Outdoor AC Unit Layout With Parallel Airflow and Flush Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor units for split system air conditioners have an aesthetically negative impact on buildings, are difficult to install, and require complex mounting, often compromising the visual harmony and increasing costs due to protruding grilles and perpendicular airflow which leads to quick dirt accumulation and restricted installation options.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit design features a support frame with airflow developed parallel to the back surface, eliminating grilles on the back and incorporating a compact 'V'-shaped heat exchanger configuration with a tangential blower, allowing for flush mounting against walls and reduced protrusion, along with a closed front surface for improved aesthetics and simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the outdoor unit uses conventional perpendicular airflow design with front grilles, then the heat exchange function is achieved, but the aesthetic impact on buildings is negative and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional airflow direction from perpendicular to parallel relative to the back surface. The airflow now enters through the front surface and exits through the back surface, allowing the unit to be mounted flush against walls without protruding brackets. This inversion eliminates the need for complex mounting structures while maintaining heat exchange functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the front grilles that are characteristic of conventional outdoor units. By extracting this element and replacing it with a closed front surface, the unit achieves a cleaner aesthetic appearance suitable for valuable buildings while simplifying the mounting structure by eliminating the need for spacing brackets.
2Ease of operation
If the outdoor unit protrudes from the wall on brackets, then airflow intake is enabled, but the aesthetic harmony of buildings is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the mounting approach from protruding to flush-mounted. By reversing the spatial relationship between the unit and the wall, the design eliminates visual disruption to building facades while maintaining adequate airflow intake through the front surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the airflow dimension from perpendicular to parallel relative to the back surface. This dimensional change allows the unit to integrate seamlessly with the wall surface while maintaining effective airflow through the heat exchanger.
3Ease of operation
If grilles are placed on the front surface, then air suction is enabled, but dirt accumulation increases and visual impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the front grilles from the design. By eliminating this element, the unit avoids the problem of dirt accumulation on visible surfaces while maintaining air suction functionality through the closed front surface design.
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 enhances the aesthetic harmony of buildings, simplifies installation and maintenance, reduces material usage and costs, while maintaining effective airflow and heat exchange efficiency, making it suitable for installation in various architectural settings, including old or valuable buildings.
Implementation Method 1
at least a heat exchanger (9) for a refrigerant housed within the frame (2)
Implementation Method 2
at least a blower (10) housed in the frame (2) and suitable for conveying the airflow (12) through the heat exchanger (9)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Outdoor unit (1) for air conditioners including a sup port frame (2) showing at least a front surface (3), a back surface (4), a lower surface (7) and an upper surface (8), exchange means (11) including first exchange means (lla) suitable to allow the inlet of an airflow (12) from the outer environment within the frame (2) and second exchange means (lib) for allowing the exit of the airflow (12) from the inside of said frame (2) to the outer environment, wherein the first and second exchange means are associated with the lower surface (7) and the upper surface (8), respectively, such that the airflow (12) is developed at least partly substantially parallel to the back surface (4), at least a first heat exchanger (9A) for a refrigerant housed in the frame (2), a blower (10) housed in the frame (2) and suitable for conveying the airflow (12) through the heat exchanger (9A) and electrical and refrigerant connecting means (15) with at least an internal unit. The outdoor unit (1) further shows a "V"-shaped-second heat exchanger (9B) with the first heat exchanger.