Cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle with a tangential turbomachine

Abstract

Cooling module (22) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (10), said cooling module (22) being designed to be traversed by an airflow (F) and comprising: – a fairing (40) forming an internal duct along a longitudinal direction (X) of the cooling module (22) within which is disposed at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) designed to be traversed by the airflow (F), and – a collector housing (41) comprising a tangential turbomachine (30) having a turbine (32) mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation (A) extending parallel to the plane of at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) and configured to generate the airflow (F), the collector housing (41) comprising a volute (44) within which the tangential turbomachine (30) is disposed, said collector housing (41) being disposed downstream of the fairing (40) along the direction longitudinal (X), the turbine (32) being arranged in a median position such that,along a plane parallel to at least one heat exchanger (24, 26), the distance (E) between the axis of rotation (A) of said turbine (32) and the nearest edge of at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) is between one and two times the diameter (D) of said turbine (32). Abbreviated figure: Fig 4,

Description

Title of the invention: Cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle with a tangential turbomachine

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, with a tangential turbomachine, and more particularly to a collector housing of such a cooling module.

[0002] A cooling module (or heat exchange module) of a motor vehicle conventionally comprises at least one heat exchanger and a ventilation device adapted to generate an air flow in contact with the at least one heat exchanger. This ventilation device is for example in the form of a tangential turbomachine arranged within a volute of a manifold housing of the cooling module. This tangential turbomachine makes it possible in particular to generate an air flow in contact with the heat exchanger(s), in particular when the vehicle is stationary or when it is moving at low speed.

[0003] When driving, a high speed of the vehicle may be sufficient to create the air flow without assistance from the tangential turbomachine. However, the shape of the volute may obstruct the air flow passing through the cooling module and more particularly the manifold housing, thus greatly increasing the pressure losses, which may impair the proper functioning of the heat exchangers and potentially degrade the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle. In order to overcome this drawback, the cooling module may comprise, in addition to the air outlet of the tangential turbomachine, at least one other opening located at a rear face of the cooling module, this rear face being juxtaposed with the air outlet of the tangential turbomachine.Thus, when the vehicle is moving and has reached a sufficient speed, this or these openings allow the air flow to pass through and bypass the tangential turbomachine.

[0004] The cooling module may further comprise at least one closure device for closing the additional opening(s). This closure device may in particular have one or more flaps configured to pivot between a so-called open position and a so-called closed position, which makes it possible to regulate the flow of air discharged through the additional opening(s) where appropriate.

[0005] However, the space available within the motor vehicle for the arrangement of the cooling module is relatively limited. Thus, the equipment arranged around the cooling module, such as the electric motor of the electric or hybrid vehicle, may form a potential obstacle to the air flow and / or the flaps. of the closure device, in particular in the case where the additional opening(s) and the associated closure device(s) are arranged on the rear face of the cooling module. It is therefore appropriate to optimize the location of this or these air flow discharge opening(s) according to the arrangement provided for potential obstacles and the space available around the cooling module while favoring a compact design thereof.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is therefore to at least partially remedy the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose an improved cooling module making it possible to evacuate the air flow while optimizing the available space.

[0007] The present invention therefore relates to a cooling module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, said cooling module being intended to be crossed by an air flow and comprising: - a fairing forming an internal duct following a longitudinal direction of the cooling module inside which is arranged at least one heat exchanger intended to be crossed by the air flow, and - a collector housing comprising a tangential turbomachine comprising a turbine mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation extending parallel to the plane of the at least one heat exchanger and configured to generate the air flow, the collector housing comprising a volute within which the tangential turbomachine is arranged, said collector housing being arranged downstream of the fairing in the longitudinal direction, the turbine being arranged in a central manner so that, along a plane parallel to the at least one heat exchanger, the distance between the axis of rotation of said turbine and the closest edge of the at least one heat exchanger is between one and two times the diameter of said turbine.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the volute comprises an air flow outlet (F) oriented in the direction of the edge of the at least one heat exchanger, the distance of which from the axis of rotation of said turbine is between one and two times the diameter of said turbine.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the volute comprises an air flow outlet (F) oriented in the opposite direction to the edge of the at least one heat exchanger whose distance from the axis of rotation of said turbine is between one and two times the diameter of said turbine.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the collector housing comprises two air flow guide walls, said guide walls being inclined and arranged on either side of the turbine, at least one of said guide walls comprising at least one opening and at least one means for closing said opening movable between a position of closing and an opening position.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the guide wall opposite the edge of the at least one heat exchanger whose distance from the axis of rotation of said turbine is between one and two times the diameter of said turbine comprises at least one opening and at least one means for closing said opening movable between a closed position and an open position.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the guide wall adjacent to the edge of the at least one heat exchanger whose distance from the axis of rotation of said turbine is between one and two times the diameter of said turbine comprises at least one opening and at least one means for closing said opening which is movable between a closed position and an open position.

