Heat exchanger for a motor vehicle and method for manufacturing a heat exchanger

Abstract

Heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, comprising several pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) arranged side by side, and a sealing arrangement (58) comprising several elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) arranged in a common area on the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) such that the elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) arranged on two adjacent pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) bear against each other, thereby providing a fluid-tight seal for the cavity between the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) are displaced relative to each other in the final assembled state in such a way that the adjacent elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) are elastically deformed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, comprising several pipes arranged side by side, wherein a fluid channel is defined by an inner circumferential surface of each pipe, through which a first fluid flows, and wherein the pipes are spaced apart from each other in such a way that a second fluid flows around the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes, and a sealing arrangement designed to seal the cavity between the spaced-apart pipes through which the second fluid flows in a fluid-tight manner in the longitudinal direction of the pipes.

[0002] Such heat exchangers are generally known from the prior art. A heat exchanger typically comprises several tubes arranged side by side and spaced apart from one another, forming a tube bundle, with the longitudinal axes of the tubes running parallel to each other. To provide heat transfer between two fluids, a first fluid flows through the tubes, while a second fluid flows through the cavity between the tubes. Thus, the inner surface of each tube defines a first fluid channel, and the outer surface, together with a housing and a sealing arrangement, defines a second fluid channel. The sealing arrangement serves to delimit the second fluid channel along the longitudinal direction of the tubes.

[0003] A disadvantage of such heat exchangers is that their manufacture is complex, particularly the sealing of the second fluid channel in the longitudinal direction of the tubes, i.e. the sealing arrangement, is usually elaborate.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a heat exchanger which can be manufactured and assembled in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0005] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, the sealing arrangement comprises several elastomer seals, which are arranged in a predefined area on the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes, such that the elastomer seals which are arranged on two adjacent pipes bear against each other, wherein, for the fluid-tight sealing of the cavity between the pipes, the pipes are displaced relative to each other in the final assembled state in such a way that the adjacent elastomer seals are elastically deformed.

[0007] During the manufacturing or assembly process, the elastomer seals are applied to a predefined location or area of ​​the pipes. The pipes are then joined to form a tube bundle and positioned relative to each other in such a way that the elastomer seals deform elastically, completely filling the entire cross-section of the cavity in the predefined area where the seals are located. This creates a fluid-tight seal between the pipes in the predefined area along the length of the pipes.

[0008] This simplifies the assembly and manufacturing of the heat exchanger, as the elastomer seals are applied to the tubes before assembly. When the tubes are joined to form the tube bundle, the cavity between them is automatically sealed longitudinally. During assembly, the tubes are positioned relative to each other to create a predefined gap between adjacent tubes. Each gap has a height less than the sum of the heights of the two corresponding, undeformed elastomer seals. Furthermore, the elastomer seals act as spacers between the tubes, ensuring a predefined gap between them.

[0009] Preferably, an elastomeric seal is arranged on each tube in a first region and in a second region spaced longitudinally apart from the first region, such that the inner circumferential surfaces of the tubes each define a first fluid channel and the cavity between the two regions forms a second fluid channel. By providing elastomeric seals on the tubes in two longitudinally spaced regions, a second fluid channel is fluid-tightly defined in the longitudinal direction of the tubes by the elastomeric seals. In particular, a first region is arranged at a first longitudinal end of the tubes and a second region at a second longitudinal end of the tubes. This allows the second fluid channel to be formed in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0010] Preferably, a holding device is provided which is designed to fix the pipes in the fully assembled state, in which the elastomer seals are elastically deformed due to the displacement of the pipes relative to each other. The holding device has such rigidity that the tendency of the elastically deformed elastomer seals to return to their original shape is reliably prevented, thereby ensuring the tightness between the pipes caused by the elastomer seals.

[0011] Preferably, the holding device has two holding elements, one of which is arranged at each longitudinal end of the tubes. The holding element is ring-shaped and is pushed onto the tubes. Alternatively, the holding element is designed as a thread and wound onto the tubes. In both cases, the holding elements can be easily mounted on the tubes or tube bundle, and in both cases, the holding elements are mounted on the tubes when the elastomer seals have already been elastically deformed.

