HEAT EXCHANGER CARRIER AND HEAT REGULATION ARRANGEMENT CONSISTING OF AT LEAST ONE HEAT EXCHANGER, ONE CARRIER, ONE AIR CONDITIONING TUBE AND ONE EXPANSION VALVE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of mechanics and cooling circuits integrated into a vehicle, and more particularly concerns a support for a heat exchanger, intended to be fixed in the engine compartment of a vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles typically incorporate one or more cooling circuits, notably for the operation of an air conditioning system and / or for cooling active parts of the vehicle when it has an electric powertrain. These cooling circuits include numerous hoses to connect the various components, such as heat exchangers, compressors, and expansion valves. Some hoses or sections of hose are rigid, while others are flexible, allowing for easy positioning and connection of components within a vehicle's engine compartment. However, using flexible hose sections requires crimping at their ends, which is costly.Furthermore, since these sections have a larger diameter than the rigid fittings of the components to which they are connected, and do not have a predefined path in space, they generate a larger footprint than if only rigid pipes were used to connect the different components of a cooling circuit.

[0003] Therefore, the plan is to use only rigid pipes, for example made of aluminum, to connect certain components, such as a heat exchanger and an expansion valve, within an air conditioning system. This reduces the cost and size of the air conditioning system.

[0004] However, installing such an air conditioning system in a vehicle's engine compartment can be difficult due to significant manufacturing variations, on the order of 3 mm for the same rigid pipe model. Once such a rigid pipe is attached to one component of the air conditioning system, connecting it to a second component can be complicated without stressing the end of the rigid pipe being connected. These manufacturing variations can lead to leaks, as forcing the rigid pipe to one of the components can over-stress and damage the seals.

[0005] WO-A-2023066821 describes a heat exchanger support consisting of four plastic support components assembled together by clamping systems using tabs inserted into slides in a non-removable manner, so as to adapt to the dimensions of any type of heat exchanger.

[0006] The present invention remedies at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a support for a heat exchanger, a thermal regulation assembly consisting of such a support, a heat exchanger mounted in the support, an expansion valve and an air conditioning pipe connected on one side to the heat exchanger and on the other side to the expansion valve, and by providing a method for mounting such an assembly, which makes it possible to compensate during assembly for manufacturing variations in a rigid air conditioning pipe.

[0007] To this end, the invention proposes a support for a heat exchanger having one side comprising at least one fluidic connection, the support comprising a base, which includes means for fixing to an element of a vehicle and a bearing surface suitable for receiving the heat exchanger in a first direction, the base being suitable for maintaining the heat exchanger in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the bearing surface, the support being characterized in that the base is suitable for allowing a translation of the heat exchanger in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions and in that the support further comprises a removable portion, the base and the removable portion comprising means for assembling each other and the removable portion comprising means for blocking the translation of the heat exchanger.

[0008] The terms "orthogonal" or "parallel" in this application refer, of course, to a direction that is "substantially orthogonal" or "substantially parallel," that is, orthogonal to within 15 degrees or parallel to within 15 degrees. Thanks to the invention, the support according to the invention allows the heat exchanger to be placed on the bearing surface in the first direction, orthogonal to the bearing surface, and then the heat exchanger to be adjusted in the third direction, while being held in position in the second direction by the base. Thus, the invention makes it possible to accommodate the manufacturing variation of a rigid air conditioning pipe, intended to be connected to the side of the heat exchanger, by allowing movement of the heat exchanger on the support once it is fixed in the engine compartment of a vehicle, for example, on a chassis component or on an internal combustion engine.The rigid pipe is shaped in such a way that the greatest manufacturing variation, notably due to bent portions imposed on the rigid pipe, is along one direction, when the rigid pipe is mounted on the vehicle, parallel to the third direction.

[0009] The heat exchanger is secured to the support by the assembly of the removable portion onto the base, which encloses the heat exchanger, and by the locking mechanisms for the removable portion. These mechanisms prevent the heat exchanger from moving relative to the base in the third direction. The locking mechanisms also prevent any other movement of the heat exchanger on the support, such as that caused by vibrations in the engine compartment or play between the support and the heat exchanger.

