FR2773210A1 - Radiator especially for motor vehicle heating, air-conditioning or engine cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The radiator (5) has a passage (16) between front (3) and rear (4) heat exchanging zones, containing a variable position mixing shutter (17) controlled by an actuator to regulate the flow of fresh air. The two ends of the shutter's pivot are located in two opposite manifold chambers, one of which contains at least part of the shutter actuator.

Description

Integrated shutter radiator especially for motor vehicles
The invention relates to the field of radiators, in particular of a motor vehicle, whether these are heating radiators used in heating and / or air conditioning installations, or cooling radiators used for example for cooling engines.

It relates more particularly still to radiators housed between an upstream zone and a downstream zone and intended to allow the exchange of calories between a heat-transfer fluid which circulates in their structure and at least part of a flow of fresh air which passes through them. in the direction from the upstream area to the downstream area.

Managing the air flow through the different types of radiators is critical, since it directly affects the number of calories exchanged.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide radiators which come to improve the situation.

To do this, the invention provides a radiator of the type described in the introduction, and comprising at least one passage allowing communication between the upstream and downstream zones and housing at least one mixing flap, the position of which can be adjusted by a actuator and intended to manage the proportion of fresh air used for the exchange of calories with said fluid.

In this way it is possible to control the volume of fresh air which passes through the radiator, and consequently the volume of so-called "treated" air which is used for the exchange of calories.

Such a passage is preferably formed in a central area of the radiator. Of course, the dimensions and location of the passage (s), relative to the radiator, and the number and shape of the flaps housed in each passage will be chosen according to the configuration of the downstream zone.

In an embodiment in which the radiator comprises two manifolds, these are preferably arranged so as to each receive one end of the axis of rotation of the mixing flap. Of course, in the event that the radiator comprises several passages, and therefore several mixing flaps, the manifolds are arranged so as to each receive the ends of the different axes of rotation of these mixing flaps.

Similarly, according to the configurations chosen, one of the manifolds can be arranged so as to receive at least part of the actuator of the mixing flap.

The invention applies equally well to radiators of the "air adjustment" or "fluid adjustment" type.

In the latter case, the actuator of the mixing flap is preferably coupled to the means for regulating the flow rate of the radiator (for example a chopping valve, of the "all or nothing" or progressive type), so that, depending on the respective positions of the actuator and these regulation means, the stratification of the air in the downstream area can be managed precisely.

The invention also applies to radiators with so-called "right / left" management in which it is possible to manage separately the proportions of fresh air treated by right and left parts thereof. In this case, the upstream and downstream zones are each subdivided into two parts by a partition, and the radiator comprises two passages, placed substantially symmetrically with respect to a median plane containing at least partially the partition, and each comprising at least one flap of mixing, the shutters being independent of each other.

In known heating and / or air conditioning systems, the fresh air and the air heated by the radiator generally take branches, called "cold" and "hot", which have a common entrance in the upstream zone consisting of a supply chamber and a common outlet in the downstream zone consisting of a mixing chamber into which distribution conduits open. The rooms have independent sections between their common entrance and exit, whose accesses are managed selectively by a shutter.

The distribution ducts are intended to supply treated air (fresh, or heated) respectively to defrost, middle ventilation and foot ventilation. Furthermore, the term “mixing chamber” is understood here to mean the zone in which a mixture of fresh air and heated air can be carried out before distribution in the conduits.

Due to the presence of these two branches and the mixing flap, these known boxes have a large footprint, hardly compatible with new generations of vehicles in which the volume available in the engine compartment is reduced, or due to the compactness of the vehicle itself, either because of the on-board options.

Furthermore, because of the limited volumes available, certain boxes do not allow good control, in the mixing chamber, of what the skilled person calls air stratification. Consequently, the air which feeds the ventilation ducts, in particular the middle ventilation ducts, is often as hot, or even hotter, than that which feeds the defrost duct, which is contrary to the desired effect.

