Cooling module with cross-flow fan for electric vehicles

Description

Technical field

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

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

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

[0004] As is known, such a ventilation device comprises a propeller fan.

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

[0006] Furthermore, when the fan does not need to be switched on (typically when the heat exchange with non-accelerated ambient air is sufficient to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the exchanger), the blades partially obstruct the flow of ambient air towards the tubes and fins, which hinders the circulation of air towards the exchanger and thus limits the heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid.

[0007] Such a fan is also relatively bulky, particularly due to the dimensions of the propeller required to achieve effective engine cooling, which makes its integration into a motor vehicle time-consuming and difficult.

[0008] This integration is even more complicated in an electric vehicle, whose front face leaves little space to accommodate the vehicle's cooling elements.

[0009] A cooling module for a motor vehicle is known from document US 4,519,343 A.

[0010] The aim of the invention is to at least partially remedy these drawbacks. Summary

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a cooling module for a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

[0012] Thus, advantageously, the heat exchanger(s) has / have dimensions suitable for being cooled only by means of one or more lower cooling bays. In addition, the tangential turbomachines make it possible to create an air flow through all the heat exchangers with a much better efficiency than if a propeller fan were implemented.

[0013] In addition, the arrangement of the two turbomachines makes it possible to reduce or even avoid any impact between two air jets leaving the turbomachines, which ensures good aeraulic and acoustic performance for the cooling module.

[0014] According to another aspect, the axis of rotation of the first tangential turbomachine and the axis of rotation of the second tangential turbomachine are mounted parallel to each other.

[0015] In another aspect, the axis of rotation of the first turbomachine is disposed facing an end edge of the working surface and the axis of rotation of the second turbomachine is disposed facing the inside of the working surface.

[0016] According to another aspect, the working surface is delimited by a first direction, called length, and a second direction, called height, orthogonal to the length, the axis of rotation of the second turbomachine being arranged in an area between one fifth and four fifths of said height.

[0017] According to another aspect, the axis of rotation of the second turbomachine is arranged in an area between one third and two thirds of said height.

[0018] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with an electric motor, comprising a body, a bumper and a as described above, the body defining at least one cooling bay arranged under the bumper, the cooling module being arranged opposite the at least one cooling bay. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1 ] schematically represents the front part of a motor vehicle with an electric motor, seen from the side. Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view of a cooling module which is not part of the invention, with guide flaps omitted. Fig. 3 [ Fig. 3 ] is a perspective view of a cooling module according to another embodiment, with guide flaps omitted. Fig. 4 [ Fig. 4 ] is a side view of the module of the figure 3 . Fig. 5 [ Fig. 5 ] is a perspective view of the module of the figure 3 , guide flaps being illustrated. Fig. 6 [ Fig. 6] is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the module of the figure 3 . Description of the embodiments

[0020] In the remainder of the description, elements that are identical or have the same function bear the same reference sign. For the sake of brevity in this description, these elements are not described in detail in each embodiment. Rather, only the differences between the embodiment variants are described in detail.

[0021] It is noted that, in the illustrated examples, which are preferred, each turbomachine operates by suction, that is to say that it sucks in the ambient air to bring it into contact with the various heat exchangers, as will be detailed. Alternatively, however, each turbomachine operates by blowing, blowing the air towards the various heat exchangers.

[0022] There figure 1schematically illustrates the front part of a motor vehicle 10 with an electric motor 12. The vehicle 10 comprises in particular a body 14 and a bumper 16 carried by a chassis (not shown) of the motor vehicle 10. The body 14 defines a cooling bay 18, that is to say an opening through the body 14. The cooling bay 18 is here unique. This cooling bay 18 is located in the lower part of the front face 14a of the body 14. In the example illustrated, the cooling bay 18 is located under the bumper 16. A grille 20 can be arranged in the cooling bay 18 to prevent projectiles from passing through the cooling bay 18. A cooling module 22 is arranged opposite the cooling bay 18. The grille 20 makes it possible in particular to protect this cooling module 22.

[0023] The cooling module 22 comprises a ventilation device 24 associated with at least one heat exchanger.

