GB2450244A

GB2450244A - Space saving heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: GB2450244A
Application number: GB0810804A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Klaus Schneider
Original assignee: Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Current assignee: Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Priority date: 2007-06-13
Filing date: 2008-06-12
Publication date: 2008-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-12
Also published as: GB2450244A8; DE102007027250B4; GB0810804D0; DE102007027250A1; ITMI20080749A1; GB2450244B; GB2450244B8

Abstract

A heat exchanger 1, in particular a cross-flow radiator for a motor vehicle, comprises a heat exchange zone 4, in particular a radiator/fin network, at least two collecting/distributing tanks 6, 6'with at least one of the collecting/distributing tanks 6, 6' having a first region 8, 8b and a second region 8a, 8c that are in fluid communication by an external connecting line 9, 9', which is provided with a coolant inlet 20 or a coolant outlet 19. The tanks 6, 6, are arranged laterally on the heat exchange zone 4 and extend substantially vertical in a region of vehicle longitudinal members 2, 2' determined by a space required by a drive means and by wheel enveloping surface 3 of steered wheels. Tanks 6, 6' may comprise of separating webs 13, 13' sealing the first region 8, 8b from the second region 8a, 8c. Connecting line 9, 9' may comprise of a constriction 21 to generate a different flow and hence different heat transfer in different heat exchange sections 10, 10' of the heat exchange zone 4, whereby the flow through one section 10' is less than the flow through the other section 10. The flow though the sections 10, 10' may be varied by an adjustable valve. Tanks 6, 6' may have recesses 7, 7' for receiving portions of the longitudinal members 2, 2'.

Description

Heat exchanger means The invention relates to a heat exchanger means,

in particular a cross-flow radiator for a motor vehicle, in accordance with the preamble of Claim 1.

With conventional front-mounting of a heat exchanger means centrally between longitudinal members of a motor vehicle, a viable size of the heat exchanger means is dictated substantially by the distance of the longitudinal members from each other, a ground clearance and also a bonnet height. The positions of the longitudinal members are substantially determined by the space required by the engine, and by wheel enveloping surfaces of the steered wheels. The ground clearance or position of the vehicle above the roadway is derived from the vehicle design or from functional requirements, in order for example to avoid scraping the ground in multi-storey car parks. Ultimately, as variables for determining necessary heat exchanger surfaces, this leaves only the height of the heat exchanger means and hence the bonnet contour to be changed. In particular with sport vehicles and with regard to protection of pedestrians, it is however desired to keep an upper edge of the heat exchanger means low. This results -in a conflict of objectives, in particular in the case of high-powered vehicles with high cooling requirements.

A heat exchanger is known from US 5,236,336 which does not form a continuous heat exchanger plane, but in which the heat exchanger unit, here formed by fins, forms a plurality of heat exchanger planes which are offset in step-like manner from one another. The stepped arrangement is intended better to utilise the space available in particular in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle.

The present invention is concerned with the problem of providing a heat exchanger means which efficiently utilises a maximum possible or given width between the vehicle longitudinal members, in order to be able to reduce the overall height of the heat exchanger means for a predefined heat exchanger surface.

The invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the problems of the prior art. According to the invention there is provided a heat exchanger according to independent Claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the general concept of dividing at least one collecting/distributing tank of a heat exchanger means, for example a cross-flow radiator for a motor vehicle, into a first distributor region (8, 8b) and a second distributor region (8a, 8c), which are connected fluidically by an external connecting line provided with a coolant inlet connection or a coolant outlet connection. The heat exchanger means is not limited to a cross-flow radiator, but is likewise suitable for any conceivable radiators, such as downflow radiators.

The heat exchanger means has a heat exchange zone, for example a radiator/fin network, at least two laterally and substantially vertically extending collecting/distributing tanks being arranged on this heat exchange zone.

The first distributor region may be an upper section of the collecting/distributing tank and the second distributor region may be a lower section of the collecting/distributing tank.

The coolant hoses, forward flow and/or return flow, are connected to the connecting line of the two collecting/distributing tanks.

