Vehicle heater radiator

Abstract

Vehicle heater radiator The invention relates to a vehicle heater radiator 1 comprising at least one heating element 2 surrounding at least partially an electric heating element 3, the heater radiator 1 being provided with at least one cover 4 surrounding at least the heating element 2 and delimiting a circulation chamber 22 for a heat transfer fluid, said heater radiator 1 comprising at least one housing 4 receiving a control device 5 for the electric heating element 3, characterized in that the housing 4 is formed from the same material as the heating element 2. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle heater radiator

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric radiators, and more specifically to electric radiators for vehicles. Typically, a vehicle is equipped with one or more electric radiators for heating a heat transfer fluid, which may, for example, be glycol or a mixture of glycol and water.

[0002] These electric radiators have various applications. In particular, electric radiators are used in vehicle passenger compartment heating systems to heat the heat transfer fluid that then warms the air for the passenger compartment, as well as to heat a heat transfer fluid that warms the vehicle's electric battery.

[0003] The operation of these radiators is based on the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within them. A key component of the heater radiator is its heating element, which is electrical in nature and usually uses a resistive material.The resistive material, once powered by an electric current, heats the rest of the heating element which, in turn, transfers its heat to a heating element of the radiator positioned in contact with the heating element. This process therefore allows the heat transfer fluid to warm up as it passes through the radiator and is in direct contact with the heating element.

[0004] However, electric radiators can have certain limitations. For example, they are susceptible to heat transfer fluid leaks, which can lead to the risk of the heat transfer fluid coming into contact with the radiator's electronic components. Furthermore, their design often requires numerous components, which can complicate assembly. Therefore, there is a need for heating radiators with fewer components that minimize the risk of heat transfer fluid leaks.

[0005] The objective of the invention described in this document is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a heating radiator equipped with a heating element that surrounds an electric heating element, and a cover that protects said heating element. The electric radiator also includes a housing for electrical or electronic components, with the distinctive feature that this housing is manufactured as a single unit with the heating element. This design reduces the number of different components required to manufacture the heating radiator and eliminates the risk of heat transfer fluid leaks between the housing and the heating element thanks to their one-piece construction.

[0006] The main object of the present invention is thus a vehicle heater radiator comprising at least one heating element surrounding at least partially an electric heating element, the heater radiator being equipped with at least one hood surrounding at least the heating body and delimiting a circulation chamber for a heat transfer fluid, said heating radiator comprising at least one housing receiving a control device for the electric heating element, characterized in that the housing is made of the same material as the heating body.

[0007] The heating element transmits the heat emitted by the electric heating element. To do this, it must be made from a heat-conducting material. The electric heating element can thus produce heat, which is then transferred to the heating element. The latter can then diffuse this heat to the heat transfer fluid, since the heat transfer fluid is in contact with the heating element within the circulation chamber.

[0008] To maximize the efficiency of heat transfer, the heating element surrounds the heating element. It is generally molded around the heating element so that heat transfer to the heating element is as efficient as possible.

[0009] The heating radiator includes a cover that surrounds the heating element. The configuration of the cover defines the circulation chamber and thus allows the heat transfer fluid to circulate inside the heating radiator and in contact with the heating element. The circulation chamber is therefore an enclosed space where the heat transfer fluid can circulate in direct contact with the heating element.

[0010] It should be noted that the expression "made from the same material" means that the housing and the heating element are made from the same material, and thus form a single unit.

[0011] Using the same material for the casing and the heating element offers several advantages. This feature reduces the number of components required for the heater, thus simplifying assembly and lowering production costs. Furthermore, when the heating element is molded around the heating element, the casing can also be formed simultaneously by molding. In addition, this eliminates the risk of heat transfer fluid leakage that could occur at the interface between the casing and the heating element when these two components are made from different materials. This reduces the risk of the heat transfer fluid coming into contact with electrical or electronic components, such as the control unit contained within the casing.

[0012] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating body comprises a heating core surrounding the electric heating element, the heating body comprising at least a first rib that projects from a first face of the heating core and at least a second rib that projects from a second face of the heating core opposite to the first face.

