Indoor Unit Sensor Box Layout for Refrigerant Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of combustible refrigerants in air conditioners, such as R32, poses a fire risk due to potential leaks, necessitating a refrigerant leakage sensor, which increases manufacturing complexity and cost due to the need for separate accommodation and protection from water and dust, especially in floorstanding units.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit design incorporates an electronic component box closer to the bottom plate, housing the refrigerant leakage sensor and controller, with a layout that prevents water and dust ingress, allowing for a shorter connection line and integrated sensor placement, reducing manufacturing steps and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a refrigerant leakage sensor is provided in a separate accommodation box to protect it from water drops and dust, then the sensor is protected from environmental factors, but the number of manufacturing steps and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the refrigerant leakage sensor with the electronic component box, integrating both the controller and sensor into a single accommodation space. This merging eliminates the need for a separate sensor accommodation box, reducing manufacturing steps while maintaining sensor protection through the existing box structure designed to protect electronic components from water and dust.
2Reliability
If lines for connecting the refrigerant leakage sensor and controller are arranged in the housing with protection structures, then the lines and components are secured, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the sensor into the electronic component box, the connection lines between the sensor and controller are shortened and can be arranged within the same accommodation space. This eliminates the need for separate protection structures for long external lines, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining adequate line security within the protected box environment.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, an indoor unit (1) for an air conditioner comprises a housing (2), a heat exchanger (6), a drain pan (8), a blower (7) and an electronic component box (9). The housing (2) comprises a bottom plate (25) facing an installation surface. The heat exchanger (6) is accommodated in the housing (2). The drain pan (8) receives dew condensation water generated in the heat exchanger (6). The blower (7) generates an airflow passing through the heat exchanger (6). The electronic component box (9) accommodates a controller (11) for controlling the blower (7) and a sensor (10) for detecting leakage of a refrigerant passing through a channel (K) including the heat exchanger (6). The electronic component box (9) is provided so as to be closer to a bottom plate (25) side than the drain pan (8).