EP0504635B1 - Water/air radiator for watercooled internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water / air cooler for water-cooled internal combustion engines, in particular commercial vehicles, the radiator block, including the water boxes, which are made in particular of plastic, can be fastened via side parts, which are provided at both ends with two fastening tabs laterally overlapping the water boxes , which are part of a U-shaped overlapping bow-shaped end of the side parts of the associated water box and have openings through which positively attached connecting pins on the transverse sides of the water boxes engage.

Water / air coolers of this type are known (DE 34 28 857 A1). In these known designs, two lateral connecting pins are assigned to each side end of the water box on each side, of which the connecting pin located more towards the center of the water box is also provided with a safety device to prevent the tabs from being removed again. This fuse can be designed as a locking spring that is pushed onto a groove of the connecting pin. However, it is also possible and intended to form the connecting pin itself from the elastic plastic material of the water tank and to provide it at its free end with flexible latching hooks which overlap the associated openings on the outside after the tabs have been pushed open. In the known design, the connecting pin, which is located more to the outside and is adjacent to the connecting pin just mentioned, is only inserted in a form-fitting manner through an associated opening and with a run-up slope provided, which is used during assembly to spread the parallel tabs laterally so far that they can be pushed over both connecting pins until they snap into the openings.

With such a construction, assembly is not always easy because the side parts have to be pivoted relative to the water tanks and the radiator block in such a way that the openings provided in the tabs fit onto the connecting bolts. In addition, the frame constructed from the water boxes and the side parts can only absorb the torsional forces that occur during operation of the vehicle via the two relatively closely located connecting pins.

The invention has for its object to provide a water / air cooler of the type mentioned so that the stability of the frame, i. the side part / water box connection is increased.

To solve this problem is provided in a water / air cooler of the type mentioned, that at least one opening is provided in the web part connecting the fastening tabs and that the water boxes are each provided on their front side with at least one of the connecting pins which form-fit which engages at least one opening in the web part.

With this configuration, the maximum possible distance between the connecting pins fixedly arranged on the water tank can be realized, so that the torsional forces exerted on the frame, with the same frame dimensions, lead to smaller forces between fastening tabs and connecting pins. Since the mounting tabs also have a Form type U-bracket, which also overlaps the front of the water box with its web, an increased stability of the frame thus formed from water boxes and side parts is also achieved in this way.

To facilitate assembly, it is advantageously possible in the embodiment according to the invention, in which the upper edge of the fastening tabs protrude into the region of the lateral upper end of the water box, to provide guide surfaces on the water box for contact with the upper edges of the fastening tabs. During assembly, which, as in the prior art, is done by pushing the side parts on with their fastening tabs, the fastening tabs can be pre-positioned during the pushing-on process, so that the assembly process becomes easier. The upper edges and the guide surfaces can run perpendicular to the side surfaces of the side parts, so that a simple alignment process during assembly is also made possible in this way.

In order to achieve the necessary spreading of the fastening tabs here, it can be very advantageous, according to the features of claim 3, to assign at least one run-up slope to the side of the water box and in the area between the connecting pin and the end face of the water box for spreading the laterally push-on fastening tabs, the effect of which the features of claim 4 can be canceled by the fact that the fastening tab has a window which, when the free end of the fastening tab comes to rest on the free end of the connecting pin when the fastening tab is pushed on, comes to cover with the ramp. During the assembly process, the fastening tab then slides over the actual lateral connecting pin and then snaps over it due to its elasticity when it opens with the contour of Connecting pin covers. The run-up slope is in this end position - and as already mentioned before - in the area of the window.

According to the features of claim 5, the free end of the fastening tabs can be assigned at least one latching hook which overlaps the free end of the fastening tabs when the opening of the fastening tab engages positively around the connecting pin. This latching hook can be an elastically attached to the water tank pivoting part, which is preferably made of the plastic material of the water box and which according to claim 7 has at its free end a contact projection through which the latching hook from the free end still in the spread state Fastening tab is grasped and pretensioned in that it is moved from its original position to the rear. However, if the mounting bracket returns to its initial position after the push-on operation, in which the two mounting brackets run parallel to one another, then the free end of the mounting brackets releases the contact projection and the latching hook can pivot back into its initial position under its pretension, in which it can then hook overlaps the outside of the fastening tab.

It is particularly advantageous according to the features of claim 8 if the latching hook is articulated at a point on the water tank that is displaced further to the front of the water tank than the free end of the fastening tab in the pushed-on state of the fastening on the water tank. By this measure namely, when forces are exerted on the latching hook from the fastening tab, which could cause a spreading and thus a possible loosening of the fastening tabs, a force component is also caused which presses the latching hook towards the fastening tab, so that an unintentional There is no need to fear that the latching hook, which serves as a safeguard.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Teilansicht eines erfindungsgemäß ausgestalteten Wasser/Luft-Kühlers,

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der linken oberen Ecke des Wasser/Luft-Kühlers der Fig. 1 gemäß dem Detail II,

Fig. 3

die Draufsicht auf die Ecke des Wasser/Luft-Kühlers gemäß Fig. 2 in Richtung des Pfeiles III gesehen und

Fig. 3a

eine schematische Darstellung des Kraftverlaufes auf den Rasthaken der Fig. 3.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment and is explained below. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a schematic partial view of a water / air cooler designed according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows an enlarged illustration of the upper left corner of the water / air cooler of FIG. 1 according to detail II,

Fig. 3

seen the top view of the corner of the water / air cooler according to FIG. 2 in the direction of arrow III and

Fig. 3a

3 shows a schematic illustration of the force curve on the latching hook of FIG. 3.

