A heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1) in the form of a plate structure, in which plates (2) are stacked into a stack (3) and are sealingly connected to one another, wherein fluid channels (4) are formed between the respective adjacently arranged plates (2), wherein the stack (3) composed of plates (2) is divided into a first stack region (5) and a second stack region (6), wherein the first stack region (5) forms, together with a first fluid channel (7) and a second fluid channel (8), an evaporator (9) and the second stack region (6) forms, together with a third fluid channel (11) and a fourth fluid channel (12), an internal heat exchanger (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a heat exchanger for a refrigerant circuit in a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In motor vehicles, there are known refrigerant circuits in which the condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and compressor are interconnected. Here, liquid refrigerant from the condenser expands and cools in the expansion valve and evaporates in the evaporator, where heat transfer between the refrigerant and coolant occurs. This results in the refrigerant being evaporated at the evaporator's output end relative to its input end, and in most cases, at least partially heated, while the coolant at the evaporator's output end is cooled. Here, the terms "evaporator" and "chiller" are used synonymously.

[0003] Here, for example, air, water, or a mixture of water can be used as the coolant for the evaporator.

[0004] The condenser cools the refrigerant, which has been compressed and heated by the compressor, again through heat transfer with another fluid (such as air, water, or a mixture of water) and condenses the refrigerant from the compressor, so that the refrigerant leaves the condenser in a liquid state.

[0005] Especially in electric vehicles, where efficiency is paramount due to the limited driving range provided by batteries, internal heat exchangers are of particular interest. In the refrigerant circuit, such an internal heat exchanger facilitates heat transfer between the hotter refrigerant from the condenser and the cooler refrigerant from the evaporator. This allows the hotter refrigerant from the condenser to be pre-cooled and thus at least partially cooled through heat transfer with the cooler refrigerant from the evaporator, while the cooler refrigerant from the evaporator is at least partially heated through heat transfer. This improves the efficiency of the refrigerant circuit, indirectly and positively impacting the driving range of electric vehicles.

[0006] Here, the term "electric vehicle" is understood to refer to a motor vehicle that is allowed to travel by means of an electric motor. This refers not only to motor vehicles that travel purely on electricity, but also to motor vehicles that have, for example, a hybrid drive system, in which electric travel and non-electric travel, for example, by means of an internal combustion engine, can be achieved.

[0007] However, assembling the evaporator and internal heat exchanger in the refrigerant circuit is costly because these two heat exchangers must be manufactured and assembled separately, and interconnected and integrated into the refrigerant circuit via piping or hoses. This increases assembly and logistical costs, and also increases structural space requirements when using internal heat exchangers, potentially requiring longer piping or hoses, which further increases costs. Therefore, many vehicle manufacturers have abandoned the use of internal heat exchangers due to cost and structural space considerations. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger that is an improvement over the prior art and allows motor vehicles, especially electric vehicles, to operate efficiently.

[0009] This objective is achieved through the following features.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a disc-type heat exchanger in which discs are stacked on top of each other and sealed together, wherein fluid channels are formed between correspondingly adjacent discs, and the stack of discs is divided into a first stack region and a second stack region, wherein the first stack region, together with the first and second fluid channels, forms an evaporator, and the second stack region, together with the third and fourth fluid channels, forms an internal heat exchanger. This achieves a compact heat exchanger in a smaller structural space that forms not only the evaporator but also the internal heat exchanger, wherein the fluid transition between the evaporator and the internal heat exchanger can be cleverly implemented inside the stack of discs, eliminating the need for additional piping or hoses. This saves not only manufacturing costs but also logistical and assembly costs.

[0011] Furthermore, the first stacking region is designed such that a first fluid channel is designed for refrigerant flow and a second fluid channel is designed for coolant flow, while the second stacking region is designed such that a third fluid channel is designed for refrigerant flow in a first state and a fourth fluid channel is designed for refrigerant flow in a second state. Correspondingly, the possible structures of the hydraulic diameter and / or the disc and / or the arrangement of turbulent inserts in the fluid channels can be designed or implemented to be adapted to the fluids involved.

[0012] Preferably, the first stacking area of ​​the stack is designed to be directly connected to the second stacking area of ​​the stack.

[0013] The trays in the stack are welded to each other as an example.

