JP2001234748A - Method of manufacturing fan shroud - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an advantageous method of manufacturing a fan shroud constituted by integrating a reservoir capable of securing excellent liquid tightness with a wider degree of shape freedom and without causing unnecessary increase in scale. SOLUTION: By wing a split metallic mold constituted of an upper die and a lower die and molding fan shroud body on the lower die of the split metallic mold, parison is placed on the fan shroud body. Subsequently, the reservoir to be formed between the lower die and the upper die is molded by performing blow molding for parison on the fan shroud body within a molding cavity for forming the reservoir by mating the upper die with the lower die and at the same time, the reservoir is integrated into the fan shroud body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fan shroud for guiding air blown by a cooling fan to a radiator, and more particularly, to a fan shroud made of a synthetic resin in which a reserve tank containing a radiator liquid is integrated. It relates to a method for producing advantageously.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a radiator in an engine room of an automobile or the like is provided with a reserve tank for storing excess radiator liquid or air blown by a cooling fan to cool the radiator liquid in the radiator. And a fan shroud leading to the air conditioner are arranged. Recently, in order to respond to needs such as lighter vehicle weight and space saving in the engine room, a fan shroud is formed using a synthetic resin material, and a reserve tank is provided for the fan shroud made of the synthetic resin. It has been proposed to be integrated.

By the way, as a method of manufacturing such a fan shroud in which the reserve tank is integrated, a reserve tank and a fan shroud are separately manufactured, and the reserve tank is bolted to the fan shroud. Or a method of integrally forming a reserve tank and a fan shroud by using an injection molding method, etc. As compared with the method described above, they have been widely used because they have higher workability in manufacturing, higher reliability against liquid leakage from a joint portion between a reserve tank and a fan shroud, and an excellent appearance can be obtained.

However, when a fan shroud integrally formed with a reserve tank is manufactured by injection molding, it generally has two dies which are arranged opposite to each other, and these two dies are provided on the mutually facing surfaces. Using a split mold in which a concave portion and a convex portion are separately provided, a mold cavity for providing a fan shroud main body is formed by matching the two molds of the split mold, and a convex accompanying the mold matching is formed. By inserting (entering) the portion into the concave portion, a molding cavity is formed between the convex portion and the concave portion to provide a reserve tank having a hollow shape, and the fan shroud body and the reserve tank are formed in the molded cavity. Are molded integrally, so the shape of the molding cavity that provides the reserve tank is
Inevitably, the shape is limited to a shape formed by removably combining the convex portion and the concave portion, whereby a reserve tank molded in such a molding cavity is, for example,
Inconveniences such as being limited to the shape of a bottomed cylinder or square tube having the same inner circumference over the entire length, or a bottomed tapered tube or square tube shape expanding from the bottom side toward the opening side There was.

In the reserve tank having the bottomed cylindrical shape as described above, the outer peripheral dimension of the opening side end is the same as or larger than the other intermediate cylindrical part and the bottom side end. Therefore, when the opening is covered with a predetermined lid, an outer flange is provided at the end on the opening side in order to ensure liquid tightness (sealability) between the lid and the reserve tank. Therefore, the maximum outer peripheral dimension of the reserve tank is inevitably increased by the width of the outer flange. Therefore, when manufacturing a fan shroud in which the reserve tank is integrated by injection molding, the reserve tank becomes unnecessarily large due to the formation of the outer flange with respect to the opening side end of the reserve tank, and as a result, A problem that extra space is required as a space for disposing the reserve tank in the fan shroud is also caused.

