HEAT EXCHANGER AND ASSOCIATED HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Heat exchanger (2, 3) for a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising at least one connection flange (5, 6) fixed to a lateral surface of said heat exchanger (2, 3), characterized in that the connection flange (5, 6) comprises a circulation channel within its structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone (21, 22) able to cooperate with another transverse mechanical fixing zone (21, 22) of another connection flange (5, 6) of another heat exchanger (2, 3). The invention also claims a heat exchange system for a vehicle comprising two such heat exchangers (2, 3) and the respective connection flanges (5, 6) of which are able to cooperate with one another.

Description

The present invention relates to a heat exchange system arranged on a fluid distribution circuit and comprising at least one plurality of heat exchangers, each capable of carrying out an exchange of heat between an air flow passing through the heat exchange system and a fluid circulating in this heat exchanger.

It is known to arrange such a heat exchange system on the front face of the vehicle, said system comprising in particular a condenser capable of ensuring heat exchange between a refrigerant circulating in the condenser and an incident flow of fresh air coming from the exterior of the vehicle. It is known to produce the condenser in one piece with a series of stacked plates forming between them, on the one hand, sealed circulation ducts for the passage of the refrigerant, and, on the other hand, passages for the passage of air.

A known arrangement consists in arranging a first heat exchanger as a condenser and a second heat exchanger, parallel to the first, performing the function of a subcooler, facing a grille opening located on the front face of the vehicle. The condenser and the subcooler are associated with a bottle for storing the refrigerant in the liquid phase. The subcooler makes it possible to subcool the refrigerant at the outlet of the storage bottle. The storage bottle separates the liquid phase from the gas phase of the refrigerant and ensures filtration and dehydration of the refrigerant.

A known arrangement for this system consists in placing the storage bottle laterally with respect to the heat exchangers and, on the one hand, in connecting it hydraulically to each of the exchangers via suitable pipes and, on the other hand, in keeping it in place with respect to the heat exchangers via a mechanical assembly securing the bottle to a structural element of the vehicle or to one of the exchangers. The use of a storage bottle in the prior art thus requires numerous mechanical means penalizing the size of the system and making the manufacture and implementation of the heat exchange system on the vehicle complex.

The present invention falls within this context and seeks to address the abovementioned drawbacks. To this end, the invention consists of a heat exchanger for a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising at least one connection flange fixed to a lateral surface of said heat exchanger, characterized in that the connection flange comprises a circulation channel within its structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone able to cooperate with another transverse mechanical fixing zone of another connection flange of another heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger has a substantially rectangular, parallelepipedal shape. It comprises a bundle of circulation channels, in particular produced by means of tubes, for the refrigerant, these circulation channels comprising an outlet which is located at a side wall of the heat exchanger. The connection flange is secured, for example by fixing by brazing, at this fluid outlet of the heat exchanger. The refrigerant, once it has left the heat exchanger, therefore circulates subsequently within the connection flange itself, via the circulation channel. The fixing, for example by brazing, of the connection flange is configured to make it possible to maintain the sealing between the outlet of the heat exchanger and the inlet of the circulation channel of the connection flange in addition to ensuring the mechanical retention of the connection flange on the heat exchanger.

The connection flange also comprises a transverse mechanical fixing zone. By transverse is meant that the mechanical fixing zone extends transversely with respect to the plane formed by the heat exchanger. In other words, the connection flange comprises a body arranged in the extension of the heat exchanger and a mechanical fixing zone which forms a transverse projection of the body. The transverse mechanical fixing zone may be present at a free end opposite to the end of the connection flange secured by the heat exchanger. The transverse mechanical fixing zone is configured to cooperate with another mechanical fixing zone included on another connection flange of another heat exchanger having properties similar to what has been described previously.

The cooperation between the transverse mechanical fixing zones makes it possible to ensure the position of the connection flanges between them and therefore the position of the heat exchangers with respect to one another, in order to ensure a separation between these heat exchangers dimensioned by calculation to allow optimum thermal efficiency in each of the heat exchangers. Moreover, this cooperation can allow the installation of a storage bottle as will be described below.

According to one feature of the invention, the transverse mechanical fixing zone comprises a bearing surface ensuring cooperation by complementarity of shape with the other connection flange. In other words, the transverse mechanical fixing zone able to cooperate with the transverse mechanical fixing zone of the other connection flange has a particular shape allowing a complementarity of shape during the cooperation of the connection flanges. Cooperation takes place by direct contact between the connection flanges, via the bearing surface formed in their respective mechanical fixing zone.

According to one feature of the invention, the circulation channel is formed of at least two intersecting ducts in communication.

