Heat Exchanger Support Assembly for Rigid Pipe Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of rigid air conditioning pipes in vehicle cooling circuits faces challenges due to manufacturing dispersions, leading to potential leaks and damage from forced assembly, which increases costs and size due to the need for flexible connections.
Innovation Solution
A support system for heat exchangers that allows translation and adjustment in three orthogonal directions, incorporating a base with removable portions for blocking movement, facilitating the connection of rigid air conditioning pipes while accommodating manufacturing dispersions and preventing leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rigid pipes are used to connect heat exchanger and expansion valve, then manufacturing costs are reduced and space requirement is minimized, but manufacturing dispersions cause assembly difficulties and leakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into a fixed base and a movable adjustment mechanism with removable portion. The base provides stable mounting while the movable portion allows position adjustment of the heat exchanger to compensate for pipe manufacturing dispersions, separating the functions of structural support and position adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support acts as an intermediary element between the heat exchanger and the rigid pipe connection points. It absorbs the manufacturing dispersions through its adjustment mechanism, preventing direct transmission of misalignment forces to the pipe joints and eliminating the need for expensive flexible pipes.
2Area of stationary object
If rigid pipes are used to connect components, then space requirement is reduced, but forced assembly damages joints and causes leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The support incorporates a movable adjustment mechanism that allows dynamic position adjustment of the heat exchanger during assembly. This dynamic capability enables alignment with rigid pipe connection points without forcing the joints, maintaining joint strength while achieving compact rigid pipe connections.
3Reliability
If flexible pipe sections are used for connection, then assembly is easier and leakage is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases and footprint enlarges
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flexibility function from the pipe system and relocates it to the support's adjustment mechanism. This allows rigid pipes to be used for connection while the support provides the necessary positional flexibility, eliminating the need for expensive flexible pipe sections and their associated crimping operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) having one side comprising a fluidic connection (21, 25), the support (1) comprising a base (5) equipped with means for fixing (72, 74) to an element of a vehicle and comprising a bearing surface for receiving the heat exchanger (2) in a first direction (Z), the base (5) being able to hold the heat exchanger (2) in a second direction (Y) orthogonal to the first direction (Z) and parallel to the bearing surface, and being able to allow a translation of the heat exchanger (2) in a third direction (X) orthogonal to the first and second directions (Z, Y), the support (1) further comprising a removable portion (6), the base (5) and the removable portion (6) comprising means for assembling each other and the removable portion (6) comprising means for blocking the translation of the heat exchanger (2).