[0006]

Here, the present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fan shroud made of a synthetic resin in which a reserve tank is integrated. A method of manufacturing, in which a reserve tank can be molded with less restrictions and a greater degree of freedom in shape, and the opening side end of the reserve tank is formed with a smaller outer peripheral dimension than other parts. Accordingly, a method of manufacturing a fan shroud that can provide an outer flange at the open side end of the reserve tank without increasing the size of the entire reserve tank and, consequently, the space for disposing the reserve tank in the fan shroud. To provide.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a fan shroud body for guiding air blown by a cooling fan to a radiator is integrated with a reserve tank capable of storing a radiator liquid. A method of manufacturing a fan shroud made of a synthetic resin, comprising: (a) a step of preparing the fan shroud main body; and (b) using a split mold including an upper mold and a lower mold. Holding the fan shroud body in the mold, and (c) placing a predetermined parison in contact with a portion of the fan shroud body held in the lower mold in which the reserve tank is to be integrated. And (d) matching the upper mold with the lower mold in which the fan shroud main body and the parison are held or arranged. Te, between those lower die and the upper die,
Forming a molding cavity for providing the reserve tank with the parison housed therein; and (e) blowing a pressurized gas into the parison housed in the molding cavity to form the parison. Forming the reserve tank in the molding cavity, and integrating the reserve tank with the fan shroud main body at a contact portion of the parison with the fan shroud main body. A method of manufacturing a fan shroud characterized by including the above.

In short, in the method for manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention, a split mold including an upper mold and a lower mold is used, and the prepared fan shroud body is held in the lower mold of the split mold. After that, the parison is placed on the fan shroud main body, and then the upper die is matched with the lower die in a molding cavity which is formed between the lower die and the upper die to provide a reserve tank. ,
By performing blow molding on the parison on the fan shroud main body, a reserve tank having a hollow shape is formed and, at the same time, integrated with the fan shroud main body.

As described above, since the reserve tank is formed by blow molding according to the method of the present invention, the case where the reserve tank is integrally formed with the fan shroud body by using the injection molding method is different from that of the present invention. Differently, the forming cavity providing the reserve tank is formed not by a combination of the concave portion and the convex portion but by a simple concave portion, and the reserve tank is formed to have a shape corresponding to the forming cavity formed by the concave portion. Therefore, by variously changing the shape of the molding cavity formed by the concave portion, the shape of the bottomed cylinder or square tube having the same inner peripheral dimension over the entire length, or the shape expanding from the bottom side toward the opening side. It can be formed not only in the shape of an open bottomed tapered cylinder or square cylinder, but also in various other shapes.

Moreover, in the method of the present invention, the molding cavity for providing the reserve tank is formed, for example, by making the width of the portion forming the opening side end of the reserve tank other than that of the intermediate cylindrical portion or bottom end. If it is configured with a recess that is narrower than the part that gives, the outer peripheral dimension of the opening side end can be made smaller than the outer peripheral dimensions of the other parts, thereby reducing the maximum outer peripheral dimension of the reserve tank. An outer flange can be provided at the opening end without any change.

Therefore, according to the method for manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention, the reserve tank can be formed with less restrictions and with a greater degree of freedom in shape, and at the end of the reserve tank on the opening side. Even when providing an outer flange that enhances the sealing performance of the opening by the lid, even if the outer tank is provided with an outer flange, the size of the entire reserve tank is not enlarged, and the size of the reserve tank is increased. As the space for arranging the reserve tank in the fan shroud increases,
As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the shape and size of the space in which the entire fan shroud is provided, and to provide excellent sealing performance at the opening of the reserve tank. A feasible fan shroud can be produced very advantageously.

