COOLING MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of cooling modules for motor vehicles.

[0002] Such cooling modules may in particular be placed on the front of a motor vehicle, for example at the level of a grille of such a vehicle and they generally comprise an air intake duct, a set of heat exchangers, a support frame for these exchangers, and a motorized propeller whose role is to convey the cooling air (for example, air captured directly from outside the vehicle by a front grille thereof) to the heat exchangers of the cooling module. The heat exchangers are stacked so as to be housed and fixed in an interior volume delimited by the support frame, that is to say, in other words, that this frame surrounds the exchangers that it supports.In addition, the support frame includes holding means for mechanically holding the air inlet duct and the motorized propeller opposite the heat exchangers so as to guide the air entering the cooling module through the heat exchangers, ensuring that a maximum of the air flow is conveyed, with a minimum of losses, to the latter. In practice, the holding means are linked to the support frame to limit costs.

[0003] An example of a motor vehicle cooling module is also provided in document US2012 / 241128A1.

[0004] The technical problem to which the invention aims to provide a solution is that of cooling air leaks which may occur, in particular, between the edges of the air inlet duct and the frame which holds it, while simplifying the management of the sealing between the different parts of the cooling module.

[0005] The present invention provides a motor vehicle cooling module, comprising at least a first heat exchanger and at least one duct comprising an air inlet of the cooling module, the duct being configured to convey cooling air from the air inlet to the heat exchanger, the duct comprising fixing elements configured to fix the heat exchanger to the duct, said duct comprising an air outlet, extending in a plane parallel to an extension plane of the cooling module, and a covering wall bordering the air outlet and defined by a plurality of sections extending perpendicular to the extension plane of the cooling module, and characterized in that first fixing elements are arranged projecting from an internal face of the duct so as to house the first heat exchange in a housing defined at least in part by the covering wall of the duct.

[0006] The configuration proposed by the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of parts to be assembled to form a cooling module, which facilitates assembly and reduces the production costs of such a cooling module. Limiting the number of parts also makes it possible to increase the reliability of such a cooling module by limiting vibrations at the junctions between the parts and also makes it possible to reduce the vehicle's fuel consumption by reducing the weight of the cooling module.

[0007] According to an optional feature of the invention, the cooling module may comprise two heat exchangers and the duct comprises first fastening elements configured to fasten the first heat exchanger to the duct and second fastening elements configured to fasten a second heat exchanger to the duct.

[0008] According to various optional characteristics of the invention, it may be provided that the air outlet is configured so that the cooling air arrives on an inlet face of the heat exchanger, and / or that the air outlet of the duct is opposite the inlet face of the heat exchanger, and / or that the duct comprises a connecting wall connecting the air inlet of the cooling module to the air outlet of the duct.

[0009] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first fixing elements are thus arranged projecting from an internal face of the conduit so as to house the first heat exchange in a housing defined at least in part by the covering wall of the conduit.

[0010] The at least one heat exchanger, here the first heat exchanger, is thus reported in the volume defined by the duct so that air leaks are reduced at the junctions between the two parts that are the heat exchanger and the duct. Thus the management of the sealing of such a cooling module is both simplified and improved.

[0011] According to an optional feature of the invention, the air outlet is delimited by a contour, the covering wall extending from the contour.

[0012] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the covering wall comprises at least two opposite side panels arranged on either side of the air outlet, first fixing elements being distributed over the first side panel and over the second side panel.

[0013] According to an optional feature of the invention, the covering wall is configured to longitudinally cover each edge of the first heat exchanger.

[0014] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the second fixing elements are arranged projecting from an external face of the duct so as to arrange the second heat exchange opposite the first heat exchanger, outside said housing. Thus, it is understood that the duct is configured to carry the two heat exchangers, but that only the first heat exchanger is covered by the duct and its covering wall, the other exchanger being arranged at least partially outside the volume defined by the duct.

[0015] According to an optional feature, the fixing elements arranged on the internal face of the conduit may consist of fixing means by snap-fastening or by elastic deformation, while the fixing elements arranged on the external face of the conduit may at least partly consist of fixing means requiring tools, for example by screwing.

[0016] According to an optional feature, a section of the covering wall can be extended by an edge covering the second heat exchanger.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, the second heat exchanger comprises fixing members configured to fix the cooling module to the motor vehicle.

[0018] According to an optional feature, the heat exchanger is a condenser and / or a radiator. More specifically, the first heat exchanger is a condenser and the second heat exchanger is a radiator. The reverse is possible for electric vehicles.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the cooling module comprises a ventilation member configured to force the entry of cooling air into the cooling module.

[0020] According to an optional feature, the ventilation member comprises a covering lip configured to at least partially cover a portion of the covering wall.

[0021] According to an optional feature, the ventilation member is made integral with the duct and / or the at least one heat exchanger. The ventilation member may comprise locking members and / or holding members configured to allow it to be fixed to the exchanger and / or to the duct.

[0022] According to an optional feature, the ventilation unit is a motor-driven fan.

[0023] According to an optional feature, the duct, the heat exchanger and the ventilation member are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the cooling module, the longitudinal axis corresponding substantially to the main direction of circulation of the cooling air flow through the duct.

[0024] According to an optional feature of the invention, the fixing elements are integral with the conduit. The conduit, the covering wall and the fixing elements thus form a single-piece assembly, i.e. an assembly whose different parts cannot be separated from each other without breaking the assembly.

[0025] According to an optional feature, the conduit comprises a polymer chosen from the group comprising a polyamide, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyetherimide and their mixtures.

[0026] According to an optional characteristic the polyetherimide is an amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide.

[0027] According to an optional feature, the conduit comprises at least one fiber chosen from the group comprising a carbon fiber, a glass fiber, an aramid fiber and their mixtures.

