Vehicle Heat Exchanger Assembly With Locking Lateral Enclosures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchanger assemblies for vehicles are complex and costly due to large, encasing holders that require significant effort and resources for installation, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution.

Innovation Solution

The use of two separate, modularly constructed lateral enclosures with plug-in parts and fixing parts made of lightweight materials, such as plastic or plastic composite materials, which are easily attached and locked to the heat exchanger and vehicle structural components without additional fastening means, utilizing caulking and clip connections for a positive and detachable or non-detachable connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large encasing holders are used to fix the heat exchanger, then the heat exchanger is securely held, but the device complexity and installation effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of heat exchangerVSAvoidholder construction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into multiple separate lateral enclosures instead of using a single large encasing holder. Each lateral enclosure independently secures a portion of the heat exchanger, collectively providing the same securing function with reduced complexity and easier installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the necessary portions of the holder function by using lateral enclosures that enclose only sections of the circumferential edge rather than the entire heat exchanger, eliminating unnecessary structural complexity while maintaining adequate securing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If large encasing holders are used to fix the heat exchanger, then the heat exchanger is securely held, but the installation time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of heat exchangerVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the holder into separate lateral enclosures, the installation process is simplified and can be performed more quickly, as each lateral enclosure can be independently and rapidly attached to the heat exchanger without requiring complex assembly of a large encasing structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional holders are used, then the heat exchanger is firmly fixed, but the weight and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing of heat exchangerVSAvoidholder weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter by using plastic or plastic composite materials for the lateral enclosures instead of traditional heavier materials, significantly reducing weight while maintaining adequate fixing reliability through the modular lateral enclosure design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented lateral enclosure design allows for optimized material usage, placing material only where structurally necessary to achieve the fixing function, thereby reducing overall material weight and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach results in a cost-efficient, lightweight, and easily installable heat exchanger assembly that reduces installation time and costs, while maintaining structural integrity and fluid-tight sealing, allowing for flexible use with different materials and configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the plug-in parts are fixed to the heat exchanger by means of a positive connection, so that in particular no additional aids, such as, for example, adhesives or fastening screws, are required for installing the plug-in parts on the heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive connection: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

the plug-in parts of a lateral enclosure can be locked or are locked easily and quickly with one another in a positive manner, for example by means of a clip connection (also locking connection), which forms a positive connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectClip connection: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS20230311637A1Heat exchanger assembly as well as vehicle comprising said heat exchanger assembly

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 MAHLE INT GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly (1) for a vehicle (2), having a heat exchanger (3) and two lateral enclosures (4, 5), which hold the heat exchanger (3) and which are arranged on opposite sides (7) of the heat exchanger (3) in order to each enclose a section (9) of a circumferential edge (8) of the heat exchanger (3). The lateral enclosures (4, 5) each have a first plug-in part (11), which is fixed in a positive manner to the heat exchanger (3), a second plug-in part (12), which is likewise fixed in a positive manner to the heat exchanger (3), as well as a fixing part (13), which is arranged on the first plug-in part (11) and/or on the second plug-in part (12), for fixing the respective lateral enclosure (4, 5) to the structural component (10). It is essential that the first plug-in parts (11) can be locked or are locked in a positive manner with the second plug-in parts (12). The invention relates in particular to a vehicle (2) comprising at least one such heat exchanger assembly (1).