EP2049859B1 - Motor vehicle air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle air conditioning system, in particular a radiator device (1) for a motor vehicle air conditioning system, which heat exchanger (1) exhibits a first coolant box (10) and a second coolant box (12) that is distanced from the first coolant box (10), as well as multiple tubes (14) by means of which the flow between the first coolant box (10) and the second coolant box (12) is connected. Tubing spaces (42) for airflow are formed between these tubes (14), wherein the coolant boxes (10, 12), together with these flow tubes (14) that connect these coolant boxes (10, 12), are arranged so that an airflow can be formed in the tubing spaces (42) in a first section of the tube or tubing rib block (66) and, conversely, at the same time, an airflow can be formed in the tubing spaces (42) in a second section of this tube or tubing rib block (66), in both sections respectively, according to the operative counter-current heat exchange principle.

Description

The invention relates to an automotive air conditioning system according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an air conditioner is off FR-A-2 814 802 known.

Heat exchangers are often designed so that when a deflection of the gas or fluid takes place in the interior of the tubes in the depth, the flow direction of the heat exchanger flowing through the air over the entire heat exchanger network is the same.

If the volume flow is deflected on the inside of a heat exchanger in depth, this is done in hitherto known embodiments throughout the heating network throughout.

In general, the direction of flow of the air through the heat exchanger network in the known heat exchangers is such that the volume flow in the interior of the tubes with respect to the air flow through is or produces a cross-counterflow. This is also thermodynamically appropriate, since the air in this way in the embodiment as a radiator highest or a high or in the embodiment as an evaporator reaches the lowest or a low desired outlet temperature.

For certain applications, however, it may be appropriate or even necessary to "split" the heat exchanger, especially the heat exchanger network, and to flow through it under different air directions.

An example of such an embodiment is in DE 100 57 039 A1 (see in particular Fig. 3 ) disclosed. In such embodiments, some areas of the heat exchanger are connected in the DC cross-flow and connected to other areas of the heat exchanger in cross countercurrent.

The invention is based on the object to provide a powerful heat exchanger, in particular a powerful heat exchanger, which can be used as a radiator for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

According to the invention, an air conditioning system according to claim 1 is proposed.

The heat transfer device has a first coolant box and a second coolant box spaced from this first coolant box. Furthermore, the heat exchanger device has a multiplicity of tubes, which are designed, for example, as flat tubes and by means of which the first coolant box and the second coolant box are fluidically connected. It can be provided that these tubes, which may be formed in particular as flat tubes, are aligned parallel to each other. It can be provided that the each other opposite end faces of these flat tubes are open and formed between these end faces a respective continuous, straight channel in the tubes.

In particular, it is provided that the flat tubes are arranged relative to one another such that they form tube interstices for an air flow. In an expedient refinement, it is provided that corrugated ribs are provided in such intermediate tube spaces. The arrangement of the tubes thus forms a tube block or is formed by the arrangement of tubes and corrugated fins a tube / rib block.

The coolant boxes with the tubes connecting these coolant boxes are fluid for the formation of a - in an air flow of given in a first portion of the pipe or tube / rib block pipe interspaces and at the same time oppositely directed air flow in a second section of this pipe or pipe / Rib block given pipe interstices - in these two sections, ie formed in the first and in the second section, each acting on the cross-countercurrent principle heat exchanger.

The tubes or flat tubes may also have a plurality of channels formed parallel to each other.

The tubes or flat tubes can for example be arranged so that they form a (flat) tube row. It can also be provided that the tubes or flat tubes are arranged so that they form a plurality of mutually parallel (flat) rows of tubes.

The heat exchanger is designed so that coolant flows into one of the two coolant boxes, flows from the latter via tubes or flat tubes into the other of the two coolant boxes, is deflected there and flows back through tubes or flat tubes into the first coolant box, which it then leaves through corresponding outlet openings.

In particular, it is provided that the tubes or flat tubes are arranged relative to one another in such a way that they form tube interspaces for an air flow. In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that corrugated ribs are provided in such pipe interstices.

