Container, especially for use as a fluid collector or fluid distributor in a heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1), in particular for use as a fluid collector (21) or fluid distributor in a heat exchanger (20), - with a housing (2) surrounding a housing interior (3), - in which at least one through-opening (4a, 4b) is formed, by means of which the housing interior (3) communicates fluidically with an external environment (14) of the housing (2) and into which a pipe body (22a, 22b) of the heat exchanger (20) can be inserted, - wherein at least one through-opening (4a, 4b) is enclosed by an opening edge (5a, 5b) formed by the housing (2) and a projection (6) extending into the through-opening (5a) enclosed by this opening edge (2) is arranged on at least one opening edge (5a) for engaging, in particular closing, a recess (7) arranged on the outside of the tube body (22a, 22b).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container, in particular for use as a fluid collector or fluid distributor in a heat exchanger, and to a heat exchanger with such a container.

[0002] To ensure the highest possible performance, especially of traction batteries in electric or hybrid vehicles, these batteries are typically temperature-controlled, and cooled, particularly at high ambient temperatures, to maintain them within an optimal temperature range for performance. Cooling the battery cells of the traction battery is especially necessary during fast charging.

[0003] For this purpose, the individual battery cells, which can be designed as cylindrical cells, for example, can each be positioned between several parallel and spaced-apart tubes. These tubes are designed to allow a fluid, acting as a temperature control or cooling medium, to flow through them. Through thermal contact, the fluid can absorb heat from the battery cells when they need to be cooled, or transfer it to them when they need to be heated. The fluid can be distributed to the individual tubes by means of a fluid distributor and collected in a fluid collector after flowing through them. Both the fluid distributor and the fluid collector can include a container with a through-opening for each tube to be supplied with the fluid, into which the tube can be inserted with one axial end.In this way, a fluid connection is established between the interior of the housing, which is limited by the housing of the container, and the respective pipe body.

[0004] Common pipe bodies for heat exchanger applications are often made from so-called aluminum extrusion profiles. However, these are relatively expensive to manufacture, which negatively impacts the overall production costs of the traction battery with such pipe bodies.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved embodiment for a container for use as a fluid distributor and / or fluid collector, as well as for a heat exchanger with such pipe bodies and with such a container, which is characterized in particular by reduced manufacturing costs.

[0006] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to provide a projection on a container functioning as a fluid distributor or fluid collector for a heat exchanger, which is arranged in a through-opening provided in the container for receiving a pipe body. Here, said projection extends from an opening edge formed by the container and surrounding the through-opening into the through-opening.

[0008] The provision of this extension allows the use of pipe bodies, which have a fold or joint and therefore a recess on the outside, and can be inserted into the through-opening. The extension engages in this recess and prevents it from developing into a leak, thus preventing fluid from escaping from the housing interior into the surrounding environment. The extension therefore acts as a kind of sealant for the fluid.

[0009] Therefore, with the solution proposed here according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to use the aforementioned and comparatively expensive extruded profiles, which are designed without a recess. Instead, pipe bodies with a fold or butt joint can be used, on which a recess is provided on the outside.

[0010] This leads to significant cost advantages, especially when a heat exchanger is to be manufactured with a plurality or even a large number of such tube bodies.

