Thermal module for motor vehicle

Abstract

The title is a thermal module for equipping a vehicle. The invention relates to a thermal module (1) intended to be placed on a front face of a motor vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger (3), a motor-fan unit (4) and a guiding device (2) for guiding an air flow, characterized in that the guiding device (2) and the motor-fan unit (4) overlap a peripheral edge (33) and are attached to each other at a plurality of attachment areas (5), the guide device (2) and the motor-fan unit (4) are in contact with each other, the contact between the guide device (2) and the motor-fan unit (4) being configured to form at least one primary sealing region comprising at least one curve and at least one secondary sealing region in which the guide device (2) and the motor-fan unit (4) are in planar abutment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermal management systems for motor vehicles and more particularly to a thermal module intended to be placed on the front face of the vehicle and to be traversed by an air flow. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, are usually equipped with a refrigerant fluid circuit and / or a heat transfer fluid circuit for thermal management of different zones or components of the vehicle.

[0003] In order to thermally treat the vehicle's passenger compartment and / or components of the vehicle's powertrain, heat is exchanged between the aforementioned fluids and an airflow outside the passenger compartment. To this end, the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid are passed through one or more heat exchangers mounted to the vehicle, in particular heat exchangers at the front face of the vehicle, the airflow passing through grilles passing through these heat exchangers.

[0004] Such a heat exchanger is usually arranged inside the thermal module, between a guide device, through which the airflow entering via the grille is guided through the heat exchanger, and a motorized fan unit, also abbreviated as "GMV", which can be used to force the circulation of external airflow through the heat exchanger, for example when the vehicle is stationary. When the vehicle is moving at high speed (which means that a large amount of external air enters the guide device) and when the motorized fan unit is running at high speed, the circulation of airflow inside the thermal module can generate an overpressure inside the thermal module relative to the environment outside the thermal module.

[0005] This overpressure tends to lead to air leakage, i.e. air escaping from the thermal module, for example at the junction between the guide device and the heat exchanger, so that the air does not pass through one or more heat exchangers arranged in the thermal module. Such leakage therefore has the effect of reducing the efficiency of the thermal module. It is known to limit leakage in a thermal module by placing one or more layers of rubber, such as EPDM, between the components of the thermal module. It is also known to limit leakage in a thermal module by having assembled and / or overmoulded parts, for example made of EPDM, or by gluing or snap-fitting foam parts.

[0006] However, this solution is not satisfactory since it significantly increases the manufacturing costs of the thermal module, in particular by increasing the number of constituent elements of the thermal module. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention belongs to this field and aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and in particular to propose a thermal module in which air leakage can be limited without having to use materials dedicated to this function and placing them between the guide devices, the heat exchanger and / or the motorized fan unit.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention relates to a thermal module for placement on the front face of a motor vehicle, the thermal module comprising a heat exchanger, a motorized fan unit and a device for guiding an airflow, the heat exchanger being arranged between the guiding device and the motorized fan unit, the heat exchanger comprising an inner face arranged opposite the guiding device and an outer face opposite the motorized fan unit, the inner face and the outer face of the heat exchanger being joined to each other via a peripheral edge, characterised in that the guiding device and the motorized fan unit overlap with the peripheral edge of the heat exchanger and are fastened to each other in a plurality of fastening areas, each fastening area comprising at least one fastening device, the guiding device and the motorized fan unit being in contact with each other around the periphery of the peripheral edge outside the fastening area so as to form a sealing device for the thermal module.

[0009] The motorized fan unit and the guide device are directly fixed to each other by means of fastening means. In other words, the guide device and the motorized fan unit are directly fastened to each other via the relative parts of these components without any additional material being placed between the motorized fan unit and the guide device to seal the thermal module. Thus, according to the invention, the contact between the guide device and the motorized fan unit is configured to form a primary sealing area and a secondary sealing area, so that sealing of the thermal module can be achieved without adding sealing materials such as elastomers or, in particular, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM).

[0010] According to one feature of the invention, the inner face of the heat exchanger is directly opposite the guide device and the outer face of the heat exchanger is directly opposite the motorized fan unit. It should be understood that this feature of the thermal module can be advantageously obtained because the sealing area does not need to use a sealing material dedicated to sealing the thermal module.

[0011] According to one feature of the invention, the sealing device comprises at least one primary sealing area in which the cooperation of the guide device and the motorized fan unit forms a chicane and at least one secondary sealing area in which the cooperation of the guide device and the motorized fan unit consists of a flat support.

