Condenser Receiver Desiccant Bag Assembly for Lower Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desiccant bags in refrigerant reservoir assemblies for air conditioning systems often result in uneven desiccant distribution and increased pressure drop due to binding against the receiver's internal walls during insertion, causing difficulties and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A desiccant bag with a spine dividing it into two compartments, allowing the refrigerant conduit to be nested and securely positioned, ensuring even distribution and easy assembly without undue effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the desiccant bag is inserted into the receiver through the opened end with the refrigerant conduit attached, then the desiccant bag can be assembled and installed, but the desiccant binds up against the opening and internal wall of the receiver causing uneven distribution and increased pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The desiccant bag is divided into two separate components: the bag itself and the desiccant material. This allows the bag to be inserted first, followed by filling the bag with desiccant through the opened end, preventing binding against the receiver walls while ensuring even distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant conduit is attached to the desiccant bag before insertion, and the opened end is positioned to face a specific direction (toward the discharge end of the refrigerant conduit). This preliminary positioning prevents binding during insertion and ensures proper orientation for refrigerant flow
2Ease of manufacture
If the desiccant bag is inserted into the receiver through the opened end, then the assembly can be completed, but undue efforts are required and potential damage to the desiccant bag occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the desiccant material from the bag and inserting the bag first, the insertion process becomes smoother and requires less force, reducing the risk of damaging the desiccant bag while maintaining assembly completeness
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning the opened end toward the discharge end of the refrigerant conduit before insertion creates a smoother profile that reduces resistance during insertion, requiring fewer undue efforts and minimizing damage potential
3Productivity
If the desiccant binds against the internal wall of the receiver, then the desiccant bag can be inserted, but the desiccant distribution becomes uneven impeding refrigerant flow
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the desiccant into separate fillable material and inserting it through the opened end after the bag is positioned ensures even distribution throughout the bag without binding against the receiver walls, maintaining both manufacturing precision and refrigerant flow productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The opened end of the desiccant bag acts as an intermediary that allows desiccant to be filled in a controlled manner, preventing direct contact and binding with the receiver walls while ensuring uniform distribution within the bag
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
Facilitates easy assembly and maintains desiccant and conduit positioning, allowing for greater desiccant usage within the receiver's volume while preventing binding and pressure drops.
Implementation Method 1
Permeable bags containing desiccants (desiccant bags) are known to be disposed in the receiver to remove water from the refrigerant flowing through the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A condenser having a receiver for use in an air conditioning system, having a plurality of refrigerant tubes, at least one header in hydraulic communication with the plurality of refrigerant tubes, and a receiver housing connected to the header. The receiver housing includes a refrigerant conduit nested within the spine of a desiccant bag. The spine divided the desiccant bag into two desiccant compartments, which are folded over the refrigerant conduit such that the desiccant compartments urge the refrigerant conduit onto the spine, thereby holding the desiccant bag in a predetermined position.