Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioner controllers face risks of malfunction and damage due to frost or condensation on refrigerant pipes, leading to potential damage from dripping liquids, and challenges in assembling refrigerant pipes with aluminum cooling jackets for effective heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner employs a condensation-prevention control system that adjusts fan speeds, expansion valve opening, and compressor speed to prevent condensation on refrigerant pipes, and uses a divided heat-conducting block configuration to facilitate close contact between refrigerant pipes and heat-generating components, ensuring efficient heat transfer and preventing liquid drainage issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the controller is cooled by using a refrigerant pipe between the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion valve, then the cooling performance is improved, but the pipe may be damaged due to freezing caused by frost formation during heating operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the controller cooling function from the main refrigerant circulation path by selecting a specific refrigerant pipe location that carries liquid refrigerant at a temperature above freezing point, thereby separating the cooling function from the path susceptible to frost formation and pipe damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting a specific segment of the refrigerant pipe (between outdoor heat exchanger and expansion valve) where the refrigerant maintains liquid state and temperature above freezing, creating a localized safe zone for controller cooling during heating operation
2Temperature
If the controller is cooled by using the refrigerant pipe between the indoor heat exchanger and the expansion valve, then the cooling performance is improved, but condensation may occur on the refrigerant pipe surface causing electronic components to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the controller cooling function from the refrigerant pipe segment prone to condensation (between indoor heat exchanger and expansion valve) and relocates it to a pipe segment where refrigerant temperature remains above dew point, thereby separating the cooling function from condensation risk zones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting a specific refrigerant pipe location where local thermal conditions (liquid refrigerant at higher temperature) prevent condensation, creating a localized safe environment for controller cooling
3Strength
If the aluminum cooling jacket and refrigerant pipe are brought into close contact by applying grease, then the thermal coupling is improved, but the assembly process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the cooling jacket and refrigerant pipe with self-aligning features (protrusions and recesses) that automatically ensure proper contact and thermal coupling during assembly, eliminating the need for operator judgment and grease application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cooling jacket and refrigerant pipe interfaces (adding protrusions and recesses) to transform the assembly process from one requiring manual grease application to one that achieves automatic alignment and contact through geometric constraints
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 enhances cooling performance, prevents malfunction and damage from condensation or frost, and simplifies the assembly process by ensuring effective thermal contact, thereby improving product quality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant pipe between an outdoor heat exchanger and an expansion valve (in which high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows during cooling operation and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flows during heating operation)
Implementation Method 2
the condensation-prevention control portion, when a condition in which condensation is likely to occur on the refrigerant pipe is detected, performs control to prevent occurrence of condensation
Implementation Method 3
when frost forms on the refrigerant pipe during heating operation at a low outdoor air temperature, there is a risk of the pipe being damaged due to freezing caused by the frost formation
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an air conditioner with which the occurrence of condensation when cooling a controller can be eliminated by a refrigerant pipe. Even if condensation or frost formation occurs, malfunctioning of the controller, damage to electronic components due to drain liquid can be prevented. The refrigerant pipe is placed in close contact with the controller. In an air conditioner (1) provided with a refrigeration cycle (11) and a controller (12) that is cooled during cooling operation by being in contact with a refrigerant pipe (10A) in which low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flows, a condensation-prevention control portion (24) is provided which, when a condition for condensation to occur on the refrigerant pipe (10A) is detected, the condensation is prevented by any one of rotational-speed control of an indoor fan (7), rotational-speed control of an outdoor fan (4), degree-of-opening control of an electronic expansion valve (6), and rotational-speed control of a compressor (2).