EP2622295A2

EP2622295A2 - Heat exchanger for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2622295A2
Application number: EP11754840.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aurélie Bellenfant; Alain Pourmarin; Fabienne Bedon; Eric Goyet; Jean Christophe Prevost; Virginie Vincent
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2010-09-30
Filing date: 2011-09-07
Publication date: 2013-08-07
Also published as: US20130299150A1; MX2013003540A; FR2965606A1; FR2965606B1; WO2012041441A3; JP2013542392A; WO2012041441A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1), including: a plurality of tubes (5) enabling a cooling fluid to circulate, wherein said tubes are arranged in the form of a tube bundle (3) having a width (I) in a longitudinal direction (x), a depth (p) in a transverse direction (y), and a height (h) in a vertical direction (z); a first collecting box (9, 87) and a second collecting box (11, 89) into which the tubes (5) of the tube array (3) lead; a first partition (27, 103, 116) arranged in the first collecting box (9, 87) and in the second collecting box (11, 89), respectively, the first partition (27, 103, 116) at least partially dividing the first collecting box (9, 87) and the second collecting box (11, 89), respectively, into a first compartment (28) and second compartment (29) that are adjacent in the transverse direction. The heat exchanger (1) includes at least one second partition (30, 105, 109) dividing the first compartment (28) and the second compartment (29) of the first collecting box (9, 87) into a first chamber (31, 117), a fourth chamber (37, 118), and at least one turn-over compartment (33, 35; 111) that is adjacent to the first chamber (31, 117) and to the fourth chamber (37, 118) in the longitudinal direction.

Description

Heat exchanger for a motor vehicle.

The invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a condenser, a heating system, ventilation and / or air conditioning of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

EP 1 223 391 A1 discloses a conventional design of such a condenser comprising a bundle of tubes, in each of which are formed one or more channels adapted to a circulation of a refrigerant fluid. The tubes are aligned in a single row, and their ends are received in common manifolds, which provide a mutual fluid communication in different tubes of channels.

The refrigerant enters the condenser in the gas phase and, as it passes through the channels of the different tubes, thermally exchange with the air passing through the condenser externally, resulting in progressive condensation in the liquid phase.

However, such a conventional architecture condenser has a relatively large size. The bulk corresponds essentially to the "height" of the condenser, corresponding, by convention, to the height of the tubes used to which is added the height of the collector boxes, and the width of the condenser, corresponding, by convention , at the distance between the end tubes of the beam.

It should be understood, however, that the use of the terms "height" and "width" in no way prejudices the arrangement of the condenser on board the vehicle, which may be such that the tubes are generally arranged vertically, horizontally, or at any inclination, vehicle being considered generally horizontal. In some applications, however, it is not possible to arrange the condenser on the front of the vehicle. This is the case, in particular, when it comes to operate the condenser as an internal condenser. The internal condenser must then be housed within a housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, generally located in the vicinity of the passenger compartment. The volume available to house the internal condenser is then greatly reduced, to the point that the width of the condenser must, in some configurations, be reduced, in particular by a factor of four. It is also known from EP 1 460 364 A1 to produce a beam with two rows of tubes. For each row of tubes, one end of the tubes is received in a manifold, while the opposite end is connected in fluid communication with one or more tubes of the other row. This fluid connection can be achieved either by means of an additional box, common to the two rows of tubes, or by bending tubular elements, each time to create two tubes, ultimately belonging to different rows.

However, for an imposed size, the bending of the tubes substantially reduces the "useful height" of the beam, that is to say the height of the tubes available for heat exchange. Part of the height of the tubes is then "sacrificed" to the bending. In addition, the use of a turning box requires additional components, which increase the cost and complexity of the condenser.

According to another embodiment taught by the document EP 0 414 433, it is known to produce a condenser in two parts, respectively comprising a bundle with a row of tubes and two manifolds into which the tubes open. The manifolds are mutually placed in fluid communication by one or more junction manifolds. This arrangement requires a multiplication of mechanical elements making the realization of such a condenser particularly complex and difficult to industrialize. Moreover, the junction tubes increase the width of the condenser and cause significant pressure losses, because of their passage section is reduced relative to the size of the manifolds they connect.

