FR2945613A1 - COLLECTOR BOX FOR HEAT EXCHANGER, ESPECIALLY MULTIPLE FLUX - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat exchanger collector box, comprising a collector plate (10) having a bottom (12) pierced with holes (14) for insertion of the tubes of a bundle and surrounded by a peripheral groove (18), a cover ( 44) provided with a peripheral bead (46) and a seal (36) interposed between the peripheral groove (18) and the peripheral bead (46). The bottom (12) of the header plate (10) is depressed locally to define a planar passage (24) transversely connecting two opposite regions of the peripheral groove (18) and lying substantially at the bottom of this peripheral groove to receive a crossbar (42) of the seal (36) which is compressed by a transverse partition (48) of the cover (44). Application to heat exchangers for motor vehicles.

Description

RFR0521

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

It relates more particularly to a header box 10 for heat exchanger, comprising a header plate having a bottom pierced with holes for insertion of the tubes of a bundle and surrounded by a peripheral groove, a lid provided with a peripheral bead, a seal interposed between the peripheral groove and the peripheral bead, and wherein the cover has at least one transverse partition capable of compressing a transverse bar of the seal.

In a collector box of this type, the presence of one or more transverse bulkheads makes it possible to define at least two compartments which are respectively in fluid communication with corresponding parts of the bundle of tubes.

Consequently, such a manifold can be used in particular in multiple flow heat exchangers, also called "multi-exchangers", which are traversed either by at least two different fluids, or by the same fluid but at levels of 30 different temperature.

A particular application possible is that of the radiators traversed by a same fluid, generally the cooling fluid of a motor vehicle engine, at two temperature levels respectively qualified high temperature and low temperature.

It is imperative that the crossbar of the seal, which is compressed by the transverse wall of the cover, ensures a perfect seal between the two compartments of the manifold to prevent leakage or fluid mixing.

Tests have been made with a seal having a generally rectangular outline and a transverse bar connecting two longitudinal sides of the seal forming an elongated eight.

Specifically, the seals had a generally planar periphery, while the transverse bar was offset from the plane of the perimeter to be able to rest on the bottom of the collector plate, which is at a different level of the bottom of the the peripheral throat.

Although yielding interesting results, such seals have shown the following disadvantages. The offset of the bar relative to the plane of the periphery of the seal leads to difficulties in mounting the seal, which must be correctly positioned so that, when the cover is assembled, the end of the transverse partition comes to compress the bar crosswise of the seal over its entire length, including at both ends of the bar which are connected to the periphery of the seal.

Indeed, if this bar is not correctly positioned at the start and if it is not then properly compressed, it may result in the risk of leakage.

In a collector box of this type, the cover is crimped onto the collector plate, the latter being surrounded by a raised edge provided with crimping members, such as foldable tabs in the form of crenellations.

These crimping tabs are provided over the entire periphery of the raised edge, therefore of the collector plate, and make it possible to ensure both the compression of the periphery of the seal, and also the compression of the transverse bar.

However, there are known collector plates whose bottom has no peripheral groove but such collector plates do not allow such a good positioning of the seal, since the latter is not housed in a peripheral groove.

The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

It is more particularly intended to provide a manifold of the type defined in the introduction, in which the gasket bar is automatically positioned correctly to seal the header at the corresponding transverse partition.

The invention proposes for this purpose a manifold as defined in the introduction, wherein the bottom of the collector plate is depressed locally to define a plane passage connecting transversely two opposite regions of the peripheral groove and being substantially at the bottom of the this peripheral groove for receiving the crossbar of the seal.

Thus, the bottom of the collector plate is locally deformed to form a plane passage which is substantially at the level of the peripheral groove, which allows the use of a seal whose bar is coplanar with its periphery.

The flat passage of the bottom of the collector plate defines a kind of enlarged groove which allows to house the bar at the same level as its periphery.

Under these conditions, the gasket bar is correctly positioned and ensures a perfect seal during the installation and the mutual assembly of the header plate and cover.

Advantageously, the bottom of the header plate and the plane passage extend in parallel planes spaced apart from each other.

Preferably, the planar passage is connected to the bottom of the header plate by two inclined passages, which allows two smooth transitions to be made between the planar passage and the bottom of the header plate.

In the manifold of the invention, the holes of the header plate are preferably surrounded by flanges directed on the same side as the peripheral groove.

In this case, it is expected that the plane passage comprises at least two holes and their respective collars, which allows to position the strip of the seal between the collars.

In other words, the presence of the collars facilitates the positioning of the gasket bar.

Of course, the invention also applies to manifolds whose flanges are reversed, that is to say directed to the opposite side to the peripheral groove. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripheral groove has a generally rectangular outline, and the two opposite regions of the circumferential groove extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane passage. As already indicated, when the seal has a flat perimeter, the transverse bar is then coplanar with the periphery of the seal.

