FR3050693A1 - DEVICE FOR HEATING AN AIR FLOW CIRCULATING IN A VENTILATION, HEATING AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Electric heating device for heating an air flow passing through a duct of a ventilation installation, comprising a heating block traversed by the air flow and comprising at least one heating element powered by at least one electrical terminal, a housing in which a control module is arranged, the control module comprises an electrical conductor in contact with the electrical terminal, at least one housing (30) in which the electrical terminal and the electrical conductor extend, the housing (30) is delimited a first window (32) and a second window (34), characterized in that the second window (34) has a passage section (38) smaller than the passage section (36) of the first window (32).

Description

Device for heating a flow of air circulating in a ventilation, heating and / or air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle

Technical Field of the Invention The invention relates to the field of ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning of a motor vehicle. It relates to heating devices intended to be mounted in a ventilation system, heating and / or air conditioning of a motor vehicle. The subject of the invention is a device for electric heating of a flow of air circulating in a conduit constituting such an installation. It also relates to a method of assembling parts constituting said device.

State of the art

The temperature of the air contained inside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is currently regulated from the implementation of a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning equipment equipping the vehicle. Such an installation frequently comprises a heating device, such as a radiator or the like, which is intended to heat a flow of air flowing therethrough, prior to the delivery of the heated air flow inside the heater. cockpit. For this purpose, the device comprises a heating block consisting of a plurality of heating elements which are thus arranged on the path of the air flow to be heated. In practice, the device is housed inside a flow channel of the air flow that includes said installation. The heater includes a control module in a housing and the heater block can be housed in a frame. The heating block comprises at least one heating element that can be arranged inside the frame. In addition, the control module can be attached to the frame.

Control of the heater is provided by a printed circuit board included in the control module. This plate which ensures in particular the power supply is connected to a power source.

The terminals of the heating elements are connected to electrical conductive pads connected to the control circuit board, by clinching or by riveting. Toolpaths are provided in the heater to permit attachment of the heater terminals to the power supply circuit (s). Document FR 2 922 817 teaches such a heating device.

However, such tool passages release spaces or housings that the flow of air to be heated can cross. The air flow then passes through at least the heating elements and the housings. This air flow having passed through the housings is at a temperature below the air flow having passed through the heating elements. The housings thus create a thermal imbalance and a problem of homogeneity of the temperature of the air flow at the outlet of the heating device, generating difficulties in supplying the desired air temperature for the heating of the passenger compartment.

This problem of homogeneity is all the more amplified and troublesome when the heating device is configured to heat a flow of air to a compartment divided into several zones, such as the driver's area and the front passenger area. , for example. It is then impossible with such a device of the prior art to obtain a homogeneous air flow in all the zones of a subdivided cabin. The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art by providing an electric heating device to obtain, ultimately, an air flow at the outlet of the homogeneous heating device, while allowing the passage of tools for connecting the electrical terminals of the heating block heating elements to the electrical pads of the control module of the housing.

According to the invention, the electric heating device for heating a flow of air circulating in a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation, comprises a heating block through which a first part of the air flow passes, the heating block comprising at least one heating element at the end of which is provided at least one electrical terminal. The device also comprises a housing in which is disposed a control module of the heating element, the control module comprising at least one electrical conductor in contact with the electrical terminal of the heating element. The electrical terminal and the electrical conductor extend in at least one housing delimited by a first window and by a second window, the first window being defined by a first passage section of a second part of the air flow, whereas the second window is defined by a second passage section of the second part of the air flow. The device according to the invention is recognizable when the second passage section is strictly smaller than the first passage section. The invention thus makes it possible to reduce the amount of unheated air coming out of the heating device. The thermal imbalance at the output of the heating device is therefore reduced.

The first window is for example coplanar with an inlet face of the air flow in the heating block. This inlet face corresponds to a first face of the heating device which is perpendicular to the path of the flow of air flowing in the duct of the heating installation in which the heating device is installed. The first window has a first passage section, at least partially open. The second window is also defined by its passage section, and it is then smaller than the first passage section. This difference in passage section makes it possible to reduce the quantity of the second part of the air flow at the outlet of the heating device.