[0010] To facilitate the assembly of the heat exchanger to several components of an air conditioning circuit to which the heat exchanger belongs, the side of the heat exchanger preferably includes all the fluid connections of the heat exchanger, namely a refrigerant fluid inlet connection, a refrigerant fluid outlet connection, an inlet pipe and a heat transfer fluid outlet pipe.

[0011] It should be noted that the base can also provide means of blocking the heat exchanger, for example preventing any movement of it in the first or second direction.

[0012] The base is designed to allow the heat exchanger to move freely along its length via a sliding connection, or the base itself can be removable from the support, for example by sliding on rails. In this case, the locking mechanism may include a pin to secure the base to the rails.

[0013] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first and second directions are parallel to the cheek, and the removable portion and the base, once assembled, are able to form a band around lateral faces of the heat exchanger, orthogonal to the cheek. This band acts, for example, as a clamp, preventing any movement of the heat exchanger relative to the support by compressing the heat exchanger on at least one of its lateral faces. However, this compression does not necessarily occur along the entire length of the band, but is applied, for example, at predefined compression points. The removable portion has a width, corresponding to its dimension in the third direction, that is smaller than the width of the lateral faces in this third direction.Thus, even after a translation along this third direction of the heat exchanger on the base to adjust the connection of the air conditioning pipe to the heat exchanger, the portion of the belt formed by the removable portion remains in contact with the heat exchanger over the entire width of the removable portion.

[0014] In alternative embodiments, the cheek of the heat exchanger is orthogonal to the second or third direction. In this case, the belt formed by the base and the removable portion covers a portion of the cheek lacking fluidic connection.

[0015] According to an optional feature of the invention, the base comprises a first wall forming the bearing surface, a second wall, and a third wall orthogonal to the bearing surface, and the first, second, and third walls forming a lower portion of the belt. The base thus has a rail-like shape along the third direction, the orthogonal second and third walls forming a sliding connection with the bearing surface to the heat exchanger. According to the invention, the base is thus characterized by the absence of walls orthogonal to the third direction on the base.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the second or third wall includes an elastic tab capable of constraining the heat exchanger in the second direction. This elastic tab makes it possible to hold the heat exchanger fixed in the second direction despite the presence of play between the orthogonal walls of the base and the heat exchanger. However, the constraint it exerts is not sufficient to prevent movement of the heat exchanger in the third direction when the air conditioning pipe is connected to the heat exchanger by an operator.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, the removable portion, once assembled with the base, forms a first belt section parallel to the support surface, a second belt section assembled to the second wall by first retaining means for the assembly means, and a third belt section assembled to the third wall by second retaining means for the assembly means. The retaining means are, for example, partly on the base and partly on the removable portion. They consist, for example, of clip systems, comprising at least one hook and an eyelet into which the hook is able to be inserted by elastic deformation. Their function is to fix the position of the removable portion relative to the base, with the heat exchanger clamped in position between them, once the rigid air conditioning pipe is correctly fixed between the heat exchanger and another component, in this case, an expansion valve.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first piece includes a tab adapted to constrain the heat exchanger in the first direction. For example, the tab projects, in the first direction, from a substantially flat wall that primarily defines the first piece. It optionally includes grooves adapted to fit between the edges of the heat exchanger plates, these edges being arranged on the lateral faces of the heat exchanger.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the removable portion includes means for receiving at least one clip for securing an element of a vehicle's air conditioning system. The support thus serves as a mounting interface for one or more elements of the air conditioning system, distinct from the heat exchanger; these elements being, for example, a water pipe, temperature sensor wiring connectors, or electrical cables.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, the base comprises a foot, the support having anti-vibration pads mounted on the foot and cooperating with the means for attaching the base to the vehicle component. These anti-vibration pads filter the vibrations reaching the heat exchanger.