In the method of manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention, a split mold including an upper mold and a lower mold is used, and a reserve tank is integrated with the lower mold of the split mold. The holding state of the fan shroud body with respect to the lower mold can be constantly and stably maintained by the weight of the fan shroud body from the place where the fan shroud body to be held is held. The molding operation can proceed smoothly. Further, since the fan shroud main body can be stably held with respect to the lower mold, for example, unlike a case where a split mold that is opened and closed in a horizontal direction is used, a fan The need to provide a special structure for maintaining the holding state in the mold in which the shroud is held can be advantageously eliminated, and the structure of the split mold can be simplified by that much, so that This also makes it possible to effectively reduce the production cost of the split mold and, consequently, the production cost of the intended fan shroud.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention, as described above, the parison is mounted on the portion where the reserve tank of the fan shroud body stably held with respect to the lower die is to be integrated. Unlike where a split mold is opened and closed in the horizontal direction from the place where it can be placed, the parison also has
It can be positioned very stably at a predetermined position on the fan shroud body, so that at a desired position on the fan shroud body, the reserve tank is
It can be advantageously integrated.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention, the reserve tank is integrated with the fan shroud main body prepared prior to the formation of the reserve tank. Therefore, unlike the case where the fan shroud body and the reserve tank are integrally formed by injection molding, the fan shroud body and the reserve tank can be formed of mutually different synthetic resin materials, thereby, for example, Even when the fan shroud body is formed of an opaque synthetic resin material, the reserve tank can be formed of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin material. Therefore, according to the method of the present invention, by forming the reserve tank using a transparent or translucent synthetic resin material, regardless of the type of the synthetic resin material that provides the fan shroud main body, It is always necessary to provide an observation window in the reserve tank for visually confirming the amount of the radiator liquid from the outside, but it can always be effectively eliminated, so that the formation process of the observation window can be advantageously omitted, and the fan shroud can be omitted. This has the advantage that the manufacturing process can be simplified very effectively.

According to one preferred embodiment of the method for manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention, the fan shroud main body is provided with a concave portion for providing an undercut portion at a portion where the reserve tank is to be integrated. The parison expands by blowing the pressurized gas into the inside of the parison disposed at such a location, so that the parison contacts the fan shroud body in the recess or the hole. In this case, an undercut portion is formed. By employing such a configuration, the reserve tank can be more securely and firmly integrated with the fan shroud body.

According to another advantageous aspect of the method for manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention, a supply device for supplying the parison to a fan shroud body on the lower die is provided in the lower die. On the other hand, a portion of the fan shroud body where the reserve tank is to be integrated by having a nozzle relatively movable in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and by moving the nozzle relative to the lower mold. In addition, the parison is configured to be arranged while being bent and deformed two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. By adopting such a configuration, the reserve tank can be formed with a much wider degree of shape freedom.
The fan shroud can advantageously be manufactured in a shape that more reliably accommodates its installation space.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, a specific structure of a method for manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. I do.

First, FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a fan shroud which is manufactured in accordance with the method of the present invention and which is disposed in an engine room of an automobile. As is clear from FIG. 1, the fan shroud has a fan shroud main body 10 and a reserve tank 12, and is configured as an integrated product obtained by integrating them.

More specifically, the fan shroud main body 10 constituting the fan shroud is formed of black, talc-containing polypropylene. The fan shroud main body 10 is long in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 1) and short in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1).
As a whole, it is formed of a flat plate having a substantially long rectangular shape, and has a size capable of covering the entire front surface of a radiator (not shown) provided in the engine room.

The fan shroud body 10
, The surface on one side in the thickness direction (hereinafter referred to as the rear surface)
Protruding a predetermined height on the four sides of the long rectangular shape,
And flange projections 1 extending continuously in the length direction of each side portion
4 are integrally formed. A large-diameter circular hole 16 in which a cooling fan (not shown) is located is provided on one side in the lateral direction of the long rectangular shape, while a projecting direction of the flange projection 14 is provided on the opposite side. A step 18 is formed so as to protrude toward the opposite side. Furthermore, flange projection 1
The outer periphery of the circular hole 16 on the surface (hereinafter referred to as the front surface) on the side opposite to the formation side of the projection 4 projects a predetermined height, and extends continuously along the periphery of the opening by half the circumference thereof. The hood 20 is provided integrally.

