Refrigerant Evaporator Tank Layout for Independent Flow Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing refrigerant evaporator configurations face issues with maintaining independent refrigerant channels due to poor brazing between the inner wall surface of the intermediate tank portion and the partition member, leading to unreliable refrigerant flow interchange in the width direction of the heat-exchanging core portions.

Innovation Solution

The refrigerant evaporator design includes an intermediate tank portion connected to the outer surfaces of the tank portions, forming independent refrigerant channels through the tank external refrigerant space, ensuring reliable refrigerant flow interchange between the heat-exchanging core portions by defining distinct communication channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a partition member is bonded to the inner wall surface of the intermediate tank portion by brazing, then refrigerant channels can be defined, but poor brazing can compromise the independence of refrigerant channels and reliability of flow interchange

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of refrigerant flow interchangeVSAvoidbrazing quality requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the refrigerant flow path into two independent channels by positioning partition members at both ends of the intermediate tank portion. This segmentation ensures that even if one brazing joint fails, the other end maintains channel independence, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides alternative refrigerant flow paths through the first and second evaporation units. If poor brazing compromises one channel, refrigerant can still flow through the alternative path, providing a cushioning effect that maintains system reliability without requiring perfect brazing at every joint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If communication portions are formed by providing an intermediate tank portion with a partition member, then refrigerant flow interchange can be achieved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant flow interchange capabilityVSAvoidintermediate tank portion structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate tank portion serves multiple functions: it acts as a communication portion for refrigerant flow interchange, provides mounting positions for partition members to define separate channels, and connects to both evaporation units. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby achieving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If partition members are disposed in the intermediate tank portion to define refrigerant channels, then flow interchange in width direction is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow interchange in width directionVSAvoidpartition member positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The partition members are designed to be disposed at both ends of the intermediate tank portion before final assembly. This preliminary positioning allows for pre-adjustment and verification of channel independence, reducing the need for high-precision positioning during final assembly and thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining flow interchange capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures reliable refrigerant flow interchange in the width direction of the heat-exchanging core portions, maintaining the independence of refrigerant channels and preventing mixing, even in cases of poor brazing, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of the refrigerant evaporator.

Implementation Method 1

A refrigerant evaporator functions as a cooling heat exchanger that cools fluid (for example, air) flowing outside by evaporating refrigerant (liquid phase refrigerant) flowing inside to absorb heat from the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

heat is exchanged between fluid flowing outside to be cooled and refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10107532B2Refrigerant evaporator having a tank external refrigerant space

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A refrigerant evaporator includes a first evaporation unit and a second evaporation unit disposed in series in a flow direction of fluid to be cooled by evaporating refrigerant. An intermediate tank portion through which refrigerant flows is connected to an outer surface of one tank portion of the first evaporation unit and an outer surface of one tank portion of the second evaporation unit. A tank external refrigerant space through which refrigerant flows is defined by an outer wall of the one tank portion of the first evaporation unit, an outer wall of the one tank portion of the second evaporation unit, and an outer wall of the intermediate tank portion.