Heat exchanger and holding device of a heat exchanger in a motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle-side holding device (12; 36.r; 44) for a heat exchanger (10) of a motor vehicle is presented, which is designed to hold the heat exchanger (10) in the motor vehicle in a predetermined installation position. The holding device (12; 36.r; 44) has a receptacle (14.l, 14.r) which is designed to rotatably mount part of a liquid connection piece (18.l, 18.r) of the heat exchanger (10) as a pivot pin (26.l, 26.r) such that the heat exchanger (10) can deflect forces acting in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x) by rotating about a rotation axis (20) oriented transversely in the motor vehicle. An independent claim is directed to a heat exchanger (10) operatively coupled to the holding device (12; 36.r; 44).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle-side holding device of a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0002] Such holding devices and such heat exchangers are known from JP 2006-36 039 A, DE 86 34 544 U1, DE 10 2004 047 583 A1 and EP 1 557 311 A1. The known holding devices and known heat exchangers are characterized by coordinated holding means in the form of pins and receptacles, which are designed to release the heat exchanger when a force is applied upwards and / or towards the rear of the vehicle. The force required for release is limited by design measures to values ​​at which the heat exchanger, in particular a radiator, is not destroyed and at which the coolant circuit remains closed. This is intended to prevent damage to the radiator in minor collisions that occur from the front and thus in the most likely collision direction, and to maintain the functionality of the heat exchanger.It should be noted that the holding device known from DE 86 34 544 U1 allows for rotation during assembly. However, in operation, the holding device is secured by a plate that is part of the holding device.

[0003] The heat exchanger known from EP 1 557 311 A1 has two pins on each of its two opposite narrow sides, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and in the direction of the vertical axis of the vehicle. The known holding device provides receptacles on the vehicle side with guides that are offset diagonally upwards and towards the rear of the vehicle and open in this direction. Each guide engages around a pin, whereby the guide narrows towards the opening so that the opening is smaller than a diameter of the pin. The radiator disengages from the holding device when the force acting diagonally upwards and backwards exceeds a first threshold value, which is predetermined by the design by the deformation and friction forces that occur when the constriction is necessary to widen.

[0004] If a second, higher threshold value is exceeded and / or a force is applied that is not directed in the direction of release, the cooler is released by a break in the retaining tabs, which are defined as the weakest structural links and thus as the predetermined breaking points of the retaining device.

[0005] Especially in sports cars, heat exchangers are mounted relatively low. They are therefore in a very exposed position with regard to potential collisions with low obstacles such as curbs. In this exposed position, the heat exchanger can, in principle, be protected with a sturdy frame that protects the heat exchanger(s) from damage caused by vertical forces acting from below and / or horizontal forces acting from the front. However, even with a sufficiently robust design, such a frame is disadvantageously heavy. Furthermore, the installation space for such a frame is increasingly limited due to increasingly stringent requirements for pedestrian protection in the event of an accident.

[0006] With the solution mentioned above, the frame can be omitted. The heat exchanger is then protected from damage by releasing it from its mount in the event of a collision.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a heat exchanger mounting that allows the heat exchanger to deflect during typical collisions and that, compared to the subject matter of EP 1 557 311 A1, requires fewer parts and allows for simplified assembly of the heat exchanger. Such a mounting relates to both a holding device and a heat exchanger, so the invention relates to aspects of both components.

[0008] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The invention, both with regard to the holding device according to the invention and with regard to the heat exchanger according to the invention, provides, in particular, for the use of a fluid connection piece of the heat exchanger as a pivot pin. This can be one or more fluid connection pieces.

[0009] This allows multiple use of the connection piece for fluid guidance and for fastening, which not only allows fixation in one installation position, but also allows evasive movement in the event of forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, for example collision forces.

[0010] The desired result is a simplification of the fastening structure, both with regard to the heat exchanger and with regard to the associated holding device, and an elimination of components that would otherwise be required solely for the holding device.

[0011] As a desired result, the installation space required is reduced, which also leads to simplified assembly. Simplifying assembly results in a reduction in the time required for installation, resulting in overall cost savings.

[0012] Further advantages arise from the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying figures.

