U.S. patent application number 10/520185 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-04 for heat exchanger support system and associated heat exchanger module.
Invention is credited to Sebastien Brisson, Antoine Levasseur, Carlos Martins.
Application Number | 20060090878 10/520185 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29725221 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060090878 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Levasseur; Antoine ; et
al. |
May 4, 2006 |
Heat exchanger support system and associated heat exchanger
module
Abstract
The heat exchanger support system (34, 36, 40) consists of a
frame (2) comprising horizontal faces (4, 6) and vertical faces (8,
10) furnished with fixing means (42, 50, 72, 74, 80) for fixing
heat exchange components such as a condenser (34), an engine
cooling radiator (36), a motor-fan unit (38) and a supercharge air
radiator (40). Each component is fixed directly to the frame (2)
independently of the other components. The frame also comprises
attachment elements (28, 30) allowing it to be mounted on a motor
vehicle chassis via flexible vibration-damping means.
Inventors: |
Levasseur; Antoine;
(Chevreuse, FR) ; Martins; Carlos; (Villejuif,
FR) ; Brisson; Sebastien; (Asnieres Sur Seine,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ronald Courtney;Valeo
Intellectual Property Department
4100 North Atlantic Boulevard
Auburn Hills
MI
48326
US
|
Family ID: |
29725221 |
Appl. No.: |
10/520185 |
Filed: |
July 4, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
July 4, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR03/02095 |
371 Date: |
December 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/67 ; 165/140;
165/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 2275/085 20130101;
F28D 1/0435 20130101; F28F 9/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/067 ;
165/069; 165/140 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/00 20060101
F28F009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 5, 2002 |
FR |
02708488 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger support system, characterized in that it
consists of a frame (2) comprising faces (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,
18) furnished with fixing means for fixing at least a first (34)
and a second (36) heat exchanger component, each component being
fixed directly to the frame (2) independently of the other
components, the frame (2) also comprising attachment elements (28,
32) allowing it to be mounted on a motor vehicle chassis via
flexible vibration-damping means.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of
the components (34, 36, 38, 40) is kept in position independently
in three orthogonal directions (X, Y, Z).
3. The system as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized
in that it forms a fairing for the components (34, 36, 38, 40).
4. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in
that it is designed in such a manner that the components (34, 36,
38, 40) are installed one behind the other, all from the same side
of the frame.
5. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in
that the profile of the lateral faces of the frames is such that
they can be nested in one another.
6. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in
that certain fixing means consist of clips (44, 52).
7. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in
that the fixing clips (44, 52) are S-shaped allowing a nonlinear
deformation.
8. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in
that certain fixing means consist of flexible forms (60).
9. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in
that certain fixing means consist of catches (42, 50).
10. A heat exchanger module, characterized in that it comprises a
support system (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9 in which heat
exchange components (34, 36, 38, 40, 134, 136, 138, 140) are
installed.
11. The module as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the
components (34, 36, 134, 136) themselves comprise no fixing
means.
12. The module as claimed in either of claims 10 and 11,
characterized in that it comprises at least a first (34, 134) and a
second (36, 136) component, the second component locking the first
component in the frame (2) after installation.
13. The module as claimed in one of claims 10 to 12, characterized
in that the components comprise at least a condenser (34, 134) and
an engine cooling radiator (36, 136).
14. The module as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the
components also comprise a supercharge air radiator (40, 140).
15. The module as claimed in one of claims 10 to 14, characterized
in that it has a mosaic type architecture.
16. The module as claimed in one of claims 10 to 14, characterized
in that it has a surface type architecture.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to heat exchangers, particularly for
motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Motor vehicles are fitted with several heat exchangers. In
particular, they comprise at least one heat exchanger for cooling
the motor vehicle engine. They also frequently comprise several
other additional heat exchangers such as a condenser forming part
of the air conditioning circuit for the passenger compartment of
the vehicle or a supercharge air cooler. These heat exchangers are
frequently put together to constitute an assembly of several
exchangers called a heat exchange module.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] In the prior art as currently known, the radiator for
cooling the vehicle engine is mounted on the vehicle chassis,
usually via flexible fixing elements, such as rubber blocks
allowing the vibrations to be damped. The other components of the
heat exchange module, such as the condenser or the supercharge air
cooler are in turn mounted on the engine cooling radiator.
