HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between two separate fluids is provided, containing two longitudinal tubes, extending longitudinally, forming a distributing tube and collecting tube, which are spaced apart laterally, and numerous lateral tubes, extending laterally, which are adjacent to one another longitudinally, and connect the two longitudinal tubes for fluid exchange, wherein at least one of the longitudinal tubes is made of two parts that separate laterally, one of which forms a lower shell while the other forms an upper shell, both of which extend longitudinally, and fit together laterally, wherein the lower shell has a hole for each lateral tube, into which they can be inserted, and wherein at least one of the longitudinal tubes is sealed by an end plate on at least one end.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. DE 10 2023 209 475.4, filed on Sep. 27, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between two separate fluids, in particular a liquid and a gas, according to the preamble of claim 1.

A heat exchanger of this type is disclosed in DE 43 39 952 A1. These heat exchangers are normally rectangular, with a length, width and height, which are perpendicular to one another. These heat exchangers normally have two longitudinal tubes, forming a distribution tube and collecting tube, which are spaced apart laterally. These heat exchangers also have numerous adjacent lateral tubes connecting the two longitudinal tubes for fluid exchange. Corrugated ribs or fins, or other heat conducting elements can be placed between the lateral tubes. The first fluid, preferably a liquid, flows through the tubes. The second fluid, preferably a gas, in particular air, flows outside the tubes. This second fluid, or gas, flows vertically through the heat exchanger.

The longitudinal tubes in these heat exchangers are divided laterally into two parts, with a continuous lower shell, and a continuous upper shell, each of which extend over the entire length of the tube and are attached to one another laterally. The lower shells have holes for each lateral tube into which they are inserted.

The longitudinal tubes must be sealed at their ends. End plates are used for this in these heat exchangers. Because the longitudinal tubes are made of multiple parts, in which the upper shell is snapped into the lower shell, the interior contours thereof can be relatively complex. Reliably sealing the ends with end plates is relatively difficult. In the aforementioned heat exchanger disclosed in DE 43 39 952 A1, the outer contour of the end plate fits precisely to the complex inner contour of the longitudinal tube. This results in low production tolerances for the longitudinal tube, because any slight deviations can result in gaps between the longitudinal tubes and the end plates, which are difficult to seal permanently. To increase the durability of the joint, the end plate can be relatively thick, in order to provide sufficient contact surface area for a durable brazing.

Other heat exchangers of a similar design are disclosed in DE 39 18 312 A1, DE 43 30 214 A1, DE 102 12 306 A1, DE 195 24 052 A1, DE 195 43 986 A1, DE 197 10 219 A1, DE 691 30 600 T2, DE 692 02 964 T2, DE 60 2004 004 155 T2, EP 0 377 936 A1, EP 1 273 868 A2, EP 1 557 631 A2, EP 1 564 517 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,292 A, WO 2005/098339 A1.

The problem addressed by the present invention is to create a better, or at least different, design for such a heat exchanger, which can be produced more easily, in particular. By way of example, greater production tolerances can be striven for.

This problem is solved by the invention with the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the general concept of forming a recess in the bottom shell of at least one longitudinal tube in at least one end thereof, in which the end plate can be placed to seal the tube. The end plate engages laterally in the recess. This recess provides a lateral tolerance for the position of the end plate, allowing for greater deviations with regard to the sizes and positions of the upper and lower shells. In other words, greater lateral production tolerances can be obtained therewith. Greater production tolerances reduce waste and production costs.

In the present context, a “configuration” is the same as a “design” and/or “embodiment,” such that the formulation “configured such that” means the same as “designed and/or embodied such that.”

In detail, the invention proposes that the bottom shell has a recess in at least one end of the longitudinal tube, in which an end plate for sealing the tube can be inserted.

A plate-shaped side element can be placed across at least one end of the heat exchanger in one embodiment. This side element can then be connected to the end plate. These side elements can delimit a block of lateral tubes. It can be placed such that a gap is formed between the last lateral tube and the side element that also contains heat conducting elements such as ribs or fins, etc., through which the second fluid, in particular gas or air, can also flow. The side element can be adjacent to the last lateral tube. When it is connected to the end plate, the end plate also connects it to a longitudinal tube and holds it in place.

