Modular assembly for supporting a thermal management system of an electric motor vehicle and associated electric motor vehicle

Abstract

This assembly (1) comprises a longitudinally extending structure (2) and a thermal management system (3) for an electric motor vehicle, including a thermal management module (4) for the vehicle's electric motor and an air conditioning module (5) for the vehicle's passenger compartment. The assembly (1) includes a transversely extending platform (6) fixed to the structure (2), the structure (2) supporting a lower portion (6a) of the platform (6), and the thermal management system (3) being supported by an upper portion (6b) of the platform (6) opposite the lower portion (6a). (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Modular support assembly for a thermal management system of an electric motor vehicle and associated electric motor vehicle technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular support assembly for a thermal management system of an electric motor vehicle. Previous techniques

[0002] A thermal management system for an electric motor vehicle includes at least one vehicle cabin air conditioning module and at least one thermal management module for the vehicle's electric motor.

[0003] Traditionally, the components of such air conditioning and thermal management modules are distributed remotely in the engine compartment with complex pipe runs to be made and generating heat losses.

[0004] There are integrated solutions with better compactness, but such solutions are specific to a given configuration of the engine compartment of a vehicle and cannot be transposed to other configurations without substantial modification. Description of the invention

[0005] In view of the foregoing, the invention aims to provide a support for a thermal management system of an electric motor vehicle which benefits from a compact installation and which is transposable without modification on several configurations of the engine compartment of an electric motor vehicle.

[0006] The invention relates to an assembly comprising a longitudinally extending structure and a thermal management system for an electric motor vehicle comprising a thermal management module for an electric motor of the vehicle and an air conditioning module for a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0007] The assembly comprises a platform extending transversely and fixed to the structure, the structure supporting a lower part of the platform, the thermal management system being supported by an upper part of the platform opposite the lower part.

[0008] Such a configuration allows the platform to be fixed to a front subframe of the vehicle and frees up space above the thermal management system to accommodate a front storage compartment. Such a configuration also allows the platform to be fixed to two longitudinal members, freeing up space between the platform and a front subframe to accommodate a geared motor of the vehicle. The assembly This constitutes a modular and compact solution that can be transposed without modification to several configurations of the engine compartment of an electric motor vehicle.

[0009] According to one feature, the assembly comprises connecting pieces fixed to the structure, the platform being fixed to the connecting pieces by means of main filter pads. Such a configuration allows the fixing to be adapted while reducing vibrations, thus increasing the comfort of the vehicle's passengers.

[0010] For example, the connecting parts are fixed to the structure by welding or by screwing.

[0011] According to another feature, the platform is a rectangular slab made of sheet steel or aluminum.

[0012] Preferably, the platform is fixed to the connecting pieces by four main filter pads, each arranged in a corner of the platform.

[0013] Advantageously, the thermal management system includes at least one component fixed to the platform by secondary filter pads. This configuration further increases vibration comfort.

[0014] According to a first embodiment, the platform comprises two parallel and opposite longitudinal members.

[0015] According to a second embodiment, the platform includes a front cradle.

[0016] According to another aspect, the invention relates to an electric motor vehicle equipped with an assembly as defined above.

[0017] According to a first embodiment, the vehicle comprises four drive wheels, the platform being fixed on two parallel and opposed longitudinal members, the assembly being arranged above a front geared motor of the vehicle.

[0018] According to a second embodiment, the vehicle includes an electric motor for the propulsion of the vehicle and a front trunk disposed above the assembly, the platform of the assembly being fixed on a front cradle of the vehicle. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0021] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the whole of [Fig.1] without a thermal management system;

[0022] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0023] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the entire [Fig.3] without a thermal management system; and

[0024] [Fig.5] illustrates a direct orthonormal XYZ coordinate system classically used in automotive design. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0025] With reference to [Fig. 1], an assembly 1 according to the invention comprises a longitudinally extending structure 2 and a thermal management system 3 for an electric motor vehicle. The thermal management system 3 comprises a thermal management module 4 for an electric powertrain (not shown) of the vehicle, such as an electric motor and a battery, and includes an air conditioning module 5 for the vehicle's passenger compartment (not shown).

[0026] For the purposes of this description, reference will be made to a direct orthonormal XYZ coordinate system classically used in automotive design and illustrated in [Fig. 5]. In this coordinate system, the X axis designates the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction and is oriented towards the right of the vehicle, and the Z axis designates the vertical direction and is oriented upwards.

