Purge or drain device for a heat exchanger and associated heat exchanger

Abstract

A purging or draining device (1) for a heat exchanger (100) comprising a plug (2) closing an orifice (3) on a collection box (4), having a head (21) and a tail (22), the tail (22) having an outer wall forming a bellows (221) having a fold having a discharge orifice (222), said bellows (221) surrounding the orifice (3), the tail (22) having an internal member (223), distant from the first outer wall of the bellows (221) and having a proximal end, integral with the head (21), and an opposite distal end, the plug (2) being movable between: - a closed position in which the bellows is compressed and the orifice (3) is closed, the distal end is inserted into the orifice (3) - an open position in which the plug (2) is pulled so that the bellows (221) is unfolded and the orifice (3) is released, the internal organ (223) is then outside the orifice (3). Abbreviated figure: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for purging or draining a heat exchanger and associated heat exchanger

[0001] The present invention relates to heat exchangers and more particularly to a purging or draining device for a collector box of a heat exchanger.

[0002] A heat exchanger, for example a motor vehicle radiator, generally comprises at least one manifold mounted at the end of a bundle of tubes in which a fluid circulates, for example the coolant of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine. It is known to form an orifice or opening in the wall of the manifold to allow the manifold and the heat exchanger to be purged. This orifice is generally closed by means of a purge device, for example a plug. This plug may in particular comprise an operating head, an intermediate part on which a seal is mounted, and a tail formed with radial ribs which constitute ramps cooperating with complementary ramps of the edge of the orifice of the manifold, for mounting the plug in the orifice and maintaining it in the sealed closing position of the orifice.

[0003] To purge or drain the heat exchanger, the purge device is rotated, for example a quarter turn from this closed position. It must then be pulled outwards, by translation along its axis, to purge or drain the exchanger. This last maneuver is not necessarily obvious to an untrained person.

[0004] Such a purge device is generally too bulky to be installed on the heat exchanger manifolds for new generation vehicles. Indeed, manufacturers tend to require space saving in the engine compartment, to have increasingly compact cooling circuits, which means manifolds of reduced size and arranged in cramped and difficult to access places, in particular for screwing or unscrewing the cap manually.

[0005] In addition, it is common to add a degassing function to heat exchangers, especially radiators, to allow air to escape during filling with water / glycol or other heat transfer fluid. Currently, to ensure degassing of the radiator, either a degassing plug or a degassing tube is used. This degassing plug must be clipped manually and as shown above, the space to have sufficient access to the engine compartment and the top box may be limited.

[0006] In addition, it is mandatory in certain applications to prevent the plug from escaping or jumping out when it is opened for draining or degassing, namely the plug, while remaining open, must remain attached to the collector box and be held in the opening or orifice.

[0007] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to remedy at least partially the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose an improved draining or purging device as well as a heat exchanger whose draining or purging is improved.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a device for purging or draining a heat exchanger comprising a plug suitable for closing an orifice arranged on at least one manifold of said heat exchanger, said plug comprising a head and a tail projecting from said head along a longitudinal axis, the tail of the plug comprising an external wall forming a bellows comprising at least one fold, said bellows surrounding the orifice of the manifold, the at least one fold of the bellows comprising at least one flow orifice, said external wall comprising a proximal end secured to the head of the plug and a distal end secured to the manifold, the tail of the stopper further comprising an internal member, distant from the first external wall of the bellows, said internal member comprising a proximal end secured to the head of the stopper and a distal end, opposite the proximal end, the stopper being movable between: - a sealing position in which the bellows is compressed and the orifice sealed, the distal end of the internal organ is then inserted into the orifice so as to ensure sealing and maintain the plug in the sealing position, and - an open position in which the plug is pulled so that the bellows is unfolded and the orifice is released, the internal member is then outside the orifice so that a fluid can flow from the orifice between the bellows and the internal member.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the internal member is an internal wall of the plug, said internal member being hollow and open at its distal end.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the distal end of the internal organ comprises at least one lateral hook projecting radially outwards.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the plug is produced by bi-injection in an elastomer material more flexible than the collector box.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the stopper is made of a material chosen from polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM).

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the manifold comprises a conduit projecting and extending the orifice, the plug being arranged at the end of said conduit.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the head of the stopper comprises a collar forming a bellows fold in extension of the bellows of the tail of the stopper.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the head of the stopper comprises a gripping finger projecting from said head parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stopper.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a purge or draining device as described above.

