Electric radiator for motor vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle heater radiator The invention relates to a vehicle heater radiator (1) comprising an electric heating element (2) and at least one heating body (3) surrounding at least partially the electric heating element (2), the heater radiator (1) being provided with at least one cover (5) and at least one housing (7) receiving a control member (17) of the electric heating element (2), characterized in that the heating body (3) comprises a central partition (23) having a first face (25) and a second face (47) opposite the first face (25), the first face (25) and the housing (7) delimiting at least partially a first part (27) of a circulation chamber for a heat transfer fluid, the second face (47) and the cover (5) delimiting at least partially a second part (49) of the circulation chamber,said first part (27) and said second part (49) of the circulation chamber being fluidly connected by a single passage (41) through the central partition (23). (Figure 4),

Description

Title of the invention: Electric radiator for motor vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric radiators, and more specifically to electric radiators for motor vehicles.

[0002] Several types of electric radiators are known that can be fitted to a motor vehicle, including electric air radiators, configured to directly heat an airflow passing through the electric radiator before, for example, sending it into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, or electric radiators with heat transfer fluid, intended to heat a heat transfer fluid within the casing of the electric radiator, the heat transfer fluid thus heated, which can, for example, be glycol, then being directed to other components to provide them with the calories collected in the radiator.

[0003] These electric radiators with heat transfer fluid can have various applications and are notably used in the heating systems of a vehicle propulsion engine, in particular an electric motor, where they help to maintain an optimal engine temperature, the heat transfer fluid exiting the electric radiator then circulating through the engine in order to heat it.

[0004] The operation of these radiators relies on the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within them. A key component of the heating radiator is its heating element, which is electrically powered and typically uses a resistive material. When supplied with an electric current, the resistive material heats the rest of the heating element, which in turn transfers its heat to a heating body of the radiator located in contact with the heating element. This process thus allows the heat transfer fluid to be heated by passing through the radiator and being in direct contact with the heating body.

[0005] However, electric radiators of this type may have certain limitations. Indeed, their design must provide for a complex circulation of the heat transfer fluid so that it is in contact with the heating element as much as possible, without generating parasitic movements of the heat transfer fluid, thus reducing the efficiency of the heat exchange between the heating element and the fluid, and consequently, the overall efficiency of the radiator.

[0006] There is therefore a need for heating radiators in which the heat transfer fluid circulates in an improved way, in order to have increased heat transfer efficiency.

[0007] The objective of the invention described in this document is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by presenting a vehicle heater radiator comprising an electric heating element and at least one surrounding heating element at least in part the electric heating element, the heating radiator being equipped with at least one cover and at least one housing receiving a control device for the electric heating element, characterized in that the heating body comprises a central partition having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the first face and the housing delimiting at least in part a first part of a circulation chamber for a heat transfer fluid, the second face and the cover delimiting at least in part a second part of the circulation chamber, said first part and said second part of the circulation chamber being fluidly connected by a single passage through the central partition.

[0008] The heating element's role is to transmit the heat emitted by the heating element. For this purpose, it must be made of a heat-conducting material. In this way, the heating element generates heat which is then transferred to the heating element.

[0009] To maximize heat transfer efficiency, the heating element surrounds the heating element. It is generally molded around the element to allow for optimal heat transfer. When the heating element is tubular, the heating element can be designed to completely cover at least part of its circumference, thus maximizing heat absorption. Molding the heating element around the heating element ensures direct physical contact between the material of the heating element and the outer peripheral wall of the electric heating element.

[0010] The central partition separates the first part of the circulation chamber from the second part of the circulation chamber. The first face and the second face of the central partition are the two opposite surfaces of this partition.

[0011] The heating element's function is to transfer the heat recovered from the heating element to a heat transfer fluid in contact with the heating element. This transfer is all the more efficient the larger the exchange surface between the heat transfer fluid and the heating element, and this is achieved in the invention by the circulation of said heat transfer fluid in both the first and second parts of the circulation chamber, that is to say, on both sides of the heating element, along both the first face of the central partition and the second face.

