cooler

Abstract

A cooler (1) is described, having a heat exchanger (2) for dissipating heat from a medium, for example oil, a fan (3) with a fan housing (4), a fan wheel (5) and a motor, a control unit (11) for controlling the motor, a sensor unit (12) for detecting operating parameters of the heat exchanger (2) and / or the fan (3), which is connected to the control unit (11) in order to set the operating state of the cooler (1), the fan housing (4) having a recess (15), the control unit (11) being arranged in the recess together with the sensor unit (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a cooler comprising

[0002] a heat exchanger for dissipating heat from a medium, such as oil,

[0003] a fan having a fan housing, a fan impeller and a motor,

[0004] a control unit for controlling the motor,

[0005] a sensor unit for detecting operating parameters of the heat exchanger and / or the fan, which sensor unit is connected to the control unit for setting an operating state of the cooler.

[0006] The invention also relates to a fan for such a cooler. BACKGROUND

[0007] DE 10 2017 111 982 A1 shows a fan for use in a cooling system of a vehicle. The fan housing comprises a recessed area. A motor drive having a printed circuit board is arranged in the recessed area. An electronic control unit (ECU) is also provided which detects information about the operating conditions of various parts of the motor by means of various sensors, including temperature sensors, pressure sensors, rotation sensors, flow sensors, position sensors, etc. The ECU is arranged together with the motor drive outside the fan. The input of the motor drive is connected with the ECU via a dedicated line.

[0008] DE 4300577 A1 shows a device for closing the cooling air channel of a cooler of a motor vehicle. The device comprises a fan with an electric motor. A thermal sensor is attached to the front of the cooling air channel. An adjusting ring which controls the movement of the cooling air flap is actuated by the thermal sensor by the intervention of a lever driver. No control unit for controlling the electric motor is disclosed. The adjusting ring can open and close the cooling air flap. However, there is no indication that the adjusting ring or the thermal sensor can control the electric motor.

[0009] CN 210 440 250 U shows a fan of a different type.

[0010] DE 3903199 C1 shows a cooler-fan arrangement of a different type for engine cooling.

[0011] Cooling devices are used in the prior art for various applications, for example as engine coolers. A cooling system is known from DE 10 2012 018 571 B3. The cooling system comprises a fan for generating a cooling air flow and a heat exchanger for cooling a medium, such as cooling water, by the cooling air flow.

[0012] Furthermore, oil and gas coolers are known from the prior art, in which the temperature of the medium is detected. Depending on the temperature of the medium, the rotational speed of the fan can be adjusted. In this prior art, a temperature sensor is screwed onto the heat exchanger. A data cable extends from the temperature sensor to a controller, which is connected by further data cables to the motor. However, a disadvantage of this design is the high construction effort. Furthermore, the assembly is complex. Moreover, the screwing in of the temperature sensor can lead to leaks. Furthermore, it would be desirable if the desired operating point of the cooler could be maintained with higher efficiency by a more intelligent motor control.

[0013] A different type of fan unit is known from WO 2005 / 075831, in which an electrolytic capacitor for a brushless motor is arranged outside the housing for the motor in a spoke of a cover plate. This is in order to reduce the size of the housing of the motor. SUMMARY

[0014] In contrast, it is an object of the present application to provide a cooler and a fan as a component of a cooler which at least alleviates or eliminates the individual disadvantages of the prior art. The present application preferably aims to provide a cooler and a fan with which an operating state can be maintained with as little constructional effort and high efficiency as possible.

[0015] This object is achieved by a cooler according to the present application and a fan according to the present application. Preferred embodiments are indicated in the description.

[0016] According to the present application, the fan housing comprises a recess in which the control unit is arranged together with the sensor unit.

