EP3062054B1 - Heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle.

GB 24242645 A discloses a heat exchanger with the features in the preamble of claim 1. As a heat exchanger or heat exchanger is commonly referred to a device that transfers heat from one stream to another stream. Heat exchangers are used, for example, in motor vehicles to cool the fresh air charged by means of an exhaust-gas turbocharger in a fresh-air system interacting with the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the fresh air to be cooled is introduced into the heat exchanger, where it interacts thermally with a likewise introduced into the heat exchanger coolant and emits heat in this way to the coolant.
Such a heat exchanger may be configured, for example, as a plate heat exchanger and have a plurality of plate assemblies each having a pair of plates stacked in a stacking direction, wherein between the plates of a plate pair, a coolant path is formed through which a coolant is passed. Between two plate arrangements, ie in a distance formed between two adjacent plate pairs, the medium to be cooled, for example in a turbocharger charged charge air, can be fluidically separated from the coolant, so that the coolant through the plates of the plate assembly in thermal interaction can be set with the charge air to be cooled. In order to improve the heat exchange, additional rib structures may be provided between adjacent plate assemblies which increase the interaction area of the plates available for the thermal interaction. Such constructions are known in the art as so-called "rib-tube heat exchanger".

The GB 2 424 2645 A discloses a heat exchanger having a plurality of pairs of plates disposed adjacent to each other along a stacking direction and each comprising a first and a second plates defining in the stacking direction a first fluid path through which a first fluid can flow. Between two plate pairs adjacent in the stacking direction, a second fluid path is formed to flow through with a second fluid. In at least one second fluid path, a plurality of turbulence generating elements are arranged, which are connected at one end to a first plate of a pair of plates bounding the second fluid path and are connected at the other end to a second plate of a plate pair adjacent in the stacking direction.

It is an object of the present invention, in the development of heat exchangers, especially for motor vehicles to show new ways.

This object is achieved by a heat exchanger according to independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

A heat exchanger according to the invention comprises a plurality of plate pairs, which are adjacent and spaced apart along a stacking direction. The plate pairs each comprise a first and a second plates, which define in the stacking direction a fluid path through which a first fluid can flow. This fluid may be fresh air, for example, which has been charged by an exhaust gas turbocharger in a fresh air system of an internal combustion engine and thereby heated and should therefore be cooled in the heat exchanger. Between two pairs of plates adjacent in the stacking direction, a second fluid path for flowing through a second fluid, which is fluidically separated and thermally connected to the first fluid path, is formed Coolant may be that causes cooling of the same by thermal interaction with the fresh air flowing through the first fluid path. According to the invention, a plurality of turbulence-generating elements are arranged in at least one second fluid path, which are connected at one end to a first plate of a plate pair bounding the second fluid path. In addition, the turbulence generating elements are connected to a second plate of a plate pair adjacent in the stacking direction.

The inventive measures lead to a comparison with conventional heat exchangers improved thermal interaction of the two fluids together. As a result, therefore, a heat exchanger with improved efficiency is realized. Therefore, all second fluid paths are particularly preferably equipped with turbulence generation elements. At the same time, the turbulence generating elements, when properly designed, can act as a support structure for the first and second plates of the plate pairs, which improves the rigidity of the heat exchanger.

According to the invention, the plurality of turbulence-generating elements are arranged in a grid-like manner with at least two raster lines in a plan view of the first or second plate. This makes it possible to provide a multiplicity of turbulence generation elements at the first and second plates defining the first and second fluid paths in the stacking direction, respectively, which ensures a particularly pronounced generation of turbulences etc. over the entire second fluid path in which the turbulence generation elements project in each case , This leads to an improved thermal interaction between the two fluids flowing through the fluid paths and thus to an improved efficiency of the heat exchanger.

According to the invention, a line direction is defined by the at least two raster lines. The turbulence generating elements are in the plan view of the first Plate longitudinally formed and each extend along a longitudinal direction. By "longitudinally" is meant that a length of the respective turbulence generating element - measured in the longitudinal direction - is at least five times, preferably ten times, most preferably twenty times, a maximum width measured transversely to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction extends substantially transversely to the row direction. By means of such a geometry of the turbulence generation elements, a plurality of subchannels in the first and second fluid path can be produced, wherein the first or second fluid can also be exchanged between the individual subchannels via the intermediate spaces present in the longitudinal direction between the individual turbulence generation elements. As a result, this leads to a uniform flow through the respective fluid path to form a plurality of vortices, resulting in an improved heat exchange between the two, flowing through the first and second fluid path fluids.

