Split-Type Heat Exchanger Partition for Refrigerant Pipe Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing heat exchangers face challenges in mounting refrigerant pipes reliably, leading to potential leakage and reduced service life due to flexibility issues and vibration, which affect the overall performance and reliability of the device.

Innovation Solution

A split-type partition for the heat exchanger is introduced, comprising a first and second partition portion with an engaging structure, including an engaging groove and protrusion, that clamps the refrigerant pipe, allowing for improved assembly efficiency and reduced leakage risks by controlling the hole size and facilitating proper positioning during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the mounting hole size is reduced to improve positioning precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the refrigerant pipe cannot be inserted due to insufficient gap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting hole size controlVSAvoidpipe insertion difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The partition is divided into a first partition portion and a second partition portion that can be assembled separately. The first partition portion with the mounting hole is assembled first, allowing the refrigerant pipe to be inserted easily, and then the second partition portion is added to complete the sealing, thus avoiding the need for a precisely controlled small mounting hole throughout the entire assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first partition portion is assembled with the mounting hole before the refrigerant pipe insertion, preparing the mounting structure in advance. This preliminary assembly allows for easier pipe insertion while maintaining positioning precision through the subsequent engagement of the second partition portion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the refrigerant pipe is made flexible to improve adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but mounting reliability deteriorates due to vibration and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe flexibilityVSAvoidmounting reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the partition into two portions that clamp the refrigerant pipe from different directions, the structure provides both flexibility accommodation and reliable fixation. The first partition portion allows for insertion while the second portion provides additional support to prevent vibration-induced leakage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second partition portions work together as a unified clamping structure. The combination of both portions creates a secure mounting system that maintains reliability while accommodating the flexibility of the refrigerant pipe through their cooperative engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2581696B1Heat exchanger and partition thereof
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 SANHUA(HANGZHOU) MICRO CHANNEL HEAT EXCHANGER CO LTD
  • EP2581696B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2581696B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2581696B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A baffle (4) and a heat exchanger with the baffle (4) are provided. The baffle (4) is disposed inside a header pipe (2) of the heat exchanger, and divides the header pipe (2) into two sections along the axial direction. The baffle (4) supports a refrigerant duct (3) which is set inside the header pipe (2) along the axial direction. The baffle (4) is a split type, and includes a first baffle member (41) and a second baffle member (42) connected together via an engagement structure. The installation efficiency of the baffle (4) and the installation quality of the refrigerant duct (3) are enhanced, and the reliability of the heat exchanger is also improved.