Manifold with integrated pipe for a heat exchanger

Abstract

Manifold with integrated pipe for a heat exchanger A manifold for, e.g. a motor vehicle heat exchanger, has a first part formed from a shaped metal sheet and featuring a bottom and two lateral walls folded face-to-face, at least one of which is provided with an aperture for fixing a pipe there. A second part is formed from a shaped metal sheet and able to be fitted onto the lateral walls of the first part to form a cover opposite the bottom of this first part. Either the first part or the second part has a manifold plate. The first part, the second part and the pipe are assembled by brazing.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A manifold for a heat exchanger, having a manifold plate closed by a wall in such a way as to delimit a chamber into which at least one pipe opens out, and further comprising 
 a first part formed from a shaped metal sheet featuring a bottom and two lateral walls folded face-to-face, at least one of which is provided with an aperture in order for a pipe to be affixed there and    a second part formed from a shaped metal sheet able to be fitted onto the lateral walls of the first part in order to form a cover opposite the bottom of this first part, wherein one of the first part and the second part comprises the manifold plate, and wherein the first part, the second part and the pipe are assembled by brazing.    
     
     
         2 . The manifold of    claim 1   , wherein the two lateral walls of the first part are generally flat and parallel to each other and are connected perpendicularly to the bottom.  
     
     
         3 . The manifold of    claim 1   , wherein the two lateral walls of the first part each include a peripheral groove for accommodating a longitudinal edge of the second part.  
     
     
         4 . The manifold of    claim 1   , wherein the two lateral walls of the first part each include a series of cut-outs delimiting support regions formed in projection from the inner side for accommodating a longitudinal edge of the second part.  
     
     
         5 . The manifold of    claim 4   , wherein the support regions are each formed by stamping of the lateral walls of the inner side.  
     
     
         6 . The manifold of    claim 4   , wherein each longitudinal edge of the second part is equipped with projecting studs able to be engaged respectively in the cut-outs of the lateral walls.  
     
     
         7 . The manifold of    claim 1   , wherein the second, cover-forming part is defined by a sheet which is shaped so as to have generatrices generally parallel to each other.  
     
     
         8 . The manifold of    claim 1   , wherein the manifold plate is included in the bottom of the first part and is connected to the lateral walls, while the second part constitutes a closed cover.  
     
     
         9 . The manifold of    claim 8   , wherein the two lateral walls have respective face-to-face extensions, at least one of which is provided with an aperture for the pipe.  
     
     
         10 . The manifold of    claim 1   , wherein the manifold plate is included in the second part, while the bottom of the first part is closed and is connected to the lateral walls.  
     
     
         11 . The manifold of    claim 10   , wherein the first part and the second part are each obtained by stamping and cutting-out from a metal sheet component.  
     
     
         12 . The manifold of    claim 1   , wherein the first part and the second part are each obtained from a sheet of a material comprising aluminum.  
     
     
         13 . A heat exchanger comprising at least one manifold according to    claim 1   .