JPH06339805A - Formation device for thermal stress release region - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an efficient and clean means for providing a thermal stress release region by cutting a side support body of a heat exchanger core without saw cutting work to release a stress induced by heat in a heat exchanger for automobile. CONSTITUTION: This formation device of a thermal stress release region in a heat exchanger for automobile consists of a support mechanism for receiving and supporting the heat exchanger and a region formation device for forming a stress release region in one of side support bodies 24, and the region formation device consists of side support body engaging devices 66, 68 for engaging with the side support body 24 at a predetermined position and shearing mechanisms 78, 80 reciprocating to shear the side support body 24.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to devices for creating thermal stress relief zones in heat exchangers for motor vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for shearing a side support of an automotive heat exchanger to create a thermal stress relief zone.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A typical automotive heat exchanger, such as a radiator, has a plurality of thin-walled tubes sandwiching corrugated fin elements enclosed within a core frame. The fin element is rigidly attached both to the tube and to the side supports of the pair of frames, which tube is also connected to the pair of headers. The side supports of the frame are also attached to the header. As is known in the art, coolant flows from one header through the tube to another header. As the temperature of the coolant passing through the heat exchanger core increases, the core expands. However, the side supports of the frame are not in direct thermal contact with the liquid and are therefore not heated at a rate proportional to the heating of the tube. As a result of the expansion and contraction of the tubes, the side supports induce thermal stresses at the tube-header joint during the heat exchanger heat cycle, which often results in durability such as tube cracks or leaks. Cause sexual problems.

[0003]

In order to solve the problem of the heat cycle and increase the durability of the heat exchanger core,
It is known in the art to relieve thermally induced stresses by sawing the side supports after brazing the core and before putting the heat exchanger core into service. There is. However, this saw cutting is difficult to automate, is extremely noisy, and produces a significant amount of metal powder, which results in increased downtime and increased saw repair.

Other methods have been proposed to relieve thermally induced stress into the heat exchanger core without the need to saw the side supports. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,
719, 967 propose using a "T" or "I" slot or punching into the core reinforcement before forming the reinforcement into the channel member. After brazing the core assembly, the reinforcement is crushed in the punch to allow expansion of the core during the heat cycle of the heat exchanger. Such a "T shape"
Alternatively, it is difficult to use an "I-shaped" punched hole because the punched hole becomes clogged with a filling metal such as a clad or solder during brazing of the core, and when the reinforcing part is bent into its channel shape. May be crushed. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,967 does not propose any device for crushing the reinforcement of the core. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a simpler and less complex punch hole design to avoid these problems.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to shear the side supports of a heat exchanger core to relieve the thermally induced stress experienced by the heat exchanger core. To provide a device.

Another object of the present invention is a more efficient and cleaner method for eliminating the sawing operation performed on the heat exchanger and providing a thermal stress relief area within the automotive heat exchanger core. To provide.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a device for automatically receiving an automotive heat exchanger from a conveyor assembly and automatically shearing the side supports of the core.

A feature of the present invention is that the device is essentially silent, producing no particulates, debris or slag.

Here, a heat exchanger for an automobile having a frame composed of a pair of channel-shaped side supports,
Each of the side supports has a generally flat base portion having an elliptical hole formed therein, and a pair of flanges extending substantially at right angles to the plane of the base portion. In a device for forming a thermal stress relief zone in an automotive heat exchanger, a support device for receiving and supporting the heat exchanger and at least one of the paired side supports, A side support engaging device for engaging at least one side support at a predetermined position, the side forming device for forming a stress relief region, and the side forming device. A shearing device cooperating with a support engaging device, said shearing device being arranged substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flange of the side support and distant from said flange, and said predetermined position. Second engaging with said flange in position Reciprocates between the location, forming apparatus constructed thermal stress relief regions are disclosed to be sheared relative to the base portion of the side supports at a predetermined position.

In one embodiment, the shearing device includes a pair of fluid actuated rams, each ram positioned generally at right angles to the plane of the flange. The ram reciprocates between a first position and a second position, cutting each flange in position with respect to the base portion when the ram is in the second position. The side support engagement device may have a C-shaped yoke member or a yoke member consisting of a pair of die members disposed proximate to each other with a side member therebetween. Forming a support channel.
The die member reciprocates generally in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the ram, generally perpendicular to the plane of the flange, to shear the flange as the ram and die move.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the accompanying drawings, detailed description, and claims.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a plurality of heat exchanger cores, most commonly a vehicle radiator core supported in a conveyor assembly. The radiator core 10 may be supported by a number of known methods such as clamps, hooks, or other temporary fasteners readily available in the art. The radiator core 10 may also be supported on the conveyor assembly by sliding one end of the radiator core into the engagement groove formed in the movable conveyor line, in which case the radiator core is in the groove. Will be supported. A shearing device 14 engages the radiator core 10 to create a thermal stress relief area in the side support of the core. Figure 1
The shearing device 14 may be connected to the frame 12 on the conveyor assembly, as shown in Figure 1, to engage the radiator core 10 when the core 10 is in place, or It may be a self-supporting one that is manually attached and detached by. Device 1 will be described in detail later.
4 comprises a relatively rigid frame part and a shearing tool, said shearing device reciprocating axially with respect to the frame part, engaging the sides of the radiator core 10,
Create a thermal stress relief zone in the core.

FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle radiator constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The radiator 16 includes a radiator core 10 and a pair of headers 18.
And a tank assembly 19 arranged at both ends of the core 10. The core 10 further includes a plurality of thin-walled oval tubes 20 that are attached to the header 18 and tank assembly and that are inserted between rows of tubes 20. It is also attached to the corrugated fins 22. A pair of core side supports 24 located at opposite ends of the header 18 complete the core assembly 10. As seen in FIG. 2, a row of corrugated fins is adjacent to each side support 24. Each of the side supports 24 includes a stress relief region 26 which allows the core assembly to expand and contract without overstressing the tubes 20 or fins 22 and thereby the useful life of the core 10. To increase. The stress relief region 26 is created by the shearing device 14 shown in FIG. 1 and the method described in more detail below. The radiator core 10 may be formed of any of a number of materials such as aluminum or other known materials commonly used in heat exchanger technology.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a side support 24 of the present invention 2
3 illustrates aspects of two different embodiments. The side support 24 comprises a U-shaped channel member having a base portion 28 and a pair of flanges 30 extending generally at right angles to the plane of the base portion 28. ing. Prior to assembling the radiator core, each side support is stamped with an oval hole 32 prior to forming the flange 30. In FIG. 3, the main axis of the elliptical hole 32 is arranged at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the side support 24. In FIG. 4, the main axis of the elliptical hole 32 is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal (longitudinal) axis of the side support. According to the present invention, the elliptical hole 32 is arranged within an angle range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the side support body 24 to maintain the structural rigidity of the core, Moreover, in terms of allowing the core to expand and contract during thermal cycling, a 45 degree angle provides the most effective results. As can be seen in the enlarged portion of FIG. 4, the elliptical holes extend into a portion of each flange 30. The side supports may also be made of any of a number of known materials, such as aluminum or steel, the hole size typically being 3
/8×1.0 inch (9.5 × 25 mm). Obviously, other sizes of elliptical holes may be utilized in the present invention. The advantages of placing the elliptical holes at a 45 degree angle will become apparent later.

In order to form the stress relief region 26 in the final product radiator 16, the radiator core 10 is formed.
Is first assembled with the side supports 24 having stamped oval holes 32. The core 10, which consists of a header, tubes, fins, and side supports,
They are stacked together, strapped on, or fixed for brazing in a known manner. The brazed core 10 is then placed on the conveyor line as described above and further forwarded to the work table where the shearing device 14 engages the side supports 24 and the stress relief area 26. The side supports are crushed to create 6 and 7 show the shearing device 14 in detail.

The shearing device 14 includes a generally rigid frame structure 36 that supports a pedestal 38. The gantry 38 reciprocates in the axial direction on the pair of slides 40. An urging mechanism 42 such as an electric motor, a hydraulic circuit, or a pneumatic circuit reciprocates the gantry 38 along the slide 40 in the axial direction. The shearing tool 44 is attached to the mount 3 by the fastener 46.
It is rigidly fixed to 8.

The frame structure 36 further includes a pair of sensors 48, 50 which allow the shearing tool 44 to not scratch the outermost fins 22 of the core 10.
When in position for shearing the side support 24 of the radiator core 10, it cooperates with a positioning block 52 to signal the biasing mechanism 42. The position sensors 48, 50 may be any of a number of known and commercially available position sensors. The frame member 36 also has a stopper member 56 and a release block 58. Stopper member 56 engages adjustment block 54 to stop movement of cradle 38 when the shearing process is initiated. In this position, the position sensor 50 signals the biasing mechanism 42, or the microprocessor associated with the shearing device, when axial movement is complete and the next step in the shearing process begins. When the shearing process is completed, the pedestal 38 is attached to the radiator core 10.
Reciprocates in the direction away from. Release block 58
The core 10 shearing tool 4 when the tool 44 is returning.
Be sure not to stay in 4.

