FR3082927A1 - COLLECTOR BOX AND CORRESPONDING HEAT EXCHANGER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a manifold (5) for a heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a cover (9) provided with a peripheral cover base (91), and - a manifold plate (7) comprising a plurality of crimping lugs (75) folded over the cover base (95) in the assembled state of the manifold (5). According to the invention, the manifold (5) comprises at least one holding member (13) arranged in abutment against at least one crimping tab (75) folded over the cover base (95), and the cover (9) comprises at least one stop (97) arranged to bear against said at least one holding member (13). The invention also relates to a heat exchanger (1) comprising such a manifold (5).

Description

-1 Collector box and corresponding heat exchanger

The invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, in particular for motor vehicles. The invention relates more particularly to a manifold intended for such heat exchangers.

Heat exchangers conventionally comprise a heat exchange bundle and at least one, generally two manifolds of a heat transfer fluid.

The heat exchange bundle comprises a plurality of tubes, arranged in one or more rows through which is intended to flow a heat transfer fluid. A second fluid can pass through the heat exchange bundle by circulating between the tubes so as to allow heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid inside the tubes. Heat exchange elements, such as spacers or fins, can also be provided between the tubes to improve heat exchange.

In known manner, each manifold comprises a manifold plate receiving the ends of the tubes. A cover covers the collecting plate to close the collecting box. The manifolds allow the distribution or recovery of the heat transfer fluid which passes through the heat exchange tubes.

According to a known solution, the elements of the heat exchanger can be assembled and then brazed by passage through a brazing oven, to ensure the joining of these elements. In this case, the various elements of the heat exchanger are metallic, for example aluminum or aluminum alloy.

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 heat exchange bundle is secured to the or each manifold by the manifold plate, whether they are heat exchangers with mechanical or brazed assembly, or even hydrides, that is to say of which the bundle d heat exchange is brazed and intended to be mechanically assembled to the manifolds.

The collector plate is more or less thick depending on the assembly technology used, for example of the order of 0.8mm to 1.2mm in aluminum for

-2mechanical assembly technology, and 1.5mm to 1.8mm for brazed technology.

In particular, each collector plate can be provided with mechanical fixing means such as crimping lugs, capable of cooperating with a peripheral rim of the cover which is fixed on the collector plate by ensuring for example the compression of a gasket. sealing arranged on the collector plate.

In addition, the collector plates must meet mechanical strength criteria, for example pressure and endurance constraints. It has been noted in particular a problem of opening of the crimping lugs and a deformation of the manifold plate when the manifold is under pressure.

Reinforcement solutions have already been proposed.

For example, the collector plates and therefore their crimping tabs are provided thicker in order to maintain the crimping against the cover to meet pressure and endurance constraints. However, this thickening results in an increase in the dimensions of the collector plate. The latter can be complicated to achieve with a view to less bulk and compactness.

Another solution is to locally thicken a wall of the collector plate. To do this, a piece, for example metallic, is added to artificially increase the thickness of the collector plate from the outside. This makes it possible to limit the displacement of the collecting place in the event of swelling of the collecting box under the effect of the pressure.

In particular, a belt provided with crimping lugs can be arranged around the collector plate and to be crimped in turn on the collector plate. However, such a solution is not very easy to implement and is relatively expensive.

According to yet another solution, the reinforcement can be done by deformations on the collector plate, such as ribs or bosses. However, these deformations concentrate the stresses when the manifold is stressed, and can be the starting point for a rupture of the manifold plate.

The invention therefore aims to at least partially overcome these problems of the prior art by proposing a manifold for heat exchanger to guarantee the crimping of the manifold to the cover when the box

-3 collector is requested.

To this end the invention relates to a manifold for a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a cover provided with a peripheral cover base, and a collector plate comprising a plurality of crimp tabs folded down on the cover base. in the assembled state of the manifold.

According to the invention, the manifold comprises at least one holding member arranged in abutment against at least one crimping tab folded over the foot of the cover, and the cover comprises at least one stop arranged in abutment against said at least one member of maintenance.

