Controlled air intake module with integrated radar support, assembly comprising such a module, front panel and vehicle comprising such a front panel

Abstract

Controlled air intake module with integrated radar support, assembly comprising such a module, front face and vehicle comprising such a front face The invention relates to a controlled air intake module (9) for the front face (1) of a motor vehicle, designed to regulate the air flow passing through it. According to the invention, the controlled air intake module comprises a support and holding zone (11) for a front radar, adapted to support and hold a front radar and made directly on said controlled air intake module. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a controlled air intake module, a front face comprising such an assembly and a motor vehicle comprising such a front face. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Controlled air intake module with integrated radar support, assembly comprising such a module, front face and vehicle comprising such a front face Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly concerns a controlled air intake module for the front of a motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a controlled air intake module, a motor vehicle front end comprising such an assembly and a vehicle comprising such a front end. Prior art

[0003] A front end of a motor vehicle comprises a front bumper and, behind the front bumper, a controlled air intake module, frequently designated by the acronym “ME AP”.

[0004] The MEAP aims to improve the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle and, when the motor vehicle is an electric motor vehicle, to increase its autonomy.

[0005] The MEAP typically comprises a controlled air intake cassette designed to prohibit, limit or allow the entry of air under the hood, bordered by a structural peripheral frame.

[0006] When the motor vehicle is electric, the MEAP can be attached directly to the front bumper, unlike other configurations where it is attached to the body structure of the vehicle behind the front bumper.

[0007] A front face architecture proposes to arrange the MEAP in the lower part of the front face, behind an air intake of the vehicle. The MEAP is then mounted directly behind a lower grille of the front bumper.

[0008] By getting as close as possible to the air inlet area, air leaks are limited, which allows the vehicle's batteries to be cooled as best as possible.

[0009] The front of the vehicle also includes a front radar for driving assistance, coupled to the cruise control and making it possible in particular to establish the distance to a motor vehicle located in front in the direction of travel.

[0010] In one configuration, the front radar can be mounted directly on the skin of the front bumper, thanks to a technical zone integrated at a lower part of the skin of the front bumper.

[0011] However, integrating the technical area in the lower part of the bumper skin reduces the air intake capacities of the vehicle, thus limiting the capacities of cooling of the vehicle batteries.

[0012] In another prior art configuration, the front radar is attached to a rear portion of the lower bumper grille mounted at a lower area of ​​the front bumper.

[0013] The attachment of the front radar to the lower bumper grille is effected by means of an interface piece, sandwiching the front radar between the interface piece and the rear portion of the lower bumper grille.

[0014] The presence of the interface part increases the mass of the vehicle as well as the cost.

[0015] Also, the addition of such an additional interface part complicates inventory management at the manufacturer.

[0016] In addition, the step of mounting the interface part on the bumper as well as the mounting of the front radar on the interface part is relatively complex and time-consuming to implement, which consequently increases the cost of carrying out this step. Presentation of the invention

[0017] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a controlled air intake module for the front of a motor vehicle, designed to regulate the flow of air passing through it, remarkable in that it comprises a zone for supporting and holding a front radar, adapted to support and hold a front radar and made directly on said controlled air intake module.

[0018] Thus, by providing a controlled air intake module comprising a zone for supporting and holding a front radar, adapted to support and hold the front radar and made directly on the controlled air intake module, the front radar can be fixed directly on the controlled air intake module, without an intermediate support part.

[0019] In this way, the need to use an additional interface part is eliminated, which makes it possible to optimize stock management at the manufacturer and to simplify the step of mounting the front radar in the vehicle, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of carrying out this step.

[0020] Also, the fact that the controlled air intake module carries the support and holding area of ​​the front radar makes it possible to avoid the front radar being mounted on the front bumper skin, which makes it possible to improve the air intake capacities of the motor vehicle and therefore to increase the cooling performance of the vehicle's battery pack.

[0021] According to optional characteristics of the controlled air inlet module according to the invention: - said support and holding zone for said front radar comprises at least one interface for fixing said front radar; - said support and holding area of ​​said front radar comprises a housing of reception of said front radar, shaped to receive said front radar; - the controlled air intake module comprises a structural peripheral frame adapted to support at least one controlled air intake cassette, and said zone for supporting and maintaining said front radar is formed on said structural peripheral frame; - said support and holding zone of said front radar is provided at the level of a central part of said structural peripheral frame; - said controlled air intake module comprises an outer face intended to come opposite a front bumper skin when said controlled air intake module and said front bumper are mounted in said motor vehicle, and said support and holding zone of said front radar is made on said outer face of said structural peripheral frame.

