Automotive heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to an automotive heat exchanger comprising a) a heat exchange core ( 2 ) comprising a header part ( 10 ) comprising a plurality of heat transfer tubes ( 4 ), b) a plastic manifold body ( 18 ) forming an aperture for receiving end portions of heat transfer tubes ( 4 ), and C) a plastic insert plate ( 16 ) having a plurality of openings ( 24 ), wherein i) end portions of the heat transfer tubes ( 4 ) are received by and extend through the openings ( 24 ) of the plastic insert plate ( 16 ) and extreme parts of the end portions of the heat transfer tubes ( 4 ) have been bended outwardly, ii) the plastic insert plate ( 16 ) is fastened to the side walls of the manifold body ( 18 ), and iii) the manifold body ( 18 ) is joined to the heat exchange core ( 2 ) only through fastening of the plastic insert plate ( 16 ) to the manifold body ( 18 ).

1 . Automotive heat exchanger comprising
 a) a heat exchange core comprising a header part comprising a plurality of heat transfer tubes   b) a plastic manifold body comprising side walls and a base wall, the side walls having an edge region opposite to the base wall comprising an inwardly facing edge region, an outwardly facing edge region and a peripheral edge region and forming an aperture for receiving end portions of heat transfer tubes, and   c) a plastic insert plate having a plurality of openings the number of which openings is identical to the number of the heat transfer tubes comprised by the heat exchange core   wherein   i) end portions of the heat transfer tubes are received by and extend through the openings of the plastic insert plate and extreme parts of the end portions of the heat transfer tubes have been bended outwardly, thereby forming a pressure tight joint between the heat exchange core and the plastic insert plate,   ii) the plastic insert plate is fastened to the side walls of the manifold body in such a way that the plastic insert plate has full contact with the side walls,   iii) and the manifold body is joined to the heat exchange core only through fastening of the plastic insert plate to the manifold body.   
   
   
       2 . Automotive heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic insert plate is fastened to the side walls of the manifold body at or near the edge region of the manifold body. 
   
   
       3 . Automotive heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic insert plate has been fastened to the side walls by a mechanical bond, a chemical bond or a combination thereof 
   
   
       4 . Automotive heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic insert plate has a peripherally located elevated circumferential rim protruding in the direction of the base wall. 
   
   
       5 . Automotive heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the openings have an at least partially tapered shape, such that the openings get wider when viewed in the direction of the base wall. 
   
   
       6 . Automotive heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the manifold body is made of a plastic material. 
   
   
       7 . Automotive heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold comprising a plastic insert plate and a manifold body joined to the heat exchange core only through fastening of the plastic insert plate to the manifold body. 
   
   
       8 . Process for making a heat exchanger comprising a
 a) a heat exchange core comprising a header part comprising a plurality of heat transfer tubes,   b) a manifold body comprising side walls and a base wall, the side walls having an edge region opposite to the base wall comprising an inwardly facing edge region, an outwardly facing edge region and a peripheral edge region and forming an aperture for receiving end portions of heat transfer tubes, and   c) a plastic insert plate having a plurality of openings the number of which openings is identical to the number of the heat transfer tubes comprised by the heat exchange core comprising the steps, wherein, in this order,   (i) the plastic insert plate is fastened to the header part by extending the end portions of the heat transfer tubes through the openings of the insert plate followed by   (ii) outwardly bending of extreme parts of the end portions of the heat transfer tubes, and then   (iii) fastening the plastic insert plate to the side walls of a manifold body at or near the edge region of the side walls   
   
   
       9 . Process according to  claim 8 , wherein the plastic insert plate is fastened to the manifold body by clamping, snapping, adhesive bonding or welding, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       10 . Process according to  claim 8 , wherein the heat exchanger is a heat exchange.