JP2019100389A - Connecting member and structure module - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connecting member which can connect three or more structures while suppressing the enlargement of an installation space, and a structure module.SOLUTION: A connecting member includes an outside bracket 35 arranged at a capacitor 30, an intermediate bracket 44 arranged at a shutter 40, and a connection protrusion 25 formed at a radiator 20. An outside penetration hole part 350 is formed at the outside bracket 35. An intermediate penetration hole part 440 is formed at the intermediate bracket 44. The connection protrusion 25 can be engaged with the outside penetration hole 350. The outside penetration hole part 350 and the intermediate penetration hole part 440 are formed in a position in which they overlap on each other in prescribed directions of the outside bracket 35 and the intermediate bracket 44. Then, the connection protrusion 25 is engaged with at least the outside penetration hole part 350 in a state of being inserted into the intermediate penetration hole part 440 and the outside penetration hole part 350.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a connection member for connecting three or more structures, and a structure module in which three or more structures are connected by the connection member.

  Conventionally, as a mounting structure for attaching a blower to a radiator, the protrusion on the radiator side and the recess on the shroud side of the blower are engaged with each other, and the engagement protrusion on the radiator side engages with the engagement hole on the shroud side. A structure to be combined is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-4861 A

  The inventors of the present invention have considered connecting three or more structures arranged to overlap in a predetermined direction using the mounting structure described in Patent Document 1. The inventors of the present invention initially provide a protrusion for connection on one of the structures adjacent in a predetermined direction and a through hole for connection on the other, and engage the two to obtain three or more structures. We examined the structure to connect the body sequentially.

  However, in the structure initially examined by the present inventors, both the through hole for connection and the projection are provided to the intermediate structure other than the pair of structures located outside in the predetermined direction. In the intermediate structure, since the connecting projection can not be installed at the site where the connecting through hole is formed, the connecting projection and the through hole are provided so as not to overlap with each other in the predetermined direction. There is a need. That is, in the structure which the present inventors first examined, the projection parts for connection of adjacent structures are arranged so that they do not overlap each other in a predetermined direction, and a connecting member for connecting each structure The installation space of will be expanded.

  The present disclosure aims to provide a connection member and a structure module capable of connecting three or more structures while suppressing the expansion of the installation space.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is
A connecting member for connecting three or more structures arranged to overlap in a predetermined direction, the connecting member comprising:
An outer bracket (35) provided in one structure (30) of a pair of structures (20, 30) positioned on both outer sides in a predetermined direction and having an outer through hole (350) penetrating in the predetermined direction )When,
An intermediate bracket (44) provided in at least one intermediate structure (40) interposed between the pair of structures and having an intermediate through hole (440) penetrating in a predetermined direction;
A connection projection (25, 25A) provided on the other structure (20) of the pair of structures and protruding toward the one structure and engaged with at least the outer through hole by elastic deformation. And.

  The outer through hole and the middle through hole are formed at overlapping positions in a predetermined direction in the outer bracket and the middle bracket. The connecting projection is configured to engage at least the outer through hole in a state of being inserted into the intermediate through hole and the outer through hole.

The invention according to claim 6 is
A structure module,
A pair of structures (20, 30) arranged to overlap in a predetermined direction;
One or more intermediate structures (40) interposed between the pair of structures;
And a connecting member (24, 35, 44) for connecting the pair of structures and the intermediate structure.

  The connection member includes an outer bracket (35), an intermediate bracket (44), and connection protrusions (25, 25A). The outer bracket is provided to one structure (30) of the pair of structures, and an outer through hole (350) penetrating in a predetermined direction is formed. The intermediate bracket is provided on the intermediate structure (40) and has an intermediate through hole (440) penetrating in a predetermined direction. The connection projection is provided on the other structure (20) of the pair of structures, and protrudes toward the one structure and engages with at least the outer through hole by being elastically deformed. The outer through hole and the middle through hole are formed at overlapping positions in a predetermined direction in the outer bracket and the middle bracket. The connecting projection is configured to engage at least the outer through hole in a state of being inserted into the intermediate through hole and the outer through hole.

  According to these, by engaging the outer through holes provided in one of the structures located on both outer sides in a predetermined direction with the connection projections provided in the other structure, three or more structures are obtained. Can be linked. In particular, the connecting member of the present disclosure has a structure in which the outer through hole portion, the intermediate through hole portion, and the connecting projections overlap each other in a predetermined direction, and therefore, compared to the mounting structure initially examined by the present inventors. It becomes possible to make the installation space of a connection member small.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis of each means described by this column and the claim shows an example of the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

It is a typical perspective view of a cooling module concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a typical disassembled perspective view of a cooling module concerning a 1st embodiment. It is an enlarged view of III part of FIG. It is a typical front view of the connection object provided in the radiator. It is a typical side view of the connection object provided in the radiator. It is VI-VI sectional drawing of FIG. It is an enlarged view of VII part of FIG. It is a typical front view of a middle bracket. It is a typical side view of an intermediate bracket. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. It is an enlarged view of XI part of FIG. It is a typical front view of an outside bracket. It is a typical side view of an outside bracket. It is XIV-XIV sectional drawing of FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the assembly process of the cooling module which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a typical perspective view for explaining the details of the assembling process of the cooling module concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a typical sectional view for explaining the details of the assembling process of the cooling module concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the connection member of the cooling module used as the comparative example of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the connection member of the cooling module which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same as or equivalent to the items described in the preceding embodiments may be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted. In addition, when only a part of the components is described in the embodiment, the components described in the preceding embodiments can be applied to other parts of the components. The following embodiments can be partially combined with each other even if they are not particularly specified as long as there is no problem in particular in the combination.

