Distributor for a plate heat exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distributors for plate heat exchangers lack the ability to seamlessly integrate a temperature sensor for fluid temperature detection, making them less versatile and requiring complex installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an additional space within the distributor body for a temperature sensor, with a dedicated opening on the supply connection side, allowing for easy installation and electrical connection to a control device, enhancing the distributor's usability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a temperature sensor is integrated into the distributor body, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement capabilityVSAvoiddistributor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is integrated into the distributor body by providing an additional space within the distributor body and an opening for introducing the sensor. This merging of the sensor into the existing distributor structure allows temperature measurement without requiring a completely separate sensing system, thus improving measurement capability while controlling complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The distributor body is designed to serve multiple functions: it distributes fluid through its interior space and supply connection, while simultaneously housing a temperature sensor for temperature detection. This multi-functionality is achieved by incorporating the sensor space and opening into the distributor body, allowing one component to perform both fluid distribution and temperature measurement tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the sensor is integrated into the distributor body, then installation simplicity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoiddistributor manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor body is divided into functional zones: the interior space for fluid distribution, the additional space for the temperature sensor, and the opening for sensor introduction. This segmentation allows the sensor to be installed through a dedicated opening without disrupting the fluid distribution pathways, simplifying installation while maintaining manufacturability through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The distributor body is pre-designed with an additional space and an opening for the temperature sensor before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of the sensor housing and opening allows for straightforward sensor installation without requiring complex modifications during assembly, thus improving installation simplicity while the design is incorporated into the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the supply connection and sensor are arranged on the same side, then electrical connection simplicity is improved, but spatial arrangement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection simplicityVSAvoidspatial arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The supply connection and temperature sensor are both arranged on the same side of the distributor body. This spatial merging allows electrical connections for the sensor to be made conveniently at the same location as the fluid supply connection, simplifying electrical wiring and connection procedures without requiring access to multiple sides of the distributor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The distributor body is designed with localized functional areas: the same side of the distributor body concentrates both the supply connection for fluid and the sensor for temperature detection. This local concentration of related functions (fluid supply and temperature sensing) on one side simplifies electrical connections while the overall distributor shape and internal geometry are optimized to accommodate this arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3418640B1Distributor for a plate heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 VIESSMANN GRP GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3418640B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a distributor for a plate heat exchanger, comprising a distributor body (1) with an interior (1.1) through which a fluid flows and with a supply connection (1.2) which is arranged on one side of the distributor body (1) and is hydraulically connected to the interior (1.1). for the fluid. According to the invention, in the distributor body (1) there is an additional space (2) for a sensor for detecting the temperature of the fluid in the interior (1.1) and on the side of the supply connection (1.2) on the distributor body (1) there is an opening (1.3) for introducing the Sensor provided in the additional space (2).