阅读说明：本技术 机动车辆部件移位限制系统和方法 (Motor vehicle component displacement limiting system and method ) 是由 马修·大卫·乔治·夏恩 乔尔·洛佩兹贝尔蒂尔 于 2019-08-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种用于机动车辆的辅助系统。该系统包括：壳体；用于将流体运送到壳体或从壳体运送流体的管道,其中管道包括管道部分和将管道连接到壳体的连接器部分,其中管道部分在第一方向上与壳体间隔开；以及间隔件,间隔件连接到管道和壳体中的一个并且布置在管道和壳体之间,以减小第一方向上管道和壳体之间的间隙的尺寸,从而减小制冷剂管道在碰撞期间在第一方向上的位移。本发明还提供了一种包括辅助系统的机动车辆总成。(The invention provides an assistance system for a motor vehicle. The system comprises: a housing; a conduit for carrying fluid to or from the housing, wherein the conduit comprises a conduit portion and a connector portion connecting the conduit to the housing, wherein the conduit portion is spaced from the housing in a first direction; and a spacer connected to one of the pipe and the housing and disposed between the pipe and the housing to reduce a size of a gap between the pipe and the housing in the first direction, thereby reducing a displacement of the refrigerant pipe in the first direction during a collision. The invention also provides a motor vehicle assembly comprising an auxiliary system.)

1. An assistance system for a motor vehicle, the assistance system comprising:

a housing;

a conduit for carrying fluid to or from the housing, wherein the conduit comprises a conduit portion and a connector portion connecting the conduit to the housing, wherein the conduit portion is spaced from the housing in a first direction; and

a spacer connected to one of the conduit and the housing and disposed between the conduit and the housing to reduce a size of a gap between the conduit and the housing in the first direction to reduce displacement of the conduit in the first direction during a collision.

2. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises an abutment face arranged to abut the other of the duct and the housing when the duct is displaced in the first direction, wherein the abutment face is angled relative to the first direction so as to cause the duct to be displaced in a direction having a component perpendicular to the first direction during the collision.

3. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein the spacer is integrally formed with the housing.

4. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein the spacer includes a rib integrally formed on the housing.

5. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein the spacer protrudes from a surface of the housing toward the duct in a direction having a component toward a front of the motor vehicle.

6. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein the spacer is connected to the connector portion of the tubing.

7. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein the spacer includes a body portion and a first flange connected to the body portion, wherein the first flange is disposed between the duct and the housing to reduce a size of the gap between the duct and the housing in the first direction.

8. The assistance system of claim 7, wherein the spacer includes a second flange connected to the body portion, wherein the second flange extends from the body portion in a direction having a component parallel to the first flange such that the conduit portion is disposed between the first flange and the second flange.

9. The assistance system of claim 8, wherein the body portion extends between the first flange and the second flange in a direction having a component of the first direction.

10. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein the connector portion of the conduit is connected to a front surface of the housing.

11. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein the conduit extends above the spacer in a direction having a component in a lateral direction of the motor vehicle, wherein the conduit is a refrigerant conduit.

12. The assistance system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the spacer is aligned with the conduit portion of the conduit in a lateral direction of the motor vehicle, wherein the conduit is a refrigerant conduit.

13. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein the system is an air conditioning system and wherein the conduit is a refrigerant conduit.

14. A motor vehicle assembly comprising the assistance system of claim 1 and further comprising:

a displaceable member spaced from the conduit in a first direction, wherein the displaceable member is displaceable in the first direction during a motor vehicle collision.

15. The vehicle assembly of claim 14, wherein the spacer is aligned with a pinch point between the displaceable member and the housing in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

16. The vehicle assembly of claim 14, wherein the displaceable component is a radiator.

17. A method of reducing displacement of a conduit in an auxiliary system of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a conduit for carrying fluid to a housing, the conduit comprising a conduit portion and a connector portion connecting the conduit to the housing, the conduit portion being spaced from the housing in a first direction; and

providing a spacer connected to one of the pipe and the housing and disposed between the pipe and the housing, the spacer reducing a size of a gap between the pipe and the housing in the first direction, the spacer configured to reduce displacement of the pipe in the first direction during a collision.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising reducing displacement of the pipe during the collision by abutting the pipe against the spacer.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising abutting an abutment face of the spacer against the other of the pipe and the housing when the pipe is displaced in the first direction during the collision, the abutment face being angled relative to the first direction so as to cause the pipe to be displaced in a direction having a component perpendicular to the first direction during the collision.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising moving a heat sink to displace the conduit in the first direction.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for a motor vehicle and in particular, but not exclusively, to an air conditioning system with improved crash integrity.

