FR2791766A1 - Mounting system for car heat exchanger prior to welding surface comprises component with tongues which fit round cylindrical collector, tips of tongues fitting into longitudinal where two half-cylinders join - Google Patents

Abstract

The mounting system for a welded heat exchanger with a cylindrical collector (1) made up of a first (2) and second (3) half-cylinder with two longitudinal grooves (8) 180 deg apart on its external surface comprises a component (10) with first (16) and second (17) tongues which fit round the cylinder. The tips (20) of these fit into the longitudinal grooves and fix it to the first half-cylinder.

Description

Snap-on equipment for a brazed heat exchanger.

  in particular for motor vehicles The invention relates to the field of heat exchangers

  brazed, especially for motor vehicles, and more precisely-

  certain equipment used to fix or connect

  said exchanger to an element of the vehicle.

  Some brazed heat exchangers have one or two

  cylindrical manifolds made up of two half

  assembled boxes. Once assembled, these half-boxes define two axial (or longitudinal) grooves on the external surface of the box. These grooves are spaced by a

  angular sector less than or equal to about 180, relati-

  to the longitudinal axis of the box.

  The word "cylindrical" should be understood in its broadest definition. It describes a surface formed from a set of lines parallel to a fixed direction and meeting a fixed curve. The invention is therefore not limited

  not to boxes whose fixed curve is a circle.

  Many solutions have been envisaged to allow prefixation on the manifold of a fixing device or else of other equipment, such as a flange,

before the soldering step.

  These solutions do not ensure high reliability and may even, for some, cause damage to the box. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for

  fixation which does not present all or part of the drawbacks

mentioned above.

  The invention provides for this purpose an equipment comprising a part provided with at least first and second tongues

  divergent elastic bands adapted to be sensitive

  cleanly in contact with the external surface of a first

  half-box and fitted with spouts intended to penetrate respectively

  in the grooves, so that the part is immobilized

  read at least partially on the first half-box.

  The nozzles being "trapped" in the grooves, the part (or equipment) is therefore immobilized (snapped) on the manifold by establishing surface contact with the external surface thereof, which will allow brazing of

quality when placed in the oven.

  Preferably, the part, when it is produced in the form of a fixing lug or a fixing lug support means is produced by cutting a metal plate, while it is produced by extrusion and then

  machining in the case of a connection flange.

  Furthermore, it is possible to provide indexing means to allow the axial immobilization of the part on the first half-box, in particular in the form of

  bosses of the external surface of this first half-box.

  The device may include other complementary characteristics, which may be possibly combined, in particular: - the part may include first and second parts connected together by a bridge, folded against each other, and terminated respectively by the first tongue and the second tongue; the first tab being able to be shaped so as to be on the side of the

  second part and the second tab can be conformed

  mée so as to be on the side of the first part; - The part may include at least one positioning tab near each of the first and second tabs;

  - the part may include two positioning tabs -

  ment placed on either side of the first and second tabs, these being placed substantially at the same level; - The part may include two second tabs placed at different levels on either side of the first tab; - The part may include first and second tongues extending a central part, as well as a support tongue extending said central part next to the first or second tongue and delimiting a support means for supporting a heat exchanger fixing lug

heat.

  In the following description, given by way of example, we

  refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views of a

  manifold box fitted with a fixing lug (part-

  equipment) according to the invention, in a first embodiment; - Figure 2 is a perspective view detailing the bracket of Figures 1A and 1B; - Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of a

  manifold fitted with a mounting lug (part-

  equipment) according to the invention, in a second embodiment; - Figure 4 is a sectional view along the axis IV-IV of Figure 3A; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4; - Figure 6 is a top view of a second alternative embodiment of the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4; - Figure 7 is a sectional view along the axis VII-VII of Figure 6; - Figures 8A and 8B are respectively a perspective view and a side view detailing a support element (piece of equipment) of the mounting bracket according to the invention; and - Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a box

  manifold fitted with a connection flange (part-team-

ment) according to the invention.

  The invention relates to heat exchangers provided with at least one manifold 1 consisting of an assembly of two half-shells (or half-housings) 2 and 3 which delimit

  through their internal surfaces a cavity 6.

