Cooling device for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device for a vehicle and a vehicle. The cooling device for a vehicle includes: a condenser disposed behind an air intake opening on the front surface of the vehicle, having a first front surface portion and a first rear surface portion, wherein air passing through the intake opening contacts the first front surface portion; a radiator arranged behind the condenser, having a second front surface portion and a second rear surface portion, the second front surface portion facing the first rear surface portion; and a fan disposed on the second rear surface portion side of the radiator, such that the air from the intake opening contacts the condenser and the radiator, wherein the space between the lower portions of the first rear surface portion of the condenser and the second front surface portion of the radiator is larger than the space between the upper portions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device for a vehicle and a vehicle having such a cooling device. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-106411 discloses an example of a cooling device in which the condenser and radiator are arranged in such a way that air passing through an air intake such as a front grille opening on the front surface of the vehicle comes into sequential contact with the condenser and radiator. The condenser and radiator in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-106411 are arranged in a parallel, overlapping configuration and, for example, are erected vertically relative to a horizontal plane.

[0003] For example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-337539, the upper side of the condenser is inclined forward more than the lower side. A fan is installed at the back of the condenser. The radiator is arranged separately behind the condenser and the fan. Air introduced from the air intake passes through the outside of the condenser and the fan and comes into contact with the radiator.

[0004] For example, in the vehicle cooling device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-106411, the air that enters from the air intake and absorbs heat from the condenser immediately goes to the radiator at the rear, which may make it difficult to lower the temperature of the radiator.

[0005] For example, in the vehicle cooling device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-337539, the condenser and radiator are arranged separately instead of overlapping in the front and rear directions, so space is required to install the condenser and radiator in the front and rear directions. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a vehicle cooling device and a vehicle having such a cooling device, wherein the radiator is arranged behind the condenser, the cooling performance for cooling the condenser is maintained, and the cooling performance for cooling the radiator is suppressed from decreasing.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle cooling device comprising: a condenser disposed behind an air intake opening on the front surface of the vehicle, having a first front surface portion and a first rear surface portion, wherein air passing through the intake opening contacts the first front surface portion; a radiator disposed behind the condenser, having a second front surface portion and a second rear surface portion, the second front surface portion facing the first rear surface portion; and a fan disposed on the second rear surface portion side of the radiator, such that the air from the intake opening contacts the condenser and the radiator, wherein the space between the lower portions of the first rear surface portion of the condenser and the second front surface portion of the radiator is larger than the space between the upper portions, or, between the first rear surface portion of the condenser and the second front surface portion of the radiator, the space between one end portion is larger than the space between the other end portion.

[0008] The effects of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a vehicle cooling device and a vehicle having such a cooling device are provided, which can maintain the cooling performance of cooling the condenser and suppress the decrease of cooling performance of cooling the radiator when the radiator is arranged behind the condenser. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the cooling device at the front of the vehicle and the heat source at the rear of it according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an example of the condenser, radiator, and left-side bracket used to position the cooling device.

[0012] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an example of the condenser, radiator, and right-side bracket used to position the cooling device.

[0013] Figure 4 It means Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a plate arranged along a surface defined by the vertical and horizontal directions and the front-back direction for the left-side bracket.

[0014] Figure 5 It means Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a modified example of the plate shown.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the cooling device at the front of the vehicle and the heat source at the rear of it according to the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Hereinafter, a vehicle 10 having a cooling device 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] (First Embodiment)

[0018] use Figures 1 to 5 The vehicle 10 having the cooling device 12 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the front of the vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 The location shown is the front and rear, and top and bottom of vehicle 10.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 10 has an air intake 10a that opens onto the front surface of the vehicle 10. An example of the air intake 10a is a grille (front grille) located on the vehicle body, for example, to draw air F into the vehicle body while the vehicle 10 is in motion. Besides being located in the grille, the air intake 10a can also be located at other positions, such as the underside of the front surface of the vehicle 10.

[0021] The vehicle 10 has a cooling device 12 and a heat source 14 disposed, for example, at the rear of the cooling device 12.

[0022] The cooling device 12 is positioned further rearward than the air intake 10a of the vehicle 10. The cooling device 12 includes a condenser (first heat exchanger) 22, a radiator (second heat exchanger) 24, and a fan 26. Preferably, the condenser 22, radiator 24, and fan 26 are located at or near the center of the vehicle 10 in the width direction. The condenser 22 is positioned behind the grille, which serves as the air intake 10a. The radiator 24 is positioned behind the condenser 22. The fan 26 is positioned on the rear side of the radiator 24.