[0017] Thus, advantageously, the sensor unit and the control unit are integrated in the fan housing. According to the present application, the control unit and the sensor unit are arranged in the same recess of the fan housing, i.e. in close spatial proximity to each other. This is accompanied by a significant structural simplification of the cooler. Preferably, the sensor unit can be directly connected to the control unit, without a data cable between the sensor unit and the control unit. Furthermore, the wall of the fan housing can be used to replace part or all of the housing part of the sensor unit and the control unit. Advantageously, the sensor unit is protected in the recess. Furthermore, the assembly of the cooler can be simplified. In a preferred embodiment, the fan and the heat exchanger are connected to each other by a screw connection. In this embodiment, the sensor unit can be arranged in the recess of the fan housing without itself being connected to the heat exchanger, in particular without a screw connection, so that the sensor unit is ready for use when the fan is connected to the heat exchanger.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the recess is delimited by a rear wall and / or a bottom wall and / or a top wall and / or a side wall of the compartment of the fan housing. Thus, the compartment of the fan housing can be used to enclose the control unit and the sensor unit. Advantageously, the rear wall, the bottom wall and the top wall as well as the side wall of the compartment can replace at least the individual housing parts, in particular the entire housing, of the control unit and / or of the sensor unit. As a result, a component-saving, cost-effective design is achieved.

[0019] In order to integrate the recess for the control unit and the sensor unit into the fan housing without effort, it is advantageous if the rear wall and / or the bottom wall and / or the top wall and / or the side wall of the compartment is integrally formed with the mold casing surrounding the fan blades and / or with the fan hub surrounding the motor and / or with the front portion covering the fan blades (and preferably having ventilation openings) and / or with the outer shell of the fan housing, which comprises a rectangular outer contour. A particularly simple and inexpensive design is that a single component, for example made of metal or plastic, not only forms the mold casing, the front portion and the outer shell of the fan housing, but also forms the rear wall, the bottom wall and the top wall as well as the side wall of the compartment for the control unit and the sensor unit.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the recess is located in an outer edge region of the fan housing, in particular in an outer corner region of the fan housing. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if a substantially rectangular outer shell and a cylindrical mold casing are provided for surrounding the fan impeller, so that four outer corner regions are formed on the fan housing. In this design, the recess for the control unit and the sensor unit can be formed in one of the four outer corner regions. Furthermore, if the control unit and the sensor unit are arranged in a corner region of the fan housing, the disturbing influence of the motor on the control unit or the sensor unit, in particular the magnetic influence, can be reduced.

[0021] If the control unit comprises a printed circuit board on which the sensor unit is arranged, it is possible in particular to dispense with a data cable between the sensor unit and the control unit.

[0022] In order to facilitate the detection of operating parameters, in particular of the heat exchanger, it is advantageous if the recess for the control unit and the temperature sensor is open towards the heat exchanger. Thus, the sensor unit can face the heat exchanger, so that the operating parameters of the heat exchanger can be detected without effort and precisely. Preferably, the control unit and the sensor unit are attached to the fan housing only. As a result, the assembly becomes very easy.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the control line from the control unit in the recess to the motor in the fan hub comprises a first portion along the cylindrical mold casing of the fan housing and / or a second portion in the axial direction of the fan housing and / or a third portion in the radial direction of the fan housing. As a result, the amount of wiring required can be kept at a low level.

[0024] For displaying sensor information of the sensor unit, a display can be provided on the fan housing, in particular on the side of the rear wall of the recess which faces away from the control unit.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sensor unit comprises a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the medium, for example water or oil. Depending on the detected temperature of the medium, a control signal can be transmitted to the motor for the fan impeller. The control signal can in particular effect the switching on or off of the motor or a change in the rotational speed of the fan impeller caused by the motor. As a result, a desired operating state of the cooler can be set, for example by which a specific temperature of the medium is specified. Setting the operating state of the cooler can thus comprise adjusting the actual temperature of the medium in the heat exchanger to a target temperature by controlling the motor.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, an infrared sensor can be provided as a temperature sensor. Furthermore, a contact sensor can be provided as a temperature sensor. Depending on the design, the temperature sensor can be configured to directly detect the temperature of the medium or indirectly detect the temperature of the medium via the temperature of the wall of a medium channel of the heat exchanger, which carries the medium.

