Integrated Air Conditioner Layout for Compact Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integral air conditioners are bulky and aesthetically unappealing, requiring significant space for installation, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage power consumption for easy installation and movement.
Innovation Solution
A compact air conditioner design with a combined outdoor and indoor unit, featuring a unique housing structure that includes a compressor, condenser, expansion unit, evaporator, and tray assembly, allowing for efficient heat exchange and power control through a control unit that adjusts the compressor's operating frequency based on air volume settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an integral air conditioner combines indoor and outdoor units in one cabinet, then installation is simplified, but the device becomes bulky and occupies significant wall or window space
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first space containing the evaporator and a second space containing the condenser, with each space having independent suction and discharge ports. This segmentation allows the unit to be split into functional modules that can be positioned separately, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining integrated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser is disposed below the evaporator at a given angle in the leftward/rightward direction, utilizing vertical and lateral spatial dimensions rather than only horizontal expansion. This three-dimensional arrangement reduces the device's projection area on the wall or window while accommodating all necessary components.
2Area of stationary object
If the condenser is disposed below the evaporator at an angle, then spatial efficiency is improved, but condensate management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A tray assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the evaporator and condenser to manage condensate flow. The tray assembly includes multiple trays that collect, transport, and discharge condensate, simplifying the management of condensate in the angled configuration while maintaining compact spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray assembly is designed to automatically collect and discharge condensate using gravity and the angled positioning of the condenser below the evaporator. The system self-regulates condensate flow without requiring additional active pumping or complex control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the air conditioner is designed for easy movement with a handle, then portability is improved, but the center of gravity must be carefully positioned below the handle
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is positioned at the upper portion of the housing with the center of gravity disposed below it, creating a balanced configuration where the weight distribution facilitates easy lifting and movement. This positioning ensures the unit can be moved without requiring excessive force or complex mechanical assistance.
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
The design enables easy installation and movement, improves spatial efficiency, and optimizes power consumption by maintaining consistent power input while adjusting to varying air volume demands, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor provided to compress a refrigerant in the housing
Implementation Method 2
a condenser that is provided in the second space and condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor into a liquid phase
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator that is provided in the first space and evaporates the refrigerant discharged from the expansion unit to exchange heat with ambient air
Implementation Method 4
an expansion unit expanding the refrigerant condensed by the condenser in a low pressure state
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an air conditioner that is designed to include a first space in which an evaporator is disposed and a second space in which a condenser is disposed and which is divided from the first space. An outdoor unit and an indoor unit are integrally formed, and thus it is easy to move the air conditioner. A structure and disposition of a heat exchanger are improved, and thus heat exchange efficiency is improved. Operations of a cooling mode and a dehumidifying mode are possible.