WO2020058585A1

WO2020058585A1 - Front-end module for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020058585A1
Application number: PCT/FR2019/051922
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emmanuel Henon; Jerome RIPA; Stephan ANDRE
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2018-09-20
Filing date: 2019-08-14
Publication date: 2020-03-26
Also published as: FR3086218A1; FR3086218B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a front-end module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a casing (2) with a plurality of walls (4), thereby defining a duct for an air flow, a drainage hole (13) being arranged inside one of said walls (4), and at least one heat exchanger (20) being arranged inside the casing (2), characterised in that the front-end module (1) comprises a defrosting element (22) which is capable of transmitting the heat generated by the heat exchanger (20) to the drainage hole (13). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a module.

Description

FRONT PANEL MODULE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

The subject of the invention is a front panel module for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle comprising such a module.

A front panel module of a vehicle comprises at least one outside air opening, an air channel which connects the outside air opening to the engine compartment of the vehicle, at least one heat exchanger arranged in the channel air and adapted to be traversed by the outside air flow. The heat exchanger is adapted to be used selectively to cool the air or to heat the air flow according to the needs of the vehicle. In addition, the front panel module comprises a motor-fan unit arranged in the air channel. The front panel modules for conventional motor vehicles are designed to exploit the outside air as a low-temperature reservoir, in particular with a view to cooling the internal combustion engine, the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a vehicle battery and / or the charge air supplied to the internal combustion engine as well as exploiting the outside air as a heat reservoir in the case of heat pumps. The external air flow circulating through the corresponding heat exchangers of the front panel module is possible thanks to the dynamic pressure at the front of the vehicle. However, the front panel module also has a fan which ensures a sufficient flow of fresh air through the heat exchangers, especially when the vehicle is advancing slowly or is stopped.

To cool the interior of the vehicle, or the passenger compartment, an air conditioning system is usually provided, whereas, to heat the interior of the vehicle, in the case of vehicles driven exclusively by an internal combustion engine, the waste engine heat. However, in the case of hybrid or electric vehicles, there is much less heat lost by the drive motor, and by Consequently, this waste heat is insufficient for satisfactory heating of the passenger compartment.

Alternative electric heating of the interior of the vehicle has been shown to consume a great deal of energy and has a serious adverse effect on the overall energy requirements of the motor vehicle.

For heating the passenger compartment of hybrid or electric vehicles, it has therefore already been proposed to use the air conditioning circuit in a reversible manner so that the air conditioning system can also be used as a heat pump to heat the interior of the vehicle.

The heat exchanger in the front panel module of the vehicle is therefore used as a condenser for cooling the passenger compartment by yielding enthalpy to the ambient air, and as an evaporator in heat pump mode and during this process, extracts thermal energy to heat the passenger compartment from the outside air by taking enthalpy from the ambient air. During this process, the cooled air condenses, generating condensate.

However, especially in wet and cold weather (temperatures below -10 ° C), the heat pump mode of the air conditioning system quickly causes undesirable icing of the heat exchanger acting as a refrigerant evaporator, in other words acting as an air flow cooler by taking enthalpy from the ambient air. Indeed, in this mode the air condensates frost due to the low temperatures, as a result of which the heating performance of the heat pump mode drops. In addition, the condensates which are normally evacuated by a drain, due to their icing, no longer flow and thus close the drain. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a front panel module for a vehicle allowing condensate to flow outside the module whatever the weather conditions.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a front panel module for a motor vehicle comprising a box with a plurality of walls thus defining a flow duct for an air flow, a drainage orifice being arranged within one of said walls, and at least one heat exchanger being arranged within the housing. According to the invention, the front panel module comprises a defrosting element capable of transmitting the heat generated by the heat exchanger to the drainage orifice.

Thus the object according to the invention allows the melting of condensates, the heat exchanger being at a temperature higher than that of the condensates, this makes it possible to avoid any bad odor and to improve the efficiency of the pump mode. heat of the air conditioning system, the water can no longer stagnate in the front panel module.