[0027] In order to integrate the temperature sensor into the fan housing with as few structural changes as possible, it is advantageous if the temperature sensor is connected to a fastening screw between the fan and the heat exchanger. For example, the temperature sensor can be arranged in a recess of the fastening screw.

[0028] In order to be able to adjust the operating conditions of the cooler more precisely, it is advantageous if a sensor for detecting the air flow rate along the fan is provided. The sensor for detecting the air flow rate can be accommodated in the same recess as the control unit and the sensor unit. Alternatively, the sensor for detecting the air flow rate can be provided elsewhere in the fan housing.

[0029] Furthermore, a sensor for detecting the air pressure in the fan housing can be provided. The sensor for detecting the air pressure, in particular an overpressure or underpressure, can be accommodated in the same recess as the control unit and the sensor unit. Alternatively, the sensor for detecting the air pressure can be provided elsewhere in the fan housing.

[0030] A axial fan is preferably provided as the fan. An electric motor is preferably provided as the motor. The heat exchanger preferably comprises a plurality of individual medium channels for the medium and / or a plurality of individual air channels, in particular between the medium channels. The fan is preferably attached to the heat exchanger, in particular by a screw connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The application is explained below with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 A cooler according to the application is shown, having a heat exchanger and a fan, the fan housing of which has a recess for a control and sensor unit.

[0033] Figure 2 A front view of the fan of Figure 1 is shown, wherein a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the medium in the heat exchanger is arranged on the printed circuit board of the control unit.

[0034] Figure 3 A front view of the fan of Figure 2 is shown.

[0035] Figure 4 A cross-section along the line IV-IV in Figure 3 is shown.

[0036] Figure 5 A detail A of Figure 4 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 A cooler 1 is shown having a heat exchanger 2 with a plurality of medium channels and air channels separated therefrom. A medium, for example oil, flows in the medium channels. The cooler 1 further has a (axial) fan 3 which generates an air flow through the air channels of the heat exchanger 2. The medium is cooled by heat exchange with the air. The fan 3, also called ventilator, has a fan housing 4 and a fan wheel 5 with individual fan blades 6. The fan housing 4 has a fan hub 7 in which a motor for rotating the fan wheel 5 is accommodated. Furthermore, the fan housing 4 has a profiled shell 8 which surrounds the fan blades 6, a front portion 9 for covering the fan blades 6 on the side facing away from the heat exchanger 2, and an outer shell 10 having a rectangular outer contour.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the cooler 1 also includes a control unit 11 for controlling the motor. Furthermore, a sensor unit 12 is provided for detecting at least one operating parameter of the heat exchanger 2 and / or the fan 3. The sensor unit 12 transmits sensor data to the control unit 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 11 has a printed circuit board 13 on which the sensor unit 12 is arranged. The sensor unit 12 has a temperature sensor 14 configured to measure the temperature of the medium in one of the medium channels of the heat exchanger 2. Additionally, a second sensor may be provided, configured to measure the airflow velocity (not shown) along the fan 3. Finally, a third sensor may be provided, arranged to detect the air pressure (not shown) in the fan housing 4. Depending on the sensor data from the sensor unit 12, the operating state of the cooler 1 is set by controlling the motor for the fan impeller 5, particularly by turning the motor on or off or by changing the rotational speed of the fan impeller 5.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the fan housing 4 has a recess 15 in which the control unit 11 and the sensor unit 12 are housed together. The recess 15 is formed by the rear wall 16 of the compartment of the fan housing 4 (see [reference]). Figure 5 The fan housing 4 is defined by a bottom wall 17, a top wall 18, and a side wall 19. A recess 15 for the control unit 11 and sensor unit 12 opens toward the heat exchanger 2. The rear wall 16, bottom wall 17, top wall 18, and side wall 19 of the fan housing 4 are integrally formed with the fan housing 4's shell 8, fan hub 7, front portion 9, and outer casing 10, i.e., forming a single unit. The recess 15 is located in the outer corner region of the fan housing 4 between the rectangular outer contour of the outer casing 10 and the cylindrical shell 8 of the fan housing 4.