[0028] According to an optional feature, the aramid fiber is poly(p-phenylenephthalamide), also commonly called kevlar.

[0029] According to an optional feature, the fiber is overmolded with the polymer.

[0030] The present description also relates to a method for assembling a motor vehicle cooling module having one or more of the preceding characteristics. The method comprises a step of obtaining the cooling module by assembling the duct with the heat exchanger. The method may comprise a step of assembling the ventilation member to the duct and / or to the heat exchanger.

[0031] According to an optional feature, the heat exchanger being a condenser comprising a storage tank, the assembly of the heat exchanger comprises a step of inserting the storage tank into a portion of the fixing elements, and a subsequent step of locking the exchanger to the conduit.

[0032] According to various optional features, the insertion of the tank can be carried out at more than 15° with respect to the extension plane of the cooling module. And the locking step can be carried out by pivoting around an axis formed by the fixing elements in which the storage tank is inserted.

[0033] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which: [fig 1 ] is a schematic perspective view of a cooling module according to the invention, [ fig. 2 ] is a schematic perspective view of a cooling module duct as illustrated by the figure 1 , [ fig. 3 ] is a schematic view of the conduit of the figure 2 , from another perspective, [ fig. 4 ] is a schematic perspective view of a first heat exchanger of the cooling module as illustrated by the figure 1 , [ fig. 5 ] is a schematic perspective view of a second heat exchanger of the cooling module as illustrated by the figure 1 , seen from a first angle of view, [ fig. 6 ] is a detail view of the figure 5 , more particularly illustrating a locking element of the second heat exchanger, [ fig. 7 ] is a schematic perspective view of the second heat exchanger of the cooling module illustrated by the figure 5 , seen from a different angle of view than that of the figure 5 , [ fig. 8 ] is a detail view of the figure 7 , illustrating more particularly a hook allowing the attachment of the second heat exchanger, [ fig. 9 ] is a schematic perspective view of a ventilation member of the cooling module illustrated by the figure 1 , [ fig. 10 ] schematically illustrates the assembly of certain components of the cooling module illustrated by the figure 1 .

[0034] It should first be noted that while the figures set out the invention in detail for its implementation, they can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that, throughout the figures, elements that are similar and / or fulfill the same function are indicated by the same numbering.

[0035] In the following description, a longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientation will be adopted, without limitation, according to the orientation traditionally used in automobiles. In addition, the terms "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "vertical" and "horizontal" must be interpreted when the object is in the normal position of use on the vehicle. A direction of a longitudinal axis X, a direction of a transverse axis Y, and a direction of a vertical axis Z are represented by a trihedron (X, Y, Z) in the figures. A horizontal plane is defined as being a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis, a longitudinal plane as being a plane perpendicular to the transverse axis, and a transverse plane as being a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0036] A cooling module 100 according to the invention, for example intended to be placed on the front of a motor vehicle, comprises a conduit 1 in which at least one heat exchanger 3, 4 is received, the cooling module 100 also comprising a ventilation member 5 serving as a closing device for said cooling module 100.

[0037] According to the invention, and as will be detailed below, the duct 1 comprises elements for fixing the at least one heat exchanger 3, 4 such that the duct performs both a function of guiding the air entering the cooling module and a structuring function of holding the heat exchanger in question.

[0038] More particularly, the conduit can receive a first heat exchanger 3 and a second heat exchanger 4 arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction X, and the conduit comprises fixing elements for each of these exchangers.

[0039] We find on this figure 1 the trihedron (X, Y, Z) previously defined, the directions of which materialize, respectively, the thickness, the width and the height of the cooling module 100 according to the invention and of the conduit 1 which it comprises.

[0040] In the cooling module 100, the duct 1 is configured to convey, successively, to the first heat exchanger 3 then to the second heat exchanger 4, a cooling air, for example captured outside the motor vehicle equipped with the cooling module 100, for example at the level of a front grille of such a vehicle. To optimize the circulation of the cooling air through the first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4, in particular when the vehicle is traveling at low speed or is stationary, the ventilation member 5 is pierced with a cutout 510 in which is housed a motorized propeller 6, driven in rotation about an axis of rotation R, by a drive motor not visible on the figure 1 .

[0041] In the cooling module 100 illustrated here, the rotation of the motorized propeller 6 is carried out in such a way that it generates a suction of cooling air through the heat exchangers 3, 4, in a direction represented by the arrow F on the figure 1 The suction generated by the rotation of the motorized propeller 6 around its axis of rotation R contributes both to guiding the flow of cooling air through the cooling module 100, as well as to increasing the quantity of air passing through the latter.

[0042] THE figures 1 et 2 allow to illustrate conduit 1 more specifically.

[0043] The duct 1 comprises a first longitudinal end 10 open on an exterior of the cooling module so as to form an air inlet of the duct and of the cooling device 1 and a second longitudinal end 12 open on the heat exchanger(s) so as to form an air outlet of the duct. In the following, we will speak of front and rear of the cooling module, and of the duct, considering the direction of circulation of the cooling air going from the air inlet, at the front of the duct, to the air outlet, at the rear of the duct.

[0044] The contour of the air inlet delimits a surface of the air inlet 10, and the contour of the air outlet 12 delimits a surface of the air outlet 12. As illustrated, the duct here has a flared shape, with an area of the surface of the air outlet 12 which is greater than an area of the air inlet 10.

[0045] The contour of the air inlet 10 and the contour of the air outlet 12 each have a substantially rectangular general shape seen in the transverse plane. More particularly, each contour has a large upper side and a large lower side extending along the transverse axis Y and two small lateral sides extending along the vertical axis Z.

