Electric radiator for motor vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle heater radiator The invention relates to a vehicle heater radiator (1) comprising an electric heating element (9) and at least one heating body (3) molded at least partially around the electric heating element (9), the heater radiator (1) being provided with at least one housing (7) carrying a control member (27) for the heating element (9), the heating body (3) comprising a main part (13) delimited by side walls (33, 35, 37, 39) configured to cooperate with the housing (7) in order to form at least partially a circulation chamber for a heat transfer fluid, the heating body (3) comprising a connecting part (21) projecting from a first side wall (33) of the main part (13) in a longitudinal direction,the connecting part (21) being configured to cooperate with an orifice (29) of the housing (7) in order to connect one end (11) of the heating element (9) housed in the connecting part (21) to the control member (27), a longitudinal dimension (DLB) of the housing (7) being at least equal to the sum of a longitudinal dimension (DLPR) of the connecting part (21) with a longitudinal dimension (DLPP) of the main part (13) of the heating body (3). (Figure 1),

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 front electric radiator, for example to send 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] Electric radiators are used in particular in vehicle passenger compartment heating systems to heat the heat transfer fluid which then heats the air intended for the passenger compartment, as well as to heat a heat transfer fluid which heats the vehicle's electric battery.

[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] The heating element is generally designed to cooperate with another element, such as a housing, in order to define a circulation chamber for the heat transfer fluid. This housing may include electronic components, in particular a control device for the heating element, allowing control of the temperature of this heating element and, consequently, that of the heat transfer fluid.

[0006] This configuration can present several difficulties, particularly with regard to sealing. Indeed, the interaction between the heating element and the housing must be completely sealed to prevent any leakage of heat transfer fluid from the circulation chamber. Such a leak could not only lead to fluid loss, but also present technical risks if the fluid were to come into contact with the control unit or other electronic components of the heater core. Such contact could, for example, damage the control unit.

[0007] Sealing means may be provided for this purpose. However, these sealing means may be complicated to implement due to the presence of electrical elements that must pass through the heating element and the housing to allow communication between the electronic components and the resistive material.

[0008] There is therefore a need to optimize the cooperation between the housing and the heating element in heating radiators in order to prevent leaks of heat transfer fluid and to protect the electronic components of the heating radiator against contact with this fluid, by improving the design of the sealing means, and in particular by facilitating their assembly.

[0009] The objective of the invention described in this document is therefore to overcome the difficulties of the prior art by presenting a vehicle heater radiator comprising an electric heating element and at least one heating body molded at least in part around the electric heating element, the heater radiator being provided with at least one housing carrying a control device for the heating element, the heating body comprising a main part delimited by lateral walls configured to cooperate with the housing in order to form at least in part a circulation chamber for a heat transfer fluid, the heating body comprising a connecting part projecting from a first lateral wall of the main part in a longitudinal direction,The connecting part is configured to cooperate with an opening in the housing in order to connect one end of the heating element housed in the connecting part to the control unit, and the longitudinal dimension of the housing is at least equal to the sum of the longitudinal dimension of the connecting part and the longitudinal dimension of the main part of the heating element.

[0010] The circulation chamber is delimited, in particular, by the casing and the main part of the heating element through the interaction of the casing and the side walls of this main part. Within this circulation chamber, the heat transfer fluid flows in contact with the heating element, which itself surrounds the heating element, thus enabling heat transfer from the heating element to the main part of the heating element, and then to the heat transfer fluid. Therefore, in order to transmit heat correctly, the heating element must be made of a heat-conducting material.

[0011] To maximize heat transfer efficiency, the heating element is generally molded around the heating element. When the heating element has a tubular shape, the heating element can be designed to completely cover at least part of its circumference, thus maximizing heat absorption by the heating element. Molding the heating element around the heating element ensures direct physical contact between the material constituting the heating body and the external peripheral wall of the electric heating element.

[0012] Regarding the sizing of the heating radiator components, the casing must have a longitudinal dimension at least equal to the sum of the longitudinal dimensions of the main part of the heating element and the connection section. The longitudinal dimension of the casing must therefore be at least equal to the total longitudinal dimension of the heating element.

[0013] It should be noted that longitudinal dimensioning corresponds to dimensioning in the longitudinal direction. This direction extends between the first lateral wall and a lateral wall opposite this first lateral wall.

