Outdoor heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle heat pump systems face challenges in efficiently switching between cooling and heating modes, leading to increased pressure drops and frosting phenomena due to the refrigerant's flow through the receiver dryer during heating, which limits the system's performance and requires additional components for mode switching.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor heat exchanger with a variable baffle system that controls the refrigerant flow by opening and closing according to temperature changes, allowing the refrigerant to bypass the receiver dryer during heating and adjusting the number of refrigerant passes, thereby preventing frosting and reducing system weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the refrigerant flows through the receiver dryer during heating mode, then the heating function is provided, but the pressure drop increases and frosting phenomenon occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position based on operating conditions. During heating mode, the baffle moves to close off the receiver dryer passage, preventing refrigerant flow through it. During cooling mode, the baffle opens to allow normal refrigerant flow through the receiver dryer. This dynamic adjustment eliminates frosting and pressure drop issues during heating while maintaining proper system operation during cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow path configuration parameter based on operating mode. By using temperature-sensitive materials or actuation mechanisms, the baffle position changes between two discrete states: one where the receiver dryer is included in the flow path (cooling mode) and one where it is excluded (heating mode). This parameter change allows the system to optimize performance for each specific operating condition.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional switching valves are added to control refrigerant flow for mode switching, then the cooling and heating mode switching is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow control function from the traditional valve-based system and relocates it to a passive baffle mechanism. Instead of using active switching valves that require control systems, actuators, and additional components, the baffle is designed to automatically respond to operating conditions (temperature, pressure, or flow characteristics) and redirect the refrigerant flow accordingly. This extraction of the control function simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle mechanism is designed to automatically adjust the refrigerant flow path based on the system's operating conditions without requiring external control signals or additional actuators. The baffle may use temperature-sensitive materials, pressure differential actuation, or flow-induced movement to self-regulate its position, enabling mode switching through the inherent physical parameters of the refrigerant itself rather than requiring complex control systems.
3Productivity
If the number of refrigerant passes is increased for better heat exchange during cooling, then the cooling performance is improved, but the pressure drop increases during heating mode
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed with a dynamic flow path configuration that adapts the number of refrigerant passes based on the operating mode. During cooling mode, the baffle configuration allows the refrigerant to flow through multiple passes (e.g., 3 or 4 passes) to maximize heat exchange surface area and improve cooling performance. During heating mode, the baffle redirects the refrigerant through a reduced number of passes (e.g., 1 or 2 passes) to minimize pressure drop and prevent frosting, while still maintaining adequate heating efficiency.
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 variable baffle system effectively reduces refrigerant passes during heating, minimizes frosting, and eliminates the need for additional switching valves, enhancing system efficiency and reducing costs by maintaining consistent inlet and outlet positions across modes.
Implementation Method 1
a variable baffle (701, 702) whose opening and closing is controlled according to switching of cooling and heating modes
Implementation Method 2
the outdoor heat exchanger serves as a condenser in the cooling mode and serves as the evaporator in a heating mode
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an outdoor heat exchanger, and more particularly, to an outdoor heat exchanger including a variable baffle whose opening and closing are controlled according to a switching of cooling/heating modes of a vehicle heat pump system to easily change a refrigerant pass and reduce the number of refrigerant passes at the time of heating than at the time of cooling.