FR3056456A1 - FRAME FOR AN ELECTRIC HEATING DEVICE COMPRISING A PLASTIC DEFORMATION MEANS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame (2) for an electric heating device (10) for a flow of air flowing inside a ventilation, heating and / or air-conditioning system of a vehicle. automobile, said frame (2) comprising at least one heating compartment (6) having at least one housing (8, 801, 802) for receiving a heating element (5, 51, 52), the housing (8, 801 , 802) being defined by at least two substantially parallel longitudinal walls (32, 33, 34). According to the invention, one of the longitudinal walls (32, 33, 34) comprises at least one plastic deformation means (7) arranged projecting from this wall towards the interior of the housing to irreversibly deform the heating element. (5, 51, 52) in the housing (8, 801, 802) and another longitudinal wall (34) comprises at least one clearance zone (30) configured to receive an irreversibly deformed portion of the heating element.

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,056,456 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 16 59294

COURBEVOIE © IntCI ⁸

B 60 H 1/22 (2017.01), H 05 B 3/12

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 09.29.16. © Applicant (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS (30) Priority: Simplified joint stock company - FR. @ Inventor (s): PIERRON FREDERIC, LEBORGNE JOSE, KARAASLAN SERIF and FOURGOUS PASCAL. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 30.03.18 Bulletin 18/13. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS related: Joint stock company. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS.

FR 3 056 456 - A1

104 / FRAME OF AN ELECTRIC HEATING DEVICE INCLUDING A MEANS OF PLASTIC DEFORMATION.

©) The invention relates to a frame (2) of an electric heating device (10) of an air flow circulating inside a ventilation, heating, and / or air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle, said frame (2) comprising at least one heating compartment (6) having at least one housing (8, 801, 802) for receiving a heating element (5, 51, 52), the housing (8 , 801, 802) being defined by at least two longitudinal walls (32, 33, 34) substantially parallel.

According to the invention, one of the longitudinal walls (32, 33,

34) comprises at least one plastic deformation means (7) arranged projecting from this wall towards the inside of the housing in order to irreversibly deform the heating element (5, 51,52) in the housing (8, 801,802) and another longitudinal wall (34) comprises at least one clearance zone (30) configured to receive an irreversibly deformed part of the heating element.

ι

FRAME OF AN ELECTRIC HEATING DEVICE INCLUDING A PLASTIC DEFORMATION MEANS

The invention relates to electric heating devices, in particular for a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle.

The heating of the air intended for heating the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, as well as for demisting and defrosting the glazed surfaces, is ensured by heat exchange between an air flow and a cooling of the heat engine circulating in a heat exchanger.

When the engine starts and for a certain period of time following the start time, the calories transported by the engine coolant are insufficient to ensure rapid and efficient heating of the passenger compartment. This is observed more particularly with certain types of engine and has a disadvantage in cold weather, because not only the internal temperature of the passenger compartment cannot be raised quickly, but also the functions of demisting and defrosting cannot be effectively ensured.

To remedy these drawbacks, it has been proposed to mount an additional electric heating device in the air flow directed towards the passenger compartment.

Such an electric heating device generally comprises a frame having a heating body comprising a plurality of parallel conductive plates between which are mounted resistive heating elements, for example resistors with positive temperature coefficient (PTC), and radiant elements increasing the heat exchange surface with the air flow passing through the heating device. These different elements are assembled so as to form at least one heating element, the heating element or elements constituting the heating body then being inserted in a housing thereof. To this end, the housing, defined by walls, comprises elastic elements, in particular arranged projecting from these walls, which are constrained during the insertion of the heating element (s) and which then exert an elastic restoring force participating in the plating. from the corresponding heating element to the opposite wall of the housing. This ensures that the heating element is kept in position in its housing, which must be provided with dimensions substantially larger than those of the heating element to allow its insertion.

The drawback associated with the use of these elastic elements exerting a restoring force on the heating elements lies in the fact that during rolling, or in the event of a fall of the heating device, the elastic elements are subjected to more or less vibrations. less important. These vibrations can cause noise in the ventilation circuit serving the passenger compartment, which can cause discomfort for users of the motor vehicle. It is also possible that these vibrations weaken or even break the elastic elements, the heating elements then no longer being held correctly in their housing, which can at least again cause noise annoyance for the users or contribute to mechanical rupture. heating elements.

In this context, the invention aims to propose an alternative to known frames of additional electric heating devices, which is at least as efficient, reliable, at a lower cost and simplified assembly.

To this end, the invention provides a framework for an electric heating device for an air flow circulating inside a ventilation, heating, and / or air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle, said frame comprising at least one heating compartment having at least one housing for receiving a heating element, the housing being defined by at least two substantially parallel longitudinal walls. According to the invention, one of the longitudinal walls comprises at least one plastic deformation means arranged projecting from this wall towards the inside of the housing to irreversibly deform the heating element in the housing and another longitudinal wall comprises at minus a clearance zone configured for the reception of a portion of the irreversibly deformed heating element.

