FR3089606A1 - COLLECTOR BOX FOR HEAT EXCHANGER AND HEAT EXCHANGER COMPRISING SUCH A COLLECTOR BOX - Google Patents

Abstract

COLLECTOR BOX FOR HEAT EXCHANGER AND HEAT EXCHANGER COMPRISING SUCH A COLLECTOR BOX Box (1) collector for a heat exchanger (2) comprising a collector plate provided with a plurality of holes (27) for the passage of a heat transfer fluid and a flange support comprising at least one indexing pin to the collector plate, the collector plate comprising at least one indexing orifice intended to accommodate the indexing pin of the flange support, said indexing orifice having a plurality of lateral edges, at least one of the lateral edges being defined by a deformable wall, said deformable wall being able to pass from a first configuration in which the indexing orifice has a first section to a second configuration in which the orifice indexing has a reduced section, in the second configuration, the deformable wall is convex with convexity turned towards the inside of the indexing orifice (18). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: COLLECTOR BOX FOR

HEAT EXCHANGER AND HEAT EXCHANGER COMPRISING SUCH A COLLECTOR BOX

The invention relates to the automotive field and more particularly to heat exchangers for air conditioning systems of motor vehicles.

Motor vehicles are, in general, provided with an air conditioning system, the main objective of which is to supply fresh or hot air in the passenger compartment.

The air conditioning systems of motor vehicles include, in their simplified form, an air conditioning circuit provided with a compressor which makes it possible to compress and circulate a refrigerant in the circuit, a regulator for lowering the pressure of the refrigerant, and two heat exchangers respectively a condenser and an evaporator.

Evaporators are known which are in the form of several beams superimposed on each other and in which the refrigerant circulates. In order to uniformly circulate the refrigerant in the bundles of the heat exchanger, it includes one or more manifold (s) in relation to the bundles.

It is known manifold boxes comprising a manifold plate, a cover mounted on the manifold plate and defining therewith at least one compartment, and a flange support fixed to one end of the cover. The flange support interfaces between the refrigerant inlet / outlet flanges and the compartments of the manifold.

The flange support is fixed to the header plate by brazing. Before performing the brazing operation, which consists in heating the elements to be fixed together in an oven to a predetermined melting temperature of the brazing material, said elements are preassembled together.

The pre-assembly of the flange support on the manifold plate is carried out by various techniques. According to one of these techniques, the collector plate defines with the cover at least one compartment as previously mentioned. The collector plate and the cover include foldable tabs inwards. The flange support is inserted inside the compartment until it abuts on stop pins defining protuberances inside the compartment. When the flange support abuts inside the compartment, the foldable tabs are folded inwards and block the flange support inside the compartment.

This technique has drawbacks. First, such a pre-assembly requires several operations on the part of the operator on the production line. He must insert the flange support in the compartment then fold the foldable legs manually. These operations are particularly tedious and hardly lend themselves to mass production. In addition, the collector plate and the cover have a particularly complex shape since it is necessary to provide them with foldable legs, which increases the costs and affects the production yield of the collector plates and covers in particular.

Another solution would be to provide the support with flanges of indexing pins intended to come into the indexing windows of the cover and / or of the collector plate. To facilitate the placement of the indexing pins in the windows, spaces must be provided. However, when brazing, if the spaces are too large, the brazing material cannot fill them, which may cause leaks.

The objective of the invention is to remedy at least one of the above drawbacks by simplifying the shape of the flange support.

Thus there is provided first, a manifold for a heat exchanger comprising a manifold plate provided with a plurality of holes for the passage of a heat transfer fluid and a flange support comprising at least one stud indexing to the collector plate, the collector plate comprising at least one indexing orifice intended to accommodate the indexing pin of the flange support, said indexing orifice having a plurality of lateral edges, at least one of the lateral edges being defined by a deformable wall, said deformable wall being able to pass from a first configuration in which the indexing orifice has a first section to a second configuration in which the indexing orifice has a reduced section, in the second configuration , the deformable wall is convex with convexity turned towards the inside of the indexing orifice.

Thanks to the use of a deformable wall, the pin can be easily inserted into the indexing hole, before deformation of the wall. In the second configuration of the wall, the space between the pin and the edges of the orifice is limited, which facilitates the filling of the orifice during soldering. Simple in design, the mounting of the flange support on the manifold plate is simplified, which in particular improves production efficiency.

