EP0346602B1 - Water/air cooler for water-cooled internal-combustion engines, especially those of commercial vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water / air cooler for water-cooled internal combustion engines, in particular for commercial vehicles, consisting of a finned tube block with plastic water boxes, which are positively connected by fastening parts with side parts overlapping the water boxes.

It is known from DE-OS 33 03 986 to provide the water / air cooler with side parts which project laterally over the water tanks and are connected to them by bolts.

For this purpose, the side parts have to be made of steel, and the installation of the side parts on the water tanks is relatively time-consuming. In addition, insert sleeves in the water boxes are necessary to protect the plastic from damage.

From DE-OS 34 28 857 it is also known that the side parts with openings in their fastening tabs firmly engage with the water boxes, pin-like connecting bolts. Here too, a steel side part is used that is highly susceptible to corrosion. Due to the different materials of water boxes and side parts and the resulting uneven heating, it is also necessary to compensate for thermal expansion by designing a fixed bearing and a floating bearing.

The present invention has for its object to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above and to design a water / air cooler with a plastic side part in such a way that the connection of the side parts to the water boxes is sufficiently stable without complex installation being necessary.

The invention consists in a water / air cooler of the type mentioned in that the fastening parts on a water box and at one end of a plastic side part are designed in the manner of a hinged hinge connection, and that on the other water box and on the other side part end a securing the end position Locking device is provided. This solution has the advantage that a very simple assembly of the side parts on the water tanks is possible and the side part can be designed in one piece.

In a further development of the invention, the hinge connection has pins and recesses both in the longitudinal direction of the side part and in the longitudinal direction of the water tank, as a result of which all forces occurring during operation, even when used in commercial vehicles, are absorbed.

In a further embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the pins of the hinge connection on the water tank are arranged symmetrically to its central plane both in its longitudinal direction and in the longitudinal direction of the side part, the recesses are formed correspondingly in the side part. The arrangement of the pins or recesses in pairs brings increased stability, on the other hand, the symmetrical design offers the possibility of using the same side part for the left as well as for the right side of the cooler. It is easy to understand that a reversal of the pin or recess arrangement makes no difference in the attachment.

In a further embodiment, the locking device on the upper water tank consists of pins arranged on the water tank in its longitudinal direction and corresponding recesses in the side part and a wedge which locks the side part in its end position via its contact surfaces on both the water tank and the side part. The wedge itself is additionally secured by a snap hook. This type of locking creates a good positive connection and thus ensures a firm and permanent connection even in rough operation, as occurs in commercial vehicles.

In a further development of the invention, the locking device is designed symmetrically by the arrangement of the pins and recesses in pairs and its stability is further increased. It is also conceivable to form a peg or an asparagus instead of the paired pegs or recess arrangement, but a sufficient width must be ensured in order to avoid twisting of the connection when force is applied.

In a further embodiment of the invention, in addition to the hinge connection, the side part is also held at the lower end by snap hooks transversely to the direction of the tubes. This ensures that torques from the suspension can also be absorbed at the lower end of the side part.

In a development of the invention, the side part is made in one piece from plastic and thereby brings about a substantial reduction in costs, and the plastic also harbors corrosion resistance with respect to the steel. In order to achieve sufficient rigidity, the side part was designed with several heavily ribbed walls.

In the case of large water coolers which are additionally equipped with an expansion tank, a metal profile is additionally provided in a further embodiment of the invention to increase the rigidity and to prevent distortion.

In another embodiment of the solution according to the invention, instead of two pins and corresponding cutouts, contact surfaces are created which take up less space and still provide sufficient stability. This reduces the installation space required for the cooler.

It is expedient to provide the water boxes with two transverse bores, which lie in areas outside the other fastening devices. This configuration enables steel side parts in known way can be attached to the water tanks according to DE-OS 33 03 986 with the help of bolts.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Teiles eines Rippen-Rohrblockes mit zwei Wasserkästen,
• Fig. 2 einen Schnitt durch das korrespondierende Seitenteil,
• Fig. 3 die Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 1, jedoch während der Montage des Seitenteiles an den Wasserkästen,
• Fig. 4 eine Ansicht des oberen Wasserkastens in Richtung des Pfeiles IV in vergrößerter Darstellung,
• Fig. 5 eine vergrößerte Ansicht des unteren Wasserkastens in Richtung des Pfeiles V,
• Fig. 6 einen Schnitt in vergrößerter Darstellung durch die Fig. 2 längs der Linie VI-VI,
• Fig. 7 drei Ansichten eines Keils zur Verriegelung von Wasserkasten und Seitenteil in vergrößerter Darstellung,
• Fig. 8 einen Schnitt in vergrößerter Darstellung durch die Fig. 2 längs der Linie VIII-VIII,
• Fig. 9 einen vergrößerten Schnitt durch die Fig. 2 längs der Linie IX-IX und
• Fig. 10 eine vergrößerte Teilansicht ähnlich Fig. 1 einer anderen, platzsparenden Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown with reference to the drawing and is described below. Show it:

