Heat exchanger arrangement, especially for radiators for motor vehicles

Abstract

A radiator for motor vehicles is provided which has several tubes opening to respective upper and lower radiator tanks and arranged parallel to one another for the guidance of heat exchange fluid. Heat exchange fins are disposed perpendicularly to the tubes and are fixedly connected thereto. The fins exhibit respective cut-out openings forming a groove at at least one of the surfaces of the fin blocks, which groove expands toward the inside and serves for connecting lateral parts, which lateral parts grip with tabs into the groove formed by the cut-outs. Each lateral part is formed of two halves which are pivotally connected with one another along an axis running in the direction of the groove and which are provided with tabs which extend outwardly over the lateral edges of the halves into the groove and abut the fins on the lateral walls of the groove. To form a rigid or stiff connection between the lateral part halves after their installation in the groove, locking or closing elements are provided. Both lateral part halves can be pivoted with respect to one another for installation into the groove so that a very small opening width of the cut-out is sufficient to accommodate the installation of the lateral parts, especially advantageous for thin radiators.