[0011] Following the above inventive concept, a container according to the invention comprises a housing, preferably made of metal or plastic, which surrounds an interior space. The housing has at least two through-openings through which the interior space communicates fluidically with an external environment. Each through-opening is framed by an opening edge formed by the housing. A tube body, preferably made of metal, of the heat exchanger can be inserted or pushed into each through-opening with an axial end section, so that the end section is located within the through-opening after insertion or insertion. Each of the inserted or pushed-in axial end sections can also be permanently connected to the housing, in particular to the respective opening edge, by means of a material-bonded connection.Preferably, the material-bonded connection can be a soldered or welded joint if the housing material, like that of the pipe body, is a metal. If the housing material is a plastic, the material-bonded connection between the metal pipe body and the plastic housing can be an adhesive bond or an adhesive-free thermal joining joint. According to the invention, a projection extending into the through-opening enclosed by this opening edge is arranged at at least one opening edge for engaging, and in particular closing, a recess formed on the outside of the pipe body.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention, the housing is an injection-molded part made of a plastic. Preferably, the extension is integrally formed on the housing, meaning that the housing and extension are formed in one piece and from a single material. This variant results in particularly low manufacturing costs.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the housing can be a casting, in particular a die-cast part, made of a metal, preferably a light metal, most preferably aluminum. In this embodiment as well, the extension is preferably integrally formed on the housing. This embodiment variant also involves particularly low manufacturing costs.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the container according to the invention, a plurality of through-openings can be formed in the housing, meaning that at least three through-openings are provided. In this embodiment, a projection extends from the respective edge of each of these through-openings. In this way, all existing through-openings can be sealed when a tube body with a recess is inserted.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one through-opening with a projection arranged on the through-opening essentially has the geometry of a rectangle with two narrow sides and two broad sides. In this embodiment, the projection is arranged on one of the two broad sides. This variant allows for effective sealing of a pipe body that has a recess on the outside of one of its two broad sides.

[0016] According to another advantageous embodiment, at least one through-opening with the extension essentially has the geometry of a rectangle with two narrow sides and two wide sides. In contrast to the embodiment described above, here the extension is arranged on one of the two narrow sides. This variant allows for effective sealing of a pipe body that has a recess on the outside of one of its two narrow sides.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous for the extension to taper away from the edge of the opening. This feature facilitates the installation of the pipe body by sliding or inserting it into the opening when the extension is present.

[0018] The invention further relates to a heat exchanger for transferring heat from a first fluid to a second fluid. The heat exchanger comprises at least two tube bodies, each through which the first fluid flows. Furthermore, the heat exchanger includes a container, described above and thus part of the invention, which functions as a fluid collector and / or fluid distributor. The advantages of the container according to the invention, explained above, are therefore transferred to the heat exchanger according to the invention. At least one tube body is arranged with an axial end section in the through-opening from whose edge the essential extension of the invention projects. The extension formed at the edge of the opening of the container engages in a recess formed on the outside of the tube body in the region of the axial end section or in the region of the through-opening and preferably seals it in a fluid-tight manner.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the axial end section of the tube body is connected to the container by means of a material-bonded connection. In this variant, the extension and the material-bonded connection together seal the recess in a fluid-tight manner.

[0020] Particularly advantageous is the ability of the extension to completely seal the depression in a fluid-tight manner, so that no material-bonded connection is required to close the depression.

[0021] Preferably, the recess can extend along an axial direction of the pipe body. In this variant, the recess is arranged in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction in the area of ​​a folded section of the pipe body, where two end sections of the pipe body overlap. These two end sections are permanently joined by means of a material-bonded connection. This material-bonded connection can be a soldered or welded joint. Additionally, the pipe body can also be permanently connected to the container by means of a further material-bonded connection. This additional material-bonded connection can be a soldered or welded joint if the container material is a metal, or an adhesive bond or an adhesive-free thermal bond if the container material is a plastic.

[0022] Alternatively, the recess in this cross-section can be located in the area of ​​a butt joint of the pipe body, where two opposing ends of the pipe body abut each other. In this alternative as well, the two ends are permanently joined by a material-bonded connection. This material-bonded connection can be a soldered or welded joint. Additionally, the pipe body can also be permanently connected to the container by another material-bonded connection. This additional material-bonded connection can again be a soldered or welded joint if the container material is metal, or an adhesive bond or a thermally bonded joint without adhesive if the container material is plastic.

[0023] Preferably, the interior of the housing can be sealed against the external environment of the container by means of the extension and, optionally, also by means of the described material-bonded connection. The optional seal using the material-bonded connection ensures that no fluid leakage occurs from the interior of the housing into the external environment of the container, even if the extension is not exactly complementary to the recess provided on the tube body.

