Cooling device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Cooling device (11) for a motor vehicle (1), characterised in that it comprises: - a first heat exchanger (6) and - an air guide (12) comprising a frame (13) surrounding the first heat exchanger (6), the first heat exchanger (6) comprising: - a body (16) through which an air flow can pass and - a first fastening interface (17) arranged along a first side of the body (16), - a second fastening interface (18) arranged along a second side of the body (16), the second side being opposite to the first side, the first heat exchanger (6) being fastened to the air guide (12) by means of the two fastening interfaces (17, 18).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling device for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a cooling device. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a cooling device. State of the prior art

[0002] Motor vehicles are equipped with cooling systems to cool various parts of the vehicle, including cooling the vehicle's combustion engine. A cooling system generally includes a circuit through which a heat transfer fluid circulates. The heat transfer fluid heats up upon contact with the vehicle's parts and cools down by passing through a heat exchanger, also called a radiator. The heat exchanger generally includes a body provided with channels through which the heat transfer fluid circulates. The heat exchanger is positioned so that an air flow passes through it. In particular, the heat exchanger may be positioned at the front of the vehicle so that it receives an air flow as the vehicle moves forward.

[0003] A vehicle may thus comprise a first heat exchanger for cooling oil used to lubricate and cool vehicle components, and a second heat exchanger for cooling water or at least a water-based heat transfer fluid. These heat exchangers comprise interfaces for attachment to a vehicle frame. Different equipment may then be attached to the heat exchangers by means of specific attachment interfaces. In particular, it is known to attach the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger, behind it. The same air flow therefore successively passes through the second heat exchanger and then the first heat exchanger. In addition, an air guide is generally attached around these two heat exchangers. The air guide allows the air flow to be channeled so as to force the air to pass through the two heat exchangers.These different mountings require specific mounting interfaces. These mounting interfaces are generally bulky and can limit the efficiency of each of the two heat exchangers. In particular, mounting interfaces can reduce the usable surface area of ​​a heat exchanger and therefore reduce the air flow rate that can pass through it. In addition, these mounting interfaces generate significant excess weight and bulk. They can also be subject to significant stresses in the event of thermal expansion.

[0004] Each of documents US2007 / 051489A1, US5597047A and EP2333266A2 discloses a cooling device according to the preamble of claim 1. Presentation of the invention

[0005] The aim of the invention is to provide a cooling device which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the cooling devices known from the prior art.

[0006] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a cooling device making it possible to maximize the flow of air passed through the body of a heat exchanger.

[0007] A second object of the invention is a lightweight and space-saving cooling device.

[0008] A third object of the invention is a cooling device which is easy to manufacture.

[0009] A fourth object of the invention is a solution for fixing a heat exchanger compatible with thermal expansions. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention relates to a cooling device for a motor vehicle comprising: a first heat exchanger and an air guide comprising a frame surrounding the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger comprising: a body capable of being crossed by an air flow and a first fixing interface arranged along a first side of the body, a second fixing interface arranged along a second side of the body, the second side being opposite the first side, the first heat exchanger being fixed to the air guide by the two fixing interfaces.

[0011] The first attachment interface may include a plastic material overmolded onto the first side of the body, and / or the second attachment interface may include a plastic material overmolded onto the second side of the body.

[0012] The first heat exchanger may include a first header box along the first side of the body and a second header box along the second side of the body, wherein the first attachment interface is overmolded onto the first header box and / or the second attachment interface is overmolded onto the second header box.

[0013] The cooling device according to the invention comprises a housing equipped with a thermostat, an inlet duct and an outlet duct, the cooling device comprising a means for positioning the housing relative to the air guide.

[0014] The first heat exchanger may comprise an inlet duct and an outlet duct, the inlet duct being positioned in a first slot arranged in a wall of the air guide, and / or the outlet duct being positioned in a second slot arranged in a wall of the air guide.

