FR3127446A1 - Cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Title: Cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle Cooling module (22) for a motor vehicle (10) intended to be traversed by a flow of air (F) and comprising a fairing (40) forming an internal channel in one direction longitudinal (X), the internal channel extending between an upstream end (40a) and a downstream end (40b) opposite to each other and inside which is arranged a heat exchanger (24) intended to be crossed by the air flow (F) and connected to a thermal management circuit able to operate in heat pump mode, the cooling module being characterized in that it comprises a temperature sensor (50) placed downstream of the heat exchanger (24) in the longitudinal direction (X), the temperature sensor (50) being configured to measure the temperature of the air flow (F) having passed through said exchanger (24). Abstract Figure: Fig. 3

Description

Cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle

The present invention relates to a cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. Such a cooling module conventionally comprises at least one thermal heat exchanger intended to be traversed by a flow of air. This type of cooling module is for example installed at the level of a grille located at the front of the motor vehicle.

Conventionally, the heat exchanger(s) are then placed facing a cooling bay which is for example formed in the front face of the bodywork of the motor vehicle and generally protected by a grille. The outside air then infiltrates through the grille and inside the cooling module where it passes through the heat exchanger(s) to carry out the heat exchange. The heat exchanger(s) are for example connected to a cooling circuit such as an air conditioning circuit able to cool the batteries and/or to cool an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The cooling circuit can also be configured to operate in heat pump mode.

However, one of the drawbacks of such a device configured to operate in heat pump mode is the formation of frost on the surface of the heat exchanger. This phenomenon occurs more particularly in heat pump mode because the heat exchanger acts as an evaporator and is at a lower temperature than that of the air outside the motor vehicle. Thus, when the outside temperature approaches or drops below 0°C, the temperature of the exchanger also drops below 0°C, thus favoring the formation of frost on its surface, in particular in the case where the the humidity of the air in contact with said surface is relatively high. Water present in the ambient air condenses on the surface of the heat exchanger and turns into frost, which may result in clogging of the heat exchanger. The flow of outside air is hampered by this frost and the performance of this exchanger is reduced.

In order to remedy this problem of frost, there are different methods of defrosting the heat exchanger. However, these methods generally require stopping the heat pump or reducing its performance.

The object of the present invention is therefore to remedy at least partially the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose an improved cooling module and equipped with a detection means making it possible to monitor at least one parameter of the air flow downstream of the heat exchanger arranged inside the cooling module in order to prevent the formation of frost.

The present invention therefore relates to a cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, said cooling module being intended to be traversed by a flow of air and comprising a fairing forming an internal channel in a longitudinal direction of the cooling module, the channel internal extending between an upstream end and a downstream end opposite to each other and inside which is arranged a heat exchanger intended to be crossed by the air flow and connected to a thermal management circuit capable of operating in heat pump mode, the cooling module being characterized in that it comprises a temperature sensor arranged downstream of the heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction of the cooling module, the temperature sensor being configured to measuring the temperature of the air flow downstream of said exchanger.

Thanks to the parameters measured by the temperature sensor placed downstream of the heat exchanger inside the cooling module, it is possible to switch off the air conditioning system when the air temperature is below a certain level. Such a temperature sensor can therefore help prevent icing to avoid an interruption of the air conditioning device specifically to carry out defrosting. Furthermore, a sensor able to measure the temperature of the air flow downstream of the heat exchanger arranged inside the cooling module is generally less expensive than a refrigerant temperature sensor and thus has an economic advantage. .

The invention may further comprise one or more of the following aspects taken alone or in combination:

– the fairing has a first orifice through which the temperature sensor passes;

– the cooling module has a seal surrounding the first hole through which the temperature sensor passes;

– the seal is intended to be placed between the fairing and the temperature sensor;

– the fairing has four connecting walls;

– the first hole is located in one of the junction walls of the fairing;

– the temperature sensor is placed on one of the four junction walls;

– the cooling module also comprises a hygrometer arranged upstream of the heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction of the cooling module;

– the hygrometer is configured to measure the humidity level in the air flow upstream of the heat exchanger;

– the cooling module comprises, within the fairing, a low temperature radiator arranged upstream of the heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction, so that the hygrometer is arranged between said low temperature radiator and said heat exchanger;

