CN112469954A

CN112469954A - Header tank for heat exchanger with thermal decoupling

Info

Publication number: CN112469954A
Application number: CN201980048773.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.克拉杰纳克; J.福斯特; M.米利科夫扬
Original assignee: Valeo Vymeniky Tepla sro
Current assignee: Valeo Vymeniky Tepla sro
Priority date: 2018-06-22
Filing date: 2019-06-19
Publication date: 2021-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-19
Also published as: EP3587990B1; CN112469954B; WO2019243416A1; EP3587990A1

Abstract

A header tank (1) for a heat exchanger (200), the header tank (1) comprising a first manifold (10) and a second manifold (20), each manifold (10,20) comprising a header plate (11,21), a cover (13,14) and a distribution plate (12,22), said distribution plate being located between said header plate (11,21) and said cover (13,14), the header tank (1) further comprising a mechanical connection (120) between the first manifold (10) and the second manifold (20), the header tank (1) being characterized in that the header plates (11,21) comprise a connecting element (15) configured to grip a corresponding cover (13,14), the connecting elements (15) extending from both longitudinal sides of the header plates (11,12) to the respective caps (13,14), said longitudinal sides extending along a main axis (X) of said header tank (1). The invention also relates to a heat exchanger (200) comprising such a header tank (1). Finally, the invention relates to the use of a heat exchanger (200).

Description

Header tank for heat exchanger with thermal decoupling

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, and in particular to heat exchangers intended to be crossed by a fluid at high pressure. In this respect, the invention relates more particularly to air conditioning evaporators capable of being traversed by a refrigerant fluid in a supercritical state, as is the case for natural gas, for example carbon dioxide, also known as CO2 or R744. Such heat exchangers are particularly useful in motor vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a header tank included in such a heat exchanger.

Background

Known fluid refrigerant circuits form a closed loop in which a refrigerant fluid flows in order to dissipate or collect heat through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a header tank connecting the heat exchanger to the fluid refrigerant circuit, the header tank connecting a conduit from the fluid refrigerant circuit to the heat exchanger core for flowing refrigerant fluid through the heat exchanger conduit.

In a fluid refrigerant circuit traversed by a refrigerant fluid in a supercritical state, the refrigerant fluid remains substantially in the gaseous state and is at a very high pressure, typically of the order of 100 bar. As a result, the heat exchanger must be able to withstand such high pressures, with a recommended burst pressure typically three times the nominal operating pressure value, which thus amounts to about 300 bar.

The known heat exchanger includes a header tank, an accumulator tank and heat exchange tubes that allow refrigerant fluid to migrate between the header tank and the accumulator tank. The heat exchange tubes also allow heat exchange between a refrigerant fluid flowing inside the heat exchange tubes and air flowing outside the heat exchanger, thereby absorbing heat from the air flowing through the heat exchanger core. The header tank comprises a first manifold intended to receive refrigerant fluid from the fluid refrigerant circuit and a second manifold intended to inject refrigerant fluid from the heat exchanger back into the fluid refrigerant circuit.

The header tank includes a cover, a header plate, and a distribution plate located between the cover and the header plate. A cover of the header tank is configured to define the header tank. The header plate of the header tank is designed to allow refrigerant fluid to flow between the first or second manifold and the heat exchange tubes. The distributor plate is intended to allow refrigerant fluid to flow between a connector connected to the distributor plate and the header plate.

The cover, distributor plate and header plate are welded together to ensure that the header tank is sealed against refrigerant leakage. The header plate includes teeth configured to secure the assembly of the header plate, distributor plate and cover together to help the welded header box withstand the very high pressures generated in the fluid refrigeration circuit.

In this known heat exchanger, the header plate, the distribution plate and the cover are common to the first and second manifolds of the header tank. This configuration causes thermal coupling between the first and second manifolds of the header tank, thereby reducing the thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger, and some thermal energy is wasted by transferring directly from the first manifold to the second manifold without being used through the heat exchange core of the heat exchanger.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to a header tank having a specific design to limit the thermal coupling between its first and second manifolds while still withstanding the very high pressures generated by the use of supercritical refrigerant fluids.

It is also an object of the invention to propose a heat exchanger comprising such a header tank.

The invention finally aims to propose a fluid refrigerant circuit comprising such a heat exchanger and a natural fluid refrigerant.

