Refrigeration Cycle Casing with Tapered Frame for Nested Pipe Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration cycle apparatuses face challenges in installation space reduction and providing sufficient work space for connecting heat-medium pipes when multiple units are connected, as they either require additional work for external pipe connections or lack sufficient space due to casing configurations.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle system with a tapered and rectangular frame body configuration that houses heat-medium pipes within the casing, allowing for internal pipe connections and providing space between units for easier installation and maintenance, along with external pipe protection using panels or racking for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the connection port of the heat-medium heat exchanger is disposed outside of the casing, then the heat-medium pipe connection is simplified, but the installation space increases and additional work is needed for external pipe layout
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-medium pipes are nested inside the casing, with the second heat-medium pipe positioned within the space defined by the first frame body and second frame body. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for external pipe layout while maintaining connection functionality, thereby reducing installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe connection function is merged with the casing structure by providing connection ports on the second frame body that is already part of the casing assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate external pipe routing and reduces the overall installation footprint.
2Area of stationary object
If a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses are connected with casings disposed without gap, then installation space is reduced, but sufficient work space for connection cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The connection ports are positioned on the second frame body in a manner that utilizes the vertical and lateral dimensions efficiently. The tapered shape of the first frame body and the positioning of the second frame body create multi-dimensional access paths for pipe connections, allowing work space to be available without increasing the horizontal footprint between units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional work is needed for external pipe connections, then connection flexibility is maintained, but connection time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-medium pipes are pre-positioned inside the casing during manufacturing, with connection ports already prepared on the second frame body. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex external pipe routing during installation, significantly reducing connection time while maintaining flexibility through the designed port positions.
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
This configuration reduces installation space requirements, simplifies pipe connections, and provides sufficient work space for maintenance, leading to cost savings and improved durability by eliminating the need for external pipe layouts and reducing connection man-hours.
Implementation Method 1
the second heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and a heat medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes a casing 8 of a refrigerant circuit 10, a first heat-medium pipe 5, and a second heat-medium pipe 6. The casing 8 includes a first frame body 8a having such a tapered sectional shape in a vertical direction that an area of a lower surface part 82a is smaller than an area of an upper surface part 81a, and a second frame body 8b including a side surface part 83b having a rectangular sectional shape in a vertical direction and connected with a peripheral part of the lower surface part 82a of the first frame body 8a. The first heat-medium pipe 5 includes a first heat-medium inflow end part 5a and a first heat-medium outflow end part 5b, at least one of the first heat-medium inflow end part 5a and the first heat-medium outflow end part 5b being housed in the second frame body 8b. The second heat-medium pipe 6 includes a second heat-medium inflow end part 6a and a second heat-medium outflow end part 6b, at least one of the second heat-medium inflow end part 6a and the second heat-medium outflow end part 6b being housed in the second frame body 8b.