[0023] The condenser 22 is used, for example, as a heat exchanger for an air conditioner in a driver's cab (not shown). The condenser 22 cools the gaseous cooling medium by exchanging heat with air F drawn in from the intake 10a. The condenser 22 is shaped like an approximately cuboid. The condenser 22 has a first front surface portion 22a and a first back surface portion 22b, which are the largest faces of the approximately cuboid shape. The front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22 faces the intake (grille) 10a, and the air F passing through the intake 10a contacts the front surface portion 22a. Furthermore, it is preferable that, in this embodiment, there is no fan between the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 and the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24.

[0024] For ease of explanation, the front surface portion 22a and the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 are assumed to be planar and parallel to each other. The front surface portion 22a and the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 are assumed to be the same size. Furthermore, the front surface portion 22a and the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 are inclined relative to the front surface portion 24a and the back surface portion 24b of the radiator 24 (described later). Depending on the degree of inclination of the radiator 24, the front surface portion 22a and the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 may also be parallel to a certain plane S of the vehicle 10 (up, down, left, right), but in this embodiment, the front surface portion 22a and the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 are assumed to be inclined relative to a certain plane S of the vehicle 10 (up, down, left, right). In this embodiment, the upper part of the condenser 22 is positioned rearward relative to the lower part of the condenser 22.

[0025] The condenser 22 rotates around a central axis C extending in the left-right direction as a support axis and is fixed at a desired angle. The central axis C can be located at the upper end (upper edge) of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22, or it can be located higher than the upper end of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22. Here, an example in which the central axis C is located at the upper end of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 will be described.

[0026] The rear portion 22b of the condenser 22 is offset by an angle θ from a certain surface S of the vehicle 10, which includes the central axis C, about the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the condenser 22. The positions of the condenser 22, indicated by solid lines and dashed lines, are offset by an angle θ from the central axis C. Here, the front side is defined as the + direction of angle θ relative to surface S. When the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 is parallel to surface S, θ > 0° is preferable. Furthermore, when using the brackets 32 and 34 described later, when the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 is parallel to surface S, for example, if the heat generated by the heat source 14 is assumed to be suppressed to a low level, θ can be 0°. Therefore, θ ≥ 0° is also permissible.

[0027] In addition, the following example is shown, namely, Figure 1 In the diagram, the solid line represents the angle θ of the condenser 22, which is θ1 > 0°, while the dashed line represents the angle θ of the condenser 22, which is θ2 > θ1 > 0°. The upper limit of the angle θ can be appropriately set according to the relationship between the area of ​​the front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22 that receives the air F and the predetermined heat generation of the heat source 14, for example, it can be greater than 30° and less than or equal to 45°.

[0028] The radiator 24 is used, for example, as a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling water circulating in the heat source 14, such as the engine, electric motor, battery, and ECU. The radiator 24 cools the cooling water by exchanging heat between the cooling water and the air F drawn in from the inlet 10a. The radiator 24 can be either a downflow type where the cooling water flows from top to bottom, or a crossflow type where the cooling water flows horizontally.

[0029] Like the condenser 22, the radiator 24 is also shaped into an approximately cuboid form. The radiator 24 has a second front surface portion 24a and a second back surface portion 24b, which are the largest faces of the approximately cuboid radiator 24. The front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 faces the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22. Air F drawn in from the intake port 10a and passing through the condenser 22, as well as air F bypassing the outside of the condenser 22, comes into contact with the front surface portion 24a.

[0030] Furthermore, on the largest opposite side of the approximately cuboid-shaped heat sink 24, one of its front surface portions 24a faces the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22, and the other faces the fan 26. For ease of explanation, the front surface portion 24a and the back surface portion 24b of the heat sink 24 are assumed to be planar and parallel to each other. The front surface portion 24a and the back surface portion 24b of the heat sink 24 are assumed to be the same size.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferable that the condenser 22 and the radiator 24 are formed to be of similar size. Therefore, it is preferable that when the cooling device 12 is viewed from the front of the vehicle 10, the front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22 can be observed, while the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 is not observed or is barely visible.

[0032] Here, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the condenser 22 has a left side portion (first left side portion) 22c between the front surface portion 22a and the back surface portion 22b, and a right side portion (first right side portion) 22d between the front surface portion 22a and the back surface portion 22b. Similarly, the radiator 24 has a left side portion (second left side portion) 24c between the front surface portion 24a and the back surface portion 24b, and a right side portion (second right side portion) 24d between the front surface portion 24a and the back surface portion 24b.

