Semifinished product for production of a heat exchanger, method for producing such a semifinished product, method for producing a heat exchanger, heat exchanger, and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a semifinished product (5) for production of a heat exchanger. It is essential for the invention that the semifinished product (5) comprises a plate (3), to which an adhesive layer (4) of a hotmelt adhesive is applied. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a semifinished product and to a method for producing a heat exchanger. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger which has a baseplate (2) and such a semi-finished product (5), which between them form or define a cooling channel through which fluid can flow. It is provided that the baseplate (2) and a plate (3) of the semifinished product (5) are interconnected by an adhesive layer (4) of a hotmelt adhesive already applied to the plate (3) of the semifinished product (5). The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one such heat exchanger.

Description

[0001] Semi-finished product for the production of a heat exchanger, method for producing such a semi-finished product, method for producing a heat exchanger, heat exchanger and vehicle with the same

[0002] The invention relates to a semi-finished product for the production of a heat exchanger according to the subject matter of claim 1. The invention further relates in particular to a method for producing such a semi-finished product and to a method for producing a heat exchanger. Finally, the invention relates to a heat exchanger and, in particular, to a vehicle having such a heat exchanger.

[0003] Various designs for heat exchangers are known in radiator construction, in particular plate heat exchangers or cooling plate arrangements for battery cells in electric vehicles. They usually have at least two plates stacked on top of each other, which form a cooling channel between them through which oil or water, for example, can flow. The plates are usually soldered or welded tightly together at their edges. From a process engineering perspective, however, soldering and welding processes are associated with numerous disadvantages. Chief among them are relatively high process costs and the use of chemicals. Furthermore, the soldering and welding processes are comparatively time-consuming and costly. A further disadvantage is that when the edges are soldered or welded, the original strength of the plates is significantly negatively affected due to the relatively high heat input into the material.In addition, in soldering and welding processes, it is usually the case that only materials of the same type can be joined together.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved or at least a different embodiment for a heat exchanger. Furthermore, an attempt is to improve the production of such a heat exchanger from both an economic and ecological perspective.

[0005] In the present invention, this object is achieved in particular by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0006] The invention has recognized that an improved heat exchanger can be provided by bonding the heat exchanger plates instead of soldering or welding them as has been the case up to now. The invention further recognizes that an adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, can be advantageously used in this process, and that the production of such a bonded heat exchanger can be improved using prefabricated semi-finished products for the production of heat exchangers.

[0007] Accordingly, a semi-finished product for the production of a heat exchanger is proposed, comprising a plate and an adhesive layer. Essential to the invention is that the adhesive layer is formed by an adhesive, in particular a hot-melt adhesive, applied to said plate. The adhesive layer can preferably be seamlessly connected and / or thin, film-like. Using the proposed semi-finished product, a so-called bonded heat exchanger can be provided, which, compared to known heat exchangers in which the plates are usually soldered or welded together, can be produced relatively inexpensively and, at the same time, is relatively lightweight. This is due to the fact that the production of a corresponding heat exchanger using the semi-finished product provided can be carried out relatively quickly, and, moreover, the equipment required for the soldering and welding processes can be saved.Furthermore, when manufacturing a corresponding heat exchanger using such a semi-finished product, cost-intensive soldering or welding consumables can be completely dispensed with. Furthermore, the plates of the heat exchanger retain their original strength virtually unchanged when bonded, since the temperature input into the plate material, i.e. the thermal load, is comparatively low during bonding. This means that the plates of the heat exchanger can be made thinner than before, which reduces the overall weight and saves plate material. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the semi-finished product according to the invention and the heat exchanger according to the invention can be manufactured in a comparatively environmentally friendly manner, since in particular the use of critical chemicals such as fluxes and the like can be dispensed with.

[0008] The adhesive in question is preferably a hot melt adhesive.