On the other hand, the reserve tank 12 is translucent,
It is made of white polypropylene and has a bottomed cylindrical shape, so that a radiator liquid described later can be stored inside, and the storage amount of the radiator liquid can be easily visually recognized from the outside. It has become.
In addition, in the reserve tank 12, the outer peripheral dimension of the opening-side end 21 is reduced by narrowing the opening-side end 21 as compared with the intermediate cylindrical portion and the bottom-side end. Are open end portions 21 such as the intermediate cylindrical portion and the bottom end portion.
The predetermined dimension is smaller than the outer peripheral dimension of the other part. Further, an outer flange 22 having an outer peripheral dimension smaller than an outer peripheral dimension of a portion other than the opening side end 21 is integrally provided on an outer surface of the opening side end 21. In addition, in the reserve tank 12, a cap (not shown) is fitted into the opening-side end portion 21 so that the sealing property is secured between the contact surfaces of the cap and the outer flange 22 and the opening portion is formed. Can be blocked.

Then, such a reserve tank 12
Are directly adhered and integrated with the front surface of the fan shroud main body 10 in a state where they are positioned so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction of the circular hole 16 and extend in the vertical direction. Here, the reserve tank 12 is bent laterally at the opening side portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion, and rides on the step portion 18 at the bottom side portion thereof, so that the thickness of the fan shroud body 10 is increased. It is bent in the vertical direction, and is formed as a whole as if it were bent three-dimensionally.

The fan shroud, which is an integral part of the reserve tank 12 and the fan shroud main body 10 having the above-described structure, is formed on the surface of the fan shroud main body 10 on the side where the flange projection 14 is formed, similarly to the conventional product. The barrel rear surface is arranged so as to cover the entire front surface while being opposed to the front surface of the radiator at a predetermined interval, thereby being disposed in the circular hole 16. The air blown by a cooling fan (not shown) is guided to a gap between the front surface of the radiator and the rear surface of the fan shroud main body 10, and spreads over the entire front surface of the radiator. Although not shown, the cap for closing the opening of the reserve tank 12 is provided with a known pipe for connecting the reserve tank 12 and the radiator in communication with each other. The radiator liquid in the tank is introduced into and stored in the reserve tank 12, or the radiator liquid in the reserve tank 12 is supplied from the reserve tank 12 into the radiator.

The fan shroud having such a structure is manufactured, for example, by the following method.

That is, first, as shown in FIG.
A fan shroud body 10 made of polypropylene containing talc and a predetermined blow molding mold 32 are prepared, and the fan shroud body 10 is set in the blow molding mold 32.

The fan shroud body 10 prepared here may be formed by, for example, injection molding, compression molding, or the like, or may be manufactured in advance. A through-hole 24 penetrating the main body 10 in the thickness direction is formed at a position in the front surface of the fan shroud main body 10 where the reserve tank 12 is to be integrated with the circular hole 16 at a position adjacent to the circular hole 16. At the same time, a rib 26 having a large contact area (adhesion area) with respect to the reserve tank 12 (see FIG. 5) is erected so as to extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the fan shroud body 10 (see FIG. 4). ) Stuff is used.

The blow molding die 32 is composed of a split die having a lower die 34 and an upper die 36 which are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction.
The fan shroud main body 10 has a holding portion 38 that can be fitted on the rear surface side, while the upper die 36 has a cavity forming recess 40 having an inner shape corresponding to the outer shape of the reserve tank 10 and a hydraulic pressure (not shown). A mechanism configured to be able to move toward and away from the lower mold 34 by a mechanism or the like is used. The cavity forming recess 40 of the upper mold 36 has an inner shape corresponding to a half of the outer shape of the outer flange 22 and the outer shape of the opening-side end 21 of the reserve tank 12. An outer flange forming recess 39 and an upper mold side end forming recess 41 are provided, and the lower mold 34 corresponds to the remaining half of the outer shape of the outer flange 22 and the opening side end 21. A lower mold side outer flange forming recess 43 having an inner shape and a lower mold side end forming recess 45 are provided.

