FR3090531A1 - Front panel module for motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Front panel module for a motor vehicle The invention relates to a front panel module for a motor vehicle comprising a device (29) for connecting a heat exchanger to a fluid distribution duct (30), characterized in that the device connection comprises, in addition to a fluid inlet or outlet cannula (22) in the exchanger, a connecting piece (32), made integral with the cannula so as to be arranged between the cannula and the fluid distribution conduit , as well as a sealing member (26) comprising a base (42) in contact with the cannula and / or the connecting piece and a flexible portion (44) configured to form a sealing element closing off a lumen (28) formed in a side wall (11) of a support frame of the exchanger for the passage of the cannula, said flexible portion being pressed against a face (of the side wall by the connection of the connecting piece to the cannula.

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Front panel module for a motor vehicle The present application relates to a front panel module for a motor vehicle, in particular for a hybrid or electric vehicle, and it relates more particularly to such systems comprising a frame configured to carry one or more heat exchangers in these systems.

It is known to provide in motor vehicles different circuits of coolant or coolant, in order to cool different components of the vehicle and in particular the engine or the batteries, and / or to form a cooling circuit of a heating, air conditioning and / or ventilation system. These different fluid circuits are made to pass through one or more heat exchangers fitted to the vehicle, in particular on the front face of the vehicle, so that the fluid circulating in the exchanger can carry out heat exchange with an air flow entering from the face front of the vehicle.

[0003] Such systems are used both for vehicles with an internal combustion engine and for electric or hybrid vehicles. In electric or hybrid vehicles, current electric drive means use increasingly powerful batteries to improve the motor performance and comfort of the vehicle, while increasing the range of the vehicle. The increase in battery power must be accompanied by research on means of rapid charging. Fast charging stations are known that use electrical powers greater than 50 kW. However, such powers are accompanied by heat dissipation in the vehicle battery, which, if it is not discharged, can cause irreversible damage therein such as a reduction in its service life or a limitation of its speed. dump.

[0004] In order to prevent such damage, it is necessary to thermoregulate the batteries, and in particular to cool them. For this purpose, motor vehicles are conventionally equipped with heat exchange systems capable of transferring calories from one fluid to another. A ventilation duct is used to guide the incoming cold air to one or more heat exchangers, which can be arranged in a hermetically sealed encapsulation box also encapsulating a ventilation assembly.

Under the specific conditions of fast charging, the vehicle is stationary. In order to ensure sufficient air flow to allow optimal cooling of the battery, the fan motor unit operates at high speeds, thereby generating a high overpressure within the housing. Such an overpressure is likely to cause on the one hand the leakage of fresh air, that is to say the passage of air outside the housing without passing through the exchanger (s), and if necessary a recirculation hot air from outside the housing, which has the effect of reducing thermal performance. The sealing of the encapsulation housing therefore becomes essential, in particular at the level of the components passing through the housing, such as the inlet and outlet pipes of the heat exchanger, which constitute zones of weakness which may be at origin of air leaks.

Sealing devices can be implemented in the encapsulation housing, at the level of the passages for pipes through the housing. It should be noted that such a problem is not limited to electric and hybrid vehicles, the heat transfer fluid circuits as previously described can also be integrated within the ventilation, heating or air conditioning systems of vehicles with thermal engine. The known devices have many disadvantages, however. Due to the variability of the diameters and types of pipes making up the heat exchange systems, these sealing devices are very often difficult to adapt and must be made to specific dimensions in order to ensure optimal sealing at the level of the gauge pipes. variables for which they are intended.

Another drawback present in known sealing devices, in the form of inserts made in particular of elastomers, is their complexity of assembly and disassembly. Many of these devices are permanently fixed, in particular when they require overmolding operations aimed at ensuring the watertight fixing of the pipes as they pass through the encapsulation box. Such an operation makes on the one hand the complex assembly, but also any possible subsequent disassembly, for maintenance or repair, more tedious. Thus, the installation of effective sealing elements in the vicinity of the passage openings formed in the housing for the pipes of the exchangers can complicate the assembly of the heat exchange systems.

The invention is part of this context and aims to remedy this drawback, by proposing a front panel module comprising effective sealing means for the hermetic encapsulation of the heat exchangers in the housing associated with the system and which is easy to assemble.

