Liquid heating device, particularly for motor vehicles

Abstract

A liquid heating device, particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising a housing (1) configured to hold the liquid, at least one electric heating element configured to heat the liquid contained in the housing (1), and a printed circuit board (20) allowing the flow of an electric current supplying said heating element, said device further comprising at least one electrical connector (22a, 22b) electrically connected to said heating element and / or to said board (20), and a mechanical connection (24a, 24b) fixed to said housing (1), one of said electrical connector (22a, 22b) and said board (20) bearing against the other of said electrical connector (22a, 22b) and said board (20), said other of said connector (22a, 22b) and said board (20) bearing against said housing (1) by means of said mechanical connection (24a, 24b). Figure for abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Liquid heating device, particularly for motor vehicles

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid heating device, in particular for motor vehicles.

[0002] In this field, devices comprising a housing containing an electrical element configured to heat a liquid circulating within the housing are known. These devices further comprise a printed circuit board allowing the flow of an electric current to power said heating element. Said current is supplied to the heating element by means of electrical connectors.

[0003] However, there is a need to improve the fixing of the card and connectors.

[0004] The invention aims to overcome, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a liquid heating device, in particular for motor vehicles, said device comprising a housing, configured to hold the liquid, at least one electric heating element, configured to heat the liquid in the housing, and a printed circuit board, allowing the flow of an electric current supplying said heating element, said device further comprising at least one electrical connector, electrically connected to said heating element and / or to said board, and a mechanical connection fixed to said housing, one of said electrical connector and said board being supported by the other of said electrical connector and said board, said other of said connector and said board being supported by said housing, by means of said mechanical connection.

[0005] Thus, according to the invention, a single mechanical connection causes the conductor to bear either against the card and the card against the housing, or against the connector and the connector against the housing. The conductor and the card are thereby fixed together to the housing by sandwiching the card between the connector and the housing, or the connector between the card and the housing, through a single mechanical connection. The fixing of the card and the connector to the housing is therefore combined, which simplifies the assembly of the device.

[0006] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said mechanical connection includes a screw, - said connector and said card are configured to be fixed to said housing in the same mounting direction, - said mounting direction is perpendicular to said map, said heating element includes a first connection plug for said connector. said first plug is oriented according to said mounting direction, said connector includes a first terminal for connection to said first plug. said first terminal allows contact with said first plug by elastic deformation of said first terminal caused by said first plug during insertion of said first plug into said first terminal, said connector includes a second plug for connection to said card, said second plug is oriented according to said mounting direction, said card includes a second terminal for connection to said second plug, said second terminal allows contact with said second plug by an elastic deformation of said second terminal caused by said second plug during insertion of said second plug into said second terminal, said card includes other connection terminals, connected to other connection plugs, said second connection terminals and said other connection terminals being identical, said second connection terminals and said other connection terminals are arranged, some on one side of said card and others on the opposite side of said card, said second connection terminals and said other connection terminals being configured to establish an electrical connection with the corresponding connection plug in both a first and an opposite direction of insertion, said connector includes a support and a conductive track carried by said support, said conductive track is configured to establish an electrical connection between said first connection terminal and said second plug; said conductive track, said first connection terminal and said first plug are in material continuity. said conductive track is formed of a busbar said card includes a first opening for the passage of said mechanical connection, said connector, in particular said support, includes a second opening for the passage of said mechanical connection, said first and second passage holes are opposite each other, said connector spans a low voltage area of ​​said card.

[0007] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0008] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in perspective, an internal view of a casing of an example of a device conforming to the invention, from a first point of view;

[0009] [Fig.2] illustrates schematically, in perspective, a part identified II in [Fig.1]

[0010] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically, in perspective, some of the elements of the [Fig.1], from another point of view;

[0011] [Fig.4] illustrates schematically, according to a cross-sectional plane, a part identified IV in [Fig.3].

[0012] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the invention relates to a liquid heating device, particularly for motor vehicles. Said liquid is, for example, a heat transfer fluid, in particular a mixture of water and antifreeze such as glycol.

