Heat Exchange Block For A Motor Vehicle

• US 20120241128A1
• Filed: 09/28/2010
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Sigonneau, Jacques, Henner, Manuel, Vacca, Fredéric, Ap, Ngy Srun, Demory, Bruno
• Granted Patent: US 8,936,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/085 with adjustable shutters or blinds
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchange block (1) for a motor vehicle, including at least one heat exchanger (2, 3, 4), wherein said block (1) is intended to be disposed behind a front grille (6) of a vehicle and to be traversed by air originating from an opening in the grille. The block comprises a group of louvres (13) that can move between an open position and a closed position in order to modulate the flow of air (A) passing through the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4) and a channel (9) that can be disposed between the opening in the grille and the heat exchange block (1). The invention is suitable for any motor vehicle, but, in particular, hybrid and electric vehicles.

Claims

1. A thermal exchange block for a motor vehicle, including at least one thermal exchanger, wherein the block is intended to be disposed behind a front grille panel of a vehicle and is intended to be traversed by air originating from an opening in the grille panel, the block comprising a group of louvers that can move between an open position and a closed position in order to modulate the flow of air passing through the thermal exchanger and a channel that can be disposed between the opening in the grille panel and the thermal exchange block.

2. The thermal exchange block as claimed in claim 1, in which the thermal exchanger is surrounded by a supporting frame constituting an extension of the channel.

3. The thermal exchange block as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of thermal exchangers arranged one behind the other in order to be traversed successively by the air originating from the opening in the grille panel.

4. The thermal exchange block as claimed in claim 1, in which the channel is provided with airtight fastening means for fastening the channel in an airtight manner to the grille panel in order to ensure that, with the louvers in the closed position, the flow of air passing through the opening and the one or more thermal exchangers is essentially zero.

5. The thermal exchange block as claimed in claim 1, additionally comprising a fan for increasing the flow of air passing through the one or more thermal exchanger when the speed of the vehicle is insufficient.

6. The thermal exchange block as claimed in claim 1, in which the channel is dimensioned so as to constitute a pedestrian impact shock absorber.

7. The thermal exchange block as claimed in claim 1, additionally comprising at least one aerodynamic conveyor arranged between the group of louvers and a thermal exchanger.

8. The thermal exchange block as claimed in claim 2, in which the channel is provided with airtight fastening means for fastening the channel in an airtight manner to the grille panel in order to ensure that, with the louvers in the closed position, the flow of air passing through the opening and the one or more thermal exchangers is essentially zero.