Base plate and integral air-source heat pump water heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated air-source heat pump water heaters face risks of refrigerant leakage, which can lead to explosions due to the use of flammable and explosive refrigerants, posing safety hazards to users.
Innovation Solution
A base plate with a drainage hole and an overflow hole is positioned between the water tank and heat pump components, allowing refrigerant discharge through the overflow hole when the drainage hole is clogged, ensuring safe and prompt expulsion of refrigerants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single drainage hole is provided in the base plate, then the structure is simple, but the refrigerant discharge reliability is insufficient when the drainage hole is clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is segmented into multiple functional holes: a drainage hole for normal operation and an overflow hole for emergency discharge. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while improving reliability by providing separate pathways for different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow hole is pre-positioned at a higher location than the drainage hole, creating a preliminary safety mechanism. When the drainage hole becomes clogged, the overflow hole automatically activates to discharge refrigerant, preventing pressure buildup before it becomes dangerous.
2Reliability
If the drainage hole and overflow hole are positioned far from the heat pump head, then safety is improved, but the discharge efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portion of the base plate creates a localized discharge area with holes positioned at optimal locations. The drainage hole is placed at the lowest point for efficient drainage, while the overflow hole is positioned higher on the extension portion for safety, giving each hole its optimal functional position without compromising overall safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portion extends the base plate in a new spatial dimension, allowing the holes to be positioned both far from the heat pump head (improving safety) and at optimal heights for discharge efficiency. This dimensional extension resolves the conflict between safety distance and discharge effectiveness.
3Productivity
If the base plate is positioned close to the heat pump head, then the discharge speed is fast, but the safety distance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portion utilizes vertical positioning to achieve both objectives: the drainage hole is positioned at the lowest point for fast discharge, while the overflow hole is positioned higher up on the extended portion, maintaining safe distance from the heat pump head while preserving discharge efficiency through strategic spatial arrangement.
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 base plate effectively discharges refrigerants even in extreme weather conditions, enhancing safety by preventing explosions and ensuring user safety.
Implementation Method 1
R290 refrigerant, which has a higher density than air and is highly prone to explosion in the presence of an open flame
Implementation Method 2
R290 refrigerant, which has a higher density than air
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a base plate and an integrated air-source heat pump water heater. The base plate is used in the integrated air-source heat pump water heater. The integrated air-source heat pump water heater includes a water tank component and a heat pump head component. The base plate is disposed between the water tank component and the heat pump head component. The base plate includes a main body portion and an extension portion. The main body portion is arranged opposite to the heat pump head component or the water tank component. The extension portion is connected to and disposed beside the main body portion. The extension portion is deviated from the water tank component and the heat pump head component. The extension portion is provided with a drainage hole and an overflow hole spaced apart from each other. Both of the drainage hole and the overflow hole are located adjacent to an edge of the extension portion away from the main body portion. According to the base plate of the present application, by providing the overflow hole, flammable and explosive refrigerants can be promptly discharged from the heat pump head component through the overflow hole when the drainage hole is clogged in extreme weather conditions, such as cold winters, thereby greatly ensuring the safety of the integrated air-source heat pump water heater and the personal safety of the users.