Patent ID: 12187113

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the remainder of the description, elements that are identical or perform identical functions have been designated with the same reference sign. In the present description, for the sake of conciseness, these elements are not described in detail in each embodiment. Rather, only the differences between the variant embodiments are described in detail.

The figures show a frame of reference (X, Y, Z). The direction X corresponds to a longitudinal direction of forward travel of the motor vehicle. The transverse direction Y is defined as being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. More specifically, the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions can for example belong to a horizontal plane. The direction Z corresponds to a vertical direction.

FIG.1schematically illustrates the front part of a motor vehicle10with a motor12. The vehicle10includes in particular a body14and a bumper16that are carried by a chassis (not shown) of the motor vehicle10. The body14defines a cooling opening18, that is, an opening through the body14. The cooling opening18can be a single opening as in the example illustrated. Alternatively, however, the body14can define a plurality of cooling openings. Here, the cooling opening18is situated in the lower part of the front face14aof the body14. In the example illustrated, the cooling opening18is situated below the bumper16. A grille20can be positioned in the cooling opening18to prevent projectiles from being able to pass through the cooling opening18. A cooling module22is positioned facing the cooling opening18. The grille20in particular provides protection for this cooling module22.

The cooling module22is more clearly visible inFIG.2.

The cooling module22comprises a ventilation device24associated with at least one heat exchanger26, in this case two heat exchangers26.

In this case, the two heat exchangers26are positioned one behind the other in the longitudinal direction X. Here, the two heat exchangers26are identical. Each heat exchanger26is generally in the shape of a parallelepiped, the length of which extends parallel to the transverse direction Y, the depth of which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and the height of which extends parallel to the vertical direction Z. Each heat exchanger26defines a substantially rectangular surface S, known as the working surface, extending in a plane (Y, Z). The surface S is defined by two opposite sides26-1,26-2corresponding to the length of the exchanger26in question, and by another two opposite sides corresponding to the height of the exchanger26in question.

It will be noted that the invention is not limited to a particular number of heat exchangers, or to configurations comprising identical heat exchangers only. It is thus possible to juxtapose several heat exchangers vertically and/or horizontally, in which case the height of the surface S is the sum of the heights of the vertically juxtaposed exchangers, and the length of the surface S is the sum of the lengths of the horizontally juxtaposed exchangers.

In addition, here the ventilation device24is formed by two ventilation device modules100-1,100-2, of the type illustrated inFIGS.3and4.

The module100-1inFIGS.3and4will be described in greater detail below, the module100-2being similar. Unless otherwise stated, the elements of the second module100-2that are identical to the elements of the first module100-1, have the same reference sign in the figures, with the suffix “-2” instead of the suffix “-1”.

As can be seen inFIG.3, the module100-1comprises a tangential fan28-1, or more generally a tangential turbomachine, intended to suck in a flow of air in contact with the heat exchangers26of the cooling module22. Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and the turbomachine can be mounted as a blower, in which case the ventilation device is placed between the radiator grille and the exchangers.

The tangential turbomachine28-1comprises a rotor32-1. Here, the rotor consists of a turbine32-1, more specifically a tangential blower-wheel or bladed wheel. The turbine32-1has a cylindrical shape. The turbine32-1,32-2advantageously includes several stages of blades (or vanes). The turbine32-1is rotatably mounted about an associated axis of rotation A32-1. The turbine32-1is rotated by an associated motor33-1. Here, the axis of rotation A32-1of the turbine32-1is oriented in the direction of the Y axis.

The module100-1also includes a frame30-1forming an internal air channel. The frame30-1makes it possible to house the turbine32-1. In one embodiment, a rear portion of the frame30-1forms the volute of the tangential turbomachine28-1.

Here, the volute of the turbomachine28-1comprises a shell40-1consisting of a wall42-1configured to house the bladed wheel32-1and guide the air around the turbomachine28-1to an air outlet46-1, intended to be an air outlet from the cooling module22. In a known manner, the wall42-1is in the shape of a truncated spiral.

Advantageously, a grille is fastened to the outlet46-1. Such a grille makes it possible in particular to prevent projectiles from entering the housing receiving the turbine32-1and damaging said turbine32-1.

As illustrated inFIG.3, in particular, the frame30-1defines an opening60-1, intended to be positioned facing, in a longitudinal direction X, at least part of the heat exchanger26of the cooling module22. Alternatively, however, the opening60-1,60-2can be intended to be positioned facing a specific heat exchanger26.

The frame30-1comprises a cross-member61-1, which extends on one side of the opening60-1, opposite the side on which the turbomachine28-1is situated. Here, the cross-member61-1extends substantially in the transverse direction Y.