[0013] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Drawings

[0014] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show, in schematic form: Fig. 1 first embodiments of a heat exchanger and a holding device; Fig. 2 second embodiments of a heat exchanger and a holding device: and Fig. 3 third embodiments of a heat exchanger and a holding device.

[0015] In detail, the Fig. 1 shows a heat exchanger 10 of a motor vehicle together with a motor vehicle-side retaining device 12 in the unassembled state. In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger 10 is a water or oil cooler arranged in the front region of a motor vehicle. For an understanding of the invention, it is sufficient in this context to assume that the retaining device 12 is firmly connected to the rest of the motor vehicle and thus forms a motor vehicle-side retaining device 12 for the heat exchanger 10. The invention is explained below using a water cooler as an example.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding device 12 has a left part 12.l with a left receptacle 14.l, a right part 12.r with a right receptacle 14.r, and an air duct 16 connecting the left part 12.l to the right part 12.r. The air duct 16 serves to direct the heated air passing through the heat exchanger 10 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction underneath the vehicle.

[0017] The heat exchanger 10 is designed to be held in a predetermined installation position in the motor vehicle by the holding device 12. A typical installation position is shown in the Fig. 1 by specifying the directions x, y and z, where the x-direction is in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and points towards the rear, the y-direction is in the direction of a transverse axis of the vehicle and the z-direction is in the direction of a vertical axis of the vehicle.

[0018] The heat exchanger 10 has a liquid connection piece 18.l designed as a pivot pin, which is designed to be rotatably mounted by the left receptacle 14.l of the holding device 12 such that the heat exchanger 10 can avoid forces acting in the vehicle longitudinal direction x by rotating about a rotation axis 20 aligned transversely in the motor vehicle.

[0019] As already mentioned, such forces typically occur in collisions in the front area of ​​the vehicle, especially in collisions with low obstacles such as curbs.

[0020] The rotation axis is preferably positioned at the top rather than the bottom. This arrangement takes into account that the aforementioned collision risk is more likely to be in the lower area of ​​the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger must therefore preferably avoid collisions in the lower area. A further advantage of the top-mounted rotation axis 20 results from the fact that the force of gravity acting on the heat exchanger creates a component that has a restoring effect in the event of the heat exchanger being deflected from a vertically suspended position. This increases the likelihood that the vehicle will still be drivable after a minor collision.

[0021] In the design that is presented in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the heat exchanger 10 has a further fluid connection piece 18.r configured as a pivot pin, which is designed to be rotatably mounted by the right-hand receptacle 14.r of the holding device 12. This eliminates the need for a separate pivot bearing on either the right or left side. Connection pieces are used multiple times on both sides.

[0022] Each force acting on the heat exchanger 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x and at a distance in the z-direction from the rotation axis 20 causes a torque about the rotation axis 20.

[0023] The connecting pieces 16.l and 16.r differ from the prior art in particular in that they are longer than would be necessary for the connection of a hose 22.l, 22.r and have an inner section between an outer section 24.l, 24.r and a water tank 25 of the heat exchanger 10, which serves as a pivot pin 26.l, 26.r and which in the design of the Fig. 1 each carries a bearing sleeve 28.l, 28.r made of rubber or plastic.

[0024] The described pivot bearing enables the heat exchanger to pivot away from the horizontal (i.e. x-direction) forces. If larger forces also occur in the vertical (i.e. z-direction), the heat exchanger can pivot away from the Fig. 1, the pivot pins 26.l, 26.r can also be moved upwards by lifting the pivot pins 26.l, 26.r upwards through the openings in the receptacles 14.l, 14.r.

[0025] For this purpose, the recordings 14.l, 14.r are in the form shown in the Fig. 1, is configured to support the respective pivot pin 26.l, 26.r downwards and to release the pivot pin 26.l, 26.r upwards when a force acting upwards on the heat exchanger 10 exceeds a design-specified trigger threshold. For this purpose, each of the receptacles 14.l, 14.r has an opening arranged in the intended release direction. Each receptacle 14.l, 14.r engages around a pivot pin 26.l, 26.r, wherein the receptacle 14.l, 14.r narrows towards the opening to such an extent that the opening is, on the one hand, smaller than a diameter of the pivot pin, but, on the other hand, the pivot pin can be pushed through the opening with the application of force.The heat exchanger 10 releases from the holding device when the force acting in the release direction exceeds a triggering threshold value which is structurally predetermined by the deformation and friction forces occurring during the necessary widening of the opening (and / or during an elastic yielding of the pivot pin).

