Heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising a core having a plurality of tubes through which a first fluid can flow and through which a second fluid can flow, and a container having a container body having at least one chamber through which the first fluid can flow and a container base, the container base protrudes outwardly from the container body on the container side facing the core and at least partially surrounds a container opening that is open towards the respective cavity. The core has a closure plate which is seated onto the container in order to close the container opening. The closure plate has a plate base on which the container is supported and through which an end section of the tube which opens into the cavity passes, and a plurality of holding elements which are supported on the container base on the upper side of the base facing away from the core. The fatigue strength of the heat exchanger is improved in such a way that a stop is formed on the container base on the upper side of the base for at least one of the holding elements, said stop projecting from the upper side of the base on the side of the respective holding element facing away from the container body.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim 1, which is used for heat transfer in a medium-separated manner between a first fluid flowing through the heat exchanger internally and a second fluid flowing through the heat exchanger externally. Background Art

[0002] Such a heat exchanger is known, for example, from KR 10 2013 0008763 A, and includes a core having a plurality of tubes that can be flowed through by the first fluid and flowed around by the second fluid, and at least one container having a container body and a container base. The container body has at least one chamber that can be flowed through by the first fluid. The container base protrudes outward from the container body on the container side facing the core, that is, protrudes away from the container body, and at least partially surrounds a container opening that is open to the corresponding chamber. The core has at least one closing plate that is arranged on the container to close the container opening, and the closing plate is penetrated by an end section of the tube that is led into the corresponding chamber. The closing plate has a plate bottom on which the container is supported, and the plate bottom is penetrated by the end section of the tube. In addition, the closing plate has a plurality of holding elements that are supported on the container base on the upper side of the base facing away from the core, so that the container base is arranged between the plate bottom and the holding elements. In this way, a mechanically form-locking connection that can be adjusted relatively simply in mass production is provided between the container and the closing plate, and thus between the container and the core. In the known heat exchanger, the container base is formed by a plurality of base sections that are constructed on the container body at intervals along the container opening.

[0003] It has been confirmed that due to changes in the load during the operation of the heat exchanger, the connection between the closing plate and the container may become unsealed, thereby forming a leak. This can be explained by the creep effect, which may occur during load changes and cause the corresponding holding elements to move relative to the container. This creep movement increases especially in the case of a reduced wall thickness and / or a softer material.

[0004] Other heat exchangers in which the closing plate is supported on the container base by holding elements are known, for example, from EP 0 779 490A1, DE 11 2019 005 438 T5, KR 10 2015 0078723 A, DE 10 2018 109 233 A1, and DE 102008 028 263 A1.

[0005] Other heat exchangers are known from DE 10 2019 210 477 A1 and EP 1 846 718 B2, in which the closing plate has a flange, and a plurality of locking openings are formed in the flange and are embedded in locking noses formed on the container body.

[0006] It is known from US 2 073 778 A to bond a closure plate to a container body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention relates to the problem of providing an improved or at least one alternative embodiment for a generic heat exchanger, characterized in particular by an increase in the fatigue strength of the connection between the core and the corresponding container. This should also apply in particular if reduced wall thicknesses and / or softer materials are used.

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention is based on the general idea of positively fixing a retaining element to the container. By positive locking, the retaining element can no longer become detached from the container base due to creep processes, so that the connection between the core or the closure plate and the container remains permanently secure. Even if smaller wall thicknesses and / or softer materials are used, for example in order to be able to manufacture the heat exchanger more lightly and / or more inexpensively, a permanently secure connection can be achieved by the positive fixing of the retaining element to the container base. The heat exchanger according to the invention can be used in the coolant circuit of a motor vehicle.

[0010] The invention particularly provides that, on the container base, on the upper side of the base, a stop is constructed for at least one of the retaining elements, which stop projects from the upper side of the base on the side of the respective retaining element facing away from the container body, such that the respective retaining element is arranged between the container body and the stop. By means of the stop, a positive fixing of the respective retaining element to the container base is produced, and the container base prevents the respective retaining element from becoming detached from the container base within the scope of creep processes. Due to creep processes, the respective retaining element would move outwards along the container base in the absence of a stop until it leaves the container base. This movement of the retaining element is prevented by the stop, such that it remains on the container base.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the retaining element and the container base or the respective stop can be coordinated with one another such that the respective retaining element abuts against the respective stop. In this way, any creeping movement of the respective retaining element outwards is prohibited.

