Radiator assembly for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiator assembly for a vehicle, having a radiator with at least one radiator body, the radiator body having at least two coolant channels extending spaced apart from one another and a plurality of ribs extending between the at least two coolant channels, wherein a gap for the flow of cooling air is formed between each two ribs of the plurality of ribs, the radiator assembly further having a radiator fan module comprising at least one fan wheel for influencing a flow of cooling air in the direction of the radiator body, on the radiator body the plurality of ribs extending between the two coolant channels is divided into at least two different radiator regions, wherein, in an observation direction along the direction from the radiator fan module towards the radiator body, the radiator fan module at least partially covers a first radiator region of the at least two different radiator regions and, in comparison with a second radiator region of the at least two different radiator regions, in the first radiator region a gap width of the gap present between the two ribs is greater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The proposed solution relates to radiator components for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Radiator assemblies for vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, are well known. A portion of such radiator assemblies is a radiator for cooling the drive motor of a vehicle, and for this purpose, the radiator includes at least one heat sink having multiple coolant passages. The coolant passages extend spaced apart from each other, typically in parallel. Coolant flows through the coolant passages to dissipate heat from the motor compartment. To improve heat dissipation, multiple ribs are provided, each extending between at least two coolant passages and forming gaps between these ribs for the flow of cooling air. Heat from the coolant in the coolant passages is transferred via the ribs to the passing cooling air.

[0003] It is also known in such radiator assemblies to include a radiator fan module comprising at least one fan impeller, which is used to influence the cooling airflow toward the radiator. For example, when the vehicle is moving slowly or stationary, a (secondary) cooling airflow can be generated by the rotation of at least one fan impeller via this radiator fan module. Furthermore, radiator fan modules comprising additional radiator flaps are known, which can be adjusted and thus opened and closed as needed to control the cooling airflow based on the inflow of cooling air impacting the radiator assembly when the vehicle is in motion.

[0004] The coolant channels of the heat sink are typically implemented as tubes with rectangular cross-sections and connected to each other in pairs via ribs. Due to the radiator fan module mounted in front of the heat sink, at least a portion of the heat sink is covered by the radiator fan module, thus blocking the inflow of cooling air. Therefore, the airflow velocity in the area of ​​the heat sink covered by the radiator fan module is lower than the airflow velocity in the area of ​​the heat sink not covered by the radiator fan module. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on this design of heat sink components known from practice, the proposed solution is to provide an improved heat sink component that, in the presence of a heat sink fan module upstream, enables improved heat transfer by guiding coolant through the coolant channels of the heat sink to flow into the cooling air via the adjacent fins of the heat sink.

[0006] This task is solved using the heat sink assembly of the present invention.

[0007] In the radiator assembly according to a first aspect of the proposed solution, a plurality of ribs extending between two coolant channels on the radiator body are divided into at least two distinct heat dissipation zones. In each of these heat dissipation zones, cooling airflow is directed through the gap between two adjacent ribs, and thus between rib pairs, to dissipate heat delivered by the coolant channels onto the plurality of (cooling) ribs. Here, along the direction of view from the radiator fan module toward the radiator body and therefore toward the direction of the cooling airflow, the first heat dissipation zone is at least partially covered by the radiator fan module. Compared to the second heat dissipation zone of the radiator body, the gap width existing between the two (adjacent) ribs in the first heat dissipation zone is larger. In other words, a larger spacing is provided between adjacent ribs in the first heat dissipation zone, which is at least partially covered by the upstream radiator fan module, and therefore a larger gap is provided compared to at least one second heat dissipation zone of the radiator body that is not covered by the radiator fan module.