[0024] As can be seen from the figures, the ventilation device 1 comprises at least one tangential fan, also called a tangential turbomachine hereinafter, which draws in an air flow F to the heat exchanger or heat exchangers. In the illustrated embodiments, the cooling module comprises two turbomachines 28-1, 28-2, detailed hereinafter.

[0025] As illustrated, the cooling module 22 essentially comprises a housing or fairing 24 forming an internal air channel. The fairing 24 makes it possible to house at least one tangential turbomachine. A rear portion of the fairing forms in particular here the volute of a tangential turbomachine 28.

[0026] As can be seen from the figures, the turbomachines 28-1, 28-2 make it possible to cool one or more heat exchangers 30 1 -30 3 .

[0027] Each tangential turbomachine comprises a rotor or turbine 32-1, 32-2 (or tangential propeller). The turbine has a substantially cylindrical shape. The turbine advantageously comprises several stages of blades (or vanes). The turbine is rotatably mounted around an axis of rotation A 32-1, A 32-2.

[0028] The embodiments of the are now described.

[0029] As can be seen from these figures, the cooling module 22 comprises a first turbomachine 28-1 and a second turbomachine 28-2, conforming to the turbomachine 28 described previously.

[0030] On the figures 2 to 6 , all the heat exchangers delimit a surface S, called the working surface, a section of which is substantially rectangular in a plane (Y, Z).

[0031] Preferably, the Y direction corresponds to a horizontal direction while the Z direction corresponds to a vertical direction, when the module is installed in the motor vehicle.

[0032] The surface S is delimited by two opposite end edges 38, 39 extending in the direction Y, called length, and by two other opposite end edges 40, 41, in the direction Z.

[0033] On the Figure 5 , the surface S corresponds to the rectangle defined by the exchanger 30, or if several exchangers are present, by the largest heat exchanger. However, it is also possible to juxtapose several exchangers vertically and / or horizontally, in which case the height of the surface S is the sum of the heights of the vertically juxtaposed (superimposed) exchangers, and the length of the surface S is the sum of the lengths of the horizontally juxtaposed exchangers.

[0034] The first and second turbomachines 28-1 and 28-2 are mounted parallel to each other, i.e. the axis of rotation A 32-1 of the turbine 32-1 of the first turbomachine 28-1 extends parallel to the axis of rotation A 32-2 of the turbine 32-2 of the second turbomachine 28-2.

[0035] On the figures 2 to 6 , the rotation axes A 32-1 , A 32-2 are parallel to the Y direction, i.e. mounted horizontally. However, of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration and the rotation axes A 32-1 , A 32-2 can be mounted vertically, i.e. parallel to the Z axis.

[0036] As also visible on the figures 2 to 6, the volute of the first turbomachine 28-1 comprises a portion 44-1 for guiding air around the turbomachine 32-1 to an air outlet from the module, referenced 46-1. In a known manner, the air guiding portion 44-1 advantageously comprises a wall in the form of a truncated spiral.

[0037] Similarly, the volute of the second turbomachine 28-2 comprises a guide portion 44-2 for guiding air around the turbomachine 32-2 to an air outlet from the module, referenced 46-2. The guide portion 44-2 advantageously comprises a wall in the form of a truncated spiral.

[0038] Depending on the method of implementation of the figure 2 , which is not part of the invention, the two outputs 46-1, 46-2 are arranged opposite each other.

[0039] Depending on the method of implementation of the figures 3 to 6, the air outlet 46-1 of the first turbomachine 28-1 is arranged opposite the guide portion 44-2 of the second turbomachine 28-2, which significantly reduces the acoustic waves generated by the cooling module, compared to the configuration where the two outlets face each other of the figure 2 .

[0040] This configuration ensures that the air distribution of an air flow F1 from the first turbomachine 28-1 via the associated outlet 46-1 is substantially the same and in particular in the same direction as the distribution of an air flow F2 from the second turbomachine 28-2 via the associated outlet 46-2.

[0041] It is noted that an axis parallel to the Z direction and passing through the middle of the lengths of the set of heat exchangers is an axis of symmetry of the set of two turbomachines 28-1, 28-2.

[0042] As visible on the figures 3 to 5, the portion 44-1, 44-2 of the volute fairing 24 2 is arranged above the respective outlet 46-1, 46-2, and the air flows F1 and F2 are substantially vertical and downward.