– the fairing has a second hole through which the hygrometer passes;

– the cooling module includes a seal surrounding the second orifice through which the hygrometer passes, the seal being intended to be placed between the fairing and the hygrometer;

– the hygrometer is placed on one of said four junction walls of the fairing;

– the hygrometer is positioned so that it is aligned with the temperature sensor along a longitudinal axis of the cooling module; And

– the first and the second orifices are arranged in the same junction wall of the fairing; Or

– the first and the second orifices are arranged in two separate junction walls of the fairing.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, provided by way of illustration and not limitation, and the appended drawings in which:

there shows a schematic representation of the front of a motor vehicle in side view,

there shows a schematic representation in perspective and in partial section of the front of a motor vehicle and a cooling module,

there shows a perspective schematic representation of the cooling module of the ,

there shows a sectional view of the fairing with the heat exchanger seen from the front according to a first embodiment;

there shows a view similar to the according to a second embodiment; And

there shows a schematic partial sectional view of the fairing according to the first embodiment.

In the various figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

The following achievements are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined and/or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

In the present description, it is possible to index certain elements or parameters, such as for example first element or second element as well as first parameter and second parameter or else first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements or parameters or criteria that are close, but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion over another and such denominations can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present description. Nor does this indexing imply an order in time, for example, to assess such and such a criterion.

In figures 1 to 6 is represented an XYZ trihedron in order to define the orientation of the various elements from each other. A first direction, denoted X, corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It also corresponds to a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A second direction, denoted Y, is a lateral or transverse direction. Finally, a third direction, denoted Z, is vertical. The directions, X, Y, Z are orthogonal two by two.

There schematically illustrates the front part of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 10 which may include an electric or hybrid motor 12 . The vehicle 10 comprises in particular a body 14 and a bumper 16 carried by a chassis (not shown) of the motor vehicle 10. A cooling module 22 is arranged below the bumper 16 and opposite the base 100 of the motor vehicle 10. Optionally, the bodywork 14 can define a cooling bay 18, that is to say an opening through the bodywork 14. This cooling bay 18 is preferably located opposite the cooling module 22. A grille 20 can possibly protect this cooling module 22.

As shown in , the cooling module 22 is intended to be traversed by an air flow F parallel to the direction X going from the front to the rear of the vehicle 10. The direction X corresponds more particularly to the longitudinal axis of the cooling module. cooling 22 and the air flow F circulates from an air inlet 22a to an air outlet 22b. In the present application, an element is referred to as "upstream" or "downstream" according to the longitudinal direction X of the cooling module 22, an element which is respectively disposed further forward or rearward than another element. The front corresponds to the front of the motor vehicle 10 in the assembled state or else the face of the cooling module 22 through which the air flow F is intended to enter the cooling module 22. to him at the rear of the motor vehicle 10 or else to the face of the cooling module 22 through which the air flow F is intended to come out of the cooling module 22.

Similarly, by “upper” and “lower” is meant an orientation in the direction Z. A so-called upper element will be closer to the roof of the vehicle 10 and a so-called lower element will be closer to the ground.

The cooling module 22 essentially comprises a fairing 40 forming an internal duct between an upstream end 40a and a downstream end 40b opposite each other. According to the embodiments of the cooling module 22 illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, the fairing 40 forming the internal duct comprises four junction walls, including two side walls 410 arranged facing each other. , an upper wall 411 and a lower wall 412. This internal duct is preferably oriented parallel to the direction X so that the upstream end 40a is oriented towards the front of the vehicle 10 opposite the cooling bay 18 and so that the downstream end 40b is oriented towards the rear of the vehicle 10.

Inside said fairing 40 is arranged a heat exchanger 24 which is for example configured to release heat energy from the air flow F. This heat exchanger 24 can more particularly be connected to a thermal management circuit capable of to operate in heat pump mode.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6, the heat exchanger 24 has a generally parallelepiped shape determined by a length L, a thickness and a height H. The length L extends along the Y direction, the thickness along the X direction and the height H in the Z direction. The heat exchanger 24 then extends along a general plane parallel to the vertical direction Z and the lateral direction Y. This plane general is thus perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the cooling module 22, the heat exchanger 24 is therefore perpendicular to the flow of air F intended to pass through it. The length L measured along the Y direction and the height H measured along the Z direction are illustrated in particular in Figures 4 and 5.

