Coined header for heat exchanger

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10215509-B2
Application number	US-201615187831-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 21, 2016
Priority date	Jun 21, 2016
Publication date	Feb 26, 2019
Grant date	Feb 26, 2019

Abstract

A header for a heat exchanger includes a header frame defining an opening and including a base portion circumscribing a perimeter thereof. A mounting tab extends from the base portion. The mounting tab is configured to bend inwardly with respect to the header frame. A deformation featured is formed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the header frame and is configured to facilitate bending of the mounting tab.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A header for a heat exchanger comprising:
a header frame defining an opening and including a base portion circumscribing a perimeter thereof, a mounting tab extending from the base portion, and an outer surface, the mounting tab configured to bend inwardly with respect to the header frame, wherein a plurality of coupling features is formed on the mounting tab and extends outwardly from the mounting tab, each of the coupling features is an enclosed cavity, the cavity is defined by a sidewall extending laterally outwardly from the mounting tab and an end wall extending between the sidewall and the base portion, the sidewall of the cavity defines a receiving surface facing the base portion, and wherein the receiving surface is disposed at an angle with respect to an inner surface of the end wall; and
a deformation feature formed on the header frame and configured to facilitate bending of the mounting tab, wherein the deformation feature is formed at an interface of the mounting tab and the base portion.

2. The header of claim 1 , wherein the deformation feature is an indentation.

3. The header of claim 1 , wherein the deformation feature is formed in one of an inner surface and the outer surface of the header frame and is a continuous elongate indentation extending along a length of the mounting tab.

4. The header of claim 1 , wherein the deformation feature has an arcuate cross-sectional profile.

5. The header of claim 1 , wherein the mounting tab is configured to pivot from an open position to a closed position about a pivot point proximate the deformation feature, and wherein the mounting tab is configured to be biased outwardly at an angle with respect to the base portion in the open position.

6. The header of claim 1 , wherein the deformation feature is formed adjacent the coupling features.

7. The header of claim 1 , wherein the deformation feature is aligned with a direction substantially perpendicular to the receiving surface.

8. The header of claim 1 , wherein the base portion is recessed.

9. The header of claim 1 , wherein the deformation feature is a coined deformation feature.

10. A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising:
a fluid reservoir having a base;
a header receiving the base of the fluid reservoir for coupling thereto, the header having a base portion and a mounting tab extending from the base portion, the mounting tab configured to bend inwardly from an open position to a closed position, the mounting tab engaging the fluid reservoir in the closed position, wherein a plurality of coupling features is formed on the mounting tab and extends outwardly from the mounting tab, each of the coupling features of the mounting tab is an enclosed cavity, the cavity is defined by a sidewall extending laterally outwardly from the mounting tab and an end wall extending between the sidewall and the base portion, the sidewall of the cavity defines a receiving surface facing the base portion, wherein the receiving surface is disposed at an angle with respect to an inner surface of the end wall, and wherein the mounting tabs include a reinforcement feature, the reinforcement feature having a sidewall extending from the base portion and an inwardly formed shoulder extending from the sidewall of the reinforcement feature; and
a deformation feature formed in the header, the deformation feature minimizing a force required to bend the mounting tab from the open position to the closed position, wherein the deformation feature is formed at an interface of the mounting tab and the base portion.

11. The heat exchanger of claim 10 , wherein the deformation feature is formed in one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the header.

12. The heat exchanger of claim 10 , wherein the deformation feature is an indentation.

13. The heat exchanger of claim 10 , wherein the base portion of the header is configured to receive the base of the fluid reservoir.

14. The heat exchanger of claim 10 , wherein the fluid reservoir includes a plurality of coupling features configured to engage the coupling features of the mounting tab.

15. The heat exchanger of claim 14 , wherein the deformation feature is formed adjacent the coupling features of the mounting tab.

16. The heat exchanger of claim 14 , wherein each of the coupling features of the fluid reservoir includes an engaging surface configured to cooperate with the receiving surface to secure the fluid reservoir to the header, and wherein the deformation feature is aligned with a direction substantially perpendicular to the receiving surface.

17. A method of assembling a heat exchanger, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a fluid reservoir and a header including a base portion and a mounting tab extending from the base portion, the mounting tab configured to bend from an open position to a closed position wherein a plurality of coupling features is formed on the mounting tab and extends outwardly from the mounting tab, each of the coupling features is an enclosed cavity, the cavity defined by a sidewall extending laterally outwardly from the mounting tab and an end wall extending between the sidewall and the base portion, the sidewall of the cavity defining a receiving surface facing the base portion, wherein the receiving surface is disposed at an angle with respect to an inner surface of the end wall;
forming a deformation feature on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the header at an interface of the mounting tab and the base portion to facilitate bending of the mounting tab;
inserting a portion of the fluid reservoir into the header; and
bending the mounting tab inwardly from the open position to the closed position about a pivot point proximate the deformation feature to engage the fluid reservoir.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of forming the deformation feature includes forming the deformation feature by at least one of a coining process, a swaging process, and a laser process.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of crimping, welding, or brazing the header to the fluid reservoir.

Assignees

• Hanon Systems

Inventors

• Somhorst Leo
• Grainger James
• Bowring David
• Kolder Petr

Classifications

• F28F9/0226

  with resilient gaskets · CPC title

• F28D1/00

  Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators (F28D5/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F28F9/14 Primary

  by force-joining · CPC title

• F28D2021/008

  for vehicles · CPC title

• F28F2230/00

  Sealing means · CPC title