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US20080289796A1 - Cooling module - Google Patents

Cooling module Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080289796A1
US20080289796A1 US12/154,184 US15418408A US2008289796A1 US 20080289796 A1 US20080289796 A1 US 20080289796A1 US 15418408 A US15418408 A US 15418408A US 2008289796 A1 US2008289796 A1 US 2008289796A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
air
air cleaner
heat exchanger
cleaner unit
fan shroud
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/154,184
Inventor
Norihisa Sasano
Akihiro Maeda
Akira Nakawatase
Ryuji Kanzaka
Yuji Matsubara
Shingo Kimura
Akira Enomoto
Kazuya Tanaka
Kouji Suzuki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toyota Boshoku Corp
Denso Corp
Toyota Motor Corp
Original Assignee
Toyota Boshoku Corp
Denso Corp
Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toyota Boshoku Corp, Denso Corp, Toyota Motor Corp filed Critical Toyota Boshoku Corp
Assigned to TOYOTA BOSHOKU CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION reassignment TOYOTA BOSHOKU CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KIMURA, SHINGO, MATSUBARA, YUJI, KANZAKA, RYUJI, NAKAWATASE, AKIRA, ENOMOTO, AKIRA, MAEDA, AKIHIRO, SUZUKI, KOUJI, TANAKA, KAZUYA, SASANO, NORIHISA
Publication of US20080289796A1 publication Critical patent/US20080289796A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60KARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K11/00Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units
    • B60K11/02Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units with liquid cooling
    • B60K11/04Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60KARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K13/00Arrangement in connection with combustion air intake or gas exhaust of propulsion units
    • B60K13/02Arrangement in connection with combustion air intake or gas exhaust of propulsion units concerning intake
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02MSUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M35/00Combustion-air cleaners, air intakes, intake silencers, or induction systems specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
    • F02M35/02Air cleaners
    • F02M35/04Air cleaners specially arranged with respect to engine, to intake system or specially adapted to vehicle; Mounting thereon ; Combinations with other devices
    • F02M35/06Air cleaners specially arranged with respect to engine, to intake system or specially adapted to vehicle; Mounting thereon ; Combinations with other devices combined or associated with engine's cooling blower or fan, or with flywheel
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02MSUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M35/00Combustion-air cleaners, air intakes, intake silencers, or induction systems specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
    • F02M35/16Combustion-air cleaners, air intakes, intake silencers, or induction systems specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines characterised by use in vehicles
    • F02M35/161Arrangement of the air intake system in the engine compartment, e.g. with respect to the bonnet or the vehicle front face

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cooling module including a fan shroud and an air cleaner unit.
  • heat exchangers such as a radiator and a condenser
  • a blower for introducing air to the heat exchangers
  • the front end panel is also known as a shroud panel, a carrier, a radiator support and the like.
  • the front end panel is integrally formed with a fan shroud of the blower.
  • the fan shroud is configured to support a fan of the blower and to form an air passage from the heat exchangers to the fan.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-171041 describes a cooling module having a front end panel.
  • the front end panel forms a closed space in its upper beam portion, and an air cleaner unit is housed in the closed space.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-238825 describes an exterior unit for a fixed air conditioner.
  • an auxiliary case for supporting a fan is disposed to oppose a radiator and a condenser.
  • the auxiliary case is formed with a fan shroud that has a substantially cylindrical shape for surrounding the fan. Further, a part of the fan shroud is shared with a side wall of an air cleaner. As such, the exterior unit is made compact.
  • the present invention is made in view of the foregoing matter, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling module having a structure capable of reducing the weight and increasing a space on its top in a condition mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle while effectively cooling air to be introduced to an internal combustion engine.
  • a cooling module to be mounted to a front part of a vehicle includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between air and a heat medium, a fan shroud, a blower and an air cleaner unit for filtering air to be introduced into an internal combustion engine of the vehicle.
  • the fan shroud is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger with respect to a flow of air passing through the heat exchanger.
  • the blower is held by the fan shroud.
  • the fan shroud includes an air introducing portion defining an air passage from the heat exchanger to the blower.
  • the air cleaner unit is disposed such that a front end of the air cleaner unit is offset from the heat exchanger with respect to a horizontal direction.
  • the air cleaner unit has a side wall that partly forms the air introducing portion of the fan shroud.
  • a clearance is provided between the side wall of the air cleaner unit and the heat exchanger such that air upstream of the heat exchanger is conducted toward a downstream position of the heat exchanger through the clearance.
  • the air cleaner unit is configured such that a part of the air cleaner unit serves as a part of the air introducing portion of the fan shroud.
  • the air cleaner unit and the air introducing portion of the fan shroud share a wall between them. Therefore, the weight of the cooling module is reduced. Since the heat exchanger and the air cleaner unit are arranged in the horizontal direction, a space provided above the cooling module in a condition mounted in an engine compartment of the vehicle is increased. For example, the space is effectively used for a pedestrian protection system.
  • the air cleaner unit since the front end wall of the air cleaner unit is offset from the heat exchanger, when viewed along the flow of the air, that is, from the front side, the air cleaner unit is cooled by air that has not passed through the heat exchanger. As such, an increase in temperature of the air to be introduced into the engine is reduced. Further, since the clearance is provided between the side wall of the air cleaner unit and the heat exchanger, air is conducted from an upstream position of the heat exchanger toward a downstream position of the heat exchanger through the clearance. Therefore, the air cleaner unit is effectively cooled by the air passing through the clearance. As such, engine torque is increased while restricting the increase in temperature of the air to be introduced into the engine.
  • the cooling module having the structure capable of reducing the weight and increasing the space on its top in the condition mounted in the engine compartment while effectively cooling the air to be introduced into the engine is provided.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling module, when viewed from a diagonally front side of a vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooling module, when viewed from a diagonally rear side of a vehicle, according to the first embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling module taken along a line III-III in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of the cooling module mounted on a vehicle, according to the first embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between rotation speed of an engine and a sound level of intake air at an air suction port of an inlet duct of an air cleaner unit of the cooling module according to the first embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view of a cooling module mounted on a vehicle, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • a cooling module is mounted in an engine compartment provided at a front end of a vehicle.
