DE102012217872A1 - Heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

Heat exchanger (1) with a housing (9), with a first fluid port (6, 7) and a second fluid port (7, 6), wherein the housing (9) via the first fluid port (6, 7) and the second fluid port ( 7, 6) is in fluid communication with a fluid source and can be flowed through by a fluid, characterized in that the housing (9) is designed in several parts and is formed by an upper housing part (3) and a trough-like lower housing part (2), wherein the lower housing part ( 2) has a bottom region (7) and an at least partially encircling raised edge region (6), wherein the upper housing part (3) or the lower housing part (2) made of a plastic and the other housing part (3, 2) made of a plastic, a metallic Material or fiber composite material is formed.

Description

Technical area

Heat exchanger having a housing, with a first fluid port and a second fluid port, wherein the housing is in fluid communication via the first fluid port and the second fluid port with a fluid source and can be flowed through by a fluid

State of the art

In electric vehicles, energy storage devices are used to operate an electric motor. Rechargeable batteries based on lithium ions or nickel-metal hybrid batteries are often used as energy stores. Alternatively, high-performance capacitors also use so-called super-caps.

In all the above energy storage occurs during operation, especially during fast charging and discharging the energy storage, to a strong heat.

However, temperatures of around 50 ° C and more can damage the energy storage devices and significantly reduce their service life. Similarly, too low temperatures sustainably damage energy storage.

In order to maintain the performance of the energy storage, they must therefore be actively tempered. Here, the proportions of cooling outweigh significantly. The cooling can be done for example by the introduction of fluid-flow heat exchangers. The heat exchangers are solutions according to the prior art often fluid-flow elements having one or more fluid channels between two flat cover plates, which are traversed by a fluid.

Advantageously, all cells of the energy storage are kept at a uniform temperature level. Likewise, strong temperature gradients within the cells should be avoided.

The plates of the heat exchanger can be traversed by a cold fluid in the case of cooling, but for the purpose of heating, they can also be flowed through by a warm fluid.

In order to achieve the highest possible energy efficiency, a weight-optimized construction is advantageous, especially in electric vehicles.

In the prior art solutions are described which use heat exchangers made of metallic materials. Such a solution, for example, discloses the utility model DE 20 2012 102 349 U1 ,

A disadvantage of the solutions according to the prior art is in particular that the heat exchanger are made entirely of aluminum. These are significantly heavier compared to plastic or a mixture of aluminum and plastic. Also, due to the electrical conductivity of the aluminum electrical insulation, and equipotential bonding of the heat exchanger necessary. In addition, the production of heat exchangers made of aluminum is energy and cost intensive. Also, the use of soldering aids, such as fluxes, often requires post-processing steps.

Presentation of the invention, object, solution, advantages

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger having a weight-optimized design and its production is less energy and cost intensive. In addition, the heat exchanger should be designed without additional electrical insulation.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a heat exchanger with the features of claim 1.

An embodiment of the invention relates to a heat exchanger having a housing, having a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, wherein the housing is in fluid communication via the first fluid connection and the second fluid connection to a fluid source, wherein the housing can be flowed through by a fluid, wherein the housing is designed in several parts and is essentially formed by a flat upper housing part and a substantially trough-like housing lower part, wherein the lower housing part has a bottom portion and peripheral edge portions, wherein the upper housing part or the lower housing part made of a plastic and the other housing part of a plastic, a metallic material or formed from fiber composite material.

The structure of the housing of the heat exchanger made of plastic elements and elements of a metallic material, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy is particularly advantageous in terms of the weight of the heat exchanger. By using plastics, the weight can be compared to one completely made of a metallic material heat exchanger can be reduced. At the same time a good thermal conductivity can be achieved via the elements made of metallic materials.

The design of the lower housing part as a trough-like element is particularly advantageous because a stabilizing effect is achieved by the at least partially encircling raised edge regions. At the same time, the housing lower part forms a cavity in the interior of the housing, through which a fluid can flow. With the upper housing part, the lower housing part can be closed at the top. As a result, a completely fluid-tight sealed space is generated, which is traversed by a fluid.

Both the lower housing part, and the upper housing part are simple and inexpensive to produce and connectable to each other via a variety of connection methods. In addition to the use of thermal joining methods, the two elements can also be interconnected by mechanical or chemical bonding means.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one flow-guiding element is arranged in the interior of the housing. Via a flow guide in the interior of the housing, the fluid flow can be influenced in a targeted manner.

It is also preferable if the lower housing part is formed from a plastic.