The second window can also be coplanar with an exit face of the first part of the air flow at the outlet of the heating block. This exit face corresponds to a second face of the heating device which is perpendicular to the path of the air flow in the duct of the heating installation in which the heating device is installed.

Regardless of the embodiment chosen, the invention has at least one of the following characteristics, considered alone or in combination: the second passage section is different from zero. It is understood here that the second window is at least partially open; the housing is located between the control module and the heating block, according to a general plan of extension of the heating block; the first window is opposite to the second window relative to the electrical terminal. Thus, the first window and the second window delimit on both sides the housing; the first passage section is equal to a passage section of the housing. This guarantees the passage of a tool for mechanically and electrically connecting the terminal and its driver; the second passage section is strictly less than a passage section of the housing; the second window is coplanar with an output face of the heating block; the second window is covered by a device for reducing the amount of air passing through it; the device for reducing the quantity of air passing therethrough is formed by at least one slot bordered by at least one edge; the slot extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension axis of the heating block. The slot extends in a plane in which the second window extends; the device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough is a part attached to the right of the second window; the device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough comprises means for fixing the device for reducing the amount of air to the housing; alternatively or additionally, the device for reducing the quantity of air passing therethrough comprises means for fixing the device for reducing the quantity of air to a frame housing the heating block; the device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough is integral with the housing or integral with a frame housing the heating block; the device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough comprises an air deflector device. Such a deflector has the function of changing the direction of the second part of the air flow; the air deflector device is arranged to deflect the second part of the air flow passing therethrough to the first part of the flow which passes through the heating block; the air deflector device is formed by at least one air deflector blade; the air deflecting blade extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension axis of the heater block of the heater; the air deflecting blade extends along the slot and emerges from the edge along a concurrent plane and distinct from a plane passing through the second window. Such an air deflecting blade is inclined relative to the slot it adjoins. The invention also relates to a ventilation system, heating and / or air conditioning of a motor vehicle comprising a heating device as described above. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a device for heating an air flow, according to any one of the features described above, characterized in that it comprises a first step consisting of a superposition of an electrical terminal of the heating element with an electrical conductor of the control module in the housing, followed by a second step of fixing the electrical terminal with the electrical conductor and followed by a third step of covering at least partially the second window which delimits at least one housing of the heating device. According to this aspect of the invention, the third step is achieved by the positioning of a device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough to the right of the second window.

The device for reducing the amount of air passing through it can be clipped, serrated, glued or welded at least to the housing and / or the housing and the frame.

A preliminary step may consist in the constitution of the housing during which two half-shells and a cover are assembled.

In one aspect, the device for reducing the amount of air passing through it is made of material with a half-shell.

According to another aspect of the method, the device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough may be integral with a frame defining the heating block. In this case, an initial step is to partially introduce the heating elements in the frame so that they exceed the frame, then the second step is to fix the electrical terminals on the electrical conductors, and another step that consists of translating the frame on the heating elements until the air reduction device passing therethrough covers the second window of at least one housing. Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly with the aid of the description and the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a front view of a heating device that can be housed in a circulation duct; ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning; - Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view through an electrical terminal and an electrical conductor; FIG. 3 is a front view of the heating device and a device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough arranged separately, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and on which the heating elements are not represented; - Figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view passing through an electrical terminal and an electrical conductor and illustrating an embodiment of the air deflector device; FIGS. 5 to 7 are top, side and bottom views of the device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough shown according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; - Figure 8 is a rear view of the fixing means of the device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough on the heating device; FIG. 9 is an exploded view in front three-quarter perspective of a heating device according to a second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a front view of the heating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9; - Figure 11 is a front three-quarter perspective view of the heater according to a third embodiment;

In the following description, a longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientation will be adopted in a nonlimiting manner according to the orientation conventionally used in the automobile. In addition, the terms lower and upper must be interpreted when the object is in the normal position of use, ie positioned in a duct of a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning to be crossed by a flow of air.

The directions mentioned above are also visible in an orthonormal reference OXYZ shown in the figures.