[0012] It may suitably be provided that such stops are provided separately for a plurality of retaining elements or for all retaining elements. The respective retaining element is assigned to a separate stop. In this way, a plurality of or all retaining elements can be positively fixed to the container base by means of the respective stops.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the retaining element presses the container base against the plate bottom. In other words, the retaining element is configured such that it presses the container base against the plate bottom by means of a pre-tension. Thereby, a higher tightness of the connection between the closing plate and the container can be achieved.

[0014] In the present context, "configured" is synonymous with "designed" and / or "set up", such that the expression "configured to" is synonymous with the expression "designed and / or set up to".

[0015] A seal can be arranged between the container and the closing plate. The seal can in particular be arranged between the container base and the plate bottom. If the retaining element presses the container base against the plate bottom, then the effectiveness of the seal can thus be increased at the same time and the sealing effect can thus be improved.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the closing plate and the retaining element constructed thereon can be made of metal, preferably of light metal. The metal material is characterized by a relatively high thermal conductivity. In contrast, the container can be made of plastic. The use of a plastic container enables a particularly lightweight and inexpensive construction of the heat exchanger. Thereby, the heat exchanger proposed here is particularly suitable for use in battery electric vehicles.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the corresponding stop can be integrally formed on the container base. Especially in the manufacture of a container made of plastic, the corresponding stop on the container base can be taken into account particularly simply in the die for tip-forming the container. Thus, the corresponding stop can be realized on the container base in particular without additional costs.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the corresponding stop can be shaped complementarily to the corresponding retaining element on the side thereof facing the corresponding retaining element. By this structural form, a surface contact between the stop and the retaining element is produced, whereby the form-locking fixation is particularly effective. For example, the corresponding retaining element can have a flat profile on the side thereof facing the corresponding stop. Appropriately, the stop also has a flat profile on the side thereof facing the corresponding retaining element.

[0019] It can be appropriately provided that the corresponding retaining element supports itself on the container base in a surface-like manner, especially for avoiding stress concentration, which is advantageous when using plastic for the container. In particular, it can be provided that at least in the region of the corresponding stop, the corresponding retaining element supports itself on the container base in a continuous surface-like manner on its lower side facing the container base, from the front edge facing the corresponding stop to the inner edge facing the container body.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the closure plate has a flange protruding from the bottom of the plate and at least partially surrounding the bottom of the plate, and a retaining strip at least partially surrounding the bottom of the plate, the retaining strip being connected to the flange by a plurality of tabs. This structural form can be implemented particularly simply and in batches. A particularly suitable configuration is that, between two adjacent tabs, one of the retaining elements is respectively constructed on the retaining strip. Here, the respective retaining element protrudes from the retaining strip inwardly, i.e., towards the container body, with respect to the tab and can thus span the container base inwardly. The design of the retaining elements on the retaining strip can be implemented particularly simply and in batches. For example, the section between two adjacent tabs is plastically deformed only after the container is placed, in order to form the retaining elements.

[0021] In an improvement, it can be provided that a plurality of outwardly protruding elevations are constructed on the container body. Suitably, it can now be provided that the retaining strip is supported on these elevations in the region of the tabs. Herein, in particular, a separate elevation can be provided for each tab, or a separate tab can be provided for each elevation. The elevations on the container body form a support for the retaining strip and thus simplify the deformation of the retaining strip between adjacent tabs for constructing the retaining elements.

[0022] According to another improvement, it can be provided that the respective stop is constructed on the container base between two adjacent elevations. Particularly suitably, optionally, it can be provided that the respective stop is spaced apart from the adjacent elevation. Thus, the elevation and the stop can be formed on the container separately from each other.

[0023] According to another embodiment, it can be provided that the elevation is directly connected to the container base and is flush with it outwardly. Thus, in particular, it can be achieved that, for supporting the tab and / or the retaining strip, the retaining strip does not need to be deformed in the region of the tab. Thereby, the manufacturing is simplified.