[0013] The heating core of the heating element is therefore the part of the heating element that surrounds the heating element. The first face and the second face of the heating core are two opposite surfaces, located in parallel planes and having approximately the same area. They are arranged in such a way that, if a straight line were drawn to connect the center of the first face with that of the second face, this line would be perpendicular to each of the faces.

[0014] The first and second ribs of the heating element guide the heat transfer fluid within the circulation chamber, ensuring homogeneous circulation and good distribution in contact with the heating element. This results in efficient heat transfer between the heating element and the heat transfer fluid, thus allowing for control of the heat transfer fluid temperature.

[0015] This heat transfer occurs through contact between the heat transfer fluid and the first and second faces of the heating core, as well as with the first and second ribs of the heating body. When there are several first ribs and several second ribs, the heat transfer occurs particularly with this plurality of first and second ribs.

[0016] In addition, thanks to the first and second rib, or the first and second ribs, the contact surface between the heating element and the heat transfer fluid is increased, resulting in better heat exchange.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating element extends along a principal extension plane and the housing includes a base extending along a majority extension plane, the principal extension plane of the heating element and the majority extension plane of the base of the housing being intersecting.

[0018] It should be understood that the "main plane of extension of the heating element" refers to the plane in which the heating element extends primarily. Similarly, the "majority plane of extension" refers to the plane in which the bottom of the housing extends primarily.

[0019] This main extension plane and this majority extension plane are therefore intersecting, and the heating element and the bottom of the housing are therefore intersecting with respect to each other. More precisely, the main extension plane and the majority extension plane can be perpendicular to each other, thus making the heating element and the bottom of the housing perpendicular to each other.

[0020] When the heating element includes a heating core, the first face of the heating core extends predominantly in a plane parallel to the principal plane of extension, and the second face of the heating core extends predominantly in another plane parallel to the principal plane of extension. The first and second faces of the heating core are therefore opposite each other with respect to the principal plane of extension.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one of the first rib and / or the second rib extends in a plane secant to the main extension plane of the heating body.

[0022] It is thus understood that the first rib and / or the second rib is positioned so as to be secant to the heating core, since the heating core extends mainly along the main plane of extension of the heating body.

[0023] In a particular example, the plane in which the first rib and / or the second rib extends may be perpendicular to the main plane of extension of the heating element. In this case, the first and / or the second rib is perpendicular to the heating core of the heating element.

[0024] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one free end of at least one of the first rib and / or the second rib is in contact with the hood.

[0025] It is understood that the free end is the end of the first rib and / or the second rib which is opposite another end of the first rib and / or the second rib connected to the heating core of the heating body.

[0026] By being in contact with the hood, and on the other side connected to the heating core, the first rib and the second rib delimit empty spaces through which the heat transfer fluid can circulate inside the circulation chamber.

[0027] According to an optional feature of the invention, the hood comprises a front face extending in a plane secant to the main extension plane of the heating body, said front face comprising a first port and a second port configured for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

[0028] The first and second ports allow the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circulation chamber, i.e., between the first ribs, the second ribs, the heating core, the cover, and the bottom of the casing, to be introduced or expelled. When the first port is used as the inlet for the heat transfer fluid, the second port serves as the outlet for the heat transfer fluid. Conversely, when the second port is used as the inlet for the heat transfer fluid, the first port is used as the outlet for the heat transfer fluid.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating element comprises a first end and a second end, at least one of these ends protruding from the bottom of the housing through an orifice passing through the bottom of the housing.

[0030] Thus, the first and second ends of the heating element can protrude from the bottom of the housing so that they can be electrically connected, for example, to the control unit. This allows control of the heat output of the electric heating element and thus regulation of the temperature of the heating body, as well as the temperature to which the heat transfer fluid circulating in the heating body is heated.

[0031] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating body includes at least one cavity which opens towards the piloting member.

[0032] The cavity may contain an electrical, mechanical or electronic safety device. This device allows the heating element to stop in the event of an excessive temperature rise.

[0033] The cavity of the heating element is designed so that the safety device is positioned close to the heating element, thus making the temperature reaction of the heating element more precise and faster.

