Vehicle Absorption Cooling Layout With Integrated Evaporator-Absorber

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorption cooling devices are bulky and prone to disturbances due to vehicle accelerations and inclinations, making them difficult to install compactly on motor vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a non-return valve in the circulation pipe between the first heat exchanger and the evaporator to prevent refrigerant purging during pump stoppage, along with a compact design that includes a shared absorber-evaporator assembly and optimized heat exchanger placement, allowing for efficient refrigeration without environmental harm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional absorption cooling device is installed on a motor vehicle, then refrigeration function is provided, but the device becomes bulky and is disturbed by vehicle accelerations and inclinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The evaporator and absorber are merged into a single integrated assembly where the evaporator is positioned inside the absorber. This combination reduces the overall device volume and simplifies installation while maintaining the refrigeration function. The shared structure eliminates the need for separate housings and connections between distinct components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaporator is positioned vertically inside the absorber, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal arrangement. This dimensional reorganization allows compact packaging while maintaining functional separation between the evaporator's vaporization zone and the absorber's absorption zone.

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

2Use of energy by moving object

If the pump stops, then energy consumption is reduced, but refrigerant is purged from the system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidrefrigerant loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The non-return valve converts the potentially harmful effect of pump stoppage (refrigerant purging) into a beneficial feature by automatically preventing refrigerant loss. The valve's one-way flow characteristic blocks backward flow when the pump stops, turning a system vulnerability into a protective mechanism that maintains refrigerant inventory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-return valve acts as an intermediary component between the evaporator and the circulation system. It mediates the refrigerant flow, allowing forward flow during pump operation while blocking backward flow during pump stoppage, thus protecting the system without requiring complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the evaporator and absorber are integrated, then device volume is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated evaporator-absorber assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the evaporator section with its nozzle and vaporization area, and the absorber section with its liquid distribution system. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard techniques, then assembled into the integrated configuration, balancing compactness with manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables a compact, efficient absorption cooling device that can be easily installed in vehicles, reducing weight and cost while maintaining refrigeration capacity and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

heating means arranged in the enclosure (39) and intended to heat the mixed fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a condenser (35) of evaporated refrigerant fluid... which makes it possible to reliquefy the refrigerant fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a refrigerant evaporator connected to the condenser, in which the liquid refrigerant coming from the condenser is vaporized by means of a nozzle. This vaporization produces frigories

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

The liquid stream is sprayed into the absorber to form very fine droplets which absorb the evaporated refrigerant fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2013549B1Absorption-type cooling device and associated motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2010.10.20 PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2013549B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2013549B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2013549B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

This device (11) comprises a generator (33) for separating a mixed fluid into a refrigerant fluid and an absorbent fluid. It comprises a refrigerant fluid condenser (35), linked to a generator (33) and an evaporator (51) of refrigerant fluid linked to a condenser (35) by a feeder conduit (61) into refrigerant fluid. This device (11) also comprises a refrigerant fluid absorber (55) linked to an evaporator (51) and a generator (33). The device (11) comprises a refrigeration circuit (53) using refrigerant fluid. The circuit (53) is linked to at least a first heat exchanger (77) located outside the evaporator (51). The circuit (53) is linked to at least a first evaporation area of the evaporator (51), up and down stream from the first heat exchanger (77) to make part of the refrigerant circulate as a refrigerant fluid in the refrigeration circuit (53). For application in air conditioning for motor vehicles.