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) adapted to close an orifice (3) and having a head (21) and a tail (22) projecting from said head (21), said orifice (3) being surrounded by a side wall projecting from the collector box (4) and forming a conduit (5) into which the tail (22) of the plug (2) is inserted, the plug (2) being movable between a closed position and an open position, the purging or draining device (1) further comprising an elastic return member (6) configured to exert a force on the plug (2) so as to return the latter from its open position to its closed position, the purging or draining device (1) also comprising a snap-in stop device (7) configured to hold the plug (2) in its open position,at least the end of the tail (22) of the plug (2) having dimensions smaller than the opening surface of the conduit (5) so as to allow the flow of a fluid in the open position. 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] To this end, 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, said orifice being surrounded by a side wall projecting from the manifold and forming a conduit into which the tail of the plug is inserted,

[0009] the stopper being movable between:

[0010] - a sealing position in which the head of the plug covers and obstructs the opening of the conduit,

[0011] - an open position in which the cap is pulled along its long axis horizontal so that its head is removed from the opening of the conduit and in which the tail of the plug remains inserted in said conduit,

[0012] the purging or emptying device further comprising an elastic return member configured to exert a force on the plug so as to return the latter from its open position to its closed position,

[0013] the purge or draining device also comprising a snap-on stop device configured to hold the cap in its open position,

[0014] at least the end of the tail of the plug having dimensions smaller than the opening surface of the conduit so as to allow the flow of a fluid in the open position.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the engageable stop device comprises:

[0016] - at least two coping stones arranged on the circumference of the side wall of the conduit and separated by a gap,

[0017] - at least two stop fingers projecting from the head of the stopper in the direction of the end of its tail,

[0018] in the closed position, said stop fingers are arranged in the spaces between the edges and in the open position, the stopper is pulled and rotated around its longitudinal axis so that the stop fingers rest on said edges.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the surface of the edges on which the stop fingers are intended to come to rest are inclined towards a contiguous spacing, said surfaces comprising a shoulder for blocking said stop fingers. stop.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the side wall forming the conduit comprises in its thickness at least one housing with an opening oriented towards the head of the plug and in which an elastic return member is arranged.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the orifice is arranged at a distal end of the conduit, opposite a proximal end on which the head of the plug is intended to rest in the closing position, the opening surface of the orifice being less than the opening surface of the distal end of the conduit,

[0022] the tail of the plug comprising a blocking wall extending radially relative to the longitudinal axis of the plug, said blocking wall defining a surface of dimension greater than the opening surface of the orifice so that in the closed position, said blocking wall covers the orifice in a sealed manner.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the conduit has an opening surface of its proximal end smaller than the opening surface of its distal end and smaller than the surface of the blocking wall so as to prevent complete removal of the plug from the conduit.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking wall is at least one washer arranged at the end of the tail of the plug.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the washer is produced by bi-injection of a material with greater flexibility than that of the tail of the plug.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the dimensions of the base of the tail of the plug and the opening surface of the proximal end of the conduit are similar so as to allow sealing in the closure position.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a purge or draining device as described above.

[0028] 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.

[0029] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] shows a schematic representation of a heat exchanger,

[0030] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a schematic representation in perspective and in section partial of a collector box with a purge or drain device,

[0031] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a schematic perspective representation of a purge or drain device in the closed position,

[0032] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a schematic representation in perspective and in section of the purge or drain device of [Fig.3] in the closed position,

[0033] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a schematic perspective representation of a purge or drain device in the open position,

[0034] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a schematic representation in perspective and in section of the purge or drain device of [Fig.5] in the open position.

[0035] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] [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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The heat exchanger 100 also comprises two collectors 4 or collector boxes, a collector box 4 being arranged at each end of the tubes 2. These collector boxes 4 generally each comprise a collector plate 400 and a cover 800 covering the collector plate 4 and closing the collector box 4. These collector boxes 4 allow the collection and / or distribution of the ca- carrier so that it circulates in the tubes 200.

[0043] 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.

