U.S. patent application number 11/005487 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for tank structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kimura, Satoshi, Miyasaka, Shinichi, Nakajima, Shiro, Okura, Hiroyuki, Tochigi, Kenji.
Application Number | 20050173104 11/005487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34510475 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050173104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakajima, Shiro ; et
al. |
August 11, 2005 |
Tank structure
Abstract
In a tank structure of a heat exchanger, at least one of a first
tank member and a second tank member which have substantially
U-shaped cross sections has, in coupling portions thereof, bent
portions made of bent plate materials. The first tank member and
the second tank member have first to fourth slits that are formed
at least in the bent portions near end faces. End face closing
members have main portions capable of closing end-face openings
formed by the first and second tank members, and the main portions
have on outer peripheries thereof integrally formed first lock
portions and second lock portions inserted in and locked by the
slits to cover gaps formed between the first and second tank
members.
Inventors: |
Nakajima, Shiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kimura, Satoshi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Okura,
Hiroyuki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Tochigi, Kenji;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Miyasaka, Shinichi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
34510475 |
Appl. No.: |
11/005487 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 9/0202 20130101;
F28F 2220/00 20130101; F28F 2275/04 20130101; F28F 9/0224
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/173 |
International
Class: |
F28F 009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 8, 2003 |
JP |
2003-409278 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tank structure comprising: a first tank member that has a
substantially U-shaped cross section having a bottom portion and
first and second sidewall portions connecting with both sides of
the bottom portion; a second tank member that has a substantially
U-shaped cross section having third and fourth sidewall portions to
partially overlap with the first and second sidewall portions of
said first tank member respectively and a bottom portion to close a
longitudinal opening of said first tank member when said first and
second tank members are assembled and fixed together with each
other; and end-face closing members closing end-face openings on
both end sides of said first and second tank members in a
longitudinal direction of a cylinder formed by said first and
second tank members, wherein said first tank member is made of
plate materials and bent to be formed on the first and second
sidewall portions thereof with bent portions to receive the third
and fourth sidewall portions of said second tank member
respectively; said first tank member having slits that are formed
on the first and second sidewall portions to extend from end
portions of the first and second sidewall portions toward the
bottom portion through the bent portions; and said end-face closing
members having main portions capable of closing the end-face
openings of said first and second tank members, and the main
portions being formed on outer peripheries thereof integrally with
lock portions that are inserted in and locked by the slits of said
first tank member so as to contact with the bent portions of said
first tank member and the third and fourth sidewall portions of
said second tank member and cover gaps formed between the bent
portions and end portions of the third and fourth sidewall
portions.
2. The tank structure according to claim 1, wherein said second
tank member has slits to overlap at least partially with the slits
of said first tank member and extend from the end portions of the
third and fourth sidewall portions toward the bottom portion of
said second tank member, and the lock portions being inserted in
and locked by the slits of said first and second tank members.
3. The tank structure according to claim 2, wherein the slits of
said first tank member is made up of first slits formed to extend
from the bottom portion thereof to end portion of the first
sidewall portion of said first tank member through the bent portion
thereof and second slits formed to extend from an intermediate
position to the end portion of the second sidewall portion through
the bent portion thereof, and the slits of said second tank member
being made up of third slits formed to extend from the end portion
of the third sidewall portion thereof to an intermediate portion of
the bottom portion of said second tank member and fourth slits
formed to extend from the end portion of the fourth sidewall
portion to the bottom portion of said second tank member, the third
and fourth slits overlapping at least partially with the first and
second slits of said first tank member when said first and second
tank members are assembled with each other.
4. The tank structure according to claim 2, wherein the slits of
said first tank member is made up of fifth slits formed to extend
from end portions to intermediate positions of the first and second
sidewall portions through the bent portions thereof, and the slits
of said second tank member being made up of sixth slits formed to
extend from the end portions of the third and fourth sidewall
portions toward the bottom portion of said second tank member, the
six slits overlapping at least partially with the fifth slits of
said first tank member when said first and second tank members are
assembled with each other.
5. The tank structure according to claim 2, wherein the slits of
said first tank member is made up of fifth slits formed to extend
from the end portions to intermediate positions of the first and
second sidewall portions of said first tank member through the bent
portions thereof, and the slits of said second tank member being
made up with seventh slits formed to extend from the end portions
to intermediate positions of the third and fourth sidewall portions
of said second member, the seventh slits overlapping partially with
the fifth slits of said first tank member when said first and
second tank members are assembled with each other.