  As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, one of the half

  shells, here that which is referenced 3, has openings 4 allowing the introduction of tube ends. This half-shell 3 is usually called a collector. The first half-shell 2 has longitudinal edges 5 slightly folded towards the inside of the cavity 6 so as to receive the longitudinal edges 7 of the manifold 3. Thus, once the half-shells are assembled, they delimit two longitudinal grooves (or axial) 8 on

  the external surface 9 of the manifold 1.

  Thus formed, the manifold has a cylindrical shape. It is not necessarily, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a cylindrical shape of revolution. In cross section, the manifold

  1 may have an elliptical or oval, or analog

  ford. In order to allow the heat exchanger to be secured to an element, in particular of a motor vehicle, equipment is used, of the fastening device type, consisting of a part 10, here a fastening tab, of which a first end 11 is adapted to allow attachment to the selected element. The heat exchanger is,

  for example, a condenser of an air conditioning system

  tion. In the case of an application to motor vehicles

  them, the element could be, for example, the structure of the vehicle or a cooling radiator, so that the same air flow scans the two exchangers. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end 11 has an opening 12 allowing the introduction of

  fastening means such as a screw or bolt, or the like

  ford. The tab 10 has a second end 13, here opposite the first end 11, shaped so as to allow

  its immobilization on the manifold 1, by snap-

floor.

  As is better illustrated in FIG. 2, the second end 13 of the fixing lug 10 comprises at least two substantially elastic and divergent tongues. The word “elastic” is understood here to mean a slightly flexible tongue, or one capable of exerting a force substantially

  opposed to a constraint applied to it. By ail-

  their, by "divergent" is meant tongues which have their first ends 14 substantially contained in the same plane and their second ends 15

  contained in different plans.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, three fixing tabs are provided, a first tab 16 whose second end 15 is housed in a first plane and two second tabs 17 whose second ends 15 are substantially contained in the same plane, different from the plane containing the second end 15 of the first tongue 16, and the first ends 14 of which frame the first end 14 of said first tongue 16. In other words, in this nonlimiting embodiment, the first fixing tongue 16 is framed by two second fixing tabs 17, the first fixing tab 22 having a divergent orientation by

  compared to those of the second fixing tabs 23.

  Furthermore, each tongue 16 and 17 is shaped so as to be substantially in contact with the external surface 9 of the first half-shell 2, so as to allow effective brazing of the tab 10 on the box 1, during the

  passage of the heat exchanger in a brazing furnace.

  For this purpose, the external surface of the first half-shell 2 and / or the internal surface 18 of the first 16 and second 17 fixing tabs are coated with a brazing layer

  intended to ensure efficient soldering.

  Preferably, the fixing lug 10 is produced by cutting a metal plate, for example aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. Once cut, the respective shapes and divergences of the first 16 and seconds 17

  tongues are obtained using an appropriate tool.

  Furthermore, the fixing lug 10 may comprise either one or more opening (s) intended (s) to reduce the

  amount of material used, one or more nervu-

  re (s) 19, as illustrated in FIG. 2, intended for

  strengthen the rigidity of the tongues, and / or their elasticity.

  According to the invention, to allow immobilization of the fixing lug 10 on the manifold 1, the second ends 15 of the first 16 and second 17 fixing tabs are each terminated by a spout 20, said spouts of the different tongues being oriented towards the external surface 9 of the manifold 1. These

  spouts 20 are produced for example by stamping.

  Due to the elasticity of the fixing tabs 16 and 17, the fixing tab 10 can be snapped onto the manifold 1 and then immobilized by introduction of the spouts 20 into the axial (or longitudinal) grooves 8. The fixing tab 10 is thus immobilized in rotation, as well as radially, which allows a pre-fixing of the tab on the manifold before passing to the oven, which

  will ensure a final immobilization.

  Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, indexing means may be provided on the manifold 1, and more precisely on the first half-shell 2

  21, such as bosses obtained for example by stamping

  wise, so as to facilitate positioning of the fixing lug 10 on said manifold 1 in a predetermined position. When they are produced in the form of a boss, the indexing means 21 also make it possible to immobilize the fixing tab 10 axially, in

  thus improving its pre-attachment to the manifold 1.

