Horizontal Receiver Drier Layout for Compact Heat Exchangers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air conditioning systems face packaging challenges due to the bulky configuration of condensers with receiver driers disposed along collectors, particularly in limited spaces like electric vehicles, where flexibility in positioning is needed to accommodate various usage scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a receiver drier positioned parallel to horizontally arranged heat exchange tubes, allowing for fluid communication between condensing and sub-cooling sections, with flexible conduits connecting the receiver drier to collectors, enabling adjustable positioning and compact configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the receiver drier is disposed along the outlet collector of the condenser, then the condenser provides a compact configuration, but the receiver drier positioning flexibility is reduced and packaging in limited space becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver drier is segmented from the condenser assembly and positioned as a separate component. The condenser is divided into first and second sections with the receiver drier independently disposed, allowing flexible positioning while maintaining compact overall configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver drier is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the condenser sections. By disposing the receiver drier parallel to the heat exchange tubes and connecting via conduits, the design utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently, enabling compact packaging while maintaining positioning flexibility.
2Device complexity
If the receiver drier is disposed along the collector, then the condenser structure is simplified, but the ability to adjust position based on packaging constraints is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates flexible conduits that allow the receiver drier to be positioned at different locations relative to the condenser. The flexible connecting lines enable dynamic adjustment of the receiver drier position based on packaging constraints while maintaining fluid communication between sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible conduits act as intermediaries between the condenser sections and the receiver drier. These conduits enable position adjustment and accommodate packaging constraints while maintaining the functional connection, thus resolving the conflict between structural simplicity and positioning flexibility.
3Productivity
If the condenser includes two separate cores in co-planar non-overlapping configuration, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second sections of the condenser are arranged in a nested or closely integrated configuration. By disposing the sections adjacent to each other with shared collectors and utilizing vertical stacking, the design achieves efficient heat exchange while minimizing the overall packaging footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser sections utilize vertical stacking and three-dimensional arrangement to achieve non-overlapping co-planar configuration. This dimensional arrangement allows both sections to operate efficiently while compactly packaging the overall system in limited vehicle space.
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 provides flexibility in positioning the receiver drier, addresses packaging constraints, and allows for efficient heat exchange while maintaining compactness, even in limited spaces, enhancing the system's operational efficiency and serviceability.
Implementation Method 1
refrigerant gas rejects heat energy to external ambient (through ambient air or a specific low temperature coolant circuit)
Implementation Method 2
edges of the first set of heat exchange tubes define a first air-inlet surface
Implementation Method 3
refrigerant gas rejects heat energy to external ambient, is cooled, and condenses into liquid phase
Implementation Method 4
the outlet delivers the liquid refrigerant from which incompressible moisture and debris is removed
Implementation Method 5
the expansion valve regulates refrigerant liquid to flow at proper rate, reducing pressure of the refrigerant liquid due expansion of the refrigerant liquid
Implementation Method 6
the cooled liquid refrigerant flows to the evaporator, where the cooled liquid refrigerant is evaporated. As the liquid refrigerant evaporates, the refrigerant extracts or absorbs heat energy from air
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a first section (110), a second section (120) and a receiver drier (130). The first section (110) includes a first set of tubes (112) arranged substantially horizontally, wherein edges of the first set of tubes (112) define a first air-inlet surface (X). The second section (120) includes a second set of tubes (122), wherein edges of the second set of tubes (122) define a second air-inlet surface (Y). The receiver drier (130) is disposed parallel with respect to the first set of tubes (112) and configures fluid communication between the first section (110) and the second section (120). The first air-inlet surface (X) and the second air-inlet surface (Y) do not overlap when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first air inlet surface (X) and when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second air-inlet surface (Y).