Then, the blow molding die 32
With the lower mold 34 and the upper mold 36 opened, the fan shroud main body 10 is moved to the lower mold 34 on the rear side.
This is set so as to be immovable in the horizontal direction with respect to the blow molding die 32 by being placed on the holding portion 38 while being externally fitted thereto and being held by the lower die 34.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the fan shroud body 10 held by the lower mold 34 and set in the blow mold 32 has a portion where the reserve tank 12 is to be integrated. A parison 42 made of polypropylene and exhibiting a translucent white color is placed in contact with it.

The parison 42 is formed into a cylindrical shape by a supply device (not shown) for supplying the parison 42, and is arranged on the fan shroud main body 10 held by the lower mold 34. As such a supply device, there is provided an extrusion die as a nozzle which is movable in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction relative to the lower mold 34 by a known structure, and a cylindrical parison 42 is formed from the extrusion die. An extruder for extruding is used.

Using such an extruder, a cylindrical parison 42 is extruded from an extrusion die, and the extrusion die is moved relative to the lower mold 34 in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the reserve tank 1 of the fan shroud main body 10 is
A cylindrical parison 42 is formed at a portion where the two are integrated, that is, at a portion where the through holes 24 and the ribs 26 are formed side by side with the circular hole 16 on the front surface of the fan shroud main body 10. In the state of being bent in the width direction in the thickness direction of the main body 10 in such a manner that the main body 10 is bent in the lateral direction at the intermediate portion in the vertical direction and rides on the step portion 18 of the fan shroud main body 10, It is placed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper mold 36 is moved closer to the lower mold 34, and the fan held on the lower mold 34 is inserted into the cavity forming recess 40 of the upper mold 36. The lower mold 34 and the upper mold 36 are matched so that the portion of the shroud main body 10 where the reserve tank 12 is to be integrated and the parison 42 placed thereon are accommodated.

Thus, the lower mold 34 and the upper mold 36
Between the cavity forming recess 40 of the upper mold 36
And a molding cavity 44 having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the reserve tank 12, which is surrounded by a portion facing the lower mold 34, and the fan shroud main body 10 provided with the through holes 24 and the ribs 26. Reserve tank 12
Are formed in a state in which the part to be integrated and the parison 42 are accommodated, and at the same time, the upper mold 3 is formed.
6, the upper mold side outer flange forming recess 39 and the upper mold side end forming recess 41 provided in the cavity forming recess 40, and the lower mold side outer flange forming recess 43 and the lower mold side end provided in the lower mold 34. The outer flange 22 and the opening-side end 2 of the reserve tank 12 have shapes corresponding to the outer flange 22 and the opening-side end 21 of the reserve tank 12, respectively.
The outer flange forming portion 47 and the opening-side end forming portion 49 which are narrower than the portion providing the portion other than 1 are formed in the molding cavity 44. When the molding cavity 44 is thus formed, the inner peripheral surfaces of the openings on both sides of the cylindrical parison 42 are pressed by the mating surfaces of the upper mold 36 and the lower mold 34, and the both sides thereof are pressed. The openings are each closed, so that the parison 42
Will be housed in the molding cavity 44 in the form of a bag.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
A nozzle 48 for blowing out compressed air generated by a compressor or the like (not shown) is inserted into a nozzle insertion hole 46 formed between the mold mating surfaces of the lower mold 34 and the upper mold 36, and the compressed air is formed through the nozzle 48. By blowing into the parison 42 in the cavity 44, the parison 4
2 to expand the molding cavity 44 in which it is accommodated.
Deform to a shape corresponding to. Thereby, the semi-transparent white reserve tank 12 having the outer flange 22 and the opening side end 21 having outer peripheral dimensions smaller than the intermediate cylindrical portion and the bottom side end is formed, and at the same time, the expansion pressure by the compressed air is used. Thus, the contact surfaces of the reserve tank 12 and the fan shroud main body 10 are adhered to each other, whereby the reserve tank 12 and the fan shroud main body 10 are integrated.