[0033] The left side portion 22c of the condenser 22 and the left side portion 24c of the radiator 24 are arranged, for example, along surfaces defined in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle 10. The right side portion 22d of the condenser 22 and the right side portion 24d of the radiator 24 are arranged, for example, along surfaces defined in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle 10.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front surface portion 24a and the rear surface portion 24b of the radiator 24 can be configured such that the upper part of the radiator 24 is further rearward than the lower part, or the lower part is further rearward than the upper part. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the front surface portion 24a and the rear surface portion 24b of the radiator 24 are assumed to be parallel to a certain plane S of the vehicle 10 in the vertical, horizontal, or left-right directions.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the space between the lower parts is larger than the space between the upper parts of the back surface 22b of the condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of the radiator 24.

[0036] The distance between the inlet 10a and the condenser 22 can be appropriately set. The distance between the condenser 22 and the radiator 24 can be appropriately set. The distance between the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 and the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 should be such that it can be identified as the radiator 24 being arranged overlapping on the back side of the condenser 22. In addition, the distance between the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 and the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 can be set, for example, as follows: Figure 1 The area between the upper end of the back side portion 22b of the condenser 22 and the upper end of the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24, compared to the area between the lower end of the back side portion 22b of the condenser 22 and the lower end of the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24, makes it more difficult for air F to enter through the intake port 10a.

[0037] The fan 26 is located behind the rear of the heat sink 24 on the back side 24b side for cooling the condenser 22 and the heat sink 24. Preferably, the fan 26 is located on the back side 24b of the heat sink 24. When the fan 26 is activated, it creates a negative pressure in, for example, region R on the back side 24b side of the heat sink 24 compared to the rear side of the fan 26. Therefore, the fan 26 brings the air F drawn in from the intake 10a into contact with the condenser 22 and the heat sink 24, and further directs the air F passing through the condenser 22 and the heat sink 24 towards the rear.

[0038] Air F from inlet 10a directly contacts the front surface 22a of condenser 22. Air F passing through condenser 22 is heated by condenser 22 through heat exchange, and passes through the back surface 22b of condenser 22 to contact the front surface 24a of radiator 24.

[0039] The space between the bottom of the condenser 22 and the bottom of the heat sink 24 is wider than the space between the top of the condenser 22 and the top of the heat sink 24. If the fan 26 creates a negative pressure in region R, air F from the intake 10a will attempt to pass through the top of the condenser 22 and enter the space between the back surface 22b of the condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of the heat sink 24. Even with the negative pressure in region R, due to the narrow gap (space) between the top of the condenser 22 and the top of the heat sink 24, air cannot easily pass through the space between the top of the condenser 22 and the top of the heat sink 24 from the intake 10a and directly enter the space between the back surface 22b of the condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of the heat sink 24.

[0040] Furthermore, if region R is made negative pressure by fan 26, air F from intake 10a will attempt to pass through the underside of condenser 22 and enter the space between the back surface 22b of condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of heat sink 24. The gap (space) between the bottommost part of condenser 22 and the bottommost part of heat sink 24 is relatively large. Due to the negative pressure in region R, air F easily passes through the space between the bottommost parts of condenser 22 and heat sink 24 from intake 10a and directly enters the space between the back surface 22b of condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of heat sink 24. Therefore, air F from intake 10a passes through the underside of condenser 22 and contacts the front surface 24a of heat sink 24. This air F is not heated by condenser 22, thus easily contributing to the cooling of heat sink 24.

[0041] Furthermore, if region R is set to negative pressure by fan 26, air F from intake 10a will attempt to pass through the left and right sides of condenser 22 and enter the space between the back surface 22b of condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of radiator 24. Since the gap (space) between the left and right sides of condenser 22 and radiator 24 widens from top to bottom, due to the negative pressure in region R, air F can more easily pass through the spaces on the left and right sides of condenser 22 and radiator 24 from intake 10a, respectively, and directly enter the space between the back surface 22b of condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of radiator 24, compared to the upper side. Moreover, the air F from intake 10a passes lower on the left and right sides of the back surface 22b of condenser 22 and contacts the front surface 24a of radiator 24. This air F is not heated by condenser 22, thus easily contributing to the cooling of radiator 24.

[0042] Here, Figure 1In the diagram, S1 represents the area of ​​the front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22 (shown as a solid line) projected onto surface S, and S2 represents the area of ​​the front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22 (shown as a dashed line) projected onto surface S. Furthermore, it is assumed that the central axis C of the uppermost part of the condenser 22 and the front surface portion 24a of the uppermost part of the radiator 24 are separated by a certain distance in the front-rear direction. For example, it is assumed that... Figure 1 The condenser 22 shown is tilted with its support axis being a central axis C extending in the left-right direction. Let the positions of the condenser 22 indicated by the solid line and the positions indicated by the dashed line be offset by an angle θ around the central axis C. The area S2 is smaller than the area S1. Therefore, when viewed from the intake 10a side, at the position indicated by the dashed line, the amount by which the condenser 22 obstructs the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 is reduced compared to the position indicated by the solid line. Therefore, at the position indicated by the dashed line, more air F directly contacts the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 from the intake 10a without passing through the condenser 22, compared to the position indicated by the solid line.