Owing to the external connecting lines, the width of the lateral collecting/distributing tanks can be kept as low as possible because the connections do not have to be provided directly in the collecting/distributing tank. Furthermore, the external connecting lines ensure the necessary distribution of the coolant into the distributor regions of the collecting/distributing tank.

According to a preferred configuration of the solution according to the invention, an outer contour of the heat exchanger means, which is arranged between two vehicle longitudinal members, is adapted to the vehicle longitudinal members such that the form of the vehicle longitudinal members is integrated in the outer contour.

This means that an installation space width between the vehicle longitudinal members can be utilised efficiently.

According to a further preferred configuration of the solution according to the invention, the laterally arranged collecting/distributing tanks in the region of the vehicle longitudinal members have on the outside in each case a recess formed complementarily thereto, so that the heat exchanger surface can be extended virtually fully across the width between the vehicle longitudinal members. Owing to this broadened heat exchanger surface, if the surface requirement remains the same, the height thereof can be reduced and thereby for example a sporty outer contour of the vehicle can be constructed. At the same time, the reduced height of the heat exchanger means is beneficial with regard to future requirements in terms of protection of pedestrians. The recess on the lateral collecting/distributing tanks may be made of such a size that a remaining cross-section through the collecting/distributing tank in the region of the recess permits a required exchange of coolant between first and second distributor regions. The lateral collecting/distributing tanks thus surround the vehicle longitudinal members in the region of the recess and continue above and below the same, so that the heat exchanger surface located between the lateral collecting/distributing tanks can be made wider.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the solution according to the invention, with the heat exchanger means mounted in the motor vehicle, the vehicle longitudinal members at least partially extend into the complementary recesses in the collecting/distributing tanks.

This means that the two collecting/distributing tanks are arranged substantially above and below the vehicle longitudinal members and hence a region between the two vehicle longitudinal members can be utilised virtually exclusively by the heat exchange zone. A heat exchange zone of this type is considerably wider than with conventional heat exchanger means, which are arranged fully between the vehicle longitudinal members.

Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

It goes without saying that the above-mentioned features and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred examples of embodiment of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in greater detail in the following description, with identical reference numerals relating to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

Fig. 1 depicts an extremely diagrammatic representation of a heat exchanger means according to the invention, Fig. 2 depicts an extremely diagrammatic representation of a further embodiment of the heat exchanger means according to the invention, Fig. 3 depicts an extremely diagrammatic side view of a heat exchanger means according to the invention, Fig. 4 depicts an extremely diagrammatic representation of a further embodiment of the heat exchanger means according to the invention.

Fig. 1 depicts an installation position of a heat exchanger means 1 according to the invention centrally between two longitudinal members 2 and 2', a viable size of the vertical heat exchanger means 1 being determined substantially by the distance between the two longitudinal members 2, 2', a ground clearance and a bonnet height. The position of the vehicle longitudinal members 2, 2' is substantially determined by the space required by a drive means (not shown), and by wheel enveloping surfaces 3 of steered wheels (likewise not shown).

In order to make the best possible use of a space between the two vehicle longitudinal members 2, 2' or in order to keep an upper edge 5 of the heat exchanger means 1 as low as possible, given a predetermined size of the heat exchanger surface 4, an outer contour of the heat exchanger means 1 should be matched as accurately as possible to the internal dimensions of the available space. At least two collecting/distributing tanks 6, 6' arranged laterally on the heat exchange zone 4 and extending substantially vertically may have, in the region of the vehicle longitudinal members 2, 2', recesses 7 on the outside which are complementary thereto in each case. A recess 7 of this type means that a cross-section of the respective collecting/distributing tank 6, 6' is greatly tapered in the region of the recess 7. The recess 7 thus causes the collecting/distributing tank 6 to be divided into a region 8 located above the recess 7 and a region 8a located below the recess 7. Analogously thereto, the recess 7' divides the other collecting/distributing tank 6' into a region 8b located above the recess 7' and a region 8c located thereunder.

