Indoor Expansion Valve Layout to Block Condensed Water Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of an electronic expansion valve in a multi-type air conditioner increases costs and requires additional space, and when installed in the indoor unit, it complicates the installation process and potentially damages the driving motor and control unit due to condensed water exposure.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit design includes an electronic expansion valve positioned outside the lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger, a control unit, a water collector, and a motor fixing part, with a side wall configuration that prevents condensed water from reaching the control and motor components, allowing for efficient refrigerant adjustment without increasing the unit's external size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic expansion valve is installed in the indoor unit, then the refrigerant supply adjustment is improved, but the external size of the indoor unit is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic expansion valve is nested within the indoor unit by positioning it at the outdoor unit side of the heat exchanger, allowing the valve to be housed within the existing unit boundaries rather than adding external protrusions. This nesting approach enables the indoor unit to accommodate the additional component without increasing its external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic expansion valve is positioned at a different spatial location (outdoor unit side of heat exchanger) rather than following the conventional indoor unit side placement. This dimensional repositioning allows the valve to be integrated into the existing unit footprint while maintaining its functional independence and refrigerant control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic expansion valve is installed in the indoor unit, then the refrigerant control is improved, but the driving motor and control unit are exposed to condensed water
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic expansion valve is extracted from the conventional indoor unit side location and repositioned to the outdoor unit side of the heat exchanger. This extraction removes the valve from the condensed water-prone environment while maintaining its integration within the indoor unit structure, thereby protecting the motor and control unit from water exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger serves as an intermediary element between the electronic expansion valve and the indoor unit's motor/control components. By positioning the valve at the outdoor unit side of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger acts as a barrier that prevents condensed water from reaching the electrical components while still allowing the valve to function within the indoor unit system.
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
This design reduces installation costs and space requirements, protects the motor and control unit from condensed water, and maintains heat-exchanging efficiency by effectively managing the electronic expansion valve's placement and water drainage.
Implementation Method 1
an indoor heat exchanger (30) disposed in the main body (20) to exchange heat with inhaled air
Implementation Method 2
an electronic expansion valve (80) to adjust an amount of a refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger (30)
Implementation Method 3
condensed water formed on the indoor heat exchanger (30) is collected in the water collector (90) and is discharged to the outside of the indoor unit (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An indoor unit of an air conditioner with an electronic expansion valve. The indoor unit includes a main body, a heat exchanger disposed at the front portion of the inside of the main body, a control unit, in which electrical components are mounted, disposed at the outside in the lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger, a control case including a first side surface part disposed between the control unit and the heat exchanger and an extension part connected with the first side surface part and extended in the lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger, and an electronic expansion valve disposed in a space defined by two surfaces neighboring with each other by the extension part.