System for connecting housing elements of a heat transfer device

Abstract

System for connecting housing elements (1, 10) of a heat transfer device, comprising a housing with a first housing element (1) and a second housing element (10), which are aligned with end faces (5) towards each other and can be connected to each other via a positive locking connection, wherein the housing elements (1, 10) abut each other with side edges (6) formed in the area of ​​the end faces (5) and the connection is designed as a snap-fit ​​device with first snap-fit ​​elements (7) arranged on a side edge (6) of the first housing element (1) and second snap-fit ​​elements (11) arranged on a side edge of the second housing element (10), wherein the first snap-fit ​​elements (7) are designed as recesses, each with a flat surface aligned parallel to the end face (5).wherein on an outer side of the side edge (6) of the first housing element (1) a projection (9) is formed between a first locking element (7) and the end face (5), which has a flat surface on a side facing the first locking element (7) arranged in the plane spanned by the flat surface of the first locking element (7) such that the flat surfaces of the first locking element (7) and the projection (9) form a continuous bearing surface (12) for the second locking element (11), wherein the first locking elements (7) extend from the side edge (6) into a volume enclosed by the housing and a web (8) is formed between adjacent first locking elements (7) with the projections (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for connecting housing elements of a heat transfer device, particularly for use in a motor vehicle. The device comprises a housing with a first housing element and a second housing element, which are aligned with their end faces and can be connected to one another via a positive connection.

[0002] Heat exchangers of the type described above are primarily used to cool exhaust gas, particularly from internal combustion engines, which is mixed with the fresh air supplied to the combustion process to reduce the oxygen content. The heat exchanger also utilizes the thermal energy of the exhaust gas. The heat exchanger is used, for example, on the intake side of internal combustion engines or in conjunction with fuel cells.

[0003] A so-called charge air cooler, located on the intake side of an internal combustion engine, is thus a heat exchanger that serves to reduce the temperature of the combustion air supplied to the engine. The heat exchanger is located between a compressor element, such as a turbocharger, and an intake valve of the internal combustion engine and serves to dissipate at least a portion of the heat generated by the compression of the air.

[0004] EP 0 285 504 A1 describes a heat exchanger with a two-part housing comprising a receiving element and a cover element. The receiving element has connection pieces for the air-conducting connections. The housing encloses a series of heat exchanger tubes and has a passage for the air to be cooled between the connection pieces. When the housing is closed, the two housing elements are clamped together, for example, using clamping straps or staples. The clamping straps are screwed together.

[0005] It is also known from the prior art to weld, solder or glue the housing elements together, depending on the material of the housing elements.

[0006] DE 10 2008 001 660 A1 discloses a heat exchanger for the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, comprising a separately formed exhaust-carrying heat exchanger tube arranged in a closed housing. The housing, through which a coolant flows, consists of a housing cover and a casing part, which are connected to one another, for example, by means of mechanical fastening means, such as screws or rivets, or by means of tool-free connections, such as crimping.

[0007] EP 3 001 132 A1 describes a heat exchanger with a tube bundle arranged in a housing, through which one fluid flows and around which another fluid flows. The housing is formed from two housing elements that can be connected to each other via a locking mechanism.

[0008] US 2016 / 0 370 131 A1 discloses a heat exchanger with a crimped connection between a distributor element and a main element of the heat exchanger. The distributor element has cavities distributed along a peripheral edge. The distributor element is connected to the main element at the peripheral edge.

[0009] DE 10 2014 207 511 A1 discloses a header tank for a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle cooling system, comprising a box-like element. The element is closed by a base. A shoulder of an end region of the box-like element engages individual openings in the base. The base and the box-like element are connected to each other via a snap-in connection.

[0010] FR 2 875 592 A1 describes a heat exchanger with a corrugated housing and a method for assembly. The heat exchanger comprises a collector with a peripheral edge with crimping elements, as well as a collecting container with a circumferential base. The base of the collecting container is designed to be held by the crimping elements of the peripheral edge of the collector with a seal interposed.

[0011] JP 2017 - 015 351 A discloses a sealing arrangement for heat exchangers. The sealing arrangement comprises a snap-in element projecting outward from a side surface of a housing, a sealing element arranged on an outer periphery of the housing, and a wall extending from an outer periphery of a base plate to the side of the housing. The sealing element is aligned to enclose a snap-in opening.

[0012] DE 10 2011 008 220 A1 discloses a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of tubes, a header tank, a core plate connected to the tubes, and a tank body fixed to the core plate. The heat exchanger also includes an elastic element arranged between a bottom portion of a groove provided on an outer peripheral portion of the core plate and a head end portion of the tank body, and is elastically deformable.