[0021] The mounting means for the base include, for example, notches on the foot's base, with the anti-vibration mounts positioned in the notches on either side of the base and secured by bolts whose screws pass through the anti-vibration mounts. Alternatively, or in addition, the mount may include anti-vibration mounts attached to tabs connected to the base, these tabs being located elsewhere than on the base's foot. Finally, the mount may also be not equipped with anti-vibration mounts, for example, when it is attached to a vehicle component already equipped with anti-vibration mounts, such as the vehicle's internal combustion engine.

[0022] The invention also relates to a thermal regulation assembly consisting of at least a heat exchanger, a support according to the invention, a rigid air conditioning pipe and an expansion valve, in which the heat exchanger is mounted on the support and the rigid air conditioning pipe is connected on one side to the fluid connection of the cheek of the heat exchanger, and on the other side to the expansion valve.

[0023] The support according to the invention, as previously described, is particularly advantageous in a thermal regulation system comprising a rigid air conditioning pipe, that is, a pipe whose shape is predefined and remains the same before and after assembly. Unlike a flexible pipe, the operator cannot adapt the shape of the rigid air conditioning pipe to gain a few millimeters in one direction or another and allow for assembly that takes into account manufacturing variations. The support according to the invention, in particular, due to its belt-like design made of two parts that clip together, allows for some adjustment of the heat exchanger's position before the rigid air conditioning pipe is permanently fixed at each end.

[0024] Finally, the invention also relates to a method for mounting a thermal regulation assembly according to the invention in a vehicle engine compartment, comprising: a pre-positioning step, during which the expansion valve is fixed in the engine compartment, the base is fixed to a vehicle component located in the engine compartment, and the heat exchanger is positioned in the base of the support; a connection step during which one end of the air conditioning hose is connected to the expansion valve, the other end of the air conditioning hose is connected to the fluid connection of the heat exchanger cheek, while adjusting the position of the heat exchanger in the third direction in the support; and an assembly step of the removable portion of the support to the base of the support.

[0025] Here again, it is noteworthy that the support according to the invention allows for a connection step of a rigid air conditioning pipe with an adjustment of the heat exchanger's position before the two parts of the support are assembled. This can be achieved, in particular, by connecting one end of the air conditioning pipe prior to positioning the heat exchanger in the base of the support.

[0026] The mounting method may include at least one additional step of attaching other elements of the air conditioning system to the support according to the invention, by means of clips fixed to the support according to the invention. These elements are, for example, selected from a water pipe, a temperature sensor wiring connector, or an electrical cable.

[0027] In general, the thermal regulation assembly according to the invention and the assembly method according to the invention have advantages similar to those of the support according to the invention.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which: [ fig 1 ] illustrates in perspective a thermal regulation assembly consisting of at least one heat exchanger, a support in which the heat exchanger is mounted, an expansion valve and an air conditioning pipe connected on one side to the heat exchanger and on the other side to the expansion valve, in an embodiment of the invention, [ fig 2 ] is an exploded perspective view of the assembly according to the invention shown in figure 1 , [ fig 3 ] is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger support according to the invention shown in figure 1 , on which is notably visible a lower portion and an upper portion, with different perspective angles from one portion to the other, [ fig 4 ] is a perspective view of the heat exchanger of the figure 1 , mounted in the support according to the invention of the figure 1 , on which is visible a cheek of the heat exchanger devoid of fluidic connections, [ fig 5 ] is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger mounted in the support according to the invention as seen in figure 4 , but in which an upper portion of the support, which is removable, is not shown, fig 6 ] is a perspective view of the heat exchanger of the figure 1 , mounted in the support according to the invention of the figure 1 and connected to the air conditioning pipe of the figure 1 , in which the support is also used to fix temperature sensor wiring connectors, [ fig 7 ] is a perspective view of the heat exchanger of the figure 1 , mounted in the support according to the invention of the figure 1 and connected to the air conditioning pipe of the figure 1 , in which the bracket also serves to secure an electrical cable connected to the vehicle's engine, [ fig 8 ] is a perspective view of the heat exchanger of the figure 1 , mounted in the support according to the invention of the figure 1 and connected to the air conditioning pipe of the figure 1 , in which the support also serves to fix a water pipe, and [ fig 9 ] represents steps of an assembly process according to the invention of the thermal regulation assembly according to the invention, in an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] As can be seen in particular on the figures 1 And 2, a thermal regulation assembly 200 according to the invention, formed here by a heat exchanger 2, a support 1 for heat exchanger forming an aspect of the invention, an air conditioning pipe 4 and an expansion valve 3, is intended to be mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle.

