Heat pump device and assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pumps and heat sink assemblies experience uneven temperature distribution and thermal conductivity due to clamping forces altering the thermal conductivity properties of thermally conductive materials, leading to inconsistent heating and cooling during thermal cycling of sample blocks.
Innovation Solution
The heat sink assembly incorporates a thermally conductive slab with a raised central region surrounded by voids to improve thermal resistance, optionally filled with low thermal conductivity materials or supports, to maintain uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a heat pump device is installed in a bathroom to provide heating and hot water, then the convenience and energy efficiency are improved, but the space required for installation and the complexity of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating circuit and hot water circuit into a single integrated heat pump device. The compressor, heat exchangers, and control system serve dual purposes: heating the bathroom air and producing hot water on demand. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating and water heating systems, reducing overall system complexity while providing convenient combined functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can simultaneously perform space heating and hot water production. The system includes a first heat exchanger for heating air and a second heat exchanger for heating water, both driven by the same refrigeration cycle. This universal design allows one device to fulfill multiple functions that would traditionally require separate systems.
2Loss of energy
If a heat pump device provides both heating and hot water functions, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the response time for hot water delivery is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water in a storage tank using the heat pump during periods when hot water is not immediately needed, such as during daytime heating operation. This preliminary heating action ensures that hot water is readily available when needed, reducing the time delay for hot water delivery while maintaining energy efficiency through off-peak heat pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump operates continuously to maintain both heated air in the bathroom and pre-heated water in the storage tank. By keeping both systems in a ready state through continuous operation, the system eliminates the time delay associated with starting up heating systems on demand, while the high efficiency of the heat pump compensates for the continuous energy input.
3Temperature
If the heat pump device heats water to high temperatures for showers, then the comfort level is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump pre-heats water to a moderate temperature in the storage tank during periods of low energy consumption or when excess heat is available from the heating circuit. This preliminary heating reduces the energy burden when high-temperature hot water is needed, as the water only needs to be heated from a moderate temperature rather than from cold, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining shower comfort.
4Reliability
If the heat pump system uses a storage tank for hot water, then the hot water availability is improved, but the space required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is positioned within or adjacent to the heat pump housing, utilizing the same installation space. The tank is integrated into the overall device structure, with the heat pump components arranged around or above the tank. This nesting arrangement allows the storage function to be added without requiring separate dedicated space, thereby maintaining hot water availability while minimizing the increase in installation footprint.
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 achieves a 35-40% reduction in thermal non-uniformity, ensuring more consistent and precise thermal cycling of samples by mitigating uneven temperature distributions.
Implementation Method 1
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one of many examples of chemical processes that are performed on multiple samples and require precise temperature control with rapid temperature changes between different stages of the procedure. PCR amplifies DNA, i.e., it produces multiple copies of a DNA sequence from a single copy.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
A heat pump that includes a thermoelectric device(s) and a heat sink having a raised portion with a top surface for thermally coupling with a planar face of the thermoelectric device(s). The raised portion of the heat sink includes an outer periphery and a raised central region surrounded by a void region to provide more uniform thermal conductivity when clamped within an assembly. The raised central region is shaped in an oval, circle or rounded shape corresponding to a shape of uneven thermal conductivity due to clamping pressure applied to the heat sink. The void region can be substantially contiguous and entirely circumscribe the central raised region. The void can include discrete supports formed of a less thermally-conductive material. The supports can be elastomeric, such as O-rings, and disposed within pockets defined within the void region.