Heat Exchanger Branch Pipe Layout for Flexible AC Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner heat exchangers have a single pipe routing mode, making installation inconvenient as they only allow for either leftward or rightward pipe routing, limiting user flexibility and potentially requiring complex pipe bending and additional space for routing.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with gaseous and liquid refrigerant heat exchange pipes on the same side, featuring branch pipes on opposite sides with opening and closing devices, allowing for flexible pipe routing without the need for extensive bending or rear space, facilitated by three-way gas and liquid joints for easy connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pipe routing mode is adopted for the heat exchanger, then the structure is simplified, but the installation flexibility and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple pipe routing modes through the use of branch pipes with opening and closing devices. The first and second pipe openings on different sides of the heat exchanger can be selectively opened or closed to create different routing configurations, allowing the same physical structure to serve multiple installation needs without increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe routing configuration is made dynamic through the opening and closing devices that allow selective activation of different pipe openings. This enables the heat exchanger to adapt its pipe routing mode based on installation requirements, transforming a static single-mode design into a dynamic multi-mode system that maintains structural simplicity while providing installation flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe routing is fixed on one side only, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the adaptability to different installation scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed with universal adaptability by incorporating both first and second pipe openings with corresponding branch pipes on different sides. The opening and closing devices enable the same heat exchanger unit to be universally installed in various scenarios (leftward or rightward pipe routing) without requiring different manufacturing specifications, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe routing configuration parameters are made changeable through the opening and closing devices that control which pipe openings are active. By changing the state of these devices (open or closed), the heat exchanger can switch between different routing modes, allowing a single manufactured unit to adapt to different installation parameters without requiring complex custom manufacturing.
3Strength
If extensive pipe bending and rear space are required for routing, then the pipe connection options are limited, but the structural integrity is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe routing is segmented into multiple independent paths through the first and second pipe openings and their corresponding branch pipes. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive pipe bending by providing direct routing options on both sides of the heat exchanger, thereby improving installation ease while maintaining structural integrity through proper pipe support and connection design.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger and an air conditioner comprising the heat exchanger are provided. The heat exchanger includes a gaseous refrigerant heat exchange pipe (6) and a liquid refrigerant heat exchange pipe (7) provided on the same side of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger further includes a gaseous refrigerant heat exchange branch pipe (2) and a liquid refrigerant heat exchange branch pipe (3). During installation of the heat exchanger and the air conditioner, a pipe exiting direction may be selected according to user demands without bending the pipes, a pipe routing space does not need to be reserved on the back of the whole machine, and installation is facilitated.