Heat exchanger with header contact regions for tubes support

Abstract

The application relates to a heat exchanger having a block with ribs and rectangular tubes. The block is arranged between a first collecting box and a second collecting box. Each collecting box is closed off by a base which has eyelets for receiving the tubes, and a trough-shaped circulating section for receiving the collecting box extends along the edge of the base. The base has an elevated contact region on at least one end face for the tube which lies directly opposite the end face in order to allow a stable structure of the heat exchanger, collecting boxes, and block.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising a block having fins and rectangular tubes, wherein the block is arranged between a first collecting tank and a second collecting tank wherein the first and second collecting tanks are each closed off by a base, wherein each base comprises a central region extending along a length of the base, a first and second end side arranged on end regions of the base opposite one another, a plurality of rim holes sequentially arranged in the central region configured to receive the rectangular tubes of the block, a channel-shaped groove encircling the base configured to mate with an edge of the first or second collecting tank, a first and second elevation arranged centrally on the first and second end sides of the base such that each abuts a portion of the groove nearest to the first and second end side respectively, wherein the first and second elevations extend above the central region in a direction away from the collecting tank attached to the base.

2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outside side of the first and second elevation is adjacent to the encircling groove, wherein the inside side of the first and second elevation is adjacent to a respective rim hole of the plurality of rim holes, wherein the first and second elevation extend between the encircling groove and said rim hole.

3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second elevation are locally delimited such that they do not extend across the entire width of a respective adjacent rim hole.

4. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second elevation elevate in the direction of that side of the base which faces away from the collecting tank.

5. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first elevation and the second elevation are soldered adjacent to a respective rim hole of the plurality of rim holes which is directly opposite a respective end side.

6. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second elevation are formed adjacent to a respective rim hole of the plurality of rim holes which receives the rectangular tube opposite a respective end side and which is drawn as far as the groove such that the first and second elevation each abut said rectangular tube.

7. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elevation and the second elevation are configured as an embossed portion punched out of the base.

8. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rectangular tubes are folded.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of at least one exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a heat exchanger,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a model view of a base of a heat exchanger in a view from above,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a model view of the base of the heat exchanger in a view from below,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a cutout of a base of the heat exchanger with an elevation, and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a section through a base of a heat exchanger.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(7) Identical features are indicated by the same reference numbers.

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates a heat exchanger 1, in particular a coolant cooler, which consists of a block 2 which is arranged between two collecting tanks 3, 4, wherein the first collecting tank 3 can serve for the entry of a medium to be cooled into the heat exchanger 1, whereas the cooled medium can leave the heat exchanger 1 through the second collecting tank 4. However, in another variant, the first collecting tank can also comprise an inlet and an outlet, whereas the second collecting tank then merely brings about a deflection without discharge.

(9) Each collecting tank 3, 4 here has a base 5, 6 to which the block 2, which is closed off by a side part 7, is connected. The block 2 consists of a plurality of tubes 8 and a plurality of fins 9, wherein tube 8 and fin 9 are preferably arranged in an alternating manner with respect to one another. The collecting tank 3 here has a connecting branch 10 into which the coolant which is conducted out of the internal combustion engine (not illustrated specifically) and is heated up by the latter flows, the coolant being conducted through the tubes 8 of the block 2 to the second collecting container 4. A gaseous medium, preferably air, is conducted through the block 2, in particular the fins 9, said medium absorbing the heat of the cooling medium flowing through the tubes 8 and removing the heat from the heat exchanger 1. The cooling medium is thereby cooled. The second collecting tank 4 of the heat exchanger 1, in which collecting tank the cooled cooling medium flows, comprises a further connecting branch 11 through which the cooling medium is discharged from the heat exchanger 1 and is supplied again to the internal combustion engine.

(10) The tubes 8 have a cross section similar to a rectangle. They are preferably folded. As is apparent from FIG. 2, in which the base 5 of the collecting tank 3 is partially illustrated, the base 5, which is likewise designed in a manner similar to a rectangle, has a plurality of rim holes 12. The rim hole 12 is an opening which is likewise of rectangular design and into which the end of one tube 8 in each case is pushed. In the case of the first tube 8a and the last tube 8b of the block 2, which tubes both run directly parallel to an end side 13 of the base 5, there is the problem that the fins 9 do not reach as far as the base 5. As a result, the tubes 8a, 8b running parallel to the end sides of the base are unstable, and this can result in tube breakage.

(11) The base 5 has a channel-shaped circulating means 14, into which the collecting tank 3 is inserted with the interposition of a seal. Said circulating means 14 is illustrated in FIG. 2 in the form of a hollow part facing outward. The circulating means 14 is separated from the tubes 8a and 8b by an expanded region 15. Starting from said channel-shaped circulating means 14, an elevation 16 extends as far as the rim hole 12a which receives the first tube 8a directly opposite the end side 13. Said elevation 16 firstly has the effect that the position of the tube 8a, which extends in the first rim hole 12a, is stabilized. Furthermore, the elevation 16 serves, when the tubes 8 are clamped to the base 5, to guide the folded tube 8a, which slightly spreads under the pressure of the block 2, into the rim hole 12a, as a result of which the end of the tube 8a is again parallel to the rim hole 12a and simple processing is possible.

(12) FIG. 3 illustrates the base 5 in a view from below, in which it is clear that the rim holes 12 have a collar-like design so that they can better surround the tubes 8. From this view, in particular the section B-B, it is clear that the elevation 16 is stamped out of the base 5. The base 5 is produced together with the rim holes 12 from sheet metal in a punching process.

(13) From FIG. 4, where the base 5 is once again illustrated in detail, it is apparent that the elevation 16, which elevates on the side of the base 5 which is opposite the collecting tank 3, extends as far as the first rim hole 12a of the first tube 8a. It is clear in particular from FIG. 4b that the elevation 16 extends at a higher level than the formation of the rim hole 12a. It is advantageous here that the elevation 16, however, does not reduce the cross section of the rim hole 12a, but rather keeps the latter constant, and therefore a tube of customary size can be inserted there. With the aid of this elevation 16, the end of the tube 8a is guided into the rim hole 12a during installation. As a result, the tube end of the tube 8a is aligned again with the rim hole 12a, and therefore a probability of damage is reduced.

(14) The explanations provided in conjunction with the collecting tank 3 and the base 5 also apply analogously to the collecting tank 4 and the base 6 thereof.

(15) The elevation 16 can be integrated in a simple manner into a punching tool. An alternating use of embodiments of the base 5, 6 with and without an elevation is possible without each finishing machine of a block having to be adapted. A finishing machine of a block constitutes a tool in which the heat exchanger 1 is manufactured as a whole. The manufacturing sequences are therefore not changed for the production of a block.

(16) FIG. 5 shows an end region of the base 5 according to the invention, in which a channel-shaped groove is formed in an encircling manner as a circulating means 14, in which the collecting tank (not illustrated) can be inserted by the collecting tank foot thereof with the interposition of a seal (not illustrated). Said circulating means 14 is formed as a U-shaped hollow part facing outward, wherein, in the center of the narrow sides, an oppositely curved region 20 is directly connected to the U-shaped hollow part 14 and can serve as a receptacle, for example, for a side part. The circulating means 14 is separated from the tube openings or from the rim holes 12a by an expanded region 15. Starting from said channel-shaped circulating means 14, an elevation extends as far as the rim hole 12a which receives the first tube 8a directly opposite the end side 13.