DE10138247A1 - Heat exchanger arrangement used in motor vehicles comprises a heat exchanger having adjacent pipe ends designed and joined together to form a collector - Google Patents

Abstract

Heat exchanger arrangement (1) comprises several heat exchangers joined together to form a pre-assembled unit. The heat exchangers have several pipes (7) connected at their ends to collectors. The pipe ends of a first heat exchanger (3) are connected to a first collector and the opposite-lying pipe ends are connected to a second collector (39). The adjacent pipe ends of at least one second heat exchanger (5) are designed and joined together to form a collector (9, 11). Preferred Features: The second heat exchanger is an oil cooler. The heat exchanger arrangement has an all-metal monobloc or plastic monobloc design.

Description

The invention relates to a heat exchanger arrangement with several heat exchangers leading to one preassembled unit can be summarized, according to Preamble of claim 1.

Heat exchanger assemblies of the addressed here Att are known. They are in a motor vehicle used, for example, a Internal combustion engine may have. The heat exchanger arrangement includes several heat exchangers leading to one Assembly are summarized. The heat exchangers each include a number of tubes that come with collectors connected in turn to a Medium circuit in which medium flows in a circle, or to one Medium path through which the medium, for example, too a consumer is guided, can be connected. The collectors of each heat exchanger serve for the pipes have a common feed and a to create a common discharge vessel.

There are known heat exchangers, their collectors are tubular and the pipes to the Be attached to collectors. The well-known Heat exchanger assembly includes a variety of different Sharing, what with small and large series production a high outlay in terms of logistics requirement.

It is an object of the invention to provide a To provide heat exchanger assembly of the type mentioned, the from a small number of different ones Individual components or parts is made.

To solve the task is a Heat exchanger arrangement with the features of claim 1 proposed. This is characterized by the fact that adjacent pipe ends of at least one second Heat exchanger designed and interconnected are connected, that a collector is formed. Preferably, one at each end of the tubes Collector trained. The collectors are here so no separate components, as in known Heat exchanger arrangements are provided, but instead by the inventive design of the Pipe ends and their connection formed with each other. The heat exchanger assembly therefore faces known heat exchanger arrangements only one small proportion of different individual components.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the tubes of the second heat exchanger to their open ends to form contact surfaces - in particular rectangular - widened and at the open side with a tight seal are that adjacent sides of the pipe ends adjacent tubes lie flat on each other and that at least one of the contact surfaces of each tube with a passage opening is provided. The Through holes are formed and each other arranged that they are interconnected, whereby the collecting space of the respective collector is formed. Due to the expansion received the Tubes of the second heat exchanger in the not expanded area an undefined distance to each other, the inclusion of corrugated fins allowed.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment the heat exchanger assembly which is characterized characterized by sealing that adjacent bearing surfaces connected to each other, for example by they are soldered, and that the through holes in the contact surfaces aligned with each other or in are arranged approximately in alignment. The result formed collecting space is therefore cylindrical, the contour of the through holes and the Expansion at the pipe ends the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the Heat exchanger arrangement preferably, in which the first and second collector of the first heat exchanger tubular structures are, the shell side with Connection openings are provided, preferably at in each case one connection opening of one of the tubes connected. The collectors of the first Heat exchanger are therefore separate parts that are independent of made the tubes of the first heat exchanger and only then be connected to these. Preferably, the tubes and collector of the first Heat exchanger and, where appropriate, the pipes of the second heat exchanger standard components, thereby the variety of variants and the associated Logistics and storage costs is relatively low.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the tubes of the first heat exchanger in a first Level and the tubes of the second, to the first level lie parallel and approximately parallel plane. Preferably, the arrangement of the heat exchanger when so used in a vehicle, that they are parallel to each other as well as across the Vehicle longitudinal axis, preferably in the engine compartment of Vehicle, are arranged so that they - in Flow direction of the vehicle during a forward movement the same - arranged one behind the other and accordingly one after the other from the airstream be penetrated and cooled.

Preferred is also an embodiment of Heat exchanger assembly, which is characterized characterized in that the longitudinal axes of the tubes of the first Heat exchanger parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes run of the second heat exchanger, wherein the Arrangement is preferably made such that the Pipes of all heat exchangers - in Direction of flow of the wind of the motor vehicle seen - in alignment or substantially flush lie one behind the other.