[0012] Advantageously, the invention allows the heat transfer fluid to pass from the first part to the second part of the circulation chamber in a simplified manner, via a single passage through the central partition. The passage from one part of the circulation chamber to the other is efficient, limiting pressure losses due to transitions between parts of the chamber thanks to the single passage, and avoiding areas where the heat transfer fluid is not heated due to the passage made through the central partition, without additional conduit around the perimeter of the circulation chamber.

[0013] Thus, efficiently, when the heat transfer fluid circulates in the first part of the circulation chamber, it recovers heat emitted by the heating element, particularly through the first face of the central partition. Similarly, when the heat transfer fluid circulates in the second part of the circulation chamber, it recovers heat emitted by the heating element, particularly through the second face of the central partition.

[0014] According to an optional feature of the invention, the passage is delimited at least in part by an inclined portion of the central partition of the heating body.

[0015] The inclined portion is therefore inclined relative to the rest of the central partition and forms a ramp. The heat transfer fluid circulating along the central partition is thus forced to change direction and flow from the first part of the circulation chamber to the second part. This flow occurs gradually along the ramp, so that a pressure drop in the heat transfer fluid is avoided as it flows through the passage. This prevents unwanted fluid movement and thus allows for better heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and the heating element.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the central partition extends in a principal elongation plane, the inclined portion being inclined at an angle ranging from 20° to 40° with respect to said principal elongation plane.

[0017] It is therefore appropriate to understand that the inclined portion extends mainly in a plane intersecting the main elongation plane of the central partition, these two planes intersecting at an acute angle between 20 and 40°.

[0018] The angle values ​​within this range allow an inclination for the passage of fluid which offers a good compromise between the need for a sufficiently large opening, to avoid limiting the flow rate of fluid circulation, and the benefit of having an inclined plane guiding the circulation of fluid to avoid the creation of a disturbed flow when passing from one part of the circulation chamber to another, generating an undesired pressure loss.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the inclined portion has a downward inclination such that it extends across the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0020] The term "downward slope" should be understood by considering the circulation of a heat transfer fluid from the first part of the circulation chamber to the second part of the circulation chamber, with the first part being above the second part of the circulation chamber. This downward slope implies that the inclined portion extends from the central partition of This design forms a ramp extending opposite the central partition through the second part of the circulation chamber, until it contacts the hood. This downward slope facilitates the flow of fluid from the first part to the second part of the circulation chamber, thus preventing pressure loss in that direction of flow.

[0021] Alternatively, the inclined portion may be an upward slope, extending from the central partition at an angle to that partition so as to be positioned across the first part of the circulation chamber. This inclined portion may extend until it comes into contact with the casing. In this case, this upward slope facilitates the passage of fluid from the second part to the first part of the circulation chamber, thus preventing pressure loss in that direction of flow.

[0022] It should be noted that the single passage can also be delimited by an additional inclined portion, arranged opposite and parallel to the inclined portion. This additional inclined portion thus facilitates laminar circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the passage.

[0023] According to an optional feature of the invention, the inclined portion includes protrusions.

[0024] These protrusions extend from the central partition in a secant direction, and in particular perpendicular, to the principal plane of elongation of the central partition. They are designed to disturb the fluid and promote heat exchange between the central partition and the fluid by increasing the heat exchange surface between the fluid and surfaces attached to the central partition heated by the heating element.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first face and / or the second face have protrusions.

[0026] When the first face has projections, these extend from the first face of the central partition mainly in a secant direction, and in particular perpendicular to the principal elongation plane. Similarly, when the second face has projections, these extend from the second face of the central partition mainly in a direction secant to the principal elongation plane.

[0027] According to an optional feature of the invention, the protrusions are in contact with the housing and / or the hood.

