Refrigerant Distribution Unit Structure for Stable Pipe Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerant distribution units for air conditioners are inefficient during maintenance as the pipe unit flexes downward due to its weight when the lower case is removed, making it impossible to perform maintenance on peripheral parts without disassembling the unit.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerant distribution unit is designed with an upper and lower seal case that includes edge portions for engaging and sealing the pipe unit, along with a pipe mounting portion and pipe hanging bracket to securely fix the pipe unit, allowing maintenance without disassembling the main body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lower case is removed for maintenance, then access to the pipe unit is possible, but the pipe unit flexes downward due to its weight making maintenance impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The seal case is divided into an upper seal case and a lower seal case that can be separated. The pipe unit is fixed to the upper seal case, allowing the lower seal case to be removed for maintenance while the pipe unit remains stable and accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe unit is fixed in the vertical dimension to the upper seal case, preventing downward flexing. This vertical fixation allows horizontal access during maintenance while maintaining structural stability.
2Ease of repair
If the refrigerant distribution unit is disassembled for maintenance, then the pipe unit can be accessed, but maintenance efficiency is reduced due to disassembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The seal case is segmented into upper and lower parts that can be independently removed. Only the lower seal case needs to be removed for pipe unit maintenance, avoiding complete disassembly and reducing maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe unit is preliminarily fixed to the upper seal case before operation. This pre-fixation ensures that during maintenance, only the lower seal case needs to be removed, and the pipe unit remains in position, streamlining the maintenance process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pipe unit is not fixed to the main body, then assembly is simpler, but the pipe unit flexes downward when the lower case is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation is segmented to connect only the upper seal case to the pipe unit, leaving the lower seal case removable. This simplified fixation method avoids complex assembly while enabling maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe unit is fixed in the vertical dimension to prevent downward flexing, while maintaining horizontal removability of the lower seal case. This dimensional differentiation achieves both assembly simplicity and maintenance feasibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerant distribution unit for an air conditioner, includes: a pipe unit for distributing a refrigerant from a refrigerant pipe on an outdoor unit to branch refrigerant pipes on indoor units; and a main body including: upper and lower seal case which include first edge portions around the upper seal case and second edge portions around the lower seal case, and engage the second edge portions with the first edge portions for sealing an inside of the first and second seal cases to store the pipe unit; upper and lower insulator cases for covering the upper and lower seal cases; and upper and lower case constituting a contour of the refrigerant distribution unit. The pipe unit is fixed to a pipe mounting portion of the upper seal case using a pipe holder and a pipe hanging bracket.