Abstract:
An assembly ( 10 ) of a component ( 12 ) of a vehicle air conditioning system to a support structure ( 14 ) comprises connection means ( 30 ) for connecting a first connection end ( 18 ) of the component ( 12 ) and a first connection end ( 24 ) of the support structure ( 14 ). According to an important aspect of the invention, the connection means ( 30 ) is slideably mounted on either the first connection end ( 18 ) of the component ( 12 ) or the first connection end ( 24 ) of the support structure ( 14 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an assembly of a component of a vehicle air conditioning system to a support structure, and more particularly to an assembly of a condenser to a radiator.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    A condenser of a vehicle air conditioning system comprises two condenser tanks with flow tubes arranged therebetween. Similarly, a radiator comprises two radiator tanks with flow tubes arranged therebetween. Such a condenser is mounted in a generally parallel plane in front of a radiator by fitting the condenser tanks to the radiator tanks.  
           [0003]    In a typical prior art assembly, the condenser tank comprises upper and lower wing tabs at its upper and lower edges. These wing tabs are provided with mounting holes, through which fasteners, such as screws, are inserted in order to attach the wing tabs to a bracket mounted on the radiator tank. The installation process for the condenser hence comprises fitting the brackets to the radiator tanks, fitting the wing tabs to the condenser tanks, aligning the condenser such that the mounting holes of the wing tabs align with corresponding holes in the brackets. Fasteners, such as screws are inserted through the upper wing tabs in order to initially retain the condenser in its position. Screws are then inserted through the lower wing tabs and tightened. Finally the screws through the upper wing tabs are tightened in order to complete the assembly.  
           [0004]    It is clear that such an installation process is a relatively tedious and time-consuming process. Furthermore, the brackets, wing tabs and screws add to the weight of the condenser-radiator assembly and hence to the overall weight of the vehicle. More importantly however, the above-mentioned assembly is not able to accommodate for manufacturing tolerances of the radiator and/or the condenser. Manufacturing tolerances on manufactured parts, such as condensers and radiators, are quite common and can usually not be avoided. If the mounting holes cannot be aligned, then either the condenser must be matched with another radiator or reworked. This is a very tedious and time-consuming job and should be avoided.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The object of the present invention is hence to provide an assembly of a component of a vehicle air conditioning system to a support structure, wherein the assembly is able to accommodate for manufacturing tolerances.  
           [0006]    In order to overcome the abovementioned problems, the present invention proposes an assembly of a component of a vehicle air conditioning system to a support structure, comprising connection means for connecting a first connection end of the component and a first connection end of the support structure. According to an important aspect of the invention, the connection means is slideably mounted on either the first connection end of the component or the first connection end of the support structure.  
           [0007]    The connection means secures the first connection end of the component to the first connection end of the support structure. However, as the connection means is slidably mounted, it provides means for compensating manufacturing tolerances of either or both the component and the support structure. The manufacturing precision hence plays a less important role. No time is lost during the assembly by having to try and compensate for manufacturing tolerances or by having to try and find a component that matches the supporting structure. Furthermore, the slideable clip allows the component to contract or expand freely with respect to the support structure.  
           [0008]    The connection means can be slideably mounted on the first connection end of the component. Preferably however, the connection means is slideably mounted on the first connection end of the support structure.  
           [0009]    The first connection end of the support structure preferably comprises a guide for slideably receiving the connection means therein. This allows to simplify the assembly of the component to the support structure. The connection means is engaged in the guide and slideably maintained therein. The first connection end of the component is then engaged in the connection means and is slideably connected to the first connection end of the support structure.  
           [0010]    The connection means can e.g. comprise a widened base portion and the guide can comprise a channel for receiving the widened base portion therein.  
           [0011]    Advantageously, the connection means are clip means comprising a clip arm reaching over the first connection end of the component. The first connection end of the component can engage in such clip means and can thereby be secured to the first connection end of the support structure.  
           [0012]    The guide is preferably integrally formed with the first connection end of the support structure.  
           [0013]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the first connection end of the component and the first connection end of the support structure are elongate first connection ends, wherein the assembly comprises one or more connection means for connecting the first connection end of the component and the first connection end of the support structure. By providing more than one connection means along elongate connection ends, a more rigid assembly is obtained. There could e.g. be one connection means at each end portion of such elongate connection ends.  
           [0014]    Advantageously, the component comprises an elongate second connection end and the support structure comprises an elongate second connection end, wherein the assembly comprises further connection means for connecting the second connection end of the component to the second connection end of the support structure.  
