Condenser for an air conditioner, in particular for a motor vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing condensers in vehicle air conditioning systems face challenges in increasing flexibility in coolant line connections without expanding the installation space, often requiring external 'jumper lines' that increase overall space requirements.

Innovation Solution

An insert with a trough-shaped form and inclined end faces is integrated into the collecting tube, featuring an oil separation opening and an overflow opening to internally manage coolant flow and oil separation, allowing for flexible coolant inlet positioning without external attachments and maintaining compact dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an outer jumper line is used to arrange the inlet and outlet at desired points, then flexibility in coolant line connections is improved, but the installation space is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in coolant line connectionsVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is placed inside the collecting tube, with the flow canal nested within the tube's interior space. The overflow opening provides access from the flow canal to the tube's interior, effectively creating a nested structure that allows internal flow management without external attachments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The insert creates an internal three-dimensional flow path within the collecting tube, using the tube's internal volume to achieve connection flexibility that would otherwise require external spatial extensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the insert has a complex structure to manage flow and separation, then oil separation efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil separation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insert includes an oil separation opening that allows oil to pass from the flow canal to the tube interior, utilizing the opening as a simple porous-like structure for separation without complex filtering mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insert is divided into functional segments: the flow canal for coolant flow, the oil separation opening for oil removal, and the overflow opening for flow regulation. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution enhances flexibility in coolant line connections within the same installation space, effectively separating oil from the coolant flow to optimize compressor lubrication and improve condensation efficiency without increasing the condenser's footprint.

Implementation Method 1

an overflow opening, with the other end, by means of an overflow opening, with the inside of the collecting tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

an oil separation opening through which at least a substantial part of the oil which is transported with the gaseous coolant in the condenser is separated immediately

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOil separation: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 3

The function of the condenser consists in extracting heat from the gaseous coolant so that it condenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

extracting heat from the gaseous coolant so that it condenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3541645B1Condenser for an air conditioner, in particular for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 VALEO KLIMASYST
  • EP3541645B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3541645B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3541645B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The invention relates to a condenser (10) having a first and a second collecting tube (12, 14), a plurality of heater canals (16), which extend between the two collecting tubes, an inlet (22) for a substantially gaseous coolant, which is arranged at one of the two collecting tubes (12, 14), and an outlet (24) for a substantially liquid coolant, which is arranged at one of the two collecting tubes (12, 14), characterized in that one of the collecting tubes (12, 4) is provided with an insert (28) which defines a flow canal (26) which is in communication at one end with the coolant inlet (22) and at the other end, by means of an overflow opening (32), with the inside of the collecting tube (12).