Integrated Heat Pump Condenser in a Circulation Pump Volute
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems in domestic appliances are less energy efficient, particularly in terms of heat exchange processes, which is a concern for sustainability and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the condenser of the heat pump with the circulation pump to enhance thermal contact and efficiency, with the condenser arranged in the volute of the circulation pump and the evaporator exposed to ambient air, and optionally using a variable speed fan for increased cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the condenser surface area is increased to improve heat transfer rate, then energy efficiency is improved, but the pipe volume increases leading to higher water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is integrated with the circulation pump housing to form a combined component. The condenser surface is formed as part of the pump housing structure, eliminating the need for separate condenser pipes and reducing overall water consumption while maintaining effective heat transfer area.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation pump housing serves dual functions: it houses the circulation pump mechanism and simultaneously acts as the condenser for heat transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the total volume of water-containing components while improving energy efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the condenser is integrated with the circulation pump to improve thermal contact, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is merged with the circulation pump housing into a single integrated component. This combination improves thermal contact between the condenser and circulating water while actually reducing device complexity by eliminating separate mounting structures and connections.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the condenser surface area is increased to improve heat exchange, then energy efficiency is improved, but the space required in the appliance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is integrated into the circulation pump housing, allowing the heat transfer surface to be formed within the existing pump volume. This eliminates the need for additional separate space for the condenser while maintaining effective heat exchange area.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser surface is nested within the circulation pump housing structure. The condenser channels are formed as integral parts of the pump housing, effectively nesting the heat exchange function within the existing component boundaries to minimize overall space usage.
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 achieves high energy and water efficiency by maximizing the Reynolds number and heat transfer rate while minimizing water consumption and space usage, resulting in an energy and water efficient domestic appliance.
Implementation Method 1
At the condenser, where the water to be heated is contained, the hot and pressurized fluid is discharged thereby heating the water. Thus, the condenser transfers heat to the water in the container.
Implementation Method 2
the circulation pump will cause process water to be heated to turbulently flow in the circulation pump thereby advantageously providing for a high degree of thermal contact of the circulated water with the condenser
Implementation Method 3
the evaporator where the fluid absorbs heat and is fed to the compressor where a new refrigeration cycle commences
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat pump (10) arranged in a domestic appliance (20), to provided heating water, wherein the condenser (11) of the heat pump (10) is integrated with a circulation pump (26) of the domestic appliance (20), the circulation pump (26) being configured to circulate the water heated by the condenser (11).