KR102354719B1 - Cooler core and cover units for heat exchangers inserted in the vehicle's engine block or transmission block - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooler core (2) and a cover (3) unit (1) for a heat exchanger inserted into an engine block (5) or transmission block of a vehicle. The cover (3) is a plate (9) dimensioned to close the opening (6) of a cavity (4) inserted into the engine block (5) or transmission block of the vehicle, the cavity (4) being the cooler core said plate (9) capable of accommodating (2), a reinforcing frame (10) for reinforcing said plate (9), and said cooler core (2) via said plate (9) or reinforcing frame (10) ), an inlet port 11 and an outlet port 12 for the fluid to be cooled.

Description

Cooler core and cover units for heat exchangers inserted in the vehicle's engine block or transmission block

The present invention relates generally, in a first aspect, to a cooler core and cover unit for a fluid heat exchanger of an engine or transmission, the heat exchanger casing comprising an engine block or transmission block of a vehicle inserted into

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to an engine or transmission comprising said cooler core and cover unit and a cavity inserted into an engine block or transmission block and designed to receive a cooler core and closed by said cover. It relates to a fluid heat exchanger. In particular, the invention relates to a heat exchanger for exhaust gases of a vehicle engine comprising a cavity inserted in an engine block of a vehicle, and a cooler core and cover unit mountable to said cavity.

The invention applies in particular to exhaust gas recirculation exchangers of engines (“Exhaust Gas Recirculation Coolers” or EGRCs). However, the present invention can also be applied to an oil recirculation exchanger of a transmission of a vehicle.

The main function of the EGRC exchanger is to exchange heat between the exhaust gas and the coolant fluid to cool the gas. Currently, EGRC heat exchangers are widely used in diesel applications to reduce emissions and are also used in gasoline applications to reduce fuel consumption.

The current construction of EGRC exchangers on the market is that of a metal heat exchanger with a casing, usually made of stainless steel or aluminum. Basically, there are two types of EGR heat exchangers: the first type consists of a casing inside which bundles of parallel pipes for the passage of exhaust gases are inside, the coolant circulates through the casing outside the pipes, and the second type The silver comprises a series of parallel plates constituting a heat exchange surface such that exhaust gas and coolant circulate between the two plates in alternating layers.

Exhaust gas heat exchangers are known from the prior art and are integrated into vehicles. Patent US 2017/138320A discloses an EGR heat exchanger of this type which is provided with a heat exchange casing which is integrated or inserted into the engine block of a real vehicle, through which the coolant fluid is supplied from a pipe which is likewise integrated into the engine block. is cycled The cooler core of this heat exchanger is accommodated inside a cavity inserted in the engine block, the opening of the cavity being closed in a leaktight manner by a cover. The inlet and outlet pipes for exhaust gases are coupled to the gas circulation circuit of the cooler core by means of orifices provided in the cover. A cavity inserted into the engine block and its cover define a heat exchange casing through which a coolant fluid circulates.

In order to ensure resistance to thermal shock and pressure changes caused by the temperature of gases and coolants, the cover closing the cavity inserted in the engine block for the above-mentioned exchanger is predetermined to withstand these changes and thermal shock. It should be designed in thickness. However, this solution increases the weight of the exchanger and also its cost.

For the purpose of solving the mentioned problems, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cooler core and a cover unit for a fluid heat exchanger of an engine or transmission, said cover comprising:

- a plate of reduced thickness dimensioned to close an opening in a cavity inserted into an engine block or transmission block of the vehicle, the cavity being capable of receiving the cooler core;

- a reinforcing frame for reinforcing the plate;

- characterized in that it comprises an inlet port and an outlet port for the fluid to be cooled, which can be coupled to the cooler core via said plate or reinforcing frame.

The claimed unit makes it possible to reduce the weight and cost of the prior art exchanger, which is hermetically sealed by a cover comprising a plate of reduced thickness in which the cavity containing the cooler core is externally reinforced by a reinforcing frame. because it is closed with Thus, the use of a heavy cover that increases the cost of the final product and is difficult to handle is avoided.

