DE102012217870A1 - Heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

Heat exchanger (1) with a first collecting box (2, 3, 20) and a second collecting box (3, 2, 20), with at least one tube (6, 21) arranged between the two collecting boxes (2, 3, 20), wherein a fluid inlet (4) and a fluid outlet (5) are provided, which are arranged individually on a respective one of the collecting boxes (3, 2, 20) or on a single one of the collecting boxes (3, 2, 20), wherein the tube (6, 21) is received in one of the collecting boxes (2, 3, 20) at the end in an opening (7, 23) and is in fluid communication with the collecting boxes (2, 3, 20), characterized in that the opening (7, 23 ) is surrounded by an opening edge (28) whose contour corresponds to the outer contour of the tube (6, 21) and that the opening is formed such that the opening cross-section to the interior of the collecting box (2, 3, 20) tapers and the tube (6, 21) circumferentially under bias in the opening (7, 23) can be inserted.

Description

Technical area

Heat exchanger having a first header and a second header, with at least one tube arranged between the two header boxes, wherein a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are provided, which are individually arranged on each one of the header boxes or on a single one of the header boxes, the tube end in each one of the collecting tanks is received in an opening and is in fluid communication with the collecting tanks.

State of the art

In electric vehicles, energy storage devices are used to operate an electric motor. Rechargeable batteries based on lithium ions or nickel-metal hybrid batteries are often used as energy stores. Alternatively, high-performance capacitors also use so-called super-caps.

In all the above energy storage occurs during operation, especially during fast charging and discharging the energy storage, to a strong heat.

However, temperatures of around 50 ° C and more can damage the energy storage devices and significantly reduce their service life. Similarly, too low temperatures sustainably damage energy storage.

In order to maintain the performance of the energy storage, they must therefore be actively tempered. Here, the proportions of cooling outweigh significantly. The cooling can be done for example by the introduction of fluid-flow heat exchangers. The heat exchangers are solutions according to the prior art often fluid-flow elements having one or more fluid channels between two flat cover plates, which are traversed by a fluid.

Advantageously, all cells of the energy storage are kept at a uniform temperature level. Likewise, strong temperature gradients within the cells should be avoided.

The plates of the heat exchanger can be traversed by a cold fluid in the case of cooling, but for the purpose of heating, they can also be flowed through by a warm fluid.

In order to achieve the highest possible energy efficiency, a weight-optimized construction is advantageous, especially in electric vehicles.

In the prior art solutions are described which use heat exchangers made of metallic materials. Such a solution, for example, discloses the utility model DE 20 2012 102 349 U1 ,

A disadvantage of the solutions according to the prior art is in particular that the heat exchangers are often built entirely of aluminum. These are significantly heavier compared to plastic or a mixture of aluminum and plastic. In addition, the assembly effort is higher in a made entirely of metallic materials heat exchanger.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, OBJECT, SOLUTION, ADVANTAGES Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger which has a weight-optimized design and whose manufacture is simple and low-profile.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a heat exchanger with the features of claim 1.

An embodiment of the invention relates to a heat exchanger having a first header and a second header, with at least one arranged between the two header tubes, wherein a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are provided, which are arranged individually on each one of the headers or on a single of the headers wherein the tube is end-to-end received in each of the header boxes in an opening and is in fluid communication with the header boxes, the opening being surrounded by an opening edge whose contour corresponds to the outer contour of the tube, and wherein the opening is formed so that the Opening cross-section tapers toward the interior of the header and the tube is circumferentially inserted under bias in the opening.

Through the heat exchanger, a fluid flow through which, depending on the temperature of the fluid relative to the environment, a cooling or heating can be achieved. For this purpose, the pipes must be connected fluid-tight with the collecting tanks. Due to the configuration of the opening with a smaller opening cross-section relative to the width of the tube, an interference fit is created between the tube and the collecting box, whereby the tube is fixed in a fluid-tight manner in the collecting box.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the tube is designed as a flat tube.