In Fig. 1, a water / air cooler for a commercial vehicle is shown, which consists of an upper, made of plastic water box (1) and also made of plastic lower water box (2), between which in a known manner pipes for Guide the cooling water are arranged, of which only the axes (3) are shown. The pipe axes (3) run perpendicular to the mounting flanges (4) of the water boxes (1 and 2). These tubes are provided with fins in a known manner and, together with the tube sheets (not shown), form a finned tube block which is produced by a soldered connection. The tube sheets are crimped to the associated flange (4) of the water boxes (1 or 2), as is also known.

In order to fix the water / air cooler in the vehicle, side parts (5) are provided, of which only the left side part (5) is shown in FIG. 1, which shows only about half of the entire water / air cooler . In the exemplary embodiment, these side parts (5) are made of steel, but they can also consist of another metal or of a plastic with sufficient stability, in particular of a plastic which is provided in a known manner with reinforcing inserts.

Both side parts (5) are arranged symmetrically to the central axis (6) of the cooler and, as indicated in FIG. 1, are provided with fastening devices, as indicated for example at (7). The fastening device (7) consists of a fastening bracket which forms a support surface which can then be supported on part of the frame structure of the commercial vehicle, not shown.

The side part (5) - as well as the symmetrical side part on the other side - is provided at the upper and lower end with fastening tabs (12 and 13) which laterally overlap the upper water tank (1) and the lower water tank (2). The fastening tabs (12 and 13) each consist of two tab parts (12, 12a - and 13, 13a) which overlap the water boxes (1 and 2) on their front and rear sides, which can also be seen in FIG. 3. These fastening tabs (12, 12a) are part of a bow-shaped end (5a) which surrounds the end face of the water tank (1) in a U-shape, the web part (14) connecting the two tabs (12, 12a) to the upper edge (15) of the fastening tabs ( 12, 12a) completes. At least one opening is provided in the web part (14); in the exemplary embodiment, two openings (16, 16a) are provided which run symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane (17) of the water tank (1) and are dimensioned such that cam-like connecting pins (18) which are provided on the face of the water box (1) projecting outwards, reach into these openings (16, 16a) in a form-fitting manner. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the free end of these connecting pins (18) only protrude slightly beyond the outer contour of the web part (14).

On the water tank (1) - and of course analogously on the water tank (2) - connecting pins (19) are provided in the area of the tabs (12, 12a - 13 and 13a) on the front and rear, which in the exemplary embodiment have an approximately rectangular, Have cross-section similar to a pipe socket and, in the assembled state of the side parts (5) shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, positively engage in openings (20), likewise of rectangular cross-section. The connecting pins (19) are, like the connecting pins (18), attached in one piece to the water tank (1) made of plastic, which, as shown in FIG. 3, for manufacturing and stability reasons with rib-like stiffeners (21) on its top is provided. As is known per se, these stiffeners extend into the areas in which the connecting pins (18 and 19) are arranged.

The fixed-case-side water tank (1) also has strips (22) which are fixed to it and laterally protrude from the upper side and which have guide surfaces (23) for the upper edge (15) of the fixing tabs (12) on their underside facing the fixing tabs (12 - or 13) - or 13) form.

The fastening tabs (12 and 13) are provided in the area between their openings (20) and the web part (14) with rectangular windows (24) which, in the assembled state of the side parts, attached firmly to the sides of the water boxes (1 and 2) There are cams (25) which are provided with a run-up slope (26) on the side facing the front of the water tank (1 or 2). The dimensions of the ramp (26) and the cams (25) are chosen so that the free ends (12 'and 12a') of the fastening tabs (12 and 12a) - analogously (13 and 13a) - during assembly on the Water boxes (1 or 2) and in the case of the side sliding open for this purpose are spread apart, so far that during the side sliding on operation they are led with their free ends over the free ends of the connecting pins (19) can be. During this pushing-on process, the upper edges (15) of the fastening tabs (12) can be placed on the guide surfaces (23) of the strips (22). The window (24) in the fastening tabs is designed so that it comes to rest in front of the cams (25) as soon as the free ends (12 ') are in the area of the fastening pins (19), so that the fastening tabs are on them Can connect connecting pins.

