EP0917638A1

EP0917638A1 - Distributing/collecting tank for the at least dual flow evaporator of a motor vehicle air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: EP0917638A1
Application number: EP98924276A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roland Haussmann
Original assignee: Valeo Klimatechnik GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Valeo Klimatechnik GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1997-05-07
Filing date: 1998-05-05
Publication date: 1999-05-26
Also published as: CN1225714A; BR9804891A; US6199401B1; WO1998050740A1; DE19719251A1; DE19719251C2

Abstract

A distributing/collecting tank made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy is disclosed for the at least dual flow, hard-soldered evaporator of a motor vehicle air conditioning system. The box has a tube bottom and a lid (28) which complement each other at least in the direction of their narrow cross-section, forming a box, and which have in their longitudinal direction a number of longitudinal partitions which corresponds to the number of flows. At least one front wall of the box is formed by a separate closure piece (62) tightly connected to each adjacent longitudinal partition and at least one wall of the box is fitted with a coolant inlet (14). According to the invention, a coolant injection valve (50) is set on the closure piece (62) fitted with the coolant inlet (14) by means of a plug-in or flange connection (48), an injection valve is at least partially integrated in the structure of the closure piece (62) and/or at least one closure piece (62), together with the joined piece (90), leaves free a connection space (104) at the side of the evaporator away from the heat exchanger tubes (2), frontally prolonging the space taken by the heat exchanger tubes (2) of the evaporator.

Description

Distribution / collection box of an at least double-flow evaporator of a motor vehicle air conditioning system

The invention relates to a distribution / collection box made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy of an at least double-flow brazed evaporator of a motor vehicle air conditioning system with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Such a box is known from DE-Cl-195 15 526 (in particular Fig. 4) known.

The term distribution / collection box is intended to cover the three possible uses of a box, either with an even number of floods only at one end of the heat exchanger tubes of the evaporator with supply and discharge functions, or with an odd number of floods the input and / or to relate to the outlet-side box and finally, in both cases mentioned, to be able to fulfill an additional distribution function as an inlet-side box on individual heat exchange tubes or groups of these.

In addition, the invention relates specifically to the construction of such a box in a multi-part design with a bottom and with a lid, which, however, unlike in the usual construction, are closed at least on one end face by at least one separate end part. The refrigerant inlet is provided on at least one box wall, in the known case mentioned on the lid of the box.

The formation of at least one separate end part allows greater freedom in the design and, in particular, manufacture of the tube sheet and cover from a solder-coated sheet of aluminum or an aluminum re-alloying, if the tube sheet and the lid have a constant external cross-section in the longitudinal direction between the front box walls and thus result in a constant external cross-section of the box in the longitudinal direction, the tube sheet and lid can be prefabricated invariably with respect to the box length by using the prefabricated ones Cut longitudinal profiles of the cover and tube sheet to length if necessary. This is of interest if a front-side box wall is also prefabricated in the prefabrication, since you can then cut to length at the other end. Particularly interesting and material-saving is a prefabrication as an endless strand of any manufacturing technology, the parts of which are supplemented by end pieces on both ends at any length. This applies not only in the case of extrusion in the form of a strand, but also precisely in the case of other strand formation of indefinite length, such as occurs, for example, in the case of the rolling of sheet metal parts preferred in connection with the invention. This also makes it possible to process sheets precoated with solder.

The invention has for its object to further improve the design of a distribution / collection box of the type mentioned in terms of manufacture and operation.

This object is achieved in a box with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by its characterizing features.

