Air Conditioner Control Box Cooling With Refrigerant and Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners, particularly those with sealed water-cooled heat exchangers, face challenges in heat dissipation, leading to electrical component malfunction and shortened lifetimes due to self-heating, as existing solutions either require large heat exchangers for air-cooled units or continuous water supply for water-cooled units.
Innovation Solution
A control box equipped with both a refrigerant cooling device and an air cooling device, featuring a heat dissipating plate that directly contacts electrical components and a refrigerant pipe for efficient heat transfer, along with a circulation fan for air circulation, effectively dissipates heat from electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a water-cooled heat exchanger is used, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but heat dissipation of electrical components becomes difficult due to sealed space installation
Solution Approach 1:
The control box is divided into a sealed inner space for electrical components and a separate cooling system. The refrigerant cooling device and air cooling device are positioned externally or semi-externally to the sealed space, allowing independent optimization of both sealing and heat dissipation functions without compromising either.
Solution Approach 2:
A refrigerant cooling device is introduced as an intermediary heat dissipation system. The refrigerant circulates through pipes attached to the control box, absorbing heat from electrical components through thermal conduction without requiring direct water contact with the sealed space, thus mediating between the sealed environment and heat dissipation requirements.
2Reliability
If air cooling is used for electrical components, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional blower fan
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation fan within the control box serves dual functions: it maintains air circulation for heat dissipation and also functions as part of the overall refrigerant cooling system by facilitating air movement over heat-dissipating surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control box utilizes its own internal air circulation system, where the circulation fan creates natural convection currents that facilitate heat dissipation without requiring external cooling equipment. The system serves itself by using existing air flow paths and thermal gradients within the control box environment.
3Temperature
If refrigerant cooling device is attached to control box, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant cooling device is nested within or integrated into the existing control box structure. The refrigerant pipes are routed through or attached to the control box housing, utilizing available space and structural elements rather than requiring separate external mounting, thus minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant cooling device is combined with the air cooling device and circulation fan system into an integrated cooling solution. Both cooling mechanisms work synergistically, sharing common structural support and control elements, which reduces overall system complexity compared to having completely separate cooling systems.
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 combined refrigerant and air cooling system ensures efficient heat dissipation for electrical components, optimizing the internal space and preventing malfunctions, while reducing the need for large heat exchangers and continuous water supply.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant cooling device which is attached to one side of the case, contacts the electrical component, and dissipates heat to the outside
Implementation Method 2
an air cooling device attached to one side of the case and including a circulation fan which forcibly circulates internal air of the case
Implementation Method 3
a heat dissipating plate which penetrates the case to directly contact the electrical component, and a refrigerant pipe coupled to the heat dissipating plate
Data Source
AI summary
A control box and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner comprising the same; the control box using a refrigerant cooling device and an air cooling device so as to radiate heat efficiently. The control box comprises: a case; a heat-radiating electronic component located inside the case; a refrigerant cooling device which is attached to one side of the case and makes contact with the electronic component so as to radiate heat to the outside; and an air cooling device which is attached to one side of the case and has a circulation fan for forcible circulating the air inside the case. Because the present invention is provided both with the refrigerant cooling device and the air cooling device, the electronic component inside the control box can radiate heat efficiently.