Air Guide Structure for Water-Safe Air Conditioner Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner designs fail to effectively prevent water permeation into electronic components while ensuring efficient air circulation for cooling, particularly when exposed to moisture, leading to potential damage or fire risks.
Innovation Solution
An air guide system is introduced within the air conditioner's outside unit, featuring a guide body with a water collection part and drainage hole to manage water ingress and enhance air flow speed, utilizing a preset angle between discharge surfaces to optimize air discharge and prevent water from entering the electronic component chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is circulated through the electronic component chamber to cool the electronic components, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water may permeate into the electronic component chamber causing damage or fire
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide divides the air path into separate zones: a first air path for cooling electronic components and a second air path for discharging air to the heat exchange chamber. The guide body with water collection part and drainage hole creates segmented water management zones, preventing water from entering the electronic component chamber while maintaining cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide acts as an intermediary structure between the electronic component chamber and heat exchange chamber. It includes a water collection part that intercepts and collects water before it can reach electronic components, and a drainage hole that safely discharges collected water, thus mediating the conflict between cooling air flow and water protection.
2Productivity
If the air path is designed to increase air flow speed for better cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: air guiding, water collection, and water drainage. The guide body simultaneously forms air paths and incorporates the water collection part with drainage hole, combining cooling and water protection functions without requiring separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide structure serves multiple purposes: it guides cooling air through the electronic component chamber, directs air to the heat exchange chamber, collects water that enters the air path, and discharges water through the drainage hole. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the air guide structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but water protection capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is manufactured as a single integrated piece with segmented functional zones: air inlet, water collection part, drainage hole, and air discharge paths. This segmentation of functions within a unified structure allows for simplified manufacturing while maintaining water protection capability through the built-in water collection and drainage features.
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 air guide system effectively prevents water permeation, increases air flow speed for improved cooling efficiency, and ensures safe operation by directing water away from electronic components, thus protecting the unit from damage and ensuring efficient heat exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a water collection part provided at a lower portion of the guide body to store water introduced into the guide body
Implementation Method 2
a drainage hole provided at the water collection part to discharge the water
Implementation Method 3
an air path along which air flows from the suction port to the heat exchange chamber pass through the electronic component part
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner includes an air guide which guides external air from an electronic component chamber to a heat exchange chamber, wherein the air guide includes a guide body which forms an air path; a water collection part which stores water introduced into the guide body; and a drainage hole of the water collection part which is provided at the water collection part to discharge the water.