DE102020124548A1 - Radiator assembly for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiator arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, having a radiator (2) through which ambient air can flow and having several coolant lines (5), a radiator protective grille (3) for protecting the radiator (2) from dirt contained in the ambient air, and a fluid discharge device (4) to discharge a liquid fluid towards the cooler (2). It is provided that the fluid discharge device (4) is part of the radiator grille (3) and a fluid line (9) of the fluid discharge device (4) is arranged on each of the coolant lines (5) of the radiator (2), with each of the fluid lines (9 ) a plurality of fluid discharge openings (14) for discharging the fluid in the direction of the cooler (2) are formed.

Description

The invention relates to a radiator arrangement for a motor vehicle, having a radiator through which ambient air can flow and having several coolant lines, a radiator protective grille to protect the radiator from contamination contained in the ambient air, and a fluid discharge device for discharging a liquid fluid in the direction of the radiator.

From the prior art, for example, the publication DE 196 37 926 A1 famous. This describes a cooling device for cooling radiators of motor vehicles, in particular charge air coolers of trucks, in which a specifically controllable temporary increase in performance is achieved by a liquid container for storing a cooling liquid, a spray device arranged in the vicinity of the radiator and a pump with a pump line for transporting the cooling liquid to the spray device is reached.

It is the object of the invention to propose a radiator arrangement for a motor vehicle which has advantages over known radiator arrangements, in particular achieves a high cooling capacity while at the same time effectively protecting the radiator from dirt from the outside environment.

According to the invention, this is achieved with a radiator arrangement for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1 . It is provided that the fluid discharge device is part of the radiator grille and a fluid line of the fluid discharge device is arranged on each of the coolant lines of the radiator, with several fluid discharge openings for discharging the fluid in the direction of the radiator being formed in each of the fluid lines.

Advantageous configurations with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The cooler arrangement is preferably part of the motor vehicle, but can of course also be present separately from it. The cooler arrangement is used to cool a coolant, which in turn is used to cool a device to be cooled. For example, the cooler arrangement and the device to be cooled are part of a coolant circuit in which a coolant is circulated at least temporarily to cool the device to be cooled.

To cool the coolant, the radiator arrangement has the radiator, which is designed in particular as the main radiator of the motor vehicle. The cooler has the plurality of coolant lines, which are arranged, for example, spaced parallel to one another. The coolant lines are used to guide the coolant and have the coolant flow through them at least temporarily during operation of the cooler arrangement. The plurality of coolant lines are preferably arranged in parallel to one another in terms of flow.

For example, the coolant lines each start on the one hand from a coolant distribution box and on the other hand open into a coolant collection box. The coolant lines particularly preferably run straight throughout, in particular between the coolant distribution box and the coolant collection box. Both the coolant distribution box and the coolant collection box each have a coolant connection. These ports are arranged such that each of the coolant lines is fluidly connected to a first of the ports via the coolant distribution box and to a second of the ports via the coolant header box.

Coolant supplied to the coolant distribution box via the first connection is divided between the coolant lines through which the coolant flows in parallel in terms of flow. On the side of the coolant lines that is remote from the coolant distribution box in terms of flow, the coolant flows out of the coolant lines into the coolant collection box and subsequently exits through the second connection. The device to be cooled is preferably fluidically connected both to the first connection and to the second connection, so that the coolant circuit is ultimately implemented.

The coolant lines pass through a through-flow space of the cooler, which is provided and designed for the ambient air to flow through. For example, the cooler is arranged for this purpose in such a way that the head wind generated during driving operation of the motor vehicle induces the ambient air to flow through the flow space. However, it can also--additionally or alternatively--be provided for the ambient air to flow through the flow-through space by means of a fan. In any case, the cooler is designed in such a way that the coolant is fluidically separated from the ambient air. To this extent, the coolant lines are designed to be fluid-tight.

While driving the motor vehicle, it can happen that in the environment air contains contaminants that could cause damage to the cooler if they hit it or its coolant lines. For this reason, the radiator arrangement has the radiator grille, which is arranged upstream of the radiator with respect to a flow direction of the ambient air through the radiator. The radiator grille serves as a filter in order to filter out at least coarse dirt from the ambient air. The dirt is understood to mean, for example, stones, clods of earth or the like. The dirt has, for example, an equivalent diameter of at least 1 mm, at least 2.5 mm or at least 5 mm. In order to filter out dirt from the ambient air, the radiator protection grille is more stable or more rigid than the coolant lines of the radiator.

