Refrigerant container
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems for car air-conditioners require separate components for refrigerant gas-liquid separation, occupying more space and increasing component count, with existing solutions lacking detail on internal container structures.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant container with a tank, gas/liquid inlet port, liquid-phase outlet port, and gas-phase outlet port, featuring a gas-liquid separation accelerating plate and strainer, allowing both receiver and accumulator functions within a single container, with an on-off valve for operational state switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate receiver and accumulator components are used for gas-liquid separation, then reliable refrigerant phase separation is achieved, but system size and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the receiver and accumulator into a single integrated container with unified gas-liquid separation functionality. The container includes a separation plate that divides the internal space into liquid-phase and gas-phase regions, allowing both receiver and accumulator functions to be performed within one component rather than requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The single container is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a receiver (storing liquid-phase refrigerant) and an accumulator (storing gas-phase refrigerant with oil). The container includes multiple outlet ports (liquid-phase outlet and gas-phase outlet) that enable it to fulfill the roles of both separate components simultaneously.
2Reliability
If separate receiver and accumulator components are used, then distinct gas-liquid separation functions are achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the receiver and accumulator into one integrated container with unified gas-liquid separation functionality. The container includes a separation plate that divides the internal space into liquid-phase and gas-phase regions, allowing both receiver and accumulator functions to be performed within one component rather than requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The single container is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a receiver (storing liquid-phase refrigerant) and an accumulator (storing gas-phase refrigerant with oil). The container includes multiple outlet ports (liquid-phase outlet and gas-phase outlet) that enable it to fulfill the roles of both separate components simultaneously.
3Volume of stationary object
If a single container performs both receiver and accumulator functions, then system size and component count are reduced, but internal structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space of the container is segmented by a separation plate into distinct liquid-phase and gas-phase regions. This segmentation allows the container to perform both receiver and accumulator functions while maintaining clear functional zones within the single component, managing internal complexity through structured division.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vertical stratification (dimensional arrangement) to separate liquid-phase and gas-phase refrigerant regions within the container. The liquid-phase outlet is positioned at the lower portion while the gas-phase outlet is at the upper portion, utilizing vertical space to achieve phase separation and reduce horizontal complexity.
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 container reduces system size and component count, simplifies piping, and suppresses refrigerant boiling and impulsive sounds by effectively separating and managing liquid and gas phases, achieving cost and size reductions.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separation accelerating plate with a smaller diameter than an inside diameter of the tank is arranged above the bottom cap member in the tank so that a refrigerant flowing through the gas/liquid inlet port collides with the gas-liquid separation accelerating plate
Implementation Method 2
a strainer is provided at the lower end of the gas-phase outlet pipe
Implementation Method 3
separate a refrigerant introduced through the gas/liquid inlet port into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a refrigerant container having a rational structure with a small number of components, the container having both the functions of a receiver and an accumulator. Specifically, the refrigerant container includes a tank 10 capable of temporarily storing a refrigerant; and a gas/liquid inlet port 15, a liquid-phase outlet port 16, and a gas-phase outlet port 17 that are provided in a lower portion of the tank 10. The refrigerant container 1 is adapted to separate a refrigerant introduced through the gas/liquid inlet port 15 into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant, and has the function of a receiver that guides only the liquid-phase refrigerant after the separation to the side of an expansion valve via the liquid-phase outlet port 16, and the function of an accumulator that guides the gas-phase refrigerant after the separation to the suction side of a compressor via the gas-phase outlet port 17 together with oil contained in the liquid-phase refrigerant.