Indoor Heat Exchanger Fin Structure for Dew Dispersion Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air conditioning apparatuses, heat exchangers with flat tubes and fins lead to dew condensation water dispersion into indoor spaces when used as evaporators, causing issues with moisture and frost formation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an indoor heat exchanger with vertically juxtaposed flat tubes and heat transfer fins, where the fins have continuous portions that guide dew condensation water downward, and a specific pitch-to-height ratio (4.6 ≤ DP/HT ≤ 8.0) to suppress dew dispersion and improve heat transfer performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If heat transfer fins are joined to flat tubes in a conventional heat exchanger, then heat transfer performance is improved, but dew condensation water disperses into the indoor space
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous portion of the heat transfer fin acts as an intermediary element that intercepts dew condensation water flowing down from the flat tube and redirects it toward the drainage path, preventing direct dispersion into the indoor space while maintaining heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of dew condensation water dispersion is separated from the heat transfer function by introducing a dedicated structural feature (continuous portion) that specifically addresses water management, allowing the heat transfer fins to maintain their primary function while the continuous portion handles water redirection
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the pitch between flat tubes is increased, then dew condensation water dispersion is suppressed, but heat transfer performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous portion is strategically positioned at specific locations where dew condensation water flows, providing localized water management functionality without requiring changes to the overall pitch between flat tubes, thus maintaining heat transfer performance while suppressing water dispersion
3Power
If the height of flat tubes is increased, then heat transfer area is improved, but dew condensation water more easily disperses
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous portion serves as a mediating structure that captures dew condensation water from the increased-height flat tube surface and redirects it to drainage, allowing the flat tube height to be optimized for heat transfer without proportionally increasing water dispersion risk
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 configuration effectively reduces dew condensation water dispersion and frost formation, enhancing indoor air conditioning efficiency while maintaining heat transfer performance.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer fins joined to the plurality of flat tubes
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange with air flowing through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
continuous portions that extend vertically and that guide dew condensation water to move downward
Implementation Method 4
when the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator for refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
refrigerant disperses into an indoor space
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
There is provided an indoor heat exchanger that includes a plurality of flat tubes capable of suppressing dispersion of dew condensation water, and an air conditioning apparatus. An indoor heat exchanger (51) to be used in an indoor unit (3) of an air conditioning apparatus (1) includes a plurality of flat tubes (55) that each include a flow channel (55c) for refrigerant and that are vertically juxtaposed, and a plurality of indoor fins (60) joined to the plurality of indoor flat tubes (55). The indoor fins (60) each include a vertically extending continuous portion (64) continuous with portions positioned between the indoor flat tubes (55) vertically juxtaposed. The relation of 4.0 ≤ DP/HT ≤ 10.0 (HT represents the height of each flat tube (55), and DP represents the pitch of the indoor flat tubes (55) vertically juxtaposed) is satisfied.