The invention provides a front panel module for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one heat exchanger and a frame configured for the support of this heat exchanger, the support frame comprising in one of its side walls a light allowing the passage of a cannula integral with the heat exchanger for an inlet or outlet of fluid in the exchanger, said front panel module comprising a device for connecting the heat exchanger to a fluid distribution duct, the connection device comprising at least the cannula passing through the lumen.

According to the invention, the connection device further comprises a connecting piece, made integral with the cannula so as to extend at least partially outside the frame and be arranged between the cannula and the conduit for dispensing fluid, as well as a sealing member comprising a base in contact with the cannula and / or the connecting piece and a flexible portion configured to form a sealing element closing off the lumen of the frame, said portion flexible being pressed against a face of the side wall by the connection of the connecting piece on the cannula.

The front panel module is equipped with a connection device in which the fixing of the connecting piece on the cannula makes it possible to seal the opening made in the support frame to allow the passage of the cannula through a frame wall. It is notable that according to the invention, it is during the mounting of the connecting piece on the cannula that sufficient pressure is ensured at the contact between the flexible portion closing off the lumen and the wall defining this lumen, to seal this area.

According to different characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination, it can be provided that:

at. the base of the sealing member is arranged in the lumen of the frame and the flexible portion is supported on an internal or external face of the side wall of the frame;

b. the connecting piece consists of a first section, fluidly connected to the cannula of the heat exchanger, and a second section extending outside the frame, the first section forming a support element of the base the sealing member;

vs. the connecting piece consists of a first section, fluidly connected to the cannula of the heat exchanger, and a second section extending outside the frame, the cannula of the heat exchanger forming an element support of the base of the sealing member;

d. the base of the sealing member is overmolded on the support element formed by the cannula or the first section of the connecting piece;

e. the base of the sealing member is slidably mounted on the support element, and the cannula or the first section comprises at least one lug participating in locking in position the base of the sealing member;

f. the base of the sealing member is formed of a material whose degree of rigidity is greater than that of the degree of rigidity of the material forming the flexible portion.

The invention also relates to a connecting piece for the fluid connection to a fluid distribution duct of a cannula secured to a heat exchanger in a front panel module as described above. According to the invention, the connecting piece has a first section configured to engage around the cannula and a second connecting section to the fluid distribution duct, the connecting piece also comprising on the periphery of the external face of the first section a flexible portion forming an annular veil around the first section of the connecting piece.

By an annular veil, it is understood that the flexible portion has dimensional characteristics which distinguish it from an annular seal placed in a groove for sealing the junction between the connecting piece and the cannula. Here, the annular web forming the flexible portion has the shape of a flexible wall extending in a rest position substantially perpendicular to the surface of the connecting piece, and it has a maximum dimension, in a plane perpendicular to the elongation axis of the first section, of the order of twice the diameter of this first section. The maximum dimension aims to cover the notion of diameter if the flexible wall has a circular periphery or the diagonal if this flexible wall has a square or rectangular periphery.

The connecting piece may have an angled shape, with the second section which extends along an elongation axis substantially perpendicular to the elongation axis of the first section.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the connecting piece forms a one-piece assembly, the flexible portion being overmolded on the first section.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention and its operation will emerge more clearly on reading the description given below for information, in relation to the appended figures, in which:

[Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of a front panel module according to one aspect of the invention, in closed configuration with a ventilation duct coming to be fixed on a support frame housing at least one heat exchanger (here not visible), the [Ligure 1] illustrating making in particular a first side of the frame and two connection devices according to one aspect of the invention;

[Fig.2] is a perspective view of a detail of the front panel module presented in [Ligure 1], when in the open configuration, with the ventilation duct removed so as to release the inside the support frame and make accessible a heat exchanger which is housed there, [Ligure 2] also illustrating the connection device, partially visible in [Ligure 1], in an exploded view with a male element integral of the heat exchanger and a female element bent at a distance, the [Ligure 2] schematically illustrating a fluid distribution duct capable of supplying fluid to the heat exchanger and capable of being connected to the angled female element;

[Fig.3] is a perspective view of the connection device this time in the assembled position, with the female element of [Figure 2] fitted on the male element integral with the heat exchanger;

[Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of [Figure 3] making in particular visible the design of the flexible portion forming part of the connection device

[Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a variant of the connection device; and

[Fig.6] is a perspective view of an element of the connection device of [Figure 5].

