U.S. patent application number 15/513149 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-26 for heat exchanger.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mahle International GmbH. Invention is credited to Harald Bronner, Peter Griesheimer, Jonas Kilian, Frank V. Luetzau, Simon Pouwels, Jens Ruckwied.
Application Number | 20170307303 15/513149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55444699 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170307303 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bronner; Harald ; et
al. |
October 26, 2017 |
HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
A heat exchanger, for example a charge-air cooler, may include
at least two bases respectively having a passage for receiving a
plurality of fluid-conducting tubes on a longitudinal end side. The
heat exchanger may include at least one collecting chamber arranged
on at least one of the at least two bases, and at least one lateral
part received via a longitudinal end area at least partially in an
end-side passage of an associated base of the at least two bases.
The longitudinal end area of the at least one lateral part may have
a beam shape and at least one recess. The longitudinal end area of
the at least one lateral part may further have a cross-sectional
surface that is smaller than a cross-sectional surface of the
end-side passage of the associated base.
Inventors: |
Bronner; Harald; (Bad
Liebenzell, DE) ; Kilian; Jonas; (Stuttgart, DE)
; Griesheimer; Peter; (Stuttgart, DE) ; Ruckwied;
Jens; (Stuttgart, DE) ; Luetzau; Frank V.;
(Winnenden, DE) ; Pouwels; Simon; (Stuttgart,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mahle International GmbH |
Stuttgart |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
55444699 |
Appl. No.: |
15/513149 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
September 9, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/070602 |
371 Date: |
March 21, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 7/0016 20130101;
F28F 9/0226 20130101; F28F 13/06 20130101; F28F 9/001 20130101;
F28D 2021/0082 20130101; F28F 2275/08 20130101; F28D 1/05366
20130101; F28F 2275/122 20130101; F28F 1/14 20130101; F28F 1/42
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 1/14 20060101
F28F001/14; F28D 7/00 20060101 F28D007/00; F28F 1/42 20060101
F28F001/42; F28F 13/06 20060101 F28F013/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 22, 2014 |
DE |
10 2014 219 082.7 |
Sep 23, 2014 |
DE |
10 2014 219 210.2 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger, comprising: at least two bases respectively
having a passage for receiving a plurality of fluid-conducting
tubes on a longitudinal end side; at least one collecting chamber
arranged on at least one of the at least two bases; at least one
lateral part received via a longitudinal end area at least
partially in an end-side passage of an associated base of the at
least two bases; and wherein the longitudinal end area of the at
least one lateral part has a beam shape and at least one recess,
and the longitudinal end area has a cross-sectional surface that is
smaller than a cross-sectional surface of the end-side passage of
the associated base, and wherein a predefined material thickness of
the longitudinal end area is smaller in a direction of a
longitudinal extension of the associated base than a height of the
end-side passage.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal end area of the at least one lateral part received by
the end-side passage includes at least one lug.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the at least
one lug has a material thickness such that the at least one lug is
bendable around an axis parallel to a broad side of the end-side
passage.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the at least
one lug in a bent state fixes the at least one collecting chamber
on the at least one base.
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the
longitudinal end area of the at least one lateral part lies against
a broad side of the end-side passage facing a proximal
longitudinal-side end of the associated base, and wherein the at
least one lug is disposed adjacent to the broad side.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal end area of the at least one lateral part includes at
least one of a meandering cross-section, a wave-like cross-section,
a U-shaped cross-section, a L-shaped cross-section and a H-shaped
cross-section.
7. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal end area of the at least one lateral part lies in
certain areas against a plurality of inner surfaces of the end-side
passage.
8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal end area of the at least one lateral part has a
surface lying against the end-side passage that is soldered at
least in certain areas to a corresponding surface of the end-side
passage.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one lateral part includes a central portion disposed between two
longitudinal end areas, the central portion having a
cross-sectional surface that is smaller than the cross-sectional
surface of at least one of the two longitudinal end areas.
10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprising a
circumferential seal disposed in a groove bottom on a longitudinal
side of the associated base and extends on a narrow side between
the passage and the end-side passage.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the
cross-sectional surface of the passage and the end-side passage of
the associated base are identical.
12. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the at least
one collecting chamber has an edge region provided with a recess,
the recess receiving the at least one lateral part via the at least
one lug.
13. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one collecting chamber is secured to the at least one base by
deformation of a fixing element arranged at least in a longitudinal
direction of the at least one base, and wherein the fixing element
includes at least one of a wave-slot flanging and a battlement
connection.
14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein the fixing
element includes a plurality of fixing elements arranged spaced
apart from one another periodically on a base channel and aligned
with one of the passages and an intermediate areas spaced from the
passage.
15. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one collecting chamber is fixed on the at least one base via a
clamp.
16. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one collecting chamber has an edge region provided with a recess,
and the at least one lateral part is received in the recess at
least partially.
17. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the at least
one lateral part includes a central portion disposed between two
longitudinal end areas, and wherein the central portion has a
cross-sectional surface that is smaller than the cross-sectional
surface of at least one of the two longitudinal end areas.
18. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the
longitudinal end area of the at least one lateral part lies against
a broad side of the end-side passage facing a remote
longitudinal-side end of the associated base, and wherein the at
least one lug is disposed adjacent to the broad side.
19. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the at least
one lug secures the at least one collecting chamber and the at
least one base together when the at least one lug is bent.
20. A heat exchanger, comprising: at least two bases respectively
having a passage for receiving a plurality of fluid-conducting
tubes on a longitudinal end side; at least one collecting chamber
arranged on at least one of the at least two bases; at least one
lateral part received via a longitudinal end area at least
partially in an end-side passage of an associated base of the at
least two bases; at least one lug disposed on the longitudinal end
area of the at least one lateral part received by the end-side
passage; and wherein the longitudinal end area of the at least one
lateral part has a beam shape and at least one recess, and the
longitudinal end area has a cross-sectional surface that is smaller
than a cross-sectional surface of the end-side passage of the
associated base, and wherein a predefined material thickness of the
longitudinal end area is smaller in a longitudinal direction of the
associated base than a height of the end-side passage.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to German Patent
Application No. 10 2014 219 082.7 filed on Sep. 22, 2014, German
Patent Application No. 10 2014 219 210.2 filed on Sep. 23, 2014,
and International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2015/070602 filed on
Sep. 9, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirely.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, in
particular a charge air cooler.
BACKGROUND
[0003] From EP 2 498 040 A2 a heat exchanger with two bases is
known, which respectively have passages for receiving, on the
longitudinal end sides, fluid-conducting in particular
coolant-conducting, tubes. On the two bases respectively a
collecting chamber is arranged. Two lateral parts are also
provided, which are received, with their respective longitudinal
end areas, at least partially in respective end-side passages of
the bases.
[0004] From DE 10 2007 025 878 A1 a further heat exchanger is
known, consisting of a block having tubes and ribs, and at least
one base having passages, wherein the tubes have tube ends which
are able to be received in the passages and form tube/base
connections with the base, which are at least partially reinforced
by an additional sheet metal part. The sheet metal part has
insertion openings for the tube ends and is arranged on the side of
the base facing the block. Hereby, the base and the tube/base
connections are to be relieved in a simple and favourably priced
manner, in order to be able to guarantee the tightness even in the
case of more intensive stresses.
[0005] Basically, there are two different embodiments for a base in
heat exchangers for an application in the automotive field. In the
first embodiment, the base has a circumferential channel, in which
a seal lies. In this embodiment, an associated lateral part is
directed through an end-side passage, which differs in its
configuration or respectively its dimensions from the other
passages provided for the flat tubes. As a consequence of this,
however, it results that for each heat exchanger with a different
number of flat tubes, a new punching tool has to be provided for
the production of the base, which is expensive and laborious. In
the second embodiment, the base is produced as material sold by the
metre, which enables a high flexibility with regard to different
sizes of heat exchangers. In this embodiment, all the passages in
the base are embodied identically, which requires that the lateral
part must be inserted through a passage, through which also the
flat tubes could be inserted. For this reason, the lateral part has
the same dimensions as the flat tubes, which results, however, in
comparatively thick and therefore also heavy and expensive lateral
parts.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is therefore concerned with the
problem of indicating for a heat exchanger of the generic type an
improved or at least alternative embodiment, which permits a
favourably priced, light and, at the same time, flexible
production.
[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the
subject of the independent claim(s). Advantageous embodiments are
the subject of the dependent claims.