Other embodiments propose that:

the defrosting element is arranged in thermal contact with the heat exchanger and extends up to the drainage orifice; the defrosting element is arranged in physical contact, direct or indirect, with the heat exchanger and extends to the drainage orifice;

the defrosting element is compressed at least partially between a wall of the housing and a wall of the heat exchanger;

- Said at least one drainage orifice is disposed at the lowest point of the so-called bottom wall of the housing so that the condensates, generated at the level of a heat exchanger, can be removed from the housing by gravity; - The defrosting element comprises a leaf spring intended to be compressed between the so-called bottom wall of the housing where the drainage orifice is located and a wall of the heat exchanger;

- the defrosting element further comprises a bent end extending at least partially within the drainage orifice;

the defrosting element comprises a flat part arranged between the spring blade and the bent end, the flat part comprising a fixing means for fixing the defrosting element to said bottom wall of the case in a reversible or irreversible manner;

- the defrosting element is made of a heat-conductive metallic material

- Said bottom wall comprises at least two drainage openings, the defrosting element being a single piece comprising at least one leaf spring and two bent ends each being associated with a drainage opening;

- two ribs are arranged on said bottom wall of the housing, the deicing element being arranged at least partially between the two ribs;

- Said at least one drainage orifice is disposed in an end portion of the bottom wall;

- The drainage opening is arranged at the lowest point of the bottom wall in a service position of the front panel module when the module is installed in the motor vehicle;

the bottom wall comprises at least one inclined plane between a so-called top region of the bottom wall and a so-called bottom region of the bottom part, said bottom region comprising said at least one drainage orifice, the top region being at- above the lower region in the service position;

- The bottom wall comprises a condensate drain pan, the bowl comprising said at least one drainage orifice, and a curved wall up to said at least one drainage orifice, the curved wall comprising said at least one plane tilted;

- The module includes a condensate drain pipe in said at least one drainage orifice;

the housing comprises at least one housing for a device for regulating an incoming air flow for the front panel module, thus the front panel module comprises a device for regulating an air flow comprising a plurality of movable shutters.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a front panel module, the vehicle further comprising a conduit for discharging the condensate outside the vehicle.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows.

This is purely illustrative and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a front panel module for a motor vehicle according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 illustrates a partial perspective view of the module of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 illustrates a detailed view of Figure 3;

- Figure 5 illustrates a detailed view of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the defrosting element.

The front panel module for a motor vehicle, and in particular the housing, according to the present invention is configured to sealingly encapsulate at least one heat exchanger, and comprises a housing provided with a bottom wall. By "encapsulate" means that the housing corresponds to a sealed structure adapted to enclose, or coat, the heat exchangers so as to avoid any air leakage between said inlet and said outlet of the housing. The housing is adapted to be fixed on a support for the front face module, for example a support frame also commonly called bolster or carrier, said support being able to form, in the assembled position of the front face module, part of the waterproof structure , the air inlet can also further comprise a set of movable flaps.

The front panel module and all of its components extend in a longitudinal (X), transverse (Y) and vertical (Z) direction, for example relative to the axes of the vehicle when the front panel module is installed in the vehicle, as shown by the axes in Figures 1 and 3.

The terms upstream or downstream are defined relative to the flow of an air flow circulating through the front panel module.

The invention relates to a module 1 of the front panel for a motor vehicle.

As shown in Figure 1, the module 1 comprises a housing 2 for encapsulating one or more heat exchangers in a sealed manner.

The housing 2 comprises an upper part 3, a bottom wall 4 and two lateral uprights 6. The housing 2 may further comprise an air intake wall 5, or a housing for accommodating a bumper beam.

The housing 2, by virtue of its sealed structure, encapsulates the heat exchangers and thus ensures that all of the air entering the motor vehicle flows through the heat exchangers arranged in the housing 2. As shown in Figure 1, the upper part 3 comprises a removable cover 7 and integral with a cross member 8 to allow the introduction of heat exchangers. The air inlet wall 5 comprises at least one housing 9 for a device 10 for regulating the entry of air into the motor vehicle. The air inlet regulation device 10 corresponds here to a set of movable flaps configured to pivot between a closed position where the air can no longer flow through the module 1, and an open position where air can flow through module 1, such a device is commonly called AGS from the English "Active Grille Shutters".

