Oil Cooler Flat Tube Guide Wall Cooling Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil coolers for larger-sized engines face inefficiencies in cooling water flow due to narrow clearances and obstructive design features, which hinder heat exchange efficiency and complicate visual inspection processes.
Innovation Solution
The oil cooler design features flat tubes with recessed fin plate accommodation portions, guide walls, and strategically placed oil ports to facilitate smooth cooling water flow and enhance heat exchange efficiency, while allowing for easier visual inspection by minimizing the extent of the outer wall and using embossed portions for brazing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer wall extends nearly the entire length of the flat tube to prevent cooling water outflow, then cooling water flow control is improved, but weight increases and visual inspection of brazing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the outer wall from the flat tube structure, removing it entirely to eliminate unnecessary weight while maintaining cooling water flow control through alternative means (the case structure and flat tube arrangement itself)
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure serves multiple functions: it contains the cooling water, provides structural support, and enables visual inspection of brazing operations, replacing the need for a separate outer wall component
2Reliability
If the outer wall covers the lateral side of the oil cooler, then cooling water containment is improved, but visual inspection of brazing operations becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The outer wall is removed to enable direct visual inspection of the brazing operations on the lateral sides of flat tubes, while cooling water containment is achieved through the case structure
3Loss of energy
If the clearance between flat tubes is made small to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but cooling water flow into the oil cooler becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the flow difficulty by modifying the longitudinal end portion geometry and adding a guide wall, changing the dimensional configuration to guide cooling water into the narrow clearance between flat tubes
4Productivity
If the cylindrical oil port is provided at the longitudinal end portion, then oil flow connection is improved, but cooling water flow path is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning the oil port away from the cooling water inlet area and using a guide wall to direct cooling water flow, so that the oil port fulfills its connection function without obstructing cooling water flow
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 the flow of cooling water between flat tubes, increasing heat exchange efficiency and simplifies the inspection process by reducing the complexity of the outer structure and allowing for better visibility during brazing operations.
Implementation Method 1
The working oil is cooled by heat exchange with the cooling water
Implementation Method 2
Cooling water of the engine is forced to circulate in the case, whereas working oil is sent under pressure to the oil cooler
Data Source
AI summary
An oil cooler includes flat tubes layered together with a clearance, wherein cooling water flows through the clearance. Each flat tube includes a first plate, a second plate, and a fin plate held between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate is recessed to form a fin plate accommodation portion accommodating the fin plate, wherein a thin portion is formed outside of the fin plate accommodation portion in a longitudinal direction of the flat tube. An oil port is provided at the thin portion. Each flat tube includes a guide wall at a lateral periphery thereof, wherein the guide wall faces the oil port in a width direction, and projects in a layering direction. The guide wall, the thin portion, and a lateral wall of the oil port form a nozzle portion to guide cooling water in the longitudinal direction.