Method for manufacturing an outdoor unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cooling structures for electric components in outdoor air-conditioning units require multiple molds to achieve varying distances between heat transmission fins, increasing manufacturing costs and potentially reducing cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The outdoor unit incorporates a heat exchanger with heat transmission fins and pipes, where the distance between fins is increased only at positions corresponding to the cooling member's location, allowing for efficient air flow and reduced air resistance, thus maintaining cooling effectiveness at a lower cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple molds are used to prepare heat transmission fins with different distances between fins, then the cooling effect of electric components is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transmission fins are designed with non-uniform spacing where the distance between adjacent fins varies at different positions along the fin length. Specifically, the distance is larger at positions corresponding to the cooling member location and smaller at other positions. This local variation in fin spacing optimizes cooling efficiency in the critical area without requiring multiple molds, thereby maintaining the cooling effect while reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the distance between heat transmission fins is increased at the cooling member position, then air flow through the cooling member is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow rateVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transmission fins are segmented into multiple sections along their length, with each section having a different spacing between adjacent fins. This segmentation allows the fin structure to provide both large spacing (for improved air flow) and small spacing (for effective heat exchange) in different locations, optimizing air flow through the cooling member while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single mold design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 efficiently cools electric components by allowing a large air flow through the heat exchanger, reducing air resistance and maintaining cooling efficiency while minimizing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling member disposed in a channel of air passing through the heat exchanger, the cooling member configured to dissipate heat from the electric component to the air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

heat transmission fins spaced from one another with a distance, fitted to and fixed to the heat transmission pipes, so that heat is exchanged between refrigerant passing through the heat transmission pipes and air passing between the heat transmission fins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2952821B1Method for manufacturing an outdoor unit
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2952821B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2952821B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2952821B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An outdoor unit includes: a heat exchanger 20 in which heat transmission fins 21 are fitted to and fixed to heat transmission pipes 22 with predetermined distances so that heat is exchanged between refrigerant passing through the heat transmission pipes 22 and air passing between the heat transmission fins 21; an electric component 31 that controls equipment; and a cooling member 32 disposed above a channel of air that has passed through the heat exchanger 20 and configured to dissipate heat from the electric component 31 to the air. The distance between the heat transmission fins 21 in a position corresponding to the position of the cooling member 32 and serving as a passage of the air passing through the cooling member 32 is larger than that in the other positions.