Roller-Based Seal Packing Assembly for Deformed Heat Exchanger Cores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal packing assembly methods for heat exchangers lack reliability due to issues like seal packing sticking to the core plate's side walls and deviation from the ring-shaped groove, especially when the core plate deforms during soldering.
Innovation Solution
A seal packing assembly apparatus equipped with rollers that push the seal packing into the groove while moving along its shape, guided by members that adjust to the core plate's deformation, ensuring consistent insertion and preventing twisting or rising of the seal packing, with additional mechanisms to manage extra length and distribute it evenly to the groove's ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the seal packing is made to drop from above the core plate, then the assembly process is simple, but the reliability of insertion into the groove is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple dropping mechanism with a roller-based mechanical pushing system. The rollers move along the groove and push the seal packing into the groove, providing controlled insertion force and ensuring reliable placement even when the core plate deforms or has oil deposits on the side walls.
2Ease of manufacture
If the core plate deforms by heat during soldering, then the manufacturing process is complete, but the seal packing deviates from the groove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rollers that are supported to displace along the shape of the core plate by reaction forces from guide members. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the rollers to adapt to thermal deformations of the core plate, maintaining contact with the groove and ensuring accurate seal packing insertion even after heat-induced deformation.
3Ease of operation
If the seal packing sticks to the side walls of the groove, then the assembly process continues, but the seal packing does not reach the bottom of the groove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rollers as intermediary elements between the seal packing and the groove. These rollers push the seal packing into the groove, providing sufficient force to overcome adhesion to oil-deposited side walls and ensure the seal packing reaches the bottom of the groove for proper sealing.
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 solution enhances the reliability of seal packing assembly by ensuring consistent and accurate placement, even when the core plate deforms, preventing sticking and twisting, and effectively managing extra seal packing length, thus improving the assembly process's precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
rollers (132a) which push a seal packing (9) into a groove (5e) of a core plate (5) while moving by rolling along the groove (5e)
Implementation Method 2
the rollers (132a) being supported so as to displace along the shape of the core plate (5) by the reaction force which the guide members (132b, 132c, 132d) receive from the core plate (5)
Data Source
AI summary
A seal packing assembly apparatus which assembles a seal packing into a core plate used as a component of a heat exchanger, which apparatus is provided with rollers which push a seal packing into a groove of a core plate while moving by rolling along the groove and guide members which abut against the core plate, the rollers being supported so as to displace along the shape of the core plate by the reaction force which the guide members receive from the core plate, whereby the reliably of assembly of the seal packing is improved.