WO2012168650A1

WO2012168650A1 - Method for mounting an air guide on a heat exchanger of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2012168650A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/051263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominique Lecroq; Patrick David
Original assignee: Renault S.A.S.
Priority date: 2011-06-08
Filing date: 2012-06-06
Publication date: 2012-12-13
Also published as: FR2976327B1; FR2976327A1; RU2599092C2; RU2013157173A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for mounting an air guide (2) on at least one heat exchanger (3) which includes a step of positioning the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger by translating the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger in a first direction (91) at least substantially perpendicular to a second direction (92) in which an air flow is intended to pass through the at least one heat exchanger, followed by a step of rotating or swivelling the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger about an axis defined by a third direction (93) at least substantially perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction.

Description

METHOD FOR MOUNTING AN AIR GUIDE ON A THERMAL EXCHANGER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

The invention relates to a method of mounting an air guide on a heat exchanger, in particular a heat exchanger of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to an air guide intended to be mounted on a heat exchanger. The invention also relates to a cooling module comprising such an air guide and a motor vehicle comprising such a cooling module.

Document EP 1 760 323 discloses a heat exchanger system comprising an air guide arranged to partially cover one face of a heat exchanger near the edges of this face. The goal is to avoid cooling a peripheral area of the face that is sensitive to thermal stresses. However, such a system is likely to limit the performance of the exchanger to the extent that the entire area of the face is not used to participate in heat exchange.

A recurring problem with known heat exchanger systems of the prior art lies in the fact that part of the air flow intended to participate in the heat exchange leaks around the exchanger or by-passes the exchanger by bypassing it and therefore does not participate in heat exchange. Depending on the technologies used, leak rates of up to about 60% can be observed.

However, guidance devices or air guides or convergents are used to prevent these leaks. In particular, embodiments are known in which additions of multiple convergents are made. However, leaks occur between these different convergents. In order to reduce the leakage rate, there are also two-material convergent solutions (having one or more flexible lips), but the cost of such convergents is important. There are still carrier-type nozzle solutions in which we come to set up the different exchangers which reduces the games. This solution is more expensive because of the addition of a structural part, usually made of plastic material filled with glass fibers.

The object of the invention is to provide an air guide obviant disadvantages mentioned above and improving air guides known from the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a simple, effective and inexpensive air guide. The object of the invention is also to provide a method of mounting an air guide on a heat exchanger, the method for obtaining a simple, efficient and inexpensive cooling module.

The method of mounting an air guide on at least one heat exchanger comprises a step of positioning the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger by translation of the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger in a first direction at least substantially perpendicular to a second direction in which an air flow is intended to pass through the at least one heat exchanger, then a step of rotation or pivoting of the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger around an axis defined by a third direction at least substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The step of rotation or pivoting may comprise a clipping phase of the air guide on the at least one heat exchanger, especially at the end of the rotation or pivoting step. The mounting of the air guide can be performed on at least one heat exchanger of a motor vehicle and the first mounting direction and the third mounting direction can be, respectively, at least substantially transverse to the motor vehicle and at least substantially vertical when the at least one heat exchanger is mounted on the motor vehicle.

The mounting of the air guide can be carried out on at least one heat exchanger of a motor vehicle and the first direction and the third direction can be respectively at least substantially vertical to the motor vehicle and at least substantially transverse when the at least one heat exchanger is mounted on the motor vehicle.

According to the invention, an air guide is intended to be mounted on at least one heat exchanger, the air guide being shaped so as to surround, at least locally, the at least one heat exchanger.

The air guide can be shaped so as to limit, around the at least one heat exchanger, at least locally, the clearance between the air guide and the at least one heat exchanger.

The air guide may comprise a first baffle element intended to cooperate with a second baffle element provided on the at least one heat exchanger to limit an air passage between the air guide and the at least one heat exchanger. The air guide may comprise a first positioning element intended to cooperate with a second positioning element provided on the at least one heat exchanger in order to position the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger.

The air guide may comprise a first clipping element intended to cooperate with a second clipping member provided on the at least one heat exchanger for clipping the air guide on the at least one heat exchanger.

According to the invention, a heat exchange module comprises an air guide defined above and at least one heat exchanger.

According to the invention, a motor vehicle comprises a heat exchange module defined above.

The appended drawings represent, by way of examples, two embodiments of a heat exchange module according to the invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a heat exchange module according to the invention.

Figures 2 to 7 are views illustrating the principle of a first embodiment of the method of mounting an air guide on a heat exchanger to achieve the first embodiment of heat exchange module.

