Device for connecting an inlet duct or an outlet duct of a condenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device (11) for connecting an inlet / outlet duct to a condenser (4) of a ventilation assembly (1), said condenser (4) having an inlet (5) / outlet (6) end, said connection device (11) comprises an elbow connector having: an elbow cavity having on the one hand a first end opening in a first direction and being extended by a nozzle adapted to be connected to one of the inlet (5) / outlet (6) ends, and, on the other hand, a second end opening in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, said second end being adapted to be connected to one end of the inlet (8) / outlet (9) duct; and, a through-orifice in the first direction, capable of receiving a through-screw engaging in said condenser (4). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for connecting an inlet duct or an outlet duct of a condenser

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection device suitable for connecting an inlet duct or an outlet duct of a condenser of a ventilation assembly of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In known motor vehicles, the air conditioning circuit provides the function of cooling the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The overall operation is based on the circulation of a heat transfer fluid capable of changing phase in the air conditioning circuit.

[0003] The cooling circuit firstly comprises a compressor making it possible to increase the pressure of the heat transfer fluid and its temperature.

[0004] It also includes a condenser into which the gaseous fluid flows so that it can be liquefied. The fluid is cooled inside the condenser using a motor-fan unit which includes a fan that propels a stream of air onto the condenser.

[0005] The circuit further comprises an expansion valve for depressurizing the fluid and thus cooling it. The fluid then flows into an evaporator to be able to bring it to the vapor state. The heat transfer fluid is finally rerouted into the compressor.

[0006] Modern motor vehicles feature engines with a turbocharger system that improves the vehicle's power and performance while having lower fuel consumption. The performance of the turbocharger cooling circuit must therefore be improved to efficiently cool the engine.

[0007] For this purpose, an air-charge cooler is added next to the condenser for cooling the turbocharger system used on the combustion engine.

[0008] However, the use of an air-charged cooler takes up the already limited space and in particular hinders access to the fluid circulation pipes and the condenser inlet and outlet connections with the tools necessary to dismantle them.

[0009] There is therefore a need for a device for easily connecting the inlet and outlet pipes of the condenser.

[0010] For this purpose, there is proposed, according to a first object, a connection device for being able to connect an inlet duct or an outlet duct to a condenser of a ventilation assembly of a motor vehicle, said condenser having an inlet end and an outlet end. Said connecting device comprises an elbow fitting having: an elbow cavity having on the one hand a first end opening in a first direction and being extended by a nozzle adapted to be connected to one of the inlet or outlet ends of the condenser, and, on the other hand a second end opening in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, said second end being adapted to be connected to one end of the inlet duct or one end of the outlet duct; and, the elbow fitting has a through-orifice in the first direction, capable of receiving a through-screw engaging in said condenser in the vicinity of the inlet or outlet end to connect the elbow fitting to the inlet or outlet end of the condenser.

[0011] Thus, one of the characteristics of the invention lies in the use of the connection device, which comprises an elbow connection thus making it possible to modify the direction of the connection between the inlet or outlet duct and the condenser. This modification of the direction then makes it possible to access the inlet or outlet duct easily and to insert a tool in order to be able, in particular, to dismantle the duct without being blocked by the various elements present under the hood. It will be observed that the tapping is made in the condenser in the vicinity of the inlet or outlet end in order to be able to receive the screw.

[0012] Furthermore, the connection device can be used on all types of motor vehicles, whether new or used.

[0013] Advantageously, the device further comprises a fixing part for holding the end of the inlet conduit or the end of the outlet conduit in a fixed position at the elbow connection.

[0014] A flat gasket can also be advantageously installed between the fixing part and the elbow fitting to ensure the connection is watertight.

[0015] Preferably, the fixing part comprises a plate having a sleeve mounted through said plate. The sleeve extends from one of the faces of the plate along a first length, while it extends from the other face along a second, much shorter length. This latter length of sleeve is intended to be engaged in the elbow connection, while the first length is fitted into the end of the inlet or outlet conduit.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said plate has a bore made in the vicinity of said sleeve, while said elbow connection has a thread made in the vicinity of the second end. Thus, when the plate is applied against the elbow connection, and the second length of sleeve is engaged in the elbow connection, a fixing screw can then be engaged through the bore and screwed into the aforementioned thread.

[0017] Furthermore, said end piece advantageously has a groove adapted to receive a double O-ring to ensure the sealing of the connection.

[0018] According to a second object, a ventilation assembly is proposed in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, capable of changing phase between a gaseous phase and a liquid phase, said assembly comprising: at least one condenser adapted to liquefy the heat transfer fluid, said condenser having an inlet end and an outlet end for the fluid; an inlet duct and an outlet duct for the fluid; the inlet end of the condenser is connected to the inlet duct, and the outlet end of the fluid is connected to the outlet duct, by means of connection devices as described above.