In addition to the radiator and the radiator grille, the radiator arrangement has the fluid discharge device. The fluid discharge device serves to increase the cooling capacity of the cooler, at least for a short time, namely by discharging the liquid fluid in the direction of the cooler. As a result of the fluid being discharged, the coolant lines and/or the ambient air flowing between the coolant lines are additionally cooled, in particular by the heat of vaporization absorbed by the fluid.

With respect to the direction of flow of the ambient air, the fluid is discharged upstream of the cooler or the coolant lines, in particular into the ambient air and/or onto the coolant lines. This brings about a particularly effective cooling of the coolant flowing through the coolant lines. The fluid is liquid before and/or when it is discharged in the direction of the cooler in order to ensure particularly good cooling. Water, for example, in particular demineralized water or distilled water, is used as the fluid in order to avoid residues in the cooler arrangement.

In order to achieve a compact configuration of the cooler arrangement on the one hand and particularly effective cooling of the coolant on the other hand, the fluid discharge device is part of the protective radiator grille. This means that the fluid discharge device has a multiplicity of fluid lines which at least partially form the radiator grille. One of the fluid lines of the fluid discharge device is arranged on each of the coolant lines of the cooler, namely upstream of the coolant lines in the direction of flow of the ambient air. Ambient air flowing through the cooler arrangement thus first flows around the fluid lines of the fluid discharge device and only then the coolant lines of the cooler. As a result, any contamination contained in the ambient air, for example stones or the like, is intercepted by the fluid lines before it reaches the coolant lines.

The fluid lines of the fluid dispensing device preferably run parallel to one another and extend over the entire length of the coolant lines. For example, the fluid lines are fluidically connected to at least one fluid distributor, so that the fluid lines emanate from the fluid distributor. The fluid can be supplied to the fluid lines via the fluid distributor. The fluid distributor is arranged and/or attached, for example, to the coolant distribution box or the coolant collection box.

Of course, it can be provided that the fluid lines are each connected to a plurality of fluid distributors, namely on opposite sides. To this extent, the fluid can be supplied to the fluid lines via each of the fluid distributors. This achieves a particularly uniform distribution of the fluid over the fluid lines. For example, one of the fluid distributors is arranged and/or attached to the coolant distribution box and another of the fluid distributors to the coolant collection box.

The fluid lines have a course which is adapted to a course of the coolant lines, so that each of the coolant lines is always arranged behind the associated fluid line in the direction of flow of the ambient air. Preferably, the fluid lines, like the coolant lines, are straight throughout. In order to ensure adequate protection of the coolant lines from contamination, the fluid lines are preferably more rigid than the coolant lines. For example, a wall thickness of the fluid lines is greater than a wall thickness of the coolant lines in order to achieve this.

A plurality of fluid discharge openings for discharging the fluid toward the cooler are formed in each of the fluid lines. The fluid discharge openings are arranged and designed in such a way that the fluid discharged through them from the fluid lines is aligned in the direction of the cooler or the coolant lines. For this purpose, for example, the fluid discharge openings are arranged on a downstream side of the fluid lines. The configuration of the cooler arrangement described has the advantage that, on the one hand, a compact configuration is realized and, on the other hand, particularly effective cooling of the coolant lines is carried out using the fluid. On the one hand, each of the coolant lines is assigned a separate fluid line, so that the coolant lines are or can be evenly charged with the fluid. On the other hand, the fluid lines are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the coolant lines, so that the fluid discharged from the fluid discharge openings reaches the coolant lines directly.

A development of the invention provides that the fluid lines are in contact with the coolant lines. The direct contact between the fluid lines and the coolant lines has the advantage that the coolant lines are already conductively cooled by the fluid lines. Provision can be made for the fluid lines to be fastened to the coolant lines in a heat-transferring manner, for example in a materially bonded manner, in particular by soldering or welding. In any case, however, the contact of the fluid lines with the coolant lines ensures that contaminants deflected by the fluid lines are directed away from the coolant lines, so that the contaminants cannot damage them.

