EP3938633A1

EP3938633A1 - Cooling module for an electric motor vehicle, comprising a tangential-flow turbomachine

Info

Publication number: EP3938633A1
Application number: EP20726180.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Amrid MAMMERI; Kamel Azzouz
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2019-03-15
Filing date: 2020-03-12
Publication date: 2022-01-19
Also published as: FR3093760B1; WO2020188188A1; CN113597504A; FR3093760A1; US20220153128A1; US12024009B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling module (22) for a motor vehicle (10) with an electric motor (12), comprising: - at least one heat exchanger (30₁ - 30₄); - at least one tangential-flow turbomachine (28) capable of creating an air flow that comes into contact with the plurality of heat exchangers (30₁ - 30₄); - a plurality of flaps (36P, 36A) movable between a first position, referred to as the position opening the cooling module (22), and a second position, referred to as the position closing the cooling module (22), said plurality of flaps (36P, 36A) occupying a portion of the cooling module not occupied by said at least one tangential-flow turbomachine (28).

Description

COOLING MODULE FOR TURBOMACHINE ELECTRIC MOTOR VEHICLE

TANGENTIAL

Technical field [0001] The invention relates to a cooling module for an electric motor vehicle, with a tangential turbomachine. The invention also relates to an electric motor vehicle provided with such a cooling module.

Prior art

[0002] A cooling module (or heat exchange module) of a motor vehicle conventionally comprises at least one heat exchanger and a ventilation device adapted to generate an air flow in contact with at least one heat exchanger. The ventilation device thus makes it possible, for example, to generate a flow of air in contact with the heat exchanger, when the vehicle is stationary.

In conventional heat engine motor vehicles, the at least one heat exchanger is of substantially square shape, the ventilation device then being a propeller fan whose diameter is substantially equal to the side of the square formed by the heat exchanger .

[0004] Conventionally, the heat exchanger is then placed next to at least two cooling bays, formed in the front face of the body of the motor vehicle. A first cooling bay is located above the bumper while a second bay is located below the bumper. Such a configuration is preferred because the heat engine must also be supplied with air, the engine air intake conventionally being located in the passage of the air flow passing through the upper cooling bay.

[0005] However, electric vehicles are preferably provided only with cooling bays located under the bumper, more preferably with a single cooling bay located under the bumper.

[0006] Indeed, the electric motor does not need to be supplied with air. And reducing the number of cooling bays improves the aerodynamic characteristics of the electric vehicle. This also translates by better autonomy and higher top speed of the motor vehicle.

[0007] Under these conditions, the implementation of a conventional cooling module appears unsatisfactory. This is because a large part of heat exchangers are no longer properly cooled by the flow of air coming only from the lower cooling bay (s).

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a cooling module for an electric motor vehicle which does not have at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks.

Disclosure of the invention

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a cooling module for a motor vehicle with an electric motor, comprising at least one heat exchanger, at least one tangential turbomachine capable of creating an air flow in contact with the plurality of 'heat exchangers, a plurality of flaps movable between a first position, called the open position of the cooling module and a second position, called the closed position of the cooling module, said plurality of flaps occupying a portion of the unoccupied cooling module by said at least one tangential turbomachine.

[0010] Thus, advantageously, the tangential turbomachine makes it possible to create an air flow through all the heat exchangers with much better efficiency than if a propeller fan were used.

[0011] Preferably, the cooling module comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination:

- Said plurality of flaps is arranged downstream of said at least one heat exchanger, relative to the direction of flow of said air flow in the cooling module;

- Said plurality of flaps at least partially form a rear facade of the cooling module;

the module comprises a single tangential turbomachine, an axis of rotation of which extends in a direction parallel to a length or a width of at least one of the heat exchangers; the turbomachine extends in an upper, lower or intermediate part of the rear facade of the cooling module;

- the module is configured to position said plurality of flaps in the open position when said at least one tangential turbomachine is stopped;

said at least one turbomachine is configured to be shut down when an air flow rate in said plurality of heat exchangers is greater than or equal to a maximum air flow rate that can be drawn in by said at least one tangential turbomachine ;

- the shutters are of the passive type;

- the shutters are mounted controlled by an actuator.

[0012] The invention also relates to an electric motor vehicle, comprising a body, a bumper and a cooling module as described above, the body defining at least one cooling bay arranged under the bumper , the cooling module being disposed opposite the at least one cooling bay.

