FR3059090B1 - COLLECTOR BOX AND THERMAL EXCHANGER CORRESPONDING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a manifold (20) for a heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, the manifold (20) comprising: a collecting plate (21) configured to be traversed by a plurality of tubes (11) of a heat exchange bundle (10) of said heat exchanger (1), and - compressible sealing means (25) arranged at least partially on the header plate (21) and configured to be arranged around the ends of the tubes (11). ) opening into the collector box (20) in the assembled state of the heat exchanger (1). According to the invention, the manifold (20) further comprises an inner plate (27) separate from the header plate (21), arranged at least partly against the sealing means (25) and configured to maintain the means of sealing. sealing (25) around the ends of the tubes (11) in the assembled state of the heat exchanger (1). The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising at least one such manifold (20).

Description

Collector box and corresponding heat exchanger The invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, in particular for motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to manifolds for such heat exchangers.

Heat exchangers conventionally comprise a heat exchange bundle of tubes and at least one, generally two manifolds or boxes for distributing a fluid. In known manner, each manifold comprises at least two parts: a manifold receiving the ends of the tubes and a cover covering the manifold to at least partially close the manifold.

Dividers or fins can also be provided between the tubes to improve heat exchange.

According to a known solution, the various elements of such a heat exchanger are metallic, for example made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and can be assembled and then brazed by passing through a brazing oven, to ensure the assembly of the assembly. elements.

Such a heat exchanger, the different elements of which are permanently fixed to one another by a brazing operation, is called a brazed heat exchanger. With this brazed technology, the tubes can be arranged with a tight pitch, for example of the order of 6mm. Increasing the number of tubes in the heat exchange bundle improves the performance of so-called brazed heat exchangers.

However, the heat exchangers are subject to many stresses and thermal variations during the various operating cycles. In particular, expansion and retraction phenomena linked to temperature variations can occur, in particular at the level of the connections between the collector plate and the tubes. These connections being rigid in a brazed heat exchanger, this does not make it possible to compensate for such phenomena of expansion and retraction. Over time these bonds weaken and ruptures and as a result leakage of the fluid can appear.

Furthermore, according to certain solutions, the tubes inserted in a manifold protrude over a relatively large height, for example of the order of 8.5 mm, inside the manifold in order to guarantee a good fitting of the tubes into the plate collector and correct brazing between the tubes and the collector plate, avoiding that the tubes do not disengage from the collector plate during brazing in particular because of thermal expansion. However, the overshoot of the tubes in the interior volume of the manifold forming the fluid reservoir, creates an internal pressure drop on the fluid circuit. Indeed, the protrusion of the tubes generates vortexes or zones of significant turbulence between the ends of the tubes, due to the exit or entry of fluid by the tubes. These vortices or turbulences cause an often significant drop in internal pressure reducing the thermal capacities of the heat exchanger.

Another known technology is a technology for mechanical assembly of the elements of the heat exchanger, namely at room temperature, for example by crimping, expansion, clipping or other mechanical connection. The mechanical assembly does not include a step of brazing the elements forming the heat exchanger. In particular, each collector plate can be provided with mechanical fixing means, for example crimping, capable of cooperating with a peripheral rim of the cover which is fixed on the collector plate by ensuring the compression of a seal placed on the collector plate. In addition, the ends of the tubes are assembled to each header plate by expanding the ends of the tubes so as to compress the gasket between the ends of the tubes and the header plate.

The gasket provides sealing between the cover and the collector plate but also between the ends of the tubes and the collector plate. In addition, the seal can compensate for the phenomena of expansion and retraction that may occur. Such a mechanical assembly therefore makes it possible to reduce the risks of fluid leakage.

In addition, the collector plates must meet mechanical resistance criteria, for example during crimping on the cover and pressure and endurance constraints. For this, metal collecting plates are preferably used, in particular aluminum or aluminum alloy.

Furthermore, in known mechanical assembly heat exchangers, the collector plate is usually provided with collars through which the ends of the tubes pass. The number of tubes passing through the collector plate is limited by the thickness of the collars, and even more so when the collector plate and its collars are metallic. The tubes in a mechanically assembled heat exchanger are therefore of lower density than in a brazed heat exchanger. This results in poorer thermal performance in a heat exchanger with mechanical assembly compared to a brazed heat exchanger for equivalent bulk. The invention therefore aims to at least partially overcome these problems of the prior art by providing a manifold for heat exchanger to optimize thermal performance while meeting pressure and endurance constraints and reducing risks leak. To this end, the subject of the invention is a manifold for a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle, the manifold comprising a manifold plate configured to be traversed by a plurality of tubes of a heat exchange bundle of said exchanger, and a compressible sealing means arranged at least partially on the manifold plate and configured to be arranged around the ends of the tubes opening into the manifold in the assembled state of the heat exchanger.

According to the invention, the manifold further comprises an internal plate distinct from the manifold: arranged at least partially against the sealing means and configured to maintain the sealing means around the ends of the tubes in the assembled state. of the heat exchanger. When assembling the manifold with the heat exchange bundle, such an internal plate provides compression of the sealing means to guarantee the seal between the heat exchange bundle and the manifold.

