Enbloc Air-Conditioning Assembly for Low GWP Coolant Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems for motor vehicles face challenges with the use of coolants having low global warming potential, including complex and costly installation, high heat dispersion in pipes, and increased risk of leakage due to high pressures and inflammability, particularly with CO2 and R152a gases.
Innovation Solution
An integrated enbloc assembly housing the internal heat exchanger, condenser, and evaporator within the engine compartment, with a compact cooling circuit design that minimizes pipe length and connections, allowing for the use of CO2 or R152a as coolant while reducing the risk of leakage and facilitating maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 or R152a is used as coolant to reduce global warming potential, then environmental compliance is improved, but the risk of leakage and inflammability increases due to high pressures and fluid properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the condenser and evaporator into a single integrated enbloc assembly, reducing the number of connections and pipe lengths. This consolidation minimizes potential leakage points while maintaining the refrigeration cycle's functionality with low-GWP coolants like CO2 and R152a.
Solution Approach 2:
The enbloc assembly is designed as a self-contained module that can be installed as a single unit in the engine compartment. This segmentation isolates the high-pressure coolant system from other vehicle components, containing potential leakage risks within a dedicated assembly that facilitates safer maintenance and replacement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional air-conditioning systems are installed with separate components, then installation flexibility is improved, but the complexity and cost of installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser and evaporator are combined into a single enbloc assembly, reducing the number of separate components that need to be installed. This merger simplifies the installation process while maintaining the system's adaptability to different vehicle platforms through standardized mounting interfaces.
3Ease of repair
If separate condenser and evaporator components are used, then component accessibility for maintenance is improved, but the number of connections and potential leakage points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enbloc assembly integrates the condenser and evaporator into a single unit, eliminating the intermediate connections between these components. This reduces the total number of potential leakage points while the entire assembly remains accessible for maintenance and can be replaced as a single module if needed.
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 simplifies installation, reduces coolant usage and pressure-related risks, enhances maintenance accessibility, and lowers the likelihood of coolant leakage, making it safer and more cost-effective to use low GWP coolants.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger (8) for exchanging heat between the air in the passenger compartment and an intermediate fluid
Implementation Method 2
refrigeration means (16) enabling a heat exchange between the intermediate fluid of the heat exchanger (8) and the intermediate fluid of the radiator (11) through a refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 3
a compressor (17) for compressing the coolant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An air-conditioning system is described which comprises at least one heat exchanger (11) for exchanging heat between external air and a corresponding intermediate fluid, at least one heat exchanger (8) for exchanging heat between air within the passenger compartment (4) and a corresponding intermediate fluid, and an enbloc assembly (16) wherein at least a condenser (21) for a coolant, an evaporator (22) of the coolant, and an internal heat exchanger (19) are integrated. The internal heat exchanger (19) is designed to enable heat exchange between the coolant coming out from the evaporator (22) and coolant coming out from the condenser (21). The enbloc assembly (16) is housed inside the engine compartment (2), along with a compressor (17) for the coolant.