Heat Pump Chamber Layout for Containing Heat Medium Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat medium leaks from components like the use-side heat exchanger, gas-liquid separator, pressure relief valve, and gas-venting valve can scatter into the machine chamber in existing heat pump cycle devices, posing safety and operational risks.
Innovation Solution
A water stop plate is strategically placed between the heat medium chamber and the machine chamber to prevent leaks from these components, with the gas-liquid separator, pressure relief valve, and gas-venting valve positioned above the use-side heat exchanger, and an upper surface cover securing the gas-liquid separator, pressure relief valve, and gas-venting valve to contain any leaks effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If components (use-side heat exchanger, gas-liquid separator, pressure relief valve, gas-venting valve) are placed in the heat medium chamber, then easier access and maintenance are achieved, but heat medium leaks can scatter to the machine chamber causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is divided into two separate chambers: the heat medium chamber (3a) containing components like the use-side heat exchanger, gas-liquid separator, pressure relief valve, and gas-venting valve; and the machine chamber (3b) containing the compressor and expansion means. This segmentation isolates potential leak sources from sensitive components while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A water stop plate (70) is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the heat medium chamber and the machine chamber. This plate prevents heat medium that leaks from components in the heat medium chamber from scattering to the machine chamber, thus protecting the compressor and expansion means from water damage.
2Productivity
If gas-liquid separator, pressure relief valve, and gas-venting valve are positioned above the use-side heat exchanger, then gas collection efficiency is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-liquid separator, pressure relief valve, and gas-venting valve are vertically stacked and positioned above the use-side heat exchanger in the heat medium chamber. This merged arrangement utilizes vertical space efficiently and improves gas collection efficiency by centralizing gas-related components in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The components are arranged in the vertical dimension rather than spreading horizontally. The gas-liquid separator, pressure relief valve, and gas-venting valve are stacked vertically above the use-side heat exchanger, utilizing the vertical space in the heat medium chamber to improve gas collection efficiency while maintaining a compact footprint.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump cycle device capable of preventing heat medium which leaks from a use-side heat exchanger, a gas-liquid separator, a pressure relief valve and a gas-venting valve from scattering to a machine chamber. [Solving Means] The heat pump cycle device of the invention includes a water stop plate 70 located between a heat medium chamber 3a and a machine chamber 3b, and the water stop plate 70 prevents heat medium which leaks from the use-side heat exchanger 12, the gas-liquid separator 30, the pressure relief valve 40 and the gas-venting valve 50 from scattering to the machine chamber 3b.