Sealing arrangement supported by the front end module of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing arrangement (1, T, 1A) supported by the supporting structure of a front portion of a motor vehicle supporting a group of heat exchangers (41, 42, 4V) including a radiator, an air guide and a nozzle (3) of the motorised fan unit, wherein the air guide comprises an attachment frame (2, 2', 6) that is attached to the vertical lateral uprights of the radiator and comprises at least one wall (20, 20') having at least one deformable peripheral portion (200, 200', 60, 60'), and wherein the arrangement comprises at least one sealing rib (32, 22', 70, 71) carried by the deformable peripheral wall portion of the attachment frame and / or by a rigid portion of a component chosen from among one out of the heat exchangers and the nozzle, the deformable peripheral wall portion and a rigid portion of at least one of the components overlapping in at least one sealing region comprising the sealing rib, a deformation of the deformable peripheral wall portion of the attachment frame of the air guide at the sealing rib establishing a sealed contact.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Sealing arrangement supported by the technical front face of a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing arrangement supported by the technical front face of a motor vehicle which is integrated with the front part of the motor vehicle.

[0002] The front part of a motor vehicle includes a supporting structure which is called in the trade "technical front end", or commonly abbreviated by its acronym "FAT", which is located in the front part of the vehicle, in particular in front of the engine block, and which has the function in particular of supporting various components including certain organs dedicated to thermal exchanges.

[0003] These different components form a set of cooling components grouped together in what is called a "cooling case". This term refers to all the components necessary for cooling the engine, sometimes stacked in layers or partly superimposed. These components mainly include the heat exchanger forming the radiator of the vehicle's engine block, i.e. the high-temperature radiator, or the radiator and condenser unit, the condenser being used for the air conditioning system, and possibly an air-to-air exchanger (Air Supercharger Cooler - RAS). An air guide is also attached to the front of said heat exchangers. At the rear of these components dedicated to heat exchange, there may be a motor-fan unit which circulates the air drawn in from the front of the vehicle and guided from the front by said air guide.

[0004] The air guides consist of at least one air guide wall, and generally several air guide walls mounted on a fixing frame, and arranged to form a duct for guiding the air entering from the front of the vehicle to the cooling case. The air guide walls are arranged along a component substantially normal to the mean plane defined by the fixing frame to form the duct. The air guide is fixed by its frame around and in front of at least one of the heat exchangers, for example by fixing to the radiator.

[0005] The motor-fan unit (MFU) is supported by a shell arranged in its center to house the fan motor and supports the fan blades. This shell, called a "nozzle" in the trade, extends along the rear surface of the adjacent cooling member to keep the air circulated at the level of the cooling members.

[0006] It is advisable that the incoming and mixed air is kept as well as possible in the cooling case. To this end, it is necessary that the arrangement of the various components dedicated to heat exchanges be as airtight as possible to keep the air in. To this end, insulating foams are incorporated in the areas open to the outside that the arrangement may include.

[0007] Figure 1 shows, in a front view, the top of a supporting structure (FAT) 10 comprising at least one upper cross member 102 and two right 101 and left 103 lateral parts. On this structure is fixed a radiator R provided with an air guide G. The radiator comprises two vertical lateral uprights, right R11 and left R13, and by means of which it is fixed to said upper cross member 102. These two vertical lateral uprights generally constitute the water boxes of the radiator, an inlet box and an outlet box connected to all the channels of the radiator. The extreme front cross member T is fixed to the FAT. The space between the upper cross member 102 of the supporting structure and the top of the radiator provided with the air guide is restricted.

[0008] One disadvantage is that insulating foams are expensive. Another disadvantage is that the FAT is already heavily loaded, and it can be difficult to optimally arrange the various components on the structure.

[0009] There is therefore a need to provide an arrangement on FAT offering good airtightness within the components dedicated to thermal exchanges, and at lower cost.

