U.S. patent application number 14/562196 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-24 for heat exchanger for vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hyundai Motor Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Hyundai Motor Company. Invention is credited to Jaeyeon Kim, Sangyong Rhee.
Application Number | 20150369115 14/562196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53500134 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150369115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Jaeyeon ; et
al. |
December 24, 2015 |
Heat Exchanger for Vehicle
Abstract
A heat exchanger for a vehicle may include a heat exchanging
part including a plurality of introduction holes and discharge
holes to introduce and discharge respective working fluids,
including a plurality of plates stacked therein to alternately form
channels through which the respective working fluids flow, and
heat-exchanging the respective working fluids passing through the
respective channels with each other, a bypass part forming a bypass
channel which is connected to a sub-discharge hole in a
sub-introduction hole, sub-discharge holes formed at both sides
based on a connection hole formed at one side in one surface of the
heat exchanging part, and a valve unit mounted at the connection
hole, the sub-introduction hole, and the sub-discharge hole and
selectively connecting the connection hole to the sub-introduction
hole or the sub-discharge hole.
Inventors: |
Kim; Jaeyeon; (Hwaseong-Si,
KR) ; Rhee; Sangyong; (Samcheok-Si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hyundai Motor Company |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hyundai Motor Company
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
53500134 |
Appl. No.: |
14/562196 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/41.33 ;
165/103; 165/166; 165/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 27/02 20130101;
F28F 2250/06 20130101; F01P 2060/045 20130101; F28F 2280/06
20130101; F28D 9/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F01P 11/08 20060101
F01P011/08; F28D 9/00 20060101 F28D009/00; F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02; F28F 13/06 20060101 F28F013/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0076490 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger for a vehicle, comprising: a heat exchanging
part including a plurality of introduction holes and discharge
holes formed in one surface and other surfaces thereof to introduce
and discharge respective working fluids, including a plurality of
plates stacked therein to alternately form channels through which
the respective working fluids flow, and heat-exchanging the
respective working fluids passing through the respective channels
with each other; a bypass part connected to one of the plurality of
introduction holes and protruding from one surface of the heat
exchanging part in order to form a bypass channel which is
connected to a sub-discharge hole in a sub-introduction hole,
sub-discharge holes formed at both sides based on a connection hole
formed at one side in one surface of the heat exchanging part and
separated from the channels so that the working fluid bypasses the
channels; and a valve unit mounted at the connection hole, the
sub-introduction hole, and the sub-discharge hole and selectively
connecting the connection hole to the sub-introduction hole or the
sub-discharge hole using linear displacement that is changed
depending on a temperature of the working fluid introduced into the
connection hole to introduce the working fluid into the channels or
introduce the working fluid to the bypass channel, thereby
controlling a flow direction of the working fluid.
2. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the
introduction holes include a first introduction hole formed in one
surface of the heat exchanging part and a second introduction hole
formed at one side in the other surface of the heat exchanging
part, and each of the discharge holes includes a first discharge
hole formed in one surface of the heat exchanging part so as to
correspond to the first introduction hole and a second discharge
hole formed at the other side in the other surface of the heat
exchanging part so as to correspond to the second introduction
hole.
3. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first
introduction hole and the first discharge hole are formed at
respective edge portions in a diagonal direction in one surface of
the heat exchanging part.
4. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the second
introduction hole and the second discharge hole are formed at
positions spaced apart from each other, respectively, in a diagonal
direction in the other surface of the heat exchanging part, and are
formed so as to face the first introduction hole and the first
discharge hole, respectively.
5. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the
connection hole is formed so as to be connected to the second
introduction hole in a state in which the connection hole
penetrates through the heat exchanging part at a position
corresponding to the second introduction hole.
6. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the
sub-introduction hole is connected to one of the channels of the
heat exchanging part, and the sub-discharge hole is connected to
the second discharge hole through the bypass channel in a state in
which the sub-discharge hole is not connected to the channel.
7. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the working
fluids include a coolant introduced from a radiator and
transmission oil introduced from a transmission.
8. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the heat
exchanging part has the other surface mounted at one side of a
transmission, circulates coolant through the first introduction
hole and the first discharge hole, and circulates transmission oil
through the second introduction hole and the second discharge
hole.
9. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the
respective channels include: first channels connected to the first
introduction hole and the first discharge hole within the heat
exchanging part and having coolant introduced therein through the
first introduction hole and moved therein; and second channels
formed between the first channels so as to intersect with the first
channels, connected to the second introduction hole and the second
discharge hole within the heat exchanging part, and having
transmission oil introduced therein through the second introduction
hole and moved therein.
10. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the heat
exchanging part allows the respective working fluids to flow in
opposite directions to each other to heat-exchange the working
fluids with each other.
11. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the valve
unit includes: a housing having one end that is opened and having a
first connection port, a second connection port, and a third
connection port formed at one side thereof in a length direction,
the first connection port being connected to the connection hole,
the second connection port being connected to the sub-introduction
hole, the third connection port being connected to the
sub-discharge hole, and the second and third connection ports being
formed at both sides based on the first connection port,
respectively; a fixing cap mounted at one end of the housing that
is opened to close an inner portion of the housing; a fixing rod
having one end fixed to the fixing cap within the housing; a
deforming member inserted into the other end of the fixing rod and
moving forward or backward on the fixing rod while being expanded
or contracted therein depending on a temperature change of the
working fluid in a state in which the deforming member is inserted
so as to be slidable in the length direction within the housing;
and an elastic member interposed between the other end of the
housing that is closed and the deforming member, and providing
elastic force to the deforming member while being compressed at the
time of rising depending on the expansion of the deforming
member.
12. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 11, wherein the
housing is formed in a cylindrical shape in which one end thereof
is opened.
13. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 11, wherein the
fixing cap has a mounting part formed integrally therewith at a
center of one surface thereof facing the inner portion of the
housing, the mounting part having the fixing rod mounted
therein.
14. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 11, wherein the
housing has a ring groove formed along a circumference of an inner
peripheral surface of one end thereof that is opened in order to
mount a fixing ring fixing the fixing cap.
15. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 11, wherein the
deforming member is made of a wax material that is contracted and
expanded therein depending on the temperature of the working
material, and is inserted into the housing in a state in which an
outer peripheral surface thereof contacts an inner peripheral
surface of the housing.
16. The heat exchanger for a vehicle of claim 11, wherein the
elastic member is formed of a coil spring having one end supported
by an inner surface of the other end of the housing that is closed
and the other end supported by the deforming member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit
of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0076490 filed Jun. 23,
2014, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all
purposes by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a
vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a heat
exchanger for a vehicle that is capable of controlling a
temperature by allowing respective working fluids to be introduced
therein and flow therein, and selectively heat-exchanging the
respective working fluids with each other depending on temperatures
of the introduced working fluids.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Generally, a heat exchanger, which transfers heat from a
fluid having a higher temperature to a fluid having a lower
temperature through a heat conductive wall, is used in a heater, a
cooler, an evaporator, a condenser, or the like.
[0006] The heat exchanger reuses heat energy or controls
temperatures of introduced working fluids so as to be appropriate
for their purpose, is generally used in an air conditioning system,
a transmission oil cooler, or the like, of a vehicle, and is
mounted in an engine compartment.
[0007] When the heat exchanger is mounted in the engine compartment
having a limited space, it is difficult to secure a space and mount
the heat exchanger. Therefore, research for miniaturization,
lightness, efficiency improvement, and function improvement of the
heat exchanger has been continuously conducted.
[0008] The heat exchanger according to the related art as described
above should control temperatures of the respective working fluids
depending on a state of the vehicle and then supply the working
fluid to an engine, a transmission, or an air conditioning device
of the vehicle. However, to this end, separate branch circuits and
valves should be installed on channels of the introduced working
fluids. Therefore, the numbers of components and assemblers are
increased, and a layout becomes complicated.
[0009] In addition, when the separate branch circuits and valves
are not installed, it is impossible to control a heat exchange
amount depending on flow rates of the working fluids, such that it
is impossible to efficiently control the temperatures of the
working fluids.
[0010] The information disclosed in this Background of the
Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the
general background of the invention and should not be taken as an
acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information
forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the
art.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0011] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to
providing a heat exchanger for a vehicle having advantages of
improving fuel efficiency of a vehicle and improving performance of
a transmission by controlling temperatures of transmission oil and
a coolant through heat exchange between the transmission oil and
the coolant while allowing the transmission oil and the coolant to
flow therein, and simultaneously performing warming and cooling
functions of the transmission oil through a valve unit operated
depending on a temperature of the transmission oil at the time of
controlling the temperatures.
[0012] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to
providing a heat exchanger for a vehicle having advantages of
decreasing a cost by eliminating valves that are separately
installed according to the related art, forming a valve unit
operated depending on a temperature of transmission oil integrally
with the heat exchanger, and configuring the valve unit so as to be
directly mounted in a transmission to simplify a pipe layout and
decrease the number of components.
