Soundproof part and outdoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soundproof parts for compressors in air-conditioning outdoor units have complex structures and insufficient sound insulation, leading to leakage of noise from the compressor, which causes user discomfort due to increased noise generation from improved and miniaturized compressors.

Innovation Solution

A soundproof part with a side surface cover featuring alternately arranged sound absorbing and insulating materials of different specific gravities, where the insulating materials with lower specific gravities are positioned farther from the compressor, enhancing sound insulation performance with a simple structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a soundproof part with both surfaces covered by non-woven fabric sheets is used, then sound insulation is provided, but the structure becomes complicated requiring time and labor for processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound insulationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the non-woven fabric sheets from both surfaces of the soundproof part, keeping only the essential sound absorbing and sound insulating materials. This simplifies the structure while maintaining sound insulation functionality, eliminating the complexity of processing and assembling fabric coverings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different materials with specific properties at different locations: sound absorbing materials are placed adjacent to the compressor where sound generation occurs, while sound insulating materials are positioned outwardly. This localized material distribution optimizes sound insulation without requiring complex multi-layer fabric structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the soundproof part is covered by non-woven fabric sheets on both surfaces, then material protection is provided, but sound leakage prevention becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound leakage preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining sound absorbing materials and sound insulating materials in specific arrangements. Sound absorbing materials are positioned adjacent to the compressor, while sound insulating materials are placed outwardly, creating an effective sound leakage prevention system without relying on non-woven fabric coverings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Volume of moving object

If compressors are miniaturized with improved performance, then device size is reduced, but sound generation increases causing noise discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor sizeVSAvoidnoise generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses noise from miniaturized compressors by locally applying sound absorbing materials adjacent to the compressor and sound insulating materials outwardly. This targeted approach effectively contains high-frequency noise generated by compact compressors without increasing overall device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively increases sound insulation performance, preventing noise leakage from the compressor with a simpler and more durable soundproof part design, reducing noise transmission across a broader frequency range compared to existing solutions.

Implementation Method 1

a side surface cover including two or more sound absorbing materials and two or more sound insulating materials, and configured to cover a side surface of the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

the two or more sound insulating materials include sound insulating materials having different specific gravities, and the side surface cover is formed such that one of the two or more sound absorbing materials is disposed adjacent to the compressor, and the sound absorbing material and the insulating material are alternately arranged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound insulation: Acoustics

Data Source

PatentUS11486590B2Soundproof part and outdoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A soundproof part that covers a compressor includes a side surface cover including two or more sound absorbing materials and two or more sound insulating materials, and configured to cover a side surface of the compressor. The two or more sound insulating materials include sound insulating materials having different specific gravities. The side surface cover is formed such that one sound absorbing material is disposed adjacent to the compressor, and a sound absorbing material and a sound insulating material are alternately arranged. The side surface cover is also formed such that as a distance from the compressor increases, the sound insulating materials having relatively lower specific gravities are disposed.