[0012] The presence of a bend in the primary seal area lengthens the path through which the airflow leaves the thermal module, thereby greatly limiting the amount of air that is prone to leaking from the primary seal area.

[0013] Taking into account manufacturing tolerances, the secondary sealing area comprises a flat support which, during assembly of the thermal module, advantageously serves to position the motorized fan unit relative to the guide device.

[0014] Each of the primary and secondary sealing areas extends along one side of the thermal module beyond a fastening area where the motorized fan unit and the guide device are fixed to each other by fastening means.

[0015] Therefore, a sealing area is associated with the bend, i.e., an effective area for reducing leakage, since the air is forced to take a tortuous path to leave the area, while the bend provides a positioning gap for one of the components forming the bend relative to the other component, and the main sealing area of ​​flat contact prevents air from passing between the components forming the main sealing area.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, the bend in the main sealing area is formed by a groove in which the rib is located, the groove being formed on the motorized fan unit or the guide device and the rib being formed on the other. This cooperation enables the bend present in the main sealing area to be manufactured simply and efficiently.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the heat exchanger is directly opposite the guide device and / or the motorized fan unit. In other words, the thermal module does not need to use specific parts (for example, elastomers such as EPDM or foam), whose function in the prior art is to limit the airflow losses between the motorized fan unit and the guide device while absorbing the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the thermal module. It should be understood that the guide device and / or the motorized fan unit include side edges that are intended to be close to the peripheral edge of the heat exchanger and, if necessary, directly in contact with the peripheral edge of the heat exchanger, and that the fastening means and the fastening area and the sealing area overlap the peripheral edge of the heat exchanger.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, the thermal module comprises at least one positioning device for positioning the motorized fan unit and the guide device relative to each other. The positioning device makes it possible to easily adjust the position of the guide device and the motorized fan unit relative to each other during assembly of the thermal module. This adjustment is particularly useful for quickly and simply achieving contact between the guide device and the motorized fan unit, in particular for forming a sealing device.

[0019] According to one feature of the invention, the positioning means are formed by a positioning pin and an orifice, the positioning pin being formed on the guide device or the motorized fan unit and intended to be located in an orifice formed on the other. It will be understood that the positioning pin is intended to be located in an orifice having a diameter complementary to that of the positioning pin to allow its insertion, this insertion adjusting the position of the guide device relative to the motorized fan unit and therefore adjusting the contact between the two to form a sealing device.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the peripheral edge extends on at least three sides of the heat exchanger and at least one fastening means is provided on each side of the heat exchanger. The distribution of the fastening means along the sides of the thermal module is substantially uniform. This distribution advantageously distributes the forces, thereby allowing the motorized fan unit and the guide device to be integrated with each other. It should be noted that this distribution of the fastening means makes it possible to limit airflow losses by constraining the motorized fan unit to the guide device as much as possible.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the fastening means are formed by elastically deformable tabs formed on the motorized fan unit and / or on the guide device and intended to cooperate with seats provided in the guide device and / or in the motorized fan unit.

[0022] According to a feature of the invention, the secondary sealing area is formed on one side of the peripheral edge of the heat exchanger, opposite to the side of the peripheral edge of the heat exchanger including the primary sealing area. In such a configuration, the bend and, for example, the ribs that contribute to the formation of such a bend extend mainly along the peripheral edge side in a first direction, and the flat support extends parallel to the first direction. In this way, the positioning of the two parts that contact each other in the secondary sealing area (specifically the motorized fan unit and the guide device) can produce a displacement of the rib in the groove in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, according to the adjustments caused by manufacturing and assembly tolerances. In other words, the secondary sealing area can, if necessary, slightly deform the motorized fan unit and / or the guide device in an adjustment direction perpendicular to the first direction, while the primary sealing area has a gap for mounting the rib in the groove in this same adjustment direction, mainly so that the assembly of the thermal module can take into account manufacturing tolerances. In this case, taking into account the adjustment direction, the secondary sealing area and the primary sealing area are arranged on opposite sides.