[0014] In another embodiment, it is also convenient that the first stacking region has a first connection end for supplying refrigerant and a second connection end for supplying coolant, and the first stacking region has a third connection end for discharging refrigerant and a fourth connection end for discharging coolant, wherein the second stacking region has a fifth connection end for supplying refrigerant in a first state and a sixth connection end for supplying refrigerant in a second state, and the second stacking region has a seventh connection end for discharging refrigerant in the first state and an eighth connection end for discharging refrigerant in the second state. Here, the connection end can be, for example, an opening in a disc, cover plate, etc., or it can be a pipe fitting. The connection end can also be designed in other forms.

[0015] Particularly advantageous is the inclusion of an expansion mechanism (e.g., an expansion valve) to expand the refrigerant, wherein the expansion mechanism has a ninth connection end for supplying refrigerant to the expansion mechanism and a tenth connection end for discharging refrigerant from the expansion mechanism. The expansion valve is advantageously a part of the heat exchanger, for example, connected to the stack as a structural unit (e.g., threaded connection, welding, etc.).

[0016] Another embodiment also facilitates the following: a first connection end is used to supply refrigerant to a first fluid channel, and a third connection end is used to discharge refrigerant from the first fluid channel; a second connection end is used to supply coolant to a second fluid channel, and a fourth connection end is used to discharge coolant from the second fluid channel; a fifth connection end is used to supply refrigerant in the first state to a third fluid channel, and a seventh connection end is used to discharge refrigerant in the first state from the third fluid channel; a sixth connection end is used to supply refrigerant in the second state to a fourth fluid channel, and an eighth connection end is used to discharge refrigerant in the second state from the fourth fluid channel. This achieves suitable supply and discharge of the fluids involved (such as refrigerant and coolant). Here, the refrigerant in the first state is, for example, provided by the condenser in the refrigerant circuit and supplied to the internal heat exchanger. The refrigerant in the second state is, for example, provided by the evaporator and supplied to the internal heat exchanger. Here, refrigerant without further state description refers to refrigerant provided by the expansion mechanism and supplied to the evaporator (i.e., supplied to the first stacking area of ​​the evaporator together with the first and second fluid channels).

[0017] In another embodiment, it is also advantageous that the seventh connection end is fluidly connected to the ninth connection end, so the refrigerant in the first state can flow into the expansion mechanism. The tenth connection end is fluidly connected to the first connection end, so the refrigerant that has not yet expanded in the first state and flows into the expansion mechanism is expanded and can then flow into the first fluid channel as refrigerant from the expansion mechanism. The third connection end is fluidly connected to the sixth connection end, so the refrigerant from the first fluid channel can flow into the fourth fluid channel as refrigerant in the second state. This achieves a design scheme that saves structural space.

[0018] Furthermore, the first connecting end is designed as an opening in the tray within the transition section between the first and second stacking areas; the third connecting end is designed as an opening in the tray within the transition section between the first and second stacking areas; and the sixth connecting end is designed as an opening in the tray within the transition section between the first and second stacking areas. This allows for a space-saving design while maintaining low manufacturing complexity.

[0019] Furthermore, the fifth and / or eighth and / or seventh connection ends are designed as openings and / or pipe fittings and / or flanges on the second stacking area. This allows for a space-saving design with reduced manufacturing complexity.

[0020] Also advantageous is that the second and / or fourth connection ends are designed as openings and / or pipe fittings and / or flanges on the first stacking area. This allows for a space-saving design with reduced manufacturing complexity.

[0021] Also advantageous is that the ninth and / or tenth connection ends are designed as openings and / or pipe fittings and / or flanges on the expansion mechanism. This allows for a space-saving design with reduced manufacturing complexity.

[0022] Of particular advantage is that the expansion mechanism is fixedly connected to the stack of discs, especially to the second stacking area. This results in a compact structural unit that reduces assembly and logistics costs.

[0023] Another advantage is that the expansion mechanism is arranged so that the seventh connection end is opposite to the ninth connection end. This simplifies the connection method when overflow is directly from the seventh connection end to the ninth connection end.

[0024] In one embodiment, it is also advantageous for the tenth connector to be fluidly connected to the first connector via a connection channel. This connection channel is particularly advantageous because it allows for a direct fluid connection between the tenth connector and the first connector.

