Flat-Tube Heat Exchanger Fin Layout for Low Air Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers face challenges in maintaining low air flow resistance while ensuring effective drainability of condensed water and stable fin pitch, as the arrangement of raised-lance elements perpendicular to the air flow direction increases resistance, and parallel arrangement compromises drainability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates flat tubes with a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the refrigerant flow direction, inserted into notches in heat transfer fins with standing portions on the periphery, arranged to avoid facing each other across a reference line, providing stability and strength, and allowing for alternate or wave-shaped configurations to optimize fin pitch and air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the raised-lance element is disposed perpendicular to the air flow direction to maintain fin pitch, then the fin pitch is secured, but air flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging standing portions unevenly around the notch perimeter. Specifically, at least three standing portions are positioned so they do not face each other across the reference line, creating an asymmetric configuration that allows condensed water to drain effectively while maintaining fin pitch, and reducing air flow resistance compared to symmetric perpendicular arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension (perpendicular) arrangement to a multi-dimensional arrangement by positioning standing portions at various angles around the notch. The standing portions are distributed around the perimeter with specific angular relationships, utilizing radial positioning to achieve both fin pitch maintenance and reduced air flow resistance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the raised-lance element is arranged parallel to the air flow direction to reduce air flow resistance, then air flow resistance decreases, but drainability of condensed water decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric arrangement of standing portions creates an uneven surface topology around the notch that facilitates condensed water drainage paths while maintaining acceptable air flow characteristics. The non-faceting configuration across the reference line provides drainage channels without creating perpendicular obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the standing portions into multiple discrete elements distributed around the notch perimeter. This segmentation creates multiple small drainage pathways for condensed water while distributing the air flow resistance impact across several smaller features rather than one large perpendicular obstacle
3Ease of manufacture
If thin flat tubes are used to reduce manufacturing costs, then manufacturing costs decrease, but fin pitch maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The standing portions are formed as integral features of the heat transfer fin structure before tube installation. This preliminary formation of gap-maintaining features ensures that even thin flat tubes can be properly positioned and secured, maintaining fin pitch without requiring additional support structures that would increase manufacturing complexity
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 reduces air flow resistance and maintains effective drainability of condensed water, while ensuring stable fin pitch and mounting strength, enabling the use of thin flat tubes with a larger applicable range and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger including a plurality of flat tubes (21) each having a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a direction of flow of refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat transfer fins (31) each having a plurality of notches (35) configured to receive the plurality of flat tubes (21)
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes: a plurality of flat tubes that each have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a direction of flow of refrigerant with a width direction that extends in an air flow direction; and a plurality of heat transfer fins each having a plurality of notches that receive the plurality of flat tubes. The plurality of notches is disposed along the width direction. The plurality of heat transfer fins includes at least three stands, disposed on a periphery of each of the plurality of notches, that form gaps between adjacent heat transfer fins. The at least three stands are disposed to not face each other across a reference line that extends in the width direction through a perpendicular center of each of the plurality of flat tubes.