In-vehicle absorption heat pump device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-vehicle absorption heat pump devices face performance degradation due to concentrated absorbent remaining in the evaporator, leading to increased device size and complexity, as existing designs require a separate absorbent storage tank and a drive source for discharging mixed absorbent.

Innovation Solution

An integrated absorbent storage tank is provided below both the absorber and evaporator, communicating with both, allowing for pressure equilibrium and eliminating the need for a drive source, thus ensuring evaporator performance while reducing device size by integrating components and minimizing piping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate absorbent storage tank and drive source are provided to ensure evaporator performance, then evaporator performance is maintained, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaporator performanceVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the absorbent storage tank and evaporator into a single integrated unit. The storage tank is positioned within the evaporator housing, and both components share common structural elements and piping systems. This merging eliminates the need for separate drive sources for each component and reduces overall device size while maintaining the functional performance of the evaporator through proper liquid level control and refrigerant distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If concentrated absorbent is discharged from the evaporator using a supply pump, then evaporator performance is ensured, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaporator performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated storage tank and evaporator system utilizes the natural pressure differential and gravity to discharge concentrated absorbent from the evaporator. The storage tank is positioned to create a head pressure that naturally pushes refrigerant and absorbent mixture back to the absorber without requiring an additional supply pump. This self-service mechanism reduces device complexity while ensuring the evaporator remains free of excessive absorbent accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If the storage tank is integrally provided below both absorber and evaporator, then device size decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated storage tank is designed as a modular component that can be manufactured separately and then assembled with the absorber and evaporator units. The tank features standardized connection interfaces and mounting points that facilitate assembly. This segmentation approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function during manufacturing, while the integral design achieves space efficiency when assembled, balancing manufacturing ease with compact size.

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 configuration ensures evaporator performance without a drive source, decreases device size, and simplifies the in-vehicle absorption heat pump design by integrating the absorber, evaporator, and storage tank, preventing performance degradation and size increase.

Implementation Method 1

a gas-liquid separation unit that separates a diluted absorbent containing a refrigerant into the refrigerant and a concentrated absorbent separated from the diluted absorbent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas-liquid separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a condenser that condenses the refrigerant vapor separated in the gas-liquid separation unit into the refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant condensed in the condenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

an absorber that causes the refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator to be absorbed into the concentrated absorbent separated from the diluted absorbent in the gas-liquid separation unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11454431B2In-vehicle absorption heat pump device

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 AISIN CORP

AI summary

An in-vehicle absorption heat pump device includes: a regenerator including a gas-liquid separation unit that separates a diluted absorbent containing a refrigerant into the refrigerant and a concentrated absorbent separated from the diluted absorbent; a condenser that condenses a refrigerant vapor separated from the diluted absorbent in the gas-liquid separation unit; an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; an absorber that causes the refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator to be absorbed into the concentrated absorbent separated from the diluted absorbent in the gas-liquid separation unit; and a storage tank that stores both the diluted absorbent discharged from the absorber and the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator. The storage tank is integrally provided below both the absorber and the evaporator, and communicates with both the absorber and the evaporator.