Heat exchanger and heat exchange ventilator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchange elements in ventilators, made of specially processed paper, tend to contract due to long-term use from repeated drying and wetting, leading to deformation and airflow leakage between supply and exhaust air flows, which affects ventilation and heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger with a prism-shaped element and movable frame members that extend along its sides, allowing for movement with the element's contraction to maintain airtightness by using sliding connections between frame members and cover members, preventing deformation and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frame members are fixed to covers to protect corner portions and ensure airtightness, then structural stability and sealing are improved, but the heat exchange element contraction causes deformation, unsticking, or damage leading to airflow leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position as the heat exchange element contracts over time. This dynamic capability enables the frame members to maintain contact with the heat exchange element and cover members throughout the contraction process, preventing gap formation and maintaining airtightness without causing deformation or damage.
2Productivity
If heat exchange element is made of specially processed paper for heat exchange function, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the element contracts due to repeated drying and wetting causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The system accommodates the dynamic contraction behavior of the paper-based heat exchange element by providing movable frame members that can follow the element's dimensional changes. This dynamic design allows the heat exchange element to maintain its paper construction for optimal heat exchange efficiency while preventing sealing failures that would occur with fixed frame members.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention accepts and accommodates the parameter change (contraction) that occurs in the heat exchange element over time due to repeated drying and wetting cycles. Rather than trying to prevent this natural phenomenon, the movable frame members are designed to adapt to these parameter changes, maintaining airtightness throughout the element's service life.
3Strength
If frame members are adhered to heat exchange element corners, then corner protection and initial airtightness are improved, but long-term use causes unsticking and gap formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a static adhesive bond to a dynamic mechanical connection. Instead of relying on adhesive strength to maintain the frame member position through contraction, the movable frame members maintain continuous mechanical contact with the heat exchange element and cover members, distributing stresses and preventing adhesive failure over time.
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
The solution effectively suppresses airflow leakage and maintains airtightness between supply and exhaust air flows even as the heat exchange element contracts, ensuring consistent ventilation and heat exchange efficiency over time.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange element (21)
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchange element generally formed of specially processed paper tends to contract due to long-term use because the heat exchange element repeats drying and wetting due to air passing through the heat exchange element
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes a prism-shaped heat exchange element, a plurality of frame members mounted to sides of the element in a one-to-one relationship, the sides extending along an axial direction of the heat exchange element, and cover members each covering an end face of the element, the end face being perpendicular to the axial direction of the heat exchange element. The frame members are connected to each of the cover members. Gaps for allowing movement of each of the frame members along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the heat exchange element are provided at each connecting portion at which the frame members are connected to the cover member. Thus, it is possible to move the frame members along with deformation of the heat exchange element.