[0010] To this end, the invention provides a sealing arrangement supported by the supporting structure (the FAT) of a front part of a motor vehicle, said supporting structure supporting a group of heat exchangers including a radiator comprising vertical lateral uprights, an air guide located at the front of the group of heat exchangers, and a nozzle supporting a motor-fan unit (GMV) located at the rear of the group of heat exchangers. According to the invention, the air guide comprises a fixing frame fixed to the vertical lateral uprights of the radiator, and comprising at least one wall having at least one deformable peripheral portion. The arrangement comprises at least one sealing rib carried by said at least one deformable peripheral wall portion of the fixing frame of the air guide and / or by a rigid part of a component chosen from one of the heat exchangers and the nozzle.Said deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame and a rigid part of at least one of said components (chosen from one of the heat exchangers and the nozzle) overlap in at least one sealing zone comprising said at least one sealing rib. a deformation of the deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame at the level of said at least one sealing rib establishing a sealed contact.

[0011] In particular, said deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame and a rigid portion of at least one of said components (chosen from one of the heat exchangers and the nozzle) overlap in at least one sealing zone comprising said sealing rib, when they are brought into contact during the installation of the air guide or said other component with deformation of the deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame at said at least one sealing rib establishing a sealed contact.

[0012] Said rigid part of the component overlapping with the deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame may be the rigid part carrying said at least one sealing rib.

[0013] The deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame is capable of deforming to occupy a first position in the free state and another position for a constrained state to achieve the desired seal in the sealing zone comprising said sealing rib, between said fixing frame and one of the other components.

[0014] Said "a rigid part" of at least one of the components chosen from one of the heat exchangers and the nozzle which overlaps with the deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame, in at least one sealing zone comprising said sealing rib, may be the rigid part of the component which carries the sealing rib or another rigid part of said component.

[0015] A "group of heat exchangers" means different exchangers, most often a radiator and a condenser, however other exchanger components may be added, or the group may include a single heat exchanger (the radiator).

[0016] Preferably the two vertical side uprights of the radiator constitute the radiator water boxes.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of said at least one sealing rib has a predetermined value to adjust the stress applied to the deformable peripheral wall portion, thus to obtain a good seal. In particular, this height is substantially equal to the thickness of the deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said air guide fixing frame comprises lower and upper lateral fixing lugs, and the two vertical lateral uprights of the radiator are each provided with lower and upper lateral fixing elements, respectively receiving said lower and upper lateral fixing lugs, and configured to hold said fixing lugs in the vertical direction and downwards.

[0019] Preferably, said lower and upper lateral fixing elements, respectively receiving said lower and upper lateral fixing lugs, are also configured to hold said fixing lugs in the longitudinal direction, from front to rear.

[0020] According to a particular preferred embodiment, the lower and upper lateral fixing lugs of the air guide fixing frame each comprise a vertical and downwardly directed branch.

[0021] Preferably, one of said lateral fixing elements comprises a lower part comprising a slot located between a front curved wall, deformable under tension, with a curvature facing the slot, and a groove, and it comprises an upper part having a hook shape. Said lower part receives the vertical branch of one of the fixing lugs so that said vertical branch is force-fitted into the slot, the curved part of the curved wall being under tension against said lug, and so that the lower edge of said vertical branch of said lug is supported in the groove, the hook shape of the upper part of the lateral fixing element keeping the fixing lug supported downwards, in particular in the lower part of said lateral fixing element. In particular, said lateral fixing element is the upper lateral fixing element.

[0022] Preferably also, the other lateral fixing element comprises a slot located between a front curved wall, with curvature facing the slot, and a rear wall, so that the vertical branch of one of the fixing lugs is force-fitted into the slot, between these two front and rear walls, the curvature of the curved wall being under tension against the vertical branch of the lug. In particular, said lateral fixing element is the lower lateral fixing element.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air guide fixing frame comprises a wall which extends transversely and vertically at the front of the group of heat exchangers and which comprises an upper part extending in the longitudinal direction above at least one heat exchanger of the group of heat exchangers, said upper part of the wall comprising said deformable peripheral wall portion.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said wall having a deformable peripheral portion of the air guide fixing frame comprises a portion in front of the deformable peripheral portion and a shoulder between these two wall portions (the front portion and the deformable peripheral portion), so that the two wall portions are offset in the vertical direction, the deformable peripheral portion extending, in the free state, in a plane above the plane along which the front portion extends.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said nozzle of the GMV comprises, in its upper part, an external transverse stiffener extending in the form of a rib of predefined height, and said rib constitutes a said sealing rib carried by this rigid part, and said portion of deformable peripheral wall of the air guide fixing frame bears on said sealing rib.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, said deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame comprises a said sealing rib which extends transversely projecting from the upper face of said deformable peripheral wall portion, and said nozzle of the GMV comprises an upper rigid part bearing on said sealing rib. In particular, said sealing rib forms a transverse rim of said deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame. In particular, the upper rigid part of the nozzle comprises an external transverse stiffener.

