Abstract:
Disclosed is a radiator which can simplify the structure, cut down weight and costs, and reduce assembly process by coupling a plurality of core portions to a single header and a single tank portion. Furthermore, by arranging the plurality of core portions in a front-rear direction, the structure is simplified and it becomes easier to secure an installation space, thus allowing the radiator according to the present invention to be applied to more cars. Furthermore, by configuring the tank portion so as to be partitioned by a pocket or the like, heat transfer between the cooling water cooling the internal combustion engine and the cooling water cooling the electric field system is blocked, thereby improving cooling efficiency much more.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0082461 on Aug. 22, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a radiator of an automobile, and more particularly, to a cooling system which efficiently cools an internal combustion engine and an electric side in a hybrid vehicle driven by an electric motor using a battery and an internal combustion engine using fuel such as gasoline. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle which obtains a driving force by combining an engine and a motor and simultaneously or selectively driving them. 
         [0006]    Here, electric parts including a driving motor generate heat when activated, and there is a need to install a cooling device for suppressing a temperature rise of the parts in order to keep input/output characteristics of the parts in their best conditions. 
         [0007]    Especially, a battery should be kept at an appropriate temperature in order to keep the overall charging and discharging efficiency in its best condition. Therefore, heat generated by charging and discharging the battery is cooled down by the cooling device to maintain an appropriate temperature. 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional cooling system for a hybrid vehicle. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  involves a well-known technology in Japan by Japan&#39;s Toyota Motor (JP 1998-259721A). A power source cooling device for a hybrid vehicle includes a first cooling water circulation passage  10  through which cooling water for cooling an internal combustion engine side flows, a second cooling water circulation passage  20  through which cooling water for cooling an electric motor side flows, a single radiator  30  which is installed with respect to the first cooling water circulation passage  10  and the second cooling water circulation passage  20 , and through which the cooling water  50  for cooling the internal combustion engine side and the cooling water  50  for cooling the electric motor side flow in the same direction, and a first cap  40 A installed on the first cooling water circulation passage  10  and a second cap  40 B installed on the second cooling water circulation passage  20 . 
         [0010]    The first cooling water circulation passage  10  sequentially connect an internal combustion engine  11 , the radiator  30 , and a water pump  12  along a cooling water flow direction. Water is added to fill cooling water after removing the first cap  40 A, and the first cap  40 A is mounted again on the radiator  30  after pouring water. 
         [0011]    The second cooling water circulation passage  20  sequentially connect an electric motor  21  for driving the wheels of the vehicle, an electric generator  22 , the radiator  30 , a cooling water storage tank  25 , an inverter  23  for converting direct current and alternating current, and a water pump  24  along the cooling water flow direction. 
         [0012]    Water is added to fill cooling water after removing the second cap  40 B, and the second cap  40 B is mounted again on the storage tank  25  after pouring water. 
         [0013]    A partition  34  for partitioning off the first cooling water circulation passage  10  and the second cooling water circulation passage  20  is installed on an upstream tank  31  and a downstream tank  32 , respectively. Due to this, a core portion  33 , too, is divided into a part  33 A in which the cooling water flowing through the first cooling water circulation passage flows and a part  33 B in which the cooling water flowing through the second cooling water circulation passage flows. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of another conventional cooling system for a hybrid vehicle. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  involves an internationally well-known technology disclosed in Modine Manufacturing Company&#39;s global patent application (U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,644). Briefly put, a vehicle employs a system which has first a single radiator  68  divided into first and second sections  60  and  62 , the first section  60  being isolated from fluid communication with the second section  62 , the first section  60  being in fluid communication with a first heat exchange circuit  64 , and the second section  62  being in fluid communication with a second heat exchange circuit  66 . Further, the first section  60  and the second section  62  are hydraulically isolated from each other. 
         [0016]    However, the aforementioned conventional technologies have a problem that heat transfer may occur from a radiator for an engine with a high temperature to a radiator for an electric field loading apparatus because the radiator of the electric field loading apparatus and the engine radiator are integrally formed. Owing to this, the cooling effect of the electric field loading apparatus is deteriorated, and hence the output and efficiency of the electric field loading apparatus is deteriorated due to a temperature rise of the electric field loading apparatus. 
