Heat Storage Heat Exchanger Layout for Engine-Off Cabin Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchange devices for motor vehicles, particularly in air-conditioning systems, fail to maintain cooling when the engine is stopped, as they require complex components and are not suitable for high-pressure refrigerant fluids like CO2, leading to discomfort for passengers.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange device with a stack of offset tubes and a heat storage reservoir that alternately contacts the tubes and fins, allowing for efficient heat transfer and storage, even when the engine is off, using conventional pressure-resistant tubes and a metal band with inner fins for enhanced heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If heat storage reservoirs are added to enable cooling when the engine is stopped, then the air-conditioning function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat storage reservoirs directly with the tube stack structure, forming an integrated assembly where reservoirs are positioned between alternating tubes. This combination eliminates the need for separate heat storage components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the ability to provide cooling when the engine is stopped.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube stack serves multiple functions: it acts as both the heat exchange structure and the support framework for the heat storage reservoirs. The alternating tube arrangement provides both refrigerant flow paths and structural support for integrating the reservoirs, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional tubes are used instead of special components, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the heat exchange performance with high-pressure refrigerant may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different characteristics to different parts of the tube stack. Tubes in odd positions and even positions are arranged alternately with different configurations, allowing each tube to be optimized for its specific role in the heat exchange process while using conventional manufacturing methods. This local differentiation maintains heat exchange effectiveness with standard components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the arrangement parameters of the tubes rather than the tube components themselves. By alternating the position and configuration of tubes in the stack, the system achieves improved heat exchange performance with high-pressure refrigerant while continuing to use conventional, easily manufactured tube components.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is stopped to decrease gas consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the cooling function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The heat storage reservoirs are pre-charged with cold during periods when the engine is running and refrigerant is circulating. This preliminary storage of cooling capacity allows the system to maintain cooling function after the engine is stopped, enabling the engine to be shut off for fuel savings without sacrificing passenger comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heat storage reservoirs ensure continuous cooling action even when the refrigerant circulation is interrupted by engine shutdown. The stored cold in the reservoirs continues to cool the air passing through the device, maintaining the useful cooling function without requiring the engine to remain running.
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
Enables continuous cooling of the passenger compartment by storing heat or cold when the engine is on and releasing it when the engine is off, using conventional tubes and fins, effectively addressing the limitations of existing devices with high-pressure refrigerant fluids.
Implementation Method 1
reservoirs of heat storage materials storing heat or cold when the heat transfer fluid circulates in the circuit, and returning them to the external fluid when the heat transfer fluid is no longer circulating
Implementation Method 2
the tube stack serves to enable a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid which circulates in the tubes and an external fluid flowing through the fin
Implementation Method 3
These fins are adapted to increase the heat exchange surface and to disrupt the external fluid flowing through the tubes stack to increase the heat exchange performance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchange device including at least two tubes (12) for circulating a heat transfer fluid arranged in at least two rows (R1, R2) offset two-by-two from one row to the other. A heat exchange fin (20) and a heat storage tank (22) made from a heat storage material extend transversely to the rows of the tubes (R1, R2) forming a group of tanks and tubes (24) in each instance, wherein a single heat storage tank (22) is in contact with one tube (12) of each row of tubes (R1, R2). The contact with the tubes (12) takes place alternately on two opposing walls (26, 28) of the heat storage tank (22), and the walls (26, 28) are also in contact with fins (20). The invention can be used for the air-conditioning evaporators of automobiles.