ELECTRIC FLUID HEATING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric fluid heating device (10), said device (10) comprising: - an external casing (9), - an internal casing (11) housed within the internal casing (9), said internal casing (11) having a wall (24) delimiting, at least in part, at least one circulation passage (26) for the fluid to be heated, - at least one electric heating element (18) arranged to heat the fluid circulating in said circulation passage (26), the heating device (10) comprising a reinforcement element (64) having a first part (66) adapted to limit or prevent deformation of the wall of the internal casing (11) in a direction (Z) opposite to said at least one passage (26) and a second part (68) integral with the external casing (9). Abstract figure: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC HEATING DEVICE FOR A FLUID Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an electric heating device for a fluid, in particular an electric heating device intended for a motor vehicle. Technical background

[0002] Electric fluid heating devices are used in the automotive industry to heat a fluid used, for example, for passenger compartment heating or other applications. Electric fluid heating devices comprising a housing with a body delimiting a chamber for circulating the fluid to be heated are known in this context. The fluid is, in particular, a heat transfer fluid, such as a mixture of water and glycol.

[0003] It is known to produce the housing body by assembling welded, particularly stamped, sheet metal. This design has the advantage of being less material-intensive compared to previous designs with thick cast bodies. However, it is less resistant, because the heat transfer fluid, when heated, is likely to exert high pressure on the body walls, which can thus deform.

[0004] There is therefore a real need for a heating device whose casing includes a body and which has a configuration allowing the said body to be stiffened in a simple way. Summary of the invention

[0005] To this end, the invention proposes an electrical heating device for a fluid, said device comprising:

[0006] - an external housing,

[0007] - an internal housing contained within the external housing, said internal housing being equipped with a a wall, referred to as reinforced, delimiting at least partially, at least one passage for the circulation of the fluid to be heated,

[0008] - at least one electric heating element arranged so as to be able to heat the fluid circulating in said at least one circulation passage,

[0009] the heating device comprising a reinforcement element having a first part capable of limiting or preventing a deformation of the wall of the internal casing, called reinforced wall, in a direction opposite to said at least passage and a second part attached to the external casing.

[0010] Thus, thanks to the invention, the reinforcement element makes it possible both to limit the risks of deformation of the reinforced wall of the inner casing under the effect of the internal pressure of the fluid in said passage and to bring the inner casing onto a support, namely the outer casing.

[0011] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention:

[0012] - the reinforcing element is welded or brazed to the internal housing,

[0013] - the reinforcing element is made from a plate,

[0014] - the first part is a main part, which is positioned, in particular centered, on an external surface of the reinforced wall of the internal casing,

[0015] - the first part is welded or brazed to the internal housing, in particular at the center of the external surface of the reinforced wall,

[0016] - the first part of the reinforcing element conforms to said external surface,

[0017] - said first part of the reinforcing element is welded or brazed to the housing, particularly on the external surface of said reinforced wall, for example in its center,

[0018] - the first part of the reinforcing element is substantially rectangular in shape, particularly square,

[0019] - the first part of the reinforcing element includes a recess,

[0020] - the second part of the reinforcing element comprises one or more fixing tabs stemming from the aforementioned first part, particularly from the initial edges of the aforementioned first part,

[0021] - the internal housing comprises a body including said reinforced wall and said au minus one passage,

[0022] - the internal housing further includes an input collector communicating with said at least one passage and equipped with an inlet conduit through which the fluid to be heated can enter the internal casing, and / or an outlet manifold communicating with said at least one passage and equipped with an outlet conduit through which the heated fluid can exit the internal casing,

[0023] - the internal housing further includes a cover for closing an opening in the body,

[0024] - at least one of the mounting tabs fits and / or goes around at least one of the collectors,

[0025] - the first part comprises first edges of the first part, perpendicular to a given direction, and the second edges of the first part, parallel to the given direction,

[0026] - the first part of the reinforcing element is flat,

[0027] - the first part of the reinforcing element is pressed against the reinforced wall of the internal casing.