It should first be noted that if the figures show the invention in detail for its implementation, they can, of course, be used to better define the invention if necessary. It will also be understood that the embodiment of the invention illustrated by the figures is given by way of non-limiting example.

A front panel module 1 according to the present invention comprises at least one heat exchanger 2 housed in an encapsulation box formed by a support frame 4 of the heat exchanger and at least one conduit ventilation 6 configured to cooperate with said frame and guide fresh air towards this frame to force it through the heat exchanger.

As stated above, the invention relates to a device for connecting the heat exchanger to a fluid distribution duct, the connection device being configured to also ensure the sealing of the face module before.

In what follows, and as shown in [fig. 1] in particular, a longitudinal axis L will be defined as an axis parallel to the main direction of circulation of the air flow through the support frame and each heat exchanger, and the lateral orientations Lt and transverse T will be defined as orientations perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Such a system 1 is particularly shown, schematically, in [fig.l] and [Figure 2], respectively in closed and open configuration. The heat exchanger (s) 2 are housed in the support frame 4, which is configured to allow the ventilation duct 6 to be fixed.

The support frame 4 and the ventilation duct 6 are configured to form, when assembled one on the other so as to adopt a so-called "closed" configuration, the encapsulation housing accommodating so hermetic the heat exchanger (s).

The support frame 4, also called a support frame, corresponds to a rigid structure, more precisely a rigid plastic frame with four uprights delimiting a surface in which the heat exchanger 2 and possibly a power unit are arranged. fan. In order to guarantee the continuity of the ventilation duct 6, corresponding to an air flow flow duct, is tightly fixed to the support frame 4. In other words, the support frame ensures the continuity of the ventilation duct 6 , or in other words, the supporting frame corresponds to a part of the flow duct 6

More particularly, the ventilation duct 6 has a ventilation opening 8 open on the front face of the motor vehicle, thus allowing the entry of fresh air flow which it redirects into the encapsulation box, towards the heat exchanger (s) 2. This ventilation duct has, at an end opposite to the ventilation opening, a rear end face 10, brought into contact, in the closed configuration illustrated in [fig.l], with the support frame 4.

Not illustrated, the support frame can form a support, on its face opposite to that receiving the ventilation duct, to a ventilation assembly comprising a frame integral with the frame and a motorized propeller arranged across the frame to facilitate air circulation through the front panel module.

The support frame 4 has two side walls 11, 12 and two transverse walls 13, 14, which define an open volume for accommodating between the walls one or more heat exchangers 4. We define a front end face 16 of the support frame as being the face intended to be in contact with the ventilation duct 6, and more particularly with the rear end face 10 of this ventilation duct, and a rear end face 18 is defined the side intended to be in contact with the ventilation assembly. It is understood that it is by this front end face 16 facing the front of the vehicle as illustrated by the arrow AV in [fig.l], that, in the example illustrated, the fresh air is brought into the frame to cross the exchangers.

[Fig.2] makes visible the structure of the heat exchangers that can be housed in the support frame 4. Each heat exchanger 2 has an exchange surface 20 and at least one manifold 21 disposed laterally relative to this exchange surface, as well as at least one cannula 22 for the passage of refrigerant for the entry or exit of fluid in the exchange surface, the refrigerant being caused to exchange calories with the air passing through the exchange surface.

Each cannula 22 extends projecting from the manifold of the exchanger, substantially in the main elongation plane of the exchanger, that is to say perpendicular to the side walls 11,12 participating in defining the support frame 4. It follows that the cannulas, allowing the connection of the exchanger to a coolant conduit here not shown, are arranged so as to pass through the support frame 4 at the passage zones 24 defined when the exchanger is assembled on the frame, as is particularly visible in [fig.2].

To seal the encapsulation of the front panel module and thus prevent any passage of air outside the housing without passing through the exchanger or exchangers or any recirculation of hot air from the exterior of the housing towards the interior thereof, which in both cases would penalize the thermal performance of the front panel module, the front panel module 1 according to the invention is fitted with sealing members 26 from covering passage areas 24 formed in a wall, here a first side wall 11, of the frame.