[0026] In order to prevent the heat exchanger 10 from pivoting under comparatively small inertial forces, such as those that occur during normal driving operation during acceleration and braking, the holding device 16 has a first holding means that is designed, in cooperation with a second holding means that is a component of the heat exchanger 10, to only allow the heat exchanger 10 to rotate when the force acting in the longitudinal direction x exceeds a design-specified threshold value.

[0027] In the design that is presented in the Fig. 1, the first holding means is implemented by at least one pin 30.l and / or 30.r which is rigid compared to the second holding means, while the second holding means is implemented as an elastically flexible profile 32.l and / or 32.r which is less rigid than the first holding means, which engages around the pin 30.l, 30.r in a holding position and which, when the force acting in the longitudinal direction exceeds the threshold value, slides over the pin 30.l, 30.r and in the process disengages from the holding position with the heat exchanger 10.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the journal 30.l, 30.r also carries a bearing sleeve made of rubber or plastic. It is also preferred that the profile 32.l, 32.r each have a lower wave-shaped section 34.u with a wave trough and two wave crests enclosing the wave trough, and an upper wave-shaped section 34.o with a wave trough and two wave crests enclosing the wave trough. The sections 34.u and 34.o are arranged opposite one another such that their spacing has a local maximum enclosed by two local spacing minima. The maximum spacing corresponds approximately to the diameter of the journal 30.l, 30r. The minimum distance is somewhat smaller, so that the pin 30.l., 30.r is latched into a holding position of the profile 32.l, 32.r against elastic restoring forces and, when forces act on the heat exchanger 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x occur, is released from the holding position of the profile 32.l, 32.r can be released.

[0029] As a result, the heat exchanger is released from the holding position defined by the first holding means 30.l, 30.r and the second holding means 32.l, 32.r when the force acting on the heat exchanger 10 in the x-direction exceeds the elastic restoring forces occurring during a relative movement between the pin and the profile.

[0030] By disengaging from the holding position, the rotation described above is permitted, allowing the heat exchanger 10 to evade the horizontally acting force without being damaged and without opening the fluid circuit. If additional force components acting in the z-direction occur, the heat exchanger 10 can also evade these force components by disengaging from the mounts 14.l, 14.r, without being damaged and without opening the cooling circuit.

[0031] A particular advantage of this design is that neither the first retaining means 30.l, 30.r nor the second retaining means 32.l, 32.r are damaged during disengagement. The heat exchanger 10 can therefore be easily pushed back into the holding position and thus engaged.

[0032] The forces act primarily in the Z direction. Without pivoting the heat exchanger, the 30l / 30v pins and the heat exchanger are pushed out of the upper 14l / 14v mounts. The heat exchanger remains sealed, as the break point is located at the 12l / 12v parts.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the arrangement of the pin and profile is interchanged. In this case, the second holding means, i.e., the heat exchanger-side holding means, is implemented by at least one pin that is stiffer than the first holding means, while the first holding means, i.e., the holding device-side holding means, is implemented as an elastically flexible profile that is less stiff than the second holding means and engages the pin in a holding position. Upon application of the longitudinal force that exceeds the threshold value, the pin slides over the local extremes of the profile and disengages from the holding position with the heat exchanger.

[0034] It is understood that the invention is not limited to one-piece holding devices 12 and can, for example, also comprise two separate holding devices 12.l, 12.r, each individually connected to a mounting support of the motor vehicle.

[0035] Fig. Figure 2 shows alternative designs of the first and second holder means. In detail, Fig. 2 shows a heat exchanger 10, which is held in an installed position by a separate right-hand part 36.r, which, together with a separate, mirror-image left-hand part (not shown), forms a holding device. Therefore, the right-hand part 36.r is also referred to below as the holding device. Otherwise, the same numbers designate the same elements in all figures. The objects of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 differ from each other in the design of the first holding means and the second holding means and in the design of the air guide.

