CN110654464A

CN110654464A - Frame device for a coolant radiator of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN110654464A
Application number: CN201910572599.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: O·赫恩; M·普罗斯
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2018-06-29
Filing date: 2019-06-28
Publication date: 2020-01-07
Also published as: DE102018210789A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame device (18) for a coolant radiator (12) of a motor vehicle, comprising two essentially plate-shaped, vertically and parallel-oriented side elements (20, 22) and a plurality of horizontally oriented cross-connecting elements (28, 32) for fixedly connecting the side elements (20, 22) to one another. The interior space (34) defined by the side elements (20, 22) and the cross-connecting elements (28, 32) enables framing of the coolant radiator (12) while avoiding vertical force introduction paths from the coolant radiator (12) to the frame arrangement (18).

Description

Frame device for a coolant radiator of a motor vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a frame device of a coolant radiator for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a coolant radiator unit with a coolant radiator, such as a frame device and a cooling air guiding element according to the preamble of claim 9.

Background

Currently, the most common type of heat removal for automotive drive motors is liquid cooling. In this case, the coolant (usually a mixture of water, antifreeze and corrosion-preventing additives) heated by the waste heat of the drive motor is conveyed by means of a coolant pump through a conduit provided in the engine block and is conducted through the interior space of a coolant radiator which is arranged in the front region of the motor vehicle behind a protective grille (radiator grille) and technically represents a liquid/air heat exchanger. The headwind (cooling air) flowing through the fins of the coolant radiator absorbs waste heat of the driving motor from the coolant radiator when the vehicle travels in the forward direction. The fan arranged behind the coolant radiator, seen in the forward direction of travel, supports extensively the heat discharge to the surroundings.

The coolant radiator filled with the coolant has a considerable weight. Frame constructions are known from the prior art, by means of which a coolant radiator can be connected to, for example, the chassis of a motor vehicle.

An example of such a holder frame 50 for a coolant radiator is shown in fig. 2 in an oblique front view (source:http://www.americanmuscle.com/mustang-radiator-support-9496.html#product_ pics-0). A solid holder frame 50 is provided for fastening to the chassis between the headlights of the car and has itself a central recess 52 for accommodating the coolant heat sink and fastening means 54 arranged close to the edges of the recess for holding the coolant heat sink. The weight of the coolant radiator filled with the coolant is fully supported by the holder frame 50.

US 6,357,821B 1 describes a headlamp container and radiator support arrangement for a motor vehicle, which includes a radiator support for operative fastening to the front end of the motor vehicle. The radiator support bracket has a substantially rectangular recess for receiving and holding a coolant radiator. The headlamp receptacle and heat sink support arrangement also includes a pair of headlamp receptacles attached to the heat sink bracket. The headlight container and radiator support arrangement furthermore has at least one cross-member connecting the headlight containers to one another and being attached to the radiator bracket in order to adjust the headlight containers relative to the body of the motor vehicle. The radiator support bracket has a fastening portion for fastening to a body of the motor vehicle, the fastening portion extending from left and right arm portions of the radiator support bracket in the longitudinal direction and to the rear.

It is further known from the prior art to hold a coolant radiator in a movable holder in order to reduce damage in the event of an accident or to optimize the cooling capacity of the coolant radiator.

For example, a vehicle front module is proposed in KR 20130023988A for reducing damage to the cooling module and mitigating injury to pedestrians in the event of a collision, in which case a collision with a pedestrian or a low-speed collision is detected and, furthermore, engine cooling and vehicle air conditioning are carried out as required. The vehicle front module includes a bracket, a cooling module, a support frame, a vertical direction control unit, a rotational direction control unit, and a control unit. The bracket forms the front of the vehicle. The cooling module includes a condenser, a radiator, and a fan/lid assembly. The cooling module is fastened to the support frame. The support frame is fastened to the bracket and fixes the cooling module. The vertical direction control unit controls a fixing position of the fixing unit in a vertical direction of the support frame. Due to the fact that the second support unit serves as a rotation axis, the rotation direction control unit controls a fastening angle of the support frame and the bracket. The control unit controls the operations of the vertical direction control unit and the rotational direction control unit. The control unit includes an engine cooling capacity determination unit, a vehicle air conditioning capacity determination unit, and a collision determination unit.

