GB2166862A

GB2166862A - Vehicle radiator

Info

Publication number: GB2166862A
Application number: GB08525468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gebhard Schwarz
Original assignee: Behr GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Mahle Behr GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1984-11-06
Filing date: 1985-10-16
Publication date: 1986-05-14
Also published as: GB2166862B; FR2572797B1; GB8525468D0; FR2572797A1; DE3440489C2; DE3440489A1; IT8522738A0; IT1186362B

Abstract

In a radiator constituted by flat tubes 1, a single water containing header 2 is provided at one end only of the flat tubes and is sub-divided into two chambers by a separating wall 3 extending in the longitudinal direction. The ends of the flat tubes which are remote from the water container are sealed by a common end member 9. Disposed inside the flat tubes are separating webs 8 which extend in prolongation of the separating wall in the water container and which are discontinued at a distance from the closed ends of the flat tubes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Radiator, particularly for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle The invention relates to a radiator, particularly for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with flat tubes and a water container sub-divided into two chambers by a separating wall, an inlet connector being adjacent one chamber while an outlet connector is adjacent the other chamber.

Radiators of the type mentioned at the outset, which are frequently used as so-called cross-flow radiators, in which the flat tubes extend horizontally, are, at the end remote from the water container with the inlet connector and the outlet connector fitted into a further water container in which the flow of cooling water is deflected.

The invention is based on the problem of so constructing a radiator of the type mentioned at the outset that an improved cooling output is achieved without any increase in manufacturing costs.

This problem is resolved in that, at their ends remote from the water container, the flat tubes are sealed and comprise in each case a separating web disposed in prolongation of the separating wall of the water container and terminating at a distance from the closed ends of the flat tubes.

In the case of this embodiment, it is possible to dispense with a second water container. The cooling fluid, particularly cooling water, flows to and for in the same flat tube.

Dispensing with the second water container provides the advantage that the cooling area can be increased by the space otherwise needed for such a second water container, so that the cooling capacity of the radiator is improved, particularly at high speed. Furthermore, a cross-counter-current operation is obtained by which the specific performance of the system is enhanced.

A further development of the invention envisages that the closed ends of the flat tubes be supported by one common end member.

Such an end member is sufficient to achieve adequate strength without requiring any substantial space.

A further development of the invention envisages the ends of the flat tubes being sealed by the end member. Thus, in addition to its reinforcing function, the end member additionally fulfils the function of sealing the radiator.

In this respect, it is advantageous if the end member is provided with corrugations into which the ends of the flat tubes are inserted.

The result is a simple alignment for the flat tubes which permits of reliable fixing and simultaneous sealing.

A further development of the invention envisages the separating webs being soldered into the flat tubes. In order to keep the solder points substantially free from mechanical stresses, it is advantageous if in addition the separating webs are braced against abutments at least in the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes.

In a further development of the invention, it is envisaged that the separating webs have profiled outer contours. Thus, the separating webs are so constructed that they act as turbulence generators and thus help to improve the transfer of inner heat. It also additionally improves the cooling output.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become evident from the ensuing description of the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a radiator constructed according to the invention and used as a crossflow radiator; Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the radiator in Fig. 1 in the region of one of the flat tubes soldered into an end member provided with corrugations or sealed and supported by an adhesive substance; Figure 3 shows a cross-section through a first embodiment of flat tube; Figure 4 is a plan view of the flat tube according to Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a partial section through a radiator according to the invention, in the region of an end member with flat tubes compressed at the ends and soldered and supported on the end member;; Figure 6 shows a partial section through a further embodiment of radiator according to the invention in which the tube ends which are to be sealed are supported on an end member after the fashion of a water tank construction; Figure 7 is an end elevation of a further embodiment of flat tube with a crease incorporated to serve as a separating web; Figure 8 is a partially broken away perspective view of the flat tube in Fig. 7 in the region of the end which is to be sealed; Figure 9 is an end view of a further embodiment of a flat tube with a turbulence insert constituting a separating web; Figure 10 is a partial section taken on the line X-X in Fig. 9 and Figure ii is a partially broken away perspective view of an embodiment similar to Figs. 9 and 10.

