Heat exchanger for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger for a vehicle, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a refrigerant line assembly for heat exchange with air in a passenger area of ​​the rail vehicle, which is arranged between two opposing, end-face end plates and has no housing in the area between the end plates. The refrigerant line assembly includes connection points for the supply and discharge of refrigerant as well as fluid-tight line sections.According to the invention, the heat exchanger is designed for safety-critical refrigerants and comprises at least one sealing box that can be closed fluid-tight to the outside. This sealing box is connected to the refrigerant line assembly at one end face and forms or comprises the end plate there, through which refrigerant lines of the refrigerant line assembly are led into the interior of the sealing box. In the area free of the housing between the end plates, only fluid-tight sections of the refrigerant line assembly run, and preferably all connection points of the refrigerant line assembly are arranged within the at least one sealing box. The invention further relates to an air conditioning system and a vehicle with a heat exchanger according to the invention, as well as a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to the invention.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a vehicle, in particular for a rail vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1, an air conditioning system and a vehicle with such a system, as well as a method for manufacturing such a system.

[0002] Recently, the use of hydrocarbons as refrigerants for air conditioning systems has become increasingly established. These represent an environmentally friendly alternative to previously used refrigerants, particularly climate-damaging chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). While these hydrocarbon-based refrigerants are generally non-toxic, they are highly flammable and therefore require special safety precautions.

[0003] Particularly in the air conditioning of rail vehicles, flammable refrigerants such as the aforementioned hydrocarbon refrigerants are rarely used due to the associated risk of explosion and fire – neither as direct-evaporating nor as indirect-evaporating systems. One reason for this is the risk of flammable refrigerant leaking into an area accessible to people (e.g., a passenger area of ​​a train or a driver's cab), as well as the generally increased safety relevance of public transport.

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a heat exchanger that allows safe operation with safety-relevant refrigerants in a direct evaporating system and at the same time has a simple and compact design.

[0005] In this context, refrigerants that are safety-relevant are refrigerants that are potentially dangerous or hazardous to human health, in particular toxic refrigerants or flammable refrigerants such as propane (R290).

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a heat exchanger having the features of claim 1 and by a method for manufacturing such a heat exchanger according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] Accordingly, a heat exchanger for a vehicle, particularly a rail vehicle, is proposed, comprising a refrigerant line assembly for exchanging heat with air in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In the case of a rail vehicle, this could be, for example, a passenger train or a freight train. However, the present invention is not limited to rail vehicles, but could, for example, relate to a heat exchanger for a transport vehicle, a construction vehicle (e.g., an excavator), or any other vehicle. The heat exchanger can function as an evaporator in a single refrigeration circuit of an air conditioning system (direct evaporation), and its use as a condenser in a heat pump (or in the heat pump operation of a suitably designed air conditioning system) is also conceivable. For the purposes of this invention, a passenger compartment is defined as an area in which people are usually present or may be present (e.g.,Passengers or a driver). An area to which people only have access in certain controlled cases, for example for maintenance work, is not referred to as a passenger area.

[0008] The refrigerant line assembly is positioned between two opposing end plates and has no housing in the area between the end plates. The refrigerant lines of the assembly are therefore exposed in this area and are not enclosed by a housing or cover. This results in efficient heat exchange with the air flowing through the refrigerant line assembly and a simpler, lighter heat exchanger design. The refrigerant line assembly has fluid-tight sections and connection points for the supply and return of refrigerant. A connection point can be a valve or other fluid-carrying component, or simply a joint between two pipe sections.

[0009] According to the invention, the heat exchanger is designed for safety-critical refrigerants, in particular for flammable refrigerants such as R290. For this reason, the connection points of the refrigerant line assembly, where refrigerant leakage could potentially occur, must be located outside the passenger compartment and thus isolated from the section of the refrigerant line assembly located between the end plates, which is therefore in contact with the air in the passenger compartment. For this purpose, the heat exchanger comprises at least one sealing box that can be closed fluid-tight to the outside (i.e., also to the unhousing part of the refrigerant line assembly) and is connected to the refrigerant line assembly at one end face. This connection is physical or, in the broadest sense, "mechanical."