Figures 8 to 19 are perspective views illustrating the means for mounting the air guide on the heat exchanger to achieve the first heat exchange module. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a heat exchange module according to the invention.

Figures 21 to 26 are views illustrating the principle of a second embodiment of the method of mounting an air guide on a heat exchanger to achieve the second embodiment of heat exchange module.

Figures 27 to 30 are perspective views illustrating the means for mounting the air guide on the heat exchanger to achieve the second heat exchange module.

Figure 31 is a schematic partial sectional view of the periphery of a variant of the first or second embodiment of the heat exchange module according to the invention.

A first embodiment of a heat exchange module 1 according to the invention is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19. The heat exchange module 1 mainly comprises an air guide 2 and at least one heat exchanger 3. For example, the heat exchange module is intended to be mounted or to equip a motor vehicle. Thus, the at least one heat exchanger may comprise a thermal transfer heat exchanger of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle and / or a feed gas cooling exchanger after compression by a compressor and / or a motor oil cooling exchanger and / or an exchanger of an air conditioning system. The heat exchange module 1 may also comprise a fan assembly and a nozzle 50 on which the fan assembly is mounted. The air guide 2 mainly comprises walls 28, 29 extending at least substantially parallel to a flow direction 92 according to which the air flow is intended to pass through the at least one heat exchanger 3.

The heat exchange module 1 comprises, in the upper left corner, a first element 41 for fixing the air guide on the at least one exchanger 3, in the upper right corner, a second element 42 for fixing the guide air on the at least one exchanger 3, in the lower left corner, a third element 43 for fixing the air guide on the at least one exchanger 3, in the lower right corner, a fourth fixing element of the guide of air on the at least one exchanger 3.

As represented in FIGS. 8 to 10, the first fixing element 41 comprises a ring 31 or a loop formed on the heat exchanger 3 and cooperating with a hook 21 formed on the air guide 2, the hook 21 being intended for fix in the ring 31. Advantageously, the hook 21 comprises a clipping element.

As represented in FIGS. 11 to 13, the second fixing element 42 comprises a ring 32 or a loop formed on the heat exchanger 3 and cooperating with a shaft 22 formed on the air guide 2, the shaft 22 being arranged to be able to slide in the ring 32.

As represented in FIGS. 14 to 16, the third fixing element 43 comprises a ring 33 or a loop formed on the heat exchanger 3 and cooperating with a hook 23 formed on the air guide 2, the hook 23 being intended for secure in the ring 33. Advantageously, the hook 23 comprises a clipping element.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the fourth fastening element comprises a ring 34 or a loop formed on the exchanger 3 thermal and cooperating with a shaft 24 formed on the air guide 2, the shaft 24 being arranged to slide in the ring 34.

For these different fasteners, any kinematic inversion is possible.

The shafts 22, 24 constitute first positioning elements intended to cooperate with the rings 32, 34 constituting second positioning elements in order to position the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger 3. The hooks 21, 23 also constitute positioning elements intended to cooperate with the rings 31, 33 in order to position the air guide 2 relative to the at least one heat exchanger 3. A first embodiment of the method of mounting the air guide 2 on the at least one heat exchanger 3 is described below with reference to Figures 2 to 7.

In a first step, as shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 5, the air guide 2 is positioned relative to the at least one heat exchanger 3 by translation of the air guide 2 relative to the at least one heat exchanger 3 in a first direction 91 mounting. This positioning is ensured by the sliding of the shaft 22 in the ring 32 and by the sliding of the shaft 24 in the ring 34. This first direction 91 is at least substantially perpendicular to the second direction 92 of flow of the flow of air passing through the at least one heat exchanger 3. For example, this first direction 91 is transverse to the motor vehicle once the heat exchange module 3 installed on the vehicle. In a second step, as shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 6, the air guide 2 is pivoted relative to the at least one heat exchanger 3 around an axis defined by a third mounting direction 93 at least substantially perpendicular to the first direction 91 of mounting and the second direction 92 flow. This third mounting direction 93 is for example at least substantially vertical once the heat exchange module installed on the vehicle. In a third step, at the end of the pivoting step, as shown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 7, the air guide 2 is clipped onto the at least one heat exchanger 3. This is, for example, achieved by the action of the hooks 21 and 23. The air guide 2 is then fixed or mounted on the heat exchanger 3.

