Protective grille for a heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective grid (8) for a heat exchanger (6) with a number of parallel pipes (32), comprising a grid body (36) with a number of parallel protective struts (40) for protecting the pipes (32), and with a number of support struts (42) for mechanical stabilization, wherein the grid body (36) has at least one fastening element (38) for positive and / or non-positive fastening to the pipes (32) of the heat exchanger (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective grille for a heat exchanger with a number of parallel lines, in particular for a cooler or condenser of a fan module, comprising a grille body with a number of parallel horizontal struts for protecting the lines, and with a number of vertical struts for mechanical stabilization.

[0002] A motor vehicle typically has a component that needs to be cooled. For example, a combustion engine-powered vehicle typically has a combustion engine in the drivetrain that needs to be cooled. In an electrically powered or drivable vehicle (electric / hybrid vehicle), the electric motor and / or the vehicle battery, for example, are cooled, particularly during a charging process.

[0003] Since heat radiation and convection are generally insufficient to cool such a vehicle component, this cooling process is typically supported by a cooling airflow generated by the vehicle's airstream as the vehicle moves, as well as by a fan (radiator fan). The interposition of a cooling system in the form of a fluid cooling circuit is common, with a heat exchanger (radiator) exposed to the airflow and the fan. A mixture of water, antifreeze, and corrosion inhibitor is typically used as a coolant to maintain the operating temperature of the vehicle component and also to operate an air conditioning system.

[0004] The coolant, typically carried in tubes incorporated into the radiator core or cooler package, must in turn be cooled. Cooling air flows over cooling fins that exchange heat with the coolant. The tubes are usually aligned horizontally or vertically and serve as the main channels for heat transfer. Heat-conducting fins, thin metal plates, are arranged between these tubes to improve heat exchange between the coolant in the tubes and the surrounding air.

[0005] Since the airstream used as cooling air is normally insufficient for cooling, especially when the vehicle is stationary or traveling at low speeds, the radiator fan usually has a fan wheel, usually driven by an electric motor, which has an air conveying element in the form of a paddle wheel or propeller. Such a fan wheel is arranged so as to rotate within a fan wheel recess in the form of a through-opening in the fan shroud of the radiator fan. The fan wheel is typically arranged behind the radiator core or cooling package of the radiator in the direction of travel. With the help of the fan wheel of the radiator fan, also known as the fan module, the air is sucked through the radiator core and directed onto the vehicle component to be cooled.If, in addition to the cooling network, a condenser network of an air conditioning system is present, the condenser network is usually arranged in front of the cooling network in the direction of the wind (air flow direction).

[0006] A fan module used in such motor vehicles, which has a fan as well as a radiator and a condenser for an air conditioning circuit, is also referred to as a condenser radiator fan module (CRFM).

[0007] The heat exchanger (radiator and / or condenser) is usually located in the front end of the vehicle at a point through which cooling air flows and is therefore exposed to the risk of stone chipping while driving.

[0008] "Rockfall" refers here and below in particular to the phenomenon in which small stones, gravel, or similar particles are thrown up while a motor vehicle is moving and collide with vehicle components, such as the fan module. This can be caused by direct contact of the tires with the road surface or by being thrown up by vehicles ahead. The size of the thrown-up stones can vary greatly, from fine gravel to larger stones.

[0009] Such stone impact can damage the heat exchanger's pipes or lines and / or the fan's impeller. To protect the heat exchanger and / or the fan, stone impact guards are installed in front of the heat exchanger in the direction of travel. The dimensioning of the guard or mesh ensures that stones or particles entering do not exceed a certain maximum size. These guards are usually made of plastic or metal and are often attached to a tank (cooler tank, radiator tank). Due to their connection or attachment to the tank, such guards are comparatively space-consuming and cost-intensive.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a particularly suitable protective grille for a heat exchanger. In particular, a stone chip protection grille is to be provided that is as cost-effective and compact as possible. The invention is further based on the object of providing a particularly suitable fan module for a motor vehicle.

[0011] The object is achieved according to the invention with regard to the protective grille by the features of claim 1 and with regard to the fan module by the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. The advantages and embodiments cited with regard to the protective grille are also transferable mutatis mutandis to the fan module, and vice versa.

[0012] The protective grille according to the invention is designed in particular as a stone chip protection grille for a heat exchanger. The protective grille is thus intended and configured to protect the heat exchanger from stone chipping. The heat exchanger is, for example, a condenser or a radiator of a fan module for cooling a motor vehicle's internal combustion engine.

