Integrated heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems face issues with noise from exterior compressor condensers, the need for exterior lifting devices for maintenance, restricted airflow, and inefficiencies due to partially used heat exchanger cores, especially in multi-story buildings and homes.
Innovation Solution
An integrated heat pump system with an insulating layer, including a heat pump unit and energy recovery ventilator, where the condenser coil and mechanical parts are accessible from inside, housed between exterior wall studs, utilizing vacuum insulating panels to separate evaporator and condenser coils, and featuring energy recovery ventilator plates with long heat exchanger paths, minimizing fan requirements and allowing integration with other appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the heat pump system uses an exterior compressor condenser unit with exposed fans, then cooling function is provided, but noise is generated for neighbors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressor, condenser, and evaporator into a single integrated heat pump unit that is installed within the building's wall cavity or interior space. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate exterior equipment, thereby reducing noise impact on neighbors while maintaining all necessary cooling functions within the building envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the compressor and condenser outside the building as conventional systems do, the patent inverts the arrangement by locating these noisy components inside the building's wall cavity or interior space. This inversion resolves the noise issue while the integrated design ensures all components remain accessible for maintenance through interior access panels.
2Ease of operation
If the heat pump system is installed on the exterior of tall buildings, then cooling function is provided, but exterior lifting devices are needed for servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional exterior installation approach by placing the heat pump unit inside the building's wall cavity or interior space. This eliminates the need for exterior lifting devices and complex servicing equipment, as all components can be accessed through interior access panels using standard maintenance procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump unit is nested within the building's wall cavity or interior space, utilizing the existing building structure as the housing. This nesting approach eliminates the need for separate exterior mounting structures and lifting devices, as the unit is integrated into the building envelope and accessed through interior panels.
3Temperature
If the heat pump system uses restrictive ductwork, then temperature regulation is achieved, but high static pressure is created requiring powerful noisy fans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchanger and airflow pathways into an integrated design where the condenser and evaporator coils are positioned to utilize natural convection and optimized airflow paths within the wall cavity. This reduces static pressure requirements and eliminates the need for powerful noisy fans while maintaining effective temperature regulation.
4Volume of moving object
If the heat pump system uses only part of the heat exchanger core, then compact size is achieved, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the heat exchanger cores with optimized local characteristics, including extended surface area through finned configurations and strategic placement of coils within the wall cavity. This allows the compact unit to achieve high heat transfer efficiency by concentrating heat exchange capacity in the most effective locations rather than using a larger, less efficient partial core.
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 solution reduces noise, eliminates the need for exterior maintenance devices, enhances insulation, and improves airflow efficiency by allowing for internal servicing and optimized heat transfer, making it suitable for various building types and cooling requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The unit includes at least one vacuum insulating panel. The evaporator and condenser coils are separated from one another by a vacuum insulating panel.
Implementation Method 2
An integrated heat pump system with an insulating layer, including a heat pump unit and energy recovery ventilator
Implementation Method 3
optimized heat transfer
Implementation Method 4
a heat pump compressor plate in fluid communication with the pump; a heat pump evaporator plate
Implementation Method 5
an energy recovery ventilator which includes: an outer energy recovery ventilator core; and an inner energy recovery ventilator core
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2
AI summary
An integrated heat pump energy recovery ventilator system is provided for installing in a chase of a wall, the integrated heat pump energy recovery ventilator system comprising an air intake duct; an air outlet duct; a pump in fluid communication with the air intake duct; and in order: a heat pump compressor plate; an outer insulation panel; an outer energy recovery ventilator core; a heat pump evaporator plate and an inner energy recovery ventilator core, wherein the heat pump condenser plate, the outer heat pump energy recovery ventilator core, the evaporator plate and the inner heat pump energy recovery ventilator core all include at least a first series of channels and a second series of channels, the second series of channels disposed normal to the first series of channels, each series of channels including innermost channels which define a narrow diameter bore, outermost channels which define a wide diameter bore and channels between the innermost channels and the outermost channels that define an intermediate diameter bore.