In Figure 1, the housing comprises two housings 9. The control device 10 comprises a plurality of flaps 11 movable between a closed position of the air inlet and at least one position of opening the inlet of air.

The heat exchangers advantageously rest on the bottom wall 4 of the housing.

The bottom wall 4 may include a cross member 12.

The housing 2 can also have four peripheral walls: a front peripheral wall, a rear peripheral wall, these front and rear peripheral walls being arranged across the air flow FA, that is to say perpendicular to a first direction longitudinal X of the incoming air flow or of the vehicle, and two lateral peripheral walls which connect the front peripheral wall to the rear peripheral wall by extending parallel to this first longitudinal direction X. The housing 2 further comprises a cover and a bottom wall connecting, respectively, the four peripheral walls to each other. In other words, the cover extends between the upper end edges of the peripheral walls and the bottom wall extends between the lower end edges of these peripheral walls, this cover and this bottom wall can thus be inscribed in two planes distinct parallel or substantially parallel.

It is understood that the terms “upper” and “lower” refer to an orientation of the cooling unit in a given application example, for example when the front panel module is installed in a motor vehicle, however these terms are not limiting as to the orientation that said cooling unit can take.

It is therefore understood that the housing 2 is a housing for encapsulating the heat exchangers of the module 1 on the front panel which makes it possible to direct the entire flow of air entering this module 1 from the front panel to the front panel towards these heat exchangers. heat and thus limit air loss. At least one of the walls of the housing 2 has at least one orifice 13 for drainage. In the following description, the term “bottom wall 4” corresponds to a wall of the housing 2 comprising at least one orifice 13 for drainage. The liquid discharged through the drainage opening (s) 13 comes from rainwater, melted snow, washing water, or else condensates flowing from the heat exchanger (s) (by condensation of air on the fins of the heat exchanger). Preferably, the drainage orifice 13 is disposed at the lowest point of the bottom in a service position of the module, when the front panel module 1 is installed in the motor vehicle. In other words, the drainage orifice 13 is disposed at the lowest point of the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2 so that the condensates generated at the heat exchanger can be removed outside the housing 2 by gravitation. This position allows an efficient and certain evacuation of the water contained in the housing 2.

The bottom wall 4 comprises at least one inclined plane 14 between a so-called high region, and referenced 15 and a so-called low region, and referenced 16, the low region 16 comprising the drainage orifice 13.

In the service position, the upper region 15 is located above the lower region 16. The inclined plane 14 makes it possible to force the liquid to be evacuated through the orifice

13 drainage.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2 can comprise three orifices 13. Obviously, the bottom wall 4 can comprise a single drainage orifice 13, or two or more.

The drainage orifice 13 is arranged at the level of a heat exchanger 20 which will be described later, namely that it is arranged downstream of the air inlet regulating device 10 and that it can be arranged either upstream of, either up to, or downstream of said heat exchanger 20. The terms upstream or downstream being defined with respect to the flow of the air flow.

As also visible in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 4 comprises a bowl 17 for discharging liquid associated with each orifice 13 for drainage.

The bowl 17 includes the inclined wall 14 around the associated drainage hole 13. In other words, each bowl 17 forms a funnel around the drainage orifice 13, which makes it possible to optimize the evacuation of the liquid from the housing 2.

As visible in FIG. 2, the module comprises a pipe 18 for discharging liquid to guide the condensates out of the module 1 from the front face. Optionally, the front panel module 1 also includes baffles in the drainage orifice 13 in order to prevent air from entering through the drainage orifice 13.

It is also possible to provide a membrane or a non-return valve, in order to close the drainage orifice 13 when the liquid does not flow.

