Fixing part of heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention provides a fixing member of a heat exchanger. The fixing member includes a main body made of resin. The main body includes: a base fixed to a vehicle body; two legs that extend from the base section (34) and that sandwich the side end sections of the heat exchanger (16); and two engagement claws that protrude inward from the two legs (36), and that enter two engagement recesses (18) provided at the side ends of the heat exchanger (16). The fixing member is further provided with a heat insulating material disposed on the inner surfaces of the two legs. The two engaging claws of the main body have tips from which the heat insulator is omitted. The two clamping claws of the main body have the length that the top ends of the two clamping claws do not make contact with the bottom faces of the two clamping concave parts of the heat exchanger when the fixing component is installed on the heat exchanger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a mounting component for fixing a heat exchanger to a vehicle body. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with heat exchangers such as condensers for air conditioning and radiators for engine cooling. These heat exchangers are fixed to the vehicle body using mounting components.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-119997 discloses a resin fastener for installing thermal insulation components on a ground beam (the part that supports the floor of a building). Summary of the Invention

[0004] Currently, there is a desire for a technology that uses a fixing component made of a resin with relatively low heat resistance to fix the outer surface as a high-temperature heat exchanger to the vehicle body.

[0005] This specification discloses a fixing component having a resin body for fixing a heat exchanger to a vehicle body.

[0006] The heat exchanger mounting component disclosed in this specification comprises a resin body. The body includes: a base fixed to the vehicle body; two legs extending from the base and clamping the side ends of the heat exchanger; and two engaging claws projecting inward from the legs and entering into two engaging recesses located at the side ends of the heat exchanger. The mounting component further includes a heat insulation member disposed on the inner surface of the two legs and between the inner surface and the side ends of the heat exchanger. The two engaging claws of the body have omits of the heat insulation member. The two engaging claws of the body have a length such that, when the mounting component is mounted on the heat exchanger, the omits of the two engaging claws do not contact the bottom surfaces of the two engaging recesses of the heat exchanger.

[0007] According to this structure, since the two legs of the resin body of the fixing component are connected to the heat exchanger via a heat insulation member, the heat exchanger, whose outer surface is at a high temperature, can be maintained through these two legs.

[0008] During the installation of the fixing component onto the heat exchanger, the operator widens the two legs of the main body, thereby placing the engaging claws of the two legs onto the outer surface of the heat exchanger's ends. The operator then slides the fixing component to engage the two engaging claws with the two engaging recesses of the heat exchanger. During this installation process, if a heat insulation element is positioned at the tip of the engaging claw, the heat insulation element at the tip of the engaging claw may be dragged by the outer surface of the heat exchanger when the fixing component is slid. This could potentially cause the heat insulation elements of other parts connected to the dragged portion to be detached from the main body.

[0009] However, according to the above structure, since there is no heat insulation element at the tip of the engaging claw, it is possible to prevent the heat insulation element other than the tip of the engaging claw from peeling off from the main body. Furthermore, when the fixing component is installed on the heat exchanger, the tip of the engaging claw of the main body does not contact the bottom surface of the engaging recess of the heat exchanger. That is, a gap exists between the tip of the engaging claw of the main body and the bottom surface of the engaging recess of the heat exchanger. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the engaging claw of the main body (made of resin) from deteriorating due to heat from the outer surface of the heat exchanger.

[0010] In the fixed component of the heat exchanger disclosed herein, the main body may include a forked portion that connects the base to the root of the two legs, and a cut is provided on the inner surface of the forked portion.

[0011] According to this structure, during the process of installing the fixing component onto the heat exchanger, when the engaging claws of the two legs are placed on the outer surface of the end of the heat exchanger, it becomes easy for the operator to widen the two legs of the main body.

[0012] In the fixing component of the heat exchanger disclosed herein, the two engaging claws of the main body may also be configured such that, when viewed in cross-section along the direction extending from the two legs, opposite sides are located on the base side.

