Heat exchanger and air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers have low heat exchange efficiency due to the combination of distributing and joining flow passages in a single header, which limits effective heat transfer between refrigerants in different states.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring separate headers for distributing and joining flow passages, with at least one being a stacking type header composed of plate-like members stacked to form the flow passages, allowing for controlled heat exchange between refrigerants passing through the distributing and joining flow passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the distributing flow passage and joining flow passage are formed in a single header, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat exchange efficiency deteriorates due to unwanted heat exchange between low-temperature and high-temperature refrigerants
Solution Approach 1:
The single header is segmented into separate first header (for distributing flow passage) and second header (for joining flow passage). This segmentation prevents unwanted heat exchange between refrigerants of different temperatures while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributing flow passage and joining flow passage are extracted from a single integrated header into separate headers. This extraction eliminates the harmful heat exchange effect while preserving the individual functions of each flow passage.
2Loss of energy
If separate headers are used for distributing and joining flow passages, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved by controlling heat exchange, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first header and second header are juxtaposed and thermally connected to form an integrated heat exchange structure. This merging allows controlled heat exchange between distributing and joining refrigerant flows while maintaining separate flow passages for functional independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The header structure acts as an intermediary that enables controlled heat exchange between the distributing and joining flow passages. The thermal connection between first and second headers facilitates this mediated heat transfer, improving overall system efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If a stacking type header is used, then the manufacturing precision is improved through standardized plate assembly, but the device complexity increases due to multiple plate-like members
Solution Approach 1:
The header is segmented into multiple plate-like members that can be manufactured separately with high precision using standardized processes, then assembled through stacking. This segmentation enables precise flow passage formation in each plate while simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple plate-like members are stacked and nested to form the complete header structure with internal flow passages. This nesting approach allows complex three-dimensional flow passages to be constructed from simpler two-dimensional plate components.
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
Enhances heat exchange efficiency by allowing for controlled heating or cooling of refrigerants and improved distribution, leading to increased refrigerant uniformity and enhanced heat transfer performance.
Implementation Method 1
heat is exchanged due to a temperature difference between the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A heat exchanger 1 according to the present invention includes a heat exchanging unit 2, and a distributing and joining unit 3 connected to the heat exchanging unit 2 and including a distributing flow passage and a joining flow passage. The distributing and joining unit 3 separately includes a first header including the distributing flow passage formed therein and excluding the joining flow passage, and a second header juxtaposed to the first header and including the joining flow passage formed therein and excluding the distributing flow passage. At least one of the first header and the second header is a stacking type header 51 including a plurality of plate-like members including partial flow passages formed therein and stacked so that the partial flow passages are communicated with each other to form the distributing flow passage or the joining flow passage.