In order to convey coolant into the regions 8 and 8a, an external connecting line 9 can be arranged in the collecting/distributing tank 6 in the region of the recess 7, which line connects the region 8 located above the recess 7 to the region 8a located beneath the recess 7. The coolant hose inlet is also connected to the line 9 connecting the two casing halves 8, 8a. In order to convey coolant out of the regions 8b and 8c, an external connecting line 9' can be arranged in at least the collecting/distributing tank 6' in the region of the recess 7', which line connects the region 8b located above the recess 7' to the region 8c located beneath the recess 7'. The coolant hose outlet 19 is also connected to the connecting line 9' of the two casing halves.

The heat exchanger means 1 can be divided into a heat-exchanger section 10 located above the recess 7 or 7' respectively and also a heat-exchanger section 10' located thereunder, in which case each heat-exchanger section 10, 10' has an inlet 11 or 11' respectively and an outlet 12 or 12' respectively.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the heat exchanger means 1 is basically in the form of a cross-flow radiator, so a heat-exchange medium for example coming from a collecting/distributing tank 6 flows substantially horizontally through the heat exchange zone 4 and then reaches the collecting/distributing tank 6'.

In order to be able to increase the functionality of the heat exchanger means 1, the cross-section of the connecting line 9 or 9' may be designed such that different flows are obtained through the inlet 11 and 11' andlor outlet 12, 12'. For example, a constriction 21 may be provided in the connecting lines 9 on one side of the connection 14, so that the flow in the section 8a located beneath the recess 7 and through the lower heat-exchanger section 10' is less than the flow in the section 8 located above the recess 7 and through the upper heat-exchanger section 10. In that case, the coolant which is conveyed through a distributor region (8, 8a) of the collecting/distributing tank 6 into the heat exchange zone 4 can be cooled by a lesser throughflow more greatly than the coolant which is conveyed through the other distributor region (8, 8a) of the collecting/distributing tank 6 into the heat exchange zone.

A difference in flow through the heat-exchanger section 10 and the heat-exchanger section 10' may be advantageous if for example owing to heat exchangers which precede the radiator (and emit heat) such as coolant condensers, power steering radiators, transmission oil radiators, charge air intercoolers etc. it becomes necessary to distribute different amounts of water and hence cooling ability in the radiator in order to optimise the overall efficiency. Figure 3 depicts a diagrammatic side view of a heat exchanger means according to the invention. Heat exchangers 15, 16 are mounted in front of the radiator.

The heat exchangers 15, 16 heat the air to different temperatures due to differing amounts of heat emitted. Owing to the differently adjustable flow of water in the heat-exchanger section 10 and in the heat-exchanger section 10', the different air temperatures are compensated, so that the overall efficiency can be increased.

Furthermore, according to the invention the amounts of water supplied respectively to the inlets 11 and 11' can be divided up differently corresponding to the air-side inflow conditions. The air-side inflow conditions are likewise dependent on the configuration of the front sections in the vehicle. Adjustable dividing of the amounts of water thus takes place, which can for example be achieved by means of set throttling or by the inflow cross-sections into the inlets 11 and 1 1' on the water side. Adjustable throttling is likewise possible by means of an arrangement of a corresponding adjustable valve within the inlets 11 andlor 11'.

In order to be able to increase the functionality of the heat exchanger means 1 or to broaden the range of use, at least one of the lateral collecting/distributing tanks 6, 6' may have a separating web 13, 13' which fluidically seals off the upper section 8, 8b from the lower section 8a, 8c. Preferably the separating web 13, 13' is located in the region of the recess 7, 7'.

As shown in Fig. 2, the collecting/distributing tank 6 is fluidically subdivided by the separating web 13 into the aforementioned sections, thereby producing a flow through the heat exchanger means 1 which is altered compared with that of Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, cooling medium flows via the inlet 11 into the upper heat-exchanger section 10 and flows therethrough from left to right as far as the section 8b of the collecting/distributing tank 6'. Cooling medium similarly flows via the inlet 11' into the lower heat-exchanger section 10' and flows therethrough from left to right up to section 8c of the collecting/distributing tank 6'. As shown in Fig. 2, both the collecting/distributing tank 6 and the collecting/distributing tank 6' may have a separating web 13 or 13' respectively in the region of the respective recess 7, 7', so that the heat-exchanger section 10 is fluidically separated from the heatexchanger section 10'. This makes it possible to regulate the flow through the heat-exchanger section 10 and the heat-exchanger section 10' better.

