Valve-in-Receiver Integration for Accessible Vehicle Climate Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of under hood systems in vehicles due to co-location of climate control and prime mover components makes access for repair and replacement increasingly difficult, necessitating a reduction in the number of components in the climate control system.
Innovation Solution
A valve-in-receiver (VIR) system that integrates multiple climate control components, including a receiver drier shell and a cap member with fluid connections for the condenser, compressor, and evaporator, along with additional features like desiccant, expansion valve, charge ports, and sensors, to simplify the system and enhance accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple climate control components are co-located with the prime mover in the engine compartment, then the system provides complete climate control functionality, but access for repair and replacement becomes increasingly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the receiver drier from the engine compartment and relocates it to the passenger compartment, separating it from the cluster of under-hood components. This extraction improves accessibility for repair while maintaining climate control functionality through the valve-in-receiver integration that combines multiple functions in a single relocated component
2Reliability
If the number of under hood components is increased to provide complete climate control functionality, then the system provides comprehensive climate control options, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple climate control functions into the valve-in-receiver component, which integrates the receiver drier, expansion valve, and filter dryer functions into a single unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be managed and installed, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive climate control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The valve-in-receiver component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a receiver for refrigerant, a drier for moisture removal, an expansion valve for refrigerant metering, and a filter for particle removal. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count in the system while maintaining complete climate control capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A valve-in-receiver (VIR) for a vehicle climate control system includes a receiver drier (RD) shell including an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior portion having an opening, and a cap member mounted to the RD shell across the opening, the cap member including an evaporator inlet portion, an evaporator outlet portion, a condenser inlet and a compressor outlet.