Fluid-cooled heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger (1) for tempering of an object (7), in particular of an electric energy reservoir (8), has two components (2, 3), which are interconnected and delimit at least in part a flow compartment (17) for the flow of a tempering fluid. Furthermore, at least one of the components (2, 3) is produced from a composite fiber plastic. Improved handling and/or a more compact design is obtained in that at least one of the components (2, 3) has a depression (9) in which a functional element can be at least partially accommodated.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger assembly for tempering of an object (7), comprising a heat exchanger (1) having a first component (2) and a second component (3), wherein the first component (2) and the second component (3) are interconnected and delimit at least in part a flow compartment (17) for the flow of a tempering fluid, at least one of the first component (2) and the second component (3) is a composite fiber plastic part with an inner surface oriented toward and delimiting the flow compartment and an outer surface oriented away and remote from the flow compartment, the outer surface having a depression (9) in a planar portion of the outer surface, the depression having a perimeter being bordered along the entire perimeter by the planar portion of the outer surface, the depression accommodating at least a portion of a functional element (12), wherein the functional element is a member of the group consisting of: a heat-conducting element of higher thermal conductivity than the composite fiber plastic part, a temperature sensor, a heating element, a cooling element, and a mounting element for connecting the heat exchanger with the object that is not part of the heat exchanger, the functional element being accommodated in the depression and at least partly fitting flush with the planar portion of the outer surface.

2. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, wherein the depression (9) is a recess (10) within the at least one of the first component (2) and the second component (3).

3. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, wherein the depression (9) is produced by a deep drawing method.

4. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, wherein the functional element is a thermal conducting element (13) whose thermal conductance is greater than the thermal conductance of the associated first or second component (2, 3).

5. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, wherein the functional element fits flush against the planar portion of the outside surface.

6. The heat exchanger assembly according to claim 1, wherein the functional element is a mounting element (14) for mounting at least one of the heat exchanger (1) and the object (7), which is not part of the heat exchanger.

7. The heat exchanger assembly (0) according to claim 1, further comprising an electric energy reservoir (8) disposed at the heat exchanger (1) and forming the object to be tempered.

8. The heat exchanger assembly (0) according to claim 7, wherein the electric energy reservoir is a storage battery (8).

9. A vehicle (6) comprising a heat exchanger assembly having an electric energy reservoir (8) and a heat exchanger (1) having a first component (2) and a second component (3), wherein the first component (2) and the second component (3) are interconnected half shells and delimit between the first component and the second component at least in part a flow compartment (17) for the flow of a tempering fluid, and wherein at least one of the first component (2) and the second component (3) is a composite fiber plastic part that has a depression (9) in a surface oriented away from and outside of the flow compartment (17), the depression (9) being surrounded by a planar portion of the surface and accommodating at least a portion of a functional element (12), the functional element being a member of the group consisting of: a heat-conducting element of higher thermal conductivity than the composite fiber plastic part, a temperature sensor, a heating element, a cooling element, and a mounting element for connecting the heat exchanger with an object that is not part of the heat exchanger, wherein the functional element is accommodated in the depression and at least partly fits flush with the planar portion of the surface.

10. A component (2, 3) for a heat exchanger (1), wherein the component (2, 3) is a composite fiber plastic part and configured as a half shell with an inside surface delimiting at least in part a flow compartment (17) for the flow of a tempering fluid, the component (2, 3) comprising at least one depression (9) on an outside surface oriented away from the flow compartment, the depression being separated from the flow compartment by the composite fiber plastic part and configured for accommodating at least a portion of a functional element (12), the outside surface configured to be an outside surface of the heat exchanger, the functional element being a member of the group consisting of: a heat-conducting element of higher thermal conductivity than the component, a temperature sensor, a heating element, a cooling element, and a mounting element for connecting the heat exchanger with an object that is not part of the heat exchanger, wherein the depression is configured to place the functional element in contact with an object (7) disposed outside of and adjacent to the heat exchanger.

11. The component according to claim 10, wherein the at least one depression (9) is a recess (10) within the component (2, 3).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The schematic figures are described below:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross section through an arrangement with a heat exchanger and an object.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of a component of the heat exchanger.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross section through a component of the heat exchanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(5) FIG. 1 shows a cross section through an arrangement 0, which is a component of a motor vehicle 6. The arrangement 0 comprises a heat exchanger 1 and an object 7, which can be tempered by the heat exchanger 1. The heat exchanger 1 has a first component 2 and a second component 3, which are made from composite fiber plastic. Components 2, 3 are each designed as a half shell and are connected to one another by a bond 5.

