Connecting structure of cooling module

Abstract

The invention provides a connecting structure of a cooling module, which comprises a first target object, a second target object and a connecting and fixing structure, the first target object and the second target object are connected through the connecting and fixing structure, the connecting and fixing structure comprises a plurality of groups of corresponding positioning columns and groove pieces, the positioning columns are distributed on the two sides of the first target object, and the groove pieces are arranged in the positioning columns. The groove pieces are connected to the two sides of the second target object, and the positioning columns are connected with the groove pieces in an inserted mode. The technical problems that an existing cooling module connecting mode is low in assembling efficiency, fragile in structure and inconvenient to maintain are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive body front-end manufacturing and assembly technology, specifically to the connection structure of a cooling module. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the importance of the vehicle thermal management system has become increasingly prominent. The core function of the thermal management system is to maintain the electric drive system, power battery, and electronic control system at suitable temperatures, thereby ensuring the performance and reliability of the entire vehicle. Among them, the front-end cooling module is a key component of the thermal management system, mainly including the radiator, air duct, and cooling fan assembly. Its structural design and connection method directly affect the vehicle's heat dissipation efficiency, assembly precision, and operational stability.

[0003] Currently, the front-end cooling modules of new energy electric vehicles mainly use two methods for structural connection: bolt connections and snap-fit ​​connections. While bolt connections achieve high structural strength and connection reliability, they have low assembly efficiency, requiring workers to manually check and tighten each hole, making the process cumbersome and affecting production rhythm. Furthermore, bolts, nuts, washers, etc., are all additional parts, increasing material and energy costs.

[0004] For example, Chinese patent application CN202321797588.9 discloses a cooling module connected by positioning and vibration damping bolts. This patent fixes multiple parts of the cooling module together by bolt connection. Although this solution improves the stability and vibration resistance of the connection to a certain extent, it still has the inherent problems of bolt connection - complex assembly process, long working time, high alignment accuracy requirements, and inconvenient disassembly and assembly, which is not conducive to the modular production of the front end of new energy vehicles and subsequent maintenance.

[0005] On the other hand, while existing snap-fit ​​connection structures can reduce the number of fasteners and increase assembly speed, they mainly rely on the elastic deformation of plastic parts for fixation. Such structures are prone to fatigue fracture or deformation during repeated disassembly and assembly, leading to loosening of the connection. At the same time, maintenance or replacement of parts requires operation in specific directions and angles, and even slight deviations can easily damage the snap-fit ​​structure, reducing reliability and maintainability.

[0006] In summary, existing cooling module connection methods share the following common problems: bolted connections suffer from low assembly efficiency, high cost, and difficulty in disassembly and assembly; snap-fit ​​connections are fragile, have poor repeatability, and are inconvenient to maintain. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new cooling module connection structure that can achieve efficient assembly while also ensuring repeated disassembly and vibration resistance without increasing labor and material costs. This would meet the comprehensive technical requirements of high reliability, lightweight design, and ease of maintenance for the thermal management system of new energy vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a connection structure for a cooling module.

[0008] According to the present invention, a connection structure for a cooling module includes a first target object, a second target object, and a connection fixing structure. The first target object and the second target object are connected by the connection fixing structure. The fixed connection structure includes multiple sets of corresponding positioning posts and grooved components. The positioning posts are distributed on both sides of the first target object, and the grooved components are connected to both sides of the second target object. The positioning posts and grooved components are inserted into each other.

[0009] Preferably, the grooved component includes a first grooved component, a second grooved component, a third grooved component, and a fourth grooved component. The first grooved component and the third grooved component are on the same side, and the second grooved component and the fourth grooved component are on the same side. The first grooved component and the second grooved component are respectively provided with a first groove and a second groove along the longitudinal direction. The front and inner sides of the first groove and the second groove are open structures, and the other sides of the first groove and the second groove are closed structures. The third and fourth grooved parts are located below the first and second grooved parts. The third and fourth grooved parts are respectively provided with a third groove and a fourth groove along the vertical plane. The upper and inner sides of the third and fourth grooves are open structures, while the other sides of the third and fourth grooves are closed structures.

[0010] Preferably, both the first groove and the second groove include a rear side plate, an upper side plate, an outer side plate, and a lower side plate. The rear end of the upper side plate is connected to one end of the rear side plate, and the remaining ends of the upper side plate are free ends. The other end of the rear side plate is connected to the rear end of the lower side plate, and the lower end of the outer side plate is connected to the outer end of the lower side plate.