[0008] Therefore, using the proposed solution, when designing the rib structure between the spaced-apart coolant channels of the heat sink, the extent to which the radiator fan module (with respect to the direction of cooling air inflow) creates at least locally a flow resistance in front of the heat sink is directly considered. Thus, a greater amount of cooling airflow is allowed between the ribs in the first heat sink area compared to adjacent ribs in the second heat sink area, which is the area reached by the cooling air without being affected, or at least minimally affected, by the upstream radiator fan module. In this way, uniform cooling airflow across the entire heat sink can still be achieved, even though at least individual areas of the heat sink are at least partially covered by the radiator fan module during cooling air inflow (at least especially when at least one fan impeller of the radiator fan module is not running) and therefore only a smaller amount of cooling air reaches these areas.

[0009] In the first heat dissipation area, which is at least partially covered by the radiator fan module, the gaps between any two adjacent ribs in the plurality of ribs can, in principle, have different gap widths or the same gap width. For example, in the case mentioned last, the ribs of the first heat dissipation area on the heat sink are equidistant from each other, while a variation may also be provided in which gaps of different widths exist in the first heat dissipation area. The different or the same gap widths can all be greater than the gap width between any two adjacent ribs in the second heat dissipation area. This specifically includes: all (and possibly different or the same) gap widths in the second heat dissipation area not covered by the radiator fan module in the viewing direction are smaller than the minimum gap width in the first heat dissipation area.

[0010] In one implementation variant, the gap width between two adjacent ribs in the first heat dissipation zone is at least 1.2 times larger than the maximum gap width between two adjacent ribs in the second heat dissipation zone.

[0011] For example, the different gap widths between two adjacent ribs of at least two different heat dissipation zones (that is, the gap width between two adjacent ribs of the first heat dissipation zone and the gap width between two adjacent ribs of at least one second heat dissipation zone) are coordinated and predetermined to achieve the most uniform cooling airflow across the entire heat sink. In particular, the gap widths can be coordinated and predetermined such that, for at least one defined operating point characterized by a specific inflow of cooling air toward the heat sink assembly, the velocity of the portion of cooling air flowing through the multiple ribs in the first heat dissipation zone as cooling airflow is substantially or exactly the same as the velocity of the portion of cooling air flowing through the multiple ribs in the second heat dissipation zone as cooling airflow. Therefore, for at least one defined operating point characterized by a specific inflow of cooling air through the radiator fan module and past the radiator fan module toward the radiator assembly, (assuming uniform inflow on a predetermined inflow surface upstream of the radiator fan module) the (average) flow velocity of the portion of the cooling airflow present in the first heat dissipation zone and the (average) flow velocity of the portion of the cooling airflow present in at least one second heat dissipation zone are balanced with each other via different spacing between the ribs, and thus the gap width. The flow velocities in the first and second heat dissipation zones are substantially the same, especially the average flow velocities are substantially the same, which is understood here, for example, as a maximum percentage deviation of 10% in terms of flow velocity.

[0012] The characteristics of possible operating points for implementing coordination include, for example, the stationary fan impeller of the radiator fan module and the uniform inflow of cooling air into the radiator assembly at a predetermined flow rate, that is, at a (largely) constant speed. The design and specifications of the spacing between the ribs, and thus the gap width, are based on this. In this way, it is possible to better avoid the occurrence of cooling airflow with an undesirable low flow rate in the first heat dissipation zone, which is partially covered by the radiator fan module and thus obstructed in terms of flow technology. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve a (more) uniform flow of cooling air across the entire heat sink.

[0013] In one implementation variation, the ribs extend in straight lines (and therefore not in a zigzag pattern) between the two coolant channels. For example, the coolant channels are arranged to extend parallel to each other and therefore in the longitudinal direction. The ribs can then be constructed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coolant channels.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, at least one or all of the multiple ribs may connect the two coolant passages to each other. This can improve direct heat dissipation from the coolant passages if necessary. However, it is also conceivable that the ribs extend from one coolant passage only toward the other coolant passage without connecting to that other coolant passage.