[0015] The cooling device may comprise a first sealing element made of flexible material, in particular rubber or foam, the first sealing element being arranged at the interface between the first slot and the inlet duct, and / or it may comprise a second sealing element made of flexible material, in particular rubber or foam, the second sealing element being arranged at the interface between the second slot and the outlet duct.

[0016] The first heat exchanger may extend generally in a plane, the first heat exchanger being attached in play to the air guide so as to be able to move parallel to said plane, and / or the first heat exchanger being attached to the air guide so as to be immobilized perpendicular to said plane.

[0017] The air guide may comprise a central opening and the first heat exchanger may comprise a width substantially equal to the width of the central opening and a height strictly less than the height of the central opening.

[0018] The air guide may comprise a transverse bar delimiting two separate openings of the air guide, each of the two openings being capable of being crossed by an air flow, the two attachment interfaces of the first heat exchanger being attached to the transverse bar.

[0019] The cooling device may comprise a second heat exchanger extending substantially parallel to the first heat exchanger, the air guide conforming to the contour of the second heat exchanger.

[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a cooling device as defined above.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a cooling device as defined above, the manufacturing method comprising: a step of positioning the first heat exchanger relative to the air guide, the positioning of the first heat exchanger relative to the air guide being determined by positioning a housing of the first heat exchanger relative to the air guide, the housing being equipped with a thermostat and / or an inlet duct and / or an outlet duct, then a step of fixing the first heat exchanger to the air guide by means of the two fixing interfaces.

[0022] The manufacturing method may then include a step of fixing the air guide to a second heat exchanger. Presentation of figures

[0023] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which: There figure 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention. The figure 2 is an isometric perspective and front view of a cooling device according to one embodiment of the invention. The figure 3 is an isometric perspective and rear view of the cooling device. The figure 4 is a perspective and exploded view of the cooling device. The Figure 5 is a rear view of part of the cooling device. The figure 6 is a perspective view of two slots arranged in an air guide of the cooling device. The figure 7is a perspective view of a first means of fixing a heat exchanger of the cooling device. The figure 8 is a perspective view of a second means of fixing the heat exchanger of the cooling device. The figure 9 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger attachment interface of the cooling device. The figure 10 is a perspective view of a support means integrated into the air guide of the cooling device. figure 11 is a perspective view of the support means, the support means being constrained in bending by bearing against the heat exchanger of the cooling device. Detailed description

[0024] There figure 1schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 equipped with a cooling system 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 can be of any type. In particular, it can be, for example, a private vehicle, a utility vehicle, a truck or a bus. The cooling system 2 comprises a first circuit 3 and a second circuit 4, independent of the first circuit. A heat transfer fluid circulates in a closed cycle in each of the two circuits 3 and 4. According to the embodiment described, the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit is oil and the second heat transfer fluid is water or a water-based heat transfer fluid. Alternatively, the heat transfer fluids could be different. The first circuit comprises at least one member 5 capable of heating up during operation of the vehicle, a first heat exchanger 6 and a pump 7 capable of circulating the oil in the first circuit.Likewise, the second circuit comprises at least one member 8 capable of heating up during operation of the vehicle, a second heat exchanger 9 and a pump 10 capable of circulating the water in the second circuit. The first heat exchanger 6 and the second heat exchanger 9 are part of a cooling device 11 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0025] In this document, the X axis designates the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1. When moving forward and in a straight line, the vehicle moves from rear to front in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The X axis is oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, i.e., in the direction of reverse travel. The Y axis designates the transverse axis of the vehicle. The Y axis is oriented from left to right, with left and right being defined according to the point of view of a driver of the vehicle 1. The Z axis designates the axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis. The Z axis is a vertical axis when the vehicle is resting on horizontal ground. The Z axis is oriented from bottom to top. The X, Y and Z axes form an orthogonal coordinate system.