The cross-flow radiator shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 has a plurality of flat tubes 1 disposed one above another in a row.The ends of the flat tubes 1 are so inserted into apertures 14 in a tube end that they end flush with the inside wall of the tube end. The flat tubes 1 are soldered into the apertures 14.

Fitted on the tube end 11 by having its outer rim flanged over is a water container 2 preferably produced from synthetic plastics material and provided with an inlet connector 6 and an outlet connector 7. An encircling profiled gasket 12 is inserted between the tube end and the water container.

The water container 2 is sub-divided by a separating wall 3 extending in a vertical direction into two parallel chambers 4 and 5, the inlet connector 6 being for example adjacent the chamber 4, in the region of its outer wall, while the outlet connector 7 is adjacent the chamber 5, in the region of the web 3.

Inserted into the flat tubes 1, the narrow sides of which are vertically aligned, are in each case vertically aligned separating webs 8 which are in prolongation of the separating wall 3 of the water container 2. The ends of the separating webs 8 finish flush with those ends of the flat tubes 1 which are towards the water container 2, i.e. they extend flush to the inner face of the tube end which is towards the water container 2. Between the separating wall 3 and the separating webs 8 there is a profiled gasket 13 which is preferably constructed in one piece with the profiled gasket 12 and which is connected by webs to the encircling profiled gasket 12.

The separating webs 8 end at a distance from those ends of the flat tubes 1 which are remote from the water container 2, a distance of about 30 mm being left. The ends of the flat tubes 1 which are remote from the water container 2 are closed in sealing-tight fashion so that water circulation as indicated by the arrows will occur in each case within one of the flat tubes 1 passing from the chamber 4 through the flat tube 1 to the chamber 5 of the water container. One half of the flat tubes 1 will always be connected to one of the chambers 4 and 5.

The ends of the flat tubes 1 remote from the water container 2 are supported by a common end member 9. As can be seen from Fig. 2, this end member 9 may also be used at the same time to close the ends of the flat tubes 1 in sealing-tight fashion. The end member 9 is provided with, adapted to the crosssection of the flat tubes 1, corrugations 10 having tapering walls and into which the ends of the flat tubes 1 are inserted. The connection between the ends of the flat tubes 1 and the end member 9, as shown in the upper half of Fig. 1, is expediently achieved by soldering. To this purpose, the flat tubes 1 and/or the area of the end member 9 which is towards the flat tubes 1 are solder-plated. In addition, by way of deviation from the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, it is envisaged to seal with silicone composition the area in which the flat tubes 1 are inserted into the corrugations 10.As shown in the bottom half of rig. 1, as a modification of this embodiment, a hardening out adhesive compound, particularly eopoxy resin, is poured into the corrugations 10 into which the ends of the flat tubes 1 are then inserted. As it hardens out, the adhesive compound then forms a kind of plug at the ends of the flat tubes 1 and establishes an adhesive connection to the end member 9.

As Fig. 1 shows, air plates 15 are disposed as interlinings between the flat tubes 1 which are disposed one above another in a vertical row. On its upper and lower sides, the radiator is covered with profiled closure members 16 and 17 ideally connected at one end to the tube end 11 and at the other to the end member 9.

In the case of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the separating webs 8 are constructed as smooth sheet metal strips which are inserted into the flat tubes 1 to which they are soldered. In this case, too, it is expedient for the flat tubes 1 and/or the separating webs 8 to be plated with solder.

In the case of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, there is inserted into the flat tube to serve as a separating web 8 and solder-plated on both sides, a profiled strip which is soldered to the top and bottom of the flat tube 1. In order to relieve the soldered joints between the separating webs 8 and the flat tubes 1 from forces, in the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, there is impressed at least on one side of the flat tube 1 a corrugation 30 which serves as a limiting abutment. In the case of a modified embodiment, three corrugations 30, 30a and 30b are provided which are punctiform impressions and which align the separating webs 8 in an axial direction as well as laterally.

In the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the ends 18 of the flat tubes 1 are pressed together and soldered. Expediently, the tubes 1 are solder-plated on both sides so that this connection can be made in one operation in an oven. As can also be seen from Fig. 5, the ends 18 of the flat tubes 1 are passed through an end member 9 provided with corresponding cut-outs and angled over outside this end member 9. Since the flat tubes 1 are solder-plated on both sides, soldering also produces a connection to the end member 9.