In a fourth step, the module 1 is fixed to the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the at least one heat exchanger 3 is fixed on the motor vehicle prior to the first step. According to a variant of the invention, depending on the mounting method, the air guide can also be assembled on the heat exchanger after it is mounted on the vehicle. In this case, we first mount the heat exchanger on the motor vehicle, then, the air guide 2 is positioned relative to the heat exchanger 3 by translation of the air guide 2 relative to the at least one exchanger 3 in the first direction 91 mounting, then rotates the air guide 2 relative to the heat exchanger 3 about the axis defined by the third mounting direction 93. The air guide 2 is arranged and shaped so as to surround, at least locally, the at least one heat exchanger 3. Advantageously, the air guide 2 completely surrounds the at least one heat exchanger 3. Preferably, the air guide 2 is shaped so as to limit, around the at least one heat exchanger 3, at least locally, the clearance j between the air guide 2 and the at least one heat exchanger 3. For example, the air guide 2 is shaped so as to limit the clearance j at least locally, to a value between 0.5 mm and 3 mm depending on the module assembly dispersions. It is also conceivable, in certain zones, to provide an absence of play, that is to say a contact between the air guide 2 and the at least one heat exchanger 3.

Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 31, in an alternative embodiment, the air guide 2 may comprise a first baffle element 62 designed to cooperate with a second baffle element 63 provided on a part or the entire periphery of the baffle. the at least one heat exchanger 3 to limit an air passage between the air guide 2 and the at least one heat exchanger 3.

Finally, the air guide 2 may have means for cooperating with a nozzle 50 of the heat exchange module, in particular for fixing on such a nozzle 50. A second embodiment of a heat exchange module 101 according to the invention is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 20 to 30. In this second embodiment, elements similar or which have the same function as in the first embodiment, are referenced with numbers having the same number of tens and units. Thus, elements 2 and 102 are similar or have the same function. The second embodiment of the heat exchange module is identical to the first embodiment of the heat exchange module except as regards the following characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 27, the first attachment element 141 comprises an opening 131 formed on the heat exchanger 103 and cooperating with a hook 121 formed on the air guide 102, the hook 121 being intended to be fixed in the opening 131. Advantageously, the hook 121 comprises a clipping element.

As shown in FIG. 28, the second fixing element comprises an opening 132 formed on the heat exchanger 103 and cooperating with a hook 122 formed on the air guide 102, the hook 122 being intended to be fixed in the opening 132. Advantageously, the hook 122 comprises a clipping element.

As shown in FIG. 29, the third fixing element 143 comprises a ring 133 or a loop formed on the heat exchanger 103 and cooperating with a shaft 123 formed on the air guide 102, the shaft 123 being arranged to be able to slide in the ring 133.

As shown in FIG. 30, the fourth fixing element comprises a ring 134 or a loop formed on the heat exchanger 103 and cooperating with a shaft 124 formed on the air guide 102, the shaft 124 being arranged to be able to slide in the ring 134.

The shafts 123, 124 constitute first positioning elements intended to cooperate with the rings 133, 134 constituting second positioning elements in order to position the air guide 102 relative to the at least one heat exchanger 103. The hooks 121, 122 also constitute positioning elements intended to cooperate with the openings 131, 132 in order to position the air guide 102 relative to the at least one heat exchanger 103. Thus, a second embodiment of the assembly method of the air guide 102 on the at least one heat exchanger 103 is described below with reference to Figures 21 to 26.

In a first step, as shown in FIG. 21 and in FIG. 24, the air guide 102 is positioned relative to the at least one heat exchanger 103 by translation of the air guide 102 relative to the at least one heat exchanger 103 according to the first direction 91. This positioning is ensured by the sliding of the shaft 123 in the ring 133 and by the sliding of the shaft 124 in the ring 134. This first direction 91 is at least substantially perpendicular to the second direction 92 according to which a flow The air flow is intended to pass through the at least one heat exchanger 103. For example, this first direction 91 is at least substantially vertical once the heat exchange module 101 installed on the vehicle.

In a second step, as shown in FIG. 22 and in FIG. 25, the air guide 102 is pivoted relative to the at least one heat exchanger 103 around an axis defined by the third direction 93 at least substantially perpendicular. in the first direction 91 and the second direction 92. This third direction 93 is for example at least substantially transverse to the motor vehicle once the heat exchange module 101 installed on the vehicle.

In a third step, at the end of the pivoting step, as shown in FIG. 23 and in FIG. 26, the air guide 102 is clipped onto the at least one heat exchanger 103. This is for example carried out by the action of the hooks 121 and 122. The air guide 102 is then fixed or mounted on the heat exchanger 103.

In a fourth step, the module 101 is fixed on the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the at least one exchanger 103 is fixed on the motor vehicle prior to the first step.

