Horizontal Heat Exchanger Layout for Reduced Ventilation Unit Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers for ventilation devices require a high installation height, increasing the space occupied by duct type devices and reducing window visibility and sunlight transmission for window type devices due to the need for sufficient air passage area.
Innovation Solution
Arranging multiple heat exchangers horizontally within a case, with strategically positioned inlet and outlet ports to form a single passage, and using separation and blocking plates to prevent air mixing, allowing for a reduced overall height and simplified pipe connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heat exchanger height is increased to provide sufficient air passage area, then the ventilation performance is improved, but the installation space and window area occupied are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement to a horizontal arrangement of heat exchangers. Multiple heat exchangers are positioned side-by-side in the horizontal direction rather than stacked vertically, which maintains the required air passage area for ventilation performance while significantly reducing the vertical height and minimizing the installation space occupied on ceilings or window areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the heat exchanger system into multiple separate heat exchanger units arranged horizontally. Each unit has its own air passages, and they are positioned adjacent to each other in the horizontal plane. This segmentation allows the system to achieve sufficient total air passage area through lateral arrangement rather than vertical stacking, thereby reducing overall height and installation footprint.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple heat exchangers are arranged horizontally to reduce height, then the installation space is minimized, but the pipe connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air passage functions of multiple heat exchangers into a unified horizontal flow path. The air passages of adjacent heat exchangers are aligned and connected to form a continuous passage system, allowing air to flow through multiple heat exchanger units in sequence. This merging approach simplifies pipe connections by reducing the number of separate inlet and outlet ports that need to be connected, as the horizontal arrangement allows for shared or aligned connection points.
3Area of stationary object
If the heat exchanger height is reduced to minimize installation space, then the window visibility and sunlight transmission are improved, but the air passage area may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by moving the air passage expansion from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. Instead of increasing height to provide adequate air passage area, the system extends the air passages horizontally across multiple compact heat exchanger units arranged side-by-side. This maintains low profile and minimal window occupation while achieving sufficient air passage area through lateral arrangement.
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 minimizes the installation space and height of the heat exchanger, maintaining effective heat exchange while reducing the area covered by the device at windows and preventing exposure in duct type installations.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger for heat-exchanging indoor air and outdoor air to minimize a change in the indoor temperature during ventilation
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer plates that are stacked at a constant interval; first heat transfer members between the heat transfer plates
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange unit for a ventilation device includes: a case having a first inlet port through which first air is sucked and a second outlet port through which second air is discharged formed on a front side, and a first outlet port through which the first air is discharged and a second inlet port through which the second air is sucked formed on a back side; and heat exchangers having a first air passage through which the first air passes and a second air passage through which the second air passes formed thereon. A first separation plate for separating the first inlet port and the second outlet port is installed in the height direction on the front side of the case. A second separation plate for separating the second inlet port and the first outlet port is installed in the height direction on the other side of the case.