First Embodiment
The present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, an example in which the connecting member of the present disclosure is applied to a cooling module 10 mounted on a vehicle will be described. Arrow Dx shown in FIG. 1 etc. has shown the width direction (namely, left-right direction) in the vehicle mounting state. An arrow Dy shown in FIG. 1 and the like indicates a front-rear direction in a vehicle mounted state. An arrow Dz shown in FIG. 1 and the like indicates the vertical direction in the vehicle mounted state.

  The cooling module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a modularization of various cooling systems in a vehicle. The cooling module 10 of the present embodiment includes a radiator 20, a condenser 30, and a shutter 40, as shown in FIG. The radiator 20, the condenser 30, and the shutter 40 that constitute the cooling module 10 are disposed so as to overlap in a predetermined direction (in this example, the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle).

  Specifically, in the cooling module 10, the condenser 30 is positioned on the front side in the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle, and the radiator 20 is positioned on the rear side in the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle. The shutter 40 is positioned between the condenser 30 and the radiator 20 so as to be interposed between the condenser 30 and the radiator 20.

  Although not shown, cooling module 10 is disposed between the front grille and the transmission mechanism in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The front grille is a member for introducing air into the engine room at the front of the vehicle. The transmission mechanism is a mechanism that shifts the rotational output of a traveling engine to an appropriate torque and rotational speed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, three structures of the radiator 20, the capacitor 30, and the shutter 40 constitute a structure module of the present disclosure. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the capacitor 30 constitutes one of the pair of structures located on both outer sides in the predetermined direction, and the radiator 20 is the other of the pair of structures. Are configured. Further, in the present embodiment, the shutter 40 constitutes an intermediate structure interposed between the pair of structures.

  The radiator 20 is a heat exchanger that cools the running water of the driving engine (not shown) by heat exchange with the outside air. As shown in FIG. 2, the radiator 20 includes a cooling water radiating portion 21 which exchanges heat between the cooling water and the outside air, and a pair of tank portions 22 and 23 connected to the cooling water radiating portion 21.

  The cooling water heat radiation part 21 is comprised by the fin-and-tube-type heat exchange part comprised by laminating | stacking a fin on the outer side of the tube which distribute | circulates a cooling water. The cooling water heat radiation part 21 is comprised with the material excellent in thermal conductivity, such as aluminum.

  The pair of tank portions 22 and 23 are members for distributing the cooling water to the cooling water heat radiating portion 21 or collecting the cooling water flowing out of the cooling water heat radiating portion 21. The pair of tank portions 22 and 23 is made of a resin material (for example, polypropylene).

  The connection body 24 for connecting the capacitor | condenser 30 and the shutter 40 is provided in the site | part of the upper side by one tank part 22 among a pair of tank parts 22 and 23. As shown in FIG. The connector 24 is integrally molded with one of the tank portions 22 by a molding method such as injection molding. That is, in the present embodiment, the connection body 24 and the one tank portion 22 are configured as an integral molding. The details of the connector 24 will be described later.

  Although not shown, the shroud of the electric blower is connected to the radiator 20 on the opposite side of the surface facing the shutter 40. The electric blower generates an air flow passing through the condenser 30 and the radiator 20, with the air sucked through the front grille.

  Subsequently, the condenser 30 constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle together with a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator and the like which are not shown. The condenser 30 is a heat exchanger that cools the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor by exchanging heat with the outside air. The condenser 30 according to the present embodiment includes a refrigerant radiation unit 31 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside air, a pair of refrigerant tank units 32 and 33 connected to the refrigerant radiation unit 31, and a modulator tank 34.

  The refrigerant heat radiation part 31 is comprised by the fin and tube-type heat exchange part comprised by laminating | stacking a fin on the outer side of the tube which distribute | circulates a refrigerant | coolant. The refrigerant heat radiation part 31 is comprised with the material excellent in thermal conductivity, such as aluminum.

  The pair of refrigerant tank portions 32 and 33 are members for distributing the refrigerant to the refrigerant heat radiating portion 31 and collecting the refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant heat radiating portion 31. The pair of refrigerant tank portions 32 and 33 is made of the same material (for example, aluminum) as the constituent material of the refrigerant heat radiation portion 31.

  The modulator tank 34 temporarily stores excess refrigerant in the cycle. The modulator tank 34 is juxtaposed to one of the refrigerant tank portions 32 and 33 among the pair of refrigerant tank portions 32 and 33. The modulator tank 34 is made of the same material (for example, aluminum) as the constituent material of the refrigerant heat radiation portion 31 and the pair of refrigerant tank portions 32 and 33.