[0009] The hot melt adhesive in question, which is also known as hot melt adhesive, can be liquefied by heating to processing temperatures of around 100°C to 280°C or less, so that it can be applied to components to be joined together. Upon subsequent cooling, the hot melt adhesive solidifies again, forming a strong adhesive bond. Because of the relatively low processing temperatures, the thermal stress on the components wetted with the hot melt adhesive is relatively low, so that the strength of the components remains virtually unchanged. In addition, components made of different material groups can also be joined together. Depending on the chemical composition of the hot melt adhesive, the adhesive bond created with the hot melt adhesive is reversible, i.e. can be removed, or irreversible, i.e. cannot be removed without causing damage.A reversible adhesive bond can be conveniently achieved with a hot melt adhesive without chemical crosslinking, for example, a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive (hot melt). An irreversible adhesive bond can be conveniently achieved with a hot melt adhesive with chemical crosslinking.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is a polyolefin-based hot melt adhesive. Thus, the base polymer of the adhesive used is a polyolefin. This allows for the preferred material properties of the adhesive layer to be adjusted with regard to adhesion, cohesion, and temperature behavior. An adhesive bond produced with this adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is advantageously fully reversible, meaning the adhesive bond can be removed without causing damage. This opens up the possibility, for example, for the easy repair of a bonded heat exchanger.

[0011] In particular, it can be provided that the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is touch-dry at room temperature. It is expedient if the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is touch-dry in the delivered state of the semi-finished product. The term "touch-dry" in the sense of the invention expediently means that the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is not tacky at room temperature. This means that objects do not stick to the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, when in contact with it. A temperature of 20°C, for example, can be assumed as room temperature. The adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, can, when touch-dry, be in a fully solidified state or a partially solidified state, in which the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is not tacky at least on its externally accessible surface.This prevents, in particular, accidental bonding and potentially contamination of tools, means of transport, and the like. The plate of the semi-finished product is preferably made of a metallic material, such as a sheet metal plate or an aluminum plate. Alternatively, the plate of the semi-finished product can be made of a plastic or composite material and thus, in particular, form a plastic plate or a composite plate. This is because, in this case, the heat exchanger plates are to be bonded, and therefore the strict restrictions regarding possible material pairings applicable to soldering and welding processes do not apply.

[0012] According to a further basic idea of ​​the invention, a method for producing a semi-finished product, in particular the semi-finished product according to the invention described above, is proposed, which is suitable for the production of a heat exchanger. Within the scope of the proposed method, it is provided that:

[0013] - an adhesive film of solidified, film-like adhesive, in particular a hot-melt adhesive, is provided, for example at a belt speed in the range of 0.5 meters / minute to 50.0 meters / minute or in the range of 0.5 meters / minute to 200.0 meters / minute,

[0014] - a moving material belt is provided, for example at a belt speed in the range of 0.5 metres / minute to 50.0 metres / minute or in the range of 0.5 metres / minute to 200.0 metres / minute,

[0015] - wherein the adhesive film and the material strip are guided through a first processing station, expediently formed by a pair of pressure rollers, in which the adhesive film is pressed onto the material strip, in particular with a pressure in the range of greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 90 N / cm 2 , preferably in the range between greater than 0 N / cm 2 and 30 N / cm 2 , and more preferably in the range between greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 20 N / cm 2 is pressed on so that the adhesive film and the material strip form a loosely contacting composite, - wherein the composite is guided through a second processing station, expediently formed by a heating device and / or by a pair of rollers or several pairs of rollers, in which the composite is heated, in particular to a processing temperature in the range from 100 °C to 280 °C, and / or, in particular with a pressure in the range of greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 90 N / cm 2, is rolled so that the composite is converted into a semi-finished strand in which the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, of the adhesive film is melted and arranged as a continuous adhesive layer on the material strip,

[0016] - wherein the semi-finished strand is guided through a third processing station, expediently formed by a cooling device and / or by one or more pairs of rollers, in which the semi-finished strand is cooled and / or rolled, the adhesive layer being dry to the touch at room temperature.

[0017] The semi-finished product strand thus provided is, within the meaning of the invention, a semi-finished product that can be used for the production of a heat exchanger. The manufacturing process for the semi-finished product is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as neither soldering or welding consumables nor the use of chemicals is required. Furthermore, the temperature introduced into the material strip during the specified process, i.e., the thermal stress on the material strip, is comparatively low, so that the original strength of the material strip is retained.

[0018] An “adhesive film” can conveniently be or form an adhesive tape.

[0019] The adhesive film in question can be provided as a continuous tape on an adhesive film roll. Furthermore, the material tape can be provided as a continuous tape on a material tape roll. This allows both the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, and the material tape to be stored in stock, allowing the proposed process to be carried out continuously over a certain period of time. This can further reduce the costs of providing the semi-finished products.