• 1 is a schematic view of part of a finned tube block with two water boxes,
• 2 shows a section through the corresponding side part,
• 3 shows the illustration similar to FIG. 1, but during the assembly of the side part on the water tanks,
• 4 is an enlarged view of the upper water tank in the direction of arrow IV,
• 5 is an enlarged view of the lower water tank in the direction of arrow V,
• 6 shows a section on an enlarged scale through FIG. 2 along the line VI-VI,
• 7 shows three views of a wedge for locking the water tank and side part in an enlarged view,
• 8 shows a section on an enlarged scale through FIG. 2 along the line VIII-VIII,
• Fig. 9 is an enlarged section through FIG. 2 along the line IX-IX and
• FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view similar to FIG. 1 of another, space-saving embodiment of the invention.

In Fig. 1, a water / air cooler for a commercial vehicle is partially shown, which is made up of an upper, plastic water tank (3) and a plastic, lower water tank (2), between which the only hinted shown fin tube block (20) is arranged. A side part (1) made of plastic is used to attach the radiator to the vehicle. The corresponding left side part (1) is not shown. The two side parts (1) are designed symmetrically to the central plane of the cooler, which runs parallel to the axes of the tubes (25) of the finned tube block (20), so that the left and right side parts (1) can be interchanged as desired. The side parts (1) are made of plastic by injection molding and constructed so that no sliders are required for the lower hinge connection. As a result, the tool costs of the component are greatly reduced. In order to maintain sufficient stability and at the same time save material, the side part (1) is reinforced by transverse and longitudinal ribs (16). The wall thickness of the side part (1) is kept constant over the entire area in order to ensure rapid demoulding during series production.

For reasons of symmetry and to increase the stability, the pins (4 and 4a and 5 and 5a) on the water tank (2), relative to the central plane of the cooler, are arranged opposite one another, as can be seen from FIG. 5. The pins (4 and 4a and 5 and 5a) are designed as cuboid, hollow cams; the square shape ensures a high degree of fit and therefore a perfect fit. The pins (4 and 4a) are directed downwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the side part, the cams (5 and 5a) are arranged at right angles on both sides of the water box (2) in its longitudinal direction. As can be seen from FIG. 4, pins (6 and 6a and 7 and 7a) are also arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the upper water tank (3), which are opposite one another, in each case relative to the central plane of the cooler. The pins (6 and 6a) are located on the outside at the bottom on the side of the water tank (3), whereas the pins (7 and 7a) are set back from the pins (6 and 6a) and are arranged further up. This arrangement results in a positive connection in different planes during mounting, which increases the stability. As can also be seen in Fig. 1, two transverse bores (26) and (27) and two transverse bores (28) and (29) are formed on the water tank (3), which enable steel side parts in in a known manner can be connected to the water tanks with the aid of bolts.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the side part (1) has corresponding recesses (8 and 8a) to the pins (4 and 4a), recesses (9 and 9a) in which the pins (5 and 5a) engage, and Cutouts (10 and 10a), which correspond to the pins (6 and 6a), as well as cutouts (11 and 11a), which form-fit with the pins (7 and 7a). The recesses (8 and 8a) lie opposite each other, also related to the central plane of the cooler, and are designed in a square shape. The recesses (8 and 8a) have the size and shape of the outer contour of the pins (4 and 4a) perpendicular to the central axis of the side part (1), but they are designed as angled openings, since the openings (8 and 8a) are offset in the direction continue along the longitudinal axis of the side part (1). The clear width of the cutouts (8 and 8a) thus results in a cross section which is larger than the cross section of the pins (4 and 4a). The corresponding openings (9 and 9a) to the pins (5 and 5a) also have a larger cross section than the pins (5 and 5a).