[0023] According to a second object, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a thermal module according to any of the above-described features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description and on studying a number of exemplary embodiments given by way of non-limiting indication with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0025] [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic diagram of a thermal module according to the invention, which is intended to be arranged on the front face of a vehicle;

[0026] [ Figure 2 ]yes Figure 1 A schematic exploded view of the thermal module shown;

[0027] [ Figure 3 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of one side of a thermal module, wherein the contact between the motorized fan unit and the guide device is configured to form a primary sealing area;

[0028] [ Figure 4 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the other side of the thermoelectric module, wherein the contact between the motorized fan unit and the guide device is configured to form a secondary sealing area;

[0029] [ Figure 5] is a schematic cross-sectional view through the primary sealing area on one side of the thermal module and the secondary sealing area on the other side of the thermal module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] First of all, it should be noted that although the drawings show the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented, these drawings can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that these drawings only disclose examples of implementation of the invention.

[0031] The features, variants and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, as long as they are not incompatible or exclusive with each other. It is worth noting that it is conceivable that the variant of the present invention only includes the selection of the following features, which does not include other features, if the selection of features is sufficient to give technical advantages and / or distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0032] In the drawings, elements common to several figures have the same reference numerals.

[0033] In the following detailed description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" refer to the directions of the thermal modules within any defined trihedron L, V, T. The transverse direction corresponds to the stacking direction of the thermal modules, which is parallel to the transverse axis T of the coordinate system L, V, T shown in the figures. The vertical direction corresponds to the direction parallel to the vertical axis V of the coordinate system L, V, T, which is perpendicular to the transverse axis T. Finally, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the coordinate system L, V, T, which is perpendicular to the transverse axis T and the vertical axis V.

[0034] Figure 1 A thermal module 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The thermal module 1 is intended to be mounted to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in order to exchange heat with an air flow passing therethrough. To this end, the thermal module 1 comprises at least one device 2 for guiding the air flow, a heat exchanger 3 for exchanging heat with the air flow and a motorized fan unit 4. The thermal module 1 extends mainly in a vertical and longitudinal plane parallel to the vertical axis V and the longitudinal axis L. Similar to the thermal module 1, the guiding device 2, the heat exchanger 3 and the motorized fan unit 4 extend mainly in a vertical and longitudinal plane.

[0035] When assembling the thermal module 1 , the guiding device 2 helps to define a duct for guiding the airflow from the inlet opening 21 , through which the airflow can enter the thermal module 1 , to the heat exchanger 3 .

[0036] The thermal module 1 is arranged at the front face of the motor vehicle, more precisely at an opening formed in the body of said vehicle, also called a grille, through which an airflow coming from outside the vehicle can enter the thermal module 1. To this end, the inlet of the guiding device 2 of the thermal module 1, more precisely the inlet opening 21 of the guiding device 2, is arranged at the grille so that the airflow can enter the thermal module 1 directly or indirectly. It will be understood that the inlet opening 21 can be directly in contact with the grille or can be indirectly connected to the grille or, for example, by means of a duct connecting the grille to the inlet opening 21.

[0037] The motorized fan unit 4 is arranged opposite to the guide device 2, with the heat exchanger 3 placed between these two components. The motorized fan unit 4 and the guide device are in contact with each other around the heat exchanger 3, forming different contact areas, including a first side 11, a second side 12, a third side 13 and a fourth side 14, each of which forms the periphery of the thermal module 1.

[0038] When referring below to the cooperation between the motorized fan unit 4 and the guiding device 2, it should be understood that this involves the housing of the motorized fan unit, which has an outlet opening 41 through which the airflow can leave the thermal module 1. The motorized fan unit 4 also includes means for circulating an airflow 42, which is formed by an impeller including a plurality of blades 43 and is held in place in the housing of the motorized fan unit. The means for circulating the airflow 42 can force the airflow to circulate within the thermal module, in particular in the circulation direction from the inlet opening 21 to the outlet opening 41. In the embodiment shown, the means for circulating the airflow 42 are powered by a power supply cable 44.

[0039] The airflow entering via the inlet opening 21 then passes through the heat exchanger 3, where heat exchange takes place between the airflow and the heat transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger 3, before leaving the thermal module 1 via the outlet opening 41. It will be appreciated that the heat exchanger 3 is arranged within the thermal module 1 between the guiding device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 in such a way that it straddles the airflow.

[0040] The guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 are fastened to each other in a plurality of fastening zones 5, each of which comprises at least one fastening means 50. These fastening means 50 serve to fasten the motorized fan unit 4 and the guide device 2 directly to each other, enclosing the heat exchanger therebetween. Fastening the motorized fan unit 4 to the guide device 2 in this way enables the guide device 2, the heat exchanger 3 and the motorized fan unit 4 to form an integral assembly, in which the airflow is forced to circulate from one opening 21, 41 to the other opening.

