Device for regulating the air flow of an air inlet of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for regulating the air flow of an air inlet of a motor vehicle (80), the device comprising a housing (81) defining a flow duct (82) into which the air flow flows and in which a cooling unit comprising at least one heat exchanger (83) is at least partially arranged, the housing comprising a baffle (85) designed to provide access to the heat exchanger in an open position, the baffle being designed to close the access in a closed position, the access (86) being particularly designed to enable the heat exchanger to be removed by a substantially translational movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for regulating the air flow of an air inlet of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Typically, a motor vehicle comprises an air inlet in the form of an opening located on the front face of the motor vehicle. The incoming air is used to enable heat exchange between it and a cooling system of the motor vehicle, the cooling system being located near the front face of the vehicle. More specifically, air entering the engine compartment of the motor vehicle is directed to the cooling system of the motor vehicle to enable heat exchange between the incoming air and a heat exchanger of the cooling system. It is important to minimize the losses of the air flow between the air inlet and the heat exchanger. In particular, any air flow that enters the interior of the vehicle and escapes to the engine compartment before it has contributed to the heat exchange within the motor vehicle has a negative impact on the air resistance coefficient of the motor vehicle.

[0003] It is known practice to use air guides in the form of a housing, usually made of plastic or another flexible material, that connect the air inlet to the cooling system.

[0004] In the case of an electric vehicle, the air inlet conditioning device may include an air duct arranged downstream of the cooling system and designed to direct the air flow to the outside of the vehicle. Such a duct may be advantageous for creating a Venturi effect downstream of the cooling unit, so that a greater air flow rate may pass through the cooling system, thus improving thermal efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention has for example an object to make access to heat exchangers in such devices easier, in particular if there is a need for maintenance or replacement of parts.

[0006] The subject of the invention is therefore a device for regulating the air flow of an air inlet of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing defining a flow duct in which the air flow can flow, in which flow duct a cooling unit comprising at least one heat exchanger and in particular a motor-fan unit is at least partially arranged, the housing having a hatch which is arranged to be placed in an open position to release access to the heat exchanger, the hatch being arranged to close the access in the closed position, the access being in particular arranged to allow removal of the heat exchanger via a substantially translational movement.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to access the heat exchanger without having to disassemble the entire air conditioning device, or even the entire front face of the vehicle.In addition, the present invention makes it possible to remove the heat exchanger via a translational movement, which makes it possible to protect the sealing beads around the heat exchanger.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to open the casing after the initial translational movement, which makes it possible to protect the sealing beads surrounding the heat exchanger.

[0009] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the hatch is connected to the fixed wall of the housing by a hinge arranged so as to allow the hatch to pivot between a closed position and an open position, the hinge in particular extending along a line at a non-zero distance from two parallel edges of the housing. The passage, or opening, in particular is of substantially rectangular shape.

[0010] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the joint has at least one hinge and is in particular made in one piece with at least one of the fixed wall and the door, in particular simultaneously with both.

[0011] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the hatch is connected to the fixed wall by at least two hinges, in particular by two identical hinges parallel to each other.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the joint between the door and the fixed wall has one or more hinge pins.

[0013] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the hatch extends over a surface area that is at least 1.5 or 2 times greater than the surface area of ​​a fixed wall, in particular substantially flat, adjacent to the hatch.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the hatch has a main face and two side walls opposite each other, the side walls in particular having a substantially triangular shape, the main wall in particular being two parts connected to each other.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the hatch is formed on an upstream portion of the housing, the upstream portion being placed upstream of the heat exchanger, the upstream portion extending in particular between the air inlet and the heat exchanger, the hatch in particular being in sealing contact with the frame in the closed position.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing has two housing halves which together form the flow duct, with the device being arranged between each housing half and the frame or between the housing halves.

[0017] Another subject of the invention is a method for removing a heat exchanger from a device, said method comprising a step of placing a hatch in an open position, thereby releasing access to the heat exchanger, and then a step of removing the heat exchanger through said access, in particular via a substantially translational movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent after reading the detailed description given below and a few exemplary embodiments given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 shows a side view of a device for regulating an air flow according to the invention,

[0020] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a device for regulating air flow in FIG.

[0021] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a device for regulating an air flow,

[0022] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an adjustment device according to the invention,

[0023] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an adjusting device according to another example of the present invention,

[0024] Figure 6 The adjustment device is shown with the hatch in the open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 A device 1 for regulating the air flow of an air inlet of a motor vehicle is shown according to the invention. The regulating device 1 extends in the longitudinal (X), transverse (Y) and vertical (Z) directions, for example relative to the axis of the vehicle, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The axis is shown in .

[0026] According to the invention, the terms “downstream”, “upstream”, “sequentially” and “in parallel” define the position of one component relative to another in the flow direction of an air flow in the device 1 for conditioning an air flow according to the invention.

