COOLING DEVICE FOR THE FRONT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling device for a vehicle front of a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle.

[0002] A truck drivetrain typically features a water-cooled engine (optionally air-cooled) with a fixed fan and a front-mounted radiator unit. In cab-over-engine trucks, the drivetrain is usually located below the cab, close to the front end of the frame, and above a front axle.

[0003] The cooling unit allows the coolant temperature to be cooled by means of a mass flow of cooling air drawn in by the fan wheel, which then flows through the cooling unit. Traditionally, the fan wheel is fixed to the engine and driven by a shaft directly or indirectly connected to the engine's crankshaft. Since the shaft is only supported within the engine block, the fan wheel is positioned close to the engine to minimize vibrations.

[0004] The gap between the fan wheel and the fan shroud should be kept as small as possible, yet large enough to compensate for drivetrain vibrations. A small gap prevents unwanted air from being sucked in again by the fan wheel. The internal combustion engine, with its fan wheel, is traditionally located directly behind the radiator unit.

[0005] DE 100 41 915 A1 discloses an alternative cooling system for a commercial vehicle. The cooling system, with a cooling fan unit consisting of a radiator and a cooling fan, for cooling a drive device, e.g., a diesel engine, has an aerodynamically optimized, electrically driven fan.

[0006] DE 10 2005 033 331 A1 discloses another vehicle radiator assembly with a cooling module and a fan shroud in a truck. The fan shroud is mounted fixedly to the vehicle's supporting frame. Another embodiment is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,186,693.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating an alternative and / or improved cooling device.

[0008] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

[0009] The cooling device for the front end of a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle (e.g., a truck, preferably a cab-over truck), comprises a fan wheel. The fan wheel is driveably connected to an output of an internal combustion engine (e.g., directly or indirectly to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine) and is rotatably mounted in a bearing (e.g., a plain bearing or roller bearing) fixed to the vehicle support frame.

[0010] Due to the fan wheel's fixed location on the vehicle's supporting frame, it is no longer necessary to install the fan wheel close to the engine, which is traditionally necessary due to the fan wheel's fixed location. The resulting positional changes for the fan wheel and the internal combustion engine can, among other things, improve drivetrain assembly, provide greater flexibility in utilizing available space, and improve cooling performance. In particular, an increased distance between the fan wheel and the front of the vehicle can, for example, enable an extended fan cowl, which can thus be designed more aerodynamically. This allows for better airflow through the outer corners of a cooling system.An additional vehicle cross member can be arranged between the internal combustion engine and the fan wheel, which can further stiffen the vehicle support frame and also serve as a fixed connection for the fan wheel mounting. Furthermore, the fixed arrangement of the fan wheel to the vehicle support frame decouples the fan wheel from the drive train vibrations of the internal combustion engine. This decoupling can make it possible to significantly reduce the annular gap between the fan wheel and a fan shroud compared to conventional designs. The reduced annular gap also has a positive effect on the efficiency of the cooling system.

[0011] In one embodiment, the fan wheel may have a drive shaft and / or be drivingly connected to a drive shaft that is drivingly connected to the output (e.g., driven by the output) and / or is rotatably mounted in the bearing fixed to the vehicle support frame.

[0012] According to the invention, the device further comprises a support frame component of a vehicle support frame, preferably a cross member support frame component, on or in which the bearing is arranged fixed to the vehicle support frame.

[0013] The supporting frame component can expediently be arranged between the fan wheel and the internal combustion engine and / or extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the support frame component is designed as a lattice frame made of rod elements or has a lattice frame made of rod elements. Alternatively or additionally, the support frame component is arranged behind the fan wheel and / or in front of the output in the direction of cooling air flow. The lattice frame enables a rigid yet lightweight support frame component.

[0015] For example, the supporting frame component can be part of a vehicle supporting frame that is designed entirely or at least partially as a lattice frame.

[0016] For practical purposes, the term "cooling air flow direction" may refer herein to a flow direction of the cooling air sucked in by the fan wheel.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the cooling device further comprises a flexible drive connection that connects the fan wheel (e.g., the drive shaft of the fan wheel) to the output. The flexible drive connection enables the fan wheel bearing to be mounted securely on the support frame and to be decoupled from drive train vibrations. This decoupling also allows for a reduction in the annular gap between a fan cover and the fan wheel.

