FR3048641A1 - COOLING FRAME IN A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling facade (11) comprising at least first and second adjacent heat exchangers (1, 1a), a respective cooling fluid circulating in each heat exchanger (1, 1a), characterized in that the circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger (1) is in a first direction and the circulation in the second heat exchanger (1a) is in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second heat exchangers (1, 1a) being positioned one after the other, a rear face of the first heat exchanger (1) covering the entire front face of the second heat exchanger (1a). Application in the field of motor vehicles.

Description

COOLING FACADE IN A VEHICLE

AUTOMOBILE

The invention relates to a cooling facade in a motor vehicle, this facade comprising at least two heat exchangers. Such a facade is intended to be in a front part of the motor vehicle and to be part of a cooling assembly comprising at least two loops of coolant. One of said at least two loops is the cooling loop of a powertrain of the motor vehicle, the cooling facade providing heat exchange with the cooling fluids circulating in the assembly.

Such cooling facades are known and are currently frequently bi-layers, that is to say comprising two heat exchangers advantageously arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

For future cooling needs of the engine and its ancillary equipment and depending on the new technologies used, for example for a charge air cooler, the current facades are no longer suitable because it must be housed at least three heat exchangers or at least two heat exchangers and a condenser.

Thus, in a preferred application for a cooling facade, it is required for a cooling facade to allow the integration of three cooling functions. For example, without limitation, the cooling facade must allow: the cooling of the powertrain engine, the cooling of the supercharging gases for a turbocharged engine and the cooling of the cooling fluid of an air conditioning cooling loop. It is however to be borne in mind that the invention can be applied for a different number of loops at least greater than or equal to two and for other elements to be cooled than those mentioned above.

By taking as a non-limiting example this preferred application, there are then three separate exchangers, one for each of these cooling functions. Each exchanger makes it possible to cool each fluid circulating in a loop dedicated to each function, this fluid being advantageously water or water-based. For example, a high temperature radiator or HT radiator can cool the engine, a low temperature radiator or radiator BT can cool the cooling fluid of the charge air and a condenser can condense the cooling fluid of the air conditioning, this refrigerant being cooled by the circulation of air around the facade or alternatively a low temperature radiator can cool a cooling fluid having been in exchange for heat with the coolant of the air conditioning.

For charge air cooling, the objective is to cool the supercharging gases to maximize the density of the air that will enter the engine to perform the combustion. This can be achieved by an air charge air cooler or a coolant charge air cooler, known as RASAO, where the coolant is frequently brine and is cooled. in the facade.

The air charge air cooler is a charge air exchanger with the external air, the coolant air cooler is a charge air exchanger with advantageously brine as a as coolant. In the context of a coolant charge air cooler, the system includes a fluid charge air cooler most often integrated on the engine. The fluid of this system is then cooled by a low-temperature radiator integrated into it in the cooling facade.

Such a cooling facade with several heat exchangers takes a substantial place in the front of the motor vehicle. The space occupied by the cooling facade should be reduced.

Independently of what has been stated, it has been developed different radiators which all have fluid circulation tubes to cool, frequently water. A first type of radiator provides a substantially horizontal circulation in the radiator, for example from right to left or from left to right.

A second type of radiator provides a substantially vertical circulation in the radiator, for example from bottom to top or from top to bottom. Other types of traffic may also be possible. The usual practice is to associate either radiators with substantially horizontal circulation or radiators with substantially vertical circulation.

Document US-A-2004/0104007 describes in a cooling facade an association of a radiator with horizontal fluid circulation and a radiator with vertical fluid circulation in a search for more compactness of the facade of cooling. In the embodiments of this document for the purpose of more compactness, it is proposed a partial overlap of the two radiators relative to each other, the second radiator protruding laterally from behind the first radiator. This has the effect of increasing the width of the cooling facade and is undesirable.

Therefore, the problem underlying the invention is to obtain a cooling facade in a motor vehicle, this cooling facade incorporating at least two heat exchangers, which can be housed in a space of more and more restrictive proposed on the front of the vehicle while being able to accommodate one or more additional heat exchangers.

To achieve this objective, there is provided according to the invention a cooling facade comprising at least first and second adjacent heat exchangers, a respective cooling fluid circulating in each heat exchanger, such as the circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger is in a first direction and the circulation in the second heat exchanger is in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second heat exchangers being positioned one after the other, a rear face of the first heat exchanger covering the entire front face of the second heat exchanger.

The technical effect is to obtain a cooling facade with reduced dimensions including laterally if it is compared to a cooling facade according to US-A-2004/0104007 but also in the depth, so in the longitudinal direction of motor vehicle integrating it. This has been made possible by using different technologies of heat exchangers for a cooling facade, in particular with internal circulations of cooling fluid in different directions, which makes it possible to avoid interferences between the heat exchangers, where appropriate by their means. collectors.