The manifold can also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination: the manifold is configured to be mechanically assembled to the plurality of tubes of the heat exchange bundle of said exchanger; the sealing means has at least one part arranged between the collector plate and the internal plate; the internal plate comprises a plurality of openings configured to receive the ends of the tubes of the heat exchange bundle of said exchanger and to receive the sealing means arranged around the ends of the tubes; the sealing means is configured to be compressed between each end of the tube and the internal plate; the internal plate has local deformations around the openings; the sealing means comprises a plurality of standard collars configured to receive the ends of the tubes of the heat exchange bundle of said exchanger and extending through the openings of the internal plate; the sealing means and the internal plate are produced by co-molding in a single bi-material part; the internal plate has a plurality of openings bordered by collars, the collets being configured to be inserted inside the ends of the tubes opening into the manifold in the assembled state of the heat exchanger, so as to maintain the means compressed seal between each tube end and the collector plate; the collector plate has a plurality of openings; the sealing means comprises a plurality of inverted collars configured to receive the tubes of the heat exchange bundle of said exchanger and extending through the openings of the collector plate; the sealing means has a base from which said collars extend and such that the base of the sealing means is arranged between the collector plate and the internal plate; standard collars extend from the base opposite the inverted collars; the collector plate is substantially flat and devoid of collar; the manifold further comprising a cover assembled to the manifold so as to close the manifold; the internal plate is arranged between the sealing means and the cover; the internal plate is dimensioned so as to fill the spaces between the ends of the tubes opening into the manifold in the assembled state of the heat exchanger. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: a heat exchange bundle comprising a plurality of tubes, at least one manifold as defined above, comprising: • a manifold plate through which the tubes pass , and • at least one compressible sealing means arranged at least partially on the manifold plate and arranged around the ends of the tubes opening into the manifold.

According to the invention, the tubes are assembled mechanically to the manifold by flaring the ends of the tubes so as to compress the sealing means, and the manifold further comprises an internal plate distinct from the manifold, arranged at least in part against the sealing means so as to maintain the sealing means around the ends of the tubes. The heat exchanger may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination: the heat exchange bundle is assembled by brazing. This combines the advantage of a brazed heat exchange bundle having tubes with a tight pitch, with the advantage of mechanical assembly between the manifold and said bundle ensuring good resistance to thermal shock, sealing between the manifold and the harness being provided by the sealing means compressed by the internal plate; the ends of the tubes are flared so as to follow the shape of the edge of the openings of the internal plate; the collars of the internal plate are plastically deformed in a complementary manner to the ends of the tubes, to maintain the flaring of the ends of the tubes so as to compress the sealing means; the tubes are made from a metal sheet and the tubes are sealed by brazing, for example the tubes are formed by bending or stapled; the heat exchange bundle comprises two lateral cheeks arranged on either side of the plurality of tubes, and the cheeks are mechanically assembled to a cover of said at least one manifold. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and of the appended drawings among which: - Figure 1 is a sectional view of a heat exchanger according to the invention partially showing a heat exchange bundle and a manifold, - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger of Figure 1 on which the cover of the manifold has been removed , - Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 2, - Figure 4a is a partial perspective view in section of a portion of the heat exchanger of Figure 1, - Figure 4b is another view in partial section of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a view in partial section showing one end of a tube of the heat exchanger assembled to the manifold before expansion of the extrem ity of the tube, - Figure 6a is a cross-sectional view of a bent tube for heat exchanger, - Figure 6b is a cross-sectional view of a stapled tube for heat exchanger, - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a manifold of a manifold of the heat exchanger of Figures 1 to 4b, - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a sealing means of the manifold according to a first embodiment, - the FIG. 9a is a perspective view of a lower face of an internal plate of the manifold according to the first embodiment, - FIG. 9b is a perspective view of an upper face of the internal plate of the manifold according to the first embodiment, - Figure 9c is an enlarged partial view of a portion of Figure 9b, - Figure 9d is a partial view along a section of axis II of Figure 9b, - Figure 10a is a perspective view of a way sealing according to FIG. 8 and an internal plate according to FIGS. 9a to 9d produced in one piece, - FIG. 10b is a partial view in section of FIG. 10a, - FIG. 11a is a view in perspective showing ends of tubes of the heat exchanger opening into a manifold according to a second embodiment, - Figure 11b is a sectional view of Figure 11a, - Figure 12a is a perspective view showing ends of tubes of the heat exchanger opening into a manifold according to a third embodiment, - Figure 12b is a sectional view of Figure 12a, - Figure 13a is a top view and in perspective of an internal plate of the manifold of Figures 12a and 12b, and - Figure 13b is a bottom view and in perspective of the inner plate of the manifold of Figures 12a and 12b.

In these figures, identical elements have the same references.

The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the characteristics apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

In the description, it is possible to index certain elements, such as for example first element or second element. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name similar but not identical elements. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element over another and one can easily interchange such names without departing from the scope of this description. This indexing does not imply an order in time either.

