Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger may include a first collecting tank and a second collecting tank. The first collecting tank may include a first collecting pipe having a first collecting pipe opening for letting in a fluid and a second collecting pipe having a second collecting pipe opening for discharging the fluid. The second collecting tank may be arranged opposite the first collecting tank and may include a third collecting pipe and a fourth collecting pipe. The heat exchanger may also include a plurality of heat exchanger pipes fluidically connecting the first collecting pipe to the third collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe to the fourth collecting pipe. The heat exchanger may also include a separating wall arranged in each of the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe respectively dividing each into a first pipe section and a second pipe section.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a first collecting tank including a first collecting pipe and a second collecting pipe, the first collecting pipe having a first collecting pipe opening for letting in a fluid, and the second collecting pipe having a second collecting pipe opening for discharging the fluid; a second collecting tank arranged opposite the first collecting tank and including a third collecting pipe and a fourth collecting pipe; a plurality of heat exchanger pipes fluidically connecting the first collecting pipe to the third collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe to the fourth collecting pipe; a separating wall arranged in each of the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe respectively dividing the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe into a first pipe section and a second pipe section; a connector assembly configured to fluidically supply the first collecting tank, the connector assembly including a base plate, an outer shell, and two supply pipe bodies; wherein the second pipe section of the first collecting pipe and the second pipe section of the second collecting pipe are fluidically connected in the first collecting tank such that the fluid is flowable through, in order, the first collecting pipe opening, the first pipe section of the first collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the third collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the second pipe section of the first collecting pipe, the second pipe section of the second collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the fourth collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the first pipe section of the second collecting pipe, the second collecting pipe opening; wherein the base plate has a first plate opening fluidically connected to the first collecting pipe opening and a second plate opening fluidically connected to the second collecting pipe opening; wherein a first pipe accommodation for a first supply pipe body and a second pipe accommodation for a second supply pipe body are defined by the base plate and the outer shell; wherein the two supply pipe bodies each include a respective adapter element via which the two supply pipe bodies are arranged within a corresponding pipe accommodation and enclosed in a positive manner; wherein a first supply duct extends from the first pipe accommodation to the first plate opening; and wherein a second supply duct, which is fluidically separated from the first supply duct, extends from the second pipe accommodation to the second plate opening.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first pipe section of the first collecting pipe includes the first collecting pipe opening, and the first pipe section of the second collecting pipe includes the second collecting pipe opening.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat exchanger pipes includes: a plurality of first heat exchanger pipes fluidically connecting the first pipe section of the first connecting pipe to the third collecting pipe; a plurality of second heat exchanger pipes fluidically connecting the third collecting pipe to the second pipe section of the first collecting pipe; a plurality of third heat exchanger pipes fluidically connecting the second pipe section of the second collecting pipe to the fourth collecting pipe; and a plurality of fourth heat exchanger pipes fluidically connecting the fourth collecting pipe to the first pipe section of the second collecting pipe.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first collecting pipe, the second collecting pipe, the third collecting pipe, and the fourth collecting pipe have a respective flattened bottom including a plurality of passages directed to an outside and structured to accommodate the plurality of heat exchanger pipes.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of heat exchanger pipes has a shoulder arranged against a corresponding collecting pipe on a front side.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein the respective flattened bottom of at least one of i) the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe, and ii) the third collecting pipe and the fourth collecting pipe, extend at an incline relative to one another and define a predetermined angle , which is not equal to 180.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein: at least one of the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe includes a wall connected to the respective flattened bottom and forming a flow cross section with the respective flattened bottom; and the wall has a circular section in the shape of a circular segment disposed opposite the respective flattened bottom and a plurality of transition sections connected thereto on both sides, which transition into the respective flattened bottom.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the second plate opening has a cross section, which has a shape corresponding to a portion of the flow cross section disposed within the circular section, and is arranged aligned with the circular section and is fluidically connected to the second collecting pipe opening.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: the first collecting pipe opening and the second collecting pipe opening are arranged on a front side of the first collecting tank; and the base plate abuts on the front side of the first collecting tank such that the first plate opening and the second plate opening are arranged aligned with and directly fluidically connected to the first collecting pipe opening and the second collecting pipe opening respectively.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: the base plate includes a first plate molding and a second plate molding that each protrude from the base plate away from the outer shell; the outer shell includes a first shell molding and a second shell molding that each protrude from the outer shell away from the base plate; the base plate and the outer shell are coupled to one another such that (i) the first plate molding and the first shell molding define the first pipe accommodation and (ii) the second plate molding and the second shell molding define the second pipe accommodation.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein: at least a portion of the first supply duct is defined by and between the first shell molding and a planar portion of the base plate; and at least a portion of the second supply duct is defined by and between the second shell molding and the planar portion of the base plate.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined angle is less than or equal to 174.