According to a development of the invention provided that the tubes of the first and second Heat exchanger with each other and to the pipes of the each heat exchanger are spaced apart, wherein in the space between the pipes of the Heat exchanger introduced common corrugated fins, preferably be inserted. The distance between the pipes of the first heat exchanger to the pipes the second heat exchanger serves to at least largely a heat transfer from one to the to avoid another heat exchanger. The corrugated ribs can for this purpose a corresponding zone Have reduced heat transfer.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment the heat exchanger assembly which is characterized that distinguishes the first heat exchanger exclusively by means of in the spaces between the Tubes of the first and second heat exchangers introduced corrugated fins on the second heat exchanger is held. This allows in an advantageous manner Way a secure connection between the Heat exchangers with simultaneous compensation different thermal expansions of the heat exchanger or components thereof. That is, should For example, the parts of the first Heat exchanger expand more than the heat due to the heat of the second heat exchanger, become critical Tension or excessive distortion of individual parts the heat exchanger assembly preferably completely, but at least largely avoided.

According to a development of the invention provided that for attaching the heat exchanger assembly on a component, for example on the body of the vehicle, the second heat exchanger with at least one holding and / or fastening element is provided, preferably on a side part, with the neighboring ends of the collector of the second Heat exchanger are connected, attached or is trained. Preferably, the first Heat exchanger, which over the common corrugated fins with connected to the second heat exchanger and thereby this is held, no further, in particular rigid connection to another component, for example, the vehicle body, on, so that a different thermal expansion of the parts without an excessive deformation of the Heat exchanger arrangement is possible.

Finally, an embodiment is preferred in which the heat exchanger arrangement is in the form of an all-metal Monobloc design is formed. This means, the heat exchanger assembly is made entirely Metal, preferably of aluminum or one Aluminum alloy, whereby the items by means of a matching lots, preferably using one Flux, in particular non-corrosive Flux, in the course of a soldering, the especially in a special soldering oven, connected to each other. The Heat exchanger assembly may alternatively be made of conductive plastic consist, with the individual components glued or are welded.

Further preferred embodiments of Heat exchanger arrangement arise from the rest Dependent claims.

In the following, the invention is based on the Drawing explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the heat exchanger assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the heat exchanger arrangement according to FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged view of an end portion of tubes used for manufacturing a second heat exchanger in its end portion; FIG.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger assembly of Figure 1 obliquely from behind.

. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of heat exchanger assembly of Figure 1 obliquely from the front;

Figs. 7 to 9 each a further variant embodiment of a heat exchanger of the heat exchange assembly; and

Figs. 10 to 11 are each a highly enlarged representation position of an end portion of a heat exchanger arrangement in plan view.

FIGS. 1 to 6 each show a view of a heat exchanger arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle, in particular with an internal combustion engine. The heat exchanger arrangement 1 has a first heat exchanger 3 and a second heat exchanger 5 . The first heat exchanger 3 is arranged according to the view of FIG. 1 behind the second heat exchanger 5 and is therefore not visible in Fig. 1. The heat exchangers 3 , 5 are thus parallel to each other and are arranged transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle, so that the air flow during a forward movement of the motor vehicle, the heat exchanger 3 , 5 flows through, so that the heat exchangers 3 , 5 can deliver heat to the air ,

The second heat exchanger 5 has according to FIG. 1 parallel to each other extending tubes 7 , which are designed here as flat tubes. The ends of the tubes 7 are designed and connected to one another such that a first collector 9 and a second collector 11 are formed at the tube ends. The structure of the collector 9 , 11 is identical and will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4.

Fig. 4 shows a detail of a greatly enlarged portion of the reference to Figs. 1 to 6 described heat exchanger 5 in the region of its collector. 9 The tube ends 13 of each tube 7 are widened rectangular, whereby flat bearing surfaces 15 are formed so that adjacent sides of the pipe ends 13 lie flat against each other. As a result, and taking into account the expansion, the tubes 7 are spaced x, thus forming a space 17 between them. In the interstices 17 inserted corrugated fins 19 are arranged, through which the air flow passes.

The pipe ends 13 are provided on the open side with a tight seal, which is formed by the fact that over the contact surfaces 15 protruding wall parts of the pipe ends 13 are juxtaposed and folded inwards. The sealing completion can also be realized, for example, by the adjoining wall parts of the tubes 7 are connected to each other, for example, a material fit. In each of the contact surfaces 15 , a through hole 21 is introduced with a relatively large cross-section, which - as shown in Fig. 4 can be seen - are arranged in alignment. As a result, a substantially cylindrical collecting space 23 is formed, which extends in this embodiment over the entire height of the second heat exchanger 9 .