Thus, it appears that the known exchangers are unsatisfactory to meet the needs of a particular application such as an internal condenser.

The present invention provides a heat exchanger having good thermal performance, minimal pressure losses and dimensions compatible with integration into a housing of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning.

To this end, the present invention provides a heat exchanger comprising:

a plurality of tubes arranged in a bundle of tubes having a width in a longitudinal direction, a depth in a transverse direction and a height in a vertical direction and allowing a circulation of a refrigerant,

a first collector box and a second collector box inside which the tubes of the bundle of tubes open,

a first partition arranged respectively in the first header and in the second header, and

- The first partition dividing, respectively, the first manifold and the second manifold, at least partially, into a first compartment and a second compartment adjacent in the transverse direction. More particularly, the heat exchanger comprises at least a second partition dividing the first compartment and the second compartment of the first header into a first chamber, a fourth chamber and at least one adjacent overturning compartment, in the longitudinal direction, at the first bedroom and the fourth bedroom.

Advantageously, the plurality of tubes is arranged in a first row and in a second row, so that:

a part of the tubes of the first row open into the first chamber of the first header and into the first compartment of the second manifold,

a part of the tubes of the second row open into the fourth chamber of the first manifold and into the second compartment of the second manifold, and

- A portion of the first row tubes and the second row open into the turning compartment of the first manifold.

According to the present invention, the heat exchanger is connected to a refrigerant circuit by a first pipe and a second pipe opening respectively into the first chamber and the fourth chamber of the first manifold.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first partition divides the turning compartment into a second chamber and a third chamber.

Advantageously, the first partition is a partition wall between the second chamber and the third chamber pierced with at least one through passage. In the context of the present invention, the heat exchanger comprises at least one bottom plate and at least one cover, both assembled to form the first header and / or the second header. Complementarily, the first partition is formed by a protrusion of the cover and / or the base plate towards the bottom plate and / or the cover and in contact with the bottom plate and / or cover.

Alternatively, the second partition comprises an additional partition element interposed between the bottom plate and the cover.

According to this alternative, the additional partitioning element is shaped in correspondence of shape with the first manifold and / or the second manifold.

In addition, the lid is formed by a stamped metal plate defining at least a first longitudinal recess and a second longitudinal recess. According to this embodiment, the first partition is formed by a non-stamped area of the metal plate. In addition, the second partition is formed by a non-stamped area of the metal plate.

Finally, the stamped metal plate forming the lid comprises at least one transverse recess, delimited by two second partitions, forming the turning compartment.

The proposed heat exchanger comprises two rows of tubes, organized in two layers of tubes and, in particular, four passes. The thermal performance of the heat exchanger is optimized with respect to an imposed space requirement, in particular when the heat exchanger must be integrated in a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit. Advantageously, the first and the second pass, on the one hand, and the third and fourth passes, on the other hand, are made through tubes of the same row.

The use of two manifolds, each common to the tubes of the two rows, reduces the number of components of the heat exchanger. This arrangement facilitates assembly of the beam. Indeed, the two rows can be assembled simultaneously, in particular during the same brazing operation.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the communication of the tubes of a row with tubes of the other row is carried out in one of the manifolds, without additional parts.

The cost of such a heat exchanger is reduced and assembly is made easier.

Finally, the communication between the two plies of tubes can be dimensioned such that the passage section of the communication means is greater than or equal to the cumulative section of the tubes opening into the placing chambers. This avoids the creation of additional pressure drops. In addition, the communication means are distributed over the entire length of the partition between the placing rooms in several places. This improves the distribution of the rows of tubes, and therefore the efficiency of the heat exchanger, the thermal distribution in the heat exchanger and the internal pressure losses experienced by the flowing fluid. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the statement of its realization but also, if necessary, contribute to its definition on which:

FIG. 1 represents a heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the assembled state, seen in perspective,

FIG. 2 represents the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 in exploded and perspective view,

FIG. 3 represents a detail view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 presenting a first collector box, in an exploded view and in perspective,

FIG. 4 represents a detailed view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 presenting a second collecting box, in exploded and perspective view,

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 1 showing a flow of refrigerant inside the heat exchanger,

FIG. 6 is a detail VI of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 represents a heat exchanger according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a view similar to FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 represents the heat exchanger of FIG. 7 in a view similar to FIG. 2,

FIG. 9 represents a first manifold for the heat exchanger according to FIG. 7, in a view similar to FIG. 3,

FIG. 10 represents a second header for the heat exchanger according to FIG. 7, in a view similar to FIG. 4, and

FIG. 11 shows the heat exchanger according to FIG. 7 in a view similar to FIG. 5. Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 to 4, on which at least a heat exchanger 1 is shown, or first heat exchanger 1, in particular for use as a condenser, in particular as an internal condenser for integration with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle. Figures 1 and 2 show the heat exchanger 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, respectively, in the assembled state and exploded in perspective. More particularly, Figures 3 and 4 show a detail view of the heat exchanger 1 having, respectively, a first manifold and a second manifold, exploded view and in perspective.

The heat exchanger 1 comprises a bundle of tubes 3 consisting of a plurality of tubes 5 adapted to the circulation of a fluid, in particular a refrigerant circulating in an air conditioning loop of a heating, ventilation and / or heating system. or air conditioning of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The heat exchanger 1 extends over a width T along a first direction 'χ', referred to as the longitudinal direction, over a depth 'p' along a second direction 'y', referred to as the transverse direction, and over a height 'h' in a third direction 'z', said vertical direction. According to the present invention, the heat exchanger 1 is arranged such that the tubes 5 are distributed in a first row 7A and a second row 7B. Preferably, the first row 7A and the second row 7B are parallel to each other and are arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction.

Thus, the first row 7A consists of a plurality of tubes 5 arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the second row 7B consists of a plurality of tubes 5 arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction.

Each tube 5 extends to a depth 'pt' in the transverse direction and to a height 'ht' in the vertical direction. A first end of the tube 5 is received in a first manifold 9 and a second end of the tube 5, opposite the first end, is received in a second manifold 11. The first manifold 9 and the second manifold 11 have an elongated shape.

The first manifold 9 and the second manifold 11 extend substantially in the longitudinal direction, and are arranged with respect to the tube bundle 3 so that the longitudinal direction of the first manifold 9 and the second manifold 11 match. to the longitudinal direction of the bundle of tubes 3.

The heat exchanger 1 comprises a first pipe 13 and a second pipe 15 to allow a connection of the heat exchanger 1 to a refrigerant circuit. The first pipe 13 and the second pipe 15 are disposed at a first end of the first manifold 9 and open into the latter. The first pipe 13 and the second pipe 15 can be arranged differently, in particular the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 15 can be arranged at one end of the second header 11 or be respectively disposed at one end of the first header 9 and at one end of the second manifold 11.

The first manifold 9 comprises a profile shaped as a box bottom plate 17, or first bottom plate 17, and a profile shaped as a box lid 19, or first lid 19. The first bottom plate 17 and the first cover 19 are fixed to one another in order to achieve an interior volume defining the first manifold 9.

The first bottom plate 17 is pierced with a plurality of first orifices 21. The plurality of first orifices 21 is distributed in two rows so that the first orifices 21 of each of the rows are aligned in the longitudinal direction. The section of each first orifice 21 is shaped so that it fits the contour of the cross section of the tubes 5. Here, without limitation, the tubes 5 have a shape of flat tubes.

The first bottom plate 17 and the first cover 19 have a cross section shaped into two joined circle portions. The first bottom plate 17 and the first cover 19 have complementary cross sections, which, when joined, correspond to the cross section of the first manifold 9. Thus, when assembling the first bottom plate 17 and the first cover 19, the first manifold 9 is shaped in the manner of two cylindrical portions of circular section, interconnected by a common generator.

The first manifold 9 further comprises a first closing partition 22. The first closing partition 22 is of a shape corresponding to the cross section of the first manifold 9. The first closing partition 22 is interposed between the first bottom plate 17 and the first cover 19. According to the first embodiment of the invention, the first closing partition 22 is disposed at a second end of the first manifold 9 opposite the first end on which the first manifold 13 is disposed and the second tubing 15.

The first manifold 9 also comprises a second closing partition 23, of a general shape similar to the first closing partition 22, interposed between the first bottom plate 17 and the first cover 19, at the first end of the first header 9 .

The second closing partition 23 is distinguished from the first closing partition 22 in that it is pierced with two openings adapted to receive respectively end portions of the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 15. Advantageously, the openings of the second closing partition 23 are arranged, respectively, approximately at the center of each of the two circular portions forming the second closing partition 23. The first closing partition 22 and the second closing partition 23 are fixed sealingly to the first bottom plate 17 and the first cover 19, for example by brazing.

According to a particular embodiment of the first embodiment of the invention, the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 15 are attached to a plate 24. The plate 24 has a first connection port 25 and a second connection port 26 adapted to receive end portions of the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 15. The plate 24 also have end portions (not referenced) received in the openings of the second closure wall 23. According to an alternative embodiment, the first pipe 13, the second tubing 15, the plate 24, the first connection port 25 and the second connection port 26 are made in a single piece. Thus defined, the first manifold 9 has a closed interior space into which the tubes 5 of the bundle of tubes 3 open.

In cross section, the first cover 19 has, at the junction of the two portions of a circle, a first partition 27, made, in particular, in the form of a projection 27, extending, in the longitudinal direction, in the direction of the first bottom plate 17, over the entire length of the first cover 19.

The protrusion 27 forms a first separation which, in cooperation with the first bottom plate 17, divides the interior space of the first manifold 9 into a first compartment 28 and a second compartment 29 extending respectively in the longitudinal direction over any or part of the length of the first manifold 9. The first compartment 28 and the second compartment 29 are mutually adjacent in the transverse direction. A first row of the first orifices 21 of the first bottom plate 17 is housed in the first compartment 28, while the second row of the first orifices 21 is housed in the second compartment 29.

The first manifold 9 further comprises a second partition 30, made in particular as an additional partition member 30. The additional partition member 30 is formed as a flat piece of similar shape to the first closure wall 22, interposed between the first bottom plate 17 and the first cover 19. The additional partition element 30 is arranged in the second direction 'y'. According to one embodiment, the additional partitioning element 30 is in a median position relative to the first and second ends of the first manifold 9.

According to the embodiment shown, optionally, the additional partition element 30 has a slot adapted to adapt to the passage of the projection 27. As a further alternative, the projection 27 also has a homologous slot intended to cooperate with the slot the additional partitioning element 30. The additional partitioning element 30 acts as a separator which divides the first compartment 28 into a first chamber 31 and a second chamber 33. The second chamber 33 is thus adjacent to the first chamber 31 as follows the longitudinal direction. According to the embodiment shown, the first pipe 13 opens into the first chamber 31 of the first compartment 28. Also, the additional partition element 30 divides the second compartment 29 into a third chamber 35 and a fourth chamber 37. The third chamber 35 is adjacent to the second chamber 33 in the transverse direction. Moreover, the fourth chamber 37 is adjacent to the third chamber 35 in the longitudinal direction. According to the embodiment shown, the second tube 15 opens into fourth chamber 37.

The first orifices 21 of the first bottom plate 17 housed in the first compartment 28 and the second compartment 29 are distributed, approximately equally, between the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 33, on the one hand, and between the third chamber room 35 and the fourth room 37, on the other hand.

According to the present invention, the projection 27 is pierced with at least one through passage 38, advantageously a plurality of through passages 38. The through passage 38, or the plurality of through passages 38, opens into the second chamber 33 and the third Chamber 35. The through passage 38, or the plurality of through passages 38, allows a communication between the second chamber 33 and the third chamber 35. In a particular embodiment incorporating a plurality of through passages 38, the passages through 38 are regularly distributed over the entire length of the projection 27 separating the second chamber 33 and the third chamber 35. Thus defined, the second chamber 33 and the third chamber 35 define, in common, a turning compartment.

The second manifold 11 is similarly shaped to the first manifold 9. However, the second manifold 11 includes structural differences from the first manifold 9 which are:

- the additional partitioning element 30 is replaced by a stiffening element 51, made of a flat piece of contour similar to the additional partitioning element 30, the second closing partition 23 is replaced by a partition element similar to the first closing partition 22, and

the projection 27 of the second manifold 11 does not have a through-passage 38 or a plurality of through-passages 38.

The stiffening element 51 is pierced with two passages 53. Advantageously, the two passages 53 of the stiffening element 51 are arranged, respectively, approximately at the center of each of the two circular portions forming the stiffening element 51. According to the embodiment shown, the stiffening element 51 is arranged in the second direction Y, and is in a median position with respect to the first and second stiffening ends of the second manifold 11.

The stiffening element 51 and the projection 27 of the second header 11 together form a second set of partitions which divides the first compartment 28 of the second manifold 11 into a first chamber 55 and a second chamber 57. The first chamber 55 and the second chamber 57 are respectively elongate in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the first chamber 55 is adjacent to the second chamber 57 in the longitudinal direction, or first direction 'x'.

Similarly, the stiffening element 51 and the projection 27 of the second manifold 11 divide the second compartment 29 of the second manifold 11 into a third chamber 59 and a fourth chamber 61. The third chamber 59 and the fourth chamber 61 are respectively elongate in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the third chamber 59 is adjacent to the fourth chamber 61 in the longitudinal direction, or first direction 'x'. On the other hand, the third chamber 59 is adjacent to the second chamber 57 in the transverse direction, and the fourth chamber 61 is adjacent to the first chamber 55 in the transverse direction. The heat exchanger 1 also comprises a plurality of heat exchange fins 63. Each heat exchange fin 63 is disposed between two tubes 5 adjacent and belonging to the first row 7A and between two tubes 5 belonging to the the second row 7B. In order to facilitate heat exchange, each heat exchange fin 63 is in contact with the two adjacent tubes 5 between which it is disposed.

By exception, the heat exchange fins 63 disposed at the ends of the tube bundle 3 are in contact with a tube 5 of the first row 7A and the second row 7B and, with a terminal cheek 65. In particular, the cheek terminal 65 provides a stiffening of the assembly of the heat exchanger 1. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the heat exchange fin 63 is disjoint to create a space between the first row 7A and the second row 7B of tubes 5 of the heat exchanger 1.

According to the embodiment shown, the additional partition element 30 and the stiffening element 51 are in a median position with respect to the first and second ends, respectively, of the first manifold 9 and the second manifold 11 However, depending on the refrigerant circulation patterns in the heat exchanger 1, the additional partition member 30 and the stiffening member 51 may be arranged at various positions, with respect to the first and second ends, respectively, the first manifold 9 and the second manifold 11, in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 1 showing a flow of refrigerant inside the heat exchanger 1. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of FIG. 5. The refrigerant enters the first chamber 31 of the first manifold 9 through the first manifold 13 (arrow 67). It borrows the tubes 5 of the first row 7A opening into the first chamber 31 to reach the first chamber 55 of the second header 1 1 (arrow 69). From the first chamber 55, the refrigerant passes through the passage 53 of the stiffening element 51 to reach the second chamber 57 of the second manifold 11 (arrow 71).

As a result, the refrigerant flows through the tubes 5 of the first row 7A to reach the second chamber 33 of the first manifold 9 (arrow 73).

From the second chamber 33 of the first header 9, the coolant passes through the through passages 38 to reach the third chamber 35 of the first manifold 9 (arrow 75).

From the third chamber 35 of the first manifold 9, the refrigerant borrows the tubes 5 of the second row 7B to reach the third chamber 59 of the second header 1 1 (arrow 77). From the third chamber 59 of the second manifold 11, the coolant reaches the fourth chamber 61 of the second manifold 11 through the passage 53 of the stiffening element 51 (arrow 79).

Finally, the refrigerant borrows the tubes 5 of the second row 7B to reach the fourth chamber 37 of the first manifold 9 (arrow 81) before leaving the heat exchanger 1 via the second manifold 15 (arrow 83 ).

In the first manifold 9, the through passages 38 put in fluid communication the second chamber 33 and the third chamber 35. The cross section of the through passages 38 is determined in such a way that the pressure drops of the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger 1 are minimized. This implies in particular that the cumulative section of the through passages 38 is greater than or equal to the cumulative cross section of the tubes 5 opening into the second chamber 33.

FIG. 7 shows a heat exchanger 85 according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a view similar to FIG. 1. FIG. 8 represents the heat exchanger 85 of FIG. 7 in a view similar to FIG. 2.

Moreover, FIGS. 9 and 10 represent, respectively, a first header and a second manifold of the heat exchanger 85 according to the second embodiment of the invention, in views similar to FIGS. 4.

The heat exchanger 85 is distinguished by the design of a first manifold 87 and a second manifold 89 different from the first manifold 9 and the second manifold 11 of the heat exchanger 1 according to the invention. first embodiment of the invention.

The other components previously detailed in relation to the first embodiment of the invention are identical. They will not be described in more detail. For this purpose reference will be made to the description given above.

The first manifold 87 of the heat exchanger 85 according to the second embodiment of the invention comprises a profile shaped as a box bottom plate 91, or second bottom plate 91, and a profile shaped as a cover plate. box 93, or second cover 93. The second bottom plate 91 and the second cover 93 are fixed to each other in order to provide an interior volume defining the first manifold 87. More particularly, the second bottom plate 91 comprises a first large contact face 94 and the second cover 93 has a second large contact face 94. Thus arranged, the second bottom plate 91 and the second cover 93 are assembled with mutual support of the large contact face 94 of the second bottom plate 91 and the large contact face 94 of the second cover 93.

The second bottom plate 91 is pierced with a plurality of second orifices 95, similar in shape and disposition to the first orifices 21 of the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

The second bottom plate 91 is provided on its longitudinal edges with a plurality of hooking tabs 97 intended to be folded over the second cover 93, on an outer face, opposite to the large contact face 94 of the second cover 93.

The second cover 93 has a first longitudinal recess 99 and a second longitudinal recess 101. The first longitudinal recess 99 and the second longitudinal recess 101 are elongate in the longitudinal direction, and mutually adjacent in the transverse direction. Preferably, the first longitudinal recess 99 and the second longitudinal recess 101 have cross sections of substantially semicircular shape. According to a particular embodiment, the first longitudinal recess 99 and the second longitudinal recess 101 are made by stamping a metal plate to obtain the second cover 93.

The first longitudinal recess 99 is separated from the second longitudinal recess 101 by a first partition 103, made, in particular, in the form of a longitudinal partition wall 103. The partition wall longitudinal 103 is obtained, in particular, by a lack of stamping of a corresponding part of the second cover 93.

The first longitudinal recess 99 and the second longitudinal recess 101 have, respectively, an open longitudinal end on a longitudinal end of the second cover 93.

In addition, the first longitudinal recess 99 and the second longitudinal recess 101 have a closed opposite longitudinal end composed of a second partition 105, made, in particular, in the form of a transverse partition 105 of the second cover 93. In a similar manner at the longitudinal partition wall 103, the transverse partition wall 105 of the second cover 93 is obtained, in particular, by a lack of stamping of a corresponding part of the second cover 93.

The transverse partition wall 105 of the second cover 93 is, in the particular embodiment shown, in the middle position relative to the second cover 93 in the longitudinal direction.

In the assembled state the heat exchanger 85 according to the second embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal partition wall 103 and the transverse partition wall 105 act in the manner of partitions which create inside the first collector box 87, a first chamber 117 and a second chamber 118.

The first chamber 117 and the second chamber 118 have their relative positions corresponding to the relative positions of the first recess 99 and the second recess 101, and in which are housed respectively a portion of the second orifices 95 of a first row 7A and part of second orifices 95 of the second row 7B. Opposite the first recess 99 and the second recess 101 relative to the transverse partition wall 105 of the second cover 93, the second cover 93 has a plurality of transverse recesses 107. The transverse recesses 107 are of elongate shape in the transverse direction. In particular, the transverse recesses 107 are made by stamping.

The transverse recesses 107 are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction. Two adjacent transverse recesses 107 are separated by a second partition 109, made, in particular, in the form of an additional separation wall 109. Each additional separation wall 109 is obtained, in particular, by a lack of stamping of a corresponding portion of the second cover 93. When the second bottom plate 91 and the second cover 93 are mutually joined, the transverse partition wall 105 and the additional partition walls 109 act as partitions. The transverse partition wall 105 and the additional partition walls 109 create, in the interior space of the first manifold 87, third chambers 111. The third chambers 111 are mutually adjacent in the longitudinal direction.

According to the variant presented given by way of nonlimiting example, each third chamber 111 houses two second orifices 95 of the first row and the second row of second orifices 95.

Thus defined, each third chamber 111 defines, individually or in combination, a turning compartment. Alternatively or in a complementary manner, one of the third chambers 111 houses a single second orifice 95 of the first row 7A and the second row 7B of second holes 95. Of course, the number of second orifices 95 of the first row 7A and the second row 7B of second orifices 95 opening into each third chamber 111 may be greater than or less than three.

Each third chamber 111 puts in fluid communication one or more tubes 5 of the first row 7A with a corresponding number of tubes 5 of the second row 7B. The second bottom plate 91 has, vis-à-vis the open longitudinal end of the first longitudinal recess 99 and the second longitudinal recess 101, two supports 110. The supports 110 are of semicircular section, made, in particular, by stamping the second bottom plate 91.

When the second base plate 91 and the second cover 93 are mutually assembled, the supports 110, in combination with the first longitudinal recess 99 and the second longitudinal recess 101, define circular section orifices adapted to receive the first tubing 13 and the second tubing 15, made here in the form of cylindrical pieces of circular section.

The second manifold 89 has a second bottom plate 112 analogous to the second bottom plate 91 of the first box 87, except that it is devoid of supports 110.

The second manifold 89 further has a second cover 113 having two longitudinal recesses 115. The two longitudinal recesses 115 of the second cover 113 of the second manifold 89 are adjacent to each other in the transverse direction. Advantageously, the two longitudinal recesses 115 are made by stamping and are separated from one another by a first partition 116, carried out, in particular, in the form of a longitudinal partition wall 116. The longitudinal partition wall 116 is obtained, in particular, by a lack of stamping of a corresponding part of the second cover 113.

When the second cover 113 and the second backplate 112 are assembled, the longitudinal dividing wall 116 of the second cover 113 acts as a partition and divides the inside of the second header 89 into two longitudinal chambers which in mutual fluid communication, on the one hand, the set of tubes 5 of the first row 7A and, on the other hand, all the tubes 5 of the second row 7B.

FIG. 1 shows the heat exchanger 85 according to FIG. 7 in a view similar to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 11, the circulation of the refrigerant inside the heat exchanger 85 is analogous to the circulation of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, except that the through passages 38 of coolant between the second chamber and the third chamber are replaced by the plurality of third rooms 111.

Advantageously, the heat exchanger 1 according to the first embodiment and the heat exchanger 85 according to the second embodiment further comprise fixing means adapted so that the heat exchanger according to the present invention presents in a motor vehicle a position such that the tubes 5 extend in height in a vertical direction, when the vehicle is positioned substantially horizontally.

Such positioning, advantageously associated with the circulation of the refrigerant in four passes, minimizes the temperature differences of the air at the outlet of the heat exchanger. In addition, according to the first embodiment, it is conceivable to have a plurality of additional partitioning element 30 and a plurality of stiffening elements 51 in the first manifold 9 and / or the second manifold 11. according to the second embodiment, it is conceivable to have at least one transverse partition wall, similar to the transverse partition wall 105, in the second header 89 of the heat exchanger 85. Similarly, it is possible to to provide a plurality of transverse partition walls 105 in the first manifold 87 of the heat exchanger 85. These alternative embodiments allow to obtain heat exchangers having a number of passes greater than four.

A particular application of the present invention consists of an internal condenser in a motor vehicle air conditioning circuit operating at least in a heat pump mode, the internal condenser being disposed in a housing of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system. of the vehicle.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be considered by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular any combination of the various embodiments described above.

Claims

claims

A heat exchanger (1) comprising:

i. a plurality of tubes (5) arranged in a bundle of tubes (3) having a width (I) in a longitudinal direction (x), a depth

(p) in a transverse direction (y) and a height (h) in a vertical direction (z) and allowing circulation of a refrigerant fluid;

ii. a first manifold (9, 87) and a second manifold (11, 89) into which the tubes (5) of the tube bundle (3) open;

iii. a first partition (27, 103, 116) arranged respectively in the first manifold (9, 87) and in the second manifold (11, 89),

iv. the first partition (27, 103, 116) dividing, respectively, the first manifold (9, 87) and the second manifold (11, 89), at least partially, into a first compartment (28) and a second compartment (29) adjacent in the transverse direction;

characterized in that the heat exchanger (1) comprises at least a second partition (30, 105, 109) dividing the first compartment (28) and the second compartment (29) of the first manifold (9, 87) into a first chamber (31, 1 17), a fourth chamber (37, 1 18) and at least one upturned compartment (33, 35, 1 1 1) adjacent, in the longitudinal direction, to the first chamber (31, 117); ) and the fourth chamber (37, 1 18).

Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of tubes (5) is arranged in a first row (7A) and a second row (7B), and in that part of the tubes ( 5) of the first row (7A) open into the first chamber (31, 1 17) of the first header (9, 87) and into the first compartment (28) of the second manifold (11, 89), a portion of the tubes (5) of the second row (7B) open into the fourth chamber (37, 118) of the first manifold (9, 87) and into the second compartment (29) of the second header (11, 89), and a portion of the first row tubes (5) and the second row (7B) open into the inverting compartment (33, 35; 111) of the first manifold (9, 87).

Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger (1) comprises a first pipe (13) and a second pipe (15) opening respectively into the first chamber (31, 117) and the fourth chamber (37, 118) of the first manifold (9, 87).

4. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first partition (27) divides the turning compartment (33, 35) into a second chamber (33) and a third chamber ( 35)

5. heat exchanger (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first partition (27) is a partition wall between the second chamber (33) and the third chamber (35) pierced with at least one through passage (38).

Heat exchanger (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger (1) comprises at least one bottom plate (17, 91) and at least one cover (19, 93). assembled together to form the first manifold (9, 87) and / or the second manifold (11, 89).

7. heat exchanger (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first partition (27, 103, 116) is formed by a projection of the cover (19, 93) and / or the bottom plate (17, 91) towards the base plate (17, 91) and / or the cover (19, 93) and in contact with the base plate (17, 91). 91) and / or cover (19, 93).

Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second partition comprises an additional partition element (30) interposed between the bottom plate (17) and the cover (19).

Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the additional partition element (30) is shaped in correspondence with the first header (9, 87) and / or the second header (11, 89).

10. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the cover (93) is formed by a stamped metal plate defining at least a first longitudinal recess (99) and a second longitudinal recess (101).

11. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first partition (103, 116) is formed by a non-stamped area of the metal plate.

12. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the second partition (105, 109) is formed by a non-stamped area of the metal plate.

13. Heat exchanger (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the stamped metal plate forming the cover (93) comprises at least one transverse recess (107), delimited by two second partitions (105). , 109), forming the turning compartment (111).