[0013] According to various aspects of the present invention a heat
exchanger for a vehicle may include a heat exchanging part
including a plurality of introduction holes and discharge holes
formed in one surface and other surfaces thereof to introduce and
discharge respective working fluids, including a plurality of
plates stacked therein to alternately form channels through which
the respective working fluids flow, and heat-exchanging the
respective working fluids passing through the respective channels
with each other, a bypass part connected to one of the plurality of
introduction holes and protruding from one surface of the heat
exchanging part in order to form a bypass channel which is
connected to a sub-discharge hole in a sub-introduction hole,
sub-discharge holes formed at both sides based on a connection hole
formed at one side in one surface of the heat exchanging part and
separated from the channels so that the working fluid bypasses the
channels, and a valve unit mounted at the connection hole, the
sub-introduction hole, and the sub-discharge hole and selectively
connecting the connection hole to the sub-introduction hole or the
sub-discharge hole using linear displacement that is changed
depending on a temperature of the working fluid introduced into the
connection hole to introduce the working fluid into the channels or
introduce the working fluid to the bypass channel, thereby
controlling a flow direction of the working fluid.
[0014] The introduction holes may include a first introduction hole
formed in one surface of the heat exchanging part and a second
introduction hole formed at one side in the other surface of the
heat exchanging part, and each of the discharge holes may include a
first discharge hole formed in one surface of the heat exchanging
part so as to correspond to the first introduction hole and a
second discharge hole formed at the other side in the other surface
of the heat exchanging part so as to correspond to the second
introduction hole.
[0015] The first introduction hole and the first discharge hole may
be formed at respective edge portions in a diagonal direction in
one surface of the heat exchanging part.
[0016] The second introduction hole and the second discharge hole
may be formed at positions spaced apart from each other,
respectively, in a diagonal direction in the other surface of the
heat exchanging part, and may be formed so as to face the first
introduction hole and the first discharge hole, respectively.
[0017] The connection hole may be formed so as to be connected to
the second introduction hole in a state in which the connection
hole penetrates through the heat exchanging part at a position
corresponding to the second introduction hole.
[0018] The sub-introduction hole may be connected to one of the
channels of the heat exchanging part, and the sub-discharge hole
may be connected to the second discharge hole through the bypass
channel in a state in which the sub-discharge hole is not connected
to the channel.
[0019] The working fluids may include a coolant introduced from a
radiator and transmission oil introduced from a transmission.
[0020] The heat exchanging part may have the other surface mounted
at one side of a transmission, may circulate coolant through the
first introduction hole and the first discharge hole, and may
circulate transmission oil through the second introduction hole and
the second discharge hole.
[0021] The respective channels may include first channels connected
to the first introduction hole and the first discharge hole within
the heat exchanging part and having coolant introduced therein
through the first introduction hole and moved therein, and second
channels formed between the first channels so as to intersect with
the first channels, connected to the second introduction hole and
the second discharge hole within the heat exchanging part, and
having transmission oil introduced therein through the second
introduction hole and moved therein.
[0022] The heat exchanging part may allow the respective working
fluids to flow in opposite directions to each other to
heat-exchange the working fluids with each other.
[0023] The valve unit may include a housing having one end that is
opened and having a first connection port, a second connection
port, and a third connection port formed at one side thereof in a
length direction, the first connection port being connected to the
connection hole, the second connection port being connected to the
sub-introduction hole, the third connection port being connected to
the sub-discharge hole, and the second and third connection ports
being formed at both sides based on the first connection port,
respectively, a fixing cap mounted at one end of the housing that
is opened to close an inner portion of the housing, a fixing rod
having one end fixed to the fixing cap within the housing, a
deforming member inserted into the other end of the fixing rod and
moving forward or backward on the fixing rod while being expanded
or contracted therein depending on a temperature change of the
working fluid in a state in which the deforming member is inserted
so as to be slidable in the length direction within the housing,
and an elastic member interposed between the other end of the
housing that is closed and the deforming member and providing
elastic force to the deforming member while being compressed at the
time of rising depending on the expansion of the deforming
member.
[0024] The housing may be formed in a cylindrical shape in which
one end thereof is opened.
[0025] The fixing cap may have a mounting part formed integrally
therewith at a center of one surface thereof facing the inner
portion of the housing, the mounting part having the fixing rod
mounted therein.
[0026] The housing may have a ring groove formed along a
circumference of an inner peripheral surface of one end thereof
that is opened in order to mount a fixing ring fixing the fixing
cap.
[0027] The deforming member may be made of a wax material that is
contracted and expanded therein depending on the temperature of the
working material, and may be inserted into the housing in a state
in which an outer peripheral surface thereof contacts an inner
peripheral surface of the housing.
[0028] The elastic member may be formed of a coil spring having one
end supported by an inner surface of the other end of the housing
that is closed and the other end supported by the deforming
member.
[0029] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or
other similar terms as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles
in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility
vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles,
watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and
the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other
alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuel derived from resources other
than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a
vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example, both
gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
[0030] The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have
other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are
set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are
incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which
together serve to explain certain principles of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle cooling system using
an exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary heat exchanger
for a vehicle according to the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exemplary heat exchanger for a
vehicle according to the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the exemplary heat exchanger for a
vehicle according to the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary heat
exchanger for a vehicle according to the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of
FIG. 3.