The inlet of this circulation channel is positioned opposite one end of the tube bundle where the refrigerant circulates, the position of this inlet of the circulation channel being ensured by the fixing of the connection flange, for example by brazing, to the heat exchanger. Indeed, in order to guarantee the proper functioning of the invention, the outlet of the circulation channel is located at a wall of the connection flange perpendicular to the wall of the connection flange comprising the inlet of the circulation channel. The result is that the circulation channel consists of a first duct and a second duct, both intersecting in communication, linked for example by means of an elbowed section.

It should be noted that the circulation channel can optionally comprise three intersecting ducts in communication, in the case where a transverse offset of the circulation channel is necessary before said circulation channel opens out at a wall of the connection flange perpendicular to the wall of the connection flange comprising the inlet of the circulation channel. There can then be noted the presence of an intermediate duct located between the first duct and the second duct.

According to one feature of the invention, the circulation channel opens onto a nozzle forming a projection from a wall of the connection flange and intended to cooperate with a storage bottle. As mentioned previously, the outlet of the circulation channel of the connection flange, more precisely the outlet formed at one end of the second duct, is located on a wall perpendicular to the wall of the connection flange comprising the inlet of the circulation channel of the connection flange, more precisely the inlet formed at one end of the first duct. A nozzle protruding from the surface of the connection flange and having a hollow shape is arranged in the axial extension of the second duct of the connection flange. This nozzle is cylindrical in shape and comprises seals on its periphery, advantageously made of flexible material such as rubber, for example. The cylindrical shape of the nozzle is centered around an axis of elongation of the nozzle. The nozzle is intended to be inserted into a circulation orifice of a storage bottle which will be described later.

According to one feature of the invention, the transverse mechanical fixing zone of the connection flange comprises a through-bore. In other words, at the level of the transverse mechanical fixing zone, a bore passes right through the connection flange, in a direction parallel to the axis of elongation of the nozzle of the circulation channel. This bore is configured to receive a fixing means, for example a screw.

According to one feature of the invention, the through-bore of the connection flange is smooth to ensure the passage of the fixing means which will be screwed to the storage bottle as will be described below, the fixing means making it possible to ensure a function of keeping the connection flange in place with respect to the storage bottle.

The invention also consists of a heat exchange system for a vehicle comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger constituting a refrigerant circulation circuit, each exchanger conforming to what has been described above, characterized in that a first bearing surface of the first connection flange of the first heat exchanger is in direct contact with a second bearing surface of the second connection flange of the second heat exchanger.

Being in accordance with the description given above, the heat exchangers are both of parallelepipedal shape and each have a connection flange on their lateral surface. The two connection flanges also conform to the description given above. They therefore both comprise a circulation channel as well as a transverse mechanical fixing zone. Each transverse mechanical fixing zone extends so that there is direct contact between them. The transverse mechanical fixing zones respectively comprise complementary shapes from one transverse mechanical fixing zone to the other.

In one embodiment, each connection flange comprises a longitudinal portion which extends mainly along the plane of elongation of the heat exchanger which is specific to it, and a transverse portion which extends mainly in a direction perpendicular to the plane of elongation of the heat exchanger which is specific to it, the transverse mechanical fixing zone being formed by or in this transverse portion.

The first connection flange may have substantially the shape of a block, with the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion having substantially equivalent dimensions while the second connection flange comprises a mainly longitudinal portion, that is to say that the transverse portion of the second connection flange consists of a tab of small dimensions compared with that of the longitudinal portion, the tab forming a projection perpendicular to the longitudinal portion. The tab of the second connection flange forms the second mechanical fixing zone, presenting a bearing surface for the block shape of the first connection flange.

According to one feature of the invention, the heat exchange system comprises a storage bottle. This storage bottle is connected to the two connection flanges by means which will be described below. The storage bottle is substantially cylindrical and allows the refrigerant to be maintained in the liquid phase.

According to one feature of the invention, the storage bottle is cylindrical, comprises a bottom wall arranged opposite the connection flanges, the bottom wall comprising circulation orifices configured to accommodate nozzles present at the ends of the circulation channels present in the connection flanges.