A pair of guide members 60 secured to the cutting tool 44 align and guide the shearing tool 44 as the gantry reciprocates axially toward the radiator core 10. A pair of C-shaped yoke members 62, 64 surround both flanges 30 of the side support 24 when the shearing tool 44 engages the side support 24. As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 8, each C-shaped yoke member 6
2, 64 have die portions 66, 68 rigidly fixed to cylinders 70, 72, respectively. Cylinders 70, 72 define an internal volume therein for receiving hydraulic fluid or compressed air. Pistons 74, 7
In each of the cylinders 70 and 72, 6 reciprocates in the axial direction according to the fluid flow in and out of the cylinder. A punch 78, 80 is coupled to each piston 74, 76, and when the cylinder 70, 72 is pressurized, as described in FIGS. 9-11, the punch is a flange of the side support 24. Engage and shear them. Bearings 82, 84 are attached to a portion of each punch 78, 80.
May be enclosed so that the punch does not stick during reciprocating movement in the cylinder. The C-shaped yoke members 62, 64 are not constrained to the base 86, and when the cylinder is pressurized by fluid, the piston and punch assembly is oriented generally perpendicular to the plane of the flange. First, the die member portion of the yoke member reciprocates in the opposite direction (indicated by the arrow), while reciprocating toward the flange of the side support. When the cylinder is depressurized, a biasing device, such as a spring 88, returns the yoke members 62,64. Piston, punch and C
The first and second die portions of the Y-shaped yoke members 62, 64 form a shearing device for shearing the flange 30 of the side support 24.

The frame structure 36 of the shearing device 14 also includes a reinforcement support tool 72 'which has a pair of fixed stoppers 74' fixed thereto. The stopper 74 'prevents lateral movement of the radiator core 10 in a direction parallel to the axial movement of the shearing tool 44 when the core engages the shearing tool. As shown in FIG. 7, the reinforcement support tool 72 ′ is rigidly connected to the frame of the shearing device 14. The frame structure 36 includes a stopper 74 '.
And together with the reinforced support tool 72 'constitute a support device for receiving and supporting the heat exchanger core during the shearing process.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the operation of the shearing device 14 and the method of creating a thermal stress relief region within the radiator core 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the first and second die portions 66, 68 of the yoke members 62, 64 are adjacent to each other and the channel receiving slot 90.
Work together to form. When the radiator core 10 is assembled by a known method, the radiator core 1
0 is conveyed by the conveyor to the work table where the shearing tool 44 engages the side support 24 of the core 10,
Reciprocates in the axial direction. C-shaped yoke members 62, 6
4 reciprocates towards the side support 24 so that the side support 24 can engage the channel receiving slot 90. As shown in FIG. 9, each piston 74, 76 and their associated punches 78, 80 are shown.
Are located in a first position where they are not engaged with the side support 24. The first and second die portions 66, 68
It is important to note that is engaged with the channel formed by the flange 30 and the base portion 28 of the side support 24 as further shown in FIG.

In FIG. 10, the pistons 74,76 and punches 78,80 are biased so that the punches are in contact with the side support flange 30 in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the flange 30. Are in contact. As will be readily apparent in the art, the piston can be electrically biased, pneumatically biased, or hydraulically biased. As described above, when each cylinder is pressurized, the punches 78, 80 are moved towards each other, and the side support flange 3
In contact with 0, each of the first and second die portions 66, 68 is reciprocated in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the punch, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Punch 78, 8
By reciprocating 0 and the die portions 66, 68 in opposite directions, the side support flange 30 is sheared at the location of the elliptical hole. This is shown in FIG. Flange 3 of side support 24 in an elliptical hole
By shearing 0, the side supports are completely fractured in place, allowing expansion and contraction of the radiator core during thermal cycling with minimal negative effects.

As shown in FIG. 11, the flange 30 in contact with the punch is sheared toward the longitudinal centerline of the side support 24, leaving the flange above it straight. When the flange is sheared, the first and second die portions 66, 68 and the punches 78, 80 are returned to their initial position and the radiator core 10 is cut into a C
It is pulled out from the character-shaped yoke members 62 and 64. The radiator core 10 is then transferred to an additional work table and the tank assembly is attached to the header in a known manner. Alternatively, the tank may be connected to the header prior to shearing the side supports.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the position of the punch for handling the side support 24 with the elliptical holes arranged at an angle of 45 degrees. The punches 78, 80 are not diametrically opposed to each other, but are offset by a corresponding predetermined amount of elliptical holes at a predetermined angle.

