Heat Pump Room Conditioning Unit with Indoor Electronics Heat Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-contained heat pump room conditioning units are inefficient in heating mode due to the placement of heat-generating electronics in the outdoor portion, which separates heat from the indoor heat exchanger coils.

Innovation Solution

The self-contained heat pump room conditioning unit is configured to place heat-generating electronics, such as an electronics board with a heat sink, in the indoor portion to capture and reuse excess heat during the heating mode, improving energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If heat-generating electronics are placed in the outdoor portion of the room conditioning unit, then the unit is optimized for cooling mode operation, but energy efficiency deteriorates during heating mode due to heat loss to the outdoor environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling mode optimizationVSAvoidheat loss during heating mode

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the electronics board relocatable between indoor and outdoor portions based on operational mode. The electronics board can be dynamically positioned in the indoor portion during heating mode to capture and reuse excess heat, and in the outdoor portion during cooling mode to optimize cooling performance. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between cooling optimization and heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If heat-generating electronics are placed in the indoor portion to capture excess heat during heating mode, then energy efficiency improves, but the unit's cooling performance may be affected by additional heat generation in the indoor space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiency during heating modeVSAvoidindoor space temperature during cooling mode

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically repositions the electronics board between indoor and outdoor portions depending on the operational mode. During cooling mode, the electronics board is placed in the outdoor portion, isolating its heat generation from the indoor space and preventing unwanted heating. During heating mode, the electronics board is positioned in the indoor portion to capture and reuse its excess heat, improving overall energy efficiency. This dynamic placement strategy resolves the contradiction between heating efficiency and cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances the energy efficiency of the room conditioning unit during heating mode by utilizing excess heat from indoor electronics to warm the indoor space, while maintaining performance during cooling mode.

Implementation Method 1

an electronics board with a heat sink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

utilizing excess heat from indoor electronics to warm the indoor space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250198646A1Supplemental Heat Source in Self-Contained Heat Pump Room Conditioning Units

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 RHEEM MFG CO

AI summary

A room conditioning unit having a heat pump is disclosed herein. An electronics board can be located in a compartment in an indoor portion of the room conditioning unit. During heating mode, air can be passed across the electronics board to warm the air, and the warmed air can then be mixed with intake air that is being directed toward the indoor coil for heating.