Patent Publication Number: US-2021178861-A1

Title: Snap fit heat exchanger bracket

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Example embodiments generally relate to vehicle cooling modules and, more particularly, relate to a heat exchanger bracket for a vehicle cooling module. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A cooling module that is used in automotive applications will often include a condenser, an engine cooling fan, a radiator, and one or more heat exchangers (e.g., an auxiliary transmission oil cooler). Ambient air generally flows through the cooling module and, when employed, the engine cooling fan can operate to ensure that air is provided for cooling either for larger loads or when the vehicle is not moving or otherwise generating sufficient airflow. The engine is cooled by the radiator, and climate control can be provided by the condenser in conjunction with air conditioning system components. 
     Various engine systems or components (e.g., the transmission) may also be cooled by heat exchangers. In a typical arrangement, the heat exchanger may cool an operating fluid (e.g., transmission fluid) by providing heat transfer interfaces (e.g., fins) over which airflow can readily be provided to remove heat from the operating fluid. The heat transfer interfaces are typically made from metallic structures that have very good heat transfer characteristics. However, these metallic structures can vary in length due to thermal expansion and contraction in response to cyclic temperature changes associated with hotter or colder operating fluids and/or ambient environments. In some cases, road load inputs as well as the thermal expansion of these structures can be significant enough to stress the brackets that are used to support the heat exchanger and/or the mounting points used to mount the heat exchanger to or within the cooling module. 
     Thus, it may be desirable to develop a durable bracket that can handle large thermal cycles in addition to road load inputs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES 
     In accordance with an example embodiment, a heat exchanger bracket for an automotive cooling module may be provided. The heat exchanger bracket may include a first mounting assembly disposed at a first end of the heat exchanger bracket, a second mounting assembly disposed at a second end of the heat exchanger bracket, and a bracket container disposed between the first and second ends of the heat exchanger bracket. The first mounting assembly may include a first free floating retention point, and the second mounting assembly may include a second free floating retention point. The bracket container may be configured to receive a heat exchanger. The bracket container may include a first flexible retainer disposed at a first longitudinal end thereof, and a second flexible retainer disposed at a second longitudinal end thereof. The first and second flexible retainers may be configured to engage opposing longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger responsive to insertion of the heat exchanger into the bracket container. 
     In another example embodiment, a cooling module may be provided. The cooling module may include a radiator, a cooling fan, a condenser and a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly may include a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger bracket. The heat exchanger bracket may include a first mounting assembly disposed at a first end of the heat exchanger bracket, a second mounting assembly disposed at a second end of the heat exchanger bracket, and a bracket container disposed between the first and second ends of the heat exchanger bracket. The first mounting assembly may include a first free floating retention point, and the second mounting assembly may include a second free floating retention point. The bracket container may be configured to receive the heat exchanger. The bracket container may include a first flexible retainer disposed at a first longitudinal end thereof, and a second flexible retainer disposed at a second longitudinal end thereof. The first and second flexible retainers may be configured to engage opposing longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger responsive to insertion of the heat exchanger into the bracket container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle cooling module in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of some components of the cooling module of  FIG. 1  in isolation in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a heat exchanger in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is an isolated perspective view of a heat exchanger bracket having a heat exchanger disposed therein in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  is an isolated front view of the heat exchanger bracket of  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4C  is an isolated rear view of the heat exchanger bracket of  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  is an isolated perspective view of a heat exchanger bracket without the heat exchanger disposed therein in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  is an isolated front view of the heat exchanger bracket of  FIG. 5A  in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5C  is an isolated rear view of the heat exchanger bracket of  FIG. 5A  in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view of a first flexible retainer of an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a perspective view of a second flexible retainer of an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a perspective view of a first mounting assembly in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates an alternative perspective view of the first mounting assembly in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7C  illustrates a perspective view of a second mounting assembly in accordance with an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7D  illustrates an alternative perspective view of the second mounting assembly in accordance with an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other. 
     Some example embodiments described herein provide an improved design for a heat exchanger bracket of an automotive cooling module. As a result, cost savings may be achieved and the robustness of the heat exchanger bracket and durability of the design may also be improved. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a cooling module  100  of an example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the components of the cooling module  100  may be operably coupled to a chassis  105  of a vehicle. Of note, although the components of  FIG. 1  are connected to the chassis  105 , it should be appreciated that such connection may be either direct or indirect. Moreover, some of the components of the cooling module  100  may be connected to the chassis  105  via intermediate connections to other components either of the cooling module  100  or of other nearby systems or components. 
