HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger with a collector comprising a pipe connection section with a pipe insertion hole into which a pipe is inserted, wherein the pipe connection section is designed in a concave-convex shape to increase a contact area (connecting surface) between the heat exchanger medium pipe and the pipe connection section, thereby reducing the thermal stress exerted on the pipe and the pipe connection section.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger in which several heat exchanger parts are integrated. [State of the art]

[0002] In general, a heat exchanger refers to a device installed in a specific flow path and configured to perform heat exchange by allowing a heat exchange medium circulating in the flow path to absorb heat from the outside air or release heat from the heat exchange medium.

[0003] Heat exchangers are manufactured differently depending on their intended use and application, such as condensers and evaporators, which use refrigerant as the heat exchange medium, radiators and heaters, which use coolant as the heat exchange medium, and oil coolers, which use oil as the heat exchange medium to cool the oil flowing in an engine, transmission, or similar device.

[0004] Recently, with increasing global concern about the environment and energy, research has been conducted in the automotive industry to reduce fuel consumption, and continuous research has been conducted to reduce weight and size and improve functionality to meet the needs of different consumers.

[0005] However, if multiple heat exchangers are manufactured and installed separately for a vehicle, the number of manufacturing processes increases, impacting productivity. Furthermore, a significant amount of material is wasted, driving up costs and making it difficult to secure space for heat exchanger installation. Therefore, various multi-heat exchanger integration technologies have been developed and deployed to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0006] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views showing a header tank and a collector for an integrated heat exchanger in the related art.

[0007] As shown, the header tank of the related-art integrated heat exchanger essentially includes a tank 10, a header 20, and a gasket 30. The header 20 and the tank 10 can be coupled and fixedly connected to each other in a state where the gasket 30 is interposed between the header 20 and the tank 10. Further, a partition wall 11 is integrated into the tank 10, and a bridge 32 is connected to a central portion of a peripheral portion 31 of the gasket 30. The header 20 has a seat portion 21 on which the gasket 30 is seated. A dummy tube insertion hole 22 is formed in the central portion of the gasket 30, into which a dummy tube for heat storage is inserted. Tube insertion holes 23 are formed on two opposite sides of the central portion, into which heat exchange medium tubes are inserted.

[0008] However, in the prior art header tank for the integrated heat exchanger, the distance between a connecting portion where the header tank and the reservoir are coupled and one end of the heat exchange medium pipe is relatively short, resulting in high stress at a portion where the heat exchange medium pipe and the header tank are connected. Therefore, a connecting portion between the heat exchange medium pipe and the header tank may crack, resulting in refrigerant leakage and reducing the service life of the heat exchanger. [Prior art document][Patent document]

[0009] KR 10-2019-0033710 A (April 1, 2019) [Disclosure][Technical Task]

[0010] The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger capable of reducing the thermal load to be applied to a tube in the heat exchanger in which a plurality of heat exchange parts are integrated. [Technical solution]

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a heat exchanger of the present invention may include: a header having base portions, a plurality of tube contact portions having tube insertion holes formed through the base portions, the plurality of tube contact portions projecting from the peripheries of the tube insertion holes toward a tank and arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, and concave portions provided in at least some of the plurality of tube contact portions, which are formed at two opposite ends based on a width direction and are concave in a direction opposite to a direction in which the tube contact portions project; the tank connected to the header and configured to define a space in which a heat exchange medium is stored and flows;and a plurality of heat exchange medium tubes inserted into the tube insertion hole of the header and connected to the tube contact portions;

[0012] Furthermore, grooves may be formed between the adjacent pipe contact portions, and in at least some of the grooves, recessed portions may be arranged which are concave in the same direction as the concave portions.

[0013] In addition, the recessed portion may protrude further in a direction opposite to the container than the remaining portion of the groove that is not the recessed portion.

[0014] In addition, the width of the recessed portion and the width of the concave portion can be at the same level.

[0015] In addition, the depth of the recessed portion and the depth of the recessed portion may be at the same level.

[0016] In addition, the recessed section and the concave section can be formed at the same time.

[0017] In addition, straight portions having flat tops may be formed at two opposite ends of the pipe contact portion in the width direction, and the concave portion may be arranged between the straight portions formed at the two opposite ends.

[0018] In addition, the projection height of the straight section may be greater than the projection height of the concave section.

[0019] In addition, the concave portion and the straight portions at the two opposite ends of the pipe contact portion may be obliquely connected in the width direction.