[0036] The holding device 36.r has a spring tab 38, one end of which is firmly connected to the holding device 36.r. The spring tab 38 is designed such that it elastically bridges a distance occurring in the transverse direction of the vehicle between the holding device 36.r and the heat exchanger 10. At its end facing the heat exchanger 10, it carries a rubber- or plastic-coated pin 40, which is pressed by the spring tab 38 into a saddle 42 firmly connected to the heat exchanger 10.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the spring tab 38 is part of the holding device 36.r and is made of plastic or metal. Its elastic properties are determined by its material and dimensions and are thus determined by its design.

[0038] Under vertical load, the heat exchanger 10 with the saddle 42 can deflect upwards relative to the pin 40 and disengage from the clip fastening, which is defined by the receptacle 14.r. When the force acting in the longitudinal direction x is applied, which exceeds a threshold value determined by the geometry of the pin 40 and saddle 42 and by the elastic properties of the spring tab 38, the pin 40 springs out of the saddle 42, so that the heat exchanger 10 can deflect the force acting in the longitudinal direction by the described rotational movement about the rotation axis 20. The rotation axis runs as in the Fig. 1 by the pivot bearing consisting of holder 14.r and pivot pin 26.r.

[0039] The spring tab 38, together with the pin 40, thus represents a design of a first holding means which is designed to be elastically yielding transversely to the force acting in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x and cooperates with the saddle 42 as a design of a rigid profile of the second holding means such that, when a sufficiently large force acts on the heat exchanger 10 in the longitudinal direction, the first holding means is elastically deflected both in the direction of this force and, due to the shape of the saddle 42, transversely to this force in the y-direction, thereby disengaging the heat exchanger 10.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic properties of the spring tab 38 in the illustrated arrangement are defined such that the pin 40 is always pressed into the saddle 42 with a specific force in the regular installation position of the heat exchanger 10. This compensates for tolerances in the width of the heat exchanger 10. Furthermore, the heat exchanger 10 is centered in the vehicle by spring tabs 38 arranged on the right and left in conjunction with the positive engagement of the corresponding pins 40 in the corresponding saddles 42.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows further alternative embodiments of the first and second retaining means. In detail, Fig. 3 a heat exchanger 10, which is held in an installed position by a holding device 44. In the subject of the Fig. 3, the first holding means on the holding device side is realized by a pin 46 which is designed to be encompassed from above by a receptacle 48 of the heat exchanger 10 as a second holding means, wherein the structurally predetermined threshold value is defined by a predetermined flexibility of the pin 46 with respect to the force acting on the heat exchanger 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x.

[0042] In one embodiment, the pin 46 is coated with plastic or rubber where it supports the receptacle 48. It is also preferred that the predetermined flexibility be achieved by a predetermined breaking point of the pin 46.

[0043] Even in the design according to the Fig. 3, the heat exchanger 10 is rotatably suspended in the upper mounts 14. The lower support or mount 48 is open at the bottom to allow the heat exchanger 10 to deflect vertically when forces act in the z-direction. When forces act in the longitudinal direction x, the heat exchanger 10 rotates in the upper mounts. The lower pin 46 breaks off in the process.

[0044] In the design according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, an exhaust air duct is preferably attached to the heat exchanger 10 and must therefore be able to move with the heat exchanger. To be able to deflect forces acting in the z-direction, the exhaust air duct in these designs is preferably designed to be flexible in its lateral areas.

[0045] In contrast, the design according to the Fig. 1, in which the exhaust air duct forms an integral part of the support structure, does not have flexible side walls. This is because the heat exchanger is pivoted into the exhaust air duct when longitudinal forces are applied. This design of the air duct also allows for sealing the space in front of the heat exchanger from the space behind the heat exchanger by means of profiles arranged between the air duct and the heat exchanger, which together form a labyrinth seal (see Fig. 1).

