Sheet Metal Finned Heat Exchanger for Detachable Repairable Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Finned heat exchangers in the prior art are heavy, difficult to handle, require riveting to a frame, and have limited repairability and variability, making them cumbersome and inflexible for installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The use of sheet metal lamellae, which are detachably attached to the heat exchanger, allowing for easy replacement and adjustment of fins without tools, and enabling modular assembly and disassembly for improved transport and customization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If profiled fins are used and riveted to a steel frame, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases and ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The finned heat exchanger is divided into separate modular components: individual sheet metal fins that can be detached from the pipe system. This segmentation allows the fins to be replaced independently without removing the entire heat exchanger, improving ease of repair while maintaining structural integrity through the attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from heavy profiled aluminum fins to lighter sheet metal fins. This parameter change reduces the weight of individual fins and the overall heat exchanger, making it easier to handle and install, while the sheet metal material provides sufficient strength when properly formed and attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If profiled fins are riveted to a steel frame, then structural strength is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of repair

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism transitions from a fixed riveted connection to a dynamic detachable connection. The sheet metal fins can be easily attached and detached from the pipe system without tools, enabling quick replacement and maintenance while maintaining structural strength during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If profiled fins are used, then convective performance is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to fixed arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvective performanceVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fin arrangement transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic configurable system. The sheet metal fins can be independently positioned and angled to optimize convective performance for different installation orientations and environmental conditions, providing adaptability while maintaining high convective power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention allows changing the geometric parameters of the fin arrangement, such as angle and positioning, to optimize convective performance. This parameter flexibility enables adaptation to different installation scenarios while maintaining high thermal power through proper fin configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If profiled fins are pre-painted, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to fixed color

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidcolor variability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The painting process is segmented from the manufacturing process. The sheet metal fins are produced without fixed paint application, allowing them to be painted at the installation site according to specific aesthetic requirements. This maintains manufacturing efficiency through standardized fin production while enabling color adaptability through on-site customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 results in a lighter, more user-friendly heat exchanger that is easier to install, repair, and customize, with enhanced convection performance and reduced transportation costs.

Implementation Method 1

a pipe system (11), in particular a meander pipe, and at least one slat (18) made of sheet metal, in particular by punching or nibbled work from a raw sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Generic finned heat exchangers of a second type, on the other hand, have a higher convective component, since they essentially consist of fins which are arranged in parallel and form passages (or shafts) of the entire finned heat exchanger between them, which promote/enable said convection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4375604B1A laminated heat exchanger, a method of manufacturing the same, and a system

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 KME SCHMOLE

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5c
Figure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a finned heat exchanger, in particular for air conditioning rooms, comprising a pipe system, in particular a pipe meander, for guiding a medium, wherein the pipe system does not rest against a support plate over most of its pipe length, but against, in particular parallel, fins which form a passage of the finned heat exchanger between them, characterized in that the fins are made of sheet metal.