[0043] When the central axis C at the top of the condenser 22 and the front surface portion 24a at the top of the radiator 24 are separated by a certain distance in the front-rear direction, the wider the distance between the bottom of the condenser 22 and the bottom of the radiator 24, the better the cooling performance of the radiator 24. On the other hand, the wider the distance between the bottom of the condenser 22 and the bottom of the radiator 24, the smaller the area of ​​the condenser 22 facing the air inlet 10a. Therefore, depending on the angle θ, the area of ​​the front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22 that receives the air F decreases.

[0044] The required cooling performance of the radiator 24 can be appropriately varied based on its relationship with the heat generated at the heat source 14. For example, if the cooling performance of the radiator 24 is satisfactory when the condenser 22 and the radiator 24 are nearly parallel and overlapped, the angle θ of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the surface S, i.e., the angle θ of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24, becomes close to 0° and thus relatively small. If further improvement in the cooling performance of the radiator 24 is required, the angle θ of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the surface S, i.e., the angle θ of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24, becomes relatively large.

[0045] For example, it is preferable that the maximum angle θ of the condenser 22 relative to the surface S, that is, the angle θ of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24, is 45° or less, more preferably 30° or less. In this case, the air F passing through the intake port 10a can come into contact with the front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22. In addition, the condenser 22 can be cooled by the air F taken in from the intake port 10a, and the radiator 24 on the back side of the condenser 22 can be cooled by the air F passing around the lower side and left and right sides of the condenser 22.

[0046] For example, vehicles 10 such as BEVs, HEVs, PHEVs, and FCEVs have a battery pack containing batteries that serves as a heat source 14. This battery pack is appropriately selected for each vehicle model. For example, the number of batteries installed in the vehicle 10 can vary for each battery pack, and the permissible heat generation of the vehicle 10 can vary. As mentioned above, the permissible heat generation of the batteries in the vehicle 10 that serve as a heat source 14 may differ for each vehicle model.

[0047] Furthermore, for the vehicle 10 with an engine, the permissible heat generation may vary for each vehicle model, depending on the type of engine or the engine displacement, which serves as the heat source 14. Additionally, the vehicle 10 may have an electric motor or an ECU serving as the heat source 14. The permissible heat generation of the electric motor or ECU may vary depending on its type. Furthermore, the permissible heat generation of the vehicle 10 may vary depending on the environment in which it is used.

[0048] As described above, for example, the specifications of the heat source 14 for the cooling water circulation of vehicle 10 are sometimes different. In this case, the appropriate distribution ratio of the amount of air (cooling air) F to the front surface portion 22a of condenser 22 and the front surface portion 24a of radiator 24, the temperature of the air (cooling air) F, etc., may be different for each specification of heat source 14.

[0049] For example, not only in the same vehicle model, but also in different vehicle models 10, the standardization of components is being promoted. If the allowable heat output of the heat source 14 is different, and if the same specifications of condenser 22 and radiator 24 are used for each vehicle 10, then the cooling performance of condenser 22 and radiator 24 arranged on the back side of condenser 22 needs to be adjusted.

[0050] When using the cooling device 12 according to this embodiment, the tilt angle of the condenser 22 relative to the radiator 24 can be adjusted. In this case, the condenser 22, which is at the front of the cooling device 12, can be cooled by air F drawn in from the intake 10a. In addition, by adjusting the tilt angle of the condenser 22 relative to the radiator 24, the cooling device 12 can adjust the extent to which air F, which is less affected by the heat generated by the condenser 22, is supplied to the front surface 24a of the radiator 24. Therefore, the cooling device 12 according to this embodiment can, for example, adjust the cooling performance of the radiator 24 according to the allowable heat generation of the heat source 14. Therefore, the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment can maintain the cooling performance of cooling the condenser 22 and set the cooling performance of cooling the radiator 24 to a desired state. In addition, by arranging the radiator 24 behind the condenser 22, the cooling device 12 can suppress the expansion of the arrangement space of the condenser 22 and the radiator 24.

[0051] Therefore, according to this embodiment, a cooling device 12 for a vehicle 10 is provided, which can maintain the cooling performance of cooling the condenser 22 and suppress the decrease of cooling performance of cooling the radiator 24 when the radiator 24 is arranged behind the condenser 22, and a vehicle 10 having such a cooling device 12 is provided.

