DE3322453A1 - MOUNTING DEVICE FOR MOUNTING AT LEAST ONE PIPE ON A PLATE, TOOL FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD AND HEAT EXCHANGER PRODUCED BY THIS METHOD, ESPECIALLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Description

"- CARPENTER

PATENT ATTORNEYS european patent attorneys

Dipl.-Ing. H. Leinweber (ΐ930-7β> Dipl.-Ing. Heinz Zimmermann, Dipl.-Ing. A. Gf. v. Wengersky ' Dipl.-Phys. Dr. Jürgen Kraus

Rosental 7, D-8000 Munich 2 2nd entrance (Kustermann-Passaga) Telephone (089) 2 60 39 89 Telex 52 8191 lepatd Telogr.-Adr. Leinpat monks

the

June 22, 1983

Our reference ^Cas 262

VALEO, 64 avenue de la Grande Army
75017 Paris / France

Assembly method for assembling at least one pipe on a plate, tools for carrying out the process and heat exchangers manufactured according to this process, especially for motor vehicles

The invention relates to an assembly method, in particular for motor vehicle heat exchangers, consisting of at least one Pipe that is attached to a plate with the interposition of a seal, the plate and the seal each at least have an opening, the opening of the seal is provided with a bearing flange and the tube with one of its ends is inserted into the bearing flange of the seal, which in turn sits in the opening in the plate and seals it against the pipe.

In one known method, the
Tube inserted into the opening of the seal and
then deformed so that it has a cylindrical widening at the level of the bearing flange of the seal, which is used to join the tube and the plate tightly. This mode of operation is burdened with the risk of the connection thus produced breaking, in particular when the pipes have already been subjected to a previous expansion process.

A method is also known in which the pipe

is forced into the seal. This procedure also leads to various disadvantages. In particular the manufacturing process is complicated because it

makes maneuverable, on the one hand, to provide special shapes to facilitate the entry of the pipe into the seal and, on the other hand, to bring various auxiliary parts in place and then to remove again, which is
opposes a mechanization of the process. Moreover, with this method too there is in any case the risk that the seal will become detached from the plate at the moment the tube is inserted.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for
To propose the assembly of at least one pipe on a plate provided with a seal, in which the disadvantages outlined above are avoided, that simple
and is easy to carry out, and which is ultimately also suitable for automation if necessary.
30th

This object is achieved in that before the insertion of the tube of the bearing flange
Seal is prestressed and thereby the radial thickness of its wall is reduced, which is supported on the edge of the opening in the plate, the inner diameter of the bearing

flange of the seal before the preload acts is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe and is widened enough under bias to a simple insertion of the pipe into the bearing flange of the Enable seal.

Thanks to this procedure, one avoids any difficulty that accompanies the forcible insertion. In addition, the risk of the seal becoming detached from the plate at the moment of insertion is avoided of the pipe, as this insertion is very easy given the preload of the bearing flange of the seal is going on, the diameter of which is enlarged enough at the moment of insertion of the pipe to allow Facilitate introduction.

In addition, the bearing flange is preloaded the seal the formation of at least one bead on this element, which is the fixed connection of the Seal with the plate supports and any undesirable shifting of the seal relative to the plate during the Helps to avoid the introduction of the pipe and despite the friction between the pipe and the seal during the introduction.

In this way, an excellent seal is advantageously achieved on the one hand between the seal and the pipe and, on the other hand, between the plate and the seal and thus overall between the pipe and the plate.

^ö The method according to the invention is particular

Suitable where both the plate and the seal are provided with bearing flanges. In fact, the Pre-tensioning the seal creates an even tighter connection of the bearing flanges, which in cooperation with the above-mentioned Bulge formation even more any undesired

Avoids storage of the seal against the plate in the course of the insertion of the pipe.

According to a further feature, after prestressing the bearing flange, the seal is pushed open the pipe by maintaining the preload. In this way one avoids any risk of a difficult one Insertion of the pipe into the bearing flange of the seal.

The reduction in the radial wall thickness that is achieved by the prestressing can be of the order of magnitude from 30 to 70% and preferably at least close to 50%. In this case, the preload has the effect of reducing the wall thickness of the seal by half, which means an excellent clamping on the pipe and in the perforation of the plate and thus a flawless one Leak tightness results.