In addition, this solution offers the advantage of being compatible with the use of gaskets that mimic the perimeter of the opening of the cavity of the engine block or transmission block to ensure optimum tightness to the unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the plate is between 0.0004 m and 0.004 m, and advantageously the reinforcing frame is obtained by molding using a material selected from plastics and aluminum.

Preferably, the reinforcing frame comprises a perimeter structure for reinforcing the perimeter of the plate, which ensures optimum tightness to the cavity inserted in the engine block or transmission block of the vehicle.

Advantageously, the reinforcing frame comprises a plurality of partitions extending transversely from one side of the circumferential structure to the other to increase the mechanical strength of the reinforcing frame and protect the periphery of the plate as well as the rest of the surface of the plate. ) is additionally included.

According to the same preferred embodiment, the claimed unit comprises fastening means for fixing the reinforcing frame on the plate during transport of said unit. In this way, the position of the reinforcement frame is fixed during transport until the unit is mounted in a cavity inserted in the engine block or transmission block of the vehicle.

Advantageously, the fastening means of the reinforcing frame comprise a plurality of fastening lugs provided on the periphery of the plate, or alternatively on the periphery of the gasket. According to one embodiment, these lugs may be designed to each include retaining tabs for retaining the frame and extending vertically from the periphery of the plate or gasket.

Preferably, the periphery of the plate comprises a plurality of orifices for the passage of the fastening element, and advantageously the frame reinforcing the plate is arranged to correspond to the plurality of orifices of the plate. a plurality of orifices of Again, advantageously, the gasket comprises, in the transport position of the claimed unit, a further plurality of orifices for the passage of said fastening element, arranged to correspond to a plurality of orifices of the plate and of the frame for reinforcing said plate. do.

In this way, the plate, reinforcing frame and gasket unit can be easily and conveniently fastened to the engine block using screws that are threaded around the periphery of the opening of the cavity of the engine block.

As previously mentioned, in addition to the frame and plate, the cover of the claimed unit includes an inlet port and an outlet port for the fluid to be cooled, which may be coupled to the cooler core via a plate or alternatively via a reinforcing frame. include According to one embodiment, each of these inlet and outlet ports comprises a fluid inlet or outlet pipe that can be coupled to a fluid inlet or outlet of the cooler core via an orifice provided in the plate, and the fluid inlet or outlet pipe, the fluid inlet or outlet pipe connecting the fluid of the vehicle. a flange for coupling to an inlet or outlet pipe for

According to the same embodiment, the cooler core comprises a bundle of pipes for circulation of a fluid to be cooled, and is configured to be received within a cavity inserted in an engine block or transmission block, said cavity being the pipe when the unit is in use. A bundle of coolant fluid circuits may be defined.

Preferably, the present invention provides an assembled unit in which a cooler core is coupled to fluid inlet and outlet pipes provided in said plate and a reinforcing frame is secured to the plate in a predetermined mounting position. As a result of this, the unit is ready for mounting and can be easily transported to ensure the position of the frame on the plate and gasket.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a heat exchanger for a fluid of an engine, in particular an exhaust gas heat exchanger of an engine, said heat exchanger comprising a cooler core and cover unit as claimed, and said cooler core for receiving the cooler core. It contains a cavity inserted into the block of the engine.

For a better understanding of what has been described, the accompanying drawings show, only schematically and by way of non-limiting example, an actual case of an embodiment of a cooler core and cover unit for an exhaust gas heat exchanger of an engine of a vehicle.
1 shows a perspective view of a cavity designed to receive a cooler core of an exchanger, inserted into an engine block of a vehicle;
Fig. 2 shows the assembled cooler core and cover unit ready for mounting in the cavity shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows the unit of Fig. 2 assembled and mounted inside the cavity of the engine block of Fig. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the cooler core and cover unit of FIG. 2 ;

A description is provided below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 of a preferred embodiment of a cooler core and cover unit for a heat exchanger inserted into an engine block of a vehicle. Such a heat exchanger is suitable for cooling the exhaust gas of an engine by means of a coolant fluid.

The claimed cooler core (2) and cover (3) unit (1) is, as shown in FIG. 2, a cavity inserted in an engine block (5) of a vehicle comprising a pipe (8) for supplying a coolant fluid. (4) is designed to be mounted on. As can be seen from FIG. 1 , the cavity 4 of the engine block 5 is provided with an opening 6 , the periphery of which is provided by the fastening of the unit 1 and the above by the cover 3 . and a plurality of orifices 16a for threading of the screw allowing closure of the opening 6 .