FIG. 3 partially illustrates a front panel module 1 according to the present invention. A heat exchanger 20 in which circulates a heat transfer fluid comprising a bundle of tubes, or plates, and two manifolds arranged on either side of the bundle, is arranged within the module 1 of the front face. The bundle corresponds to a set of elongated tubes (or plates) extending in one direction with a manifold at each end of the tubes (or plates). The heat exchanger 20 comprises fixing means allowing its attachment to the housing 2 of the module 1 of the front face. The heat exchanger 20 is further mounted on pads 21 made of elastomer making it possible to make up for the play tolerances and to absorb the vibrations induced by the movements of the heat exchanger 20, in particular when the vehicle is running. . The front panel module 1 according to the invention comprises a defrosting element 22. The defrosting element 22 is capable of transmitting the heat generated by the heat exchanger 20 to the drainage orifice 13, as illustrated in FIG. 4 In other words, the defrosting element 22 is capable of recovering calories from the heat exchanger 20 and of transporting them to the drainage orifice 13.

For this, the deicing element 22 can be made of one or more heat conducting materials. We can cite, without being exhaustive, metallic materials such as steel, iron or even copper. We can also cite treated steels, for example mild steel which has undergone a zinc galvanization treatment. Still without limitation, materials such as ceramics (Alumina), Kapton or Graphite can also correspond to such use. For example, it is preferable that the thermal conductivity of the material used is greater than 10 Wm ¹ .K ¹ . The deicing element 22 generally corresponds to a metal strip.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the deicing element 22 comprises three parts, namely a spring leaf 24 arranged at one end of the deicing element 22, a bent end 26 arranged at the opposite end of the blade spring 24 and a flat part 28 arranged between the spring leaf 24 and the bent end 26. The spring leaf 24 comprises first and second flat parts 24a, 24b substantially parallel to each other, in other words, the blade spring 24 comprises two surfaces which are in two separate planes parallel to each other. A third inclined part 24c connects the two flat parts 24a, 24b to each other. In other words, the leaf spring 24 has a Z shape, with the heat exchanger 20 coming to bear on a first planar part 24a, this transmits the heat generated by the heat exchanger 20 towards the other end of the element defrost 22. The third part 24c is inscribed in a plane intersecting the two flat parts 24a, 24b and the third part 24c can be connected to each part 24a, 24b by means of an elbow corresponding here to an acute angle.

The defrosting element 22, therefore the leaf spring 24, is made in a single piece forming a continuity of material.

Alternatively, a thermal paste can be arranged on the leaf spring 24 at the level of the first flat part 24a in order to improve the contact surface between the defrosting element 22 and the heat exchanger 20.

The leaf spring 24 can deform by folding, or by compressing or contracting, and thus reduce in height (Z), in particular the third part 24c, under the weight of the heat exchanger 20 and thus catch up with the play tolerances. In other words, the defrosting element 22 comprises a leaf spring 24 intended to be compressed between the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2 where the drainage orifice 13 is located and a wall of the heat exchanger 20.

The leaf spring 24 can be replaced by any alternative means capable of deforming while allowing contact with the heat exchanger 20, we can cite by way of example a toric spring.

The heat generated by the heat exchanger 20 is transmitted to the defrosting element 22, in particular at the level of the spring leaf 24 and more particularly at the level of the first planar part 24a. Heat then flows through the flat part 28 to the other bent end 26 thanks to the high thermal conductivity of the material of the defrosting element 22. The bent end 26 then heated makes it possible to defrost the frozen condensate at drainage hole 3 and thus ensure good drainage of condensate.

The bent end 26 corresponds to a rod or a leg extending, that is to say penetrating, at least partially within the orifice 13 of drainage as illustrated in FIG. 5. The leaf spring 24 and the part plane 28 have an equal width. The bent end 26 may be of greater or equal width. However, in order to minimize the flow of condensate, it is preferable that the width of the bent end 26 is less than the width of the leaf spring 24 and the flat part 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the drainage orifice 13 has a flared funnel shape. The bent end 26 here has a bend of rounded shape so as to match the shape of the walls of the drainage orifice 13. Obviously the invention is not limited to the shape of the bent end 26, it can take any shape, for example to a flat angle tab, or a tab with a bend of an acute, right angle or obtuse. In other words, the bent end 26 is configured to follow the shape of the drainage orifice 13. According to one embodiment, the drainage orifice 13 can have a housing, or a groove, in which the bent end 26 can be introduced so that the deicing element 22 is correctly positioned and fixed to the module 1 from the front face. from either side. The drainage orifice 13 may further comprise another groove 30, or gutter, for the drainage of the condensates.