Thus, said at least one crimping tab is locked in the folded position on the cover base by said at least one holding member which is in turn blocked between said at least one crimping tab of the collector plate and said at least a cover stopper.

The manifold can further include one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination.

According to one aspect of the invention, said at least one holding member cooperates by complementarity in form with on the one hand said at least one crimping lug and on the other hand said at least one stop.

The collector plate extends for example longitudinally and has two longitudinal edges having the crimp tabs.

Said at least one holding member can extend parallel to a longitudinal edge of the collector plate.

Said at least one holding member can be arranged on each longitudinal edge of the collector plate.

According to an alternative embodiment, said at least one holding member extends over a length less than the length of the collector plate, so as to form a point support against at least one crimping tab.

Said at least one holding member can be arranged at an area of high mechanical stress, for example in front of a fluid inlet or outlet manifold.

-4According to another alternative embodiment, said at least one holding member extends over the entire length of the collector plate and is arranged to bear against all of the crimp tabs of a longitudinal edge of the collector plate.

According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one holding member can be produced in the form of a bar extending longitudinally.

The bar can have one of the following general shapes in cross section: rectangular, trapezoidal, oval.

The bar has for example a flat surface bearing against said at least one crimping tab.

The bar has for example in cross section a generally trapezoidal shape. Said at least one stop may have a slope inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the collector plate, the slope of said at least one stop being complementary to one side of the trapezoidal shape.

The bar has for example in cross section a generally oval shape. Said at least one stop may have a curved shape, for example concave, complementary to the oval shape of the bar.

Said at least one holding member can be made of plastic, of polymer.

According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one stop is made in one piece with the cover.

The cover has two opposite side faces.

According to one embodiment, the cover comprises on at least one of the lateral faces at least one rib extending outside the cover and coming to bear against said at least one holding member so as to form said at least one stop .

Said at least one rib extends for example transversely with respect to the collector plate in the direction of said at least one holding member.

The cover may include a plurality of ribs.

According to another embodiment, the cover has at least one stop extending longitudinally over the entire length of said at least one holding member.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, said at least one holding member is assembled to the cover according to any suitable assembly technique. The assembly technique can for example be chosen from screwing, clipping, welding, gluing.

According to an alternative embodiment, the rib has at its end in abutment against said at least one retaining member, a protuberance forming a retaining element, or retaining lug, of said at least one retaining member.

The collector plate can be flat.

Alternatively, the collector plate has a peripheral groove at least partially receiving the foot of the cover.

The manifold can include a compressible seal arranged on the peripheral contour of the flat collector plate, or alternatively at least partly in the peripheral groove of the collector plate.

The peripheral cover foot can be fixed to the collector plate by compressing the gasket.

The invention also relates to a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a heat exchange bundle comprising a plurality of tubes, and at least one manifold as defined above arranged at one end of the tubes.

The heat exchange bundle can be brazed.

Alternatively, the heat exchange bundle is mechanically assembled.

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:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially showing a heat exchanger comprising a manifold according to a first alternative embodiment,

- Figure 2 is a sectional view of the heat exchanger of Figure 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially showing a manifold according to a second alternative embodiment, and

-6- Figure 4 is a sectional view partially showing a manifold according to a third embodiment.

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 to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the invention relates to a heat exchanger 1 for a motor vehicle. Such a heat exchanger 1 comprises a heat exchange bundle 3. The heat exchanger 1 also comprises at least one manifold 5, generally two manifolds 5, making it possible to collect and distribute a heat transfer fluid. More particularly, the invention relates to such a manifold 5.

The heat exchange bundle 3 comprises a multiplicity of tubes 31, arranged in one or more rows of tubes 31. The tubes 31 respectively define one or more circulation channels for the heat transfer fluid. These include 31 flat tubes. The tubes 31 extend longitudinally.

The ends of the tubes 31 open into a manifold 5. Only one end of the tubes 31 is visible in FIG. 2. According to one embodiment, the ends of the tubes 31 are respectively fixed to two manifolds 5.

The tubes 31 are for example made of aluminum.