Various additional characteristics can be provided alone or in combination:

- the indexing hole includes three other side edges, straight and / or perpendicular to each other;

- The indexing pin and the indexing orifice are configured to limit a movement of the indexing pin in the indexing orifice between a top of the convex wall and a side edge opposite the top, in the indexing hole;

- the travel is at most 1 millimeter on either side of the indexing pin;

- the deformable wall forms a V having two lateral portions defining between them an angle between 80 and 150 degrees;

- the deformable wall is merged with an edge of the collector plate;

- The collector plate extends along a first axis, each lateral edge having a length L measured along the first axis or measured along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, said length L being between 1.5 and 3 millimeters ;

- An end zone, where the deformable wall is located, has a thickness E, measured along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, said thickness E being between 0.6 and 2 millimeters;

- the deformable wall has a width A, measured along the first axis, said width A being determined as follows: ExL / 3 <A <2xE

- the deformable wall defines a height, measured along the first axis between the end edge and a vertex located in the indexing orifice, said height H being between A + 2J and 2A, preferably 0, 7 millimeters, with J the clearance existing between the pin (13,16) and the wall (21) along the axis X;

The indexing pin or pins are in the form of hooks.

Secondly, there is provided a heat exchanger comprising a manifold as previously described.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples:

[Fig.l]: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger comprising a manifold according to the invention;

[Fig-2]: Figure 2 is a perspective view of a flange support;

[Fig.3]: Figure 3 is a top view of one end of a header plate according to the invention;

[Fig-4]: Figure 4 is a top view of the collector plate of Figure 3, before deformation of the end wall;

[Fig.5]: Figure 5 is a side view of the header plate of Figure 4;

[Fig.6]: Figure 6 is a perspective view of a partially assembled manifold.

In Figure 1 is shown a manifold box 1 mounted on a heat exchanger 2. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the heat exchanger 2 is an evaporator. The heat exchanger 2 comprises two bundles 3 intended to be traversed by a refrigerant. The beams 3 are positioned one behind the other so as to be successively traversed by a flow of air passing through them.

The bundle 3 comprises tubes of which only one end is visible in the figures. The tubes are arranged parallel to each other. To improve heat exchange, the bundles include spacers, not illustrated, arranged between and in contact with two neighboring tubes in the same bundle 3.

The collector box 1 includes:

- a collector plate 4,

- a cover 5, and

- a support 6 for flanges.

The manifold also includes a tube 28 for distributing the fluid. The distribution tube extends into a distributor compartment 29, from the support 6 for flanges located at one end of the manifold box 1 to a closing wall 30 located at an opposite end of the manifold box 1. The distribution tube is fluidly connected to the flange support so as to distribute the fluid in the manifold box 1. Thus the distribution tube includes holes (not shown) fluidly connected to the tubes of bundle 3.

In the following description, we will adopt by convention and without limitation, longitudinal, vertical, transverse orientations with reference to the trihedron X, Y, Z shown in the figures and in which the Y axis is perpendicular to the X axis and the Z axis is perpendicular to the X and Y axes. The X, Y, Z axes define the XY, XZ and YZ planes.

The collector plate 4 is in the form of a metal plate which extends in an extension direction represented by the axis X. The collector plate 4 has housings 7 defining holes 27 for the passage of '' a heat transfer fluid. More specifically, the holes 27 are intended to receive the bundles 3 of the heat exchanger 2.

The support 6 of flanges, illustrated in Figure 2, is in the form of a closure wall 8 for closing the compartment or compartments defined by the manifold. The closure wall is crossed by two openings 9 in order to allow the passage of the refrigerant. The support 6 for flanges comprises rings 10 for connections intended to be fluidly connected to external flanges 11 visible in FIG. 1.

The wall 8 for closing the support 6 of flanges defines a section 12 defining the outline of said wall 8 for closing. The shutter wall 8 includes indexing pins 13 projecting from the edge 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the indexing pins 13 have an L-shape, or hook, which is particularly advantageous for pre-assemble the sealing wall 8 on the collecting plate 4 and the cover 5.

The shutter wall 8 comprises three indexing pins 13, namely two upper indexing pins 14 located on an upper face 15 of the wafer 12 and an indexing pin 16 lower located on a lower face 17 of the edge 12. Each upper indexing pin 14 is arranged above a connection ring 10. The lower indexing pin 16 is arranged between the connecting rings 10.

The collector plate 4 has an indexing orifice 18 formed in an end zone 19 of said collector plate 4. In FIG. 3, the end zone 19 is hatched.

The support 6 of flanges is attached and preassembled on the collector plate 4 so that the lower face 17 of the wafer 12 is opposite the end zone 19 and that the lower indexing pin 16 is inserted in the indexing orifice 18.

The indexing port 18 has a plurality of lateral edges 20. More precisely, the indexing orifice 18 has, from above, in the XZ plane, four lateral edges 20. One of the lateral edges 20, hereinafter called the deformable wall 21, coincides with an edge 22 at the end of the collecting plate 4.

The deformable wall 21 is able to pass from a first configuration in which the indexing orifice 18 has a first section and a second configuration in which the orifice has a second section reduced compared to the first section.

The side edges 20 are straight and / or perpendicular to each other.

The lower indexing pin 16 and the indexing hole 18 are configured to limit a movement of the lower indexing pin 16 in the indexing hole 18. In particular, the lower indexing pin 16 is substantially blocked between a vertex 26 of the deformable wall 21 and a lateral edge opposite the vertex 26.