[0027] The device 1 for regulating an air flow according to the invention comprises a housing 2, corresponding to a casing or to a sleeve, which thus defines, via its walls, a flow duct 4 in which the air flow flows, with an air inlet 20 and an air outlet 22. The housing 2 is made of a flexible material in order to absorb vibrations when the vehicle is moving, and of a material strong enough to hold elements such as heat exchangers; certain plastics, such as polypropylene or polyamide-6, are suitable for this purpose.

[0028] The device 1 for conditioning an air flow according to the invention also comprises a cooling unit 6. The cooling unit 6 comprises at least one heat exchanger intended to allow heat exchange between the air flow and a liquid circulating inside the heat exchanger. Figure 2 As shown, the cooling unit 6 in this example comprises a first and a second heat exchanger 8, 10. The first heat exchanger 8 corresponds to, for example, a condenser, while the second heat exchanger 10 corresponds to, for example, a radiator. The cooling unit 6 also comprises a motor-fan unit 12, which corresponds to a fan with blades and an associated motor, so that it can suck in and discharge an air flow through the conditioning device 1 even when the vehicle is stationary. The cooling unit 6 also comprises a support frame 62, Figure 4 , which corresponds to a rigid structure, more specifically to a rigid plastic frame having four components which delimit the surface in which the heat exchangers 8, 10 and the motor-fan unit 12 are arranged. In order to ensure the continuity of the flow duct 4, the housing 2 is fastened in a sealed manner to the support frame 62. In other words, the support frame 62 ensures the continuity of the flow duct 4 or, in other words, the support frame 62 corresponds to a portion of the flow duct 4.

[0029] The device 1 for regulating the air flow according to the invention further comprises a shut-off device 14 comprising a set of shut-off baffles 18 which can be pivoted in rotation so that they change the flow rate of the air flow, said shut-off device 14 being arranged upstream of the cooling unit 6 with respect to the flow of the air flow in the flow duct 4. The shut-off device 14 further comprises a support frame 16 having bearings to hold the shut-off baffles 18.

[0030] Each stop flap 18 comprises an axis of rotation embodied by a journal inserted in a bearing of the support frame 16. The axis of rotation allows the stop flap 18 to be switched from an open configuration to a closed configuration. The open configuration, or in other words, opening the stop flap 18, consists in placing the stop flaps 18 (by rotation) so that they provide as little resistance as possible to the passage of the air flow while properly directing the air flow. Figure 2As shown, in the open configuration, the stop baffles 18 are arranged in a horizontal position, in other words, they extend in the longitudinal (X) and transverse (Y) directions and thus ensure a maximum flow rate of the air flow, the air inlet 20 being unobstructed. The closed configuration, or in other words, closing the stop baffles 18, consists in placing the stop baffles 18 so that they offer as much resistance as possible to the flow of the air flow F together with the other stop baffles 18 through their front surface. In this configuration, the stop baffles 18 are arranged in a vertical position, in other words, they extend in the transverse (Y) and vertical (Z) directions and thus ensure a minimum or even zero flow rate of the air flow, the air inlet 20 being blocked. Of course, the stop baffles 18 can adopt any intermediate position between these two configurations.

[0031] According to the housing 2 of the present invention, and as in Figure 1 and Figure 4 , is manufactured in two parts, a first part 2a connecting the inlet of the housing 2 and therefore the air inlet 20 of the flow duct 4 (in which the shut-off device 14 is arranged) to the cooling unit 6, in particular to the support frame 62, while a second part 2b connects the cooling unit 6, more particularly the support frame 62, to the outlet of the housing 2 and therefore to the air outlet 22 of the flow duct 4. The parts 2a, 2b of the housing include fastening means 70 of a shape complementary to the fastening means 70 arranged on the support frame 62, such as clips, hooks, screws with threaded shanks / nuts with threaded holes, bolts, etc. It should therefore be understood that the support frame 62 ensures the continuity of the flow duct 4 between the two parts 2a, 2b of the housing 2.

[0032] According to other embodiments, the parts 2a, 2b may also comprise fastening means with complementary shapes so that each part 2a, 2b can be fastened to each other. A single one-piece housing 2 forming a material continuity between the air inlet 20 and the air outlet 22 of the flow duct 4 is also conceivable.

[0033] The housing 2, more particularly, according to the invention and in Figure 3 and Figure 4 Each part 2a, 2b shown in FIG. 4 may include two housing halves 2a1, 2a2, 2b1, 2b2. Each pair of housing halves 2a1, 2a2, or 2b1, 2b2, together form a part of the flow duct 4. In other words, Figure 4 The first pair of housing halves 2a1, 2a2 shown constitutes part 2a of the housing 2, i.e. the part of the flow duct 4 which connects the inlet of the housing 2, in particular the air inlet 20 of the flow duct 4 in which the shut-off device 14 is arranged, to the cooling unit 6, in particular to the support frame 62. Figure 3The second pair of shell halves 2b1, 2b2 shown constitutes the second portion 2b, i.e. the portion of the flow duct 4 that connects the cooling duct 6 (more specifically the support frame 62) to the outlet of the shell 2 and, therefore, to the air outlet 22 of the flow duct 4. Each pair of shell halves 2a1, 2a2, or 2b1, 2b2, comprises complementary-shaped fastening means 72, such as clips, wherein the female part is arranged on one shell half 2a1 and the male part is arranged on the respective other shell half 2a2, or vice versa. These fastening means 72 may be reversible, so that the shell halves 2a1, 2a2, 2b1, 2b2 are removably fastened to each other, or in other words, so that the shell halves 2a1, 2a2, 2b1, 2b2 can be separated by a reversible connection.