A first object of the present invention is a header tank for a heat exchanger, the header tank extending along a main axis, the header tank comprising a first manifold and a second manifold, each manifold comprising a plurality of portions, at least a header plate, a cover and a distributor plate, the distributor plate being located between the header plate and the cover, one portion of the first manifold comprising a mechanical connection with one portion of the second manifold, while the other two portions of the first manifold are separated from the other two portions of the second manifold, characterized in that the header plate comprises a connection element configured to grip the corresponding cover, the connection element extending from two longitudinal sides of the header plate to the corresponding cover, the longitudinal sides extending along the main axis of the header tank.

In this configuration, some of the connecting elements of the header tank are thus located between the first manifold and the second manifold. This configuration creates a gap between the first and second manifolds that allows for thermal decoupling between the first and second manifolds. More precisely, the header plate of the first manifold is separated from the header plate of the second manifold by the gap. Similarly, the distribution plate of the first manifold and the cover of the first manifold are separated from the distribution plate of the second manifold and the cover of the second manifold, respectively, by a gap. Thus, this configuration allows for improved thermal efficiency of the header tank, with less calories being transferred directly between the first and second manifolds, as compared to known configurations of header tanks.

The mechanical connection allows the first manifold to maintain its relative position with respect to the second manifold as compared to the second manifold.

The connection elements of the header plates grip the corresponding covers of the manifolds, so that the assembly of the various parts of the header tank is ensured despite the very high pressure conditions present in the fluid refrigerant circuit. Each manifold comprises two rows of connecting elements located on each longitudinal side of the associated manifold. Thus, there is a centre line of the connecting element between the two manifolds, and this centre line reinforces the welded connection that exists between the parts of the associated manifold.

The connection according to the invention optionally comprises at least one of the following features taken alone or in combination:

the first and second manifolds extend parallel to each other along the main axis of the header tank, and therefore they define a plane, called the main plane of the header tank;

-the first and second manifolds are symmetrical along an axis of symmetry defined by the main axis of the header tank;

the connecting element is a crimping element. For example, the crimping elements may be teeth that extend from the header plate to a corresponding cover of the header tank. Alternatively, the connecting element may be any known fixing means, such as a screw, bolt or rivet;

-both header plates of the header tank comprise crimping elements extending from both longitudinal sides of said header plate towards their respective caps;

the teeth of the header tank are regularly spaced from each other along the main axis of the header tank. This configuration allows a regular distribution of the pressure of the fluid refrigerant circuit along the header tank, ensuring the assembly of the various parts of the header tank.

The crimping elements located between the two manifolds (called internal crimping elements) are arranged in staggered rows. In other words, the inner crimp element of the first manifold faces the header plate of the second manifold. Advantageously, a line passes through at least one internal crimping element of each header plate, said line extending parallel to the first axis of the header tank. This configuration allows for a more compact design of the header tank. Advantageously, the wires pass through all the crimping elements of each header plate. Alternatively, the internal crimping element of the first manifold faces the internal crimping element of the second manifold. This configuration allows for a larger gap between the first and second manifolds, thereby increasing thermal decoupling of the two manifolds of the header tank.

The mechanical connection comprises at least one mechanical bridge connecting the first manifold to the second manifold of the header tank. Advantageously, said header tank comprises at least two mechanical bridges. This configuration allows the first and second manifolds to maintain a relative position to each other;

advantageously, the header tank comprises two mechanical bridges, a first mechanical bridge being located at a first longitudinal end of the heat exchanger header tank and a second mechanical bridge being located at a second longitudinal end of the heat exchanger header tank, said second end being located on the opposite side of the heat exchanger header tank along the main axis of the heat exchanger header tank than the first end. This configuration allows for minimal thermal coupling through a mechanical bridge between the first and second manifolds;

the mechanical bridge is an extension of the material of the header tank;

the mechanical bridge extends from a portion of the first manifold to a functionally identical portion of the second manifold. For example, a mechanical bridge connects the header plate of the first manifold to the header plate of the second manifold. Alternatively, the mechanical bridge connects the distribution plate of the first manifold to the distribution plate of the second manifold. Alternatively, a mechanical bridge connects the cover of the first manifold to the cover of the second manifold. This configuration allows a simple design of the mechanical bridge;

-the cover comprises at least one groove extending along a main axis of the header tank, the groove being configured to distribute refrigerant fluid along the cover;

the cover of the header tank comprises two separate plates. More particularly, the cover of the header tank comprises a cover plate and an intermediate plate located between the cover plate and the distribution plate;

the header tank comprises a connector as described above connecting the fluid refrigerant circuit to the header tank, said connector comprising a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber communicating with the first manifold and the second chamber communicating with the second manifold, the housing of the connector comprising a decoupling gap between the first chamber and the second chamber.

