Metal Side-Plate for a Radiator

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal side-plate for a radiator, in particular a tubular radiator, such as those found in motor vehicles with combustion engines. According to the invention, the metal side-plate (20) is secured to securing points (13) on both sides of the collecting tubes (12) and a longitudinal slot (21) is introduced into the metal side-plate on at least one side in the region of the fixing. The fixing points (13) on the metal side-plates (20) are embodied on collecting tubes (12) on one side of the longitudinal slot.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a National Stage filing of International Application PCT / EP2005 / 009692, filed Sep. 9, 2005, claiming priority to German Application No. DE 10 2004 045 022.6, filed Sep. 15, 2004, entitled “METAL SIDE-PLATE FOR A RADIATOR”. The subject application claims priority to PCT / EP2005 / 009692 and to German Application No. DE 10 2004 045 022.6 and both references are expressly incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention concerns a metal side-plate for a radiator, especially for tubular radiators, as are used in vehicles with internal combustion engines, for example. [0003] Such radiators have a radiator body, in which tubes extend in the longitudinal direction, with heat exchange surfaces being formed between the tubes. The radiator body extends in the longitudinal direction between two collecting tubes and cooling air flows through it in the direction transverse...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Because of this measure, it becomes possible in an especially favorable manner to absorb the forces introduced in the transverse direction at the metal side-plate and not let them act on the fastening of the metal side-plate to the collecting tube. The transverse slot weakens the metal side-plate in this region, so that bending forces can easily act here and therefore no major forces act on the fastening in the transverse direction, since they are changed into a deformation of the metal side-plate in the region of the longitudinal slot.

[0017] According to one preferred embodiment, the transverse slot is situated more than 100 mm away from the connection site between the metal side-plate and collecting tube. This allows for a twisting of the region between the transverse slot and the connection site under certain conditions, so that the metal side-plate can absorb a torque at least partly and relieve the load on the radiator body or connections between the tube and connecting tube. Advantageously, the transverse slot is situated more than 130 mm, especially more than 150 mm away from the connection site between metal side-plate and collecting tube.

Problems solved by technology

This nonuniform thermal expansion results in longitudinal and transverse forces acting between radiator body and metal side-plate, thereby introducing loads into the connection regions.

Images