Heat exchanger The invention relates to a heat exchanger 1 for a motor vehicle, such as a radiator.

As is partially illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a heat exchanger 1 conventionally comprises: - a heat exchange bundle 10 comprising a plurality of tubes 11, arranged in one or more rows of tubes 11, and - at least one box manifold 20, generally two manifolds 20, each comprising a manifold 21 through which the tubes 11 pass, and a cover 23 intended to be fixed on the manifold 21 to at least partially close the manifold 20.

The tubes 11 can extend longitudinally and be mounted between two manifolds 20, by means of the collector plates 21 arranged transversely to the tubes 11 and respectively crossed by the ends of the tubes 11.

The manifold (s) 20 make it possible to distribute a first fluid to the tubes 11 or to collect the first fluid that has passed through these tubes 11. The tubes 11 are therefore intended to be crossed by the first fluid. The invention relates more particularly to such a manifold 20 for heat exchanger 1. Three embodiments of the manifold 20 are illustrated in the figures: a first embodiment in Figures 1 to 10b, a second embodiment in the Figures 11a and 11b and a third embodiment in Figures 12a to 13b.

Whatever the embodiment, the or each manifold 20 includes a sealing means 25 (Figures 1 to 5, 8, and 10a, 10b) or 25 '(Figures 11a to 12b). More specifically, it is a sealing means 25; 25 'compressible intended to be arranged on the manifold plate 21 and around the ends of the tubes 11 opening into the manifold 20 to the assembly of the heat exchanger 1. The sealing means 25; 25 'is for example made in the form of a seal 25; 25.

The manifold 20 further comprises an internal plate 27 (Figures 1 to 5 and 9a to 10b) or 27 '(Figures 11a to 13b) separate from the manifold plate 21, and arranged at least partially against the sealing means 25 ; 25 'so as to maintain the sealing means 25; 25 'around the ends of the tubes 11 in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1. This plate 27; 27 'is called "internal plate" because of its arrangement in the interior volume of the manifold 20 defined between the manifold 21 and the cover 23.

Heat exchange harness

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6b, the heat exchange bundle 10 of the heat exchanger 1 is described below in more detail.

It is a heat exchange bundle 10 assembled by brazing, that is to say the various elements of which are assembled together and then brazed by passing through a brazing furnace, to ensure the assembly of the assembly. elements of the heat exchange bundle 10. For this purpose, the various elements of the heat exchange bundle of heat exchanger 10 are metallic, preferably aluminum or aluminum alloy.

tubing

The tubes 11 of the heat exchange bundle are made from a metal sheet. Each tube 11 can be sealed by brazing. For example, the tubes 11 are formed by bending, this is known as a “bent tube” (see FIG. 6a), or they can be stapled (see FIG. 6b) or it can be electro-welded tubes.

According to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 to 4a and 6a, the cross section of a tube 11 may have two parallel fluid circulation channels juxtaposed 111 and separated by at least one partition 113, also called a leg, forming a spacer. By way of example, each tube 11 can have a cross section substantially at "B". Of course, any other type of folding can be provided. Alternatively, it is possible to provide other sections, for example of substantially oblong shape defining a single channel 111 for circulation of fluid, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 6b.

In addition, the brazed heat exchange bundle 10 is intended to be mechanically assembled to the or each manifold 20. The heat exchanger 1 is in this case called a mechanically brazed exchanger.

To do this, the tubes 11 are assembled mechanically to each manifold 20. In detail, the tubes 11 are assembled to the manifold 20 so as to pass through the manifold plate 21, the sealing means 25 and the internal plate 27 , as illustrated in Figure 5. The ends of the tubes 11 opening into this manifold 20 are then deformed plastic. According to the embodiment described, this mechanical assembly is done by expansion or flaring of the ends of the tubes 11. For this purpose, the ends of the tubes 11 are flared so as to bear on the sealing means 25 (FIGS. 2 to 4b ) or 25 '(Figures 11a to 12b) of the manifold 20. The flaring of the tube ends 11 is for example carried out by punching these ends.

Preferably, the flaring is carried out locally. By localized flaring is meant that the flaring is not carried out over the entire periphery of the end of a tube 11. In other words, the flaring is carried out on one or more portions of the end of the tube 11. In particular in the case of tubes 11 bent for example at "B" having in cross section a substantially oblong shape with a partition 113 connecting the large opposite sides, the ends of the tubes 11 are flared at the long sides but not at the level of the partition 113 separating the channels 111, as in the example of FIGS. 2 and 3. In this example with the partition 113 substantially in the center, there is therefore no central flaring of the ends of the tubes 11. On the particular example presented in Figures 2 and 3, the ends of the tubes 11 include four local flares 115 arranged on the long sides on either side of the partition 113. These flares 115 give a profile substantially o waved at the long sides of the ends of the tubes 11.

