HEAT EXCHANGER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger, preferably a liquid-gas cooler, in particular an oil-air cooler, for heat exchange between a first fluid, preferably a liquid, in particular hydraulic oil, and a second fluid, preferably a gas, in particular air, comprising: a heat exchanger block forming two transverse sides, two longitudinal sides, a front and a rear side, with first fluid guide elements for the first fluid and with second fluid guide elements for the second fluid, wherein the second fluid guide elements are enclosed by end strips on the transverse sides, two fluid receiving tanks along the transverse sides of the heat exchanger block for distributing the first fluid onto the first fluid guide elements or for collecting the first fluid exiting the first fluid guide elements, wherein the fluid receiving tanks are each laterally closed with fluid receiving tank end pieces, and a mounting bracket for mounting the heat exchanger on a support body.

[0002] Such a heat exchanger, designed as a liquid cooler, is known from WO 2016 / 172741. The liquid cooler has two distribution boxes on either side of a plate pack for heat exchange between the fluids. The distribution boxes are formed from extruded profiles, which are closed laterally with end pieces. Guide grooves are provided on the distribution boxes to which platforms for the liquid supply and discharge can be connected. The mechanical connection points, however, are provided on the plate pack. In the prior art, two U-shaped mounting profiles with laterally projecting mounting flanges are attached along the longitudinal sides for this purpose. Mounting holes for installing the liquid cooler at the installation site are formed on these flanges. In practice, the U-shaped mounting profiles are joined to the plate pack in a brazing process.The end pieces, however, are welded to the distribution boxes. A disadvantage is the complex design of the known liquid cooler, with its many individual parts that require time-consuming assembly. A further drawback is that the mounting forces caused by the weight of the heat exchanger or vibrations at the installation site are applied lengthwise to the plate pack via the U-shaped mounting profiles. In a liquid cooler configuration, however, the cooler can incorporate delicate air fins. Unfortunately, to enable the plate pack to absorb these mounting forces, it is necessary to provide elongated U-shaped mounting profiles, which, in the known cooler, essentially cover the entire length of the cooler. Finally, it would be desirable to also be able to reduce the installation width of the liquid cooler.

[0003] The general state of the art is further illustrated by JP2005337530A, JPH11142084A, WO2016036190A1 and US6470961B1.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to alleviate or eliminate at least some disadvantages of the prior art. Accordingly, a heat exchanger of this type is to be created in which the assembly forces can be absorbed more effectively and with a simplified design.

[0005] This problem is solved by a heat exchanger according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, the heat exchanger has a mounting and finishing part on which i. the mounting bracket and ii. the fluid reservoir end piece and / or iii. one of the end strips for the second fluid guide elements are trained.

[0007] In the heat exchanger according to the invention, the mounting bracket is combined either with the fluid reservoir end piece or with one of the end caps for the second fluid guide elements (or with the fluid reservoir end piece and the end cap) to form the mounting and finishing component. In the prior art, these components were separate from the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be fixed to the support body by means of a connecting device in order to mount the heat exchanger at the installation site, for example, on the frame of a vehicle. In the mounted state, the mounting forces, in particular the weight of the heat exchanger, but also vibrations of the support body, are transferred to the heat exchanger via the mounting bracket.According to the invention, the mounting bracket can now be connected to the fluid receiving vessel end piece in a force-dissipating manner, which in turn is firmly connected to the respective fluid receiving vessel, in particular via a welded connection. Alternatively or additionally, the mounting bracket can be connected to the respective end cap in a force-dissipating manner, which can also be firmly connected to the fluid receiving vessel, in particular via a further welded connection. Both the fluid receiving vessel and the end cap are stable, especially compared to the first fluid guiding elements, which preferably have turbulators, or the second fluid guiding elements, which preferably have gas vanes. Advantageously, the mounting bracket can thus be provided on one of the opposite longitudinal sides of the heat exchanger, as in the prior art, but now the forces are transferred to the fluid receiving vessel or the end cap in a particularly favorable manner.The load is diverted into the end cap. This makes it possible to reduce the stress on the heat exchanger block, particularly on the sensitive gas fins of the heat exchanger block. Furthermore, the mounting bracket can be made smaller compared to the prior art without compromising stability. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting bracket therefore extends over less than half the longitudinal extent, in particular less than a quarter of the longitudinal extent, for example less than a tenth of the longitudinal extent, of the long side of the heat exchanger block on which the mounting and end cap is located. The embodiment according to the invention also offers further advantages.The fluid reservoir end pieces of prior art are delicate and small in area, designed to cover the lateral openings of the fluid reservoirs, which are formed particularly near the longitudinal sides and which in particular have extruded profiles. This made connecting, especially joining, preferably welding, the end piece to the fluid reservoir difficult. Integrating the end piece and mounting bracket into the mounting and end piece significantly simplifies the connection to the fluid reservoir. Furthermore, the mounting bracket can be combined with one of the end caps, which enclose the end faces of the second fluid guide elements, which in particular have gas, preferably air, fins. The end caps are necessary in this heat exchanger to seal the end faces of the second fluid guide elements against the fluid reservoirs.This prevents the first and second fluids from mixing. The end bars, also called "short bars," can be formed by cuboid end bars, and depending on the design, may also have a triangular projection on the cuboid end bar. It is particularly advantageous if one of these end bars, especially one of the two side end bars adjacent to one of the longitudinal sides of the heat exchanger block, is formed on the mounting and end piece. This improves force transmission and allows for a material-saving design. An embodiment in which the fluid reservoir end piece, the mounting bracket, and the end bar are integrated into the mounting and end piece is particularly favorable. Advantageously, the mounting and end piece can be arranged in a corner area of ​​the heat exchanger block.During assembly, the fluid reservoir end piece, the mounting bracket and the end strip can be positioned simultaneously in their final assembly position relative to each other on the heat exchanger block by arranging the mounting and end part.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the assembly and finishing part is connected to the fluid receiving container and / or the heat exchanger block via at least one joining connection, in particular a welding, soldering or adhesive connection.

