Z-Shaped Heat Exchanger Layout for Compact Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners with straight, flat plate heat exchangers are inefficient due to wasted space in the heat exchange chamber, leading to a larger indoor unit size and inconsistent air flow, which affects the heat exchanger's performance.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner incorporates a heat exchanger formed by combining three separate units arranged in a Z-shape within the heat exchange chamber, with each unit having heat transfer pipes and fins, allowing for a more compact design and uniform air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a straight, flat plate heat exchanger is inclined in the heat exchange chamber, then the heat exchanger can efficiently receive air from the blower and the indoor unit thickness is minimized, but much wasted space is provided in the heat exchange chamber and the indoor unit depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple segments (first heat exchange unit, second heat exchange unit, and third heat exchange unit) arranged in a Z-shaped configuration. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger to utilize the heat exchange chamber space more effectively by distributing the heat exchange surfaces across different locations, reducing wasted space while maintaining efficient air reception from the blower.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger transitions from a two-dimensional flat plate configuration to a three-dimensional Z-shaped arrangement. By utilizing the depth dimension of the heat exchange chamber through the Z-shaped configuration, the heat exchanger achieves better space utilization without increasing the indoor unit thickness, as the vertical and diagonal arrangements optimize the use of available vertical and depth space.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger thermal capacity is increased, then the heat exchange performance is improved, but the outside dimensions of the heat exchanger increase and larger installation space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple units (first, second, and third heat exchange units) arranged in a Z-shape. This segmentation allows the thermal capacity to be distributed across multiple compact sections rather than requiring a single large flat plate, thereby achieving high heat exchange capacity within a reduced overall installation footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging the heat exchange units in a three-dimensional Z-shaped configuration rather than a flat two-dimensional layout, the patent achieves higher thermal capacity within a smaller projected area. The vertical and diagonal arrangements utilize the depth and height dimensions, reducing the horizontal installation space required while maintaining or enhancing heat exchange capacity.
3Length of stationary object
If the heat exchanger is greatly frontward inclined, then the indoor unit thickness is minimized, but the distance between the blower and different portions of the heat exchanger varies greatly causing non-uniform air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple units positioned at different orientations (vertical, diagonal, horizontal). This segmentation allows each segment to be optimally positioned relative to the blower, ensuring more uniform air flow distribution across all segments while maintaining a compact overall thickness. The Z-shaped arrangement ensures that no single segment is excessively far from the blower.
Solution Approach 2:
The Z-shaped configuration introduces asymmetric positioning of heat exchange units at different angles and locations. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the distance relationship between the blower and various portions of the heat exchanger, creating more uniform air flow conditions compared to a symmetric flat plate configuration, while still achieving minimal indoor unit thickness.
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 reduces the depth of the heat exchange chamber, enhances thermal capacity, and improves air flow uniformity, resulting in a more efficient and compact indoor unit with reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange chamber of the housing to perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and air
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of fins thermally connected to the heat transfer pipes
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An air conditioner includes a housing (5) provided with a heat exchange chamber (19) and a blowing chamber (18), a heat exchanger (28) provided in the heat exchange chamber (19), and a blower (21) provided in the blowing chamber (18). The heat exchanger (28) includes a first heat exchange unit (35) extending in a direction away from the blower (21), a second heat exchange unit (36) separated from the first heat exchange unit (35) in the thickness direction of the housing (5), and extending toward the blower (21), and a third heat exchange unit (37) connecting the first heat exchange unit (35) and the second heat exchange unit (36) to each other.