If a plurality of rows of tubes or channel rows are provided, it may be provided that separate corrugated ribs are provided for each of these rows of tubes or channels, or it may be provided that common corrugated ribs are provided for these rows of tubes or channels.

The heat exchanger is designed so that the media flowing through it cause at least in one section a cross counterflow and in at least one section a cross flow. In this case, it is provided in particular that the heat exchanger is designed so that, despite differently oriented air flow, it does not cause or can effect both a cross countercurrent and a crosscurrent flow.

The longitudinal dividing wall of the first coolant box extends continuously across the entire width of the coolant box.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Wärme- übertragers, der Bestandteil einer beispielhaften erfindungsgemä- ßen Klimaanlage sein kann, in schematischer Darstellung;

Fig. 2

die Gestaltung gemäß Fig. 1 in einer teilweisen Explosionsansicht; und

Fig. 3a bis 3 c

eine dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel ähnliches zweites Aus- führungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Wärmeübertragers, der Bestandteil einer beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Klimaanlage sein kann, in schematischer Darstellung.

The heat exchanger is traversed in opposite directions of air. This is especially so that different, each flowing into the depth of the heat exchanger air currents are given, which are oriented differently. For corresponding conduction, appropriate air conduction means can be provided which, for example, can be provided by a duct system, eg when integrated in an air conditioning system.

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the invention, which may be part of an exemplary inventive air conditioning system, in a schematic representation;

Fig. 2

the design according to Fig. 1 in a partial exploded view; and

Fig. 3a to 3 c

a similar to the first embodiment, a second embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the invention, which may be part of an exemplary air conditioning system according to the invention, in a schematic representation.

The Fig. 1 to 3c show an exemplary inventive heat exchanger devices 1 (in short: heat exchanger 1), which is here each designed as a radiator device 1 (in short: radiator 1), in various schematic views. This radiator 1 is part of an exemplary, inventive air conditioning in an advantageous embodiment. Such an exemplary air conditioning system according to the invention, for example, in addition to the example in the Fig. 1 to 3c shown radiator 1 have an evaporator. In an advantageous development, such an air conditioner additionally has a condenser. It may also be provided that such an air conditioning system has an expansion valve.

The heating element 1 is arranged in a preferred embodiment downstream of the evaporator. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the radiator is arranged parallel to the evaporator or is connected.

The radiator 1 has a first - in the figures upper - coolant box 10, and a second - lower in the figures - coolant box 12. The first coolant box 10 is connected to the second coolant box 12 via a plurality of tubes 14, here as flat tubes are formed. These flat tubes 14 may for example be folded or welded or made in other ways. The flat tubes are formed in this embodiment as two-chamber tubes or as two-channel tubes. For example, they can consist of two single or one combined tube. This is in particular such that they form two channels, in particular two continuously extending substantially straight extending channels 16,18. The first, here upper coolant box 10 of the two coolant boxes 10, 12 here has a longitudinal partition wall 20, which extends here over the entire width of the first coolant box 10 and the interior of this coolant box 10. In the first - here upper - coolant box 10, two transverse partitions 22, 24 are also provided.

The two transverse dividing walls 22, 24 extend on opposite sides of the longitudinal dividing wall 20. The transverse dividing walls 20, 24 extend Essentially parallel to each other. Seen transverse to their extension direction or in the width or longitudinal direction of the first coolant box 10, the two transverse partition walls 22, 24 are arranged offset from one another.

The longitudinal partition wall 20 is here designed and arranged such that it respectively separates the two chambers 16, 18 of the flat tubes 14 from each other. It is provided that the flat tubes 14 form a row of tubes 60. It is further provided that the channels 18 of the flat tubes 14 form a channel row 62 and the respective other channels 16 of the flat tubes 14 form a further channel row 64.

The longitudinal partition wall 20 is aligned so that it extends between the channel row 64 formed by the channels 16 and the channel row 62 formed by the channels 18 or these two channel rows 62, 64 separated from each other.

According to the embodiments shown in the figures, the coolant boxes 10, 12 each have a tube bottom 34 and 38 and a lid 36 and 40, respectively. This is so here that the tube plate 34 on or on or in the lid 36 on one side of this cover 36 on or on or is attached and the tube sheet 38 in or on or on one side of the Cover 40 on or set up.

