Vehicle Heat Exchanger Header Tank Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers for vehicle interior heating, ventilation, and air conditioning suffer from significant pressure drops and reduced thermal efficiency due to complex connections and structural weaknesses, particularly in header tanks with perforations, which impair performance and robustness.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring transverse dividing partitions in the second header tank to create multiple return compartments, improving fluid distribution and reducing pressure drops while maintaining structural rigidity, with optimized compartment dimensions and secure tube connections to minimize turbulence and pressure losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple perforations are added to connect return compartments in the second header tank, then fluidic communication between compartments is improved, but the structural strength of the header tank is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
A transverse dividing partition is introduced as an intermediary structure within the second header tank to create multiple return compartments. This partition enables fluidic communication between compartments through controlled openings while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the header tank, avoiding the need for multiple perforations in the tank walls themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The second header tank is segmented into multiple return compartments by the transverse dividing partition. This segmentation allows for improved fluid distribution and communication between compartments while concentrating the structural strength in the partition design rather than relying on a perforated tank structure.
2Productivity
If the number or dimensions of perforations in the second partition are increased to improve fluidic communication, then pressure drops are reduced, but the structure of the second header tank is further weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse dividing partition acts as an intermediary that provides controlled fluidic communication between return compartments. By designing the partition with strategic openings rather than relying on numerous small perforations, the system achieves adequate fluid communication while preserving structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The design optimizes the parameters of the partition openings (number, size, position, and shape) to achieve the right balance between fluidic communication and structural strength. Rather than simply increasing the number or dimensions of perforations, the parameters are carefully selected to maintain both thermal efficiency and structural robustness.
3Ease of operation
If complex connections are used to connect header tanks, then fluidic communication between rows of tubes is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second header tanks are merged into a single integrated structure containing both inlet and outlet compartments. The transverse dividing partition in the second header tank creates return compartments that directly receive tubes from both rows, eliminating the need for complex external connecting pipes and operations between separate header tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The second header tank is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as an outlet compartment for the second row of tubes and simultaneously provides return compartments that receive tubes from both the first and second rows. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall device structure and reduces the number of separate components and connections required.
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 enhances thermal performance by ensuring uniform air temperature and reduces pressure drops, while maintaining a compact size and improving the exchanger's robustness, making it suitable for incorporation into vehicle air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger, for example used as a condenser in a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning installation for a motor vehicle interior
Implementation Method 2
through which a refrigerant is intended to circulate
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger (1) for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of tubes (2) arranged in a first and a second row (3A, 3B); a first and a second header tank (4, 5) inside which tanks (4, 5) the tubes (2) of each of the rows (3A, 3B) emerge; and a longitudinal dividing partition (16) arranged in the first header tank (4) to divide the first header tank (4) longitudinally into refrigerant inlet and outlet compartments (17, 18) into which the tubes (2) of the first row (3A) and of the second row (3B) emerge. The longitudinal dividing partition (16) includes a plurality of transverse dividing partitions (27) arranged in the second header tank (5) to divide the second header tank (5) transversely into a plurality of return compartments (28) into which at least one tube (2) of each of the rows (3A, 3B) emerges.