Electric vehicle including an engine compartment air recirculation flap

The electric vehicle design optimizes heat reuse from the engine compartment by recirculating airflow through a recirculation flap, enhancing thermal management and passenger comfort while maintaining vehicle range and aerodynamic performance.

FR3166581A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-03-27RENAULT SA
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024010281
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-26
Publication Date
2026-03-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently reusing heat losses from the engine compartment for passenger compartment heating due to the high efficiency of electric motors, which reduces vehicle range, and existing solutions do not optimally manage airflow to maintain aerodynamic performance and heat pump efficiency.

Method used

An electric vehicle design incorporating air intake flaps, a first heat exchanger, power components, an air expulsion orifice, and a recirculation flap that selectively controls airflow to recirculate heat from the engine compartment to the first heat exchanger, optimizing heat reuse and minimizing airflow loss.

Benefits of technology

Enhances thermal management, improves passenger compartment heating efficiency, and maintains vehicle range by effectively utilizing engine compartment heat for passenger compartment heating while reducing aerodynamic drag.

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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.
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