[0017] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of example, without limitation, with reference to the drawings appended below.

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] shows a schematic representation of a heat exchanger,

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a schematic representation in perspective and in section partial of a collector box with a purge or drain device,

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a schematic perspective representation of a purge or drain device in the closed position,

[0021] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a schematic representation in perspective and in section of the purge or draining device of [Fig.3] in the closed position,

[0022] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a schematic perspective representation of a purge or drain device in the open position,

[0023] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a schematic representation in perspective and in section of the purge or draining device of [Fig.5] in the open position.

[0024] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers.

[0025] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0026] In the present description, certain elements or parameters may be indexed, such as for example first element or second element as well as first parameter and second parameter or even first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements or parameters or criteria that are close, but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion over another and such names can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present description. This indexing also does not imply an order in time, for example, to assess this or that criterion.

[0027] [Fig.l] shows an example of a heat exchanger 100, generally of parallelepiped shape, comprising a bundle formed of a multitude of tubes 200 inside which a heat transfer fluid can circulate between the two ends of the tubes 200. The tubes 200 are arranged parallel to each other and in a row.

[0028] Between the tubes 200, there are generally arranged spacers 600 which act as a disruptor and increase the heat exchange surface with a second heat transfer fluid passing between the tubes 200.

[0029] The tubes 200 and the spacers 600 may be made of metal, for example aluminum or aluminum alloy, and brazed to each other. The spacers 600 are for example corrugated strips or plates placed between the tubes 200 and fixed to said tubes 200 by brazing.

[0030] The heat exchanger 100 may for example be arranged on the front face of a motor vehicle, the first heat transfer fluid may for example be glycolated water for a radiator of an engine cooling circuit or a refrigerant fluid for an evaporator-condenser of an air conditioning circuit. The second heat transfer fluid may be outside air.

[0031] The heat exchanger 100 also comprises two collectors 4 or manifolds, a manifold 4 being arranged at each end of the tubes 2. These manifolds 4 generally each comprise a manifold plate 400 and a cover 800 covering the manifold plate 4 and closing the manifold 4. These manifolds 4 allow the collection and / or distribution of the heat transfer fluid so that it circulates in the tubes 200.

[0032] The collector plate 400 is crossed by the tubes 200 and makes the connection in a sealed manner between the collector box 4 and the bundle of tubes 200. In addition, the collector plate 400 can be of generally rectangular shape. The collector plate 400 comprises a multitude of orifices (not shown) having a shape corresponding to the shape of the section of the tubes 200 and suitable for receiving the ends of the tubes 200. The tubes 200 are fixed to the collector plate 400 in a sealed manner. The collector plate 400 can also be made of metal, for example aluminum or aluminum alloy. The collector plate 400 can thus be brazed to the ends of the tubes 200 in order to be fixed and to ensure the sealing of the heat exchanger 1. This brazing step can in particular be simultaneous with the brazing of the tubes 200 with the spacers 600.

[0033] [Fig. 2] shows in more detail and in partial section a purge or drain device 1 of the heat exchanger 100. This purge or drain device 1 comprises a plug 2 suitable for closing an orifice 3 (visible in Figures 4 and 6 in section) arranged on at least one manifold 4 of the heat exchanger 100.

[0034] The plug 2 comprises a head 21 and a tail 22 (visible in Figures 4 and 6 in section) projecting from said head 21 along a longitudinal axis X.

[0035] The tail 22 of the plug 2 comprises an external wall forming a bellows 221 comprising at least one fold. This bellows 221 surrounds the orifice 3 of the collector box 4. The at least one fold of bellows 221 comprises at least one flow orifice 222. The external wall forming the bellows 221 thus comprises a proximal end, integral with the head 21 of the plug 2, and a distal end, integral with the collector box 4. It is this distal end which surrounds the orifice 3.

[0036] The tail 22 of the stopper 2 further comprises an internal member 223, distant from the first external wall of the bellows 221. This internal member 223 comprises a proximal end secured to the head 21 of the stopper 2 and a distal end opposite the proximal end.

[0037] The plug 2 is movable between a closed position (visible in figures 3 and 4) in which the bellows 221 is compressed and the orifice 3 is closed and an open position (visible in figures 4 and 6) in which the plug 2 is pulled so that the bellows 221 is unfolded and the orifice 3 is released.

[0038] In the closed position, the distal end of the internal member 223 is inserted into the orifice 3 so as to ensure sealing and maintain the plug 2 in the closed position.

