Collector for a heat exchanger for a vehicle and such heat exchanger

Abstract

A collector (10) for a heat exchanger of a vehicle, the collector (10) having a plurality of recesses (12) for protrusions (14) located on a tube sheet (16), the protrusions being pressed into the recesses (12) as part of a crimp connection, and characterized in that the recesses (12) have at least one platform (18) spaced apart from at least one edge of the recess (12) such that a free space (20) is formed. A heat exchanger for a vehicle, the heat exchanger having a tube sheet (16) with protrusions (14) abutting openings (22) and being pressed into recesses (12) of a collector (10), and characterized in that at least one opening edge (24) adjacent to an opening edge (26) directly adjacent to a protrusion (14) is curved out of the plane of the opening (22).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a collector for a heat exchanger of a vehicle and to such a heat exchanger.

[0002] In a heat exchanger having a plurality of parallel tubes for a fluid to flow through, the connection between the collector and the tube sheet is often a critical point. The tube sheet usually has a plurality of openings to which the plurality of parallel tubes open. The fluid can be air that is cooled in the heat exchanger, which then functions as a charge air cooler, for example. The tubes described open into a space formed by the tube sheet and the collector, so that the air is "collected" at this space.

[0003] Alternatively, in a heat exchanger having a plurality of plates, an end plate or top plate is provided between the collector and the plates. The plates, between which the fluid flows, are not necessarily connected to the end plate. It should already be mentioned at this point that the invention can also be applied to such an end plate or top plate, and that the end plate or top plate means the same thing at all places where a tube sheet is mentioned, including in the patent claims.

[0004] The collector and the tube sheet are usually connected by means of a crimp connection, wherein a portion of the tube sheet is pressed into a recess of the collector. The crimp connection described can constitute a weak point, since the pressure of the charge air increases, for example, with further development of the engine, and since it is also considered to integrate the charge air cooler as a structural element into the air diffuser. This also leads to greater strain on the crimp connection. BACKGROUND

[0005] A currently common collector 10 is shown in Figure 7, which has recesses 12 into which protrusions 14 (see Figure 8) formed on a tube sheet 16 are pressed. This is particularly true for a plurality of protrusions 14 along the collector 10, which is evident from the plurality of recesses 12 depicted from left to right in Figure 7.

[0006] It is evident from Figure 8 that the upper opening edge 26 (as per the drawing) directly adjacent to the protrusion 14 is deformed as a result of the crimp connection. This is not the case, however, for the opening edge 24 adjacent to the opening edge 26. It should also be noted that the opening edges 24, 26 described together with the opening edge that is essentially parallel to the opening edge 26 delimit the opening 22. The opening edge 24 extends essentially in a direction in which the collector 10 and the tube sheet 16 are joined before being connected by means of the crimp connection (in Figure 7, essentially from top to bottom). SUMMARY

[0007] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0008] As is apparent from Fig. 9, in particular, the transition or corner between the respective opening edge 24 and the opening edge 26 represents a location at which a stress peak occurs due to excessive deformation, such that there is a risk of a fracture.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] Against this background, it is an object of the present application to provide a collector and a heat exchanger provided with said collector, which is improved in terms of durability and safety in connection with the tube sheet.

[0011] This object is solved at first by the collector described in patent claim 1.

[0012] As already described above with respect to the prior art, the collector has a plurality of recesses into which a projection provided on the tube sheet is pressed as part of a crimp connection. At this point it should be noted that all the explanations given above with respect to the prior art also apply to the subject matter of the present application, unless the difference between the present application and the prior art is clear from the following description.