13. A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of collecting pipes having a respective flattened bottom including a plurality of passages directed to an outside, the plurality of collecting pipes including a first collecting pipe, a second collecting pipe, a third collecting pipe, and a fourth collecting pipe, the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe respectively divided into a first pipe section and a second pipe section via a separating wall arranged therein; a first collecting tank including the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe, the first collecting pipe having a first collecting pipe opening configured to let in a fluid, and the second collecting pipe having a second collecting pipe opening for discharging the fluid; a second collecting tank arranged opposite the first collecting tank and including the third collecting pipe and the fourth collecting pipe; and a plurality of heat exchanger pipes coupled to the plurality of passages and fluidically connecting the first collecting pipe to the third collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe to the fourth collecting pipe; a connector assembly configured to fluidically supply the first collecting tank, the connector assembly including a base plate, an outer shell, a first supply pipe body, and a second supply pipe body; wherein the second pipe section of the first collecting pipe and the second pipe section of the second collecting pipe are fluidically connected in the first collecting tank such that the fluid is flowable through, in order, the first collecting pipe opening, the first pipe section of the first collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the third collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the second pipe section of the first collecting pipe, the second pipe section of the second collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the fourth collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the first pipe section of the second collecting pipe, the second collecting pipe opening; wherein the base plate includes a first plate molding and a second plate molding that each protrude from the base plate away from the outer shell; wherein the outer shell includes a first shell molding and a second shell molding that each protrude from the outer shell away from the base plate; wherein the base plate and the outer shell are coupled to one another such that (i) the first plate molding and the first shell molding define a first pipe accommodation for the first supply pipe body and (ii) the second plate molding and the second shell molding define a second pipe accommodation for the second supply pipe body; wherein the first supply pipe body includes a first adapter element via which the first supply pipe body is arranged within the first pipe accommodation and enclosed in a positive manner; and wherein the second supply pipe body includes a second adapter element via which the second supply pipe body is arranged within the second pipe accommodation and enclosed in a positive manner.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 13, wherein: the base plate has a first plate opening fluidically connected to the first collecting pipe opening and a second plate opening fluidically connected to the second collecting pipe opening; the connector assembly further includes a first supply duct extending from the first pipe accommodation to the first plate opening; and the connector assembly further includes a second supply duct, fluidically separated from the first supply duct, extending from the second pipe accommodation to the second plate opening.

15. The heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein: at least a portion of the first supply duct is defined by and between the first shell molding and a planar portion of the base plate; and at least a portion of the second supply duct is defined by and between the second shell molding and the planar portion of the base plate.

16. A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of collecting pipes including a first collecting pipe, a second collecting pipe, a third collecting pipe, and a fourth collecting pipe, the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe respectively divided into a first pipe section and a second pipe section via a separating wall arranged therein; a first collecting tank including the first collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe, the first collecting pipe having a first collecting pipe opening configured to let in a fluid, and the second collecting pipe having a second collecting pipe opening for discharging the fluid, the first collecting pipe opening and the second collecting pipe opening arranged on a front side of the first collecting tank; a second collecting tank arranged opposite the first collecting tank and including the third collecting pipe and the fourth collecting pipe; a plurality of heat exchanger pipes fluidically connecting the first collecting pipe to the third collecting pipe and the second collecting pipe to the fourth collecting pipe; a connector assembly configured to fluidically supply the first collecting tank including a base plate having a first plate opening and a second plate opening, the base plate arranged against the front side of the first collecting tank such that the first plate opening and the second plate opening are arranged aligned with and directly fluidically connected to the first collecting pipe opening and the second collecting pipe opening respectively; wherein the connector assembly further includes an outer shell arranged on the base plate opposite the front side of the first collecting tank, the outer shell including a handle section projecting therefrom toward the first collecting tank via which the outer shell is coupled to the first collecting tank; wherein the handle section projects beyond and at least partially surrounds the base plate, the first collecting pipe opening, and the second collecting pipe opening; wherein the second pipe section of the first collecting pipe and the second pipe section of the second collecting pipe are fluidically connected in the first collecting tank such that the fluid is flowable through, in order, the first collecting pipe opening, the first pipe section of the first collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the third collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the second pipe section of the first collecting pipe, the second pipe section of the second collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the fourth collecting pipe, the plurality of heat exchanger pipes, the first pipe section of the second collecting pipe, the second collecting pipe opening.

17. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: the outer shell includes a handle section projecting therefrom toward the first collecting tank via which the outer shell is coupled to the first collecting tank; and the handle section projects beyond and at least partially surrounds the base plate, the first collecting pipe opening, and the second collecting pipe opening.

18. The heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein: the first collecting pipe, the second collecting pipe, the third collecting pipe, and the fourth collecting pipe have a respective flattened bottom and a respective wall, the respective wall connected to the respective flattened bottom forming a flow cross section therewith; and the handle section extends along and is coupled to the respective wall of the first collecting pipe and the respective wall of the second collecting pipe.

19. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: the two supply pipe bodies are structured separately and independently from the respective adapter element; and the respective adapter element of the first supply pipe body and the respective adapter element of the second supply pipe body are structured differently than one another.

20. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the first plate opening has a cross section that is smaller than and has a different shape than the cross section of the second plate opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In each case schematically,

(2) FIG. 1 shows a highly simplified, circuit diagram-like illustration of an air conditioning system in a vehicle,

(3) FIG. 2 shows an isometric partial view of a heat exchanger of the air conditioning system comprising a connector assembly,

(4) FIG. 3 shows an isometric partial view of the air conditioning system comprising the connector assembly in exploded illustration,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the heat exchanger,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross section through the heat exchanger in the area of a collecting tank,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the collecting tank,

(8) FIG. 7 shows a cross section through the connector assembly in the case of a further exemplary embodiment,

(9) FIG. 8 shows an isometric partial view of the collecting tank,

(10) FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of the collecting tank with open illustration of the first collecting pipe,

(11) FIG. 10 shows a highly simplified, isometric view of the heat exchanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) An air conditioning system 1, which can be used in a vehicle 2, so as to climatize for example a vehicle interior 3 of the vehicle 2, is illustrated in FIG. 1 in a highly simplified manner. The air conditioning system 1 has a circuit 4, in which a coolant is driven by a conveying device 5 and circulates. The coolant thereby flows through a capacitor 6, an expander 7, as well as an evaporator 8 in succession, wherein the capacitor 6 and the evaporator 8 in each case act as a heat exchanger 9. The coolant and a further fluid flows through the respective heat exchanger 9 in such a way that a heat exchange results between the coolant and the further fluid. In the case of the evaporator 8, the further fluid is air 10, which flows through the evaporator 8 and is cooled thereby, wherein the cooled air 10 is supplied to the vehicle interior 3.

(13) FIG. 2 shows an isometric partial view of one of the heat exchangers 9, in particular of the evaporator 8. The heat exchanger 9 has a plurality of heat exchanger pipes 11, through which the coolant flows and which are arranged spaced apart from one another. In the shown example, the heat exchanger pipes 11 are embodied as flat pipes 12. As a result of the spaced-apart arrangement of the heat exchanger pipes 11, air 10 can flow between the heat exchanger pipes 11 and can thereby flow around them and can hereby exchange heat with the coolant, which flows through the heat exchanger pipes 11, and can thus be cooled. An improved heat exchange between the air 10 and the coolant can be attained in that corrugated fins 13, which can be flown through between adjacent heat exchanger pipes 11, are provided. The fluidic supply of the heat exchanger pipes 11 with the coolant takes place with the help of at least one collecting tank 14, wherein a collecting tank 14 can be seen at an upper end of the heat exchanger 8 in FIG. 2. At an opposite lower end, which is not shown, the heat exchanger 9 preferably has a further second collecting tank 14, which is not shown.