The tube plates 34 and 38 each have openings, here slot-shaped openings, for receiving a respective end of the flat tubes 14, so that the corresponding flat tubes 14 are inserted with their ends in the corresponding openings of the tubesheets.

The tubesheets 34 and 38 are soldered to the covers 36 and 40 associated therewith and the flat tubes 14 inserted into the tubesheets 34 and 38 are respectively soldered to these tubesheets 34 and 38, respectively.

It should be noted, however, that with respect to the first coolant box 10 and / or the second coolant box 12, the respective tube sheet 34 or 36 may also be omitted, and instead at the corresponding, the respective coolant box 10 and 12 facing side, the respective ends of Flat tubes 14 may be expanded for a flat abutment. The adjoining flat tubes or flat tube end portions can be soldered together.

Between flat tubes 14 and between each adjacent flat tubes 14 tube interspaces 42 are formed for an air flow. It can be provided that 42 corrugated ribs are provided in these tube interspaces; such corrugated fins can be soldered, for example, with the respective adjacent tubes or flat tubes 14.

Flowing air is indicated schematically in the figures by the arrows 44, which have transverse strips on the side facing away from their arrowhead. The coolant flow is indicated schematically in the figures and by the arrows 46 by way of example.

The flat tubes 14 are substantially aligned so that the respective planes spanned by them are located parallel to each other.

So they extend with the mentioned levels substantially transversely to the width direction of the heat exchanger or radiator. 1

The radiator 1 also has a plurality of openings 48, 50, 52, via which coolant can flow into the radiator 1 or from the radiator 1 or should, or wherein this takes place during operation. In the embodiments according to the figures, this is such that the openings 48, 50 are openings for the inflow of coolant and the opening 52 is an opening for the outflow of coolant.

In the region of the openings 48, 50, 52 or for these openings 48, 50, 52 connecting pieces 54, 56, 58 are formed. Thus, the connecting piece 54 is associated with the opening 48 for the inflow of coolant, the connecting piece 56 of the opening 50 for the inflow of coolant and the connecting piece 58 of the opening 52 for the outflow of coolant.

As can be clearly seen from the figures, the radiator device 1 has two inlets 70, 72 or two inlet openings 48, 58 or two connecting pieces 54, 56 for an inflow of coolant and a drain 68 or an opening 52 for the Outflow of coolant or a connection piece 58 for the flow of coolant. The number of inlets 70, 72 or inlet openings 48, 50 or connecting pieces 54, 56 for the inflow of coolant, which is "two" here by way of example, thus deviates from the number of outlets 68 or drainage openings 52 or connection piece 58 for the flow of coolant, which is "one" here by way of example.

In the exemplary embodiments according to the figures, all of the mentioned inlets 70, 72 or inlet openings 48, 50 or connecting pieces 54, 56 for the inlet of coolant and all of the mentioned sequences 68 or drain openings 52 or connecting piece 58 for the discharge of coolant arranged on the first coolant box 10.

The second coolant box 12 is used in particular or in particular for a deflection of the coolant. In the embodiments, the coolant in the second coolant box 12 is deflected in depth. Furthermore, a certain deflection takes place in the width in the radiator device 1, which is particularly due to the fact that the two transverse partitions 22, 24 are arranged offset in the longitudinal direction or width direction of the first coolant tank 1 in the first coolant box. The second coolant box 12 in the embodiments shown in the figures is free of partitions arranged in its interior, i. In particular, free from longitudinal and transverse partitions.

As schematically indicated by the above-mentioned arrows 44, the heat exchanger or radiator 1 or its tube or tube / fin block 66 is flowed through during operation of air, partially in a first flow direction and partially in a second, the first opposite Flow direction flows. This is particularly so that in the width direction of the radiator 1 two - in particular adjacent - areas are formed, which are flowed through in opposite directions in the operation of air.

