Indoor Unit Pipe Chamber Layout for Refrigerant Leak Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing split-type air-conditioning apparatus requires high accuracy in processing dimensions for on-site installation, leading to decreased efficiency due to the need for welding and precise sealing, which complicates the arrangement of extension pipes and increases the risk of refrigerant leakage.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle apparatus with a pipe connection chamber and a pipe draw-out chamber, partitioned by a through hole, where the extension pipe penetrates, allowing for reduced refrigerant leakage speed and easier on-site installation without high accuracy requirements, using a flammable refrigerant like R32, which is housed in the pipe connection chamber and drawn into the pipe draw-out chamber, reducing the formation of flammable concentrations in the room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the extension pipe is connected to the indoor unit by welding without a joint, then refrigerant leakage is prevented, but on-site installation efficiency decreases due to additional welding preparation and masking work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the indoor unit into two separate chambers: a pipe connection chamber for welding operations and a pipe draw-out chamber for extension pipe passage. This segmentation allows welding to be performed in an isolated space without requiring masking of peripheral portions, thereby maintaining refrigerant leakage prevention while improving on-site installation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the welding operation from the general installation space by creating a dedicated pipe connection chamber. This allows welding to be performed in isolation, eliminating the need for masking work and additional preparation steps, thus improving installation efficiency while maintaining reliable refrigerant sealing
2Ease of operation
If a joint is used to connect the extension pipe to the indoor unit, then on-site installation becomes easier, but refrigerant leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection process into two parts: a joint connection at the indoor unit side for ease of installation, and a welded connection at the extension pipe side for leakage prevention. The pipe connection chamber houses the welded connection, while the pipe draw-out chamber accommodates the joint connection, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously
3Manufacturing precision
If high accuracy in processing dimensions is required for extension pipe arrangement, then sealing is improved, but on-site installation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the high-precision sealing function into the pipe connection chamber where welded connections require minimal dimensional accuracy, while the pipe draw-out chamber accommodates extension pipes with standard dimensional tolerances. This segmentation allows sealing to be achieved without requiring high accuracy in extension pipe arrangement, improving on-site installation efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The inside of a casing constituting an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus is laterally divided by an air passage partition so that an air passage chamber housing an indoor fan and an indoor heat exchanger is defined close to a casing side panel. A space in the casing close to the casing side panel is further vertically divided by a partition having through holes so that a pipe connection chamber housing parts of the extension pipes, flare joints, and indoor pipes is defined in an upper portion and a pipe draw-out chamber in which the extension pipes are arranged is defined in a lower portion. Gaps between outer peripheries of the extension pipes and inner peripheries of the through holes are filled with insulations.