U.S. patent application number 11/361453 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for attachment method between heat exchanger parts.
Invention is credited to Beom Joo Kim, Seung Taig Oh.
Application Number | 20060196051 11/361453 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36942715 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060196051 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oh; Seung Taig ; et
al. |
September 7, 2006 |
Attachment method between heat exchanger parts
Abstract
A process of connecting a header pipe of a heat exchanger to
another heat exchanger part, including the steps of (a) providing a
header pipe with a hole in its side and cladding material about its
circumference, and a part with a groove with flux applied to the
portion of the part to be joined to the header pipe, (b)
positioning the header pipe and the part to align the header pipe
hole and part groove, (c) inserting a rivet into the aligned header
pipe hole and part groove, (d) locating a supporting rod in the
header pipe and aligned with the rivet, and (e) hammering the part
to warp the head of the rivet against the supporting rod and widen
the circumference of the rivet in the hole and groove.
Inventors: |
Oh; Seung Taig;
(Chonan-city, KR) ; Kim; Beom Joo; (Suwon-city,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
36942715 |
Appl. No.: |
11/361453 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/890.038 ;
29/890.043 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 9/0246 20130101;
B21J 15/02 20130101; F28F 2275/12 20130101; Y10T 29/49373 20150115;
Y10T 29/49364 20150115; F28F 9/002 20130101; B21J 15/46
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
029/890.038 ;
029/890.043 |
International
Class: |
B21D 53/00 20060101
B21D053/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-17329 |
Claims
1. A process of connecting a header pipe of a heat exchanger to
another heat exchanger part, comprising the steps of: providing a
header pipe with a hole in its side and cladding material about its
circumference, and a part with a groove with flux applied to the
portion of the part to be joined to the header pipe; positioning
the header pipe and the part to align the header pipe hole and part
groove; inserting a rivet into the aligned header pipe hole and
part groove; locating a supporting rod in the header pipe and
aligned with the rivet; and hammering the part to warp the head of
the rivet against the supporting rod and widen the circumference of
the rivet in the hole and groove.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein said hammering step also
compresses the rim of the header pipe hole.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein the supporting rod has a curved
surface at its contacting point to the rivet during the hammering
step.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein before the hammering step, 1/5
to 1/2 of the length of the rivet is in the part groove.
5. The process of claim 4, wherein the depth of the part groove is
in the range of 1/5-1/2 of the entire length of the rivet before
the hammering step.
6. The process of claim 1, wherein the rivet is one of a plain
rivet, a round headed rivet and a rivet with knurling on the end in
the part groove.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein the rivet is round headed, and
the supporting rod has a concave groove corresponding to the rivet
round head at the portion that contacts the head of the rivet
during the hammering step.
8. A process of connecting a header pipe of a heat exchanger to
another heat exchanger part, comprising the steps of: forming a
hole in the header pipe with cladding material about the hole
circumference, and a groove in the part with flux applied to the
portion of the part to be joined to the header pipe; aligning the
header pipe hole and the part groove with a rivet inserted in the
aligned header pipe hole and part groove; locating a supporting rod
in the header pipe; and hammering the part to warp the head of the
rivet against the supporting rod and widen the circumference of the
rivet in the hole and groove.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable:
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The present invention relates to a process for assembling a
heat exchanger, and more particularly to a process for attaching
fixtures to the header pipe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE
PRIOR ART
[0005] Heat exchangers for air circulating systems of automobiles,
for example, are constructed with a header pipe installed on the
heat exchanger core which has cooling fluid tubes and cooling fins.
The brackets and other inlet/outlet fixtures for cooling liquid are
initially attached to the header pipe on a heat exchanger frame
during the assembly of such components, after which they often are
permanently attached to the header pipe through brazing, while
cladding material is applied.
[0006] Various technical suggestions have heretofore been proposed
to assist in initial assembly fo such heat exchangers. Korean
Practical New Device Registration Number 10-1996-38332, for
example, suggests creating a conjunctional vacuum between the tank
of the header pipe and the bracket as they are aligned, including
riveting after a rivet is inserted into the conjunctional vacuum.
Korean Practical New Device Registration Number 10-1996-67450 has
also suggested creating a conjunctional vacuum between the tank of
the header pipe and the bracket as they are aligned. While
maintaining this vacuum, the bottom portion of a conjunctional
material is inserted into the tank or the bracket, and then is
tightly fixed.
[0007] The above technical suggestions can be advantageous when
used with thin brackets and fixtures. However, they become
problematic when the rivets and the conjunctional materials are
applied to thick fixtures. In addition, since the rivet and the
bottom portion of the conjunctional material are exposed on the
exterior, it damages the external appearance.
[0008] According to another technical suggestion, the header pipe
is TIG welded to the header pipe and the other fixtures including
brackets. However, with this method, if the electrical current
fluctuates during the welding, the depth and the height of the bead
will change, creating a problem with the bracket coming off during
the core brazing. Moreover, in the case of large fixtures in which
the entire circumferences of more than two parts must be welded,
the cost of the method can be high.
