Damper for a compressor of an air conditioning appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning units, particularly single-package vertical units, generate noise and vibrations due to compressor operation, disturbing room occupants and requiring effective noise and vibration reduction features.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner unit design incorporating a damper with a lower and upper pad, featuring alignment and stopping features to prevent rotation, positioned between the compressor and base pan to isolate and mitigate torsional vibrations and noise, utilizing a resilient material for effective damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a damper is positioned between the compressor and base pan to reduce vibrations and noise, then the operational quietness and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and alignment features
Solution Approach 1:
A damper is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the compressor and base pan. This damper includes a lower pad seated on the base pan and an upper pad contacting the compressor bottom surface, with resilient material to absorb vibrations. The stopping features on the pads engage with alignment features to prevent rotation, ensuring proper orientation. This intermediary element effectively reduces noise and vibration transmission to the cabinet while maintaining a relatively simple structural integration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stopping features are added to prevent rotation of the damper, then the stability and effectiveness of vibration damping are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper pads incorporate asymmetric stopping features that engage with corresponding alignment features on the base pan or compressor mounting structure. These stopping features prevent rotation of the damper by providing mechanical stops at specific orientations. The asymmetric design ensures the damper maintains its intended orientation for optimal vibration damping performance, while the features can be integrated into the molding or fabrication process without requiring complex assembly steps.
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 damper effectively reduces compressor-induced vibrations and noise, enhancing the operational quietness and stability of air conditioning units, providing a comfortable environment by minimizing disturbance from unit operation.
Implementation Method 1
a damper positioned between the compressor and the cabinet... utilizing a resilient material for effective damping
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a resilient material for effective damping
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner unit includes a cabinet including a base pan that defines at least one alignment feature and a compressor mounted to the base pan using mechanical fasteners that pass through mounting feet and into mounting bosses defined on the base pan. A damper is positioned between the compressor and the base pan and includes a lower pad seated on the base pan, an upper pad extending from the lower pad along the vertical direction and contacting a bottom surface of the compressor, and at least one stopping feature defined on the lower pad or the upper pad, the at least one stopping feature engaging the at least one alignment feature to prevent rotation of the damper.