Pipe arrangement for transporting temperature control media

Abstract

Pipe arrangement for transporting temperature control media, comprising a base body which is produced by way of blow molding and from which at least a first channel and a second channel are formed, wherein the first channel and the second channel have a first orientation towards one another in a first section and a second orientation towards one another in a second section, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation.

Claims

1. A pipe arrangement for transporting temperature control media, comprising a unitary base body which is produced by way of blow molding and from which at least a first channel and a second channel are formed, wherein the first channel and second channel are formed as enclosed tubular members defined by boundary walls, wherein the first channel and the second channel have a first orientation relative to one another in a first section and a second orientation relative to one another in a second section, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation, and wherein the first and second channels are formed in one piece and of a single material from the base body, wherein the first and second channels are connected along their length by a material bond formed by the boundary walls being in contact or a web formed between the first and second channels, the web extending along the length of the first and second channels.

2. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the orientation of the channels changes in a third section located between the first and second sections.

3. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first channel penetrates the second channel at least in sections.

4. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first channel is routed at least in sections inside the second channel.

5. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first channel crosses through the enclosed tubular member of second channel.

6. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a third channel is formed from the base body as an enclosed tubular member, and wherein the third channel crosses through the enclosed tubular members of the first channel and the second channel.

7. A pipe arrangement for transporting temperature control media, comprising a base body which is produced by way of blow molding and from which at least a first channel and a second channel are formed and defined by boundary walls, wherein the first channel and the second channel are routed in the base body in such a way that the first channel crosses through the second channel and its boundary wall in at least one section, and wherein the first and second channels are formed as enclosed tubular members in one piece and of a single material from the base body.

8. The pipe arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first channel is routed in the at least one section in the form of an S bend, and wherein the second channel is routed in the at least one section in the form of an S bend.

9. The pipe arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first channel and the second channel have, in the at least one section, a cross-section that is different from a cross-section of the first channel and second channel, respectively, in a second section that is spaced away from the at least one section.

10. The pipe arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first channel and the second channel are flattened in the at least one section.

11. The pipe arrangement according to claim 7, wherein at least one functional element is arranged in the base body.

12. The pipe arrangement according to claim 7, wherein at least one functional element is formed from the base body.

13. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel run at an angle to each other.

14. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel run parallel in at least one segment.

15. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one channel section of at least one channel is formed as an insert.

16. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and second channels run parallel to each other in the first section in a first plane, and run parallel to each other in the second section in a second plane, wherein the second plane is non-parallel to the first plane.

17. The pipe arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the channels are connected to each other at least in sections.

18. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first channel and/or the second channel are formed in an arcuate manner in a third section and/or in a fourth section.

19. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pipe arrangement forms an internal heat exchanger for temperature control media.

20. A vehicle comprising the pipe arrangement according to claim 1.

21. The pipe arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first channel defines a first flow path and the second channel defines a second flow path, and wherein the first and second flow paths are parallel to each other in the first and second sections, diverge and converge in a third section, wherein the third section is positioned between the first and second sections.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Some embodiments of the pipe arrangement according to the disclosure are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These show, in each case schematically:

(2) FIG. 1 a spatial representation of a pipe arrangement with crossed channels;

(3) FIG. 2 a top view of the pipe arrangement according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 a spatial representation of a pipe arrangement in which the channels change orientation;

(5) FIG. 4 a top and side view of the pipe arrangement according to FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 a pipe arrangement with several crossed channels in spatial representation;

(7) FIG. 6 a sectional top view of the pipe arrangement according to FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 a pipe arrangement in the form of a crossing in spatial representation;

(9) FIG. 8 a sectional spatial representation of the pipe arrangement according to FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 9 a sectional top view of the pipe arrangement according to FIG. 7;

(11) FIG. 10 a spatial representation of a pipe arrangement with crossed channels;

(12) FIG. 11 the pipe arrangement according to FIG. 10 in spatial representation in section;

(13) FIG. 12 a spatial representation of a pipe arrangement in which one channel runs in sections within another channel;

(14) FIG. 13 the pipe arrangement according to FIG. 12 in spatial representation in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) The figures show a pipe arrangement 1 for transporting temperature control medium. The pipe arrangement 1 is formed from a base body 2 of polymeric material produced by blow molding. A first channel 3 and a second channel 4 are formed from the base body 2, wherein the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 receive a temperature control medium. Depending on the embodiment, further channels 9 may also be provided. The pipe arrangement 1 often forms a manifold structure and is then also referred to as a manifold.

(16) The base body 2 is made of a single material and in one piece as a blow-molded part and is made of a thermoplastic material, for example polypropylene or polyamide. In most cases, the channels 3, 4, 9 are connected to one another by a material bond, in that the boundary walls of the channels 3, 4, 9 are in contact with one another or in that a web is formed between the channels 3, 4, 9.

(17) In the present case, the pipe arrangement 1 is part of a temperature control unit which is configured to control the temperature of the drive unit components of electric vehicles. In addition to the battery, this includes the power electronics and the electric motors. Furthermore, the temperature control unit is configured to cool the charging electronics and the associated plug connections and lines, which is particularly advantageous in connection with fast charging processes. Furthermore, the temperature control unit can be configured to temper, in particular to cool, components of the remaining vehicle electronics. Such components include sensors and computers for autonomous driving as well as on-board computers.