[0024] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0025] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0027] They show, schematically: Fig. 1 an example of a container according to the invention in a perspective partial view, Fig. 2 the container of Fig. 1 in a sectional view, Fig. 3 a variant of the example of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 An example of a heat exchanger according to the invention with two tube bodies and with a container according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a perspective view, Fig. 5. Further development of the heat exchanger of the Fig. 4 with a variety of pipe bodies.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a container 1 according to the invention for a heat exchanger 20 according to the invention, which is not shown in detail, in a partial perspective view. Fig. 2 in a sectional view. According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. The container 1 comprises a housing 2 made of a metal, which surrounds an interior housing space 3. The housing 2 has two through-openings 4a, 4b, through which the interior housing space 3 communicates fluidically with an external environment 14 of the housing 2. The housing 2 can be a casting made of a light metal, for example aluminum, or an injection-molded part made of a plastic.

[0029] Each of the two through-openings 4a, 4b is framed by an opening rim 5a, 5b formed by the housing 2. A tube body 22a, 22b of the type described in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The two heat exchangers 20 (not shown in detail) with an axial end section 23 are inserted. Thus, the axial end sections 23 of the two tube bodies 22a, 22b are arranged in the through-opening 4a and 4b, respectively.

[0030] The two end sections 23 can each be connected to the opening edge 5a, 5b of the housing 2 by means of a material-bonded connection 7 that completely surrounds the tube body 22a or 22b. The material-bonded connection 7 can be a soldered or welded joint if the housing 2 is made of metal. If the housing 2 is made of plastic, the material-bonded connection can be an adhesive bond or a thermally bonded joint without adhesive.

[0031] The two pipe bodies 22a, 22b extend along an axial direction A. On the outside of each pipe body 22a, 22b, a recess 24 is formed which also extends axially.

[0032] The one in Fig. As can be seen from the cross-section shown in Figure 2, the recess 24 is located in the area of ​​a folded section 25 of the pipe body 22a, in which two end sections 26a, 26b of the pipe body 22a overlap. The two end sections 26a, 26b can be arranged according to Fig. 1. The components are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner by means of a material-bonded connection 27 extending axially along the recess 24. The material-bonded connection 27 can be a soldered or welded joint.

[0033] In a Fig. In two variants not shown, the recess 24 and the material-bonded connection 27 can also be arranged in the area of ​​a butt joint (not shown) of the pipe body 22a, in which two opposing ends of the pipe body 22a abut each other. In this alternative (not shown), the two ends of the pipe body 22a are also firmly, i.e., permanently, connected to each other by means of a material-bonded connection. In this variant as well, this material-bonded connection can be a soldered or welded joint. The preceding explanations regarding the Fig. The pipe bodies 22a shown in section 2 also apply mutatis mutandis to the one shown in the Fig. 2 pipe bodies not shown 22b (compare Fig. 1).

[0034] In the example scenario shown in the figures, both passage openings 4a, 4b essentially have the geometry of a rectangle 8 with two short sides 9a, 9b and two long sides 10a, 10b. The rectangle 8 may have rounded corners.

[0035] As the Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 2, a projection 6 is arranged at the edges 5a, 5b of each of the two passage openings 4a, 4b, projecting into the respective passage opening 4a, 4b. Each projection 6 is located at the first 9a of the two narrow sides 9a, 9b. Each of the two projections 6 is wedge-shaped and projects from the respective opening edge 5a, 5b into the respective passage opening 4a, 4b. The projection 6 may taper away from the opening edge 5a or 5b.

[0036] In this example, the extension 6 is integrally formed at the respective opening edges 5a and 5b, and thus also at the housing 2. The two extensions 6 and the housing 2 are therefore formed in one piece and from a single material.

[0037] As the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 further illustrate, the respective extension 6 engages axially in the area of ​​the axial end section 23 in the recess 24 formed on the outside of the relevant pipe body 22a, 22a of the heat exchanger 20.

[0038] The extension 6 can thus completely seal the recess 24 in the area of ​​the through-opening 4a or 4b in a fluid-tight manner.