The end piece that is only required on one end of the box is now a multifunctional part with the following functions: single end part in contrast to the prior art cited in DE-Cl-195 15 526, where several end pieces are provided on one end of the box are; Implementation of both the refrigerant supply and the Refrigerant drain through this one end piece;

Further training as a connecting part for the two on the outside and possibly also for a line continuing on the inside, the latter in the case of an inwardly projecting injection pipe which can serve as a direct injection pipe; associated savings in separate connection means. If the refrigerant (cf. DE-Al-195 15 527, in particular FIGS. 6 and 7) is not allocated to the individual heat exchange tubes within a box on the inlet side by means of appropriately dimensioned throttles, a separate one, usually now mostly as thermostatic, is usually not allocated by means of so-called direct injection Regulated block valve injection valve connected via a supply line to the refrigerant inlet of the inlet side box of an evaporator. However, such a supply line has its own material and space requirements, must be manufactured separately and kept in stock and, if the distance between the injection valve and box is relatively large or the supply line is even curved, causes separation effects between the liquid and gaseous phases of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator , which generally lowers the efficiency and, in particular, if the box also has a distribution device for the refrigerant to individual heat exchange tubes or groups of these, distribution disorders with regard to the optimally desired refrigerant allocation with a constant ratio of liquid and gaseous phase.

These functional difficulties are solved according to the solution idea of the invention according to claim 1. Claim 1 provides for a direct connection of the injection valve to the end piece, which is so immediate that there are no more separation errors of the type explained above. Commercially available injection valves and conventional connection types can be used find the same application.

In addition, manufacture and design are simplified by the combination of longitudinal profiles cut to any length using any manufacturing technology with the prefabricated multifunctional end piece which can be used for different lengths.

Furthermore, a thermostatically controlled block valve (cf. claim 2) can regulate the operation of the evaporator by measuring the temperature and usually also the pressure of the refrigerant emerging from the evaporator, since both the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet run through the same end part.

As already mentioned, supply lines to the refrigerant supply to the evaporator have their own space requirements, which is critical in motor vehicle air conditioning systems. The inventive solution according to claim 4 saves a separate installation space for the supply line at least partially. This space-saving effect can also be extended to an injection valve upstream of the evaporator as defined in claim 5. This also makes the advantageous possibility of combining the inventive idea according to claim 6 with the inventive idea according to claim 1 or 2 clear.

The remaining subclaims relate to preferred further developments of the training according to claim 4. Claims 12 and 13 relate to products in this connection of previously unconventional manufacturing techniques for the end pieces. The formation of the end piece as a pressure or injection molded part according to claims 14 and 15 with integrated inclusion of a chamber subdivision of the box and preferably also of distribution channels then continues the integration idea of claim 4 consistently.

Especially when the end piece according to claim 12 is an extruded part or according to claim 13 as a pressure or injection molding (used synonymously in the context of the invention), the tube sheet and / or cover can preferably be formed in a conventional manner from solder-coated sheet metal, the brazing material only being used in the case of the material of aluminum or an aluminum alloy used here needs to be applied to the pre-coated sheet.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings using several exemplary embodiments. Show it:

1 is an external perspective view of an upright double-flow flat tube heat exchanger designed as an evaporator with a first embodiment of a box according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial cross section of a second embodiment of the box according to the invention in a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the box.

Fig. 3 is a partial cross section corresponding to Figure 2, but with a third embodiment of the box according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section corresponding to FIG. 3 along the entire box of a fourth embodiment of the same; and

Fig. 5 is a view of a possible die-cast compartment subdivision of a four-flow box according to the invention as a fifth embodiment, which can be used with an end piece of the box integrated between the tube sheet and its cover.

The five embodiments of distribution / collection boxes 18, hereinafter referred to briefly as boxes, shown in the five figures are related to flat tube evaporators of the refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle air conditioning system, respectively, in FIGS. 1 to 4 in a double-flow design and in FIG. 5 in a four-flow configuration Education.

This does not rule out the features shown, analogously, also on boxes of evaporators with a to transfer a different number of floods, possibly also to those evaporators that are not designed with flat tubes.

The flat tube evaporator has the following general structure:

A larger number of typically twenty to thirty flat tubes 2 are arranged with constant mutual distances and mutually aligned end faces 4. A zigzag lamella 8 is sandwiched between the flat sides 6 of the flat tubes. Likewise, a zigzag fin 8 is also arranged on the two outer surfaces 4 of the outer flat tubes. Each flat tube has inner stiffening webs which divide chambers 12 acting as continuous channels in the flat tube. Depending on the overall depth, a number of chambers 12 of ten to thirty is typical.

