U.S. patent application number 15/329821 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-29 for variable refrigerant flow system.
The applicant listed for this patent is GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Junwei CHEN, Guozhong YANG.
Application Number | 20180340700 15/329821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53588316 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180340700 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; Junwei ; et
al. |
November 29, 2018 |
VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW SYSTEM
Abstract
A multi-split system includes an outdoor unit, a distribution
device, a plurality of indoor units. Each indoor unit includes an
indoor heat exchanger and a throttling element, and the
distribution device includes a plurality of first controlling
valves and a plurality of second controlling valves corresponding
to each indoor unit. When any one of the plurality of indoor units
receives a mode switching instruction, the 20 indoor unit sends the
mode switching instruction to the distribution device. The
distribution device determines on or off statuses of a first on/off
valve and a second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit
according to the mode switching instruction.
Inventors: |
CHEN; Junwei; (Foshan,
CN) ; YANG; Guozhong; (Foshan, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD. |
|
|
|
|
|
Family ID: |
53588316 |
Appl. No.: |
15/329821 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
December 22, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2015/098290 |
371 Date: |
January 27, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2400/23 20130101;
F25B 13/00 20130101; F25B 2313/007 20130101; F25B 2313/0233
20130101; F25B 2313/006 20130101; F25B 2313/0311 20130101; F25B
2500/12 20130101; F25B 2600/2509 20130101; F24F 11/62 20180101;
F25B 2313/0231 20130101; F24F 11/89 20180101; F25B 49/02 20130101;
F24F 11/65 20180101; F25B 2600/2519 20130101; F25B 2313/0292
20130101; F25B 29/003 20130101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F25B 41/04
20130101; F24F 3/06 20130101; F25B 2600/2513 20130101; F24F 1/0003
20130101; F24F 2221/54 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 3/06 20060101
F24F003/06; F24F 11/89 20060101 F24F011/89; F25B 41/04 20060101
F25B041/04; F25B 49/02 20060101 F25B049/02; F24F 1/00 20060101
F24F001/00; F24F 11/30 20060101 F24F011/30; F24F 11/62 20060101
F24F011/62; F24F 11/65 20060101 F24F011/65 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2015 |
CN |
201510151648.3 |
Claims
1. A multi-split system, comprising an outdoor unit, a distribution
device, a plurality of indoor units, in which each indoor unit
comprises an indoor heat exchanger and a throttling element, and
the distribution device comprises a plurality of first controlling
valves and a plurality of second controlling valves corresponding
to each indoor unit, when any one of the plurality of indoor units
receives a mode switching instruction, the indoor unit sends the
mode switching instruction to the distribution device; the
distribution device determines on or off statuses of a first on/off
valve and a second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit
according to the mode switching instruction.
2. The multi-split system according to claim 1, wherein when any
one of the plurality of indoor units is under a heating operating
mode, the distribution device controls the second on/off valve
corresponding to the indoor unit to open, and controls the first
on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and
controls an opening of the throttling element in the indoor unit by
an indoor controller in the indoor unit, in which when the indoor
unit receives an instruction indicating switching to a cooling
operating mode, the distribution device controls the second on/off
valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and controls the
throttling element in the indoor unit to reach a standby opening by
the indoor controller in the indoor unit; the distribution device
controls the throttling element in the indoor unit to reach a
maximum opening by the indoor controller in the indoor unit after a
first preset time so as to make the indoor unit be filled with a
medium-pressure liquid refrigerant, the distribution device
controls the first on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to
open after a second preset time, in which the second preset time is
longer than the first preset time.
3. The multi-split system according to claim 1, wherein when any
one of the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling operating
mode, the distribution device controls the first on/off valve
corresponding to the indoor unit to open, and controls the second
on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and
controls an opening of the throttling element in the indoor unit by
an indoor controller in the indoor unit, in which when the indoor
unit receives an instruction indicating switching to a heating
operating mode, the distribution device controls the first on/off
valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and controls the
throttling element in the indoor unit to reach a maximum opening by
the indoor controller in the indoor unit; the distribution device
controls the second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit
to open after a second preset time.
4. The multi-split system according to claim 1, wherein the
multi-split system comprises a two-pipe heat recovery multi-split
system and a three-pipe heat recovery multi-split system.
5. The multi-split system according to claim 1, wherein when any
one of the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling operating
mode, the indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a cooling
standby mode, a cooling stopping mode or a heating operating mode;
when any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling
standby mode, the indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a
cooling stopping mode or a heating operating mode; when any one of
the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling stopping mode, the
indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a cooling operating
mode or a heating operating mode; when any one of the plurality of
indoor units is under a heating operating mode, the indoor unit may
be controlled to be switched to a heating standby mode, a heating
stopping mode or a cooling operating mode; when any one of the
plurality of indoor units is under a heating standby mode, the
indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a heating stopping
mode or a cooling operating mode; when any one of the plurality of
indoor units is under a heating stopping mode, the indoor unit may
be controlled to be switched to a cooling operating mode or a
heating operating mode.
6. The multi-split system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the
first preset time is in a range of 20 to 40 seconds, and the second
preset time is in a range of 50 to 70 seconds.
7. The multi-split system according to claim 2, wherein the standby
opening is 72 P, and the maximum opening is 480 P.
8. The multi-split system according to claim 2, wherein the
multi-split system comprises a two-pipe heat recovery multi-split
system and a three-pipe heat recovery multi-split system.
