Distributor and heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing distributors for heat exchangers face challenges in joining the outer and inner casings, leading to increased internal volume, refrigerant accumulation, and uneven refrigerant distribution, which can cause compressor failure and inefficient heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A distributor design using three stacked plates with specific hollow portions and through holes, where the first dimension of the first hollow portion is larger than the second dimension of the second hollow portions, allowing for a simple structure, reduced internal volume, and even refrigerant distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a double-casing structure with outer casing and inner casing is used to distribute refrigerant, then refrigerant distribution function is improved, but internal volume increases and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is divided into three separate plate components (first plate, second plate, third plate) that are stacked and joined together. Each plate contains specific flow passages (first through hole, first hollow portion, second hollow portions, third hollow portions, second through holes) that work together to achieve uniform refrigerant distribution while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow passages are nested within the plate structure itself rather than requiring separate outer and inner casings. The first hollow portion and second hollow portions are formed within the second plate, creating a nested configuration that reduces overall volume while maintaining distribution functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If a double-casing structure with outer casing and inner casing is used to distribute refrigerant, then refrigerant distribution function is improved, but joining difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is divided into three separate plate components (first plate, second plate, third plate) that are stacked and joined together. Each plate contains specific flow passages (first through hole, first hollow portion, second hollow portions, third hollow portions, second through holes) that work together to achieve uniform refrigerant distribution while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distribution functionality that traditionally required separate outer and inner casings is merged into a single integrated plate structure. The three plates are joined together to form a unified component that performs both structural support and refrigerant distribution functions, eliminating the need for complex casing joining operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If distributor internal volume is increased to accommodate flow passages, then refrigerant distribution function is improved, but lubricating oil accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second hollow portions are designed with specific dimensional characteristics where the first dimension (length along flow direction) is larger than the second dimension (width orthogonal to flow). This creates localized flow control regions that maintain refrigerant distribution while minimizing oil accumulation through controlled flow velocity and direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow passages are designed to create dynamic flow patterns that prevent oil accumulation. The elongate shape of the hollow portions with controlled dimension ratios creates flow conditions that maintain refrigerant movement while preventing oil settling, adapting the flow characteristics to the local requirements of each passage section.
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 prevents lubricating oil accumulation, ensures even refrigerant distribution to heat transfer tubes, and maintains a compact design, enhancing the performance and reliability of the refrigeration cycle.
Implementation Method 1
two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant, which is a mixture of gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, flows into the inner casing
Implementation Method 2
The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant leaving the holes in the inner casing spreads in the outer casing, so that the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant is evenly distributed to the flat tubes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A distributor according to the present invention and a heat exchanger according to the present invention each include a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate. The first plate is stacked on the second plate in a stacking direction. The second plate is stacked on the third plate in the stacking direction. The first plate has a first through hole. The second plate has a first hollow portion communicating with the first through hole, a plurality of second hollow portions communicating with the first hollow portion, and a plurality of third hollow portions each communicating with its associated one of the plurality of second hollow portions. The third plate has a plurality of second through holes each communicating with its associated one of the plurality of third hollow portions. The first hollow portion has an elongate shape having a length along which a fluid flows and a width orthogonal to the length in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction. The plurality of second hollow portions each have an elongate shape having a length along which the fluid flows and a width orthogonal to the length in the plane perpendicular to the stacking direction. A first dimension L1 that is the width of the first hollow portion is larger than a second dimension L2 that is the width of each of the plurality of second hollow portions.