Heat Pump Compressor Securing Member for Transport Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heat pumps face damage and reliability issues during transportation due to external events like accelerations, shocks, and vibrations, which affect the compressor and its fastening elements, and existing solutions for securing the compressor during transport are cumbersome and risky, especially when dealing with flammable refrigerants.

Innovation Solution

A heat pump design featuring a securing member that can be inserted from the outside to rigidly secure the compressor to the housing, limiting movement and preventing damage, without requiring access to the internal components, thus reducing the risk of leaks and malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If flexible anti-vibration pads are used to reduce vibration transmission during operation, then noise is reduced, but the compressor experiences increased shocks and movement freedom during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidcompressor stability during transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two states: during operation, flexible anti-vibration pads provide vibration isolation; during transport, rigid securing members are inserted to provide rigid fixation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by having the system exhibit different mechanical properties depending on the operational phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation system is segmented into multiple independent elements: flexible anti-vibration pads for vibration isolation and removable rigid securing members for transport stabilization. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between vibration isolation and transport stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If rigid securing members are inserted to stabilize the compressor during transport, then compressor stability is improved, but access to internal components is required which increases risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor stability during transportVSAvoidrisk of damage to internal components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing panels serve as intermediaries that transmit the securing force from externally accessible locations to the compressor. The securing members are inserted through openings in the housing panels, which act as mediators to transfer the stabilization force without requiring direct access to the compressor or refrigerant circuit, thus resolving the contradiction between stabilization and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the compressor is allowed to move freely on anti-vibration pads, then vibration isolation is effective during operation, but the compressor and fastening elements are damaged during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolationVSAvoidcompressor and fastening element integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid securing members are inserted into the housing panels before transport begins, preliminarily establishing the rigid fixation state. This preliminary action prevents the compressor and fastening elements from being exposed to damaging shocks during transport, while allowing the flexible pads to function during operation when the securing members are removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 securing member effectively stabilizes the compressor during transport, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring reliable operation by limiting movement and shock absorption, while allowing for easy installation and removal without exposing the internal components to risk.

Implementation Method 1

The heat pump may be placed on flexible anti-vibration pads. The purpose of these pads is to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the compressor to the rest of the heat pump when the heat pump is installed and the compressor is running.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4481198A1Heat pump and method of securing a heat pump for transport

Publication Date: 2024.12.25 BDR THERMEA GRP

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AI summary

The invention relates to a heat pump (1) comprising a housing (3) and a compressor (2). The compressor (2) being positioned on one or more anti-vibration pads (4) in an inner space of the housing (3), wherein the housing (3) comprises an opening (6) configured to receive a securing member (10), which when inserted from an outside of the housing (3) through the opening (6) is in direct or indirect contact with the compressor (2) to, in particular rigidly, secure the compressor (2) with respect to the housing (3), said securing member (10) is removable from the outside of the housing (3) .