Background

Vehicles, such as motor vehicles, typically include a number of auxiliary systems, such as air conditioning systems, heating systems, fuel systems, emission control systems, and the like. The auxiliary systems are packaged in the available space on the vehicle between other vehicle systems and components.

When the assistance system comprises a plurality of components, the position and orientation of each component of the assistance system may be determined by the size and shape of the other components of the vehicle, rather than by the most desirable relative positions and orientations of the components.

Thus, the routing of the connection components (e.g., pipes and cables) between the components of the auxiliary system is determined by the relative positions of the auxiliary system components and the positions of the connections provided thereon.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an exemplary aspect of the invention, an auxiliary system for a motor vehicle, for example an air conditioning system, is provided. The system includes a housing, a conduit, and a spacer. A conduit (e.g., a refrigerant conduit) may be used to carry a fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) to or from the housing. The conduit may include a conduit portion and a connector portion connecting the conduit to the housing. The conduit portion is spaced from the housing in a first direction. The spacer is connected to one of the pipe and the housing. The spacer, or a portion thereof, is arranged between the duct and the housing to reduce the size of the gap between the duct and the housing in the first direction, for example, to reduce the available area to which the duct is displaced in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle. The spacer thus reduces displacement of the conduit in a first direction (e.g., toward the housing) during a collision, e.g., the maximum possible displacement.

The spacer may comprise an abutment surface arranged to abut the other of the conduit and the housing when the conduit is displaced in the first direction. The abutment face may be angled relative to the first direction so as to cause the conduit to be displaced in a direction (e.g. in a perpendicular and/or lateral direction) in which the eye has a component perpendicular to the first direction during a collision. For example, the abutment surface may be angled, e.g. at an acute angle, with respect to a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

The spacer may be integrally formed with the housing. For example, the spacer may include a rib formed on the housing. The spacer may protrude from the surface of the housing towards the duct, e.g. in a direction having a component towards the front of the motor vehicle, e.g. in a first direction. In other words, the first direction may be a direction from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle.

The spacer may be a forged, cast and/or machined part or structure. Alternatively, the spacer may be a manufactured component, such as a sheet metal component. For example, the spacer may comprise a sheet metal bracket. The spacer may be connected to the conduit. For example, the spacer may be connected to a connector portion and/or a tubing portion of the tubing.

The spacer may include a body portion and a first flange connected to the body portion. At least a portion of the first flange may be disposed between the duct and the housing. Accordingly, the first flange may reduce the size of the gap between the duct and the housing in the first direction.

The spacer may include a second flange connected to the body portion. The second flange may extend from the body portion in a direction having a component parallel to the first flange. The first flange and the second flange may extend in a direction having a component perpendicular to the first direction.

The body portion may extend between the first flange and the second flange in a direction having a component of the first direction. For example, the body portion may extend in a direction parallel to the first direction. The first flange and the second flange may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction. The pipe portion may be disposed between the first flange and the second flange. In other words, the first flange and the second flange may be arranged on either side of the pipe portion with respect to the first direction. The body portion and the first and second flanges of the spacer may at least partially surround the duct portion on three sides of the duct portion. The second flange may be configured to connect to a connector portion of a conduit.

The connector portion of the tubing may be connected to the front surface of the housing. The duct may extend above the spacer in a direction having a component of the transverse direction of the motor vehicle.

At least a portion of the spacer may be aligned with the conduit portion of the conduit in a lateral direction of the vehicle assembly.

The system may be an air conditioning system. The conduit may be a refrigerant conduit, for example, for carrying refrigerant. Additionally or alternatively, the housing may be a compressor housing of an air conditioning system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a housing, a refrigerant conduit, and a spacer. The refrigerant pipe may be used to carry refrigerant to or from the housing. The refrigerant conduit may include a conduit portion and a connector portion connecting the refrigerant conduit to the housing. The conduit portion may be spaced from the housing in a first direction. The spacer may be connected to one of the refrigerant pipe and the case. At least a portion of the spacer is disposed between the refrigerant pipe and the housing to reduce a size of a gap between the refrigerant pipe and the housing in the first direction. The spacer thereby reduces displacement of the refrigerant pipe in the first direction during a collision. The spacers thus serve to reduce the shear load on the pipe sections in the event of a collision.