  In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing lug could comprise only a first tab 16 and a second tab 17, or else two first tabs and two second tabs, the

  first and second tabs being formed alternately

  this, or else the first two tabs being placed one next to the other and framed by the second tabs. We now refer to Figures 3 and 4 to describe a

  second embodiment of an equipment, of the disposable type

fixing tif, according to the invention.

  In this embodiment, the equipment is a fixing device formed in one piece 30, here a lug, which comprises, not only a first fixing tab 22 and a second fixing tab 23, but also

guide tabs 24.

  As is better illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first 22 and the second 23 fixing tabs are placed at substantially identical levels with reference

  to the axial direction of the manifold 1.

  In the illustrated embodiment, each first 22 and second 23 fixing tab is framed by two guide tabs 24. Of course, one could not

  provide only one guide tab and one or more

  several fixing tabs. As in the first embodiment, each first 22 and second 23 tab of

  attachment is terminated by a spout 20 which allows the immobilization

  tion of the fixing lug 30 on the manifold 1,

  and more precisely in contact with the first half-shell 2.

  To ensure efficient guidance, the guide tabs 24 have a greater extension than that

  fixing tabs 22 and 23.

  Furthermore, because the fixing tabs 22 and 23 are terminated by spouts 20 which cooperate with the axial grooves 8, the said fixing tabs extend over an angular portion less than or equal to

about 180.

  To allow the implementation of the second embodiment

  tion, that is to say to obtain the first 22 and second 23 fixing tabs placed at substantially identical levels relative to the axial direction of the box, the fixing tab 30 consists of a superposition of two half legs linked together by a bridge 31. Such a leg can be produced, first by cutting, then by folding, substantially at 180, at the bridge, so that the two half-parts (half legs ) are in contact with each other in a central part 32. Furthermore, so that the two half-parts of the tab can remain integral with one another, provision is made

  on one of its two half-parts of the immobilizing legs

  tion 33. In this way, by folding (or crimping) said tabs of the first half-part on the second half-part, a fixing tab 30 of thickness is produced.

  double, more rigid and therefore more resistant.

  Here, the first ends of the guide tabs 24 and fixing 22 or 23 placed on the same side form the same end, only the end portions of their second ends being dissociated. Of course, it could be different. As in the first embodiment, an opening 12 may be provided at the first end 11 of the tab 30 to allow its attachment to an element, in particular of a motor vehicle. Likewise, reinforcement ribs 19 may be provided on each of the half-parts of the tab 30, said grooves 19 preferably extending both over the central part 32 of the

  tab and on the tongues, in particular of guide 24.

  It is also possible to provide indexing means 21, such as bosses formed on the first half-shell 2 of the

  manifold 1, so as to facilitate the positioning

  ment of the tab 30 in a predetermined location, for its pre-fixing on the manifold 1, as well as improving

  its axial immobilization thereon.

  We now refer to Figure 5 to describe a pre-

  first variant embodiment 50 of the equipment (fixing lug) illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. All the elements

  common with FIGS. 3 and 4 bear identical references

  ticks. In this first variant, there is no provision for a positioning tongue (24) on either side of the first 22 and

  second 23 divergent elastic tabs, snap-on

  wheat. These first 22 and second 23 tabs extend over the entire width of the central part 32 of the fixing lug. The stiffening ribs 19, which are optional, are therefore formed on the part

  central 32 and on the first 22 and second 23 tabs.

  In FIGS. 6 and 7 is illustrated a second alternative embodiment 60 of the equipment (fixing lug) illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. All the elements

  common with FIGS. 3 and 4 bear identical references

  ticks. In this second variant, the first half-part (or half-leg) 61 of the fixing tab 60 is extended by a first tongue 62, centered in its width, while the second half-part (or half-leg) 65 is extended by two tabs 63 "lateral" intended to frame the

first tab 62.

