Heat pump apparatus and method for installing the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat pump apparatuses where the water heat exchanger is located in the indoor unit, there is a risk of refrigerant leaking into the indoor space if the partition wall between the refrigerant and water circuits is damaged, as there is no water circuit in the outdoor unit to facilitate safe discharge of flammable refrigerant.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump apparatus with a double-wall structure in the heat exchanger housed in the indoor unit, where the heat exchanger has a container with a specifically designed opening port that communicates with the outdoor space, preventing refrigerant from entering the indoor space even if the partition wall is damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the water heat exchanger is provided in the outdoor unit, then the pressure relief valve or air vent valve can be provided in the outdoor unit to discharge refrigerant safely, but the water circuit must be extended to the outdoor unit which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchanger into two separate units: a water heat exchanger in the outdoor unit and a refrigerant heat exchanger in the indoor unit. This segmentation allows the pressure relief valve and air vent valve to be located in the outdoor unit where the water circuit exists, enabling safe refrigerant discharge without extending the water circuit to the indoor unit.
2Device complexity
If the water heat exchanger is provided in the indoor unit, then the system structure is simplified, but refrigerant may leak into the indoor space through the pressure relief valve or air vent valve if the partition wall is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the water heat exchanger (in outdoor unit) from the refrigerant heat exchanger (in indoor unit), eliminating the need for a partition wall between the two circuits in the same unit. This segmentation prevents refrigerant from leaking into the indoor space through safety valves while maintaining simple system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate refrigerant circuit connection between the outdoor and indoor units. The refrigerant circuit passes through the outdoor unit (where safety valves are located) to connect to the indoor unit, allowing the safety valves to protect against refrigerant leakage into the indoor space without requiring the water heat exchanger to be in the indoor unit.
3Productivity
If a partition wall isolating the refrigerant circuit and water circuit is provided in the same heat exchanger, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the partition wall may be broken causing refrigerant to enter the water circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchanger into two separate units with dedicated circuits: the water heat exchanger in the outdoor unit and the refrigerant heat exchanger in the indoor unit. This segmentation eliminates the need for a partition wall within a single heat exchanger, maintaining heat exchange efficiency while removing the reliability risk of partition wall failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the outdoor unit as an intermediary between the water circuit and refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit passes through the outdoor unit to reach the indoor unit, allowing heat exchange functions to be distributed while maintaining circuit isolation through the intermediary outdoor unit location.
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 ensures that any refrigerant leakage from the heat exchanger is contained within the container and discharged to the outdoor space, preventing indoor contamination and ensuring safety.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger which causes heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant and the heat medium
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit which circulates refrigerant; a heat medium circuit which makes a heat medium flow; a heat exchanger which cause heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant and the heat medium; and an indoor unit which houses at least the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a double-wall structure. The indoor unit includes a container which houses the heat exchanger. In the container, a first opening port is formed to communicate with an outdoor space without communicating with an indoor space.