9. The multi-split system according to claim 3, wherein the
multi-split system comprises a two-pipe heat recovery multi-split
system and a three-pipe heat recovery multi-split system.
10. The multi-split system according to claim 3, wherein the first
preset time is in a range of 20 to 40 seconds, and the second
preset time is in a range of 50 to 70 seconds.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning field,
and more particularly, to a multi-split system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the development of society, the requirements for the
air conditioning technology are raised correspondingly, for
example, multi-split products are required to realize a
simultaneous cooling and heating. Therefore, a heat recovery
multi-split system is increasingly popular in the market.
[0003] Currently, there are a two-pipe heat recovery multi-split
system and a three-pipe heat recovery multi-split system in the
multi-split air conditioner market. The two-pipe heat recovery
multi-split system and the three-pipe heat recovery multi-split
system correspond to different refrigerant switching devices
respectively, usually an unloading valve is opened before switching
the operating mode, and the unloading valve is closed after
switching the operating mode. However, because the pressure
difference between two ends of the unloading valve is large, the
bypass noise is big, such that the noise during the mode switching
of the indoor unit is too big, which impacts the comfort level of
users.
SUMMARY
[0004] Therefore, an objective of the present disclosure is to
provide a multi-split system, which may effectively reduce noise
generated when the indoor unit switches the mode, and improves the
comfort level of users.
[0005] To achieve the above objective, embodiments of the present
disclosure provides a multi-split system, including an outdoor
unit, a distribution device, a plurality of indoor units, in which
each indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger and a throttling
element, and the distribution device includes a plurality of first
controlling valves and a plurality of second controlling valves
corresponding to each indoor unit. When any one of the plurality of
indoor units receives a mode switching instruction, the indoor unit
sends the mode switching instruction to the distribution device;
the distribution device determines on or off statuses of a first
on/off valve and a second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor
unit according to the mode switching instruction.
[0006] By the multi-split system according to embodiments of the
present disclosure, when any one of the plurality of indoor units
receives a mode switching instruction, the indoor unit sends the
mode switching instruction to a distribution device such that the
distribution device determines the on or off statuses of the first
on/off valve and the second on/off valve corresponding to the
indoor unit according to the mode switching instruction so as to
ensure a small pressure difference between the front and back of
the on/off valve when the indoor unit switches the mode, and thus
noises generated due to a big pressure difference in the mode
switching process may be effectively reduced, and the comfort level
of users may be improved.
[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when
any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a heating
operating mode, the distribution device controls the second on/off
valve corresponding to the indoor unit to open, and controls the
first on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and
controls an opening of the throttling element in the indoor unit by
an indoor controller in the indoor unit, in which when the indoor
unit receives an instruction indicating switching to a cooling
operating mode, the distribution device controls the second on/off
valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and controls the
throttling element in the indoor unit to reach a standby opening by
an indoor controller in the indoor unit; controls the throttling
element in the indoor unit to reach a maximum opening by the indoor
controller in the indoor unit after a first preset time so as to
make the indoor unit be filled with a medium-pressure liquid
refrigerant, the distribution device controls the first on/off
valve corresponding to the indoor unit to open after a second
preset time, in which the second preset time is longer than the
first preset time.
[0008] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,
when any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling
operating mode, the distribution device controls the first on/off
valve corresponding to the indoor unit to open, and controls the
second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and
controls an opening of the throttling element in the indoor unit by
an indoor controller in the indoor unit, in which when the indoor
unit receives an instruction indicating switching to a heating
operating mode, the distribution device controls the first on/off
valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and controls the
throttling element in the indoor unit to reach a maximum opening by
the indoor controller in the indoor unit; the distribution device
controls the second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit
to open after a second preset time.
[0009] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the multi-split
system includes a two-pipe heat recovery multi-split system and a
three-pipe heat recovery multi-split system.
[0010] In embodiments of the present disclosure, when any one of
the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling operating mode,
the indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a cooling
standby mode, a cooling stopping mode or a heating operating mode;
when any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling
standby mode, the indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a
cooling stopping mode or a heating operating mode; when any one of
the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling stopping mode, the
indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a cooling operating
mode or a heating operating mode; when any one of the plurality of
indoor units is under a heating operating mode, the indoor unit may
be controlled to be switched to a heating standby mode, a heating
stopping mode or a cooling operating mode; when any one of the
plurality of indoor units is under a heating standby mode, the
indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a heating stopping
mode or a cooling operating mode; when any one of the plurality of
indoor units is under a heating stopping mode, the indoor unit may
be controlled to be switched to a cooling operating mode or a
heating operating mode.
[0011] In an embodiment, the first preset time may be in a range of
20 to 40 seconds, and the second preset time may be in a range of
50 to 70 seconds.
[0012] In an embodiment, the standby opening may be 72 P, and the
maximum opening may be 480 P.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a two-pipe multi-split system
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a two-pipe multi-split system
operating under a pure heating mode according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a two-pipe multi-split system
operating under a main heating mode according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a two-pipe multi-split system
operating under a pure cooling mode according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a two-pipe multi-split system
operating under a main cooling mode according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a three-pipe multi-split
system according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a three-pipe multi-split
system operating under a pure heating mode according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a three-pipe multi-split
system operating under a main heating mode according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a three-pipe multi-split
system operating under a pure cooling mode according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a three-pipe multi-split
system operating under a main cooling mode according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0023] FIG. 11 is a communication network diagram of a multi-split
system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in
detail in the following descriptions, examples of which are shown
in the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements
and elements having same or similar functions are denoted by like
reference numerals throughout the descriptions. The embodiments
described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings are
exemplary, which are used to explain the present disclosure, and
shall not be construed to limit the present disclosure.