[0013] Said device comprises a housing 1. Said housing 1 has, for example, a parallelepiped shape. It advantageously comprises a body 2, closed by one or more lids. In the illustrated embodiment, the lids are not shown, thus revealing the interior of the body 2. Said body 2 here has a transverse partition 10 and lateral faces 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0014] Said housing 1 is configured to receive the liquid. It defines herein a channel 4 for the circulation of said liquid. By channel, we mean a volume of liquid circulation having a length considerably greater than its other dimensions, in particular at least ten times, or even twenty times, or fifty times greater than its hydraulic diameter. Said channel 4 is closed at its lower part by a first of the covers (not illustrated) of said housing 1. Said channel 4 extends along an extension line, in particular at S.

[0015] Said housing 1 has inlet / outlet flanges 5a, 5b for said liquid. Said channel 4 has two opposite ends opening respectively at said inlet / outlet flanges 5a, 5b. Said flanges 5a, 5b are located here on the same lateral face 14 of said housing 1.

[0016] The device further comprises at least one (non-visible) electric heating element, configured to heat the liquid contained within the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the electric heating element(s) extend within the channel 4 along an extension line following the extension line of said channel 4. The electric heating element(s) have at their opposite ends a first connection plug 18a, 18b.

[0017] Said casing 1 here defines wells 7a, 7b opening into said channel 4 in the vicinity of its opposite ends. The said first connection plugs 18a, 18b are located, for example, in the vicinity of the said opposite ends of the said channel 4. They open here through an upper face of the said wells 7a, 7b into the inside of a housing 9 defined by the said box 1.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, there are two heating elements. Therefore, there are two connection plugs 18a, 18b at each of the wells 7a, 7b, one 18a or 18b of the first connection plugs of each well corresponding to one of the heating elements, and the other 18a or 18b of the first connection plugs of the well in question to the other heating element. The heating elements are intended to be electrically connected in parallel by means of the first plugs 18a, 18b.

[0019] The device further comprises a printed circuit board 20. It is located, for example, in said housing 9. It is shown in transparency so that channel 4 is visible beneath said board 20. Said board 20 is configured to allow the flow of an electric current supplying said heating element(s).

[0020] Said device further includes at least one electrical connector 22a, 22b electrically connected to said heating element and / or to said card 20. Here, said connector(s) 22a, 22b are electrically connected to said heating elements and to said card 20.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, there are two electrical connectors 22a, 22b. A first 22a of said connectors is connected to the first connection plugs 18a at two ends of the heating elements. A second 22b of said connectors is connected to the first connection plugs 18b at the two opposite ends of the heating elements.

[0022] Said device further comprises at least one mechanical connection 24a, 24b, fixed to said housing 1. Said mechanical connection(s) 24a, 24b here comprise a screw 26a, 26b and a tapped bore formed in a projection 28a, 28b of said housing 1. The screw(s) 26a, 26b are engaged in said tapped bore(s). One 28a of said projections is more clearly visible in transparency under said card 20 in [Fig. 2].

[0023] According to a first variant, corresponding to the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector(s) 22a, 22b bear against the card 20, and the card 20 bears against the housing 1. According to another variant, the card 20 bears against the electrical connector(s) 22a, 22b, and the electrical connector(s) 22a, 22b bear against the housing 1. In each of these variants, the contacts are made by tightening, using the mechanical connection(s) 24a, 24b, by the effect of its or their attachment to the housing 1. Thus, the Mechanical connections 24a, 24b allow simultaneous attachment of the associated connector 22a, 22b and the card 20 to said housing 1, which simplifies assembly.

[0024] It should be noted that, according to the invention, the supports are direct or indirect, in particular with the interposition of elements such as clamping washers.

[0025] The mechanical connections 24a, 24b are here two in number, each corresponding respectively to one of the connectors 22a, 22b. In the following, only one 22a of the connectors and its associated mechanical connection 24a will be detailed, it being understood that the other connector 22b and its associated mechanical connection 24b are preferably identical.

[0026] Advantageously, said connector 22a and said card 20 are configured to be fixed to said housing 1 in the same mounting direction, in particular a direction perpendicular to said card 20. Such a configuration further simplifies the assembly. Said screw 26a and the corresponding bore of the protrusion 28a are oriented in this mounting direction.

