Heat Exchanger Seal Plate With Snap-Fit Adaptation to Pipe Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing devices for heat exchanger systems in motor vehicles, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles, face challenges such as difficulty in adapting to varying pipe diameters, high production and replacement costs, complex assembly and disassembly processes, and inefficiencies in air flow management, leading to potential air leaks and reduced thermal performance.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device featuring a plate with a central recess and snap-fastening means that can cooperate with complementary elements in a support frame, combined with an elastically deformable sealing means, allowing for easy adaptation to different pipe diameters and simplified assembly and disassembly without the need for additional fixing operations, ensuring optimal sealing and reduced stress on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing devices are made to specific dimensions for defined pipe diameters, then optimal sealing is achieved, but production costs increase and adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device incorporates an elastically deformable sealing means that can change its physical parameters (shape, size) in response to different pipe diameters. The elastic material allows the sealing element to deform and adapt to various pipe sizes while maintaining effective sealing contact, eliminating the need for multiple sealing devices for different pipe calibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device uses an elastically deformable sealing means that functions as a flexible element. This flexible sealing component can conform to different pipe diameters through elastic deformation, providing reliable sealing across a range of pipe sizes without requiring rigid, size-specific sealing structures.
2Reliability
If sealing devices are permanently fixed using overmolding operations, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly complexity and disassembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is divided into separate functional components: a plate with central recess and a distinct elastically deformable sealing means. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be independently replaced or adjusted without requiring complex overmolding operations, simplifying both assembly and maintenance while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device transitions from a static, permanently molded configuration to a dynamic system where the elastically deformable sealing means can adapt its shape and be easily removed or replaced. The elastic properties enable the sealing element to maintain reliable sealing through deformation rather than permanent fixation, reducing assembly complexity.
3Reliability
If sealing devices are designed for precise pipe diameter matching, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deformable sealing means compensates for variations in pipe diameter through elastic deformation rather than requiring precise dimensional matching. The elastic material's ability to stretch and conform allows effective sealing across a range of pipe sizes, significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements for both the sealing device and the pipes.
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 provides a durable, adaptable, and cost-effective sealing solution that maintains optimal sealing performance across various pipe diameters, simplifies assembly and disassembly, and reduces production costs by standardizing the sealing device for a range of pipe sizes, thereby enhancing the thermal performance of the heat exchanger system.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing device comprises an elastically deformable sealing means, arranged around the central recess formed in the plate
Implementation Method 2
at least two opposite end edges of said plate are respectively equipped with snap-fastening means, capable of cooperating respectively with complementary snap-fastening elements integrated in a housing located in a support frame of the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing device (3) for a motor vehicle heat exchanger (4) consisting of a plate (5) comprising a central cavity (12) configured to allow the passage of a tube of the heat exchanger, characterised in that at least two opposite end edges of said plate (5) are each provided with snap-fastening means (8), each capable of engaging with complementary snap-fastening elements integrated into a recess located in a support frame of the heat exchanger, and characterised in that the sealing device (3) comprises an elastically deformable sealing means (14) arranged around the central cavity (12) formed in the plate (5).