[0046] The duct 1 comprises an upper wall 141, a lower wall 142 and two side walls 143, 144. The four walls 141, 142, 143, 144 extend from the contour of the air inlet 10 to the contour of the air outlet 12 and two neighboring walls meet at edges 145.

[0047] The two side walls 143, 144 extend in the longitudinal plane while being flat and parallel to each other. The two side walls 143, 144 each connect a short side of the contour of the air inlet 10 to a short side of the air outlet 12.

[0048] The upper wall 141 connects the large upper side of the contour of the air inlet 10 to the large upper side of the contour of the air outlet 12 and the lower wall 142 connects the large lower side of the contour of the air inlet 10 to the large lower side of the contour of the air outlet 12. The upper wall 141 and the lower wall 142 each have a curved plate shape which can be observed in the transverse plane, the curvatures of these plates being such that the upper wall and the lower wall move away from each other as they approach the air outlet.

[0049] The conduit 1 may be made of a polymer selected from the group comprising a polyamide, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyetherimide and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the polyetherimide is an amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide. The conduit may also comprise at least one fibre selected from the group comprising a carbon fibre, a glass fibre, an aramid fibre and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the aramid fibre is poly(p-phenylenephthalamide), also commonly known as Kevlar. The fibre may be overmoulded with a polymer as mentioned above.

[0050] The duct 1 further comprises a covering wall 2 which extends from the contour of the air outlet and extends longitudinally opposite the air inlet of the duct. As illustrated, the covering wall 2 extends along the entire contour of the air outlet 12.

[0051] The covering wall 2 is formed of four sides, respectively 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, substantially flat, which together delimit a housing 210 for at least partial reception of at least one of the heat exchangers 3, 4, not shown in the figure 2 . More precisely, according to the example illustrated by the figures, the panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d together form a rectangular parallelepiped whose main rectangular shape extends in the direction of a covering plane 200, substantially parallel, within manufacturing tolerances, to a main extension plane 150 of the cooling module 100. The panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d have the same dimension along the longitudinal axis X, that is to say in the thickness direction of the cooling module 100.

[0052] As shown in the figure 2 , the large sides of the aforementioned rectangular shape, constituted by the upper panel 20a and the lower panel 20c parallel to the upper panel 20a, extend mainly in the direction of the width of the cooling module 100, that is to say in the direction of the transverse axis Y, and the small sides of the aforementioned rectangular shape, constituted respectively by the lateral panels 20b and 20d, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the upper and lower panels 20a, 20c, extend mainly in the direction of the height of the cooling module 100, that is to say in the direction of the vertical axis Z.

[0053] As shown in the figure 2 , the covering wall 2 comprises two stop lips 22 which each develop in the covering plane 200 projecting from a lateral panel, from the upper panel 20a to the lower panel 20b, along the vertical axis Z. The stop lips 22 form a stop when the first heat exchanger 3 is put in place. The stop lips 22 also make it possible to reduce the surface area of the air outlet 12 in order to direct the cooling air specifically onto an exchange surface of the heat exchangers 3, 4 and thus prevent or at least hinder the passage of the cooling air between the panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and the heat exchangers 3, 4.

[0054] Alternatively to what is illustrated, stop lips may be arranged projecting from the upper panel and the lower panel so as to form an internal barrier around the entire perimeter of the air outlet contour which then helps to form an integral sealing means aimed at hindering the loss of air between the sealing wall and the heat exchangers.

[0055] As seen on the figure 2 , the covering wall 2 comprises fixing elements for each of the two heat exchangers 3, 4. Among these fixing elements, there are first fixing elements which are turned towards the inside of the covering wall for fixing the first heat exchanger 3 and second elements which are turned towards the outside of the covering wall for fixing the second exchanger. The first fixing elements comprise in particular locking elements 26, pivot elements 27, locking members 28 and a holding member 29. The first fixing elements 26, 27, 28, 29 extend from an internal face 11 of the duct, and more particularly an internal face of the corresponding section of the covering wall 2, that is to say from a face turned towards the inside of the duct. Each of these first fixing elements is configured to mechanically secure the covering wall 2 and the second exchanger 4.

[0056] The pivot elements 27, here three in number, are arranged at the level of the first lateral panel 20b and are notably visible on the figure 3 . They each form a projection from the internal face of this lateral panel extending towards the interior of the housing 210. The three pivot elements 27 each take the form of a curved blade, substantially in the form of a semicircle open onto the interior of the housing, to form a zone for receiving a lateral element of the first heat exchanger 3 configured to create a pivot connection of the first heat exchanger 3 on the duct. Each pivot element 27 has an elastically deformable tab 270 intended to lock the position of the lateral element of the first heat exchanger in the curved blade.

[0057] The locking elements 26, also three in number, are arranged on the opposite side panel, namely the second side panel 20d. These locking elements 26 each take the form of an elastic strip 260 extending in the center of an orifice 261 formed in the second side panel 20d. More particularly, this elastic strip has an original configuration projecting from the internal face of the second side panel 20d, in the direction of the interior of the housing 210, each elastic strip being capable of retracting into the orifice 261 when the first heat exchanger is inserted into the housing 210, the elastic return effect of the elastic strips participating in fixing the first heat exchanger 3 in the duct, by pushing the first heat exchanger against the pivot elements 27.

[0058] The locking members 28, also three in number, are arranged on the upper panel 20a. These locking members 28 each take the form of an elastic blade 280 extending projecting from the internal face of the upper panel 20a, towards the interior of the housing 210, each elastic blade being capable of being compressed against the upper panel 20a when the first heat exchanger 3 is inserted into the housing 210, the elastic return effect of the elastic blades participating in fixing the first heat exchanger 3 in the duct, by pushing this exchanger against the lower panel 20b.