[0027] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said annoyance comprises at least two sealing ribs which are lateral ribs which extend vertically on a rigid lateral part of the front face of the front heat exchanger of the group of heat exchangers, and the fixing frame of the air guide comprises two vertical side walls, each comprising a deformable peripheral portion bearing respectively against one of said sealing ribs. In particular, said front heat exchanger of the group of heat exchangers is the radiator or a condenser.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, alone or in combination with the previous particular embodiment, said annoyance comprises a said sealing rib which extends transversely over an upper rigid part of the front face of the front heat exchanger of the group of heat exchangers supported by the supporting structure, and the fixing frame of the air guide comprises a wall comprising a deformable peripheral portion bearing against said sealing rib. In particular, said front heat exchanger of the group of heat exchangers is the radiator or a condenser.

[0029] Preferably according to the invention, the deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame is made of semi-rigid, compressible plastic material, in particular polypropylene.

[0030] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a sealing arrangement, supported by a supporting structure in its front part, as described previously.

[0031] The set of components supported by the FAT may include other components, and in particular a second air guide, other than that described.

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given for informational but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] illustrates, in a partial perspective view, the top of a technical front face (FAT) of a motor vehicle supporting in particular a cooling case, according to prior art.

[0034] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view in longitudinal section in the XZ plane of a sealing arrangement supported by a technical front face, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0035] [Fig. 3] is a perspective and longitudinal sectional view in the XZ plane of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, showing two positions of a portion of the air guide.

[0036] [Fig. 4] represents a partial view in vertical section in the ZX plane, of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, illustrating the fixings of the air guide.

[0037] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view in longitudinal section in the XZ plane of a sealing arrangement supported by a technical front face, according to a second embodiment of the invention, and showing two positions of a part of the air guide.

[0038] [Fig. 6] shows, in a three-quarter perspective view from the rear, the cooling case supported by the FAT comprising the sealing arrangement according to the second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Fig. 5.

[0039] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates, in a three-quarter perspective view and from the right side and the front, a sealing arrangement supported by a technical front face, according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0040] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates, in a three-quarter perspective view, from the side and from the front, a sealing arrangement supported by a technical front face, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0041] The orientations expressed in the description of the figures are given with reference to a classic XYZ orthonormal reference frame of a motor vehicle, the X axis representing the longitudinal direction, oriented from front to rear of the vehicle, the Y axis representing the transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right, and the Z axis representing the vertical direction, oriented upwards, of the vehicle. Unless otherwise specified, in this description, the terms upper and lower thus refer to the directions of the Z axis. The Y axis representing the transverse direction of the exhaust acoustic volume.

[0042] In the remainder of the description, the terms front and rear conventionally refer to the front and rear of the motor vehicle.

[0043] Identical references may be used from one figure to another to designate identical or similar elements.

[0044] Figure 1 was commented on in the introduction.

[0045] Figures 2 to 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention when the air guide is installed on the radiator after installation of the nozzle of the motor-fan unit (GMV).

[0046] Figures 2 and 3 represent a sealing arrangement 1 according to the invention between an air guide 2, located at the front of the group of heat exchangers 4 comprising a radiator 41 and a condenser 42, and the nozzle 3 of the GMV located at the rear of the group of heat exchangers 4.