[0018] In a further development, the flexible drive connection comprises a universal joint, preferably a constant velocity joint. Alternatively or additionally, the flexible drive connection comprises, for example, a flexible shaft. It is possible for the flexible drive connection to be designed to compensate for relative movements and / or an angular misalignment between the fan wheel and the output.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cooling device further comprises a cooler device (e.g., cooler unit or cooler package) for charge air and / or an engine coolant. Preferably, the cooler device can be arranged so that cooling air, which is drawn in by the fan wheel, can flow through it.

[0020] For example, the cooling device can be arranged directly behind a vehicle front mask and / or the front side of the motor vehicle.

[0021] It is also possible that a horizontal distance between the fan wheel and the cooling device is greater than or equal to 300 mm.

[0022] In a further development, the cooling device comprises a high-temperature cooler (e.g., engine coolant cooler for an engine coolant) and / or a low-temperature cooler (e.g., charge air cooler for charge air). Alternatively or additionally, the cooling device is arranged upstream of the fan wheel in the direction of cooling air flow.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the cooling device further comprises a fan shroud, which is arranged at least partially (e.g., substantially) in front of the fan impeller in the direction of cooling air flow. An overlap area may exist between the fan shroud and the fan impeller, at least for flow reasons. The fan shroud can enable aerodynamic airflow, in particular also flow through the cooling device in its outer corner regions.

[0024] In a further development, the annular gap between the fan cover and the fan impeller is less than or equal to 6 mm. In particular, the gap can be extremely small, with the only limiting factor being the tolerance of the connection structure.

[0025] In a further embodiment, a hood section of the fan cowl, preferably a lower hood section, is convexly curved inward. This can serve to create additional installation space for an additional supporting frame cross member, which can further stiffen the vehicle supporting frame, in particular a lightweight vehicle support arm. The convex curvature enables an increase in inherent rigidity while simultaneously providing aerodynamic airflow.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the fan cover has one or more stiffening elements, preferably stiffening ribs, on its outer peripheral surface. The stiffening elements serve to stiffen the fan cover, ensuring that it remains dimensionally stable during vibrations and shocks despite its thin wall structures.

[0027] For example, the fan cover can be made of fiber-reinforced plastic (e.g., continuous fiber-reinforced plastic). Other materials are also conceivable.

[0028] In a further development, the stiffening ribs are preferably arranged and / or geometrically designed such that a natural frequency of the fan cowl is changed in a direction away from an excitation frequency on the vehicle support frame side occurring during operation (e.g. an excitation frequency on the vehicle support frame side occurring normally and / or frequently and / or predominantly during operation of the motor vehicle).

[0029] In one embodiment, one or more of the stiffening elements are arranged at the top and / or bottom of the outer peripheral surface and / or extend substantially parallel to the cooling air flow direction.

[0030] In a further embodiment, at least one stiffening element is arranged at least partially (preferably completely) circumferentially around the outer circumferential surface and / or extends in a circumferential direction around the outer circumferential surface (for example partially or completely).

[0031] In one embodiment, the fan shroud is attached to the cooling system and / or fixed to the vehicle support frame. The modular connection and self-supporting structure have a positive impact on assembly and service. Connection to structures fixed to the vehicle support frame enables further potential benefits, such as vibration-resistant design. It is possible for the fan shroud to be arranged between the cooling system and / or a front vehicle air inlet and the fan impeller and / or to have a length in the direction of cooling air flow of greater than 200 mm, 250 mm, 300 mm, or 350 mm.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the fan cover has a flow-optimized curved inner contour.

[0033] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, preferably a truck, comprising an internal combustion engine and a cooling device as disclosed herein, wherein the fan wheel is drivingly connected to the output of the internal combustion engine.

