Patent Description:
Generally, a heat exchanger, particularly a condenser, is connected in a Heating Ventilation Air-conditioning system (HVAC) to condense the refrigerant flowing in the HVAC system. Further, a receiver drier may be connected downstream of the condenser to, inter alia, remove moisture content from the refrigerant. In addition, the receiver drier can act as a refrigerant reservoir to the HVAC system. The receiver drier is a bottle having a filter to remove the unwanted content from the refrigerant. Normally, the receiver drier is connected to the condenser through a socket provided on the condenser. The socket is defined on a core of the condenser and perpendicularly protruding from the core of the condenser. Further, the receiver drier may be perpendicularly coupled to the socket with respect to the general direction of the socket's protrusion. <CIT> discloses a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> <CIT>BA , <CIT> show exemplary heat exchangers <FIG> shows a condenser <NUM> connected with a receiver drier <NUM> in a conventional connection. As explained above, the socket <NUM> is perpendicularly protruded out from the core <NUM> of the condenser <NUM>. The receiver drier <NUM> is connected to a lateral side of the socket <NUM>. The receiver drier <NUM> may include a connecting part <NUM> defined on the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the receiver drier <NUM>. The connecting part <NUM> may be fluidically connected to channels provided in the socket <NUM> in such a way that the connecting part <NUM> is perpendicular to the general axis of protrusion of the socket <NUM>.

As the receiver drier <NUM> is connected to the lateral side of the socket <NUM>, the receiver drier <NUM> occupies significant amount of space on the core <NUM> of the condenser <NUM>. Therefore, it is cumbersome to accommodate the receiver drier <NUM> on the core <NUM> of the condenser <NUM>. To overcome such issue, internal volume of the receiver drier <NUM> can be reduced, so that the receiver drier <NUM> can be easily assembled on the core <NUM> of the condenser <NUM> without overly protruding over or beyond the outline of the core. However, such technique may reduce the performance of the receiver drier <NUM>, since less internal volume of the receiver drier <NUM> may lead to reception and filtration of less amount of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser <NUM>. In addition, other conventional methods to connect the receiver drier to the condenser, without affecting performance of the receiver drier, may require multiple components, which leads to increase in cost and weight of the condenser.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a condenser connected with a receiver drier in such a way that the receiver drier can be optimally coupled to the condenser. Further, there remains another need for a receiver drier that require less components to connect the receiver drier with the condenser.

In this case, unless stated otherwise, this indexation is only meant to differentiate and name elements, which are similar but not identical.

In view of the foregoing, an embodiment of the invention herein provides a heat exchanger, particularly a condenser. The heat exchanger includes a core having a plurality of heat exchange elements, at least one first connector, and a bottle. The at least one first connector is formed on the core and fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements. The first connector includes at least one first passage fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements of the core. The bottle includes a first block formed on a first end of the bottle and fluidically connected to the bottle. Further, the first block includes at least one first channel fluidically connected to the first passage of the first connector to enable fluid circulation between the bottle and the core. Further, the first block is adapted to receive at least a part of the first connector and fluidically connect the bottle to the plurality of heat exchange elements.

Further, the first connector includes at least one first plug fluidically connected to the first passage and protruded out from the first passage. The first plug is adapted to be received in the first channel formed in the first block.

In another embodiment, the first channel includes a first part, and a second part perpendicular to the first part, wherein an axis of the first part is parallel to the axis of the first passage of the first connector and an axis of the second part is parallel to the axis of the bottle.

In one embodiment, the first block is formed on a center of the first end of the bottle. Further, the dimensions of the first block is smaller than of bottle when the first block is measured perpendicular to the axis of the bottle.

In another embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes at least one second connector, and a second block. The at least one second connector is formed on the core and fluidically connected to the plurality of heat exchange elements. Further, the second connector includes at least one second passage fluidically connected the plurality of heat exchange elements formed in the core.

The second block is formed on a second end of the bottle, wherein the second connector is complementary to the second block and adapted to be received in the second block. Further, the second block comprises at least one second channel fluidically connected to the second passage of the second connector to enable fluid circulation between the bottle and the core.

In one embodiment, the second connector includes a second plug fluidically connected to the second passage and protruded out from the second passage. Further, the second plug is adapted to be received in the second channel formed in the second block.