By means of the vehicle front module, a certain degree of injury to the pedestrian in the event of a collision can be reduced, since the cooling module of the vehicle can be moved towards the underside of the vehicle if a collision with a pedestrian is detected, whereby a sufficient buffer zone on the upper side of the vehicle can be ensured. Furthermore, damage to the cooling module can be reduced by means of the vehicle front module, since in the event of a collision with another vehicle at low speed, the vehicle is moved to the side of the engine compartment, thereby reducing the extent of damage to the vehicle and thus significantly reducing the maintenance costs.

Furthermore, in the case where the capacity of the cooling module (engine cooling and vehicle cooling capacity) should be increased, the vehicle front module can be positioned in such a manner that: the cooling module corresponds to an opening through which air is supplied at the front of the vehicle, whereby a required cooling capacity can be ensured.

A vehicle radiator retaining device is proposed in US 7,942,223B 2, which is attached to the vehicle in an area behind the bumper reinforcement in the front area of the vehicle in order to retain the radiator. The vehicle radiator holding apparatus has a pair of lateral radiator holders that are connected to the radiator support upper portion so as to pivot about a predetermined pivot axis. The radiator support upper portion, the radiator support lower portion, and the pair of lateral radiator support sides form a substantially square frame body. The heat sink is integrally mounted in a space surrounded by the frame body so as to be held in this manner. A pair of adjoining retainers is integrally fastened to the pair of lateral radiator retainers at a position corresponding to the height of the bumper reinforcement. The retainer is attached to a pair of bodyside brackets. If a predetermined value is exceeded and a force acting in the opposite direction on the vehicle acts on the retainer, the retainer pivots together with the pair of lateral radiator holders about the pivot axis so as to be displaced to the rear in the vehicle. Therefore, in addition to preventing damage to the radiator main body, damage to the vehicle radiator holding apparatus itself should be prevented.

US 2010/0078149 a1 further describes a radiator holder that holds a heat exchanger formed as a vehicle radiator on a vehicle body on the front side of the vehicle. If an external force acts on the heat exchanger from the front side of the vehicle, the vehicle radiator can be moved by a predetermined distance in the direction of the rear side of the vehicle, with the retainer state with respect to the vehicle body maintained.

The radiator support has an upper radiator support extending in the left-right direction and a lower radiator support arranged in parallel with the upper radiator support. The upper radiator support includes an upper center support member, and lateral support members are disposed on right and left sides thereof, through which the radiator core holder can be fastened to the vehicle body. The heat sink holder further includes a heat sink lateral bracket connecting ends of the upper and lower heat sink brackets leftward and rightward. In this way, a frame structure is formed having through holes for accommodating the radiator core and for the passage of cooling air.

Further, retainers made of metal having elongated holes are provided on the left and right sides at both end portions thereof on the lower surface of the upper radiator support, and retainers made of metal having elongated holes are provided on the left and right end portions thereof on the upper surface of the lower radiator support. A retainer is provided to retain the heat sink on its laterally disposed water container under an external force.

Furthermore, it is known from the prior art that a cooling module contains, in addition to a coolant radiator as the main cooler for the drive engine, further coolers, for example an oil cooler, a condenser of an air-conditioning system, a gearbox oil cooler and/or a power steering cooler.

JP2012251708A describes a cooling module with a support structure for a heat exchanger in order to increase the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger. The support structure for a heat exchanger comprises an upper radiator holder and a lower radiator holder, arranged in such a way that: they extend in the vehicle width direction and are vertically spaced apart from each other. The support structure further comprises a heat sink, which is held by the heat sink holder for heat exchange between the air flow and the cooling medium flowing through it. In this case, the heat sink is fastened to the upper heat sink holder and elastically supported on the lower heat sink holder.