     The cooling module  100  may include a radiator  110 , a condenser  120 , a cooling fan  130  and a heat exchanger assembly  140 . The heat exchanger assembly  140  may include one or more instances of a heat exchanger  150 . In an example embodiment, each of the instances of the heat exchanger  150  may include a corresponding instance of a heat exchanger bracket  160 . The heat exchanger bracket  160  may operably couple the heat exchanger  150  to the chassis  105  (again either directly or indirectly). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of some components of the cooling module of  FIG. 1  in isolation in accordance with an example embodiment. In this regard,  FIG. 2  illustrates portions of the chassis  105 , and also illustrate the radiator  110 . The heat exchanger assembly  140  may be mounted to frame members  200  that may be extended from the chassis  105  or may otherwise be portions of the radiator  110 . The frame members  200  may be provided to extend substantially vertically and may be disposed at opposite lateral sides (e.g., driver side and passenger side) of the vehicle. Accordingly, the heat exchanger assembly  140  may extend between the frame members  200  and therefore between the opposing lateral sides of the vehicle to define a first reference direction (e.g., side-to-side or horizontally). 
     The heat exchanger bracket  160  may be operably coupled to the frame members via a first mounting assembly  162  and a second mounting assembly  164 . The first mounting assembly  162  may be disposed at a first end of the heat exchanger bracket  160  to operably couple the first mounting assembly  162  to one of the frame members  200  via a first free floating retention point  166 . The second mounting assembly  164  may be disposed at a second end of the heat exchanger bracket  160  to operably couple the second mounting assembly  164  to the other one of the frame members  200  via a second free floating retention point  168 . 
     A specific structure for embodying each respective one of the heat exchanger  150  and the heat exchanger bracket  160  is also shown in  FIG. 2 . In this regard, a perspective view of the heat exchanger  150  of an example embodiment is shown in isolation in  FIG. 3 . The heat exchanger  150  may include an inlet tube  210  and an outlet tube  212  that may each be operably coupled to a fluid-based system for cooling a component (e.g., a transmission) of the vehicle and fluid (e.g., transmission fluid) may flow through the system and into the inlet tube  210  before passing through the heat exchanger  150  and then out the outlet tube  212  back to the system. As such, the fluid may be relatively hotter coming into the inlet tube  210  than when leaving the outlet tube  212  due to the heat exchanged by the heat exchanger  150 . 
     The heat exchanger  150  may include a plurality of heat exchange interface surfaces (e.g., fins  220 ) that are operably coupled to channels  222  that are formed to pass the fluid from the inlet tube  210  to the outlet tube  212  responsive to a pressure source (e.g., a pump) associated with the system. The fluid may therefore be pumped into the inlet tube  210  at a high temperature and heat may transfer from the fluid to the metal of the channels  222  to the fins  220 . Air flowing over the fins  220  may then remove heat from the fins  220  by warming the air and the fluid may be cooled before exiting the heat exchanger  150  at the outlet tube  212 . As mentioned above, the metal used to form the channels  222  and the fins  220  of the heat exchanger  150  may expand and contract in size due to thermal expansion as temperature of the fluid changes due to various factors. Thus, when the fluid is very hot, the longitudinal length of the channels  222  (e.g., measured in a horizontal direction between the inlet tube  210  and the outlet tube  212 ) may increase relative to the length that could be measured when the fluid is relatively cold. Expansion and contraction may also be experienced in the width and height directions. This change in the physical dimensions of the heat exchanger  150  may, in some cases, also provide stresses on the heat exchanger bracket  160  or other components used to fix the heat exchanger  150  in place. These thermal stresses may occur while the heat exchanger bracket  160  is also being subjected to the normal stresses that can occur during driving (i.e., road load). However, the heat exchanger bracket  160  of an example embodiment is configured to avoid this potential problem. 
     In particular, the heat exchanger bracket  160  may be made of a flexible plastic material. The use of plastic may reduce the cost of providing corrosion protection, since the plastic material may have better corrosion resistance properties than many metallic materials. The use of a flexible plastic may also allow the heat exchanger bracket  160  to withstand significant road loads. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger bracket  160  may be made of a polypropylene material with glass fibers. For example, a 30% glass fiber reinforced polypropylene material or molding compound (e.g., PP-GF30) may be used in some cases. 