[0059] The holding member 29 is arranged on the upper panel 20a. The holding member 29 is in the form of a blade which extends in the plane of the upper panel 20a, a free end of the blade comprising a lug which projects from the internal face of the upper panel, towards the inside of the housing. The holding member 29 participates in holding the first heat exchanger 3 when the latter is arranged in the housing 210.

[0060] It should be noted that according to the invention the conduit comprises a plurality of first fixing elements arranged towards the interior of the housing to ensure the fixing of the first heat exchanger, and that the number and shape of these first fixing elements can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0061] The second fixing elements 24, 24', 25 extend from an external face 13 of the duct, and more particularly an external face of the corresponding side panel, that is to say from a face facing away from the opposite side panel. In other words, the second fixing elements extend towards the outside of the duct 1. Each of these second fixing elements is configured to mechanically secure the covering wall 2 and the second exchanger 4.

[0062] These second fixing elements here comprise fixing pieces 24, 24', arranged on a side panel, and holding tabs 25, arranged on the opposite side panel.

[0063] Here, the fixing pieces 24, 24' are attached to an external face of a first lateral panel 20b, in the vicinity of an edge 20b1 of the covering wall at the level of this first lateral plane 20b. The fixing pieces 24, 24' each consist of a pocket sized to receive a hook secured to the second heat exchanger, each pocket being at least open on a lower side, facing the lower panel 20a of the covering wall 2.

[0064] According to the example illustrated by the figure 2 , a first fixing piece 24 is arranged, in the direction of the height of the cooling module 100 materialized by the vertical axis Z in the vicinity of the upper panel 20a and a second fixing piece 24' is arranged, in this direction of the height of the cooling module, in the vicinity of the lower panel 20c. According to this example, the second fixing piece 24' comprises a window 241 for locking the second heat exchanger 4 with the housing 210, formed in a wall of the fixing piece 24' arranged opposite the air inlet. As will be described below, this window 241 allows the second heat exchanger to be locked by cooperation with a snap-in finger formed on the previously mentioned hook.

[0065] The two retaining tabs 25 are arranged on the external face of a second lateral panel 20d of the covering wall 2 opposite the aforementioned first lateral panel 20b. Each retaining tab 25 forms a projection from this lateral panel in a direction substantially parallel to that of the transverse axis Y and comprises an orifice for receiving, for example, a retaining screw not shown in the figure 3 .

[0066] As illustrated on the figures 2 And 3 , the lower panel 20c is extended by an edge 23 in the thickness direction of the cooling module 100, therefore towards the rear along the longitudinal axis X. The edge 23 extends the lower panel 20c in the horizontal plane and serves as a support and guide for mounting the heat exchanger 4. It also makes it possible to limit the leaks of cooling air towards the outside of the cooling module 100, between the two heat exchangers when they are mounted on the duct.

[0067] According to an embodiment not shown, the edge extends longitudinally towards the rear over a sufficient distance to also serve as a support and guide for mounting the ventilation member 5.

[0068] The covering wall 2 is integral with the duct 1. In other words, the duct 1 and the covering wall 2, as well as all the fixing elements it comprises, form a single piece, and are therefore made of the same material(s). This part can be obtained, for example, by molding or injection. This part is therefore different from elements added by welding or gluing. It is thus notable that the heat exchangers are fixed directly to the part which also ensures the guidance of the air through the cooling module.

[0069] There figure 4 schematically illustrates, in perspective, the first heat exchanger 3 of a cooling module 100 such as that illustrated by the figure 1 This figure shows the previously defined trihedron (X, Y, Z), the directions of which represent, respectively, the thickness, width and height of the cooling module 100 according to the invention and of the first heat exchanger 3.

[0070] The first heat exchanger 3 here has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped whose largest rectangular shape extends substantially along a main extension plane 300 of the first heat exchanger 3, substantially parallel, within manufacturing and assembly tolerances, to the main extension plane 150 of the cooling module 100.

[0071] The first heat exchanger 3 comprises a body delimited by four end faces, respectively 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, substantially parallel to each other two by two and substantially perpendicular to each other two by two. More precisely, the first heat exchanger 3 comprises an upper end face 30a and a lower end face 30c, substantially parallel to each other and forming the long sides of the body of the first heat exchanger 3, and it comprises two lateral end faces 30b, 30d, substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the aforementioned upper 30a and lower 30d end faces, and forming the short sides of the body of the first heat exchanger 3.

[0072] As illustrated, the first heat exchanger 3 has a heat exchange surface, here formed by a plurality of transverse tubes which extend between two collecting chambers 32 arranged at each of the lateral end faces 30b, 30d over substantially the entire dimension, in the direction of the vertical axis Z, of the first heat exchanger 3.

[0073] According to the example more particularly illustrated by the figure 4 , the first heat exchanger 3 operates as a condenser: it comprises here, arranged in the vicinity of one of its lateral end faces 30d, a reservoir 31 for storing a refrigerant fluid which thus forms the lateral element of the first heat exchanger previously mentioned, capable of cooperating with the pivot elements 27 of the covering wall. The storage reservoir 31 extends mainly in the direction of the vertical axis Z of the trihedron (X, Y, Z) over substantially the entire height of the first heat exchanger 3, along the corresponding lateral end face.

[0074] In the cooling module 100, and with reference to the figure 1 , the first heat exchanger 3 is able to be engaged in the housing 210 defined by the conduit 1, with each of its end faces which is covered by the covering wall 2 of the conduit 1. More particularly, in this assembled position of the first heat exchanger 3 in the volume defined by the conduit and its covering wall, the upper end face 30a of the first heat exchanger 3 is opposite the upper face 20a, the lower end face 30c of the first heat exchanger 3 is opposite the lower face 20c, and the lateral end faces 30b, 30d are opposite the lateral faces 20b and 20d of the covering wall 2.

