Fluid circulation housing and method for assembling such a housing
The fluid circulation box design addresses the complexity and cost issues of existing systems by using inclined cylindrical openings and pins for simultaneous assembly and support fixation, resulting in a more compact, cost-effective, and easier-to-install solution.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023004467
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-05-04
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Fluid circulation housing and method for assembling such a housing
[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-way fluid circulation housing, an assembly comprising such a housing fixed to a support and a method for assembling such a housing.
[0002] In many applications in the field of fluidics, and in particular for the circulation of fluids within a motor vehicle, it is known to use circulation boxes to direct a fluid into different paths according to certain control parameters, or to regulate the flow of this fluid.
[0003] The use of a fluid circulation housing equipped with a regulating element, such as a thermostatic element, is known. This element allows a fluid entering the housing to be directed to one outlet or another, or the flow of this fluid to be regulated. To allow the regulating element to be installed inside the housing, it is known to form the housing in two parts, namely a body and a pipe assembled together.
[0004] Generally, the body and the pipe of such a housing are assembled together using screws, a clip, welding, or crimping. The housing is further attached to a support, such as a vehicle's casing, using bolts. The presence of multiple fasteners, both for assembling the housing and for attaching it to a support, increases the cost and size of the housing, and makes its installation more complex.
[0005] The aim of the invention is therefore to offer a fluid circulation housing that is simpler to assemble, more compact and less expensive.
[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a multi-way fluid circulation housing, comprising a body and a pipe assembled together, in which: - the body includes a chamber centered on a body axis, and at least one opening leading into the chamber and forming one of the housing's channels; and - the pipe comprises a conduit centered on a pipe axis and having a first end and a second end,
[0007] wherein, in an assembled configuration of the housing: - the pipe axis and the body axis are coincident; - the first end of the duct opens into the chamber; - the second end of the conduit forms one of the channels of the housing).
[0008] According to the invention: - the body includes, outside the chamber, a first ear crossed by a cylindrical opening oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the body; - the pipe includes, outside the conduit, a first ear crossed by a cylindrical opening oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the pipe; - the housing also includes a first hollow cylindrical pin; and - in the assembled configuration of the case, the cylindrical opening of the first The ear of the body and the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe are aligned and are passed through by the first pin to assemble the body and the pipe to each other, and the first pin is configured to receive a first fixing member to fix the housing to a support.
[0009] Thanks to the invention, the lugs on the body and the pipe, and the pins passing through them, simultaneously allow the housing to be assembled and the housing to be fixed to a support. The number of fasteners required to assemble the housing and fix it to a support is thus reduced.
[0010] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, the housing incorporates one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically permissible combinations:
[0011] - The cylindrical opening of the first ear of the body is oriented along an axis or thoradial to the body axis, and the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe is oriented along an orthoradial axis to the pipe axis.
[0012] - The body further comprises, outside the chamber, a second ear The pipe is traversed by a cylindrical opening oriented at an angle to the body axis, or oriented along an axis orthoradial to the body axis. The pipe further includes, on the outside of the conduit, a second ear traversed by a cylindrical opening oriented at an angle to the pipe axis, or oriented along an axis orthoradial to the pipe axis. The housing also includes a second pin, which is a hollow cylindrical pin, configured to receive a second fastener for securing the housing to the support. In the assembled housing configuration, the cylindrical opening of the second ear of the body and the cylindrical opening of the second ear of the pipe are aligned and are traversed by the second pin to join the body and the pipe together.
[0013] - The body defines a body plane, parallel to the body axis and separating the body between a lower and an upper part; and the pipe defines a pipe plane, parallel to the pipe axis and separating the pipe between a lower and an upper part. In the assembled configuration of the casing: the body plane coincides with the pipe plane, the casing being separated by the body and pipe planes between a lower and an upper part. a lower part, corresponding to the lower part of the body and the lower part of the pipe, and an upper part, corresponding to the upper part of the body and the upper part of the pipe; among the first ear of the body and the first ear of the pipe, one is located in the lower part of the case and the other is located in the upper part of the case; and among the second ear of the body and the second ear of the pipe, one is located in the lower part of the case and the other is located in the upper part of the case.
[0014] - In the assembled configuration of the housing: between the first ear of the body and the second ear of the body, one is located in the lower part of the case and the other is located in the upper part of the case; and among the first ear of the pipe and the second ear of the pipe, one is located in the lower part of the case and the other is located in the upper part of the case.
[0015] - In the assembled configuration of the housing: the first ear of the body and the second The body's ear is located in one of the lower and upper parts of the case; and the first ear of the pipe and the second ear of the pipe are located in the other of the lower and upper parts of the case.
[0016] - The chamber is delimited at least in part by a cylindrical wall centered on the body axis; the pipe includes a cylindrical outer face extending, at the first end of the conduit, along the pipe axis and centered on the pipe axis; the casing further includes a sealing gasket, mounted on the cylindrical outer face of the pipe; and, in the assembled configuration of the casing, the sealing gasket is compressed between the cylindrical outer face of the pipe and the cylindrical wall of the body.
