HEAT EXCHANGER FOR COOLING COMPONENTS

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for cooling components, in particular heat-generating electronic or electrical components, which is characterized by a particularly advantageous structural configuration that allows relatively economical manufacturing of the heat exchanger in large numbers.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

German Patent Document No. DE 692 24 314 T2 describes a heat exchanger for cooling components. Such a heat exchanger is also known as a “pulsating heat pipe” (PHP) and comprises a meandering channel for a cooling medium arranged in a housing frame. The housing frame is sandwiched between a housing cover and a housing base of the heat exchanger housing to seal the channel. In the heat exchanger disclosed in the aforementioned document, the meandering channel runs over the entire height of the housing frame and is formed from a plate by removing material.

SUMMARY

A heat exchanger according to the present invention for cooling components may have an advantage that it may be adapted in the manner of a modular building system by very simply adapting components in the region of the housing frame in order to meet all kinds of different requirements or sizing needs.

The present invention is based on the idea that at least one additional component arranged in the area of the housing frame and separate from the housing frame makes a desired configuration or guiding possible for the cooling medium in the at least one channel for the cooling medium.

In the context of the above explanations, the heat exchanger according to the present invention therefore provides for at least one separate insert arranged within the housing frame forming a partial section of the at least one channel, which extends at least substantially over the entire height of the housing frame in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the housing frame, and the at least one insert is connected to the housing base and the housing cover in a fluid-tight manner for the cooling medium.

Advantageous further developments and structural configurations of the heat exchanger according to the present invention are disclosed.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, such an insert for formation of the at least one channel may be configured in a particularly simple manner in that it is developed as a wavelike formed sheet metal that comprises first sections connected to the housing base or the housing cover, and second sections that run in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of the housing frame, at least in certain regions, wherein the second sections are configured in a straight line and form lateral limitations of the at least one channel.

A further structural design or further development of the present invention, which allows defined guiding of the cooling medium in the channel, provides for the second sections to be in contact with the housing frame and/or a further insert when viewed in their longitudinal direction. The second sections may either abut or be in contact with the housing frame or the further insert at their front face, or a groove may be arranged in the housing frame and/or the further insert that receives the front end region of the second section of the insert.

In a further example embodiment of the present invention, the channel may be configured to minimize flow resistance without additional components by means of the housing frame and/or the further insert comprising rounded arc sections that serve for flow redirection, preferably for reversing the flow of the cooling medium in the at least one channel.

In particular, the arc sections may be formed as semi-circles or semi-ellipses. Such a configuration or shape also includes the case where arc sections configured as both semi-circles and semi-ellipses are present within a heat exchanger.

Furthermore, for flow optimization there may be at least a second section of the insert immersed in the region of the arc section.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, to guide the flow, additional second sections may be provided on the insert, which are arranged parallel to the second sections, and which are located at a distance from the housing frame and/or the further insert when viewed in their longitudinal direction.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, another option for influencing the flow is for additional flow elements for the cooling medium to be arranged at the insert at the longitudinal ends of the second section and/or the additional second section. Such additional flow elements are preferably configured in the form of separately manufactured components and connected to the insert.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, another option for influencing the flow direction of the cooling medium is for the second section and/or further second sections of the insert to have different spacings from each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to their longitudinal direction. As a result, regions may particularly be formed that comprise areas of flow restriction, in which a higher flow rate of the cooling medium predominates than in regions where the second and/or third sections have a comparatively greater distance.

The shape of the cross-section of the at least one channel may also be implemented in a different manner, depending on the application or fabrication of the insert. Thus, a first embodiment of the present invention provides that the first sections of the insert are parallel, and the second sections of the insert are at least substantially perpendicular to the plane of the housing frame, such that the at least one channel forms a rectangle in the cross-section.

The first sections and the second sections of the insert may also be configured in an approximately semi-circular manner. An alternating arrangement of the first and section sections thus creates a cross-section of the channel with curves.

For the purpose of simple and economical manufacturing of the heat exchanger, it is particularly preferable if at least the housing frame and the at least one insert are configured as stamped components.

A fluid-tight connection between the housing frame and the at least one insert with the housing cover and the housing base may occur in a variety of ways. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the connection between the specified components is configured as a material-bonding connection. Such a material-bonding connection may be configured, for example, in the form of brazing, as a laser-welded connection, as an adhesive connection or the like. Friction stir connections are also possible.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention and with reference to the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross-section of a first example embodiment of a heat exchanger, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show partial cross-sections in plane II-II of FIG. 1 with differently shaped inserts.

FIG. 3 to FIG. 9 show simplified cross-sections, corresponding to the illustration in FIG. 1, for example embodiments of the heat exchanger that have been modified compared to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The same elements or elements having the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

The heat exchanger 10 shown in FIG. 1 in a highly simplified manner serves to cool an electrical or electronic component not shown, for example a power component in the context of electric mobility or other applications. However, the use of the heat exchanger 10 is generally also possible for other applications.

The heat exchanger 10 comprises, as may be seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a housing 12 that is configured in block form. Of course, the housing 12 may also assume other shapes.

In particular, the heat exchanger 10 or its housing 12 comprises a first region 14, which is configured, for example, on a (planar) surface of the housing 12 that extends perpendicularly to the drawing plane of FIG. 1, and which is at least indirectly connected to the mentioned heat-dissipating component (not shown), for example by means of a thermal adhesive. As an example, on the side of the housing 12 opposite the first region 14, there is a second region 16, in which the heat received from the first region 14 by means of a cooling medium 15 may be released into the environment. The cooling medium 15 is, in particular, a liquid, evaporable cooling medium, which evaporates upon an increase in temperature in the first region 14 and, when there is a decrease in temperature in the second region 16, it re-liquefies and returns to the first region 14. Such a heat exchanger 10 or principle of action is also known as a “pulsating heat pipe” (PHP).

The housing 12 comprises a housing base 18 and a housing cover 20, which are each configured as plates and preferably, but not restrictively, consist of metal, for example aluminum or steel. A housing frame 22 is arranged between the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20, which is arranged in a sandwich-like manner between the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20 and is connected to the aforementioned components in a fluid-tight manner for the cooling medium, in particular by means of conventional material-bonding connection technologies. Preferably, the outer boundary 23 of the housing frame 22 aligns with the corresponding outer sides of the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20. Furthermore, the housing frame 22 preferably consists of the same material as the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20.

At least one channel 25 for guiding the cooling medium 15 is arranged or configured within the housing frame 22. In the embodiment examples shown in the figures, with the exception of FIG. 7, the at least one channel 25 is configured as a closed channel 25 in each case. However, the channel 25 may also be configured as a channel 25 that is not closed, i.e., it has terminal side end regions (FIG. 7), as is conventional. In particular, the channel 25, on the side facing the second region 16 in the first case mentioned above, has a partial section 26 extending at least over a substantial part of the length of, and parallel to, the second region 16. The remaining part of the channel 25 comprises a meandering partial section 28.

The housing frame 22 is in particular configured as a stamped part made of sheet metal, wherein the stamped out area of the housing frame 22 serves to form the at least one channel 25 in a clearance 39 of the housing frame 22.

In addition, it should be mentioned that, alternatively to manufacturing by means of stamping, the housing frame 22 may also be configured to use other suitable manufacturing methods with regard to the specific geometry and other conditions. By way of example, extrusion, milling, eroding and etching are mentioned.

For shaping or configuring the at least one channel 25, the housing 12 comprises at least one insert 30. In the embodiment example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B, the insert 30 is developed as a wavelike formed sheet metal 31 that comprises first sections 33 connected to the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20, and second sections 34 that run in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of the housing frame 22, at least in certain regions, wherein the second sections 34, which is particularly clear from FIG. 1, are configured in a straight line and form lateral limitations of the at least one channel 25.

FIG. 2A shows the case where the first sections 33 are configured as at least substantially flat sections 33 arranged with more or less full surface contact with the sides of the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20 facing them. The cross-section of the at least one channel 25 is thus approximately rectangular. In contrast, FIG. 2B shows the case where the cross-section of the insert 30 is formed from two sections 35, 36, which are approximately semi-circular in shape, so that there is an approximately linear abutment between the insert 30 and the sides of the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20 facing it.