[0013] According to this structure, the tips of the engaging claws are sharp. Therefore, during the installation of the fixing component onto the heat exchanger, after the two legs of the engaging claws are placed on the outer surface of the heat exchanger, the friction between the fixing component and the heat exchanger can be reduced when the fixing component slides on the outer surface of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, after the engaging claws engage with the engaging recess, since the opposite sides (vertical planes) of the right-angled triangle shape of the engaging claws face the inner surface of the base side of the fixing component in the engaging recess, the engaging claws become difficult to disengage from the engaging recess. That is, the fixing component becomes difficult to detach from the heat exchanger.

[0014] In the fixing component of the heat exchanger disclosed herein, the inner surfaces of the two legs of the main body may have two opposing clamp receiving recesses, into which clamps are inserted, and the clamps widen the gap between the two legs during the process of installing the fixing component onto the heat exchanger.

[0015] According to this structure, during the installation of the fixing component onto the heat exchanger, when the engaging claws of the two legs are placed on the outer surface of the end of the heat exchanger, it becomes easy for the operator to widen the two legs of the main body.

[0016] In the fixed components of the heat exchanger disclosed herein, the heat exchanger may also be configured as a gas cooler of an air conditioning unit that uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.

[0017] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a heat exchanger can be fixed to a vehicle body using a resin body with a fixing component. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like symbols denote like elements, wherein: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the fixed component 30. Figure 2 A front view showing the fixed structure of the gas cooler 16 in summary.

[0019] Figure 3A This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30 onto the gas cooler 16.

[0020] Figure 3B This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30 onto the gas cooler 16.

[0021] Figure 3C This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30 onto the gas cooler 16.

[0022] Figure 3D This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30 onto the gas cooler 16.

[0023] Figure 3E for Figure 3D A magnified view of a portion of it.

[0024] Figure 3F This is a diagram illustrating one of the shapes of a locking claw.

[0025] Figure 4A This diagram illustrates the process of installing another fixed component 30a onto the gas cooler 16.

[0026] Figure 4B This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30a onto the gas cooler 16.

[0027] Figure 4C This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30a onto the gas cooler 16.

[0028] Figure 4D This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30a onto the gas cooler 16.

[0029] Figure 4E This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30a onto the gas cooler 16.

[0030] Figure 5A This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30b onto the gas cooler 16.

[0031] Figure 5B This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30b onto the gas cooler 16. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, the same symbols are used for the same elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms indicating direction and orientation, such as front, back, left, right, up, and down, refer to directions and orientations related to the vehicle. In each drawing, the arrow marked FR indicates forward, the arrow marked UP indicates upward, and the arrow marked LH indicates left.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the fixed component 30. Figure 2 A front view that provides a general overview of the fixed structure of the gas cooler 16. Figures 3A to 3F This diagram illustrates the process of installing the fixed component 30 onto the gas cooler 16.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle is equipped with a gas cooler 16. The gas cooler 16 is an air-cooled condenser (radiator) that allows heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the air conditioning system, thereby dissipating heat from the refrigerant. The gas cooler 16, together with a compressor (not shown), an expansion valve, and an evaporator, constitute a refrigeration cycle. Carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. In the carbon dioxide refrigeration cycle, the outer surface of the gas cooler 16 becomes very hot. A mounting member 30 is used to secure the gas cooler 16 to a structure 14 on the vehicle body.

[0035] Additionally, the gas cooler 16 is an example of a heat exchanger. The stationary component 30 can be used in heat exchangers other than the gas cooler 16. The heat exchanger can also be, for example, a condenser for a refrigeration cycle using other refrigerants, a radiator used in cooling engines, etc.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, fixing members 30 are arranged at the upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right ends of the gas cooler 16. The fixing members 30 at the upper left and lower left ends of the gas cooler 16 are fixed to the structure 14 on the left side of the vehicle. The fixing members 30 at the upper right and lower right ends of the gas cooler 16 are fixed to the structure 14 on the right side of the vehicle. Thus, the gas cooler 16 is fixed to two structures 14 using four fixing members 30.