[0017] - The housing further includes a regulating element fixed at the level of the first end of the duct so as to extend into the chamber in the assembled configuration of the housing, the regulating element being configured to regulate a flow of fluid into the chamber, the regulating element preferably being a thermostatic regulating element.
[0018] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the housing described above, as well as the support and the first fixing member, in which the housing is in assembled configuration and the first fixing member passes through the first pin by being fixed to the support, to keep the first ear of the body and the first ear of the pipe pressed against the support to fix the housing to the support.
[0019] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a multi-way fluid circulation housing as described above, comprising, in this order: - position the pipe in relation to the body so that the axis of the pipe coincides with the axis of the body and so that the first end of the conduit is oriented in relation to the chamber; - bring the pipe closer to the body so as to insert the first end of the stem into the chamber, until the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe is aligned with the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the body; and - insert the first pin into the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the body and into the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe.
[0020] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, the assembly method incorporates one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically permissible combinations:
[0021] - The pipe is positioned relative to the body in such a way that The cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe and the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the body extend along axes parallel to each other, and the approach of the pipe towards the body is achieved by a translational movement along the axis of the pipe, without rotation around the axis of the pipe.
[0022] - The pipe is positioned relative to the body in such a way that The cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe and the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the body extend along axes that are not parallel to each other, and the approach of the pipe towards the body is achieved by two successive movements: • a translational movement of the pipe along the pipe axis so as to insert the first end of the flute into the chamber, until the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe and the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the body extend along axes that intersect each other, then • a rotational movement of the pipe around the pipe axis, until the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe is aligned with the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the body.
[0023] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:
[0024] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a fluid circulation housing according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0025] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the housing of the [Fig.1].
[0026] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a side view of the housing of the [Fig.1].
[0027] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a cross-sectional view of part of the housing shown in Figures 1 and 3. according to plan IV of [Fig.3].
[0028] [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the housing of Figures 1 and 3, in a first assembly stage.
[0029] [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the housing of Figures 1 and 3, in a second assembly stage.
[0030] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the housing of figures 1 and 3, in a third assembly stage.
[0031] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the housing of figures 1 and 3, in a fourth assembly stage.
[0032] [Fig.9] The [Fig.9] is a perspective view of a fluid circulation housing according to a second embodiment of the invention.
[0033] A fluid circulation housing 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 1 to 8. This housing comprises a body 12 and a pipe 14 which are assembled together.
[0034] In the example, the housing 10 is a six-way housing. Each way of the housing corresponds to an inlet of a fluid into the housing, or to an outlet of a fluid from the housing. Among the six ways, at least one is an inlet and at least one is an outlet. The housing 10 is designed to direct and / or regulate the flow of fluid between the six ways. The details of the operation of the six ways of the housing 10, which are known per se, are not described further.
[0035] The housing 10 is intended to be integrated into a fluid system, such as within a motor vehicle, particularly in a cooling system for an internal combustion engine. Other applications for the housing 10 may be envisaged.
[0036] The body 12 includes an inner chamber 16, which is delimited in part by a cylindrical wall 18. The cylindrical wall 18 more precisely has the shape of a right circular cylinder which extends along a body axis X12 while being centered on the body axis.
[0037] The body 12 has, in its wall, five through openings 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D and 20E, which open into the chamber 16, thus each forming one of the channels of the housing 10.
[0038] The pipe 14 includes a cylindrical inner conduit 22, which extends along a pipe axis X14 and is centered on the pipe axis. In the assembled configuration of the housing 10, the body axes X12 and the pipe axes X14 coincide. The chamber 16 and the conduit 22 are aligned, such that the conduit 22 opens into one end of the chamber 16. More precisely, the conduit 22 has a first end 22, which opens into the chamber 16, and a second end 26, which is located outside the body 12. The second end 26 of the conduit 20 thus forms one of the channels of the housing 10. Fluid circulation is therefore possible between the chamber 16 and the conduit 22.
[0039] The pipe 14 comprises a cylindrical outer face 28, which extends along a pipe axis X14, being centered on the pipe axis, at the level of the first end 24 of the conduit 22. In other words, the cylindrical outer face surrounds the first end of the conduit. Thus, in the assembled configuration of the housing 10, the cylindrical outer face 28 of the pipe 14 is located inside the chamber 16, being surrounded by the cylindrical wall 18. More precisely, the cylindrical outer face 28 has the shape of a right circular cylinder centered on the axis of the pipe X14.
[0040] The body 12 is therefore a female part and the pipe 14 a male part, which are assembled by fitting the pipe into the body.
[0041] The housing 10 has a sealing gasket 30, which is mounted on the cylindrical outer face 28 of the pipe 14. In the example, the pipe 14 has a rib 32 and a shoulder 34, which together form a groove in which the sealing gasket 30 is held.
[0042] When the housing 10 is assembled, the sealing gasket 30 is compressed between the cylindrical outer face 28 of the pipe 14 and the cylindrical wall 18 of the body 12. Thus, the assembly between the body 12 and the pipe 14 is sealed, so that a flow of fluid between the cylindrical wall 18 of the body and the cylindrical outer face 28 of the pipe is prevented.