The storage bottle is connected to the connection flanges by means of nozzles arranged at the outlet of the circulation channels. During the assembly of the heat exchange system, the bottom wall of the storage bottle is arranged opposite the connection flanges so that the orifices made in the bottom wall coincide with the positioning of the nozzles of the two connection flanges once the latter are fitted against one another. The nozzles of the connection flanges are therefore each inserted into an orifice present in the bottom wall of the storage bottle, which participates in closing the refrigerant circuit within the heat exchange system. The refrigerant first of all circulates within the first heat exchanger, then in the circulation channel of the connection flange of the first heat exchanger to the storage bottle via the nozzle inserted therein. After treatment of the fluid inside the storage bottle, the storage bottle being configured to allow internal circulation of fluid with an inlet at the bottom wall and an outlet at this same bottom wall, the refrigerant can therefore circulate in the circulation channel of the second connection flange of the second heat exchanger, then in the bundle of the second heat exchanger itself.

According to one feature of the invention, the heat exchange system comprises a single fixing means which secures the two connection flanges of the heat exchangers and the storage bottle. The bottom wall of the storage bottle has a third orifice forming a fixing orifice separate from the two circulation orifices receiving the nozzles of the connection flanges.

According to one feature of the invention, the orifices passing through the connection flanges and the fixing orifice of the storage bottle are aligned, in a coaxial manner, with respect to one another. In other words, each of these orifices has an axis of revolution and these different axes of revolution are substantially coincident when the heat exchange assembly is assembled.

The fixing orifice is configured to receive the single fixing means. The fixing orifice can for example be threaded if the fixing means is a screw in order to guarantee the retention of this same screw.

As indicated above, the connection flanges comprise a transverse mechanical fixing zone each provided with a bore passing right through the connection flange in a direction parallel to the axis of elongation of the corresponding nozzle. The connection flanges are configured and dimensioned such that, when the connection flanges cooperate with one another, their respective through-bores face one another. The fixing means can therefore be inserted through each through-bore so as to be able to be inserted afterwards into the fixing orifice opening onto the bottom wall of the storage bottle. The fixing means has a length greater than the sum of the dimensions, in the corresponding direction, of the two transverse mechanical fixing zones so that the end of the fixing means can come out of the through-bores and subsequently be housed within the fixing orifice of the storage bottle.

According to one feature of the invention, the connection flanges are configured to form a planar cooperation surface with the storage bottle. Each connection flange comprises an upper face, corresponding to the face from which the nozzles project. The dimensions of the connection flanges and the arrangement of the flanges between them are such that, during their cooperation, the upper face of each connection flange is positioned on the same plane, thus forming a planar cooperation surface. The storage bottle can thus come to bear on this planar surface.

According to one feature of the invention, the two heat exchangers are at least partially superposed in a direction perpendicular to their respective plane of elongation. The heat exchangers therefore have a substantially rectangular, parallelepipedal shape and are aligned with respect to one another. Their dimensions can vary, but the heat exchange system always guarantees at least a partial superposition. The planes of elongation corresponding to each exchanger are therefore parallel to one another, while being distinct and offset. Advantageously, in order to ensure the correct operation of the heat exchange system, when the heat exchangers are placed at the level of the grille located at the front of a vehicle, the heat exchangers are arranged across the air flow so that the stacking of these heat exchangers is produced in a direction parallel to the path of the air flow coming from the external environment.

According to one feature of the invention, the first heat exchanger is used as a condenser and the second heat exchanger is used as a subcooler at the outlet of the storage bottle. The condenser is capable of ensuring a heat exchange between a refrigerant circulating within the latter and an incident flow of fresh air coming from the exterior of the vehicle. The subcooler makes it possible to create a second zone of heat exchange with a refrigerant cooled following its exchange of heat with the flow of fresh air in the condenser.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the detailed description given below, and from several exemplary embodiments that are given by way of nonlimiting indication, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[FIG. 1] is a general view of the heat exchange system according to the invention,

[FIG. 2] represents a heat exchanger,

[FIG. 3] illustrates the cooperation of the connection flanges,

[FIG. 4] is a sectional view of the connection flanges illustrating the arrangement of the circulation channels,

[FIG. 5] is a view of the cooperation of the connection flanges from a longitudinal viewing angle,

[FIG. 6] is a view of the cooperation of the connection flanges from a vertical viewing angle,

[FIG. 7] represents the storage bottle,

[FIG. 8] is a sectional view illustrating the securement of the connection flanges and the storage bottle,

[FIG. 9] is a general view of the heat exchange system offering an alternative to the arrangement of the connection flanges.

For the sake of clarity in the detailed description of the connection flanges, the LVT reference frame will represent the orientation of the heat exchange system according to the invention. The longitudinal L and vertical V directions correspond to axes parallel to the two intersecting straight lines defining the plane of elongation of a heat exchanger according to the invention, and the transverse direction T corresponds to an axis perpendicular to either one of the directions L or V, or else corresponds to an axis parallel to the flow of air caused to pass through the heat exchange system.