The radiator according to the invention therefore finds a particularly advantageous first application when it is used as a heating radiator inside an air treatment unit of a heating and / or air conditioning installation, between the chamber supply of fresh air, forming the upstream zone, and the mixing chamber, forming the downstream zone, which communicates with at least two distribution ducts, to supply the mixing chamber with treated air, by heating at least some of the fresh air.

In this way, the box no longer needs to have two independent cold and hot sections, since the supply of the mixing chamber, with fresh air, is carried out directly through the radiator by the passage or passages respectively equipped with '' a mixing component. This significantly reduces the size of the housing. Of course, the dimensions and location of each passage, relative to the radiator, and the number and shape of the flaps housed in each passage will be chosen according to the configuration of the mixing chamber, and in particular according to the respective locations of the entries of the defrosting conduits. and ventilation.

In this first application, the distribution ducts are preferably chosen from a defrost duct, a median ventilation duct and a foot ventilation duct.

The radiator according to the invention also finds a second particularly advantageous application when it is used as a cooling radiator connected to the cooling circuit of the engine of a motor vehicle. The temperature of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circuit can thus be precisely managed, thanks to the control, by the mixing flap, of the volume of fresh air authorized to pass through the passage (s).

In the following description, given by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which - FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a heating installation equipped with a radiator according to the invention; - Figure 2 schematically illustrates a radiator equipped with a mixing flap placed in a central position; - Figures 3 and 4 schematically illustrate, in top views, two radiators in which the locations of the mixing flap are not the same; - Figure 5 schematically illustrates, in a top view, a radiator for a right / left type installation; and - Figure 6 schematically illustrates an engine cooling circuit, equipped with a radiator according to the invention.

Firstly, reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2 to describe a first application of a radiator according to the invention, in which it is used as a heating radiator in a distribution and air treatment unit for a heating / ventilation installation. Such an installation can be arranged, in particular, in a motor vehicle. Of course, the invention applies equally well to air conditioning installations, in particular of a motor vehicle.

The heating / ventilation installation, illustrated very diagrammatically in FIG. 1, in a cross-section view, comprises an air treatment and distribution unit 1 supplied with fresh air by a motor-fan unit 2 (arrow F2) . This motor-fan unit generally comprises a variable speed blower capable of receiving fresh air (arrow F1) coming either from the exterior of the fresh clear vehicle being called "exterior") or from the interior of the passenger compartment (the fresh air being called "recir culé"), to pulsate it in a supply chamber 3 (upstream zone) of the housing 1.

The housing 1 is substantially divided into two parts <a supply chamber 3 and a mixing chamber 4 (downstream area) by a radiator 5.

This radiator 5 can be either of the type with adjustment on the air, or of the type with adjustment on the fluid. In the description which follows, it will be considered that the radiator 5 illustrated is of the type with adjustment on the fluid, and that it consequently comprises an element 6 (see FIG. 2) making it possible to adjust the flow rate of the fluid which circulates in its structure. Such an element can be, for example, a chopper valve, but of course, any other means of regulating the flow, whether of the all or nothing type, or else of the type with progressive adjustment, could be envisaged.

The various adjustable parameters of the installation, such as for example the speed of the blower 2 and the flow of the fluid inside the radiator 5, are managed by a control module 7, generally electronic, from the aerothermal set points chosen by a passenger passenger housed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and physical measurements provided by sensors, such as the temperature inside the passenger compartment and the temperature outside this passenger compartment.

The fresh air which is in the supply chamber 3 arrives on the upstream face 8 of the radiator, in order to be either heated and then delivered to the mixing chamber 4, or transmitted directly to this mixing chamber 4 without reheating beforehand, in order to be distributed in one or more distribution ducts, among which a defrost duct 9, a median ventilation duct 11 and a foot ventilation duct 12. Such ducts 10-12 supply respectively the mouths of defrost placed in the passenger compartment at the base of the windshield, median air vents placed in the middle position in the dashboard, and foot air vents placed substantially at the feet of the passengers of the vehicle.

