EP1503165B1 - Vehicles cooler - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle radiator, consisting of flat tubes, corrugated fins and tube sheets with an erected peripheral edge, and with openings matching the cross section of the flat tubes, in which open the ends of the flat tubes, wherein the openings are formed with collars, at which the ends are soldered , and with plastic collecting boxes, which are mechanically fastened at their edge bead with the edge of the tube sheets with the addition of a seal, wherein the edge of the tube sheets is bent on the edge bead of the collecting boxes in the manner of a clamping, wherein an insert is inserted into the tube sheet, which has a circumferential deformed edge strip, which is soldered with its one side on the erect edge of the tube sheet,

A motor vehicle radiator is out of the Fig. 2 of the DE 34 40 489 C2 known. However, the known motor vehicle radiator has only at one end of the flat tubes a substantially flat tube plate with a collecting box. The flat tubes are formed there with a longitudinal ridge, so that the cooling water is deflected at the other end of the flat tubes and flows back to the collection box. Since in the document a completely different from the invention described below task has been solved, seems the Fig. 2 only randomly, ie not purposefully, to show the characteristics of the generic term.

Usually, a circumferential groove is formed for clamping the collecting tank on the tube plate in the tube plate, in which the seal is their recording and therefore can not slip, as well as in the Fig. 6 of the mentioned document. Such tube sheets are then not considered to be substantially flat.

In addition, the DE 100 16 029 A1 and the FR 27 42 534 just mentioned here for example. In contrast to this prior art, the present invention is based on a motor vehicle radiator with a substantially planar tube sheet. In the FR 27 42 534 However, there is an insert, which is located in the groove of the tube sheet and was soldered to the bent edge of the tube sheet, which is why the preamble of claim 1 was derived from this reference. The insert is there the clamping.

By doing EP 1 273 864 A2 are also no substantially flat tube bottoms present, but there the object was achieved, which also plays a role in the present invention and which consists in the motor vehicle radiator with the least possible amount of change with smaller block depths of the cooling network To be able to equip (flat tubes and corrugated ribs). The solution takes place there by the provision of a second tube plate or an intermediate bottom. For reasons of cost, it is still more advantageous to use plastic collection boxes-not of metal-since additional functional elements can be easily realized by appropriate design of the injection-molding tool. The projection of the edge of the header over the cooling grid, which is clamped to the edge of the tubesheet, could there, in the EP'864, still be reduced somewhat to reduce the required space of the cooler.

Furthermore, there are often problems in the production of the clamping but also in the operation of the radiator, because the wall of the collecting tank or the edge bead does not remain stable but falls inward or slips. These problems occur when a substantially flat tube sheet is to be used, which therefore has no circumferential groove in which the edge bead could find support.

Essentially flat tubesheets, however, are in the WO 00/33009 available. There, a seal was provided which extends over the entire tube sheet and which is therefore also designed to seal the pipe ends in the openings of the tube sheet. The lateral projection of the tube sheets on the cooling network is quite large there, which is unfavorable in terms of the required installation space. If a cooling network with a different depth dimension is to be used, which is desired in many cases, then another, adapted, seal is inevitably required, whereby the costs are increased. Further, the pipe ends protrude far into the interior of the header, which is also unfavorable in terms of pressure loss.

In the FR 2 750 484 the pipe ends were soldered in the openings of the tube sheet, which is why a trained as described planar seal is not required. However, the heat exchanger from this publication with respect to pressure loss is also not advantageous. In order to prevent the wall of the collecting tank from falling inwards when being clamped, two rows of indentations were formed there in the beaded, ie in the non-planar tubesheet, which serve as a stop for the wall of the collecting tank. The seal assembly could be improved here.

In the heat exchanger, with the US 5,758,721 B was released, there are no such beads. In order to prevent the wall of the collecting tank from falling inwards when being clamped, there were two rows of protrusions in the otherwise level tube sheet incorporated, which protrude inward and serve as a stop for the wall of the collecting tank. The installation of the seal is also a bit difficult here.

