EP1213554B1 - Module support for different heat exchangers of an automotive vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The module carrier has a carrier frame consisting of a floor traverse (2) and two side parts (3, 4). There are upward-open compartments (6) for the insertion of the coolant air cooler, air conditioning condenser (9) etc. These compartments are closed by an upper carrier (5), which connects the free ends of the side parts to the carrier frame and secures the inserted heat exchanger in position.

Description

The invention relates to a module carrier for various heat exchangers of a motor vehicle engine according to the preamble of claim 1 and a heat exchanger assembly.

A module carrier of this type is known from DE 198 31 256 A1. There, in a cross member, which is part of the bow region of a motor vehicle, a U-shaped region is provided into which a rectangular frame, which consists in particular of plastic, is inserted in a form-fitting manner. This frame has an upwardly open U-shaped part, in which a radiator and a condenser can be inserted into a drawer. These two inserted parts are then held by a cover plate in the frame, which also holds the frame in the U-shaped portion of the cross member. The frame projects beyond the inserted heat exchanger in the direction of travel to the front and forms a Luftleitrahmen. This configuration makes the arrangement of a closed Einschiebrahmens required and is therefore relatively expensive.

From DE-U 91 14 734 a module carrier is known, in which one has provided an integrally molded plastic support frame for two driven by an electric motor fan with a projecting L-shaped on one side console on which at a distance from the support frame of Coolant / air cooler can be attached and connected by support arms with the plastic frame, which bridge the distance between the support frame and the attached coolant / air cooler. In the space between the coolant / air cooler and support frame, a capacitor can be used, which is held by the support arms of the console. In addition, there are still mounting options for an oil cooler and fan shroud. Although this known module carrier simplifies the installation and removal of the various elements, even in the case of a repair, but is very expensive because of its relatively complicated structure.

From DE 39 22 814 A1 discloses a different type of holder for the radiator of a motor vehicle engine is known in which a provided with only one water tank and equipped with U-shaped tubes coolant / air cooler is provided in the manner of a cassette in an inside the shaft formed shaft-like opening can be inserted. In addition, an oil cooler can be attached below this holder by conventional means, just as a condenser can be screwed to a side wall. To dismantle these additional parts disassembly of the bracket from the vehicle is necessary. This also applies to the removal of the inserted into the holder water / air cooler.

Finally, from DE 39 16 777 A1 also a holder for a fan casing is known, which is installed in the vehicle and which, if the water / air cooler, which is provided there with two water boxes, to be dismantled for the purpose of repair, from the vehicle must be removed. The water / air cooler is in fact used with its side parts in the frame-like support provided there and must be attached to both the lower and the upper water tank.

The present invention has for its object to build a module carrier and a heat exchanger assembly of the type mentioned in a simpler manner.

To achieve this object, it is provided in a module carrier of the type mentioned that the final part is formed as a stable carrier, which connects the side parts to the support frame and is provided with receiving means for an oil cooler.

This embodiment has the great advantage that an insertable directly into the vehicle support frame is created, which is not tied to a corresponding stem. All individual elements present in the module carrier can be easily pulled out after loosening the upper cross member, which forms a kind of cover, so that when removing or installing one of the parts of the radiator module first, the support frame remains in the vehicle and second, the other parts completely can remain untouched. Refrigerant, refrigerant cycle and oil circuits, if oil cooler are present, are independent, so that even if a fluid system must be interrupted during servicing, e.g. the coolant circuit for the coolant / air cooler remaining unaffected to other fluid systems, e.g. Refrigerant and oil circuits.

This embodiment has the further advantage that the geometry of the vertically projecting side parts in the region of the coolant / air cooler and the air conditioning condenser can be designed so that a labyrinth system is formed, the air-side flow around the two heat exchangers both in and against the Direction of travel prevented.

Furthermore, the heat exchanger components are completely sealed against leakage air.

In a further development of the invention, the upper, serving as a cover carrier on the side facing the subjects with elastic compensation elements for abutment with the inserted into the subjects Be provided heat exchangers. This embodiment provides a secure anchoring of the individual heat exchanger.

In an advantageous development of the oil cooler can be arranged directly in the inside of the upper support in such a way that it does not hinder the completion of Einschiebefächer by the elastic elements. This embodiment then has the advantage that only the upper, acting as a cover cross member must be removed to remove the oil cooler, without disassembly of other support parts or other heat exchanger is necessary.

