Mounting structure of thermal management module for vehicle

Abstract

A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle is disclosed. The mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a front side member formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and disposed on both the left and right sides along the width direction of the vehicle; a dash cross reinforcing member formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle and coupled to the rear ends of the front side members on both the left and right sides with respect to the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a cross member that divides the space formed by each of the side members in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; and at least one mounting bracket on which the thermal management module is seated so as to mount the thermal management module in one of the spaces divided by the cross member.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle, and more specifically, to a mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle that enables stable mounting of the thermal management module while minimizing the mounting space at the front of the vehicle body in a Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV). Background Technology

[0002] Recently, the automotive industry has been introducing a new concept of future mobility vision to realize a human-centered, dynamic future city.

[0003] One of these future mobility solutions is the Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) as purpose-based mobility.

[0004] Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs) are eco-friendly mobility solutions that provide customized services to passengers during their journey from the ground to their destination. Based on electric vehicles and utilizing artificial intelligence, they can set optimal routes for various situations and perform platooning.

[0005] In other words, the PBV is a means of transportation and a fixed facility that integrates case-related technologies, and it features autonomous driving capabilities that eliminate the need for a separate driver's seat. Furthermore, the interior space offers infinite expandability.

[0006] These PBV vehicles not only serve as shuttles for transporting large numbers of people but can also be converted into leisure spaces such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, and movie theaters, as well as essential social facilities like hospitals and pharmacies.

[0007] Here, the above PBV vehicle is powered by an electric motor and consists of a skateboard-shaped rolling chassis (also referred to as an underbody or skateboard in the industry) with a battery spread widely across the bottom, and an upper body capable of carrying passengers.

[0008] The PBV vehicle configured in this manner is equipped with an air conditioning system for controlling the interior temperature of the upper body and a thermal management module that supplies coolant or refrigerant to the air conditioning system. However, there are problems such as difficulty in arranging the components of the thermal management module in a confined mounting space and a complex layout of the pipes through which the coolant or refrigerant flows.

[0009] In addition, due to the mounting space constraints of the rolling chassis, components of the thermal management module or the air conditioning system must be mounted on the upper body, which results in a reduction of the interior space of the upper body.

[0010] To solve these problems, there is a need for technological development to mount thermal management modules and air conditioning units on rolling chassis.

[0011] The matters described in this background technology section are written to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include matters that are not prior art already known to those skilled in the art to which this technology belongs. The problem to be solved

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention was developed to solve the problems described above. The objective of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle that enables stable mounting of the thermal management module while minimizing the mounting space at the front of the vehicle body in a Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV). means of solving the problem

[0013] A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving such an objective comprises: a front side member formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and disposed on both the left and right sides along the width direction of the vehicle; a dash cross reinforcing member formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle and coupled to the rear ends of the front side members on both the left and right sides based on the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a cross member that divides the space formed by each of the side members in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; and at least one mounting bracket on which the thermal management module is seated so as to mount the thermal management module in one of the spaces divided by the cross member.

[0014] The above at least one mounting bracket may include a first and a second mounting bracket that are separated and configured to be mutually connectable.

[0015] The first mounting bracket may include: a first body portion formed in a rectangular box shape with both sides and the top open in the width direction of the vehicle; a first bend portion formed by bending from the top of the first body portion toward the front and rear directions of the vehicle and supported by the dash cross reinforcing member and the cross member; and a first coupling portion formed extending from the first bend portion in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0016] The second mounting bracket may include: a second body portion formed in a rectangular box shape with both sides and the top open in the width direction of the vehicle; a second bend portion formed by bending from the upper part of the second body portion toward the front and rear directions of the vehicle and supported by the dash cross reinforcing member and the cross member; and a second coupling portion formed extending from the second bend portion in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0017] The first connecting part may be connected to the first bending part through an inclined part that extends upwardly from the first bending part so that the second connecting part is located at the bottom.

[0018] The first coupling part can be mutually coupled with the upper part of the second coupling part in a state where they overlap to a certain extent.

[0019] The thermal management module may include: a cooling water circulation device mounted on one of the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket, in which cooling water is circulated internally by the operation of each component; and a refrigerant circulation device mounted on the other of the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket, in which refrigerant is circulated internally by the operation of each component.

[0020] The above cooling water circulation device and the above refrigerant circulation device can be mounted on the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket when the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket are not coupled to each other.

[0021] The above cooling water circulation device is configured inside the first housing and may include a water pump, a reservoir tank, an electric heater, or at least one water valve connected through a cooling water flow path block that forms a cooling water flow path.