It is also preferable if the inner contour of the opening is deformable by the insertion of the tube.

Due to the deformation, which is generated by the insertion of the tube forces act on the tube, which fix it in the collecting box. These forces are caused by the forced deformation of the material of the collecting tanks. The more the material resists deformation, or the greater the amount of material that is deformed by the insertion, the greater the forces acting on the tube.

A heat exchanger with plug-in pipes, which are fixed by a compression in the collecting box, is particularly easy to manufacture. In addition, the number of post-processing steps compared to a conventional heat exchanger is significantly reduced.

According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that in the assembled state, between the pipe and the opening edge, a groove accessible from outside the collecting tank is formed.

The resulting between the pipe and the opening edge of the header box serves to receive, for example, an adhesive. The resulting groove is outwardly away from the collecting box, open, so that from there an adhesive can be introduced into the groove. The groove is formed completely circumferentially around the tube.

In this way, in addition to the compression, the tube may be fixed by an adhesive in its position within the header boxes. The adhesive is thereby isolated from the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger. This is particularly advantageous because the adhesive does not have to be designed against any corrosive properties of the fluid.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the tube and the collecting boxes are glued together and / or welded and / or pressed and / or umspritzbar.

The tube is already fixed by inserting into the openings of the manifolds, which must be done with the application of a certain insertion force in the collection box via a press. In addition, the pipe can also be welded into the collecting box or glued to it. The choice of the connecting means is to be made, for example, depending on the material pairing present.

Furthermore, it may be expedient if at least one of the collecting boxes is designed in several parts, and has a box opening, which can be fired by a lid, and a tube plate having at least one opening for receiving a tube, wherein the box opening is arranged opposite the tube sheet.

A multi-part collection box is much easier to produce using injection molding, as a complex-shaped, one-piece executed collection box.

In a particularly favorable embodiment, it can be provided that the heat exchanger has a plurality of mutually parallel spaced tubes.

By a plurality of tubes, the surface over which heat is transferred from the heat exchanger, can be significantly increased. In addition, can be realized by the arrangement of a plurality of tubes, a flow in which the fluid flows through a portion of the tubes from the first to the second collection box and is deflected in the second collection box so that it by another part of the tubes back into the first collection box flowing back. Such a flow causes the fluid is exposed to a longer contact time with the heat transfer surfaces within the heat exchanger.

Moreover, it may be advantageous if the tubes lie in a common plane and / or are offset from one another in several planes.

For example, the tubes can lie parallel to one another in a plane parallel to one another, so that the central axis of the tubes running along the throughflow direction lies on a common plane. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the center axes of a part of the tubes lie on a common plane and the center axes of another part on a different plane. Advantageously, all tubes are parallel to each other, regardless of which plane they are assigned.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is advantageous if the tubes are connected to each other by a flat plate.

Connected with each other in this context means both mechanically connected to each other, as well as thermally.

The arrangement of the tubes in a common plane, the individual tubes can be particularly easily connected to a sheet-like plate, such as a good heat-conducting plate, for example, aluminum. This significantly increases the area over which heat can be transferred.

Also tubes in different planes can be connected to each other with a corresponding design of the sheet to increase the heat transfer surface.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are arranged on the same collection box, this collection box having a partition dividing the inner volume of the header into two chambers and the fluid inlet in fluid communication with one of the chambers and the fluid outlet with the other chamber in fluid communication.

The arrangement of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet in only one collecting tank and furthermore the separation of the internal volume of this collecting tank into two chambers, the heat exchanger can be flowed through as follows. The fluid flows via the fluid inlet into the first chamber of the first header tank and from there via a portion of the tubes into the second header box. The second collection box has no partition wall and serves for the deflection of the fluid in the other part of the tubes. Through this, the fluid flows back into the second chamber of the first header and out through the fluid outlet from the heat exchanger.