[0013] The difference is in particular that the described recesses have at least one platform which is spaced apart from at least one edge of the recess, such that a free space is created. This free space essentially enables the projection or the so-called strip of the tube sheet on which the projection and the opening are formed to be deformed to a greater extent and to be pressed into the recess of the collector. This deformation occurs in particular also in the region of the opening edge adjacent to the opening edge directly adjacent to the projection, as will be explained in more detail below with respect to the tube sheet. In this way, it is possible to avoid the points described above with respect to the prior art at the respective transitions between the opening edges, such that the stress peaks in this region can be significantly reduced and the weak points can be avoided. By deforming the opening edges to a greater extent, it is thus possible to increase the radius of curvature, which contributes to reducing the stress peaks.

[0014] For the deformation in the region of the opening edges formed parallel to the above-mentioned joining direction, the free space described above with respect to the collector is used in an advantageous manner. Furthermore, by deforming the opening edges extending parallel to the joining direction, a better joining of the tube sheet to the collector can be achieved, since, to some extent, the part surrounding the respective opening in the tube sheet can be pressed into the recess of the collector in a particularly extensive and thus tight-fitting manner. At the same time, the opening edge directly adjacent to the projection reliably abuts against the platform provided in the recess. This abutment is achieved in particular over a relatively large surface area. With respect to the reduction of the stress peaks, first investigations have shown that, in the configuration according to the present application, the maximum stress can be reduced by about 30% compared to the prior art. This applies in particular in the case of a plate thickness of the tube sheet material which corresponds to the plate thickness of the prior art.

[0015] Preferred further developments of the collector according to the application are described in the further claims.

[0016] In particular with regard to the further increased contact area between the protrusion of the tube sheet and the platform formed in the collector, it has proven advantageous for at least one platform, preferably all platforms in the recesses, to overhang or protrude beyond the lateral edges of the collector.

[0017] For the stability and tight fit connection between the tube sheet or end plate and the collector, it has also proven advantageous for the recesses to be formed so as to be raised immediately adjacent to the platforms in the direction of the horizontal height of the platforms.

[0018] This applies in particular to one lateral edge or to the lateral edges immediately adjacent to the platforms or to the free space of the recesses, which lateral edges are preferably formed in a curved manner.

[0019] As already indicated above, the application itself also manifests itself in the context of a heat exchanger having a tube sheet with protrusions which adjoin the openings and are pressed into the recesses of the collector. According to the application, at least one opening edge adjacent to the opening edge directly adjacent to the protrusion is curved out of the plane of the opening. These opening edges, which are additionally curved outwards compared to the prior art, are the opening edges which extend substantially parallel to the joining direction between the collector and the tube sheet when the two elements are joined before the formation of the crimp connection.

[0020] In order to further improve the fixed connection between the collector and the tube sheet, it has proven advantageous for further protrusions to be formed, which are each formed between the respective protrusions adjacent to the openings and are pressed into further recesses of the collector.

[0021] In this regard, in order to form the further protrusions, it is currently preferred for the edge of the tube sheet or end plate directed towards the collector to be cut into, deepened or recessed immediately adjacent to the further protrusions.

[0022] With regard to the configuration of the openings, it is preferred for the opening edges, which are to be deformed according to the application and which are adjacent to the opening edge directly adjacent to the protrusion, to extend approximately parallel to one another.

[0023] Finally, with regard to the configuration of the tube sheet or end plate having a particularly low susceptibility to breakage, it is preferred for the edge of the tube sheet or end plate directed towards the collector to be designed in a serpentine or undulating manner when viewed in the direction of the plane of the openings.

[0024] Finally, it should be noted that although the configuration of the tube sheet with the opening edge deformed in a novel way as described last is applicable in principle to any collector configuration, it is preferred that the tube sheet according to the invention be combined with the collector according to the invention as described at the beginning. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are shown below:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the collector according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a plan view of a portion of the collector according to the invention and the tube sheet connected to the collector;

[0028] Figure 3a It is the basis for the second implementation method Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a portion of the collector;

[0029] Figure 3b It is based on Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a portion of the collector;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a portion of the tube sheet according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the collector and the tube sheet connected to the collector according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the tube sheet connected to the collector according to the embodiment of FIG3;

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a collector according to the prior art;

