VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE COMMON SUPPORT FOR A POWERTRAIN SUSPENSION BRACKET AND A HEAT PUMP COOLING MODULE

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one heat pump and a powertrain suspension bracket, said bracket (C) and the heat pump cooling module (M, M1) being fixed to the front part of the chassis and outside the vehicle passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises at least one support fixed to the vehicle chassis and provided with a first receiving and retaining zone for the heat pump cooling module (M, M1) and a second receiving and retaining zone (10) for the powertrain suspension bracket (C). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE SUPPORT COMMON TO A SUSPENSION BLOCK FROM THE POWERTRAIN AND COOLING MODULE OF A HEAT PUMP

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one common support for a powertrain suspension wedge and the cooling module of a heat pump.

[0002] Here, the term vehicle refers to a car, a van, a truck, a passenger transport vehicle, a recreational vehicle such as a motorhome or a converted van, the vehicle being preferably powered by an electric motor or by a hybrid motorization.

[0003] On certain vehicles, particularly electric or hybrid vehicles, heating can be provided by a heat pump. This solution saves battery power and eliminates the need for electric resistance heating and the reliance on fossil fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, to maintain a comfortable passenger compartment temperature, especially in winter. A heat pump includes a cooling module that transfers heat between the outside and inside of the vehicle. The heat pump's cooling module is mounted on the vehicle's chassis, outside the passenger compartment and at the lower front of the vehicle. For ease of reading, it will be referred to hereafter simply as the module. Such a module includes, among other things, a cooling and heat exchange unit, pipes and cables, and a high-pressure unit.Consequently, the module has a fixed size and weight that are not easily modifiable. In the prior art, the module is directly attached to the chassis by a dedicated bracket specific to the module fitted to the vehicle. Due to space constraints and / or the module's location and the configuration of the vehicle's front end, the module's mounting bracket is positioned near one of the supports for a powertrain suspension mount when the powertrain is mounted at the front of the vehicle. This places the module as close as possible to the passenger compartment and the heat pump control components accessible to the vehicle's occupants. A suspension mount absorbs powertrain vibrations while providing some flexibility in its suspension attachment to the vehicle's chassis within the engine compartment, which, in the context of this invention, is located at the front of the vehicle.Such a support for a suspension shim is also fixed at a specific point in front of the vehicle's chassis. It is common for the module of the... The heat pump and the suspension bracket are mounted on independent, adjacent, or overlapping supports attached to the front of the vehicle chassis, either to the right or left in the engine compartment housing the powertrain. A common mounting bracket for a powertrain suspension bracket and an engine cooling circuit vent housing is known from FR-A-3 093 477. FR-A-3 092 309 describes a powertrain suspension bracket and a support crossmember, both attached to a mounting bracket by common elements.

[0004] The invention aims to provide a solution for optimizing the fixing of the heat pump cooling module and the powertrain suspension wedge by limiting the number of parts and assembly operations, while respecting the vehicle homologation criteria, particularly in the event of a frontal impact.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one heat pump and a suspension wedge for the vehicle's powertrain, said wedge and the heat pump cooling module being fixed to the front part of the chassis and outside the vehicle's passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises at least one support fixed to the vehicle's chassis and provided with a first receiving and retaining area for the heat pump cooling module and a second receiving and retaining area for the powertrain suspension wedge.

[0006] Thanks to the invention, a vehicle is obtained equipped with a multifunctional support adapted to receive the cooling module of a heat pump and a suspension wedge, which allows for a saving of material, space and a shorter assembly time.

[0007] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, such a vehicle may include one or more of the following features:

[0008] The two holding and receiving zones are located at the ends of the support, on either side of the main flat body.

[0009] One end receives on a face called upper a constituent unit of the cooling module and on the opposite face called lower the suspension wedge.

[0010] The end opposite to that receiving a unit of the cooling module and the suspension wedge receives, on the so-called upper face, another constituent unit of the cooling module.

[0011] At least one break line is provided in the main body of the support, allowing the support to separate into at least two parts in the event of an impact.

[0012] At least one fixing device for the support on a part of the vehicle chassis is mounted on one end of the support.

