Fluid distributor, thermal conditioning device for a fluid of an automobile vehicle and heating and/or cooling apparatus thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid thermal conditioning systems for motor vehicles, such as electric heating devices, face inefficiencies in heating the passenger compartment due to axial fluid circulation, which reduces heat transfer and results in temperature differences between heating modules, leading to inadequate heating and high pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
A fluid distributor with semi-circular ribs at the periphery of fluid passages is used to adjust fluid flow between heating modules, ensuring balanced temperature distribution and equal fluid flow rates, eliminating the need for helical grooves and minimizing pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If axial circulation of fluid is used in the guide circuit between core and cylindrical casing, then the device structure is simple, but heat transfer between the cylindrical casing and fluid is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a helical groove on the outer surface of the core, which transforms the axial fluid flow into a helical flow pattern. This curved flow path increases the contact area and residence time between the fluid and the heated cylindrical casing, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical groove acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the simple axial flow configuration and the desired enhanced heat transfer. By introducing this intermediate structural feature, the system achieves improved thermal coupling without requiring complete redesign of the flow circuit.
2Loss of energy
If a helical groove is added to the core to generate helical fluid movement, then heat exchange between heating element and fluid is increased, but manufacturing complexity increases and pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical groove provides a curved flow path that enhances heat exchange efficiency by creating helical fluid movement. This single geometric feature achieves the primary goal of improved thermal coupling while avoiding more complex mechanical agitation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the helical groove parameters (pitch, depth, width), the invention balances heat transfer enhancement against manufacturing complexity and pressure drop. The groove dimensions are tuned to achieve sufficient swirl effect without excessive manufacturing difficulty or unacceptable pressure losses.
3Loss of energy
If helical groove is used to force fluid swirling, then heat transfer is improved, but pressure drop becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the helical groove parameters (pitch, depth, width) to achieve the minimum necessary swirl effect for improved heat transfer while minimizing pressure drop. By carefully tuning these geometric parameters, the system achieves thermal enhancement without excessive energy penalties.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical groove provides just enough swirl to significantly improve heat transfer without creating excessive rotational kinetic energy that would lead to high pressure drops. The groove design achieves partial swirling action that is sufficient for thermal coupling but not so strong as to cause excessive flow resistance.
4Power
If multiple heating modules are arranged side by side, then heating capacity is increased, but fluid distribution becomes non-uniform resulting in temperature differences between modules
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distributor is segmented into multiple outlets, each serving a specific heating module. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of fluid flow to each module, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across all heating elements while maintaining high total heating capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid distributor design incorporates local flow optimization for each outlet position, ensuring that each heating module receives the appropriate amount of fluid based on its specific requirements. This local quality adjustment achieves uniform temperature distribution across the array of heating modules.
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 solution enhances thermal efficiency by maintaining a small temperature difference between heating modules, improving heat transfer, and reducing pressure drops, thus providing effective and rapid heating of the passenger compartment.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer between the cylindrical casing and the fluid
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between the heating element and the fluid circulating between the core and the heating element
Implementation Method 3
generate a helical movement of the fluid circulating in the guide circuit
Implementation Method 4
heating resistors made by screen printing in the form of resistive tracks on the outer surface of the heating element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid distributor for a device (1) for thermal conditioning of a fluid for a motor vehicle including at least one first and one second thermal modules (3a, 3b) which are substantially cylindrical, the fluid distributor (21) extending along a longitudinal axis (B) and including: a fluid intake opening (31); a first substantially circular fluid passage (27a); a second substantially circular fluid passage (27b), the opening (31) and the first and second fluid passages (27a, 27b) being aligned according to the longitudinal axis (B); and at least one rib (33a, 33b) arranged at the periphery of an associated fluid passage (27a, 27b), having a semicircular shape defined by the longitudinal axis (B) of the fluid distributor (21) and comprising two end edges (35, 37; 39, 41), and at least one adjustment area (Z) aligned with one end edge (35, 37) extending over an angle (α) of around 0° to 45° relative to the longitudinal axis (B) of the fluid distributor (21). The invention also relates to a device for thermal conditioning of a fluid including such a fluid distributor and to a heating and/or air-conditioning apparatus including such a device.