[0075] The mounting of the first heat exchanger 3 in the duct 1 and its housing 210 is carried out for example by approaching the heat exchanger 3 to the housing 210 with an angle of inclination such that the storage tank 31 is approached to the first lateral face 20b of the covering wall. For example, the heat exchanger 3 and the main extension plane 150 of the cooling module can then form an angle of 45°. The storage tank 31 is engaged in the pivot elements 27 arranged on the first lateral face 20b of the covering wall 2. The shape cooperation between the curved blades of the pivot elements and the circular cylindrical shape of the storage tank makes it possible to create a pivot connection whose pivot axis P corresponds to the vertical alignment of the pivot elements and the storage tank 3.

[0076] In a second step, the first heat exchanger 3 is tilted around this pivot axis so that the collecting chamber 32 opposite the storage tank 31 comes opposite the second lateral panel 20d of the covering wall 2, deforming the elastic strips 260 forming the locking members 26. The restoring force of these elastic strips tends to push the first heat exchanger towards the pivot elements, pressing the storage tank into these pivot elements 27 within which the elastically deformable tabs 270 make it possible to lock the position of the first heat exchanger 3. The locking members 26, deformed and elastically returned to position, make it possible to avoid in particular a movement of the first exchanger along the transverse axis Y.Concomitantly, the upper end face 30a of the heat exchanger is positioned opposite the upper panel 20a by moving the lug away from the holding member 29, the elastic return force of the latter allowing the lug to return to a locking position of the first heat exchanger is in position opposite the upper panel so as to prevent the movement of the heat exchanger 3 along the longitudinal axis X. Finally, the elastic blades of the locking members 28, once the first heat exchanger 3 is opposite the upper panel 20a, tend to push the exchanger against the opposite lower panel and therefore to limit the movement along the vertical axis Z. The . figure 10 in particular allows the position of the first heat sink 3 to be illustrated in the housing 210 once mounted therein.

[0077] THE figures 5 à 7 schematically illustrate in perspective the second exchanger 4 of the cooling module 100, from two different viewing angles. More precisely, the figure 5 illustrates the second heat exchanger 4 seen from the side of the ventilation member 5 in a cooling module 100 such as that illustrated by the figure 1 , and the figure 7 illustrates the second heat exchanger 4 seen from the side of the air inlet 10 of such a cooling module 100. In other words, the figure 4 shows the back of the second heat exchanger 4 and the figure 6 shows the front of the second heat exchanger 4 with reference to the longitudinal orientations previously described. These figures show the previously defined trihedron (X, Y, Z), the axes of which respectively represent the thickness, width and height of the cooling module 100 and the second heat exchanger 4.

[0078] In reference to the figures 5 And 7, the second heat exchanger 4 has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped whose largest rectangular shape extends along a main extension plane 400 of the second heat exchanger 4. In the cooling module 100 according to the invention, the main extension plane 400 of the second heat exchanger 4 is substantially parallel, apart from manufacturing and assembly tolerances, to the main extension plane 150 of the cooling module 100.

[0079] The second heat exchanger 4 comprises a body delimited by four rims, respectively 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, substantially parallel to each other two by two and substantially perpendicular to each other two by two. More precisely, the second heat exchanger 4 comprises an upper rim 40a and a lower rim 40c, substantially parallel to each other and forming the long sides of the body, as well as two lateral rims 40b, 40d, substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the aforementioned upper rim 40a and lower rim 40c, and forming the short sides of the body.

[0080] In the cooling module 100, and also with reference to the figure 1 , the upper edge 40a of the second heat exchanger 4 is engaged in the housing 210 delimited by the covering wall 2 in the vicinity of the upper panel 20a of the latter. It follows that the lower edge 40c of the second heat exchanger 4 is received, in this housing, in the vicinity of the lower panel 20c, the lateral edges 40b and 40d being arranged in the vicinity of the lateral panels 20b and 20d of the covering wall 2.

[0081] As illustrated, the second heat exchanger 4 has a heat exchange surface, here formed by a plurality of transverse tubes which extend between two collecting chambers 41 provided at each of the lateral edges 40b, 40d over substantially the entire dimension, in the direction of the vertical axis Z, of the second heat exchanger 4. The latter further comprises two end pieces 410, respectively fluidically connected to one of the collecting chambers, which allow the entry and exit of a cooling fluid within the second heat exchanger 4. The second heat exchanger 4 functions here as a radiator, with cooling fluid circulating from one collecting chamber to the other, these chambers being arranged laterally to the body of the second heat exchanger and being respectively connected to a cooling fluid circulation loop via the end pieces 41.Each end piece extends here substantially perpendicularly to the main extension plane 400 of the second heat exchanger 4, and on the same side of the latter parallel to the longitudinal axis X. More precisely, and also with reference to the . figure 1 , the end pieces 41 extend, in the cooling module 100, towards the ventilation member 5.

[0082] The second heat exchanger 4 comprises two locking elements, a first locking element 42 and a second locking element 42', configured to make the second heat exchanger 4 mechanically integral with the ventilation member 5 of the cooling module 100.

[0083] In reference to the figure 5 , the locking elements 42, 42' are arranged from a first lateral edge 40b of the second heat exchanger 4, and more precisely, by forming a projection towards the rear of the aforementioned lateral edge 40b, so as to be able to cooperate with the ventilation member 5. As shown in the figures 5 And 7 , a first locking element 42 is arranged, in the direction of the vertical axis Z, in the vicinity of the upper rim 40a of the second heat exchanger 4, and a second locking element 42' is arranged, in the direction of the vertical axis Z, in the vicinity of the lower rim 40c of the second heat exchanger 4.