A development of the invention provides that the fluid lines, viewed in cross section, have first dimensions in a first direction and second dimensions in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with one of the dimensions being smaller than the dimensions of the coolant lines in the respective direction. The two directions are perpendicular to each other and also each perpendicular to a third direction. The first direction corresponds to a longitudinal direction, the second direction to a vertical direction, and the third direction to a transverse direction. The first direction is therefore, for example, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, the second direction is parallel to a vertical axis of the motor vehicle, and the third direction is parallel to a transverse axis of the motor vehicle.

The first direction in each case runs both through the corresponding fluid line and through the associated coolant line. The second direction, on the other hand, is arranged or aligned parallel to the coolant lines or the cooler. In order to ensure effective cooling of the coolant using the radiator and its coolant lines, the coolant lines have larger dimensions than the fluid lines in at least one of the directions. Preferably, the dimensions of the coolant lines in the first direction are larger than the dimensions of the fluid lines in the same direction. On the one hand, this ensures effective protection of the coolant lines from contamination and, on the other hand, effective cooling of the coolant.

A development of the invention provides that the first dimensions are smaller than the dimensions of the coolant lines in the first direction and the second dimensions correspond at least to the dimensions of the coolant lines in the second direction. It has already been explained above that, for the purpose of particularly effective cooling of the coolant, the dimensions of the coolant lines in the first direction should be greater than the dimensions of the fluid lines in the same direction. In the second direction, however, the dimensions of the fluid lines correspond at least to the dimensions of the coolant lines in order to effectively protect them from contamination.

For example, the dimensions of the coolant lines in the first direction are greater than the dimensions of the fluid lines in the same direction by a factor of at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5. Conversely, it can be provided that the dimensions of the fluid lines in the second direction correspond to the dimensions of the coolant lines in the same direction or are at least 5%, at least 10% or at least 15% larger than the dimensions of the coolant line in the same direction. In this way, the advantages mentioned above can be achieved. Alternatively, it can of course be provided that the dimensions of the fluid lines in the second direction are smaller than the dimensions of the coolant lines in this direction, but preferably only slightly smaller in order to still achieve the advantages mentioned. Preferably, the dimensions of the fluid lines in the second direction are at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of the dimensions of the coolant lines in the same direction.

A further development of the invention provides that, seen in cross section, the fluid lines are round and the coolant lines are oval. The cross section is to be understood as meaning a section corresponding to a section plane which is spanned by the first direction and the second direction and in this respect is perpendicular to the first direction. On the one hand, the round fluid lines are simple and inexpensive to produce and, on the other hand, they offer excellent resistance to any contamination that may be present in the ambient air.

With the help of the oval coolant lines, on the other hand, the already mentioned effective cooling of the coolant can take place. For example, the coolant lines are elliptical when viewed in cross section table. Of course, however, it can also be provided that the coolant lines are fundamentally out of round. This also includes an angular configuration of the coolant lines, in particular a polygonal, in particular rectangular configuration of the coolant lines. This also allows the advantages already described to be easily achieved.

A development of the invention provides that, seen in cross section, the fluid discharge openings are formed at least in regions on the side of the fluid lines facing the coolant lines. This means that the fluid discharge openings, seen in cross section, face the fluid lines, so that the fluid emerging from the fluid discharge openings flows in the direction of the coolant lines and cools them. In the first direction, there is a smallest flow cross section between two of the fluid lines in each case. For example, after this smallest flow cross section, the flow cross section widens again in the direction of the coolant lines.

Viewed in cross section, the fluid discharge openings are preferably arranged in the area of the narrowest cross section or downstream of it, ie on the side of the narrowest flow cross section facing the coolant lines. Due to the fluid lines, there is a reduction in the flow cross section compared to the flow cross section present upstream of the fluid line, so that a negative pressure arises. This is particularly pronounced in the area of the narrowest flow cross section, but is still present downstream of this. The negative pressure enables the fluid to be discharged particularly effectively through the fluid discharge openings; in particular, the pressure of the fluid required for discharge is comparatively low.

A development of the invention provides that the radiator grille is attached to the radiator by means of brackets, each of the brackets clampingly engaging between two of the coolant lines of the radiator and having a head that urges several of the fluid lines in the direction of the two coolant lines or holds them to the coolant lines . The clip is used to create a positive connection between the radiator grille and the radiator. It has the head and a mounting base, the latter being provided and designed to latch behind the cooler. For example, the head at least partially, in particular completely, overlaps two adjacent fluid lines in the second direction.

The fastening foot protrudes between the two fluid lines and engages between two adjacent coolant lines on which the fluid lines are arranged, in particular resting. For example, the clip overlaps the coolant lines completely or at least almost completely, so that it positively engages on the side of the coolant line opposite the fluid lines to hold the radiator grille on the radiator.

The clip holds the radiator grille to the radiator in such a way that the fluid lines are held stationary with respect to the coolant lines and preferably rest against them. However, it can also be provided that the fluid lines are supported only indirectly on the coolant lines, for example via a support part arranged between them. The attachment of the radiator grille to the radiator by means of the clamp allows the radiator assembly to be fitted extremely quickly and reliably.

A development of the invention provides that the coolant lines are connected to one another via a plurality of cooling fins arranged at a distance from one another. The cooling fins extend between the coolant lines, preferably over the entire extent of the cooler. The cooling fins are angled in relation to the coolant lines, ie they form an angle with them which is greater than 0° and less than 180°. The angle between the cooling fins and the coolant lines is particularly preferably at least 60° and at most 120°, at least 70° and at most 110°, at least 80° and at most 100°, at least 85° and at most 95° or approximately or exactly 90°. The cooling fins are connected to the coolant lines in a heat-transferring manner, preferably with a material connection, in particular by soldering or welding. As a result, a heat-transferring surface of the cooler is significantly enlarged, so that the coolant is effectively cooled in the coolant lines.

A development of the invention provides that the fluid lines are connected to one another via a plurality of stiffening ribs aligned with the cooling ribs. The stiffening ribs are also attached to the fluid lines. For example, the stiffening ribs are in the form of continuous webs in which recesses are formed, through which the fluid lines pass. In this respect, for example, at least one form-fitting attachment of the fluid lines to the stiffening ribs is realized. In addition or as an alternative, however, an integral connection can also be provided here.

The stiffening ribs are angled with respect to the fluid lines so that they enclose an angle with them which is greater than 0° and less than 180°. Here, too, the angle is preferably at least 60° and at most 120°, at least 70° and at most 110°, at least 80° and at most 100°, at least 85° and at most 95° or approximately or exactly 90°. In particular, the angle between the stiffening ribs and the fluid lines corresponds to the angle between the cooling ribs and the coolant lines. In this way, a cooler arrangement is realized in which the fluid lines are flush with the coolant lines and the stiffening ribs are flush with the cooling ribs. Such a configuration of the cooler arrangement brings about a particularly effective protection of the cooler with the aid of the protective grille.

A development of the invention provides that the fluid lines are fluidically connected to a common fluid source. The fluid source serves to provide the fluid, which is discharged through the fluid discharge openings in the direction of the cooler. The fluid source is in the form of a fluid tank, for example, which is fluidically connected to the fluid lines via a fluid pump. It can be provided that the fluid tank can be filled manually by a user of the motor vehicle. However, it can also be provided that the fluid tank is fluidically connected to a refrigeration machine, for example an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle, in order to use this to obtain condensation from the ambient air. This enables autonomous operation of the cooler arrangement.

The features and feature combinations described in the description, in particular the features and feature combinations described in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without going beyond the scope of the invention to leave. The invention is therefore also to be considered to include embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the description and/or the figures, but result from combinations of features from the explained embodiments or can be derived from them.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer Kühleranordnung für ein Kraftfahrzeug.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, without the invention being restricted. It shows the only

• 1 a schematic sectional view of a cooler arrangement for a motor vehicle.

the 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a radiator arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle. The radiator arrangement 1 has a radiator 2, a radiator grille 3 and a fluid discharge device 4, the radiator protective grille 3 and the fluid discharge device 4 being designed to be integrated. The cooler arrangement 1 or its cooler 2 is used to cool a coolant. For this purpose, the cooler 2 has a plurality of coolant lines 5 through which the coolant flows at least at times. The coolant lines 5 are connected to one another by cooling fins 6, only one of which can be seen here.

The cooler 2 has a flow space 7 in which the coolant lines 5 and the cooling fins 6 are arranged. Ambient air flows through the flow space 7 at least at times, which is indicated by the arrows 8 . The radiator protective grille 3 is arranged upstream of the radiator 2 with respect to the flow direction of the ambient air. This serves to protect the cooler 2 from any contamination contained in the ambient air. The radiator grille 3 is formed by the fluid discharge device 4 . For this purpose, the fluid dispensing device 4 has a plurality of fluid lines 9, of which only a few are identified here as examples.