[0020] In addition, no straight portion having a flat top may be provided at two opposite ends of the pipe contact portion in the width direction, and the two opposite ends of the pipe contact portion in the width direction and the concave portion may be obliquely connected to each other.

[0021] In addition, the base portions may be provided outside the contact portions of the tube located at the two opposite ends in the longitudinal direction without having a groove and a concave portion.

[0022] Furthermore, the collector may further include dummy tube contact portions having dummy tube insertion holes formed through the base portions, the dummy tube contact portions projecting from the peripheries of the dummy tube insertion holes toward the container, and the dummy tube contact portion and two opposite sides longitudinally adjacent to the dummy tube contact portion may be formed to be inclined downward from a central portion in both the width direction and the two opposite ends.

[0023] In addition, the two widthwise opposite ends of the dummy tube contact portion may have a smaller projection height than the central portion.

[0024] Furthermore, the plurality of pipe contact portions may be respectively arranged on the two opposite sides of each of the base portions in the longitudinal direction, and the dummy pipe contact portion may be arranged between the two opposite sides in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] In addition, the header may have seal seat grooves formed concavely downward along the peripheries of the base portions, tank connecting portions may be formed along the outer edges of the seal seat grooves, the heat exchanger may further include a gasket having peripheral portions fitted into the seal seat grooves of the header, the gasket having a pair of bridges configured to connect the peripheral portions in the width direction and disposed adjacent to the dummy tube contact portion of the header, a lower end of the tank may be fitted into the seal seat groove of the header and coupled to the tank coupling portion of the header, a pair of partition walls may be integrally formed in the tank, and the partition walls may be fixedly attached to and coupled to the bridges.

[0026] In addition, the heat exchanger may further include: dummy tubes inserted into the dummy tube insertion holes of the manifold and connected to the dummy tube contact portions; and heat radiating fins inserted between the plurality of heat exchange medium tubes. [Beneficial Effects]

[0027] According to the heat exchanger of the present invention, the joint area between the header and the pipe is increased, which can reduce the stress acting on the pipe due to heat, impact and the like.

[0028] This can reduce the likelihood of leakage caused by a crack in the connecting section between the header and the pipe and increase the service life of the heat exchanger. [Description of the drawings] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views showing a header tank and a collector for an integrated heat exchanger in the related art. The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are perspective views showing a header of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing the header of the heat exchanger according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The Fig. 6 to 9 are cross-sectional views showing cross sections along lines AA', BB' and CC' in the Fig. Show 5. The Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a header of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The Fig. 11 is a top plan view showing the header of the heat exchanger according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are cross-sectional views showing cross sections along the lines DD' and EE' in the Fig. Show 11. The Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing the heat exchanger according to the present invention. [Embodiments]

[0029] Hereinafter, a heat exchanger of the present invention arranged as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The Fig. 3 to 5 are perspective views and a top side plan view showing a header of a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6 to 9 are cross-sectional views showing cross sections along lines AA', BB' and CC' in the Fig. Show 5.

[0031] As shown, a header 110 of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention may essentially include base portions 110-1, tube contact portions 113 having tube insertion holes 112 and concave portions 113-1, as well as seal seat grooves 111 and tank connection portions 111-1.

[0032] First, the collector 110 may be integrally formed by plastically deforming a sheet metal using a press. Furthermore, an approximate shape of the collector 110 may be a rectangular shape with a length that is relatively larger than a width.

[0033] The base portion 110-1 is a portion serving as a base. The tube contact portion 113 may protrude toward a container, that is, an upper surface based on the base portion 110-1, and a groove 115 may be concavely formed toward a lower surface, that is, in a direction opposite to a direction in which the tube contact portion 113 protrudes. That is, the base portion 110-1 may be a portion where the tube contact portion 113 and the groove 115 meet. Further, as illustrated, the base portion 110-1 may be formed as a very fine portion. The base portion 110-1 may be almost nonexistent or shaped to have a relatively large area in accordance with the size of the header 110, a distance between the tube contact portions 113, or the like.

[0034] The seal seating groove 111 is a region into which a seal, to be described below, is inserted or inserted. The seal seating groove 111 may be formed with a downward concave along the entire circumference of the base portion 110-1. Furthermore, the seal seating groove 111 may be formed with a downward concave further than the groove 115.

[0035] The reservoir connection portion 111-1 is a portion of the header 110 to which a reservoir 130 can be securely connected. The reservoir connection portion 111-1 may be formed along an outer edge of the seal seat groove 111. For example, the reservoir connection portion 111-1 may protrude upward from an upper end of the outer edge of the seal seat groove 111. The plurality of reservoir connection portions 111-1 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the entire outer edge of the seal seat groove 111.

