U.S. patent application number 12/517237 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-04 for casing for holding a fluid for a heat exchanger, method for producing a casing of this type and heat exchanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to BEHR GMBH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Joerg Bergschneider, Haymo Broeder, Klaus Hassdenteufel, Joachim Kopp, Wolfgang Kramer, Florian Moldovan, Karl-Heinz Staffa.
Application Number | 20100051251 12/517237 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39276077 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100051251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kopp; Joachim ; et
al. |
March 4, 2010 |
CASING FOR HOLDING A FLUID FOR A HEAT EXCHANGER, METHOD FOR
PRODUCING A CASING OF THIS TYPE AND HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
The invention relates to a casing for holding a coolant for a
heat exchanger (1) for motor vehicles, said casing having two side
walls (22, 24, and 22a, 24a), two front walls (26, 28 and 26a,
28a), a cover (18 and 18a) and a base (20 and 20a) lying opposite
the cover (18 and 18a), said base being provided with one or more
openings (60) for receiving tubes, According to the invention, the
casing consists of a single formed, in particular folded, shaped
part, said formed shaped part, in particular a sheet metal blank,
forming the two side walls (22, 24 and 22a, 24a), the two front
walls (26, 28 and 26a, 28a), the cover (18 and 18a) and the base
(20 and 20a).
Inventors: |
Kopp; Joachim; (Stuttgart,
DE) ; Kramer; Wolfgang; (Marburg-Michelbach, DE)
; Staffa; Karl-Heinz; (Stuttgart, DE) ; Moldovan;
Florian; (Stuttgart, DE) ; Broeder; Haymo;
(Leonberg, DE) ; Bergschneider; Joerg; (Stuttgart,
DE) ; Hassdenteufel; Klaus; (Gerlingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD
700 THIRTEENTH ST. NW, SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3960
US
|
Assignee: |
BEHR GMBH & CO. KG
Stuttgart
DE
|
Family ID: |
39276077 |
Appl. No.: |
12/517237 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
November 29, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2007/010340 |
371 Date: |
September 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/173 ;
29/890.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 2275/122 20130101;
Y10T 29/4935 20150115; F28F 9/02 20130101; F28F 2255/08 20130101;
F28F 2275/04 20130101; F28F 21/084 20130101; F28D 2021/0094
20130101; F28D 1/05316 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/173 ;
29/890.03 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02; F28D 1/053 20060101 F28D001/053; B21D 53/02 20060101
B21D053/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 4, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 057 031.6 |
Claims
1. A casing for holding a coolant for a heat exchanger for motor
vehicles, comprising two side walls, two end walls, a cover, and a
base arranged opposite the cover, in which one or more openings are
provided for holding connecting tubes, wherein the casing is made
from only one shaped, molded sheet metal part, wherein the shaped
molded sheet metal part forms the two side walls, the two end
walls, the cover and the base.
2. The casing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
side walls has an indentation, for holding a port.
3. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a bulge
that is adapted essentially to an indentation in the side
walls.
4. The casing according to claim 1, wherein one or more openings
for holding connecting tubes are formed in the base.
5. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the molded part has
bending/flap or folding lines between two walls, across which the
walls can be folded.
6. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the shaped molded part
is soldered.
7. The casing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the end
walls has at least one bracket and/or assembly that is arranged, on
the side and/or that can be angled.
8. The casing according to claim 7, wherein the one or more
brackets and/or assemblies are angled so that they are arranged
essentially parallel to one of the side walls and/or are connected,
by a solder connection with one of the side walls.
9. The casing according to claim 1, wherein at least one,
essentially triangular recess is formed in the molded part in a
transition region between two walls.
10. A heat exchanger, for a motor vehicle comprising a tube-rib
block and a casing comprising two side walls, two end walls, a
cover, and a base arranged opposite the cover, in which one or more
openings are provided for holding connecting tubes, wherein the
casing is made from only one shaped molded sheet metal part,
wherein the shaped molded sheet metal part forms the two side
walls, the two end walls, the cover and the base wherein the tubes
of the tube-rib block open, in the region of the base of the casing
into the casing.
