Abstract:
A radiator frame ( 10 ) for a cooling module of an internal combustion engine, having a fastening element ( 100 ) for fastening the cooling module to/on/in a radiator of the internal combustion engine, the fastening element ( 100 ) having a retaining face ( 123 ), by which the cooling module ( 1 ) can be locked in a translational and optionally a rotational direction, and an individual fastening element ( 100 ) has at least two retaining faces ( 123 ) in such a way that said fastening element ( 100 ) can be seated on mating faces at/on/in the radiator.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a radiator frame for a cooling module of an internal combustion engine, having a fastening element for fastening the cooling module to/on/in a radiator of the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cooling module or a cooling device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a radiator frame according to the invention. 
     A motor vehicle which can be driven by an internal combustion engine has as a rule a water cooling system which guides a cooling water which is heated by the internal combustion engine through a radiator, the cooling water discharging its heat to a cooling air which flows through the radiator. At a standstill and/or at slow speeds of the motor vehicle, a heat build-up occurs in the radiator which is typically arranged in the frontal region of the motor vehicle. In order to avoid a heat build-up of this type, the radiator is as a rule assigned a cooling module which has a fan and serves to additionally convey the cooling air through the radiator. The fan which has a fan motor and a fan wheel is as a rule accommodated on/in a radiator frame behind the radiator in the direction of the vehicle interior of the motor vehicle, which radiator frame is in turn positioned and fastened with regard to the radiator. 
     The cooling module of the radiator as a rule has a single fan wheel or a plurality of fan wheels, a number, preferably corresponding to the former, of electric motors (fan motors), and the radiator frame. Furthermore, the radiator frame serves to guide the cooling air in as optimum a manner as possible for cooling the radiator and therefore the internal combustion engine and to secure a unit comprising the electric motor or motors and the fan wheel or wheels. A mechanical attachment of the radiator frame and therefore of the cooling module to the radiator or in the vicinity of the radiator of the motor vehicle usually takes place, depending on vehicle type, by means of from at least four to over six fastening elements. That is to say, in a mounted position of the cooling module, from at least four to over six bearing regions are usually formed between the cooling module and the radiator or the motor vehicle.—The fan wheel has a hub which is preferably produced from plastic, a driver which is preferably sintered, and fan blades which are connected, preferably integrally, to the hub on a radial inner side and, likewise preferably integrally, to a fan belt of the fan wheel on a radial outer side. The fan belt of the fan wheel mainly works as a fluid-mechanical seal with respect to the radiator frame. 
     The fastening elements of the radiator frame serve to suppress the degrees of freedom (translation and rotation in in each case three spatial directions) between the radiator and the radiator frame and therefore the cooling module, or of an attachment of the radiator frame or the cooling module to the motor vehicle. During operation of the motor vehicle, not inconsiderable forces act on the cooling module and therefore on the radiator frame. That is to say, depending on a shaking or vibratory load, different forces and/or moments which change over time act on the fastening elements of the radiator frame. Loads in a y-direction, that is to say a transverse direction of the motor vehicle, and therefore on a fastening element of the radiator frame which locks the cooling module in these directions at least in a single y-direction are to be considered critically, in particular; that is to say, in particular, therefore a fastening element of a locating or fixed bearing between the radiator frame and its mechanical attachment in the motor vehicle. A fracture of the fastening element can occur here. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to specify an improved radiator frame for a cooling module of an internal combustion engine and an improved cooling module or an improved cooling device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. Here, the radiator frame is to be improved mechanically, that is to say a premature mechanical failure of the radiator frame is to be prevented effectively; a mechanical durability of a fastening element of the radiator frame is to be improved. Here, a previous design of a radiator frame for a cooling module and/or its mechanical attachment in the motor vehicle are/is to be interfered with structurally as little as possible. Furthermore, the radiator frame according to the invention is to be improved in such a way that it can be mounted in an established interface on a radiator of the motor vehicle or in the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the radiator frame according to the invention is to be capable of being produced simply and inexpensively. 
