Split HVAC Sleeve Assembly for Low-Load Home Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating and cooling systems are inefficient for low-load homes, leading to excessive costs and energy consumption, and existing room air conditioners lack aesthetic appeal and uniform climate control, making them unsuitable for newly constructed single-family homes.
Innovation Solution
A modular air conditioning system comprising a condenser unit and an evaporator unit connected by a sleeve that traverses the wall, allowing for easy installation and efficient fluid connection, while minimizing refrigerant loss and air infiltration, and utilizing a unified drive mechanism to power both units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional heating and cooling systems are installed in low-load homes, then the systems can provide space conditioning, but the systems result in excessive costs and reduced energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate indoor and outdoor units connected by a fluid line passing through the wall. The indoor unit contains the evaporator and blowers, while the outdoor unit contains the condenser and compressor, allowing each component to be optimally sized for low-load homes without requiring a complete system replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid line passes through the wall dimension, separating the indoor and outdoor units spatially. This allows the system to maintain high efficiency while adapting to the specific loading requirements of low-load homes by positioning components in different spatial zones
2Ease of operation
If room air conditioners are used, then installation is simple, but aesthetics are poor and uniform climate control is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the indoor evaporator unit from the outdoor condenser unit, allowing the indoor unit to be discretely mounted in ceilings, walls, or floors where it is less visually prominent, thereby improving aesthetics while maintaining ease of installation through modular components
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor unit can be installed in various dimensional configurations (ceiling, wall, or floor mounting) to achieve both aesthetic integration with the building architecture and uniform climate distribution throughout the space
3Reliability
If custom-designed systems are created for each installation, then system performance is optimized, but installation difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular indoor and outdoor units are designed with standardized connection interfaces and wall penetration assemblies that can be universally installed in various building types and configurations, maintaining optimized performance while reducing installation complexity through repeatable installation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system components are pre-configured and pre-charged with refrigerant at the factory, allowing for simplified on-site installation without requiring complex custom design or charging procedures, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing installation difficulty
4Ease of operation
If wall penetrations are made for fluid lines, then indoor and outdoor units can be connected, but refrigerant loss and air infiltration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid line is nested within a sealed wall penetration assembly that includes integrated gaskets and sealing elements. This nested configuration allows the fluid line to pass through the wall while maintaining a tight seal that prevents refrigerant loss and air infiltration, yet remains easy to install
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
The system provides efficient, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing space conditioning with improved energy savings, reducing energy consumption by over 20% and utility bills by $35/year, while eliminating the need for professional installation and minimizing noise and security risks.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger positioned within the interior volume
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems and methods. An aspect of the present disclosure is a device that includes a housing having an external surface and defining an interior volume, a heat exchanger positioned within the interior volume, a fluid line partially positioned within the interior volume, a sleeve extending from the external surface and terminating at a distal end of the sleeve, and a fluid connector. The sleeve has an outside wall spanning a length of the sleeve and defining an internal cavity, the fluid connector is positioned at or near the distal end, a portion of the fluid line is positioned within the internal cavity, and the fluid line provides a fluid connection between the heat exchanger and the fluid connector.