Heat exchanger assembly for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, having an inflow side (2), an outflow side (3), a flow direction (4) in which a medium, in particular air, can flow through the heat exchanger assembly (1) from the inflow side (2) to the outflow side (3), and at least one helically extending heat exchanger tube (5), the heat exchanger fluid may flow through a helically extending heat exchanger tube (5). In order to provide a more efficient heat exchanger assembly (1) showing a lower internal pressure loss of the heat exchanger fluid, a helical axis (6) of a helical line formed by the heat exchanger tubes (5) extends transversely with respect to the flow direction (4) of the heat exchanger assembly (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly for a motor vehicle having the features of the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Heat exchangers are installed in motor vehicles, for example, to cool a heat exchanger fluid, such as a coolant of an internal combustion engine. Such heat exchangers are also provided in electric motor vehicles. In order to be cooled, the heat exchanger fluid is led through the heat exchanger, while a medium (usually air, in particular relative wind) impinges on or flows through the heat exchanger. Such a heat exchanger is therefore a liquid-air heat exchanger, which usually has heat exchanger tubes in the form of round tubes, flat tubes or oval tubes, through which the heat exchanger fluid flows and which are surrounded by a plate or fin structure of the heat exchanger, which helps to dissipate heat from the heat exchanger tubes by heat conduction and transfer this heat to the air flowing through by convection. Round tubes show a lower internal pressure drop than flat tubes. However, round tubes provide a relatively small internal surface area for heat exchange, and in standard designs, round tubes are additionally limited in their length by end boxes connected to the ends of the heat exchanger tubes. In contrast, flat tubes provide a high surface area to liquid volume ratio, but show a large internal pressure loss.

[0003] Patent document CN 103 712 505 A discloses a heat exchanger assembly having heat exchanger fins arranged in a star shape and having spiral heat exchanger tubes extending through the heat exchanger fins. Air can flow through the assembly, wherein the throughflow direction of the assembly extends parallel to the spiral axis of the spiral formed by the heat exchanger tubes.

[0004] Patent document CN 201 037 693 Y discloses a heat exchanger assembly, which has a shell with a lower air inlet and an upper air outlet and has two water tanks with a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, the water tanks are positioned at both ends of the shell and connected to the shell. In addition, the assembly has a plurality of spiral heat exchanger tubes arranged parallel to each other in the shell and connected to the two water tanks at both ends. The assembly has a flow direction, and the gas can flow from the air inlet to the air outlet along the flow direction, wherein the flow direction extends parallel to the spiral axis of the spiral formed by the heat exchanger tubes.

[0005] Patent document US Pat. No. 10,782,072 B2 discloses a heat exchanger assembly having a plurality of spiral heat exchangers, wherein each spiral heat exchanger has an outer tube and a spiral heat-conducting tube insert is inserted into the outer tube.

[0006] Patent document US 2011 / 0 240 266 A1 discloses a heat exchanger assembly, which comprises an outer tube, an inner tube which is concentric with the outer tube, and a spiral structure arranged between the outer tube and the inner tube. Summary of the invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a more efficient heat exchanger assembly of the type mentioned in the introduction, which heat exchanger assembly exhibits lower internal pressure losses in the heat exchanger fluid.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a heat exchanger assembly having the features of claim 1 .

[0009] The invention provides a heat exchanger assembly for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger assembly having an inflow side and an outflow side and at least one heat exchanger tube extending in a spiral shape, through which a heat exchanger fluid can flow, wherein the medium flows in a throughflow direction from the inflow side to the outflow side. The spiral axis of the helix formed by the heat exchanger tube extends transversely to the throughflow direction of the heat exchanger assembly.

[0010] The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments.

[0011] It is noted that the features and measures described in detail individually in the following description can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful way and reveal further developments of the invention. The description particularly additionally characterizes and explains the invention in detail together with the drawings.