[0020] The material strip is expediently made of a metallic material, for example, a sheet metal strip or an aluminum sheet strip. The material strip can alternatively be made of a plastic or composite material and thus, in particular, form a plastic strip or a composite strip. This is because, in this case, the heat exchanger plates are to be bonded, and therefore the strict restrictions applicable to soldering and welding processes regarding possible material pairings do not apply. The above applies analogously to the adhesive used in the process for producing a semi-finished product, in particular a hot melt adhesive.

[0021] It is also expedient if, after passing through the third processing station, the semi-finished product strand is passed through a fourth processing station, where it undergoes a quality inspection. This allows quality defects in the semi-finished product strand, in particular air bubbles and similar unwanted defects, to be detected. Such quality defects can be removed from the semi-finished product strand, for example, by cutting, in particular punching, so that the semi-finished product can be prepared and a heat exchanger can be subsequently manufactured from the semi-finished product with high quality. This, in particular, eliminates the need for a conventional laminating system, making the production of a semi-finished product according to the proposed method even more cost-effective.

[0022] It is expedient to install a charging station upstream of the first processing station for electrostatically charging the adhesive film and / or the material strip. The adhesive film and the material strip are guided together through the charging station, where the adhesive film and / or the material strip are electrostatically charged. The electrostatic charging can be carried out, in particular, with an electrical voltage of less than or equal to 60 kV. This ensures complete, particularly flawless, and preferably air bubble-free, application of the adhesive film to the material strip.

[0023] Furthermore, it is expedient if an input belt buffer is arranged upstream of the loading station. The input belt buffer has a first buffer section for the adhesive film and a second buffer section for the material belt, wherein the adhesive film is guided through the first buffer section of the input belt buffer and the material belt is guided through the second buffer section of the input belt buffer. The first buffer section is designed to store a length of the adhesive film and / or to influence a belt speed of the adhesive film. The second buffer section is designed in a similar manner to store a length of the material belt and / or to influence a belt speed of the material belt. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that an output belt buffer for the semi-finished product strand is arranged downstream of the third processing station or the fourth processing station, through which output belt buffer the semi-finished product strand is guided.The output belt buffer is designed to store a strip length of the semi-finished product strand and / or to influence the strip speed of the semi-finished product strand. Using appropriate belt buffers, fluctuations in the strip length and / or fluctuations in the strip speed can be compensated.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be provided that the semi-finished product strand is wound onto a supply roll after leaving the third processing station or after leaving the fourth processing station or after leaving the output belt buffer. Alternatively, it can be provided that the semi-finished product strand is guided through a fifth processing station after leaving the third processing station or after leaving the fourth processing station or after leaving the output belt buffer or after transport and as part of further processing, in which the provided semi-finished product strand is converted into semi-finished products with a predetermined contour, in particular by cutting, punching or embossing. The provided semi-finished products each have the said plate of the semi-finished product, which is formed from the material strip of the semi-finished product strand, and the adhesive applied thereto, in particular a hot melt adhesive, in the form of the adhesive layer.The result is either a semi-finished product strand on a supply roll, which can be easily transported, stored and further processed at a later date, or prefabricated semi-finished products for the production of heat exchangers.

[0025] According to a further basic idea of ​​the invention, a method for producing a heat exchanger is proposed. Within the framework of the proposed method, it is provided that:

[0026] - a base plate is provided,

[0027] - a semi-finished product is provided which is designed according to the preceding semi-finished product according to the invention and / or which is produced according to the method according to the invention for producing a semi-finished product,

[0028] - wherein the base plate and the semi-finished product are arranged opposite each other in such a way that the adhesive layer of the semi-finished product is arranged in contact with the base plate and a pre-assembled heat exchanger is formed,

[0029] - wherein the pre-assembled heat exchanger is heated by a heating field to a processing temperature in the range of 100 °C to 280 °C,

[0030] - wherein the pre-assembled heat exchanger is then heated using a fixing press at a processing temperature in the range of 100 °C to 280 °C and with a processing pressure in the range of greater than 0.01 N / cm 2 up to 10 N / cm 2 is applied, whereby the processing temperature and processing pressure are maintained for a period of 0.5 minutes to 10 minutes,

[0031] - whereby the pre-assembled heat exchanger is then cooled using the fixing press and held at a holding temperature in the range of 10 °C to 105 °C and with a holding pressure in the range of greater than 0.01 N / cm 2 up to 10 N / cm 2 is applied, whereby the holding temperature and pressure are maintained for a period of 0.5 minutes to 10 minutes.