At this time, the fan shroud body 1
A part of the adhesion portion of the reserve tank 12 with respect to the through hole 24 is made to penetrate into the through hole 24 or into a recess 28 provided on the adhesion surface of the rib 26 with the reserve tank 12, and the through hole 22 is formed. The intruding portion is bonded to the side surface of the inclined through hole 24 which expands from the front surface to the rear surface of the fan shroud body 10 while being engaged, while the intruding portion into the recess 28 is formed. The side surface of the concave portion 28 which expands and slopes toward the bottom surface of the concave portion 28 is adhered under engagement. As a result, the portion of the reserve tank 12 that adheres to the fan shroud main body 10 in the through-hole 24 or the recess 28 at the bonding portion as the undercut portion 30 that prevents the reserve tank 12 from separating from the fan shroud main body 10. Thus, a strong adhesive state to the fan shroud main body 10 can be ensured.

After that, the upper die 36 is moved away from the lower die 34, and the upper die 36 and the lower die 34 are opened. Then, the fan shroud main body 10 and the reserve tank 12 are integrated. The integrated product is detached from the blow molding mold 32 to obtain the desired fan shroud having the structure shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the molding cavity 44 for providing the reserve tank 12 is
Between the upper mold 4 and the upper mold 36, the cavity forming recess 40 of the upper mold 36 is formed under the condition that the parison 42 is accommodated therein,
The molding cavity 4 is formed so as to be surrounded by an opposing portion of the lower mold 34 therewith.
By blowing compressed air into the inside of the parison 42 housed in 4 to expand the parison 42,
Since the reserve tank 12 is formed, unlike the case where the reserve tank 12 is formed by injection molding, the shape of the cavity forming recess 40 of the upper mold 36 is simply changed in various ways. Cavity 44
And the shape of the reserve tank 12 corresponding thereto can be appropriately changed.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the opening side end forming portion 49 and the outer flange forming portion 47, which are portions that provide the opening side end 21 of the reserve tank 12 and the outer flange 22 in the molding cavity 44, are formed by these components. By being narrower than a portion providing a portion other than the opening side end 21 and the outer flange 22, the outer periphery of each of the opening side end 21 of the formed reserve tank 12 and the outer flange 22 formed there is formed. Since the dimensions are made smaller than the outer peripheral dimensions of the intermediate cylindrical portion and the bottom end of the reserve tank 12, the formation of the outer flange 22 on the open end 21 of the reserve tank 12 allows It is possible to effectively prevent the maximum outer peripheral dimension of the tank 12 from being increased.

Therefore, according to the method of manufacturing the fan shroud according to the present embodiment, the reserve tank 12 and the fan shroud main body 10 are formed by using the injection molding technique.
As compared with the case where the reservoir tank 12 is integrally formed, not only the degree of freedom of the shape of the reserve tank 12 can be advantageously increased, but also the size of the reserve tank 12 with respect to the fan shroud main body can be reduced without increasing the size of the entire reserve tank 12.
The outer flange 22 can be formed at the opening-side end 21 without increasing the arrangement space of No. 2. As a result, it is possible to more advantageously cope with the shape and size of the space in which the entire fan shroud is provided, and the opening-side end 21 of the reserve tank 12 is provided.
Thus, a fan shroud capable of exhibiting excellent sealing performance between a contact surface with a cap fitted therein can be produced extremely advantageously.

In this embodiment, when forming the reserve tank 12, the fan shroud main body 10
Is placed on the lower mold 34 and set on the blow molding mold 32, and the setting state of the fan shroud body 10 on the blow molding mold 32 is changed to the fan shroud body. Due to the weight of 10 itself, it is possible to always maintain a stable state, whereby the forming operation of the reserve tank 12 can be carried out smoothly. And since the fan shroud main body 10 can always be stably held with respect to the lower mold | type 34, the parison 42 also integrates the reserve tank 12 in the fan shroud main body 10. It can be arranged very stably with respect to the part to be arranged, so that the reserve tank 12 can be advantageously integrated with the fan shroud body 10 with precise positional accuracy. .

