Window Air Conditioner Control Box With External PCB Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window type air conditioners face issues with heat generation from control components reducing cooling efficiency, vibration causing PCB separation, dust accumulation, wire contact with hot surfaces, and water permeation into the control box.

Innovation Solution

A window type air conditioner design featuring a control box with a PCB assembly and heat dissipation plate, supported by a PCB support part within a box case, where the heat dissipation plate is outside the case, and a box cover prevents water permeation, with a design that minimizes dust accumulation and stabilizes the PCB during vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If control components are installed in the indoor side control box, then control function is provided, but heat generated by control components is introduced into the indoor space deteriorating cooling efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidheat introduction into indoor space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control box is divided into two separate chambers: an indoor side chamber for control components and an outdoor side chamber for heat dissipation. This segmentation allows the control box to provide control function while preventing heat from being introduced into the indoor space, as the outdoor chamber is specifically designed for heat dissipation with ventilation holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat dissipation function is extracted and separated from the indoor environment. The outdoor side chamber with ventilation holes serves as a dedicated heat extraction zone, allowing heat generated by control components to be discharged to the outdoor environment rather than being introduced into the indoor space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If PCB is disposed on the control box, then control operations are enabled, but vibration from compressor and fan motor causes PCB to shake or separate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol operationsVSAvoidPCB stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A cushioning member is provided between the PCB and the control box to preemptively absorb and reduce vibrations from the compressor and fan motor. This beforehand cushioning prevents the PCB from shaking or separating due to the vibrations, while still allowing the PCB to perform control operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If blower fan operates to circulate air, then cooling function is provided, but condensed water scattered by the fan permeates into the control box

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidcontrol box protection from water

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control box is segmented into an indoor side chamber and an outdoor side chamber, with the PCB disposed on the indoor side. This segmentation, combined with the ventilation holes in the outdoor chamber, allows the blower fan to circulate air for cooling while preventing condensed water scattered by the fan from permeating into the control box, as the ventilation holes are positioned to discharge air away from the indoor environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Temperature

If heat dissipation plate is disposed inside the box case, then heat dissipation is provided, but spatial utilization is reduced and heat release efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidspatial utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation plate is extended to the outdoor side of the control box, utilizing the external space dimension. This dimensional extension allows the heat dissipation plate to have a larger surface area for heat release without occupying additional internal volume of the control box, thereby improving heat release efficiency while maintaining spatial utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enhances cooling efficiency by effectively releasing heat from control components, stabilizes the PCB assembly, reduces dust accumulation, prevents wire contact with hot surfaces, and prevents water permeation into the control box.

Implementation Method 1

a heat dissipation plate, which are disposed on a bottom surface of a board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

heat of a control component provided in a control box to perform an inverter control is easily released

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10935257B2Control box and window type air conditioner including the same

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A window type air conditioner including a control box. The control box includes a PCB assembly including a heat generation component and a heat dissipation plate, which are disposed on a bottom surface of a board, a PCB support part supporting a lower portion of the board and having a support partition part disposed between the heat generation component and the heat dissipation plate, and a box case having an inner space in which the support partition part is seated, and the heat generation component is accommodated. The heat dissipation plate is disposed outside the box case.