U.S. patent application number 12/386163 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for heat exchanger and method of manufacturing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to DENSO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Osamu Hakamata, Toshihide Ninagawa, Tatsuo Ozaki.
Application Number | 20090255657 12/386163 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41163020 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090255657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hakamata; Osamu ; et
al. |
October 15, 2009 |
Heat exchanger and method of manufacturing the same
Abstract
A heat exchanger includes tubes, a core plate connected to the
tubes, a tank connected to the core plate to be in communication
with the tubes and a sealing member sealing a connecting portion
between the core plate and the tank. The core plate has a groove
portion including at least a base wall and an inner side wall to
define a groove having a loop shape. The sealing member is disposed
in the groove portion to be in contact with the inner side wall at
least at two opposite locations of the loop shape. Alternatively,
the sealing member is disposed in the groove portion to be in
contact with at least one of the inner side wall and an outer side
wall opposed to the inner side wall, and a substantially middle
portion of a width of the sealing member is pressed by a projection
of the tank.
Inventors: |
Hakamata; Osamu;
(Toyohashi-city, JP) ; Ozaki; Tatsuo;
(Okazaki-city, JP) ; Ninagawa; Toshihide;
(Chita-city, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
DENSO CORPORATION
Kariya-city
JP
|
Family ID: |
41163020 |
Appl. No.: |
12/386163 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/178 ;
165/173; 165/175; 29/890.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0094 20130101;
F28F 9/0226 20130101; F28D 2021/0082 20130101; Y10T 29/4935
20150115; F28F 2275/122 20130101; F28D 1/05366 20130101; B23P 15/26
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/178 ;
165/173; 165/175; 29/890.03 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/04 20060101
F28F009/04; B21D 53/02 20060101 B21D053/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 15, 2008 |
JP |
2008-106016 |
Apr 15, 2008 |
JP |
2008-106017 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising: a core including a plurality of
tubes; a core plate connected to the tubes; a tank connected to the
core plate to be in communication with the tubes; and a sealing
member having a loop shape and disposed to seal a connecting
portion between the core plate and the tank, wherein the core plate
has a groove portion including at least a base wall and an inner
side wall to define a groove having a loop shape, and the sealing
member is disposed in the groove portion and is in contact with the
inner side wall at least at two opposite locations of the loop
shape.
2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the groove
portion defines the groove in a form of substantially rectangular
loop including a pair of long-side portions extending in a
longitudinal direction of the core plate and a pair of short-side
portions intersecting the long-side portions, and the sealing
member is pressed against the core plate by the tank under a
condition where the sealing member is in contact with the inner
side wall in at least one of the long-side portions and the
short-side portions in accordance with a restoration force, which
is generated by restoring the sealing member from a stretched
condition.
3. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the groove
portion defines the groove in a form of substantially rectangular
loop including a pair of long-side portions extending in a
longitudinal direction of the core plate and a pair of short-side
portions intersecting the long-side portions through corner
portions, and the sealing member is pressed against the core plate
by the tank under a condition where the sealing member is in
contact with the inner side wall in the corner portions in
accordance with a restoration force, which is generated by
restoring the sealing member from a stretched condition.
4. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the groove
portion defines the groove in a form of substantially rectangular
loop including a pair of long-side portions extending in a
longitudinal direction of the core plate and a pair of short-side
portions intersecting the long-side portions, the sealing member
has a substantially rectangular shape including a pair of long
sides and a pair of short sides intersecting the long sides, and
the sealing member is configured to satisfy at least one of a first
shape condition in which the long sides are shorter than the
long-side portions and a second shape condition in which the short
sides are shorter than the short-side portions, under an original
condition without being elastically deformed
5. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the sealing
member is fixed to the groove portion such that a center of a
cross-section defined perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof
is closer to the inner side wall than a center of cross-section of
the groove portion.
6. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the groove
portion further includes an outer side wall extending
perpendicularly from the bottom wall, the inner side wall
perpendicularly extends from the bottom wall and is spaced from the
outer side wall, and the groove is defined by the inner side wall,
the bottom wall and the outer side wall.
7. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the groove of
the groove portion has a depth equal to or greater than a thickness
of the sealing member.
8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the sealing
member has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the sealing
member is arranged in the groove portion to contact only the inner
side wall.
10. A heat exchanger comprising: a core including a plurality of
tubes; a core plate connected to the tubes; a tank connected to the
core plate to be in communication with the tubes; and a sealing
member having a loop shape and disposed to seal a connecting
portion between the core plate and the tank, wherein the core plate
has a groove portion including at least a base wall and an inner
side wall to define a groove having a loop shape, the sealing
member has a width smaller than a width of the groove of the groove
portion and is configured such that a whole length thereof under an
original condition without being elastically deformed is less than
a whole length of the groove, the whole length of the sealing
member being defined by a whole length of a longitudinal axis
passing through a center of a cross-section of the sealing member,
the whole length of the groove being defined by a whole length of a
longitudinal axis passing through a center of the width of the
groove, and the sealing member is fixed to the groove portion in
accordance with a restoration force, which is generated by
restoring the sealing member from a stretched condition, and the
sealing member is further pressed against the groove portion by the
tank.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein the groove
portion defines the groove in a form of substantially rectangular
loop including a pair of long-side portions extending in a
longitudinal direction of the core plate and a pair of short-side
portions intersecting the long-side portions, and the sealing
member is pressed against the core plate by the tank under a
condition where the sealing member is in contact with the inner
side wall in at least one of the long-side portions and the
short-side portions in accordance with the restoration force
thereof.
12. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the groove
portion defines the groove in a form of substantially rectangular
loop including a pair of long-side portions extending in a
longitudinal direction of the core plate and a pair of short-side
portions intersecting the long-side portions through corner
portions, and the sealing member is pressed against the core plate
by the tank under a condition where the sealing member is in
contact with the inner side wall in the corner portions in
accordance with the restoration force thereof.
13. The heat exchanger according to clam 11, wherein the groove
portion defines the groove in a form of substantially rectangular
loop including a pair of long-side portions extending in a
longitudinal direction of the core plate and a pair of short-side
portions intersecting the long-side portions, the sealing member
has a substantially rectangular shape including a pair of long
sides and a pair of short sides intersecting the long sides, and
the sealing member is configured to satisfy at least one of a first
shape condition in which the long sides are shorter than the
long-side portions and a second shape condition in which the short
sides are shorter than the short-side portions, under the original
condition without being elastically deformed.
14. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the sealing
member is fixed to the groove portion such that a center of
cross-section defined perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof
is closer to the inner side wall than a center of cross-section of
the groove portion.
15. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the groove
portion further includes an outer side wall extending
perpendicularly from the bottom wall, the inner side wall
perpendicularly extends from the bottom wall and is spaced from the
outer side wall, and the groove is defined by the inner side wall,
the bottom wall and the outer side wall.
16. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the groove of
the groove portion has a depth equal to or greater than a thickness
of the sealing member.
17. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the sealing
member has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
18. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the sealing
member is arranged in the groove portion to contact only the inner
side wall.
19. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprising: forming
a core plate into a predetermined shape including a groove portion
defining a loop-shaped groove; assembling the core plate to tubes;
preparing a sealing member having a whole length less than a whole
length of the groove, the whole length of the sealing member being
defined by a whole length of a longitudinal axis passing through a
center of a cross-section of the sealing member, the whole length
of the groove being defined by a whole length of a longitudinal
axis passing through a center of a width of the groove; stretching
the sealing member into a predetermined size; placing the sealing
member under a stretched condition in the groove portion; attaching
the sealing member to the groove portion in accordance with a
restoration force caused by removing a stretching force from the
sealing member; and fixing a tank to the core plate such that the
sealing member is elastically deformed between the tank and the
core plate.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the groove of the
core plate has a substantially rectangular shape including a pair
of long-side portions and a pair of short-side portions
intersecting the long-side portions, and the attaching includes
bringing the sealing member into contact with an inner side wall of
the groove portion in at least one of the long-side portions and
the short-side portions.
21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the groove of the
core plate has a substantially rectangular shape including a pair
of long-side portions and a pair of short-side portions
intersecting the long-side portions through corner portions, and
the attaching includes bringing the sealing member into contact
with an inner side wall of the groove portion at the corner
portions.
22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the attaching
includes pressing the stretched sealing member against a base wall
of the groove portion by a pressing jig, and the stretching force
is removed from the sealing member during the pressing.
23. A heat exchanger comprising: a core including a plurality of
tubes; a core plate connected to the tubes, the core plate having a
groove portion including an inner side wall and an outer side wall
to define a loop-shaped groove therebetween; a tank connected to
the core plate to be in communication with the tubes; and a sealing
member sealing between the core plate and the tank, wherein the
sealing member has a loop-shaped body portion having a width less
than a width of the groove, the body portion of the sealing member
is disposed in the groove portion under a condition of being in
contact with at least one of the inner side wall and the outer side
wall, the tank has a projection on an end surface opposing to the
body portion, and the projection presses against a substantially
middle portion of the width of the body portion to elastically
deform the body portion.
24. The heat exchanger according to claim 23, wherein the groove
portion defines the groove in a form of substantially rectangular
loop including a pair of long-side portions extending in a
longitudinal direction of the core plate and a pair of short-side
portions intersecting the long-side portions, the body portion of
the sealing member is in contact with one of the inner side wall
and the outer side wall at one of the long-side portions and the
short-side portions.
25. The heat exchanger according to claim 23, wherein the body
portion of the sealing member has a whole length less than a whole
length of the groove under an original condition without being
elastically deformed, the whole length of the body portion being
defined by a length of a longitudinal axis passing through a center
of a cross-section of the body portion, the whole length of the
groove being defined by a whole length of a longitudinal axis
passing through a center of the width of the groove, and the body
portion is in contact with the inner side wall in accordance with a
restoration force, which is generated by restoring the body portion
from a stretched condition.
26. The heat exchanger according to claim 23, wherein the sealing
member has a hook portion projecting from an outer surface of the
body portion, the hook portion is hooked on the outer side wall of
the groove portion such that the body portion of the sealing member
is in contact with the outer side wall of the groove portion.
27. The heat exchanger according to claim 23, wherein the body
portion of the sealing member has a rectangular cross-section.
28. The heat exchanger according to claim 23, wherein the
projection has a curved end surface.
29. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger, comprising: forming
a core plate into a predetermined shape including a groove portion
defining a loop-shaped groove; assembling the core plate to tubes;
attaching a sealing member in the groove portion such that the
sealing member contacts at least one of an inner side wall and an
outer side wall of the groove portion; and fixing a tank to the
core plate such that a projection of an end surface of the tank is
pressed against a substantially middle portion of a width of the
sealing member to elastically deform the sealing member, thereby
sealing between the core plate and the tank with the sealing
member.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the groove has a
substantially rectangular shape including a pair of long-side
portions extending in a longitudinal direction of the core plate
and a pair of short-side portions intersecting the long-side
portions, and the attaching includes bringing the sealing member
into contact with the inner side wall in at least one of the
short-side portions and the long-side portions.
31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the attaching
includes stretching the sealing member into a predetermined size,
placing the sealing member in the groove under a stretched
condition, and removing a stretching force from the sealing member,
thereby to bring the sealing member into contact with the inner
side wall in accordance with a restoration force thereof.
32. The method according to claim 29, further comprising: preparing
the sealing member having a whole length less than a whole length
of the groove under an original condition without being elastically
deformed, the whole length of the sealing member being defined by a
whole length of a longitudinal axis passing through a center of a
cross-section of the sealing member, the whole length of the groove
being defined by a whole length of a longitudinal axis passing
through a center of a width of a groove defined by the groove
portion, wherein the attaching includes stretching the sealing
member into a predetermined size and fixing the sealing member to
the groove portion in accordance with a restoration force caused by
removing a stretching force from a stretched sealing member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications
No. 2008-106016 filed on Apr. 15, 2008 and No. 2008-106017 filed on
Apr. 15, 2008, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger having a
sealing structure between a tank and a core plate and a method of
manufacturing the heat exchanger.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A sealing structure between a tank and a core plate of a
heat exchanger is, for example, described in JP-A-58-224298. In the
described sealing structure, an elastic sealing member is disposed
in an outer peripheral groove of a metal core plate, and is
deformed by being compressed by a surface of a peripheral end of a
resin tank. Further, the core plate is clamped with the tank such
that the sealing member retains a deformed condition between the
core plate and the tank.