     The object of the invention is achieved by means of a radiator frame for a cooling module of an internal combustion engine, having a fastening element for fastening the cooling module to/on/in a radiator of the internal combustion engine; and a cooling module or a cooling device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. 
     The radiator frame according to the invention having the fastening element according to the invention or a fastening element according to the invention for a radiator frame has a retaining face, by means of which the radiator frame or a cooling module which has the radiator frame can be locked in a translational and optionally a rotational direction, the individual fastening element having at least two retaining faces in such a way that said fastening element can be seated on preferably two mating faces at/on/in the radiator or on preferably two mating faces in the motor vehicle. The cooling module according to the invention and the cooling device according to the invention have a radiator frame according to the invention or a fastening element according to the invention. 
     The radiator frame according to the invention is considerably improved mechanically as a result of a homogenization according to the invention of a force on/into the fastening element according to the invention. Here, a bending moment (see below) which occurs in the prior art on the fastening element is reduced considerably or no longer exists, as a result of which the mechanical loading of the fastening element is reduced considerably. This is reduced again considerably by the second retaining face on/in the fastening element. That is to say, according to the invention, a premature mechanical failure of the radiator frame is prevented effectively; the fastening element is improved in such a way that a previous design of the radiator frame and/or its mechanical attachment in the motor vehicle has to be interfered with structurally by the invention as little as possible; the fastening element can be used in an established interface with the radiator or the motor vehicle and, moreover, the radiator frame according to the invention can be produced simply and inexpensively. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the at least two retaining faces of the fastening element are provided in such a way that a movement of the radiator frame in a transverse direction of the radiator frame or of the motor vehicle can be prevented by means of the retaining faces. Here, a respective surface vector of the at least two retaining faces can point mainly or substantially in a direction of an acceleration, in particular a transverse acceleration, of the radiator frame or of the motor vehicle. Here, two retaining faces of the individual fastening element can be configured so as to be separate from one another spatially or contiguous on the fastening element. Here, an individual retaining face can be configured mainly or substantially as a rectangle or in the manner of an ellipse segment, it being possible for the individual retaining face to be curved. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the longitudinal extents of two retaining faces of an individual fastening element extend in parallel and/or at an angle, in particular at a right angle, with respect to one another. Furthermore, the transverse extents of two retaining faces of an individual fastening element can be arranged in parallel, in particular on a straight line, or at an angle, in particular at a right angle, with respect to one another. Furthermore, two retaining faces of an individual fastening element can be arranged parallel to one another, in particular lying in one plane, or offset with respect to one another with regard to one plane. 
     The fastening element according to the invention can have at least two latching devices which are separate from one another or at least two latching devices which are connected to one another, which latching devices enclose or run around a shank of the fastening element at least partially in its circumferential direction. Furthermore, the shank of the fastening element according to the invention can have a head at its free end, which head has the at least two retaining faces at least on two sides so as to point away from the shank. Here, the at least two retaining faces of the head can be provided so as to lie opposite one another and/or so as to be adjacent to one another and preferably so as to face the radiator frame or the shank. Contiguous retaining faces form, in particular, an L-shape or a U-shape. If the retaining faces run completely around the shank, this can result, for example, in an outwardly square, rectangular, elliptical or circular shape. 
     In preferred embodiments of the invention, the at least two retaining faces of the fastening element are spaced apart from one another at least over a diameter of the shank. Furthermore, at least one retaining face of the fastening element can be provided so as to be adjacent, preferably directly adjacent, to the shaft and so as to lie laterally away from the latter, which preferably takes place at a right angle. According to the invention, the at least two holding faces or an entire retaining face of the fastening element can run around the shank at least partially and optionally in an interrupted manner, it being possible for a coverage in the circumferential direction of the shank to be from approximately 90° to approximately 360°. 