[0012] According to the invention, no straight heat exchanger tubes are used, such as conventional heat exchanger tubes. Instead, the heat exchanger tubes according to the invention extend helically, so that, with respect to straight heat exchanger tubes, longer heat exchanger tubes in their developed form can be arranged in a structural space of prescribed and fixed dimensions, thus increasing the flow length of the heat exchanger fluid. The heat exchanger assembly according to the invention can therefore be equipped with a larger surface area for heat exchange, which makes the heat exchanger assembly according to the invention more effective with respect to this heat exchange than a conventional heat exchanger assembly with the same structural dimensions but with straight heat exchanger tubes. In addition, due to the centrifugal forces acting on the heat exchanger fluid flowing through, the helical profile of the heat exchanger tubes produces a continuous change in the direction of the heat exchanger fluid flowing in the heat exchanger tubes, so to speak, in such a way that the heat exchanger fluid is thoroughly mixed. As a result, the contribution of the heat exchanger fluid to the heat transfer can be greater than the contribution to the heat transfer in the case of, for example, flow in a straight extension tube.

[0013] In order to be able to fully utilize this effectiveness of the heat exchanger assembly according to the invention, the helical axis of the helix formed by the heat exchanger tubes extends transversely with respect to the throughflow direction of the heat exchanger assembly. As a result, the heat exchanger tubes are hit laterally by the medium, in particular by air, which accordingly flows around the heat exchanger tubes. Here, the medium, that is to say in particular air, flows into the heat exchanger assembly via the inflow side of the heat exchanger assembly, subsequently flows around at least one heat exchanger tube, and leaves the heat exchanger assembly via the outflow side of the heat exchanger assembly. In this case, the inflow side and / or the outflow side of the heat exchanger assembly can take the form of a plane or a curved surface, which can be oriented vertically and, for example, so as to extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle when the heat exchanger assembly is already arranged on the motor vehicle as intended. The throughflow direction of the heat exchanger assembly, which is defined by the structural design of the heat exchanger assembly, can extend straight through the heat exchanger assembly and, for example, can be oriented horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the heat exchanger assembly is already arranged on the motor vehicle as intended.

[0014] The heat exchanger assembly according to the invention can have a heat exchanger tube designed and arranged according to the invention, or a plurality of such heat exchanger tubes. The statement that at least one heat exchanger tube extends helically means in particular that the tube center line of the heat exchanger tube defines the helix. In this case, the helix axis is straight, that is to say not curved, and extends along the center of the helix. The heat exchange fluid that can be guided through the heat exchanger tube can be a liquid or a gas.

[0015] Due to the relatively extensive design and arrangement of the heat exchanger tubes according to the invention, the heat exchanger assembly according to the invention can have a greater depth than conventional heat exchanger assemblies with straight heat exchanger tubes, and this likewise has a positive effect on the effectiveness of the heat exchanger assembly according to the invention. Here, the inflow side of the heat exchanger assembly can form the front side of the heat exchanger assembly and the outflow side of the heat exchanger assembly can form the rear side of the heat exchanger assembly, wherein the depth of the heat exchanger assembly extends from the front side to the rear side.

[0016] The heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention may have at least two fluid distributors, which may be communicatively connected to both ends of one or more heat exchanger tubes so as to be able to supply heat exchanger fluid to and discharge heat exchanger fluid from the individual heat exchanger tubes.

[0017] The heat exchanger assembly according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in motor vehicles. For example, the heat exchanger assembly can be used to cool an internal combustion engine, the coolant of the internal combustion engine being conducted through the heat exchanger assembly as heat exchanger fluid. Alternatively, the heat exchanger assembly according to the invention can be used to heat and / or cool the refrigerant of a functional unit of a motor vehicle, while doing so being used as a condenser and / or evaporator. The heat exchanger assembly can also be used in electric vehicles and / or hybrid vehicles.

[0018] In an advantageous refinement, the heat exchanger assembly has at least one heat exchanger fin extending transversely to the spiral axis. The heat exchanger fin can consist of a metal or a metal alloy and can be of a straight or curved design. The heat exchanger fin can in particular extend parallel to the flow direction of the heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly can also have two or more (in particular a plurality of) heat exchanger fins, which are spaced apart from one another in a row along the spiral axis of the heat exchanger and can be oriented at least partially parallel to one another. The heat exchanger fins also further increase the effective surface area of ​​the heat exchanger assembly.

