Laminated Internal Heat Exchanger Layout for Vehicle Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double-channel internal heat exchangers have a low heat transfer area and require increased length for high heat exchange efficiency, making them space-intensive, while lamination types face challenges in mounting and cost due to the need for brackets in congested engine rooms.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus with a lamination-type internal heat exchanger stored in a case, disposed between the evaporator and firewall, and separated from the ventilation flow path by a partition wall, eliminating the need for a bracket and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a double-channel internal heat exchanger is used, then the structure is simple, but the heat transfer area is small and heat exchange capability is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a double-channel configuration to a lamination-type structure where multiple flow paths are stacked in parallel layers. This dimensional arrangement increases the heat transfer area without significantly increasing the overall length or complexity of the heat exchanger, thereby improving heat exchange capability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the length of double-channel internal heat exchanger is increased to improve heat exchange effect, then heat exchange capability is improved, but the space required for installation is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The lamination-type internal heat exchanger arranges multiple flow paths in parallel layers rather than extending the length of a single channel. This allows the heat exchange area to be increased by utilizing the width and height dimensions through stacked plates, thereby achieving high heat exchange capability without increasing the overall length of the heat exchanger.
3Length of stationary object
If a lamination type of internal heat exchanger is disposed in the engine room, then space is saved, but a bracket is required which increases cost and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the internal heat exchanger directly with the evaporator assembly, merging two separate components into a unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate brackets and mounting hardware, reducing both cost and assembly complexity while maintaining the space-saving benefits of compact installation in the engine room.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the evaporator and the mounting structure for the internal heat exchanger. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated mounting brackets, thereby reducing part count, cost, and assembly steps while enabling compact installation.
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 enhances heat exchange efficiency, reduces dew condensation, and minimizes mounting processes, achieving a space-saving and cost-effective solution for vehicle air-conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
an internal heat exchanger performing heat exchange between a condensed high-temperature and high-pressure cooling medium and an evaporated low-temperature and low-pressure cooling medium
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator performing heat exchange with the blowing air
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator cooling and dehumidifying air with the evaporation heat of the cooling medium
Implementation Method 4
a condenser cooling the cooling medium discharged from the compressor and condensing the cooling medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~4(b)
AI summary
It is an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air-conditioning apparatus which can reduce the number of processes of mounting a lamination type of internal heat exchanger, is easily attachable, and is space saving. A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus (100) according to the present invention is provided with a case (1) having a ventilation flow path for blowing air therein and disposed in a vehicle interior (4), a blower unit (21) configured to form the blowing air, an evaporator (14) performing heat exchange with a blowing air (31), an internal heat exchanger (16) performing heat exchange between a condensed high-temperature and high-pressure cooling medium in a refrigeration cycle (10) and an evaporated low-temperature and low-pressure cooling medium, and a cooling medium expansion unit. In the vehicle air-conditioning apparatus, the internal heat exchanger (16) has a laminate structure in which a high-pressure side cooling medium flow path (61) through which the high-temperature and high-pressure cooling medium is flowed and a low-pressure side cooling medium flow path (62) through which the low-temperature and low-pressure cooling medium is flowed are alternately arranged in a line, and the internal heat exchanger is stored in the case (1) and disposed in a region S between the evaporator (14) and a firewall (2).