Receiver Drier Modular Assembly for Flexible Serviceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional receiver driers for vehicle air conditioning systems are difficult to assemble and disassemble, prone to damage during assembly due to close tolerances, and lack flexibility in serviceability, requiring specific condenser configurations and more components and assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
A receiver drier design with a tubular casing, plug body, filter body, tubular element, disc, and desiccant material, where components can be assembled outside the casing and inserted without deformation, allowing serviceability from either top or bottom, reducing the number of components and assembly steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If components are assembled inside the tubular casing during manufacturing, then the receiver drier can be produced, but the assembly process becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver drier is divided into modular components (tubular casing, plug body, filter body, disc, sealing elements) that can be assembled separately and then installed as a complete unit, making assembly convenient and time-efficient
Solution Approach 2:
Components are pre-assembled outside the tubular casing before final installation, allowing for easier manipulation and assembly without the constraints of the confined internal space
2Ease of manufacture
If components are assembled outside the tubular casing and then inserted, then assembly is easier, but close tolerances cause deformation and damage
Solution Approach 1:
Components are designed to nest within each other in a specific sequence, with the disc at the distal end of the tubular element being the first to contact the inside walls, providing a controlled insertion path that prevents deformation
Solution Approach 2:
Components are pre-assembled with proper alignment and positioning before insertion, ensuring that close tolerances are maintained without causing deformation during the insertion process
3Reliability
If the receiver drier requires specific condenser configurations for serviceability, then proper refrigerant collection is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver drier is designed with a universal serviceability approach, allowing refrigerant collection and service operations to be performed regardless of condenser configuration or number of passes, making it adaptable to various air conditioning system designs
4Reliability
If more components and assembly steps are used, then proper sealing and filtration are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (sealing, filtration, refrigerant collection) are integrated into a compact modular assembly where the plug body, filter body, and disc work together as a unified component set, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability
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
Facilitates easy and flexible assembly and disassembly, reduces the risk of damage during assembly, and provides improved serviceability regardless of condenser configuration or number of passes, with fewer components and reduced assembly time.
Implementation Method 1
The receiver drier 02 receives a desiccant material to absorb moisture (water) that may have entered inside the air conditioning system
Implementation Method 2
The receiver drier 02 also includes a filter to trap debris that may have entered inside fluid lines of the air conditioner unit
Implementation Method 3
The conventional receiver drier 02 includes a sealing element 03 received inside the tubular casing 01 to collect the condensed refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
refrigerant gas enters the condenser, where refrigerant gas rejects heat energy to external ambient (through ambient air or a specific low temperature coolant circuit), is cooled, and condenses into liquid phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The receiver drier includes a tubular casing, a plug body, a filter body, a tubular element, an end cap and a disc. The tubular casing includes first and second open ends, first and second apertures. The plug body forms removable engagement with either one of first and second open ends. The filter body is connected to the plug body. The tubular element is connected to the filter body at a proximal end thereof and is eccentrically received within the tubular casing. The end cap closes open end opposite to either of the first and the second open ends closed by plug body. The disc is disposed at a distal end of the tubular element to define a first and a remaining section. The first section receives refrigerant through the tubular element. A portion of the tubular casing upstream of the end cap in the fluid flow direction grips the disc.