U.S. patent application number 14/038980 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-03 for heat exchanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to Behr GmbH & Co. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Behr GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Nikolaus DAUBITZER, Anton KIERIG, Michael MOSER, Heiko NEFF, Dominique RAIBLE, Thomas SCHIEHLEN, Caroline SCHMID, Holger SCHROTH.
Application Number | 20140090811 14/038980 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50276255 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140090811 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SCHMID; Caroline ; et
al. |
April 3, 2014 |
HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
Heat exchanger (1) having a housing (9), having a first fluid
port (6, 7) and having a second fluid port (7, 6), wherein the
housing (9) is in fluid communication with a fluid source via the
first fluid port (6, 7) and the second fluid port (7, 6) and can be
traversed by a flow of a fluid, characterized in that the housing
(9) is of multi-part design and is formed by a housing upper part
(3) and a trough-like housing lower part (2), wherein the housing
lower part (2) has a base region (7) and an at least partially
encircling turned-up edge region (6), wherein the housing upper
part (3) or the housing lower part (2) is formed from a plastic and
the respective other housing part (3, 2) is formed from a plastic,
a metallic material or a fiber composite material.
Inventors: |
SCHMID; Caroline;
(Stuttgart, DE) ; MOSER; Michael; (Rainau, DE)
; DAUBITZER; Nikolaus; (Stuttgart, DE) ; SCHROTH;
Holger; (Maulbronn, DE) ; NEFF; Heiko;
(Auenwald, DE) ; RAIBLE; Dominique; (Rottenburg,
DE) ; KIERIG; Anton; (Stuttgart, DE) ;
SCHIEHLEN; Thomas; (Altheim, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Behr GmbH & Co. KG |
Stuttgart |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Behr GmbH & Co. KG
Stuttgart
DE
|
Family ID: |
50276255 |
Appl. No.: |
14/038980 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0043 20130101;
F28F 13/06 20130101; F28F 3/00 20130101; H01M 10/66 20150401; F28F
21/084 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 10/613 20150401; H01M
10/625 20150401; F28F 21/067 20130101; F28F 3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.19 |
International
Class: |
F28F 3/00 20060101
F28F003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2012 |
DE |
10 2012 217 872.4 |
Claims
1. Heat exchanger (1) having a housing (9), having a first fluid
port (6, 7) and having a second fluid port (7, 6), wherein the
housing (9) is in fluid communication with a fluid source via the
first fluid port (6, 7) and the second fluid port (7, 6) and can be
traversed by a flow of a fluid, characterized in that the housing
(9) is of multi-part design and is formed by a housing upper part
(3) and a trough-like housing lower part (2), wherein the housing
lower part (2) has a base region (7) and an at least partially
encircling turned-up edge region (6), wherein the housing upper
part (3) or the housing lower part (2) is formed from a plastic and
the respective other housing part (3, 2) is formed from a plastic,
a metallic material or a fiber composite material.
2. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one flow-guiding element (4, 5) is
arranged in the interior of the housing (9).
3. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the housing lower part (2) is formed from a
plastic.
4. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the housing upper part (3) is formed from a
metallic material, in particular from aluminum or an aluminum
alloy.
5. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that
the flow-guiding elements (4) are in the form of webs or walls or
studs, and form between them at least one flow duct for the
fluid.
6. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the flow-guiding element (4) runs parallel to
at least one of the turned-up edge regions of the housing lower
part (2).
7. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the housing upper part (3) or the housing
lower part (2) has the first fluid port (6, 7) and the second fluid
inlet (7, 6), or in that the housing upper part (3) and the housing
lower part (2) have in each case one of the two fluid ports (6,
7).
8. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first fluid port and/or the second fluid
port is formed by an opening on one of the turned-up edge regions
of the housing lower part (2).
9. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the housing (9) has, in its interior, a
partition (8) which divides the internal volume of the housing into
a first chamber and a second chamber which are in fluid
communication with one another via a break in the partition
(8).
10. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that
one of the fluid ports (6, 7) is in fluid communication with the
first chamber and the respective other fluid port (7, 6) is in
fluid communication with the second chamber.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Heat exchanger having a housing, having a first fluid port
and having a second fluid port, wherein the housing is in fluid
communication with a fluid source via the first fluid port and the
second fluid port and can be traversed by a flow of a fluid.
PRIOR ART
[0002] In electric vehicles, energy stores are used for operating
an electric motor. As energy stores, use is often made of storage
batteries based on lithium-ion technology, or of nickel-metal
hydride storage batteries. Alternatively, use is also made of
high-performance capacitors, so-called super-caps.