It is also essential that the insert 30 is also connected to the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20 in a fluid-tight manner for the cooling medium. The same connection method is preferably used for this purpose as is also used between the housing frame 22 and the housing base 18 as well as the housing cover 20.

In addition to the insert 30, in the embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, a further insert 38 is arranged within the clearance 39 of the housing frame 22. The further insert 38 also extends over the entire height of the clearance 39, which extends perpendicularly to the drawing plane of FIG. 1, and is connected to the housing base 18 and the housing cover 20 in a fluid-tight manner for the cooling medium. The further insert 38 has a straight section 40 on the side facing the second region 16, which serves to form a wall of the first partial section 26. On the side facing away from the first partial section 26 or facing the insert 30, the further insert 38 comprises semi-circular arc sections 42, for example, for guiding the cooling medium 15 or for forming the channel 25. Furthermore, on the side of the insert 30 facing away from the first partial section 26, the housing frame 22 comprises semi-circular arc sections 43, for example, as well as approximately semi-elliptical arc sections 44. To form the channel 25, the front of the end regions of the insert 30 are arranged, for example, in contact with the housing frame 22. In the region of the further insert 38, it comprises receiving grooves 45 or steps for the respective fronts of other end regions of the insert 30.

In addition, it should be mentioned that instead of receiving grooves 45, a front arrangement corresponding to the housing frame 22 may also be provided.

FIG. 3 shows a further insert 38a, which is modified from FIG. 1, in which a wall section 46 is formed on one side, as an example, and which runs parallel to the second sections 34 of the insert 30 and serves to guide the flow. Furthermore, its housing frame 22a comprises only semi-circular arc sections 43.

FIG. 4 shows the case where the insert 30a is arranged with a second section 34a in contact with a side wall of the recess 39. For this purpose, the side wall comprises a depression 47. Such a configuration facilitates the arrangement of the insert 30a, since only the second section 34a in contact with the lateral wall of the housing frame 22b must be brought into contact with the housing frame 22b. Furthermore, it may be seen that the recess 39 on one side has a rectangular region 49, which serves to reverse the flow of the cooling medium 15 in the channel 25.

In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 5, the housing frame 22c has a rectangular inner contour or recess 51. Furthermore, in addition to the further insert 38a, an additional further insert 38b is used, which is arranged approximately in mirror symmetry to an axis of symmetry 52. In addition, the additional further insert 38b comprises an extended leg section 53 which extends over the entire shorter inner side of the recess 51.

The housing frame 22d in FIG. 6 and the corresponding housing 12 dispenses with an insert 30. Here, only a further insert 38c is provided, which works in a comb-like manner with extensions 54 on the housing frame 22d to form the channel 25.

In the housing 12 according to FIG. 7, only a housing frame 22e is provided, which works together with the insert 30e. Furthermore, it may be seen, by way of example, in the region of a second, extended and dashed section 34e, that the second section 34e may be immersed in the region of the arc sections 43. Of course, such extended second sections 34e that immerse in the arc sections 43 (or 44) may also be provided or present in the embodiments described above.

FIG. 8 shows the case where there are respective additional second sections 56 on the insert 30f between the second sections 34. The length of the additional second sections 56 and the second sections 34 is equal in size, but they are arranged longitudinally offset from each other. Furthermore, it is noted that the distances a between the second sections 34 and the additional second sections 56 are each equal in size. However, the distances may also be of different sizes to achieve a cross-sectional narrowing or cross-sectional enlargement of the channel 25 to affect the flow rate of the cooling medium 15.

FIG. 9 shows the case where, as an extension of the second sections 34 of the insert 30, additional flow elements 65, which may have different shapes, may be arranged and immersed in the area of the arc sections 43.

In addition, it is noted that the housings 12 of the heat exchangers 10 described above comprise at least one additional hole not shown in the figures for introducing the cooling medium 15.

The heat exchanger 10 described thus far may be altered or modified in many ways without deviating from the scope of the present invention.