FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly. In particular, the invention
relates to a heat exchanger assembly comprising a plastic bracket to couple the heat
exchanger to a vehicle irrespectively to position of the fixation points in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The heat exchangers are provided in vehicles for various operations, such as conditioning
the cabin air, cooling the refrigerant and enabling heat exchange between two fluids
etc. The heat exchangers can be configured as radiators, evaporators, charge air cooler
and condensers. Based on the requirement, the heat exchangers can be configured as
above-mentioned device. The heat exchanger may need to be positioned at different
locations in the vehicle. For example, the heat exchanger configured as radiators
or charge air coolers are usually placed at an anterior position in the vehicle, so
that the ram air may flow on the heat exchanger. Similarly, other types of heat exchangers
are coupled in their respective locations in the vehicle.
[0003] To couple the heat exchanger with their respective locations in the vehicle, a bracket
is attached to the heat exchanger, and the bracket can be connected to the vehicle.
More particularly, the heat exchanger may include fixation points that are adapted
to be connected to the bracket. Thereafter, the bracket may be connected to the corresponding
fixation points provided in the vehicle. Further, the bracket may block the fluid
around the vicinity of the manifold. Preferably, the heat exchanger and the bracket
are made of aluminum, as the aluminum is low weight material. As the bracket is made
of aluminum, it is cumbersome to design the bracket according to the fixation points
provided in the heat exchanger and the vehicle. In case the fixation points are deposed
far from the manifold of the heat exchanger, the complex and big bracket is needed
to couple the heat exchanger with the vehicle that leads to an issue with sealing
the heat exchanger in the corresponding module in the vehicle. As a result, weight
and cost of the bracket also increased. Also, it is cumbersome to add additional features
such as clips for hoses, protection grid to the heat exchanger having aluminum brackets.
[0004] Accordingly, there remains a need for a bracket assembly made of two different materials
to couple a heat exchanger with a vehicle. Further, there remains another need for
a heat exchanger assembly having at least two brackets made of heterogeneous materials
to couple a heat exchanger with the vehicle irrespective of the mounting direction.
Yet, there remains another need for a bracket adapted to mount a heat exchanger in
the vehicle and the bracket blocks the fluid around vicinity of a manifold of the
heat exchanger.
[0005] The present invention therefore aims to compensate for the disadvantages of the previous
art and to meet the above-mentioned constraints by proposing a bracket made of a plastic
material for a heat exchanger, simple in its design and in its operating mode, reliable
and economical, which makes it possible to couple the heat exchanger with the vehicle
irrespectively of mounting direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In the present description, some elements or parameters may be indexed, such as a
first element and a second element. In this case, unless stated otherwise, this indexation
is only meant to differentiate and name elements which are similar but not identical.
No idea of priority should be inferred from such indexation, as these terms may be
switched without betraying the invention. Additionally, this indexation does not imply
any order in mounting or use of the elements of the invention.
[0007] In view of foregoing, the present invention discloses a heat exchanger assembly having
a heat exchange component and at least one attachment. The heat exchange component
is provided with at least one first bracket and the attachment is provided with at
least one second bracket. Further, the heat exchange component is made of aluminum
and the attachment is made of synthetic material, for example, plastic material.
[0008] Further, the heat exchange component includes a stack of heat exchange tubes and
a manifold for the heat exchange tubes. Further, the manifold may extend along the
stacking direction of the tubes, and the heat exchange component may be configured
for a heat exchange between a first fluid travelling within the tubes and the manifold
and a second fluid travelling around the tubes and the manifold.
[0009] In one example, the first bracket is located on the manifold of the heat exchange
component.
[0010] The heat exchange component further includes a receiver drier, the first bracket
being located on the receiver drier.
[0011] In one embodiment, the attachment is a thin elongated plastic wall extending along
the extension of the manifold.
[0012] Further, the plastic wall extends along the general direction of extension of the
tubes.
[0013] Further, the plastic wall has a portion, which is distanced from the manifold at
least by the distance of the second bracket.
[0014] In another embodiment, the plastic wall has a portion, which follows closely the
surface of the manifold so that the airflow in the vicinity of the manifold is substantially
blocked.
[0015] In another example, the attachment further includes a connection point for further
heat exchanger assembly components.
[0016] Generally, the connection between the first bracket and the second bracket is carried
out by at least one of screwing, clipping and clinching.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the connection between the first bracket and the second
bracket comprises a latching configuration.
[0018] Further, the second bracket includes a pair of spaced first and second arms and the
first bracket is adapted to be received in between the pair of spaced first and second
arms when the first bracket is coupled with the second bracket.
[0019] Further, the first arm includes a resilient finger and a protruded portion formed
on inner side of the resilient finger and extended towards the second arm. The protruded
portion of the resilient finger is adapted to couple with the first bracket.