[0014] Thanks to these dimensions, the circulation chamber and the connection of the heating element to the control unit are formed respectively by the interaction between the side walls of the main part of the heating element and the housing, and by the interaction of the connecting part with the housing, at two distinct points on said housing. This prevents, in the event of a leak in the circulation chamber, the fluid escaping from the junction between the main part and the housing from passing through the junction between the connecting part and the housing, and thus from reaching the control unit.

[0015] These dimensions also allow for a distinction between the sealing means used for the connecting part and that used for the main part. The sealing of the connecting part is therefore independent of that of the circulation chamber, which allows the connecting part to be freely positioned on a side wall of the housing, as long as it protrudes. Furthermore, this offers the possibility of standardizing certain sealing means.

[0016] It should be noted that in order to connect the heating element to the control member, the end of the heating element protrudes from the connection portion, and the connection portion cooperates with the opening located on the housing. The end of the heating element is thus positioned, through this interaction, to pass completely through the housing and is then available for connection to the control member.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, a transverse dimensioning of the housing is substantially equal to a transverse dimensioning of the main part of the heating body.

[0018] It should be noted that transverse dimensioning corresponds to the dimensioning of the heating radiator elements in a transverse direction, this direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, as well as to a vertical direction which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction from the heating body to the casing.

[0019] In other words, it is understood from these dimensions that, transversely, the casing has the same width as the main part of the heating element, and that, longitudinally, the casing has at least the length of the main part plus that of the connection part of the heating element.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, a first sealing means ensures the seal between the side walls of the main part of the heating body and the housing, and a second sealing means ensures the seal between the connection part of the heating body and the housing.

[0021] The first sealing means is thus intended to ensure the sealing of the circulation chamber, while the second sealing means serves to guarantee the sealing of the junction between the connecting part and the housing.

[0022] It should be noted that the use of two separate sealing means for these functions is made possible by the longitudinal dimensioning of the housing, which is at least equal to the sum of the longitudinal dimensioning of the main part and that of the connecting part.

[0023] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first sealing means and the second sealing means are independent of each other.

[0024] Thanks to these two separate sealing means, the risk of a heat transfer fluid leak escaping from the circulation chamber and reaching the control unit is further reduced. Indeed, the first sealing means constitutes an initial barrier to prevent leakage from the circulation chamber, and even if fluid does escape, the second sealing means offers additional protection to prevent the fluid from passing through the orifice and reaching the control unit.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the second sealing means is an O-ring.

[0026] The use of two independent sealing means makes it possible, in certain cases, to use commercially available sealing means, such as O-rings. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the heating radiator, as it is then not necessary to create a seal specifically for this application.

[0027] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first sealing means is disposed in a first plane and the second sealing means is positioned in a second plane, the first plane and the second plane being parallel to each other.

[0028] This arrangement in two distinct planes further reduces the risk of the heat transfer fluid reaching the control element. Indeed, the fluid would first have to leak through the first sealing means, then pass from the first plane to the second plane and finally through the second sealing means, which is relatively unlikely.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, the connecting part includes a groove configured to accommodate the second sealing means, the side walls include a groove configured to accommodate the first sealing means, the groove and the groove being separated from each other.

[0030] The first sealing means therefore conforms to the shape of the groove, while the second sealing means conforms to the shape of the throat.

[0031] With this configuration, during the assembly of the heating radiator, the first sealing means is compressed between the groove and the housing, and the second sealing means is compressed between the groove and the housing, which ensures the sealing of the cooperation between the housing and the heating body.

[0032] According to an optional feature of the invention, a first zone of a bottom of the case helps to delimit the circulation chamber, the orifice of the case being disposed within a second zone of this bottom of the case.

[0033] The cooperation of the side walls of the main part of the heating element therefore takes place in the first zone, while the cooperation of the connecting part with the opening of the housing takes place in the second zone of the bottom of the housing. This is possible thanks to the longitudinal dimensioning of the housing, which is at least equal to the sum of the longitudinal dimensions of the main part and the connecting part.

[0034] By operating in two separate zones, the main and connecting parts are kept apart during their interaction, further reducing the risk of fluid escaping from the circulation chamber, passing through the orifice, and reaching the pilot element. Thanks to this interaction, both parts of the heating element are pressed against the housing in a single movement. This simplifies assembly and ensures a good seal, as all the gaskets are compressed simultaneously.