[0026] THE Figures 2 and 3illustrate respectively in front view and in rear view the cooling device 11 according to an embodiment of the invention. The second heat exchanger 9 is masked in these figures so as to make the first heat exchanger 6 clearly visible. The first heat exchanger 6 and the second heat exchanger 9 both extend parallel to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The first heat exchanger 6 is positioned behind the second heat exchanger 9. An air gap can separate the first heat exchanger 6 from the second heat exchanger 9. When the vehicle 1 moves forward, the air flow generated by its movement first passes through the second heat exchanger 9 and then the first heat exchanger 6.

[0027] In addition to the two heat exchangers 6 and 9, the cooling device also comprises an air guide 12. The air guide 12 comprises a frame 13 arranged around the first heat exchanger 6 and the second heat exchanger 9. The frame 13 comprises a central opening 14 inside which the first heat exchanger 6 and the second heat exchanger 9 are housed. More particularly, the air guide 12 has a generally rectangular external shape. It extends generally in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The air guide further comprises at least one transverse bar 15 extending parallel to the transverse axis Y. The transverse bar therefore passes through the central opening 14 and separates it into at least two secondary openings 14A, 14B. A first secondary opening 14A is arranged above a second secondary opening 14B along the axis Z.The air guide matches the shape of the second heat exchanger, that is to say that the second heat exchanger occupies substantially the entire central opening 14. The first heat exchanger 6, of smaller height than the second heat exchanger 9 along the Z axis, occupies the secondary opening 14A. The transverse bar 15 is positioned just below the first heat exchanger 6. Alternatively, the first heat exchanger could be positioned at the bottom of the air guide 12 and occupy the secondary opening 14B. According to another variant, the air guide 12 could comprise two transverse bars and the first heat exchanger would then be positioned halfway up the air guide, between these two transverse bars.

[0028] The air guide delimits the outer contour of the cooling device 11. It also allows the two heat exchangers 6 and 9 to be protected laterally. The air guide allows an air flow to be guided towards the two heat exchangers by preventing the air from escaping to the sides. In other words, it allows the air flow to be channeled so as to force the air to pass through the two heat exchangers 6 and 9. For this purpose, the air guide comprises walls which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The length of the air guide along the longitudinal axis X can be of the order of magnitude of the length of the superposition of the two heat exchangers 6 and 9 along the longitudinal axis X. The length of the air guide can also be greater than the superposition of the two heat exchangers 6 and 9 along the longitudinal axis X, because it is often intended to guide the air from an air intake which is at the front of the vehicle.The first radiator or heat exchanger, in our case, is housed in the air guide in order to avoid leaks on the sides after the passage of its bundle, the air guide arriving at the level of the bundle of the second radiator or heat exchanger to be crossed by the air. It is not necessary to extend the air guide along the longitudinal axis X substantially beyond the level of the bundle of the second exchanger.

[0029] The thickness of the walls constituting the air guide can be of the order of a few millimeters. Thus, the air passage section can be maximized. A compromise can be made at the level of the bar consisting of ribbing it so as to create gaps allowing the passage of as much air as possible along the longitudinal axis X. This also makes it possible to lighten the air guide. Advantageously, the air guide can be manufactured from a single- or dual-material plastic material. The air guide can be a single-piece element, for example obtained by plastic injection. Alternatively, it could for example be manufactured from sheet metal or any other material comprising equivalent mass and / or rigidity characteristics.

[0030] The first heat exchanger 6 is also clearly visible on the figure 4in which the second heat exchanger 9 is still hidden. The first heat exchanger 6 comprises a body 16 capable of being crossed by an air flow, a first fixing interface 17, a second fixing interface 18, and a housing 19. The housing 19 is equipped with a thermostat 20, an inlet duct 21 and an outlet duct 22.