[0030] In particular, the expansion valve 3 is a solenoid valve, in this embodiment of the invention, fixed on a metal frame 32 itself intended to be fixed to a chassis element of the vehicle by means of an anti-vibration mount.

[0031] The heat exchanger support 1 comprises a base 5 and a removable portion 6, configured to be able to be initially at a distance from the base and thus allow the heat exchanger to be mounted on the support and to be able to be subsequently attached to the base 5 to fix the position of the heat exchanger relative to the support 1. In particular, the removable portion can be fixed by snap-fitting, i.e. by elastic deformation, and in this context be made of molded synthetic material (plastic), which gives it the necessary elasticity.

[0032] The base 5 is intended to be fixed to a chassis element of the vehicle by means of anti-vibration mounts 72, 74. Alternatively, the support 1 is fixed to a vehicle element already fixed in the engine compartment by means of anti-vibration mounts, and is therefore not itself equipped with anti-vibration mounts.

[0033] The base 5 has a bearing surface 55 (referenced figure 3 ), which corresponds to an inner face of a first wall 50 (referenced figure 3 ) of the base 5, this support surface being suitable for receiving a heat exchanger 2 in a first direction Z, orthogonal to the support surface. Without limiting the invention, when the base 5 is fixed in the engine compartment, this support surface 55 is arranged substantially horizontally, so that the first direction Z is vertical. In this context of a first vertical direction, the support surface 55 can advantageously be oriented upwards. Thus, when an operator begins to mount the heat exchanger 2 in the support 1, and when they place the heat exchanger 2 on this support surface 55 of the support 1, the heat exchanger 2 remains stationary on the base 5 by the effect of gravity. It is held there, in a second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction Z, by two facing walls, namely a second wall 52 of the base 5 and a third wall 54 of the base 5, orthogonal to the first wall 50 of the base.Thus, these second and third walls 52, 54 form with the support surface 55 a U-shaped rail forming a sliding connection for the heat exchanger 2, i.e., allowing it to translate in a third direction X orthogonal to the first and second directions Z, Y. This translation allows the position of the heat exchanger to be adjusted relative to the support when connecting the air conditioning pipe 4 to the heat exchanger, while this non-flexible air conditioning pipe is already connected to the expansion valve 3, as will be detailed later in relation to the. figure 9 The air conditioning pipe 4 is indeed rigid and has a general shape which cannot be modified at the time of connection of each of its ends, and the relative movement of the heat exchanger with respect to the support, as permitted by the invention, makes it possible to disregard manufacturing and positioning variations in the assembly of the components present in the engine compartment.

[0034] The heat exchanger 2 is formed here by a stack of plates, without limiting the invention, between which a refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid circulate to exchange heat. The stack of plates is arranged in particular such that the plates are superimposed along the third direction X, with a flange positioned on either side of the stack.

[0035] The heat exchanger 2 includes a refrigerant inlet fluid connection 21, a refrigerant outlet fluid connection 25, a heat transfer fluid outlet pipe 23, and a heat transfer fluid inlet pipe 27. In the illustrated example, the air conditioning hose 4 mentioned earlier is connected to the refrigerant inlet fluid connection 21, but it should be noted that it could, without departing from the scope of the invention, be connected to other fluid connections or pipes. These connections and pipes are arranged on a side plate 20 of the heat exchanger, here on the same side plate 20, which also facilitates the connection of other hoses of a vehicle's air conditioning system to the connections and pipes of the heat exchanger 2.