         [0017]    Additionally, the conventional technologies have a problem that in the case of vehicles coming with large engine displacement and vehicle weight, such as large-sized SUV and RV vehicles, it is difficult to set a high-capacity heat exchanger due to vehicle package constraints, thus making it difficult to use an integrated-type heat exchanger having a top-bottom structure (top part for an internal combustion engine and bottom part for an electric field) or a left-right structure (left side for an internal combustion engine and right side for an electric field). 
         [0018]    The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Various aspects of the present invention are directed to provide a radiator of an automobile, which can efficiently exchange heat with an internal combustion engine and an electric field apparatus, can be easily arranged in an engine room because of its simple structure, and can cut down costs and weight. 
         [0020]    In an aspect of the present invention, the radiator of an automobile, may include a tank portion into which cooling water flows; and a plurality of core portions connected to the tank portion, and arranged in a front-rear direction of the automobile each other, wherein the plurality of core portions includes a core portion for an internal combustion engine in which cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine flows and a core portion for an electric field system in which cooling water for cooling the electric field system flows. 
         [0021]    The tank portion may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces by a partition such that the cooling water entered into the tank portion is supplied separately to the core portion for the internal combustion engine and the core portion for the electric field system, wherein the partition is provided with at least a communication hole to communicate the cooling water between the plurality of spaces for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0022]    The tank portion may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces, and a pocket for reducing heat transfer is arranged between the spaces, wherein the pocket is provided with communication holes to communicate the cooling water between the plurality of spaces for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0023]    The tank portion may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces by a partition. 
         [0024]    The plurality of core portions may be arranged to be spaced by a predetermined gap in the front-rear direction of the automobile. 
         [0025]    The core portion for the electric field system may be arranged more forwardly on a front part of the automobile than the core portion for the internal combustion engine. 
         [0026]    In another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of core portions may further include a core portion for an air conditioner system for cooling the air conditioner system, and the core portion for the internal combustion engine and the core portion for the air conditioner system are arranged to be spaced in the front-rear direction of the automobile wherein the tank portion is partitioned into a plurality of spaces by a partition to form a plurality of tank portions, wherein the partition is provided with at least a communication hole to communicate the cooling water between the plurality of spaces for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations, wherein a pocket for blocking heat transfer is arranged between the plurality of tank portions, and wherein the pocket is provided with communication holes to communicate the cooling water between the plurality of spaces for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0027]    In further another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of core portions may further include a core portion for an air conditioner system for cooling the air conditioner system, and the core portion for the electric field system and the core portion for the air conditioner system are arranged to be spaced in the front-rear direction, wherein the tank portion is partitioned into a plurality of spaces by a partition to form a plurality of tank portions, wherein the partition is provided with at least a communication hole to communicate the cooling water between the plurality of spaces for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations, wherein a pocket for blocking heat transfer is arranged between the plurality of tank portions, and wherein the pocket is provided with communication holes to communicate the cooling water between the plurality of spaces for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0028]    In another aspect of the present invention, the tank portion may be provided in plural form so as to correspond to the plurality of core portions, and the plurality of tank portions are arranged to be bonded to each other. 
         [0029]    In further another aspect of the present invention, the tank portion is provided in plural form so as to correspond to the plurality of core portions, and the radiator comprises a header connecting the tank portions and the core portions. 
         [0030]    The radiator according to various aspects of the present invention can simplify the structure, cut down weight and costs, and reduce assembly process by coupling a plurality of core portions to a single header and a single tank portion. 
         [0031]    Furthermore, by arranging the plurality of core portions in a front-rear direction, the structure is simplified and it becomes easier to secure an installation space, thus allowing the radiator according to the present invention to be applied to more cars. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, by configuring the tank portion so as to be partitioned by a pocket or the like, heat transfer between the cooling water cooling the internal combustion engine and the cooling water cooling the electric field system is blocked, thereby improving cooling efficiency much more. 
