Heat exchanger for a cooling system for an automotive vehicle

Abstract

Title: Heat exchanger for a cooling system for a motor vehicle. The invention relates to a heat exchanger (2) for a cooling system (1) for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger (2) comprising a core held by water boxes (5) arranged on two opposite edges of the core, said water boxes (5) being configured to collect a heat transfer fluid intended to circulate within the core of the heat exchanger (2), the heat exchanger (2) being characterized in that it comprises a water pump (3) integrated into one of said water boxes (5). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Heat exchanger for a cooling system for a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a cooling system for a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a cooling system for a motor vehicle comprising such a heat exchanger. The present invention also relates to an arrangement of a motor vehicle chassis comprising such a heat exchanger and / or such a cooling system.

[0002] In a motor vehicle, each powertrain requires a cooling circuit to cool the powertrain components in order to avoid risks due to overheating of said components.

[0003] Such a cooling circuit classically includes at least one heat exchanger, an expansion vessel which serves as a reservoir for a heat transfer fluid intended to circulate within the cooling circuit, a pump which allows the flow of said heat transfer fluid to be regulated and fluid fittings to connect the different components of the cooling circuit together in order to ensure a passage for the heat transfer fluid.

[0004] With the tightening of anti-pollution standards and the increasing use of electric motors, cooling needs are becoming more and more important, which leads to a complexity of cooling systems, in particular by the multiplication of components to be cooled.

[0005] This leads to an increase in the number of heat exchangers within cooling systems, resulting in longer cooling circuits. To ensure optimal or even sufficient flow in these longer and more complex cooling circuits, it is necessary to integrate additional pumps. However, the available volume in an engine compartment is limited, thus restricting the choice of locations for water pumps.

[0006] Thus, one objective of the invention is to propose a more compact alternative in order to save space, and a less complex one, in order to simplify the fluid connections in the cooling circuit. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to a heat exchanger for a cooling system for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising a bundle of plates or tubes held together by water boxes arranged on two opposite edges of the bundle, said water boxes being configured to collect a heat transfer fluid intended to circulate inside the heat exchanger bundle, the heat exchanger being characterized in that it includes a water pump integrated into one of said water boxes.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the water pump has a body of overall cylindrical shape with circular bases, and the diameter of the circular bases of the cylindrical water pump is less than the height of said water pump.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the height of the water pump is less than or equal to the height of the water box.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the water pump is configured to generate a power between 60W and 100W and / or to generate a flow rate between 15L / min and 25L / min and more particularly equal to 20L / min.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the water box includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and the water pump is arranged at the fluid outlet of the water box.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises a single piece forming the water box and a housing for the water pump integrated into said water box.

[0013] The invention also relates to a cooling system for a motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger as defined above, a main water pump and an additional water pump, the additional water pump corresponding to the water pump integrated into said heat exchanger.

[0014] The invention also relates to an arrangement of a motor vehicle chassis comprising a heat exchanger as defined above and / or a cooling system as defined above, the water boxes of the heat exchanger extending in a vertical direction in the mounted state in a motor vehicle and the water pump having a body of overall cylindrical shape with an axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0015] The arrangement of a motor vehicle chassis may further include a crossbar for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger being disposed at the rear of the chassis crossbar, the water pump of said exchanger being located lower than the crossbar.

[0016] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger as defined above and / or a cooling system as defined above, and / or an arrangement of a motor vehicle chassis as defined above. Presentation of the figures

[0017] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of various particular embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, in relation to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a known prior art vehicle chassis arrangement.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a heat exchanger according to a method of embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an arrangement comprising a heat exchanger according to the invention.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the arrangement of Figure 3 as seen from above. Detailed description

[0022] In this document, the X-axis designates the longitudinal axis of a vehicle. When moving forward in a straight line, the vehicle progresses 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, that is, in the direction of reverse. The Y-axis designates the transverse axis of the vehicle. The Y-axis is oriented from left to right, left and right being defined from the perspective of a driver of the vehicle. The Z-axis designates the axis perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis. The vehicle is assumed to be resting on a horizontal surface. The Z-axis is a vertical axis, oriented from bottom to top. The X, Y, and Z axes form an orthogonal coordinate system.This same reference point, defined by reference to a vehicle, will also be used to describe the heat exchanger, the cooling system and the layout of a motor vehicle chassis, even when considered outside the vehicle, since it is intended for mounting in a specific orientation within the vehicle.

