Pipeline Connection Structure, Compressor Assembly, and Air Conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pipeline connection structures in air conditioners face issues with uneven heating during welding, leading to thermal stress, cracking, and reduced strength at the joint, as well as potential leakage due to differences in thermal conductivity between steel and connecting pipes.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline connection structure that uses copper sleeves to enhance the strength at the joint by arranging them outside the steel pipes, ensuring proper thermal conductivity and reducing the risk of breakage and leakage, with specific configurations such as extension sections and positioning protrusions to manage solder distribution and fusion depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If steel pipes are welded directly to connecting pipes, then the connection is simple, but the steel pipes are easily subjected to uneven heating resulting in cracking or decrease in strength due to thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
A copper sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the steel pipe and the connecting pipe. The copper sleeve acts as a thermal buffer that absorbs and distributes welding heat, preventing uneven heating and thermal stress concentration on the steel pipe. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining joint strength while preserving welding simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure employs a composite material approach by combining copper sleeve with steel pipe and connecting pipe. The copper-st steel-copper tri-joint structure leverages the advantageous thermal conductivity of copper to manage heat distribution during welding, preventing cracking and strength degradation in the steel components while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the thermal conductivity of steel pipes and connecting pipes is different, then welding is easier to perform, but thermal stress causes cracking or strength decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The copper sleeve serves as a thermal intermediary that bridges the thermal conductivity gap between steel pipes and connecting pipes. During welding, the copper sleeve absorbs and distributes thermal energy, preventing excessive thermal stress and cracking while maintaining welding ease and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal parameter distribution by introducing copper material with different thermal conductivity characteristics. The copper sleeve's thermal properties are specifically selected to moderate heat flow during welding, transforming the thermal stress profile to prevent cracking while maintaining ease of welding and connection reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If connection sleeves are pre-welded to steel pipes at workshop site, then on-site welding feasibility is improved, but the strength at connection position may be weak and prone to breakage and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The copper sleeve acts as a thermal and mechanical intermediary between the steel pipe and connecting pipe. It distributes welding heat evenly during both workshop pre-welding and on-site welding, preventing thermal stress concentration and ensuring consistent joint strength throughout the welding process, thereby improving both on-site welding feasibility and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The copper sleeve is pre-installed on the steel pipe at the workshop site before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning and thermal management are established before welding operations, preventing misalignment and ensuring uniform heat distribution during subsequent welding steps, which enhances both manufacturing ease and connection reliability.
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
The proposed solution significantly enhances the strength and reliability of the pipeline connections, reducing the risk of breakage and leakage while maintaining consistent thermal performance, thus improving the overall structural integrity of the air conditioner.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal conductivity of the steel pipes is different from that of the connecting pipes. During welding, the steel pipes are easily subjected to uneven heating, resulting in cracking or decrease in strength due to thermal stress.
Implementation Method 2
the connection sleeve assembly is fixedly connected to the first pipe body and the second pipe body
Data Source
AI summary
A pipeline connection structure includes a first pipe body, a second pipe body, and a connection sleeve assembly, wherein the first pipe body and the second pipe body are connected by the connection sleeve assembly. A compressor assembly has the pipeline connection structure.