[0019] In another advantageous refinement, the heat exchanger assembly has at least two heat exchanger tubes, which are designed and arranged relative to each other so as to define a common spiral axis. It can be said that the heat exchanger tubes are wound around each other. Therefore, the effective surface area of ​​the heat exchanger assembly is further increased. The heat exchanger assembly can also have three or more heat exchanger tubes, which define or have the same spiral axis. If two such heat exchanger tubes are provided, the two heat exchanger tubes can be arranged to be offset 180° relative to each other around the common spiral axis to form a double spiral. If three such heat exchanger tubes are provided, the three heat exchanger tubes can be arranged to be offset 120° relative to each other around the common spiral axis. If four such heat exchanger tubes are provided, the four heat exchanger tubes can be arranged to be offset 90° relative to each other around the common spiral axis. Here, if the heat exchanger tubes have the same design, the heat exchanger tubes are actually evenly distributed around the 360° defined by the common spiral axis. Furthermore, the heat exchanger tubes coiled around one another produce a relatively high structural rigidity of the heat exchanger assembly, which, if combined with the above-mentioned heat exchanger fins, is further increased. Furthermore, the heat exchanger tubes coiled around one another allow the conventionally used end tanks to be reduced in size or even completely omitted.

[0020] In an advantageous refinement, the heat exchanger assembly has at least two heat exchanger tubes, the spiral axes of which, as seen in the vertical direction, extend parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other so that the heat exchanger tubes are wound around each other at uniform intervals along the spiral axes. Thus, the heat exchanger tubes are actually interwoven. Here, the interwoven heat exchanger tubes can be offset by 180° relative to each other around the respective spiral axes. A heat exchanger tube arranged between two corresponding heat exchanger tubes can be interwoven with two adjacent heat exchanger tubes accordingly.

[0021] In another advantageous refinement, the heat exchanger assembly has at least two heat exchanger tubes connected in series or in parallel with respect to the flow of the heat exchanger fluid. At the ends, the heat exchanger tubes can be connected in series or in parallel respectively via two or more fluid distributors. Alternatively, groups of two or more tubes can be connected in series or in parallel, which results in a segmented design.

[0022] In another advantageous refinement, the spiral axis of at least one heat exchanger tube is at least partially curved. The shape of the heat exchanger assembly can thus be adapted to the respective available structural space. The heat exchanger assembly can also avoid possible objects (ie be guided around them).

[0023] In another advantageous refinement, at least one flow manipulation guide element is arranged in at least one heat exchanger tube. The guide element can extend from the inside surface of the heat exchanger tube to a point at a distance from the tube centerline of the heat exchanger tube. It is also possible to arrange two or more guide elements in the heat exchanger tube that are circumferentially offset relative to each other around the tube centerline. The guide elements further enhance the positive influence of thorough mixing of the heat exchanger fluid flowing in the heat exchanger tube.

[0024] In a further advantageous development, the guide element is designed as a rib extending radially inwards and linearly, as a pin extending radially inwards, or as a helically extending rib.

[0025] In a further advantageous development, at least one heat exchanger tube has a circular, elliptical or oval cross section. Each of these tube shapes produces a lower internal pressure drop in the heat exchanger fluid or in the heat exchanger tube compared to conventional flat tubes.

[0026] In another advantageous refinement, the heat exchanger assembly is at least partially produced by additive manufacturing. For example, the heat exchanger tubes can be produced by additive manufacturing (in particular 3D printing processes) so that almost any curved or curved contour of the heat exchanger tubes can be realized. For example, this also allows the heat exchanger tubes or the heat exchanger assembly to be structurally highly individually adapted to adjacent vehicle components, such as a vehicle front grille. Alternatively or in addition, the fluid distributor can also be produced by additive manufacturing, for example so that the fluid distributor can be optimized in terms of shape and volume. In addition, in this way, for example, the fluid distributor can be produced integrally with the heat exchanger tubes. If the fluid distributor and the heat exchanger tubes are produced separately, for example by 3D printing, the fluid distributor and the heat exchanger tubes can be appropriately connected (for example integrally bonded or welded). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the following description of the figures, in which: Figure 1a to Figure 1c A schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention; Figure 2a to Figure 2c A schematic diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention; Figure 3a to Figure 3c A schematic diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic top view showing another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention; Figure 5 A schematic top view showing another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention; Figure 6 a to Fig. 9 b Schematic diagram showing heat exchanger tubes with guide elements of different designs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the different figures, identical parts are always denoted by the same reference numerals, for which reason the parts will generally also be described only once.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention. Figure 1a Showing the front view of the heat exchanger assembly 1, Figure 1b A top view showing the heat exchanger assembly 1, and Figure 1c A perspective view is shown of a heat exchanger assembly 1. The heat exchanger assembly 1 may be produced at least partially by additive manufacturing.