The object of the invention vodieenden is to ensure a stable position of the wall of the collecting tank in the clamping despite the substantially flat tube sheets. In addition, the motor vehicle radiator should be designed so that the supernatant of the collecting tank is further reduced via the cooling network, the option should exist to provide the radiator in an economical manner, if necessary, with a cooling network lesser block depth.

The solution according to the invention is achieved with the features of independent claim 1.

According to claim 1, the invention provides that an insert is inserted into the tubesheet, which has a circumferential deformed edge strips, which is soldered with its one side on the erect edge of the tube sheet, and that means are provided on the insert, which the edge bead after support inside.

Further features are the subject of the appended claims 2-7, to which reference is made to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described. Also from this description, the features of the dependent claims.

The Fig. 1 to 5 show partial perspective sections of a motor vehicle cooler not according to the invention, which may be, for example, a cooled by cooling air coolant radiator or a charge air cooler.

The others FIGS. 6-28 show the invention in several embodiments.

The Fig. 24 shows a front view and the Fig. 25 a side view of an essential part of a charge air cooler.

The automobile radiator ( Fig. 1-5 ) is known from a cooling network consisting of a series of flat tubes 1 and corrugated fins 2, and of two tube sheets 3, in whose openings 4 the opposite ends of the flat tubes 1 open, constructed. The tube sheets 3 are each connected to a collecting box 6 . The Fig. 1 shows a section of a side of the motor vehicle radiator, with a part of a tube sheet 3, with only two flat tubes 1 of the mentioned series, with as many openings 4, and with a piece of corrugated fins 2, which are arranged between the flat tubes 1 and by the cooling air ( dashed arrows) flows through. The openings 4 are formed with pointing to the flat tubes 1 and the corrugated fins 2 collar 5 , where the ends of the flat tubes 1 are soldered tight and durable. The ends of the flat tubes 1 terminate below the surface of the tube bottom 3 in order to keep the pressure loss of the flowing through the flat tubes 1 , to be cooled medium (solid arrows) low. Furthermore, a part of a collecting box 6 can be seen, which was made of plastic by injection molding. The collecting box 6 is mechanically fastened at its peripheral edge bead 7 with the peripheral deformed edge 8 of the substantially flat tube plate 3 with the addition of a seal 9 , wherein the deformed edge 8 of the tube plate 3 is bent on the edge bead 7 of the collecting box 6 in the manner of a clamping , The opposite side of the motor vehicle radiator, not shown, is of identical design.

At the edge bead 7 of the manifolds 6 , a circumferential projection 10 is provided, which is supported on the flat tube sheets 3 and which provides a space 11 for receiving the seal 9 to the deformed edge 8 of the tube sheets 3 out. The seal 9 has an over the Cross-section of the space 11 protruding round cross-section, which is squeezed wide in the course of the clamping, whereby the sealing effect arises, or the space 11 is filled with the seal 9 .

The openings 4 in the tubesheets 3 extend at both ends approximately to the circumferential projection 10 on the edge bead 7 of the manifolds 6 , whereby only a slight projection of the rim 8 over the circumference of the cooling network (flat tubes / corrugated fins) was created. In the Fig. 1 and 2 It can be seen that the projection 10 resting on the flat tubesheet 3 is arranged approximately perpendicularly above the one end of the openings 4 . The other end of the openings 4 or the opposite side of the collecting tank 6 is not shown, but is identical, which should also be expressed by the "circumferential" edge 7 of the tube plate and the "peripheral" edge bead 7 of the collecting box. The edge bead 7 of the manifolds 6 is formed with a recess 12 into which the deformed edge 8 of the tube plates 3 engages. While the projection 10 is formed on the underside of the edge bead 7 of the collecting tank 6 , the recess 12 is formed on the upper side of the edge bead 7 of the collecting box 6 in the manner of a circumferential groove. The engaging in the recess 12 formed edge 8 of the tube sheet requires a bend of this edge 8 inwardly by much more than 90 °, so that the holding function of the deformed edge 8 relative to the wall of the collecting tank 6 is to be fulfilled. In the exemplary embodiment, the edge 8 was bent inwards by approximately 130 ° from the vertical inwards, into the recess 12 of the edge bead 7 . The collecting box 6 has no other stop on the tube sheet 3 , since substantially flat tube sheets 3 are provided. According to Fig. 1 the reshaped edge 8 has been bent as a whole in the recess 12 into it.