[0032] This makes it possible to provide a cost-effective and lightweight heat exchanger, in particular a plate heat exchanger or a cooling plate arrangement for a vehicle battery for an electric vehicle, which combines the advantages explained above. Said heating field can be implemented using a radiation-based heating element, for example, an infrared heating element or a convection heating element. Alternatively, the heating field can also be implemented using an induction device or a mirror deflection system for deflecting and guiding heat radiation. This allows the temperatures required for melting the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, to be introduced into the workpiece quickly and efficiently, thus enabling significantly higher cycle times, particularly line speeds.

[0033] Said base plate is expediently made of a metallic material, for example, a sheet metal plate or an aluminum plate. The base plate can alternatively be made of a plastic or composite material and thus, in particular, form a plastic plate or a composite plate. This is because, in this case, the heat exchanger plates are to be bonded, and therefore the strict restrictions applicable to soldering and welding processes regarding possible material pairings do not apply. The above applies analogously to the adhesive used in the process for manufacturing a heat exchanger, in particular a hot melt adhesive.

[0034] According to a further basic idea of ​​the invention, a heat exchanger, in particular a plate heat exchanger or a cooling plate arrangement for a vehicle battery for an electric vehicle, is proposed, which has a base plate and a prefabricated semi-finished product, which is designed and / or manufactured in accordance with the preceding description, in particular. The base plate and the semi-finished product form or delimit between them a cooling channel through which fluid, in particular oil or water, can flow. It is essential that the base plate and the plate of the semi-finished product are connected to one another by the adhesive layer of the semi-finished product, which consists of the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, pre-applied to the plate of the semi-finished product.This creates a bonded heat exchanger, so to speak, which, compared to conventional heat exchangers in which plates are typically soldered or welded together, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and, at the same time, relatively lightweight. This is due to the fact that cost-intensive soldering or welding consumables can be completely dispensed with. Furthermore, the plates retain their original strength virtually unchanged when bonded, since the temperature input into the plate material, i.e., the thermal stress, is comparatively low. This allows the plates to be made thinner than before, which reduces weight and saves on cost-intensive plate material.Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the heat exchanger according to the invention can be produced in a comparatively environmentally friendly manner, since in particular the use of critical chemicals such as fluxes and the like can be dispensed with. It is expedient if the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is a polyolefin-based hot melt adhesive. As a result, the base polymer of the adhesive used is a polyolefin. This allows preferred material properties of the adhesive layer to be adjusted with regard to adhesion, cohesion, and temperature behavior. An adhesive bond produced with this adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is completely reversible, i.e. the adhesive bond can be released without destruction. In practice, a polyolefin-based hot melt adhesive is also referred to in particular as a hot melt.

[0035] It is also expedient if the base plate of the heat exchanger is a channel-like channel plate formed by forming, and the plate of the semi-finished product is a substantially flat cover plate. This provides a substantially flat cooling plate arrangement for, for example, a vehicle battery for an electric vehicle, which has two plates glued together. By gluing the two plates, the cooling plate arrangement can be manufactured relatively inexpensively and robustly. Furthermore, the cooling plate arrangement is also relatively lightweight. It is understood that, alternatively, the plate of the semi-finished product can be provided as a channel-like channel plate by forming, and the base plate of the heat exchanger can be provided as a substantially flat cover plate.

[0036] Furthermore, it is expedient if the heat exchanger has a predetermined number of base plates and a predetermined number of semi-finished products with plates. The base plates and the plates of the semi-finished products are stacked one on top of the other in an alternating sequence, with adjacent plates being connected to one another by an adhesive layer made of an adhesive, in particular a hot-melt adhesive, pre-applied to the plates of the semi-finished products. This provides a plate heat exchanger that has a plate stack of several plates stacked one on top of the other in an alternating sequence. The plates are glued together, so that the plate heat exchanger can be manufactured relatively inexpensively and is also relatively lightweight.