[0052] Figure 2 The image shows a left bracket 32 ​​on the left side of the vehicle 10, which is used to position the condenser 22 and the radiator 24. Figure 3 The image shows a right-side bracket 34 on the right side of the vehicle 10, used to position the condenser 22 and radiator 24. Figure 4 The text shows the indication along the path. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the plate 52 of the left bracket 32, which is set on a surface defined by the vertical and horizontal directions and the front and back directions.

[0053] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cooling device 12 has a pair of brackets 32, 34 for positioning the condenser 22 and the radiator 24 in a positional relationship. The pair of brackets 32, 34 fix the condenser 22 relative to the radiator 24 from both sides in the width direction of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the pair of brackets 32, 34 can steplessly adjust and fix the tilt angle of the rear portion 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24.

[0054] like Figure 2As shown, the left bracket 32 ​​has a first bracket body 42 fixed to the left end of the condenser 22 and a first bracket body 44 fixed to the left end of the radiator 24. The first bracket body 42 and the first bracket body 44 are fixed in position, for example, by a plurality of bolts 46. The left end of the condenser 22 refers to one or more of the left end of the front surface portion 22a, the left end of the back surface portion 22b, and the left side portion 22c of the condenser 22. The left end of the radiator 24 refers to one or more of the left end of the front surface portion 24a, the left end of the back surface portion 24b, and the left side portion 24c of the radiator 24. In this embodiment, for example, the first bracket body 42 is fixed to the left end of the front surface portion 22a and the left side portion 22c of the condenser 22.

[0055] The first-1 bracket body 42 is bent into an approximately L-shape and is formed from two separate upper and lower parts. The first-1 bracket body 42 can also be formed as a single piece or from three or more parts.

[0056] Multiple sets of bolt fixing holes 42a are formed in the first-1 bracket body 42. Each bolt fixing hole 42a is formed to a size that can fix one bolt 46. Preferably, each set of multiple sets of bolt fixing holes 42a is provided at equal intervals, for example, along the direction (vertical direction) extending along the left side face 22c of the condenser 22. Each set of multiple sets of bolt fixing holes 42a is formed at the same interval as the interval between the vertically adjacent bolt insertion holes 56 described later.

[0057] In addition, Figure 2 The diagram shows an example where the first bracket 42 is fixed to the bolt fixing hole 42b on the front surface portion 22a side of the condenser 22 by bolts 48, but it is not necessary for it to be fixed to the front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22. Additionally, in... Figure 2 The diagram shows 10 bolt fixing holes 42b. When the bracket body 42 is fixed to the front surface 22a of the condenser 22 by bolts 48, it can be fixed by using at least two bolt fixing holes 42b for each bracket body 42.

[0058] For example, the first and second bracket bodies 44 are fixed to the left end of the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24. The first and second bracket bodies 44 are formed integrally, but they may also be formed from two or more parts.

[0059] The first and second bracket bodies 44 have plates 52 and 54 that are separated vertically and arranged along surfaces defined by the vertical and horizontal directions and the front and rear directions. Plates 52 and 54 protrude further forward than the second front surface portion 24a. Plates 52 and 54, i.e., the first and second bracket bodies 44, have bolt insertion holes 56 as adjustment parts for adjusting the position of bolts 46. Each plate 52 and 54 has a pair of bolt insertion holes 56. Furthermore, plate 52 is positioned above plate 54.

[0060] Figure 4 The diagram shows the plate 52 of the first and second bracket bodies 44 viewed from the left. In this embodiment, the bolt insertion holes 56 are formed as arc-shaped slits. Preferably, the central axis of the arc-shaped slit, i.e., the bolt insertion hole 56, coincides with the central axis C of rotation of the condenser 22. That is, the central axis of the arc-shaped slit, i.e., the bolt insertion hole 56, can be located at the upper end (upper edge) of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22, or it can be located higher than the upper end of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22. Here, it is assumed that the central axis of the arc-shaped slit, i.e., the bolt insertion hole 56, is located at the upper end (upper edge) of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22.

[0061] exist Figure 4 In this design, the upper edge of each bolt insertion hole 56 is formed into an arc shape equidistant from the central axis of the arc of the bolt insertion hole 56. Furthermore, the lower edge of each bolt insertion hole 56 is also formed into an arc shape equidistant from the central axis of the arc of the bolt insertion hole 56.