The Fig. 2 and 3 In contrast, show a change, which consists in that the deformed edge 8 of the tube sheets 3 is formed with known at intervals spaced projections 20 . These projections 20 have been bent into the recess 12 . Like from the Fig. 3 can be seen, the recess 12 can be divided by means of webs 14 into compartments 15 . The webs 14 lead to a higher rigidity in the recess 12 , which can therefore be formed with a smaller wall thickness, whereby the supernatant ü on the cooling network is further reduced. From the Fig. 3 is also in principle a device for Clamp the collecting box 6 with the tube sheet 3 to remove. The device has a series of punches. In the series, a forming punch 40 alternates with a holding-down punch 30 . The hold-down punches 30 each engage in a compartment 15 of the recess 12 and hold the collection box 6 in the desired position. In each case, a forming die 40 bends a supernatant 20 on the deformed edge 8 in the adjacent compartment 15 into. Only a forming punch 40 and a holding-down punch 30 were shown. In order to be able to fulfill the hold-down function, the hold-down punches 30 have to take effect somewhat earlier than the forming punches 40 in terms of time. The device is located in a forming machine, which was simply provided with the reference numeral 50 . The punches 30 and 40 act approximately perpendicular to the flat tubesheet 3 on the deformed edge 8 and the edge bead 7 a.

From the Fig. 4 It can be seen that the motor vehicle radiator, without changes, z. B. with regard to the connection between the tube sheet 3 and collecting tank 6 , make, with a cooling network lesser depth <T can be equipped. Therefore, by the reference numeral 5 'of the collar 5 a smaller opening 4' in the tube sheet 3 was indicated, which belongs to a cooling network with a smaller depth <T . The greater depth was in the Fig. 4 marked with > T.

Further, lugs 21 spaced at intervals on the projection 10 of the edge bead 7 of the collecting tank 6 were formed, which can take care of a better positioning of the seal 9 care. ( Fig. 4 and 5 )

In the Figures 6-27 have been assigned to the previously described components of the motor vehicle radiator reference numerals, which are extended by one hundred. Other components, which have not been described above or are not present, have also received one hundred reference numerals. It can be seen from the partial views of FIGS. 24 and 25 in that the plastic collecting tanks 106 have an air inlet or outlet nozzle 190 . (only one of the two manifolds drawn) The edge bead 107 of the manifolds 106 is fixed at the edge 108 of the tube plates 103 by clamping. The intercooler has a series of flat tubes 101 with corrugated fins 102 interposed therebetween. The tube sheets 103 have openings which are each provided with a collar 105 which are aligned with the cooling network. The cooler also has on each narrow side a side part 180th One of them can be seen in the pictures.

According to the invention, an insert 160 is used, which is inserted into the tube plate 103 . Various embodiments of the insert 160 are in the 10, 11 and 12 shown. The insert 160 is made of aluminum sheet by forming. The insert 160 has an edge strip 161 of different design according to the various embodiments, which gives the insert 160 a frame-like configuration. In the Fig. 10 - 12 transverse webs 165 were provided between the two longitudinal sides of the insert 160 and its deformed marginal strip 161 , respectively. The transverse webs 165 can improve the stability of the insert 160 and can also impart a gas or liquid flow directing effect by correspondingly forming the angle of attack α ( Fig. 12 ). The size of the angle of attack α can change from transverse web 165 to transverse web 165 as a function of the position of the inlet or outlet connection 190 . For this purpose, the transverse webs 165 are connected at both ends only via a relatively narrow and therefore rotatable web 166 with the edge strip 161 . Nevertheless, the transverse webs 165 only represent an option that can be dispensed with, especially with smaller radiator sizes.

