Set and method for assembling a heat source unit of an air conditioner at the site the air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat pump air-conditioners face challenges with limited installation flexibility due to large and heavy outdoor units, requiring multiple units to be manufactured and stored, which leads to high costs and inefficient capacity utilization.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves splitting the outdoor unit into a heat source heat exchanger module and a compressor module, allowing these modules to be assembled on-site, enabling greater flexibility in location, capacity, and efficiency by combining different modules based on specific requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If outdoor units are manufactured as single integrated components, then manufacturing and storage are simplified, but installation flexibility and capacity adaptation are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidunit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outdoor unit is divided into separate modules: compressor module, heat source heat exchanger module, and outdoor unit controller. These modules can be manufactured independently and assembled on-site, enabling flexible installation locations and capacity adaptations while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces and communication protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple outdoor units with different capacities are manufactured and stored, then capacity requirements can be met, but costs increase and storage space is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity specificationVSAvoidnumber of units
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the outdoor unit into standardized modules, the system enables capacity adaptation through combining different numbers of modules rather than manufacturing and storing multiple complete units. This reduces inventory requirements while maintaining the ability to meet various capacity specifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized modules are designed to be universally compatible and interchangeable. The same compressor module and heat source heat exchanger module can be combined in different quantities to create outdoor units of various capacities, eliminating the need to manufacture and store multiple specialized unit types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If outdoor units are made larger to meet higher capacity requirements, then capacity is increased, but weight and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecapacityVSAvoidoutdoor unit weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

High capacity requirements are met by combining multiple smaller modules rather than creating one large heavy unit. The system allows flexible configuration where the required capacity is achieved by assembling the appropriate number of standardized modules, keeping each individual module lightweight and manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach allows for more precise adaptation to the required specifications, reducing costs and improving efficiency by enabling the use of lighter, more compact units that can be positioned optimally, enhancing installation flexibility and capacity utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a heat source heat exchanger module (2) having a first casing (4), a heat source heat exchanger (3) being disposed in the first casing (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a compressor module (1) having a second casing (8) separate from the first casing (4), a compressor (9) being disposed in the second casing (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3081868B1Set and method for assembling a heat source unit of an air conditioner at the site the air conditioner
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3081868B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3081868B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3081868B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Set for assembling a heat source unit of an air conditioner at the site of the air conditioner, the set comprising a heat source heat exchanger module (2) having a first casing (4), a heat source heat exchanger (3) and a compressor module port(6) fluidly communicated with the heat source heat exchanger, a compressor module (1) having a second casing (8) separate from the first casing, a compressor (9) and a heat source heat exchanger module port(10) fluidly communicated with the compressor, wherein the heat source heat exchanger module and the compressor module are fluidly communicatable via the compressor module port and the heat source heat exchanger port, a main board (12) comprising a control logic of the air conditioner and a first electric connector, wherein each of the modules has a circuit board (5) comprising a second electric connector, the circuit boards being configured for data communication with the main board upon electrical connection of the circuit boards and the main board via the first and second connectors. Further, a method for assembling a heat source unit of an air conditioner at the site of the air conditioner using the aforesaid set is suggested.