[0034] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating element comprises at least one tube containing at least one electrical resistance, at least a part of the tube being surrounded by a material constituting the heating body and the housing, said material constituting the heating body and the housing which surrounds the tube being in contact with the entirety of an external periphery of said tube.

[0035] The electrical resistance generates heat when an electric current passes through it. The tubing surrounding this resistance transfers the heat from the electrical resistance to the heating element. Therefore, the tubing material must have good thermal conductivity. For example, it can be made of stainless steel.

[0036] When the heating element is tubular in shape, the heating body can be designed to completely enclose the circumference of the heating element over at least a portion of its length, in order to maximize heat absorption. The fact that the heating body is molded around the heating element ensures close physical contact between the material of the heating body and the outer peripheral wall of the electric heating element.

[0037] According to an optional feature of the invention, the material constituting the heating body and the housing is thermally conductive, while the material of the cover is thermally insulating.

[0038] The material constituting the heating element and the housing must be made from a material with good heat transfer capacity, so that the heating element can efficiently transfer its heat to the heat transfer fluid. Materials such as aluminum, copper, or an alloy of these metals may be used.

[0039] The cover must be made from a thermally insulating material to minimize heat loss to the external environment of the heater. This allows a large amount of heat to be concentrated on the heat transfer fluid, thus improving the efficiency of the heater. Materials such as thermoplastics, for example, can be used for their thermal insulation properties.

[0040] According to an optional feature of the invention, the control unit is a printed circuit board carrying an electronic component.

[0041] The use of a control unit such as a printed circuit board carrying electronic components makes it possible to reduce the size of the control unit, thus contributing to the design of a heating radiator with reduced dimensions.

[0042] This makes the overall dimensions of the radiator less influenced by the dimensions of the control unit, especially compared to situations where the control unit is larger. This therefore facilitates its installation in confined spaces.

[0043] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0044] [Fig. 1] is a first perspective view of a heating radiator according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] [Fig.2] is the first perspective view of the heating radiator according to the mode of realization of [Fig.1], in which the heating radiator is equipped with a cover.

[0046] [Fig.3] is a second perspective view of the heating radiator 1 according to the method of implementation of figures 1 and 2.

[0047] [Fig.4] is a section, along a plane C visible in [Fig.2], of the electric radiator according to the implementation method shown in figures 1 to 3.

[0048] [Fig.5] is a section along plane B, as illustrated in [Fig.2] of the radiator of heating according to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 4.

[0049] [Fig.6] is a section along plane C, as illustrated in [Fig.2] of the radiator of heating according to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 5.

[0050] The features and variants of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of the features described below, isolated from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0051] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0052] Fig. 1 is a first perspective view of a heating radiator 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0053] The heating radiator 1 comprises a heating element 2, molded around at least part of a heating element 25, 26. The heating element 2 thus surrounds at least part of the heating element 25, 26. In this way, when the heating element 25, 26 is in operation, it transfers its heat to the heating element 2. Heating elements 25 and 26 are not visible here because the heating element 2 obscures them in this figure. They will therefore be described in detail in the description relating to [Fig. 4].

[0054] The heating element 2 extends in a principal plane of extension, denoted P in [Fig. 1]. It should therefore be understood that the heating element 2 extends mainly in this principal plane of extension P. The principal plane of extension P is thus the plane in which the heating element 2 extends the most.

[0055] The heating radiator 1 also includes a housing 4, designed to accommodate a control unit 5 of the electric heating element 3.

[0056] The housing 4 includes a base 6, which extends in a majority plane of extension, denoted M in [Fig. 1]. The base 6 of the housing 4 extends mainly in this majority plane of extension M. The majority plane of extension M is thus the plane in which the base 6 of the housing 4 extends the most.

[0057] The principal extension plane P of the heating element 2 and the major extension plane M of the base 6 of the housing 4 intersect. The heating element 2 and the base 6 of the housing 4 therefore also intersect each other.

[0058] More specifically, in this embodiment, the principal extension plane P of the heating element 2 and the major extension plane M of the base 6 of the housing 4 are perpendicular to each other. In this way, the heating element 2 and the base 6 of the housing 4 intersect at a right angle.