Particularly expediently, the turbulence-generating elements can be formed integrally on the first plate and-alternatively or additionally-on the second plate. In this scenario, the production of the heat exchanger offers the use of an additive manufacturing process, which significantly simplifies the entire production process of the heat exchanger according to the invention and should therefore be explained in more detail below.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least the plate pairs and the turbulence generating elements may be manufactured by means of an additive manufacturing method. The term "additive manufacturing process" in the present case includes all manufacturing processes which build up the building component directly from a computer model. Such production processes are also known by the name "rapid forming". The term "rapid forming" are in particular production processes For fast and flexible production of components using tool-free production directly from CAD data. The use of an additive manufacturing method allows the production of the heat exchanger according to the invention without component-specific investment means such as tool molds or the like. and almost no geometric restrictions. In addition, conventional heat exchangers manufactured using other methods usually have a large number of small parts such as sealing elements or fastening elements such as struts or the like, for example, in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Therefore, all components of the heat exchanger are preferably produced by means of the additive manufacturing process.

Alternatively or additionally, the heat exchanger may be integrally formed. Such a one-piece design is formed in particular when using the above-proposed additive manufacturing process, in particular laser melting. In a one-piece design of the heat exchanger eliminates the very costly and therefore costly attaching the individual components of the heat exchanger together.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the additive manufacturing process may include laser melting. This means that a laser melting process is used for producing the plate pairs and the turbulence generating elements, preferably for producing the entire heat exchanger. By means of such a method, the components of the heat exchanger can be made directly from 3D CAD data. Basically, the components of the heat exchanger in the laser melting process without tools and in layers based on the three-dimensional CAD model associated with the heat exchanger.

Particularly turbulent flow patterns in the fluids flowing through the second fluid paths, for example in the form of flow images with eddy currents, can be generated by forming the turbulence generation elements as guide vanes projecting from the first and second plates, in particular in the stacking direction.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one turbulence generating element is curved along the longitudinal direction. This preferably applies to all turbulence generation elements of at least one second fluid channel, particularly preferably to all turbulence generation elements of the heat exchanger. By means of this measure, the formation of eddy currents in the fluid paths is further enhanced.

In a further preferred embodiment, two adjacent first and / or second turbulence generation elements of a raster line are designed such that a distance measured transversely to the longitudinal direction between these two turbulence generation elements decreases at least in sections along the longitudinal direction. Particularly preferably, all turbulence generation elements of the same raster line are each provided in pairs with such a geometry.

In a further preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger is designed such that the first fluid flows through the first fluid path substantially along a first main flow direction. This first main flow direction extends substantially orthogonal to a second main flow direction, through which the second fluid flows substantially in the second fluid path. In other words, the two fluids flow at an angle of substantially 90 ° to each other through the first and second fluid paths, respectively. This measure leads to an increased thermal interaction between the two fluids and thus to an improved efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Particularly suitably, each first fluid path present in the heat exchanger can have a common first fluid inlet for introducing the first fluid into the first fluid path and a fluid outlet for discharging the first fluid from the first fluid path. Preferably, the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet are in the plan view of the first and second plate of the first and second fluid path limiting plate pair substantially opposite. Correspondingly, each second fluid path has a second fluid inlet for introducing the second fluid into the second fluid path and a common fluid outlet for discharging the second fluid from the same second fluid path, the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet also being in plan view of the first plate in the second fluid path Essentially opposite. These measures allow a simple introduction and discharge of the first or second fluid into or out of the respective fluid path. The same applies to the inlet and outlet of the first fluid into or out of the respective second fluid path. The respective common fluid inlet or joint fluid outlet may be formed integrally on the respective plate pairs and contain a respective passage opening. This may in particular apply to the particularly preferred case that the plate pairs with the first and second plates are part of a flat tube; In this case, the passage openings forming a fluid inlet or fluid outlet can be formed in the flat tubes.