[0037] Figure 1 It shows that it is set in Figure 2 The mounting member 30 is located at the upper right end (upper left end in the vehicle-related direction) of the gas cooler 16. In the following description, this upper right end (upper left end in the vehicle-related direction) mounting member 30 will be described, but the other mounting members 30 have the same structure and are installed using the same method. Furthermore, Figures 3A to 3F Indicates along Figure 2 The cross-section of the gas cooler 16 and the fixing component 30 of line III-III. (Described later) Figures 4A to 4E , Figure 5A and Figure 5B It also refers to the cross-section of the same location.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the fixing component 30 has a resin body 32. The body 32 includes a base 34, two legs 36, and two engaging claws 38. The base 34 is fixed to the structure 14 of the vehicle body. The base 34 has a through hole 35. By passing a bolt through the through hole 35, the base 34 is threaded onto the structure 14. Alternatively, the base 34 can also be fixed to the structure 14 using components other than bolts.

[0039] Both legs 36 extend from the base 34. (Example) Figure 3D As shown, the two legs 36 clamp the side ends of the gas cooler 16. Two engaging claws 38 protrude inward from the two legs 36. The two engaging claws 38 enter into two engaging recesses 18 provided at the side ends of the gas cooler 16.

[0040] like Figure 1As shown, the fixing component 30 includes a heat insulation element 60. The heat insulation element 60 is disposed on the inner surface 48 of the two legs 36. The heat insulation element is, for example, made of foamed EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) and is in the form of a sheet. Furthermore, the material and shape of the heat insulation element are not limited. The heat insulation element 60 is attached to the inner surface 48 of the two legs 36. Figure 3D As shown, the heat insulation element 60 is located between the inner surfaces of the two legs 36 and the outer surface of the side end of the gas cooler 16.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the two engaging claws 38 of the main body 32 have a top 39 where the heat insulation element 60 is omitted. Figure 3E As shown, the two engaging claws 38 of the main body 32 have a length such that the tips 39 of the two engaging claws 38 do not contact the bottom surfaces 19 of the two engaging recesses 18 of the gas cooler 16 when the fixing member 30 is installed on the gas cooler 16. Figure 1 As shown, the main body 32 includes a forked portion 40 that connects the base 34 to the root of the two legs 36. A cutout 42 is provided on the inner surface of the forked portion 40.

[0042] Next, the process of mounting the fixing component 30 onto the gas cooler 16 will be described. Figures 3A to 3F The image shows the process of installing the mounting component 30 onto the gas cooler 16. For example... Figure 3A , Figure 3B As shown, the operator brings the fixing component 30 close to the side end of the gas cooler 16. Then, as... Figure 3C As shown, the operator widens the two legs 36 of the main body 32 and places the engaging claws 38 of the two legs 36 on the outer surface of the end of the gas cooler 16. Then, the operator slides the fixing member 30 to achieve the desired effect. Figure 3D As shown, the two engaging claws 38 engage with the two engaging recesses 18 of the gas cooler 16. In this engaged state, the front and rear portions of the end face 22 of the gas cooler 16 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the roots of the two legs 36 via the heat insulation member 60.

[0043] exist Figure 3E In, it is shown Figure 3D An enlarged view of the inner region of the upper part marked by the dotted line d1. Figure E3 shows the upper (rear) engaging claw 38 and engaging recess 18. The lower (front) engaging claw 38 and engaging recess 18 also have the same structure as the upper engaging claw 38 and engaging recess 18, symmetrically arranged vertically.

[0044] According to the embodiments described above, since the two legs 36 of the resin body 32 of the fixing member 30 are connected to the gas cooler 16 through the heat insulation member 60, the gas cooler 16, whose outer surface is at a high temperature, can be maintained through the two legs 36.

