EP3945275A1

EP3945275A1 - Heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: EP3945275A1
Application number: EP20461556.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karol POKRYWINSKI; Natalia Sabina FICEK
Original assignee: Valeo Autosystemy Sp zoo
Current assignee: Valeo Autosystemy Sp zoo
Priority date: 2020-07-30
Filing date: 2020-07-30
Publication date: 2022-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-30
Also published as: EP3945275B1

Abstract

The present invention herein provides a heat exchanger, particularly a condenser. The heat exchanger includes a core having a plurality of heat exchange elements, at least one first connector, and a bottle. The at least one first connector formed on the core and fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements. The first connector includes at least one first passage fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements of the core. The bottle includes a first block formed on a first end of the bottle and fluidically connected to the bottle. Further, the first block includes at least one first channel fluidically connected to the first passage of the first connector to enable fluid circulation between the bottle and the core. Further, the first block is adapted to receive at least a part of the first connector and fluidically connect the bottle to the plurality of heat exchange elements.

Description

The present invention is generally relates to a heat exchanger, more particularly to a heat exchanger provided with a connector assembly for connecting a receiver drier to the heat exchanger.
Generally, a heat exchanger, particularly a condenser, is connected in a Heating Ventilation Air-conditioning system (HVAC) to condense the refrigerant flowing in the HVAC system. Further, a receiver drier may be connected downstream of the condenser to, inter alia, remove moisture content from the refrigerant. In addition, the receiver drier can act as a refrigerant reservoir to the HVAC system. The receiver drier is a bottle having a filter to remove the unwanted content from the refrigerant. Normally, the receiver drier is connected to the condenser through a socket provided on the condenser. The socket is defined on a core of the condenser and perpendicularly protruding from the core of the condenser. Further, the receiver drier may be perpendicularly coupled to the socket with respect to the general direction of the socket's protrusion. Fig. 1 shows a condenser 100 connected with a receiver drier 104 in a conventional connection. As explained above, the socket 106 is perpendicularly protruded out from the core 102 of the condenser 100. The receiver drier 104 is connected to a lateral side of the socket 106. The receiver drier 104 may include a connecting part 108 defined on the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the receiver drier 104. The connecting part 108 may be fluidically connected to channels provided in the socket 106 in such a way that the connecting part 108 is perpendicular to the general axis of protrusion of the socket 106.
As the receiver drier 104 is connected to the lateral side of the socket 106, the receiver drier 104 occupies significant amount of space on the core 102 of the condenser 100. Therefore, it is cumbersome to accommodate the receiver drier 104 on the core 102 of the condenser 100. To overcome such issue, internal volume of the receiver drier 104 can be reduced, so that the receiver drier 104 can be easily assembled on the core 102 of the condenser 100 without overly protruding over or beyond the outline of the core. However, such technique may reduce the performance of the receiver drier 104, since less internal volume of the receiver drier 104 may lead to reception and filtration of less amount of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser 100. In addition, other conventional methods to connect the receiver drier to the condenser, without affecting performance of the receiver drier, may require multiple components, which leads to increase in cost and weight of the condenser.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a condenser connected with a receiver drier in such a way that the receiver drier can be optimally coupled to the condenser. Further, there remains another need for a receiver drier that require less components to connect the receiver drier with the condenser.
In the present description, some elements or parameters may be indexed, such as a first element and a second element. In this case, unless stated otherwise, this indexation is only meant to differentiate and name elements, which are similar but not identical. No idea of priority should be inferred from such indexation, as these terms may be switched without betraying the invention. Additionally, this indexation does not imply any order in mounting or use of the elements of the invention.