The module100-1illustrated inFIGS.3and4further includes shut-off means62-1for shutting off the opening60-1. The shut-off means62-1are suitable for selectively shutting off the opening60-1. Notably, here, the shut-off means62are configured to have at least two regions63-1,65-1, which are in contact in a position in which the shut-off means62-1leave the opening60-1clear and are separated in a position in which the opening60-1is shut off.

For example, inFIG.6, the region63-1is not touching the region65-1, as the shut-off means62-1are in the closed position. In the open position (not shown), these two regions would be in contact with each other. The same applies to the shut-off means62-2, which comprise two similar regions63-2and65-2.

Here, the shut-off means62essentially include a covering body64-1, here in the form of a sheet, fastened at one end to a bar66-1. The covering body64-1is for example made from plastic. The covering body64-1is preferably flexible relative to the bar66-1. The covering body64-1can have a limited thickness. The covering body64-1is advantageously air-tight. Here, the covering body64-1takes the form of a flexible sheet, the sheet preferably being a single piece. At its opposite end to the bar66-1, the covering body64-1is fastened to a shaft68-1, connected to a motor70-1. The rotation of the motor70-1can thus control the winding of the covering body64-1around the shaft68-1. The shaft68-1preferably extends in the vicinity of a first end of the opening60-1, in the vicinity of the first or the second turbomachine28-1respectively. The shaft68-1extends parallel to the direction Y, like the axis A32-1of the turbomachine28-1.

The bar66-1is slidably mounted on the frame30-1of the module100-1. Here, to this end, a groove is made in the frame30-1, on each side thereof. Each groove receives a spur of the bar66-1. Advantageously, the covering body64-1is also received in these grooves on each side of the frame30-1.

In addition, the bar66-1is connected by two cables72to a winder73-1,74-1, elastically urged to rotate towards a position in which the cables72are wound in the associated winder73-1,74-1. The winders73-1,74-1are preferably positioned in the vicinity of the shaft68-1, the cables72being wound on pulleys75-1provided in each case between the bar66-1and a winder73-1,74-1. In the position in which the cables72are fully wound in the winders73-1,74-1, the covering body64-1thus fully covers the opening60-1, as illustrated inFIG.3.

The motor70-1controls the winding of the covering body64-1around the shaft68-1, to leave the opening60-1clear, against the force of the winders73-1,74-1. In the absence of any action by the motor70-1, the winders73-1,74-1make it possible to wind the cables72and return the covering body64-1to the position in which it shuts off the associated opening60-1. Intermediate configurations, between the fully shut-off position of the opening60-1and the fully retracted configuration of the covering body64-1leaving the opening60-1completely clear, are possible. These intermediate configurations can be transient, during the transition from one extreme configuration to the other, or maintained over time.

As can be seen inFIG.6, in the shut-off position, the covering body64-1,64-2forms an angle α1, α2of between 5° and 20°, preferably substantially equal to 12.5°, with an air intake surface S2-1, S2-2, normal to the flow of air entering the ventilation device22.

As stated above, the ventilation device illustrated inFIGS.2and5to8is made up of two modules100-1,100-2of the type described above.

Here, the two modules100-1and100-2are associated so that the frame30of the ventilation device24is made up of a single, integral part, a cross-member61separating the openings60-1,60-2. In other words, here, the frames30-1,30-2of the two modules100-1,100-2are formed by a single frame30of the ventilation device24and a cross-member61separating the two openings60-1,60-2. According to an alternative embodiment, however, the frame30of the ventilation device24can be formed by frames30-1,30-2of the separate modules100-1,100-2, fastened together.

Here, the two modules100-1,100-2are positioned so that the first and second turbomachines28-1,28-2are mounted parallel to each other, that is, the air flow F1discharged from the first turbine32-1of the first turbomachine28-1is separate from the air flow F2discharged from the second turbine32-2of the second turbomachine28-2. In other words, the air flow F1discharged from the first turbine32-1does not pass through the second turbine32-2, and vice versa.

In this example, the two modules100-1,100-2are positioned so that the axes of rotation A32-1, A32-2of the turbines32-1,32-2are parallel to the direction Y. The two turbines32-1,32-2are thus mounted horizontally, in this case in a transverse direction Y. Alternatively, the axes of rotation A32-1, A32-2can be vertical, namely parallel to the axis Z.

As is also evident from the figures, the axis of rotation A32-1of the turbomachine28-1of a first module100-1, is positioned substantially facing the upper longitudinal edge26-1of the surface S. The axis of rotation A32-2of the turbomachine28-2of the second module100-2is positioned substantially facing the lower longitudinal edge26-2of the surface S.