[0043] Since the body axes X12 and pipe axes X14 coincide in the assembled configuration of the housing, it is understood that the mounting of the cylindrical outer face 28 of the pipe 14 in the cylindrical wall 18 of the body 12 prevents a translation of the pipe perpendicular to the pipe axis and a rotation of the pipe around an axis not coincident with the pipe axis, but does not prevent a translation of the pipe along the pipe axis or a rotation of the pipe around the pipe axis.
[0044] Advantageously, the housing 10 includes a regulating element 36, which, in the example, is a thermostatic regulating element, also called a thermostatic device, such as an expandable wax device. The regulating element 36 is fixed to one end of the pipe 14, at the level of the first end 24 of the conduit 22, so as to extend into the chamber 16 in the assembled configuration of the housing. More specifically, the regulating element 36 is here fixed to one end of the cylindrical outer face 28 of the pipe 14. The regulating element 36 is configured to regulate a fluid flow in the chamber 16, and more specifically a fluid flow between the conduit 22 and the chamber, by obstructing the conduit 22 more or less, for example depending on the temperature of the fluid flowing along the regulating element 36. For this purpose, the regulating element 36 includes a valve 38, movable along the axis of the pipe X14.The operation and design of the control element 36, known per se, are not detailed here. In a non-shown variant of the invention, the control element 36 is a thermostatic device of another type, such as a controlled control element, for example with a heating cartridge, or is not a thermostatic device at all, such as a motorized actuator.
[0045] The body 12 defines a body plane P12, which separates the body into a lower part 12A and an upper part 12B. The body plane P12 is parallel to the body axis X12, and, in the example, the body axis X12 is included in the body plane P12.
[0046] The pipe 14 defines a pipe plane P14, which separates the pipe into a lower part 14A and an upper part 14B. The pipe plane P14 is parallel to the pipe axis X14, and, in the example, the pipe axis X14 is included in the pipe plane P14.
[0047] In the assembled configuration of the housing 10, the body planes P12 and the pipe plane P14 are coincident, and separate the housing into a lower part 10A, which corresponds to the lower part 12A of the body 12 and the lower part 14A of the pipe, and an upper part 10B, which corresponds to the upper part 12B of the body and the upper part 14B of the pipe.
[0048] To allow the assembly of the housing 10, the body 12 includes a first lug 40, through which passes a cylindrical opening 42 extending along an axis X42, and a second lug 44, through which passes a cylindrical opening 46 extending along an axis X46. In addition, the pipe 14 includes a first lug 48, through which passes a cylindrical opening 50 extending along an axis X50, and a second lug 52, through which passes a cylindrical opening 54 extending along an axis X54.
[0049] In the example, the first lugs 40, 48 of the body and the pipe are shown on the left side of the housing 10, and the second lugs 44, 52 of the body and the pipe are shown on the right side of the housing 10, according to the viewing angle of [Fig. 4]. Alternatively, the first lugs of the body and the pipe correspond to the lugs on the right side of the housing, and the second lugs of the body and the pipe correspond to the lugs on the left side of the housing, according to the viewing angle of [Fig. 4].
[0050] It is understood that the ears 40, 44, 48 and 50 are located outside of the chamber 16 and the duct 22, that is to say on the outside of the housing 10.
[0051] In the example, the X42 and X46 axes are both orthoradial to the body axis X12, and the X50 and X54 axes are both orthoradial to the pipe axis X14.
[0052] In addition, in the example, the cylindrical openings 42, 46, 50 and 54 are right circular cylinders.
[0053] Preferably, the first and second ears 40, 44 of the body 12 are aligned along an axis perpendicular to the axis of body X12, and the first and second ears 48, 52 of the pipe 14 are aligned along an axis perpendicular to the axis of pipe X14.
[0054] The housing 10 also includes a first pin 56, which extends along an axis X56, and a second pin 58, which extends along an axis X58.
[0055] The pins 56, 58 are hollow cylindrical pins. In the example, the pins 56, 58 are also split elastic pins.
[0056] In the assembled configuration of the housing 10, the axes X42, X50 and X56 coincide, so that the cylindrical openings 42, 50 of the first lugs 40, 48 and the The first pin 56 is aligned, and the cylindrical openings 42 and 50 are traversed by the first pin 56. Similarly, the axes X46, X54 and X58 are coincident, so that the cylindrical openings 46, 54 of the second ears 44, 52 and the second pin 58 are aligned, and the cylindrical openings 46 and 54 are traversed by the second pin 58.
[0057] It is then understood that the diameter of the cylindrical openings 42 and 50, on the one hand, and 46 and 54, on the other hand, is substantially equal to the diameter of the pin 56, on the one hand, and of the pin 58, on the other hand.