[0009] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fluid reservoir end piece and / or the mounting bracket and / or the end cap are formed integrally with the mounting and end cap. In this embodiment, the mounting and end cap is preferably formed from a single piece in which the fluid reservoir end piece, the mounting bracket, and preferably also the end cap merge seamlessly. For this integral design, the mounting and end cap can be made of aluminum, for example, as a casting. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid reservoir end piece and / or the mounting bracket and / or the end cap are connected to one another by joining connections, for example, welded joints. It is essential, however, that the joining connection is sufficiently rigid to transfer the assembly forces absorbed at the mounting bracket into the end piece on the fluid reservoir or the mounting bracket.be derived into the bottom bar.

[0010] To form the mounting bracket, in a preferred embodiment the mounting and end piece has a mounting rail, in particular with an undercut, wherein the mounting rail preferably extends substantially over the entire depth of the heat exchanger block, i.e., substantially over the entire extent of the heat exchanger block from its back to its front. This embodiment offers particularly high variability because, depending on the application, the mounting rail can be used to connect different versions of a connecting device for attachment to the support body. Preferably, the connecting device has a mounting screw, and in particular also a nut, which can be tightened on the mounting rail.Furthermore, the connecting device can include a connector, in particular a mounting bracket or a mounting rail, wherein the connector can be fixed to the mounting rail via the mounting screw. The connector can be connected to the support body via a further mounting means, in particular with at least one further mounting screw. Advantageously, the heat exchanger is kept particularly compact, since mounting parts projecting laterally from the heat exchanger block can be reduced or eliminated entirely. In a design with an undercut, the connecting device can be held particularly securely on the mounting rail. Preferably, the mounting rail is elongated in the depth direction of the heat exchanger block, and preferably extends substantially over the entire depth of the heat exchanger block.Preferably, the second fluid guide element is cut out in the area of ​​the mounting and end piece to create space for the mounting and end piece. Thus, this second fluid guide element has a shorter longitudinal extent compared to adjacent second fluid guide elements.

[0011] The mounting rail preferably has a base and two side walls projecting from the base, particularly at right angles. Preferably, the mounting rail also has two opposing rail tongues, particularly perpendicular to the side walls, at the ends of the side walls furthest from the base, with an elongated mounting opening left between the rail tongues. The rail tongues form the undercut for the positive-locking arrangement of a part of the connecting device in the mounting rail. The mounting rail can have a T-shaped cross-section, perpendicular to its longitudinal extent.

[0012] Advantageously, the mounting rail forms the basic module of a mounting system that can be combined with a variety of different connecting devices.