1 to 11 to describe a heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "electrical according to the invention, which is adapted to be housed in an air duct of a ventilation system, heating and / or air conditioning, so as to transform the electrical energy taken from the vehicle into heat energy returned to the air passing through said ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning system. This heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "is provided in addition to the heat treatment of the air flow provided by a main radiator. The ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation is not shown here, but it will be understood that the main duct of this installation conventionally comprises an access opening inside the duct made in a wall of said duct for inserting the heater 2, 2 ', 2 ". To do this, fastening lugs 4 and a docking device 6 at the wall of the duct allow tight and centered insertion of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "into the main duct of this installation, visible in the figures. 1 and 3.

In the various embodiments described, the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "comprises a housing 8, 8' and a heating block 10. The heating device 2, 2 ', 2" is designed to heat a flow of air flowing through it. The heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "comprises the heating block 10 through which a first portion of the air flow is passed through, to be reheated. This heating block 10 can be held in a frame, or simply attached to it by one of the ends of the heating block 10.

The heating block 10 comprises at least one heating element 12, and advantageously several heating elements 12. A heating element 12 is for example configured in the form of a heating bar 14 extended along an axis of longitudinal extension parallel to the direction OZ of the heating device. heating 2, 2 ', 2 ". This heating bar 14 comprises a first and a second end longitudinally opposite one another. This heating bar 14 comprises two electrodes that electrically supply a plurality of positive temperature coefficient resistors "PTC" included in the heating bar 14. This heating bar 14 also comprises two heatsinks responsible for increasing the contact area between the electrical resistance and the air flow.

The heating block 10 is constituted by way of example, by three heating bars 14 identical and distinct. These heating bars 14 are arranged in a plane P of general extension of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "so that the flow of air to be heated through this plane P in a direction substantially orthogonal to the latter. Alternatively, the heating block 10 comprises only two heating bars 14, a first heating bar 14 comprises only two heatsinks, while a second heating bar 14 comprises exactly three heatsinks.

The first end 16 of the heating bar 14 comprises at least one electrical terminal 18, in particular two electrical terminals 18 shaped here in the form of tabs of an electrically conductive material. These electrical terminals 18 are each formed by a longitudinal end of or electrodes constituting the heating element 12. Alternatively, the electrical terminals 18 may be formed by extensions separate electrodes but electrically connected thereto.

The heating elements 12 each extend in a cavity 20 allowing the passage of at least a first portion 40 of the air flow to be heated through the heating element 12, this cavity 20 being able to be included in the housing 8 and / or in the frame. In the following description, the heating elements 12 used in the various embodiments follow this same configuration as defined above.

In all the embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1 by way of example, the housing 8 houses a control module 22. The control module 22 carries electrical conductors 24 which are electrically and mechanically connected to the terminals The control module 22 housed in the housing 8 controls the implementation of the heating element 12 using a printed circuit board, from the application of a voltage at least one electrical conductor 24 and the electrical terminal 18 of the heating element 12. The electrical terminal 18 is intended to ensure the connection of the power supply source with the heating element 12, via the electrical conductor 24. Each electrical terminal 18 is formed in the longitudinal extension of the heating element 12 and in contact with the corresponding electrical conductor 24 of the module. e command 22. The electrical conductor 24 is here shaped as a stud. As shown, each of the tabs is respectively in contact with each of the pads.

The electrical conductors 24 and the electrical terminals 18 extend in a housing 30 which is arranged, for example, between the control module 22 and the heating block 10, along the axis OZ of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 " that is to say a longitudinal direction of the heating device.

The housing 30 is formed in the longitudinal extension of the cavity 20 along the plane P. This housing 30 receives the first end 16 of the heating element 12, so as to provide free access to the electrical terminals 18. The electrical terminal 18 and the electrical conductor 24 thus extend into the housing 30.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the housing 30 comprises two windows 32, 34 opposite one to the other with respect to the electrical terminal 18 and the electrical conductor 24, these windows being parallel, or substantially parallel. Tune compared to the other.

A first window 32 has a first passage section 36 corresponding to the opening surface of this first window 32 through which a second portion 42 of the air flow enters the housing 30. This first window 32 is at least partly open to allow the passage of a suitable apparatus for mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical terminator 18 and the electrical conductor 24. To do this, the first passage section 36 is at least equal to a passage section 44 of the housing 30.