[0013] The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger package (heat exchanger core, heat exchanger block) with a heat exchanger network (cooling network, condenser network). The heat exchanger network comprises a number of parallel pipes or tubes for carrying a (heat exchanger) fluid. The pipes can be oriented vertically or horizontally. The heat exchanger network can also comprise heat-conducting fins to increase the heat exchange surface between the pipes and the air.

[0014] The protective grille has a grille body that can be attached to the heat exchanger or the heat exchanger network. When installed, the grille body preferably extends at least over a lower part of the heat exchanger with respect to gravity. In particular, the grille body extends over a large part or over the entire width (transverse to the longitudinal axis) of the heat exchanger. In particular, the grille structure should, on the one hand, protect the heat exchanger or its pipes from mechanical stress, in particular from stone chips. On the other hand, the grille body should have the lowest possible flow resistance so that the air flow to / over the heat exchanger is not significantly affected. For example, the grille body extends over at least 30%, in particular over at least 50%, of the area of the heat exchanger network facing in the direction of travel.

[0015] The lattice body has a lattice structure of intersecting protective struts and support struts.

[0016] The grid body or grid structure has a number of parallel protective struts to protect the pipelines. The protective struts are arranged parallel to the pipelines, which means that if the pipelines are arranged horizontally, the protective struts also run horizontally. When installed, the protective struts are positioned in front of the pipelines so that a head-on rockfall hits the protective struts and not the pipelines. The width of the protective struts is expediently greater than or equal to the width of the pipelines and / or slats arranged behind them. In particular, the width of the protective struts is essentially the same as the width of the pipes and slats so that they are fully protected from the front, and the grid body essentially does not increase the flow resistance.

[0017] The grid body or grid structure further comprises a number of parallel support struts oriented transversely or perpendicularly to the protective struts. The support struts are preferably designed as cross members integral with the protective struts. The support struts mechanically stabilize the grid body, thereby increasing, in particular, the torsional rigidity of the grid body. The width of the support struts is expediently dimensioned such that the grid body is sufficiently stable and the cooling air flow is impaired as little as possible.

[0018] According to the invention, the grille body has at least one fastening element for positive and / or non-positive attachment to the heat exchanger pipes. In contrast to the prior art, the protective grille according to the invention is thus intended and configured to be attached directly or immediately to the heat exchanger package or network. This makes connecting the protective grille to the heat exchanger more cost-effective, as less material is required. Furthermore, the protective grille is particularly compact in terms of installation space, as no connection to a heat exchanger tank is necessary.

[0019] The conjunction “and / or” is to be understood here and in the following in such a way that the features linked by this conjunction can be formed both together and as alternatives to one another.

[0020] A "positive connection" or a "positive connection" between at least two interconnected parts is understood here and below in particular to mean that the interconnected parts are held together at least in one direction by a direct interlocking of the contours of the parts themselves or by an indirect interlocking via an additional connecting part. The "blocking" of mutual movement in this direction is therefore due to the shape.

[0021] A "positive connection" or a "positive connection" between at least two interconnected parts is understood here and below in particular to mean that the interconnected parts are prevented from sliding against each other due to a frictional force acting between them. If a "connecting force" causing this frictional force (this means the force that presses the parts against each other, for example, a screw force or the force of gravity itself) is missing, the positive connection cannot be maintained and can therefore be released.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening element is designed to lock onto the pipes. In other words, the fastening element is intended and configured to lock directly or immediately onto one or more pipes. For this purpose, a locking connection is established between the grille-side fastening elements and corresponding mating contours on the pipes and / or slats at a predetermined position. This locking connection enables quick, effective, and, in particular, tool-free attachment of the protective grille. The locking connection is designed to be sufficiently robust to withstand the stresses caused by vehicle movement and external influences such as stone chips without accidentally coming loose.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening element is designed in particular for a clip or clip fastening to the pipes. In other words, the fastening element is intended and configured to be clipped directly or immediately to one or more pipes. For this purpose, a clip connection is created between the grille-side fastening elements and the pipes and / or fins. Similar to locking, clipping enables quick, effective, and particularly tool-free fastening of the protective grille. However, no special mating contours of the heat exchanger are necessary, so that the protective grille can in principle be attached to any heat exchanger package / network. The clip connection is designed to be sufficiently robust to withstand the stresses caused by vehicle movements and external influences such as stone chips without accidentally coming loose.

