Flat-Tube Heat Exchanger for Uniform Temperature Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers, particularly those used in vehicles, suffer from poor temperature profiles due to uneven refrigerant distribution, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in air-conditioning systems, especially in multi-zone environments.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with specific arrangements of flat tubes and collecting tanks that facilitate uniform refrigerant flow paths, reducing temperature differentials between left and right sides by directing refrigerant entry into a central region and utilizing multiple flow paths through flat tube groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a two-row heat exchanger is used to improve capacity and temperature profile, then the heat transfer capacity increases, but the temperature distribution between left and right sides becomes uneven due to high inlet temperatures of refrigerants like R744
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchanger into multiple independent flow paths (first flow path, second flow path, third flow path) with separate inlet regions. This segmentation allows independent temperature control in different zones, enabling the left side, middle region, and right side to have optimized refrigerant flow patterns that compensate for temperature unevenness while maintaining high heat transfer capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different flow path configurations for different spatial zones. The first flow path serves the left side, the second flow path serves the right side, and the third flow path serves the middle region. Each zone has tailored flow characteristics that address its specific thermal requirements, creating locally optimized temperature distributions that collectively achieve overall uniformity.
2Power
If the refrigerant flow rate is increased to improve heat transfer, then the heat transfer coefficient increases, but the temperature spread between different regions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant flow into multiple controlled paths with separate inlet regions. Each flow path can be independently optimized for its specific thermal load, allowing high flow rates to be maintained in zones requiring high heat transfer coefficients while preventing excessive temperature spreads through localized flow management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates dynamically adjustable flow paths where refrigerant can be directed to different zones based on thermal demands. The multiple inlet regions and flow paths enable flexible redistribution of refrigerant flow rates to maintain optimal temperature coefficients across varying operating conditions without creating excessive temperature spreads.
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
Achieves a significantly more homogeneous temperature distribution, enhancing occupant comfort and system efficiency by minimizing temperature spreads, thus improving the performance of multi-zone air-conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger (2) that can be flowed through by air (1) in the x-direction based on the heat exchanger (2)... The flat tubes (5) are oriented in the z-direction based on the heat exchanger (2) and can be flowed through by a cooling fluid (6)
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger (2) can be flowed through by air (1) in the x-direction... The flat tubes (5) are oriented in the z-direction based on the heat exchanger (2) and can be flowed through by a cooling fluid (6)
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger that can be flowed through in the x-direction based on the heat exchanger,having at least one first row and a second row of flat tubes, which can be flowed through by a cooling fluid,having a in the z-direction upper collecting tank, and a lower collecting tank,wherein the flat tubes in each row in the y-direction based on the heat exchanger are divided into at least three flat tube groupswherein all flat tubes of a flat tube group are flowed through in the same direction,wherein a cooling fluid inlet of the heat exchanger is communicatingly connected to a first flat tube group of the first row arranged in the y-direction in a middle region.By way of this, a homogenous temperature distribution can be achieved.