     The use of flexible plastic material may be very helpful in reducing costs and improving durability. However, the design of the heat exchanger bracket  160  of an example embodiment, and the mounting strategies employed for mounting the heat exchanger bracket  160  within the cooling module  100  and/or vehicle may also be advantageous in achieving improved performance and durability at lower cost. In this regard, some example embodiments may employ a mounting strategy and design elements that eliminate much of the fastening hardware that would otherwise be required to hold the heat exchanger bracket  160  in place, and hold the heat exchanger  150  within the heat exchanger bracket  160 . For example, a single point, free floating attachment strategy may be employed to allow for significant road load input tolerance and cooling module attachment variation. Additionally, significantly improved robustness may be achieved by designing the heat exchanger bracket  160  to allow for the thermal expansion and contraction of the heat exchanger  150  without reducing durability or increasing costs. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show various aspects of the heat exchanger bracket  160  to facilitate a further discussion of the design improvements discussed above. In this regard,  FIG. 4 , which is defined by  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , illustrates various views of the heat exchanger bracket  160  with the heat exchanger  150  positioned inside. Meanwhile,  FIG. 5 , which is defined by  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C , shows corresponding views to those of  FIG. 4  except that the heat exchanger  150  has been removed.  FIGS. 4A and 5A  each show a perspective view of the heat exchanger bracket  160 ,  FIGS. 4B and 5B  each show front views of the heat exchanger bracket  160 , and  FIGS. 4C and 5C  each show rear views of the heat exchanger bracket  160 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the heat exchanger bracket  160  may be defined by a base portion  300  that may extend substantially along a longitudinal length of the heat exchanger bracket  160  from the first end to the second end of the heat exchanger bracket  160 . The base portion  300  may be an elongated member that extends between the first mounting assembly  162  and the second mounting assembly  164 . The base portion  300  may have a width that extends in a horizontal plane (when mounted to the vehicle) and provides support for a bottom portion of the heat exchanger  150 . 
     A bracket container  310  may be defined between the first and second ends of the heat exchanger bracket  160  to receive the heat exchanger  150  therein. The bracket container  310  may be formed by a screen assembly  312  at a front side thereof, at least part of the base portion  300  at a bottom thereof, and backing members  314  at a back side thereof. Side members  316  may be disposed at opposite longitudinal ends of the bracket container  310 , and the side members  316  (and backing members  314 ) may mirror each other in some cases. The side members  316  may extend substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the screen assembly  312  lies, and a plane in which the backing members  314  lie. The plane in which the backing members  314  lie may be substantially parallel to the plane in which the screen assembly  312  lies, and may be spaced apart from the screen assembly  312  by the side members  316 . The respective planes in which each of the side members  316 , the backing members  314 , and the screen assembly  312  lie may be substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the base portion  300  lies. 
     In an example embodiment, the backing members  314  may extend over only a portion of the back of the bracket container  310  leaving the back side of the bracket container  310  mostly open. Meanwhile, a top portion of the bracket container  310  may be left fully open so that the heat exchanger  150  can be inserted into the bracket container  310  through the top portion of the bracket container  310  and the heat exchanger bracket  160 . The bracket container  310  of some embodiments may not be as long as the distance between the first and second ends of the heat exchanger bracket  160 . When such a length mismatch exists, an extension portion  318  may be provided to extend from at least one end of the bracket container  310  to bridge the remaining distance between the first and second ends of the heat exchanger bracket  160  and provide support for the heat exchanger bracket  160 . 
     The screen assembly  312  may include a plurality of horizontal ribs  313  that may extend substantially parallel to each other between the first and second ends of the bracket container  310 . The screen assembly  312  may also include one or more vertically extending ribs  315  spaced apart from each along the longitudinal length of the bracket container  310  for additional support. The horizontal ribs  313  and the vertically extending ribs  315  of the screen assembly  312  may protect the heat exchanger  150  from impacts (e.g., due to rocks or other debris), while still providing for a relatively unimpeded path for air to flow around the channels  222  and fins  220  of the heat exchanger  150 . The open back of the bracket container  310  (e.g., between the backing members  314 ) may also facilitate free flow of air around the heat exchanger  150 . 