The plastic deformation means is distinguished from a guide rail by the fact that it is intended to irreversibly deform the heating element. In other words, the plastic deformation means arranged on one of the walls of the housing is located in the location intended to receive the heating element. More particularly, the deformation means is located in the path of the heating element when it is inserted into the housing.

Thus, such a plastic deformation means makes it possible to press the heating element by deforming it in the direction of the wall opposite to that on which it is located, which has the effect of keeping the heating element in the housing while s free of elements likely to vibrate and generate noise inside the installation.

The plastic deformation is for example a compression of the heating element or even a perforation.

The presence of the clearance zones allows displacement of the deformed heating element through the intermediate wall, thereby partially blocking the latter in the cavity formed by the clearance zone. This setting of the heating element in the cavity, combined with the plastic and irreversible deformation generated by the plastic deformation means, contributes to maintaining the heating element in its housing without movement.

According to different characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination, it can be provided that:

- The at least one clearance zone is located on one face of the longitudinal wall facing the longitudinal wall carrying the at least one plastic deformation means;

- the at least one clearance zone is located opposite the at least one plastic deformation means; in other words, the clearance zone comprises at least one zone aligned on a transverse axis passing through the plastic deformation means; preferably, the clearance zone is centered relative to the transverse axis passing through the center of the plastic deformation means;

- the at least one clearance zone is located in the vicinity of a bottom wall participating in defining the housing by extending substantially perpendicular to the two longitudinal walls; by in the vicinity, it is meant that the clearance zone is situated between 0 cm and 10 cm from the bottom wall; and by bottom wall means a wall arranged across the direction of insertion of the heating elements in the housing, to form if necessary a stop for this insertion; and by “substantially perpendicularly”, it is understood to take into account the manufacturing clearances of the walls in their arrangement perpendicular to each other;

- The at least one clearance zone is formed by an imprint formed in the longitudinal wall, of a determined thickness less than that of the longitudinal wall, so as to form a blind cavity;

- The at least one clearance zone is formed by a window formed in the longitudinal wall, crossing from a first face of the longitudinal wall, turned towards the at least one plastic deformation means, to the second opposite face;

- the frame comprises a plurality of parallel longitudinal walls among which a first lateral longitudinal wall, a second lateral longitudinal wall and an intermediate longitudinal wall disposed between the lateral longitudinal walls, characterized in that one of the two lateral longitudinal walls comprises at least one plastic deformation means and the intermediate wall comprises, at least on its face facing the side wall comprising the at least one plastic deformation means, a clearance zone;

- The intermediate longitudinal wall has a thickness, measured along a transverse axis perpendicular to each of the longitudinal walls, configured to allow the clearance zone to accommodate said at least one deformed heating element while remaining in its housing;

- The at least one plastic deformation means has a thickness determined to be on a path for inserting the heating element into the housing; in other words, the thickness of the plastic deformation means is large enough to deflect the heating element when it is inserted into the frame;

- The at least one plastic deformation means and the clearance zone are centered on a median longitudinal axis of the longitudinal wall on which they are respectively provided; the median longitudinal axis is defined as an axis extending over the length of the wall and being located at equal distance between two longitudinal edges defining a face of the wall; thus, the heating element is deformed on its middle part

- the clearance zone formed in the intermediate longitudinal wall has the same height as a height of the at least one heating element measured along the vertical axis;

- The plastic deformation means is located at an intersection between at least two walls forming the housing;

- The plastic deformation means are arranged alternately on a first lateral longitudinal wall and on a second lateral longitudinal wall, at least one clearance zone being provided in the intermediate wall opposite one of said plastic deformation means; by "alternating" means for example that the plastic deformation means of the first longitudinal wall do not share the transverse axes of the deformation means located on the second longitudinal wall. The offset can be constant; it is understood that this characteristic is also applicable in the case where there is only one plastic deformation means on each of the longitudinal walls;

- for the same longitudinal wall, at least two adjacent plastic deformation means have different dimensions, being arranged, in a direction along a direction of insertion of a heating element, of the plastic deformation means having the smallest thickness by means of plastic deformation having the greatest thickness;

- the largest or smallest thickness is understood on all the deformation means present on the same wall; thus, this makes it possible to increase the effort of inserting the heating element into its housing as and when it is inserted; moreover, this increase in size can be regular and can be repeated uniformly on the wall; the insertion direction can be along the longitudinal axis, that is to say in a direction along the length of the wall; alternatively, the plastic deformation means all have the same thickness;

- The at least one plastic deformation means has come integrally with the projecting longitudinal wall from which the plastic deformation means is formed;

- the at least one plastic deformation means extends from one longitudinal edge to the other of the longitudinal projecting wall from which the plastic deformation means is formed; thus, the plastic deformation means has a height identical to a height of the wall on which it is located; a longitudinal edge is defined as the edge of the wall extending along the longitudinal axis;

- The at least one plastic deformation means comprises at least one surface inclined relative to the longitudinal projecting wall from which it is formed; thus, the insertion effort to be provided for the insertion of the heating element and its plastic and irreversible deformation is then progressive;

- The at least one plastic deformation means has at least one edge intended to come into contact with the heating element; such an edge allows, in addition to participating in the deformation of the heating element, or even piercing it; the edge preferably extends along the longitudinal axis of the wall on which the deformation means is located; the edge is particularly sharp;

- the at least one plastic deformation means comprises a rounded face intended to come into contact with the heating element; by rounded face means a curved face, without edges. The deformation means is for example a boss;

the lateral longitudinal wall comprises several means of plastic deformation, the plastic deformation means being regularly distributed over the longitudinal longitudinal wall of each housing.