The lower housing part may advantageously be made of a plastic. This reduces the weight compared to an embodiment made of a metallic material. The manufacture of the housing base made of a plastic is also simpler and involves fewer steps than the production of a housing base made of a metallic material.

The lower housing part can for example be produced in one piece in an injection molding process. A housing base produced in an injection molding process has no joints on the erected edge areas, which must be sealed fluid-tight by additional steps.

Furthermore, the housing base made of plastic can be easily connected to other elements by the use of an adhesive.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the upper housing part is formed from a metallic material, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

The embodiment of the upper housing part made of a metallic material is advantageous because a higher heat transfer coefficient can be achieved by the metallic material than by a plastic component. The elements to be cooled or heated are therefore advantageously in thermal contact with the metallic housing upper part.

In addition, a stabilizing effect can be achieved by the metallic upper housing part, which makes the heat exchanger insensitive to mechanical effects from the outside.

Furthermore, elements to be cooled, for example of metallic materials, can be easily mounted on the housing top using known methods, such as soldering or welding.

It is also advantageous if the housing has a plurality of flow-guiding elements in its interior. By a plurality of flow elements, the fluid flow in the housing can be favorably influenced.

Furthermore, it is preferable if the flow guide elements are designed as webs or walls or nubs and form at least one flow channel for the fluid between them.

In a further alternative embodiment, it may be provided that the flow-guiding element runs parallel to at least one of the erected edge regions of the housing lower part.

By means of an embodiment of a flow-guiding element or a plurality of flow-guiding elements as described above, a plurality of flow channels can be produced, which run through the housing essentially parallel to one of its outer edges. This can be advantageous for the distribution of the fluid. By means of such an embodiment of the flow-guiding elements, the fluid can be directed, for example, from a fluid connection to a further fluid connection.

By creating flow channels, in addition, the distribution of the fluid can be influenced within the housing.

The flow guide elements can be formed, for example, from rectilinear walls or webs, or by individual nipple-like elevations. Other embodiments of the flow guide are also providable.

In addition to the flow line, these elements can also be used to convert a laminar flow into a turbulent flow, in order to achieve greater mixing of the fluid, and thus to improve the heat transfer.

In a particularly favorable embodiment of the invention, it may also be provided that the flow guide or the flow guide in the final assembled state with the upper housing part and the lower housing part is in contact.

Through contact of the flow-guiding element or the flow-guiding elements with both the upper housing part and the lower housing part, it can be achieved that the fluid flows only around the flow-guiding elements and does not flow over it, since it directly engages with the lower housing part or lower part at its upper or lower side. in contact with the upper part of the housing. In the event that at least part of the flow guide are formed as walls, flow channels can be formed by a contact with both the upper housing part, and with the lower housing part, which can be flowed through by the fluid.

In addition, it may be provided in an advantageous development that the upper housing part or the lower housing part having the first fluid port and the second fluid port or that the upper housing part and the lower housing part each have one of the two fluid ports.

It is also expedient if the first fluid connection and / or the second fluid connection are formed by an opening on one of the erected edge regions of the housing lower part.

By arranging a fluid connection or both fluid connections on one of the erected edge regions, a lateral supply and discharge of the fluid can be achieved. This is particularly advantageous because the substantially flat main surface of the upper housing part and the lower housing part can be used completely as temperature transition surfaces. This solution is also advantageous if only a very small space is available.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the housing has in its interior a partition wall which divides the inner volume of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, which are in fluid communication with each other via an interruption of the partition wall.

The division of the inner volume into a first and a second chamber is particularly advantageous, since this can produce an ordered flow of the fluid within the housing.

A preferred embodiment may be characterized in that one of the fluid ports communicates with the first chamber in fluid communication and the other fluid port is in fluid communication with the second chamber.

By such an association of the fluid connections to one of the chambers, the fluid is given a flow path. The fluid flows through a fluid connection in one of the chambers and passes along the interruption in the partition into the second chamber. There it flows along the second chamber to a second fluid port and out of the housing. Furthermore, by such a guided flow and the emergence of congestion, which can lead to local temperature increases avoided.

Advantageous developments of the present invention are described in the subclaims and the following description of the figures.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following the invention will be explained in detail by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings show:

1 a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the invention, wherein the upper housing part is detached from the lower housing part,

2 a further perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the 1 .

3 a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the invention, with a multi-part housing, which consists of a trough-like housing lower part and a housing upper part, and

4 a detailed view of the heat exchanger according to 3 , wherein in the interior of the trough-like housing lower part, a plurality of flow guide elements is shown, which are formed partly as rectilinear walls and partly as cylindrical nubs.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The 1 shows a perspective view of a heat exchanger 1 , The heat exchanger 1 consists essentially of a housing 9 , which by a housing lower part 2 and an upper housing part 3 is formed. The heat exchanger 1 has a first fluid port 6 on and a second fluid connection 7 , The two fluid connections 6 . 7 can optionally be used as a fluid inlet or outlet.

