Heat source unit for a heat pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat source units for heat pumps, particularly those with compressors, generate significant noise due to vibration and sound propagation, which existing insulation and damping mechanisms have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A heat source unit design featuring a compressor assembly with a support plate and damping mechanism to decouple vibrations, combined with a compressor casing that provides sound insulation and is vibrationally isolated from the compressor housing, along with additional components mounted on the support plate to further dampen vibrations and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a compressor is installed in a heat source unit, then the heat pump can effectively cool and heat, but significant noise is generated due to vibration and sound propagation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat pump functionalityVSAvoidnoise generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A compressor casing is introduced as an intermediary component between the compressor and the external environment. This casing encloses the compressor and prevents sound waves from propagating outward, while also providing a structural interface for mounting damping mechanisms that further reduce noise transmission to the heat source unit housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If damping mechanisms are added to reduce compressor vibrations, then noise propagation is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise propagationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping mechanisms are integrated into the compressor mounting structure, combining the functions of structural support and vibration damping into a unified assembly. The compressor casing itself serves as both the enclosure and the mounting platform for damping elements, eliminating the need for separate complex damping structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If the compressor casing is in contact with the compressor housing, then structural support is provided, but vibrations are transmitted to the casing and propagated outward

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Damping mechanisms are positioned between the compressor housing and the compressor casing to serve as intermediaries. These dampers maintain the structural connection needed for support while simultaneously absorbing and isolating vibrations, preventing their transmission to the casing and subsequent propagation to the external environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design significantly reduces noise propagation by effectively isolating compressor vibrations and sounds, improving the overall noise reduction in heat source units.

Implementation Method 1

The support plate is mounted via dampers to the bottom plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

additional damping is provided by a damping mechanism arranged between the compressor, particularly the compressor housing, and the support plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

a compressor casing is provided, which encloses the compressor including the compressor housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound insulation: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3705793B1Heat source unit for a heat pump
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3705793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3705793B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3705793B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Heat source unit (10) for a heat pump having a refrigerant circuit, the heat source unit comprising: an outer casing (13) comprising a bottom plate (14); and a compressor assembly accommodated in the outer casing (13), the compressor assembly (20) comprising a compressor (12) of the refrigerant circuit of the heat pump including a compressor housing (21), a support plate (23) supporting the compressor (12), the support plate (23) being mounted via dampers (43) to the bottom plate (14), and a compressor casing (30) enclosing the compressor (12) and the compressor housing (21), wherein a damping mechanism (25) is arranged between the compressor (12) and the support plate (23), and the compressor casing (30) is fixed to the support plate (23) out of contact with the compressor housing (21).