The acting as a cover cross member and the side panels may be provided in an embodiment of the invention with fasteners for placement in the vehicle, wherein the fastener may be formed on the cross member as approximately perpendicular to this acting fastening screws, which are provided with an abutment end of elastomeric threads. These mounting screws can therefore be screwed from above by a carrier located in the vehicle in the direction of the cross member until its lower end elastically rests in a corresponding pan on the cross member and thus takes over the backup of the module carrier in the vehicle and against occurring acceleration forces.

The fastening elements on the side parts are formed in a manner known per se as laterally projecting bearing blocks with rubber-elastic blocks.

In a further development of the invention, an insertion compartment for a blower frame for a fan driven by an electric motor can also be provided in the support frame. It can also Ansetzmöglichkeiten for a fan cowl, preferably on the side facing away from the fan door for the fan driven by the electric fan side, are provided, and it can finally also be provided a steering aid cooler in the area formed as a bottom crossmember.

In a further development of the invention, finally, with a variation of the support frame, a charge air / air cooler can be arranged in an additionally molded compartment in the lower area. The geometry of the compartment prevents air flow around the charge air / air cooler both in and against the direction of travel.

The problem underlying the invention is also solved by a heat exchanger arrangement with at least one coolant / air cooler, a climate condenser and an oil cooler and a module carrier according to the invention.

In a further development of the invention, a channel running from the front region of the module carrier to the vehicle front grille is provided in the heat exchanger arrangement, which seals the entire module against air-side flow around.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung des Modulträgers nach der Erfindung mit seinen Einzelteilen,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Modulträgers im zusammengesetzten Zustand nach Fig. 1, jedoch ohne den aufgesetzten oberen Deckelträger,

Fig. 3

die Draufsicht auf den Modulträger nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

die perspektivische Darstellung des in Fig. 2 fehlenden oberen Querträgers mit einem angebauten Ölkühler,

Fig. 5

die vergrößerte perspektivische Darstellung des rechten Endes des Trägers nach Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

die vergrößerte Darstellung des Einzelteiles VI in Fig. 2,

Fig. 7

eine andere Ansicht des Details nach Fig. 6 und

Fig. 8

die vergrößerte perspektivische Darstellung des Details VIII nach Fig. 2.

The invention is illustrated by means of an embodiment in the drawings and will be explained in the following. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective exploded view of the module carrier according to the invention with its individual parts,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the module carrier in the assembled state of FIG. 1, but without the upper lid carrier mounted,

Fig. 3

the top view of the module carrier of FIG. 1,

Fig. 4

the perspective view of the missing in Fig. 2 upper cross member with a mounted oil cooler,

Fig. 5

the enlarged perspective view of the right end of the carrier of FIG. 4,

Fig. 6

the enlarged view of the item VI in Fig. 2,

Fig. 7

another view of the detail of FIG. 6 and

Fig. 8

the enlarged perspective view of the detail VIII of FIG. 2.

Figs. 1 and 2 it can be seen that the module carrier for various heat exchanger for cooling a motor vehicle engine of the embodiment shown from a support frame consisting of a U-shaped lower part 1 with a crossbeam 2 as the bottom and two projecting from this crossbeam upwards Side parts 3 and 4 is constructed. This lower part 1 is closed by an upper support 5 to form a frame which connects the two free ends of the side parts 3 and 4 with each other.

In the lower part 1, insertion grooves 6 and 7 (see also FIG. 3) are formed in the side parts 3 and 4 and in the bottom 2, whose contours 6, 6 'and 7, 7' extending along the side parts 3 and 4 respectively correspond to the outer contours a coolant / air cooler 8 known construction and a climate condenser 9 correspond. The side walls 3 and 4 are also provided with Einschiebeschlitzen 10 and 11 for guide plates of a fan frame 12, which has in its center a mounting ring 15 for an electric motor, not shown, for driving a fan. This blower frame 12 is provided with side flaps 13 and 14 and engages with these in the slot-like guides 10 and 11 (Fig. 3). The blower frame 12 is held parallel to the condenser 9 and the coolant / air cooler 8.

FIG. 2 shows the climatic condenser 9 and the coolant / air cooler 8 in the state not yet fully inserted into the guides 6 and 7 for better visibility. However, it can be clearly seen that both heat exchangers can be pulled out of the support frame 1 in the side parts 3 and 4 after the direction away from the bottom cross-member 2 from the lateral guides 6, 7. The same applies to the fan frame 12th

The bottom cross member 2 is provided in the embodiment with two insertion tabs 16, which serve to receive insertion pin 17 of a frame 19 which engages with side retaining tabs 18 in not shown shots on the side parts 3 and 4. The consisting of the upper cross member 5 and the U-shaped support frame holder can therefore, as is apparent from Fig. 1, the coolant / air cooler 8, the air condenser 9, the fan frame 12 for a fan driven by an electric motor and the from the engine driven fan surrounding frame 19 record. All these parts are then held by the patch upper cross-beam 5, which also complements the U-shaped lower part 1 to a stable frame.

