Rotary Slide Heat Exchanger Unit for Low-Noise Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger units in air conditioning devices for motor vehicles suffer from high flow resistance and noise due to air flaps, and require significant space, making them inefficient and bulky.
Innovation Solution
Integration of rotary slides within the heat exchanger unit, featuring tubular designs with 180° bisected pipe segments, allowing for compact construction and low flow resistance, with the direction of air flow determined by the relative positions of inner and outer tube segments, and the use of large and small rotary valves to control airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air flaps are used to control air flow in heat exchanger units, then air flow direction can be controlled, but flow resistance increases and noise occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional air flaps with a rotary valve mechanism consisting of an inner tube segment that can rotate relative to an outer tube segment. This rotational mechanism provides smoother air flow control with lower resistance and reduced noise compared to flap-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary valve allows dynamic adjustment of air flow direction through rotation of the inner tube segment to different angular positions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°), enabling flexible control of air flow paths while maintaining low resistance throughout the range of motion.
2Ease of operation
If air dampers are arranged outside the heat exchanger, then air flow control is achieved, but a large amount of space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve mechanism is integrated directly into the heat exchanger unit structure, merging the air flow control function with the heat exchanger body. This eliminates the need for separate external air dampers and significantly reduces the overall space required.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube segment is nested within the outer tube segment, with the inner segment rotating inside the outer segment. This compact nested arrangement allows the control mechanism to be housed within the existing heat exchanger footprint without requiring additional external space.
3Ease of operation
If traditional air control mechanisms are used, then air flow direction is controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve is segmented into two main components: an outer tube segment and an inner tube segment. This segmentation allows independent rotation of the inner segment while maintaining a simple overall structure that is easier to manufacture and assemble compared to traditional multi-component air control systems.
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 solution results in a compact, low-noise heat exchanger unit with reduced flow resistance, enabling efficient airflow control and improved thermal management with minimal space requirements, enhancing the performance of air conditioning devices.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary slides themselves have a low flow resistance due to their tubular design, so that there is practically no flow noise during operation.
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger unit having a first heat transfer element (111) arranged in a first air flow path (101) and a second heat transfer element (112) arranged in a second air flow path (102)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The heat exchanger has a rotary slide valve for integrating air flow steering elements, where the valve is arranged at an air inlet side and an air outlet side of the heat exchanger. The rotary slide valve comprises an outer tube segment (2) and an inner tube segment (3) rotatable opposite to the outer tube segment. The inner tube segment is concentrically arranged within the outer tube segment. The valve is opened with a congruent position of the inner and outer tube segments. The valve is closed with a facing position of the inner and outer tube segments.