Vehicle Heat Exchanger Plate Structure for Sealed Refrigerant Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle heat exchangers face challenges in forming a simple and efficient refrigerant flow path connecting the condensing unit and receiver, leading to increased production costs and weight due to complex structures and multiple parts.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring stacked plates with through holes and an intermediate plate for forming a sealed refrigerant bypass passage using male-female flange coupling, simplifying assembly and reducing manufacturing costs and weight by eliminating the need for separate tubular members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate blocks or plates are used to form refrigerant passages, then the refrigerant flow path can be formed, but the number of parts increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the refrigerant passage formation function directly into the stacked plates that form the heat exchanger structure. The plates themselves are designed with integrated passages and coupling features, eliminating the need for separate blocks or plates to form the refrigerant flow path. This merging of functions reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the required refrigerant flow capabilities.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate blocks or plates are used to form refrigerant passages, then the refrigerant flow path can be formed, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the refrigerant passage formation function with the heat exchanger plates themselves, the patent eliminates redundant structural elements. The integrated design means that the same components perform multiple functions (heat exchange and refrigerant flow guidance), thereby reducing the overall weight of the heat exchanger assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If complex structures with multiple parts are used, then refrigerant passages can be formed, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the stacked plates with integrated coupling features and passages that align automatically during assembly. The male and female coupling portions on adjacent plates engage to form sealed refrigerant passages without requiring separate components or complex assembly procedures. This integration significantly simplifies the assembly process while ensuring proper refrigerant flow path formation.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate components are used for refrigerant passages, then the flow path can be established, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the refrigerant passage formation into the heat exchanger plates themselves, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces material costs, and improves production efficiency, thereby lowering the overall production cost of the heat exchanger.
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 design simplifies assembly, reduces production costs, and minimizes weight by creating a sealed refrigerant bypass passage through male-female flange coupling, enhancing the efficiency and productivity of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first stacked plates forming a condensing portion in which the refrigerant is condensed through heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of second stacked plates forming a subcooling portion for cooling the refrigerant through heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant discharged from the receiver container
Implementation Method 4
cooling the refrigerant through heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger for vehicles includes: a plurality of first stacked plates forming a condensing portion in which a refrigerant is condensed through heat exchange between a coolant and the refrigerant; a receiver container for storing the refrigerant passing through the condensing portion; a plurality of second stacked plates forming a sub-cooling portion for cooling the refrigerant through heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant discharged from the receiver container; and an intermediate plate between the first stacked plates and the second stacked plates and comprising through holes through which the refrigerant and the coolant respectively move.