EP3938634A1

EP3938634A1 - Cooling module having a sacrificial region for an electric motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP3938634A1
Application number: EP20726181.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Louis Lanard; 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: FR3093763B1; FR3093763A1; CN113574258A; WO2020188190A1; US20220153127A1

Abstract

A cooling module (22) for a motor vehicle (10) with an electric motor (12) comprises a housing (24) defining a longitudinal channel opening at two ends (24a; 24b) of the housing (24), at least one heat exchanger (301-304) arranged in the channel, and at least one tangential-flow turbomachine (28) capable of creating an air flow in the channel. The housing (24) has a sacrificial region (40) intended to be deformed and/or to break preferentially in the event of an impact, the sacrificial region preferably being located in the vicinity of an end (24a; 24b) of the housing (24).

Description

ZONE COOLING MODULE

SACRIFICIAL FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES

ELECTRIC

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.

[0009] In addition, an object of the invention is to provide a robust cooling module, aimed in particular at better protecting the heat exchangers in the event of a frontal impact.

Disclosure of the invention

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a cooling module for an electric motor vehicle comprising:

- a housing defining a longitudinal channel opening at two ends of the housing,

- at least one heat exchanger placed in the channel, and

- at least one tangential turbomachine capable of creating an air flow in the channel, in which the housing has a sacrificial zone intended to deform and / or to break preferentially, in the event of an impact, the sacrificial zone preferably being at vicinity of one end of the housing.

[0011] The tangential turbomachine makes it possible to create an air flow through the heat exchangers with a better efficiency than if a propeller fan were implemented, in particular in the case where the at least one heat exchanger has a limited height in relation to their length.

[0012] In addition, the presence of the sacrificial zone intended to be deformed or to preferentially break, ensures the dissipation of energy in the event of an impact. Thus, the housing is damaged locally in the sacrificial zone, in particular in the event of a frontal impact, advantageously before the appearance of any deterioration of a heat exchanger and / or of the tangential turbomachine. [0013] Preferably, the cooling module comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination:

- the sacrificial zone forms a longitudinal portion of the housing;

- The sacrificial zone has a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the case;

- the sacrificial area is folded;

- the sacrificial zone is made of a material different from the rest of the case;

- the height of each of the at least one heat exchanger is less than or equal to 350 mm, the cooling module preferably having a height of between 70 mm and 300 mm;

- the cooling module comprises at least two heat exchangers;

- Each of the heat exchangers has a width of between 20 mm and 700 mm;

- the heat exchangers are arranged one behind the other in the channel;

- the cooling module has a longitudinal dimension of between 12 mm and 140 mm;

- the cooling module comprises between four and seven heat exchangers, preferably four or five heat exchangers;

- Said at least one tangential turbomachine, comprises a tangential propeller, having a substantially cylindrical shape, provided with at least one stage of blades;

- the tangential propeller (s) is / are arranged so that the height of the tangential propeller (s) extends parallel to the lateral direction of the heat exchangers;

- the height of the at least one tangential propeller is substantially equal to the width of at least the heat exchanger, preferably to the width of all the heat exchangers;

- the at least one tangential propeller has a diameter of between 35 mm and 200 mm and / or the at least one tangential turbomachine comprises a motor adapted to make the tangential propeller rotate about its axis, at a speed of between 200 revolutions / min and 14,000 rpm.

[0014] According to another aspect, there is described a motor vehicle with an electric motor, comprising a body, a bumper and a module of cooling as described above in all its combinations, the body defining at least one cooling bay arranged under the bumper, the cooling module being arranged opposite the at least one cooling bay, preferably so that the sacrificial area is oriented towards the cooling bay.

Brief description of the drawings

[0015] 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:

[0016] [Fig. 1] schematically shows the front part of an electric motor vehicle, seen from the side;

[0017] [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view of a cooling module that can be implemented in the motor vehicle of Figure 1;

[0018] [Fig. 3] is a view similar to FIG. 2, of the same cooling module from which part of the housing has been removed;

[0019] [Fig. 4] is a cutaway view along plane IV-IV of the cooling module of FIG. 2;

[0020] [Fig. 5] is a schematic view of a detail of the cooling module of Figure 2;

[0021] [Fig. 6] is a perspective view of the cooling module of FIG. 2, in an opposite orientation;

[0022] [Fig. 7a] schematically illustrates a first variant of the cooling module;

[0023] [Fig. 7b] schematically illustrates a second variant of the cooling module;

[0024] [Fig. 7c] schematically illustrates a third variant of the cooling module; and [0025] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates a fourth variant of the cooling module.

Description of embodiments

In the remainder of the description, identical elements or of 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.

[0027] FIG. 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.

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 the level of a collar. The front part 24i has essentially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped open on two sides opposites. The rear part 242 has a significantly more complex shape. This rear part 242 in particular 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. Figure 3 thus illustrates the presence of a plurality of heat exchangers 30I-304 in the duct formed inside the housing 24. Here, four heat exchangers 30I -3O4 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 illustrated in Figure 3 schematically in the form of 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 30-1430 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 size of these heat exchangers, size particularly suited to the implementation of a single cooling bay 18. Again, in the case of where the 30I-304 heat exchangers have different heights, it is preferred that the height of each 30I-304 heat exchanger is between 70mm and 300mm.