[0045] As described above, during the installation of the fixing component 30 onto the gas cooler 16, the operator widens the two legs 36 of the main body 32 and places the engaging claws 38 of the two legs 36 on the outer surface of the end of the gas cooler 16 (see reference). Figure 3C Then, the operator slides the fixed part 30 to engage the two engaging claws 38 with the two engaging recesses 18 of the gas cooler 16 (see reference). Figure 3D During this installation process, if a heat insulation element 60 is placed at the top 39 of the engaging claw 38, there is a possibility that the heat insulation element 60 at the top 39 of the engaging claw 38 may be dragged by the outer surface of the gas cooler 16 when the fixing member 30 is slidably moved. Furthermore, there is a possibility that other parts of the heat insulation element 60 connected to this heat insulation element 60 may be detached from the main body 32 when the fixing member 30 is slidably moved.

[0046] However, according to the embodiment described above, since there is no heat insulation member 60 at the tip 39 of the engaging claw 38, it is possible to prevent the heat insulation member 60, except for the tip 39 of the engaging claw 38, from being peeled off from the main body 32. Furthermore, when the fixing member 30 is mounted on the gas cooler 16, as... Figure 3E As shown, the tip 39 of the engaging claw 38 does not contact the bottom surface 19 of the engaging recess 18 of the gas cooler 16. That is, there is a gap between the tip 39 of the engaging claw 38 and the bottom surface 19 of the engaging recess 18 of the gas cooler 16. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the engaging claw 38 of the body 32 (made of resin) from deteriorating due to heat from the outer surface of the gas cooler 16.

[0047] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the main body 32 of the fixing member 30 has a cutout 42 on the inner surface of the bifurcation 40. Therefore, during the installation of the fixing member 30 onto the gas cooler 16, when the engaging claws 38 of the two legs 36 are placed on the outer surface of the end of the gas cooler 16 (refer to...), Figure 3C ), making it easier for the operator to widen the two legs 36 of the main body 32.

[0048] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the engaging claw 38 is rectangular in shape when viewed in cross-section. However, the engaging claw 38 may also have a shape other than rectangular when viewed in cross-section. Figure 3F In the middle, it is shown that the position is Figure 3EAnother way of engaging the claw 38 is the area inside the dashed line marked with the symbol d2.

[0049] Figure 3F The upper (rear) engaging pawl 38-1 is shown. The lower (front) engaging pawl 38-1 also has the same structure as the upper engaging pawl 38-1, symmetrically positioned vertically. Figure 3F As shown, the locking claw 38-1 has a right-angled triangular shape with opposite sides 45 located on the side of the base 34 when viewed in cross-section along the direction extending along the leg 36.

[0050] According to this structure, the tip 39 of the engaging claw 38-1 is sharp. Therefore, during the installation of the fixing member 30-1 onto the gas cooler 16, after the engaging claws 38-1 of both legs are placed on the outer surface of the gas cooler 16, the friction between the fixing member 30-1 and the gas cooler 16 can be reduced when the fixing member 30-1 slides on the outer surface of the gas cooler 16. Furthermore, after the engaging claw 38-1 engages with the engaging recess 18, since the opposite sides 45 (vertical planes) of the right-angled triangle shape of the engaging claw 38-1 face the inner surface of the base 34 side of the fixing member in the engaging recess 18, the engaging claw 38-1 becomes difficult to disengage from the engaging recess 18. That is, the fixing member 30-1 is difficult to detach from the gas cooler 16.

[0051] Next, we will describe another fixed component. Figures 4A to 4E The diagram illustrates the process of installing another mounting component 30a onto the gas cooler 16. This is in contrast to the mounting component 30 described above (see reference 16). Figures 3A to 3F ), fixed component 30a (refer to) Figures 4A to 4E It also includes two clamping recesses 52. Specifically, as shown in the example... Figure 4A As shown, the inner surfaces of the two legs 36 of the main body 32 have opposing clamping recesses 52. The clamping recesses 52 can be cuts extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the main body 32. Alternatively, the clamping recesses 52 can also be cuts of a predetermined depth provided on the upper (or lower) surface of the main body 32. Figure 4B As shown, a top support rod 93 of a clamp 90, which widens the gap between the two legs 36, is inserted into the two clamp receiving recesses 52.

