Water heat exchanger accommodation unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In water heat exchanger accommodation units using flammable refrigerants, leaks can lead to increased gas concentrations indoors, posing a risk of ignition due to the narrow indoor spaces, as the refrigerant may not be effectively contained.
Innovation Solution
A water heat exchanger accommodation unit design that includes an inner cover member within the casing to guide leaking flammable refrigerant to the outside, preventing it from entering the room by covering the refrigerant pipe connection portions and using a discharge hose to direct the refrigerant to the underfloor space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the water heat exchanger accommodation unit is installed indoors with flammable refrigerant, then heat exchange function is provided, but refrigerant leakage into the room occurs increasing gas concentration and ignition risk
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into an inner space and an outer space by the inner cover member. The inner space contains the water heat exchanger and refrigerant piping, while the outer space is the interior of the casing. This segmentation isolates the refrigerant containment area from the room environment, preventing leakage propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cover member acts as an intermediary component between the refrigerant piping and the room environment. It provides a guided discharge path for leaked refrigerant through the connection port, preventing direct release into the room while maintaining pressure relief functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the refrigerant pipe connection portion is exposed in the casing, then easy installation and maintenance is achieved, but refrigerant leakage into the room occurs when flammable refrigerant leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cover member provides localized coverage only for the refrigerant pipe connection portion, not the entire casing. This selective coverage protects the critical leakage area while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cover member serves as an intermediary structure that guides refrigerant discharge through a controlled path via the connection port, preventing uncontrolled leakage into the room while preserving access to the refrigerant piping for maintenance.
3Volume of stationary object
If the indoor space is narrow, then compact installation is achieved, but gas concentration increases rapidly when refrigerant leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cover member creates an intermediate discharge pathway that directs leaked refrigerant away from the room environment. The connection port serves as a controlled interface that prevents gas concentration accumulation in the room while maintaining compact casing dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The cold/hot water supply unit 200 includes: a water heat exchanger (201) through which a flammable refrigerant flows; a casing (231) accommodating the water heat exchanger (201); and an inner cover member (280) disposed in the casing (231) and configured to cover at least a refrigerant pipe connection portion of a refrigerant circuit and to guide a leaking flammable refrigerant to an outside of the casing (231) .