[0022] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a controlled air intake module and a front radar, remarkable in that said controlled air intake module is according to the invention and in that said front radar is supported and held on said controlled air intake module by said support and holding zone of said controlled air intake module.

[0023] The invention also relates to a front end of a motor vehicle, comprising a front bumper and an assembly comprising a controlled air intake module and a front radar, remarkable in that said assembly is according to the invention and in that said controlled air intake module is assembled to said front bumper.

[0024] According to an arrangement of the front face of the invention, said front radar is sandwiched between said controlled air intake module and said front bumper.

[0025] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front face, remarkable in that said front face is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a front face of a motor vehicle according to the invention seen from outside the motor vehicle.

[0028] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the front face according to the invention, seen in perspective from the rear to the front of the motor vehicle.

[0029] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the controlled air inlet module according to the invention.

[0030] [Fig.4] is a front view of an assembly comprising the air inlet module piloted supporting and maintaining a front radar.

[0031] [Fig.5] shows a step of assembling the assembly on a front bumper. Description of the embodiments

[0032] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0033] In the following, the terms "left", "right", "lower" and "upper" are understood in relation to the vehicle. Similarly, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0034] Reference is made to [Fig.l] showing in perspective a front face 1 of a motor vehicle seen from outside the motor vehicle.

[0035] The motor vehicle may, for example, be a hybrid or electric motor vehicle comprising a set of batteries powering the electric motor of the motor vehicle.

[0036] The front face 1 comprises a front bumper 3, comprising a bumper skin 5.

[0037] At its lower part, the front bumper 3 has a lower grille 7 through which air from outside the vehicle can be admitted.

[0038] Reference is made to [Fig.2] showing the front face 1 in perspective seen from the rear to the front of the motor vehicle.

[0039] The front face 1 comprises a controlled air intake module 9, designated by the acronym “MEAP”, arranged at the rear of the front bumper 3.

[0040] The MEAP 9 is mounted in the lower part of the front face 1, directly behind the lower grille 7 of the front bumper 3.

[0041] In the embodiment of the front face 1 of the invention, the MEAP 9 is fixed to the front bumper 3, behind the front bumper 3. In this way, the MEAP 9 is positioned as close as possible to the air intake zone, delimited by the lower grille 7, which makes it possible to limit air leaks and to cool as well as possible the set of batteries supplying the electric motor of the motor vehicle.

[0042] We refer to [Fig.3] showing the MEAP 9 seen in perspective.

[0043] According to the invention, the MEAP 9 comprises a support and holding zone 11 for a front radar 13 (visible in FIGS. 4 and 5), adapted to support and hold the front radar 13 and made directly on the MEAP 9.

[0044] The front radar 13 is intended for driving assistance. It is for example coupled to the cruise control of the motor vehicle and is designed to establish the distance to another motor vehicle located in front in the direction of travel.

[0045] Thus, by providing a MEAP 9 comprising a support and holding zone 11 for a front radar 13, adapted to support and hold the front radar 13 and made directly on the MEAP 9, the front radar 13 can be fixed directly on the MEAP 9, without an intermediate support piece.

[0046] In this way, the need to use an additional interface part is eliminated. mentary, which makes it possible to optimize stock management at the manufacturer and to simplify the step of mounting the front radar 13 in the vehicle, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of carrying out this step.

[0047] Also, the fact that the MEAP 9 carries the support and holding zone 11 of the front radar 13 makes it possible to avoid the front radar 13 being mounted on the skin 5 of the front bumper 3, which makes it possible to improve the air intake capacities of the motor vehicle and therefore to increase the cooling performance of the vehicle's battery pack.

[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the MEAP 9 comprises a housing 15 for receiving the front radar 13, carried by the support and holding zone 11 of the front radar 13, shaped to receive and support the front radar 13.

[0049] The MEAP 9 comprises a structural peripheral frame 17 adapted to support a set of controlled air inlet cassettes 19.

[0050] In a known manner, the controlled air intake cassettes 19 are designed to prohibit, limit or allow a flow of external air to penetrate under the hood of the vehicle.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the controlled air inlet cassettes 19 each comprise a set of flaps 21, movable, controlled by a control means (not shown).