[0019] Furthermore, according to a third object, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising a ventilation assembly as described above.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given for informational but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig.l] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view from the front left of a motor vehicle;

[0022] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a first detail of the object of [Fig.l];

[0023] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of the connection device according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of a second detail of the object of the [Fig.l];

[0025] [Fig.5A] is a schematic perspective view of a third detail of the object of [Fig.l]; and,

[0026] [Fig.5B] is a schematic perspective view of detail of [Fig.5A].

[0027] For the purposes of the description, we will use the direct orthogonal reference frame XYZ is conventionally used in automotive design, in which the X axis denotes the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, facing rearward, the Y axis denotes the transverse direction and is oriented to the right of the vehicle, the Z axis denotes the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards. The XY plane is horizontal when the vehicle is conventionally resting on a horizontal surface. In the figures, the ventilation assembly is in a position corresponding to a position in which the vehicle is resting horizontally on the ground.

[0028] Reference will first be made to [Fig. 1], showing a ventilation assembly 1 belonging to an air conditioning circuit of a motor vehicle 3. In the cooling circuit 2 and the ventilation assembly 1, a heat transfer fluid circulates which is also capable of changing phase between a gaseous phase and a liquid phase.

[0029] The heat transfer fluid may be chosen from the types of refrigerant fluid commonly used. The heat transfer fluid selected is, for example, an aqueous mixture.

[0030] The ventilation assembly 1 comprises, first of all, a condenser 4 adapted to liquefy the heat transfer fluid. Its main function is to liquefy steam by means of a cold surface or a heat exchanger. There are two types of condenser: either with separate fluids, in which there is no contact with the heat transfer fluid, or with direct contact. The condenser takes the form of a shell and tube heat exchanger or a tube bundle around which the air cooled by a motor-fan unit 10 circulates to cool the heat transfer fluid. In a motor vehicle, the condenser is generally with a shell and tube separate fluid. It is then composed of fins through which the heat transfer fluid flows.

[0031] The condenser 4, as shown in [Fig.2], has an inlet end 5 for the heat transfer fluid and an outlet end 6 for the fluid.

[0032] The inlet end 5 of the condenser has an inlet orifice 21 corresponding to the inlet of the pipe circulating in the condenser 4 as well as a thread 25 made in the vicinity of the inlet orifice 21 and capable of receiving a screw.

[0033] Similarly, the outlet end 6 has an outlet orifice 22 corresponding to the outlet of the pipe circulating in the condenser 4 as well as a thread 26 made in the vicinity of the outlet orifice 22 and capable of receiving a screw.

[0034] As shown in [Fig.l], the ventilation assembly 1 may comprise an air supercharger cooler 7.

[0035] The ventilation assembly 1 further comprises an inlet duct 8 and an outlet duct 9.

[0036] The condenser 4 and the inlet 8 and outlet 9 pipes are made of a commonly used metallic material, for example aluminum.

[0037] The inlet end 5 of the condenser 4 is then connected to the inlet duct 8 just as the outlet end 6 is connected to the outlet duct 9 by the connection device 11 which will be described below.

[0038] With reference to [Fig.3], [Fig.4] and [Fig.5A], the connecting device 11 has a generally parallelepiped shape having six faces. Preferably, the connecting device 11 has the general shape of a right block.

[0039] The connecting device 11 is made of a commonly used metallic material such as aluminum.

[0040] The connection device 11 as illustrated in [Fig.3] comprises, first of all, an elbow connection 12 making it possible to modify the direction of connection between the inlet end 5 or outlet end 6 of the condenser 4 and the inlet pipe 8 or outlet pipe 9 respectively.

[0041] An angled cavity 13 is made through the angled connection 12. The angled cavity 13 has a first end 14 opening out in a first direction DI and a second end 15 opening out onto a contiguous and perpendicular face, in a second direction D2 substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0042] The first end 14 is extended by a nozzle 16 adapted to be connected to the inlet end 5 or outlet end 6 of the condenser 4.

[0043] The end piece 16 has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. Also, it has a groove 17 adapted to receive a double O-ring, not shown, to ensure the sealing of the connection. The double O-ring is preferably made of a polymer material, of the elastomer type such as polyurethane or silicone.

[0044] The end piece 16 has a standard diameter which allows it to be connected to all types of standard condenser usually used. The connection is made by engaging the end piece 16 inside the orifice 21 or 22 at the inlet 5 or outlet 6 ends of the condenser 4.

[0045] Also, it will be observed that a through screw 28 is engaged in a through orifice 24 extending through the elbow connection 12, and its end comes to project parallel to the end piece 16.

[0046] Then, the second end 15 is adapted to be connected to one end of the inlet duct 8 or one end of the outlet duct 9.

[0047] It will be observed that the elbow connection 12 has a thread 27 made in the vicinity of the second end 15 of the elbow cavity 13.