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, and the appended drawings in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] shows a schematic representation of the front of a vehicle at car side view,

[0015] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a schematic perspective representation of a cooling module,

[0016] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows an exploded perspective schematic representation of the cooling module of [Fig.2],

[0017] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the rear portion of a cooling module.

[0018] In the various figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

[0019] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0020] In the present description, certain elements or parameters may be indexed, such as for example first element or second element as well as first parameter and second parameter or even first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements or parameters or criteria that are close, but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion over another and such names can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present description. This indexing also does not imply an order in time for example to assess this or that criterion.

[0021] In the present description, the term "upstream" means that one element is placed before another with respect to the direction of circulation of an air flow. Conversely, the term "downstream" means that one element is placed after another with respect to the direction of circulation of a flow or a fluid.

[0022] In Figures 1 to 4, an XYZ trihedron is shown in order to define the orientation of the different elements relative to each other. A first direction, denoted X, corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It also corresponds to the inverse of the direction of advance of the vehicle. A second direction, denoted Y, is a lateral or transverse direction. Finally, a third direction, denoted Z, is vertical. The directions, X, Y, Z are orthogonal two by two.

[0023] In Figures 1 to 3, the cooling module according to the present invention is illustrated in an operational position, i.e. when it is arranged within a motor vehicle.

[0024] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates the front part of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 10 which may include an electric motor 12. The vehicle 10 includes in particular a body 14 and a bumper 16 carried by a chassis (not shown) of the motor vehicle 10. The body 14 defines a cooling bay 18, that is to say an opening through the body 14. The cooling bay 18 is unique here. This cooling bay 18 is preferably located in the lower part of the front face 14a of the bodywork 14. In the example illustrated, the cooling bay 18 is located under the bumper 16. A grille 20 may be arranged in the cooling bay 18 to prevent projectiles from passing through the cooling bay 18. A cooling module 22 is arranged opposite the cooling bay 18. The grille 20 makes it possible in particular to protect this cooling module 22.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cooling module 22 is intended to be crossed by an air flow F parallel to the direction X and going from the front to the rear of the vehicle 10. This direction X corresponds more particularly to a longitudinal direction X going from the front to the rear of the cooling module 22. The front corresponds to the front of the motor vehicle 10 in the mounted state or to the face of the cooling module 22 through which the air flow F is intended to enter the cooling module 22. The rear corresponds to the rear of the motor vehicle 10 or to the face of the cooling module 22 through which the air flow F is intended to exit the cooling module 22.

[0026] The cooling module 22 essentially comprises a housing or fairing 40 forming an internal channel between an upstream end 40a and a downstream end 40b opposite each other. Inside said fairing 40 is arranged at least one heat exchanger 24, 26. This internal channel is preferably oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction X so that the upstream end 40a is oriented towards the front of the vehicle 10 opposite the cooling bay 18 and so that the downstream end 40b is oriented towards the rear of the vehicle 10. In Figures 2 and 3, the cooling module 22 comprises two heat exchangers 24, 26 grouped within a set of heat exchangers 23. However, it could have more or fewer depending on the desired configuration.

[0027] A first heat exchanger 24 may for example be configured to release heat energy from the air flow F. This first heat exchanger 24 may more particularly be a condenser connected to a cooling circuit (not shown), for example in order to cool the batteries of the vehicle 10. This cooling circuit may for example be an air conditioning circuit capable of cooling the batteries as well as an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0028] A second heat exchanger 26 may also be configured to release heat energy into the air flow F. This second heat exchanger 26 may more particularly be a radiator connected to a thermal management circuit (not shown) of electrical elements such as the electric motor 12.