The heat exchange bundle 3 may further include a plurality of heat exchange elements. In the case of a heat exchanger 1 with mechanical assembly, the heat exchange bundle 3 may further comprise a plurality of fins 33, of which only a few are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to which the tubes 31 can be assembled by expansion or crimping.

As a variant, the heat exchange bundle can be brazed, that is to say that the elements are assembled together by brazing. In this case, the various elements of the bundle are advantageously made of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy.

The heat exchange bundle 3 may include a plurality of spacers between the tubes 31.

As regards more particularly the manifold 5, it is arranged at one end of the tubes 31 of the heat exchange bundle 3.

The manifold 5 includes a manifold plate 7 and a cover 9 cooperating with the manifold plate 7 to close the manifold 5, for example by crimping.

The manifold 5 may further include at least one seal 11, visible in FIG. 2, placed on the manifold 7. The cover 9 then closes the manifold 5 by compressing the seal 11.

The manifold 5 also comprises at least one holding member 13 in order to reinforce the resistance of the crimping of the manifold plate 7 on the cover 9.

The collector plate 7 is for example made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

The collector plate 7 extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis L.

The collecting plate 7 is intended to be traversed by the ends of the tubes 31. It has for this purpose a plurality of orifices (not shown) for the passage of the ends of the tubes 31. Such orifices are advantageously bordered by collars 70 (see figure 2). The collector plate 7 has a core 71 on which these orifices are provided, for example bordered by collars 70.

The collector plate 7 further comprises a peripheral groove 73 for receiving at least part of the seal 11. This peripheral groove 73 has a bottom and the core 71 forms a bearing which is raised relative to the bottom of the peripheral throat 73.

According to a variant not shown, the collector plate 7 can be planar. In this case, the compressible seal 11 is arranged on the peripheral contour of the flat collector plate.

Furthermore, the collector plate 7 comprises fixing means such as crimping lugs 75 provided to be crimped onto the cover 9. The crimping lugs 75 are present on the periphery or the periphery of the collector plate 7.

-8In particular, the collector plate 7 may have longitudinal edges or edges 77 on which the crimping tabs 75 are provided. It is for example edges 77 folded back.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, there is described in more detail the seal 11. It is a compressible seal 11 arranged in the peripheral groove 73 of the manifold plate 7. The seal seal 11, or in particular a peripheral part of the seal 11, has a shape complementary to this peripheral groove 73. In the assembled state of the manifold 5, the seal 11 is arranged between the cover 9 and the manifold plate 7, the cover 9 compressing the gasket 11 in order to close the manifold 5 while ensuring the tightness of the manifold 5.

The seal 11, or alternatively at least one additional seal, can be arranged on the core 71 of the manifold plate 7 around the ends of the tubes 11 opening into the manifold 5 in the assembled state of the heat exchanger 1.

Regarding the cover 9 shown in Figures 1 to 4, it may be a cover 9 made of plastic or aluminum alloy.

The cover 9 has a tube 91 (see Figure 1). It may be an inlet pipe for the admission of the heat transfer fluid into the manifold 5 in order to be distributed in the tubes 31 of the heat exchange bundle 3 or, as a variant, an outlet pipe for the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid having circulated in the tubes 31.

Similar to the collector plate 7, the cover 9 extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis L.

The cover 9 may have a general shape of a vault with two opposite lateral faces 93 connected together by a bottom wall. These are two large lateral faces 93 extending mainly along the longitudinal axis L.

In particular, the cover 9 comprises a peripheral cover foot 95, as is better visible in one of FIGS. 2 to 4. The expression “cover foot” means the lower part of the cover 9, with reference available

-9 elements in the figures, coming to press on the gasket 11.

According to the example illustrated, the cover base 95 is offset relative to the shape of the roof of the cover 9, that is to say that it is not in alignment with this shape of the roof. In other words, the cover foot 95 makes it possible to define a rim.

The cover foot 95 is for example received in the peripheral groove 73. The cover foot 95 has a shape complementary to the shape of the seal 11 and to the shape of the peripheral contour of the collector plate 7 or of the peripheral groove 73.

In addition, the peripheral cover base 95 cooperates with the collector plate 7 to be fixed, thanks to the crimping lugs 75 which are folded down, during crimping, on the cover base 95.