[0024] In another embodiment, it can be provided that the retaining element is formed by an arcuate section of the retaining strip, the arcuate section being bent towards the container body. Such an arcuate section can be achieved particularly simply by the plastic deformation of the retaining strip between adjacent tabs. Herein, in particular, the bending can be achieved with respect to an axis extending parallel to the installation direction, the container being placed on the closure plate in the installation direction. Here, by the deformation, the lower side of the respective retaining element facing the container base is kept as flat as possible, whereby a surface-like support between the retaining element and the container base can be achieved. Thereby, in particular, a linear support on the lower side of the retaining element along the edge can be avoided. If the container is made of plastic, then the surface-like support is particularly advantageous.

[0025] In a further embodiment it may be provided that the respective retaining element is curved concavely on the side facing the respective stop, while the respective stop is curved convexly on the side facing the respective retaining element. In particular, a convex curvature of the stop adapted to the concave curvature of the retaining element can be selected, such that a surface-like support is produced between the retaining element and the stop. The surface-like support improves the form-fit fixation.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the closure plate may be configured with a plate bottom, a flange, tabs, a retaining strip and retaining elements as sheet-metal formed parts, which are produced from a single sheet-metal body by deformation. Thus, the closure plate can be realized particularly simply and inexpensively.

[0027] In a first use according to the invention, the heat exchanger according to the invention can be used in a coolant circuit of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle may have an internal combustion engine. In the motor vehicle, the internal combustion engine should always be kept at a constant temperature level in order to achieve as long a service life as possible and full power. The coolant circuit according to the invention has a heat source (such as an internal combustion engine), at least one heat exchanger according to the invention, a pump, a coolant, a thermostat and at least one fan. The coolant circuit according to the invention can be flowed through by a coolant which is a mixture of water and ethylene glycol. The coolant can be moved by means of the pump through the coolant circuit according to the invention, and when the desired operating temperature of the internal combustion engine is reached, the thermostat opens the connection to the heat exchanger according to the invention. The coolant can be the first fluid flowing through the heat exchanger according to the invention. Air as the second fluid flows around the heat exchanger according to the invention, and the air is moved by means of the fan. In this way, heat can be output to the environment. The coolant circuit according to the invention can have a further heat exchanger according to the invention, through which heat can be output to the interior of the motor vehicle.

[0028] Further important features and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the drawings with the aid of the drawings.

[0029] It is to be understood that the features described above and to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively stated combinations, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. The aforementioned and subsequently also mentioned individually represented components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, an apparatus or a component, can form individual members or parts of the unit, or an overall area or section of the unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals denote identical or similar or functionally identical components. Schematically, respectively,

[0031] Figure 1 An isometric view of the heat exchanger in the region of the holding element is shown,

[0032] Figure 2 and a sectional view of the heat exchanger in the region of the holding element is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] According to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the heat exchanger 1, only partly shown here, comprises a core 2 and at least one container 3. The core 2 has a plurality of tubes 4 which extend parallel to one another and are arranged such that there is a distance or gap 5 between adjacent tubes 4. The tubes 4 can be flowed through by a first fluid. The gap 5 can be flowed through by a second fluid. Then, the second fluid flows around the tubes 4. Sheets 6 can be arranged in the gap 5. The container 3 has a container body 7 in which a chamber 8 is constructed which is fluidically connected to the tubes 4. Depending on the configuration, the chamber 8 can be a distribution chamber which distributes the first fluid from a delivery connection, not shown, to the tubes 4, or a collection chamber which collects the first fluid from the tubes 4 and conveys it to an outlet connection, not shown, or a diversion chamber which diverts the first fluid from a first group of tubes 4 to a second group of tubes 4.

[0034] The container 3 also has a container base 9 which projects outwards from the container body 7 on the container side facing the core 2. Here, the container base 9 extends at least partly around the Figure 2 visible container opening 10 which opens into the chamber 8.

[0035] The heat exchanger 1 is used for mediating heat transfer between a first fluid which flows through the heat exchanger 1 internally, i.e. from the inside, and a second fluid which flows through the heat exchanger externally, i.e. from the outside.

[0036] The core 2 has a closure plate 11 at least on its side facing the container 3, which closure plate is placed onto the container 3 such that the closure plate 11 closes the container opening 10. The closure plate 11 is here penetrated by end sections 12 of the tubes 4 which lead into the chamber 8. In Figure 2 , such an end section 12 penetrating the closure plate 11 can be seen by way of example only. It is clear that the tubes 4 are sealed relative to the closure plate 11 in a corresponding manner. As a rule, the tubes 4 are welded to the closure plate 11.