[0010] In this context, the lateral sections of the refrigerant piping assembly (i.e., not its top and bottom surfaces, nor its front and back surfaces perpendicular to the airflow) are referred to as end faces. These are the sides where the connection points are located, and these may be located on only one side of the refrigerant piping assembly.

[0011] The sealing box forms or encompasses the end plate at the relevant end face. The sealing box can comprise a housing, particularly a metal housing, which forms or encompasses the end plate in a section facing the refrigerant line assembly. Thus, it is conceivable that the end plate is part of the sealing box housing. Alternatively, the end plate can be part of the refrigerant line assembly and, as such, be fluid-tightly connected to the housing (e.g., a housing wall) of the sealing box. It is also conceivable that the end plate has a greater height and / or width than the rest of the sealing box housing and that the sealing box housing is attached to the end plate and fluid-tightly connected to it. In particular, however, the end plate can be considered part of the sealing box, regardless of its dimensions or the dimensions of the rest of the sealing box housing.

[0012] Refrigerant lines of the refrigerant line package are led through the end plate into the interior of the sealing box, wherein only fluid-tight line sections of the refrigerant line package run in the housing-free area between the end plates and preferably all connection points of the refrigerant line package are arranged within the at least one sealing box, i.e. behind the respective sealed end plate.

[0013] The term "fluid-tight and lockable" implies that the sealing box may optionally have at least one openable cover that is fluid-tight when closed. The term "fluid-tight and lockable" further implies that the sealing box is preferably ventilated or ventilable to an environment separate from the passenger compartment. In this context, the term "fluid-tight" refers to the tightness against the passage of gas and / or liquid.

[0014] The separation of the refrigerant line assembly's connection points via the end plate from the unenclosed portion of the refrigerant line assembly, which therefore only comprises fluid-tight sections, is designed to be permanently fluid-tight. The refrigerant line assembly is enclosed and bounded by the two end plates, with only a small portion of the refrigerant line assembly, comprising the connection points, located outside the unenclosed section between the end plates.

[0015] The at least one sealing box thus provides a fluid-tight seal between the potentially leak-prone connection points of the refrigerant line assembly and the passenger compartment (which can also be referred to as the supply air compartment). If a safety-critical refrigerant escapes (which can be liquid or gaseous), it remains within the sealing box or, if present, can only escape through designated vents to the surrounding environment, thus preventing any health hazards in the passenger compartment (for example, by creating a flammable atmosphere). The invention can be used, in particular, not only to ensure the safe installation of underfloor and roof-mounted air conditioning systems, but also for corresponding units in a vehicle roof or driver's console.

[0016] The sealing function is thus handled by at least one sealing box, while the area of ​​the refrigerant line assembly between the end plates is exposed to the air in the passenger compartment. This results in a compact and simple heat exchanger design that nevertheless meets the safety requirements of a direct-expansion system with a safety-critical refrigerant.

[0017] The sealing box can comprise a housing that is independently and completely located within a vehicle body. Alternatively, at least one of the walls of the sealing box housing can be formed by a vehicle body or at least one inner or outer wall. In this case, the relevant wall of the vehicle forms part of the sealing box.

[0018] The term "sealed box" is to be interpreted broadly and is not limited to a specific shape or material. Essentially, a sealed box can be a fluid-tight enclosure or compartment.

[0019] In one possible embodiment, the refrigerant line assembly is cuboid in shape, with the end plates preferably located on the smallest side faces of the refrigerant line assembly. In a normal, horizontal installation position, these can be located on both sides, while, for example, the front and back faces (in the direction of airflow) of the refrigerant line assembly represent the largest sides, and the top and bottom faces of the refrigerant line assembly can be situated between the front and back faces and the end faces. The end plates are aligned parallel to each other.