[0047] The nozzle 3 is a rigid shell, fixed to the radiator 41, and which covers the rear face of the condenser 42 according to the example. It comprises an upper wall 31 which extends substantially horizontally above the heat exchangers, at least above the condenser 42. This upper wall 31 comprises a peripheral rigid part 311 comprising a rib 32 extending transversely (direction Y) near the free transverse edge 310 of this upper wall 31 and on the upper face 3110 of this wall. This rib 32 has the function of stiffening the upper wall of the nozzle. It also has a sealing function according to the invention, as explained below.

[0048] The air guide 2 comprises a fixing frame comprising a front wall 21 extended by an upper wall 20 extending substantially horizontally above the group of heat exchangers 4, a deformable peripheral portion 200 of which extends until it can cover the peripheral portion comprising the rib 32 of the nozzle 3.

[0049] Figure 3 shows the mounting of the air guide fixing frame on the radiator 41 supported by the FAT, after the nozzle is already installed by fixing on the radiator 41 and at the rear of the condenser 42. This figure 3 shows comparatively the positions of the upper wall of the air guide fixing frame in the free state and in the deformed state once in place. The air guide fixing frame is shown in dotted lines in the free state, to show its profile without tension, if the nozzle were not installed, its deformable peripheral portion 200 then being undeformed, substantially horizontal. The air guide is installed at the front of the radiator 41 in a vertical and upward movement, as illustrated by arrow A, the peripheral portion 200 of the air guide fixing frame being applied under pressure to the rib 32 of the nozzle 3. In the final position, the upper wall of the air guide fixing frame is installed by deforming as illustrated in Figure 2, and also in solid line in Fig. 3. The application of the peripheral portion 200 of the air guide frame under pressure to the rib 32 of the nozzle 3, creates a tension between the two respective peripheral parts / portions 200, 311 of the air guide fixing frame and the nozzle. This tension creates a deformation following a slight inclination of the peripheral portion 200 of the air guide upwards, the rigid (peripheral) part 311 of the nozzle offering resistance to it.

[0050] Furthermore, with reference to Figure 4, the air guide fixing frame is fixed to the vertical side uprights (water boxes) of the radiator 41, to thus keep the air guide 2 in tension against the rib 32 of the nozzle. Two lateral fixing lugs, lower 201 and upper 202, of the air guide fixing frame are held in two lateral fixing elements carried by one of the vertical side uprights 13 of the radiator 41, respectively lower 131 and upper 132. The fixing of the frame is done symmetrically for each vertical side upright of the radiator.

[0051] The upper lateral leg 202 of the air guide fixing frame has a shape with two branches arranged at right angles, one of the branches being substantially horizontal 2021 and the other vertical 2020 and directed downwards. The upper lateral fixing element 132 of the left vertical lateral upright 13 of the radiator 41 comprises a lower part 1320 receiving the vertical branch 2020 of the fixing leg and an upper part 1321 having a hook shape. Said lower part 1320 comprises a slot located between a front curved wall 13201, deformable under tension, with curvature facing the slot, and a groove 13202, so that the vertical branch 2020 of said upper lateral tab 202 is forcefully inserted into the slot, the curved part of the curved wall being under tension against said tab, and so that the lower edge of the vertical branch 2020 of said tab rests in the groove 13202.The hook shape of the upper part 1321 keeps the fixing lug 202 pressed downwards, in particular in the lower part 1320 of said upper lateral fixing element 132.

[0052] The lower lateral leg 201 of the air guide fixing frame also has a shape with two branches arranged at right angles, one of the branches being substantially horizontal and the other vertical 2010 directed downwards. The lower lateral fixing element 131, which the left vertical lateral upright 13 of the radiator 41 comprises, comprises a slot located between a front curved wall 1310, with a curvature facing the slot, and a rear wall 1311, so that the vertical branch 2010 of the leg 201 is force-fitted into the slot, between these two walls, the curvature of the curved wall being under tension against the vertical branch of the leg 2010.

[0053] The air guide is thus held on the radiator, under tension from top to bottom and from front to rear. The tensioned contact between the deformable part of the upper wall of the air guide fixing frame and the sealing rib 32 on the upper wall of the nozzle makes it possible to achieve a strong seal in the upper zone of the heat exchanger group 4.

