Refrigerant Pipe Socket Connection for Leak-Tight AC Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a structure to easily connect refrigerant pipes to indoor and outdoor units of air conditioners while preventing refrigerant leakage during connection.
Innovation Solution
A connecting structure using a refrigerant pipe with a socket part and coupling nut, equipped with a grip-ring and O-rings to secure the pipe in place and prevent leakage, along with an assembling jig to facilitate the assembly process, utilizing materials like aluminum or aluminum alloys coated with synthetic resin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a refrigerant pipe is connected to an indoor unit or outdoor unit, then the air conditioner system can operate, but refrigerant may leak at the connection point
Solution Approach 1:
The socket part is pre-equipped with O-rings and grip-rings before the refrigerant pipe connection. The O-rings are installed in advance to create a hermetic seal, and the grip-rings are positioned to facilitate easy insertion and secure the pipe during connection, eliminating the need for additional sealing components during the connection process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket part acts as an intermediary component between the refrigerant pipe and the indoor/outdoor units. It provides a standardized interface with integrated sealing elements (O-rings) and securing elements (grip-rings), simplifying the connection process while ensuring hermeticity. The coupling nut serves as another intermediary to secure the connection.
2Reliability
If a complex connection structure with multiple sealing components is used, then refrigerant leakage is prevented, but the connection process becomes time-consuming and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the socket part: sealing (via O-rings), mechanical securing (via grip-rings), and connection interface provision. This integration eliminates the need for separate installation steps for each component, allowing installers to complete the connection in one straightforward process while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket part is designed as a universal connection component that can be used for both indoor units and outdoor units. The integrated design with O-rings and grip-rings provides a standardized, multi-functional solution that works across different connection scenarios, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and speeding up the installation process.
3Device complexity
If traditional connection methods are used, then the structure is simple, but refrigerant leakage occurs and connection reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The socket part incorporates localized sealing features (O-rings) and securing features (grip-rings) at specific positions where they are most needed. The O-rings are placed at the sealing surface to prevent leakage, while grip-rings are positioned to provide mechanical retention. This targeted approach maintains overall structural simplicity while significantly improving connection reliability at critical locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure to connect a refrigerant pipe and an air conditioner having the same, the connecting structure enabling a refrigerant pipe to be easily connected to an indoor unit or an outdoor unit of an air conditioner and including a refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows, a socket part connected to one end of the refrigerant pipe, and a coupling nut coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the socket part, wherein, a socket part is provided with a grip-ring allowing the refrigerant pipe to move in a first direction in which the refrigerant pipe is coupled to the socket part and preventing the refrigerant pipe from moving in a second direction in which the refrigerant pipe is separated from the socket part, and at least one O-ring configured to prevent refrigerant from leaking at the socket part.