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

- Figure 1 is a partial perspective view from above of a header plate having a plane passage according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the bottom of the header plate of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the corresponding tubes; - Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the corresponding tubes;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a seal adapted to be housed in the header plate 10 of Figures 1 to 4;

- Figure 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the collector plate of Figures 1 and 2 shown alone; - Figure 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a collector box in the assembled state comprising the collector plate of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7; and - Figure 9 is a sectional view along the line IX-IX of Figure 7. Reference is first to Figures 1 and 2 which show a header plate 10 of generally rectangular shape, only a section is shown.

The header plate 10 has a bottom 12 of generally rectangular shape, which is pierced with holes 14 for the insertion of the tubes of a beam, as will be seen later. The holes 14 in the header plate are oblong shaped to receive the corresponding ends of flat tubes. These holes are surrounded by respective flanges 16 which protrude from the top of the manifold, as seen in Figure 1.

The bottom 12 is surrounded by a peripheral groove 18 having two opposite regions 18L which correspond to the two long sides (longitudinal sides) of the rectangular periphery of the groove. These two opposite regions 18L are therefore generally rectilinear and parallel to each other.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the flanges 16 of the holes 14 are directed on the same side as the peripheral groove, that is to say towards the inside of the header which will be described later.

However, it is also conceivable to make a collector plate with inverted collars, that is to say in which the collars protrude from the opposite side to the peripheral groove 18.

The header plate 10 is further provided with a raised edge 20 over its entire periphery. This raised edge, which contributes to delimiting the peripheral groove 18, is provided with spaced tabs 22, crenellated, which can be folded to crimp a lid, as will be seen later.

The bottom 12 of the header plate is generally flat but is depressed locally to define a planar passage 24 transversely connecting the two opposite regions 18L of the peripheral groove and located substantially at the bottom of the peripheral groove. This flat passage has substantially the shape of a rectangle arranged in such a way that the bottom of the collector plate and this plane passage extend in parallel planes spaced apart from each other. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the plane passage 24 is connected to the bottom of the header plate by two ramp-shaped inclined passages 26 which make it possible to achieve a smooth transition with the bottom 12. The holes 14 and their respective collars are arranged both in the bottom 12, but also in the plane passage 24 and in the inclined passages 26. In the example, two holes and their respective collars are arranged in the flat passage and, in the same way, two holes and their respective collars are also arranged in each of the inclined passages 26.

FIGS. 3 and 4, which are similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, show the same section of the manifold plate after insertion of the respective ends 28 of the tubes 30 of a bundle 32. The ends 28 of the tubes project slightly above the collars 16.

In the example, the tubes 28 are flat tubes which have, in cross-section, an elongated rectangular shape with two large parallel sides and two small opposite sides. In the example, each tube is divided by a transverse partition 34 (FIG. 3) so as to define two parallel flow channels.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a gasket 36 for receipt in the peripheral groove 5 and in the plane passage of the header plate 10 described above.

The seal has a generally rectangular shape and comprises a rectangular periphery composed of two longitudinal sides 38 (long sides) and two transverse sides 40 (short sides). In addition, the seal 36 comprises a transverse bar 42 which connects the two longitudinal sides 38 and which is parallel to the transverse sides 40.

According to the invention, the seal has a planar periphery and the transverse bar 42 is coplanar with the periphery of the seal, instead of being shifted as in the prior art.

The seal 36 thus has a generally elongated shape of eight which is formed in a plane. The cross section of the seal is generally circular, except at the transverse sides 40, but other shapes may be envisaged.

When the seal is disposed in the header plate, the longitudinal sides 38 are housed in the opposite regions 18L of the peripheral groove 18 and the transverse sides 40 are housed in transverse regions (not shown) of the peripheral groove 18.

In the sectional view of FIG. 6, to which reference is now made, we see the two collars 16 coming from the plane passage 24 between which the transverse web 42 of the gasket 36 will fit.

FIG. 7 shows how the transverse bar 42 is placed against the plane passage 24 by being inserted between the two respective collars 16 carried by the plane passage, which makes it possible to correctly position the transverse bar 42.

As seen in Figure 7, the manifold further comprises a lid 44 advantageously made by molding a plastic material and provided with a peripheral heel 46 (Figures 8 and 9). The latter, also called "foot", is intended to be received at least partly in the peripheral groove 18 of the header plate 18 with insertion of the seal 36. The tabs 22 of the edge 20 are then folded to ensure crimping the cover with compression of the seal (Figures 8 and 9).

The cover 44 further comprises a transverse partition 48 (FIG. 7) having a free edge 50 capable of pressing and compressing the bar 42 as seen in FIG. 7. Because this bar is housed in the plane passage 24 and it is located at the same level, that is to say in the same plane as the periphery of the seal, the bar is correctly positioned and is compressed along its entire length by the edge 50 of the transverse partition 48, there included in the connection areas of the bar with the longitudinal sides 38 of the seal. Two compartments C1 and C2 separated by the partition 48 are thus delimited in the header box and are capable of establishing a fluid communication with respectively two parts of the bundle of tubes.

