Integrated Sub-Heat Exchanger Design for Lateral Space Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger designs in commercial air conditioning systems require additional shielding plates, leading to inefficient use of lateral space and increased manufacturing costs due to complex processes and reduced heat exchange area.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design comprising a main heat exchanger and a lateral heat exchanger with fluid communication through manifolds and U-shaped tubes, optimizing space utilization and heat exchange area by 20% or more, and simplifying manufacturing and assembly through flexible pipeline connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If heat exchangers are arranged in a V-shaped configuration with upper edges spaced apart, then the heat exchangers can be connected structurally, but additional shielding plates are required and lateral space is not effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the heat exchangers and connecting structures by making the heat exchange tubes themselves serve as the connecting elements. The U-shaped tubes connect the first and second sub-heat exchangers while also providing heat exchange functionality, eliminating the need for separate shielding plates and effectively utilizing the lateral space between upper edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange tubes serve multiple functions: they provide heat exchange surfaces and simultaneously act as connecting structures between sub-heat exchangers. The U-shaped configuration allows the tubes to both connect the sub-heat exchangers and utilize the lateral space for additional heat exchange area, achieving multi-functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heat exchangers are arranged in a V-shaped configuration, then structural connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional shielding plates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connecting function and heat exchange function into a single component (the U-shaped heat exchange tubes). This eliminates the need for separate shielding plates, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the connecting function from the heat exchange tubes and integrates it back into the same tubes through U-shaped bends. This eliminates the need for separate connecting structures (shielding plates), reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural connection.
3Strength
If additional shielding plates are used to connect heat exchangers, then structural integrity is maintained, but heat exchange area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange tubes serve dual purposes: providing structural connection between sub-heat exchangers and maximizing heat exchange area. The U-shaped configuration allows the tubes to span the lateral space and provide extensive heat exchange surfaces without requiring additional non-functional shielding plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the lateral dimension (space between upper edges) by extending heat exchange tubes horizontally with U-shaped bends. This converts what would be empty space into productive heat exchange area, increasing the overall heat exchange area without compromising structural integrity.
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 design effectively utilizes lateral space, increases heat exchange area, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, and enhances heat exchange efficiency by integrating heat exchangers with fluid communication through manifolds and U-shaped tubes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat exchange tube in the first sub-heat exchanger is part of a flow path of the second sub-heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange tubes which extend between the first manifold and the second manifold and are in fluid communication
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A heat exchanger (10) comprises: a first sub-heat exchanger (100), which has a first manifold (110), a second manifold (120), and at least two heat exchange tubes (130); and a second sub-heat exchanger (200), which has a third manifold (210), a fourth manifold (220), and at least one heat exchange tube (230), at least one of the heat exchange tubes (130) in the first sub-heat exchanger (100) being part of a flow path of the second sub-heat exchanger (200).