[0004] In such a case, the elastic sealing member is merely placed
in the outer peripheral groove of the core plate during an
assembling process. Therefore, the elastic sealing member may be
displaced from a desirable position, depending on a condition of
the core plate, such as an arranged direction of the core plate. If
the elastic sealing member is compressed by the peripheral end of
the tank under a displaced position, it will be difficult to
achieve a sufficient sealing effect.
[0005] JP-A-58-224298 also describes an example of compressing the
sealing member by a projection formed on an end surface of the
peripheral end of the tank. Also in this case, since the sealing
member is merely placed in the outer peripheral groove, if the
sealing is displaced from a desired position, it may be difficult
to maintain a positional relationship between the sealing member
and the projection. If the sealing member is compressed by the
projection under the displaced position, it is difficult to exhibit
a predetermined elastic force. Thus, it will be difficult to
achieve a sufficient sealing effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is made in view of the foregoing
matter, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a
heat exchanger with a sealing structure capable of holding a
sealing member in a predetermined position, thereby to achieve a
sufficient sealing effect. It is another object of the present
invention to provide a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger
with a sealing structure capable of holding a sealing member in a
predetermined position, thereby to achieve a sufficient sealing
effect. It is further another object of the present invention to
provide a heat exchanger with a sealing structure capable of
properly elastically deforming a sealing member between a tank and
a core plate, thereby to achieve a sufficient sealing effect. It is
still another object of the present invention to provide a method
of manufacturing a heat exchanger with a sealing structure capable
of properly elastically deforming a sealing member between a tank
and a core plate, thereby to achieve a sufficient sealing
effect.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a heat
exchanger includes a core, a core plate, a tank and a sealing
member. The core includes a plurality of tubes. The core plate is
connected to the tubes. The tank is connected to the core plate to
be in communication with the tubes. The sealing member has a loop
shape and is disposed to seal a connecting portion between the core
plate and the tank. The core plate has a groove portion including
at least a base wall and an inner side wall to define a groove
having a loop shape. The sealing member is disposed in the groove
portion and is in contact with the inner side wall at least at two
opposite locations of the loop shape.
[0008] Accordingly, since the loop-shaped sealing member is
disposed in the groove portion to be in contact with the inner side
wall at least at two opposite location of the loop shape, it can be
fixed to the core plate while constricting the inner side wall
inwardly. That is, because the sealing member is securely fixed in
a predetermined position, a sufficient sealing effect between the
core plate and the tank is achieved.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a
heat exchanger includes a core, a core plate, a tank and a sealing
member. The core includes tubes. The core plate is connected to the
tubes. The tank is connected to the core plate to be in
communication with the tubes. The sealing member has a loop shape
and is disposed to seal a connecting portion between the core plate
and the tank. The core plate has a groove portion including at
least a base wall and an inner side wall to define a groove having
a loop shape. The sealing member has a width smaller than a width
of the groove of the groove portion and is configured such that a
whole length thereof under an original condition without being
elastically deformed is less than a whole length of the groove, the
whole length of the sealing member being defined by a whole length
of a longitudinal axis passing through a center of a cross-section
of the sealing member, the whole length of the groove being defined
by a whole length of a longitudinal axis passing through a center
of the width of the groove. The sealing member is fixed to the
groove portion in accordance with a restoration force, which is
generated by restoring the sealing member from a stretched
condition. The sealing member is further pressed against the groove
portion by the tank.
[0010] Since the sealing member is fixed to the groove portion
using the restoration force generated by restoring the sealing
member from the stretched condition, a fixing force of the sealing
member can be ensured in accordance with the restoration force.
Thus, the sealing member can be stably held in a predetermined
position on the core plate, and hence the sufficient sealing effect
between the core plate and the tank is achieved. In this case, a
dimension of the sealing member is determined appropriately in
consideration of fixing work to the groove portion and the fixing
force to be required. Thus, productivity improves.
[0011] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a
method of manufacturing a heat exchanger includes: forming a core
plate into a predetermined shape including a groove portion
defining a loop-shaped groove; assembling the core plate to tubes;
preparing a sealing member having a whole length less than a whole
length of the groove, the whole length of the sealing member being
defined by a whole length of a longitudinal axis passing through a
center of a cross-section thereof, the whole length of the groove
being defined by a whole length of a longitudinal axis passing
through a center of a width of the groove; stretching the sealing
member into a predetermined size; placing the sealing member under
a stretched condition in the groove portion; attaching the sealing
member to the groove portion in accordance with a restoration force
caused by removing a stretching force from the sealing member; and
fixing a tank to the core plate such that the sealing member is
elastically deformed between the tank and the core plate.
[0012] Accordingly, the sealing member having the predetermined
dimension is prepared, and is fixed to the groove portion in
accordance with the restoration force caused by restoring the
sealing member from the stretched condition. Thus, a predetermined
fixing force for fixing the sealing member to the core plate is
ensured and the sealing member can be fixed in the predetermined
position. As such, the sufficient sealing effect is achieved and
productivity improves.
[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a
heat exchanger includes a core, a core plate, a tank and a sealing
member. The core includes a plurality of tubes. The core plate is
connected to the tubes. The core plate has a groove portion
including an inner side wall and an outer side wall to define a
loop-shaped groove therebetween. The tank is connected to the core
plate to be in communication with the tubes. The sealing member
seals between the core plate and the tank. The sealing member has a
loop-shaped body portion having a width less than a width of the
groove. The body portion of the sealing member is disposed in the
groove portion under a condition of being in contact with at least
one of the inner side wall and the outer side wall. The tank has a
projection on an end surface opposing to the body portion of the
sealing member. The projection presses against a substantially
middle portion of the width of the body portion of the sealing
member to elastically deform the body portion of the sealing
member.
[0014] Accordingly, the sealing member is held in the predetermined
position in the groove portion, and the substantially middle
portion of the width of the body portion is pressed by the
projection of the tank. Therefore, a pressing force of the tank is
sufficiently transmitted to the sealing member, and thus the
sealing member is securely and sufficiently compressed.
Accordingly, the sealing member exhibits a sufficient elastic
force. In this way, the sealing member can be held in a
sufficiently deformed condition, and hence the sufficient sealing
effect can be achieved.
[0015] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a
method of manufacturing a heat exchanger includes: forming a core
plate into a predetermined shape including a groove portion
defining a loop-shaped groove; assembling the core plate to tubes;
attaching a sealing member in the groove portion such that the
sealing member contacts at least one of an inner side wall and an
outer side wall of the groove portion; and fixing a tank to the
core plate such that a projection of an end surface of the tank is
pressed against a substantially middle portion of a width of the
sealing member to elastically deform the sealing member, thereby
sealing between the core plate and the tank with the sealing
member.
[0016] Accordingly, the sealing member is held in the predetermined
position in the groove portion, and is elastically deformed by
pressing the substantially middle portion of the width thereof by
the projection of the tank. Thus, the pressing force of the tank is
sufficiently transmitted to the sealing member, and hence the
sealing member is securely and sufficiently compressed.
Accordingly, since the sealing member is properly elastically
deformed, the sufficient sealing effect can be achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] 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:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a radiator according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an end view of the radiator when viewed along an
arrow II in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III
in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in
FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a core plate of the radiator in a
condition where a sealing member is disposed in a groove portion
according to the first embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 6A is a plan view of an example of the sealing member
according to the first embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 6B is a plan view of another example of the sealing
member according to the first embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VII-VII
in FIG. 5;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line
VIII-VIII in FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the core plate
for showing an example of the sealing member disposed adjacent to
an inner side wall of the groove portion according to the first
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the core
plate for showing an example of a sealing structure in which a
projection of a tank substantially coincides with a center of the
sealing member according to the first embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the core
plate for showing an example of a sealing structure with a sealing
member having a circular cross-section and a tank without having a
projection according to the first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the core plate formed by a
core plate forming step according to the first embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line
XIII-XIII in FIG. 12;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sealing member before
stretched by a sealing member stretching step according to the
first embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a perspective view for showing the sealing member
stretching step according to the first embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a perspective view for showing a sealing member
placing step according to the first embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line
XVII-XVII in FIG. 16;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a perspective view for showing a sealing member
attaching step according to the first embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XIX-XIX
in FIG. 18;
[0038] FIG. 20 is a perspective view for showing a tank attaching
step according to the first embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the tank attached to the
core plate according to the first embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 22 is a perspective view for showing a tank fixing step
according to the first embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view of an example of a
sealing structure in which a long side of a sealing member is in
contact with an inner side wall of a groove portion of a core plate
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view of an example of the
sealing structure in which the long side of the sealing member is
in contact with an outer side wall of the groove portion according
to the second embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 24A is a cross-sectional view of an example of the
sealing structure in which a short side of the sealing member is in
contact with the inner side wall of the groove portion according to
the second embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional view of an example of the
sealing structure in which the short side of the sealing member is
in contact with the outer side wall of the groove portion according
to the second embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the
sealing structure in which a portion of the sealing member is
disposed without contacting the inner side wall and the outer side
wall of the groove portion according to the second embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 26 is a plan view of a sealing member according to a
third embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 27 is a plan view of a core plate in which the sealing
member of FIG. 26 is disposed according to the third embodiment;
and
[0048] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line
XXVIII-XVIII in FIG. 27.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0049] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like
parts are designated by like reference numbers, and a description
thereof will not be repeated.
First Embodiment
[0050] A heat exchanger has a sealing structure for sealing between
a tank and a core plate. The heat exchanger performs heat exchange
between an internal fluid as a heat exchange medium flowing inside
of tubes and an external fluid flowing outside of the tubes. The
heat exchanger is, for example, a radiator, an inter cooler and the
like.
[0051] A first embodiment will be described hereinafter with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 22. In the present embodiment, the heat
exchanger is, for example, a radiator 1 that performs heat exchange
between engine cooling water for cooling an engine (not shown) as
the internal fluid and air as the external fluid.
[0052] In the drawings, an arrow X denotes a longitudinal direction
of a tank and a core plate. The direction X corresponds to a tube
stacking direction in which tubes are stacked. An arrow Y denotes a
direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tank
X. The direction Y corresponds to a width direction of the tank and
the core plate in which a width of the tank and the core plate is
measured. The direction Y also corresponds to a flow direction of
the external fluid.
[0053] The radiator generally includes an upper tank 2, a core
section, and a lower tank 3. The core section includes an upper
core plate 4, a core 8 and a lower core plate 5. For example, each
of components of the radiator 1 can be made of a metal, such as
aluminum, aluminum alloy and the like. The components are joined to
each other, such as by brazing. Also, each component can be
provided by a clad member, surfaces of which are cladded with a
brazing material, for example.
[0054] The core 8 includes tubes 8a and heat radiation fins 8b. The
tubes 8a and the fins 8b are joined to each other by brazing. The
core 8 serves as a heat exchanging part for radiating heat of the
engine cooling water flowing inside of the tubes 8a to the air
through walls of the tubes 8a and fins 8b.
[0055] For example, the radiator 1 is mounted in a vehicle such
that the tubes 8a extend in a generally up and down direction. The
tubes 8a are arranged at predetermined intervals in the
longitudinal direction X of the core plate 4. The fins 8b are
disposed between the tubes 8a along a longitudinal direction of the
tubes 8a. That is, the tubes 8a and the fins 8b are alternately
stacked.
[0056] The tubes 8a have a flat tubular shape. For example, each of
the tubes 8a is constructed by joining plate members each having a
predetermined shape. The fins 8b are, for example, corrugate fins
produced by shaping a plate into a wave form. The fins 8b can be
formed with louvers for improving a coefficient of heat transfer.
For example, the louvers are formed by cutting and moving portions
of a wall of the tin 8b to define a predetermined angle with
respect to the flow direction Y of the external fluid.
[0057] The upper tank 2 and the lower tank 3 are made of a resin or
a metal, such as aluminum. The upper tank 2 and the lower tank 3
have a substantially similar shape. The upper tank 2 has a long
container shape having an opening on one side. Likewise, the lower
tank 3 has a long container shape having an opening on one
side.