[0027] Assembly 1 comprises a platform 6 extending transversely with respect to the structure 2, which extends along the X-axis. The platform 6 is fixed to the structure 2, which supports a lower portion 6a of the platform 6. The thermal management system 3 is supported by an upper portion 6b of the platform 6, opposite the lower portion 6a. The lower and upper portions 6a, 6b define the thickness of the platform 6. For example, the thickness of the platform is constant, on the order of 30 mm. Alternatively, the thickness of the platform 6 can be variable, so as to optimize the material distribution for gains in mass and / or rigidity.

[0028] For example, platform 6 is a rectangular slab made of sheet steel or aluminum. Alternatively, platform 6 may have a different shape and / or be made of a different material.

[0029] Advantageously, the assembly 1 comprises connecting pieces 7 attached to and fixed onto the structure 2, for example by welding or screwing. For example, the connecting pieces 7 may be brackets.

[0030] The platform 6 is fixed to the connecting parts 7 by means of main filter pads 8, each mounted in an associated insertion hole provided in the platform 6 ([Fig. 2]). The main filter pads 8 each comprise a block of vibration-absorbing polymer material, for example, natural or synthetic rubber. The main filter pads 8 each have a receiving hole and an associated screw which is secured relative to the connecting parts 7, for example, by means of a welded nut.

[0031] In the example illustrated in [Fig.2], the platform 6 is a rectangular slab fixed to the connecting pieces 7 by four main filter pads 8, each arranged in a corner of the platform 6. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a different number of main filter pads 8 and / or to arrange them in a different location than in the corners of the platform 6.

[0032] It should be noted that identical or similar elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0033] As shown in [Fig. 1], the thermal management system 3 comprises at least one component (here, a compressor of the air conditioning module) fixed to the platform 6 by secondary filter pads 9 so as to absorb vibrations. The secondary filter pads 9 have a structure similar to the main filter pads 8 and will not be described further.

[0034] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, in which the structure 2 comprises two longitudinal members 10 opposed to each other and each extending along the X-axis of the vehicle. In this first embodiment, the platform 6 is fixed to the two longitudinal members 10. In this configuration, the assembly 1 and the front subframe 11 create a lower volume 12 suitable for housing a geared motor of the vehicle. The first embodiment is thus particularly well-suited to four-wheel-drive configurations.

[0035] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, in which the structure 2 comprises the front cradle 11, instead of the side members 10. In this second embodiment, the platform 6 is fixed to the front cradle 11, freeing up an upper volume 13 suitable for a front storage compartment. The second embodiment is thus particularly well-suited to rear-wheel drive configurations, allowing for large volumes for storage compartments located at the front of the vehicle.

[0036] It should be noted that the two embodiments presented above differ only in the attachment of the platform to the longitudinal members or to the front subframe. Assembly 1 thus constitutes a modular and compact solution that can be transposed without modification to several configurations of the engine compartment of an electric motor vehicle.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (1) comprising a longitudinally extending structure (2) and a thermal management system (3) of an electric motor vehicle comprising a thermal management module (4) of an electric motor of the vehicle and an air conditioning module (5) of a vehicle cabin, characterized in that the assembly (1) comprises a transversely extending platform (6) fixed on the structure (2), the structure (2) supporting a lower part (6a) of the platform (6), the thermal management system (3) being supported by an upper part (6b) of the platform (6) opposite the lower part (6a).

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1 comprising connecting pieces (7) fixed to the structure (2), the platform (6) being fixed to the connecting pieces (7) by main filter pads (8).

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting parts (7) are fixed to the structure (2) by welding or screwing.

4. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the platform (6) is a rectangular slab of sheet steel or aluminium.

5. Assembly (1) according to claim 4, dependent on claim 2, wherein the platform (6) is fixed to the connecting pieces (7) by four main filter pads (8) each arranged in a corner of the platform (6).

6. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thermal management system (3) comprises at least one component fixed to the platform (6) by secondary filter pads (9).

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the structure (2) comprises two parallel and opposite side members (10) or a front cradle (11).

8. Electric motor vehicle equipped with an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, comprising four drive wheels, in which the platform (6) is fixed on two parallel and opposed longitudinal members (10), the assembly (1) being arranged above a front geared motor of the vehicle.

10. Vehicle according to claim 8, comprising an electric motor for the propulsion of the vehicle and a front trunk disposed above the assembly (1), the platform (6) of the assembly (1) being fixed on a front cradle (11) of the vehicle.

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