In view of the foregoing, an embodiment of the invention herein provides a heat exchanger, particularly a condenser. The heat exchanger includes a core having a plurality of heat exchange elements, at least one first connector, and a bottle. The at least one first connector is formed on the core and fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements. The first connector includes at least one first passage fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements of the core. The bottle includes a first block formed on a first end of the bottle and fluidically connected to the bottle. Further, the first block includes at least one first channel fluidically connected to the first passage of the first connector to enable fluid circulation between the bottle and the core. Further, the first block is adapted to receive at least a part of the first connector and fluidically connect the bottle to the plurality of heat exchange elements.
Further, the first connector includes at least one first plug fluidically connected to the first passage and protruded out from the first passage. The first plug is adapted to be received in the first channel formed in the first block.
In another embodiment, the first channel includes a first part, and a second part perpendicular to the first part, wherein an axis of the first part is parallel to the axis of the first passage of the first connector and an axis of the second part is parallel to the axis of the bottle.
In one embodiment, the first block is formed on a center of the first end of the bottle. Further, the dimensions of the first block is smaller than of bottle when the first block is measured perpendicular to the axis of the bottle.
In another embodiment, the heat exchanger further includes at least one second connector, and a second block. The at least one second connector is formed on the core and fluidically connected to the plurality of heat exchange elements. Further, the second connector includes at least one second passage fluidically connected the plurality of heat exchange elements formed in the core.
The second block is formed on a second end of the bottle, wherein the second connector is complementary to the second block and adapted to be received in the second block. Further, the second block comprises at least one second channel fluidically connected to the second passage of the second connector to enable fluid circulation between the bottle and the core.
In one embodiment, the second connector includes a second plug fluidically connected to the second passage and protruded out from the second passage. Further, the second plug is adapted to be received in the second channel formed in the second block.
In one example, the at least one first connector is formed on one end of the core, and the at least one second connector is formed on the other end the core.
Further, the first connector and the second connector are configured so that a refrigerant enters the bottle through the first channel and exits through the second channel.
In one embodiment, the axis of the first passage formed within the first connector and the axis of the second passage formed within the second connector are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the core.
In another embodiment, the first channel formed in the first block and the second channel formed in the second block are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottle.
Further, the heat exchanger is adapted for a heat exchange between a first fluid being a coolant and a second fluid being a refrigerant. The bottle is configured to be travelled through by the refrigerant.
In one embodiment, the first passage of the first connector and the first channel of the first block are in a same plane, so as to connect the bottle with the core perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core.
Further, the heat exchanger includes a first aperture and a second aperture formed on both the first connector and the first block respectively to receive a screw passing parallel to the axis of the first connector to connect the first connector with the first block.
Furthermore, the heat exchanger includes a third aperture and a fourth aperture formed on the both the second connector and the second block respectively to receive a screw passing parallel to the axis of the second connector to connect the second connector with the second block.
In one embodiment, the bottle is of any one of metal and plastic.
Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention can be inferred from the description of the invention hereunder. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a condenser connected with a receiver drier with a conventional connection assembly of prior art;
Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a heat exchanger provided with a receiver drier fluidically connected to the condenser, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the heat exchanger having one connector of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the heat exchanger of Fig. 2 along with receiver drier;
Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the heat exchanger provided with the receiver drier having two blocks, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the heat exchanger depicting two connectors;
Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger with the receiver drier of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 illustrates top views of a first connector of the heat exchanger and a first block of the receiver drier of Fig. 5;
Fig. 9 illustrates top views of a second connector of the heat exchanger and a second block of the receiver drier of Fig. 5.