[0044] [Fig. 2] shows in more detail and in partial section a purge or draining device 1 of the heat exchanger 100. This purge or draining 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.

[0045] The plug 2 comprises a head 21 and a tail 22 (visible in Figures 4 and 6 in section) projecting from said head 21. The orifice 3 is surrounded by a side wall projecting from the collector box 4 and forming a conduit 5 into which the tail 22 of the plug 2 is inserted.

[0046] The cap 2 is movable between a closed position (visible in figures 3 and 4) and an open position (visible in figures 4 and 6).

[0047] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, in the closed position, the head 21 of the plug 2 covers and obstructs the opening of the conduit 5.

[0048] As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in an open position, the plug is pulled along its longitudinal axis X so that its head 21 is removed from the opening of the conduit 5. The tail 22 of the plug 2 remains inserted in the conduit 5.

[0049] The purge or draining device 1 further comprises an elastic return member 6 configured to exert a force on the plug 2 so as to return the latter from its open position to its closed position. This elastic return member 6 may for example be at least one spring exerting a tensile force. The purge or draining device 1 may thus comprise a plurality of springs arranged around the orifice 3 and making the connection between the manifold 4 and the plug 2, in particular its head 22. Another embodiment is to have a cylindrical spring coaxial with the orifice 3 as illustrated in Figures 4 and 6.

[0050] The side wall forming the conduit 5 may comprise in its thickness at least one housing 55 with an opening oriented towards the head 21 of the plug 2 and in which an elastic return member 6 is arranged.

[0051] The purge or draining device 1 also comprises a snap-on stop device 7 configured to hold the cap 2 in its open position.

[0052] Furthermore, at least the end of the tail 22 of the plug 2 has dimensions smaller than the opening surface of the conduit 5 so as to allow the flow of a fluid when the plug is in the open position.

[0053] Thus, due to the elastic return member 6 configured to hold the plug 2 in the closed position, the default position of the plug 2 is a closed position. In order to allow emptying or purging, a simple manipulation and engagement of the engageable stop device 7 are then sufficient to move to the open position.

[0054] The elastic return member 6 exerts a sufficient return force so that the plug 2 remains in the closed position and despite the pressure of the fluid in the manifold 4. It is also entirely conceivable that the elastic return member 6 of the purge and drain device 1 is configured to relax under a determined pressure of the fluid in order to serve as a safety valve.

[0055] As can be seen in particular in Figures 3 and 5, the engageable stop device 7 may in particular comprise:

[0056] - at least two coping stones 51 arranged on the circumference of the side wall of the conduit 5 and separated by a spacing E,

[0057] - at least two stop fingers 23 projecting from the head 21 of the stopper 2 in direction of the end of its tail 22.

[0058] In the closed position, the stop fingers 23 are arranged in the spaces E between the edges 51, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0059] In the open position, the cap 2 is pulled and rotated around its longitudinal axis X so that the stop fingers 23 rest on said edges 51, as illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0060] The surface 52 of the edges 51 on which the stop fingers 23 are intended to rest may in particular be inclined in the direction of a contiguous spacing E. These surfaces 52 may further comprise a shoulder 53 for blocking said stop fingers 23. Thus, under the tensile action of the elastic return member 6, the edges 51 can guide and rotate the plug up to the shoulder 53 in the open position.

[0061] The orifice 3 is arranged at a distal end of the conduit 5, opposite a proximal end on which the head 21 of the plug 2 is intended to rest in the closing position. The opening surface of the orifice 3 may in particular be smaller than the opening surface of the distal end of the conduit 5, as visible in FIGS. 4 and 6. The orifice 3 and the side wall may therefore not be arranged edge to edge but separated by a certain distance.