[0024] In a practical embodiment, the fastening element is integrally formed, i.e., monolithically, onto the grille body. This results in a reduced number of components and a cost-effective protective grille. Preferably, the grille body and the fastening element are designed as a single (plastic) injection-molded part, ensuring particularly simple production of the protective grille.

[0025] In one conceivable embodiment, the fastening element has two flexible joining legs (locking legs, clip legs), each with a free-end joining nose (locking nose, clip nose). The joining legs are spaced apart from one another and extend approximately perpendicularly upwards to the grid plane formed by the protective and support struts on the rear of the grid body. The joining legs and joining noses essentially form two locking or clip hooks for fastening. The joining legs can be moved towards one another for fastening and, in particular, engage in the space between two adjacent pipes for fastening. The joining noses lock, for example, with mating contours of the pipes or engage behind the pipes themselves by means of a clip fastening.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the joining legs are arranged in a V-shape in the relaxed, unbent state. In other words, the distance or clear width between the joining legs increases starting from the grid body. The joining legs are arranged in a widened manner. This means that the joining legs run inclined or slanted in the spaces between the pipes. This inclination or slant of the joining legs ensures that the joining lugs reliably engage with the mating contours or reliably engage behind the pipes. In particular, the V-shaped arrangement guarantees a particularly stable and vibration-resistant snap-in or clip-on fastening, as a restoring or clamping force is provided by the joining legs parallel to the support struts. This prevents the snap-in or clip-on connection from undesired loosening due to vibrations or shocks.

[0027] In a suitable further development, the fastening element is arranged in the area of a support strut. The fastening element is arranged, in particular, in the area of an intersection or grid point between the support strut and a protective strut, thereby achieving a particularly stable and secure mounting of the fastening element—and thus of the fastening effected or effectable thereby.

[0028] In one possible embodiment, the protective grille or grille body has a number of fastening elements, i.e., at least two fastening elements, preferably more than five. The number of fastening elements depends, for example, on the dimensions of the protective grille.

[0029] Preferably, the fastening elements are arranged in a specific pattern on the grid body. Two fastening elements are arranged alternately at the opposite ends of a support strut and one fastening element is arranged in the central region of a support strut, with the support struts with one or two fastening elements each separated by a support strut without a fastening element. This ensures a particularly stable and vibration-resistant fastening through the fastening elements.

[0030] In a lattice body with horizontal protective struts and vertical support struts, two fastening elements are provided alternately at an upper and lower end of the support strut in the direction of gravity and approximately centrally at half the height of the support strut, with a support strut free of fastening elements arranged in between.

[0031] The fan module according to the invention is intended and configured for a motor vehicle, in particular for an electric or hybrid vehicle. The fan module expediently comprises a fan and at least one heat exchanger, in particular a cooler (radiator) and / or a condenser for an air conditioning system. For example, the fan module is a condenser radiator fan module (CRFM). The fan module can comprise both a cooler and a condenser, or as a heat exchanger, only the cooler or only the condenser. The heat exchanger(s) is / are arranged fluidically upstream of the fan. The at least one heat exchanger has a number of parallel pipes, with a protective grille as described above being attached to the heat exchanger. This creates a particularly suitable fan module.In particular, a particularly compact and cost-effective fan module has been realized, in which the protective grille for stone chip protection is attached directly or immediately to the heat exchanger package / network itself, so that there is no need for a connection or attachment to a heat exchanger tank.

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 in an exploded view a fan module with a fan frame and with an electric motor driven fan as well as with a heat exchanger and with a protective grille, Fig. 2 front view of the heat exchanger with the protective grille, Fig. 3 rear view of the heat exchanger with the protective grille, Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a section of the heat exchanger and the protective grille in the area of a fastening element, and Fig. 5 A side view of the heat exchanger and the protective grille in the area of a fastening element.

[0033] Corresponding parts and sizes are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0034] In the Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a fan module 2. The fan module 2 comprises a (radiator) fan 4 and a radiator and / or a condenser as a heat exchanger 6. A protective grille 8 for protection against stone chips (stone chip protection grille) is attached to the heat exchanger 6.

[0035] According to the exemplary embodiment presented here, the fan module 2 is designed as a CRFM. The fan module 2 is intended and configured to have both a cooler and a condenser as heat exchanger 6. Such a CRFM can also have only the cooler or the condenser as heat exchanger 6. The other heat exchanger 6 is then mounted as the fan module 2 during final assembly of the CRFM. The fan module 2 is intended and configured in particular for an electric or hybrid vehicle.

