Compact Heat Pump Indoor Module With Integrated Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump heating installations are bulky, costly, and prone to leakage due to numerous hydraulic connections, leading to increased assembly time and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A compact indoor module with a heat exchange device directly connected to a fluid reservoir via inlets and outlets without piping, incorporating a pump and optional heating source, made from thermoplastic materials with low heat conduction and stainless steel lining for improved insulation and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional heat pump installations use separate components with piping connections, then the system is easier to manufacture and assemble, but the installation size becomes large and leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchange device and fluid reservoir into a single integrated indoor module, eliminating the need for external piping connections. This merging reduces the overall installation size while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated indoor module serves multiple functions: the heat exchange device performs thermal exchange while the integrated reservoir provides fluid storage and circulation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing installation size without compromising ease of manufacture.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional installations use multiple hydraulic connections, then the system can be assembled with standard components, but the risk of leakage increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the heat exchange device and fluid reservoir into one unit with internal connections, the patent eliminates multiple external hydraulic connections. This reduces leakage risk while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic external piping and connections from the system, replacing them with internal integrated connections within the modular unit. This extraction eliminates leakage-prone connection points while preserving the ease of manufacturing the core components.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional heat pump systems use separate heat exchange devices and fluid reservoirs, then the components can be manufactured independently, but the assembly time becomes significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchange device and fluid reservoir into a single integrated module, eliminating the need for on-site assembly of multiple separate components. This reduces assembly time significantly while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through modular production of the integrated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated indoor module is pre-assembled as a complete functional unit during manufacturing, with all internal connections and components properly positioned. This preliminary assembly action eliminates time-consuming on-site installation work while preserving the ease of manufacturing the pre-assembled module.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional installations use numerous hydraulic connections, then the system can be configured with standard components, but the installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components into a single integrated indoor module, reducing the overall device complexity. This simplification reduces installation cost while maintaining manufacturing ease through standardized modular production.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated module performs multiple functions (heat exchange, fluid storage, circulation) in a single unit, reducing the number of separate components needed. This reduction in component count simplifies the overall system complexity and reduces installation cost while preserving manufacturing flexibility.
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 solution reduces installation size, assembly time, and leakage risks while maintaining efficient thermal regulation, enhancing reliability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange device (102) intended to exchange calories with the water circulating in the heat exchange device, from a cold water inlet (104) of the exchanger to a hot water outlet (106) of the exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The tank (112) is made of a material having a heat conduction of less than 1 W.m-1
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
AI summary
The module (100) has a heat exchange device (102) for exchanging heat with a fluid that flows from a fluid inlet (104) to a fluid outlet (106) in the heat exchange device. A fluid container is attached to the heat exchange device and comprises a fluid inlet (114) and a fluid outlet (116). The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the fluid container are directly connected to the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet of the heat exchange device, respectively. A pump (126) is fixed on the heat exchange device and the fluid container that is made of a thermoplastic material. An independent claim is also included for a fluid thermal control installation.