11. A method for producing a casing for holding a coolant, for a
heat exchanger comprising producing a one-piece sheet metal part,
by punching, wherein the one-piece sheet metal part includes walls
that define an inner space of the casing and that are two side
walls, two end walls, a cover, and a base arranged opposite the
cover; and shaping the one-piece sheet metal part by bending or
folding along given bending or folding lines to form an essentially
closed casings; and, solder-plating the shaped, one-piece sheet
metal part, wherein the casing is formed.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein shaping includes
folding across an end wall or across two end walls.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the one-piece sheet
metal part is processed before or after the folding by a drawing
method, and/or hydro-shaping, and/or mold pressing.
14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the one-piece sheet
metal part, in a region of the one-piece sheet metal part that
forms the base in the casing, one or more openings are formed for
holding connecting tubes.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the one or more
openings for holding tubes are formed before shaping the one-piece
sheet metal part.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein one or more
connecting tubes are inserted into the one or more openings.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more tubes
are inserted into the one or more openings before shaping the
one-piece sheet metal part.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a casing for holding a fluid for a
heat exchanger, to a method for producing such a casing, and also
to a heat exchanger.
[0002] From EP 1 139 054 B1, a casing is known for holding a fluid
for a heat exchanger.
[0003] This known casing has a base with receptacle slots for
connecting tubes or flat tubes and a cover arranged opposite this
base. This cover is formed in one piece with the two end walls.
[0004] The invention is based on the problem of devising an
economical and easy-to-produce fluid casing for a heat
exchanger.
[0005] This problem is solved by a casing for holding a fluid for a
heat exchanger, by a method for producing such a casing for holding
a fluid, and also by a heat exchanger with the features of the
corresponding independent claims.
[0006] Advantageous embodiments and refinements are the subject
matter of the subordinate claims. The subject matter of the
subordinate claims relates both to casings according to the
invention for holding a fluid for a heat exchanger, to the method
according to the invention for producing such a casing, and also to
the heat exchanger according to the invention.
[0007] According to the invention, in particular, a casing for
holding a fluid is proposed, wherein the fluid is preferably a
coolant, which is why, without it representing a limitation, it is
also designated below as a coolant casing.
[0008] The coolant casing that is advantageously designed for a
heat exchanger, in particular, for a heat exchanger of a motor
vehicle, has two side walls, two end walls, a cover, and also a
base.
[0009] It is provided, in particular, that the aforementioned
walls, i.e., the end walls, the side walls, the base, and the cover
define an inner space of the coolant casing.
[0010] According to the invention, the coolant casing is made from
only one shaped, in particular, folded, molded part, in particular,
punched sheet metal that forms the two side walls, the two end
walls, the cover, and the base.
[0011] In an especially preferred way, the shaped, in particular,
folded, molded part is soldered, in particular, solder-plated.
[0012] It can also be further preferably provided that, for the
coolant casing, the side walls are arranged at a distance to each
other and, advantageously, parallel to each other, especially
perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the casing or coolant
casing. A corresponding situation applies for the side walls that
are then arranged, in particular, in the longitudinal direction of
the coolant casing. The cover and the base are also arranged, in
particular, spaced apart relative to each other.
[0013] In particular, the molded part is punched sheet metal that
can be folded across or along given folding or bending or flap
lines to form the coolant casing, wherein the two side walls, the
two end walls, the cover, and the base are formed.
[0014] The folding or bending or flap lines are here each arranged
preferably in the transition regions between two of the walls
mentioned above.
[0015] Optionally, the molded part can be processed before or after
the folding by other shaping methods, such as a drawing method, in
particular, a deep-drawing method, and/or a hydro-shaping method,
and/or molding compression methods.
[0016] Furthermore, at least one of the side walls (22, 24 or 22a,
24a) has an indentation, in particular, for holding a port,
especially a port with a large diameter.
