Condenser with insert for an air conditioning system, in particular for a motor vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle air conditioning condensers, the existing configuration often requires an external 'jumper line' to connect the refrigerant inlet and outlet, leading to increased space requirements and inefficient refrigerant distribution, resulting in uneven flow through heat exchanger channels and higher pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
A condenser design with an insert in one of the headers that creates a flow path distributing refrigerant evenly across multiple heat exchanger channels, eliminating the need for an external line and ensuring uniform refrigerant distribution by using geometric structures such as elongated outlet openings and an inclined transition section to guide the refrigerant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external jumper line is used to connect refrigerant inlet and outlet, then the refrigerant flow path can be configured, but the installation space of the condenser increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the jumper line function directly into the header by forming an internal flow channel that connects the refrigerant inlet and outlet. This merging of the external jumper line into the header structure eliminates the need for separate external connections, thereby maintaining refrigerant flow path configurability while reducing the overall condenser installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel is nested within the header structure, with the refrigerant path embedded inside the header rather than externally connected. This nesting approach allows the refrigerant to travel through an internal path that is contained within the existing header volume, avoiding external space requirements.
2Reliability
If refrigerant inlet and outlet are arranged remotely, then fluid mechanics are optimized, but installation space flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The header is segmented into different functional zones: a first region for refrigerant inlet, a second region for refrigerant outlet, and a third region with heat exchanger channel connections. The flow channel traverses through these segmented regions, allowing remote inlet/outlet arrangement for fluid mechanics optimization while the internal structure provides the necessary flexibility for different installation configurations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If refrigerant flows through heat exchanger channels, then heat exchange occurs, but uneven flow distribution causes higher pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is designed to distribute refrigerant preliminarily and uniformly to multiple heat exchanger channels before the refrigerant enters them. By establishing this preliminary uniform distribution, the refrigerant flow is balanced across all heat exchanger channels, preventing uneven flow patterns that would cause excessive pressure loss during the heat exchange process.
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 design enhances refrigerant distribution, reduces pressure loss, and increases efficiency by ensuring consistent refrigerant flow through all channels, allowing for more effective cooling without increasing the condenser's installation space.
Implementation Method 1
The insert part defines a flow path in the collecting tube, which causes the coolant to be distributed to a large number of the heat exchanger channels
Implementation Method 2
The function of the condenser is to extract heat from the gaseous refrigerant so that it condenses
Implementation Method 3
extract heat from the gaseous refrigerant so that it condenses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A condenser (10) for an air conditioning system, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprises a first and a second manifold (12, 14) and several superimposed heat exchanger channels (16) extending between the two manifolds (12, 14). The condenser (10) further comprises an inlet (20) for substantially gaseous refrigerant, located on one of the two manifolds (12, 14), and an outlet (22) for substantially liquid refrigerant, also located on one of the two manifolds (12, 14). One of the two manifolds (12, 14) is provided with an insert (26). The insert (26) defines a flow pattern in the manifold (12) that distributes the refrigerant to a plurality of the heat exchanger channels (16).