Particularly low space claims an advantageous development of the invention, in which the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet are arranged in the plan view of the first plate substantially orthogonal to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet can also be arranged substantially orthogonal to one another in the plan view of the first plate. Both measures taken alone or in combination, result in that - with respect to the plan view of the plate pairs - the first fluid outlet are arranged on a first side of the first and second plate. This page may for example be a longitudinal or transverse side of the plate. The second fluid inlet is then - preferably rotated by 90 ° - arranged on the transverse or longitudinal side. This facilitates the assembly of the first and second fluid inlets, in particular when a multiplicity of plate pairs stacked on one another is present, and consequently a multiplicity of first and second fluid inlets is required for the individual fluid paths. Such an embodiment of the heat exchanger makes it possible to provide on the longitudinal or transverse side a first fluid distributor, which distributes the first fluid to all first fluid inlets and, in the process, communicates fluidically with these. Twisted on the transverse or longitudinal side, ie preferably by 90 °, a second fluid distributor can be provided in the same way, which communicates fluidically with all second fluid inlets to distribute the second fluid to the second fluid paths. The two fluid distributors can thus be mounted on the outside of different sides of the plate pairs, which significantly reduces the design effort for the realization of the two fluid manifold. The same applies to the provision of a first and a second fluid collector on the remaining longitudinal or transverse side. In other words, on the remaining longitudinal side, a first fluid collector may be provided which fluidically communicates with all first fluid outlets for collecting the first fluid after flowing through the first fluid paths. Finally, a second fluid collector is provided on the last remaining transverse or longitudinal side, which communicates fluidically with all second fluid outlets for collecting the second fluid after flowing through the second fluid paths.

Particularly small installation space in the stacking direction requires another preferred embodiment in which the first and second plates of at least one pair of plates are part of a flat tube delimiting the first fluid path. The distance between stack-flat adjacent flat tubes may be in this scenario serve as a space for a respective second fluid path. Particularly preferably, all plate pairs can each be part of a flat tube delimiting the first fluid path. In an alternative scenario, it is also conceivable for a first plate of a respective plate pair and the second plate adjacent in the stacking direction, which is consequently assigned to the plate pair adjacent in the stacking direction, to be formed as a flat tube which delimits the second fluid path. In a particularly preferred variant, all second fluid paths can be realized in the form of flat tubes described above.

Particularly expediently, the first and second plates of the plate pairs can be designed to be complementary to one another, a channel structure being formed on the inner sides facing the respective other plate. Such a channel structure may for example have a meander-like or geometry. In variants, other geometries are conceivable that can be generated in the plates in a particularly simple and flexible manner by using the aforementioned additive manufacturing process.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

Fig. 1

ein Beispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Wärmetauschers 1 in einem Längsschnitt entlang einer Stapelrichtung S der Plattenpaare 2 des Wärmetauschers,

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt des Wärmetauschers der Figur 1 in einer perspektiven Ansicht,

Fig. 3

den Wärmetauscher der Figur 1 in einer Schnittdarstellung entlang der Schnittlinie III-III der Figur 1.

It show, each schematically

Fig. 1

an example of a heat exchanger 1 according to the invention in a longitudinal section along a stacking direction S of the plate pairs 2 of the heat exchanger,

Fig. 2

a section of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 in a perspective view,

Fig. 3

the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 in a sectional view along the section line III-III of FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 1 shows an example of a heat exchanger 1 according to the invention in a longitudinal section along a stacking direction S of the plate pairs 2 of the heat exchanger, the FIG. 2 a pair of plates 2 of the heat exchanger 1 in a perspective view.

Corresponding FIG. 1 The heat exchanger 1 comprises a plurality of plate pairs 2 which are adjacent and spaced apart along a stacking direction S and each comprising a first and a second plates 3a, 3b. In the example of FIG. 1 By way of example, three such plate pairs 2 with respective first and second plates 3a, 3b are shown. The first and second plates 3a, 3b of the plate pairs 2 each delimit in the stacking direction S a first fluid path 4a, through which a first fluid F _{1 can} flow. In the example of FIG. 1 A main flow direction of the first fluid F _{1 is} in a direction indicated by Z. In each case between two pairs of plates 2 adjacent in the stacking direction S, a second fluid path 4 b for flowing through with a second fluid F ₂ formed. In the example of FIG. 1 A main flow direction of the second fluid F ₂ extends in a direction designated L perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, that is orthogonal to the main flow direction of the first fluid F ₁ .

