Ceiling-Embedded Air Conditioner Pipe Draw Reinforcement Against Air Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mechanical strength of the pipe draw portion in ceiling-embedded air conditioners is low, leading to potential gaps between the seal portion of the heat insulator and the end plates of the heat exchanger, resulting in air leakage.
Innovation Solution
The enhancement of mechanical strength at the pipe draw portion is achieved through a design that includes a pipe cover with a wire draw hole, a wire cover with a folded hold plate that engages with the pipe cover, and a foamed resin heat insulator with a seal portion that presses against the heat exchanger's end plate, preventing the end portion of the casing main body from opening outward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pipe draw portion is formed by cutting out part of the casing main body, then refrigerant pipes and electric wires can be drawn to the outside, but the mechanical strength of the pipe draw portion becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The wire cover is divided into a cover plate and a hold plate that are integrated together. The hold plate extends from the cover plate to engage with the pipe cover, creating a segmented structure that distributes mechanical loads and reinforces the pipe draw portion while maintaining wire drawing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate and hold plate are integrated into a single wire cover component. The hold plate is formed as an extension of the cover plate, merging the covering function and the reinforcing function into one unified structure that strengthens the pipe draw portion.
2Ease of operation
If the pipe draw portion is cut out from the casing main body, then pipes and wires can pass through, but gaps form between the seal portion and heat exchanger end plates
Solution Approach 1:
The hold plate is designed to preliminarily prevent the opening outward of the pipe draw portion before air leakage can occur. By engaging with the pipe cover and reinforcing the cutout region, the hold plate proactively counteracts the tendency of the structure to deform and create gaps, maintaining sealing reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the end portion of the casing main body opens outward, then assembly might be easier, but air leakage occurs between seal portion and heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The hold plate acts as a flexible reinforcing element that can adapt to the casing structure while preventing excessive outward opening. It provides just enough constraint to maintain sealing without completely rigidifying the assembly, allowing for manageable installation while preventing air leakage.
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 design effectively prevents air leakage by maintaining the structural integrity of the pipe draw portion, ensuring that the air suction and blowoff openings function efficiently without heat-exchanged air escaping.
Implementation Method 1
a hold plate that is included in the wire cover and is folded at a right angle from one end of the cover plate to engage with a pipe cover end portion
Implementation Method 2
a foamed resin heat insulator with a seal portion that presses against the heat exchanger's end plate
Implementation Method 3
the seal portion presses against the heat exchanger's end plate
Data Source
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AI summary
A ceiling-embedded air conditioner includes: a pipe draw portion that is provided at one corner portion of a casing main body to draw refrigerant pipes together with an electric wire; a pipe cover that fixes the peripheries of the refrigerant pipes and has a draw hole for the electric wire; a wire cover that is provided on the bottom surface of the casing main body and cover a wire guide groove for the electric wire; a cover plate that is included in the wire cover, covers the wire guide groove, and is screwed to a predetermined place on the casing main body side; and a hold plate that is included in the wire cover and is folded at a right angle from one end of the cover plate to engage with a pipe cover end portion of the pipe cover on the bottom surface side of the casing main body.