HEAT TREATMENT MODULE WITH EXPANSION LINK

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat-treatment module (1) for a heat-treatment system of a vehicle, comprising a first heat exchanger (2), a second heat exchanger (3) and an internal heat exchanger (4), the first heat exchanger (2) and the second heat exchanger (3) both being configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer liquid, the internal heat exchanger (4) being configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant fluid that is subjected, in the heat-treatment system, to two different temperature levels, characterised in that the heat-treatment module (1) comprises an expansion member (5) that is at least secured to the first heat exchanger (2) and the second heat exchanger (3).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title of the invention: HEAT TREATMENT MODULE WITH EXPANSION DEVICE

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of heat treatment systems within a vehicle and more particularly relates to a heat treatment module within such heat treatment systems.

[0004] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with a refrigerant circuit and at least one heat transfer fluid circuit, both used to participate in heat treatment of different areas or components of the vehicle. It is particularly known to use the refrigerant circuit and / or the heat transfer fluid circuit to heat treat an air flow sent into a passenger compartment of the vehicle equipped with such a circuit.

[0005] In another application of this circuit, it is known to use the heat transfer fluid circuit to cool components of the vehicle's powertrain, such as for example an electrical storage device, the latter being used to supply energy to an electric motor capable of setting the vehicle in motion. The heat treatment system thus provides the energy capable of cooling the electrical storage device during its use.

[0006] The refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid circulate within their respective circuits and interact with each other via a plurality of heat exchangers ensuring an exchange of calories between the two aforementioned fluids. In order to improve the compactness of the heat treatment system, several of these heat exchangers can be grouped into a heat treatment module. Since automobile manufacturers are in a perspective of continuous improvement of their vehicles, one objective of improving such heat treatment modules is to group more elements of the heat treatment system within the heat treatment modules.

[0007] The present invention falls within this context by proposing a heat treatment module for a vehicle heat treatment system, comprising a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and an internal heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger both being configured to carry out a heat exchange between a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer liquid, the internal heat exchanger being configured to carry out a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid subjected in the heat treatment system to two different temperature levels, characterized in that the heat treatment module comprises an expansion member at least integral with the first heat exchanger and / or the second heat exchanger.

[0008] Such a heat treatment module according to the invention thus makes it possible to group together an expansion member and three exchangers ensuring a heat exchange either between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer liquid, or within a refrigerant fluid circuit itself as is the case for the internal heat exchanger. Such a configuration thus makes it possible to integrate the expansion member into the heat treatment module, which avoids the installation of an expansion member at a distance from the heat treatment module, as well as the pipes which must connect this expansion member to the heat treatment module.

[0009] The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid, in order to provide several functions dependent on the temperature of the refrigerant. For example, within these heat exchangers, the heat transfer fluid can condense the refrigerant to facilitate its expansion via the expansion member thereafter. According to other examples, the refrigerant can cool the heat transfer fluid so that the latter provides either a heat treatment function for the components of the vehicle's powertrain, or the cooling of the air in the passenger compartment via the HVAC.

[0010] The internal heat exchanger is specific to the refrigerant circuit. In other words, the internal heat exchanger allows heat to be exchanged between two refrigerant temperature levels in order to regulate the refrigerant's temperature and thus optimize the thermal performance of the refrigerant circuit.

[0011] The expansion member is mechanically secured to at least the two heat exchangers in order to integrate it into the heat treatment module. Depending on an embodiment of the heat treatment module, the expansion member provides a fluid connection between the two heat exchangers, or between one of the heat exchangers and the internal heat exchanger.

[0012] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first heat exchanger comprises a first pass configured to be traversed by the refrigerant fluid and a second pass configured to be traversed by the heat transfer liquid, the second heat exchanger comprising a first passage configured to be traversed by the refrigerant fluid and a second passage configured to be traversed by the heat transfer liquid, the internal heat exchanger comprising a first channel configured to be traversed by the refrigerant fluid at a first temperature and a second channel configured to be traversed by the refrigerant fluid at a second temperature different from the first temperature.