3 shows the need for the cross-sectional enlargements of the cutouts (8 and 8a and 9 and 9a) just described. When installing the side part (1) on the cooler by attaching it to the water tanks (2 and 3), the side part (1) is tilted and in this inclined position with its recesses (8 and 8a) via the pins (4 and 4a) of the Water box (2) pushed. When the right side part (1) shown on the water box (3) is folded in, which is done counterclockwise, the pins (5 and 5a) on the water box (2) with the recesses (9 and 9a) of the side part (1) come in first Intervention, then they take hold Pins (6 and 6a) and (7 and 7a) of the water tank (3) into the corresponding recesses (10 and 10a or 11 and 11a). Now the side part (1) is in its end position. In this position, the recesses (8 and 8a) positively engage around the pins (4 and 4a); the pins (6 and 6a) with the recesses (10 and 10a) and the pins (7 and 7a) with the recesses (11 and 11a) also form an exact positive fit. The end position (1 ') of the side part is indicated by dash-dotted lines.

As can be seen from Fig. 1 and 2, the following contact surfaces result in this end position, which are shown with a stronger line both on the water tanks (2 and 3) and on the side part (1): The surfaces (4b) on the water tank (2 and . 8b) on the side part (1), which come into contact when the pins (4 and 4a) engage in the cutouts (8 and 8a), and the contact surfaces (2a) on the water tank (2) or (1a) on the side part ( 1), which come into contact with the engagement of pins (5, 5a) in the recesses (9, 9a). There are also contact surfaces (6b) on the water tank (3 or 10b) on the side part (1) when the pins (6 and 6a) engage in the recesses (10 and 10a) as well as surfaces (7b) on the water tank (3) or ( 11b) on the side part (1) when the pins (7 and 7a) engage in the recesses (11 and 11a). In addition, the side part (1) lies with a contact surface (1c) on the water tank (3) on its surface (3b) and with the surface (1b) on the surface (3a) of the water tank (3). In Fig. 4 the position of the contact surfaces (7b or 6b) on each of the four pin sides can be clearly seen. The contact surfaces (4b), as shown in FIG. 5, are also provided on all four sides of the pins (4 and 4a).

The side part (1) is movable in its longitudinal direction by the hinge connection and is only locked exactly by the locking device. The hinge connection is therefore designed as a floating bearing, the locking device as a fixed bearing. This is clear from Fig. 5 and Fig. 1: The contact surfaces (2a) enclose the pins (5 and 5a) in the transverse direction. Forces from the hinge connection are absorbed in every direction, except in the longitudinal direction of the side part (1), the locking device, with the pins (6, 6a, 7, 7a), absorbs forces in any direction, except in the longitudinal direction of the water box (3) the wedge (14), the side part (1) is finally secured. To lock this position, a wedge (14), as can be seen in Fig. 7, is now inserted into the opening (21) of the side part (1), which is located on the water tank (3) in the extension of the pegs, via entry slopes (not shown) (6 and. 6a) on the contact surface (14a) and on the side part (1) via the contact surface (21a). In order to avoid loosening of the wedge (14) during operation, a snap connection (15) is provided for locking the wedge (14) in its operating position, but otherwise does not have to absorb any forces.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 1, the water tank (2) has elongated slots (13) on either side, into which a snap connection (12) of the side part (1) engages, as shown in FIG. 6 is. This results in contact surfaces (13a) on the water tank (2) and contact surfaces (12a) on the snap hook (12) of the side part (1). From this it can be seen that the snap connection (12) cannot absorb any forces in the longitudinal direction of the side part (1). This connection between the snap hook (12) and slot (13) serves to absorb torques in the assembled state of the side part (1) which are initiated from the suspension. A compensatory movement in the direction of the side parts is not hindered.

In the case of large water coolers which are additionally equipped with an expansion tank, a metal profile (17) is additionally provided to increase the stability of the side part (1) and to prevent distortion, as can be seen in FIG. 8. The metal profile (17) is hollow and has a square cross section. The profile (17) runs in the longitudinal direction of the side part (1) on its central axis and is inserted between two longitudinal ribs (16).

The radiator support (18), which is shown in FIG. 9, is integrated in the side part (1) and is also heavily ribbed to increase the stability. It consists of several horizontally and vertically arranged walls (16). Metal support sleeves (19) are provided to prevent material overloading in the bores that are used to hold the fastening screws. The axis of the holes runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the side part (1). The radiator support (18) is formed at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the side part (1).

