Complementary ribs for added structural strength

A radiator tank for a radiator. The radiator tank includes a plurality of first reinforcement members spaced apart along a first sidewall. A plurality of second reinforcement members are spaced apart along a second sidewall. A plurality of third reinforcement members are spaced apart along an upper portion that extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. Both the first and the second reinforcement members are on one of an outer surface or an inner surface of the radiator tank. The third reinforcement members are on the other one of the outer surface or the inner surface. The first and the second reinforcement members terminate prior to reaching the upper portion, and the third reinforcement members terminate prior to reaching both the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to structural reinforcement ribs, such as ribs of a radiator tank, for added structural strength.

BACKGROUND

A radiator tank is repeatedly subject to large changes in pressure, which results in repeated expansion and contraction of the tank. This repeated expansion and contraction can damage the radiator tank, such as at an interface between the radiator tank and a radiator core. Typical radiator tanks are without structural reinforcements sufficient to reduce stress on the radiator tank caused by pressure changes therein, and do not include structural reinforcements that can be implemented in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

SUMMARY

The present teachings provide for a radiator tank for a radiator. The radiator tank includes a plurality of first reinforcement members spaced apart along a first sidewall. A plurality of second reinforcement members are spaced apart along a second sidewall. A plurality of third reinforcement members are spaced apart along an upper portion that extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. Both the first and the second reinforcement members are on one of an outer surface or an inner surface of the radiator tank. The third reinforcement members are on the other one of the outer surface or the inner surface. The first and the second reinforcement members terminate prior to reaching the upper portion, and the third reinforcement members terminate prior to reaching both the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

The present teachings also provide for a radiator tank for a radiator that includes a plurality of first reinforcement ribs spaced apart along a first sidewall. A plurality of second reinforcement ribs are spaced apart along a second sidewall. A plurality of third reinforcement ribs are spaced apart along an upper portion that extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The first reinforcement ribs and the second reinforcement ribs are on opposing inner surfaces of the first sidewall and the second sidewall respectively. The third reinforcement ribs are on an outer surface of the upper surface. The first and the second reinforcement ribs terminate prior to the upper portion. The third reinforcement ribs terminate prior to both the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

The present teachings further provide for a radiator tank that includes a first sidewall having a first inner surface. The first sidewall is configured to couple with a radiator plate of a radiator. A second sidewall includes a second inner surface. The second sidewall is configured to couple with the radiator plate. The second inner surface is opposite to the first inner surface. An upper portion extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The upper portion includes an outer surface. A plurality of spaced apart first reinforcement ribs extend along the first inner surface of the first sidewall generally perpendicular to the radiator plate. The first reinforcement ribs terminate prior to reaching the upper portion. A plurality of spaced apart second reinforcement ribs extend along the second inner surface of the second sidewall generally perpendicular to the radiator plate. The second reinforcement ribs terminate prior to reaching the upper portion. A plurality of third reinforcement ribs extend from the outer surface of the upper portion. The third reinforcement ribs terminate prior to reaching the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference toFIG. 1, a radiator tank according to the present teachings is illustrated at reference10. The radiator tank10is coupled to a radiator plate12. The radiator tank10generally includes a first sidewall14, a second sidewall16, and an upper portion18that extends from the first sidewall14to the second sidewall16. The first sidewall14, the second sidewall16, the upper portion18, and the radiator plate12generally define an interior cavity20of the radiator tank10. The interior cavity20is configured to house, for example, radiator coolant.

With continued reference toFIG. 1and additional reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the first sidewall14generally includes a first outer surface22and a first inner surface24, which is opposite to the first outer surface22. The first outer surface22and the first inner surface24extend generally parallel to one another along a length of the radiator tank10. Extending from the first sidewall14is a first flange26, which also extends generally along the length of the radiator tank10. The first flange26can be received within a first receptacle28of the radiator plate12, and secured within the first receptacle28to mount the radiator tank10to the radiator plate12.

The first sidewall14further includes a plurality of first reinforcement ribs30. The first reinforcement ribs30extend generally perpendicular to the radiator plate12and are spaced apart along the first sidewall14. The first reinforcement ribs30extend from an area proximate to the first flange26and terminate prior to reaching the upper portion18. As illustrated, the first reinforcement ribs30are protrusions extending from the first inner surface24. Alternatively, the first reinforcement ribs30may be provided at any other suitable location on the first sidewall14. For example, the first reinforcement ribs30may be provided on the first outer surface22. The first reinforcement ribs30may be any suitable reinforcement member that enhances the structural rigidity of the first sidewall14. Thus, one or more of the first reinforcement ribs30need not take the form of a rib. The first reinforcement ribs30can be unitarily molded with the radiator tank10, or can be separate components that are attached to the first sidewall14in any suitable manner, such as by welding.