Games and distances between consecutive heat exchangers in the cooling facade are then reduced hence a reduction in depth of the cooling facade, because the heat exchangers are better nested against each other. This deep reduction can allow the use of heat exchanger beam thicknesses adapted to the cooling needs while respecting the basic design constraints of the facade. It is thus realized space savings, which can make it possible to gain an additional class of radiator thickness, if necessary.

Advantageously, the circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger is substantially horizontally while the circulation in the second heat exchanger is substantially vertically or the circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger is substantially vertically while the circulation in the second heat exchanger is substantially horizontally. Heat exchangers with horizontal or vertical circulation are widely available and available. On the other hand, the combination of two different circulations, advantageously horizontal and vertical, for the heat exchangers in the same cooling facade had never been proposed and even was the subject of a prejudice that the present invention overcame. .

The terms "vertically", "horizontally", "upper" and "lower" are understood, and other references to spatial positioning with reference to components positioned in their operating position and in normal use, particularly in a motor vehicle arranged on a horizontal plane.

Advantageously, the first and second heat exchangers are high temperature radiators or low temperature radiators or the first heat exchanger is a high temperature radiator and the second heat exchanger is a low temperature radiator or vice versa.

Advantageously, the cooling facade comprises at least a third heat exchanger or a condenser.

Advantageously, the cooling facade comprises a motor-fan unit.

The invention also relates to a cooling assembly comprising at least two cooling fluid loops with one of said at least two loops being the cooling loop of a power unit of a motor vehicle, each of said at least two loops. having a heat exchanger forming part of a front cooling front intended to be arranged at the front of the motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises such a front cooling front.

Advantageously, the cooling assembly further comprises the powertrain cooling loop, at least one cooling loop among a cooling loop of the air conditioning, a cooling loop of the charge air or a loop. cooling with a cooling fluid of at least one auxiliary element present in the motor vehicle, such as a battery or batteries for storing electrical energy for a hybrid motor vehicle.

Advantageously, the cooling facade comprises a high temperature radiator associated with the cooling loop of the engine powertrain.

Advantageously, when an air conditioning cooling loop is present, the cooling circuit of the air conditioning comprises a condenser of the cooling fluid of the air conditioning with a cooling fluid, the condenser being disposed or not in the cooling facade and when the condenser is not arranged in the cooling facade, the condenser comprises a cooling fluid circuit in exchange for heat with the cooling fluid, the cooling fluid leaving the condenser being cooled by a radiator integrated in the facade of the condenser. cooling.

Advantageously, when a charge air cooling loop is present, the cooling circuit of the charge air comprises a charge air exchanger with a cooling fluid, the fluid of the charge exchanger. the charge air being cooled by a radiator integrated in the cooling face and / or, when a loop of at least one auxiliary element is present, the cooling loop of at least one auxiliary element is cooled by a radiator integrated in the cooling facade.

The use of a charge air exchanger in exchange with a cooling fluid is an increasingly common approach in the automotive industry that was prevented by the lack of space in the cooling facade. This has been made possible by the use of a cooling facade according to the present invention, which illustrates a very great additional advantage of the present invention.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows and with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an exploded view and perspective of two radiators associated to form a cooling facade according to the state of the art, the two radiators having the same internal circulation of the cooling fluid in their interior, - Figures 2 and 2a are diagrammatic representations of perspective views respectively front and rear of a radiator that can be part of a cooling facade according to the present invention, - Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a sectional view of a facade according to one embodiment of the present invention, the facade having two radiators, a condenser ur as well as a fan motor unit.

It is to be borne in mind that the figures are given by way of examples and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and are not necessarily at the scale of practical applications. In particular, the dimensions of the various elements illustrated are not representative of reality.

In what follows, reference is made to all the figures taken in combination. When reference is made to one or more specific figures, these figures are to be taken in combination with the other figures for the recognition of the designated reference numerals.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1 and also to Figure 3 for the reference of the cooling facade, Figure 1 shows two radiators 1, 1a for forming a cooling front 11 to the front of a motor vehicle. These two radiators 1.1a are shown separated from each other in this figure while they are arranged against each other when the radiators 1, form the front 11. The radiators 1, la can be mounted upside down.

The cooling front 11 comprises a motor-fan unit 2 disposed in front of a first radiator 1. In each of the radiators 1, circulates a cooling fluid from a cooling loop associated with the radiator 1.1a. Each of the radiators 1, la comprises a main body forming a bundle 3 inside which serpentine channels through which the cooling fluid passes. Each of the radiators 1, the comprises a collector 4.