Advantageous developments of the present invention are described in the subclaims and the following description of the figures.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following the invention will be explained in detail by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings show:

1 a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the invention, with two opposing manifolds and intermediate flat tubes, which are accommodated in each end of one of the manifolds,

2 a detailed view of the collecting tank having the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, wherein the collecting box is made of several parts and is shown in its individual parts, and

3 a detailed view of the opening in one of the manifolds, in each of which a flat tube is inserted.

Preferred embodiment of the invention.

The 1 shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger 1 , The heat exchanger 1 consists essentially of a variety of flat tubes 6 as well as two collection boxes 2 . 3 which each have a plurality of openings 7 in which the flat tubes 6 are plugged in. The flat tubes 6 stand with the collection boxes 2 . 3 in fluid communication.

The in 1 collection box shown 3 also has a fluid inlet 4 and a fluid outlet 5 on. Via the fluid inlet 4 and the fluid outlet 5 is the heat exchanger 1 with a fluid circuit in fluid communication.

The in 1 shown heat exchanger 1 has a U-flow principle. The fluid passes over the fluid inlet 4 in the collection box 3 a, flows through a portion of the flat tubes 6 and enters the collection box 2 above. There it is distributed over the entire width of the collecting tank 2 and flows over the remaining flat tubes 6 back to the collection box 3 and through the fluid outlet 5 from the heat exchanger 1 out. To enable this flow principle, has the collecting tank 3 in its interior a in 1 not shown partition, which the collection box 3 divided into a left and a right chamber. More details on this structure follows in the other figures.

In the 1 shown flat tubes 6 essentially have two large opposing surfaces. These large areas are in the case of 1 directed upwards and downwards. The two big faces of the flat tubes 6 are each connected to each other over short areas. Alternative to the flat tubes shown here 6 The use of conventional tubes with round or rectangular cross sections is also foreseeable.

In addition, the number of flat tubes 6 equally variable. In the case of a U-flowed heat exchanger 1 are at least two flat tubes 6 to provide at least one Hinströmweg between the headers 3 and 2 and a return flow path between the header boxes 2 and 3 to build. In the case of an I-flowed heat exchanger 1 would each one of the headers 2 . 3 a fluid inlet and the other having the fluid outlet. In this case, a single flat tube would be sufficient.

The flat tubes 6 of the heat exchanger 1 are all arranged in a common plane. That is, the upward-facing large area of the flat tubes lies in a plane with the respective adjacent flat tubes 6 of the heat exchanger 1 , whereby on identical flat tubes 6 also the lower large surface of the flat tubes 6 lies in one plane. In alternative embodiments, an offset of the flat tubes in different planes is also providable.

The flat tubes lying in a plane 6 of the heat exchanger 1 have a plate 8th on, which on the flat tubes 6 is applied and the adjacent flat tubes 6 connects with each other. This plate 8th essentially serves to provide a flat and closed contact surface to be cooled or heated components better to the heat exchanger 1 to be able to connect.

The wider the individual flat tubes 6 and the smaller the distance between the individual flat tubes 6 is, the less is such a plate 8th required. In order not to obstruct the thermal heat transfer as possible, it is advantageous the plate 8th to be made of a highly heat-conductive material, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Likewise, it is beneficial to the plate 8th as close as possible to the flat tubes 6 To connect to any unnecessary air cushion between the flat tubes 6 and the plate 8th to create, which would represent an isolation layer.

The collection boxes 2 . 3 can be made of both a thermally highly conductive material, such as a metallic material or of a plastic or a fiber-reinforced plastic.

The flat tubes 6 are advantageously made of a good thermal conductive material, such as aluminum. The execution of the flat tubes 6 however, is not limited to this material. Alternatively, an embodiment of the flat tubes made of a plastic is providable.

The fluid inlet 4 and the fluid outlet 5 are at the collection box 3 arranged so that they are upwards from the collecting box 3 face away. This illustration is merely an example of the fluid inlet 4 and the fluid outlet 5 and is in no way to be considered as limiting. The arrangement of the fluid inlet or fluid outlet 4 . 5 on another side surface of the collecting tank 3 is also predictable. Also, the arrangement of the fluid inlet or fluid outlet on the opposite collection box 2 providable or the distribution of a fluid inlet on one of the two header boxes and the fluid outlet on the other of the headers.