The second sidewall16generally includes a second outer surface32and a second inner surface34. The second outer surface32is opposite to the second inner surface34. The second outer and inner surfaces32and34extend generally parallel to one another along the length of the radiator tank10. The second inner surface34faces the first inner surface24. Extending from the second sidewall16is a second flange36. The second flange36extends along a length of the second sidewall16and is configured to be received and secured within a second receptacle38of the radiator plate12in order to mount the radiator tank10to the radiator plate12.

The second sidewall16further includes second reinforcement ribs40. The second reinforcement ribs40are similar to the first reinforcement ribs30. The second reinforcement ribs40extend generally perpendicular to the radiator plate12and are spaced apart long the second sidewall16. The second reinforcement ribs40extend from an area proximate to the second flange36and terminate prior to reaching the upper portion18. As illustrated, the second reinforcement ribs40are protrusions extending from the second inner surface34. Alternatively, the second reinforcement ribs40may be provided at any other suitable location on the second sidewall16. For example, the second reinforcement ribs40may be provided on the second outer surface32. The second reinforcement ribs40may be any suitable reinforcement member that enhances the structural rigidity of the second sidewall16. Thus, one or more of the second reinforcement ribs40need not take the form of a rib. The second reinforcement ribs40can be unitarily molded with the radiator tank10, or can be separate components that are attached to the second sidewall16in any suitable manner, such as by welding.

The second reinforcement ribs40can be arranged such that most or all of the second reinforcement ribs40are aligned with the first reinforcement ribs30. Alternatively, the first reinforcement ribs30and the second reinforcement ribs40can be staggered with respect to one another such that the second reinforcement ribs40are not opposite to the first reinforcement ribs30, but rather opposite to spaces between the first reinforcement ribs30and thus interleaved with the first reinforcement ribs30.

The upper portion18includes a third outer surface42and a third inner surface44, which is generally opposite to the third outer surface42. The third outer surface42and the third inner surface44are both generally curved and generally extend along a length of the radiator tank10. The third inner surface44is opposite to the radiator plate12and is generally concave with respect to the radiator plate12. The third outer surface42is generally convex with respect to the radiator plate12.

The upper portion18further includes a plurality of third reinforcement ribs46extending from the third outer surface42. The third reinforcement ribs46are generally spaced apart along the length of the upper portion18, and each extend generally from the first sidewall14to the second sidewall16. The third reinforcement ribs46terminate generally at, or prior to reaching, each of the first sidewall14and the second sidewall16. The third reinforcement ribs46generally extend from a point opposite to where the first reinforcement ribs30terminate prior to reaching the upper portion18, to a point opposite to where the second reinforcement ribs40terminate prior to reaching the upper portion18.

The third reinforcement ribs46can alternatively be arranged on the third inner surface44. When the third reinforcement ribs46are on the third inner surface44, the first and the second reinforcement ribs30and40will be arranged on the first outer surface22and the second outer surface32respectively. The third reinforcement ribs46can be any suitable reinforcement member that enhances the structural rigidity of the upper portion18. Thus, one or more of the third reinforcement ribs46need not take the form of a rib. The third reinforcement ribs46can be unitarily molded with the radiator tank10, or can be separate components that are attached to the upper portion18in any suitable manner, such as by welding.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, the third reinforcement ribs46are generally aligned with each of the first reinforcement ribs30and the second reinforcement ribs40. Therefore, each one of the first reinforcement ribs30, the second reinforcement ribs40, and the third reinforcement ribs46, combine to generally provide a single reinforcement rib extending about the radiator tank10from about the first flange26to about the second flange36. With additional reference toFIG. 4, the third reinforcement ribs46may alternatively be arranged offset with respect to each of the first reinforcement ribs30and the second reinforcement ribs40. Arranging the first, second and, the third reinforcement ribs30,40, and46in either manner enhances the structural strength of the radiator tank10. Therefore, the radiator tank10can withstand large pressure changes within the interior cavity20without being damaged, particularly where the radiator tank10connects to the radiator plate12. Arranging the first, second, and the third reinforcement ribs30,40, and46in either manner permits the radiator tank10to be manufactured using a single die without additional slides, which provides for a more efficient and less costly manufacturing process.

The radiator tank10further defines a connection port50and a vehicle mount52. The connection port50is generally cylindrical and extends from the first outer surface22of the first sidewall14. The connection port50is configured to direct coolant to and from the radiator tank10. The vehicle mount52extends from the upper portion18of the third outer surface42.