Refrigerant Pipe Coupling Structure for Hermetic AC Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a structure to easily connect refrigerant pipes while preventing refrigerant leakage between indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner, as existing solutions do not ensure hermeticity effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of a connection apparatus featuring a service valve, nipple, grip-ring, washer, and O-ring assembly, along with an assembling jig, which allows for secure coupling of refrigerant pipes made of aluminum or aluminum alloys, ensuring hermetic sealing and preventing refrigerant leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connection methods are used, then the connection process is simple, but hermeticity is insufficient and refrigerant leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is divided into multiple functional components: grip ring for positioning, washer for sealing support, O-ring for hermetic sealing, and nipple for connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring hermeticity while maintaining ease of assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The grip ring, washer, and O-ring are pre-assembled on the nipple before connecting to the refrigerant pipe. This preliminary assembly ensures proper positioning and sealing configuration, preventing refrigerant leakage without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments
2Productivity
If manual assembly is used, then device complexity is low, but assembly time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
An assembling jig is introduced as an intermediary tool to facilitate the assembly process. The jig holds the grip ring, washer, and O-ring in precise positions during assembly, enabling rapid and accurate installation without requiring complex manual dexterity or multiple tools
Solution Approach 2:
The assembling jig is designed to be self-aligning and self-positioning, where the components automatically find their correct positions during the assembly process. This reduces the skill level required for assembly and speeds up the process while keeping the jig structure relatively simple
3Weight of moving object
If aluminum refrigerant pipes are used, then weight is reduced, but connection hermeticity is difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring provides a flexible sealing element that can deform to accommodate slight variations in the aluminum pipe surface and connection geometry. This flexible sealing mechanism ensures hermeticity despite the lightweight aluminum material, compensating for any surface irregularities or dimensional tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure uses material and geometric parameters optimized for aluminum pipes, including the specific hardness and elasticity of the O-ring material, the thickness and shape of the grip ring, and the dimensions of the nipple to ensure proper sealing pressure and fit for lightweight aluminum refrigerant pipes
Data Source
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AI summary
A structure (40,140,240) to connect a refrigerant pipe (30) and an air conditioner (1) having the same, the connecting structure (40,140,240) enabling a refrigerant pipe (30) to be easily connected to an indoor unit (10) or an outdoor unit (20) of an air conditioner (1) and including a refrigerant pipe (30) through which refrigerant flows, a socket part (52) connected to one end of the refrigerant pipe, and a coupling nut (110) coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the socket part (52), wherein, a socket part (52) is provided with a grip-ring (70) allowing the refrigerant pipe (30) to move in a first direction in which the refrigerant pipe (30) is coupled to the socket part (52) and preventing the refrigerant pipe (30) from moving in a second direction in which the refrigerant pipe (30) is separated from the socket part (52), and at least one O-ring (90) configured to prevent refrigerant from leaking at the socket part (52).