[0020] However, the refrigerant piping assembly is not limited to a cuboid shape, but can generally have any shape. Furthermore, it is conceivable that in a cuboid design, the end faces do not represent the smallest sides of the refrigerant piping assembly.

[0021] The at least one sealing box can have a height that essentially corresponds to the height of the refrigerant line assembly. This results in a compact and space-saving design of the heat exchanger.

[0022] In another possible embodiment, the at least one sealing box serves as a load-bearing structure and a support for the refrigerant line assembly. The at least one sealing box thus performs a dual function: firstly, it provides spatial insulation and sealing for the connection points, and secondly, it secures or supports the refrigerant line assembly. In principle, the refrigerant line assembly could be attached at other points and, for example, supported at the base. However, it is preferred that the refrigerant line assembly is held only at its two end plates. The end plates and the at least one sealing box therefore constitute the sole support or fastening structure for the refrigerant line assembly. The end plate itself can form the load-bearing structure and be part of the sealing box. Alternatively, the end plate can be attached to or within a load-bearing structure of the sealing box.

[0023] In another possible embodiment, a wall of the sealing box, which forms the end plate for the refrigerant line assembly, has feedthroughs through which refrigerant lines of the refrigerant line assembly are guided into the sealing box. The feedthroughs are preferably round and adapted to the diameters of the refrigerant lines. The feedthroughs are sealed to prevent any escaping refrigerant from entering the passenger compartment through the end plate. Preferably, the seal is formed by a filler compound, in particular a fire-resistant potting compound, which fills the feedthroughs and covers a portion of the refrigerant lines passing through them. The filler compound is preferably poured onto the side of the end plate facing away from the refrigerant line assembly after the refrigerant lines have been inserted and forms a fluid-tight barrier after drying.

[0024] The remaining seals of the sealing box can be manufactured by welding and / or gluing. Where rivets are used, this can be done using a wet process.

[0025] In another possible embodiment, the refrigerant line assembly is a finned tube assembly, with the fins preferably arranged parallel to the end plates. Alternatively or additionally, the fluid-tight sections of the refrigerant line assembly can run between the end plates and perpendicular to the fins.

[0026] In another possible embodiment, the sealing box includes an openable and fluid-tight cover to allow access to the connection points located inside the sealing box, for example, for maintenance or cleaning purposes. The cover can be a hinged flap. The cover can be located on the top or side wall of the sealing box. Preferably, the cover has a locking mechanism to prevent unintentional or unauthorized opening. An optical indicator can be provided to show whether the cover is properly, i.e., fluid-tightly, closed.

[0027] In another possible embodiment, the sealing box has at least one ventilation opening or connection through which the interior of the sealing box is ventilated or can be ventilated to the environment (i.e., in particular, to the exterior of the vehicle or at least to an exterior area of ​​the air conditioning system comprising the heat exchanger that is separate from the passenger compartment). This connection to the environment, especially to the outside air, allows for gas exchange and thus pressure relief away from the passenger compartment in the event of a refrigerant leak. The connection to the environment can be either permanent (i.e., the sealing box is "ventilated") or closable / openable (i.e., the sealing box is "ventilated"). Permanent ventilation is preferred and can be achieved, for example, through at least one grille and / or at least one completely open ventilation opening in an exterior wall of the vehicle or the air conditioning system.These can be connected to the interior of the sealing box via at least one ventilation connection or at least one ventilation channel. The sealing box can have one or more ventilation connections on its underside, which, for example, lead to ventilation openings formed in the vehicle.

[0028] In an alternative design variant, at least one ventilation opening or connection can be opened and closed via a closure element, e.g., a sealing flap or a valve. The closure element can be operated manually from outside the sealed box or by means of an actuator.

[0029] In another possible embodiment, it is provided that a flammable refrigerant, in particular R290, is used and is thus guided within the refrigerant piping package.

