Modular Heat Source Unit Frame for Flexible Refrigerant Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional heat source units, changing or adding refrigerant circuit constituent parts to adjust capacity or function is cumbersome, as it requires reviewing the placement of all parts and potentially altering the casing size, which is inefficient and prone to damaging refrigerant pipes due to vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The heat source unit features a divided bottom frame, with common refrigerant circuit parts on one frame and adjustable parts on the other, allowing for easy placement and size adjustments without altering the common parts' placement or pipe configurations, and incorporating a stronger first frame with a larger plate thickness to reduce weight and enhance strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant circuit constituent parts are changed or added to adjust capacity or function, then the adaptability of the heat source unit is improved, but the device complexity increases and requires reviewing the placement of all parts
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom frame is divided into a first bottom frame and a second bottom frame. The first bottom frame holds common refrigerant circuit constituent parts (compressor, accumulator, oil separator) that remain unchanged, while the second bottom frame holds parts that vary with capacity or function (heat exchangers, expansion valves). This segmentation allows independent modification of the second bottom frame without affecting the first, thereby improving adaptability while controlling device complexity.
2Reliability
If the placement of all refrigerant circuit constituent parts is reviewed to accommodate changes, then the reliability of pipe connections is maintained, but the time and effort required for modification increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bottom frame into two independent frames, the patent isolates the common parts (first bottom frame) from the variable parts (second bottom frame). When modifications are needed, only the second bottom frame requires review, significantly reducing the time and effort compared to reviewing all parts, while maintaining reliability through proper connection design.
Solution Approach 2:
The common refrigerant circuit constituent parts are pre-positioned on the first bottom frame with fixed connections during manufacturing. This preliminary arrangement ensures reliable pipe connections are established once, and subsequent modifications only involve the second bottom frame, reducing the time required for future changes while maintaining connection reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the casing size is changed to accommodate additional refrigerant circuit constituent parts, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The divided bottom frame structure allows the second bottom frame to be independently sized and configured based on the specific capacity or function requirements. This enables cost-effective manufacturing by only producing the second bottom frame in different sizes as needed, rather than manufacturing entirely different casing sizes, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining ease of manufacture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant pipes are made flexible to accommodate placement changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of pipe damage from vibrations increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating common parts (first bottom frame) from variable parts (second bottom frame), the patent minimizes the need for flexible pipe connections. The fixed first bottom frame provides stable anchor points, and modifications are confined to the second bottom frame, reducing overall pipe flexibility requirements and vibration-induced damage risk while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat source unit (2) is a heat source unit where refrigerant circuit constituent parts are provided inside a casing (40) and where the refrigerant circuit constituent parts are changed or added in accordance with capacity or function. Here, a bottom frame (51) forming a bottom surface of the casing (40) has a first bottom frame (51a), on which are provided first refrigerant circuit constituent parts that are common regardless of capacity or function among the refrigerant circuit constituent parts, and a second bottom frame (51b), on which are provided second refrigerant circuit constituent parts that are changed or added depending on capacity or function among the refrigerant circuit constituent parts.