[0058] The radiator 1 is provided with an inlet pipe 21 and an
outlet pipe 31. The inlet pipe 21 is coupled to the upper tank 2
for introducing the engine cooling water into the radiator 1. The
outlet pipe 31 is coupled to the lower tank 3 for discharging the
engine cooling water from the radiator 1. For example, the inlet
pipe 21 is located adjacent to an end (e.g., left end in FIG. 1) of
the upper tank 2. The outlet pipe 31 is located adjacent to an
opposite end (e.g., right end in FIG. 1) of the lower tank 3 with
respect to the longitudinal direction X.
[0059] The inlet pipe 21 and the outlet pipe 31 have a
substantially similar shape. For example, the inlet pipe 21 and the
outlet pipe 31 each have a cylindrical shape. The inlet pipe 21 is
coupled to an opening formed on a side wall of the upper tank 2,
and the outlet pipe 31 is coupled to an opening formed on a side
wall of the lower tank 3. The inlet pipe 21 and the outlet pipe 31
are brazed to the upper tank 2 and the lower tank 3, respectively.
In the radiator 1, the engine cooling water flows through the upper
tank 2, the tubes 8a, and the lower tank 3.
[0060] The upper core plate 4 is formed by shaping a metal plate
member into a predetermined shape, such as a substantially
rectangular shape. Here, the term "substantially rectangular shape"
includes an exactly rectangular shape and a substantially
rectangular shape. The upper core plate 4 is made of a metal, such
as aluminum, aluminum alloy or the like.
[0061] The upper core plate 4 is integrated with the upper tank 2.
The upper core plate 4 is joined to the upper tank 2 to cover the
opening of the upper tank 2, thereby to define a tank inner space
between the upper core plate 4 and the upper tank 2.
[0062] The upper core plate 4 is formed with tube insertion holes
4c with the same number as the number of the tubes 8a. The tube
insertion holes 4c are formed at predetermined intervals in the
longitudinal direction X. The upper ends of the tubes 8a are
inserted in the tube insertion holes 4c and outer peripheries of
the upper ends of the tubes 8a are joined to perimeters of the tube
insertion holes 4c by brazing. Thus, the tubes 8a are fixed to the
upper core plate 4.
[0063] The core plate 4 has a groove portion 4a on a periphery of
the tube insertion holes 4c. The groove portion 4a defines a
loop-shaped groove surrounding the periphery of the tube insertion
holes 4c. The groove portion 4a has at least a bottom wall 4f
defining a bottom of the groove and an inner side wall 4d that is
located more to the inside of the upper core plate 4 than the
bottom wall 4f. The bottom wall 4f is opposed to an outer
peripheral portion 2a of the upper tank 2 through a sealing member
10.
[0064] The groove portion 4a is provided entirely along the
vicinity of an outer peripheral edge of the upper core plate 4. The
groove portion 4a further includes an outer side wall 4e extending
from the bottom wall 4f. The outer side wall 4e is spaced from the
inner side wall 4d by a width of the groove. That is, the outer
side wall 4e is connected to the inner side wall 4d through the
bottom wall 4f. For example, the inner side wall 4d and the outer
side wall 4e extend substantially perpendicularly from the bottom
wall 4f. The inner side wall 4d, the outer side wall 4e and the
bottom wall 4f provide the groove between them.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, the groove portion 4a has a
substantially rectangular outline. The groove of the groove portion
4a includes a pair of long-side portions 41 and a pair of
short-side portions 42. The long-side portions 41 are parallel to
each other and extend in the longitudinal direction X. The
short-side portions 42 are parallel to each other and extend in the
width direction Y. The long-side portions 41 intersect the
short-side portions 42 at corner portions 43. The long-side
portions 41 are also referred to as long-side portions of the upper
core plate 4, and the short-side portions 42 are also referred to
as short-side portions of the upper core plate 4.
[0066] The upper core plate 4 has nail portions 4b partly
projecting from upper edge of the outer side wall 4e. The nail
portions 4b are in the form of projections and are arranged at
predetermined intervals along the upper edge of the outer side wall
4e. Thus, recesses are provided between the adjacent nail portions
4b.
[0067] The nail portions 4b are folded over a flange portion 2c of
the upper tank 2 after the upper tank 2 is attached to the upper
core plate 4. Thus, the nail portions 4b serve as fixing portions
for fixing the upper core plate 4 to the upper tank 2.
[0068] The lower core plate 5 has the substantially similar shape
and structure as those of the upper core plate 4. Also, the lower
core plate 5 is made of the similar material as that of the upper
core plate 4. The lower core plate 5 is integrated with the lower
tank 3. The lower core plate 5 is joined with the lower tank 3 to
cover the opening of the lower tank 3.
[0069] The lower core plate 5 is formed with tube insertion holes
with the same number as the number of the tubes 8a. The tube
insertion holes of the lower core plate 5 are arranged at
predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction X.
[0070] The lower ends of the tubes 8a are inserted in the tube
insertion holes of the lower core plate 5, and outer peripheries of
the lower ends of the tubes 8a are brazed to perimeters of the tube
insertion holes of the lower core plate 5. Thus, the tubes 8 are
coupled to and fixed to the lower core plate 5.
[0071] The lower core plate 5 has a groove portion, similar to the
groove portion 4a of the upper core plate 4. The groove portion is
formed to surround an outer periphery of the tube insertion holes.
Further, the lower core plate 5 has nail portions projecting from
an edge of an outer side wall of the groove portion. The nail
portions serve as fixing portions for fixing the lower core plate 5
to the lower tank 3 by being bent inwardly, similar to the nail
portions 4b of the upper core plate 4.
[0072] In this way, the upper core plate 4 and the lower core plate
5 are integrated with the opposite ends of the tubes 8a. In the
core 8, the tubes 8a and the fins 8b are alternately stacked in the
longitudinal direction X, that is, in the stacking direction X. The
core part 8 further includes side plates 6, 7 along ends of the
stack of tubes 8a and fins 8b with respect to the stacking
direction X for reinforcing and holding the stack of tubes 8a and
fins 8b.
[0073] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sealing member (e.g.,
packing) 10 is disposed between the outer peripheral portion 2a of
the upper tank 2, which defines the opening of the upper tank 2,
and the groove portion 4a of the upper core plate 4. The outer
peripheral portion 2a of the upper tank 2 and the groove portion 4a
of the upper core plate 4 provide a connecting portion between the
upper tank 2 and the upper core plate 4.
[0074] The sealing member 10 is elastically deformed between an end
surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a and the bottom wall 4f
of the groove portion 4a and is closely in contact with the upper
tank 2 and the upper core plate 4 to seal therebetween. In other
words, the sealing member 10 seals between the upper tank 2 and the
upper core plate 4, thereby to restrict leakage of the engine
cooling water from the upper tank 2. The upper tank 2 has the
flange portion 2c along its outer peripheral end. The flange
portion 2c is integral with the outer peripheral portion 2a and
extends outwardly.
[0075] The sealing member 10 has a loop shape and is disposed to
constrict a tubular portion formed on an inner side of the groove
portion 4a in accordance with its inward contraction force. The
sealing member 10 generates a predetermined constricting force so
that it is not separated from the upper core plate 4 at an initial
stage during assembling of the radiator 1. As a result, the sealing
member 10 is disposed in the groove portion 4a under a condition of
contacting the inner side wall 4d at least at two opposite
locations of the loop-shape of the groove portion 4a.
[0076] For example, the sealing member 10 can be disposed to
contact the inner side wall 4d at two opposite sides of the
substantially rectangular shape of the groove portion 4a or at
diagonally opposite corner portions 43. As another example, the
sealing member 10 can be disposed to contact the inner side wall 4d
at all four sides of the substantially rectangular shape of the
groove portion 4a or/and at all the four corner portions 43.
[0077] Although the sealing member 10 can be disposed to contact
also the outer side wall 4e of the groove portion 4a, it is
preferable to contact only the inner side wall 4d in one example.
The sealing member 10 can be disposed to contact the entirety of
the inner side wall 4d. The sealing member 10 can be disposed to
contact almost the entirety of the inner side wall 4d. The inner
side wall 4d can be partly formed with recesses so that there are
non-contact portion with the sealing member 10. For example, the
projection 2b has a curved top end. For example, the projection 2b
has a substantially semi-circular cross-section.
[0078] The upper tank 2 has a projection 2b projecting from the end
surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a toward the sealing
member 10. For example, the projection 2b is formed entirely along
the end surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a. The projection
2b is provided to partly increase a pressing force against an upper
surface of the sealing member 10, thereby to improve a sealing
effect of the sealing member 10.
[0079] In an example shown in FIG. 4, the sealing member 10 is
disposed such that short-sides 12 of the sealing member 12 are
located closer to the inner side wall 4d than the outer side wall
4e in the short-side portions 42. In other words, the sealing
member 10 is disposed such that a center of a cross-section of the
short-sides 12 is closer to the inner side wall 4d than a center of
a width of the short-side portions 42 of the groove portion 4.
[0080] FIG. 5 shows a condition where the sealing member 10 is
mounted to the upper core plate 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the sealing
member 10 is disposed entirely along the groove portion 4a. The
sealing member 10 is disposed in the groove portion 4a such that
inner surfaces 11a of the long-sides 11 or inner surfaces 12a of
the short-sides 12 contact the inner side wall 4d. Thus, the
sealing member 10 is held in the groove portion 4a in a
displacement-restricted manner.
[0081] Next, a structure of the sealing member 10 will be described
more in detail. The sealing member 10 is an elastic member having a
loop shape with a predetermined compression rate. The sealing
member 10 has a width A smaller than a width B of the groove
portion 4a, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0082] For example, the sealing member 10 is made of a rubber, such
as ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), silicon-base rubber and the
like. Here, the loop shape of the sealing member 10 is not limited
to a circular or annular shape, but includes any continuous shapes.
For example, the sealing member 10 is formed into a shape
corresponding to the shape of the groove portion 4a of the upper
core plate 4 and the groove portion of the lower core plate 5.
[0083] The sealing member 10 is formed into a shape to be adapted
to the shape of the groove portion to which the sealing member 10
is disposed. For example, in a case where the groove portion in
which the sealing member 10 is disposed has a rectangular loop
shape, the sealing member 10 having a rectangular shape can be
employed. Alternatively, the sealing member 10 having another loop
shape, such as a circular shape, an elliptic shape and the like,
can be employed to the rectangular loop-shaped groove portion.
[0084] The sealing member 10 has an outer shape smaller than the
groove portion 4a of the core plate 4. For example, a whole length
of the sealing member 10 under a natural condition (original
condition) without being affected by an external force is less than
a whole length of the groove portion 4a. Here, the whole length of
the sealing member 10 is defined by a whole length of a
longitudinal axis of the sealing member 10 passing through a center
of a cross-section thereof, and the whole length of the groove
portion 4a is defined by a whole length of a longitudinal axis of
the groove portion 4a. The longitudinal axis of the groove portion
4a is defined by a line passing through a center of a width of the
bottom wall 4f.
[0085] Since the sealing member 10 has elasticity, the sealing
member 10, which has the whole length less than the whole length of
the groove portion 4a under the natural condition, can be placed in
the groove portion while being stretched. After the sealing member
10 is placed in the groove portion 4a under a stretched condition,
when a stretching force is removed from the sealing member 10, the
sealing member 10 is brought into contact with the inner side wall
4d in accordance with a restoration force thereof trying to return
to the original condition. Thus, the sealing member 10 can be held
by the core plate 4.
[0086] FIGS. 6A and 6B show examples of the sealing member 10
having the substantially rectangular shape in which the whole
length is less than the whole length of the groove portion 4a under
the natural condition.
[0087] In the example of FIG. 6A, the short-sides 12 of the sealing
member 10 has a width Dp less than a width D of the short-side
portions 42 of the groove portion 4a under the natural condition.
In other words, a dimension of the sealing member 10 in the width
direction Y under the natural condition is less than a dimension of
the groove portion 4a in the width direction Y. In FIG. 6A, a
double-dashed chain line shows the sealing member 10 stretched into
a width corresponding to the width D of the groove portion 4a.