  • the cooling module generally includes a radiator 1 , a condenser 2 , an electric fan unit (blower) 3 , a fan shroud 4 and an air cleaner unit 5 .
  • the radiator 1 is a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a cooling fluid of an internal combustion engine (hereinafter, engine) and outside air introduced from an outside of a vehicle, thereby cooling the cooling fluid.
  • the condenser 2 is a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant of a refrigerant cycle of a vehicular air conditioner (not shown) and the outside air, thereby cooling the refrigerant.
  • the blower 3 is disposed to introduce the outside air to the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 for cooling the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 .
  • the fan shroud 4 is configured to support the blower 3 and form an air passage from the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 to the blower 3 . That is, the fan shroud 4 is configured to guide the air to pass through the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 with an operation of the blower 3 .
  • the air cleaner unit 5 is provided to filter air to be introduced into the engine.
  • the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 are also referred to as the heat exchangers.
  • the air to be introduced into the engine through the air cleaner unit 5 is also referred to as intake air.
  • the cooling fluid and the refrigerant correspond to heat mediums.
  • the condenser 2 is disposed in front of the radiator 1 with respect to a vehicle front and rear direction. In other words, the condenser 2 is disposed upstream of the radiator 1 with respect to a flow direction of the air, which generally flows in a vehicle rearward direction.
  • the blower 3 is disposed on a rear side of the radiator 1 with respect to the vehicle front and rear direction. In other words, the blower 3 is disposed downstream of the radiator 1 with respect to the air flow direction.
  • the air cleaner unit 5 is offset from the heat exchangers 1 , 2 with respect to a horizontal direction, such as in a vehicle width direction that is perpendicular to the vehicle front and rear direction. That is, the condenser 2 and a front end of the air cleaner unit 5 are next to each other with respect to the vehicle width direction when viewed from a front side of the vehicle.
  • the blower 3 includes a fan 3 a for generating the flow of air and an electric motor 3 b for driving the fan 3 a .
  • the fan shroud 4 is made of a resin, such as polypropylene containing glass fiber.
  • the fan shroud 4 has stays 4 a for supporting the fan 3 a and an air introducing portion 4 b that forms the air passage from the heat exchangers 1 , 2 to the fan 3 a .
  • the air introducing portion 4 b is located upstream of the stays 4 a , that is, upstream of a position where the fan 3 a is supported, with respect to the air flow.
  • the air cleaner unit 5 includes an air cleaner element 5 a for removing foreign materials from the intake air, an air cleaner case 5 b for housing the air cleaner element 5 a , and an air cleaner cap 5 c .
  • the air cleaner element 5 a is disposed between the air cleaner case 5 b and the air cleaner cap 5 c.
  • the air cleaner case 5 b is made of the same material as the fan shroud 4 . That is, the air cleaner case 5 b is made of a resin material, such as polypropylene containing glass fiber.
  • the air cleaner case 5 b is a container having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and defining an opening on one side.
  • the air cleaner element 5 a is inserted and fixed to a frame member disposed on a perimeter of the opening of the air cleaner case 5 b .
  • the air cleaner case 5 b further has an air inlet 51 on another side for introducing the intake air into the air cleaner unit 5 .
  • An end of a tubular inlet duct 61 is coupled to the air inlet 51 .
  • the other end of the inlet duct 61 forms an air suction port 61 a through which the intake air is suctioned into the air cleaner unit 5 .
  • the air cleaner unit 5 is disposed such that a front end wall 5 d of the air cleaner case 5 b is offset from the heat exchangers 1 , 2 with respect to the horizontal direction, when viewed from the front side of the vehicle.
  • the front end wall 5 d of the air cleaner case 5 b is exposed to air that is before passing through the heat exchangers 1 , 2 .
  • the air cleaner cap 5 c is made of the same material as the air cleaner case 5 b . That is, the air cleaner cap 5 c is made of a resin material, such as polypropylene containing glass fiber.
  • the air cleaner cap 5 c is a container having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and defining an opening on one side.
  • the air cleaner cap 5 c has an engagement structure on the perimeter of the opening.
  • the air cleaner cap 5 c is coupled to the air cleaner case 5 b such that the openings thereof are opposed to each other through air cleaner element 5 a .
  • the engagement structure of the air cleaner cap 5 c is engaged with the side of the air cleaner case 5 b on which the opening is provided through the air cleaner element 5 a.
  • the air cleaner cap 5 c has an air outlet 52 on another side for discharging the intake air, which has been filtered through the air cleaner element 5 a , from the air cleaner unit 5 .
  • An end of a tubular outlet duct 62 is coupled to the air outlet 52 .
  • the other end of the outlet duct 62 is in communication with an intake manifold (not shown), which distributes the intake air into engine cylinders.
  • the air cleaner element 5 a is constructed of a filtering member made of synthetic unwoven fiber, filter paper, or the like.
  • the air cleaner element 5 a is disposed substantially parallel to a plane that is perpendicular to the vehicle front and rear direction, that is, the air flow direction.
  • the air cleaner case 5 b and the air cleaner cap 5 c are coupled with respect to the vehicle front and rear direction through the air cleaner element 5 a .
  • the air cleaner case 5 b is located upstream of the air cleaner cap 5 c with respect to the air flow direction.
  • the air cleaner case 5 b is integrally formed with the fan shroud 4 .
  • the air cleaner case 5 b has an outer wall (side wall) 50 on its upstream side.
  • a part of the outer wall 50 which is on a side adjacent to the heat exchangers 1 , 2 and opposed to the heat exchangers 1 , 2 , forms a part of the air introducing portion 4 b of the fan shroud 4 . That is, the outer wall 50 partly forms the air introducing portion 4 b on a side facing the heat exchangers 1 , 2 .