Access to these conduits is controlled by distribution shutters 13-15. Thus, depending on the position of each distribution flap 13-15, it is possible to precisely manage the volume of air intended to supply the various air distribution outlets placed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Contrary to what is illustrated in FIG. 1, which is a functional diagram, the distribution conduits 10-12 are not generally placed at the outlet of the mixing chamber 4 of the housing 1 in a substantially horizontal plane, but rather substantially vertical , so that thanks to a stratification to which we will return later, the temperature of the air which feeds the defrost duct 10 is substantially warmer than that which feeds the ventilation ducts, and in particular the middle ventilation duct 11 (the word median must be understood in relation to a horizontal plane and not vertical).

In order to efficiently control the different temperatures of the treated air in the different zones of the mixing chamber 4, in particular in the vicinity of the supply inlets of the distribution conduits 10-12, the radiator 5 has at least one chosen location a passage 16 ensuring communication between the supply 3 and mixing chambers 4. This passage 16 houses a mixing flap 17, the position of which can be managed selectively by an actuator 18 controlled by the control module 7.

The flap 17, here of the butterfly type, is mounted, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, to rotate about an axis XX in the passage 16. In this example, the two ends 19 of the axis of rotation XX of the butterfly mixing flap 17 are fixed in the structure of the radiator, and preferably in parts of the manifolds 20 and 21 which it comprises.

Preferably, one of the manifolds, here the box 20, comprises a housing adapted to receive the actuator 18 making it possible to manage the position of the mixing butterfly flap 17 on the order of the control module 7.

In the example illustrated, the butterfly flap 17 is placed, when it is in a closed position where it completely obstructs the passage 16, in a plane substantially parallel to the rows of tubes 22 of the radiator 5 in which the fluid circulates, said rows being substantially parallel to the upstream 8 and downstream 23 faces of the radiator.

Consequently, the axis of rotation XX of this flap 17 is substantially perpendicular to the manifolds 20 and 21. Of course, in other embodiments, this axis of rotation XX of the mixing flap 17 could be parallel to the manifolds 20 and 21, that is to say perpendicular to the tubes 22. In this case, it is clear that the ends 19 of the axis of rotation of the flap will be carried, either by flanges provided for this purpose, or by the tubes 22 themselves, without the need to adapt the manifolds.

Still in the example illustrated, the mixing butterfly flap 17 extends over the entire height of exchange of the radiator, in a substantially central zone. However, it is clear that according to the configuration, in particular of the mixing chamber 4, and consequently according to the respective arrangements of the conduits 10-12, the mixing flap 17 can be placed in another part of the radiator. I1 may also have a substantially different shape from a parallelepiped, and extend over only part of the height of the tubes 22.

Similarly, instead of a single passage 16, it is possible to envisage 2 passages, or else 3, or even more, each passage housing at least one mixing flap 17 adapted to its geometrical shape or to a part thereof. .

Finally, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the location of the flap 17 inside its passage 16 may vary depending on the options. In the example of FIG. 3, the mixing flap 17 is installed substantially at the level of the upstream face 8 of the radiator, but it could just as easily be installed substantially at the level of the downstream face 23 of this radiator. On the other hand, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the mixing flap is centered inside the passage 16. Of course, depending on the type of flap used, the position of the axis of rotation XX may also vary.

The electronic control module 7 by playing jointly on the actuator 18 and on the flow control element 6 can precisely manage the temperature of the air which arrives in the different zones of the mixing chamber 4. In a variant simpler, provision can be made for the actuator 18 of the mixing flap 17 and the fluid flow control element 6 to be coupled, so that a single adjustment calculated by the electronic control module 7 is sufficient to adjust the times the radiator flow 5 and the position of the mixing flap 17.

