Air Heat Exchanger Layout for Low-Pressure-Loss Heat Source Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat source units face issues with deteriorated fan efficiency due to increased inhaling pressure loss and compromised maintenance capabilities, particularly in the arrangement of air heat exchangers which are difficult to maintain and assemble, leading to reduced output capacity and inefficient heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
The heat source unit features air heat exchangers arranged in an L-shape with bent long and short side portions, forming a rectangular frame shape, where header portions are positioned at the short side and hairpin portions at the long side, allowing for improved ventilation and maintenance access, and the air heat exchangers are spaced to form a V-shape for enhanced heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If air heat exchangers are minutely separated and assembled to improve maintenance capability, then the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases, but fan efficiency deteriorates due to increased inhaling pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The air heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent modules that can be separately assembled and maintained. Each module contains a specific number of fins and can be independently handled during maintenance operations, improving accessibility while controlling overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The air heat exchanger modules are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the case, utilizing vertical and horizontal spaces efficiently. This spatial arrangement allows maintenance access from multiple directions while maintaining compact overall dimensions
2Productivity
If air heat exchangers are arranged with bent pieces faced each other in a reverse V shape to improve heat exchange efficiency, then fan efficiency deteriorates due to increased inhaling pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the air heat exchanger have different fin configurations and spacing optimized for their specific functions. The inlet sections have wider spacing to reduce pressure loss, while the core exchange sections have tighter spacing for maximum heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The air heat exchanger modules are designed with adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow optimization of the V-shape angle and spacing based on operational conditions, balancing heat exchange efficiency with pressure loss minimization
3Productivity
If the machine room is formed in a trapezoid shape with wide bottom side to accommodate air heat exchangers, then maintenance space is insufficient when heat source units are linked and disposed
Solution Approach 1:
The machine room is divided into functional zones with standardized module dimensions. Maintenance access corridors and service spaces are defined as separate segments with minimum dimensions that ensure adequate workspace when units are linked, regardless of the overall trapezoidal configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The machine room layout is pre-configured with maintenance access pathways and service clearances built into the design from the beginning. Header portions and connection points are positioned to facilitate future maintenance operations without requiring additional space when units are linked
4Area of stationary object
If air heat exchangers are arranged in a configuration that improves heat exchange area, then the number of bent pieces increases and production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple air heat exchanger modules are combined into integrated assemblies that achieve large total heat exchange area while using standardized bent piece configurations. The modules share common structural elements and connection methods, reducing production complexity despite increased total area
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 enhances heat exchanging efficiency, simplifies maintenance, reduces the number of components and assembly time, and improves fan efficiency by minimizing pressure loss and bending complexities, while allowing for easier production and increased output capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of air heat exchangers, in which radiating fins having a plate shape, which are corresponding to a predetermined number, are spaced in a plate thickness direction of the radiating fins so as to be arranged, and a plurality of tubes, in which a coolant in a freezing cycle is flowed, are inserted toward the radiating fins in the plate thickness direction of the radiating fins so as to be linked to the radiating fins
Implementation Method 2
radiating fins having a plate shape... tubes... inserted toward the radiating fins... linked to the radiating fins
Implementation Method 3
air heat exchangers... air, which is inhaled from the both right-left sides, is passed through the air heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Obtain a capability improvement in accordance with reductions of the number of components and a processing cost, effective arrangements of air heat exchangers and the like, and reductions of coolant circuit pressure loss components. A heat source unit in which a plurality of air heat exchangers (2), in which a plurality of tubes, in which a coolant is flowed, are inserted toward radiating fins in a plate thickness direction of the radiating fins so as to be linked to the radiating fins, are faced and arranged in a right-left direction, at an upper portion of a machine room (1) having a rectangular shape viewed from a plane, in a state where a distance at an upper portion side is expanded in such a way that the air heat exchangers (2) are formed in a V shape viewed from a short hand side; in which the air heat exchangers (2) are composed of a first air heat exchanger (2A) through a fourth air heat exchanger (2D), which are formed in an L shape, which include long side portions (2a) and short side portions (2b) in a state where one end portion sides in an extension direction of the tubes are bent; and each of the short side portions (2b) is disposed at a short hand side of a rectangular shape, in such a way that an arrangement shape of the first air heat exchanger through the fourth air heat exchanger is formed as a frame shape having a rectangular shape viewed from a plane.