[0039] In the open position, the internal member 223 is outside the orifice 3 so that a fluid can circulate from the orifice 3 between the bellows 221 and the internal member 223. Access to the flow orifices 222 is then freed and the fluid can be evacuated by passing through the orifice 3 and circulating between the bellows 221 and the internal member 223 to the flow orifices 222.

[0040] Thus, due to the bellows 221 and the internal member 223 configured to hold the plug 2 in the closed position and to close the orifice 3 in the closed position, a simple manipulation by pulling on the head 21 is sufficient to allow emptying or purging. In addition, the fact that the bellows 221 is also fixed to the manifold 4, the plug 2 remains attached to said manifold 4 regardless of its position.

[0041] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, the internal member 223 may be an internal wall of the plug 2. The internal member 223 may be hollow and open at its distal end. This allows in particular a weight saving as well as easier manufacturing for example by molding.

[0042] The distal end of the internal member 223 may also comprise at least one lateral hook (not shown) projecting radially outwards. This lateral hook makes it possible in particular to reinforce the attachment of the internal member 223 in the orifice 3 in the closed position, in particular in order to resist the pressure of the fluid in operation and thus prevent unwanted opening of the plug 2.

[0043] The plug 2 can in particular be made by bi-injection in an elastomer material more flexible than the collector box 4. This material can in particular be chooses from polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM).

[0044] Bi-injection makes it possible in particular to produce the manifold 4 as well as the cap 2 during the same manufacturing step, which makes it possible to limit costs.

[0045] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 6, the manifold box 4 may comprise a conduit 5 projecting from said manifold box 4 and extending the orifice 3. The plug 2 is then arranged at the end of the conduit 5.

[0046] The head 21 of the stopper 2 may also comprise a collar 212 forming a bellows fold extending the bellows 221 of the tail 22 of the stopper 2. This additional fold may in particular allow better gripping of the head 21, in particular for pulling it and bringing the stopper 2 into the open position. This fold also allows space to be saved in the closed position, in particular by allowing the head 21 of the stopper to be compressed.

[0047] The head 21 of the stopper 2 may also comprise a gripping finger 212 projecting from said head 21 parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the stopper 2.

Claims

Claims

1. A purging or draining device (1) for a heat exchanger (100) comprising a plug (2) suitable for closing an orifice (3) arranged on at least one manifold (4) of said heat exchanger (100), said plug (2) comprising a head (21) and a tail (22) projecting from said head (21) along a longitudinal axis (X), characterized in that the tail (22) of the plug (2) comprises an external wall forming a bellows (221) comprising at least one fold, said bellows (221) surrounding the orifice (3) of the manifold (4), the at least one bellows fold (221) comprising at least one flow orifice (222), said external wall comprising a proximal end secured to the head (21) of the plug (2) and a distal end secured to the manifold (4), the tail (22) of the plug (2) further comprising a internal member (223), distant from the first external wall of the bellows (221),said internal member (223) comprising a proximal end secured to the head (21) of the plug (2) and a distal end, opposite the proximal end, the plug (2) being movable between: - a closing position in which the bellows is compressed and the orifice (3) closed, the distal end of the internal member (223) is then inserted into the orifice (3) so as to ensure sealing and maintain the plug (2) in the closing position, and - an open position in which the plug (2) is pulled so that the bellows (221) is unfolded and the orifice (3) is released, the internal member (223) is then outside the orifice (3) so that a fluid can circulate from the orifice (3) between the bellows (221) and the internal member (223).,

2. Purging or emptying device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the internal member (223) is an internal wall of the plug (2), said internal member (223) being hollow and open at its distal end.

3. Purging or emptying device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distal end of the internal member (223) comprises at least one lateral hook projecting radially outwards.

4. A purging or draining device (1) according to any one of the claims- preceding indications, characterized in that the plug (2) is made by bi-injection in an elastomer material more flexible than the collector box (4).

5. Purging or draining device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plug (2) is made of a material chosen from polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM).

6. Purging or draining device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collector box (4) comprises a conduit (5) projecting and extending the orifice (3), the plug (2) being arranged at the end of said conduit (5).

7. Purging or emptying device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (21) of the plug (2) comprises a collar (212) forming a bellows fold in extension of the bellows (221) of the tail (22) of the plug (2).

8. Purging or emptying device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (21) of the plug (2) comprises a gripping finger (212) projecting from said head (21) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the plug (2).

9. Heat exchanger (100) comprising a purge or draining device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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