[0029] The first heat exchanger 24 generally being a condenser of an air conditioning circuit, the latter needs the air flow F to be as “cool” as possible in air conditioning mode. For this, the second heat exchanger 26 is preferably arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger 24 in the longitudinal direction X of the cooling module 22. It is nevertheless entirely possible to imagine that the second heat exchanger 26 is arranged upstream of the first heat exchanger 24. Still according to the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second heat exchanger 26 is arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger 24.

[0030] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each of the heat exchangers 24, 26 has a general parallelepiped shape determined by a length, a thickness and a height. The length extends along the Y direction, the thickness along the X direction and the height in the Z direction. The heat exchangers 24, 26 then extend along a general plane parallel to the vertical direction Z and the lateral direction Y. This general plane is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the cooling module 22.

[0031] The cooling module 22 also comprises a first collector housing 41 arranged downstream of the set of heat exchangers 23 in the direction of circulation of the air flow. This first collector housing 41 comprises an outlet 22b for the air flow F. This first collector housing 41 thus makes it possible to recover the air flow F passing through the set of heat exchangers 23 and to direct this air flow F towards the outlet 22b. The first collector housing 41 may be made of the same material as the fairing 40 or may be an added part fixed to the downstream end 40b of said fairing 40.

[0032] The collector housing 41 comprises one or more side walls 411, 412 and 413 which extend in the extension of the internal conduit of the fairing 40. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the internal conduit of the fairing 40 has a generally parallelepiped shape, the upstream part of the collector housing 41 extending the internal conduit of the fairing 40 also has a generally parallelepiped shape.

[0033] The collector housing 41 more particularly comprises an upper side wall 411 and a lower side wall 412 which each extend in a plane substantially parallel to that generated by the X and Y axes. The upper side wall 411 and the lower side wall 412 are located opposite each other. The collector housing 41 also comprises two transverse side walls 413 which each extend in a plane substantially parallel to that generated by the X and Z axes. The two transverse side walls 413 serve as a junction between the upper side wall 411 and the lower side wall 412, the transverse side walls 413 are located opposite each other.

[0034] By upper and lower, we mean here an orientation in the Z direction. A so-called upper element will be closer to the roof of the vehicle 10 and a so-called lower element will be closer to the ground.

[0035] The distance along the Z direction between the upper side wall 411 and the lower side wall 412 is in particular equal to or greater than the individual height of one of the heat exchangers 24, 26. Similarly, the distance along the Y direction between the transverse side walls 413 is for example equal to or greater than the individual length of the heat exchangers 24, 26.

[0036] According to embodiments not illustrated in the figures, the internal duct of the fairing 40 and the collector housing 41 may have a cross-section of a shape different from that of a quadrilateral. This cross-section may in particular take the form of a hexagon (in this case the fairing 40 and the collector housing 41 respectively comprise six side walls), an octagon (in this case the fairing 40 and the collector housing 41 respectively comprise eight side walls) or a circular shape (in this case the fairing 40 and the collector housing 41 are cylindrical in shape and each comprise a single side wall which forms the mantle of the cylinder). The cross-section depends mainly on the geometry of the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26 arranged in the internal duct of the fairing 40.

[0037] The cooling module 22, more precisely the collector housing 41, also comprises at least one tangential fan, also called a tangential turbomachine 30 configured so as to generate the air flow F passing through the set of heat exchangers 23. This tangential turbomachine 30 is arranged in the collector housing 41 such that the transverse side walls 413 of the collector housing 41 are substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the turbine 32, as illustrated more particularly in [Fig.4]. The transverse side walls 413 are located more particularly on either side of the ends of the turbomachine 30.

[0038] The tangential turbomachine 30 comprises a rotor or turbine 32 of substantially cylindrical shape. The turbine 32 advantageously comprises several stages of blades (or vanes). The turbine 32 is rotatably mounted around an axis of rotation A extending parallel to the plane of the at least one heat exchanger (24, 26), that is to say which is for example parallel to the direction Y. The diameter of the turbine 32 is for example between 35 mm and 200 mm to limit its size. The tangential turbomachine 30 is thus compact.

[0039] The tangential turbomachine 30 may also comprise a motor 31 (visible in FIGS. 2 to 5) configured to rotate the turbine 32. The motor 31 is for example adapted to drive the turbine 32 in rotation, at a speed of between 200 rpm and 14,000 rpm. This makes it possible in particular to limit the noise generated by the tangential turbomachine 30.