By such an arrangement of the fluid inlet or fluid outlet of the heat exchanger would flow through either with an I-flow or in the event that a plurality of partitions are arranged within the manifolds, in a multi-deflected flow.

The 2 shows a detailed view of the collecting tank 3 of the heat exchanger 1 as he is already in the 1 was shown. It is particularly good to see that the collection box 3 is constructed in several parts and consists of a basic body 14 which consists of a lid 10 is completed laterally. The main body 14 has both the fluid inlet 4 as well as the fluid outlet 5 on. The inner volume 15 of the basic body 14 is from a partition 13 in two chambers 11 . 12 divided. The chamber 11 is in the in 2 shown embodiment in fluid communication with the fluid inlet 4 , The second chamber 12 stands with the fluid outlet 5 in fluid communication.

The main body 14 is essentially formed by a five-sided closed and unilaterally open box. The open side, which over the lid 10 is closable, lies opposite the side which the openings 7 has, in which the flat tubes 5 are plugged in.

The production of the collecting tank 3 in a multi-part design is therefore particularly advantageous because the individual components are easier to produce by, for example, an injection molding technique. The connection of the main body 14 with the lid 10 is possible by using a welding process. Ideally, both the main body 14 as well as the lid 10 are made of the same material, this application of a welding process is particularly advantageous.

In alternative embodiments, as already described for the description of 1 indicated, also a subdivision of a collection box in more than two chambers conceivable. By subdividing the collecting tank into more than two chambers, it would be feasible for the fluid to be reused several times within the heat exchanger 1 is diverted. This would cause the fluid to travel an overall longer flow path within the heat exchanger. This can be advantageous in particular for increasing the heat transfer.

The both in 1 as well as in 2 shown plate 8th , serves to provide a closed planar contact surface to be cooled or heated components to the heat exchanger 1 to tie. Another advantage of the plate 8th is that the plate 8th already be subjected before an assembly process, for example, with an electrically insulating coating or a film can, for example, the emergence of short circuits between the components to be cooled or to be heated and the heat exchanger 1 prevented.

An already before the assembly process coating the plate 8th simplifies the installation of the heat exchanger 1 considerably and thus contributes to a cost reduction of the manufacturing process.

A particular advantage of a heat exchanger 1 as in the 1 and 2 is shown that by a corresponding variation in the length of the flat tubes 6 the overall length of the heat exchanger 1 is easily customizable at any time. This ensures that the basic design of the heat exchanger 1 different sized components can be cooled or heated without the construction of the heat exchanger 1 fundamentally change.

The 3 shows a detailed view of the junction between a flat tube 21 and a collection box 20 , This in 3 shown flat tube 21 is in its interior in several chambers 22 divided. The flat tube 21 also has two substantially opposite large surfaces, which are laterally interconnected by two short surfaces. The two big surfaces of the flat tube 21 lie parallel to the top or bottom of the header tank 20 ,

The collection box 20 points for each flat tube 21 one opening each 23 on. This opening 23 has an opening edge 28 on, which is tapered. The opening cross section of the opening 23 tapers viewed from the outer edge 27 of the collecting tank 20 towards the interior volume 26 of the collecting tank 20 , Here is the opening 23 dimensioned so that the clear width of the opening cross-section of the opening 23 in comparison to the width of the Außenkontor of the tube 21 is lower.

This causes the flat tube 21 only with a certain force in the opening 23 of the collecting tank 20 is insertable. Due to the smaller opening cross-section of the openings 23 in comparison to the cross section of the flat tube 21 when inserting into the opening 23 a deformation of the collecting tank 20 instead of. As a result of such deformation, forces arise on the outer surfaces of the flat tube 21 work and this in the opening 23 of the collecting tank 20 fix.

