Heat exchanger assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger arrangements for vehicle heaters lack flexibility when integrated into heat transfer medium circuits, requiring complex and rigid connections that are difficult to assemble and disassemble.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger arrangement with insertable connecting pieces and a locking element that engages with recesses on the heat exchanger housing, allowing for quick and reliable coupling and decoupling, and featuring a U-shaped locking mechanism to prevent unintentional detachment, with parallel inlet and outlet openings for simplified alignment and rotation for fluid-tight sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection nozzles are fixed to the heat exchanger housing using screw bolts or common flanges, then the connection is strong and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: connection nozzles with integrated locking elements, housing with locking element engagement recesses, and connection nozzle locking element engagement recesses. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly while maintaining reliable connections through the distributed locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Locking elements act as intermediaries between the connection nozzles and the heat exchanger housing. These locking elements engage with recesses in both components to secure the connection, eliminating the need for complex screw bolts or flanges while maintaining connection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If hose-like lines are pushed onto nozzles and secured by hose clamps, then the integration is simple, but the connection lacks stability and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are designed with U-shaped curved structures that wrap around and engage with the connection nozzles and housing. This curved geometry provides both simplicity of installation and reliable mechanical interlocking, eliminating the need for separate hose clamps while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements serve as intermediary components that provide both the simplicity of push-on installation and the reliability of secure mechanical engagement. The locking elements engage with recesses in the housing and connection nozzles to create a stable connection.
3Reliability
If multiple separate locking mechanisms are used for each connection nozzle, then each connection is securely locked, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each connection nozzle integrates its own locking element engagement recesses and locking elements directly into the nozzle structure. This merging of locking functionality into the connection nozzles themselves eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining secure connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection nozzles are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as fluid connection points and as integrated locking structures. The locking elements and engagement recesses are built into the nozzles, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions and reducing the total number of parts.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6
AI summary
A heat exchanger arrangement, in particular for a vehicle heater, comprises a heat exchanger housing (12) with a heat transfer medium inlet opening (22) and a heat transfer medium outlet opening (24), further comprising in association with at least one opening of the heat transfer medium inlet opening (22) and heat transfer medium outlet opening (24) a connecting piece (26, 28) that is or can be inserted into the opening, wherein in association with the at least one connecting piece (26, 28) in the heat exchanger housing (12) there is at least one housing locking member engagement recess (34, 36, 38, 40) is provided and in the connecting piece (26, 28) at least one connecting piece locking element engagement recess (42) is provided, and wherein the connecting piece (26, 28) on the heat exchanger housing (12) arresting locking element (44) in the at least one housing locking element engagement recess ( 34, 36, 38, 40) and the at least one fitting locking member engagement a recess (42) is positioned or positioned in an engaging manner.