Also an option are the protrusions 167 located at the lower edge of the trim strip 161 . These projections 167 fit into openings 168 which are present in the tube plate 103 . Projections 167 and openings 168 together constitute a suitable measure for provisionally fixing the edge strip 161 in the tube sheet 103 so that the soldering process can be carried out. ( Fig. 8 . 11 . 18 . 27 ) This caused concerns about tightness are unfounded in view of the level of development of the soldering technology.

The same task in terms of prefixing example, in the embodiment of the Fig. 13 showing a section through the clamping, solved by bent tabs 120 , which act on the edge strip 161 of the insert 160.

Another possibility for prefixing shows the embodiment of the 6 and 7 , There are at intervals cutouts 170 at the edge of the tube sheet 103 , in each of which a projection 169 is bent into the edge strip 161 . Incidentally, in this embodiment, the edge strip 161 of the insert 160 is deformed like a channel. In this groove, the seal 109 is inserted, on which the edge bead 107 of the collecting tank 106 comes to lie, which in the FIG. 6 and 7 not shown. The outer wall of the channel or the edge strip 161 is soldered to the inside of the edge 108 of the tube sheet. The bracketing can happen as it is shown several times in other figures.

Another advantageous embodiment show the Fig. 8 and 9 , where the Fig. 9 the section A - A shows, in the Fig. 8 was drawn. There, the seal 109 is located in a circumferential recess of the edge bead 107 of the collecting tank 106. The seal 109 itself is a manufactured by extrusion rubber band approximately rectangular cross-section, which is cut to appropriate length. The recess in the edge bead 107 has at intervals arranged cross-sectional constrictions 171 , which in the Fig. 9 are recognizable. These serve to give the seal 109 appropriate hold because it is trapped there. Therefore, it can not fall out of the recess during assembly of the collecting tank 106 . The sealing effect is achieved by pressing the seal 109 on the edge strip 161 of the insert 160 . Inwardly, the edge bead 107 rests against the already described transverse webs 165 of the insert part 160 and thus can not slip. In another embodiment, not shown, was omitted on the transverse webs 165 and therefore only single lying in-line formations were formed in the insert 160, which serve as a means for supporting the edge bead 107 .

Another possibility or a further means to avoid slipping or to ensure the stability of the position of the edge bead 107 is the provision of a groove 175 in the edge bead 107 in which the one edge or side of the edge strip 161 engages. ( Fig. 17 - 20 This embodiment requires a correspondingly adapted deformation of the edge strip 161 , as the sections in the mentioned figures show.

In the Fig. 13 . 21 and 23 was waived on the groove 175 . For this purpose, the deformation of the edge strip 161 and the edge bead 107 have been changed so that an abutment of the edge bead 107 on the edge strip 161 is present.

With regard to the universal and cost-effective use of plastic collecting tanks 106 already mentioned in the introduction, reference is hereby made to the FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 be pointed out. There, a partition wall 188 was formed in the plastic collection box 106 as its component, with which, as is known, the flow through the radiator can be selected as it is advantageous for certain applications. It was also provided there, the seal 109 form with a cross-connection 187 on which the partition 188 comes to rest during assembly of the collecting tank 106 . Below the partition wall 188 or the transverse connection 187 , the complete flow deflection can be achieved by a further insertion part 189 .

The already mentioned FIGS. 17 to 23 show partial views or sections through the edge 108 of the tube sheet 103 and the edge strip 161 of the insert 160 in various embodiments, from which inter alia, the clamping closer. As the Fig. 17 shows particularly well, has the outer edge of the edge bead 107 cutouts, which are provided where the projections 120 are present at the edge 108 of the tube sheet 103 . This results in an approximately smooth, ie continuous end edge on the outside. The supernatants 120 are, as described above, bent inwards and cause the clamping. In this alternative solution proposal, it is not necessary to bend the projections 120 into recesses since the stability of the position of the edge bead 107 is effected here by the other measures described above.