[0030] The heat exchanger assembly 1 has an inflow side 2, Figure 1a and 1c The inflow side 2 faces the viewer and is arranged at Figure 1b The inflow side 2 can also be referred to as the front side of the heat exchanger assembly 1 and can be hit by a medium, in particular air, when the motor vehicle is driving. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inflow side 2 is designed as a flat and rectangular surface.

[0031] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has an outflow side 3, at which Figure 1a and 1c The outflow side 3 faces away from the viewer and is arranged at Figure 1b The outflow side 3 can also be referred to as the rear side of the heat exchanger assembly 1, from which the medium, in particular air, which has flowed through the heat exchanger assembly 1 when the motor vehicle is driving, emerges again from the heat exchanger assembly 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the outflow side 3 is designed as a flat and rectangular surface and is arranged parallel to the inflow side 2 of the heat exchanger assembly 1.

[0032] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has a flow direction indicated by an arrow 4 and a medium, in particular air, can flow through the heat exchanger assembly 1 along the flow direction from the inflow side 2 to the outflow side 3. Not shown in the figures is a fan which is assigned to the heat exchanger assembly 1 and can push the airflow through the heat exchanger assembly 1 or bring it to a first position when the motor vehicle is stationary.

[0033] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 can have, for example, six heat exchanger tubes 5 each extending in a spiral shape and through which a heat exchange fluid can flow, wherein the spiral axis 6 of the spiral formed by a particular heat exchanger tube 5 extends transversely to the flow direction 4 of the heat exchanger assembly 1. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, three tube pairs, each consisting of two heat exchanger tubes 5, are arranged in Figure 1a The heat exchanger tubes 5 of each tube pair are arranged in a row spaced apart from each other and one above the other on the drawing plane of FIG. 6 , wherein the heat exchanger tubes 5 of each tube pair are designed and arranged relative to each other so as to define or have a common spiral axis 6. It can be said that the heat exchanger tubes 5 of each tube pair are wound around each other and form a double spiral. Instead of the three tube pairs described by way of example, it goes without saying that more or fewer tube pairs can also be provided.

[0034] Each heat exchanger tube 5 has a circular cross section. In at least one heat exchanger tube 5, at least one flow manipulation guide element can be provided, which can be particularly arranged according to the Figure 6The heat exchanger tubes 5 are connected in parallel according to the flow of the heat exchanger fluid via the fluid distributors 7 at the ends, each of which is designed as a vertical tube.

[0035] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has a plurality of heat exchanger fins 8 extending transversely to the screw axis 6 and parallel to the throughflow direction 4. The heat exchanger fins 8 are particularly arranged parallel to each other and at Figure 1a The heat exchanger tubes 5 are arranged in a row in the drawing plane of FIG. 8 and are evenly spaced apart from one another. The heat exchanger tubes 5 are guided through the heat exchanger fins 8 and are fixedly connected to the heat exchanger fins 8, thereby increasing the stability of the heat exchanger assembly 1. The heat exchanger fins 8 extend from the inflow side 2 to the outflow side 3 of the heat exchanger assembly 1 and also partially define the throughflow direction 4 of the heat exchanger assembly 1.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention. Figure 2a Showing the front view of the heat exchanger assembly 1, Figure 2b A top view showing the heat exchanger assembly 1, and Figure 2c A perspective view is shown of a heat exchanger assembly 1. The heat exchanger assembly 1 may be produced at least partly by reinforced manufacturing.