[0017] Here, it can be preferably provided that the cover has a
corresponding bulge that is essentially adapted to the profile of
the side walls, in particular, to the indentation for holding the
port in the side walls.
[0018] The base advantageously has a bulged configuration.
[0019] In the base, one or more receptacle openings for tubes could
be provided, in particular, for connecting tubes. The tubes could
be shaped, for example, as flat tubes and could be a component of a
tube-rib block. It can be further provided that for each separate
tube, a separate opening is provided in the base. However, a large
area opening for holding all of the tubes of the tube-rib block
could also be provided.
[0020] Preferably, it could also be provided that one of the
above-mentioned walls defining the inner space of the coolant
casing has a bracket and/or assembly that is arranged, in
particular, on the side and/or that can be angled.
[0021] The one or more brackets and/or assemblies can be angled
such that they are arranged essentially parallel to a connection
wall and/or they are connected to this connection wall, in
particular, by a solder connection.
[0022] Also, in the molded part, one, especially, several
essentially triangular recesses could each be formed in a
transition region between two walls. This could be provided, in
particular, for simplifying processing of the one-piece molded
part, in particular, bending or folding or flapping.
[0023] Furthermore, it could be provided that a recess is provided
in the cover in which extends a separating wall that divides the
inner space of the coolant casing into sub-chambers.
[0024] In a preferred shape, the cover has a U-shaped form in cross
section, so that two spaced-apart flanges are formed that are
connected to a cover base by means of a connection section lying in
between. This U-shape could be formed, for example, from vertical
or approximately vertical sections. Rounded shapes are also
preferred.
[0025] The cover could be arranged in the coolant casing so that
the flanges grip over the side walls of the coolant casing from the
outside or from the inside.
[0026] In an especially preferred shape, brackets that have, in an
especially preferred way, an arc-shaped construction extend from
the flanges of the U-shape that are also designated as legs. These
brackets advantageously grip over the side walls of the coolant
casing. Here it can be preferably provided that the cover is
arranged in the coolant casing so that the flanges project from the
connection section in the direction away from the base of the
coolant casing and the brackets that are then bent outwardly
connect to the ends located in this direction, so that they grip
over the side walls of the coolant casing from the outside. It is
especially provided that--viewed in the longitudinal direction of
the coolant casing--several such brackets spaced apart from each
other are provided on the cover.
[0027] In the method according to the invention for producing a
casing for holding a fluid, such as a coolant, for a heat
exchanger, in particular, for producing the coolant casing
according to the invention, an inner space of the casing is defined
by walls, in particular by two side walls, two end walls, a cover,
and a base arranged opposite the cover.
[0028] In the production of the coolant casing, in a first step, a
one-piece part, in particular, punched sheet metal, is produced by
a separating method, in particular, by punching, wherein the
one-piece part contains the walls defining the inner space of the
casing.
[0029] In a second step, the one-piece part is shaped into an
essentially closed casing, in particular, bent or folded across or
along given bending or folding lines.
[0030] In a third step, the shaped, one-piece part is connected for
forming the coolant casing, in particular, by solder-plating.
[0031] It is especially advantageous when it is folded across an
end wall or across both end walls.
[0032] In an especially preferred way, it could also be provided
that, in the one-piece part, in particular, in a region of the
one-piece part that forms the base in the casing, one or more
openings for holding tubes, in particular, connecting tubes, such
as flat tubes, is or are formed.
[0033] The one or more openings for holding tubes could be formed
before the second step, in particular, after the first step or at
the same time as the first step.
[0034] Furthermore, it is especially advantageous when one or more
tubes, in particular, connecting tubes, such as flat tubes, are
inserted into the one or more openings, in particular, before the
second step.
[0035] In a refinement, it could also be provided that the
one-piece part is processed by additional shaping methods, in
particular, drawing, especially deep drawing, and/or hydro-forming
and/or mold pressing.