According to another exemplary aspect of the invention, an auxiliary system for a motor vehicle, for example an air conditioning system, is provided, the system comprising a housing, a duct and a spacer. The conduit (e.g., refrigerant conduit) may include a conduit portion and a connector portion connecting the conduit portion to the housing. The spacer may be arranged between the conduit and the housing and configured to reduce displacement of the conduit towards the housing in the event of a collision.

The motor vehicle assembly may comprise the above-mentioned auxiliary system (e.g. the above-mentioned air conditioning system) and the displaceable part. The displaceable member may be spaced from a conduit (e.g., a refrigerant conduit) in a first direction. The displaceable part may be displaced in a first direction during a motor vehicle collision, for example, in such a way that the displaceable part is mounted in a motor vehicle assembly. The displaceable part may be a radiator of a motor vehicle.

The spacer may be at least partially aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (e.g., in a lateral or vertical direction of the vehicle assembly) with a pinch point between the displaceable member and the housing (e.g., a point on the displaceable member closer to the housing before and/or after a collision).

The embodiments, examples and alternative orientations of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description, including any of their various aspects or features, may be performed independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless the features are incompatible.

Drawings

Various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a prior art motor vehicle including an auxiliary system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the motor vehicle including the assistance system of FIG. 1 after a motor vehicle collision;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle including an assistance system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle including the assistance system shown in FIG. 3 after a motor vehicle collision;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a housing of the auxiliary system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle including an assistance system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle including the assistance system shown in fig. 6 after a motor vehicle collision.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, a prior art vehicle assembly (e.g., an automotive vehicle assembly 2) includes an auxiliary system (e.g., an air conditioning system 10) and a displaceable component (e.g., a radiator 20). The radiator 20 is mounted in the motor vehicle assembly 2 such that it can be displaced during a motor vehicle collision.

The air conditioning system 10 includes a housing 12 and a duct 14 for carrying fluid to and/or from the housing 12. As shown in fig. 1, the housing 12 is a compressor shell of an air conditioning system and the conduit 14 is a refrigerant conduit for carrying refrigerant to or from the compressor during operation of the air conditioning system 10.

The conduit 14 comprises a tubular conduit portion 14a and a connector portion 14b for connecting the conduit to the housing 12. The housing 12 includes a port 12a, and a connector portion 14b is connected to the housing at the port 12 a. In the arrangement shown, the pipe portion 14a is made of aluminium. However, in other arrangements, the conduit portion 14a may be made of any other desired material.

In the motor vehicle assembly 2 shown in fig. 1, the components of the air conditioning system 10 have been arranged such that the connector portion 14b is connected to the front surface 12b of the housing 12, e.g. the surface facing the front of the motor vehicle, due to the location of the other components of the motor vehicle. In particular, the housing 12 is oriented such that the port 12a is disposed on the front surface 12b of the housing 12. In addition, due to the location of other components of the air conditioning system, the duct portion 14a extends (e.g., laterally) above the front surface 12b of the housing 12 to reach another component of the air conditioning system 10, such as an expander (not shown).

As shown in fig. 1, a gap 16 may exist between the conduit portion 14a and the housing 12. The gap 16 is in a first direction D of the motor vehicle assembly 2₁Is determined by the shape of the housing 12 and the direction of extension of the duct portion 14a above the front surface of the housing. As shown, the first direction D₁Including a component in a direction from the front of the motor vehicle assembly toward the rear of the motor vehicle assembly 2.

In fig. 1, the displaceable part 20 comprises a radiator which is provided in the vehicle assembly as part of a cooling system for the engine of the motor vehicle. The heat sink 20 is in the first direction D₁Spaced from the duct 14 of the air conditioning system 10.

As shown in prior art fig. 2, during a collision (e.g., a frontal collision) of the motor vehicle, the radiator 20 is arranged to have a first direction D₁Is displaced towards the pipe 14 and the housing 12. A portion of the radiator 20 (e.g., the drain tap 22) may contact the pipe portion 14a and direct a portion of the pipe portion 14a toward the housing 12 (e.g., in a direction having a direction along the first direction D)₁The direction of the component of (d) shift. As shown, the portion of the conduit portion 14a displaced by the heat sink 20 may be displaced until the conduit portion 14a contacts the housing 12.