[0037] The heat exchanger assembly 1 has an inflow side 2, Figure 2a and 2c The inflow side 2 faces the viewer and is arranged at Figure 2b The inflow side 2 can also be referred to as the front side of the heat exchanger assembly 1 and can be hit by a medium, in particular air, when the motor vehicle is driving. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inflow side 2 is designed as a flat and rectangular surface.

[0038] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has an outflow side 3, at which Figure 2a and 2c The outflow side 3 faces away from the viewer and is arranged at Figure 2b The outflow side 3 can also be referred to as the rear side of the heat exchanger assembly 1, from which the medium, in particular air, which has flowed through the heat exchanger assembly 1 when the motor vehicle is driving, emerges again from the heat exchanger assembly 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the outflow side 3 is designed as a flat and rectangular surface and is arranged parallel to the inflow side 2 of the heat exchanger assembly 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has a throughflow direction indicated by an arrow 4 and gas can flow through the heat exchanger assembly 1 along the throughflow direction from the inflow side 2 to the outflow side 3. Not shown in the figures is a fan which is assigned to the heat exchanger assembly 1 and can push the airflow through the heat exchanger assembly 1 or bring it to a first position when the motor vehicle is stationary.

[0040] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 has ten heat exchanger tubes 5 which each extend in a spiral shape and through which a heat exchanger fluid can flow, wherein the spiral axis 6 of the spiral formed by a particular heat exchanger tube 5 extends transversely to the flow direction 4 of the heat exchanger assembly 1. The spiral of the heat exchanger tube 5 is as shown in FIG. Figure 2a In the vertical direction as seen in FIG. 6 , the heat exchanger tubes 5 extend parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other so that adjacent heat exchanger tubes 5 are wound around each other, that is to say intertwined with each other (at uniform intervals along the spiral axis 6 , so to speak). Here, the outer ( Figure 2a The heat exchanger tubes 5 (top and bottom of the drawing plane) are each wound around only one adjacent heat exchanger tube 5, whereas the inserted heat exchanger tubes 5 are each wound around two adjacent heat exchanger tubes 5. It goes without saying that more or less than ten heat exchanger tubes 5 can also be provided in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 .

[0041] Each heat exchanger tube 5 has a circular cross section. In at least one heat exchanger tube 5, at least one flow manipulation guide element can be provided, which can be particularly arranged according to the Figure 6 The heat exchanger tubes 5 are connected in parallel according to the flow of the heat exchanger fluid via the fluid distributors 7 at the ends, each of which is designed as a vertical tube.

[0042] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has a plurality of heat exchanger fins 8 extending transversely to the screw axis 6 and parallel to the throughflow direction 4. The heat exchanger fins 8 are in particular arranged parallel to one another and spaced uniformly apart from one another in a row. The heat exchanger tubes 5 are guided through the heat exchanger fins 8 and are fixedly connected to the heat exchanger fins 8, whereby the stability of the heat exchanger assembly 1 is increased. The heat exchanger fins 8 extend from the inflow side 2 to the outflow side 3 of the heat exchanger assembly 1 and furthermore partially define the throughflow direction 4 of the heat exchanger assembly 1.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention. Figure 3a Showing the front view of the heat exchanger assembly 1, Figure 3b A top view showing the heat exchanger assembly 1, and Figure 3cA perspective view is shown of a heat exchanger assembly 1. The heat exchanger assembly 1 may be produced at least partially by additive manufacturing.

[0044] The heat exchanger assembly 1 has an inflow side 2, Figure 3a and 3c The inflow side 2 faces the viewer and is arranged at Figure 3b The inflow side 2 can also be referred to as the front side of the heat exchanger assembly 1 and can be hit by a medium, in particular air, when the motor vehicle is driving. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inflow side 2 is designed as a flat and rectangular surface.

[0045] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has an outflow side 3, at which Figure 3a and 3c The outflow side 3 faces away from the viewer and is arranged at Figure 3b The outflow side 3 can also be referred to as the rear side of the heat exchanger assembly 1, from which the medium, in particular air, which has flowed through the heat exchanger assembly 1 when the motor vehicle is driving, emerges again from the heat exchanger assembly 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the outflow side 3 is designed as a flat and rectangular surface and is arranged parallel to the inflow side 2 of the heat exchanger assembly 1.