[0025] Of particular advantage is that the connecting channel passes through the second stacking area, and is specifically designed as an immersion pipe passing through the second stacking area. This allows the fluid flowing through the connecting channel to pass through the second stacking area without being affected by the second stacking area.

[0026] To optimize heat transfer between fluids, it is also advantageous that: the first fluid channel is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow, or more-flow; and / or the second fluid channel is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow, or more-flow; and / or the third fluid channel is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow, or more-flow; and / or the fourth fluid channel is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow, or more-flow. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0028] In the attached diagram:

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a heat exchanger having an evaporator, an internal heat exchanger and an expansion mechanism according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 1 An embodiment of the heat exchanger 1 according to the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0031] The heat exchanger 1 is constructed as a disc structure, wherein discs 2 are stacked on top of each other in a stack 3 and are hermetically connected. Discs 2 are shown only schematically here. Discs 2 may be designed with surrounding, protruding edges or other forms to form overlapping fluid channels 4 between correspondingly adjacent discs 2.

[0032] The stack 3, consisting of trays 2, is divided into a first stacking area 5 and a second stacking area 6.

[0033] The first stacking area 5, together with the first fluid channel 7 and the second fluid channel 8, forms the evaporator 9.

[0034] The second stacking area 6, together with the third fluid channel 11 and the fourth fluid channel 12, forms the internal heat exchanger 10.

[0035] The first stacking area 5 is designed such that the first fluid channel 7 is designed for refrigerant to flow through and the second fluid channel 8 is designed for coolant to flow through.

[0036] The second stacking area 6 is designed such that the third fluid channel 11 is designed for refrigerant to flow through in the first state and the fourth fluid channel 12 is designed for refrigerant to flow through in the second state.

[0037] Here, the refrigerant in the first state is, for example, the refrigerant supplied by the condenser in the refrigerant circuit and supplied to the internal heat exchanger 10. The refrigerant in the second state is, for example, the refrigerant supplied by the evaporator 9 and supplied to the internal heat exchanger 10. Here, the refrigerant without further state description refers to the refrigerant supplied by the expansion mechanism of the refrigerant circuit and supplied to the evaporator 9 (i.e., supplied to the first stacking area 5 of the evaporator 9 together with the first fluid channel 7 and the second fluid channel 8). The names of refrigerant, refrigerant in the first state, and refrigerant in the second state are used to describe the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit, that is, the same fluid existing in the refrigerant circuit in essentially different states (i.e., temperature, pressure, etc.).

[0038] Figure 1 The first stacking region 5 is also shown to have a first connection end 13 for supplying refrigerant and a second connection end 14 for supplying coolant. The first stacking region 5 also has a third connection end 15 for discharging refrigerant and a fourth connection end 16 for discharging coolant.

[0039] The second stacking region 6 has a fifth connection 17 for supplying refrigerant in the first state and a sixth connection 18 for supplying refrigerant in the second state. The second stacking region 6 also has a seventh connection 19 for discharging refrigerant in the first state and an eighth connection 20 for discharging refrigerant in the second state, thereby allowing the refrigerant to leave the heat exchanger 1.

[0040] In addition, an expansion mechanism 21 is provided to expand the refrigerant, wherein the expansion mechanism 21 has a ninth connection end 22 for supplying the refrigerant, i.e. the refrigerant in the first state, to the expansion mechanism 21, and wherein the expansion mechanism 21 also has a tenth connection end 23 for discharging the refrigerant expanded by the expansion mechanism 21 from the expansion mechanism 21.

[0041] The expansion mechanism 21 is exemplarily fixedly connected to the stack 3 formed by the discs 2, particularly to the second stacking area 6. Here, the expansion mechanism 21 may be threaded, welded, or otherwise connected to the stack 3.

[0042] The first connection end 13 is used to supply refrigerant to the first fluid channel 7. The third connection end 15 is used to discharge refrigerant from the first fluid channel 7.

[0043] The second connection end 14 is used to supply coolant to the second fluid channel 8, and the fourth connection end 16 is used to discharge coolant from the second fluid channel 8.

[0044] The fifth connection terminal 17 is used to supply the refrigerant in the first state to the third fluid channel 11, and the seventh connection terminal 19 is used to discharge the refrigerant in the first state from the third fluid channel 11.

