DE102013109153A1 - Extruded automotive heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle heat exchanger (1) comprising a housing (2) in which two channels (3a, 3b) are formed, for the passage and heat exchange of two fluids (13, 14), wherein at the ends (5) of the housing (2) in each case a front plate (6) is arranged, wherein the heat exchanger (1) is characterized in that the housing (2) is formed as a one-piece light metal extruded component, wherein parallel spaced apart surface channels (3a, 3b, 3c) in the longitudinal direction of the housing (2) run.

Description

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle heat exchanger comprising a housing according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

From the prior art it is known to use internal combustion engines in motor vehicles for generating kinetic energy. Here, the chemical energy contained in the fuel is converted into mechanical energy. The combustion process is subject to the ideal Carnot process, which is why the efficiency of energy conversion is limited to a maximum of 40%. This means that a maximum of 40% of the energy contained in the fuel can be converted into kinetic energy and the remaining energy is dissipated to the environment in the form of the heat generated during the combustion process.

In order to protect the mechanical components of the internal combustion engine, which are usually made of metallic materials, from mechanical damage due to high temperature influences, motor vehicle heat exchangers are used, which are used for example with the aid of cooling media such as cooling water in a cooling circuit such that they are used in conjunction with the Provide the airstream with a cooling medium.

It is also known from the prior art to regulate the lubricants used in the internal combustion engine in the form of engine oil by means of cooling media to an operating temperature and to cool significantly. In addition, automotive heat exchangers are also used in charging processes, so that charge air, which is supplied to the internal combustion engine in a compressed form, is cooled or motor vehicle heat exchangers are used for cooling the exhaust gas.

For this purpose, automotive heat exchangers of various designs are known from the prior art. In most cases, these are made of a metallic material, wherein the individual component components are usually joined together by means of soldering operations. For example, is from the EP 0 751 364 B1 a plate heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, which is made of a stack of heat exchanger plates to form separate flow channels for the heat exchanging media. For this purpose, the individual plates are interconnected and joined together by joining technique.

Another plate heat exchanger is for example from the DE 10 2009 041 524 A1 known, wherein individual heat exchanger plates are made as deep-drawn sheet metal parts and stacked to form channels and joined together.

A disadvantage of such known plate heat exchangers is that they are susceptible to leakage over the period of use, in particular due to the different thermal effects of up to -30 ° C or even 40 ° C outside temperature and up to 100 ° C or even 200 ° C operating temperature or but to produce a longer life are very expensive to produce.

Object of the present invention is, starting from the above prior art, to provide a motor vehicle heat exchanger, which is particularly simple and inexpensive to produce, allows a high heat transfer between the individual fluids and at the same time is robust and durable.

The aforementioned object is achieved with a motor vehicle heat exchanger with the features in claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The motor vehicle heat exchanger has a housing in which at least two channels are formed for passage and heat exchange of two fluids, wherein at the ends of the housing in each case a front plate is arranged. The motor vehicle heat exchanger according to the invention is characterized in that the housing is formed as a one-piece light metal extruded component, wherein parallel spaced from each other in the housing surface channels extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

In the context of the invention thus at least two channels are formed in the housing of the motor vehicle heat exchanger for the passage of two mutually different fluids. Thus, it is possible to provide, for example, an oil / air or even an oil / coolant liquid vehicle heat exchanger with the structure according to the invention. In this case, a first fluid is passed through the first channel and a second fluid through the second channel such that in the housing of the motor vehicle heat exchanger can be operated in the DC principle or in countercurrent principle.

Preferably, the housing is rectangular in cross-section, in particular square, each planar channels arranged in parallel spaced one above the other in the housing, in particular stacked. Through a respective channel then a first fluid is passed through and the channel adjacent to the first channel, the second fluid, so that takes place on a wall between the two channels, a heat transfer of the first fluid and the second fluid.

In particular, the motor vehicle heat exchanger is formed from an aluminum alloy, wherein the housing can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively, but at the same time robust and with good heat conduction in extruded construction. Thus, the housing is made endless with each located therein two-dimensional channels as an extruded component and cut to the desired lengths such that each, thus produced housing are formed by arranged at the ends of the housing end plates as a heat exchanger. By this construction according to the invention eliminates the resulting between the individual heat exchanger plates of a plate heat exchanger joining points in the form of solder joints or welds, which is why leaks due to different thermal expansion or faulty seams are largely avoided.

At the same time a particularly good heat exchanger property is ensured by the light metal, in particular by using an aluminum alloy, since the light metal has a high thermal conductivity. However, the associated disadvantages of the joining of different heat exchanger plates are likewise avoided by the production process according to the invention as an extruded component. Consequently, the only joint seams are formed on the respective end plates, wherein the end plates are formed as a supply line or discharge of the respective fluids. Thus, the housing produced in extruded construction must not be additionally provided with holes o. Ä. Flanges to initiate the fluids into the housing and pass through it, but the supply and discharge takes place via the respective face plate.