[0004] This known solution has a certain number of
disadvantages.
[0005] First, the elements for fixing the cooling radiator onto the
vehicle chassis support the entire weight of the heat exchange
module. The stresses on these fixing elements are therefore high,
introducing a risk of breakage of these fixing or attachment
elements. Each of the components of the heat exchange module must
comprise fixing means such as lugs for fixing it to the cooling
radiator, thereby increasing its fabrication cost. Furthermore, the
condenser of the air conditioning circuit and the motor-fan unit
are fixed either side of the cooling radiator, which complicates
the assembly of the heat exchange module because it is necessary to
gain access to both faces of the radiator. No air sealing is
provided between the different heat exchangers of the module, such
that a fraction of the air may escape through the space between the
exchangers, which reduces the efficiency of the exchangers.
Finally, the supercharge air radiator is usually mounted
separately. It is not part of the heat exchange module.
[0006] The subject of the present invention is a heat exchanger
support system that remedies these disadvantages. Another subject
thereof is a heat exchange module comprising such a support
system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to the invention, the support system consists of a
frame comprising faces furnished with fixing means for fixing at
least a first and a second heat exchanger component, each component
being fixed directly to the frame independently of the other
components, the frame also comprising attachment elements allowing
it to be mounted on a motor vehicle chassis via flexible
vibration-damping means.
[0008] The expression "heat exchange components" refers to the heat
exchangers themselves, such as the radiator to cool the engine or a
condenser of an air conditioning circuit, but also other equipment
such as the motor-fan unit and its air scoop etc.
[0009] Thanks to these features, the heat exchange components are
easier to install and fix on the frame. Specifically, the means of
fixing the heat exchange components are only on the frame itself.
The components themselves, for example the heat exchangers,
comprise no fixing means, in particular when they are not made of
plastic. Consequently, they are easier to design and produce.
[0010] Each heat exchanger, and more generally each heat exchange
component, is mounted directly onto the frame in the fixing means
specific to it. Consequently, the vibration-damping means of the
frame are used for all the heat exchange components of the heat
exchange module. It is not necessary to provide separate
vibration-damping means for each heat exchange component.
[0011] The invention makes it possible to develop a range of
standard heat exchange components. Each component may be used for
different vehicles with a different frame for each vehicle. The
frame may accept different details of each component, such as for
example different sizes or thicknesses of radiators, thereby making
it possible to have a single frame for a vehicle platform fitted
with several power trains.
[0012] Given that the components are fixed independently of one
another onto the frame by their own specific attachment elements,
the heat exchange module can be easily dismantled for recycling at
the end of the vehicle's life.
[0013] Finally, the frame provides the overall stiffness of the
heat exchange module.
[0014] Preferably, each heat exchange component is kept in position
independently in three orthogonal directions X, Y, Z.
[0015] This arrangement allows better control of the positional
retention of the components and of the stresses that are exerted
upon them. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of breakage of
a component during its service life. It also allows fabrication
tolerances in each of the three orthogonal directions X, Y, Z to be
compensated for. Advantageously, the frame forms a fairing for the
heat exchange components. An air seal is provided between the
periphery of each component and the frame, and the frame channels
the air into the components.
[0016] Advantageously, the frame is designed in such a manner that
the components are installed one behind the other, all from the
same side of the frame.
[0017] This feature saves having to turn the frame around to attach
the different components. Installation is therefore quicker and
easier.
[0018] Advantageously, the profile of the lateral faces of the
frames is such that they can be nested in one another.