[0022] The above refrigerant circulation device is configured inside the second housing and may include a compressor, or a condenser, or an expansion valve, or an evaporator, or an accumulator, or at least one refrigerant valve, or a chiller connected through a refrigerant flow path block that forms a refrigerant flow path.

[0023] The above cross member is mounted by connecting each of the above front side members in the vehicle width direction, and both ends can be connected to the inner surface of the above front side member at a position spaced apart at a set interval from the dash cross reinforcing member toward the front of the vehicle.

[0024] The above front side members can be connected to each other by a bumper beam formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle at the front along the length direction of the vehicle. Effects of the invention

[0025] As described above, according to the mounting structure of the thermal management module for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, the thermal management module can be stably mounted in the front of the vehicle body of a Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) while minimizing the mounting space.

[0026] In addition, the present invention can minimize heat loss that may occur during the movement of cooling water and refrigerant by minimizing the use of pipes through which cooling water and refrigerant circulate in the cooling water circulation device and refrigerant circulation device included in the thermal management module.

[0027] In addition, by applying a thermal management module in which the coolant circulation system and the refrigerant circulation system are modularized, the layout can be simplified in the narrow front space of the vehicle, and mounting, assembly, and maintainability can be improved.

[0028] In addition, the present invention can maximize the interior space of a vehicle that can be applied for various purposes by mounting a thermal management module on the vehicle body of a Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV). Brief explanation of the drawing

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which a thermal management module and a mounting bracket are combined in a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the components of a thermal management module in a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a thermal management module and mounting brackets applied to a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which mounting brackets applied to the mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention are assembled together. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] Prior to this, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0032] To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0033] The size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for the convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings; furthermore, the thickness has been enlarged to clearly represent various parts and regions.

[0034] And throughout the specification, when a part is described as “comprising” a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0035] In addition, terms such as “...unit,” “...means,” “...part,” and “...part” as described in the specification refer to a unit of comprehensive configuration that performs at least one function or operation.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a thermal management module and a mounting bracket are combined in a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the components of a thermal management module in a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a thermal management module and mounting brackets applied to a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which mounting brackets applied to a mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention are assembled together.

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention can be applied, for example, to a Purpose Built Vehicle (hereinafter referred to as PBV).

[0038] The above-mentioned PBV is an eco-friendly, electric vehicle-based mobility vehicle that provides customized services necessary for passengers during the journey from the ground to their destination.

[0039] The above PBV vehicle is capable of setting optimal routes and platooning for various situations, and furthermore, it may be a box-shaped design vehicle with a spacious interior.

[0040] Such a PBV vehicle includes a skateboard-type rolling chassis (also called an underbody in the industry) and an upper body mounted on the rolling chassis.

[0041] A battery assembly may be mounted on the above rolling chassis, and a drive motor (not shown in the drawing) may be installed.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the mounting structure of a thermal management module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is for mounting a thermal management module (100) to a rolling chassis and includes a front side member (10), a dash cross reinforcing member (20), a cross member (30), and at least one mounting bracket.

[0043] First, the front side member (10) is formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is positioned on both the left and right sides along the width direction of the vehicle.

[0044] The above dash cross reinforcing member (20) is formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle and is connected to the rear ends of the above front side members (10) on both the left and right sides based on the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0045] Here, the front side members (20) can be connected to each other by a bumper beam (40) formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle along the front along the length direction of the vehicle.

[0046] That is, the front portions of the front side members (2) on both the left and right sides along the length direction of the vehicle can be connected to each other by the bumper beam (40) formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle.

[0047] And the rear portion of the front side member (10) can be connected to each other by the dash cross reinforcing member (20) formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle.

[0048] Here, the front side member (10) can form a generally rectangular space (11) by means of the dash cross member (20) and the bumper beam (40) connected to the rear and front, respectively.

[0049] In this embodiment, the cross member (30) is mounted by connecting each of the front side members (10) in the vehicle width direction, and the space (11) formed by each of the side members (10), the dash cross member (20), and the bumper beam (40) can be divided in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0050] Here, the cross member (30) can have both ends connected to the inner surface of the front side member (10) at a position spaced apart from the dash cross reinforcing member (20) at a set interval toward the front of the vehicle.

[0051] That is, the cross member (30) divides the space (11) into a front space (13) and a rear space (15) based on the front and rear directions of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0052] And the thermal management module (100) can be mounted on the at least one mounting bracket so as to mount the thermal management module (100) in the rear space (15) of the space (11) divided by the cross member (30).

[0053] Here, the at least one mounting bracket may include first and second mounting brackets (50, 60) that are separated and mutually connectable, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6.

[0054] The first mounting bracket (50) includes a first body part (51), a first bending part (53), and a first connecting part (55).

