Tank structure

Abstract

In a tank structure of a heat exchanger, at least one of a first tank member and a second tank member which have substantially U-shaped cross sections has, in coupling portions thereof, bent portions made of bent plate materials. The first tank member and the second tank member have first to fourth slits that are formed at least in the bent portions near end faces. End face closing members have main portions capable of closing end-face openings formed by the first and second tank members, and the main portions have on outer peripheries thereof integrally formed first lock portions and second lock portions inserted in and locked by the slits to cover gaps formed between the first and second tank members.

1 . A tank structure comprising: 
 a first tank member that has a substantially U-shaped cross section having a bottom portion and first and second sidewall portions connecting with both sides of the bottom portion;    a second tank member that has a substantially U-shaped cross section having third and fourth sidewall portions to partially overlap with the first and second sidewall portions of said first tank member respectively and a bottom portion to close a longitudinal opening of said first tank member when said first and second tank members are assembled and fixed together with each other; and    end-face closing members closing end-face openings on both end sides of said first and second tank members in a longitudinal direction of a cylinder formed by said first and second tank members,    wherein said first tank member is made of plate materials and bent to be formed on the first and second sidewall portions thereof with bent portions to receive the third and fourth sidewall portions of said second tank member respectively;    said first tank member having slits that are formed on the first and second sidewall portions to extend from end portions of the first and second sidewall portions toward the bottom portion through the bent portions; and    said end-face closing members having main portions capable of closing the end-face openings of said first and second tank members, and the main portions being formed on outer peripheries thereof integrally with lock portions that are inserted in and locked by the slits of said first tank member so as to contact with the bent portions of said first tank member and the third and fourth sidewall portions of said second tank member and cover gaps formed between the bent portions and end portions of the third and fourth sidewall portions.    
   
   
       2 . The tank structure according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein said second tank member has slits to overlap at least partially with the slits of said first tank member and extend from the end portions of the third and fourth sidewall portions toward the bottom portion of said second tank member, and the lock portions being inserted in and locked by the slits of said first and second tank members.    
   
   
       3 . The tank structure according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein the slits of said first tank member is made up of first slits formed to extend from the bottom portion thereof to end portion of the first sidewall portion of said first tank member through the bent portion thereof and second slits formed to extend from an intermediate position to the end portion of the second sidewall portion through the bent portion thereof, and    the slits of said second tank member being made up of third slits formed to extend from the end portion of the third sidewall portion thereof to an intermediate portion of the bottom portion of said second tank member and fourth slits formed to extend from the end portion of the fourth sidewall portion to the bottom portion of said second tank member, the third and fourth slits overlapping at least partially with the first and second slits of said first tank member when said first and second tank members are assembled with each other.    
   
   
       4 . The tank structure according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein the slits of said first tank member is made up of fifth slits formed to extend from end portions to intermediate positions of the first and second sidewall portions through the bent portions thereof, and    the slits of said second tank member being made up of sixth slits formed to extend from the end portions of the third and fourth sidewall portions toward the bottom portion of said second tank member, the six slits overlapping at least partially with the fifth slits of said first tank member when said first and second tank members are assembled with each other.    
   
   
       5 . The tank structure according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein the slits of said first tank member is made up of fifth slits formed to extend from the end portions to intermediate positions of the first and second sidewall portions of said first tank member through the bent portions thereof, and    the slits of said second tank member being made up with seventh slits formed to extend from the end portions to intermediate positions of the third and fourth sidewall portions of said second member, the seventh slits overlapping partially with the fifth slits of said first tank member when said first and second tank members are assembled with each other.    
   
   
       6 . The tank structure according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein the slits of said first tank member is made up of fifth slits formed to extend from the end portions to intermediate positions of the first and second sidewall portions of said first tank member through the bent portions thereof, and    the slits of said second tank member being made up of eighth slits formed to extend from the end portion to an intermediate position of the third sidewall portions of said second member and ninth slits formed to extend from end portions of the fourth sidewall portion to the bottom portion of said second tank member, the eighth and ninth slits overlapping at least partially with the fifth slits of said first tank member when said first and second tank members are assembled with each other.