[0059] The heating element 2 and the housing 4 are made of the same material, therefore they are manufactured from the same material and form a single unit. They can therefore, for example, be manufactured simultaneously by molding around the heating element.

[0060] Regarding the material constituting the housing 4 and the heating element 2, it must be thermally conductive, which then allows the heating element 2 to efficiently transmit the heat from the heating element 3. Materials such as copper or aluminum can in particular be used for their thermal conductivity properties.

[0061] The heating body 2 includes a heating core 8 which extends predominantly along the main extension plane P of the heating body 2. The heating core 8 is the part of the heating body 2 which surrounds the heating element 3. This heating core 8 includes a first face 9 and a second face 10, which are opposite each other.

[0062] The first face 9 and the second face 9 extend in a plane parallel to the main extension plane P of the heating body 2. The first face 9 extends on one side of the main extension plane P while the second face 10 extends on the opposite side of the main extension plane P.

[0063] The heating element 2 comprises at least one first rib 11 which projects from the first face 9. This first rib 11 extends predominantly in a plane secant to the main extension plane P. More precisely, in this embodiment the first rib 11 extends predominantly in a plane perpendicular to the main extension plane P.

[0064] In this embodiment, a plurality of first ribs 11 protrude from the first face 9 of the heating core 8. Each of these first ribs 11 extends in a plane secant and perpendicular to the main extension plane P of the heating body 2.

[0065] Consequently, each of the first ribs 11 extends in planes parallel to each other. Furthermore, each of the first ribs 11 is positioned at regular intervals from each other. It should therefore be understood that the empty space left between two adjacent first ribs 11 corresponds to the empty space between other adjacent first ribs 11.

[0066] The heating element 2 also includes at least one second rib 12 projecting from the second face 10 of the heating core 8. This second rib 12 extends in a plane intersecting with respect to the principal extension plane P of the heating element 2. More precisely, in this embodiment, the plane in which the second rib 12 extends is perpendicular to the principal extension plane P of the heating element 2.

[0067] In this embodiment, a plurality of second ribs 12 protrude from the second face 10 of the heating core 8. Each of these second ribs 12 extends in a secant plane, and more precisely perpendicular, to the main extension plane P of the heating body 2.

[0068] Each of these second ribs 12 therefore extends in planes parallel to each other. Furthermore, similarly to the first ribs 11, the second ribs 12 are positioned at regular intervals.

[0069] The housing 4, in addition to comprising a base 6, includes at least one edge 7. In this embodiment, the housing 4 comprises four edges 7. Each of these four edges 7 extends in a plane that is secant to the majority plane of extension M of the base 6 of the housing 4, and more precisely, that is perpendicular to this majority plane of extension M. Each edge 7 is thus perpendicular to the base 6 of the housing 4.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of these edges 7 extends in a plane perpendicular and intersecting at least one plane of an edge 7 immediately adjacent to said edge 7. In this way, the housing 4 takes the form of a rectangular parallelepiped missing one face, and which is formed by the four edges 7 and the base 6 of the housing 4. The missing face of the rectangular parallelepiped is in this case the face opposite the base 6 of the housing 4.

[0071] Fig. 2 is the first perspective view of the heating radiator 1 according to the first embodiment in which the heating radiator 1 is equipped with a cover 13.

[0072] This cover 13 is positioned within the heating radiator 1 so as to surround the heating element 2. By surrounding the heating element 2, it defines a circulation chamber 22 for the heat transfer fluid. This circulation chamber 22 is not visible in this figure, but will be more clearly shown in Figures 4 to 6 and will also be described in detail in the description of these figures. In this embodiment, the cover 13 has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with one face missing. It thus comprises five faces.

[0073] The hood 13 includes an upper face 14. This upper face 14 extends in a plane parallel to the main extension plane P of the heating element 2. This upper face 14 is arranged opposite the first rib 11 of the heating element 2.

[0074] The hood 13 also includes a lower face 15. This lower face 15 also extends in a plane parallel to the main extension plane P of the heating body 2, but which is not the same as that in which the upper face 14 extends. The lower face 15 is, for its part, opposite the second ribs 12.