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, particularly to a condenser, connected with a bottle, particularly a receiver drier, at a downstream of the condenser. Conventionally, the receiver drier is connected to a lateral side of a connector formed on a housing of the condenser. In such cases, the receiver drier may consume more space on the core of the condenser, thereby creating packaging issues while fixing the condenser in the vehicle. It is necessary to keep a connection assembly between the receiver drier and the condenser as simple as possible to optimally pack the receiver drier in the space on the core. Further, the simple/strategic connection between the receiver drier and the condenser may enable the receiver drier to increase its internal volume without having any packing issues on the condenser.
Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate schematic representations of a heat exchanger 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one example, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 200 provided with a receiver drier 302 fluidically connected to the condenser 200, and Fig. 3 is perspective view of the heat exchanger 200 without the receiver drier 302. In the present example, the heat exchanger 200 is adapted for a heat exchange between a first fluid being a coolant and a second fluid being a refrigerant. Further, the receiver drier 302 is configured to be travelled through by the refrigerant. In other words, the heat exchanger 200 is a condenser, in this case plate condenser. The condenser 200 includes a core 202 having a plurality of heat exchange elements (not shown in Figs), and at least one first connector 204 provided on the core 202. The at least one first connector 204 is fluidically connected to the plurality of heat exchange elements provided in the core 202. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the at least one first connector 204 is hereafter referred to as a first connector; however, it does not restrict the condenser 200 to have more than one first connector. In one embodiment, the first connector 204 is protruded out from a top side of the core 202. In the present embodiment, the first connector 204 is perpendicular to a lateral axis of the core 202, i.e. the axis of the elongated dimension of the core. The first connector 204 includes at least one first passage 206, hereafter referred to as first passage that is fluidically connected to the plurality of heat exchange elements, hereafter referred to as heat exchange elements.
The condenser 200 further includes a bottle 302 fluidically connected to the core 202 of the condenser 200. In one embodiment, the bottle 302 can be a filter to sack moisture from the refrigerant flowing there through and acts as a refrigerant reservoir. In this example, the bottle 302 is a receiver drier. The bottle 302, hereinafter referred to as receiver drier, further includes a first block 304 formed on a first end 306 of the receiver drier 302. The first block 304 may be integral with the bottle 302. The first block 304 may include a first channel 402 that is fluidically connected to the receiver drier 302. The first channel 402 of the first block 304 is further explained in the forthcoming figures. The first block 304 is adapted to receive at least a part of the first connector 204 and fluidically connect the receiver drier 302 to the heat exchange elements of the core 202. Particularly, the first passage 206 of the first connector 204 is in fluidic connection with the first channel 402 of the first block 304, when the first connector 204 is received in the first block 304. In one embodiment, the first block 304 may receive and encapsulate a part of the first connector 204. In other words, a top part of the first connector 204 is protruded into the first block 304 so as to fluidically connect the first passage 206 formed in the first connector 204 with the first channel of the first block 304. In another embodiment, at least one first plug 208 provided on the first connector 204 in such a way that the first plug 208 is fluidically connected to the first passage 206 of the first connector 204. The first plug 208 is protruded out from and detachably coupled to the first connector 204. In this embodiment, the first plug 208 is provided on the first connector 204 in such a way that first plug 208 is protruded towards the first block 304. Further, the first connector 204 and the first block 304 may collectively referred to as a connection assembly. As part of the first connector 204 is encapsulated inside the first block 304 of the receiver drier 302 perpendicularly with respect to the axes of the bottle 302 and the core 202, there is more space available on the core 202 to optimally fix the receiver drier 302 on the core 202 of the condenser 200. Further, an internal volume of the receiver drier 302 can be increased, since the connection assembly consumes less space on the core 202 of the condenser. The connection assembl7 is allowed to extend in principle in parallel to the bottom of the bottle, instead of perpendicularly to it. In addition, the connecting movement of the bottle 302 with respect to the core 202 can be realized so that their relative motion follows their axes of elongation.
Fig. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the condenser 200 of Fig. 2 along with receiver drier 302. As mentioned above, the first connector 204 and the first block 304 are collectively referred to as the connection assembly 400. As shown in the Fig. 4, the first passage 206 of the first connector 204 is in fluidic communication with the first channel 402 of the first block 304, so that the core 202 of the condenser 200 can be fluidically connected to the receiver drier 302. In one embodiment, the first passage 206 of the first connector 204 and the first channel 402 of the first block 304 are in a same plane, so as to connect the receiver drier 302 with the core 202 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core 202. Further, the first plug 208 is adapted to be received in the first channel 402 formed in the first block 304 to enable fluid communication between the first passage 206 and the first channel 402.
