Outdoor Unit Cooling Member Layout for Power Element Backup Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional air conditioner outdoor units, the refrigerant jacket is positioned closer to the service opening than the power element, leading to inadequate cooling when refrigerant circulation stops, potentially damaging the power element due to generated heat.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor unit design featuring a refrigerant jacket thermally connected to the power element, arranged on the outer wall surface of the electric parts box in the path of air blown by a blower fan, ensuring effective cooling even when refrigerant circulation is not active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the refrigerant jacket is arranged at a position closer in depth than the power element as viewed from the service opening, then the serviceability is improved, but the cooling reliability deteriorates when refrigerant circulation stops
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is segmented into two independent systems: refrigerant-based cooling (for normal operation) and air-based cooling (for backup when refrigerant circulation stops). This segmentation ensures that the failure of one cooling system does not compromise the overall cooling reliability of the power element.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat radiating fin is introduced as an intermediary component between the power element and the ambient air. This fin serves as a heat transfer mediator that enables effective air cooling when refrigerant circulation is unavailable, thus maintaining cooling reliability without affecting serviceability.
2Ease of operation
If the refrigerant jacket is positioned closer to the service opening than the power element, then the maintenance accessibility is improved, but the power element temperature control deteriorates during refrigerant shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The air cooling path is pre-established through the heat radiating fin structure before refrigerant circulation stops. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as soon as refrigerant circulation ceases, the air cooling mechanism is already in place to prevent temperature rise, without requiring any repositioning of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat radiating fin structure enables the power element to self-cool using ambient air when refrigerant cooling is unavailable. The system automatically switches to air cooling mode without external intervention, maintaining temperature control while preserving maintenance accessibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional aluminum fins are used for air cooling, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient to prevent power element damage
Solution Approach 1:
The heat radiating fin is constructed from a composite material or structure that combines high thermal conductivity with optimized surface geometry. This composite approach enhances cooling efficiency compared to conventional aluminum fins while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized production processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat radiating fin structure utilizes three-dimensional surface optimization with extended surface area and optimized geometry in multiple dimensions. This dimensional enhancement significantly improves heat dissipation efficiency compared to conventional two-dimensional aluminum fins, while the modular design maintains manufacturing simplicity.
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 effectively prevents power element damage from heat by utilizing air-borne cooling, maintaining operable temperatures and improving maintainability and reliability, while also enhancing cooling efficiency compared to conventional aluminum fins.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling member that is thermally connected with the part to be cooled and cools the part with a refrigerant flowing therein
Implementation Method 2
a blower fan that sucks air outside the casing and forces the air to pass through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant flowing therein and air
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor unit for an air conditioner, and an air conditioner are provided that allow for effectively cooling a cooled part such as a power element, even when a refrigerant is not circulated, to prevent the part from being damaged by generated heat. Said outdoor unit and said air conditioner each include: a casing; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant flowing therein and air; a blower fan that sucks air outside the casing and forces the air to pass through the heat exchanger; an electric parts box that has a board and a part to be cooled; and a cooling member that is thermally connected with said part and cools it with a refrigerant flowing therein, wherein the cooling member is arranged on an outer wall surface of the electric parts box in a path of the air blown by the blower fan.