In another embodiment, the end plate can have a collar that protrudes longitudinally on its edge and is braced against the lower and upper shells. This collar increases the contact surface area where the end plate can be reliably brazed to the lower and upper shells. This increased surface area also means that the end plate does not have to be as thick, simplifying production thereof in the form of a piece of sheet metal, while also reducing material consumption and production costs.

The end plate and side element can advantageously be separate components that bear flush against one another. The collar can be interrupted, or have a gap, on the side opposite the upper shell. The end section of the side element facing the longitudinal tube can be inserted into the gap such that it bears flush against the end plate. This allows for a certain amount of freedom with regard to where it is placed laterally on the end plate. Production tolerances in the side element and lateral tubes can be compensated for by this means, thus allowing for greater tolerances.

Moreover, this end section of the side element can also fit in the recess in the lower shell, resulting in a large contact surface area between the end section and the end plate in this embodiment.

In an advantageous embodiment, the end section of the side element can be thinner than where it is adjacent to the lateral tubes. This end section of the side element can be thin enough to fit in the recess in the lower shell and the gap in the collar on the end plate. The end section of the side element therefore reaches the respective longitudinal tube. The space in which the lateral tubes are contained, between the longitudinal tubes, is thicker, such that it more effectively conducts the second fluid and provides more space for heat conducting elements such as ribs or fins, etc.

The transition in the side element to the end section can advantageously be stepped, such that it has a longitudinal offset to the part thereof adjacent to the lateral tubes. This stepped design results in a relatively compact part of the longitudinal tube near the end plate. Near the lateral tubes, this step provides a greater spacing between the side element and the adjacent lateral tube, providing more space for the heat conducting elements.

Alternatively, the end plate can be formed by the end section of the side element. This results in a single part forming the end plate and the side element, obtained from a single piece of sheet metal. This integral structure can reduce production costs, because fewer individual parts need to be made and joined to one another.

In another embodiment, the end plate can have a lateral hook on the side facing away from the lower shell, in particular on the aforementioned collar, which fits into a hole in the upper shell. The end plate is supported longitudinally on the upper shell by this means. This reduces the load to the connection between the end plate and the longitudinal tube, making it more durable and robust.

In another embodiment, the upper shell has a U-shaped cross section, formed by two side walls and an upper surface that connects them. The lower shell can also have a U-shaped cross section formed by two side walls and a lower surface that connects them. The side walls of the lower shell can each have a projection in a particularly advantageous embodiment that extends toward the opposite side wall. This allows the upper shell to be inserted into the lower shell until it comes in contact with these projections. The end plate preferably bears on the two projections as well. Consequently, these projections not only form a stop for the upper shell, they also form a bearing surface for the end plate.

These projections can advantageously extend far enough laterally that they are flush with the side walls of the upper shell. This results in a smooth bearing surface for the end plate. The projections therefore reduce the inner cross section of the lower shell such that it aligns with the inner cross section of the upper shell. This significantly simplifies the outer shape of the end plate. By way of example, the end plate can have two straight sections on opposite sides that face toward the side walls of the upper shell and lower shell, or its projections. This also results in a certain lateral freedom in the placement of the end plate on the lower shell, with which production tolerances can be compensated for in the lateral direction.

The projections can be formed on the side walls of the lower shell. This results in a particularly simple and inexpensive production of the lower shell.

In another advantageous embodiment, the recess in the lower shell can be open in the longitudinal direction. This also simplifies production and the assembly of the individual components to obtain the heat exchanger.

In another embodiment, the end plate can bear on an edge of the recess that has a lateral contact surface, which bear flush against the end plate longitudinally. This large contact surface area between the edge of the recess and end plate is beneficial in obtaining a durable and reliable bond.

In a preferred design, the edge of the recess can be slanted in relation to the longitudinal direction. By way of example, it can be slanted between 15° and 45°, in particular approx. 30°. This increases the contact surface area on the edge of the recess, resulting in a more reliable and durable bond. The edge of the recess can also be parallel to the longitudinal direction, thus simplifying production of the recess in the lower shell.

The end plate can basically be closed, such that it fully seals the end of the respective longitudinal tube. Alternatively, it can have a connecting piece for a fluid line through which a fluid is supplied or removed. This connecting piece therefore has a supplementary function. In particular, the first fluid can be supplied to or removed from the respective longitudinal tube by this means.

