IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,679,168
Granted Patent B2
US 12,679,168 · App. 17/780,055 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Heat exchanger device for a motor vehicle, method for operating a heat exchanger device and method for producing a heat exchanger device

Inventors: Thomas Graetzl (Munich, DE); Michael Wokrinek (Bruckberg, DE)
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
B60H1/00328B60H1/00295B60H1/3407F28D7/16F28F7/02F28F13/003B60H2001/003F28D2021/0078F28D2021/0096
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,679,168
App. No.
17/780,055
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A heat exchanger device for a motor vehicle includes a main body, through which a temperature-control medium can flow, and a media-conveying device which passes through the main body and by which a medium to be temperature-controlled can be conveyed through the main body. As a result, the temperature of the medium to be temperature-controlled can be controlled by heat exchange with the temperature-control medium. The main body is produced in an integral injection molding process, as a result of which the main body is closed on the periphery and open-pored in the interior.

Claims (38)

1 . A heat exchanger device for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a main body forming an integral structure, defining an interior volume configured to receive a fluid temperature control medium, the main body comprising:

an inlet configured to convey a flow of the fluid temperature control medium into the interior volume,

an outlet configured to convey the flow of the fluid temperature control medium out of the interior volume, and

a plurality of air channels extending through the main body from air inlet openings formed on a first side of the main body to air outlet openings formed on a second side of the main body opposite the first side and facing the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein each air channel of the plurality of air channels is circumferentially enclosed along its length, and

an air feed channel in fluid communication with each of the plurality of air channels, the air feed channel configured to convey a flow of air through the air feed channel and the plurality of air channels,

wherein the flow of air through the plurality of air channels does not mix with any fluid temperature control medium within the interior volume of the main body by virtue of the circumferentially enclosed air channels, and

wherein heat is exchanged between the flow of air through the plurality of air channels and the fluid temperature control medium within the interior volume of the main body.

2 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the main body is an integral injection molded part.

3 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the interior volume is circumferentially enclosed.

4 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the main body is part of a central console of the vehicle.

5 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the main body is part of a door lining of the vehicle.

6 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the main body is part of a roof lining of the vehicle.

7 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the main body is positioned underneath a windshield of the vehicle.

8 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein a permeable material covers the second side of the main body.

9 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid temperature control medium is a liquid.

10 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid temperature control medium comprises water and an antifreeze.

11 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger device is a liquid-to-air heat exchanger device.

12 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the main body is configured to produce a turbulent flow of the fluid temperature control medium between the inlet and the outlet.

13 . The heat exchanger device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of air channels comprise corresponding nozzles positioned on the second side of the main body.

14 . A heat exchanger device for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a main body defining an interior volume configured to receive a fluid temperature control medium, the main body comprising:

an inlet configured to convey a flow of the fluid temperature control medium into the interior volume,

an outlet configured to convey the flow of the fluid temperature control medium out of the interior volume, and

a plurality of air channels extending through the main body from air inlet openings formed on a first side of the main body to air outlet openings formed on a second side of the main body opposite the first side and facing the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein each air channel of the plurality of air channels is circumferentially enclosed along its length, and

an air feed channel in fluid communication with each of the plurality of air channels, the air feed channel configured to convey a flow of air through the air feed channel and the plurality of air channels,

wherein the flow of air through the plurality of air channels does not mix with any fluid temperature control medium within the interior volume of the main body by virtue of the circumferentially enclosed air channels,

wherein heat is exchanged between the flow of air through the plurality of air channels and the fluid temperature control medium within the interior volume of the main body, and

wherein individual air channels of the plurality of air channels are spaced equidistant relative to each other along planes passing through the axial center of the individual air channels.

15 . A heat exchanger device for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a main body defining an interior volume configured to receive a fluid temperature control medium, the main body comprising:

an inlet configured to convey a flow of the fluid temperature control medium into the interior volume,

an outlet configured to convey the flow of the fluid temperature control medium out of the interior volume, and

a plurality of air channels extending through the main body from air inlet openings formed on a first side of the main body to air outlet openings formed on a second side of the main body opposite the first side and facing the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein each air channel of the plurality of air channels is circumferentially enclosed along its length, and

an air feed channel in fluid communication with each of the plurality of air channels, the air feed channel configured to convey a flow of air through the air feed channel and the plurality of air channels,

wherein the flow of air through the plurality of air channels does not mix with any fluid temperature control medium within the interior volume of the main body by virtue of the circumferentially enclosed air channels,

wherein heat is exchanged between the flow of air through the plurality of air channels and the fluid temperature control medium within the interior volume of the main body, and

wherein the main body is integrated into an instrument panel of the vehicle.