[0028] Thus, the protrusions extending from the first face can be in contact with the housing, and those extending from the second face can be in contact with the cover. Thanks to this feature, the fluid passing through the first part of the circulation chamber is disturbed by the protrusions, and the fluid The flow passing into the second part of the circulation chamber is also disrupted by the protrusions. Furthermore, the protrusions increase heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the heating element by increasing the latter's heat exchange surface area.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating body comprises side walls extending predominantly in extension planes secant to the main elongation plane, said side walls cooperating with the casing and the first face to delimit the first part of the circulation chamber, and cooperating with the hood and the second face to delimit the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0030] The side walls can, for example, extend in planes perpendicular to the main elongation plane.

[0031] The first part of the circulation chamber is thus delimited by the central partition by its first face, by the side walls, and by the housing. The second part of the circulation chamber is delimited by the central partition by its second face, by the side walls, and by the cover.

[0032] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating body comprises a first port opening into the first part of the circulation chamber and a second port opening into the second part of the circulation chamber, the first port and the second port being formed in the same side wall.

[0033] The first port is used to bring the heat transfer fluid in or out of the first part of the circulation chamber, while the second port is used to bring the heat transfer fluid in or out of the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0034] According to an optional feature of the invention, the passage is arranged along a side wall opposite the side wall comprising the first port and the second port.

[0035] Thus, when the fluid circulates in the first part of the circulation chamber, it is obliged to cross this first part at least from one side wall to the other, allowing the fluid to pass over a long section of the central partition and thus resulting in greater heat transfer. The same principle applies when the fluid circulates in the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating body comprises internal walls arranged on the first face and on the second face, the internal walls arranged on the first face delimiting at least in part a first circulation path of the first part of the circulation chamber between the first port and the passage, the internal walls arranged on the second face delimiting at least in part a second circulation path of the second part of the circulation chamber between the passage and the second port.

[0037] The first and second circulation paths thus guide the heat transfer fluid respectively into the first and second parts of the circulation chamber, from the first port to the passage or vice versa in the first part, and from the passage to the second port or vice versa in the second part. Therefore, depending on the arrangement of the internal walls, the fluid path within the circulation chamber can be controlled.

[0038] According to an optional feature of the invention, the volume of the first traffic path is substantially equal to the volume of the second traffic path.

[0039] In this way, the heat transfer fluid comes into contact in a substantially equivalent manner with the first face and the second face, which makes it possible to obtain a heat transfer which is substantially the same between the fluid and the first face of the central partition and between the fluid and the second face of the central partition.

[0040] According to an optional feature of the invention, the internal walls of the first part of the circulation chamber and the internal walls of the second part of the circulation chamber are arranged in such a way that the circulation paths are asymmetrical with respect to the main elongation plane of the central partition.

[0041] Thus, the fluid circulating in the first circulation path and the fluid circulating in the second circulation path do not circulate in the same way, which makes it possible to maximize the heat transfer between the fluid and the central partition.

[0042] According to an optional feature of the invention, the passage is arranged between an internal wall and another internal wall or between an internal wall and a side wall.

[0043] It is thus understood that the passage is delimited either by an internal wall, another internal wall, and the inclined portion, or by an internal wall, a lateral wall, and the inclined portion. In other words, the inclined portion extends across the entire width of the passageway in the section of that passageway where it is located. All the liquid passing through this section of the passageway is therefore directed to cross the central partition via the inclined portion.

[0044] According to an optional feature of the invention, the central partition comprises a cylindrical portion which surrounds a tube of the electric heating element.

[0045] By surrounding the tubing of the electric heating element, the generated heat is transferred to the tubing and then to the central partition. This heat transfer is efficient thanks to the complete enclosing of the tubing, thus allowing total heat transfer to the central partition. It should be noted that the tubing must therefore be made of a heat-conducting material, such as stainless steel.

[0046] According to an optional feature of the invention, the central partition is arranged equidistant from the housing and the cover. The volume of the first part of the chamber of circulation is thus approximately equal to the volume of the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0047] 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:

[0048] [Fig. 1] is an exploded view of a heating radiator according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0049] [Fig.2] is a top and perspective view of a heating element of the radiator heating according to the embodiment of [Fig.1];

[0050] [Fig.3] is a view from below and in perspective of the heating element of the radiator heating according to the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2;

[0051] [Fig.4] is a section in a section plane C visible on [Fig.2], of the radiator of heating according to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3.