[0025] A multi-split system according to embodiments of the present
disclosure will be described below by referring to the accompanying
drawings.
[0026] In embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1
to FIG. 10, the multi-split system includes an outdoor unit 10, a
distribution device 30 and a plurality of indoor units (such as
four indoor units 21, 22, 23, 24).
[0027] Each indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger and a
throttling element, the distribution device 30 includes a plurality
of first controlling valves and a plurality of second controlling
valves corresponding to each indoor unit. When any one of the
plurality of indoor units receives a mode switching instruction,
the indoor unit sends the mode switching instruction to the
distribution device 30 such that the distribution device 30
determines on or off statuses of the first on/off valve and the
second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit according to
the mode switching instruction.
[0028] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the multi-split
system may include a two-pipe heat recovery multi-split system and
a three-pipe heat recovery multi-split system.
[0029] In the two-pipe heat recovery multi-split system according
to embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1 to
FIG. 5, the outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 101, a four-way
valve 102, an outdoor heat exchanger 103, an outdoor gas-liquid
separator 104, an oil separator 105, a first electromagnetic valve
106, a capillary 107, four one-way valves 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D, a
first interface 109 and a second interface 110. The compressor 101
has an exhaust port and a gas returning port, and the four-way
valve 102 has a first valve port to a fourth valve port, in which
the first valve port is communicated with one of the second valve
port and the third valve port, and the fourth valve port is
communicated with the other one of the second valve port and the
third valve port, and the first valve port is communicated with the
exhaust port of the compressor 101 through the oil separator 105,
and the fourth valve port is communicated with the gas returning
port of the compressor 101 through the outdoor gas-liquid separator
104, and the one-way valve 108A is connected in series between the
second valve port and the first interface 109, and the third valve
port is connected to a first end of the outdoor heat exchanger
103.
[0030] The distribution device 30 includes a gas-liquid separator
301, a plurality of first controlling valves (such as four first
controlling valves 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D), a plurality of second
controlling valves (such as four second controlling valves 303A,
303B, 303C, 303D), a first electronic expansion valve 304A, a
second electronic expansion valve 304B, four first one-way valves
305A, 305B, 305C, 305D, four second one-way valves 306A, 306B,
306C, 306D, a first heat exchange assembly 307A and a second heat
exchange assembly 307B. The gas-liquid separator 301 has an inlet,
a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, the inlet is connected to a
second end of the outdoor heat exchanger 103 through a
high-pressure stop valve 40 and the one-way valve 108B, the gas
outlet is connected to the four second controlling valves 303A,
303B, 303C, 303D respectively; the four first controlling valves
302A, 302B, 302C, 302D are connected to the first interface 109
through the low-pressure stop valve 50 respectively. The first heat
exchange assembly 307A and the second heat exchange assembly 307B
may be plate heat exchangers, and may also be double-pipe heat
exchangers.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the first end of the one-way
valve 108A is connected between the one-way valve 108B and the
second interface 110 through the one-way valve 108C, and the second
end of the one-way valve 108A is connected between the one-way
valve 108B and the outdoor heat exchanger 103 through the one-way
valve 108D.
[0032] The first heat exchange assembly 307A and the second heat
exchange assembly 307B each have a first heat exchange flow path
and a second heat exchange flow path, and the liquid outlet of the
gas-liquid separator 301 is connected to the first heat exchange
flow path of the first heat exchange assembly 307A, and the first
heat exchange flow path of the first heat exchange assembly 307A is
connected to the first electronic expansion valve 304A, and the
second heat exchange flow path of the first heat exchange assembly
307A is connected to the second heat exchange flow path of the
second heat exchange assembly 307B and the four first controlling
valves 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D respectively.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, each indoor unit includes an
indoor heat exchanger and a throttling element. The indoor unit 21
includes an indoor heat exchanger 211 and a throttling element 212,
and the indoor unit 22 includes an indoor heat exchanger 221 and a
throttling element 222, and the indoor unit 23 includes an indoor
heat exchanger 231 and a throttling element 232, and the indoor
unit 24 includes an indoor heat exchanger 241 and a throttling
element 242. The first end of the indoor heat exchanger in each
indoor unit is connected to the corresponding throttling element,
the second end of the indoor heat exchanger in each indoor unit is
connected to the corresponding first controlling valve and second
controlling valve, and the throttling element in each indoor unit
is connected to the corresponding first one-way valve and the
second one-way valve, and the flow direction of the first one-way
valve is opposite to the flow direction of the second one-way
valve. Moreover, the four first one-way valves 305A, 305B, 305C,
305D are all connected to a first common flow path, and the four
second one-way valves 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D are all connected to a
second common flow path, and the first heat exchange flow path of
the second heat exchange assembly 307B is communicated with the
first common flow path and the second common flow path
respectively, and the first electronic expansion valve 304A is
connected to the first common flow path, and the second electronic
expansion valve 304B is connected to the second heat exchange flow
path of the second heat exchange assembly 307B and the second
common flow path respectively, and the first electronic expansion
valve 304A is further connected with the second electromagnetic
valve 308 in parallel.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, a pressure sensor 309A and a
pressure sensor 309B are provided at two ends of the first
electronic expansion valve 304A and the second electromagnetic
valve 308 in parallel connection respectively, and a temperature
sensor 310A and a temperature sensor 310B are provided at two ends
of the first heat exchange flow path of the second heat exchange
assembly 307B respectively. In addition, a pressure sensor 309C is
provided at one end of the second heat exchange flow path of the
first heat exchange assembly 307A.