[Fig.2] illustrates in particular the formation of a passage area 24 for the cannula 22, formed by a lumen 28 in the thickness of the side wall 11. Here, the lumen 28 present in the thickness from the side wall 11 an open section profile, so that it is the ventilation duct 6 which closes the passage zone 24 when the cannula is in position through the lumen 28.

A light 28 has dimensions significantly greater than the dimensions of the cannula 22 in order to facilitate their passage during assembly of the heat exchanger 2 in the frame. The sealing member 26 is in fact dimensioned accordingly to completely cover the lumen 28.

As illustrated in [fig.2], the invention relates more particularly to these particular sealing members 26 here in that they are respectively integrated in a connection device 29 making it possible to fluidly connect a conduit of distribution of fluid 30 and the heat exchanger 2.

The connection device 29 is formed on the one hand of the cannula 22 secured to the heat exchanger and on the other hand of a connecting piece 32 configured to be interposed between the cannula and the distribution duct of fluid 30, and the connection device further comprises said sealing member 26.

In the various examples illustrated and their detailed description which follows, it should be noted that the connection between the connecting piece 32 and the cannula 22 is implemented by the cooperation of a male element formed by the cannula and a corresponding female element formed at the end of the connecting piece. However, without departing from the context of the invention, what follows could be implemented with a male element formed by the connecting piece and a female element formed by the cannula.

The cannula 22 has a cylindrical shape of elongation axis substantially perpendicular to the manifold 21 of the heat exchanger, and perpendicular to the side wall 11 of the frame when the heat exchanger is assembled on the frame . The cannula has a free end forming a male element of the connection device 29.

The connecting piece 32 here has a bent portion 33, with a proximal end 34 forming a female element complementary to the male element of the cannula, and a distal end 36 intended to be connected to the fluid distribution conduit 30 .

More particularly, the connecting piece 32 consists of a first section 38, which extends between the proximal end 34 and the bent portion 33, and a second section 40, which extends fluidically in continuity of the first section and which extends between the bent portion 33 and the distal end 36.

The sealing member 26 is integrated in the connection device and it comprises a base 42 in contact here with the first section of the connecting piece 32 and a flexible portion 44 configured to more particularly form the member sealing 26 previously mentioned.

The flexible portion 44 is dimensioned to cover the lumen 28 formed in the support frame when the connection device is assembled with the heat exchanger in place in the support frame. The flexible portion of this sealing member forms an annular web, here arranged around the first section of the connecting piece.

In [fig.2], it is notable that the annular veil forming the flexible portion 44 is in a rest position, unstressed against the side wall having the lumen. In this rest position, the annular web forming the flexible portion 44 extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the first section and of the cannula.

The first section 38 of the connecting piece 32 is configured to cooperate with the free end of the cannula and to form a support element for the base of the sealing member.

[Fig.3] and [Ligure 4] make visible the connection device in an assembled position, with the connecting piece made integral with the cannula. In this assembled position, the connecting piece 32 is positioned so that the first section 38 extends at least partially in the opening 28 and so that the second section 40 extends outside the frame 4 to allow the connection to the fluid distribution conduit 30.

The cannula 22 and the first section 38 of the connecting piece 32 are configured to fit together so as to form the connection device. As mentioned above, the free end of the cannula 22 forms a male connector, capable of being inserted in a fitting direction defined by the axis of the cylinder forming the cannula, in a female connector formed by the first section 38 of the connecting piece 32. The male and female connectors are configured to allow a quick, simple and sealed connection between the cannula and the first section of the connecting piece.

In this embodiment, the sealing member 26 is molded onto the support element formed by the first section of the connecting piece.

Preferably, the flexible portion 44 of the sealing member is made from an elastomer, comprising ethylene-propylene-diene monomer. The thickness of the flexible portion, defined according to the direction of fitting of the cannula 22 in the second section 40, is between 5 and 15 mm. The thickness and the degree of elasticity of the material forming the flexible portion can advantageously be chosen in order to control the compressive force exerted by the periphery of the flexible portion 44 on the external face of the wall, so as to close more or less airtight light 28.

The height of the sealing member, that is to say the dimension between the external face of the projecting support element from which the sealing member extends and the free peripheral end 45 of the sealing member, is dimensioned so that this free peripheral end 45 of the sealing member is in contact with the side wall 11 of the support frame, beyond the lumen 28. We can also provide , in order to ensure the hermetic connection and to ensure that the sealing member remains in contact with the side wall even when the connection device is moved, only when the sealing member blocks the light 28, the smallest distance d2 between the peripheral free end 45 and the edge delimiting the lumen 28 is between 15 mm and 25 mm, preferably of the order of 20 mm.