[0011] Preferably, the upper side plate has a Z-shaped bending structure, including a first straight section, a connecting section, a transition section, and a second straight section connected in sequence. The first and second straight sections are parallel to the lower side plate. The transition section includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the transition section is connected to one end of the connecting section, and the second end of the transition section is connected to one end of the second straight section. The transition section is inclined from the second end to the first end relative to the lower side plate. The other end of the second straight section is a free end. The first straight section is connected to the rear side plate and is higher than the first end of the transition section.

[0012] Preferably, the first groove and / or the second groove are provided with interlocking protrusions and recesses between themselves and the corresponding positioning post.

[0013] Preferably, the protrusion is a continuous track, which is disposed on the upper bottom surface, lower bottom surface, and rear end surface of the first groove and / or the second groove, and the concave part is a sliding groove, wherein the outer side of the positioning post corresponding to the first groove and / or the second groove is provided with a sliding groove that slides with the track.

[0014] Preferably, the third and fourth grooves are bent structures, including a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is located above the second segment, and the inclination of the first segment is greater than that of the second segment. One end of the first segment is a free end, and the other end is a connecting end. The connecting end is connected to the second segment, and the internal width of the first segment gradually decreases from the free end to the connecting end.

[0015] Preferably, the third grooved component and the fourth grooved component are fixedly connected by a crossbeam.

[0016] Preferably, a connecting portion is provided between the first grooved component and the second grooved component, and between the third grooved component and the fourth grooved component. The connecting portion includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion includes a limiting post and a semi-enclosed limiting structure. The second connecting portion includes a supporting portion and a limiting hole. The limiting post is inserted into the limiting hole. The semi-enclosed structure overlaps the supporting portion. There are at least three adjacent contact surfaces between the semi-enclosed structure and the supporting portion. The contact surfaces are at a preset angle to each other.

[0017] Preferably, the semi-enclosed structure and the support are fixedly connected by at least one bolt.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This structure utilizes an insertion-fixing method between positioning posts and grooved components, eliminating the steps of hole alignment, tightening, and adding washers required by traditional bolt connections, thus achieving rapid positioning and integrated assembly. The track-slide interlocking structure between the positioning posts and grooved components enables self-guidance and automatic limiting, significantly shortening assembly time and reducing reliance on manual labor and production cycle pressure. Simultaneously, since no additional bolts, nuts, washers, or other fasteners are required, overall material and manufacturing costs are significantly reduced, meeting the requirements for lightweight and efficient production of new energy vehicles.

[0019] 2. This structure avoids the traditional plastic clips that rely on elastic deformation for locking. It achieves stable positioning through rigid interlocking guidance, ensuring secure assembly while allowing for controlled disassembly during maintenance. The track fit between the positioning post and the groove forms a repeatable sliding interface, preventing plastic fatigue or structural damage from repeated assembly and disassembly, greatly improving maintainability and service life. This structure allows for unidirectional separation without special tools, making operation simple, safe, and reliable.

[0020] 3. The Z-shaped bending structure and multi-faceted limiting contact design of the grooved components can effectively resist displacement and loosening of the cooling module caused by vibration and temperature changes during operation. The upper and lower grooves are arranged in layers to form a multi-directional support system, ensuring that the entire cooling module remains stable when subjected to wind loads and road impacts, thus guaranteeing the reliability and thermal management efficiency of the cooling system. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the connection structure of a cooling module; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the first target object; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection and fixing structure; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first grooved part; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second grooved component; Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of a section at point C; Figure 9 Schematic diagrams of the third and fourth grooved parts; Figure 10 for Figure 9 A magnified view of a section at point D.

[0022] In the diagram, 1. First target object, 2. Second target object, 3. Positioning post, 4. Slide groove, 5. First groove component, 6. Second groove component, 7. Third groove component, 8. Fourth groove component, 9. Crossbeam, 10. Limiting post, 11. Semi-enclosed structure, 12. Upper side plate, 13. Outer side plate, 14. Lower side plate, 15. Rear side plate, 16. First groove, 17. First straight section, 18. Connecting section, 19. Transition section, 20. Second straight section, 21. Second groove, 22. Guide rail, 23. Third groove, 24. First section, 25. Second section, 26. Limiting hole, 27. Support part. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] This embodiment provides a connection structure for a cooling module. This connection structure utilizes four complementary grooves arranged in upper and lower layers to interlock with corresponding positioning posts 3, supplemented by the interlocking guidance of a continuous track-slide 4, the cross-lateral stiffening of the crossbeam 9, and a connection part with multi-faceted contact and pre-tightening capabilities. This forms a cooling module connection scheme with a clear assembly path, reasonable positioning redundancy, uniform force distribution, and ease of maintenance. This scheme achieves a unified approach to fault tolerance, final stop, and vibration limiting without relying on an increase in the number of complex fasteners, making it suitable for mass production and rapid on-site assembly.

