Heat Pump Liquid Pipe Layout to Reduce Drain Plug Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump water heaters have a complex structure due to the placement of the water drain plug at a lower position, requiring additional components and increasing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump apparatus with a simplified liquid removal structure, featuring a heat exchanger, first and second connection portions, and pipes that extend horizontally or upward, supported by a base, eliminating the need for a separate discharge unit and reducing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the water drain plug is located at the lower position away from the pipe connector inlet and outlet, then liquid can be effectively drained, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pipe connector inlet, pipe connector outlet, and water drain plug into an integrated connection assembly. The first and second pipes connect the heat exchanger to these connection portions, which are all supported by a single support component on the base, eliminating the need for separate discharge units and reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective liquid drainage
2Reliability
If the water drain plug is located at the lower position away from the pipe connector inlet and outlet, then liquid can be effectively drained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated connection assembly combining the pipe connectors and drain plug reduces the total number of components and assembly steps. The support component supports multiple connection portions simultaneously, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effective liquid drainage capability
3Reliability
If additional components are added to support the pipe connectors and drain plug, then liquid removal function is improved, but assemblability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support component is designed to simultaneously support the first connection portion, second connection portion, and water drain plug structure. This integrated support system reduces the number of separate assembly operations required while ensuring proper positioning and function of all liquid removal components
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 simplified structure enhances assemblability, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves the efficiency of liquid removal by preventing water from remaining in the pipes during drainage.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger installed on the base, the heat exchanger being configured to exchange heat between refrigerant and liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a heat pump apparatus including: a heat exchanger (water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 9) that is installed on a base 2 and exchanges heat between refrigerant and liquid; a first connection portion 10a and a second connection portion 10b that are connectable to external liquid pipes; a first pipe 21 that connects the heat exchanger and the first connection portion 10a to each other; a second pipe 22 that connects the heat exchanger and the second connection portion 10b to each other; and a support component 11 that is fixed to the base 2 and support the first connection portion 10a and the second connection portion 10b. Over the entire length of the first pipe 21, the longitudinal direction of each portion of the first pipe 21 extends horizontally or upward from the first connection portion 10a toward the heat exchanger.