  The first tab 62 is folded in the direction of the second half-part 65 so as to pass between the two second tabs 63, then bent in an opposite direction so as to be able to be in contact, once the tab 60 is installed, with the external face of the first demicoque (2) of a manifold (1). Similarly, the second tabs 63 are folded in the direction of the first half-part 61 so as to frame the first tab 62, then bent in an opposite direction so as to be able to be in contact, once the tab 60 is installed, with the external face of the first half-shell (2) of a box

collector (1).

  This embodiment makes it possible to overcome the immobilization tabs (33) on the edges of the central part 32

of the paw.

  We now refer to FIGS. 8A and 8B to describe a

  equipment of type support element 80 of fixing lug

  tion. On certain types of heat exchangers, the lug of

  attachment is an attachment, as illustrated above

  is lying. However, it is not always possible to use snap-on fixing lugs. The assembly of this tab on the manifold of the exchanger, before

  soldering, therefore poses problems.

  To remedy this problem, the invention proposes, in one of its embodiments, equipment of the "element of

support "80.

  This element is a part comprising a central part 81 extended, on one side by a first elastic tongue 82 terminated by a spout 20 oriented towards the external surface 9 of the manifold 1, and on the other hand, on the one hand , by a second tongue 83 terminated by a spout 20 also oriented towards the external surface 9 of the manifold 1,

  and on the other hand, by a support tab 84.

  The first 82 and second 83 tongues and the central part 81 are curved so as to conform to the shape of the first half-shell 2. Viewed from the side, they have a general shape in C.

  The first tab 82 preferably extends sensitive-

  ment over the entire width of the central part 81. On the other hand, the second tongue 83 extends over a first fraction of the width of this central part 81, while the support tongue 84 extends over a second fraction of this width, substantially complementary to the first fraction. The support tongue 84 is initially (before folding) L-shaped, the end portion 85 containing the free end being folded back on itself, so as to delimit a U-shaped groove 86. This U-shaped groove is arranged to receive a part of a fixing lug (not shown) which is

  intended to be secured, during brazing, to the exchanger.

  The orientation and dimensions of this U-shaped groove depend

  tooth therefore of the shape of the fixing lug which it must support. Thus, to be able to immobilize the fixing lug in its final position, before brazing,

  a chosen position, by clipping or snap-fastening, the

  support 80 on the first half-shell 2 and then immobilizes part of the fixing lug in the U-shaped groove. This equipment 80 is preferably produced by cutting a metal plate, then by folding and stamping

  (in particular for obtaining the spouts 20).

  As illustrated in FIG. 1B, indexing means 21 can be provided on the manifold 1, and more precisely on the first half-shell 2, such as bosses obtained for example by stamping, so as to facilitate positioning the support element 80 on said manifold 1 in a predetermined position. Reference is now made to FIG. 9 to describe a piece of equipment of connection flange 90 intended to be connected to an inlet or outlet pipe 100 formed on the first half-shell 2 of a manifold 1 of heat exchanger heat. All elements in common with

  Figures 1 and 3 bear identical references.

  Generally, the connection flange is placed on the tubing before brazing. This requires a particular fixing device, or else the crimping of the end of the flange on the tube, which is not completely reliable. To remedy this problem, the invention proposes, in one of its embodiments, equipment of the "flange type" type.

connection "90.

  This flange 90 is a hollow part which leads to the first 94 and a second 95 openings. The second opening 95 is shaped so as to receive an external tube (not shown), while the first opening is shaped so as to receive the tube

100 of the exchanger.

  To allow immobilization of the flange 90 on the first half-shell 2, at the level of said tube 100, the end portion 96 of said flange, which comprises the first opening 94, comprises, on either side of this first opening, a first 92 and a second 93 divergent elastic tabs, of the type described above. These tongues are therefore terminated by nozzles 20 intended to be introduced, by clipping (or snap-fastening) into the two longitudinal (or axial) grooves 8 formed on the external surface 9 of the box.

collector 1.

  Thus, once the flange 90 is snapped onto the box collected

  trice 1, with the tube 100 housed in its first opening 94, said flange is immobilized along three axes and no longer risks falling during its installation in the

brazing furnace.

  Preferably, such a flange 90 is produced by extrusion then machining, in particular for the formation of the first and

second tabs.