  • a clearance 7 is provided between the part of the outer wall 50 , which forms the air introducing portion 4 b , and the heat exchangers 1 , 2 such that the air in front of the heat exchangers 1 , 2 is partly introduced in the clearance 7 in a vehicle rearward direction in accordance with negative pressure generated by the blower 3 , as shown by an arrow A 1 in FIG. 3 .
  • the air flows along the part of the outer wall 50 in the vehicle rearward direction, while bypassing the heat exchangers 1 , 2 .
  • the cooling module further has a reserve tank 8 for absorbing a change of volume of the cooling fluid passing through a cooling fluid circuit.
  • the reserve tank 8 is made of a resin, and is fixed on a wall of the fan shroud 4 , the wall facing a downstream position with respect to the air flow direction. Further, the reserve tank 8 is located at a position opposite to the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the heat exchangers 1 , 2 .
  • FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the cooling module when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle, that is, from a downstream position with respect to the air flow direction, in a condition mounted to the vehicle.
  • illustration of the reserve tank 8 is omitted.
  • the air cleaner unit 5 has length H with respect to the vehicle up and down direction and width W with respect to the vehicle width direction.
  • the length H is greater than the width W. That is, a ratio of the length H to the width W is equal to or greater than one (H/W ⁇ 1).
  • the length H is measured at a position where the height is the maximum in the air cleaner unit 5 .
  • the width W is measured a position where the width is the maximum in the air cleaner unit 5 . That is, the length H corresponds to a maximum length of the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the vehicle up and down direction, and the width W corresponds to a maximum length of the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the vehicle width direction.
  • the air inlet 51 is located at a position lower than a middle height (middle portion) of the air cleaner unit 5 (e.g., air cleaner case 5 b ), shown by a dotted line C in FIG. 4 , with respect to the vehicle up and down direction.
  • the air outlet 52 is located at a position higher than the middle height (middle portion) of the air cleaner (e.g., air cleaner cap 5 c ), with respect to the vehicle up and down direction.
  • the fan shroud 4 is fixed to the radiator 1 .
  • the radiator 1 on which the fan shroud 4 is fixed is mounted to a vehicle body 10 through elastic members, such as elastically deformable rubber bushings 9 .
  • the radiator 1 has pins 1 a on its upper and lower ends.
  • the rubber bushings 9 are fixed to the pins 1 a beforehand, and the pins 1 a are engaged with portions of the vehicle body 10 .
  • the radiator 1 on which the fan shroud 4 is fixed that is, the cooling module is mounted to the vehicle.
  • the condenser 2 can be assembled to the radiator 1 beforehand into the cooling module. Alternatively, the condenser 2 can be independently and directly fixed to the vehicle body 10 .
  • the fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are integrally formed by injection molding. After the fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are molded in a cavity provided between two moulds, one of the moulds is moved in a direction that is parallel to a direction corresponding to the vehicle front and rear direction. Thus, the integrally molded fan shroud 4 and air cleaner case 5 b is removed from the moulds.
  • the air cleaner case 5 b and the fan shroud 4 are integrally formed with each other such that the part of the outer wall 50 forms the part of the air introducing portion 4 b of the fan shroud 4 . That is, the part of the air cleaner case 5 b serves as the air introducing portion 4 b . In other words, the air cleaner case 5 b and the fan shroud 4 share a wall between them. Therefore, the fan shroud 4 becomes compact, and hence the weight of the cooling module is reduced.
  • the air cleaner unit 5 and the heat exchangers 1 , 2 are arranged next to each other with respect to the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in a condition where the cooling module is mounted in the engine compartment, a space above the cooling module is increased. The space can be effectively used as the free space for a pedestrian protection system. Accordingly, pedestrian protection performance is improved by the structure of the cooling module, and the weight of the cooling module is reduced.
  • the air cleaner case 5 b and the fan shroud 4 are integrally formed with each other such that the wall 50 of the air cleaner case 5 b serves as the part of the air introducing portion 4 b of the fan shroud 4 , an area of the integrated air cleaner case 5 b and fan shroud 4 , when projected in a direction parallel to the vehicle front and rear direction, is reduced. Thus, a size of an injection molding apparatus can be reduced.
  • the front end wall 5 d of the air cleaner unit 5 is located without overlapping with the heat exchangers 1 , 2 when viewed from the front side. Therefore, the air that has not passed through the heat exchangers 1 , 2 can be supplied toward the air cleaner unit 5 . Because the air cleaner unit 5 is cooled by the air that has not passed through the heat exchangers 1 , 2 , an increase in temperature of the intake air is suppressed. Accordingly, engine torque is increased.
  • the fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are configured such that the air in front of the heat exchangers 1 , 2 is conducted toward a downstream position of the heat exchangers 1 , 2 through the clearance 7 provided between the part of the wall 50 and the heat exchangers 1 , 2 .
  • the air cleaner unit 5 is effectively cooled by the air passing through the clearance 7 .
  • the increase in temperature of the intake air is effectively restricted, and hence the engine torque is further increased.
  • the air cleaner element 5 a is disposed substantially parallel to the plane that is perpendicular to the air flow direction. Therefore, the air cleaner case 5 b has the opening in a direction coincide with the direction in which the moulds are opened. Accordingly, the fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are easily integrally formed with each other without requiring a specific sliding mould. Further, the moulds for molding the fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are reduced in costs, and hence capital-investment spending is reduced. Accordingly, an increase in manufacturing cost of the fan shroud 4 with which the air cleaner case 5 b is integrated is suppressed.
  • the width W is greater than the length H in the air cleaner unit 5
  • a distance between the fan shroud 4 and the furthest portion of the air cleaner unit 5 is large, the furthest portion being furthest from the fan shroud 4 in the air cleaner unit 5 .
  • the distance between the fan shroud 4 and the furthest portion of the air cleaner unit 5 is reduced, as compared with the air cleaner unit in which the width W is greater than the height H. As such, strength of the air cleaner unit 5 is improved.
  • the intake manifold is located above the engine.
  • the air outlet 52 is located higher than the middle position of the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the vehicle up and down direction, handling and arrangement of the outlet duct 62 are eased.