[0037] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are cross-sectional views taken along
line B-B of FIG. 3.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of
FIG. 3.
[0039] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a valve unit used
in the exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle according to the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams showing an operation
state of the valve unit in the exemplary heat exchanger for a
vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 11, FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B and FIG. 13 are diagrams showing
operation states of the exemplary heat exchanger for a vehicle
according to the present invention in each step.
[0042] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not
necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various features illustrative of the basic
principles of the invention. The specific design features of the
present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example,
specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be
determined in part by the particular intended application and use
environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments
of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings and described below. While the
invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary
embodiments, it will be understood that the present description is
not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary
embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to
cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various
alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments,
which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
[0044] Referring to the drawings, the heat exchanger 100 for a
vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention
is used in a vehicle cooling system in order to cool or warm
transmission oil of the vehicle.
[0045] The above-mentioned vehicle cooling system is connected
through a coolant pipe so that a coolant cooled while passing
through a radiator 20 mounted with a cooling fan 21 via a water
pump 11 cools an engine 10, and a heater core 30 connected to a
vehicle heating system is disposed on the coolant pipe, as shown in
FIG. 1.
[0046] Here, the heat exchanger 100 for a vehicle according to
various embodiments of the present invention controls temperatures
of transmission oil and a coolant through heat exchange between the
transmission oil and the coolant while allowing the transmission
oil and the coolant to flow therein, and simultaneously performs
warming and cooling functions of the transmission oil through a
valve unit 130 operated depending on a temperature of the
transmission oil at the time of controlling the temperatures,
thereby making it possible to improve fuel efficiency of the
vehicle and improve performance of the transmission 40.
[0047] In addition, valves that are separately installed according
to the related art are removed, and the valve unit 130 operated
depending on the temperature of the transmission oil is formed
integrally with the heat exchanger and is configured so as to be
directly mounted in the transmission 40 to simplify a pipe layout
and decrease the number of components, thereby making it possible
to decrease a cost.
[0048] That is, in various embodiments, the respective working
fluids are configured of the coolant introduced from the radiator
20 and the transmission oil introduced from the transmission 40,
and the coolant and the transmission oil are heat-exchanged with
each other through the heat exchanger 100 to control the
temperature of the transmission oil.
[0049] To this end, the heat exchanger 100 for a vehicle according
to various embodiments of the present invention is connected
between the water pump 11 and the heater core 30 through the
coolant pipe, and is mounted integrally with the transmission 40 at
one side of the transmission 40 and is connected to the
transmission 40 so that the coolant is circulated and the
transmission oil is supplied.
[0050] The heat exchanger 100 is mainly configured to include a
heat exchanging part 110, a bypass part 120, and the valve unit
130, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. These
components will be described in more detail below.
[0051] First, the heat exchanging part 110 includes a plurality of
introduction holes 116 and discharge holes 118 formed in one
surface and other surfaces thereof to introduce and discharge the
coolant and the transmission oil, which are the respective working
fluids, and a plurality of plates 112 stacked therein to form
different channels 114 therein so as to intersect with each other,
and heat-exchanges the transmission oil and the coolant passing
through the respective channels 114 with each other.
[0052] The transmission oil and the coolant are heat-exchanged with
each other in the heat exchanging part 110 while passing through
the respective channels 114, and at least one introduction hole 116
and one discharge hole 118 are formed in one surface and the other
surface of the heat exchanging part 110, respectively, and are
connected to the channels 114, respectively.
[0053] Here, the heat exchanging part 110 is configured so that
engine oil and the transmission oil flow in an opposite direction
to the coolant therein in order for the coolant to be
heat-exchanged with the engine oil and the transmission oil by a
counter flow.
[0054] The heat exchanging part 100 configured as described above
may be formed in a plate shape in which the plurality of plates 112
are stacked.
[0055] In various embodiments, in the bypass part 120, one of the
plurality of introduction holes 116 is connected to a connection
hole 115 formed at one side of one surface of the heat exchanging
part 110.
[0056] A sub-introduction hole 117 and a sub-discharge hole 119 are
formed at both sides of the connection hole 115, respectively, and
the bypass part 120 protrudes from one surface of the heat
exchanging part 110 in order to form a bypass channel 122 which is
connected to the sub-discharge hole 119 and is separated from the
respective channels 114 such that the working fluid bypasses the
channels 114.
[0057] Here, the bypass channel 122 is in communication with the
outside of the heat exchanger 100 through one of the discharge
holes 118 without being in communication with the channels 114
formed in the heat exchanging part 110.
[0058] Meanwhile, in various embodiments, each of the introduction
holes 116 includes a first introduction hole 116a formed in one
surface of the heat exchanging part 110 and a second introduction
hole 116b formed at one side in the other surface of the heat
exchanging part 110.