[0020] Further, the first bracket includes a complementary hole adapted to receive the protruded
portion of the resilient finger of the second bracket, when the first bracket is coupled
with the second bracket.
[0021] In one example, the second bracket is connected to the first bracket in a direction
parallel to the extension of the heat exchange tubes.
[0022] In another example, the second bracket is perpendicularly connected to the first
bracket with respect to the extension of the heat exchange tubes.
[0023] In one aspect, the heat exchanger assembly is configured for operation as a condenser,
the first fluid being a refrigerant and the second fluid being a coolant.
[0024] In another aspect, the heat exchanger assembly is configured for an operation as
a radiator, the first fluid being a coolant and the second fluid being air
BRIEF DESCRITPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention can be inferred from
the description of the invention hereunder. A more complete appreciation of the invention
and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the heat exchanger assembly without
an attachment of Fig. 1 and depicting a first bracket;
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate schematic views of the attachment with a second bracket
of Fig. 1 connected with the manifold of the heat exchange component;
Figs. 6 illustrates a schematic view of the attachment of Fig. 1 connected with the
manifold of the heat exchange component, in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention, in which the attachment has a portion which is distanced by
at least distance of the second bracket;
Fig. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the attachment having the second bracket to
be connected with the first bracket of the heat exchange component of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 illustrates another schematic view of the attachment connected with the respective
manifolds of the heat exchange component of Fig. 7;
Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate perspective views of the second bracket of the attachment
of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connection between the first bracket
and the second bracket of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0026] It must be noted that the figures disclose the invention in a detailed enough way
to be implemented, said figures helping to better define the invention if needs be.
The invention should however not be limited to the embodiment disclosed in the description.
[0027] The present invention discloses a heat exchanger assembly having an attachment adapted
to mount a heat exchanger in a vehicle. The heat exchanger assembly may include at
least two brackets, one bracket being defined on the attachment and another bracket
being defined on the heat exchanger. Further, one bracket, which is to be mounted
on attachment, is made of synthetic material, for example, plastic material, and other
bracket which may be made of different type of material, for example metallic material
such as aluminum, which is to be defined on the heat exchanger.. As the bracket is
made of the synthetic material, it can be designed any shape or direction irrespective
of mounting direction of heat exchanger.
[0028] Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate perspective views of a heat exchanger assembly 100, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The heat exchanger assembly 100 may include
a heat exchange component 102 and an attachment 202. In this example, Fig. 1 is a
schematic view a heat exchanger assembly 100 provided with the attachment 202 and
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the heat exchange component 102 isolated from the attachment
202. The heat exchange component 102 may include a stack of heat exchange tubes 104
and a pair of manifolds 106A-B. The heat exchange tubes 104 are stacked between the
pair of manifolds 106A-B for a first fluid. The pair of manifolds 106A-B extends along
the stacking direction of the heat exchange tubes 104. The pair of manifolds 106A-B
enables the first fluid flow in the heat exchange tubes 104. The heat exchange component
102, also referred to as heat exchanger, may include two fluid flows, particularly,
the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. In one example, the first fluid flows
within the heat exchange tubes 104, hereinafter referred to as tubes 104, and the
pair of manifolds 106 and the second fluid flows around the tubes 104 and the pair
of manifolds 106A-B.
[0029] The heat exchange component 102 is generally configured for a heat exchange between
the first fluid travelling within the tubes 104 and the pair of manifolds 106 and
the second fluid travelling around the tubes 104 and the pair of manifolds 106. In
case, the heat exchange component 102 is configured for an operation as a radiator,
the first fluid being a coolant and the second fluid being air. In another example,
the heat exchange component 102 can be configured for an operation as a condenser.
In such case, the first fluid can be a refrigerant and the second fluid can be a coolant.
Further, the heat exchange component 102 includes a receiver drier 108 fluidically
connected to the tubes 104 to receive the first fluid. The receiver drier 108 is connected
to a manifold 106B amongst the pair of manifolds 106A-B of the heat exchange component
102.
[0030] The heat exchanger assembly 100 may further comprise at least one first bracket 110
located on the pair of manifolds 106A-B of the heat exchange component 102. In another
example, the heat exchange component 102 may comprise one or more first brackets 110
provided on the pair of manifolds 106A-B, particularly, one first bracket 110 may
be located on the manifold 106A and another first bracket 110 may be located on the
manifold 106B. In case the heat exchange component 102 is provided with the receiver
drier 108, the first bracket 110 may be provided on the receiver drier 108. In another
example, a set of first brackets 110 may be provided on the manifold 106A and another
set of first brackets 110 may be provided on the receiver drier 108 of the heat exchange
component 102.
