Heat Pump Heat Source Unit Layout for Easier Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The compact design of heat source units for split-type heat pumps, required to fit under windows, complicates maintenance as components become inaccessible without disassembling others, increasing maintenance time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A heat source unit design with a removable maintenance plate that covers at least half of the side, allowing access to components from both the front and side, and a support frame for the switchboard to secure it without impairing maintenance access, reducing the need to disassemble components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the height of the casing is reduced to fit under windows, then the heat source unit can be installed in limited spaces, but the available space in the machine chamber is reduced making components inaccessible for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance plate is divided into a first portion covering the front of the machine chamber and a second portion covering the side of the machine chamber. This segmentation allows the maintenance plate to provide comprehensive access to components in the compact machine chamber without requiring the entire plate to be removed, thereby improving accessibility while maintaining the reduced height design.
2Volume of moving object
If components are arranged more compactly in the machine chamber, then the heat source unit fits in limited spaces, but some components cannot be accessed for maintenance without dismounting others
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance plate extends to the side of the machine chamber in addition to covering the front, providing a second dimension of access. This allows maintenance personnel to reach components from either the front or side depending on their location, simplifying maintenance of compactly arranged components without requiring disassembly of other components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Heat source unit for a heat pump having a refrigerant circuit, the heat source unit comprising a casing (2) having walls defining an interior space, the interior space being separated by a partition (12) into an air chamber (A) and a machine chamber (M); a plurality of components (50, 60, 61, 62, 63) configured to control a refrigerant flow through the refrigerant circuit, the components being accommodated in the machine chamber (M), wherein the walls comprise a maintenance plate (23), the maintenance plate having a first portion (24) delimiting the interior space at a front (7) of the heat source unit in a position corresponding to the machine chamber (M) and a second portion (25) delimiting the interior space at a side (9) of the heat source unit corresponding to the machine chamber (M), the maintenance plate (23) being removable for giving access to the components (50, 60, 61, 62, 63) in the machine chamber (M), wherein the second portion (25) of the maintenance plate (23) covers at least half of the side (9) of the heat source unit in a direction of depth, the depth being the dimension of the heat source unit between the front (7) and a back (8).