(14) As follows from a combined view of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in which the corrugated fin 13 is suggested by a dashed line course and is illustrated in a transparent manner, the collecting tank 14 has two collecting pipes 15, 16, namely a first collecting pipe 15, and a second collecting pipe 16. On the side facing the heat exchanger pipes 11, the respective collecting pipe 15, 16 has a flattened pipe bottom 17, or bottom 17 in short. A wall 18 of the corresponding collecting pipe 15, 16, which bounds a hollow space 19 of the collecting pipe 15, 16, which can be flown through, with the bottom 17, connects at the respective bottom 17. The collecting pipes 15, 16 each run in a longitudinal direction 20 and thus essentially in parallel and are arranged adjacent to one another in a transverse direction 21, which runs transversely to the longitudinal direction 20, in particular so as to adjoin one another directly. The walls 18 of the collecting pipes 15, 16 thereby meet in a central area 22 of the collecting tank 14 in the transverse direction 21, and thus form a central seam 23 of the collecting tank 14, which is arranged centrally in the transverse direction 21 and which extends in the longitudinal direction 20. In the bottom 17, the respective collecting pipe 15, 16 has accommodations 24 for the heat exchanger pipes 11, which will also be identified below as tank accommodations 24. The tank accommodations 24 of the respective collecting pipe 15, 16 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 20 and in each case accommodate a heat exchanger pipe 11. In the shown example, the tank accommodations 24 of both collecting pipes 15, 16 are thereby arranged equidistant in the longitudinal direction 20, wherein a tank accommodation 24 of the second collecting pipe 16 is arranged adjacent to the respective tank accommodation 24 of the first collecting pipe 15 in the transverse direction 21 in such a way that two heat exchanger pipes 11, which are aligned with one another and which are spaced apart from one another in each case, are arranged in the transverse direction 21 and that this arrangement repeats itself in the longitudinal direction 20.

(15) In the shown example, the coolant, which flows into the first collecting pipe 15 and in the heat exchanger pipes 11, which are arranged in the tank accommodations 24 of the first collecting pipe 15 and are thus fluidically connected thereto, is supplied to the first collecting pipe 15 via a connector assembly 25. The coolant flows through these heat exchanger pipes 11 and, in particular in the non-illustrated, opposite, lower or second collecting tank 14, respectively, is deflected into the heat exchanger pipes 11, which are accommodated in the tank accommodations 24 of the second collecting pipe 16, so that the coolant subsequently flows via these heat exchanger pipes 11 into the second collecting pipe 16, wherein the coolant is sucked from the second collecting pipe 16 via the connector assembly 25. The coolant is thus injected into the first collecting pipe 15 with the help of the conveying device 5, and is sucked from the second collecting pipe 16.

(16) As a result of the heat exchange between the coolant, which flows through the heat exchanger pipes 11 and the collecting pipes 15, 16, and the air 10, the air 10 is cooled. As a result of the cooling of the air 10, condensate accumulates, which can in particular deposit on the bottom 17 of the respective collecting pipe 15, 16. As can in particular be gathered from FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein FIG. 6 only shows the collecting tank 14 in cross section, the bottoms 17 of the collecting pipes 15, 16 run at an incline relative to one another in the manner of a gabled roof or of an upside-down channel, so that they form a predetermined angle 26, hereinafter also referred to as angle , of not equal to 180. The respective bottom 17 is thereby inclined relative to the transverse direction 21, wherein said angle 26 is formed by the outer surface 27 of the bottoms 17 facing the heat exchanger pipes 11, which, with the exception of the tank accommodations 24, run in an essentially plane and in a plate-shaped manner, so that the bottoms 17 are each embodied as a plane plate 28. In an installation position 29 or use position 29, which is illustrated for example in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottoms 17 are thereby also inclined relative to the gravitational direction G in such a way that, in the cross section with the gravitational direction G, they form an angle of smaller than 90. In other words, the outer surfaces 27 of both bottoms 17 are inclined relative to the gravitational direction G in the installation position 29, so that condensate accumulating on the bottoms 17 can flow along the outer surface 27 in a simplified manner and can thus be discharged in a simplified manner. In the case of the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, both bottoms 17 are thereby inclined to the corresponding hollow space 19, so that the bottoms 17 or the outer surfaces 27, respectively, form an angle 26 or a, respectively, of smaller than 180, in particular between 171 and 177, advantageously of 174, on the side facing the hollow spaces 19 or facing away from the heat exchanger pipes 11, respectively. The accumulating condensate can thus flow all the way to the central area 22. This accumulating condensate can then flow in the central area 22 or between the heat exchanger pipes 11, which are adjacent in the transverse direction 21, respectively, in the direction of the opposite, lower collecting tank 14, which is not shown, and can flow there to the outside from the central area 22 of this collecting tank in the transverse direction 21, where the condensate can flow away and/or is discharged.