  The condenser 30 is required to have high pressure resistance and the like compared to the radiator 20 because a high temperature and high pressure refrigerant flows. For this reason, the condenser 30 is integrally joined with the refrigerant radiation part 31, the pair of refrigerant tank parts 32 and 33, and the modulator tank 34 by joining technology such as brazing.

  An outer bracket 35 is provided at a portion on the upper side of one refrigerant tank portion 32 of the pair of refrigerant tank portions 32 and 33. The outer bracket 35 is made of a resin material (for example, polypropylene) excellent in strength.

  The outer bracket 35 partially protrudes outside the vehicle in the width direction Dx so as to overlap the connector 24 provided on the radiator 20 in the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle. In the outer bracket 35, an outer through hole 350 penetrating in the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle is formed at a portion protruding outward in the width direction Dx of the vehicle. The details of the outer bracket 35 will be described later.

  Subsequently, the shutter 40 is a device that opens and closes an air passage between the condenser 30 and the radiator 20 by using a dead space formed between the condenser 30 and the radiator 20. The shutter 40 is configured to be switchable between a state in which air passes through the condenser 30 and the radiator 20 and a state in which air does not pass through the condenser 30 and the radiator 20.

  The shutter 40 drives the frame portion 41 opening in a rectangular shape in the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle, the plurality of wind shields 42 rotatably supported with respect to the frame 41, and the plurality of wind shields 42 It has a part 43.

  The frame portion 41 is configured such that portions facing the cooling water heat radiating portion 21 of the radiator 20 and the refrigerant heat radiating portion 31 of the capacitor 30 are opened. The frame portion 41 is made of a resin material (for example, polypropylene) excellent in strength.

  Further, the plurality of air shields 42 are formed in a plate shape, and both end portions in the longitudinal direction thereof are rotatably supported with respect to the frame 41. Each of the plurality of wind shields 42 is made of a resin material (for example, polypropylene) excellent in strength.

  When the shutters 40 are set at positions where the plate surfaces of the plurality of wind shields 42 are substantially parallel to the width direction Dx of the vehicle, the air passage between the condenser 30 and the radiator 20 is closed. As a result, air does not pass through the condenser 30 and the radiator 20.

  On the other hand, when the shutter 40 is set at a position where the plate surfaces of the plurality of wind shields 42 intersect with the width direction Dx of the vehicle, the air passage between the condenser 30 and the radiator 20 is opened. As a result, air passes through the condenser 30 and the radiator 20.

  An intermediate bracket 44 is provided at the upper corner of the frame 41 of the shutter 40. The intermediate bracket 44 is made of a resin material (for example, polypropylene) excellent in strength. The intermediate bracket 44 partially protrudes outside the vehicle in the width direction Dx so as to overlap with a part of the connector 24 and the outer bracket 35 provided on the radiator 20 in the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle. The intermediate bracket 44 is formed with an intermediate through hole 440 penetrating in the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle.

  The radiator 20, the condenser 30, and the shutter 40 thus configured are connected to each other by the connector 24 of the radiator 20, the outer bracket 35 of the condenser 30, and the middle bracket 44 of the shutter 40. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 24, the outer bracket 35, and the middle bracket 44 constitute a connecting member that connects three structural bodies of the radiator 20, the condenser 30, and the shutter 40. Hereinafter, the details of the connector 24, the outer bracket 35, and the middle bracket 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 14.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 24 includes a connecting protrusion 25, a supporting protrusion 28, and a support frame 29. The connection projection 25, the support projection 28, and the support frame 29 project from the front side of one of the tank portions 22 toward the front in the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle.

  The connection projection 25 has an outer engagement portion 26 engaged with the outer through hole portion 350 of the outer bracket 35 and an intermediate engagement portion 27 engaged with the intermediate through hole portion 440 of the intermediate bracket 44. . Each of the outer engagement portion 26 and the intermediate engagement portion 27 protrudes toward the front side in the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle.

  The outer engagement portion 26 has a pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 arranged symmetrically above and below the elastic deformation gap 260. Each of the pair of outer engagement pieces 261, 262 is an outer claw for forming an upper and lower step between the outer legs 261a, 262a extending along the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle and the outer legs 261a, 262a. It has portions 261 b and 262 b.

  The outer claws 261 b and 262 b protrude outward in directions opposite to each other. Specifically, the outer claw portion 261 b protrudes upward in the upper outer engagement piece 261 of the pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262. Further, in the lower side outer engagement piece 262, the outer hook portion 262b protrudes downward. Thus, the outer claws 261 b and 262 b are configured to be hooked on the edge of the outer through hole 350 in a state where the outer legs 261 a and 262 a are inserted into the middle through hole 440 and the outer through hole 350. .

  The intermediate engagement portion 27 has a pair of intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 disposed symmetrically above and below the elastic deformation gap 270. The intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 respectively have intermediate legs 271a and 272a extending along the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle, and intermediate claws 271b for forming upper and lower steps with the intermediate legs 271a and 272a, It has 272b.

