EP1674170B1 - Method for making a heat exchanger collector et device for carrying out this method - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves drilling multiple openings (102a-102g) across a wall (101) of a tube (100) in a gradual and simultaneous manner without removal of material. The openings are drilled by successively arranging each opening using specific punches (20a-20g) and maintaining each punch in the corresponding opening until the completion of drilling of all the openings. An independent claim is also included for a device to implement a method of fabricating a manifold of a heat exhanger.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger collector, but also to a device for implementing such a method.

The document US Patent 3087362 discloses a method as set forth in the preamble of claim 1.

The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the field of heat exchangers for motor vehicles.

A heat exchanger is schematically composed of two parallel tubular manifolds which are interconnected via a plurality of perpendicular hollow fins. To be able to communicate these hollow fins with each collector, and thus allow the circulation of a cooling fluid in the exchanger, it is necessary to arrange through the wall of each collector as many openings as there are hollow fins to be joined.

The manufacture of a heat exchanger collector therefore essentially consists of producing a series of openings, generally equidistant, in a metal tube. In practice, the making of each opening is generally carried out by drilling without removal of material using a punch, that is to say a sharp element capable of starting and piercing the wall of the tube.

A known manufacturing process consists in making the openings one after the other, by incrementally moving the same punch along one or more axes. This type of process presents However, the disadvantage of being relatively long since only one drilling tool is used, and it is therefore necessary to wait for the completion of an opening before being able to undertake a new drilling. In addition, the succession of these independent drilling operations is likely to generate a certain lack of precision in the realization of the openings, which can become problematic at the time of assembly proper of the heat exchanger.

To overcome this difficulty, it is possible to use another manufacturing method in which the openings are formed simultaneously, using a hydraulic press for example. In this case, however, the concomitant use of a plurality of drilling tools requires a lot of power and therefore energy. This results in a negative impact in terms of cost of production.

Also the technical problem to be solved, by the object of the present invention, is to propose a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger collector, comprising a drilling step without removing material from a plurality of openings through the wall of a tube, a method that would avoid the problems of the state of the art being particularly particularly energy-efficient, while ensuring significantly faster implementation and accuracy of implementation.

The solution to the technical problem posed consists, according to the present invention, in all of the features indicated in claim 1.

The invention as thus defined has a large number of advantages over prior art methods.

With respect to the first type of process previously mentioned, the use of a separate punch for each opening makes it possible to significantly accelerate the manufacturing process of the collector. Moreover, the maintenance of each punch in its opening, during the entire piercing phase, improves the accuracy of realization of other openings. The initial position of the tube is no longer the only reference element, the positions of the already drilled openings also constitute appreciable reference points.

Compared with the second type of process previously mentioned, the non-simultaneous production of the different openings requires considerably less energy, while remaining of comparable speed. In fact, the energy expenditure inherent in the drilling of all the openings is somehow distributed over time so that the power requirement is less. But the different holes are however made sufficiently close to the speed of execution is closer to that of the second type of processes of the prior art, the first.

We have seen previously that the openings were arranged successively, that is to say one after the other. However, it is particularly advantageous that these operations are grouped together over a relatively short period of time, so that the speed of execution the manufacturing process is maximum. Also, and according to a feature of the method according to the invention, the realization of the different openings is performed substantially concomitantly. In practice, this means that several punches can be implemented almost simultaneously, that is to say with a relatively small time lag. The important thing is that the punches are not operated strictly at the same time in order to minimize the energy needs at all times.

According to another particularity of this method, the realization of each opening is carried out gradually. This characteristic means that the drilling of each opening does not necessarily occur continuously but that it can be performed in several distinct times, possibly separated by delays. The decomposition of each piercing into different independent phases advantageously makes it possible to increase the quality of production of the openings in significant proportions. For example, a drilling operation may begin with a roughing phase, followed by a delay phase to dissipate the mechanical stresses generated inside the material during its deformation, and finally ending with a finishing phase.