[0075] The cover 13 also includes a front face 16, which connects the upper face 14 to the lower face 15. This front face 16 extends in a plane perpendicular to the principal plane of extension P of the heating element 8. The front face 16 is thus perpendicular to the upper face 14 and the lower face 16, while also connecting them. The front face 16 is the face of the rectangular parallelepiped formed by the cover 13 that is furthest from the housing 4.

[0076] This front face 16 includes a first port 17. This first port 17 includes an opening in the front face 16 which opens into the circulation chamber 22. The first port 17 forms a portion of conduit between this opening and the area where it opens into the circulation chamber 22. The first port 17 can serve, as desired, as an inlet or outlet for the heat transfer fluid.

[0077] The front face 16 also includes a second port 18. This second port 18 includes an opening in the front face 16 which also opens into the circulation chamber 22. The second port 18 forms a portion of conduit between this opening and the area where it opens into the circulation chamber 22. Similar to the first port 17, the second port 18 can serve as an inlet or outlet for the heat transfer fluid.

[0078] The hood 13 also includes a first side face 19 and a second side face 20. The first side face 19 and the second side face 20 are opposite each other and connect the upper face 14 to the lower face 15. The first face Lateral face 19 is the lateral face closest to the first port 17. The second lateral face 20 is the lateral face closest to the second port 18.

[0079] As the hood 13 has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped missing one face, the lower face 15, the upper face 14, the first lateral face 19 and the second lateral face 20 each have a free termination 21. This free termination 21 is in contact with the housing 4, more precisely with the bottom 6 of the housing 4, which allows the circulation chamber 22 to be closed.

[0080] Unlike the housing 4 and the heating element 2, the cover 13 is made of a thermally insulating material. This material can be any type of thermally insulating material and can, for example, be chosen from the following materials: thermoplastics such as polyamides or others. This prevents heat loss to the external environment surrounding the cover.

[0081] Fig. 3 is a second perspective view of the heating radiator according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. This figure allows us to observe the housing 4 from another angle and to observe some of its characteristics.

[0082] The bottom 6 of the housing 4 thus includes at least one opening 23. This opening 23 is designed to allow at least one end 27, 28 of the heating element 25, 26 to protrude from the bottom 6 of the housing 4 in order to be connected to the control member 5 disposed in the bottom 6 of the housing 4. The control member 5 is not shown here, but it is shown in [Fig.4].

[0083] In this embodiment, the heating radiator 1 comprises two heating elements 25, 26: a first heating element 25 and a second heating element 26. Each of these heating elements 25, 26 is arranged on either side of the main extension plane of the heating body and is surrounded by this heating body.

[0084] The first heating element 25 and the second heating element 26 both comprise a first end 27 and a second end 28. These two ends 27, 28 are parts of the heating element that emerge from the heating body 2. They are therefore not surrounded by the heating body 2. Thus, these ends 27, 28 can be connected, for example, to electrical or electronic devices such as the control member 5 in order to control an electric current supplied to the heating element 3.

[0085] Thus, the first end 27 of the first heating element 25 and the first end 27 of the second heating element 26 exit respectively through a first opening 29 and a second opening 30. The second end 28 of each of the first heating element 25 and the second heating element 26 exits respectively through a third opening 31 and a fourth opening 32.

[0086] The heating element 2 includes a cavity 33 which opens in the bottom 6 of the housing 4. This cavity 33 is intended to open towards the control element 5. This feature will be more visible in [Fig.4]. Said cavity 33 may be intended to contain a safety device 34 such as for example a thermal circuit breaker in case of overheating.

[0087] Fig. 4 is a cross-section, along a plane A visible on Fig. 2, of the electric radiator 1 according to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3. Plane C is a plane parallel to the main extension plane P of the heating body 2. This figure allows in particular to observe the organization of the electric radiator within the circulation chamber 22.

[0088] The area where the first port 17 opens constitutes a first internal volume 35 of the circulation chamber 22. This first internal volume 35 is delimited by the heating element 2 and the hood 13, more precisely by the first lateral face 19 of the hood 13. It is also delimited by the bottom 6 of the housing 4, the front face 16, as well as the lower face 15 and upper face 14, even though the delimitation by the upper face 14 is not visible in this [Fig.4].

