Electric vehicle including an engine compartment air recirculation flap

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric vehicle comprising actuable air intake flaps (11) located at the front of the vehicle, an engine compartment (100) including a first heat exchanger (24), power components (M, 30, 21), and an air exhaust vent (14), and configured to receive an incident airflow (1) successively serving the first heat exchanger (24), the components (M, 30, 21), and the air exhaust vent (14). A heat pump system (2) exchanges heat between the first (24) and a second heat exchanger (26) located in the vehicle's passenger compartment. A recirculation flap (13) selectively takes a first position opening the air expulsion port (14) and closing an air recirculation from downstream of the power components (M, 30, 21) to a position between the air inlet flaps (11) and the first exchanger (24), and a second position closing the air expulsion port (14) and opening said air recirculation.Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 5.

Description

Title of the invention: Electric vehicle comprising an engine compartment air recirculation flap. Technical field and technological background

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and a method for heating a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0002] For the purposes of this description, reference will be made to a direct orthonormal coordinate system XYZ illustrated in [Fig. 1], classically used in automotive design. In this XYZ coordinate system, the X-axis designates the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear; the Y-axis designates the transverse direction, and is oriented towards the right of the vehicle; the Z-axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards.

[0003] In a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, its heat losses are generally used to heat the vehicle's occupants. This is not possible in an electric vehicle due to the higher efficiency of its electric motor. To heat the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle, it is therefore necessary to use the electrical energy stored in the vehicle's battery, at the risk of significantly reducing the vehicle's range.

[0004] Typically, to reduce the impact on the vehicle's range, a heat pump system is used, comprising a heat exchanger in the engine compartment and a heat exchanger in the vehicle's passenger compartment. Generally, the heat pump system is reversible. When the customer wants air conditioning, particularly in summer, the heat exchanger in the engine compartment acts as a condenser. When the customer wants heating, particularly in winter, it acts as an evaporator. However, to ensure proper operation of the heat pump system, it is necessary to ensure sufficient airflow through the heat exchanger in the engine compartment. For this purpose, the heat exchanger in the engine compartment is mounted at the front of the vehicle to receive an incoming airflow.

[0005] However, under certain driving conditions, particularly at high speeds, the incident airflow degrades the vehicle's aerodynamic performance, and consequently its range. Air intake flaps that can be operated between open and closed positions are therefore generally mounted on the front of the vehicle to allow or prevent the incident airflow. But closing the air intake flaps then comes at the expense of the heat pump system's performance.

[0006] It is known from patent application publications KR20180137262 A and EP2875979 A1 that heat losses from components under the hood of the vehicle can be used to supply heat to the heat exchanger in the engine compartment when The heat pump system heats the passenger compartment even when the air intake flaps are closed. However, in these earlier designs, the reuse of heat losses is not optimal.

[0007] There is therefore a need for a vehicle with improved reuse of heat losses from the engine compartment in the operation of a vehicle heat pump system. Summary of the invention

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to an electric vehicle comprising: air intake flaps located at the front of the vehicle and operable between open / closed positions, an engine compartment comprising a first heat exchanger, power components, and an air expulsion orifice, and configured so as to receive an incident airflow successively serving the first heat exchanger, the power components and the air expulsion orifice; a heat pump system configured for heat exchange between the first exchanger and a second exchanger located in a vehicle cabin, said engine compartment further comprising a recirculation flap configured to selectively assume a first position opening the air expulsion port and closing an air recirculation from downstream of the power components to a position between the air inlet flaps and the first exchanger, and a second position closing the air expulsion port and opening said air recirculation.

[0009] The inventors observed that prior art solutions did not address the airflow that could escape through the engine compartment air exhaust vent. According to the invention, by closing the air exhaust vent, heat loss through it is prevented, thus allowing maximum heat recirculation upstream of the first heat exchanger. This is particularly advantageous when air from the engine compartment downstream of the power components is recirculated upstream of the first heat exchanger to deliver heat to it. Furthermore, in the invention, a single flap allows control of the opening and closing of both the air recirculation and the air exhaust vent.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the engine compartment includes a first peripheral wall in which said first exchanger is mounted, and includes an air recirculation orifice, the recirculation flap being mounted to rotate movablely so as to close the air recirculation orifice in its first position, and close the air expulsion orifice in its second position.