The lower indexing pin 16 is movable on a travel at most of a millimeter on either side of said lower indexing pin 16.

Advantageously, the indexing pins 13 are in the form of hooks.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the deformable wall 21 is convex with convexity 23 turned towards the inside of the indexing orifice 18. A concavity 24 of the deformable wall 21 is therefore turned towards the outside of the collecting plate 4.

The convex shape of the deformable wall 21 is obtained by deformation of the latter. This deformation is carried out using an external tool, not shown in the figures.

Indeed, initially the deformable wall 21 is, for example, substantially linear as shown in Figure 4. Thus the orifice 18 for indexing initially has a substantially square shape. Each lateral edge 20 defines one side of the square and has a length L, measured along one of the X or Z axes, of between 1.5 and 3 millimeters. A thickness E of the end zone 19, measured along the axis Y, is between 0.6 and 2 millimeters. A width A of the deformable wall 21, measured along the axis X, is determined as follows:

ExL / 3 <A <2xE

A width A dimensioned in accordance with the above formulation makes it possible to obtain sufficient mechanical strength and resistance of the deformable wall 21 to the deformation operation carried out using an external tool.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the manifold plate 4 comprises a single orifice 18 for indexing. However, the collecting plate 4 can comprise a plurality of them.

By positioning itself on the outside, on the side of the concavity 24, the deformable wall 21 of FIG. 3 defines two side walls 25 defining between them an angle a of between 80 and 150 degrees. Preferably the angle a is substantially equal to 110 degrees. Such an angle advantageously makes it possible to impart better mechanical strength to the indexing orifice 18.

Referring to Figure 3, the deformable wall 21 defines a height H, measured along the axis X between the edge 22 of the end of the collector plate 4 and the top 26. The height H is between A + 2J and 2A, preferably 0.7 millimeters, with J the clearance existing between the pin (13,16) and the wall 21 along the axis X. Such a height H advantageously makes it possible to impart better mechanical strength to the orifice 18 indexing.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Box (1) manifold for a heat exchanger (2) comprising a manifold plate (4) provided with a plurality of holes (27) for the passage of a heat-transfer fluid and a support (6) for flanges comprising at least one indexing pin (13, 16) to the collecting plate (4), the collecting plate (4) comprising at least one indexing orifice (18) intended to house the indexing pin (13, 16) of the support ( 6) of flanges, said indexing orifice (18) having a plurality of lateral edges (20), at least one of the lateral edges (20) being defined by a deformable wall (21), said deformable wall (21) being suitable to pass from a first configuration in which the indexing orifice (18) has a first section to a second configuration in which the indexing orifice (18) has a reduced section, in the second configuration, the wall ( 21) deformable is convex with convexity (23) facing the interior of the indexing orifice (18). [Claim 2] Collector box (1) according to claim 1, in which the indexing orifice (18) comprises three other lateral edges, straight and / or perpendicular to each other. [Claim 3] Collector box (1) according to claim 2, in which the indexing pin (13, 16) and the indexing orifice (18) are configured to limit movement of the indexing pin (13, 16) in the indexing hole (18) between a top of the convex wall and a side edge opposite the top, in the indexing hole (18). [Claim 4] Collector box (1) according to claim 3, in which the clearance is at most 1 millimeter on either side of the indexing pin (13, 16). [Claim 5] Collector box (1) according to claim 4, in which the deformable wall (21) forms a V comprising two lateral portions (25) defining between them an angle (a) of between 80 and 150 degrees. [Claim 6] Collector box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the deformable wall (21) coincides with an end edge (22) of the collector plate. [Claim 7] Collector box (1) according to claim 6, in which the collector plate (4) extends along a first axis (X), each lateral edge (20) having a length L measured along the first axis (X) or measured along a second axis (Z) perpendicular to the first axis (X), said length L being between 1.5 and 3 millimeters. [Claim 8] [Claim 9] [Claim 10] [Claim 11] Collector box (1) according to claim 7, in which an end zone (19), where the deformable wall (21) is located, has a thickness E, measured along a third axis (Y) perpendicular to the first axis (X ) and to the second axis (Z), said thickness E being between 0.6 and 2 millimeters. Collector box (1) according to claim 8, in which the deformable wall (21) has a width A, measured along the first axis (X), said width A being determined as follows: ExL / 3 <A <2xE Collector box (1) according to claim 9, in which the deformable wall (21) defines a height (H), measured along the first axis (X) between the end edge (22) and a vertex (26) located in the indexing orifice (18), said height H being between A + 2J and 2A, preferably 0.7 millimeters, with J the clearance existing between the pin (13,16) and the wall (21) along l 'X axis. Heat exchanger (2) characterized in that it comprises a collecting box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said wall having been deformed in said second configuration.