Heat Pump Rigid Unit Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pumps are not sufficiently quiet due to disturbance frequencies caused by the compressor, leading to noise emissions.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump design where the support element and components form a unit with a natural frequency higher than the first-order disturbance frequency, behaving as a rigid body, thereby reducing vibrations and noise. This is achieved through a combination of a stiff support element, strategically placed heat pump components, and decoupling of the compressor from other components using spring elements and curved fluid lines to minimize vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the support element and heat pump components form a rigid unit with high natural frequency, then noise emissions are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element and heat pump components are merged into a single rigid unit that moves together as one structure. This combining of elements into a unified rigid assembly eliminates relative vibrations between components, thereby reducing noise emissions while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate vibration isolation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The natural frequency of the support element is specifically designed to be higher than the first-order disturbance frequency generated by the compressor. By changing the frequency parameter of the support structure, the system avoids resonance with the compressor's vibration frequencies, thereby reducing noise without requiring complex active noise control systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spring elements are used to decouple the compressor, then vibration transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Spring elements are introduced as intermediary components between the compressor and the support element. These springs act as a mediator that decouples the compressor's vibrations from the support structure, allowing vibration reduction while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to more complex isolation systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the unit behaves as a rigid body, then noise is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The key parameter changed is the natural frequency of the support element, which is designed to exceed the first-order disturbance frequency. This frequency parameter adjustment allows the unit to behave as a rigid body at operating frequencies, reducing noise while avoiding the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances across all 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 design significantly reduces noise emissions by ensuring the heat pump operates as a rigid body within the compressor's operating speed range, effectively insulating low-frequency vibrations and minimizing noise pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring element (1.1) is disposed between the compressor (1) and the load transfer element (8), and a second spring element (2.1) is disposed between the support element (2) and the load transfer element (8)
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, which compressor operates within an operating speed range and in so doing causes at least one disturbance frequency of the first order, and the heat pump comprising further heat pump components which are disposed on a support element and through which refrigerant flows as well. A unit composed of the support element and the heat pump components disposed thereon has a first natural frequency which is greater than the disturbance frequency of the first order transmitted by the compressor operating in the operating speed range to the unit acting as a rigid body.