Moreover, the terms “first” and “second” mentioned during the description do not give a quantitative notion or a notion of ordering but are used only to make it possible to differentiate certain elements present in duplicate within the invention. An element present in duplicate within the invention but not being introduced by the term “first” or “second” designates an element which can be equally one or the other of the duplicate elements.

FIG. 1 is a general view of a heat exchange system 1 according to the invention. The heat exchange system 1 comprises a first heat exchanger 2 used as a condenser, and a second heat exchanger 3 used as a subcooler. These two heat exchangers are of parallelepipedal shape and they are partially superposed with respect to each other in a transverse direction, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the heat exchangers. The heat exchange system is arranged within the grille at the front of a vehicle so that an air flow 10 coming from the exterior successively passes through the two heat exchangers when the vehicle is in operation. functioning. Each heat exchanger is traversed by a bundle of tubes or plates depending on the type of heat exchanger, in which bundle there circulates a refrigerant allowing the exchange of heat between the heat exchangers and the air flow 10 passing through the heat exchangers.

The first heat exchanger 2 is delimited longitudinally by a first side wall 201 and a second side wall 202, each side wall respectively playing the role of a fluid distribution chamber at the inlet of the tubes or plates, and of a collecting chamber at the outlet. The second heat exchanger 3 has similar side walls, with a third side wall 203 playing the role of a fluid distribution chamber and a fourth side wall 204 playing the role of a collecting chamber, it being understood that the continuity of circulation of refrigerant from one heat exchanger to the other implies that a third side wall 203 of the second heat exchanger 3 playing the role of a fluid distribution chamber is arranged on the same longitudinal side as the collecting chamber of the first heat exchanger 2, located at the side wall 202.

In order to interconnect the portions of the refrigerant circuit respectively included in each of the heat exchangers, the first heat exchanger 2 comprises a first connection flange 5 secured to the second side wall 202, and the second heat exchanger 3 comprises a second connection flange 6 secured to the third side wall 203. According to the invention, these connection flanges make it possible, on the one hand, to position the heat exchangers with respect to one another and, on the other hand, to connect the refrigerant circuit of the two heat exchangers, via a storage bottle 4 arranged mainly along a vertical direction of elongation and which is secured to each of the connection flanges.

Furthermore, the first heat exchanger 2 comprises a fluid inlet 7 formed on the first side wall 201, and the second heat exchanger 3 comprises a fluid outlet 8 formed on the fourth side wall 204.

In order to ensure mechanical retention of the heat exchangers within the grille of the vehicle, fixing lugs 9 are located at the side walls of the heat exchangers 2, 3. These fixing lugs 9 can provide a connection between the heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 3 or else can be connected to structural elements of the vehicle surrounding the heat exchange system 1. The refrigerant enters the heat exchange system 1 through the fluid inlet 7 located on the first side wall 201 of the first heat exchanger 2. The refrigerant circulates within the structure of the first heat exchanger 2 via an internal pipe system to an outlet arranged in the second side wall 202 of the first heat exchanger 2. The first heat exchanger 2 is thus configured to ensure an exchange of heat between the refrigerant circulating within it and the air flow 10 passing therethrough.

The outlet arranged in the second side wall 202 of the first heat exchanger 2 opens onto the first connection flange 5 secured to the second side wall 202. This first connection flange 5 is here brazed to the second side wall 202, but it is understood that its method of fixing may be different as long as it allows a fixed position of the first connection flange 5 relative to the first heat exchanger 2, allowing a junction sealed to the passage of fluid between the first heat exchanger 2 and the first connection flange 5.

The first connection flange 5 comprises a circulation channel within its structure itself and which opens into the storage bottle 4, in particular by having at least two intersecting communication ducts as will be described below in more detail.

The storage bottle 4 is configured to guide the fluid vertically, in its direction of elongation, and bring it back to the outlet in the direction of the second connection flange 6 which also comprises a circulation channel and which is connected, here by brazing, to the second heat exchanger 3, more precisely on the third side wall 203.

The second heat exchanger 3, like the heat exchanger 2, comprises an internal pipe system where the refrigerant circulates, up to a fluid outlet 8 located on the fourth side wall 204. The connections between the connection flanges and the storage bottle, as well as the arrangement of the circulation channels within the connection flanges will be explained in more detail below.

The fluid inlet 7 secured to the heat exchanger 2 and the fluid outlet 8 secured to the second heat exchanger 3 are intended to be connected to fluid circulation pipes of the heat exchange system 1 that are not shown here.