[0030] In another possible embodiment, the sealing box includes at least one opening for a refrigerant line, through which a refrigerant line is led from outside the sealing box into the interior of the sealing box and connected there to at least one connection point of the refrigerant line package.

[0031] Refrigerant is supplied to and removed from the refrigerant line assembly via at least one refrigerant line. The penetration for this at least one refrigerant line must, of course, also be sealed to the outside to prevent any refrigerant from escaping the sealing box. For this reason, the penetration for the at least one refrigerant line is sealed fluid-tight. This can be achieved, for example, by bonding or, similar to the penetrations in the end plate, by potting with a sealant. Optionally, sealing can be provided by means of bonded sealing discs surrounding the refrigerant lines.

[0032] In another possible embodiment, a sealing box is provided on only one side of the refrigerant line assembly. Thus, all connection points of the refrigerant line assembly are located on only one side, with the sealing box connected to these points on that side. In this case, the opposite end plate can be a freestanding mounting plate connected to the base, serving to support or hold the refrigerant line assembly. Alternatively, the opposite end plate can be a cover plate for the refrigerant line assembly that is not connected to the base and does not provide any support or holding function. In this case, the refrigerant line assembly can be held either only on one side by the sealing box or by additional supports or attached to the base.Alternatively, the opposite end plate can be a wall of a housing of another component, an area of ​​the air conditioning unit or vehicle (e.g., the roof area of ​​a rail vehicle), or a wall (e.g., an outer wall) of the vehicle.

[0033] In another possible embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises two sealing boxes connected to the refrigerant line assembly on opposite end faces, forming or encompassing the end plates. Preferably, the refrigerant line assembly hangs freely between the two lateral sealing boxes. Alternatively, the refrigerant line assembly can be connected to the floor or anchored to a wall of the rail vehicle via a further support, e.g., a mounting plate. In this case, all connection points of the refrigerant line assembly are located within the two sealing boxes. The sealing boxes can be identical or different in design.

[0034] In another possible embodiment, the heat exchanger includes a support device, in particular a support plate, which is connected to the refrigerant line assembly in the area between the end plates and supports it on the base. This allows for a more stable construction, especially with a longer refrigerant line assembly (i.e., a greater distance between the two end plates).

[0035] The invention further relates to an air conditioning system for a vehicle, in particular for a rail vehicle, which comprises at least one heat exchanger according to the invention. The same properties and advantages are evident as for the heat exchanger according to the invention, therefore a repetitive description is omitted. The air conditioning system preferably comprises exclusively a primary circuit in which the heat exchanger according to the invention is arranged (i.e., there is no secondary circuit, for example with brine as a heat transfer medium), wherein the air conditioning system may also comprise several primary circuits, each with one heat exchanger according to the invention or with at least one heat exchanger shared between the primary circuits. Direct evaporation of refrigerant preferably takes place via the at least one heat exchanger according to the invention.

[0036] Preferably, the air conditioning system comprises at least one compressor, at least one further heat exchanger (in particular a condenser or evaporator), and / or at least one supply fan. The heat exchanger according to the invention can function as an evaporator and be connected via refrigerant lines to a further heat exchanger functioning as a condenser. The air conditioning system can optionally be configured as a heat pump (or be operable as a heat pump in a heat pump mode), in which the heat exchanger according to the invention functions as a condenser and is connected via refrigerant lines to a further heat exchanger operating as an evaporator.

[0037] The air conditioning system may include one or more sensors for detecting refrigerant leakage. One or more such sensors may be located in at least one sealed box.

[0038] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a heat exchanger according to the invention. In this method, refrigerant lines of the refrigerant line assembly are guided through suitably designed penetrations in a wall of a sealing box, this wall forming an end plate of the refrigerant line assembly. Subsequently, a liquid and, in particular, fire-resistant filling compound is applied or poured (in particular, poured) into the remaining spaces of the penetrations between the end plate and the refrigerant lines passing through them. After the filling compound has hardened, the required fluid tightness to the refrigerant line assembly is achieved.