[0008] The present invention is based on the general idea of
constructing a longitudinal end area of the lateral part of a heat
exchanger no longer as a solid profile, but rather of providing it
with recesses, so that on the one hand a base produced in a
favourably priced manner as material sold by the metre can be used,
but on the other hand also for larger passages, i.e. larger flat
tubes, a comparatively light and nevertheless stable lateral part
can be used. The heat exchanger according to the invention, which
can be constructed for example as a charge air cooler, has two
bases, which respectively have passages for receiving, on the
longitudinal end sides, fluid-conducting tubes, in particular
coolant-conducting flat tubes. At least one collecting chamber is
also provided, which is arranged on one of the bases or
respectively is connected therewith. The said lateral parts form a
lateral termination of the heat exchanger, which lateral parts are
respectively received with a longitudinal end area at least
partially in an end-side passage of the associated base. According
to the invention, this longitudinal end area of the lateral part is
now formed in the shape of a beam and has at least one recess,
whereby a cross-sectional surface of the longitudinal end area is
smaller than a cross-sectional surface of the associated end-side
passage, and wherein a maximum material thickness of the
longitudinal end area is smaller in the direction of the
longitudinal extension of the base than the height of the end-side
passage, also viewed in longitudinal extension of the base. Hereby,
it is possible to produce a comparatively light--as it is
distinctly more delicate--lateral part with an equally great
bending stiffness, which at the same time is also suitable for heat
exchangers with large tube heights. Through the recess provided at
least in the area on the longitudinal end side, a considerable
saving of material and therefore also a considerable reduction in
cost and weight can be achieved compared to a rectangular solid
profile. A further advantage results from the fact that no separate
end-side passages have to be produced on the respective base with a
smaller cross-section than the other passages, so that a continuous
base can be used.
[0009] In an advantageous further development of the solution
according to the invention, the longitudinal end area of the
lateral part, received by the end-side passage, has at least one
lug projecting in longitudinal direction. This lug can form, for
example, an integral component of the lateral part and has,
furthermore, preferably the same material thickness or respectively
material strength as the lateral part itself. Through a simple
bending of the lug with the lateral part inserted in the end-side
passage, in addition the collecting chamber can be connected
comparatively simply to the base or respectively can be pressed
against the latter. As a seal usually runs between the collecting
chamber and the base, the lugs can be used in addition for
producing the sealing effect. Of course, the lugs or respectively
the at least one lug have here a material thickness which allows
the lug to be bent around an axis parallel to the width of the
passage.
[0010] Expediently, the longitudinal end area of the lateral part
has a meandering, wave-like, U-shaped, L-shaped or H-shaped
cross-section. This non-conclusive list already outlines what
diverse embodiments are possible for the cross-section profile of
the lateral part. Here, the cross-sectional shape can be maintained
continuously over the entire longitudinal extension of the lateral
part, or else a central portion can also be provided, which has a
different cross-section profile than the longitudinal end areas of
the lateral part. In the most favourable case, i.e. therefore for
example with a constant cross-section profile, the lateral part can
also be constructed as an extruded section. Purely theoretically,
however, it is course also conceivable that the lateral part has a
central portion between the two longitudinal end areas, the
cross-sectional surface of which is smaller than the
cross-sectional surface at least of one of the lateral longitudinal
end areas. It is also possible to compose the lateral part from
three separate individual parts, wherein these three individual
parts are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner.
Through, for example, the meandering and/or wave-like or H-shaped
cross-section, furthermore a lateral part with a comparatively high
bending stiffness can be produced in a simple manner.
[0011] In an advantageous further development of the solution
according to the invention, the cross-sectional surfaces and the
contours of all passages, i.e. also of the end-side passages of a
base are the same, i.e. identical. Hereby, a particularly simple,
high-quality and favourably priced series production of the base as
endless base is possible, whereby heat exchangers of different size
are able to be produced in a simple manner through different
cutting to length of the base.
[0012] Further important features and advantages of the invention
will emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the
associated figure description with the aid of the drawings.