[0023] Furthermore, the term "water" in "air / water radiator" or "water pump" refers to a heat transfer fluid that may be different from water. The heat transfer fluid may, in particular, be water-based with additives to prevent scaling of the circuit and to withstand freezing, such as glycol water.

[0024] A cooling system 1 for a motor vehicle generally comprises one or more heat exchangers 2 which are connected to a cooling circuit within which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate. This heat transfer fluid may, in particular, be glycol water.

[0025] A cooling system 1 may in particular include three separate heat exchangers 2 for application to a hybrid powertrain comprising an electric machine and a combustion engine to be cooled, including a heat exchanger 2 which provides a low-temperature air / water radiator function dedicated to electrical power components, a heat exchanger that provides a high-temperature air / water radiator function dedicated to the combustion engine and a heat exchanger that provides a condenser function for an air conditioning circuit.

[0026] Such a cooling system 1 generally includes a main water pump and, as in the present case, an additional water pump 3, also called an auxiliary water pump.

[0027] The heat exchangers 2 of the cooling system are conventionally arranged behind the front end of a motor vehicle, as illustrated in Figures 1, 3, and 4. In a prior art arrangement 10' shown in [Fig. 1], the space between a front crossmember of the motor vehicle and the heat exchanger(s) 2' of the cooling system 1' is used to compress all the components of the front of the vehicle, such as the bumper, shock absorbers, and front crossmember, in order to limit the impact on the stacked components behind them during a low-speed collision. This generally results in an offset of the additional water pump 3'. In the example shown in [Fig. 1], the additional water pump 3' is arranged on a pump bracket that is fixed to the left front side member of the motor vehicle. The additional 3' water pump is located at the junction between the front pendulum and the cradle.Relocating the water pump 3" in this way implies lengthening the pipes within the cooling circuit and / or complicating the connections of the cooling circuit in order to ensure the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in said cooling circuit.

[0028] This arrangement 10' can prove problematic because, in the event of a low-speed collision, for example at a speed of 15 km / h or less, the structural components at the front of the vehicle are likely to deform upon impact. More specifically, a portion of the front crossmember, such as the crossmember 4' and / or the front section of a side member, will be crushed by such an impact. These deformations can directly affect the components of the cooling system. Deformations of the front crossmember 4' and / or the front section of a side member can cause malfunctions of the heat exchanger(s) and the cooling system 1', and the parts of this cooling system 1' are quite expensive to repair.

[0029] An embodiment of a heat exchanger 2 according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The heat exchanger 2 comprises a bundle, which may include plates or tubes between which are fins for the circulation of air connected to water boxes 5 arranged on two opposite edges of the bundle. In addition to serving as a load-bearing structure for the bundle, the water boxes 5 are configured to collect the heat transfer fluid intended to circulate within the bundle of the heat exchanger 2.

[0030] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 2 includes a water pump 3 integrated into one of said water boxes 5. This is the additional water pump 3. The cooling system 1 therefore comprises a main water pump and an additional or auxiliary water pump 3, the latter corresponding to the water pump 3 integrated into said heat exchanger 2. The additional water pump 3 can be immersed in the heat transfer fluid.

[0031] The water pump 3 integrated into one of the water boxes 5 of the heat exchanger 2 has a generally cylindrical body. The generally cylindrical shape refers to the overall shape of the body of the water pump 3. The generally cylindrical shape excludes certain added parts such as hydraulic or electrical connectors, or fasteners.

[0032] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the pump body, which is generally cylindrical in shape, has an axis extending in a vertical direction, i.e. parallel to the Z axis.