[0036] Once the heat exchanger 2 is fixed to the pipes of the vehicle's air conditioning system, and at least to the air conditioning pipe 4, these pipes oppose a translation of the heat exchanger 2 in the third direction X. However, this translation is definitively blocked by a translational lock in the third direction X, operated by assembling the removable portion 6 of the support onto the base 5.

[0037] The removable portion 6, together with the base 5, forms a band around the lateral walls 22, 24, 26, 28 of the heat exchanger 2. These lateral walls include the edges of the plates in the stack of plates of the heat exchanger 2 and are therefore orthogonal to the cheek 20 of the heat exchanger 2. The band thus formed by the support 1 as a whole behaves like a collar, applying a stress to the lateral walls 22, 24, 26, 28 in the first and second directions Z, Y, strong enough to prevent any movement of the heat exchanger 2 in the third direction X. In reality, some play exists between the band and the heat exchanger 2 except at specific compression points, as explained later in relation to the figure 3 .

[0038] As mentioned, the removable portion 6 forms a first piece 60 of this belt, generally parallel to the first wall 50 of the base 5, a second piece 62 of this belt, perpendicular to the first piece 60 and generally parallel to the second wall 52 of the base 5 and assembled with it by first retaining means 82, and a third piece 64 of this belt, also perpendicular to the first piece 60 and generally parallel to the third wall 54 of the base 5 and assembled with it by second retaining means 84 (referenced figure 3 ). The first, second and third walls 50, 52, 54 of the base 5 form the other pieces of this belt.

[0039] The removable portion 6 thus has a U shape, with the first piece 60 forming a base positioned opposite the first wall of the base 5 when the support is assembled.

[0040] The removable portion 6 has a width, measured along the third direction X, strictly less than the width of the heat exchanger 2, also measured along the third direction X, and more specifically here from the side 20 of the heat exchanger containing the fluid connections and tubing to its opposite side 29, which lacks such connections and tubing. The width of the removable portion 6 is, for example, less than 85% of the width of the heat exchanger 2, and preferably less than 75% of the width of the heat exchanger 2.

[0041] This width ratio of the removable portion ensures that the removable portion fully covers the lateral faces opposite which it must be located, regardless of the adjustment in position of the heat exchanger relative to its theoretical position along the third X direction, when assembling the rigid pipe onto the exchanger, this adjustment being in particular on the order of 1 to 10mm.

[0042] As particularly visible figure 2 The removable portion 6 also includes means for receiving clips to secure other elements of the air conditioning system, such as connectors or cables. Specifically: The second piece 62 has windows 67, 69 arranged at a distance from the side wall 24 of the heat exchanger 2 and designed to receive staple fixing pins, and the first piece 60 has a window 65 arranged at a distance from the side wall 28 of the heat exchanger 2 and designed to receive a staple fixing pin, and also has lugs 61, 63, each designed to receive a staple configured to clamp onto the corresponding lug. Each lug 61, 63 has stops on either side of a staple receiving area to prevent the staple from sliding along the lug.

[0043] Of course, we understand that the ears and windows just mentioned could be arranged differently on the support and especially differently on the removable portion 6.

[0044] The means of retaining the removable portion 6 are now described in relation to the figure 3 .

[0045] The first restraint means 82 comprise, on the first piece 62 of the removable portion 6, two lugs 821, 825 each terminating a rail respectively 829, 827 formed on the internal surface of the first piece 62. Between the rails 829, 827, this internal surface terminates in an elastic tab having a tooth 823 at its end.