[0062] Furthermore, on plate 52, multiple (two) arc-shaped slits, i.e., bolt insertion holes 56, are arranged vertically. The central axis C of the arc of the bolt insertion hole 56 is located on the upper side compared to plate 52. Therefore, if the two bolt insertion holes 56 on plate 52 are compared, the length of the arc (opening length in the front-to-back direction) of the lower bolt insertion hole 56 is longer than the length of the arc (opening length in the front-to-back direction) of the upper bolt insertion hole 56. In addition, an example of the imaginary end face Sr connecting the two rearmost positions of the two bolt insertion holes 56 is parallel to surface S.

[0063] The above content is for Figure 2 The two bolt holes 56 on the plate 54 shown are the same. Furthermore, plate 54 is positioned lower than plate 52, and therefore is farther from the central axis C of the arc of the bolt hole 56. Consequently, the length of the arc (opening length in the front-to-back direction) of the bolt hole 56 on plate 54 is longer than the length of the arc (opening length in the front-to-back direction) of the bolt hole 56 on plate 52.

[0064] exist Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the example of the bolt insertion hole 56 of the plate 52 shown, the bolt 46 can also be positioned at any position between the front and rear ends of the bolt insertion hole 56. In this case, by passing the bolt 46 through the bolt insertion hole 56 of the first-second bracket body 44 and fixing it to the bolt fixing hole 42a of the first-first bracket body 42, the first-first bracket body 42 is positioned relative to the first-second bracket body 44 within a specified range of angle θ.

[0065] like Figure 3As shown, the right-side bracket 34 has a second-first bracket body (first bracket body) 62 fixed to the right end of the condenser 22 and a second-second bracket body (second bracket body) 64 fixed to the right end of the radiator 24. The second-first bracket body 62 and the second-second bracket body 64 are fixed in position, for example, by a plurality of bolts 66. The right end of the condenser 22 refers to one or more of the right end of the front surface portion 22a, the right end of the back surface portion 22b, and the right side portion 22d of the condenser 22. The right end of the radiator 24 refers to one or more of the right end of the front surface portion 24a, the right end of the back surface portion 24b, and the right side portion 24d of the radiator 24. In this embodiment, for example, the second-first bracket body 62 is fixed to the right end of the front surface portion 22a and the right side portion 22d of the condenser 22.

[0066] In this embodiment, the second-first bracket body 62 has a first component 63a and a second component 63b.

[0067] The first component 63a is bent into an approximately L-shape. The first component 63a can be formed integrally, or it can be formed from two parts like the first-1 bracket body 42. Alternatively, the first component 63a can be formed from three or more parts.

[0068] Multiple sets of bolt fixing holes 62a are formed in the first component 63a. The bolt fixing holes 62a are each sized to fix one bolt 66. Preferably, each set of bolt fixing holes 62a is provided at equal intervals, for example, along the direction (vertical direction) extending along the right side face 22d of the condenser 22.

[0069] An example is shown where the second component 63b is fixed to the front surface side of the first component 63a and the front surface portion 22a side of the condenser 22 by bolts 68, but it is not necessary to fix it to the front surface portion 22a of the condenser 22. In addition, the second component 63b is fixed to the screw shaft 69a extending forward from the first component 63a by nuts 69b.

[0070] For example, the second-second bracket 64 is fixed to the right end of the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24. The second-second bracket 64 is formed integrally, but it may also be formed from two or more parts.

[0071] The second-second bracket body 64 has a plate 72 disposed along a surface defined by the vertical and horizontal directions and the front-back direction. The plate 72 protrudes forward compared to the second front surface portion 24a. The second-second bracket body 64 has bolt insertion holes 74 as an adjustment part capable of adjusting the position of the bolt 66. Two pairs of bolt insertion holes 74 are formed on the plate 72, separated vertically. Preferably, the bolt insertion holes 74 are for use with… Figure 2 and Figure 4 The bolt insertion holes 56 of the first and second bracket bodies 44 shown are of the same shape and size, forming a left-right symmetry.

[0072] Therefore, in this embodiment, the bolt insertion hole 74 and the bolt insertion hole 56 are both formed as arc-shaped slits. Therefore, it is preferable that the central axis of the arc of the bolt insertion hole 74 coincides with the central axis C of rotation of the condenser 22. That is, the central axis of the arc of the bolt insertion hole 74 can be located at the upper end (upper edge) of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22, or it can be located higher than the upper end of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22. Here, it is assumed that the central axis of the arc of the bolt insertion hole 74 is located at the upper end (upper edge) of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22.

[0073] By adjusting the position of bolt 46 relative to the bolt insertion hole 56 of the left bracket 32 ​​and the position of bolt 66 relative to the bolt insertion hole 74 of the right bracket 34 to the position between the front end and the rear end of bolt insertion holes 56 and 74, the tilt angle of the back end of condenser 22 can be steplessly adjusted relative to the front surface 24a of radiator 24, and condenser 22 is fixed in the adjusted position.