In the 3 are denoted by the reference numeral 25 two areas shown, each by the insertion of the flat tube 21 be deformed. The with the reference number 25 shown areas form the location of the smallest opening cross-section of the openings 23 , At the same time they form the clear width of the openings 23 , They are through the flat tube 21 deformed and displaced.

This deformed areas 25 which is in the 3 on the top and bottom of the flat tube 21 is shown, ideally runs around the entire circumference of the openings 23 to provide a total fluid-tight connection between the flat tube 21 and to create the collection box.

Due to the conical design of the opening edge 28 arises between the flat tube 21 and the collection box 20 a groove 29 which is in 3 assumes a triangular basic form. This groove 29 is open to the outside away from the collection box.

The groove 29 , which revolves around the entire flat tube 21 arises, for example, serves to receive an adhesive 24 , The flat tube 21 can do so in addition to the compression in the opening 23 with an adhesive 24 at the collecting box 20 be fixed. It is advantageous in particular that the adhesive 24 effective from contact with the fluid which is within the flat tube 21 or the collecting box 20 flows, is isolated. That way, the glue needs 24 not against any corrosive effects of the fluid or other deleterious effects of the fluid on the adhesive 24 be interpreted.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202012102349 U1 [0009]

Claims (10)

Heat exchanger ( 1 ) with a first collection box ( 2 . 3 . 20 ) and a second collection box ( 3 . 2 . 20 ), with at least one between the two collecting tanks ( 2 . 3 . 20 ) arranged tube ( 6 . 21 ), wherein a fluid inlet ( 4 ) and a fluid outlet ( 5 ) provided individually on each one of the collecting boxes ( 3 . 2 . 20 ) or at a single one of the collecting boxes ( 3 . 2 . 20 ) are arranged, wherein the tube ( 6 . 21 ) end in each one of the collecting boxes ( 2 . 3 . 20 ) in an opening ( 7 . 23 ) and with the collecting boxes ( 2 . 3 . 20 ) is in fluid communication, characterized in that the opening ( 7 . 23 ) from an opening edge ( 28 ) is surrounded, whose contour of the outer contour of the tube ( 6 . 21 ) and that the opening is formed such that the opening cross-section to the interior of the collecting tank ( 2 . 3 . 20 ) tapers and the pipe ( 6 . 21 ) circumferentially under bias in the opening ( 7 . 23 ) can be used. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube is designed as a flat tube. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner contour of the opening ( 7 . 23 ) by the insertion of the tube ( 6 . 21 ) is deformable. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the assembled state between the pipe ( 6 . 21 ) and the opening edge ( 28 ) one from outside the collecting tank ( 2 . 3 . 20 ) accessible groove ( 29 ) is trained. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube ( 6 . 21 ) and the collection boxes ( 2 . 3 . 20 ) can be glued together and / or welded and / or pressed and / or umspritzbar. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the collecting boxes ( 3 . 20 ) is made in several parts, and has a box opening through a lid ( 10 ) is closable, and a tube plate with at least one opening ( 7 . 23 ) for receiving a pipe ( 6 . 21 ), wherein the box opening is arranged opposite the tube bottom. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger ( 1 ) a plurality of mutually parallel spaced tubes ( 6 . 21 ) having. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the tubes ( 6 . 21 ) lie in a common plane and / or offset from each other in several levels. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that on the tubes ( 6 . 21 ) a flat plate ( 8th ), by which they are connected with each other. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid inlet ( 4 ) and the fluid outlet ( 5 ) at the same collection box ( 3 ) are arranged, this collecting box ( 3 ) a partition wall ( 13 ) having the internal volume ( 15 ) of the collecting tank ( 3 ) in two chambers ( 11 . 12 ) and the fluid inlet ( 4 ) with one of the chambers ( 11 ) is in fluid communication and the fluid outlet ( 5 ) with the other chamber ( 12 ) is in fluid communication.

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