[0013] The charge air coolers or exhaust gas coolers known from the prior art are very complex and have a large number of components, for example for closing the housing, so that the housing in particular is often complex to manufacture and takes a great deal of time to assemble.

[0014] Housing elements of heat exchangers that are connected to each other using tool-free connections, such as a snap-in connection, to close the housing, offer only limited installation space for a suitable depth of the snap-in elements. A depth that is too small as a dimension of a contact surface for the snap-in elements leads to an inadequate, particularly positive-locking, connection and thus to an increased risk of unwanted opening of the snap-in connection, especially during heat exchanger operation with high pressure and high pressure pulsation load.

[0015] A greater depth than the dimension of the contact surface of the locking elements could be achieved by widening the contact surface toward the interior of the housing. However, the volume enclosed by the housing, and thus the usable internal space, is extremely limited. Furthermore, widening the locking connection, especially the contact surface, in the specified direction would lead to a very extensive change in the shape of at least one of the housing elements, which in turn increases the risk of fatigue and, consequently, destruction of the locking connection and thus the housing.

[0016] The object of the invention is to provide an improved system for the tool-free connection of housing elements, in particular a heat transfer device. The system should be designed with minimal installation space requirements to prevent unwanted opening of the connection, especially during operation with high loads on the connection, for example, with high pressure and high pressure pulsation load of the heat exchanger. The internal volume enclosed by the housing should remain unchanged. The system should also be easy to operate, exhibit maximum resistance to fatigue and destruction of the connection, and incur minimal manufacturing and material costs.

[0017] The problem is solved by the subject matter having the features of the independent patent claim. Further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0018] This object is achieved by a system according to the invention for connecting housing elements of a heat transfer device, particularly for use in a motor vehicle. The system comprises a housing with a first housing element and a second housing element, which are aligned with their end faces and can be connected to one another via a positive connection.

[0019] The housing elements abut one another with side edges formed in the region of the end faces. The connection is designed as a latching device with first latching elements arranged on a side edge of the first housing element and second latching elements arranged on a side edge of the second housing element. The first latching elements are each formed as recesses with a flat surface aligned parallel to the end face.

[0020] The locking device has functional elements with the corresponding first and second locking elements, in particular for detachably connecting and easily joining the housing elements in a form-fitting manner. During the joining process, one of the locking elements is elastically deformed, which at the end of the process interlocks with the other locking element.

[0021] The first housing element and the second housing element are advantageously designed to jointly enclose a volume.

[0022] On an outer side of the side edge of the first housing element, a protrusion protruding from the side edge is formed between a first locking element and the end face. On a side facing the first locking element, the protrusion has a flat surface arranged in the plane spanned by the flat surface of the first locking element, such that the flat surfaces of the first locking element and the protrusion form a continuous support surface for a second locking element.

[0023] According to the concept of the invention, the first locking elements arranged on the first housing element are designed to extend from the side edge into a volume enclosed by the housing. A web is provided between adjacent first locking elements with the protrusions.

[0024] The side edge of the first housing element with the first locking elements and the webs is preferably designed as a closed surface.

[0025] A side edge of a housing element is preferably aligned perpendicularly to the end face and arranged completely around the end face. The housing elements abut one another along the side edges.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a respective formation extends over the entire extent of a first locking element, aligned parallel to the end face.

[0027] The shape projecting from the side edge is advantageously designed to continuously transition into a plane spanned by the side edge on the sides deviating from the side facing the first locking element.

[0028] A particular advantage of the invention is that the locking elements arranged on the first locking element are each formed with a concavely shaped surface extending from the side edge for receiving the second locking elements of the locking device.

[0029] The first locking elements preferably have a maximum depth at an apex of the concavely shaped surface as the largest dimension to the outside of the side edge.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second locking elements of the second housing element are designed as locking lugs with a shape such that they can be integrated within the first locking elements of the first housing element.

[0031] According to a further development of the invention, the second locking elements each have a flat surface aligned in the direction of the support surfaces of the first locking elements, wherein the support surfaces of the first locking elements of the first housing element and the flat surfaces of the second locking elements of the second housing element are arranged adjacent to one another.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the second housing element has openings for receiving the formations of the first housing element.

[0033] A further advantage of the invention is that the housing elements each have a rectangular cross-section with two long sides and two narrow sides, and the locking elements are formed at least on the long sides of the housing elements. The locking elements can also be arranged over the entire circumference and thus on both the long sides and the narrow sides.

[0034] The housing elements are preferably made of aluminum or plastic.