     The bracket container  310  may further include a first flexible retainer  320  disposed at a first longitudinal end thereof, and a second flexible retainer  322  disposed at a second longitudinal end thereof. The first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may be configured to engage opposing longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger  150  responsive to insertion of the heat exchanger  150  into the bracket container  310  in a way that is relatively unaffected by changes to the length of the heat exchanger  150 . In this regard, since the heat exchanger  150  may expand and contract due to thermal cycles, the bracket container  310  may be made large enough to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the heat exchanger  150 . Thus, for example, the distance between the backing members  314  and the screen assembly  312  may be larger than a width of the channels  222  and/or fins  220  of the heat exchanger  150  even when accounting for the thermal cycles. Moreover, a distance between the opposing side members  316  of the bracket container  310  may also be larger than a length of the heat exchanger  150  when accounting for the thermal cycles. In other words, the bracket container  310  may be both longer and wider than the largest length and width of the heat exchanger  150  when the heat exchanger  150  passes through normal thermal cycling. 
     With the bracket container  310  being larger than the heat exchanger  150 , the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may be configured to operate equally effectively to hold the heat exchanger  150  in place regardless of the thermal condition (and therefore size parameters) of the heat exchanger  150 . To accomplish this, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may be formed as flexible fingers (i.e., a first flexible finger and a second flexible finger, respectively). The configuration of the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  will now be described in reference to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , which show the first flexible retainer  320  and the second flexible retainer  322 , respectively. 
     In an example embodiment, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may be formed at respective ones of the side members  316 . Thus, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may extend into the bracket container  310  from opposing sides of the bracket container  310  toward each other in order to engage opposite longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger  150 . In this regard, for example, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may extend toward each other such that, although the side members  316  are spaced apart by a distance larger than the longest possible length of the heat exchanger  150 , the distance between at least a portion of the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  is less than a minimal length of the heat exchanger  150  during thermal cycling. Thus, no matter what the temperature of the fluid in the heat exchanger  150  may be, and the corresponding length of the heat exchanger  150  may be, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  will engage and retain the opposing ends of the heat exchanger  150 . Moreover, by placing the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  in the side members  316 , the top portion of the bracket container  310  and the back portion can both remain open and therefore not inhibit airflow, while also permitting easy installation (and removal) of the heat exchanger  150 . 
     The first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may be configured to slidingly engage (in a sequential manner) fins  220  of the heat exchanger  150  to allow one-way movement of the heat exchanger  150  (i.e., in the inward or installing direction) during insertion of the heat exchanger  150  into the bracket container  310 . Meanwhile, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may be configured to prevent removal of the heat exchanger  150  by interference fit with fins  220  that have already passed beyond the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322 . This arrangement is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 6A . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A  it should be appreciated that, in some cases, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may each be made of plastic and may therefore be somewhat flexible. In an example embodiment, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  may each include an inclined portion  330  configured to extend inwardly into the bracket container  310  to slidingly engage the fins  220  responsive to insertion of the heat exchanger  150  into the bracket container  310  in the direction shown by arrow  332 . During the sliding engagement, the inclined portion  330  may be moved outwardly (shown by arrow  334 ). This outward motion may be resisted by a rib portion  336  extending along an opposite side of the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  relative to the inclined portion  330 . The rib portion  336  may therefore store energy when the fin  220 ′ contacts the inclined portion  330  and pushes the inclined portion  330  in the direction of arrow  334 . When the fin  220 ′ passes beyond the distal end of the inclined portion  330  (as shown by fin  220 ′ in  FIG. 6A ), the energy stored in the rib portion  336  may be released to move the inclined portion  330  in a direction opposite the direction of arrow  334 . At this point, the inclined portion  330  may be poised to repeat the same movement cycle with a next fin  220 ″. 
     The same cycle may then be repeated for the next fin  220 ″. In this regard, insertion of the heat exchanger  150  into the bracket container  310  in direction  332  may cause the inclined portion  330  to slidingly engage the next fin  220 ″. This sliding engagement may case the inclined portion  330  to be moved outwardly (shown by arrow  334 ) and such movement may be resisted by the rib portion  336  thereby storing energy in the rib portion  336 . When the next fin  220 ″ passes beyond the distal end of the inclined portion  330  (as shown by fin  220 ″ in  FIG. 6A ), the energy stored in the rib portion  336  may be released to move the inclined portion  330  in the direction opposite the direction of arrow  334 . At this point, the inclined portion  330  may be poised to repeat the same movement cycle again. However, if the heat exchanger  150  is fully inserted into the bracket container  310  at this point, then no further inward motion is to be expected, and the retaining of the heat exchanger  150  in the bracket container  310  is thereafter expected. 
     To accomplish retaining of the heat exchanger  150  in the bracket container  310 , the distal end of the inclined portion  330  can now be seen to block motion of the next fin  220 ″ in a direction opposite the insertion direction (i.e., opposite the direction of arrow  332 ). An operator may engage a tab  338  disposed at a distal end of the rib portion  336  to pull the tab  338 ) and the inclined portion  330  in the direction of arrow  334  to enable the next fin  220 ″ (and subsequently also the fin  220 ′) to be withdrawn past the inclined portion  330  in the direction opposite the direction of arrow  332  to withdraw the heat exchanger  150  from the bracket container  310   
     Thus, as can be appreciated from the description above, the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  (and/or the first and second flexible fingers that may embody the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322 ) may be configured to be spring loaded by sliding engagement with fins  220  of the heat exchanger  150  responsive to insertion of the heat exchanger  150  into the bracket container  310  to enable the fins  220  to pass the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322 . After each fin  220  passes by the first and second flexible retainers  320  and  322  (or the inclined portions  330  thereof), the first and second flexible retainers  302  and  322  are released into a space between adjacent fins  220  and block the last fin  220  that passed in order to retain the heat exchanger  150  in the bracket container  310  by preventing withdrawal of the fins  220  from the bracket container  310 . 
     The components used to mount the heat exchanger bracket  160  to the vehicle or cooling module  100  will now be described further in reference to the figures above, along with  FIG. 7 . In this regard,  FIG. 7  is defined by  FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D  and  FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate the first mounting assembly  162 , whereas  FIGS. 7C and 7D  illustrate the second mounting assembly  164 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the first mounting assembly  162  may include a retention slot  340  formed proximate to the first end of the heat exchanger bracket  160  to operably couple the first mounting assembly  162  to one of the frame members  200  (see  FIG. 2 ) via the first free floating retention point  166  which, in some embodiments, may be embodied as a snap clip. The second mounting assembly  164  may include a retention slot  342  formed proximate to the second end of the heat exchanger bracket  160  to operably couple the second mounting assembly  164  to the other one of the frame members  200  via the second free floating retention point  168 , which may also be embodied as a snap clip. The slots retention  340  and  342  may be longer in the horizontal direction (which may be referred to as a first reference direction extending from the first to the second end of the heat exchanger bracket  160 ) than they are in the vertical direction (e.g., second reference direction). 
     In some cases, one or both of the snap clips that form the first and second retention points  166  and  168  may include one or more instances of a spring loaded plastic blade  400 . The plastic blades  400  of each of the first and second retention points  166  and  168  may each lie in a plane that extends parallel to the first reference direction. The plastic blades  400  may be bendable or capable of being deflected in the second reference direction, and may include a retention rib  410  disposed at or near a distal end thereof. The retention rib  410  may be formed to have a substantially triangular shaped cross section when bisected. Thus, the retention rib  410  may allow the plastic blade  400  to be deflected in the second reference direction while the first and/or second free floating retention points  166  and  168  are inserted into respective ones of the retention slots  340  and  342 . Then, after the retention ribs  410  have passed into the respective ones of the retention slots  340  and  342 , the plastic blades  400  may unload and extend opposite the direction of deflection. The retention ribs  410  may then prevent withdrawal of the first and second free floating retention points  166  and  168  from respective ones of the retention slots  340  and  342  unless an operator manually deflects the plastic blades  400  to allow such withdrawal. Thus, the first and second free floating retention points  166  and  168 , by virtue of the inclusion of the retention ribs  410  on the plastic blades  400  provide some significant advantages in terms of the means by which the heat exchanger bracket  160  is affixed to the frame members  200 . 
     In this regard, for example, the retention ribs  410  are configured to prevent dislodging of the plastic blades  400  from the retention slot  340  and  342  formed at respective ones of the first and second mounting assemblies  162  and  164 . Each of the first and second free floating retention points  166  and  168  may therefore be configured to allow freedom of movement of the heat exchanger bracket  160  relative to a portion of a vehicle or automotive cooling module to which the heat exchanger bracket  160  is attached (e.g., the frame members  200 ) along the first reference direction and at least other direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first reference direction (e.g., the second reference direction). In other words, the retention slots  340  and  342  may be longer than the plastic blades  400  in the first reference direction so that side-to-side motion of the heat exchanger bracket  160  can be tolerated without stressing the heat exchanger bracket  160 . Similarly, the flexibility of the plastic blades  400  may further allow the first and second free floating retention points  166  and  168  to allow some movement in the second reference direction. 
