Collector tube for a heat exchanger

Abstract

A collector tube for a heat exchanger having at least one flat tube, may include a base and a cover arranged opposite the base. The base and the cover may define a longitudinal duct. The base may include at least one passage having an opening configured to accommodate the at least one flat tube of the heat exchanger. The opening may have at least one wide edge and at least one narrow edge. The longitudinal duct may have, in a cross section, a diameter that is smaller than the at least one wide edge of the opening. The at least one passage may include a collar extending away from the longitudinal duct.

Claims

1. A collector tube for a heat exchanger having at least one flat tube, comprising: a base and a cover; the cover arranged opposite the base; the base and the cover defining a longitudinal duct; the base including at least one passage having an opening configured to accommodate the at least one flat tube of the heat exchanger; the opening having at least one wide edge and at least one narrow edge; the longitudinal duct having, in a cross section, a diameter that is smaller than the at least one wide edge of the opening; wherein the at least one passage includes a collar extending away from the longitudinal duct; wherein the base has an outer base surface; and wherein a protective layer is disposed on at least a portion of the outer base surface.

2. The collector tube according to claim 1, wherein a first subarea of the opening tapers at least partially towards the longitudinal duct.

3. The collector tube according to claim 2, wherein a second subarea of the opening widens towards the longitudinal duct, the second subarea of the opening disposed between the first subarea of the opening and the longitudinal duct.

4. The collector tube according to claim 3, wherein the opening includes an insertion bevel disposed above an outer base surface and a widening disposed below the outer base surface.

5. The collector tube according to claim 1, wherein: the cover includes at least one cover collar; and in areas disposed opposite the at least one passage, the at least one cover collar includes at least one depression extending away from the longitudinal duct.

6. The collector tube according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one passage includes at least two passages disposed spaced apart from one another; and at least one reinforcing bead is disposed in the base between the at least two passages.

7. The collector tube according to claim 5, wherein: at least one separating element is disposed between the cover and the base; the at least one separating element includes at least one separating wall and at least one holding arm; and the cover includes at least one recess into which the at least one holding arm is insertable.

8. The collector tube according to claim 1, wherein: the longitudinal duct has a semi-circular cross section including an arch area and a base area; the arch area is formed by the cover; a cover collar having a cover collar width is connected to each side of the arch area; the base area is formed by the base; the base includes a base collar having a predetermined material thickness; and a sum L of the cover collar width and the material thickness of the base collar with a predetermined base width B of the base is between $L_1=\frac{\left(B-11\mathrm{mm}\right)}{2}-1\mathrm{mm}\mathrm{and}{L}_2=\frac{\left(B-11\mathrm{mm}\right)}{2}+1\mathrm{mm}.$

9. The collector tube according to claim 8, wherein the cover collar connected to a first side of the arch area and the cover collar connected to a second side of the arch area have different cover collar widths and different sums L.sub.A and L.sub.B, and wherein an average (L.sub.A+L.sub.B)/2 is between L.sub.1 and L.sub.2.

10. A heat exchanger, for a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of flat tubes disposed spaced apart from one another; the plurality of flat tubes fluidically connected to one another via at least one collector tube, the at least one collector tube including: a base and a cover; the cover arranged opposite the base; the base and the cover defining a longitudinal duct; the base including at least one passage having an opening configured to accommodate the at least one flat tube of the heat exchanger; the opening having at least one wide edge and at least one narrow edge; the longitudinal duct having, in a cross section, a diameter that is smaller than the at least one wide edge of the opening; wherein the at least one passage includes a collar extending away from the longitudinal duct; wherein the longitudinal duct has a semi-circular cross section including an arch area and a base area; wherein the arch area is formed by the cover; wherein a cover collar having a cover collar width is connected to each side of the arch area; wherein the base area is formed by the base; wherein the base includes a base collar having a predetermined material thickness; and wherein a sum L of the cover collar width and the material thickness of the base collar with a predetermined base width B of the base is between $L_1=\frac{\left(B-11\mathrm{mm}\right)}{2}-1\mathrm{mm}\mathrm{and}{L}_2=\frac{\left(B-11\mathrm{mm}\right)}{2}+1\mathrm{mm}.$

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein: the base is structured flat; the plurality of flat tubes are arranged in the at least one passage of the at least one collector tube; and a plurality of front edges of the plurality of flat tubes are flush with the base.

12. The collector tube according to claim 1, wherein: the cover has an inner cover surface facing toward the base, the inner cover surface including at least one contact subarea and at least one arch subarea; the at least one contact subarea contacts an inner base surface of the base facing the cover; and the at least one arch subarea is disposed spaced apart from the base and at least partially delimits the longitudinal duct.

13. The collector tube according to claim 12, wherein: the at least one contact subarea includes at least two contact subareas, the at least one arch subarea extending between and connecting the at least two contact subareas; and the diameter of the longitudinal duct is defined by the distance between the at least two contact subareas.