[0041] Furthermore, the thermal module 1 comprises positioning means 6 for positioning the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 relative to each other during their assembly.

[0042] Figure 2 is based on Figure 1 An exploded view of the thermal module 1 of the illustrated embodiment. More specifically, Figure 2 As shown, the guide device 2 , the heat exchanger 3 and the motorized fan unit 4 are assembled relative to one another along a stacking axis 100 that is substantially parallel to the axis T.

[0043] Furthermore, the guide device 2 comprises a support 22 for receiving the heat exchanger 3. More precisely, the heat exchanger 3 is arranged on the support 22 of the guide device 2 in such a way that an inner face 31 of the heat exchanger 3 bears against the guide device, in this case against a stop 23 formed by a wall of the guide device opposite the support 22. It will be understood that an outer face 32 of the heat exchanger 3 opposite the inner face 31 will face the motorized fan unit 4.

[0044] The heat exchanger 3 comprises an exchange surface 34 which is configured so that it can be passed through by an external airflow flowing inside the thermal module from the air inlet opening 21 to the air outlet opening 41. The exchange surface here comprises a plurality of tubes in which a heat transfer fluid flows and the airflow passing through the exchange surface between the tubes can generate heat to the heat transfer fluid via the tubes or recover heat from the heat transfer fluid.

[0045] The inner face 31 and the outer face 32 of the heat exchanger 3 are joined to each other by a peripheral edge 33. It should be noted that this peripheral edge 33 extends in a direction parallel to the stacking axis 100 when the thermal module 1 is assembled.

[0046] When the thermal module 1 is assembled, the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 are configured to overlap with the peripheral edge 33 of the heat exchanger 3. More specifically, the guide device and the motorized fan unit each have a side edge arranged at the periphery, which extends the guide device and the motorized fan unit substantially along the stacking axis 100, and these side edges are arranged to overlap with the peripheral edge 33 of the heat exchanger 3.

[0047] This overlap of the peripheral edge 33 is such that at least a portion of the peripheral edge 33 is directly opposite the guide device 2 and / or the motorized fan unit 4. It will be understood that the formation of an overlapping peripheral edge 33 by the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 ensures sufficient sealing of the thermal module 1, thereby eliminating the need for material dedicated to this function to be placed between the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4.

[0048] The guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 are fastened to each other by fastening means 50. These fastening means are carried here by the sides of the guide device and the motorized fan unit, which sides overlap the peripheral edge.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, each fastening device 50 is formed by cooperation between an elastically deformable tab 51 and a seat 52. The tab 51 is formed on the guide device 2 and / or the motorized fan unit 4, more specifically, on one of the sides of the guide device 2 and / or the motorized fan unit 4, and the seat 52 is formed on the other side, more specifically, on a corresponding one of the sides. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the tabs 51 are formed on the sides of the motorized fan unit 4 , while the seats 52 are formed on the sides of the guide device 2 .

[0050] When the thermal module 1 is assembled, the tab 51 extends from the portion of the motorized fan unit 4 overlapping the peripheral edge 33, i.e. from one of the side edges of the motorized fan unit, in a direction substantially parallel to the transverse axis T, i.e. substantially parallel to the stacking axis 100. This tab 51 is intended to be located in an associated seat 52 formed on the portion of the guide device 2 overlapping the peripheral edge 33, i.e. on one of the side edges of the guide device. To this end, the tab 51 has a chamfer at one free end to facilitate the insertion of the tab 51 into the seat 52 by elastic deformation of the tab 51, and also has a shoulder to retain the tab 51 in the seat 52 after the tab 51 has elastically returned to its initial position. Thus, a snap-in deformation is produced by elastic deformation, which is particularly easy to achieve.

[0051] This cooperation between the tabs 51 and the seats 52 keeps the guide device 2 integral with the motorized fan unit 4 , between which the heat exchanger 3 is constrained.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, the thermal module 1 comprises eight fastening zones 5 evenly distributed along the entire peripheral edge 33, each of these fastening zones 5 comprising a fastening means 50. It should be noted that this is an exemplary embodiment that does not limit the number of fastening zones 5 and that other fastening means may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0053] It should be noted that the insertion of the tab 51 into the associated seat 52 is advantageously regulated by the positioning means 6. In other words, the positioning means 6 serve to position the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 relative to each other. The positioning means 6 are formed by cooperation between a positioning pin 61 extending in a direction substantially parallel to the transverse axis T and the stacking axis 100 and arranged on the motorized fan unit 4, and an orifice 62 formed in the guide device 2, in which the positioning pin 61 is intended to be located. It should be noted that the positioning pin 61 may alternatively be provided on the guide device 2 and on the orifice 62 in the motorized fan unit 4, as long as the positioning pin 61 is intended to be located in the orifice 62.