[0036] The fan module 2 comprises a fan shroud 10 for the fan 4 or for the respective heat exchanger 6. The box- or frame-like fan shroud 10 in the exemplary embodiment is rectangular with an upper transverse or frame strut and a parallel lower transverse or frame strut, as well as lateral longitudinal struts. The transverse struts of the box-like fan shroud 10 in the exemplary embodiment are oriented in the vehicle's transverse direction (Y direction in the vehicle coordinate system), and the parallel longitudinal struts are inclined in the direction of the vehicle height (Z direction in the vehicle coordinate system) or the vehicle's longitudinal direction (X direction in the vehicle coordinate system).

[0037] The fan shroud 10 has a circular fan wheel recess 12 between the struts, in the center of which is provided a motor mount 16 held by struts 14. An electric motor 18 is arranged within this recess, which drives a fan wheel 20 with sickled fan blades (fan vanes) 22, which are connected at the blade ends by an outer ring 24. The fan axis (rotation axis) A of the fan 4 can run parallel to or at an angle to the vehicle's longitudinal direction (X direction in the vehicle coordinate system).

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment, the fan module 2, when installed within the vehicle, is arranged rotated or tilted about an axis running transversely to the fan axis A or in the Y direction. The fan axis A is oriented to the X direction at an angle of, for example, (45 ± 5)°.

[0039] The heat exchanger 6 comprises a heat exchanger package 26 with a heat exchanger network 28 and with line connections 30. The heat exchanger network 28 comprises a number of parallel pipes 32 ( Fig. 2) for conducting a (heat exchanger) fluid, wherein the line connections 30 are designed as inlets and outlets for the channel system of pipes 32. The pipes 32 are provided with reference numerals in the figures merely as examples.

[0040] The pipes 32 are oriented vertically in this embodiment. The heat exchanger network 28 also has heat-conducting fins 34 ( Fig. 4) which are arranged on the pipes 32 to increase a heat exchange surface.

[0041] In the intended installation situation, the fan module 2 is installed in a front area of a motor vehicle to cool a vehicle component, in particular an internal combustion engine or a vehicle battery. For this purpose, the fan module 2 is arranged in a flow path of the motor vehicle that is aligned essentially parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. When driving and / or during operation of the fan module 2, an air flow flows through the heat exchanger 6, with the protective grille 8 protecting the heat exchanger 6 from stone chipping.

[0042] The structure of the protective grille 8 is shown below using the Fig. 2 to 5 are explained in more detail.

[0043] As can be seen particularly in the top views of the Fig. 2 (front) and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3 (rear side), the protective grille 8 has a grille body 36, which extends relative to the lower part of the heat exchanger 6 or heat exchanger network 28, relative to the force of gravity. The grille body 36, designed as an injection-molded part, extends over the entire width (along the Y-direction) of the heat exchanger 6 or heat exchanger network 28.

[0044] The grid body 36 is directly or immediately secured by integrally formed fastening elements 38 ( Fig. 4) is joined to the heat exchanger network 28. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the grid body 36 is positively and / or non-positively secured to the heat exchanger network 28 at eight fastening points, each by means of a fastening element 38 of this type. Preferably, the protective grid 8 or the grid body 36 is secured to the heat exchanger 6 only by means of the fastening elements 38.

[0045] The grid body 36 has a grid structure of intersecting protective struts 40 and support struts 42. The protective struts 40 and support struts 42 are provided with reference numerals in the figures merely as examples.

[0046] The grid body 36 or the grid structure has a number of parallel protective struts 40, which are arranged in alignment in the X-direction in front of the pipelines 32 to protect them. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the protective struts 40 are positioned in the assembled state frontally in front of the pipes 32, so that an incoming stone impact strikes the protective struts 40 and not the pipes 32. The protective struts 40 extend in the transverse direction (Y) substantially over the entire length of the respective pipes 32, and have a width in the vertical direction (Z) which approximately corresponds to the width of the pipes 32.

[0047] The grid body 36 or the grid structure further comprises a number of parallel support struts 42, which are oriented transversely or perpendicularly to the protective struts 40. In the embodiment shown, the protective struts 40 are arranged horizontally and the support struts 42 are arranged vertically.

[0048] The support struts 42 are designed as cross members integral with the protective struts 40. The width of the support struts 42 (in the Y direction) is expediently dimensioned such that the grille body 36 is sufficiently stable and the air flow flowing through the heat exchanger 6 is impaired as little as possible.