[0034] Figure 8 shows a tube sheet and tube sheet based on existing technology. Figure 4 Corresponding views;

[0035] Figure 9 is a three-dimensional view of a portion of Figure 8. Detailed Implementation

[0036] According to Figure 1 It is evident that, in the exemplary case of the heat exchanger with multiple tubes shown, the collector 10 is generally elongated, and in this collector according to Figure 1 In the right region of the orientation, according to Figure 1 Multiple pipes, primarily flat, extending vertically, lead to the collector. In the left-hand area of ​​the collector, connectors are provided for connection to surrounding components. For example, in... Figure 1In the lower right region, and more specifically in Figure 3, the collector has a plurality of recesses 12 for connection with the tube sheet, the recesses being laterally defined by walls extending in a curved manner (according to...). Figure 1 (On the left and right sides). According to the invention, at the outer edge of each recess 12 (according to...) Figure 1 A platform 18 is provided at the front and corresponding lower edge, the platform 18 being spaced apart from the left and right edges of the recess 12, such that a free space 20 is formed in the recess in each case. As already mentioned, the free space 20 can be advantageously used such that it is substantially parallel to the engagement direction (in Figure 1 The opening edge 24 extends from top to bottom (see) Figure 4 It can be advantageously deformed and can be pressed into the free space 20. Regarding Figure 1 In this implementation, it should be mentioned that the platform 18 does not extend beyond the lateral edge of the collector 10, which is... Figure 2 The middle is also obvious.

[0037] Collector 10 has a roughly serpentine outline in the plan view. Figure 2 The outline is more clearly visible when viewed from the plane of the opening (22), which consists of the protrusion 14 and the opening 22 (see [reference]). Figure 4 and Figure 5 The so-called banded area is essentially generated by the deformation in the serpentine form described above.

[0038] Preferred measures in Figure 2 The middle is particularly obvious, according to Figure 2 Between each of the protrusions 14 adjacent to the opening 22 of the tube sheet 16, additional protrusions 28, substantially in the form of lugs, are formed. These additional protrusions 28 are pressed into additional recesses 30 provided for this purpose in the collector, and improve the strength connection between the collector 10 and the tube sheet 16. To achieve the desired deformation, the strip is cut, deepened, or recessed between the lugs and protrusions.

[0039] The various platforms 18 and the resulting free space 20 are more clearly visible in Figure 3. The same is true for the lateral walls of the recess 12, which in the example shown extend in a curved manner such that the recess is in the direction of the described strip of the tube sheet 16 (according to...). Figure 2 (Widely widening downwards). A recess 12, having a free space 20 positioned in a certain way adjacent to the platform 18, is shown in the side view (see also...). Figure 1 It can be described as having an inverted U-shaped shape. In addition, the lower edge of each recess 12 rises immediately adjacent to the platform 18.

[0040] exist Figure 3aIn the preferred embodiment of the platform, it is also shown that the platform is suspended at the edge of the lateral opening of the collector 10, thereby further increasing the contact area with the edge of the opening of the collector 10. It should be mentioned here that this... Figure 6 It was described in a better way in the text.

[0041] exist Figure 3b In China, according to Figure 3a It depicts Figure 1 The image shows a portion of the collector, in which the platform does not protrude from the edge of the collector.

[0042] according to Figure 4 In particular, compared to Figure 8, it is evident that, according to the present invention, not only the actual protrusion 14 and the opening edge 26 directly adjacent to the protrusion are deformed, but also the opening edge 24 adjacent to the opening edge 26 is deformed, thereby avoiding dangerous stress peaks as described above. In the case shown, the deformation essentially ends at the opening edge opposite to the opening edge 26.

[0043] Figure 5 The portion of collector 10 to which tube sheet 16 is attached is also shown, tube sheet 16 according to Figure 4 Modifications are made in areas that are crucial to this invention.