[0003] In the case of all of the energy stores mentioned, an
intense generation of heat occurs during operation, in particular
during fast charging and discharging of the energy stores.
[0004] Temperatures of approximately 50.degree. C. and higher may
however damage the energy stores and significantly reduce the
service life thereof. Likewise, excessively low temperatures cause
lasting damage to the energy stores.
[0005] To maintain the performance of the energy stores, the
temperature of these must therefore be actively controlled. Periods
where cooling is required are more prevalent by far. The cooling
may be realized for example by the introduction of heat exchangers
through which fluid flows. In solutions according to the prior art,
the heat exchangers are often elements through which fluid flows
and which have, between two areal cover plates, one or more fluid
ducts through which a fluid can flow.
[0006] It is advantageous here for all of the cells of the energy
store to be kept at a uniform temperature level. Likewise, intense
temperature gradients within the cells should be avoided.
[0007] The plates of the heat exchangers can be traversed by a flow
of a cold fluid during cooling, though may also be traversed by a
flow of a warm fluid for the purpose of heating.
[0008] To attain the highest possible energy efficiency, in
particular in electric vehicles, a design which is optimized as far
as possible with regard to weight is advantageous.
[0009] In the prior art, solutions are described which use heat
exchangers manufactured from metallic materials. Such a solution is
disclosed for example by the utility model DE 20 2012 102 349
U1.
[0010] A disadvantage of the solutions according to the prior art
is in particular that the heat exchangers are composed entirely
from aluminum. These are considerably heavier in relation to
designs composed of plastic or of a mixture of aluminum and
plastic. Also, owing to the electrical conductivity of the
aluminum, there is a need for electrical insulation and for
potential equalization means for the heat exchangers. Furthermore,
the production of heat exchangers from aluminum is energy-intensive
and expensive. Furthermore, as a result of the use of brazing
materials such as flux, for example, reworking steps are often
necessary.
Presentation of the Invention, Problem, Solution, Advantages
[0011] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
provide a heat exchanger which has a weight-optimized design and
the production of which is less energy-intensive and less
expensive. Furthermore, the heat exchanger should be formed without
additional electrical insulation.
[0012] The object of the present invention is achieved by means of
a heat exchanger having the features of claim 1.
[0013] An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a heat
exchanger having a housing, having a first fluid port and having a
second fluid port, wherein the housing is in fluid communication
with a fluid source via the first fluid port and the second fluid
port, wherein the housing can be traversed by a flow of a fluid,
wherein the housing is of multi-part design and is formed
substantially by a planar housing upper part and a substantially
trough-like housing lower part, wherein the housing lower part has
a base region and encircling edge regions, wherein the housing
upper part or the housing lower part is formed from a plastic and
the respective other housing part is formed from a plastic, a
metallic material or a fiber composite material.
[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, the heat exchanger according to
the invention serves for controlling the temperature of an energy
store.
[0015] The construction of the housing of the heat exchanger from
elements composed of plastic and elements composed of a metallic
material, in particular of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, is
particularly advantageous with regard to the weight of the heat
exchanger. Through the use of plastics, the weight can be reduced
in relation to a heat exchanger manufactured entirely from a
metallic material. At the same time, by means of the elements
composed of metallic materials, it remains possible to achieve good
thermal conductivity.
[0016] The formation of the housing lower part as a trough-like
element is particularly advantageous because a stabilizing action
is realized by means of the at least partially encircling turned-up
edge regions. At the same time, the housing lower part forms, in
the interior of the housing, a cavity which can be traversed by a
flow of a fluid. The housing lower part can be closed off in the
upward direction by means of the housing upper part. In this way, a
space is generated which is closed off in a completely fluid-tight
manner and which can be traversed by a flow of a fluid.
[0017] Both the housing lower part and also the housing upper part
are simple and inexpensive to produce and can be connected to one
another by means of numerous connecting methods. Aside from the use
of thermal joining processes, the two elements may also be
connected to one another by mechanical or chemical connecting
means.
[0018] It is furthermore advantageous for at least one flow-guiding
element to be arranged in the interior of the housing. By means of
a flow-guiding element in the interior of the housing, the fluid
flow can be influenced in a targeted manner.
[0019] It is also preferable for the housing lower part to be
formed from a plastic.
[0020] The housing lower part may advantageously be manufactured
from a plastic. This reduces the weight in relation to an
embodiment composed of a metallic material. Furthermore, the
production of the housing lower part from a plastic is simpler and
involves fewer working steps than the production of a housing lower
part from a metallic material.
