Coolant condenser assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of motor vehicle air conditioning systems using the new refrigerant R1234yf is reduced by up to 10% due to changed material properties, and increasing supercooling to compensate for this requires more cooling tubes and space, which reduces the condensation area and refrigeration capacity.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant condenser assembly with cooling tubes in the supercooling area having smaller flow cross-sectional areas than those in the superheating and condensation areas, allowing for enhanced cooling without increasing the condenser's dimensions, achieved by using smaller tubes or turbulence inserts, and dividing the subcooling area into parallel sections to improve heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the supercooling area is enlarged to increase refrigeration performance, then the refrigerant can be cooled more effectively, but the installation space and condensation area are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different flow cross-sectional areas to different regions of the condenser. The supercooling area has a smaller flow cross-sectional area (0.1-0.5 times) compared to the condensation area, creating local quality differences that optimize heat transfer efficiency in the supercooling region without requiring a proportional increase in overall condenser volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of flow cross-sectional area in the supercooling region to enhance cooling efficiency. By reducing the flow cross-sectional area to 0.1-0.5 times that of the condensation area, the refrigerant flow velocity increases, improving heat transfer coefficients and enabling more effective supercooling within the same installation space.
2Productivity
If more cooling tubes are added to increase supercooling capacity, then the refrigerant can be cooled more, but the condensation area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a local quality difference by configuring the supercooling area with a significantly smaller flow cross-sectional area (0.1-0.5 times) compared to the condensation area. This allows the supercooling region to achieve enhanced cooling capacity through increased flow velocity and improved heat transfer, while occupying less overall area and preserving sufficient condensation area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the spatial distribution of cooling tubes by arranging them in multiple rows with specific pitch relationships. The transverse pitch in the supercooling area is designed to be 0.5-1.5 times the longitudinal pitch, creating a three-dimensional optimization that maximizes supercooling capacity without proportionally increasing the footprint area.
3Loss of energy
If the flow cross-sectional area is reduced in the supercooling area, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by reducing the flow cross-sectional area specifically in the supercooling region (0.1-0.5 times the condensation area) rather than throughout the entire condenser. This localized reduction optimizes heat transfer where it is most needed for supercooling, while the overall pressure drop remains manageable due to the limited scope of the restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes the cooling tubes in a three-dimensional arrangement with optimized pitch ratios. The transverse pitch (0.5-1.5 times the longitudinal pitch) creates multiple flow paths that distribute the pressure drop across different dimensions, preventing excessive pressure buildup while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency in the supercooling region.
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 refrigerant can be cooled more effectively in the supercooling area without increasing the condenser's size, improving the refrigeration circuit's performance and partially compensating for the performance reduction with R1234yf, while maintaining a stable pressure drop and heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
cooling tubes for conducting a refrigerant... for cooling the vaporous refrigerant... for condensing the refrigerant... for cooling the liquid refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a condensation area for condensing the refrigerant... in this area the gaseous refrigerant is further cooled and thus liquefied
Implementation Method 3
a subcooling area as a subcooling parallel section for cooling the liquid refrigerant... cooled below the boiling point, for example to a temperature of 6 or 7 K below the 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 cooling pipes (2) for the passage of a coolant, two collective pipes for fluidically connecting the cooling pipes (2), and preferably 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 to the collective pipe, the cooling pipes (2) having a superheating region (11) for cooling the vaporous coolant, a condensation region (12) for condensing the coolant as at least one parallel section (19, 21, 23) and a supercooling region (13) as a supercooling parallel section 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 coolant condenser assembly requiring greater space in the supercooling region (13). This problem is solved in that the flow cross-sectional areas of the cooling pipes (2) in the supercooling region (13) are smaller than the product of 1.0 or 0.9 or 0.7 or 0.5 and the flow cross-sectional areas of the cooling pipes (2) in the superheating region (11) and/or the condensation region (12).