[0013] It shall be understood that the features mentioned above and
to be explained further below are able to be used not only in the
respectively indicated combination, but also in other combinations
or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0014] Preferred example embodiments of the invention are
illustrated in the drawings and are explained further in the
following description, wherein the same reference numbers refer to
identical or similar of functionally identical components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] There are shown, respectively diagrammatically,
[0016] FIG. 1 a heat exchanger according to the invention, in a
side view,
[0017] FIG. 2 different views onto a heat exchanger according to
the invention in the region of a lateral part inserted into an
end-side passage of a base, with inserted seal,
[0018] FIG. 3 a base configured as a continuous base,
[0019] FIG. 4 a detail view of FIG. 1 with lateral part inserted in
the end-side passage and with bent lugs,
[0020] FIG. 5 a view onto a heat exchanger according to the
invention with lugs not yet bent, on a longitudinal side,
[0021] FIG. 6 a heat exchanger, in which the lugs on the lateral
part side are arranged offset by half a pitch to the passages,
[0022] FIG. 7 a view onto a longitudinal side of the base with
local deformations for fixing the collecting chamber on the
base,
[0023] FIG. 8 a sectional illustration through the heat exchanger
in the region of the base and of the collecting chamber with a
clamp for fixing the collecting chamber on the base,
[0024] FIG. 9 a detail illustration of the connecting area between
base and tubes with a stop,
[0025] FIG. 10 a lateral part with lugs and additional extensions
for positioning the collecting chamber,
[0026] FIG. 11 a detail illustration onto a lateral part with
different portions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] According to FIGS. 1 to 7 and 9 to 11, a heat exchanger 1
according to the invention, which can be constructed for example as
a charge air cooler or as a coolant cooler, has two bases 2, of
which often however only a single one is illustrated in the
figures. Each of these bases 2 has passages 3 for the end-side
receiving of fluid-conducting tubes 4, for example flat tubes. A
collecting chamber 5 (cf. FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 11) is likewise
provided, which is arranged on one of the bases 2. The base 2 with
the associated collecting chamber 5 forms here a collector, for
example for refrigerant or coolant. A lateral part 6 is also
provided, normally of course two lateral parts 6, which are
received respectively with a longitudinal end area 7 at least
partially in an end-side passage 8 of the associated base 2.
Usually, the last passage of the base 2 in longitudinal direction
is regarded here as end-side passage 8. According to the invention,
the longitudinal end area 7 of the lateral part 6 is formed in the
shape of a beam and has at least one recess 9, so that a
cross-sectional surface of the longitudinal end area 7 is smaller
than a cross-sectional surface of the associated end-side passage
8. A maximum material thickness s (cf. FIG. 2) of the longitudinal
end area 7 is smaller here in the direction of the longitudinal
extension 10 of the base 2 than the height h of the end-side
passage 8. Hereby, it is possible for the first time to construct
the lateral part 6 on the one hand so as to be comparatively light
and on the other hand so as to be comparatively rigid, and at the
same time to use continuous bases as bases 2 which with regard to
their manufacture are able to be produced in a simple and
favourably priced manner. In the case of bases hitherto, it was
necessary in particular in the case of large heat exchangers with
comparatively large tubes 4, to either provide smaller end-side
passages 8 for the lateral parts 6, which was laborious with regard
to manufacture, because separate punching tools were necessary, or
else to use comparatively large and therefore also heavy and
expensive lateral parts 6, which were able to be used with
identical passages 3, 8.
[0028] Observing, furthermore, FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10 and 11, it
can be seen that the longitudinal end area 7 of the lateral part 6,
received by the end-side passage 8, has at least one lug 11. This
lug 11 has a material thickness which allows the lug 11 to be bent
around an axis 12 parallel to the broad side 15 of the passage 8,
and to fasten the collecting chamber 4 to the base 2 by means of
it.
[0029] The longitudinal end area 7 of the lateral part 6 can have
here a meandering or respectively wave-like cross-section, as is
illustrated for example according to FIGS. 2, 6 and 10, wherein of
course also U-shaped, L-shaped or H-shaped cross-sections are
conceivable. All these cross-sections have here the great advantage
on the one hand of being comparatively light and requiring little
material for a comparatively high bending stiffness. The lugs 11
arranged on the longitudinal end area 7 preferably have a uniform
material thickness with respect to the material thickness s of the
longitudinal end area 7, wherein the longitudinal end area 7 of the
lateral part 6 and/or the lug 11 formed on the longitudinal end
area 7 have/has in cross-section a uniform material thickness s.