[0059] Each of the discharge holes 118 may include a first
discharge hole 118a formed in one surface of the heat exchanging
part 110 so as to correspond to the first introduction hole 116a
and a second discharge hole 118b formed at the other side in the
other surface of the heat exchanging part 110 so as to correspond
to the second introduction hole 116b.
[0060] The first and second introduction holes 116a and 116b are
connected to the first and second discharge holes 118a and 118b,
respectively, through the respective channels 114 within the heat
exchanging part 110.
[0061] Here, the first introduction hole 116a and the first
discharge hole 118a are formed at the respective edge portions in a
diagonal direction in one surface of the heat exchanging part
110.
[0062] In addition, the second introduction hole 116b and the
second discharge hole 118b are formed at positions spaced apart
from each other, respectively, in the diagonal direction in the
other surface of the heat exchanging part 110, and are formed so as
to face the first introduction hole 116a and the first discharge
hole 118a, respectively.
[0063] In addition, the connection hole 115 may be formed so as to
be connected to the second introduction hole 116b in a state in
which it penetrates through the heat exchanging part 110 at a
position corresponding to the second introduction hole 116b.
[0064] In addition, the sub-introduction hole 117 may be connected
to one of the channels 114 of the heat exchanging part 110, and the
sub-discharge hole 119 may be connected to the second discharge
hole 118b through the bypass channel 122 in a state in which it is
not connected to the channel 114.
[0065] The heat exchanging part 110 configured as described above
has the other surface mounted at one side of the transmission 40,
circulates the coolant through the first introduction hole 116a and
the first discharge hole 118a, and circulates the transmission oil
through the second introduction hole 116b and the second discharge
hole 118b.
[0066] Meanwhile, the first introduction hole 116a and the first
discharge hole 118a may be mounted with connection pipes P and be
connected to the radiator 20 through connection hoses, or the like,
mounted at the connection pipes P.
[0067] In various embodiments, each of the channels 114 includes
first and second channels 114a and 114b, as shown in FIG. 6, FIG.
7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 8.
[0068] First, the first channels 114a are connected to the first
introduction hole 116a and the first discharge hole 118a within the
heat exchanging part 110, and have the coolant introduced therein
through the first introduction hole 116a and moved therein.
[0069] In addition, the second channels 114b are formed between the
first channels 114a so as to intersect with the first channels
114a, are connected to the second introduction hole 116b and the
second discharge hole 118b within the heat exchanging part 110, and
have the transmission oil introduced therein through the second
introduction hole 116b and moved therein.
[0070] In the case in which the transmission oil is introduced, the
sub-introduction hole 117 moves the transmission oil introduced
through the connection hole 115 into the edge portion of the heat
exchanging part 110 neighboring the first discharge hole 118a to
pass the transmission oil through the respective second channels
114b.
[0071] The transmission oil passing through the respective second
channels 114b passes through the edge portion of the heat
exchanging part 110 neighboring the first introduction hole 116a
positioned in the diagonal direction with respect to the edge
portion of the heat exchanging part 110 neighboring the first
discharge hole 118a, and is then discharged to the outside of the
heat exchanger 100 through the second discharge hole 118b.
[0072] That is, the transmission oil introduced through the
connection hole 115 flows in the diagonal direction of the heat
exchanging part 110, which is an opposite direction to a flow of
the coolant through the respective second channels 114b via the
sub-introduction hole 117. In this case, the transmission oil is
heat-exchanged with coolant flowing via the first introduction hole
116a, the first channels 114a, and the first discharge hole
118a.
[0073] To the contrary, in the case in which the transmission oil
introduced through the connection hole 115 is bypassed without
passing through the second channels 114b, the transmission oil
flows to the bypass channel 122 through the sub-discharge hole 119,
and is discharged to the outside through the second discharge hole
118b in a state in which it does not pass through an inner portion
of the heat exchanging part 110.
[0074] Meanwhile, although the case in which the coolant introduced
and discharged through the first introduction hole 116a and the
first discharge hole 118a flows to the first channels 114a and the
transmission oil is introduced into the connection hole 115 through
the second introduction hole 116b and is then discharged from the
sub-introduction hole 117 to the second discharge hole 118b through
the second channels 114b through a selective operation of the valve
unit 130, or passes through the bypass channel 122 from the
sub-discharge hole 119 and is then discharged to the second
discharge hole 118b, has been described by way of example in
various embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto.
That is, flow directions of the coolant and the transmission oil
may be changed with each other.
[0075] In addition, although the case in which the valve unit 130
is operated depending on the temperature of the transmission oil
has been described by way of example in various embodiments, the
present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the valve unit
130 may also be operated depending on the temperature of the
coolant.
[0076] In addition, the valve unit 130 is mounted at the connection
hole 115, the sub-introduction hole 117, and the sub-discharge hole
119 on one surface of the heat exchanging part 110.