In the collector 9 , a participating in the heat transfer medium can be introduced through a bottom of the second heat exchanger 9 arranged first connecting piece 25 and out in a known manner from the second heat exchanger 5 after flowing through the tubes 7 through another, not shown in the figures connecting piece again. The first and / or the second connecting piece may be formed as a threaded or pipe socket or as a quick coupling.

The second heat exchanger 5 is in the embodiment described with reference to the figures an oil cooler, that is, that the introduced via the connecting piece 25 in the heat exchanger 5 medium is oil, which is to be cooled by means of the flow through the heat exchanger heat exchanger. Of course, the second heat exchanger 5 can also be used in conjunction with another liquid or gaseous medium, for example the coolant for the engine cooling of the mentioned internal combustion engine.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1 and 4, respectively adjacent ends of the headers 9 , 11 of the second heat exchanger 5 are connected to a common side part 27 and 29, which are each formed here by a thin sheet metal rail, which inter alia for stiffening the second Heat exchanger 5 serve. On the upper side part 29 in Fig. 1, a holding and fastening element 31 is provided which is formed here by a curved rail 33 to a hook, which can be attached for attaching the heat exchanger assembly 1 at the appropriate location on a component. In the region of the lower side part 27 , a guide 35 is provided, which is guided in the installed state of the heat exchanger assembly in a rail, not shown, in which the heat exchanger assembly 1 can be supported.

The first heat exchanger 3 differs from the second heat exchanger 5 essentially in that it comprises a first collector 37 and a second collector 39 , which are each formed by a hollow cylindrical component with a circular cross-section here. In the jacket of the collectors 37 , 39 each connection openings 41 ( Fig. 5) are introduced. At each connection opening 41 , a pipe end of the tubes 7 'of the first heat exchanger 3 is connected. Preferably, the tubes 7 'are soldered to the collectors 37 , 39 . As can be seen from FIG. 5, the tubes 7 'are also formed by flat tubes.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the tubes 7 'of the first heat exchanger 3 and the tubes 7 of the second heat exchanger 5 are identical in their basic form. In order to produce the first heat exchanger 3 , the tubes 7 'preferably do not have to be bent, widened or otherwise machined, but are preferably merely inserted into the connection opening 41 and firmly bonded to the tubular collectors 37 , 39 . The tubes 7 of the second heat exchanger 5 , however, must be processed, ie - as described above - expanded and each provided with through holes. It is important that the same tubes are used for both heat exchangers 3 , 5 , which reduces the number of different parts of the heat exchanger assembly 1 compared to known arrangements and thus the storage and logistics costs.

In the process described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 embodiment of the heat exchanger assembly 1 it is provided that the first heat exchanger 3 are indicated only by means of the corrugated fins 19, only some of which in Figs. 1 and 4, is held at the second heat exchanger 5. The corrugated fins 19 are thus preferably arranged in all interspaces 17 and extend - as viewed in the direction of flow of the airstream - through both heat exchangers 3 , 5 . The first heat exchanger 3 can therefore at different thermal expansions of the heat exchangers 3 , 5 compensate for the extension or shortening of these parts, without causing individual components warped or excessive stresses are subjected. Of course, it is also possible in principle to couple the heat exchangers 3 , 5 rigidly to one another, for example by connecting the two heat exchangers 3 , 5 to the side parts 27 , 29 .

The first heat exchanger 3 may be formed, for example, as a refrigerant / air condenser and be turned on in the refrigerant circuit of a heating or air conditioning system of the motor vehicle, not shown. Of course, the heat exchanger 1 can be used in conjunction with other liquid or gaseous media.

In the embodiment of the heat exchanger assembly 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 3 partitions 43 and 45 and the collector 39 dividing walls 47 , 49 , 51 and 53 are inserted into the collector 37 of the first heat exchanger, the collector 37 or 39 in several, preferably divided medium-separated longitudinal sections. In a first longitudinal section 55 of the second collector 39 , a medium can be introduced through a connecting piece 57 into the heat exchanger 3 and led out again after flowing through the tubes 7 'through a further connecting piece 57 ', which is located at a further longitudinal section 59 of the second collector 39 become. Via the connecting pieces 57 , 57 ', the upper part of the first heat exchanger 3 is preferably connected to a coolant circuit of a heating or air conditioning system of the vehicle, that is, the upper part of the first heat exchanger 3 as shown in FIG. 5 serves as a condenser.

