Heat exchanger for cooling components

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger (10) for cooling components, having at least one meandering channel (25) for a cooling medium (15) arranged in a housing (12), the housing (12) consisting of a housing base (18), a housing cover (20) and a housing frame (22; 22a to 22e) are formed in the form of a sandwich, and the at least one channel (25) is arranged in the region of the housing frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger for cooling components, in particular heat-generating electronic or electrical components, which is characterized by a particularly advantageous structural design which allows the heat exchanger to be manufactured in large quantities and relatively economically. Background Art

[0002] A heat exchanger for cooling components having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from document DE 692 24 314 T2. This heat exchanger is also called a "pulsating heat pipe" (PHP) and comprises a meandering cooling medium channel arranged in a housing frame. The housing frame is sandwiched between a housing cover and a housing bottom of the housing of the heat exchanger to seal the channel. In the heat exchanger known from the document, the meandering channel extends over the entire height of the housing frame and is formed by removing material from a sheet metal. Summary of the invention

[0003] The heat exchanger according to the invention for cooling components having the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it can be adapted very easily to different requirements or sizes in the manner of a modular system by adjusting the components in the region of the housing frame.

[0004] The invention is based on the idea of ​​achieving a desired design or a desired conduction of the coolant in at least one channel for the coolant by means of at least one additional component which is arranged in the region of the housing frame and separate from the housing frame.

[0005] Therefore, based on the background of the above description, in a heat exchanger according to the present invention having the features of claim 1, at least one separate insert is arranged in the housing frame, which forms a section of at least one channel and extends at least substantially over the entire height of the housing frame in a direction extending perpendicularly relative to the plane of the housing frame, and the at least one insert is connected to the housing bottom and the housing cover in a cooling medium-tight manner.

[0006] Advantageous developments and embodiments of the heat exchanger according to the invention are listed in the dependent claims.

[0007] Such an insert for forming the at least one channel can be formed particularly easily by forming the insert as a corrugated profiled sheet metal part having a first section connected to the housing bottom or the housing cover and a second section extending at least partially approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the housing frame, wherein the second section is rectilinear and forms a lateral boundary of the at least one channel.

[0008] In another structural design or improvement of the above solution that allows the cooling medium to be guided in a defined manner in the channel, the second section is arranged in contact with the housing frame and / or another insert as viewed in its longitudinal direction. In this case, it can be provided that the second section touches the housing frame or another insert with its end side, that is, is arranged in contact with it, or that a groove is formed in the housing frame and / or another insert, which groove accommodates the end section of the end side of the second section of the insert.

[0009] In order to form the channel without using additional components while minimizing the flow resistance, in another development the housing frame and / or another insert can have a rounded arc section which serves to deflect, preferably reverse, the flow of the coolant in the at least one channel.

[0010] In particular, the arc section can be semicircular or semi-elliptical. This design or shaping scheme also includes the situation where both semicircular arc sections and semi-elliptical arc sections exist in the heat exchanger.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to optimize the flow, at least one second section of the insert can protrude into the region of the arc-shaped section.

[0012] It is also possible to provide additional second sections on the insert, which are arranged parallel to the second section and which are arranged at a distance from the housing frame and / or a further insert, as viewed in their longitudinal direction.

[0013] In another possible solution for influencing the flow, an additional flow element for the cooling medium is arranged on the insert at the longitudinal end of the second section and / or the additional second section. Such additional flow element is preferably a separately manufactured component and is connected to the insert.

[0014] In another possible solution for influencing the flow of the coolant, the second section of the insert and / or the additional second section have different distances from one another when viewed in a direction perpendicular to their longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to form, in particular in the form of a flow constriction, regions in which the flow velocity of the coolant is higher than in regions in which the second section and / or the third section are at a relatively greater distance from one another.

[0015] The cross-sectional shape of the at least one channel can also be designed in different ways according to the application or the manufacturing method of the insert. In a first design, a first section of the insert extends parallel to the plane of the housing frame, and a second section of the insert extends at least substantially perpendicular to the plane of the housing frame, so that the cross-sectional shape of the at least one channel is rectangular.