At least a portion of the conduit portion 14a may experience strain when the conduit portion 14a is displaced by the heat sink 20. The strain experienced by the conduit portion 114a during a collision (e.g., the maximum possible strain) may depend on the gap 16 being in the first direction D prior to the collision₁The size of the dimension (c) above. As shown in fig. 2, the portion of the tubing portion 14a adjacent the connector portion 14b may experience the greatest magnitude of strain.

If the size of gap 16 is large enough to allow conduit portion 14a to be displaced a sufficient distance, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, at least a portion of conduit portion 14a may experience a strain that is greater than a strain limit of conduit portion 14a, for example, a strain limit of a material from which conduit portion 14a is made. In such a case, the pipe portion 14a may break, resulting in leakage of the fluid carried by the pipe.

Referring to fig. 3, a vehicle assembly 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes an air conditioning system 110, the air conditioning system 110 including a housing 112 and a duct 114, the housing 112 and the duct 114 may be similar to the housing 12 and the duct 14 described above with respect to fig. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the tubing 114 includes a tubular tubing portion 114a and a connector portion 114b for connecting the tubing 114 to the housing 112. The duct portion 114a extends above the front surface 112a of the housing 112 and there is a gap 116 between the duct portion 114a and the housing 112, the gap 116 having a first direction D along the vehicle assembly₁₀₀The dimension (in the direction from the front to the rear of the vehicle assembly).

The vehicle assembly 100 also includes a displaceable component, such as a radiator 120, mounted in the vehicle assembly. The heat sink 120 may be similar to the heat sink 20 described with respect to fig. 1 and 2. The radiator 120 may be mounted in the vehicle assembly 100 such that the radiator may have a first direction D during a vehicle collision (e.g., a frontal collision)₁₀₀The direction of the component of (a) is shifted.

The vehicle assembly 100 differs from the vehicle assembly 2 of fig. 1 and 2 in that a spacer 130 or the like is included, the spacer 130 being disposed in the vehicle assembly 100 such that at least a portion of the spacer 130 is disposed between the duct 114 and the housing 112.

As shown in fig. 4, the spacer 130 is coupled to the housing 112 such that at least a portion of the spacer 130 is aligned with the conduit portion 114a, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, a gap 116 is formed between the spacer 130 and the pipe portion 114 a.

In other arrangements, the spacer 130 may be connected to the conduit 114, and the gap 116 may be formed between the spacer 130 and the housing 112. Alternatively, the spacer 130 may be supported between the conduit 114 and the housing 112 such that a portion of the gap 116 is formed between the conduit 114 and the spacer 130 and a portion of the gap 116 is formed between the spacer 130 and the housing 112. For example, as shown in fig. 6 and described below.

The spacer 130 reduces the gap 116 in the first direction D₁₀₀For example, as compared to an arrangement in which the spacer 130 is not provided. Thus, the spacer 130 reduces the conduit 114 from being in the first direction D during a collision₁₀₀For example, as compared to the conduit 14 shown in prior art fig. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, during a collision of the vehicle assembly 100, the radiator 120 is displaced such that a portion of the radiator (e.g., the drain cock 122) contacts the conduit portion 114a and causes the conduit portion 114a to have a direction along the first direction D₁₀₀The direction of the component of (a) is shifted. As shown, due to the presence of the spacers 130, the distance that the conduit portion 114a may be displaced during a collision is reduced, which in turn reduces the strain experienced by the conduit portion 114a, e.g., the maximum possible strain. In the arrangement shown in fig. 4, the strain experienced by the conduit portion 114a has been reduced below the strain limit of the conduit portion 114 a.

The spacer 130 may be sized such that the size of the gap 116 between the spacer and the conduit 114 is greater than a minimum value. The minimum value may be set to prevent contact between the conduit portion 114a and the spacer 130 and/or between the spacer 130 and the housing 112 during normal operation of the vehicle assembly 100. For example, the spacer 130 may be sized such that the gap 116 is between 2 millimeters (mm) and 10 mm (mm) in size.

