Double Evaporator Header Layout With Fewer Refrigerant Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing double evaporator structure for air conditioners in vehicles requires four inlets and outlets, increasing manufacturing costs and hindering miniaturization due to the complexity of pipe connections and space usage, which degrades cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
The evaporator features a flow part with communication holes in the first header tank, allowing refrigerant to flow separately between compartments, reducing the number of inlets and outlets by integrating the flow part within the tank structure, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a double evaporator structure with separate first and second columns is used to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange performance is improved, but the number of inlets and outlets increases to four, increasing manufacturing complexity and hindering miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow parts of the first and second columns by forming communication holes through the separator plate, allowing the refrigerant to flow between columns. This integration reduces the number of separate inlets and outlets from four to three, while maintaining the dual-column heat exchange structure for improved efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If four separate inlets and outlets are provided in the first and second columns to enable independent refrigerant flow, then refrigerant flow control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple inlet/outlet functions into a reduced set of three connections by utilizing communication holes through the separator plate. The first inlet communicates with both first and second columns, and the outlet receives refrigerant from both columns, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly steps while preserving independent flow control capability.
3Ease of operation
If four connection pipes are used for inlets and outlets in the double column structure, then refrigerant distribution is optimized, but the space occupied increases, preventing miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of connection pipes from four to three by merging inlet and outlet functions through the separator plate communication holes. This consolidation decreases the volume occupied by connection lines, enabling miniaturization of the evaporator while maintaining optimized refrigerant distribution to both columns.
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 configuration enhances production efficiency, reduces the number of connection lines, and facilitates miniaturization while maintaining effective heat exchange performance without altering the air conditioner case shape, preventing air leakage and improving durability.
Implementation Method 1
An evaporator that absorbs heat from the surroundings
Implementation Method 2
vaporized to absorb vaporization heat and cool the surrounding air
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an evaporator including a flow part having a refrigerant flow therein, separately from a first compartment and a second compartment to improve a refrigerant channel structure, in a double evaporator in which a refrigerant flows in a first column and a second column, respectively, thereby reducing the number of four inlets and outlets that is disposed in the first column and the second column, respectively.