Refrigerant circulation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cooling performance of refrigerant circulation devices is limited by the space constraints within the housing, which makes it difficult to increase the size of the heat exchanger due to the presence of other components like pumps.
Innovation Solution
The design positions the heat exchanger on one side relative to the pump, allowing for a larger size and improved cooling performance by optimizing the layout within the housing, where the accommodation region extends in a first direction and a second direction intersecting each other, accommodating the primary and secondary flow paths, heat exchanger, and pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the size of the heat exchanger is increased to improve cooling performance, then cooling performance is improved, but the device cannot be accommodated in the housing due to space constraints from other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the heat exchanger and pump at opposite ends of the housing in the first direction, utilizing the full length of the housing. This dimensional arrangement allows both components to coexist without interference, effectively using the available space in the first direction to accommodate a larger heat exchanger while maintaining pump functionality.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger size is increased, then thermal contact between refrigerants is improved, but the layout becomes more complex due to presence of pump and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is functionally segmented into two distinct zones: one end for the heat exchanger and the opposite end for the pump. This segmentation simplifies the layout by clearly defining component zones, reducing the complexity of routing flow paths while allowing the heat exchanger to be maximally sized for improved thermal contact efficiency.
3Productivity
If the heat exchanger is positioned to maximize size, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the pump may not be properly accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning where the heat exchanger and pump are placed at opposite ends of the housing in the first direction, creating an asymmetric layout that maximizes the space available for the heat exchanger while ensuring the pump has adequate accommodation space. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes cooling efficiency without compromising pump functionality.
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 performance by increasing the surface area of the heat exchanger, facilitating better thermal contact between refrigerants and improving the circulation of refrigerants, thereby enhancing the overall cooling efficiency of the device.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger connected to the primary flow path and the secondary flow path
Implementation Method 2
a pump connected to the secondary flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant circulation device includes a primary flow path serving as a flow path of a primary refrigerant, a secondary flow path serving as a flow path of a secondary refrigerant, a heat exchanger connected to the primary flow path and the secondary flow path, a pump connected to the secondary flow path, and a housing including an accommodation region extending in a first direction and a second direction intersecting each other and having a dimension longer in the first direction than in the second direction. The housing accommodates the primary flow path, the secondary flow path, the heat exchanger, and the pump in the accommodation region. An entirety of the heat exchanger is positioned on one side in the second direction relative to the pump.