[0015] In one implementation variation, the radiator fan module is positioned upstream of the heat sink to influence the cooling airflow, such that a first heat dissipation area, at least partially covered by the radiator fan module, comprises the central region of the heat sink, and the radiator fan module has at least two edges from which cooling air flows toward at least two second heat dissipation areas of the heat sink. The edges that allow the inflow of cooling air to pass beside them define the outer contour of the radiator fan module, thereby causing the cooling air passing beside the edges to flow or be guided toward the second heat dissipation areas of the heat sink, passing beside the radiator fan module itself. Such second heat dissipation areas then, for example, comprise edge regions of the heat sink adjacent to the central region. In this implementation variation, the radiator fan module is thus positioned centrally and does not completely cover the downstream heat sink located behind it, resulting in at least two uncovered heat dissipation areas of the heat sink adjacent to the central region (e.g., on the right and left sides), in which the ribs have a small spacing from each other.

[0016] To improve the surface area between the coolant channels of the radiator, one implementation variation involves at least one coolant channel having a flower-shaped cross-section. This flower-shaped cross-section should be understood in particular as having a central (hollow, and therefore coolant-flowing) section within the cross-section of each coolant channel, at which multiple (at least two) radially projecting sections are arranged relative to the center point or centroid of the central section. These radially projecting sections can, for example, be arc-shaped or finger-shaped. The flower-shaped cross-section can therefore be constructed, particularly according to the type of petals, with radially projecting radial arms that are flowed by coolant, such as liquid coolant, during radiator operation.

[0017] Alternatively or supplementarily, at least one coolant passage of the heat sink may have a teardrop-shaped cross-section that tapers towards a trailing edge. In this variant, at least one coolant passage thus has a cross-section having a leading edge section upstream of the flow direction of the cooling airflow and a gradually tapering trailing edge section downstream. For example, to optimize flow, the leading edge section may be convex and arched, while the trailing edge section is implemented with a pointed tail. The teardrop-shaped cross-section of at least one coolant passage, in this principle, can achieve the lowest possible flow resistance and avoid turbulence downstream of the coolant passage.

[0018] Given that at least one coolant channel of the heat sink may have a complex cross-sectional shape and / or a particular geometry of the ribs, one implementation variation involves additively manufacturing at least one coolant channel and / or multiple ribs. The at least one coolant channel and / or multiple ribs are thus manufactured here using additive manufacturing methods, for example, by selective laser melting.

[0019] The flower-shaped cross-section of at least one coolant channel, as explained above, results in surface enlargement and thus improves heat transfer from the coolant channel to the cooling airflow. This advantageous effect is entirely independent of the varying gap amounts between adjacent ribs in the different first and second heat dissipation zones of the heat sink, though this variant can still be readily and effectively incorporated therein.

[0020] Therefore, a second independent aspect of the proposed solution provides a radiator assembly for a vehicle having a radiator having at least one heat dissipation element, wherein at least one of at least two coolant channels extending spaced apart from each other has a flower-shaped cross-section.

[0021] Furthermore, the proposed solution provides a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, having a radiator assembly according to one of the implementation variations discussed above or below. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings exemplify possible implementation variations of the proposed solution.

[0023] in:

[0024] Figure 1 A heat sink assembly according to the proposed solution is schematically shown, which has a heat sink having ribs spaced apart from each other and connecting coolant channels to each other, and a heat sink fan module arranged in front of the heat sink.

[0025] Figure 2A Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a variant implementation of the coolant passages of the radiator assembly;

[0026] Figure 2B Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of another implementation variation of the coolant passage of the radiator assembly;

[0027] Figure 3 Showing targets Figure 1 Implementation variant of the radiator fan module of the radiator assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 3The previous view shows a radiator fan module 2 for a radiator assembly in a motor vehicle. The radiator fan module 2 currently has a rectangular carrier 20, which in particular carries a fan impeller 21. The fan impeller 21 can be electrically driven via a motor 23 arranged at the center of the region along the rotation axis of the fan impeller 21. The motor 23 is here fixed to a motor holding portion 22 of the carrier 20. The motor holding portion 22 is connected to a carrier section of the surrounding carrier 20 via a plurality of radially extending struts 220, in which through openings for supporting the fan impeller 21 are constructed. The outer contour of the carrier 20, and consequently the outer contour of the radiator fan module 2, is defined in particular by two edges 24A and 24B. These edges 24A and 24B are in... Figure 1 In the diagram, it is set on the left and right sides.