[0054] It should also be noted that, according to one feature of the invention, the peripheral edge 33 extends on at least three sides. In the embodiment shown, this peripheral edge 33 extends on each of the first side 11, the second side 12, the third side 13 and the fourth side 14 of the thermal module. Each of the sides 11, 12, 13 and 14 includes at least one fastening means 50, as well as a sealing area that helps to form a sealing device.

[0055] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A very schematic cross-sectional view of a second side 12 of the thermal module 1 is shown in FIG. On this second side 12, the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 are in contact with each other, are mainly arranged on both sides of the heat exchanger 3, and they form a main sealing area 7 facing the peripheral edge 33 of the heat exchanger 3.

[0056] The main sealing area 7 generated by the cooperation between the motorized fan unit 4 and the guide device 2 forms a bend 72, here formed by inserting a rib into a groove. More precisely, the guide device 2 has a groove 721 in the portion overlapping the peripheral edge 33 on the second side 12. This groove 721 is intended to accommodate the side end 71 of the motorized fan unit 4, which forms a groove 711 and overlaps the peripheral edge 33. When the groove 711 of the side end 71 of the motorized fan unit 4 is located in the groove 721, the bend 72 thus formed complicates the passage of air from the inside of the thermal module to the outside of the thermal module, thereby limiting the airflow loss caused by leakage between the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4. In other words, the bend 72 disrupts the airflow leaking from the thermal module 1 between the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4, so that the pressurized airflow continues to flow through the heat exchanger 3 instead of leaking through the side. Therefore, the bend 72 advantageously helps to limit the total leakage rate of the airflow through the joint of the guide device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 to a rate value not exceeding 3%.

[0057] The main sealing zone 7 extends beyond the fastening zone 5 along the same side of the thermal module 1 .

[0058] Figure 4is a very schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth side 14 of the thermal module 1. On this fourth side 14, the guiding device 2 and the motorized fan unit 4 are in contact with each other to form a secondary sealing area 8.

[0059] Like the primary sealing zone 7, the secondary sealing zone 8 is formed by the cooperation between the motorized fan unit 4 and the guide device 2. More precisely, the secondary sealing zone 8 is formed on this fourth side 14 of the thermal module 1 by the cooperation between the L-shaped portion 81 on the one hand and the rib 711 of the side end 71.

[0060] The secondary sealing area 8 comprises a flat support 82 formed by positioning the rib 711 against the L-shaped portion 81. More precisely, the rib 711 is pressed against the L-shaped portion 81, so that this contact between the rib 711 and the L-shaped portion 81 creates a seal.

[0061] In addition, when the motorized fan unit 4 and the guide device 2 are assembled to each other, the secondary sealing area 8, more specifically the flat support member 82, is used to substantially deform the shell of the motorized fan unit 4 and adjust the position of each rib 711 arranged on the periphery of the motorized fan unit 4, in particular, the position of the ribs intended to be located in the groove 721 to form the first main sealing area 7.

[0062] To this end, the wall of the L-shaped portion 81, more specifically the wall against which the rib 711 is intended to abut, may have an inclined surface which forms an insertion slope for the rib 711 along the L-shaped portion 81. For a rib having a main extension in a first direction (in this case the vertical direction), Figure 4 The shape shown in is capable of deformation in a second perpendicular direction, in this case the longitudinal direction. The rib 711 intended to be located in the groove 721 to form the first primary sealing area 7 can be offset in this second direction, in this case the longitudinal direction. Thus, as described above, advantageously, the primary sealing area is arranged relative to the secondary sealing area so that the position of the rib 711 can be adjusted within the width of the groove and also in the second direction, in this case the longitudinal direction.

[0063] It will be appreciated that the flat support 82 formed between the rib 711 and the L-shaped portion 81 , ie between the motorised fan unit 4 and the guide device 2 , allows the motorised fan unit 4 and the guide device 2 to be positioned with a certain degree of freedom relative to each other while ensuring the sealing of the thermal module 1 .

[0064] Figure 5 More specifically, the distinction between the primary sealing area 7 and the secondary sealing area 8 along the peripheral edge 33 of the thermal module 1 is shown. More precisely, Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view through the primary sealing area 7 on the third side 13 and through the secondary sealing area 8 on the fourth side 14 .