The fluid lines 9 are connected to one another or fastened to one another via stiffening ribs 10 . Only one of the stiffening ribs 10 can be seen here. It becomes clear that each of the coolant lines 5 is assigned exactly one of the fluid lines 9 . In addition, it can be provided that each of the cooling ribs 6 is assigned exactly one of the stiffening ribs 10 . One of the fluid lines 9 is arranged in overlap with the respective coolant line 5 upstream of each of the coolant lines 5, so that the fluid line 9 reliably protects the coolant line 5 from contamination.

The radiator grille 3 is fastened to the radiator 2 by means of several clamps 11, only one of which is shown here as an example. The clip 11 has a head 12 and a mounting foot 13 extending from this. The head 12 overlaps two adjacent fluid lines 9 and pushes them in the direction of the coolant lines 5 or onto the coolant lines 5. The fastening foot 13 extends, starting from the head 12, between the fluid lines 9 and between the coolant lines 5. It grips these in a form-fitting manner and/or or non-positively to attach the radiator grille 3 to the radiator 2.

A plurality of fluid discharge openings 14 are formed in each of the fluid lines 9, through which fluid is discharged at least temporarily in the direction of the cooler 2. This is indicated by the arrows 15. The fluid discharge openings 14 are arranged in such a way that the fluid discharged through them is carried along by the ambient air flowing in the direction of the cooler 2 and is forced onto the coolant lines 5 . The fluid collects there, for example in the form of drops 16. Only a few of these are marked here as examples.

The configuration of the cooler arrangement 1 described has the advantage that on the one hand it is of compact design and on the other hand enables the coolant to be cooled particularly effectively with the aid of the cooler 2 . Since each of the coolant lines 5 is assigned a separate fluid line 9 with corresponding fluid discharge openings 14 , the coolant lines 5 are very evenly exposed to the fluid during the discharge of the fluid through the fluid discharge openings 14 .

Reference List

1

radiator arrangement

2

cooler

3

radiator grille

4

fluid dispensing device

5

coolant line

6

cooling fins

7

flow space

8th

arrow

9

fluid line

10

stiffening rib

11

bracket

12

head

13

mounting foot

14

fluid discharge port

15

arrow

16

drops

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 19637926 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Radiator arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, with a radiator (2) through which ambient air can flow and having several coolant lines (5), a radiator protective grid (3) for protecting the radiator (2) from dirt contained in the ambient air, and a fluid discharge device (4) for Delivery of a liquid fluid in the direction of the cooler (2), characterized in that the fluid delivery device (4) is part of the radiator protective grille (3) and on each of the coolant lines (5) of the cooler (2) there is a fluid line (9) of the fluid delivery device (4 ) is arranged, wherein a plurality of fluid discharge openings (14) for discharging the fluid in the direction of the cooler (2) are formed in each of the fluid lines (9). cooler arrangement claim 1 , characterized in that the fluid lines (9) rest against the coolant lines (5). Cooler arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid lines (9), viewed in cross section, have first dimensions in a first direction and second dimensions in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, one of the dimensions being smaller than the dimensions of the Coolant lines (5) in the respective direction. Cooler arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first dimensions are smaller than the dimensions of the coolant lines (5) in the first direction and the second dimensions correspond at least to the dimensions of the coolant lines (5) in the second direction. Cooler arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that viewed in cross section the fluid lines (9) are round and the coolant lines (5) are oval. Cooler arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that viewed in cross section the fluid discharge openings (14) are arranged at least in regions on the side of the fluid lines (9) facing the coolant lines (5). Radiator arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiator protective grille (3) is fastened to the radiator (2) by means of brackets (11), each of the brackets (11) being clamped between two of the coolant lines (5) of the radiator (2 ) and having a head (12) urging or holding a plurality of the fluid lines (9) towards the two coolant lines (5). Cooler arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coolant lines (5) are connected to one another via a plurality of cooling ribs (6) arranged at a distance from one another. Cooler arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid lines (9) are connected to one another via a plurality of stiffening ribs (10) aligned with the cooling ribs (6). Cooler arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid lines (9) are fluidically connected to a common fluid source.

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