Further, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 38 on which the fan shroud main body 10 can be fitted on the rear surface side is simply provided on the surface of the lower die 34 facing the upper die 36. The lower mold 34 has a fan shroud body 1.
Since no special structure for maintaining the holding state of 0 is provided, the structure of the lower mold 34 and the blow molding mold 32 including the same can be advantageously simplified, whereby This has the advantage that the production cost of the blow mold 32 and the production cost of the intended fan shroud can be effectively reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the reserve tank 12 is formed of a translucent white polypropylene, which is a material for forming the fan shroud main body 10 and which is different from the black, talc-containing polypropylene. From where the reserve tank 12
In addition, it is possible to effectively eliminate the necessity of providing a viewing window for visually confirming the capacity of the radiator liquid from the outside, whereby the step of forming such a viewing window can be advantageously omitted, There is also the advantage that the manufacturing process of the fan shroud can be simplified very effectively.

In the present embodiment, as a supply device for supplying the parison 42 for providing the reserve tank 12, the parison 42 is extruded and three-dimensionally bent on the fan shroud main body 10 while being extruded. Since the extruder that can be mounted on the storage tank is used, the reserve tank 12 can be formed with a wider degree of freedom in shape, whereby the desired fan shroud can be installed in the installation space. On the other hand, it is possible to advantageously manufacture in a shape that is more surely corresponding.

Although the specific configuration of the present invention has been described in detail above, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the above description.

For example, in the above embodiment, the parison 42
Is formed and arranged on the fan shroud main body 10. Alternatively, a separately formed parison 42 may be used in advance and arranged on the fan shroud main body 10.

In the above-described embodiment, the supply device of the parison 42 has a structure in which the extrusion die can be moved in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Although an extruder that can be placed on the fan shroud main body 10 in this state has been used, a molding machine other than such an extruder can be used for such a supply device. In the case where an extruder is used, a structure in which the extrusion die is immovable and the parison 42 cannot be bent two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally may be appropriately used. It is.
In other words, in other words, in the above-described embodiment, the reserve tank 12 is formed by a so-called multidimensional (three-dimensional in the above-described embodiment) blow molding method. It is also possible to mold by a general blow molding technique of blow-up.

Further, in the above embodiment, the blow molding die 3 as a split die comprising the lower die 34 and the upper die 36 is used.
2 has a structure in which the upper mold 36 can move closer to / separate from the lower mold 34, but the lower mold 34 moves the blow mold 32 closer to the upper mold 36. Of course, it is also possible to configure a structure in which the lower mold 34 and the upper mold 36 can be moved closer to / separate from each other. The lower mold 34 may be movable in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, so that the parison 42 can be bent three-dimensionally without moving the nozzle of the supply device of the parison 42. Becomes

Further, in the above embodiment, the fan shroud main body 10 and the reserve tank 12 are formed of different synthetic resin materials. However, even if they are formed of the same synthetic resin material, No problem.

In the above embodiment, the reserve tank 12 is made of one kind of synthetic resin material.
A plurality of types of synthetic resin materials may be used. In this case, for example, a blow molding method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-15373, that is, at the time of molding the parison, the resin material is switched on the way, and the parison is made of a partially different resin material. By forming, a so-called exchange blow molding method in which a target hollow molded product is blow-molded with a partially different resin material is employed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the through-holes 24 and the recesses of the ribs 26 for forming the undercut portion 30 in the cylindrical wall of the reserve tank 12 are formed in the portion of the fan shroud body 10 where the reserve tank 12 is to be integrated. Although the place 28 is provided, the through-hole 24 and the recess 28 and the undercut portion 30 formed by the through-hole 24 and the recess 28 are not always necessary in the present invention. However, it goes without saying that the inner shapes of the through holes 24 and the recesses 28 and the shapes of the corresponding undercut portions 30 are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the parison 4
When inflating the parison 2, compressed air is blown into the parison 42. However, if the parison 42 can be expanded sufficiently, pressurized gas other than compressed air is blown into the parison 42. In any case, nothing is harmful.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a specific example in which the present invention is applied to a method of manufacturing a fan shroud disposed in an engine room of an automobile has been described. Of course, the present invention can also be advantageously applied to the fan shroud provided in the.

