Vertical Refrigerant Evaporator Layout for Bottom-Plate Installation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerant evaporators with flat tubes disposed vertically are not suited for installation on the bottom plate of outdoor units due to the requirement of introducing refrigerant from the lower end, limiting their installation flexibility and distribution efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerant evaporator design featuring a refrigerant distribution and supply section with a vertical refrigerant supply section, introduction and distribution section, and connecting passages that guide refrigerant from the introduction space to supply spaces, allowing for even distribution to flat tubes, including a nozzle member with a nozzle hole and recess portion to reduce height dimensions and enhance installation flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If refrigerant is introduced from the lower end lower surface, then refrigerant distribution ability is ensured, but the refrigerant evaporator cannot be installed on a bottom plate of a casing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidrefrigerant distribution ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional refrigerant introduction direction from the lower end to the upper end of the refrigerant distributor. The refrigerant introduction section is now located at the upper end, and refrigerant flows downward through the distributor to reach the flat tubes. This inversion allows the refrigerant evaporator to be installed on a bottom plate while maintaining effective refrigerant distribution to all flat tubes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If refrigerant is introduced from the lower end, then refrigerant distribution is effective, but the evaporator requires high position installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation location flexibilityVSAvoidrefrigerant distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reverses the refrigerant flow direction by positioning the introduction section at the upper end instead of the lower end. Refrigerant flows downward through the distributor body to reach the flat tubes, enabling bottom plate installation while maintaining distribution efficiency through the vertically extending connecting passages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes vertical dimension optimization by extending the refrigerant distributor in the vertical direction with the introduction section at the upper end and flat tubes arranged vertically. This dimensional arrangement allows the evaporator to be positioned on the bottom plate while maintaining effective refrigerant distribution through the vertical flow path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the refrigerant distributor extends vertically with multiple supply spaces, then refrigerant can be distributed to multiple flat tubes, but the height dimension increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant distribution coverageVSAvoidheight dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant distributor is segmented into multiple supply spaces (first, second, third supply spaces) that are arranged vertically and each connects to specific flat tubes. This segmentation allows efficient distribution to multiple flat tubes while optimizing the vertical arrangement to minimize overall height dimension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the refrigerant distributor have specialized functions: the upper end contains the introduction section, the middle contains multiple supply spaces for different flat tubes, and the lower end contains the flat tube connections. This local quality optimization ensures efficient distribution while compacting the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the refrigerant evaporator to be installed on a bottom plate while maintaining effective refrigerant distribution to flat tubes, improving installation flexibility and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerant distribution and supply section which causes inflowing refrigerant to flow out to the plural flat tubes on a downstream side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS10030899B2Refrigerant evaporator

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A refrigerant evaporator includes a plurality of vertically disposed flat tubes, and a refrigerant distribution and supply section that causes inflowing refrigerant to flow out to the plurality of flat tubes on a downstream side. The refrigerant distribution and supply section includes a refrigerant supply section having plural supply spaces, a refrigerant introduction and distribution section having an introduction space to introduce the inflowing refrigerant from a lower end side surface, and a distribution space to distribute the refrigerant, and plural connecting passages that guide the refrigerant to the supply spaces. A first flat tube communicating with a lowermost-tier supply space positioned on the lowermost side is disposed at a height position included in a height range of the introduction space, and a lowermost-tier connecting passage that guides the refrigerant to the lowermost-tier supply space is disposed at a position higher than the introduction space.