Collecting tank, heat exchanger and coolant circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to a collecting tank ( 43 ) comprising an elastically deformable drain plug ( 44 ), to a heat exchanger ( 1 ) and to a coolant circuit.

1 . A collecting tank for a heat exchange medium, having a housing, in which a replaceable drier and/or filter device can be accommodated, the housing having an aperture that can be closed by a removable plug and sealed by a sealing means, characterized in that the plug is elastically deformable.  
   
   
       2 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the plug is composed of plastic.  
   
   
       3 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the plug has a shielding element against the heat exchange medium.  
   
   
       4 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the shielding element takes the form of a coating, in particular a metalized or enamel coating.  
   
   
       5 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing means comprises at least one sealing ring of an elastomer material, such as rubber or Teflon.  
   
   
       6 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the plug is integrally formed with the sealing means, the sealing means in particular being molded onto the plug.  
   
   
       7 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the plug can be held in the aperture by a retainer ring.  
   
   
       8 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the aperture has a circular cross-section and the plug is basically of hollow cylindrical design, the hollow cylinder being open on the side facing the interior of the housing.  
   
   
       9 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the housing takes the form of a tube with one open end, the plug being received in the open tube end.  
   
   
       10 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the heat exchange medium is a refrigerant and the collecting tank is an integral part of a coolant circuit, in particular for a motor vehicle air conditioning system.  
   
   
       11 . A heat exchanger, in particular a condenser, having tubes, fins and two head pieces, characterized in that the heat exchanger has a collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       12 . A coolant circuit of an air conditioning system, in particular for a motor vehicle, having a compression element, a first heat exchanger, an expansion element, a second heat exchanger and a collecting tank, characterized in that the collecting tank is designed according to  claim 1.