In one example, the at least one first connector is formed on one end of the core, and the at least one second connector is formed on the other end the core.

Further, the first connector and the second connector are configured so that a refrigerant enters the bottle through the first channel and exits through the second channel.

In one embodiment, the axis of the first passage formed within the first connector and the axis of the second passage formed within the second connector are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the core.

In another embodiment, the first channel formed in the first block and the second channel formed in the second block are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottle.

Further, the heat exchanger is adapted for a heat exchange between a first fluid being a coolant and a second fluid being a refrigerant. The bottle is configured to be travelled through by the refrigerant.

In one embodiment, the first passage of the first connector and the first channel of the first block are in a same plane, so as to connect the bottle with the core perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core.

Further, the heat exchanger includes a first aperture and a second aperture formed on both the first connector and the first block respectively to receive a screw passing parallel to the axis of the first connector to connect the first connector with the first block.

Furthermore, the heat exchanger includes a third aperture and a fourth aperture formed on the both the second connector and the second block respectively to receive a screw passing parallel to the axis of the second connector to connect the second connector with the second block.

In one embodiment, the bottle is of any one of metal and plastic.

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, particularly to a condenser, connected with a bottle, particularly a receiver drier, at a downstream of the condenser. Conventionally, the receiver drier is connected to a lateral side of a connector formed on a housing of the condenser. In such cases, the receiver drier may consume more space on the core of the condenser, thereby creating packaging issues while fixing the condenser in the vehicle. It is necessary to keep a connection assembly between the receiver drier and the condenser as simple as possible to optimally pack the receiver drier in the space on the core. Further, the simple/strategic connection between the receiver drier and the condenser may enable the receiver drier to increase its internal volume without having any packing issues on the condenser.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate schematic representations of a heat exchanger <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one example, <FIG> is a perspective view of the heat exchanger <NUM> provided with a receiver drier <NUM> fluidically connected to the condenser <NUM>, and <FIG> is perspective view of the heat exchanger <NUM> without the receiver drier <NUM>. In the present example, the heat exchanger <NUM> is adapted for a heat exchange between a first fluid being a coolant and a second fluid being a refrigerant. Further, the receiver drier <NUM> is configured to be travelled through by the refrigerant. In other words, the heat exchanger <NUM> is a condenser, in this case plate condenser. The condenser <NUM> includes a core <NUM> having a plurality of heat exchange elements (not shown in Figs), and at least one first connector <NUM> provided on the core <NUM>. The at least one first connector <NUM> is fluidically connected to the plurality of heat exchange elements provided in the core <NUM>. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the at least one first connector <NUM> is hereafter referred to as a first connector; however, it does not restrict the condenser <NUM> to have more than one first connector. In one embodiment, the first connector <NUM> is protruded out from a top side of the core <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first connector <NUM> is perpendicular to a lateral axis of the core <NUM>, i.e. the axis of the elongated dimension of the core. The first connector <NUM> includes at least one first passage <NUM>, hereafter referred to as first passage that is fluidically connected to the plurality of heat exchange elements, hereafter referred to as heat exchange elements.