The flares 115 on the peripheries of the ends of the tubes 11 therefore form support zones on the sealing means 25 or 25 ’. At the level of the flare or flares 115, the width of the ends of the tubes 11 increases. The width of the ends of the tubes 11 means the dimension joining the two large opposite sides. By way of nonlimiting example, the width of one end of a tube 11 at the flares 115 may be of the order of 1.5 times to 2.5 times the width of the end of the tube 11 before expansion.

It is possible to provide for flaring at least locally the ends of the tubes 11, so as to define one or more flares 115 only on the periphery of the ends of the tubes 11. For example, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11a and 11b, a single flare 115 is provided on the periphery of the ends of the tubes 11, namely on the side opening into the internal volume of the manifold 20 in the assembled state.

As a variant, the ends of the tubes 11 are flared in at least two transverse sections distinct from the ends of the tubes 11, as illustrated in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 12a, 12b. In particular, the ends of the tubes 11 may have: on the one hand one or more so-called external flares 115 on the periphery of the ends of the tubes 11 opening into the manifold 20, that is to say on the outside of the bundle d heat exchange 10, and on the other hand one or more other so-called internal flares 117, made on the side of the rest of the heat exchange bundle 10, that is to say on the inside of the heat exchange bundle 10

According to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 4b and 12b, the width of the ends of the tubes 11 at the level of the external flares 115 is greater than the width of the ends of the tubes 11 at the level of the internal flares 117.

The flares 115; 117 premises make it possible to compress the sealing means 25; 25 ’in order to guarantee the seal between the collecting plate 21 and the tubes 11.

In addition, the external flares 115 have a mechanical retaining function of the sealing means 25; 25 ’ensuring the retention and compression of the sealing means 25 or 25’. The heat exchanger 1 can advantageously comprise one or more locking members 29 (an exemplary embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS. 11a to 13b) arranged at the end of one or more tubes 11 so as to maintain the or the flares 115, and thus maintain the compression of the sealing means 25; 25. According to the example illustrated in Figures 11a to 13b, locking members 29 are formed on the internal plate 27 'according to the second and third embodiments and will be described in more detail below.

Dividers

Furthermore, the heat exchange bundle 10 further comprises in this example spacers 13 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) separating the tubes 11 from one another, and intended to be traversed by a second fluid for heat exchange with the first fluid intended to pass through the tubes 11. The disturbance generated by the presence of these spacers 13 makes it possible to facilitate the heat exchanges between the two fluids. These tabs 13, shown schematically in Figures 4a and 4b, may have a substantially wavy shape as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. These tabs 13 are well known to those skilled in the art and are not described in more detail in this.

The inserts 13 are for example brazed to the tubes 11 at the tops of their undulations.

Play

The heat exchange bundle 10 may further comprise two lateral cheeks 15 on either side of the plurality of tubes 11, in this example on either side of the alternating stack of tubes 11 and spacers 13 .

According to the illustrated embodiments, the side cheeks 15 respectively comprise means for fixing to the cover 23 of the manifold 20. These are mechanical fixing means such as crimping lugs 151 configured to be folded down on the cover 23 when assembling the heat exchange bundle 10 to the manifold 20. These mechanical fixing means between the side cheeks 15 and the cover 23 make it possible to lock the mechanical assembly between the heat exchange bundle 10 and the manifold 20.

Collector box

The elements of the manifold 20 are described in more detail below, namely the manifold plate 21 (FIG. 7), the cover 23 (FIGS. 1, 4a and 4b), the sealing means 25 (FIG. 8) or 25 '(Figures 11a to 12b) and the internal plate 27 (Figures 9a to 9d) or 27' (Figures 11a to 13b).

The collector plate 21 and the cover 23 are produced in a similar manner according to the three embodiments.

Collector plate

With regard to the collector plate 21, reference is made more particularly to FIG. 7.

A plurality of openings 211 are provided on the collector plate 21 for the passage of the ends of the tubes 11 of the heat exchange bundle 10. In the example illustrated, the shape of these openings 211 is complementary to the shape of the ends of the tubes 11 before flaring. For example, the openings 211 are substantially oblong, and extend longitudinally substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 11 in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the collector plate 21 further comprises means for fixing 213 to the cover 23. These are mechanical fixing means 213, such as crimping lugs capable of being folded down on the cover 23 By way of example, the collector plate 21 has a peripheral edge 215 having these fixing means 213. In this example, the collector plate 21 can be folded over its periphery to form the peripheral border 215.

Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, the collector plate 21 is substantially planar and devoid of collar, more precisely comprises a bottom 217 substantially planar and devoid of collar, on which are formed the openings 211 and with respect to which the peripheral edge 215 is raised.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the collector plate 21 does not have a groove, groove or the like for housing the sealing means 25; 25. Alternatively, the collector plate 21 could have a groove or groove to accommodate at least part of the sealing means 25; 25 'used to seal between the cover 23 and the collector plate 21.

Lid

The cover 23 is made of plastic according to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1, and 4a to 5. In this case, it is the sealing means 25 or (25 'with reference to Figures 11a to 12b) which provides a sealed connection between the cover 23 and the collector plate 21.

