rates and air volumes based on load variations, while maintaining a comfortable environment.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat exchanger (1) configured to perform a first process of cooling or heating the air-conditioning air by heat-exchange water that flows through the first heat exchanger (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the first heat exchanger (1) configured to perform a first process of cooling or heating the air-conditioning air by heat-exchange water that flows through the first heat exchanger (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a first water regulating valve (5) configured to vary a flow rate of the heat-exchange water before the first process; a second water regulating valve (6) configured to vary a flow rate distribution of the heat-exchange water between the first water passage (3) and the second water passage (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP3370001B1Air conditioning system
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 KIMURA KOHKI CO LTD
  • EP3370001B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370001B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3370001B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An air conditioner includes: a first heat exchanger configured to perform a first process of cooling air-conditioning air by heat-exchange water; a second heat exchanger configured to perform a second process of cooling the air-conditioning air by the heat-exchange water; a first water passage configured to cause the heat-exchange water to flow through the first heat exchanger and then flow through the second heat exchanger; a second water passage branching off from the first water passage and configured to cause the heat-exchange water that has been used in the first process to flow in a manner to bypass the second heat exchanger; a first water regulating valve configured to adjust performance of the first heat exchanger in the first process; a second water regulating valve configured to adjust performance of the second heat exchanger in the second process; and an air conditioner control device configured to adjust the air-conditioning air.