[0036] The heat exchanger, in particular, a cooler for a motor
vehicle, has a tube-rib block and a casing or coolant casing
according to the invention, wherein tubes of the tube-rib block in
the region of the base of the casing open into this region.
[0037] Below, embodiment examples of the invention will be
explained with reference to the figures. Shown are:
[0038] FIG. 1a, an example heat exchanger according to the
invention that is formed as a cooler with an example casing
according to the invention for holding a fluid, wherein the casing
is here a coolant casing;
[0039] FIG. 1b, the heat exchanger according to FIG. 1 in a view
from above;
[0040] FIG. 1c, a side view of the heat exchanger according to FIG.
1;
[0041] FIG. 2a, a unit of a coolant casing of the heat exchanger
according to FIG. 1, which has two side walls, two end walls, and a
base in a top view onto one of the two side walls;
[0042] FIG. 2b, the unit according to FIG. 2a in a top view onto
the base;
[0043] FIG. 2c, the unit according to FIG. 2a in a top view onto
the other of the two side walls;
[0044] FIG. 2d, a partial section view along line A-A from FIG.
2b;
[0045] FIG. 3a, an example shape of a cover of a casing according
to the invention in side view, wherein this shape of the cover is
given, in particular, for the shape according to FIGS. 1a to
3i;
[0046] FIG. 3b, the cover according to FIG. 3a in a top view;
[0047] FIG. 3c, the cover according to FIG. 3a in a
three-dimensional, perspective view from below;
[0048] FIG. 3d, a section along line C-C from FIG. 3a;
[0049] FIG. 3e, a section along line D-D from FIG. 3b in partial
view;
[0050] FIG. 3f, a section along line E-E from FIG. 3b;
[0051] FIG. 3g, a section along line F-F from FIG. 3a;
[0052] FIG. 3h, a section along line G-G from FIG. 3a;
[0053] FIG. 3i, a perspective view onto a section of the cover
provided with brackets according to FIG. 3a from above;
[0054] FIG. 4, a perspective diagram of a partially completed or
folded, one-piece unit 16 or 16a of the casing according to the
invention from FIGS. 1a-3i;
[0055] FIG. 5, a top view onto a base plate that is punched from
sheet metal and that forms the partially completed or folded
one-piece unit 16 or 16a shown in FIG. 4 for the casing according
to the invention from FIGS. 1a-3i.
[0056] FIGS. 1a-5 show an example embodiment of a heat exchanger 1
according to the invention with a casing according to the invention
produced by folding a one-piece part for holding a fluid. This
casing for holding a fluid is, in particular, a coolant casing, so
that, for simplification, the term coolant casing is used
below.
[0057] The heat exchanger 1 has a first coolant casing 10 and a
second coolant casing 12 spaced apart from this first casing, and
also a tube-rib block 14 that is arranged between these coolant
casings 10, 12.
[0058] The tube-rib block 14 has a plurality of connecting tubes
that are oriented in parallel and that are shaped, in this example,
as flat tubes. Between these connecting tubes, tube intermediate
spaces are formed--perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of
these connecting tubes--in which ribs are arranged in a known way,
such that the tube-rib block can carry a flow of air perpendicular
to the plane formed by the tube arrangement.
[0059] The connecting tubes of the tube-rib block 14 each open with
a first end into the first coolant casing 10 and with their second
end into the second coolant casing 12.
[0060] The coolant casings 10, 12 are each formed from a one-piece,
folded (sheet metal) part 16 or 16a and consequently have only one
essentially closed (casing-shaped) unit 16 or 16a.
[0061] The unit 16 or 16a has a cover 18 or 18a and a base 20 or
20a on the side opposite the cover 18 or 18a. Furthermore, the unit
16, 16a has a first side wall 22 or 22a, a second side wall 24, 24a
opposite this first side wall 22, 22a, a first end wall 26 or 26a
defining the inner space of the coolant casing 10 or 12 in a first
orientation of its longitudinal direction (indicated by the double
arrow 30), and also a second wall 28 or 28a defining this inner
space of the first 10 or second coolant casing in the opposite
orientation (the longitudinal direction 30).