 It is thus possible to obtain complex stratification modes inside the mixing chamber 4, while allowing as little space as desired. In other words, it is now possible to form layers of air (substantially "vertical" and / or "horizontal", and / or of any shape) of different temperatures in different zones of the mixing chamber. . The greater the number of different layers, the greater the precision and the number of settings for the fluid flow rate and the mixing flap (s). For example, a flow control element operating in all or nothing will not make it possible to obtain as many different layers as a continuously adjustable element.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the invention also applies to so-called right / left installations in which it is possible to manage the aerothermal energy in the right and left parts of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

In this case, it is advantageous to provide, for example, substantially symmetrically on either side of a transverse median plane P of the radiator 5, two passages 16-1 and 16-2 each housing a mixing flap 17-1 and 17-2, respectively. Each mixing component can be adjusted by the electronic control module 7 independently of the other mixing component. In such a configuration, it is clear that the supply chamber 3 as the mixing chamber 4 must be subdivided into two parts "right" and "left" by a partition at least partially contained in the median plane P.

Still in this example, depending on whether the temperature setting is of the type setting on air, or setting on fluid, we will provide either a single radiator effectively subdivided into two parts, or two independent half radiators one of the other, and each comprising an element for adjusting the fluid flow rate possibly coupled to the actuator 18 of the mixing flap 17.

Thanks to the invention, the air pressure losses are significantly reduced, and consequently it is possible to use a motor-fan group of lower power than in conventional installations. This makes it possible to reduce both the bulk and the costs.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 to describe a second application of a radiator according to the invention, in which it is used as a cooling radiator 35 in a cooling circuit C of an engine
M of motor vehicle.

The radiator 35 illustrated very schematically, in a partially exploded view, in Figure 6, is substantially identical to that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4. I1 therefore comprises substantially the same elements as the radiator referenced 5 in Figure 2 .

These common elements therefore have the same references as those of the radiator 5, increased by the number 30.

Schematically, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the circuit C, absorbs calories in the engine M, so as to cool it, then enters the radiator 35 by an inlet pipe 36 connected to an "upper" manifold 50. I1 then circulates in tubes 42, the ends of which open respectively into the upper collector box and into a "lower" collector box (not shown), then it returns to circuit C via an outlet pipe 51 after having transferred calories to a flow fresh air from an upstream area 33, via cooling fins 52 placed between the tubes 42. The circuit
C generally includes between the radiator 35 and the engine
M a valve 53 for managing the volume of heat transfer fluid intended to cool the engine.

The fresh air flow is delivered in the upstream area 33 for example by a fan (not illustrated), and passes through the radiator 35 by licking its tubes 42 and its fins 52, then opens into a downstream area 34 with a gain in calories .

In order to manage the volume of the air flow intended for the exchange of calories with the heat transfer fluid, and consequently the "number" of calories absorbed, the radiator has in its structure, that is to say in place of some of its tubes, a passage 46 which allows direct communication between the upstream 33 and downstream 34 areas.

The passage 46 is here formed substantially in the center of the structure, but one could consider forming it in another place thereof. This passage 46 houses a mixing flap 47 whose position can be managed selectively by an actuator (not shown), of the type shown in FIG. 2 under the reference 18, controlled by a control module of the cooling circuit C ( not shown).

All that has been said previously about the passage (referenced 16) and the flap (referenced 18) can be applied to passage 46 and flap 47. In particular, the flap 47 can be of the butterfly type, and its ends are preferably fixed in the structure of the radiator, and more preferably still in parts of the upper 50 and lower manifolds. Likewise, and always preferably, one of the manifolds, for example the upper box 50, comprises a housing adapted to receive the actuator making it possible to manage the position of the butterfly flap 47 on the order of the control module. Similarly, the butterfly flap 47 may extend over the entire height of exchange of the radiator, but, it is clear that, depending on the configuration, the flap 47 may be placed in another part of the radiator. I1 may also have a substantially different shape from a parallelepiped, and extend over only part of the height of the tubes 42.

