WO2020183110A1

WO2020183110A1 - Cooling module for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020183110A1
Application number: PCT/FR2020/050507
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kamel Azzouz; Amrid MAMMERI; Benjamin Ferlay
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2019-03-14
Filing date: 2020-03-12
Publication date: 2020-09-17
Also published as: EP3938232A1; FR3093792B1; FR3093792A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling module (22) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - at least one heat exchanger, - at least one tangential turbomachine (28-1, 28-2) able to create an air flow (F) to cool the at least one heat exchanger, the at least one tangential turbomachine being arranged behind the at least one heat exchanger relative to a direction of flow of the air flow (F) in the cooling module (22), - at least one flap (30) arranged behind the at least one heat exchanger relative to the direction of flow of the air flow (F) in the cooling module (22) and mounted so as to be movable between a first position, termed the open position of the cooling module (22), and a second position, termed the closed position of the cooling module (22).

Description

VEHICLE COOLING MODULE

AUTOMOTIVE

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to the field of automobiles, and more particularly to the field of air circulation for cooling the engine and its equipment.

Prior art

[0002] Motor vehicles, whether combustion or electric, need to remove the calories generated by their operation and are therefore equipped with heat exchangers. A motor vehicle heat exchanger generally comprises tubes, in which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate, in particular a liquid such as water, and heat exchange elements connected to these tubes, often designated by the term " fins ”or“ spacers ”. The fins increase the exchange surface between the tubes and the ambient air.

[0003] However, in order to further increase the heat exchange between the coolant and the ambient air, it is common for a ventilation device to be used in addition, to generate or increase an air flow directed towards tubes and fins.

[0004] In known manner, such a ventilation device comprises a propeller fan.

[0005] The air flow generated by the blades of such a fan is turbulent, in particular due to the circular geometry of the propeller, and generally only reaches part of the surface of the exchanger heat (circular area of the exchanger facing the fan impeller). The heat exchange is therefore not homogeneous over the entire surface of the tubes and fins.

[0006] In addition, when switching on the fan is not necessary (typically when the heat exchange with unaccelerated ambient air is sufficient to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the exchanger), the blades partially obstruct the flow of ambient air to the tubes and fins, which interferes with air circulation to the exchanger and thus limits heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid.

[0007] Such a fan is also relatively bulky, in particular because of the dimensions of the propeller necessary to obtain effective engine cooling, which makes its integration into a motor vehicle long and difficult.

[0008] This integration is all the more complicated in an electric vehicle, the front of which leaves little room to house the vehicle's cooling elements.

[0009] The aim of the invention is to at least partially remedy these drawbacks.

Disclosure of the invention

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a cooling module for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one heat exchanger, at least one tangential turbomachine capable of creating an air flow intended to cool said at least one heat exchanger , said at least one tangential turbomachine being disposed behind said at least one heat exchanger relative to a direction of flow of said air flow in the cooling module, at least one flap disposed behind said at least one heat exchanger relative to the direction of 'flow of said air flow, and mounted to move between a first position, called the cooling module open position and a second position, called the cooling module closed position.

[0011] Thus, advantageously, the tangential turbomachine makes it possible to create an air flow through all the heat exchangers with a much better efficiency than if a propeller fan were implemented.

[0012] Preferably, the cooling module comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination:

- the cooling module is configured to position said at least one flap in the open position when said at least one tangential turbomachine is stopped;

- said at least one turbomachine is configured to be stopped when an air flow rate in said at least one heat exchanger is greater than or equal to one maximum air flow that can be drawn in by said at least one tangential turbomachine;

- said at least one shutter is of the passive type;

- Said at least one shutter is mounted controlled by an actuator;

- the module comprises a plurality of shutters parallel to each other and configured to be positioned according to one of the open or closed positions simultaneously to each other;

- The module comprises two tangential turbomachines arranged parallel to one another so as to define an air outlet surface outside the cooling module, the flaps being placed between the two tangential turbomachines;

- The flaps are mounted parallel to an axis of rotation of the tangential turbomachines.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body, a bumper and a cooling module as described above, the body defining at least one cooling bay arranged under the bumper, the cooling module. cooling being disposed opposite the at least one cooling bay.

Brief description of the drawings

[0014] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig. 1] schematically represents the front part of a motor vehicle, seen from the side;

[0016] [Fig. 2] illustrates a schematic perspective view of a ventilation device according to the present invention;

[0017] [Fig. 3] illustrates a schematic perspective view of another ventilation device according to the present invention;

[0018] [Fig. 4] is a schematic side view of a shutter of FIG. 2 or of FIG. 3 in the closed position; [0019] [Fig. 5] is a schematic side view of the shutter of Figure 4 in an open position.

Description of embodiments

[0020] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the front part of a motor vehicle 10 comprising a motor 12. This motor 12 may be thermal or electric. The vehicle 10 comprises in particular a body 14 and a bumper 16 carried by a chassis (not shown) of the motor vehicle 10. The body 14 defines a cooling bay 18, that is to say an opening through the body. 14. The cooling bay 18 is unique here. This cooling bay 18 is located in the lower part of the front face 14a of the body 14. In the example illustrated, the cooling bay 18 is located under the bumper 16. A grid 20 can be placed in the cooling bay. cooling 18 to prevent projectiles from passing through the cooling bay 18. A cooling module 22 is placed opposite the cooling bay 18. The grid 20 makes it possible in particular to protect this cooling module 22.

[0021] The cooling module 22 comprises a ventilation device 24 associated with at least one heat exchanger 26.