[0028] - the reinforcing element comprises at least three fixing tabs, in particular four mounting brackets

[0029] - at least two of the mounting tabs are arranged on each side of the housing internal,

[0030] - at least two of the fixing tabs originate from each of said first edges of the first part,

[0031] - each fixing bracket comprises successively: • a first section, extending parallel to the reinforced wall between the first edge of the first part and one end of the internal casing, • a second section perpendicular to the first section which extends substantially, at least in part, between the reinforced wall and an opposite wall of the internal casing, and / or • a third section parallel to the reinforced wall,

[0032] - the third section of at least one of the legs extends parallel to the direction given,

[0033] - the third section of at least one of the legs extends perpendicularly to the given direction,

[0034] - each third section has a free end provided with a portion of a fixing such as a hole allowing the passage of a fastening element,

[0035] - the drilling of at least one of the fixing lugs is arranged between the inlet duct and the outlet duct,

[0036] - the holes in two of the mounting tabs are arranged between the inlet duct and the outlet duct,

[0037] - the body of the internal housing is a section of profile extruded in a direction extrusion, possibly corresponding to the direction of said second edges,

[0038] - at least one of the collector(s) and the cover each have a a projecting bead on the external surface of the reinforced wall and each fixing bracket includes, in particular between the first and second sections, an intermediate section in the shape of a rider which straddles at least one of said bead,

[0039] - said device comprises at least one large flat face between the or one of said heating elements and said at least one passage,

[0040] - said reinforced wall is substantially flat and / or parallel to the one or one of the large flat faces,

[0041] - said at least one passage is delimited between the reinforced wall and the or one of said large flat faces,

[0042] - the heating element(s) are arranged in tubes within the housing internal,

[0043] - said heating elements are arranged between two of said large flat faces, planned as defined by one or more of said tubes,

[0044] - the tube(s) are welded or brazed to the body,

[0045] - the body includes openings, called lateral openings, to allow the tube(s) to open through said body by longitudinal ends of said tube(s),

[0046] - said lateral openings are machined in said body,

[0047] - turbulators are arranged in each traffic passage,

[0048] - the profile section has a substantially polygonal cross-section, in particular roughly rectangular

[0049] - the tube(s) have a substantially polygonal cross-section, in particular substantially rectangular,

[0050] - the tube(s) are fixed in a watertight manner to said section of profile,

[0051] - the tube(s) are welded or brazed to said section of profile,

[0052] - the profile section further comprises a longitudinal partition, parallel to the first walls, the said longitudinal partition delimiting two chambers, said to be superimposed, inside the section of profile,

[0053] - the partition is extruded,

[0054] - the electric heating device comprises at least one of said tubes of each side of the longitudinal partition,

[0055] - the collector(s) are attached in a sealed manner to a first end of the section of profile and include a fluid circulation orifice,

[0056] - said cover is attached in a sealed manner to a second opposite end of the section of profile and includes a concave connecting wall providing communication between at least two of said chambers, which are planned to be adjacent,

[0057] - the electric heating device includes an electronic board capable of Control at least one heating element, the electronic board, in particular a component of the electronic board such as a transistor or a power module, being arranged so that the first part of the reinforcing element is interposed between the reinforced wall and the electronic board or its component. Thus, the electronic board or its fragile component can be placed close to the reinforced wall, as it is not at risk of being crushed by the wall's deformation. A small gap or clearance may nevertheless separate the electronic board or its component from the first part.

[0058] In particular, the electronic board or its component, in particular a main body of its component, extends in a plane parallel to the reinforced wall, on the other side of the first part.