[0046] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has a flow direction indicated by an arrow 4 and a medium, in particular air, can flow through the heat exchanger assembly 1 along the flow direction from the inflow side 2 to the outflow side 3. Not shown in the figures is a fan which is assigned to the heat exchanger assembly 1 and can push the airflow through the heat exchanger assembly 1 or bring it to a first position when the motor vehicle is stationary.

[0047] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 has ten heat exchanger tubes 5 which each extend in a spiral shape and through which a heat exchanger fluid can flow, wherein the spiral axis 6 of the spiral formed by a particular heat exchanger tube 5 extends transversely to the flow direction 4 of the heat exchanger assembly 1. The spiral of the heat exchanger tube 5 is as shown in FIG. Figure 3a In the vertical direction as seen in FIG. 6 , the heat exchanger tubes 5 extend parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other so that adjacent heat exchanger tubes 5 are wound around each other, that is to say intertwined with each other (at uniform intervals along the spiral axis 6 , so to speak). Here, the outer ( Figure 3a The heat exchanger tubes 5 (at the top and bottom of the drawing plane in FIG. 1 ) are each wound around only one adjacent heat exchanger tube 5 , whereas the inserted heat exchanger tubes 5 are each wound around two adjacent heat exchanger tubes 5 .

[0048] Each heat exchanger tube 5 has a circular cross section. In at least one heat exchanger tube 5, at least one flow manipulation guide element can be provided, which can be particularly arranged according to the Figure 6 Any one of the exemplary embodiments shown in 9a to 9b is designed.

[0049] The heat exchanger tubes 5 are connected in series with respect to the flow of the heat exchanger fluid. For this purpose, instead of the fluid distributors from FIGS. 1 and 2 , a plurality of connecting distributors 9 are provided which are arranged one above the other in a row and which in each case connect two heat exchanger tubes 5 to one another in a communicating manner. The heat exchanger fluid is introduced into one outer (e.g. uppermost) heat exchanger tube 5 and is discharged from each of the other outer (e.g. lowermost) heat exchanger tubes 5 . Here, in Figure 3a The uppermost heat exchanger tube 5 in the drawing plane flows through its right-hand end in the drawing plane into the uppermost connecting distributor 9 (not illustrated for the sake of clarity). The heat exchanger fluid will then be introduced into the left-hand end of the uppermost heat exchanger tube 5. Figure 3a The lowermost heat exchanger tube 5 in the drawing plane flows through its right-hand end in the drawing plane into the lowermost connecting distributor 9 (not illustrated for the sake of clarity). The heat exchanger fluid then exits from the left-hand end of the lowermost heat exchanger tube 5. The flow direction of the heat exchanger fluid described should of course be understood only as an example and can also be opposite to the described flow direction. It goes without saying that more or less than ten heat exchanger tubes 5 can also be provided in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0050] Furthermore, the heat exchanger assembly 1 has a plurality of heat exchanger fins 8 extending transversely to the screw axis 6 and parallel to the throughflow direction 4. The heat exchanger fins 8 are in particular arranged parallel to one another and spaced uniformly apart from one another in a row. The heat exchanger tubes 5 are guided through the heat exchanger fins 8 and are fixedly connected to the heat exchanger fins 8, whereby the stability of the heat exchanger assembly 1 is increased. The heat exchanger fins 8 extend from the inflow side 2 to the outflow side 3 of the heat exchanger assembly 1 and furthermore partially define the throughflow direction 4 of the heat exchanger assembly 1.

[0051] Figure 4 A schematic top view of a further exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention is shown.The heat exchanger assembly 1 can be produced at least partially by additive manufacturing.

