Heat exchanger and associated heat exchange system for a vehicle

Abstract

Heat exchanger (2, 3) for a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising at least one connection flange (5, 6) fixed to a lateral surface of said heat exchanger (2, 3), characterized in that the connection flange (5, 6) comprises a circulation channel within its structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone (21, 22) able to cooperate with another transverse mechanical fixing zone (21, 22) of another connection flange (5, 6) of another heat exchanger (2, 3).The invention also claims a heat exchange system for a vehicle comprising two such heat exchangers (2, 3) and the respective connection flanges (5, 6) of which are able to cooperate with one another.

1 . A heat exchanger for a refrigerant circulation circuit comprising:
 at least one connection flange fixed to a lateral surface of said heat exchanger, the connection flange comprising a circulation channel within its structure and a transverse mechanical fixing zone able to cooperate with another transverse mechanical fixing zone of another connection flange of another heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the transverse mechanical fixing zone comprises a bearing surface ensuring cooperation by complementarity of shapes with the other connection flange. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the circulation channel is formed of at least two intersecting ducts in communication. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the circulation channel opens onto a nozzle forming a projection from a wall of the connection flange and configured to cooperate with a storage bottle. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the transverse mechanical fixing zone of the connection flange comprises a through-bore. 
     
     
         6 . A heat exchange system for a vehicle comprising:
 a first heat exchanger; and   a second heat exchanger constituting a refrigerant circulation circuit, each heat exchanger being as claimed in  claim 1 ,   wherein a first bearing surface of the first connection flange of the first heat exchanger is in direct contact with a second bearing surface of the second connection flange of the second heat exchanger.   
     
     
         7 . The heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 6 , in which a storage bottle is included. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the storage bottle is cylindrical, comprises a bottom wall arranged opposite the connection flanges, the bottom wall comprising circulation orifices configured to receive nozzles present at the ends of the circulation channels present in the connection flanges. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 7 , in which a single fixing means secures the two connection flanges of the heat exchangers and the storage bottle. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 9 , in which the connection flanges are configured to form a planar cooperation surface with the storage bottle.