Waveform Heat Exchanger Fin for Easier Drainage and Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchangers face challenges in manufacturing simplicity and effective water drainage, particularly with condensed water discharge, due to the design of fins and heat exchange tubes.
Innovation Solution
A fin design featuring a waveform structure with intersecting directions, recesses, and water drainage holes that allows for easier manufacturing and enhanced water drainage by positioning heat exchange tubes within recesses and utilizing a waveform shape or protrusions for improved heat transfer and airflow perturbation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fin designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but water drainage and heat transfer efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fin is segmented into multiple functional zones: waveform sections for heat transfer enhancement, straight sections for structural support, recesses for tube positioning, and drainage holes for water removal. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin transitions from a conventional flat plate to a three-dimensional waveform structure with varying depths, angles, and cross-sectional shapes. This dimensional change creates multiple surfaces and orientations that simultaneously improve heat transfer area, facilitate water drainage through gravity-assisted flow paths, and provide recesses for tube integration.
2Device complexity
If conventional fin designs are used, then structure is simpler, but heat transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fin incorporates waveform curvatures with specific radii and angles instead of straight lines. These curved surfaces enhance heat transfer by increasing the effective heat exchange area, promoting turbulent airflow for better convection, and creating multiple exposure angles to the fluid stream. The curvature is optimized to balance heat transfer enhancement with manufacturing constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the fin have different geometric properties: waveform sections with specific amplitudes and wavelengths for heat transfer enhancement, straight sections for structural rigidity, recesses with specific depths for tube positioning, and drainage holes with optimized diameters. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its function optimally while the overall structure remains manufacturable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fins and heat exchange tubes are separately assembled, then manufacturing flexibility is higher, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fin design integrates tube positioning features directly into the fin structure through recesses that are formed as integral parts of the fin during manufacturing. This merging of functions allows heat exchange tubes to be positioned and secured within the fin assembly in a single integrated structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying assembly while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through modular design.
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 fin design simplifies manufacturing, improves water drainage by allowing easy discharge of condensed water, and enhances heat transfer efficiency through airflow perturbation, resulting in a more effective heat exchanger with lower material costs and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the fin main body which lies between the wave crest and wave trough has a waveform shape or has a window... a part of the fin main body which lies between the wave crest and wave trough has a protrusion
Implementation Method 2
the fin main body comprises water drainage holes which penetrate edge parts of the plate and are formed at the wave crest and wave trough; the water drainage holes are formed on the second side faces
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchange tube can be put into the first recess from one side and can perform heat transfer with the fin main body
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a fin (1) for a heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger having the fin (1). The fin (1) comprises a fin body (10) in a waveform structure formed by boards, wherein the fin body (10) has two first side surfaces (11) which are opposite one another in a first direction, two second side surfaces (12) which are opposite one another in a second direction, and wave crests and wave troughs, which are on the second side surfaces (12); and the first direction and the second direction intersect. The fin body (10) comprises: a first concave portion (13), wherein the first concave portion (13) is formed in the fin body (10), and is located on the two first side surfaces (11) of the fin body (10). The fin (1) and the heat exchanger are manufactured more simply. Since the connection portions between the wave crests and wave troughs of the fin (1) are approximately perpendicular to a heat exchange tube (2), the condensed water is more easily discharged.