[0034] In one embodiment, a horizontal distance between the fan wheel and a front side of the vehicle (for example, a front side of a vehicle front mask) of the motor vehicle is greater than or equal to 550 mm. Alternatively or additionally, a horizontal distance between the internal combustion engine and a front side of the vehicle is greater than or equal to 900 mm. Alternatively or additionally, a horizontal distance between the fan wheel and the internal combustion engine is greater than or equal to 350 mm. These minimum dimensions can, for example, enable the aerodynamic extension of the fan shroud, the arrangement of the fan wheel fixed to the vehicle support frame, the reduced annular gap and / or the arrangement of the vehicle support frame carrier between the fan wheel and the internal combustion engine.

[0035] It is also possible to use the device as disclosed herein, for example, for passenger cars or off-road vehicles.

[0036] The above-described preferred embodiments and features of the invention can be combined with one another as desired. Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cooling device according to the present disclosure; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the cooling device of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 a plan view of the cooling device of Figure 1 ; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of the cooling device along a line AA of Figure 3 .

[0037] The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least partially, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetition.

[0038] The Figures 1 to 4show a cooling device 10 for a vehicle front of a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, for example a truck. The cooling device 10 can be installed directly behind a vehicle front of the motor vehicle, i.e. a front mask of the motor vehicle, for example, below a driver's cab. A forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle is shown in the Figure 1 marked with an arrow V. It may also be possible to arrange the cooling device 10 at a different position, e.g. at the rear of a commercial vehicle, e.g. a bus, with a rear-mounted internal combustion engine.

[0039] It is pointed out that the cooling device disclosed herein can in particular enable position changes for the fan wheel and the internal combustion engine, which, among other things, enable improved mountability of the drive train, more flexibility with regard to the use of the available installation space and improved cooling performance.

[0040] The cooling device 10 has a fan wheel 12. The fan wheel 12 is designed as an axial fan wheel. The fan wheel 12 has a drive shaft 14 or is connected to the drive shaft 14. The fan wheel 12 is connected to the drive shaft 14 in a rotationally fixed manner. The drive shaft 14 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 16. The bearing (e.g., a plain bearing or roller bearing) 16 is arranged fixed to the vehicle support frame. Thus, the fan wheel 12 is not fixed to the engine as usual, but instead is fixed to the vehicle support frame.

[0041] The bearing 16 is installed, in particular, in a cross member support frame component 18, fixed to the frame. The cross member support frame component 18 forms part of the vehicle frame of the motor vehicle. The cross member support frame component 18 extends in a transverse direction of the motor vehicle. The cross member support frame component 18 can, for example, connect two external longitudinal member components (e.g., from a lattice frame). The cross member support frame component 18 is formed by a lattice frame made of interconnected rod elements (e.g., square tubes, round tubes, or any other profile, e.g., C-profile, omega profile, L-profile, etc.). The cross member support frame component 18 is arranged behind the fan wheel 12 with respect to a flow direction of the cooling air drawn in by the fan wheel 12.

[0042] The drive shaft 14 is drivingly connected to an output 22 of an internal combustion engine (not shown), e.g., a diesel, gasoline, or gas engine, of the motor vehicle via a flexible drive connection 20. The output 22 is fixed to the engine.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible drive connection 20 comprises a universal joint 24, in particular a constant velocity universal joint. The constant velocity universal joint enables a uniform drive of the fan wheel 12 despite an angular offset that can result, for example, from vibrations in the drive train. The universal joint 24 is drivingly connected to the drive shaft 14.

[0044] The flexible drive connection 20 enables compensation of relative movements between the engine-mounted output 22, on the one hand, and the drive shaft 14, which is fixed to the vehicle support frame, and the fan wheel 12, which is fixed to the vehicle support frame, on the other. In particular, a changing angular offset resulting from drive train vibrations can be compensated. Thus, torque can be transmitted between the output 22 and the drive shaft 14 despite the relative movements.

[0045] For example, it is also possible for the flexible drive connection 20 to have a flexible shaft or another flexible shaft connection to compensate for relative movements. A flexible coupling (not shown), for example a viscous coupling, can also be provided on the output 22 or the flexible drive connection 20, which can enable demand-controlled activation of the fan impeller 12.

[0046] The cooling device 10 further comprises a fan shroud 26 and a cooler assembly 28. The fan shroud 26 is mounted, for example, on the cooler assembly 28. The cooler assembly 28 can be attached to the vehicle support frame, for example, by means of lateral bearings (not shown) on the frame of the cooler assembly 28. The cooler assembly 28 can also be held, for example, by pendulum supports.

