Modular Heat Exchanger Mounting for Adaptable Room Air Conditioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems for rooms, such as cooling ceilings and embedded pipe coils, face challenges in adaptability to architectural conditions, high installation costs, and inefficient cooling distribution, which limits their flexibility and increases complexity.

Innovation Solution

The use of spacers with holding areas and C-profile shaped retaining profiles that allow for precise adjustment and fixation of heat exchanger pipes, enabling easy assembly and adaptation to different structural conditions, with snap-lock receptacles and adjustable locking attachments for optimal positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ceiling elements with integrated heat exchangers are used, then adaptability to architectural conditions is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to architectural conditionsVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger system is segmented into modular components: profile elements with integrated receptacles, separate spacers, and pipe sections. These modular segments can be independently manufactured and assembled on-site, reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining adaptability to different architectural conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates adjustable spacing mechanisms that allow dynamic adaptation to varying ceiling heights and architectural requirements. The spacers can be adjusted to different lengths, and the profile elements can be positioned at variable intervals, enabling the system to adapt to diverse installation environments without requiring custom-manufactured components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If pipe coils are embedded in ceilings, then adaptability to interior architectural conditions is ensured, but additional complex insulation work is required on the floor above

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to interior architectural conditionsVSAvoidinsulation work complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger pipes are extracted from direct embedding in the ceiling structure and repositioned to hang below the ceiling surface using the profile element system. This extraction eliminates the need for complex insulation work on the floor above, as the pipes are now accessible and isolated from the ceiling concrete, while still maintaining close proximity to the room space for effective heat exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If pipes are wired to support grid breakpoint by breakpoint, then secure positioning is achieved, but installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioningVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The profile elements are pre-assembled with integrated receptacles and spacer attachments before installation. This preliminary preparation of the support structure allows for rapid pipe installation, as the pipes can be directly inserted into the pre-positioned receptacles without requiring sequential wiring to individual support points, significantly accelerating the installation process while maintaining secure positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If spacers are used to define distance between holding profiles, then precise spacing is achieved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacing precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer functionality is merged with the holding profile structure itself. The profile elements incorporate built-in spacer attachments and integrated receptacles that combine the functions of positioning, spacing, and pipe support into a single component. This integration eliminates the need for separate spacer components, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining precise spacing control through the integrated design.

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 solution allows for quick and cost-effective setup of air conditioning systems that can be easily adapted to various architectural conditions, ensuring precise spacing and secure pipe positioning while minimizing production complexity and maintaining a draft-free climate.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heat exchanger (2) assigned to a room surface (1), in particular a room ceiling, through which a heat transfer fluid flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2679923B1Method for air conditioning a room
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 KE KELIT KUNSTSTOFFWERK GMBH
  • EP2679923B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2679923B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2679923B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The device has a heat exchanger (2) formed by a pipeline (3). The pipeline is fastened at holding profiles (5) aligned transverse to pipe axes (4) and attached to a room surface (1) e.g. room ceiling and room wall. The holding profiles comprise a retainer (6) for the pipeline in a profile longitudinal direction. The holding profiles are attached to the heat exchanger and provided in a spacing (A) along the pipe axes. The heat exchanger is fixed by spacers (7) moved to the holding profiles. The retainer is engaged into the spacers in a snap fit manner.