Polyamide Hose Inner Layer Acid Acceptors for Refrigerant Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rubber hoses for car air conditioning systems using HFO-1234yf as a refrigerant exhibit low deterioration resistance due to chemical attacks, leading to hydrolysis of the polyamide innermost layer and subsequent decline in performance.

Innovation Solution

A hose with an innermost layer formed from a polyamide resin composition containing a polyamide and an acid acceptor, such as hydrotalcite, magnesium oxide, or calcium hydroxide, which traps acidic components and suppresses hydrolysis, combined with a carboxyl group-containing modified polyolefin and an acid sealing agent to enhance durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional polyamide innermost layer is used in rubber hoses for HFO-1234yf refrigerant systems, then the hose structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the deterioration resistance performance is low due to chemical attacks causing hydrolysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeterioration resistance performanceVSAvoidpolyamide resin composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polyamide resin with specific additives (acid acceptors like metal hydroxides or oxides, and acid sealing agents) to create a multi-functional innermost layer. This composite structure provides both the inherent chemical resistance of polyamide and the protective functions of the additives, preventing hydrolysis from acidic decomposition products while maintaining structural integrity and durability in HFO-1234yf refrigerant systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses acid acceptors (such as metal hydroxides or oxides) as intermediary substances that neutralize acidic decomposition products before they can attack the polyamide resin. These intermediaries act as a protective buffer between the refrigerant environment and the polyamide structure, preventing direct chemical attack and hydrolysis while allowing the polyamide to maintain its barrier properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If acid acceptors and acid sealing agents are added to the polyamide resin composition, then deterioration resistance improves, but manufacturing precision and composition control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeterioration resistance performanceVSAvoidresin composition control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the additive concentrations (0.1-10 parts by mass of acid acceptor and 0.01-5 parts by mass of acid sealing agent per 100 parts of polyamide resin) to optimize performance while ensuring manufacturability. These parameter specifications provide clear manufacturing targets that balance deterioration resistance improvement with composition control feasibility, allowing consistent quality through defined compositional parameters

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 provides a hose with superior deterioration resistance performance, maintaining mechanical properties and flexibility over extended periods, even under high-temperature conditions, while preventing refrigerant permeation and reducing vibration-induced noise.

Implementation Method 1

an innermost layer formed using a polyamide resin composition comprising a polyamide and, per 100 parts by mass thereof, from 0.5 to 20 parts by mass of an acid acceptor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcid-base reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

laminated structures of a rubber and a resin comprising an innermost layer formed from a polyamide resin material in order to suppress the permeation of a refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation resistance: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP2466179B1Hose for transferring refrigerant
Publication Date: 2014.03.26 THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD
  • EP2466179B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a hose for refrigerant transport use comprising an inner layer with superior deterioration resistance performance. The innermost layer comprised in the hose for refrigerant transport use of the present invention is formed using a polyamide resin composition comprising a polyamide and, per 100 parts by mass thereof, from 0.5 to 20 parts by mass of an acid acceptor.