[0084] Each locking element 42, 42' delimits, with the lateral edge 40b from which it extends, a sheath 420 passing along the vertical axis Z. More particularly, the sheath of each locking element opens towards the upper edge 40a of the second heat exchanger 4. The second locking element 42' comprises a blocking window 421 arranged in a wall of the first locking element 42 facing towards the rear of the cooling module 100, that is to say facing towards the ventilation member 5, as is notably visible in the detail of the figure 6 .

[0085] The shapes and dimensions of the sheaths 420, respectively, of the first locking element 42 and of the second locking element 42' are defined to allow the engagement within them of complementary means carried by the ventilation member 5, here staples 521 as visible on the figure 9 in particular. It is understood that the shape and dimensions of a clip 521 of the ventilation member 5, intended to be engaged in the sheath 420 of the second locking element 42', are defined in such a way that once this engagement has been carried out, a part of the aforementioned clip 521 cooperates with the locking window 421, for example by snap-fastening, to lock the ventilation member 5 and the second heat exchanger 4 together in the direction of the vertical axis Z.

[0086] Furthermore, the second heat exchanger 4 comprises, arranged from the rear of its second lateral edge 40d, opposite the first lateral edge 40b, a securing tab 43, which forms a projection from this second lateral edge towards the rear of the second heat exchanger 4. According to this example, the securing tab 43 comprises an orifice arranged to receive, substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane 400 of the second exchanger 4, a means of mechanically securing the second heat exchanger 4 with the ventilation member 5, and for example a tightening screw.

[0087] The second heat exchanger 4 also comprises, on this second lateral edge 40d, a support element 43' which projects towards the rear of the second heat exchanger 4 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. According to this exemplary embodiment, the support element 43' has a U-shape open on the top, that is to say with an opening facing the upper edge 40a, and thus delimits a receiving housing 430', closed by a stop wall 431' which forms the base of the U and which extends substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane 400 of the second heat exchanger 4. This support element is intended to receive a tab of the ventilation member to ensure its position and keep it in position relative to the second heat exchanger before its fixing via the securing tab 43 and the associated securing means.

[0088] There figure 7 shows the second heat exchanger 4 seen from the side of the air inlet 10 of the cooling module 100 according to the invention, that is to say seen from the side by which the second heat exchanger 4 is partly received in the housing 210 defined by the covering wall 2 of the cooling module 100.

[0089] In reference to this figure 7 and to the figure 5 , the second heat exchanger 4 comprises two fixing stops 44 arranged from the second lateral edge 40d. These fixing stops 44 are arranged respectively in the vicinity of the upper edge 40a and the lower edge 40c of the second heat exchanger 4 and they each extend projecting from the second lateral edge towards the front of the cooling module, that is to say towards the duct and the first heat exchanger 3. In the cooling module 100 according to the invention, and also with reference to the figure 1 , the aforementioned fixing stops 44 are configured to cooperate with the holding tabs 25 arranged on the outside of the second lateral panel 20d of the covering wall 2, in order to participate in the fixing of the second heat exchanger 4 on the conduit 1.

[0090] Complementarily, and as shown more particularly by the figures 7 And 8, the second heat exchanger 4 also comprises two hooks 45, 45' arranged on the second lateral edge 40b, so as to form a transverse projection with the hook which is open towards the front of the cooling module 100. More precisely, a first hook 45 is arranged, in the direction of the vertical axis Z, in the vicinity of the upper edge 40a of the second heat exchanger 4, and a second hook 45' is arranged, in the direction of this vertical axis Z, in the vicinity of the lower edge 40c of the second heat exchanger 4.Each hook 45, 45' comprises a base wall 450 which transversely extends the second lateral edge 40b, a return wall 451 which extends perpendicularly to this base wall and perpendicularly to the main extension plane 400 of the second heat exchanger 4, and a fixing wall 452, which perpendicularly extends the return wall in the direction of the upper edge 40a of the second heat exchanger 4 and which extends parallel to the main extension plane 400 of the second heat exchanger 4, thereby forming a notch between the base wall 450 and the fixing wall 452. The fixing wall 452 of the second hook 45' comprises an elastic fixing finger 453 capable of cooperating with the locking window 241 of the second fixing part 24'.

[0091] According to the invention, the hooks 45, 45' are configured to be engaged in the pockets of the fixing parts 24, 24' arranged on the covering wall 2 of the duct 1 of the cooling module 100. More precisely, it follows from the above that such engagement is carried out, in the cooling module 100 according to the invention, in a direction substantially parallel to the main extension plane 150 of the latter, and, more precisely still, in a direction parallel to the height of the latter, materialized by the direction of the vertical axis Z. Advantageously, the bottom wall fits into the locking window 241 to position the hook and the second heat exchanger 4 relative to the duct 1.The shape and dimensions of the hooks 45, 45' are defined in such a way that once this engagement is achieved, a part of the second hook 45', i.e. the finger 453, cooperates with the upper edge of the second fixing part 24' to lock by snap-fastening the second heat exchanger 4 and the conduit 1 together in the direction of the vertical axis Z previously mentioned.

[0092] In reference to the figures 5 And 7 , the second heat exchanger 4 comprises fixing members 47. They make it possible to position and secure the cooling module 100 in a vehicle. The fixing members 47 are arranged in vertical projection from the body of the exchanger 4, in the direction of the vertical axis Z, from the ends of the lateral edges towards the outside of the cooling module 100.

[0093] It is notable according to the invention that the conduit 1 is made directly integral with each of the two heat exchangers, so as to form a cooling module with a minimal number of components, and that it is the second heat exchanger 4, here a radiator, which consists of the heaviest component of this cooling module, which allows the module to be fixed to the vehicle.

