Detachable Refrigerant Distribution Unit for Flexible Outdoor Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of an air conditioner's distribution unit in a direction different from the outdoor unit leads to bent refrigerant pipes, causing flow resistance and inefficiency, and results in a complex and lengthy pipe arrangement, affecting energy efficiency and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A detachable distribution unit that can be mounted to the outdoor unit housing in various positions, including recesses, allowing for flexible installation independent of the outdoor unit's direction, with a pipe connection unit and fastening system to minimize pipe lengths and simplify arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distribution unit is fixed to the outdoor unit in a direction different from the indoor unit installation direction, then the outdoor unit can be installed in fixed directions, but the refrigerant pipes must be bent multiple times causing flow resistance and energy inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution unit is made detachable rather than fixed, allowing it to be removed and reinstalled in different orientations. This dynamic reconfigurability enables the distribution unit to be positioned in the same direction as the indoor units, eliminating the need for bent refrigerant pipes and reducing flow resistance while maintaining installation flexibility.
2Reliability
If the distribution unit is fixed to the outdoor unit, then the connection is stable, but the refrigerant pipe lines become complicated and lengthy affecting appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable design allows the distribution unit to be repositioned to align with the indoor units, simplifying the refrigerant pipe arrangement from complicated and lengthy to straight and minimal, while maintaining reliable connections through proper mounting structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distribution unit is made detachable, then flexible installation is enabled, but the mounting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into separate components: a mounting protrusion on the distribution unit and a corresponding mounting recess on the outdoor unit. This segmentation enables easy attachment and detachment while maintaining structural reliability, achieving installation flexibility without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air conditioner and to an outdoor unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units, wherein said air conditioner comprises a distribution unit which is accommodated in an outdoor unit of the air conditioner and connected to the outdoor unit and indoor units, or which is separated from the outdoor unit and connected to the outdoor unit and indoor units to distribute refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units.