Flexible Refrigerant Lines for Durable Enclosure Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional enclosure cooling systems face challenges in durability and maintenance due to the use of rigid materials like copper tubing, which are costly and difficult to handle in harsh environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible rubber lines with fittings to connect the compressor, condenser, and evaporator in air conditioner systems, replacing traditional copper tubing for easier manufacturing, maintenance, and improved durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid copper tubing is used to connect air conditioner components, then structural strength and durability are improved, but ease of manufacture, handling, and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid copper tubing with flexible rubber or plastic hoses to connect air conditioner components. This flexible piping solution maintains adequate structural strength for refrigerant transport while dramatically improving ease of manufacture, handling, and installation. The flexible hoses can be easily routed around obstacles and connected to components without requiring precise alignment or complex joining procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If rigid copper tubing is used to connect air conditioner components, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidease of repair

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible hose connections enable easier repair and maintenance by allowing technicians to access and replace damaged sections without disassembling entire rigid piping systems. The flexible nature of the hoses provides tolerance for misalignment and simplifies connection to moving or access-difficult components, thereby improving both ease of repair and operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If flexible rubber lines are used to connect air conditioner components, then ease of manufacture and handling are improved, but structural strength and durability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible rubber or plastic hoses are engineered with sufficient wall thickness and material strength to withstand the pressure and temperature conditions of refrigerant flow. While more flexible than copper tubing, these hoses maintain adequate structural integrity through proper material selection and design, balancing ease of manufacture with sufficient strength for reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible piping may utilize composite material constructions, combining multiple layers or materials (such as reinforced rubber or plastic composites) to achieve both flexibility and sufficient structural strength. This composite approach allows the hose to bend and flex while maintaining pressure containment and resisting degradation from environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20220163266A1Flexible lines for air conditioners used in enclosure cooling

Publication Date: 2022.05.26 ICE QUBE INC

AI summary

One aspect provides an air conditioner, including a compressor; a condenser; an evaporator; and one or more flexible lines connecting two or more of the compressor, condenser, and the evaporator to place them into fluid communication with one another. Other aspects include a method of providing flexible lines for an air conditioner as well as kits relating thereto.