Relay Unit Top-Port Layout to Minimize Pipe Length in Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing air-conditioning apparatuses, refrigerant and heat medium pipes need to be extended in sideward directions before being directed upward, leading to increased pipe length and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The relay unit is designed with ports for connecting refrigerant and heat medium pipes on the top surface of the casing, facing opposite to the direction of gravity, allowing pipes to extend directly upward from the top, reducing the need for sideward extensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If refrigerant pipes and heat medium pipes are attached to the side of the casing and extended upward, then the pipes can be connected to the relay unit, but the pipe length increases due to the need to extend sideward before upward
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching pipes to the side of the casing and extending them upward (conventional approach), the patent inverts the connection approach by providing connection ports on the top surface of the casing. This allows pipes to be connected directly from above, eliminating the need for sideward extension and thereby reducing overall pipe length while maintaining connection ease.
2Length of moving object
If ports are provided on the top surface of the casing facing upward, then pipe length is minimized, but maintenance accessibility may be reduced due to vertical orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning connection ports on the top surface of the casing rather than on side surfaces. This dimensional change allows pipes to connect vertically upward, minimizing horizontal pipe runs and reducing overall pipe length while the vertical orientation itself becomes the solution rather than a constraint.
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 minimizes pipe length, facilitates easy maintenance, and enhances air purging efficiency by allowing pipes to extend vertically, improving operational efficiency and maintenance accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The relay unit exchanges heat between the primary heat medium and the secondary heat medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A relay unit includes: a heat medium heat exchanger; a casing containing the heat medium heat exchanger; a first refrigerant pipe connection port to be connected to one of refrigerant pipes, the refrigerant pipes including a refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows from a heat source side unit into the heat medium heat exchanger and a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows out from the heat medium heat exchanger into the heat source side unit; a second refrigerant pipe connection port to be connected to an other of the refrigerant pipes; a first heat medium pipe connection port to be connected to one of heat medium pipes, the heat medium pipes including a heat medium pipe through which a heat medium flows from a load side unit into the heat medium heat exchanger and a heat medium pipe through which the heat medium flows out from the heat medium heat exchanger into the load side unit; and a second heat medium pipe connection port to be connected to an other of the heat medium pipes. The first refrigerant pipe connection port, the second refrigerant pipe connection port, the first heat medium pipe connection port, and the second heat medium pipe connection port are provided on a top surface of the casing and face in a direction opposite to a direction of gravity.