  • the air inlet 51 is located lower than the middle position of the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the vehicle up and down direction, the flow of the intake air inside of the air cleaner unit 5 is facilitated. Accordingly, pressure loss is reduced.
  • the air cleaner unit 5 Since the air cleaner unit 5 is in communication with the engine through the outlet duct 62 , vibration of the engine is transmitted to the air cleaner unit 5 . Therefore, if a fan shroud with which an air cleaner unit is integrated is directly fixed to a vehicle body, the vibration of the engine is transmitted to the fan shroud and the vehicle body through the air cleaner unit.
  • the fan shroud 4 is fixed to the vehicle body 10 through the rubber bushings 9 , which are elastically deformable. Because the vibration of the engine is absorbed by the rubber bushings 9 , it is leas likely that the vibration will be transmitted to the vehicle body 10 .
  • FIG. 5 shows a relationship between engine rotational speed of the vehicle and a sound level of the suction noise.
  • a solid line x represents a measured result in a case where the cooling module of the present embodiment, in which the air cleaner unit 5 is integrated with the fan shroud 4 , is mounted on a vehicle.
  • a dashed line y represents a measured result in a case where a cooling module as a comparative example, in which the air cleaner unit 5 is not integrated with the fan shroud 4 , is mounted on a vehicle.
  • the mass of parts connected to the inlet duct 61 is increased, as compared with the case where the air cleaner unit 5 is solely provided. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 , the peaks of the sound level are lowered by integrating the air cleaner unit 5 with the fan shroud 4 . As such, unpleasant feeling of the passenger will be reduced.
  • the fan shroud 4 is provided with the reserve tank 8 , and the reserve tank 8 is arranged opposite to the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the heat exchangers 1 , 2 . Therefore, balance of the weight of the fan shroud 4 with respect to the vehicle width direction is improved.
  • FIG. 6 A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 6 .
  • like components are denoted by like reference characters and a description thereof is not repeated.
  • FIG. 6 the illustration of the reserve tank 8 is omitted.
  • the radiator 1 is fixed to the fan shroud 4 .
  • the fan shroud 4 to which the radiator 1 is fixed is mounted to the vehicle body 10 through the elastic rubber bushings 9 .
  • the fan shroud 4 has pins 4 c on its upper and lower ends.
  • the rubber bushings 9 are fixed to the pines 4 c beforehand.
  • the pins 4 c are engaged with portions of the vehicle body 10 .
  • the condenser 2 can be fixed to the radiator 1 beforehand.
  • the condenser 2 can be independently and directly fixed to the vehicle body 10 .
  • the similar effects as the first embodiment will be provided.
  • the air cleaner case 5 b is integrated with the fan shroud 4 .
  • the air cleaner cap 5 c can be integrated with the fan shroud 4 .
  • the air cleaner case 5 b has the air inlet 51
  • the air cleaner cap 5 c has the air outlet 52
  • the air cleaner case 5 b can have the air outlet 52 and the air cleaner cap 5 c can have the air inlet 51 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)

Abstract

A cooling module includes a heat exchanger, a blower, a fan shroud and an air cleaner unit for filtering air to be introduced into an engine of a vehicle. The fan shroud holds the blower on a downstream side of the heat exchanger with respect to a flow of air passing through the heat exchanger and has an air introducing portion defining an air passage from the heat exchanger to the blower. A front end of the air cleaner unit is offset from the heat exchanger with respect to a horizontal direction. A side wall of the air cleaner unit partly forms the air introducing portion. A clearance is provided between the side wall and the heat exchanger such that air upstream of the heat exchanger is conducted toward a position downstream of the heat exchanger through the clearance.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
  • This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-136603 filed on May 23, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a cooling module including a fan shroud and an air cleaner unit.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • For example, heat exchangers, such as a radiator and a condenser, and a blower for introducing air to the heat exchangers are mounted to a vehicle body through a front end panel. The front end panel is also known as a shroud panel, a carrier, a radiator support and the like. The front end panel is integrally formed with a fan shroud of the blower. The fan shroud is configured to support a fan of the blower and to form an air passage from the heat exchangers to the fan.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-171041 describes a cooling module having a front end panel. In the described cooling module, the front end panel forms a closed space in its upper beam portion, and an air cleaner unit is housed in the closed space.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-238825 describes an exterior unit for a fixed air conditioner. In the described exterior unit, an auxiliary case for supporting a fan is disposed to oppose a radiator and a condenser. The auxiliary case is formed with a fan shroud that has a substantially cylindrical shape for surrounding the fan. Further, a part of the fan shroud is shared with a side wall of an air cleaner. As such, the exterior unit is made compact.
  • In vehicles, it has been desired to reduce damage to a person, such as a pedestrian, in a case a vehicle collides with the person. To reduce damage or impact to a pedestrian in a collision, it is proposed to increase a clearance between an engine hood and a front end panel, that is, a free space above the front end panel within an engine compartment, thereby easing deformation of the engine hood and the like.
  • In the cooling module described in Publication No. 11-171041, since the fan shroud and the air cleaner unit are arranged in an up and down direction of a vehicle, the size of the cooling module increases. Further, the weight of the cooling module increases. Also, since the air cleaner is disposed at the upper beam portion of the fan shroud, it will be difficult to sufficiently provide the free space above the front end panel.
  • In a case where the fan shroud described in Publication No. 10-238825 is employed to a cooling module for a vehicle, a size of the cooling module will be reduced and hence it will be easy to provide the free space above the cooling module. However, in a case where the air cleaner is disposed to oppose the heat exchangers, the air cleaner is heated by air that has passed through the heat exchangers. As a result, the temperature of intake air to be introduced into an engine through the air cleaner will be increased.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is made in view of the foregoing matter, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling module having a structure capable of reducing the weight and increasing a space on its top in a condition mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle while effectively cooling air to be introduced to an internal combustion engine.