     In preferred embodiments of the invention, the fastening element is configured in one piece with the radiator frame, in particular in one piece in material terms and preferably integrally. Furthermore, the fastening element itself, in particular the fastening element for an individual bearing region of the radiator frame, can be configured in one piece, in particular in one piece in material terms and preferably integrally. In a case of this type, the fastening element is, for example, not slotted, which would make two resilient brackets out of the fastening element. Here, the shank of the fastening element, in particular of the individual fastening element for an individual bearing region of the radiator frame, is configured mainly or substantially as a solid profile. 
     The fastening element of the radiator frame for fastening the cooling module can be a fastening element for a locating bearing or a fixed bearing of the cooling module. Furthermore, the fastening element can be the only fastening element for locking the radiator frame in the transverse direction of the radiator frame or of the motor vehicle. For a mounted state of the radiator frame or of the cooling module, a retaining face can be capable of being seated mainly or substantially on a relevant mating face in a plane-parallel manner. Furthermore, it is preferred that the fastening element is configured as a retaining bracket, a fastening bracket or as a latching hook. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following text, the invention will be explained in greater detail using exemplary embodiments with reference to the appended drawing. In the figures of the drawing: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of a cooling module from the prior art which has two fan wheels for a radiator of an internal combustion engine, 
         FIG. 2  likewise shows a front view of a radiator frame from the prior art for a cooling module having a single fan wheel, 
         FIG. 3  once again shows a front view of a fastening element of a radiator frame from the prior art, 
         FIG. 4  shows a view, which is analogous to  FIG. 3 , of a first embodiment of a fastening element according to the invention of a radiator frame according to the invention, 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the fastening element according to the invention of the radiator frame according to the invention in a mounted position on a radiator of a motor vehicle, and 
         FIG. 6  likewise shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the fastening element according to the invention of the radiator frame according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following text, the invention will be explained in greater detail, starting from disadvantages of the prior art ( FIGS. 1 to 3 ). However, the invention is not restricted here to the exemplary embodiments which are shown or explained, but rather can be applied to all fastening elements  100  of a radiator frame  10  or of a frame basic body  10  or of a frame plenum  10 , as long as a fastening element  100  of this type has at least two retaining faces  123  which are configured so as to be either separate from one another spatially and/or contiguous, and in the process their respective longitudinal extents L or transverse extents Q do not coincide, which is the case, for example, in a retaining face  123  which is L-shaped or U-shaped overall—in the former case there are actually two retaining faces  123 ,  123  and in the latter case there are actually three retaining faces  123 ,  123 ,  123  (cf.  FIG. 4 ). 
     During operation of the motor vehicle, acceleration forces a (see  FIGS. 2 to 4 ) act on a cooling module  1  (see  FIG. 1 ) for a motor vehicle or a radiator  2  (see  FIG. 5 , a small detail) and therefore a radiator frame  10  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the cooling module  1 , which acceleration forces a can be up to 50 m/s 2  and which acceleration forces, for example in the case of a shaking load in the y-direction, are usually to be absorbed by means of a single fastening element  100 . Here, the y-direction corresponds to a transverse direction y of the motor vehicle, of the radiator  2 , of the cooling module  1  and of the radiator frame  10 . Here, high and, in many cases, impermissible forces on the fastening element  100  are produced, which can lead to a fracture of the fastening element  100 . The fracture of the fastening element  100  is to be attributed to a superimposition of a tensile and flexural load and a resulting overall stress on/in the fastening element  100 . 
     The tensile load on the fastening element  100  results from a force F from the acceleration a of the radiator frame  10  during operation of the motor vehicle on the only retaining face  123  of the fastening element  100  (see  FIG. 3 ). Since the force F can act only on one side of the fastening element  100 , that is to say asymmetrically, a flexural load is produced in addition to the tensile load, which flexural load leads to a mechanical moment on the fastening element  100 . The mechanical stresses from the tensile and flexural load are added, in particular, at an integral connection of the retaining face  123  to a shank  110  of the fastening element  100  and an integral connection between the fastening element  100  and the radiator frame  10  in a surrounding area with respect to the retaining face  123 . At said points, the fastening element  100  tends to become damaged, which damage can lead as far as to the fracture of said fastening element  100 . 
