Integrated multifunctional module for vehicle thermal management system and vehicle comprising at least one such module

Abstract

Integrated Multifunctional Vehicle Thermal Management System Module and Vehicle Comprising at Least Such Module The invention relates to an integrated multifunctional module (1) for a vehicle thermal management system, said system comprising, in addition to at least one coolant circulation circuit, at least one pump (4, 4'), at least one fluid control unit associated with an actuator, and at least one sensor or detector (6). This multifunctional module (1) is characterized in that it comprises a sealed housing (7) in which are housed at least two of the following three partial constituent components or sub-assemblies: the stator (8, 8') of said at least one pump (4, 4'), said at least one actuator, and at least one sensor or detector (6), as well as their respective electrical connection (10), power supply and / or control means, and those of an electronic control unit (1') of said module (1).Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Integrated multifunctional module of vehicle thermal management system and vehicle comprising at least one such module

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of on-board fluid circulation and distribution equipment, in particular thermal management systems for thermal, hybrid or electric vehicles, comprising in particular at least one circuit for circulating liquid heat transfer fluid, and, associated or incorporated into this(these) circulation circuit(s), functional members among which generally at least one pump or similar member for circulation and fluid, at least one fluid circulation regulation / control member (valve or similar) with an actuator and at least one sensor or detector (temperature, pressure, etc.).

[0002] In this context, the subject of the invention is an integrated multifunctional module for a vehicle thermal management system and a vehicle comprising at least one such module.

[0003] Currently, and even when mounted on the same support body, the various functional components of a vehicle thermal management system constitute distinct and separate physical entities, each with its own protective housing or similar casing, its particular electrical / electronic command / control components and its specific connectors. In particular, the connection of these various components with an electronic control unit of the thermal management system in question, which provides the interface with the vehicle's on-board computer, is achieved with one or more complex bundles of multiple electrical cables / ribbons, all equipped with sealed connectors / connections. These flexible cables / ribbons are directly exposed in the under-hood environment and must generally be secured so as not to interfere with other elements.

[0004] As a result, this known system constitutes a complex, bulky and spatially dispersed functional assembly, with a significant number of interfaces and sealed connections to manage, as well as the associated fixings.

[0005] The main aim of the present invention is to provide a solution making it possible to overcome these drawbacks.

[0006] To this end, it relates to an integrated multifunctional module for a vehicle thermal management system, said system comprising, in addition to at least one heat transfer fluid circulation circuit, at least one pump, at least one fluid regulating member associated with an actuator and at least one sensor or detector,

[0007] multifunctional module characterized in that it comprises a sealed housing in which are housed at least two of the following three partial constituent components or sub-assemblies: the stator of said at least one pump, said at least one actuator and said at least one sensor or detector, as well as their respective means of electrical connection, power supply and / or control, and those of an electronic control unit of said module, which are advantageously at least partially mounted on at least one printed circuit board housed in the housing.

[0008] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0009] [Fig.lA] and [Fig.lB] are perspective views from two different directions of a multifunctional module according to the invention;

[0010] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the module of figures 1, the housing being open, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0011] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the module of figures 1, the housing being open, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0012] [Fig.4A] and [Fig.4B] are detailed and sectional views illustrating two variants of mounting a pump in the wall of the housing of a module according to one of figures 1 to 3;

[0013] [Fig.5A] and [Fig.5B] are detailed and sectional views illustrating two variants of mounting an actuator of a regulating member in the wall of the housing of a module according to one of figures 1 to 3;

[0014] [Fig.6] is a detailed view, in perspective and in section, showing the cooling of the electronic component of a sensor in a module according to one of figures 1 to 3.

[0015] Figures 1 to 3 in particular show an integrated multifunctional module (1) of a vehicle thermal management system. Such a system generally comprises, in addition to at least one circuit (3) for circulating heat transfer fluid (FL), at least one pump (4, 4'), at least one fluid regulating member (5) associated with an actuator (5') and at least one sensor or detector (6).

[0016] According to the invention, this multifunctional module (1) is characterized in that it comprises a sealed housing (7) in which are housed at least two of the following three partial constituent components or sub-assemblies: the stator (8, 8') of said at least one pump (4, 4'), said at least one actuator (5') and said at least one sensor or detector (6), as well as their respective means of electrical connection, power supply and / or control, and those of an electronic control unit (1') of said module (1), which are advantageously at least partially mounted on at least one printed circuit board (11, 11') housed in the housing (7).

