Heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems have complex configurations due to direct connections between refrigerant pipes and thermal load units, making them difficult to construct and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with an outdoor unit and intermediate unit connected through refrigerant pipes, and thermal load units connected through thermal medium pipes, simplifying the configuration by eliminating direct refrigerant connections to load units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant pipes are directly connected to thermal load units, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of construction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate heat exchanger unit that acts as a mediator between the refrigerant system and thermal load units. This intermediate unit contains heat exchangers that transfer heat between the refrigerant and thermal medium (water or air), eliminating the need for direct refrigerant connections to multiple thermal load units while maintaining efficient heat transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant pipes are directly connected to thermal load units, then system functionality is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: an outdoor unit containing the compressor and refrigerant circulation system, and an intermediate heat exchanger unit that serves as a distribution hub. This modular segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing and simplified installation, as each module can be independently assembled and then connected through standard interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate heat exchanger unit serves as an intermediary distribution hub that receives refrigerant from the outdoor unit and distributes thermal energy to multiple thermal load units through thermal medium pipes. This intermediary structure simplifies installation by eliminating the need for complex direct refrigerant piping to each individual thermal load unit.
3Productivity
If refrigerant pipes are directly connected to thermal load units, then heat pump performance is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate heat exchanger unit acts as a centralized maintenance access point, allowing service personnel to perform maintenance on the refrigerant system without needing to access multiple distributed connection points at thermal load units. The thermal medium pipes connected to thermal load units can be independently maintained or replaced without affecting the refrigerant system.
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 simplifies the construction and operation of the heat pump system, allowing for efficient supply of both cool and hot air to thermal load units while maintaining system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (11) to compress the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger (15) to allow the refrigerant to heat-exchange with outdoor air
Implementation Method 3
a four-way valve (12) to guide the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to any one of the outdoor heat exchanger and the intermediate unit
Implementation Method 4
an outdoor expansion valve (18) to decompress and expand the refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
a cooling heat exchanger (21) to exchange heat between the thermal medium transferred from the cooling unit and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 6
a heating heat exchanger (22) to exchange heat between the thermal medium transferred from the heating unit and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 7
an intermediate expansion valve (25) to decompress and expand the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a heat pump system comprising an outdoor unit disposed in an outdoor space, a plurality of thermal load units supplied with cool air and hot air, and an intermediate unit disposed between the outdoor unit and the plurality of thermal load units, wherein the intermediate unit is connected to the outdoor unit through refrigerant pipes and connected to the plurality of thermal load units through thermal medium pipes.