         [0033]    The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional cooling system for a hybrid vehicle. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of another conventional cooling system for a hybrid vehicle. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a front view showing a radiator of an automobile according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing part A-A of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing part B-B of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing a cooling system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing another radiator of an automobile according to second and third exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing yet another radiator of an automobile according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing a radiator of an automobile according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0043]    It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. 
         [0044]    In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]    Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0046]    Hereinafter, a radiator of an automobile according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is limited to a radiator of a hybrid automobile (hereinafter, referred to as “automobile”) which combines an internal combustion engine, such as an engine, and electric field parts, such as a motor, and drive them, and will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  is a front view showing a radiator of an automobile according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing part A-A of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing part B-B of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing a cooling system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the radiator of the automobile according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a tank portion  140  for temporarily storing cooling water, a header  150  coupled to the tank portion  140 , and a plurality of core portions  110  and  120  located in a front-rear direction, one side of which is installed on the header  150 . 
         [0049]    Here, the plurality of core portions  110  and  120  includes a core portion  110  for an internal combustion engine in which cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine side flows and a core portion  120  for an electric field system in which cooling water for cooling the electric field system side flows. 
         [0050]    The core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine and the core portion  120  for the electric field system may be arranged to be spaced by a predetermined gap in the front-rear direction, or may be arranged to be in contact with each other in the front-rear direction. The following description will be given of a case where the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine and the core portion  120  for the electric field system are arranged to be spaced by a predetermined gap in the front-rear direction. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , when viewed from a vehicle travel direction, it is preferable that the core portion  120  for the electric field system is arranged on the front part of the vehicle and the core portion  110  for the electric field system is arranged on the rear part of the vehicle. That is, the core portion  120  for the electric field system is arranged more forwardly on the front part of the vehicle than the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine. 
         [0052]    Since a temperature of the cooling water circulating through the core portion  120  for the electric field system is lower than a temperature of the cooling water circulating through the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine, it is preferable that the core portion  120  for the electric field system is arranged on the front part so that outside air passed through the core portion  120  for the electric field system passes through the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine. 
         [0053]    The core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine and the core portion  120  for the electric field system may be each include a plurality of tubes and radiating fins. 
         [0054]    The tank portion  140  is provided with a first cap  144   c  corresponding to the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine and a second cap  142   c  corresponding to the core portion  110  for the electric field system. 
         [0055]    The first cap  144   c  is opened when a cooling water pressure in the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine rises higher than a predetermined pressure, thus to allow the cooling water in the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine to flow to a tank portion  144  for the internal combustion engine. Also, the first cap  144   c  is opened when a cooling water pressure in the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine is lower than the predetermined pressure, thus to allow the cooling water in the tank portion  144  for the internal combustion engine to flow to the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine. 
         [0056]    The second cap  142   c  also performs a similar function to the first cap  144   c . However, a set pressure of the first cap  142   c  and a set pressure of the second cap  142   c  may not be equal. 
         [0057]    The tank portion  140  is formed to be opened at one side, and the header  150  is coupled to cover the open surface of the tank portion  140 . 
         [0058]    The header  150  is mounted on the open surface of the tank portion  140  to thus form a cooling water flowing space enclosed by the tank portion  140  and the header  150 . 
         [0059]    The core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine and the core portion  120  for the electric field system are installed to penetrate the header  150 . 
         [0060]    The core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine and the core portion  120  for the electric field system are separated from each other but both are installed together on the single tank portion  140  and the single header  150 . 
         [0061]    The tank portion  140  may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces, and a pocket  160  for reducing heat transfer between the spaces may be arranged between the spaces. The tank portion  140  can be partitioned into a plurality of spaces by a separate member, or can be partitioned into a plurality of spaces by the pocket  160 . The description set forth herein will be directed to the case in which the tank portion  140  is partitioned into a plurality of spaces by the pocket  160 . 
