Refrigeration unit for transportation, and method of assembling refrigeration unit for transportation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In transport chiller units with a casing of inverted triangular shape, compressors are difficult to position and maintain due to their proximity to the van body front wall and strength members, requiring increased casing size and weight for workspace and fixation, which complicates maintenance and positioning.

Innovation Solution

The transport chiller unit employs a vibration-isolating member and sub-bracket supported by a horizontal lower portion strength member with a guide portion that allows the compressor to be positioned and fixed from the lower side, eliminating the need for a reduced workspace above the compressor and enabling stable movement and fixation without enlarging the casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the compressor is disposed near the body front wall to secure height space, then the height space is improved, but the workspace above the compressor is reduced making maintenance difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight spaceVSAvoidworkspace for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional fixing approach by enabling the compressor to be fixed from the lower side rather than the upper side. The lower side fixing structure includes fixing holes formed in the lower side of the case, allowing bolts to secure the compressor from below. This inversion resolves the workspace conflict by eliminating the need for overhead fixing operations in the reduced upper workspace area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimension (upper side) fixing approach to a multi-dimensional approach by providing fixing holes on both the upper side and lower side of the case. This allows the compressor to be secured from multiple directions, with the lower side fixing particularly enabling access from the rear of the vehicle where workspace is more abundant, thus resolving the maintenance accessibility issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the compressor is disposed near strength members to secure fixation strength, then the fixation strength is improved, but the workspace above the compressor is reduced making fixing operations difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidworkspace for fixing operation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional fixing approach by enabling the compressor to be fixed from the lower side rather than the upper side. The lower side fixing structure includes fixing holes formed in the lower side of the case, allowing bolts to secure the compressor from below. This inversion resolves the workspace conflict by eliminating the need for overhead fixing operations in the reduced upper workspace area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the fixing function into multiple independent fixing holes distributed on both the upper side and lower side of the case. This segmentation allows the fixing operation to be distributed across multiple access points, with the lower side holes enabling access from the rear workspace area, thus resolving the conflict between fixation strength and workspace availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the compressor is separated from strength members to secure workspace, then the workspace is improved, but the fixation strength is reduced and casing enlargement is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveworkspaceVSAvoidfixation strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fixing function into multiple independent fixing holes distributed on both the upper side and lower side of the case. This segmentation allows the fixing operation to be distributed across multiple access points, with the lower side holes enabling access from the rear workspace area, thus resolving the conflict between fixation strength and workspace availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The case structure is designed with dual-functionality: it serves both as the housing for the compressor and as the fixing structure itself. The fixing holes are directly formed in the case walls, making the case both the container and the mounting structure. This eliminates the need for separate reinforcement structures or casing enlargement, as the case itself provides both workspace and fixation functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution allows for secure positioning and maintenance of the compressor without enlarging the casing or reinforcing it significantly, improving operability and reducing the need for complex fixing operations in a confined workspace.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration-isolating member provided below the compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3825158B1Refrigeration unit for transportation, and method of assembling refrigeration unit for transportation
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND THERMAL SYST
  • EP3825158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3825158B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3825158B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a transport chiller unit that does not require a fixing operation of a compressor in a workspace reduced in size and that enables seating operability for positioning and the like of the compressor inside the casing. A transport chiller unit includes: a casing attached to a van body; a compressor (12) disposed inside the casing to compress a refrigerant; a vibration-isolating member (15) provided below the compressor (12); a sub-bracket (16) supporting and fixing the vibration-isolating member (15) from a lower side; and a lower portion strength member (51) extending in a horizontal direction as a strength member provided inside the casing, the lower portion strength member (51) supporting the sub-bracket (16) from the lower side and fixing the sub-bracket (16) at a fixation position, and the lower portion strength member (51) is provided with a guide portion (53) that slides the sub-bracket (16) in the horizontal direction and positions the sub-bracket (16) at the fixation position.