[0037] Said base plate is expediently made of a metallic material, for example, a sheet metal plate or an aluminum plate. The base plate can alternatively be made of a plastic or composite material and thus, in particular, form a plastic plate or a composite plate. This is because, in this case, the heat exchanger plates are to be bonded, and therefore the strict restrictions applicable to soldering and welding processes regarding possible material pairings do not apply. The above applies analogously to the adhesive used in the process for manufacturing a heat exchanger, in particular a hot melt adhesive.

[0038] According to a further basic idea of ​​the invention, a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, is proposed which has at least one heat exchanger according to the invention or at least one heat exchanger manufactured according to the method according to the invention for manufacturing a heat exchanger.

[0039] In summary, the present invention preferably relates to a semi-finished product for the production of a heat exchanger. It is essential for the invention that the semi-finished product has a plate to which an adhesive layer made of an adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is applied. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a semi-finished product and to a method for producing a heat exchanger. The invention further relates to a heat exchanger with a base plate and such a semi-finished product, which form or delimit a cooling channel through which fluid can flow between them. It is provided that the base plate and a plate of the semi-finished product are connected to one another by an adhesive layer made of an adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, pre-applied to the plate of the semi-finished product. The invention further relates to a vehicle with at least one such heat exchanger.

[0040] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0041] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0042] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or similar or functionally identical components.

[0043] They show, schematically

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a device for carrying out the method according to the invention for producing a semi-finished product for the production of a heat exchanger,

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a diagram of preferred temperature and pressure profiles that can be adjusted within the scope of the method according to the invention for producing a semi-finished product for the production of a heat exchanger, and

[0046] Fig. 3-5 successive steps of the method according to the invention for producing a heat exchanger.

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a device designated as a whole by 7, which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention for producing a semi-finished product 5 for the production of a heat exchanger.

[0048] Within the scope of the method according to the invention for producing the semi-finished product 5, the initial provision of starting materials is provided, namely an adhesive film 6, which is provided, for example, as a continuous film unwindable from an adhesive film roll 26, on the one hand, and a material strip 8, in particular a sheet metal strip, an aluminum sheet strip, a plastic strip, or a composite strip, which is provided, for example, as a continuous film unwindable from a material strip roll 27, on the other hand. The adhesive film 6 is a solidified hot-melt adhesive, in particular a solidified polyolefin-based hot-melt adhesive, which is in film-like form. The adhesive film 6 could therefore also be referred to as an adhesive film.The adhesive film 6 and the material band 8 are preferably each unwound and moved from the rolls 26, 27 at a band speed in the range of 0.5 meters / minute to 50.0 meters / minute or preferably up to 200.0 meters / minute; the band movement directions are indicated in Fig. 1 by corresponding arrows.

[0049] According to Fig. 1, the device 7 is provided with an input tape buffer, designated overall by 21, which has a first buffer section 22 for the adhesive film 6 and a second buffer section 23 for the material tape 8. The unwound adhesive film 6 is introduced downstream of the adhesive film roll 26 into the first buffer section 22 of the input tape buffer 21 and passes through it, wherein the first buffer section 22 is designed to store a tape length of the adhesive film 6 and / or to influence the tape speed of the adhesive film 6. Analogously, the unwound material tape 8 is introduced downstream of the material tape roll 27 into the second buffer section 23 of the input tape buffer 21 and passes through it, wherein the second buffer section 23 is designed to store a tape length of the material tape 8 and / or to influence the tape speed of the material tape 8.

[0050] The device 7 has a first processing station 10 downstream of the input strip buffer 21, which can be formed, for example, by a pair of pressure rollers 11. Within the scope of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the adhesive film 6 and the material strip 8 are guided together through the first processing station 10, wherein the adhesive film 6 is pressed onto the material strip 8 by means of the first processing station 10, so that the adhesive film 6 and the material strip 8 are transferred into a contact-connected composite 12. The first processing station 10 preferably operates with a contact pressure in the range of greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 90 N / cm 2

[0051] Purely by way of example, in the present case a so-called charging station 9 is arranged upstream of the first processing station 10, which serves to electrostatically charge the adhesive film 6 and / or the material strip 8. This is achieved by sending the adhesive film 6 and the material strip 8 together through the charging station 9, wherein the adhesive film 6 and / or the material strip 8, which expediently still have a certain distance from one another, are electrostatically charged by the charging station 9 with an electrical voltage of less than or equal to 60 kV. As a result of the electrostatic charging, the contact of the adhesive film 6 with the material strip 8 can be improved. In this way, for example, disruptive air inclusions that form bubbles in the strip can be prevented. However, the electrostatic charging of the adhesive film 6 and / or the material strip 8 is optional.