In another embodiment, an end plate can be placed on each end of the longitudinal tubes. Both longitudinal tubes can have such an end plate on at least one end. Moreover, both longitudinal tubes can have end plates on each end. This means that the lower shells of the longitudinal tubes can be provided with recesses such that end plates can be placed on just one end of just one of the longitudinal tubes, both ends of one of the longitudinal tubes, just one end of each longitudinal tube, or both ends of both longitudinal tubes, depending on the design of the heat exchanger in accordance with the different embodiments described above.

The separate components of the heat exchanger can be bonded to one another through brazing and/or made of an aluminum alloy. This results in particular in a brazed aluminum heat exchanger. The separate components comprise at least the longitudinal tubes and lateral tubes, in which at least one of the longitudinal tubes is made of separate lower and upper shells as well as the end plates. The side element can also be a separate component, or it can be an integral part of the end plate. The aforementioned heat conducting elements between the adjacent lateral tubes or the side element and outermost lateral tube can also be separate components.

Other important features and advantages of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims, drawings, and descriptions of the drawings.

It is understood that the features specified above and explained below can be used not only in the given combinations, but also in other combinations or in and of themselves, without abandoning the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Components of a higher order unit specified above and below, e.g. a part, device, or assembly, that are indicated individually, can form separate elements or components of this unit, or be integral parts or sections thereof, even if the drawings indicate otherwise.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and shall be explained in greater detail below, in which the same reference symbols are used for identical, similar, or functionally identical components.

Therein, schematically:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of part of a heat exchanger,

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a detail A of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view like that in FIG. 2, in an exploded view,

FIG. 4 shows an end view of one end of a longitudinal tube corresponding to the perspective IV in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 shows a cutaway view corresponding to the line B-B in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway view corresponding to the line C-C in FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 shows a cutaway view corresponding to the line D-D in FIG. 4,

FIG. 8 shows a cutaway view corresponding to the line E-E in FIG. 4,

FIG. 9 shows a cutaway view like that in FIG. 8, of another embodiment,

FIG. 10 shows a cutaway view like that in FIGS. 8 and 9, of another embodiment, and

FIG. 11 shows a cutaway view like that in FIGS. 8 through 10, in yet another embodiment.

The substantially rectangular heat exchanger 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a length X, width Y and height Z, which are perpendicular to one another. The heat exchanger 1 exchanges heat between two separate fluids, in particular a liquid and a gas, in which the gas is preferably air. The first fluid, preferably a liquid, flows through the inside of heat exchanger 1. The second fluid, preferably a gas, flows through the heat exchanger 1 on the outside. The heat exchanger 1 shown herein is preferably an aluminum heat exchanger 1, the separate components of which are joined together by brazing.

The heat exchanger 1 in FIG. 1 has two longitudinal tubes 2, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1. The two longitudinal tubes 2 extend along the length X and are spaced apart over the width Y. The two longitudinal tubes 2 form a distributor tube and collecting tube. There is a connecting piece 3 in the middle of the longitudinal tube 2 shown in FIG. 1, through which the first fluid can be supplied to or removed from the heat exchanger 1. The heat exchanger 1 also has numerous lateral tubes 4, which extend over the width Y and are adjacent to one another over the length X and connected to one another for fluid exchange by the two longitudinal tubes 2. The lateral tubes 4 are preferably flat, and placed such that there is a gap 5 between adjacent lateral tubes 4, through which the second fluid can flow through the heat exchanger 1. Heat conducting elements 6 can be placed in these gaps 5, only three of which are shown by way of example in FIG. 1. It is obvious that these heat conducting elements 6 can be placed in each of the gaps 5. The heat conducting elements 6 in this illustration are corrugated fins.

The longitudinal tube 2 shown herein is made of two parts separated laterally Y, forming a lower shell 7 and upper shell 8. The lower shell 7 is continuous over its length X. The upper shell 8 is also continuous over its length X. The lower shell 7 and upper shell 8 are joined laterally, in particular through brazing. In this example, the upper shell 8 is inserted in the lower shell 7.

The lower shell 7 has an insertion hole 9 for each lateral tube 4, a few of which can be seen in the exploded view shown in FIG. 3, one of which is shown in each of the cutaway views in FIGS. 5 to 11. A lateral tube 4 is inserted in each of the holes 9. Eyelets can be formed on each hole 9, which are not indicated in the drawings. These eyelets increase the contact surface area where the lateral tubes are bonded to the lower shell 7.

As FIGS. 1 to 11 show, the lower shell 7 has a recess on at least one end 10 of the longitudinal tube 2 in which an end plate 12 is placed with which the end 10 of the longitudinal tube 2 is sealed.

