Condenser Inlet Header Layout for Uniform Refrigerant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing condensers for car air conditioners face challenges in maintaining uniform refrigerant flow rates among heat exchange tubes without increasing the number of parts or size, particularly due to restrictions in the vertical positioning of inflow and outflow openings.
Innovation Solution
A condenser design with a condensation section inlet header having an offset opening and an inlet member with an insert portion that directs refrigerant flow towards the longitudinal center, ensuring even distribution across all heat exchange tubes while minimizing the number of parts and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a partition member is disposed in the condensation section inlet header to divide the interior space, then uniform refrigerant flow rate among heat exchange tubes is achieved, but the number of parts increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow distribution function from a separate partition member and integrates it into the inlet member itself. The inlet member includes a refrigerant inflow passage with an inclined bottom surface that directly guides refrigerant to the longitudinal center of the inlet header, eliminating the need for a partition member while maintaining uniform flow distribution among heat exchange tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the flow distribution function with the inlet member structure. The inclined bottom surface of the refrigerant inflow passage is integrated into the inlet member, combining the refrigerant delivery function and flow distribution function into a single component, thereby reducing the number of parts while achieving uniform refrigerant flow.
2Manufacturing precision
If the vertical positions of inflow and outflow openings are adjusted to improve heat exchange efficiency, then uniform refrigerant flow rate is achieved, but routing restrictions in car air conditioners prevent proper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric design in the inlet member by positioning the refrigerant inflow passage at an offset from the longitudinal center of the inlet header and inclining its bottom surface toward the longitudinal center. This asymmetric configuration achieves uniform refrigerant flow distribution without requiring specific vertical positioning of openings, thereby maintaining routing flexibility for car air conditioner applications.
3Manufacturing precision
If partition members with communication holes are used to distribute refrigerant, then uniform flow rate is achieved, but weight increases and cost increases due to increased number of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the partition member component entirely and extracts its flow distribution function into the inlet member. The inclined bottom surface of the refrigerant inflow passage in the inlet member performs the flow distribution function that would otherwise require a partition member with communication holes, thereby reducing weight while maintaining uniform refrigerant flow distribution.
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 design achieves uniform refrigerant flow rates among all heat exchange tubes, reducing the number of parts and size, thereby enhancing heat exchange efficiency without increasing costs or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The outflow opening of the refrigerant inflow passage is oriented such that the refrigerant flows toward the longitudinal center of the condensation section inlet header
Implementation Method 2
a condensation section which includes one or more heat exchange paths... formed by a plurality of heat exchange tubes
Implementation Method 3
heat exchange paths for refrigerant condensation
Data Source
AI summary
An inlet member having a refrigerant inflow passage which is open at opposite ends is joined to a condensation section inlet header of a condenser. An opening at one end of the refrigerant inflow passage serves as an inflow opening into which externally supplied refrigerant flows, and an opening at the other end serves as an outflow opening from which refrigerant flows out to the condensation section inlet header. The condensation section inlet header has an opening at a position offset from the longitudinal center toward the one end thereof. The inlet member has an insert portion which is inserted into the condensation section inlet header through the opening. The outflow opening of the refrigerant inflow passage is open to a single upward facing flat surface of the insert portion, and is oriented such that the refrigerant flows toward the longitudinal center of the condensation section inlet header.