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

To compensate for the relatively low height of the 30I-304 heat exchangers, they can be relatively numerous, in particular up to four or five 30I-304 heat exchangers, 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, these 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 through which a hotter fluid passes 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 cooler fluid passes.

The arrangement of the heat exchangers 30I-3Ü4 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. In addition, the width L30 of the heat exchangers 30I-304 or each heat exchanger 30I -304 may 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 an electric motor vehicle, since an electric motor is noticeably quieter than a heat engine. In addition, the cooling module 22 is intended to be used also when the electric motor is stopped, 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.

Alternatively, the angular offset of the blades 34 between two neighboring stages of blades 34 corresponds to the thickness of a blade 34. [0042] 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 from 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 -3C> 4. The turbomachine 28 is thus adapted to create a substantially constant air flow over the entire width of the same heat exchanger 30I-3C> 4. 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 -3C> 4.

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.

Furthermore, remarkably, the housing 24 of the cooling module 22 has here a sacrificial zone 40 intended to deform and / or to break preferentially, in the event of an impact, in particular in the event of a frontal impact. The sacrificial zone 40 is preferably in the vicinity of a front end 24a, intended to be closest to the bumper 16 and / or to the cooling bay 18 of the motor vehicle 10, when the cooling module 22 is mounted in the vehicle 10. In particular, the sacrificial zone 40 is preferably disposed longitudinally between the end 24a and the heat exchanger 30i disposed closest to this end 24a. Thus, the deformation and / or the rupture of the sacrificial zone 40 is advantageously carried out before any deterioration of the heat exchangers 30I-304 and of the turbomachine 28.

In the example illustrated, the sacrificial zone 40 is in the form of a longitudinal portion of the housing 24, for example in the form of a strip. To promote the deformation and / or the deterioration of the sacrificial zone 40, the latter can in particular:

- Have a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the housing 24; and or

- Be folded, in particular in one or more transverse directions; and or

- Be in a material different from the rest of the housing 24, in particular in a more ductile material than the rest of the housing 24.

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

For example, in the example illustrated above and illustrated schematically in Figure 7a, the turbomachine 28 is in a high position, 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 in the event of submersion and / or to limit the size of the cooling module 22 in its lower part. On the contrary, a low position of the turbomachine 28, illustrated in FIG. 7c, in particular in the lower third of the housing 24, makes it possible to limit the size of the cooling module 22 in its upper part. Alternatively, the turbomachine 28 may be in a middle position, illustrated in FIG. 7b, in particular in the middle third of the height of the housing 24, for example for reasons of integration of the cooling module 24 in its environment.

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.

[0053] In addition, in the examples illustrated, the turbomachine 28 operates in suction mode, that is to say it sucks in the ambient air to bring it into contact with the various 3CH-304 heat exchangers. Alternatively, however, the turbomachine 28 operates on a blow-off basis, blowing air to the various 3CH-304 heat exchangers.

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.

In Figures 7a-7c and 8, the sacrificial zone 40 is not illustrated for the sake of clarity of the figures. However, this sacrificial zone 40 can also be present on the housing 24 of the cooling modules illustrated in these figures.

Claims

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

- a housing (24) defining a longitudinal channel opening out at two ends (24a; 24b) of the housing (24),

- at least one heat exchanger (30I-3Û4) placed in the channel, and

- at least one tangential turbomachine (28) capable of creating an air flow in the channel,

in which the housing (24) has a sacrificial zone (40) intended to deform and / or to break preferentially, in the event of impact, the sacrificial zone preferably being in the vicinity of one end (24a; 24b) of the housing (24).

[Claim 2] A cooling module according to claim 1, wherein the sacrificial zone (40) forms a longitudinal portion of the housing (24).

[Claim 3] A cooling module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sacrificial area (40) has a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the housing (24).

[Claim 4] A cooling module according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sacrificial area (40) is folded.

[Claim 5] A cooling module according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sacrificial area (40) is of a material different from the rest of the housing (24).

[Claim 6] A cooling module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the at least one heat exchanger (30I-3Û4) is less than or equal to 350 mm, the cooling module preferably having a height between 70 mm and 300 mm.

[Claim 7] A cooling module according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one heat exchanger (30-304) has a width of between 20mm and 700mm.

[Claim 8] A cooling module according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two heat exchangers (30I-304), said heat exchangers (3CH-304) being arranged one behind the other in the channel.

[Claim 9] A cooling module according to any one of the preceding claims, having a longitudinal dimension of between 12 mm and 140 mm.

[Claim 10] An electric motor vehicle (10) comprising a body (14), a bumper (16) and a cooling module (22) according to any preceding claim, the body (14) defining at least one cooling bay (18) arranged under the bumper (16), the cooling module (22) being arranged opposite the at least one cooling bay (18), preferably so that the sacrificial zone (40) is oriented towards the cooling bay (18).