(6) The components 2, 3 delimit a flow compartment 17 in which a tempering fluid, in particular a coolant, can flow for tempering of the object 7. Object 7 is an electric energy reservoir 8, for example, in particular a storage battery 8 of the motor vehicle 6. In the present case the object 7 is arranged on/at the upper component 3 in FIG. 1.

(7) The particular component 2, 3 has at least one depression 9, wherein the particular depression 9 is designed as a recess 10 formed inside the associated component 2, 3. The term recess in this context indicates a locally reduced thickness of the wall of the component, while the term depression additionally includes space created by mere deformation of the wall, for example a dent.

(8) In addition, the particular depression 9 is arranged on a side of the associated component 2, 3 facing away from the flow compartment 17, and thus faces away from the flow compartment 17. The particular depression 9 has an opening 11. In this case the upper component 3 shown in FIG. 1 has 11 depressions 9, purely by way of example, whereas the lower component 2 in FIG. 1 has five depressions 9, purely by way of example.

(9) The openings 11 in the depressions 9 of the upper component 3 all face the object 7. Thus these depressions 9 are oriented toward the object 7. One the other hand, in the shown example the lower component 2 has only depressions 9 whose openings 11 face away from the object 7. Thus, these depressions 9 are oriented away from the object 7.

(10) A functional element 12 can be introduced through the opening 11 into the particular depression 9 and can be disposed therein. The functional element 12 arranged in such a depression 9 oriented toward the object 7 can thus be brought mechanically and thermally into contact with the object 7 to be tempered.

(11) In the case of functional element 12, this can be for example a heat-conducting element 13, in particular a thermal paste 13 or to a silicone encapsulant 13, which has a greater thermal conductivity than the associated component 2, 3 produced from composite fiber plastic. Accordingly, with the aid of the heat-conducting element 13, the heat exchange with the object 7 can be improved. In such a depression 9 oriented toward the object 7, a mounting element 14 can also be disposed, which used for mounting and/or bonding of the object 7. For example, the mounting element 14 itself can be an adhesive 14.

(12) On the other hand, the functional element 12 disposed in a depression 9 oriented away from the object 7 has no direct mechanical or thermal contact with the object 7. Therefore a mounting element 14 can be arranged preferably in such a depression 9, which connects the heat exchanger 14 with other components that are not part of the heat exchanger. In this regard, a spring 14 or a connecting element 14, for example, can be used.

(13) In addition, such a functional element 12 can be designed as a sensor 15, which identifies the temperature of the object 7 and/or of the heat exchanger 1. To improve the temperature identification of the object 7, it is advantageous if the sensor 15 is provided in such a depression 9 oriented toward the object 7.

(14) A depression 9 of this kind can also be designed for a functional element 12 configured as a tempering element 16, which cools or heats the object 7. Thus such a tempering element 16 can be a cooling element 16 or a heating element 16.

(15) The depressions 9 of the upper component 3, purely by way of example, each have the same rectangular cross section and the same size. In addition these depressions 9 are equidistant from one another. This allows uniform heat exchange with the object 7, in particular when the heat conduction elements 13 are arranged in these depressions 9. Three depressions 9 of the lower component also have a rectangular cross section, whereas the other two depressions 9 have a wedge-like cross section.

(16) The depressions 9 are dimensioned and/or are shaped such that they are suitable for the arrangement of the particular, associated functional element 12. Here the particular depression 9 and the associated functional element 12 are designed preferably such that the functional element 12 at least partly fits flush with the associated component 2, 3.

(17) FIG. 2 show one such component 2, 3, which has elongated depressions 9 running in parallel. In this embodiment the depressions 9 are disposed equidistantly from one another and have the same geometric shape and size.

(18) FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of such a component 2, 3, in which the depression 9 has a trapezoidal cross section and is designed as a recess 10 inside the component 2, 3.

(19) The embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 may be combined with the shapes of one or more of the other embodiments from different viewing angles.

(20) For circulation of the tempering fluid in the flow compartment 17, the heat exchanger 1 can have at least one inlet (not shown) as well as at least one outlet (not shown in the figures). Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, diverter elements 18 can be provided in the flow compartment to control the tempering fluid and to generate turbulence in the tempering fluid.

(21) While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims.