ES2333861T3 - HEAT EXCHANGER WITH MANIFOLD AND SIMPLIFIED MANUFACTURING MANIFOLD, IN SPECIAL FOR AUTOMOBILE VEHICLE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The heat exchanger comprises a tube bundle (12), a manifold (18) into which the tube bundle opens and a manifold box (20). The manifold and manifold box are formed by two half-shells having flat joints (22,24) assembled along a common joining plane.

Description

Heat exchanger with manifold and box Simplified manufacturing manifold, especially for vehicles car.

The invention relates to the sector of heat exchangers, in particular for vehicles cars

It refers more specifically to an exchanger of heat comprising a bundle of tubes, at least one collector in the which end the beam tubes, as well as a collecting box arranged on the collector.

Such a heat exchanger may constitute, for example, a vehicle engine cooling radiator, a cabin heating radiator, or even an evaporator or a condenser of an air conditioning circuit.

In such a heat exchanger, the tube bundle is usually mounted between two collector boxes through their respective collectors, and is suitable for travel by a fluid. In the case of an engine cooling radiator or from a cabin heating radiator, this fluid is the liquid used to cool the engine. In the case of a evaporator or an air conditioning condenser, this fluid is a coolant

In known heat exchangers, the collector is usually made in the form of a plate that is provided with holes to receive the ends of the tubes of the make. These holes are generally bordered by a collar to facilitate a tight assembly between the manifold and the pipes of the make. This assembly can be done either by welding, or by a gasket.

On the other hand, the collection box arranged on the collector is configured to cooperate tightly with East. The collection box can be made in the form of a piece metal connected by welding to the collector.

It is also known to use collector boxes of plastic material inserted on the collector, by means of union, in particular claws, of which this is provided latest.

In all cases, the collector and the box collector constitute a very different specific pieces that They are designed to cooperate with each other.

Of the document JP-A-03099736 a set is known of collector / collector box, collector and collector box consisting of two semi-shells in the form of two symmetric semi-pipes. The collector is provided of an elongated hole to receive one end of a tube.

The invention aims to simplify the realization of a manifold / collector box assembly and improve the loss of fluid load circulating inside the assembly of collector / collector box and tubes.

To this end, the invention comprises the characteristics according to claim 1.

In this way you can make the collector and the collecting box from identical pieces, namely two semi-shells, intended to be joined together.

This does not exclude that they should be carried out. specific operations to perform one of the semi-shells, for example the one destined to form the collector

Indeed, it will be necessary to arrange holes in the semi-shell that forms collector for the reception of the beam tubes.

In all cases, the manufacture of the collector and the collection box is simplified since these two components use the same semi-shell in the base. In this way, the collector and the collector box can be obtained through common tools.

On the other hand, the presence of a flat board facilitates and improves the tight connection between the two semi-shells

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the two semi-shells are metallic, by aluminum example, and their respective flat joints are assembled by welding.

According to a first embodiment, the joints respective planes are formed outside the semi-shells

In this way, the flat joints thus formed abroad they are advantageously maintained by at least one claw.

According to a second embodiment, the joints respective planes are formed inside the semi-shells

This allows, in particular, to reduce the space occupation of the collection box. In addition, one of the boards flat so formed towards the inside advantageously forms a stop with respect to the beam tubes.

Flat joints may have some footprints respective conjugate forms intended to fit each other by cooperation in order to ensure support in position of the two semi-shells.

A heat exchange collection box It comprises one or several pipes that serve to the entrance or the outflow of a heat transfer fluid.

According to the invention, the two semi-shells are formed with some semi-pipes generally symmetrical with respect to the joint plane, to form a complete pipe (also called "crossbar"), when the two semi-shells are join together.

Preferably, the semi-shells are each made by shaped of a sheet metal. By the term "conformed", it means to designate at least one classic mechanical operation, such as for example a sausage, a folding, a tamping, etc.

Thus, when both semi-shells are each constituted by a semi-pipe, semi-pipe they are also performed during the forming of the two semi-shells

The presence of flat joints allows to form Different provisions

Thus, it can be expected that at least one of the flat joints extend to the outside through a tab that serves, for example, for positioning and / or the heat exchanger fixing.

In a preferred application of the invention, the heat exchanger also includes some collations corrugated placed between the tubes, the assembly being formed by welding.

In the description that follows, made by way of For example, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a partial side view of a heat exchanger according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a sectional view cross section according to line II-II of figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a manifold-manifold assembly according to invention, in another embodiment;

- Figure 4 is a partial view in perspective of a heat exchanger according to the invention, in the which the collector and the collector box are both formed each with a semi-pipe;

- Figure 5 is a sectional view analogous to that of figure 2 in another embodiment; Y

- Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of two flat joints provided with maintenance means.

Reference is first made jointly to figures 1 and 2 partially showing an exchanger of heat 10 according to the invention comprising a beam 12 formed by flat tubes 14, parallel to each other, and between which are arranged wavy interleaves 16.

At at least one of the ends of beam 12, the tubes 14 are received in a manifold 18, which is crowned by a collecting box 20 to constitute a volume that communicates with the beam tubes 14. The set can thus be traversed by a heat transfer fluid that exchanges heat with an air flow that sweep the beam.

At its other end, the beam tubes 14 are advantageously received in an identical or similar collector (not represented), also topped by a collection box (not represented).

As seen in Figure 2, manifold 18 and the collector box 20 consists of two semi-shells generally symmetrical, assembled of part and another of a connection plane P. In the embodiment example represented, these two semi-shells are identical and have respective flat joints 22 and 24 formed in the periphery of the shells and towards the outside.

The two semi-shells 18 and 20 are advantageously made by forming and in particular by inlay of a sheet metal, preferably of aluminum or aluminum based alloy. These two semi-shells they are formed from the same basic elements and with the Same tools The only difference lies here in the fact that the semi-shell that forms the collector 18 must also be machined to form elongated holes 26 (Figure 2) fit to receive each one at one end of a tube 14. These holes are advantageously formed by punching in press. They are each advantageously surrounded by a collar that improves the connection between the tube and the manifold.

In the embodiment shown, all The other components of the heat exchanger are made of metal, preferably of the same metal or metal alloy as the collector and collector box. The assembly is assembled by welding, advantageously per step in the oven, during the same operation.

In this way, the assembly of the collector and the collector box is made in the same connection plane with a townhouse plane against plane by means of flat joints 22 and 24.

This conception allows to have little sausages deep, which constitutes a saving of matter. In addition, a certain part of the sausage can be common to both semi-shells, which allows to reduce the times of manufacturing.

On the other hand, the flat against flat townhouse It allows to obtain a good welding. Finally, the presence of flat joints 22 and 24, which extend at the periphery and by the outside of the manifold / collector box assembly, forms a protruding element. This protruding element can serve, for example, for the heat exchanger draft in a box. This presents a particular interest when the heat exchanger heat must be introduced and mounted in a box of a device heating and / or air conditioning of a motor vehicle.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 which shows a collector set / collector box analogous to the Figures 1 and 2, but in a variant embodiment. The difference principal resides here in the fact that one of the flat joints, to know the flat gasket 22, comprises two protruding tabs 28 and 30 which can be used, for example, for the heat exchanger draft of heat in a box (not shown). It is also distinguished in the Figure 3 a claw 32 that serves to support the two joints flat with each other.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, which It is similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, the respective semi-shells 18 and 20 are constituted each by semi-pipes 34 and 36 that have each one section substantially semicircular. These two semi-pipes are generally symmetrical with regarding the plane of union. Thus, when both semi-shells are mutually assembled, the semi-pipes 34 and 36 together form a complete pipe 38, also called "crossbar".

This pipe is used for the entrance or for the output of a heat transfer fluid circulating through the exchanger of heat As can be seen in Figure 4, the flat joints respective 22 and 24 of the two semi-shells are continue at the level of semi-pipes 34 and 36, thus improving the tight connection of these two semi-pipes with each other.

The two semi-pipes 34 and 36 are advantageously made by forming, in particular by sausage, at the same time as the two semi-shells, which also facilitates manufacturing in this case. the interface with the pipes it can be done by means of a welded element that surrounds the two semi-shells.

This embodiment offers the advantage of allow an oblong connection, even rectangular, with the water box This also allows a decrease in the height of the collection box, which translates into a decrease in matter involved and a reduction in the occupation of space.

This also results in the advantage of preserving the constant liquid passage section, without increasing the liquid velocity as it passes through the pipe or crossbar.

This conception allows a connection of a pipe either laterally over the collection box, or in a end of the latter.

The embodiment of Figure 5 differs from the one in figure 2 due to the fact that the flat joints respective 22 and 24 are formed inside the semi-shells, instead of outside. In these conditions, the shaping of semi-shells does not can be obtained only by sausage and you need at least one supplementary operation to bring the flat joints to the inside.

The fact of having directed flat joints towards the interior it allows to reduce the space occupation of the collecting box Also, one of the flat boards, here the 22 board forms a stop with respect to the tubes 14 of the beam 12. This allows automatically position the tubes in axial direction with respect to the collection box.

The fact that flat joints 22 and 24 are turned inside it does not prevent the realization of elements protruding outward, analogous to tabs 28 and 30 described above. Indeed these elements can easily obtained by classical mechanical operations, by example by double folding.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, the flat joints 22 and 24 have respective tracks 40 and 42 of conjugate forms intended to fit each other in cooperation in order to ensure a support in both positions semi-shells In the example shown, you are fingerprints are obtained by a U-fold of each of the flat joints These traces can be made on the totality, or on a portion of the periphery of the semi-shells

The provision of such footprints applies both to the outward-facing flat joints (Figure 2) as a the flat joints directed inwards (Figure 5).

The invention finds a particular application in Heat exchangers of motor vehicles. A heat exchanger may constitute, for example, a radiator Vehicle engine cooling, a heating radiator of the cabin, or even an evaporator or a condenser of a air conditioning circuit

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References cited in the description

This list of references cited by the applicant is intended solely to help the reader and not It is part of the European patent document. Although he has put on maximum care in its realization, errors cannot be excluded or omissions and the EPO declines any responsibility in this respect.

Patent documents cited in the description

JP 03099736 A [0009]

Claims (12)

1. Manifold / collector box assembly that it comprises a collecting box that covers a collector provided with elongated holes (26) suitable to receive one end each of a tube, the manifold (18) and the manifold (20) being consisting of two semi-shells generally symmetrical part and another of a common joint plane (P) and that they have respective flat joints (22,24) assembled according to said joint plane, the two semi-shells being (18, 20) formed with semi-pipes (34, 36) generally symmetrical with respect to the joint plane (P), for form a complete pipe (38), when the two semi-shells are assembled together, continuing the flat joints (22, 24) of the two semi-shells (18, 20) at the level of the semi-pipes (34, 36), having the semi-shells (18, 20) each one rectangular section and having the semi-pipes (34, 36) each one section substantially shaped semicircular. 2. Manifold / manifold assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the two semi-shells (18,20) are metallic, for example aluminum, and the fact that their respective flat joints (22, 24) are assembled by welding. 3. Manifold / manifold assembly according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the respective flat seals (22,24) are formed outside the half-shells. 4. Manifold / manifold assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the flat joints (22, 24) formed outwardly are supported by at least one claw (32). 5. Manifold / manifold assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the respective flat seals (22,24) are formed inside the half-shells. 6. Manifold / manifold assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that one of the flat joints (22,24) formed inwardly forms a stop with respect to the tubes (14) of a beam (12) of a heat exchanger. 7. Manifold / manifold assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flat seals (22,24) have respective fingerprints (40,42) of conjugate forms intended to fit together by cooperation of form to ensure a support in position of the two semi-shells. 8. Manifold / manifold assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two semi-shells (18,20) are each made by forming a metal sheet. 9. Manifold / manifold assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the two semi-pipes (34,36) are also made during the conformation of the two semi-shells (18, 20). 10. Manifold / manifold assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the flat seals (22,24) is extended outwards by means of a tongue (28; 30) which serves , for example, for positioning and / or fixing the heat exchanger. 11. Heat exchanger comprising the minus a manifold / manifold assembly according to any of the previous claims as well as a tube bundle, leading to said tubes in the manifold. 12. Heat exchanger according to claim 11, in which there are wavy interleaves (16) arranged between the tubes (14) of the beam.