Vehicle assembly comprising an electronic module cooled via an air conditioning system, cooling method and vehicle comprising such an assembly

Abstract

A vehicle assembly comprising an electronic module cooled by an air conditioning system, a cooling method, and a vehicle comprising such an assembly. The invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly (1), comprising: - an air supply circuit (3) for a passenger compartment (5) of said motor vehicle, - a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning device (7) comprising an inlet (13) adapted to be supplied with air by said air supply circuit (3) and an outlet adapted to diffuse air into said passenger compartment (5), - at least one electronic module (21), mounted in said motor vehicle, comprising at least one electronic component. According to the invention, said at least one electronic module (21) comprises an inlet (23) supplied with air by said air supply circuit (3). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle assembly comprising an electronic module cooled via an air conditioning system, cooling method and vehicle comprising such an assembly technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of cooling electronic modules installed in a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly and a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. Previous technique

[0003] The passenger compartment of a motor vehicle contains a large number of electronic modules.

[0004] In order to avoid overheating of the internal components of the electronic modules and to ensure their proper functioning, some electronic modules require a dedicated cooling system.

[0005] Among dedicated cooling systems, forced air cooling systems are known to be used.

[0006] Such a system includes a fan arranged at the inlet or outlet of the electronic module to be cooled, adapted to draw in air from the vehicle's passenger compartment. The heat is expelled at the outlet of the cooling system, for example into the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0007] The cooling of the electronic module depends mainly on the convective exchange of the air passing inside the electronic module, and therefore on the air flow and the temperature difference between the internal temperature of the component and the temperature of the passenger compartment air.

[0008] To ensure proper operation of the cooling system, determining its location within the passenger compartment is essential. In particular, it should not be positioned in confined areas.

[0009] Thus, the installation of the cooling system is relatively complex and restrictive.

[0010] Also, the release of hot air into the vehicle's passenger compartment can negatively impact the temperature inside the passenger compartment.

[0011] In addition, thermally sensitive components mounted in the hot air rejection zone of the electronic module may be impacted during the hot air rejection.

[0012] Finally, the noise of the cooling system fan degrades the acoustics in the passenger compartment.

[0013] It is also known to use water cooling systems instead of air cooling systems.

[0014] This system has the advantage of being able to be independent of the passenger compartment environment, which makes it possible to improve its efficiency, limit the constraints associated with its integration and not impact the temperature inside the passenger compartment.

[0015] However, the cost of implementing such a system is extremely high. Description of the invention

[0016] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a motor vehicle assembly, comprising: - an air supply circuit for the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle, - a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system comprising an inlet suitable for being supplied with air by said air supply circuit and an outlet suitable for diffusing air inside said passenger compartment, - at least one electronic module, mounted in said motor vehicle, comprising at least one electronic component, said assembly being remarkable in that said at least one electronic module includes an air-supplied inlet by said air supply circuit.

[0017] Thus, by providing the electronic module with air from the passenger compartment air supply circuit, the air flow into the electronic module is considerably increased, which improves the convective exchange of the air passing through the electronic module.

[0018] In this way, the installation of the cooling system, carried out within the framework of the invention by the air supply circuit of the passenger compartment, is greatly simplified compared to a liquid cooling system and makes it possible to do without a cooling system integrated into the electronic module.

