Vehicle A/C Condenser Layout for Compact Coolant Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drop flow condensers in air conditioning systems for motor vehicles face challenges in effectively separating gaseous and liquid phases of coolant without significant installation space usage, as existing solutions like vertically arranged manifolds with horizontally arranged pipes are inefficient in phase separation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an extractor device, such as an extraction pipe with a downwardly opened cap, and a stopper with a through-duct for effective liquid coolant extraction, which channels the coolant to the outflow opening while preventing gaseous components from being carried along, allowing for phase separation without additional installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vertically arranged manifold with horizontally arranged manifold pipes is used for phase separation in a drop flow condenser, then the gaseous and liquid phases can be separated, but considerable installation space is taken up in the direction of airflow
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging the manifold vertically with horizontal pipes as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the arrangement by placing the manifold horizontally at the bottom of the condenser with vertical manifold pipes extending upward. This inversion allows the liquid phase to collect in the geodetically lower region of the manifold while the gaseous phase occupies the upper region, achieving effective phase separation without increasing the condenser's length in the airflow direction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical manifold arrangement to a horizontal manifold arrangement at the bottom of the condenser. By changing the spatial orientation from vertical to horizontal, the phase separation function is achieved within the existing vertical space of the condenser, thereby avoiding additional space consumption in the horizontal airflow direction
2Productivity
If liquid coolant is extracted from the manifold without an extractor device, then the structure remains simple, but effective extraction of liquid coolant is not achieved and gaseous components may be carried along
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated extraction device consisting of an extraction pipe with a downwardly opened cap that projects into the reservoir space where liquid coolant collects. This extraction pipe is selectively positioned to draw out only the liquid phase from the geodetically lower region of the manifold, ensuring efficient liquid coolant extraction while preventing the carryalong of gaseous components through its specific geometric configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction pipe acts as an intermediary device between the manifold's liquid reservoir and the lower cooling section. By introducing this intermediate extraction component, the system achieves selective phase separation and efficient liquid coolant transfer without requiring complex valve mechanisms or additional separation chambers, thus maintaining relative structural simplicity while improving extraction efficiency
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 solution enables effective separation of gaseous and liquid phases with minimal additional space, ensuring efficient coolant extraction and deflection through a U-shaped path, enhancing the separation efficiency and reducing space constraints in the condenser design.
Implementation Method 1
the extraction pipe has a tube or a downwardly opened cap at its end which projects into the reservoir space, thus permitting liquid coolant to be effectively extracted
Implementation Method 2
the gaseous phase of the coolant rises into the upper region of the manifold... The gaseous phase of the coolant is essentially in the upper half of the manifold, i.e. in the region which is located geodetically higher, thus separating the two phases
Implementation Method 3
it advantageously has a right-angled deflection means, produced by an axially extending longitudinal bore and a radially extending transverse bore. This causes the extracted, liquid coolant to be channeled to in front of the outflow opening and prevents gaseous components of the coolant from being carried along
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a condenser for an air-conditioning system, particularly for a motor vehicle, with vertically arranged tubes, through which a coolant can flow and which are connected to an upper and a lower horizontally arranged manifold whereby permitting the flow of coolant. The inventive condenser also comprises a collector parallelly arranged underneath the lower manifold and, via an inflow opening and an outflow opening, between which a separating device is placed, is connected to the manifold in a manner that permits the flow of coolant. The collector accommodates a filtering and/or drying device. The separating device has a suction device for, in essence, liquid coolant.