[0036] A heat exchange medium tube in which a heat exchange medium flows is inserted into the tube contact portion 113 and connected to the tube contact portion 113 by brazing. The tube contact portion 113 is a portion that connects the header 110 and the heat exchange medium tube. The tube insertion hole 112 may be formed in the tube contact portion 113, and the heat exchange medium tube may be inserted into the tube insertion hole 112. Furthermore, the tube contact portion 113 may be formed in a shape that protrudes upward from a periphery of the tube insertion hole 112. Furthermore, the tube contact portions 113 may be provided as a plurality of tube contact portions 113, and the plurality of tube contact portions 113 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] The concave portion 113-1 may be formed between two opposite ends of the pipe contact portion 113 based on a width direction. The concave portion 113-1 may be shaped concavely downward from an upper end of the pipe contact portion 113.

[0038] Therefore, the contact area (connection area) between the pipe contact portion of the header and the heat exchanger medium pipe is increased, which can reduce the stress on the pipe caused by heat, impact, etc. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the probability of leakage caused by a crack in the connection portion between the header and the pipe and increase the service life of the heat exchanger.

[0039] Furthermore, the groove 115 is formed on the base of the base portion 110-1 with a downward concave shape and is provided between the adjacent tube contact portions 113. A depressed portion 115-1 that is downwardly concave while corresponding to the concave portion 113-1 formed in the tube contact portion 113 can be formed in the groove 115. Therefore, the concave portion 113-1 can be formed to have a relatively large depth, which can further increase the contact area between the tube contact portion 113 and the heat exchange medium tube. In addition, the occurrence of a rapidly curved surface can be reduced, making it advantageous to uniformly maintain the thickness of a material corresponding to the mold during pressing. Furthermore, horizontal portions 115-2 whose bottom surfaces are parallel to the width direction can be formed at two opposite ends of the groove 115 based on the width direction.The recessed section 115-1 may be formed between the horizontal sections 115-2.

[0040] Furthermore, straight portions 113-2 having flat tops may be formed at two opposite ends of the tube contact portion 113 in the width direction. The concave portion 113-1 may be formed between the straight portions 113-2. Further, the straight portion 113-2 and the concave portion 113-1 may be connected obliquely to each other. That is, the straight portion 113-2 and the concave portion 113-1 may be connected in a shape that slopes downward from the straight portions 113-2 on the two opposite sides in the width direction to the concave portion 113-1 in the center. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the contact area between the tube contact portion 113 and the heat exchange medium tube.

[0041] Furthermore, the straight portions 113-2 can be arranged at the two opposite ends of the tube contact portion 113 in the width direction adjacent to the seal seat grooves 111. Therefore, the straight portion 113-2, which has a relatively large connection area with the heat exchange medium tube, can be positioned at an edge of the header 110 where the stress caused by heat or vibration is high, thereby reducing the load.

[0042] The Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is a perspective view and a top plan view showing a header of a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are cross-sectional views showing cross sections along the lines DD' and EE' in the Fig. Show 11.

[0043] As shown, the two opposite ends in the width direction of the pipe contact portion 113 may be formed to be spaced inward from the seal seat groove 111 in the width direction. That is, the two opposite ends in the width direction of the pipe contact portion 113 do not have straight portions with flat upper surfaces. The two opposite ends in the width direction of the pipe contact portion 113 may be directly obliquely connected to the concave portion 113-1. Therefore, the pipe contact portion 113 is arranged at a position spaced from the edge of the header 110 where the stress caused by heat or vibration is high, thereby reducing the stress.

[0044] In addition, with reference to the Fig. 9, in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the base portions 110-1 are positioned outside the pipe contact portions 113 at the two opposite ends of the header 110 based on the longitudinal direction without a groove and a concave portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gasket from being squeezed while being pulled out at the time of fitting the gasket into the gasket seat groove 111 of the header 110 and connecting the container 130.

[0045] Furthermore, the header 110 for the heat exchanger of the present invention may also include dummy tube contact portions 117. A dummy tube insertion hole 116 may be formed in the dummy tube contact portion 117, and a dummy tube may be inserted into the dummy tube insertion hole. Further, the dummy tube contact portion 117 may be formed in a shape that protrudes upward from a periphery of the dummy tube insertion hole 116. Moreover, the dummy tube contact portions 117 may be provided as a plurality of dummy tube contact portions 117, and the plurality of dummy tube contact portions 117 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the tube contact portions 113 may be arranged on the two opposite sides of the header 110 in the longitudinal direction, and the dummy tube contact portion 117 may be arranged between the tube contact portions 113.Furthermore, portions between the dummy tube contact portions 117, that is, portions between the dummy tube contact portion 117 and two opposite sides along the longitudinal direction adjacent to the dummy tube contact portion 117, may be formed to slope downward from the central portion along the width direction to the two opposite ends along the width direction. Furthermore, the two opposite ends along the width direction of the two opposite sides along the longitudinal direction adjacent to the dummy tube contact portion 117 may be obliquely connected to the bottom surface of the seal seat groove 111.