(18) Alternatively, the pipe arrangement 1 may form part of an air conditioning circuit of an air conditioning system, wherein the air conditioning system is in the form of a mobile air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

(19) In the embodiment according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 are routed in the base body 2 in such a way that the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 cross in a crossing section 5. In the crossing section 5, the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 are routed in an arcuate manner in the form of an S bend.

(20) In the crossing section 5, the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 have a cross-section that differs from the other cross-sections of the channels 3, 4 in the area of the pipe arrangement 1. In the crossing section 5, the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 are flattened. Viewed in cross-section, the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 in the crossing section 5 are thereby formed in a rectangular shape, wherein the corner regions of the rectangular channel cross-sections are rounded. The flattening of the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 is done in such a way that the height of the intersecting channels 3, 4 in the region of the crossing section 5 corresponds to the height of the channels 3, 4, when they are routed next to each other and have a round cross-section, in the regions outside the crossing section 5. As a result, the pipe arrangement 1 is largely neutral in terms of overall height as far as the installation space is concerned.

(21) Outside the crossing section 5, the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 are materially-bonded to each other, wherein the channel walls of the channels 3, 4 abut and contact each other. Alternatively, the channels 3, 4 can also be connected to each other by means of fastening means in such a way that they cannot be lost, or they can be connected to each other by means of a web.

(22) In the crossing section 5, openings 6 are formed between the channels 3, 4. Alternatively, a boundary wall can be arranged between the channels.

(23) A functional element 7 is arranged in the base body 2. The functional element 7 is formed from the base body 2 of a single material and in one piece. In the present case, the functional element 7 forms a throttle.

(24) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first channel 3 and the second channel 4 have a first orientation towards one another in a first section 11 and a second orientation towards one another in a second section 12, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation. Specifically, in this embodiment, the channels 3, 4 run parallel to each other in a first section 11 in a first plane and parallel to each other in a second section 12 in a second plane. In the first section 11, the channels 3, 4 run in a vertical plane and are arranged one above the other, and in the second section 12, the channels 3, 4 run in a horizontal plane and are arranged side by side. Accordingly, channels 3, 4 run parallel to each other in segments.

(25) In the transitions between the first and second sections 11, 12, the channels are arcuate in a third section 13 and in a fourth section 14, wherein the orientation of the channels 3, 4 changes in the third section 13 and in the fourth section 14. The arcuate sections 13, 14 are formed such that the pipe arrangement 1 is U-shaped overall.

(26) FIG. 4 shows the pipe arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 3 in the upper area in top view and in the lower area in side view.

(27) FIG. 5 shows a pipe arrangement 1 with three channels 3, 4, 9, wherein one channel 9 crosses the other two channels 3, 4 in a crossing section 5. For this purpose, channel 9 penetrates the other two channels 3, 4. In the crossing section 5, the channel 9 is routed within the other channels 3, 4. In order to keep the fluid flows within the channels 3, 4, 9 separated, a channel section 16 of the channel 9 is formed as an insert 17. The insert 17 is a tubular element through which the fluid flowing through the channel 9 is transported through the crossing section 5. The insert 17 can be seen in the sectional view in FIG. 6. Outside the crossing section 5, the channels 3, 4, 9 run parallel in segments 15. In all sections, the channels 3, 4, 9 run in one plane. The insert 17 is formed of polymeric material, but metallic materials such as aluminum may alternatively be considered.

(28) FIG. 7 shows a pipe arrangement 1 with two channels 3, 4, wherein one channel 4 crosses the other channel 3 in a crossing section 5. The two channels 3, 4 run at an angle to each other, in this embodiment at right angles, so that the pipe arrangement 1 forms a crossing.

(29) In the crossing section 5, the channel 4 penetrates the other channel 3, wherein the channel 4 is routed inside the other channel 3 in the crossing section 5. In order to keep the fluid flows within the channels 3, 4 separated, a channel section 16 of the channel 4 is formed as an insert 17. The insert 17 is a tubular element through which the fluid flowing through the channel 4 is transported through the crossing section 5. The insert 17 is inserted into the pipe arrangement 1 in a fluid-tight manner so that no overflow of medium can occur between the channels 3, 4. The insert 17 can be seen in sectional view in FIGS. 8 and 9.

(30) FIG. 10 shows a further development of the pipe arrangement 1 shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. In the present embodiment, arcuate third and fourth sections 13, 14 adjoin the crossing section 5. The arcuate sections 13, 14 are formed in such a way that the channels 3, 4 run parallel to each other in segments 15. FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the pipe arrangement 1 along with the insert 17 shown in FIG. 10.

(31) In the pipe arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 12, one channel 4 penetrates the other channel 3, so that one channel 4 is partially routed inside the other channel 3. In this case, the pipe arrangement 1 forms an internal heat exchanger of an air conditioning unit of a vehicle. In order to keep the fluid flows within the channels 3, 4 separated, a channel section of the channel 4 is formed as an insert 17. The insert 17 is a tubular element through which the fluid flowing through the channel 4 is transported through the area located inside the other channel 3. The insert 17 can be seen in the sectional view in FIG. 13.