HOUSING ELEMENT HAVING AN INTEGRATED HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

A device is provided, in particular an oil sump, for an engine and/or a transmission arrangement. The device includes a housing element for the formation of a side wall structure and for holding an operating fluid and a heat exchanger for heat exchange with the operating fluid, the heat exchanger configured to be supplied with temperature control fluid and having a heat exchange element. The heat exchange element forms at least one through-flow duct for the through flow of the operating fluid and at least one through-flow duct for the through flow of the temperature control fluid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a housing element for an operating fluid, in particular oil, having an integrated heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND

Particularly in the case of modern engines, oil (engine/lubricating oil) is subject to high stress from extremely high temperatures, something that applies especially to “equipment-driving engines”, which run continuously at maximum power. For economic reasons, the oil is generally cooled by means of standard coolers. Insofar as they are embodied in a conventional size, standard coolers are limited in terms of cooling capacity. That is to say that the oil temperature can be reduced to only a limited extent. As a result, the life of the oil is reduced. A second standard cooler or a higher-capacity cooler is generally undesirable for economic or design reasons. DE 31 42 327 A1 has already disclosed an oil sump for a combustion engine having an inner shell and an outer shell, between which a coolant for the combustion engine flows.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved and/or alternative device for holding an operating fluid, the device comprising a heat exchanger.

This object can be achieved by means of the features of the main claim. Advantageous developments of the present disclosure can be found in the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure provides a device, in particular an oil sump, preferably for an engine (e.g. an internal combustion engine or on equipment-driving engine), a piston machine and/or a transmission arrangement. The device comprises a housing element for the formation of a side wall structure and for holding an operating fluid (e.g. oil, especially engine and/or lubricating oil) and a heat exchanger for heat exchange with the operating fluid, the heat exchanger being suppliable with temperature control fluid (e.g. water) and having a heat exchange element.

The device is characterized especially in that the heat exchange element forms at least one through-flow duct, expediently at the top, for the through flow of the operating fluid and at least one through-flow duct, expediently at the bottom, for the through flow of the temperature control fluid. The heat exchange element is thereby expediently integrated into the housing element, thus making possible additional temperature control of the operating fluid in an advantageous manner in terms of cost and/or space.

It is possible for the heat exchange element to form part of the housing element, preferably a bottom part, with the result, in particular, that the heat exchange element and the housing element are formed by one and the same component. Consequently, the heat exchange element and the housing element are preferably not mounted one upon the other but form a one-piece integral component. The housing element itself thus expediently forms the heat exchange element.

It is possible for the heat exchange element to comprise a plurality of through-flow ducts for the operating fluid and/or a plurality of through-flow ducts for the temperature control fluid.

The heat exchange element preferably comprises a wave and/or up-and-down structure, with the result that, on the one hand, the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid is formed, expediently towards the top, and/or, on the other hand, the at least one through-flow duct for the temperature control fluid is formed, expediently towards the bottom. The up-and-down structure can be wave-shaped, expediently with rounded portions, or substantially rectangular, trapeziform, zigzag shaped etc., for example. It is possible for the cross section of the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid and/or the cross section of the at least one through-flow duct for the temperature control fluid to be of substantially U-shaped, substantially rectangular or substantially trapeziform configuration, for example.

The through-flow ducts for the operating fluid preferably extend adjacent and parallel to the through-flow ducts for the temperature control fluid. As an alternative or in addition, the through-flow ducts for the operating fluid and the through-flow ducts for the temperature control fluid can overlap (e.g. alternately), expediently laterally, with the result, in particular, that a multiplicity of sandwich structures comprising through-flow ducts for operating fluid and through-flow ducts for temperature control fluid can be formed.

It is possible for at least one opening, expediently at least one lower opening, via which operating fluid can be fed to the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid, to be formed within the housing element. An opening preferably serves to feed operating fluid to a plurality of through-flow ducts for operating fluid.

A bottom element is preferably arranged within the housing element, in particular above the heat exchange element. The bottom element is expediently arranged between the side wall structure and is preferably mounted or cast onto the side wall structure.

It is possible for the bottom element to at least partially span the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid. Here, the bottom element can be in contact with the heat exchange element or extend at a distance therefrom. As an alternative or in addition, the bottom element can remain spaced apart at the end from the housing element, in particular the side wall structure, thereby forming the at least one opening. It is likewise possible for the at least one opening to be machined into the bottom element. The at least one opening can be designed as a hole, slotted hole, aperture etc., for example.