[0052] 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.

[0053] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0054] Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a heating radiator 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0055] The heater radiator 1 comprises a heating element 3 cooperating with a cover 5 and a housing 7. [Fig.1] being an exploded view, the cover 5 and the housing 7 are shown on either side of the heating element 3 without showing the cooperation between these elements which will be more visible in [Fig.4].

[0056] The heating element 3 partially surrounds an electric heating element 2. More specifically, the heating element 3 is partially molded around this heating element 2. In this way, when the heating element 2 produces heat, the heating element 3 is able to transfer this heat by conduction. For this purpose, the heating element 3 is made of a material with good thermal conductivity. A material such as aluminum is therefore particularly suitable for this application.

[0057] In this embodiment, the heating element 3 has a substantially rectangular shape. It thus comprises four lateral walls 11, with each lateral wall 11 which is arranged perpendicular to the two immediately adjacent side walls 11, and parallel to the opposite side wall 11. One of these side walls 11 includes a first port and a second port, which are an inlet and / or outlet of a heat transfer fluid circulation chamber, formed in part by the heating element and which will be described in more detail below.

[0058] The heating element 2 may include, for example, a tube surrounding an electrical resistance. In this case, the tube is made of a material capable of properly transferring heat from the electrical resistance to the heating element 3, for example stainless steel, while protecting this electrical resistance from damage, particularly during the molding operation of the heating element 3.

[0059] It should be noted that this heating element 2 includes ends 9 which are not surrounded by the heating body 3 for its connection to an electrical network of the vehicle.

[0060] The housing 7 is provided with a base 13 and at least one edge 15. The base 13 is designed to accommodate various electrical and electronic components, including, but not limited to, a control element 17 for the heating element 2 and / or devices for measuring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid.

[0061] In this embodiment, the base 13 is surrounded by four edges 15. These edges 15 define a rectangular shape, which corresponds substantially to the shape of the heating element 3. Thus, each of these edges 15 is parallel to one of the lateral walls 11 of the heating element 3.

[0062] In the bottom 13 there is at least one orifice 19, for example round in shape. This orifice 19 passes completely through the bottom 13 and is intended to allow the passage of the ends 9 of the heating element 2. In this way, the heating element 2 can, for example, be electrically connected to the control member 17 located in this bottom 13.

[0063] The cover 5 also has a shape complementary to that of the heating element 3, namely a rectangular shape. The cover 5 thus comprises four sides 21, each of which is parallel to one of the lateral walls 11 of the heating element 3 so as to be able to cooperate with said heating element 3.

[0064] Fig. 2 is a top and perspective view of the heating element 3 of the heating radiator 1 of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0065] The heating element 3 comprises a central partition 23 having two opposite faces: a first face 25 visible in this top view and in [Fig. 1], and a second face which will be visible in [Fig. 3]. This central partition 23 extends mainly in a principal elongation plane denoted A in the following figures.

[0066] The first face 25, the housing 7, and the side walls 11 delimit, through the cooperation of the housing 7 with the side walls 11, a first part 27 of the previously mentioned heat transfer fluid circulation chamber. The interaction between the side walls 11 and the housing 7 is visible in [Fig. 4]. It should be noted that, in addition to the first part 27, the circulation chamber comprises a second part which will be detailed with reference to [Fig. 3].

[0067] The first part 27 and the second part of the circulation chamber are configured so that a heat transfer fluid circulates within them. This heat transfer fluid can, for example, be glycol. It is thus understood that in this context, when heat transfer fluid is present in the first part 27 and / or the second part of the circulation chamber, the heat transfer fluid flows in contact with the central partition and is therefore likely to be heated by the heating element 3, which is itself heated by the electric heating element 2 if the latter is activated.