The support structure further has a side panel attached to a lateral end of the radiator proximate the vehicle. Further, in the support structure, there are provided lateral supports composed of artificial resin, which extend vertically and are arranged on both sides of the side panel in the vehicle width direction. In the mounted state, the lateral support and the heat sink are mutually engaged. The lateral support has a first elastically formed protrusion extending toward the side panel in the vehicle width direction so as to abut against the side panel in the vertical direction.

Further, an auxiliary radiator and a condenser (of the air conditioning system) are attached to the lateral support, and the weight of the auxiliary radiator and the condenser is supported by the upper and lower radiator holders via the radiator. Also attached to the lateral supports and supporting the weight thereof is a support structure containing air guides made of synthetic resin for supplying cooling air to the radiator.

In view of the highlighted prior art, there is still room for improvement in the field of coolant radiator holders for motor vehicles, in particular for automobiles.

Disclosure of Invention

The object to which the invention relates is to provide a cage frame arrangement for a coolant radiator of a motor vehicle, in particular for a vehicle with an improvement in terms of weight reduction and/or required installation space and/or effective guidance of cooling air to the coolant radiator.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a frame device for a coolant radiator of a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1. The object is also achieved by a coolant radiator unit according to claim 9. The respective dependent claims further disclose particularly advantageous configurations of the invention.

It should be pointed out that the features and measures listed individually in the following description can be combined with one another in any desired, technically advantageous manner and highlight further configurations of the invention. The description particularly additionally features and details in connection with the drawings.

The frame device according to the invention of a coolant radiator of a motor vehicle has two substantially plate-like side elements which are oriented vertically and parallel to one another in a substantially rectangular shape of the same dimensions, said side elements not forming through holes. The frame device further comprises a plurality of horizontally oriented cross-connecting elements for fixedly connecting the side elements to each other in the area of the short sides of the rectangular shape. The inner space defined by the side elements and the cross-connecting elements enables framing of the coolant radiator while avoiding vertical force introduction paths from the coolant radiator to the frame device.

The term "motor vehicle" is to be understood within the meaning of the present invention as being in particular an automobile, a heavy goods vehicle, a semi-trailer or a bus. The term "coolant radiator" is to be understood within the meaning of the invention to mean in particular a unit consisting of a plurality of coolant tubes through which the coolant is conducted, wherein a plurality of cooling ribs are arranged between the coolant tubes for discharging heat to the cooling air flowing through the plurality of coolant tubes, which are connected in a familiar manner in accordance with the flow to the coolant tubes, and a coolant tank arranged in the edge region of the plurality of coolant tubes.

By avoiding a vertical force introduction path from the coolant radiator to the frame device, the frame device can be designed in a light weight and/or manufactured with light weight materials. The weight of the coolant radiator filled with coolant does not have to be taken up by the frame device; vice versa, however, if the coolant radiator is fastened at least to the coolant radiator with suitable fastening means, it can take up at least a part of the weight of the frame device.

The proposed frame device can provide sealing and air guiding functions, wherein weight can be saved compared to conventional frame constructions having the same function. Furthermore, the frame device can be constructed from lightweight components which require only a small amount of installation space, so that, in addition to weight saving, advantages in terms of the required installation space can also be achieved. The frame device according to the invention further enables an improved supply of cooling air to the coolant radiator and, in an advantageous embodiment, is advantageously used for holding the cooling air guiding element.

In a preferred embodiment of the frame device, the horizontal distance between the side elements is adjusted at least substantially to the horizontal dimension of the coolant radiator in the following manner: the maximum distance between each side element and the side of the coolant radiator facing the associated side element is less than 2 mm. In this way, the supplied cooling air can be effectively prevented from flowing through the coolant main body, and the cooling capacity of the coolant main body can be improved.

At least one of the cross-connecting elements arranged at the front in the mounted state preferably has a bearing surface which is directed forwards and which is provided to mutually abut a corresponding bearing surface of the cooling air guiding element in the mounted state.

The terms "front" and "rear" as used in this application should be understood within the meaning of the present invention with reference to the forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle. The term "arranged" is to be understood within the meaning of the present invention as being specifically programmed, configured or arranged.