[0043] Thus, when the vehicle is in a humid or even wet environment, such as in the event of rain or fording, the turbomachine 28-1, 28-2 is protected, since the water cannot be stored in the volute but on the contrary is evacuated through the outlet 46-1, 46-2. As a result, any submersion of the cooling module is avoided.

[0044] As also emerges from the figures, the axis of rotation A 32-1 of the first turbomachine 28-1 is arranged facing the end edge 40 of the surface S and the axis of rotation A 32-2 of the second turbomachine 28-2 is arranged facing the inside of the surface S.

[0045] On the figures 3 And 4, the rotation axis A 32-2 of the second turbomachine 28-2 is arranged in the middle of the height of the surface S.

[0046] On the figure 6 , the rotation axis A 32-2 of the second turbomachine 28-2 is arranged in the upper third of the height of the surface S.

[0047] However, the invention is not limited to these geometries, and, depending on the configuration of the heat exchangers and / or the cooling power required for each exchanger, it is possible to position the turbomachines so as to dedicate them to respective exchangers.

[0048] Advantageously, the axis of rotation A 32-2 of the second turbomachine 28-2 is arranged in an area between one fifth and four fifths of said height, preferably between one third and two thirds of said height.

[0049] As illustrated in the Figure 5, the module 22 is provided with air guide means 50-1, 50-2 associated with each turbomachine 28-1, 28-2.

[0050] Each air guide means 50-1, 50-2 comprises a set of flaps 52 pivotally mounted between a closed position of the cooling module (as seen in the figure 4 ) and at least one cooling module opening position (not shown).

[0051] The open position is particularly advantageous when the vehicle is traveling at high speed, in which case it is possible to shut down the turbomachines 28-1, 28-2.

[0052] The number of flaps 52 associated with the first turbomachine 28-1 may be identical or on the contrary different from the number of flaps 52 associated with the second turbomachine 28-2, depending on the respective position of the turbomachines in particular.

Claims

1. Cooling module (22) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising: - at least one heat exchanger (301-303) delimiting a surface, referred to as the working surface, - at least a first tangential-flow turbomachine (28-1) and a second tangential-flow turbomachine (28-2), each of said turbomachines (28-1, 28-2) being able to create an air flow in contact with said working surface, each of said turbomachines comprising a rotor rotating about an axis and a volute for housing the rotor, having an air guiding portion (44-1, 44-2) and an air outlet (46-1, 46-2) from the turbomachine, said turbomachines (28-1, 28-2) being arranged such that the air outlet of the first turbomachine (28-1) is disposed facing the guiding portion of the second turbomachine (28-2), characterized in that the cooling module (22) comprises air guiding shutters (52) mounted so as to be able to pivot between a closed position of the cooling module (22) and at least one open position of the cooling module (22), the air guiding portion (44-1, 44-2) of a turbomachine being disposed above its respective air outlet (46-1, 46-2), in such a way that the air flows (F1, F2) are substantially vertical and downwards.

2. Cooling module according to the preceding claim, wherein the axis of rotation (A32-1) of the first tangential-flow turbomachine (28-1) and the axis of rotation (A32-2) of the second tangential-flow turbomachine (28-2) are mounted parallel to one another.

3. Cooling module according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the axis of rotation (A32-1) of the first turbomachine (28-1) is disposed facing an end edge (40) of the working surface (S) and the axis of rotation (A32-2) of the second turbomachine (28-2) is disposed facing the inside of the working surface (S).

4. Cooling module according to the preceding claim, wherein the working surface (S) is delimited by a first direction, referred to as the length (Y), and a second direction, referred to as the height (Z), orthogonal to the length, the axis of rotation (A32-2) of the second turbomachine (28-2) being disposed in a zone between one fifth and four fifths of said height.

5. Cooling module according to the preceding claim, wherein the axis of rotation (A32-2) of the second turbomachine (28-2) is disposed in a zone between one third and two thirds of said height.

6. Motor vehicle, comprising a body (14), a bumper (16) and a cooling module (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, the body (14) defining at least one cooling opening (18) disposed beneath the bumper, the cooling module (22) being disposed facing the at least one cooling opening (18).