In addition, the cover 23 includes a cover base 231 intended to be fixed to the collector plate 21, for example by means of the crimping lugs 213 of the collector plate 21 which are crimped onto the cover base 231 during assembly (see Figures 1 and 4a, 4b). The term "cover base" means the lower part of the cover 23 which is located on the side of the heat exchange bundle 10 during assembly. The cover foot 231 then comes to bear against the sealing means 25; 25 ', more precisely against a peripheral part of the sealing means 25; 25 ', between the cover 23 and the collector plate 21 during crimping.

Subsequently, the three embodiments of the manifold 20 differ by the sealing means 25; 25 ', the internal plate 27; 27 ’, as well as their arrangement inside the manifold 20 as detailed below.

First embodiment

According to the first embodiment, the sealing means 25 is arranged so as to be compressed between the ends of the heat exchange tubes 11 and the internal plate 27, in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1 (see figures 1 to 5).

Sealing medium

The sealing means 25 is for example made of an elastomer such as an ethylene-propylene-diene monomer known under the acronym EPDM.

According to the first embodiment, the sealing means 25 comprises at least two parts: a first peripheral part 251 shaped to follow the periphery of the collector plate 21, and a second part 253, 254, 255 configured to come and surround the ends of tubes 11 to the assembly of the heat exchanger 1.

The first peripheral part 251 seals between the cover 23 and the collector plate 21.

Referring to Figures 1, 4a to 5, and 8, the second part 253, 254, 255 of the sealing means 25 comprises a plurality of collars 253, hereinafter called standard collars, delimiting openings 254 for the passage of the tubes 11 and extending in the direction of the cover 23 to the assembly of the manifold 20. The standard collars 253 are intended to be received in the internal plate 27.

In addition, these standard collars 253 are suitable for receiving the ends of the tubes 11 when assembling the heat exchange bundle 10 with a collecting plate 21.

More specifically, the standard collars 253 extend in the same direction as the direction of insertion of the tubes 11 into the manifold plate 21.

In addition, the shape of the standard collars 253 is complementary to that of the ends of the tubes 11. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the standard collars 253 have, in cross section, a substantially oblong shape before assembly of the manifold 20 The standard collars 253 are intended to be compressed during the expansion of the ends of the tubes 11. The tightness between the tubes 11 and the collector plate 21 is ensured by this compression of the standard collars 253 around the ends of the tubes 11.

In addition, the standard collars 253 are dimensioned so that when the heat exchange bundle 10 is assembled to the manifold 20, the ends of the tubes 11 are substantially flush with the standard collars 253, that is to say say practically without any overshoot, or even without the slightest overshoot, of the ends of the tubes 11 with respect to the standard collars 253 of the sealing means 25.

Furthermore, as is better visible in FIGS. 1 and 4a to 5, the second part of the sealing means 25 can also comprise a plurality of inverted collars 255, extending opposite to the standard collars 253, c ' that is to say in the direction of the heat exchange bundle 10 in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1. The inverted collars 255 extend in the direction opposite to the direction of insertion of the tubes 11 in the manifold plate 21 .

There are then as many standard collars 253 as inverted collars 255. The inverted collars 255 are produced as an extension of the standard collars 253.

The inverted collars 255 extend through the openings 211 of the collector plate 21 when the sealing means 25 is arranged on the collector plate 21.

These inverted collars 255 are also suitable for receiving the ends of the tubes 11 when assembling the heat exchange bundle 10 to the manifold 20. In addition, the shape of the inverted collars 255 is also complementary to that of the tubes 11. The inverted collars 255 may have a substantially oblong shape. The inverted collars 255 of the sealing means 25 contribute to facilitating the insertion of the tubes 11 and also contribute to ensuring the sealing between the tubes 11 and the collector plate 21.

The standard collars 253 and the inverted collars 255 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 11 in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1.

Finally, the standard collars 253 and the inverted collars 255 are flexible and adapt to the shape of the tubes 11 and the openings 211 of the collector plate 21. Thus, the sealing means 25, in particular its standard collars 253 and inverted 255, provides a flexible connection between the collector plate 21 and the tubes 11, which makes it possible to absorb the deformation stresses linked to thermal expansion.

The sealing means 25 further comprises in this example a base 257, better visible in FIG. 8, from which extend on one side the standard collars 253 and on the opposite side the inverted collars 255. The base 257 connects the peripheral part 251 to these standard collars 253 and inverted collars 255.

In addition, the sealing means 25 has at least one part, formed in this first embodiment by the base 257, which rests on the collecting plate 21 and on which the internal plate 27 is placed.

Internal plate

With reference to FIGS. 9a to 9d, the internal plate 27 is described in more detail, advantageously made of plastic.

The internal plate 27 has for example a generally substantially parallelepiped shape, here a rectangular parallelepiped.

This internal plate 27 comprises a plurality of openings 271 for receiving the ends of the tubes 11 and the sealing means 25 around the ends of the tubes 11, more precisely the standard collars 253 of the sealing means 25. The shape of the openings 271 is adapted to the shape of the standard collars 253 and of the ends of the tubes 11. In this example, the openings 271 are substantially oblong and extend longitudinally substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 11 in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1.