[0035] In the three-pipe heat recovery multi-split system according
to embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 6 to
FIG. 10, the outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 101, two
four-way valves 102, 102A, an outdoor heat exchanger 103, an
outdoor gas-liquid separator 104, an oil separator 105, a first
electromagnetic valve 106, three capillaries 107, 107A, 107B, an
electronic expansion valve 112, and a first interface 109, a second
interface 110 and a third interface 111. The compressor 101 has an
exhaust port and a gas returning port, and the two four-way valves
102, 102A each have a first valve port to a fourth valve port, in
which the first valve port is communicated with one of the second
valve port and the third valve port, and the fourth valve port is
communicated with the other one of the second valve port and the
third valve port, in which the first valve port of the four-way
valve 102 is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor 101
through the oil separator 105, and the fourth valve port is
connected to the gas returning port of the compressor 101 through
the outdoor gas-liquid separator 104, and a capillary 107A is
connected in parallel between the second valve port and the fourth
valve port, and the third valve port is connected to a first end of
the outdoor heat exchanger 103. The first valve port of the
four-way valve 102A is connected to the third interface 111, the
second valve port is connected to the first end of the outdoor heat
exchanger 103 directly, and the third valve port is connected to
the exhaust port of the compressor 101 through the oil separator
105, and the fourth valve port is connected to the first end of the
outdoor heat exchanger 103 through the capillary 107B.
[0036] The distribution device 30 includes a plurality of first
controlling valves (such as four first controlling valves 302A,
302B, 302C, 302D) and a plurality of second controlling valves
(such as four second controlling valves 303A, 303B, 303C, 303D).
The four first controlling valves 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D are
connected to the first interface 109 through the low-pressure stop
valve 50 respectively, and the four second controlling valves 303A,
303B, 303C, 303D are connected to the third interface 111 through
the stop valve 60 respectively.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 10, each indoor unit includes an
indoor heat exchanger and a throttling element, in which the indoor
unit 21 includes an indoor heat exchanger 211 and a throttling
element 212, and the indoor unit 22 includes an indoor heat
exchanger 221 and a throttling element 222, and the indoor unit 23
includes an indoor heat exchanger 231 and a throttling element 232,
and the indoor unit 24 includes an indoor heat exchanger 241 and a
throttling element 242. The first end of the indoor heat exchanger
in each indoor unit is connected to the corresponding throttling
element, and the second end of the indoor heat exchanger in each
indoor unit is connected to the corresponding first controlling
valve and second controlling valve, and the throttling element in
each indoor unit is connected to the second interface 110 through
the high-pressure stop valve 40.
[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when
any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a heating
operating mode, the distribution device 30 controls the second
on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to open, and controls
the first on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close,
and controls the opening of the throttling element in the indoor
unit by an indoor controller in the indoor unit, in which when the
indoor unit receives an instruction indicating switching to a
cooling operating mode, the distribution device 30 controls the
second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and
controls the throttling element in the indoor unit to reach a
standby opening by an indoor controller in the indoor unit;
controls the throttling element in the indoor unit to reach an
maximum opening by the indoor controller in the indoor unit after a
first preset time so as to make the indoor unit be filled with a
medium-pressure liquid refrigerant, the distribution device 30
controls the first on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to
open after a second preset time to complete a switch to a cooling
operating mode from a heating operating mode, which makes the
pressure difference between the front and back of the first on/off
valve equivalent to a switch between a medium pressure and a low
pressure, such that the pressure difference during the mode
switching is small, and noise during the mode switching of the
indoor unit is reduced. The second preset time is longer than the
first preset time.
[0039] In an embodiment, the first preset time may be in a range of
20 to 40 seconds, and the second preset time may be in a range of
50 to 70 seconds.
[0040] In an embodiment, the standby opening may be 72 P, and the
maximum opening may be 480 P.
[0041] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,
when any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling
operating mode, the distribution device 30 controls the first
on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to open, and controls
the second on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close,
and controls the opening of the throttling element in the indoor
unit by an indoor controller in the indoor unit, in which when the
indoor unit receives an instruction indicating switching to a
heating operating mode, the distribution device 30 controls the
first on/off valve corresponding to the indoor unit to close, and
controls the throttling element in the indoor unit to reach a
maximum opening by the indoor controller in the indoor unit; the
distribution device 30 controls the second on/off valve
corresponding to the indoor unit to open after a second preset time
to complete a switch to a heating operating mode from a cooling
operating mode, which makes the pressure difference between the
front and back of the second on/off valve equivalent to a switch
between a high pressure and a medium pressure, such that the
pressure difference during the mode switching is small, and the
noise during the mode switching of the indoor unit is reduced.
[0042] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the operating mode
of the multi-split system includes a pure cooling mode, a pure
heating mode and a simultaneous cooling and heating mode, in which
the simultaneous cooling and heating mode includes a main cooling
mode and a main heating mode.