[0046] The first restraint systems include, in addition, on the second wall 52 of the base 5: orifices 820, 824 intended to receive, according to the first direction Z, respectively the lugs 821, 825; the lugs 821, 825 and the orifices 820, 824 constitute means of guiding the removable portion 6 for its clipping onto the base 5; an eyelet 822 intended to receive, according to the first direction Z, the elastic leg and more particularly the tooth 823 able to fit into the eyelet by elastic deformation of the latter or of the eyelet 822, the tooth 823 having the function of locking the removable portion 6 in relation to the second wall 52 by forming a stop on an edge delimiting the eyelet once it has returned to the original shape of the elastic leg or of the eyelet, and slots 826, 828 intended to fit, according to the first direction Z, into the respective rails 827, 829 of the removable portion, these slots also constituting means of guiding the removable portion 6 for its clipping onto the base 5.

[0047] Conversely, the second retaining means 84 have, on the third wall 54 of the base 5, two lugs 840, 844 suitable for inserting each into an orifice respectively 841, 845 arranged in the third piece 64 of the removable portion 6, these orifices 841, 845 also being part of the second retaining means 84. This insertion is carried out parallel to the first direction Z.

[0048] The second retaining means 84 also include on the third wall 54, an elastic tab ending in a tooth 842 suitable for inserting into an eyelet 843 arranged in the third piece 64 between the orifices 841, 845, and also forming part of the second retaining means 84. Thus the lugs 840, 844 of the base 5 and the orifices 841, 845 of the third piece 64 constitute guiding means for the removable portion 6 for its clipping onto the base 5, and the tooth 842 as well as the eyelet 843 constitute locking means by elastic deformation of the removable portion 6 onto the base 5.

[0049] The fact that the retaining means have teeth 842, 823 respectively, one attached to the base 5 and the other to the second piece 62, allows for better locking of the removable portion 6 onto the base 5.

[0050] On the other hand, the third wall 54 of the base 5 has a tab 540 suitable for constraining the heat exchanger 2 in the second direction Y. This tab projects from the third wall 54 of the base towards the heat exchanger, and has a finger forming a boss towards the inside of the base 5 to ensure linear contact with the heat exchanger 2.

[0051] Similarly, the first piece 60 of the removable portion 6 has a tab 66 adapted to constrain the heat exchanger 2 in the first direction Z, the tab 66 projecting towards the heat exchanger. As can be seen on the figure 3 , and in accordance with what has been mentioned for the protruding tab of the base, the tab 66 has a finger to ensure linear contact between the tab 66 and the heat exchanger 2 and thus ensure adequate pressure on the heat exchanger along the first direction Z.

[0052] The tabs 540, 66 are dimensioned to prevent the heat exchanger 2 from moving in the first and third directions as just mentioned, by ensuring that the heat exchanger 2 is pressed against the wall of the support opposite to that on which the tab is formed, and to ensure a sufficiently strong constraint on the heat exchanger 2 to prevent any movement of the heat exchanger 2 in the third direction X. In this way, the tabs 540, 66 are compression points of the belt on the heat exchanger 2.

[0053] Alternatively, at least one of the tabs 540, 66 has grooves extending in a direction perpendicular to the third direction X and capable of being inserted between two edges of plates of the heat exchanger 2, thus ensuring a locking of any movement of the heat exchanger 2 in the third direction X, without requiring strong constraint of the tab 66 in the first direction Z.

[0054] Furthermore, the base 5 includes a foot 51 extending in the first direction Z towards a base 53 suitable for attachment to an engine compartment component. The base 53 is in the form of a plate with notches 532, 534, each suitable for receiving a screw. When attaching the base 5 to the engine compartment component, the anti-vibration mounts 72, 74 are positioned on either side of the plate at the notches 532, 534, respectively. Screws passing through the mounts and notches are then inserted into holes in the engine compartment component provided for this purpose and secured in position by nuts.

[0055] As can be seen more particularly figure 4 The third wall 54 of the base 5 also includes a plate 56 supported by brackets. The plate 56 extends orthogonally from the third wall 54 and has a notch for attaching the plate 56 to another element of the engine compartment, for example, a compressor, also using an anti-vibration mount. Of course, the use of these anti-vibration mounts is optional.