The seal can be supported either on one side of the plate or on the other, preferably but on the opposite side from which the pipe is inserted. In this case it will according to the invention advantageously on the seal a Force applied that clamped it against the plate, while the preload in the area of the opening that lets poetry work. The preload in the area of the opening of the seal can be any suitable Means are evoked. According to the invention is preferred the bias in the area of the opening of the seal caused by the fact that one enters the opening the seal axially engages a punch, the active part of which has an outer diameter that corresponds to the desired inside diameter of the bearing flange of the seal in the preloaded state is the same. The Stamp preferably engages the bearing flange of the seal from a side opposite that of

which is introduced forth the pipe.

According to a further feature, after prestressing the bearing flange, the seal is let through the punch and inserting the tube into the preloaded bearing flange and engaging the same punch in the tube form an expansion here that serves as a mechanical pipe restraint. The outside diameter of the knitting head of the punch is the same as the desired inner diameter of the pipe in the area of the expansion.

The extension avoids any disconnection between the tubes and the plate.

Nevertheless, the solid connection can according to the invention also be effected in any other way.

According to a preferred embodiment, a centering section is placed in front of the knitting head of the punch, which has a smaller diameter than the knitting head. The diameter of the centering section of the punch is at least almost the same as the inside diameter of the opening in the seal before the preload acts This diameter itself is at least almost the same as the inner diameter of the pipe before it is expanded.

In this way, the centering section of the punch brings about a precise insertion of the knitting head of the Stamp in the bearing flange of the seal for the purpose

the preload of the bearing flange and also a precise one Displacement of the preloaded bearing flange of the seal between the active head and the pipe.

It should be pointed out that the gaskets each have an opening in the plate like an eye can be assigned. But you can also do this

advantageously combined into one or more sealing plates each of which is a majority of the perforations of the plate or even all of the Recorded perforations in the plate.

The invention also relates to a tool

for carrying out the procedure outlined above.

The tool is characterized by the fact that a die takes up the plate with the seal with support, that an axially displaceable plunger holds the seal clamped against the plate by itself supported on the die and that another punch for preloading the bearing flange of the seal in the pressure ram is mounted so that it can move axially. According to a further feature of the tool, the die can be extended laterally and the plunger is designed so that it under the axial loading of the seal and the plate, the prestressed Can move the bearing flange of the seal on the pipe. In addition, the stamp is advantageous designed so that it expands the pipe when axially displaced relative to the pressure ram.

The present invention also relates to the use of the above-mentioned method and / or of the above-mentioned tool and in particular a heat exchanger, especially for motor vehicles with a large number of pipes, of which at least the walls are on a base plate of a box, namely a water box are mounted with the plate provided with the seal.

The heat exchanger or radiator is characterized in that each tube on the plate accordingly "° is assembled using the above-mentioned method and / or with the aid of the above-mentioned tool.

Further details, advantages and features emerge from the following explanation of an “exemplary embodiment on the basis of the figures, on the basis of the disclosure of all details not explained in more detail below will expressly refer. Show it

Fig. 1 is a partially torn view of a motor vehicle heat exchanger with a A plurality of tubes provided with cooling fins, each end of which is in the base plate of a

Water tank is mounted, which is lined with a sealing plate, the one Summary of the seals throughout Plate represents, the assembly by the inventive method or by means of

realized the tool according to the invention is,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line II-II of Fig. 1,

3 shows, on an enlarged scale, a pipe, the plate and the seal before assembly,

FIG. 4 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 3 at in

the plate inserted and this enveloping seal engaging the bearing flanges the seal into the bearing flanges of the plate

before preloading the bearing flange on

the seal and before inserting the pipe,

5 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 4 after the bearing flange of the seal has been pretensioned, and FIG

before inserting the pipe,
35

£. e- -t

6 shows a corresponding view after insertion

of the pipe in the preloaded bearing flange of the seal,

7 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 6 after completion assembly by expanding the pipe in the vicinity of the bearing flanges of gasket and plate,

8 shows the tool for carrying out the method according to the invention in one position, in which the plate provided with the seal rests on the die, while the pressure stamp with the one inserted into it Stamp lifted on that side

opposite the side from which the pipes are inserted,

FIG. 9 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 8 according to the system of the pressure stamp on the plate

covering seal and before the stamp takes effect,

10 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 9 for the preload of the bearing flange

Seal with advanced punch, which however does not yet reach the pipe,

11 with a view corresponding to FIG. 10

laterally moved away die and in the direction of the pipe advanced pressure ram and punch that reaches the pipe,

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11, in which

the plunger pressurizes the plate covered with the seal in order to achieve the Slide the bearing flange of the seal onto the pipe, and

FIG. 13 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 12

to produce the expansion of the tube in this advanced punch.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 13, the serve to explain a non-limiting embodiment of the invention is a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, such as an automobile shown. The assembly of the tubes of this heat exchanger is described below explained.