     The mechanical stress from the force F is a quotient of an active force F (see  FIG. 3 ) and a load-bearing cross section of a retaining face  123 . The greater a load-bearing cross section of the fastening element  100 , the smaller the resulting mechanical stress on/in the fastening element  100 . In order to reduce the mechanical stress on/in the fastening element  100 , the load-bearing cross section of the fastening element  100  is increased in such a way that the bending moment M is also preferably reduced here and disappears in a favorable case. According to the invention, this takes place in relation to a fastening element  100  according to  FIG. 3  in such a way that a second latching device  122  or a second retaining lug  122  or a second shoulder  122  is provided at a free end of the fastening element  100  or its shank  110  or its limb  110  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The invention therefore relates to a design or a layout of one or a plurality of fastening elements  100  of the radiator frame  10 . A fastening element  100  of this type can also be called, for example, a retaining bracket  100 , fastening bracket  100  or latching hook  100 . However, it does not have to be the case here that the load-bearing cross section of the fastening element  100  according to the invention is increased significantly with respect to the prior art; this can also remain identical, for example, that is to say a previous load-bearing cross section is distributed to two retaining faces  123 , the bending moment M disappearing, however, during operation of the motor vehicle. This can be sufficient in the case of certain pairings of cooling modules  1  and radiators  2 . 
     According to the invention, the force F which results from the acceleration a no longer acts on the fastening element  100  on one side, but rather, in the exemplary embodiments according to the invention which are shown ( FIGS. 4 to 6 ), is distributed to two or more sides of the fastening element  100 , as a result of which a resulting mechanical stress is avoided as a rule. Furthermore, the bending moment M disappears on account of the symmetrical load according to the invention of the fastening element  100 , and this therefore brings about an additional mechanical relief of the fastening element  100 . Furthermore, the interface is likewise loaded symmetrically or more symmetrically on the side of the motor vehicle and the radiator  2 . 
     In the following text, the embodiments of the invention which are shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6  will be explained in greater detail. In all the embodiments of the invention which are shown, the fastening element  100  is configured, in particular, integrally and laterally on the radiator frame  10  and preferably projects away from the latter in the y-direction. A protrusion in another direction, that is to say to the top/bottom or to the front/rear, and possibly an oblique protrusion are also of course possible. The fastening element  100  preferably extends away at a right angle from the radiator frame  10 . Here, a cross section of the shank  110  of the fastening element  100  is shaped in any desired manner, a square or a rectangular cross section being preferred, but it is also of course possible for a circular or elliptic and optionally a cross section composed from these shapes to be used. Here, the diameters of the shank  110  are preferably constant over its entire length as far as a head  120  at a free end of the shank  110 , the head  120  widening the shank  110 . The head  120  can also be configured, for example, as a projection  120  or foot  120 . 
     The head  120  of the fastening element  100  serves to latch the radiator frame  10  in an apparatus  2  (see  FIG. 5 ) for fastening or hooking the cooling module  1  in the motor vehicle or a radiator  2  of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, on its inner side which lies opposite the radiator frame  10 , the head  120  has at least two retaining faces  123  or locking faces  123  which are preferably arranged substantially parallel to a relevant side of the radiator frame  10 . The retaining faces  123  are part of the latching devices  122  or the retaining lugs  122  or the shoulders  122  which are formed on the head  120  of the fastening element  100  and substantially constitute the latter. Between the respective retaining face  123  which is formed as a projection on the shank  110  and the actual radiator frame  10 , the radiator frame  10  has a recess  124  which is firstly accessible from the outside and is secondly delimited by the retaining face  123 , the shank  110  and the actual radiator frame  10 . 