[0047] The cooling device 28 can, for example, comprise a high-temperature cooler 30 and / or a low-temperature cooler 32. For example, the cooler 30 can be connected for cooling engine coolant, and the cooler 32 can be connected for cooling charge air. The cooling device 28 is arranged directly behind a front mask of the motor vehicle.

[0048] The fan cover 26 is arranged between the cooling device 28 and the fan wheel 12. The fan cover 26 serves to guide the cooling air drawn in by the fan wheel 12. The fan cover 26 is longer than a conventional fan cover and can therefore be designed more aerodynamically. The length of the fan cover can be limited, for example, only by the inherent rigidity of the fan cover (construction, material) and the required tolerances to the fan wheel.

[0049] The fan cover 26 has stiffening elements 34 for reinforcement, e.g., in the form of stiffening ribs, in particular to prevent or at least reduce vibrations of the fan cover 26. The stiffening elements 34 are arranged, in particular, on an outer circumferential surface 36 of the fan cover 26. The stiffening elements 34 extend in a longitudinal direction of the fan cover 26, for example, at the top and bottom of the fan cover 26. A further stiffening element 34 is arranged as a circumferential ring around the outer circumferential surface 36.

[0050] An inner contour of the fan cover 26 is designed for aerodynamic efficiency. The inner contour of the fan cover 26 is convexly curved inward in a lower region. The convex bend 38 can initially extend radially inward and in the direction of cooling air flow up to a vertex, and from the vertex, extend radially outward and in the direction of cooling air flow. This convex bend 38 (see Figure 4 ) inwards can be advantageous for reasons of installation space and vehicle frame rigidity, since it can enable the arrangement of a further supporting frame cross member directly below the fan cover 26 and nevertheless ensures that the cooling device 28 is also flowed through in its corner areas.

[0051] The cooling air sucked in by the fan wheel 12 first flows through the cooling device 28 (here, for example, first the charge air cooler 32 and then the engine cooler 30), then the fan cover 26 and finally the fan wheel 12.

[0052] The fixed arrangement of the fan wheel 12 to the vehicle support frame allows for a change in the positioning of the fan wheel 12 and the internal combustion engine (not shown) relative to each other and relative to the front of the motor vehicle. In particular, it is no longer necessary for the fan wheel 12 to be installed close to the engine (conventionally required due to the fan wheel's fixed arrangement). The changed positioning can, among other things, enable improved assembly of the drive train, greater flexibility with regard to the use of available installation space, and improved cooling performance.

[0053] As in Figure 4As shown, a (horizontal) distance A1 between the fan wheel 12 and a vehicle front side (e.g., front side of a vehicle front mask) 40 (schematically shown) of the motor vehicle can be greater than or equal to 550 mm. A horizontal distance A2 between the internal combustion engine and a vehicle front side of the motor vehicle can be greater than or equal to 900 mm and / or a horizontal distance A3 between the fan wheel 12 and the internal combustion engine can be greater than or equal to 350 mm. Conventionally, both the fan wheel 12 and the internal combustion engine are positioned considerably closer to the vehicle front side.

[0054] The increased distance between the fan wheel 12 and the vehicle front 40 allows, for example, an extended fan shroud 26. The fan shroud 26 can thus be designed more aerodynamically. This allows for better airflow through the outer corners of the cooling device 28.

[0055] In addition, the arrangement of the fan wheel 12 fixed to the vehicle support frame results in a decoupling of the fan wheel 12 from the drive train vibrations of the internal combustion engine. This decoupling makes it possible to reduce the annular gap R (see Figure 4 ) between the fan impeller 12 and the fan cover 26 compared to conventional designs. The annular gap R can, for example, be less than or equal to 6 mm. The reduced annular gap R also has a positive effect on the efficiency of the cooling device 10. List of reference symbols

[0056] 10 Cooling device 12 Fan wheel 14 Drive shaft 16 Bearing 18 Cross member support frame component 20 Flexible drive connection 22 Output 24 Propshaft 26 Fan cover 28 Radiator device 30 Engine cooler 32 Charge air cooler 34 Reinforcing elements 36 Outer peripheral surface 38 Convex bend 40 Vehicle front end VForward direction of travel RAnnular gap A1Distance between front of vehicle and fan wheel A2Distance between front of vehicle and engine A3Distance between fan wheel and engine