[0031] The heat exchanger assembly 100 may further comprise at least one attachment 202
adapted to be connected to the heat exchange component 102 to mount the heat exchange
component 102 at appropriate location in the vehicle. The attachment 202 further comprises
at least second bracket 204 adapted to be coupled with the first bracket 110 provided
in the heat exchange component 102, so that the attachment 202 is connected to the
heat exchange component 102. In one example, the attachment 202 may comprise more
than one second bracket 204, corresponding to the number of the first brackets 110
provided on one manifold 106A of the heat exchange component 102. In case, the first
brackets 110 are provided on both the manifolds 106A-B or the first brackets 110 are
provided on the manifold 106A and the receiver drier 108, the heat exchanger assembly
100 may include more than one attachment 202 having one or more second brackets 204.
The heat exchange component 102 may be made of aluminium, as the aluminium offers
significant weight savings, and the aluminum alloys have good thermal and corrosion
resistance. Further, the first bracket 110 in the heat exchange component 102 is made
of aluminum and the attachment 202 is made of a plastic material.
[0032] Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate schematic views of the attachment 202 of Fig. 1 connected
with the manifold 106A of the heat exchange component 102. The attachment 202, as
shown in Fig. 3, may include two second brackets 204 adapted to connect to the corresponding
first brackets 110 in the heat exchange component 102. As explained above, the attachment
202 is made of a plastic material. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment 202
is a thin elongated plastic wall. The thin elongated plastic wall extends along the
extension of the pair of manifolds 106A-B. As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the plastic wall
extends along the general direction "P1" of the extension of the tubes 104. In other
words, the attachment 202 being a thin plastic wall is extended along the extension
of the manifold 106A and the general direction of extension of the tubes 104.
[0033] Further, the attachment 202 may include a portion 302 that follows closely the surface
of the respective manifolds 106A-B so that the first fluid flow, particularly airflow,
in the vicinity of the manifolds 106A-B is substantially blocked, thereby the second
fluid is effectively directed to the tubes 104 of the heat exchange component 102.
In case, the airflow in the vicinity of the manifolds 106A-B passes in between the
attachment 202 and the respective manifolds 106A-B, the thermal heat exchange between
the first fluid and the second fluid, i.e. airflow may not be optimal, as the second
fluid may not effectively reach the tubes 104 of the heat exchange component 102.
The attachment 202 may further include at least one connection point 304 to be connected
with other heat exchanger assembly components. The connection point 304 may be formed
at the both ends of the attachment 202, particularly, at the proximity of the second
bracket 204.
[0034] In another embodiment, the second brackets 202 may be formed at the both ends of
the attachment 202 as shown in Fig. 3 and the connection point 304 may be provided
in between the second brackets 202 formed on the attachment 202 (not shown in Fig.).
As shown in Fig. 4, the connection point 304 may perpendicularly protrude out from
the attachment 202 in the general direction "P1" of extension of the tubes 104. In
this example, the connection point 304 may include apertures to receive any connecting
means while mounting the attachment 202 on any other heat exchanger assembly components.
In one embodiment, the second bracket 204 is connected to the first bracket 110 in
a direction parallel to the extension of the tubes 104. In another embodiment, the
second bracket 204 is perpendicularly connected to the first bracket 110 with respect
to the extension of the tubes 104.
[0035] Figs. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate schematic views of the attachment 202 of Fig. 1 connected
with the manifold 106A of the heat exchange component 102.In this example, Fig. 6
is a perspective view of the attachment 202, in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the attachment 202 having
the second bracket 204 to be connected with the first bracket 110 of the heat exchange
component 102 of Fig. 6. As explained above, the attachment 202 is a plastic wall.
According to this embodiment, the plastic wall 202 includes the portion 302 that is
distanced from the corresponding manifold 106A at least by the distance "D1" of the
second bracket 204. In such case, the receiver drier 108 may be received in between
the portion 302 of the attachment 202 and the corresponding manifold 106A. Further,
the receiver drier 108 may effectively block airflow around the vicinity of the manifold
106A. As explained with the previous embodiment, the connection point 304 is also
present in the present embodiment of the attachment 202 for further heat exchanger
assembly components.
[0036] The connection between the first bracket 110 of the respective manifolds 106A-B and
the second bracket 204 of the attachment 202 may be carried out by at least one of
screwing, clipping and clinching. In other words, the first bracket 110 of the respective
manifolds 106A-B is adapted to be connected with the second bracket 204 of the attachment
202 by at least one of screwing, clipping and clinching. In the preferred embodiment,
the connection between the first bracket 110 and the second bracket 204 includes a
latching configuration. In latch configuration, any of the bracket can be a protruding
part and other bracket can be a receiving part. Further, a latch may be formed on
any one of the bracket to couple with other bracket. According to the present example,
the attachment 202 includes one second bracket 202 as shown in Figs. 6 and 8.