[0035] According to an optional feature, the connection portion of the heating element includes a collar configured to cooperate with a housing in the bottom of the casing, said housing surrounding the opening in the casing. In this context, the groove can be positioned on the collar so that, when the collar cooperates with the housing, the second sealing means is compressed between the groove and the housing.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the invention, the side walls cooperate with the bottom of the housing by a first free end in order to form a first part of the circulation chamber, and cooperate by a second free end with a hood in order to form a second part of the circulation chamber.

[0037] It is then understood that the first free end includes the groove configured to accommodate the first sealing means. The second free end can also include a staking and a third sealing means to ensure the sealing of the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0038] In this context, there are therefore two distinct parts of the circulation chamber, which can, for example, communicate with each other. The heat transfer fluid can then circulate in each part of the circulation chamber, which can prolong the fluid's transit time in the circulation chamber and thus improve heat transfer between the heating element and the heat transfer fluid.

[0039] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating body comprises a first port and a second port opening into the circulation chamber, the first port and the second port being positioned on a second side wall opposite the first side wall.

[0040] The first and second ports are configured to allow the heat transfer fluid to enter and / or exit the first and / or second part of the circulation chamber. By positioning them on the second side wall rather than the first side wall, this frees up space on the first wall, thus allowing, for example, the installation of other connection parts.

[0041] According to an optional feature of the invention, the heating element comprises a plurality of connecting parts, these connecting parts projecting from the first side wall. It should be noted that the description given above for a connecting part also applies to a plurality of connecting parts.

[0042] 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:

[0043] [Fig. 1] is an exploded view of a heating radiator according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0044] [Fig.2] is a top and perspective view of a heating element of the radiator heating of the embodiment of [Fig.1];

[0045] [Fig.3] is a side view of the heating element of the heating radiator in mode of the realization of figures 1 and 2;

[0046] [Fig.4] is a bottom and perspective view of the heater radiator housing according to the implementation method shown in figures 1 to 3;

[0047] [Fig.5] is a section, in a section plane A represented in [Fig.2], of the radiator of heating according to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 4.

[0048] The features and variants of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. in particular to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0049] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0050] In the detailed description that follows, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" refer to the L, T, V trihedron illustrated in the figures and are used to specify the orientation and dimensions relative to the heating radiator and its components.

[0051] Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a heating radiator 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0052] 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].

[0053] The heating element 3 partially surrounds an electric heating element 9. More specifically, the heating element 3 is partially molded around this heating element 9. In this way, when the heating element 9 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.

[0054] The heating element 9 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.

[0055] It should be noted that this heating element 9 includes ends 11 which are not surrounded by the heating body 3 for its connection to an electrical network of the vehicle in particular via electronic components housed in the casing 7.

[0056] The heating element 3 comprises a main part 13, which in this embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape. It thus comprises four lateral walls, each lateral wall being arranged perpendicular to the two immediately adjacent lateral walls, and parallel to the opposite lateral wall.

[0057] One of these side walls includes a first port 17 and a second port 19, respectively constituting an inlet and / or outlet of a heat transfer fluid circulation chamber formed in part by the heating element 3. The side wall opposite this side wall includes at least one connection portion 21 of the heating element 3 configured to allow the connection of an end 11 with the electronic components of the housing 7. In this embodiment, this side wall includes a plurality of connection portions 21, more precisely four connection portions 21. These elements will be described in more detail in the description of [Fig. 2].

[0058] It should be noted that the side walls are configured to cooperate with the housing 7 so as to form at least part of the heat transfer fluid circulation chamber. It is understood, then, that the circulation chamber is delimited in particular by the side walls, the remainder of the main part 13 of the heating element 3, and the housing 7. Details concerning the circulation chamber will be given with reference to the following figures.

[0059] The housing 7 is provided with a base 23 and at least one edge 25. The base 23 is designed to accommodate various electrical and electronic components, including, but not limited to, a control element 27 for the heating element 9 and / or devices for measuring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid.

[0060] In this embodiment, the base 23 is surrounded by four edges 25. These edges 25 define a rectangular shape. In the base 23 there is at least one opening 29, for example of a round shape. In this embodiment, the number of ports 29 is equal to the number of connecting parts 21 of the heating element 3, i.e., four ports 29. These ports 29 pass completely through the base 23 and are intended to allow the passage of the ends 11 of the heating element 9. Thus, the heating element 9 can, for example, be electrically connected to the control member 27 located in this base 23. To do this, the ends 11 of the heating element 9 protrude from the connecting parts 21, these being complementary to the ports 29. In this way, the ends 11 can protrude from the base 23 of the housing 7 and be connected to the control member 27.