[0040] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the turbine 32 is in particular arranged in a median manner so that, along a plane parallel to the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26, the distance E (visible in [Fig. 4]) between the axis of rotation A of said turbine 32 and the edge closest to the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26 is between one and two times the diameter D of said turbine 32. Positioning the turbine 32 in this manner allows better circulation of the air flow F, in particular through the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26, than when such a turbine is arranged close to the edge of the collector housing 4L.

[0041] In order to guide the air at the outlet of the heat exchanger assembly 23 towards the volute 44 and in particular towards the turbine 32, the collector housing 41 comprises, arranged opposite the downstream end 40b of the fairing 40, two guide walls 46, 46' for the air flow F. These guide walls 46, 46' are inclined and arranged on either side of the turbine 32. The collector housing 41 thus comprises a lower guide wall 46 which is an extension of the lower side wall 412. This lower guide wall 46 extends to an outer edge 451 arranged close to the periphery of the turbine 32. The collector housing 41 also comprises an upper guide wall 46' which is an extension of the upper side wall 411. This upper guide wall 46' extends to an outer edge 451' arranged close to the periphery of the turbine 32 opposite the outer edge 451 of the lower guide wall 46.

[0042] The turbine 32 is in particular arranged in the center of a volute 44 configured to guide the air flow F towards the air outlet 22b. The volute 44 thus comprises a wall curved external wall 440 formed by an extension of the lower guide wall 46 or upper guide wall 46' depending on the orientation of the air outlet 22b. Indeed, if the air outlet 22b is oriented downwards, that is to say towards the ground in the state mounted within the vehicle, the curved external wall 440 will then be an extension of the upper guide wall 46' of the collector housing 41 (embodiment not shown). On the contrary, if the air outlet 22b is oriented upwards, that is to say towards the roof of the vehicle in the state mounted within the vehicle, the curved external wall 440 will be an extension of the lower side wall 46 of the collector housing 41, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the outlet 22b of the air flow F may in particular be oriented in the direction of the edge of the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26 whose distance E with the axis of rotation A of said turbine 32 is between one and two times the diameter D of the turbine 32. In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the axis of rotation A of the turbine 32 is at a distance E between one and two times the diameter D of the turbine 32 from the upper edge of the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26. The outlet 22b is therefore oriented upwards.

[0044] It is however entirely possible that the outlet 22b of the air flow F is oriented in the opposite direction to the edge of the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26 whose distance E with the axis of rotation A of said turbine 32 is between one and two times the diameter D of said turbine 32. If the axis of rotation A of the turbine 32 is at a distance E between one and two times the diameter D of the turbine 32 from the upper edge of the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26, the outlet 22b will then not be oriented upwards as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, but oriented downwards, that is to say in the direction of the lower side wall 412 for example.

[0045] The largest guide wall 46, 46' may in particular be inclined relative to a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the cooling module 22. By largest guide wall 46, 46' is meant more particularly the guide wall 46, 46' opposite the edge of the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26 whose distance E with the axis of rotation A of said turbine 32 is between one and two times the diameter D of said turbine 32, that is to say the one whose height is the greatest. In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, this largest guide wall is the lower guide wall 46.

[0046] This largest guide wall 46, 46' may more particularly form an acute angle with the plane in particular of the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26. The angle of inclination of this guide wall 46, 46' is for example between 10° and 23°. The inclination of this guide wall 46, 46' allows better circulation of the air flow F within the collector housing 41 and limits pressure losses. The smallest guide wall 46, 46', i.e. the one with the lowest height, can have a greater angle of inclination and can also have a more curved profile.

[0047] As shown in [Fig. 4], the largest guide wall 46, 46' may comprise at least one opening 01 as well as at least one means 460 for closing the at least one opening 01. This closing means 460 is more particularly movable between a closed position and an open position of the opening 01 with which it is associated. The at least one closing means 460 is mounted on an external face of the largest guide wall 46, 46' so as to open towards the outside of the collector housing 41.

[0048] In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the largest guide wall 46, 46' which comprises openings 01 and closure means 460 is the lower guide wall 46.

