Combined heat exchanger and heat exchange system

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle cooling systems with vapor compression type refrigeration cycles face complexity and increased costs due to the need for separate heat exchangers to exchange heat between refrigerants and multiple heat media, leading to potential heat loss and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A combined heat exchanger that allows for simultaneous heat exchange between a refrigerant circulating through a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle, a first heat medium, and a second heat medium, reducing the complexity of the cycle configuration by integrating refrigerant, first heat medium, and second heat medium flow channels within a single exchanger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate heat exchangers are used to exchange heat between refrigerant and multiple heat media, then heat exchange function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange functionVSAvoidcycle configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple heat exchangers into a single integrated heat exchanger that can simultaneously exchange heat between the refrigerant and multiple different heat media (first heat medium and second heat medium). This merging approach maintains the heat exchange functionality while reducing the number of separate components, thereby simplifying the cycle configuration and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated heat exchanger is designed with multiple refrigerant flow channels and multiple first heat medium flow channels, enabling it to perform multiple heat exchange functions simultaneously. The heat exchanger can exchange heat between refrigerant and different heat media through different channel configurations, achieving multi-functionality in a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate heat exchangers are used for refrigerant and multiple heat media, then heat exchange is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple heat exchangers into one integrated unit, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and installed. This consolidation reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the capability to exchange heat between refrigerant and multiple heat media through the integrated channel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate heat exchangers are used, then heat exchange between refrigerant and heat media occurs, but heat loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange functionVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated heat exchanger allows heat exchange between refrigerant and multiple heat media within a single thermally connected structure. This reduces the number of thermal interfaces and connections required, minimizing heat loss that would occur at multiple separate exchanger boundaries and improving overall thermal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 combined heat exchanger effectively supplies heat from the refrigerant to both heat media while minimizing cycle configuration complications, reducing costs and heat loss, and allowing for efficient temperature adjustments of various heat generating elements within the system.

Implementation Method 1

The refrigerant flow channel portion, the first heat medium flow channel portion, and the second heat medium flow channel portion are arranged to transfer heat of the refrigerant to both the first heat medium and the second heat medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240424857A1Combined heat exchanger and heat exchange system

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A combined heat exchanger exchanges heat between a refrigerant circulating through a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle, a first heat medium flowing through a first heat medium circuit including a first heat generating element, and a second heat medium flowing through a second heat medium circuit including a second heat generating element. The combined heat exchanger includes a refrigerant flow channel portion through which the refrigerant flows, a first heat medium flow channel portion through which the first heat medium flows, and a second heat medium flow channel portion through which the second heat medium flows. The refrigerant flow channel portion, the first heat medium flow channel portion, and the second heat medium flow channel portion are arranged to transfer heat of the refrigerant to both the first heat medium and the second heat medium.