In order to monitor the evolution of the temperature of the air flow F downstream of the heat exchanger 24, the cooling module 22 also comprises a temperature sensor 50 (visible in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6) disposed downstream of the heat exchanger 24 in the longitudinal direction X, the temperature sensor 50 being configured to measure the temperature of the air flow F downstream of said exchanger 24.

The temperature sensor 50 is for example of slender shape. It can present on the one hand a first end with a fixing base 51 which makes it possible to fix said sensor 50 to a support such as the fairing 40 of the cooling module 22. On the other hand, this same temperature sensor 50 can present a second end with a detection entity 52 specifically dedicated to measuring the temperature of the air flow F downstream of said exchanger 24. A distance d1 then separates the fixing base 51 and the detection entity 52. The distance d1 is particularly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

In general, the position of the temperature sensor 50 is chosen such that the detection entity 52 is positioned at the coldest point or at least in the coldest zone of the heat exchanger 24 when the latter is required during operation. This particular point or this particular zone is determined in particular by tests during the design of the cooling module 22.

To do this, and in order to integrate the temperature sensor 50 within the cooling module 22, the fairing 40 of the latter may, according to a particular embodiment, comprise a first orifice O1 through which the temperature sensor passes. temperature 50, as illustrated in particular in Figures 4 and 5. This first orifice O1 may in particular be located in one of the four junction walls 410, 411 or 412 of the fairing 40. Thus the first orifice O1 cooperates with the fixing base 51 of the temperature sensor 50 to position its detection entity 52 downstream of the heat exchanger 24 along the longitudinal direction X. Consequently, the fixing base 51 of the temperature sensor 50 is also arranged on one of the four junction walls 410, 411 or 412 of the fairing 40 of the cooling module 22.

More particularly, if the first orifice O1 is located in one of the side junction walls 410 of the fairing 40, the temperature sensor 50 of slender shape then extends parallel to the direction Y and its detection entity 52 is located at a distance d1 from the side wall 410 at which the orifice O1 cooperates with the fixing base 51. This distance d1 is for example between 10% and 40% of the length L of the heat exchanger 24. Place the orifice O1 with the fixing base 51 in one of the side walls 410 of the fairing 40 makes it possible to define a first altitude h1 above the lower junction wall 412 for the detection entity 52. This first altitude h1 is for example between 20% and 80% of the height H of the heat exchanger 24. This particular case is illustrated in particular in the where the length L, the distance d1, the height H and the first altitude h1 are each materialized by double-headed arrows.

Another possibility consists in placing the orifice O1 either in the upper wall 411 or in the lower wall 412. In these cases, the temperature sensor 50 of slender shape then extends parallel to the direction Z and its entity sensor 52 is located at a distance d1 from the upper wall 411 or from the lower wall 412, depending on where the orifice O1 cooperates with the fixing base 51. The illustrates more particularly the case where the orifice O1 is arranged in the upper wall 411. Placing the orifice O1 with the fixing base 51 either in the upper wall 411, or in the lower wall 412 of the fairing 40 makes it possible to define a distance side l1 along the direction Y between one of the side junction walls 410 and the detection entity 52.

Such an orifice O1 therefore makes it possible to easily and compactly integrate the temperature sensor 50 within the cooling module 22 without making excessive changes to its design.

In order to limit the penetration of polluting elements inside the cooling module 22 despite the presence of the first orifice O1 in the fairing 40, the cooling module 22 may include a seal (not shown in the figures) surrounding the first orifice O1 through which the temperature sensor 50 passes. This seal is then intended to be placed between the fairing 40 and the fixing base 51 of the temperature sensor 50. tightness of the fairing 40 despite the presence of the first orifice O1 while limiting the number of parts necessary for this protective function.

The cooling module 22 can also include a hygrometer 54 configured to measure the humidity level in the air upstream of the heat exchanger 24. The humidity of the air is an essential parameter in the formation of frost, this is why it is advantageous to have a hygrometer 54 within the cooling module 22 itself to monitor its development.

