Total Heat Exchange Element With Heat-Shrink Partition Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchange elements face challenges with increased ventilation resistance under high humidity conditions due to deflection and shrinkage of resin-based partition and spacing members, leading to reduced heat transfer efficiency and productivity, along with higher material and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A total heat exchange element with a partition member comprising a functional layer for heat conductivity, moisture permeability, and gas shielding, combined with a heat shrink layer that shrinks at a predetermined temperature, is molded integrally with a spacing member to reduce deflection and ventilation resistance, using a simple facility and process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If injection molding is applied to insert mold the partition member with a resin, then the area ratio of the spacing member to the partition member is reduced and the cross section of the flow path is formed in a rectangular shape, but the partition member deflects under high humidity condition and the height of the flow path becomes uneven, increasing ventilation resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member is constructed as a composite material combining a moisture-permeable polyethylene-based film (providing gas shielding and moisture permeability) with a porous heat-conductive layer (providing heat conductivity and dimensional stability). This composite structure maintains the benefits of resin molding while preventing deflection under high humidity conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat exchange efficiency and ventilation resistance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a moisture-permeable polyethylene-based film is used as the partition member, then dimensional stability is improved under high humidity condition, but the film is warped or shrinks easily after molded product is removed, causing deflection and increased ventilation resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the partition member by combining the polyethylene-based film with a porous heat-conductive layer having specific properties (heat conductivity of 0.03 to 0.08 W/(m·K), porosity of 30% to 70%, and thickness ratio of 1:4 to 1:10). This parameter optimization prevents warpage and shrinkage after molding, maintaining both dimensional stability and shape accuracy.
3Productivity
If the height of the flow path is reduced to improve heat transfer area, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but ventilation resistance increases particularly under high humidity condition
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of the partition member, particularly the porous heat-conductive layer with optimized thickness ratio (1:4 to 1:10 compared to the film layer), provides sufficient mechanical strength to maintain flow path height even when the flow path is designed to be compact. This enables reduced flow path height for improved heat transfer area while preventing the increase in ventilation resistance that would otherwise occur.
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 reduces ventilation resistance, enhances heat-exchange efficiency, and improves productivity by eliminating deflection post-injection molding, while minimizing facility investment and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat shrink layer that shrinks at a predetermined temperature or higher
Implementation Method 2
partition member that has heat conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a total heat exchange element in which a spacing member is provided on both sides of a sheet-like partition member to form a flow path and which performs heat exchange between an airflow that flows in a flow path formed on one side of the partition member and an airflow that flows in a flow path formed on another side of the partition member via the partition member, wherein the spacing member is molded integrally with the partition member by using a resin, and the partition member is configured to include a functional layer that has heat conductivity, moisture permeability, and gas shielding property and a heat shrink layer that shrinks at a predetermined temperature or higher.