Heat exchange unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchange units face challenges in effectively restricting the movement of heat exchangers due to vibration, which can lead to damage and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for robust materials and complex bracket systems.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange unit design featuring a first member with protrusion portions inserted between flat tubes, which restricts movement while supporting the heat exchanger, and a second member that supports the first member, reducing contact area and allowing for the use of softer materials, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and preventing damage from sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bracket system is used to restrict heat exchanger movement, then movement restriction is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into a body portion and multiple protrusion portions that extend between adjacent flat tubes. This segmentation allows the single bracket to engage multiple tubes simultaneously, providing effective movement restriction without requiring a complex system of multiple brackets and fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portions of the bracket are inserted into the spaces between adjacent flat tubes, effectively nesting the bracket structure within the existing tube arrangement. This eliminates the need for additional external support structures and reduces overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If robust materials are used for brackets, then movement restriction is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket uses protrusion portions with localized contact points between adjacent flat tubes, concentrating the movement restriction function at specific locations rather than requiring robust materials throughout the entire bracket structure. This allows for cost-effective material selection while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portions act as intermediaries that transmit vibrational forces from the flat tubes to the bracket body, distributing the mechanical stress and allowing the use of less robust, more cost-effective materials while still achieving effective movement restriction.
3Reliability
If increased contact area is used between bracket and flat tubes, then movement restriction is improved, but damage from sliding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket contact area is segmented into multiple discrete protrusion portions, each engaging with the space between adjacent flat tubes. This segmentation distributes the contact points, reducing the cumulative sliding distance and damage while maintaining effective movement restriction through multiple engagement points.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange unit includes: a heat exchanger in which flat tubes are stacked at predetermined intervals in a thickness direction by a heat transfer fin; and a first member that is attached to the heat exchanger and that restricts a movement of the heat exchanger. The first member includes a body and a protrusion portion protruding from the body. The protrusion portion is disposed between adjacent flat tubes of the heat exchanger.