Metal side-plate for a radiator

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal side-plate ( 12 ) for a radiator, particularly a tubular radiator, such as those used in motor vehicles with combustion engines. The aim of the invention is to provide a meal side-plate ( 12 ) which is embodied in such a way that stresses arising from various types of thermal expansion of the metal side-plate ( 12 ) and tubular radiator ( 10 ) can be prevented. The metal side-plates ( 12 ) are characterized in that they have a weakened area ( 13 ) in which the material of the metal side-plate is weakened in order to compensate heat expansion according to that of the cooling body.

1 . A metal side-plate for radiators, in particular tubular radiators, in which the radiator body exhibits tubes and heat exchanger surfaces extending between the tubes, in which the radiator is enclosed by at least one metal side-plate arranged laterally on the radiator or at least one pair of metal side-plates arranged on either side of the radiator, 
 wherein    at least one metal side-plate exhibits at least one weakened area, in which the material of the metal side-plate is weakened in such a way as to allow compensation for the thermal expansion corresponding to that of the radiator body.    
   
   
       2 . The metal side-plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the weakening of a weakened area is effected by perforations in the material of the metal side-plate.  
   
   
       3 . The metal side-plate as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the penetrations are embodied in such a way that a network of webs is formed.  
   
   
       4 . The metal side-plate as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the network of webs delimits lozenges standing on their tips as penetrations in the longitudinal extent of the metal side-plate.  
   
   
       5 . The metal side-plate as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the network of webs delimits honeycomb-shaped penetrations.  
   
   
       6 . The metal side-plate as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of rows of penetrations is provided, in conjunction with which the rows of penetrations are preferably arranged off-set in relation to one another, and the number of rows is preferably selected in such a way that, viewed in the direction in which the insert plate extends, the length of the penetrations added together at each point transversely to the direction of their extent amounts to at least 1.5 times, and preferably at least two to three times, the maximum length of a penetration in the direction of its extent.  
   
   
       7 . The metal side-plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insert plate is bent, at least in the area of weakening, and is preferably of a u-shaped execution.  
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger having at least one metal side-plate as claimed in  claim 1.