  The middle claws 271b and 272b protrude outward in directions opposite to each other. Specifically, the intermediate claw 271 b protrudes upward in the upper intermediate engagement piece 271 of the pair of intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272. In the lower intermediate engagement piece 272, the intermediate claw portion 272b protrudes downward. Thus, the intermediate claws 271 b and 272 b are configured to be hooked on the edge of the intermediate through hole 440 in a state where the intermediate legs 271 a and 272 a are inserted into the intermediate through hole 440.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connecting projection 25 is provided with a pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 between a pair of middle engagement pieces 271 and 272. Therefore, in the intermediate engagement portion 27, the space formed between the pair of intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 and the pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 is a gap 270 for elastic deformation. .

  In addition, the projection length Lm of the pair of middle engagement pieces 271 and 272 is a pair of outer engagement pieces 261 so as not to interfere with the outer bracket 35 when the radiator 20, the shutter 40, and the capacitor 30 are connected. , And a protrusion length Lo of 262.

  The support projection 28 is a member that receives the load of the capacitor 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the support protrusions 28 project in the same direction as the engagement pieces 261, 262, 271, 272. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the support protrusion 28 is formed in a C-shape so as to have a higher strength than the outer engagement portion 26.

  Specifically, the support projection 28 includes a first support projection 281 and a second support projection 282 provided between the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 and the middle engagement pieces 271 and 272, and a first support. A third support projection 283 connecting the projection 281 and the second support projection 282 is provided. The first support projection 281 and the second support projection 282 extend along the width direction Dx of the vehicle so that the support projection 28 has a C shape, and the third support projection 283 is in the vertical direction Dz of the vehicle. It extends along the

  The first support protrusions 281 and the second support protrusions 282 in the present embodiment have inner wall surfaces 353 b and 354 b of outer protrusions 353 and 354 provided on the outer bracket 35 whose outer wall surfaces 281 a and 282 a exposed to the outside are described later. And a position where it abuts.

  Thereby, the support projections 28 are inner wall surfaces 353 b of the outer projections 353 and 354 provided on the outer bracket 35 described later when the support projections 281 and 282 are connected to the radiator 20, the shutter 40 and the capacitor 30. , 354b. In FIG. 6, for convenience, the outer protrusion 353 and the like of the outer bracket 35 are indicated by a dashed dotted line.

  The support frame portion 29 is a member that receives the load of the shutter 40. The support frame 29 projects in the same direction as the support projection 28. The support frame portion 29 extends in the width direction Dx of the vehicle below the pair of intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272. The support frame portion 29 of the present embodiment is set at a position where the upper wall surface 291 exposed to the upper side abuts on the lower wall surface 441 a of the intermediate frame body 441 of the intermediate bracket 44 described later. Thus, the support frame portion 29 is configured to abut on the lower wall surface 441a of the intermediate frame body 441 of the intermediate bracket 44 described later when the radiator 20, the shutter 40, and the condenser 30 are connected. In FIG. 6, the intermediate frame body 441 of the intermediate bracket 44 is indicated by a two-dot chain line for convenience.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the intermediate bracket 44 has an intermediate frame body 441 in which an intermediate through hole portion 440 penetrating in the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle is formed on the inner side. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the intermediate frame 441 is a plate-like frame whose outer shape is formed in a substantially rectangular shape.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the intermediate frame 441, the lower wall surface 441 a is the upper wall surface 291 of the support frame portion 29 in a state where the connection projection 25, the support projection 28 and the support frame portion 29 are inserted. It is sized to abut. In FIG. 10, the connection projection 25, the support projection 28, and the support frame 29 are indicated by alternate long and short dashed lines for the sake of convenience.

  In addition, the intermediate through hole 440 formed in the intermediate frame 441 has a size capable of inserting the connection projection 25, the support projection 28, and the support frame 29 constituting the connection body 24. There is. Specifically, in the intermediate through hole 440, the width Lws in the vertical direction Dz is larger than the distance Lm1 between the outer surfaces of the intermediate legs 271a and 272a, and the distance between the outer surfaces of the intermediate claws 271b and 272b It is formed to be smaller than Lm2.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the outer bracket 35 is attached to the outer fixing portion 351 and the outer fixing portion 351 for mounting on one corner portion of the refrigerant tank portion 32 and the refrigerant radiating portion 31. It has a plate-like outside extension portion 352 that protrudes outside in the width direction Dx of the vehicle.

  The outer fixing portion 351 is formed in an L shape so as to be attachable to an upper corner portion of one of the refrigerant tank portion 32 and the refrigerant radiating portion 31. The outer extension portion 352 is provided at a position not overlapping the modulator tank 34 in the width direction Dx of the vehicle so as not to interfere with the modulator tank 34. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, when the outer extending portion 352 engages the outer engaging portion 26 with the outer through hole portion 350, the outer engaging portion 26 is located forward of the refrigerant heat release portion 31 in the front of the vehicle. It is positioned on the rear side in the front and rear direction Dy of the vehicle so as not to protrude to the side. The outer fixing portion 351 and the outer extending portion 352 are integrally formed by a molding method such as injection molding.

  The outer extension portion 352 is formed with an outer through hole 350 penetrating in the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 14, the outer through hole 350 has a size through which the pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 can be inserted. Specifically, in the outer through hole 350, the width dimension Lwo in the vertical direction Dz is larger than the distance Lo1 between the outer surfaces of the outer legs 261a and 262a, and the distance between the outer surfaces of the outer claws 261b and 262b. It is formed to be smaller than Lo2. In FIG. 14, for convenience, the connecting projections 25, the supporting projections 28, and the support frame 29 are indicated by alternate long and short dashed lines, and the intermediate frame 441 is indicated by alternate long and two short dashed lines.