The decoupling gap extends through the housing of the connector along the main axis of the connection box;

the connector comprises an attachment element that grips the cover of the header tank. This configuration may secure the components of the header tank by the connector;

-a distribution plate is located between the lid and a connector in contact with the distribution plate;

the connector comprises an internal attachment element between the first and second chambers of the connector;

the mechanical connection of the header tank is a connector. This configuration allows reducing the number of thermal connections between the two manifolds, thus improving the thermal decoupling of the header tank;

the header tank is made of aluminum. This configuration allows the header tank to be made of a material having high heat dissipation capability.

A second object of the present invention is a heat exchanger comprising a header tank as described above, said heat exchanger further comprising a storage tank and heat exchange tubes connecting said header tank to the storage tank. This configuration allows the heat exchanger to have improved thermal efficiency due to the header tank according to the present invention. Indeed, the header tank according to the present invention reduces the thermal coupling between the first manifold and the second manifold. Thus, more heat can be captured by the heat exchange tubes of the heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger according to the invention optionally comprises at least one of the following features taken alone or in combination:

the heat exchange tubes extend along a plane, called secondary plane, perpendicular to the main plane of the header tank.

This configuration allows for maximum thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger;

-a first series of heat exchange tubes extending between the first manifold and the storage tank, and a second series of heat exchange tubes extending between the second manifold and the storage tank, the storage tank fluidly connecting the first series of heat exchange tubes and the second series of heat exchangers. This configuration allows refrigerant fluid to flow from the first manifold to the second manifold while flowing through the heat exchange tubes.

A third object of the present invention is a fluid refrigerant circuit comprising a heat exchanger as described above, the fluid refrigerant circuit comprising a natural refrigerant fluid. The natural refrigerant fluid may be, for example, carbon dioxide, also known as CO2 or R744.

Drawings

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a heat exchanger according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a header tank according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the example header tank shown in FIG. 2, the header tank being shown prior to assembly of the portions that make up the header tank;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the header tank shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a connector of a header tank according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of a header tank according to the present disclosure, the header tank including a connector;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of the header tank shown in fig. 6, the header tank being shown prior to assembly.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a heat exchanger 200 for use in a fluid refrigerant circuit. The heat exchanger 200 includes a header tank 1, a storage tank 100, and a heat exchange tube 150 connecting the header tank 1 and the storage tank 100. The heat exchanger 200 functions as an evaporator or a condenser.

The header tank 1 extends along a first axis X and a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, the first axis X and the second axis Y defining a plane D. The storage tanks 100 extend parallel to the header tank 1 along the same plane D.

The heat exchange tubes 150 extend between the nozzle box 1 and the storage tank 100 along a third axis Z, which is perpendicular to the plane D.

The header tank 1 includes a first manifold 10, a second manifold 20, and a connector 30. The connector 30 is intended to fluidly connect the header tank 1 to a fluid refrigerant circuit. The connector 30 comprises a first conduit 39 and a second conduit 40, the first conduit 39 being connected to the first manifold 10 and the second conduit 40 being connected to the second manifold 20.

The connector 30 comprises an attachment element 35 which grips the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20 of the header tank 1, thereby securing the attachment of the connector 30 to the header tank 1, which is required due to the very high pressure in the fluid refrigerant circuit.

The heat exchange tubes 150 also fluidly connect the header tank 1 to the storage tank. More precisely, the first manifold 10 is also fluidly connected to the storage tank by heat exchange tubes 150 also extending from the first manifold 10 to the storage tank. The storage tank is also connected to the second manifold 20 by heat exchange tubes 150 extending from the storage tank to the second manifold 20. This configuration allows the refrigerant fluid to flow in the heat exchanger 200 from the first manifold 10 to the second manifold 20 through the accumulator and heat exchange tubes 150, thereby facilitating heat dissipation of the refrigerant fluid through the heat exchanger 200.

