Refrigerant Manifold Rib Structure for Pressure-Vulnerable Flow Paths
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant manifolds in vehicles face issues with pressure vulnerability at flow paths with large cross-sectional areas, leading to reduced pressure resistance and potential deformation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant manifold with a rib or bridge structure is introduced to reinforce pressure-sensitive areas, specifically formed on the sealing plate or housing at flow paths with large cross-sectional areas, enhancing coupling force and dispersing pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow paths with large cross-sectional areas are designed to optimize refrigerant flow, then refrigerant circulation efficiency is improved, but pressure resistance and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing reinforcement structures (ribs or bridges) specifically at vulnerable locations within the flow paths having large cross-sectional areas. The sealing plate is designed with different structural characteristics in different regions: reinforced areas with ribs/bridges for pressure resistance, and open areas for optimal refrigerant flow. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing strength where needed without compromising overall flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional sealing plate design to a three-dimensional structure by adding ribs or bridges that protrude into the flow path space. This dimensional addition creates structural reinforcement without significantly increasing the overall footprint of the manifold, allowing the sealing plate to maintain both flow efficiency and pressure resistance simultaneously.
2Productivity
If flow path cross-sectional area is increased to reduce flow resistance, then refrigerant flow efficiency is improved, but coupling force between sealing plate and housing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plate incorporates ribs or bridges at specific locations where coupling force is critical, creating local structural enhancements. These reinforcements are strategically positioned to maintain strong coupling between the sealing plate and housing while preserving large cross-sectional areas in flow paths for efficient refrigerant circulation.
3Strength
If reinforcement structures are added to improve pressure resistance, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reinforcement structures (ribs or bridges) directly into the sealing plate as an integrated component rather than adding separate reinforcement elements. This integration approach improves pressure resistance while minimizing increases in device complexity and manufacturing difficulty, as the reinforcement features are formed as part of the sealing plate fabrication process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerant manifold, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant manifold including a reinforcement structure to improve a portion vulnerable to pressure. More specifically, another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant manifold in which a plurality of flow paths are formed, a rib, which is a pressure reinforcement structure, is formed on a sealing plate at a position of the flow path having a relatively large cross-sectional area or a bridge, which is a pressure reinforcement structure, is formed on a housing at a loop position formed by the flow path having a relatively large cross-sectional area.