The specified typical ranges of the number of flat tubes and their chambers are only intended to be preferred and not restrictive.

In a motor vehicle air conditioning system, the block arrangement of the flat tubes 2 and the zigzag fins 8 is flowed through by outside air in the direction of the arrow 9 shown in FIG. 1 in the depth direction as the external heat exchange medium in the finished state.

The internal heat exchange medium in the evaporator is a refrigerant such as, in particular, fluorocarbon, which enters the heat exchanger via a feed line 14 and exits the heat exchanger via an outlet line 16. The supply line comes from the condenser in the refrigerant circuit. The output line 16 leads to the compressor of the refrigerant circuit.

In the case of an evaporator, the distribution of the refrigerant from the feed line 14 to the individual flat tubes is expediently carried out by a so-called distributor. On the output side, the refrigerant is fed collectively to the output line 16. If you also the Distribution and the collection can assign separate boxes, both functions are combined in the common box 18 in all embodiments.

This box 18 is then arranged on one end face 4 of the flat tubes 2, while on the other end face 4 of the flat tubes 2 there is only a flow reversal between the floods, here, for example, according to FIG. 1 in a common deflection collector 22. The two floods are in the 1 by a stiffening web 10 of the respective flat tube 2 between adjacent chambers 12 which are acted upon in opposite directions by the inner heat exchange fluid.

In the borderline case of a single-flow heat exchanger, the deflection header 22 would be replaced by an output header, not shown.

The multiple flow means at least one flow reversal in the area of the individual channels formed by the chambers 12 in each flat tube 2. In the case of double flow, the deflection collector 22 does not need any further intermediate chamber subdivision, but only the one-time deflection function must be guaranteed. In the case of a deflection with more than two floods, at least one partition is required in the deflection collector, so that in the case of four-passage, a double simple deflection takes place in the respective deflection collector 22. If the number of floods is even higher, the number of partitions may have to be increased.

In the preferred exemplary embodiments, the box 18 is basically composed of a tube sheet 26 and a cover 28 in the circumferential direction in the preferred exemplary embodiments, it being possible for further parts for the construction of the box 18 to be provided in the circumferential direction.

The free ends of the flat tubes 2 facing away from the deflection collector 22 engage with the interior of the box 18 communicating tightly into the tube sheet 26, which is accordingly provided in accordance with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 with engagement slots 20 and, if appropriate, inner engagement pieces 21 and / or outer engagement pieces.

Since the input function and the output function of the refrigerant are combined in the box 18, the box 18 requires at least a two-chamber design which separates an input side from the output side. For this purpose, the chamber subdivision, generally designated 30, has at least one flat web in the form of a longitudinal web 32 which separates the input area in the box 18 which communicates with the feed line 14 from an outlet chamber 34 which runs continuously along the box 18 and which communicates with the output line 16. Box 18 is also called a collector.

In the case of an evaporator, it is also necessary for the inlet-side refrigerant to be fed as uniformly as possible to all flat tubes 2. In the limit case, the supplied refrigerant can be fed separately to each individual flat tube 2 via a so-called distributor. Usually, however, the supply to adjacent groups of flat tubes 2 takes place, in which at least some groups have a higher number of flat tubes than one, and the number of flat tubes 2 per group can also change. An inlet chamber 36 is assigned to each group of flat tubes, which communicates directly with the relevant group of flat tubes. The inlet chambers 36 are separated from one another in the chamber subdivision 30 by transverse webs 38 designed as flat webs.

In the double-flow evaporator, the transverse webs 38 go off at right angles only from one side of the longitudinal web 32.

