Motor Vehicle Heat Exchanger Channel Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers for motor vehicles lack efficiency in thermal interaction between fluids due to limited interaction areas and complex, costly fastening systems.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring channel devices with tubular channel elements and plate pairs arranged in a stacking direction, where channel elements connect adjacent intermediate spaces for improved fluid flow and thermal interaction, manufactured using additive manufacturing for reduced weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional heat exchangers are designed with plate arrangements and rib structures, then the interaction area for thermal exchange is increased, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to complex fastening systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the channel housing and support functions into a single integrated component. The channel housing forms the outer shell and structural support simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate support structures and complex fastening systems. This integration maintains large interaction areas while reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
2Reliability
If channel elements are added to increase thermal interaction, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but the weight of the heat exchanger increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-walled channel elements with wall thicknesses of 0.5-2 mm that provide sufficient structural strength while minimizing weight. The optimized wall thickness allows the channel elements to maintain structural integrity for heat exchange functionality while significantly reducing the overall weight of the heat exchanger compared to conventional thick-walled designs.
3Reliability
If multiple plate arrangements are stacked to increase thermal interaction area, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but the manufacturing cost increases due to component-specific investments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat exchanger into modular channel devices that can be stacked in series. Each channel device contains channel elements that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the final heat exchanger. This segmentation enables standardized production of modular units, reducing component-specific investments and manufacturing costs while maintaining large thermal interaction areas through stacking.
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
Enhances thermal interaction efficiency and reduces weight and manufacturing costs by allowing almost complete fluid flow around channel elements and eliminating the need for complex fastening systems.
Implementation Method 1
the first fluid, preferably the air to be cooled, flow almost completely around it in an advantageous manner. Compared to conventional heat exchangers, this leads to an improved thermal interaction of the first fluid with the second fluid flowing through the individual channel elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1), - with a plurality of channel devices (2) which are arranged stacked on top of each other along a stacking direction (S), - wherein each channel device (2) has a pair of plates (3) with a first and a second plate (3a, 3b) which define a first fluid channel (4a) in the stacking direction (S), - wherein two channel devices (2) adjacent in the stacking direction (S) are arranged at a distance from each other, such that a second fluid channel (4b) is fluidically separated from the first fluid channel (4a) by a space (5) formed between the two adjacent channel devices (2), - wherein at least one channel device (2), preferably all channel devices (2), provides a plurality of channel elements (6) which are connected to both the first and the second plate (3a, 3b),so that the two adjacent spaces (5) of the channel assembly (2) along the stacking direction (S) are fluidically connected to each other by means of the channel elements (6).