[0062] The cover 18 or 18a, the side walls 22, 24 or 22a, 24a, and
also the base 20 or 20a also define the inner space of the coolant
casing 10 or 12.
[0063] FIGS. 4 and 5 show how the cover 18 or 18a, the base 20 or
20a, the side walls 22, 24 or 22a, 24a, and the end walls 26, 28 or
26a, 28a join together in the one-piece part 16 or 16a and are or
will be folded to form the folded unit 16, 16a or the coolant
casing 10 or 12.
[0064] Here it shall be noted that other basic shapes with other
connections of the cover 18 or 18a, base 20 or 20a, side walls 22,
24 or 22a, 24a, and end walls 26, 28 or 26a, 28a could also be
realized in the one-piece part 16 or 16a--consequently with
different folds or with different folding sequences.
[0065] In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1a-5, which could also
be realized differently, the heat exchanger 1, which is also
designated or could be formed as a cooler, is divided functionally
into two (sub) coolers or (sub) heat exchangers. For this purpose,
viewed in the longitudinal direction 30, a separating wall 32 or 24
is provided at the same height in the two coolant casings 10, 12,
each perpendicular to this longitudinal direction 30. Additional
separating walls arranged in the coolant casings 10, 12 at
different heights in the longitudinal direction 30 could also be
provided (that are not shown in the figure) that cause a
serpentine-like deflection of the coolant.
[0066] It could be provided, for example, that the upper sub-cooler
in FIG. 1a is a component of a high-temperature cooling circuit and
the lower sub-cooler 38 is a component of a low-temperature
circuit.
[0067] A main port 40 or 42 opens into the first coolant casing 10
and also into the second coolant casing 12, wherein coolant can
flow into the upper sub-cooler 36 via one of these main ports 40,
42 and wherein the coolant can flow out from the upper sub-cooler
36 again via the other of these ports 40, 42.
[0068] Accordingly, the lower sub-cooler 38 has a port 44 opening
into the first coolant casing 10 and also a port 46 opening into
the second coolant casing 12, wherein here coolant can also flow
through one of these ports 44, 46 into the lower sub-cooler 38 and
can flow out from this lower sub-cooler 38 through the other of
these ports 46, 44.
[0069] In the region of the first coolant casing 10 there is
furthermore a drain plug 48 for draining coolant. Furthermore, in
the region of the first coolant casing 10, here in the region of
the upper end, there is a port 50 for filling with coolant and/or
venting.
[0070] FIG. 1b shows a top view onto the shape according to FIG. 1a
from above.
[0071] FIG. 1c shows a side view of the shape according to FIG. 1a
from the left.
[0072] FIGS. 2a-2d show different views of the first coolant casing
10 or the unit 16 closed by folding in this first coolant casing
10. However, in FIGS. 2a-2d, the cover 18 of the coolant casing 10
is not shown, which is illustrated by cut edges designated by 19 in
the transition between the cover 18 and the end wall 26 and/or the
end wall 28.
[0073] FIGS. 2a and 2c here show a top view onto the side walls 22
or 24 from the outside. FIG. 2b shows a top view onto the base 20
from the outside.
[0074] In FIGS. 2a and 2c. it can be easily inferred that the base
20 has an undulating structure. In cross section, the base 20 has a
bulging shape.
[0075] FIG. 2b clearly shows that there are slot-shaped openings
for holding the flat tubes of the tube-rib block 14 in the
base.
[0076] From FIGS. 2a and 2c it can also be easily inferred--just
like from FIG. 1a--that the end of the side walls 22, 24 facing
away from the tube-rib block 14 has, to a large extent, an
essentially straight construction and has an indentation in the
region in which the main port is arranged.
[0077] This indentation is provided, in particular, because the
main port 40 here has correspondingly large dimensions.