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, two cassettes 13 equip the MEAP 9. However, according to an exemplary embodiment not shown in the figures, more cassettes 19 can equip the MEAP 9.

[0053] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support and holding zone 11 of the front radar 13 is made on the structural peripheral frame 17 of the MEAP 9.

[0054] The support and holding zone 11 of the front radar 13 can for example be made at the level of a central part 23 of the structural peripheral frame 17.

[0055] The MEAP 9 further comprises an inner face 25 (visible in [Fig.2]) and an outer face 27 facing the skin 5 of the front bumper 3 when the MEAP 9 and the front bumper 3 are mounted in the motor vehicle.

[0056] In one embodiment, the support and holding zone 11 of the front radar 13 is made on the outer face 27 of the structural peripheral frame 17 of the MEAP 9.

[0057] Reference is made to [Fig.4], which is a front view of an assembly 29 comprising the MEAP 9 supporting and holding the front radar 13.

[0058] When the front radar 13 is assembled to the MEAP 9, the front radar 13 is supported by the support and holding zone 11 carried by the MEAP 9.

[0059] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the MEAP 9 comprises fixing interfaces (not shown) for the front radar 13, carried by the support and holding zone 11 of the front radar 13 and designed to hold the front radar 13 in position on the MEAP 9. These fixing interfaces are adapted to cooperate with complementary fixing interfaces carried by the front radar 13 in order to ensure the support of the front radar 13 by the MEAP 9. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the complementary fixing interfaces carried by the front radar 13 comprise for example two hooking tabs 31 in the lower part of the front radar 13, and an orifice 33 for receiving a fixing screw (not shown) in the upper part of the front radar 13.

[0060] Reference is made to [Fig.5] showing a step of assembling the assembly 29 on the front bumper 3 of the front face 1.

[0061] When the front radar 13 is assembled to the MEAP 9, the assembly 29 thus formed can be assembled to the front bumper 3 of the front face 1.

[0062] The assembly of the assembly 29 is carried out by means of fixing interfaces 35 which, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, are carried by the structural peripheral frame 17 of the MEAP 9.

[0063] When the assembly 29 is assembled to the front bumper 3 of the front face 1, the front radar 13 is sandwiched between the MEAP 9 and the front bumper 3.

[0064] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this MEAP, of this assembly comprising such a MEAP, of this front face comprising such an assembly and of this motor vehicle comprising such a front face, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Controlled air intake module (9) for the front face (1) of a motor vehicle, designed to regulate the flow of air passing through it, characterized in that it comprises a support and holding zone (11) for a front radar (13), adapted to support and hold a front radar (13) and made directly on said controlled air intake module (9).

2. Controlled air intake module (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that said support and holding zone (11) of said front radar (13) comprises at least one interface for fixing said front radar (13).

3. Controlled air intake module (9) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said support and holding zone (11) of said front radar (13) comprises a receiving housing (15) of said front radar (13), shaped to receive said front radar (13).

4. Controlled air intake module (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a structural peripheral frame (17) adapted to support at least one controlled air intake cassette (19), characterized in that said support and holding zone (11) of said front radar (13) is formed on said structural peripheral frame (17).

5. Controlled air intake module (9) according to claim 4, characterized in that said support and holding zone (11) of said front radar (13) is formed at the level of a central part (23) of said structural peripheral frame (17).

6. Controlled air intake module (9) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein said controlled air intake module (9) comprises an outer face (27) intended to come opposite a skin (5) of a front bumper (3) when said controlled air intake module (9) and said front bumper (3) are mounted in said motor vehicle, characterized in that said support and holding zone (11) of said front radar (13) is formed on said outer face (27) of said structural peripheral frame (17).

7. Assembly (29) comprising a controlled air intake module (9) and a front radar (13), characterized in that said controlled air intake module (9) is according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and in that said front radar (13) is supported and held on said controlled air intake module (9) by said support and holding zone (11) of said controlled air intake module (9).

8. Front end (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a front bumper (3) and an assembly (29), comprising a controlled air intake module (9) and a front radar (13), characterized in that said assembly (29) is according to claim 7 and in that said controlled air intake module (9) is assembled to said front bumper (3).

9. Front face (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said front radar (13) is sandwiched between said controlled air intake module (9) and said front bumper (3).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a front face (1), characterized in that said front face (1) is according to one of claims 8 or 9.

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