Relocatable Chiller Interface Panel for Flexible Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional chiller systems face installation challenges due to the fixed location of the interface panel, which complicates water piping and electrical routing as the panel's position determines the chiller's placement, limiting flexibility and increasing installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A relocatable interface panel system that can be selectively installed at various points on the HVAC system, including pivotable and adjustable mounting systems, allowing for flexible positioning and reduced complexity in routing and connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the interface panel is located at a fixed location during manufacture, then the chiller system can be easily manufactured and assembled, but the installation flexibility is reduced and water piping and electrical routing become more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The interface panel is separated from the main chiller body and made into an independent, relocatable component. This segmentation allows the panel to be manufactured separately and then installed at various locations on the chiller system, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface panel is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities through multiple mounting locations and adjustable mounting systems. This allows the panel to be relocated to different positions on the chiller system during installation, providing adaptability while maintaining simple manufacturing processes.
2Ease of operation
If the interface panel location determines the chiller placement, then the interface panel is easily accessible to operators, but water piping routing and electrical system connection become more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The chiller system is equipped with multiple universal mounting locations distributed across its structure. The interface panel can be mounted at any of these locations depending on operator accessibility requirements, while the universal design ensures that piping and electrical connections remain standardized and simple regardless of panel position.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface panel acts as an intermediary component that can be positioned independently from the main chiller body. By separating the control interface from the mechanical system and providing multiple mounting options, it allows operators to access the panel conveniently without complicating the underlying piping and electrical routing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the interface panel is made relocatable with multiple mounting options, then installation flexibility is improved, but the mounting system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into separate, standardized components including mounting brackets, mounting channels, and mounting rods. Each component has a simple, standardized design that can be easily assembled and disassembled, providing installation flexibility without requiring complex integrated mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through features like adjustable mounting brackets with multiple securing locations and rotatable/translatable mounting sleeves. These dynamic elements allow the interface panel to be positioned at various locations and orientations while maintaining simple, standardized connection mechanisms that do not significantly increase overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor, a condenser operably connected to the compressor, and an evaporator operably connected to the compressor and to the condenser. A relocatable interface panel is in operable communication with one or more components of the HVAC system to issue commands to the HVAC system via operator inputs at the interface panel. An electrical lead connects the interface panel to the one or more components. A plurality of installation points are located at the HVAC system for installation of the interface panel thereto. The interface panel is selectably installed to an installation point of the plurality of installation points at an installation site of the HVAC system.