[0043] Next, flow directions of refrigerants when the two-pipe
multi-split system works under a pure heating mode, a main heating
mode, a pure cooling mode and a main cooling mode will be described
respectively by referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, when the outdoor unit 10 determines that
the multi-split system works under a pure heating mode, the four
indoor units perform heating work. The flow direction of a
refrigerant will be described as follows: a high-pressure gas flows
into the four-way valve 102 through the oil separator 105 from the
exhaust port of the compressor 101, then flows into the gas-liquid
separator 301 via the one-way valve 108C, the second interface 110
and the high-pressure stop valve 40, and the high-pressure gas
flows into the corresponding four indoor heat exchangers via the
four second controlling valves 303A, 303B, 303C, 303D respectively
from the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator 301, and then turns
into a high-pressure liquid; then, the four-way high-pressure
liquid flows into the first heat exchange flow path of the second
heat exchange assembly 307B via the corresponding throttling
elements and the four first one-way valves 305A, 305B, 305C, 305D,
and turns into a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant via
the second electronic expansion valve 304B; the low-pressure
gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows back to the outdoor unit 10
via the second heat exchange flow path of the second heat exchange
assembly 307B and the second heat exchange flow path of the first
heat exchange assembly 307A, that is, the low-pressure gas-liquid
two-phase refrigerant turns into a low-pressure gas after flowing
back to the outdoor heat exchanger 103 via the low-pressure stop
valve 50, the first interface 109 and the one-way valve 108D, and
the low-pressure gas flows back to the gas returning port of the
compressor 101 via the four-way valve 102 and the outdoor
gas-liquid separator 104.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, when the outdoor unit 10 determines that
the multi-split system works under a main heating mode, three of
the four indoor units perform heating work, and one indoor unit
performs cooling work. The flow direction of a refrigerant for
heating will be described as follows: a high-pressure gas flows
into the four-way valve 102 through the oil separator 105 from the
exhaust port of the compressor 101, then flows into the gas-liquid
separator 301 via the one-way valve 108C, the second interface 110
and the high-pressure stop valve 40, and the high-pressure gas
flows into the indoor heat exchangers in the corresponding three
heating indoor units via the three second controlling valves 303A,
303B, 303C respectively from the gas outlet of the gas-liquid
separator 301, then turns into a high-pressure liquid, and then the
three-way high-pressure liquid flows into the first heat exchange
flow path of the second heat exchange assembly 307B via the
corresponding throttling elements and the three first one-way
valves 305A, 305B, 305C, and turns into a low-pressure gas-liquid
two-phase refrigerant via the second electronic expansion valve
304B, and the low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows
back to the outdoor unit 10 via the second heat exchange flow path
of the second heat exchange assembly 307B and the second heat
exchange flow path of the first heat exchange assembly 307A, that
is, the low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant turns into a
low-pressure gas after flowing back to the outdoor heat exchanger
103 via the low-pressure stop valve 50, the first interface 109 and
the one-way valve 108D, and the low-pressure gas flows back to the
gas returning port of the compressor 101 via the four-way valve 102
and the outdoor gas-liquid separator 104. The flow direction of a
refrigerant for cooling will be described as follows: a part of the
high-pressure liquid flowing through the first heat exchange flow
path of the second heat exchange assembly 307B further turns into a
low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant after flowing into
the throttling element 242 in the indoor unit 24 via the second
one-way valve 306D, then turns into a low-pressure gas via the
indoor heat exchanger 241 in the indoor unit 24; after flowing
through the first controlling valve 302D, the low-pressure gas
flows back to the outdoor unit 10 after being mixed with the
low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the
second heat exchange flow path of the second heat exchange assembly
307B and the second heat exchange flow path of the first heat
exchange assembly 307A.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, when the outdoor unit 10 determines that
the multi-split system works under a pure cooling mode, the four
indoor units perform cooling work. The flow direction of a
refrigerant will be described as follows: a high-pressure gas flows
into the four-way valve 102 through the oil separator 105 from the
exhaust port of the compressor 101, then turns into a high-pressure
liquid after flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 103, and
the high-pressure liquid flows into the gas-liquid separator 301
via the one-way valve 108B, the second interface 110 and the
high-pressure stop valve 40, and the high-pressure liquid flows
into the first electronic expansion valve 304A and the second
electromagnetic valve 308 via the first heat exchange flow path of
the first heat exchange assembly 307A from the liquid outlet of the
gas-liquid separator 301, then flows into the four second one-way
valves 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D respectively via the first heat
exchange flow path of the second heat exchange assembly 307B, and
the four-way high-pressure liquid flowing through the four second
one-way valves 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D turns into a four-way
low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant after correspondingly
flowing through the throttling elements in the four indoor units
respectively, and the four-way low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase
refrigerant turns into a four-way low-pressure gas after flowing
through the corresponding indoor heat exchangers respectively, and
then the low-pressure gas flows back to the outdoor unit 10
correspondingly via the four first controlling valves 302A, 302B,
302C, 302D, that is, the low-pressure gas flows back to the gas
returning port of the compressor 101 via the low-pressure stop
valve 50, the first interface 109, the one-way valve 108A and the
outdoor gas-liquid separator 104.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, when the outdoor unit 10 determines that
the multi-split system works under a main cooling mode, three of
the four indoor units perform cooling works and one indoor unit
performs heating work. The flow direction of a refrigerant for
cooling will be described as follows: a high-pressure gas flows
into the four-way valve 102 through the oil separator 105 from the
exhaust port of the compressor 101, then turns into a high-pressure
gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant after flowing through the outdoor
heat exchanger 103, and the high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase
refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separator 301 via the one-way
valve 108B, the second interface 110 and the high-pressure stop
valve 40 to perform a gas-liquid separation, in which the
high-pressure liquid flows into the first electronic expansion
valve 304A and the second electromagnetic valve 308 via the first
heat exchange flow path of the first heat exchange assembly 307A
from the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator 301, then flows
into the three second one-way valves 306A, 306B, 306C via the first
heat exchange flow path of the second heat exchange assembly 307B
respectively, the three-way high-pressure liquid flowing through
the three second one-way valves 306A, 306B, 306C turns into a
three-way low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant after
correspondingly flowing through throttling elements in the three
indoor units respectively, and the three-way low-pressure
gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant turns into three-way low-pressure
gas after flowing through the corresponding indoor heat exchangers
respectively, then flows back to the outdoor unit 10
correspondingly via the three first controlling valves 302A, 302B,
302C, that is, the low-pressure gas flows back to the gas returning
port of the compressor 101 via the low-pressure stop valve 50, the
first interface 109, the one-way valve 108A, and the outdoor
gas-liquid separator 104. The flow direction of a refrigerant for
heating will be described as follows: a high-pressure gas after the
gas-liquid separation through the gas-liquid separator 301 flows
into the indoor heat exchanger 241 in the indoor unit 24 via the
second controlling valve 303D from the gas outlet of the gas-liquid
separator 301, then turns into a high-pressure liquid; and after
flowing through the throttling element 242 in the indoor unit 24,
the high-pressure liquid joins the high-pressure liquid flowing
through the first heat exchange flow path of the second heat
exchange assembly 307B via the first one-way valve 305D.
