Fan-Linked Vent Opening for Flammable Refrigerant Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners using flammable refrigerants installed on the ground face increased risk of refrigerant leakage and accumulation, which can exceed the lower flammability limit concentration due to gravity, posing a fire hazard and requiring an effective mechanism to safely discharge leaking refrigerant outdoors.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design incorporating an opening and closing part that automatically opens when the fan is stopped to discharge refrigerant to the outdoors, utilizing a spring or weight-activated lid to ensure safe refrigerant release and prevent accumulation, thereby maintaining a safe concentration below the flammability limit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flammable refrigerant is used in the air conditioner, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the risk of refrigerant leakage and accumulation increases, creating a fire hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful accumulated refrigerant from the indoor environment by providing a dedicated discharge path through the outdoor unit. The communication path between the indoor and outdoor units allows leaked refrigerant to be safely vented outdoors, separating the hazard from the protected space while maintaining the use of efficient flammable refrigerants.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path acts as an intermediary channel that facilitates the safe transfer of leaked refrigerant from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. This intermediary structure enables controlled discharge of harmful substances without direct exposure to occupied spaces, resolving the contradiction between using flammable refrigerants and preventing fire hazards.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the opening and closing part closes the opening when the fan is driven, then refrigerant leakage to outdoors is prevented, but refrigerant accumulation in the arrangement space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing part dynamically adjusts its state based on fan operation. When the fan is driven, the opening is closed to prevent refrigerant leakage outdoors. When the fan stops, the opening automatically opens to discharge accumulated refrigerant. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by adapting the sealing behavior to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic discharge of accumulated refrigerant by opening the communication path at specific intervals (when the fan stops). This periodic action prevents continuous accumulation while maintaining protection during operation, balancing leakage prevention with accumulation control.
3Reliability
If the opening and closing part opens the opening when the fan is stopped, then refrigerant can be discharged to outdoors, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing part operates autonomously based on fan operation status without requiring external control systems. The mechanism self-activates to open or close the communication path in response to fan start/stop conditions, achieving reliable refrigerant discharge while minimizing control complexity through self-service operation.
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 solution effectively prevents refrigerant accumulation and reduces the risk of fire by ensuring safe discharge of leaking refrigerant outdoors, enhancing safety and reliability while maintaining a simple and cost-effective configuration.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger exchanges heat between air sent to an air conditioning target space and a flammable refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
A fan generates an air flow in the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
The heating part heats the air sent to the air conditioning target space
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes: a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air sent to an air conditioning target space and a flammable refrigerant; a fan that generates an air flow in the heat exchanger; one of a heater that heats the air sent to the air conditioning target space, or an electric apparatus that is capable of causing electric discharge; a casing that has an arrangement space in which the heat exchanger, the fan, and the heater or the electric apparatus is disposed, and an opening that communicates the arrangement space with outdoors; and an opening and closing part that opens and closes the opening. The opening and closing part: closes the opening in response to the fan being driven, and opens the opening in response to the fan being stopped.