[0016] The first section and the second section of the insert can also be designed to be approximately semicircular. By arranging the first section and the second section in alternating shapes, a channel cross section with a rounded portion is formed.

[0017] For easy and economical production of the heat exchanger it is particularly preferred if at least the housing frame and the at least one insert are punched components.

[0018] The media-tight connection between the housing frame and the at least one insert and the housing cover and / or the housing bottom can be achieved in a variety of ways. Preferably, the connection between the components is a material connection. Such a material connection can be, for example, brazing, laser welding, adhesive bonding, etc. Friction stir welding is also conceivable.

[0019] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a heat exchanger;

[0021] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Shown along Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view taken along the II-II plane in FIG. 1 , wherein the shapes of the inserts are different; and

[0022] Figures 3 to 9 according to Figure 1 The diagram shows the Figure 1 Simplified cross-sectional views of various heat exchanger embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the figures, identical elements or elements having the same function are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0024] Figure 1 The heat exchanger 10 shown in a greatly simplified manner in FIG. 1 is used to cool electrical or electronic components (not shown), for example power components in the field of electric vehicles or other fields of application. In principle, it is also conceivable or feasible to use this heat exchanger 10 for other applications.

[0025] The heat exchanger 10 has a Figure 2a and Figure 2b The block-shaped housing 12 can be seen. Of course, the housing 12 can also take other shapes. In particular, the heat exchanger 10, more precisely its housing 12, has a first area 14, which is formed, for example, at the housing 12 and the first area 14 is formed. Figure 1The heat exchanger 10 is arranged on a (plane) extending perpendicularly to the drawing plane of the housing 12 and is at least indirectly connected to the mentioned, not shown, heat-releasing component, for example, by means of a heat-conducting adhesive. For example, on the side of the housing 12 opposite to the first area 14, the housing has a second area 16, in which the heat absorbed from the first area 14 by means of a cooling medium 15 can be released to the environment. The cooling medium 15 is in particular a liquid, evaporable cooling medium, which increases in temperature and evaporates in the first area 14, decreases in temperature and reliquefies in the second area 16 and returns to the first area 14. Such a heat exchanger 10 or such an operating principle is also referred to as a "pulsating heat pipe" (PHP).

[0026] The housing 12 has a housing bottom 18 and a housing cover 20, both of which are plate-shaped and preferably, but not exclusively, made of metal (such as aluminum or steel). A housing frame 22 is arranged between the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20, which is arranged in the form of a sandwich between the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20 and is particularly connected to the mentioned component cooling medium in a sealed manner, in particular by material connection techniques known per se from the prior art. Preferably, the outer boundary 23 of the housing frame 22 is flush with the respective outer sides of the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20. In addition, the housing frame 22 is preferably made of the same material as the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20.

[0027] At least one channel 25 for guiding the cooling medium 15 is arranged or formed in the housing frame 22. Figure 7 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the at least one channel 25 is a channel 25 that is closed in itself. The channel 25 may also be a channel 25 that is not closed in itself, that is, a channel 25 that has an end region located at the end side ( Figure 7 ), as is known per se from the prior art. In particular, in the first case, the channel 25 has a section 26 on the side facing the second region 16 which extends at least over a large part of the length and parallel to the second region 16. The rest of the channel 25 has a meandering section 28.

[0028] The housing frame 22 is designed in particular as a punched part produced from sheet metal, wherein the punched-out region of the housing frame 22 serves to form the at least one channel 25 in the recess 39 of the housing frame 22 .

[0029] In addition, as an alternative to production by stamping, the housing frame 22 can also be formed by other production methods suitable for the specific geometry and other boundary conditions. Examples thereof include extrusion, punching, milling, electro-discharge machining and etching.

[0030] In order to form or construct the at least one channel 25, the housing 12 also has at least one insert 30. Figure 1 , Figure 2a and Figure 2b In the embodiment shown, the insert 30 is a corrugated profiled sheet metal part 31 having a first section 33 connected to the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20 and a second section 34 extending approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the housing frame 22 at least in certain areas, wherein, as in particular according to Figure 1 As can be clearly seen, the second section 34 is rectilinear and forms a lateral boundary of the at least one channel 25 .