[0031] The body 16 is a part of the heat exchanger intended to be cooled by an air flow. It may be provided with channels in which the oil circulates. The body 16 has a generally rectangular shape extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The body 16 therefore comprises four sides, two sides of which extend parallel to the transverse axis Y and two sides extend parallel to the axis Z. The dimension of the body 16 in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X may be substantially equal to the dimension of the secondary opening 14A. In other words, the body 16 occupies substantially the entire width of the opening 14A of the air guide. The body 16 may be equipped with fins and / or a honeycomb structure and / or any other structure making it possible to increase a heat exchange surface with the air circulating along the body 16.

[0032] The housing 19 is attached to the body 16 and rigidly fixed thereto. The housing 19 is positioned next to the first fixing interface 17. It may have a generally parallelepiped shape. The housing 19 contains the thermostat 20, that is to say a valve whose flow rate of fluid passing through it can be adjusted according to a temperature. The thermostat therefore makes it possible to regulate the quantity of oil circulating inside the body 16. Conduits internal to the first heat exchanger therefore make it possible to connect the housing 19 to the body 16.

[0033] The inlet duct 21 extends from the housing 19 substantially parallel to the transverse axis Y. The outlet duct 22 also extends from the housing 19, substantially parallel to the axis Z. The inlet duct and the outlet duct are in the form of a generally cylindrical tube. Alternatively, the orientation of these two ducts could be reversed, that is to say that the inlet duct would extend substantially parallel to the axis Z and the outlet duct would extend substantially parallel to the transverse axis Y. The inlet duct and the outlet duct therefore preferably extend in mutually perpendicular directions. These directions are both perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. Alternatively, the two ducts 21, 22 could each extend in any other direction.

[0034] The body 16 and the housing 19 may be made of metal and rigidly fixed together. The body 16 and the housing 19 may be generally non-deformable compared to a plastic material. In particular, the housing 19 comprising the thermostat 20 may be the most rigid part of the first heat exchanger.

[0035] The two fixing interfaces 17, 18 connect the first heat exchanger 6 to the air guide 12. In particular, the two fixing interfaces 17, 18 can be fixed to an upper edge of the frame 13 of the air guide 12 and to the transverse bar 15. The first heat exchanger is therefore fixed directly to the air guide 12 via its two fixing interfaces 17, 18. In particular, the first heat exchanger 6 is not fixed directly to the second heat exchanger 9. The first heat exchanger 6 and the second heat exchanger 9 are not in contact with each other.

[0036] The two fixing interfaces 17, 18 are arranged respectively along two opposite sides of the body. The two opposite sides of the body on which the fixing interfaces 17, 18 are arranged are sides extending parallel to the Z axis. In particular, the heat exchanger may comprise two manifolds extending parallel to the Z axis on either side of the body 16. The manifolds are buffer volumes in which the heat transfer fluid can be stored before circulating through the channels arranged in the body 16. The two fixing interfaces 17, 18 may cover these manifolds and extend over the entire height of the body 16. By "opposite sides" is preferably meant two parallel sides. More preferably, the opposite sides are not adjacent. Preferably, the first heat exchanger is fixed exclusively by the first and second interfaces.

[0037] The two fixing interfaces 17, 18 are made of plastic. The use of plastic gives the fixing interfaces a certain flexibility which can be useful for compensating for thermal expansions and / or dispersions linked to the manufacture of elements of the cooling device. Advantageously, the fixing interfaces are overmolded on the two opposite sides of the body, in particular overmolded respectively on the two manifolds of the body. Alternatively, the fixing interfaces could be in the form of half-shells fixed together, in particular clipped together around the two opposite sides of the body. According to another alternative embodiment, the fixing interfaces 17, 18 are made directly with the manifolds in the sense that they come respectively from the material of one of the manifolds of the first heat exchanger 6, which is then made by molding a plastic material.In all cases, the fixing interfaces are firmly held to the body 16. As a note, the fixing interfaces do not cover the housing 19. They also do not cover the useful surface area of ​​the body 16, i.e. the surface area of ​​the body 16 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and intended to receive an air flow. Thus, the fixing interfaces do not reduce the useful surface area of ​​the body 16. They also do not reduce the useful surface area of ​​a body of the second heat exchanger 9.