Brief description of the drawings

[0013] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] [Fig. 1] schematically shows the front part of an electric motor vehicle, seen from the side;

[0015] [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view of a cooling module that can be implemented in the motor vehicle of Figure 1 (a set of shutters not being shown);

[0016] [Fig. 3] is a view similar to FIG. 2, of the same cooling module from which part of the housing has been removed;

[0017] [Fig. 4] is a cutaway view along plane IV-IV of the cooling module of FIG. 2;

[0018] [Fig. 5] is a schematic view of a detail of the cooling module of FIG. 2; [0019] [Fig. 6] is a perspective view of the cooling module of FIG. 2, in an opposite orientation;

[0020] [Fig. 7a] schematically illustrates a first variant of the cooling module, with two possible types of shutters;

[0021] [Fig. 7b] schematically illustrates a second variant of the cooling module, with two possible types of shutters;

[0022] [Fig. 7c] schematically illustrates a third variant of the cooling module, with two possible types of shutters;

[0023] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates a fourth variant of the cooling module (a set of shutters not being shown).

[0024] [Fig. 9] illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cooling module of FIG. 7a with passive shutters;

[0025] [Fig. 10] illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cooling module of FIG. 7a with controlled shutters;

[0026] [Fig. 1 1] is a schematic side view of a shutter of Figure 9 or Figure 10 in the closed position;

[0027] [Fig. 12] is a schematic side view of the shutter of Figure 11 in an open position.

Description of embodiments

In the remainder of the description, identical elements or with an identical function bear the same reference sign. For the sake of brevity of the present description, these elements are not described in detail in each embodiment. On the contrary, only the differences between the variant embodiments are described in detail.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates the front part of a motor vehicle 10 with an electric motor 12. The vehicle 10 comprises in particular a body 14 and a bumper 16 carried by a frame (not shown) of the motor vehicle 10 The body 14 defines a cooling bay 18, that is to say an opening through the body 14. The cooling bay 18 is unique here. This cooling bay 18 is located in the lower part of the front face 14a of the body 14. In the example illustrated, the cooling bay 18 is located under the bumper 16. A grid 20 can be placed in the cooling bay. cooling 18 to prevent projectiles from passing through the cooling bay 18. A cooling module 22 is placed opposite the cooling bay 18. The grid 20 makes it possible in particular to protect this cooling module 22.

The cooling module 22 is more clearly visible in Figure 2.

As illustrated in this Figure 2, the cooling module 22 essentially comprises a housing 24 forming an internal channel between two opposite ends 24a, 24b. The end 24a is intended to be disposed opposite the cooling bay 18. The opening of the housing 24 at this front end 24a of the channel can be partially closed by means of a mesh 26.

[0032] The housing 24 is here made in two parts 24i, 242 which are fixed together by any means accessible to those skilled in the art. In this case, the two parts 24i, 242 are screwed together at a collar. The front part 24i has essentially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped open on two opposite faces. The rear part 242 has a significantly more complex shape. This rear part 242 notably here forms the volute of a tangential turbomachine 28.

Figure 3 illustrates the cooling device 22, the front part 24i of the housing 24 has been removed. FIG. 3 thus illustrates the presence of a plurality of heat exchangers 30I-3Ü4 in the duct formed inside the housing 24. Here, four heat exchangers 30I -3Ü4 are provided. Of course, this number of heat exchangers is not limiting. On the contrary, a different number of heat exchangers can be provided in the housing, in particular at least one heat exchanger, preferably between four and seven heat exchangers, even more preferably four or five heat exchangers. The heat exchangers 30I-304 are shown schematically in Figure 3 as substantially rectangular plates. In practice, and remarkably, the heat exchangers 30I-3Ü4 have in particular a height h3o, measured in a substantially vertical direction, less than or equal to 350 mm. The 30I-304 heat exchangers are thus particularly well sized to be in contact with an air flow coming from the cooling bay 18.

In the example illustrated in Figure 3, all the heat exchangers 30-304 are identical and all have the same height h3o. In the case where the 30I -3O4 heat exchangers have different heights, it is preferred that all these heights are less than or equal to 350 mm.

Preferably, the height h3o of the 30I -3O4 heat exchangers is between 70 mm and 300 mm. This in fact makes it possible to ensure satisfactory performance of the heat exchangers 30I -3Û4 while retaining a reduced bulk of these heat exchangers, bulk particularly suited to the implementation of a single cooling bay 18. Again, in the case of where the heat exchangers 301 -304 have different heights, it is preferred that the height of each heat exchanger 301 -304 is between 70 mm and 300 mm.