[0052] The clamp 90 includes a handle 91, a connecting part 92, and a top support rod 93. The connecting part 92 connects the handle 91 and the top support rod 93. The top support rod 93 may have a tapered shape with a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases from the top to the bottom.

[0053] The operator grips the handle 91 of the fixture 90, and as... Figure 4B As shown, the top support rod 93 of the clamp 90 is inserted into the two clamp receiving recesses 52 of the fixing member 30a. This allows the operator to easily widen the two legs 36 of the fixing member 30a.

[0054] like Figure 4C As shown, the operator brings the widened fixing member 30a (with both legs 36 extended) close to the side end of the gas cooler 16. The operator positions the side end of the gas cooler 16 between the two engaging claws 38 of the fixing member 30a. Then, the operator pulls the handle 91 of the clamp 90, thereby removing the top support rod 93 of the clamp 90 from the two clamp receiving recesses 52. Thus, as... Figure 4D As shown, the engaging claws 38 of the two legs 36 are mounted on the outer surface of the end of the gas cooler 16. Then, the operator slides the fixing member 30 to engage the two engaging claws 38 with the two engaging recesses 18 of the gas cooler 16 (see reference). Figure 4E ).

[0055] In the fixing member 30a described above, it is also possible to obtain the same fixing member 30 as described above (see reference 30). Figures 3A to 3F It has the same effect.

[0056] Next, we will describe another fixed component. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Another mounting component 30b is also shown. The accompanying drawing illustrates the process of installing the mounting component 30b onto the gas cooler 16. Figure 5A As shown, the fixing member 30b has the fixing member 30 described above (refer to...) Figures 3A to 3F A structure that is divided into two parts in the vertical direction (or the front-to-back direction in the vehicle-related direction). For example... Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the fixing component 30b adopts a sandwich structure.

[0057] The fixing component 30b has two fixing component pieces 301 and 302. For example... Figure 5B As shown, the operator clamps the side end of the gas cooler 16 using two fixing pieces 301 and 302, thereby installing the fixing member 30b onto the gas cooler 16. Then, the operator uses the base 34 to join the two fixing pieces 301 and 302. For this joining, bolts, clips, rivets, adhesives, etc., can be used. The operator then secures the base 34 of the fixing member 30b to the vehicle body structure 14.

[0058] Even with the use of the fixing component 30b, the gas cooler 16 can be fixed to the structure 14 of the vehicle body.

Claims

1. A mounting component for a heat exchanger, which secures the heat exchanger to a vehicle body, wherein, The stationary components of the heat exchanger have a resin body. The subject includes: The base, which is fixed to the vehicle body; Two legs, which extend from the base and clamp the side ends of the heat exchanger; Two engaging claws protrude inward from the two legs and enter into two engaging recesses located at the side ends of the heat exchanger. The fixing component also includes a heat insulation element disposed on the inner surface of the two legs and located between the inner surface and the side end of the heat exchanger. The two engaging claws of the main body have apexes where the heat insulation element is omitted. The two engaging claws of the main body have a length such that the tips of the two engaging claws do not contact the bottom surfaces of the two engaging recesses of the heat exchanger when the fixing component is installed on the heat exchanger.

2. The stationary component of the heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The main body includes a forked portion that connects the base to the root portions of the two legs. A cut is provided on the inner surface of the bifurcation.

3. The stationary component of the heat exchanger as described in claim 1, wherein, The two engaging claws of the main body each have a right-angled triangular shape with opposite sides located on the base side when viewed in cross-section along the direction in which the two legs extend.

4. The stationary component of the heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The inner surfaces of the two legs of the main body have two opposing clamp receiving recesses. Clamps are inserted into the two clamp receiving recesses, which widen the gap between the two legs during the installation of the fixing component into the heat exchanger.

5. The stationary component of the heat exchanger as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The heat exchanger is a gas cooler for an air conditioning unit that uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.

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