[0045] The sixth connection 18 is used to supply refrigerant in the second state to the fourth fluid channel 12, and the eighth connection 20 is used to extract refrigerant in the second state from the fourth fluid channel 12, i.e. from the heat exchanger 1.

[0046] The seventh connection end 19 is fluidly connected to the ninth connection end 22, so the refrigerant in the first state can flow into the expansion mechanism 21. The tenth connection end 23 is fluidly connected to the first connection end 13, so the refrigerant can flow from the expansion mechanism 21 into the first fluid channel 7.

[0047] The third connection end 15 is fluidly connected to the sixth connection end 18, so the refrigerant in the first fluid channel 7 can flow into the fourth fluid channel 12 as refrigerant in the second state. Here, the third connection end 15 can be designed as an opening in the tray 2, and the sixth connection end 18 can be designed as the same opening in the same tray 2 or another opening in an adjacent tray 2, wherein the third connection end 15 is the outflow connection end in the first stacking area 5 and the sixth connection end 18 is the inflow connection end in the second stacking area 6.

[0048] Preferably, the first connecting end 13 is designed as an opening in the disc 2 in the transition section between the first stacking area 5 and the second stacking area 6, the third connecting end 15 is designed as an opening in the disc 2 in the transition section between the first stacking area 5 and the second stacking area 6 on the side of the first stacking area 5, and the sixth connecting end 18 is designed as an opening in the disc 2 in the transition section between the first stacking area 5 and the second stacking area 6 on the side of the second stacking area 6.

[0049] Here, the transition from the first stacking area 5 to the second stacking area 6 can be formed by two discs 2, namely one disc 2 of the first stacking area 5 and one disc 2 of the second stacking area 6, so that the corresponding connecting ends 13, 15, 18 are designed as openings in the corresponding discs 2 of the corresponding stacking areas 5 and 6.

[0050] The fifth connection end 17 and / or the eighth connection end 20 and / or the seventh connection end 19 are designed, for example, as openings and / or pipe fittings and / or flanges on the second stacking area 6.

[0051] Therefore, for example, refrigerant from the condenser of the cooling circuit is supplied to the stack 3 side forming the internal heat exchanger 10. This also applies, for example, to the extraction of refrigerant from the heat exchanger 1.

[0052] The second connection end 14 and / or the fourth connection end 16 are designed as openings and / or pipe fittings and / or flanges on the first stacking area 5.

[0053] The ninth connection end 22 and / or the tenth connection end 23 are designed as openings and / or pipe fittings and / or flanges on the expansion mechanism 21.

[0054] Here, for example, the seventh connection terminal 19 is opposite to the ninth connection terminal 22, so that direct overflow can occur.

[0055] Optionally, the tenth connection end 23 is fluidly connected to the first connection end 13 via a connection channel 24. The connection channel 24 is arranged and designed to pass through the second stacking region 6 to allow refrigerant to flow from the expansion mechanism 21 to the first stacking region 5. For this purpose, the connection channel 24 may, for example, be designed as an immersion pipe passing through the second stacking region 6.

[0056] To optimize pressure drop and heat transfer, the first fluid channel 7 is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow, or more-flow, and / or the second fluid channel 8 is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow, or more-flow, and / or the third fluid channel 11 is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow, or more-flow, and / or the fourth fluid channel 12 is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow, or more-flow.

[0057] If the third fluid channel 11 and the fourth fluid channel 12 are designed for single-flow, then these fluid channels can flow in the same direction or in opposite directions. This also applies when the number of flares in the third fluid channel 11 and the fourth fluid channel 12 is equal. Figure 1 The diagram illustrates co-current flow. If the number of flow paths is different, some flow paths or fluid channels will exhibit co-current flow, while others will exhibit counter-current flow.

