Heat pump device and installation method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat pump apparatuses where a water heat exchanger is located in an 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 outdoor unit to contain the leak.
Innovation Solution
The heat pump apparatus features a double-wall structure in the heat exchanger within the indoor unit, with designated opening ports that communicate with the outdoor space, ensuring any refrigerant leakage flows into the container and is discharged outdoors, preventing indoor contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the water heat exchanger is provided in the indoor unit, then the heat pump apparatus can achieve compact installation and flexible positioning, 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 container is divided into a refrigerant circuit space and a water circuit space by a partition wall, physically separating the two circuits. This segmentation ensures that even if the partition wall is damaged, the refrigerant leakage is contained within the container and directed to the discharge port rather than entering the indoor space.
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as an intermediary barrier between the refrigerant circuit and the indoor space. It includes a discharge port that serves as a designated pathway for refrigerant to exit the container and be discharged to the outdoor environment, preventing direct leakage into the indoor space.
2Reliability
If a pressure relief valve or air vent valve is provided in the indoor unit, then the water circuit can be properly protected and maintained, but refrigerant leakage poses a safety hazard to the indoor environment
Solution Approach 1:
The container segments the refrigerant circuit and water circuit into separate spaces with a partition wall between them. This allows the pressure relief valve and air vent valve to be connected to the water circuit while ensuring that any refrigerant leakage remains confined to the refrigerant circuit space and is discharged outdoors through the discharge port.
Solution Approach 2:
The container serves as an intermediary structure that houses both the refrigerant circuit components (including pressure relief valve and air vent valve) and the water circuit components. The partition wall and discharge port configuration ensure that the protective functions of these valves are maintained while preventing refrigerant from entering the indoor space.
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 effectively prevents refrigerant leakage into the indoor space by directing any leakage through the container's opening ports to the outdoor environment, maintaining indoor safety and operational continuity.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger which causes heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant and the heat medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
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.