  • According to an aspect of the present invention, a cooling module to be mounted to a front part of a vehicle includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between air and a heat medium, a fan shroud, a blower and an air cleaner unit for filtering air to be introduced into an internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The fan shroud is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger with respect to a flow of air passing through the heat exchanger. The blower is held by the fan shroud. The fan shroud includes an air introducing portion defining an air passage from the heat exchanger to the blower. The air cleaner unit is disposed such that a front end of the air cleaner unit is offset from the heat exchanger with respect to a horizontal direction. The air cleaner unit has a side wall that partly forms the air introducing portion of the fan shroud. A clearance is provided between the side wall of the air cleaner unit and the heat exchanger such that air upstream of the heat exchanger is conducted toward a downstream position of the heat exchanger through the clearance.
  • Accordingly, the air cleaner unit is configured such that a part of the air cleaner unit serves as a part of the air introducing portion of the fan shroud. In other words, the air cleaner unit and the air introducing portion of the fan shroud share a wall between them. Therefore, the weight of the cooling module is reduced. Since the heat exchanger and the air cleaner unit are arranged in the horizontal direction, a space provided above the cooling module in a condition mounted in an engine compartment of the vehicle is increased. For example, the space is effectively used for a pedestrian protection system.
  • In addition, since the front end wall of the air cleaner unit is offset from the heat exchanger, when viewed along the flow of the air, that is, from the front side, the air cleaner unit is cooled by air that has not passed through the heat exchanger. As such, an increase in temperature of the air to be introduced into the engine is reduced. Further, since the clearance is provided between the side wall of the air cleaner unit and the heat exchanger, air is conducted from an upstream position of the heat exchanger toward a downstream position of the heat exchanger through the clearance. Therefore, the air cleaner unit is effectively cooled by the air passing through the clearance. As such, engine torque is increased while restricting the increase in temperature of the air to be introduced into the engine.
  • Accordingly, the cooling module having the structure capable of reducing the weight and increasing the space on its top in the condition mounted in the engine compartment while effectively cooling the air to be introduced into the engine is provided.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference numbers and in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling module, when viewed from a diagonally front side of a vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooling module, when viewed from a diagonally rear side of a vehicle, according to the first embodiment;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling module taken along a line III-III in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of the cooling module mounted on a vehicle, according to the first embodiment;
  • FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between rotation speed of an engine and a sound level of intake air at an air suction port of an inlet duct of an air cleaner unit of the cooling module according to the first embodiment; and
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view of a cooling module mounted on a vehicle, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment
  • A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In the present embodiment, a cooling module is mounted in an engine compartment provided at a front end of a vehicle.
  • Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cooling module generally includes a radiator 1, a condenser 2, an electric fan unit (blower) 3, a fan shroud 4 and an air cleaner unit 5. The radiator 1 is a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a cooling fluid of an internal combustion engine (hereinafter, engine) and outside air introduced from an outside of a vehicle, thereby cooling the cooling fluid. The condenser 2 is a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant of a refrigerant cycle of a vehicular air conditioner (not shown) and the outside air, thereby cooling the refrigerant.
  • The blower 3 is disposed to introduce the outside air to the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 for cooling the radiator 1 and the condenser 2. The fan shroud 4 is configured to support the blower 3 and form an air passage from the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 to the blower 3. That is, the fan shroud 4 is configured to guide the air to pass through the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 with an operation of the blower 3. The air cleaner unit 5 is provided to filter air to be introduced into the engine. Hereinafter, the radiator 1 and the condenser 2 are also referred to as the heat exchangers. The air to be introduced into the engine through the air cleaner unit 5 is also referred to as intake air. The cooling fluid and the refrigerant correspond to heat mediums.
  • The condenser 2 is disposed in front of the radiator 1 with respect to a vehicle front and rear direction. In other words, the condenser 2 is disposed upstream of the radiator 1 with respect to a flow direction of the air, which generally flows in a vehicle rearward direction. The blower 3 is disposed on a rear side of the radiator 1 with respect to the vehicle front and rear direction. In other words, the blower 3 is disposed downstream of the radiator 1 with respect to the air flow direction.
  • The air cleaner unit 5 is offset from the heat exchangers 1, 2 with respect to a horizontal direction, such as in a vehicle width direction that is perpendicular to the vehicle front and rear direction. That is, the condenser 2 and a front end of the air cleaner unit 5 are next to each other with respect to the vehicle width direction when viewed from a front side of the vehicle.
  • The blower 3 includes a fan 3 a for generating the flow of air and an electric motor 3 b for driving the fan 3 a. The fan shroud 4 is made of a resin, such as polypropylene containing glass fiber. The fan shroud 4 has stays 4 a for supporting the fan 3 a and an air introducing portion 4 b that forms the air passage from the heat exchangers 1, 2 to the fan 3 a. The air introducing portion 4 b is located upstream of the stays 4 a, that is, upstream of a position where the fan 3 a is supported, with respect to the air flow.
  • The air cleaner unit 5 includes an air cleaner element 5 a for removing foreign materials from the intake air, an air cleaner case 5 b for housing the air cleaner element 5 a, and an air cleaner cap 5 c. The air cleaner element 5 a is disposed between the air cleaner case 5 b and the air cleaner cap 5 c.
  • The air cleaner case 5 b is made of the same material as the fan shroud 4. That is, the air cleaner case 5 b is made of a resin material, such as polypropylene containing glass fiber. The air cleaner case 5 b is a container having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and defining an opening on one side. The air cleaner element 5 a is inserted and fixed to a frame member disposed on a perimeter of the opening of the air cleaner case 5 b. The air cleaner case 5 b further has an air inlet 51 on another side for introducing the intake air into the air cleaner unit 5. An end of a tubular inlet duct 61 is coupled to the air inlet 51. The other end of the inlet duct 61 forms an air suction port 61 a through which the intake air is suctioned into the air cleaner unit 5.
  • The air cleaner unit 5 is disposed such that a front end wall 5 d of the air cleaner case 5 b is offset from the heat exchangers 1, 2 with respect to the horizontal direction, when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. Thus, the front end wall 5 d of the air cleaner case 5 b is exposed to air that is before passing through the heat exchangers 1, 2.