6. The tank structure according to claim 2, wherein the slits of
said first tank member is made up of fifth slits formed to extend
from the end portions to intermediate positions of the first and
second sidewall portions of said first tank member through the bent
portions thereof, and the slits of said second tank member being
made up of eighth slits formed to extend from the end portion to an
intermediate position of the third sidewall portions of said second
member and ninth slits formed to extend from end portions of the
fourth sidewall portion to the bottom portion of said second tank
member, the eighth and ninth slits overlapping at least partially
with the fifth slits of said first tank member when said first and
second tank members are assembled with each other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tank structure formed of
a plurality of members that are assembled and fixed together by
brazing or others.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 11-118386
discloses a conventional tank structure of a heat exchanger of this
type. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 8, and FIG.
9, this tank structure is composed of: a first tank member 101 with
a substantially U-shaped cross section having a bottom to which a
tube is attached; a second tank member 102 with a substantially
U-shaped cross section to close a longitudinal opening of the first
tank member 101; and end-face closing members 103 to close end-face
openings that are formed on both end sides in the longitudinal
direction of a cylinder formed by the first and second tank members
101 and 102. The first tank member 101 has at edge portions of its
sidewalls 101a and 101a outwardly projecting catch steps 101b that
are in contact with sidewalls 102a and 102a of the second tank
member 102 so as to and catch edge faces of them. Bent portions Z
and Z bent to have a substantially crank-shaped cross section are
formed from the catch steps 101b to extend along outer surfaces of
the sidewall portions 102a and 102a of the second tank member 102,
thereby covering these sidewall portions 102a and 102a.
[0005] The end-face closing members 103 have main portions 103a
capable of closing the end-face openings formed by the first and
second tank members 101 and 102, and each of the main portion 103a
has protruding lock portions 103b and 103b formed integrally
therewith on center portions of upper and lower edges of the main
portion 103a. The lock portions 103b and 103b are inserted in
fitting holes 101c and 102c formed in bottoms of the first and
second tank members 101 and 102 so as to be locked to them.
[0006] The tank structure of the heat exchanger of this type,
however, has the following problems ascribable to the structure
such that the bent portions (bent portions Z and Z with a
substantially crank-shaped cross section) made of plate materials
are formed in one of the tank members (sidewalls 101a and 101a)
constituting coupling portions between the first and second tank
members 101 and 102, and the first and second tank members 101 and
102 are assembled together with edge faces of the other tank member
(sidewalls 102a and 102a) being in contact with the bent portions Z
and Z.
[0007] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, one of the tank members
101 and 102 is bent, for example the first tank member 101, rounded
portions R1, R2 are formed in an inner corner and an outer corner
of each bent portion Z of the tank member 101, respectively.
Consequently, when sidewalls (102a and 102a) of the other member,
for example the second tank member 102, are brought into contact
with the bent portions Z and Z of the first tank member 101,
corners of the other tank member 102 are in contact with and are
caught by the rounded portions R1, and gaps h and h are formed
between the both tank members 101 and 102. This may possibly result
in poor brazing properties of these sidewall portions 101a and
102a. In particular, the gaps h, which can not be closed by the
end-face closing members 103 and 103, will be a cause of leakage
from end faces. In order to avoid this leakage, it requires careful
inspection of the brazing portions, resulting in a high cost.
[0008] In order to solve the problems, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a tank structure capable of
compensating poor brazing properties even in a tank having tank
members, one of which is made of plate member formed with bent
portions to couple the other tank member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to the invention, provided is a tank structure
comprising: a first tank member that has a substantially U-shaped
cross section having a bottom portion and first and second sidewall
portions connecting with both sides of the bottom portion; a second
tank member that has a substantially U-shaped cross section having
third and fourth sidewall portions to partially overlap with the
first and second sidewall portions of the first tank member
respectively and a bottom portion to close a longitudinal opening
of the first tank member when the first and second tank members are
assembled and fixed together with each other; and end-face closing
members closing end-face openings on both end sides of the first
and second tank members in a longitudinal direction of a cylinder
formed by the first and second tank members, wherein the first tank
member is made of plate materials and bent to be formed on the
first and second sidewall portions thereof with bent portions to
receive the third and fourth sidewall portions of the second tank
member respectively; the first tank member having slits that are
formed on the first and second sidewall portions to extend from end
portions of the first and second sidewall portions toward the
bottom portion through the bent portions; and said end-face closing
members having main portions capable of closing the end-face
openings of the first and second tank members, and the main
portions being formed on outer peripheries thereof integrally with
lock portions that are inserted in and locked by the slits of the
first tank member so as to contact with the bent portions of said
first tank member and the third and fourth sidewall portions of
said second tank member and cover gaps formed between the bent
portions and end portions of the third and fourth sidewall
portions.