[0049] The fastening points or fastening elements 38 are each arranged in the region of a support strut 42. The fastening elements 38 are arranged in particular in the region of an intersection or grid point between the support strut 42 and a protective strut 40.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening elements 38 are arranged in a pattern on the grid body 36. Two fastening elements 38 are arranged alternately at the opposite ends of a support strut 42 and one fastening element 38 is arranged in the central region of a support strut 42, wherein the support struts 42 with one or two fastening elements 38 are each separated by a support strut 42 without a fastening element.

[0051] The fastening elements 38, which are formed integrally on the grid body 36, are each designed for locking, in particular for clipping, with the pipes 32. The following is based on the illustrations of the Fig. 4 and the Fig. 5 the structure of a fastening element 38 is explained by way of example.

[0052] As particularly in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the support strut 42 is widened in the region of the fastening element 38. The section of the support strut 42, also referred to below as the fastening region 44, extends over the height of three spaced-apart pipes 32. In other words, the fastening region 44 has a dimension in the Z direction that corresponds to the combined width of three pipes 32 and two intermediate spaces arranged therebetween. The fastening region 44 is approximately three times as wide as the support strut 42.

[0053] Two approximately vertically projecting locking or clip hooks, each with a flexible joining leg (locking leg, clip leg) 46 and with a joining nose (locking nose, clip nose) 48 arranged on the free end thereof, are formed onto the rear side of the fastening area 44.

[0054] When joined or fastened, each joining leg 46 engages in one of the spaces between three adjacent pipes 32, so that the middle pipe 32 is encompassed on both sides by the joining legs 46 and is seated between them. The joining lugs 48 are clipped to the two outer pipes 32 at the rear of the heat exchanger network 28. In other words, the joining lugs 48 engage behind the outer pipes 32 in sections.

[0055] As particularly in the opinion of the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the joining legs 46 are arranged approximately in a V-shape relative to one another. Starting from the fastening area 44, the joining legs 46 are thus spread or widened, so that the joining legs 46 are arranged obliquely in the respective intermediate space.

[0056] For assembly, the protective grille 8 is placed from the front onto the lower part of the heat exchanger network 28. The outer sides of the joining lugs 48 slide along the fronts of the pipes 32, causing the joining legs 46 to be bent inward so that the joining lugs 48 can be guided through the respective gap. As soon as the joining lugs 48 have passed the pipes 32, the joining legs 46 move back to their approximately V-shaped starting position, so that the joining lugs 48 are pivoted toward the outer pipes 32 and thus engage behind them in a form-fitting manner.

[0057] The claimed invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art within the scope of the disclosed claims without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the various exemplary embodiments can also be combined in other ways within the scope of the disclosed claims without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention. List of reference symbols 2 fan module 4 fans 6 heat exchangers 8 protective grilles 10 fan shroud 12 Fan wheel recess 14 Strut 16 Module holder 18 electric motor 20 Fan wheel 22 fan blades 24 Outer ring 26 Heat exchanger package 28 heat exchanger network 30 cable connections 32 pipeline 34 slats 36 lattice bodies 38 Fastening element 40 protective strut 42 support strut 44 Mounting area 46 joining legs 48 joint nose A axis of rotation X Vehicle longitudinal direction Y vehicle transverse direction Z Vehicle height direction

Claims

[1] Protective grid (8) for a heat exchanger (6) with a number of parallel pipes (32), comprising a grid body (36) with a number of parallel protective struts (40) for protecting the pipes (32), and with a number of support struts (42) for mechanical stabilization, wherein the grid body (36) has at least one fastening element (38) for positive and / or non-positive fastening to the pipes (32) of the heat exchanger (6). [2] Protective grille (8) according to claim 1, characterized by that the fastening element (38) is designed for locking with the pipes (32). [3] Protective grille (8) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the fastening element (38) is designed for clip fastening to the pipes (32). [4] Protective grille (8) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the fastening element (38) is formed integrally with the grid body (36). [5] Protective grille (8) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the grid body (36) and the fastening element (38) are designed as a common injection-molded part. [6] Protective grille (8) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the fastening element (38) has two flexible joining legs (46), each with a free-end joining nose (48). [7] Protective grille (8) according to claim 6, characterized by that the joining legs (46) are arranged in a V-shape. [8] Protective grille (8) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the fastening element (38) is arranged in the region of a support strut (42). [9] Protective grille (8) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the grid body (36) has a number of fastening elements (38). [10] Fan module (2) for a motor vehicle, comprising a fan (4) and a heat exchanger (6) arranged fluidically upstream thereof with a number of parallel pipes (32), wherein a protective grille (8) according to one of claims 1 to 9 is fastened to the heat exchanger (6).

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