For generating or reaching this opposite air flow, a correspondingly suitable device for generating and / or directing air for an air flow through the radiator is provided, which is such that air opposes the pipe block or pipe / rib block 66 in two different areas flows through each other. Such a device may include one or more means for generating an airflow, such as fans, and / or means for directing air. It can be provided that the relative velocity of the flowing Air to the device or to the heat exchanger 1 by the movement of a motor vehicle, in which this heat exchanger 1 is installed, is effected, and the addressed device thus only means for directing or guiding air has. These means for directing or guiding air can be formed, for example, by a type of duct system which is part of an air conditioning system. Thus, the air caused by the airstream or these forming air can be directed on the one hand, that it flows through the radiator from the "front" in a section and flows through the mentioned radiator 1 in another section of "back".

It can be provided that the different flow directions of the air in the region of the radiator 1 in the manner of a series connection are interconnected such that the air flows through the radiator 1 first in one direction and then in the other, opposite direction.

But it can also be provided that the air flowing through the radiator 1 in different directions is connected in the manner of a parallel connection, so that parallel flowing air streams in operation flow through the heat exchanger 1 in opposite directions.

The corresponding device is - as already mentioned - not explicitly shown in the figures, and in particular for reasons of clarity. In the embodiments according to the figures, the radiator 1 is divided so that up to the middle of the heating network, the air flows in one direction and mirror-symmetrically on the other side the air flows through the radiator 1 opposite. In this context, it should be noted, however, that of course a different type of division may be given, in particular an asymmetric type of division. In particular, it may be provided that the division of the areas through which air flows in different directions or opposite directions are adapted to individual conditions or requirements of the intended use. As mentioned, according to the embodiments according to the figures, a radiator 1, which has two coolant inlets 70, 72 and a coolant outlet 68. Alternatively, for example, be provided that such a radiator 1 has an inlet and two processes. In the embodiments shown in the figures, it is provided that the local coolant outlet 68 or the opening 52 for the outflow of coolant or the connecting piece 58 for the discharge of coolant in the longitudinal direction or width direction of the radiator 1 between the two inlets 70, 72nd or inlet openings 48, 58 or connecting piece 54, 56 is arranged for an inlet of coolant.

The two inlets or connecting pieces 54, 56 or openings 48, 50 for the inlet of coolant open in the embodiments according to the figures on different sides of the longitudinal partition wall 20 and the plane thus formed in the first coolant box 10. Thus be on the one 54 of these two connecting pieces 54, 56 for the inlet of coolant channels 16 of a first 64 of the two channel rows 62, 64 of the channels 16, 18 of the flat tubes 14 supplied, and the other 56 of these two connecting pieces 54, 56 channels 18 of the other channel row 62nd the flat tubes 14 supplied with coolant. However, flat tubes are not supplied with coolant via the connecting pieces 54, 56 over the entire width of the radiator. As already mentioned here are two transverse partitions 22, 44 in the first, here upper, coolant box 10 additionally provided.

The already mentioned connecting piece 58 for the outflow of coolant, which can also be referred to as drain pipe 58, is arranged between the two transverse walls 22, 24, viewed in the longitudinal direction or width direction of the heat exchanger 1. This outlet pipe 58 is here arranged so that it extends in the depth direction of the heat exchanger 1 via the longitudinal partition wall 20 so that it or the opening thus formed in chambers 26, 28 opens, which are arranged on different sides of the longitudinal partition wall 20.

In the respective, the respective same flat tube associated channels or chambers is in the region which is located in the width direction between the two transverse partition walls 22, 24, the flow direction in these two channels 16, 18 and chambers equal. How well Fig. 2 it can be seen, the flow direction in the area mentioned is such that it is directed in the direction of the downcomer.

In the region which is located outside the intermediate region between the two transverse partition walls 22, 24, viewed in the width direction, the flow direction in the two chambers or channels 16, 18 of the respective flat tubes 14 is different or the direction of flow in the in the depth arranged flat tubes opposite.

In the exemplary embodiments explained with reference to the figures, it is provided that the channels of the flat tubes 14, which, viewed in the direction of flow, respectively face the inlet connection 54, 56, do not extend over the entire width of the heating element 1 and that the channels of the flat tubes 14, which are facing the discharge nozzle, are arranged so that along the entire width of such channels are given. This is so here that a section of the two channel rows 62, 64 is arranged overlapping and thus covers substantially the entire width of the radiator 1.