Even more preferably, the cooling module 22 has a height h22 of between 70 mm and 300 mm. It is understood that the height h3o of the heat exchangers 30I-304 is always substantially less than the height h22 of the cooling module 22.

To compensate for the relatively low height of the heat exchangers 30-1-304, they can be relatively numerous, in particular up to four or five heat exchangers 30I-3Û4, or even up to seven heat exchangers. In fact, in order to obtain performance comparable to conventional cooling modules, the heat exchangers can be split into two by placing them in series two by two on the fluid circuit which passes through them. In other words, a heat exchanger of a conventional cooling module can correspond to two or more heat exchangers in the cooling module 22, the latter being traversed by the same fluid. In this case in particular, it is advantageous for the heat exchangers to be arranged one behind the other in the duct formed by the housing 24. The order of the heat exchangers can be determined as a function of a temperature of the fluid passing through them or d 'a distance from the heat exchanger in question to a hot source, on the fluid circuit which passes through it. Thus, the heat exchangers crossed by a hotter fluid are disposed further from the end 24a of the housing 24 intended to be disposed just behind the cooling bay 18 than the heat exchangers through which a colder fluid passes.

The arrangement of the heat exchangers 30I-3Û4 one behind the other in the axial direction X of the cooling module 22 also makes it possible to limit the size of the cooling module 22 according to its two other lateral and vertical dimensions. Thus, preferably, the depth P22 of the cooling module 22 is between 12 mm and 140 mm. Furthermore, the width L30 of the heat exchangers 30I-304 or of each heat exchanger 30I -3O4 can be between 12 mm and 140 mm.

Furthermore, due to the shape of the heat exchangers 30I -3Û4, a tangential turbomachine 28 is preferred. Indeed, a propeller fan would not make it possible to obtain a substantially uniform air flow in contact with the heat exchangers 30I -304, in particular over substantially the entire length of these heat exchangers 30I-304, length measured in the lateral direction. Y.

Here, the tangential turbomachine 28 comprises a turbine 32 (or tangential propeller). Turbine 32 has a substantially cylindrical shape, as can be seen more particularly in FIG. 5. Turbine 32 comprises several stages of blades 34 (or blades), in this case sixteen stages of blades 34. Of course this number of blades 34. stages of blades 34 is not limiting and the turbine 32 may comprise, more generally, at least one stage of blades 34.

Each stage of blades 34 comprises the same number of blades 34, angularly evenly distributed around the axis of rotation A32 of the turbine 32. Advantageously, the stages of blades 34 are angularly offset so that the blades 34 are not aligned, preferably so that no blade 34 is aligned with another blade 34 of another stage of blades 34, in the lateral direction Y of the cooling module 22. This prevents the blades 34 of the turbine 32 do not generate a significant noise, in particular because all the blades 32 work in synchronization. By shifting the blades 34, on the contrary, it is ensured that the blades 34 work in separate groups, which makes it possible to reduce the noise generated. A tangential turbomachine 28 is thus obtained, the noise pollution of which can be limited. This is particularly important in the case of a cooling module 22 for a motor vehicle with an electric motor, since an electric motor is notoriously less noisy than a heat engine. In addition, the cooling module 22 is also intended to be used while the electric motor is stationary, in particular when the batteries are recharged. The noise of the tangential turbomachine 28 could then be considered as annoying by the users.

The blades 34 of each stage can in particular be offset by half the pitch between the blades 34, relative to each of the two neighboring stages. Thus, a first half of the blade stages 34 have blades 34 which are aligned with one another and which are offset by half the angular pitch between the blades 34 with the blades 34 of the other half of the blade stages 34. It is possible to thus theoretically divide the noise generated by the rotating turbine 22 substantially by two, which corresponds to an attenuation of the emitted noise of the order of 3 dB.

[0043] Alternatively, the angular offset of the blades 34 between two neighboring stages of blades 34 corresponds to the thickness of a blade 34.

[0044] Alternatively or in addition, the pitch between the blades 34 can be divided into substantially as many intermediate positions as there are stages of blades 34. Thus, the blades 34 of the blades can be shifted step by step. different stages of blades 34, in the same angular direction, along a longitudinal direction of the turbine 32. The blades 34 of the different stages then extend substantially in a helix along the various stages of blades 34. In this case In particular, all the blades 34 of all the stages of blades 34 are offset with respect to all the blades 34 of all the other stages of blades 34. This makes it possible to further reduce the noise generated by the rotating turbine 32.