         [0062]    The cooling water in the tank portion  140  is separated with the pocket  160  interposed therebetween, thus flowing to the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine  110  and the core portion  120  for the electric field system, respectively. 
         [0063]    The tank portion  140  is divided into a tank portion  144  for the internal combustion engine and a tank portion  142  for the electric field system. 
         [0064]    The pocket  160  has a structure which includes two panels spaced apart by a predetermined gap and forms a layer with a small flow of cooling water or air between the two panels. 
         [0065]    Accordingly, the pocket  160  serves to divide the inside of the tank portion  140  into two spaces and reduce heat transfer between the cooling water entering the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine and the cooling water entering the core portion  120  for the electric field system. 
         [0066]    The pocket  160  may be provided with communication holes  160   a  for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the top part of the tank portion  142  for the electric field system is provided with an inlet port  142   a  into which high-temperature cooling water flows, and the bottom part thereof is provided with an outlet port  142   b  from which the cooling water cooled while circulating through the core portion  120  for the electric field system flows out. 
         [0068]    Further, the top part of the tank portion  144  for the internal combustion engine is provided with an inlet port  144   a  into which high-temperature cooling water flows, and the bottom part thereof is provided with an outlet port  144   b  from which the cooling water cooled while circulating through the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine flows out. 
         [0069]    An operation of the radiator of the automobile thus-constructed according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the case of a hybrid automobile, the radiator includes a cooling water circulation system  100  for an internal combustion engine in which cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine side flows and a cooling water system  200  for an electric field system in which cooling water for cooling the electric field system side flows. 
         [0071]    In the cooing water circulation system  100  for the internal combustion engine, when a driving pump  111  on the internal combustion engine side is activated, cooling water flows to the internal combustion engine by the activation of the driving pump  111  on the internal combustion engine side, is heated to a high temperature while passing through the internal combustion engine  12 , and then flows into the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine. 
         [0072]    The cooling water flown into the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine is cooled while circulating through the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine, and then is circulated again to the internal combustion engine  12 . 
         [0073]    On the other hand, in the cooling water circulation system  200  for the electric field system, when a driving pump  121  on the electric field system side is activated, cooling water sequentially passes through an inverter  122 , the tank portion  144  for the electric field system, and a motor  123  by the activation of the pump  121  for the electric field system, and then flows into the core portion  120  for the electric field system. 
         [0074]    The cooling water flown into the core portion  120  for the electric field system is cooled while circulating through the core portion  120  for the electric field system, and then is circulated again to the inverter  122  side. 
         [0075]    As described above, upon activation, the cooing water circulation system  100  for the internal combustion engine and the cooling water circulation system  200  for the electric field system are separately activated, but configured as a single radiator as the core portion  110  for the internal combustion engine and the core portion  120  for the electric field system are coupled by the tank portion  140  in terms of structure. 
         [0076]    Therefore, activation can be performed so as to conform to respective target temperatures of the cooling water of the first cooling water circulation system  100  ranging from about 110° C. to about 100° C. and the cooling water of the second cooling water circulation system  200  ranging from about 80° C. to about 60° C., for example. Thus, the cooling efficiency can be improved. 
         [0077]    In  FIG. 6 , reference numeral  80  denotes an automatic transmission cooling system, reference numeral  81  denotes an automatic transmitter, and reference numeral  82  denotes oil cooler water. 
         [0078]    While the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto and various modifications or other exemplary embodiment can be made within the equivalent scope of the present invention. Therefore, the true scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims. 
         [0079]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing another radiator of an automobile according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the radiator  130 ′ of the automobile according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a tank portion  140 ′ forming a flow passage and a plurality of core portions  110 ′ and  120 ′ located in a front-rear direction, one side of which is installed on the tank portion  140 . The plurality of core portions includes a core portion  120 ′ for a water cooling type air conditioner system in which cooling water for cooling the air conditioner system for cooling indoor air flows and a core portion  110 ′ for an internal combustion engine in which cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine flows. 
         [0081]    The core portion  110 ′ for the internal combustion engine and the core portion  120 ′ for the water cooling type air conditioner system  120 ′ are installed by inserting their one side into the single tank portion  140 ′. 
