Split Heat Exchanger and Compressor Layout for Quiet Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners with outdoor units integrated into building ceilings face issues with noise disturbance and cumbersome maintenance due to their size and weight, compromising aesthetic appeal and installation ease.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner is designed with a split configuration, where the heat exchanger unit is housed inside the building and the compressor unit is separate, allowing for optimized noise insulation and reduced weight, enabling discreet installation and maintenance-friendly design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the outdoor unit is integrated into the building ceiling to be hidden, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but noise disturbance increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is divided into two separate units: a heat exchanger unit that can be integrated into the building ceiling for aesthetic purposes, and a compressor unit that is placed separately in a noise-insensitive area. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger unit to be hidden while the noisy compressor is isolated, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and noise disturbance.
2Shape
If the outdoor unit is integrated into the building ceiling, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but installation and maintenance become cumbersome due to weight and size
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the outdoor unit into a lightweight heat exchanger unit and a heavier compressor unit, the heat exchanger unit becomes easier to install and maintain in the building ceiling. The segmentation reduces the weight and size of the unit that needs to be integrated into the ceiling, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the heat source unit is disposed outdoors as a single unit, then installation is simpler, but noise disturbance increases and aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source unit is segmented into a heat exchanger unit and a compressor unit. The heat exchanger unit can be installed in or near the building for aesthetic purposes, while the compressor unit is installed separately in a noise-insensitive area. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between installation simplicity and noise disturbance by allowing separate optimization of each unit's location.
4Ease of manufacture
If the heat source unit is disposed outdoors as a single unit, then installation is simpler, but aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source unit is divided into a heat exchanger unit that can be aesthetically integrated into the building structure and a compressor unit that is placed separately. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger unit to be hidden or concealed while maintaining functional simplicity, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and aesthetic appeal.
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 significantly reduces noise transmission to indoor spaces, facilitates easier installation and maintenance, and maintains aesthetic appeal by allowing the compressor unit to be placed in noise-insensitive areas, such as the floor, while the heat exchanger unit can be hidden in ceilings or walls.
Implementation Method 1
the first heat exchanger is disposed in the first casing and configured to exchange heat with a heat source, particularly outside air
Implementation Method 2
The compressor unit has a compressor and a second casing separate from the first casing. The compressor is disposed in the second casing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Air conditioner for conditioning a space (72) inside a building (70) comprising a heat source unit (30) having a heat exchanger unit (31) comprising a first heat exchanger (5) disposed in a first casing (2) and configured to exchange heat with a heat source and a compressor unit (32) comprising a compressor (37) disposed in a second casing (44) separate from the first casing and at least one indoor unit (50) having a second heat exchanger (53) configured to exchange heat with the space to be conditioned and being fluidly communicated to the heat exchanger unit and/or the compressor unit, wherein the heat exchanger unit (31) is disposed inside the building and fluidly communicated to the outside of the building.