[0078] From FIGS. 2a and 2c it can be inferred that the separating
wall 32 does not extend up to the end of the side walls 22, 24
facing away from the tube-rib block. Nevertheless, this separating
wall 32 divides the inner space 62 of the coolant casing 10 into
two sub-chambers 64, 66.
[0079] This is enabled, because, after folding, the cover (not
shown in FIGS. 2a-2d) projects so far into the unit 16 that it
essentially contacts this separating wall 32.
[0080] FIG. 2d shows a section view along line A-A from FIG. 2b in
a partial view.
[0081] In FIG. 2d it is to be easily seen that the base with an
undulating structure in the longitudinal direction 30 and with a
bulged structure between the side walls 22, 24 forms insertion
beveling for the flat tubes of the tube-rib block 14 through its
undulating profile. The slots 60 are here arranged essentially in
the region of the deeper positions of the undulating profile, as
seen from the outside. Furthermore, by means of the undulating
structure, a certain reinforcement effect is achieved in the region
of the base.
[0082] In FIG. 2d it is to be seen that the transition region 68
between the base 20 and the end wall 26 or 28 has a one-piece
construction, also like the transition region 68 between the end
wall 26 and the cover 18, wherein this transition region is
indicated by the cut edge 19 but is not illustrated.
[0083] Furthermore, from FIGS. 2c and 2d it can be easily inferred
that the end walls 26, 28 have lateral brackets or assemblies 72 in
each of their end regions facing the side walls 22, 24.
[0084] These brackets 72 project in the longitudinal direction 30
or in the direction of the side walls 22, 24 away from the end wall
26, 28 and are soldered, for example, by means of solder-plating,
to the side walls 22 or 24 on the outside or inside.
[0085] Alternatively, it could also be provided that such brackets
72 are provided on the side walls 22 and 24 at corresponding
positions; these brackets are bent such that they run in the
direction of the end wall plane and are soldered to the
corresponding end wall 26, 28, particularly by means of
solder-plating.
[0086] FIGS. 3a-3i show an example cover 18 of the coolant casing
10 that is cut out along the cut edges 19 from the one-piece part
16 or between the end walls 26 and 28.
[0087] Here, FIG. 3a shows a side view of the cover 18, FIG. 3b a
top view of the cover 18, FIG. 3c a three-dimensional view of the
cover 18 from below, FIG. 3d a section view along line C-C from
FIG. 3a, FIG. 3e a partial section view along line D-D from FIG.
3b, FIG. 3f a section view along line E-E from FIG. 3b, FIG. 3g a
section view along line F-F from FIG. 3a, and FIG. 3h a section
view along line G-G from FIG. 3a.
[0088] FIG. 3i shows a perspective top view onto the cover
according to FIG. 3a in the region of the brackets arranged on the
end side of the legs.
[0089] The cover 18 has, viewed in the longitudinal direction 30,
an essentially U-shaped cross section, which is easily seen in
FIGS. 3c, 3d, 3f, 3g, 3h, and 3i.
[0090] This U-shape has an approximately rectangular structure and
is formed by two spaced-apart legs 82, 84, which could also be
designated as flanges, and a connection section 86 connecting these
two legs.
[0091] During the folding, this cover 18 is inserted (cf. FIG. 4)
on the side of the unit 16 facing away from the base 20 into the
unit 16 so that the connection section 86 faces this base and the
legs 82, 84 project away from the connection section 16 in the
direction facing away from the base.
[0092] Several brackets 88 extend from the legs 82, 84 of the
U-shaped profile.
[0093] These brackets 88 have an arc-shaped structure in the
embodiment example. The brackets 88 extend outward from the ends of
the legs 82, 84 facing away from the connection region 86, i.e.,
specifically, they are bent. However, these brackets 88 could also
have a bent profile instead of an arc-shaped profile.
[0094] End sections of the side walls 22, 24 are held in the
brackets 88. The side walls 22, 24 can be soldered with the cover
18 in the region of these brackets, that is, in particular, through
solder-plating. The cover 18 is soldered, in particular, so that a
tight connection is produced, wherein, in particular, the
solder-plating method could be used.