At the collector 39 further connection piece 61 , 61 'are provided, which are arranged on by means of the partition 53 separate longitudinal sections of the collector 39 . Via the connecting pieces 61 , 61 ', the lower portion of the first heat exchanger 3 can be connected to a further medium circuit or medium path. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that a fuel is introduced into the first heat exchanger 3 via the connection piece 61 and, after flowing through the lower tubes 7 ', is led out again through the connection piece 61 '.

It should be noted that the first heat exchanger 3 is subdivided into a plurality of partial heat exchangers, the number of which is not limited to two. That is, the first heat exchanger 3 and / or the second heat exchanger 5 are readily subdivided into three or more than three partial heat exchangers, each of these partial heat exchanger is in each case connected to a medium circuit or path.

In summary, it should be noted that which distinguishes itself with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 described heat exchanger assembly 1 by a compact, space-saving construction, wherein the number of different components with respect to known arrangements is small.

In the following, various embodiments of a heat exchanger of the heat exchanger assembly 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. Purely by way of example, it is assumed below that this is a first heat exchanger 3 . Of course, the above-described second heat exchanger 5 may be formed accordingly.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a connecting piece 25 B is arranged at the lower end of the collector 9 , via which a medium to the heat exchanger 3 can be fed. At the opposite end of the other collector 11 , a connection piece 25 A is arranged, through which the medium is led out of the heat exchanger 3 , after it has flowed through the heat exchanger 3 . The connecting pieces 25 A, 25 B are therefore located on opposite sides of the collector 9 and 11 , wherein the medium inlet and -abfuhr / -ablauf if necessary, can also be reversed. In the collector 9 is a partition wall 63 and the collector 11 a partition 65 are arranged, which divide the respective collector into two separate longitudinal sections, wherein the partitions 63 , 65 - seen in the vertical direction - at a distance from each other and from the connecting piece 25 A, 25 B are arranged. Due to this configuration, it is ensured that the medium supplied via the connecting piece 25 B to the heat exchanger 3 is deflected several times and - as indicated by arrows - a part of the tubes (not shown) from right to left and another part of the tubes from left to right flows through.

In the embodiment of the heat exchanger arrangement shown in FIG. 8, the dividing walls 63 , 65 arranged in the collectors 9 , 11 are at the same height, whereby the heat exchanger 3 is subdivided into two separate partial heat exchangers. The upper part of the heat exchanger is connected via a connected to the collector 9 connecting piece 25 B, a first medium that is led out after flowing through the pipes not shown via a provided on the collector 11 connecting piece 25 A again from the partial heat exchanger. Analogously, the lower part of the heat exchanger has a connected to the collector 9 connecting piece 25 C, via which a second medium of a second medium circuit is introduced into the lower gate of the collector 9 . After the second medium has flowed through the tubes, it is led out via a provided at the lower portion of the collector 11 connecting piece 25 C from the lower part of the heat exchanger. Due to the sealing department of the collectors 9 , 11 by means of the partitions 63 , 65 in each case at least two longitudinal sections mixing of the first and second media can be prevented with each other. Due to the arrangement of the connecting piece 25 A to 25 D and the partition walls 63 , 65 , the partial heat exchanger are arranged one above the other.

In Fig. 9, a further embodiment of the heat exchange assembly 1 is shown, the heat exchanger 3, a medium is fed in through a header 11 connected to the connecting piece 25 A. According to a first embodiment, it is provided that a connection piece 25 B is connected to the collector 9 , via which the medium is led out of the heat exchanger 3 . The connecting piece 25 B is located on the same side of the heat exchanger, namely above, as the connecting piece 25 A. In a second embodiment, it is provided that instead of the connecting piece 25 B, a connecting piece 25 B 'is connected to the collector 9 , located on the the connection piece 25 A opposite side of the heat exchanger 3 is located, namely below. It is clear that the arrangement of the connecting pieces for the medium supply and removal to the collector 9 , 11 is arbitrary. It is also possible, for example, that the connecting piece 25 A for introducing the medium into the heat exchanger 3 at the lower end of the collector 11 , ie on the same side as the connecting piece 25 B 'is located. Other ways of arranging the connection piece 25 A, 25 B are possible.

