Outdoor Unit Electrical Chamber Airflow Layout for Component Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling systems for electric components in air conditioning apparatuses face inefficiencies due to a decreased pressure difference between air near and far from the air blower, resulting in reduced airflow through the electric component unit, which insufficiently cools the components.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an electric component unit with an inlet part communicating with the air blower's outlet side and an outlet part communicating with its inlet side, creating a pressure difference that increases airflow, along with a bell mouth arrangement and stay configurations to enhance airflow and maintainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electric component unit is arranged inside the casing with negative pressure space formed by air blower, then the air blower can discharge air to outside of casing, but the pressure difference between air near air blower and air distant from air blower is decreased, resulting in decreased airflow volume through electric component unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the casing into multiple independent chambers: a first chamber for the air blower, a second chamber for the heat exchanger, and a third chamber for the electric component unit. This segmentation isolates the electric component unit from the negative pressure zone created by the air blower, maintaining adequate pressure difference for sufficient airflow through the electric components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air passage forming parts (including communication holes in partitions and openings in chamber walls) as intermediaries to create dedicated airflow paths. These intermediaries enable air to flow from the first chamber through the electric component unit in the third chamber, ensuring adequate cooling airflow despite the overall negative pressure environment.
2Productivity
If separate chambers are formed for air blower, heat exchanger, and electric component unit, then airflow through electric component unit is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is segmented into three chambers using partitions with integrated air passage forming parts. While this creates multiple chambers, the partitions themselves form the air passages, combining structural division with flow path creation to minimize additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air passage forming parts are merged with the partition structures. Communication holes are formed directly in the partitions, and openings are integrated into chamber walls, combining the functions of structural separation and airflow path creation into single elements, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If electric component unit is arranged in negative pressure space, then air can be discharged to outside of casing, but moisture ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric component unit is isolated in a separate third chamber, physically segmented from the negative pressure zone in the first chamber. This segmentation creates a distinct environment for the electric components, reducing their exposure to moisture-laden air while maintaining the air discharge function through controlled air passages.
Solution Approach 2:
Air passage forming parts serve as intermediaries that control and filter airflow between chambers. These intermediaries allow necessary air flow for cooling and discharge while providing a barrier that reduces direct exposure of electric components to moisture ingress risks associated with the negative pressure air intake zone.
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 increases airflow through the electric component unit, effectively cooling the components and allows for easier maintenance and reduced unit size, while minimizing moisture ingress.
Implementation Method 1
When air is discharged from the air blower, the pressure of air on the inlet side of the air blower in the casing is pressure (i.e., negative pressure) lower than atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, the pressure of air on the outlet side of the air blower is pressure (i.e., positive pressure) higher than the atmospheric pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
In an outdoor unit, an electric component unit includes an inlet part which communicates with an outlet side of an air blower and through which air on the outlet side flows into the electric component unit, and an outlet part which communicates with an inlet side of the air blower and through which air flows out from the electric component unit.