[0011] According to one variant, the air expulsion orifice is included in a second peripheral wall of the engine compartment, contiguous to the first peripheral wall, the recirculation flap being pivotally mounted to an edge of the air expulsion orifice, the air recirculation orifice being located near the air expulsion orifice, so that, in the first position, the recirculation flap comes against the edges of the air recirculation orifice, and in the second position the recirculation flap comes against the edges of the air expulsion orifice.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the vehicle is configured to have a first operating mode in which The first heat exchanger located in the engine compartment absorbs heat from its environment, the second heat exchanger diffuses heat into the passenger compartment, and the recirculation flap opens the air recirculation so that heat from the engine compartment is brought to the first heat exchanger.

[0013] According to one variant, the vehicle is configured so that, in the first operating mode, the recirculation flap is in its second position.

[0014] According to one variant, the vehicle is configured so that, in the first operating mode, the air intake flaps are closed.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the vehicle includes a radiator of a power component cooling system, said radiator being located upstream of said first heat exchanger so that a recirculated airflow serves the radiator and then the first heat exchanger.

[0016] The invention further relates to a method for heating the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle according to the invention, said method comprising: an exchange of calories between the first exchanger located in the engine compartment and the second exchanger located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the first exchanger absorbing calories from its environment, the second exchanger diffusing them into the passenger compartment, the air intake flaps being closed and the air recirculation flap opening the air recirculation so that calories from the engine compartment are brought to the first exchanger. Brief description of the figures

[0017] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the accompanying figures:

[0018] [Fig-1] the [Fig. 1], already described, represents an XYZ coordinate system classically used in automotive design;

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a schematic view in which the air recirculation flap is in the first position;

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a schematic view in which the air recirculation flap is in the second position;

[0021] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] presents a detailed side view of an example of a vehicle according to the invention, the recirculation flap being in the first position;

[0022] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] presents a detailed side view of the example vehicle according to the invention, the recirculation flap being in the second position. Detailed description

[0023] The example of an electric vehicle according to the invention includes air intake flaps 11 located at the front of the vehicle, which can be actuated between open and closed positions, and an engine compartment 100. In particular, the air intake flaps 11 and the engine compartment follow one another along the front-to-back longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0024] The engine compartment 100 includes a first heat exchanger 24, power components M, 30, 21 and an air expulsion port 14. The engine compartment 100 is configured to receive an incident airflow 1 which successively serves the first heat exchanger 24, the power components M, 30, 21 and the air expulsion port 14.

[0025] In particular, the vehicle includes an air inlet grille 10 on its front face, upstream of the air inlet flaps 11. Specifically, the air inlet flaps 11 are located upstream of the first intercooler 24 so as to deliver the incident airflow 1 in an operating mode where the air inlet flaps 11 are open. In particular, the air discharge outlet 14 is configured to expel air out of the engine compartment 100, specifically out of the vehicle.

[0026] A heat pump system 2 is configured for heat exchange between the first heat exchanger 24 and a second heat exchanger 26 located in the vehicle's passenger compartment. In particular, the heat pump system 2 comprises a compressor 21, a low-pressure accumulator 20, and an electronic expansion valve 23, which are housed in the engine compartment 100.

[0027] An air recirculation path allows air to be recirculated from downstream of the power components M, 30, 21 to a position between the air inlet flaps 11 and the first exchanger 24, i.e. in particular a position upstream of the first exchanger 24 and downstream of the air inlet flaps 11.