[0088] In the example of FIG. 6B, the long-sides 11 of the sealing
member 10 has a length Lp less than a length L of the long-side
portions 41 of the groove portion 4a under the natural condition.
In other words, a dimension of the sealing member 10 in the
longitudinal direction X under the natural condition is less than a
dimension of the groove portion 4a in the longitudinal direction X.
In FIG. 6B, a double-dashed chain line shows the sealing member 10
stretched into a length corresponding to the length L of the groove
portion 4a.
[0089] When the sealing member 10 of FIG. 6A is employed, the
sealing member 10 is stretched mainly in the width direction Y to
be placed in the groove portion 4a. In this case, the sealing
member 10 contracts inwardly, such as mainly in the width direction
Y, as shown by arrows in FIG. 7. Thus, the inner surfaces 11a of
the long-sides 11 are brought into contact with the inner side wall
4d and hence the sealing member 10 is held by the inner side wall
4a. Further, the sealing member 10 is pressed against the groove
portion 4a by the outer peripheral portion 2a of the upper tank 2
in a condition that the inner surfaces 11a are in contact with the
inner side wall 4d. In this way, the sealing member 10 can be
fixed.
[0090] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of the sealing structure when
taken along a line VII-VII in FIG. 5. For example, the sealing
member 10 is disposed such that the long-sides 11 are located
closer to the inner side wall 4d than the outer side wall 4e. In
other words, the sealing member 10 is disposed such that the center
of the cross-section of the long-sides 11 is located more to an
inner side of the core plate 4 than the center of the cross-section
of the long-side portions 41 of the groove portion 4a. In this
case, as shown in FIG. 9, a line 14 passing through the center of
the cross-section of the long-sides 11 is located closer to the
inner side wall 4d than a line 44 passing through the center of the
cross-section of the long-side portions 41. FIG. 9 shows a
condition where the sealing member 10 is located closer to the
inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a.
[0091] In the case where the sealing member 10 shown in FIG. 6B is
employed, the sealing member 10 is stretched mainly in the
longitudinal direction X to be placed in the groove portion 4a. In
this case, the sealing member 10 contracts inwardly, such as mainly
in the longitudinal direction X. Thus, the inner surfaces 12a of
the short-sides 12 are brought into contact with the inner side
wall 4d of the groove portion 4a and hence the sealing member 10 is
held by the inner side wall 4d. Further, the sealing member 10 is
pressed against the groove portion 4a by the outer peripheral
portion 2a of the upper tank 2 in a condition where the inner
surfaces 12a of the short-sides 12 are in contact with the inner
side wall 4d. In this way, the sealing member 10 can be fixed.
[0092] FIG. 8 shows the corner portion 13 of the sealing member 10
when taken along a line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 8,
the sealing member 10 can be configured to contract inwardly at the
corner portions 13 in accordance with the elasticity. Thus, the
sealing member 10 is held in the groove portion 4a in a condition
that the inner surfaces of the corner portions 13 are closely in
contact with the inner side wall 4d. In this case, the sealing
member 10 is fixed by being pressed against the groove portion 4a
by the outer peripheral portion 2a of the upper tank 2 in a
condition that the inner surfaces of the corner portions 13 are in
contact with the inner side wall 4d.
[0093] In this case, the sealing member 10 is arranged such that
the corner portions 13 are located closer to the inner side wall 4d
than the outer side wall 4e. In other words, at the corner portions
13, the longitudinal axis of the sealing member 10 is located more
to the inside of the core plate 4, i.e., the inner side wall 4d,
than the longitudinal axis of the groove portion 4a.
[0094] To make the sealing member 10 contact the inner side wall 4d
of the groove portion 4a at the corner portions 13, for example,
the sealing member 10 can be formed such that a radius of curvature
of the inner surface of the corner portion 13 under the natural
condition is greater than a radius of curvature of the inner side
wall 4d of the corner portion 43. After such sealing member 10 is
stretched and placed in the groove portion 4a, when the stretching
force is removed from the sealing member 10, the sealing member 10
contracts inwardly due to the restoration force trying to restore
to the original condition. In this case, the inner surfaces of the
corner portions 13 are brought into contact with the corner
portions of the inner side wall 4d prior to the other portions.
Thus, the sealing member 10 is held by the upper core plate 4 by
the close contact at the corner portions 13.
[0095] The sealing member 10 can be pressed by the outer peripheral
portion 2a of the upper tank 2 such that the projection 2b
coincides with the line 14 passing through the longitudinal axis of
the sealing member 10. FIG. 10 shows an example where the sealing
member 10 is to be pressed by the outer peripheral portion 2a in a
condition where the projection 2b coincides with the line 14.
[0096] In an example of FIG. 10, the sealing member 10 is arranged
such that the center of the cross-section of the sealing member 10
is closer to the inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a.
Further, the upper tank 2 is arranged to the upper core plate 4
such that the projection 2b substantially coincides with the line
14. Here, the term "substantially coincide" includes a condition of
"exactly coinciding" also. For example, the projection 2b is formed
closer to an inner edge of the end surface of the outer peripheral
portion 2a than an outer edge of the end surface of the outer
peripheral portion 2a.
[0097] In this case, the sealing member 10 can be securely pressed
by the projection 2b. Therefore, the sealing member 10 can be
deformed to expand toward the outer side wall 4e while contacting
the inner side wall 4d and the bottom wall 4f. That is, because the
sealing member 10 can be properly held without displacing during
the assembling, a clearance between the inner side wall 4d and the
bottom wall 4f of the upper core plate 4 and the outer peripheral
portion 2a of the upper tank 2 is securely sealed y the sealing
member 10. Accordingly, a stable sealing effect is achieved.
[0098] In a case where the sealing member 10 has a rectangular
cross-section, a contact area with the inner side wall 4d and the
bottom wall 4f of the upper core plate 4 and the outer peripheral
portion 2a of the upper tank 2 can be increased. In this case, the
contact between the upper core plate 4 and the upper tank 2
improves. As such, the sealing effect improves. Also, as shown in
FIG. 10, a depth h of the groove portion 4a is equal to or greater
than a thickness t of the sealing member 10.
[0099] The sealing member 10 can have any cross-sectional shape
other than the rectangular shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 11,
the sealing member 10 can have a rounded cross-section, such as a
substantially circular cross-section, a circular cross-section, an
elliptic cross-section and the like. In this case, the tank 2 does
not have the projection 2b. That is, the end surface of the outer
peripheral portion 2a of the tank 2 is substantially flat. The
sealing member 10 is arranged in the groove portion 4a such that a
center of the cross-section of the sealing member 10 is located
closer to the inner side wall 4d. The sealing member 10 is pressed
against the groove portion 4a by the flat end surface of the outer
peripheral portion 2a of the upper tank 2.
[0100] In this case, the sealing member 10 is securely pressed by
the end surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a of the upper
tank 2. At this time, the sealing member 10 is deformed to expand
toward the outer side wall 4e while contacting the inner side wall
4d. As such, it is less likely that the sealing member 10 will be
displaced during the assembling. Thus, the clearance between the
inner side wall 4d and the bottom wall 4f of the upper core plate 4
and the outer peripheral portion 2a of the upper tank 2 can be
properly sealed with the sealing member 10. A desirable sealing
effect can be achieved.
[0101] Next, a flow of the cooling water in the radiator 1 will be
described. The cooling water flowing out from the engine flows in
the upper tank 2 of the radiator 1 through the inlet pipe 21. The
cooling water is then introduced into the tubes 8a and then
collected in the upper tank 3. Thereafter, the cooling water flows
out from the lower tank 3 through the outlet pipe 31 and returns to
the engine. While passing through the tubes 8a, the cooling water
releases heat to the air flowing outside of the tubes 8a. Thus, the
cooling water is cooled.
[0102] Hereinafter, advantageous effects of the radiator 1 of the
present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment,
since the sealing structure between the lower core plate 5 and the
lower tank 3 is similar to the sealing structure between the upper
core plate 4 and the upper tank 2. Therefore, the advantageous
effects will be described mainly in association with the sealing
structure between the upper core plate 4 and the upper tank 2.
Also, the sealing structure of the present embodiment can be
employed in a heat exchanger having a single tank at one of ends of
a core.
[0103] In the present embodiment, the radiator 1 includes the core
8 with the tubes 8a, the upper core plate 4, the lower core plate
5, the upper tank 2, the lower tank 3 and the sealing members 10
having the loop shape. The upper core plate 4 and the lower core
plate 5 are connected to the ends of the tubes 8a to make
communication with the tubes 8a. The upper tank 2 is coupled to the
upper core plate 4, and the lower tank 3 is coupled to the lower
core plate 5. The sealing members 10 are correspondingly disposed
in the connecting portions between the upper and lower tanks 2, 3
and the upper and lower core plates 4, 5 for sealing
therebetween.
[0104] The upper core plate 4 has the groove portion 4a including
at least the bottom wall 4f and the inner side wall 4d and defining
the loop-shaped groove. The sealing member 10 is disposed in the
groove of the groove portion 4a to contact the inner side wall 4d
at least at two opposite locations of the loop-shape.
[0105] The sealing member 10 constricts the inner side wall 4d at
least at two opposite locations due to its elastic force. In this
condition, the sealing member 10 exerts a predetermined
constriction force to the inner side wall 4d without being
separated from the upper core plate 4. Thus, the sealing member 10
is held by the upper core plate 4.
[0106] Accordingly, the sealing member 10 is securely fixed in a
predetermined position between the upper tank 2 and the upper core
plate 4, thereby to achieve the sufficient sealing effect. The
sealing between the lower core plate 5 and the lower tank 3 can be
provided in the similar manner, and thus the similar effects are
achieved.
[0107] The sealing member 10 seals the connecting portion between
the upper tank 2 and the upper core plate 4 in the elastically
deformed condition due to the pressing force from the upper tank 2.
The sealing member 10 has the width A smaller than the width B of
the groove portion 4a of the upper core plate 4. The whole length
of the sealing member 10 under the natural condition without being
elastically deformed is less than the whole length of the groove
portion 4a. This sealing member 10 is placed in the groove portion
4a while being stretched from the natural condition, and then is
fixed to the groove portion 4a in accordance with its restoration
force. In this condition, the sealing member 10 is pressed against
the groove portion 4a by the upper tank 2.
[0108] That is, the sealing member 10 having a predetermined
dimension with respect to the groove portion 4a is prepared. Then,
the sealing member 10 is fixed to the groove portion 4a using its
restoration force. Therefore, the sealing member 10 can be fixed to
the groove portion 4a with a predetermined fixing force generated
in accordance with the restoration force. Therefore, it is less
likely that the sealing member 10 will be easily displaced during a
manufacturing process. In other words, since the sealing member 10
can be stably held in the predetermined position during the
manufacturing process, arrangement directions of the components of
the radiator 1, that is, assembling directions of the radiator 1
during the manufacturing process are not limited.
[0109] The dimension of the sealing member 10 can be determined
appropriately in consideration of workability on attaching to the
groove portion 4a and the compression rate of the sealing member
10. Accordingly, the sealing effect of the sealing member 10
improves while improving the productivity.
[0110] The groove portion 4a has the substantially rectangular loop
shape including the pair of long-side portions 41 and the pair of
short-side portions 42 intersecting the long-side portions 41
through the corner portions 43. In one example, the sealing member
10 is disposed in the groove portion 4a such that one of the
long-sides 41 and the short-sides 42 are in contact with the inner
side wall 4d due to the restoration force. In this condition, the
sealing member 10 is pressed by the tank 2.
[0111] In this case, the sealing member 19 is fixed to the groove
portion 4a at the long-sides 11 or the short-sides 12. Therefore,
the positioning and fixing of the sealing member 10 can be conduced
by considering the restoration force at least in one of the
longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y. Accordingly,
productivity further improves.
[0112] In the case where the sealing member 10 is pressed by the
tank 2 under the condition where the short-sides 42 are in contact
with the inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a by the
restoration force, the contact area between the sealing member 10
and the inner side wall 4d is smaller than that of the case where
the sealing member 10 is pressed by the tank 2 under the condition
where the long-sides 41 are in contact with the inner side wall 4d
of the groove portion 4a. In this case, therefore, a surface
pressure applied to the sealing member 10 can be increased. As
such, the fixing force of the sealing member 10 is ensured, and
thus the sealing member 10 is stably fixed in the predetermined
position.