[0054] Furthermore, the height of the sealing rib 32 on the upper wall of the nozzle 3 can be predetermined in order to improve the compression of the deformable portion of the fixing frame, to perfect the sealing of this contact. To this end, the height of the sealing rib is substantially equal to the thickness of the deformable portion of the fixing frame.

[0055] According to the example the radiator is in front of the condenser, but the condenser could be in front of the radiator in accordance with the invention, the air guide fixing frame being fixed on the vertical side uprights of the radiator.

[0056] Figures 5 to 6 illustrate another embodiment of a sealing arrangement T according to the invention, when the air guide 2' is installed on the radiator 41, before the installation of the nozzle 3 of the motor-fan unit (GMV) 5.

[0057] Figure 5 shows the mounting of the GMV nozzle on the radiator 41 after the air guide 2' is installed by fixing to the vertical side uprights 11, 13 (water boxes) of the radiator and to the front of the radiator 41. This figure shows comparatively the deformable wall of the air guide fixing frame in the free state, and in the deformed state once the nozzle is in place.

[0058] Figure 6 illustrates, in a three-quarter perspective view from the rear, the arrangement on the radiator once the air guide 2' and the nozzle 3 are installed, and is more particularly intended to show the attachment of the nozzle.

[0059] The nozzle being similar to the nozzle described for the example embodiment previous, the reference signs used previously are retained.

[0060] The nozzle 3 is a rigid shell fixed to the water boxes 11, 13 of the radiator 41, covering the rear face of a condenser 42 according to the example, and which comprises an upper wall 31 which extends substantially horizontally above the heat exchangers, at least above the condenser 42. This upper wall comprises a rigid, peripheral part 311, comprising a rib 32 extending transversely (direction Y) near the free transverse edge of this wall 31 and on the upper face 3110 of this wall, this rib having the function of stiffening the upper wall of the nozzle.

[0061] The fixing frame of the air guide 2' comprises a front wall 21' extended by an upper wall 20' extending substantially horizontally above the heat exchangers 4, a deformable peripheral portion 200' of which extends until it can be overlapped under the rigid part 311 of the upper wall 31 comprising the stiffening rib 32 of the nozzle 3. The peripheral portion 200' comprises a sealing rib 22' extending transversely (direction Y) along the free transverse edge 210' of this deformable portion and oriented vertically upwards (direction z). The sealing rib 22' of the air guide forms a transverse rim.

[0062] In Figure 5, the upper wall of the air guide fixing frame 2' is shown in dotted lines in the free state, to show its profile without tension, before the nozzle 3 is installed, its deformable peripheral portion 200' then being undeformed, substantially horizontal. The air guide fixing frame 2' is fixed to the radiator 41.

[0063] After fixing the air guide frame, the nozzle 3 is installed at the rear of the condenser 42 in a vertical and up-down movement, as illustrated by arrow B, the rigid part 311 of the upper wall 31 of the nozzle 3 is pressed against the sealing rib 22' of the air guide fixing frame. In the final position, the upper wall of the air guide fixing frame 2' is installed by deforming as illustrated in Figure 5 in solid line, its deformable wall 200' with the rib 22' then being slightly inclined downwards.

[0064] The fixing frame of the air guide 2' is fixed by lateral fixing lugs in lateral fixing elements carried by the vertical lateral uprights (water boxes) 11, 13 of the radiator in a manner identical to that described previously in figure 4. Thus, the fixing lugs of the fixing frame of the air guide 2' are such that the lower 201 and upper 202 lateral fixing lugs which have been described previously, and the lateral fixing elements of the radiator, receivers of said legs, are identical to the lower 131 and upper 132 lateral fixing elements described previously.

[0065] The nozzle 3 is fixed to the water boxes 11, 13 of the radiator 41 in a manner already known. In the upper part, the nozzle comprises an elongated upper lateral fixing lug 33 which is inserted into an upper lateral fixing element 133 of the water box 13 of the radiator 41 comprising a hook for holding the lug. In the lower part, the nozzle 3 comprises a lower lateral fin 34 hooked into a lower lateral fixing element 134 of the water box 13 of the radiator 41, so that the nozzle 3 is held vertically from top to bottom, and from back to front against the radiator 41, the fixing of the nozzle on the right side of the radiator (water box 11) being symmetrical.