[0059] - said body is placed and / or fixed on a back wall of said external housing. Brief description of the figures

[0060] 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:

[0061] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of an electric heating device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0062] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of an internal housing of the device electric heating of the [Fig.l] equipped with a reinforcing element;

[0063] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is another perspective view of the internal housing of the electric heating device of [Fig.1] equipped with its reinforcing element, from which electric heating elements have been removed;

[0064] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the reinforcing element;

[0065] [Fig. ] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of a body, tubes and turbulators of the internal casing of [Fig. 2];

[0066] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view taken from [Fig.5];

[0067] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the bare body of the heating device electrical diagrams of figures 2 and 3;

[0068] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view taken from [Fig.7];

[0069] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of a tube and a turbulator of the housing internal of the electric heating device of the [Fig.2];

[0070] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of an electric heating element and a spacer of the electric heating device of [Fig. 1];

[0071] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of the tubes, turbulators, heating elements and spacers of the internal housing of the electric heating device of [Fig. 2];

[0072] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a block diagram representing the steps of an assembly process for the electric heating device according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0073] In the description that follows, identical reference numerals designate identical parts or parts having similar functions.

[0074] Figure 1 shows an electric fluid heating device 10 manufactured according to the invention. The device 10 and its components will be described with reference to the directions of the trihedral axis "X, Y, Z" where "X" designates a longitudinal direction, "Y" designates a first transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction “X”, and “Z” designates a second transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction “X”.

[0075] The electric heating device 10 comprises an external housing 9 in which an internal housing 11 is housed and fixed. This internal housing 11 comprises a body 12, here a single-piece body, with a generally longitudinal direction X defining a cavity 14. In Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, which detail the body 12, the cavity 14 is divided horizontally such that the body 12 has two fluid circulation chambers 14a, 14b, referred to as superimposed and communicating with each other. Alternatively (not shown), the body 12 is such that the cavity 14 is divided vertically so that the body 12 has two chambers, not visible, referred to as side-by-side. Also in an alternative version of the invention, the cavity 14 is divided horizontally and vertically so that the body 12 has four chambers, a first pair of side-by-side chambers being superimposed on a second pair of side-by-side chambers.

[0076] Said device includes at least one electric heating element 18 arranged so as to be able to heat the fluid circulating in the housing 14.

[0077] The internal housing 11 here includes at least one tube 16 fixed to said body 12 and located in each circulation chamber 14a, 14b of the housing 14 so as to allow circulation of the fluid in circulation passages located between each tube 16 and the walls of the body 12. Each tube 16 houses at least one of the electric heating elements 18 in heat exchange relationship with the fluid circulating in the housing 14 through said tube 16.

[0078] It will be noted that the configuration of the internal housing 11, based on a tube 16 and one-piece body 12 structure, provides a simple, economical structure that maintains satisfactory robustness due to the combined rigidity of the one-piece body 12 and the tube(s) 16, compared to another structure, such as a stamped housing structure. This configuration is also lighter compared to a fully extruded structure.

[0079] For its watertight attachment to the body 12, each tube 16 is welded or brazed to the body 12, preferably at the longitudinal ends of each tube 16.

[0080] In the embodiment of the invention which has been shown in figures 5 and 6, each tube 16 is received inside the body 12 and is welded or brazed to inner faces 20 of walls 22 opposite transversely along the first direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X.

[0081] In an alternative (not shown), each tube 16 passes through the body 12 and in particular the opposite walls 22 transversely along the first direction Y, to which it is brazed, in particular so as to be flush with the outer surface of said body 12, that is to say outside the walls 22.

[0082] According to these different modes, the body 12 each of the walls 22 has one or more openings 46, called lateral, machined and of a cross-section corresponding substantially to that of the tube or tubes 16 so that the tube or tubes 16 open through the said lateral openings in order to allow an electrical connection of the heating element or elements housed in the tube or tubes.

[0083] As illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, the one-piece body 12 is a section of profile that is extruded longitudinally along an extrusion direction that corresponds to the general longitudinal direction X. This design is particularly advantageous because it allows the body 12 to be manufactured using an easy and inexpensive process, and in particular to obtain a body 12 whose walls are thick enough to withstand the already substantial pressure of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the housing 14. The section of profile has two longitudinal ends 58 and 60, visible in Figures 2 and 3, each defining an end opening 59, called longitudinal, for the passage of the fluid through the body 12, visible in Figures 5 to 8.

[0084] The profile section 16 has a substantially polygonal cross-section, and in particular a substantially rectangular one. This configuration is not limiting to the invention, and the profile section may, alternatively, have any other cross-section that can be obtained by extrusion.