(17) It can in particular be seen in FIGS. 4 to 6 as well as 8 that the tank accommodations 24 of the respective bottom 17 or of the collecting pipe 15, 16 respectively, are each formed by a passage 30, which can be produced by means of a tearing of the corresponding bottom 17. It can be seen thereby that the passages 30 are each directed away from the corresponding hollow space 19 and thus do not penetrate into the hollow space 19. The passages 30 may be directed to an outside 77 of the respective collecting pipes 15, 16, that is towards the heat exchanger pipes 11, for accommodating the heat exchanger pipes 11. The respective heat exchanger pipe 11 may have a shoulder 78, which protrudes on the outer side, with which the heat exchanger pipe 11 strikes against the corresponding collecting pipe 15, 16 on the front side 31. It is in particular possible hereby to insert the heat exchanger pipes 11 into the collecting pipes 15, 16 with a smaller penetration depth, so that the volume of the hollow space 19, which can be flown through or which can be used, respectively, is increased. It can furthermore be gathered in particular from FIGS. 5 and 6 that the passages 30 have front sides 31, which face away from the corresponding hollow space 19, wherein the front sides 31 run in a curved manner in the transverse direction 21, in particular curved in the shape of a circular segment. As can be gathered from FIG. 5, a reduced contact area results between the front side 31 and the adjacent corrugated fin 13 at the area of the front side 31, which protrudes the most. This volume can thus also be improved and can be used more efficiently for providing with the corrugated fins 13.

(18) As follows in particular from FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the collecting tank 14 in the shown example is produced integrally from one sheet metal part 32 or by forming the sheet metal part 32, respectively. It can further be seen that the wall 18 of the respective collecting pipe 15, 16 has a circular section 33 in the shape of a circular segment located opposite the corresponding bottom 17, as well as transition sections 34, which connect to the circular section 33 on both sides and which transition into the bottom 17, wherein the circular section 33 and the transition sections 34 define a flow cross section 35 of the corresponding collecting pipe 15, 16 or the corresponding hollow space 19, respectively. The flow cross section 35 is thereby preferably -shaped or is close to an -shape, respectively, in the area of the circular section 33 and in the adjacent area of the corresponding transition sections 34. In the central area 22, a transition section 34 each of both collecting pipes 15, 16 adjoin one another and thus form the central seam 23.

(19) On the side facing away from the heat exchanger pipes 11, in particular in the area of the wall 18, the respective collecting pipe 15, 16 has a plurality of beads 36, which will also be identified below as reinforcing beads 36. The reinforcing beads 36 are each embodied as indentations 37, which are directed to the outside. The reinforcing beads 36 run in the transverse direction 21 and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 20. A reinforcing bead 36 of the first collecting pipe 15 and a reinforcing bead 36 of the second collecting pipe 16 thereby each meet in the central area 22 of the collecting tank 14 or in the area of the central seam 23, respectively, in which the transition sections 34 of the collecting pipes 15, 16 adjoin one another. An improved mechanical stability of the entire collecting tank is thus attained, also outside of the beads 36, in particular also in a height direction 47, which runs transversely to the longitudinal direction 20 and transversely to the transverse direction 21.