[0049] Similarly, it is entirely possible to envisage an embodiment not shown in which the smallest guide wall 46, 46', i.e. contiguous to the edge of the at least one heat exchanger 24, 26 whose distance E with the axis of rotation A of said turbine 32 is between one and two times the diameter D of said turbine 32, comprises at least one opening and at least one means for closing said opening movable between a closed position and an open position. The means for closing the smallest guide wall 46, 46' may in particular be identical to those of the largest guide wall 46, 46'.

[0050] Thus, one or other of the larger or smaller guide walls 46, 46' may comprise openings with dedicated closing means alone. This embodiment may be possible alone or both guide walls 46, 46' may comprise them simultaneously.

[0051] The guide walls 46, 46' may comprise one or more openings 01. As a result, the cooling module 22 may comprise one or more closure means 460. In particular, there are as many closure means 460 mounted on the external face of the guide wall 46 as there are openings 01.

[0052] The closing means 460 may be a pivoting flap 460 making it possible to open or close the at least one opening 01. The pivoting flap 460 is for example mounted to pivot about a pivot axis which extends horizontally in the mounted state within the motor vehicle 10 and in the plane formed by the guide wall 46. The at least one pivoting flap 460 may take the form of a flag flap or a butterfly flap.

[0053] The pivoting shutter 460 may be “free” or “passive” in the sense that only gravity brings and maintains the pivoting shutter 460 of the guide wall 46 in its closed position. In other words, the cooling module 22 does not include any mechanical part or control device configured to actively control the opening and / or the closing of the pivoting flap 460. The pivot axis of the pivoting flap 460 is then arranged on an upper side of the opening 01 so as to fall passively back into the closed position, obstructing the opening 01. The pivoting flap 460 is therefore always subject to gravity, but when the motor vehicle 10 is traveling at a sufficiently high speed, the air flow F passing through the cooling module 22 can exert pressure on the pivoting flap 460 so as to move it from its closed position to its open position. In this case, the air flow F passes through the opening 01 of the guide wall 46.

[0054] Thus, it is clear that the particular positioning of the turbine 32 and the volute 44 allows good circulation of the air flow F, particularly when the vehicle is stationary and the tangential turbomachine 30 is in operation.

Claims

Claims

1. Cooling module (22) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (10), said cooling module (22) being intended to be traversed by an air flow (F) and comprising: - a fairing (40) forming an internal duct in a longitudinal direction (X) of the cooling module (22) inside which is arranged at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) intended to be traversed by the air flow (F), and - a manifold housing (41) comprising a tangential turbomachine (30) comprising a turbine (32) rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (A) extending parallel to the plane of the at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) and configured to generate the air flow (F), the manifold housing (41) comprising a volute (44) within which the tangential turbomachine (30) is arranged, said manifold housing (41) being arranged downstream of the fairing (40) in the longitudinal direction (X),the turbine (32) being arranged in a central manner so that, along a plane parallel to the at least one heat exchanger (24, 26), the distance (E) between the axis of rotation (A) of said turbine (32) and the nearest edge of the at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) is between one and two times the diameter (D) of said turbine (32), characterized in that the volute (44) comprises an outlet (22b) of the air flow (F) oriented in the direction of the edge of the at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) whose distance (E) with the axis of rotation (A) of said turbine (32) is between one and two times the diameter (D) of said turbine (32).,

2. Cooling module (22) according to claim 1, characterized in that the collector housing (41) comprises two guide walls (46, 46') for the air flow (F), said guide walls (46, 46') being inclined and arranged on either side of the turbine (32), at least one of said guide walls (46, 46') comprising at least one opening (01) and at least one means (460) for closing said opening (01) movable between a closed position and an open position.

3. Cooling module (22) according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide wall (46, 46') opposite the edge of the at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) whose distance (E) from the axis of rotation (A) of said turbine (32) is between one and two times the diameter (D) of said turbine (32) comprises at least one opening (01) and at least one means (460) for closing said opening (01) movable between a closed position and an open position.

4. Cooling module (22) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the guide wall (46, 46') contiguous to the edge of the at least one heat exchanger (24, 26) whose distance (E) with the axis of rotation (A) of said turbine (32) is between one and two times the diameter (D) of said turbine (32) comprises at least one opening (01) and at least one means (460) for closing said opening (01) movable between a closed position and an open position.

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