[0085] As can be seen in the figures, the tube(s) 16 are oriented along the first direction Y which is perpendicular to the extrusion direction X. Moreover, as illustrated more particularly in [Fig.4], the tube(s) 16 are arranged with a clearance J with respect to two first opposing longitudinal walls 24 of the profile section 12. Each of the first walls delimits, at least in part, at least one of the chambers 14a, 14b of circulation of the fluid to be heated.

[0086] The set J is arranged along the second direction Z which is perpendicular to the extrusion direction X and to the first direction Y, to delimit two of said fluid circulation passages 26 on either side of said tube(s) 16.

[0087] Preferably, each tube 16 has a substantially polygonal cross-section, and in particular a substantially rectangular one. This configuration allows, in particular, the heating element 18, shown in Figures 2, 10, and 12, to be arranged in each tube 16. The heating element 18 is here shaped substantially in the form of a plate and is received in each tube 16 by means of a spacer 28. Once the tube 16 is mounted in the body 12, the heating element 18 is inserted into the spacer 28, and then the assembly formed by the spacer 28 and the heating element 18 is in turn inserted into the tube 16, through one or the other of the openings 46. As can be seen in Figures 7, 8, and 10, the spacer 28 advantageously has ribs 30, oriented along the first direction Y, which are received in grooves complementary internal 32 of the tube 16, in order to ensure the retention of the spacer 28 and the heating element 18. Advantageously, the spacer 28 is thermally conductive.

[0088] Advantageously, each tube 16 is also made by extrusion, which makes it possible to make the grooves 32 without special machining, directly during the extrusion of the tube(s) 16.

[0089] Preferably, the tube(s) 16 have two large opposing flat faces 38. This configuration has two advantages. Firstly, it gives the tube 16 a flattened rectangular cross-section suitable for housing the plate-shaped heating element 18. Secondly, it thus forms a large heat exchange surface with the fluid circulating in the passages 26 around the tube 16, since each circulation passage 26 is thereby delimited between one of the first longitudinal walls 24 of the profile section 12 and one of the large flat faces 38 of the tube(s) 16.

[0090] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6, 9, and 11, turbulators 40 are arranged in each flow passage 26 between one of the first longitudinal walls 24 of the profile section 12 and one of the large flat faces 38 of the tube(s) 16. These turbulators 40 are, for example, made in the form of a corrugated metal grid, shown in [Fig. 9], which is welded to each large flat face 38 of each tube 16 before it is mounted in the housing 14. The turbulators 40 both create disturbances in the heat transfer fluid at the level of the tubes 16 in order to promote mixing of the heat transfer fluid and increase heat exchange, and also increase the heat exchange surfaces of the large flat faces 38 of the tubes 16 in order to improve the transfer of heat from the electric heating elements 18 to the heat transfer fluid. through tube 16.The said turbulators 40 are preferentially fixed to the tubes 16 but not to the body 12.

[0091] As we have seen, each tube is welded or brazed to transversely opposed walls 22 along the first direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. With respect to the first walls 24, these transversely opposed walls 22 are second longitudinal walls of the profile section 12 which connect said first walls 24.

[0092] In the embodiment shown in the figures, each tube 16 is inserted into the profile section 12 along the longitudinal direction X through one of the longitudinal openings 59. Thus, the tube 16 does not pass through the edge walls 22, but is nevertheless brazed or welded to them.

[0093] Alternatively, the tube or tubes 16 pass through the second edge walls 22, the corresponding lateral openings 46 then contributing to optimal retention of the tube or tubes 16.

[0094] In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the tube(s) 16 do not pass through one of the second walls 22. It is therefore advantageous to ensure that the tube(s) 16 are held in the profile section 12. To this end, the second walls 22 have ribs 48 for supporting the tubes 16, oriented along the extrusion direction X. Figures 5 to 8 show such ribs 48, which here form raised sections of said second walls 22.

[0095] The side openings 46 of the edge walls 22 allow the heating elements and in particular the electrical connection terminals of the latter to emerge from said body 12.