The invention also relates to a heating device comprising a frame as defined above and comprising at least one heating element disposed in a housing of the frame, said at least one heating element being plastically deformed.

We can in particular provide that the at least one plastic deformation means is located between a first lateral face of the heating element and a longitudinal longitudinal wall defining the housing, the second lateral face of the heating element opposite to said first lateral face. of the heating element being at least partially housed in the clearance zone.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly with the aid of the description and the drawings, among which:

- Figure 1 is an overview, in perspective, of a heating device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the heating device of FIG. 1, in which several means of plastic and irreversible deformation of heating elements have been made more visible visible on the frame of the device;

- Figures 3A to 3C are perspective views of the frame illustrated in Figure 2, here without the heating elements so as to make visible at least one clearance zone formed in an intermediate longitudinal wall and plastic and irreversible deformation means in projecting from a longitudinal side wall and respectively having a rounded surface projecting from a wall of the frame (FIG. 3A), a surface inclined relative to this side wall (FIG. 3B) and a projecting edge (FIG. 3C).

It should first of all be noted that the figures show the invention in detail in order to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary. However, it should be noted that these figures show only part of the possible alternative embodiments according to the invention.

In the description which follows, reference will be made to an orientation as a function of the longitudinal axes L, vertical V and transverse T, as they are arbitrarily defined by the trihedron L, V, T represented in the figures. The longitudinal axis L corresponds to the direction of elongation of the element in question, here of the heating device. The choice of names for these axes is not limiting of the orientation that the heating device can take in its application to a motor vehicle.

The additional heating device according to the invention is capable of being housed in an air circulation duct of a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation, so as to transform the electrical energy taken from the vehicle into thermal energy returned in the air passing through this duct.

The installation is not shown here, but it will be understood that a main duct of this installation conventionally comprises an opening made in the wall for the insertion of the additional heating device.

In the additional heating device 10 according to the invention, illustrated in particular in FIG. 1, a heating body 1 comprises a frame 2 and heating elements 5, constituted in particular by heat sinks 3 and electrodes 40 (visible in the figure 2), between which are placed PTC effect stones 4 (for Positive Temperature Coefficient), so that the heating elements 5 are able to transform an electric current into thermal energy.

The additional heating device 10 is in particular arranged so that the frame 2 comprises at least one heating compartment 6, forming a receiving casing for the heating elements 5, and a connection interface 12 disposed at a first longitudinal end 2a of the frame for connection of the device to an electrical network of the vehicle and recharging of the heating elements 5.

The heating compartment 6 has a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped whose two main faces are perforated to allow the passage of air and a diffusion of heat in the duct where the heating device 10 is installed. Heating elements 5 are inserted into housings 8 formed inside the heating compartment 6 up to a bottom wall 35, which moreover defines the second longitudinal end 2b of the frame 2. Cross members 31, arranged at regular intervals or not from each other, extend transversely over the entire width of the main faces in order to stiffen the heating compartment 6 without penalizing the release of heat.

The heating compartment 6 comprises, in addition to these crosspieces 31, three longitudinal walls, mutually parallel and among which there are two side walls 32, 33, which define the longitudinal sides of the heating compartment 6, and an intermediate wall 34 disposed between these walls. lateral 32, 33. The cross members 31 extend substantially perpendicular to these longitudinal walls 32, 33 from one longitudinal wall 32, 33 to the other. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the side walls 32, 33 can extend along the entire length L3 of the heating elements 5.

The intermediate wall 34 includes at least one clearance zone

30, in particular a window or a cavity, allowing partial accommodation of a deformed part of a heating element, and we will describe below the usefulness of this clearance zone in the plastic and irreversible deformation function of the heating element that is inserted into the housing of the

0 heating compartment. We will also be able to describe the different possible variants for the realization of this clearance zone.

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In the example illustrated, two separate housings 8 are defined in the heating compartment 6 separated by the intermediate wall 34, each housing being defined by at least two substantially parallel longitudinal walls. A first housing 801 is defined by the first side wall 32, the cross members 31, the intermediate wall 34, and the bottom wall 35 while a second housing 802 is defined by the second side wall 33, the cross members 31, the wall intermediate 34 and the bottom wall 35. The housings 8, 801, 802 are closed at a first longitudinal end by the bottom wall 35 and at the opposite end by the connection interface 12 when the latter is attached to the heating compartment 6, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The bottom wall 35 and the connection interface 12 extend in planes defined by the transverse axis T and the vertical axis V.

Without limitation, the frame 2, defined by its walls 32, 33, 35 can be made in one piece. The heating elements 5 are inserted into the frame by the first longitudinal end 2a, before the connection interface is attached to the frame, and they are then pushed inside the frame along the longitudinal axis L in the direction of the bottom wall 35. When the heating elements are correctly inserted, and in particular when they are deformed in a plastic and irreversible manner within the meaning of the invention, the connection interface 12 is made integral with the heating compartment 6 in order to close frame 2.