In the chamber subdivision of the box of a four-flow evaporator, which is assumed in FIG. 5, in addition to the longitudinal web 32, which adjoins the outlet chamber 34, there is another longitudinal web parallel to this 40 provided. This is crossed by the transverse webs dividing the inlet chambers 36 at right angles to the longitudinal web 32. In the extension of the transverse webs 38 between the two longitudinal webs 32 and 40, an inner deflection chamber 42 adjoining the respective outer inlet chamber 36 for diverting the second flood into the third flood within the collector 18 is divided between these longitudinal webs.

At higher numbers of the floods, which are guided by the collector 18 with a deflection function, the number of longitudinal webs with the function of the longitudinal web 40 increases as well as the number of inner deflection chambers 42, which then also lie side by side between the inside in the transverse direction of the collector Entry chambers 36 and the exit chamber 34 are nested.

The feed line 14 communicates with the individual inlet chambers 36 in each case via its own feed line 44 running in the box 18, which is designed differently in the exemplary embodiments.

Mostly, in the finished heat exchanger, the block of flat tubes 2 and zigzag fins 8 is laterally closed off by a side plate 46 which bears against the outer zigzag plate, so that the side plates 46 form an outer frame for the outside air flowing into the heat exchanger block.

The flat tubes 2, the zigzag fins 8, the tube sheet 26 and the cover 28 of the box 18 together with the given compartment partition 30 provided, as well as the side plates 46 of the heat exchanger, expediently as well as the feed line 14 and the outlet line 16, made of aluminum and / or an aluminum alloy and are brazed to the finished evaporator, including the sections of the line connections adjacent to the evaporator.

Without limiting the invention to In practice, in the case of refrigerant evaporators for motor vehicle air conditioning systems according to FIG. 1, the supply line 14 and the output line 16, which can pass into the box 18 via corresponding connecting pieces, are connected to two corresponding connecting pieces 48 of a thermostatically controlled block valve 50 (see FIG. 2) . On the opposite side, this has two further supply-side and outlet-side connecting pieces.

In the following, the different examples are considered in more detail:

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5, the tube sheet 26 and at least the major part of the cover 28 are formed from sheet metal pre-coated with solder. The free edge of the cover engages in the tube sheet 26 with at least one-sided overlap - a two-sided overlap 52 is shown in FIG. 3.

As can be seen even more in detail from FIG. 5, the chamber subdivision 30 in the four-flow evaporators of FIG. 5 consists of the two longitudinal webs 32 and 40 and the transverse webs 38 crossing them. In the case of FIG. 5, the whole Chamber subdivision further from an integral die-cast or injection molded part, the terms die casting and injection molding being understood synonymously within the scope of the invention. In the case of FIG. 5, this die-cast part is inserted between the cover 28 formed from sheet metal and the tube sheet 26.

The term intersecting flat webs of the chamber subdivision 30 should also be understood to mean the borderline case of only one-sided crossing in the sense of the only one-sided right-angled connection of the transverse webs 38 to the longitudinal web 32, which in the case of the double-flow evaporators of FIGS. 1 to 4 covers the entire chamber subdivision 30 matters.

As can be seen at least indirectly from FIG. 2, the box 18 has two levels in the direction of extension of the flat tubes 2. Everyone is in the lower level mentioned entry chambers 36 arranged in the groups of flat tubes 2. In the upper level, there are also separate feed lines 44 to the chambers 36. The formation of both levels is easily possible even in an integral die-cast piece of the cover 28, because in the die-cast piece the inlet chambers 36 are open to the side of the cover facing the tube sheet 26 and the own supply lines 44 to the inlet chambers 36 are open on the side facing away from the flat tubes 2 and are separated from the inlet chambers 36 only by an intermediate wall separating the two levels, in each of which outlet openings 60 from the own supply lines 44 are arranged in the associated inlet chamber 36 are. The own supply lines 44 of the inlet chambers 36 are fed upstream together by the inlet-side refrigerant via the supply line 14 and are each closed at their end. From the feed line 14, which is arranged on the face of the box 18, the individual feed-side flow threads at the inner end of the feed line 14 are evenly divided between the own feed lines 44. The inlet cross-sections can be adapted to the requirements of the evaporator if necessary. All outlet openings 60 are arranged on a line that defines the direction of flow into the respective associated inlet chamber 36.