[0039] It is also conceivable that the extension 6 and the materially bonded connection 7 formed between the end section 23 of the relevant pipe body 22a, 22b and the respective opening edge 5a, 5b together seal the recess 24 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a variant of the example of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Here too, the two existing passage openings 4a, 4b each essentially have the geometry of a rectangle 8 with two narrow sides 9a, 9b and two wide sides 10a, 10b. In contrast to the example of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Here, extension 6 is arranged on a first 10a of the two broad sides 10a, 10b. Furthermore, the Fig. 3 the two pipe bodies 22a, 22b in contrast to Fig. 1 before inserting into the respective through-opening 4a, 4b.

[0041] Even in the example of Fig. In the 3, the extension 6 is wedge-shaped and projects from the respective opening edge 5a, 5b into the corresponding passage opening 4a, 4b. Here too, the extension 6 tapers away from the respective opening edge 6. The extension 6 can also be seen in the example of Fig. 3 integrally formed at the respective opening edge 5a, 4b and thus also at the housing 2, and in an analogous manner to the one in Fig. The scenario shown in section 2 tapers away from the edge of opening 4a.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 4 shows in perspective an example of a heat exchanger 20 according to the invention with a container 1 according to the invention functioning both as a fluid distributor 21a and as a fluid collector 21b, for example corresponding to the example of Fig. 1, in which a first and a second through-opening 4a, 4b as above based on the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 explained are trained.

[0043] From the opening edge 5a or 5b of the two passage openings 4a, 4b, there is a projection 6 extending into the respective passage opening 4a 4b (cf. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3) ab. A fluid inlet 11 and a fluid outlet 12 are formed on the housing 2, through which the external environment 14 communicates fluidically with the housing interior 3. The housing interior 3 can be subdivided, for example by means of a partition formed on the housing 2 (not shown), into a first sub-chamber 13a communicating with the fluid inlet 21a and into a second sub-chamber 13b communicating with the fluid outlet 21b.

[0044] The heat exchanger 20 further comprises a first tube body 22a and a second tube body 22b, both of which extend along an axial direction A and are each arranged with their axial end section 23 in the first and second through-openings 4a and 4b, respectively. The two tube bodies 22a and 22b are arranged side by side transversely to the axial direction A. The first tube body 22a communicates fluidically with the first sub-chamber 13a via the first through-opening 4a. The second tube body 22b communicates with the second sub-chamber 13b via the second through-opening 4b.

[0045] A fluid deflector 29 is provided at each of the two pipe bodies 22a, 22b, opposite the axial end section 23 arranged in the through-opening 4a or 4b, respectively, through which the first pipe body 22a communicates fluidically with the second pipe body 22b. Thus, a first fluid in the form of a refrigerant can flow into the first sub-chamber 13a via the fluid inlet 11, from there enter the first pipe body 22a through the first through-opening 4a, and flow through it to the fluid deflector 29.

[0046] Through the fluid deflector 29 the first fluid enters the second pipe body 22b and, after flowing through it via the second through-opening 4b, enters the second sub-chamber 13b, which the first fluid can leave through the fluid outlet 12.

[0047] If, during operation of the heat exchanger 20, the two pipe bodies 22a, 22b are fluidically separated from the first fluid by a second fluid - for example, a coolant in the form of air - then, due to the thermal coupling present in the area of ​​the pipe bodies 22a, 22b, heat can be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid if the first fluid is to be cooled, or from the second fluid to the first fluid if the first fluid is to be heated.

[0048] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a further development of the heat exchanger 20 of the Fig. 4. In the example of the Fig. 5, a plurality of pairs of pipe bodies 30 are arranged side by side and at a distance from each other along an X-direction extending perpendicular to the axial direction A, each pair comprising a first pipe body 22a and a second pipe body 22b as well as a fluid deflector 29 - as illustrated above using the example of the Fig. 4 - explained and include.