[0056] Another plate 58, smaller and supported by brackets, extends orthogonally from the third wall 54 and has an opening intended to receive a screw for fixing, for example, means of holding a pipe.

[0057] There figure 5 shows more precisely in cross-section the structure of the base 5. As explained previously, the elasticity of the removable portion 6, and in particular of the retaining means 82, 84 and of the tongue 66 forming part of the removable portion 6, is conferred by the molded synthetic material used to form this removable portion 6.

[0058] Regarding the base 5, it is preferably made of metal, particularly steel, and the elasticity of the tongue 540 and the tooth 842 is achieved by portions of the base 5 that are thinner than the rest of the base 5, which is thicker and therefore more rigid. This is visible on the figure 5 , that the third wall 54 incorporates a portion of material thinner than the rest of the third wall 54, this portion of thinner material forming the plates 56, 58 as well as the tongue 540 and the tooth 842 located at the end of each other on the third wall 54, in the first direction Z.

[0059] There figure 6 now illustrates the use of windows 65, 69 on the removable portion 6, for the fixing respectively of a wiring connector 90 of a temperature sensor equipped with a probe 93, and of a connector 92 of a temperature sensor equipped with a probe 91, disposed against the air conditioning pipe 4.

[0060] There figure 7 similarly illustrates the use of windows 61, 63 on the removable portion 6, for the attachment of a respective clip 78, 76, the clips 78, 76 allowing the retention of an electrical cable 7, one branch of which here includes an electrical connector 94.

[0061] There figure 8 illustrates on the other hand the use of window 67 on removable portion 6, for fixing a clip 75 suitable for receiving a hose clamp for fixing a water pipe 8.

[0062] There figure 9now details a method of assembling 100 of the thermal regulation assembly 200 according to the invention, implemented by an operator.

[0063] In a first step 110, the operator pre-positions the expansion valve 3 and the base 5 in the engine compartment, and inserts the heat exchanger 2 into the base 5.

[0064] For example, during the first sub-step 112 of the first step 110, the operator attaches the frame 32 to a chassis element of the vehicle, in the engine compartment. The valve 3 is attached in this first sub-step, to the frame 32 and therefore to the chassis element, at a predefined position in the engine compartment.

[0065] During a second sub-step 114 of the first step 110, the operator attaches the base 5 to the vehicle chassis element or to another element in the engine compartment, using the anti-vibration mounts 72, 74 and the associated bolts.

[0066] Finally, during a third sub-step 116 of the first step 110, the operator pre-positions the heat exchanger 2 on the support surface 55 of the base 5.

[0067] Of course, the order of substeps 112 to 116 can be changed.

[0068] During a second step 120 of the assembly process 100, the operator connects the air conditioning pipe 4 to the expansion valve 3 and to the heat exchanger 2 by adjusting the position of the latter in the third direction X.

[0069] For example, during a first sub-step 122 of the second step 120, the operator connects one end of the air conditioning pipe 4 to the expansion valve 3 in a sealed manner.

[0070] During a second sub-step 124 of the second step 120, the operator moves the heat exchanger 2 relative to the base 5 of the support, in the third direction X, so as to bring the inlet fluid connection 21 of the heat exchanger 2 against the other end of the air conditioning pipe and to be able to connect this other end to the inlet fluid connection 21 in a sealed manner, without having to constrain the air conditioning pipe.

[0071] Of course the order of substeps 122, 124 can be reversed.

[0072] Furthermore, it should be understood that the division of the first and second steps has been made here to facilitate the reader's understanding, but without leaving the context of the invention, it can be foreseen that the first sub-step 122 of the second step 120 could take place during the first step 120, once the expansion valve has been brought back onto the vehicle.

[0073] During a third step 130 of the assembly process 100, the removable portion 6 is assembled to the base 5 using the first and second retaining means, which are clip systems. It should therefore be noted that the removable portion 6 is detachable, is positioned away from the base during the heat exchanger assembly, and is designed to lock the heat exchanger in position once the rigid air conditioning pipe has been connected.