[0017] By integrating into the housing (7), not only (at least partially) the com functional components themselves, but also their means of connection, power supply and control, and those of the control unit (1'), the invention makes it possible to greatly simplify the construction, to make it more compact, to free itself from any need for individual fixing of the subassemblies or components or their respective means of electrical connection, power supply and / or control. In addition, direct exposure to the external environment under the hood is avoided and the connections can be shortened. Furthermore, by creating a sealed enclosure (internal volume of the housing) in which all the electrical connection interfaces between the constituent subassemblies (5', 6', 8, 8') and the unit (1') are preferably located, any need for individual management of the multiple connections is eliminated.Furthermore, the electrical connection lines (10) themselves no longer require any particular protection, nor do the parts or portions of the partial constituent components or constituent subassemblies (5', 6', 8, 8') located in the housing (7). Finally, when they are located in the housing (7), the electronic components used for these subassemblies and the unit (1'), and which are for some possibly shared or pooled, may be components without any particular property in terms of protection against the external environment.

[0018] Preferably, this housing (7), made of a thermoplastic material for example, contains all of the aforementioned components or sub-assemblies, which are at least partially or mainly located in the interior volume of said housing.

[0019] Advantageously, the housing (7) constitutes a mounting support for the components (5', 6', 8, 8') housed therein and for their respective means of connection, power supply and / or control. This grouping and pre-assembly in the housing greatly facilitate the assembly of all these elements in situ.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1B, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and in accordance with a simple constructive variant judiciously exploiting the structure of the housing (7) as a support, without compromising its sealing, it may be provided that the actuator(s) (5') and / or stator(s) (8, 8') housed in the housing (7) are mounted in a sealed manner in similar openings or passages (7”) of the wall (7') of said housing (7) and are located partially inside and partially outside the latter, these components (5', 8, 8') comprising a flange or a plate (9) for their sealed connection with said wall (7'). Alternatively, these components (5', 8, 8') may also be mounted, in a sealed manner, in suitable through-housings, formed in the wall (7') and molded (not shown).

[0021] As regards the sensor or detector (6) present, the latter can either be mounted like the aforementioned components (in an opening or a housing passing through the wall), with a rear part (6') of connection or electronics located inside the housing (7) and a detection member located outside the latter, or be mounted entirely in said housing (7), for example when the detection / measurement can be carried out inside the latter (see for example [Fig.6], for the measurement of the temperature of the liquid FL in the portion of conduit 3').

[0022] By this positioning of the actuator(s) and stator(s) in the wall (7'), a straddle mounting is achieved for each of them, with an electrically connected side which is located inside the housing (7) and a functional side (and interacting with the external environment) which is located outside the latter, said housing (7) forming a common and unique mounting support for all these different elements.

[0023] It can be noted that the mounting of these components in the wall (7') can be carried out indifferently either from the outside (Figures 4B and 5A), or from the inside (Figures 4A and 5B).

[0024] In order to be able to determine the connection configuration in an optimized manner from the design stage and to be able to transpose it in a compliant manner in the material realization of the module (1), while avoiding tedious wiring operations and possible uncertainty about their exact arrangement in the housing (7), it may advantageously be provided that the electrical connection means between the components (5', 6, 8, 8') housed in the housing (7) and the electronic control unit (1') are in the form of rigid connection lines (10) extending and mounted in said housing (7), these connection lines (10) being part of a network (10') of metal connection strips or being formed on at least one portion (10”) of printed circuit board. These connection lines (10) preferably all converge towards the electronic control unit (1') (see figures 2, 3 and 6).

[0025] According to a possible practical constructive variant, emerging from [Fig. 3], at least one aforementioned portion (10”) carrying one or more connection lines (10) constitutes a single-piece extension of a printed circuit board (11) carrying the electronic circuits of the electronic control unit (1') and / or of a printed circuit board (11') carrying the power supply and / or control circuits of the actuator(s) (5') and / or stator(s) (8, 8'). This or these boards (11, 11') may optionally carry one or more electronic components shared between at least two of said constituent sub-assemblies (5', 6', 8, 8').

[0026] In accordance with a characteristic of the invention favorable in terms of robust, simple and secure construction, the module (1) comprises means for electrical connection of the electronic control unit (1') with the exterior in the form of connection lines, rigid or not, which end in pins or blades (12) integrated and embedded in a sealed manner in the material of a region of the wall (7') of the housing (7) and projecting on the external face of this wall (7'). This region, preferably with a reinforced structure (for example greater wall thickness), advantageously forms the only electrical connection interface of the housing (7) and all the circuits and components it contains.

[0027] The connection lines (10) of the different components (5', 6, 8, 8') housed in the housing (7) can either all converge towards the electronic control unit (1') connected alone to the pins or blades (12), or for at least some connected one or more components (5', 6, 8, 8') directly to these pins or blades (12), in addition to said unit (1').

[0028] In order to achieve a simplified, economical and space-saving production of the module (1), the invention may provide that the printed circuit board (11) carrying the electronic circuits of the electronic control unit (1') also carries at least part, or even all, of the power supply and / or control circuits of the actuator(s) (5') and / or stator(s) (8, 8'), certain components being shared between these different circuits.

