Vertical Heat Medium Relay Device for Low Center of Gravity Stability
Solution Overview
Problem
The lateral asymmetrical placement of heat exchangers in existing heat medium relay devices displaces the center of gravity, making the devices unstable during movement or stacking, which can lead to displacement or falling.
Innovation Solution
A vertical heat medium relay device with a cuboid housing partitioned into multiple spaces, where heavy components like pumps and heat exchangers are placed in lower spaces, and a lighter valve block is positioned in an upper space, maintaining a low center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heat exchangers are placed laterally asymmetrically in a horizontal housing, then the functional layout is achieved, but the center of gravity is displaced causing instability during movement or stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal housing layout to a vertical housing layout, arranging components in the vertical dimension rather than lateral dimensions. The heat exchangers and pumps are positioned at different vertical levels (upper and lower spaces) to achieve both functional requirements and center of gravity stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent deliberately creates asymmetrical vertical placement where heavier components (heat exchangers and pumps) are positioned in the lower space while lighter components (valve block) are positioned in the upper space, creating a stable center of gravity configuration that prevents displacement during movement or stacking.
2Ease of operation
If heavy components are placed in upper spaces, then component accessibility is improved, but the center of gravity rises causing displacement or falling during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions heavier components (heat exchangers and pumps) in the lower space to create a low center of gravity that counteracts the potential instability from having components in the upper space, preventing displacement or falling during movement or stacking operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the housing is oriented horizontally, then installation above ceiling is simplified, but lateral asymmetry causes center of gravity displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal housing orientation to a vertical housing orientation. This inversion allows the heat medium relay device to be mounted on walls rather than ceilings, and enables symmetrical vertical placement of heavy components to maintain stability while preserving functional layout requirements.
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 safe transportation and stacking of the heat medium relay device by maintaining a low center of gravity, reducing the risk of displacement or collapse.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger provided in the second space to cause heat exchange to be performed between a primary heat medium and a secondary heat medium
Implementation Method 2
a first pump provided in the first space to pressurize the secondary heat medium subjected to the heat exchange at the first heat exchanger, and circulate the pressurized secondary heat medium
Implementation Method 3
a first pump provided in the first space to pressurize the secondary heat medium subjected to the heat exchange at the first heat exchanger, and circulate the pressurized secondary heat medium between the first pump and at least one indoor unit
Implementation Method 4
a second heat exchanger provided in the second space to cause heat exchange to be performed between the primary heat medium and the second heat medium
Implementation Method 5
a second pump provided in the first space, and configured to pressurize the secondary heat medium subjected to the heat exchange at the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 6
a second pump provided in the first space, and configured to pressurize the secondary heat medium subjected to the heat exchange at the second heat exchanger, and circulate the pressurized secondary heat medium between the second pump and the indoor unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A heat medium relay device includes: a housing having a vertical cuboid shape, and having an interior partitioned into a first space, a second space above the first space, and a third space above the second space; a first heat exchanger provided in the second space to cause heat exchange to be performed between a primary heat medium and a secondary heat medium, the primary heat medium being in a cooled state and supplied from the outdoor unit; a first pump provided in the first space to pressurize the secondary heat medium subjected to the heat exchange at the first heat exchanger, and circulate the pressurized secondary heat medium between the first pump and at least one indoor unit; a second heat exchanger provided in the second space to cause heat exchange to be performed between the primary heat medium and the second heat medium, the primary heat medium being in a heated state and supplied from the outdoor unit; a second pump provided in the first space to pressurize the secondary heat medium subjected to the heat exchange at the second heat exchanger, and circulate the pressurized secondary heat medium between the second pump and the at least one indoor unit; and a valve block provided in the third space, and including a plurality of valves to allow the secondary heat medium subjected to the heat exchange at the first heat exchanger and the secondary heat medium subjected to the heat exchange at the second heat exchanger to flow to the at least one indoor unit, the valve block being lighter in weight than each of the first heat exchanger, the first pump, the second heat exchanger, and the second pump.