Cooling module assembly and method of sealing a cooling module assembly

Abstract

A cooling module assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. That cooling module assembly includes a radiator module and a charge air cooler module. The radiator module includes a radiator and a radiator shroud having a chamfered margin. The charge air cooler module includes a charge air cooler and a charge air cooler shroud with an integral seal. An interference fit and seal are provided between the integral seal and the radiator shroud adjacent the chamfered margin when the cooling module assembly is fully assembled. A related method of sealing the cooling module assembly is also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A cooling module assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a radiator module including a radiator and a radiator shroud having a chamfered margin; and   a charge air cooler module including a charge air cooler and a charge air cooler shroud with an integral seal wherein an interference fit and seal is provided between said integral seal and said radiator shroud adjacent said chamfered margin.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling module of  claim 1 , wherein said radiator module includes a mechanical fan swivel and said integral seal includes an arcuate edge section engaging said mechanical fan swivel. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling module of  claim 2 , wherein the motor vehicle includes a radiator support cross member and said integral seal includes a first notch at a first end and a second notch at a second end receiving and engaging said radiator support cross member. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling module of  claim 3 , wherein said integral seal is made from ethylene propylene diene monomer. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling module of  claim 4 , wherein said integral seal seals against an outer surface of said radiator shroud. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling module of  claim 1 , wherein said radiator module includes a radiator support cross member and said integral seal includes a first notch at a first end and a second notch at a second end receiving and engaging said radiator support cross member. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling module of  claim 1 , wherein said charge air cooler shroud is made from polypropylene and said integral seal is made from a soft shot of ethylene propylene diene monomer molded into said charge air cooler shroud. 
     
     
         8 . A method of sealing a cooling module assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 mating a body, including a radiator module, to a chassis including a charge air cooler module; and   providing a seal between (a) an integral seal on a charge air cooler shroud of said charge air cooler module and (b) an outer surface of a radiator shroud of said radiator module.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  including guiding said radiator shroud inside said integral seal of said charge air cooler shroud by means of a chamfered margin of said radiator shroud. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , including providing said integral seal with an arcuate edge section to engage with a mechanical fan swivel of said radiator module. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , including providing said integral seal with a first notch at a first end and a second notch at a second end. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , including engaging said first notch and said second notch with a radiator support cross member of said motor vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , including providing an interference fit between said integral seal and an outer surface of said radiator shroud adjacent said chamfered margin. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , including extending said integral seal to a merger point between said radiator shroud and said mechanical fan swivel.