Heat Exchanger V-Shaped Protrusions Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat exchanger design, where ribs divide the cooling water flow path and inner fins are not in contact with the plates at rib positions, leads to increased water flow resistance and deteriorated heat exchange performance.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger incorporates V-shaped protruding portions on the plates, which recess in the ATF flow path and project into the cooling water flow path, arranged such that their tip end and opening portions are in the flow direction of the cooling water, improving fluid flow and generating a longitudinal vortex to enhance heat exchange performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ribs are provided to divide the cooling water flow path, then the cooling water flows to every corner, but water flow resistance is increased and heat exchange performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using V-shaped protruding portions instead of straight ribs. The V-shape creates a curved flow path that generates longitudinal vortices in the cooling water, enhancing heat transfer through rotational flow while maintaining smoother flow transitions that reduce flow resistance compared to sharp rib structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the flow path modification structure. By using V-shaped protrusions with specific angles and dimensions that are lower than the flow path height, the design optimizes the balance between flow distribution and flow resistance, allowing cooling water to reach corners while maintaining acceptable flow characteristics.
2Reliability
If inner fins are provided in the ATF flow path, then heat transfer area is increased, but heat exchange performance deteriorates where fins are not in contact with plates at rib positions
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped protruding portions create curved surfaces that provide continuous contact areas for inner fins throughout the flow path, including in regions where straight ribs would create gaps. This curved geometry ensures consistent thermal contact between fins and plates, maintaining heat transfer effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow path modification into multiple V-shaped protrusions distributed across the plate surface. This segmentation allows inner fins to contact multiple discrete V-shaped surfaces, ensuring comprehensive heat transfer coverage even where individual contact points are localized.
3Reliability
If protruding portions are formed to project into the cooling water flow path, then heat exchange performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped protruding portions are integrated directly into the plate structure during manufacturing, merging the flow path modification function with the plate's structural role. This eliminates the need for separate rib components or complex assembly steps, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining heat exchange performance enhancements.
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 configuration improves heat exchange performance for both fluids by ensuring the ATF flows inside the V-shaped protruding portions and generates a vortex in the cooling water, reducing flow resistance and enhancing heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
since a longitudinal vortex is generated due to the V-shaped protruding portions in flow of the second fluid, the heat exchange performance of the second fluid is improved
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange is performed between cooling water and an ATF (automatic transmission fluid) through the first plate or the second plate
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger includes: first plates; second plates disposed at intervals with each between a pair of the first plates adjacent to each to alternately form first flow paths and second flow paths; and a heat exchange promoting member in the first flow paths. At least one of the first plates and each second plate includes a plurality of protruding portions each of which is formed in a V shape in a plan view such that the protruding portion recesses in a corresponding one of the first flow paths and projects in a corresponding one of the second flow paths. Each protruding portion has a tip end portion and an opening portion arranged in a flow direction in the second flow path, and one of a pair of free end portions is positioned on a first inflow port side and the other is positioned on a first outflow port side.