5, the own feed lines 44 of the inlet chambers 36, together with the outlet openings 60 connecting them, could also be integrally formed. Alternatively, however, a separate distribution pipe 54 can also be provided for distributing the internal heat exchange fluid on the inlet side to the individual inlet chambers 36, as is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

This distribution pipe communicating with the feed line 14 on the input side has one at its other end Pipe jacket 56 closed at the end, in each of which an outlet opening 60 to the individual inlet chambers to the respective group of four flat tubes is formed. In the distribution pipe 54, the outlet openings 60 also extend along a straight line. To illustrate possible different orientations of the outlet openings 60 with respect to the inlet cross-sections of the flat tubes 2, an orientation of the outlet openings 60 in the direction of the tube plate 26 is shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 4, but not directly, as possible, to the opening of a tube Flat tube shown. As a possible alternative, FIG. 3 shows the alignment of the respective outlet opening 60 into the inlet chamber 36 in the direction of the lid 28 of the box.

In Fig. 2 it is also indicated at 58 that in the distribution tube 54 of the second embodiment in question, the tubular jacket 56 has a star-shaped subdivision, which separates its own feed lines 44 progressing helically in the distribution tube in the tubular jacket 56 of the distribution tube 54, with separate feed lines 44 to these in each case one of the outlet openings 60 is connected to the respective inlet chamber 36. Although the outlet openings here, as in all other exemplary embodiments, can also be adapted in cross section for injection purposes, the metered supply of the internal heat exchange fluid takes place primarily in this fourth embodiment via the thermostatically controlled block valve 50.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the distribution pipe 54 has no subdivision, which divides its own supply lines in the distribution pipe to the inlet chambers 36, but acts as a whole as a tube-like injection valve to replace the block valve 50 according to FIG. 2 for direct injection of the internal heat exchange fluids via the individual outlet openings 60 into their own inlet chambers 36 of the groups of flat tube Ren. The outlet openings 60 are appropriately adapted to the distribution task in the longitudinal direction of the distribution tube 54 with cross-sectional and possibly also geometric optimization.

The box 18 defined on its circumference by the tube sheet 26 and the cover 28 has a constant external cross-section in its longitudinal direction except for some special features described and is closed at the end by an entry-side end piece 62 and another end piece 64 on the other end face, which, like the tube sheet 4 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 can consist of solder-coated sheet metal and is then soldered, for example according to FIG. 4, between cover 28 and tube plate 26 or is connected in a manner not shown via a bent connection collar and a tongue and groove connection to be soldered in. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the end piece 64 remote from the feed line is an integral part of the die-casting forming the chamber subdivision 30 and accordingly is integrally connected to the two longitudinal webs 32 and 40.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the supply-side end piece 62 is also an integral part of the pressure casting of the chamber subdivision 30. Integral with the inlet-side end piece 62 are also direct connection pieces 48 for a thermostatically controlled block valve 50 (see FIG. 2) trained.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the supply-side end piece 64 has an inner plug connection 70 aligned in the longitudinal direction of the box 18 for the inner distribution pipe 54 aligned therewith, while in the case of the embodiments according to FIGS. 3 and 4 this distribution pipe has a central opening 76 of the end piece 64 partially penetrates in an inserted arrangement and through a tipped retaining collar 74 on an outer step 78 to the central opening 76 to the system is coming. According to FIG. 3, the region of the distribution pipe 54 which is inserted into the central opening 76 can be formed by an expanded end section 72 thereof, which then has the holding collar 74.

If, as described in FIGS. 3 and 4, the distribution pipe 54 is a direct injection pipe, it expediently has an inserted strainer 80 in the direction of flow of the inner heat exchange fluid upstream of the first outlet opening 60, which according to the drawing is funnel-shaped tapering in the direction of flow in the distribution pipe 54 protrudes and is held according to FIG. 3 at the step-shaped transition of the expanded end section 72 into the other distribution pipe 54 and according to FIG. 4 on the holding collar 74 with a flared funnel edge 82.

