Heat exchanger assembly and air conditioner

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The reduction in size of air conditioner products leads to uneven air velocity distribution during heat exchange, affecting efficiency and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchanger assembly comprising a first and second heat exchanger arranged at an angle, with a third heat exchanger positioned between them, optimizing air flow communication and surface area in a limited space to improve heat exchange performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the overall size of air conditioner products is made smaller, then the product size is reduced, but uneven air velocity distribution occurs in the heat exchanger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct sizeVSAvoidair velocity distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent heat exchanger units (first heat exchanger unit, second heat exchanger unit, third heat exchanger unit) arranged in a triangular configuration. This segmentation allows each unit to independently process air flow, ensuring uniform air velocity distribution across the compact heat exchanger structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger units are arranged in a triangular configuration rather than a linear or planar arrangement. This spatial dimensionality change optimizes air flow distribution and heat exchange efficiency within the limited space, maintaining uniform air velocity while minimizing overall product size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If three heat exchanger units are arranged in a triangular configuration, then heat exchange performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange performanceVSAvoidheat exchanger structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple heat exchanger units are merged into a single integrated heat exchanger assembly with a unified structure. The first, second, and third heat exchanger units are connected to form a triangular configuration that functions as one cohesive unit, improving heat exchange performance without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each heat exchanger unit in the triangular configuration serves multiple functions: heat exchange, air flow distribution, and structural support. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve superior heat exchange performance while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 arrangement ensures even air velocity distribution and increased heat exchange performance, enhancing energy efficiency and reliability of the heat exchanger assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchanger is arranged to be angled relative to the first heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the first end of the third heat exchanger is connected to a point A of the first heat exchanger, the second end of the third heat exchanger is connected to a position B of the second heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3805660B1Heat exchanger assembly and air conditioner
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP3805660B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3805660B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3805660B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger assembly and an air conditioner. The heat exchanger assembly comprises a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is arranged to be angled relative to the first heat exchanger, the first end of the second heat exchanger is connected with or close to the first end of the first heat exchanger, and the second end of the second heat exchanger is away from the second end of the first heat exchanger. The third heat exchanger is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. In application of the technical solution of the present disclosure, by arranging three heat exchangers in which the second heat exchanger is arranged to be angled relative to the first heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the surface area of each heat exchanger can be increased on the basis of guaranteeing the air flow communication of the heat exchangers in a limited space, thereby improving the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger assembly.