Outdoor Unit Bottom Panel Layout for a Larger Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to design an outdoor unit for air-conditioning apparatus that can accommodate a larger heat exchanger while maintaining a compact size, suitable for installation in limited spaces such as balconies of apartment buildings, without increasing the overall size of the outdoor unit.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit incorporates a bottom panel with a projection that allows for a wider heat exchanger while keeping the unit's dimensions compact, utilizing a configuration that includes a fixed panel, a valve, and a cover to manage the refrigerant pipe and prevent rainwater ingress, allowing for a larger heat exchanger without expanding the unit's width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the outdoor unit size is increased to accommodate a larger heat exchanger, then heating capacity and cooling capacity are improved, but the adaptability to limited installation spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is configured to extend in the width direction rather than the length direction, utilizing the width dimension of the bottom panel to increase heat exchange area without increasing the overall length of the outdoor unit. This dimensional reorientation allows larger heat exchanger capacity while maintaining compact unit dimensions suitable for limited installation spaces.
2Power
If the heat exchanger size is increased to improve heating and cooling capacity, then the outdoor unit dimensions must be increased, but this increases installation space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A projection is added to the bottom panel at a specific location to provide localized support for the heat exchanger. This local structural enhancement allows the heat exchanger to extend further in the width direction without proportionally increasing the overall unit footprint, thereby improving heat exchange capacity while minimizing the increase in installation area.
3Power
If the bottom panel is designed to accommodate a larger heat exchanger, then heat exchange capability is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom panel is segmented into a main body portion and a projection portion, where the projection is a distinct structural element that can be independently formed or attached. This segmentation allows the complex shape required for accommodating the larger heat exchanger to be achieved through modular construction, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the necessary structural complexity for heat exchange performance.
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 enables the outdoor unit to house a larger heat exchanger without increasing its size, addressing the space constraints of installations in limited areas while ensuring effective heat exchange and preventing water ingress.
Implementation Method 1
heat is exchanged between air and refrigerant which flows in the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
heat is exchanged between air and refrigerant which flows in the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
An outdoor unit is configured to accommodate a compressor and is connected to a refrigerant pipe used for circulating refrigerant between an indoor unit. The outdoor unit includes a bottom panel disposed under the compressor so as to support the compressor, a first side panel disposed on a peripheral edge of the bottom panel, a second side panel disposed at a position facing the first side panel on the peripheral edge of the bottom panel, and an outdoor heat exchanger supported above the bottom panel and extending in a direction from the first side panel toward the second side panel, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger has an end portion facing one of side end portions of the second side panel, and the bottom panel includes a projection formed at a position corresponding to the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger and protruding in a direction from the first side panel toward the second side panel.