Air Conditioner Modular Block Design to Reduce Pipe Resonance Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners face issues with pipe breakage due to resonance phenomena caused by natural frequency alignment of components, leading to increased outdoor unit size and reduced cooling/heating efficiency, as existing methods require elongating and complexly configuring pipes to prevent resonance, occupying unnecessary space.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner is designed with modularized blocks for the outdoor unit, where each block contains specific control parts, allowing for secure fixation and reduction of secondary vibration sources, thereby preventing pipe breakage and optimizing space usage without the need for extensive piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipes are elongated and configured complexly to prevent resonance, then pipe breakage due to resonance is prevented, but the size of the outdoor unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is divided into multiple modular blocks (first block, second block, third block) that can be independently assembled. Each block contains specific components and control parts, eliminating the need for complex piping connections between components while reducing resonance risks through modular isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
Modular blocks serve as intermediary units that replace complex pipe networks. The blocks are disposed at specific positions (first channel between oil separator and four-way valve, second channel between outdoor and indoor heat exchangers, third channel between accumulator and compressor) to facilitate refrigerant flow while minimizing resonance transmission paths.
2Reliability
If pipes are elongated and configured complexly to prevent resonance, then pipe breakage due to resonance is prevented, but cooling and heating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into modular blocks, the patent reduces unnecessary pipe length and complexity, thereby improving refrigerant flow efficiency and reducing pressure losses that would otherwise occur in complex piping configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex pipe configurations to solve resonance problems, the patent inverts the approach by using modular blocks with minimized piping, achieving both resonance prevention and improved efficiency through a different structural paradigm.
3Volume of stationary object
If modular blocks are used to reduce outdoor unit size, then space is optimized and larger compressors can be used, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is segmented into three main blocks with specific component assignments: first block (oil separator, four-way valve, first control parts), second block (outdoor heat exchanger, indoor heat exchanger, second control parts), and third block (accumulator, compressor, third control parts). This segmentation reduces overall unit size while maintaining functional simplicity through standardized modular interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Each modular block is designed to perform multiple functions within its structure. For example, the first block houses both the oil separator and four-way valve, while the second block contains both heat exchangers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and connections, simplifying the overall system despite the modular architecture.
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 modular design reduces the risk of pipe breakage, minimizes the outdoor unit's size, and enhances cooling and heating efficiency by allowing the use of larger compressors within the guaranteed space, while maintaining effective refrigerant flow and control.
Implementation Method 1
Air conditioners are devices for cooling or heating a room by circulating a refrigerant between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. In order to cool or heat, a refrigeration cycle is typically applied.
Implementation Method 2
a compressor, an oil separator, an accumulator, a four-way valve, an expansion valve
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
an expansion valve
Implementation Method 5
a four-way valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner, which comprises a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a four-way valve, an accumulator, and an oil separator, and cools or heats a room by circulating a refrigerant. The air conditioner comprises a first block which is disposed on a first channel of the refrigerant between the oil separator and the four-way valve, and the first block is modular and includes a plurality of first control parts, and a second block which is disposed on a second channel of the refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and the second block is modular and includes a plurality of second control parts.