Radiator Arrangement Layout for Inlet-Side Heat Exchanger Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing cooler arrangements for vehicles, the coolant flowing through a first heat exchanger heats up and then enters a second heat exchanger, leading to suboptimal cooling and efficiency losses due to the coolant being in a heated state, especially when both heat exchangers have similar base areas.
Innovation Solution
A radiator arrangement with a first heat exchanger positioned upstream of a second heat exchanger, where the first heat exchanger's base area is smaller and overlaps only the inlet-side region of the second heat exchanger, ensuring that heated air from the first heat exchanger transfers heat only to the warmest areas of the second heat exchanger, optimizing coolant cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger have essentially the same base area, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficiency of the refrigerant circuit deteriorates due to heated air from the first heat exchanger reducing the cooling potential of the coolant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the first and second heat exchangers with different base areas. The first heat exchanger has a smaller base area than the second heat exchanger, creating an asymmetric configuration that optimizes thermal performance. This asymmetric design allows the first heat exchanger to process a portion of the heated air without compromising the cooling efficiency of the second heat exchanger, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and cooling efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If the first heat exchanger is positioned to maximize overlap with the second heat exchanger, then the space utilization is improved, but the performance of the refrigerant circuit deteriorates because heated air reduces the cooling potential of the coolant in the second heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a differentiated spatial arrangement where the first heat exchanger occupies a specific local region with a smaller base area that does not fully overlap with the second heat exchanger. This local differentiation ensures that the heated air from the first heat exchanger does not completely cover the cooling surfaces of the second heat exchanger, preserving the cooling potential in regions where the coolant flows. Thus, space utilization is optimized without sacrificing refrigerant circuit performance.
3Device complexity
If the coolant flows through both heat exchangers of the same size in series, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the cooling performance deteriorates as the heated air from the first heat exchanger reduces the temperature gradient available for cooling in the second heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing asymmetry in the base area dimensions of the two heat exchangers. The first heat exchanger is designed with a smaller base area than the second heat exchanger, which maintains relative system simplicity while significantly improving cooling performance. The asymmetric configuration ensures that the heated air from the first heat exchanger occupies only a portion of the flow area, leaving sufficient area in the second heat exchanger to maintain an effective temperature gradient for coolant cooling.
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 configuration enhances the cooling efficiency of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, improving the overall system performance by ensuring optimal heat transfer only to the warmest regions of the second heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
the air flow is heated by the first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the cooling efficiency of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooler assembly (10), more particularly a cooler package, for an internal-combustion-engine-driven or at least partially electrically driven motor vehicle (50), comprising a first heat exchanger (12), which can be or is connected to a coolant circuit of the motor vehicle, and a second heat exchanger (14), which can be or is connected to a refrigerant circuit of the motor vehicle, wherein, with respect to a main direction of an air flow (LS) through the cooler assembly (10), the first heat exchanger (12) is disposed upstream of the second heat exchanger (14), and wherein a first base area (12a) of the first heat exchanger (12), to which first base area the air flow (LS) is applied, is smaller than a second base area (14a) of the second heat exchanger (14), to which second base area the air flow (LS) is applied. According to the invention, the first base area (12a) is dimensioned such that it overlaps with the second base area (14a) only in a region which, with respect to the refrigerant flow (14w) in the second heat exchanger (14), is on the inlet side. The invention also relates to an at least partially electrically driven motor vehicle having a cooler assembly of this type.