• des moyens de maintien aptes à immobiliser le tube dans une position donnée,
• une pluralité de poinçons montés mobiles en translation suivant une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe du tube, entre une position de retrait dans laquelle l'extrémité active de chaque poinçon est placée à distance de la paroi du tube, et une position déployée dans laquelle ladite extrémité active est insérée à travers ladite paroi du tube,
• un organe d'actionnement qui est monté mobile en translation suivant une direction perpendiculaire aux poinçons et qui comporte une surface d'appui au moins partiellement inclinée et apte à coopérer par contact glissant avec l'extrémité passive de chaque poinçon, la translation de l'organe d'actionnement étant apte à entraîner la translation de chaque poinçon entre sa position de retrait et sa position déployée.

The invention also relates to a device for implementing such a manufacturing method. This device is remarkable in that it comprises:

• holding means adapted to immobilize the tube in a given position,
• a plurality of punches mounted movable in translation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube, between a withdrawal position in which the active end of each punch is placed at a distance from the wall of the tube, and an extended position in which said active end is inserted through said wall of the tube,
• an actuating member which is mounted to move in translation in a direction perpendicular to the punches and which has a bearing surface at least partially inclined and adapted to cooperate by sliding contact with the passive end of each punch, the translation of the actuating member being adapted to cause the translation of each punch between its retracted position and its deployed position.

The following description given by way of non-limiting example, will better understand how the invention can be made, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

The single figure illustrates schematically and in partial section a device for implementing the manufacturing method according to the invention.

For the sake of clarity, the same elements have been designated by identical references. Likewise, only the essential elements for understanding the invention have been represented, and this without regard to the scale and in a schematic manner.

The single figure shows a device 1 for the manufacture of a heat exchanger collector, and more specifically the drilling without removal of material of a plurality of openings (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g ) through the wall 101 of a tube 100.

In accordance with the object of the present invention, the device (1) is first provided with holding means (10) which are able to immobilize the tube (100) in a given position.

The device (1) is further provided with a plurality of punches (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) which are movably mounted in translation (arrow f1) in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tube (100). Each mobility (arrow f1) is exerted between a retracted position in which the active end (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g) of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f , 20g) is spaced from the wall (101) of the tube (100), and an extended position in which said active end (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g) is inserted through said wall ( 101) of the tube (100).

The device (1) finally comprises an actuating member (30) which is movably mounted in translation (arrow f2) in a direction perpendicular to the punches (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g). The actuating member (30) further comprises a bearing surface (31) at least partially inclined which is able to cooperate by sliding contact with the passive end (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f , 22g) of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g). The assembly is arranged in such a way that the translation of the actuating member (30) (arrow f2) causes the translation of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) (arrow f1 ) between its retracted position and its deployed position.

According to a feature of the invention, the bearing surface (31) of the actuating member (30) comprises at least one active part (32, 33), forming a ramp, which is inclined with respect to the perpendicular to the direction in which each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) extends. This characteristic means, on the one hand, that the bearing surface (31) is not necessarily regularly inclined, and that on the other hand, the slope of each active part (32, 33) is not not necessarily continuous. In both cases, there may indeed be breaks in slopes, that is to say abrupt changes in inclination. Each part (32, 33) is here called active because, because of its inclination, it is able to cause the progressive displacement of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) during the translation of the actuating member (30), thereby fully playing its role of ramp.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the slope of each active part (32, 33) is rectilinear. This characteristic makes it possible to generate the displacement of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) with a constant speed, when the speed of translation of the actuating member (30) is also constant.

It should be noted, however, that the profile of each active part (32, 33) could very well be curvilinear. The speed of implementation of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) could then advantageously be modulated according to the degree of insertion of its active end (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e , 21f, 21g) in the wall (101) of the tube (100).

As can be seen in the single figure, the slopes of the various active parts (32, 33) are substantially identical. This This characteristic can be advantageously combined with the fact that the passive end (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g) of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) has a bevelled shape of which the inclination substantially corresponds to the slope of each active part (32, 33) of the bearing surface. This formal complementarity makes it possible to maximize the area of contact between the actuating member (30) and each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) when an active part 32, 33 cooperates by sliding contact. with the corresponding passive end or ends (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g). The transmission of the translational movement of the actuating member (30) to each of the punches (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) is thus significantly optimized.

According to another feature of the invention, the bearing surface (31) of the actuating member 30 comprises at least one passive portion (34), forming a delay zone, which is parallel to the perpendicular to the direction in which extends each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g). This feature also means that the bearing surface (31) is not necessarily regularly inclined, but may have one or more portions extending perpendicularly to the direction of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c). , 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g). Each part (34) is here called passive because, because of its inclination, it does not affect the displacement of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) during translation (arrow f2) of the actuating member (30), thereby fully playing its time zone.

In this particular embodiment, chosen solely by way of example, the bearing surface (31) of the actuating member (30) has two active parts (32, 33) separated by a passive part (34). The first active part (32) corresponds to a roughing phase, the passive part (34) to a delay phase and the second active part (33) to a finishing phase as regards the production of each opening (102a 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g).

According to a new feature of the invention, the device (1) comprises guide means (40) in displacement of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g). However, in this embodiment, the holding means (10) are composed of two jaws (11, 12) whose assembly defines an inner housing (13) of substantially complementary shape to the tube (100). Also, one of the jaws (12) is advantageously provided here with a series of through bores (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, 41f, 41g), forming guide means (40), which are arranged transversely relative to the axis of the inner housing (13) and which are respectively able to guide the movement of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) during their respective translations (arrow f1).

The invention can be applied to any type of heat exchanger, in particular those used in motor vehicles but also in industrial installations.

Claims (13)

1. Method of manufacturing a heat-exchanger manifold, comprising a step of piercing, without the removal of material, a plurality of openings (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g) through the wall (101) of a tube (100), characterised in that the piercing step consists of:

   - successively forming each opening (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g) by moving a specific punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g), in translation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube (100), between a retracted position in which the active end (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g) of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) is placed at a distance from the wall (101) of the tube (100), and a deployed position in which the said active end (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g) is inserted through the said wall (101) of the tube (100)

   - holding each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) in the corresponding opening (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 103e, 102f, 102g) until the piercing of all the openings (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g) is finished.
2. Method of manufacturing according to claim 1, characterised in that the various openings (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g) are produced substantially concomitantly.
3. Method of manufacturing according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that each opening (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g) is produced gradually.
4. Device (1) for implementing the method of manufacturing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises:

   - holding means (10) able to immobilise the tube (100) in a given position,

   - a plurality of punches (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) mounted so as to be able to move in translation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube (100), between a retracted position in which the active end (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g) of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) is placed at a distance from the wall (101) of the tube (100), and a deployed position in which the said active end (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g) is inserted through the said wall (101) of the tube (100),

   - an actuation member (30) that is mounted so as to be able to move in translation in a direction perpendicular to the punches (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) and that comprises an at least partially inclined support surface (31) able to cooperate by a sliding contact with the passive end (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g) of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g), the translation of the actuation member (30) being able to cause the translation of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) between its retracted position and its deployed position.
5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the support surface (31) of the actuation member (30) comprises at least one active part (32, 33) forming a ramp, inclined with respect to the perpendicular to the direction in which each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) extends.
6. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the support surface (31) of the actuation member (30) comprises at least one passive part (34), forming a time-delay zone, which is parallel with respect to the perpendicular to the direction in which each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) extends.
7. Device (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the slope of each active part (32, 33) is rectilinear.
8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the slopes of the various active parts (32, 33) are substantially identical.
9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that the support surface (31) of the actuation member (30) comprises two active parts (32, 33) separated by a passive part (34), the first active part (32) corresponding to a preliminary phase, the passive part (34) corresponding to a time-delay phase and the second active part (33) corresponding to a finishing phase with regard to the production of each opening (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g).
10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterised in that the passive end (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g) of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) has a bevelled shape, the inclination of which corresponds substantially to the slope of each active part (32, 33) of the support surface (31).
11. Device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterised in that it comprises means (40) of guiding each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) in movement.
12. Device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterised in that the holding means (10) comprise at least two jaws (11, 12), the assembly of which defines an internal housing (13) with a shape substantially complementary to the tube (100).
13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterised in that one of the jaws comprises through bores (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, 41f, 41g), forming guidance means (40), which are formed transversely with respect to the axis of the internal housing (13) and which are respectively able to guide the movement of each punch (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g).

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