[0058] Thus, in the assembled configuration of the housing 10, the pins 56, 58 prevent the translation of the pipe 14 relative to the body 12 along the pipe axis X14, as well as the rotation of the pipe relative to the body around the pipe axis. Thanks to the movements prevented by the pins 56, 58 and thanks to the movements prevented by the interaction between the cylindrical outer face 28 of the pipe 14 and the cylindrical wall 18 of the body 12, any relative movement between the pipe and the body is prevented when the housing is in the assembled configuration.
[0059] The pins 56, 58, thanks to their cooperation with the openings 42, 46, 50 and 54 of the lugs 40, 44, 48 and 52, therefore allow the housing 10 to be assembled.
[0060] Advantageously, it is noted that of the first ear 40 of the body 12 and the first ear 48 of the pipe 14, one is located in the lower part 10A of the housing 10 and the other in the upper part 10B of the housing. Similarly, of the second ear 44 of the body and the second ear 52 of the pipe, one is located in the lower part of the housing and the other in the upper part of the housing. Thus, and as is more clearly seen in [Fig. 3], the planes P12 and P14 pass between the ears of the body and the pipe.
[0061] More advantageously, the first ear 40 of the body 12 is located in the upper part 10B of the housing 10, and the second ear 44 of the body is located in the lower part 10A of the housing. Furthermore, the first ear 48 of the pipe 14 is located in the lower part 10A of the housing 10, and the second ear 52 of the pipe is located in the upper part 10B of the housing. This arrangement of the ears facilitates the assembly of the housing, as explained below.
[0062] In addition to assembling the body 12 and the pipe 14 to form the housing 10, the pins 56, 58 and the lugs 40, 44, 48 and 52 also allow the housing 10 to be fixed to a support 60, shown in a simplified manner in Figures 1 to 3 only. The support 60 is, for example, a housing belonging to a vehicle in which the housing 10 is mounted.
[0063] In the example, the support 60 has a first fixing tab 62, a second fixing tab 64 and, optionally, a third fixing tab 66.
[0064] The housing 10 is pressed against the support 60, with the first ear 48 of the pipe 14 in contact with the first mounting lug 62 and with the second ear 44 of the body 12 in contact with the second mounting lug 64. Optionally, the body 12 also has a mounting area 68, which is in contact with the third mounting lug 66. Preferably, this mounting area 68 has an opening in which a third hollow cylindrical pin 70 is mounted, which is advantageously a split spring pin.
[0065] The housing 10 is fixed to the support 60 by means of a first fixing member 72, by means of a second fixing member 74, and, optionally, by means of a third fixing member 76.
[0066] The first fastening member 72 passes through the first pin 56, and therefore also through the openings 42, 50 of the lugs 40, 48. In addition, the first fastening member 72 is fixed in the first fastening tab 62 of the support 60, to hold the lugs 40, 48 pressed against the support 60. In the example, the first fastening member 72 is a screw, the head of which bears against the first lug 40 of the body 12 and against the first pin 56, and the threaded shank of which is screwed into the first fastening tab 62.
[0067] The second fastening member 74 passes through the second pin 58, and therefore also passes through the openings 46, 54 of the lugs 44, 52. In addition, the second fastening member 74 is fixed in the second fastening tab 64 of the support 60, to hold the lugs 44, 52 pressed against the support 60. In the example, the second fastening member 74 is a screw, the head of which bears against the second lug 52 of the pipe 14 and against the second pin 58, and the threaded shank of which is screwed into the second fastening tab 64.
[0068] Optionally, the third fastening member 76 passes through the third pin 70, and therefore also through the fastening area 68 of the body 12. In addition, the third fastening member 76 is fixed in the third fastening tab 66 of the support 60, to keep the fastening area 68 pressed against the support 60. In the example, the third fastening member 76 is a screw, the head of which is pressed against the fastening area 68 of the body 12 and the threaded shank of which is screwed into the third fastening tab 66.
[0069] Thus, thanks to the fixing members 72, 74 and optionally thanks to the fixing member 76, the housing 10 is fixed to the support 60.
[0070] The fact that the pins 56, 58 and the lugs 40, 44, 48 and 52 allow both the assembly of the housing 10 and the fixing of the housing 10 to the support 60 is particularly advantageous, as this makes it easier to assemble and mount the housing while optimizing its size, thus reducing its manufacturing cost.
[0071] Preferably, the pins 56, 58 and 70 are made of metal, for example of steel, while the body 12 and the pipe 14 are made of plastic, in particular thermoplastic, such as polyamide 6-6, polyphthalamide, polyphenylene sulfide or polyarylamide.
[0072] The fact that the housing 10 is secured by passing the fasteners 72, 74, and 76 through the pins 56, 58, and 70 is particularly advantageous for protecting the housing 10 from potential damage and deformation. Indeed, since the body 12 and the pipe 14 are made of plastic, they are more deformable than metal pins. If the fasteners 72, 74, and 76 are overtightened, the heads of the fasteners compress the pins against the support 60, thus preventing compression of the body 12 and the pipe 14. In other words, deformations of the body 12 and the pipe 14 are controlled and limited by the smaller deformations of the pins, which thus act as spacers. The use of the grooves to fix the housing 10 to the support 60 therefore makes it possible to apply significant clamping forces with the clamping elements without risking damage to the body 12 and the pipe 14.In addition, the pins 56, 58 and 70 allow for the absorption of any shear forces between the housing 10 and the support 60 without risk of damaging the housing 10 or the fasteners 72, 74 and 76, the pins being particularly suitable for absorbing such shear forces.