1 and 2 show a heat exchanger 10 or radiator with a plurality of fluid channels in the form a bundle of mutually parallel tubes 11. The tubes 11 have cooling fins stacked one on top of the other 12 provided, which are spaced apart from one another and are jammed on the tubes.

At each end of the bundle of tubes 11, these tubes 11 are in a box, namely a so-called water box 13, with which the tubes communicate via their end openings 14. Each water tank 13 has a connection 15 for establishing the coolant circulation in the tubes 11 with their cooling fins 12 ° over the water boxes 13.

Each water tank 13 has a base plate 16 made of rigid material, with a plate-shaped

Seal 17 is made of elastic material. 30th

The plate 16 is provided with a plurality of openings 18, the number of which corresponds to that of the tubes 11 is the same, that is to say in the example shown in FIG

is fourteen.
35

Each opening 18 of the plate 16 (see. Fig. 7)

V / ti-T

■ χ

is bent out of the plane of the plate with a collar-like shape Bearing flange 19 is provided, which points to the interior of the heat exchanger 10.

The plate-shaped seal 17 accordingly has a plurality of openings 20, the number of which is equal to the number of openings 18 in the plate 16 is, which in turn is equal to the number of tubes and in the example of FIG. 2 is fourteen. Every Opening 20 of the plate-shaped seal 17 is provided with a bearing flange protruding like a collar from the plane of the plate 21 provided, which points to the "interior of the heat exchanger.

¹ ^ In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, the plate-shaped seal 17 covers the base plate 16 on the side that points to the outside of the heat exchanger 10. The plate-shaped seal 17 lines the plate 16 closely and each collar

shaped bearing flange 21 of the seal 17 engages closely in the corresponding collar-shaped bearing flange 19 of the plate 16 a.

The various pairs of bearing flanges 19 and

20 correspond in the plane to the various tubes 11 (FIG. 2).

One of a pair of bearing flanges 19 and 20 (Fig.7)

corresponding tube 11 is at its corresponding end 30

inserted into the bearing flange 21 of the seal 17, which in turn is seated in the bearing flange 19 of the plate 16.

The tube 11 is preferably deformed such that

there is an expansion 22 in the neighborhood of the nested 35

having gripping bearing flanges 19 and 21. From-

Expansion of the tube 11 causes the fixed connection of the tube 11 with the plate 16 and the tightness between Tube 11 and seal 17 as well as between the seal 17 and the plate 16.

The assembly is carried out in the following way (Fig. 3 to 7). The bottom plate 16, the plate-shaped Seal 17 and the tube 11 are initially completely separated from one another (FIG. 3). The outside diameter Dl of the bearing flange 21 of the seal 17 is at least almost equal to the inner diameter D2 of the bearing flange 19 of the plate 16, so that the bearing flange can be easily inserted 21 in the bearing flange 19 to enable. The inner diameter D3 of the bearing flange 21 is at least almost equal to the inner diameter D4 of the tube 11 and thus much smaller than the outer diameter D5 of the Pipe 11.

First, the plate-shaped elastic seal 17 is brought into contact with the plate 16, whereby one the bearing flanges 21 snap into the bearing flanges 19 leaves. This engagement is easy in view of the fact that the diameters Dl and D2 correspond to the information explained above have been selected. The tube 11 is then ready for insertion into the bearing flange 21, which in turn is mounted in the bearing flange 19, as FIG. 4 shows.

Before inserting the tube 11 into the bearing flange

21, however, the bearing flange 21 is preloaded (FIG. 5) and thereby a reduction in the radial wall thickness forced on that wall that is supported on the bearing flange 19 of the plate 16, whereby the inner diameter D3 of the bearing flange 21 is enlarged due to the effect of the preload and assumes a value D'3,

which is at least almost the same as the outer knife D5 of the tube 11 and is large enough to allow easy insertion of the tube 11 in the bearing flange 21 of the seal 17. The preload of the bearing flange The result of 21 (FIG. 5) is that at least one bead 21A is formed. A single such bead is shown in FIG Embodiment shown. The bead contributes to the firm connection of the seal 17 to the plate 16.

