Dual-Compressor Heat Pump Flow Switching for High-Temperature Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pumps are limited in heating water temperature to around 50°C during hot-water supply mode, requiring a separate heater, which increases installation and operation costs.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump apparatus with an outdoor unit, indoor unit, and hydro unit, featuring a refrigerant flow path switching unit and water flow path switching unit, allowing the system to raise water temperature above 50°C without a separate heat source by optimizing refrigerant and water flow paths through multiple heat exchangers and compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional heat pump is used for hot-water supply, then water can be heated to around 50°C, but water temperature cannot be raised above 50°C without a separate heater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air-to-water heat pump and water-to-water heat pump systems into a single integrated apparatus. The outdoor unit functions as both the heat source for air-to-water mode and the heat exchanger for water-to-water mode, eliminating the need for separate heaters while achieving high temperature water heating above 50°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit is designed with multi-functionality to serve different purposes: it acts as a heat source unit in air-to-water mode and as a heat exchanger unit in water-to-water mode. This universal design allows the system to achieve both standard heating (around 50°C) and high-temperature heating (above 50°C) without requiring separate dedicated equipment.
2Temperature
If a separate heater is added to increase water temperature above 50°C, then water temperature can be raised, but installation expenses and operation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the air-to-water heat pump and water-to-water heat pump into a single system. By integrating the outdoor unit to serve dual purposes as both heat source and heat exchanger, the system eliminates the need for separate heater equipment, thereby reducing installation expenses and operational costs while achieving water temperatures above 50°C.
3Temperature
If a separate heater is added to increase water temperature above 50°C, then water temperature can be raised, but operation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines air-to-water and water-to-water heat pump functions into one system. The outdoor unit serves dual roles as heat source and heat exchanger, eliminating separate heater operation and reducing energy consumption costs while achieving high-temperature water heating above 50°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit's multi-functional design allows it to operate as both the heat source unit in air-to-water mode and the heat exchanger unit in water-to-water mode. This universality eliminates the need for separate heater operation, thereby reducing operational costs while achieving water temperatures above 50°C.
4Temperature
If multiple heat exchangers and flow path switching units are added to raise water temperature above 50°C, then water temperature can be increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant circulation system into distinct pathways using flow path switching units. The first refrigerant circulation path handles air-to-water heat exchange while the second path handles water-to-water heat exchange. This segmentation allows independent control of each heat exchange process, enabling high-temperature water heating through coordinated operation of multiple heat exchangers while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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
Enables efficient heating of water to higher temperatures, reducing the need for additional heating sources and lowering installation and operational costs while providing water at various temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
an outdoor unit including a first compressor (108) to compress a first refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger (114) to cause heat exchange to occur between the first refrigerant and outdoor air
Implementation Method 3
a hydro unit including a second compressor (109) to compress a second refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a third heat exchanger (122a) to cause heat exchange to occur between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
a fourth heat exchanger (122b) to cause heat exchange to occur between the first refrigerant and water
Implementation Method 6
a fifth heat exchanger (122c) to cause heat exchange to occur between the second refrigerant and water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A heat pump apparatus is provided. The heat pump raises the water temperature during a hot-water supply without using a separate heat source such as a heater. The heat pump apparatus includes an outdoor unit including a first compressor, a first heat exchanger, and a first expansion valve. The heat pump apparatus includes an indoor unit including a second heat exchanger and a second expansion valve, a hydro unit including a second compressor, a third heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger, a fifth heat exchanger, a third expansion valve, a fourth expansion valve, and a fifth expansion valve. The heat pump apparatus includes a refrigerant flow path switching unit to switch among flow paths, and a water flow path switching unit to switch between flow paths of the water.