[0077] The valve unit 130 selectively connects the connection hole
115 to the sub-introduction hole 117 or the sub-discharge hole 119
using linear displacement that is changed depending on the
temperature of the transmission oil, which is the working fluid
introduced into the connection hole 115, to introduce the
transmission oil into the second channels 114b, thereby passing the
transmission oil through the heat exchanging part 110 or bypassing
the transmission oil to the bypass channel 122, thereby controlling
a flow direction of the transmission oil.
[0078] Here, the valve unit 130 includes a housing 132, a fixing
cap 134, a fixing rod 136, a deforming member 138, and an elastic
member 139, as shown in FIG. 9, which will be described in more
detail below.
[0079] First, the housing 132 has one end that is opened and has a
first connection port 132a, a second connection port 132b, and a
third connection port 132c formed at one side thereof in a length
direction, wherein the first connection port 132a is connected to
the connection hole 115, the second connection port 132b is
connected to the sub-introduction hole 117, the third connection
port 132c is connected to the sub-discharge hole 119, and the
second and third connection ports 132b and 132c are formed at both
sides based on the first connection port 132a, respectively.
[0080] The housing 132 may be formed in a cylindrical shape in
which one end thereof is opened in the length direction.
[0081] In various embodiments, the fixing cap 134 is mounted at one
end of the housing 132 that is opened to close an inner portion of
the housing 132.
[0082] Here, the housing 132 may have a ring groove 133 formed
along a circumference of an inner peripheral surface of one end
thereof that is opened in order to mount a fixing ring 135 fixing
the fixing cap 134 inserted into one end thereof that is
opened.
[0083] That is, separation of the fixing cap 134 inserted into one
end of the housing 132 that is opened from the housing 132 may be
prevented by the fixing ring 135 mounted in the ring groove 133,
and an outer peripheral surface of the fixing cap 134 may be made
of rubber in order to prevent the transmission oil introduced into
the housing 132 from leaking to the outside between the housing 132
and the fixing cap 134.
[0084] The fixing rod 136 has one end fixed to the fixing cap 134
in a state in which it is disposed horizontally in the length
direction within the housing 132.
[0085] Here, the fixing cap 134 may have a mounting part 134a
formed integrally therewith at the center of one surface thereof
facing the inner portion of the housing 132, wherein the mounting
part 134a has the fixing rod 136 mounted therein. In addition, the
fixing rod 136 is fixed to the fixing cap 134 in a state in which
one end thereof is partially inserted into the mounting part
134a.
[0086] In various embodiments, the deforming member 138 is inserted
into the other end of the fixing rod 136 and moves forward or
backward on the fixing rod 134 while being expanded or contracted
therein depending on a temperature change of the transmission oil
introduced into the housing 132 in a state in which it is inserted
so as to be slidable in the length direction within the housing
132.
[0087] That is, as the deforming member 138 moves forward or
backward on the fixing rod 134, a position of the deforming member
is varied within the housing 132 while linear displacement of the
deforming member is generated.
[0088] In addition, the elastic member 139 is interposed between
the other end of the housing 132 that is closed and the deforming
member 138 and provides elastic force to the deforming member 138
while being compressed at the time of rising depending on the
expansion of the deforming member 138.
[0089] Here, the elastic member 139 may be formed of a coil spring
having one end supported by an inner surface of the other end of
the housing 132 that is closed and the other end supported by the
deforming member 138.
[0090] In the valve unit 130 configured as described above, the
deforming member 138 may be made of a wax material that is
contracted and expanded therein depending on the temperature of the
working fluid and is inserted into the housing 132 in a state in
which an outer peripheral surface thereof contacts an inner
peripheral surface of the housing 132.
[0091] Here, the wax material, which has a volume that is expanded
or contracted depending on a temperature, is a material having a
property that the volume thereof is expanded therein when the
temperature rises and contracts therein by the elastic force of the
elastic member 139 to return to an initial volume when the
temperature drops.
[0092] That is, the deforming member 138 is configured of an
assembly including the wax material therein, may move forward or
backward on the fixing rod 136 without a change in an appearance in
the case in which volume deformation is generated in the wax
material depending on the temperature, and more rapidly return to
an initial position by the elastic force of the elastic member 139
at the time of moving backward.
[0093] An operation of the valve unit 130 configured as described
above will be described below with reference to FIG. 10A and FIG.
10B.
[0094] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams showing an operation
state of the valve unit in the heat exchanger for a vehicle
according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0095] First, the deforming member 138 is positioned at the time of
being initially mounted so that the first and third connection
ports 132a and 132c are connected to the connection hole 115 and
the sub-discharge hole 119, respectively, as shown in (S1) of FIG.
10A.