[0034] Figure 5 A device 80 for regulating an air flow according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0035] The device 80 is substantially similar to the devices described above and comprises a housing 81 defining a flow duct 82 in which an air flow can flow and in which a cooling unit including a heat exchanger 83 is arranged, the housing having a hatch 85 arranged so as to be placed in an open position, such as Figure 6 As shown, the passage 84 leading to the heat exchanger is released, and the hatch 85 is arranged so that the passage 84 is closed when in the closed position ( Figure 5 ), the passage 84 is particularly arranged so as to allow the heat exchanger 83 to be removed via a substantially translational movement.

[0036] The hatch 85 is connected to a fixed wall 86 of the housing by a joint 87, which is arranged so as to allow the hatch 85 to pivot between a closed position and an open position. This joint 87 extends along a line 88, which is at a non-zero distance from two parallel edges 89 of the housing. The passage 84, or opening, is in particular of substantially rectangular shape. The translation direction for removing the exchanger 83 is substantially perpendicular to the joint line 88.

[0037] The joint 87 has two identical hinges 90 which are made in one piece with the fixed wall 86 and the hatch 85 .

[0038] In a variant that is not shown, the joint between the door and the fixed wall has one or more hinge pins.

[0039] The hatch 85 extends over a surface area that is at least 1.5 or 2 times greater than the surface area of ​​a fixed wall, which is in particular substantially flat and adjacent to the hatch.

[0040] The hatch 85 has a main face 91 and two side walls 92 opposite one another, which side walls in particular have a substantially triangular shape, the main wall being in two parts connected to one another.

[0041] The hatch 85 is formed on an upstream portion 93 of the casing, which is placed upstream of the heat exchanger, and in particular extends between the air inlet 94 and the heat exchanger 83. The hatch is in sealing contact with a frame 95 that surrounds the heat exchanger at a certain height when in the closed position.

[0042] In the cutout 101 on the frame 95 there is a fluid connection 99 for the heat exchanger.

[0043] The hatch 85, the hinges and the fixed walls are made of, for example, a plastic material, for example by moulding.

[0044] The frame 95 has reinforcing ribs.

[0045] The housing has two housing halves 98 which together form the described flow duct and are made of plastic or thermoplastic, with components being arranged between each housing half and the frame 95 or between the housing halves.

Claims

1. An air conditioning device (80) for conditioning an air flow at an air inlet of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (81) defining a flow duct (82) in which the air flow can flow, the housing (81) being made of a flexible material, a cooling unit comprising at least one heat exchanger (83) being at least partially arranged in the flow duct (82), the housing having a hatch (85) arranged to be placed in an open position to release access to the heat exchanger, the hatch being arranged to close the access in a closed position, the access (84) being arranged to allow removal of the heat exchanger via a substantially translational movement, wherein the hatch is connected to the fixed wall of the housing by a joint, the joint being arranged to allow the hatch to pivot between the closed position and the open position, the joint extending along a line at a non-zero distance from two parallel edges of the housing, Wherein, the main surface of the door is opposite to the main extension plane of the heat exchanger (83).

2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: The joint portion has at least one hinge and is made in one piece with at least one of the fixed wall and the door, or is made simultaneously with both.

3. The air conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein: The door is connected to the fixed wall by at least two hinges parallel to each other.

4. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: The joint between the door and the fixed wall has one or more hinge pins.

5. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: The hatch extends over a surface area that is at least 1.5 times greater than a surface area of ​​the fixed wall, the fixed wall being substantially flat and adjacent to the hatch.

6. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: The hatch has a main face and two side walls opposite to each other, the side walls having a substantially triangular shape, the main face being two parts connected to each other.

7. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein: The door is formed on an upstream portion of the housing, the upstream portion being positioned upstream of the heat exchanger and extending between the air inlet and the heat exchanger, the door being in sealing contact with a support frame (62) of the cooling unit when in the closed position.

8. The air conditioning device (80) according to claim 1, wherein: The housing has two housing halves which together form the flow duct, with components being arranged between each housing half and a support frame of the cooling unit or between the housing halves.

9. A method of removing a heat exchanger from an air conditioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the step of placing the door in the open position, thereby releasing the access to the heat exchanger, and then comprising the step of removing the heat exchanger through the access, via a substantially translational movement.

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