[0013] As is customary in the prior art, the heat exchanger block can have an end plate on each of its two longitudinal sides. The end plates extend over more than half the longitudinal extent of the heat exchanger block. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting bracket of the mounting and end piece is recessed at least partially, and preferably substantially completely, inwards relative to the adjacent end plate of the heat exchanger block. In this embodiment, the mounting bracket, which is preferably designed as a mounting rail, does not project laterally outwards beyond the end plate. The mounting bracket is arranged perpendicular to the main plane of the second fluid guide element, at least overlapping, and preferably in the plane of the second fluid guide element. This allows the width of the heat exchanger, i.e.,Its extension in the longitudinal direction of the transverse sides of the heat exchanger block is minimized, thereby facilitating the transport and installation of the heat exchanger.

[0014] To enable the heat exchanger to be attached to the support body by means of a connecting device in the mounting rail, the mounting rail preferably has an elongated mounting opening at the mounting and end section, particularly one that extends in the depth direction of the heat exchanger block and is arranged essentially flush with an outer surface of the end plate of the heat exchanger block. Furthermore, the mounting rail can have a lateral mounting opening at at least one of its longitudinal ends, and in particular at both longitudinal ends, which extends to the front or rear of the heat exchanger block.During assembly, an element, in particular a mounting screw, of the connecting device can be inserted through the lateral mounting opening, moved along the mounting rail, and fixed in the intended mounting position. The element, in particular the mounting screw, of the connecting device protrudes laterally outwards through the elongated mounting opening to establish the connection with the support body at the mounting location. In this embodiment, the elongated mounting opening runs in the plane of the outer surface of the end plate on the longitudinal side of the heat exchanger block.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the end cap connects to a side wall of the mounting rail. This design is structurally very simple and also requires minimal material. The mounting rail has a base and two projecting side walls, with the end cap being formed as a single unit and connecting to the side wall facing the second fluid guide element, so that the end cap faces the second fluid guide element. Depending on the design, the end cap can, for example, have a cuboid base body on which a projection with, for example, a substantially triangular cross-section, viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail, can be provided.

[0016] To achieve a uniform outer surface on the longitudinal side of the heat exchanger, the mounting and end piece in a preferred embodiment has an end flange that laterally surrounds an end region of the second fluid guide element. The end flange is preferably arranged parallel to the end plate on the same longitudinal side, particularly in the same plane as the end plate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a thermal joint is formed between the end flange and the end plate. Advantageously, this eliminates the need for thermal joints in the end plate.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, at least two mounting and closing parts are provided at two corner areas of the heat exchanger block, preferably four mounting and closing parts at four corner areas of the heat exchanger block.

[0018] The invention is further explained below with reference to a preferred embodiment in the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an expanded view of a heat exchanger according to the invention with a heat exchanger block and a fan. Fig. 2 shows another view of the heat exchanger of the Fig. 1 . Fig. 3 shows the heat exchanger block of the heat exchanger of the Fig. 1 and 2 . Fig. 4 shows a front view of the heat exchanger block of the Fig. 1 bis 3 , with detail A highlighted. Fig. 5 Detail A shows the Fig. 4 on a larger scale. Fig. 6 shows a mounting and finishing part which is attached to a corner area of ​​the heat exchanger block of the Fig. 1 bis 5 is being assembled. Fig. 7 shows a Fig. 2 The corresponding view of the heat exchanger shows various connection devices for mounting the heat exchanger on a (not shown) support body in exploded view.

[0019] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a heat exchanger 1, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a "plate and bar" cooler for heat exchange between a first fluid, here a liquid, in particular hydraulic oil, and a second fluid, here a gas, in particular air. The heat exchanger can be mounted in any position at the installation site, with the heat exchanger 1 being arranged vertically in the illustrated embodiment. For a different mounting position, the location and direction specifications, such as "top" and "bottom," must be transferred accordingly. The heat exchanger 1 has a cuboid-shaped heat exchanger block 2 (see also Figure 1). Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 ) with a front face 3, an opposing rear face 4 arranged parallel thereto, two opposing transverse sides 5, which in the illustrated embodiment are configured as the top and bottom, and two opposing longitudinal sides 6, which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the transverse sides 5. The heat exchanger block 2 has a transverse extent along, i.e., in the longitudinal direction, of the transverse sides 5, a longitudinal extent along the longitudinal sides 6, and a depth perpendicular to the front face 3 and rear face 4, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse and longitudinal extents of the heat exchanger block 2 are each several times greater than the depth of the heat exchanger block 2. The transverse extent can substantially correspond to the longitudinal extent of the heat exchanger block 2, i.e., the front face 3 and the rear face 4 of the heat exchanger block 2 can be substantially square. However, the heat exchanger block 2 can also have a rectangular front face 3 and rear face 4, respectively.The heat exchanger block 2 is formed from first fluid guide elements 7 for the first fluid, which preferably include turbulators, and second fluid guide elements 8, here gas, in particular air, fins, for the second fluid, which preferably alternate along the transverse sides 5. The second fluid guide elements 8 are enclosed on their transverse sides, i.e., in the illustrated mounting position of the heat exchanger, at the top and bottom, by end bars 9 (so-called "short bars"), which preferably extend over the entire depth of the second fluid guide elements 8. Similarly, the first fluid guide elements 7 can be enclosed longitudinally by side bars (so-called "side bars"), which preferably extend over the entire longitudinal extent of the heat exchanger block 2 (not shown).