Alternatively, the frame 2 is produced in two shells, with the first shell comprising the perforated front face of the frame and the second shell comprising the perforated rear face of the frame 2. In this case, the direction of insertion of the heating elements may be the same as before.

The housings 8, 801, 802 can have variable sizes depending on the distance separating the walls 32, 33, 34, 35 delimiting it. In the example illustrated, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the first housing 801 here has a width L1, along the transverse axis T, smaller than a width L2 of the second housing 802. The first housing 801 is dimensioned to receive a first heating element 51 comprising two means capable of exchanging heat such as radiant elements 53, while the second housing 802 is dimensioned to receive a second heating element 52 comprising three means capable of exchanging heat such that the radiant elements 53.

The heating element 5, 51, 52 comprises heating resistive elements, for example resistors with positive temperature coefficient (PTC) 4, as well as the radiant elements 53 increasing the heat exchange surface with the air flow passing through the heating device 10. The resistors with a positive temperature coefficient 4 can be bonded directly to the radiant elements 53.

At least one of the lateral longitudinal walls 32, 33 forming the housing 8, 801, 802 comprises at least one plastic deformation means 7, arranged projecting from the wall towards the interior of the housing, in order to irreversibly deform l 'heating element 5, 51, 52 when inserted into the corresponding housing. And this at least one plastic deformation means 7 is located opposite the clearance zone 30 formed in the thickness of the intermediate wall 34. By facing, it is understood that the plastic deformation means is arranged projecting from a internal face of a longitudinal side wall facing the interior of the housing and therefore towards the wall

0 longitudinal intermediate 34, and that the plastic deformation means 7 and the clearance zone 30 extend substantially the same distance from one or the other of the longitudinal ends of the frame. It is understood that the clearance zone 30 is located at least on one face of the longitudinal wall, here intermediate 34, facing the wall which carries the plastic deformation means

The plastic deformation means 7 projects from the side wall 32, 33 towards the inside of the heating compartment 6 so as to reduce the space allocated for the heating element 5, 51, 52 in the housing 8, 801, 802 corresponding and form a constriction. As a result, the heating element

0 5, 51, 52 is constrained when passing through this constriction and that the plastic deformation means 7 generates a plastic and irreversible deformation of the heating element 5, 51, 52. More precisely, in order to generate this plastic deformation , the deformation means 7 has a rigidity greater than the rigidity of the heating element 5, 51, 52 and more particularly of the radiant element 53. Thus, it is ensured that when the heating element passes against the means of plastic deformation, only the heating element 5, 51, 52 is deformed while the plastic deformation means 7 and the lateral longitudinal walls 32, 33 of the frame 2 remain intact.

More specifically, the plastic deformation means 7 located on the longitudinal longitudinal wall 32, 33 cause compression of at least part of the heating element 5, 51, 52, which tends to push the heating element towards the intermediate wall 34. The compressed part of the heating element 5, 51, 52 corresponds to an area of a first lateral face 50 of the heating element situated opposite the plastic deformation means 7. In other words, the first lateral face 50 compressed is the face of the heating element 5, 51, 52 closest to the plastic deformation means 7.

When a clearance zone 30 is arranged opposite a plastic and irreversible deformation means 7, part of the heating element 5, 51, 52, and in particular the second lateral face 55 arranged opposite the first lateral face 50, that is to say the face closest to the intermediate longitudinal wall 34, is pushed inside this clearance zone 30 so that the heating element is partially housed, at its second lateral face 55, in the clearance zone.

In the example illustrated, the clearance zone 30 is formed by a cutout of the intermediate wall 34, which generates an orifice crossing from one face to the other of the intermediate longitudinal wall 34, delimited by at least two vertical edges, that is to say edges which extend vertically in the thickness of the intermediate wall 34. A window is thus defined, allowing passage from one housing to the other of the frame. It may be envisaged, without departing from the context of the invention, that the clearance zone does not comprise a through orifice but that it is defined by an indentation, or blind cavity, arranged on one of the faces of the intermediate wall, therefore that this cavity is arranged on the face opposite a plastic deformation means and that it is deep enough to accommodate a substantial part of the heating element deformed under the action of the plastic and irreversible deformation means 7.

An orthogonal projection A of the edges delimiting the clearance zone

30, on the longitudinal longitudinal wall 32, 33 where the plastic deformation means 7 is located, delimits an area in which extends at least part of the plastic deformation means 7. The orthogonal projection A is made along the transverse axis T (see Figures 3A to 3C). In other words, the clearance zone 30 comprises a zone aligned along the transverse axis T with the plastic deformation means 7. Preferably, a transverse axis Tl (visible in FIG. 3A) can be provided which passes through the center of the means plastic deformation 7, with the window 30 which is centered on this transverse axis Tl.