[0021] The housing lower part may for example be produced in
unipartite form in an injection-molding process. A housing lower
part produced in an injection-molding process has no joints, which
need to be sealed off in a fluid-tight manner by way of additional
working steps, at the turned-up edge regions.
[0022] Furthermore, the housing lower part composed of plastic can
be connected to other elements in a simple manner through the use
of an adhesive.
[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, it may be provided
that the housing upper part is formed from a metallic material, in
particular from aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
[0024] The formation of the housing upper part from a metallic
material is advantageous because a greater coefficient of heat
transfer can be obtained by means of the metallic material than by
means of a plastics component. The elements to be cooled or to be
heated are therefore advantageously in thermal contact with the
metallic housing upper part.
[0025] Furthermore, a stabilizing action can be imparted by the
metallic housing upper part, which makes the heat exchanger less
sensitive to the action of external mechanical loads.
[0026] Furthermore, elements to be cooled, which are for example
composed of metallic material, can be attached to the housing upper
part in a simple manner using known methods such as brazing or
welding.
[0027] It is also advantageous for the housing to have a
multiplicity of flow-guiding elements in its interior. The fluid
flow in the housing can be influenced in an advantageous manner by
means of a multiplicity of flow elements.
[0028] It is furthermore preferable if the flow-guiding elements
are in the form of webs or walls or studs, and form between them at
least one flow duct for the fluid.
[0029] In a further alternative embodiment, it may be provided that
the flow-guiding element runs parallel to at least one of the
turned-up edge regions of the housing lower part.
[0030] By means of a configuration of a flow-guiding element or of
multiple flow-guiding elements as described above, it is possible
to generate a multiplicity of flow ducts which extend through the
housing substantially parallel to one of the outer edges thereof.
This may be advantageous for the distribution of the fluid. By
means of such a configuration of the flow-guiding elements, the
fluid can for example be conducted in a targeted manner from one
fluid port to a further fluid port.
[0031] By means of the generation of flow ducts, it is also
possible for the distribution of the fluid within the housing to be
influenced.
[0032] Here, the flow-guiding elements may for example be formed
from rectilinear walls or webs or by means of individual
nipple-like elevations. Other configurations of the flow-guiding
elements may also be provided.
[0033] Aside from flow guidance, said elements may also be used for
changing a laminar flow into a turbulent flow in order to achieve
more intense mixing of the fluid, and thereby improve the heat
transfer.
[0034] In a particularly expedient refinement of the invention, it
may also be provided that, in the fully assembled state, the
flow-guiding element or the flow-guiding elements are in contact
with the housing upper part and with the housing lower part.
[0035] By means of contact of the flow-guiding element or of the
flow-guiding elements with both the housing upper part and also the
housing lower part, it can be achieved that the fluid flows only
around and not over the flow-guiding elements, because said
flow-guiding elements, at their top side and bottom side
respectively, are in direct contact with the housing lower part and
with the housing upper part. If at least some of the flow-guiding
elements are in the form of walls, contact both with the housing
upper part and also with the housing lower part can serve to form
flow ducts which can be traversed by a flow of the fluid.
[0036] Furthermore, in an advantageous refinement, it may be
provided that the housing upper part or the housing lower part has
the first fluid port and the second fluid port, or that the housing
upper part and the housing lower part have in each case one of the
two fluid ports.
[0037] It is also expedient for the first fluid port and/or the
second fluid port to be formed by an opening on one of the
turned-up edge regions of the housing lower part.
[0038] By means of an arrangement of one fluid port or both fluid
ports on one of the turned-up edge regions, it is possible for the
fluid to be supplied and discharged laterally. This is particularly
advantageous because, in this way, the substantially planar main
surfaces of the housing upper part and of the housing lower part
can be used entirely as heat transfer surfaces. Said solution is
also advantageous if only a very small amount of installation space
is available.
[0039] In a further preferred exemplary embodiment, it may be
provided that the housing has, in its interior, a partition which
divides the internal volume of the housing into a first chamber and
a second chamber which are in fluid communication with one another
via a break in the partition.
[0040] The division of the internal volume into a first chamber and
a second chamber is particularly advantageous because, in this way,
it is possible to generate an ordered flow of the fluid within the
housing.
[0041] A preferred exemplary embodiment may be characterized in
that one of the fluid ports is in fluid communication with the
first chamber and the respective other fluid port is in fluid
communication with the second chamber.
[0042] By means of such an assignment of the fluid ports to in each
case one of the chambers, a flow path is predefined for the fluid.