[0038] The fixing interfaces 17, 18 may be at least globally identical or symmetrical. They each comprise a first fixing means 23 and a second fixing means 24. The first fixing means 23 is arranged at the top of each fixing interface 17, 18 and it cooperates with the upper edge 25 of the frame 13 of the air guide 12. The second fixing means 24 is arranged at the bottom of each fixing interface 17, 18 and it cooperates with the transverse bar 15 of the air guide 12. According to the embodiment which is presented, the fixing means 23, 24 are produced by holes capable of cooperating with fixing screws 26. As a variant, these fixing means could be produced for example with clips.

[0039] The second heat exchanger 9, not shown, may also comprise a body extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and capable of being traversed by an air flow. This body may then extend over the entire surface of the main opening 14. The useful surface area of ​​the body of the second heat exchanger, i.e. the surface area of ​​the body of the second heat exchanger which receives an air flow (the surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X), is greater than the useful surface area of ​​the body of the first heat exchanger. Thus, the entire air flow passing through the body of the first heat exchanger has previously passed through the body of the second heat exchanger. On the other hand, a portion of the air flow passing through the body of the second heat exchanger does not pass through the body of the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger 9 may also be fixed to the air guide 12.

[0040] There Figure 5illustrates in more detail a feature of the cooling device, in particular the interface between the housing 19 and the air guide 12. The air guide 12 comprises a first chamber 27 in which the inlet duct 21 is arranged, and a second chamber 28 in which the outlet duct 22 is arranged. The two chambers are integrated into the frame 13 of the air guide 12, in particular at the level of an upper part of a lateral edge of the frame. In particular, they are arranged in a lateral edge of the air guide opposite the first heat exchanger 6. The first chamber 27 comprises walls 29 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X. Similarly, the second chamber comprises walls 30 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0041] The two chambers 27, 28 are positioned side by side. A wall 31 is common to both the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber 27 and the second chamber 28 respectively isolate the inlet duct 21 and the outlet duct 22 from the housing 19. In addition, the walls 29, 30, 31 form ribs and thus contribute to the overall rigidity of the air guide 12.

[0042] The air guide comprises a first slot 32 through which the inlet duct passes. This slot 32 is arranged in one of the walls 29 forming the first chamber, in particular a wall extending perpendicular to the axis in which the inlet duct extends. Similarly, the air guide comprises a second slot 33 through which the outlet duct passes. This second slot 33 is arranged in one of the walls 30 forming the second chamber, in particular a wall extending perpendicular to the axis in which the outlet duct extends. The first slot 32 and the second slot 33 are also clearly visible on the figure 6. They may have a generally identical shape. The two slots 32, 33 may open towards the rear of the air guide. The two slots may have a generally keyhole shape. They comprise a narrow portion 34, opening towards the rear, and a wider portion 35 at the bottom of the slot. When the first heat exchanger 6 is fixed to the air guide 12, the inlet duct and the outlet duct are positioned at the bottom of their respective slot, in the wider portions 35.

[0043] The sealing device further comprises a first sealing element 36 made of flexible and / or elastic material, arranged at the interface between the first slot and the inlet duct. Similarly, the sealing device comprises a second sealing element 37 made of flexible material, arranged at the interface between the second slot and the outlet duct. The first sealing element and / or the second sealing element may be made, for example, of rubber or foam. They are sufficiently flexible to deform and allow the inlet and outlet ducts to pass along the narrow portions 34 of each slot when assembling the first heat exchanger to the air guide. The sealing elements make it possible to fill a gap existing between the edges of each slot 32, 33 and the respective ducts. They therefore prevent an air flow from escaping by passing through the slots 32, 33. The air flow thus remains concentrated towards the housing 19 and the body 16.Alternatively, the slots 32, 33 could not be equipped with the sealing elements 36, 37 if air leakage through the slots is acceptable.