The cover 3 of the claimed unit 1 comprises:

- a plate 9 of reduced thickness dimensioned to close the opening 6 of the cavity 4 inserted into the engine block 5;

- a reinforcing frame (10) for reinforcing the plate (9);

- an inlet port 11 and an outlet port 12 for the fluid to be cooled, which can be coupled to the cooler core 2 via a plate 9 or a reinforcing frame 10 .

In the described embodiment, the cover 3 further comprises a gasket 13 which mimics the shape of the periphery of the opening 6 of the cavity 4 in order to ensure optimum tightness of the cavity 4 .

As mentioned in the description of the invention, the claimed unit makes it possible to reduce the weight and cost of the prior art exchanger, which is a plate 9 closing the cavity 4 inserted in the engine block 5 . This is because it is externally reinforced by the reinforcement frame 10 so that it can be designed with a reduced thickness. Preferably, the thickness of the plate 9 is between 0.4 mm and 4 mm.

The reinforcing frame 10 for reinforcing the plate 9 is designed with a peripheral structure 14 imitating the periphery of the opening 6 of the cavity 4 inserted in the engine block 5, whereby the gasket described above (13) provides the necessary stiffness for proper functioning. This reinforcing frame 10 also increases the mechanical strength of the frame 10 and protects the periphery of the plate 9 as well as the rest of the surface of the plate 6 from one side to the other side of the circumferential structure 14 . It may include a plurality of partitions 15 extending in the transverse direction.

As can be seen in FIG. 4 , the periphery of the plate 9 as well as the periphery of the reinforcement frame 10 and the gasket 13 is a screw (not shown) fastening the unit 1 onto the engine block 5 . ) comprising a plurality of orifices 16b , 16c , 16d arranged to correspond to orifices 16a at the periphery of the opening 6 of the cavity 4 when the unit 1 is assembled. do.

Each of the inlet part 11 and the outlet part 12 for the fluid to be cooled, which also forms part of the cover 3 , can be coupled to a fluid inlet or fluid outlet of the cooler core 2 via an orifice. a pipe (17) or fluid outlet pipe (18) and a flange (20) for connecting the fluid inlet pipe (17) or fluid outlet pipe (18) to a gas inlet pipe or gas outlet pipe of a vehicle.

A suitable cooler core (2) comprises a bundle of pipes for circulation of exhaust gases, which are adapted to be received inside a cavity (4) inserted in an engine block (5). According to one embodiment, each of the pipes of the cooler core 2 for the fluid to be cooled may be formed of two “U”-shaped plates. However, other types of pipe constructions would be possible if these pipes fit the shape of the cavity 4 designed to accommodate them.

In the described embodiment, the cooler core 2 passes through the plate 9 of the cover 3 via respective gas inlet pipes 17 and gas outlet pipes 18 provided in the orifices 19 of the plate 9 . whereas the reinforcing frame 10 is secured to the plate 9 in a predetermined mounting position by means of fixing lugs 21 extending vertically from the periphery of the gasket 13 (see FIG. 4 ). Each of the securing lugs 21 includes a retaining tab 22 that is pressure-fitted on the peripheral structure 14 of the reinforcing frame 10 .

As mentioned in the description of the present invention, the fixing lugs 21 fix the assembled position of the cooler core 2 and the cover 3 unit 1 , the cover comprising the plate 9 and the reinforcing frame 10 ) and the gasket 13, whereby the unit 1 is ready for mounting and can be easily transported. This ensures the positioning of the reinforcing frame 10 on the plate and the orifices 16b, 16c, 16d provided to allow the passage of the fastening element.

Notwithstanding the fact that reference has been made to specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the claimed cooler core 2 and cover 3 units may undergo numerous modifications and variations, all details recited in the appended claims. It is clear that other technically equivalent details may be substituted without departing from the scope of protection provided for by For example, although the description of the examples refers to means for fixing the reinforcing frame 10 to the plate 9 configured as the fixing lugs 21 , this same fixing means is an element of a type other than the aforementioned lugs. can also be configured as such an element if it makes it possible to fix the position of the reinforcing frame 10 on the plate 9 . Similarly, although the described unit 1 example is for an exhaust gas exchanger inserted into an engine block 5 of a vehicle, the claimed unit 1 will be suitable for an oil recirculation exchanger of a transmission block of a vehicle.