[0019] Thus, the height of a stack of frames is reduced, thereby
increasing the number of parts per container and reducing the
transport cost.
[0020] According to one particular embodiment, certain fixing means
consist of clips.
[0021] Advantageously, the fixing clips are S-shaped allowing a
non-linear deformation.
[0022] Thus, after a degree of deformation allowing the component
to be attached, the force necessary to deform the fixing element
increases considerably so that its plastic deformation and breakage
are avoided.
[0023] According to another embodiment, certain fixing means
consist of flexible forms.
[0024] These flexible forms are used to accommodate tolerances of
fabrication of the components.
[0025] According to yet another embodiment, the fixing means may
consist of catches.
[0026] The catches are fixed. They are provided for example on one
of the edges of the frame, the opposite edge comprising flexible
fixing means such as clips.
[0027] Furthermore, the invention concerns a heat exchange module
comprising a support system according to the invention in which
heat exchange components are installed. These components may in
particular be an engine cooling radiator, an air conditioning
circuit condenser, a supercharge air cooler, etc.
[0028] Advantageously, the components do not of themselves comprise
any fixing means, which simplifies their production as has been
pointed out hereinabove.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchange module
comprises at least a first and a second heat exchange component,
the second component locking the first in the frame.
[0030] For example, if the first component is a condenser and the
second the engine cooling radiator, it is impossible for the
condenser to come out of its housing when the radiator is in
place.
[0031] The heat exchange module can have a "mosaic" type
architecture, or a surface type architecture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
further appear on reading the following description of exemplary
embodiments given for illustration purposes with reference to the
appended figures, wherein:
[0033] FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of a heat exchange
module comprising a support frame according to the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a front view in perspective of the heat exchange
module frame of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a view in section of the heat exchange module
shown in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a partial view in perspective of the heat exchange
module shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a rear view in perspective of the heat exchange
module completely assembled;
[0038] FIGS. 6 to 10 show detail views of particular means of
fixing the components onto the support frame;
[0039] FIG. 11 is an exploded view in perspective of a variant of a
heat exchange module according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a view in perspective of three frames according
to the invention nested in one another.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view in perspective of a heat
exchange module comprising a support frame 2 according to the
present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a front view in perspective of
this frame. The frame 2, rectangular in shape, comprises two long
sides and two short sides. The top long side comprises a lateral
horizontal face 4 and the bottom long side comprises a lateral
horizontal face 6. The short sides comprise lateral vertical faces,
8 and 10 respectively. The long sides also comprise front faces, 12
and 14 respectively, while the short sides comprise front faces 16
and 18 respectively. Finally, the top long side of the frame
comprises an inclined face 19 placed between the lateral horizontal
face 4 and the front face 12. As can be seen more particularly in
FIG. 3, which shows the frame in section, the horizontal face 10
comprises stiffening ribs 20.
[0042] The frame is divided into two portions by a vertical upright
22 which delimits a large opening 24 and a small opening 26. The
frame also comprises fixing means that are used to fix it to the
chassis of a motor vehicle. In the example shown, these means
consist of two fixing pins 28 placed on the bottom portion of the
frame on either side of it, and two fixing lugs 30 placed on the
top portion of the frame and comprising cut-outs 32 allowing the
passage of a fixing means such as a spindle or a bolt which may be
combined with a flexible vibration-damping means (not shown).
[0043] The frame 2 comprises means for receiving and fixing various
components belonging to the heat exchange module. In the example
shown, the components comprise first a condenser 34 forming part of
a motor vehicle air conditioning circuit, an engine cooling
radiator 36 having two collector tanks 37, a motor-fan unit 38 for
forced air circulation through the condenser 34 and the radiator
36. Finally, the components comprise a supercharge air radiator 40,
intended to cool the air aspirated into the combustion chambers of
the engine. Naturally, these examples of components are nonlimiting
and the heat exchange module could comprise other components or
additional components.