[0073] In practice, the housing 10 is dimensioned so that the cumulative height of the first ears of the body and the pipe is substantially equal to the height of the pins 56, 58.
[0074] A method for assembling the housing 10 is now described with reference to figures 5 to 8.
[0075] This assembly method begins by positioning the pipe 14 opposite the body 12, such that the axis of the pipe X14 coincides with the axis of the body X12 and such that the first end 24 of the conduit 22 is oriented opposite the chamber 16. Furthermore, the pipe is positioned so that the cylindrical opening 50 of the first ear 48 of the pipe and the cylindrical opening 42 of the first ear 40 of the body extend along axes that are not parallel to each other, and so that the cylindrical opening 54 of the second ear 52 of the pipe and the cylindrical opening 46 of the second ear 44 of the body extend along axes that are not parallel to each other. In other words, the pipe is positioned so that the plane of the pipe P14 is angularly offset from the plane of the body P12. This offset angle is, for example, between 10° and 90°.
[0076] Following this positioning, the housing 10 is in the configuration shown in [Fig.5].
[0077] Next, the pipe 14 is brought towards the body 12 in a translational movement of the pipe along the pipe axis X14 so as to insert the first end 24 of the conduit 22 into the chamber 16, until the cylindrical opening 50 of the The first ear 48 of the pipe and the cylindrical opening 42 of the first ear 40 of the body extend along intersecting axes, and in such a way that the cylindrical opening 54 of the second ear 52 of the pipe and the cylindrical opening 46 of the second ear 44 of the body extend along intersecting axes. In other words, the pipe is brought close to the body until the ears of the pipe and the body are aligned along the pipe axis X14.
[0078] During this translational movement, the first end 24 is therefore inserted into the chamber 16, and the sealing gasket 30 is thus compressed between the cylindrical outer face 28 of the pipe 14 and the cylindrical wall 18 of the body 12. At the end of this translation, the housing 10 is in the configuration shown in [Fig.6].
[0079] Next, the pipe 14 is rotated about the pipe axis X14 until the cylindrical opening 50 of the first ear 48 of the pipe is aligned with the cylindrical opening 42 of the first ear 40 of the body 12, and until the cylindrical opening 54 of the second ear 52 of the pipe is aligned with the cylindrical opening 46 of the second ear 44 of the body. In other words, the pipe 14 is rotated about the pipe axis until the ears of the pipe are in contact with the ears of the body. At the end of this rotation, the plane of the pipe P14 coincides with the plane of the body P12, and the housing 10 is in the configuration shown in [Fig. 7].
[0080] Together, the translational movement and then the rotational movement of the pipe lead to the pipe 14 being brought towards the body 12 so as to insert the first end 24 of the conduit 22 into the chamber 16, until the cylindrical openings of the ears of the pipe are aligned with the cylindrical openings of the ears of the body.
[0081] Next, the first pin 56 is inserted into the cylindrical openings 52 and 50 of the first lugs 40 and 48 of the body 12 and the pipe 14, and the second pin 58 is inserted into the cylindrical openings 46 and 54 of the second lugs 44 and 52 of the body and the pipe, thus assembling the pipe and the body together. To achieve this, pin 56 is positioned so that the axis X56 coincides with the axes X42 and X50, and pin 58 is positioned so that the axis X58 coincides with the axes X46 and X54. Then, pins 56 and 58 are inserted into the cylindrical openings by a translational movement of the pins along the axes of the cylindrical openings and the pins. After the pins have been inserted, the housing 10 is assembled and is in the configuration shown in [Fig.8].
[0082] This assembly method makes the assembly of the housing 10 particularly simple to carry out, so that the assembly can be easily automated by a machine tool, such as a robot.
[0083] In particular, thanks to the relative positioning of the ears 40, 44 of the body 12 and the With lugs 48 and 52 of the pipe 14, the pipe's approach to the body is advantageously carried out in two successive steps: translation followed by rotation. This facilitates positioning the pipe on the body. Indeed, thanks to this two-step approach, the initial positioning of the pipe relative to the body does not need to be precise. More specifically, due to the offset angle between the pipe plane P14 and the body plane P12, a collision between the pipe lugs and the body lugs is not possible during the pipe's translation towards the body. The relative positioning of the body lugs and the pipe thus facilitates the automation of the assembly of the housing 10 by a machine tool.
[0084] The fact that the pins 56 and 58 are split elastic pins facilitates their insertion into the cylindrical openings of the ears, because at the time of their insertion, the pins can be tightened so as to have an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the untightened pins, and therefore an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical openings.