[0048] With reference to [Fig.5A], the connection device 11 further comprises a fixing flange 20 for holding in a fixed position in a sealed manner an inlet end 18 or outlet end 19 of the inlet duct 8 or outlet duct 9 at the second end 15 of the elbow connector 12.

[0049] The fixing flange 20, which is shown in detail in [Fig.5B], comprises a plate 30 having two opposite faces 32, 34. Also, the plate 20 has a sleeve 36 welded perpendicular to the plate 30 which it passes through from one side to the other, from one of the faces 32 to the other 34 and from which it extends substantially projecting.

[0050] Also, in the vicinity of the sleeve 36, the plate 30 has an orifice 38.

[0051] Thus, the sleeve 36 is fitted into the inlet end 18 or outlet end 19 of the inlet duct 8 or outlet duct 9.

[0052] Then, the fixing flange 20 is connected to the elbow connection 12, so that the other face 34 of the plate 30 comes into contact with the face into which the second end 15 of the elbow cavity 13 opens, as illustrated in [Fig.5A]. The part of the sleeve 36 extending in projection from said other face 34 is partially engaged through the second end 15 of the elbow cavity 13.

[0053] Advantageously, a flat seal is fitted between the plate 30 and the elbow connection 12 around the projecting part of the sleeve.

[0054] Then, a fixing screw 29 is engaged through the orifice 38 to engage with the thread 27 of the elbow connection 12 illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The screw 29 makes it possible to hold the inlet pipe 8 or outlet pipe 9 in a fixed position with the elbow connection 12. And it makes it possible to forcefully apply the sleeve portion 36 extending in projection from said other face 34 into the second end 15 of the cavity 13, so as to ensure the sealing of the junction. The aforementioned flat gasket also contributes to this.

[0055] We will now refer to [Fig. 4]. We find the elbow connection 12 installed on the outlet end 6 of the condenser 4. The end piece 16 is then engaged through the outlet orifice 22, while the screw 28 is engaged in the thread 26. The end piece 16, the outlet orifice 22 and the thread 26 referenced in [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3] are hidden here. The connection of the end piece 16 with the outlet orifice 22 is sealed thanks to the double O-ring.

[0056] The elbow connection 12 has a recess 35 in which a head 40 of the screw 28 is housed. In this way, the size of the elbow connection 12 is reduced when it is secured to the outlet end 6 of the condenser 4.

[0057] The elbow connector 12 can thus be additionally connected to the outlet duct as illustrated in [Fig.5A].

[0058] Thus, it is understood that such a method of fixing makes it possible to easily connect outlet ducts 9 or inlet ducts 8 to the condenser 4, and to hold them in a fixed position by means of a single screw 28.

Claims

Claims

1. Connection device (11) for connecting an inlet duct (8) or an outlet duct (9) to a condenser (4) of a ventilation assembly (1) of a motor vehicle (3), said condenser (4) having an inlet end (5) and an outlet end (6), said connection device (11) comprising an elbow connector (12) having: - an elbow cavity (13) having on the one hand a first end (14) opening in a first direction and being extended by a nozzle (16) adapted to be connected to one of the inlet (5) or outlet (6) ends of the condenser (4), and, on the other hand a second end (15) opening in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, said second end (15) being adapted to be connected to one end of the inlet duct (8) or one end of the outlet duct (9);and, - an orifice (24) passing through in the first direction, capable of receiving a through screw (28) engaging in said condenser (4) in the vicinity of the inlet (5) or outlet (6) end to connect the elbow connector (12) to the inlet (5) or outlet (6) end of the condenser (4); said connection device (11) is characterized in that it further comprises a fixing part (20) for holding in a fixed position the end of the inlet conduit (8) or the end of the outlet conduit (9) to the elbow connector (12).;

2. Connection device (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing part (20) comprises a plate (30) having a sleeve (36) mounted through said plate (30).

3. Connection device (11) according to claim 2, characterized in that said plate (30) has a bore (38) made in the vicinity of said sleeve (36), while said elbow connection (12) has a thread (27) made in the vicinity of the second end (15).

4. Connection device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said end piece (16) has a groove (17) adapted to receive a double O-ring to ensure the sealing of the connection.

5.

6. Ventilation assembly (1) in which circulates a heat transfer fluid capable of changing phase between a gaseous phase and a liquid phase, said assembly (1) comprising: - at least one condenser (4) adapted to liquefy the heat transfer fluid, said condenser (4) having an inlet end (5) and a fluid outlet end (6); - an inlet duct (8) and an outlet duct (9) for the fluid; characterized in that the inlet end (5) of the condenser (4) is connected to the inlet duct (8), and the outlet end (6) of the fluid is connected to the outlet duct (9), by means of connection devices (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Motor vehicle (3) comprising a ventilation assembly (1) according to claim 5.

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