[0074] Finally, a last step 140 of the assembly process 100 is the fixing of other elements of the air conditioning system onto the support 1, using the means for receiving staples which are the windows 65, 67, 69 and the lugs 61, 63, and using the orifice arranged in the plate 58.

[0075] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) of which one end panel (20) has at least one fluidic connection (21, 25), the support (1) having a plinth (5), which has means (72, 74) for fastening to an element of a vehicle and a bearing surface (55) that is able to receive the heat exchanger (2) in a first direction (Z), the plinth (5) being able to hold the heat exchanger (2) in a second direction (Y) orthogonal to the first direction (Z) and parallel to the bearing surface (55), the plinth (5) being able to allow a translation of the heat exchanger (2) in a third direction (X) orthogonal to the first and second directions (Z, Y), the plinth (5) having no wall orthogonal to the third direction (X), and in that the support (1) also has a removable portion (6), the plinth (5) and the removable portion (6) having means (82, 84) for assembling one with the other and the removable portion (6) having means (66) for blocking the heat exchanger (2) in translation.

2. Support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) according to Claim 1, wherein the first direction (Z) and the second direction (Y) are parallel to said end panel (20), and wherein the removable portion (6) and the plinth (5), once assembled, are able to form a belt around lateral faces (22, 24, 26, 28) of the heat exchanger (2), which are orthogonal to the end panel (20).

3. Support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) according to Claim 2, wherein the plinth (5) has a first wall (50) forming the bearing surface (55), a second wall (52) and a third wall (54) that are orthogonal to the bearing surface (55), and wherein the first, second and third walls (50, 52, 54) form a lower part of the belt.

4. Support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) according to Claim 3, wherein the second wall (52) or the third wall (54) has an elastic tab (540) that is able to stress the heat exchanger (2) in the second direction (Y).

5. Support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the removable portion (6), once assembled with the plinth (5), forms a first belt piece (60) parallel to the bearing surface (55), a second belt piece (62) assembled with the second wall (52) by first retaining means (82) of the assembly means, and a third belt piece (64) assembled with the third wall (54) by second retaining means (84) of the assembly means.

6. Support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) according to Claim 5, wherein the first piece (60) has a tongue (66) that is able to stress the heat exchanger (2) in the first direction (Z).

7. Support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the removable portion (6) has means (61, 63, 65, 67, 69) for receiving at least one clip (76, 78, 75) intended to hold an element (90, 92, 7, 8) of an air-conditioning system of the vehicle.

8. Support (1) for a heat exchanger (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the plinth (5) has a foot (51), the support (1) having anti-vibration pads (72, 74) mounted on the foot (51) and cooperating with the means (532, 534) for fastening the plinth (5) to the element of the vehicle.

9. Thermal regulation assembly (200) formed of at least a heat exchanger (2), a support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, an air-conditioning pipe (4) and an expansion valve (3), wherein the heat exchanger (2) is mounted on the support (1) and the air-conditioning pipe (4) is connected on the one hand to the fluidic connection (21) of the end panel (20) of the heat exchanger (2) and on the other hand to the expansion valve (3).

10. Method for mounting (100) a thermal regulation assembly (200) according to the preceding claim in a vehicle engine compartment, involving: - a pre-positioning step (110), during which the expansion valve (3) is fastened (112) in the engine compartment, the plinth (5) is fastened (114) to an element of the vehicle situated in the engine compartment, and the heat exchanger (2) is positioned (116) in the plinth (5) of the support (1), - a connection step (120) during which one of the ends of the air-conditioning pipe (4) is connected (122) to the expansion valve (3), the other of the ends of the air-conditioning pipe (4) is connected (124) to the fluidic connection (21) of the end panel (20) of the heat exchanger (2), while at the same time adjusting the position of the heat exchanger (2) in the third direction (X) in the support (1), and - a step (130) of assembling the removable portion (6) of the support (1) with the plinth (5) of the support (1).