[0029] In order to take advantage of the heat transfer possibilities offered by the circuit (3) for circulating the heat transfer liquid fluid (FL), and as shown by way of example in [Fig. 6], said at least one printed circuit board (11, 11'), carrying the electronic circuits of the electronic control unit (1') and / or the power supply and / or control circuits of the actuator(s) (5') and / or stator(s) (8, 8'), can be mounted either in the immediate vicinity of or in contact with a wall portion (7') of the housing (7) in contact with a cold source such as a reservoir or a conduit (3') forming part of the circuit (3) for circulating the heat transfer liquid fluid (FL), or in an internal region of the housing (7) crossed by such a conduit (3') and with which it is in heat exchange contact.

[0030] According to an interesting practical constructive variant in a search for grouping of functionalities under the engine hood, it can be provided that in the housing (7) are mounted, in addition to the electronic control unit (1') of said module (1), the stators (8 and 8') of two pumps (4 and 4'), the actuators (5') of two regulating members (5) of the valve type and the electronic components (6') of at least two temperature or pressure sensors or detectors (6), as well as their respective means of electrical connection, power supply and / or control.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1B and 4 by way of examples, on the or each stator (8, 8') can be added a part forming a concave shell (13), comprising a fluid inlet (FL) end piece (13') and a fluid outlet (FL) end piece (13”) and defining with said stator (8, 8') a distribution chamber (14) in which the rotor (15) of the corresponding pump (4, 4') is mounted, in the form of a rotary member of the turbine type carrying permanent magnets, said part forming a shell (13) being secured peripherally, in a sealed manner, with a flange or a fixing plate (9) of the stator (8, 8') or with the wall (7') of the housing (7). The two pumps thus formed can be fluidically independent or be connected in series, even selectively with a switching member, possibly also mounted in the housing.

[0032] As is apparent from Figures 1A and 2, the housing (7) may be composed of two constituent parts, preferably each in a single piece and molded from thermoplastic material, mutually assembled in a sealed manner, namely, a first part (16) in the form of a hollow body of substantially parallelepipedal shape, open on one face and delimiting a volume and a second part (16') in the form of a flat plate, closing the open face of the first part (16). Preferably, the components and subassemblies are mounted in the first part (16).

[0033] In accordance with a preferred construction of the module (1), all of the circuits and components constituting the electronic control unit (1') are located inside the housing (7), preferably being mounted on a single printed circuit board (11). In addition, the electrical connection means (10) present connect all of the constituent sub-assemblies (5', 6', 8, 8') to said electronic control unit (1') - convergent internal connection network - and this control unit is the only one to be connected to the outside, preferably by means of connection lines, rigid (10) or not, which terminate in pins or blades (12) integrated and embedded in a sealed manner in the material of a region of the wall (7') of the housing (7) and projecting on the external face of this wall (7').Thus, all the components and all the subassemblies located at least partially in the housing (7) are connected to the external systems, in terms of power supply and transmission (signaling / command / control) up or down, through the electronic control unit (1'). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular an electric car, comprising a vehicle thermal management system, said system comprising, in addition to at least one circuit (3) for circulating heat transfer fluid (FL), at least one pump (4, 4'), at least one fluid regulating member (5) associated with an actuator (5') and at least one sensor or detector (6).

[0034] This vehicle is characterized in that it also comprises a multifunctional module (1) as described above, said module (1) grouping, by structural integration and housing in a protective casing (7) forming a sealed enclosure, the partial constituent components or electrically connected sub-assemblies (5', 6', 8, 8') of at least two of said at least one pump (4, 4'), said at least one regulating member (5) and said at least one sensor or detector (6), as well as their respective means of electrical connection, power supply and / or control.

[0035] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular of the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Integrated multifunctional module (1) of a vehicle thermal management system, said system comprising, in addition to at least one circuit (3) for circulating heat transfer fluid (FL), at least one pump (4, 4'), at least one fluid regulating member (5) associated with an actuator (5') and at least one sensor or detector (6), multifunctional module (1) characterized in that it comprises a sealed housing (7) in which are housed at least two of the following three partial constituent components or sub-assemblies: the stator (8, 8') of said at least one pump (4, 4'), said at least one actuator (5') and said at least one sensor or detector (6), as well as their respective electrical connection (10), power supply and / or control means, and those of an electronic control unit (1') of said module (1), which are advantageously at least partially mounted on at least one printed circuit board (11, 11') housed in the housing (7).

2. Multifunctional module according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (7) constitutes a mounting support for the components (5', 6', 8, 8') housed therein and for their respective means of connection, power supply and / or control.