[0027] Said connector 22a comprises a support 30 and at least one conductive track 32, carried by said support 30. The conductive track(s) 32 are more clearly visible in [Fig. 2], in which said support 30 is not shown. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two conductive tracks 32 for each conductor, each of said tracks 32 corresponding to one of the first connection plugs 18a connected to said connector 22a. The conductive track(s) 32 are formed, for example, from a busbar. This is understood to mean a substantially flat and elongated metallic element, i.e., one whose length is much greater than its width and thickness. This element has bends so that it extends in space in different directions, while remaining flat. The said support 30 is, for example, made of plastic material, overmolded onto the said conductive tracks 32.

[0028] Said connector 22a comprises at least one first connection terminal 34. Said first connection terminal(s) connect said connector 22a respectively to said first plug(s) 18a. Said first connection terminal(s) 34 are formed from the material of said associated conductive track(s) 32. This feature makes it possible to avoid having to solder or crimp said first connection terminal(s) onto said conductive track(s) 32. Said first connection terminal(s) 34 are here located at a first end of said corresponding conductive track(s) 32.

[0029] The said first terminal(s) 34 allow contact with said first plug 18a associated by an elastic deformation of said first terminal 34, caused by said first plug 18a during an insertion of said first plug 18a into said first terminal 34.

[0030] For this purpose, said first end here presents a U-shaped section with a base connecting two parallel lateral sides. The base has an opening 36 for the passage of the corresponding first plug 18a. The gap between the lateral sides is just less than the diameter of said first plug 18a. When inserted into said first connection terminal 34, said first plug 18a separates said sides from each other so that good contact is ensured between said first plug 18a and said first terminal 34 by means of said sides which, by their elasticity, will be pressed against said first plug 18a.

[0031] As illustrated in [Fig.3], said card 20 includes at least one second connection terminal 38. Said or said second connection terminal(s) 38 are connected to the connector 22a, 22b corresponding at the level of a second end 40 opposite the end 39 connected to the first connection plug(s) 18a, 18b.

[0032] In this figure, it can also be seen that said card 20 includes one or more first openings 44a, 44b for the passage of said mechanical connection(s). The screws 26a, 26b pass through said card 20 via said openings 44a, 44b to emerge underneath it. They are visible here because the body of the housing 1, and therefore the protrusions with the threaded bores in which they engage, are not shown.

[0033] Said connector 22a, in particular its support 30, includes a second (non-visible) opening for the passage of said mechanical connection. Said first 44a and second openings are opposite each other in said mounting direction.

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], said connector 22a further comprises at least one second plug 42 for connection to said card 20. This second plug or plugs 42 are formed from the material of the associated conductive track(s) 32. This feature eliminates the need to solder or crimp said second plugs 42 onto said conductive tracks 32. The second plug or plugs 42 are located at the second end 40 of the corresponding conductive track(s) 32. As is more clearly shown in [Fig. 2], said conductive track(s) 32 connect said first connection terminal 34 and said second plug 42.

[0035] Referring again to [Fig. 4], it can be seen that, in this figure, the said connection plug 42 is electrically connected to the said card 20 by one of the second connection terminals 38. The said second connection terminal 38 is located below the said card 20 and the said connector 22a is located above it. The said card 20 has one or more openings 46. The said opening(s) 46 respectively allow the passage of the one or more of the said second connection plugs 42.

[0036] The said second terminal(s) 38 allow contact with the associated second plug 42 by an elastic deformation of said second terminal 38, caused by said second plug 42 during an insertion of said second plug 42 into said second marker 38.

[0037] Said second connection terminal 38 here comprises two pins 48 placed opposite each other. One end 50 of said pins is fixed to said card 20. An opposite end 52 is free. Said pins have a U-shaped bend 54 between their opposite ends 50, 52. Between their bend 54 and their free end 52, said pins have a connection area 56. Said pins 48 are configured to be in contact with each other under the effect of their elasticity at said connection area 56, before insertion of said second plug 42. Between their connection area 56 and their free end 52, said pins 48 move away from each other to define between them a first flared shape 58 facilitating the insertion of said second plug 42, in a first direction.When said second plug 42 is inserted, the pins 48 move apart and contact is established between said second plug 42 and said pins 48 at said connection area 56. At least one of said pins 48 is connected to an electrical circuit of said card 20, in particular by its end 50 fixed to said card 20.