[0085] Furthermore, since the pins 56 and 58 are split elastic pins, they have a slight play, which allows a slight relative movement of the pipe 14 with respect to the body 12, along the pipe axis X14. This movement has no influence on the operation of the housing 10 and its thermostatic device 36, in particular since the pipe 14 can accept a displacement with respect to the body 12 along the pipe axis X14 without breaking the seal of the housing 10: given that the cylindrical outer face 28 and the cylindrical wall 18 are two coaxial cylindrical structures, a slip of one with respect to the other does not reduce the seal provided by the sealing gasket 30.
[0086] A second embodiment of a housing 100 according to the invention is shown in [Fig. 9]. In the second embodiment, the elements analogous to those of the first embodiment bear the same reference numerals and function in the same way. The following primarily describes the differences between the first and second embodiments.
[0087] Furthermore, if a component is mentioned in the description of the second embodiment without being shown in [Fig.9], it corresponds to the same element shown in Figures 1 to 8 for the first embodiment.
[0088] The housing 100 of the second embodiment differs from the housing 10 of the first embodiment by the position of the first ears of the body 12 and of the pipe 14.
[0089] Indeed, in the housing 100, the first ear 40 of the body 12 is located in the lower part 10A of the housing 10, and the first ear 48 of the pipe 14 is located in the upper part 10B of the housing. Thus, in the second embodiment, the two ears of the body 12 are located in the same part of the body, namely the The lower part 12A of the body, and the two ears of the pipe 14 are located in the same part of the pipe, namely the upper part 14B of the pipe. In an alternative, not shown, embodiment of the second, the two ears of the body 12 are located in the upper part 12B of the body, and the two ears of the pipe 14 are located in the lower part 14A of the pipe.
[0090] The assembly method of the housing 100 of the second embodiment differs from the assembly method of the housing 10 of the first embodiment.
[0091] This assembly method begins by positioning the pipe 14 opposite the body 12, such that the axis of the pipe X14 coincides with the axis of the body X12 and such that the first end 24 of the conduit 22 is oriented opposite the chamber 16. Furthermore, the pipe is positioned so that the cylindrical opening 50 of the first ear 48 of the pipe and the cylindrical opening 42 of the first ear 40 of the body extend along parallel axes, and so that the cylindrical opening 54 of the second ear 52 of the pipe and the cylindrical opening 46 of the second ear 44 of the body extend along parallel axes. In other words, the pipe is positioned so that the plane of the pipe P14 coincides with the plane of the body P12.
[0092] Next, the pipe 14 is brought towards the body 12 in a translational movement of the pipe along the axis of the pipe X14 so as to insert the first end 24 of the conduit 22 into the chamber 16, until the cylindrical opening 50 of the first ear 48 of the pipe and the cylindrical opening 42 of the first ear 40 of the body extend along coincident axes, and so that the cylindrical opening 54 of the second ear 52 of the pipe and the cylindrical opening 46 of the second ear 44 of the body extend along coincident axes. In other words, the pipe is brought close to the body until the ears of the pipe and the body are aligned along the pipe axis X14 and until the cylindrical openings 50, 54 of the first ear 48 and the second ear 52 of the pipe 14 are respectively aligned with the cylindrical openings 42, 46 of the first ear 40 and the second ear 44 of the body 12.Thus, the pipe's approach to the body is achieved through a purely translational movement, without rotation.
[0093] Next, the first pin 56 is inserted into the cylindrical openings 52 and 50 of the first lugs 40 and 48 of the body 12 and the pipe 14, and the second pin 58 is inserted into the cylindrical openings 46 and 54 of the second lugs 44 and 52 of the body and the pipe, thus assembling the pipe and the body together. To achieve this, pin 56 is positioned so that the axis X56 coincides with the axes X42 and X50, and pin 58 is positioned so that the axis X58 coincides with the axes X46 and X54. Then, pins 56 and 58 are inserted into the cylindrical openings by a translational movement of the pins along the axes of the openings. cylindrical and pins.
[0094] Following this insertion of the pins, the housing 100 is assembled and is in the configuration shown in [Fig.9].
[0095] The assembly method for the housing 100 is advantageously faster to implement than the assembly method for the housing 10, since the approach of the pipe 14 towards the body 12 is carried out in a single translational step, without requiring rotation. The assembly of the housing 100 is thus faster.
[0096] In a non-represented variant of the invention, the housings 10 and 100 have a different number of channels, for example two, three or four channels, with in all cases at least one channel formed at the pipe 14 and at least one channel formed at the body 12.
[0097] In a non-shown variant of the invention, the body 12 and the pipe 14 each have only one lug, instead of two lugs. The pipe and the body are then assembled with only one pin, which further increases the compactness of the housing 10, 100 and facilitates its assembly.
[0098] In a non-represented variant of the invention, the cylindrical openings 42, 46, 50 and 54 of the ears 40, 44, 48 and 52 are not straight circular cylinders, but other cylinders, such as cylinders having an oval or polygonal section, which may be straight or not straight.
[0099] In a non-represented variant of the invention, the fastening members 72, 74 and 76 are not screws, but bolts comprising a nut and a screw passing through the corresponding fastening lug 62, 64 or 66.
