Thin-Walled Heat Exchanger with Parallel Fixing and Fluidic Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchangers face challenges in simultaneous attachment and fluidic connection, particularly when multiple units are arranged on a vertical facade, as existing connection systems do not allow for easy juxtaposition or automatic alignment, requiring tedious manual assembly.

Innovation Solution

A thin-walled heat exchanger design featuring a fixing system for vertical attachment and a fluidic connection system with male and female end pieces that connect parallel to the fixing movement, enabling simultaneous attachment and automatic fluidic connection between heat exchangers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heat exchangers are equipped with separate connection systems for mounting and fluidic connection, then the heat exchangers can be securely mounted and connected, but the installation process becomes lengthy and tedious requiring individual connection of each system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mounting function and fluidic connection function into a single integrated connection system. The mounting bracket includes integrated fluid connection elements that allow both mechanical attachment and fluid pathway establishment to occur simultaneously through one operation, eliminating the need for separate connection steps and significantly reducing installation time while maintaining secure mounting and reliable fluid connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If heat exchangers use traditional connection systems, then the heat exchangers can be individually connected, but the heat exchangers cannot be easily placed side-by-side to form wall cladding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrangement flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is designed with universal compatibility features that enable heat exchangers to be arranged in multiple configurations (side-by-side, stacked, or other patterns) while maintaining consistent connection methods. The mounting bracket and fluid connection elements are configured to work together across different arrangement scenarios, providing both arrangement flexibility and installation ease through a unified connection approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If heat exchangers require manual connection of separate systems, then precise connections can be achieved, but the connection process becomes complex and operator-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection precisionVSAvoidconnection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated assembly that maintains precision while reducing complexity. The mounting bracket incorporates fluid connection elements positioned and configured to ensure precise alignment and connection in a single operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate connection steps and reducing operator involvement while maintaining high connection precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3771868A1Heat exchanger with thin walls provided with at least one automatic connection system
Publication Date: 2021.02.03 NOBATEK INEF4
  • EP3771868A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3771868A1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3771868A1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

The invention relates to a thin-walled heat exchanger (10) having a front wall (12), a rear wall (14) delimiting between them a thin-walled fluid cavity (16) for a heat transfer fluid and at least first and second ends (74, 76) of fluidic connection systems (18, 20) spaced along a diffusion direction, characterized in that the heat exchanger (10) includes a fastening system configured to allow the heat exchanger (10) to be connected to a support (22) by means of a fastening movement oriented along a fastening direction and in that at least one of the fluidic connection systems (18, 20) includes a first male end (74) and a second female end (76) and is configured so that the first male end (74) penetrates the second female end (76) during a connection movement (78) parallel to the fastening movement.