3 and analogously also in the similar arrangement according to FIG. 4, a feed pipe 84 forming the feed pipe 14 engages in the central opening 76 of the inlet end piece 62 and is sealed against the retaining collar 74 of the distribution pipe 54 by a 0-ring 86 . A circumferential outer bead 88 of the feed pipe 84 can be held between the outer end face of the entry-side end piece 62 and a flange 91 on the motor vehicle.

According to FIG. 3, an end piece 90 integral with the end piece 62 is inserted into an upstand 92 with a groove bottom with double-sided engagement. In this arrangement and in accordance with FIG. 4, where the extension 90 has an outwardly angled foot 94, the entire cover 28 of the box together with the distribution tube 54 can be placed on the tube sheet 26 and connected to the tube sheet e.g. be clinched.

As can be seen in the third and fourth embodiments according to FIGS. 3 and 4, which are comparable with regard to the type of attachment of the end piece 62, the inlet end piece 62, here together with the cover 28, placed in the direction of the flat tubes 2 on the tube sheet 26 and connected to the box 18.

Likewise, the entry-side end piece 62 can be attached to the end face of the box 18 from the outside transversely to the direction of extension of the flat tubes or in the longitudinal direction of the box 18, as is the case with the type of connection according to FIG. 2 also realized in FIG. 1, that is to say with the first and second embodiment, the case.

The input end piece 62 is also made usable in the five exemplary embodiments.

It has already been pointed out with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 that the inlet-side end piece 62 has a plug connection, specifically two outer connecting pieces 96, for the direct connection of a thermostatically controlled block valve 50. 2, this can additionally be connected in a sealed manner by means of a flange connection 98 with sealing by an O-ring 86 arranged at an angle between the outer connecting piece 96 and the flange of the flange connection 98. You can also choose pure plug-in or pure flange connections.

Likewise, it has already been shown with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 that the inlet end piece 62, instead of the block valve 50, can be combined with a distribution pipe 54 connected internally by a plug connection to the inlet end piece 62, which extends the feed line 14 within the collector and extends over the length of the box 18 serves as a direct injection valve in the own inlet chambers 36 of the groups of flat tubes 2.

The distributor pipe 54 with the function of a direct injection valve can, like the distributor pipe 54 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, which does not primarily serve as an injection valve, but one in addition to the block valve 50 can perform additional injection function by appropriate dimensioning of the outlet openings 60, be plugged onto an inner plug connection 70 of the inlet-side end piece 62.

The arrangement according to FIGS. 3 and 4, in which the distributor pipe 54 serving as a direct injection valve extends at least partially through the central opening 76 of the inlet-side closure piece 62, even enables the distributor pipe 54 to be inserted from the outside through the inlet-side closure piece 62. In all embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 4, the distribution tube 54 is supported in a recess 100 in the crosspieces 38 of the chamber subdivision 30 and, as mentioned, is secured against axial displacement by means of the retaining collar 74 in the entry-side end piece 62.

Further essential functions of the end piece 62 on the input side are described below, it being possible for all of the functions mentioned to be provided in whole or in part in a manner not shown, also in the other end piece 64.

In the first embodiment according to FIG. 1, the inlet end piece 62 is designed and arranged in such a way that it, together with an attachment piece 102 formed integrally therewith, in the face extension of the flat tubes 2, which are first acted upon by the inner heat exchange fluid in the flow direction of the latter, on the leaves the heat exchange tubes 2 facing away from a terminal space 104. In the corresponding illustration in FIG. 1, the connection space 104 extends over the first two to three flat tubes of the first inlet chamber 36 in the flow direction of the inner heat exchange fluid. The extension piece 102 which extends into the plane of the side plate 46 is approximately as a lying S with a straight central leg formed that from the supply line 14 ago all pipes in the flow direction of the inner Heat exchange fluid first inlet chamber 36 can be supplied with internal heat exchange fluid through the associated outlet opening 60.