[0010] Preferably, the second tank member has slits to overlap at
least partially with the slits of said first tank member and extend
from the end portions of the third and fourth sidewall portions
toward the bottom portion of the second tank member, and the lock
portions are inserted in and locked by the slits of the first and
second tank members.
[0011] Preferably, the slits of the first tank member is made up of
first slits formed to extend from the bottom portion thereof to end
portion of the first sidewall portion of the first tank member
through the bent portion thereof and second slits formed to extend
from an intermediate position to the end portion of the second
sidewall portion through the bent portion thereof, and the slits of
the second tank member being made up of third slits formed to
extend from the end portion of the third sidewall portion thereof
to an intermediate portion of the bottom portion of the second tank
member and fourth slits formed to extend from the end portion of
the fourth sidewall portion to the bottom portion of said second
tank member, the third and fourth slits overlapping at least
partially with the first and second slits of the first tank member
when the first and second tank members are assembled with each
other.
[0012] Preferably, the slits of the first tank member is made up of
fifth slits formed to extend from end portions to intermediate
positions of the first and second sidewall portions through the
bent portions thereof, and the slits of the second tank member is
made up of sixth slits formed to extend from the end portions of
the third and fourth sidewall portions toward the bottom portion of
the second tank member, the six slits overlapping at least
partially with the fifth slits of the first tank member when the
first and second tank members are assembled with each other.
[0013] Preferably, the slits of the first tank member is made up of
fifth slits formed to extend from the end portions to intermediate
positions of the first and second sidewall portions of the first
tank member through the bent portions thereof, and the slits of the
second tank member is made up with third slits formed to extend
from the end portions to intermediate positions of the third and
fourth sidewall portions of the second member, the third slits
overlapping partially with the fifth slits of the first tank member
when the first and second tank members are assembled with each
other.
[0014] Preferably, the slits of the first tank member is made up of
fifth slits formed to extend from the end portions to intermediate
positions of the first and second sidewall portions of the first
tank member through the bent portions thereof, and the slits of the
second tank member is made up of third slits formed to extend from
the end portion to an intermediate position of the third sidewall
portions of the second member and fourth slits formed to extend
from end portions of the fourth sidewall portion to the bottom
portion of the second tank member, the third and fourth slits
overlapping at least partially with the fifth slits of the first
tank member when the first and second tank members are assembled
with each other.
[0015] In this tank structure, the first tank member has the slits
that are formed on at least the bent portions to extend along the
sidewall portions, and the lock portions integrally formed on the
outer peripheries of the end-face closing members are inserted in
and locked by the slits to cover the gaps between the first and
second tank members. Therefore, even when the gaps are formed in
the coupling portions between the first tank member and the second
tank member, the lock portions of the end-face closing members
block these gaps to avoid a leakage from the gaps.
[0016] This structure can produce an effect that the end-face
closing members can compensate poor brazing properties even when
bent portions made of plate materials are formed in coupling
portions between the first and second tank members of the tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1A is a front view showing a tank structure of a heat
exchanger of a first embodiment according to the present invention,
and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the E1 portion in FIG. 1B;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the tank structure of
the heat exchanger of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a first and second tank
members and a end-face closing member of the tank structure of the
heat exchanger of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 2;
[0021] FIG. 4A is a front view showing a tank structure of a heat
exchanger of a second embodiment according to the present
invention, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the E2 portion in
FIG. 4A;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the tank structure of
the heat exchanger of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4A;
[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a first and second tank
members and a end-face closing member of the tank structure of the
heat exchanger of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and
5;
[0024] FIG. 7A is a front view showing a conventional tank
structure of a heat exchanger according to a prior art, and FIG. 7B
is an enlarged view of the E3 portion in FIG. 4A;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the conventional tank
structure of the heat exchanger of the second embodiment shown in
FIG. 7A; and
[0026] FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing a first and second tank
members and a end-face closing member of the conventional tank
structure of the heat exchanger shown in FIGS. 7A and 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0028] First, a tank structure of a first embodiment will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIGS. 1A
to 3. In this embodiment, the tank structure is used for a heat
exchanger of a motor vehicle.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the tank
structure of the heat exchanger of the first embodiment includes: a
first tank member 1 that has a substantially U-shaped cross section
having sidewall portions 12 and 13 and bottom portion 11 to which a
tube is attached; a second tank member 2 that has a substantially
U-shaped cross section having sidewall portions 22 and 23 and a
bottom portion 21 to close a longitudinal opening of the first tank
member 1; and two end-face closing members 3 to close end-face
openings of a cylinder formed by the first tank member 1 and the
second tank member 2.
