Outdoor Unit PCB Cooling Layout for Tight Refrigerant Jacket Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air conditioners, gaps between the refrigerant jacket and power element lead to inefficient heat exchange, resulting in a cooling effect smaller than expected.
Innovation Solution
A design where the refrigerant jacket is positioned closer to the front side of the casing than the power element, allowing for visual identification and proper connection during manufacturing or repair, and the printed-circuit board is inserted behind the refrigerant jacket, ensuring secure thermal connection and efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the refrigerant jacket and power element are thermally connected by securing them to each other by screws, then the assembly is convenient for manufacturing and repair, but gaps may be left between the refrigerant jacket and power element resulting in inefficient heat exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant jacket is positioned closer to the front side of the casing than the power element before assembly is completed. This preliminary positioning allows workers to visually confirm through the service opening that the refrigerant jacket is correctly aligned and will make tight contact with the power element when secured, ensuring both assembly convenience and thermal connection precision.
2Ease of repair
If the refrigerant jacket is positioned to allow visual identification through the service opening, then the connection can be identified visually during manufacturing or repair, but the printed-circuit board insertion path must be carefully planned
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly opening is provided in a face next to the face having the service opening, creating a separate insertion dimension. This allows the printed-circuit board to be inserted horizontally through the assembly opening while the service opening remains on the front face for vertical visual inspection of the refrigerant jacket connection, effectively separating the inspection and assembly functions into different spatial dimensions.
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
Ensures a desired cooling effect by ensuring a tight fit between the refrigerant jacket and power element, facilitating easy assembly and reducing thermal influence on other circuit elements.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant jacket (20) cools the power element (33)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A printed-circuit board (31) having a power element (33) and a refrigerant jacket (20) to which the power element (33) is thermally connected, with refrigerant circulating therein used in refrigeration cycle, are provided in an outdoor unit casing (70). The printed-circuit board (31) is provided in a switch box (40). A face of the outdoor unit casing (70) has a service opening (71). The refrigerant jacket (20) faces the service opening (71), being closer to the front side of the outdoor unit casing (70) than the power element (33) as viewed from the service opening (71).