Attention is still to another feature that serves to position positioning of the insert 160 in the tube plate 103 . This feature goes from the FIGS. 21-23 and 26 and 27. At the bottom of the tube sheet 103 knobs 176 were impressed at intervals, on which the other edge of the edge strip 161 rests. This achieves a more accurate positioning of the insert 160 , which otherwise, due to the bending radius at the edge 108 of the tube sheet 103 , would not exist.

The Fig. 26 and 27 each show a view of the inside of a substantially flat tube bottom 103 , wherein in the Fig. 26 the tube plate 103 of a Kühlflüssigkeitkühlers and in the Fig. 27 the tube plate 103 of a charge air cooler is shown. The openings 104 for the ends of the flat tubes can be seen there as well as the nubs described 176 and those openings 168 which receive the projections 167 at the lower edge of the edge strip 161 . The edge 108 of the tube plate 103 is merely bent, ie erect. The tube plates 3, 103 have no groove for receiving the seal.

The Fig. 28 shows a modified embodiment of the invention, in which the collar 105 at the openings 104 in the tube plate 103 in the direction of the collecting tank 106th are formed pointing. With respect to the formation of the insert 160 may be described on FIGS. 19 and 20 to get expelled.

It is clear from the foregoing description and from the figures clearly show that the invention, together with its embodiments a minimum and therefore unacceptable supernatant above the collecting tank 6, have 106 via the cooling power for the sequence wherein the same was further reduced with the invention.

The invention allows the provision of a cooling network of lesser depth T, as described above.

Claims (7)

1. Motor vehicle cooler, composed of flat tubes (101), corrugated fins (102) and two tube plates (103) having a turned-up encircling edge (108) and having openings (104) which are matched to the cross section of the flat tubes (101) and into which the opposite ends of the flat tubes (101) open out, with the openings (104) being formed with collars (105) to which the ends are soldered, and having two collecting tanks (106) which are composed of plastic and which, at their encircling edge bead (107), are mechanically fastened to the bent edge (108) of the tube plates (103) with the addition of a seal (109), with the turned-up edge (108) of the tube plates (103) being bent onto the edge bead (107) of the collecting tanks (106) in the manner of a clamp,
   with an insert part (160) being inserted into the tube plate (103), which insert part (160) has an encircling deformed edge strip (161) which is soldered with its one side to the turned-up edge (108) of the tube plate (103), characterized in that means are provided on the insert part (160), which means support the edge bead (107) at the inside.
2. Motor vehicle cooler according to Claim 1, characterized in that the edge bead (107) is supported in that it bears towards the inside against transverse webs (165) or other stops which are formed in the insert part (160) or in that it bears against the deformed edge strip (161) of the insert part (160).
3. Motor vehicle cooler according to Claim 1, characterized in that the edge bead (107) is supported in that it has a groove (175) which holds the other side of the edge strip (161) of the insert part (160).
4. Motor vehicle cooler according to Claim 1, characterized in that the edge bead (107) is supported in that the edge strip (161) of the insert part (160) is formed in the manner of a channel.
5. Motor vehicle cooler according to Claim 4, characterized in that the channel-like edge strip (161) of the insert part (160) has an inner and an outer wall (163, 164), wherein the outer wall (164) bears against the turned-up edge (108) of the tube plate (103) and can be locked there.
6. Motor vehicle cooler according to Claim 1 and 2, characterized in that projections (167) are formed on the edge strip (161) of the insert part (160), which projections (167) engage into openings (168) of the tube plate (103) in order to provisionally hold the insert part (160) in the tube plate (103).
7. Motor vehicle cooler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collars (105) are aligned so as to point into the collecting tanks (106) or preferably in the direction of the cooling network, and in that the tube plates (103) are otherwise of substantially planar design.

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