Condenser Reservoir Layout for Stable Refrigerant Super-Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing car air conditioner condensers face challenges in maintaining a stable degree of super-cooling and refrigerant charge, particularly due to issues with refrigerant flow velocity and gas-phase refrigerant separation in the condensation and super-cooling sections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flow velocity reducing member, such as a mesh-like material, in the reservoir section to slow down the liquid-phase dominant refrigerant flow, allowing gas-phase refrigerant bubbles to separate and facilitating a wider stable refrigerant charge range by ensuring effective super-cooling characteristics against load changes and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid-phase dominant refrigerant flows rapidly through the reservoir section, then refrigerant circulation efficiency is improved, but gas-phase refrigerant separation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir section is divided into an upper reservoir section and a lower reservoir section by a partition wall, creating distinct zones for refrigerant accumulation and flow control. This segmentation allows the upper section to collect liquid refrigerant while the lower section manages flow to the super-cooling section, improving both circulation efficiency and phase separation.
Solution Approach 2:
A refrigerant flow control opening is provided in the partition wall to control the flow of refrigerant between the upper and lower reservoir sections. This intermediary structure regulates refrigerant flow velocity, allowing rapid circulation while maintaining sufficient residence time for gas-phase separation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the stable refrigerant charge range is widened, then super-cooling stability against load changes is improved, but the complexity of refrigerant charge determination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation section is divided into multiple heat exchange paths (first, second, third heat exchange paths) with different numbers of heat exchange tubes. This segmentation creates distinct condensation zones that operate at different capacities, allowing the system to maintain stable super-cooling across a wider range of refrigerant charges without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in condensation section capacity through the segmented heat exchange paths to automatically adapt to different refrigerant charge conditions. By having multiple heat exchange paths with varying tube counts, the system can naturally adjust its condensation capacity to maintain stable super-cooling characteristics across different operating conditions.
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 solution enhances the stability of super-cooling characteristics by ensuring a wider stable refrigerant charge range and improved refrigerant separation, leading to more efficient refrigerant management and performance in car air conditioner systems.
Implementation Method 1
A flow velocity reducing member which reduces a flow velocity of the liquid-phase dominant refrigerant which passes through the communication section and flows into the reservoir section is provided in the reservoir section
Implementation Method 2
a condensation section which includes at least one first heat exchange path having a plurality of first heat exchange tubes disposed in parallel
Implementation Method 3
a condensation section and a super-cooling section which is provided below the condensation section
Implementation Method 4
a super-cooling section which includes at least one second heat exchange path including a plurality of second heat exchange tubes disposed in parallel
Data Source
AI summary
A first header tank of a condenser serves as a condensation section outlet header section. A second header tank has lower end upper ends respectively located below and above the lower end of the first header tank. A portion of a second header tank located below the lower end of the first header tank serves as a super-cooling section inlet header section. The second header tank also serves as a reservoir section. The interior of the condensation section outlet header section of the first header tank communicates, through a communication section, with a portion of the interior of the second header tank, which portion is located above the lower end of the first header tank. A flow velocity reducing member is provided in the second header tank so as to reduce the flow velocity of liquid-phase dominant refrigerant which flows into the reservoir section through the communication section.