3. Multifunctional module according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuator(s) (5') and / or stator(s) (8, 8') housed in the housing (7) are mounted in a sealed manner in similar openings or passages (7”) of the wall (7') of said housing (7) and are located partially inside and partially outside the latter, these components (5', 8, 8') comprising a flange or a plate (9) for their sealed connection with said wall (7').

4. Multifunctional module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical connection means between the components (5', 6, 8, 8') housed in the housing (7) and the electronic control unit (1') are in the form of rigid connection lines (10) extending and mounted in said housing (7), these connection lines (10) forming part of a network (10') of metal connection strips or being formed on at least one portion (10”) of printed circuit board, and these connection lines (10) all preferably converging towards the electronic control unit (1').

5. Multifunctional module according to claim 4, characterized in that that at least one portion (10”) carrying one or more connection lines (10) constitutes a single-piece extension of a printed circuit board (11) carrying the electronic circuits of the electronic control unit (1') and / or of a printed circuit board (11') carrying the power supply and / or control circuits of the actuator(s) (5') and / or stator(s) (8, 8'), this or these boards (11, 11') possibly being able to carry one or more electronic components shared between at least two of said constituent sub-assemblies (5', 6', 8, 8').

6. Multifunctional module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means for electrical connection of the electronic control unit (1') with the exterior in the form of connection lines, rigid or not, which end in pins or blades (12) integrated and embedded in a sealed manner in the material of a region of the wall (7') of the housing (7) and projecting on the external face of this wall (7'), this region advantageously forming the only electrical connection interface of the housing (7) and of the circuits and components which it contains.

7. Multifunctional module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the printed circuit board (11) carrying the electronic circuits of the electronic control unit (1') also carries at least part, or even all, of the power supply and / or control circuits of the actuator(s) (5') and / or stator(s) (8, 8'), certain components being shared between these different circuits.

8. Multifunctional module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said at least one printed circuit board (11, 11'), carrying the electronic circuits of the electronic control unit (1') and / or the power supply and / or control circuits of the actuator(s) (5') and / or stator(s) (8, 8'), is mounted either in the immediate vicinity of or in contact with a wall portion (7') of the housing (7) in contact with a cold source such as a reservoir or a conduit (3') forming part of the circuit (3) for circulating heat transfer liquid fluid (FL), or in an internal region of the housing (7) crossed by such a conduit (3') and with which it is in heat exchange contact.

9. Multifunctional module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the sealed housing (7) are mounted, in addition to the electronic control unit (1') of said module (1), the stators (8 and 8') of two pumps (4 and 4'), the actuators (5') of two regulating members (5) of the valve type and the electronic components (6') of at least two temperature or pressure sensors or detectors (6), as well as their respective means of electrical connection, power supply and / or control.

10. Multifunctional module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that on the or each stator (8, 8') is attached a part forming a concave shell (13), comprising a fluid inlet end piece (13') (FL) and a fluid outlet end piece (13”) (FL) and defining with said stator (8, 8') a distribution chamber (14) in which the rotor (15) of the corresponding pump (4, 4') is mounted, in the form of a rotary member of the turbine type carrying permanent magnets, said part forming a shell (13) being secured peripherally, in a sealed manner, with a flange or a fixing plate (9) of the stator (8, 8') or with the wall (7') of the housing (7).

11. Multifunctional module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the housing (7) is composed of two constituent parts, preferably each in a single piece and molded from thermoplastic material, mutually assembled in a sealed manner, namely, a first part (16) in the form of a hollow body of substantially parallelepipedal shape, open on one face and delimiting a volume and a second part (16') in the form of a flat plate, closing the open face of the first part (16).

12. Multifunctional module according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that all the circuits and components constituting the electronic control unit (1') are located inside the housing (7), preferably being mounted on a single printed circuit board (11), the electrical connection means (10) connecting all the constituent sub-assemblies (5', 6', 8, 8') to said electronic control unit (1') and the latter being the only one to be connected to the outside, preferably by means of connection lines, rigid (10) or not, which end in pins or blades (12) integrated and embedded in a sealed manner in the material of a region of the wall (7') of the housing (7) and projecting on the external face of this wall (7').

13. Motor vehicle, in particular electric car, comprising a vehicle thermal management system, said system comprising, in addition to at least one circuit (3) for circulating heat transfer liquid fluid (FL), at least one pump (4, 4'), at least one fluid regulating member (5) associated with an actuator (5') and at least one sensor or detector (6), vehicle characterized in that it also comprises a multifunctional module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, said module (1) grouping, by structural integration and housing in a protective housing (7) forming a sealed enclosure, the partial constituent components or electrically connected sub-assemblies (5', 6', 8, 8') of at least two of said at least one pump (4, 4'), said at least one regulating member (5) and said at least one sensor or detector (6), as well as their respective means of electrical connection, power supply and / or control.