FIG. 2 represents the first heat exchanger 2 alone. The hot refrigerant enters through the fluid inlet 7 in the gaseous state. When passing within the internal pipe of the heat exchanger 2, the refrigerant is cooled by the air flow 10 and condenses. It emerges from the heat exchanger 2, at the connection flange 5, in a liquid/gaseous state. FIG. 2 also makes it possible to observe the first connection flange 5 in more detail, the storage bottle not being shown here.

The first connection flange 5 comprises a first upper face 31 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of elongation of the first heat exchanger 2 and perpendicular to the vertical direction of elongation of the storage bottle 4. The first upper face 31 comprises a first nozzle 11 which projects vertically from the first upper face 31.

The first nozzle 11 is hollow to allow the fluid to pass between the connection flange and the storage bottle, and it has here a cylindrical shape centered around an axis of elongation 41. This first nozzle 11 comprises on its external face at least one element made of flexible material, advantageously of rubber, so as to form a seal. This flexible material can be an O-ring fitted into a groove made in an appropriate manner on the external face of the first nozzle or else can be produced by overmolding directly onto the first nozzle.

The first connection flange 5 also comprises a first through-bore 13, here of straight cylindrical shape, which passes right through the structure of the first connection flange 5, that is to say from the first upper face 31 to the opposite lower face. The first connection flange 5 is able to cooperate with a second connection flange, as described in the following figure.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed representation of the connection flanges of each heat exchanger. It also illustrates the cooperation of the connection flanges with one another.

The first connection flange 5, as mentioned above, is secured, here by brazing, to the first heat exchanger 2. The first connection flange 5 comprises a first longitudinal portion 51 which extends along a longitudinal axis L, in the plane of elongation of the heat exchanger 2. The first connection flange 5 also comprises a first transverse portion 61 which extends in the extension of the first longitudinal portion 51, substantially perpendicular to the latter and along a transverse axis T, in the direction approaching the second heat exchanger 3. The first connection flange 5 is generally in the form of a block, in particular in that the vertical dimensions of the longitudinal and transverse portions of this first connection flange are equal or substantially equal.

The first nozzle 11 is present substantially in the center of the first connection flange 5. This first nozzle 11 is therefore slightly offset transversely along a transverse axis T relative to the first heat exchanger 2.

The first connection flange 5, more particularly the first transverse portion 61, comprises a first transverse mechanical fixing zone 21. This first transverse mechanical fixing zone 21 comprises in particular, as illustrated by a quadrilateral shape formed by short dotted lines in FIG. 3, a first bearing surface 19, the function of which will be explained in detail below, the first bearing surface 19 being located on the lower face of the first connection flange 5, that is to say the face opposite to the first upper face 31, at the first transverse portion 61.

The first through-bore 13, as discussed above, passes right through the first connection flange 5 along a vertical axis V. The cylindrical shape of the through-bore 13 is shown in FIG. 3 by transparency in dotted lines. The first through-bore 13 is arranged substantially in the center of the first transverse mechanical fixing zone 21.

Furthermore, and as illustrated by long dotted lines in FIG. 3, the connection flange 5 comprises a first transverse end face 71 which corresponds to a free end face of the first transverse portion 61 facing away from the first longitudinal portion 51. As illustrated in FIG. 3, this first transverse end face 71 faces toward the second connection flange.

The second connection flange 6, secured to the second heat exchanger 3, comprises, in a similar way to the above, a second nozzle 12, of identical appearance to the first nozzle 11, but which, unlike the latter, is centered on the plane of elongation of the second heat exchanger 3, without transverse offset along a transverse axis T.

Furthermore, while the second connection flange is functionally identical to the first connection flange, and while the second connection flange 6 also comprises a second longitudinal portion 52 and a second transverse portion 62, arranged in the extension of the second longitudinal portion, this second connection flange 6 has a different shape from the first connection flange 5.

The second longitudinal portion 52 extends along a longitudinal axis L in the plane of elongation of the second heat exchanger 3. The second longitudinal portion 52 comprises a second upper face 32, from which the second nozzle 12 projects. The second longitudinal portion 52 also comprises a second transverse end face 72, facing the first connection flange 5.

In the example illustrated, the extension along the longitudinal axis L of the second longitudinal portion 52 is of a length identical to the extension along the longitudinal axis L of the first longitudinal portion 51 of the first connection flange 5 of the first heat exchanger 2.

The second connection flange 6 comprises a second transverse mechanical fixing zone 22, here coincident with the second transverse portion 62. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second transverse mechanical fixing zone 22 is in the form of a tab which protrudes from the second transverse end face 72 and which has dimensions relative to the vertical V and longitudinal L axes that are smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the second longitudinal portion 52.