[0066] The tensioned contact between the upper wall of the nozzle and the rib of the deformable portion of the upper wall of the air guide fixing frame causes deformation of this deformable portion, which makes it possible to achieve a strong seal in the upper zone of the heat exchanger group 4. The height of the sealing rib 22' of the air guide fixing frame 2' can be predetermined in order to perfect the seal of this contact.

[0067] Furthermore, advantageously, the upper wall 20' of the air guide fixing frame comprises another portion 20T joined to the front of the deformable peripheral portion 200', these two portions being vertically offset so that said other portion 20T is a little lower than the peripheral portion 200', the joining shoulder 2000' causing a slight flexibility of said other portion 20T downwards and against the upper flat surface of the radiator 41, when the nozzle 3 is installed, which also creates a sealing contact at the heat exchanger group. This shoulder promotes the deformability of the deformable wall portion by facilitating the tensioning of the deformable portion of the frame, which thus improves the sealing contact between the sealing rib and the rigid part 311 of the nozzle.

[0068] In the embodiments described in Figures 2 to 6, the upper wall of the air guide fixing frame is made of a semi-rigid, compressible plastic material, in particular polypropylene. The thickness of the deformable portion of the upper wall of said fixing frame is between 2 and 3 mm. The nozzle of the GMV is made of a rigid plastic material, for example polyamide (PA) loaded with fibers, in particular loaded with glass fibers.

[0069] Figures 7 and 8 very schematically illustrate another embodiment of the invention of a sealing arrangement 1A, when installing an air guide on a 4 T radiator in a direction longitudinal (X) from front to back.

[0070] The fixing frame 6 of the air guide comprises a vertical wall extending over the front face of the radiator 41', but only the profile, seen from the side, of the lateral peripheral portion of this wall is shown partially and schematically in Figure 7. This peripheral portion comprises two successive portions 61, 60 arranged substantially at right angles, the terminal lateral portion 60 being deformable. In other words, this deformable terminal lateral portion 60 forms a compressible lateral edge of the fixing frame of the air guide.

[0071] Furthermore, the front face of the right vertical side upright (the right water box) 11' of the 4T radiator, which is rigid, comprises a vertical sealing rib 70, on which the terminal portion 60 of the air guide frame is applied under tension so that said terminal portion 60 deforms slightly when the air guide is installed following a movement from front to rear (arrow C). Said terminal side portion 60 bearing against the vertical sealing rib 70 makes it possible to obtain good lateral sealing of the radiator. Symmetrically, a seal is produced between the left vertical side upright (left water box) of the 4T radiator and the other terminal side portion of the air guide fixing frame.

[0072] As illustrated very schematically by Figure 8, in combination with the configuration of Figure 7, or alone, the upper, rigid part of the front face of the radiator 41' comprises a transverse sealing rib 71 extending along the entire length of this face.

[0073] The fixing frame 6 of the air guide comprises a vertical wall extending over the front face of the radiator 41', but only the profile, seen from the side, of the upper transverse peripheral portion of this wall is partially and schematically shown in Figure 8. This peripheral portion comprises two successive portions 61', 60' arranged substantially at right angles, the terminal transverse portion 60' being deformable. In other words, this deformable terminal portion 60' forms a compressible transverse rim of the fixing frame of the air guide.

[0074] The terminal transverse portion 60' of the air guide fixing frame bears, under tension, against the transverse sealing rib 71 so that said terminal transverse portion 60' deforms slightly, when the air guide is installed following a movement from front to rear (arrow C), which makes it possible to obtain a good seal in the upper part of the radiator.

[0075] The air guide as described in Figure 7 or Figure 8 is fixed to the vertical side uprights 11', 13' (water boxes) of the radiator 4 T so as to maintain its fixing frame under a tension exerted from front to back (direction X). To maintain the fixing frame of the air guide in the direction X, the fixing lugs of the frame may be such as those described previously according to figure 4, and the fixing elements relating to the radiator 41', receiving these fixing lugs, may also be such as those described previously according to figure 4.