The condenser <NUM> further includes a bottle <NUM> fluidically connected to the core <NUM> of the condenser <NUM>. In one embodiment, the bottle <NUM> can be a filter to sack moisture from the refrigerant flowing there through and acts as a refrigerant reservoir. In this example, the bottle <NUM> is a receiver drier. The bottle <NUM>, hereinafter referred to as receiver drier, further includes a first block <NUM> formed on a first end <NUM> of the receiver drier <NUM>. The first block <NUM> may be integral with the bottle <NUM>. The first block <NUM> may include a first channel <NUM> that is fluidically connected to the receiver drier <NUM>. The first channel <NUM> of the first block <NUM> is further explained in the forthcoming figures. The first block <NUM> is adapted to receive at least a part of the first connector <NUM> and fluidically connect the receiver drier <NUM> to the heat exchange elements of the core <NUM>. Particularly, the first passage <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is in fluidic connection with the first channel <NUM> of the first block <NUM>, when the first connector <NUM> is received in the first block <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first block <NUM> may receive and encapsulate a part of the first connector <NUM>. In other words, a top part of the first connector <NUM> is protruded into the first block <NUM> so as to fluidically connect the first passage <NUM> formed in the first connector <NUM> with the first channel of the first block <NUM>. In another embodiment, at least one first plug <NUM> provided on the first connector <NUM> in such a way that the first plug <NUM> is fluidically connected to the first passage <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>. The first plug <NUM> is protruded out from and detachably coupled to the first connector <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first plug <NUM> is provided on the first connector <NUM> in such a way that first plug <NUM> is protruded towards the first block <NUM>. Further, the first connector <NUM> and the first block <NUM> may collectively referred to as a connection assembly. As part of the first connector <NUM> is encapsulated inside the first block <NUM> of the receiver drier <NUM> perpendicularly with respect to the axes of the bottle <NUM> and the core <NUM>, there is more space available on the core <NUM> to optimally fix the receiver drier <NUM> on the core <NUM> of the condenser <NUM>. Further, an internal volume of the receiver drier <NUM> can be increased, since the connection assembly consumes less space on the core <NUM> of the condenser. The connection assembly is allowed to extend in principle in parallel to the bottom of the bottle, instead of perpendicularly to it. In addition, the connecting movement of the bottle <NUM> with respect to the core <NUM> can be realized so that their relative motion follows their axes of elongation.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view of the condenser <NUM> of <FIG> along with receiver drier <NUM>. As mentioned above, the first connector <NUM> and the first block <NUM> are collectively referred to as the connection assembly <NUM>. As shown in the <FIG>, the first passage <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is in fluidic communication with the first channel <NUM> of the first block <NUM>, so that the core <NUM> of the condenser <NUM> can be fluidically connected to the receiver drier <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first passage <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> and the first channel <NUM> of the first block <NUM> are in a same plane, so as to connect the receiver drier <NUM> with the core <NUM> with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core <NUM>. Further, the first plug <NUM> is adapted to be received in the first channel <NUM> formed in the first block <NUM> to enable fluid communication between the first passage <NUM> and the first channel <NUM>.

The first channel <NUM> further includes a first part <NUM> and a second part <NUM> that is perpendicular to the first part <NUM>. In one embodiment, an axis of the first part <NUM> is parallel to the general axis of elongation of the first connector <NUM>, and an axis of the second part <NUM> is parallel to the axis of elongation of the bottle <NUM>. The first channel <NUM> in the first block <NUM> may function as an inlet or outlet for the bottle <NUM>. In such case, there might be more than one first channel in the first block <NUM>. At the same time, the first connector <NUM> may include more than one passage <NUM> fluidically connected to the first channels of the first block <NUM>, thereby enabling fluid circulation in the receiver drier <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first block <NUM> is formed on a center of the first end of the bottle <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate schematic representations of the condenser <NUM> with the receiver drier <NUM>, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a perspective view of the condenser <NUM> provided with the receiver drier <NUM> having two blocks, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the condenser <NUM> depicting two connectors. In the present embodiment of the invention, the condenser <NUM> is provided with two connectors and corresponding blocks on the bottle <NUM>. Here, the condenser <NUM> includes the first connector <NUM> and at least one second connector <NUM>. The at least one second connector <NUM> is hereinafter referred to as second connector <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first connector <NUM> is formed on a first top end of the core <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> is formed on a second top end of the core <NUM>. In other words, the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are formed on the top side of the core <NUM> in such a way that both connectors are distal to each other. The second connector <NUM> includes at least one second passage <NUM> fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements of the core <NUM>. According to this embodiment, the first passage <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is connected to an end of the heat exchange elements and the second passage <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is connected to another end of the heat exchange elements, thereby forming a fluid flow path through the receiver drier <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the receiver drier <NUM> includes the first block <NUM> and a second block <NUM> as shown in <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of the condenser <NUM> with the receiver drier <NUM> of <FIG>. Further, the first block <NUM> is defined on the first end <NUM> of the receiver drier <NUM> and the second block <NUM> is defined on a second end <NUM> of the receiver drier <NUM>. The second end <NUM> of the receiver drier <NUM> is an opposite end of the first end <NUM> of the receiver drier <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first block <NUM> includes the first channel <NUM> that is fluidically connected to the receiver drier <NUM> and the second block <NUM> includes at least one second channel <NUM> fluidically connected to the receiver drier <NUM>. The first channel <NUM> and the at least one second channel <NUM>, hereinafter referred to as second channel, form part of the fluid path inside the receiver drier <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first channel <NUM> may be an inlet for the receiver drier <NUM> and the second channel <NUM> may be an outlet for the receiver drier <NUM>.