Terminal space 104 can be used in many ways. For example, you can use it in the confined space in a motor vehicle to bend the supply line 14 within the installation space provided for the entire evaporator and either instead of the usual discharge on the front side of the box 18 laterally or in extension of the flat tubes 2 via a curved one Lead pipe section out, which causes a deflection of 90 °, for example.

2 shows a special use of this connection space 104 as an installation space for the thermostatically controlled block valve 50, which in the embodiment shown is almost entirely contained in the connection space 104. As a result, no separate space is required for the installation of the block valve 50 and the supply line 14 can be connected to the block valve 50 via a flange connection 108 as if the block valve 50 were not present at all, but rather the box 18 in the usual way up to the level of the side plate 46 out.

The block valve 50 can in turn be screwed to the end piece 62 by engaging at least one fastening bolt with screw thread engagement in the blind hole 15 provided with a corresponding thread, which thus contributes to the end piece 62 having the function of a connecting part on the outside (on the block valve 50) and - If necessary, has further lines on the inside (distribution pipe 54).

Claims

1. Distribution / collection box made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy of an at least double-flow brazed evaporator of a motor vehicle air conditioning system, the box (18) having a tube plate (26) and a cover (28) which are at least in the direction of the narrow cross section to the box ( 18), and in its longitudinal direction corresponding to the number of floods has at least one longitudinal partition (32, 40), at least one front box wall is formed by a separate end piece (62, 64) that is close to each adjacent longitudinal partition (32, 40) connects, at least one box wall is provided with the refrigerant inlet (14) and the tube sheet (26) and the cover (28) have a constant external cross-section in the longitudinal direction between the front box walls and are formed from solder-coated sheet metal, characterized in that at least on one end face of the Box (18) only a single end piece (62) is arranged t that through this end piece (62) both the cold te agent inlet (14) and the refrigerant outlet (16) run through, and that this end piece (62) is simultaneously designed as a connecting part to the outside and, if necessary, also internal separate lines of the refrigerant inlet (14) and the refrigerant outlet (16).

2. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting part is designed for the immediate external attachment of a block valve (50).

3. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the end piece (62) is designed as a connecting part for a through the end piece (62) passed through the distribution pipe (54).

4. Box according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end piece (62) together with an extension piece (90) in the end extension of the space occupied by the heat exchange tubes (2) of the evaporator on the side facing away from the heat exchange tubes (2) leaves a connection space (104) set back in the longitudinal direction of the box (18).

5. Box according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the injection valve (50) is arranged at least in part, preferably completely, in the connection space (104).

6. Box according to one of claims 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that the connection space (104) outside the end piece (62) receives curved further lines.

7. Box according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the connection space (104) extends at least over the transverse extent of a flat tube (2), preferably over the transverse extent of a plurality of flat tubes (2).

8. Box according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the refrigerant each to individual flat tubes (2) or groups of these via an inlet chamber (36) These flat tubes (2) or their groups are distributed, characterized in that the connection space (104) extends over a shorter length than to the partition (38) of the inlet-side inlet chamber (36) from the subsequent inlet chamber (36), in which Difference in length, the distribution opening (60) of the refrigerant to the inlet-side inlet chamber (36) is arranged.

9. Box according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the end piece (62) is integrally formed with the extension piece (90) and forms the entire boundary wall of the connection space (104).

10. Box according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the distribution pipe (54) is attached to the end piece (62) inside (70).

11. Box according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the distribution tube (54) through the end piece (62) passes through (76).

12. Box according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the end piece (62,64) is an extruded part.

13. Box according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the end piece (62,64) is a pressure or injection molding.

14. Box according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one end piece (62) with a compartment or chamber subdivision (30) separately inserted between the tube sheet (26) and cover (28) forms an integral pressure or injection molding.

15. Box according to claim 14, characterized in that the integral pressure or injection molding additional distribution channels (44) of the inlet-side refrigerant on in the longitudinal direction of the box (18) distributed inlet chambers (36) in individual heat exchange tubes (2) or groups of these.