Nested Refrigerant Adjustment in Heat Exchangers for Water Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration cycle devices face challenges in protecting valves from water exposure and space restrictions when the heat exchanger and liquid reservoir are positioned at the front of a vehicle, leading to potential water contact and limited arrangement options.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design where at least part of the refrigerant adjustment portion is inserted into the liquid reservoir, allowing it to protect from water and facilitate easy connections with various flow paths, thereby preventing water exposure and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the valves are located close to the heat exchanger and liquid reservoir to reduce pressure loss, then the pressure loss of refrigerant is reduced, but the valves are exposed to water which causes reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant adjustment portion is inserted into the liquid reservoir, creating a nested configuration where one component is placed inside another. This nesting arrangement allows the refrigerant adjustment portion to be positioned close to the heat exchanger for low pressure loss while simultaneously being protected from water exposure by the liquid reservoir's protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid reservoir serves as an intermediary structure that provides water protection to the refrigerant adjustment portion. By positioning the refrigerant adjustment portion within the liquid reservoir, the reservoir acts as a protective barrier against water while allowing the refrigerant adjustment functions to operate effectively.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger and liquid reservoir are disposed in the front part of the vehicle to optimize cooling performance, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the arrangement space is severely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant adjustment portion is merged with the liquid reservoir by inserting it into the reservoir. This combination reduces the total volume required for these components while maintaining their individual functions, thereby optimizing space utilization in the vehicle's front section where cooling efficiency is prioritized.
Solution Approach 2:
By nesting the refrigerant adjustment portion within the liquid reservoir, the overall volume occupied by these components is reduced. This nested arrangement allows for more efficient packaging in the constrained space of the vehicle's front section while maintaining cooling performance.
3Reliability
If the valves are positioned away from the heat exchanger to protect them from water, then water protection is improved, but the pressure loss of refrigerant increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration of inserting the refrigerant adjustment portion into the liquid reservoir allows the valves to be positioned close to the heat exchanger for minimal pressure loss while the liquid reservoir provides the necessary water protection. This resolves the contradiction by achieving both proximity for low pressure loss and protection from water.
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 design effectively prevents water contact with valves and enhances the mountability of the heat exchanger even in limited spaces, improving protection and installation flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanging portion configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant flowing through therein and air
Implementation Method 2
exchange heat between a refrigerant flowing through therein and air
Implementation Method 3
exchange heat between a refrigerant flowing through therein and air
Implementation Method 4
a liquid reservoir arranged along a lateral surface of the heat exchanging portion and configured to separate a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the heat exchanging portion into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
separate a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the heat exchanging portion into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes: a heat exchanging portion configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant flowing through therein and air; a liquid reservoir configured to separate a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the heat exchanging portion into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant, the liquid reservoir storing the liquid-phase refrigerant; and a refrigerant adjustment portion configured to adjust a flow state of the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant adjustment portion through a refrigerant passage of the refrigeration cycle, supply the refrigerant to the heat exchanging portion and adjust an outflow state and an outflow destination of the refrigerant flowing out of the heat exchanging portion or the liquid reservoir. At least a part of the refrigerant adjustment portion is inserted into the liquid reservoir.