The end plates themselves are preferably produced in the context of the invention as milling components, wherein these are arranged on the respective end sides or end faces of the housing. Preferably, the end plates to a circumferential flange, which engages over the end of the housing in each case form-fitting manner. The flange is then preferably coupled to the housing outer wall, in particular by a cohesive joining method, very particularly preferably by a soldering method or else a welding method.

Furthermore, according to the invention it is provided that two lines are arranged on each end plate, wherein each line is assigned to each face plate a fluid and the heat exchanger is then operable according to the DC principle or even the countercurrent principle. It is further particularly preferred that a respective line is arranged on the outside of the front plate, wherein openings are provided in the front plate, which are formed in fluid-conducting contact with a respective line. The two lines on a front plate are fluid-conductively connected to the openings in such a way that the openings are each assigned to a channel relative to a vertical axis. In a specific embodiment variant, therefore, the opening of a first line is fluid-conductively connected to a first channel in the housing. In relation to the vertical axis of the end plate, the opening of the second line is arranged offset in relation to a channel in such a way that it is in fluid communication with the channel adjacent to the first channel. This is then followed by the next opening in the case of three or more channels, which in turn is coupled to the first line and fluid-conductively couples the further adjacent channel related to the vertical axis. Consequently, each opening of the first line is coupled with respect to the next-but one channel in relation to the vertical axis, wherein each opening of the second line is fluid-conductively coupled to the respective channels located therebetween.

Thus, it is possible in a particularly simple and cost-efficient manner to produce the motor vehicle heat exchanger according to the invention and to adapt by varying the cross-sectional area and / or the length of the motor vehicle heat exchanger in its performance to the heat exchanger performance asked. In particular, by the use of a one-piece, extruded light metal component as a housing, the different temperature expansion is compensated very well and does not lead to leakage due to cracked solder joints or increased manufacturing costs. The heat exchanger is thus robust and designed with a long service life expectancy, at the same time as very low production costs.

To further increase the heat exchanger performance, it is possible that a flow baffle is inserted into a respective planar channel. The flow guide plate may be, for example, a wave plate for increased turbulence formation. It is also possible to couple the flow baffle in the channel in such a way that an enlargement of the surface available for the heat transfer is produced.

The resulting dividers between the individual planar channels do not necessarily have to be rectilinear in cross-section, ie from left to right, but may also be wavy or sawtooth-shaped, so that the available surfaces, via which a corresponding heat input and associated therewith Heat exchange between the fluids arises, are formed enlarged.

Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred embodiments are shown in the schematic figures. These are for easy understanding of the invention. Show it:

1 an exploded view of a motor vehicle heat exchanger according to the invention;

2 the cross-sectional view through the housing of the motor vehicle heat exchanger;

3 a cross-sectional view through an inventive end plate with underlying channels of the housing and

4a A side view with corresponding longitudinal section and a plan view with corresponding longitudinal section of the motor vehicle heat exchanger according to the invention.

In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplicity.

1 shows an exploded view of a motor vehicle heat exchanger according to the invention 1 , The automotive heat exchanger 1 is thereby by a centrally arranged housing 2 formed, which is produced according to the invention in Leichtmetallstrangpressbauweise. In the case 2 are single channels 3 arranged. Between the channels 3 there is a respective divider 4 , The housing 2 is integrally formed as an extruded component and is at its respective ends 5 through a face plate 6 locked. The face plate 6 has a peripheral flange 7 , where the flange 7 the end 5 of the housing 2 at least partially positively overlaps. Between the respective front plate 6 and the end 5 of the housing 2 is still a solder additive 8th arranged. The respective face plate 6 has two lines 9 on, with the wires 9 fluid-conducting with a respective opening 10 which the face plate 6 reaches through, in contact. Via separately displayed connecting pieces 11 then a respective fluid is introduced into the conduit 9 introduced and flows through the opening 10 into a respective channel 3 in the case 2 ,

2 shows a corresponding cross-sectional view through the housing 2 out 1 , It can be seen that the channels 3 each separated from a divider 4 , wherein the divider 4 in 2 rectilinear to the middle, from left to right. In the context of the invention, it is also conceivable that the separating web 4 has a meandering, wave-shaped or even sawtooth structure, so that the respective resulting surface A, through which a medium flows, increases in order thereby to increase the heat exchanger performance.

