Refrigerant Distribution Unit Cable Routing for Safer Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant distribution units for air conditioners pose safety risks due to exposed cables during installation and maintenance, and inefficiencies in adjusting the installation surface while keeping cables connected.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant distribution unit design featuring a pipe unit with electromagnetic valves and temperature sensors, stored within an insulator case, and an electric component box with cable management features that allow for secure connection and storage of cables, enabling efficient installation and safe operation by keeping cables enclosed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cables are drawn out from the main unit and moved around to connect to the electric component box, then the installation operation can be performed, but the operator safety deteriorates due to exposed cables that can be touched
Solution Approach 1:
The cable storage recessed portion is nested within the main unit housing, allowing cables to be stored inside the main unit after installation. This nesting structure enables the cables to be kept enclosed and protected, preventing operator contact while maintaining installation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable storage recessed portion is extracted as a dedicated functional space within the main unit, separating cable storage from other components. This extraction creates a specific area for safe cable management, addressing the safety concern while preserving installation operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electric component box installation surface is changed according to installation site, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to cable routing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The main unit is designed with universal cable management features including the cable storage recessed portion and draw-out slots that work regardless of installation orientation. This multi-functional design allows the same structure to handle cable routing for various installation surfaces, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable management system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, with draw-out slots that allow cables to be routed in different directions based on installation requirements. This dynamic design enables flexibility in installation surface selection without requiring complex fixed routing structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant distribution unit for an air conditioner, includes: a pipe unit which distributes a refrigerant from a refrigerant pipe on an outdoor unit side to multiple branch refrigerant pipes, which includes an electromagnetic valve and a temperature sensor, on an indoor unit side; a main unit which stores the pipe unit covered by an insulator case, upper and lower cases; and an electric component box which controls the electromagnetic valves and the temperature sensors by connecting the valves with the sensors by cables. A cable draw-out recessed portion is formed in one of side faces of the insulator case where the connecting slots for the pipes are formed, and a bottom face recessed portion for storing the cables is formed in a bottom face of the insulator case. The upper case includes a cable draw-out slot for guiding the cables to a cable guide hole formed in the electric component box.