Outdoor Unit Insulation Eave Directs Liquid Droplets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor units with water-refrigerant heat exchangers face the issue of liquid droplets flowing in unpredictable directions after dropping onto the heat exchanger, leading to potential deformation and stress concentration in the insulation material.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit design includes a gas-liquid separator, a water-refrigerant heat exchanger covered by a main insulation material and a holding plate, with the insulation material's top surface protection portion inclined to direct liquid droplets towards a side surface protection portion that has an eave protruding outward, creating a gap for controlled flow and a raised portion to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the main insulation material is made flat and horizontal to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but liquid droplets flow in unpredictable directions causing deformation and stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The top surface protection portion is given a specific inclined angle (5-15 degrees) to redirect liquid droplets, while other portions of the insulation material maintain their standard flat configuration. This localized modification achieves droplet control without compromising overall manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined top surface protection portion is pre-formed during manufacturing to anticipate and prevent liquid droplet accumulation before it occurs during operation. This preliminary structural design ensures proper drainage flow direction from the start
2Ease of operation
If the main insulation material is made removable to facilitate maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but the material moves relative to the heat exchanger causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The main insulation material is nested within the holding plate structure, which serves as an outer container. This nested configuration allows the insulation material to be easily inserted and removed for maintenance while the holding plate maintains its fixed position and alignment with the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 2:
The holding plate acts as an intermediary structure between the removable insulation material and the fixed heat exchanger. It provides a stable mounting interface that maintains alignment while allowing the insulation material to be independently installed and removed
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 restricts the flow direction of liquid droplets, reduces deformation and stress on the insulation material, and facilitates easier installation by minimizing movement relative to the holding plate.
Implementation Method 1
the top surface protection portion is inclined in a downward direction toward the first side surface protection portion
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an outdoor unit that can restrict a direction in which liquid droplets flow that have dropped onto a water-refrigerant heat exchanger. An outdoor unit of the present disclosure includes: a gas-liquid separator that separates gas and liquid of refrigerant; a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and heat medium; a main insulation material that covers the water-refrigerant heat exchanger; and a holding plate that covers an outside of the main insulation material, wherein the water-refrigerant heat exchanger is provided below the gas-liquid separator, the main insulation material has a top surface protection portion in contact with a top surface of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger, and a first side surface protection portion in contact with a first side surface of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger, the top surface protection portion is inclined in a downward direction toward the first side surface protection portion, and the first side surface protection portion has an eave protruding outward toward the holding plate.