[0052] The composite 12 comprising adhesive film 6 and material strip 8, which is present after the first processing station 10, is guided according to the method according to the invention downstream of the first processing station 10 through a second processing station 13 of the device 7. This is formed, for example, by a heating device 14 and / or a pair of rollers or several pairs of rollers 15. It is provided that the composite 12, when passing through the second processing station 13, is heated, for example, stepwise or continuously to a processing temperature in the range of 100°C to 280°C and / or with a contact pressure in the range of greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 90 N / cm 2is rolled. As a result, the adhesive film 6 on the material strip 8 liquefies and the composite 12 is converted into a semi-finished product strand 16 in which the hot melt adhesive of the adhesive film 6 is melted and is present as a continuous, ie coherent, adhesive layer 4 on the material strip 8.

[0053] The provided semi-finished product strand 16 is then guided, while still hot, from the second processing station 13 into a downstream third processing station 17, expediently formed by a cooling device 18 and / or one or more pairs of rollers 19, in which the semi-finished product strand 16 is cooled and / or rolled step by step or continuously. In the process, the adhesive layer 4 cools down so that it solidifies and is dry to the touch at room temperature or within a temperature range of 10°C to 105°C. This provides a semi-finished product 5 in the form of a continuous semi-finished product strand 16, which can be used as starting material for the production of a heat exchanger. The proposed manufacturing process for the semi-finished product 5 is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, since neither soldering or welding consumables need to be used, nor is the use of chemicals necessary.In addition, the temperature input into the material strip 8 during the specified process is comparatively low, so that the original strength of the material strip 8 is maintained.

[0054] In the present case, Fig. 1 further provides that the semi-finished strand 16, after passing through the third processing station 17, is guided through a fourth processing station 20, which is symbolized by a box in Fig. 1. In this processing station, the semi-finished strand 16 is subjected to a quality inspection so that quality defects, in particular air bubbles and similar unwanted objects, in the semi-finished strand 16 can be detected and, for example, removed.

[0055] Furthermore, in the present case, the device 7 is equipped with an output belt buffer 24 for the semi-finished strand 16, located downstream of the third processing station 17 and the fourth processing station 20. The semi-finished strand 16 is guided through the output belt buffer 24, wherein the output belt buffer 24 is designed to store a strip length of the semi-finished strand 16 and / or to influence a strip speed of the semi-finished strand 16. This allows fluctuations in the strip length and / or fluctuations in the strip speed to be compensated.

[0056] In the present case, it is further provided that the semi-finished product strand 16 is wound onto a supply roll 25 after leaving the output belt buffer 24. The correspondingly stored semi-finished product strand 16 can then be easily transported away and further processed elsewhere. Alternatively, after leaving the output belt buffer 24, the semi-finished product strand 16 could be guided through a fifth processing station (not shown), in which the semi-finished product strand 16 is directly converted into individual semi-finished products 5 with a predetermined contour. This could be accomplished, for example, by a cutting, punching, or embossing step. A correspondingly cut semi-finished product 5 then has a plate 3 formed by the material strip 8 and the adhesive layer 4 made of hot-melt adhesive pre-applied to the plate 3.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a diagram of preferred temperature and pressure profiles that can be set within the scope of the inventive method for producing the semi-finished product 5 for the production of a heat exchanger, for example, when passing through the second processing station 13 and / or third processing station 17. The abscissa represents the processing time in, for example, minutes, and the ordinate represents the temperature in °C and the pressure in N / cm 2applied. It can be seen that the composite 12 is heated to a processing temperature in the range of 100°C to 280°C and then cooled, wherein in this case a line T1 indicates a temperature profile with comparatively high or maximum temperatures. Furthermore, a line T2 can be seen, which in this case indicates a temperature profile with comparatively low or minimum temperatures. Furthermore, a dashed line T3 is drawn, which in this case indicates an ideal or preferred or average temperature profile, in which the temperatures lie between those of the line T1 and line T2. Furthermore, in Fig. 2, as mentioned, two different pressure profiles can be seen, wherein the composite 12 is subjected to a contact pressure in the range of 0 N / cm 2 up to 90 N / cm 2is rolled. A pressure curve P1, indicated by a dot-dashed line, indicates comparatively high or maximum pressures. A further pressure curve P2, characterized by comparatively low or minimum pressures, is shown with a dot-dashed line.