When inserting the heating element 5, 51, 52 into the housing 8, 801,

802 from the first longitudinal end 2a, along the longitudinal axis L and in the direction of insertion i visible in FIGS. 2 and 5, the plastic and irreversible deformation results, for example, in a deformation in the direction of approximation of the wall intermediate 34 and more specifically from the window

30.

When the heating element 5, 51, 52 comes into contact with the plastic deformation means 7, there is compression of the first lateral face 50 of the heating element 5, 51, 52, and this local and irreversible plastic deformation of the heating element generates a displacement of the opposite lateral face 55 of the heating element 5, 51, 52 inside the window 30. In this way, a part of the heating element is embedded in the window 30 and this contributes to the immobilization of the heating element in the housing without movement.

The thickness of the intermediate wall 34, measured along a transverse axis T, that is to say an axis perpendicular to each of the longitudinal walls, is such that the part of the heating element 5, 51, 52 being inserted in the window 30 remains in its housing, that is to say that it does not overflow into the adjacent housing 8, 801, 802 and does not come into contact with another heating element 5, 51, 52. understands that the characteristic according to which contact between two neighboring heating elements is avoided can be obtained by managing the thickness of the intermediate wall 34 or else by the variant presented above according to which the heating element does not insert in a through window 30 but in a blind cavity.

Each plastic deformation means 7 extends projecting from the side wall 32, 33 by presenting a free end face 70 intended to come into contact with the heating element 5, 51, 52. The free end face 70 extends inside the housing 8, 801, 802 forming an obstacle to the insertion of a heating element 5, 51, 52 in the heating compartment 6.

To this end, the plastic deformation means 7 has a maximum thickness E, measured along the transverse axis T. This maximum thickness E is determined by taking into account the rib chains of the heating elements 5, 51, 52 and the dimensions of the housings. 8, 801, 802. More specifically, the maximum thickness E of the plastic deformation means 7 is at least equal to the difference between the width L1, L2 of the corresponding housing 8, 801, 802 and the width L51, L52 of the heating element 5, 51, 52, taking account where appropriate of the manufacturing tolerances of the heating element 5, 51, 52 and of the frame 2 defining the housing 8, 801, 802.

It is understood that the thickness E represents the distance between the side wall 32, 33 on which the plastic deformation means 7 is located and the point forming the top of the free end face 70. The thickness of each means of plastic deformation is determined to be on the path of insertion of the heating element into the housing. With regard to the dimensioning of the plastic deformation means 7 located opposite the window 30, the thickness E of the latter is such that it allows the displacement of the opposite lateral face 55 of the heating element 5, 51 , 52 at least partially inside the window 30.

It should be noted that the plastic deformation means 7 may extend partially or entirely from one longitudinal edge 36 to the opposite longitudinal edge 36, these two edges vertically delimiting a lateral face 37 of the lateral wall 32, 33. In other words , the plastic deformation means 7 may have a height identical to the height H of the side wall 32, 33 on which it is located, the height H extending along the vertical axis V (FIG. 3B). The dimension of the plastic deformation of the heating element 5, 51, 52 depends, in addition to the thickness E, on the height of the plastic deformation means 7. In general, the larger the dimension of the plastic deformation, the better the heating element 5, 51, 52 is constrained in its housing 8, 801, 802.

In what follows, we will define several different arrangements of plastic deformation means 7 fitted to a frame 2 of an additional heating device 10 according to the invention, it being understood that each of these arrangements, which may differ in size, the number and / or position of the plastic deformation means (s) 7 and the relief zone (s) 30, allows plastic deformation of a heating element 5, 51, 52 during its insertion to block it in a final position without use of elastic deformation means.

A side wall 32, 33 may comprise a single plastic deformation means 7 or several plastic deformation means 7. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the plastic deformation means 7 arranged on the first side wall 32 are offset longitudinally relative to the plastic deformation means 7 arranged on the second side wall 33. By “longitudinally offset”, it is meant that a plastic deformation means 7 disposed on the first side wall 32 is not on the same transverse axis T1, T2, T3 than a plastic deformation means 7 disposed on the second side wall 33. In the illustrated variant, the offset D is here constant, that is to say that the distance separating the plastic deformation means 7 according to Tax longitudinal L, for all side walls 32, 33 combined, is constant. In other words, the plastic deformation means 7 are arranged from the connection interface 12 to the bottom wall 35 alternately on one then the other of the side walls 32, 33 defining the frame 2, with a not regular.

The transverse axis Tl passing through the center of the plastic deformation means 7 located closest to the bottom wall 35 forms, with the vertical axis V, a plane of symmetry for the clearance zone 30. In other words, the zone clearance 30 is arranged opposite the plastic deformation means 7 located closest to the bottom wall 35 and is centered with respect to the transverse axis T1 passing through the center of this plastic deformation means 7.

One could provide several clearance zones 30 on the intermediate wall 34. In particular, one could provide that the frame has as many windows 30 as plastic deformation means 7 and that each window 30 is located opposite a plastic deformation means 7 in ensuring that an intermediate wall portion 34 is maintained between the windows. These windows could for example be centered on each of the transverse axes T1, T2, T3 of the plastic deformation means 7 present or they could have an area passing through each of the transverse axes T1, T2, T3.

Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the plastic deformation means 7 arranged alternately have different dimensions for the same side wall 32, 33. More particularly, for the same side wall 32, 33, the plastic deformation means 7 can be arranged, from the plastic deformation means 7 having the smallest thickness E to the plastic deformation means having the greatest thickness E, in a direction along the axis of elongation of the side wall 32, 33, in the direction of insertion i of the heating elements 5, 51, 52. It is understood that this increase in thickness of the plastic deformation means 7 is here effected in a direction of insertion of the heating element 5 in the housing 8, 801, 802 materialized by an arrow i in FIG. 2 along the longitudinal axis L. This direction of insertion i corresponds to the case where the heating elements 5, 51, 52 are inserted longitudinally from the first longitudinal end 2a of the frame and in the direction of the bottom wall 35.

It is understood that this particular arrangement of the plastic deformation means 7 generates a progressive reduction in the space allocated for the passage of the heating element 5, 51, 52. The plastic deformation means 7 of smaller thickness E, first achieved by the heating element 5, 51, 52 during its insertion, forms a first throttling zone, which can cause the heating element 5, 51, 52 to deform when this plastic deformation means 7 passes. measurement of its insertion into the housing, the heating element 5, 51, 52 encounters thicker plastic deformation means 7, and therefore narrower throttling zones capable of deforming the heating element 5, 51 to a greater extent , 52.

In this way, the deformation of the heating element 5 is progressive as and when it is inserted into the housing 8, 801, 802 of the heating compartment 6. Thus, the effort to be provided for the insertion of the heating element 5, 51, 52 in its housing 8, 801, 802 is progressive. Furthermore, this increase in size may be regular. The largest or smallest thickness of a plastic deformation means 7 is estimated over all of the plastic deformation means 7 present on the same longitudinal wall 32, 33.

We can also provide that the plastic deformation means 7 are of the same dimensions. Provision may be made for the means of deformation

0 plastic 7 associated with the first side wall 32 have the same dimensions with each other and that the deformation means plastic 7 associated with the second side wall 33 have the same dimensions with each other, but that these dimensions are different from those of the deformation means plastic 7 associated with the first side wall 32.

According to another embodiment, not illustrated by the figures, the plastic deformation means 7 projecting from the first side wall 32 can be located on the same transverse axis T as the plastic deformation means 7 projecting from the second opposite side wall 33. In other words, the plastic deformation means 7 can be

0 arranged face to face, from one side wall 32, 33 to the other. The clearance zone 30 would then be able to receive the two parts of the two heating elements 51, 52 displaced by the two plastic deformation means 7. It would therefore be advisable for the intermediate wall 34 to have a sufficiently large thickness so that the two heating elements 51, 52 do not touch each other inside the clearance zone when the latter is formed by a through window as illustrated in the figures. As may have been presented previously, it could also be provided that the through window and therefore common to the two housings is replaced by two blind clearance zones 30, formed by cavities arranged one on a first face of the intermediate longitudinal wall 34 and the other on the opposite face of this intermediate wall, respectively arranged to receive the heating element of one of the housings 8, 801, 802 following its plastic deformation. In this way, there is a thin wall obstructing the window 30 and physically separating the two heating elements 51, 52, this separating wall remaining thinner than the intermediate wall 34.

According to an embodiment of the invention, illustrated in particular in FIG. 3A, each plastic deformation means 7 has a free end face 70 of rounded shape, namely a curved face without edges. This free end face 70 is located in the housing 8, 801, 802. The deformation means 7 takes, for example, the form of a boss. It will be understood that without departing from the context of the invention, the boss forming plastic deformation means 7 could have the shape of a portion of cylinder extending from one longitudinal edge 36 to the other.

The plastic deformation means 7 and / or the clearance zone 30 are located on a median elongation axis M of the longitudinal wall which carries them. The median elongation axis M is defined as an axis along which the longitudinal wall 32, 33, 34 extends longitudinally and being located equidistant between two parallel longitudinal edges 36, a longitudinal edge 36 is defined as the edge one of the longitudinal walls 32, 33, 34, this edge 36 extending along the axis of elongation of the wall 32, 33, 34.

In the case of a plurality of plastic deformation means 7, it could be envisaged that these plastic deformation means 7 are arranged on either side of the median elongation axis M on the side wall 32, 33, c that is to say with substantially half of the plastic deformation means arranged between the median axis and a first longitudinal edge 36 and the other half of the plastic deformation means arranged between the median axis and the other longitudinal edge.

FIG. 3B illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the free end face 70 of the plastic deformation means 7 comprises at least one surface inclined 75 relative to the side wall 32, from which it s 'protruding stretches. It is thus possible to facilitate the deformation of the heating element 5, 51, 52 in the direction of the intermediate wall 34 and of the window 30, or of the blind cavity if necessary.