The hygrometer 54 is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger 24 along the longitudinal direction X of the cooling module 22, so as to be able to measure the humidity level in the air flow F before it passes through the heat exchanger 24. This location is the most favorable for identifying as soon as possible weather conditions which are favorable to the formation of frost on the surface of the heat exchanger 24. As in the case of the temperature sensor 50 , the hygrometer 54 can be arranged at one of the four junction walls 410, 411 or 412 of the fairing 40.

Like the means used to integrate the temperature sensor 50 within the shroud 40 of the cooling module 22, the latter may also include a second orifice (not shown in the figures) through which the hygrometer 54 passes. for the first orifice O1, the second orifice can in particular be located in one of the four junction walls 410, 411 or 412 of the fairing 40. Advantageously, the first O1 and the second orifice are arranged in the same junction wall 410, 411 or 412 of the fairing 40. According to an alternative, the first O1 and the second orifice can be arranged in two separate junction walls 410, 411 or 412 of the fairing 40. Such integration of the temperature sensor 50 and the hygrometer 54 within the shroud 40 allows for a compact design of the cooling module 22.

In the same way as previously, the cooling module 22 may include a seal (not shown in the figures) which surrounds the second orifice through which the hygrometer 54 passes. The seal is then intended to be placed between the fairing 40 and the hygrometer 54. Here again, the aim is to limit the intrusion of polluting elements inside the cooling module 22 despite the presence of the second orifice in the fairing 40 by having recourse to a minimum additional parts.

The hygrometer 54 can have at its end a measuring entity 55 specifically dedicated to measuring the humidity level of the air flow F upstream of the heat exchanger 24. The hygrometer 54 can be positioned in such a way that its measurement entity 55 is aligned with the measurement entity 52 of the temperature sensor 50 along the longitudinal direction X. This specific configuration of the temperature sensor 50 and of the hygrometer 54 is more particularly illustrated on the .

In the case where the hygrometer crosses the second orifice which is dedicated to it from one of the side junction walls 410, a second distance d2 can be defined between this side wall 410 and the measuring entity 55 of the hygrometer 54 to determine its position on the Y axis. Furthermore, a second altitude h2 can be defined between the lower wall 412 and this measurement entity 55 to determine its position on the Z axis. The second altitude h2 can be identical or different of the first altitude h1 which indicates the position of the temperature sensor 50 on the Z axis. The second distance d2 and the second altitude h2 are notably illustrated on the .

Thus, in the case where the first orifice O1 and the second orifice are arranged on the same side wall 410, that the first distance d1 and the second distance d2 are equal to each other and that the first altitude h1 and the second altitude h2 are also equal to each other, the temperature sensor 50 and the hygrometer 54 are aligned along the longitudinal direction X of the cooling module 22.

The temperature sensor 50 and the hygrometer 54 can be paired, i.e. they can be configured to operate in cooperation with each other for the purpose of preventing the formation of frost on the surface. of the heat exchanger 24.

The cooling module 22 may also comprise, within the fairing 40, a low temperature radiator 26 disposed upstream of the heat exchanger 24 in the longitudinal direction X, such that the hygrometer 54 is disposed between said low temperature radiator temperature 26 and said heat exchanger 24, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 6 for example. In this configuration, the flow of air F intended to circulate inside the cooling module 22 first crosses the low temperature radiator 26 before crossing the heat exchanger 24. By placing such a low temperature radiator 26 in upstream of the heat exchanger 24, the hygrometer 54 can measure the humidity level in the air flow F at the outlet of the said low temperature radiator 26, so as to follow the evolution of the parameters of the air flow F under the effect of the use of the low temperature radiator 26.

The cooling module 22 also comprises a collector box 41 disposed downstream of the shroud 40 and of the heat exchanger 24, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. More specifically, the collector box 41 is juxtaposed at the downstream end 40b of the fairing 40, it is therefore aligned with the fairing 40 along the longitudinal axis X of the cooling module 22. This collector box 41 comprises the air outlet 22b intended to discharge the air flow F. The collector box 41 allows thus to recover the flow of air F passing through the heat exchanger 24 and to direct this flow of air F towards the air outlet 22b, this is particularly illustrated by the arrows representing the flow of air F on the . Collector box 41 can be made in one piece with fairing 40 or else be an attached part fixed to the downstream end 40b of said fairing 40.