(20) According to FIGS. 2 to 4, the connector assembly 25 has a base plate 38 as well as an outer shell 39. The base plate 38 has a first plate opening 40 and a second plate opening 41. The base plate 38 abuts on a front side 46 of a pipe bundle 42, which consists of the heat exchanger pipes 11 and the at least one collecting tank 14. The first plate opening 40 is thereby fluidically connected to a first collecting pipe opening 43 on the front side or longitudinal end side, respectively, of the first collecting pipe 15 in a fluidic manner, whereas the second plate opening 41 is fluidically connected to a second collecting pipe opening 44 on the front side or longitudinal end side, respectively, of the second collecting pipe 16. The respective plate opening 40, 41 is embodied as an aperture 45 in the base plate 38. The base plate 38 extends in the transverse direction 21 as well as in a height direction 47, which runs transversely to the transverse direction 21 and longitudinal direction 20, and abuts on the front side 46 of the collecting tank 14 as well as on the adjacent, outer corrugated fin 13. On the end of the base plate 38, which is spaced apart from the collecting tank 14, a first plate molding 48 protrudes from the corrugated fin 13 in the transverse direction 21, and a second plate molding 49 adjacent thereto in the height direction 48 and offset to the collecting tank 14. The outer shell 39 follows the course of the base plate 38 and has a first shell molding 50 located opposite the first plate molding 48, and a second shell molding 51 located opposite the second plate molding 49. The first plate molding 48, together with the first shell molding 50, forms a first pipe accommodation 42 for a first supply pipe body 53, whereas the second plate molding 49 forms, with the second shell molding 51, a second pipe accommodation 54, which is separate from the first pipe accommodation 52 and is spaced apart in the height direction 47, for a second supply pipe body 55 of the assembly 25. The respective supply pipe body 53, 55 has a pipe-shaped adapter element 56, which is accommodated in the corresponding pipe accommodation 52, 54 and is enclosed in a positive manner in such a way that the supply pipe body 53, 55 is fastened in the corresponding pipe accommodation 52, 54 in a mechanically stable manner. Even through the respective supply pipe body 53, 55 is illustrated so as to be spaced apart from the corresponding adapter element 56 in FIG. 3, the respective supply pipe body 53, 55 and the corresponding adapter element 56 can be made integrally, in particular monolithically, so that no separate connection between the adapter element 56 and the corresponding supply body 53, 55 is necessary.

(21) The first supply pipe body 53 is fluidically connected to the first plate opening 40 and thus to the first collecting pipe 15 via a first supply duct 57 connected to the first accommodation 52. In contrast, the second supply pipe body 55 is fluidically connected to the second plate opening 41 and thus to the second collecting pipe 16 via the second pipe accommodation 54 and a second supply duct 58, which is separated from the first supply duct 57. Coolant is thus introduced into the first accumulating pipe 15 via the first supply pipe body 53, whereas coolant is sucked from the second collecting pipe 16 via the second supply pipe body 55. The respective supply duct 57, 58 thereby connects to the corresponding pipe accommodation 52, 54, and is formed by the base plate 38 as well as a duct section 59 of the outer shell 39, which is embodied by a molding.

(22) As can in particular be gathered from FIG. 3, the first plate opening 40 is smaller, has in particular a smaller cross section than the second plate opening 41. It can further be seen that the second plate opening 41 has a shape, which is adapted to the circular section 33 of the second collecting pipe 16 in the area of the second collecting pipe opening 44, or an adapted cross section, respectively. This means in particular that the cross section of the second plate opening 41 is embodied complementary to the cross section of the second collecting pipe opening 44. The coolant can thereby be sucked from the second collecting pipe 16 particularly effectively and with little loss of pressure.

(23) FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the base plate 38, in the case of which the second plate opening 41 has a cross section, which corresponds to the flow cross section 35 of the second collecting pipe 16 in FIGS. 5 and 6, which, in the case of the shown example, preferably also corresponds to the flow cross section 35 of the second collecting pipe opening 44. It can further be seen in FIG. 7 that the plate openings 40, 41 are each arranged in a depression 60, which is directed towards the collecting tank 14, wherein the depressions 60 each slightly penetrate into the corresponding collecting pipe opening 43, 44 and have a form filling one of the corresponding collecting opening 43, 44. The second plate opening 41 is thereby embodied in the entire corresponding depression 60, whereas the first plate opening 40 has a round form and is arranged approximately in the center in the corresponding depression 60. It can also be seen that the depressions 60 follow the inclined course of the bottoms 17.