The second transverse mechanical fixing zone 22 extends mainly along a transverse axis T, in the direction approaching the first heat exchanger 2, and it extends perpendicularly the second longitudinal portion 52 at the free longitudinal end of this second longitudinal portion 52, that is to say away from the zone of fixing, for example by brazing, to the second heat exchanger 3. More particularly, the second transverse portion 62 forming the second mechanical fixing zone 22 extends from the longitudinal free end edge of the second connection flange 6, along a longitudinal dimension smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the second longitudinal portion 52 and in the extension of the lower face, that is to say the face opposite to the first upper face 32, of the second longitudinal portion 52.

The upper face of the second transverse portion 62, or of the second transverse mechanical fixing zone 22, forms a second bearing surface 20, of dimensions substantially equivalent to those of the first bearing surface formed on the lower face of the first connection flange 5. Furthermore, the second mechanical fixing zone 22 of the second heat exchanger 3 comprises a second through-bore 14 passing through the entire second mechanical fixing zone 22 along a vertical axis V.

The first connection flange 5 and the second connection flange 6 are able to cooperate with each other, in particular by complementarity of shapes. Indeed, the longitudinal dimension along an axis L is identical between the two connection flanges and their dimensions along a vertical axis V and along a transverse axis T are adapted for cooperation. The cooperation of the flanges with one another is represented in FIG. 3 by mixed dotted lines. Thus, during the assembly of the heat exchange system, the first bearing surface 19 of the first connection flange 5 mentioned above rests on the second bearing surface 20 of the second connection flange 6, and the first transverse end face 71 rests against the second transverse end face 72. These two contact planes allow, on the one hand, a precise positioning of the exchangers with respect to one another, and in particular their spacing in the transverse direction, and, on the other hand, a mechanical retention of one connection flange on the other. In the example illustrated, the first connection flange comes to rest on the second connection flange.

Furthermore, the precise positioning resulting from this cooperation by complementarity of shape makes it possible to align the through-bores 13 and 14 facing one another to form a continuous through-bore from the lower face of the second connection flange 6 up to the upper face of the first connection flange 5.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the two connection flanges in cooperation, that is to say in their final position when the heat exchange system is assembled, in a section plane perpendicular to the heat exchangers and passing through the nozzles, this sectional view making visible the arrangement of the circulation channels formed in the structure of the connection flanges. For reasons of clarity, the heat exchangers are not shown in the figure. Each circulation channel has one end located at the braze between the connection flange and the heat exchanger, and another end represented by the nozzle located on each connection flange.

As indicated above, the first nozzle 11 of the first connection flange 5 is offset transversely with respect to the plane of elongation of the first heat exchanger and therefore with respect to the inlet of the circulation channel of the first connection flange, while the second nozzle 12 of the second connection flange 6 is in alignment with the plane of elongation of the second heat exchanger.

The first connection flange 5 comprises a first circulation channel 16 extending from a circular inlet 24, located on the wall intended to be brazed to the heat exchanger, up to the first nozzle 11. The refrigerant, after having circulated in the heat exchanger, emerges at this circular inlet 24 and flows in liquid/gaseous form within this first circulation channel 16. The first circulation channel 16 is formed by the succession of three intersecting ducts in fluid communication, including a first duct 161, an intermediate duct 162 and a second duct 163. The first duct 161 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L. Since the first nozzle 11 of the first connection flange 5 is offset with respect to the plane of elongation of the heat exchanger, the first circulation channel 16 therefore extends subsequently along a transverse axis T, via the intermediate duct 162. The first circulation channel 16 then extends in a vertical direction V, via the second duct 163 which extends the intermediate duct 162 and opens onto the first nozzle 11.

The second connection flange 6 comprises a second circulation channel 23 extending from the second nozzle 12 to a circular outlet 25 located on the wall intended to be brazed to the second heat exchanger. Within the second connection flange 6, the refrigerant circulates from the second nozzle 12 to the circular outlet 25 while being guided by the second circulation channel 23, comprising a third duct 231 and a fourth duct 232. The second nozzle 12 is centered with respect to the plane of elongation of the second heat exchanger so that the second circulation channel does not require an intermediate duct as described for the first connection flange. The second connection flange 6 therefore comprises two intersecting ducts forming the second circulation channel 23, the second circulation channel 23 extending along a longitudinal axis L via the third duct 231 and along a vertical axis V via the fourth duct 232.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views from two different angles of the cooperation of the connection flanges. FIG. 5 is a side view, from a viewing angle coincident with a longitudinal axis L, and FIG. 6 is a bottom view, from a viewing angle coincident with a vertical axis V. Just as for FIG. 4, the heat exchangers are not shown here for reasons of clarity.