The cover 9 may further include one or more ribs 97. These are reinforcing ribs 97 to improve the mechanical strength of the cover 9. In the examples illustrated, the cover 9 comprises a plurality of ribs 97 arranged on one or the two lateral faces 93 extending outside the cover 9. The ribs 97 are therefore arranged outside the volume defined by the cover 9 and the collector plate 7 for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

The ribs 97 extend on the lateral faces 93 along a transverse axis T shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ribs 97 therefore extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis L and therefore relative to the collector plate 7.

The ribs 97 can be of constant thickness (see Figures 1 and 2) or not (see Figures 3 and 4). For example, the ribs 97 may have an evolving thickness which increases in the direction of the cover base 95. In a nonlimiting manner, the ribs 97 may also have a rounded outline.

In the examples illustrated, the ribs 97 extend on a lateral face 93 in the direction of the cover foot 95 but do not extend to the cover foot 95, they are interrupted before reaching the cover foot 95. This results in a free space between the cover foot 95 and the end surfaces 98 of the ribs 97 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) which are opposite the cover foot 95, making it possible to fold the crimping tabs 75 of the plate manifold 7 on the cover base 95.

When the crimping lugs 75 are folded over the cover base 95, the ribs 97 extend in the direction of the crimping lugs 75 but without reaching these

-10 crimp tabs 75. There is still a free space between the crimp tabs 75 and the end surfaces 98 of the ribs 97 facing each other.

The cover 9 also includes one or more stops intended to bear against the holding member or members 13, the arrangement of which is described in more detail below. The stop (s) can be made in one piece with the cover 9, for example by molding. Such stops are shaped to cooperate with the holding member 13 against which they are intended to come to bear.

These stops are for example formed by the ribs 97, more precisely by the end surfaces 98 of the ribs 97 which are located opposite the crimping lugs 75 folded down on the cover base 95. These are lower surfaces with reference at the disposal of the elements in FIGS. 2 to 4.

Such end surfaces 98 of the ribs 97 may have a shape complementary to the shape of the holding member 13 against which they are intended to come to bear. By way of nonlimiting example, the end surfaces 98 can extend along a slope which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L (see FIG. 3). According to another nonlimiting example, the end surfaces 98 can have a curved shape (see FIG. 4), for example concave. The concavity of an end surface 98 is oriented towards the inside of the corresponding rib 97.

Alternatively, the cover 9 may have one or more stops extending longitudinally (not shown). Such longitudinal stops then extend parallel to the cover base 95 and to the longitudinal edges 77 of the collector plate 7. The longitudinal stops can extend over a portion of length or over the entire length of the cover 9. A single stop can extend all along the cover 9. In addition, the longitudinal stop (s) are arranged at a distance from the cover base 95, so as to allow the crimping lugs 75 of the collector plate 7 to be folded over the cover base 95 As before, after crimping, there remains a free space between the crimping lugs 75 and the longitudinal stop (s).

The cover 9 may also include a retaining element of one or more retaining members 13. Such a retaining element may for example be formed by the ribs 97. For example, the ribs 97 may have at their end intended to cooperate with the retaining member 13, a protrusion 99 or a return, forming a retaining lug of the retaining member 13, as shown schematically

-Isur on Figure 4. We can consider other alternatives not shown, to allow the retention of the holding member 13. For example and not limited to, the ribs 97 could have a flange intended to be inserted between the slots crimping lugs 75 in the assembled state of the manifold 5.

As a variant or in addition, the cover 9 can have at least one groove (not shown) above the cover base 95 according to the arrangement of the elements in FIGS. 2 to 4. Such a groove can be provided to receive at least part one or more holding members 13.

The holding member (s) 13 are for their part intended to reinforce the holding of the crimping lugs 75 of the collecting plate 7 on the cover base 95 in order to prevent the opening of the crimping lugs 75.

To do this, at least one holding member 13 is arranged to bear against a predetermined number of crimping lugs 75 folded down on the cover base 95.

One or more retaining members 13 are advantageously provided on each side of the manifold 5, in other words on each longitudinal edge or rim 77 of the manifold plate 7.