As FIGS. 1 to 11 show, a plate-shaped side element 14 can be placed on at least one end 13 of the heat exchanger 1, which is at the end 10 of the longitudinal tube 2 shown herein, adjacent to the last, or outermost, lateral tube 4. The side element 14 is therefore on the side of the last, or outermost, lateral tube 4 facing away from the other lateral tubes 4. A gap 5 can also be formed between the side element 14 and the last, or outermost, lateral tube 4, in which a heat conducting element 6 is also placed. The side element 14 is connected to the end plate 12.

For purposes of clarity, the lateral tubes 4 and heat conducting elements 6 are not shown in FIGS. 2 to 11. The edge of the end plate 12 can have a collar 15 extending along the length X, which bears laterally Y flush against the end surfaces of the lower shell 7 and the upper shell 8. This allows for a brazing between the end plate 12 and the lower shell 7 and upper shell 8. This results in a secure and durably bond between the end plate 12 and the longitudinal tube 2. At the same time, the end plate 12 can be relatively thin. In the examples shown here, the end plate 12 is basically the same thickness as the lower shell 7 and upper shell 8.

Preferred embodiments are shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, in which the end plate 12 and side element 14 are separate components that bear flush against one another. They can be bonded to one another through brazing. The collar 15 can have an interruption 16 on the side facing away from the upper shell 8. The side element 14 has an end section 18 at the end 17 dedicated to this longitudinal tube 2 that passes through the interruption 15 and bears flush against the end plate 12. In particular, this end section 18 is brazed to the end plate 12.

The side element 14 shown in FIG. 4 has a height H extending along the height Z, which is less in the end section 18 than in the adjacent section 19 of the side element 14, which is adjacent to the lateral tubes 4.

As FIGS. 8 to 11 show in particular, the respective side element 14 can have a step 20 at the transition to the end section 18. Consequently, the end section 18 is offset along its length X to the adjacent section 19. If end section 12 and adjacent section 19 are flat in the examples shown here, and extend in a plane transverse to the length X, they are parallel to one another and offset along the length X. This offset along the length X can be less than the thickness of the side element 19, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11.

Although the end plate 12 and side element 14 are separate components in FIGS. 1 to 10, FIG. 11 shows another embodiment, in which the end plate 12 is formed by the end section 18 of the side element 14. In other words, the end section 18 forms the end plate 12. The end plate 12 is therefore an integral part of the side element 14. By way of example, the side element 14 is made of a piece of sheet metal that has been shaped to obtain both the side element 14 and the end plate 12. The features explained above and below relating to embodiments with a separate end plate 12 shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 can also be applied equally to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, in which the end plate 12 is an integral part of the side element 14, wherever this is possible.

In the embodiments shown here, the end plate 12 shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 has a hook 21 on a side facing away from the lower shell 7 that extends along the width Y, which is only indicated in FIGS. 2 to 11. The hook 21 engages in a complementary hole 22 formed in the upper shell 8, and also only indicated in FIGS. 2 to 11. The end plate 12 is supported in a form-fitting manner over the length X by the hook 21 in the hole 22. The hook 21 is formed on the collar 14 in the embodiments shown here. In particular, the hook 21 bends away from the collar 14 extending along the length X such that it extends at a right angle thereto, along the width Y.

In the examples shown here, the upper shell 8 has a U-shaped cross section, resulting in opposing two side walls 23. The upper shell 8 also has an upper surface 24 connecting the side walls 23. The lower shell 7 also has a U-shaped cross section, also resulting in two side walls 25 and a lower surface 26 connecting them. Holes 9 are formed in the lower surface 26.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 8 to 11, there are projections 27 in both side walls 25 of the lower shell 8 near the recess 11, which extend toward the opposing side walls 25. These projections 27 thus face one another from their respective side walls 25. The projections 27 are placed and configured such that the side walls 23 of upper shell 8, which is inserted into the lower shell 7, bear on these projections 27. The projections can also be configured such that the end plate 12 bears on the two projections 27. The embodiment in which the projections 27 are configured such that they project toward the opposite side wall 25 so far that they are flush with the side wall 23 is particularly advantageous. This results in a bearing surface for the end plate 12, formed by the projections 27 and the side wall 23. The end plate 12 can thus bear along the Z-axis flush against the side walls 23 and the projections 27. The end plate 12 can have an outer contour on its two lateral sides that is straight and runs along the Y-axis, making the end plate 12 easy to produce. This results in tolerances along the Y-axis in the construction of the heat exchanger 1 near the end plate 12. The projections 27 can be formed on the side walls 25 of the lower shell 7. By way of example, the projections 27 are formed by crimping the side walls 25 near the recess 11. Ideally, this crimping does not result in any holes in the lower shell 7. This means that the lower shell 7, or side walls 25 thereof remains sealed where the projections 27 are formed.