The cooling module 22, more precisely the collector box 41, also comprises at least one tangential fan, also called tangential turbomachine 30 configured so as to generate the air flow F passing through the heat exchanger 24. The tangential turbomachine 30 comprises a rotor or turbine 32 (or tangential propeller). The turbine 32 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The turbine 32 advantageously comprises several stages of blades (or blades), visible on the . The turbine 32 is rotatably mounted around an axis of rotation which is for example parallel to the direction Y. The diameter of the turbine 32 is for example between 35 mm and 200 mm to limit its size. The tangential turbomachine 30 is thus compact.

The tangential turbomachine 30 is in particular arranged in the manifold housing 41. The tangential turbomachine 30 is then configured to suck in air in order to generate the air flow F passing through the heat exchanger 24. The tangential turbomachine 30 comprises more precisely a volute 44, formed by the first manifold housing 41 and at the center of which is arranged the turbine 32. The volute 44 at least partially delimits the air outlet 22b intended to evacuate the air flow F outside the module of cooling 22. In other words, the air outlet of the volute 44 corresponds to the air outlet 22b of the air flow F of the collector box 41.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tangential turbomachine 30 is in a high position, in particular in the upper third of the manifold housing 41, preferably in the upper quarter of the manifold housing 41. This makes it possible in particular to protect the tangential turbomachine 30 in the event of submersion and/or to limit the size of the cooling module 22 in its lower part. In this case, the air outlet 22b of the air flow F is preferably oriented towards the lower part of the cooling module 22.

It is nevertheless possible to imagine that the tangential turbomachine 30 is in a low position, in particular in the lower third of the manifold housing 41. This would limit the size of the cooling module 22 in its upper part. In this case, the air outlet 22b of the air flow will preferably be oriented towards the upper part of the cooling module 22. Alternatively, the tangential turbomachine 30 can be in a middle position, in particular in the middle third of the height of the first collector box 41, for example for reasons of integration of the cooling module 22 in its environment. These alternatives are not illustrated.

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. In particular, the different examples can be combined, as long as they are not contradictory.

Claims (10)

Cooling module (22) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (10), said cooling module (22) being intended to be traversed by a flow of air (F) and comprising a fairing (40) forming an internal channel along a longitudinal direction (X) of the cooling module (22), the internal channel extending between an upstream end (40a) and a downstream end (40b) opposite to each other and inside which is arranged a heat exchanger (24) intended to be traversed by the flow of air (F) and connected to a thermal management circuit capable of operating in heat pump mode, the cooling module being characterized in that it comprises a sensor temperature sensor (50) disposed downstream of the heat exchanger (24) along the longitudinal direction (X) of the cooling module (22), the temperature sensor (50) being configured to measure the temperature of the air flow (F) downstream of said exchanger (24). Cooling module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fairing (40) comprises a first orifice (O1) through which the temperature sensor (50) passes. Cooling module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cooling module (22) comprises a seal surrounding the first orifice (O1) through which the temperature sensor (50) passes, the seal being intended to be placed between the fairing (40) and the temperature sensor (50). Cooling module (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fairing (40) has four junction walls (410, 411 and 412) and in that the temperature sensor (50) is arranged on one of said four junction walls (410, 411 or 412). Cooling module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a hygrometer (54) arranged upstream of the heat exchanger (24) in the longitudinal direction (X) of the cooling module (22 ), the hygrometer (54) being configured to measure the humidity level in the air flow (F) upstream of the heat exchanger (24). Cooling module (22) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, within the fairing (40), a low temperature radiator (26) arranged upstream of the heat exchanger (24) in the longitudinal direction (X), such that the hygrometer (52) is disposed between said low temperature radiator (26) and said heat exchanger (24). Cooling module according to any one of Claims 5 to 6 in combination with Claim 2, characterized in that the shroud (40) has a second orifice through which the hygrometer (52) passes. Cooling module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a seal surrounding the second orifice through which the hygrometer (54) passes, the seal being intended to be placed between the fairing (40 ) and the hygrometer (52). Cooling module according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the fairing (40) has four junction walls (410, 411 and 412) and in that the hygrometer (54) is arranged on the one of said four junction walls (410, 411 or 412). Cooling module according to any one of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the hygrometer (54) is positioned such that it is aligned with the temperature sensor (50) along the longitudinal axis (X) the cooling module (22).