[0012] The problem is also solved by a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle. First, several tubes are provided and elastomer seals are applied to them, positioning the seals within a predefined area. The tubes are then arranged into a tube bundle such that they are positioned side by side and the elastomer seals of two adjacent tubes are in contact with each other. In the next step, the tubes are displaced relative to each other until a predefined gap exists between two adjacent tubes, during which the elastomer seals deform elastically.

[0013] Finally, the pipes are fixed in their displaced position, thus maintaining the predefined gap between them. For further advantages, please refer to the preceding paragraphs.

[0014] Preferably, the elastomer seals are made from a liquid elastomer sealant, which is applied to the pipes in a liquid state and then solidifies. This creates a material bond between the elastomer seals and the corresponding pipe.

[0015] Preferably, to displace the tubes relative to each other, the tubes are placed in a mold with a first mold half and a second mold half, and then the mold halves are brought together such that the tubes displace relative to each other and the elastomer seals are elastically deformed. In the present case, the tubes with their attached elastomer seals are joined to form a tube bundle by placing the tubes in the mold, with the elastomer seals initially undeformed. Only in the subsequent step, when the mold halves are brought together, are the tubes displaced relative to each other, i.e., radially inward with respect to the tube bundle, such that the elastomer seals are elastically deformed.Due to elastic deformation, the elastomer seals of two adjacent tubes are pre-tensioned against each other in such a way that the gap between the tubes is fluid-tight in the area of ​​the elastomer seals. After the mold halves are brought together, the retaining elements are mounted on the tubes.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a heat exchanger in longitudinal section, Fig. Figure 2a shows a pre-assembled state of a tube bundle of the heat exchanger. Fig. 1 in cross-section, and Fig. Figure 2b shows a fully assembled state of a tube bundle of the heat exchanger. Fig. 1 in cross-section.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a heat exchanger 10 for a cooling circuit of a motor vehicle, in particular a capillary heat exchanger.

[0018] The heat exchanger 10 comprises a housing 12, which consists of a base body 14 with an open end and a cover 16, wherein the cover 16 is arranged at the open end of the base body 14 and seals a housing interior 13 fluid-tight against the outside environment.

[0019] The housing has two inlets 18, 22 and two outlets 20, 24, wherein a first inlet 18 and a first outlet 20, which are arranged on opposite sides of the housing 12, are fluidically connected to a first fluid circuit (not shown) and a second inlet 22 and a second outlet 24, which are arranged on opposite sides of the housing 12, are fluidically connected to a second fluid circuit (not shown).

[0020] Several tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are arranged in the interior of the housing 13, wherein in the Fig. 1 only three pipes 30, 32, 34 are shown. The pipes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are arranged in the housing interior 13 in such a way that a fluid flowing in through the first inlet 18 flows from a distributor area into each of the first fluid channels 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 of the pipes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, flows through the fluid channels 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, flows out of the pipes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 into a collecting area of ​​the housing 12 and flows out of the housing 12 again via the first outlet 20.

[0021] To provide a second fluid channel 50 in the interior of the housing 13 and thereby enable heat transfer between the two fluids, the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are spaced apart from one another, with the gaps between the spaced-apart tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 being sealed at their edges by a sealing arrangement 58. This defines a second fluid channel 50 by the inside of the housing 12, the outer circumferential surfaces of the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and along the longitudinal side of the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 by the sealing arrangement 58. The sealing arrangement 58 separates the distributor area or the collection area, through which the first fluid flows during operation, from the second fluid channel 50 in a fluid-tight manner. The second fluid channel 50 is fluidically connected to the second inlet 22 and the second outlet 24.

[0022] The sealing arrangement 58 has several elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 at a first longitudinal end of the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, i.e. in a first region, and at a second longitudinal end of the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, i.e. in a second region, wherein in Fig. Figure 1 shows only the elastomer seals 60, 62, 64 associated with the pipes 30, 32, 34. The elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 are applied to the pipes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 before the heat exchanger 10 is assembled, such that an elastomer sealant in a liquid or viscous state is applied to the corresponding areas on each pipe 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42. After a solidification process, two elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 are present in a solid state on each tube 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42.

[0023] The sealing arrangement 58 is designed such that the gaps between the pipes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, which form a cavity between the pipes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, are sealed by the elastically deformed elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72. Here, the Fig. 2a an undeformed state of the elastomeric elements 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72. The Fig. Figure 2b shows a deformed state of the elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, wherein the gaps between the elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 are shown according to Fig. 2a are no longer present due to the elastic deformation of the elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72.