     In some cases, either or both of the first and second free floating retention points  166  and  168  may include one instance of the plastic blade  400  and the retention rib  410 . In such cases, a fixed projection  420  may be provided on an opposite side of the plastic blade  400  relative to the retention rib  410  (and/or at least partially alongside the plastic blade  400 ). However, in other examples, two instances of the plastic blade  400  may be provided with corresponding instances of the retention rib  410  on each one facing in opposite directions. The first free floating retention point  166  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  is an example of the former (i.e., one plastic blade  400  and one retention rib  410  with a fixed projection opposite and partially alongside the plastic blade  400 ). Meanwhile, the second free floating retention point  168  of  FIGS. 7C and 7D  is an example of the latter (i.e., two plastic blades  400  and two retention ribs  410  facing in opposite directions and on opposite sides of the fixed projection  420  (and partially alongside therewith as well). 
     In some cases, the heat exchanger bracket  160  may include one instance of a fixed point fastener  450  at one of the first end or the second end of the heat exchanger bracket  160 . In this example, the fixed point fastener  450  is provided proximate to the second free floating retention point  168  (e.g., on the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle). The fixed point fastener  450  may be a standard steel screw, which may be affixed with a standard nut or J clip, or any other suitable fixing means. 
     A heat exchanger bracket for an automotive cooling module may therefore be provided. The heat exchanger bracket may include a first mounting assembly disposed at a first end of the heat exchanger bracket, a second mounting assembly disposed at a second end of the heat exchanger bracket, and a bracket container disposed between the first and second ends of the heat exchanger bracket. The first mounting assembly may include a first free floating retention point, and the second mounting assembly may include a second free floating retention point. The bracket container may be configured to receive a heat exchanger. The bracket container may include a first flexible retainer disposed at a first longitudinal end thereof, and a second flexible retainer disposed at a second longitudinal end thereof. The first and second flexible retainers may be configured to engage opposing longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger responsive to insertion of the heat exchanger into the bracket container. 
     The heat exchanger bracket of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, augmentations and/or the like to achieve further objectives or enhance durability of the heat exchanger bracket. Similarly, a cooling module comprising the heat exchanger bracket described above may include additional features, modifications, augmentations and/or the like. The additional features, modifications, augmentations and/or the like may be added in any combination with each other. Below is a list of various additional features, modifications, and augmentations that can each be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the first flexible retainer may include a first flexible finger biased to engage a first longitudinal end of the heat exchanger, and the second flexible retainer may include a second flexible finger biased in an opposite direction relative to the first flexible finger to engage a second longitudinal end of the heat exchanger. Within this context, the first and second longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger are the opposing longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger. In an example embodiment, the first and second flexible fingers may each be made of plastic and may be spring loaded by engagement with a respective fin of the heat exchanger responsive to insertion of the heat exchanger into the bracket container to enable the respective fin to pass the first and second flexible fingers and release into a space between the respective fin and a corresponding adjacent fin to retain the heat exchanger in the bracket container by preventing withdrawal of the respective fin from the bracket container. In some cases, the first and second flexible fingers may each include an inclined portion configured to extend inwardly into the bracket container to slidingly engage the respective fin responsive to insertion of the heat exchanger into the bracket container, and a rib portion extending along an opposite side of the first and second flexible fingers relative to the inclined portion. In an example embodiment, the heat exchanger bracket may be molded from flexible plastic material. In some cases, the heat exchanger bracket may extend from the first end to the second end in a first reference direction. Each of the first and second free floating retention points may be configured to allow freedom of movement of the heat exchanger bracket relative to a portion of a vehicle or automotive cooling module to which the heat exchanger bracket is attached along the first reference direction and at least one additional direction substantially perpendicular to the first reference direction. In an example embodiment, the first and second free floating retention points may each include or be embodied as a respective instance of a snap clip. In some cases, the snap clip may include a spring loaded plastic blade. In an example embodiment, the spring loaded plastic blade may further include a retention rib configured to prevent dislodging of the spring loaded plastic blade from a retention slot formed at respective ones of the first and second mounting assemblies. In some cases, the heat exchanger bracket further includes a single fixed point fastener at one of the first end or the second end of the heat exchanger bracket. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.