[0037] The closure plate 11 has a plate bottom 13 on which the container 3 is supported by its container base 9. The plate bottom 13 is penetrated by the tubes 4 or their end sections 12. In principle, seals, not shown here, can be provided between the container 3 and the closure plate 11.

[0038] Furthermore, the closure plate 11 can also have a plurality of holding elements 15, in Figure 1 and Figure 2Only one of the retaining elements is shown completely in each case. The corresponding retaining element 13 is supported on the container base 9 on the upper side 16 of the base facing away from the core 2. The container base 9 is thus arranged between the plate bottom 13 and the corresponding retaining element 15.

[0039] At the container base 9, a stop 17 is constructed on the upper side 16 of the base for at least one of the retaining elements 15. The corresponding stop 17 projects from the upper side 16 of the base on the side of the corresponding retaining element 15 facing away from the container body 7. The corresponding retaining element 15 is thus arranged between the container body 7 and the stop 17. The corresponding retaining element 15 is thus positively fixed by means of the stop 17 against creeping movement relative to the container base 9. During normal operation of the heat exchanger 1, the retaining element 15 cannot become detached from the container base 9. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the direction in which the relative movement of the corresponding retaining element 15 relative to the container base 9 is prevented or at least blocked by means of the corresponding stop 17 is shown by the arrow 14.

[0040] In the example shown here, the corresponding retaining element 15 abuts directly against the associated stop 17. Outwardly directed creeping movement of the retaining element 15 relative to the container base 9 is thus prevented. Preferably, such a stop 17 is constructed on the container base 9 for a plurality, in particular all, of the retaining elements 15.

[0041] The retaining element 15 can be configured such that it presses the container base 9 against the plate bottom 13. This facilitates a safe and sealed connection between the container 3 and the closing plate 11. In particular, the closing plate 11 and the retaining element 15 are made of metal, preferably light metal, in particular aluminium alloy. Suitably, the tube 4 and the fins 6 are also made of metal or light metal or aluminium alloy. In particular, the metal components of the heat exchanger 1 can be welded to one another. For a particularly light and inexpensive heat exchanger 1, it can be provided that the container 3 is made of plastic. Here, the corresponding stop 17 can be integrally formed on the container base 9. In particular, the container 3 with the container base 9 and the stop 17 can be integrally manufactured as an injection moulding.

[0042] For a particularly secure support and positive fixing of the corresponding retaining element 15 on the corresponding stop 17, it can be provided that the corresponding stop 17 is shaped complementary to the corresponding retaining element 15 on the side facing the corresponding retaining element 15. As can be seen from Figure 1 the stop 17 curves outwards on the side facing the retaining element 15, while the retaining element 15 curves inwards complementarily on the side facing the stop 17. This results in a surface contact between the retaining element 15 and the stop 17.

[0043] In the example shown here, the closure plate 11 may have a flange 18 and a retaining strap 19, and the retaining strap is connected to the flange 18 by a plurality of tabs 20. Here, the flange 18 protrudes from the bottom 13 of the plate on the side facing away from the core 2 and at least partially surrounds the bottom 13 of the plate. The retaining strap 19 also at least partially surrounds the bottom 9 of the plate. In Figure 1 two adjacent tabs 20 can be seen. In addition, from Figure 1 it can be seen that the retaining elements 15 are constructed between two adjacent tabs 20 on the retaining strap 19. Here, the respective retaining elements 15 protrude inward from the retaining strap 19 with respect to the tabs 20, that is, in the direction of the container body 7, whereby the retaining elements straddle the container base 9.

[0044] On the container body 7, a plurality of outwardly protruding ridges 21 can be constructed. In Figure 1 two such ridges 21 can be seen exemplarily. The retaining strap 19 is supported on these ridges 21 in the region of the tabs 20. Thus, the retaining elements 15 are located between two adjacent ridges 21. Similarly, the stop 17 is located between two adjacent ridges 21 and is additionally spaced apart from the two ridges 21 respectively. The ridges 21 can be directly coupled to the container base 9 here, or can directly originate at the container base 9. In addition, the ridges 21 can be flush with the container base 9 outwardly. Thus, the abutment profile provided by the ridges 21 is extended in the direction of the core 2 through the container base 9. Thereby, a particularly large-area and stable support for the retaining strap 19 is produced in the region of the tabs 20.

