Outdoor Unit Control Box Cooling with Refrigerant-Air Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioner outdoor units face reduced cooling efficiency under high temperatures, as the rise in outdoor air temperature decreases air-based cooling efficiency and increased refrigerant pressure leads to lower compressor operation frequency, resulting in less refrigerant circulation and degraded performance of electronic components.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit incorporates a dual cooling system that combines refrigerant-based and air-based cooling methods, utilizing a cooling unit with a first heat radiation member in contact with heat-generating electronic parts and a refrigerant pipe for efficient heat transfer, along with a second heat radiation member for outdoor air heat exchange, enhancing cooling efficiency even at high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cooling by using outdoor air is employed, then cooling efficiency is improved under normal conditions, but cooling efficiency is degraded when outdoor air temperature rises to about 40°C or more
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent cooling paths: air-based cooling (first cooling unit with fan and heat dissipation fins) and refrigerant-based cooling (second cooling unit with refrigerant pipe). This segmentation allows the system to select or combine cooling methods based on environmental conditions, specifically enabling refrigerant-based cooling to take over when outdoor air temperature exceeds 40°C, thereby maintaining overall cooling efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If cooling by using refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner is employed, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the rise of pressure of the refrigerant due to high temperature requires a lower operating frequency of the compressor, which leads to less circulation of the refrigerant and thus to degradation of the cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A third cooling unit serving as an intermediary heat dissipation device is introduced. This unit includes a refrigerant pipe extending through a heat radiation member, allowing refrigerant to flow and dissipate heat directly to outdoor air. This intermediary path provides an additional heat dissipation route that supplements the conventional refrigerant circulation system, helping to manage refrigerant pressure and improve cooling efficiency under high temperature conditions.
3Reliability
If a cooling device is employed to maintain the right temperature for the electronic parts, then the electronic parts can operate reliably, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat radiation member serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support component, a heat dissipation surface for the third cooling unit, and a protective cover for the refrigerant pipe. By integrating these functions into a single component, the design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective cooling for electronic parts.
4Loss of energy
If the refrigerant pipe is extended through the heat radiation member to enable direct heat transfer, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant pipe is nested within the heat radiation member, with the pipe extending through the radiation member's structure. This nested configuration allows the refrigerant pipe to be integrated into the heat radiation member during manufacturing or assembly, maximizing heat transfer efficiency while maintaining reasonable manufacturing feasibility through a straightforward nested construction approach.
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 dual cooling approach maintains the internal temperature of the control device below 80°C, allowing the outdoor unit to operate effectively under high outdoor temperatures, improving cooling efficiency and extending the lifespan of electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant pipe which extends through the first heat radiation member and which enables a refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant pipe
Implementation Method 2
a first heat radiation member installed to be in contact with the heat generating part; and a second heat radiation member coupled with the first heat radiation member for heat transfer and installed to be in contact with outdoor air flowing into the control device
Implementation Method 3
a second heat radiation member coupled with the first heat radiation member for heat transfer and installed to be in contact with outdoor air flowing into the control device
Implementation Method 4
a refrigerant pipe which extends through the first heat radiation member and which enables a refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor unit of an air conditioner is provided. The outdoor unit may include a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser for condensing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; a control device for containing electronic parts to control the outdoor unit; and a cooling unit in contact with a heat generating part of the electronic parts to cool the heat generating part, wherein the cooling unit comprises a first heat radiation member installed to be in contact with the heat generating part; a refrigerant pipe extending through the first heat radiation member and enabling a refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant pipe; and a second heat radiation member coupled with the first heat radiation member for heat transfer and installed to be in contact with air flowing into the control device.