Of course, one can provide any other shape complementary to the shape of the standard collars 253 of the sealing means 25 and of the ends of the tubes 11. With the exception of the openings 271, the internal plate 27 is substantially flat.

Furthermore, the internal plate 27 is arranged so that the sealing means 25 is compressed between each end of the tube 11 and the internal plate 27, during the mechanical assembly of the tubes 11 to the manifold 20. More precisely, these are the standard collars 253 protruding from the sealing means 25 which are compressed between the ends of the tubes 11 and the internal plate 27.

The internal plate 27 has a lower face 27a shown in FIG. 9a and an opposite upper face 27b, shown in FIGS. 9b to 9d. With reference to FIG. 1, the lower face 27a is intended to be arranged facing the base 257 of the sealing means 25 and the upper face 27b facing the cover 23, when the manifold 20 is assembled. internal plate 27 is therefore arranged between the base 257 of the sealing means 25 and the cover 23. In other words, the base 257 of the sealing means 25 is interposed between the internal plate 27 (its lower face 27a) and the collector plate 21. The internal plate 27 thus forms a collector counter-plate cooperating with the collector plate 21 to maintain the sealing means 25.

Advantageously, the internal plate 27 is arranged and in particular dimensioned so as to fill the spaces between the ends of the tubes 11. According to the first embodiment, the internal plate 27 makes it possible to fill the spaces between the base 257 of the means d sealing 25 and the standard collars 253 of the sealing means 25. The internal plate 27 thus forms a ply which occupies almost all of the space between the protruding ends of the tubes 11 passing through the standard collars 253. In particular, the internal plate 27, more precisely its upper face 27b, is arranged as close as possible to the ends of the tubes 11. In other words, the ends of the tubes 11 bordered by the standard collars 253 of the sealing means 25 hardly exceed, that is to say beyond a height of less than 2mm, or even not at all exceeding, the plane along which the internal plate extends 27. This makes it possible to reduce the losses flow, in particular by limiting the formation of vortexes or turbulence in the area where the tubes 11 open into the manifold 20 in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1.

Furthermore, as is better visible in FIGS. 9b to 9d, the internal plate 27 is locally deformed around the openings 271. More specifically, the internal plate 27 is locally deformed only on the upper face 27b.

The internal plate 27 therefore has local deformations 273 provided so that the edge of the openings 271 acts as a counterform complementary to the shape of the ends of the tubes 11 after expansion. The local deformations 273 of the internal plate 27 are for example produced by flares 273. Thus, according to the embodiment described, during the assembly of the tubes 11 to the collector plate 21, the ends of the tubes 11 are flared so to match the shape of the borders delimiting the openings 271 of the internal plate 27.

According to a first alternative embodiment, the internal plate 27 and the sealing means 25 are two separate parts.

According to a second alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10b, the internal plate 27 and the sealing means 25 are made in one piece. It may be a single bi-material part, that is to say having two materials: a first part made of a first material acting as a sealing means 25 as described above, and a second part made of a second material acting as internal plate 27 as described above. Such a part 25, 27 is for example produced by co-molding. According to this second variant, the part 25, 27 may not include local deformations around the standard collars 253.

This second variant makes it possible to limit the number of parts while making it possible to speed up the assembly process of the heat exchanger 1.

Second embodiment

Figures 11a and 11b illustrate a second embodiment which differs in particular from the first embodiment in that the internal plate 27 'is arranged so as to keep the sealing means 25' compressed between the ends of the tubes 11 and the collector plate 21 and no longer between the ends of the tubes 11 and the internal plate 27 unlike the first embodiment.

In this case, the sealing means 25 'is integrally arranged below the inner plate 27' with reference to the arrangement of the elements in Figures 11a and 11b. According to this second embodiment, the sealing means 25 'does not include standard collars 253 passing through the internal plate 27'.

On the other hand, the sealing means 25 ′ comprises inverted collars 255 in a similar manner to the first embodiment.

The sealing means 25 ’further comprises bearing zones 258 on which the flares 115 of the tubes 11 are supported after expansion to compress the sealing means 25’. In this second embodiment, the tubes 11 have a single flare 115 on the periphery of the ends of the tubes 11.

As regards the internal plate 27 ′, according to this second embodiment, it has a plurality of openings 271 bordered by collars 275. The collars 275 may be continuous over the entire periphery of the openings 271 or, on the contrary, may be interrupted as this is represented in FIGS. 13a and 13b of the third embodiment, by one or more slots 277.

Referring again to Figures 11a and 11b, these collars 275 are arranged on the periphery of the ends of the tubes 11 and extend towards the interior of the tubes 11. After insertion of the tubes 11 through the manifold plate 21 and the sealing means 25 ', the internal plate 27' is arranged over the sealing means 25 'and the collars 275 are inserted inside the ends of the tubes 11. In the case where the collars 275 are not not continuous, the slots 277 (visible in FIGS. 13a, 13b) are advantageously provided so as to be located in line with the partition 113 (visible in FIGS. 11a, 11b) when the tubes 11 open into the manifold 20.

