Window Air Conditioner Pan and Filter Integration for Compact Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window air conditioners are large in size, occupying significant space and generating noise due to the outdoor compressor, which affects use comfort and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A window air conditioner design featuring a casing with a receiving groove that allows the window to extend in, providing sound, heat, and sealing insulation, along with an indoor heat exchanger having a vertically extending first portion and an obliquely extending second portion to reduce volume and improve heat exchange efficiency, while using a filter screen and specific geometries to enhance airflow and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the indoor heat exchanger and indoor fan wheel are arranged in a conventional configuration, then the heat exchange function is achieved, but the space occupied by these components is large, increasing the overall volume of the window air conditioner
Solution Approach 1:
The indoor heat exchanger employs a three-dimensional arrangement with a vertical first heat exchange portion and an oblique second heat exchange portion, transitioning from conventional two-dimensional planar layouts. This spatial configuration increases heat exchange area while reducing the horizontal projection area and overall unit volume of the air conditioner
Solution Approach 2:
The oblique second heat exchange portion is positioned to extend towards the indoor fan wheel, utilizing the space between the heat exchanger and the fan wheel more efficiently. This nested arrangement allows the heat exchanger components to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial zones, reducing the total volume required for both components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the outdoor compressor is included in the window air conditioner, then refrigeration function is achieved, but noise is generated and transmitted into the room, degrading use comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The window air conditioner is divided into distinct indoor and outdoor portions by the receiving groove, with the noisy compressor located in the outdoor portion. The window structure itself acts as a segmentation barrier, physically separating the noise source from the indoor environment while maintaining the integrated refrigeration cycle functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The window structure serving as the receiving groove acts as an intermediary element between the indoor and outdoor portions. It provides sound insulation and heat insulation, mediating the transmission of harmful factors (noise and heat) from the outdoor compressor to the indoor environment while allowing the refrigeration function to operate effectively
3Reliability
If the indoor heat exchanger uses a conventional vertical or horizontal configuration, then manufacturing is simple, but the heat exchange area is limited and heat exchange effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The indoor heat exchanger is segmented into two distinct portions: a vertical first heat exchange portion and an oblique second heat exchange portion. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured using standard processes while the combined three-dimensional arrangement achieves superior heat exchange performance that would be difficult to obtain with a single conventional configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger transitions from conventional two-dimensional planar configurations to a three-dimensional structure with vertical and oblique portions. This dimensional change increases the heat exchange area within the same unit volume while maintaining manufacturability through standard bending and assembly processes for the metal heat exchange tubes
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 design reduces the window air conditioner's volume, improves heat exchange efficiency, and enhances user comfort by minimizing noise and space occupation while reducing the need for extensive sealing materials, thus saving costs.
Implementation Method 1
The window extending into the receiving groove can provide a sound insulation effect, a heat insulation effect, and a sealing effect to some extent
Implementation Method 2
The window extending into the receiving groove can provide a sound insulation effect, a heat insulation effect, and a sealing effect to some extent
Implementation Method 3
an indoor heat exchanger arranged in the indoor portion and including a first heat exchange portion and a second heat exchange portion
Implementation Method 4
the filter screen and the indoor heat exchanger are spaced apart... in an air-flowing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A window air conditioner includes an indoor heat exchanger, a water receiving pan below the heat exchanger, and a filter screen. The water receiving pan includes mounting portions for connecting to heat exchanger flanges. At least one mounting portion has a slot to cooperatively receive a filter screen fitting portion.