Claims

1. A cooling device (10) for a vehicle front of a motor vehicle, preferably a utility vehicle, comprisingL a fan wheel (12) which is drivably connectable or connected to an output (22) of an internal combustion engine and is rotatably mounted in a vehicle support frame-fixed bearing (16), and a support frame component (18) of a vehicle support frame, preferably a cross member support frame component, in which the bearing (16) is arranged vehicle support frame-fixed.

2. The cooling device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fan wheel (12) comprises a drive shaft and / or is drivingly connected to a drive shaft which is drivingly connected to the drive and is mounted in the bearing (16).

3. The cooling device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the support frame component (18) is configured as a lattice frame of rod elements or comprises a lattice frame of rod elements; and / or the support frame component (18) is arranged downstream of the fan wheel (12) and / or upstream of the output (22) in the direction of cooling air flow.

4. The cooling device (10) according to one of the previous claims, further comprising: a flexible drive connector (20) drivingly connecting the fan wheel (12) to the output (22).

5. The cooling device (10) according to claim 4, wherein: the flexible drive connection (20) comprises a cardan shaft (24), preferably a constant velocity cardan shaft; and / or the flexible drive connection (20) comprises a flexible shaft; and / or the flexible drive connection (20) is configured to compensate for relative movements and / or an angular offset between the fan wheel (12) and the output (22).

6. The cooling device (10) according to one of the previous claims, further comprising: a cooling apparatus (28) for charge air and / or an engine coolant, arranged to be traversed by cooling air drawn in by the fan wheel (12).

7. The cooling device (10) according to claim 6, wherein: the cooling apparatus (28) comprises a high-temperature cooler (30) and / or a low-temperature cooler (32); and / or the cooling apparatus (28) is arranged upstream of the fan wheel (12) in the direction of cooling air flow.

8. The cooling device (10) according to one of the previous claims, further comprising: a fan cover (26) arranged at least partially in front of the fan wheel (12) in the cooling air flow direction.

9. The cooling device (10) according to claim 8, wherein: an annular gap (R) between the fan cover (26) and the fan wheel (12) is less than or equal to 6 mm; and / or a cover section of the fan cover (26), preferably a lower cover section, is convexly curved inwards.

10. The cooling device (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein: the fan cover (26) comprises one or more stiffening elements (34), preferably stiffening ribs, on its outer circumferential face (36), which are preferably arranged and / or geometrically configured such that a natural frequency of the fan cover (16) is changed in a direction away from a vehicle supporting frame side excitation frequency occurring during operation.

11. The cooling device (10) according to claim 10, wherein: one or more of the stiffening elements (34) are arranged at the top and / or bottom of the outer circumferential face (36) and / or extend substantially parallel to the cooling air flow direction; and / or at least one stiffening element (34) is arranged at least partially circumferentially around the outer circumferential face (36) and / or extends in a circumferential direction around the outer circumferential face (36).

12. The cooling device (10) according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: the fan cover (26) is fastened to the cooling apparatus (28) and / or arranged vehicle support frame-fixed; and / or the fan cover (26) is arranged between the cooling apparatus (28) and / or a vehicle front air inlet and the fan wheel (12) and / or comprises a length in the cooling air flow direction of greater than 200 mm, 250 mm, 300 mm or 350 mm; and / or the fan cover (26) comprises a flow-favourably curved inner contour.

13. A motor vehicle, preferably utility vehicle, preferably lorry, comprising an internal combustion engine; and a cooling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan wheel (12) is drivingly connected to the output (22) of the internal combustion engine.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein: a horizontal distance (A1) between the fan wheel (12) and a vehicle front side (40) of the motor vehicle is greater than or equal to 550 mm; and / or a horizontal distance (A2) between the internal combustion engine and a vehicle front side (40) of the motor vehicle is greater than or equal to 900 mm; and / or a horizontal distance (A3) between the fan wheel (12) and the internal combustion engine is greater than or equal to 350 mm.