The first channel 402 further includes a first part 404 and a second part 406 that is perpendicular to the first part 404. In one embodiment, an axis of the first part 404 is parallel to the general axis of elongation of the first connector 204, and an axis of the second part 406 is parallel to the axis of elongation of the bottle 302. The first channel 402 in the first block 304 may function as an inlet or outlet for the bottle 302. In such case, there might be more than one first channel in the first block 304. At the same time, the first connector 204 may include more than one passage 206 fluidically connected to the first channels of the first block 304, thereby enabling fluid circulation in the receiver drier 302. In one embodiment, the first block 304 is formed on a center of the first end of the bottle 302.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate schematic representations of the condenser 200 with the receiver drier 302, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the condenser 200 provided with the receiver drier 302 having two blocks, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the condenser 200 depicting two connectors. In the present embodiment of the invention, the condenser 200 is provided with two connectors and corresponding blocks on the bottle 302. Here, the condenser 200 includes the first connector 204 and at least one second connector 502. The at least one second connector 502 is hereinafter referred to as second connector 502. In one embodiment, the first connector 204 is formed on a first top end of the core 202 and the second connector 502 is formed on a second top end of the core 202. In other words, the first connector 204 and the second connector 502 are formed on the top side of the core 202 in such a way that both connectors are distal to each other. The second connector 502 includes at least one second passage 504 fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements of the core 202. According to this embodiment, the first passage 206 of the first connector 204 is connected to an end of the heat exchange elements and the second passage 504 of the second connector 502 is connected to another end of the heat exchange elements, thereby forming a fluid flow path through the receiver drier 302.
In this embodiment, the receiver drier 302 includes the first block 304 and a second block 506 as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the condenser 200 with the receiver drier 302 of Fig. 5. Further, the first block 304 is defined on the first end 306 of the receiver drier 302 and the second block 506 is defined on a second end 508 of the receiver drier 302. The second end 508 of the receiver drier 302 is an opposite end of the first end 306 of the receiver drier 302. In one embodiment, the first block 304 includes the first channel 402 that is fluidically connected to the receiver drier 302 and the second block 506 includes at least one second channel 510 fluidically connected to the receiver drier 302. The first channel 402 and the at least one second channel 510, hereinafter referred to as second channel, form part of the fluid path inside the receiver drier 302. In one embodiment, the first channel 402 may be an inlet for the receiver drier 302 and the second channel 510 may be an outlet for the receiver drier 302.
In this example, the first block 304 is complementary to the first connector 204 and adapted to receive at least a portion of the first connector 204. Similarly, the second block 506 is complementary to the second connector 502 and adapted to receive at least a portion of the second connector 502. Further, the second channel 510 of the second block 506 is fluidically connected to the second passage 504 of the second connector 502 to enable fluid circulation between the receiver drier 302 and the core 202. Further, the second connector 502 includes a second plug 208 provided on the second connector 502 in such a way that the second plug 208 is protruded towards the second block 506. The second plug 210 is fluidically connected to the second passage 504 of the second connector 502. Further, the second plug 208 is adapted to be received in the second channel 510 of the second block 506 to enable fluid communication between the second channel 510 and the second passage 504. The first connector 204 and the second connector 502 are configured so that the refrigerant enters the bottle 302 through the first channel 402 and travel through the bottle 302. Further, the refrigerant exits from the bottle 302 through the second channel 510.
In one embodiment, the axis of the first passage 206 formed within the first connector 204 and the axis of the second passage 504 formed within the second connector 502 are perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core 202. In another embodiment, the axis of the first passage 206 formed within the first connector 204 and the axis of the second passage 504 formed within the second connector 502 are parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core 202. The condenser 200 further includes a connecting means 512 to rigidly connect the core 202 with the receiver drier 302, while maintaining fluidic communication between the first passage 206 and the first channel 402. In one embodiment, the connecting means 512 is screw, or any connecting elements.
In one embodiment, the first connector 204 includes a first aperture 514A, and the first block 304 includes a second aperture 514B that is complementary to the first aperture 514A as shown in Fig. 8. Further, the second connector 502 includes a third aperture 516A, and the fourth aperture 516B that is complementary to the third aperture 516A. Fig. 8 illustrates top views of the first connector 204 of the condenser 200 and the first block 304 of the receiver drier 302 of Fig. 5 showing the apertures. Fig. 9 illustrates top views of the second connector 502 of the condenser 200 and the second block 506 of the receiver drier 302 of Fig. 5 showing the apertures. The first aperture 514A is in-line with the second aperture 514B, when the first connector 204 is received in the first block 304, to receive the screw 512. In one embodiment, the screw 512 is pass through the apertures 514A, 514B, which is parallel to the axis of the first connector 204, thereby saving space on the core 202, so the receiver drier 302 can be optimally assembled on the core 202. Although the connecting means 512 is explained with respect to the first block 304 and the first connector 204, it can be applied to the second block 506 and the second connector 502. In such case, .the third aperture 516A and the fourth aperture 516B are in-line with each other to receive a screw passing parallel to the axis of the second connector 502. In one example, the receiver drier 302 is of any one of metal and plastic.
As explained above, the first connector 204 and the second connector 502 are encapsulated inside the first block 304 and the second block 506 of the bottle 302 respectively. Therefore, the receiver drier 302 can be optimally fixed on the core 202 of the condenser 200. Further, an internal volume of the receiver drier 302 can be increased, since the connection assembly consumes very less space on the core 202 of the condenser 200.
In any case, the invention cannot and should not be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, as other embodiments might exist. The invention shall spread to any equivalent means and any technically operating combination of means.