[0020] The heat exchanger 1 also has two fluid receiving reservoirs 10, which in the illustrated embodiment are formed by a distribution reservoir 10A on one transverse side of the heat exchanger block, here the underside, and a collection reservoir 10B on the other transverse side of the heat exchanger block, here the top side. Guide grooves 23 are provided on the fluid receiving reservoirs 10, to which platforms for the fluid supply and / or fluid discharge can be connected (see WO2016172741A1). A fluid supply opening 10C is provided on the distribution reservoir 10A, which can be connected to the fluid supply line. At least one, here two, fluid discharge openings 10D are formed on the collection reservoir 10B, which can be connected to the fluid discharge.

[0021] The two fluid receiving tanks 10 extend along the transverse sides of the heat exchanger block 2, such that the first fluid channels formed by the first fluid guide elements 7 are each connected to the distribution tank 10A and the collection tank 10B. The fluid receiving tanks 10 are formed by downwardly open, elongated profile sections, in particular extruded profiles, which are mounted on the transverse sides of the heat exchanger block 2. Lateral openings are formed at the longitudinal ends of the fluid receiving tanks 10, adjacent to the longitudinal sides 6 of the heat exchanger block 2, and these openings are closed by fluid receiving tank end pieces 11. End plates with a constant wall thickness are provided as end pieces 11. The first fluid flows from the distribution tank 10A through the first fluid channels into the collection tank 10B, transferring heat to the second fluid during this process.For this purpose, the heat exchanger 1 in the illustrated embodiment has a fan 12 with a fan housing 12A and a fan wheel 12B, with which the second fluid, here air, is conveyed through second fluid channels of the second fluid guide elements 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the main flow direction of the second fluid is essentially perpendicular to the front 3 and rear 4 of the heat exchanger block 2 and thus perpendicular to the main flow direction of the first fluid along the first fluid channels.

[0022] To enable the heat exchanger 1 to be mounted on a support body at the installation site, the heat exchanger 1 has mounting brackets 13 for attaching the heat exchanger 1 to the support body. In the embodiment shown, the mounting bracket 13 is also used to connect the fan housing 12A of the fan 12 to the heat exchanger block 2.

[0023] In the embodiment shown, four mounting and end pieces 14 are provided at the four corner regions of the heat exchanger block 2. Each of these pieces incorporates one of the fluid reservoir end pieces 11, one of the mounting brackets 13, and one of the end strips 9 for one of the two second fluid guide elements 8 adjacent to the longitudinal sides (referred to in the drawing as the lateral second fluid guide element 8A). Thus, each mounting and end piece has an end piece 11, a mounting bracket 13, and an end strip 9 integrally formed with it.

[0024] As from Fig. 1 bis 4 Overview and from Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 As can be seen in detail, the mounting and end part 14 for forming the mounting bracket 13 has a mounting rail 15 which extends in the depth direction of the heat exchanger block 2. The mounting rail 15 has a front mounting opening 16 which, in the illustrated embodiment, extends over the entire depth of the heat exchanger block 2. In addition, the mounting rail 15 has a lateral mounting opening 17 at each of its longitudinal ends, which, in the mounted state, extend to the front 3 and rear 4 of the heat exchanger block 2, respectively.

[0025] As from Fig. 1 As can be seen, the heat exchanger block 2 has an end plate 18 on each of its two opposite longitudinal sides, with the mounting bracket 13 of the mounting and end piece 14 being completely recessed inwards, i.e., towards the center of the heat exchanger block 2, relative to the respective adjacent end plate 18. In this embodiment, the elongated mounting opening 16 on the longitudinal side of the heat exchanger block 2 is essentially flush with an outer surface of the respective end plate 18. A solder plate 18A can also be arranged between the end plate 18 and the adjacent second fluid guide element 8. However, the end plate 18 and the solder plate 18A can also be formed as a single unit.

