Heat Source Unit Electric Box Cooling Layout for Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat source units for air conditioners dissipate excessive heat, leading to increased temperatures in installation environments and potential damage to refrigerant piping during maintenance, while also risking condensation water contact with electrical components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cooling heat exchanger connected to the refrigerant circuit, positioned downstream of electrical components to minimize heat dissipation and condensation risks, with a simplified maintenance design that allows independent disassembly of the electric box without affecting the refrigerant piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a cooling heat exchanger is arranged downstream of electrical components to reduce heat dissipation, then heat dissipation is reduced, but condensation water may contact electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchanger into multiple sections: an upstream section positioned above electrical components and a downstream section positioned below them. This segmentation allows the upstream section to cool air before it reaches electrical components (preventing condensation) while the downstream section recovers heat from exhaust air, thus resolving the contradiction between heat recovery and condensation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the upstream heat exchanger section) between the cooling process and electrical components. This intermediary cools the air before it contacts electrical components, preventing condensation water formation, while still allowing the downstream section to perform heat recovery, thus mediating between heat recovery efficiency and condensation risk.
2Loss of energy
If the cooling heat exchanger is integrated with the electric box, then heat dissipation is reduced, but maintenance requires disassembly of refrigerant piping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat exchanger into modular sections that can be independently accessed. The upstream section is positioned to allow electric box removal without disturbing refrigerant piping, while the downstream section remains integrated for heat recovery. This modular segmentation enables maintenance of electrical components without disassembling refrigerant piping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the upstream heat exchanger section from the integrated electric box structure, positioning it above the electric box. This extraction allows the electric box to be removed and serviced independently while the heat exchanger remains in place connected to refrigerant piping, thus maintaining heat recovery capability while improving maintenance accessibility.
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
Reduces heat dissipation from the heat source unit, prevents condensation water from contacting electrical components, and simplifies maintenance by allowing the electric box to be accessed without disassembling the refrigerant piping, thus enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling heat exchanger to be connected to the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner and flown through by a refrigerant. The cooling heat exchanger is arranged so as to be flown through by the air flow induced through the air passage of the electric box, whereby the air is cooled.
Implementation Method 2
an air passage comprising an air inlet and an air outlet opening into an interior of the external housing and a fan configured to induce an air flow through the air passage from the air inlet to the air outlet for cooling the electrical components.
Implementation Method 3
The heat source heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit and a heat source, such as water, air or ground.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat source unit for an air conditioner that includes a refrigerant circuit includes: an external housing; and a cooling heat exchanger that is disposed in the external housing and that is connected to the refrigerant circuit. The external housing accommodates: a compressor connected to the refrigerant circuit; a heat source heat exchanger that is connected to the refrigerant circuit and that exchanges heat between a refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit and a heat source; and an electric box. The electric box includes a top and a plurality of side walls; accommodates electrical components that control the air conditioner; and further includes an air passage that includes an air inlet and an air outlet. An air flow is induced through the air passage from the air inlet to the air outlet for cooling at least some of the electrical components.