[0031] exist Figure 2a In the case shown, the first section 33 is an at least substantially planar section 33 which is arranged in contact with the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20 on the side facing the section more or less over the entire surface. The cross section of the at least one channel 25 is thus approximately rectangular. In contrast, in Figure 2b In the case shown, the cross section of the insert 30 is formed by two approximately semicircular sections 35 , 36 , so that there is an approximately linear contact between the insert 30 and the side of the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20 facing the insert.

[0032] Furthermore, it is important that the insert 30 is also connected to the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20 in a coolant-tight manner. For this purpose, the same connection method as that between the housing frame 22 and the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20 is preferably used.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, in addition to the insert 30, another insert 38 is arranged in the recess 39 of the housing frame 22. The other insert 38 is also arranged in the recess 39 opposite to the housing frame 22. Figure 1 The other insert 38 extends over the entire height extending perpendicularly to the drawing plane of the housing 18 and is connected to the housing bottom 18 and the housing cover 20 in a cooling medium-tight manner. The other insert 38 has a straight section 40 on the side facing the second area 16, which is used to form the wall of the first section 26. The other insert 38 has, on the side facing away from the first section 26, that is, facing the insert 30, an arc section 42, for example, a semicircular arc section, which is used to guide the cooling medium 15, that is, to form the channel 25. In addition, the housing frame 22 has, on the side of the insert 30 facing away from the first section 26, an arc section 43, for example, a semicircular arc section 44 and an approximately semi-elliptical arc section 43. In order to form the channel 25, the end area of ​​the insert 30 is arranged, for example, in contact with the housing frame 22. In the area of ​​the other insert 38, it has a receiving groove 45 or a step, which is used for the other end area of ​​the corresponding end side of the insert 30.

[0034] In addition, as an alternative to the receiving groove 45 , an end-side abutment portion may also be provided depending on the housing frame 22 .

[0035] Figure 3 Shown with Figure 1 In contrast, the other insert 38 a has a wall section 46 formed on one side, for example, which extends parallel to the second section 34 of the insert 30 and serves to guide the flow. Furthermore, the housing frame 22 a has only a semicircular arc section 43 .

[0036] exist Figure 4 In the case shown, the insert 30a is arranged with the second section 34a in contact with the side wall of the recess 39. For this purpose, the side wall has a deepening 47. This design simplifies the arrangement of the insert 30a, because it is only necessary to place the second section 34a in contact with the side wall of the housing frame 22b in contact with the housing frame 22b. In addition, it can be seen that the recess 39 has a rectangular area 49 on one side, which serves to reverse the flow of the coolant 15 in the channel 25.

[0037] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the housing frame 22c has a rectangular inner contour or recess 51. In addition to the further insert 38a, an additional further insert 38b is used, which is arranged approximately mirror-symmetrically with respect to the axis of symmetry 52. ​​The additional further insert 38b also has an extended leg section 53, which extends over the entire shorter inner side of the recess 51.

[0038] Figure 6 The housing frame 22d in the embodiment, more precisely the corresponding housing 12, has omitted the insert 30. Here, only another insert 38c is provided, which cooperates with the extension 54 on the housing frame 22d in an alternating manner to form the channel 25.

[0039] In accordance with Figure 7 In the housing 12, only one housing frame 22e is provided, which cooperates with the insert 30e. In addition, it can be seen, for example, in the area of ​​the elongated second section 34e shown with a dashed line that the second section 34e can extend into the area of ​​the arc section 43. Of course, such an elongated second section 34e extending into the arc section 43 (or 44) can also be provided or have in the embodiments described so far.

[0040] exist Figure 8In the illustrated case, the insert 30f has additional second sections 56 between the second sections 34. These additional second sections 56 are equal in length to the second sections 34, but are arranged to be staggered with each other in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the spacing a between the second sections 34 and the additional second sections 56 is equal. The spacing a may also be unequal in order to achieve a cross-sectional contraction or cross-sectional expansion of the channel 25, thereby affecting the flow rate of the cooling medium 15.