[0046] Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thermal stress on the connecting portions between the header 110 and the tubes by a complex structure of a region where the tube contact portions 113 are formed and a region where the dummy tube contact portions 117 are formed.

[0047] The Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing the heat exchanger according to the present invention.

[0048] As shown, the header tank 100 constituting the heat exchanger of the present invention may include the header 110, a gasket 120, and the tank 130 with partition walls 140.

[0049] The gasket 120 may include a peripheral portion 121 and a pair of bridges 122. The overall shape of the peripheral portion 121 may correspond to the seal seat groove 111 of the collector 110. A cross section of the peripheral portion 121 may be circular. Further, the pair of bridges 122 may connect the peripheral portions 121 in the width direction. The two bridges 122 may be formed to be arranged on two opposite sides with the dummy tube contact portion 117 interposed therebetween. Furthermore, the pair of bridges 122 may each be formed in a flat band shape.

[0050] The tank 130 is a part connected to the header 110 and configured to define a space in which the heat exchange medium is stored and flows. The tank 130 may be shaped as if a container is turned upside down, and a foot portion 131 may protrude from a peripheral portion, that is, a lower end of the tank 130. The gasket seat groove 111 of the header 110 is inserted into the foot portion 131. The tank 130 can be firmly connected to the header 110 by pressing and bending the tank connecting portion 111-1 of the header 110 toward the foot portion 131 in the state where the peripheral portion 121 of the gasket 120 is disposed between the foot portion 131 and the gasket seat groove 111. Further, the pair of partition walls 140 may be integrated into the container 130, and the partition wall 140 may be formed at a position corresponding to the bridge 122.Furthermore, the bridge 122 can be inserted and firmly attached between the partition wall 140 and the collector 110 when the container 130 is coupled after the seal 120 has been mounted on the collector 110.

[0051] Therefore, the header tank 100 of the heat exchanger according to the present invention can allow the heat exchange media to flow longitudinally to the two opposite sides of the pair of partition walls 140 without mixing. Since there is no heat exchange medium in the space between the two partition walls 140, the space between the two partition walls 140 can serve to block heat between the two opposite sides.

[0052] Moreover, a heat exchanger 1000 of the present invention may broadly include the pair of header tanks 100, the plurality of heat exchange medium tubes 200, dummy tubes 300, and a plurality of heat radiating fins 400.

[0053] The collection tanks 100 can define flow paths through which the heat exchange medium flows. The collection tanks 100 can be arranged parallel to each other and at specific distances from each other. Furthermore, the tank of the collection tank 100 can have an inlet pipe through which the heat exchange medium is introduced and an outlet pipe through which the heat exchange medium is discharged.

[0054] The heat exchange medium tube 200 defines a flow path for the heat exchange medium when two opposite ends of the heat exchange medium tube 200 are inserted into the tube insertion holes 112 formed in the header 110 of the header tank 100 and then secured by brazing or the like. The heat exchange medium tube 200 is a portion in which the heat exchange medium performs heat exchange while flowing through the heat exchange medium tube 200.

[0055] The two opposite ends of the dummy tube 300 can be inserted into the dummy tube insertion holes 116 formed in the header 110 of the header tank 100 and then secured by brazing or the like. Furthermore, the dummy tube 300 can have a shape with two closed opposite ends, and no heat exchange medium can flow into the dummy tube 300.

[0056] The heat-radiating fins 400 can be inserted between the heat exchange medium tubes 200 and connected by brazing or the like. The heat-radiating fins 400 can serve to increase the heat dissipation areas and thereby improve heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, the heat-radiating fins 400 can be arranged between the dummy tubes 300. The heat-radiating fins 400 can be arranged between the dummy tube 300 and the heat exchange medium tube 200.