(24) In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the first plate molding 48 differs from the second plate molding 49, so that the first pipe accommodation 52 also differs from the second pipe accommodation 54. The adapter element 56 of the first supply pipe body 53 and the adapter element 56 of the second supply pipe body 55 are thus embodied differently in this exemplary embodiment. In contrast, the respective pipe accommodation 52, 54 is embodied identically in FIGS. 2 to 4, so that the adapter elements 56 of both supply pipe bodies 53, 55 are embodied identically as well. It can further be seen in FIG. 3 that the first supply pipe body 53 outside of the corresponding adapter element 56 is smaller than the second supply pipe body 55 and has a correspondingly smaller flow cross section.

(25) The base plate 38, the outer shell 39 as well as the supply pipe bodies 53, 55, in particular the adapter elements 56, are preferably joined to one another integrally by means of a joint process, whereby it is preferred when they are soldered to one another. For this purpose, the outer shell 39 and the base plate 38 can be solder-plated at least on one side. The respective adapter element 56 can thereby be placed in the corresponding plate molding 48, 49, and the outer shell 39 can subsequently be brought into contact with the base plate 38, and can be fixed thereto so as to attain the form of the connector assembly 25 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, wherein the assembly 25 is joined integrally subsequently, in particular soldered. It is also conceivable to join the assembly 25 integrally, in particular to weld it, together with further parts of the heat exchanger 9. In addition to the production of the connector assembly 25, a connection of the connector assembly 25 to the remaining heat exchanger 9 is simultaneously attained as well thereby. In this case, as little solder as possible is attached to the side of the base plate 38 facing away from the outer shell 39, in particular a solder-plating comprising a solder portion of less than 5%, so as to prevent or so as to at least reduce a combustion or damages, respectively, to the adjacent corrugated fin 13.

(26) As can in particular be gathered from FIGS. 2 to 4, the outer shell 39 has, in the area of the plate openings 40, 41, a handle section 61, which protrudes on the edge side, follows the form of the collecting tank 41 and of the base plate 38, and which protrudes beyond the base plate 38 on the edge side. The handle section 61 encompasses the front side 46 of the collecting tank 14 on the edge side and is mechanically connected to the collecting tank 14 via a plurality of connecting elements 62, which are arranged so as to be distributed and which interact in a positive manner with mating connecting elements 63 provided on the walls 18 of the collecting pipes 15, 16. The collecting pipe openings 43, 44 and the base plate 38 are thereby encompassed by the handle section 61 on the edge side, because the handle section 61 abuts on the outer side of the wall 18 of the respective collecting pipe 15, 16. This stabilizes the connection between the collecting tank 14 and the connector assembly 25 and leads to smaller pressure losses in the coolant or to an improved sealing, respectively, of the flow path of the coolant. The connecting elements 62 and mating connecting elements 63 can further be used to fix the assembly 25 in a relative manner to the remaining heat exchanger 9 prior to an integral joining.

(27) In the case of the shown examples, both pipe accommodations 52, 54 extend along the base plate 38, so that they are oriented perpendicularly to the corresponding plate opening 40, 41 or so that the pipe accommodations 52, 54 can each be flown through in a plane, which runs perpendicular to the corresponding plate opening 40, 41, respectively. The respective supply duct 57, 58 thereby runs in a curved manner, in particular by 90.

(28) As shown in FIG. 5, the collecting tank 14 has a tank height 65, which runs in the height direction 47, which can be less than 48 mm, in particular less than 46 mm, for example between 40 mm and 43 mm, in particular between 41.5 mm and 42.5 mm. A corresponding height 66 of the passages 30, hereinafter referred to as passage height 66, can be less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2.5 mm and 2.2 mm, particularly preferably 2 mm.

(29) A height 76, which runs in the height direction 47, of a net 75, which consists of the heat exchanger pipes 11 and corrugated fins 13, of the heat exchanger 9, also referred to as net height 76 (see also FIG. 4) is preferably less than 45 mm, in particular less than 42 mm. Advantageously, the net height 76 is between 39 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 39.4 mm and 40 mm.