Of course, many other configurations are accessible to those skilled in the art, which allow all the blades 34 of all stages of blades 34 to be offset with respect to all the other blades 34 of all the other stages of blades 34. In particular, from the previous configuration where the blades 34 of the various stages 34 extend in the manner of a propeller, the various stages can be inverted, without modifying their orientation around the longitudinal axis of the blade. the turbine 32. The turbomachine 28 also comprises a motor 36 (or geared motor) adapted to drive the turbine 32 in rotation about its axis of rotation A32. Advantageously, the axis of rotation A32 of the turbine 32, which corresponds to the direction of the height of the turbine 32, is oriented substantially parallel to the lateral direction Y of the heat exchangers 30I -304. The turbomachine 28 is thus adapted to create a substantially constant air flow over the entire width of the same heat exchanger 30I-304. In order to optimize the air flow created, the height h 32 of the turbine 32 is substantially equal to the width L30 of the heat exchangers 30I -304.

The motor 36 is for example suitable for driving the turbine 32 in rotation, at a speed between 200 rev / min and 14,000 rev / min. This makes it possible in particular to limit the noise generated by the turbomachine 28.

The diameter D32 of the turbine 32 is for example between 35 mm and 200 mm to limit. The turbomachine 28 is thus compact.

As already indicated, the rear part 242 of the housing 24 forms the volute of the turbomachine 28, as is more particularly visible in Figures 4 and 5. In addition, the section of the duct formed in the housing 24 is significantly greater. at the end 24a than at its opposite end 24b. The turbomachine 28 is thus allowed to create an air flow in the housing 24 which has a certain pressure, in order to facilitate the passage by said air flow of the duct through the housing 24, despite the presence of the exchangers. thermal 30I -304.

As emerges from Figures 7a to 7c, and 9 to 12, the cooling module 22 also comprises a plurality of flaps 36.

The flaps 36 are movably mounted between a first position, called the open position of the cooling module (Figure 12) and a second position, called the closed position of the cooling module (illustrated in Figures 9, 10, 1 1).

Figures 9 and 10, the cooling module 22 comprises several flaps 36 distributed over several rows and arranged parallel to the axis of rotation A32 of the single turbomachine 28. All of the plurality of flaps 36 d 'on the one hand and the turbomachine 28 on the other hand form a rear facade FA of the cooling 22. In the rear facade, the flaps 36 occupy a separate portion of the portion occupied by the turbomachine 28. Thus, the cooling module 22 is compact and ensures better performance and savings in electric current, as will be explained below. -after.

As emerges from these figures, each of the flaps 36 comprises a wall 38 pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation A32.

Preferably, in the closed position (Figure 1 1), the walls 38 of the flaps 36 are contiguous to each other, which obstructs the entire front portion occupied by the flaps 36.

In each open position (Figure 12), each wall 38 locally forms a non-zero angle with the surface S, which allows the air flow F to pass through the cooling module 22, as visible in the figure 12.

In FIG. 7a, the turbomachine 28 occupies an upper zone 40 of the rear facade, in particular in the upper third of the housing 24, preferably in the upper quarter of the housing 24. This makes it possible in particular to protect the turbomachine 28 by case of submersion and / or limit the size of the cooling module 22 in its lower part. The plurality of shutters 36 occupies in FIG. 7a a complementary part of the rear facade FA, including a middle zone 42 and a lower zone 44.

In FIG. 7b, the turbomachine 28 occupies the middle zone 42, in particular in the middle third of the height of the housing 24, for example for reasons of integration of the cooling module 24 into its environment. The flaps are divided into two levels, one, 36-1, located above the turbine engine 28 and another, 36-2, located under the turbine engine 28.

In Figure 7c, the turbomachine 28 occupies the lower area 44 of the rear facade, in particular in the lower third of the housing 24, which allows to limit the size of the cooling module 22 in its upper part. The plurality of flaps 36 occupy in Figure 7c the complementary part of the rear facade FA.

The cooling module 22 is configured to position the flaps 36 in the open position when the tangential turbomachine 28 is stationary. Preferably, the turbomachine 28 is stopped when an air flow passing through said plurality of heat exchangers 30I-3Û4 of the cooling module 22 is greater than or equal to a maximum air flow that can be drawn in by the tangential turbomachine 28. This condition is achieved in particular at high speed, for example when the vehicle is traveling on a motorway.