To determine the order of magnitude, it is said that the radial reduction in the wall thickness of the bearing flange 21 of the seal 17 under the pretensioning is 30 to 70%, preferably at least almost 50%.

After the bearing flange 21 of the membrane 17 has been pretensioned, the bearing flange 21 is pushed onto the tube (FIG. 6) 11, whereby it remains biased.

Preferably one leads to the plate-shaped elastic seal 17 exerts a clamping force against the plate, while the bearing flange 21 of the seal 17 is pretensioned (FIG. 5) and / or pushed onto the tube 11 during the pretensioned bearing flange 21

becomes (Fig. 6).
25th

This clamping force is preferably applied both during the pretensioning (Fig. 5) and during the pushing-on (Fig. 6) maintained.

The bias of the bearing flange 21 of the plate-shaped elastic seal 17 is indicated by the arrow F in Fig. 5 and also the clamping force on the Seal 17 by the arrows F1 in FIGS. 5 and 6.

After inserting the pipe into the bearing flange

21 (Fig. 6) the tube 11 can be deformed (Fig. 7) and

by doing it with at least one extension but also preferably only one expansion 22 in the vicinity of the bearing flanges 19 and 21 provides. Through this is the mechanical connection between the tubes 11 and the plate 16 and the tightness between the Tube 11 and the seal 17 as well as the tightness between the seal 17 and the plate 16 is ensured. Such an expansion is shown by the arrows F3 in FIG.

With regard to the assembly just described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, one preferably uses a Tool as shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, which will now be explained.

The tool has a die 30 (FIGS. 8 to 13) which the plate 16 with the seal lining it 17 is able to take up with support. The tool also has a plunger 31, which axially is displaceable and can hold the seal 17 clamped against the plate 16, which is attached to the die 30 supports. The tool also has a stamp 32 which is mounted in the pressure stamp 31 so as to be axially displaceable and for preloading the bearing flange 21 of the seal 17 serves.

The die 30 can be extended laterally (FIGS. 11 to 13) and the pressure ram 31 can apply an axial thrust force exert on the gasket and the plate so as to

to push the pretensioned bearing flange 21 of the membrane 17 onto the tube 11 (FIG. 12). In addition, is the punch 32 is able to move axially relative to the pressure punch 31 (FIGS. 12 and 13) and so on

to form the expansion 22 of the tube 11. 35

The punch 32 has a knitting head 33, the outer

-ή "

diameter D6 is the desired inner diameter D ¹ 3 of the bearing flange 21 of the seal 17, which has been prestressed once. The knitting head 33 of the punch 32 has a centering section 34 at the front, the diameter D7 of which is smaller than the diameter D6 of the knitting head 33. The diameter D7 of the centering section 34 is at least almost equal to the inner diameter D3 of the bearing flange 21 without preload, which itself is at least almost equal to the inner diameter D4 of the tube 11 before it is expanded.

For assembly using the tool described above, the plate 16 is occupied with the plate-shaped one Seal 17, allowing the bearing flanges 21 to snap into the bearing flanges 19. Then you lay the plate 16 so covered with the seal 17 into the die 30, as is shown in FIG. 8. Here are the plunger 31 and the plunger 32 are withdrawn and on the side that is also withdrawn Pipes 11 is opposite.

Now you bring the plunger 31 to support on the seal 17, which is on the plate 16 (Fig. 9) and in this way holds the seal 17 clamped on the plate 16. The plate 16 supports itself in the die 30.

Then the punch 32 is allowed to grip axially through the bearing flange 21, first with the centering "0" cut 34 and then with the knitting head 33, whereby the bearing flange 21 is preloaded (Fig. 10). During this During the operation, the plunger 31 keeps the seal 17 permanently jammed on the plate 16, which is against the

Die 30 is supported.
35

Then you let go at the same time as you intervene

of the centering section 34 of the punch 32 into the tube 11 (FIG. 11) move the die 30 away to the side.

Then (Fig. 12) you push the from the knitting head

33 of the stamp 32 preloaded bearing flange 21 on the

Tube 11 by axial displacement of the plunger 31.

Then (FIG. 13) the punch 32 is moved axially and its knitting head 33 is let into the tube 11 intervene if one desires the formation of an extension.

The assembly is now finished. It is sufficient now to withdraw the pressure stamp 31 and the stamp 32.