[0089] The area where the second port 18 opens constitutes a second internal volume 36 of the circulation chamber 22. This second internal volume 36 is delimited by the heating body 2 and the hood 13, more precisely by the second lateral face 20 of the hood 13. It is also delimited by the bottom 6 of the housing 4, the front face 16, and the lower face 15 and upper face 14, although the delimitation by the upper face 14 is not visible in this figure.

[0090] When the heat transfer fluid is in the first internal volume 35 or the second internal volume 36, it can circulate between the first ribs 11 of the heating body 2, as well as between the second ribs 12. Thus, when the heat transfer fluid circulates through the ribs 11, 12, it can pass from the first internal volume 35 to the second internal volume 36.

[0091] More specifically, when the first port 17 serves as the inlet for the heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid passes into the first internal volume 35, circulates between the first ribs 11 and between the second ribs 12, arrives in the second internal volume 36 and then exits through the second port 18. Conversely, when the second port 18 serves as the inlet for the heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid passes into the second internal volume 36, circulates between the first ribs 11 and between the second ribs 12, arrives in the first internal volume 35 and then exits through the first port 17.

[0092] Since the heat transfer fluid is in contact with the heating element 2 during this circulation within the circulation chamber 22, it is then heated by the heat transmitted by this heating element 2. It should be noted that the circulation chamber therefore comprises the first internal volume 35, the second internal volume 36, and so on. that the space separating the first ribs 11 and the space separating the second ribs 12.

[0093] Fig. 4 also allows observation of the first heating element 25 and how it is arranged in the heating body 2. The second heating element 26 is not visible in this figure, but the description which applies to the first heating element 25 also applies to the second heating element 26.

[0094] The first heating element 25 comprises a tube 37 which itself surrounds an electrical resistance 38. The electrical resistance 38 emits heat as a result of the current supplied to it by the control member 5. The tube 37, made of a material capable of efficiently transferring heat from the electrical resistance 38 to the heating body 2, such as stainless steel, also protects this electrical resistance 38 against damage, particularly during the molding operation of the heating body 2.

[0095] The first heating element 25 is molded into the heating body 2 so as to snake through it, in order to heat the heating body 2 uniformly. In this embodiment, it comprises several straight portions and several half-turns.

[0096] A first straight portion 39, extending mostly perpendicularly to the bottom 6 of the housing 4, is followed by a first half-turn 40. This first half-turn 40 is then followed by a second straight portion 41, also extending perpendicularly to the bottom 6 of the housing 4.

[0097] The second straight portion 41 is followed by a second half-turn 42, then by a third straight portion 43, also extending perpendicularly to the bottom 6 of the housing 4.

[0098] The third straight portion 43 is followed by a third half-turn 44, then by a fourth straight portion 45, extending perpendicularly to the bottom 6 of the housing 4.

[0099] The first straight portion 39 is a part of the first heating element 25 positioned between its first end 27 and the first half-turn 40. The fourth straight portion 45 is a part of the first heating element 25 positioned between its second end 28 and the third half-turn 44.

[0100] It should be noted that the first heating element 25 is molded within the heating core 2 on the side of the first face 9 of the heating core 2, and that the second heating element 26 is similarly molded on the side of the second face 10 of the heating core 2.

[0101] As mentioned earlier in the description, the heater radiator 1 includes a control element 5, which is positioned in the housing 4. This element of The control unit 5 is a printed circuit board carrying electronic components. The control unit 5 is mainly arranged parallel to the bottom 6 of the housing 4.

[0102] In this embodiment, it includes a safety device 34, disposed in the cavity 33. This can be, for example, a thermal circuit breaker such as a bimetallic strip. If the temperature of the heating element 2 becomes too high, it cuts off the current to the control member 5, thus stopping the heating of the first heating element 25 and / or the second heating element 26, the heating element 2, and consequently, the heat transfer fluid.

[0103] The cavity 33 includes a wall 46 which is arranged opposite the second half-turn 42 of the first heating element 25. In this way, in the event of overheating, the temperature measurement is as close as possible to the actual temperature of the first heating element 25 and / or the second heating element 26.

[0104] Fig. 5 is a section along plane B, as illustrated in Fig. 2, of the heating radiator 1 according to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4.