Such a configuration, because it makes it possible to stop the turbomachine as soon as the air flow generated by the speed of the vehicle is sufficient, ensures a real economy of current and thus a longer autonomy of the vehicle. electric.

According to a first variant illustrated in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and in Figure 9, the shutters are of the passive type, that is to say that they are not powered electrically. They are referenced 36P.

[0063] Thus, at low vehicle speed, the turbomachine 28 operates and sucks in the air flow F which passes through the heat exchangers 30I-3Ü4 and opens the flaps 36P.

[0064] At high vehicle speed, the turbomachine 28 is stopped and the air flow directly generated by the movement of the vehicle passes through the heat exchangers 30I-3Ü4 and opens the shutters 36.

Advantageously, the shutters are made of PA6 or PA66 plastic material.

According to a second variant illustrated in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and in Figure 10, the flaps are controlled by an actuator. They are referenced 36A.

[0067] Thus, at low vehicle speed, the turbomachine 28 operates and draws in the air flow F which passes through the heat exchangers 30I-304 and opens the flaps 36A.

[0068] At high vehicle speed, the turbomachine 28 is stopped and the actuator moves the flaps 36A to the open position.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the figures and other embodiments will appear clearly to those skilled in the art. job. In particular, the different examples can be combined, as long as they are not contradictory.

Furthermore, according to the example illustrated in Figure 8, the turbomachine 28 and more particularly the turbine 32 of this turbomachine 28, is movable in the direction of the height of the heat exchangers 30I-3Ü4, relative to these exchangers thermal 3CH-304. Such a configuration can for example make it possible to manage, punctually over time, the cooling of a portion of the 3CH-304 heat exchangers.

In addition, in the examples illustrated, the turbomachine 28 operates by suction, that is to say it sucks in the ambient air to bring it into contact with the various heat exchangers 30I-304. Alternatively, however, the turbomachine 28 operates by blowing, blowing air to the various heat exchangers 30I-304.

Also, while in the example described with reference to Figures 2 to 6, the turbomachine is in the housing of the cooling module, the turbomachine may be outside this housing, disposed at one end or another of this unit depending on whether it operates in suction or in blowing mode.

[0073] In addition, other variants are also possible for the flaps 36.

[0074] For example, the flaps 36 may extend orthogonally to the axes of rotation A32-1, A32-2.

Furthermore, the flaps 36 can partially occupy only the surface S. This is the case for example if the flaps 36 are arranged every other row.

Claims

[Claim 1] Cooling module (22) for a motor vehicle (10) with an electric motor (12), comprising:

- at least one heat exchanger (30I-3Û4),

- at least one tangential turbomachine (28) capable of creating an air flow in contact with the plurality of heat exchangers (30I -304),

- a plurality of flaps (36) movable between a first position, called the open position of the cooling module (22) and a second position, called the closed position of the cooling module (22), said plurality of flaps (36) occupying a portion of the cooling module not occupied by said at least one tangential turbomachine (28).

[Claim 2] A cooling module according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of flaps (36) are disposed downstream of the at least one heat exchanger (30I-3Ü4), relative to the direction of flow of said air flow (F ) in the cooling module (22).

[Claim 3] A cooling module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of flaps (36) at least partially forms a rear facade (FA) of the cooling module (22).

[Claim 4] Cooling module according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a single tangential turbomachine (28) whose axis of rotation extends in a direction parallel to a length or a width of at least one of the heat exchangers. (30I-3C> 4).

[Claim 5] cooling module according to the preceding claim in its dependence on claim 3, wherein the turbomachine (28) extends in a top (40), bottom (44) or intermediate (42) of the rear facade (FA) of the cooling module (22).

[Claim 6] A cooling module according to one of the preceding claims, configured to position said plurality of flaps (36) in the open position when said at least one tangential turbomachine (28) is stopped.

[Claim 7] A cooling module according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one turbomachine (28) is configured to be shut down when a flow of air in said at least one heat exchanger (30I-3C> 4) is greater than or equal to a maximum air flow that can be drawn in by said at least one tangential turbomachine (28).

[Claim 8] A cooling module according to any preceding claim, wherein the shutters (36P) are of the passive type.

[Claim 9] A cooling module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shutters (36A) are mounted driven by an actuator.

[Claim 10] An electric motor vehicle comprising a body (14), a bumper (16) and a cooling module (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, the body (14) defining at least one cooling bay (18) disposed under the bumper, the cooling module (22) being disposed opposite the at least one cooling bay (18).