Wall-Mounted Hot Water Tank Layout for Easier Heat Pump Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combined devices for heating sanitary water and room water face difficulties in installation and connection due to large size and mass, making them hard to handle and install, especially requiring them to be placed on the ground rather than suspended, which complicates the installation process and limits flexibility in construction settings.

Innovation Solution

A modular combined device design that allows suspension above the ground, with each module weighing less than 55 kg, featuring a connection plate for standardized connections and a heat exchanger arrangement outside the storage tank to reduce overall dimensions and mass, facilitating easier installation and connection of heating and sanitary water systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the combined device uses a large storage tank (190 L) with an internal coil heat exchanger, then the domestic water heating function is achieved, but the device mass exceeds 55 kg and height reaches 1.84 m, making it difficult to handle and requiring ground placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddevice mass
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heat exchanger from the storage tank interior and relocates it to the tank exterior. This removes the space-consuming coil structure from inside the 190 L tank, maintaining full storage capacity while significantly reducing the overall device dimensions and mass, enabling wall-mounted installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a horizontal/ground-based configuration to a vertical/wall-mounted configuration. By positioning the heat exchanger externally and optimizing the vertical arrangement of components, the device achieves compact height suitable for wall mounting while preserving the required storage volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the combined device uses a large storage tank (190 L) with an internal coil heat exchanger, then the domestic water heating function is achieved, but the device height reaches 1.84 m, limiting positioning flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddevice height
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heat exchanger from the storage tank interior and relocates it to the tank exterior. This removes the space-consuming coil structure from inside the 190 L tank, maintaining full storage capacity while significantly reducing the overall device dimensions and mass, enabling wall-mounted installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a horizontal/ground-based configuration to a vertical/wall-mounted configuration. By positioning the heat exchanger externally and optimizing the vertical arrangement of components, the device achieves compact height suitable for wall mounting while preserving the required storage volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the combined device is designed as a single integrated unit, then all functions are combined, but the device mass exceeds 55 kg making handling by a single installer prohibited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoiddevice mass
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the combined device into distinct functional modules: a storage tank module and a heat exchanger module. Each module can be handled separately (under 55 kg), yet they are designed to be installed as an integrated system, maintaining all required functions while improving installability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the heat exchanger is placed inside the storage tank, then compact arrangement is achieved, but the interior volume available for water storage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrangement compactnessVSAvoidwater storage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heat exchanger from the storage tank interior and relocates it to the tank exterior. This removes the space-consuming coil structure from inside the 190 L tank, maintaining full storage capacity while significantly reducing the overall device dimensions and mass, enabling wall-mounted installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Device complexity

If the connectors are positioned at specific locations on the casing, then the device structure is simplified, but the installation becomes complicated as connection positions cannot be predetermined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized connection plate that serves as a universal interface for all fluid connections. This single component integrates multiple connection points in fixed, predetermined positions, allowing plumbing work to be completed independently of the combined device installation and ensuring compatibility across different device models.

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

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

The modular design reduces installation time and complexity, allows for standardized connection positions, and enables the installation of heating and sanitary water systems before the device is placed, improving construction efficiency and user convenience by minimizing ground space usage.

Implementation Method 1

a second heat exchanger 28 arranged inside the storage tank 14 to exchange heat with the sanitary water present in the storage tank 14

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a first heat exchanger 22 capable of exchanging heat between a heat transfer fluid circuit 24 and the heating water circuit 18

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3637012B1Combined wall device for heating of domestic water and water for heating a room
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 SOCI IND DE CHAUFFAGE SIC
  • EP3637012B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3637012B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3637012B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The invention provides a combined device (50) for heating domestic hot water and heating water for a room, said combined device (50) comprising: - a domestic hot water storage tank (52), - a domestic hot water circuit in fluid communication with the storage tank (52), - a heating water circuit, - one or more heat exchangers of a heat pump for transferring heat to heating water present in the heating water circuit and to domestic hot water present in the domestic hot water circuit, - means for fixing (110) the combined device (50) to a support (112), the fixing means (110) being configured to suspend the combined device (50) above the floor, - a connection plate (124) for the heating water circuit to at least one heating water installation in the room and for the domestic hot water circuit to a domestic hot water installation in the room.