[0029] Figure 3 The radiator fan module 2 is configured to be positioned in front of the radiator of a motor vehicle. Here, the radiator fan module can operate in two functional modes, for example. In the first functional mode, the radiator flaps mounted on the carrier 20 can be opened or closed during vehicle operation to adjust the intensity of the cooling airflow toward the radiator. In the second functional mode, when the vehicle is moving slowly or stationary, an additional cooling airflow toward the radiator is generated via the rotating fan impeller 21.

[0030] For example, by means of a heatsink assembly having a heatsink 1 and a heatsink fan module 2 Figure 1 The diagram illustrates this, viewed from the front, specifically along the direction from the radiator fan module 2 toward the radiator 1 arranged behind it. In its prescribed assembly state, the radiator fan module 2 covers at least a portion of the radiator 1. Therefore, the radiator fan module 2, positioned in front of the radiator 1, at least partially obstructs the inflow to the radiator 1 in the covered area. Thus, especially when the fan impeller 21 is not operating, the radiator fan module 2 creates flow resistance against the inflow of cooling air toward the radiator 1.

[0031] The radiator 1 has a heat sink 1.1 having a plurality of coolant passages 10A, 10B, and 10C extending parallel to each other. The coolant passages 10A, 10B, and 10C are spaced apart from each other in the spatial direction z and extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction y. A plurality of ribs 11 are provided extending transversely to the longitudinal direction y, connecting the coolant passages 10A, 10B, and 10C to each other. Coolant is guided in the coolant passages 10A, 10B, and 10C to dissipate heat from the engine compartment of the motor vehicle. Heat is transferred from the coolant to the cooling air via the flow of cooling air around the coolant passages 10A, 10B, and 10C, and thus from the coolant passages 10A, 10B, and 10C to the cooling air via the ribs 11, which are also connected by the flow of cooling air.

[0032] The heat sink 1.1, in its centrally located heat dissipation zone Z1, only allows cooling air passing through the cooling air module 2 to flow in, while cooling air flowing laterally from beside the radiator fan module 2, and especially from its edges 24A and 24B, reaches the edge-side heat dissipation zones Z2A and Z2B. To achieve uniform cooling airflow across the entire heat sink 1.1 in the illustrated variant, and particularly to provide a greater volume of cooling air in the area of ​​the heat sink 1.1 at least partially covered by the radiator fan module 2 when viewed from the front, different heat dissipation zones Z1 and Z2A, Z2B are provided on the heat sink 1.1, in which the ribs 11 have different spacings from each other. Therefore, in the first heat dissipation zone Z1, at least partially covered by the radiator fan module 2, the ribs 11 have a larger spacing from each other. Therefore, a large gap 111 with a gap width d1 is provided between adjacent ribs 11, which is larger than the gap width d2 of the gap 112 between two adjacent ribs 11 in the heat dissipation area Z2A or Z2B that is not covered by the heat dissipation fan module 2 (if necessary, several times larger, and especially at least 1.2 times larger).

[0033] By setting a smaller rib spacing, or a smaller gap width d2, in the heat dissipation areas Z2A and Z2B on the edge side, and setting a larger gap width d1 in the first heat dissipation area Z1 in the center, which is at least partially covered by the radiator fan module 2, it is possible to make the cooling air flow between the ribs 11 at a similar flow rate. Therefore, a (more) uniform cooling air flow is achieved on the entire heat sink 1.1.