[0058] If the first fluid channel 7 and the second fluid channel 8 are designed for single-flow, then these fluid channels can flow in the same or opposite directions. This also applies when the number of flow paths in the first fluid channel 7 and the second fluid channel 8 is equal. Figure 1 The diagram illustrates counter-current flow. If the number of flow paths is different, some flow paths or fluid channels will flow in the same direction, while others will flow in the opposite direction.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger (1) of a disc-type structure, wherein discs (2) are stacked on top of each other in a stack (3) and are sealed to each other, wherein fluid channels (4) are formed between correspondingly adjacent discs (2), characterized in that, The stack (3) consisting of the disc (2) is divided into a first stack area (5) and a second stack area (6), wherein the first stack area (5) together with the first fluid channel (7) and the second fluid channel (8) forms an evaporator (9) and the second stack area (6) together with the third fluid channel (11) and the fourth fluid channel (12) forms an internal heat exchanger (10); the first stack area (5) is designed such that the first fluid channel (7) is designed for refrigerant to flow through and the second fluid channel (8) is designed for coolant to flow through, wherein the second stack area (6) is designed such that the third fluid channel (11) is designed for refrigerant to flow through in a first state and the fourth fluid channel (12) is designed for refrigerant to flow through in a second state.

2. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first stacking region (5) has a first connection end (13) for supplying the refrigerant and a second connection end (14) for supplying the coolant, and the first stacking region (5) has a third connection end (15) for discharging the refrigerant and a fourth connection end (16) for discharging the coolant, wherein the second stacking region (6) has a fifth connection end (17) for supplying the refrigerant in the first state and a sixth connection end (18) for supplying the refrigerant in the second state, and the second stacking region (6) has a seventh connection end (19) for discharging the refrigerant in the first state and an eighth connection end (20) for discharging the refrigerant in the second state.

3. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, An expansion mechanism (21) is also provided to expand the refrigerant, wherein the expansion mechanism (21) has a ninth connection end (22) for supplying the refrigerant to the expansion mechanism (21), and the expansion mechanism has a tenth connection end (23) for discharging the refrigerant from the expansion mechanism (21).

4. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first connection end (13) is used to supply the refrigerant to the first fluid channel (7), and the third connection end (15) is used to discharge the refrigerant from the first fluid channel (7), wherein the second connection end (14) is used to supply the coolant to the second fluid channel (8), and the fourth connection end (16) is used to discharge the coolant from the second fluid channel (8), wherein the fifth connection end (17) is used to supply the refrigerant in the first state to the third fluid channel (11), and the seventh connection end (19) is used to discharge the refrigerant in the first state from the third fluid channel (11), wherein the sixth connection end (18) is used to supply the refrigerant in the second state to the fourth fluid channel (12), and the eighth connection end (20) is used to discharge the refrigerant in the second state from the fourth fluid channel (12).

5. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The seventh connection end (19) is fluidly connected to the ninth connection end (22), so the refrigerant in the first state can flow into the expansion mechanism (21). The tenth connection end (23) is fluidly connected to the first connection end (13), so the refrigerant in the expansion mechanism (21) can flow into the first fluid channel (7). The third connection end (15) is fluidly connected to the sixth connection end (18), so the refrigerant in the first fluid channel (7) can flow into the fourth fluid channel (12) as the refrigerant in the second state.

6. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first connecting end (13) is designed as an opening in the disc (2) in the transition from the first stacking area (5) to the second stacking area (6), the third connecting end (15) is designed as an opening in the disc (2) in the transition from the first stacking area (5) to the second stacking area (6), and the sixth connecting end (18) is designed as an opening in the disc (2) in the transition from the first stacking area (5) to the second stacking area (6).

7. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fifth connection end (17) and / or the eighth connection end (20) and / or the seventh connection end (19) are designed as openings and / or fittings and / or flanges on the second stacking area (6).

8. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second connection end (14) and / or the fourth connection end (16) are designed as openings and / or fittings and / or flanges on the first stacking area (5).

9. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ninth connection end (22) and / or the tenth connection end (23) are designed as openings and / or fittings and / or flanges on the expansion mechanism (21).

10. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The expansion mechanism (21) is fixedly connected to the stack (3) consisting of a disc (2).

11. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The expansion mechanism (21) is fixedly connected to the second stacking area (6).

12. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The seventh connection end (19) is arranged opposite to the ninth connection end (22).

13. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The tenth connection end (23) is fluidly connected to the first connection end (13) via a connection channel (24).

14. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The connecting channel (24) passes through the second stacking area (6).

15. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The connecting channel (24) is designed as an immersion tube passing through the second stacking area (6).

16. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first fluid channel (7) is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow or more, and / or the second fluid channel (8) is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow or more, and / or the third fluid channel (11) is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow or more, and / or the fourth fluid channel (12) is designed to be single-flow, dual-flow, triple-flow or more.

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