The collars 275 are intended to be plastically deformed in a complementary manner to the ends of the tubes 11, so as to keep the flared ends of the tubes 11 in abutment against the sealing means 25 'to compress it. These collars 275 of the internal plate 27 'thus form locking members 29 to keep the sealing means 25' compressed between each end of the tube 11 and the collector plate 21.

According to the example of FIG. 11b, the deformed collars 275 of the internal plate 27 ′ do not extend beyond the flares 115. In other words, the collars 275 are arranged only on the flares 115 of the ends of the tubes 11.

Third embodiment

The third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12a to 13b differs from the second embodiment in that the sealing means 25 ’and the internal plate 27’ are adapted for ends of tubes 11 with a double flaring.

In this case, the sealing means 25 ′ around one end of a tube 11 has two bearing zones 258 and 259 respectively for each flare 115 and 117 of this end of tube 11.

The collars 275 of the internal plate 27 ′, according to this third embodiment, arranged on the periphery of the ends of the tubes 11 extend beyond the external flares 115 of the ends of the tubes 11 in the direction of the interior of the tubes 11 In other words, the collars 275 comprise a first part 275a intended to be deformed during flaring of the periphery of the ends of the tubes 11, and a second part 275b which extends beyond the flares 115 of the ends of the tubes 11 towards the interior of the tubes 11 after expansion. According to the example illustrated, this second part 275b of the collars 275 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes 11 in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1.

According to the example of FIG. 12b, the second parts 275b of the collars 275 of the internal plate 27 ’do not extend beyond the internal flares 117.

The other characteristics are identical to the second embodiment and are not described again.

Method of assembling the heat exchanger

With reference to all of the figures, a method of assembling a heat exchanger 1 as described above is described below.

The method comprises a step of assembling the heat exchange bundle 10 followed by a step of brazing the heat exchange bundle 10 by passage through a dedicated oven.

According to the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 9, for the assembly of a manifold 20, there is a sealing means 25 on a manifold plate 21, so that the inverted collars 255 of the means d the seal 25 are inserted into the openings 211 of the collector plate 21. An internal plate 27 is then arranged, so that the standard collars 253 of the sealing means 25 extend through the openings 271 of the internal plate 27. According to the variant illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10b, when the sealing means 25 and the internal plate 27 are made in one piece, this single piece is arranged forming both the sealing means 25 and the internal plate 27 in one step.

The ends of the heat exchange tubes 11 of the brazed heat exchange bundle 10 are inserted through the collecting plate 21, the sealing means 25 and the internal plate 27, so that the standard collars 253 of the sealing means 25 are arranged around the protruding ends of the tubes 11.

For the mechanical assembly of the heat exchange bundle 10 to the manifold 20, the ends of the tubes 11 are flared so as to compress the sealing means 25, more precisely its standard collars 253 against the internal plate 27.

According to the second and third embodiments described with reference to Figures 11a to 13b, for the assembly of a manifold 20, there is a sealing means 25 'on a manifold plate 21, so that the inverted collars 255 sealing means 25 ′ are inserted into the openings 211 of the collector plate 21. An internal plate 27 ′ is then arranged so that its collars 275 extend inside the ends of the tubes 11.

For the mechanical assembly of the heat exchange bundle 10 to the manifold 20, deformation of the collars 275 of the internal plate 27 ′ and of the ends of the tubes 11 is carried out by expansion, so as to compress the sealing means 25 'between the ends of the tubes 11 and the collecting plate 21.

Then, for one or other of the embodiments previously described, the cover 23 is put in place so that the cover foot 231 is housed in the space delimited by the raised peripheral edge 215 of the collecting plate 21 in coming on the peripheral part 251 of the sealing means 25 or 25 '.

Afterwards, the cover 23 is assembled with the rest of the heat exchanger 1, for example by crimping by folding down the crimping lugs 213 of the collector plate 21 and the crimping lugs 151 of the lateral cheeks 15 of the bundle of brazed heat exchange 10, which ensures the compression of the sealing means 25 or 25 ', more precisely of its peripheral part 251.

Thus, optimum thermal performance is combined thanks to the heat exchange bundle 10 brazed with tubes 11 having a tight pitch, with the resistance to thermal shocks on the side of the collector plate 21 thanks to the mechanical assembly between the tubes 11 of this brazed bundle 10 and the collecting plate 21.

The sealing means 25; 25 ′ provides both a mechanical connection function between the brazed heat exchange bundle 10 and the manifold 20, but also a sealing function of the manifold 20 and between the tubes 11 and the manifold 21. in addition, the internal plate 27; 27 'participates in the compression of the sealing means 25; 25 'to guarantee the seal between the collector plate 21 and the tubes 11.

