Insulated AC Housing Frame With Reinforced Plastic Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning device housings suffer from suboptimal thermal insulation, particularly in the frame areas, leading to higher energy consumption and mechanical instability due to the use of metallic materials.

Innovation Solution

The use of reinforced plastic extrusion profiles with fiber matrix semi-finished products and metal reinforcement inserts, aligned to minimize thermal bridging, along with hollow chamber profiles and elastic sealing, to enhance thermal insulation and mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metallic materials (steel or aluminum) are used for housing frame profiles to ensure mechanical stability and robustness, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates due to thermal bridging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic base profiles with metal reinforcement inserts and fiber-matrix semi-finished products. This creates a hybrid structure where the plastic provides thermal insulation while the metal and fiber reinforcements provide mechanical strength. The composite profile resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties - the plastic matrix prevents thermal bridging while the embedded reinforcements maintain structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by strategically placing metal reinforcement inserts and fiber-matrix products only in specific regions where mechanical strength is needed, rather than using solid metal throughout the entire profile. The fiber-matrix semi-finished products with continuous reinforcing fibers are positioned to provide localized reinforcement while maintaining thermal insulation in other areas. This selective reinforcement resolves the contradiction by providing strength only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If fiber-matrix semi-finished products with continuous reinforcing fibers are used to increase mechanical strength, then strength is improved, but thermal bridging may occur if the fibers conduct heat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidthermal bridging
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous materials by using fiber-matrix semi-finished products where the fiber fabric or non-woven fabric structure creates a porous matrix. This porous structure, embedded in the thermoplastic polymer matrix, provides mechanical reinforcement while the air pockets and fiber arrangement maintain thermal insulation properties. The porous nature prevents continuous thermal pathways while preserving structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by orienting all reinforcing fibers in the extrusion direction, creating anisotropic properties where strength is maximized in the critical direction while thermal insulation is maintained in perpendicular directions. The fiber-matrix semi-finished product is designed with continuous fibers aligned to provide reinforcement where needed while minimizing thermal bridging in other orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If metal reinforcement inserts are used to provide mechanical strength and flexural stiffness, then strength is improved, but thermal conductivity increases creating thermal bridges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexural stiffnessVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning metal reinforcement inserts in the immediate vicinity of and parallel to the outer surface of the housing, oriented transversely to the direction of heat flow. This strategic placement ensures that the metal inserts provide maximum flexural stiffness where needed while minimizing their thermal bridging effect. The transverse orientation to heat flow creates minimal temperature gradient along the metal, reducing thermal conductivity impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies blessing in disguise by accepting the inherent thermal conductivity of metal reinforcement inserts but converting this potential harm into a benefit through strategic orientation. By positioning the metal inserts transversely to the heat flow direction, the patent ensures that the metal's thermal conductivity does not create significant thermal bridges, while its flexural stiffness provides the necessary mechanical strength. The harm of thermal conductivity is minimized while the benefit of structural reinforcement is maximized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Loss of energy

If plastic extrusion profiles are used to improve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by embedding metal reinforcement inserts and fiber-matrix semi-finished products within the plastic extrusion profile. This creates a composite structure where the plastic matrix provides thermal insulation while the embedded metal and fiber reinforcements provide the necessary mechanical stability and robustness. The composite design resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties in a unified profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the plastic extrusion profile to include hollow chambers and specific geometric configurations that enhance mechanical stability while maintaining thermal insulation. The profile design incorporates reinforcing geometries and chamber arrangements that improve structural performance without compromising the thermal insulation properties of the plastic material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration significantly improves thermal insulation, matches the thermal expansion coefficient of aluminum walls, reduces mechanical stresses, and allows for complex geometries and cost-effective manufacturing, while maintaining mechanical resilience and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

The reinforcing inserts consist of metal (e.g., steel) or a fiber-matrix semi-finished product with a plastic matrix into which, preferably continuous, reinforcing fibers are integrated. According to the invention, the fiber-matrix semi-finished product is designed as an organosheet.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 2

While the housing walls generally consist of two metallic layers with insulating material sandwiched between them, thus ensuring good overall thermal insulation in the wall area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

The plastic base body of at least one plastic extrusion profile (e.g., several plastic extrusion profiles) can also have at least one additional function

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3211348B1Heat insulated housing for an air conditioning unit
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 REHAU AG & CO
  • EP3211348B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3211348B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a
  • EP3211348B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a heat-insulated, in particular cuboid housing (1) for an air-conditioning device (2) with several frame posts (3) which are connected to one another to form a housing frame (4), and several heat-insulated housing walls (5) surrounded by the housing frame (4). . According to the invention, the frame posts (3) consist of extruded plastic profiles (8, 8') and at least one extruded plastic profile (8, 8') has at least one reinforcement insert (9, 9'), preferably completely enclosing it.