[0096] As illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, the profile section further comprises a longitudinal partition 50, internal to the profile, parallel to the first walls 24, said longitudinal partition 50 delimiting said chambers 14a, 14b superimposed within the profile section 12. Without limitation, the longitudinal partition 50 is extruded, like the rest of the profile section 12. This configuration is not, however, limiting to the invention, and it will be understood that this longitudinal partition 50 could be added. At least one of said tubes 16 is arranged on each side of this second partition 50.

[0097] In this configuration, the tubes 16 and the superimposed chambers 14a, 14b are therefore located at two levels along the Z direction. Fig. 11 illustrates the tubes 12 and the turbulators 40 associated with the superimposed chambers of the body 12, equipped with the electric heating elements 18.

[0098] To allow the introduction of the heat transfer fluid into the device 10, at least one manifold 52 is sealed to one end 58 of the profile section 12 along the longitudinal direction X for the passage of said fluid to and / or from said body 12 through one of the longitudinal openings 59. Said manifold 52 includes an inlet conduit 56a or an outlet conduit 56b from a fluid circulation orifice 54. In order to allow the circulation of the heat transfer fluid through the internal housing 11, the internal housing 11 preferably includes two manifolds 52 and two associated fluid circulation orifices 54, each associated with an inlet conduit 54a and an outlet conduit 56b and with one of the chambers 14a, 14b. These chambers 14a, 14b are in communication with each other as will be detailed later, each conduit 56a, 56b is suitable for being connected to a circuit external to device 10.

[0099] As illustrated in [Fig.3], at least one cover 62 is attached in a sealed manner to a second 60 of the longitudinal ends of the profile section 12. This cover 62 has internally a concave return wall (not shown) connecting the two adjacent superimposed chambers 14a, 14b of fluid circulation via the other of the longitudinal openings 59. Thus, the heat transfer fluid is introduced through port 54 of the inlet duct 56a, then heated in the first of the stacked chambers, for example chamber 14a, then returned from the first stacked chamber 14a to the second stacked chamber, namely chamber 14b, through the cover 62, then heated again in the second stacked chamber 14b, and finally discharged through the other port 54 of the other duct 56b, the outlet duct. The fluid thus circulates in two passes through the heating device.

[0100] The fluid flowing through the circulation passages 26 subjects the first longitudinal walls 24 to high pressure. It is therefore advantageous to ensure the integrity of the walls 24. Furthermore, as has been seen, the inner casing 11 is fixed within the outer casing 9.

[0101] In the illustrated example, one of the first longitudinal walls 24 is in contact with a bottom wall of the external housing 9, which thus contributes to the resistance to the internal pressure of the fluid flowing in the passage located opposite the first longitudinal wall 24 in question. This is not, however, the case for the opposite first longitudinal wall 24.

[0102] Therefore, as illustrated in [Fig.1], the invention advantageously proposes a heating device 10 comprising a reinforcement element 64 having a first part 66 capable of limiting or preventing a deformation of said corresponding wall 24, said reinforced, in a direction opposite to said passage, in this case the second direction Z, and having a second part 68 integral with the external casing 9.

[0103] More specifically, the reinforcing element 64 is welded or brazed to the inner housing. It is preferably made from a plate which is cut or punched, then bent to give the required shapes to the first and second parts 66, 68.

[0104] The reinforcement element 64 comprises at least one main part corresponding to the first part 66 which is positioned, and in particular centered, on an external surface 25 of the reinforced wall 24.

[0105] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the external surface 25 is flat, the internal housing 11 being formed by extrusion and having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The first portion 66 of the reinforcing element conforms to the external surface 25 and is therefore also substantially flat. It will be understood that for other configurations of the surface 25 of the internal housing 11, for example for a surface 25 associated with an internal housing 11 of prismatic cross-section having a non-planar external surface 25, the first portion 66 could nevertheless be shaped to conform to this external surface.

[0106] Advantageously, at least the first part 66 of the reinforcing element 64 is welded or brazed to the inner housing 11, in particular to the outer surface 25 of the reinforced wall 24, at its center.

