Heat exchanger and air conditioner including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers for air conditioners face challenges in optimizing refrigerant flow paths for both condensation and evaporation conditions, leading to increased pressure losses and inefficient heat transfer due to fixed refrigerant flow directions and paths.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with variable refrigerant flow paths and a refrigerant flow control device that adjusts flow direction and rate using check valves and porous flow rate adjusting members, allowing for different flow paths depending on the operation mode, thereby optimizing refrigerant distribution and reducing pressure losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed refrigerant flow path is used in the heat exchanger, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the pressure loss increases and heat transfer efficiency decreases when operating under both condensation and evaporation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the refrigerant flow path variable rather than fixed. A flow path switching mechanism is introduced that can dynamically change the refrigerant flow configuration based on whether the system is operating in condensation or evaporation mode. This allows the heat exchanger to optimize its flow path for each specific operating condition, reducing pressure losses and improving heat transfer efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a relatively straightforward switching mechanism.
2Productivity
If the refrigerant flow path is changed to optimize heat transfer efficiency, then the heat transfer efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional flow control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a flow path switching mechanism that enables a single heat exchanger to perform multiple functions - serving as both a condenser and an evaporator with optimized flow paths for each mode. The switching mechanism itself is designed to be multi-functional, handling both flow direction control and flow path configuration changes. This approach achieves high heat transfer efficiency for both condensation and evaporation operations while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through a unified, multi-purpose switching system rather than separate control mechanisms for each function.
3Productivity
If a variable flow path design is implemented, then the heat transfer efficiency improves for both condensation and evaporation, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the heat exchanger into multiple flow path sections that can be independently controlled and optimized. The flow path switching mechanism is segmented into discrete control points that can redirect refrigerant flow through different tube groups based on operating conditions. This segmentation allows for optimized heat transfer efficiency in both condensation and evaporation modes while maintaining manufacturing ease through modular, standardized components that can be assembled using conventional techniques rather than requiring complex integrated structures.
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 reduces pressure losses and improves heat transfer efficiency by allowing for uniform refrigerant flow distribution and adapting to both condensation and evaporation conditions, enhancing overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve disposed in the communicating pipe and opening and closing the communicating pipe depending on a flow direction of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant flow rate adjusting member disposed on one end of the communicating pipe, having a hollow cylindrical shape communicating with the communicating pipe, and having a side surface in which refrigerant passages through which the refrigerant passes are formed
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger performing heat transfer between outdoor air and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
the heat exchanger is used as a refrigerant condenser condensing a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant in the cooling operation
Implementation Method 5
the heat exchanger is used as a refrigerant evaporator evaporating a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant in the heating operation
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger for an air conditioner includes a plurality of flat heat transfer tubes through which a refrigerant flows; first and second headers disposed on opposite ends of the plurality of flat heat transfer tubes; at least one baffle disposed in at least one of the first and second headers and to partition an inner space of the at least one header; and a refrigerant flow control device disposed on the at least one baffle, to allow the refrigerant to selectively pass through the at least one baffle. The refrigerant flow control device is configured to prevent refrigerant from passing through the refrigerant flow control device when the refrigerant flows in one direction in the header, and to allow the refrigerant to pass through the refrigerant flow control device when the refrigerant flows in a direction opposite to the one direction in the header.