Nested Microchannel Heat Exchanger Design for Compact Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional double-row microchannel heat exchangers are costly and require significant mounting space due to the need for bending and gaps between cores, which increases manufacturing costs and limits their use.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring heat exchange assemblies with first and second channels and a communication portion, where protrusions on the channels and communication portion are denser and larger, allowing refrigerant circulation without bending, reducing length and mounting space, and optimizing cross-sectional areas for improved refrigerant flow and pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional double-row microchannel heat exchanger is bent, then heat exchange capacity is maintained, but length increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the second row of channels within the same spatial envelope as the first row, creating a compact double-row configuration where channels are nested parallel to each other. This eliminates the need for bending to achieve double-row capacity, reducing length while maintaining heat exchange capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-row linear arrangement to a double-row parallel arrangement, effectively utilizing an additional spatial dimension. This allows the heat exchanger to achieve doubled capacity without increasing length by arranging channels in two parallel rows rather than extending a single row.
2Reliability
If conventional double-row microchannel heat exchanger is bent, then heat exchange capacity is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested double-row configuration allows for simplified manufacturing by eliminating complex bending operations. The parallel channel arrangement can be formed through more straightforward extrusion or molding processes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining heat exchange capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the channel arrangement from a bent single-row configuration to a straight double-row configuration. This parameter change simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating bending operations and associated tooling requirements, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If gap of 4mm to 7mm is provided between double-row cores, then manufacturing is facilitated, but mounting space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing fins only in specific regions where heat exchange is needed, rather than uniformly across the entire heat exchanger. This allows for reduced spacing between cores in certain areas while maintaining adequate heat exchange performance, thereby reducing overall mounting space.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration allows the double-row cores to be positioned closer together by utilizing the same spatial envelope more efficiently. The parallel arrangement enables tighter packing compared to bent configurations, reducing the gap requirements and overall mounting space.
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 reduces manufacturing costs, maintains heat exchange capacity without lengthening the heat exchanger, enhances refrigerant flow uniformity, and improves heat dissipation efficiency by minimizing pressure drop and optimizing channel cross-sectional areas.
Implementation Method 1
a fin, the fin is located between two adjacent heat exchange assemblies of the plurality of heat exchange assemblies
Implementation Method 2
multiple protrusions being provided on the first channel, the second channel and the communication portion
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a heat exchanger and an, air conditioner with the heat exchanger. A heat exchange assembly includes a first channel and a second channel which are used for allowing a refrigerant to pass through, a communication portion communicated with the first channel and the second channel, and a plurality of protrusions.