[0096] In this state, in the case in which a temperature of the
transmission oil introduced into the housing 132 through the first
connection port 132a is a predetermined temperature or more, as
shown in (S2) of FIG. 10B, the deforming member 138 is expanded to
move forward on the fixing rod 136, thereby connecting the first
and second connection ports 132a and 132b to each other so that the
connection hole 115 is connected to the sub-introduction hole
117.
[0097] Therefore, the transmission oil is introduced into the
housing 132 through the first connection port 132a, is introduced
into the sub-introduction hole 117 connected to the second
connection port 132b, and is then introduced into the respective
second channels 114b formed in the heat exchanging part 110.
[0098] In addition, in a state in which the deforming member 138 is
expanded, in the case in which a temperature of the transmission
oil introduced into the first connection port 132a through the
connection hole 115 is a predetermined temperature or less, the
deforming member 138 more rapidly moves backward on the fixing rod
136 by the elastic force of the elastic member 139 while being
again contracted.
[0099] Therefore, a position of the deforming member 138 again
returns to an initial state to connect the first and third
connection ports 132a and 132c to each other, thereby discharging
the introduced transmission oil to the bypass channel 122 through
the sub-discharge hole 119 connected to the third connection port
132c.
[0100] Meanwhile, in the case in which the transmission oil having
a temperature of less than or equal to the predetermined
temperature is introduced in an initial state in which the
deforming member 138 is mounted on the fixing rod 136, the
expansion or contraction is not generated in the deforming member
138, such that the position of the deforming member 138 is not
varied.
[0101] Hereinafter, an operation and an action of the heat
exchanger 100 for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the
present invention configured as described above will be described
in detail.
[0102] FIGS. 11 to 13 are diagrams showing operation states of the
heat exchanger for a vehicle according to various embodiments of
the present invention in each step.
[0103] First, the transmission oil discharged from the transmission
40 is introduced from the second introduction hole 116b of the heat
exchanger 110 mounted at one side of the transmission 40 into the
connection hole 115, and is then introduced into the housing 132
through the first connection port 132a.
[0104] Here, in the case in which a temperature of the transmission
oil introduced into the housing 132 is lower than a predetermined
temperature, the deforming member 138 of the valve unit 130 is
maintained in the initial state without being deformed, as shown in
FIG. 11, since the temperature of the transmission oil introduced
into the housing 132 is lower than a temperature at which the
deformation is generated in the deforming member.
[0105] Therefore, the deforming member 138 maintains a state in
which it connects the first and third connection ports 132a and
132c to each other in a state in which it prevents the transmission
oil from being introduced into the second connection port 132b
within the housing 132 (see (S1) of FIG. 10A).
[0106] In this case, the transmission oil introduced into the
housing 132 of the valve unit 130 is discharged to the
sub-discharge hole 119 through the third connection port 135c,
flows along the bypass channel 122 formed in the bypass part 120,
is discharged from the heat exchanger 100 through the second
discharge hole 118b without passing through the respective second
channels 114b, and is then introduced again into the transmission
40.
[0107] Therefore, introduction of the transmission oil to the
second channel 114b is prevented, and heat exchange between the
transmission oil and the coolant that passes through the respective
first channels 114a of the heat exchanging part 110 and is in a low
temperature state is prevented.
[0108] That is, in the heat exchanger 110 according to various
embodiments, in the case in which a rapid warm-up of the
transmission oil is required depending on a state or a driving mode
of the vehicle, such as a driving state, an idle mode, or an
initial start of the vehicle, the bypass channel 122 prevents the
transmission oil from being introduced into the respective second
channels 114b positioned between the respective first channels 114a
to prevent the temperature of the transmission oil from being
decreased through the heat exchange between the transmission oil
and the coolant that passes through the first channels 114a and is
in the low temperature state.
[0109] To the contrary, in the case in which the temperature of the
transmission oil is higher than the predetermined temperature, that
is, in the case in which the transmission oil needs to be cooled,
as shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, the deforming member 138 of the
valve unit 130 is expanded therein by the transmission oil that is
introduced into the connection hole 115 and is in a high
temperature state and moves forward on the fixing rod 136 to move
toward the third introduction port 132c (see (S2) of FIG. 10).
[0110] In this case, the deforming member 138 is positioned between
the first and third introduction ports 132a and 132c within the
housing 132 to release connection between the first and third
introduction ports 132a and 132c to connect the first and second
introduction ports 132a and 132b to each other.
[0111] Therefore, the transmission oil that is discharged from the
transmission 40 and is in the high temperature state is introduced
into the housing 132 of the valve unit 130 through the connection
hole 115 and the first introduction port 132a via the second
introduction hole 116b.
[0112] Then, the transmission oil is introduced into the
sub-introduction hole 117 through the second introduction port 132b
opened through generation of linear displacement by the expansion
of the deforming member 138, and then flows in the respective
second channels 114b of the heat exchanging part 110.