[0068] In order to delimit the first part 27 of the circulation chamber, the side walls 11 extend in planes intersecting the principal elongation plane A, and more particularly in planes perpendicular to the principal elongation plane A, as can be seen in [Fig. 4]. The housing 7, in order to cooperate with these side walls 11 to form the first part 27 of the circulation chamber, cooperates with a first free termination 29 of the side walls 11 and extends predominantly in a plane parallel to the principal elongation plane A. As can be seen in [Fig. 2], said first termination 29 includes a groove for receiving a sealing element, for example a gasket.

[0069] The heating element 3 comprises, in addition to the side walls 11, internal walls 31, which are therefore arranged between the side walls 11, on the first face 25 of the central partition. These internal walls 31 project from the central partition and are configured to be in contact with the housing 7 when the latter cooperates with the side walls 11. For this purpose, these internal walls 31 extend in planes intersecting the principal elongation plane A, and more particularly in planes perpendicular to the principal elongation plane A, as can be seen in [Fig. 4].

[0070] In this way, the side walls 11, the internal walls 31, and the casing 7 define a first circulation path 33 guiding the heat transfer fluid within the first part 27 of the circulation chamber.

[0071] In order to allow the heat transfer fluid to enter or exit the first part 27 of the circulation chamber, as mentioned with reference to [Fig. 1], the heating element 3 includes a first port 35 opening into this first part 27 of the circulation chamber. More specifically, the first port 35 has an opening extending from the outside of the heating element 3 to the first part 27 of the circulation chamber. In this way, the heat transfer fluid can pass from the outside of the heating element 3 to the first part 27 of the circulation chamber. while being prevented from accessing the second part of the circulation chamber. This blockage is ensured by the shape of the first port 35, which opens only into the first part 27 without communicating with the second part. It should be noted that this first port 35 is positioned on a first lateral wall 37 of the heating element 3.

[0072] The first part 27 of the circulation chamber is fluidically connected to the second part of the circulation chamber by a single passage 41, thus allowing the fluid circulating in the first part 27 of the circulation chamber to pass into the second part of the circulation chamber, and vice versa according to the direction of circulation of said heat transfer fluid.

[0073] In this embodiment, this passage 41 is located between an internal wall 31 and a lateral wall 11. More specifically, the passage 41 is located along a second lateral wall 43, which is the lateral wall 11 opposite the first lateral wall 37 comprising the first port 35. The passage 41 is thus partially delimited by an internal wall 31, by the second lateral wall 43, and by an inclined portion 45 of the central partition 23, which will be described in relation to [Fig. 4]. The inclined portion 45 occupies the entire width of the first traffic path 33 at the point where this inclined portion 45 is located. It is thus understood that all the fluid flowing in this part of the first traffic path 33 passes through the central partition 23 via the inclined portion 45.

[0074] It should be noted that the first port 35 and the passage 41 each form an opening of the first circulation path 33, these two elements being arranged at the ends of the first circulation path 33 in such a way that the heat transfer fluid entering through the first port 35 or through the passage 41 must travel the entire length of the first circulation path 33 before exiting through the passage 41 or through the first port 35.

[0075] Furthermore, it should be noted that the internal walls 31 are arranged in such a way that the first circulation path 33 is configured so that the fluid passes over a majority of the first face 25 of the heating body 3 before reaching the passage 4L. This ensures a larger heat exchange surface and, consequently, better heat transfer to the heat transfer fluid.

[0076] The heating body 3 also includes protrusions 43 arranged in the first circulation path 33. These protrusions 43 extend, from the first face 25, predominantly in a secant extension direction, and more particularly perpendicular, to the main elongation plane A of the heating body 3.

[0077] The passage 45 is formed by a local modification of the inclination of the central partition 23, so that the latter extends, in the area of ​​the passage 45, through the second part of the circulation chamber. This results in an opening in the principal elongation plane A through which the fluid flows. It is noteworthy that this configuration forms a ramp to accompany the passage of the fluid, as will be described in more detail below with reference to [Fig.4].

[0078] Fig. 3 is a view from below and in perspective of the heating element 3 of the heating radiator 1 according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. This figure allows us to observe in particular that the central partition 23 also has a second face 47.