[0038] Between their connection zone 56 and their elbow 54, said pins 48 move away from each other in order to define between them a second flared shape 60 favoring an introduction of a connection plug in a second direction, opposite to said first direction.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, said second connection terminals 38 are all under said card 20 and serve only to establish an electrical connection with one of said connectors 22a, 22b.

[0040] In variants, not illustrated, said card includes other connection terminals, connected to other connection plugs, said second connection terminals 38 and said other connection terminals being of identical shape.

[0041] According to these variants, said second connection terminals 38 and said other connection terminals are arranged, for some, on one side of said card and, for others, on the opposite side of said card. The associated connection plugs are inserted in the first insertion direction or in the opposite direction.

[0042] Preferably, all the electrical connections of the card, at least all the high-voltage connections of the card, are formed of identical connection terminals.

[0043] The first 18a connector(s) and / or the second 42 connector(s) are oriented according to the mounting direction. This further facilitates the manufacturing operations of the housing 1.

[0044] The device may have additional attachment points 60 for the card 20 to the housing 1 to further strengthen their connection. These connection points 60 are advantageously oriented along the mounting direction.

[0045] Preferably, said connector(s) 22a, 22b span a low voltage area 62 of said card 20.

[0046] It should be noted that, in an alternative, not illustrated, the plug and connection terminal are reversed. In other words, the electrical element(s) include the first connection terminals and the connector(s) include the first connection plug(s), and / or the card includes the second connection plug(s) and the connector(s) include the second connection terminal(s).

Claims

Claims

1. Liquid heating device, in particular for a motor vehicle, said device comprising a housing (1), configured to accommodate the liquid, at least one electrical heating element, configured to heat the liquid located in the housing (1), and a printed circuit board (20), allowing circulation of an electric current supplying said heating element, said device further comprising at least one electrical connector (22a, 22b), electrically connected to said heating element and / or to said board (20), and a mechanical connection (24a, 24b) fixed to said housing (1), one of said electrical connector (22a, 22b) and said board (20) being supported on the other of said electrical connector (22a, 22b) and said board (20), said other of said connector (22a, 22b) and said board (20) being supported on said housing (1) using said mechanical connection (24a, 24b).

2. Device according to claim 1 wherein said connector (22a, 22b) and said card (20) are configured to be fixed to said housing (1) in the same mounting direction.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said heating element comprises a first connection plug (18a, 18b) to said connector (22a, 22b), said first plug being oriented in the mounting direction.

4. Device according to the preceding claim wherein said connector (22a, 22b) comprises a first connection terminal (34) to said first plug (18a, 18b), said first terminal (34) allowing contact with said first plug (18a, 18b) by elastic deformation of said first terminal (34), caused by said first plug (18a, 18b) during insertion of said first plug (18a, 18b) into said first terminal (34).

5. Device according to the preceding claim in which said connector (22a, 22b) comprises a second plug (42) for connection to said card (20), said second plug (42) being oriented in said mounting direction.

6. Device according to the preceding claim wherein said card (20) comprises a second terminal (38) for connection to said second plug (42), said second terminal (38) allowing contact with said second plug (42) by an elastic deformation of said second terminal (38), caused by said second plug (42) during a inserting said second plug (42) into said second terminal (38).

7. Device according to any one of claims 5 or 6 wherein said connector (22a, 22b) comprises a support (30) and a conductive track (32), carried by said support (30), said conductive track (32) establishing an electrical connection between said first connection terminal (34) and said second plug (42), said conductive track, said first connection terminal and said first plug being in material continuity.

8. Device according to the preceding claim in which said conductive track (32) is formed of a bus bar.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said card (20) comprises a first orifice (44a, 44b) for passage of said connection (24a, 24b), said connector (22a, 22b) comprising a second orifice for passage of said connection (24a, 24b), said first and second passage orifices being opposite each other.

10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said connector (22a, 22B) spans a low voltage area (62) of said board (20).

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