From the outside to the position of the transverse partition walls 22, 24 there is a cross-counterflow between the coolant in the flat tubes 14 and the air. Between the transverse partition walls 22, 24 - seen in the width direction of the radiator 1 - takes place a cross flow. In the embodiments according to the figures, however, this latter area is significantly lower.

According to the embodiments shown with reference to the figures, the accumulated flat tube cross-section, which is traversed before the coolant leaves the radiator 1, is greater than the accumulated flat tube cross-section, which is flowed through, after coolant has entered the radiator 1 is. In this case, the flat tube cross section through which the first coolant box 10 flows into the second coolant box 12 when coolant flows is less than the accumulated flat tube cross section through which coolant flows from the second coolant box 12 into the first coolant box 10 ,

As the exemplary embodiments show, the invention provides the basis for a multiplicity of advantages, some of which are to be explained below by way of example, wherein it should be noted that not every embodiment according to the invention requires all or more or at least one of these advantages to be achieved. It is a cross counterflow allows, which is thermodynamically better than a DC cross-flow, in spite of different air flow direction. This in turn allows for higher performance. Furthermore, a variable distribution over the heat exchanger network is made possible, in particular adapted to the air flow. Moreover, no additional space of the heat exchanger is necessary. In known devices some areas are cross-connected in the DC cross, which represents a performance penalty in contrast to the cross countercurrent. The heat exchangers explained with reference to the figures can be used for all possible heat exchangers, provided that a deflection takes place in the depth.

In particular, it is provided that the volumetric flow in the interior of the air direction is adapted in such a way that there is always cross countercurrent or, if appropriate, in sections additionally crossflow.

The in the Fig. 1 to 3c shown embodiments of a heat exchanger 1 may be designed, for example, as Lötkonstruktion. As part of the production, for example, they can be solder-plated and soldered in a soldering oven.

Claims (4)

1. An air conditioning system for a motor vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger device, wherein the heat exchanger device (1) has a first coolant tank (10) and a second coolant tank (12) situated at a distance from said first coolant tank (10), and a large number of tubes (14) for forming a tube block or tube/rib block, via which the first coolant tank (10) and the second coolant tank (12) are connected in terms of flow, wherein tube intermediate spaces (42) for air flow-through are formed between said tubes (14), wherein air flows tin a first direction through the tube or tube/rib block in a first section, and air flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction in a second section which is different from the first section
   characterized in that, in the first coolant tank (10) at least one continuous longitudinal partition wall (20) is provided, and a connector (58) for the outflow of coolant leads into the first coolant tank (10) such that it leads via the opening cross section thereof into chambers (26, 28) of the first coolant tank (10) disposed on different sides s of the longitudinal partition wall (20), and two transverse partition walls (22, 24) which are interspaced in the breadth or longitudinal direction of the first coolant tank (10) are provided in said coolant tank (10), and the connector (58) for the outflow of coolant - as viewed in the breadth or longitudinal direction of said first coolant tank (10) - leads between said two transverse partition walls (22, 24) into the first coolant tank (10), and two connectors (54, 56) for the inflow of coolant are disposed on different sides of the longitudinal partition wall (20), and so the heat transfer between the coolant and the air takes place according to the cross-counterflow principle and the cross flow principle.
2. The air conditioning system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger device (1) comprises a device for generating and / or directing air flows that flow through the heat exchanger (1) during operation in various sections of the tube block or tube/rib block (66) thereof simultaneously in opposite orientations.
3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, characterized in that the device for generating and / or directing air flows that flow through the heat exchanger (1) during operation in various sections of the tube block or tube/rib block (66) thereof simultaneously in opposite orientations is designed such that the air flows flowing through the tube block or tube/rib blocks (66) simultaneously in opposite orientations or directions are connected in parallel.
4. The air conditioning system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said air conditioning system comprises an evaporator and a heater core formed by said heat exchanger device (1).

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