In the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a solder-free seal is provided at the ends of the flat tubes 1 remote from the water container 2. The ends of the flat tubes are inserted into apertures 20 in a tube end and are soldered thereto. The tube end 19 is passed around the rim of the dish-shaped synthetic plastics end member 9' and connected to this latter via its flanged edge 22. Between the tube end 19 and the edge of the end member 9' there is a profiled gasket 21. As Fig. 6 shows, the flat tubes 1 end at a short distance from the end member 9'.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a further embodiment of a flat tube 1 which is suitable for a radiator according to the invention. As a separating web 8, this flat tube 1 has a centrally dis posed crease 23 which extends from one wall of the flat tube to the other. With this embodiment, too, the flat tube is expediently solder-plated on both sides so that upon common soldering of the entire radiator, also a tight separation is achieved between the two chambers of the flat tubes 1. In the region of the ends which have to be sealed by one of the previously explained methods, the creases or pleats 23 are angled over parallel with the tube wall from which they project, over a region 24. Thus an adequate cross-section is provided through which transfer flow can occur.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, there is inserted into a flat tube a profile 25 which on the one hand forms the middle separating web 8 and which serves on the other as a turbulence-generating insert. The profile 25 which is solder-plated on both sides has a longitudinally extending middle rib 26 which forms the separating web between the two chambers of the flat tubes 1. Laterally, the profile is bounded by two further longitudinal ribs 27 and 28 which may be pressed out in the same direction as the rib 26 (Fig. 9) or in the opposite direction (Fig. 11). Left between the ribs 27 and 26 and also 26 and 28 are transverse webs disposed at an angle of about 45". Stamped out of these transverse webs and projecting into the flow profile are ribs 29 which serve as a means of generating turbulence. Such a profile 25 which at the same time serves as a separating web 8 for the flat tubes and also as an insert for generating turbluence can easily be pressed out from metal plate.

Claims

1. Radiator, particularly for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having flat tubes and a water container sub-divided by a separating wall into two chambers, an inlet connector being adjacent one chamber while an outlet connector is adjacent the other container, characterised in that the flat tubes (1) are sealed at their ends remote from the water container (2) and in each comprise a separating web (8) disposed in prolongation of the separating wall (3) and terminating at a distance from the closed ends of the flat tubes (1).

2. Radiator according to Claim 1, characterised in that the closed ends of the flat tubes (1) are held by a common end member (9).

3. Radiator according to Claim 1, characterised in that the ends of the flat tubes (1) are sealed by the end member (9).

4. Radiator according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the end member (9) is provided with corrugations (10) into which the ends of the flat tubes (1) are inserted.

5. Radiator according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the ends of the flat tubes (1) are soldered tightly to the end member (9).

6. Radiator according to Claim 3, characterised in that the ends of the flat tubes (1) are immersed into an adhesive substance incorporated into the corrugations (10) and which hardens out.

7. Radiator according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the ends (18) of the flat tubes (1) which are remote from the water container (2) are compressed and tightly soldered.

8. Radiator according to Claim 7, characterised in that the ends (18) of the flat tubes (1) which are remote from the water container are pushed through cut-outs in the end member (9) and are angled over outside of and preferably fixed to the end member.

9. Radiator according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the ends of the flat tubes (1) which are remote from the water container (2) are inserted into a tubular end member (19) which is fitted in sealing-tight fashion on the end member (9) which is preferably produced from synthetic plastics material.

10. Radiator according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that creases (23) are worked into the flat tubes (1) to serve as separating webs (8).

11. Radiator according to Claim 9, characterised in that the creases (23) are, in the region of the closed ends, angled over parallel with a wall of the flat tubes (1).

12. Radiator according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the separating webs (8) are soldered into the flat tubes (1).

13. Radiator according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the separating webs (8) are braced against abutments (30, 30a, 30b), at least in the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes (1).

14. Radiator according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the separating webs (8) are component parts of, inserted into the flat tubes (1), profiles (25) which are provided with projections (29) which in addition to the separating webs serve as a means of generating turbulence.

15. Radiator according to Claim 14, characterised in that the profiles (25) are constructed as sheet metal strips into which are impressed a middle rib (26) which extends in the longitudinal direction and which serves as a separating web (8) and transverse ribs (29) which extend substantially transversely to the direction of flow.