[0030] Note that one of the sidewall portions 12 and 13 of the
first tank member 1 corresponds to a first sidewall portion of the
present invention, while the other one of them corresponds to a
second sidewall portion of the present invention. One of the
sidewall portions 22 and 23 of the second tank member 2 corresponds
to a third sidewall portion of the present invention, while the
other one of them corresponds to a fourth sidewall portion of the
present invention.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first tank member 1 has
catch steps 12a and 13a formed in edge portions of the sidewall
portions 12 and 13 thereof to project outwardly, and the catch
steps 12a and 13a are in contact with and catch edge portions of
the sidewall portions 22 and 23 bending from the bottom portion 21
of the second member 2. Bent portions Z1 and Z2 bent are formed to
have a substantially crank-shaped cross section from the catch
steps 12a and 13a to extend along outer faces of the sidewall
portions 22 and 23 of the second tank member 2, thereby covering
these portions 22 and 23.
[0032] The first tank member 1 also has first slits 14 that are
formed in the sidewall portions 12 and 13 from the bottom portion
11 of the first tank member 1 to extend along the entire length of
the sidewall portion 13 in a direction along the sidewall portions
12 and 13. The second tank member 2 has third slits 24 that
partially overlap with the first slits 14 and extend along the
sidewall portion 23 up to the intermediate position of the bottom
portion 21.
[0033] The first tank member 1 also has second slits 15 that are
formed on the other sidewall portion 12 near the end-face openings
to extend in the direction of the sidewall portions 12 and 13 from
the bottom portion 11 to positions beyond at least the catch step
12a. The second tank member 2 has fourth slits 25 that partially
overlap with the second slits 15 and extend along the entire length
of the other sidewall portion 22.
[0034] The end-face closing members 3 have main portions 31 capable
of closing the end-face openings formed by the first and second
tank members 1 and 2. The main portions 31 are integrally formed
with first lock portions 33 and second lock portions 32 on outer
peripheries thereof, the first lock portions 33 being inserted in
and locked by the first and third slits 14 and 24, and the second
lock portions 32 being inserted in and locked by the third and
fourth slits 15 and 25.
[0035] Next, operations and advantages of the tank structure
according to the first embodiment will be described.
[0036] The tank of the first embodiment structured as described
above is assembled by following the procedure described below.
[0037] In a first step, as shown in FIG. 3, the first tank member
1, the second tank member 2, and the end-face closing members 3 are
prepared after their formation. Then, the second tank member 2 is
put on the first tank member 1 to close the longitudinal opening of
the first tank member 1. Specifically, in this state, the edge
faces of the sidewall portions 22 and 23 of the second tank member
2 are in contact with and are caught by the catch steps 12a and 13a
of the sidewall portions 12 and 13 of the first tank member 1, as
shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 2. In this case, in the bent
portions Z1 and Z2 made of plate materials, the gaps h and h are
formed at both sides between the catch steps 12a and 13a and the
edges of the sidewall portions 22 and 23, where poor brazing may
happen to be caused. This poor brazing comes from the reason that
rounded portions R1 and R2 are formed in an inner corner and an
outer corner of each of the bent portions Z1 and Z2 in order to
form the catch steps 12a and 13a in a bent shape, and consequently,
when the edge faces of the sidewall portions 22 and 23 are brought
in contact with the catch steps 12a and 13a, outer corners of the
edge faces are in contact with and are caught by the rounded
portions R1. However, a subsequent second step will solve the
problem of leakage and the like from the gaps h and h caused by
poor brazing properties of these portions.
[0038] In the second step, as shown in FIG. 3, the end-face closing
members 3 are inserted from the first and third slits 14 and 24
formed in the sidewall portions 13 and 23 of the first and second
tank members 1 and 2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2,
when the second lock portions 32 of the end-face closing members 3
are inserted in and locked by the third and fourth slits 15 and 25
and the end openings of the tank are closed by the main portions 31
of the end-face closing members 3, the assembly is completed, and
at this time, the first lock portions 33 of the end-face closing
members 3 are inserted in and locked by the first and third slits
14 and 24.