[0048] Next, flow directions of the refrigerants when the
three-pipe multi-split system works under a pure heating mode, a
main heating mode, a pure cooling mode and a main cooling mode will
be described respectively by referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, when the outdoor unit 10 determines that
the multi-split system works under a pure heating mode, the four
indoor units perform heating work. The flow direction of a
refrigerant will be described as follows: a high-pressure gas flows
into the four-way valve 102 via the oil separator 105 from the
exhaust port of the compressor 101A, then flows into the
corresponding four indoor heat exchangers via the third interface
111, the stop valve 60, the four second controlling valves 303A,
303B, 303C, 303D, then turns into a high-pressure liquid, and then
the four-way high-pressure liquid flows into the electronic
expansion valve 112 via the corresponding throttling elements, the
high-pressure stop valve 40 and the second interface 110; and after
turning into a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant via
the electronic expansion valve 112, the high-pressure liquid turns
into a low-pressure gas after flowing through the outdoor heat
exchanger 103, and the low-pressure gas flows back to the gas
returning port of the compressor 101 via the four-way valve 102 and
the outdoor gas-liquid separator 104.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 8, when the outdoor unit 10 determines that
the multi-split system works under a main heating mode, three of
the four indoor units perform heating work and one indoor unit
performs cooling work. The flow direction of a refrigerant for
heating will be described as follows: a high-pressure gas flows
into the four-way valve 102 via the oil separator 105 from the
exhaust port of the compressor 101A, then flows into the indoor
heat exchangers in the corresponding three heating indoor units via
the third interface 111, the stop valve 60, the three second
controlling valves 303A, 303B, 303C, then turns into a
high-pressure liquid; then, after the three-way high-pressure
liquid flowing through the corresponding throttling elements, a
part of the high-pressure liquid flows into the electronic
expansion valve 112 via the high-pressure stop valve 40 and the
second interface 110, and the high-pressure liquid turns into a
low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant via the electronic
expansion valve 112, then turns into a low-pressure gas after
flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 103, and the
low-pressure gas flows back to the gas returning port of the
compressor 101 via the four-way valve 102 and the outdoor
gas-liquid separator 104. The flow direction of a refrigerant for
cooling will be described as follows: the other part of the
high-pressure liquid output via the throttling elements in the
three heating indoor units turns into a low-pressure gas-liquid
two-phase refrigerant after flowing through the throttling element
242 in the indoor unit 24, then turns into low-pressure gas after
flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 241; and after flowing
through the low-pressure stop valve 50 and the first interface 109,
the low-pressure gas join the low-pressure gas output via the
four-way valve 102.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, when the outdoor unit 10 determines that
the multi-split system works under a pure cooling mode, the four
indoor units perform cooling work. The flow direction of a
refrigerant will be described as follows: a high-pressure gas flows
into the four-way valve 102 via the oil separator 105 from the
exhaust port of the compressor 101, then turns into a high-pressure
liquid after flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 103; and
after flowing through the electronic expansion valve 112, the
second interface 110 and the high-pressure stop valve 40, the
high-pressure liquid turns into a four-way low-pressure gas-liquid
two-phase refrigerant after flowing through the throttling elements
in the four indoor units respectively; and the four-way
low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant turns into a four-way
low-pressure gas after flowing through the corresponding indoor
heat exchangers respectively, and the four-way low-pressure gas
flows back to the gas returning port of the compressor 101 via the
four first controlling valves 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D, the
low-pressure stop valve 50, the first interface 109, and the
outdoor gas-liquid separator 104.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 10, when the outdoor unit 10 determines
that the multi-split system works under a main cooling mode, three
of the four indoor units perform cooling work and one indoor unit
performs heating work. The flow direction of a refrigerant for
cooling will be described as follows: after a high-pressure gas
flowing through the oil separator 105 from the exhaust port of the
compressor 101, a part of the high-pressure gas flows into the
four-way valve 102, then turns into a high-pressure liquid after
flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 103, and the
high-pressure liquid flows into the throttling elements in the
three indoor units via the electronic expansion valve 112, the
second interface 110 and the high-pressure stop valve 40, and the
high-pressure liquid turns into a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase
refrigerant via the throttling element, and then further turns into
a three-way low-pressure gas via the indoor heat exchangers in the
three indoor units, and the three-way low-pressure gas flows back
to the gas returning port of the compressor 101 correspondingly via
the three first controlling valves 302A, 302B, 302C, the
low-pressure stop valve 50, the first interface 109 and the outdoor
gas-liquid separator 104. The flow direction of a refrigerant for
heating will be described as follows: the other part of the
high-pressure gas flowing through the oil separator 105 flows into
the four-way valve 102A, the third interface 111, the stop valve
60, the second controlling valve 303D, then flows into the indoor
heat exchanger 241 in the indoor unit 24 to turns into a
high-pressure liquid; and after flowing through the throttling
element 242 in the indoor unit 24, the high-pressure liquid joins
the high-pressure liquid flowing through the high-pressure stop
valve 40.