The upper housing part 3 has essentially a flat extension. The lower housing part 2 is essentially formed of a trough-like bottom area with erected edge areas. The upper housing part 3 is dimensioned so that it is the lower housing part 2 fits perfectly. Between the upper housing part 3 and the lower housing part 2 it is thus possible to produce a fluid-tight connection. The internal volume, which is between the lower part of the housing 2 and the upper housing part 3 is formed, corresponds to the volume of the housing 9 , which can be traversed by a fluid.

The lower housing part 2 has a plurality of flow guide elements 4 . 5 on. Furthermore, the housing lower part 2 a partition 8th on which runs inside and the inner volume of the housing 9 of the heat exchanger 1 divided into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber communicates with the second chamber at at least one point inside the heat exchanger 1 in fluid communication. Advantageously, this point, at which the fluid communication of the first chamber takes place with the second chamber, located in an area which as far as possible from the fluid ports 6 . 7 is removed.

In the 1 shown flow guide 4 are essentially formed by walls, which are parallel to the partition wall 8th inside the housing base 2 run. Through this flow guide 4 be in the heat exchanger 1 formed a plurality of flow channels through which a fluid can flow. The flow guide elements 4 are dimensioned so that they are in the assembled state both with the lower housing part 2 as well as the upper housing part 3 stay in contact. In this way it is prevented that the fluid above or below the flow guide 4 can flow and only in the flow of the elements 4 trained flow channels through the heat exchanger 1 can flow. The flow guide elements 4 do not extend over the entire length of the heat exchanger 1 ,

In the front area of the heat exchanger 1 which also contains the fluid connections 6 . 7 has, are the flow guide elements 5 instead of the flow guide elements 4 arranged. At the flow guide elements 5 These are individual nubs, which are inside the housing base 2 are arranged. These flow guide elements 5 primarily serve the flow control of the fluid, which through the fluid port 6 or fluid connection 7 in the heat exchanger 1 can flow in. The individual nubs allow the fluid to spread over the width of the respective chamber before the fluid enters through the flow directors 4 flow channels formed flows.

In the rear area of the heat exchanger 1 , which the fluid connections 6 . 7 are substantially opposite, are also flow guide 5 arranged. In this area, the fluid flows out of the flow channels between the flow guide elements 4 out there and flows from one to the other chamber. The flow guide elements 5 in this case serve to generate turbulence in the fluid to produce a more even heat distribution. The other chamber of the heat exchanger 1 is constructed according to the first chamber. In the area of the flow passage from the first chamber, the second chamber also has flow guide elements 5 on and along the second chamber designed as a wall flow guide 4 , Likewise, the second chamber points below the fluid port 7 again the knob-like flow guide 5 on, which allow to collect the fluid from the individual flow channels and the fluid connection 7 to lead.

Both the flow guide elements 4 as well as the flow guide elements 5 are shown here only as an example. Also deviating embodiments are provided in alternative embodiments. So can for the flow guide 4 for example, be provided in a zigzag running walls or a waveform following walls. Instead of the nubs also embossed elevations and depressions may be provided or, for example, spherical-like elements which provide turbulence in the flow.

The fluid connections 6 . 7 can like in 1 shown on the top of the housing 3 be arranged. In alternative versions, but they can also be on the lower housing part 2 be provided. In a further alternative embodiment, it is also conceivable that one of the fluid connections 6 . 7 on the top of the housing 3 is arranged and another fluid connection 7 . 6 at the lower housing part 2 , The exact location of the fluid connections should be selected according to the subsequent installation conditions and the desired flow principle.

The in 1 shown heat exchanger 1 is flowed through the principle of a U-flow, that is, the fluid flows through one of the chambers and is deflected when passing into the second chamber substantially at an angle of about 180 °, before it flows back against the first main flow direction. Alternatively, a flow according to the I-flow principle would be foreseeable. In this case, it would be conceivable that the partition wall inside the heat exchanger 1 eliminates and the fluid connections at opposite ends of the heat exchanger 1 are provided.

Both the upper housing part 3 as well as the lower housing part 2 may be made of metallic materials such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, both the upper housing part 3 as well as the lower housing part 2 be produced from a plastic or a fiber-reinforced plastic. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the lower housing part 2 made of a plastic and the upper housing part 3 from a metallic material.

