Outdoor unit for air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing outdoor units for air conditioners face difficulties in connecting refrigerant tubes due to their configuration, which causes interference when the installation direction is changed, making it challenging to install and perform service operations without interference from adjacent connection tubes.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit design includes a base with suction panels and service valve assemblies, where connection tubes are aligned either towards the front or side of the base, allowing for different heights and orientations to prevent interference, facilitating easier connection and service operations by bending the tubes to align laterally or at varying heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connection tubes are arranged in a fixed configuration extending from service valves, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but installation becomes difficult when installation direction is changed and interference occurs between adjacent connection tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The connection tubes are configured to extend through the base in a lateral direction rather than vertically downward, changing the spatial dimension of tube arrangement. This lateral extension through the base allows the outdoor unit to be installed in different orientations while preventing interference between adjacent connection tubes, as they emerge from the base at positions that avoid mutual obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection tubes are designed with flexible routing that can adapt to different installation configurations. By extending through the base structure rather than being rigidly fixed in a single direction, the tubes can accommodate various installation orientations without requiring complete reconfiguration, providing dynamic adaptability to installation direction changes.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple connection tubes are installed closely together to save space, then the device occupies less installation space, but interference occurs during service operations making maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Connection tubes are arranged to extend laterally through the base rather than converging vertically, creating horizontal separation between tube exits. This dimensional rearrangement maintains compact overall footprint while providing sufficient lateral spacing between adjacent tubes to prevent interference during service operations such as valve access and tube manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection tubes are routed through separate paths within the base structure, with each tube having its own designated exit position. This segmentation of tube routes ensures that even when installed in limited space, each connection tube remains independently accessible for service operations without interference from adjacent tubes.
3Ease of operation
If service valves are positioned for easy access, then service operations are simplified, but connection tubes require complex routing to reach installation points
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure serves as an intermediary element that houses the connection tubes and provides a platform for mounting service valves. By routing tubes through the base rather than having them extend directly from compressed positions, the service valves can be positioned at optimal access heights while the base internally manages the complex tube routing, separating the concerns of tube routing complexity from valve accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor unit for an air conditioner is provided. The outdoor unit includes a base disposed on lower portions of suction panels, the base having two long sides and two short sides, legs respectively disposed on lower portions of the two long sides of the base, a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger disposed on an upper portion of the base, a refrigerant tube connecting the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger to each other, a plurality of service valve assemblies connected to the refrigerant tube, and a plurality of connection tubes respectively connected to the plurality of service valve assemblies to extend downward from the base. The plurality of connection tubes are aligned at a first alignment position at which they extend toward the front of the base or a second alignment position at which they extend toward a side of the base.