In this way, the frame device can include a supporting and sealing function for the cooling air guide member, whereby the supplied cooling air can be effectively prevented from flowing around the coolant body, and the cooling capacity of the coolant body can be improved.

Fastening elements for fastening the cooling air guiding element are preferably provided and arranged in the front region of the side elements. In this way, a secure hold and a particularly reliable closure of the cooling air guide element can be achieved, in order to prevent the supplied cooling air from flowing past the coolant body.

The cooling air guide element can be formed, for example, in a funnel-shaped manner. However, the cooling air guiding element can also be formed, for example, as a manually, remotely controlled or automatically adjustable radiator cover or radiator louver.

In a preferred embodiment of the frame device, the side elements and the cross-connecting elements have at least a predominant proportion of plastic or fiber/plastic composite material. In particular, the fiber/plastic composite can comprise Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) and/or Aramid Fiber Reinforced Plastic (AFRP).

The term "major proportion" is to be understood within the meaning of the present invention as a proportion of in particular more than 50% by volume, preferably more than 70% by volume and particularly preferably more than 90% by volume. In particular, the term shall include the possibility that the side elements and the cross-connecting elements are entirely (i.e. 100 vol%) constituted by the fibre/plastic composite material.

Hereby, known production methods for processing plastic materials, such as injection molding, extrusion, etc., can be used, whereby high dimensional accuracy, the property of integration of several parts, and low unit costs for high unit numbers can be achieved.

For example, the plastic can be selected from, but not limited to, the group formed by Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polyethylene (PE), Polyamide (PA) and mixtures of at least two of these plastic materials.

In a further preferred embodiment of the frame device, the side elements and the cross-connecting elements are at least mainly made of metal. In this way, a frame device with a particularly thin wall thickness and a compact design can be provided.

The side elements and the cross-connecting elements are preferably formed in one piece. In this case, the term "integrally formed" is to be understood as meaning in particular connected in a firmly bonded manner, for example by means of a welding process, or particularly advantageously co-formed, for example by means of a casting process. In this way, the mechanical strength of the frame device, which is required, for example, for fastening the cooling air guiding element, can be achieved more easily.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame device has a plurality of fastening means for fastening to a coolant radiator framed by the frame device. In this way, pre-installation of the frame device and the coolant radiator as subassemblies can be achieved.

In another aspect of the invention, a coolant radiator unit for a motor vehicle is presented. The coolant radiator unit has a coolant radiator and at least one cooling air guiding element for guiding cooling air to be supplied to the coolant radiator. The coolant radiator unit comprises an embodiment of the frame device according to the invention. In this case, the coolant radiator is framed in the inner space defined by the side elements and the cross-connecting elements and by these elements and arranged to avoid at the same time a perpendicular force introduction path from the coolant radiator to the frame device. The at least one cooling air guiding element further has fastening means and at least one supporting surface and is fastened in the front region of the side element in this way with corresponding fastening means of the frame arrangement: the bearing surface mutually abuts with at least one corresponding bearing surface of at least one of the cross-connecting elements arranged at the front part.

The above-mentioned advantages of the frame device can be applied in its full scope to the proposed coolant radiator unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the coolant radiator unit, the coolant radiator is arranged at a rearmost position in the interior space of the frame device. In this way, the introduction section of the cooling air to be supplied can be used as a design parameter to optimize the flow by selecting the width of the side elements of the frame device.

Drawings

Further advantageous configurations of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and the following description of the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a coolant radiator unit having a coolant radiator and a frame device in a ready-to-mount state from above in a perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the prior art.

Detailed Description

One possible embodiment of a coolant radiator unit 10 with a coolant radiator 12 and a frame arrangement 18 is shown in a schematic view in fig. 1. The coolant radiator module 10 is provided for use in a motor vehicle formed as an automobile.

