Design Assistance Apparatus for Flow Path Boundary Surface Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing designs for heat exchangers that use periodic minimal surfaces for flow path separation are limited in design freedom due to dependence on the shape of the periodic minimal surface, restricting the variety of flow path configurations that can be achieved.
Innovation Solution
A design assistance apparatus and method that allows for the generation of a structure with a desired flow path configuration by acquiring design space and flow path characteristic shape information, and using this information to create a boundary surface that separates flow paths within the design space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a periodic minimal surface is used to separate flow paths, then heat exchange efficiency is improved by increasing specific surface area, but design freedom is reduced because the structure depends on the shape of the periodic minimal surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the flow path separation function into multiple independent boundary surfaces rather than using a single periodic minimal surface. Each boundary surface can be independently designed and optimized, allowing flexible combination to achieve both high heat exchange efficiency and design freedom. The partition wall structure is segmented into multiple surfaces that can be independently controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of flow path separation from a fixed periodic minimal surface geometry to variable boundary surfaces defined by design space information and flow path characteristic shapes. This allows the boundary surfaces to be adjusted according to different design requirements while maintaining the separation function, thereby achieving both efficiency and design freedom.
2Adaptability or versatility
If topology optimization method is used to deform the original structure, then fluid characteristics can be changed, but the basic configuration still depends on the original periodic minimal surface, limiting design freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by establishing the boundary surfaces based on design space information and flow path characteristic shape information before finalizing the partition wall structure. This preliminary definition of boundary surfaces allows subsequent optimization to change fluid characteristics without being constrained by the original periodic minimal surface configuration, achieving both flexibility and design freedom.
Data Source
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AI summary
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a design assistance apparatus 100 for designing a structure including a partition wall structure that separates a plurality of different flow paths from each other. The apparatus 100 includes a control unit (processor) 130 configured to execute: acquiring design space information that specifies a design space of the structure; acquiring flow path characteristic shape information that specifies a characteristic shape of each flow path to be formed within the design space, the flow path characteristic shape information being identified by a line or a surface; and generating a boundary surface that separates the plurality of flow paths from each other within the design space, based on the design space information and the flow path characteristic shape information.