[0094] As illustrated on the figure 10 , the assembly of the second heat exchanger 4 with the duct 1 is carried out after the first heat exchanger 3 has been mounted in the housing 210 of the duct 1. The assembly is carried out both by engagement, in a direction parallel to that of the main extension plane 150 of the cooling module, of the hooks 45, 45' of the second heat exchanger 4 with the fixing parts 24, 24' of the covering wall 2, and by securing, in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned main extension plane 150, this engagement, for example by means of a screw inserted both in the holding tabs 25 of the covering wall 2 and in the fixing stops 44 of the second heat exchanger 4. The edge 23 makes it possible to guide the second heat exchanger 4 during its assembly.It therefore follows from the above that, in the cooling module 100 according to the invention, the second heat exchanger 4 is fixed to the duct 1, opposite the first heat exchanger 3 so as to be superimposed on this first heat exchanger 3 along the longitudinal axis X. More particularly, the first heat exchanger 3 is arranged in the housing 210, surrounded on its periphery, with the exception of a zone of connection flanges 33, by the covering wall 2, while the second heat exchanger 4 is arranged outside this housing, but held by the second fixing elements integral with the duct 1, arranged on the external faces of the covering wall.

[0095] There figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the ventilation member 5 of a cooling module 100 such as that illustrated by the figure 1 . This figure shows the trihedron (X, Y, Z), as well as the cutout 510 arranged in the ventilation member 5 and the motorized propeller 6 housed in the aforementioned cutout 510. This figure makes more visible a crown 501 forming a projection from a rear face 502 of the ventilation member 5, the rear face 502 being turned away from the duct 1. This crown 501 forms a housing for the motorized propeller 6 so that it is not in contact with the second heat exchanger 4, the closest to the ventilation member 5.

[0096] The ventilation member 5 more particularly comprises a substantially flat partition 50 extending along a main extension plane 500 of the ventilation member, substantially parallel, within manufacturing tolerances, to the main extension plane 150, of the cooling module 100, visible on the figure 1 and the crown 501 extends substantially in the center of this partition 50.

[0097] More precisely, the partition 50 of the ventilation member 5 has the general shape of a rectangle whose large sides, parallel to each other, are directed along the width of the cooling module 100, materialized by the direction of the transverse axis Y, and whose small sides, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the aforementioned large sides, are directed along the height, previously, of the cooling module 100, materialized by the direction of the vertical axis Z.

[0098] As shown in the figure 8 , the edges of the partition 50, respectively 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, are curved in the direction of the thickness of the cooling module 100, materialized by the direction of the longitudinal axis X. In other words, the edges 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, of the partition 50 of the ventilation member 5 are curved in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane 500 of the ventilation member 5 and to the main extension plane 150 of the cooling module 100. Each of the curved edges of the partition extends towards the front of the cooling module, that is to say in the direction of the duct 1, so as to form with the central wall of the partition a bowl making it possible to house components of the cooling module and in particular to partially house the second heat exchanger.

[0099] According to the invention, the ventilation member 5 comprises a covering lip 51 which extends one of the curved edges of the partition 50, perpendicular to the latter. According to the example more particularly described and illustrated here, the covering lip forms an extension, in the direction of the axis X, that is to say in the direction of the thickness of the cooling module 100, of a curved edge 50a of the partition 50, arbitrarily designated in the following as the upper curved edge 50a of the ventilation member 5, while the other three curved edges 50b, 50c, 50d have dimensions, measured perpendicular to the main extension plane 500 of the ventilation member 5, which are substantially identical.

[0100] The covering lip 51 extends, with reference to the directions and orientations previously defined, over the entire width of the ventilation member 5. According to other examples not shown in the figures, the covering lip 51 can simultaneously extend the aforementioned curved upper edge 50a and at least partially one of the curved edges 50b, 50d adjacent to this upper edge, such that the covering lip 51 then forms a right angle.

[0101] According to the example more particularly illustrated by the figures, the covering lip 51 is formed of a first part 51a, perpendicular to the curved upper edge 50a and substantially parallel to the main extension plane 500 of the partition 50 of the ventilation member 5, and of a second part 51b, substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned main extension plane 500. More precisely, according to the example illustrated by the figure 8 , the first part 51a of the covering wall extends in the direct extension of the upper curved edge 50a, perpendicular to this curved edge, and the second part 51b of the covering lip 51 extends, from the end of the first part 51a opposite the main wall, perpendicular to the main plane of extension 500 of the ventilation member 5, in the same direction as the curved edges 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, that is to say, in the cooling module 100 and also with reference to the figure 1 , towards the air inlet 10 of the cooling module 100.

[0102] This results in a raised position of the second part 51b of the covering wall 50 which allows that, as shown in the figure 1 , in the cooling module 100, the second part 51b of the covering lip 51 is in abutment on the upper face 20a of the covering wall 2 while the curved upper edge 50a is substantially at the same height as this upper face 20a. Advantageously, the dimension, according to the height of the ventilation member 5, of the first part 51a of the covering lip 51, is defined to guarantee that the second part 51b of the covering wall is placed, in the cooling module 100, in abutment above the upper face 20a of the covering wall 2, taking into account possible dimensional differences of the covering wall 2 and the partition 50 of the ventilation member 5, in particular according to the direction of the height of the cooling module 100.

[0103] In the example illustrated, the covering lip 51 is slightly inclined relative to an extension plane of the upper panel 20a of the covering wall 2, so that the free end of the second part 51b of the covering lip 51, opposite the first part 51a of the covering lip 51, points towards the upper panel 20a. In this way, when the cooling module 100 is assembled, it is guaranteed that the covering lip 51 rests on the upper panel 20a.

[0104] It should be noted in this context that the dimensioning of the covering lip 51, a step-like shape of the covering lip, and the arrangement of the free end of the second part 51b at a distance from the curved upper edge 50a, make it possible to give flexibility to this covering lip, which helps to maintain the support of the covering lip 51 on the upper panel 20a.