[0113] In this case, the transmission oil that passes through the
respective second channels 114b and is in the high temperature
state is introduced into the first introduction hole 116a and is
then heat-exchanged with the coolant passing through the respective
first channels 114a within the heat exchanging part 110, such that
the temperature of the transmission oil is controlled.
[0114] Here, the coolant and the transmission oil flow in opposite
directions to each other along the diagonal direction of the heat
exchanging part 110, such that they may be more efficiently
heat-exchanged with each other.
[0115] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 13, the coolant is introduced
from the radiator 20 through the first introduction hole 116a
formed in one surface of the heat exchanging part 110, passes
through the respective first channels 114a, and is then discharged
through the first discharge hole 118a, such that it is
heat-exchanged with the transmission oil selectively passing
through the second channels 114b by the valve unit 130 operated
depending on the temperature of the transmission oil.
[0116] Therefore, the transmission oil that needs to be cooled
since heat is generated due to fluid friction generated by a torque
converter and internal gears is supplied to the transmission 40 in
a state in which it is cooled through the heat-exchange with the
coolant in the low temperature state within the heat exchanging
part 110.
[0117] That is, the heat exchanger 100 supplies the cooled
transmission oil to the transmission 40 that is rotated at a high
speed to prevent generation of slip in the transmission 40.
[0118] As described above, in the heat exchanger 100 for a vehicle
according to various embodiments of the present invention, when the
deforming member 138 of the valve unit 130 is expanded or
contracted depending on the temperature of the introduced
transmission oil, the deforming member 138 moves forward or
backward on the fixing rod 136 to generate the linear displacement,
thereby connecting the first connection port 132a into which the
transmission oil is introduced to the second connection port 132b
or the third connection port 132c within the housing 132 to control
the flow of the transmission oil.
[0119] In this case, the transmission oil introduced into the
housing 132 of the valve unit 130 is again discharged to the
transmission 40 via the bypass channel 122 without heat-exchanging
with the coolant passing through the first channels 114a or is
heat-exchanged with the coolant that passes through the first
channels 114a and is in the low temperature state while passing
through the respective second channels 114b and is then discharged
to the transmission 40 in a state in which it is cooled.
[0120] Therefore, when the heat exchanger 100 for a vehicle
according to various embodiments of the present invention is used,
the heat exchanger 100 for a vehicle controls the temperatures of
the transmission oil and the coolant through the heat exchange
between the transmission oil and the coolant while allowing the
transmission oil and the coolant to flow therein and simultaneously
performs the warming and cooling functions of the transmission oil
through the valve unit 130 operated depending on the temperature of
the transmission oil at the time of controlling the temperature of
the transmission oil, thereby making it possible to efficiently
control the temperature of the transmission oil depending on the
driving state of the vehicle.
[0121] In addition, the temperature of the transmission oil may be
controlled depending on the driving state of the vehicle, thereby
making it possible to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle
and the performance of the transmission 40.
[0122] Further, the warm-up function for decreasing friction at the
time of a cold start of the transmission oil and the cooling
function for preventing the slip and maintaining durability at the
time of driving may be simultaneously performed, thereby making it
possible to improve the fuel efficiency and durability of the
transmission 40.
[0123] Further, the valves that are separately installed according
to the related art are removed, and the valve unit 130 operated
depending on the temperature of the transmission oil is formed
integrally with the heat exchanger 100 and is configured so as to
be directly mounted in the transmission 40 to simplify the pipe
layout and decrease the number of components, thereby making it
possible to decrease a cost and a weight and solve a difficulty in
securing a mounting space within an engine compartment.
[0124] Further, response characteristics of valve opening and
closing operations depending on the temperature of the working
fluid are improved, thereby making it possible to more efficiently
control the working fluid and improve entire marketability of the
vehicle.
[0125] Meanwhile, although the case in which the working fluids are
configured of the coolant and the transmission oil has been
described by way of example in describing the heat exchanger 100
for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present
invention, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is,
all of working fluids that need to be cooled or heated through the
heat exchange may be used as the working fluids.
[0126] In addition, although the case in which the plurality of
plates 112 are simply stacked and configured in the accompanying
drawings has been described by way of example in describing the
heat exchanger 100 for a vehicle according to various embodiments
of the present invention, the present invention is not limited
thereto. That is, a cover, a bracket, and the like for preventing
damage to the heat exchanger due to contact with the other
components or fixing the heat exchanger to the other components or
into the engine compartment may be mounted on one surface and the
other surface of the heat exchanger in consideration of mounting of
the heat exchanger.
[0127] For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in
the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner" and
"outer" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments
with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in
the figures.
[0128] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments
of the present invention have been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. They are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments
were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of
the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable
others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, as well as various
alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
* * * * *