[0061] The hood 5 has a shape complementary to that of the main part 13 of the heating element 3, namely a rectangular shape. The hood 5 thus comprises four sides 31, each of these sides 31 being parallel to one of the lateral walls of the main part 13 of the heating element 3, so as to be able to cooperate with this main part 13. By cooperating with this main part 13, the hood 5 is also designed to partially form the circulation chamber.

[0062] The heating element 3 and the housing 7 have transverse dimensions DTB, DTPP and longitudinal dimensions DLB, DLPP, DLPR shown in this figure, but which will be detailed in relation to the following figures for better understanding.

[0063] [Fig.2] is a top and perspective view of the heating body 3 of the heating radiator 1 of the embodiment of [Fig. 1].

[0064] As explained previously, the heating element 3 comprises a main part 13, designed, by means of its four lateral walls, to cooperate with the housing 7 in order to form, at least in part, the heat transfer fluid circulation chamber. The heating element 3 also comprises connecting parts 21, which are designed to cooperate with the housing 7 in order to bring the heating element 9 into the interior of the housing 7, thus enabling it to be connected to the control member 27.

[0065] The main part 13 comprises, more particularly, a first side wall 33, a second side wall 35, a third side wall 37 and a fourth side wall 39.

[0066] The second side wall 35 comprises the first port 17 and the second port 19 and is opposite the first side wall 33, which, in turn, comprises the connecting parts 21, these connecting parts 21 projecting from this first side wall 33. The third side wall 37 is, in turn, opposite the fourth side wall 39. Furthermore, since the main part 13 forms a rectangular parallelepiped, it is understood that the first side wall 33 is connected to the second side wall 35 by the third side wall 37 and the fourth side wall 39.

[0067] In this context, the longitudinal direction L is a direction which extends between the first side wall 33 and the second side wall 35, and the transverse direction T is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, extending between the third side wall 37 and the fourth side wall 39. The longitudinal direction L is thus the direction in which the connecting parts 21 protrude from the first side wall 33.

[0068] The vertical direction V, for its part, is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T.

[0069] The heating element 3 thus comprises longitudinal and transverse dimensions. The longitudinal dimension DLPP of the main part 13 corresponds to its dimension in the longitudinal direction L, that is to say, the distance separating the first side wall 33 from the second side wall 35 along the longitudinal direction L. The longitudinal dimension DLPR of the connecting parts 21 corresponds to their dimension in the longitudinal direction L. The transverse dimension DTPP of the main part 13 corresponds to its dimension in the transverse direction T, that is to say, the distance separating the third side wall 37 from the fourth side wall 39 along the transverse direction T.

[0070] The side walls cooperate with the housing 7 via a first free end 41. This first free end 41 includes a groove 43 configured to accommodate a first sealing means 45, said groove 43 opening towards the housing 7 when the housing 7 and the main part 13 of the heating body 3 cooperate.

[0071] It should be noted that the side walls include point bosses 47 forming local reinforcements, so that said side walls do not have a linear shape. It is thus understood that, in this context, the groove 43 does not have a linear shape, as it is deviated at the point bosses 47 on each side wall. The first sealing means 45 is therefore specifically designed for the shape of this groove 43, for example, by applying the material constituting the first sealing means 45 directly into the groove 43 while hot.

[0072] The connecting parts 21 each include a groove 49 configured to accommodate a second sealing means 51. By accommodating this second sealing means 51, the assembly formed by the groove 49 and the latter ensures the sealing of the cooperation between these connecting parts 21 and the housing 7.

[0073] It should be noted that the groove 49 and the channel 43 are two distinct and separate elements. These elements are therefore independent and do not communicate with each other.

[0074] The connecting parts 21 each comprise a cylindrical outlet portion 53 through which the end 11 of the heating element 9 protrudes. This cylindrical outlet portion 53 extends about an axis along the vertical direction V, so that said cylindrical outlet portion 53 cooperates with the orifice 29.

[0075] The connecting parts 21 also include a collar 55. This collar 55 surrounds the cylindrical outlet portion 53, thus forming a local and circular bulge around it.