The coolant radiator 12 has, in a manner known per se, a radiator module 14 which is composed of a plurality of coolant tubes through which the coolant is conducted, wherein a plurality of cooling ribs are arranged between the coolant tubes for discharging heat to the cooling air 40 flowing through. In each case, a coolant tank (not shown) is arranged in a side region of the radiator module 14, wherein the coolant tank is connected to the coolant pipes in a flow-wise manner in a likewise known manner. In the present embodiment, the coolant tank is disposed on the side of the radiator module 14 of the coolant radiator 12; in other embodiments, the coolant tank can be disposed above and below the radiator assembly 14 of the coolant radiator 12. The coolant radiator 12 is equipped with fastening means 16 for fastening to the vehicle structure of the motor vehicle, so that the weight of the coolant radiator 12 filled with coolant is carried entirely by the vehicle structure.

The frame device 18 has two substantially plate-shaped

side elements

20, 22, the

side elements

20, 22 being oriented vertically and parallel to each other. The

side members

20, 22 have a substantially rectangular shape of the same size, and are not formed with through holes. Along the two longer sides of the two

side elements

20, 22 and parallel to their edges, for mechanical reinforcement, the two

side elements

20, 22 have webs which project from the rectangular plate at an angle of 90 ° and face in pairs each other and the webs of the

opposite side elements

20, 22, respectively. For the mutually fixed connection of the two

side elements

20, 22, four cross-connecting elements 28, 32 (two front cross-connecting elements 28 and two rear cross-connecting elements 32) are arranged in the short-edge regions at the corners of the rectangular shape, in which cross-connecting elements each cross-connecting element 28, 32 produces a fixed connection between the webs of the two

side elements

20, 22.

Each cross-connect element 28, 32 is formed as a flat narrow strip with parallel edges arranged horizontally. The cross-connect elements 28, 32 are oriented in such a way that: the surface 30 of the belt is directed forward and the other surface of the belt is directed rearward. On the forwardly directed surface 30 of the respective belt, the two cross-connecting elements 28 arranged at the front each have a bearing surface 36, which bearing surface 36 is directed forwards and is formed by the forwardly directed surface 30.

The two

side members

20, 22 and the four cross-connect members 28, 32 are constructed entirely (i.e., 100%) of plastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in this embodiment) and are produced and formed as one piece using an injection molding process.

In an alternative embodiment, the two side elements and the four cross-connecting elements can also consist mainly or completely of metal, for example of sheet steel. In this case, for mechanical reinforcement, the two side elements can have 90 ° chamfers, which 90 ° chamfers face in pairs the 90 ° chamfers of the opposite side elements and one another in each case.

The interior space 34 of the frame device is defined by the

side members

20, 22 and the cross-connecting members 28, 32. As shown in fig. 1, the interior space 34 enables framing of the coolant radiator 12 while avoiding a vertical force introduction path from the coolant radiator 12 to the frame device 18.

The horizontal distance between the

side elements

20, 22 is adapted to the horizontal dimension of the coolant radiator 12 in the following manner: the maximum distance between each

side element

20, 22 and the side of the coolant radiator 12 facing the associated

side element

20, 22 is less than 1 mm.

The coolant radiator unit 10 further comprises a cooling air guiding element (not shown) for guiding cooling air 40 to be supplied to the coolant radiator 12. The cooling air guide element is formed in a funnel-like manner and can be manufactured, for example, from plastic. The cooling air guide element has at its end facing the frame arrangement 18 a bearing surface corresponding to the forwardly directed bearing surface 36 of the front cross-connecting element 28. In the mounted state, the forwardly directed bearing surfaces 36 of the front cross-connecting elements 28 and the corresponding bearing surfaces of the cooling air guiding elements abut one another. In order to improve the sealing function, an elastic seal may be provided and arranged between the bearing surface 36 of the front cross-connecting element 28 and the bearing surface of the cooling air guiding element.

As is apparent from fig. 1, the coolant radiator 12 is arranged in a rearmost position in the interior space 34 of the frame arrangement 18. The inner surfaces of the

side elements

20, 22 facing the coolant radiator 12 are adjacent to the cooling air guide element in the forward direction of travel. As described above, the width 26 of the

side elements

20, 22 without through holes is part of the introduction section of the cooling air 40 to be supplied to the coolant radiator 12 and is configured in the following manner: flow conditions optimized in connection with the cooling air guiding element are generated for the cooling air 40 to be supplied.