14. The collector tube according to claim 13, wherein: the base has an inner base surface facing toward the cover, the inner base surface including a base subarea disposed spaced apart from the at least one arch subarea and at least partially delimiting the longitudinal duct; a portion of the cover defining the at least one arch subarea is curved away from the base; and a portion of the base defining the base subarea is curved at least one of away from and toward the cover.

15. The collector tube according to claim 14, wherein the base subarea has at least one curvature radius that is larger than a smallest curvature radius of the at least one arch subarea.

16. The collector tube according to claim 1, wherein a difference between the diameter of the longitudinal duct and a length of the at least one wide edge of the opening is larger than twice a material thickness of at least one of the base and the cover.

17. The collector tube according to claim 1, wherein: the cover includes at least one cover collar via which the cover contacts the base; the at least one cover collar including at least one embossed depression; and the portion of the at least one cover collar including the at least one depression and the base define a transverse duct extending transversely to the longitudinal duct.

18. A collector tube for a heat exchanger having at least one flat tube, comprising: a base and a cover arranged opposite the base such that the base and the cover define a longitudinal duct; a separating element arranged between the base and the cover, the separating element having a contour corresponding to a cross sectional contour of the longitudinal duct such that the separating element divides the longitudinal duct into fluid-tight segments; the base including at least one passage having an opening configured to accommodate the at least one flat tube of the heat exchanger, the opening having at least one wide edge and at least one narrow edge; a cross section of the longitudinal duct having a diameter that is smaller than a length of the at least one wide edge of the opening; and wherein the base includes a collar surrounding the opening and protruding from the base away from the longitudinal duct.

19. The collector tube according to claim 18, wherein: a separating wall of the separating element includes a plurality of elevations; and at least one elevation of the plurality of elevations is curved in an opposite direction than at least one other elevation of the plurality of elevations.

20. The collector tube according to claim 1, further comprising at least one separating element including at least one separating wall and two holding arms projecting from the at least one separating wall in opposite directions, wherein: the cover includes two recess disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal duct; and the at least one separating element is disposed between the cover and the base, and the two holding arms are disposed within the two recesses of the cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In each case schematically,

(2) FIG. 1 shows a heat exchanger or condenser, respectively,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a collector tube according to the invention,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a collector tube according to the invention prior to the assembly,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a collector tube according to the invention comprising a reinforcing bead,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a separating element according to the invention,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section along a collector tube according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) As illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 2 has a plurality of flat tubes 3, which are fluidically connected to two collector tubes 1. The collector tubes 1 and the flat tubes 3 are arranged essentially transversely to one another. A first collector tube 1 is provided with an inlet 24, and a second collector tube 1 has an outlet 25. The inlet 24 and the outlet 25 can be connected to a non-illustrated air conditioning circuit of a vehicle, wherein the air conditioning circuit can be used to regulate the room temperature in the vehicle interior.

(9) If the heat exchanger 2 is used as condenser, a refrigerant of the air conditioning circuit enters in the vaporous aggregate state into the collector tube 1 through the inlet 24 and flows through the flat tubes 3. Separating elements 15 are inserted in the collector tubes 1 in such a way that a meander-shaped flow guidance of the refrigerant results. While the refrigerant flows through the flat tubes 3, it dissipates its heat energy to the flat tubes 3 or to the surrounding area of the flat tubes 3, respectively, so that it cools down and condenses. Fins 26, which increase the mechanical stability of the heat exchanger 2 and which enlarge the surface, via which the heat energy of the refrigerant can be discharged to the external environment, are arranged between the flat tubes 3. The condensed refrigerant is supplied to the air conditioning circuit via the outlet 25.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a collector tube according to the invention. A perspective view of this collector tube 1 prior to the assembly is shown in FIG. 3. The collector tube 1 consists of a base 4 and a cover 5, wherein the base 4 has a base collar 30. Compared to the cover 5, the base 4 is embodied to be essentially flat. The base 4 and the cover 5 can be made of a sheet metal, wherein the collector tubes 1 as well as the entire heat exchanger 2 can be produced by means of soldering.

(11) The base 4 has an outer base surface 19 and an inner base surface 27. The outer base surface 19 is defined as the surface of the base 4, which is in contact with the external environment in the case of the assembled collector tube 1. A protective layer 34 may be disposed on at least a portion of the outer base surface 19 (see, e.g., FIG. 6). The remaining surface of the base 4, which is not in contact with the external environment in the case of the assembled collector tube 1, is defined as inner base surface 27.

(12) The cover 5 has an outer cover surface 28 and an inner cover surface 29. The outer cover surface 28 is defined as the surface of the cover 5, which is in contact with the external environment in the case of the assembled collector tube 1. The remaining surface of the cover 5, which is not in contact with the external environment in the case of the assembled collector tube 1, is defined as inner cover surface 29.

