Electric component unit, and outdoor unit of refrigeration apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor units of refrigeration apparatuses face challenges in effectively cooling heat-generating components while maintaining a sealed environment to prevent dust intrusion, which affects the reliability and efficiency of the cooling process.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit incorporates a dual cooling system with a first and second cooling circuit, utilizing a hermetically sealed structure and heat transfer members to cool heat-generating components from different sides, ensuring efficient cooling and dust prevention by using a first cooling portion on the back side and a second cooling portion on the front side of the outdoor control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the interior of the casing is filled with insulating liquid for cooling heat-generating components, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to additional sealing and liquid containment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function and insulation function into a single insulating liquid filling system. The insulating liquid simultaneously provides thermal insulation for the casing and cooling for heat-generating components through heat transfer, eliminating the need for separate cooling and insulation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating liquid serves multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation for the casing, thermal insulation, and heat transfer for cooling components. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple systems into one.
2Temperature
If large openings are provided in the casing for airflow cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but dust intrusion increases reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating liquid acts as an intermediary cooling medium instead of using direct airflow through large openings. Heat is transferred from components to the liquid, which then dissipates heat through the casing walls, eliminating the need for large openings that would allow dust intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a liquid-based cooling system (hydraulic approach) instead of air-based convection. The insulating liquid circulates or fills the casing to transfer heat away from components, replacing the pneumatic airflow method with a more controlled liquid medium that doesn't require large openings.
3Reliability
If hermetic sealing is enhanced to prevent dust intrusion, then reliability is improved, but heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function and heat dissipation function into different pathways. The hermetic seal prevents dust intrusion while the insulating liquid provides an alternative heat dissipation route through direct contact with components and thermal conduction through the casing, bypassing the need for airflow openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heat transfer parameter from convective airflow to conductive/convective liquid transfer. By using insulating liquid with appropriate thermal conductivity, heat dissipation efficiency is maintained or improved while the sealed environment prevents dust intrusion.
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
This configuration effectively prevents excessive temperature increase of heat-generating components, enhances the reliability of the outdoor control unit, and maintains a high level of sealing to prevent dust intrusion, ensuring efficient cooling while minimizing dust exposure to sensitive components.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a hermetically sealed structure and heat transfer members to cool heat-generating components from different sides
Implementation Method 2
a first cooling portion on the back side and a second cooling portion on the front side of the outdoor control unit
Data Source
AI summary
An electric component unit in an outdoor unit of a refrigeration apparatus, includes: a first electric component; a first chamber that houses the first electric component; a second electric component; and a second chamber that houses the second electric component. The first chamber has a higher degree of hermetic sealing than the second chamber.