[0052] according to Figure 4 The design in the exemplary embodiment corresponds to Figures 1a to 1c The design of the exemplary embodiment corresponds to the entire description which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0053] According to Figures 1a to 1cCompared to the design of the heat exchanger assembly 1, the heat exchanger assembly 1 is arched, that is to say curved, wherein the inlet side 2 is particularly concavely arched and the outlet side 3 is particularly convexly arched. It goes without saying that the inlet side 2 and the outlet side 3 can also be arched in the opposite way to the exemplary embodiment described (that is to say convex / concave). Here, the heat exchanger assembly 1 shows a change in the direction from the left-hand fluid distributor 7 as seen in the drawing plane to the right-hand fluid distributor 7, and vice versa. Here, the spiral axis 6 of the heat exchanger tube 5 has a C-shaped curvature in the central area of ​​the heat exchanger assembly 1. Therefore, the inlet side 2 and the outlet side 3 of the heat exchanger assembly 1 are also curved accordingly.

[0054] It goes without saying that a heat exchanger assembly 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 which is correspondingly arched (ie designed with a curvature) also falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 5 A schematic top view of a further exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention is shown.The heat exchanger assembly 1 can be produced at least partially by additive manufacturing.

[0056] according to Figure 5 The design in the exemplary embodiment corresponds to Figures 1a to 1c The design of the exemplary embodiment corresponds to the entire description which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0057] According to Figures 1a to 1c Compared to the design of the heat exchanger assembly 1, the heat exchanger assembly 1 is multi-arched, that is, multi-bent, wherein the inlet side 2 and the outlet side 3 are in particular W-shaped. It goes without saying that the inlet side 2 and the outlet side 3 can also be arched in the opposite way to the exemplary embodiment described, that is, M-shaped. Figure 5 In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the heat exchanger assembly 1 shows three changes in the direction from the left-hand fluid distributor 7 to the right-hand fluid distributor 7 as seen in the drawing plane, and vice versa. Therefore, the inflow side 2 and the outflow side 3 of the heat exchanger assembly 1 are also correspondingly curved. The spiral axis 6 of the heat exchanger tube 5 is correspondingly W-shaped. Therefore, the inflow side 2 and the outflow side 3 of the heat exchanger assembly 1 are also particularly W-shaped.

[0058] It goes without saying that a heat exchanger assembly 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 which is correspondingly arched (ie, multiply bent) also falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 6 A schematic diagram shows a heat exchanger tube 5 of another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention. Figure 6 a shows an end view of the heat exchanger tube 5, and Figure 6b shows a perspective view of the heat exchanger tube 5 .

[0060] Four guide elements 10 are arranged in the heat exchanger tube 5 with a circumferential uniform offset of 90°, each extending the length of the heat exchanger tube 5 and each designed as a rib extending radially inward and straight. In this modification, the length of the guide element 10 is greater than the width. The height of each guide element 10 (the height is measured in the radial direction) is less than the radius of the heat exchanger tube 5, whereby the radial inner ends of the guide elements 10 are spaced apart from each other. In addition, the heat exchanger assembly 1 can correspond to any one of the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5.

[0061] Figure 7 A schematic diagram shows a heat exchanger tube 5 of another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention. Figure 7 a shows an end view of the heat exchanger tube 5, and Figure 7 b shows a perspective view of the heat exchanger tube 5 .

[0062] Four guide elements 10 are arranged in the heat exchanger tube 5 with a circumferentially uniform offset of 90°, each extending only a small part of the length of the heat exchanger tube 5 and each designed as a rectangular pin extending radially inward. In this refinement, the width of the guide element 10 is greater than the length. The height of each guide element 10, which is measured in the radial direction, is less than the radius of the heat exchanger tube 5, whereby the radial inner ends of the guide elements 10 are spaced apart from each other. The guide elements 10 may be present only in the ends of the heat exchanger tube 5. Alternatively, such guide elements 10 may be arranged accordingly, for example, at uniform intervals along the heat exchanger tube 5, so as to be uniformly distributed in each case in the circumferential direction. Here, a straight sequence of rectangular guide elements 10 or a sequence of individual guide elements 10 may enable (so to speak) a spiral to be realized, which is however interrupted along the heat exchanger tube 5. In addition, the heat exchanger assembly 1 may correspond to any of the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5.

[0063] Figure 8 A schematic diagram shows a heat exchanger tube 5 of another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention. Figure 8 a shows an end view of the heat exchanger tube 5, and Figure 8 b shows a perspective and transparent illustration of the heat exchanger tube 5 .

