Air Conditioner Outdoor Unit Shield Assembly for Noise and Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners face challenges with noise transmission from compressors, increased safety risks due to explosive refrigerants like R290, and difficulties in quickly discharging leaked refrigerants and managing compressor explosions.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit is designed with a shield assembly comprising multiple shield cases that surround the refrigerant cycle device, featuring soundproofing materials, a recessed shield base for leak discharge, and vibration insulation, along with a structure that facilitates easy assembly and component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a shield assembly is added to reduce noise transmission, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly is nested within the existing outdoor unit housing structure, with the shield base integrated into the housing and shield cases positioned within the available internal space. This nesting approach allows noise reduction functionality to be added without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield cases are designed as thin-walled structures that provide effective noise isolation through their enclosure geometry rather than relying on thick heavy materials. This approach achieves noise reduction while maintaining relatively simple and lightweight construction.
2Reliability
If the shield assembly is made completely enclosed for safety, then protection against compressor explosion is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly is divided into multiple separable shield cases (front case, side cases, rear case) that can be individually removed. This segmentation maintains the protective enclosure when assembled while enabling easy access to the refrigerant cycle device components when disassembled, thus resolving the contradiction between safety protection and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield cases are designed to be dynamically configurable - fully enclosed during normal operation for maximum protection, but easily openable when maintenance or repair is needed. The detachable design allows the structure to transition between closed protective state and open accessible state.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration insulation is added to the shield base, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration insulation function is merged with the shield base structure itself. The shield base incorporates vibration insulation members that are integrated into its construction, combining the support function with the vibration isolation function in a single unified component rather than adding separate isolated elements.
4Ease of repair
If the shield assembly uses multiple detachable cases, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly is segmented into multiple detachable shield cases that can be independently removed and reinstalled. This segmentation enables easy access to internal components for repair while the modular nature of the design actually reduces overall complexity compared to a monolithic structure, as each case can be independently manufactured, inspected, and replaced.
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 effectively reduces noise and vibration transmission, minimizes damage from compressor explosions, and ensures safe and efficient discharge of leaked refrigerants, enhancing safety and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The shield assembly includes a shield base supporting the refrigerant cycle device, shield cases surrounding the refrigerant cycle device, and soundproofing materials that reduce noise transmission
Implementation Method 2
The shield base includes a vibration insulation structure that reduces vibration transmission from the compressor and refrigerant pipes
Implementation Method 3
The shield base has a recessed structure that facilitates discharge of leaked refrigerant to the outside of the outdoor unit through gravity-assisted drainage paths
Data Source
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AI summary
An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes: a case forming an outer appearance; a barrier dividing an inner portion of the case into a heat exchange space and an electric space; a heat exchanger disposed in the heat exchange space; a fan disposed in the heat exchange space; a refrigerant cycle device disposed in the electric space; and a shield assembly disposed in the electric space so as to completely surround an outside of the refrigerant cycle device, in which a pipe penetration hole through which a refrigerant pipe connected to the refrigerant cycle device passes may be formed on one side of the shield assembly.