[0113] In one example, the sealing member 10 is pressed by the tank
2 under the condition where the corner portions 13 contact the
inner side wall 4d due to the restoration force.
[0114] In this case, the sealing member 10 is brought into contact
with the corner portions 43 of the groove portion 4a using its
restoration force. Therefore, the shape of the sealing member 10 is
not limited to the rectangular loop shape. In other words, the
sealing members 10 having any looped shapes, other than the
rectangular shape, can be stably fixed to the groove portion
4a.
[0115] In the case where the whole length of the rectangular
loop-shaped sealing member 10 under the natural condition is set
less than the whole length of the groove portion 4a, the sealing
member 10 in which the pair of long-sides 11 are shorter than the
long-side portions 41 of the groove portion 4a under the natural
condition can be employed, as one example. In this case, the
sealing member 10 is placed in the groove portion 4a while being
stretched in the longitudinal direction X. Thus, the sealing member
10 is fixed to the groove portion 4a using the restoration force in
the longitudinal direction X. Accordingly, the positioning of the
sealing member 10 with respect to the groove portion 4a is easily
conducted, and fixing work of the sealing member 10 improves.
[0116] As another example of the sealing member 10 having the whole
length less than the whole length of the groove portion 4a under
the natural condition, the sealing member 10 in which the pair of
short-sides 12 are shorter than the short-side portions 42 of the
groove portion 4a under the natural condition can be employed. In
this case, the sealing member 10 is placed in the groove portion 4a
while being stretched in the width direction Y. Thus, the sealing
member 10 is fixed to the groove portion 4a using the restoration
force in the width direction Y. Also in this case, the positioning
of the sealing member 10 with respect to the groove portion 4a is
easily conducted, and fixing work of the sealing member 10
improves.
[0117] In the case where the sealing member 10 is fixed to the
groove portion 4a such that the center of the cross-section thereof
is located closer to the inner side wall 4d than the center of the
cross-section of the groove portion 4a, a clearance is provided
between an outer surface of the sealing member 10 and the outer
side wall 4e of the groove portion 4a. Therefore, the sealing
member 1 can be easily mounted to the groove portion 4a.
[0118] For example, the groove portion 4a further includes the
outer side wall 4e extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall
4f. The inner side wall 4d also extends perpendicularly from the
bottom wall 4f and opposed to the outer side wall 4e. Thus, the
groove of the groove portion 4a is provided by the outer side wall
4e, the bottom wall 4f and the inner side wall 4d. The groove
portion 4a has the substantially U-shape. In this case, the sealing
member 10 can be easily brought into contact with the walls of the
groove portion 4a. Thus, the sealing member 10 can be stably
disposed in the groove portion 4a.
[0119] In the case where the depth h of the groove portion 4a is
equal to or greater than the thickness t of the sealing member 10,
a surface of the sealing member 10 can be brought into contact with
the wall of the groove portion 4a entirely in the direction in
which the thickness of the sealing member 10 is measured.
[0120] In the case where the sealing member 10 has the rectangular
cross-sectional shape, the contact area with the groove portion 4a
increases. Therefore, a fixing condition of the sealing member 10
before being pressed by the tank 2 improves. Accordingly, the
sealing member 10 can be easily arranged in the predetermined
position.
[0121] Next, a method of manufacturing the radiator 1 of the
present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to
22. The method generally includes a core plate forming step, a core
section assembling step, a brazing step, a sealing member
stretching step, a sealing member placing step, a sealing member
attaching step and a tank attaching step. In FIGS. 16 to 22, the
core part 8 is not illustrated for convenience of illustration.
[0122] The lower core plate 5 has the similar structure as the
upper core plate 4, and the sealing structure between the lower
core plate 5 and the lower tank 3 is constructed in a similar
manner to that between the upper core plate 4 and the upper tank 2.
Therefore, the method will be hereinafter described mainly in
association with the sealing structure between the upper tank 2 and
the upper core plate 4.
[0123] In the core plate forming step, the upper core plate 4
having the predetermined shape is formed, as shown in FIGS. 12 and
13. For example, the upper core plate 4 is formed by shaping a
plate member using a pressing machine, a rolling machine and the
like. In this case, the upper core plate 4 is exemplarily formed
such that the dimension of the groove portion 4a with respect to
the longitudinal direction X is greater than the dimension of the
sealing member 10 under the natural condition with respect to the
longitudinal direction X.
[0124] In the core section assembling step, the core section is
preliminarily assembled. For example, the tubes 8a and the fins 8b
are alternately stacked. The upper ends of the tubes 8a are
inserted in the tube insertion holes 4c, and the lower ends of the
tubes 8a are inserted in the tube insertion holes of the lower core
plate 5. Further, the side plates 6, 7 are attached to the ends of
the stack of tubes 8a and fins 8b to hold the stack of tubes 8a and
fins 8b in the longitudinal direction X. Thus, the core section is
preliminarily assembled.
[0125] In the brazing step, the core section, which has been
preliminarily assembled as above, is brazed. For example, flux is
applied to the preliminarily assembled core section, and then the
preliminarily assembled core section is heated in a furnace to
braze joining portions between the components. As such, the core
section is produced.
[0126] In the brazing step, the preliminarily assembled core
section is placed in the furnace in a condition being held by a
jig. The inside of the furnace is under atmosphere of such as
nitrogen gas and inactive gas. The inside of the furnace is heated
to a brazing temperature to melt a brazing material on the
components. Thus, the brazing material is melted and spread over
the joining portions between the components.
[0127] When the core section is removed from the furnace, the
brazing material is solidified. Thus, the components of the core
section are integrally joined with one another. When the core
section is further cooled to the ordinary temperature, the
components are joined with one another with sufficient strength. As
such, the core section having the sufficient strength is
produced.
[0128] In the sealing member stretching step, the sealing member 10
having the above-discussed predetermined shape (e.g., FIG. 14) is
stretched into a predetermined size, as shown in FIG. 15. Here, the
whole length of the sealing member 10 under the natural condition,
that is, before stretched, is less than the whole length of the
groove portion 4a of the upper core plate 4. Further, as one
example, the dimension Lp of the sealing member 10 under the
natural condition is less than the dimension L of the groove
portion 4a with respect to the longitudinal direction X.
[0129] In the sealing member stretching step, the sealing member 10
is laid in a predetermined position, and then four jigs 50, 51 are
arranged to the sealing member 10 for stretching the sealing member
10. For example, the four jigs 51, 52 are moved downwardly and
arranged in the insides of the corner portions 13 of the sealing
member 10. Two jigs 50 are arranged to contact the inner surfaces
of the corner portions 13 at one end (e.g., left end in FIG. 15) of
the sealing member 10. The other two jigs 51 are arranged to
contact the inner surfaces of the corner portions 13 at an opposite
end (e.g., right end in FIG. 15) of the sealing member 10.
[0130] Each of the jigs 50, 51 has a substantially rectangular
shape having a length in an applying direction (inserting
direction) in which the jig 50, 51 is applied to the sealing member
10. Further, the jig 50, 51 has an outer surface having a shape
corresponding to the shape of the inner surface of each corner
portion 13. For example, the outer surface of the jig 50, 51
defines a curved surface. For example, all the jigs 50, 51 are the
identical members, and have the same shape.
[0131] To stretch the sealing member 10 into the predetermined
size, the jigs 50 and the jigs 51 are moved in opposite directions
with respect to the longitudinal direction X such that an overall
distance between the jigs 50 and the jigs 51 becomes substantially
the dimension L. Then, the jigs 50, 51 are held in a stretched
position (separated position) such that the long-sides 11 of the
sealing member 10 are retained under stretched conditions.
[0132] In this case, the sealing member 10 is stretched such that a
distance between axes S1 of the short-sides 12 increases from the
dimension Lp to the dimension L. That is, the sealing member 10 is
stretched in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined
dimension (L-Lp).
[0133] In the sealing member placing step, the sealing member 10 is
placed in the groove of the groove portion 4a. As shown in FIG. 16,
the core plate 4 is laid such that the groove portion 4a faces
generally upward. The sealing member 10, which has been stretched
under the above condition, is moved down and placed in the groove
portion 4a. Here, the sealing member 10 is under a condition where
an outward operation force against the inward contraction force is
applied by the jigs 50, 51, and a lower surface of the sealing
member 10 is not in contact with or slightly in contact with the
bottom wall 4f of the groove portion 4a, as shown in FIG. 17. That
is, the sealing member 10 is under a condition without being
affected or bound by the groove portion 4a.
[0134] In the sealing member attaching step, the sealing member 10
is released from the above stretched condition and is attached to
the groove portion 4a.
[0135] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, pressing pins 52, 53 are butted
to the top of the sealing member 10, which is held under the
stretched condition by the jigs 50, 51, to press down the sealing
member 10. Thus, the bottom surface of the sealing member 10 is
brought into contact with the bottom wall 4f of the groove portion
4. Further, the jigs 50, 51 are removed from the sealing member 10
in the upward direction in the condition where the sealing member
10 is butted to the bottom wall 4f by the pressing pins 52, 53. As
such, the stretching force is removed from the sealing member
10.
[0136] As a result, the sealing member 10 tries to restore to the
natural condition while the bottom surface of the sealing member 10
contacting the bottom wall 4f. Thus, the inner surfaces 12a of the
sealing member 10 are brought into closely contact with the inner
side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a. Accordingly, the sealing
member 10 is held by the upper core plate 4.
[0137] By using the pressing jigs 52, 53, the sealing member 10 can
be restored in a predetermined position with respect to the groove
portion 4a. Accordingly, the sealing member 10 can be set to the
upper core plate 4 at a desirable position. In the tank attaching
step, the upper tank 2 is attached to the upper core plate 4 to
which the sealing member 10 has been attached.
[0138] As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, in the tank attaching step, the
upper tank 2 is moved down toward the upper core plate 4 to which
the sealing member 10 has been attached in a condition that the
opening of the upper tank 2 defined by the outer peripheral portion
2a faces down. Thus, the end surface of the outer peripheral
portion 2a is brought into contact with the sealing member 10
disposed in the groove portion 4a. Further, a predetermined
pressing force is applied to the upper tank 2 such that the sealing
member 10 is deformed at a predetermined compression rate.
[0139] Because the outer peripheral portion 2a is pressed against
the bottom wall 4f of the groove portion 4a through the sealing
member 10, the clearance between the end surface of the outer
peripheral portion 2a and the bottom wall 4f of the groove portion
4a is filled with the sealing member 10. Accordingly, the upper
tank 2 and the upper core plate 4 are sealed by the sealing member
10, and hence leakage of the internal fluid is restricted.
[0140] Further, the upper tank 2 is fixed to the upper core plate
4. As shown in FIG. 22, the nails 4b of the upper core plate 4 are
bent inwardly over the flange portion 2c of the tank 2 in a
condition where the upper tank 2 is pressed against the upper core
plate 4 by the pressing force. Since the nails 4b are bent over the
flange portion 2c, which expands outwardly along the outer
periphery of the upper tank 2 with the outer peripheral portion 2a,
the flange portion 2c is pressed from the outside. As such, the
upper tank 2 is fixed to and integrated with the upper core plate
4.
[0141] Similarly, the sealing member 10 is attached to the lower
core plate 5, and the lower tank 3 is attached to the lower core
plate 5 in the similar manner. In this way, the radiator 1 is
manufactured.
[0142] Next, effects of the method of manufacturing the radiator 1
of the present embodiment will be described. The radiator 1 is
manufactured through the core plate forming step, the core section
assembling step, the brazing step, the sealing member stretching
step, the sealing member placing step, the sealing member attaching
step and the tank attaching step.
[0143] In the core plate forming step, the core plate 4, 5 is
formed into the predetermined shape having the groove portion 4a
for receiving the loop-shaped sealing member 10. In the core
section assembling step, the core 8 and the core plates 4, 5 are
assembled, thereby to preliminarily assemble the core section.
[0144] In the brazing step, the components of the preliminarily
assembled core section are brazed with one another. In the sealing
member stretching step, the loop-shaped sealing member 10 is
stretched into the predetermined size. In the sealing member
placing step, the sealing member 10 is placed in the groove portion
4a of the core plate 4, 5 under the stretched condition.
