Outdoor unit for air conditioner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioner outdoor units face operational issues due to the freezing of condensate or defrost water if not discharged effectively, leading to reduced efficiency and frequent defrosting requirements.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit design includes a heat exchanger with a base featuring a contact and non-contact drain system, where the base has a stepped portion and inclined panels to facilitate the discharge of water through drain holes, ensuring efficient water flow and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is not discharged effectively from the heat exchanger, then the operational complexity remains simple, but water freezing occurs which adversely affects product operation
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into a first part and a second part with different heights, creating a stepped structure. The first part includes a drain hole for water discharge, while the second part provides elevated support for the heat exchanger. This segmentation allows effective water drainage while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg is designed with an inclined panel that slopes downward from the outer side to the inner side of the base. This inclination creates a gravitational pathway for water to flow from the drain hole toward the center, adding a dimensional aspect to water flow that enhances drainage effectiveness without complicating the overall structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple base structure is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but water discharge efficiency deteriorates leading to freezing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented into two functional parts: a first part with a drain hole for water discharge and a second part elevated by a step difference for heat exchanger support. This segmentation enables effective water drainage while maintaining a simple, cost-effective manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg includes an inclined panel that extends beyond the basic support function to actively guide water flow. This additional inclination, while simple to manufacture, significantly enhances water discharge efficiency by creating a gravitational slope that directs water toward the drain hole.
3Volume of moving object
If the heat exchanger is positioned close to the base, then space utilization is improved, but water flow path is lengthened causing discharge delays
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined panel on the leg creates a sloped surface that actively guides water flow from the drain hole toward the inner side of the base. This inclination adds a dimensional element to water flow, creating a gravitational pathway that accelerates water discharge and prevents delays despite the heat exchanger's proximity to the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped structure with the first part lower than the second part预先 (in advance) creates a favorable position for water collection and discharge. The drain hole is positioned at the lower first part, which naturally collects water from the heat exchanger and directs it outward for quick discharge, preventing water accumulation before it can freeze.
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 discharges defrost or condensed water, preventing freezing and reducing the need for frequent defrosting, thereby enhancing the air conditioner's operational efficiency and lowering material and component costs.
Implementation Method 1
a panel formed to be inclined while being spaced apart from the base such that the water is discharged through the drain hole. The panel may be formed to slope with respect to an outer side of the base such that the water discharged through the drain hole is caused to flow.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner includes a heat exchanger, a base arranged below the heat exchanger and including a first part including a drain hole formed to correspond to the heat exchanger to discharge water generated from the heat exchanger, and a second part formed to have a stepped portion with the first part, and a leg provided below the base and including a panel formed to slope while being spaced apart from the base such that the water is discharged through the drain hole.