[0028] The engine compartment 100 also includes a recirculation flap 13 which can selectively assume a first and a second position. In its first position, the recirculation flap 13 opens the air expulsion orifice 14 and closes the air recirculation path. In its second position, the recirculation flap 13 closes the air expulsion orifice 14 and opens the air recirculation path.

[0029] Thus, the recirculation flap 13 prevents heat loss from the engine compartment 100 when air from the engine compartment 100 is recirculated upstream of the first heat exchanger 24. In addition, the integration of air recirculation in the engine compartment 100 is improved compared to the prior art, since the recirculation flap 13 allows both the air recirculation path and the air expulsion orifice 14 to be opened and closed. Only one flap is used, which reduces the cost of the vehicle.

[0030] In particular, the recirculation flap 13 can take any of the intermediate positions between the first and second positions.

[0031] In particular, the engine compartment 100 is thermally insulated and sealed so that airflow only occurs through openings specifically designed for this purpose. This optimizes the reuse of heat produced in the engine compartment 100. The heat is retained for air recirculation.

[0032] In particular, the engine compartment 100 includes a fan 12 downstream of the first heat exchanger 24. The fan 12 is configured to produce an airflow circulating inside the engine compartment 100. In particular, the fan 12 makes it possible to produce or increase the incident airflow 1.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the engine compartment 100 comprises a first peripheral wall 25, in which the first heat exchanger 24 is mounted, and an air recirculation port 15. Preferably, the first peripheral wall 25 extends substantially along the vertical direction Z of the vehicle. In particular, the air recirculation port 15 allows communication between the upstream and downstream sides of the first peripheral wall 25. The recirculation flap 13 is rotatably mounted to close the air recirculation port 15 in its first position and to close the air expulsion port 14 in its second position.

[0034] In particular, the air expulsion orifice 14 is located in a second peripheral wall 27 of the engine compartment 100, adjacent to the first peripheral wall 25. The recirculation flap 13 is then pivotally mounted at one edge of the air expulsion orifice 14. Preferably, the air recirculation orifice 15 is located near the air expulsion orifice 14, so that in its first position, the recirculation flap 13 rests against the edges of the air recirculation orifice 15, and in its second position, the recirculation flap 13 rests against the edges of the air expulsion orifice 14.

[0035] In particular, the second peripheral wall 27 is a lower wall of the engine compartment 100. In particular, in its first position, an end of the recirculation flap 13 is in the high position, and in its second position, one end of the recirculation flap 13 is in the low position.

[0036] Preferably, the vehicle has a first operating mode in which the first heat exchanger 24 in the engine compartment 100 absorbs heat from its surroundings, and the second heat exchanger 26 releases heat into the passenger compartment. In other words, in this first operating mode, the first heat exchanger 24 acts as an evaporator and the second heat exchanger 26 acts as a condenser. The recirculation flap 13 opens the air recirculation path so that heat from the engine compartment 100 is brought to the first heat exchanger 24. In particular, the recirculation flap 13 is in its second position. Specifically, the air intake flaps 11 are closed.

[0037] The vehicle may include a radiator 31 of a cooling system 3 for the power components M, 30, 21. Preferably, the radiator 31 is located upstream of the first heat exchanger 24 so that the recirculated airflow serves the radiator 31 and then the first heat exchanger 24. Thus, the radiator 31 can also supply heat to the first heat exchanger 24. In particular, the cooling system 3 cools the power components M, 30, 21 by means of a coolant circulating in a respective heat sink for the power components M, 30, 21.

[0038] The first operating mode can be implemented when the vehicle speed is high, for example above 70km / h and / or when the thermal balance of the cooling of the power components M, 30, 21 of the engine compartment 100 is favorable.

[0039] In particular, in other modes of operation in which the recirculation flap 13 is in its first position, it ensures a seal between the upstream and downstream of the first heat exchanger 24, in particular between the first heat exchanger 24 and the radiator 32, and opens the air expulsion orifice 14, thus ensuring good air circulation through the engine compartment 100.