[0019] Also, by providing the electronic module with air from the passenger compartment air supply circuit, it is now possible to introduce air cooler than that of the passenger compartment into the electronic module, for example from the heating, ventilation, or passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0020] According to optional features of the assembly according to the invention: - said at least one electronic module includes an outlet evacuating air at the inlet of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device; - a portion of the air exiting said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system supplies air to said at least one electronic module when said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is operating in a passenger compartment cooling mode in which the air diffused by said system heating, ventilation and air conditioning is likely to lower the temperature of the said passenger compartment; - said assembly includes a suitable conduit to convey air from the outlet of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device to the inlet of said at least one electronic module; - said duct includes an inlet flap capable of switching alternately between an open position in which it opens a passage in said duct, so as to allow air to pass from the heating, ventilation and air conditioning device to said at least one electronic module and a closed position in which it closes said passage; - when said intake flap is in said closed position, it opens a passage in said duct so as to allow air to pass from the passenger compartment to said at least one electronic module; - said assembly includes a suitable conduit to convey air from the outlet of said at least one electronic module to the inlet of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device; - the activation of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is controlled by a software means programmed to trigger the activation of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system when said at least one electronic module exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method of cooling an electronic module mounted in a motor vehicle, said electronic module comprising at least one electronic component, said method being implemented by an assembly according to the invention, remarkable in that it includes a step according to which said electronic module is automatically supplied with air by the air supply circuit of the passenger compartment of said vehicle.

[0022] According to an optional arrangement of the cooling method according to the invention, the method includes a step in which said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device is supplied with air at least partially through the outlet of said at least one electronic module. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] shows an assembly according to the invention in a configuration in which the HVAC is used to cool the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0025] [Fig.2] shows the assembly according to the invention in a configuration in which the HVAC is used to heat the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Description of the implementation methods

[0026] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0027] Reference is made to [Fig.1] in which an assembly 1 according to the invention is illustrated, in a configuration according to a first mode of use.

[0028] Assembly 1 includes an air supply circuit 3 for a passenger compartment 5 of a motor vehicle.

[0029] The air supply circuit 3 supplies a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system 7 of a motor vehicle, a system frequently referred to by the acronym "HVAC" (English acronym for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning"), in order to ensure optimal air management inside the passenger compartment and to provide optimal comfort to the passengers.

[0030] The HVAC 7 is capable of being used to cool or to heat the passenger compartment 5.

[0031] When the HVAC 7 is operating in cooling mode, as is the case in the operating mode shown in [Fig.1], hot air is admitted through the inlet of the supply circuit 3 into the air, as shown by arrow 10, at the level of a canopy 9 of the vehicle, and / or into the passenger compartment, as shown by arrow 31.

[0032] Assembly 1 includes a movable supply flap 11 which allows the air supplying the HVAC 7 to be distributed between the outside air represented by the arrow 10 and the passenger compartment air 31.

[0033] The HVAC 7 includes an inlet 13, comprising a fan 15 designed to admit air and send it to a cooling stage 17, for example an evaporator, which may be active or inactive, and optionally to send the air to a heating stage 19 depending on whether the HVAC 7 is used in cooling or heating mode. The design of the cooling stage 17 and the heating stage 19 of the HVAC 7 are known to those skilled in the art. The air diffused by the HVAC 7 via the cooling stage 17 is capable of lowering the temperature of the vehicle's passenger compartment 5.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.1], only the cooling stage 17 is used to cool the air admitted into the HVAC 7.

[0035] Assembly 1 further comprises at least one electronic module 21 mounted in the vehicle.

[0036] According to the invention, the electronic module 21 has an inlet 23 supplied with air by the air supply circuit 3.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the inlet 23 includes an air intake fan 25 adapted to facilitate the passage of air into the electronic module 21.

[0038] According to a variant not shown in the figures, the input 23 of the electronic module 21 may not include a fan or other cooling device integrated into the electronic module 21, in order to save space, reduce the number of components and thus reduce the cost of the device.

[0039] Also, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the electronic module 21 has an outlet 27 which discharges air at the inlet 13 of the HVAC 7. Alternatively, the outlet 27 of the electronic module 21 discharges air outside the HVAC 7.

[0040] Thus, the hot air coming out of the electronic module 21 is reinjected into the air supply circuit 3, and more particularly into the HVAC 7 via the control of the supply flap 11.

[0041] The calories removed from the electronic module 21 are thus directly returned to the input 13 of the HVAC 7 so that they can be processed by the HVAC 7 (air conditioning loop is active).