A holding member 13 can be provided which bears on a single crimping lug 75 or more or even all of the crimping lugs 75 on a longitudinal edge 77 of the collector plate 7.

In addition, the or each retaining member 13 can extend longitudinally, in other words parallel to a longitudinal edge 77 of the collector plate 7.

The or each holding member 13 may extend over the entire length of the collector plate 7. In this case, it is arranged in abutment against all of the crimping lugs of the longitudinal edge of the collector plate 7 on which it is agency.

According to an alternative, not shown, the holding member 13 may not extend over the entire length of the collector plate 7, but over a shorter length. A point support is thus formed against one or certain crimping lugs 75 but not all of the crimping lugs 75. Such an alternative may prove to be advantageous in particular when the manifold 5 has areas of high mechanical stress, where the pressure is higher, for example at the level of a fluid inlet or outlet pipe 91. We can then consider putting a

-12 holding member 13 only in these areas which are more stressed.

Furthermore, when a holding member 13 is arranged in abutment against one or more crimping lugs 75 which are folded down on the cover base 95, it is also arranged in abutment against the abutment (s) 97, 98 provided on the cover. 9.

According to the example illustrated, with the ribs 97 on the cover 9, these ribs 97 extend in the direction of the corresponding retaining member 13 and come to bear against the latter, in the assembled state of the manifold 5 after crimping and positioning of the retaining member 13. The ribs 97 make it possible to make an obstacle to the retaining member 13 which on the other side is supported on the crimping tabs 75 of the collector plate 7.

According to the variant not illustrated with at least one longitudinal stop on the cover 9, each longitudinal stop can extend parallel to a corresponding holding member 13. The longitudinal stop can extend over the entire length of this holding member 13.

In addition, each retaining member 13 cooperates by form complementarity with on the one hand at least one crimping lug 75 and on the other hand with at least one corresponding stop 97, 98.

Each holding member 13 is dimensioned so as to fill the free space above the crimping lugs 75 in which the crimping lugs 75 can potentially move to open. This is the free space between the crimping tabs 75 and the stop (s) of the cover 9, for example formed by the ribs 97, in particular their end surfaces 98.

In the examples of Figures 1 to 4, the holding member 13 is produced in the form of a bar extending longitudinally. For example, a bar is provided on each side of the manifold 5 bearing against all of the crimping lugs 75 of each longitudinal edge 77 of the manifold plate 7.

By way of nonlimiting example, each bar can have one of the following general shapes in cross section: rectangular (see FIGS. 1 and 2), trapezoidal (see FIG. 3) or even oval or semi-circular or half-moon (see figure 4). These are illustrative examples, other forms can be envisaged.

In particular, each bar 13 can have at least one flat surface 131 or a flat (see FIGS. 2 to 4) which bears against the crimping tabs 75.

13 can provide such a flat surface 131 whatever the shape of the bar 13.

In the schematic example of Figures 1 and 2, with bars forming the holding members 13, having a generally rectangular cross section, each bar has in particular two opposite planar surfaces 131 (see Figure 2), one of which is facing the crimping lugs 75 and the other facing the stops of the cover 9, for example formed by the ribs 97, in particular their end surfaces 98.

In the schematic example of Figure 3, each bar has a generally trapezoidal cross-section, it can be a rectangular trapezoid. One side of the trapezoidal shape can form the flat surface 131 which comes to bear against the crimping lugs 75. It is in particular a separate side of the two parallel bases of the trapezoidal shape. The trapezoidal shape has another side 133 which cooperates with the stops of the cover 9, for example formed by the ribs 97, in particular their end surfaces 98. This side 133 does not extend parallel to the planar surface 131, and forms a non-right angle with the bases of the trapezoidal shape. The side 133 of the trapezoidal shape which cooperates with the stops of the cover 9 therefore forms a slope in a direction inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L. In addition, the stops, for example formed by the end surfaces 98 of the ribs 97, respectively have a slope forming a locking slope, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L.