  • The air cleaner cap 5 c is made of the same material as the air cleaner case 5 b. That is, the air cleaner cap 5 c is made of a resin material, such as polypropylene containing glass fiber. The air cleaner cap 5 c is a container having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and defining an opening on one side. The air cleaner cap 5 c has an engagement structure on the perimeter of the opening. The air cleaner cap 5 c is coupled to the air cleaner case 5 b such that the openings thereof are opposed to each other through air cleaner element 5 a. The engagement structure of the air cleaner cap 5 c is engaged with the side of the air cleaner case 5 b on which the opening is provided through the air cleaner element 5 a.
  • The air cleaner cap 5 c has an air outlet 52 on another side for discharging the intake air, which has been filtered through the air cleaner element 5 a, from the air cleaner unit 5. An end of a tubular outlet duct 62 is coupled to the air outlet 52. The other end of the outlet duct 62 is in communication with an intake manifold (not shown), which distributes the intake air into engine cylinders.
  • The air cleaner element 5 a is constructed of a filtering member made of synthetic unwoven fiber, filter paper, or the like. The air cleaner element 5 a is disposed substantially parallel to a plane that is perpendicular to the vehicle front and rear direction, that is, the air flow direction. In other words, the air cleaner case 5 b and the air cleaner cap 5 c are coupled with respect to the vehicle front and rear direction through the air cleaner element 5 a. For example, the air cleaner case 5 b is located upstream of the air cleaner cap 5 c with respect to the air flow direction.
  • As shown in FIG. 3, the air cleaner case 5 b is integrally formed with the fan shroud 4. The air cleaner case 5 b has an outer wall (side wall) 50 on its upstream side. A part of the outer wall 50, which is on a side adjacent to the heat exchangers 1, 2 and opposed to the heat exchangers 1, 2, forms a part of the air introducing portion 4 b of the fan shroud 4. That is, the outer wall 50 partly forms the air introducing portion 4 b on a side facing the heat exchangers 1, 2.
  • Further, a clearance 7 is provided between the part of the outer wall 50, which forms the air introducing portion 4 b, and the heat exchangers 1, 2 such that the air in front of the heat exchangers 1, 2 is partly introduced in the clearance 7 in a vehicle rearward direction in accordance with negative pressure generated by the blower 3, as shown by an arrow A1 in FIG. 3. As such, in the clearance 7, the air flows along the part of the outer wall 50 in the vehicle rearward direction, while bypassing the heat exchangers 1, 2.
  • The cooling module further has a reserve tank 8 for absorbing a change of volume of the cooling fluid passing through a cooling fluid circuit. The reserve tank 8 is made of a resin, and is fixed on a wall of the fan shroud 4, the wall facing a downstream position with respect to the air flow direction. Further, the reserve tank 8 is located at a position opposite to the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the heat exchangers 1, 2.
  • FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the cooling module when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle, that is, from a downstream position with respect to the air flow direction, in a condition mounted to the vehicle. In FIG. 4, illustration of the reserve tank 8 is omitted.
  • As shown in FIG. 4, the air cleaner unit 5 has length H with respect to the vehicle up and down direction and width W with respect to the vehicle width direction. The length H is greater than the width W. That is, a ratio of the length H to the width W is equal to or greater than one (H/W≧1). Here, the length H is measured at a position where the height is the maximum in the air cleaner unit 5. Likewise, the width W is measured a position where the width is the maximum in the air cleaner unit 5. That is, the length H corresponds to a maximum length of the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the vehicle up and down direction, and the width W corresponds to a maximum length of the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the vehicle width direction.
  • The air inlet 51 is located at a position lower than a middle height (middle portion) of the air cleaner unit 5 (e.g., air cleaner case 5 b), shown by a dotted line C in FIG. 4, with respect to the vehicle up and down direction. On the other hand, the air outlet 52 is located at a position higher than the middle height (middle portion) of the air cleaner (e.g., air cleaner cap 5 c), with respect to the vehicle up and down direction.
  • In the present embodiment, the fan shroud 4 is fixed to the radiator 1. The radiator 1 on which the fan shroud 4 is fixed, is mounted to a vehicle body 10 through elastic members, such as elastically deformable rubber bushings 9. The radiator 1 has pins 1 a on its upper and lower ends. For example, the rubber bushings 9 are fixed to the pins 1 a beforehand, and the pins 1 a are engaged with portions of the vehicle body 10. As such, the radiator 1 on which the fan shroud 4 is fixed, that is, the cooling module is mounted to the vehicle. The condenser 2 can be assembled to the radiator 1 beforehand into the cooling module. Alternatively, the condenser 2 can be independently and directly fixed to the vehicle body 10.
  • The fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are integrally formed by injection molding. After the fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are molded in a cavity provided between two moulds, one of the moulds is moved in a direction that is parallel to a direction corresponding to the vehicle front and rear direction. Thus, the integrally molded fan shroud 4 and air cleaner case 5 b is removed from the moulds.
  • As described in the above, the air cleaner case 5 b and the fan shroud 4 are integrally formed with each other such that the part of the outer wall 50 forms the part of the air introducing portion 4 b of the fan shroud 4. That is, the part of the air cleaner case 5 b serves as the air introducing portion 4 b. In other words, the air cleaner case 5 b and the fan shroud 4 share a wall between them. Therefore, the fan shroud 4 becomes compact, and hence the weight of the cooling module is reduced.
  • The air cleaner unit 5 and the heat exchangers 1, 2 are arranged next to each other with respect to the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in a condition where the cooling module is mounted in the engine compartment, a space above the cooling module is increased. The space can be effectively used as the free space for a pedestrian protection system. Accordingly, pedestrian protection performance is improved by the structure of the cooling module, and the weight of the cooling module is reduced.
  • Since the air cleaner case 5 b and the fan shroud 4 are integrally formed with each other such that the wall 50 of the air cleaner case 5 b serves as the part of the air introducing portion 4 b of the fan shroud 4, an area of the integrated air cleaner case 5 b and fan shroud 4, when projected in a direction parallel to the vehicle front and rear direction, is reduced. Thus, a size of an injection molding apparatus can be reduced.
