Inverted V-Shape Heat Exchanger with Asymmetric Fins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers bent into a substantially inverted V-shape face performance issues due to differing refrigerant temperatures on either side of the bending portion, leading to uneven outlet air temperatures and compromised heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger is designed with distinct first and second fin portions, where the second fin portion has a greater heat transfer coefficient, achieved through varying louver angles, lengths, and fin pitches, ensuring equal capacities and temperatures on both sides of the bending portion, thereby improving heat exchange performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the heat exchanger is bent into a substantially inverted V-shape with identical fin structures on both sides, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the heat exchange performance deteriorates due to uneven outlet air temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the fin structures different on opposite sides of the bending portion. Specifically, the fin pitch, fin length, or fin density is adjusted locally on one side to compensate for the temperature difference caused by the inverted V-shape bending, ensuring uniform outlet air temperature while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the fin structure design between the two sides of the bending portion. Instead of using identical symmetric fin structures, the design deliberately creates asymmetric configurations (different fin pitches, lengths, or densities) to balance the heat exchange capacity and achieve uniform outlet temperatures
2Reliability
If the fin structures on both sides of the bending portion are made different to balance heat exchange capacity, then the heat exchange performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fin structure into different zones on opposite sides of the bending portion, where each segment has optimized parameters (fin pitch, length, or density) tailored to the local thermal conditions, allowing performance optimization without requiring complete redesign of the entire heat exchanger
3Reliability
If additional fins are added to one side to balance capacity, then the heat exchange performance is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key parameters of the existing fin structure (such as fin pitch, fin length, or fin density) on one side of the bending portion rather than adding entire new fin sets. This parameter adjustment achieves capacity balancing while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes and avoiding excessive complexity
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 design ensures identical outlet air temperatures on both sides of the heat exchanger, enhancing comfort and efficiency, particularly in air conditioners, while also simplifying manufacturing and bending processes.
Implementation Method 1
exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the tubes when passing through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The inlet air flows upward from a lower side of the heat exchanger, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the tubes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A heat exchanger comprises: a first header; a second header; a plurality of tubes spaced apart from each other and each connected between the first and second headers in fluid communication therewith; and a plurality of fins each disposed between adjacent tubes, in which the heat exchanger has a bent portion between the first and second headers such that the heat exchanger is divided into first and second heat exchanger portions which are located at two sides of the bent portion respectively, and a heat transfer coefficient of the second heat exchanger portion is greater than that of the first heat exchanger portion. The heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is bent into a substantially inverted V-shape, and the capacities at two sides of the bending position are identical, thus improving the heat exchange performance.