In the assembled position illustrated in [fig.3] and [Ligure 4], the sealing member is in abutment, at least at its peripheral free end 45, against a face of the side wall 11 of the frame, here the outer face 46 of this side wall. More particularly, in this assembled position obtained by the connection of the connecting piece to the cannula, and as is particularly visible in [Ligure 4], the flexible portion 44 of the sealing member 26 is pressed against a external face 46 of the side wall while the base of the sealing member is offset longitudinally relative to the plane defined by this external face 46. The base 42 of the sealing member is disposed in the volume of the wall lateral, inside the zone defining the lumen, so that the sealing member has a shape different from that of the rest position mentioned above, with a deflection of the sealing member between the integral base of the first section that can be partially housed in the lumen and the flexible portion retained by the side wall. This results in a compressive force against the side wall at the peripheral free end 45 of the sealing member, which contributes to making the covering of the light by the sealing member hermetic.

In each of the examples illustrated, in the assembled position, the base of the sealing member is disposed in the opening 28 formed in the frame and the flexible portion is supported on the external face 46 of the side wall of the frame. It will however be understood that the compression of the sealing member generated by the assembly of the connection device could be obtained with a flexible portion bearing on the internal face 48 of the side wall.

Once the cannula has been inserted into the connecting piece, a fastening clip 50 can be arranged transversely to the fitting direction to block the position of each of the components fitted in this fitting direction. As visible in [fig.4], the clip is configured to be housed in notches 52 formed in the cannula and in the connecting piece.

A first alternative embodiment is illustrated schematically in [fig.5], in which the connection device differs from what has just been described in particular in that the sealing member is this time arranged around the cannula, this cannula forming the previously mentioned support element. It should be noted that similar or identical elements in the figures illustrating the various embodiments of the invention are indicated by the same references.

Furthermore, and as illustrated in [fig.6], this first variant differs in that the base and the flexible portion of the sealing member are this time made of two different materials, the base being formed here by a ring 54 on which is molded a flexible veil 56 forming the flexible portion 44 previously described. The internal diameter of the ring 54 is slightly greater than the external diameter of the cannula, in order to allow the positioning or the withdrawal of the ring. However, it should be noted that the internal diameter of the ring 54 is provided so that an air flow can hardly pass between the ring and the surface of the cannula against which the ring rests.

In accordance with what has been described above, the ring 54 is arranged, in the assembled position of the connection device, in the volume defined by the side wall 11, and therefore in an area defining the lumen 28, of so that the flexible veil 56, at its peripheral free end 45, is compressed against the face, here external, of the side wall of the frame.

To ensure the axial position of the sealing member so that the ring 54 is in the volume defined by the side wall, the cannula 22 has at its external face, a lug 58, forming a disc extending radially around the entire periphery, or periodically around the periphery of the cannula.

As illustrated in [fig.5], the lug 58 is positioned so that the ring 54 is clamped between the lug 58 and the proximal end 34 of the connecting piece 32 when the connection device is assembled by connection of the cannula and the connection piece. This variant can in particular be advantageous when the internal walls 60 participating in vertically delimiting the lumen are further from the cannula than they were in the embodiment described above. The use of a ring 54 as a means of holding the flexible portion in fact makes it possible to reduce the extent of the flexible portion necessary to come to cover the light. This embodiment therefore makes it possible to use a less expensive and less fragile material for making the ring compared to that used for the flexible portion. According to another advantage, the ring 54 can be characterized by greater rigidity than the flexible portion, so as to give sufficient support to the ring 54 and flexible portion assembly, to close off a larger lumen.

The front panel module 1 according to the invention may further comprise a shutter device comprising a set of shutter flaps capable of rotating in rotation so as to vary the flow rate of the air flow, said device shutter is arranged in the ventilation duct 6 upstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the flow of the air flow. The shutter device further comprises a support frame having bearings so as to carry the shutters. The axes of rotation allow the shutters to pass from an opening configuration to a closing configuration. The opening configuration is equivalent to placing (by rotation) the shutters in such a way that they obstruct the flow of air as little as possible while orienting it appropriately. The closing configuration is equivalent to placing the shutters so that they oppose the flow of air flow E as much as possible by their front surface, in cooperation with the other shutters.