FIG. 5 illustrates more particularly the configuration of the connection flanges when the heat exchange system is assembled and in particular the fact that, on the one hand, the first transverse mechanical fixing zone of the first connection flange 5 bears on the second transverse mechanical fixing zone of the second connection flange 6 by means of direct contact between their respective bearing surface 19 and 20, and that, on the other hand, a contact plane is also formed by the contact between the first transverse end face 71 and the second transverse end face 72.

A first vertical dimension V1 corresponds to the vertical dimension of the first connection flange 5. A second vertical dimension V2 corresponds to the vertical dimension of the second longitudinal portion of the second connection flange 6. Finally, a third vertical dimension V3 corresponds to the vertical dimension of the second transverse portion or of the second transverse mechanical fixing zone of the second connection flange 6, forming a tab projecting from the second transverse end face 72.

As illustrated, the first connection flange 5 of a first vertical dimension V1 rests on the second transverse mechanical fixing zone of the second connection flange 6 of a third vertical dimension V3. In order to ensure that the first nozzle 11 and the second nozzle 12 are located at the same height to facilitate cooperation with the storage bottle, the heat exchange system is configured so that the first upper face 31 of the first connection flange 5 and the second upper face 32 of the second connection flange 6 are coplanar and participate in forming the same planar cooperation surface 80. It follows from the above that the second vertical dimension V2 is equal to the sum of the first vertical dimension V1 and of the third vertical dimension V3.

Furthermore, as described above, the cooperation position of the connection flanges implies that the through-bores of each connection flange 5, 6 are aligned. Thus, a fixing means 15 can be inserted through the two connection flanges 5 and 6. The fixing means 15 shown here is a screw, but any fixing means capable of being inserted within the bores can be envisioned. The fixing means 15 comprises a head 151, which bears on the lower wall of the second connection flange 6, and a shank, the fixing means being dimensioned so that, once inserted into the through-bores, and the head 151 bearing against the lower wall of the second connection flange, the shank protrudes beyond the planar cooperation surface 80, here at the upper face of the first connection flange, so as to be able to be inserted into a fixing orifice of the storage bottle. It is understood that the tightening of the screw in this fixing orifice of the storage bottle involves moving the head 151 in the direction of the storage bottle and therefore pressing the second mechanical fixing zone of the second connection flange against the first mechanical fixing zone of the first connection flange, and pressing all the flanges against the storage bottle.

FIG. 6 makes more particularly visible the head of the fixing means 15 as well as the arrangement of the transverse mechanical fixing zones of the connection flanges 5 and 6 with respect to one another. This viewing angle makes it possible to observe that the first connection flange 5 comprises a chamfer 26, also visible in FIG. 5, at the junction edge between the lower face and the first transverse end face 71, that is to say the edge able to face the junction between the second transverse end face 72 of the second connection flange and the tab which projects from this second face and which forms the second mechanical fixing zone. This chamfer 26 makes it possible to limit the mechanical interference which may occur during the cooperation between the connection flanges 5 and 6.

FIG. 7 more particularly represents the storage bottle 4. As indicated above, the storage bottle 4 is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical in shape. The storage bottle 4 comprises a bottom wall 28. It is this bottom wall 28 which will interact with the connection flanges. The bottom wall 28 comprises three orifices: two circulation orifices 17 and one fixing orifice 18 which corresponds to the fixing orifice mentioned above and capable of cooperating with the shank of the fixing means 15.

The circulation orifices 17 are able to receive respectively the first nozzle of the first connection flange 5 and the second nozzle of the second connection flange 6. The circulation orifices 17 therefore have a diameter suitable for receiving the nozzles of the connection flanges, taking into account any seals which may be included at the nozzles. The center distance between the circulation orifices 17 is substantially equal to the center distance between the nozzles when the connection flanges cooperate with one another with the transverse end faces 71, 72 of each connection flange in contact.

The fixing hole 18 is also present at the bottom wall 28. When the storage bottle is placed in the refrigerant system, the fixing orifice 18 is opposite the through-bores superposed on one another. The fixing orifice 18 is suitable for receiving the fixing means, which therefore passes through each of the connection flanges before being secured to the storage bottle. If the fixing means is for example a screw, the fixing orifice 18 is threaded. As was specified previously, it can be observed that a single fixing means makes it possible to fix the position of the storage bottle simultaneously with the first connection flange and the second connection flange. The head tends to press the second flange against the first flange and all of the flanges against the bottom wall of the storage bottle.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the connection flanges and of the storage bottle when they are secured to one another. For reasons of clarity of the figure, the heat exchangers and the fixing means are not shown.

