Core assembly for air conditioner and air conditioner having the same

Abstract

Disclosed are a core assembly for an air conditioner, and an air conditioner having the same. Since a core is formed in a consecutive ring shape, an impedance with respect to an electric signal is improved to enhance a communication performance through a refrigerant pipe. Furthermore, as the core or a core holder is integrally formed at a connection pipe, the refrigerant pipe is prevented from vibrating or moving by installation circumstances. This may enhance a communication performance much more. Besides, since a connector is provided at the core holder or a signal line, detachable mounting of the connector to the signal line may be facilitated. This may simplify the assembly processes and maintenance procedures, thereby reducing the costs.

1 . A core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising:
 a connection pipe for connecting to a refrigerant pipe that passes refrigerant between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of an air conditioner;   a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe; and   a core holder configured to accommodate the core therein, wherein the core holder is integrally coupled to the connection pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The core assembly of  claim 1 , wherein contact surfaces of the core holder and the connection pipe are bonded together via a bonding force between the contact surface of the core holder and the contact surface of the connection pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The core assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the connection pipe includes a first connector at a first end of the connection pipe and a second connector at a second end of the connection pipe, wherein the first and second connector are configured to connect to the refrigerant pipe by screw-coupling or by bonding. 
     
     
         4 . The core assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the core is formed in a ring shape. 
     
     
         5 . The core assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the core includes one or more sections arranged along a lengthwise direction of the connection pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The core assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the core holder is between an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe and an inner circumferential surface of the core. 
     
     
         7 . The core assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a signal terminal coupled to the connection pipe and configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the refrigerant pipe by contacting the connection pipe, wherein the signal terminal is individually coupled to the core holder. 
     
     
         8 . A core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising:
 a connection pipe for connecting to a refrigerant pipe that passes refrigerant between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of an air conditioner; and   a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe,   wherein the core is formed in a ring shape and is integrally coupled to the connection pipe.   
     
     
         9 . The core assembly of  claim 8 , wherein contact surfaces of the core and the connection pipe are bonded together via a bonding force between the contact surface of the core and the contact surface of the connection pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The core assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the core is formed of a powder type-soft magnetic substance. 
     
     
         11 . The core assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the connection pipe includes a first connector at a first end of the connection pipe and a second connector at a second end of the connection pipe. 
     
     
         12 . The core assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second connectors are configured to connect to the refrigerant pipe by screw-coupling or by bonding. 
     
     
         13 . An air conditioner, comprising:
 a core assembly configured to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through a refrigerant pipe that passes refrigerant is between an outdoor unit heat exchanger and an indoor unit heat exchanger,   wherein the core assembly includes a first connector that connects to a connector of the outdoor unit heat exchanger or the indoor unit heat exchanger and a second connector that connects to a connector of the refrigerant pipe.   
     
     
         14 . The air conditioner of  claim 13 , wherein either the first connector or the second connector connect by bolts and nuts. 
     
     
         15 . The air conditioner of  claim 13 , wherein either the first connect and the second connector connect by welding. 
     
     
         16 . The air conditioner of  claim 13 , wherein the core assembly includes:
 a connection pipe that connects to the refrigerant pipe;   a core encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe, wherein the core is configured to implement the impedance with respect to the electric signal transmitted through the refrigerant pipe; and   a signal terminal configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the refrigerant pipe.   
     
     
         17 . The air conditioner of  claim 16 , further comprising a core holder configured to accommodate the core therein, wherein the core holder is integrally coupled to the connection pipe. 
     
     
         18 . The air conditioner of  claim 17 , wherein the core is formed in a ring shape. 
     
     
         19 . The air conditioner of  claim 17 , wherein the core is implemented as a plurality of partial cores having an arc shape. 
     
     
         20 . The air conditioner of  claim 17 , wherein the signal terminal is coupled to the connection pipe by being separated from the core holder. 
     
     
         21 . A core assembly for an air conditioner, comprising:
 a core configured to encompass an outer circumferential surface of a pipe and to implement an impedance with respect to an electric signal transmitted through the pipe;   a core holder configured to accommodate at least a portion of the core therein;   a signal terminal configured to transmit and/or receive an electric signal through the pipe by contacting the pipe; and   a terminal pin penetrating the core holder for passing the electric signal between the signal terminal and an external electrical connector.   
     
     
         22 . The core assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the core includes a plurality of partial cores.