Fin Double Fold Encloses Cut Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat exchange batteries face issues with cut edges being unprotected, leading to damage in aggressive environments, and existing solutions like painting are costly, inefficient, and environmentally impactful, while increasing material thickness or using harder materials only exacerbate these problems.
Innovation Solution
The improved resistance fin features rounded edges formed by a double fold of the metal tape, where the cut edges are enclosed within the folds, providing protection without the need for traditional pre-treatment, enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire battery is painted through spraying to protect cut edges, then corrosion resistance is improved, but production cost increases and production time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The protective action is performed preliminarily during the fin formation process itself. The folding operation encloses the cut edges within the fin structure before the fin is installed in the battery, eliminating the need for subsequent painting operations. This preliminary protection approach resolves the contradiction by providing corrosion resistance without extending production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin structure itself provides the protective function through its own geometry. The folded edges create a self-enclosing structure that protects the cut edges without requiring external protective coatings or treatments. The fin serves both its heat exchange function and its own protection function, eliminating the need for separate protective processes.
2Strength
If the thickness of fins is increased to improve mechanical strength, then resistance to damage is improved, but material cost increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The cut edges are folded back onto themselves, creating a curved or rounded protective structure instead of a sharp edge. This folding geometry distributes mechanical stresses more effectively and provides inherent protection without requiring increased material thickness. The curved fold structure achieves enhanced strength with the same material quantity.
3Reliability
If harder and more resistant materials are used for fins, then durability in aggressive environments is improved, but cost increases and press limits are reached
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the fin edges through folding, rather than changing the material parameters. By modifying the shape and configuration of the edges to enclose the cut surfaces, the invention achieves enhanced durability using standard materials that are compatible with existing press equipment and readily available from suppliers.
4Reliability
If painting is applied to protect cut edges, then corrosion resistance is improved, but environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical protection method (painting) with a mechanical protection method (folding). The mechanical folding of edges physically encloses the cut surfaces, providing corrosion resistance without introducing chemical substances into the environment. This substitution eliminates the pollution associated with paint application while maintaining protective functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved resistance fin (10) for a heat exchange battery (100), in which at least one front entry edge (20in) has a rounded shape and is formed by a double fold which encloses the cut edge (13) of the fin (10), so as to enclose it and isolate it from the external environment and prevent it from coming into contact with aggressive substances capable of damaging it. The fin according to the invention offers the advantage of not requiring protective pre-treatment of the cut edges. In fact, according to the invention, the closing and pressing of these cut edges inside the double fold of the edges of the fin itself, ensures the desired protection, even in absence of preventive protective treatment against aggressive agents.