Heat Source Unit with Segmented Frame for Modular Capacity Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat source units require a comprehensive review and redesign of refrigerant circuit constituent parts and casing size whenever capacity or function changes, making it difficult to easily modify or add these components.
Innovation Solution
A heat source unit design with a divided bottom frame, where common refrigerant circuit parts are placed on one frame and variable parts on another, allowing for independent adjustments and expansions without altering the common parts' placement or casing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant circuit constituent parts are changed or added in accordance with capacity or function, then the capacity or function of the heat source unit is improved, but the placement of all refrigerant circuit constituent parts and the size of the casing must be reviewed and changed, increasing device complexity and modification difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom frame is divided into a first bottom frame and a second bottom frame. The first bottom frame supports refrigerant circuit constituent parts that are common regardless of capacity or function, while the second bottom frame supports refrigerant circuit constituent parts that are changed or added depending on capacity or function. This segmentation allows independent modification of the second bottom frame without affecting the first bottom frame, thereby reducing the complexity of placement review and casing size change when adapting to different capacities or functions.
2Reliability
If comprehensive review of refrigerant circuit constituent parts placement is conducted for every capacity or function change, then proper placement is ensured, but the time and effort required for modification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom frame is segmented into a first bottom frame for common refrigerant circuit constituent parts and a second bottom frame for variable refrigerant circuit constituent parts. This segmentation allows modification to be limited to only the second bottom frame when capacity or function changes are needed, ensuring proper placement through focused review while significantly reducing the time and effort required compared to reviewing the entire system.
3Device complexity
If all refrigerant circuit constituent parts are placed on a single bottom frame, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flexibility for future modifications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom frame is divided into a first bottom frame and a second bottom frame, where the first bottom frame maintains structural simplicity by supporting common refrigerant circuit constituent parts, while the second bottom frame provides modification flexibility by supporting variable refrigerant circuit constituent parts that can be easily added or removed based on capacity or function requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat source unit constitutes part of a basic refrigerant circuit including: a compressor that compresses refrigerant; an accumulator that temporarily accumulates the refrigerant before the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor; an oil separator that separates refrigerating machine oil from the refrigerant after the refrigerant has been discharged from the compressor; a heat source-side heat exchanger that functions as a radiator or an evaporator of the refrigerant; a liquid refrigerant communication pipe; utilization-side expansion valves; utilization-side heat exchangers; and a gas refrigerant communication pipe that are connected to one another, the heat source unit comprising refrigerant circuit constituent parts including the compressor, the accumulator, the oil separator, and the heat source-side heat exchanger that are provided inside a casing, and the refrigerant circuit constituent parts being changed or added in accordance with capacity or function.