MXPA00004887A - Hose connector-tank assembly and assembly method - Google Patents

Abstract

A tank assembly (22, 24) includes a tank (34, 36) having a wall (62) with an opening (64) therethrough and adapted to be fitted to the header (30, 32) of a heat exchanger (20), and a hose connector (42) having a first end (46) and a stop (60, 76, 78) disposed a predetermined distance from the first end (46). The stop (60, 76, 78) abuts the tank wall (62) with the first end (46) of the hose connector (42) disposed in the opening (64) in the tank wall (62) to prevent the hose connector (42) from being disposed further into the opening (64). The first end (46) of the hose connector (42) is deformed against the wall (62) of the tank (34, 36) oppositely of the stop (60, 76, 78) to prevent withdrawal of the hose connector (42) from the tank (34, 36). A method of assembling the tank assembly (22, 24) is also provided.

Description

HOSE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - TANK AND ASSEMBLY METHOD DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hose and tank connector assembly and a method for assembling said assembly, in particular, a hose and tank connector assembly and an assembly method which limits the improper insertion of the hose connector into the tank. It is known, in the heat exchanger technique, to use a pipe fitting attached to a tank that forms part of the heat exchanger to define either an inlet or an outlet for the tank. These pipe fittings can be referred to as hose connectors, as they serve as the junction between a hose and the tank. Typically, a first end of the hose connector is placed within an opening in the tank. To prevent relative movement between the hose connector and the tank, the hose connector is secured to the tank with a spot welding, for example. The hose-connector connector assembly, which is conventionally made in the domain, then undergoes a brazing process to form a sealed joint between the hose connector and the tank.

This process has the following disadvantages. The hose connector may be inserted too far in or not far enough into the opening in the tank during the assembly process. If the hose connector is inserted too far into the opening, the hose connector may obstruct the flow of refrigerant into the tank and / or between the tank and the open ends of the pipes into a manifold to which it fits the tank. If the hose connector is not inserted sufficiently into the tank, the seal between the hose connector and the tank may weaken and / or may not be fluid tight. According to one aspect of the present invention, a tank assembly for a heat exchanger includes a tank having a wall with an opening therethrough and adapted to fit the collector of the heat exchanger, and a hose connector having a first end and a retainer disposed at a predetermined distance from the first end greater than the thickness of the wall. The retainer splices the wall with the first end of the hose connector connected to the opening in the wall of the tank to prevent the hose connector being placed further into the opening. The first end of the hose connector is deformed against the wall of the tank opposite the retainer to prevent the removal of the hose connector from the tank. Preferably, the hose connector body includes a wall, and the wall may have a plurality of slits therethrough starting at the first end of the hose connector and extending not beyond the retainer. More preferably, the grooves may extend no further than a distance equal to the predetermined distance of the first end of the hose connector minus the thickness of the tank wall. The hose connector may include a stepped wall defining a stop at the predetermined distance from the first end, the stop defining the stop. Also, the hose connector may include a deformed wall to define a rib at the predetermined distance of the first end, the rib defines the retainer. The retainer and the first end can be brazed to the tank to form tight joints between them. According to another aspect of the present invention, a tank assembly for a heat exchanger includes a tank having a wall with an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an opening therethrough and adapted to fit the collector of the heat exchanger, and a hose connector having a first end and a retainer positioned at a predetermined distance from the first end greater than the thickness of the wall. The retainer splices the outer surface of the tank wall to prevent the hose connector from being placed further into the opening ^ The first end is positioned through the opening and deforms against the inside surface of the tank wall Prevent the hose connector from getting further into the opening. The brazing alloy can be applied to the exterior and / or the interior surface of the tank. The brazing alloy can be applied to the hose connector. The retainer can be brazed to the exterior surface of the tank wall, and the first end can be brazed to the inside surface of the tank. According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for placing a hose connector relative to the tank for a heat exchanger includes providing a tank with a wall having an opening therethrough, and providing a hose connector with a first end and one detent disposed a predetermined distance greater than the thickness of the wall from the first end. The first end of the hose connector is placed inside the opening in the wall of the tank and the retainer is butted against the wall to place the first end relative to the tank. The first end of the hose connector deforms against the wall of the tank.