As illustrated in the preceding figures, the first connection flange 5 and the second connection flange 6 cooperate with each other via their bearing surface and their respective transverse end face. The first through-bore 13 and the second through-bore 14 face one another and thus participate in forming a continuous through-bore. The storage bottle 4 is arranged at the planar cooperation surface 80, resulting from the cooperation of the connection flanges 5 and 6, so that the fixing orifice 18 of the storage bottle 4 is opposite the bores 13 and 14. This position is obtained in particular by inserting the nozzles of the flanges into the circulation orifices of the storage bottle (not visible in this FIG. 8). The fixing means, not shown in this figure, is inserted through the end of the second through-bore 14 and along a vertical axis V. The shank of the fixing means therefore passes through the second through-bore 14, then through the first through-bore 13 up to within the fixing orifice 18 of the storage bottle 4. For optimum mechanical fixing, the shank of the fixing means must therefore be long enough to pass through all of the bores 13 and 14 and to extend over a substantial length of the fixing orifice 18. The bores 13 and 14 are smooth in order to ensure the passage of the shank of the fixing means without mechanical interference, while the fixing orifice 18 of the storage bottle 4, on the other hand, comprises a means for mechanically retaining the fixing means, for example an internal thread if said fixing means is a screw.

FIG. 8 also makes it possible to demonstrate the importance of the chamfer 26 in order to avoid mechanical interference. As illustrated, the latter is opposite a fillet 27 (also visible in FIG. 5) included at the second connection flange 6, at the junction between the second transverse end face of the second connection flange and the tab which projects from this second face and which forms the second mechanical fixing zone.

FIG. 9 is a view of the heat exchange system 1 as a whole, illustrating the interchangeability of the connection flanges. Indeed, FIG. 9 is identical to FIG. 1, except for the fact that the first connection flange 5 as described above is located on the second heat exchanger 3, and the second connection flange 6 as previously described is located on the first heat exchanger 2. Thus, the shape of the connection flanges does not depend on the heat exchanger to which the connection flange is brazed. According to the invention, it is important to have two flanges respectively configured to ensure the passage of fluid between the heat exchangers 2 and 3 and the storage bottle 4, and to cooperate with each other by complementarity of shapes. The shape of the connection flanges 5 and 6 can therefore also vary, as long as they have a complementarity between them making it possible to obtain a planar cooperation surface to accommodate the storage bottle 4 as well as through-bores aligned during the cooperation of the flanges so that they can allow the passage of a single fixing means making it possible to secure the connection flanges and the storage bottle in a single operation.

The invention should not, however, be considered to be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, and also extends to all equivalent means or configurations and to any technically operational combination of such means. In particular, the shapes of the connection flanges can be modified without harming the invention, insofar as they perform the functions described in the present document.

The embodiments that are described above are thus entirely nonlimiting; it will be possible, in particular, to imagine variants of the invention that comprise only a selection of the features described below, in isolation from the other features mentioned in this document, as long as this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to distinguish the invention from the prior art.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger for a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising:

at least one connection flange fixed to a lateral surface of said heat exchanger, the connection flange comprising a circulation channel within its structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone able to cooperate with another transverse mechanical fixing zone of another connection flange of another heat exchanger.

2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the transverse mechanical fixing zone comprises a bearing surface ensuring cooperation by complementarity of shapes with the other connection flange.

3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the circulation channel is formed of at least two intersecting ducts in communication.

4. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the circulation channel opens onto a nozzle forming a projection from a wall of the connection flange and configured to cooperate with a storage bottle.

5. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, in which the transverse mechanical fixing zone of the connection flange comprises a through-bore.

6. A heat exchange system for a vehicle comprising:

a first heat exchanger; and

a second heat exchanger constituting a refrigerant circulation circuit, each heat exchanger being as claimed in claim 1,

wherein a first bearing surface of the first connection flange of the first heat exchanger is in direct contact with a second bearing surface of the second connection flange of the second heat exchanger.

7. The heat exchange system as claimed in claim 6, in which a storage bottle is included.

8. The heat exchange system as claimed in claim 7, in which the storage bottle is cylindrical, comprises a bottom wall arranged opposite the connection flanges, the bottom wall comprising circulation orifices configured to receive nozzles present at the ends of the circulation channels present in the connection flanges.

9. The heat exchange system as claimed in claim 7, in which a single fixing means secures the two connection flanges of the heat exchangers and the storage bottle.

10. The heat exchange system as claimed in claim 9, in which the connection flanges are configured to form a planar cooperation surface with the storage bottle.