On each water tank (1 or 2) there are finally provided locking hooks (30) assigned to the two sides which, as shown in FIG. 3, with their hook-like end (30 ') the free end (12' or 12a ') of overlap assigned fastening tab in the assembled state. The locking hooks (30) are articulated at a point (27) on the water tank (1) or on one of its stiffeners, which is displaced further to the front side of the water tank (1 or 2) than the free end (12 'or 12a ') of the fastening tab (12 or 12a) in the fastened and pushed-on state, as can be clearly seen from FIG. 3. Each locking hook (30) also has at its free end a contact projection (28), the function of which will be discussed in the description of the assembly process.

Fig. 3a shows that due to the arrangement of the articulation point (27), the elastic locking hooks (30), which of course preferably consist of the same plastic material as the water tank (1) and are molded directly, when a force (31) exerted on them, which tries to detach the fastening tabs (12, 12a) from the connecting pins (19), are also subjected to a force component (29) which presses the hook end of the latching hooks (30) towards the free end of the fastening tabs. An involuntary loosening of the fastening tabs from the mounting position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is therefore not possible.

When assembling the side parts (5) on the finned tube block, the selected configuration makes it easy to proceed in such a way that the side parts each with the outer edges (15) of their fastening tabs (12 or 12a) first from the outside on the guide surfaces (23) be created. The side parts (5) are then pushed onto the water boxes (1 or 2) with their fastening tabs (12, 13) perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane (6) of the finned tube block. The fastening tabs (12, 12a or 13, 13a) spread out through the run-up of their ends on the run-up bevels (26) and are held in this spread position when the free ends (12 ') are on the outer end faces of the connecting pins ( 19) hang up while the window (24) slides over the cams (25) and the run-up slopes (26). When pushed on further, the free ends (12 ') abut the contact projections (28) of the latching hooks and press them towards the center of the water boxes into a prestressed position. If the opening (20) now reaches its end position, the fastening tabs (12, 12a - or 13, 13a) snap onto the connecting pins (19) under their own tension, while the connecting pins (18) simultaneously reach their end position in the openings (16 ) in the web part (14). When snapping inwards, the free ends (12 ', 12a') of the fastening tabs release the contact projections (28) and the free end parts (30 ') of the latching hooks (30), so that they move into the securing position shown in FIG. 3 due to their Can swivel the preload back and attach to the mounting brackets from the outside. The assembly position is thus secured. As previously explained, this cannot be solved even when forces are exerted on the fastening tabs. For disassembly, the latching hooks (30) must first be pushed away from the end of the fastening straps, after which the fastening straps must be spread out before they are pulled off the water boxes again. The disassembly is therefore much more complex than the assembly, which, as explained, can be done by simply sliding it on without any tools.

Claims (9)

1. A water/air radiator for water-cooled internal combustion engines, particularly of utility vehicles, of which the radiator block including the water tanks, particularly a block which is made from synthetic plastics material, can be mounted via side parts (5) which are provided at both ends with fixing lugs (12, 12a, 13) engaging laterally over the water tanks (1, 2) and part of a stirrup-shaped end (5a) of the side parts (5) which engage over the end face of the associated water tank (1 or 2) and have apertures (20) through which engage connecting studs (19) mounted rigidly and in form-locking fashion on the transverse sides of the water tanks, characterised in that at least one aperture (16) is provided in the web part (14) connecting the fixing lugs and in that the water tanks (1, 2) are provided on their end face with at least one connecting stud (18) which engages in form-locking manner through the at least one aperture (16) in the web part (14).
2. A water/air radiator according to Claim 1, characterised in that on the water tank (1) there is at least one guide surface (23) intended to bear on the top edge (15) of the fixing lugs (12, 12a).
3. A water/air radiator according to Claim 1, characterised in that for spreading apart the fixing lugs (12, 12, 13) which can be pushed on laterally, at least one ramp (26) is associated with the water tanks (1, 2) laterally and in the region between lateral connecting studs (19) and the end face.
4. A water/air radiator according to Claim 3, characterised in that each fixing lug (12, 12a) has a window (24) which coincides with the ramp (26) when, upon the fixing lugs being pushed on laterally, the free end (12', 12a') bears on the free end of the lateral connecting stud (19).
5. A water/air radiator according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that associated with the free ends (12', 12a') of the fixing lugs (12, 12a) is at least one catch hook (30) which engages over the outside of the free end of the fixing lug when the aperture (20) in the fixing lug engages in form-locking manner over the lateral connecting stud (19).
6. A water/air radiator according to Claim 5, characterised in that the catch hook (30) is constructed as a pivotable part mounted resiliently on the water tank (1, 2).
7. A water/air radiator according to Claim 6, characterised in that the pivot part has at the free end a projection (28) by which the catch hook (30) can be pre-tensioned by the still opened out free end of the fixing lug (12, 12a).
8. A water/air radiator according to Claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the catch hook (30) is articulated at a position (27) on the water tank (1 or 2) which is shifted farther towards the end face of the water tank than the free end (12', 12a') of the fixing lugs (12, 12a) in the pushed-on and assembled state.
9. A water/air radiator according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the catch hook (30) is injection moulded in one piece on the water tank (1, 2) which is produced from synthetic plastics material.

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