[0044] When the inlet duct 21 is in place in the first slot 32, it can only slightly move parallel to the Z axis thanks to the elasticity of the first sealing element 36. The positioning of the inlet duct 21 in the first slot 32 does not in itself define the position of the first heat exchanger 6 relative to the air guide 12 along the Z axis. The position of the first heat exchanger 6 along the Z axis can be defined by a support of the thermostat body, in particular on the axis of the screw in the upper left part. Similarly, when the outlet duct 22 is in place in the second slot 33, it can only slightly move parallel to the transverse axis Y thanks to the elasticity of the second sealing element 37. The positioning of the outlet duct 22 in the second slot 33 does not in itself therefore define the position of the first heat exchanger 6 relative to the air guide 12 along the transverse axis Y.The position of the first heat exchanger 6 along the Y axis can be defined by a support of the thermostat body. The position along the transverse Y axis can be limited on the other side by the side of the elastic clip in the upper part of the thermostat. Thus, the two slots 32, 33 do not constitute a means of positioning the housing, but serve to extract the inlet and outlet ducts towards the air chambers external to the air guide. When expansions occur under the effect of high temperatures, relative movements between the heat exchanger and the air guide are possible without generating mechanical stresses in either of these elements, thanks to the oblong fixing holes for all the left and right screw fixings.

[0045] Furthermore, the two slots 32, 33 do not prevent a translational movement of the first heat exchanger 6 relative to the air guide 12 along the longitudinal axis X. The reaction force of the narrow portions 34 on the ducts 21 and 22 generates an increase in the force necessary to engage or disengage the first heat exchanger 6 against the air guide 12. The position of the first heat exchanger relative to the air guide along the longitudinal axis X is defined by the cooperation of the fixing means 23, 24 with the frame of the air guide and the fixing screws 26.

[0046] THE figures 7 And 8illustrate in more detail the interface between the air guide and the fixing means 23, 24. According to the embodiment presented, the fixing means 23, 24 are produced by oblong holes 38. The oblong holes 38 have the shape of an oval oriented parallel to the transverse axis Y. They are positioned substantially opposite a circular hole 39 provided in the air guide 12. The use of such oblong holes therefore allows the fixing interfaces 17, 18 to move relative to the air guide parallel to the transverse axis Y. This makes it possible to compensate for a certain dispersion resulting from the manufacture of the components of the cooling device and / or relative movements linked to the thermal expansion of components of the cooling device. Advantageously, as visible on the figure 8, the height of the oblong holes 38 in the lower part along the Z axis can also be greater than the diameter of the circular holes 39 to allow in the same way a relative movement between the heat exchanger 6 and the air guide 12 along the Z axis. In particular, as is clearly visible on the figure 8, the height along the Z axis of the oblong hole of axis Y positioned at the bottom of the fixing interfaces 17 and 18 is greater than the diameter of the circular hole 39 in the air guide. This device makes it possible to absorb manufacturing dispersions and elongations due to thermal expansion phenomena. The first heat exchanger 6 can therefore be fixed to the air guide 12 with a certain clearance parallel to the Y and Z axes. As a note, the thickness and / or the rigidity of the plastic materials forming the air guide (in particular the walls supporting the slots 32, 33) and the fixing interfaces 17, 18 can also confer a certain mobility of the first heat exchanger relative to the air guide. The oblong holes are arranged in upper and lower appendages 40 of each fixing interface 17, 18. These appendages may have a generally rectangular shape extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.The upper appendage 40 of the fixing interface 18, or even the upper appendage 40 of the fixing interface 17, may be surmounted by a rim 41 capable of bearing vertically on an edge of the air guide in order to support the weight of the body 16 and to ensure positioning along the Z axis. Thus, the fixing screws 26 do not support the weight of the body 16 or of the housing 19 but serve only for the longitudinal fixing of the first heat exchanger. In addition, the rim 41 may help to position the first heat exchanger 6 relative to the air guide 12 during their assembly.

