Bent Heat Exchanger Modules for Space-Efficient Chillers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat source units in commercial air conditioning systems have inefficiencies due to the large included angles between heat exchangers, leading to ineffective use of space and the need for additional shrouding plates to prevent wind passage, which affects heat exchange performance.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchange apparatus features heat exchanger modules with heat exchangers bent at an included angle of 0° to 15°, allowing adjacent edges to be parallel or nearly parallel, eliminating the need for additional shrouding plates and increasing the heat exchange area by optimizing the arrangement of heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If heat exchangers are arranged with large included angles (V-shaped configuration), then the structural stability is improved, but the space utilization deteriorates and additional shrouding plates are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring heat exchangers with different included angles on opposite sides of the blower. Specifically, one side has an included angle of 0°-15° (substantially parallel arrangement) while the other side maintains a larger included angle, creating an asymmetric layout that optimizes both space utilization and structural stability according to local requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional symmetric V-shaped arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration where heat exchangers are positioned at different angles relative to the blower axis. This dimensional change allows the heat exchangers to be arranged in a more sophisticated spatial pattern that improves space utilization while maintaining structural integrity
2Stability of the object's composition
If heat exchangers are arranged with large included angles, then the structural stability is improved, but the heat exchange performance deteriorates due to wind passage through gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric arrangement with 0°-15° included angles on one side creates a more effective barrier against wind passage compared to symmetric V-shaped arrangements, thereby improving heat exchange performance while maintaining structural stability through the balanced asymmetric design
3Stability of the object's composition
If shrouding plates are added to connect heat exchangers, then the structural integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the shrouding plates from the system by adopting a novel heat exchanger arrangement where the heat exchangers themselves are positioned and configured to provide mutual support and structural integrity, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchangers are designed to support each other through their spatial arrangement and angular configuration, making the structure self-supporting without requiring additional shrouding plates. The heat exchangers serve dual functions of heat exchange and structural support
4Stability of the object's composition
If heat exchangers are arranged with large included angles, then the structural stability is improved, but the heat exchange area is reduced due to ineffective space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric configuration with 0°-15° included angles on one side maximizes the heat exchange area by creating a more compact and space-efficient arrangement, allowing for greater heat exchange surface area within the same footprint while maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the spatial arrangement from symmetric V-shape to asymmetric multi-dimensional positioning, the patent increases the effective heat exchange area through optimized spatial utilization, allowing heat exchangers to be positioned more efficiently in three-dimensional space
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
This configuration enhances heat exchange performance by utilizing the space between heat exchangers more effectively, reducing the need for additional metal components and improving overall efficiency without compromising heat exchange effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange tubes passing through the heat-dissipating fins
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger module comprising two heat exchange units fitted together facing each other
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a heat exchanger apparatus and a heat source unit that are for use in a chiller unit. The heat exchanger apparatus comprises at least one heat exchanger module (100). The heat exchanger module (100) comprises two heat exchanger units (10 and 20) that are oppositely fitted with each other. At least one between the two heat exchanger units (10 and 20) is bent so that an angle between adjacent two edges (c and d) on at least one extremity of the two heat exchanger units (10 and 20) is less than an angle between main parts (12 and 22) of the two heat ex-changer units (10 and 20), thus increasing the area for heat exchange.