[0079] The second face 47, the hood 5, and the side walls 11 delimit, through the cooperation of the hood 5 with the side walls 11, the second part 49 of the circulation chamber. This cooperation between the side walls 11 and the hood 5 is achieved by means of a second free termination 51 and will be visible in [Fig. 4].

[0080] To allow the heat transfer fluid to enter or exit the second part 49 of the circulation chamber, as mentioned with reference to [Fig. 1], the heating element 3 includes a second port 53 opening into this second part 49 of the circulation chamber by means of an opening extending from the outside of the heating element 3 into the second part 49 of the circulation chamber. In this way, the heat transfer fluid can pass from the outside of the heating element 3 into the second part 49 of the circulation chamber, while being prevented from accessing the first part 27 of the circulation chamber thanks to the shape of the second port 53, which opens only into the second part 49 of the circulation chamber and not into the first part 27 of the circulation chamber.

[0081] It is therefore clear that the first port 35 is solely dedicated to fluidic communication with the first part 27 of the circulation chamber, while the second port 53 is solely dedicated to fluidic communication with the second part 49 of the circulation chamber.

[0082] It should also be noted that this second port 53 is, like the first port 35, positioned on the first side wall 37 of the heating body 3.

[0083] The heating body 3 comprises internal walls 31 arranged on the second face 47 and extending in intersecting planes, in this embodiment of the planes perpendicular to the main elongation plane A of the central partition 23.

[0084] These internal walls 31 are configured to be in contact with the hood 5 when the latter cooperates with the second free termination 51 of the side walls 11. In this way, the side walls 11, the internal walls 31, and the hood 5 delimit a second circulation path 55 guiding the heat transfer fluid within the second part 49 of the circulation chamber.

[0085] As described previously, the second part 49 of the circulation chamber is fluidically connected to the first part 27 of the circulation chamber by the single passage 41. It is therefore understood that depending on the direction of fluid flow, the heat transfer fluid can either enter through the second port 53, flow through the second flow path 55, pass through passage 41, then flow through the first flow path 33 before exiting through the first port 35. Or, the heat transfer fluid can enter through the first port 35, flow through the first flow path 33, pass through passage 41, then flow through the second flow path 55 and exit through the second port 53.

[0086] Similar to what has been described for the first circulation path 33, the second port 53 and the passage 41 each form an opening of the second circulation path 55 and are arranged at its ends such that the heat transfer fluid entering through the second port 53 or through the passage 41 must travel the entire length of the second circulation path 55 before exiting through the passage 41 or through the second port 53.

[0087] Furthermore, the internal walls 31 arranged on the second face 47 are positioned in such a way that the first circulation path 33 is configured so that the fluid passes over a majority of the second face 47 of the heating body 3 before reaching the passage 41, thus ensuring better heat transfer to the heat transfer fluid.

[0088] The heating body 3 also includes protrusions 43 arranged in the second circulation path 55. These protrusions 43 are here in the form of pins and extend from the second face 47 of the central partition 23, predominantly in a secant extension direction, and more particularly perpendicular, to the main elongation plane A of the central partition 23.

[0089] From Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that in this embodiment, the first flow path 33 and the second flow path 55 are configured to cause the heat transfer fluid to follow a different path on the first face 25 and the second face 47. For this purpose, the internal walls 31 are arranged differently on the first face 25 and the second face 47. In this way, it is understood that the first flow path 33 and the second flow path 55 are asymmetrical with respect to the principal elongation plane A of the central partition 23.

[0090] It should be noted, however, that the first flow path 33 and the second flow path 55, although asymmetrical, have substantially equal volumes. In this way, the fluid travels substantially the same path, whether on the side of the first face 25 or on the side of the second face 47.

[0091] Fig. 4 is a section in a section plane C, visible in Fig. 2, of the radiator heating 1 according to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3.

[0092] As previously stated, it can be seen in this [Fig. 4] that the external walls extend in planes perpendicular to the principal elongation plane A of the central partition 23. Similarly, it is also visible that the internal walls 31 extend in planes perpendicular to the main elongation plane A.

