Heat Exchanger Plate Corner Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers for automotive vehicles, particularly those with a stack of plates, face challenges in mechanical resistance and cost, necessitating an improvement in design to enhance durability while maintaining flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design featuring a lower plate with reinforcing elements only around one or more corners, a reinforcement plate between the fixation and lower plates, and a fixation plate with a planar surface and protrusion, allowing for enhanced corner reinforcement and elasticity, thereby improving mechanical resistance without increasing constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcing elements are added around all corners of the lower plate, then mechanical resistance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing reinforcing elements only at specific corners (one or two corners) of the lower plate rather than uniformly around all corners. This localized reinforcement strategy provides adequate structural support where needed while avoiding unnecessary complexity and manufacturing cost associated with complete circumferential reinforcement.
2Strength
If the lower plate is made fully rigid to improve mechanical resistance, then strength is improved, but the ability to accommodate deformations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating a differentiated structural response: corners with reinforcing elements provide localized rigidity and strength, while the remaining plate areas maintain flexibility and elasticity. This allows the lower plate to accommodate slight deformations in non-reinforced regions while maintaining overall structural integrity through the reinforced corners.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Heat exchanger (2) comprising a stack of plates (4) comprising a lower plate (20) onto which the other plates (22) are stacked. The heat exchanger also comprises a fixation plate (6), and a reinforcement plate (8) between the fixation plate (6) and the lower plate (20). The reinforcement plate (8) has reinforcing elements (24) only around one or more corners of the lower plate (20).