Flow Channel Member With Cover-Side Wall Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow channel members do not effectively increase the volume of the flow channel or enhance heat exchange efficiency, as they lack a gap that communicates with the flow channel between the cover unit and the side wall unit, leading to reduced contact area and heat exchange performance.

Innovation Solution

A flow channel member design that includes a cover unit, a side wall unit, and a bottom plate unit with a gap that communicates with the flow channel, increasing the volume and enhancing heat exchange efficiency by allowing a fluid to flow through the gap between the cover unit and the side wall unit, thereby improving contact area and reducing joint failure risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flow channel member is manufactured by joining cover unit and side wall unit without a gap, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but heat exchange efficiency is reduced due to limited contact area between flow channel and fluid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flow channel member is divided into a cover unit and a side wall unit that are joined together with a gap between them. This segmentation allows the gap to be formed as part of the flow channel structure, increasing the contact area between the fluid and the flow channel without complicating the manufacturing process, as the gap is naturally created during the joining of the two units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the flow channel volume is increased to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange performance is enhanced, but the structural integrity and reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the flow channel member into cover unit and side wall unit with a gap between them, the flow channel volume is effectively increased while maintaining structural integrity. The gap is intentionally designed as part of the flow channel structure rather than a defect, allowing expanded fluid contact area without compromising the strength of the individual units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a gap is introduced between cover unit and side wall unit to increase flow channel volume, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidgap formation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation into cover unit and side wall unit allows the gap to be formed during the joining process rather than requiring precise post-processing. This approach converts a potential precision challenge into a design feature, where the gap dimensions can be controlled during assembly rather than requiring ultra-precise manufacturing of each individual component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design increases the volume of the flow channel, enhances heat exchange efficiency, and reduces the occurrence of joint failures and breakage, making it suitable for cooling semiconductor devices and chemical fluid applications.

Implementation Method 1

heat exchange efficiency between the fluid and the object may be increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a flow channel through which a fluid can flow is provided inside the flow channel member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2582213B1Flow channel member, heat exchanger using same, and electronic component device
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP2582213B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2582213B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2582213B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

[Problem] There is provided a flow channel member which is configured by laminating a plurality of side wall units and inside which a flow channel is provided, wherein occurrence of joint failure of the side wall units are reduced. [Solution] A flow channel member (1) of the invention includes a cover unit (1a), a side wall unit (1c), and a bottom plate unit (1b), wherein a flow channel (3) through which a fluid flows is provided inside the flow channel member (1), and a gap (4) which communicates with the flow channel (3) is provided between the cover unit (1a) and the side wall unit (1c). According to the flow channel member (1), since the gap (4) which communicates with the flow channel (3) is located between the cover unit (1a) and the side wall unit (1c), a contact area between the flow channel (3) and the fluid increases, and thus heat exchange efficiency with the cover unit (1a) may be increased.