[0040] To control the motor, a control line 20 is provided, which connects the control unit 11 in the recess 15 to the motor in the fan hub 7 (see...). Figure 3 The control line 20 has a first portion along the cylindrical housing 8, a second portion along the axial direction of the fan housing 4, and a third portion along the radial direction of the fan housing 4. Furthermore, the control unit 11 and the sensor unit 12 are connected to the power cable 21.

[0041] Furthermore, the fan 3 has a display 22 that displays sensor information, such as the temperature of the medium detected by the temperature sensor 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 22 is disposed on the rear side of the recess 15, which faces away from the control unit 11.

Claims

1. Cooler (1), comprising: a heat exchanger (2) comprising a plurality of individual media channels and a plurality of individual air channels between the media channels for dissipating heat from a medium flowing in the media channels, a fan (3) with a fan housing (4), a fan wheel (5) and a motor, a control unit (11) for controlling the motor, a sensor unit (12) for detecting operating parameters of the heat exchanger (2) and / or the fan (3), which is connected to the control unit (11) in order to set an operating state of the cooler (1), characterized in that the fan housing (4) comprises a recess (15), in which the control unit (11) is arranged together with the sensor unit (12), the recess (15) for the control unit (11) and the sensor unit (12) is open towards the heat exchanger (2), wherein the recess (15) is located completely in an outer corner region of the fan housing (4), and wherein a display (22) for displaying sensor information is arranged on a side of a rear wall (16) of the recess (15) which faces away from the control unit (11). The recess (15) is delimited by a rear wall (16) and / or a bottom wall (17) and / or a top wall (18) and / or a side wall (19) of a compartment of the fan housing (4). The rear wall (16) and / or the bottom wall (17) and / or the top wall (18) and / or the side wall (19) of the compartment are integrally formed with a type shell (8) surrounding the fan blades (6) and / or a fan hub (7) surrounding the motor and / or a front part (9) covering the fan blades (6) and / or a housing (10) of the fan housing, which comprises a rectangular outer contour. The control unit (11) comprises a printed circuit board (13), on which the sensor unit (12) is arranged. Control lines (20) from the control unit (11) in the recess (15) to the motor in the fan hub (7) comprise a first portion along a cylindrical type shell (8) of the fan housing (4) and / or a second portion along an axial direction of the fan housing (4) and / or a third portion along a radial direction of the fan housing (4). The sensor unit (12) comprises a temperature sensor (14) for detecting a temperature of the medium. The temperature sensor (14) is connected to a fastening screw between the fan (3) and the heat exchanger (2). A sensor for detecting an air flow rate along the fan (3) is provided.

2. Cooler (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that A sensor for detecting an air pressure in the fan housing (4) is provided.

3. Cooler (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The medium is oil.

4. The cooler (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that 11. A fan (3), comprising: a fan housing (4) and a fan wheel (5), a control unit (11) for controlling a motor, 5. The cooler (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that ​ 6. The cooler (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that ​ 7. The cooler (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that ​ 8. The cooler (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that ​ 9. The cooler (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that ​ 10. The cooler (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that ​ ​ ​ ​ a sensor unit (12) for detecting operating parameters of a heat exchanger (2) connected to the fan (3) and / or of the fan (3), which sensor unit (12) is connected to the control unit (11), characterized in that the fan housing (4) comprises a recess (15), in which the control unit (11) is arranged together with the sensor unit (12), wherein the recess (15) for the control unit (11) and the sensor unit (12) is open towards the heat exchanger (2), wherein the recess (15) is located completely in an outer corner region of the fan housing (4), and wherein a display (22) for displaying sensor information is arranged on the side of a rear wall (16) of the recess (15) which faces away from the control unit (11).

12. The fan (3) according to claim 11, characterized in that The fan (3) is for a cooler (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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