  • In addition, the front end wall 5 d of the air cleaner unit 5 is located without overlapping with the heat exchangers 1, 2 when viewed from the front side. Therefore, the air that has not passed through the heat exchangers 1, 2 can be supplied toward the air cleaner unit 5. Because the air cleaner unit 5 is cooled by the air that has not passed through the heat exchangers 1, 2, an increase in temperature of the intake air is suppressed. Accordingly, engine torque is increased.
  • The fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are configured such that the air in front of the heat exchangers 1, 2 is conducted toward a downstream position of the heat exchangers 1, 2 through the clearance 7 provided between the part of the wall 50 and the heat exchangers 1, 2. Thus, the air cleaner unit 5 is effectively cooled by the air passing through the clearance 7. As such, the increase in temperature of the intake air is effectively restricted, and hence the engine torque is further increased.
  • The air cleaner element 5 a is disposed substantially parallel to the plane that is perpendicular to the air flow direction. Therefore, the air cleaner case 5 b has the opening in a direction coincide with the direction in which the moulds are opened. Accordingly, the fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are easily integrally formed with each other without requiring a specific sliding mould. Further, the moulds for molding the fan shroud 4 and the air cleaner case 5 b are reduced in costs, and hence capital-investment spending is reduced. Accordingly, an increase in manufacturing cost of the fan shroud 4 with which the air cleaner case 5 b is integrated is suppressed.
  • In general, nothing is disposed under an air cleaner unit in an engine compartment. That is, a space under the air cleaner in the engine compartment is a dead space. In the present embodiment, on the other hand, since the height H of the air cleaner unit 5 is greater than the width W, the space under the air cleaner unit 5 is reduced. That is, the air cleaner unit 5 is arranged while effectively using the space in the engine compartment.
  • In a case where the width W is greater than the length H in the air cleaner unit 5, a distance between the fan shroud 4 and the furthest portion of the air cleaner unit 5 is large, the furthest portion being furthest from the fan shroud 4 in the air cleaner unit 5. In the air cleaner unit 5 of the present embodiment, on the other hand, since the height H is greater than the width W, the distance between the fan shroud 4 and the furthest portion of the air cleaner unit 5 is reduced, as compared with the air cleaner unit in which the width W is greater than the height H. As such, strength of the air cleaner unit 5 is improved.
  • In general, the intake manifold is located above the engine. In the present embodiment, since the air outlet 52 is located higher than the middle position of the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the vehicle up and down direction, handling and arrangement of the outlet duct 62 are eased. Also, since the air inlet 51 is located lower than the middle position of the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the vehicle up and down direction, the flow of the intake air inside of the air cleaner unit 5 is facilitated. Accordingly, pressure loss is reduced.
  • Since the air cleaner unit 5 is in communication with the engine through the outlet duct 62, vibration of the engine is transmitted to the air cleaner unit 5. Therefore, if a fan shroud with which an air cleaner unit is integrated is directly fixed to a vehicle body, the vibration of the engine is transmitted to the fan shroud and the vehicle body through the air cleaner unit. In the present embodiment, on the other hand, the fan shroud 4 is fixed to the vehicle body 10 through the rubber bushings 9, which are elastically deformable. Because the vibration of the engine is absorbed by the rubber bushings 9, it is leas likely that the vibration will be transmitted to the vehicle body 10.
  • When the intake air is suctioned from the air suction port 61 a, suction noise will be generated. If the suction noise is transmitted into a passenger compartment, a passenger will feel unpleasant.
  • FIG. 5 shows a relationship between engine rotational speed of the vehicle and a sound level of the suction noise. In FIG. 5, a solid line x represents a measured result in a case where the cooling module of the present embodiment, in which the air cleaner unit 5 is integrated with the fan shroud 4, is mounted on a vehicle. Also, a dashed line y represents a measured result in a case where a cooling module as a comparative example, in which the air cleaner unit 5 is not integrated with the fan shroud 4, is mounted on a vehicle.
  • In the case where the air cleaner unit 5 is integrated with the fan shroud 4, the mass of parts connected to the inlet duct 61 is increased, as compared with the case where the air cleaner unit 5 is solely provided. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the peaks of the sound level are lowered by integrating the air cleaner unit 5 with the fan shroud 4. As such, unpleasant feeling of the passenger will be reduced.
  • The fan shroud 4 is provided with the reserve tank 8, and the reserve tank 8 is arranged opposite to the air cleaner unit 5 with respect to the heat exchangers 1, 2. Therefore, balance of the weight of the fan shroud 4 with respect to the vehicle width direction is improved.
  • Second Embodiment
  • A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 6. Hereinafter, like components are denoted by like reference characters and a description thereof is not repeated. In FIG. 6, the illustration of the reserve tank 8 is omitted.
  • In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the radiator 1 is fixed to the fan shroud 4. The fan shroud 4 to which the radiator 1 is fixed is mounted to the vehicle body 10 through the elastic rubber bushings 9. For example, the fan shroud 4 has pins 4 c on its upper and lower ends. The rubber bushings 9 are fixed to the pines 4 c beforehand. The pins 4 c are engaged with portions of the vehicle body 10. Thus, the fan shroud 4 to which the radiator 1 is fixed, that is, the cooling module is mounted to the vehicle. In this case, the condenser 2 can be fixed to the radiator 1 beforehand. Alternatively, the condenser 2 can be independently and directly fixed to the vehicle body 10. Also in the present embodiment, the similar effects as the first embodiment will be provided.
  • Other Embodiments
  • In the above embodiments, the air cleaner case 5 b is integrated with the fan shroud 4. Alternatively, the air cleaner cap 5 c can be integrated with the fan shroud 4.
  • In the above embodiments, the air cleaner case 5 b has the air inlet 51, and the air cleaner cap 5 c has the air outlet 52. Alternatively, the air cleaner case 5 b can have the air outlet 52 and the air cleaner cap 5 c can have the air inlet 51.
  • Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader term is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described.