The collector is sealed by a seal 13 (cf. FIG. 2), which circulates
on the base (2) and extends on the longitudinal side in a groove
bottom of the base (2) and on the narrow side runs between two
passages (3, 8). With the lateral part 6 according to the invention
it is possible, furthermore, to manufacture the base 2 with
identical passages 3, 8 and thereby to produce it as a continuous
base which is able to be produced at a favourable cost.
[0030] The lateral part 6 is formed in a punching- and/or stamping
process so that in assembled state at least one outer side lies
against an inner side of the end-side passage 8 and can be tightly
connected therewith, soldered for example. Observing FIG. 2, it can
be seen for example that the longitudinal end area 7 of the lateral
part 6 lies against the broad side 14 of the passage 8 facing the
nearest longitudinal-side end of the base 2, wherein the lug 11 is
formed adjacent to this broad side 14. Purely theoretically, the
longitudinal end area 7 of the lateral part 6 can of course also
lie against a broad side 15 of the passage 8 facing the remote
longitudinal-side end of the base 2, wherein the lug 11 is then
formed adjacent to this broad side 15. Such an embodiment is,
however, not illustrated in the drawings.
[0031] From FIGS. 2 and 6 and 10 it can be seen, furthermore, that
the longitudinal end area 7 of the lateral part 6 lies against all
four inner surfaces of the end-side passage 8 in certain areas or
respectively repetitively in sections, which contributes to a
particularly high stiffening.
[0032] For fixing the collecting chamber 5 on the base 2, the lugs
11 can be bent around an edge thereof, wherein alternatively
provision can also be made that on the collecting chamber 5 an edge
region is provided with a recess 16 (cf. FIG. 7), in which the
lateral part 6, in particular the lug 11 of the lateral part 6, is
at least partially received. The collecting chamber 5 can,
furthermore, be fastened on the base 2 by a wave-slot flanging (see
FIG. 4), battlement connection 21 (see FIG. 6, 9) or crimp
connection 22 (see FIG. 8) by deforming of fixing means arranged at
least in longitudinal direction of the base 2. The fixing means
themselves can be arranged spaced periodically apart from one
another here on a base channel and can either be aligned with the
passages 3 or with the intermediate regions between the passages 3.
Of course, the collecting chamber 5 can also be fixed on the base 2
by means of a clamp 17 (cf. FIG. 8).
[0033] Observing FIG. 9, it can be seen that the lateral part 6 has
at least partially in the region of the network an altered shape
compared to the part of the lateral part 6 situated in the passage
6, to the effect that the altered shape forms a stop 18 for the
base 2 and hereby in the joined state the distance between base 2
and stop 18 is less than or equal to 1 mm. The lateral part 6
alongside the lug 11 can have an extension 19 (cf. FIG. 10) for
positioning the lateral part 6, which is placed around at least
partially contrary to the bending direction of the lug 11 and
hereby forms on the rear side of the base 2 a fixing of the lateral
part 6 with respect to the base 2 in longitudinal direction.
[0034] Generally, the lateral part 6 can be constructed in one part
and in particular also in one piece, in particular as an extruded
section, so that the longitudinal end areas 7 are constructed
identically to a central portion 20, wherein of course it is also
conceivable that the central portion 20 has a different
cross-section, as is illustrated for example according to FIGS. 1
and 11, wherein the cross-sectional surface of the central portion
20 is smaller than the cross-sectional surface at least of one of
the lateral end areas 7, whereby again a saving of material and
therefore also a saving of weight can be achieved. In this case,
provision can be made that the lateral part 6 is embodied in
several parts, wherein the two longitudinal end areas 7 are
connected in a materially bonded manner with the central portion
20, for example are soldered or welded.
[0035] Several advantages can be achieved with the heat exchanger 1
according to the invention: [0036] The lateral part 6 can be
embodied overall so as to be lighter but nevertheless with the same
bending stiffness, and in this manner can also be used in bases 2
with identical passages 3, 8, so that the bases 2 can be
manufactured as favourably priced continuous bases, [0037] through
the special shaping of the lateral part 6 in the region of the
end-side passage 8, an improved support of the corner tube (the
tube 4 nearest to the lateral part 6) against bending can take
place, whereby a reduction of the tension in the base region of the
corner tubes can be brought about, [0038] the lateral part 6 can,
furthermore, be embodied in several parts, which enables
longitudinal expansion portions, which are necessary for the
equalization of the temperature expansion, to be dispensed
with.
* * * * *