Nevertheless, depending on the configuration of the heat exchangers and/or the cooling power required for each exchanger, it is possible to position the turbomachines28-1,28-2so that they are dedicated to respective exchangers26. Other relative positions of turbomachines28-1,28-2are also possible.

According to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.2and5to8, the outlets46-1,46-2of the turbomachines28-1,28-2of the modules100-1,100-2are positioned facing each other, oriented substantially towards the same point, but in opposite directions. This configuration ensures that a first air flow F1originating from the first turbomachine28-1via the associated first outlet46-1is moving substantially towards the same point and in an opposite direction to a second air flow F2originating from the second turbomachine28-2via the associated second outlet46-2. In this case, the first and second air flows F1and F2are substantially vertical.

Each turbomachine28-1,28-2extends along the opening60-1,60-2of the associated module100-1,100-2. Each opening60-1,60-2allows at least part of the air flow F that has passed through the heat exchanger(s)26to leave the cooling module22without passing through one of the turbomachines28-1,28-2. The bypassing of the turbomachines28-1,28-2by the air flow F that has passed through the exchanger(s)26makes it possible to limit the pressure losses of the air flow F, in particular when the turbomachines28-1,28-2are switched off, for example when the motor vehicle10is travelling at high speed, the speed of the vehicle10being sufficient to create an air flow F allowing the cooling of the heat exchanger(s)26.

However, for example at low speed, it can be necessary to switch on one or both of the turbomachines28-1,28-2. It is then useful to guide the air flow passing through the heat exchanger(s)26through the turbomachine(s)28-1,28-2switched on. In this case, the openings60-1,60-2can be shut off, the shutting off of the openings60-1,60-2also making it possible to guide the air flow towards the turbomachines28-1,28-2.

As illustrated inFIG.7, the openings60-1,60-2can be just partially shut off.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG.8, the openings60-1,60-2of the two modules100-1,100-2can be fully or partially shut off, independently of each other. In other words, the shut-off means62-1,62-2of the two modules100-1,100-2are advantageously separate and/or independent. InFIG.8, it is thus possible in particular for the opening60-1of one module100-1to be fully or partially shut off, while the opening60-2of the other module100-2is left fully or partially clear.

In the configuration in which the openings60-1,60-2are shut off by the covering bodies64-1,64-2, the covering bodies64-1,64-2make it possible to direct the air flow created towards the turbomachine28-1,28-2of the associated module100-1,100-2. By contrast, in the configuration in which the covering bodies64-1,64-2leave the openings60-1,60-2of the two modules100-1,100-2fully open, generally attained when the turbomachines28-1,28-2are switched off, at least part of the air flow created, for example by the speed of the vehicle, on which the cooling module22is mounted, can be directed through the openings60-1,60-2in the frame30, without passing through the turbomachines28-1,28-2. The air flow is thus “diverted” from the turbomachines28-1,28-2. An intermediate configuration can make it possible to cause part of the air flow to pass through the opening60-1,60-2of a module100-1,100-2having smaller dimensions, another part of the air flow being guided towards the turbomachine28-1,28-2of a module100-1,100-2.

FIG.9illustrates a second example of a ventilation device24, in which the two modules100-1,100-2are arranged so that the air outlet46-1of the turbomachine28-1of a first module100-1is positioned facing the guiding portion42-2of the turbomachine28-2of the second module100-2. This thus limits the risk of the air flows F1, F2originating from the two turbomachines28-1,28-2interfering with each other.

FIG.10illustrates a third example of a ventilation device24, in which the two modules100-1,100-2are arranged so that the guiding portion42-1of the turbomachine28-1of a first module100-1is positioned facing the guiding portion42-2of the turbomachine28-2of the second module100-2. Here, the two air outlets46-1,46-2of the two turbomachines28-1,28-2are thus oriented in opposite directions, so that the risk of the air flows F1, F2originating from the two turbomachines28-1,28-2interfering with each other is further reduced.

The invention is not limited to the examples described above. Rather, the invention can be the subject of numerous variants accessible to a person skilled in the art.

In particular, in the example illustrated, the covering body64-1,64-2is a single piece. Alternatively, the covering body can be made up of slats connected to each other by articulations so that the slats can be pivoted relative to each other.

In addition, in the example illustrated, the covering body moves from the position in which the opening60-1,60-2is shut off to the position in which the opening60-1,60-2is left clear by being wound around a shaft. Alternatively, the covering body can be retracted or folded back.

Likewise, in the example illustrated, the ventilation device24comprises two modules100-1,100-2. Alternatively, the ventilation device24can be made up of a single module100-1,100-2or more than two modules100-1,100-2.