The bottom element thus preferably serves for the partial separation and partial formation of an operating fluid passage between the upper section of the housing element and the heat exchange element.

The bottom element can be mounted, e.g. movably, expediently slidably, within the housing element, making it possible to close the at least one opening and/or to form a bypass opening by moving, expediently sliding, the bottom element, preferably in such a way that operating fluid can be discharged expediently from the housing element or more generally the device while bypassing the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid. Accordingly, if the bottom element is moved, expediently slid, it is thereby possible, on the one hand, to close the at least one opening and, on the other hand, to produce the bypass opening at the same time. It is thereby possible to enable a temperature control capacity for the engine, the piston machine and/or the transmission arrangement that is dependent on the operating point. If the engine is running at a partial load point, for example, it will be possible to dispense with the extra temperature control capacity of the heat exchanger and to discharge the temperature control fluid via the bypass, thereby allowing the temperature control capacity to be reduced.

It is possible for the heat exchanger to have a bottom closure element and preferably for the heat exchange element to extend between the bottom closure element and the bottom element. It follows from this that the heat exchanger is formed by parts, expediently by at least three, preferably substantially horizontally aligned parts extending one above the other, namely the bottom element, the heat exchange element and the bottom closure element.

It should be mentioned that the bottom element and/or the bottom closure element is/are preferably made substantially flat and/or plate-shaped.

It is possible for the bottom element and/or the bottom closure element to be cast or mounted onto the housing element, e.g. adhesively bonded, welded etc., the former expediently on the inside and the latter expediently on the outside.

The housing element can be an aluminium and/or a cast housing element, for example.

The housing element is preferably embodied in the form of a trough.

The temperature control fluid can be used to cool or heat the operating fluid.

The at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid and/or the at least one through-flow duct for the temperature control fluid preferably extends in the form of a tube or a channel.

The present disclosure also comprises an engine, in particular a vehicle engine (e.g. motor vehicle engine, marine engine, bus or heavy goods vehicle engine etc.) or equipment-driving engine, transmission arrangement or a piston machine having a device as disclosed herein.

The present disclosure likewise comprises a commercial vehicle, e.g. a heavy goods vehicle or bus, having an engine, a piston machine and/or a transmission arrangement provided with a device as disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-described preferred embodiments and features of the present disclosure can be combined with one another. Other advantageous developments of the present disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims or will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the attached figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective sectioned view of a device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,

FIG. 2 shows another perspective sectioned view of the device in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 shows a sectioned view of the device in FIGS. 1 and 2, in particular with an explanation of the operation thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective sectioned view of a device V, namely an oil sump, for an engine (not shown), a piston machine (not shown) and/or a transmission arrangement (not shown).

The oil sump comprises a housing element 1 for the formation of a side wall structure 1.1 and for holding an operating fluid, in particular oil, and a heat exchanger 2. The heat exchanger 2 can be supplied with temperature control fluid (e.g. water) and comprises a heat exchange element 1.2, by means of which heat exchange between the oil and the water can be achieved.

The heat exchange element 1.2 comprises a plurality of through-flow ducts B, through which oil flows during operation, and a plurality of through-flow ducts T, through which water flows during operation. The oil can be drawn in by the engine or an oil pump, for example, during operation.

The heat exchange element 1.2 forms a (bottom) part of the housing element 1, with the result that the heat exchange element 1.2 and the housing element 1 are formed by one and the same component. The oil sump and, in particular, the housing element 1 are thus provided with an integrated heat exchanger 2.

The heat exchange element 1.2 comprises an up-and-down structure, in particular a wave shape (e.g. rounded, rectangular, trapeziform etc.), thereby forming the through-flow ducts B for the oil on the upper side thereof and the through-flow ducts T for the water on the lower side thereof. The up-and-down structure results in an enlargement of the surface area, greatly increasing the effectiveness of the heat exchanger 2.

The through-flow ducts B for the oil extend parallel to the through-flow ducts T for the water and are arranged adjacent thereto. The through-flow ducts T for the water and the through-flow ducts B for the oil overlap alternatively, forming a multiplicity of sandwich structures.

Formed within the housing element 1 is an opening 1.3, expediently in the form of a slotted hole, via which oil can be fed to the through-flow ducts B for the oil.

A plate-shaped bottom element 3 is furthermore arranged within the housing element 1. The bottom element 3 spans the through-flow ducts B towards the top and is spaced apart at the end from the housing element 1, thereby forming the opening 1.3. The bottom element 3 can expediently come into contact with the oil on the upper side and the lower side.