[0076] The groove 49 is positioned on the collar 55 and therefore surrounds the cylindrical outlet portion 53. It is thus understood that the groove 49 is circular and opens towards the housing 7 when it is assembled, so that, in this position, the second sealing means 51 is in contact with the housing 7.

[0077] The second sealing means 51 therefore also takes a circular shape in order to cooperate with the groove 49. Thanks to the shape of the groove 49 and its separation from the groove 43, a standard O-ring can then be used as a second sealing means 51.

[0078] In order to cooperate with the hood 5, the side walls also have a second free end 57 visible in [Fig. 3]. To ensure the sealing of this cooperation, a third sealing means may in particular be used.

[0079] The main part 13 of the heating body 3 includes a central partition 59 molded around the heating element 9 and which extends predominantly in the transverse and longitudinal directions.

[0080] The central partition 59 of the main part 13, the housing 7, and the side walls delimit, through the cooperation of the housing 7 with the first free end 41, a first part of the heat transfer fluid circulation chamber. Similarly, the central partition 59, the cover 5, and the side walls delimit, through the cooperation of the cover 5 with the second free end 57, a second part of the circulation chamber, although this is not visible in this [Fig. 2].

[0081] The first and second parts of the circulation chamber are configured to allow the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, such as glycol. Thus, when this heat transfer fluid is present in the first and / or second part of the circulation chamber, it heats up through contact with the main part 13 of the heating element 3, which is itself heated by the electric heating element 9 when activated. The first part of the circulation chamber can be fluidically connected to the second part of the circulation chamber by a passage, allowing the fluid to circulate between these two parts.

[0082] The main part 13 of the heating element 3 comprises, in addition to the side walls, internal walls 61 arranged between the side walls on the central partition 59, both in the first and second parts of the circulation chamber. These internal walls 61 project from the central partition 59 and are configured to be in contact with the housing 7 and / or the cover 5, depending on their position in the first or second part of the circulation chamber, when the housing 7 and the cover 5 cooperate with the side walls. These internal walls 61 extend, in particular, in the vertical direction and allow the formation of circulation paths within the first and second parts of the circulation chamber.

[0083] In order to allow the heat transfer fluid to enter or exit the first part of the circulation chamber, as mentioned with reference to [Fig. 1], the second side wall 35 of the main part 13 of the heating element 3 is equipped with the first port 17 which opens into this first part of the circulation chamber. Similarly, to allow the heat transfer fluid to enter or exit the second part of the circulation chamber, the second side wall 35 of the main part 13 of the heating element 3 has the second port 19.

[0084] The first port 17 and the second port 19 each have an opening connecting the outside of the main part 13 of the heating body 3 to, respectively, the first part of the circulation chamber and the second part of the circulation chamber.

[0085] In the illustrated example, it should be noted that the heat transfer fluid passing through the first port 17 is prevented from accessing the second part of the circulation chamber due to the configuration of the first port 17, which opens only into the first part without communicating with the second part. Similarly, the fluid The heat transfer fluid passing through the second port 19 is prevented from accessing the first part of the circulation chamber thanks to the design of the second port 19, which opens only into the second part of the circulation chamber without communicating with the first part.

[0086] The main part 13 of the heating body 3 also includes projections 63 arranged in the circulation chamber. These projections, in the form of pins, extend from the central partition 59 in the vertical direction, towards the housing 7 and / or towards the cover 5 when the heating radiator 1 is assembled.

[0087] Fig. 3 is a profile view of the heating body 3 of the heating radiator 1 of the embodiment of the preceding figures.

[0088] It should be noted that this side view allows observation of the third lateral wall 37 as well as the first and second free ends 57 of this wall. The observations made concerning these free ends of the third lateral wall 37 also apply to the free ends of the other lateral walls.

[0089] The first free end 41 of the third lateral wall 37 extends in a first plane denoted PI in [Fig. 3] and defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T, the first free ends of the other lateral walls also extending in this same first plane PL

[0090] Since the first free end 41 extends in this first plane PI, the groove 43 is therefore located, at least in part, in this plane. Thus, when the first sealing means 45 is placed in the groove 43, according to the invention, it is disposed at least partially in the first plane PL

[0091] This profile view also allows observation of a connecting part 21. The observations made about this connecting part 21 are also applicable to the other connecting parts.

[0092] The collar 55 of this connecting part 21 extends at least partially into a second plane, denoted P2 in [Fig. 3]. More specifically, it is a free end face of the collar 55, intended to be turned towards the housing 7, that extends into the second plane P2. This plane P2 is defined by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T and is parallel to the second plane P2 without coinciding with it.