           [0015]    The further connection means can be any means like e.g. screw means, or clip means. Preferably however, the second connection end of the component comprises a first connection element and the second connection end of the support structure comprises a second connection element. Either the first connection element or the second connection element comprises a recess therein for receiving the other connection element, and a lateral opening for allowing lateral introduction of the other connection element into the recess. The other connection element comprises a form having a section adapted to be received in the recess, the section having a dimension in a first direction which is smaller than the width of the lateral opening and the section having a dimension in a second direction which is larger than the width of the lateral opening, such that, in a first position, the other connection element can be introduced into the recess through the lateral opening and that, after rotation into a second position of the other connection element within the recess, an interference fit connection is achieved between the first connection element and the second connection element. Such an assembly allows an easy and quick connection of a component to a support structure. Furthermore, apart form the first connection element and the second connection element, there are no additional parts needed, there is hence an overall weight reduction of the assembly.  
           [0016]    The recess can be formed in the first connection element, in which case, the second connection element is adapted to be received in the recess. Preferably however, the recess is formed in the second connection element, in which case, the first connection element is adapted to be received in the recess. In order to fix the component to the support structure, the first connection element is introduced into the recess of the second connection element through the lateral opening. The first connection element is then rotated from a first rotational position —the introduction position—to a second rotational position, in which an interference fit connection between the first and second connection elements is achieved. The component is hence securely connected to the support structure. The connection is achieved simply by rotation of the first connection element in the second connection element; i.e. no screws or other fastening means are necessary.  
           [0017]    Preferably, the section of the second connection element is generally the same as the section of the recess, the section of the second connection element comprising a deformation in order to obtain the dimension in the first direction. The second connection element hence snugly fits in the recess, whereby a strong assembly is obtained. The deformation ensures that the second connection element can be introduced through the lateral opening of the first connection element into the recess.  
           [0018]    The recess, and preferably also the second connection element can be of generally circular cross-section. In such a case, the outer diameter of the second connection element is advantageously substantially equal to the inner diameter of the recess. The deformation of the second connection element can e.g. be a local flattening of the cross-section or a cut-out.  
           [0019]    Preferably, the connection means and/or the further connection means are made of synthetic material, which allows for an easy manufacture of the first and second connection ends with integrated connection means. The first and second connection ends can e.g. be formed by moulding processes. The first connection element of the further connection means is preferably integrally formed with the second connection end of the component. The second connection element of the further connection means is preferably integrally formed with the second connection end of the support structure. The assembly is thereby simplified, as no connection elements need to be fixed to the connection ends. Assembly time is thereby also reduced.  
           [0020]    The support structure is preferably a vehicle radiator.  
           [0021]    The component of a vehicle air conditioning system can e.g. be a condenser, a fan shroud, a charge air cooler or an air-oil cooler.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TO THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    The present invention will be more apparent from the following description of a not limiting embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, wherein  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 shows a section view through an assembly of a condenser to a radiator according to the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 shows a section view through the second condenser tank and the second radiator tank of FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 2;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the second radiator tank of FIG. 2; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 shows a section view through the first condenser tank and the first radiator tank of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 shows an assembly  10  of a condenser  12  to a radiator  14 . The condenser  12  comprises a first condenser tank  16  and a second condenser tank  18 , with flow tubes  20  arranged therebetween. The radiator  14  comprises a first radiator tank  22  and a second radiator tank  24 , with flow tubes  26  arranged therebetween.  
         [0029]    The first radiator tank  22  comprises a bracket  28  for engaging the first condenser tank  16 . The connection between the first radiator tank  22  and the first condenser tank  16  will be more closely described later. After the first condenser tank  16  has been connected to the first radiator tank  22 , the second condenser tank  18  is connected to the second radiator tank  24  in order to complete the assembly  10 . The connection between the second radiator tank  24  and the second condenser tank  18  will now be more closely described by referring to FIG. 2, which shows a section view through the second connection end of the radiator-condenser assembly  10 .  
         [0030]    According to the invention, the second condenser tank  18  is connected to the second radiator tank  24  via slideable connection means  30 . Preferably, the slideable connection means  30  is a slideable clip  32 . The clip  32  and an end portion of the second radiator tank  24  can also be seen in perspective view on FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.  
         [0031]    The clip  32  comprises a base portion  34 , which is received in a guide  36  for sliding therein. The clip  32  comprises a clip arm  38  reaching over the second condenser tank  18  and maintaining the latter against the second radiator tank  24 . In order to facilitate the sliding of the clip arm  38  over the second condenser tank  18 , the front end  40  of the arm clip  38  is bent upwards.  