[0033] The pump body, generally cylindrical in shape, comprises two circular bases 6 arranged parallel to each other along the vertical axis Z and a casing 7 extending between the peripheral edges of said circular bases 6 so as to connect them. The casing 7 extends perpendicularly to the surfaces of the two circular bases 6.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger 2 comprises a single monobloc piece that forms the water box 5 and the body of the water pump 3 integrated into said water box 5. This embodiment has the advantage of being particularly compact and thus freeing up space in the cooling system 1. Furthermore, by integrating the body of the water pump 3 into the water box 5 using a single monobloc piece, there is no longer a need for a support to hold the additional water pump 3 within the arrangement 10, which offers an economic advantage in addition to making the cooling system 1 more compact. The absence of a support also frees up space within the cooling system. This is particularly evident when comparing the arrangement 10 of [Fig. 3] where the cooling system includes a heat exchanger according to the invention with the arrangement 10 of [Fig. 4][l] which illustrates the state of the art.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the height of the water pump 3 is less than or equal to the height of the water box 5 along the vertical axis Z, as illustrated in [Fig.2]. This height may be less than half or one-third of the height of the upright.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the circular bases 6 of the cylindrical water pump 3 is less than the height of said water pump 3. Thus, the vertical dimension of the water pump is greater than its lateral dimension: the water pump 3 is therefore long and thin, which facilitates its arrangement 10 within the water box 5 of the heat exchanger 2.

[0037] According to one example, the height of the water pump 3 is between twice the diameter of the circular bases 6 and ten times the diameter of the circular bases. Other ratios between the height of the water pump 3 and the diameter of the circular bases 6 of this same water pump 3 can be considered.

[0038] Preferably the water pump is sized according to the power to be supplied by the electric motor to which it is linked to rotation.

[0039] According to one example, the water pump 3 is configured to generate a power output between 60W and 100W. In addition or as an alternative, the water pump 3 is configured to generate a flow rate between 15L / min and 25L / min, and more particularly equal to 20L / min.

[0040] The water box 5 may include a fluid inlet 8 and a fluid outlet 9. The water pump 3 is then arranged at the fluid outlet 9 of the water box 5, as illustrated in [Fig. 2]. More precisely, the fluid outlet 9 of the water box 5 may be located either between the two circular bases 6 of the generally cylindrical body of the water pump 3 or above the two circular bases 6 of the generally cylindrical body of the water pump 3. The proximity between the fluid outlet 9 of the water box 5 and the additional water pump 3 facilitates the immersion of the water pump 3 in the heat transfer fluid collected in the water box 5.

[0041] Optionally, the casing 7 which forms the lateral face of the pump body of the water pump 3, which is generally cylindrical in shape, may include at least one fluid connection allowing the additional water pump 3 to be connected to other components of the cooling circuit in the cooling system 1.

[0042] In addition, the pump body of the water pump 3 may include a fixing element configured to fix the heat exchanger 2 to a part of an arrangement 10 comprising said heat exchanger 2.

[0043] A heat exchanger 2 with an additional water pump 3 integrated into one of the water boxes 5 of said exchanger 2 can be integrated into a cooling system 1 and into a motor vehicle compartment according to a particularly advantageous arrangement 10, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0044] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 3], the water boxes 5 of the heat exchanger 2 extend in a vertical direction when mounted in a motor vehicle. In other words, the water boxes 5 of the heat exchanger 2 extend parallel to the vertical axis Z when the heat exchanger is mounted in the cooling system 1. In this way, the generally cylindrical body of the water pump 3 has an axis which also extends in the vertical direction, parallel to the vertical axis Z.

[0045] Such an arrangement 10 may prove to be more compact than the prior art arrangement 10 illustrated in [Fig. 1]. It should be noted that integrating the additional water pump 3 into one of the water boxes 5 of the heat exchanger 2 simplifies the structure of the cooling circuit by reducing the length of the pipes and / or the number of fluid connections between the heat exchanger 2 and the additional water pump 3.