[0093] Since the collars 55 of each of the connecting parts extend in this second plane P2, the grooves 49 and the second sealing means 51 are therefore also located at least partly in this same plane P2.

[0094] The first plane PI and the second plane P2 are parallel to each other and do not coincide. There is therefore a misalignment between these two planes. This misalignment is explained by the fact that, when mounting the housing 7 with the heating element 3, the first free end 41 is in contact with the bottom 23 of the housing 7, while the face The free end of the collar is housed in recesses in the bottom 23 of the housing 7 which will be described in relation to [Fig.4].

[0095] Fig. 4 is a view from below and in perspective of the housing 7 of the heating radiator 1 according to the embodiment of the preceding figures.

[0096] In this figure, we can observe in more detail the part of the housing 7 which cooperates with the heating element 3, that is to say the bottom 23 of the housing 7.

[0097] The bottom 23 of the housing 7 comprises a first zone 65 and a second zone 67, these two zones being, in this embodiment, adjacent to each other.

[0098] The first zone 65 of the bottom 23 of the housing 7 helps to delimit the circulation chamber and is therefore designed to cooperate with the main part 13 of the heating body 3. The second zone 67 of the bottom 23 of the housing 7, for its part, includes the orifices 29 and is therefore designed to cooperate with the connecting parts of the heating body 3.

[0099] It should be noted that the first zone 65 and the second zone 67 are in the same flat portion of the bottom 23 of the housing 7. In the same translation operation, the first zone 65 is thus brought closer to the main part 13 and the second zone 67 to the connecting part 21. In this way, the main part 13 can be pressed simultaneously against the first zone 65 and the connecting part 21 against the second zone 67.

[0100] The housing 7 has a longitudinal dimension DLB, i.e. its dimension in the longitudinal direction, which, in this embodiment, is substantially equal to the sum of the longitudinal dimension DLPP of the main part 13 and the longitudinal dimension DLPR of the connecting part 21. It should be noted that the longitudinal dimension DLB of the housing 7 may be greater than the sum of the longitudinal dimension DLPP of the main part 13 and the longitudinal dimension DLPR of the connecting part 21.

[0101] Regarding the transverse dimensioning DTB of the housing 7, i.e. its dimension in the transverse direction, it is here substantially equal to the transverse dimensioning of the heating element 3, and more particularly to the transverse dimensioning DTPP of the main part 13 of the heating element 3. It should be noted that the transverse dimensioning DTB of the housing 7 may be greater than the transverse dimensioning DTPP of the main part 13 of the heating element 3.

[0102] The first zone 65 is the portion of the bottom 23 of the housing 7 which cooperates with the first free end 41 of the side walls to delimit the circulation chamber. During the assembly of the heater radiator 1, the first sealing means 45, positioned within the groove 43, is then compressed by the first zone 65 when it rests against the first free end 4L. A seal is thus ensured between the first free end 41 of the side walls and the bottom 23 of the case 7.

[0103] The first zone 65 of the bottom 23 of the housing 7 includes a recess 69. This recess 69 has walls 71 configured to cooperate with the internal walls 61 of the main part 13 of the heating body 3, which then allows the first circulation path previously defined to be delimited.

[0104] Regarding the second zone 67 of the bottom 23 of the housing 7, it constitutes the continuity of the first zone 65 and is provided with the orifices 29 passing through the bottom 23 of the housing 7 from one side to the other.

[0105] The second zone 67 of the bottom 23 of the housing 7 also includes housings 73. These housings 73 are in fact local recesses of the flat face arranged in a circular fashion around the orifices 29. They are designed to facilitate the cooperation of the orifices 29 with the connecting parts.

[0106] The housings 73 are dimensioned to cooperate with the collars 55. These housings 73 thus form a receiving area for the collars and, consequently, a receiving area for the second sealing means placed in the collar. The second sealing means is then sheltered in this receiving area for protection. In this context, the housing 73 forms a recess along the vertical direction V, which results in the second plane P2 being offset from the first plane PI in said vertical direction V.

[0107] The [Fig.5] is a section, in a cutting plane A shown on the [Fig.2], of the heating radiator 1 according to the embodiment of the preceding figures.

