Electrical heating device for a motor vehicle and vehicle and associated air-conditioning and/or heating unit
The invention relates to an electrical liquid heating device for a motor vehicle. The heating device comprises at least a first ( 7 a ) and a second ( 7 b ) heating module for heating the aforementioned liquid, defining at least one circuit ( 15 ) for guiding the liquid to be heated. The device is characterized in that the heating modules ( 7 a, 7 b ) each have a generally cylindrical shape and are arranged side by side substantially in parallel. The invention also relates to a heating and/or air-conditioning unit for a motor vehicle, comprising such a heating device ( 5 ).
1. An electrical liquid heating device for a motor vehicle, the heating device comprising at least one first ( 7 a ) and one second ( 7 b ) module for heating the liquid and defining at least one liquid flow path ( 15 ) for guiding the liquid to be heated, wherein the heating modules ( 7 a , 7 b ) each have an approximately cylindrical overall shape and are positioned side by side in an approximately parallel manner, wherein the heating modules ( 7 a , 7 b ) each comprise a core ( 11 ) and a heating means ( 13 ) comprising heating elements which surrounding the core ( 11 ) so as to define one of the at least one liquid flow path ( 15 ) for guiding the liquid around the core ( 11 ), wherein each of the heating modules ( 7 a , 7 b ) are received in an associated housing of the heater ( 5 ), wherein a longitudinal axis (A) disposed through a center of each of the heating modules ( 7 a , 7 b ) are parallel such that the longitudinal axes (A) are not coincident and extensions of the longitudinal axes (A) do not meet, and wherein the core ( 11 ) includes a plurality of grooves ( 16 ) disposed on its external surface, wherein the core ( 11 ) of at least one heating module ( 7 a , 7 b ) has at least one communication orifice ( 14 ) and an internal cavity ( 12 ) capable of communicating with the liquid flow path ( 15 ) through the at least one communication orifice ( 14 ) such that the liquid is able to flow between the heating means ( 13 ) and the core ( 11 ) from an inlet canal ( 23 ) to the communication orifice ( 14 ) where the liquid enters the internal cavity ( 12 ) before exiting the core ( 11 ).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one first ( 7 a ) and one second ( 7 b ) heating modules define at least two serial guiding circuits ( 15 ).
3. The device as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising at least one communicating canal ( 26 ) between the guiding circuits ( 15 ) of the at least one first ( 7 a ) and one second ( 7 b ) heating modules.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the serial guiding circuits ( 15 ) define an approximately “U”-shaped path.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one first ( 7 a ) and one second ( 7 b ) heating modules define at least two approximately parallel guiding circuits ( 15 ).
6. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core ( 11 ) of at least one heating module ( 7 a , 7 b ) comprises air that is able to be compressed under the effect of the expansion of the heated liquid, such that the internal cavity ( 12 ) forms an expansion vessel.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the core ( 11 ) comprises an expansion control system ( 39 , 41 , 43 ).
8. The device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the expansion control system ( 39 , 41 ) has at least one calibrated passage ( 41 ), through which the liquid is able to circulate.
9. The device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the expansion control system ( 43 ) is configured to slide along the internal cavity ( 12 ) of the core ( 11 ).
10. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising at least one liquid inlet tube ( 19 ) and at least one liquid outlet tube ( 21 ) communicating with the guiding circuit ( 15 ) defined by the at least one first ( 7 a ) and one second ( 7 b ) heating modules.
11. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the inlet tube ( 19 ) communicates with the guiding circuit ( 15 ) of the first heating module ( 7 a ), and wherein the outlet tube ( 21 ) communicates with the guiding circuit ( 15 ) of the second heating module ( 7 b ).
12. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the inlet tube ( 19 ) and/or the outlet tube ( 21 ) is/are located in the device in a manner approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of a heating module ( 7 a , 7 b ).
13. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the inlet tube ( 19 ) and the outlet tube ( 21 ) are located on one and the same side of the device.
14. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the inlet tube ( 19 ) is located on a first side of the device, and in that the outlet tube ( 21 ) is located on a second side of the device, opposite the first side.
15. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the at least one inlet tube ( 19 ) and at least one outlet tube ( 21 ) are oriented in the same direction.
16. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the at least one inlet tube ( 19 ) and at least one outlet tube ( 21 ) are oriented in two opposite directions.
17. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the core ( 11 ) of a heating module ( 7 a , 7 b ) has at least one groove ( 16 ) on its external face facing the heating means ( 13 ).
18. The device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the core ( 11 ) of a heating module ( 7 a , 7 b ) has at least one longitudinal internal circulation canal ( 35 ).
19. A heating and/or air-conditioning unit for a motor vehicle comprising at least one heating device as claimed in claim 1 .
20. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the grooves ( 16 ) are helical grooves configured to define a helical path through the circuit ( 15 ) for guiding the liquid to be heated.