[0058] Fig. 3 shows an example of a single semi-finished product 5 produced according to the proposed method. It has a flat plate 3 to which an adhesive layer 4 made of the hot-melt adhesive is applied. The semi-finished product 5 is at room temperature, and the hot-melt adhesive is dry to the touch, i.e., non-sticky, which considerably simplifies handling during the manufacture of a heat exchanger described below.

[0059] According to the method for producing a heat exchanger illustrated in Fig. 3-5, the semi-finished product 5 and a base plate 2, for example, a flat metallic plate, in particular a sheet metal plate or an aluminum plate, a plastic plate, or a composite plate, are provided. The base plate 2 can, for example, be a channel-like channel component formed by forming, and the plate 3 of the semi-finished product 5 can be a substantially flat cover component. The base plate 2 and the semi-finished product 5 are then arranged opposite one another such that the adhesive layer 4 of the semi-finished product 5 is arranged in contact with the base plate 2, and a pre-assembled heat exchanger 29 is formed.According to the method, the pre-assembled heat exchanger 29 is then heated by a heating field 30, which is indicated here by a box drawn with a dashed line, to a processing temperature in the range of 100 °C to 280 °C. Subsequently, the heated, pre-assembled heat exchanger 29 is fixed by means of a fixing press 31, which is only shown schematically, at the processing temperature in the range of 100 °C to 280 °C and with a processing pressure in the range of greater than 0.01 N / cm. 2 up to 10 N / cm 2, wherein said processing temperature and said processing pressure are maintained for a period of 0.5 minutes to 10 minutes. Then, the pre-assembled heat exchanger 29 is cooled to a holding temperature in the range of 10° C to 105° C using the fixing press 31 and held at the holding temperature. At the same time, the pre-assembled heat exchanger 29 is subjected to a holding pressure in the range of greater than 0.01 N / cm 2 up to 10 N / cm 2 The holding temperature and pressure are maintained for a period of 0.5 minutes to 10 minutes. This converts the preassembled heat exchanger 29 into a heat exchanger or, if applicable, into a component for such a heat exchanger.

[0060] *****

Claims

Claims 1 . Semi-finished product (5) for the manufacture of a heat exchanger, - comprising a plate (3) to which an adhesive forming an adhesive layer (4), in particular a hot melt adhesive, is applied.

2. Semi-finished product (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is a polyolefin-based adhesive.

3. Semi-finished product (5) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is dry to the touch at room temperature.

4. Method for producing a semi-finished product (5) for the production of a heat exchanger, - wherein a moving adhesive film (6) of solidified, film-like adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is provided, - wherein a moving material belt (8) is provided, - wherein the adhesive film (6) and the material strip (8) are guided through a first processing station (10), in which the adhesive film (6) is applied to the material strip (8), in particular with a pressure in the range of greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 90 N / cm 2 , preferably in the range between greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 40 N / cm 2 , more preferably in the range between greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 20 N / cm 2 , is pressed on so that the adhesive film (6) and the material strip (8) form a loosely connected composite (12), - wherein the composite (12) is guided through a second processing station (13), in which the composite (12) is heated, in particular to a processing temperature in the range from 100°C to 280°C, and / or, in particular with a pressure in the range of greater than 0 N / cm 2 up to 90 N / cm 2, is rolled so that the composite (12) is converted into a semi-finished strand (16), in which the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, of the adhesive film (6) is melted and arranged as a continuous adhesive layer (4) on the material strip (8), - wherein the semi-finished strand (16) is guided through a third processing station (17) in which the semi-finished strand (16) is cooled and / or rolled, the adhesive layer (4) being dry to the touch at room temperature.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that - the semi-finished strand (16) is guided through a fourth processing station (20) after passing through the third processing station (17), in which the semi-finished strand (16) is subjected to a quality inspection.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that - a charging station (9) for electrostatically charging the adhesive film (6) and / or the material strip (8) is arranged upstream of the first processing station (10), - wherein the adhesive film (6) and the material strip (8) are guided together through the charging station (9), in which the adhesive film (6) and / or the material strip (8) are electrostatically charged.

