Heat exchange – With external support
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-03-20
Leo, Leonard (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
With external support
C165S140000, C180S068400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202737
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly for a motor vehicle.
It relates more particularly to a heat exchanger assembly comprising a main exchanger having a body mounted between two manifolds, on which is fitted at least one secondary exchanger having a body mounted between two manifolds, so that a common air stream can pass through the respective bodies of the said exchangers.
The fitting of one or more secondary exchangers onto a main exchanger, such as a cooling radiator of a motor vehicle engine, is already known, so as to form an assembly, also called a module, ready to be installed in the vehicle. This secondary exchanger is most frequently formed of a supercharging air cooler of the engine or of an air-conditioning condenser.
In the module formed in this manner, the secondary exchanger may be disposed, according to the case, either upstream or downstream from the main exchanger, in relation to the direction in which the air stream passing through the respective bodies of the exchangers circulates.
The fitting of the exchanger or exchangers onto the main exchanger is obtained generally by means of lugs integral with the secondary exchanger and screws introduced into the manifolds of the main exchanger. These lugs may be made of plastic material and moulded integrally with the secondary exchanger, or be metallic and soldered onto the secondary exchanger.
Usually, the fixing of these lugs is achieved by tapping screws introduced into studs or bosses which the manifolds of the main exchanger have.
Such an assembly by screws is an expensive operation which is incompatible with the high rates imposed by assembly lines of the automotive industry.
Moreover, the dismounting of the exchangers in the event of intervention on the vehicle is often made difficult.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.
For this purpose it proposes an exchanger assembly of the type defined in the introduction, in which each of the manifolds of the main exchanger is equipped, at one end, with a projecting base forming a housing for a pin of the secondary exchanger and, at another end, a projecting lug onto which can be snapped a clip removably fixed on the secondary exchanger.
Thus, the assembly of exchangers is performed by simple nesting and snapping operations without it being necessary to call upon screws and particular tools. The mounting of the exchangers, as well as their possible dismantling, are therefore considerably assisted by this.
Other complementary or alternative characteristics of the invention are given below:
one of the bases defines a housing having a shape paired with that of a pin, whereas the other base defines a housing offering a clearance for the mounting of the other pin.
Each of the manifolds of the main exchanger is equipped with a base at a lower end and with a lug at an upper end.
Each of the manifolds of the main exchanger, as well as its base and its lug, are made from a single piece by moulding, in particular from a plastic material.
Each of the pins is formed at one end of a manifold of the secondary exchanger.
Each of the pins is projectingly formed at a lower end of a manifold of the secondary exchanger.
Each of the pins is formed directly by a lower end of a manifold of the secondary exchanger.
Each of the clips comprises a first portion capable of being snapped into a lug of the main exchanger and a second portion equipped with a housing in which another pin of the secondary exchanger can be shrunk on.
This other pin is attached to an upper end of a manifold of the secondary exchanger.
This other pin is formed directly by an upper end of a manifold of the secondary exchanger.
The secondary exchanger is itself equipped with two bases similar to those of the main exchanger and with two lugs similar to those of the main exchanger, which allows a first secondary exchanger to be fitted onto the main exchanger and, if necessary, a second secondary exchanger to be fitted onto the first secondary exchanger.
The main exchanger is a cooling radiator of a motor vehicle engine, whereas the secondary exchanger is a supercharging air cooler of the engine or an air-conditioning condenser.
The supercharging air cooler is equipped with two bases and two lugs, which allows it to be fitted directly onto the cooling radiator and a condenser to be fitted onto this supercharging air cooler.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4531574 (1985-07-01), Hoch
patent: 4997033 (1991-03-01), Ghiani et al.
patent: 5139080 (1992-08-01), Bolton et al
patent: 5219016 (1993-06-01), Bolton et al.
patent: 5441100 (1995-08-01), Ueda et al.
patent: 5566748 (1996-10-01), Christensen
patent: 5657817 (1997-08-01), Heine et al.
patent: 297 12 351 U (1997-09-01), None
patent: 42049 (1997-11-01), None
Leo Leonard
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Valeo Thermique Moteur
LandOfFree
Heat exchanger assembly for motor vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Heat exchanger assembly for motor vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Heat exchanger assembly for motor vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2492924