Electronic Unit Refrigerant Cooling for Serviceable Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners face malfunctions due to insufficient cooling of electronic units, leading to ineffective heat exchange operations, as traditional heat-sink methods are limited in high external temperatures and require refrigerant recharging and device reassembly for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring a cooling tube system where refrigerant flows through the electronic unit, with a heat transfer plate and heat-sink plate configuration that allows efficient heat dissipation and easy maintenance, including a separable structure for repair and replacement without recharging refrigerant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat-sink device is used to cool the electronic unit, then cooling effect is achieved, but the cooling effect is limited when external air temperature is high (about 50°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a refrigerant as an intermediary cooling medium between the electronic unit and the external environment. The refrigerant circulates through a cooling tube that contacts the electronic unit, absorbing heat internally, and then releases it externally through a heat sink. This intermediary approach allows effective cooling even when external air temperature is high, as the refrigerant can maintain a lower temperature differential for heat transfer.
2Temperature
If a cooling device with refrigerant tube is coupled to the electronic unit, then effective cooling is achieved, but the cooling device must be removed and reassembled for maintenance requiring refrigerant recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into separable components: an electronic unit housing containing the electronic unit and heat sink, and a detachable cooling tube assembly. The cooling tube can be removed from the electronic unit without requiring disassembly of the entire system or refrigerant recharging. This segmentation allows independent maintenance of the electronic unit while preserving the integrated cooling function through the detachable tube design.
3Reliability
If the cooling device is permanently coupled to the electronic unit, then continuous cooling is ensured, but repair and replacement of control components becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic coupling system where the cooling tube can be selectively connected or disconnected from the electronic unit. The cooling tube includes connection structures that allow it to be firmly coupled during operation for continuous cooling, but easily detached when maintenance is needed. This dynamic design provides both operational reliability and maintenance accessibility without requiring permanent fixed coupling.
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 system effectively cools electronic units, preventing malfunctions and simplifying maintenance by allowing the air conditioner to operate efficiently and reducing downtime during repairs.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling tube through which a refrigerant for cooling the electronic unit flows, the cooling tube being coupled to one side of the electronic unit
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer plate disposed to contact the control component, the heat transfer plate being coupled to the electronic case; and a heat-sink plate to which the cooling tube is coupled, the heat-sink plate contacting the heat transfer plate through the through part
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an electronic unit (300) including a control component for driving a refrigerant cycle and a cooling tube (105) through which a refrigerant for cooling the electronic unit flows, the cooling tube being coupled to one side of the electronic unit. The electronic unit includes an electronic case (301) having a through part (305,306), an electronic board (350) to which the control component is coupled, the electronic board being disposed in the electronic case, a heat transfer plate (340) disposed to contact the control component, the heat transfer plate being coupled to the electronic case, and a heat-sink plate (331,333) to which the cooling tube is coupled, the heat-sink plate contacting the heat transfer plate through the through part.