The header 1 further comprises a gap 50 between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20, said gap 50 extending along the first axis X all along the header 1. This configuration allows the header tank 1 to restrict heat exchange between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20. In other words, the gap 50 reduces the thermal coupling of the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20. Thus, this configuration allows the efficiency of the heat exchanger 200 to be improved.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a header tank 1 according to the invention. The first manifold 10 includes a first cover 13, a first distribution plate 12, and a first header plate 11. Similarly, the second manifold 20 includes a second cover 14, a second distributor plate 22, and a second header plate 21. In this example, the first cover 13 is separated from the second cover 14. The first header plate 11 is also separated from the second header plate 21. In this case, separation means that there is no direct contact between the parts, which are then thermally decoupled.

The first distribution plate 12 is located between the first header tank 11 and the first cover 13 of the first manifold 10. In a similar manner, a second distributor plate 22 is located between the second header plate 21 and the second cover 14 of the second manifold 20.

Each

cover

13,14 comprises a first portion 18 and a second portion 19, said first portion 18 and second portion 19 extending entirely along the

cover

13,14 on the second axis Y of the header tank 1. The second portion 19 is located between the first portion 18 and the

distribution plates

12,22 of the respective covers 13,14, said second portion 19 having a greater dimension along the second axis Y of the header tank 1 than the first portion 18, thus creating a step 17.

Each manifold 10,20 comprises a crimp element 15 extending from the first header plate 11 or the second header plate 21 to the first cap 13 or the second cap 14, respectively. These crimping elements 15 fix the assembly of the parts of the first manifold 10 and of the second manifold 20 by gripping the steps 17 of the respective covers 13,14, so that said assembly is subjected to very high pressures inside the heat exchanger 200.

The crimping elements 15 are regularly spaced from each other along the first axis X of the header tank 1, allowing to equally secure the assembly of the components from the header tank 1.

In the example shown in fig. 2, these crimping elements 15 are teeth, but according to the invention they can be replaced by any fixing means, such as screws, bolts or rivets.

The header 1 includes an internal crimp element 16 located between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20. This configuration with the internal crimp element 16 located between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20 of the header 1 allows the formation of a gap 50, thus improving the thermal decoupling of the first manifold 10 with respect to the second manifold 20.

Fig. 3 is a view of an example of the header tank 1 according to the present invention, the header tank 1 being shown before the components thereof are assembled.

The header tank 1 includes a first header plate 11 and a second header plate 21 identical to the first header plate 11. Similarly, the header tank 1 includes a first cover 13 and a second cover 14 identical to the first cover 1.

The header tank 1 includes a distribution plate 12 that is common to the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20.

In this example, the distribution plate 12 comprises four mechanical bridges 120 along the first axis X of the header tank 1, two mechanical bridges 120 being located at the first longitudinal end 61 of the distribution plate 12 and two mechanical bridges 120 being located at the second longitudinal end 62 of the distribution plate 12, the first and second longitudinal ends 61, 62 being on opposite sides along the first axis X of the header tank 1. The first longitudinal end 61 of the distribution plate 12 is the end of the distribution plate 12 intended to receive the connector 30 of the header tank 1, and the second longitudinal end 62 is located on the opposite side of the distribution plate 12 compared to the first longitudinal end 61.

A mechanical bridge 120 extends between portions of the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20, allowing said first manifold 10 and said second manifold 20 to maintain a relative position with respect to each other. The part may be the

cover

13,14 or the

distributor plate

12,22 or the

header plate

11, 21.

In this example, the mechanical bridge 120 is made on the distributor plate 12, connecting a first portion of the distributor plate 12, located between the first header plate 11 and the first cover 13, and a second portion of the distributor plate 12, located between the second header plate 21 and the second cover 14. According to the present invention, the mechanical bridges 120 may also be formed between the first header plate 11 and the second header plate 21 and/or between the first cover 13 and the second cover 14 of the header tank 1.

The mechanical bridge 120 is designed to reduce the thermal coupling between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20, thereby enabling the gap 50 to achieve effective thermal decoupling between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20.

The distribution plate 12 includes an opening 130 configured to fluidly connect the connector 30 and the header tank 1, the opening 130 extending along a first axis X of the header tank 1. The distribution plate 12 further comprises a window 125 intended to fluidly connect the header tank 1 to the heat exchange tubes 150 of the heat exchanger 200, said window 125 extending perpendicularly to the first axis X of the header tank 1.

In a similar manner, the first header plate 11 and the second header plate 21 comprise apertures 110, the apertures 110 being configured to fluidly connect the distribution plate 12 and the heat exchanger tubes 150 of the heat exchanger 200, said apertures 110 extending perpendicularly to the first axis X of the header tank 1. Thus, each orifice 110 of the first or

second header plate

11,21 is fluidly connected to one window 125 of the distribution plate 12.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of an example of a header tank 1 according to the invention.