13 and 14 are enlarged views of the side support 24 at the location of the stress relief region 26 after the side support 24 has been sheared by the apparatus and method according to the present invention. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the corrugated fins adjacent to the side support 24 are indicated by dashed lines. FIG. 13 shows a side support 24 with a length of horizontal stress relief area 26. In FIG. 13, at least one corrugated portion of fin 22 near stress relief region 26 is
It is completely free from the base portion 28 of the side support. FIG. 14 shows the advantage of positioning the elliptical hole 32 at a predetermined angle. In FIG. 14, the corrugated fin 2
2 is in contact with the side support 24 along at least a portion of the length of the side support and does not contact the base portion 28 of the side support 24 as in the embodiment of FIG. Therefore, the corrugated part is not left. This increases the structural rigidity of the core 10 and allows it to expand and contract during thermal cycling. This also makes the pre-brazed radiator assembly more rigid and increases the burst pressure of the final assembled core.

Various other modifications and variations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example,
The radiator shown in FIG. 2 has a stress relief region in each side support 24. In some situations it may be preferable to provide the stress relief regions solely in one side support, or perhaps in multiple locations along one side support. Also, the shape of the punch used to shear the side supports may have any number of shapes and appearances, and in the industry the stress relief area where the optimum shape is required. It will become clear that it will be defined by the shape of Accordingly, the appended claims, including all equivalents, define the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of heat exchanger cores on a conveyor line and a shearing device engaged with one of the cores.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a heat exchanger core constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

3 is a side view of another embodiment of the side support in the heat exchanger core of FIG.

4 is a side view of another embodiment of the side support of the heat exchanger core of FIG.

5 is a side view of another embodiment of the side support in the heat exchanger core of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the shearing device of FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing device taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the C-shaped yoke member of the present invention taken along line 8-8 of FIG.

9 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing device taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7 prior to engagement with the core side supports.

10 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing device taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7 when engaged with a core side support.

11 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing device taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 7 after engagement with the core side supports.

12 is a view of another embodiment of the shearing device of FIG. 1 similar to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a partial side view of another embodiment of a core side support showing stress relief regions formed in the core side support.

FIG. 14 is a partial side view of another embodiment of a core side support showing stress relief regions formed in the core side support.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Shearing device 16 Heat exchanger 20 Tube element 22 Fin element 24 Side support 26 Stress release area 28 Base portion 30 Flange 32 Elliptical hole 36 Frame 62, 64 Yoke member 62, 68 Die member 70, 72 Cylinder 78, 80 Punch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heat exchanger for an automobile having a frame of a pair of channel-shaped side supports, each side support having a generally flat base portion having an elliptical hole formed therein. And a pair of flanges extending substantially at right angles to the plane of the base portion for forming a thermal stress relief region in an automotive heat exchanger. A support device for receiving and supporting the container, and at least one of said paired lateral supports,
An area forming device for forming a stress relief area, the area forming device engaging a side support engaging device for engaging at least one side support at a predetermined position; A shearing device cooperating with a support engaging device, the shearing device being arranged substantially at right angles to the plane of the flange and at a first position remote from the flange and at the predetermined position. Reciprocating between a second position engaging the flange and shearing each of the flanges against the base portion of the side support at the predetermined position when in the second position. A device for forming a thermal stress relief region configured to. 2. A device for cutting a frame of an automobile heat exchanger, wherein the frame comprises a pair of channel-shaped side supports, each of the side supports having an elliptical hole therein. A cutting device having a generally flat base portion formed and a pair of flanges extending generally at right angles to a plane of the base portion for receiving the heat exchanger. A support device for supporting, and a shear device for shearing at least one of the side supports, the shear device engaging at least one of the paired side supports at a predetermined position. A side support engagement device for mating, and a fluid actuated punch cooperating with the side support engagement device, the punch being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flange. And the flange is When reciprocating between a first position away from the second position and a second position engaging with the flange at the predetermined position and being in the second position, the side support member is moved at the predetermined position. A frame cutting device for an automobile heat exchanger, which shears each of the flanges with respect to the base portion. 3. A pair of header elements and a plurality of tube elements, the ends of which are joined to each header, the plurality of tube elements defining an air passage between adjacent pairs of tube elements. A plurality of fin elements provided in the air passage and a plurality of fin elements extending generally parallel to the plurality of tube elements and adjacent to the outermost fin elements, and the header. A pair of channel-shaped side supports disposed between the headers at both ends of each of the side supports in contact with the outermost fin element An elliptical hole having a base portion, the base portion being formed therein,
An apparatus for shearing a side support of an automotive heat exchanger having a pair of flanges extending substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base, the apparatus for receiving and supporting the heat exchanger. And a pair of C-shaped yoke members each having a die portion and a fluid actuated punch disposed in a cylinder rigidly coupled to the die portion, The pair of yoke members define a side support receiving channel therebetween for receiving the side supports, the punch and the die portion including a first position and a second position.
Adapted to move in opposite directions to and from a position, the punch and the die portion cooperating to cause each of the flanges in the elliptical hole relative to the base portion of the side support. A side support shearing device characterized by shearing.