(30) An isometric view of the collecting tank 14 is shown in FIG. 9 in the case of another exemplary embodiment. This collecting tank 14 is thereby illustrated so as to be open in the area of the first collecting pipe 15. It can be seen that a separating wall 67 is arranged inside the first collecting pipe 15. Inside the first collecting pipe 15, the separating wall 67 separates a first pipe section 68 of the first collecting pipe 15 from a second pipe section 69 of the first collecting pipe 15. The first pipe section 68 of the first collecting pipe 15 thereby comprises the first collecting pipe opening 43, through which the coolant is let in. An analogous separating wall 67, which is only suggested in FIG. 9, is arranged in the second collecting pipe 16 and separates a first pipe section 70 of the second collecting pipe 16 from a second pipe section 71 of the second collecting pipe 16 inside the second collecting pipe 16. The first pipe section 70 of the second collecting pipe 16 thereby comprises the second collecting pipe opening 44, out of which the coolant is sucked. The first collecting pipe 15 and the second collecting pipe 16 are thus each divided into two pipe sections 68, 69, 70, 71, which are fluidically separated from one another inside the corresponding collecting pipe 15, 16. It can further be seen in FIG. 9 that the second pipe section 69 of the first collecting pipe 15 and the second pipe section 71 of the second collecting pipe 16 are fluidically connected to one another by means of at least one fluidic connection 72 inside the collecting tank 14. In the shown example, a plurality of such connections 72, which are distributed in the longitudinal direction 20, are thereby provided. The fluidic connections 72 are thereby each embodied as wall apertures 73 in the wall 18 of the respective second pipe section 69, 71.

(31) FIG. 10 shows a highly simplified illustration of the heat exchanger 9. The heat exchanger 9 has two collecting tanks 14, namely a first collecting tank 14, 14, as well as a second collecting tank 14, 14. The respective collecting tank 14 has two collecting pipes 15, 16, wherein, for better differentiation, the collecting pipes 15, 16 of the first collecting tank 14 are referred to as first collecting pipe 15 and second collecting pipe 16, whereas the collecting pipes 15, 16 of the second collecting tank 14 are referred to as third collecting pipe 15 and fourth collecting pipe 16. The first collecting tank 14 thereby corresponds to the collecting tank 14 shown in FIG. 9, in the case of which a separating wall 67, which is suggested by means of shading, is in each case provided in the first collecting pipe 15 and in the second collecting pipe 16, so that the first collecting pipe 15 has the first pipe section 68 comprising the first collecting pipe opening 43 and the second pipe section 69, while the second collecting pipe 16 has the first pipe section 70 comprising the second collecting pipe opening 44 and the second pipe section 71, which is connected to the second pipe section 69 of the second collecting pipe 15 in the first collecting tank 14. In contrast, no separating walls 67 and no collecting pipe openings 43, 44 are provided in the third collecting pipe 15 and fourth collecting pipe 16. The first pipe section 68 of the first collecting pipe 15 is thereby fluidically connected to the third collecting pipe 15 via heat exchanger pipes 11, hereinafter also referred to as first heat exchanger pipes 11. The third collecting pipe 15 is furthermore connected to the second pipe section 69 of the first collecting pipe 15 by other heat exchanger pipes 11, hereinafter referred to as second heat exchanger pipes 11. Other heat exchanger pipes 11, in turn, hereinafter referred to as third heat exchanger pipes 1, connect the second pipe section 71 of the second collecting pipe 16 to the fourth collecting pipe 16. Further heat exchanger pipes 11, hereinafter referred to as fourth heat exchanger pipes 11, fluidically connect the fourth collecting pipe 16 to the first pipe section 70 of the second collecting pipe 16. A first heat exchanger pipe 11, a second heat exchanger pipe 11, a third heat exchanger pipe 11 as well as a fourth heat exchanger pipe 11 are thereby shown in FIG. 10 in a purely exemplary manner and for the sake of clarity. The heat exchanger pipes 11 thereby run essentially parallel to one another and extend in the height direction 47. If coolant is introduced for example via the first supply pipe body 53, it flows, as suggested with flow arrows 74, via the first collecting pipe opening 43 into the first pipe section 68 of the first collecting pipe 15 and subsequently via the first heat exchanger pipes 11 into the third collecting pipe 15 and subsequently via the second heat exchanger pipes 11 into the second pipe section 69 of the first collecting pipe 15, Here, the coolant reaches via the fluidic connections 72 into the second pipe section 71 of the second collecting pipe 16 and flows via the third heat exchanger pipes 11 into the fourth collecting pipe 16 and subsequently via the fourth heat exchanger pipes 11 into the first pipe section 70 of the second collecting pipe 16 and flows out via the second collecting pipe opening 44.