The housing 30 is delimited by a second window 34 which has a second passage section 38 corresponding to the opening surface of the second window 34 through which the second portion 42 of the air flow can exit in a restricted manner from the housing 30. This second passage section 38 is strictly smaller than the first passage section 36 and, optionally, the passage section of the housing 30.

The fact that the second passage section 38 is smaller than the first passage section 36 results in particular from the presence of a device 46 for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough. Such a reduction device 46 is intended to be positioned facing the second window 34, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 or 4.

The first window 32 is coplanar with the inlet face of the heating block 10, through which the first part 40 of the air flow enters the heating block 10. The second window 34 is also coplanar with an exit face of the first part 40 of the air flow coming out of the heating block 10, this face corresponding to the outlet face of the air flow out of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 ". It will also be noted that the second portion 42 of the air flow exits unheated after passing through the housing 30. This housing 30 is therefore not intended to heat air flow.

These two windows 34, 36 which delimit the housing 30 are advantageously configured during the assembly of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "to allow access to a zone 48 of superposition of the electrical terminals 18 and the electrical conductors 24, visible in Figures 1, 2 or 4.

The contacting of each electrical terminal 18 with its electrical conductor 24 is performed using a method of clinching or riveting. It will be understood that the housing 30 allows access to the zone 48 for fixing the electrical terminals 18 on their electrical conductors 24 by a suitable apparatus necessary during the step of fixing the electrical terminals 18. This housing 30 has the function of electrically connecting the heating element 12 to the control module 22.

In order to facilitate the understanding of FIG. 1, the heating device 2 according to the invention schematically illustrates three housings 30, in which a first housing 30 situated at the center comprises only two electrical terminals 18, a second housing 30 comprises only two electrical conductors. 24 and a last housing 30 comprises two electrical terminals 18 and two electrical conductors 24 electrically connected and also fixed together.

The various embodiments described differ in part according to the configuration of the housing 8, 8 '.

The first embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 and 3 consists of a heater 2 comprising a housing 8 housing the control module 22 and having a sleeve 50 holding the heating elements 12 in place.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the sleeve 50 comprises three cavities 20 and three slots 30, each housing 30 receiving two electrical terminals 18 and two electrical conductors 24 corresponding electrically connected to each other.

The sleeve 50 formed in the housing 8 comprises at least one cavity 20 and a housing 30 formed in one and the same piece, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. This sleeve 50 receives the first end 16 of the heating elements 12 and allows the maintenance in place of the heating elements 12 without mechanical contact with each other, in particular by means of partition walls 52 included in the sleeve 50. These partition walls 52 extend longitudinally in the plane P and transversely thereto.

It will be noted that this cavity 20 has an opening 54, at one end of the housing 8, perpendicular to the plane P for the passage of the first end 16 of the heating element 12 comprising the electrical terminals 18. Thus, the heating element 12 is inserted by translation according to the direction OZ in the cavity 20, then in the housing 30.

It will be understood that the configuration of each cavity 20 and housing 30 in the sleeve 50 conditions the good reception of the heating elements 12 in the housing 8 of the heating device 2.

In this embodiment, the housing 30 is delimited by the first and the second window 32, 34. As provided by the invention, the second passage section 38 defining the second window 34 is smaller than the first passage section 36 delimiting the first window 32. This second passage section 38 is reduced by the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough, as shown in Figures 2 and following.

According to one embodiment, the first window 32 is fully open, that is to say that the passage section 44 of the housing 30 is equal to the first passage section 36 of the first window 32.

In this embodiment shown in Figure 3, the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing through it consists of an insert, separate from the housing 8 and intended to be attached to the housing 8 once the operation The embodiment of the reduction device 46 is nonetheless transferable to the embodiments illustrated in the other figures.

According to the embodiment, the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough may be an insert or integral with a component of the heater 2 ', 2 ".

The mounting of the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough may be removable or permanently attached to the heater 2, 2 ', 2 ", indifferently. As represented in FIGS. 5 to 7, this reduction device 46 of the quantity of air passing therethrough has an upper face 66 and a lower face 68, the latter comprising at least one fastening means 70, such as a hook 72 made of material with the lower face 68 and configured to engage at least one partition 52 of the sleeve 50 of the housing 8, or a portion of the housing 8 or the frame defining the housing 30.

