Stacked-Plate Heat Exchanger Layout for Compact Fluid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers face issues with size reduction, leading to increased fluid resistance and reduced heat exchange efficiency due to the need to maintain fluid distribution across stacked plates.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with recessed parts in the outer peripheral part of the stacked body forming a first distribution flow passage, allowing fluid to flow in the stacking direction, and through-holes in alternate corner parts for a second fluid passage, reducing the overall size while maintaining efficient fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the gap between the casing and the stacked core is reduced to reduce size, then the overall size of the heat exchanger is reduced, but the fluid resistance of the cooling water increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the fluid distribution function into multiple segments by creating multiple recessed parts in different layers of the stacked body. Each recessed part forms a local distribution flow passage, allowing the fluid to be distributed through multiple parallel paths rather than a single gap, thereby reducing fluid resistance while maintaining a compact overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-gap fluid distribution path to a multi-dimensional distribution system by forming recessed parts in multiple layers (upward and downward directions) of the stacked body. This creates three-dimensional flow passages that reduce fluid resistance without increasing the overall footprint of the heat exchanger.
2Volume of moving object
If the distance between the pipes and the stacked core is shortened to reduce size, then the overall size is reduced, but cooling water does not flow readily to layers distant from the opening of the pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed parts are formed in advance in specific layers of the stacked body to create pre-positioned distribution flow passages. These recessed parts act as preliminary fluid distribution channels that guide cooling water to distant layers before the fluid reaches those areas through the main gap, ensuring uniform flow distribution throughout the stacked core.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed parts serve as intermediary structures between the pipe openings and the distant layers of the stacked core. They create local distribution flow passages that mediate the fluid flow, ensuring that cooling water is effectively delivered to layers far from the pipe openings without requiring increased distance between pipes and core.
3Productivity
If recessed parts are formed in the stacked body to create distribution flow passages, then fluid distribution performance is improved, but the stacked body must be made slightly larger to compensate for the shorter in-plane distance
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed parts are formed locally in specific layers of the stacked body rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized modification creates the necessary distribution flow passages while minimizing the overall increase in stacked body size, as the recessed parts are confined to specific regions where they are most effective for fluid distribution.
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 design enables a reduction in overall size while ensuring effective fluid distribution performance, avoiding increased complexity and maintaining heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
said recessed part forms a first distribution flow passage, through which said first fluid flows in said stacking direction
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger in which a core formed by stacking multiple plates is housed in a casing has been proposed as an oil cooler
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger may include a stacked body, a bottomed tubular case housing the stacked body, and a base plate arranged on an open side of the case. The stacked body may include a plurality of stacked plates stacked to form a flow passage for a first fluid and a flow passage for a second fluid alternately in a stacking direction. An outer peripheral part of the stacked body may have a plurality of recessed parts disposed spaced apart from an inner surface of a side wall part of the case. The recessed parts may include a first and a second recessed part disposed opposite an inflow port and an outflow port of the case, respectively. The recessed parts each form a first distribution flow passage through which the first fluid is flowable in the stacking direction between the stacked body and the side wall part of the case.