[0039] Preferably, after application, the filling compound covers the entire inside surface of the end plate in the area of ​​the refrigerant lines passing through it, to guarantee a clean seal. To facilitate the application, especially pouring, of the filling compound, the refrigerant line assembly can preferably be oriented so that the end plate to be sealed is positioned horizontally during application. If two sealing boxes are provided, the described process is carried out sequentially on both sides for both end plates.

[0040] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments explained below with reference to the figures. The figures show: Figure 1: a perspective view of the heat exchanger according to an embodiment; and Figure 2: a perspective view of the end plate and the connection points of the refrigerant line assembly according to an embodiment.

[0041] The Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the heat exchanger 10 according to the invention in a perspective view. The heat exchanger 10 shown here comprises a box- or cuboid-shaped refrigerant line assembly 12, which is preferably designed as a finned tube assembly with a plurality of parallel fins and refrigerant lines running perpendicular to them.

[0042] The heat exchanger 10 is designed for use with a safety-critical refrigerant, e.g., a flammable refrigerant such as R290, and therefore meets special safety requirements. These include the fluid-tight separation of those sections of the refrigerant lines of the heat exchanger 10 where refrigerant leakage could occur.

[0043] For this purpose, the in Fig. 1The heat exchanger 10 shown comprises two sealing boxes 30, which are arranged laterally, i.e., on the two laterally opposite end faces of the refrigerant line assembly 12, and are physically connected to the refrigerant line assembly 12, their interior being fluid-tightly sealed to the outside (except for preferably provided ventilation openings, which will be discussed below). The sealing boxes 30 preferably have a housing 32 made of metal. The walls of the housings 32 facing the refrigerant line assembly 12 each form an end plate 14 of the refrigerant line assembly 12.

[0044] In this embodiment, the end plates 14 can represent load-bearing structures to which the refrigerant line assembly 12 is held or attached. The remaining housing parts of the sealing boxes 30 can be fluid-tightly connected to the end plates 14. The end plates 14 can thus be considered part of the sealing boxes 30.

[0045] Between the two parallel end plates 14, the heat exchanger 10 or the refrigerant line assembly 12 has no housing, so the fins and refrigerant lines in this area are exposed and allow heat exchange with the airflow passing through the refrigerant line assembly 12. The refrigerant line assembly 12 can be in operative communication with a passenger compartment or supply air compartment, since only permanently fluid-tight refrigerant lines 16 are installed in the housing-free area between the end plates 14, from which no refrigerant can escape.

[0046] All connection points 15 (e.g., pipe connections, valve connections, etc.) are located within the sealing boxes 30. Since these are fluid-tight sealed to the outside and to the housing-free part of the refrigerant line assembly 12, escaping refrigerant cannot enter the passenger compartment but remains within the sealing boxes 30.

[0047] To allow pressure equalization and gas exchange, the sealing boxes 30 can be open to the outside air (i.e., to the vehicle's surroundings). In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 1 The sealing boxes 30 have several ventilation connections 36 or ventilation pipes on their undersides, which preferably lead into ventilation openings in an outer wall of the vehicle (or alternatively into an area of ​​the vehicle separated from the passenger area).

[0048] Furthermore, the sealing boxes 30 can each have one or more openable and fluid-tight closable covers 34 to allow access to the internal components of the heat exchanger 10 (e.g., for maintenance or cleaning). In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 The sealing boxes 30 each have a removable cover flap 34 on their upper sides. These can be fixed to the housing 32 by means of screws, but can be removed by loosening the screw connections.

[0049] The supply and return lines 18 of the refrigerant line assembly 12 preferably run through the sealing boxes 30. These boxes can therefore have corresponding feedthroughs for such refrigerant lines 18, which are fluid-tight sealed to the outside. This can be achieved by means of sealing discs, such as those surrounding the refrigerant lines 18 and, for example, bonded to the housing of the sealing box 30 (see figure). Fig. 1 ), although other types of sealing are also possible.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 The refrigerant line assembly 12 is held exclusively at the two end plates 14 or at the sealing boxes 30. Alternatively, additional brackets or fixings may be provided, for example, another retaining plate in the middle of the refrigerant line assembly 12.