In the embodiments shown here, the recess 11 in the lower shell 7 is designed such that it remains open along the X-axis. It therefore has a U-shaped contour transverse to the Y-axis.

The recess 11 has an edge 28, as can be seen in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 8 to 11 delimiting it along the X-axis, on which a contact surface 29 can be formed. In the assembled state, the end plate 12 bears against this edge 28, or its contact surface 29, along the X-axis. The contact surface 29 is parallel to the Y-axis and the Z-axis, resulting in a flat bearing surface for the end plate 12. This allows for a durable bond to be obtained through brazing. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 11, the edge 28 of the recess can be slanted in relation to the X-axis. This increases the size of the contact surface 29. FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the edge 28 of the recess is parallel to the X-axis.

Unlike in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 and 11, where the end plate 12 forms an uninterrupted surface, FIG. 10 shows another embodiment in which the end plate 12 has a connecting piece 30 to which a fluid line can be connected through which a fluid, in this case the first fluid, can be supplied or removed. The connecting piece 30 formed on the end plate 12 can replace the connecting piece 3 formed on the longitudinal pipe 2 shown in FIG. 1.

The features, designs, and embodiments described above are only explained in reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 by way of example for an end plate 12 formed on the one longitudinal tube 2 on one end 10. It is clear that in other embodiments, the longitudinal tube 2 can have such an end plate 12 on both ends 10. It is also conceivable for both longitudinal tubes 2 to have such an end plate 12 on at least one end 10. It is likewise conceivable for both longitudinal tubes 1 to have such end plates 12 on both ends 10. The features, designs, and embodiments described above for one end plate 12 shown here can also be obtained with these other end plates, which are not shown.

This specification can be readily understood with reference to the following Numbered Paragraphs:

Numbered Paragraph 1. A heat exchanger (1) for exchanging heat between two separate fluids, in particular a liquid and a gas, containing

• • two longitudinal tubes (2), extending longitudinally, forming a distributing tube and collecting tube, which are spaced apart laterally,
  • numerous lateral tubes (4), extending laterally, which are adjacent to one another longitudinally, and connect the two longitudinal tubes (2) for fluid exchange,
  • wherein at least one of the longitudinal tubes (2) is made of two parts that separate laterally, one of which forms a lower shell (7) while the other forms an upper shell (8), both of which extend longitudinally, and fit together laterally,
  • wherein the lower shell (7) has a hole (9) for each lateral tube (4), into which they can be inserted,
  • wherein at least one of the longitudinal tubes (2) is sealed by an end plate (12) on at least one end (10),
  • characterized in that
  • the lower shell (7) has a recess (11) on one end (10), into which the end plate (12) can be placed to seal the longitudinal tube (2) at this end (10).

Numbered Paragraph 2. The heat exchanger (1) according to Numbered Paragraph 1, characterized in that

• • a plate-shaped side element (14) is placed on one end (13) of the heat exchanger (1) that extends laterally,
  • the side element (4) is bonded to the end plate (12).

Numbered Paragraph 3. The heat exchanger (1) according to Numbered Paragraph 1 or 2, characterized in that

• • the end plate (12) has a collar (14) on its edge that extends longitudinally, which bears flush against the lower shell (7) and upper shell (8).

Numbered Paragraph 4. The heat exchanger (1) according to Numbered Paragraphs 2 or 3, characterized in that

• • the end plate (12) and side element (14) are separate components, that bear flush against one another,
  • the collar (15) has an interruption on a side facing away from the upper shell (8),
  • the side element (14) has an end section (18) at one end (17) that is inserted into the interruption (16) and bears flush against the end plate (12).

Numbered Paragraph 5. The heat exchanger (1) according to Numbered Paragraph 4, characterized in that

• • the side element (14) is stepped at the transition to the end section (18), such that the end section (18) is laterally (Y-axis) offset to a part (19) of the side element (14) adjacent to the lateral tubes (4).

