Evaporator with cool storage function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional evaporators with a cool storage function face issues such as breakage of cool storage material containers due to abnormal internal pressure increases and inefficient cooling of the cool storage material, leading to a reduction in cooling capacity when ambient temperatures exceed the ordinary use environment range.
Innovation Solution
The design includes flat refrigerant flow tubes with fins and cool storage material containers where the outward projecting portion is continuous only along a portion of the leeward or windward edge, with an expansion portion that deforms when internal pressure increases, preventing container breakage and optimizing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cool storage material container is made rigid to maintain structural strength, then the container can withstand internal pressure, but the container cannot deform to absorb pressure increases and may break when internal pressure becomes abnormal
Solution Approach 1:
The container wall is designed with dynamic deformation capability, transitioning from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can adaptively deform in response to internal pressure changes. The wall includes a deformation portion that elastically expands when internal pressure increases abnormally, allowing the container to absorb pressure spikes without breaking while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
2Temperature
If the outward projecting portion is provided over the entire length of the container, then the cool storage material can be cooled more effectively, but the amount of cool storage material not effectively cooled increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outward projecting portion is provided only at specific locations (ends or intermediate portions) of the container rather than over the entire length. This localized configuration optimizes heat exchange efficiency at critical areas while reducing the volume of cool storage material that cannot be effectively cooled, thereby improving overall cooling efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If the container wall is made thin to reduce weight and material usage, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the container becomes more susceptible to breaking under internal pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The thin-walled container incorporates a deformation portion that provides dynamic pressure absorption capability. This allows the use of thinner walls (reducing cost and weight) while maintaining reliability, as the deformation portion elastically expands under abnormal pressure to prevent breakage.
4Manufacturing precision
If the container is designed to be completely rigid to maintain precise dimensions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the container cannot adapt to temperature-induced pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The container combines precise manufacturing in most areas with a specific deformation portion that provides controlled flexibility. This hybrid design maintains dimensional precision for manufacturing and assembly while enabling thermal adaptation through elastic deformation of the deformation portion under temperature-induced pressure changes.
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 design enhances the durability of the cool storage material containers and improves the cooling efficiency by reducing the amount of cool storage material not effectively cooled, while preventing breakage and maintaining performance across varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the cool carried by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow tubes is transferred to the cool storage material within each cool storage material container
Implementation Method 2
a paraffin-based latent heat storage material whose melting point is adjusted to 3° C. to 10° C. is used as a cool storage material
Implementation Method 3
at least one of left and right side walls of the expansion portion is so constructed to deform when an internal pressure in the cool storage material container increases beyond a predetermined pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporator includes a cool storage material container. The cool storage material container contains a cool storage material and is disposed in a second part of the spaces. The cool storage material container includes a container main body portion joined to the refrigerant flow tubes. The outward projecting portion extends from an upper end of the leeward edge or windward edge of the container main body portion. The outward projecting portion has an expansion portion projecting from the container main body portion and projecting thickness of the expansion portion is greater than a thickness of the container main body portion. The expansion portion is located outward of the fins. At least one of left and right side walls of the expansion portion is so constructed to deform when an internal pressure in the cool storage material container increases beyond a predetermined pressure.