Here, the fluid flows through one fluid port into one of the
chambers and passes over, along the break in the partition, into
the second chamber. There, the fluid flows along the second chamber
to a second fluid port and out of the housing. Furthermore, by
means of such a guided flow, the generation of flow build-up
points, which can lead to local excessive increases in temperature,
is prevented.
[0043] Advantageous refinements of the present invention are
described in the subclaims and in the following description of the
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] The invention will be explained in detail below on the basis
of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in
which:
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a perspective plan view of a heat exchanger
according to the invention, wherein the housing upper part has been
detached from the housing lower part,
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a further perspective view of a heat exchanger
as per FIG. 1,
[0047] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger
according to the invention, having a housing which is of multi-part
design and which is composed of a trough-like housing lower part
and of a housing upper part, and
[0048] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the heat exchanger as per FIG.
3, wherein, in the interior of the trough-like housing lower part,
there is illustrated a multiplicity of flow-guiding elements, some
of which are in the form of rectilinear walls and some of which are
in the form of cylindrical studs.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0049] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger 1. The
heat exchanger 1 is composed substantially of a housing 9 which is
formed by a housing lower part 2 and a housing upper part 3. The
heat exchanger 1 has a first fluid port 6 and a second fluid port
7. The two fluid ports 6, 7 may be used selectively as a fluid
inlet or fluid outlet.
[0050] The housing upper part 3 has a substantially planar extent.
The housing lower part 2 is formed substantially from a trough-like
base region with turned-up edge regions. The housing upper part 3
is dimensioned so as to close off the housing lower part 2 with an
accurate fit. A fluid-tight connection can thus be generated
between the housing upper part 3 and the housing lower part 2. The
internal volume that is formed between the housing lower part 2 and
the housing upper part 3 corresponds to the volume of the housing 9
which can be traversed by a flow of a fluid.
[0051] The housing lower part 2 has a multiplicity of flow-guiding
elements 4, 5. Furthermore, the housing lower part 2 has a
partition 8 which runs in the interior and which divides the
internal volume of the housing 9 of the heat exchanger 1 into a
first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is in fluid
communication with the second chamber at at least one location in
the interior of the heat exchanger 1. Said location at which the
fluid communication between the first chamber and the second
chamber takes place is advantageously situated in a region as far
remote from the fluid ports 6, 7 as possible.
[0052] The flow-guiding elements 4 shown in FIG. 1 are formed
substantially by walls that run, parallel to the partition 8, in
the interior of the housing lower part 2. By means of said
flow-guiding elements 4, multiple flow ducts through which a fluid
can flow are formed in the heat exchanger 1. The flow-guiding
elements 4 are in this case dimensioned such that, in the assembled
state, they are in contact both with the housing lower part 2 and
also with the housing upper part 3. In this way, the fluid is
prevented from being able to flow over or under the flow-guiding
elements 4, and said fluid can flow through the heat exchanger 1
only in the flow ducts formed by the flow-guiding elements 4. Here,
the flow-guiding elements 4 do not extend over the entire length of
the heat exchanger 1.
[0053] In the front region of the heat exchanger 1, which also has
the fluid ports 6, 7, the flow-guiding elements 5 are provided
instead of the flow-guiding elements 4. The flow-guiding elements 5
are individual studs which are arranged in the interior of the
housing lower part 2. Said flow-guiding elements 5 serve primarily
for controlling the flow of the fluid that can flow into the heat
exchanger 1 through the fluid port 6 or fluid port 7. The
individual studs allow the fluid to distribute over the width of
the respective chamber before the fluid flows into the flow ducts
formed by the flow-guiding elements 4.
[0054] Flow-guiding elements 5 are likewise arranged in the rear
region of the heat exchanger 1 situated substantially opposite the
fluid ports 6, 7. In said region, the fluid flows out of the flow
ducts between the flow-guiding elements 4, and there, flows over
from one chamber into the respective other chamber. In this case,
the flow-guiding elements 5 serve for generating turbulence in the
fluid in order to generate a more uniform distribution of heat. The
respective other chamber of the heat exchanger 1 is of
corresponding construction to the first chamber. The second chamber
likewise has flow-guiding elements 5 in the region in which the
flow passes out of the first chamber, and has flow-guiding elements
4 in the form of walls along the second chamber. Likewise, below
the fluid port 7, the second chamber again has the stud-like
flow-guiding elements 5 which allow the fluid from the individual
flow ducts to be collected and conducted to the fluid port 7.
[0055] Here, both the flow-guiding elements 4 and also the
flow-guiding elements 5 are illustrated merely by way of example.