[0064] Four guide elements 10 are arranged in the heat exchanger tube 5 with a circumferential uniform offset of 90°, each extending the length of the heat exchanger tube 5 and each designed as a rib extending in a spiral shape. In this modification, the length of the guide element 10 is greater than the width. The height of each guide element 10 (the height is measured in the radial direction) is less than the radius of the heat exchanger tube 5, whereby the radial inner ends of the guide elements 10 are spaced apart from each other. For example, the guide elements 10 can of course be extruded, that is to say of a blade-like design. In addition, the heat exchanger assembly 1 can correspond to any of the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5.

[0065] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram shows a heat exchanger tube 5 of another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly 1 for a motor vehicle (not shown) according to the invention. Fig. 9 a shows an end view of the heat exchanger tube 5, and Fig. 9 b shows a perspective view of the heat exchanger tube 5 .

[0066] Four guide elements 10 are arranged in the heat exchanger tube 5 with a circumferential uniform offset of 90°, each of which extends only a small part of the length of the heat exchanger tube 5 and is designed as a rib extending radially inward and straight. In this modification, the width of the guide element is greater than the length. The height of each guide element 10 (which is measured in the radial direction and changes continuously over the entire length of the guide element 10) is less than the radius of the heat exchanger tube 5, whereby the radial inner ends of the guide elements 10 are spaced apart from each other. In particular, the height of each guide element 10 increases from zero to a maximum value and then decreases to zero again with a smaller gradient. The guide elements 10 can be present only in the ends of the heat exchanger tube 5. Alternatively, such guide elements 10 can be arranged accordingly, for example, at uniform intervals along the heat exchanger tube 5 so as to be uniformly distributed in each case in the circumferential direction. Here, a straight line sequence of such guide elements 10, or such a sequence of guide elements 10, can make it possible to achieve (so to speak) a spiral line, but the spiral line is interrupted along the heat exchanger tube 5. In addition, the heat exchanger assembly 1 may correspond to any one of the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 .

[0067] List of reference numerals: 1Heat exchanger assembly 2 Inflow side 3 Outflow side 4 arrows (flow direction) 5Heat exchanger tubes 6 spiral shaft 7 Fluid Dispenser 8Heat exchanger fins 9 Connect the distributor 10Guide element

Claims

1. A heat exchanger assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger assembly (1) having an inflow side (2) and an outflow side (3) and at least one helically extending heat exchanger tube (5), through which a heat exchanger fluid flows, wherein the medium flows in a throughflow direction (4) from the inflow side (2) to the outflow side (3), Features: The helix axis (6) of the helix formed by the heat exchanger tubes (5) extends transversely to the flow direction (4) of the heat exchanger assembly (1).

2. The heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 1, Features: The heat exchanger assembly (1) comprises at least one heat exchanger fin (8) extending transversely relative to the screw axis (6).

3. The heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Features: The heat exchanger assembly (1) comprises at least two heat exchanger tubes (5) which are designed and arranged relative to each other so as to define a common helical axis (6).

4. The heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Features: The heat exchanger assembly (1) comprises at least two heat exchanger tubes (5), the spiral axes (6) of the at least two heat exchanger tubes (5) extending parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other so that the heat exchanger tubes (5) are wound around each other at uniform intervals along the spiral axes (6).

5. A heat exchanger assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features: The heat exchanger assembly (1) comprises at least two heat exchanger tubes (5) connected in series or in parallel with respect to the flow of the heat exchanger fluid.

6. A heat exchanger assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features: The helical axis (6) of the at least one heat exchanger tube (5) is at least partially curved.

7. A heat exchanger assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features: At least one flow manipulation guide element (10) is arranged in the at least one heat exchanger tube (5).

8. The heat exchanger assembly (1) according to claim 7, Features: The guide element (10) is designed as a rib extending radially inwards and linearly, a pin extending radially inwards, or a rib extending helically.

9. A heat exchanger assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features: The at least one heat exchanger tube (5) has a circular cross section, an elliptical cross section or an oval cross section.

10. A heat exchanger assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features: The heat exchanger assembly (1) is at least partially produced by additive manufacturing.

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