Refrigerant Pipe Diameter Transition for Quieter Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners experience noise and vibration issues due to the transfer of refrigerant between the outdoor and indoor units through external connection pipes, which are often embedded in building structures and have varying diameters, leading to collisions between gaseous and liquid refrigerants.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design incorporating a first insertion pipe with a smaller inner diameter at the front end and a larger inner diameter at the rear end, coupled with a flow control valve and a coupling member, to manage the refrigerant flow and reduce noise and vibration by expanding high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-pressure gas before entering the indoor heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the external connection pipe has a large diameter to accommodate various air cooler products, then the adaptability is improved, but the vibration and noise increase due to refrigerant collision
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the connection system into multiple pipe sections with different diameters. The first pipe connected to the outdoor unit has a larger diameter to accommodate various products, while the second pipe connected to the indoor unit has a smaller diameter to reduce vibration and noise from refrigerant collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different diameter specifications to different sections of the connection pipe system. The larger diameter is applied locally at the outdoor unit connection where adaptability is needed, while the smaller diameter is applied locally at the indoor unit connection where vibration reduction is critical.
2Ease of operation
If the external connection pipe is embedded in building structures with curved channels, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the vibration and noise increase due to refrigerant flow disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the pipe system into an external connection pipe that can be embedded in building structures and an internal pipe system that maintains optimal flow characteristics. This allows the external pipe to follow building structures while the internal pipe configuration minimizes vibration and noise.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the diameter of the external connection pipe varies at coupling regions, then the adaptability to different units is improved, but the vibration and noise increase due to refrigerant collision
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the connection system into multiple pipe sections with different diameters. The first pipe connected to the outdoor unit has a larger diameter to accommodate various products, while the second pipe connected to the indoor unit has a smaller diameter to reduce vibration and noise from refrigerant collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different diameter specifications to different sections of the connection pipe system. The larger diameter is applied locally at the outdoor unit connection where adaptability is needed, while the smaller diameter is applied locally at the indoor unit connection where vibration reduction is critical.
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 solution effectively reduces noise and vibration by facilitating the expansion of high-pressure refrigerant, improving the evaporation process in the indoor heat exchanger and maintaining airtightness, while being simple to install and manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a first insertion pipe inserted in the second pipe at the end portion of the second pipe and having a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter of the first pipe
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air; an indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and indoor air
Implementation Method 3
The air cooler condenses coolant from a gas state into a liquid state by highly changing pressure through a compressor, and evaporates and returns the coolant of the liquid state into vapor by lowering the pressure in an evaporator, so that the vaporized coolant can absorbs heat
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes an outdoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air; an indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and indoor air; a first pipe configured to provide a channel for the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger and having a first inner diameter; a second pipe configured to provide a channel for the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger; a coupling member configured to couple end portions of the first pipe and the second pipe; and a first insertion pipe inserted in the second pipe at the end portion of the second pipe and having a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter of the first pipe.