[0025] This structure comprises a first target object 1, a second target object 2, and a connecting and fixing structure. The first target object 1 and the second target object 2 are connected by the connecting and fixing structure, which consists of multiple sets of positioning posts 3 distributed on both sides of the first target object 1 and grooved components disposed on both sides of the second target object 2. The positioning posts 3 and the grooved components are connected by a plug-in fit to form a guideable, limitable, and lockable connection. This structure is designed for the assembly and maintenance of cooling modules. By using two sets of grooves with different orientations and opening methods on the upper and lower sides to cooperate with the positioning posts 3 at corresponding positions, a composite connection path of self-positioning, self-guiding, and vibration-resistant limiting is formed.

[0026] The grooved component consists of a first groove 5, a second groove 6, a third groove 7, and a fourth groove 8. The first groove 5 and the third groove 7 are located on the same side, while the second groove 6 and the fourth groove 8 are located on the other side. The first groove 16 and the second groove 21 are arranged longitudinally, with open front and inner sides and closed sides, forming a "U-shaped box-like" guide cavity with forward insertion and inward accommodating capabilities. The third groove 23 and the fourth groove are arranged below the first groove 5 and the second groove 6, and are arranged obliquely vertically, with open upper and inner sides and closed sides, forming an upward-sloping guide cavity. These two types of grooves are spatially layered and complementary in orientation (longitudinal and oblique), allowing the positioning post 3 to be inserted sequentially along a predetermined trajectory, achieving primary support from bottom to top, secondary engagement from front to inward, and final omnidirectional positioning.

[0027] The surfaces of the first groove 16 and the second groove 21 are formed by the rear side plate 15, the upper side plate 12, the outer side plate 13, and the lower side plate 14. The upper side plate 12 is a key Z-shaped bending structure, which includes a first straight section 17, a connecting section 18, a transition section 19, and a second straight section 20 in sequence. Both the first straight section 17 and the second straight section 20 are parallel to the lower side plate 14. The first straight section 17 is connected to the rear side plate 15 and is higher than the first end of the transition section 19. The transition section 19 is inclined from the second end to the first end of the lower side plate 14. The other end of the second straight section 20 is a free end. The Z-shaped bend provides a segmented pressing and yielding relationship in the longitudinal insertion force direction: initially, the free end of the second straight section 20 provides an inlet and tolerance absorption zone; in the middle stage, the transition section 19 forms a progressive slope guide to reduce interference; and in the later stage, the closed area formed by the first straight section 17 and the rear side plate 15 achieves the final stop and upward limit. At the same time, the corner formed by the lower side plate 14 and the outer side plate 13 provides bending resistance support for outward offset, thereby improving the overall deformation resistance of the groove.

[0028] To restrict lateral freedom and improve the anti-loosening and repeatability accuracy of the insertion, the first groove 16 and / or the second groove 21 are provided with interlocking protrusions and concave parts between them and the corresponding positioning post 3. The protrusions are continuous tracks arranged on the upper bottom surface, lower bottom surface, and rear end surface of the groove; the concave parts are sliding grooves 4, located on the outer surface of the positioning post 3 and slidingly engaging with the tracks. During the insertion process, the continuous tracks and sliding grooves 4 form a three-sided guide rail 22-sliding key relationship: the upper / lower bottom surface tracks control the pitch and vertical position of the positioning post 3, and the rear end surface track provides the final longitudinal stop; the linear characteristics of the sliding grooves 4 and the continuity of the tracks together ensure that the kinematic path is singular and predictable, thereby avoiding jamming and secondary collisions, and significantly improving assembly smoothness and positioning repeatability. This interlocking has a suppressive effect on fretting wear under vibration loads and improves fatigue life by bearing the peak value of impact loads through the rear end surface of the tracks.