Claims (16)

A cooler core (2) and cover (3) unit (1) for a heat exchanger inserted into an engine block (5) or transmission block of a vehicle, the unit (1) comprising:
The cover (3) is,
a plate (9) dimensioned to close the opening (6) of a cavity (4) inserted into the engine block (5) or transmission block of the vehicle, the cavity (4) capable of receiving the cooler core (2) with the plate (9),
a reinforcing frame (10) for reinforcing the plate (9);
an inlet port (11) and an outlet port (12) for the fluid to be cooled, which can be coupled to the cooler core (2) via the plate (9) or the reinforcing frame (10);
fastening means (21, 22) for fixing the reinforcing frame (10) to the plate (9) during transport of the unit (1);
characterized in that the fixing means comprise a plurality of fixing lugs (21) for fixing the reinforcing frame (10), provided on the periphery of the plate (9) or on the periphery of the gasket (13).
unit. The method of claim 1,
a gasket (13) for the periphery of the opening (6) of the cavity (4) of the engine block (5) or transmission block;
unit. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The reinforcing frame (10) comprises a peripheral structure (14) for reinforcing the periphery of the plate (9).
unit. 4. The method of claim 3,
The reinforcing frame 10 includes a plurality of partitions 15 extending transversely from one side to the other side of the outer peripheral structure 14
unit. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The reinforcing frame 10 is obtained by molding using a material selected from plastic and aluminum.
unit. delete delete The method of claim 1,
Each of the fixing lugs (21) includes at least one tab (22) for holding the reinforcement frame (10).
unit. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The periphery of the plate (9) comprises a plurality of orifices (16c) for the passage of fastening elements for fastening the plate (9).
unit. 4. The method of claim 3,
The periphery of the plate (9) comprises a plurality of orifices (16c) for the passage of fastening elements for fastening the plate (9), and a reinforcing frame (10) for reinforcing the plate (9) is provided. (9) comprising a further plurality of orifices (16b) for passage of the fastening element, arranged to correspond to the plurality of orifices (16c) of (9)
unit. 10. The method of claim 9,
The gasket comprises a further plurality of orifices for the passage of fastening elements, arranged to correspond to the plurality of orifices 16b, 16c of the reinforcing frame 10 for reinforcing the plate 9 and the plate 9; 16d) containing
unit. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The plate 9 has a thickness of 0.0004 m to 0.004 m.
unit. The method of claim 1,
Each of the inlet and outlet ports 11 , 12 is a fluid inlet connectable through an orifice provided in the plate 9 to a fluid inlet or outlet of a circuit for circulation of a fluid to be cooled of the cooler core 2 . or an outlet pipe (17, 18) and a flange (19, 20) for coupling the fluid inlet or outlet pipe (17, 18) to the respective inlet or outlet pipe for the fluid to be cooled in the vehicle.
unit. The method of claim 1,
The cooler core (2) comprises a pipe bundle for circulation of a fluid to be cooled, the pipe bundle being configured to be received inside the cavity (4) inserted into the engine block (5) or the transmission block, the engine block (5) or the cavity (4) of the transmission block can confine the circuit of coolant fluid for the pipe bundle together with the cover (3)
unit. The assembled unit according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:
The cooler core 2 is coupled to the cover 3 via respective fluid inlet and outlet pipes 17 and 18 provided on the plate 9, and the reinforcement frame 10 is connected to the engine block ( 5) or fixed to the plate (9) in a predetermined mounting position of the unit (1) of the transmission block
assembled unit. In a fluid heat exchanger of an engine, in particular a heat exchanger for exhaust gases of an engine,
3. A cooler core (2) and cover (3) unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a cavity (4) inserted into an engine block (5) for receiving said cooler core (2); , the cavity (4) can define with the cover (3) a circuit for a fluid for cooling the exhaust gas.
heat exchanger.

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