  It is clear that instead of providing a first and a second tab, we could provide two first and

  two second tabs, or any other combination.

  The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it extends to all the variants that a person skilled in the art can implement in the context

of the claims below.

  Thus, in the first embodiment, it will be possible to provide guide tabs of the type of those described in the

second embodiment.

  The invention applies very particularly, although in a nonlimiting manner, to heat exchangers such as

  air conditioning condensers.

Claims (19)

Claims   1. Equipment for a brazed heat exchanger, in particular   ment of a motor vehicle, said exchanger comprising at least one cylindrical manifold (1) consisting of first (2) and second (3) half-boxes assembled and defining on the external surface (9) of said box of first and second axial grooves (8) spaced by   angular sector less than or equal to about 180, relati-   vement to a longitudinal axis of this box,   characterized in that it comprises a part (10; 30; 50; -   ; 80; 90) provided with at least first (16; 22; 62; 82; 92) and second (17; 23; 63; 83; 93) divergent elastic tongues of shapes adapted to be substantially in contact with the external surface ( 9) of the first half-box (2) and provided with spouts (20) intended to penetrate respectively into the first and second grooves (8), so that said part is immobilized at least partially on said first half box (2).   2. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that said part is produced in the form of a fixing lug (10; 30; 50; 60) provided with an end (13) comprising   said first (16; 22; 62) and second (17; 23; 63) languet- your divergent elastics.   3. Equipment according to one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized in that said tab (30; 50) has first and second parts interconnected by a bridge   (31), folded against each other, and completed respectively   by the first tongue (22) and the second tongue watch (23).   4. Equipment according to one of claims 2 and 3,   characterized in that said tab (30) comprises, near each of the first (22) and second (23) tabs at the   at least one positioning tab (24).   5. Equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that   that said tab (30) has two position tabs   ment (24) placed on either side of the first (22) and second (23) tabs, said first (22) and second (23) tabs being placed at substantially the same level. 6. Equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that said first (22) and second (23) tabs   extend over the entire width of said end (13).   7. Equipment according to one of claims 2 and 3,   characterized in that the tab (10; 60) has two second tabs (17; 63) placed at different levels   on either side of the first tab (16; 62).   8. Equipment according to claim 3 in combination with claim 7, characterized in that said first tab (62) is shaped so as to be on the side of said second part (65) of said tab and said two second tabs (63 ) are shaped so as to be on the side of said first part (61) of said tab. 9. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that said part is produced in the form of a support element (80) comprising a central part (81) extended on either side by a first tongue (82) and a second tab (83) and having, in a side view, a general C shape substantially matching the shape of the   external surface (9) of the first half-box (2).   10. Equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that said first tongue (82) extends substantially over the entire width of said central part (81), in that said second tongue (83) extends over a first fraction of the width of this central part (81), and in that a support tongue (84) extends said central part (81) next to said second tongue (83), over a second fraction of the width of this part central (81) and defines a support means (85) suitable for supporting a fixing lug intended to be secured to said exchanger. 11. Equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that said support means (85) is a U-shaped groove (86)   formed by folding back a terminal part of said tongue support lookout (84).   12. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said tab (10; 30; 50; 60; 80) is   made by cutting a metal plate.   13. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that said part is produced in the form of a hollow connection flange (90) leading to first (94) and second (95) openings, said first opening (94) being suitable for housing a tube (100), formed in a chosen location of said first half-box (2), and framed on either side by said first (92) and second (93) tabs.   14. Equipment according to claim 13, characterized in that   that said flange (90) is produced by extrusion then machining ge.   15. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 14,   characterized in that said tongues (16,17,22,23,24, -   62,63,82,83,92,93) and / or said external surface (9) of the first half-box (2) are coated with a layer of   soldering in view of their joining by brazing.   16. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 15,   characterized in that it is capable of cooperating with indexing means (21) allowing it to be immobilized   axial on the first half-box (2).   17. Equipment according to claim 16, characterized in that the indexing means (21) are bosses formed   on the external surface (9) of the first half-box (2).   18. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it comprises at least one opening.   19. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it comprises at least one rib (19) stiffening.