FR2800451A1 - Compact heat exchanger for vehicle, comprises shell joined directly to side of collector plate near but not touching the collar sides and cooling tubes fitted within the collector plate collars - Google Patents

Abstract

The heat exchanger uses a collector plate (12) which has integral collars (13). The flange of the collector plate is longer (Lr) than the height of the collar (Hc) and the exchanger shell (F2) abuts the inside of the collector flange just outside the collar height. The cooling tubes (T) fit within the collars (13) and the assembly is fastened by bracing which fills the tube/shell/flange interstice (14).

Description

 Heat exchanger <U> of reduced space heat and </ U> equipment <U> of a </ U> <U> motor vehicle comprising such a heat exchanger </ U> The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular of a motor vehicle, such as a radiator for cooling the engine of this vehicle.

Heat exchangers of this type usually comprise a bundle of parallel tubes whose ends are received by two manifolds, generally symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the tubes. Each manifold includes a header plate with openings in the form of collars that extend into the interior of the manifold. These collars are intended to each receive an end portion of a tube in surface annular contact with internal walls of this collar. Furthermore, each manifold comprises a substantially U-shaped shell, thus provided with two flanks folded towards the collector plate, which laterally comprises two flanges which each cover an end of one of the sides of the shell.

In known heat exchangers of this type, the aforementioned end of a shell flange is inserted between a rim and external side walls of the collars. Thus, the thickness of a heat exchanger of this type is defined by the width of the tubes, added to the respective thicknesses of the flanges, shell flanks, and collars. However, it is desired to reduce the size of such heat exchangers, particularly their thickness.

The present invention improves the situation.

It then relates to a heat exchanger comprising a substantially parallel bundle of tubes for conveying a heat exchange fluid, and at least a first manifold of said fluid, comprising a collector plate and a shell provided with first and second flanks, folded towards the collector plate and secured to the plate. The header plate comprises - openings formed in the form of flanges extending inwardly of the manifold, and adapted to house each, sealing, an end portion of a tube, and - first and second flanges extending towards the shell to cover respective ends of the first and second flanks.

According to a general definition of the invention, the first rim of the plate at least substantially forms a "U" with side walls of the collars and in a longitudinal section of said collars; the end of the first side has recesses facing the top walls of the collars; and the first flange is wider than a height of the flanges, while the tubes extend into the manifold, beyond the flanges, thereby inserting an end portion of the first flank between the first flange, on the one hand, and at least one tube end protruding from a collar, on the other hand. Advantageously, the second rim is of greater width than a height of the collars and forms a substantially "U" with side walls of the collars, while the end of the second flank is in contact with the top walls of the collars, so that an end portion of the second sidewall is inserted between the second flange, on the one hand, and at least one tube end protruding from a flange, on the other hand. Preferably, the first and second flanges extend substantially perpendicular to the collector plate, towards the shell, and the ends of the first and second flanks, of thicknesses close to a thickness of the collar wall, are substantially parallel to the first and second flanges. Thus, the ends of the first and second flanks are in surface contact with the ends of the tubes and with the first and second flanges, respectively. Advantageously, the first flange at least is substantially in contact with said side walls of the collars, which reduces the overall thickness of the heat exchanger.

Thus, the thickness of a heat exchanger according to the invention is defined solely by the width of the tubes, added to the thicknesses of the flanges, and collars.

In a preferred embodiment, the exchanger according to the invention comprises a second collector box substantially symmetrical with the first box with respect to a plane perpendicular to the tubes, so that the first rim of the first box and the first rim of the second box are arranged on the same large face of the exchanger. Furthermore, the exchanger comprises, on both sides of the tube bundle, two crosspieces made in the form of plates parallel to the tubes, each having two end portions adapted to fit into the respective shells of the first and second boxes for forming the first and second manifolds.

The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipment provided with a heat exchanger according to the invention. This equipment comprises, according to another important feature of the invention, a first heat exchanger of the above type, and at least one second heat exchanger applied against the large face of the first exchanger so that the first and second exchangers are separated by a gap of thickness close to a flange thickness, added to a neck wall thickness.

Advantageously, the first crosspiece at least comprises, in a central portion, a protuberance towards the second heat exchanger, so that the second heat exchanger is secured to this protrusion. Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description, given by way of example, and on examining the appended drawings, in which - FIG. 1 partially shows a sectional view. longitudinal tube of a heat exchanger the prior art; FIG. 2 partially represents a view in longitudinal section of a tube of a heat exchanger according to the invention; FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a collector plate of a collecting box of a heat exchanger according to the invention, with the lateral flanks F1 and F2 of the shell of the exchanger; - Figure 4 shows a heat exchanger according to the invention used as a cooling radiator of a motor vehicle equipment of the aforementioned type; and FIG. 5 represents this equipment provided with a cooling radiator and a condenser of an air conditioning loop of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, in the example described.