[0046] This arrangement 10 therefore includes a heat exchanger 2 as described above and it further includes a crossbar 4 for a motor vehicle. In this arrangement 10, the heat exchanger is located at the rear of the crossbar 4 of the chassis, and the water pump 3 of said heat exchanger 2 is located lower than the crossbar 4. This is illustrated in [Fig. 3].

[0047] By "lower," it is meant here that, viewed from the front, the generally cylindrical body of the water pump 3 is located below the crossbar 4. Thus, whatever point on the cylindrical body of the water pump 3 is considered, this point is positioned below any point on the crossbar 4, and therefore lower than any point on the crossbar 4. In other words, if we consider that the vehicle is resting on a horizontal surface, whatever point on the cylindrical body of the water pump 3 is considered, this point is closer to the horizontal surface than the crossbar 4.

[0048] According to an example, there is a gap of a few centimeters between the crossbar 4 and the circular base closest to the water pump 3 along the vertical axis Z. This gap is for example between five centimeters and twenty-five centimeters.

[0049] In addition to being located lower than any point on the crossbar 4, the water pump 3 is also positioned set back from this same crossbar 4. In other words, the water pump 3 is located at the rear with respect to the crossbar 4.

[0050] According to an example illustrated in [Fig.4], there is a gap of a few centimeters between the crossbar 4 and the axis of the cylindrical body of the water pump 3 along the longitudinal axis X. This gap is for example between five centimeters and fifteen centimeters.

[0051] This location of the water pump 3 is advantageous because in the event of a low-speed impact, for example at a speed of 10 km / h or less, the probability that the structural components at the front of the vehicle, which are subject to deformation upon impact, will strike the water pump 3 is lower, since the water pump 3 is located lower than the crossmember 4. The advantageous location of the water pump 3 within the arrangement 10 can allow a Reduction of damage sustained in the event of a low-speed impact against the front of the vehicle. The advantageous positioning of the water pump 3 within the arrangement 10 thus contributes to the repairability of the motor vehicle in the event of an accident.

Claims

Demands

1. An arrangement (10) of a motor vehicle chassis comprising a heat exchanger (2) for a cooling system (1) for the motor vehicle, the heat exchanger (2) comprising a bundle of plates or tubes held together by water boxes (5) arranged on two opposite edges of the bundle, said water boxes (5) being configured to collect a heat transfer fluid intended to circulate within the bundle of the heat exchanger (2), the heat exchanger (2) comprising a water pump (3) integrated into one of said water boxes (5), the arrangement being characterized in that the water boxes (5) of the heat exchanger (2) extend in a vertical direction when mounted in a motor vehicle and characterized in that the water pump (3) has a body of generally cylindrical shape with an axis extending in the vertical direction,the arrangement further comprising a crossbar (4) for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger (2) being disposed at the rear of the crossbar (4) of the chassis, and characterized in that the water pump (3) of said exchanger is located lower than the crossbar (4).

2. Arrangement (10) of a motor vehicle chassis according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the water pump (3) has a body of overall cylindrical shape with circular bases (6) and in that the diameter of the circular bases (6) of the cylindrical water pump (3) is less than the height of said water pump (3).

3. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of the water pump (3) is less than or equal to the height of the water box (5).

4. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water pump (3) is configured to generate a power between 60W and 100W and / or to generate a flow rate between 15L / min and 25L / min and more particularly equal to 20L / min.

5. An arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water box (5) comprises a fluid inlet (8) and a fluid outlet (9) and in that the pump water (3) is arranged at the fluidic outlet (9) of the water box (5).

6. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a single piece forming the water box (5) and a housing for the water pump (3) integrated into said water box (5).

7. Cooling system (1) for an arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, the cooling system comprising a main water pump and an additional water pump (3), the additional water pump (3) corresponding to the water pump (3) integrated into said heat exchanger (2).

8. Motor vehicle comprising an arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or a cooling system (1) according to claim 7.

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