Welded Liquid Collector Integration for Leak-Resistant Heat Exchangers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigeration systems have complex structures with high risks of external leakage and poor seismic performance due to pipeline connections between components, including the condenser and accumulator.

Innovation Solution

An accumulator and heat exchange device where the accumulator is fixed directly to a heat exchange core body by welding, eliminating the need for pipeline connections, thereby reducing external leakage risk and enhancing seismic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If pipeline connection mode is used to connect condenser and accumulator, then components can be assembled separately, but the structure becomes complex and installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the condenser and accumulator into a single integrated heat exchange device. The accumulator housing is directly formed as part of the heat exchanger assembly, eliminating the need for separate pipeline connections. This combining approach simplifies the overall structure while maintaining manufacturing ease, directly resolving the technical contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If pipeline connection mode is used to connect condenser and accumulator, then components can be assembled separately, but installation space becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the accumulator housing as an inherent part of the heat exchanger assembly, eliminating the need for external pipeline connections and additional mounting space. This merging reduces the overall installation footprint while preserving the ease of assembly through modular heat exchanger units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If pipeline connection mode is used to connect condenser and accumulator, then components can be assembled separately, but external leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidexternal leakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates external pipeline connections by integrating the accumulator housing directly into the heat exchanger assembly. This merging removes multiple potential leakage points at connection interfaces, significantly reducing external leakage risk while maintaining the reliability benefits of separate component manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If pipeline connection mode is used to connect condenser and accumulator, then components can be assembled separately, but anti-seismic performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidanti-seismic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the accumulator housing as a unified structure with the heat exchanger assembly, creating a rigid, earthquake-resistant unit. This merging eliminates weak connection points that would be vulnerable to seismic forces, significantly improving anti-seismic performance while preserving the manufacturing advantages of modular heat exchanger components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3730872B1Liquid collector and heat exchange device having liquid collector
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 ZHEJIANG SANHUA INTELLIGENT CONTROLS CO LTD
  • EP3730872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3730872B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3730872B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid collector (1), comprising a housing (12) and a cover body, one end of the housing (12) being open; the housing (12) is internally provided with an accommodating cavity (111), the accommodating cavity (111) being internally provided with a filter (17); a peripheral wall of the housing (12) comprises a first thick wall part (118), the first thick wall part (118) being provided with an inlet channel, and one end of the inlet channel communicating with the accommodating cavity (111), while the other end of the inlet channel communicates with the outside; one end of an outlet channel (114) communicates with the accommodating cavity (111) by means of the filter (17), while the other end of the outlet channel (114) communicates with an outer portion of the housing (12). The liquid collector (1) may be directly welded and fixed to a heat exchange core (2) without requiring a pipeline connection, the risk of external leakage being small, and the anti-seismic performance being high.