Stacking Plate Heat Exchanger Raised Edge Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacked plate heat exchangers face issues with fluid leaks due to deformation between plates, particularly in curved areas where interference and friction lead to displacement and leakage, especially in motor vehicle oil coolers.
Innovation Solution
The design features raised edges with different lateral angles for straight and curved segments, allowing optimized contact and minimizing interference, with the first angle being smaller than the second, enabling uniform compression and preventing deformation during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If raised edges with uniform angles are used on all perimeter segments, then manufacturing is simplified, but interference and friction occur in curved areas during stacking, leading to deformation and fluid leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different lateral angles to different segments of the raised edge: straight segments use a first lateral angle while curved segments use a second lateral angle. This local differentiation optimizes the contact and compression behavior in each specific area, preventing interference in curved regions while maintaining effective sealing across all perimeter segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised edge is segmented into distinct straight and curved portions, each with its own optimized lateral angle. This segmentation allows the design to address the specific geometric and mechanical requirements of each segment type independently, resolving the conflict between manufacturing simplicity and sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If plates are compressed during assembly to ensure contact, then sealing is improved, but friction in curved areas causes deformation and displacement, leading to fluid leaks
Solution Approach 1:
By assigning different lateral angles to different perimeter segments, the patent creates localized contact characteristics that reduce friction in curved areas during compression. The second lateral angle for curved segments is specifically designed to minimize interference, allowing compression forces to be applied without causing deformation or displacement that would compromise plate stability.
3Reliability
If larger lateral angles are used to improve contact between plates, then sealing is enhanced, but interference increases in curved areas, causing deformation and visible spaces between plates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements location-specific lateral angles where straight segments use a first angle optimized for contact quality, while curved segments use a second angle optimized to prevent interference. This ensures that contact quality is maximized where geometric interference is minimal, while maintaining shape stability in curved areas where interference would otherwise cause deformation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~4b
AI summary
The stacking plate comprises : - a substantially flat base (2a) extending along a principal plane in which first passage openings (7) and second passage openings (8) are provided for the passage of a first medium and a second medium respectively, and - a raised edge (2b) projecting beyond the perimeter of the said substantially flat base (2a) surrounding it continuously. First portions (2bl) and second portions (2b2) of the raised edge (2b) project beyond the perimeter of the base (2a) according to a first lateral angle (α) and a second lateral angle (μ) which are different from each other. The interchanger comprises a plurality of stacking plates (1) according to the invention, which are stacked and attached one above the other alternately.