[0108] This figure shows the cooperation of the connecting parts with the housing 7, and more particularly the cooperation of the cylindrical outlet portions in the orifices 29 of the housing 7. For this reason, the diameters of the cylindrical outlet portions are therefore substantially equal to the diameters of the orifices 29.

[0109] To ensure this cooperation, the collars 55 are supported against the housings 73. The diameter of the housings 73 corresponds approximately to the diameter of the collars 55. Thanks to this arrangement, the connecting part 21 is then blocked in the vertical direction and the groove 49 is opposite the housing 73, so that the seal is ensured when the heating element 3 is pressed against the housing 7. When the housings 73 cooperate in this way with the collars 55, the cylindrical outlet portions 53 are positioned so that the ends 11 of the heating element 9 pass through the orifices 29, since these ends 11 protrude from the cylindrical outlet portions 53.

[0110] As just described, the present invention achieves its intended purpose by proposing a heating radiator comprising a heating element Molded around an electric heating element and cooperating with a housing that carries a control device for the heating element. The heating element comprises a main portion, which, together with the housing, defines a heat transfer fluid circulation chamber, and a connecting portion for linking the heating element to the control device. To prevent any risk of contact between a heat transfer fluid leak and the control device, the longitudinal dimensions of the housing are equal to the longitudinal dimensions of the main portion and the connecting portion, thus separating the portion forming the circulation chamber from the portion connecting the heating element to the control device. In this way, the invention allows the use of separate sealing means that are compressed flat between the housing and the heating element in a single movement.The use of separate sealing methods makes it possible, in particular, to simplify the shape of one of the sealing methods.

[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. A vehicle heater (1) comprising an electric heating element (9) and at least one heating body (3) molded at least partially around the electric heating element (9), the heater (1) being provided with at least one housing (7) carrying a control member (27) for the heating element (9), the heating body (3) comprising a main portion (13) delimited by side walls (33, 35, 37, 39) configured to cooperate with the housing (7) to form at least partially a circulation chamber for a heat transfer fluid, the heating body (3) comprising a connecting portion (21) projecting from a first side wall (33) of the main portion (13) in a longitudinal direction, the connecting portion (21) being configured to cooperate with an opening (29) in the housing (7) to connect one end (11) of the housed heating element (9) in the connection part (21) to the control unit (27),a longitudinal dimensioning (DLB) of the casing (7) being at least equal to the sum of a longitudinal dimensioning (DLPR) of the connection part (21) with a longitudinal dimensioning (DLPP) of the main part (13) of the heating element (3).

2. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a transverse dimension (DTB) of the casing (7) is substantially equal to a transverse dimension (DTPP) of the main part (13) of the heating body (3).

3. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a first sealing means (45) ensures sealing between the side walls (33, 35, 37, 39) of the main part (13) of the heating body (3) and the casing (7), and a second sealing means (51) ensures sealing between the connecting part (21) of the heating body (3) and the casing (7).

4. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first sealing means (45) and the second sealing means (51) are independent of each other.

5. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the second sealing means (51) is an O-ring.

6. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first sealing means (45) is disposed in a first plane (PI) and the second sealing means (51) is positioned in a second plane (P2), the first plane (PI) and the second plane (P2) being parallel to each other.

7. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the connecting part (21) includes a groove (49) configured to accommodate the second sealing means (51), the side walls (33, 35, 37, 39) include a groove (43) configured to accommodate the first sealing means (45), the groove (49) and the groove (43) being separated from each other.

8. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a first zone (65) of a bottom (23) of the casing (7) participates in delimiting the circulation chamber, the orifice (29) of the casing (7) being disposed within a second zone (67) of this bottom (23) of the casing (7).

9. Heating radiator (1) according to claim 8, wherein the connecting part (21) of the heating body (3) includes a collar (55) configured to cooperate with a housing (73) in the bottom (23) of the casing (7), said housing (73) surrounding the orifice (29) of the casing (7).

10. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the side walls (33, 35, 37, 39) cooperate with the bottom (23) of the casing (7) by a first free end (41) to form a first part of the circulation chamber, and cooperate by a second free end (57) with a hood (5) to form a second part of the circulation chamber.

11. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heating body (3) comprises a first port (17) and a second port (19) opening into the circulation chamber, the first port (17) and the second port (19) being positioned on a second side wall (35) opposite the first side wall (33).

12. Heating radiator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the heating body (3) comprises a plurality of connecting parts (21), these connecting parts (21) projecting from the first side wall (33).

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