[0035] The system according to the invention for connecting housing elements of a heat transfer device, in particular a coolant-cooled or air-cooled charge air cooler, has, in summary, various advantages: - minimal or no change in shape of the second housing element as a counterpart to the first housing element of the locking device, no change in the first housing element and thus maintenance of robustness, - minimal space requirement and maximum compactness, - minimal manufacturing costs and minimal material requirements, - very easy assembly.

[0036] Further details, features, and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b: a first housing element of a heat transfer device with a wall and a connecting area from the prior art in a perspective view, Fig. 1c and Fig. 1d: a system for connecting the first housing element from the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b in combination with a second housing element of the device in a closed arrangement of the system, each in a lateral sectional view from the prior art, Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b: a first housing element of a heat transfer device with a wall and a connecting area in a perspective view, Fig. 2c and Fig. 2d: a system according to the invention for connecting the first housing element from the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b in combination with a second housing element of the device in a closed arrangement of the system, each in a lateral sectional view, Fig. 2e: the first housing element of the heat transfer device with the connecting area in a sectional perspective view and Fig. 3: a section of the second housing element of the heat transfer device in a perspective view.

[0037] In the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shows a perspective view of a first housing element 1' of a heat transfer device with a wall 2 and a connecting area 3' from the prior art. Fig. 1b shows a section of the first housing element 1' in an enlarged view.

[0038] The first housing element 1' is designed to enclose a volume with a second, not-shown housing element. A heat exchanger arrangement (not shown) can be integrated within the volume, through which a first fluid flows and around which a second fluid flows. Heat can be transferred between the fluids. One of the fluids flows through a passage 4 formed in the wall 2 into the volume enclosed by the first housing element 1' and the second housing element, is guided around the heat exchanger arrangement by the respective wall 2 of the housing element 1' and then flows out of the volume again through a passage (not shown).

[0039] The first housing element 1' has a connecting region 3' in which the first housing element 1' and the second housing element are arranged adjacent to one another, sealing the device. The connecting region 3' of the first housing element 1' and a connecting region of the second housing element are each designed as mutually corresponding components of a latching device for positively connecting the first housing element 1' and the second housing element.

[0040] The connecting region 3' is formed in the region of an end face 5 of the housing element 1'. The end faces 5 of the housing elements 1' are aligned in a plane spanned by the directions x, y and such that side edges 6' of the walls 2 of the housing elements 1' abut one another over their entire circumference. The side edges 6' of the housing elements 1', which extend in the direction y from the end face 5 and are formed completely around the end faces 5, overlap. The connecting region 3' is formed in the region of the overlap of the side edges 6'.

[0041] The latching device formed in the connecting region 3' of the first housing element 1' has first latching elements 7', which are arranged along the side edge 6' completely around the open end face 5. The first latching elements 7' are designed as depressions or latching troughs, which each extend inward from the side edge 6', i.e., into the volume enclosed by the housing element 1'. A web 8 is provided between each adjacent latching element 7'. The side edge 6', with the latching elements 7' and the webs 8, is designed as a closed surface without through-openings and, with the exception of the areas of the trough-shaped latching elements 7', as a flat surface on the outside.

[0042] The first locking elements 7' are evenly distributed along the side edge 6' and are arranged at equal distances from one another. The webs 8 formed between the adjacent first locking elements 7' each have the same width in the circumferential direction of the side edge 6, i.e., in the x, y directions. The first locking elements 7' are arranged in alignment with one another in the z direction.

[0043] The locking recesses 7' have a concavely shaped surface extending from the side edge 6' for receiving second locking elements of the locking device, which are formed on a second housing element (not shown). At the apex of the concavely shaped surface, the locking recesses 7' each have the greatest dimension to the outside of the side edge 6', wherein the greatest dimension is understood to be the distance in a vertical alignment to the plane of the side edge 6'. The locking recesses 7' are delimited on the sides aligned perpendicular to the direction z by flat surfaces that describe the cross-section of the locking recess 7' and are each arranged in a plane spanned by the directions x, y. The flat surfaces aligned towards the end face 5 serve as support surfaces for the second locking elements of the locking device.

[0044] The maximum extension of the support surfaces of the first locking elements 7' for the second locking elements corresponds to the dimension between the apex of the concavely shaped surface and the outside of the side edge 6'.

[0045] From the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b shows a perspective view of a first housing element 1 of a heat transfer device with a wall 2 and a connecting area 3. In Fig. 2b shows a section of the first housing element 1 in an enlarged view.