FIG. 8 shows in detail the cooperation of the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough with the housing 8. The fixing means 70 of the device 46 for reducing the quantity of air passing therethrough is configured to cooperate and fix the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough to at least one upright 28 of a first shell, constituting an embodiment of the housing 8.

The reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough here consists of a flap 58, for example provided with slots and / or louvers. It will be understood that the device 46 for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough has a shape adapted to cover only the set of second windows 34 of the housings 30. This device 46 for reducing the amount of air passing through its through is formed of at least one slot 60 bordered by a border 61, allowing the second portion of the air flow. In the present case, the flap 58 comprises three slots 60, of which at least one, and advantageously all, extend along the transverse axis OY of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 ", that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heating block.

This reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough has a rectangular shape. The length and the width of this reduction device 46 of the quantity of air passing through it are conditioned by the dimensions of the set of second windows 34 of the housings 30 included in the casing 8.

Moreover, as represented in particular in FIG. 6, this reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough may be provided with an air deflector device 64, which takes for example the shape of at least one This deflector blade 62 extends along each slot 60, perpendicular to the direction of longitudinal extension of the heating block.

The air deflector device 64 may comprise three or four air deflector blades 62, extending longitudinally along a transverse axis OY of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 ".

Thus, the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough is completed by an air deflector device 64, deflecting the second portion 42 of the air flow at the housing outlet 30. The deflecting blade or blades air 62 are arranged to deflect the second portion 42 of the air flow at the housing outlet 30 to the first portion 40 of the air flow at the outlet of the heating block 10. It will be understood that the configuration, including the inclination is provided to ensure that the two parts of the airflow 40, 42 which respectively leave the heating block 10 and housing 30, meet. This second portion 42 of the unheated air stream at the housing outlet 30 is advantageously diverted towards the first part 40 of the air stream which is heated by the heating block 10. Thus, the two parts of the air flow 40 , 42 at the outlet of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "are mixed and the negative effect of the temperature of the second portion 42 of the air flow is significantly reduced.

Referring to Figure 7, the lower face 68 of the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough has flanges 74 integral with the lower face 68 and configured to the dimensions necessary to be nested in at least a second window 34 of a housing 30. The mounting of the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough is by translation along the axis OX of the heating device 2, 2 ', 2 "and in particular by insertion of the flanges 74 in the part of the housing 8 which borders the second windows 34. The flap 58 cooperates here with all of the housings 30 by force fitting, or alternatively by clipping the hooks 72 on the partition walls 52, by example. As shown, the flap 58 comprises at least three hooks 72 and the flanges 74 intended to cooperate with each of the second windows 34 of the housings 30.

FIGS. 9 and 11 respectively represent a second embodiment and a third embodiment, according to which a heating device 2 ', 2 "comprises a housing 8' formed of a hood 76 and two half-shells 78, 80 secured to each other in the plane of the heater 2 ', 2 ".

A first half-shell 78 and a second half-shell 80 are assembled together by means of cooperation, in particular by clipping, gluing, welding and / or crimping. Once the two half-shells 78, 80 assembled Tune to another, the cover 76 covers an internal volume delimited by the two half-shells 78, 80. This internal volume receives the control module 22, including a circuit board printed 82.

These heating devices 2 ', 2 "according to the second and third embodiments also comprise a frame 84 in which the heating block 10 is placed. The frame 84 comprises at least the cavity 20 in which a heating element extends. 12. The cavity 20 extends over the entire length of the frame 84, in the longitudinal direction OZ of the heating element 12. The frame 84 comprises for example three cavities 20 separated in pairs by a spacer space 86. The cavity 20, of which the characteristics have been described previously in the first embodiment, allows the flow of air to pass through the heating block 10.

The spacer spaces 86 present orifices 88 for the passage of a portion of the air flow and are delimited by bars 90. These spacers 86 are for example integral with the frame 84 so as to form a single piece. These spacers 86 form means for balancing the pressure drop on the air of the heater 2 ', 2 ". The heater 2 ', 2 "may also have at least one reinforcing member 92, such as braces. Thus, the frame 84 maintains heating elements 12, in particular three heating elements 12, extended in the longitudinal direction of the axis OZ.

