A heat exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional heat exchanger connection blocks in air conditioning systems suffer from refrigerant distribution inefficiencies and pressure drops due to suboptimal design, leading to undesired phenomena.

Innovation Solution

The heat exchanger incorporates a connection block with multiple distribution openings, varying cross-sections, and strategically designed edges and axes to enhance refrigerant distribution and reduce pressure drops, featuring rounded or sharp edges, parallel, perpendicular, or slanted central axes, and reamed openings for improved fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a traditional connection block with one inlet opening and one outlet opening is used, then the structure is simple, but the refrigerant distribution is poor and pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection block structureVSAvoidrefrigerant distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection block is segmented into multiple distribution openings (at least two) instead of a single opening, allowing refrigerant to be distributed to multiple collection chambers simultaneously. This segmentation improves refrigerant distribution efficiency and reduces pressure drop while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the connection block are designed with different properties: the inlet side has a first opening with a larger cross-sectional area to accommodate high-pressure refrigerant flow, while the distribution openings have smaller cross-sectional areas suited for distributing refrigerant to individual collection chambers. This local differentiation optimizes flow characteristics at each stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the first opening has a bigger cross-sectional area than distribution openings, then refrigerant flow from inlet is improved, but pressure drop in distribution channels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant flow speedVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The connection block includes preliminary action channels that connect the first opening to the distribution openings. These channels are designed with gradual transitions and optimized geometry to reduce turbulence and pressure loss before refrigerant enters the distribution openings, thereby maintaining flow speed while minimizing pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The distribution openings and connecting channels feature rounded edges and curved transitions instead of sharp corners. This curvature reduces flow separation and turbulence, lowering pressure drop while maintaining efficient refrigerant distribution from the larger first opening to the smaller distribution openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If multiple distribution openings are added to improve refrigerant distribution, then pressure drop is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant distribution efficiencyVSAvoidconnection block structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple distribution openings are integrated into a single connection block component rather than using separate components for each opening. The connection block combines the inlet opening, multiple distribution openings, and connecting channels into one unified structure, improving refrigerant distribution efficiency while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design improves refrigerant distribution and reduces pressure drops within the collection chamber, optimizing the performance of the heat exchanger in both cooling and heating modes.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3671067B1A heat exchanger

Publication Date: 2022.07.20 VALEO AUTOSYSTY

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

An air condenser comprising: a first connection block adapted to supply or receive refrigerant, comprising at least two distribution openings connected fluidically with a first opening, wherein the distribution openings open directly into the collection chamber and are configured to distribute refrigerant across the collection chamber evenly; at least two distribution openings separated by a wall portion; at least two distribution openings in various spatial configurations.