WO2003046458A1

WO2003046458A1 - Heat exchanger module fin

Info

Publication number: WO2003046458A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/004002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Claude Lancelin
Original assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
Priority date: 2001-11-27
Filing date: 2002-11-21
Publication date: 2003-06-05
Also published as: DE10297468T5; AU2002361330A1; FR2832789B1; FR2832789A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a heat exchanger module fin (1) consisting of a generally planar metal plate, divided into at least two parts (16, 18) designed to be traversed by respective tube bundles and wherein the fin parts (16, 18) are separated by globally elongated slots (22) provided in the thickness of the metal plate and between which extend strips of material forming bridges (24) between the fin parts (16, 18). The bridges (24) comprise a plastic deformation forming a reinforcing portion which extends outside the plane of the rib (11). The plastic deformation can consist of a deep-drawn part (32) or a folded edge (34).

Description

HEAT EXCHANGE MODULE FIN

The invention relates to ^" fins of heat exchangers, in particular for exchangers grouped in a single module, called heat exchange module, and comprising common fins. Such fins are used in particular in heat exchangers of motor vehicles.

It relates more particularly to a heat exchanger module fin consisting of a metal plate generally forming a plane, divided into at least two parts separated by lights arranged in the thickness of the metal plate and between which extend strips of material forming bridges between the fin parts.

Generally, a motor vehicle comprises several heat exchangers, for example an engine cooling radiator, a condenser forming part of an air conditioning circuit and, optionally, a charge air cooler or an oil radiator. It is advantageous to group these exchangers in a single module which can be mounted in the vehicle in a single operation.

Such modules, called heat exchange modules, have common fins and are traversed by the same air flow. The fact that the fins are common to the different exchangers simplifies the manufacture and makes the assembly more compact. However, since the different exchangers which. constitute the module operate at different temperatures, it is necessary to delimit, in the common fins, heat exchange zones specific to each exchanger. To this end, we practice series of lights separated by fine material intervals in order to avoid thermal bridges between the different zones heat exchange of the fin. These lights are generally produced by removing material, for example by punching or perforating.

There are already known fins of this type. Document FR 1 473 992 describes a fin thermally divided into two parts by an opening of elongated rectangular shape. These openings determine narrow strips which provide thermal insulation between the two parts of the fin. The certificate of addition 65,521, attached to the French patent above, teaches the production of an elongated notch of thermal insulation, the edges of which can be bordered by two lips.

The thin strips of material left between the perforations or the cutouts provide good thermal sealing of the different parts of the fin, but they have the drawback of weakening it and making it less rigid. This constitutes a drawback, in particular as regards the assembly of the exchanger. Indeed, for a good insertion of the tubes in the fins, it is necessary that the latter remain perfectly flat and therefore do not deform. If the fins deform, the perforations made for the passage of the tubes are no longer aligned and the tubes can no longer be inserted easily.

The present invention relates to a fin which overcomes these drawbacks. It retains all of its rigidity despite good thermal insulation between the various heat exchange parts that it comprises.

This object is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by the fact that the bridges comprise a plastic deformation constituting a reinforcing part which extends outside the plane of the fin. The plastic deformation stiffens the fin and makes it possible, in particular, to keep the perforations aligned for the insertion of the tubes, which guarantees easy introduction of the latter into the fins.

In a first embodiment, the reinforcing part is constituted by a stamping.

In another embodiment, the reinforcing part consists of at least one folded edge of the bridge.

Preferably, the folded edges of the bridge are curved.

The bending of the folded edge ensures a longer development and therefore guarantees better rigidity.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a heat exchange module comprising at least two heat exchangers each comprising a body provided with fluid circulation tubes and further comprising cooling fins common to the two exchangers, in which the fins conform to the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description of embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures. In these figures:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchange module comprising two exchangers;

- Figure 2 is a plan view of a fin portion according to the present invention and intended for a heat exchange module such as that which is shown in Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of the fin shown in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of the fin shown in Figure 2;

- Figure 5 is a partial top view of a fin according to an alternative embodiment, which comprises a folded reinforcement part;

- Figure 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of the

Figure 5; and

- Figure 7 is a plan view of a fin for a heat exchange module comprising three associated exchangers.

The heat exchange module shown in Figure 1 is composed of two associated heat exchangers, namely a radiator 1 for cooling a heat engine of a motor vehicle and an air conditioning condenser 2, these two exchangers being generally planar. .

The radiator 1 consists in a known manner of a body 3 produced from a bundle of parallel, in particular vertical, tubes for circulation of fluid, mounted between two manifolds, an inlet manifold 4 and a manifold of outlet 5, the manifolds 4 and 5 being arranged along two parallel sides of the body and provided with inlet and outlet pipes 6 for a cooling fluid.

The condenser 2 also consists of a body, designated by the reference 7, produced from a bundle of parallel, in particular vertical, tubes for circulating fluid, mounted between two manifolds 8 and 9, the manifolds being arranged along two parallel sides of the body 7 and provided with inlet and outlet pipes 10 for the refrigerant.