[0107] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, and without limiting the invention thereto, the first part 66 is substantially rectangular in shape, and in particular square. It has a recess 67 in its center.

[0108] The second part 68 of the reinforcing element 64 includes one or more mounting tabs 70, 72, 74, 76 originating from the first part 66. To ensure adequate attachment of the inner housing 11 to the outer housing 9, it is preferable for the second part to include at least three mounting tabs. Advantageously, the embodiment shown here includes four. Thus, two mounting tabs 70, 72 are arranged on one side of the inner housing 11 on the side of its collectors 52, and two mounting tabs 74, 76 are arranged on the other side of the inner housing 11 on the side of its cover 62.

[0109] As can be seen in [Fig.2], at least one of the fixing tabs, and preferably both tabs 70, 72, fit and / or go around at least one of the collectors 52. As can be seen in [Fig.2], in a non-limiting manner of the invention, tab 70 fits both collectors 52 while tab 74 fits only one of the collectors 52.

[0110] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first edges 78, 80 of the first rectangular or square part are perpendicular to the extrusion direction X and / or oriented along the first direction Y. As illustrated in [Fig.4], the two fixing tabs 70, 72 originate from one of the first edges 78 and the two fixing tabs 74, 76 originate from the other of the first edges 80.

[0111] Moreover, the second edges 82, 84 of the first part 66 are parallel to the extrusion direction X and / or perpendicular to the first direction Y.

[0112] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, to mechanically connect the central part 66 to the external housing 9, each fixing tab 70, 72, 74, 76 comprises a first section 70a, 72a, 74a, 76a, extending parallel to the reinforced wall 24 between the first corresponding edge 78, 80 of the first part 66 and a corresponding end 58, 60 of the internal housing 11. Then, each fixing tab 70, 72, 74, 76 comprises a second section 70b, 72b, 74b, 76b perpendicular to the first section 70a, 72a, 74a, 76a. This second section 70b, 72b, 74b, 76b extends substantially, at least in part, between the reinforced wall 24 on which the first part 66 is fixed and the wall 24 of the internal housing 11 opposite the reinforced wall 24. Finally, each fixing tab 70, 72, 74, 76 has a third section 70c, 72c, 74c, 76c, parallel to the reinforced wall 24.

[0113] Advantageously, the third section of at least one of the legs extends parallel to the extrusion direction X. This is particularly the case for the third sections 70c and 76c. The third section of at least one of the legs can also extend perpendicularly to the extrusion direction X, that is, along the Y direction. This is particularly the case for the third section 74c.

[0114] Each third section 70c, 72c, 74c, 76c has a free end with a hole 86 allowing the passage of a fixing member, as shown in particular in [Fig.4].

[0115] Preferably, the holes for at least one mounting tab are located between the inlet conduit 56a and the outlet conduit 56b. As shown in [Fig. 2], the holes 86 for two tabs 70 and 72 are located between the inlet conduit 56a and the outlet conduit 56b. This avoids extending the tabs 70 and 72 beyond the internal housing 11 and thus minimizes the overall size of the assembly, resulting in an external housing 9 that is as compact as possible.

[0116] As can be seen in figures 2 to 4, the collector(s) 52 and the cover 62 have a respective bead 53, 63 projecting from the external surface 25 of the reinforced wall 24. Advantageously, each fixing tab 70, 72, 74, 76 comprises between the first section 70a, 72a, 74a, 76a and the second section 70b, 72b, 74b, 76b an intermediate section 70d, 72d, 74d, 76d in the form of a rider which straddles said bead 53, 63.

[0117] Advantageously, the electric heating device includes an electronic board capable of controlling said at least one heating element 18.

[0118] The electronic board is not shown in the figures. However, it should be noted that the reinforcement means makes it possible, in particular, to prevent damage to a component of the electronic board, such as a power module or a transistor. The board and / or its component can thus be placed close to the reinforced wall without risk of being damaged by deformation of the wall, since the latter is prevented or limited. The board and its component extend, in particular, parallel to the reinforced wall and parallel to the main part of the reinforcement element.