[0026] How in detail from Fig. 6 As can be seen, the mounting rail 15 has a rail base 19, two side walls 20 projecting at right angles to it, and two rail tongues 21 projecting at right angles from the outer ends of the side walls 20, leaving the elongated mounting opening 16 clear. The end strip 9 projects from one of the side walls 20 of the mounting rail 15 towards the adjacent end face or narrow side of the second fluid guide element. Finally, the mounting and end part 14 has an end flange 22 that laterally encloses one of the two end regions of the second fluid guide element 8, i.e., in the illustrated embodiment, the upper or the lower end region.

[0027] Fig. 7 shows a Fig. 2The corresponding view of the heat exchanger 1 shows various connecting devices 24 to 27. Depending on the application, one of these connecting devices 24 to 27 can be mounted on the mounting rail 15. The heat exchanger 1 is mounted to a support body (not shown) using the respective connecting device.

[0028] Reference number list: 1 Heat exchanger 2 Heat exchanger block 3 Front 4 Rear 5 Transverse sides 6 Longitudinal sides 7 First fluid guide elements 8 Second fluid guide elements 8A Lateral second fluid guide element 9 End caps 10 Fluid reservoir 10A Distribution reservoir 10B Collection reservoir 10C Fluid inlet 10D Fluid outlets 11 Fluid reservoir end pieces 12 Fan 12A Fan housing 13 Mounting bracket 14 Mounting and end cap 15 Mounting rail 16 Elongated mounting opening 17 Side mounting opening 18 End plate 18A Solder plate 19 Rail base 20 Side walls 21 Rail tongues 22 End flange 23 Guide grooves 24-27 Connecting devices

Claims

1. Heat exchanger (1), in particular oil-air cooler, for heat exchange between a first fluid, in particular hydraulic oil, and a second fluid, in particular air, comprising: a heat exchanger block (2) forming two transverse sides (5), two longitudinal sides (6), a front side (3) and a rear side (4) with first fluid guiding elements (7) for the first fluid and with second fluid guiding elements (8) for the second fluid, wherein the second fluid guiding elements (8) are enclosed at the transverse sides (5) by end profiles (9), two fluid receiving containers (10) along the transverse sides (5) of the heat exchanger block (2) for distributing the first fluid to the first fluid guiding elements (7) or for collecting the first fluid exiting from the first fluid guiding elements (7) respectively, wherein the fluid receiving containers (10) are each laterally closed by fluid receiving container end pieces (11), a mounting bracket (13) for mounting the heat exchanger (1) on a support body, characterized by a mounting and end part (14), on which i. the mounting bracket (13) and ii. the fluid receiving container end piece (11) and / or iii. one of the end profiles (9) for the second fluid guiding elements (8) are formed.

2. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid receiving container end piece (11), the mounting bracket (13) and / or the end profile (9) are formed in one piece at the mounting and end part (14).

3. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting and end part (14) for forming the mounting bracket (13) comprises a mounting rail (15), in particular with an undercut, which preferably extends essentially over the entire depth of the heat exchanger block (2).

4. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heat exchanger block (2) comprises one end plate (18) at each of the longitudinal sides (6), with the mounting bracket (13) of the mounting and end part (14) being at least partially, preferably fully, recessed inward with respect to the adjacent end plate (18) of the heat exchanger block (2).

5. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the mounting rail (15) at the mounting and end part (14) comprises an elongated mounting opening (16), which is arranged essentially flush with an outside of the end plate (18) of the heat exchanger block (2).

6. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the end profile (9) adjoins a side wall (20) of the mounting rail (15).

7. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the mounting and end part (14) comprises an end flange (22), which is arranged essentially in the same plane as an end plate (18) of the heat exchanger block (2), with preferably a thermal joint gap being formed between the end flange (22) and the end plate (18).

8. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least two mounting and end parts (14) are provided at two corner areas of the heat exchanger block (2), preferably four mounting and end parts (14) at four corner areas of the heat exchanger block (2).

9. Cooling system, comprising a support body, a heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, a connecting device (24, 25, 26, 27), which is fastened on the one hand to the support body and on the other hand to the mounting bracket (13) of the heat exchanger (1).