  A first outer side extending in the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle at a portion overlapping the portion between the outer engagement pieces 261, 262 and the middle engagement pieces 271, 272 in the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle in the outer extension portion 352 A protrusion 353 and a second outer protrusion 354 are provided. Specifically, each of the outer protrusions 353 and 354 is provided at a portion of the outer extension portion 352 overlapping the portion between the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 and the support protrusion 28.

  The outer wall surface 353a is in contact with the inner wall surface 271c of the intermediate engagement piece 271 in the state where the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 are inserted into the outer through hole 350, and the first wall surface 353b is the first outer projection 353 (1) The outer wall surface 281a of the support protrusion 281 is in contact with the outer wall surface 281a. The outer wall surface 354a abuts on the inner wall surface 272c of the intermediate engagement piece 272 in a state where the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 are inserted into the outer through hole 350, and the second outer projection 354 is an inner wall surface 354b. Is in contact with the outer wall surface 282 a of the second support projection 282.

  The outer protrusions 353 and 354 in the present embodiment have a size that can be press-fit into the gap between the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 and the support protrusion 28. Specifically, the thickness of the outer protrusions 353 and 354 is slightly larger than the dimension of the gap between the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 and the support protrusion 28.

  In such a structure, when the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 are engaged with the outer through hole 350, the outer projections 353 and 354 are in the gaps between the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 and the support projection 28. Be inserted. At this time, the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 are pressed away from each other by the outer protrusions 353 and 354. Thus, the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 are nipped by the intermediate through hole 440 and the outer wall surfaces 353 a and 354 a of the outer protrusions 353 and 354.

  Next, a method of connecting the radiator 20, the capacitor 30, and the shutter 40 in the cooling module 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the cooling module 10 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which after connecting the shutter 40 to the radiator 20, the capacitor 30 is connected to the connected radiator 20 and the shutter 40. There is.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the shutter 40 is connected to the radiator 20, the intermediate engagement portion 27 of the connector 24 is engaged with the intermediate through hole 440 of the intermediate bracket 44.

  Specifically, first, the connecting projection 25, the support projection 28, and the support frame 29 are inserted into the intermediate through hole 440. At this time, the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 are elastically deformed so that the elastic deformation gap 270 is narrowed by the pressing of the intermediate claws 271 b and 272 b by the intermediate through hole 440. When the intermediate claws 271b and 272b are inserted from this state to a position where they protrude from the intermediate through hole 440, the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 return to the state before being elastically deformed. As a result, when the intermediate claws 271 b and 272 b are caught on the edge of the intermediate through hole 440, the intermediate engagement portion 27 engages with the intermediate through hole 440.

  At this time, the lower wall surface 441 a of the middle frame 441 of the middle bracket 44 abuts on the upper wall surface 291 of the support frame portion 29. According to this, since the load of the shutter 40 acts on the support frame portion 29, it is possible to reduce the load which the intermediate engagement portion 27 receives. In such a configuration, the rigidity of the intermediate engagement portion 27 can be reduced, and the intermediate engagement portion 27 can be easily engaged with the intermediate through hole 440.

  Subsequently, when the condenser 30 is connected to the radiator 20 and the shutter 40 connected to each other, the outer engagement portion 26 of the connector 24 is engaged with the outer through hole 350 of the outer bracket 35.

  Specifically, first, the pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 are inserted into the outer through hole portion 350. At this time, the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 are elastically deformed so that the elastic deformation gap 260 is narrowed by the pressing of the outer claws 261 b and 262 b by the outer through hole 350. When the outer claws 261b and 262b are inserted from this state to a position where they protrude from the outer through hole 350, the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 return to the state before being elastically deformed. As a result, the outer engaging portions 26 engage with the outer through holes 350 by the outer claws 261 b and 262 b being hooked to the edge of the outer through holes 350.

  At this time, the inner wall surface 353 b of the first outer protrusion 353 of the outer bracket 35 abuts on the outer wall surface 281 a of the first support protrusion 281. According to this, since the load of the shutter 40 acts on the support projection 28, the load received by the outer engagement portion 26 can be reduced. In such a configuration, the rigidity of the outer engaging portion 26 can be reduced, and the outer engaging portion 26 can be easily engaged with the outer through hole 350.

  Further, when the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 are engaged with the outer through hole portion 350, the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 can be formed by the intermediate through hole portion 440 and the outer wall surfaces 353a and 354a of the respective outer protrusions 353 and 354. It is held by Thereby, the connection state of the radiator 20, the condenser 30, and the shutter 40 is strengthened.

