Vehicle AC Fluid Line Noise Reduction Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing noise reduction devices in air conditioning circuits for motor vehicles are ineffective at high frequencies and generate significant pressure drops due to their design, which also increases manufacturing and installation costs, and are often installed far from the compressor due to mechanical vibrations concerns.

Innovation Solution

A pipe with a noise reduction device featuring a channel or channels for fluid passage with a convergent upstream section, a cylindrical intermediate section, and a divergent downstream section, creating an annular dead volume that restricts fluid passage and reduces pressure losses, allowing for improved acoustic attenuation at high frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a traditional acoustic capacity is used for noise reduction, then noise attenuation is achieved, but pressure drop increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise attenuationVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic capacity is divided into multiple parallel channels instead of a single passage. This segmentation allows the fluid to flow through multiple paths simultaneously, reducing the pressure drop across each individual channel while maintaining the overall noise attenuation function through the combined effect of all channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-dimensional flow path to a multi-dimensional parallel channel structure. By arranging multiple channels in parallel within the acoustic capacity, the fluid flow is distributed across different spatial dimensions, reducing congestion and pressure losses while preserving the acoustic attenuation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the acoustic capacity is installed far from the compressor, then space constraints are satisfied, but resonance zones are created that reduce noise attenuation effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidnoise attenuation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful resonance phenomenon is extracted and eliminated by optimizing the acoustic capacity design. The parallel channel structure with specific geometric parameters prevents resonance zone formation, allowing the acoustic capacity to be installed close to the compressor without creating harmful resonance effects, thus maintaining noise attenuation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the acoustic capacity is installed close to the compressor, then noise attenuation effectiveness is improved, but mechanical vibrations from the additional mass can cause pipe rupture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise attenuation effectivenessVSAvoidpipe strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The structural parameters of the acoustic capacity are optimized to reduce its mass. By using a parallel channel design with thinner walls and optimized dimensions, the overall mass of the acoustic capacity is reduced, decreasing the mechanical vibrations and forces transmitted to the pipe while maintaining the acoustic attenuation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional acoustic capacity design is used, then noise reduction is achieved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidmanufacturing and installation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic capacity is designed with a standardized modular structure that can be integrated into different pipe configurations and locations. The parallel channel design allows for simplified manufacturing processes and easier installation, reducing both manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining effective noise reduction performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

The solution effectively enhances acoustic performance in the high-frequency range while minimizing pressure losses and allows for installation closer to the compressor, reducing noise and costs associated with manufacturing and installation.

Implementation Method 1

improve the acoustic attenuation at high frequencies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic attenuation: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

make it possible to reduce the pressure losses during the flow of fluid in the line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure loss reduction: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP2106943B1Fluid line with a noise reducing apparatus for a vehicle air conditioning circuit, and circuit incorporating such a fluid line
Publication Date: 2011.02.02 HUTCHINSON SA
  • EP2106943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2106943B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2106943B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The device (207) has channels for passage of fluid in direction of an axis (X) of a duct, where the device is made of rigid plastic e.g. polyamide 6.6, and axially delimits a dead volume with a duct between the ends. An upstream end (208) is convergent towards a cylindrical or prismatic intermediate section (216), where the section is made of rubber or thermoplastic vulcanizate. The section is connected to a downstream end by a divergent downstream section (217). The volume is not communicated with each channel that passes through the upstream and downstream ends. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a duct for gaseous refrigerant or supercritical fluid and pressurized fluid, comprising a noise reducing device (2) an air conditioning circuit for a motor vehicle, comprising a duct.