[0095] The brackets 88 are spaced apart from each other viewed in
the longitudinal direction 30, so that, bracket-free regions are
formed on the legs 82, 84 between adjacent brackets 88 in this
longitudinal direction 30.
[0096] Based on the size of the opening 40, the cover has a bulge
that is adapted essentially to the profile of the side walls 22,
24.
[0097] Furthermore, the cover has a recess 94. This recess runs
transverse or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 30
approximately through the entire cover 18.
[0098] The recess 94, which here has an essentially rectangular
cross section that, however, could also be provided with run-on
beveling or that has a bulged structure, is used for holding the
separating wall 32.
[0099] The recess 94 also simplifies, in particular, the soldering
process in that the separating wall 32 is inserted there and can
then be soldered. The soldering can be performed, in particular, by
means of solder-plating.
[0100] FIGS. 4 and 5 show diagrams that indicate the folding of the
one-piece part to form the closed unit 16 or 16a of the coolant
casing 10 or 12 according to the invention from FIGS. 1a-3i.
[0101] FIG. 4 shows a perspective diagram of a partially completed
or folded one-piece unit 16 or 16a. There, the opposing side walls
22 and 24 that are already folded, i.e., that are bent upward along
the bending lines 22-1 and 24-1 are shown, and also the base 20
that here has a bulged structure.
[0102] The end wall 26, which is partially already bent upward
along the bending line 26-1, connects in one piece to the base end
20-1 lying farther away in perspective. It is further connected in
one piece to the cover 18, where it is folded along the bending
line 18-1 relative to the end wall 26. The end wall 28 further
connected in one piece to the cover 18 is bent opposite this along
the bending line 18-2.
[0103] As FIG. 4 shows, the bulge 18-3 that is adapted essentially
to the profile of the side walls 22, 24 is formed in the cover
18.
[0104] This one-piece unit 16, 16a is formed from sheet metal, as
FIG. 5 shows, that was initially punched (base plate 16b) and
optionally deep-drawn. The base plate 16b, which already contains
the pre-formed side parts 22, 24, the base 20, the end walls 26,
28, and the cover 18, is then folded along the bending lines 22-1,
24-1, 26-1. 18-1, and 18-2 to form the closed unit 16 or 16a. The
folded base plate 16b is then soldered.
[0105] As an example, the folding of the end wall 26 will be
described here briefly. To bring the end wall 26 into its position,
during the course of the production process, it is bent upward
about the folding or bending edge 26-1, so that it contacts the end
of the already upward bent side walls 22, 24 with its lateral
brackets 112, 114.
[0106] These brackets 112, 114 are then also bent so that they are
arranged essentially parallel to the side walls 22, 24 and thus
form regions for a solder connection with the side walls.
[0107] As is easy to infer from FIG. 5, triangular recesses are
given in the regions 116, 118 that allow simplified bending.
[0108] Such brackets 112, 114 are also provided on the end wall
28.
[0109] In the base plate 16b, one or more openings 60 for holding
tubes, in particular, connection tubes, such as flat tubes, are
formed before the folding in the region that forms the base 20 in
the casing. The openings 60 for holding tubes could also be formed
during the punching of the base plate 16 at the positions named
above.
[0110] Before the folding of the base plate, this plate could also
be processed by other shaping methods, in particular, drawing,
especially deep-drawing, and/or hydro-shaping and/or mold
pressing.
[0111] The heat exchanger, in particular, a cooler for a motor
vehicle, has a tube-rib block and a casing or coolant casing
according to the invention, wherein tubes of the tube-rib block in
the region of the base of the casing open into this region.
[0112] Preferably, the casing 10, 12 is made from metal, in
particular, from aluminum.
[0113] It shall also be noted that instead of a punched and then
bent base plate 16b, the use of casing profiles for producing the
coolant casing 10 or 12 is also possible.
* * * * *