According to an embodiment not illustrated of the front panel module 1, the heat exchanger and the support frame 4 can be inclined relative to the shutter device. In other words, the median planes of the support frame 4 and of the shutter device form an angle different from 0 ° (not zero), in particular an angle included in a difference between 10 and 80 °, more precisely in a deviation between 30 ° and 60 °. Such an arrangement makes it possible to reduce the steric bulk of the front face module 1.

It is understood from reading the above that the present invention provides a front panel module configured to allow a tight connection and simple to produce a heat exchanger housed in a support frame with a fluid distribution conduit without it being necessary to provide sealing elements made of specific elastomer for each type of heat exchanger having from one to the other different dimensions of cannulas for the inlet or the kind of fluid for example . Advantageously, the dimensioning of the flexible portion brought to rest against one face of a wall of the support frame is provided to cover the entirety of the lumen allowing the passage of the cannula, whatever the dimensioning of this cannula. Furthermore, the arrangement of the sealing member when the heat exchange system is assembled makes it possible to ensure, with an axial offset of the base, integral with the cannula or the connecting piece, relative to the peripheral free end of the flexible portion pressing on the wall of the frame, a compressive force helping to seal the area.

The invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technical combination operating such means.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Front panel module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one heat exchanger (2) and a support frame (4) configured for the support of this heat exchanger (2), the support frame (4) comprising in one of its side walls (11, 12) a lumen (28) allowing the passage of a cannula (22) integral with the heat exchanger for an inlet or outlet of fluid in the exchanger, said front panel module comprising a connection device (29) of the heat exchanger to a fluid distribution duct (30), the connection device comprising at least the cannula (22) passing through the lumen (28), characterized in that the connecting device (29) also comprises a connecting piece (32), made integral with the cannula (22) so as to extend at least partially outside the frame and be arranged between the cannula (22) and the fluid distribution duct (30), as well as a sealing member (26) comprising a base (42) a u contact of the cannula (22) and / or of the connecting piece (32) and a flexible portion (44) configured to form a sealing element closing the lumen (28) of the support frame (4), said flexible portion being pressed against a face of the side wall (11) by the connection of the connecting piece on the cannula. [Claim 2] Front panel module according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (42) of the sealing member (26) is disposed in the opening (28) of the support frame (4) and in that the flexible portion (44) is supported on an internal (48) or external (46) face of the side wall (11) of the frame. [Claim 3] Front panel module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting piece (32) consists of a first section (38), fluidly connected to the cannula of the heat exchanger (2), and d 'a second section (40) extending outside the support frame (4), the first section (38) forming a support element of the base (42) of the sealing member. [Claim 4] Front panel module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting piece (32) consists of a first section (38), fluidly connected to the cannula of the heat exchanger (2), and d 'a second section (40) extending outside the support frame (4), the cannula (22) of the heat exchanger forming a support element of the base (42) of the sealing member. [Claim 5] Front panel module according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the base (42) of the sealing member (26) is molded onto the support element formed by the cannula (22) or the first section (38) of the connecting piece (32). [Claim 6] Front panel module according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the base (42) of the sealing member (26) is slidably mounted on the support element, and in that the cannula ( 22) or the first section (38) comprises at least one lug (58) participating in locking in position the base of the sealing member (26). [Claim 7] Front panel module according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the base (42) of the sealing member (26) is formed from a material whose degree of rigidity is of a higher value to that of the degree of rigidity of the material forming the flexible portion. [Claim 8] Connection piece (32) for the fluid connection to a fluid distribution duct (30) of a cannula (22) integral with a heat exchanger (2) in a front panel module (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting piece (32) has a first section (38) configured to engage around the cannula and a second section ((40) for connection to the fluid distribution duct, the connecting piece comprising moreover, around the periphery of the external face of the first section, a flexible portion (44) forming an annular web around the first section of the connecting piece. [Claim 9] Connecting piece (32) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it forms a one-piece assembly, the flexible portion (44) being molded onto the first section (38). [Claim 10] Connection piece (32) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that it has a bent shape, with a second section (40) which extends along an axis of elongation substantially perpendicular to the axis d 'elongation of the first section (38). 1/4