In the schematic example of Figure 4, according to which the bar has for example in cross section a generally oval shape, for example in a half-moon or in a semicircle, a flat surface 131 can also be provided to cooperate with the legs crimping 75. Complementarily to the half-moon or semicircle shape, the stops, for example formed by the end surfaces 98 of the ribs 97, respectively have a curved shape, and in particular concave shape complementary to this half-shape bar circular 13.

Furthermore, different materials can be envisaged for the holding members 13 For example, they can be made of plastic, of polymer material.

Thus, during the assembly of the heat exchanger 1, the bundle is assembled

-14d'exchange heat 3 and the collector plate 7. The seal 11 can be placed on the peripheral contour or in the peripheral groove 73 of the collector plate 7, then the cover 9 is crimped on the collector plate 7, in particular using the crimping tabs 75, advantageously with the seal 11 interposed between the cover base 95 and the collector plate 7.

After crimping, the retaining member or members 13 can be mounted between the crimping tabs 75 and the stops 97, 98 to form an obstacle which comes to hold the crimping tabs 75 in the crimped position on the cover base 95.

When the holding members 13 are produced by bars, the latter can be inserted or slid along an assembly direction D (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3) between the crimping tabs 75 of the manifold plate 7 and the stops 97, 98 of the cover 9. This assembly direction D can be parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

In order to permanently secure the crimped position, the retaining member or members 13, for example in the form of bars, can be assembled or fixed to the cover 9 according to any suitable assembly technique, for example by screwing, clipping, welding, or bonding. Maintaining to prevent the bars from falling can also be achieved by the particular shape of the cover 9, for example using the protrusions 99 at the ends of the ribs 97, as described above.

The holding members 13, such as the bars, arranged on the crimping lugs 75 of the collecting plate 7, by bearing or even being fixed to the cover 9, thus make it possible to reinforce the resistance to the opening of the crimping lugs 75 , under the effect of the pressure in the manifold 5.

Furthermore, such bars can help reduce the thickness of the brazed manifold plates 7 to a thickness similar to the manifold plates 7 in mechanically assembled heat exchangers for similar resistance to pressure.

Finally, unlike the solutions of the prior art consisting in thickening the collector plate by impacting its dimensions, with the retaining members 13 added to the crimping lugs 75, the dimensions can be kept, so that the assembly methods thus that the tools are not impacted.

Claims (11)

1. Collector box (5) for heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a cover (9) provided with a peripheral cover foot (95), and - a collecting plate (7) comprising a plurality of crimping lugs (75) folded over the cover base (95) in the assembled state of the collecting box (5), characterized in that it comprises at least one member holding (13) arranged in abutment against at least one crimping lug (75) folded over the cover base (95), and in that the cover (9) comprises at least one stop (97, 98) arranged in abutment against said at least one holding member (13). 2. Collector box (5) according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one holding member (13) cooperates by complementarity of form with on the one hand said at least one crimping lug (75) and on the other hand said at least one stop (98). 3. Collector box (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the collector plate (7) extends longitudinally and has two longitudinal edges (77) having the crimping tabs (75), and in which said au at least one holding member (13) extends parallel to a longitudinal edge (77). 4. Collector box (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one holding member (13) extends over a length less than the length of the collector plate (7), so to form a point support against at least one crimping tab (75). 5. Collector box (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one holding member (13) extends over the entire length of the collector plate (7) and is arranged to bear against the set of crimping lugs (75) of a longitudinal edge (77) of the collecting plate (7). 6. Collector box (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one holding member (13) is produced in the form of a bar extending longitudinally. 7. Collector box (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, in -16which said at least one stop (97, 98) is made in one piece with the cover (9). 8. Collector box (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (9) has two opposite lateral faces (93), and comprises 5 on at least one of the lateral faces (93) at least one rib (97) extending outside the cover (9) and coming to bear against said at least one holding member (13) so as to form said at least one stop. 9. Collector box (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one holding member (13) is assembled to the cover (9) 10 according to an assembly technique chosen from screwing, clipping, welding, gluing. 10. Heat exchanger (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a heat exchange bundle (3) comprising a plurality of tubes (31), characterized in that it comprises at least one manifold (5) according to the any of 15 preceding claims disposed at one end of the tubes (31).