         [0032]    The guide  36  is integrally formed with the second connection end  24  and comprises two guide parts  42 ,  44 . The latter are arranged such that there is an opening therebetween for receiving the clip  32 . The guide parts  42 ,  44  further comprise a channel  46 ,  48  for receiving the widened base portion  34  of the clip  32 . When fitted, the clip  32  can slide back and forth within the guide  36 , as indicated by arrow  50 .  
         [0033]    Such a slideable clip  32  allows to quickly and simply connect the second condenser tank  18  to the second radiator tank  24 . More importantly, such a slideable clip  32  allows to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the condenser  12  and the radiator  14 . Moreover, the slideable clip  32  also allows the thermal expansion and contraction of the condenser  12  with respect to the radiator  14 .  
         [0034]    The further connection means  52  for connecting the first condenser tank  16  to the first radiator tank  22  will now be described in more detail. The further connection means  52  can of cause be slideable (like the connection means  30  between the second condenser  18  tank and the second radiator tank  24 ). Preferably however, the further connection means  52  is not slideable, so that a tight connection between the first condenser tank  16  and the first radiator tank  22  can be achieved. The further connection means  52  can e.g. be a fixed clip mounted to the first radiator tank  22  for engaging the first condenser tank  16 .  
         [0035]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the further connection means  52  comprises a first connection element on the first condenser tank  16  for engaging with a second connection element on the first radiator tank  22 . The second connection element is a bracket  28  integrally moulded with the first radiator tank  22 . The bracket  28  has a recess  54  with a generally circular cross-section therein for receiving the first connection element, i.e. a deformed end portion  56  of the first condenser tank  16 . The end portion  56  of the first condenser tank  16  generally has the same cross-section as the recess  54  of the bracket  28  so that the end portion  56  is snugly received in the recess  54 .  
         [0036]    This preferred embodiment of the further connection means  52  can be more closely described by referring to FIG. 5, which shows a section view through the first connection end of the radiator-condenser assembly  10 .  
         [0037]    The first radiator tank  22  comprises two axially spaced brackets  28  (only one of which is shown in the figures) arranged so as to be capable of receiving the two end portions  56  of the first condenser tank  16 . These brackets  28  are preferably integrally formed with the wall of the first radiator tank  22 . The recess  54  of the bracket  28  has a generally circular cross-section. The bracket  28  further has a lateral opening  58  for enabling the end portion  56  of the first condenser tank  16  to be laterally introduced into the recess  54 . As can be seen on FIG. 5, the lateral opening  58  is smaller than half the circumference of the recess  54 , such that, once the end portion  56  is received in the recess  54  and rotated therein, it cannot escape therefrom.  
         [0038]    The section of the end portion  56  of the first condenser tank  16  has a dimension in a first direction, which is smaller than the width of the lateral opening  58 , and a dimension in a second direction, which is larger than the width of the lateral opening  58 . The smaller dimension of the section can be obtained by a radial deformation  60  of the end portion  56  of the first condenser tank  16 .  
         [0039]    In order to introduce the first connection element into the recess of the second connection element, i.e. in order to introduce the end portion  56  of the first condenser tank  16  into the recess  54  of the bracket  28  mounted on the first radiator tank  22 , the condenser  12  is held substantially perpendicular to the radiator  14  (this position of the condenser  12  is indicated in dotted lines on FIG. 5), so that the deformed end portion  56  of the first condenser tank  16  can be introduced into the recess  54  of the bracket  28  through the lateral opening  58 . Once the end portion  56  is received in the recess  54 , it is rotated within the recess  54  until the condenser  12  lies in a plane, which is generally parallel to the plane of the radiator  14 . The radial deformation  60  of the end portion  56  now lies opposite the lateral opening  58 , and the large dimension of the end portion  56  prevents the latter from escaping from the recess  54 . The end portion  56  of the condenser tank  16  is hence maintained in the bracket  28 ; only rotation of the condenser  12  around the axis of the first condenser tank  16  is still possible. Such rotation is however prevented once the second condenser tank  18  is attached to the second radiator tank  24 .  
         [0040]    It will be understood that, although this description deals with an assembly of a condenser to a radiator, other components of a vehicle air conditioning system, like e.g. fan shroud, a charge air cooler or air-oil cooler, can be mounted on a radiator or any other support structure in the same way.