[0105] The ventilation member 5 comprises two locking members 52, 52' which each extend from a first lateral curved edge 50b, that is to say from a first short side of the partition 50. As is more particularly visible in FIG. 0, the locking members 52, 52' are arranged from the curved edge 50b in question, and they extend projecting from this curved edge in a direction parallel to that of the width, materialized by the transverse axis Y, of the ventilation member 5, that is to say opposite the partition 50. In a cooling module 100 equipped with a ventilation member 5 such as that illustrated by FIG. figure 9 , and as shown in the figure 1 , the locking members 52, 52' extend towards the outside of the cooling module 100 along the width of the latter.

[0106] A first locking member 52 is arranged in the vicinity of the upper curved edge 50a of the partition 50 of the ventilation member 5, and a second locking member 52' is arranged in the vicinity of the edge opposite the upper curved edge, i.e. a lower curved edge 50c of the partition 50.

[0107] According to the example illustrated by the figure 9 , a locking member 52, 52' comprises a first element 520 and a clip 521 as previously mentioned.

[0108] The first element 520 has substantially the shape of a U, the base of which is substantially parallel to the main extension plane 500 of the ventilation member 5 and the branches of which, substantially parallel to each other, are substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned main extension plane 500, being respectively directed opposite the curved edges 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d of the partition 50.

[0109] The clip 521 extends from the base of the U formed by the first element 520 and it forms, with the first element 520, a receiving notch 522 closed on the side of the upper curved edge 50a and the covering lip 51, and open on the side of the opposite lower curved edge 50c, the receiving notch 522 extending in a main direction substantially parallel, within manufacturing tolerances, to the main extension plane 500 of the ventilation member 5.

[0110] The ventilation member 5 also comprises two holding members 53, 53' which extend from the curved edge corresponding to the second short side 50d opposite the first short side 50b, in the extension of the partition 50, towards the outside of the ventilation member 5. A first holding member 53 is arranged in the vicinity of the upper curved edge 50a of the partition 50 of the ventilation member 5, and a second holding member 53' is arranged in the vicinity of the lower curved edge 50c, previously defined, of the aforementioned partition 50.

[0111] According to the example, non-limiting, more particularly illustrated by the figure 1, each holding member 53, 53' takes the form of a tab substantially parallel to the main extension plane 500 of the ventilation member 5. The first holding member 53 is pierced with a receiving orifice, for example, for a screw or a fixing rivet so that this screw or this rivet can pass through the holding member 53 and cooperate with the orifice of the corresponding securing tab 43 on the second heat exchanger 4. The second holding member 53' cooperates with the support element 43' by coming into abutment with a bottom of the receiving housing 430' of this support element 43'. According to an embodiment not shown, the ventilation member 5 can be directly fixed to the duct 1.

[0112] Once the cooling module 100 is obtained by assembling the duct 1, the first heat exchanger 3, the second heat exchanger 4 and the ventilation member 5 together, the cooling module 100 is mounted in the vehicle, at a front face thereof, via the fixing members 47 carried by the second heat sink 4.

[0113] The foregoing description clearly indicates that the invention fulfills the objectives it has set for itself, by proposing a cooling module comprising an air supply duct configured to directly allow the attachment of at least one heat exchanger. As has been previously specified, such a configuration makes it possible to limit the number of components necessary to produce the cooling module, in particular by dispensing with a frame on which the heat exchangers are attached and on which the duct is also attached. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous in the case where the duct comprises elements for attaching each heat exchanger present in the cooling module. The invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated, and it also applies to any equivalent means or configurations and to any combination of such means covered by the claims.

Claims

1. Cooling module (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least first heat exchanger (3, 4) and at least one duct (1) comprising an air inlet (10) of the cooling module (100), the duct (1) being configured to convey cooling air from the air inlet (10) to the heat exchanger (3, 4), the duct (1) comprises fixing elements (24, 24', 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) configured to fix the first heat exchanger (3, 4) to the duct (1), said duct (1) comprising an air outlet (12), extending in a plane parallel to a plane of extension (150) of the cooling module, and a cover wall (2) bordering the air outlet (12) and defined by a plurality of panels (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) extending perpendicularly to the plane of extension (150) of the cooling module, and characterised in that the first fastening elements (26, 27, 28, 29) project from an internal face (11) of the duct (1) so as to house the first heat exchanger (3) in a housing (210) defined at least in part by the covering wall (2) of the duct (1).

2. Cooling module (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising two heat exchangers (3, 4) and in which the duct (1) comprises first fastening elements (26, 27, 28, 29) designed to fasten the first heat exchanger (3) to the duct (1) and second fastening elements (24, 24', 25) designed to fasten the second heat exchanger (4) to the duct (1).

3. Cooling module (100) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the cover wall (2) comprises at least two opposite side panels (20b, 20d) arranged on either side of the air outlet (12), first fixing elements (26, 27, 28, 29) being distributed over the first side panel (20b) and over the second side panel (20d).

4. Cooling module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover wall (2) is configured to longitudinally cover each edge (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) of the first heat exchanger (3, 4).

5. Cooling module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second fastening elements (24, 24', 25) are arranged in projects from an external face (13) of the duct (1) so as to position the second heat exchanger (4) opposite the first heat exchanger (3), outside said housing (210).

6. Cooling module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second heat exchanger (4) comprises fixing members (47) configured to fix the cooling module (100) to the motor vehicle.

7. Cooling module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a ventilation member (5) configured to force cooling air into the cooling module, the ventilation member (5) being integral with the duct (1) and / or with at least one heat exchanger.

8. Cooling module (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the fastening elements (24, 24', 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) are integral with the conduit (1).