The following detailed description of the attached drawings essentially contain elements of a certain character. They may not only serve to make the present invention better understood, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

In what follows, a heat exchanger used as a cooling radiator for an automobile engine is described by way of nonlimiting example. Referring to FIG. 4, such an exchanger E1 comprises a bundle of flat tubes T, flat in the example described, substantially parallel to each other and interspersed with fins A, disturbing an air flow (arrow F) passing through. the heat exchanger. These tubes carry a heat exchange fluid which is a coolant of the vehicle engine, in the example described, between two collector boxes B1 and B2 which receive the ends of the tubes T. Thus, the fluid flowing in the tubes cooperates by heat exchange with the air flow F, for cooling said liquid. The manifolds B1 and B2 respectively comprise inlet ducts E and outlet ducts S of this coolant.

Each manifold B1 is formed of a shell C comprising two lateral flanks F1 and F2 which are folded towards the tubes, as well as a PC collector plate (FIG. 3) provided with two lateral flanges 11 and 12 which cap respectively the caps. ends of flanks F1 and F2 of the shell C. The collector plate PC has a central face 10 provided with openings in the form of flanges 13 which extend inwardly of the manifold B1. End portions of the tubes T are introduced into these collars 13 and more particularly in surface annular contact with inner walls of the collars 13, this contact being sealed. The heat exchanger shown in Figure 4 further comprises crosses "or cheeks" J made in the form of plates parallel to the tubes on the top faces of the exchanger. The ends of the cheeks J are nested in the shells C of the manifolds to close the manifolds.

1 to describe the arrangement of a shell flange, a flange 13, a collector flange 12 and a tube T (in longitudinal section), a heat exchanger of the prior art. The header plate is bent laterally from the main face 10 to form two flanges 11 and 12 (the flange 11 is not shown). These edges are turned towards the collector box. On the main face 10 of the header plate are formed flanges 13 which extend inwardly of the manifold and receive end portions of the tubes T. In this prior art heat exchanger, the end F2 flank of the shell is housed between the collar 13 and the rim 12. The collar 13, with the flange 12, then form a "C" in which is inserted the end of the sidewall F2.

Referring now to Figure 2 to describe the respective arrangements of the end of the sidewall F2, a flange 12, a collar 13 and a tube T, a heat exchanger according to the invention. The collar 13 and the flange 12 form a "U" whose two branches are substantially adjacent. The end portions of the tubes T extend into the header, beyond the collars 13. Indeed, as shown in Figure 2, the ends of the tubes T protrude from the collars 13 and are opposite the sidewall F2. Referring to FIG. 3, the ends of the flanks F2 comprise recesses 14 situated opposite the end portions of the flanges 13. The end of the flank F2 can therefore be inserted between the flange 12 of the collector plate and the portion end of the tube T which protrudes from the collar 13.

Thus, according to one of the advantages afforded by the present invention, it is realized a reduction in size in thickness of the heat exchanger, equivalent to the ec thickness of a collar (Figure 1). In fact, the thickness of a heat exchanger according to the invention is defined by the width of the tubes T, added to the respective thicknesses of the flanks F1 and F2 (referenced e in FIG.1) and flanges 11 and 12 ( 1), whereas the thickness of a heat exchanger of the prior art is defined by the width of the tubes T, added to the thickness of the walls of the flanges e. (ie in total the width of the collars Lc shown in FIG. 3), the thickness of the shell flanks F1 and F2 and the thickness of the flanges 11 and 12. Thus, the ends of the flanges F1 and F2 are practically in position. contact with the top walls of the collars 13 (walls facing the inside of the manifold). The rim 12, of width Lr greater than the height Hc of the collars 13, comes into contact with the sidewall F2.

It should be noted that the elements constituting such a heat exchanger (tubes, fins, collector plates, shells of the collector boxes, etc.) are secured to one another by brazing in a high temperature furnace, during the manufacture of such a heat exchanger. During this brazing step, the gap E between the flange 12 and the outer wall of the collar 13, as well as the space between the tube T and the sidewall F2, are filled by the solder.

Referring now to Figure 5 to describe a motor vehicle equipment provided with a first heat exchanger E1 according to the invention, and a second heat exchanger E2. In the example described, the first heat exchanger E1 is a cooling radiator of the type described above, while the second heat exchanger E2 is a condenser of an air conditioning loop of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The heat exchanger E1 then comprises cheeks J1 and J2, on either side of the tube bundle and whose end portions are interlocked in the shells of the manifolds B1 and B2 to close them. Advantageously, the J1 and J2 cheeks have extensions in the planes of the J1 and J2 cheeks. The second heat exchanger E2 is then fixed between these extensions J'1 and J'2. Thus, the two heat exchangers E1 and E2 are separated by a gap of thickness close to a thickness er of a collector plate rim, added to a wall thickness ec of collar.

