Front-End Module Of A Vehicle

• US 20150136353A1
• Filed: 11/19/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH, (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH, (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Lilge, Hans-Joachim, Niemann, Frank, Adam, Frank
• Application Number:
  US14/547,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20150136353A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/41
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00207 characterised by the position of the HVAC devices with respect to the passenger compartment B60H1/00021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/26 Ventilating openings in vehicle exterior; Ducts for conveying ventilating air
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3227 characterised by the arrangement or the type of heat exchanger, e.g. condenser, evaporator condensed liquid drainage means B60H1/3233
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00214 Devices in front of the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed is a front-end module of a vehicle, including a vehicle front-end element which has at least one fresh air opening, an air channel which connects the fresh air opening with an engine compartment of the vehicle, a heat exchanger of a vehicle air-conditioning system, the heat exchanger being arranged in the air channel and being adapted for air to flow through it and being adapted to be selectively employed as a refrigerant condenser or a refrigerant evaporator, and a fan arranged in the air channel for acting upon the heat exchanger with air, the fan being configured to be reversible and, in a first operating mode, delivering fresh air from the fresh air opening toward the engine compartment and, in a second operating mode, delivering air from the engine compartment Toward the fresh air opening.

Claims

1. A front-end module of a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle front-end element which has at least one fresh air opening, an air channel which connects the fresh air opening with an engine compartment of the vehicle,

a heat exchanger of a vehicle air-conditioning system, wherein the heat exchanger is arranged in the air channel and is configured for air to flow through the heat exchanger and is configured to be selectively employed as a refrigerant condenser or a refrigerant evaporator, and

a fan arranged in the air channel for acting upon the heat exchanger with air,

wherein the fan is configured to be reversible, the fan, in a first operating mode, delivering fresh air from the fresh air opening toward the engine compartment and, in a second operating mode, delivering air from the engine compartment toward the fresh air opening.

2. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein for controlling the air flow in the air channel, at least one fresh air flap is provided which is adjustable between an open position and a closure position.

3. The front-end module according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fresh air flap is integrated in the vehicle front-end element, the fresh air opening being substantially exposed in the open position of the at least one fresh air flap and being substantially closed in the closure position of the at least one fresh air flap.

4. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein the fan his an axial fan.

5. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein the fan includes a plurality of fan blades rotating about a fan axis, the fan blades being shaped such that a delivery rate of the fan in the first operating mode is at least as high as a delivery rate of the fan in the second operating mode.

6. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger his arranged between the fresh air opening of the vehicle front-end element and the fan.

7. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein the air channel includes an exhaust air opening, wherein air delivered in the second operating mode of the fan can be released to the vehicle environment via the exhaust air opening after flowing through the heat exchanger.

8. The front-end module according to claim 7, wherein for controlling the air flow through the exhaust air opening, an exhaust air flap is provided which is adjustable between an open position and a closure position.

9. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein the air channel includes a recirculating air opening, wherein air delivered in the second operating mode of the fan can flow back into the engine compartment via the recirculating air opening after flowing through the heat exchanger.

10. The front-end module according to claim 9, wherein for controlling the air flow through the recirculating air opening, a recirculating air flap is provided which is adjustable between an open position and a closure position.

11. A vehicle, in particular a hybrid or electric vehicle, comprising an engine compartment, and

a front-end module according to claim 1,

wherein the front-end module is arranged in the engine compartment of the vehicle at a vehicle front end viewed in the direction of travel.

12. The front-end module according to claim 2, wherein the fan is an axial fan.

13. The front-end module according to claim 3, wherein the fan is an axial fan.