The housing 8 'and the frame 84 are assembled together by means of a cooperation device, taking the form of a cooperation involving at least one guide pin integrally formed with a half-shell, intended to be inserted into a housing. sheath formed in a frame amount 84, for example. The cooperation devices may be provided on the half-shells 78 and 80 and on the peripheral uprights of the frame 84, as well as on the half-shells 78, 80 and in the extension of at least one intermediate space 86.

Between the heating block 10 and the control module 22 extends at least the housing 30, preferably three housings 30. Each of these housing 30 is delimited in part by the first half-shell 78 and the second half-shell 80 , as well as at one end of the frame 84. The first window 32 of the housing 30 is delimited by the first half-shell 78 and the frame 84. The second window 34 is delimited by the second half-shell 80 and the frame 84 according to this embodiment.

As shown for the second and third embodiments, three heating elements 12 constitute the heating block 10 in the frame 84. Thus, the frame 84 comprises three cavities 20 separated by interspaces 86 traversed by a portion of the flow of air, and no longer only by partition walls, as is the case of the first embodiment.

According to the second particular embodiment, the second half-shell 80 comprises the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough which covers at least a second window 34 of at least one housing 30, and in particular the all of the housing 30 of the heater 2 '. This reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough is integral with the second half-shell 80. This reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough covers at least the second window 34 of a housing 30. Thus the amount of air passing through the housing 30 and the air reduction device 46 passing therethrough is reduced.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in this second embodiment, the heating elements 12 are inserted beforehand by translation in the general plane of extension of the heating block and the direction OZ in the frame 84. To do this each cavity 20 has an opening 54 perpendicular to the general plane of extension of the heating block, for the passage of the second end of the heating element 12 opposite the first end 16. Each heating element 12 follows a translational movement in the direction OZ in the frame 84, so as to position the electrical terminals 18 of the heating elements 12 in free access to be in electrical contact with the electrical conductors 24 of the control module 22.

Thus and as shown, the electrical terminals 18 are brought into contact by riveting or clinching with the electrical conductors 24 connected to the printed circuit board 82 constituting the control module 22. Once the electrical contact is made, the two half the shells 78, 80 are assembled around the printed circuit board 82, then the cover 76 is assembled to cover the printed circuit board 82, then by a translation movement in the longitudinal direction of the heating elements 12, the frame 84 is assembled to the housing 8 'using the cooperation devices presented above.

Figure 11 shows the third embodiment of the heater 2 "according to the invention. This heating device 2 ", as defined above, comprises a housing 8 'consisting of two half-shells 78, 80 and a cover 76 and a frame 84.

In this embodiment, the heating elements 12 are inserted beforehand by translation along the general plane of extension of the heating block in the frame 84. To this end, each cavity 20 has an opening 54 perpendicular to the plane P, for the passage of the second end of the heating element 12 opposite the first end 16. Each heating element 12 follows a partial translational movement in the longitudinal direction OZ in the frame 84, so as to arrange the electrical terminals 18 of the heating elements 12 in free access outside the frame 84, to be brought into electrical contact and fixed to the electrical conductors 24 of the control module 22.

As represented in FIG. 11, in this third embodiment, the frame 84 comprises the device 46 for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough which covers at least a second window 34 of a housing 30, and in particular of all housing 30 of the housing 8 '. This reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing through it is integral with the frame 84. Thus, the amount of second portion 42 of the air flow through the housing 30 is reduced.

This reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough comprises at least one strip 94, in particular three strips 94. This strip 94 is integral with the frame 84 and is formed in the longitudinal extension of a cavity 20. which receives a heating element, along the axis OZ. The strip 94 extends along the general plane P extension of the heating block.

This strip 94 protrudes longitudinally from a plane which delimits a longitudinal end of the frame 84. Such a strip may comprise one or more slots 60 bordered by a border 60, as detailed in the first embodiment. In a complementary manner, this or these strips 94 may comprise an air deflector device arranged on the reduction device 46 of the amount of air passing therethrough in a manner similar to the first embodiment. The assembly of the heating device according to this third embodiment is completed by a step during which the housing 8 'has been assembled before or parallel to the step of insertion of the heating elements in the frame, by positioning the hood 76 on the half-shells 78, 80, leaving a space where is housed the control module 22. The electrical terminals 18 are brought into contact by riveting or clinching with the electrical conductors 24 connected to the printed circuit board 82. Once the electrical bringing into effect, the frame 84 is assembled to the housing 8 ', with the aid of the cooperation devices and by a translational movement along the heating elements 12 in the longitudinal direction OZ, so as to fully accommodate the elements 12 in the frame 84 and cover the housing 30 by the reduction device 46 the amount of area passing through it.