  In the cooling module 10 of the present embodiment described above, the radiator 20, the capacitor 30, and the shutter 40 are connected to each other by the connector 24 of the radiator 20, the outer bracket 35 of the capacitor 30, and the intermediate bracket 44 of the shutter 40. There is. Specifically, the radiator 20, the condenser 30, and the shutter 40 engage the connecting projection 25 of the connector 24 with the outer through hole 350 of the outer bracket 35 and the intermediate through hole 440 of the intermediate bracket 44. It is connected by combining. Such a structure has an advantage that it is not necessary to separately prepare a fastening element such as a bolt.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 18, the inventors of the present invention initially engage three projections PR provided on one of the adjacent structures in the predetermined direction with the through holes TH provided on the other. A structure in which the structures St1 to St3 are sequentially connected has been studied.

  In such a structure, both the through hole TH and the projection PR are provided for the intermediate structural body St2 interposed between the pair of structural bodies St1 and St3 located outside. In the intermediate structure St2, since the protrusion PR can not be installed at the portion where the through hole TH is formed, it is necessary to provide the protrusion PR and the through hole TH in a position not overlapping each other in a predetermined direction. For this reason, in the structure which the present inventors initially examined, it will arrange | position so that projection part PR of an adjacent structure may not mutually overlap in a predetermined direction, and installation of the connection member of each structure St1-St3. Space will expand.

  On the other hand, in the connecting member of the present embodiment, the outer through hole 350, the intermediate through hole 440, and the connecting projection 25 overlap each other in the longitudinal direction Dy of the vehicle. According to this, it is possible to reduce the installation space of the connecting member as compared with the mounting structure which the present inventors initially studied.

  Further, in the connection member of the present embodiment, a pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 constituting the outer engagement portion 26 is between a pair of middle engagement pieces 271 and 272 constituting the intermediate engagement portion 27. Provided in

  According to this, the pair of intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 that constitute the intermediate engagement portion 27 does not intervene between the pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262. Therefore, even when the intermediate engagement portion 27 is engaged with the intermediate through hole portion 440, a gap 260 for elastic deformation between the pair of outer engagement pieces 261, 262 is secured. it can. As a result, even when the intermediate engagement portion 27 is engaged with the intermediate through hole portion 440, the outer engagement portion 26 is engaged with the outer through hole portion 350. It can be elastically deformed sufficiently. This greatly contributes to the improvement of the assemblability of the connecting member.

  Further, the connecting member of the present embodiment includes an outer protrusion 353 at a portion overlapping with a portion between the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 and the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 in the front and rear direction Dy of the outer bracket 35, 354 are provided. When the connecting members engage the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 with the outer through hole 350, the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 are formed by the intermediate through hole 440 and the outer wall 353a of each outer projection 353 and 354. , 354a is a structure to be held.

  According to this, when the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 are engaged with the outer through hole 350 and the respective structural bodies are connected, the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272 become the intermediate through hole 440 and the outer protrusions 353 and 354. And the connected state of each structure can be strengthened.

  Furthermore, the connection member of the present embodiment is provided with the support projection 28 that receives at least the load of the capacitor 30 with respect to the connection body 24. The supporting projections 28 are provided at positions between the outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 and the middle engagement pieces 271 and 272 so as to abut on the inner wall surfaces 353 b and 353 b of the outer projections 353 and 354. It is configured.

  According to this, since the load of the capacitor 30 acts on the support projection 28, the load that the connection projection 25 receives can be reduced. With such a configuration, the rigidity of the connecting projection 25 can be reduced, and the connecting projection 25 can be easily engaged with the outer through hole 350 etc., so that the assemblability of each structure can be improved. Can be

(Modification of the first embodiment)
As in the first embodiment described above, the outer bracket 35 is provided with the outer protrusions 353 and 354, and the outer protrusions 353 and 354 and the middle through hole 440 hold the intermediate engagement pieces 271 and 272. Is desirable, but not limited thereto. The connecting member may have, for example, a structure in which the outer protrusions 353 and 354 are not provided with respect to the outer bracket 35.

  Further, as in the first embodiment described above, although it is desirable to provide the support projection 28 and the support frame 29 on the connector 24, the present invention is not limited to this. The connecting member may have, for example, a structure in which at least one of the support protrusion 28 and the support frame 29 is not provided with respect to the connecting body 24.

  Further, as in the first embodiment described above, the pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 that constitute the outer engagement portion 26 are the ones of the pair of middle engagement pieces 271 and 272 that constitute the intermediate engagement portion 27. Although it is desirable that the configuration is provided between, it is not limited to this. The coupling projection 25 is, for example, between the pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 of which the pair of middle engagement pieces 271 and 272 constituting the middle engagement portion 27 constitute the outer engagement portion 26. It may be provided.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, an example in which the structure of the connecting member is changed will be described. In the present embodiment, portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the same portions as the first embodiment may be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the coupling body 24 of the present embodiment includes a coupling projection 25 </ b> A. In the connection body 24 of the present embodiment, the support projection 28 and the support frame 29 described in the first embodiment are not provided.

  Further, the connecting protrusion 25 </ b> A has an outer engaging portion 26 </ b> A engaged with the outer through hole 350 of the outer bracket 35. The outer engagement portion 26A includes a pair of outer engagement pieces 261 and 262 arranged symmetrically above and below the elastic deformation gap 260. In addition, the middle engaging portion 27 described in the first embodiment is not provided in the connecting protrusion 25A of the present embodiment.

