Polygonal Exhaust Gas Heat Exchanger Casing for Space Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust gas heat exchangers with rectangular casing tubes are limited in terms of installation space adaptation and connection/attachment variations due to their fixed cross-sectional shape, restricting flexibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The casing tube is formed from a punched sheet into a polygonal tube with a unique bead pattern for reinforcement, allowing for non-rectangular cross-sections and stepped designs, enabling better space adaptation and connection options, while using materials like stainless steel, aluminum, or plastic to maintain thin walls under high pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rectangular casing tube is used, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the adaptability to installation space and connection options is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to installation spaceVSAvoidcasing tube geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The casing tube is divided into multiple longitudinal sections that can be formed separately and then joined together through welding. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for specific spatial requirements while maintaining overall structural integrity and adaptability to various installation configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a simple rectangular cross-section to a three-dimensional polygonal cross-section with multiple flat sides and corners. This dimensional change enables the casing tube to adapt to complex installation spaces and provides multiple surfaces for connections and attachments, significantly improving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the casing tube wall thickness is reduced, then the weight and material consumption decrease, but the strength to withstand bursting pressure is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebursting pressure resistanceVSAvoidcasing tube weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The casing tube incorporates rounded corners and curved transitions between flat sides, replacing sharp angular joints. These curved geometries distribute stress more evenly throughout the structure, enhancing bursting pressure resistance while allowing for thinner wall sections and reduced overall weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The casing tube may utilize composite material structures or material combinations that provide high strength-to-weight ratios, enabling thin-walled construction that still withstands required bursting pressures while minimizing weight and material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If a polygonal cross-section with rounded corners is used, then the adaptability and connection options improve, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection optionsVSAvoidpunching and forming process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The polygonal cross-section with rounded corners is designed to be formed in a single punching and forming operation from a flat blank, rather than requiring multiple sequential operations. This preliminary action approach simplifies manufacturing by combining shape creation and corner rounding into one integrated process step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the formation of multiple geometric features (polygonal sides, corners, and rounded transitions) into a single integrated manufacturing process. This consolidation reduces the number of separate operations required, thereby simplifying manufacturing despite the increased geometric complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3270083B1Exhaust gas heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3270083B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3270083B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The exhaust gas heat exchanger has a tubular casing (1a) made of stainless steel. The jacket tube (1a) is formed from a stamped plate, which is formed into a multi-edged tube and welded with a longitudinal seam. Beads (5, 11, 15, 16) embossed from the inside outwards are provided in at least two opposite side walls (20, 21) of the casing tube (1a).