[0053] In embodiments of the present disclosure, each indoor unit
needs to send an operating parameter of the indoor unit to the
distribution device 30, in which the operating parameter of each
indoor unit includes: an operating mode of the indoor unit (such as
a cooling mode, a heating mode, etc.), a superheat degree when the
indoor unit serves as a cooling indoor unit and an opening of the
throttling element when the indoor unit serves as a cooling indoor
unit, etc.
[0054] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as
shown in FIG. 11, the outdoor unit and the distribution device may
communicate with each other directly, and each indoor unit
communicates with the outdoor unit through the distribution device.
Each indoor unit is allocated with an address for convenience for
the communications between individual indoor units and
communications between each indoor unit and the distribution
device, for example, the first indoor unit is allocated with a
first address, and the second indoor unit is allocated with a
second address, . . . . , and the seventh indoor unit is allocated
with a seventh address. In addition, each indoor unit further
includes a wired controller, and each indoor unit further
communicates with a respective wired controller.
[0055] Further, according to a specific example of the present
disclosure, the outdoor controller in the outdoor unit communicates
with the control module in the distribution device, meanwhile, the
control module in the distribution device communicates with the
indoor controllers in each indoor unit. The outdoor controller in
the outdoor unit acquires temperature information of the outdoor
unit (such as a temperature of the environment in which the outdoor
unit is located, an exhausting temperature, a gas returning
temperature, a heat exchange temperature, etc.), pressure
information (such as an exhausting pressure, a gas returning
pressure, etc.) and operating modes of each indoor unit sent by a
plurality of indoor units and so on in real time to determine an
operating mode of the multi-split system (such as a pure heating
mode, a main heating mode, a pure cooling mode and a main cooling
mode), and sends the instruction indicating the operating mode of
the multi-split system to the distribution device. Meanwhile, the
outdoor controller in the outdoor unit further controls the
compressor and the outdoor fan, etc. to operate according to the
inner logic output instruction signal.
[0056] Specifically, after the multi-split system is turned on, the
outdoor controller in the outdoor unit acquires environment
temperature information, pressure information of the outdoor unit
and operating modes of each indoor unit to determine an operating
mode of the multi-split system. For example, when each indoor unit
operates under a cooling mode, the operating mode of the
multi-split system is a pure cooling mode; when each indoor unit
operates under a heating mode, the operating mode of the
multi-split system is a pure heating mode; when there are both
indoor units operating under a cooling mode and indoor units
operating under a heating mode in the plurality of indoor units,
the operating mode of the multi-split system is a simultaneous
cooling and heating mode, and the outdoor unit sends corresponding
mode instruction to the distribution device according to the
determined operating mode of the system. Meanwhile, the outdoor
unit controls the compressor and the outdoor fan, etc. to operate
according to the inner logic output instruction signal. The
distribution device controls each status parameter according to the
mode instruction given by the outdoor unit.
[0057] Moreover, after the multi-split system starts operating,
when a user performs a mode switching on the indoor unit, the
indoor unit to perform a mode switching sends the switched
operating mode to the distribution device 30, and the distribution
device 30 determines the opening or closing of a plurality of first
controlling valves (such as the four first controlling valves 302A,
302B, 302C, 302D) and a plurality of second controlling valves
(such as the four second controlling valves 303A, 303B, 303C, 303D)
according to the switched operating mode.
[0058] Next, a specific description will be made by taking the
indoor unit 24 as an example.
[0059] When the indoor unit 24 is under a cooling operating mode,
as shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 8), FIG. 4 (FIG. 9), the distribution
device 30 controls the first on/off valve 302D to open and the
second on/off valve 303D to close, and the indoor controller
automatically controls the opening of the throttling element 242.
When the indoor unit 24 receives an instruction sent by the user
indicating switching to a heating operating mode, the distribution
device 30 controls the first on/off valve 302D to close first, and
the indoor controller controls the opening of the throttling
element 242 to reach 480 P. After 60 seconds, the distribution
device 30 controls the second on/off valve 303D to open as shown in
FIG. 2 (FIG. 7), FIG. 5 (FIG. 10), and thus the indoor unit 24
completes a switch to a heating operating mode from a cooling
operating mode.
[0060] When the indoor unit 24 is under a heating operating mode,
as shown in FIG. 2 (FIG. 7), FIG. 5 (FIG. 10), the distribution
device 30 controls the first on/off valve 302D to close and the
second on/off valve 303D to open, and the indoor controller
automatically controls the opening of the throttling element 242.