The inclined surface 75 forms an angle a with the side wall 32, 33 on which the plastic deformation means 7 is located. More precisely, the angle a is measured between the longitudinal axis L of the longitudinal wall 32, 33, and the inclined surface 75. This inclined surface 75 here has a rectangular shape 15 which results in forming, from a vertical edge

79, two longitudinal edges 76 parallel to each other. The rectangular inclined surface 75 extends away from the corresponding side wall 32, 33 and is extended by an adjacent surface 77 which extends substantially parallel to the corresponding wall and which is arranged inside the housing 8, 801, 802. The adjacent surface 77 extends from the vertical edge 79 to the bottom wall 35, so that it can be noted that the plastic deformation means 7 is here located at an intersection between the side wall 32, 33 and the bottom wall 35 delimiting, in part, the housing 801, 802.

The orthogonal projection A of the edges delimiting the window 30, on the side wall 32, 33 where the plastic deformation means 7 is located, presents an area in which extends at least part of the plastic deformation means 7. Thus, the window 30 is arranged facing at least part of the plastic deformation means 7, and in particular facing the surface

0 inclined 75. The heating element 5, 51, 52 is first deformed by the inclined surface 75 by being pushed towards the window 30, then it is deformed by at least one of the edges delimiting the window 30 and by the adjacent surface 77 of the plastic deformation means. It is understood that if the window 30 were aligned and centered so that its orthogonal projection does not cover the inclined surface 75, the heating element 5, 51, 52 would first be compressed between the inclined surface 75 and the intermediate wall , then deformed inside the window 30 as it is inserted.

FIG. 3C shows a second alternative embodiment of the invention in which the plastic deformation means 7 differs from the first alternative embodiment previously described in that the inclined surface 75 here has a triangular shape having the consequence of forming a projecting edge 78 oriented towards housing 8, 801, 802.

The protruding edge 78 is intended to come into contact with the heating element 5, 51, 52 and participates in the local irreversible deformation of the heating element. Such an edge 78 makes it possible to generate plastic deformation of the heating element, for example by piercing it. The projecting edge 78 preferably extends in the longitudinal direction and the direction of insertion of the heating element in the housing 8, 801, 802. Here again, it is understood that the combined presence of a plastic deformation means and an opening, through or blind, made in the intermediate wall makes it possible to optimize the behavior of the heating element inside the housing.

In each of the embodiments and variant embodiments presented above, the plastic deformation means 7 can be provided by an attached piece, that is to say a piece made separately and then made integral with the corresponding side wall, or else may have come integrally with the wall 32, 33, 34, 35 of the housing 8, 801, 802, in particular by a single molding operation.

Of course, a mixture of different shapes and / or different arrangements of the plastic deformation means 7 and of the clearance zone 30 forming an opening in the intermediate wall 34 for the same frame 2 is possible.

We will now describe the mounting of the additional heating device 10 comprising the frame 2 according to the invention, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, in which the plastic deformation means 7 are arranged alternately and all having a free end face 70 rounded. It will be understood that the assembly described below is substantially similar for each of the embodiments and variants of the invention.

The heating elements 5, 51, 52 are firstly inserted into the appropriate housings 801, 802 inside the heating compartment 6. For this, the heating elements 5, 51, 52 are inserted through an opening 9 formed in frame 2, at the first longitudinal end, and the heating elements 5, 51, 52 are moved in translation towards the bottom wall 35, in particular in the direction indicated by the arrow i. When the plastic deformation means 7 pass, the walls of the heating elements 5, 51, 52, in particular the faces 50 of the radiant elements 53 facing the side walls 32, 33 carrying the plastic deformation means 7, are first guided by the thinner plastic deformation means 7 and can be strangled by the moderately thick plastic deformation means 7. The insertion force is then increased to force the

0 passage of the heating element 5 to the passage of moderately thick plastic deformation means 7. The higher rigidity of the plastic deformation means 7 with respect to the rigidity of the heating elements 5, 51, 52 and of the walls 32, 33, 34, 35 makes it possible to plastically and irreversibly deform the heating element 5, 51, 52 inserted.

During the passage of the first heating element 51 at the level of the thickest plastic deformation means 7, the wall of the heating element 51 in particular the face 50 of the radiant element 53 facing the first side wall 32, is first in stop. The insertion force is then increased to force the passage of the heating element 51 to the passage of the means of

0 thickest plastic deformation 7. The higher rigidity of the plastic deformation means 7 with respect to the rigidity of the heating element 51 makes it possible to plastically and irreversibly deform the heating element 5, 51, 52 inserted as well as to deflect it in the direction of the window 30 The side face 50 of the heating element 5, 51, 52 facing the plastic deformation means 7 undergoes compression in particular in the direction of the intermediate wall 34 on which the window 30 is located and a part of the opposite side face 55 of the heating element 5, 51, 52 is inserted in the window 30. Thus, here, for the plastic deformation means 7 located on the first side wall 32, the radiant element 53 undergoes, at the side face 50, a plastic deformation in the direction of the intermediate wall 34, that is to say along the transverse axis T and the opposite lateral face 55 of the heating element 51 is inserted in the window 30. The space available in the housing 801 for the heating element 51 being narrower and narrower, the irreversible plastic deformation as well as the path deviation towards the window 30 are then more and more progressively as the insertion of the the heating element 51 in its housing 801. The heating element 51 can then be inserted as far as the bottom wall 35.

