Heat Exchanger Flow Path Segmentation for Cooling and Heating Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers lack optimal design for distinguishing heat exchange medium flow paths in cooling and heating modes, leading to suboptimal heat transfer effects and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger with a diversion component that allows the heat exchange medium to flow through different length paths in cooling and heating modes, where a partial segment of the paths overlap and flow directions are identical, utilizing check valves and intermediate manifolds to manage flow and prevent backflow, enhancing flow rate control and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the heat exchanger uses a single flow path for both cooling and heating modes, then the structure is simple, but the heat transfer efficiency is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple flow path segments (first flow path and second flow path) that can be selectively activated. The diversion component segments the single flow path into alternative routes, allowing optimization of heat transfer for different operating modes while maintaining structural simplicity through shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path configuration is made dynamic through the diversion component, which can switch between different flow path arrangements based on operating mode. This allows the system to adapt its internal flow configuration without changing the external structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational optimization.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger optimizes flow paths for different modes, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diversion component serves multiple functions: it acts as a flow distributor, a mode selector, and a backflow prevention mechanism. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent achieves optimized heat transfer for different modes without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diversion component acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the single flow path inlet/outlet and the multiple internal flow path options. This intermediary allows complex flow path management while maintaining a simple external interface, reducing the apparent device complexity.
3Reliability
If check valves are added to prevent backflow, then flow control reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are merged with the diversion component structure rather than being separate additional elements. This integration allows backflow prevention functionality to be added while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the valves share the same structural space and mounting points.
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 significantly improves heat transfer efficiency and reduces energy consumption by optimizing flow paths in both modes, resulting in superior system performance compared to prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange medium flows through via a first flow path in the heat exchanger when the heat exchanger operates in a cooling mode, and flows through via a second flow path in the heat exchanger when the heat exchanger operates in a heating mode
Implementation Method 2
Heat exchangers are equipment for heat exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger, a heat pump system, and a heat exchange method. The heat exchanger operates in a cooling mode or a heating mode. A heat exchange medium flows through via a first flow path within the heat exchanger in the cooling mode, and flows through via a second flow path within the heat exchanger in the heating mode. A diversion component is disposed within the heat exchanger. The diversion component is configured such that the length of the first flow path is different from the length of the second flow path; moreover, a partial segment of the first flow path and a partial segment of the second flow path overlap with each other, and flow directions of the heat exchange medium therein are identical.