Designs which differ from these may also be provided in alternative
embodiments. For example, walls which run in a zigzag pattern or
walls which follow an undulating shape may also be provided for the
flow-guiding elements 4. Instead of the studs, there may also be
provided embossed elevations and depressions, or for example
spherical elements that serve to generate turbulence in the
flow.
[0056] The fluid ports 6, 7 may be arranged on the housing upper
part 3 as shown in FIG. 1. In alternative embodiments, however,
said fluid ports may also be provided on the housing lower part 2.
In a further alternative embodiment, it may likewise be provided
that one of the fluid ports 6, 7 is arranged on the housing upper
part 3 and a further fluid port 7, 6 is arranged on the housing
lower part 2. The exact position of the fluid ports should be
selected in accordance with the later installation conditions and
the desired throughflow configuration.
[0057] The heat exchanger 1 shown in FIG. 1 is traversed by flow in
a U-shaped throughflow configuration, that is to say the fluid
flows through one of the chambers and, as it passes over into the
second chamber, is diverted substantially through an angle of
approximately 180.degree. before flowing back counter to the first
main flow direction. It would alternatively also be possible to
provide a throughflow in an I-shaped throughflow configuration. In
this case, the partition in the interior of the heat exchanger 1
would be omitted, and the fluid ports would be provided at opposite
ends of the heat exchanger 1.
[0058] Both the housing upper part 3 and also the housing lower
part 2 may be produced from metallic materials, for example
aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, both the housing
upper part 3 and also the housing lower part 2 may be produced from
a plastic or a fiber-reinforced plastic. In one particularly
advantageous embodiment, the housing lower part 2 is formed from a
plastic and the housing upper part 3 is formed from a metallic
material.
[0059] FIG. 2 shows a further perspective view of a heat exchanger
1 as per FIG. 1. The illustration shows in particular the housing
upper part 3, the housing lower part 2 and the fluid ports 6, 7.
The view of FIG. 2, similarly to FIG. 1, shows the heat exchanger 1
in the non-assembled state, that is to say the housing upper part 3
is not mounted on the housing lower part 2. As a result, there is
an air gap between the housing upper part 3 and the housing lower
part 2.
[0060] FIG. 3 shows the housing 9 of the heat exchanger 1. The
illustration shows substantially the housing lower part 2, the
housing upper part 3 and the flow-guiding elements 4, 5 in the
housing lower part 2. The housing 9 has a rectangular outline. In
alternative embodiments, a design that differs from this may also
be provided. For example, a housing 9 may be provided which has
rounded edges and a significantly elongated extent, or a circular
outline of the housing 9 may be provided.
[0061] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the housing lower part 2 and
of the housing upper part 3, situated above said housing lower
part, of the heat exchanger 1.
[0062] It is possible to particularly clearly see the flow-guiding
elements 4 which are designed as rectilinear walls running parallel
to the outer edges and parallel to the partition 8. In the front
and rear edge regions, stud-like flow-guiding elements 5 are
provided instead of the rectilinear walls of the flow-guiding
elements 4.
[0063] In an alternative embodiment, the flow-guiding elements 5
may also be omitted. It is a task of the flow-guiding elements 5 to
generate a distribution of a fluid transversely with respect to the
main flow direction predefined for the fluid between the
flow-guiding elements 4. In particular in conjunction with the
fluid ports 6, 7 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is necessary for the
fluid, after it flows into the heat exchanger 1, to distribute
within the respective chamber over the width of the chamber or of
the heat exchanger 1, before said fluid flows into the flow ducts
between the flow-guiding elements 4. This is likewise provided at
the region at which the fluid flows over from the first chamber
into the second chamber, as well as in the region of the second
fluid port 6, 7.
[0064] The connection of the housing lower part 2, which is
advantageously formed from plastic, and of the housing upper part
3, which is formed from an aluminum material, may advantageously be
realized by welding. The advantage that arises through the use of a
metal material for the housing upper part 3 lies in the fact that a
metallic material generally exhibits a better coefficient of
thermal conductivity, whereby the heat transfer from the heat
exchanger 1 to components arranged outside the heat exchanger 1 is
improved. At the same time, the formation of the housing lower part
2 from a plastic offers the advantage that electrical insulation is
provided by the housing lower part 2 itself. Furthermore, the
housing lower part 2 can be produced in a simple method such as
injection molding, for example. It is thus possible for not only
the basic shape of the housing lower part 2 but also the
flow-guiding elements 4, 5 to be produced in one working step,
whereby process steps can be eliminated, and thus cheaper
production is attained.
* * * * *