[0034] Here, when necessary using flow simulation, the different gap widths d1 and d2 between adjacent ribs 11 of different heat dissipation zones Z1, Z2A, and Z2B are coordinated and predetermined to each other such that, for at least one defined operating point characterized by the inflow of cooling air flowing through the radiator fan module 2 in the direction of the heat sink 1.1 and passing beside the radiator fan module 2 to the heat sink assembly, the average velocity of the portion of cooling air flowing as radiator air to reach and pass through the plurality of ribs 11 in the first heat dissipation zone Z1 is substantially (that is, with a maximum percentage deviation of 10%) the same as the average velocity of the portion of cooling air flowing as radiator air to reach and pass through the plurality of ribs 11 in the second heat dissipation zones Z2A and Z2B. For example, the characteristic of this operating point can be a uniform inflow of stationary fan impeller 21 and cooling air distributed at a specific and thus constant velocity on the inflowed cross section of the heat sink assembly. Therefore, the spacings d1 and d2 between the ribs 11 are known for this operating point or, if necessary, multiple operating points. These spacings result in the best possible uniform distribution of the flow velocity across the entire heat sink 1.1.

[0035] To further improve heat transfer, and especially to enhance the surface area of ​​the tubular coolant channels 10A, 10B, and 10C, for example, according to Figure 2B The configuration is such that at least one or all coolant channels 10A, 10B, and 10C are provided with flower-shaped cross-sections, and the coolant channels 10A, 10B, or 10C thus have a flower-shaped cross-section 100.1. Figure 2A In one embodiment, for this purpose, a plurality of radial arms 101 extend radially outward in a finger-like manner from a segment having a center point or centroid M of cross section 100.1.

[0036] In one implementation variation, at least one or all of the coolant channels 10A, 10B, and 10C of the heat sink 1.1 can be configured according to... Figure 2B The cross section is constructed with optimized flow. Here, the coolant passages 10A, 10B, or 10C have, for example, a teardrop-shaped cross section 100.2. This teardrop-shaped cross section 100.2 then has an upstream, convex, arched leading edge section 102A and a downstream, tapering trailing edge section 102B that tapers and, if necessary, tapers to a pointed tail.

[0037] When necessary, according to Figure 2B Multiple inwardly pointing arches or protrusions 102 can be constructed on the inner walls of the coolant channels 10A, 10B, and 10C to enlarge the surface area. This also increases the surface area for heat exchange.

[0038] In particular, Figure 2Aand 2B The complex cross sections 100.1 and 100.2, which may require additional design, can be manufactured using additive manufacturing. Similarly, rib 11 can also be manufactured in different cross-sectional shapes, and especially additively.

[0039] In a possible improvement, the multiple (cooling) ribs 11 can be arranged in an energy-absorbing grid structure. Therefore, by combining the ribs 11, which extend in a straight line and parallel to each other, with optimized pipe cross-sections for coolant channels 10A, 10B, and 10C, for example, not only can higher efficiency be achieved in the radiator assembly compared to conventionally used radiator assemblies, but also the size and weight of the radiator 1 can be reduced. Conversely, by forming an energy-absorbing grid structure using the ribs 11, improved absorption of forces caused by impacts on the radiator assembly can be achieved.