The 2 shows a further perspective view of a heat exchanger 1 according to 1 , Shown are in particular the upper housing part 3 , the lower housing part 2 and the fluid connections 6 . 7 , The view of 2 shows the heat exchanger 1 similar to the 1 in the unmounted state, d. h the upper housing part 3 is not on the housing base 2 placed. This creates an air gap between the upper housing part 3 and the lower housing part 2 ,

The 3 shows the case 9 of the heat exchanger 1 , Shown are essentially the lower housing part 2 , the upper part of the housing 3 as well as the flow guide elements 4 . 5 in the housing lower part 2 , The housing 9 has a rectangular basic shape. In alternative embodiments, a variant deviating from this is providable. For example, a housing 9 with rounded edges with a strongly elongated extent or even a circular basic shape of the housing 9 be predictable.

The 4 shows a detailed view of the housing base 2 and the housing upper part located above it 3 of the heat exchanger 1 ,

The flow guide elements are particularly easy to recognize 4 , which are as straight, parallel to the outer edges and the partition wall 8th running walls are executed. In the front and rear edge area instead of the rectilinear walls of the flow guide elements 4 knob-like flow guide elements 5 arranged.

The flow guide elements 5 may also be omitted in an alternative embodiment. Task of the flow guide 5 it is, a distribution of a fluid transverse to the main flow direction, which is responsible for the fluid between the flow guide elements 4 results, distribute. In particular in connection with in the 1 and 2 shown fluid connections 6 . 7 It is necessary that the fluid after flowing into the heat exchanger 1 within the respective chamber across the width of the chamber or the heat exchanger 1 distributed before the fluid enters the flow channels between the flow guide elements 4 flows. This is also provided at the area where the fluid flows from the first to the second chamber, as well as in the region of the respective second fluid port 6 . 7 ,

The compound of the advantageously carried out in plastic housing base 2 and the housing upper part made of an aluminum material 3 can advantageously be done by welding. The advantage of using a metal material for the upper part of the housing 3 results is that a metallic material usually has a better coefficient of thermal conductivity, whereby the heat transfer from the heat exchanger 1 to outside the heat exchanger 1 arranged components is improved. At the same time offers the execution of the housing lower part 2 made of a plastic has the advantage that an electrical insulation through the lower housing part 2 itself is given. In addition, the lower housing part can be 2 in a simple process, such as injection molding. In addition to the basic shape of the housing base 2 can be in one step, the flow guide 4 . 5 produce, which process steps can be saved and thus a more cost-effective production is achieved.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202012102349 U1 [0009]

Claims (10)

Heat exchanger ( 1 ) with a housing ( 9 ), with a first fluid connection ( 6 . 7 ) and a second fluid port ( 7 . 6 ), the housing ( 9 ) via the first fluid connection ( 6 . 7 ) and the second fluid port ( 7 . 6 ) is in fluid communication with a fluid source and can be flowed through by a fluid, characterized in that the housing ( 9 ) is made of several parts and by an upper housing part ( 3 ) and a trough-like housing lower part ( 2 ) is formed, wherein the housing lower part ( 2 ) a floor area ( 7 ) and an at least partially surrounding peripheral area ( 6 ), wherein the housing upper part ( 3 ) or the lower housing part ( 2 ) made of a plastic and the respective other housing part ( 3 . 2 ) is formed of a plastic, a metallic material or fiber composite material. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that inside the housing ( 9 ) at least one flow guide ( 4 . 5 ) is arranged. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower housing part ( 2 ) is formed of a plastic. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper housing part ( 3 ) is formed of a metallic material, in particular of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the flow guide elements ( 4 ) are formed as webs or walls or nubs and form at least one flow channel for the fluid between them. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow guiding element ( 4 ) to at least one of the erected edge regions of the housing lower part ( 2 ) runs parallel. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper housing part ( 3 ) or the lower housing part ( 2 ) the first fluid port ( 6 . 7 ) and the second fluid inlet ( 7 . 6 ) or that the upper housing part ( 3 ) and the housing lower part ( 2 ) each one of the two fluid connections ( 6 . 7 ) exhibit. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fluid port and / or the second fluid port through an opening at one of the erected edge regions of the housing lower part ( 2 ) is formed. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing ( 9 ) in its interior a partition ( 8th ), which divides the inner volume of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, which via an interruption of the partition ( 8th ) are in fluid communication with each other. Heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that one of the fluid connections ( 6 . 7 ) is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the respective other fluid connection ( 7 . 6 ) is in fluid communication with the second chamber.

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