Heat source device and heat source system provided with heat source device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat source devices with multiple units face challenges in reducing installation space and labor requirements due to exposed heat medium pipes, which complicate routing and layout, especially on roofs or in mechanical chambers.

Innovation Solution

The heat source device design features one end of the heat medium pipe inside the mechanical chamber, minimizing external connections and using flexible joints to maintain orderly pipe layout, reducing the need for external space and simplifying installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If heat medium pipes are connected outside the heat source device, then connection work can be performed, but installation space increases and routing becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection workVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat medium pipes are nested inside the heat source device casing, with connection ports arranged so that pipes can be connected within the enclosed space rather than externally. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external pipe routing while maintaining connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection ports are positioned on different surfaces of the heat source device (e.g., front and rear surfaces or adjacent side surfaces), utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement to enable internal pipe connection without increasing the device's external footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If heat medium pipes are connected outside the heat source device, then connection can be made, but routing and layout become complicated especially on roofs or in mechanical chambers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection workVSAvoidrouting and layout
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By nesting the heat medium pipes inside the heat source device, the routing complexity is eliminated as pipes no longer need to be routed externally across roofs or through mechanical chambers. The connection is simplified to internal port-to-port connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Power

If multiple heat source devices are installed, then heating or cooling capacity increases, but space for installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating or cooling capacityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple heat source devices can be closely positioned or stacked due to the compact internal pipe connection design, effectively merging their spatial footprints. The elimination of external pipe routing allows devices to be installed in tighter configurations, increasing capacity without proportionally increasing installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the installation process, reduces labor, and allows for more compact installations by keeping the heat medium pipe connections internal, thus minimizing space requirements and streamlining the installation of heat source devices.

Implementation Method 1

the heat source device refers to an apparatus that generates cool water or hot water by mainly using a heat pump refrigeration cycle. Further, cool water or hot water refers to a heat medium generated by heat exchange by an evaporator or a condenser of the refrigeration cycle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

heat exchange by an evaporator or a condenser of the refrigeration cycle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3165849B1Heat source device and heat source system provided with heat source device
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3165849B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3165849B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3165849B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A heat source device having a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a heat source heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a heat medium heat exchanger are connected, the heat source device includes a heat exchange chamber that houses at least the heat source heat exchanger and a mechanical chamber that houses at least the compressor and the heat medium heat exchanger. A heat medium pipe is connected to the heat medium heat exchanger, one end of the heat medium pipe is located inside the mechanical chamber, and the other end of the heat medium pipe is located outside the mechanical chamber.