It can be seen that such an assembly can be carried out easily and easily mechanized or automated. This means that it is suitable for large-scale production. 20th

In the embodiment described and shown the tubes 11 are shown with a round cross-section. Of course, tubes of oval cross-section or with any other cross-sectional shape can be assembled in the same way.

List of reference symbols

Assembly method for assembling at least one Pipe on a plate, tool for performing the method and following this method Manufactured heat exchangers, in particular for motor vehicles

10 Heat exchanger 11th pipe 12th Cooling fins 13th Water tank 14th End openings 15th Connection 16 plate 17th poetry 18th Breakthrough 19th Bearing flange 20th Breakthrough 21 Bearing flange 22nd Expansion 30th Die 31 Stamp 32 rubber stamp 33 Knitting head 34 Centering section

Claims (16)

Claims ( 1.) Assembly method, in particular for motor vehicle heat exchangers, consisting of at least one tube which is attached to a plate (16) with the interposition of a ■ seal (17), the plate and the seal each having at least one opening, the opening the seal is provided with a bearing flange (21), and the pipe is inserted with one of its ends into the bearing flange of the seal, which in turn sits in the opening in the plate and seals it against the pipe, characterized in that before the pipe is inserted the bearing flange (21) of the seal is preloaded and thereby the radial thickness of its wall is reduced, which is supported on the edge of the opening in the plate, the inner diameter (D3) of the bearing flange of the seal being smaller than the outer diameter (D5) before the preload acts of the pipe and expanded sufficiently under prestress (D'3) to allow easy insertion of the pipe into the bearing flange of the seal. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that after prestressing the bearing flange of the seal the bearing flange (21) of the seal is pushed onto the tube (11) while maintaining the pretension. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reduction in the radial wall thickness of the bearing flange of the seal under the preload is up to 70%, and preferably at least close to 50%. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seal is arranged on that side of the plate which is opposite the side from which the tubes are inserted, characterized in that the seal (17) during the pretensioning of the bearing flange of the seal and / or during the sliding on of the preloaded bearing flange is pressed onto the pipe by a clamping force against the plate (16). 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bias of the bearing flange the seal by axially engaging a plunger (32) in the bearing flange (21) of the seal is effected, which has a knitting head (33), the outer diameter of which corresponds to the desired inner diameter of the preloaded bearing flange of the seal is the same. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized shows that the punch (32) engages in the bearing flange (21) of the seal from that side which opposite to the side from which the pipe is inserted. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that after prestressing the bearing flange (21) the seal through the punch (32) and inserting the tube into the preloaded bearing flange the same The punch (32) is inserted into the pipe in order to form a widening (22) of the pipe, for which purpose the outer diameter of the knitting head of the punch is equal to the desired inner diameter of the pipe at the location of the expansion is. 8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that in front of the knitting head (33) of the Stamp (32) a centering section (34) is provided, the diameter of which is smaller than that of the knitting head is.
35 β "S P Λ ■ ^ 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that that the diameter of the centering section (34) of the star pels equal to the inside diameter of the bearing flange, Seal is without preload. ! 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the diameter of the centering section (34) of the punch is at least almost equal to the inner diameter of the tube before it is expanded. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the opening in the plate (16) is provided with a collar-shaped bearing flange (19) is, in which the collar-shaped bearing flange (21) of the Seal can be snapped into place. 12. Tool for performing the method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that that a die (30) receives the plate with the seal with support, that an axially displaceable pressure ram (31) holds the seal clamped against the plate by resting on the die and that for preloading of the bearing flange of the seal in the pressure ram, a further ram (32) is mounted so that it can move axially. 13. Tool according to claim 12, characterized in that the die (30) can be extended laterally and the pressure ram (31) is designed so that it under axial thrust on the seal (17) and the plate (16) the preloaded .30 push the bearing flange of the seal onto the pipe. 14. Tool according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the stamp (32) relative to the pressure stamp is axially displaceable to produce a pipe expansion. 15. Heat exchanger or radiator, especially for motor vehicles with a large number of cooling fins provided pipes, of which at least one end is mounted in the bottom plate of a water tank with at least one seal (17) is provided, characterized in that each tube with the plate correspondingly the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is connected. 16. Heat exchanger or radiator, especially for motor vehicles with a large number of cooling fins provided pipes, of which at least one end is mounted in the bottom plate of a water tank with at least one seal (17) is provided, characterized in that each tube on the plate by means of of a tool according to one of claims 12 to 14 is mounted.