Heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle ( 2 ), has first flat tubes ( 3 ) with a first longitudinal end ( 4 ) received in associated first openings ( 5 ) of a first collector ( 6 ) and with an opposite second longitudinal end ( 7 ) in associated second openings ( 8 ) of a second collector ( 9 ). Second flat tubes ( 10 ) have a first longitudinal end ( 11 ) received in associated third openings ( 12 ) of a third collector ( 13 ) and a second longitudinal end ( 15 ) in associated fourth openings ( 16 ) of the second collector ( 9 ). Only the first flat tubes ( 3 ) or both the first and second flat tubes ( 3, 10 ) have an angled end region ( 14 ). The second and fourth openings ( 8, 16 ) are arranged spaced apart from one another with heat transfer fins ( 18 ) in between.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger ( 1 ) comprising:
 first flat tubes ( 3 ) having a first longitudinal end ( 4 ) received in associated first openings ( 5 ) of a first collector ( 6 ) and an opposite second longitudinal end ( 7 ) in associated second openings ( 8 ) of a second collector ( 9 ),   second flat tubes ( 10 ) having a first longitudinal end ( 11 ) received in associated third openings ( 12 ) of a third collector ( 13 ),   wherein only the first flat tubes ( 3 ) or both the first flat tubes ( 3 ,) and the second flat tubes ( 10 ) have a bent or angled end region ( 14 ),   wherein the second flat tubes ( 10 ) have a second longitudinal end ( 15 ) opposite the first longitudinal end ( 11 ) received in associated fourth openings ( 16 ) of the second collector ( 9 ), and   wherein the second and fourth openings ( 8 ,  16 ) are arranged spaced apart from one another with heat transfer fins ( 18 ) in-between.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first flat tubes ( 3 ) and second flat tubes ( 10 ) are arranged alternating.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a height (H 1 ) of the bent or angled end region ( 14 ) of the first flat tubes ( 3 ) or of both flat tubes ( 3 ,  10 ) maximally amounts to half of a total height (H) of the first flat tubes ( 3 ) or of both flat tubes ( 3 ,  10 ).   
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a height (H 1 ) of the bent or angled end region ( 14 ) of the first flat tubes ( 3 ) or of both flat tubes ( 3 ,  10 ) maximally amounts to 20% of a total height (H) of the first flat tubes ( 3 ) or of both flat tubes ( 3 ,  10 ).   
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first collector ( 6 ), the second collector ( 9 ) and the third collector ( 13 ) has a circular cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first collector ( 6 ), the second collector ( 9 ), the third collector ( 13 ), the first flat tubes ( 3 ), or the second flat tubes ( 10 ) is formed from aluminium. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first collector ( 6 ) is arranged closer to the second collector ( 9 ) than to the third collector ( 13 ). 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the second collector ( 9 ) is arranged closer to the first collector ( 6 ) than to the third collector ( 13 ). 
     
     
         9 . A thermal circuit ( 20 ), forming a coolant circuit or a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning or refrigeration system for a refrigerated trailer of a motor vehicle ( 2 ), the thermal circuit comprising the heat exchanger ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 .