As the FIGS. 1 can be seen, in the second fluid paths 4b, a plurality of turbulence generating elements 6 are arranged, which are connected at one end to a first plate 3a of the respective second fluid path 4b limiting plate pair 2 and the other end connected to a second plate 3b of a plate pair 2 adjacent in the stacking direction S , This second plate 3b also defines the fluid passage 4b with the turbulence generating elements 6. The turbulence generating elements 6 are integrally formed on both the first plate 3a and the second plate 3b to which they are connected endwise. The plate pairs 2 with the first and second plates 3a, 3b and the turbulence generating elements 6 are manufactured by an additive manufacturing method. Preferably, all other components of the heat exchanger 1 can be produced by means of such an additive manufacturing process. The use of an additive manufacturing method allows the production of the heat exchanger 1 with almost no geometric restrictions. By means of the additive manufacturing process, it is possible to construct the design of the heat exchanger 1 functionally bound - and no longer tool-bound. Thus, the individual components of the heat exchanger 1, such as the pairs of plates 2 and the adjacent pairs of plates 2 connecting turbulence generating elements 6 can be integrally formed directly in the course of the manufacturing process to each other. In the course of the additive manufacturing process turbulence generating elements 6 can be made with almost any geometry.

The additive manufacturing process may also include the so-called laser melting process. This means that for producing the plate pairs 2 and the Turbulence generating elements 6, in an extreme case for producing the entire heat exchanger 1, a laser melting process is used. By means of such a method, the above-mentioned components of the heat exchanger can be produced directly from 3D CAD data. In principle, the said components of the heat exchanger 1 during the laser melting process are manufactured without tools and in layers on the basis of a three-dimensional CAD model assigned to the heat exchanger 1.

Looking at the representation of the FIG. 3 , which the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 in a sectional view along the section line III-III of FIG. 1 shows, it can be seen that the turbulence generating elements 6 may be formed in each case as from the first plate 3a and second plate 3b projecting vanes 8. The formation of the turbulence-generating elements 6 in the form of guide vanes 8 assists in the formation of particularly turbulent flow patterns in the second fluid F ₂ flowing through the second fluid paths 4 b. This leads to an improved efficiency of the heat exchanger 1.

Again FIG. 3 can be seen, the plurality of turbulence generating elements 6 in the plan view of the first plate 3a grid-like with multiple raster lines 9 - in FIG. 3 By way of example, three such raster lines 9 are shown - arranged on this. By the raster lines 9, a row direction Z is defined. The turbulence generating elements 6 are formed longitudinally in the stacking direction S on the first plate 3a and each extending along a longitudinal direction L which is substantially transverse to the row direction Z. Particularly suitably, a length l of the turbulence generating elements 6 is at least five times a maximum width b of the same turbulence generating element 6. The length is preferably at least ten times, more preferably at least twenty times the maximum width b. In this case, the length I in the longitudinal direction L and the width b in the row direction Z are measured. The width b measured in the row direction Z can be determined according to FIG. 3 vary along the longitudinal direction L. By means of such a geometric arrangement or design of the turbulence generating elements 6 on the first and second fluid paths 4a, 4b limiting first and second plates 3a, 3b can be particularly pronounced turbulence in the second fluid paths through the second fluid paths 4b generate second fluid F ₂ . This has an increased thermal interaction between the two fluids F ₁ , F ₂ and thus to an improved efficiency of the heat exchanger 1 result.

As FIG. 3 can be further seen, at least one turbulence generating element 6 is formed curved in the top direction in the stacking direction S on the first plate 3a in the longitudinal direction L. This is especially preferred as in FIG. 3 shown for all turbulence generating elements 6 of the heat exchanger 1. By means of this measure, the formation of eddy currents can be amplified in the second fluid paths 4b. The turbulence elements 6 with a curved geometry can be produced in a particularly simple manner by using the aforementioned additive manufacturing method, in particular laser melting. This proves to be particularly advantageous if, as shown in the example, a large number of turbulence generating elements 6 to be used, which can then be used as a support structure for the plates 3a, 3b of the plate pairs 2. Two adjacent turbulence generation elements 6 of a raster line 9 are preferably designed such that a distance a measured transversely to the longitudinal direction L between these two turbulence generation elements 6 decreases along the longitudinal direction L at least in sections. Particularly preferably, all turbulence generating elements 6 of the same raster line 9 can be provided in pairs with such a geometry.