[0029] The third and fourth grooves adopt a bent structure, comprising a first section 24 at the top and a second section 25 at the bottom. The inclination of the first section 24 is greater than that of the second section 25, and the width of the first section 24 gradually decreases from the free end to the connecting end. In the initial stage of assembly, the positioning posts 3 located below the first target object 1 on both sides first enter the first section 24 of the third and fourth grooves. Their larger entry width and larger inclination angle together achieve fault-tolerant insertion and gravity-assisted "lifting" alignment. As insertion deepens, the inclination angle decreases after entering the second section 25, weakening the vertical component of the positioning post 3 and strengthening the normal support, thus providing stable support for the lower part. The gradually narrowing width of the first section 24 establishes a radial wedge-like tendency, which, together with the closed surface on the upper opening side, forms multi-faceted support and pull-out resistance for the lower positioning post 3, creating a stable reference for the insertion of the upper longitudinal groove.

[0030] To enhance overall rigidity and lateral deformation resistance, the third grooved component 7 and the fourth grooved component 8 are fixedly connected by a crossbeam 9, forming a cross-stiffened frame structure. The crossbeam 9 effectively distributes the assembly load and operational vibration of the left and right grooves, restricts relative deflection, and ensures the relative positional accuracy of the upper and lower grooves under dynamic conditions. Furthermore, connecting portions are provided between the first grooved component 5 and the second grooved component 6, and between the third grooved component 7 and the fourth grooved component 8. These connecting portions include a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion: the first connecting portion consists of a limiting post 10 and a semi-enclosed limiting structure, while the second connecting portion consists of a support portion 27 and a limiting hole 26. The limiting post 10 is inserted into the limiting hole 26 to form a point-hole type precision positioning, and the semi-enclosed limiting structure overlaps the support portion 27. The two components have at least three adjacent contact surfaces, with each pair of contact surfaces forming a predetermined angle with the others. This multi-faceted contact enables multi-directional decomposition and locking (covering at least longitudinal, lateral, and vertical constraint vectors), significantly improving the connection's ability to maintain the assembly's posture and its torsional stiffness. When needed, the semi-enclosed structure 11 and the support 27 are fixedly connected by at least one bolt, providing a controllable preload to suppress fretting and noise, and enabling maintainable assembly and disassembly.

[0031] The working principle of this structure is as follows: During assembly, the two positioning posts 3 on the lower sides of the first target object 1 are first inserted into the third groove 23 and the fourth groove on the side of the second target object 2 (from bottom to top, introduced along the first inclined section 24 and transitioned to the second section 25 for support); after obtaining stable support at the bottom, the two positioning posts 3 on the upper sides of the first target object 1 are then inserted longitudinally into the first groove 16 and the second groove 21 (from front to inside, positioning and stopping are completed by the segmented guidance of the Z-shaped upper side plate 12 and the sliding cooperation of the continuous track / slide 4). In this sequence, the lower inclined groove first establishes primary constraints in the front-back and lateral directions, and the upper longitudinal groove then provides complete limits and locking in the front-back, longitudinal, and vertical directions, thereby forming full or quasi-full constraints on the six degrees of freedom. The crossbeam 9 and the connecting part further distribute the load and suppress relative displacement at the component level, ensuring a stable connection under thermal cycling, vibration, and shock conditions.

[0032] From the technical mechanism analysis of force and tolerance, the surface-to-line contact between the continuous track and the slide 4 is transformed into a stable normal reaction force and tangential guiding force, reducing the sensitivity of the assembly process to surface defects and small-angle misalignment; the transition section 19 of the Z-shaped upper side plate 12 uses an inclined surface to achieve gradual force transmission, avoiding instantaneous interference peaks; the gradually narrowing width of the first section 24 provides a self-correction function, so that the positioning error is gradually eliminated as the insertion force progresses. The semi-enclosed support part 27, with three or more adjacent contact surfaces at preset angles to each other, is constructed so that the contact normal direction is angularly distributed in space, thereby achieving dispersion and coupling suppression of multi-axis disturbances, and improving anti-torsional and anti-tilting capabilities. The bolt preload establishes a stable friction clamping interface between the contact surfaces, suppressing fretting fatigue and increasing the overall natural frequency, which is suitable for long-term operation of the cooling module under fan air pulsation or equipment platform vibration conditions.