[0039] Even when the gaps h and h are formed between the catch
steps 12a and 13a and sidewall portions 22 and 23 in the bent
portions Z1 and Z2, the gaps h and h are thus blocked by the second
and first lock portions 32 and 33 which are inserted in and locked
by the third and fourth slits 15 and 25 which are formed in the
bent portions Z1 and the first and third slits 14 and 24 which are
formed in the bent portions Z2.
[0040] In a third step, in the assembly state shown in FIG. 1A and
FIG. 2, the assembled structure is brazed in a heat treating
furnace, so that contact portions of the members are fixedly
coupled by brazing fillers. In particular, end portions of the
first and third slits 14 and 24 and the first lock portions 33 in
the bent portions Z2 and end portions of the third and fourth slits
15 and 25 and the second lock portions 32 in the bent portions Z1
are integrally joined by the brazing, so that the gaps h and h are
completely closed.
[0041] Consequently, even when the bent portions Z1 and Z2 made of
plate materials are formed in coupling portions between the first
and second tank members 1 and 2 of the tank, the end-face closing
members 3 can compensate poor brazing properties. This can produce
an effect of preventing leakage from the gaps h and h of the first
and second tank members 1 and 2.
[0042] Next, a tank structure of a second embodiment according to
the present invention will be described with the accompanying
drawings of FIGS. 4A to 6. In this embodiment, the same reference
numerals or symbols are used to designate the same components as
those in the first embodiment, and only what are different will be
described.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 6, in a tank structure of a heat
exchanger of the second embodiment, a first tank member 1 has fifth
slits 16 and 17 that are formed on sidewall portions 13 and 12
thereof and extend from positions of the sidewall portions 13 and
12 nearer to its bottom portion 11 compared to catch steps 13a and
12a in a direction along the sidewall portions 13 and 12 to reach
positions beyond at least the catch steps 13a and 12a. Sixth slits
26 and 27 continuing from the fifth slits 16 and 17 respectively
are formed along the entire lengths of sidewall portions 23, 22 of
the second tank members 2.
[0044] End face closing members 3 have main portions 21 capable of
closing end openings formed by the first tank member 1 and the
second tank member 2. The main portions 21 is integrally formed
with first lock portions 33 and second lock portions 32 on outer
peripheries thereof, the first lock portions 33 being inserted in
and locked by the fifth and sixth slits 16 and 26 and the second
lock portions 32 being inserted in and locked by the fifth and
sixth slits 17 and 27.
[0045] Next, operations and advantages of the tank structure
according to the second embodiment will be described.
[0046] The tank structure of the second embodiment described above
is assembled by following the procedure described below.
[0047] In a first step, as shown in FIG. 6, the first tank member
1, the second tank member 2, and the end-face closing members 3 are
prepared after their formation. Then, the end-face closing members
3 are inserted from an opening side of the first tank member 1. As
shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 5, in the state in which the
first and second lock portions 33 and 32 of the end-face closing
members 3 are inserted in and locked by the fifth slits 16 and 17
respectively and the main portions 31 of the end-face closing
members 3 close the end-face openings of the first tank member 1,
the first and second lock portions 33 and 32 are inserted in and
locked by the fifth slits 16 and 17.
[0048] In a second step, as shown in FIG. 6, the second tank member
2 is put on the first tank member 1 to close the longitudinal
opening of the first tank member 1. At this time, as shown in FIG.
4A and FIG. 5, the first and second lock portions 33 and 32 of the
end-face closing members 3 are inserted in and locked by the sixth
slits 26 and 27 formed in the sidewall portions 23 and 22.
[0049] In this state, as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 5, edges of the
sidewall portions 22 and 23 of the second tank member 2 are in
contact with and are caught by catch steps 12a and 13a of the
sidewall portions 12 and 13 of the first tank member 1. However, as
described above, rounded portions R1, R2 are made of plate
materials to have an inner corner and an outer corner of each of
bent portions Z1 and Z2 in order to form the catch steps 12a and
13a in a bent shape, and consequently, when the edge faces of the
sidewall portions 22 and 23 are brought in contact with the catch
steps 12a and 13a, outer corners of the edge faces are in contact
with and are caught by the rounded portions R1. Accordingly, gaps h
and h are formed between the catch steps 12a and 13a and the edge
faces of the sidewall portions 22 and 23 in the bent portions Z1
and Z2, where poor brazing may happen to be caused. However, a
subsequent second step will solve the problem of leakage and the
like from the gaps h and h caused by the poor brazing properties of
these brazing portions.