Figure 8 shows how, after assembly, the transverse bar 42 of the seal 36 is compressed over its entire length, including in the connection regions with the longitudinal sides of the seal. The transverse bar is then compressed between the plane passage 24 and the free edge 50 of the partition 48.

Figure 9 shows, after assembly, the establishment of the longitudinal sides 38 of the seal in the opposite regions 18L of the peripheral groove 18.

In Figures 8 and 9, the collets of the header plate and the tubes have not been shown to simplify the drawing. The header plate and the manifold of the invention can be made with a wide range of dimensions.

The holes 14 of the header plate are advantageously spaced two by two in a pitch of between 5 and 10 mm, and preferably between 6 and 8 mm.

The exchanger of the invention may constitute, for example, a cooling radiator of a vehicle engine or a heating radiator of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. In this case, the bundle of tubes advantageously has a thickness of between 10 and 60 mm, preferably between 14 and 34 mm, and more preferably between 14 and 27 mm. In another exemplary embodiment, the exchanger of the invention may constitute a radiator or charge air cooler. In this case, the bundle of tubes 15 advantageously has a thickness of between 25 and 130 mm, preferably between 30 and 100 mm.

The collector plate and the tubes of the bundle are advantageously made of aluminum or aluminum alloy and assembled together by brazed technology. Preferably, heat exchange fins, in the form of corrugated inserts, are placed between the tubes of the beam in a manner known per se.

The invention is not. not limited to the embodiment previously described by way of example in which the cover comprises a single transverse partition. It is possible, according to the same principle, to provide a header plate comprising a plurality of planar passages, a cover comprising a plurality of transverse partitions and a seal comprising a plurality of bars.

Also, the manifold plate may have inverted flanges, i.e. flanges directed away from the peripheral groove.

The invention is particularly applicable to multi-flow type heat exchangers, particularly to high temperature / low temperature type radiators for motor vehicles.

Claims (13)

Revendications1. A heat exchanger collector box, comprising a collector plate (10) having a bottom (12) pierced with holes (14) for insertion of the tubes of a bundle and surrounded by a peripheral groove (18), a cover ( 44) provided with a peripheral bead (46), a seal (36) interposed between the peripheral groove (18) and the peripheral bead (46), and wherein the cover (44) has at least one transverse partition (48) adapted to compress a transverse bar (42) of the seal (36), a header box in which the bottom (12) of the header plate (10) is depressed locally to define a transversely connecting plane passage (24) two opposite regions (18L) of the peripheral groove (18) and located substantially at the bottom of this peripheral groove to receive the transverse bar (42) of the seal (36). The header box of claim 1, wherein the bottom (12) of the header plate (10) and the planar passage (24) extend in parallel planes spaced apart from each other. 3. header box according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the plane passage (24) is connected to the bottom (12) of the header plate (10) by two inclined passages (26). 4. header box according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holes (14) are surrounded by respective collars (16) directed on the same side as the peripheral groove (18), the plane passage (24) comprising two 13holes (14) and their respective collars (16), which allows to position the bar (42) of the seal (36) between these two collars. 5. header box according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peripheral groove (18) has a contour of generally rectangular shape, the two opposite regions (18L) of the peripheral groove (18) extending parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane passage (24). 6. header box according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the seal (36) has a planar perimeter and in that the transverse bar (42) is coplanar with the periphery of the seal. A header according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral groove (18) has a generally rectangular outline, the seal (36) having a generally rectangular periphery with two longitudinal sides (38) and two sides transverse bar (42) extending transversely between the two longitudinal sides (38). 8. header box according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the holes (14) of the header plate (10) are oblong to receive ends (28) of flat tubes (30). 9. header box according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the holes (14) of the header plate (10) are spaced two by two with a pitch of between 6 and 10 mm, preferably between 6 and 8 mm. 10. Heat exchanger comprising a tube bundle (30) connected to at least one header box according to one of claims 1 to 9. 11. Heat exchanger according to claim 10, said exchanger constituting a multi-flow exchanger, in which two parts of the bundle of tubes (30) communicate respectively with two compartments (C1, C2) of the manifold separated by said transverse partition. (48). 12. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 10 and 11, said exchanger constituting a cooling radiator of a vehicle engine or a heating radiator of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, the tube bundle of said exchanger having a thickness of between 10 and 60 mm, preferably between 14 and 34 mm, and more preferably between 14 and 27 mm. 13. Heat exchanger according to one of claims 10 and 11, said exchanger constituting a radiator or charge air cooler, the tube bundle of said exchanger having a thickness of between 25 and 130 mm, preferably between 30 and 100 mm.