[0051] Alternatively to the embodiment of Fig. 1 Only a single sealing box 30 can be present on one side of the refrigerant line assembly 12. This is advantageous if the refrigerant line assembly 12 has connection points 15 on only one side.

[0052] In order for the interior of each sealing box 30 to be sealed fluid-tight to the housing-free part of the refrigerant line package 12 and thus to the passenger area, the refrigerant lines must be guided fluid-tight through the end plates 14.

[0053] One possibility for this is in the Figure 2Figure 1 shows the side of the end plate 14 located within a sealing box 30, with the connection points 16 arranged there. In the illustrated embodiment, the latter are located on U-shaped curved connecting pipes 17 and on other fluid-carrying components.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 2 The wall of the sealing box housing 32, which forms the end plate 14 of the refrigerant line assembly 12, has pipe penetrations through which the refrigerant lines of the refrigerant line assembly 12 are routed. The section of the end plate 14 located inside the sealing box 30 in the area of ​​the refrigerant lines is sealed with a filling compound 20.

[0055] A fire-resistant potting compound can be used for sealing, which, in its cured state (i.e., when providing the sealing effect), is preferably still able to absorb vibrations. This compound is applied over a surface area to the preferably horizontally oriented end plate 14 and flows into the spaces between the refrigerant lines (which can be copper pipes) and the end plate 14 before it has cured. The potting compound creates a tight seal between the refrigerant lines and the end plate 14. To increase the service life of the connection, suitable and known surface pretreatments can be applied to the end plate 14 and / or the refrigerant lines.

[0056] The wall of the sealing box housing 32 facing the refrigerant line assembly 12 can either be formed in one piece and form the end plate 14 as a whole, or a suitable recess, e.g. a rectangular window, can be formed in the wall and a suitable sheet, which forms the end plate 14 of the refrigerant line assembly 12, can be inserted into the recess and fluid-tightly connected to the housing wall 32, as shown in the Figure 2 as indicated.

[0057] If the heat exchanger 10 can be positioned in the vehicle such that one of the end plates 14 is flush with an outer wall or with a wall that reliably separates the passenger or intake air area from other areas, then all other walls of the sealing box housing 32 that seal the corresponding side of the heat exchanger 10 can be omitted on that side. In this case, the end plate 14 is directly embedded in the outer wall or other wall of the vehicle, and there is no sealing box 30 on that side. Nevertheless, the end plate 14 provides a fluid-tight seal between the connection points 15 located there and the passenger area. The embedding of the end plate 14 in the outer wall or other wall of the vehicle can also be designed as described in the Figure 2 is shown.

[0058] If the heat exchanger 10 can be placed between two outer walls or other walls that fluidly separate the supply air area from other areas of the vehicle, sealing boxes 30 could, in principle, be completely dispensed with, since leaking refrigerant could not penetrate into the supply air area from any side. All connection points 15 are then located in an area fluidly separated from the supply air area. Reference symbol list:

[0059] 10 Heat exchanger 12 Refrigerant line assembly 14 End plate 15 Connection points 16 Fluid-tight line sections 17 Curved connecting pipe 18 Refrigerant line 20 Filling compound 30 Sealing box 32 Housing 34 Cover 36 Vent connection

Claims

1. Heat exchanger (10) for a vehicle, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a refrigerant line assembly (12) for heat exchange with air in a passenger area of ​​the vehicle, which is arranged between two opposing, end-face end plates (14) and has no housing in the area between the end plates (14), wherein the refrigerant line assembly (12) comprises connection points (15) for supplying and removing refrigerant as well as fluid-tight line sections (16), characterized by thatthe heat exchanger (10) is designed for safety-critical refrigerants and comprises at least one sealing box (30) that can be closed fluid-tight to the outside, which is connected to the refrigerant line package (12) at one end face and forms or comprises the end plate (14) there, through which refrigerant lines of the refrigerant line package (12) are led into the interior of the sealing box (30), wherein in the housing-free area between the end plates (14) only fluid-tight line sections (16) of the refrigerant line package (12) run and all connection points (15) of the refrigerant line package (12) are preferably arranged inside the at least one sealing box (30).