[0055] First, the first body part (51) may be formed in a rectangular box shape with both sides and the top open in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0056] The first bend portion (53) is formed by bending in the front and rear directions of the vehicle from the upper part of the first body portion (51) which is closed in the front and rear directions of the vehicle.

[0057] This first bend portion (53) can be supported on the upper part of the dash cross reinforcing member (20) and the cross member (30). Here, while the first bend portion (53) is supported on the dash cross reinforcing member (20) and the cross member (30), it can be fixed by fastening bolts, etc.

[0058] And the first connecting part (55) may be formed to extend in one direction with respect to the vehicle width direction from the first bending part (53). This first connecting part (55) may be detachably assembled to the second mounting bracket (60).

[0059] In this embodiment, the second mounting bracket (60) includes a second body part (61), a second bending part (63), and a second connecting part (65).

[0060] First, the second body part (61) may be formed in the shape of a square box with both sides and the top open in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0061] The second bending portion (63) is formed by bending in the front and rear directions of the vehicle from the upper part of the second body portion (61) which is closed in the front and rear directions of the vehicle.

[0062] This second bend portion (63) can be supported on the upper part of the dash cross reinforcing member (20) and the cross member (30). Here, while the second bend portion (63) is supported on the dash cross reinforcing member (20) and the cross member (30), it can be fixed by fastening bolts, etc.

[0063] And the second connecting part (65) can be extended from the second bending part (63) in one direction based on the vehicle width direction.

[0064] That is, the first connecting part (55) and the second connecting part (55) are formed extending from the first bending part (53) and the second bending part (63) toward each other.

[0065] This second coupling part (65) can be detachably assembled to the first coupling part (55) of the first mounting bracket (50).

[0066] Here, the first connecting part (55) can be connected to the first bending part (55) through an inclined part (54) that extends upward from the first bending part (53) at an angle so that the second connecting part (65) is located at the bottom.

[0067] Accordingly, the first connecting part (55) can be joined to the second connecting part (65) by bolt fastening in a state where it overlaps the upper part of the second connecting part (65) to a certain extent.

[0068] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the first and second mounting brackets (50, 60) are described as being assembled together as an example, but this is not limited thereto, and depending on the size or shape of the space (11), they may be mounted on the front side member (10), the dash cross reinforcing member (20), or the cross member (30), etc., in an unassembled state.

[0069] In this embodiment, the thermal management module (100) may include a cooling water circulation device (110) and a refrigerant circulation device (120), as shown in FIG. 4.

[0070] First, the above-mentioned cooling water circulation device (110) can be mounted on one of the first mounting bracket (50) or the second mounting bracket (60) so that cooling water is circulated inside by the operation of each component.

[0071] In this embodiment, the cooling water circulation device (110) is mounted on the first mounting bracket (50).

[0072] Here, the cooling water circulation device (110) is configured inside the first housing (111) and may include a water pump (113), a reservoir tank (114), an electric heater (115), or at least one water valve (116) connected through a cooling water flow path block (112) that forms a cooling water flow path.

[0073] The above water pump (113), or reservoir tank (114), or electric heater (115), or at least one water valve (116) can be smoothly installed through the coolant flow block (112) in which a coolant flow path is formed inside.

[0074] In addition, the cooling water circulation device (110) can minimize the use of piping by applying the cooling water flow path block (112), and each component of the cooling water circulation device (110) can be compactly arranged inside the first housing (111).

[0075] And the above refrigerant circulation device (120) can be mounted on the other mounting bracket, either the first mounting bracket (50) or the second mounting bracket (60), so that refrigerant is circulated inside by the operation of each component.

[0076] In this embodiment, the refrigerant circulation device (120) is mounted on the second mounting bracket (60).

[0077] The above refrigerant circulation device (120) is configured inside the second housing (121) and may include a compressor (123), a condenser (124), an expansion valve (125), an evaporator (126), an accumulator (127), at least one refrigerant valve (128), or a chiller (129) connected through a refrigerant flow path block (122) that forms a flow path for the refrigerant.

[0078] The compressor (123), or the condenser (124), or the expansion valve (125), or the evaporator (126), or the accumulator (127), the at least one refrigerant valve (128), or the chiller (129) can be smoothly installed through the refrigerant flow block (122) in which a refrigerant flow path is formed inside.

[0079] In addition, the refrigerant circulation device (120) can minimize the use of piping by applying the refrigerant flow path block (122), and each component of the refrigerant circulation device (120) can be compactly arranged inside the second housing (121).

[0080] The cooling water circulation device (110) and the refrigerant circulation device (120) configured in this manner can be mounted on the first mounting bracket (50) or the second mounting bracket (60), respectively, when the first mounting bracket (50) and the second mounting bracket (60) are not coupled to each other.