[0145] In the sealing member attaching step, the stretching force
is removed from the sealing member 10 placed in the predetermined
position in the groove portion 4a to attach the sealing member 10
in the groove portion 4a in accordance with the restoration force
of the sealing member 10. In the tank attaching step, the tank 2, 3
is mounted to and fixed to the core plate 4, 5 such that the
connecting portion between the tank 2, 3 and the core plate 4, 5 is
sealed with the sealing member 10.
[0146] In the present embodiment, the sealing member 10 having the
whole length less than the whole length of the groove portion 4a
under the natural condition without being elastically deformed is
employed. In the sealing member attaching step, the sealing member
10 is fixed to the groove portion 4a using the restoration force,
which is generated by removing the stretching force from the
stretched sealing member 10.
[0147] Since the sealing member 10 having the predetermined
dimension with respect to the dimension the groove portion 4a is
employed, the predetermined fixing force for fixing the sealing
member 10 to the groove portion 4a can be generated in accordance
with the restoration force of the sealing member 10. In other
words, since the sealing member 10 having the predetermined
dimension is used, the sealing member 10 can be stably fixed to the
core plate 4, 5. As such, the sealing member 10 can be fixed in the
predetermined position in a short time. Accordingly, the radiator 1
having the sufficient sealing effect is manufactured with improved
productivity.
[0148] In the core plate forming step, the core plate 4, 5 is
formed to have the substantially rectangular-shaped groove portion
4a including the long-side portions 41 extending in the
longitudinal direction X and the short-side portions 42 extending
in the width direction Y. Further, in the sealing member attaching
step, the sealing member 10 can be attached to the groove portion
4a to contact the inner side wall 4d at least at the long-side
portions 41 or the short-side portions 42.
[0149] In this case, the long sides 11 or the short sides 12 of the
sealing member 10 are fixed to the groove portion 4a. That is, the
positioning and fixing of the sealing member 10 are conducted in
consideration of the restoration force in the longitudinal
direction X or the width direction Y. As such, productivity
improves.
[0150] In the core plate forming step, the core plate 4, 5 is
formed to have the substantially rectangular-shaped groove portion
4a including the long-side portions 41 extending in the
longitudinal direction X and the short-side portions 42 extending
in the width direction Y. Further, in the sealing member attaching
step, the sealing member 10 can be attached to the groove portion
4a to contact the inner side wall 4d at least at the corner
portions 43 where the long side portion 41 and the short-side
portions 42 intersect each other.
[0151] In this case, the sealing member 10 is brought into contact
with the inner side wall 4d at the corner portions 43 in accordance
with the restoration force of the loop-shaped sealing member 10.
Thus, the sealing member 10 having any loop shapes can be securely
attached to the groove portion 4a. Also, the sealing member 10 can
be stably held by the core plate 4, 5 before being pressed by the
tank 2, 3.
Second Embodiment
[0152] A second embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 23A to 25. In the second
embodiment, the sealing structure between the tank 2, 3 and the
core plate 4, 5 is modified from that of the first embodiment.
Other structures of the radiator 1 are similar to those of the
radiator 1 of the first embodiment. Also in the second embodiment,
the sealing structure between the lower tank 3 and the lower core
plate 5 is similar to the sealing structure between the upper tank
2 and the upper core plate 4, a description hereinafter will be
made mainly in association with the sealing structure between the
upper tank 2 and the upper core plate 4.
[0153] The upper tank 2 has the projection 2b projecting from the
end surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a toward the sealing
member 10. The projection 2b is formed entirely along the end
surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a. The projection 2 is in
the form of line or stripe having a predetermined width. The
projection 2 serves to partly increase the pressing force against
the surface of the sealing member 10, thereby to improve the
sealing effect.
[0154] The sealing member 10 has a belt-like body portion to be
received in the groove of the groove portion 4a. The projection 2b
is formed on the end surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a at
a position corresponding to a substantially middle portion of the
width of the belt-like body of the sealing member 10 under the
condition where the upper tank 2 is fixed to the upper core plate
4. (e.g., FIG. 4) Here, the term "substantially middle portion"
includes "exactly middle portion" also. The projection 2b has a
curved top end. For example, the projection 2b has a substantially
semi-circular shape in a cross-section.
[0155] Further, similar to the example of FIG. 4, the sealing
member 10 can be disposed such that the short sides 12 are closer
to the inner side wall 4d than the outer side wall 4e. In other
words, the sealing member 10 can be disposed such that the center
of the cross-section of the short-sides 12 is located more to the
inner side wall 4d than the center of the width of the short-side
portion 42 of the groove portion 4a.
[0156] Further, similar to the example of FIG. 5, the groove
portion 4e defines the loop-shaped groove on the inner side of the
outer side wall 4e of the upper core plate 4, and the sealing
member 10 is disposed entirely along the groove portion 4a. The
sealing member 10 is disposed such that the inner surfaces 11a of
the long sides 11 or the inner surfaces 12a of the short sides 12
contact the inner side wall 4d. Thus, it is less likely that the
sealing member 10 will be displaced.
[0157] The sealing member 10 is an elastic member having a loop
shape with a predetermined compression rate. The sealing member 10
has the loop-shaped body portion with the width A smaller than the
width B of the groove portion 4a. (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) For
example, the sealing member 10 is made of a rubber, such as
ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), silicon-base rubber and the like.
Here, the loop shape of the sealing member 10 is not limited to a
circular or annular shape, but includes any continuous shapes.
[0158] For example, the sealing member 10 is formed into a shape
corresponding to the shape of each of the groove portion 4a of the
upper core plate 4 and the groove portion of the lower core plate
5. That is, the sealing member 10 is formed into a shape to be
adapted to the shape of the groove portion to which the sealing
member 10 is attached. For example, in a case where the groove
portion 4a to which the sealing member 10 is attached has a
rectangular loop shape, the sealing member 10 having a rectangular
loop shape can be employed. Alternatively, the sealing member 10
having another loop shape, such as a circular shape, an elliptic
shape and the like, can be employed.
[0159] The sealing member 10 has an outer shape smaller than the
groove portion to which the sealing member 10 is attached. For
example, the whole length of the sealing member 10 under the
natural condition without being affected by an external force is
less than the whole length of the groove portion 4a. Here, the
whole length of the sealing member 10 is defined by the whole
length of the longitudinal axis of the sealing member 10 passing
through the center of the cross-section of the sealing member 10.
The whole length of the grove portion 4a is defined by the whole
length of the longitudinal axis of the groove portion 4a passing
through the middle of the width of the bottom wall 4f of the groove
portion 4a.
[0160] Since the sealing member 10 has elasticity, even if the
whole length of the sealing member 10 is less than the whole length
of the groove portion 4a, it can be placed in the groove portion 4a
while being stretched. After the sealing member 10 is placed in the
groove portion 4a under the stretched condition, when the
stretching force is removed from the sealing member 10, the sealing
member 10 tries to return the original condition due to its
restoration force and becomes in closely contact with the inner
side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a. Thus, the sealing member 10
can be held in the predetermined position on the upper core plate
4.
[0161] As examples of the sealing member 10 having the rectangular
loop shape with the whole length less than the whole length of the
groove portion 4a under the natural condition, the sealing members
10 similar to the examples shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B can be
employed.
[0162] For example, similar to the example shown in FIG. 6A, the
sealing member 10 can be formed such that the width of the
short-sides 12 in the width direction Y under the natural condition
is less than the width of the short-side portions 42 of the groove
portion 4a. In other words, the sealing member 10 is formed such
that the dimension of the sealing member 10 in the width direction
Y under the natural condition is less than the dimension of the
groove portion 4a in the width direction Y.
[0163] In this case, the sealing member 10 can be stretched in the
width direction Y such that the width of the short-sides 12
corresponds to the width of the short-side portions 42 of the
groove portion 4a. Thus, the sealing member 10 contracts inwardly
due to its elasticity, such as mainly in the width direction Y, as
shown by arrows in FIG. 23A. Thus, the inner surfaces 11a of the
long sides 11 are brought into contact with the inner side wall 4d
and hence the sealing member 10 is held by the inner side wall 4a.
That is, the sealing member 10 is held under the condition where
the inner surfaces 11a of the long sides 11 are in contact with the
inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a. Further, the sealing
member 10 is pressed against the groove portion 4a by the outer
peripheral portion 2a of the upper tank 2 under the condition where
the inner surfaces 11a of the long-sides 11 are in contact with the
inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a. As such, the sealing
member 10 is fixed.
[0164] FIG. 23A shows a cross-section of the sealing member 10 when
taken along a line corresponding to the line VII-VII in FIG. 5. As
shown in FIG. 23A, the sealing member 10 is disposed such that the
long sides 11 are located closer to the inner side wall 4d than the
outer side wall 4e. In other words, the sealing member 10 is
disposed such that the center of the cross-section of the long
sides 11 is located more to the inner side of the core plate 4 than
the center of the cross-section of the long-side portions 41 of the
groove portion 4a.
[0165] In this case, the upper tank 2 has the projection 2b on the
end surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a at the predetermined
position so as to press against the substantially middle position
of the width of the sealing member 10, as shown in FIG. 23A. That
is, the projection 2b is formed at a position to substantially
coincide with the line 14 passing through the center of
cross-section of the sealing member 10.
[0166] As another example, similar to the example shown in FIG. 6B,
the sealing member 10 can be formed such that the length of the
long sides 11 in the longitudinal direction X under the natural
condition is less than the length of the long-side portions 41 of
the groove portion 4a. In other words, the sealing member 10 is
formed such that the dimension of the sealing member 10 in the
longitudinal direction X under the natural condition is less than
the dimension of the groove portion 4a in the longitudinal
direction X.
[0167] In this case, the sealing member 10 can be stretched in the
longitudinal direction X such that the length of the long sides 11
corresponds to the length of the long-side portions 41 of the
groove portion 4a. Thus, the sealing member 10 contracts inwardly,
such as mainly in the longitudinal direction X, as shown by arrows
in FIG. 24A. Thus, the inner surfaces 12a of the short sides 12 are
brought into contact with the inner side wall 4d of the groove
portion 4a and hence the sealing member 10 is held by the inner
side wall 4d. Further, the sealing member 10 is pressed against the
groove portion 4a by the outer peripheral portion 2a of the upper
tank 2 under the condition where the inner surfaces 12a of the
short-sides 12 are in contact with the inner side wall 4d. In this
way, the sealing member 10 can be fixed.
[0168] FIG. 24A shows a cross-section of the sealing member 10 when
taken along a line XXIVA-XXIVA in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 24A, the
sealing member 10 is disposed such that the short sides 12 are
located closer to the inner side wall 4d than the outer side wall
4e. In other words, the sealing member 10 is disposed such that the
center of the cross-section of the long sides 12 is more to the
inner side of the core plate 4 than the center of the cross-section
of the short-side portions 42 of the groove portion 4a. Also in
this case, the upper tank 2 has the projection 2b on the end
surface of the outer peripheral portion 2a at the predetermined
position so as to press against the substantially middle portion of
the width of the sealing member 10, as shown in FIG. 24A. That is,
the projection 2b is formed at a position to substantially coincide
with the line 14 passing through the center of cross-section of the
sealing member 10.
[0169] The sealing member 10 can be arranged in the groove portion
4a in different manners, for example, in manners shown in FIGS. 23B
and 24B. FIG. 23B shows an example in which the sealing member 10
is disposed such that outer surfaces 11b of the long sides 11
contact the outer side wall 4e. FIG. 24B shows an example in which
the sealing member 10 is disposed such that outer surfaces 12b of
the short sides 12 contact the outer side wall 4e.
[0170] In these examples, the sealing member 10 is held by the
upper core plate 4 in a condition where the inner surfaces 11a of
the long sides 11 or the inner surfaces 12a of the short sides 12
are in contact with the inner side wall 4d of the groove portion
4a. Further, the sealing member 10 is fixed by being pressed
against the groove portion 4a by the outer peripheral portion 2a
under the condition where the inner surfaces 11a or the inner
surfaces 12a are in contact with the inner side wall 4d.