The internal crimp element 16 of the header tank 1 is located between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20, thereby allowing a gap 50 to be formed along the first axis X of the header tank 1. The internal crimping element 16 of the first header plate 11 grasps the first cap 13 and the internal crimping element of the second header plate 21 grasps the second cap 14.

The inner crimping elements 16 are arranged in staggered rows. In other words, the inner crimping elements 16 of the first header plate 11 grip the first cover 13 along the first axis X of the header tank 1 alternately with the inner crimping elements 16 of the second header plate 21.

A gap 50 extends between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20. More specifically, the gap 50 extends along the first axis X of the header tank 1 between the inner crimp element 16 and the opposing cover.

The header tank 1 includes connectors 30 mounted on the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20. The connector includes an internal attachment element 36 between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20. Each internal attachment element 36 grasps the first cover 13 of the first manifold 10 or the second cover of the second manifold 20.

The connector 30 and at least two of the four mechanical bridges described above are the only components of the header tank that physically connect the first manifold 10 to the second manifold 20, thereby improving thermal decoupling and reducing heat transfer between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an example of a connector 30 used in the header tank 1 according to the present invention.

The connector 30 includes a housing 33, and the connector 30 is machined into a block of material. The housing 33 comprises a first face a extending in the plane D and a second face B perpendicular to the first face a and extending along a second axis Y. The connector 30 further comprises a first side S perpendicular to the first and second faces a, B.

The first face a of the connector 30 includes a first surface 37 and a second surface 38. The first surface 37 is intended to be in contact with the first distribution plate 12 of the connector 30. In a similar manner, the second surface 38 is intended to be in contact with the second distribution plate 22 of the connector 30.

The first and

second tubes

39 and 40 are accommodated in the connector 30 due to first and

second holes

41 and 42, respectively, the first and

second holes

41 and 42 being formed in the second face B of the connector 30.

The connector 30 comprises a first chamber 31 formed in a housing 33 of said connector 30, the first chamber 31 extending perpendicular to the plane D of the header tank 1. The first chamber 31 is fluidly connected to the first bore 41 and the first conduit 39 to connect the first chamber 31 to a fluid refrigerant circuit. In a similar manner, the connector comprises a second chamber 32 formed in a housing 33 of the connector 30, the second chamber 32 extending perpendicularly to the plane D of the header tank 1. The second chamber 32 is fluidly connected to the second bore 42 and the second conduit 40 to connect the second chamber 32 to the fluid refrigerant circuit.

The first chamber 31 is configured to be in fluid communication with the opening 130 of the distribution plate 12 to fluidly connect the connector 30 and the first manifold 10. Similarly, the second chamber 32 is configured to be in fluid communication with the opening 130 of the distribution plate 12 to fluidly connect the connector and the second manifold 20.

The internal attachment elements 36 of the connector 30 are initially in a staggered row configuration along the first axis X of the header tank 1. In other words, the internal attachment element 36 of the connector 30 is configured to grip alternately the first cap 13 of the first manifold 10 and the second cap 14 of the second manifold 20 along the first axis X, said internal attachment element 36 being located on the first face a of the connector 30, between the first surface 37 and the second surface 38.

The housing 33 of the connector 30 includes a decoupling gap 60, the decoupling gap 60 extending through the connector 30 along the first axis X, the decoupling gap 60 being located between the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32 of the connector 30. Thus, the decoupling gap 60 extends parallel to the first side S of the housing 33 of the connector 30. This decoupling gap 60 allows to reduce the thermal coupling between the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32 of the connector 30, thus improving the thermal efficiency of the header tank 1 comprising such a connector 30.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a header tank 1 according to the present invention, the header tank 1 including a connector 30.

The connector 30 is positioned on a first longitudinal end 61 of the header tank 1 along a first axis X of said header tank 1. The connector 30 contacts the distribution plate 12 of the header tank 1, and the distribution plate 12 is located between the first cover 13 and the connector 30. This configuration allows refrigerant fluid to flow between the connector 30 and the header tank 1 through the first and

second chambers

31 and 32 and through the openings 130 of the distribution plate 12.

In the configuration shown in fig. 6, the connector 30 is used as an example of a mechanical bridge in the header tank 1, which ensures a mechanical connection between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20, the connector 30 being made of one shell 33, reducing the need for an auxiliary mechanical bridge 120 for ensuring the connection between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20, thereby reducing the thermal coupling of said first manifold 10 and said second manifold 20.