When the indoor unit 24 receives an instruction sent by the user
indicating switching to a cooling operating mode, the distribution
device 30 controls the second on/off valve 303D to close, and the
indoor controller controls the opening of the throttling element
242 to reach 72 P for 30 seconds. Then, the indoor controller
controls the opening of the throttling element 242 to reach 480 P
so as to make the indoor unit 24 be filled with a medium-pressure
liquid refrigerant. After 60 seconds, the distribution device 30
controls the first on/off valve 302D to open again as shown in FIG.
3 (FIG. 8), FIG. 4 (FIG. 9), and thus the indoor unit 24 completes
a switch to a cooling operating mode from a heating operating
mode.
[0061] In addition, in embodiments of the present disclosure, when
any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling
operating mode, the indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to
a cooling standby mode, a cooling stopping mode or a heating
operating mode; when any one of the plurality of indoor units is
under a cooling standby mode, the indoor unit may be controlled to
be switched to a cooling stopping mode or a heating operating mode;
when any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a cooling
stopping mode, the indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to
a cooling operating mode or a heating operating mode; when any one
of the plurality of indoor units is under a heating operating mode,
the indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a heating
standby mode, a heating stopping mode or a cooling operating mode;
when any one of the plurality of indoor units is under a heating
standby mode, the indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a
heating stopping mode or a cooling operating mode; when any one of
the plurality of indoor units is under a heating stopping mode, the
indoor unit may be controlled to be switched to a cooling operating
mode or a heating operating mode.
[0062] Specifically, when any one of the plurality of indoor units
operates under a cooling mode, when a cooling standby mode or a
cooling stopping mode sent by the user through a wired controller
is received, none of the first controlling valve and the second
controlling valve in the distribution device 30 operates, and the
indoor controller in the indoor unit controls the opening of the
throttling element to close after being maintained for 30
seconds.
[0063] When any one of the plurality of indoor units operates under
a cooling mode, when a heating mode sent by the user through a
wired controller is received, after receiving a heating start
signal, the shunt apparatus 30 closes the first controlling valve
corresponding to the indoor unit, and the indoor controller in the
indoor unit controls the opening of the throttling element to close
after being maintained for 30 seconds, then controls the opening of
the throttling element to reach 480 P and to be maintained at 480 P
for 60 seconds, closes the opening of the throttling element to an
initial opening after 60 seconds, then performs adjustment
according to PI. Additionally, after receiving the heating start
signal for 105 seconds, the distribution device 30 opens the second
controlling valve.
[0064] Switches between operating modes of other indoor units will
not be described again here. In conclusion, in embodiments of the
present disclosure, the distribution device 30 determines on or off
statuses of the first on/off valve and the second on/off valve
corresponding to the indoor unit according to a mode switching
instruction, meanwhile the indoor controller in the indoor unit
controls the opening of the throttling element according to the
mode switching instruction so as to reduce the noise during the
mode switching process.
[0065] By the multi-split system according to embodiments of the
present disclosure, when any one of the plurality of indoor units
receives a mode switching instruction, the indoor unit sends the
mode switching instruction to a distribution device such that the
distribution device determines on or off statuses of the first
on/off valve and the second on/off valve corresponding to the
indoor unit according to the mode switching instruction so as to
ensure a small pressure difference between the front and back of
the on/off valve when the indoor unit switches the mode, and thus
noises generated due to a big pressure difference in the mode
switching process may be effectively reduced, and the comfort level
of users may be improved.
[0066] In the description of the present disclosure, it is to be
understood that terms such as "central," "longitudinal," "lateral,"
"length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear,"
"left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom,"
"inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial,"
"radial" and "peripheral" should be construed to refer to the
orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under
discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description
and do not require that the present invention be constructed or
operated in a particular orientation, therefore cannot be construed
to limit the present disclosure.
[0067] In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used
herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate
or imply relative importance or significance or to imply the number
of indicated technical features. Thus, the feature defined with
"first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly comprises one or
more of this feature. In the description of the present disclosure,
"a plurality of" means two or more than two, unless specified
otherwise.
[0068] In the present disclosure, unless specified or limited
otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "coupled," "fixed" and
the like are used broadly, and may be, for example, fixed
connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; may
also be mechanical or electrical connections; may also be direct
connections or indirect connections via intervening structures; may
also be inner communications of two elements, which can be
understood by those skilled in the art according to specific
situations.
[0069] In the present disclosure, unless specified or limited
otherwise, a structure in which a first feature is "on" or "below"
a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first
feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and may also
include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second
feature are not in direct contact with each other, but are
contacted via an additional feature formed therebetween.
Furthermore, a first feature "on," "above," or "on top of" a second
feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is
right or obliquely "on," "above," or "on top of" the second
feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height higher
than that of the second feature; while a first feature "below,"
"under," or "on bottom of" a second feature may include an
embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely
"below," "under," or "on bottom of" the second feature, or just
means that the first feature is at a height lower than that of the
second feature.
[0070] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment,"
"some embodiments," "one embodiment," "an example," "a specific
example," or "some examples" means that a particular feature,
structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment
or example of the present disclosure. In the specification,
expressions of the above terms do not need for same embodiments or
examples. Furthermore, the feature, structure, material, or
characteristic described can be incorporated in a proper way in any
one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, under
non-conflicting condition, those skilled in the art can incorporate
or combine features described in different embodiments or
examples.
[0071] Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and
described, it would be appreciated that the above embodiments are
exemplary and cannot be construed to limit the present disclosure,
and changes, amendments, alternatives and modifications can be made
in the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing
from spirit, principles and scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *