EP3491324A1

EP3491324A1 - Collector box, sealing means and corresponding heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: EP3491324A1
Application number: EP17748839.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yves SEYNAT; Christian Riondet; Rémi TOURNOIS; Jean-Marc Lesueur; Fabien BIREAUD; Xavier Marchadier; José TRINDADE
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2016-07-29
Filing date: 2017-07-25
Publication date: 2019-06-05
Also published as: CN110546449A; FR3054652A1; US11274885B2; WO2018020137A1; CN110546449B; FR3054652B1; US20210293492A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger collector box (3) comprising: - a collector plate (11) having holes respectively lined by collars (19) for passage of the ends of heat exchange tubes (7), - a sealing means (13), and - a cover closing the collector box (3). According to the invention, the sealing means (13) comprises at least one support face (29) and is arranged on the collector plate (11) such that: - the support surface (29) is arranged abutting and under tension against one of the collars (19) when the sealing means (13) is assembled with the collector plate (11), and - in the compressed state, the sealing means (13) is kept away from the ends of the heat exchange tubes (7) by interposing collars (19) between the sealing means (13) and the ends of said tubes (7).

Description

COLLECTOR BOX, SEALING MEANS AND EXCHANGER

THERMAL CORRESPONDING

The invention relates to a manifold for a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a sealing means intended to be arranged in such a collecting box. The invention also relates to a corresponding heat exchanger.

Heat exchangers used in motor vehicles are already known, such as radiators for example for cooling the engine coolant.

Generally, such a heat exchanger comprises a bundle of tubes and fins interposed between the tubes, and a collection box. This manifold comprises at least two parts: a collector plate receiving the ends of the tubes and a cover which is fixed on the collector plate to close the collector box by compressing a sealing means.

According to a known solution, the header plate comprises a groove or groove intended to facilitate in particular the positioning and the holding in place of the sealing means. Then, the cover is positioned on the sealing means and the cover is fixed on the header plate to close the manifold.

In a variant, so-called flat collector plates are known which do not have a groove or groove, in particular at its periphery. The term "flat collector plate" means that this collector plate extends along a single flat surface, with the exception of collars conventionally protruding to receive the ends of the tubes. The lid compresses and holds in position the sealing means on the bottom of the flat collector plate.

According to these known solutions, the sealing means comes into contact with the ends of the heat exchange tubes opening inside the manifold. However, when the sealing means is compressed by the introduction of the cover, the sealing means in turn exerts a pressure, in particular against the ends of the first and last heat exchange tubes of the heat exchange bundle. In particular, in the case of a heat exchanger assembled by soldering, the heat exchange tubes are thin and the ends of the tubes, in particular the first and last tubes, which are in contact with the sealing means can deform under the effect of pressure exerted by the sealing means.

The invention aims to at least partially overcome these problems of the prior art by providing a manifold comprising a sealing means whose arrangement is optimized to reduce the risk of deformation of the ends of the exchange tubes thermal opening in the collector box.

For this purpose the invention relates to a manifold for a heat exchanger comprising:

a collector plate having a plurality of holes respectively flanked by flanges for the passage of ends of a plurality of heat exchange tubes,

compressible sealing means disposed on the peripheral contour of the collecting plate, and

a lid closing the manifold by compressing the sealing means.

According to the invention the sealing means comprises at least one bearing surface and is arranged on the collecting plate, so that:

said at least one bearing surface is arranged in abutment against one of said collars when the sealing means is assembled with the collector plate, the sealing means being further shaped to be tensioned on the collector plate via the surface; and the sealing means in the compressed state of the sealing means is kept at a distance from the ends of the heat exchange tubes by interposition of the collars between the sealing means and the ends of said tubes.

According to one aspect of the invention, said at least one bearing surface is configured to abut only against said collar and the sealing means is configured to be free of any contact with the ends of the heat exchange tubes.

This prevents the deformation of the ends of the heat exchange tubes by pressure of the sealing means when the heat exchange tubes are introduced into the manifold and during assembly of the cover to the collector plate.

In addition, the sealing means being in tension on the collars via the at least one bearing surface, this makes it possible to maintain the positioning of the sealing means with the collector plate during assembly of the collector box and thus to prevent the sealing means from easily dissociating itself from the collecting plate, or to put itself in a bad position (for example by twisting, reversing, creep, twisting or other). The header box may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken separately or in combination:

at least one bearing surface is arranged against an end collar;

the collars are protuberant on the collector plate and extend towards the inside of the collector box, and the sealing means has before compression a maximum height less than or equal to the height at which collars are arranged on the plate collecting. Thus, the sealing means does not exceed the collars, so that it does not come into contact with the ends of the heat exchange tubes as they pass through the collector plate;

the collars are protruding on the collector plate and extend towards the inside of the collector box, and the sealing means has a maximum height greater than the height at which collars are arranged on the collector plate before compression; , the upper maximum height being determined so that the sealing means in the compressed state is kept at a distance from the ends of the heat exchange tubes through the collars. In this way, the sealing means does not come into contact with the ends of the heat exchange tubes when the sealing means is compressed;

the collars are aligned at the same height, for example in the case of a flat collector plate;

- Collars are arranged on the collector plate at different heights and the sealing means has before compression a maximum height less than or equal to the height of the collar less high;

the sealing means has a peripheral portion of substantially rectangular shape, and comprises at least one holding portion extending in the transverse direction and having said at least one bearing surface. The holding portions prevent the sealing means from moving or flowing during the various thermal cycles of the heat exchanger;

at least one holding portion having said at least one bearing surface, the holding portion being arranged between two successive collars and having a width substantially equal to the distance between the two collars, for example of the order of 2.5 mm at 5 mm;

said at least one holding portion is made in one piece with the portion peripheral of the sealing means. The sealing means is thus of simple and inexpensive design;

at least one holding portion extends transversely so as to join the two long sides of the sealing means;

at least one holding portion is made in the form of an ergot;

said at least one holding portion has a flat on its upper face facing the lid;

the collector plate extends along a substantially flat surface with the exception of collars;

- The header plate comprises a peripheral groove for receiving at least partially the sealing means;

the lid comprises a lid base;

the cover foot has a predefined number of protrusions projecting from the inner wall of the lid base and extending towards the sealing means on the collector plate, so as to bear against the sealing means when the Slip plate is assembled with the cover. The protuberances on the cover foot contribute to maintaining the sealing means in position and prevent the sealing means from moving or flue during the various thermal cycles;

- At least one protrusion of the cover foot is arranged in abutment against said at least one holding portion of the sealing means.

The invention also relates to a sealing means for a collector box as defined above. The sealing means comprises a peripheral portion of substantially rectangular shape and further comprises at least one holding portion extending in the transverse direction and having at least one bearing surface configured to be arranged in abutment against a collar of a collector plate of the collector box when the sealing means is assembled with the collector plate. The sealing means is furthermore elastic so as to be tensioned on the header plate via the bearing surface, and said at least one holding portion has a predefined maximum height before compression to be less than or equal to the height. wherein said collar is disposed on the header plate. Such a sealing means is therefore compressible and is intended to be arranged in a manifold so as to bear against one or more collars of the collector plate of this collector box without coming into contact with the ends of exchange tubes. thermal assembly of the heat exchanger. The sealing means may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken separately or in combination:

the sealing means is in the form of a seal;

the sealing means is elastic;

said at least one holding portion has a width of the order of 2.5mm to 5mm;

said at least one holding portion is made in one piece with the peripheral portion of the sealing means;

at least one holding portion is made in the form of an ergot;

said at least one holding portion has a flat on its upper face facing the lid.

The invention also relates to a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a bundle of heat exchange tubes. According to the invention, the heat exchanger further comprises at least one collecting box as described above, and such that the sealing means comprises at least one bearing surface arranged in abutment against one of said collars when the means of sealing is assembled with the collector plate and is shaped to be tensioned on the collector plate via the bearing surface, and in the compressed state of the sealing means, is arranged at a distance from the ends of said tubes passing through the collector plate by interposition of snares.

A collar is therefore always present between the sealing means and a heat exchange tube end opening into the header box.

Thus, it is provided in a simple manner and without the need for additional parts that the sealing means do not transmit force against the ends of the heat exchange tubes, in particular the end tubes, when the cover is assembled on the plate. collector which compresses the sealing means. This prevents the ends of the heat exchange tubes from being deformed.

According to one aspect of the invention, the ends of the heat exchange tubes are respectively fixed to two collector boxes.

According to another aspect of the invention, said beam comprises an alternating stack of heat exchange tubes and heat exchange fins.

According to a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger is assembled by brazing.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded partial view of a heat exchanger comprising a collecting box according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional and exploded view of a heat exchanger comprising a collecting box according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing the heat exchanger of FIG. 2 in the assembled state,

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a collector plate of the collector box according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing a collector plate housing a sealing means,

FIG. 6a is a partial sectional view of a seal according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 6b is a partial sectional view of a seal according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 6c is a partial sectional view of a seal according to a variant of the second embodiment,

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing a lid of the collector box of FIG. 1 or 2, and

- Figure 8 is a partial view showing the inside of the collector box of Figure 2 in the assembled state. In these figures, the identical elements bear the same references.

The following achievements are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

In certain figures, there is shown a reference L, T corresponding to a horizontal plane, the L axis corresponding to a longitudinal axis and the T axis corresponding to a transverse axis.

In the present description, the terms vertical / horizontal or upper / lower are designated with reference to the arrangement of the elements in the figures, which generally corresponds to the arrangement of the elements in the mounted state in the motor vehicle.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the invention relates to a heat exchanger 1 for a motor vehicle, in particular for cooling the engine coolant. Advantageously, the invention applies to a heat exchanger 1 brazed, that is to say, the various elements are assembled by brazing.

The heat exchanger 1 comprises at least one manifold 3, generally two manifolds 3, the or each manifold 3 for collecting and distributing a first fluid such as the coolant. More particularly, the invention relates to such a manifold 3.

The heat exchanger 1 further comprises a beam 5 formed of a plurality of heat exchange tubes 7, for example aluminum, arranged in one or more rows of tubes. The heat exchange tubes 7 respectively define one or more channels for the flow of a first fluid, for example the coolant. By way of non-limiting example, the heat exchange tubes 7 are flat tubes. In addition, the heat exchange tubes 7 extend respectively along a longitudinal axis A. In this example, the longitudinal axis A is substantially vertical with reference to the arrangement of the elements in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Only one end of the heat exchange tubes 7 is visible in FIGS. 1 to 3. According to one embodiment, the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7 are respectively fixed to two collector boxes 3. The beam 5 may furthermore comprise a plurality of heat exchange fins 9, shown schematically in FIGS. 1 to 3, arranged alternately with the heat exchange tubes 7. The heat exchange fins 9 are advantageously provided so as to disturb the flow of a second fluid such as an air flow between the heat exchange tubes 7, so as to increase the heat exchange surface between the two fluids.

In this example, the bundle 5 further comprises two lateral cheeks 10 arranged on either side of the stack of heat exchange tubes 7 and heat exchange fins 9. These side cheeks 10 are assembled by brazing at the remainder of the beam 5 in the case of a heat exchanger 1 soldered.

As regards more particularly the manifold 3, the latter comprises:

a collector plate 11,

a sealing means such as a seal 13, and

a lid 15 closing the manifold 3 by compressing the sealing gasket 13.

The collector plate 11, which can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, is for example made of aluminum or of aluminum alloy.

The collector plate 11 extends longitudinally in the direction L. The direction T is perpendicular to the direction L, generally in the plane of extension of the collector plate 11.

On the collector plate 11 may be provided fixing means such as crimping tabs 16 intended to be crimped on the edges of the cover 15.

In addition, the header plate 11 has a plurality of orifices 17 for the passage of the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7. These orifices 17 are respectively flanked by flanges 19.

According to the embodiments shown, the collars 19 are protruding relative to the collector plate 11, and extend towards the inside of the collector box 3, when the cover 15 is assembled to the collector plate 11.

According to the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the manifold plate 11 may be substantially flat, with the exception of collars 19, that is to say without throat. The collector plate 11 has, for example, a bottom 11a, also called a core, of shape substantially rectangular and edges or flanges 11b. According to the illustrated example, the edges 11b extend substantially peφendiculairement relative to the bottom 11a. It is for example folded edges 11b. The fastening means such as crimping tabs 16 are for example provided on the edges 11b.

The orifices 17 are formed on the bottom 11a of the header plate 11. In addition, the edges 11b make it possible to define a housing for the seal 13 in the same plane as the orifices 17. In addition, according to this embodiment, the collars 19 are for example all at the same height h (see Figure 4).

According to the second embodiment in FIGS. 2 and 3, the collector plate 11 may comprise a peripheral groove 21 for receiving at least a portion of the seal 13. The collector plate 11 also comprises in this second embodiment realization of edges or rims for example folded 11b may have the fastening means such as crimping tabs 16.

This peripheral groove 21 has a bottom 22 and two side walls 23, 24 connected by the bottom 22. One of the side walls, also called inner wall 23, is closest to the orifices 17 and the collars 19. The side wall 24 opposite or outer side wall 24, that is to say the farthest from the orifices 17 and collars 19, is formed on the edges 11b of the header plate 11. The bottom 22 of the peripheral groove 21 extends for example in a plane substantially perpendicular to the edges 1 lb of the collector plate 11.

Furthermore, the header plate 11 comprises at least one upper bearing 25 protruding relative to the bottom 22 of the peripheral groove 21. The upper bearing 25 extends for example to a height corresponding to the extension height of the edges 11b of the The upper bearing 25 thus extends in a different plane and above the plane along which the bottom 22 of the peripheral groove 21 extends, with reference to the arrangement of the elements in FIGS. 2 and 3. In other words, the upper bearing 25 is raised relative to the bottom 22 of the peripheral groove 21. In particular, the upper bearing 25 extends in a plane parallel to the plane along which the bottom 22 of the peripheral groove 21 extends. The upper bearing 25 is also called medallion.

At at least one longitudinal end of the header plate 11, preferably at each longitudinal end, the header plate 11 may further comprise an intermediate portion 27 connecting the upper bearing 25 to the peripheral groove 21. In particular, the intermediate portion 27 may be inclined with respect to the plane defined by the upper bearing 25. The intermediate portion 27 further extends in this example to an evolutive height relative to the bottom 22 of the peripheral groove 21.

In addition, according to a particular embodiment, at one or both longitudinal ends of the manifold plate 11, the side wall 23 between the bottom 22 of the peripheral groove 21 and the end collar 19, that is, ie bordering the first or the last orifice 17, has a slope. The slope of the side wall 23 is thus inclined with respect to the plane of the opposite side wall 24 and also with respect to the plane along which the bottom 22 of the peripheral groove 21 extends. According to the illustrated example, the plane of the side wall 24 is a vertical plane and the bottom plane 22 is a horizontal plane with reference to the arrangement of the elements in FIG. 1. The slope of the side wall 23 of the peripheral groove 21 extends in the illustrated example according to a direction different from the direction of extension of the intermediate portion 27. These include concurrent directions.

According to this second embodiment, the orifices 17 flanked by collars 19 are formed on the upper bearing 25 and the intermediate portion 27. For example, two or three collars 19 are formed on the intermediate portion 27. As a result, the collars 19 are not all at the same height along the intermediate portion 27. The core of the collector plate 11 comprises the upper bearing 25 and the intermediate portion 27. In particular, at at least one longitudinal end of the collector plate 11, the end collar 19 is arranged on the intermediate portion 27.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 6c, the sealing means such as a seal 13 is described in more detail. It is a compressible seal 13 placed on the peripheral contour of the plate. The seal 13 has a shape complementary to the periphery of the header plate 11. In particular here, the seal 13 has a peripheral portion of substantially rectangular shape with two long sides 13a opposite and two short sides 13b opposite. This peripheral portion may have by way of nonlimiting example a substantially circular cross section.

This seal 13 is arranged either on the bottom 11a of the header plate 11 (Figure 5), or in the groove 21 (Figure 2) when provided. In the assembled state of the header box 3, the seal 13 is arranged between the cover 15 and the header plate 11, the cover 15 compressing the seal 13 to close the manifold 3 while sealing the collecting box 3.

Advantageously, the seal 13 is elastic and is energized when it is arranged on the collector plate 11.

In addition, the seal 13 has at least one bearing surface 29, better visible in Figures 5 to 6c, configured to bear against one of the collars 19 when the seal 13 is assembled with the plate In particular, at least one bearing surface 29 is arranged against an end collar 19 bordering the first or last orifice 17.

In particular, the seal 13 when compressed is supported only against a collar 19, in particular by its bearing surfaces 29, and not against a heat exchange tube end 7 opening inside the the manifold 3. The seal 13 has no surface configured to bear against the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7. For this purpose, the seal 13 is held at a distance from the ends of the tubes heat exchange 7 by interposition of the collars 19 between the seal 13 and the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7. In other words, a collar 19 is always present between the seal 13, and more specifically the surfaces of the 29, and a heat exchange tube end 7.

Thus, in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1, the seal 13 compressed by the cover 15 is free from any contact with the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7 opening inside the manifold 3 .

According to the embodiments described, the seal 13 comprises at least one holding portion 31, 33 extending in the transverse direction T, that is to say along the width of the seal 13, otherwise here in the direction of the short sides 13b of the seal 13. In particular, at least one holding portion 31 extends in the transverse direction T between a small side 13b of the seal 13 and a collar 19 of 'end. The bearing surface or surfaces 29 of the seal 13 coming against a collar 19 are formed on these holding portions 31 and / or 33, more precisely on one or each side of the holding portions 31, 33.

According to a first embodiment shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6a, the holding portions 31 extend substantially in the same plane as the peripheral portion 13a, 13b of the seal 13. In addition, according to the example illustrated, before compression of the joint 13, the holding portions 31 extend on the same height hmax as the peripheral portion of the seal 13 which corresponds here to the thickness of the seal 13.

The number of holding portions 31, 33 and their location can be adapted as needed. Preferably, at least one holding portion 31 is provided so that its bearing surface 29 bears against an end collar 19.

For example, at least one holding portion 31 may be contiguous with a small side 13b of the seal 13. According to the example illustrated, it is possible to provide a reduction in thickness at the junction 37 between the short side 13b and the holding portion 31.

One or more holding portions 31 may be transverse portions or transverse straps 31 extending to join the two opposite long sides 13a of the seal 13, the sealing means then having a generally ladder shape of which the bars are formed by the transverse straps. The width of a transverse strap 31 is substantially equal to the width between two successive collars 19. By way of non-limiting example, the width of a transverse strap 31 is of the order of 2.5 mm to 5 mm.

These holding portions 31 have for example a flat surface 35 on their upper face arranged facing the lid 15 in the assembled state of the manifold 3.

Alternatively or additionally, one can also provide one or more lugs extending from a large side 13a towards the large opposite side 13a without joining it.

Only one longitudinal end of the seal 13 is visible in the figures. Of course, it can be provided that the seal 13 is shaped similarly to its other longitudinal end with one or more transverse holding portions 31. In particular, the seal 13 may be symmetrical with respect to a median plane.

The seal 13 according to this first embodiment is adapted to be arranged on the substantially flat collector plate 11 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5.

According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 2, 6b and 6c, the holding portions 31, 33 are raised relative to the peripheral portion 13a, 13b of the seal 13. In this case, connecting portions 39 connect the holding portion or portions 31, 33 to the peripheral portion 13a, 13b of the seal 13. Similarly to the first embodiment, one or more holding portions 31 may be transverse portions 31 also called transverse straps. In this case, the transverse portions 31 extend so as to join the connecting portions 39 respectively connected to a long side 13a of the seal 13.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more holding portions 33 may be formed as lug 33 extending from a connecting portion 39 connected to a large side 13a towards the connecting portion 39 opposite connected to the another large side 13a, without joining, as shown in Figure 6c.

In particular, at least one holding portion 31 is contiguous with a small side 13b of the seal. According to the examples illustrated in Figures 6b and 6c, it is a portion or transverse strap 31 having one or more recesses 41 to cooperate with the lid 15 as will be described in more detail later.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the holding portions 31 and / or 33 may also have a flat portion 35 on their upper face arranged facing the assembled state lid 15 of the manifold 3.

As before, only one longitudinal end of the seal 13 is visible in the figures. Of course, it is possible for the seal 13 to be shaped similarly to its other longitudinal end with one or more holding portions 31 and / or 33, and in particular the seal 13 according to this second embodiment. realization can be symmetrical with respect to a median plane.

The seal 13 according to this second embodiment is adapted to be arranged at least partially in the peripheral groove 21 of the header plate 11 according to the second embodiment described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 6b and 6c.

According to the first or the second embodiment, the holding portions 31 and / or 33 are advantageously made in one piece with the peripheral portion 13a, 13b of the seal 13. In order to further simplify the production of a such part, the peripheral portion 13a, 13b and the holding portions 31 and / or 33 may be made of a single material.

Furthermore, preferably, the seal 13 according to one or other of the embodiments, and in particular the or each holding portion 31, 33, has before compression a maximum height hmax (FIGS. 6c) less than or equal to the height h to which collars 19 (Figure 4) are arranged on the collector plate 11, which height h is generally substantially identical for all the collars of a flat collector plate. The maximum height hmax corresponds in particular to the limit height of the holding portions 31, 33 (which may be raised relative to the peripheral portion 13a, 13b) with respect to the bottom 11a of the collecting plate 11. According to the first embodiment, this maximum height hmax corresponds to the height of the peripheral portion 13a, 13b of the seal 13 which corresponds to the height of the holding portions 31.

In the case where the collars 19 are not all of the same height as in the second embodiment, the seal 13 may have before compression a maximum height hmax less than or equal to the height hmin of the collar 19 the lowest (see Figure 2). According to the second embodiment illustrated, the maximum height hmax corresponds to the limit height, relative to the bottom 22 of the header plate 11, of the holding portions 31, 33 (which are raised relative to the peripheral portion 13a, 13b) . The collar 19 the lower high, meanwhile, is the collar 19 end arranged at the beginning of the intermediate portion 27, that is to say the closest to the peripheral groove 21.

According to another possible embodiment (not shown in the figures), the sealing means may have, before compression, a maximum height hmax greater than the height at which collars are arranged on the collector plate, the maximum height h max being determined so that the sealing means in the compressed state is kept at a distance from the ends of the heat exchange tubes through the collars.

Finally, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the cover 15 is described in more detail. It may be a cover 15 made of plastic or aluminum alloy.

The cover 15 may have a generally vaulted general shape. In particular, the cover 15 comprises a peripheral cover foot 43 closing the manifold 3 by compressing the seal 13. The expression "cover foot" means the lower part of the cover 15 coming to press on the seal sealing 13 and which cooperates with the collector plate 11 to be fixed, for example by crimping tabs 16 present on the periphery or around the collector plate 11 and which are folded, during crimping, on the lid 15 .

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, the lid foot 43 has a predefined number of protuberances 45 protruding from the inner wall of the cover foot 43 and extending towards the seal 13 on the collector plate 11, so as to bear against the seal 13. In particular, the protuberances 45 protrude over a thickness e from the inside wall of the cover foot 43. The protuberances 45 are therefore produced inside the volume defined by the cover 15.

The thickness e is, for example, chosen so large that at least one protuberance 45 of the cover foot 43 bears against a holding portion 31 and / or 33 of the sealing means 13, in the assembled state of the collector box 3.

In addition, each protrusion 45 has a lower portion 47 which presses on the sealing means 13 as shown schematically in Figure 8. The protuberances 45 are advantageously made in one piece with the cover 15, for example by injection. The protuberances 45 extend in this example substantially parallel to the axis A.

In addition, according to the illustrated example, the cover foot 43 is offset relative to the vault shape of the cover 15. In other words, the cover foot 43 defines a flange as can be seen in FIG. protuberances 45 are in this example aligned with, or in other words arranged in the continuity of, the inner wall of this vault shape of the cover 15, as is best seen in Figures 2 and 7.

The cover foot 43 has a shape complementary to the shape of the peripheral contour of the collector plate 11, here substantially rectangular. The protuberances 45 may be provided on one or both of the opposite small sides of the cover foot 43. Alternatively or additionally, the protuberances 45 may be provided on one or both of the large opposite sides of the cover foot 43. In particular, protrusion 45 may be arranged between the end collar 19 and the corner of the manifold 3 (see Figure 8).

In addition, in the case of a seal 13 according to the second embodiment, one or more protuberances 45 can come to bear on the holding portion 31 contiguous to the short side 13b of the seal 13 by committing itself on a given height, in a recess 41 provided for this purpose on the holding portion 31.

These protuberances 45 maintain the seal 13 in position and prevent it from moving or deforming during assembly but also during the different thermal cycles of the heat exchanger 1. Thus, the protuberances 45 contribute to maintain the seal 13 so that it remains at a distance from the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7. Moreover, the protuberances 45 can respectively present a contour reducing the risk of damaging the seal 13 during assembly of the header box 3, for example the corners or edges may be substantially rounded.

Finally, the cover foot 43 may have a counterform 49, visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, such as a rib extending axially in the direction of the cover foot 43, so as to press the thinned portion 37 of the seal 13 according to the first embodiment. In a variant, for a seal 13 according to the second embodiment, the counter-form 49 presses between a small side 13b and the contiguous holding portion 31. Thus, during the assembly of the heat exchanger 1, the beam is brazed together.

5 of the heat exchange tubes 7 and the collector plate 11. The seal 13 is placed on the bottom 11a or in the peripheral groove 21 of the collector plate 11 and then the cover 15 is crimped onto the collector plate 11, in particular by means of the crimping lugs 16, with the gasket 13 interposed between the lid base 43 and the collector plate 11. The seal 13 and in particular its peripheral portion 13a, 13b ensures the sealing between the collector plate 11 and the cover 15. And, the seal 13 bears on the collars 19 and is arranged at a distance from the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7 passing through the collector plate 11 by interposition of the collars 19. In particular, at least one bearing surface 29 of the seal 13 is arranged in abutment against a collar 19. The seal 13 is thus not likely to transmit the force exerted by the cover 15 on the seal. ETANC heel 13 at the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7 opening into the manifold 3.

In addition, the holding portions 31, 33 allow a force recovery maintaining the seal 13 stretched especially during the assembly of the cover 15. In addition, the seal 13 remains stretched in the long term to ensure the sealing throughout the life of the heat exchanger 1.

The protuberances 45 of the cover 15 help maintain the position of the seal 13 without contact with the ends of the heat exchange tubes 7.

Claims

A collector box (3) for a heat exchanger comprising:

- a collector plate (11) having a plurality of orifices (17) respectively flanked by flanges (19) for the passage of ends of a plurality of heat exchange tubes (7),

a compressible sealing means (13) arranged on the peripheral contour of the collecting plate (11), and

a lid (15) closing the manifold (3) by compressing the sealing means (13),

characterized in that the sealing means (13) has at least one bearing surface (29) and is arranged on the collector plate (11) so that:

- said at least one bearing surface (29) is arranged in abutment against one of said collars (19) when the sealing means (13) is assembled with the collector plate (11), the sealing means (13) being further shaped to be tensioned on the header plate (11) via the bearing surface (29), and

- The sealing means (13) in the compressed state of the sealing means (13) is kept at a distance from the ends of the heat exchange tubes (7) by interposition of the collars (19) between the sealing means. (13) and the ends of said tubes (7).

Collecting box (3) according to the preceding claim, in which:

the collars (19) are protruding on the collector plate (11) and extend towards the inside of the collector box (3), and in which

- The sealing means (13) has before compression a maximum height less than or equal to the height (h; hmin) at which collars (19) are arranged on the collector plate (11).

A header (3) according to claim 1, wherein:

- the sealing means has before compression a maximum height greater than the height at which collars (19) are arranged on the collector plate, the upper maximum height being determined so that the sealing means in the compressed state is kept at a distance from the ends of the heat exchange tubes through the collars.

4. collector box (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means (13) has a peripheral portion (13a, 13b) of substantially rectangular shape, and comprises at least one holding portion (31). 33) extending in the transverse direction (T) and having said at least one bearing surface (29).

5. collector box (3) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least a holding portion (31, 33) having said at least one bearing surface (29), the holding portion (31, 33) being arranged between two successive collars (19) and has a width substantially equal to the distance between the two collars (19), for example of the order of 2.5 mm to 5 mm.

6. collector box (3) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein said at least one holding portion (31, 33) is formed integrally with the peripheral portion

(13a, 13b) of the sealing means (13).

Container box (3) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which at least one holding portion (31) extends transversely so as to join the two long sides (13a) of the sealing means ( 13). 8. collector box (3) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein at least one holding portion (33) is formed as a lug.

9. collector box (3) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein said at least one holding portion (31, 33) has a flat (35) on its upper face facing the cover (15). 10. collector box (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the collector plate (11) extends along a substantially flat surface with the exception of collars (19).

A header (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the header plate (11) comprises a peripheral groove (21) for receiving at least partially the sealing means (13).

A header (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (15) comprises a peripheral lid base (43), and wherein the cover foot (43) has a predefined number of protuberances ( 45) protruding from the inner wall of the lid base (43) and extending towards the sealing means (13) on the header plate (11), so as to bear against the sealing means ( 13) when the collector plate (11) is assembled with the cover (15).

Container box (3) according to any one of claims 4 to 9 in combination with claim 12, wherein at least one protrusion (45) of the cover foot (43) is arranged in abutment against said at least one portion holding (31, 33) the sealing means (13).

14. Sealing means (13) for a manifold (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, the sealing means (13) comprising a peripheral portion (13a, 13b) of substantially rectangular shape, characterized in that that: - the sealing means (13) further comprises at least one holding portion

(31, 33) extending in the transverse direction (T) and having at least one bearing surface (29) configured to be arranged in abutment against a collar (19) of a collector plate (11) of the box collector when the sealing means (13) is assembled with the collector plate (11),

the sealing means (13) is elastic so as to be tensioned on the collecting plate (11) via the bearing surface (29), and in that

said at least one holding portion (31, 33) has, before compression, a maximum height predefined so as to be less than or equal to the height (h; hmin) at which said collar (19) is arranged on the collecting plate (11); ). 15. Heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a bundle (5) of heat exchange tubes (7),

characterized in that it further comprises at least one manifold (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and in that the sealing means (13):

has at least one bearing surface (29) arranged in abutment against one of said collars (19) when the sealing means (13) is assembled with the plate collector (11),

- is shaped to be in tension on the collector plate (11) via the bearing surface (29) and

- In the compressed state of the sealing means (13), is arranged at a distance from the ends of said tubes (7) passing through the collector plate (11) by interposition of the collars (19).

16. Exchanger (1) according to the preceding claim, assembled by brazing.