Accumulator Mounting Structure for CO2 Ejection Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting structures for accumulators in air conditioners do not adequately address the potential for unintentional movement due to the high-pressure ejection of CO2 refrigerant caused by damage during vehicle collisions.
Innovation Solution
A mounting structure for accumulators using two or more brackets, including an annular bracket surrounding the accumulator and a shaft-side bracket attached to its axial end face, to restrict movement and absorb ejection pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the accumulator is mounted with conventional mounting structures, then the installation is simple, but the accumulator may move forcefully due to high-pressure CO2 refrigerant ejection when damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into multiple brackets (first bracket, second bracket, third bracket) that are spatially segmented to provide comprehensive restraint. The first bracket restrains in the first direction, the second bracket in the second direction, and the third bracket in the third direction, creating a distributed restraint system that prevents accumulator movement from refrigerant ejection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the accumulator uses CO2 refrigerant, then the global warming potential is reduced, but the refrigerant must be pressurized to higher pressure which increases ejection force upon damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure applies preliminary restraining forces through multiple brackets positioned to counteract potential ejection forces in three orthogonal directions. This preliminary anti-action prevents the accumulator from moving when high-pressure CO2 refrigerant is ejected upon damage, addressing the increased ejection force inherent to CO2 systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting structure for an accumulator includes an accumulator incorporated in an in-vehicle air conditioner and configured to separate a refrigerant mainly containing CO2 into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and two or more brackets that mount the accumulator to a fixing member. The two or more brackets include an annular bracket that surrounds the accumulator in a circumferential direction, and an axial bracket. At least part of the shaft-side bracket is placed on and coupled to an axial end face of the accumulator.