In this example, the first block <NUM> is complementary to the first connector <NUM> and adapted to receive at least a portion of the first connector <NUM>. Similarly, the second block <NUM> is complementary to the second connector <NUM> and adapted to receive at least a portion of the second connector <NUM>. Further, the second channel <NUM> of the second block <NUM> is fluidically connected to the second passage <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> to enable fluid circulation between the receiver drier <NUM> and the core <NUM>. Further, the second connector <NUM> includes a second plug <NUM> provided on the second connector <NUM> in such a way that the second plug <NUM> is protruded towards the second block <NUM>. The second plug <NUM> is fluidically connected to the second passage <NUM> of the second connector <NUM>. Further, the second plug <NUM> is adapted to be received in the second channel <NUM> of the second block <NUM> to enable fluid communication between the second channel <NUM> and the second passage <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are configured so that the refrigerant enters the bottle <NUM> through the first channel <NUM> and travel through the bottle <NUM>. Further, the refrigerant exits from the bottle <NUM> through the second channel <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the axis of the first passage <NUM> formed within the first connector <NUM> and the axis of the second passage <NUM> formed within the second connector <NUM> are perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core <NUM>. In another embodiment, the axis of the first passage <NUM> formed within the first connector <NUM> and the axis of the second passage <NUM> formed within the second connector <NUM> are parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core <NUM>. The condenser <NUM> further includes a connecting means <NUM> to rigidly connect the core <NUM> with the receiver drier <NUM>, while maintaining fluidic communication between the first passage <NUM> and the first channel <NUM>. In one embodiment, the connecting means <NUM> is screw, or any connecting elements.

In one embodiment, the first connector <NUM> includes a first aperture 514A, and the first block <NUM> includes a second aperture 514B that is complementary to the first aperture 514A as shown in <FIG>. Further, the second connector <NUM> includes a third aperture 516A, and the fourth aperture 516B that is complementary to the third aperture 516A. <FIG> illustrates top views of the first connector <NUM> of the condenser <NUM> and the first block <NUM> of the receiver drier <NUM> of <FIG> showing the apertures. <FIG> illustrates top views of the second connector <NUM> of the condenser <NUM> and the second block <NUM> of the receiver drier <NUM> of <FIG> showing the apertures. The first aperture 514A is in-line with the second aperture 514B, when the first connector <NUM> is received in the first block <NUM>, to receive the screw <NUM>. In one embodiment, the screw <NUM> is pass through the apertures 514A, 514B, which is parallel to the axis of the first connector <NUM>, thereby saving space on the core <NUM>, so the receiver drier <NUM> can be optimally assembled on the core <NUM>. Although the connecting means <NUM> is explained with respect to the first block <NUM> and the first connector <NUM>, it can be applied to the second block <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>. In such case, the third aperture 516A and the fourth aperture 516B are in-line with each other to receive a screw passing parallel to the axis of the second connector <NUM>. In one example, the receiver drier <NUM> is of any one of metal and plastic.

Claim 1:
A heat exchanger (<NUM>), comprising:
a core (<NUM>) having a plurality of heat exchange elements;
at least one first connector (<NUM>) formed on the core (<NUM>) and fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements, wherein the first connector (<NUM>) comprises at least one first passage (<NUM>) fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements of the core (<NUM>); and
a bottle (<NUM>)
characterized in that the
bottle (<NUM>) comprises a first block (<NUM>) formed on a first end (<NUM>) of the bottle (<NUM>) and fluidically connected to the bottle (<NUM>), wherein the first block (<NUM>) comprises at least one first channel (<NUM>) fluidically connected to the first passage (<NUM>) of the first connector (<NUM>) to enable fluid circulation between the bottle (<NUM>) and the core (<NUM>), and wherein the first block (<NUM>) is adapted to receive at least a part of the first connector (<NUM>) and fluidically connect the bottle (<NUM>) to the plurality of heat exchange elements.