Refrigerant Pipe Mass Damper Casing for Thermal Crack Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mass dampers for vehicle air conditioner refrigerant pipes face issues with cracking due to material expansion rate differences, leading to moisture and foreign substance ingress, which deteriorates durability and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A mass damper configuration with a zinc mass and a plastic casing, featuring injection-molded fixing jig insertion holes and a sealing rib to prevent external surface cracking and moisture ingress, eliminating the need for additional coatings or pads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional mass damper uses different materials for the mass and casing, then the mass damper can provide vibration reduction, but the external circumferential surface of the casing cracks due to difference in expansion rates when exposed to sudden temperature change

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of casingVSAvoidintegrity of casing surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the casing from conventional materials to plastic material, which has different thermal expansion characteristics that accommodate the mass material's expansion rate. This parameter change resolves the cracking issue by selecting a material whose expansion properties are compatible with the mass, eliminating the stress concentration that causes surface cracks during thermal cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure where the casing is made of plastic material and the mass is made of a different material (such as metal). This composite material approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while the plastic casing provides thermal flexibility that prevents cracking, thereby resolving the contradiction between vibration reduction effectiveness and casing integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the casing is covered with a heat-shielding pad or an insoluble coating is formed, then the casing is protected from cracking, but the cost of the mass damper increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from thermal shockVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional protective components such as heat-shielding pads and insoluble coatings by fundamentally changing the casing material to plastic. This removal of extra components directly reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining thermal shock protection, as the plastic material inherently accommodates thermal expansion without requiring external protective layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic casing material provides self-protection against thermal shock through its inherent material properties. The material naturally accommodates expansion and contraction without requiring external protective measures, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional cost-incurring protective components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If thermal shock-absorbing holes are formed in the casing, then thermal shock is absorbed, but moisture and foreign substances are introduced into the casing through the holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal shock resistanceVSAvoidmoisture and foreign substance ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental approach from creating openings (holes) to modify thermal expansion, instead selecting a plastic material for the casing that naturally accommodates thermal expansion through its material properties. This parameter change eliminates the need for thermal shock-absorbing holes, thereby preventing moisture and foreign substance ingress while maintaining thermal shock resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively prevents casing cracking and moisture ingress, enhancing durability and reducing costs by integrating a sealing rib for airtight contact with the refrigerant pipe, thus maintaining the mass damper's performance without additional protective measures.

Implementation Method 1

a mass damper for a vehicle air conditioner system, mounted on a refrigerant pipe for flow of a refrigerant in the vehicle air conditioner system to reduce vibrations generated in the refrigerant pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

prevent the external circumferential surface of a casing from cracking due to thermal deformation caused by the difference in the material and expansion rate between a mass and a casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11732770B2Mass damper for vehicle air conditioning system

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A mass damper for a refrigerant pipe is configured to insulate vibration and noise of the refrigerant pipe for the flow of a refrigerant circulating in a vehicle air conditioner system and a mass damper for a vehicle air conditioner system is configured to prevent an external circumferential surface of a casing from cracking due to thermal deformation.