Outdoor unit for a heat pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump outdoor units face challenges with incomplete drainage of water from the upper side of the bottom plate and require additional support structures for the heat source heat exchanger, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit design features an elongated drainage channel that slopes towards a single drainage hole, with the heat exchanger supported directly on the inner and outer surfaces of the channel, eliminating the need for separate support structures and enhancing water drainage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drainage hole is provided in the bottom plate, then the drainage structure is simplified, but water collection and drainage efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional drainage approach (multiple holes on the bottom surface) to a three-dimensional approach by introducing an elongated drainage channel that extends beneath the heat exchanger. This channel creates a subsurface drainage pathway, allowing water to be collected and transported to the drainage hole through a dedicated channel rather than relying solely on surface gravity drainage through multiple holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channel acts as an intermediary element between the heat exchanger and the drainage hole. It provides a controlled pathway for water flow, guiding condensate from the heat exchanger bottom surface through the bottom plate thickness to the drainage hole, ensuring efficient water removal despite using only a single drainage hole.
2Stability of the object's composition
If separate support structures are provided for the heat source heat exchanger, then the heat exchanger is stably supported, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the drainage channel function with the heat exchanger support function. The drainage channel's upper surface serves dual purposes: it provides structural support for the heat exchanger while simultaneously serving as the drainage pathway for water removal. This eliminates the need for separate support structures, reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channel is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs drainage and support functions. By making the drainage channel's upper surface bear the heat exchanger weight, the structure achieves universal functionality, eliminating redundant components and simplifying the overall device design.
3Productivity
If the drainage channel is elongated to extend beneath the heat exchanger, then water drainage efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the bottom plate by introducing an elongated drainage channel with specific dimensions and slope. The channel's cross-sectional area, length, and inclination angle are optimized to ensure efficient water flow while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channel incorporates sloped surfaces and curved transitions to facilitate smooth water flow from the heat exchanger to the drainage hole. The sloped bottom surface of the channel creates a gravity-driven flow path, while the overall channel geometry can be formed using standard deep-drawing or injection molding techniques, balancing manufacturing ease with drainage efficiency.
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 ensures complete drainage of water and stable positioning of the heat exchanger, reducing the risk of water freezing and lowering manufacturing costs by simplifying the design and eliminating additional support elements.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated drainage channel is provided which slopes towards a drainage hole
Data Source
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AI summary
Outdoor unit (10) for a heat pump, the outdoor unit comprising: a bottom plate (14), a heat exchanger (11) supported on the bottom plate (14), the bottom plate (14) comprising a drainage hole (43) and an elongated drainage channel (44) located below the heat exchanger (11) at least along a portion of the heat exchanger (11) and sloping towards the drainage hole (43), wherein the bottom plate (14) has an outer (70) and/or an inner (71) support surface formed by a bank of the drainage channel (44), the heat exchanger (11) being, along more than half of the longitudinal extension of the drainage channel, in contact with at least part of the outer (70) and/or inner (71) support surfaces and thereby supported in a vertical direction.