Heat Exchanger End Plate Tubes With Functional Collar Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end plate arrangements for heat exchangers face challenges in providing sufficient mechanical stability and versatility while maintaining cost-effectiveness, often requiring complex and time-consuming manufacturing processes for protruding rims to increase contact area.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a functional collar fixedly attached to the connection tube, enhancing mechanical stability through positive substance connections like soldering, welding, or threading, allowing for a robust and adaptable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If protruding rims are provided for the connection tube to increase contact surface area, then mechanical stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection tube is divided into two functional parts: the main tubular body and the separately formed protruding rim. The rim is created as a distinct feature through localized deformation or addition, allowing it to be manufactured independently and then integrated with the main tube body, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining mechanical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding rim is formed in advance during the manufacturing process through localized deformation or attachment before the connection tube is installed. This preliminary formation of the rim structure eliminates the need for complex post-processing or assembly operations, reducing manufacturing time and complexity while ensuring the mechanical stability is achieved from the outset.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different connection designs are provided for various external tubes and hoses, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single standardized end plate design with a universal connection interface is provided that can accommodate multiple types of external tubes and hoses. The connection tube incorporates features that allow different configurations and attachments to be made to the same basic end plate structure, eliminating the need for multiple specialized end plate varieties while maintaining adaptability to different connection requirements.
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 provides enhanced mechanical stability and versatility, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, while ensuring leak-proof and durable connections under operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
positive substance connections like soldering, welding, or threading
Implementation Method 2
positive substance connections like soldering, welding, or threading
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an end plate arrangement (1, 17, 19, 23, 28) for a stacked plate heat exchanger. The end plate arrangement (1, 17, 19, 23, 28) comprises an end plate (2) and at least one connection tube (3, 24) that is fixedly attached to the end plate (2). The connection tube (3, 24) comprises at least one functional collar (11) that is fixedly attached to a section of the connection tube (3, 24) in a way that it remains fixed under usual operational conditions of a stacked plate heat exchanger.