Microchannel Refrigerant Assembly for Integrated Filtering and Decompression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerant circuits for vehicle air conditioning require spatially separated filter and decompression assemblies, leading to increased costs and assembly complexity.

Innovation Solution

A microchannel part with integrated filtering and decompression capabilities, featuring varying channel sizes that allow for simultaneous filtering and decompression within a single housing, reducing assembly effort and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filter assembly and decompression assembly are spatially separated in conventional refrigerant circuits, then each assembly can be independently designed and maintained, but the system complexity and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent design and maintenance capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity and assembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the filter assembly and decompression assembly into a single integrated unit called a 'functional filter/decompression unit-body'. This merging eliminates the need for separate assemblies and their individual mounting, reducing system complexity and assembly cost while maintaining the functional separation needed for independent operation and maintenance of filtering and decompression functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated unit-body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a filter assembly and a decompression assembly within a single component. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to perform both filtering and pressure reduction, simplifying the overall system architecture without compromising the ability to maintain each function independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If microchannels with varying sizes are used in the unit-body, then filtering and decompression are performed simultaneously at the same level, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous filtering and decompression efficiencyVSAvoidmicrochannel size variation control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The unit-body incorporates microchannels with different local characteristics: larger microchannels in certain regions for effective filtering of foreign matter, and smaller microchannels in other regions for decompression functionality. This local variation in channel quality allows simultaneous performance of both functions at the same operational level while the variations are controlled within manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 microchannel part effectively filters foreign matter and decompresses refrigerant in a single unit, reducing assembly complexity and costs while also attenuating acoustic waves, thereby improving system efficiency and maintaining intervals.

Implementation Method 1

a microchannel part (4) having a functional filter/decompression unit-body in which filtering and decompression of a passing refrigerant are performable substantially at the same time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The microchannels have different channel sizes (w), whereby in direction of flow in the inlet region microchannels with bigger channel sizes (wI) are provided and in the outlet region microchannels with smaller channel sizes (w2) are provided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient through geometric constriction: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7275391B2Assembly for refrigerant circuits

Publication Date: 2007.10.02 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly for refrigerant circuits that is arranged between the compressor and the evaporator thereof including a housing with a through channel. Within the through channel is a microchannel part having a filtering portion and a decompression portion wherein filtering and decompression of the passing refrigerant can be performed generally at the same time.