Four fastening elements 38 for fastening the cooling air guiding element, which are formed for example as latching devices, are provided and arranged on the front webs of the two

side elements

20, 22. The cooling air guiding element is equipped with corresponding fastening elements such that the cooling air guiding element is fastened with the frame arrangement 18 via its

side elements

20, 22.

The frame device 18 has a plurality of fastening means (not shown) for fastening to the coolant radiator 12 framed by the frame device 18. At least a part of the weight of the frame arrangement 18 and of the cooling air guiding element is carried by the vehicle structure of the motor vehicle via the coolant radiator 12.

List of reference markers:

10 Coolant radiator unit

12 coolant radiator

14 radiator assembly

16 fastening device

18 frame device

20 side element

22 side element

24 web

26 width side member

28 front cross-connect element

30 front surface

32 rear cross-connect element

34 inner space

36 bearing surface

38 fastening element cooling air guide element

40 cooling air

50 holder frame

52 groove

54 fastening device

Claims

1. A frame device (18) of a coolant radiator (12) of a motor vehicle, having:

-two substantially plate-like side elements (20, 22) oriented vertically and parallel to each other in a substantially rectangular shape of the same size, said side elements being not formed with through holes,

-a plurality of horizontally oriented cross-connecting elements (28, 32) for the mutually fixed connection of the side elements (20, 22) in the area of the short sides of the rectangular shape,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

an interior space (34) defined by the side elements (20, 22) and the cross-connecting elements (28, 32) enables framing of the coolant radiator (12) while avoiding vertical force introduction paths from the coolant radiator (12) to the frame arrangement (18).

2. The frame device (18) according to claim 1,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the horizontal distance between the side elements (20, 22) is adjusted at least substantially to the horizontal dimension of the coolant radiator (12) as follows: the maximum distance between each side element (20, 22) and the side of the coolant radiator (12) facing the associated side element (20, 22) is less than 2 mm.

3. Frame device (18) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

at least one of the cross-connecting elements (28, 32) arranged at the front in the mounted state has at least one bearing surface (36), which bearing surface (36) points forward and is arranged to mutually abut a corresponding bearing surface of the cooling air guiding element in the mounted state.

4. The frame device (18) according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

fastening elements (38) for fastening the cooling air guiding element are provided and arranged in a front region of the side elements (20, 22).

5. The frame device (18) according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the side elements (20, 22) and the cross-connecting elements (28, 32) comprise at least a predominant proportion of plastic or fiber/plastic composite material.

6. The frame device (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the side elements (20, 22) and the cross-connecting elements (28, 32) are at least predominantly made of metal.

7. The frame device (18) according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the side members (20, 22) and the cross-connecting members (28, 32) are formed as one piece.

8. The frame device (18) according to any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that

A plurality of fastening means for fixing to a coolant radiator (12) framed by the frame arrangement (18).

9. A coolant radiator unit (10) of a motor vehicle having a coolant radiator (12) and at least one cooling air guiding element for guiding cooling air (40) to be supplied to the coolant radiator (12),

it is characterized in that

-a frame device (18) according to any of the preceding claims, and wherein

-the coolant radiator (12) is framed in an interior space (34) defined by the side elements (20, 22) and the cross-connecting elements (28, 32) and by these elements (20, 22, 28, 32) and arranged to avoid at the same time a vertical force introduction path from the coolant radiator (12) to the frame device (18), and wherein

-the at least one cooling air guiding element has fastening means and at least one bearing surface and is fastened with corresponding fastening means (38) of the frame arrangement (18) in the front region of the side elements (20, 22) in the following manner: the bearing surface mutually abuts at least one respective bearing surface (36) of at least one of the cross-connecting elements (28) arranged at the front portion.

10. The coolant radiator unit of claim 9,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the coolant radiator (12) is arranged at a rearmost position in the interior space of the frame device (18).