[0047] Advantageously, the fixing screws 26 are screws suitable for soft materials such as plastic. As seen in the figure 9, the fixing screws 26 may comprise a pointed end and wide threads to fit well into the plastic material forming the air guide. The first heat exchanger is therefore fixed to the air guide without any degree of freedom relative to the longitudinal axis X.

[0048] THE figures 5 , 10 and 11illustrate another feature of the cooling device according to an embodiment of the invention. The air guide further comprises an elastic support means 42 exerting a downward force on the housing 19 so that the left side of the air guide serves as a reference for stopping the cooler in its Y movement, in particular to the right. The support means may be in the form of a flexible tab, or blade, made of the same material as that forming the air guide 12. The support means 42 exerts a force on the housing 19 which contributes to its good holding against the air guide 12 without however preventing any relative movement between the air guide and the first heat exchanger 6. Alternatively or in addition, other equivalent support means could be used to generate a stress on the first heat exchanger parallel to the transverse axis Y or parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0049] To manufacture the cooling device 11, an air guide 12 can first be manufactured. This can be manufactured, for example, by plastic injection. At the same time, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger can be manufactured. To manufacture the first heat exchanger, the housing 19 can be assembled to the body 16 and then the two lateral edges of the body 16 can be overmolded to form the two fixing interfaces. Alternatively, the two lateral edges of the body 16 could be pre-molded to form the two fixing interfaces and then the body 16 could be assembled to the housing 19. Then, the first heat exchanger 6 can be positioned relative to the air guide 12. The first heat exchanger is inserted parallel to the longitudinal axis X in the air guide 12.The correct positioning of the first heat exchanger relative to the air guide is obtained by positioning the housing 19 of the first heat exchanger relative to the air guide. The housing 19 forming the most rigid part of the first heat exchanger, it is preferable to first fix the position of the housing 19 then of the body 16 because the body 16 will be able to deform slightly more easily to adjust its position relative to the air guide 12. The correct positioning of the housing 19 relative to the air guide can be obtained when the inlet ducts 21 and the outlet duct 22 are positioned respectively in the wider portions 35 of the slots 32 and 33. This positioning of the housing 19 can be obtained during the Y-shaped supports on the sides of the thermostat and the Z-shaped supports at the bottom of the thermostat, so that this positioning is immobilized while waiting for the screws, by the elastic blade located in the upper part against the body of the thermostat.It is essential that there is no transmitted force or friction in the conduits, because they are fixed by aluminum-aluminum welding to the box and their thickness generally does not exceed one millimeter. The presence of the thermostat, a solid aluminum part, made it possible not to place more of the fixing constraints on the screws for soft materials.

[0050] Only then can the fixing screws 26 be screwed through the oblong holes 38 of the fixing interfaces 17, 18 and through the circular holes 39 of the air guide 12, which will have the effect of fixing the position of the first heat exchanger along the longitudinal axis X, but also along the vertical axis Z in the upper part on the left side, or even along the vertical axis Z in the upper part on the right side, while being equipped with a force-recovery lug so as to only make the screws work along the longitudinal axis X.

[0051] Once the first heat exchanger 6 is fixed to the air guide 12, the air guide 12 can be fixed to the second heat exchanger 9. Advantageously, the second heat exchanger can be assembled to the body by a filtration means, in particular via filter pads in the upper and lower part of this exchanger. The mounting of the cooling device 11 can optionally be completed by fixing other peripherals, for example a fan, against one of the heat exchangers 6, 9 and / or against the air guide 12.

[0052] According to an alternative embodiment, the first heat exchanger could not include the housing 19. The inlet and outlet ducts would then be arranged directly on one of the two manifolds. In this case, it is the manifold carrying the inlet and outlet duct which would position the air guide. The cooling device is preferably fixed to the body using filter pads in the upper and lower parts.