A space-saving solution is provided for narrow installation space, which can be seen in FIG. 10. In this space-saving solution, the locking device is modified and the form-fitting fastening by means of the pins (7 and 7a) with the corresponding recesses (11 and 11a) of the embodiment in FIG. 1 is dispensed with. The dashed contours of this embodiment are shown in FIG. 10. Both the water tank (3) and the side part (1) are limited by the upper edge (24) of the space-saving solution, which is also indicated in Fig. 1. The contact surface (22) on the water tank (3) and the contact surface (23) on the side part (1) serve as a replacement for the lack of positive locking by the pins (7 and 7a) or the recesses (11 and 11a). The contact surface (23) is pressed onto the contact surface (22) of the water tank (3) during assembly. The side part (1) is form-fitting with the contact surfaces (10b) on the surfaces (6b) of the water tank (3) with the surfaces (1b) on the surfaces (3a) of the water tank (3) and with the contact surface (23) on the Surface (22) of the water tank (3) bound. In addition, the wedge (14), not shown, locks the side part over the contact surfaces (21) on the side part or (14a) on the water tank. Despite the loss of the positive connection to the pin (7 and 7a) or the recesses (11 and 11a) No stability has been lost due to the creation of new contact surfaces (22 and 23), but this solution makes it possible to use the water / air cooler even in a confined space.

Claims (13)

1. Water/air radiator for water-cooled internal combustion engines, particularly for utility vehicles, consisting of a finned tube block (20) with synthetic plastics water tanks (2, 3) which are positively connected by fixing parts to side parts (1) which engage laterally over the water tanks (2, 3), characterised in that the fixing parts are constructed on one water tank (2) and on one end of a synthetic plastics side part (1) in the manner of a push-on hinge connection and in that an interlocking device for securing the end position is provided on the other water tank (3) and on the other end of the side part.

2. Water/air radiator according to Claim 1, characterised in that the hinge connection consists of journals (4, 4a) which project from the water tank (2) in the longitudinal direction of the side part (1) and corresponding recesses (8, 8a) on the synthetic plastics side part (1) and of journals (5, 5a) projecting from this latter in the longitudinal direction of the water tank (2) and also corresponding recesses (9, 9a) on the synthetic plastics side part (1).

3. Water/air radiator according to Claim 2, characterised in that two journals (4, 4a) are constructed in the longitudinal direction of the side part (1) on the water tank (2) symmetrically of its central plane while two recesses (8, 8a) corresponding thereto are constructed on the side part (1).

4. Water/air radiator according to Claim 2, characterised in that two journals (5, 5a) are disposed on the water tank (2) in its longitudinal direction symmetrically of its central plane and two recesses (9, 9a) corresponding thereto are disposed on the side part (1).

5. Water/air radiator according to Claim 1, characterised in that the interlocking arrangement consists of journals (6, 6a, 7, 7a) projecting in the longitudinal direction of the water tank (3) and corresponding recesses (10, 10a. 11, 11a) and of a key member (14) which is supported in an aperture (21) extending between an abutment face (14a) on the water tank (3) and an abutment face (21a) on the side part (1).

6. Water/air radiator according to Claim 5, characterised in that the key member (14) has a snap-action hook (15) by which it is secured in the aperture (21).

7. Water/air radiator according to Claim 5 and 6, characterised in that four journals (6, 6a, 7, 7a) are constructed in pairs on the water tank (3) symmetrically of its central plane while four recesses (10, 10a, 11, 11a) corresponding thereto are constructed on the side part (1) in the longitudinal direction of the water tank (3).

8. Water/air radiator according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that in addition a snap-action hook (12) is provided on the side part (1) which engages a corresponding recess (13) in the water tank (2).

9. Water/air radiator according to one or more of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the side part (1) is injection moulded from synthetic plastics material and consists of a plurality of heavily ribbed walls (16).

10. Water/air radiator according to one or more of Claims 1 to 9, characterised ir that a metal profile member (17) is integrated into the side part (1).

11. Water/air radiator according to one or more of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the radiator support (18) is integrated into the side part (1) and is provided with metal bracing sleeves (19).

12. Water/air radiator according to Claim 1 and 2, characterised in that the interlocking arrangement consists of two journals (6, 6a) and two corresponding recesses (10,10a), abutment faces (22, 3a), on the water tank (3) and of abutment faces (23, 1b) on the side part (1) as well as a key member (14) which is supported in an aperture (21) extending between an abutment face (14a) on the water tank (3) and an abutment face (21 a) on the side part (1) (Fig. 10).

13. Water/air radiator according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the water tanks (2, 3) are in each case provided with two transverse bores (26, 27, 28, 29) which lie in areas outside of the other fixing means.

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