Finally, instead of a single passage 46, one can envisage two passages, or else three, or even more, each passage housing at least one mixing flap 47 adapted to its geometric shape or to a part thereof.

The control module of circuit C, by playing on the actuator can precisely manage the volume of the air flow which must pass through passage 46 without exchanging calories with the radiator and the additional volume of this flow which must, on the other hand exchanging calories and therefore licking the tubes 42 for the cooling of the fluid which circulates in them. The temperature of the heat transfer fluid can thus be effectively managed by joint management of the valve 53 and the position of the flap 47.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may develop within the scope of the claims below.

Thus, radiators of the type with adjustment on the fluid have been described, but it is clear that the invention applies equally well to radiators of the type with adjustment on the air. In this case, it is clear that the only element that will be controlled by the control module, at the level of the radiator, will be the actuator of the mixing flap that it houses.

Furthermore, a radiator has been described in which the fluid circulates inside tubes, but it is clear that the invention applies equally well to heat exchangers of the plate type, some of the plates then having to be adapted. so as to form the passage or passages suitable for housing the mixing flap or flaps.

On the other hand, in the first application, a box supplying three distribution conduits has been described, but it is clear that the invention also applies to boxes suitable for supplying two conduits, or even more than three conduits.

Finally, a box has been described in which the radiator houses a mixing flap whose shape is adapted to that of the passage, but it is conceivable that a single passage houses several flaps of complementary shapes.

Claims (12)

Claims 1. Radiator (5; 35), in particular for a motor vehicle, housed between an upstream zone (3; 33) and a downstream zone (4; 34) and suitable for authorizing the exchange of calories between a heat transfer fluid which circulates in its structure and at least part of a flow of fresh air which passes through it in the direction of the upstream zone towards the downstream zone, characterized in that it comprises at least one passage (16; 46) allowing communication between said upstream (3; 33) and downstream (4; 34) zones and housing at least one mixing flap (17; 47), with an adjustable position by an actuator (18) and intended to manage the proportion of fresh air used in view of the exchange of calories with said fluid. 2. Radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage (16; 46) is formed in a central zone thereof. 3. Radiator according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises two manifolds (20,21; 50) arranged to each receive one end of the axis of rotation (XX) of the mixing flap ( 17; 47). 4. Radiator according to claim 3, characterized in that one of the manifolds (20; 50) is arranged to receive at least part of the actuator (18) of the mixing flap (17; 47). 5. Radiator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises means for regulating the flow of fluid (6). 6. Radiator according to claim 5, characterized in that said actuator (18) of the mixing flap (17) is coupled to the fluid flow regulation means (6), so that, according to their respective positions, the stratification of air can be managed in the downstream area (4). 7. Radiator according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the flow control means (6) comprise a chopper valve. 8. Radiator according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the flow control means (6) are of the all or nothing type. 9. Radiator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upstream (3) and downstream (4) zones are each subdivided into two parts by a partition, and in that it comprises two passages (16-1, 16-2), placed substantially symmetrically on either side of a median plane (P), containing at least partially the partition, and each comprising at least one mixing flap (17-1,17-2), said shutters being independent of each other. 10. Radiator (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is suitable for being housed in a housing (1) for air treatment of heating and / or air conditioning installation, between a chamber d fresh air supply (3), forming said upstream zone, and a mixing chamber (4), forming said downstream zone and communicating with at least two distribution conduits (10-12), to supply said mixing chamber ( 4) heated air from at least part of the fresh air. 11. Radiator (5) according to claim 10, characterized in that the distribution ducts are chosen from a defrost duct (10), a central ventilation duct (11) and a foot ventilation duct (12). 12. Radiator (35) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is suitable for being connected to a cooling circuit of an engine in which said fluid circulates, so that the temperature of said fluid is lowered by transfer of calories with said air flow.