Connection Flange And Associated Collector Box And Heat Exchanger

Abstract

A connection flange for a collector box of a heat exchanger for a vehicle defines a fluid inlet and/or a fluid outlet. The flange comprises a fixing adaptor for mounting the heat exchanger on a fixing support (e.g. a mounting bracket) of the vehicle. The fixing adaptor is produced separately from the flange. A collector box comprising such a connection flange and a heat exchanger comprising such a collector box are also disclosed.

1 . A connecting flange for a collector box of a heat exchanger for a vehicle, said flange defining a fluid inlet and/or a fluid outlet, said flange comprising a fixing adapter for fixing the heat exchanger to a fixing support of the vehicle, said fixing adapter being produced separately from said flange. 
     
     
         2 . The flange as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing to house said fixing adapter, wherein said housing his produced by extrusion in the direction of extrusion of said flange. 
     
     
         3 . The flange as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said fixing adapter is screwed to said flange. 
     
     
         4 . The flange as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said fixing adapter is crimped into said housing of said flange. 
     
     
         5 . The flange as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said flange and said fixing adapter are joined together by brazing. 
     
     
         6 . The flange as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said fixing adapter is crimped to said housing of said flange and is configured to hold said fixing adapter and said flange during brazing. 
     
     
         7 . The flange as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said housing is produced in the form of a groove. 
     
     
         8 . The flange as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said fixing adapter is produced in the form of a fixing strip. 
     
     
         9 . The flange as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said fixing strip is bent in such a way that at least one end of said fixing strip is configured to come into contact with a complementary surface of the fixing support of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The flange as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said fixing adapter is made of aluminum. 
     
     
         11 . The flange as claimed in  claim 1 , having a profile configured to accept complementary crimping means associated with a collector box, wherein said profile is produced by extrusion in the direction of extrusion of said flange. 
     
     
         12 . A fluid collector box for a heat exchanger for a vehicle, wherein said collector box comprises at least one flange as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The collector box as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a fluid header and a cover to close said header, wherein said header has crimping means configured to be bent over onto said at least one flange. 
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger for a vehicle, said heat exchanger comprising at least one fluid collector box, wherein said at least one collector box comprises at least one flange as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 14 , further defined as a condenser for an air conditioning circuit in the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The flange as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said fixing adapter is screwed to said flange.