The flat part 28 as illustrated in FIG. 6 allows the defrosting element 22 to be fixed on the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2. For this, the flat part 28 can comprise at least one, here two, recesses 32 to allow with a screw to pass through the flat part and thus fix the defrosting element 22 against the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2. The invention is not limited to the means for fixing the defrosting element 22. Thus the front panel module 1, and more particularly the flat part 28 of the defrosting element 22, comprises a fixing means 34 for fixing the defrosting element 22 at the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2. Thus, the defrosting element 22 can be riveted (rivets passing through recesses 32), snap-fit (snaps passing through recesses 32), screwed ( threaded rods passing through recesses 32), nailed (nails passing through recesses 32). The defrosting element can also be glued onto the bottom wall 4, the recesses 32 being in this case not necessary.

In addition, the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2 may comprise two ribs 36, or bars, projecting from the plane of the bottom wall 4, substantially parallel to each other, the deicing element 22, more particularly the flat part 28, being arranged between the two ribs 36. Thus, the deicing element 22 is better positioned and maintained within the front panel module, thus limiting undesirable movements caused by vehicle vibrations. The ribs 36 are preferably of a thickness greater than the thickness of the deicing element 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the deicing element 22 extends in length in the same direction as the bundle of the heat exchanger 20, namely both in the transverse direction (Y) of the vehicle.

According to an embodiment not illustrated, the defrosting element 22 extends in length in a direction orthogonal (X) to the direction in which the bundle of the heat exchanger 20 (Y) extends. This can be advantageous if the drainage orifice 13 is arranged upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger 20 with respect to the flow of the air flow.

According to an embodiment not illustrated, the bottom wall 4 may comprise two drainage orifices 13, the deicing element 22 being a single piece, it can include two connected spring blades, two flat parts and two bent ends each being associated with a drainage orifice. It is also possible to design an Omega-shaped defrost element (W), the heat exchanger pressing against the looped part.

The heat exchanger 20 bearing against the defrost element 22 is preferably the radiator 1 of the front panel module. Such a heat exchanger conveys a heat transfer fluid with a temperature oscillating between 50 and 90 ° in operation which makes it possible to defrost the condensates more easily.

Claims

1. Front panel module (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a housing (2) with a plurality of walls (4) thus defining a flow duct for an air flow, a drainage orifice (13) being arranged at within one of said walls (4), and at least one heat exchanger (20) being arranged within the housing (2), characterized in that the module (1) on the front face comprises a defrosting element (22) able to transmit the heat generated by the heat exchanger (20) to the drainage orifice (13).

2. Module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the defrosting element (22) is arranged in contact with the heat exchanger (20) and extends to the orifice (13) for drainage.

3. Module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one drainage orifice (13) is disposed at the lowest point of said wall (4) of the housing (2) so that the condensates can evacuate outside the housing (2) by gravitation.

4. Module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the defrosting element (22) comprises a leaf spring (24) intended to be compressed between the wall (4) of the housing (2) where is arranged l 'orifice (13) for drainage and a wall of the heat exchanger (20).

5. Module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deicing element (22) further comprises a bent end (26) extending at least partially within the orifice (13) for drainage .

6. Module (1) according to claim 5 dependent on claim 4, wherein the defrosting element (22) comprises a flat part (28) arranged between the leaf spring (24) and the bent end (26), the flat part (28) comprising a fixing means (32, 34) for fixing the defrosting element (22) to said wall (4) of the housing (2).

7. Module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the defrosting element (22) is made of a heat-conductive metallic material.

8. Module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said wall (4) comprises at least two orifices (13) for drainage, the defrosting element (22) being a single piece comprising at least one leaf spring (24) and two bent ends (26) each being associated with a drainage orifice (13).

9. Module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which two ribs (36) are arranged on said wall (4) of the housing (2), the defrosting element (22) being arranged at least partially between the two ribs (36).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a front panel module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the vehicle comprises a conduit for discharging the condensates outside the vehicle.