Refrigerant accumulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant accumulators face challenges in efficiently separating lubricant from refrigerant and effectively removing water that enters the refrigeration circuit, which can lead to reduced system performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant accumulator design featuring a housing with inlet and outlet openings, incorporating a device with a guide element that creates a vortex flow to separate lubricant from refrigerant, and optionally includes a desiccant container for water removal, all while allowing for cost-effective manufacturing and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a desiccant is arranged in the accumulator to remove water, then water removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the desiccant container with the flow influencing device into a single integrated component. The desiccant container is arranged in the housing and works together with the flow influencing device to both influence refrigerant flow and remove water, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow influencing device is designed to serve multiple functions: it influences the flow of refrigerant and simultaneously provides a structure that accommodates the desiccant for water removal. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the accumulator.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a device with multiple functions is arranged in the housing, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the accumulator into distinct functional components: a housing, a separate flow influencing device with integrated desiccant container, and a cover. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using appropriate methods (injection molding for plastic parts, metal forming for cover), and then assembled together, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different materials for different components based on their functional requirements: plastic materials for the housing and flow influencing device (allowing complex geometries through injection molding) and metallic material for the cover (providing strength and sealing). This material selection optimizes both functionality and ease of manufacture for each component.
3Reliability
If the cover and housing are made from different materials, then performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the accumulator into a housing and a cover that can be manufactured from different materials. The housing is made via injection molding of plastic material, while the cover is made from metallic material. This segmentation allows optimization of each component's material selection based on performance requirements without requiring expensive multi-material molding processes, thus controlling manufacturing costs.
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 proposed design enhances lubricant separation efficiency, extends the service life of the accumulator, and effectively removes water from the refrigeration circuit, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of mobile air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
the guide element can have a channel that is curved in sections. The refrigerant flowing in via the inlet opening is directed into the interior of the housing via the channel and the flow of refrigerant is deflected by the channel curved in sections. This can create a vortex current
Implementation Method 2
Due to the centrifugal force acting on the lubricant, the lubricant separates from the refrigerant on the wall of the housing and collects in the bottom region
Implementation Method 3
In order to remove the water, it is known from the state of the art to arrange a desiccant, for example based on silica gel, in the accumulator. The desiccant is located in an air-permeable container and absorbs the water contained in the refrigerant flowing through the accumulator
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant accumulator, comprising a housing with at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, wherein a device is arranged in the housing, wherein the device is allocated to the inlet opening and/or the outlet opening.