Depending on the vehicle mounting process, the air guide can also be assembled on the module after it is mounted on the vehicle. In this case, the heat exchanger is first mounted on the motor vehicle, then the air guide 102 is positioned relative to the heat exchanger 103 by translation of the air guide 102 relative to the heat exchanger 103 according to the heat exchanger 103. the first direction 91, then, the air guide 102 is pivoted relative to the heat exchanger 103 about an axis defined by the third direction 93.

In the various embodiments of the heat exchange module, when several heat exchangers are used, the air guide advantageously has a part that is interposed between these heat exchangers to limit air leakage between them.

Thanks to the invention, the interface between the air guide 2, 102 and the at least one heat exchanger 3, 103 reduces the internal leakage of the heat exchange module 1, 101, in order to increase the air velocity passing through the exchangers as well as the performance of the module.

The principle of the mounting method ensures a seal "almost perfect" between the air guide assembly and the at least one exchanger allowing the recovery of the at least one exchanger at the bottom and / or in part upper and / or partly left and / or partly right. Preferably, during the mounting operation of the air guide on the exchanger, the mounting principle ensures the recovery of the exchanger on its lower and / or upper and / or right and / or left, possibly up to the nozzle 150 _r 4§9-the fan motor group .

The nozzle of the fan assembly can be designed in such a way as to keep the air guide in position under the pressure of the air and to facilitate mounting by the operator with a drain function. The first embodiment of the module or the second embodiment of the module is used according to the arrangement of the heat exchangers. The mounting kinematics are then chosen so as to guarantee maximum sealing around the heat exchangers. The air guide according to the invention and mounting method according to the invention allow:

- Minimize the clearance j between the convergent or air guide and the beam of the different heat exchangers so as to reduce the leakage rate and thus increase the flow of air through them; this results in a performance gain on the power exchanged;

- To ensure a seal at the top and bottom by covering the beams of the different exchangers.

Throughout this document, "at least substantially vertical" means "vertical" or "substantially vertical". By "at least substantially transverse" is meant "transverse" or "substantially transverse". By "at least substantially perpendicular" is meant "perpendicular" or "substantially perpendicular".

Claims

A method of mounting an air guide (2; 102) on at least one heat exchanger (3; 103), comprising a step of positioning the air guide (2; 102) relative to the at least one heat exchanger thermal (3; 103) by translation of the air guide relative to the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103) in a first direction (91) at least substantially perpendicular to a second direction (92) in which a flow of air is intended to pass through the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103), then a step of rotation or pivoting of the air guide (2; 102) relative to the at least one heat exchanger (3; ) about an axis defined by a third direction (93) at least substantially perpendicular to the first direction (91) and the second direction (92).

Mounting method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the step of rotation or pivoting comprises a clipping phase of the air guide (2, 102) on the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103), in particular at the end of the rotation or pivoting step.

Mounting method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting of the air guide (2, 102) is carried out on at least one heat exchanger (3; 103) of a motor vehicle and in that the first mounting direction (91) and the third mounting direction (93) are, respectively, at least substantially transverse to the motor vehicle and at least substantially vertical when the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103) is mounted on the motor vehicle . Mounting method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting of the air guide (2, 102) is carried out on at least one heat exchanger (3; 103) of a motor vehicle and in that the first direction and the third direction are respectively at least substantially vertical to the motor vehicle and at least substantially transverse when the at least one heat exchanger is mounted on the motor vehicle.

An air guide (2; 102) for mounting on at least one heat exchanger (3; 103), the air guide (2; 102) being shaped so as to surround, at least locally, the at least one a heat exchanger (3; 103).

Air guide according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is shaped so as to limit, around the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103), at least locally, the clearance (j) between the guide of the air air (2; 102) and the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103).

Air guide according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a first baffle element (62) intended to cooperate with a second baffle element (63) provided on the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103) to limit an air passage between the air guide (2; 102) and the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103).

Air guide according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a first positioning element (22, 24, 123, 124) intended to cooperate with a second positioning element (32, 34; , 134) provided on the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103) for positioning the air guide (2; 102) relative to the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103).

Air guide according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a first clipping element (21, 23; 121, 122) intended to cooperate with a second clipping element (31, 33; , 132) provided on the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103) for clipping the air guide (2; 102) on the at least one heat exchanger (3; 103).

Heat exchange module (1; 101) comprising an air guide (2; 102) according to one of claims 5 to 9 and at least one heat exchanger (3; 103).

Motor vehicle comprising a heat exchange module (1; 101) according to the preceding claim.