2. Heat exchanger (10) according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant line assembly (12) is cuboid in shape, wherein the end plates (14) are preferably arranged on the smallest side surfaces of the refrigerant line assembly (12) and are aligned parallel to each other.

3. Heat exchanger (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one sealing box (30) constitutes a supporting structure and forms a holder for the refrigerant line package (12), wherein the refrigerant line package (12) is preferably held only at the two end plates (14).

4. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a wall of the sealing box (30), which forms the end plate (14) for the refrigerant line package (12), has penetrations through which refrigerant lines of the refrigerant line package (12) are led into the sealing box (30), wherein the penetrations are sealed fluid-tight, preferably by a filling mass (20) filling and covering the penetrations and a part of the refrigerant lines passing through, in particular a fire-resistant potting compound.

5. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigerant line assembly (12) is a finned tube assembly, wherein the fins are preferably arranged parallel to the end plates (14) and / or the fluid-tight line sections (16) of the refrigerant line assembly (12) run between the end plates (14) and perpendicular to the fins.

6. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing box (30) comprises an openable and fluid-tight sealable cover (34) to allow access to the connection points (15) arranged inside the sealing box (30).

7. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing box (30) has at least one ventilation opening or ventilation connection (36) through which the interior of the sealing box (30) is ventilated or can be ventilated to the environment, wherein the sealing box (30) is preferably permanently ventilated to the environment via the at least one ventilation opening or connection (36).

8. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a flammable refrigerant, in particular R290, is guided within the refrigerant line assembly (12).

9. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing box (30) comprises at least one through-passage through which a refrigerant line (18) is led from outside the sealing box (30) into the interior of the sealing box (30) and is connected there to at least one connection point (15) of the refrigerant line assembly (12), wherein the at least one through-passage is fluid-tight sealed against the associated refrigerant line (18).

10. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing box (30) is provided only on one side of the refrigerant line assembly (12), wherein preferably the opposite end plate (14) is a freestanding retaining plate connected to the ground, a cover plate of the refrigerant line assembly (12) not connected to the ground, a wall of a housing of another component, a wall of a compartment of the vehicle or a wall, in particular an outer wall, of the vehicle.

11. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two sealing boxes (30) which are connected to the refrigerant line assembly (12) on the two opposite end faces and form or comprise the end plates (14) therein, wherein all connection points of the refrigerant line assembly (12) are arranged within the two sealing boxes (30).

12. Heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a support device, in particular a support plate, which is connected to the refrigerant line package (12) in the area between the end plates (14) and supports the latter on the floor.

13. Air conditioning system for a vehicle, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising at least one heat exchanger (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air conditioning system preferably further comprises at least one compressor, at least one further heat exchanger, in particular a condenser or evaporator, and / or at least one supply fan.

14. Vehicle, in particular rail vehicle, comprising at least one air conditioning system according to the preceding claim.

15. Method for manufacturing a heat exchanger (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein refrigerant lines of the refrigerant line assembly (12) are guided through penetrations of a wall forming an end plate (14) of the refrigerant line assembly (12) of at least one sealing box (30) and subsequently a liquid and in particular fire-resistant filling mass (20) is applied, in particular poured, into remaining spaces of the penetrations between the end plate (14) and the refrigerant lines passing through it, wherein for this purpose the refrigerant line assembly (12) is preferably oriented such that the end plate (14) to be sealed is arranged horizontally.

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