As emerges from the figures, the ventilation device 1 comprises at least one tangential fan, also called tangential turbomachine below, referenced 2, which sucks an air flow F intended for the heat exchanger or heat exchangers.

[0023] According to the two embodiments illustrated in these figures, the ventilation device 24 comprises two turbomachines 28-1, 28-2, arranged parallel to one another.

By parallel is meant that an axis of rotation A32-1 of the turbine of the turbomachine 28-1 is parallel to an axis of rotation A32-2 of the turbine of the turbomachine 28-2.

The two turbomachines 28-1, 28-2 define an air outlet surface S out of the cooling module 22. The surface S is disposed opposite the heat exchanger (s) 26 and constitutes a rear face of the device. ventilation 24. The ventilation device 24 comprises at least one flap 30 movably mounted between a first position, called the open position of the cooling module (Figure 5) and a second position, called the closed position of the cooling module (illustrated on Figures 2, 3, 4).

Figures 2 and 3, the ventilation device 24 comprises several flaps 30 distributed over eight rows and arranged parallel to the axes of rotation A32-1, A32-2. All of the flaps 30 occupy the rear face S of the cooling module.

As emerges from these figures, each of the flaps 30 comprises a wall 32 pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation parallel to the axes of rotation A32-1, A32-2.

In the closed position, each wall 32 covers part of the surface S. In Figures 2 and 3, in the closed position, the walls 32 of the flaps 30 are contiguous to each other, which obstructs the entire surface S.

In each open position, each wall 32 locally forms a non-zero angle with the surface S, which allows the air flow F to pass through the cooling module 22, as shown in Figure 5.

[0031] The cooling module 22 is configured to position the flaps 30 in the open position when the tangential turbomachines 28-1, 28-2 are stopped.

Preferably, the turbomachines are stopped when an air flow passing through the heat exchanger (s) of the cooling module 22 is greater than or equal to a maximum air flow that can be sucked in by the tangential turbomachines 28-1, 28-2. This condition is achieved in particular at high speed, for example when the vehicle is traveling on a motorway.

Such a configuration, because it makes it possible to stop the turbomachines as soon as the air flow generated by the speed of the vehicle is sufficient. Such a property makes it possible, for example, for electric vehicles, to ensure a real saving of current and thus a longer autonomy of the electric vehicle. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the flaps 30 are of the passive type, that is to say they are not electrically powered.

Thus, at low vehicle speed, the turbomachines 28-1, 28-2 operate and draw in the air flow F which passes through the heat exchanger (s) and opens the shutters 30.

At high vehicle speed, the turbomachines 28-1, 28-2 are stopped and the air flow directly generated by the movement of the vehicle passes through the heat exchanger (s) and opens the shutters 30.

Advantageously, the flaps are made of PA6 or PA66 plastic material.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the flaps 30 are controlled by an actuator.

Thus, at low vehicle speed, the turbomachines 28-1, 28-2 operate and suck in the air flow F which passes through the heat exchanger (s) and opens the shutters 30.

[0040] At high vehicle speed, the turbomachines 28-1, 28-2 are stopped and the actuator moves the flaps 30 to the open position.

[0041] The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, it has been described that turbomachines operate by suction, that is to say that they suck the ambient air in order to bring it into contact with the various heat exchangers. Alternatively, however, turbomachines operate by blowing.

[0042] In addition, the flaps 30 may extend orthogonally to the axes of rotation A32-1, A32-2.

Furthermore, the flaps 30 can partially occupy only the surface S. This is the case, for example, if the flaps 30 are arranged every other row.

Claims

[Claim 1] Cooling module (22) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising:

- at least one heat exchanger (26),

- at least one tangential turbomachine (28) capable of creating an air flow (F) intended to cool said at least one heat exchanger, said at least one tangential turbomachine being disposed behind said at least one heat exchanger relative to a direction of 'flow of said air flow (F) in the cooling module (22),

- at least one flap (30) disposed behind said at least one heat exchanger relative to the direction of flow of said air flow (F) in the cooling module (22), and mounted to move between a first position, called position d opening of the cooling module (22) and a second position, called the closed position of the cooling module (22).

[Claim 2] A cooling module according to claim 1, configured to position said at least one flap (30) in the open position when said at least one tangential turbomachine (28) is stopped.

[Claim 3] A cooling module according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one turbomachine (28) is configured to be shut down when an air flow through said at least one heat exchanger is greater than or equal to a maximum air flow that can be drawn in by said at least one tangential turbomachine.

[Claim 4] A cooling module according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one shutter (30) is of the passive type.

[Claim 5] A cooling module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one shutter (30) is mounted controlled by an actuator.

[Claim 6] A cooling module according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of flaps (30) parallel to each other and configured to be positioned in one of the open or closed positions simultaneously with each other.

[Claim 7] Cooling module according to the preceding claim, comprising two tangential turbomachines (28-1, 28-2) arranged parallel to one another so as to define an outlet surface (S) of air out of the cooling module (22), the flaps (30) being placed between the two tangential turbomachines (28-1, 28-2).

[Claim 8] A cooling module according to the preceding claim, in which the flaps (30) are mounted parallel to an axis of rotation (A32-1, A32-2) of the tangential turbomachines (28-1, 28-2).

[Claim 9] A motor vehicle comprising a body (14), a bumper (16) and a cooling module (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, the body (14) defining at least one cooling bay ( 18) disposed under the bumper, the cooling module (22) being disposed opposite the at least one cooling bay (18).