3 further shows the resulting principle of easy-to-manufacture construction of face plate 6 and housing 2 , This is how a first fluid flows 13 through a first line 9a in the automotive heat exchanger 1 a, wherein a second fluid 14 through a second line 9b flows. The first fluid 13 then flows over a first opening 10a in a first channel 3a of the housing 2 one. The second fluid 14 flows through the second line 9b in a arranged there, to the first on the vertical axis 15 of the face plate 6 related at a distance a staggered opening 10b and thus flows into a second channel 3b , Again followed by the second opening 10b from a third opening 10c that with the first line 9a communicates and the fluid in a third channel 3c initiates. In the context of the invention is in 3 illustrated the principle of the heat exchanger in the DC method. It is also possible, for example, instead of a second fluid 14 on the image plane based on the right side in the face plate 6 to initiate this over the face plate 6 derive, so that the heat exchanger according to the invention 1 operated in countercurrent principle.

In 4a is a side view and in 4b a sectional view along section line bb 4a on the heat exchanger according to the invention 1 with the housing 2 as well as at the respective ends of the housing 2 arranged face plates 6 shown. In the front plates is in each case a line, what in 4b is shown again clearly. So is by a first line 9a a first fluid 13 introduced, which then by the in the housing 2 illustrated first channel 9a flows and through a third line 9c on the opposite side of the housing in turn flows out. Correspondingly, it is possible to use a second fluid 14 through the second line 9b feed and on the opposite side the second fluid 14 again from a fourth line 9d from the motor vehicle heat exchanger according to the invention 1 dissipate. Above or below the first channel 3a is located on the image plane then a respective second channel 3b through which the second fluid 14 flows. From the respective lines 9 to the channel 3 are the openings 10 so that the fluid passes through the openings 10 from the line 9 in the channel 3 can enter or exit.

4c further shows a plan view of a motor vehicle heat exchanger according to the invention 1 , through which in turn a first fluid 13 through a first and third line 9a . 9c is zuführbar and a second fluid 14 by a second and fourth line 9b . 9d is added and deductible. 4d Correspondingly shows a longitudinal sectional view according to the section line dd 4c , Here is clear that the first fluid 13 through the first line 9a flows in and through the openings 10 in a third channel 3c etc. flows. On the opposite side then enters the first fluid 13 again through openings 10 in the fourth line 9d from and flows from this again from the motor vehicle heat exchanger 1 from. Between the first, third, fifth, etc. channel 3a . 3c is then in each case a second, fourth, sixth, etc. channel 3b arranged through which a second fluid 14 through the second and third line 9b . 9c due to the height offset of the openings 10 then through the housing 2 flows.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Automotive heat exchangers

2

casing

3

channel

3a

first channel

3b

second channel

3c

third channel

4

divider

5

End to 2

6

face plate

7

Flange too 6

8th

Lotzusatzwerkstoff

9

management

9a

first line

9b

second line

9c

third line

9d

fourth line

10

opening

10a

first opening

10b

second opening

10c

third opening

11

spigot

12

Surface too 3

13

first fluid

14

second fluid

15

Vertical axis too 6

a

distance

A

surface

d

intersection

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

• EP 0751364 B1 [0005]
• DE 102009041524 A1 [0006]

Claims (9)

Automotive heat exchanger comprising a housing ( 2 ), in which two channels ( 3a . 3b ) are designed for the passage and heat exchange of two fluids ( 13 . 14 ), whereby at the ends ( 5 ) of the housing ( 2 ) one end plate ( 6 ), characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) is formed as a one-piece light metal extruded component, wherein parallel spaced apart surface channels ( 3a . 3b . 3c ) in the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 2 ). Motor vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that an aluminum alloy is used as light metal. Motor vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) is configured rectangular in cross-section and in the housing ( 2 ) are spaced parallel in cross-section substantially rectangular channels ( 3a . 3b . 3c ) are formed. Motor vehicle heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front plate ( 6 ) as a supply line and / or discharge of the fluids ( 13 . 14 ) is trained. Motor vehicle heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the front plate ( 6 ) on the outside two lines ( 9a . 9b ) are formed, wherein the lines ( 9a . 9b ) with openings ( 10 ) are in fluid-conducting contact, wherein the openings ( 10 ) such an offset on a vertical axis of the end plate ( 6 ) with respect to each other that a first line ( 9a ) with a first areal channel ( 3a ) in fluid communication with the second line ( 9b ) with the adjacent channel ( 3b ) in fluid communication. Motor vehicle heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle heat exchanger ( 1 ) can be used in the DC principle or in countercurrent principle. Motor vehicle heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the front plate ( 6 ) and the housing ( 2 ) a solder additive ( 8th ) is inserted, wherein the front plate ( 6 ) cohesively on the housing ( 2 ), in particular by soldering or welding. Motor vehicle heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a flat channel ( 3 ) is inserted a flow baffle. Motor vehicle heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front plate ( 6 ) is designed as a milling component.

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