Refrigerant Manifold Layout for Faster Assembly and Leak Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant manifolds with a two-layer structure face increased processing cycle times and leak test times due to complex component and flange assembly directions, leading to higher manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant manifold design with a first housing, middle plate, and second housing, where component mounting parts and flange mounting parts are arranged in opposite directions, allowing for streamlined processing and leak testing through directional alignment of insertion and fastening holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a two-layer structure with stacked housings and middle plate is used, then the refrigerant manifold can freely form refrigerant flow paths and reduce package size, but the processing cycle time and leak test time are increased due to complex component and flange assembly directions
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant manifold is divided into a first housing and a second housing with distinct functional zones. The first housing contains component mounting parts for heat exchangers and valves, while the second housing contains flange mounting parts for refrigerant pipes. This segmentation allows each housing to be optimized for its specific function, reducing assembly complexity and testing time while maintaining the compact two-layer structure.
2Productivity
If component mounting parts and flange mounting parts are arranged in opposite directions, then assembly and leak testing become more efficient through directional alignment, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting parts are arranged asymmetrically in opposite directions: component mounting parts protrude from one surface of the first housing, while flange mounting parts protrude from the other surface of the second housing. This asymmetric arrangement creates directional alignment that simplifies assembly and leak testing procedures, as components and flanges can be installed from opposite sides without interference, improving productivity despite increased structural design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerant manifold including a first housing having one surface in which a first refrigerant channel is formed, and the other surface on which a plurality of component mounting parts are formed, a middle plate stacked on one surface of the first housing and configured to cover and block the first refrigerant channel, and a second housing having one surface on which a plurality of flange mounting parts are formed, and the other surface in which a second refrigerant channel is formed, the second housing being stacked on one surface of the middle plate, in which the plurality of component mounting parts are formed in a first direction, and the flange mounting part is formed in a second direction different from the first direction.