[0046] The first housing element 1 according to the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b differs from the first housing element 1' according to the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b especially in the design of the connecting area 3 designed as a latching device. If the components of the first housing elements 1, 1' are designed the same, reference is made to the explanations for the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b. Identical components and features are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0047] The essential difference between the connecting areas 3, 3' of the first housing elements 1, 1' lies in the design of the first locking elements 7, 7'. The first locking elements 7 of the first housing element 1 according to the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b are formed with protrusions 9 in the z direction, particularly in the direction of the open end face 5. The protrusions 9 provided between the locking recess 7 and the open end face 5 are arranged on the side edge 6, projecting outward from the side edge 6, and each extend over the entire extent of the first locking elements 7, oriented in the y direction.

[0048] Each protrusion 9 is designed as a projection protruding from the side edge 6, which on three sides continuously transitions into the plane spanned by the side edge 6. The continuous, rounded transitions between the protrusions 9 and the side edge 6 represent low-stress areas of the wall 2.

[0049] On a fourth side of the recess 9 facing the locking recess 7, the recess 9 is formed with a flat surface arranged in a plane spanned by the directions x, y and has the greatest extent to the plane of the side edge 6. Thus, the maximum extent of the support surfaces of the first locking elements 7 for the second locking elements of the locking device corresponds to the dimension between the apex of the concavely shaped surface of the locking recess 7 and the outer side of the side edge 6, plus the extent of the recess 9 in the perpendicular direction to the plane of the outer side of the side edge 6.Thus, for example, a support surface of a first locking element 7 arranged on a longitudinal side of the housing element 1 corresponds to the surfaces arranged in the direction z, describing the cross-section of the locking recess 7 and each arranged in a plane spanned by the directions x, y, plus the flat surface formed on the fourth side of the formation 9 facing the locking recess 7.

[0050] The formations 9 essentially serve to enlarge the support surfaces of the first locking elements 7 for the second locking elements of the locking device formed in the connecting area 3.

[0051] The enlargement of the contact surfaces 12 of the first locking elements 7 of the locking device compared to the contact surfaces 12' of the housing element 1' of the locking device from the prior art is shown in a comparison of the Fig. 1c and Fig. 1d and Fig. 2c and Fig. The systems shown in Figure 2d are clear.

[0052] In the Fig. 1c and Fig. 1d is a system for connecting the first housing element 1' from the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b in combination with a second housing element 10 of the device from the prior art, while in the Fig. 2c and Fig. 2d each show a system according to the invention for connecting the first housing element 1 from the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b in combination with the second housing element 10 of the device in a closed arrangement of the system in a lateral sectional view. Fig. 2e shows the first housing element 1 of the heat transfer device with the connecting area 3 in a sectional perspective view.

[0053] The second housing element 10 has, in the connecting region 3, 3', second locking elements 11 designed as locking lugs, which correspond to the first locking elements 7, 7' and, in conjunction with the first locking elements 7, 7', constitute the locking device. The second locking elements 11 are designed to be completely received within the first locking elements 7, 7' and have a flat support surface on one side aligned in a plane spanned by the directions x, y.

[0054] When the device is closed, the contact surfaces 12, 12' of the first locking elements 7, 7' and the contact surfaces of the second locking elements 11 abut one another. The first locking elements 7, 7' and the second locking elements 11, which are pressed against one another, particularly in the z direction, are positively connected to one another.

[0055] The size of the contact surfaces 12 of the first locking elements 7 of the first housing element 1 according to the Fig. 2a to 2d differs in the size of the support surfaces 12' of the first locking elements 7' of the first housing element 1' from the prior art according to the Fig. 1a to 1d in the depth T, T' aligned in direction x. The depth T of the first locking elements 7 is in turn determined by the formation 9 of the first housing element 1 formed on the side edge 6.

[0056] The depth T' of the support surface 12' of the first locking element 7' of the first housing element 1' of the device from the prior art corresponds to the maximum extension of the support surface 12' as a dimension between the apex of the concavely shaped surface and the outer side of the side edge 6'.

[0057] In comparison, the depth T of the support surface 12 of the first locking element 7 of the first housing element 1 of the device according to the Fig. 2a to 2d of the maximum extension of the support surface 12 as a dimension between the apex of the concavely shaped surface and the outer side of the side edge 6 plus the extension of the formation 9 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the outer side of the side edge 6.

[0058] The difference between the depths T, T' of the support surfaces 12, 12' of the first locking elements 7, 7' is also illustrated by the base surface 13 shown with a dashed line. The base surface 13 corresponds to the outer side of the side edge 6' of the first housing element 1' of the prior art device.