[0044] In the example shown, the heat exchange module comprises a
"mosaic" type architecture. The left-hand portion of the frame 2
(according to FIG. 1) corresponding to the large opening 24 is
assigned to housing the condenser 34 of the exchanger 36 and of the
motor-fan unit 38, while the right-hand portion of the frame
corresponding to the small opening 26 is assigned to housing and
attaching the supercharge air cooler 40.
[0045] According to the invention, the components are inserted into
the frame 2, all from the same side, the rear face of the frame in
the example shown. First the condenser 34 is inserted and fixed,
then the radiator 36 and the motor-fan unit 38. The supercharge air
radiator 40 is then fixed. Given that the heat exchange module
comprises a mosaic type architecture, the order of installation
could be reversed. In other words, the supercharge air radiator 40
could be fixed first, followed by the condenser 34, the exchanger
36 and the motor-fan unit 38.
[0046] Each of the components 34, 36, 38 and 40 comprises its own
fixing means such that each element is fixed directly to the frame
2, independently of the other components. Given that flexible
vibration-damping means (not shown) are provided between the
chassis of the motor vehicle and the means 28, 30 of attachment
between the frame 2 and the motor vehicle chassis, it is not
necessary to provide vibration-damping means between the various
components 34, 36, 38 and 40 and the frame 2. The production of the
components and their installation into the frame are thus
simplified and the cost of the heat exchange module is reduced.
[0047] There now follows a description of the individual fixing
means of each of the components of the heat exchange module. The
front face 14 is fitted with catches 42 (FIG. 6) which are used to
keep the bottom portion of the condenser 34 in position in a
direction X (FIG. 1) perpendicular to the plane of the frame 2. The
top front face 12 comprises fixing means consisting of clips 44.
These clips have properties of nonlinear stiffness. They deform
easily to allow the insertion of the top edge of the condenser 34,
but beyond this elastic deformation, their stiffness increases
greatly. This property is obtained by the special S-shape of the
clips 44 (see FIGS. 7 and 9). In addition, the clip 44 comprises a
tongue 46 used to lock the condenser 34 after the installation of
the exchanger 36, as will be explained hereinafter.
[0048] Furthermore, the front face 14 has, at each end of the large
opening 24, catches 48 which limit the horizontal movement of the
condenser 34 in a direction Y parallel with the long side of the
frame 2. Thus it can be seen that the condenser 34 is kept in
position independently in three orthogonal directions X, Y, Z,
thereby facilitating control of the stresses exerted on this
component and allowing greater production tolerances.
[0049] The means of fixing the cooling radiator 36 comprise two
clips 50 provided on the long bottom horizontal side of the frame
either side of the large opening 14. On the top portion of the
frame 2, there are two clips 52 having an S-shape similar to that
of the clips 44 for fixing the condenser 34, such as to have a
property of nonlinear stiffness, as explained hereinabove.
[0050] In the direction X, perpendicular to the plane of the frame,
the bottom edge of the cooling radiator 36 is kept in position by
two catches 54 (FIG. 6) and by the lip 56 of the clip 50. On its
top portion, it is retained in the direction x by a pressure on the
front horizontal face 12 and by the lip 58 of the clip 52.
[0051] In the direction Y, the cooling radiator 36 is kept in
position by flexible forms (not shown) situated at each end of the
opening 24.
[0052] In the vertical direction Z, the cooling radiator 36 is kept
in position by two flexible forms 60 which compensate for the
production tolerances. At its bottom portion, the radiator 36
simply rests on the bottom horizontal opening of the large opening
24. Thus it can be seen that the forms of the radiator are very
simple, particularly the forms of the tanks 37. This allows a
natural extraction from the mold of the plastic in which these
tanks may be made and reduces the production cost of the radiator
36.
[0053] As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 3, the radiator 36
locks the condenser 34 when it has been inserted and fixed into the
frame. Specifically, the collector tank 37 of the radiator 36 rests
against the tongue 46 (FIG. 7) of the clip 44 which prevents this
clip from moving and prevents the condenser 34 from being
released.
[0054] Radiators of different dimensions may be inserted into the
frame 2. For example, in the example shown, three sizes of radiator
36 may be installed, that is two different lengths and two
different thicknesses, the height of the radiator remaining the
same.
[0055] The motor-fan unit 38 comprises an air scoop 62 that
surrounds an impeller 64 rotated by an electric motor 66 situated
in the center of the impeller 64. The air scoop 62 also constitutes
a support by which the motor-fan unit is installed onto the frame
2. Accordingly, the air scoop 62 comprises two top lugs 68 and two
bottom lugs 70. The bottom lugs 70 are inserted into holes 72 of
appropriate shapes made in the lateral horizontal face 6 of the
frame 2. The lugs 70 are thus used to keep the motor-fan unit in
position in the directions X and Y. The top lugs 68 are fixed to
attachment elements 74 provided on the top portion of the large
dimension opening 24 (see FIGS. 1 and 10). The motor-fan unit is
thus immobilized in the three directions X, Y and Z.
[0056] In order to allow the air scoop 62 to be used in different
environments, it comprises symmetrical fixing elements which can be
used to fix the motor-fan unit in two different ways by a
180.degree. rotation about the axis of the fan. Thus, the top lugs
68 take the place of the bottom lugs 70 and vice versa.
[0057] As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 3, a sealed
connection is provided between each of the components, in
particular the condenser 34, the exchanger 36 and the motor-fan
unit 38, in order to prevent any loss of air so as to ensure the
best possible thermal efficiency of the heat exchange module. This
channeling of the air by the frame 2 requires the use of no
additional parts.
[0058] The supercharge air radiator 40 is fixed in the same manner
as the motor-fan unit 38. Specifically, it comprises on its bottom
portion a fixing pin 78 which fits in a corresponding hole 80
formed in the frame 2 and on its top portion a fixing lug 82 which
is fixed to an attachment element 84 provided on the long top
horizontal side of the frame 2. The supercharge air radiator is
thus kept in position in the three directions X, Y and Z.
[0059] As can be seen in FIG. 12, the frames 2 can be nested one
inside the other thereby making it possible to reduce very
considerably the bulk of a stack of frames. This makes it possible
to fit more frames in a transport container and consequently
reduces the cost of this method of transport. It will be noted in
particular that the small lateral vertical faces 8 and 10 of the
frame 2 comprise cut-outs 88 in which the fixing lugs 30 of another
frame may fit. Cut-outs 90 will also be noted either side of the
large top horizontal sides of the frame which allow the frames to
be nested in one another.
[0060] FIG. 11 shows a variant of the heat exchange module that has
just been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. This heat
exchange module is noteworthy for its surface architecture whereas
the heat exchange module in FIGS. 1 to 10 has a mosaic type
architecture. In FIGS. 1 to 10, the supercharge air radiator 40 has
a thickness that corresponds substantially to the thickness of the
heat exchange module and it is placed laterally relative to the
condenser and to the engine cooling radiator. On the other hand, in
the embodiment of FIG. 11, the condenser 134, the cooling radiator
136 and the supercharge air cooler 140 extend across the whole area
of the frame 2. However, the frame 2 is identical. In the same
manner, the motor-fan unit 138 extends across the whole area of the
frame. The condenser 134 is inserted first, as before. Then the
supercharge air radiator 140 is installed followed by the engine
cooling radiator 136. The supercharge air radiator 140 is thus
placed in front of the cooling radiator 136. The means and
principles of fixing each of these components are identical to
those that have been described for the first variant, while
changing what has to be changed, in particular concerning the
placement of these fixing means. In particular, the large opening
24 and the small opening 26 have no further function. They are
however retained in order to standardize the production of the
frame 2. It will be noted furthermore, as previously mentioned,
that the motor-fan unit has been rotated 180.degree. about the axis
of the impeller 64.
* * * * *