[0037] According to the preferred embodiment, the second bracket 204 may comrise a pair
of spaced first and second arms 206A-B, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, to receive the
first bracket 110 of the heat exchange component 102, so that the attachment 202 can
be connected to the heat exchange component 102. Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate perspective
views of the second bracket 204 of the attachment 202. Particularly, the first arm
206A includes a resilient finger 208 and a protruded portion 210. The protruded portion
210 is formed on the inner side of the resilient finger 208 and extended towards the
second arm 206B. As shown in Fig. 11, the protruded portion 210 of the resilient finger
208 is adapted to be coupled with the first bracket 110. Particularly, the protruded
portion 210 is adapted to be received in a complementary hole 112 formed in the first
bracket 110 when the first bracket 110 is received in between the first arm 206A and
the second arm 206B of the second bracket 204 as shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 illustrates
a cross-sectional view of the connection between the first bracket 110 and the second
bracket 204 of Fig. 1. As the second bracket 204 has the resilient finger 208, it
is easy to latch the protruded part 210 of the second bracket 204 into the first bracket
110, thereby connecting the attachment 202 with the corresponding manifold 106A-B.
[0038] As the attachment 202 is made of synthetic material such as plastic and has the connecting
part 304, the heat exchanger assembly 100 can be connected at any orientation irrespectively
to the location of the fixation points in the vehicle. Also, the attachment 202 is
made of plastic, so the weight and cost of the heat exchanger assembly 100 is reduced.
As the attachment 202 is made of plastic, it can be designed in a complex design so
that the heat exchange component can be mounted on the vehicle according to fixation
points of the vehicle and it is easy to add additional features such as clips into
the attachment.
[0039] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those
skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of drawings,
the disclosure, and the appended claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited
in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these
measures cannot be used to the advantage.
1. A heat exchanger assembly (100) comprising a heat exchange component (102) with at
least one first bracket (110) and at least one attachment (202) comprising at least
one second bracket (204), wherein the heat exchange component (102) is made of metallic
material and the attachment (202) is made of synthetic material.
2. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange
component (102) comprises a stack of heat exchange tubes (104) and at least one manifold
(106A-B) for the heat exchange tubes (104), the manifold (106A-B) extending along
the stacking direction of the heat exchange tubes (104), wherein the heat exchange
component (102) being configured for a heat exchange between a first fluid travelling
within the heat exchange tubes (104) and the manifold (106A-B) and a second fluid
travelling around the heat exchange tubes (104) and the manifold (106A-B).
3. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the first bracket
(110) is located on the manifold (106A-B) of the heat exchange component (102).
4. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the heat exchange
component (102) further comprises a receiver drier (108), the first bracket (110)
being located on the receiver drier (108).
5. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to any of preceding claims, wherein the
attachment (202) is a thin elongated plastic wall extending along the extension of
the manifold (106A-B).
6. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the plastic
wall extends along the general direction (P1) of extension of the heat exchange tubes
(104).
7. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the plastic wall
has a portion (302) which is distanced from the manifold at least by the distance
of the second bracket (204).
8. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the plastic
wall has a portion (302), which follows closely the surface of the manifold (106A-B)
so that the airflow in the vicinity of the manifold (106A-B) is substantially blocked.
9. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the attachment (202) further comprises a connection point (304) for further heat exchanger
assembly components.
10. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the connection between the first bracket (110) and the second bracket (204) is carried
out by at least one of screwing, clipping and clinching.
11. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the connection between the first bracket (110) and the second bracket (204) comprises
a latching configuration.
12. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to any of the claims 10 to 11, wherein
the second bracket (204) comprises a pair of spaced first and second arms (206A-B)
and the first bracket (110) is adapted to be received in between the pair of spaced
first and second arms (206A-B) when the first bracket (110) is coupled with the second
bracket (204).
13. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to claim 12, wherein the first arm (206A)
comprises a resilient finger (208) and a protruded portion (210) formed on inner side
of the resilient finger (208) and extended towards the second arm (206B), wherein
the protruded portion (210) of the resilient finger (208) is adapted to couple with
the first bracket (110).
14. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to claim 13, wherein the first bracket
(110) further comprises a complementary hole (112) adapted to receive the protruded
portion (210) of the resilient finger (208) of the second bracket (204), when the
first bracket (110) is coupled with the second bracket (204).
15. The heat exchanger assembly (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
the second bracket (204) is connected to the first bracket (110) in a direction parallel
to the extension of the heat exchange tubes (104).