[0100] In a non-shown embodiment of the invention, axes X42, X50, and X56, on the one hand, and axes X46, X54, and X58, on the other hand, are not orthoradial to the body axes X12 and pipe axes X14, but are inclined with respect to axes orthoradial to the body axes X12 and pipe axes X14, without being parallel to the body and pipe axes. In other words, openings 42, 46, 50, and 54 are oriented at an angle with respect to the body axes X12 and pipe axes X14. In other words, in such an embodiment, X42, X50, X56, X46, X54, and X58 intersect the body planes P12 and pipe planes P14.
[0101] In a non-shown variant of the invention, the body plane P12, which separates the body into a lower part 12A and an upper part 12B, is parallel to the body axis X12, but the body axis is not included in the body plane. In other words, the body plane P12 does not separate the body into two equal parts. Similarly, the pipe plane P14 is parallel to the pipe axis X14 without including the pipe axis, and is such that it coincides with the body plane in the assembled configuration of the housing 10, 100. In such a variant, the body and pipe lugs are offset relative to the first and second embodiments described above, so that of the first body lug and the first pipe lug, one is located in the part lower part of the case and the other is located in the upper part of the case, and between the second ear of the body and the second ear of the pipe, one is located in the lower part of the case and the other is located in the upper part of the case.
[0102] In a non-shown embodiment of the invention, the lower part 12A of the body 12 is separated from the upper part 12B of the body not by a plane parallel to the body axis X12, but by two half-planes, each of the two half-planes being delimited by the body axis, the two half-planes being inclined relative to each other. In other words, viewed perpendicular to the body axis X12, the lower part 12A corresponds to a first angular sector of the body whose vertex lies on the body axis, and the upper part 12B corresponds to a second angular sector of the body whose vertex lies on the body axis, which is complementary to the first angular sector. Similarly, the lower part 14A of the pipe 14 is separated from the upper part 14B of the pipe by two half-planes, which are coincident with those of the body in the assembled configuration of the housing 10, 100.In this variant, it becomes clear that axes X42, X50 and X56, on the one hand, and axes X46, X54 and X58, on the other hand, are not parallel to each other, but intersecting, in the assembled configuration of the casing. In other words, the first lugs of the body and the pipe are angularly offset relative to the second lugs of the body and the pipe.
[0103] Any feature described for an embodiment or variant in the foregoing may be implemented for the other embodiments and variants described above, provided that it is technically feasible.
Claims
Claims
1. Multi-way fluid circulation housing (10; 100), comprising a body (12) and a pipe (14) assembled together, in which: - the body (12) comprises a chamber (16) centered on a body axis (X12), and at least one opening (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E) opening into the chamber and forming one of the paths of the housing (10; 100); and - the pipe (14) comprises a conduit (22) centered on a pipe axis (XI4) and comprising a first end (24) and a second end (26), wherein, in an assembled configuration of the housing (10; 100): - the pipe axis (X14) and the body axis (X12) are the same; - the first end (24) of the conduit (22) opens into the chamber (16); - the second end (26) of the conduit (22) forms one of the paths of the housing (10; 100)), characterized in that: - the body (12) comprises, outside the chamber (16), a first ear (40) crossed by a cylindrical opening (42) oriented inclined relative to the body axis (X12); - the pipe (14) comprises, outside the conduit (22), a first ear (48) crossed by a cylindrical opening (50) oriented inclinedly relative to the pipe axis (X14); - the housing (10; 100) further comprises a first hollow cylindrical pin (56); and - in the assembled configuration of the housing (10; 100), the cylindrical opening (42) of the first ear (40) of the body (12) and the cylindrical opening (50) of the first ear (48) of the pipe (12) are aligned and are crossed by the first pin (56) to assemble the body (12) and the pipe (14) to each other, and the first pin (56) is configured to receive a first fixing member (72) to fix the single-support housing (60).
2. Housing (10; 100) according to claim 1, in which the cylindrical opening (42) of the first ear (40) of the body (12) is oriented along an axis (X42) orthoradial to the body axis (X12), and in which the cylindrical opening (50) of the first ear (48) of the pipe (14) is oriented along an axis (X50) orthoradial to the pipe axis (X14).