Claims

A heat exchanger (200), comprising:
a core (202) having a plurality of heat exchange elements;

at least one first connector (204) formed on the core (202) and fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements, wherein the first connector (204) comprises at least one first passage (206) fluidically connected to the heat exchange elements of the core (202).; and

a bottle (302) comprising a first block (304) formed on a first end (306) of the bottle (302) and fluidically connected to the bottle (302), wherein the first block (304) comprises at least one first channel (402) fluidically connected to the first passage (206) of the first connector (204) to enable fluid circulation between the bottle (302) and the core (202), characterized in that the first block (304) is adapted to receive at least a part of the first connector (204) and fluidically connect the bottle (302) to the plurality of heat exchange elements.
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connector (204) comprises at least one first plug (208) fluidically connected to the first passage (206) and protruded out from the first passage (206), wherein the first plug (208) is adapted to be received in the first channel (402) formed in the first block (304).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first channel (402) includes a first part (404), and a second part (406) perpendicular to the first part (404), wherein an axis of the first part (404) is parallel to the axis of the first passage (206) of the first connector (204), and an axis of the second part (406) is parallel to the axis of the bottle (302).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the first block (304) is formed on a center of the first end (306) of the bottle (302).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein dimensions of the first block (304) is smaller than of the bottle (302) when the first block (304) measured perpendicular to the axis of the bottle (302).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in claim 3 to 5, further comprising:
at least one second connector (502) formed on the core (202) and fluidically connected to the plurality of heat exchange elements, wherein the second connector (502) comprises at least one second passage (504) fluidically connected the plurality of heat exchange elements formed in the core (202); and

a second block (506) formed on a second end (508) of the bottle (302), wherein the second connector (502) is complementary to the second block (506) and adapted to be received in the second block (506), wherein the second block (506) comprises at least one second channel (510) fluidically connected to the second passage (504) of the second connector (502) to enable fluid circulation between the bottle (302) and the core (202).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second connector (502) comprises a second plug (210) fluidically connected to the second passage (504) and protruded out from the second passage (504), wherein the second plug (210) is adapted to be received in the second channel (510) formed in the second block (506).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first connector (204) is formed on one end of the core (202), and the second connector (502) is formed on the other end the core (202).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first connector (204) and the second connector (502) are configured so that a refrigerant enters the bottle (302) through the first channel (402) and exits though the second channel (510).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heat exchanger (200) is adapted for a heat exchange between a first fluid being a coolant and a second fluid being a refrigerant, wherein the bottle is configured to be travelled through by the refrigerant.
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in claims 6 to 9, wherein the axis of the first passage (206) formed within the first connector (204) and the axis of the second passage (504) formed within the second connector (502) are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the core (202).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in claims 6 to 9, wherein the first channel (402) formed in the first block (304) and the second channel (510) formed in the second block (506) are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottle (302).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first passage (206) of the first connector (204) and the first channel (402) of the first block (304) are in a same plane, so as to connect the bottle (302) with the core (202) perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the core (202).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in any of preceding claims, further comprising a first aperture (514A) and a second aperture (514B) formed on both the first connector (204) and the first block (304) respectively to receive a screw passing parallel to the axis of the first connector (204) to connect the first connector (204) with the first block (304).
The heat exchanger (200) as claimed in any of claims 5 to 13, further comprising a third aperture (516A) and a fourth aperture (514B) formed on both the second connector (502) and the second block (506) respectively to receive a screw passing parallel to the axis of the second connector (502) to connect the second connector (506) with the second block (506)