Heat source unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing heat source unit designs do not account for the addition of extra compressors, requiring reevaluation of refrigerant circuit components and casing size, which complicates the process and increases time and effort, especially due to vibration analysis needs.

Innovation Solution

The heat source unit features a divided bottom frame with a main and sub bottom frame, allowing separate mounting and vibration analysis for each compressor, reducing the number of work steps and eliminating the need for reanalysis after adding a second compressor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the bottom frame is designed as a single integrated structure, then the structural strength is improved, but the adaptability for adding compressors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadaptability for adding compressors
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom frame is divided into a first bottom frame and a second bottom frame that can be selectively assembled. The first bottom frame supports the first compressor, while the second bottom frame is designed to support a second compressor. This segmentation allows the system to maintain structural strength while providing adaptability for adding compressors, as the second bottom frame can be added when capacity expansion is needed without redesigning the entire bottom frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If all refrigerant circuit components are rearranged to accommodate an additional compressor, then the operating capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant circuit components are segmented into two independent groups: those connected to the first compressor and those connected to the second compressor. Each group has its own dedicated bottom frame and refrigerant circuit pathways. This segmentation allows the second compressor to be added without requiring rearrangement of the first compressor's components, thereby increasing operating capacity while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second bottom frame is designed in advance with pre-configured mounting positions and connection interfaces for the second compressor and its associated refrigerant circuit components. This preliminary design ensures that when the second compressor needs to be added, the components can be directly installed without requiring rearrangement of existing components, thus increasing productivity while keeping device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If vibration analysis is performed on the entire module including the additional compressor, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration analysis is segmented into separate analyses for the first bottom frame and the second bottom frame. Each bottom frame can be analyzed independently for its vibration characteristics and impact on surrounding refrigerant circuit components. This segmentation reduces the loss of time compared to analyzing the entire module as a single system, while still ensuring reliability by identifying and addressing vibration issues specific to each compressor-botton frame assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3514457B1Heat source unit
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3514457B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3514457B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3514457B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bottom frame (50) which constitutes a bottom surface of a casing (40) is divided into a main bottom frame (51) where a first compressor (11) is to be provided and a sub bottom frame (55) where a second compressor (21) is to be provided. The main bottom frame (51) is further divided into a first bottom frame (52) and a second bottom frame (53). The first compressor (11) is to be provided on the first bottom frame (52). A refrigerant circuit component (47) to be replaced or added in accordance with a capability or a function is to be provided on the second bottom frame (53).