Claims (10)

1. A cooling module to be mounted to a front part of a vehicle, the cooling module comprising:
a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between air and a heat medium;
a fan shroud disposed downstream of the heat exchanger with respect to a flow of air passing through the heat exchanger;
a blower held by the fan shroud; and
an air cleaner unit for filtering air to be introduced into an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, wherein
the air cleaner unit is disposed such that a front end of the air cleaner unit is offset from the heat exchanger with respect to a horizontal direction,
the fan shroud includes an air introducing portion defining an air passage from the heat exchanger to the blower,
the air cleaner unit has a side wall, and a part of the side wall forms a part of the air introducing portion of the fan shroud, and
a clearance is provided between the part of the side wall and the heat exchanger such that air upstream of the heat exchanger is conducted toward a position downstream of the heat exchanger through the clearance.
2. The cooling module according to claim 1, wherein
the air cleaner unit includes an air cleaner case, an air cleaner cap, and an air cleaner element for filtering the air to be introduced into the internal combustion engine,
the air cleaner element is disposed between the air cleaner case and the air cleaner cap and arranged substantially parallel to a plane that is perpendicular to the flow of air passing through the heat exchanger, and
one of the air cleaner case and the air cleaner cap is integrally formed with the fan shroud and the side wall is provided by the one.
3. The cooling module according to claim 1, wherein
the air cleaner unit has a length with respect to an up and down direction and a width with respect to the horizontal direction, and the length is greater than the width.
4. The cooling module according to claim 1, wherein
the air cleaner unit has an air inlet for introducing air into the air cleaner unit and an air outlet for discharging the air from the air cleaner unit after being filtered,
the air inlet is located at a position lower than a middle position of the air cleaner unit with respect to an up and down direction, and
the air outlet is located at a position higher than the middle position with respect to the up and down direction.
5. The cooling module according to claim 1, further comprising:
an elastic member having elasticity, wherein
the fan shroud is fixed to a body of the vehicle through the elastic member.
6. The cooling module according to claim 1, further comprising:
an elastic member having elasticity, wherein
the fan shroud is fixed to the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger is fixed to a body of the vehicle through the elastic member.
7. The cooling module according to claim 2, wherein
the air cleaner unit has a length with respect to an up and down direction and a width with respect to the horizontal direction, and the length is greater than the width.
8. The cooling module according to claim 7, wherein
the air cleaner unit has an air inlet for introducing air into the air cleaner unit and an air outlet for discharging the air from the air cleaner unit after being filtered,
the air inlet is located at a position lower than a middle position of the air cleaner unit with respect to the up and down direction, and
the air outlet is located at a position higher than the middle position with respect to the up and down direction.
9. The cooling module according to claim 8, further comprising:
an elastic member having elasticity, wherein
the fan shroud is fixed to a body of the vehicle through the elastic member.
10. The cooling module according to claim 8, further comprising:
an elastic member having elasticity, wherein
the fan shroud is fixed to the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger is fixed to a body of the vehicle through the elastic member.
US12/154,184 2007-05-23 2008-05-21 Cooling module Abandoned US20080289796A1 (en)

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US20100275862A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-04 Cassell Jr Hovie Jarrett Device and Method for Integrating an Air Cleaner into a Radiator Fan Shroud
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CN102923138A (en) * 2012-11-29 2013-02-13 南车戚墅堰机车有限公司 Novel ventilation system structure
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US20180022209A1 (en) * 2016-07-22 2018-01-25 Nimer Ibrahim Shiheiber Radiator System
US20210281144A1 (en) * 2018-06-21 2021-09-09 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Cooling radiator for motor fan unit
CN113431716A (en) * 2021-07-16 2021-09-24 重庆长安汽车股份有限公司 Air deflector assembly with air entraining function and air inlet structure of air filter
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US20090133663A1 (en) * 2007-11-26 2009-05-28 Denso Corporation Air cleaner unit for vehicle and fan shroud having the same
US7998233B2 (en) * 2007-11-26 2011-08-16 Denso Corporation Air cleaner unit for vehicle and fan shroud having the same
US20100275862A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-04 Cassell Jr Hovie Jarrett Device and Method for Integrating an Air Cleaner into a Radiator Fan Shroud
US8807113B2 (en) * 2009-05-04 2014-08-19 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Device and method for integrating an air cleaner into a radiator fan shroud
US20110232983A1 (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-09-29 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Air cleaner device
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CN102923138A (en) * 2012-11-29 2013-02-13 南车戚墅堰机车有限公司 Novel ventilation system structure
US20180022209A1 (en) * 2016-07-22 2018-01-25 Nimer Ibrahim Shiheiber Radiator System
US10661650B2 (en) * 2016-07-22 2020-05-26 Nimer Ibrahim Shiheiber Radiator system
US10906388B2 (en) * 2016-07-22 2021-02-02 Nimer Ibrahim Shiheiber Radiator system
US20210252968A1 (en) * 2016-07-22 2021-08-19 Nimer Ibrahim Shiheiber Radiator System
US11964550B2 (en) * 2016-07-22 2024-04-23 Nimer Ibrahim Shiheiber Radiator system
US20240300317A1 (en) * 2016-07-22 2024-09-12 Nimer Ibrahim Shiheiber Radiator System
US11173808B2 (en) 2016-12-22 2021-11-16 Polaris Industies Inc. Vehicle
US11679664B2 (en) * 2018-05-22 2023-06-20 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Ventilation device of a motor vehicle
US20210281144A1 (en) * 2018-06-21 2021-09-09 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Cooling radiator for motor fan unit
US12051947B2 (en) * 2018-06-21 2024-07-30 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Cooling radiator for motor fan unit
CN113431716A (en) * 2021-07-16 2021-09-24 重庆长安汽车股份有限公司 Air deflector assembly with air entraining function and air inlet structure of air filter

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DE602008001073D1 (en) 2010-06-10
JP4367526B2 (en) 2009-11-18
JP2008290520A (en) 2008-12-04
EP1995103B1 (en) 2010-04-28

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