[0042] When the HVAC 7 is operating in cooling mode, the cooling stage 17 of the HVAC 7 cools the hot air from the electronic module 21, in addition to the hot air admitted through the air supply circuit inlet 3 at the level of the vehicle's canopy 9.

[0043] Thus, rather than venting the hot air exiting the electronic module 21 into the passenger compartment 5, as is the case in the prior art, the hot air is directly reinjected into the air supply circuit 3 and into the HVAC 7, which avoids negatively impacting the temperature inside the passenger compartment 5.

[0044] The reinjection of air from the electronic module 21 into the HVAC 7 can be carried out when the fan 15 of the HVAC 7 is operating, and by positioning the supply flap 11 in a position whereby part of the air supplying the supply circuit 3 comes from outside the vehicle and part of the air comes from the passenger compartment 5. In this way, the hot air expelled by the electronic module 21 is admitted into the HVAC 7 at its inlet 13, as shown by arrow 29, in addition to the air admitted from the passenger compartment 5, as shown by arrow 31.

[0045] When the supply flap 11 is in a position whereby air from outside the vehicle is not admitted, and the HVAC 7 fan 15 is operating, the air supplying the air supply circuit 3 comes only from the electronic module 21 and the passenger compartment 5.

[0046] When the air admitted through the HVAC inlet 13 is cooled by the cooling stage 17, as shown by arrow 33, a portion of the cooled air is injected from the outlet of the HVAC 7 into the cabin 35 of the passenger compartment 5 as represented by arrow 37, for example via a head ventilator 39.

[0047] According to one feature of the invention, when the HVAC 7 is operating in cooling mode, part of the cooled air exiting the HVAC 7 can supply air to the electronic module 21, as represented by arrow 41. The effect of air cooling is thus fully utilized to supply the electronic module 21.

[0048] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the assembly 1 includes a conduit 43 adapted to carry air from the outlet of the HVAC 7 to the inlet 23 of the electronic module 21. Thus, the electronic module 21 can be directly connected to the inlet of the HVAC 7 by the dedicated conduit 43.

[0049] When a duct 43 connecting the outlet of the HVAC 7 to the inlet 23 of the electronic module 21 is arranged in the assembly 1, the assembly 1 may include an inlet flap 45 capable of switching alternately between an open position in which it opens a passage in the duct 43, so as to allow air to pass from the HVAC 7 to the electronic module 21, and a closed position in which it closes the passage.

[0050] Optionally, the intake flap 45 can also supply the electronic module 21 by introducing air from the passenger compartment 5 via an opening in the duct 43.

[0051] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the assembly 1 includes a conduit 55 adapted to carry air from the outlet 27 of the electronic module 21 to the inlet 13 of the HVAC 7.

[0052] Alternatively, assembly 1 may not include a conduit to carry air from the outlet 27 of the electronic module 21 to the inlet 13 of the HVAC 7, the air from the electronic module 21 being able in this case to be conveyed naturally to the inlet 13 of the HVAC 7.

[0053] Reference is made to [Fig.2] in which assembly 1 is illustrated in a configuration according to a second mode of use, according to which the HVAC 7 is used to heat the passenger compartment 5.

[0054] When the HVAC 7 is operating in heating mode, fresh air is admitted through the air supply circuit inlet 3 at the level of the vehicle's cowl 9, as shown by arrow 57, and the air diffused by the HVAC 7 is such as to increase the temperature of the vehicle's passenger compartment 5

[0055] When the HVAC 7 is operating in cabin heating mode, the heating stage 19 of the HVAC 7 heats the cold air admitted through the inlet 13 of the air supply circuit 3 at the level of the vehicle's canopy 9.

[0056] Also, when the hot air from the electronic module 21 is directly reinjected into the air supply circuit 3 and into the HVAC 7, the hot air participates, to a lesser extent, in the heating of the air admitted into the HVAC 7.