[0093] This [Fig. 4] also allows for a better observation of passage 41 in order to understand its operation. Passage 41 is thus partially delimited by the inclined portion 45 of the central partition 23 of the heating element 3. The heat transfer fluid can pass from one part of the circulation chamber to the other via a material interruption in the principal elongation plane A of the central partition 23. It is noteworthy that the corresponding material of the partition is not removed, but inclined across one of the parts of the circulation chamber in order to form the inclined portion 45, thus creating a ramp that accompanies the movement of the heat transfer fluid.

[0094] In other words, it is understood that at the inclined portion 45, there is no material in the principal elongation plane A of the central partition 23, which forms the passage 4L

[0095] The inclined portion 45 extends at an angle α with respect to said principal elongation plane A of the central partition 23. This angle α is here between 20° and 40°.

[0096] In order to measure this inclination, we therefore refer to the main elongation plane A and we measure the acute angle, which is the angle a, located between the inclined portion 45 and this main elongation plane A.

[0097] The choice of this angle value for the inclined portion 45 is a compromise between the need for a clear opening to minimize pressure loss and allow the fluid to flow easily from one part of the circulation chamber to the other, and the need to prevent the heat transfer fluid from abruptly changing from one part to the other. The inclined portion 45 thus forms a ramp that guides the fluid, avoiding turbulence that could cause poor fluid distribution and a decrease in heat exchange with the heating element 3

[0098] In this embodiment, the inclined portion 45 has a downward inclination, meaning that the inclined portion 45 extends from the main elongation plane and is inclined so as to be transverse to the second part 49 of the circulation chamber. More specifically, in this embodiment, the inclined portion 45 extends transversely to the second part 49 of the circulation chamber such that this inclined portion 45 is in contact with the hood 5 when the latter cooperates with the side walls 11.

[0099] It is therefore understood that with this downward inclination, the inclined portion 45 is configured to circulate the heat transfer fluid from the first part 27 of the circulation chamber to the second part 49, forming a ramp along which the heat transfer fluid flows to make this passage as laminar as possible.

[0100] The passage 41 is also delimited by an internal wall 31. More particularly, the edge of said internal wall 31 which is in the principal elongation plane A forms an edge delimiting the passage in this plane, opposite an edge formed by the junction of the principal elongation plane A and the ramp formed by the inclined portion 45.

[0101] It should be noted that if the fluid is made to circulate from the second part of the circulation chamber to the first part of the circulation chamber, the ramp formed by the inclined portion 45 allows the passage of the fluid from one part of the circulation chamber to another to be accompanied in the same way and offering the same advantages as when the fluid passes from the first part to the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0102] Alternatively, the passage 41 could also be delimited by an additional inclined portion of the heating body 3 arranged opposite and parallel to the inclined portion 45 so as to facilitate laminar circulation of the fluid within the passage.

[0103] In this figure, it can also be seen that the inclined portion 45 includes protrusions 43, which disturb the fluid and improve heat exchange with the fluid by increasing the heat exchange surface of the heating element 3 with said fluid. It can also be noted that the protrusions 43 extending from the second face 47 are in contact with the cover 5 when the latter cooperates with the side walls 11 to form the first part 27 of the circulation chamber.

[0104] In this embodiment, the protrusions 43 extending from the first face 25 are not in contact with the housing 7 when the latter cooperates with the side walls 11 to form the first circulation chamber. The space provided between the protrusions 43 and the housing 7 facilitates assembly within the tolerances of the various parts and ensures compression of the seal housed in the groove of the first termination 29.