In addition, although not enumerated one by one, the present invention
Based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, various changes, modifications, improvements and the like can be performed in embodiments, and unless such embodiments depart from the spirit of the present invention.
Both are included in the scope of the present invention,
Needless to say.

[0054]

As is clear from the above description, according to the method for manufacturing a fan shroud according to the present invention, the reserve tank integrated with the fan shroud body is formed with less restrictions and a wider degree of freedom in shape. At the opening end of the reserve tank,
Even in the case where an outer flange that enhances the sealing property of the opening portion by the lid is provided, the size of the entire reserve tank is not enlarged, and thereby, the arrangement of the reserve tank in the fan shroud. An increase in space can also be prevented very effectively. As a result, a fan shroud capable of more advantageously responding to the shape and size of the space in which the entire fan shroud is disposed and capable of achieving excellent sealing properties at the opening of the reserve tank, Advantageously, it can be manufactured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing an example of a fan shroud manufactured according to the method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an example of a process of manufacturing the fan shroud shown in FIG. 1 according to the method of the present invention;
This shows a state in which the fan shroud main body is held with respect to the lower mold under the open state of the lower mold and the upper mold.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing another example of a process of manufacturing the fan shroud shown in FIG. 1 according to the method of the present invention, in which a parison is arranged on a fan shroud main body held in a lower mold. The state is shown.

4 is an explanatory top view of the lower mold for explaining an arrangement state of the parison with respect to the fan shroud body held by the lower mold in the process example shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing another example of the process of manufacturing the fan shroud shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the method of the present invention. 1 shows a state in which a molding cavity for providing a reserve tank is formed in a state where a parison is housed therein.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing still another example of a step of manufacturing the fan shroud shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the method of the present invention, in which compressed air is blown into a parison housed in a molding cavity. The state is shown in a VI-VI cross section of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fan shroud main body 12 Reserve tank 21 Open side end 22 Outer flange 24 Through hole 26 Rib 28 Depression 30 Undercut part 32 Blow molding die 34 Lower die 36 Upper die 40 Cavity forming recess 42 Parison 44 Molding cavity 47 Outer flange forming part 49 Opening side end forming part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for manufacturing a synthetic resin fan shroud in which a fan shroud main body for guiding air blown by a cooling fan to a radiator and a reserve tank capable of storing a radiator liquid is integrated. A step of preparing a fan shroud body, a step of using a split mold composed of an upper mold and a lower mold, and holding the fan shroud body in the lower mold of the split mold, and holding the fan shroud body in the lower mold. A step of placing a predetermined parison in contact with a portion of the fan shroud body where the reserve tank is to be integrated, and placing the parison in contact with the lower die where the fan shroud body and the parison are held or arranged. Forming the upper mold, forming a molding cavity for providing the reserve tank between the lower mold and the upper mold. Forming the parison in a state in which the parison is housed therein; and blowing a pressurized gas into the inside of the parison housed in the molding cavity to expand the parison. Forming the reserve tank and integrating the reserve tank with the fan shroud main body at a contact portion of the parison with the fan shroud main body. . 2. The fan shroud body has a recess or a hole in an area of the reserve tank to be integrated, which provides an undercut portion. 2. The undercut portion according to claim 1, wherein expansion of the parison by blowing of a pressurized gas causes a contact portion of the parison with the fan shroud body to enter the recess or the hole, thereby forming an undercut portion. Method of manufacturing fan shroud. 3. A supply device for supplying the parison to a fan shroud main body on the lower mold has a nozzle movable horizontally and vertically relative to the lower mold. By displacing the nozzle relative to the lower die, the parison can be arranged in a portion of the fan shroud body where the reserve tank is to be integrated while bending and deforming the parison two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. The method for producing a fan shroud according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: