AC Circuit Duct Connector With Integrated Noise Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning circuit pipes for vehicles and buildings face challenges in noise reduction due to the generation of significant pressure drops and high manufacturing costs, as well as the need for a specific geometry that limits installation proximity to the compressor, which can lead to resonance zones and inefficient noise attenuation.
Innovation Solution
A pipe design with a male tubular end and a female end connected in a sealed manner, featuring an enlarged axial portion with a length that is significantly longer than standard connectors, allowing for improved acoustic efficiency without altering the nominal pipe diameter or the diameter of the widened portion, and incorporating a noise reduction device with an annular dead volume to enhance acoustic attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an acoustic capacity is mounted in line in a pipe to attenuate noise transmission, then noise attenuation is improved, but pressure drop increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction device is nested inside the male end piece of the pipe connector, utilizing the existing pipe structure space. The device is positioned within the internal diameter of the male end without requiring external mounting space, thus integrating the noise reduction function into the existing pipe geometry while minimizing additional pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise reduction device is specifically positioned at the male end piece where the enlarged axial portion creates a localized acoustic treatment zone. This localized approach targets the noise source area without requiring modification of the entire pipe system, providing effective noise attenuation while maintaining optimal fluid flow characteristics in the remaining pipe sections.
2Reliability
If an acoustic capacity is positioned far from the compressor to avoid mechanical vibrations, then mechanical stability is improved, but resonance zones are generated that reduce noise attenuation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction device is nested within the male end piece structure, allowing it to be positioned in the immediate vicinity of the compressor without requiring separate mounting space. The device's integrated design enables close proximity installation while the enlarged axial portion provides mechanical isolation, achieving both noise attenuation efficiency and mechanical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The enlarged axial portion of the male end piece acts as an intermediary structure between the noise reduction device and the compressor. This intermediate structure provides mechanical support and isolation, allowing the device to be positioned close to the compressor for optimal noise attenuation while preventing direct transmission of mechanical vibrations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the passage section is suddenly widened to create acoustic attenuation, then noise reduction is improved, but pressure drop increases due to sudden modification
Solution Approach 1:
The passage section transition is designed with a gradual curved enlargement rather than a sudden step change. The enlarged axial portion of the male end piece provides a smooth, continuous transition zone that reduces turbulence and minimizes pressure drop while still achieving the necessary acoustic attenuation through the gradual expansion of the passage section.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a noise reduction device with enlarged axial portion is used to improve acoustic efficiency, then acoustic performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction device is merged with the male end piece of the pipe connector, combining two previously separate components into a single integrated unit. The enlarged axial portion is formed as an integral feature of the male end piece during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the enhanced acoustic 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
This design achieves improved acoustic efficiency by positioning the noise reduction device closer to the compressor, reducing noise transmission, and minimizing pressure drops, while reducing manufacturing costs and size, thus providing effective noise reduction without the drawbacks of traditional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a noise reduction device which is mounted axially and radially inside the male end and which defines, between two axially internal and external ends of this device with respect to the male end, at least one fluid passage channel in the direction of the axis of the pipe
Implementation Method 2
the presence of this capacity in the immediate vicinity of the compressor would nevertheless be conceivable, because of the undesirable mechanical vibrations which are generated by the presence of the additional mass formed by this capacity and which can be a source of rupture of the corresponding pipe
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a pressurized fluid pipeline for an air conditioning circuit of a motor vehicle or building, and such an air conditioning circuit incorporating this pipeline. This pipeline (300) comprises: - a conduit (310) having a male fitting (111) of nominal internal diameter D0 and a female fitting (312) which is connected thereto in a sealed manner in or in the immediate vicinity of an enlarged axial portion (312a) of internal diameter D2 of the male or female fitting, the female fitting having a nominal internal diameter D0', and - a tubular noise reduction device (220) which is mounted in the male fitting and which defines between two internal (221) and external (222) ends of this device at least one channel (230) for the passage of the fluid, the external end (222) of the device being mounted sealed against a terminal edge (111a) of the male fitting opposite the female fitting.According to the invention, said enlarged portion of the male or female end piece has, from said internal or external end respectively located at the right of this enlarged portion, a length L2 such that L2 ≥ 0.6 . D, where D denotes the common or minimum value among D0 and DO'.