Heat exchange – With impeller or conveyor moving exchange material – Mechanical gas pump
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-24
2001-11-13
Lazarus, Ira S. (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
With impeller or conveyor moving exchange material
Mechanical gas pump
C165S067000, C180S068100, C248S213300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315034
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to heat exchangers, particularly for motor vehicles.
It relates more particularly to a heat-exchange module comprising a fan duct fitted to a heat exchanger with two manifolds.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is already known to fit a fan duct onto a heat exchanger, such as a radiator for cooling a motor-vehicle engine. In such an application, the fan duct is equipped with one or more motor-driven fan units in order to channel a flow of air suitable for sweeping the body or bank of the heat exchanger.
The fan duct is generally equipped with lugs which are fixed onto the manifolds of the heat exchanger by means of screws or the like. These are usually self-tapping screws inserted into blocks or bosses specially arranged on the manifolds of the heat exchanger
Such assembly constitutes a lengthy operation and can [sic] compatible with the high rates of the assembly or fitting lines of the motor-vehicle industry.
The object of the invention is principally to surmount such a drawback.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To that end the invention proposes a heat-exchange module of the type defined in the introduction, in which the fan duct comprises at least two blocks which extend from a first side of the duct and which are suitable for being engaged in corresponding housings of a first manifold of the heat exchanger, as well as at least two spring clips which extend from a second side of the fan duct in a direction opposite to the blocks, the said clips each being equipped with an aperture suitable for letting through a lug projecting from a side face of a second manifold of the heat exchanger.
Hence, in order to fit the fan duct onto the heat exchanger, it is sufficient to engage the blocks of the duct into the housings of the first manifold and to engage the lugs of the duct into the corresponding apertures of the clips. This assembly operation makes it possible to produce a module without having to resort to fixing screws, or the like, and to tools.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, each clip hangs from a stirrup which is attached to the second side of the fan duct and which leaves an aperture capable of being traversed by a pin integral with one end wall of the manifold, in such a way that the fitting of the fan duct onto the heat exchanger comprises a final insertion phase in which the blocks penetrate into the housings and simultaneously the pins penetrate into the apertures of the stirrups.
According to yet another characteristic of the invention, each stirrup comprises a bridge in which the aperture is formed, and to which the clip is attached, as well as two branches linking the bridge to the second side of the fan duct, in such a way that, during the final phase of the insertion, the clip is first of all pushed away laterally under the action of the lug then closes back, allowing the lug to penetrate into the aperture in the clip.
Advantageously, each lug comprises a sloping wall, forming a ramp, in order to facilitate the pushing-away of the clip.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan duct comprises two clips, spaced apart, one of which is suitable for providing a positioning reference and the other for taking up dispersion between the second manifold and the fan duct.
The housings of the first manifold are preferably each formed by a U-shaped stirrup.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the fan duct comprises three spaced blocks suitable for being engaged respectively in three housings of the first manifold.
Advantageously, the fan duct as well as its blocks and its clips are produced in a single piece by moulding from a plastic.
Likewise, it is advantageous for the first manifold and its housings to be produced in a single piece by moulding from a plastic. Likewise, the second manifold and its lugs are advantageously produced in a single piece by moulding from a plastic.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the first manifold and the second manifold are intended to extend horizontally, respectively at the lower part and at the upper part of the heat exchanger.
In one preferred application of the invention, the heat exchanger constitutes a radiator for cooling a motor-vehicle engine.
In the description which follows, given by way of example, reference is made to the attached drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4685513 (1987-08-01), Longhouse et al.
patent: 5341871 (1994-08-01), Stelzer
patent: 5498130 (1996-03-01), Wakley et al.
patent: 5522457 (1996-06-01), Lenz
patent: 5626202 (1997-05-01), Barnes et al.
patent: 5704418 (1998-01-01), Baader et al.
patent: 5875836 (1999-03-01), Nakamura
patent: 37 44 644 A (1989-07-01), None
patent: 297 12 351 U (1997-09-01), None
patent: 0219 021 A (1987-04-01), None
patent: 2130304-A (1984-05-01), None
Mahe Christian
Martins Carlos Alberto
Duong Tho Van
Lazarus Ira S.
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
Valeo Thermique Moteur
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