Heat exchangers 1 and 2 are assembled by their bodies 3 and 7, respectively, by means of fins 11 which are common to them. These fins are conventionally mounted on the tubes of the two exchangers, for example by brazing.

There is shown in Figure 2 a plan view of a portion of a fin according to the present invention, intended for a heat exchange module according to the invention, for example that shown in Figure 1, comprising two associated exchangers. Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of the fin shown in Figure 2.

The fin 11, of which only a small part has been shown in FIG. 2, is actually in the form of an elongated rectangle comprising a first large side 14 and a second large side 16. The fin is present in the form of a thin sheet metal plate, generally made of aluminum. This plate is divided into a first part 18 and a second part 20 by elongated rectangular perforations 22, also called lights. The openings 22 leave between them thin strips of sheet metal, called bridges 24 in the following, which hold the parts 18 and 20 assembled together.

The first part of the fin 11 has closed perforations 26 intended for the passage of the radiator tubes 1. The second part 20 of the fin 11 has elongated notches 28 intended for the lateral introduction of the tubes of the heat exchanger bundle 2 air conditioning. Louvers 30 are provided between the cutouts 26 in part 18 and between the notches 28 in part 20. These louvers are intended to create a turbulent flow of the air streams in order to improve the heat exchange between the flow of air and the surface of the fin 11. In addition, the parts 18 and 20 of the fin include spacers 31, produced in the form of punctured parts of the sheet, to maintain a minimum space between the fins for circulation air. According to the invention, the bridges 24 comprise a plastic deformation of the metal sheet constituting the plate of the fin. The sheet is deformed so as to extend, at least in part, above and / or below the plane of the fin 11. According to a first embodiment shown in section in Figure 3 and also visible in section on Figure 4 which is a longitudinal sectional view of the fin along the line IV-IV of Figure 2, the deformed part is formed by a stamped 32 of at least part of the bridge. The deep-drawn 32 increases the bending moment of the metal sheet bridge which connects the part 18 and the part 20 of the fin. Its effect is to stiffen the fin, thus preventing any bending of its surface when the tubes are introduced into the perforations 26.

According to another embodiment, the edges 34 of the bridge 24 are folded at right angles to one side of the surface of the fin, as can be seen in section in FIG. 4. The folded edges 34 also have the effect, as the stamped 32, to stiffen the bridge 24 by increasing its bending moment.

There is shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively a top view and a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the folded rim. In this variant, the folded rim of the bridge 24 has a curved shape, for example an arcuate shape. This modification has the effect of increasing the developed length of the rim 36 and, consequently, of improving its rigidity.

There is shown and described in Figures 1 to 5 an embodiment of a heat exchange module according to the invention consisting of two associated exchangers. However, it is obvious that the heat exchange module of the invention could comprise more than two exchangers, for example three or more. For example, the heat exchange module could consist of a heat radiator cooling of the heat engine, an air conditioning condenser and a charge air cooler, an exhaust gas cooler or an engine lubricating oil cooler. In this case, the fins, instead of being common to two exchangers, are common to all the exchangers of the exchange module.

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a fin 41 intended for a heat exchange module comprising three associated exchangers. The fin 41 has, on one of its elongated sides, notches 43 intended for the introduction of tubes 44 of a heat exchanger, for example a radiator for cooling the engine of the vehicle. On its other elongated side, the fin 41 has perforations 45 deeper than the perforations 43 and intended for the introduction of two rows of tubes 46 and 47. Perforations 48, of substantially square or elongated rectangular shape, are provided between the two parts of the exchanger. Bridges 50, formed between the perforations 48, have a deformed part, for example folded or stamped, similar to those which have been described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

In the example shown in Figure 7, the fin 41 has only a series of perforations 48 because there is no heat exchange between the tubes 46 and the tubes 47 since the latter are introduced into a common slot 45 without the presence of material between them. However, in a variant where the tubes 46 and 47, instead of being introduced into notches such as the notches 45, are introduced into closed perforations, the fin may comprise two series of parallel perforations such as the perforations 48, providing three distinct heat exchange zones, the bridges arranged between these perforations each comprising reinforcements according to the invention.

Claims

claims

1. fin of heat exchange module, consisting of a metal plate generally forming a plane, divided into at least two parts (18, 20) separated by lights (22) arranged in 1- 'thickness of the metal plate and between which extend strips of material forming bridges (24) between the fin portions (18 and 20), characterized in that the bridges (24) have a plastic deformation (32, 34, 36) constituting a reinforcing part which extends outside the plane of the fin.

2. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing part is constituted by a stamped (32).

3. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing part is constituted by at least one folded edge (34, 36).

4. Module according to claim 3, characterized in that the folded edges (36) are curved.

5. heat exchange module comprising at least two heat exchangers (1, 2) each comprising a body (3, 7) provided with fluid circulation tubes and further comprising fins (11, 41) of cooling common to the two exchangers (1, 2), characterized in that the fins (11, 41) conform to one of claims 1 to 4.