[0062] The tail 22 of the plug 2 may comprise a blocking wall 24 extending radially relative to the longitudinal axis X of the plug 2. This blocking wall 24 may thus define a surface of a dimension greater than the opening surface of the orifice 3 so that in the closed position, the blocking wall 24 covers the orifice 3 in a sealed manner, as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0063] The conduit 5 may also comprise an opening surface of its proximal end, on which the head 21 of the plug 2 is intended to rest in the closing position, lower than the opening surface of its distal end and lower than the surface of the blocking wall 24. Thus, the blocking wall 24 also makes it possible to prevent the complete removal of the plug 2 from the conduit 5 in the opening position.

[0064] The blocking wall 24 may be at least one washer arranged at the end of the tail 22 of the plug 2. This washer may be produced by bi-injection of a material with greater flexibility than that of the tail 22 of the plug 2.

[0065] 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.

[0066] According to an embodiment not shown, the dimensions of the base of the tail 22 of the plug 2 and the opening surface of the proximal end of the conduit 5 may be similar so as to allow sealing in the closed position. A seal may for example be arranged around the base of the tail 22 of the plug 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), said orifice (3) being surrounded by a side wall projecting from the manifold (4) and forming a conduit (5) into which the tail (22) of the plug (2) is inserted, characterized in that the plug (2) is movable between: - a closing position in which the head (21) of the plug (2) covers and closes the opening of the conduit (5), - an opening position in which the plug (2) is pulled along its longitudinal axis (X) so that its head (21) is removed from the opening of the conduit (5) and in which the tail (22) of the plug (2) remains inserted in said conduit (5),the purge or draining device (1) further comprising an elastic return member (6) configured to exert a force on the plug (2) so as to return the latter from its open position to its closed position, the purge or draining device (1) also comprising a snap-on stop device (7) configured to hold the plug (2) in its open position, at least the end of the tail (22) of the plug (2) having dimensions smaller than the opening surface of the conduit (5) so as to allow the flow of a fluid in the open position.,

2. A purging or draining device (1) for a heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the engageable stop device (7) comprises: - at least two coping stones (51) arranged on the circumference of the side wall of the conduit (5) and separated by a spacing (E), - at least two stop fingers (23) projecting from the head (21) of the plug (2) towards the end of its tail (22), in the closed position said stop fingers (23) are arranged in the spacings (E) between the coping stones (51) and in the open position, the plug (2) is pulled and rotated about its longitudinal axis (X) so that the stop fingers (23) rest on said coping stones (51).

3. Device (1) for purging or draining a heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the surface (52) of the edges (51) on which the stop fingers (23) are intended to come to rest are inclined in the direction of a contiguous spacing (E), said surfaces (52) comprising a shoulder (53) for blocking said stop fingers (23).

4. Device for purging or draining (1) a heat exchanger (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall forming the conduit (5) comprises in its thickness at least one housing (55) with an opening oriented towards the head (21) of the plug (2) and in which an elastic return member (6) is arranged.

5. Purging or draining device (1) of a heat exchanger (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orifice (3) is arranged at a distal end of the conduit (5), opposite a proximal end on which the head (21) of the plug (2) is intended to rest in the closed position, the opening surface of the orifice (3) being less than the opening surface of the distal end of the conduit (5), the tail (22) of the plug (2) comprising a blocking wall (24) extending radially relative to the longitudinal axis (X) of the plug (2), said blocking wall (24) defining a surface of dimension greater than the opening surface of the orifice (3) so that in the closed position, said blocking wall (24) sealingly covers the orifice (3).

6. A purging or draining device (1) for a heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the conduit (5) has an opening surface of its proximal end smaller than the opening surface of its distal end and smaller than the surface of the blocking wall (24) so ​​as to prevent the complete removal of the plug (2) from the conduit (5).

7. Device (1) for purging or draining a heat exchanger (100) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the blocking wall (24) is at least one washer arranged at the end of the tail (22) of the plug (2).

8. Device for purging or draining (1) a heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the washer is made by bi-injection of a material with greater flexibility than that of the tail (22) of the plug (2).

9. A purging or draining device (1) for a heat exchanger (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions of the base of the tail (22) of the plug (2) and the opening surface of the proximal end of the conduit (5) are similar so as to allow sealing in the closed position.

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

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