In Figure 1, the two radiators 1, 1a have a horizontal fluid flow that is to say with fluids flowing mainly horizontally in the beam 3. The collectors 4 of the two radiators 1.1a s then extend substantially vertically on the edges of the radiator 1, the. It follows that the collector 4 of the first radiator 1 interferes with the collector 4 of the second radiator 1a, which increases the space requirement in depth of the cooling facade according to the state of the art.

In reference to Figures 2 and 2a while referring to Figure 3, there is shown a radiator 1 with a fan motor unit 2 in front and rear view for the overview of the collector 4 present on the radiator 1. This radiator 1 has a substantially vertical collector 4, thus associated with a substantially horizontal fluid flow in the radiator 1. This radiator 1 can be used for a cooling facade 11 according to an embodiment according to the present invention when associated with another radiator having a horizontal collector associated with a substantially vertical circulation in the other radiator.

Referring still to Figures 2, 2a and 3, the invention relates to a cooling facade 11 comprising at least first and second heat exchangers 1, the arranged against each other, a cooling fluid respective circulating in each heat exchanger 1,1a. These heat exchangers 1,1a may be conventional radiators but may also take another form.

According to the invention, the circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger 1 is in a first direction and the circulation in the second heat exchanger la is in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In addition, the first and second heat exchangers 1,1a are positioned one after the other, a rear face of the first heat exchanger 1 covering all of a front face of the second heat exchanger la. The first and second exchangers 1, la are therefore aligned in this configuration without one laterally exceeds the other.

The flow directions of the cooling fluid are different from a heat exchanger 1 relative to the other heat exchanger la being perpendicular in the two heat exchangers 1, la. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the supply of the channels extending in the heat exchangers 1, 1a, for example collectors 4 for heat exchangers 1, the being radiators. There is therefore a gain of space gained in depth of the cooling facade 11, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, which is the most frequent positioning for a cooling facade 11.

The circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger 1 can be substantially horizontally while the circulation in the second heat exchanger la can be substantially vertically. Conversely, the flow of fluid in the first heat exchanger 1 can be substantially vertically while the circulation in the second heat exchanger la can be substantially horizontally.

A horizontal circulation corresponds to a circulation of the coolant in the channels from one side edge to the other side edge of the heat exchanger 1, 1a, this circulation is also known as the Anglo-Saxon crossfiow. A vertical circulation corresponds to a circulation of the coolant in the channels from top to bottom or less frequently from bottom to top of the heat exchanger 1,1a, this circulation also being known under the English expression of "downflow >> for traffic up and down.

As previously mentioned, the first heat exchanger 1 may be a radiator, preferably a high or low temperature radiator, and the second heat exchanger also a radiator, preferably of the same type as the first exchanger. Alternatively, the first heat exchanger 1 may be a high temperature radiator and the second heat exchanger la may be a low temperature radiator or vice versa.

Thus, it is possible in the context of the invention to combine two or more radiators of the same type or radiators high and low temperature, the need for cooling may be different for the various cooling fluid loops feeding the facade 11 of the invention.

The number of heat exchangers 1,1a for the cooling front 11 not being limited to two, the cooling front 11 may comprise at least a third heat exchanger or a condenser 5 with or without third heat exchanger additional.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the cooling face 11 may comprise a motor-fan unit 2. In the non-limiting case of Figure 3 from the front of the cooling front 11 which is intended to be at the front of a motor vehicle, the facade comprises a condenser 5, a radiator 1a and another radiator 1 equivalent or different type and a motor-fan unit 2. The cooling front 11 may also include one or more air / air exchangers.

The invention also relates to a cooling assembly comprising at least two cooling fluid loops with one of said at least two loops being the cooling loop of a GMP powertrain of a motor vehicle. This GMP powertrain cooling loop cools the engine and, if applicable, auxiliary engine components, such as a gearbox or valve of an exhaust gas recirculation system at the engine intake. Other auxiliary elements are also possible. These auxiliary elements can also benefit from their own cooling loop when sufficiently large or requiring specific cooling.

Each of said at least two loops has a heat exchanger 1, forming part of a cooling front face 11 disposed at the front of the motor vehicle. Thus, the cooling facade 11 according to the present invention has elements, in particular heat exchangers 1,1a, supplied with cooling fluid by a loop for the circulation of a specific cooling fluid.

Many configurations of the cooling assembly may be possible. For example, the cooling assembly may comprise in addition to the cooling loop of the GMP powertrain, at least one cooling loop among an air conditioning cooling loop, a charge air cooling loop or a loop. cooling with a cooling fluid of at least one auxiliary element present in the motor vehicle, such as a battery or batteries for storing electrical energy for a hybrid motor vehicle.

These cooling loops can be present in the cooling assembly unitarily or in combination and the types of cooling loops mentioned are not limiting. Currently, the cooling face 11 present in a motor vehicle is frequently powered by three loops or two loops.