[0040] In particular, the recirculation flap 13 is in its first position when the vehicle is traveling at low speeds and / or the heat dissipated by the power components M, 30, 21 is low.

[0041] In particular, the recirculation flap 13 is in its first position in operating modes other than heating the vehicle's passenger compartment, such as passenger compartment air conditioning, battery cooling, or dehumidification.

[0042] In particular, when the recirculation flap 13 is in its first position, the air inlet flaps 11 are in the open position, allowing outside air to enter the engine compartment 100 after passing through the first heat exchanger 24, and in particular the radiator 31. The air can then be expelled from the engine compartment 100 through the air expulsion port 14. The actuation of the recirculation flap 13 can be shared with the actuation of the air intake flaps 11 via in particular a transmission cam.

[0043] In particular, the power components are electrical or electronic components. For example, the power components include one, or more, of a vehicle drive electric motor M, a battery configured to power the electric motor M and / or electrical components of the vehicle, control electronics 30 of the electric motor M, or the compressor 21 of the heat pump system 2.

[0044] The main advantages of this invention include improved thermal management of the electric vehicle, efficient use of heat generated by the power components, and improved passenger compartment heating performance. The invention addresses the problem of efficiently using waste heat from the engine compartment to heat the vehicle's passenger compartment, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and passenger comfort.

Claims

Demands

1. Electric vehicle comprising: air intake flaps (11) located at the front of the vehicle and operable between open / closed positions, an engine compartment (100) comprising a first heat exchanger (24), power components (M, 30, 21), and an air expulsion orifice (14), and configured to receive an incident airflow (1) successively serving the first heat exchanger (24), the power components (M, 30, 21) and the air expulsion orifice (14);a heat pump system (2) configured for heat exchange between the first exchanger (24) and a second exchanger (26) located in a vehicle passenger compartment, said engine compartment (100) further comprising a recirculation flap (13) configured to selectively assume a first position opening the air expulsion port (14) and closing an air recirculation from downstream of the power components (M, 30, 21) to a position between the air intake flaps (11) and the first exchanger (24), and a second position closing the air expulsion port (14) and opening said air recirculation.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, in which the engine compartment (100) comprises a first peripheral wall (25) in which said first heat exchanger (24) is mounted, and comprising an air recirculation orifice (15), the recirculation flap (13) being mounted to rotate movably so as to close the air recirculation orifice (15) in its first position, and close the air expulsion orifice (14) in its second position.

3. Vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the air expulsion vent (14) is included in a second peripheral wall (27) of the engine compartment (100), contiguous to the first peripheral wall (25), the recirculation flap (13) being pivotally mounted at one edge of the air expulsion vent (14), the air recirculation vent (15) being located near the air expulsion vent (14), such that, in the first position, the recirculation flap (13) comes against the edges of the vent air recirculation (15), and in the second position the recirculation flap (13) comes against the edges of the air expulsion orifice (14).

4. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to have a first mode of operation in which the first heat exchanger (24) located in the engine compartment (100) absorbs heat from its environment, the second heat exchanger (26) diffuses heat into the passenger compartment, and the recirculation flap (13) opens the air recirculation so that heat from the engine compartment (100) is brought to the first heat exchanger (24).

5. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, configured so that, in the first operating mode, the recirculation flap (13) is in its second position.

6. Vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, configured so that, in the first operating mode, the air intake flaps (11) are closed.

7. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a radiator (31) of a cooling system (3) for the power components (M, 30, 21), said radiator (31) being located upstream of said first heat exchanger (24) so ​​that a recirculated airflow serves the radiator (31) and then the first heat exchanger (24).

8. A method for heating the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising: an exchange of heat between the first heat exchanger (24) located in the engine compartment (100) and the second heat exchanger (26) located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the first heat exchanger (24) absorbing heat from its environment, the second heat exchanger (26) diffusing it into the passenger compartment, the air inlet flaps (11) being closed and the air recirculation flap (13) opening the air recirculation so that heat from the engine compartment (100) is brought to the first heat exchanger (24).

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