[0081] In addition, by positioning the cooling water circulation device (110) and the refrigerant circulation device (120) in close proximity, cooling water can be smoothly supplied to the component that heat-exchanges the refrigerant in a water-cooling manner using cooling water in the refrigerant circulation device (120).

[0082] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the cooling water circulation device (110) is mounted on the first mounting bracket (50) and the refrigerant circulation device (120) is mounted on the second mounting bracket (60) as an example, but this is not limited thereto, and the mounting bracket used can be changed and applied according to the location of the air conditioning device not shown or design conditions.

[0083] Accordingly, according to the mounting structure of the thermal management module for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the thermal management module (100) can be stably mounted in the front of the vehicle body of a PBV (Purpose Built Vehicle) while minimizing the mounting space.

[0084] In addition, the present invention can minimize heat loss that may occur during the movement of cooling water and refrigerant by minimizing the use of pipes through which cooling water and refrigerant circulate in the cooling water circulation device (110) and the refrigerant circulation device (120) included in the heat management module (100).

[0085] In addition, by applying the thermal management module (100) in which the coolant circulation device (110) and the refrigerant circulation device (120) are modularized, the layout can be simplified in the narrow front space of the vehicle, and mounting, assembly, and maintenance can be improved.

[0086] In addition, the present invention can maximize the interior space of a vehicle that can be applied for various purposes by mounting the thermal management module (100) on the vehicle body in a Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) vehicle.

[0087] As described above, although the present invention has been explained by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Explanation of the symbols

[0088] 10: Frontside Member 20 : Dash Cross reinforcement member 30 : Cross member 40: Bumper beam 50: First mounting bracket 51: First body part 53 : First bend 54 : Inclined section 55 : First connecting part 60: Second mounting bracket 61: Second body part 63 : Second bend 65 : Second connecting part 100: Thermal management module 110: Coolant circulation system 120: Refrigerant circulation device

Claims

Claim 1 A front side member formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and disposed on each of the left and right sides along the width direction of the vehicle; a dash cross reinforcing member formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle and coupled to the rear ends of the front side members on both the left and right sides based on the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a cross member that divides the space formed by each of the side members in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; and at least one mounting bracket on which a thermal management module is seated so as to mount the thermal management module in one of the spaces divided by the cross member; wherein the at least one mounting bracket includes a first and a second mounting bracket that are separated and configured to be mutually connectable, and the first mounting bracket includes a first body part formed in a rectangular box shape with both sides and the top open in the width direction of the vehicle; and a first bending part formed by bending from the top of the first body part toward the front-rear direction of the vehicle and supported by the dash cross reinforcing member and the cross member. A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle, characterized by including: a first connecting portion extending in the vehicle width direction from the first bend portion. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the second mounting bracket comprises: a second body portion formed in a rectangular box shape with both sides and the top open in the width direction of the vehicle; a second bend portion formed by bending from the upper part of the second body portion toward the front and rear directions of the vehicle and supported by the dash cross reinforcing member and the cross member; and a second coupling portion formed extending from the second bend portion in the width direction of the vehicle. Claim 5 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the first coupling part is connected to the first bend part through an inclined part that extends upwardly from the first bend part so that the second coupling part is located at the bottom. Claim 6 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle, characterized in that, in paragraph 4, the first coupling part is mutually coupled with the upper part of the second coupling part in a state of overlapping to a certain extent. Claim 7 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the thermal management module is mounted on one of the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket and includes a coolant circulation device in which coolant is circulated internally by the operation of each component; and a refrigerant circulation device in which refrigerant is circulated internally by the operation of each component and is mounted on the other of the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket. Claim 8 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the cooling water circulation device and the refrigerant circulation device are mounted on the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket before the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket are coupled to each other. Claim 9 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the cooling water circulation device is configured inside a first housing and includes a water pump, a reservoir tank, an electric heater, or at least one water valve connected through a cooling water flow path block that forms a cooling water flow path. Claim 10 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the refrigerant circulation device is configured inside a second housing and includes a compressor, or a condenser, or an expansion valve, or an evaporator, or an accumulator, or at least one refrigerant valve, or a chiller connected through a refrigerant flow path block that forms a refrigerant flow path. Claim 11 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the cross member is mounted by connecting each of the front side members in the vehicle width direction, and both ends are respectively connected to the inner surface of the front side member at a position spaced apart from the dash cross reinforcing member toward the front of the vehicle at a set interval. Claim 12 A mounting structure for a thermal management module for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the front side members are connected to each other by a bumper beam formed to extend along the width direction of the vehicle in front of the vehicle along the length direction.

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