[0105] It should be noted that the housing 7 has a recess 59 in its bottom 13. This recess 59 is designed so that, when the housing 7 cooperates with the side walls 11, the volume of the first part 27 of the circulation chamber is greater than if a housing 7 without a recess cooperated with the side walls 11. In addition, the recess 59 of the housing 7 includes walls 61 configured to cooperate with the internal walls 31 so that, when the housing 7 cooperates with the side walls 11, the walls 61 of the recess 59 are in contact with the internal walls 31 of the heating body 3, thus delimiting the first circulation path. On the other hand, for the internal walls 31 on the side of the second face 47, there are no walls on the hood 5, so that the internal walls 31 are in direct contact with the hood 5 to delimit the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0106] Fig. 4 also shows cylindrical portions 57 of the heating body 3. These cylindrical portions 57 are made in the central partition 23 and are designed to surround the heating element 2. In this way, the heat from the electric heating element 2 is transferred to the cylindrical portions of the central partition 23, and then diffuses into the rest of the central partition 23 to heat the heat transfer fluid.

[0107] The inclined portion 45, in this embodiment, is obtained by a local inclination of the central partition 23 in a part thereof which is devoid of cylindrical portions 57 and which is therefore far from the heating element 2.

[0108] It should be noted that the central partition 23 is, in this embodiment, arranged equidistant from the housing 7 and the hood 5, so that the volume of the first part 27 of the circulation chamber is substantially equal to the volume of the second part 49 of the circulation chamber.

[0109] As described above, the present invention achieves its intended purpose by providing a heating radiator comprising a first part of the circulation chamber, delimited in particular by a casing and a first face of a central partition of a heating element, and a second part of the circulation chamber, delimited in particular by a cover and a second face of the central partition. These two parts are connected by a single passage, allowing the heat transfer fluid to circulate from the first part to the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0110] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle heater (1) comprising an electric heating element (2) and at least one heating body (3) surrounding at least partially the electric heating element (2), the heater (1) being provided with at least one cover (5) and at least one housing (7) receiving a control device (17) for the electric heating element (2), characterized in that the heating body (3) comprises a central partition (23) having a first face (25) and a second face (47) opposite the first face (25), the first face (25) and the housing (7) delimiting at least partially a first portion (27) of a heat transfer fluid circulation chamber, the second face (47) and the cover (5) delimiting at least partially a second portion (49) of the circulation chamber, said first portion (27) and said second portion (49) of the circulation chamber being fluidically connected by a single passage (41) passing through the central partition (23).

2. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 1, in which the passage (41) is delimited at least in part by an inclined portion (45) of the central partition (23) of the heating body (3).

3. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 2, wherein the central partition (23) extends in a principal elongation plane (A), the inclined portion (45) being inclined at an angle (a) from 20° to 40° with respect to said principal elongation plane (A).

4. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inclined portion (45) has a downward inclination such that it extends across the second part (49) of the circulation chamber.

5. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the inclined portion (45) includes protrusions (43).

6. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first face (25) and / or the second face (47) have protrusions (43).

7. Heater radiator (1) according to claim 6, wherein the protrusions (43) are in contact with the housing (7) and / or the cover (5).

8. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with claim 3, wherein the heating body (3) comprises side walls (11) extending predominantly in extension planes secant to the main extension plane (A), said side walls (11) cooperating with the casing (7) and the first face (25) in order to delimit the first part (27) of the circulation chamber, and cooperating with the hood (5) and the second face (47) in order to delimit the second part (49) of the circulation chamber.

9. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 8, in which the heating body (3) comprises a first port (35) opening into the first part (27) of the circulation chamber and a second port (53) opening into the second part (49) of the circulation chamber, the first port (35) and the second port (53) being formed in the same side wall (11).

10. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 9, wherein the passage (41) is disposed along a side wall (11) opposite the side wall (11) comprising the first port (35) and the second port (53).

11. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the heating body (3) comprises internal walls (31) arranged on the first face (25) and on the second face (47), the internal walls (31) arranged on the first face (25) delimiting at least in part a first circulation path (33) of the first part (27) of the circulation chamber between the first port (35) and the passage (41), the internal walls (31) arranged on the second face (47) delimiting at least in part a second circulation path (55) of the second part (49) of the circulation chamber between the passage (41) and the second port (53).

12. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 11, wherein the volume of the first circulation path (33) is substantially equal to the volume of the second circulation path (55).

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