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle-side holding device (12; 36.r; 44) of a heat exchanger (10) of a motor vehicle, which is designed to hold the heat exchanger (10) in the motor vehicle in a predetermined installation position, characterized by that the holding device (12; 36.r; 44) has a receptacle (14.l, 14.r) which is designed to rotatably mount a part of a liquid connection piece (18.l, 18.r) of the heat exchanger (10) as a pivot pin (26.l, 26.r) such that the heat exchanger (10) can avoid forces acting in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) by rotating about an axis of rotation (20) aligned transversely in the motor vehicle. [2] Holding device (12; 36.r; 44) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the holding device (12; 36.r; 44) has a first holding means (30.l, 30.r; 40; 46) which is designed, in cooperation with a second holding means (32.l, 32.r; 42; 48) which is a component of the heat exchanger (10), to only allow the rotation of the heat exchanger (10) when the force acting in the longitudinal direction (x) exceeds a structurally predetermined threshold value. [3] Holding device (12; 36.r; 44) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receptacle (14.l, 14.r) is designed to support the pivot pin (26.l, 26.r) downwards and to release the pivot pin (26.l, 26.r) upwards when a force acting upwards on the heat exchanger (10) exceeds a design-specified triggering threshold value. [4] Holding device (12; 36.r; 44) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the first holding means is a pin (30.l, 30.r) which is stiffer than the second holding means and that the second holding means is an elastically flexible profile (32.l, 32.r) which is less stiff than the first holding means and which engages around the pin (30.l, 30.r) in a holding position and which, when the force acting in the longitudinal direction (x) exceeds the threshold value, slides over the pin (30.l, 30.r) and thereby disengages from the holding position. [5] Holding device (12; 36.r; 44) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the first holding means is designed as a spring tab (38) which is elastically flexible transversely to the force acting in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x) and cooperates with a saddle (42) of the second holding means such that the first holding means is elastically deflected transversely to the longitudinal direction (x) when the heat exchanger (10) rotates under the action of the force acting in the longitudinal direction (x), and in the process disengages the heat exchanger (10). [6] Holding device (12; 36.r; 44) according to claim 2, characterized by in that the first holding means is a pin (46) which is designed to be encompassed by a receptacle (48) of the heat exchanger (10) as a second holding means, wherein the structurally predetermined threshold value is defined by a predetermined flexibility of the pin (46) with respect to the force acting on the heat exchanger (10) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x). [7] Holding device (12; 36.r; 44) according to claim 6, characterized bythat the pin (46) has a predetermined breaking point. [8] Holding device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it has a left part (12.l) with a left receptacle (14.l), a right part (12.r) with a right receptacle (14.r) and an air duct (16) connecting the left part (12.l) with the right part (12.r). [9] Heat exchanger (10) of a motor vehicle, which is designed to be held in a predetermined installation position in the motor vehicle by a motor vehicle-side holding device (12; 36.r; 44) characterized byin that the heat exchanger (10) has a part of a liquid connection piece (18.l, 18.r) designed as a pivot pin (26.l, 26.r), which is designed to be rotatably mounted by a receptacle (14.l, 14.r) of the holding device (12; 36.r; 44) in such a way that the heat exchanger (10) can deflect forces acting in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x) by rotating about a rotation axis (20) aligned transversely in the motor vehicle. [10] Heat exchanger (10) according to claim 9, characterized by in that the heat exchanger (10) has a second holding means (32.l, 32.r; 42; 48) which is designed, in cooperation with a first holding means (30.l, 30.r; 40; 46), which is a component of the holding device (12; 36.r; 44), to only allow the rotation of the heat exchanger (10) when the force acting in the longitudinal direction (x) exceeds a structurally predetermined threshold value. [11] Heat exchanger (10) according to claim 10, characterized bythat the second holding means is an elastically flexible profile (32.l, 32.r) which is less stiff than the first holding means, that the first holding means is a pin (30.l, 30.r) which is stiffer than the second holding means, and that the elastically flexible profile (32.l, 32.r) engages around the pin (30.l, 30.r) in a holding position and, when the force acting in the longitudinal direction (x) exceeds the threshold value, slides over the pin (30.l, 30.r) and in the process disengages from the holding position.

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