The turbulence generation elements 6 of a respective raster line 9 which are adjacent in a specific line direction Z can form element pairs 12. The two turbulence generating elements 6 of a respective pair of elements 12 can with respect to an axis of symmetry A, in the plan view of the first or second plate 3a, 3b runs along the longitudinal direction L, be arranged axisymmetric to each other. In this way, a particularly advantageous arrangement geometry of the turbulence generating elements 6 is realized, which causes a particularly pronounced turbulence in the first and second fluid F ₂ and thus to an improved heat exchange between the two fluids F1, F ₂ when flowing through the fluid paths 4a, 4b in the heat exchanger 1 leads. Such an axisymmetric arrangement of a multiplicity of element pairs 12 can also be realized in a particularly simple and precise manner by using an additive manufacturing method.

Of the FIG. 3 can also be seen that the heat exchanger 1 can be formed such that the first fluid F _{1 flows} through the first fluid path 4a substantially along a first main flow direction R ₁ . The first main flow direction R ₁ extends substantially orthogonal to a second main flow direction R ₂ , through which the second fluid F _{2 flows} in the second fluid path 4 b. Each first fluid path 4a may have a common first fluid inlet 13 for introducing the first fluid F ₁ into the first fluid paths 4a and a common first fluid outlet 14 for discharging the first fluid F ₁ from the first fluid paths 4a. According to the presentation of the FIG. 3 are the first fluid inlet 13 and the first fluid outlet 14 - whose position is in FIG. 3 indicated only schematically (dashed rectangles) - in the plan view of the first plate 3a substantially opposite. Corresponding to each second fluid path may have 4b 4b a common second fluid inlet 15 for introducing the second fluid _F2 into the second fluid path 4b and a common second fluid outlet 16 for discharging the second fluid _F2 from the second fluid paths. The common second fluid inlet 15 and the common second fluid outlet 16 are likewise opposite one another in the plan view of the first plate 3a. Particularly advantageously, the first fluid inlet 13 and the second fluid inlet 15 with respect to the plan view of the first plate 3a in the stacking direction S are arranged substantially rotated by 90 ° to each other. Corresponding For example, the first fluid outlet 14 and the second fluid outlet 16 are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other with respect to the plan view of the first plate 2 along the stacking direction S. In other words, in the case of the substantially rectangularly shaped in the example scenario first plate 3a with two longitudinal sides 17a, 17b and two transverse sides 17c, 17d, the common first fluid inlet 13 and the common first fluid outlet 14 in the region of opposite longitudinal sides 17a, 17b may be arranged , Accordingly, the common second fluid inlet 15 and the common second fluid outlet 16 can be arranged in the region of the opposite transverse sides 17c, 17d.

The first and second plates 3a, 3b of the plate pairs 2 may each be part of a flat tube defining the first and / or second fluid path 4a, 4b (not shown). This allows a production of the heat exchanger 1 in flat construction. In this case, the two plates 3a, 3b of a respective plate pair 2 may be formed complementary to each other. In particular, a channel structure may be formed on the inner side 11 facing the respective other plate. Such a channel structure may for example have a meander-like or geometry. In variants, other geometries are conceivable, which can be produced in the plates 3a, 3b in a particularly simple and flexible manner by using the aforementioned additive manufacturing process.

It is understood that in the above-explained figures, only the essential components of the heat exchanger 1 according to the invention are shown in a schematic representation. Constructive details known to one of ordinary skill in the art are not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity.

The heat exchanger 1 may be formed in one piece. Such a one-piece design is formed in particular when using the above-proposed additive manufacturing process, in particular laser melting. In a one-piece design of the heat exchanger eliminates the very costly and therefore costly attaching the individual components of the heat exchanger together. It is understood that in the case of a one-piece construction of the heat exchanger 1, the terms used herein such as e.g. "first plate 3a" remain valid.