3. Housing (10; 100) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: - the body (12) further comprises, outside the chamber (16), a second ear (44) crossed by a cylindrical opening (46) oriented inclinedly relative to the body axis (X12), or oriented along an axis orthoradial to the body axis; - the pipe (14) further comprises, outside the conduit (22), a second ear (52) crossed by a cylindrical opening (54) oriented inclinedly relative to the pipe axis (X14), or oriented along an axis orthoradial to the pipe axis; - the housing (10; 100) further comprises a second pin (58), which is a hollow cylindrical pin, configured to receive a second fixing member (74) for fixing the housing to the support (60); - in assembled configuration of the housing (10;100), the cylindrical opening (46) of the second ear (44) of the body (12) and the cylindrical opening (54) of the second ear (52) of the pipe (14) are aligned and are crossed by the second pin (58) to assemble the body and the pipe to each other.;
4. Housing (10; 100) according to claim 3, wherein: - the body (12) defines a body plane (P12), parallel to the body axis (X12) and separating the body between a lower part (12A) and an upper part (12B); and - the pipe (14) defines a pipe plane (P14), parallel to the pipe axis (X14) and separating the pipe between a lower part (14A) and an upper part (14B), and in which, in the assembled configuration of the housing (10; 100): - the body plane (P12) is merged with the pipe plane (P14), the housing (10; 100) being separated by the body and pipe planes between a lower part (10A), corresponding to the lower part (12A) of the body (12) and to the lower part (14A) of the pipe (14), and an upper part (10B), corresponding to the upper part (12B) of the body and to the upper part (14B) of the pipe; - among the first ear (40) of the body (12) and the first ear (48) of the pipe (14), one is located in the lower part (10A) of the housing (10; 100) and the other is located in the upper part (10B) of the housing; and - among the second ear (44) of the body and the second ear (52) of the pipe, one is located in the lower part (10A) of the housing and the other is located in the upper part (10B) of the housing.
5. Housing (10; 100) according to claim 4, wherein, in the assembled configuration of the housing: - among the first ear (40) of the body (12) and the second ear (44) of the body, one is located in the lower part (10A) of the housing (10; 100) and the other is located in the upper part (10B) of the housing; and - among the first ear (48) of the pipe (14) and the second ear (52) of the pipe, one is located in the lower part (10A) of the housing and the other is located in the upper part (10B) of the housing.
6. Housing (10; 100) according to claim 4, wherein, in the assembled configuration of the housing: - the first ear (40) of the body (12) and the second ear (44) of the body are located in one of the lower part (10A) and upper part (10B) of the housing (10; 100); and - the first ear (48) of the pipe (14) and the second ear (52) of the pipe are located in the other of the lower part and upper part of the housing.
7. Housing (10; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: - the chamber (16) is delimited at least in part by a cylindrical wall (18) centered on the body axis (X12); - the pipe (14) comprises a cylindrical outer face (28) extending, at the first end (24) of the conduit (22), along the pipe axis (X14) while being centered on the pipe axis; - the housing (10; 100) further comprises a seal (30), mounted on the cylindrical outer face (28) of the pipe (14); and - in the assembled configuration of the housing (10; 100), the seal (30) is compressed between the cylindrical outer face (28) of the pipe (14) and the cylindrical wall (18) of the body (12).
8. Housing (10; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a regulating element (36) fixed at the first end (24) of the conduit (22) so as to extend into the chamber (16) in the assembled configuration of the housing (10; 100), the regulating element (36) being configured to regulate a flow of fluid in the chamber, the regulating element preferably being a thermostatic regulating element.
9. An assembly comprising the housing (10; 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, as well as the support (60) and the first fixing member (72), in which the housing (10; 100) is in an assembled configuration and the first fixing member (72) passes through the first pin (56) while being fixed to the support (60), to keep the first ear (40) of the body (12) and the first ear (48) of the pipe (14) pressed against the support to fix the housing to the support.
10. Method for assembling a multi-way fluid circulation housing (10; 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising, in this order: - positioning the pipe (14) opposite the body (12) so that the pipe axis (X14) coincides with the body axis (X12) and so that the first end (24) of the conduit (22) is oriented opposite the chamber (16); - approach the pipe (14) towards the body (12) so as to insert the first end (24) of the conduit (22) into the chamber (16), until the cylindrical opening (50) of the first ear (48) of the pipe (14) is aligned with the cylindrical opening (42) of the first ear (40) of the body (12); and - insert the first pin (56) into the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the body and into the cylindrical opening of the first ear of the pipe.
11. Assembly method according to claim 10, in which: - the positioning of the pipe (14) opposite the body (12) is carried out in such a way that the cylindrical opening (50) of the first ear (48) of the pipe (14) and the cylindrical opening (42) of the first ear (40) of the body (12) extend along axes (X50, X42) parallel to each other, and - the approach of the pipe (14) towards the body (12) is carried out by a translational movement along the pipe axis (X14), without rotation around the pipe axis.
12. Assembly method according to claim 10, in which: - the positioning of the pipe (14) opposite the body (12) is carried out in such a way that the cylindrical opening (50) of the first ear (48) of the pipe (14) and the cylindrical opening (42) of the first ear (40) of the body (12) extend along axes (X50, X42) which are not parallel to each other, and - the approach of the pipe (14) towards the body (12) is carried out by two successive movements: • a translation movement of the pipe (14) along the pipe axis (X14) so as to insert the first end (24) of the conduit (22) into the chamber (16), until the cylindrical opening (50) of the first ear (48) of the pipe and the cylindrical opening (42) of the first ear (40) of the body (12) extend along intersecting axes (X50, X42) between them, then a rotational movement of the pipe (14) around the pipe axis (X14), until the cylindrical opening (50) of the first ear (48) of the pipe is aligned with the cylindrical opening (42) of the first ear (40) of the body (12).