[0009] The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or
more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, a process of
connecting a header pipe of a heat exchanger to another heat
exchanger part is provided, including the steps of (a) providing a
header pipe with a hole in its side and cladding material about its
circumference, and a part with a groove with flux applied to the
portion of the part to be joined to the header pipe, (b)
positioning the header pipe and the part to align the header pipe
hole and part groove, (c) inserting a rivet into the aligned header
pipe hole and part groove, (d) locating a supporting rod in the
header pipe and aligned with the rivet, and (e) hammering the part
to warp the head of the rivet against the supporting rod and widen
the circumference of the rivet in the hole and groove.
[0011] In one form of this aspect of the present invention, the
hammering step also compresses the rim of the header pipe hole.
[0012] In another form of this aspect of the present invention, the
supporting rod has a curved surface at its contacting point to the
rivet during the hammering step.
[0013] In still another form of this aspect of the present
invention, 1/5 to 1/2 of the length of the rivet is in the part
groove before the hammering step. In a further form, the depth of
the part groove is in the range of 1/5-1/2 of the entire length of
the rivet before the hammering step.
[0014] In yet another form of this aspect of the present invention,
the rivet is one of a plain rivet, a round headed rivet and a rivet
with knurling on the end in the part groove.
[0015] In still another form of this aspect of the present
invention, the rivet is round headed, and the supporting rod has a
concave groove corresponding to the rivet round head at the portion
that contacts the head of the rivet during the hammering step.
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, a process of
connecting a header pipe of a heat exchanger to another heat
exchanger part is provided, including the steps of (a) forming (I)
a hole in the header pipe with cladding material about the hole
circumference, and (ii) a groove in the part with flux applied to
the portion of the part to be joined to the header pipe, (b)
aligning the header pipe hole and the part groove with a rivet
inserted in the aligned header pipe hole and part groove, (c)
locating a supporting rod in the header pipe, and (d) hammering the
part to warp the head of the rivet against the supporting rod and
widen the circumference of the rivet in the hole and groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a header pipe and part
adapted for assembly according to the method of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the header pipe and
the part being aligned with a rivet;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing riveting by
hammering of the part according to the method of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view after the riveting is
completed;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention in which a rivet with a round
head is used;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but
showing riveting by hammering of the part with the FIG. 5
embodiment; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but of
still another embodiment of the present invention in which a rivet
with a knurled portion is used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Broadly, according to the present invention, components of a
heat exchanger are attached by, in a first phase, creating a hole
in the header pipe with cladding material applied on its
circumference, and creating a groove in the opposite part while
flux is applied to the portion of the opposite part which will be
fixed to the header pipe. Thereafter, a rivet is inserted into the
hole and the groove while the header pipe and the opposite part are
positioned with both the hole and the groove aligned. A supporting
rod is then put into the header pipe facing the head of the rivet
and, by hammering the part, the head of the rivet is warped to
compress the rim of the pipe hole while also widening the
circumference of the rivet until it fully fills the hole and the
groove, resulting in complete tightness.
[0025] The Figures illustrate this process.
[0026] FIG. 1, which shows a cross-sectional view of the first
phase of the invention, illustrates hole 10 is created in the
header pipe 12 of a heat exchanger (not shown). At the same time, a
groove 20 is formed respectively in the assembly part 22, matching
the hole 10 of the header pipe 12. The assembly part 22 (i.e., the
part attached to the chassis of the heat exchanger) mounted to the
header pipe 12 can be any bracket, or any inlet/outlet fixture in
which the cooling fluid flows in/out.
[0027] As mentioned above, with the hole 10 in the header pipe 12
and the groove 20 in the part 22, cladding materials 30 can be
applied both to the header pipe 12 and the joining section of the
part 22 (since brazing will be performed later). Otherwise,
cladding material 30 may be applied only to the joining section
(which will be joined to the part 22 of the header pipe 12), with
flux 40 applied to the joining section (which will be joined to the
header pipe 12) of the part 22. Thus, by applying either cladding
material 30 or flux 40, during the brazing, the clad 30 and the
flux 40 will be melted by the heat. In the end this will result in
tight adhesion.
[0028] During the second phase of the process of the present
invention, the header pipe 12 and the part 22 are positioned with
the hole 10 of the header pipe 12 and the groove 20 of the part 22
aligned, and a rivet 50 is inserted through the hole 10 and the
groove 20.
[0029] Thereafter in the third phase, as shown in FIG. 3, a
supporting rod 60 is inserted into the header pipe 12 so as to
contact the head of the rivet 50, and the part 22 is hammered with
a puncher 70 to perform a riveting process. The head portion of the
rivet 50 which is contacted with the supporting rod 60 is warped by
this process, filling the hole 10 and tightening the rim around the
hole 10. At the same time, as the circumference of the inserted
portion of the rivet 50 in the groove 20 expands, it fully fills
the groove 20, as shown in the FIG. 4.