[0050] Even when the gaps h and h are formed between the catch
steps 12a and 13a and the sidewall portions 22 and 23 in the bent
portions Z1 and Z2, the gaps h and h are thus blocked by the first
and second lock portions 33 and 32 inserted in and locked by the
fifth slits 16 and 17 and the sixth slits 26 and 27 formed in the
bent portions Z2 and Z1.
[0051] In a third step, in the assembly state shown in FIG. 4A and
FIG. 5, the assembled structure is brazed in a heat treating
furnace, so that contact portions of the members are fixedly
coupled by brazing fillers. In particular, end portions of the
fifth and sixth slits 16 and 26 and the first lock portions 33 in
the bent portions Z2 and end portions of the fifth and sixth slits
17 and 27 and the second lock portions 32 in the bent portions Z1
are integrally joined by the brazing, so that the gaps h and h are
completely closed.
[0052] Consequently, even when the bent portions Z1 and Z2 made of
plate materials are formed in coupling portions between the first
and second tank members 1 and 2 of the tank, the end-face closing
members 3 can compensate poor brazing properties. This can produce
an effect of preventing leakage from the gaps h and h of the first
and second tank members 1 and 2.
[0053] Moreover, compared with the tank structure of the first
embodiment, the tank structure of the second embodiment can provide
additional effects of more reliable sealability since the number of
slits is smaller and of improved assemblability since the end-face
closing members 3 and the second tank member 2 are assembled to the
first tank member 1 in the same direction.
[0054] Hitherto, the embodiments of the present invention have been
described, but the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described above. All design changes and so on not
departing from the spirit of the present invention are to be
included in the present invention.
[0055] For example, though the embodiments have described examples
where the bent portions in one of the first and second tank
members, which are in contact with the edge faces of the other tank
member, have a substantially crank-shaped cross section, but the
present invention is applicable to a case where a bent portion has
a cross section in a different shape such as in a substantially
L-shape or in a substantial U-shape.
[0056] The bent portions may be bent inwardly to receive end
portions of the sidewall portions of the second tank member,
although they are bent outwardly in the above described
embodiments. In this case, the slits may be formed only on the
sidewall portion of the first tank member, so that the slits of the
second tank member can be eliminated.
[0057] The bent portions may be formed only on the second tank
member 1 instead of the first tank member 2, or both on the first
and second tank members 1 and 2.
[0058] The first and second tank members 1 and 2 are assembled and
fixed by brazing, while they may be fixed by welding, or by both
brazing and welding.
[0059] In the latter case, the gaps between the first and second
tank members 1 and 2 is preferably covered by brazing.
[0060] The above described tank structures are not limited for a
heat exchanger of a motor vehicle. It can be used for other tank
structure, such as oil tank and others.
[0061] Note that a first tank member of the present invention
corresponds to one of the first tank member 1 and the second tank
member 2 of the embodiments, while a second tank member corresponds
to the other one of them. The words "first" and "second" in the
embodiments are used only for convenient.
[0062] The first, second, and fifth slits of the first tank members
and the third, fourth, and sixth slits of the second tank members
of the embodiments may be formed by other combinations of them.
This can bring the tank to be built for purpose: a low cost, easy
manufacturing, and its strength, and others.
[0063] For example, the slits of the first tank member may be made
up of fifth slits formed to extend from the end portions to
intermediate positions of the first and second sidewall portions of
the first tank member through the bent portions thereof, and the
slits of the second tank member may be made up with seventh slits,
similar to the third slits, formed to extend from the end portions
to intermediate positions of the third and fourth sidewall portions
of the second member so that the seventh slits overlap partially
with the fifth slits of the first tank member when the first and
second tank members are assembled with each other.
[0064] In addition, the slits of the first tank member is made up
of fifth slits formed to extend from the end portions to
intermediate positions of the first and second sidewall portions of
the first tank member through the bent portions thereof, and the
slits of the second tank member being made up of eighth slits,
similar to the third slits, formed to extend from the end portion
to an intermediate position of the third sidewall portions of the
second member and ninth slits, similar to the fourth slits, formed
to extend from end portions of the fourth sidewall portion to the
bottom portion of the second tank member so that the eighth and
ninth slits overlap at least partially with the fifth slits of the
first tank member when the first and second tank members are
assembled with each other.
[0065] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No.
2003-409278 filed Dec. 8, 2003 is incorporated herein by
reference.
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