[0053] When the cooling device 11 is operating, the air flow generated by the movement of the vehicle 1 successively passes through the first heat exchanger 6 then the second heat exchanger 9, or vice versa. The air cools in a limited manner the body 19 which is a solid aluminum body machined so as to receive all of the components making it possible to open and close the circulation of the liquid through the bundle 16. If thermal expansions are produced on all of the coolers 6 and 9, the relative positions of the heat exchangers 6, 9 and the air guide can vary without creating mechanical stress in these components. The efficiency of the first heat exchanger is optimal because its fixing interfaces do not reduce its useful surface area. The air flow is guided towards the body of each of the heat exchangers which makes it possible to effectively cool the heat transfer fluids circulating inside these bodies.

Claims

1. Cooling device (11) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - a first heat exchanger (6), and - an air guide (12) comprising a frame (13) that surrounds the first heat exchanger (6), the first heat exchanger (6) comprising: - a body (16) through which a flow of air can pass, and - a first securing interface (17) arranged along a first side of the body (16), - a second securing interface (18) arranged along a second side of the body (16), the second side being opposite to the first side, the first heat exchanger (6) being secured to the air guide (12) by the two securing interfaces (17, 18), characterized in that it also comprises a casing (19) equipped with a thermostat (20), an inlet duct (21) and an outlet duct (22), the cooling device (11) comprising a means for positioning the casing (19) relative to the air guide (12).

2. Cooling device (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first securing interface (17) comprises a plastics material overmoulded over the first side of the body (16), and / or in that the second securing interface (18) comprises a plastics material overmoulded over the second side of the body (16).

3. Cooling device (11) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first heat exchanger (6) comprises a first header tank along the first side of the body (16) and a second header tank along the second side of the body (16), the first securing interface (17) being overmoulded over the first header tank and / or the second securing interface (18) being overmoulded over the second header tank.

4. Cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first heat exchanger (6) comprises an inlet duct (21) and an outlet duct (22), the inlet duct (21) being positioned in a first slot (32) arranged in a wall of the air guide (12), and / or the outlet duct (22) being positioned in a second slot (3) arranged in a wall of the air guide (12).

5. Cooling device (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a first sealing element (36) made of flexible material, in particular rubber or foam, the first sealing element (36) being arranged at the interface between the first slot (32) and the inlet duct (21), and / or in that it comprises a second sealing element (37) made of flexible material, in particular rubber or foam, the second sealing element being arranged at the interface between the second slot (33) and the outlet duct (22).

6. Cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first heat exchanger (6) extends overall in a plane, the first heat exchanger (6) being secured to the air guide (12) with a clearance so as to be able to be displaced parallel to said plane, and / or the first heat exchanger (6) being secured to the air guide (12) so as to be immobilized perpendicularly to said plane.

7. Cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, <b>characterized in that: - the air guide (12) comprises a central opening (14) and the first heat exchanger (6) has a width that is substantially equal to the width of the central opening (14) and a height that is strictly less than the height of the central opening (14), and / or characterized in that: - the air guide comprises a transverse bar (15) delimiting two separate openings (14A, 14B) in the air guide, a flow of air being able to pass through each of the two openings, the two securing interfaces (17, 18) of the first heat exchanger (6) being secured to the transverse bar (15).

8. Cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second heat exchanger (9) extending substantially parallel to the first heat exchanger (6), the air guide (12) closely following the contour of the second heat exchanger (9).

9. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a cooling device (11) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Method for manufacturing a cooling device (11) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises: - a step of positioning the first heat exchanger (6) relative to the air guide (12), the positioning of the first heat exchanger (6) relative to the air guide (12) being determined by positioning a casing (19) of the first heat exchanger (6) relative to the air guide (12), the casing (19) being equipped with a thermostat (20) and / or an inlet duct (21) and / or an outlet duct (22), and then - a step of securing the first heat exchanger (6) to the air guide (12) by means of the two securing interfaces (17, 18).

11. Method for manufacturing a cooling device (11) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it then comprises a step of securing the air guide (12) to a second heat exchanger (9).

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