[0024] During the manufacture and assembly of the heat exchanger 10, several tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are first provided. These tubes can be made of plastic or metal and are all cut to a common length or are already manufactured to that common length. The elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 are then applied to the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42. In a subsequent step, the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are joined to form a tube bundle, with the elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 of the adjacent tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 abutting each other in the first area and in the second area.Subsequently, the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are displaced radially inwards relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube bundle, particularly by bringing together two tool halves of a tool mold in which the tube bundle is arranged, such that the adjacent elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 deform elastically. The tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are displaced relative to each other until predefined gap heights are achieved between the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42. Because the elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 want to deform back to their original state during elastic deformation, the elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 are held against each other under pre-tension and seal the gaps between the pipes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 in a fluid-tight manner.In the next step, the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are fixed in a radially inward displaced state by a holding device 80, whereby an annular holding element 82, 84 is slid onto the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 or onto the tube bundle on both sides. The holding elements 82, 84 are, for example, two metal rings with a predefined inner diameter. Alternatively, the holding elements 82, 84 can also be designed as threads or metal wires, whereby the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are wrapped by the threads or metal wires in such a way that displacement of the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 relative to each other is no longer possible. Finally, the pipes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are inserted into the base body 14 via the open side and the cover 18 is fitted.When the tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 are inserted into the base body 14, the elastomer seals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, in particular the elastomer seals 60, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 adjacent to an inner wall of the housing are elastically deformed in such a way that even a gap between the tubes 30, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and the inner wall of the housing 12 is sealed fluid-tight.

[0025] During operation of the heat exchanger 10, the first fluid channels 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 are filled with the first fluid and the second fluid channel 50 is filled with the second fluid, whereby heat transfer takes place between the two fluids.

Claims

[1] Heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, with several pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) arranged side by side, wherein a fluid channel (31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43) is bounded by an inner circumferential surface of each pipe (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) through which a first fluid flows, and wherein the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) are spaced apart from each other such that a second fluid flows around the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42), and a sealing arrangement (58) which is designed to seal the cavity between the spaced-apart pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) through which the second fluid flows. 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) to seal fluid-tight in the longitudinal direction of the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42), characterized by , that The sealing arrangement (58) comprises several elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) which are arranged in a common area on the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) such that the elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) which are arranged on two adjacent pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) bear against each other, wherein the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) are arranged to provide a fluid-tight seal for the cavity between the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42). 42) in the fully assembled state are displaced relative to each other in such a way that the adjacent elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) are elastically deformed. [2] Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized by, that on each pipe (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) an elastomer seal (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) is arranged in a first area and in a second area spaced apart from the first area in the longitudinal direction of the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42), such that the inner circumferential surfaces of the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) each define a first fluid channel (31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43) and the cavity between the two areas forms a second fluid channel (50). [3] Heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that a holding device (80) is provided which is designed to fix the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) in the final assembled state in which the elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) are elastically deformed relative to each other due to the displacement of the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42). [4] Heat exchanger according to claims 2 and 3, characterized by, that the holding device (80) has two holding elements (82, 84), wherein one holding element (82, 84) is arranged at each end of the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42). [5] Heat exchanger according to claims 3 and 4, characterized by , that the retaining element (82, 84) is designed in a ring shape and is pushed onto the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42). [6] Heat exchanger according to claims 3 and 4, characterized by , that the retaining element (82, 84) is designed as a thread and is wound onto the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42). [7] Method for manufacturing a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: - Providing several pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42), - Applying an elastomer seal (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) to each tube (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42), wherein the elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) are positioned in a predefined area, - Arranging the tubes to form (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) a tube bundle, such that the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) are arranged next to each other and the elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) of two adjacent tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) are in contact with each other, - Displacement of the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) relative to each other until a predefined gap exists between two adjacent pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42), wherein the elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) deform elastically during the displacement of the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42), - Fixing the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) when the predefined gap is present. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by, that the elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) are made from a liquid elastomer sealant which is applied to the pipes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) in a liquid state and then solidifies. [9] Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized by , that to displace the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) relative to each other the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) are placed in a tool mold with a first tool mold half and a second tool mold half and then the tool molds are brought together in such a way that the tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) displace relative to each other and the elastomer seals (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) are elastically deformed.

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