[0057] Therefore, in the heat exchanger of the present invention based on the partition wall 140 and the dummy tube 300, a first heat exchanger part 1000-1 may be provided on one side along the longitudinal direction, and a second heat exchanger part 1000-2 may be provided on the other side. Furthermore, the first heat exchanger part 1000-1 and the second heat exchanger part 1000-2 may each have inlet pipes and outlet pipes, so that different heat exchange media can flow into the first heat exchanger part 1000-1 and the second heat exchanger part 1000-2, or heat exchange media with different temperatures can flow into the first heat exchanger part 1000-1 and the second heat exchanger part 1000-2.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the scope of application is diverse. Of course, various modifications and implementations may be made by anyone skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, without departing from the scope of the present invention claimed in the claims. [Description of reference symbols]

[0059] 1000: Heat exchanger, 1000-1: First heat exchanger part, 1000-2: Second heat exchanger part, 100: Collection container, 110: Collector, 110-1: Base section, 111: Seal seat groove, 111-1: Tank connection section, 112: Pipe insertion hole, 113: Pipe contact section, 113-1: Concave section, 113-2: Straight section, 115: Groove, 115-1: Recessed section, 115-2: Horizontal section, 116: Dummy tube insertion hole, 117: Dummy tube contact section, 120: Seal, 121: Peripheral section, 122: Bridge, 130: Container, 131: Foot section, 140: Partition, 200: Heat exchanger medium tube, 300: Dummy tube, 400: Heat radiating fin QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 10-2019-0033710 A

[0009]

Claims

[1] A heat exchanger with: a collector including base portions, a plurality of pipe contact portions having pipe insertion holes formed through the base portions, the plurality of pipe contact portions projecting from the peripheries of the pipe insertion holes toward a container and arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, and concave portions provided in at least some of the plurality of pipe contact portions formed at two opposite ends based on a width direction and formed concave in a direction opposite to a direction in which the pipe contact portions project; the container coupled to the collector and adapted to define a space in which a heat exchange medium is stored and flows; and several heat exchange medium tubes inserted into the tube insertion holes of the header and connected to the tube contact sections. [2] The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein grooves are formed between the adjacent tube contact portions, and recessed portions which are concave in the same direction as the concave portions are arranged in at least some of the grooves. [3] The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the depressed portion further protrudes in a direction opposite to the container from the remaining portion of the groove other than the depressed portion. [4] The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the width of the recessed portion and the width of the concave portion are defined at the same level. [5] The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein a recess depth of the recessed portion and a recess depth of the concave portion are defined at the same level. [6] The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the recessed portion and the concave portion are formed simultaneously. [7] The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein straight portions having flat tops are formed at two opposite ends of the tube contact portion in the width direction, and the concave portion is arranged between the straight portions formed at the two opposite ends. [8] The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein a projection height of the straight portion is greater than a projection height of the concave portion. [9] The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the concave portion and the straight portions at the two opposite ends of the tube contact portion are obliquely connected in the width direction. [10] The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein no straight portion having a flat top is provided at two opposite ends of the tube contact portion in the width direction, and the two opposite ends of the tube contact portion in the width direction and the concave portion are obliquely connected. [11] The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the base portions are provided outside the tube contact portions arranged at the two opposite ends in the longitudinal direction without a groove and a concave portion. [12] The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the header further comprises dummy tube contact portions having dummy tube insertion holes formed through the base portions, the dummy tube contact portions projecting from the peripheries of the dummy tube insertion holes toward the tank, and the dummy tube contact portion and two opposite sides based on the longitudinal direction and adjacent to the dummy tube contact portion are formed to be inclined downward from a central portion in both the width direction and the two opposite ends. [13] The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein the two widthwise opposite ends of the dummy tube contact portion have a smaller projection height than the central portion. [14] The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of tube contact portions are respectively arranged on the two opposite sides of each of the base portions in the longitudinal direction, and the dummy tube contact portion is arranged longitudinally between the two opposite sides. [15] The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein the collector has seal seat grooves formed concave downwards along the peripheries of the base portions, wherein container connection portions are formed along the outer edges of the seal seat grooves, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a gasket having peripheral portions inserted into the gasket seat grooves of the header, the gasket having a pair of bridges configured to connect the peripheral portions in the width direction and disposed adjacent to the dummy tube contact portion of the header, wherein a lower end of the container is inserted into the seal seat groove of the collector and connected to the container connection portion of the collector, and wherein a pair of partition walls is integrated into the container and the partition walls are firmly connected and coupled to the bridges. [16] The heat exchanger of claim 15, further comprising: Dummy tubes inserted into the dummy tube insertion holes of the collector and connected to the dummy tube contact sections; and heat-radiating fins arranged between the plurality of heat exchanger medium tubes.

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