7. Method according to claim 4 to 6, characterized in that - an input belt buffer (21) is arranged upstream of the charging station (9), wherein the input belt buffer (21) has a first buffer section (22) for the adhesive film (6) and a second buffer section (23) for the material belt (8), wherein the adhesive film (6) is guided through the first buffer section (22) of the input belt buffer (21), wherein the material belt (8) is guided through the second buffer section (23) of the input belt buffer (21), wherein the first buffer section (22) is designed to store a belt length of the adhesive film (6) and / or to influence a belt speed of the adhesive film (6), wherein the second buffer section (23) is designed to store a belt length of the material belt (8) and / or to influence a belt speed of the material belt (8), and / or - an output belt buffer (24) for the semi-finished product strand (16) is arranged downstream of the third processing station (17) or the fourth processing station (20), wherein the semi-finished product strand (16) is guided through the output belt buffer (24), wherein the output belt buffer (24) is designed to store a belt length of the semi-finished product strand (16) and / or to influence a belt speed of the semi-finished product strand (16).

8. Method according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that - the semi-finished product strand (16) is wound onto a supply roll (25) after leaving the third processing station (17) or after leaving the fourth processing station (20) or after leaving the output strip buffer (24), or - the semi-finished product strand (16) is guided through a fifth processing station after leaving the third processing station (17) or after leaving the fourth processing station (20) or after leaving the output belt buffer (24), in which the semi-finished product strand (16) is converted, in particular cut, punched or embossed, into semi-finished products (5) with a predetermined contour.

9. Method for producing a heat exchanger, - wherein a base plate (2) is provided, - wherein a semi-finished product (5) is provided which is designed according to one of claims 1 to 3 and / or manufactured according to one of claims 4 to 8, - wherein the base plate (2) and the semi-finished product (5) are arranged opposite one another in such a way that the adhesive layer (4) of the semi-finished product (5) is arranged in contact with the base plate (2) and a pre-assembled heat exchanger (29) is formed, - wherein the pre-assembled heat exchanger (29) is heated by a heating field (30) to a processing temperature in the range of 100 °C to 280 °C, - wherein the pre-assembled heat exchanger (29) is subsequently heat-treated using a fixing press (31) at a processing temperature in the range from 100 °C to 280 °C and with a processing pressure in the range of greater than 0.01 N / cm 2 up to 10 N / cm 2 is applied, whereby the processing temperature and processing pressure are maintained for a period of 0.5 minutes to 10 minutes, - wherein the pre-assembled heat exchanger (29) is subsequently cooled using the fixing press (31) and held at a holding temperature in the range of 10° C to 105° C and with a holding pressure in the range of greater than 0.01 N / cm 2 up to 10 N / cm 2 is applied, whereby the holding temperature and pressure are maintained for a period of 0.5 minutes to 10 minutes.

10. Heat exchangers, in particular a plate heat exchanger, a cooling plate arrangement for a vehicle battery for an electric vehicle, a heat exchanger for a photovoltaic application, a heat exchanger for electronics cooling, a heat exchanger for industrial cooling or a heat exchanger for building services, - with a base plate (2) and a prefabricated semi-finished product (5), which is designed in particular according to one of claims 1 to 3 and / or manufactured according to one of claims 4 to 8, - wherein the base plate (2) and the semi-finished product (5) form or delimit between them a cooling channel through which fluid can flow, - wherein the base plate (2) and the plate (3) of the semi-finished product (5) are connected to one another by the adhesive layer (4), which consists of an adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, applied to the plate (3) of the semi-finished product (5) during the prefabrication of the semi-finished product (5). 11 . Heat exchanger according to claim 10, characterized in that - the adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, is a polyolefin-based adhesive.

12. Heat exchanger according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that - the base plate (2) is a channel-like channel plate formed by forming and the plate (3) of the semi-finished product (5) is a substantially flat cover plate.

13. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that - a predetermined number of base plates (2) and a predetermined number of plates (3) are provided, wherein the base plates (2) and the plates (3) are stacked on top of one another in alternating sequence, wherein adjacent plates (2, 3) are connected to one another by an adhesive layer (4) made of an adhesive, in particular a hot melt adhesive, pre-applied to the plate (3).

14. Vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger according to one of claims 10 to 13 or a heat exchanger manufactured according to claim 9. *****

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