Integrated Condenser Layout With Extended Refrigerant Reserve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing condensers for air conditioning circuits, particularly in motor vehicles, have a poor degree of integration due to the limited axial height of the refrigerating fluid reserve when it is integrated within the stack of plates, restricting the length of the reserve and increasing the number of components.
Innovation Solution
A condenser design with a housing that connects to a refrigerating fluid reserve, allowing the reserve to extend freely in length while maintaining two heat exchange zones, with a flange for fixing the reserve and stacked plates for series circulation of the refrigerating fluid, reducing spatial requirements and component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the refrigerating fluid reserve is integrated within the stack of plates, then the degree of integration is improved, but the axial height of the reserve is limited by the number of plates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the reserve from a three-dimensional volume constrained by plate stacking to a one-dimensional linear extension along the longitudinal axis. The reserve is positioned externally to the plate stack, allowing it to extend in length without being limited by the number of plates, thus resolving the contradiction between integration and axial height limitation.
2Device complexity
If the refrigerating fluid reserve is positioned transversely relative to the plates, then the integration is improved, but the spatial requirements are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The reserve is nested within the housing structure, utilizing the available longitudinal space efficiently. The housing accommodates both the plate stack and the extended reserve in a compact arrangement, reducing overall spatial requirements while maintaining integration.
3Productivity
If two stacks of plates are used for heat exchange units, then the heat exchange functionality is improved, but the degree of integration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first and second heat exchange units into a single integrated plate stack structure. The refrigerating fluid circulates through the plates in series, allowing both heat exchange functions to be performed by one unified component rather than two separate stacks, thus improving integration while maintaining functionality.
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 enables a more efficient and compact condenser with reduced spatial requirements, allowing the refrigerating fluid reserve to extend in length, while maintaining effective heat exchange and reducing the number of components, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first heat exchange portion (13) between the refrigerating fluid and a cooling liquid... and a second heat exchange portion (15) which is configured to produce a heat exchange complement between the refrigerating fluid and the cooling liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A condenser for an air conditioning circuit is disclosed. The condenser has a housing which is connected to a refrigerating fluid reserve by a flange having cylinder shaped tubes, the housing receiving a first heat exchange portion between the refrigerating fluid and a cooling liquid, the first portion being configured to convey the refrigerating fluid to the refrigerating fluid reserve, and a second heat exchange portion which produces a heat exchange complement between the refrigerating fluid and the cooling liquid at the outlet of the refrigerating fluid reserve.