(13) A subarea of the inner base surface 27 bears on a subarea of the inner cover surface 29, wherein this subarea of the inner base surface 29 is essentially formed by the base collar 12. A further subarea of the inner base surface 27 is embodied as base area 21 and is spaced apart from a further subarea of the inner cover surface 29, wherein this subarea of the inner cover surface 29 embodies an arch area 20. The base area 21 and the arch area 20 limit a longitudinal duct 6, through which a refrigerant can flow.

(14) The base area 21 has a curvature, which extends away from the cover 5. This curvature improves the pressure stability of the collector tube 1. The arch area 20 also has a curvature, which extends away from the base 4. Due to the fact that the curvature radius of the arch area 20 is smaller than the curvature radius of the base area 21, the arch area 20 limits a larger cross sectional surface of the longitudinal duct 6 than the base area 21.

(15) The base 4 has a plurality of passages 7, which are arranged spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal duct 6. Each passage 7 has an opening 8 and a collar 11, which extends away from the longitudinal duct 6. The opening 8 has a wide edge 10 and a narrow edge 33, which correspond to the dimensions of the flat tubes 3 in such a way that the flat tubes 3 can be inserted through the respective opening 8. It can be seen particularly well in FIG. 6 that the opening 8 of the passage 7 can initially taper towards the longitudinal duct 6 and can subsequently widen again. The insertion of the respective flat tube 3 into the respective passage 7 can be simplified thereby.

(16) In areas opposite a passage 7, the cover collar 12 has depressions 13. Each of these depressions 13 can be embossed in the cover collar 12 and, together with the inner base surface 27 of the base 4, in each case embodies a transverse duct, the diameter of which can correspond to at least the length of the narrow edge 33 of the opening 8. The transverse ducts guide the refrigerant, which flows through the edge areas of the respective flat tube 3, to the longitudinal duct. A fluidically more advantageous transition from the flat tube 3 to the longitudinal duct 6 is thus provided. It is a further advantage that the front edges of the flat tubes do not bear on the cover collar 12 and are thus not damaged.

(17) A separating element 15 is illustrated in FIG. 3 prior to the assembly of the collector tube 1. This separating element 15 is shown in the enlarged illustration in FIG. 5. The separating element 15 has a separating wall 16, the contour of which corresponds to the cross sectional contour of the longitudinal duct 6, so as to provide for a fluid-tight segmenting of the longitudinal duct 6. The separating element 15 has two holder arms 17, between which the separating wall 16 is arranged. The separating wall 16 can be provided with elevations 31, wherein the elevations 31 can be curved in opposite directions.

(18) The cover 5 and the cover collar 12 have recesses 18, which correspond to the dimensions of the holder arms 17. The separating element 15 is inserted into these recesses 18, which can be embodied as slits, prior to the assembly of the base 4 and of the cover 5. The separating element 15 is thus located in the cover 5 in an initially non-tiltable and captive manner, and subsequently in the collector tube 1 in a non-tiltable and captive manner.

(19) FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a collector tube 1 according to the invention, wherein, compared to the collector tube 1 of FIG. 1, the collector tube 1 is provided with at least one reinforcing bead 14. This reinforcing bead 14 can be embossed in the base 4 between two passages 7 and can have a longitudinal extension, which can be essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal duct 6. The reinforcing beads 14 can have a curvature radius, which is smaller than the curvature radius of the base area 21.

(20) The reinforcing beads 14 are arranged between the base area 21 and the area, in which the inner base surface 27 and the inner cover surface 29 touch. The reinforcing beads lead to a reduction of the peel stress, because the respective reinforcing bead 14 clings to the transition radius between arch area 20 and cover collar 12 in such a way that the peel stress is at least partially converted into a shear stress.

(21) The relevant dimensions for the optimal dimensioning of the collector tube 1 are also illustrated in FIG. 4. The diameter 9 of the longitudinal duct 6 is smaller than the length of the wide edge 10 of the opening 8. The length 22 is the sum of the cover collar width and the material thickness of the base collar 30. The base width 23 corresponds to the sum of the diameter 9 and twice the length 22.

(22) A longitudinal section along a collector tube 1 according to the invention comprising a reinforcing bead 14 is shown in FIG. 6, in which it can be seen well that a first subarea 8a of the opening 8 of the at least one passage 7 tapers at least partially towards the longitudinal duct 6, wherein a second subarea 8b of the opening 8 is provided between the first subarea 8a of the opening 8 and the longitudinal duct 6, which widens towards the longitudinal duct 6. The opening 8 of the at least one passage 7 thus embodies an insertion bevel 35 above an outer base surface 19 and a widening 36 below the outer base surface 19. Above can be understood such that the insertion bevel 35 extends away from the outer base surface 19 and the longitudinal duct 6, thus is not arranged between outer base surface 19 and longitudinal duct 6. Below can be understood such that the widening 36 extends from the outer base surface 19 to the longitudinal duct 6 or is arranged between outer base surface 19 and longitudinal duct 6, respectively.