[0044] As has already been pointed out, Figure 6 The suspended configuration of platform 18 is shown, which reliably abuts against the opening edge 26 and has a particularly large surface area. The region of collector 10 including multiple recesses 12 may also be referred to as the "bottom". Figure 6 (and Figure 5 It is particularly clear and obvious that the tube plate 16, having the described strip-shaped portion, extends substantially parallel to the lateral edge of the collector (perpendicular to) Figure 6 (The planar extension of the attached diagram), and is substantially curved into a U-shape below the bottom of the described collector. According to Figure 6 In the case of a heat exchanger with multiple tubes, a flat area (not shown) including multiple openings—through which fluid tubes lead—can be connected to the heat exchanger on the left side.

[0045] Alternatively, in the case of a plate heat exchanger, wherein the "body" of the heat exchanger has multiple plates for fluid to flow between, and end plates may be connected to the body in various ways.

[0046] Industrial applicability

[0047] This invention relates to a collector for a heat exchanger in a vehicle and to such a heat exchanger.

[0048] In a heat exchanger with a number of parallel tubes for fluid to flow through, the connection between the collector and the tube sheet is often a critical point. The tube sheet usually has a number of openings to which the number of parallel tubes open. The fluid can be air that is cooled in the heat exchanger, for example, which then functions as a charge air cooler. The tubes described open into a space formed by the tube sheet and the collector, so that the air is "collected" at this space.

[0049] Alternatively, in a heat exchanger with a number of plates, an end plate or top plate is provided between the collector and the plates. The plates, between which the fluid flows, are not necessarily connected to the end plate. It should already be mentioned at this point that the invention can also be applied to such an end plate or top plate, and that the end plate or top plate means the same thing at all places where a tube sheet is mentioned, including in the patent claims.

[0050] The collector and the tube sheet are usually connected by means of a crimp connection, in which a part of the tube sheet is pressed into a recess of the collector. The described crimp connection can constitute a weak point, because the pressure of the charge air increases, for example, with further development of the engine, and because it is also considered to integrate the charge air cooler as a structural element into the air diffuser. This also leads to greater strain on the crimp connection.

Claims

1. A collector (10) for a heat exchanger in a vehicle, the collector (10) having a plurality of recesses (12) for protrusions (14) located on a tube sheet (16) or an end plate, the protrusions being pressed into the recesses (12) as part of a press-fit connection, characterized in that, The recess (12) has at least one platform (18) protruding from the lower edge of the recess (12), the at least one platform (18) being spaced apart from the left and right edges of the recess (12) to form a free space (20).

2. The collector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one platform (18) is suspended at one side edge of the collector (10).

3. The collector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Adjacent to the platform (18), the bottom of the recess (12) rises along the horizontal height direction of the platform (18).

4. The collector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one lateral edge of the recess (12) adjacent to the platform (18) or adjacent to the free space (20) is formed in a curved manner.

5. A heat exchanger for a vehicle, the heat exchanger having a tube sheet (16) or end plate with a protrusion (14) adjacent to an opening (22) and pressed into a recess (12) of a collector (10), characterized in that, At least one opening edge (24) adjacent to the opening edge (26) directly adjacent to the protrusion (14) bends out of the plane of the opening (22), the recess (12) has at least one platform (18) protruding from the lower edge of the recess (12), the at least one platform (18) being spaced apart from the left and right edges of the recess (12) to form a free space (20).

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 5, characterized in that, The edge of the tube sheet (16) or end plate pointing toward the collector (10) has additional protrusions (28) between the protrusions (14) of each adjacent opening (22).

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, characterized in that, The edge of the tube sheet (16) pointing toward the collector (10) is cut into, deepened or recessed immediately adjacent to the additional protrusion (28).

8. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The two opening edges (24) adjacent to the opening edge (26) directly adjacent to the protrusion (14) are substantially parallel to each other.

9. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that, The tube sheet (16) or the end plate has a serpentine or wavy shape when viewed from the plane of the opening (22).

10. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the heat exchanger has at least one collector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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