[0041] Finally, in Fig. 9 In the case shown, additional flow elements 65 , which may have a different shape, can be arranged in the extension of the second section 34 of the insert 30 , and which extend into the region of the arc-shaped section 43 .

[0042] In addition, the housing 12 of the heat exchanger 10 described so far has at least one additional opening (not shown in the figures) for introducing a coolant 15 .

[0043] The heat exchanger 10 described thus far can be changed or modified in many ways without departing from the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger (10) for cooling a component, the heat exchanger having at least one channel (25) for a cooling medium (15) arranged in a meandering manner in a housing (12), wherein: The housing (12) is formed in a sandwich manner by a housing bottom (18), a housing cover (20) and a housing frame (22; 22a to 22e) arranged between the housing bottom (18) and the housing cover (20), the at least one channel (25) being arranged in the region of the housing frame, It is characterized in that At least one separate insert (30; 30a; 30e; 30f, 38; 38a to 38c) is arranged in the housing frame (22; 22a to 22e), the at least one insert forming a section of the at least one channel (25) and extending at least substantially over the entire height of the housing frame (22; 22a to 22e) in a direction extending perpendicularly to the plane of the housing frame (22; 22a to 22e), and the at least one insert (30; 30a; 30e; 30f, 38; 38a to 38c) is connected to the housing bottom (18) and the housing cover (20) in a cooling medium-tight manner.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The at least one insert (30; 30a; 30e; 30f) is a corrugated shaped sheet metal part (31), which has a first section (33) connected to the housing bottom (18) and the housing cover (20) and a second section (34; 34a; 34e; 56) extending at least partially approximately perpendicularly relative to the plane of the housing frame (22; 22a to 22e), wherein the second section (34; 34a; 34e; 56) is rectilinear and forms a lateral boundary of the at least one channel (25).

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The second section (34; 34a; 34e) is arranged in contact with the housing frame (22; 22a; 22b; 22e) and / or a further insert (38; 38a; 38b) as viewed in its longitudinal direction.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The housing frame (22; 22a to 22e) and / or the further insert (30f, 38; 38a to 38c) have rounded arc sections (42, 43, 44) for deflecting, preferably reversing, the flow of the cooling medium (15) in the at least one channel (25).

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The arc segments (42, 43, 44) are semicircular arc-shaped or semi-elliptical.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 4 or 5, It is characterized in that At least one second section (34; 34e) of the insert (30e) projects into the region of the arc-shaped section (43).

7. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 3 to 6, It is characterized in that The insert (30f) has an additional second section (56) which is arranged parallel to the second section (34) and which, viewed in its longitudinal direction, is arranged at a distance from the housing frame (22) and / or the further insert (38; 38a; 38b).

8. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 3 to 7, It is characterized in that An additional flow element (65) for the coolant (15) is arranged at the longitudinal end of at least one second section and / or an additional second section (34, 56) of the insert (30; 30f).

9. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 3 to 8, It is characterized in that The second sections and / or the additional second sections (34, 56) of the insert (30f) have different spacings (a) from one another when viewed in a direction extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction thereof.

10. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 2 to 9, It is characterized in that The first section (33) of the insert extends parallel to the plane of the housing frame (22; 22a to 22e), and the second section (34; 34a; 34e) extends at least substantially perpendicularly relative to the plane of the housing frame (22; 22a to 22e), so that the cross section of the at least one channel (25) is rectangular.

11. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 2 to 9, It is characterized in that The first section (33) and the second section (34) of the insert (30) are approximately semicircular.

12. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 11, It is characterized in that At least the housing frame (22; 22a to 22e) and the at least one insert (38; 38a to 38c) are stamped components.

13. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 12, It is characterized in that The connection between the housing frame (22; 22a to 22e) and the at least one insert (30; 30a; 30e; 30f, 38; 38a to 38c) and the housing bottom (18) and / or the housing cover (20) is a material connection.

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