Heat exchanger support system and associated heat exchanger module

Abstract

The heat exchanger support system ( 34, 36, 40 ) consists of a frame ( 2 ) comprising horizontal faces ( 4, 6 ) and vertical faces ( 8, 10 ) furnished with fixing means ( 42, 50, 72, 74, 80 ) for fixing heat exchange components such as a condenser ( 34 ), an engine cooling radiator ( 36 ), a motor-fan unit ( 38 ) and a supercharge air radiator ( 40 ). Each component is fixed directly to the frame ( 2 ) independently of the other components. The frame also comprises attachment elements ( 28, 30 ) allowing it to be mounted on a motor vehicle chassis via flexible vibration-damping means.

1 . A heat exchanger support system, characterized in that it consists of a frame ( 2 ) comprising faces ( 4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ) furnished with fixing means for fixing at least a first ( 34 ) and a second ( 36 ) heat exchanger component, each component being fixed directly to the frame ( 2 ) independently of the other components, the frame ( 2 ) also comprising attachment elements ( 28 ,  32 ) allowing it to be mounted on a motor vehicle chassis via flexible vibration-damping means.  
   
   
       2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that each of the components ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ) is kept in position independently in three orthogonal directions (X, Y, Z).  
   
   
       3 . The system as claimed in either of claims  1  and  2 , characterized in that it forms a fairing for the components ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ).  
   
   
       4 . The system as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that it is designed in such a manner that the components ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ) are installed one behind the other, all from the same side of the frame.  
   
   
       5 . The system as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that the profile of the lateral faces of the frames is such that they can be nested in one another.  
   
   
       6 . The system as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that certain fixing means consist of clips ( 44 ,  52 ).  
   
   
       7 . The system as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that the fixing clips ( 44 ,  52 ) are S-shaped allowing a nonlinear deformation.  
   
   
       8 . The system as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  7 , characterized in that certain fixing means consist of flexible forms ( 60 ).  
   
   
       9 . The system as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  8 , characterized in that certain fixing means consist of catches ( 42 ,  50 ).  
   
   
       10 . A heat exchanger module, characterized in that it comprises a support system ( 2 ) according to one of  claims 1  to  9  in which heat exchange components ( 34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140 ) are installed.  
   
   
       11 . The module as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the components ( 34 ,  36 ,  134 ,  136 ) themselves comprise no fixing means.  
   
   
       12 . The module as claimed in either of claims  10  and  11 , characterized in that it comprises at least a first ( 34 ,  134 ) and a second ( 36 ,  136 ) component, the second component locking the first component in the frame ( 2 ) after installation.  
   
   
       13 . The module as claimed in one of  claims 10  to  12 , characterized in that the components comprise at least a condenser ( 34 ,  134 ) and an engine cooling radiator ( 36 ,  136 ).  
   
   
       14 . The module as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that the components also comprise a supercharge air radiator ( 40 ,  140 ).  
   
   
       15 . The module as claimed in one of  claims 10  to  14 , characterized in that it has a mosaic type architecture.  
   
   
       16 . The module as claimed in one of  claims 10  to  14 , characterized in that it has a surface type architecture.