The spacer 130 may protrude from a surface of the housing 112 toward the duct 114 in a direction having a component of the first direction. The spacer 130 may be integrally formed with the housing 112 or the conduit 114. In the arrangement shown in fig. 3 and 4, the housing 112 is a cast component and the spacer 130 is part of a casting. Additionally or alternatively, the spacer 130 (e.g., the shape of the spacer 130) may be formed by a machining operation (e.g., a milling operation) performed after casting the housing. For example, the spacers 130 may include cast and machined ribs formed on the housing 112. In other arrangements, the spacer 130 may be connected to the housing 112 or the conduit 114 using any other desired permanent or temporary attachment method. For example, the spacer 130 may be welded, brazed, adhered, or connected to the housing 112 using fasteners (e.g., bolts and/or rivets).

Referring to fig. 5, the spacer 130 may include an abutment face 132, the abutment face 132 being arranged to abut the conduit 114 when the conduit 114 is displaced in the first direction (e.g., during a collision). The abutment surface 132 is opposite to the first direction D₁₀₀Angled so as to encourage the duct 114 to follow a direction having a perpendicularity to the first direction D during a collision₁₀₀Is displaced, for example, when the conduit 114 is displaced towards the housing 112. The abutment surface 132 may be arranged at a non-perpendicular angle to the first direction. For example, the abutment surface 132 may be disposed with respect to being perpendicular to the first direction D₁₀₀At an acute angle.

When the radiator 120 is in the first direction D during a collision₁₀₀Upon displacement, a pinch point may be formed between the heat sink 120 and the housing 112. The pinch point may be a distance between the heat sink 120 and the housing 112 (e.g., in the first direction D)₁₀₀) At the position of the minimum. In addition, the clamping point may be when the heat sink 120 is along the first direction D₁₀₀The position where the heat sink 120 first contacts the housing 112 when displaced. As described above, when the radiator 120 is displaced toward the housing 112, a portion of the radiator (e.g., the drain cock 122) may contact the conduit 114. The pinch point may be formed at a portion of the heat sink in contact with the pipe 114 and the shellBetween the bodies 112.

As described above, the abutment surface 132 may be angled so as to urge the conduit 114 in a direction having a perpendicular to the first direction D₁₀₀The direction of the component of (a) is shifted. In this manner, the abutment surface 132 may urge the tubing 114 away from the pinch point.

Referring to fig. 6, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spacer 600 may comprise a fabricated component, such as a fabricated sheet metal component, that is coupled to the conduit 114. In the arrangement shown in fig. 6, the spacer 600 is connected to the connector portion 114b of the tubing 114 using a welding process. However, in other arrangements, the spacer 600 may be connected to the conduit 114 using any other permanent or temporary attachment method (e.g., brazing, adhering, or using one or more fasteners). Alternatively, the spacer 600 may be integrally formed with the connector portion 114 b. In other arrangements, the spacer 600 may be connected to (e.g., secured to) the conduit portion 114a or integrally formed with the conduit portion 114 a.

As shown in fig. 6, the spacer 600 includes a body portion 610 and a first flange 620 connected to the body portion 610. The body portion 610 may be substantially planar or plate-shaped. The body portion 610 may be formed (e.g., formed primarily) in a first direction D₁₀₀In substantially parallel planes. The first flange 620 may be extended from the body portion in a direction having a direction perpendicular to the first direction D₁₀₀The direction of the component (b) extends. For example, the first flange 620 may extend substantially perpendicular to the body portion 610.

The first flange 620 is disposed between the duct 114 and the housing 112. The presence of the first flange 620 thus reduces the first direction D₁₀₀The size of the gap 116 between the upper conduit 114 and the housing 112.

In the arrangement shown in fig. 6, the first flange 620 is supported between the duct 114 and the housing 112 such that a first portion 116a of the gap is formed between the duct 114 and the first flange 620 and a second portion 116b of the gap is formed between the first flange 620 and the housing 112. The gap 116 may be considered to be the sum of the first and second portions 116a, 116b of the gap.

The abutment surface 622 may be formed on the first flange 620 adjacent to the housing 112Superficially, e.g. in the event of a collision, the spacer 600 is in the first direction D₁₀₀Which when displaced abuts a surface of the housing 112. The abutment surface 622 may be opposite to the first direction D in the same manner as the abutment surface 132₁₀₀Angled such that when the spacer 600 is displaced towards the housing 112, the abutment surface 622 urges the spacer 600 to have a perpendicular to the first direction D₁₀₀The direction of the component of (a) is shifted.