Claims (23)

Electric heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") for heating a flow of air circulating in a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation, comprising: a heating block (10) traversed by a first part ( 40) of the air flow and comprising at least one heating element (12) at the end of which is provided at least one electrical terminal (18), a housing (8, 8 ') in which is arranged a control module (22) of the heating element (12), the control module (22) comprising at least one electrical conductor (24) in contact with the electrical terminal (18), at least one housing (30) in which the electrical terminal extends (18) and the electrical conductor (24), said housing (30) being delimited by a first window (32) and a second window (34), the first window (32) being defined by a first passage section (36). ) of a second portion (42) of the air flow and the second window (34) is defined e by a second passage section (38) of the second portion (42) of the air flow, characterized in that the second passage section (38) is strictly smaller than the first passage section (36). 2. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first passage section (36) is equal to a passage section (44) of the housing (30). 3. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second passage section (38) is strictly smaller than a passage section (44) of the housing (30). ). 4. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second window (34) is coplanar with an outlet face of the heating block (10). 5. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second window (34) is covered by a device (46) for reducing the amount of air passing through. through it. 6. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the device (46) for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough is formed by at least one slot (60). bordered by at least one border (61). 7. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the slot (60) extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension axis of the heating block (10). 8. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the device (46) for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough is an insert to the right of the second window (34). 9. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the device (46) for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough comprises means for fixing the reduction device (46) for the amount of air to the housing (8, 8 '). 10. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the device (46) for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough comprises means for attaching the air quantity reduction device (46) to a frame (84) housing the heating block (10). 11. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the device (46) for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough is material. with the housing (8, 8 '). 12. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the device (46) for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough is material. with a frame (84) housing the heating block (10). 13. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that the device (46) for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough comprises a deflector device of air (64). 14. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air deflector device (64) is arranged to deflect the second portion (42) of the air flow passing to its through to the first portion (40) of the air flow for exiting the heating block (10). Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to one of Claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the air deflector device (64) is formed by at least one air deflector plate ( 62). 16. Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air deflecting blade (62) extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension axis of the heating block (10). of the heating device (2, 2 ', 2 "). Heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to claim 15 or 16 in combination with any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the air deflector blade (62) extends over along the slot (60) and emerges from the border (61) along a plane concurrent with and distinct from a plane passing through the second window (34). 18. Installation ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning of a motor vehicle having a heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") according to any one of the preceding claims. 19. A method of assembling a heating device (2, 2 ', 2 ") of an air flow according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises a first step consisting of in a superposition of a heating element electrical terminal (18) with an electrical conductor (24) of the control module (22) in the housing (30), followed by a second step of fixing the electrical terminal (18) with the electrical conductor (24) and followed by a third step of partially covering the second window (34) which delimits at least one housing (30) of the heater (2, 2 ', 2 "). 20. A method of assembling a heater (2, 2 ', 2 ") of an air flow according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the third step is performed by the positioning of a reduction device. the amount of air passing through (46) to the right of the second window (34). 21. A method of assembling a heater (2 ', 2 ") of an air flow according to any one of claims 19 or 20, comprising a prior step of constitution of the housing (8') to during which two half-shells (78, 80) and a hood (76) are assembled. 22. A method of assembling a heater (2 ") of an air flow according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the device for reducing the amount of air passing therethrough (46) is made of material with a frame (84) delimiting the heating block (10). 23. A method of assembling a heater (2 ") of an air flow according to the preceding claim, characterized in that an initial step consists in partially introducing the heating elements (12) into the frame ( 84) so that they protrude from the frame (84), then the second step of attaching the electrical terminals (18) to the electrical conductors (24), and another step of translating the frame (84). ) on the heating elements (12) until the air reduction device passing therethrough (46) covers the second window (34) of at least one housing (30).