Figure 4 shows a development of the heat exchanger means shown in Figure 2, in which the connecting line 9' on the return flow side is replaced by two return flow connections, which are arranged in each case on one out of the section 8b located above the recess 7' and the section 8c located below the recess 7'. Owing to the different flows in sections and 10', differently cooled cooling medium can be conveyed specifically to cool certain systems. Water-side oil cooling functions better for example from a thermodynamic point of view if an entry temperature has a relatively great temperature difference [sic], whereas cooling water for a drive means functions better from a thermodynamic point of view if it has a small temperature difference [sic]. The arrangement of the outlets 17, 18 is shown merely by way of example, so other throughflow directions are also intended to be covered by the invention.

With a heat exchanger means 1 mounted in a motor vehicle, the arrangement of the connections to the connecting line 9, 9' permits a reduction in the width of the collecting/distributing tank, which also results in the heat exchange zone being able to be of greater width.

With a heat exchanger means 1 mounted in a motor vehicle, furthermore the vehicle longitudinal members 2, 2' at least partially extend into the recess 7, 7', which results in the heat exchange zone being able to be of greater width.

For a predetermined surface area of the heat exchange zone, the height thereof can thereby be reduced.

The foregoing description of the examples of embodiment in accordance with the present invention serves only for illustrative purposes and not to restrict the invention.

In particular with regard to some preferred examples of embodiment, the person skilled in the art will infer therefrom that various changes and modifications to form and details can be made without departing from the concept and scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is not intended to be restricting.

Instead, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to illustrate the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A heat exchanger means, in particular a cross-flow radiator

for a motor vehicle, -with a heat exchange zone, in particular a radiator/fin network, and -with at least two collecting/distributing tanks arranged laterally on the heat exchange zone and extending substantially vertically, in the region of the vehicle longitudinal members, wherein at least one collecting/distributing tank comprises a first distributor region and a second distributor region which are connected fluidically by an external connecting line provided with a coolant inlet connection or a coolant outlet connection.
2. A heat exchanger means according to Claim 1, wherein the collecting! distributing tanks in each case comprise a first distributor region and a second distributor region, the distributor regions of one collecting/distributing tank being connected fluidically by the external connecting line provided with the coolant inlet connection, and the distributor regions of the other collecting/distributing tank being connected fluidically by the external connecting line provided with the coolant outlet connection.
3. A heat exchanger means according to Claim 1, wherein at least one collecting/distributing tank has a separating web which seals the first distributor region off from the second distributor region.
4. A heat exchanger means according to Claim 1, wherein a cross-section through the connecting line is formed such that an amount of coolant is conveyed specifically into the respective distributor region.
5. A heat exchanger means according to Claim 1, wherein a constriction in the connecting line is provided on one side of the connection.
6. A heat exchanger means according to Claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger means is arranged between two vehicle longitudinal members, the collecting! distributing tanks in the region of the vehicle longitudinal members having in each case on the outside a recess formed complementarily thereto.
7. A heat exchanger means according to Claim 6, wherein at least for one of the collecting/distributing tanks an internal connecting line is arranged in the region of the recess, which line connects a section of the collecting/distributing tank located above the recess to a section located beneath the recess.
8. A heat exchanger means according to Claim 7, wherein the distributor regions of one of the collecting/distributing tanks is provided in each case with a coolant outlet connection.
9. A heat exchanger means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coolant which is conveyed through a distributor region of a collecting/distributing tank into the beat exchange zone is cooled by a lower throughflow more than the coolant which is conveyed through the other distributor region of the collecting' distributing tank into the heat exchange zone.
10. A heat exchanger means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein with a heat exchanger means mounted in the motor vehicle the vehicle longitudinal members extend at least partially into the complementary recesses.
11. A heat exchanger, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.