Interior Condenser Flow Passage Layout for Driving Mechanism Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle air conditioners face challenges in providing sufficient space for the driving mechanism on the side surface of the air conditioning case, limiting the degree of freedom in arranging the mechanism, especially when multiple doors need to be driven by a single mechanism, which is necessary for efficient operation in various modes.

Innovation Solution

The design includes an interior condenser with a unique heat-transfer-medium flow passage structure that allows for the arrangement of inflow and outflow pipes at the lower part of the condenser, creating a continuous space on the side surface for the driving mechanism, enabling more flexible placement and increased space for the driving mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the driving mechanism is arranged on the side surface of the air conditioning case, then the doors can be driven to change air flow, but the space for arranging the driving mechanism is limited by the pipes extending along the side surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace for arranging driving mechanismVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the driving mechanism from the side surface arrangement to the rear surface arrangement of the air conditioning case. This dimensional change allows the driving mechanism to be positioned in a previously unused space, avoiding the conflict with pipes that extend along the side surface. The rear surface location provides adequate space without interfering with the pipe layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The driving mechanism is extracted from the constrained side surface area and relocated to the rear surface of the air conditioning case. This separation removes the driving mechanism from the limited side surface space, allowing both the pipes and driving mechanism to be optimally arranged in their respective locations without spatial conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple movable doors are driven by one driving mechanism, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the driving mechanism becomes large requiring more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidspace for driving mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By relocating the driving mechanism to the rear surface of the air conditioning case, the patent provides sufficient space to accommodate a larger driving mechanism that can control multiple doors. The rear surface location offers adequate area without conflicting with pipe arrangements, enabling cost-effective multi-door control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of movable doors are provided for various operation modes, then operational versatility is improved, but more driving mechanisms are needed increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation modesVSAvoidnumber of driving mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a driving mechanism with universal functionality that can control multiple different doors for various operation modes. The rear surface location provides space for a multi-functional driving mechanism that handles heating, cooling, and other operational requirements through a single integrated unit, reducing the total number of mechanisms needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

This configuration provides a wider space for arranging the driving mechanism, enhancing the degree of freedom in design and arrangement, allowing for efficient operation of multiple doors and improved temperature conditioning in various modes.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (11) having multiple flow passages for a heat transfer medium, and the flow passages mutually stacked in the left-right direction of the vehicle and respectively extending in an up-down direction, a second heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (12) having multiple flow passages for the heat transfer medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3575114A1Vehicle air conditioner
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
  • EP3575114A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3575114A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3575114A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An interior condenser (10) includes a first heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (11), a second heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (12) , a lower header tank (14), an upper header tank (13), a heat-transfer-medium inflow port (15), and a heat-transfer-medium outflow port (17). The first heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (11) and the second heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (12) respectively have flow passages for a heat transfer medium. The flow passages are mutually stacked in a left-right direction of a vehicle and each extend in an up-down direction. The lower header tank (14) is joined to lower ends of the first heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (11) and the second heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (12) and has an inside that is divided into multiple areas (14a, 14ab, 14b 14bb). The multiple areas (14a, 14ab, 14b 14bb) include at least a first area (14a) that communicates with the first heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (11) and a third area (14b) that communicates with the second heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (12). The upper header tank (13) is joined to upper ends of the first heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (11) and the second heat-transfer-medium flow passage group (12). The heat-transfer-medium inflow port (15) and the heat-transfer-medium outflow port (17) are provided at a lower part of one side in the left-right direction of the interior condenser (10).