[0013] The fastening member is configured as a tab extending outwards from one end of the support, the tab being provided with at least one hole for the passage of a screw.

[0014] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of the support alone according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0016] [Fig.2] is a view similar to [Fig.1], at the same scale, after an impact, the support being separated into two parts,

[0017] [Fig.3] is a perspective view at another scale of the support with part of the heat pump in place and a suspension wedge,

[0018] [Fig.4] is a perspective view similar to [Fig.3], from a different angle and to the same scale,

[0019] [Fig.5] is a simplified and partial side view, at another scale, of the support with the heat pump and the suspension wedge, shown in dotted lines, in place in a vehicle,

[0020] [Fig.6] is a top view, along arrow VI and after a rotation of one quarter of Turning to the left, the support split into two parts after a frontal impact.

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a support 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The invention is applicable to vehicles whose powertrain is located at the front. Such a configuration is the most common. Here, the support 1 is configured to be fixed to the front right of the vehicle chassis, outside the passenger compartment in the engine compartment, which corresponds to an optimal efficiency position. Alternatively, it can be configured to be placed on the front left of the chassis, also in the engine compartment. Similarly, there can be two supports on the front right and left of the chassis, these two supports being either identical or different depending on the components to be held, it being understood that one of the supports, preferably placed on the right, will hold the cooling module of a heat pump and a suspension bracket for the powertrain, the other support holding at least two other components.

[0022] The support 1 is a metal part comprising a first zone 2 for receiving and retaining the cooling module of a heat pump. This cooling module, not shown in [Fig. 1], ensures heat exchange with the outside air and allows the transfer of heat between the interior and exterior. It is understood that this module must be located as close as possible to the heat pump control module and the air vents that distribute the air, which are located in the vehicle's passenger compartment, while remaining outside the passenger compartment. Zone 2 is located on a face 3 called upper surface of support 1. Face 3 is visible in [Fig. 1] and is oriented upwards, i.e. towards the engine compartment hood, when support 1 is in place in the vehicle. Area 2 includes a recessed cavity 4, here rectangular. The dimensions and shape of cavity 4 are adapted to the shape and dimensions of a unit, not shown in [Fig. 1] and visible in Figures 3 to 5, referenced M, which is part of the heat pump cooling module. Cavity 4 is bordered by a wall 5, which forms the periphery of support 1. Here, wall 5 has a complex shape, varying in height depending on the sides of support 1, and it extends along three sides of cavity 4. In the example, side 6 of cavity 4, which lacks wall 5, is the side shared with the main body 7 of support 1, i.e., with the central part of support 1.In other words, zone 2, therefore footprint 4, wall 5 and open side 6 define an end E of body 7 of support 1.

[0023] The body 7 is flat, in the form of a rectangular plate. The principal plane P7 of the body 6 defines the principal plane of the support 1. The end El of the body 7 opposite the end E is provided with a circular, through-hole 8, which also forms part of the receiving and retaining zone 2 for another unit, not shown in [Fig. 1] but visible in Figures 3 to 5, referred to as M1, which is part of the heat pump's cooling module. The diameter of the hole 8 corresponds to the external diameter of this part M1 of the module, which is cylindrical with a circular base. Part M1 is a high-pressure unit, and part M is a cooling unit. Alternatively, the hole 8 is blind, and therefore configured as an indentation. Similarly, its shape and / or dimensions are different from those illustrated. In all cases, the hole 8 is configured to match the shape and dimensions of a unit M1 of the heat pump's cooling module.

[0024] The upper face 3 of the support 1 allows the elements M, Ml constituting the cooling module of a heat pump to be received and held respectively by means of the imprint 4 and the orifice 8, of adapted shape and dimensions and located on either side of the main body 7 of the support, opposite each other.

[0025] A break line 9 is shown in dashed lines on the main body 7 in [Fig. 1]. As can be seen particularly in [Fig. 2], the break line 9 in the body 7 allows, in the event of an impact on the vehicle, particularly a frontal collision, the support 1 to separate into two parts, namely a separation of the body 7 and therefore of the ends E and EL. In this case, the heat pump cooling module held in position on the support 1 is separated into two parts, which limits its intrusion into the passenger compartment, and thus ensures passenger safety. Such a break in the body 7 under a given force makes it possible to comply with applicable standards in the event of an impact, particularly a frontal collision. The break line 9 is obtained, for example, by a reduced thickness of the body 7 and / or by a portion made of a less resistant material. Similarly, it is possible to have several break lines, parallel or not, and break thresholds, identical or not, in order to adapt to different shocks and / or to separate the support 1 and the components it receives into several pieces.

