Outdoor unit for refrigeration apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In outdoor units for refrigeration apparatuses, the current layout often results in unsatisfactory cooling of electric components due to inadequate airflow distribution, leading to reliability issues as heat-generating components are not effectively cooled, particularly when the fan is positioned higher than the compressor, causing uneven airflow volumes and temperature differences.
Innovation Solution
The configuration includes a compressor, fan, and electric components with strategically positioned coolers and heat radiating fins, where the first electric component is lower than the fan and higher than the second electric component, ensuring favorable airflow and heat exchange to cool both effectively, with additional coolers and heat pipes for enhanced cooling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fan controlling electric component is disposed above the compressor controlling electric component for ease of wiring, then wiring is easier, but the fan controlling heat generating component is unfavorably cooled due to insufficient temperature difference with the air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional wiring layout by positioning the compressor controlling electric component above the fan controlling electric component. This inversion prioritizes thermal management over wiring convenience, allowing the high-temperature air flow from the compressor to effectively cool the fan controlling component while maintaining acceptable wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the hot air flow rising from the compressor, which would normally be a harmful thermal environment, into a beneficial cooling source for the fan controlling electric component. By strategically positioning components, the heat-generating compressor becomes an integrated part of the thermal management system for adjacent components.
2Ease of operation
If the compressor controlling heat generating component is positioned on the windward side of the air flow, then wiring to the fan is easier, but the airflow volume for cooling the compressor controlling electric component is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional layout by placing the compressor controlling electric component on the leeward side (downstream) of the air flow rather than the windward side. This positioning ensures that the full-volume air flow passes over the component for effective cooling, while wiring is routed accordingly to maintain connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different spatial zones for different components: the compressor controlling electric component is positioned in the high-velocity air flow zone (leeward side) to maximize cooling, while the fan controlling electric component is positioned in the warmer air zone to utilize temperature differential for cooling.
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 improves the cooling efficiency of both the compressor and fan controlling electric components, reducing reliability issues by ensuring satisfactory airflow volumes and temperature differences, thus enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the outdoor unit.
Implementation Method 1
The first cooler includes a plurality of first heat radiating fins. The first heat radiating fins are located on flow paths of the air flows. The first heat radiating fins are configured to exchange heat with the air flows.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the air flows is a flow of air flowing from below upward in the casing and flowing out of the casing through the blow-out port.
Implementation Method 3
The first cooler includes a plurality of first heat radiating fins. The first heat radiating fins are located on flow paths of the air flows. The first heat radiating fins are configured to exchange heat with the air flows.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an outdoor unit for a refrigeration apparatus, the outdoor unit being capable of suppressing decrease in reliability. An outdoor unit (10) includes: a compressor (12); an outdoor fan (18) configured to provide outdoor air flows (AF), the outdoor fan (18) being higher in heightwise position than the compressor (12); a high-heat generating electric component (65) configured to control the compressor (12); a fan controlling electric component (66) configured to control the outdoor fan (18); a board unit (75) including a compressor controlling electric component mount portion (75a) and a fan controlling electric component mount portion (75b); a first cooling unit (80); and an outdoor unit casing (40). The outdoor air flows (AF) flow from below upward in the outdoor unit casing (40), and flow out of the outdoor unit casing (40) through a blow-out port (402). The first cooling unit (80) includes a plurality of first cooling unit fins (81) located on flow paths of the outdoor air flows (AF), the first cooling unit fins (81) being adjacent to the compressor controlling electric component mount portion (75a). The high-heat generating electric component (65) is lower in heightwise position than the outdoor fan (18) and higher in heightwise position than the fan controlling electric component (66).