[0074] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, a mark 58 is formed around the bolt insertion hole 56 of plate 52. Mark 58 indicates an example of the position where the bolt 46 is positioned. Mark 58 is located midway between the front and rear ends of the bolt insertion hole 56. Figure 3 As shown, a mark 76 is formed around the bolt insertion hole 74. The mark 76 indicates an example of the position where the bolt 66 is positioned.

[0075] Markers 58 and 76 are arranged symmetrically on both sides. Markers 58 and 76 only need to be visually recognizable. Therefore, it is preferable that marks 58 and 76 are formed as markers in colors that are more conspicuous than the colors of bracket bodies 44 and 64. Alternatively, it is preferable that marks 58 and 76 are formed, for example, by punching as cuts in bracket bodies 44 and 64.

[0076] For example, the dashed line represents... Figure 4The bolt holes 56 on the upper side of the plate 52 are used to mount bolts 46 at three locations. If a bolt 46 is mounted at the front end of the bolt hole 56, the angle θ of the back surface 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the front surface 24a of the radiator 24 can be set to 30°. Similarly, if a bolt 46 is mounted at the midpoint between the front and rear ends of the bolt hole 56, where the mark 58 is located, the angle θ of the back surface 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the front surface 24a of the radiator 24 can be set to 15°. Likewise, if a bolt 46 is mounted at the rear end of the bolt hole 56, the angle θ of the back surface 22b of the condenser 22 relative to the front surface 24a of the radiator 24 can be set to 0°.

[0077] By using the brackets 32 and 34 according to this embodiment, it is possible to position the lower part of the condenser 22 appropriately close to or far away from the lower part of the radiator 24 while the upper part of the condenser 22 is close to the upper part of the radiator 24. Therefore, for example, depending on the various specifications of the heat source 14, the positional relationship between the condenser 22 and the radiator 24 can be fixed steplessly or in multiple stages using a single bracket 32 ​​and 34. Therefore, by adjusting the positional relationship between the condenser 22 and the radiator 24, it is possible to manufacture various vehicle models 10 with different permissible heat outputs of the heat source 14 using common components (condenser 22, radiator 24, a pair of brackets 32 and 34).

[0078] In addition, Figure 4 The example described is that the upper and lower edges of each bolt insertion hole 56 are formed into arcs equidistant from the central axis of the arc of the bolt insertion hole 56. The upper and lower edges of each bolt insertion hole 56 may not be arcs equidistant from the central axis of the arc of the bolt insertion hole 56, such as... Figure 5 As shown, for example, it is also preferable to form segmented holes (circular holes) 56a, 56b, 56c into which the diameter of the bolt 46 can enter. Figure 5 In the diagram, the bolt insertion hole 56 is shown as being formed by dividing holes 56a, 56b, and 56c, but it could also be that adjacent holes 56a and 56b are connected to each other, or that holes 56b and 56c are connected to each other. For example... Figure 5As shown, the holes 56a at the very end of the bolt insertion holes 56 are arranged vertically offset. An example of an imaginary end face Sr connecting the two rearmost positions of the two bolt insertion holes 56 is that it is inclined relative to surface S. The end face Sr is arranged such that the lower side is closer to the front, and the upper side is closer to the rear compared to the lower side. Therefore, it is also possible to configure it such that the angle θ required to be inclined relative to the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 is greater than 0°. For example, when the bolt 46 is inserted into hole 56a, the angle θ can be set to, for example, 10°. When the bolt 46 is inserted into hole 56b, the angle θ can be set to, for example, 20°. When the bolt 46 is inserted into hole 56c, the angle θ can be set to, for example, 30°.

[0079] In this embodiment, an example is described where the first and second bracket bodies 44 have bolt insertion holes 56, which are arc-shaped slits or holes (circular holes) 56a, 56b, and 56c, serving as adjustment portions for adjusting the position of the bolt 46. For example, it is also preferable that the first-first bracket body 42 has bolt insertion holes (adjustment portions) 56a, 56b, and 56c, and the first-second bracket body 44 has one circular bolt fixing hole. Furthermore, it is also preferable that both the first-first bracket body 42 and the first-second bracket body 44 have bolt insertion holes (adjustment portions) 56a, 56b, and 56c, serving as arc-shaped slits or holes (circular holes).

[0080] (Second Implementation)

[0081] use Figure 6 The vehicle 10 having the cooling device 12 according to the second embodiment will be described. This embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those described in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0082] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the front of the vehicle 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0083] like Figure 6 As shown, take the front, rear, left, and right sides of vehicle 10. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the vehicle 10 has an air intake 10a with an opening for air F on the front surface of the vehicle 10.