Because the spacer 600 is connected to the conduit 114, the spacer 600 may be displaced with the conduit 114, for example, where the conduit 114 is displaced toward the housing 112 by the heat sink 120. Additionally, the conduit 114 may be masked perpendicular to the first direction D due to the angled abutment surface 622 of the first flange abutting the housing 112₁₀₀The direction of the component of (a) is shifted.

The spacer 600 may also include a second flange 630 connected to the body portion 610 of the spacer. The second flange 630 may extend from the body portion 610 in a direction having a component parallel to the first flange 620. The first and second flanges 620 and 630 may have a first direction D₁₀₀Are directionally spaced from each other. The body portion 610 may extend between the first flange 620 and the second flange 630, e.g., in a direction having a direction along the first direction D₁₀₀In the direction of the component of (a).

The first flange 620 and the second flange 630 may be configured such that the conduit portion 114a is disposed between the first flange 620 and the second flange 630. In other words, the first flange 620 and the second flange 630 may be disposed at the duct portion 114a in the first direction D₁₀₀On either side of the base. As shown in fig. 6, the body portion 610 and the first and second flanges 620, 630 of the spacer 600 may at least partially surround the conduit portion 114a, e.g., surround the conduit portion 114a on three sides of the conduit portion 114 a. Accordingly, the pipe portion 114a may be disposed within the space 640 formed between the body portion 610 and the first and second flanges 620, 630.

The second flange 630 may be configured such that at least a portion of the second flange 630 is disposed in the first direction D₁₀₀The side of the upper conduit 114 opposite the housing 112. Thus, at least a portion of the second flange 630 may beTo be disposed between the duct 114 and the radiator 120.

Referring to fig. 7, the radiator 120 is in the first direction D during a collision₁₀₀Upon upward displacement, the heat sink 120 may engage the second flange 630 of the spacer 600. Thus, further displacement of the heat sink 120 may cause the spacer 600 and the conduit 114 to be in the first direction D₁₀₀Displaced (e.g., toward housing 112).

As described above, when the abutment surface 622 of the spacer 600 abuts the housing 112, the abutment surface 622 may urge the spacer 600 and the conduit 144 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D₁₀₀Is shifted in direction. When the spacer 600 and the conduit 144 are perpendicular to the first direction D₁₀₀Can be displaced away from the pinch point between the heat sink 120 and the housing 112. In addition, when the spacer 600 and the duct 144 are perpendicular to the first direction D₁₀₀Can be displaced a sufficient distance such that the conduit 114 is no longer displaced by the heat sink 120 when the heat sink 120 is moved toward the housing 112.

As shown in fig. 7, after the collision, the spacer 600 and the duct 114 have been displaced by the radiator 120 back towards the housing 112 and have also been shown upwards due to the abutment face 622 against the housing 112. Thus, the conduit 114 is shown away from the pinch point between the heat sink 120 and the housing 112. As shown, the heat sink 120 continues to be displaced toward the housing 112 and has moved below the conduit 114.

When the spacer 600 includes the first and second flanges 620, 630 and the conduit portion 114a is received within the space 640 formed between the first and second flanges 620, 630 and the body portion 610 of the spacer 600, the spacer and conduit may be displaced away from the pinch point between the heat sink and the housing to allow the heat sink to pass through the conduit 114 without significantly reducing the size of the space 640, for example, due to deformation of the spacer 600. Thus, the spacer 600 may also prevent the conduit portion 114a from being compressed or crushed during a collision.

As shown in fig. 6, the main body portion 610, the first flange 620, and/or the second flange 630 may include one or more reinforcements 605, such as ribs, webs, beads, and/or swages, the reinforcements 605 arranged to resist deformation 600 of the spacer to maintain the dimensions of the space 640 during a collision.

As shown, the second flange 630 may be configured to connect the spacer 600 to the tubing 114, such as to the connector portion 114b of the tubing. Additionally or alternatively, the body portion 610 of the spacer 600 may be configured to be connected to the conduit 114.

Although in the above arrangement the displaceable part comprises the radiator 120, in other arrangements the displaceable part may comprise any other part mounted in the vehicle assembly such that it may be in the first direction D during a collision₁₀₀Towards the conduit 114 and the housing 112.

Further, although in the arrangement described above the auxiliary system comprises the air conditioning system 10, in other arrangements the auxiliary system may comprise any other auxiliary system of the vehicle, such auxiliary system comprising a conduit for carrying fluid to or from a housing of the auxiliary system.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.