[0065] First, it should be noted that in order to simplify Figure 5 As understood, the heat exchanger 3 has been removed from the components of the thermal module 1. Of course, Figure 5 The sizes and proportions of the various elements present in the drawings take into account an embodiment including a heat exchanger 3.

[0066] Figure 5 The structural difference between the primary sealing area 7 including the bend 72 and the secondary sealing area 8 including the flat support 82 is intended to be illustrated by illustrating two consecutive sides 13, 14 of the thermal module. As described above, the primary sealing area 7 and the secondary sealing area 8 of the thermal module 1 are distributed so that the secondary sealing area 8 is formed on the side of the thermal module 1 opposite to the side of the thermal module 1 including the primary sealing area 7. In this case, both adjacent sides may be provided with the primary sealing area having the bend, or only one side may be provided with the primary sealing area.

[0067] More precisely, the distribution of the primary sealing area 7 and the secondary sealing area 8 is such that the stress associated with inserting the rib 711 into the groove 721 to form the sealing area is absorbed by the flat support 82 of the secondary sealing area 8, in particular by the inclined plane formed by one wall of the L-shaped portion 81 during assembly, as described above.

[0068] As described above, the invention achieves the stated purpose by proposing a thermal module in which the seal is ensured by direct contact between the motorized fan unit and the guide device. Without departing from the scope of the invention, variants not described here may be implemented, provided that, according to the invention, they comprise a thermal module in which the direct contact between the guide device and the motorized fan unit makes it possible to produce the seal without any additional components, in particular forming a primary sealing zone with a bend and a secondary sealing zone comprising at least one flat support.

Claims

1. A thermal module (1) for placement on the front face of a motor vehicle, the thermal module (1) comprising a heat exchanger (3), a motorized fan unit (4) and a device (2) for guiding an airflow, the heat exchanger (3) being arranged between the guiding device (2) and the motorized fan unit (4), the heat exchanger (3) comprising an inner face (31) arranged opposite the guiding device (2) and an outer face opposite the motorized fan unit (4), the inner face and the outer face (32) of the heat exchanger (3) being joined to each other by a peripheral edge (33), characterized in that The guide device (2) and the motorized fan unit (4) overlap with the peripheral edge (33) of the heat exchanger and are fastened to each other in a plurality of fastening areas (5), each fastening area comprising at least one fastening device (50), the guide device (2) and the motorized fan unit (4) being in contact with each other around the periphery of the peripheral edge (33) outside the fastening areas (5) so as to form a sealing device for the thermal module.

2. The thermal module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The sealing device comprises at least one primary sealing area (7) and at least one secondary sealing area (8), wherein in the primary sealing area, the cooperation between the guiding device (2) and the motorized fan unit (4) forms a bend (72), and in the secondary sealing area, the cooperation between the guiding device (2) and the motorized fan unit (4) consists of a flat support member (82).

3. The thermal module (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The bend (72) of the main sealing area (7) is formed by a groove (721), and the rib (711) is located in the groove (721), the groove (721) is formed on the motorized fan unit (4) or the guide device (2), and the rib (711) is formed on the other of the motorized fan unit (4) or the guide device (2).

4. The thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least a portion of the peripheral edge (33) of the heat exchanger is directly opposite the guide device (2) and / or the motorized fan unit (4).

5. The thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It comprises at least one positioning device (6) for positioning the motorized fan unit (4) and the guide device (2) relative to each other.

6. The thermal module (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The positioning means (6) is formed by a positioning pin (61) and an orifice (62), wherein the positioning pin (61) is formed on the guide device (2) or the motorized fan unit (4) and is intended to be located in the orifice (62) formed on the other of the guide device (2) or the motorized fan unit (4).

7. The thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The peripheral edge (33) extends on at least three sides of the heat exchanger (3), characterized in that at least one fastening device (50) is provided on each side of the heat exchanger (3).

8. The thermal module according to claim 7, characterized in that The fastening means (50) are formed by elastically deformable tabs (51) formed on the motorized fan unit (4) and / or the guide device (2) and are intended to cooperate with seats (52) provided in the guide device (2) and / or the motorized fan unit (4).

9. The thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A secondary sealing area (8) is formed on a side of the peripheral edge (33) of the heat exchanger opposite to a side of the peripheral edge (33) of the heat exchanger including the primary sealing area (7).

10. A motor vehicle comprising a thermal module (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, intended to be placed on the front face of the vehicle.

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