[0084] Compared to the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24, the space on the right side of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 is narrower, while the space on the left side is wider than the space on the right side. That is, in this embodiment, the space between the left side of the back surface portion 22b of the condenser 22 and the left side of the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 is larger than the space between the right side of the condenser 22.

[0085] The condenser 22 is tilted and fixed at a desired angle with a central axis C extending in the vertical direction as its support axis. The central axis C can be located at the right end (right edge) of the back part 22b of the condenser 22, or it can be located further to the right than the right end of the back part 22b of the condenser 22.

[0086] Air F from inlet 10a comes into direct contact with the front surface 22a of condenser 22. Air F passing through condenser 22 is heated by condenser 22 through heat exchange, and comes into contact with the front surface 24a of radiator 24 after passing through the back surface 22b of condenser 22.

[0087] The space between the leftmost part of condenser 22 and the leftmost part of radiator 24 is wider than the space between the rightmost part of condenser 22 and the rightmost part of radiator 24. At this time, air F from intake 10a attempts to enter the space between the back surface 22b of condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of radiator 24 by passing through the right side of the back surface 22b of condenser 22. However, the space between the rightmost part of condenser 22 and the rightmost part of radiator 24 is narrower, making it difficult for air F to enter. Additionally, air F from intake 10a attempts to enter the space between the back surface 22b of condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of radiator 24 by passing through the left side of the back surface 22b of condenser 22. The wider space between the leftmost part of condenser 22 and the leftmost part of radiator 24 allows air F to easily enter the space between the back surface 22b of condenser 22 and the front surface 24a of radiator 24. Therefore, the air F from the intake 10a passes through the left side of the rear side 22b of the condenser 22 and comes into contact with the front surface 24a of the radiator 24. This air F is not heated by the condenser 22, thus easily contributing to the cooling of the radiator 24.

[0088] Furthermore, a portion of the air F passing through the inlet 10a, above and below the back surface 22b of the condenser 22, comes into contact with the front surface 24a of the radiator 24. This air F is not heated by the condenser 22, thus easily contributing to the cooling of the radiator 24.

[0089] Preferably, the space on the left side of the back side portion 22b of the condenser 22 is narrower than the space on the right side, which is wider than the space on the left side, relative to the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24. Therefore, it is sufficient that the space between the back side portion 22b of the condenser 22 and the front surface portion 24a of the radiator 24 is larger than the space between the other two ends.

[0090] According to this embodiment, a cooling device 12 for a vehicle 10, which can maintain the cooling performance of cooling the condenser 22 and suppress the decrease of cooling performance of cooling the radiator 24 when the radiator 24 is arranged behind the condenser 22, and a vehicle 10 having such a cooling device 12 can be provided.

[0091] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made during the implementation phase without departing from its spirit. Additionally, the embodiments can be appropriately combined, in which case combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be derived by selecting combinations from multiple disclosed technical features. For example, if the problem can be solved and the effect obtained even if several technical features are deleted from all the technical features shown in the embodiments, the structure with those technical features deleted can be refined into an invention.

Claims

1. A cooling device for a vehicle, comprising: A condenser is disposed behind an air intake opening on the front surface of a vehicle, and has a first front surface portion and a first rear surface portion, wherein air passing through the intake opening contacts the first front surface portion. A radiator, arranged behind the condenser, having a second front surface portion and a second back surface portion, the second front surface portion facing the first back surface portion; and A fan is disposed on the second rear side of the radiator, so that the air from the intake port comes into contact with the condenser and the radiator. The space between the lower portions of the first rear surface of the condenser and the second front surface of the radiator is larger than the space between their upper portions. Alternatively, the space between the first back surface portion of the condenser and the second front surface portion of the radiator, between the left and right ends, is formed to be larger than the space between the other ends.

2. The vehicle cooling device according to claim 1, wherein, It has a pair of brackets that, relative to the second front surface of the radiator, define the tilt angle of the first back surface of the condenser in multiple or stepless manner.

3. The vehicle cooling device according to claim 2, wherein, When the space between the lower parts is larger than the space between the upper parts, The pair of brackets fix the condenser relative to the radiator from both sides in the width direction of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle cooling device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The pair of brackets each have: A first bracket body, which is disposed on the condenser; and The second bracket is disposed on the radiator.

5. The vehicle cooling device according to claim 4, wherein, The second bracket has an adjustment section that can adjust the position of the bolts fixed relative to the first bracket.

6. A vehicle having: The inlet / outlet has an opening on the front surface of the vehicle; and The vehicle cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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