  Subsequently, the intermediate bracket 44 of the present embodiment includes an intermediate frame 441 in which an intermediate through hole 440 is formed, a first spacer 442 for defining the distance between the radiator 20 and the shutter 40, and the capacitor 30 and the shutter 40. A second spacer 443 is provided to define the spacing.

  Through holes 442a and 443a are formed in the first spacer 442 and the second spacer 443 in the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle. The through holes 442a and 443a are formed in such a size that the outer engagement portion 26A can be inserted.

  Then, the outer side through-hole part 350 is formed in the outer side bracket 35 of this embodiment. In addition, the outer side projections 353 and 354 described in the first embodiment are not provided on the outer bracket 35 of the present embodiment.

  Next, a method of connecting the radiator 20, the condenser 30, and the shutter 40 in the cooling module 10 of the present embodiment will be described. In the cooling module 10 of the present embodiment, first, the outer engaging portion 26A of the connector 24 is inserted into the intermediate through hole 440 of the intermediate bracket 44. In this state, the radiator 20, the condenser 30, and the shutter 40 are mutually engaged by inserting the outer engaging portion 26A of the connector 24 into the outer through hole 350 of the outer bracket 35 and engaging the outer through hole 350. It can be linked.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the radiator 20, the capacitor 30, and the shutter 40 are connected to each other by the connector 24 of the radiator 20, the outer bracket 35 of the capacitor 30, and the intermediate bracket 44 of the shutter 40.

  The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the connecting member of the present embodiment has a structure in which the outer through hole 350, the intermediate through hole 440, and the connecting projection 25A overlap each other in the front-rear direction Dy of the vehicle. For this reason, according to the connection member of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the installation space of the connection member as compared with the attachment structure initially examined by the present inventors.

(Modification of the second embodiment)
Although the above-mentioned 2nd embodiment explained the example in which each spacer 442, 443 was provided to middle bracket 44, it is not limited to this. Each spacer 442, 443 may be provided not on the middle bracket 44 but on the side of the outer bracket 35 or the side of the connector 24.

(Other embodiments)
Although the representative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified as follows, for example.

  Although the above-mentioned each embodiment demonstrated the example which connects three structures, the radiator 20, the capacitor | condenser 30, and the shutter 40, using the connection member of this indication, it is not limited to this. It is possible to connect four or more structures by the connecting member of the present disclosure.

  Although the above-mentioned each embodiment demonstrated the example which applied the connection member of this indication to the cooling module 10 mounted in a vehicle, it is not limited to this. The connection member of the present disclosure is widely applicable to structural modules other than the cooling module 10.

  It is needless to say that the elements constituting the embodiment in the above-described embodiment are not necessarily essential except when clearly shown as being essential and when it is considered to be obviously essential in principle.

  In the above embodiment, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, amount, range and the like of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, it is clearly indicated that they are particularly essential and clearly limited to a specific number in principle. It is not limited to that particular number except in cases such as, etc.

  In the above embodiment, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the component etc., unless otherwise specified or in principle when limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc., the shape, positional relationship, etc. It is not limited to etc.

(Summary)
According to a first aspect, shown in part or all of the above embodiments, the connecting member comprises an outer bracket, an intermediate bracket, and a connecting projection. The outer bracket is provided on one of the pair of structures, and has an outer through hole which penetrates in a predetermined direction. The intermediate bracket is provided on at least one intermediate structure interposed between the pair of structures, and an intermediate through hole is formed in a predetermined direction. The connecting projection is provided on the other structure of the pair of structures, protrudes toward the one structure, and engages with at least the outer through hole by elastically deforming. The outer through hole and the middle through hole are formed at overlapping positions in a predetermined direction in the outer bracket and the middle bracket. The connecting projection is configured to engage at least the outer through hole in a state of being inserted into the intermediate through hole and the outer through hole.

  According to the second aspect, the connecting member has the outer engaging portion in which the connecting projection engages with the outer through hole and the intermediate engaging portion in which the intermediate through hole is engaged. The outer engagement portion has a pair of outer engagement pieces symmetrically arranged across a gap for elastic deformation. The intermediate engagement portion has a pair of intermediate engagement pieces symmetrically disposed across a gap for elastic deformation. And one set of outer engagement pieces is provided between one set of intermediate engagement pieces.

  According to this, since the pair of intermediate engagement pieces constituting the intermediate engagement portion does not intervene between the pair of outer engagement pieces, the intermediate engagement portion is engaged with the intermediate through hole portion. Even if it exists, the gap for elastic deformation which exists between a pair of outer engagement pieces can be secured. Therefore, even when the intermediate engagement portion is engaged with the intermediate through hole, when the outer engagement portion is engaged with the outer through hole, the outer engagement portion is sufficiently elastically deformed. It can be done.

  According to the third aspect, the connecting member has the outer bracket provided with an outer protrusion extending along the predetermined direction at a portion overlapping the portion between the outer engaging piece and the intermediate engaging piece in the predetermined direction. ing. The intermediate engagement piece is configured to be held between the inner wall surface of the intermediate through hole and the outer wall surface of the outer projection when the outer engagement piece is engaged with the outer through hole.

  According to this, when the outer engaging piece is engaged with the outer through hole and each structural body is connected, the intermediate engaging piece is sandwiched between the intermediate through hole and the outer wall surface of the outer projection. Thus, the connection between the intermediate structure and the pair of structures can be strengthened.