The heat exchanger 2 comprises a plate-shaped bottom closure element 4, with the result that the heat exchange element 1.2 is arranged between the bottom closure element 4 and the bottom element 3. The heat exchanger 2 is thus expediently formed by a 3-plate structure, namely the bottom element 3, the wave-shaped heat exchange element 1.2 and the bottom closure element 4.

The bottom element 3 and the bottom closure element 4 are expediently mounted on the housing element 1.

Reference sign 5 designates a water outlet, via which water can be discharged from the device V or heat exchanger 2.

FIG. 2 shows another perspective sectioned view of the device V from FIG. 1.

In this, reference sign 6 indicates a water inlet, via which water can be introduced into the device V or heat exchanger 2, while reference sign 7 indicates an oil outlet, via which oil can be discharged from the housing element 1 or heat exchanger 2.

FIG. 3 shows a sectioned view of the device V in FIGS. 1 and 2 with captions relating to the operation thereof.

From FIG. 3, it can be seen that oil is being passed through through-flow ducts B so as to cool down from right to left in FIG. 3, while water is being passed through through-flow ducts T so as to heat up from left to right in FIG. 3.

It is possible for the bottom element 3 to be mounted in a fixed manner within the housing element 1. As an alternative, however, it is possible for the bottom element 3 expediently to be arranged in the housing element 1 in such a way that it can be slid substantially horizontally. If the bottom element 3 is embodied in such a way as to be slidable, it is possible, on the one hand, for the opening 1.3 to be closed and, on the other hand, for a bypass opening 8 indicated schematically in FIG. 3 simultaneously to be produced by the sliding thereof, allowing oil to be discharged while bypassing through-flow ducts B. It is thereby possible to reduce the heat exchanger capacity. The cooling capacity can thereby be adapted according to the engine operating point. If the engine is running at the partial load points, for example, it would be possible to dispense with heat exchanger cooling, and the water could be discharged through the bypass opening 8.

The present disclosure is not restricted to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, a large number of variants and modifications is possible that likewise make use of the concept of the present disclosure and therefore fall within the scope of protection. Moreover, the present disclosure also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims independently of the features and claims to which they refer.

Claims

1. A device for an engine, a piston machine and/or a transmission arrangement, comprising:

a housing element for the formation of a side wall structure and for holding an operating fluid; and

a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the operating fluid, the heat exchanger configured to be supplied with temperature control fluid and having a heat exchange element that forms at least one through-flow duct for the through flow of the operating fluid and at least one through-flow duct for the through flow of the temperature control fluid.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange element is part of the housing element, with the result that the heat exchange element and the housing element are formed by one and the same component.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange element comprises a plurality of through-flow ducts for the operating fluid and a plurality of through-flow ducts for the temperature control fluid.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange element comprises a wave or up-and-down structure, with the result that the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid and the at least one through-flow duct for the temperature control fluid are formed.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the through-flow ducts for the operating fluid extend adjacent and parallel to the through-flow ducts for the temperature control fluid.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the through-flow ducts for the operating fluid and the through-flow ducts for the temperature control fluid overlap alternately.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one opening via which the operating fluid can be fed to the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid, is formed within the housing element.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein a bottom element is arranged above the heat exchange element, between the side wall structure, within the housing element.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the bottom element at least partially spans the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the bottom element is spaced apart at the end from the housing element in order to form the at least one opening.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one opening is formed in the bottom element.

12. The device according to claim 8, wherein the bottom element is movable in order to close the at least one opening and/or in order to form a bypass opening, such that operating fluid can be discharged while bypassing the at least one through-flow duct for the operating fluid.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger has a bottom closure element and the heat exchange element extends between the bottom closure element and the bottom element.

14. The device according to claim 8, wherein the bottom element is cast or mounted onto the housing element.

15. An engine comprising:

a device comprising: a housing element for the formation of a side wall structure and for holding an operating fluid, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the operating fluid, the heat exchanger configured to be supplied with temperature control fluid and having a heat exchange element that forms at least one through-flow duct for the through flow of the operating fluid and at least one through-flow duct for the through flow of the temperature control fluid.

16. A commercial vehicle comprising:

an engine including a device comprising: a housing element for the formation of a side wall structure and for holding an operating fluid, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the operating fluid, the heat exchanger configured to be supplied with temperature control fluid and having a heat exchange element that forms at least one through-flow duct for the through flow of the operating fluid and at least one through-flow duct for the through flow of the temperature control fluid.