[0040] List of reference numerals

[0041] 1. Radiator

[0042] 1.1 Heat sink

[0043] Cross sections 100.1 and 100.2

[0044] 101 Radial Arm

[0045] 102A Leading Edge Section

[0046] 102B trailing edge section

[0047] 103 Protrusions

[0048] 10A, 10B, 10C Coolant passages

[0049] 11 ribs

[0050] Gap between 111 and 112

[0051] 2. Radiator fan module

[0052] 20 carriers

[0053] 21 Fan impeller

[0054] 22 Motor holding part

[0055] 220 strut

[0056] 23 motors

[0057] 24A, 24B Edges

[0058] M Center point / Center of gravity

[0059] Z1, Z2A, Z2B heat dissipation areas

Claims

1. A radiator assembly for a vehicle, the radiator assembly having: - a heat sink (1) having at least one heat sink body (1.1) with at least two coolant channels (10A, 10B, 10C) extending spaced apart from each other and a plurality of ribs (11) extending between the at least two coolant channels, wherein, A gap (111, 112) for cooling airflow is formed between each pair of the plurality of ribs (11), and - A radiator fan module (2) including at least one fan impeller (21) for influencing the cooling airflow toward the heat sink (1.1) via the fan impeller (21). Its features are, On the heat sink (1.1), a plurality of ribs (11) extending between two coolant channels (10A, 10B, 10C) are divided into at least two different heat dissipation zones (Z1, Z2A, Z2B), wherein, along the viewing direction from the fan impeller (21) of the heat sink (2) toward the heat sink (1.1), the heat sink fan module (2) at least partially covers the first heat dissipation zone (Z1) of the at least two different heat dissipation zones (Z1, Z2A, Z2B), and the gap width (d1) of the gap (111) between the two ribs (11) is larger in the first heat dissipation zone (Z1) than in the second heat dissipation zone (Z2A, Z2B) of the at least two different heat dissipation zones (Z1, Z2A, Z2B).

2. The heat spreader assembly of claim 1, wherein, In the first heat dissipation area (Z1) at least partially covered by the radiator fan module (2), the gaps (111) between each pair of adjacent ribs (11) of the plurality of ribs have different gap widths or the same gap width (d1).

3. The heat spreader assembly of claim 2, wherein, The different gap widths or the same gap width (d1) are all greater than the gap width (d2) between two adjacent ribs (11) of the second heat dissipation area (Z2A, Z2B).

4. The heat spreader assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The gap width (d1) between two adjacent ribs (11) in the first heat dissipation area (Z1) is at least 1.2 times larger than the maximum gap width (d2) of two adjacent ribs (11) in the second heat dissipation area (Z2A, Z2B).

5. The heat spreader assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The different gap widths (d1, d2) between two adjacent ribs (11) of each of the at least two different heat dissipation zones (Z1, Z2A, Z2B) are coordinated and predetermined to each other such that, for at least one defined operating point characterized by a specific inflow of cooling air flowing toward the heat sink (1.1) toward the heat sink assembly, the flow rate of a portion of the cooling air flowing as cooling air to and through the plurality of ribs (11) of the first heat dissipation zone (Z1) is substantially or exactly the same as the flow rate of a portion of the cooling air flowing as cooling air to and through the plurality of ribs (11) of the second heat dissipation zone (Z2A, Z2B).

6. The heat spreader assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The ribs (11) are constructed in a straight line.

7. The heat spreader assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein, Ribs (11) connect the two coolant channels (10A, 10B; 10B, 10C) to each other.

8. The heat spreader assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The radiator fan module (2) is arranged upstream of the heat sink (1.1) with respect to the cooling airflow to be affected, such that a first heat dissipation area (Z1) at least partially covered by the radiator fan module (2) includes the central region of the heat sink (1.1), and the radiator fan module (2) has at least two edges (24A, 24B), and the inflow of cooling air toward at least two second heat dissipation areas (Z2A, Z2B) of the heat sink (1.1) flows past the at least two edges.

9. The heat spreader assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein, At least one coolant passage (10A, 10B, 10C) has a flower-shaped cross section (100.1).

10. The heat spreader assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein, At least one coolant passage (10A, 10B, 10C) has a cross-section (100.2) that tapers gradually into a trailing edge segment (102B) in the shape of a teardrop.

11. The heat spreader assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein, At least one coolant channel (10A, 10B, 10C) and / or the plurality of ribs (11) are additively manufactured.

12. A vehicle having a radiator assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images