[0105] This section B allows us to observe that the heating radiator 1 comprises, in this embodiment, a first heating element 25 and a second heating element 26.

[0106] The first straight portion 39 of each of the first heating element 25 and the second heating element 26 are the parts of each of these heating elements 25, 26 that are visible in this figure. The first straight portion 39 of the first heating element 25 and the first straight portion 39 of the second heating element 26 each extend parallel to the principal plane of extension P of the heating body, and are arranged on either side of this principal plane of extension P.

[0107] Fig. 6 is a section along plane C, as illustrated in Fig. 2, of the heater radiator 1 according to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5. This section reveals how the first ribs 11 and the second ribs 12 are arranged relative to the hood 13.

[0108] Thus, a free end 48 of each of the first ribs 11 and a free end 48 of each of the second ribs 12 are in contact with the hood 13. More precisely, the free ends 48 of the first ribs 11 are in contact with the upper face 14 of the hood 13, while the free ends 48 of the second ribs 12 are in contact with the lower face 15 of the hood 13. In this way, the empty space between the first ribs 11 is delimited by the first ribs 11, the first face 9 of the heating core 8 and the upper face 14 of the hood 13, while the empty space between the second ribs 12 is delimited by the second ribs 12, the second face 10 of the heating core 8 and the lower face 15 of the hood 13.

[0109] The heat transfer fluid is therefore forced to circulate through these empty spaces to pass from the first internal volume 35 to the second internal volume 36, or vice versa. This allows for good distribution of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation chamber 22.

[0110] The present invention thus proposes a heating radiator equipped with a heating element surrounding an electric heating element, a cover surrounding the heating element, and a casing manufactured as a single unit with the heating element. These features simplify manufacturing by reducing the number of components and eliminate the risk of heat transfer fluid leaks, thereby increasing the efficiency and reliability of the heating radiator.

[0111] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and extends also to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. Heater radiator (1) for vehicle comprising at least one heating element (2) surrounding at least part of an electric heating element (3), the heater radiator (1) being provided with at least one cover (4) surrounding at least the heating element (2) and delimiting a circulation chamber (22) of a heat transfer fluid, said heater radiator (1) comprising at least one housing (4) receiving a control element (5) for the electric heating element (3), characterized in that the housing (4) is formed from the same material as the heating element (2).

2. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heating element (2) extends along a principal extension plane (P) and the casing (4) comprises a base (6) extending along a majority extension plane (M), the principal extension plane (P) of the heating element (2) and the majority extension plane (M) of the base (6) of the casing (4) being intersecting.

3. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 2, wherein the heating body (2) comprises a heating core (8) surrounding the electric heating element (3), the heating body (2) comprising at least a first rib (11) projecting from a first face (9) of the heating core (8) and at least a second rib (12) projecting from a second face (10) of the heating core (8) opposite the first face (9).

4. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first rib (11) and / or the second rib (12) extends in a plane secant to the main extension plane (P) of the heating body (8).

5. Heater radiator (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein at least one free end (48) of at least one of the first rib (11) and / or the second rib (12) is in contact with the hood (13).

6. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the hood (13) comprises a front face (16) extending in a plane secant to the main extension plane (P) of the heating body (2), said front face (16) comprising a first port (17) and a second port (18) configured for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

7. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the heating element (3) comprises a first end (27) and a second end (28), at least one of these ends (27, 28) projecting from the bottom (6) of the housing (4) through an orifice (29, 30, 31, 32) passing through the bottom (6) of the housing (4).

8. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heating body (2) comprises at least one cavity (33) which opens towards the pilot member (5).

9. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating element (3) comprises at least one tube (37) containing at least one electrical resistance (38), at least a portion of the tube (37) being surrounded by a constituent material of the heating body (2) and the casing (4), said constituent material of the heating body (2) and the casing (4) which surrounds the tube (37) being in contact with the entirety of an external periphery of said tube (37).

10. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the constituent material of the heating element (2) and of the casing (4) is thermally conductive, while the material of the cover (13) is thermally insulating.

11. Heating radiator 1 according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control member (5) is a printed circuit board carrying an electronic component.

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