[0171] In the examples of the FIG. 23B and FIG. 24B, the sealing
member 10 is disposed such that the long sides 11 or the short
sides 12 are located closer to the outer side wall 4e than the
inner side wall 4d. In other words, the center of cross-section of
the sealing member 10 is located more to the outer side than the
center of the width of the groove portion 4a. Also in these cases,
the projection 2b is formed on the end surface of the outer
peripheral portion 2a at the predetermined position to press
against the substantially middle portion of the width of the
sealing member 10. That is, the projection 2b is formed at a
position to substantially coincide with the line 14 passing through
the center of cross-section of the sealing member 10.
[0172] The sealing member 10 is held in the predetermined position
with respect to the groove portion 4a. In this condition, the
substantially middle portion of the width of the sealing member 10
is pressed by the projection 2b. Thus, the sealing member 10
exhibits a repellent force equal to or greater than a predetermined
degree. As such, the sealing member 10 can seal the clearance
between the inner side wall 4d and the bottom wall 4f and the outer
peripheral portion 2a of the upper tank 2 without being displaced
during the assembling of the radiator 1. Accordingly, the
sufficient sealing effect can be achieved.
[0173] FIG. 25 shows an example in which a portion of the sealing
member 10 is disposed in the groove portion 4a without contacting
the inner side wall 4d and the outer side wall 4e. In the case
where the sealing member 10 is held in the condition where the
inner surfaces 11a of the long sides 11 are in contact with the
inner side wall 4d, it is not always necessary that the inner
surfaces 12a of the short sides 12 are in contact with the inner
side wall 4d. Likewise, in the case where the sealing member 10 is
held in the condition where the inner surfaces 12a of the short
sides 12 are in contact with the inner side wall 4d, it is not
always necessary that the inner surfaces 11a of the long sides 11
are in contact with the inner side wall 4d. Also in these cases,
the projection 2b of the upper tank 2 is formed on the end surface
of the outer peripheral portion 2a at the predetermined position to
press against the substantially middle portion of the width of the
sealing member 10. That is, the projection 2b is formed at the
position to substantially coincide with the line 14 passing through
the center of cross-section of the sealing member 10.
[0174] As discussed above, at least one of the long sides 11 and
the short sides 12 is in contact with at least one of the inner
side wall 4d and the outer side wall 4e of the upper core plate 4.
In this way, the sealing member 10 is positioned with respect to
the upper core plate 4, and is held on the upper core plate 4.
[0175] Hereinafter, advantageous effects of the present embodiment
will be described. The sealing member 10 is held in the deformed
condition due to the pressing force from the upper tank 2, thereby
to seal the connecting portion between the upper tank 2 and the
upper core plate 4. The sealing member 10 has the belt-like
loop-shaped body portion having the width A smaller than the width
B of the groove portion 4a, and has elasticity. The body portion of
the sealing member 10 is positioned with respect to the upper core
plate 4 under the condition of contacting at least one of the inner
side wall 4d and the outer side wall 4e. In the condition where the
upper tank 2 is fixed to the upper core plate 4, the projection 2b
presses against the substantially middle portion of the width of
the body portion of the sealing member 10.
[0176] In this configuration, the sealing member 10 is held under
the predetermined position with respect to the groove portion 4a,
and the middle position of the width of the sealing member 10 is
pressed by the projections 2b. Therefore, the pressing force from
the upper tank 2 can be sufficiently transmitted to the sealing
member 10. As such, the sealing member 10 can be securely and
sufficiently compressed. That is, the sealing member 10 can
sufficiently generate the elastic force against the upper core
plate 4 and the upper tank 2. Accordingly, the sufficient sealing
effect is achieved.
[0177] The groove portion 4a has the substantially
rectangular-shaped groove including the pair of long-side portions
41 and the pair of short-side portions intersecting the long-side
portions 41 through the corner portions 43. The sealing member 10
is attached to the upper core plate 4 under the condition of
contacting the inner side wall 4d or the outer side wall 4e of the
groove portion 4a in the long-side portions 41 or the short-side
portions 42 due to the elasticity.
[0178] In this case, the sealing member 10 is positioned to and
fixed to the groove portion 4a at one of the long sides 11 and the
short sides 12 due to its elasticity. Therefore, the positioning
and fixing of the sealing member 10 with respect to the upper core
plate 4 can be conducted by considering the restoration force in
one of the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y.
Accordingly, the productivity further improves.
[0179] The sealing member 10 is configured such that the whole
length thereof is less than the whole length of the groove portion
4a under the natural condition without being elastically
deformed.
[0180] That is, the sealing member 10 having a predetermined
dimension with respect to the groove portion 4a is prepared. Then,
the sealing member 10 is stretched into the predetermined size and
fixed to the groove portion 4a using its restoration force.
Therefore, the sealing member 10 is fixed to the groove portion 4a
with the fixing force generated in accordance with the restoration
force. It is less likely that the sealing member 10 will be easily
displaced during the manufacturing process. Accordingly, the
radiator 1 in which the sealing member 10 can be fixed in the
predetermined position with a simple structure can be provided. In
this case, since the sealing member 10 can be held by the upper
core plate 4, arrangement or assembling directions of the radiator
1 during the manufacturing process is not limited. The dimension of
the sealing member 10 can be determined in consideration of
workability on attaching to the groove portion 4a and the
compression rate of the sealing member 10. Thus, the sealing effect
of the sealing member 10 improves while improving the
productivity.
[0181] In the case where the sealing member 10 is pressed by the
tank 2 under the condition where the short-sides 42 are in contact
with the inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a by the
restoration force, the contact area with the sealing member 10 and
the inner side wall 4d is reduced. In this case, therefore, a
surface pressure applied to the sealing member 10 can be increased.
As such, the fixing force of the sealing member 10 is ensured, and
thus the sealing member 10 is more stably fixed in the
predetermined position.
[0182] In the case where the rectangular loop-shaped sealing member
10 including the pair of long sides 11 and the pair of short sides
12 is employed, the sealing member 10 is, for example, formed such
that the pair of long sides 11 are shorter than the long-side
portions 41 of the groove portion 4a under the natural condition.
In this case, the sealing member 10 is placed in the groove portion
4a while being stretched in the longitudinal direction X. Thus, the
sealing member 10 is fixed to the groove portion 4a using the
restoration force in the longitudinal direction X. Accordingly, the
positioning of the sealing member 10 with respect to the groove
portion 4a is easily conducted, and fixing work of the sealing
member 10 improves.
[0183] In the case where the rectangular loop-shaped sealing member
10 including the pair of long sides 11 and the pair of short sides
12 is employed, the sealing member 10 is, for example, formed such
that the pair of short sides 12 are shorter than the pair of
short-side portions 42 of the groove portion 4a under the natural
condition. In this case, the sealing member 10 is placed in the
groove portion 4a while being stretched in the width direction Y.
Thus, the sealing member 10 is fixed to the groove portion 4a using
the restoration force in the width direction Y. Accordingly, the
positioning of the sealing member 10 with respect to the groove
portion 4a is easily conducted, and fixing work of the sealing
member 10 improves.
[0184] In the case where the groove portion 4a includes the bottom
wall 4f, the outer side wall 4e extending perpendicularly from the
bottom wall 4f, and the inner side wall 4d extending
perpendicularly from the bottom wall 4f and opposed to the outer
side wall 4e, it has the substantially U-shape in a cross-section.
In this case, the sealing member 10 can easily contact inner
surfaces of the groove portion 4a. Thus, the sealing member 10 can
be stably disposed in the groove portion 4a.
[0185] In the case where the sealing member 10 having the
rectangular cross-sectional shape is employed, the contact area of
the sealing member 10 with the groove portion 4a increases.
Therefore, the fixing condition of the sealing member 10 on the
upper core plate 4 before being pressed by the tank 2 becomes
stable and thus the sealing member 10 can be easily arranged in the
predetermined position.
[0186] In the case where the projection 2b of the upper tank 2 has
the curved surface at the top end, even if the sealing member 10 is
directly pressed by the curved surface of the projection 2b, it is
less likely that pressure will be locally applied to the sealing
member 10. As such, damage to the sealing member 10 can be reduced.
With this, it is possible to sufficiently apply the pressing force
to the sealing member 10.
[0187] Next, a method of manufacturing the radiator 1 of the second
embodiment will be described. The method generally includes a core
plate forming step, a core section assembling step, a brazing step,
a sealing member attaching step and a tank attaching step. The
sealing member attaching step includes a sealing member stretching
step and a sealing member placing step.
[0188] The lower core plate 5 has the similar structure as the
upper core plate 4, and the sealing structure between the lower
core plate 5 and the lower tank 3 is similar to that between the
upper core plate 4 and the upper tank 2. Therefore, the method will
be hereinafter described mainly in association with the upper core
plate 4.
[0189] In the second embodiment, the core plate forming step, the
core section assembling step, and the brazing step are performed in
the similar manner as those of the first embodiment. Thus, the
description thereof is not repeated.
[0190] In the sealing member attaching step, the sealing member 10
is disposed in a predetermined position in the groove portion 4a
such that the sealing member 10 contacts at least one of the inner
side wall 4d and the outer side wall 4e. Here, an example of the
sealing member attaching step in which the sealing member 10 is
attached to contact the inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a
through the sealing member stretching step and the sealing member
placing step will be described.
[0191] First, in the sealing member stretching step, the sealing
member 10, which has been formed into the predetermined shape, for
example as shown in FIG. 14, is stretched into a predetermined
size. For example, the sealing member 10 has been formed such that
the whole length is less than the whole length of the groove
portion 4a, and the dimension Lp is less than the dimension L of
the groove portion 4a with respect to the longitudinal direction X.
The sealing member 10 having the above shape is stretched and
attached to the upper tank 2 in the similar manner as those of the
first embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 19.
[0192] In the tank attaching step, the upper tank 2 is attached to
the upper core plate 4 to which the sealing member 10 has been
attached.
[0193] In the tank attaching step, the upper tank 2 is arranged
such that the opening defined by the outer peripheral portion 2a
faces down and moved down toward the upper core plate 4 to which
the sealing member 10 has been attached, in the similar manner as
shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. Thus, the end surface of the outer
peripheral portion 2a is brought into contact with the sealing
member 10 disposed in the groove portion 4a.
[0194] In this case, the projection 2b of the upper tank 2 is
brought into contact with the substantially middle portion of the
width of the sealing member 10 in the groove portion 4a. Further, a
predetermined pressing force is applied to the upper tank 2 such
that the sealing member 10 is deformed at a predetermined
compression rate. Thus, the sealing member 10 is deformed by being
pressed by the projection 2b while generating a sufficient elastic
force. As such, the clearance between the outer peripheral portion
2a and the bottom wall 4f of the groove portion 4a is sealed with
the deformed sealing member 10. Accordingly, leakage of the cooling
water is restricted.
[0195] Further, the upper tank 2 is fixed to the upper core plate
4, in the similar manner as shown in FIG. 22.
[0196] The sealing member 10 is attached to the lower core plate 5,
in the similar manner as that of the upper core plate 4. Also, the
lower tank 3 is attached to the lower core plate 5, in the similar
manners as that of the upper tank 2. In this way, the radiator 1 is
manufactured.
[0197] Next, effects of the method of manufacturing the radiator 1
of the present embodiment will be described. The method includes
the core plate forming step, the core section assembling step, the
brazing step, the sealing member attaching step and the tank
attaching step.
[0198] In the core plate forming step, the core plate 4, 5 is
formed into the predetermined shape having the groove portion 4a
for receiving the loop-shaped sealing member 10. In the core
section assembling step, the core part 8 and the core plates 4, 5
are assembled, thereby to preliminarily assemble the core section.
In the brazing step, the components of the preliminarily assembled
core section are brazed with one another.
[0199] In the sealing member attaching step, the sealing member 10
is positioned to the groove portion 4a such that the sealing member
10 contacts at least one of the inner side wall 4d and the outer
side wall 4e. Thus, the sealing member 10 is attached to the groove
portion 4a.