Claims (12)

1. Heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle,

   - with a plurality of plate pairs (2) which are disposed adjacent to one another along a pile direction (S) and comprise in each case one first and one second plates (3a, 3b), which in the pile direction (S) restrict a first fluid path (4a) through which can flow a first fluid (F₁),

   - wherein between two plate pairs (2) adjacent in the pile direction (S) a second fluid path (4b) is formed through which a second fluid is to flow,

   - wherein in at least one second fluid path (4b), preferably in all second fluid paths (4b), plurality of turbulence generating elements (6) is disposed a, which at one end are connected with a first plate (3a) of a plate pair (2) restricting the second fluid path (4b) and at the other end are connected with a second plate (3b) of a plate pair (2) adjacent in pile direction (S),

   - wherein the plurality of turbulence generating elements (6), in a top view onto the first or second plate (3a, 3b), is disposed in a grid-like manner with at least two gridlines (9) on the first and/or second plate (3a, 3b).

   - wherein through the at least two gridlines (9) a row direction (Z) is defined,

   - wherein in the top view the turbulence generating elements (6) are formed longitudinally along the pile direction (S) onto the first plate (3a, 3b) and in each case extend along a longitudinal direction (L) which extends perpendicularly to the row direction (Z),

   - wherein a length (I) of at least one turbulence generating element (6), preferably of all turbulence generating elements (6), is equal to at least five times, preferably at least ten times, most preferably at least twenty times a maximal breadth (b) of the respective turbulence generating element (6),

   - wherein the length (I) is measured in the longitudinal direction (L) and the breadth (b) is measured in the row direction (Z),

   characterised in that the turbulence generating elements (6) adjacent in row direction (Z) form element pairs (12), wherein the two turbulence generating elements (6) of each element pair (12) with respect to a symmetry axis (A), which in the top view extends onto the first or second plate along the longitudinal direction (L), are disposed axisymmetrically to one another.
2. Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterised in that the turbulence generating elements (6) are formed integrally at the first and/or second plate (3a, 3b).
3. Heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that

   - at least the plate pairs (2) and the turbulence generating elements (6) are manufactured by means of an additive manufacturing process., and/or that

   - the heat exchanger (1) is formed in one piece.
4. Heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterised in that the additive manufacturing process comprises laser fusing process.
5. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the turbulence generating elements (6) are each formed as guide vanes protruding from the first and second plate (3a, 3b).
6. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one turbulence generating element (6), preferably all turbulence generating elements (6) are formed bent in the longitudinal direction (L).
7. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two adjacent turbulence generating elements (6) of a grid row (9) are formed such that a distance (a), measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (L), between these two turbulence generating elements (6) reduces at least sectionally along the longitudinal direction (L).
8. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the heat exchanger is formed such that the first fluid (F₁) flows through the first fluid path (4a) substantially along a first main flow direction (R₁), which extends substantially orthogonally to a second main flow direction (R₂), through which the second fluid (F₂) flows in the second fluid path (4b).
9. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

   - each first fluid path (4a) has a shared first fluid inlet (13) for introducing the first fluid (F₁) the first fluid paths (4a) and a shared first fluid outlet (14) for discharging the first fluid (F₁) out of the first fluid paths (4a), wherein the shared first fluid inlet (13) and the shared first fluid outlet (14) in the top view onto the first plate (3a) lie opposite one another,

   - each second fluid path (4b) has a shared second fluid inlet (15) for introducing the second fluid (F₂) into the second fluid paths (4b) and a shared second fluid outlet (16) for discharging the second fluid (F₂) out of the second fluid paths (4b), wherein the shared second fluid inlet (15) and the shared second fluid outlet (16) in the top view onto the first plate (3a) lie opposite one another.
10. Heat exchanger according to claim 9, characterised in that

    - the shared first fluid inlet (13) and the shared second fluid inlet (15) in the top view onto the first plate (3a) are disposed substantially orthogonally to one another, and/or that

    - the first fluid outlet (14) and the second fluid outlet (16) in the top view onto the first plate (3a) are disposed substantially orthogonally to one another.
11. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second plate (3a, 3b) of at least one plate pair (2) are part of a flat tube restricting the first and/or second fluid path (4a, 4b).
12. Heat exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second plate (3a, 3b) of a plate pair (2) are formed complementary to one another, wherein at the inner side (11), facing in each case the other plate (3a, 3b), of the two plates (3a, 3b) is formed a channel structure.

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