[0049] The first and second pipe bodies 22a, 22b of each pipe body pair 30 are analogous to the example of the Fig. 4 arranged side by side and spaced apart along a Y-direction extending perpendicularly to both the axial direction A and the X-direction. Reference symbol list 1 container 2 cases 3 Housing interior 4a, b Passage opening 5a, b Opening edge 6. Appendix 7. material-bonded connection 8 Rectangle 9a, b narrow side 10a, b broadside 11 Fluid inlet 12 Fluid outlet 13a first sub-room 13b second sub-room 14 external environment 20 WÜ 21a Fluid distributor 21b Fluid collector 22a, b Pipe body 23 Final section 24 In-depth study 25 folding section 26a, b End section 27 material-bonded connection 28 further final section 29 Fluid deflectors 30 pairs of pipe bodies A axial direction X X-direction Y Y-direction

Claims

Container (1), in particular for use as a fluid collector (21b) or fluid distributor in a heat exchanger (20), comprising a housing (2) surrounding a housing interior (3), preferably made of a metal or of a plastic, in which at least one through-opening (4a, 4b) is formed, by means of which the housing interior (3) communicates fluidically with an external environment (14) of the housing (2) and into which a tube body (22a, 22b) of the heat exchanger (20) can be inserted, wherein at least one through-opening (4a, 4b) is enclosed by an opening edge (5a, 5b) formed by the housing (2) and on at least one opening edge (5a, 5b) a projection (6) extending into the through-opening (4a, 4b) enclosed by this opening edge (2) for engaging, in particular closing, a component arranged on the outside of the tube body (22a, 22b) The recess (24) is arranged. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that - the housing (2) is an injection-molded part made of a plastic, - the extension (6) is integrally formed on the housing (2). Container according to claim 1, characterized in that - the housing (2) is a (die-)cast part made of a metal, preferably of a light metal, particularly preferably of aluminium, - the extension (6) is integrally formed on the housing (2). Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least two, preferably several, through-openings (4a, 4b) are formed in the housing (2); or / and that a projection (6) extends from the respective edge of each of these through-openings (4a, 4b). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least one through-opening (4a, 4b) with a projection (6) essentially has the geometry of a rectangle (8) with two narrow sides (9a, 9b) and two wide sides (10a, 10b), - the projection (6) is arranged on one of the two wide sides (10a, 10b). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least one through-opening (4a, 4b) with a projection (6) essentially has the geometry of a rectangle (8) with two narrow sides (9a, 9b) and with two wide sides (10a, 10b), - the projection (6) is arranged on one of the two narrow sides (9a, 9b). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension (6) is wedge-shaped; or / and that the extension (6) tapers away from the opening edge (4a). Heat exchanger (20) for transferring heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, - with at least two tube bodies (22a, 22b), preferably made of a metal, each for flowing with the first fluid, - with a container (1) functioning as a fluid distributor (21a) and / or as a fluid collector (21b) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein at least one tube body (22a, 22b) with an axial end section (23) is arranged in the passage opening (4a, 4b) from the edge of the opening (5a, 5b) the extension (6) projects, - wherein the extension (6) engages in the region of the axial end section (23) in a recess (24) formed on the outside of the tube body (22a, 22b), preferably extending axially. Heat exchanger according to claim 8, characterized in that the extension (6) at least partially seals the recess (24) in the area of ​​the through-opening (4a, 4b) in a fluid-tight manner. Heat exchanger according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the extension completely seals the recess (24) in the area of ​​the through-opening (4a, 4b) in a fluid-tight manner. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the axial end section (23a) of the tube body (22a, 22b) is connected to the container (1) by means of a material-bonded connection (7), - the extension and the material-bonded connection (7) in the area of ​​the through-opening (4a, 4b) together seal the recess (24) in a fluid-tight manner. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that - the recess (24) extends along an axial direction (A) of the tube body (22a), - the recess (24) is arranged in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction (A) in the area of ​​a folded section (25) of the tube body (22a) in which two end sections (26a, 26b) of the tube body (22a) overlap, or in the area of ​​a butt section of the tube body (22a) in which two opposite ends of the tube body (22a) abut each other. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the housing interior (3) is sealed against the external environment (14) of the container (1) by means of the extension (6).

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