FIG. 10 shows a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of the heat exchanger arrangement 1 in plan view. This comprises a total of three successively arranged heat exchangers 67 , 69 and 71 , of which in this embodiment, the heat exchangers 69 , 71 are identical, and approximately correspond to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4. On the other hand, the embodiment of the heat exchange arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 11 differs in that the three heat exchangers 67 , 69 , 71 arranged one behind the other differ identically. Further combinations of the arrangement of the heat exchanger within the heat exchanger assembly 1 are possible. For example, the heat exchanger 67 shown in FIG. 10 may also be located in the center of the heat exchanger assembly or in the position of the heat exchanger 69 or the opposite side of the heat exchanger assembly 1 , in the position of the heat exchanger 71 .

After all, it is clear that the heat exchanger assembly 1 of the invention offers a variety of ways to arrange the heat exchanger. The number of heat exchangers is not limited to three and may easily be more than three.

Claims (14)

1. Heat exchanger assembly ( 1 ) with a plurality of heat exchangers ( 3 , 5 ) which can be combined to form a preassembled structural unit, the heat exchangers ( 3 , 5 ) each having a plurality of tubes connected at their ends to collectors ( 9 , 11 ; 37 , 39 ) ( 7 ; 7 '), wherein the tube ends of a first heat exchanger ( 3 ) to a first collector ( 37 ) and the opposite tube ends thereof to a second collector ( 39 ) are connected, characterized in that adjacent tube ends of at least one second heat exchanger ( 5 ) are formed and connected to each other in such a way that a collector ( 9 , 11 ) is formed. 2. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubes ( 7 ) of the second heat exchanger ( 5 ) at its open ends to form contact surfaces ( 15 ) - in particular rectangular - expanded and provided on the open side with a tight conclusion, that adjacent sides of the tube ends of adjacent tubes ( 7 ) lie flat on one another, and that at least one of the contact surfaces ( 15 ) of each tube ( 7 ) is provided with a passage opening ( 21 ). 3. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing end is formed by over the contact surfaces ( 15 ) projecting wall portions of the pipe ends, which are preferably juxtaposed and folded inwards. 4. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent bearing surfaces ( 15 ) sealingly connected to each other, in particular soldered, and that the passage openings ( 21 ) are aligned with each other or approximately aligned and form a collecting space. 5. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second collectors ( 37 , 39 ) of the first heat exchanger ( 3 ) are tubular structures which are provided on the shell side with connection openings ( 41 ) to which the tubes ( 7 '; ) of the first heat exchanger ( 3 ) are connected. 6. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubes ( 7 ') of the first heat exchanger ( 3 ) in a first plane and the tubes ( 7 ) of the second heat exchanger ( 5 ) in a second, parallel to the first plane or lie in approximately parallel plane. 7. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubes ( 7 , 7 ') of the first and second heat exchangers ( 3 , 5 ) are spaced from one another and to the tubes ( 7 ) of the respective other heat exchanger, and in that the intermediate space ( 17 ) between the tubes ( 7 ) of the heat exchanger ( 3 , 5 ) common corrugated fins ( 19 ) are introduced. 6. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent ends of the collector ( 9 , 11 ) of the second heat exchanger ( 5 ) with a common side part ( 27 , 29 ) are coupled, wherein at least one side part ( 29 ) at least one Holding and / or fastening element ( 31 ) for attaching the heat exchanger assembly ( 1 ) is provided on a component. 9. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first heat exchanger ( 3 ) is held exclusively by means of the corrugated fins ( 19 ) on the second heat exchanger ( 5 ). 10. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collectors ( 37 , 39 ) of the first heat exchanger ( 3 ) with partitions ( 43 to 53 ) are each subdivided into a plurality of collector longitudinal sections, wherein at least two of the collector longitudinal sections of each collector ( 37 , 39 ) are connected to different medium circuits or medium paths. 11. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that a first Medium circuit a cooling medium circuit of a heating or Air conditioning and a second medium path or Medium circuit a fuel path or a Fuel cycle is. 12. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one collector ( 9 , 11 , 37 , 39 ) of the first heat exchanger ( 3 ) and / or the second heat exchanger ( 5 ) is divided by means of at least one partition and that the medium supply and removal takes place in such a way that the medium is deflected when flowing through the heat exchanger ( 3 , 5 ) due to the partition wall. 13. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second heat exchanger ( 5 ) is an oil cooler. 14. Heat exchanger assembly according to one of previous claims, characterized as all-metal Monobloc design or plastic monoblock Execution.