[0059] The second housing element 10 also has openings 14 in the connecting region 3, 3', which extend in the x direction from a surface oriented toward the outer side of the side edge 6, 6' of the first housing element 1, 1'. In a preferred embodiment of the openings 14 as through-openings, the openings 14 extend through the wall of the second housing element 10.

[0060] The openings 14 are designed to correspond with the protrusions 9 of the first housing element 1. The protrusions 9 formed on the first locking elements 7 are arranged within the openings 14 of the second housing element 10. The area of ​​the second housing element 10 formed with the openings 14 is also referred to as the receiving area 14 for the protrusions 9.

[0061] By forming the recess 9 of the first housing element 1 and thus enlarging the contact surface 12 of the locking device, the connection properties of the housing elements 1, 10 are optimized, thus preventing unwanted opening of the connection, especially during high-load operation, for example, with high pressure and high pressure pulsation load of the device. Both the internal volume enclosed by the housing and the overall space requirement of the heat transfer device remain unchanged.

[0062] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a section of the second housing element 10 of the heat transfer device, designed as a cover element. The end face and the cover surface of the second housing element 10 are aligned in a plane spanned by the x, y directions. One side edge is perpendicular to the cover surface and extends completely around the cover surface.

[0063] The side edge has the second locking elements 11 of the locking device as well as the openings 14 for receiving the recesses 9 of the first housing element 1. The openings 14, formed as through-openings through the side edge, are arranged adjacent to the second locking elements 11 in the z direction, so that each second locking element 11 is assigned an opening 14.

[0064] The adjacently arranged second locking elements 11 are connected to one another along the front side of the second housing element 10 in order to ensure great stability of the locking device. List of reference symbols 1, 1' first housing element 2 wall 3, 3' connection area 4 Passage 5 Front side 6, 6' side edge 7, 7' first locking element, locking recess 8 bridge 9 Formation 10 second housing element 11 second locking element 12, 12' support surface locking device 13 floor space 14 Opening, receiving area, molding 9 x, y, z direction T, T' Depth of support surface

Claims

[1] A system for connecting housing elements (1, 10) of a heat transfer device, comprising a housing with a first housing element (1) and a second housing element (10), which are aligned with each other by end faces (5) and can be connected to each other via a positive connection, wherein the housing elements (1, 10) abut each other with side edges (6) formed in the region of the end faces (5) and the connection is designed as a latching device with first latching elements (7) arranged on a side edge (6) of the first housing element (1) and second latching elements (11) arranged on a side edge of the second housing element (10), wherein the first latching elements (7) are designed as depressions, each with a flat surface aligned parallel to the end face (5),wherein on an outer side of the side edge (6) of the first housing element (1), between a first locking element (7) and the end face (5), a protrusion (9) protruding from the side edge (6) is formed, which on a side facing the first locking element (7) has a flat surface arranged in the plane spanned by the flat surface of the first locking element (7) such that the flat surfaces of the first locking element (7) and the protrusion (9) form a continuous support surface (12) for the second locking element (11), wherein the first locking elements (7) extend from the side edge (6) into a volume enclosed by the housing, and a web (8) is formed between adjacently arranged first locking elements (7) with the protrusions (9). [2] System according to claim 1, characterized bythat the side edge (6) is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the end face (5) and is formed completely around the end face (5). [3] System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the formation (9) is designed to extend over the entire extent of a first locking element (7) aligned parallel to the end face (5). [4] System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the formation (9) projecting from the side edge (6) is designed to merge continuously into a plane spanned by the side edge (6) on the sides deviating from the side facing the first locking element (7). [5] System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the side edge (6) of the first housing element (1) with the first locking elements (7) and the webs (8) is designed as a closed surface. [6] System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the first locking elements (7) are each formed with a concavely shaped surface extending from the side edge (6) for receiving the second locking elements (11) of the locking device. [7] System according to claim 6, characterized by that the first locking elements (7) have a depth (T) as the largest dimension to the outside of the side edge (6) at an apex of the concavely shaped surface. [8] System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the second locking elements (11) are designed as locking lugs with a shape such that they can be integrated within the first locking elements (7). [9] System according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the second locking elements (11) each have a flat surface aligned in the direction of the support surfaces (12) of the first locking elements (7), wherein the support surfaces (12) of the first locking elements (7) and the flat surfaces of the second locking elements (11) are arranged adjacent to one another. [10] System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the second housing element (10) has openings (14) for receiving the formations (9) of the first housing element (1). [11] System according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the housing elements (1, 10) have a rectangular cross-section with two long sides and two narrow sides and the locking elements (7, 11) are formed at least on the long sides of the housing elements (1, 10). [12] System according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the housing elements (1, 10) are made of aluminum or plastic.

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