[0119] As shown in [Fig. 12], the device 10 can be assembled according to a process comprising a series of steps. In a first step i) the tube(s) 16 are inserted into said housing 14.

[0120] Then, in a step ii), the tube(s) 16 are fixed to the body 12.

[0121] Then, during a step iii) and a step iv), the one or more are brought back and fixed collectors 52 and cover 62 to body 12.

[0122] Then, during a step v), the reinforcing element 64 is fixed at least to the external surface 25 of the reinforced wall 24 of the internal housing.

[0123] During a step vi), the inner housing 11 with its reinforcing element 64 is placed in the outer housing 9.

[0124] During a step vii) the inner housing 11 is fixed to the outer housing 9 by means of fixing elements such as screws passing through the holes 86.

[0125] The invention makes it possible to considerably simplify the design of an electric heating device 10 while increasing its reliability and resistance.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (10) for electrically heating a fluid, said device (10) comprising: - an external casing (9), - an internal casing (11) housed in the external casing (9), said internal casing (11) having a wall (24), said to be reinforced, delimiting, at least in part, at least one circulation passage (26) of the fluid to be heated, - at least one electric heating element (18), arranged so as to be able to heat the fluid circulating in said at least one circulation passage (26), the heating device (10) comprising a reinforcement element (64) having a first part (66) capable of limiting or preventing a deformation of the wall of the internal casing (11) in a direction (Z) opposite to said at least one passage (26) and having a second part (68) integral with the external casing (9).

2. Electric heating device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the reinforcing element (64) is welded or brazed to the internal housing (11).

3. Electric heating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (66) is a so-called main part, which is positioned, in particular centered, on an external surface (25) of the reinforced wall (24) of the internal housing (11), and which is welded or brazed to the internal housing (11), in particular at the center of the external surface (25) of the reinforced wall (24),

4. Electric heating device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first part (66) is substantially rectangular in shape, in particular square, and has first edges (78, 80) perpendicular to a given direction (X), and second edges (82,84) parallel to the given direction (X).

5. Electric heating device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second part (68) of the reinforcing element (64) has one or more fixing tabs (70, 72, 74, 76), in particular originating from the first edges (78, 80) of said first part ((66),

6. An electric heating device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein each mounting bracket (70, 72, 74, 76) successively comprises: - a first section (70a, 72a, 74a, 76a), extending parallel to the reinforced wall (24) between the first edge (78, 80) of the first part (64) and an end (58, 60) of the inner housing (11), - a second section (70b, 72b, 74b, 76b) perpendicular to the first section (70a, 72a, 74a, 76a), which extends substantially at least in part between the reinforced wall (24) and an opposite wall (24) of the inner housing (11), and / or - a third section (70c, 72c, 74c, 76c) parallel to the reinforced wall (24), and comprising a free end equipped with a fastening portion such as a hole (86) allowing the passage of a fastening element to the external housing (11),

7. Electric heating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner casing (11) comprises an inlet manifold (52) communicating with said at least one passage (26) and having an inlet conduit (56a) through which the fluid to be heated can enter the inner casing (11), and / or an outlet manifold communicating with said at least one passage (26) and having an outlet conduit (56b) through which the heated fluid can exit the inner casing (11).

8. Electric heating device (10) according to the preceding claim, taken in its connection with one of claims 5 or 6, in which at least one of the fixing tabs (70, 72) fits and / or goes around at least one of the collectors (52).

9. Electric heating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first part (66) of the reinforcing element (64) is flat and pressed against the reinforced wall (24) of the inner casing.

10. Electric heating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an electronic board capable of controlling said at least one heating element (18), the electronic board, in particular a component of the electronic board such as a transistor or a power module being arranged so that the first part (66) of the reinforcing element (64) is interposed between the reinforced wall (24) and the electronic board or its component.

11. 16 Electric heating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the internal housing comprises a body having said reinforced wall and said at least one passage, said body (10) is placed and / or fixed on a bottom wall of said external housing (9).

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