At the end of insertion, the lateral face 50 of the heating element 5, 51, 52 facing the plastic deformation means 7 remains deformed over the entire portion having been in contact with the plastic deformation means 7. More precisely, the deformation is of a size substantially identical to the thickness E of the plastic deformation means 7 located directly upstream of the portion in question. In this position, the heating elements 5, 51, 52 are constrained in their housing both by the plastic deformation means 7, by the intermediate wall and by the window 30 thus making it possible to avoid any existing play. The heating elements 5, 51, 52 do not debate inside their housing 8, 801, 802 and therefore do not cause noise.

Finally, once the heating elements 5, 51, 52 are inserted, the heating compartment 6 is closed by the connection interface 12 which allows the connection of the electric heating device 10 to an electrical network of the vehicle. The heating device 10 is then inserted into a duct of the heating-ventilation and / or air conditioning installation.

The foregoing description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives which it has set itself and in particular to propose a heating device in which the heating elements do not debate inside their housing and therefore do not generate no noise likely to be heard by motor vehicle users. In addition, the plastic deformation means being rigid, there is no risk of it breaking under the effect of vehicle vibrations during driving. The fact that the framework of the heating device comprises at least one plastic deformation means, intended to deform the heating element, makes it possible to ensure sufficient maintenance of the heating elements in their housing while eliminating any risk of deflection.

Claims (17)

1. Frame (2) of an electric heating device (10) of an air flow circulating inside a ventilation, heating, and / or air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle, said frame (2) comprising at least one heating compartment (6) having at least one housing (8, 801, 802) for receiving a heating element (5, 51, 52), the housing (8, 801, 802) being defined by at least two longitudinal walls (32, 33, 34) substantially parallel, characterized in that one of the longitudinal walls (32, 33, 34) comprises at least one plastic deformation means (7) arranged projecting from this wall towards the interior of the housing to irreversibly deform the heating element (5, 51, 52) in the housing (8, 801, 802) and in that another longitudinal wall (32, 33, 34) comprises at least one clearance zone (30) configured to receive an irreversibly deformed part of the element ment heating (5, 51, 52). 2. Frame according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one clearance zone (30) is located on one face of the longitudinal wall (32, 33, 34) facing the longitudinal wall (32, 33, 34 ) carrying the at least one plastic deformation means (7). 3. Frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clearance zone (30) is located opposite the at least one plastic deformation means (7). 4. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clearance zone (30) is located in the vicinity of a bottom wall (35) participating in defining the housing (8, 801, 802) extending substantially perpendicular to the two longitudinal walls (32, 33, 34). 5. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clearance zone (30) is formed by an imprint made in the longitudinal wall (32, 33, 34), of a determined thickness lower than that of the longitudinal wall carrying the at least one clearance zone (30), so as to form a blind cavity. 6. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clearance zone (30) is formed by a window 5 formed in the longitudinal wall (34), crossing from a first face of the longitudinal wall, facing towards at least one plastic deformation means (7), to the second opposite face. 7. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of parallel longitudinal walls among which a first 10 longitudinal side wall (32), a second lateral longitudinal wall (33) and an intermediate longitudinal wall (34) disposed between the lateral longitudinal walls (32, 33), characterized in that one of the two lateral longitudinal walls (32, 33) comprises at least one plastic deformation means (7) and in that the intermediate wall comprises, at least on its face 15 facing the side wall comprising the at least one plastic deformation means, a clearance zone (30). 8. Frame according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the intermediate longitudinal wall (34) has a thickness, measured along a transverse axis perpendicular to each of the longitudinal walls, configured 20 to allow the clearance zone (30) to accommodate said at least one heating element (5, 51, 52) deformed while remaining in its housing (8, 801, 802). 9. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one plastic deformation means (7) has a 25 thickness (E) determined to be on a path for inserting the heating element (5, 51, 52) in the housing (8, 801, 802). 10. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one plastic deformation means (7) and the clearance zone (30) are centered on a longitudinal central axis (M) of the wall 30 longitudinal (32, 33, 34) on which they are respectively provided. 11. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic deformation means (7) is located at an intersection between at least two walls (32, 33, 34, 35) forming the housing (8, 801 , 802). 12. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that plastic deformation means (7) are arranged alternately on a first lateral longitudinal wall (32) and on a second lateral longitudinal wall (33), at at least one clearance zone (30) being provided in the intermediate wall (34) opposite one of said plastic deformation means. 10 13. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one plastic deformation means (7) is integrally formed with the longitudinal wall (32, 33, 34) projecting from which the means plastic deformation (7) is formed. 14. Heating device (10) characterized in that it comprises a frame (2) 15 defined according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one heating element (5, 51, 52) disposed in the housing (8, 801, 802) of the frame (2), said at least one heating element (5, 51, 52) being plastically deformed. 15. Heating device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that That said plastic deformation means (7) is located between a first lateral face (50) of the heating element (5, 51, 52) and a lateral longitudinal wall (32, 33) defining the housing (8, 801 , 802), a second lateral face (55) of the heating element (5, 51, 52) opposite said first lateral face (50) of the heating element (5, 51, 52) being at least partially 25 housed in the clearance zone (30). 1/5 2/5