According to another advantage provided by the present invention, the lateral size (in the flow direction of the flow F) of such equipment is reduced by a thickness close to two thicknesses of collar wall ec. Preferably, condenser E2 is disposed in front of the cooling radiator E1, in the direction of flow F. The assembly thus formed by the two exchangers, can be brazed a block, during the manufacture of such equipment.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example. It extends to other variants.

Thus, it will be understood that the heat exchangers E1 and E2 can find different applications of a cooling radiator and a condenser. In particular, the present invention applies to any heat exchanger E1 of a motor vehicle equipment.

Although advantageous, the sleepers (or cheeks J1 and J2) of the heat exchanger above, are described by way of example. In a simplified variant of the heat exchanger according to the invention, the extensions I 1 and I 2 can be omitted, while different fixing means can be provided for joining the condenser E 2 to the radiator E 1.

In the example described above, the two flanges 11 and 12 of a header plate are similar and are wider than a height of the flanges 13. As a variant, only the flange of the manifolds facing the condenser E2 have these aspects, so as to reduce the gap between the two exchangers E1 and E2.

In the example shown in Figure 2, the flange 12 is substantially in contact with the collar 13, while the sidewall F2 is of thickness close to the thickness ec of a neck wall (gap e thin) , so that the flank F2 is substantially in contact, on the one hand with the flange 12 and, on the other hand, with the tube T. Alternatively, it can be expected to leave a greater gap E between the collars 13 and the flange 12. The flank F2 of the shell then engages against the flange 12 while the flank F1 comes against the flange 11.

Claims (8)

<U> Claims </ U> 1. Heat exchanger, especially for a motor vehicle equipment, of the type comprising a substantially parallel bundle of tubes (T) intended to convey a heat exchange fluid, and at least a first collector box (B1) of said fluid , comprising a collector plate (PC) and a shell (C) provided with first (F1) and second (F2) flanks, folded towards the collector plate (PC) and integral with the plate (PC), said collector plate (PC) comprising - openings in the form of flanges (13) extending inwardly of the manifold (B1), and adapted to each house, sealing, an end portion of a tube (T), and - first and second flanges (11,12) extending towards the shell (C) to cover respective ends of the first and second flanks (F1, F2), characterized in that at least the first flange (12) plate (PC) forms a substantially "U" with side walls of s collets (13) and in a longitudinal section of said collars (II-II), in that the end of the first flank (F2) has recesses (14) facing the top walls of the collars (13), and in that that the first rim (12) is of width (Lr) greater than a height of the collars (Hc), while the tubes (T) extend into the manifold, beyond the collars (13), which allows inserting an end portion of the first flank (F2) between the first flange (12), on the one hand, and at least one end of tube (T) protruding from a collar (13), on the other hand. 2. Exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the second rim (11) is wider than a height of the collars (13) and substantially forms a "U" with side walls of the collars, while the end of the second flank (F1) is in contact with the top walls of the flanges, so that an end portion of the second flank (F1) is inserted between the second flange (11), on the one hand, and at least one end tube (T) protruding from a collar, on the other hand. 3. Exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and second flanges (11,12) extend substantially perpendicularly to the header plate towards said shell (C). 4. Exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that the first and second flanks (F1, F2) have end portions substantially parallel to the first and second flanges (11,12), and thicknesses close to a thickness. collar wall (13), so that the ends of the first and second flanks (F1, F2) are in surface contact with the ends of the tubes (T) and with the first and second flanges (11, 12), respectively. 5. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first flange (12) at least is substantially in contact with said side walls of the collars (13), which reduces the overall size of the thickness of the heat exchanger. 6. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second manifold (B2) substantially symmetrical with the first box (B1) relative to a plane perpendicular to the tubes (T), so that the first rim of the first box and the first rim of the second box are arranged on the same large face of the exchanger, and in that the exchanger comprises, on both sides of the tube bundle (T), two crosspieces (J1, J2) made in the form of plates parallel to the tubes (T), each having two end portions adapted to fit into the respective shells (C) of the first and second boxes (B1, B2) to form said first and second boxes. Motor vehicle equipment, characterized in that it comprises a first heat exchanger (E1) according to claim 6, and at least one second heat exchanger applied against said large face of the first exchanger, and in that the first and second Heat exchangers are separated from a gap of thickness close to a flange thickness (er), added to a wall wall thickness (ec). 8 Equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that at least the first crossbar (J1) comprises, in the central part, a protuberance (J'1) to the second heat exchanger (E2), and in that the second heat exchanger to said protuberance (I1). Equipment according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the first exchanger (E1) is a radiator for cooling the fluid, while the second exchanger (E2) a condenser of an air conditioning loop of the passenger compartment. of the vehicle.