     A mechanical attachment of the apparatus  2  for fastening the cooling module  1  or a mechanical attachment of the radiator  2  can be received within the recess  124 , which mechanical attachment is configured, for example, in  FIG. 5  as a bracket which engages there. A hoop (not shown in the drawing) which reaches around the shank  110  and can optionally be closed can of course be used. In a mounted state of the cooling module  1  in the motor vehicle, the bracket, the hoop and/or some other projection of the apparatus  2  for fastening the cooling module  1  or the radiator  2  is then received in the at least two recesses  124  of the fastening element  100  and, optionally with a mechanical play, is clamped between a lateral boundary of the radiator frame  10  and the retaining faces  123  of the fastening element  100 . Here, in each case one mating face  223  for the relevant retaining face  123  is formed on the bracket, the hoop or the other kind of projection of the apparatus  2  for hooking in the cooling module  1  or the radiator  2 . 
     The at least two latching devices  122  or their retaining faces  123  are situated on at least two lateral regions of the shank  110  or are formed on at least two lateral regions of the fastening element  100 , that is to say the head  120  projects from the shank  110  at at least two regions. Here, the at least two latching devices  122  can be connected integrally or their retaining faces  123  can merge into one another, or the at least two latching devices  122  or their retaining faces  123  can be spaced apart from one another. Here, in the case of a round cross section, an individual lateral region covers from at least approximately 45° to over approximately 90° of a complete circumference of the shank  110 . In the case of a square or rectangular cross section of the shank  110 , the at least two latching devices  122  or their retaining faces  123  then extend analogously along two regions which in each case can be a section of a side. A region of this type is preferably exactly as long as a side of the cross section. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 4  shows a fastening element  100 , the head  120  of which has two retaining faces  123  which are arranged opposite one another and in each case face the radiator frame  10 . In the case of a typical and/or critical transverse acceleration a in the y-direction, the result in this embodiment, in comparison with a fastening element  100  from the prior art (see  FIG. 3 ), is a halved force on an individual retaining face  123  (see F/ 2  in  FIG. 4 ). Here, a mechanical stress from the tensile force F is likewise halved. Furthermore, no moment M occurs on the fastening element  100 , since the two forces F/ 2  in  FIG. 4  are introduced symmetrically into the fastening element  100  or its shank  110  and therefore also the radiator frame  10 . As a result, a mechanical stress from the moment M likewise disappears. 
     The second embodiment (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the fastening element  100  shows a fixed bearing or a locating bearing of the radiator frame  10  on the apparatus  2  for fastening or hooking in the cooling module  1  or the radiator  2 . In the mounted position of the radiator frame  10 , an inner side, facing the radiator frame  10 , of the head  120  of the fastening element  100 , which inner side has the two retaining faces  123 , is seated on two outer mating faces  223  of the apparatus  2  for fastening the cooling module  1  or the radiator  2 . Here, the head  120  is of plate-shaped configuration, the shank  110  (which cannot be seen in  FIG. 5 ) of the fastening element  100  engaging into an inner space, accessible from outside and situated between the mating faces  223 , on/in the apparatus  2  for fastening the cooling module  1  or the radiator  2 . 
     In order to further increase a rigidity or a load-bearing capability of the fastening element  100 , as great an overlap as possible can be aimed for between the fastening element  100  and an interface on the apparatus  2  for fastening or hooking in the cooling module  1  or the radiator  2 . That is to say, the retaining faces  123  which can be used for this purpose are to cover more than 180° here or are to be provided on the shank  110  on more than two sides. For instance, the embodiment of  FIG. 6  shows a fastening element  100 , by means of which an all-round overlap is possible between the fastening element  100  of the radiator frame  10  and the interface. That is to say, in the case of the square or rectangular cross section of the shank  110 , the four retaining faces  123  which are connected among one another are situated on all four sides so as to point away from the shank  110 . 
     As a result, the force F which results from the acceleration a is distributed to the circumferential retaining faces  123 , which results in a homogeneous loading of the fastening element  100 . That is to say, the entire fastening element  100  is load-bearing, and not only a part thereof. The interface which is configured so as to correspond to the fastening element  100  and to its circumferential retaining faces  123  is likewise mechanically loaded more homogeneously. The resulting stresses and strains on/in the fastening element  100  and on/in the interface are likewise smaller and therefore less critical.