[0057] When the air admitted through the inlet 13 of the HVAC 7 is heated by the heating stage 19, as represented by arrow 59, part of the heated air is injected from the outlet of the HVAC 7 into the cabin 35 of the passenger compartment 5 as represented by arrow 61, for example via a ventilator 63 blowing air towards the windshield 65.

[0058] When HVAC 7 is operating in heating mode, all of the heated air exiting the HVAC 7 is diffused into the passenger compartment 5, notably via the vent 49 of the footwell 47, as represented by the arrow 67. In this way, hot air is not returned to the inlet 23 of the electronic module 21, which prevents its cooling from being degraded.

[0059] Thus, when the HVAC is operating in heating mode, the electronic module 21 is powered only by the introduction of air from the passenger compartment 5 via a vent 51, as represented by arrow 69.

[0060] When the conduit 43 connects the outlet of the HVAC 7 to the inlet 23 of the electronic module 21, the inlet flap 45 occupies its closed position in which it closes the passage in the conduit 43.

[0061] According to one provision of the invention, the activation and deactivation of the HVAC 7 can be controlled by a software means.

[0062] For example, the software means can be programmed to trigger the actuation of the HVAC 7 when the electronic module 21 exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature.

[0063] Thus, the HVAC 7 can not only be operated manually by a vehicle occupant, but it can also be operated automatically by means of software.

[0064] When the HVAC 7 is controlled by a software means programmed to trigger the actuation of the HVAC when the electronic module 21 exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, the assembly 1 enables the implementation of a cooling method for the electronic module 21 comprising a step in which the electronic module 21 is automatically supplied with air by the air supply circuit 3 of the passenger compartment 1.

[0065] The cooling method of the invention further includes a step in which the HVAC 7 is supplied with air at least partially through the outlet 27 of the electronic module 21.

[0066] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this motor vehicle assembly, this cooling method, and this vehicle comprising such an assembly, described above solely by way of illustration, but rather encompasses all variants making to involve the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising: - an air supply circuit (3) for a passenger compartment (5) of said motor vehicle, - a heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) having an inlet (13) capable of being supplied with air by said air supply circuit (3) and an outlet capable of diffusing air inside said passenger compartment (5), - at least one electronic module (21), mounted in said motor vehicle, comprising at least one electronic component, said assembly (1) being characterized in that said at least one electronic module (21) has an inlet (23) supplied with air by said air supply circuit (3).

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one electronic module (21) has an outlet (27) evacuating air at the inlet (13) of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7).

3. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a portion of the air exiting said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) supplies air to said at least one electronic module (21) when said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) is operating in a passenger compartment cooling mode (5) in which the air diffused by said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) is capable of lowering the temperature of said passenger compartment (5).

4. Assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a conduit (43) adapted to carry air from the outlet of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) to the inlet (23) of said at least one electronic module (21).

5. Assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said duct (43) comprises an inlet flap (45) capable of passing alternately between an open position according to which it opens a passage in said duct (43), so as to permit a passage of air from the heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) to said at least one electronic module (21) and a closed position according to which it closes said passage.

6. Assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, when said intake flap (45) is in said closed position, it opens a passage in said duct (43) so as to permit a passage of air from the passenger compartment to said at least one electronic module (21).

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a conduit (55) adapted to carry air from the outlet (27) of said at least one electronic module (21) to the inlet (13) of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7).

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the activation of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) is controlled by a software means programmed to trigger the actuation of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) when said at least one electronic module (21) exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature.

9. A method for cooling an electronic module (21) mounted in a motor vehicle, said electronic module (21) comprising at least one electronic component, said method being implemented by an assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a step in which said electronic module (21) is automatically supplied with air by the air supply circuit (3) of the passenger compartment (5) of said vehicle.

10. Cooling method according to claim 9, wherein said method is implemented by an assembly (1) according to claims 2 and 8, characterized in that it comprises a step in which said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device (7) is supplied with air at least partially through the outlet (27) of said at least one electronic module (21).

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