Header for heat exchanger

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016334174-A1
Application number	US-201615155395-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 16, 2016
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle comprises a fluid reservoir having at least one continuous sidewall. A plurality of first coupling features are formed in a base of the sidewall, wherein the first coupling features are outward extending protrusions. The heat exchanger further comprises a header configured to receive a portion of the fluid reservoir therein. The header includes a mounting tab having a plurality of second coupling features and a plurality of reinforcing features alternately formed therein. Each of the second coupling features are cavities configured to receive a portion of a corresponding one of the first coupling features therein. A receiving surface of each of the second coupling features cooperates with an engaging surface of the corresponding one of the first coupling features.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising:
a fluid reservoir having a plurality of first coupling features; and a header including a plurality of second coupling features and a plurality of reinforcing features formed intermediate adjacent ones of the second coupling features, the second coupling features configured to engage the first coupling features.

2 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the first coupling features are protrusions and the second coupling features are cavities.

3 . The heat exchanger of claim 2 , wherein the cavities are configured to receive the protrusions.

4 . The heat exchanger of claim 2 , wherein each of the reinforcing features are formed of a sidewall and a shoulder spanning a distance between the adjacent ones of the second coupling features.

5 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured to receive a portion of the fluid reservoir therein.

6 . The heat exchanger of claim 5 , wherein header includes a recess circumscribing a perimeter of the header.

7 . The heat exchanger of claim 6 , wherein a plurality of mounting tabs extends from the recess.

8 . The heat exchanger of claim 7 , wherein the second coupling features are formed in the mounting tabs.

9 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein each of the first coupling features includes an engaging surface and each of the second coupling features includes a receiving surface, and wherein the engaging surface is configured to cooperate with the receiving surface to secure the fluid reservoir to the header.

10 . The heat exchanger of claim 9 , wherein the engaging surface of each of the first coupling features and the receiving surface of each of the second coupling features are inclined.

11 . A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising:
a core having an open end; a header coupled to the core adjacent the open end, the header including enclosed cavities; and a fluid reservoir including protrusions extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the protrusions are received in the enclosed cavities of the header.

12 . The heat exchanger of claim 10 , wherein the enclosed cavities are formed on a mounting tab of the header.

13 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , wherein the protrusions are formed on a base of the fluid reservoir.

14 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , wherein an engaging surface of each of the protrusions cooperates with a receiving surface of each of the enclosed cavities.

15 . The heat exchanger of claim 11 , wherein a distal end of each of the protrusions is tapered outwardly.

16 . A method of assembling a heat exchanger, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a fluid reservoir having a plurality of first coupling features and a header including a plurality of second coupling features; and inserting a portion of the fluid reservoir into the header, wherein the first coupling features engage the second coupling features to secure the fluid reservoir to the header.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising providing the header including a plurality of mounting tabs, the second coupling features disposed on the mounting tabs.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of bending mounting tabs outward to present a recess of the header to the fluid reservoir.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of bending the mounting tabs inward after the portion of the fluid reservoir is inserted into the header, wherein each of the second coupling features cooperates with a portion of a corresponding one of the first coupling features to secure the fluid reservoir to the header.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first coupling features are tapered protrusions, each of the protrusions having an inclined engaging surface, wherein the second coupling features are enclosed cavities each having an inclined receiving surface, and wherein the engaging surfaces of the first coupling features cooperate with the receiving surfaces of the second coupling features to secure the fluid reservoir to the header.

Assignees

• Hanon Systems

Inventors

• Somhorst Leo
• Fabian Petr
• Joyce Stephen
• Coleberd Adam

Classifications

• F28F2275/12

  by methods involving deformation of the elements · CPC title

• F28F2275/085

  with snap connection · CPC title

• F28F2225/08

  for header boxes · CPC title

• F28F9/0226 Primary

  with resilient gaskets · CPC title

• F28F9/06 Primary

  by dismountable joints · CPC title