[0045] In the example shown here, the retaining elements 15 are each formed by an arcuate section of the retaining strap 19. Here, the retaining elements 15 are bent towards the container body 7. The bending is chosen in particular such that the respective retaining elements 15 extend flat on their lower sides 22 facing the container base 9 in order to achieve as large an area of abutment as possible between the retaining elements 15 and the container base 9. Here, according to Figure 2 it can be particularly provided that the retaining elements 15 are continuously and planar supported on the container base 9 on their lower sides 22 in the region of the stops 17 from the outer edge 23 facing the stops 17 to the inner edge 24 facing the container body 7.

[0046] In Figure 1 the example, the respective retaining elements 15 are bent concavely on the side facing the respective stops 17. Complementarily, the stops 17 are bent convexly on the side facing the respective retaining elements 15, such that a planar support is produced between the retaining elements 15 and the stops 17.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger (1) preferably for a motor vehicle, for mediating heat transfer between a first fluid flowing through the heat exchanger (1) internally and a second fluid flowing around the heat exchanger (1) externally, the heat exchanger having: - a core (2) having a plurality of tubes (4) that can be flowed through by the first fluid and flowed around by the second fluid, - at least one container (3) having a container body (7) having at least one chamber (8) that can be flowed through by the first fluid and a container base (9), the container base protruding outward from the container body (7) on the container side facing the core (2) and at least partially surrounding a container opening (10) that is open to the corresponding chamber (8), - Among them, the core (2) having at least one closure plate (11) arranged on the container (3) for closing the container opening (10), - wherein the closure plate (11) has a plate bottom (13) on which the container (3) is supported, and the plate bottom is penetrated by an end section (12) of the tube (4) that leads into the chamber (8), - wherein the closure plate (11) has a plurality of retaining elements (15) that are supported on the container base (9) on the base upper side (16) facing away from the core (2), such that the container base (9) is arranged between the plate bottom (13) and the retaining elements (15), characterized in that - on the container base (9), a stop (17) is constructed on the base upper side (16) for at least one of the retaining elements (15), the stop protruding from the base upper side (16) on the side of the corresponding retaining element (15) facing away from the container body (7), such that the corresponding retaining element (15) is arranged between the container body (7) and the stop (17).

2. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the corresponding retaining element (15) abuts against the corresponding stop (17).

3. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - such stops (17) are provided respectively for a plurality of the retaining elements (15) or for all of the retaining elements (15).

4. The heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the retaining element (15) presses the container base (9) against the plate bottom (13).

5. The heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the closure plate (11) and the retaining elements (15) constructed on the closure plate are made of metal, - the container (3) is made of plastic.

6. The heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the corresponding stop (17) is integrally formed on the container base (9).

7. The heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - The corresponding stop (17) is shaped complementary to the corresponding holding element (15) on the side facing the corresponding holding element (15).

8. The heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - The corresponding holding element (15) is supported on the container base (9) in a planar manner.

9. The heat exchanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - The closing plate (11) has a flange (18) protruding from the plate bottom (13) and at least partially surrounding the plate bottom (13), and a holding strip (19) at least partially surrounding the plate bottom (13). The holding strip is connected to the flange (18) by a plurality of tabs (20), - One of the holding elements (15) is constructed on the holding strip (19) between two adjacent tabs (20) respectively, - The corresponding holding element (15) protrudes inward from the holding strip (19) with respect to the tab (20) and thus bridges the container base (9).

10. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that - A plurality of outwardly protruding ridges (21) are constructed on the container body (7), - The holding strip (19) is supported on the ridges (21) in the region of the tabs (20).

11. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that - The corresponding stop (17) is constructed on the container base (9) between two adjacent ridges (21) and is spaced apart from the adjacent ridges (21).

12. The heat exchanger (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that - The ridges (21) are directly coupled to the container base (9) and are flush with it outwardly.

13. The heat exchanger (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that - The holding element (15) is formed by an arcuate section of the holding strip (19) that is curved towards the container body (7).

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, characterized in that - The corresponding holding element (15) is concave-curved on the side facing the corresponding stop (17), - The corresponding stop (17) is convex-curved on the side facing the corresponding holding element (15).

15. A coolant circuit for a motor vehicle, the coolant circuit having at least one heat exchanger (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 14.

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