Waved Tank Member Heat Exchanger Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in narrowing the width of the tank portion while maintaining durability and avoiding interference with tubes, which limits their performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchanger design incorporates a clamping section with claws on the core plate and a waved wall in the tank member, allowing for a narrower tank width by positioning the inner ridge portion between tubes and using outer valley portions to receive the claws, thus avoiding excessive interference and allowing proper thickness setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the tank portion and core plate are fixed by a clamping section with claws, then the structural connection is achieved, but the tank width cannot be narrowed due to interference with tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a waved wall structure with ridges and valleys that creates additional spatial dimensions for organizing the clamping section. The waved configuration allows claws to be positioned in valley portions while ridges provide separation, enabling the clamping function without requiring excessive tank width.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank member is segmented into multiple functional zones using the waved wall structure. The ridges divide the space into separate regions, allowing the clamping section to be organized in a segmented manner with claws positioned in specific valley portions, reducing overall width requirements while maintaining connection reliability.
2Strength
If the tank wall thickness is increased for durability, then the structural strength is improved, but the tank width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waved wall structure transforms the flat tank wall into a three-dimensional configuration with ridges and valleys. This dimensional change allows the wall to achieve greater structural strength through the geometric configuration rather than simply increasing thickness, thereby maintaining durability without increasing overall tank width.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the clamping section is positioned away from the tube end surface, then interference between tank wall and tube is avoided, but the tank width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the clamping section within the waved wall structure, specifically positioning claws in valley portions that are strategically located between tube projections. This nested arrangement allows the clamping function to be integrated into the available space without requiring additional width, while the ridges provide natural separation from tube interference zones.
4Length of stationary object
If the tank width is narrowed to match tube width, then the overall compactness is improved, but the clamping section cannot be properly formed
Solution Approach 1:
The waved wall structure creates vertical and lateral variations within the tank width, forming ridges and valleys that provide the necessary space for clamping section formation. This three-dimensional configuration allows the clamping section to be properly formed with adequate claw positioning and engagement space, even when the overall tank width is narrowed to match tube width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality variations through the waved wall structure, where specific valley portions have enhanced depth and configuration to accommodate claws. This localized optimization ensures proper clamping section formation in critical areas without requiring increased overall tank width, maintaining compactness while enabling manufacturable clamping features.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A heat exchanger has a core plate (24, 25) connected to a tank member (27, 28) by clamping claws (35, 235). The tank member has a waved outer surface (43) including outer ridge portions and outer valley portions which are disposed alternately. The tank member also has a waved inner surface (44) including inner ridge portions and inner valley portions which are disposed alternately. The outer valley portions (43b) are capable of receiving the claws. The inner ridge portion (44a) is positioned inside the outer valley portion in a width direction. The inner ridge portion (44a) is positioned between the adjacent tubes and/or between extensions of the tubes in a height direction. An inner width (Wir) of the tank member regulated by the inner ridge portions is narrower than a width of the tube (W22).