[0076] According to the examples of Figure 7 and Figure 8, the vertical wall of the fixing frame 6 of the air guide, in particular its deformable peripheral portions, is made of semi-rigid, compressible plastic material, in particular polypropylene. The thickness of the deformable portion may be between 2 and 3 mm. The added sealing ribs may be made of metal.

[0077] In the embodiments just illustrated, the radiator is in front of the condenser, however the condenser can be in front of the radiator. In cases similar to that shown in connection with Figures 7 and 8, the sealing rib(s) would then be carried by the condenser, the air guide remaining fixed to the vertical side uprights (water boxes) of the radiator.

[0078] The invention allows an arrangement of an air guide providing good air tightness with a cooling case mounted on FAT.

Claims

Claims

1. Sealing arrangement (1, T, 1A) supported by the supporting structure of a front part of a motor vehicle, said supporting structure supporting a group of heat exchangers (41, 42, 41') including a radiator comprising vertical lateral uprights, an air guide located at the front of the group of heat exchangers, and a nozzle (3) supporting a motor-fan group located at the rear of the group of heat exchangers, in which the air guide comprises a fixing frame (2, 2', 6), fixing to the vertical lateral uprights of the radiator, and comprising at least one wall (20, 20', 61, 6T) having at least one deformable peripheral portion (200, 200', 60, 60'), and in which said arrangement comprises at least one sealing rib (32, 22', 70, 71) carried by said at least one portion of deformable peripheral wall of the fixing frame and / or by a rigid part of a component chosen from one of the heat exchangers and the nozzle,said deformable peripheral wall portion and a rigid part of at least one of said components overlapping in at least one sealing zone comprising said at least one sealing rib, a deformation of the deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame at said at least one sealing rib establishing a sealed contact.,

2. Sealing arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of said at least one sealing rib has a predetermined value, and in particular, this height is substantially equal to the thickness of the deformable peripheral wall portion of the air guide fixing frame.

3. Sealing arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said air guide fixing frame comprises lower (201) and upper (202) lateral fixing lugs, and the two vertical lateral uprights (11, 13) of the radiator are each provided with lower (131) and upper (132) lateral fixing elements receiving respectively said lower and upper lateral fixing lugs, and configured to hold said fixing lugs in the vertical direction and downwards.

4. Sealing arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that said lower and upper lateral fixing elements receiving respectively said lower and upper lateral fixing lugs are also configured to hold said fixing lugs in the longitudinal direction, from front to rear.

5. Sealing arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the air guide fixing frame comprises a wall (20, 20') which extends transversely and vertically in front of the group of heat exchangers (41, 42) and which comprises an upper part extending in the longitudinal direction above at least one heat exchanger of the group of heat exchangers, said upper part of the wall comprising said deformable peripheral wall portion (200, 200').

6. Sealing arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said nozzle (3) comprises, in its upper part, an external transverse stiffener (32) extending in the form of a rib of predefined height, and said rib constitutes a said sealing rib carried by this rigid upper part, and said deformable peripheral wall portion (200) of the fixing frame (2) of the air guide bears on said sealing rib.

7. Sealing arrangement (1') according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said deformable peripheral wall portion (200') of the air guide fixing frame comprises a said sealing rib (22') which extends transversely projecting from the upper face of said deformable peripheral wall portion, and said nozzle (3) comprises an upper rigid part (31, 311) bearing on said sealing rib.

8. Sealing arrangement (1A) according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least two said sealing ribs (70) which are lateral ribs which extend vertically respectively on a rigid lateral part of the front face of the front heat exchanger of the group of heat exchangers, and the fixing frame (6) of the air guide comprises two vertical lateral walls (61), each comprising a deformable peripheral portion (60) bearing respectively against one of said sealing ribs (70).

9. Sealing arrangement (1A) according to one of claims 1 to 4 or 8, characterized in that it comprises a said sealing rib (71) which extends transversely over an upper rigid part of the front face of a front heat exchanger of the group of heat exchangers (41') supported by the supporting structure, and the fixing frame (6) of the air guide comprises a wall (61') comprising a deformable peripheral portion (60') bearing against said sealing rib (71).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a sealing arrangement (1, T, 1A), supported by a supporting structure in its front part, according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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