[0200] In the tank attaching step, the tank 2, 3 is mounted to and
fixed to the core plate 4, 5 such that the connecting portion
between the tank 2, 3 and the core plate 4, 5 is sealed with the
sealing member 10. Further, in the tank attaching step, the tank 2,
3 is set to the core plate 4, 5 so that the projection 2b of the
tank 2, 3 buts to the substantially middle portion of the width of
the sealing member 10. In this condition, the predetermined
pressing force is applied to the sealing member 10 through the tank
2, 3.
[0201] In this case, the sealing member 10, which has been set to
the predetermined position in the groove portion 4a, is elastically
deformed by pressing the substantially middle portion of the width
of the sealing member 10 by the projection 2b of the tank 2, 3.
Therefore, the pressing force is sufficiently transmitted to the
sealing member 10, and the sealing member 10 can be properly and
sufficiently compressed. Accordingly, the manufacturing method
which can fix the sealing member 10 in the predetermined position
and exhibit the sufficient sealing effect can be achieved.
[0202] In the core plate forming step, the core plate 4, 5 is
formed to have the substantially rectangular loop-shaped groove
portion 4a including the long-side portions 41 extending in the
longitudinal direction X and the short-side portions 42 extending
in the width direction Y. Further, in the sealing member attaching
step, the sealing member 10 is attached to the groove portion 4a
such that the sealing member 10 contact with the inner side wall 4d
at least at the long-side portions 41 or the short-side portions
42.
[0203] In this case, the long sides 11 or the short sides 12 of the
sealing member 10 are fixed to the groove portion 4a. That is, the
positioning and fixing work of the sealing member 10 can be
conduced in consideration of the restoration force in one of the
longitudinal direction X or the width direction Y. As such,
productivity improves. In other words, the sealing member 10
constricts the inner side wall 4d at least at two opposite
locations due to its elastic force. In this condition, the sealing
member 10 exerts a predetermined constriction force to the core
plate 4 without being separated from the core plate 4. Thus, the
sealing member 10 is held by the core plate 4. Accordingly, the
sealing member 10 is securely fixed in the predetermined position
between the upper tank 2 and the upper core plate 4, thereby to
achieve the sufficient sealing effect. The sealing between the
lower core plate 5 and the lower tank 3 can be provided in the
similar manner, and thus the same effects are achieved.
[0204] In the present embodiment, the whole length of the sealing
member 10 under the natural condition without being elastically
deformed is less than the whole length of the groove portion 4a. In
the sealing member attaching step, the sealing member 10 is fixed
to the groove portion 4a using the restoration force of the sealing
member 10, which is generated by removing the stretching force from
the sealing member 10.
[0205] Since the sealing member 10 having the predetermined
dimension with respect to the groove portion 4a is employed, the
predetermined fixing force for fixing the sealing member 10 to the
groove portion 4a can be generated in accordance with the
restoration force of the sealing member 10. In other words, since
the sealing member 10 having the predetermined dimension is used,
it can be stably fixed to the core plate 4, 5. As such, the sealing
member 10 can be smoothly fixed in the predetermined position.
Accordingly, the manufacturing method achieves the sufficient
sealing effect and enhances productivity.
[0206] In the core plate forming step, the core plate 4, 5 is
formed to have the substantially rectangular loop-shaped groove
portion 4a including the long-side portions 41 extending in the
longitudinal direction X and the short-side portions 42 extending
in the width direction Y. Further, in the sealing member attaching
step, the sealing member 10 can be attached to the groove portion
4a such that the sealing member 10 contacts the inner side wall 4d
at least at the corner portions 43 where the long side portion 41
and the short-side portions 42 intersect each other.
[0207] In this case, the sealing member 10 is brought into contact
with the inner side wall 4d at the corner portions 43 in accordance
with the restoration force of the loop-shaped sealing member 10.
Thus, the sealing member 10 having any looped shapes can be
securely attached to the groove portion 4a. Also, the sealing
member 10 can be stably held by the core plate 4, 5 even before
being pressed by the tank 2, 3.
[0208] In the sealing member attaching step, the sealing member 10
is stretched into the predetermined size, and then the stretched
sealing member 10 is placed in the groove portion 4a of the core
plate 4, 5. Thereafter, the stretching, force is removed from the
sealing member 10. As such, the sealing member 10 is attached to
the groove portion 4a in accordance with the restoration of the
sealing member 10.
[0209] In this case, the sealing member 10 is brought into contact
with the inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a in accordance
with the degree of contraction of the sealing member 10 from the
predetermined size. That is, the fixing force for fixing the
sealing member 10 can be obtained by a simple process. Further, the
sealing member 10 can be efficiently attached to the core plate 4,
5.
Third Embodiment
[0210] A third embodiment of the present invention will be
hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 28. In the
third embodiment, the sealing member 10 is modified from that of
the second embodiment, and an example in which the sealing member
10 is attached to the core plate 4, 5 while contacting the outer
side wall 4e will be described. FIG. 26 shows a sealing member 10B
employed in the third embodiment. FIG. 27 shows an upper core plate
40 employed in the third embodiment. The core plate 40 and the
sealing member 10B have structures different from the core plate 4
and the sealing member 10 of the second embodiments. The lower core
plate has the similar structure as the upper core plate 40. Also,
like parts are designated with the like reference numerals.
Structures of the radiator 1 other than the core plate 40 and the
sealing member 10B are similar to those of the second embodiment.
Thus, similar effects can be achieved.
[0211] As shown in FIG. 26, the sealing member 10B has the
belt-like body portion, hook portions 15 and neck portions 16. The
body portion, for example, has the substantially rectangular loop
shape including the pair of long sides 11 and the pair of short
sides 12, similar to the second embodiment.
[0212] The hook portions 15 project outwardly from the outer
surfaces 11b, 12b of the body portion through the neck portions 16.
Each of the hook portions 15 has a shape along the body portion.
The hook portion 15 is a hook piece having a predetermined length.
Specifically, the hook portion 15 is spaced from the outer surface
11b, 12b through the neck portion 16. In other words, the hook
portion 15 is connected to the body portion through the neck
portion 16. The sealing member 10B has multiple hook portions
15.
[0213] For example, three hook portions 15 are provided along each
of the long sides 11 of the body portion at predetermined
intervals, and one hook portion 15 is provided on each of the short
sides 12 of the body portion. The body portion, the hook portions
15 and the neck portions 16 of the sealing member 10B are made of
the same material, such as EPDM, silicon-base rubber and the like.
The body portion, the hook portions 15 and the neck portions 16 are
integrally formed with one another using a die.
[0214] As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the upper core plate 40 has the
groove portion 4a defining the substantially rectangular
loop-shaped groove, similar to the upper core plate 4 of the second
embodiment. Further, the upper core plate 40 has multiple slits 45
on the outer side wall 4e of the groove portion 4a. Each of the
slits 45 has a predetermined width. The slits 45 are formed at
locations corresponding to the neck portions 16 of the sealing
member 10B. Each of the slit 45 is formed into a notch having a
dimension larger than the width of the neck portion 16 for
receiving the neck portion 16.
[0215] In the present, embodiment, the hook portions 15 are hooked
on the outer side wall 4e by fitting the neck portions 16 into the
slits 45, and hence the sealing member 10B is fixed to the upper
core plate 40. In this case, the sealing member 10B receives a
tensile force in an outward direction. Thus, the sealing member 10B
is held on the upper core plate 40 under a condition where at least
one of the outer surfaces 11b and the outer surfaces 12b of the
body portion is in contact with the outer side wall 4e.
[0216] Further, as shown in FIG. 28, the upper tank 2 has the
projection 2b at a position corresponding to the substantially
middle portion of the width of the body portion of the sealing
member 10B. That is, the projection 2b is formed on the end surface
of the outer peripheral portion 2a to substantially coincide with
the line passing through the center of the cross-section of the
body portion. Thus, the projection 2b is pressed against the
substantially middle portion of the width of the sealing member
10B. Accordingly, the upper tank 2 can apply the predetermined
pressing force to the sealing member 10B, thereby to ensure the
sealing effect.
[0217] In this case, a clearance is easily provided between the
inner surface 11a, 12a and the inner side wall 4d of the groove
portion 4a. Therefore, the sealing member 10B can be easily fixed
to the groove portion 4a. Accordingly, productivity improves.
Furthermore, since the sealing member 10B is located closer to the
outer side wall 4e in the groove portion 4a, the sealing structure
having sufficient strength against internal pressure of the upper
tank 2 can be achieved.
Other Embodiments
[0218] Various exemplarily embodiments of the present invention are
described hereinabove. However, the present invention is not
limited to the above described exemplary embodiments, but may be
implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit
of the invention. Further, the present invention can be implemented
by combining the above exemplary embodiments in various ways.
Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented by
appropriately combining portions of the above exemplary embodiments
in various ways.
[0219] In the above-discussed methods of manufacturing the radiator
according to the first and second embodiments, the sealing member
10 in which the dimension Lp under the natural condition is less
than the dimension L of the groove portion 4a with respect to the
longitudinal direction X is employed. The sealing member 10 is
placed in the groove portion 4a under the condition of being
stretched into the predetermined length, such as the length L, in
the longitudinal direction X, and is then fixed to the upper core
plate 4 using the restoration (contraction) force.
[0220] Alternatively, the sealing member 10 as shown in FIG. 6A can
be employed in the above-discussed methods. The sealing member 10
shown in FIG. 6A has the width Dp under the natural condition less
than the width D of the groove portion 4a with respect to the width
direction Y. In this case, the sealing member 10 is stretched into
the predetermined width, such as the width D, in the width
direction D. The sealing member 10 is placed in the groove portion
4a under the stretched condition. When the stretching force is
removed from the sealing member 10, the sealing member 10
contracts. In this way, the sealing member 10 can be fixed to the
upper core plate 4 using the restoration (contraction) force of the
sealing member 10 in the width direction Y. In this case, the inner
surfaces 11a of the long sides 11 of the sealing member 10 contact
the inner side wall 4d of the groove portion 4a. Therefore, the
sealing member 10 can be fixed in the predetermined position
through the inner surfaces 11a. Accordingly, the sealing member 10
can be properly held by the upper core plate 4.
[0221] As another example, in a case where the sealing member 10
having the whole length less than the whole length of the groove
portion 4a is employed, the sealing member 10 can be stretched in
both the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y into
the predetermined dimensions. The sealing member 10 is placed in
the groove portion 4a under the stretched condition. When the
stretching force is removed, the sealing member 10 contracts in the
longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y. Accordingly,
the sealing member 10 can be fixed to the upper core plate 4 using
the contraction force in the longitudinal direction X and the width
direction Y.
[0222] In the second embodiment, the sealing member 10 can be
disposed such that the inner surfaces of the corner portions 13
thereof closely contact the inner side wall 4d by contracting
inwardly at the four corner portions 13. Thus, the sealing member
10 is held at the corner portions 13. Further, the sealing member
10 is fixed by being pressed against the groove portion 4a by the
outer peripheral portion 2a under the condition where the inner
surfaces of the corner portions 13 are in contact with the inner
side wall 4d.
[0223] In this case, the corner portions 13 of the sealing member
10 are disposed closer to the inner side wall 4d than the outer
side wall 4e. In other words, the sealing member 10 is disposed
such that the longitudinal axis at the corner portions 13 is
located more to the inner side of the upper core plate 4 than the
longitudinal axis of the groove portion 4a at the corner portions
43. In this case, the corner portions 13 of the loop-shaped sealing
member 10 can be brought into contact with the corner portions 43
of the groove portion 4a. Thus, any loop-shaped sealing member,
other than the rectangular-shaped sealing member, can be properly
fixed to the groove portion 4a.
[0224] To make the sealing member 10 to contact the inner side wall
4d of the groove portion 4a at the corner portions 13, for example,
the sealing member 10 can be formed such that a radius of curvature
of the inner surface of the corner portion 13 is greater than a
radius of curvature of the inner side wall 4d of the corner portion
under the natural condition. After such sealing member 10 is
stretched and placed in the groove portion 4a under the stretched
condition, when the stretching force is removed, the sealing member
10 contracts inwardly due to the restoration force for restoring to
the original condition. In this case, the inner surfaces of the
corner portions 13 are brought into contact with the corner
portions of the inner side wall 4d prior to the other portions.
Thus, the sealing member 10 can be held by the upper core plate 4
in accordance with the close contact at the corner portions 13.
[0225] 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.
* * * * *