An air conditioning system and a wall unit therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing difficulty in sourcing replacement wall air conditioners due to the rise of split systems and evaporative air coolers, which offer superior efficiency and reduced noise, along with the challenge of filling the large through holes left by traditional wall air conditioners.
Innovation Solution
A wall unit for an air conditioning system that is designed to fit within the through opening vacated by a traditional wall air conditioner, utilizing a mounting system that secures the unit to the wall and houses the internal components, allowing for easy retrofitting and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional wall air conditioner unit is used, then it provides cooling functionality, but it creates a large through hole in the exterior wall and has high noise levels
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is divided into two separate units: an indoor wall unit that fits within the existing through opening and an outdoor unit that houses the noisy compressor and mechanical components. This segmentation isolates the noise-generating components from the interior space while utilizing the existing wall opening infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor, condenser, and other noisy mechanical components are extracted from the indoor unit and placed in a separate outdoor unit. This extraction removes the primary noise sources from the building interior while maintaining the cooling functionality through refrigerant line connections.
2Reliability
If split system air conditioners are used, then noise is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the compressor and external unit require additional installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is designed to perform multiple functions: housing the compressor, serving as the condenser, providing refrigerant storage, and acting as the connection point for electrical and refrigerant lines. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate components into a single integrated unit, simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit is pre-configured with connection ports, mounting brackets, and integrated piping during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows for straightforward field installation by simply connecting pre-assembled components rather than assembling individual parts on-site.
3Reliability
If replacement wall air conditioners are sourced, then cooling functionality is provided, but they are increasingly difficult to source and don't meet current energy efficiency standards
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into indoor and outdoor units, allowing the indoor unit to be a simple air handling device that can be manufactured to current efficiency standards, while the outdoor unit contains the sophisticated compression and heat exchange components that meet modern regulatory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system design allows for flexible configuration and future upgrades. The indoor unit can be replaced or upgraded independently of the outdoor unit, providing adaptability to changing efficiency standards and technological advancements without requiring complete system replacement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wall unit for an air conditioning system. The wall unit is adapted for installation in a through opening provided in an exterior wall of a building which has been vacated by a wall air conditioner unit. Internals for the wall unit are substantially housed within the wall's through opening and between interior and exterior surfaces of the wall.