Reversible Heat Pump Stand With Drainage Against Ice Buildup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical unit stands for heat pumps suffer from ice buildup due to lack of drainage outlets, leading to instability and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A reversible heat pump stand design featuring interconnected support frames with specific geometrical shapes and welded support members, allowing for secure support and drainage without ice buildup, while being lightweight and stackable for easy shipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a solid structure is used for the heat pump stand, then stability is improved, but ice buildup occurs due to lack of drainage outlet

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidice buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stand structure is segmented into a solid support frame and a separate grated bottom wall, allowing the solid frame to provide stability while the grated portion enables drainage and prevents ice buildup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grated bottom wall acts as an intermediary element between the solid support frame and the ground, facilitating water drainage while maintaining the structural stability of the solid frame

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a grated bottom wall with side walls is used, then drainage is improved, but structural strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedrainageVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The solid support frame and grated bottom wall are merged into a single integrated stand structure, combining the drainage benefits of the grated design with the structural strength of the solid frame

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a fully solid two-dimensional structure to a three-dimensional composite structure with solid vertical supports and a grated horizontal base, optimizing both strength and drainage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a reversible design is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereversibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are designed with asymmetric geometries that allow the stand to be reversed and adapted to different heat pump configurations, with at least one support member having different engagement features on each end

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The reversible design allows the same stand structure to serve multiple functions and accommodate different heat pump orientations, with support members that can engage with the heat pump in multiple positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7798465B1Reversible heat pump stand

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 SUPREME STANDS LLC

AI summary

A reversible heat pump stand for securely supporting heat pumps and allowing drainage of water without ice buildup. The reversible heat pump stand includes a first support frame for securely supporting a heat pump; and also includes a second support frame being interconnected to the first support frame for also securely supporting the heat pump; and further includes support members interconnecting the first and second support frames.