Adaptive side plate for automotive heat exchanger

Abstract

A corner assembly arrangement for a heat exchanger is provided. The corner assembly has a manifold having a tubular metal vessel and a side plate consisting of a flat metal plate extending orthogonally to the manifold and attached to an end thereof. The side plate has an end tab that extends in a zigzag pattern from a respective end of the side plate and has a support end in contact with a wall of the manifold. The support end has, according to a plan view, a concavity configured to fit the wall of the manifold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A corner assembly arrangement for a heat exchanger, comprising
 a manifold comprising a tubular metal vessel, and   a side plate consisting of a flat metal sheet, which extends orthogonally to the manifold and is fixed to an end thereof,   wherein the side plate comprises an end tab having a width less than the width of a remaining part of the side plate, wherein the end tab extends in a zigzag pattern from a respective end of the side plate and comprises a support end in contact with a wall of the manifold, said support end having, according to a plan view, a concavity configured to fit the wall of the manifold, wherein the end tab comprises a descending part, which extends from the side plate, and an ascending part, which is connected to the descending part by a bend and provides said support end.   
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger comprising
 a plurality of parallel tubes extending between two opposite sides of the heat exchanger,   a first manifold and a second manifold respectively arranged at each of said two opposite sides of the heat exchanger, and   a first side plate and a second side plate, each arranged at a respective further side of the heat exchanger, orthogonal to said two opposite sides of the heat exchanger,   wherein the heat exchanger comprises, at each respective corner of the heat exchanger, the corner assembly arrangement of  claim 1 .