Fig. 1 also indicates that this upper lid-like cross member 5 - see also Fig. 4 - may be provided with an oil cooler 20 which is mounted on its underside so that it still fits above the air conditioning condenser 9, without the closure function of the upper cross member 5 is impaired. The upper cross member 5 can namely be provided on the subjects 6, 7, 6 ', 7' side facing with elastic compensation elements, which come to rest on the inserted into the fan heat exchangers 8 and 9. According to FIG. 1, it is also possible to provide, for example, a steering aid radiator 21 additionally in the lower area in the region of the floor cross member 2, if this is desired.

4 and 5 show that the upper cross member 5 is provided at its two ends with downwardly projecting lugs 21 and 22, which are provided with fastening tabs with openings 23 through which the apparent from Fig. 6 and 7 screws 24 pushed through and then secured in corresponding threaded pockets 25 of the side part 3. Analogously, the projection 22 is attached to the side part 4. The entire module carrier is then supported by known per se rubber elastic buffer elements 26 which are mounted on lateral Abstützlaschen 27, laterally in the vehicle and held from above by screws 27 which have produced in the later cross member 5 facing region of elastomeric threads. These screws 27 are screwed into holding pans 28 at the top of the cross-beam 5 and enforce in a manner not shown a cross member in the vehicle, through which they are screwed down until their elastic approach in the holding pans 28 comes to rest. The module carrier is therefore supported laterally on the buffers 26 elastically and also secured elastically from above.

The great advantage of this mount to be arranged in the vehicle in a very simple manner is that in case of service or repair the relevant heat exchanger, so for example the coolant / air cooler 8 can be easily pulled up after loosening the upper cross member 5, without the be influenced by other heat exchangers. For example, the existing oil cooler 20 is removed by removing the cross member 5 with. Its inlets and outlets need, as they usually have enough flexibility not to be disconnected. The same applies to the remaining in the holder climate-condenser 5 or for the other parts mounted on the module carrier.

Claims (13)

1. Module support for various heat exchangers of a motor vehicle engine incorporating a support frame suitable for fitting in a vehicle region, having a bottom part (1) and two side parts (3, 4) extending in a perpendicular arrangement therefrom, in which compartments (6, 7; 6', 7'), open at one side, are formed for inserting at least the coolant/air cooler (8) and the air-conditioning condenser (9), and a closure part (5) is provided which secures the inserted heat exchangers (8, 9) in their positions and is designed as a stable support (5) connecting the side parts to the support frame, characterised in that the closure part (5) is provided with mounting fixtures for an oil cooler (20).
2. Module support as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the support (5) is provided with tabs (21, 22) at one side on the side directed towards the compartments (6, 7) and with elastic compensating elements (30) which sit in contact with the heat exchangers (8, 9) inserted in the compartments.
3. Module support as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the support (5) and the side parts (3, 4) are provided with fixing elements (26, 27) for mounting in the vehicle.
4. Module support as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the fixing elements on the support (5) are fixing screws (27) acting in a more or less perpendicular manner on the support (5), with a contact end incorporating threading made from an elastomer.
5. Module support as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the fixing elements on the side parts (3, 4) comprise laterally projecting bearing blocks (29) with resilient blocks (26).
6. Module support as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a blower grille (12) for a blower driven by an electric motor can be inserted in matching lateral slots (10, 11) in the side parts (3, 4).
7. Module support as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that looped mounts (16) are provided for a blower frame (19).
8. Module support as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the looped mounts (16) are provided on the cross-member (2) serving as a base and catch hooks are provided on the side parts (3, 4) for retaining side tabs (18) of the frame (19).
9. Module support as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a power-steering cooler (21) can be mounted in the region of the base cross-member (2).
10. Module support as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that an integrally moulded compartment is provided in the bottom region to accommodate a charge air/air cooler.
11. Module support as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the design of the vertically projecting side parts in the region of the coolant/air cooler and the air-conditioning condenser form a labyrinth system , which prevents air-side circulation in the two heat exchangers in and opposite the direction of travel.
12. Heat exchanger arrangement with at least one coolant/air cooler (8), an air-conditioning condenser (9) and an oil cooler (20), characterised by a module support as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims.
13. Heat exchanger arrangement as claimed in claim 12, characterised by a passage extending from the front region of the module support to the vehicle front grille.

Images