Detachable Condenser Receiver Closure for Lightweight Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing receivers for heat exchangers, particularly condensers, are heavy and costly due to complex assembly processes and massive designs, which hinder design flexibility and increase weight and assembly time.

Innovation Solution

A receiver design featuring a hollow body with a removable and detachable closure that simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for massive components, using threads, fixing rings, and a lightweight closure with fluid channels and reinforcing ribs, allowing for easier attachment to a flange without clinching operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the receiver is attached to the core by brackets and hoses, then the receiver can be positioned according to packaging constraints, but many assembling operations are required leading to long cycle times and high costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidassembly cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is integrated directly into the heat exchanger core structure, merging two previously separate components (receiver and core) into a unified assembly. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and hoses, reducing assembly operations while maintaining positioning flexibility through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If the receiver is brazed to the header together with the condenser core, then assembling costs are decreased, but brazing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembling costVSAvoidbrazing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is designed as a separate integrated component within the core structure, allowing it to be brazed as part of the core assembly rather than as a separate operation. This segmentation of the brazing process into the core manufacturing stage reduces overall brazing complexity while maintaining cost efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the header is provided with a socket or flange which is brazed thereto and the receiver is attached to such flange, then an interesting compromise is achieved between the first and second solutions, but the receivers remain rather heavy especially as regards the bottom part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing compromiseVSAvoidreceiver weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy bottom part of the receiver that was previously used to attach to the flange is extracted and replaced by direct integration into the core structure. The receiver body is positioned and secured through its integration with the core, eliminating the need for a massive bottom attachment section and significantly reducing overall receiver weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10215511B2Receiver for a heat exchanger and heat exchanger, especially condenser, equipped thereof

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 VALEO AUTOSYSTY

AI summary

A receiver for a heat exchanger, especially a condenser of a refrigerant system, is disclosed. The receiver has a hollow body and a closure closing the body. The body defines an internal volume configured to receive a fluid flowing through the heat exchanger, and the closure is adapted to establish a communication of the fluid between said internal volume and a flange of the heat exchanger. The closure is removable from the flange and detachably coupled to the body. A heat exchanger, especially a condenser equipped thereof, is also disclosed.