Numbered Paragraph 6. The heat exchanger (1) according to Numbered Paragraphs 2 or 3, characterized in that

• • the end plate (12) is formed by the end section (18) of the side element (14).

Numbered Paragraph 7. The heat exchanger (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that

• • the end plate (12) has a hook (21) protruding laterally (Y axis) on a side facing away from the lower shell (7), which engages in a hole (22) formed in the upper shell (8) and supports the end plate (12) longitudinally (X-axis) on the upper shell (8).

Numbered Paragraph 8. The heat exchanger (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that

• • the upper shell (8) has a U-shaped cross section, resulting in two opposing side walls (23) and an upper surface (24) connecting them,
  • the lower shell (7) has a U-shaped cross section, resulting in two side walls (25) and a lower surface (26) connecting them,
  • the lower shell (7) has projections (27) in the side walls (25) near the recess (11), which project toward the opposite side walls (25) vertically (Z-axis),
  • the upper shell (8) is inserted laterally (Y axis) into the lower shell (7),
  • the upper shell (8) bears laterally (Y axis) at its side walls (23), and or the end plate (12) bears vertically (Z-axis) on the projections (27).

Numbered Paragraph 9. The heat exchanger (1) according to Numbered Paragraph 8, characterized in that

• • the projections (27) extend far enough that they form a lateral (Y axis) bearing surface with the side walls (23) for the end plate (12), which the end plate (12) bears flush against.

Numbered Paragraph 10. The heat exchanger (1) according to Numbered Paragraph 8 or 9, characterized in that

• • the projections (27) are formed on the side walls (25) of the lower shell (7).

Numbered Paragraph 11. The heat exchanger (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that

• • the end plate (12) bears on an edge (28) of the recess (11), which has a contact surface (29) parallel to the lateral direction, which bears flush against the end plate (12) longitudinally.

Numbered Paragraph 12. The heat exchanger (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that

• • the end plate (12) has a connecting piece (30) for connecting to a fluid line for supplying or removing a fluid.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between two separate fluids, containing two longitudinal tubes, extending longitudinally, forming a distributing tube and collecting tube, which are spaced apart laterally,a plurality of lateral tubes, extending laterally, which are adjacent to one another longitudinally, and connect the two longitudinal tubes for fluid exchange,wherein at least one of the longitudinal tubes is made of two parts that separate laterally, one of which forms a lower shell while the other forms an upper shell, both of which extend longitudinally, and fit together laterally,wherein the lower shell has a hole for each lateral tube, into which they can be inserted,wherein at least one of the longitudinal tubes is sealed by an end plate on at least one end,whereinthe lower shell has a recess on one end, into which the end plate can be placed to seal the longitudinal tube at this end.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein a plate-shaped side element is placed on one end of the heat exchanger that extends laterally, and the side element is bonded to the end plate.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the end plate has a collar on its edge that extends longitudinally, which bears flush against the lower shell and upper shell.

4. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the end plate and side element are separate components, that bear flush against one another,the collar has an interruption on a side facing away from the upper shell, andthe side element has an end section at one end that is inserted into the interruption and bears flush against the end plate.

5. The heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein the side element is stepped at the transition to the end section, such that the end section is laterally offset to a part of the side element adjacent to the lateral tubes.

6. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the end plate is formed by the end section of the side element.

7. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the end plate has a hook protruding laterally on a side facing away from the lower shell, which engages in a hole formed in the upper shell and supports the end plate longitudinally on the upper shell.

8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein: the upper shell has a U-shaped cross section, resulting in two opposing side walls and an upper surface connecting them,the lower shell has a U-shaped cross section, resulting in two side walls and a lower surface connecting them,the lower shell has projections in the side walls near the recess, which project toward the opposite side walls vertically,the upper shell is inserted laterally into the lower shell, andthe upper shell bears laterally at its side walls, and or the end plate bears vertically (Z-axis) on the projections.

9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the projections extend far enough that they form a lateral bearing surface with the side walls for the end plate, which the end plate bears flush against.

10. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the projections are formed on the side walls of the lower shell.

11. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the end plate bears on an edge of the recess, which has a contact surface parallel to the lateral direction, which bears flush against the end plate longitudinally.

12. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the end plate has a connecting piece for connecting to a fluid line for supplying or removing a fluid.