Stacking-Type Header Branching Flow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stacking-type headers face challenges in preventing upsize in the entire peripheral direction perpendicular to the refrigerant inflow direction, as reducing the angular interval between grooves increases the number of heat transfer tubes, requiring a larger diameter for the inlet flow passage and potentially complicating the design.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a stacking-type header with a distribution flow passage that includes branching flow passages, where the second plate-shaped unit has a groove with branching portions that branch the refrigerant into multiple paths, allowing the refrigerant to flow through end portions of the groove, reducing the number of branches at the inflow position and minimizing the header's size expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the angular interval between grooves is reduced to increase the number of heat transfer tubes, then the number of paths is increased, but the header size expands in the entire peripheral direction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of grooves to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with multiple layers. By arranging grooves in multiple stacked plate-shaped units (first, second, and third plate-shaped units), the header achieves higher tube density without increasing the peripheral footprint, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to resolve the size contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The header is divided into multiple independent plate-shaped units stacked together, each containing a subset of grooves. This segmentation allows the refrigerant distribution function to be distributed across multiple layers, enabling compact arrangement while maintaining the required number of heat transfer tube paths without expanding the overall header perimeter.
2Manufacturing precision
If the diameter of the inlet flow passage is increased to prevent partition walls from becoming too thin, then the grooves can be arranged away from the center, but the header size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the inlet passage diameter in the planar direction, the invention distributes grooves across multiple stacked layers, allowing each groove to be positioned at an optimal distance from the inlet passage center while maintaining adequate partition wall thickness. The vertical stacking provides additional space for proper groove positioning without requiring larger radial dimensions.
3Manufacturing precision
If grooves are arranged away from the center of the inlet flow passage to maintain partition wall thickness, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the header size expands in the peripheral direction
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are segmented across multiple plate-shaped units stacked in the vertical direction. Each plate-shaped unit contains a subset of grooves that can be positioned at appropriate radial distances from the inlet passage, maintaining sufficient partition wall thickness for manufacturing precision while the stacked configuration prevents peripheral expansion by utilizing vertical space.
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
This configuration effectively reduces the need for a larger header size by uniformly distributing refrigerant and maintaining efficient heat transfer, while simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
the distribution flow passage includes at least one branching flow passage, in which the second plate-shaped unit includes at least one plate-shaped member having a groove formed as a flow passage, the groove having at least one branching portion for branching one branch part into a plurality of branch parts
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~5(b)
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A stacking-type header (2) according to the present invention includes: a first plate-shaped unit (11) having a plurality of first outlet flow passages (11A) formed therein; and a second plate-shaped unit (12) stacked on the first plate-shaped unit (11), the second plate-shaped unit (12) having a distribution flow passage (12A) formed therein, the distribution flow passage (12A) being configured to distribute refrigerant, which passes through a first inlet flow passage (12a) to flow into the second plate-shaped unit (12), to the plurality of first outlet flow passages (11A) to cause the refrigerant to flow out from the second plate-shaped unit (12), in which the distribution flow passage (12A) includes at least one branching flow passage (12b), in which the second plate-shaped unit (12) includes at least one plate-shaped member (23-1) having a groove formed as a flow passage, the groove having at least one branching portion for branching one branch part into a plurality of branch parts, in which the at least one branching flow passage (12b) is formed by closing the groove in a region other than a refrigerant inflow region and a refrigerant outflow region, and in which at least part of the refrigerant branched by flowing into the at least one branching flow passage (12b) sequentially passes through the one branch part and the plurality of branch parts, and flows out from the at least one branching flow passage through end portions of the groove.