The crimping elements 35 of the connector 30 are in contact with the first and second covers 13,14 of the first and

second manifolds

10,20, respectively. Similarly, the internal crimp elements 36 of the connector 30 are in contact with the first and second covers 13,14 of the first and

second manifolds

10,20, respectively. This configuration allows the gap 50 of the header tank 1 to extend entirely along the header tank 1 along the first axis X between the first manifold 10 and the second manifold 20.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the header tank 1 shown in fig. 6, the header tank 1 being shown prior to assembly with the cover in an inverted position.

The first cover 13 of the first manifold 10 and the second cover 14 of the second manifold 20 are each shown upside down along the third axis Z in order to visualize the specific design of the interior of the first cover 13 and the second cover 14.

The first cover 13 and the second cover 14 each comprise, for example, two recesses 140 extending parallel to the first axis X of the header tank. The grooves 140 of the first and

second lids

13,14, respectively, allow the refrigerant fluid to be distributed all along said first or

second lid

13, 14. More specifically, the grooves 140 of the first and second covers 13 and 14 allow the openings 130 of the distribution plate 12 to be fluidly connected to the windows 125 of the distribution plate 12 from the first longitudinal end 61 to the second longitudinal end 62 of the distribution plate 12, thus creating a fluid refrigerant circulation inside the header tank 1.

A person skilled in the art may make several modifications and improvements to the header tank 1 defined above.

In any event, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments specifically described herein, as other embodiments are possible. The invention extends to any equivalent means or combination of technical operations of the means.

The present invention is not limited by the shape of the components or elements described herein and covers any shape described herein, and any shape of the present invention may be covered as long as the header tank has a gap between the first and second manifolds to reduce thermal coupling between the first and second manifolds while maintaining a mechanical connection between the two manifolds.

Claims

1. Header tank (1) for a heat exchanger (200), the header tank (1) extending along a main axis (X), the header tank (1) comprising a first manifold (10) and a second manifold (20), each manifold (10,20) comprising a plurality of portions, at least a header plate (11,21), a cover (13,14) and a distribution plate (12,22) located between the header plate (11,21) and the cover (13,14), one portion of the first manifold (10) comprising a mechanical connection (120) with one portion of the second manifold (20) and the other two portions of the first manifold (10) being separate from the other two portions of the second manifold (20), characterized in that the header plate (11,21) comprises a connection element (15) configured to grip the corresponding cover (13,14), the connecting elements (15) extend from both longitudinal sides of the header plates (11,12), which extend along a main axis (X) of the header tank (1), to the corresponding covers (13, 14).

2. The header tank (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element (15) is a crimping element (15).

3. Header (1) according to claim 2, wherein the crimping elements (16), referred to as internal crimping elements (16), located between the two manifolds (10,20) are arranged in staggered rows.

4. Header tank (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mechanical connection (120) comprises at least one mechanical bridge (120) connecting said first manifold (10) to said second manifold (20) of said header tank (1).

5. Header tank (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical bridge (120) extends from a portion of the first manifold (10) to the same portion of the second manifold (20).

6. A header tank (1) comprising a connector (30) connecting a fluid refrigerant circuit to the header tank (1), the connector (30) comprising a housing (33) defining a first chamber (31) and a second chamber (32), the first chamber (31) being in communication with the first manifold (10) and the second chamber (32) being in communication with the second manifold (20), wherein the housing (33) of the connector (30) comprises a decoupling gap (60) between the first chamber (31) and the second chamber (32).

7. The header tank (1) according to claim 6, wherein the connector (30) comprises an attachment element (35) gripping at least one of the covers (13,14) of the header tank (1).

8. Header tank (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the distribution plate (12,22) is located between the cover (13,14) and the connector (30), the connector (30) being in contact with the distribution plate (12, 22).

9. Header tank (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the connector (30) comprises an internal attachment element (36) between the first chamber (31) and the second chamber (32) of the connector (30).

10. The header tank (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the mechanical connection (120) of the header tank (1) is the connector (30).

11. A heat exchanger (200) comprising a header tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the heat exchanger (200) further comprising a storage tank (100) and heat exchange tubes (150) connecting the header tank (1) to the storage tank (100).

12. A fluid refrigerant circuit comprising the heat exchanger (200) according to claim 11, the fluid refrigerant circuit comprising a natural refrigerant fluid.