  According to a fourth aspect, the connecting member is provided on the other structure, and includes a support protrusion that receives the load of at least one of the structures. The support projection is provided at a portion between the outer engagement piece and the middle engagement piece, and is configured to abut on the inner wall surface of the outer projection.

  According to this, since the load of one of the structures acts on the support projection, it is possible to reduce the load received by the connection projection. With such a configuration, the rigidity of the connecting projections can be reduced, and the connecting projections can be easily engaged with the outer through hole and the like, so that the assemblability of each structure can be improved. Can.

  According to the fifth aspect, the connecting member has the outer engaging portion in which the connecting projection is engaged with the outer through hole in a state of being inserted into the intermediate through hole. Also by this, three or more structures can be connected.

  According to a sixth aspect, the structure module includes a pair of structures arranged to overlap in a predetermined direction, one or more intermediate structures interposed between the pair of structures, and a pair of structures And a connecting member connecting the intermediate structure and the intermediate structure.

  The connecting member includes an outer bracket, an intermediate bracket, and a connecting projection. The outer bracket is provided on one of the pair of structures, and has an outer through hole which penetrates in a predetermined direction. The intermediate bracket is provided on the intermediate structure, and has an intermediate through hole which penetrates in a predetermined direction. The connecting projection is provided on the other structure of the pair of structures, protrudes toward the one structure, and engages with at least the outer through hole by elastically deforming. The outer through hole and the middle through hole are formed at overlapping positions in a predetermined direction in the outer bracket and the middle bracket. The connecting projection is configured to engage at least the outer through hole in a state of being inserted into the intermediate through hole and the outer through hole.

10 Cooling module (structure module)
20 Radiator (other structure)
25 projection for connection 30 capacitor (one structure)
35 outer bracket 350 outer through hole 40 shutter (intermediate structure)
44 Intermediate bracket 440 Intermediate through hole

Claims (6)

A connecting member for connecting three or more structures arranged to overlap in a predetermined direction, the connecting member comprising:
An outer bracket provided in one structure (30) of the pair of structures (20, 30) positioned on both outer sides of the predetermined direction, and having an outer through hole (350) penetrating in the predetermined direction (35) and
An intermediate bracket (44) provided in at least one intermediate structure (40) interposed between the pair of structures, and having an intermediate through hole (440) penetrating in the predetermined direction;
A connecting projection (25) provided on the other structure (20) of the pair of structures and protruding toward the one structure and engaged with at least the outer through hole by being elastically deformed. , 25A), and,
The outer through hole and the middle through hole are formed at overlapping positions in the predetermined direction in the outer bracket and the middle bracket,
A connecting member configured to engage at least the outer through hole in a state where the connecting protrusion is inserted into the intermediate through hole and the outer through hole; The connection projection (25) has an outer engaging portion (26) engaged with the outer through hole and an intermediate engaging portion (27) engaged with the intermediate through hole.
The outer engaging portion has a pair of outer engaging pieces (261, 262) arranged symmetrically with a gap (260) for elastic deformation interposed therebetween.
The intermediate engagement portion includes a pair of intermediate engagement pieces (271, 272) arranged symmetrically with a gap for elastic deformation interposed therebetween.
The connection member according to claim 1, wherein the one set of outer engagement pieces is provided between the one set of intermediate engagement pieces. The outer bracket is provided with an outer protrusion (353, 354) extending along the predetermined direction at a portion overlapping the portion between the outer engagement piece and the intermediate engagement piece in the predetermined direction. Yes,
The intermediate engagement piece is configured to be held between the intermediate through hole and the outer wall surface (353a, 354a) of the outer projection when the outer engagement piece is engaged with the outer through hole. The connecting member according to claim 2. And a supporting projection (28) provided on the other structure for receiving the load of at least one of the structures.
The said support protrusion is provided in the site | part between the said outer side engagement piece and the said intermediate | middle engagement piece, It is comprised so that the inner wall surface (353b, 354b) of the said outer side protrusion may be contact | abutted. The connecting member according to 3.   The connection member according to claim 1, wherein the connection protrusion has an outer engaging portion (25A) engaged with the outer through hole in a state of being inserted into the intermediate through hole. A structure module,
A pair of structures (20, 30) arranged to overlap in a predetermined direction;
One or more intermediate structures (40) interposed between the pair of structures;
A connecting member (24, 35, 44) for connecting the pair of structures and the intermediate structure;
The connecting member is
An outer bracket (35) provided in one of the pair of structures (30) and having an outer through hole (350) penetrating in the predetermined direction;
An intermediate bracket (44) provided in the intermediate structure (40) and having an intermediate through hole (440) penetrating in the predetermined direction;
A connecting projection (25) provided on the other structure (20) of the pair of structures and protruding toward the one structure and engaged with at least the outer through hole by being elastically deformed. , 25A), and is constituted,
The outer through hole and the middle through hole are formed at overlapping positions in the predetermined direction in the outer bracket and the middle bracket,
The structure module configured to engage at least the outer through hole in a state where the connecting projection is inserted into the intermediate through hole and the outer through hole.

Images