[0030] The surface of the supporting rod 60 which connects to the
rivet 50 may advantageously be curved according to the inner shape
of the header pipe 12. The attachment formed using a supporting rod
60 having such a surface will advantageously be tight since, when
the part 22 is being hammered, the warped portion of the rivet 50
will tighten around the rim of the hole 10 of the header pipe 12
between the curved surface of the supporting rod 60 and inner
surface of the header pipe 12.
[0031] It should be appreciated that, since the riveting was done
inside the header pipe 12 and part 22, none of the rivet portion 50
is externally exposed from either the header pipe 12 or the part
22. In addition, since a groove 20 is made in part 22 instead of a
hole, this method can be readily used with a heavy sectioned part
where making a hole may be very difficult.
[0032] It should also be appreciated that the diameters of the hole
10 in the header pipe 12 and the groove 20 in the part 22 should be
chosen with consideration to the size of the applied rivet 50. The
diameter of the rivet 50 compared to the diameter of the hole 10
and the diameter of the groove 20 should be selected so that there
is not too much looseness during riveting, to thereby ensure that
the process of the present invention will result in secure and
tight attachments. For example, during the process of inserting the
rivet into the hole and the groove, the portion inserted into the
groove 20 may advantageously be between about 1/5 to 1/2 of the
total length of the rivet. If the inserted portion of the rivet 50
exceeds more than about 1/2 of the total length of the rivet 50,
the header pipe 12 and the part 22 may be damaged (due to the
repetitive hammering of the part 22 in order to expand the
circumference of the inserted portion of the rivet 50 sufficiently
to fill the groove 20). Moreover, since there is limitation to the
expansion of the circumference of the rivet 50, if the inserted
portion of the rivet 50 exceeds more than 1/2 of the total length
of the rivet 50, the desired tight adhesion will not occur. On the
other hand, if the inserted length of the rivet 50 is less than
about 1/5 of its total length, complete filling cannot be expected.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned range, the groove 20 may be
formed so that it has a depth according to the given range, or the
size of the rivet 50 can be chosen according to the given
range.
[0033] In summary, FIGS. 1-4 show one practical implementation of
the invention of the present invention using a plain rivet 50,
FIGS. 5-7, by contrast, illustrate the implementation of the
present invention using different rivets, specifically, a rivet 80
having a round head 81 (FIGS. 5-6) and a rivet 90 with knurling 91
(FIG. 7).
[0034] Thus, in the case of applying the round headed rivet 80 as
shown on the FIG. 5, the supporting rod 60' may advantageously
include a corresponding concave groove 94 in the shape of the round
head 81 of the rivet 80. The rivet 80 then can be inserted through
the header pipe 12 to the groove 20 of the part 22 as the head 81
of the rivet is already inserted to the concave groove 94 of the
supporting rod 60'. After that, as shown in FIG. 6, the part 22 is
hammered with the puncher 70 in the riveting process. It should be
appreciated that, besides the round headed rivet 80, various other
types of rivet (e.g., an oval-headed rivet) could also be used
within the scope of the present invention.
[0035] As shown on the FIG. 7 (where a rivet 90 with knurling 91 is
used), the knurled portion 91 of the rivet 90 is inserted into the
groove 20 of the part 22. During the process of riveting, by
hammering the part 22, the knurled portion 91 will be caused to
warp the inner surface of the groove 20, creating a tight
connection. At the same time, since the wide surface of the
knurling 91 will fill the groove 20 more fully, it may create a
more solid tightening than in the case of using a plain rivet.
[0036] It should thus be appreciated that the attachment method
between parts of the heat exchanger according to the present
invention assures the very firm assembly of the header pipe and the
part. During the process of the riveting, the circumference of the
rivet expands, filling and joining tightly both the hole of the
header pipe and the groove of the part. Likewise since this solid
attachment is possible, making the riveting section in the center
of the part will hold the assembly strongly enough, while at the
same time reducing the cost. Furthermore, this invention will
greatly improve the quality of the heat exchanger since the
assembly part is adhered tightly and safely to the header pipe.
[0037] Further, because a groove instead of a hole is made in the
part, the present invention may be advantageously used with heavy
sectioned parts where making a hole is very difficult. Moreover,
since the riveting is done inside of both the header pipe and the
part, no portion of the rivet is exposed to the exterior, thus
preserving the external appearance.
[0038] Still further, it should thus be appreciated that the
present invention provides a method of attaching heat exchanger
components at a low cost during the provisional assembly of various
parts of the header pipe (including the brackets and the
inlet/outlet fixtures of cooling fluid).
[0039] Still other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present
invention can be obtained from a study of the specification, the
drawings, and the appended claims. It should be understood,
however, that the present invention could be used in alternate
forms where less than all of the objects and advantages of the
present invention and preferred embodiment as described above would
be obtained.
* * * * *