Heat Exchanger Header Baffles for Space-Efficient Refrigerant Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchangers require separate structures for transferring refrigerant between adjacent tubes, which complicates the design and reduces space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchanger design featuring a header with an inlet pipe, distribution baffles, and connecting pipes that facilitate direct refrigerant transfer and distribution within the header, eliminating the need for external distribution structures and enhancing space efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If separate structures are used for transferring refrigerant between adjacent refrigerant tubes, then refrigerant transfer function is achieved, but device complexity increases and space utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidrefrigerant transfer function

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the refrigerant transfer function with the header structure by integrating distribution baffles inside the header housing. The header now performs both its traditional function and the refrigerant distribution function that previously required separate external structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable refrigerant transfer between adjacent tubes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The header is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating distribution baffles that enable it to both support refrigerant tubes and distribute refrigerant to adjacent tubes. This universal design eliminates the need for dedicated separate distribution structures, simplifying the overall system while ensuring proper refrigerant flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If separate external distribution structures are used, then refrigerant distribution is achieved, but space utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidrefrigerant distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution baffles are nested inside the header housing, utilizing the internal space of the header for refrigerant distribution. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external distribution structures that would occupy additional space, thereby improving space utilization while maintaining effective refrigerant distribution to adjacent tubes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250216159A1Heat exchanger

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A heat exchanger including a plurality of refrigerant tubes provided to allow refrigerant to flow; and a header coupled to ends of the plurality of refrigerant tubes. The header may include a header housing disposed on one side of the plurality of refrigerant tubes; an inlet pipe that penetrates the header housing to be connected to one of the plurality of refrigerant tubes, and forms a flow path through which refrigerant is introduced into the refrigerant tube; and a plurality of distribution baffles that are disposed inside the header housing, so that the refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant tube from the inlet pipe flows out from the refrigerant tube and is distributed in both directions inside the header housing.