Furthermore, due to the presence of the internal plate 27; 27 'serving as a collector plate and the presence of collars 253; 255 on the sealing means 25; 25 ’, the collector plate 21 can be simplified and be made without collars unlike the solutions of the prior art.

Finally, the internal plate 27 or 27 'contributes to keeping the collecting plate 21 in place, by avoiding for example its rotation in particular during the mechanical assembly of the tubes 11 to the collecting box 20.

Claims (15)

1. Collector box (20) for a heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, the collector box (20) comprising: a collector plate (21) configured to be traversed by a plurality of tubes (11) of a beam d 'heat exchange (10) of said exchanger (1), said bundle being assembled by brazing, and a compressible sealing means (25; 25') arranged at least partially on the collector plate (21) and configured to be arranged around the ends of the tubes (11) opening into the manifold (20) in the assembled state of the heat exchanger (1), characterized in that the manifold (20) further comprises an internal plate (27; 27 ') separate from the collector plate (21): arranged at least partially against the sealing means (25; 25 ') and configured to hold the sealing means (25; 25') around the ends of the tubes (11) at the assembled state of the heat exchanger mique (1). 2. Collector box (20) according to the preceding claim, configured to be mechanically assembled with the plurality of tubes (11) of the heat exchange bundle (10) of said exchanger (1). 3. Collecting box (20) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the sealing means (25; 25 ') has at least one part (257) arranged between the collecting plate (21) and the internal plate. (27; 27 '). 4. Collector box (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which: the internal plate (27) comprises a plurality of openings (271) configured to receive the ends of the tubes (11) of the beam heat exchange (10) of said exchanger (1) and to receive the sealing means (25) arranged around the ends of the tubes (11), and in which - the sealing means (25) is configured to be compressed between each tube end (11) and the internal plate (27). 5. Collector box (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein the internal plate (27) has local deformations (273) around the openings (271). 6. Collector box (20) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the sealing means (25) comprises a plurality of standard collars (253) configured to receive the ends of the tubes (11) of the beam. heat exchange (10) of said exchanger (1) and extending through the openings (271) of the internal plate (27). 7. Collector box (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the sealing means (25) and the internal plate (27) are produced by co-molding in a single bi-material part. 8. Collector box (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the internal plate (27 ') has a plurality of openings (271) bordered by collars (275), the collars (275) being configured. to be inserted inside the ends of the tubes (11) opening into the manifold (20) in the assembled state of the heat exchanger (1), so as to keep the sealing means (25 ') compressed between each end of the tube (11) and the collector plate (21). 9. Collector box (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: the collector plate (21) has a plurality of openings (211), and in which - the sealing means (25; 25 ') has a plurality of inverted collars (253) configured to receive the tubes (11) of the heat exchange bundle (10) of said exchanger (1) and extending through the openings (211) of the manifold plate (21). 10. Collector box (20) according to claim 3 taken in combination with one of claims 6 or 9, wherein the sealing means (25; 25 ') has a base (257) from which said collars ( 253, 255) extend and such that the base (257) of the sealing means (25; 25 ') is arranged between the collector plate (21) and the internal plate (27; 27'). 11. Collector box (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the collector plate (21) is substantially flat and devoid of collar. 12. Collector box (20) according to any one of the preceding claims: - further comprising a cover (23) assembled to the collector plate (21) so as to close the collector box (20), and in which - the plate internal (27; 27 ') is arranged between the sealing means (25; 25') and the cover (23). 13. Collector box (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the internal plate (27; 27 ') is dimensioned so as to fill the spaces between the ends of the tubes (11) opening into the collector box (20 ) in the assembled state of the heat exchanger (1). 14. Heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: a heat exchange bundle (10) assembled by brazing comprising a plurality of tubes (11), at least one manifold (20) according to any one of previous claims, comprising: • a collecting plate (21) through which the tubes (11) pass, and • at least one compressible sealing means (25; 25 ') arranged at least partially on the collecting plate (21) and arranged around of the ends of the tubes (11) opening into the manifold (20), characterized in that: the tubes (11) are mechanically assembled to the manifold (20) by flaring the ends of the tubes (11) so as to compress the sealing means (25; 25 '), and in that the manifold (20) further comprises an internal plate (27; 27') distinct from the manifold (21), arranged at least partly against the means sealing (25; 25 ') of fac to maintain the sealing means (25; 25 ’) around the ends of the tubes (11). 5. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 14, wherein said at least one manifold (20) conforms to claim 5 and wherein the ends of the tubes (11) are flared so as to match the shape of the edge openings (271) of the internal plate (27). 6. Heat exchanger (1) according to claim 14, wherein said at least one manifold (20) conforms to claim 8 and wherein the collars (275) of the internal plate (27 ') are plastically deformed so complementary to the ends of the tubes (11), to maintain the flaring (115) of the ends of the tubes (11) so as to compress the sealing means (25 '). 17. Heat exchanger (1) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, in which the heat exchange bundle (10) comprises two lateral cheeks (15) arranged on either side of the plurality of tubes (11 ), and in which the cheeks (15) are mechanically assembled to a cover (23) of said at least one manifold (20).