Vehicle AC Fluid Management System for Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air conditioning systems face performance and reliability degradation due to increased inlet air temperatures at the condenser, primarily caused by air recirculation, which elevates operating pressure and power usage.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system that redirects and vents heated fluids away from the inlet region of the condenser, using a shroud and fluid flow paths to minimize the amount of heated fluid circulating back to the condenser, thereby reducing inlet fluid temperature and optimizing condenser performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air recirculation is minimized using seals, then inlet air temperature is reduced, but the seals are susceptible to misalignment and damage during assembly and from environmental exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from traditional rubber seals and relocates it to the rigid structural framework of the vehicle body and cooling module components. The shroud and housing structures themselves form the sealing barriers, eliminating separate seal components that are prone to misalignment and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function with the structural components of the cooling module. The shroud, housing, and module framework simultaneously provide structural support and air recirculation prevention, consolidating multiple functions into integrated components rather than separate seal elements.
2Device complexity
If heated air is allowed to recirculate around the cooling module, then the system structure is simpler, but the condenser performance degrades and compressor power usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the airflow paths into distinct zones using shrouds and baffles, creating separate channels for incoming cooling air and outgoing heated air. This segmentation prevents mixing and recirculation without requiring complex active control systems, maintaining structural simplicity while improving thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shrouds and housing structures as intermediary elements that mediate between the condenser and the external environment. These intermediaries guide airflow patterns and prevent direct recirculation of heated air back to the condenser inlet, reducing compressor workload.
3Ease of manufacture
If rubber seals are used to prevent air recirculation, then installation is straightforward, but the seals are damaged by harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces durable rigid sealing structures with traditional rubber seals that are inexpensive and easily replaced. While the seals have limited service life due to environmental exposure, their low cost and ease of replacement make them economically viable, and they provide adequate sealing for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the sealing components from soft rubber to rigid structural materials in key locations where environmental resistance is critical. The shroud and housing use rigid materials that maintain sealing integrity under harsh conditions, while rubber seals are used only where flexibility is needed.
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 system effectively minimizes the inlet fluid temperature of the condenser, enhancing the performance and durability of the air conditioning system by reducing operating pressure and power usage of the compressor.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid management system that redirects and vents heated fluids away from the inlet region of the condenser, using a shroud and fluid flow paths to minimize the amount of heated fluid circulating back to the condenser
Implementation Method 2
Heat exchangers are commonly known in the art for a transfer of heat from one medium to another. Typically, the heat exchanger is disposed in series with a fluid circulation system for circulating a fluid through a stream of a cooling fluid.
Implementation Method 3
The condenser is utilized to cause a refrigerant of an air conditioning system of the vehicle which has been compressed into a high temperature, high pressure gas to be condensed into a low temperature, high pressure liquid.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid management system for a cooling module of a vehicle air conditioning system. The cooling module includes a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with a liquid cooling system of the vehicle and a second heat exchanger disposed upstream of the first heat exchanger and in fluid communication with the vehicle air conditioning system, wherein the fluid management system minimizes an inlet fluid temperature of the second heat exchanger of the cooling module.