         [0082]    The tank portion  140 ′ is divided into a tank portion  144 ′ for the internal combustion engine to be connected to the core portion  110 ′ for the internal combustion engine and a tank portion  142 ′ for the air conditioner system to be connected to the core portion  120 ′ for the water cooling type air conditioner system. 
         [0083]    The core portion  120 ′ for the water cooling type air conditioner system and the core portion  110 ′ for the internal combustion engine are arranged at the front and rear of the tank portion  140 ′. 
         [0084]    A pocket  160 ′ for partitioning a space is installed at the central part of the tank portion  140 ′. A cross-section of the tank portion  140 ′ is formed in a closed curve, and the inside space thereof is partitioned into two spaces by the pocket  160 ′. The pocket  160 ′ may be provided with communication holes for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a radiator of an automobile according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the same construction and operation as the second exemplary embodiment except that the plurality of core portions  110 ′ and  120 ′ coupled to the tank portion  140 ′ includes a core portion  120 ′ for a water cooling type air conditioner system in which cooling water for cooing the air conditioner system for cooling indoor air flows and a core portion  110 ′ for an electric field system in which cooling water for cooling the electric field system flows. Thus, other detailed descriptions are omitted. 
         [0086]    The core portion  110 ′ for the electric field system and the core portion  120 ′ for the water cooling type air conditioner system  120 ′ are installed by inserting their one side into the single tank portion  140 ′. 
         [0087]    The tank portion  140 ′ is divided into a tank portion  144 ′ for the electric field system to be connected to the core portion  110 ′ for the electric field system and a tank portion  142 ′ for the air conditioner system to be connected to the core portion  120 ′ for the water cooling type air conditioner system. 
         [0088]    The core portion  120 ′ for the water cooling type air conditioner system and the core portion  110 ′ for the electric field system are arranged at the front and rear of the tank portion  140 ′. 
         [0089]    A pocket  160 ′ for partitioning a space is installed at the central part of the tank portion  140 ′. A cross-section of the tank portion  140 ′ is formed in a closed curve, and the inside space thereof is partitioned into two spaces by the pocket  160 ′. 
         [0090]    The pocket  160 ′ may be provided with communication holes for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0091]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing yet another radiator of an automobile according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the radiator of the automobile according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the same construction and operation as the first exemplary embodiment except that the tank portion  140 ″ is provided in plural form and the plurality of tank portions  140 ″ are coupled to each other and integrally formed by bonding means, such as welding or compression. Thus, detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0093]    Here, a tank portion  142 ″ for an electric field system of the tank portion  140 ″ is formed to be opened, and a tank portion  144 ″ for the internal combustion engine may be inserted so as to cover the open surface of the tank portion  142 ″ for the electric field system. 
         [0094]    A pocket  160 ″ for blocking heat transfer is formed on the tank portion  144 ″ for the internal combustion engine. The pocket  160 ″ may be provided with communication holes for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0095]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing a radiator of an automobile according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0096]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the radiator  200  of the automobile according to the fifth exemplary embodiment has the same construction and operation as the first exemplary embodiment except that the radiator  200  includes a tank portion  201  for temporarily storing cooling water, a header  202  coupled to the tank portion  201 , and a plurality of core portions  203  and  204  located in a front-rear direction, one side of which is installed on the header  202 , and the tank portion  201  is partitioned by a partition  210 . Thus, detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0097]    The partition  210  may be formed in a flat-plate shape, and may be provided with communication holes  210   a  for preventing damage caused by abrupt pressure fluctuations. 
         [0098]    The present invention involves an improvement of a radiator of an automobile which can increase heat efficiency by arranging an internal combustion engine and an electric field system, or an air conditioner system and an electric field system, or an air conditioner system and an internal combustion engine in a front-rear direction and installing them on a single tank portion. Especially, the present invention can be used for large-sized passenger vehicles such as SUV and RV vehicles. 
         [0099]    For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “front”, and “rear” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. 
         [0100]    The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.