[0033] During manufacturing and assembly, a matching geometric tolerance strategy should be adopted for the grooved parts and the positioning posts 3: a clearance-transition fit is recommended between the track and the slide 4; the parallelism of the upper and lower bottom track surfaces and the perpendicularity of the rear track surface control the accuracy of the longitudinal stop; the angle of the transition section 19 of the Z-shaped upper side plate 12 and the free end position of the second straight section 20 affect the smoothness of the introduction and the peak value of the maximum assembly force; the taper and inclination angle of the first section 24 of the bent groove need to match the chamfer / round corner of the positioning post 3 to obtain the optimal introduction window. Materials can be selected from aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or steel with anodized / anti-corrosion coating based on the thermal environment and electrochemical corrosion conditions of the cooling module; the working surfaces of the track and slide 4 are recommended to be hardened or coated to improve wear resistance. For ease of maintenance, bolt specifications and preload torque can be standardized; the surface roughness of the semi-enclosed structure 11 and the support 27 should be controlled within the range required for friction clamping and repeated assembly. In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0034] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A connection structure for a cooling module, characterized in that, It includes a first target object (1), a second target object (2), and a connecting and fixing structure. The first target object (1) and the second target object (2) are connected by the connecting and fixing structure. The fixing and connecting structure includes multiple sets of corresponding positioning posts (3) and grooved parts. The positioning posts (3) are distributed on both sides of the first target object (1), and the grooved parts are connected to both sides of the second target object (2). The positioning posts (3) and the grooved parts are inserted into each other.

2. The structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grooved component includes a first grooved component (5), a second grooved component (6), a third grooved component (7), and a fourth grooved component (8). The first grooved component (5) and the third grooved component (7) are on the same side, and the second grooved component (6) and the fourth grooved component (8) are on the same side. The first grooved component (5) and the second grooved component (6) are respectively provided with a first groove (16) and a second groove (21) along the longitudinal direction. The front and inner sides of the first groove (16) and the second groove (21) are open structures. The other sides of the first groove (16) and the second groove (21) are closed structures; the third groove component (7) and the fourth groove component (8) are located below the first groove component (5) and the second groove component (6). The third groove component (7) and the fourth groove component (8) are respectively provided with a third groove (23) and a fourth groove along the vertical plane. The upper side and the inner side of the third groove (23) and the fourth groove are open structures, and the other sides of the third groove (23) and the fourth groove are closed structures.

3. The structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first groove (16) and the second groove (21) include a rear side plate (15), an upper side plate (12), an outer side plate (13), and a lower side plate (14). The rear end of the upper side plate (12) is connected to one end of the rear side plate (15), and the remaining ends of the upper side plate (12) are free ends. The other end of the rear side plate (15) is connected to the rear end of the lower side plate (14), and the lower end of the outer side plate (13) is connected to the outer end of the lower side plate (14).

4. The structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper side plate (12) is a Z-shaped bending structure, including a first straight section (17), a connecting section (18), a transition section (19), and a second straight section (20) connected in sequence. The first straight section (17) and the second straight section (20) are parallel to the lower side plate (14). The transition section (19) includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the transition section (19) is connected to one end of the connecting section (18), and the second end of the transition section (19) is connected to one end of the second straight section (20). The transition section (19) is inclined from the second end to the first end relative to the lower side plate (14). The other end of the second straight section (20) is a free end. The first straight section (17) is connected to the rear side plate (15), and the first straight section (17) is higher than the first end of the transition section (19).

5. The structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first groove (16) and / or the second groove (21) are provided with interlocking protrusions and recesses between themselves and the corresponding positioning post (3).

6. The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The protrusion is a continuous track (22), which is provided on the upper bottom surface, lower bottom surface and rear end surface of the first groove (16) and / or the second groove (21). The recess is a sliding groove (4), and the outer side of the positioning post (3) corresponding to the first groove (16) and / or the second groove (21) is provided with a sliding groove (4) that slides with the track (22).

7. The structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The third groove (23) and the fourth groove are bent structures, including a first section (24) and a second section (25). The first section (24) is located above the second section (25). The inclination of the first section (24) is greater than that of the second section (25). One end of the first section (24) is a free end, and the other end is a connecting end. The connecting end is connected to the second section (25). The internal width of the first section (24) gradually decreases from the free end to the connecting end.

8. The structure according to any one of claims 2-7, characterized in that, The third grooved component (7) and the fourth grooved component (8) are fixedly connected by a crossbeam (9).

9. The structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, A connecting part is provided between the first grooved part (5) and the second grooved part (6), and between the third grooved part (7) and the fourth grooved part (8). The connecting part includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part. The first connecting part includes a limiting post (10) and a semi-enclosed limiting structure (11). The second connecting part includes a support part (27) and a limiting hole (26). The limiting post (10) is inserted into the limiting hole (26). The semi-enclosed structure (11) overlaps on the support part (27). There are at least three adjacent contact surfaces between the semi-enclosed structure (11) and the support part (27). The contact surfaces are at a preset angle to each other.

10. The structure according to claim 9, characterized in that, The semi-enclosed structure (11) and the support (27) are fixedly connected by at least one bolt.

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