Coolant condenser assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of refrigerant circuits in vehicle air conditioning systems is reduced when using the new refrigerant R1234yf due to changed material properties, and increasing supercooling to compensate for this requires more space, which is not available, leading to increased condensation pressure and reduced cooling capacity.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant condenser assembly with three subcooling sections connected by intermediate flow channels, allowing for further cooling of the refrigerant below its boiling point without increasing the assembly's dimensions, with the outlet and collection container arranged on opposite sides to maintain efficient cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the subcooling area is enlarged to increase refrigerant cooling capacity, then the cooling performance improves, but the installation space requirement increases beyond available dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The subcooling area is divided into multiple subcooling sections (first, second, third subcooling sections) that are arranged in parallel and connected through intermediate flow channels. This segmentation allows the refrigerant to be cooled in stages across multiple sections, achieving the required subcooling degree without requiring a single large subcooling area, thus fitting within the predetermined installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the subcooling sections and intermediate flow channels in a three-dimensional configuration that utilizes vertical and lateral spaces efficiently. The intermediate flow channels connect the subcooling sections at different levels, allowing the system to achieve extended cooling paths without increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby maintaining compact installation dimensions.
2Temperature
If more cooling pipes are added to increase subcooling, then the subcooling degree increases, but the condensation surface area decreases and saturation pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation area is divided into multiple condensation sections with multiple cooling pipes in each section, arranged in parallel configurations. This segmentation distributes the refrigerant flow across multiple paths, maintaining adequate condensation surface area while achieving the required subcooling degree through the combined effect of multiple sections working together.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the condenser are designed with different numbers and arrangements of cooling pipes according to local requirements. The subcooling sections have configurations optimized for maximum cooling efficiency, while the condensation sections maintain configurations optimized for pressure control, allowing each local area to perform its specific function effectively.
3Volume of stationary object
If the outlet and collection container are arranged on the same side, then the structure is simplified, but the collection volume is limited by available space
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is positioned on one longitudinal side of the refrigerant condenser assembly while the collection container is positioned on the opposite longitudinal side, utilizing the lateral dimension of the assembly. This arrangement maximizes the available space for the collection container without requiring additional vertical or depth dimensions, thereby increasing collection volume while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 refrigeration circuit's performance by achieving greater cooling without increasing the condenser's size, maintaining pressure drop after the wet steam area, and ensuring the outlet and collection container are on different longitudinal sides, thus compensating for the performance reduction with R1234yf.
Implementation Method 1
Through the cooling tubes (2), the gaseous refrigerant is cooled to a saturation temperature in a superheating section (11)
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant then flows into a condensation section (12), where it is further cooled to its boiling point, thus liquefying
Implementation Method 3
The liquid refrigerant then flows into a subcooling section (13) and is cooled below its boiling point
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coolant condenser assembly for an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle, comprising an inlet opening (9) for the introduction of a coolant, an outlet opening (10) for the discharge of a coolant, and cooling pipes (2) for the passage of a coolant, two collective pipes for fluidic connection of the cooling pipes (2), and a collecting vessel having at least one overflow opening by means of which the collecting vessel is fluidically connected to the cooling pipes (2) and/or the collective pipe, the collecting vessel being disposed on a first longitudinal side of the coolant condenser assembly, and the cooling pipes (2) having a superheating region (11) for cooling the vaporous coolant, a condensation region (12) for condensing the coolant, and a supercooling region (13) for cooling the liquid coolant. The problem addressed by the invention is that the coolant in the supercooling region (13) of the coolant condenser assembly should be cooled intensely without the condensation pressure increasing substantially in the coolant condenser assembly. This problem is solved in that, in the supercooling region (13), at least two cooling pipes (2), as the first supercooling parallel section (14), are acted upon in parallel by the coolant in a fluid-conducting manner, the coolant which flows out of the first supercooling parallel section (14) flows into a first supercooling intermediate flow duct (15), and the first supercooling intermediate flow duct (15) opens into at least two cooling pipes (2) as the second supercooling parallel section (16), and the second supercooling parallel section (16) opens into a second supercooling intermediate flow duct (17) and the second supercooling intermediate flow duct (17) opens into at least two cooling pipes (2) as the third supercooling parallel section (18), such that the outlet opening (10) is disposed on a second longitudinal side of the coolant condenser assembly.