Fin Stacking Method Using Slanted Surface and Support Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stacking fins in heat exchangers face instability issues when fins are vertically stacked, leading to frequent interruptions in the manufacturing process and reduced stacking height, which affects continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming a fin slit in each fin and arranging the fins with their openings facing upward or downward, allowing for horizontal stacking and support insertion, and includes positional changes such as lifting, dropping, or rotating to achieve stable stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If fins are vertically stacked to increase stacking height, then the number of fins that can be stacked increases, but the stability of the fin stack decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking to horizontal stacking by changing the orientation dimension. Fins are arranged with their width directions aligned horizontally, allowing stable stacking of multiple fins in a row without the instability issues that occur with vertical stacking. This dimensional change enables increased stacking capacity while maintaining stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fins are stacked horizontally with width directions aligned, then stacking stability increases, but the stacking height is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-level stacking where finished fin stacks are placed on platforms, and additional fins are stacked on top of these platforms. This nesting approach allows the system to achieve greater overall stacking height by creating multiple stacking levels rather than being limited to a single horizontal layer.
3Reliability
If fins cannot be stacked high due to instability, then conveying frequency must increase, but manufacturing continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
By enabling stable horizontal stacking and multi-level arrangements, the patent allows the manufacturing system to maintain continuous operation. Fins can be stacked to higher quantities without requiring frequent conveying interruptions, thus maintaining the continuity of the manufacturing process and improving overall productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for stacking fins (1) each having a fin slit (13) for receiving a flat tube, the method comprising: a first step of arranging each of the fins (1) at a stacking spot (RB, RC) for the fins (1) with an opening (133) of the fin slit (13) facing downward; wherein the first step includes: a second step in which the fin (1) slides down, from a side of the opening (133) of the fin slit (13), on a surface (Q221, Q231, Q3) inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (J); and a third step, subsequent to the second step, in which a support (R2) enters the fin slit (13) through the opening (133) of the fin (1) and is caught by the fin slit (13), whereby the fin (1) is supported by the support (R2) with the opening (133) facing downward.