[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates the support 1 with the heat pump cooling module, in place in zone 2, therefore on face 3 of the support 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the support 1 from a different angle than figures 1 and 2, which allows visualization of a second zone 10 for receiving and holding a suspension wedge C of the vehicle's powertrain.

[0027] The second zone 10 is located at the end E of the support 1, on the lower face 11 of the support 1, namely the face opposite face 3 and oriented towards the ground when the support 1 is in place in the vehicle. This second zone 10 is configured in the example as a cylindrical housing with a circular base formed in the face 11, generally below the indentation 4. Thus, the housing 10 forms part of the rounded end E of the support 1. During a frontal impact causing the support 1 to separate into two parts, the zone 10, and therefore the suspension shim C, is located on the same section of the support 1 as the indentation 4 and the unit M placed in the indentation 4.

[0028] As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 4], the support 1 is provided with at least one fastening element 12 for attaching the support 1 to a portion of the vehicle chassis 1. Here, only one element 12 is illustrated. The element 12 is a tab provided with at least one hole 13, shown here untapped, for the passage of a screw. At least one riveted nut can be provided on the chassis to receive the screws. Thus, the support 1 is advantageously attached to the vehicle chassis in a removable manner. The lug 12 is located in the extension of the wall 5 and it extends laterally outwards relative to the wall 5. Here, the lug 12 extends at the end E. In an alternative not shown, the shape and / or position of the fastener 12 are different, for example at the body 7. Similarly, the support 1 can be equipped with several fasteners, identical or not.

[0029] Figure 5 shows the overall dimensions of the support 1 with the heat pump module units M and Ml and the suspension wedge C, shown in dotted lines, in place on the support 1, the latter being fixed to the vehicle chassis 14. It should be noted that, thanks to the invention, the reception and retention of the heat pump cooling module M and Ml and the powertrain suspension wedge C occupy minimal space in the front part of the chassis 14. Furthermore, the support 1 is easy and quick to attach. Thus, assembly operations in the vehicle are optimized, with a minimum number of parts.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the separation of the support 1 and the components mounted on it into two parts during a frontal impact. Thus, the module unit M and the wedge These are located on a portion of support 1, offset from the other portion of support 1 on which the module's unit Ml is situated. This avoids, or at least limits, the intrusion of any part of support 1 into the passenger compartment, thus ensuring compliance with current regulations.

[0031] It is understood that the shape of the support and its dimensions are adapted to the vehicle on which it is mounted as well as to the components it will receive.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle equipped with at least one heat pump and a suspension wedge for the vehicle's powertrain, said wedge (C) and the heat pump cooling module (M, Ml) being fixed to the front part (14) of the chassis and outside the vehicle's passenger compartment, characterized in that it comprises at least one support (1) fixed to the vehicle's chassis and provided with a first zone (2) for receiving and retaining the heat pump cooling module (M, Ml) and a second zone (10) for receiving and retaining the powertrain suspension wedge (C).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the two holding and receiving zones (2, 10) are located at the ends (E, El) of the support (1), on either side of the main planar body (7).

3. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that one end (E) receives on a face (3) called upper a unit (M) constituting the cooling module and on the opposite face (11) called lower the suspension wedge (C).

4. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the end (El), opposite to that (E) receiving a unit (M) of the cooling module and the suspension wedge (C), receives on the face (3) said upper, another unit (Ml) constituting the cooling module.

5. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one break line (9) is provided in the main body (7) of the support (1), allowing the separation into at least two parts of the support (1) in case of impact.

6. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one fastening member (12) of the support (1) on a part (14) of the vehicle chassis is mounted on one end (E) of the support (1).

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening member (12) is configured as a tab extending outwards from the support (1) from one end (E) of the support (1), the tab being provided with at least one orifice (13) for the passage of a screw.

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