Most frequently, the cooling facade 11 may comprise a high temperature radiator associated with the engine cooling loop of the GMP powertrain. In combination, when an air conditioning cooling loop is present, the air conditioning cooling loop may include a condenser 5 of the cooling fluid of the air conditioning with a cooling fluid. The condenser 5 can be placed or not in the cooling face 11.

This corresponds to two embodiments currently used. The older of the two modes provides for supplying a condenser 5 present in the coolant cooling front 11 with additional cooling of the coolant by exchange with the air. The coolant is cooled in the condenser 5 of the cooling front 11 by the outside air advantageously ventilated by the motor-fan unit 2 and / or because of the advance of the vehicle.

As it has been found that it is preferable to bring the condenser of the air conditioning compressor to reduce the pressure losses, a more recent embodiment provides for the use of a cooling fluid condenser disposed near the air conditioning compressor. , the refrigerant exchanging heat with a cooling fluid.

In general, the cooling fluid is water or brine-based as for all the cooling fluids of the various loops. Such a condenser makes it possible to exchange the heat of the cooling fluid with the coolant which is therefore different from it.

In the context of such a coolant condenser, this condenser is itself located in the space under the hood but no longer in front. The cooling fluid of this cooling air conditioning loop is then cooled by a radiator which is incorporated in the cooling front 11, this radiator being advantageously low temperature.

Similarly, when a cooling loop of the charge air is present, in parallel or not with a cooling loop of the air conditioning or with another cooling loop in addition to the cooling loop of the engine group. propellant, the charge air cooling loop may comprise a charge air exchanger with a cooling fluid.

In this case, the cooling fluid of the charge air exchanger can be cooled by a radiator integrated in the cooling front 11, the radiator being advantageously low temperature. In cases where performance is a paramount condition for the motor vehicle equipped with a turbocharged engine, this radiator can be a high temperature radiator.

Finally, when a cooling loop of at least one auxiliary element is present, the cooling loop of at least one auxiliary element can be cooled by a radiator integrated in the cooling facade 11, this radiator being advantageously low temperature.

The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments which have been given only as examples.

Claims (10)

Cooling facade (11) comprising at least first and second adjacent heat exchangers (1, la), a respective cooling fluid circulating in each heat exchanger (1, la), characterized in that the circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger (1) is in a first direction and the circulation in the second heat exchanger (la) is in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second heat exchangers (1, the ) being positioned one after the other, a rear face of the first heat exchanger (1) covering the entire front face of the second heat exchanger (1 a). Cooling facade (11) according to claim 1, wherein the circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger (1) is substantially horizontal while the circulation in the second heat exchanger (la) is substantially vertically or the circulation of the fluid in the first heat exchanger (1) is substantially vertically while the circulation in the second heat exchanger (1 a) is substantially horizontal. Cooling facade (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the first and second heat exchangers (1, la) are high temperature radiators or low temperature radiators or the first heat exchanger ( 1) is a high temperature radiator and the second heat exchanger (1a) is a low temperature radiator or vice versa. 4. cooling facade (11) according to claim 3, which comprises at least a third heat exchanger or a condenser (5). 5. Cooling facade (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a motor-fan unit (2). A cooling assembly comprising at least two cooling fluid loops with circulation of a coolant therein, one of said at least two loops being the cooling loop of a power train (GMP) of a motor vehicle , each of said at least two loops having a heat exchanger (1, 1a) forming part of a cooling facade (11) intended to be arranged at the front of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the cooling facade (11) ) is according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. Cooling assembly according to claim 6, which comprises in addition to the powertrain cooling loop (GMP), at least one cooling loop among an air conditioning cooling loop, a cooling air cooling loop. supercharging or cooling loop by a cooling fluid of at least one auxiliary element present in the motor vehicle, such as a battery or batteries for storing electrical energy for a hybrid motor vehicle. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the cooling facade (11) comprises a high temperature radiator associated with the cooling loop of the powertrain engine (GMP). 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein, when an air conditioning cooling loop is present, the air conditioning cooling loop comprises a condenser (5) of the cooling fluid of the air conditioning, the condenser (5) being arranged or not in the cooling face (11) and, when the condenser is not arranged in the cooling face (11), the condenser comprises a cooling fluid circuit in exchange for heat with the coolant, the coolant leaving the condenser being cooled by a radiator integrated in the cooling front (11). The assembly of claim 8 or 9 wherein, when a charge air cooling loop is present, the charge air cooling loop includes a charge air exchanger with a coolant. , the charge air exchanger fluid being cooled by a radiator integrated in the cooling face (11) and / or, when a loop of at least one auxiliary element is present, the cooling loop of at least one least one auxiliary element is cooled by a radiator integrated in the cooling front (11).