The method could include applying brazing alloy and / or the hose connector. The method may also include brazing the hose connector to the tank. The step of warping may include the step of flapping the end of the hose connector against the wall of the tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of the heat exchanger with a connector / tank assembly made in accordance with the present invention attached thereto; Figure 2 is an end view of one embodiment of a hose connector made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the hose connector to Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hose connector to Figure 2 and a wall of a tank in a pre-insertion state; Figure 5 is a partial-sectional view of the connector / tank assembly of Figure 4 with a first end of the connector inserted into an opening in the wall of the tank; Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector / tank assembly of Figure 4 with the first end of the connector deformed against the tank wall; Figure 7 is an end view of another embodiment of a hose connector made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is a side view of the hose connector of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an end view of yet another embodiment of the hose connector made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 10 is a side view of the hose connector to Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a bottom view of the hose connector to Figure 9. First, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 1. A heat exchanger 20, with first and second assembly 22, is shown, 24 of tank, and a plurality of tubes 26 extending therebetween and in fluid communication therewith. Fins 28 are placed between the tubes 26. Each first and second tank assembly 22, 24 includes a connector 30, 32 to which the tubes 26 are attached, and a tank 34, 36. A first port 38 is provided in the tank 34 , while a second port 40 is provided in the tank 36 to allow the refrigerant to enter and exit the heat exchanger 20.

Although ports 38, 40 are shown in Figure 1 in separate tanks 34, 36, so that the refrigerant flows in an Odd number of passages through tubes 26, ports 38, 40 may be in the same tank 34, 36 in such a way that the refrigerant flows through the tubes 26 in an even number of steps. The presence or absence of conventional gates inside tank 34 and / or tank 36 will define the number of steps. Each of the ports 38, 40 is defined by a hose connector 42, which is attached to the tanks 34, 36. Figures 2-3 show a first embodiment of the hose connector 42 according to the present invention. The hose connector 42 has a tubular body 44 with a first end 46 and a second end 48. The body 44 of the hose connector 42 is flattened in a section 50 adjacent the first end 46 such that the latter is in the form of oval. The second end 48 is circular to receive a hose, and includes a radially outward peripherally directed hose retention rib 52. During use, a hose (not shown) fits around the second end 48, and on the rib 52. A hose clip (not shown) is placed around the hose between the end 46 and the rib 52 and tightened to securing the hose in a fluid-tight relationship to the hose connector 42.

The body 44 also has a wall 54 which defines a passage 56 through it. The body 44 also has a stepped region 58 adjacent the first end 46, which can be formed by filing the wall 54 adjacent the first end 46. The stepped region 58 defines a stop 60 which is placed at a distance "d" of the first end 46. Figures 4-6 show an assembly of the hose connector 42 with the tank 34, for example. In Figure 4, the hose connector 42 is shown in a pre-insertion state relative to the wall 62 of the tank 34. It will be recognized that an opening 64 is provided in the wall 62 sized to receive the first end 46 of the hose connector 42 - Because the tank 34 and the hose connector 42 are preferably made of aluminum, the tank 34 and the hose connector 42, as assembled, are preferably brazed together to provide a gasket, although alternative means of attachment, brazing example, they can be used when the tank 34 and / or the hose connector 42 are made of other materials. Assuming that a brazed joint will be formed, the brazing alloy will be applied prior to assembly to the wall 62 of the tank and / or the body 44 of the hose connector 42. As shown in Figure 4, because the wall 54 of the hose connector 42 is filed to define the stop 60, it is more advantageous to apply the brazing plate to the wall 62 of the tank 34. This is the case because The filing process used to form the stepped region 58 will remove the brazing alloy from the exterior surface of the wall 54 of the hose connector 42. The hard sheet can be applied to both sides 66/68 of the wall 62, or alternatively to a side 66 or 68. It is preferable, however, to use sheet metal on both sides 66, 68 of the wall 62, so that any space between the The wall 62 and the body 44 of the hose connector 42 are filled and so that a brazing joint can form both on the inner and outer side 66, 68 of the wall 62. In general, the wall 62 with sheet has a thickness "t "(including the thickness of the sheet material) which is less than the distance" d ". Alternatively, the brazing alloy in the powder form can be applied to the joint as it is formed. As shown in Figure 5, the hose connector 42 moves in the direction of an arrow 70, such that the first end 46 of the hose connector 42 enters the opening 64 of the wall 62. With continuous movement of the hose connector 42 in the direction of the arrow 70, stop 60 of the hose connector 42 connects the external surface 66 of the wall 62. The splice of the stop 60 with the external surface 66 of the wall 62 prevents further movement of the connector 42 of hose within the opening 64. It will be recognized that the first end 46 of the hose connector 42 extends into the tank 34 at a distance equal to "d" (the predetermined distance from the first end 46 to the stop 60) minus "t" "(the thickness of the wall 62 of the tank 34) Figure 6 shows the complete assembly 62 of the hose connector 42 and the tank 34, where the first end 46 of the hose connector 42 has been deformed to form a region 74 flared which splices against the interior surface 68 of the tank wall 62. The junction of the flared region 74 and the inner surface 68 to the tank wall 62 prevents separation of the hose connector 42 from the tank wall 62, and, in particular, prevents the first end 46 from being withdrawn from the opening 64. on wall 62 of the tank. On the other hand, the flare of the first end 46 pushes the stop 60 to enter a narrower junction with the external surface 68 of the wall 62. It will be recognized that this method ensures that the first end 46 of the connector 42 is placed only at a predetermined depth through the opening 64 in the wall 62 of the tank. In particular, the method achieves this result without the need for spot welding of the hose connector 42 to the tank wall 62. The tank connector assembly post 72 can now be brazed, thereby providing a seal and secures between the hose connector 42 and the tank 34, particularly between the stop 60 of the hose connector 42 and the external surface 68 of the hose connector 42. wall 62 and flared region 74 of hose connector 42 and inner surface 66 of wall 62. A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7-8. For brevity, similar components are provided with the same "reference numbers as the description above as the embodiment of Figures 1-6, and will not redescribe." The embodiment of Figures 7-8 omits the stepped region 58 adjacent the first end 46 a The ribs 76, 78 are located on opposite flat sides 80, 82 of the flattened section 50, and have retaining surfaces 84, 86 almost adjacent to the first end 46. separated therefrom by a distance "d" ~~ - The ribs 76, 78 may be formed with for example, by applying a force to the inner surface of the wall 54 to deform the wall 54 radially outwardly so as to forming an elevated area on the sides 80, 82 of the body 44 of the hose connector 42. Because, unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove material from the sides 80, 82 to form the ribs 76, 78, the brazing alloy can be applied to the sides 80, 82 instead of or in addition to the brazing alloy applied to the wall 62 of the tank 34, for example. By applying the brazing alloy to the hose connector 42 instead of the tank 34, less brazing alloy can be used, resulting in a less expensive hose / tank connector assembly 72. However, by applying brazing alloy to tank 34 it is believed that there is less chance that a braze joint will not form without leakage between hose connector 42 and tank 34. Rib retaining surfaces 84, 86 , 78 has the same purpose as the stop 60, that is to say, butting against the external surface 68 of the wall 62 of the tank 34, for example. With the retaining surfaces 84, 86 abutting the outer surfaces 68, the first end 46 of the hose connector 42 extends into the tank 34 at a predetermined distance, depending on the distance values of the retaining surfaces 84, 86 at the first end 46, the thickness of the wall 62 of the tank 34, and the placement of the sheet material. If the sheet metal material is applied to the surfaces 84, 86 and the outer surface 68 of the wall, then the distance which the first end 46 of the hose connector 42 extends within the tank 34 will be reduced according to the thickness of the Sheet metal material applied. Still another embodiment of the hose connector according to the present invention is shown in Figures 9-11, once again with similar components similarly numbered. In addition to the ribs 76, 78, the hose connector 42 has four slots 88, 90, 92, 94. As best seen in Figure 9, the wall is nominally rectangular with rounded corners; and the slots 88, 90, 92, 94 are located at the corners. The slots 88, 90, 92, 94 are provided to minimize the opportunity for the metal to break during the deformation process of the first end 46 of the hose connector 42. The slots 88, 90, 92, 94 also decrease the force required during the deformation process to deform the end 46 of the hose connector 42, and may increase the extent to which the ends 46 can be flared to hold the connector 42 of hose fixed to wall 62 of tank 34, for example. Preferably, the depth of the groove (shown as "s" in Figure 11) is less than the distance "d" - "t" (the distance of the surfaces 84, 86 to the first end 46 minus the thickness of the wall 62 of tank 34), taking into account the placement and thickness of the sheet metal material. It will be recognized that any of the embodiments of the hose connector 42 according to the present invention described above can be used to ensure proper insertion of the hose connector 42 into the opening 64 in the wall 62 of the tank. By preventing the hose connector 42 from being inserted too far into the tank 34, for example, the risk of flow obstruction is limited due to the extension of the hose connector 42 within the tank 34. This is especially true since the end 46 of the hose connector 42 disposed in the tank 34 is flared against the interior surface 74 of the tank 34 to secure the hose connector 42 and the tank 34 together, thereby limiting the extent to which the hose connector 42 extends within of the tank 34.

In addition, the risk of weak or leaky joints formed by not inserting the hose connector 42 far enough into the tank 34 can be prevented through the splice of the body 44 of the hose connector 42 and the outer surface 68 of the tank 34. The flare of the end 46 of the hose connector 42 against the inner surface 74 of the wall 62 also helps to provide a tight fitting of the body 44 of the hose connector 42 with the outer surface 68 of the tank 34. Still other aspects, objects, and Advantages of the present invention can be obtained from the study of the specification, the drawings, and the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A tank assembly for a heat exchanger comprising: a tank having a wall with an opening therethrough and adapted to be fitted to the manifold of a heat exchanger; and a hose connector having a first end and a retainer positioned at a predetermined distance from the first end greater than the thickness of the wall, the retainer splices the wall with the first end of the hose connector positioned in the opening in the wall of the wall. tank to prevent the hose connector from being placed further inside the opening, the first end of the hose connector is deformed against the tank wall opposite the retainer to prevent removal of the hose connector from the tank. The tank assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: the hose connector body comprises a wall, and the wall has a plurality of slots therethrough which start at the first end of the hose connector and that extend beyond the check. 3. The tank assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: the tank wall has a thickness, and the grooves extend beyond a distance equal to the predetermined distance of the first end of the hose connector minus the thickness of the tank. the tank wall. 4. The tank assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose connector comprises a stepped wall defining a stop at a predetermined distance from the first end, the stop defines the stop. The tank assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose connector comprises a deformed wall to define a rib at the predetermined distance from the first end, the rib defines the retainer. 6. The tank assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the retainer of the first end is brazed to the tank to form watertight joints therebetween. 7. A tank assembly for a heat exchanger characterized in that it comprises: a tank having a wall with an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an opening therethrough and adapted to be fitted to the collector of the heat exchanger; and a hose connector having a first end and a retainer positioned at a predetermined distance from the first end greater than the wall thickness, the retainer splices the outer surface of the tank wall to prevent the hose connector from being placed further. therein within the opening, the first end is positioned through the opening and deforms against the inner surface of the tank wall to prevent the hose connector from being placed further into the opening. 8. The tank assembly according to claim 7, further characterized in that it comprises the brazing alloy applied to the outer surface of the tank. 9. The tank assembly according to claim 8, further characterized in that it comprises the brazing alloy applied to the interior surface of the tank. 10. The tank assembly according to claim 9, further characterized by the brazing alloy applied to the hose connector. The tank assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the retainer is brazed to the exterior surface of the tank wall. 12. The tank assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the first end is brazed to the inner surface of the tank wall. 13. A method for placing a hose connector with a "" connection to a tank for a heat exchanger characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a tank with a wall having an opening therethrough; _ providing a hose connector with a first end and a retainer disposed at a predetermined distance greater than the thickness of the wall of the first end; place the first end of the hose connector inside the opening in the wall of the tank; _ splice the retainer against the wall to place the first end in relation to the tank; and deforming the first end of the hose connector against the wall of the tank. The method according to claim 13, further characterized in that it comprises the step of brazing the hose connector to the tank. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the step of deforming comprises the step of flapping the first end of the hose connector against the wall of the tank. 16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises the step of brazing the hose connector to the tank with the retainer by splicing the tank wall 17. The method according to claim 13, further characterized in that it comprises the step of applying brazing alloy to the tank 18. The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises the step of brazing the tank to the hose connector 19. The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises applying brazing alloy to the hose connector 20. The method according to claim 19, further characterized in that it comprises brazing the hose connector to the tank.