HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

A heat exchanger may include a heat exchanger block and a diffusor connected thereto. At least one connecting pin may be integrally molded to a surface of the heat exchanger block. At least one passage opening, through which the at least one connecting pin may engage when the heat exchanger is mounted, may be arranged on the diffusor. The at least one connecting pin may have a widened head via which the diffusor may be secured to the heat exchanger block.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger block and a diffusor connected thereto, wherein: at least one connecting pin is integrally molded to a surface of the heat exchanger block; at least one passage opening, through which the at least one connecting pin engages when the heat exchanger is mounted, is arranged on the diffusor; and the at least one connecting pin has a widened head via which the diffusor is secured to the heat exchanger block.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger block is cast together with the at least one connecting pin.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a material of the at least one connecting pin is the same as a material of the surface of the heat exchanger block.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting pin includes a total of four connecting pins.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting pin is hollow at least on a free end thereof.

6. A method for producing a heat exchanger comprising: producing a heat exchanger block with at least one connecting pin sticking out from a surface thereof; attaching a diffusor to the heat exchanger block in such a way that the at least one connecting pin engages through a corresponding passage opening on the diffusor; wherein the at least one connecting pin is mushroomed and the diffusor is secured to the heat exchanger block thereabove.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising introducing a bore into a free end of the at least one connecting pin.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein producing the heat exchanger block includes casting the heat exchanger block together with the at least one connecting pin.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein a material of the at least one connecting pin is the same as a material of the surface of the heat exchanger block.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein a material of the at least one connecting pin is the same as a material of the surface of the heat exchanger block.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one connecting pin includes a total of four connecting pins.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one connecting pin includes a total of four connecting pins.

13. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein a material of the at least one connecting pin is the same as a material of the surface of the heat exchanger block.

14. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the at least one connecting pin includes a total of four connecting pins.

15. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the at least one connecting pin is hollow at least on a free end thereof.

16. A heat exchanger comprising: a heat exchanger block; a diffusor; at least one connecting pin integrally molded to a surface of the heat exchanger block, the at least one connecting pin having a widened head securing the diffusor to the heat exchanger block, the at least one connecting pin being hollow at least on a free end thereof; and at least one passage opening arranged on the diffusor, the at least one connecting pin engaging through the at least one passage opening when the heat exchanger is mounted.

17. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the heat exchanger block is cast together with the at least one connecting pin.

18. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein a material of the at least one connecting pin is the same as a material of the surface of the heat exchanger block

19. The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein the at least one connecting pin includes a total of four connecting pins.

20. The heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein the at least one connecting pin includes a total of four connecting pins.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In each case schematically

[0018] FIGS. 1a-1c show a top view, a sectional view, and a perspective view of a schematic heat exchanger comprising diffusor in a first state;

[0019] FIGS. 2a-2c show a top view, a sectional view and a perspective view of the schematic heat exchanger, to which the diffusor is secured in a second state according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a schematic heat exchanger 1. The illustration is schematic in the sense that a heat exchanger block 2 is only illustrated as simple module to emphasize the characteristics, which are significant for the invention, more clearly. FIG. 1a in particular shows a top view onto the schematic heat exchanger 1, which has a schematic module as heat exchanger block 2 and a diffusor 3 thereon. In FIG. 1a, the heat exchanger 1 further has four connecting pins 4, which serve to secure the diffusor 3 to the heat exchanger block 2. Prior to the final securing of the diffusor 3, the connecting pins 4 further already serve for a positioning of the diffusor 3, in that they project through passage openings 12 of the diffusor 3. This can be seen in more detail in the sectional view of FIG. 1b, which illustrates a sectional view of the heat exchanger 1 along the line A-A in FIG. 1a.

[0021] FIG. 1b in particular shows the schematic heat exchanger 1 along a section, which goes through one of the connecting pins 4 of the schematic heat exchanger block 2, so that it can be seen on the one hand in FIG. 1b that the connecting pin 4 is embodied in one piece or integrally respectively, with a surface 5 of the heat exchanger block 2 and further has a larger axial length than the thickness of a base plate 10 of the diffusor 3, so that a free end of the connecting pin 4 projects beyond the base plate 10 of the diffusor 3. FIG. 1b further also shows that the connecting pin 4 is hollowed out from the free end and has a type of blind hole 6, which leads to an easier deformability of the free end of the connecting pin 4. A seal 7, for example a metal seal, is further arranged between the surface 5 of the schematic heat exchanger block 2 and the diffusor 3. FIG. 1b further also illustrates a fluid duct 8, which serves the purpose of guiding the fluid through the diffusor 3.

[0022] FIG. 1c shows the heat exchanger 1 in the state of FIG. 1a in a perspective view. In particular, FIG. 1c also schematically illustrates a connection 9, which is to represent a connection for a supply or discharge of an operating medium, for example a coolant, in the event that the heat exchanger 1 is used as cooling device (e.g. intercooler or exhaust gas cooler). In the perspective view of FIG. 1c, the free ends of the connecting pins 4, which project beyond the base plate 10 of the diffusor 3, and the blind holes 6 arranged therein, can be seen as well.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a top view, a sectional view, and a perspective view of the schematic heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1 in a second state, in which the diffusor 3 is already secured to the heat exchanger block 2. In particular, FIG. 2a shows the heat exchanger (as does FIG. 1a) in a top view, but in the state, in which the connecting pins 4 of the heat exchanger 2 are in each case deformed on their free end and have a mushroomed head 11, so that the diffusor 3 is secured or fastened and can no longer be removed.

[0024] This can be seen in FIG. 2b, which, in turn, illustrates a sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 2a and which thus essentially corresponds to FIG. 1b, whereby the deformed or beaded end of the connecting pin 4 of the schematic heat exchanger block 2 now bears on the base plate 10 of the diffusor 3. Such a deformation can occur for example by means of a (wobble)riveting process or an expanding mandrel.

[0025] FIG. 2c, in turn, shows the heat exchanger 1 in a perspective view and, except for the deformation of the connecting pin 4, corresponds to FIG. 1c. It is also shown here, in turn, that the free ends of the connecting pins 4 are now beaded, deformed or ground, so that the diffusor 3 is now secured to the heat exchanger block 2.

[0026] The heat exchanger 1 according to the invention is produced as follows: First of all, a heat exchanger block 2 comprising at least one connecting pin 4, which sticks out from the surface 5 thereof, is produced, as well as a diffusor 3. The diffusor 3 is then attached to the heat exchanger block 2 in such a way that the at least one connecting pin 4 engages through a corresponding passage opening 12 on the diffusor 3. A positionally accurate positioning of the diffusor 3 on the heat exchanger block 2 occurs through this.

[0027] The connecting pin 4 is then mushroomed on its head 11, that is, on its free end and the diffusor 3 is secured to the heat exchanger block 2 thereabove. The mushrooming can take place, for example, by an insertion of an expanding mandrel or of a wobble riveting tool into the bore 6.

[0028] The integral molding/embodying of at least one connecting pin 4 (preferably a plurality of connecting pins) to a surface 5 of the heat exchanger block 2 can take place, for example, by means of a casting process.