Stacked Plate Heat Exchanger with Reconfigurable Port Layout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers require redesigning the core shape to change the position of oil inlets and outlets, limiting flexibility in layout adjustments, especially when using rectangular plates.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design that allows easy repositioning of fluid inlets and outlets by alternately laminating plates with channels for different fluids, using bosses and flange parts for fluid distribution, and inverting the plate assembly direction to accommodate various layouts without increasing plate types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rectangular plates are used in conventional heat exchangers, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the position of oil inlets and outlets cannot be easily changed without redesigning the core shape
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into modular plate units with standardized interfaces. Each plate can be independently manufactured with standard features, and the assembly configuration is changed by varying the arrangement and orientation of these modular units rather than redesigning each plate individually. This segmentation allows flexible positioning of inlets and outlets through different plate arrangements while maintaining simple, standardized plate designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inverted plate orientations where plates are arranged with alternating orientations (some plates rotated 180 degrees relative to others). This inversion strategy allows the same standardized plate to serve multiple positioning requirements. By inverting the orientation of plates in the stack, the effective position of fluid passages changes without requiring different plate designs, thus achieving adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If square-shaped plates are used with diagonal oil/ water ports, then the heat exchanger can be rotated to match different oil hole positions, but the entire heat exchanger must be redesigned with different hole positions for different layouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal plate structure with standardized features that can function in multiple positions and orientations within the heat exchanger assembly. The plates are designed with symmetric or partially symmetric features, and the assembly allows plates to be oriented in different directions (including inverted orientations). This universal design enables a single plate type to accommodate multiple inlet/outlet position requirements, eliminating the need to redesign plates for different layouts while maintaining adaptability.
3Volume of moving object
If rectangular plates are stacked to form heat exchanger cores, then the structure is compact, but the heat exchanger cannot be easily rotationally arranged due to layout constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the otherwise static stacked plate structure. By allowing plates to be oriented in different directions and inverted within the stack, the system gains adaptability without changing the compact stacked architecture. The plates are designed with flexible orientation capabilities, enabling the same compact rectangular stack to be configured for different inlet/outlet positions and layout requirements, thus maintaining volume efficiency while achieving adaptability.
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
Enables flexible positioning of fluid inlets and outlets without additional plate types, enhancing layout adaptability and assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a laminate in which a plurality of plates are laminated to alternately form a channel for a first fluid and a channel for a second fluid
Implementation Method 2
a first distribution channel is formed between the peripheral part of the laminate and the inner surface of the side wall of the case, wherein the first fluid flows along the laminate direction and connects with the channel for the first fluid formed between the plates
Implementation Method 3
a second distribution channel is formed to connect with the channel for the second fluid formed between the plurality of plates
Implementation Method 4
the plurality of plates each having peripheral flange parts protruding in the laminate direction from the outer edge
Implementation Method 5
bosses formed in a pair of corners and having a through hole and protruding toward the channel for the first fluid formed between the plurality of plates
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger that can easily change the position of the inlet and outlet of the fluid without increasing the types of plates is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes a laminate including a plurality of plates are laminated to alternately form a channel for a first fluid and a channel for a second fluid in a laminate direction. A case containing the laminate and opening on one side of the laminate direction is provided. A base plate is provided with holes for the second fluid provided on an open side of the case. The case has a side wall extending along the laminate direction. A top surface part is provided on an other side of the laminate direction in the case. An inlet and an outlet for the first fluid to pass through is provided in the side wall or top surface part.