[0013] The temperature of the refrigerant varies depending on the pressure and the thermodynamic state of the fluid. The terms first temperature and second temperature do not therefore refer to temperatures in the physical sense, but rather to a first temperature level and a second temperature level.

[0014] The heat exchange carried out within the first heat exchanger is therefore between the refrigerant circulating in the first pass and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second pass. This heat exchange may aim to condense the refrigerant in order to facilitate its expansion at the expansion device thereafter.

[0015] Just as with the first heat exchanger, the heat exchange taking place in the second heat exchanger is between the refrigerant circulating in the first passage and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second passage. This heat exchange can be carried out between the heat transfer fluid and the expanded refrigerant in order to cool the heat transfer fluid so that the latter can subsequently cool the components of the vehicle's powertrain.

[0016] The internal heat exchanger is configured to carry out a heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating in the first channel and the refrigerant circulating in the second channel. As previously described, this heat exchange carried out within the internal heat exchanger makes it possible to optimize the thermal regulation of the refrigerant. It is the temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature which allows the proper operation of this heat exchange.

[0017] According to a feature of the invention, at least the first pass of the first heat exchanger and at least the first channel of the internal heat exchanger form a first section configured to circulate the refrigerant at the first temperature. The first section extends between the refrigerant inlet of the heat treatment module, up to the expansion member. The first section thus corresponds to the section where the refrigerant circulates at the highest temperature, which corresponds to the first temperature.

[0018] The first heat exchanger can thus allow both the refrigerant fluid to be condensed to facilitate its expansion, and possibly the heat transfer fluid to be heated so that the latter provides a heating function for the passenger compartment in the case where the associated heat treatment system has an indirect heat pump type configuration.

[0019] The internal heat exchanger also allows the refrigerant circulating at the first temperature to be cooled by means of a heat exchange carried out with the refrigerant circulating at the second temperature.

[0020] According to a feature of the invention, at least the first passage of the second heat exchanger and at least the second channel of the internal heat exchanger form a second section configured to circulate the refrigerant at the second temperature. The second section is thus arranged between the expansion member and an outlet of the heat treatment module and ensures the circulation of the refrigerant at low temperature, corresponding to the second temperature. The circulation in the first passage thus makes it possible to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second passage. The cooled heat transfer fluid subsequently circulates out of the heat treatment module in order to cool the components of the vehicle's powertrain.The refrigerant circulating in the second section also circulates within the second channel of the internal heat exchanger, in order to participate in the heat exchange taking place in the internal heat exchanger as previously mentioned.

[0021] According to a feature of the invention, the expansion member separates the first section from the second section within the heat treatment module. The expansion member ensures an expansion of the refrigerant fluid corresponding to a reduction in pressure. This reduction in pressure is accompanied by a reduction in temperature. It is therefore the expansion member which makes it possible to vary the temperature of the refrigerant fluid from the first temperature to the second temperature and which thus separates the first section from the second section.

[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger each comprise a heat exchange block at the end of which is arranged an upper wall for the first heat exchanger and an upper face for the second heat exchanger, the expansion member being arranged at the upper wall of the first heat exchanger and / or the upper face of the second heat exchanger, the upper wall of the first heat exchanger and the upper face of the second heat exchanger being arranged opposite the internal heat exchanger with respect to the heat exchange block of at least one of the heat exchangers. This is a first embodiment of the heat treatment module according to the invention. The heat exchange block corresponds to a structural zone of each of the heat exchangers within which the heat exchange specific to it takes place.The expansion member is arranged so as to be mechanically connected both to the upper wall of the first heat exchanger and to the upper face of the second heat exchanger. The two heat exchangers may, for example, be in contact with the internal heat exchanger, the upper wall of the first heat exchanger and the upper face of the second heat exchanger corresponding to the opposite part with respect to the heat exchange block.

[0023] According to a feature of the invention, the first heat exchanger comprises an additional pass, the expansion member ensuring a direct fluid connection between the additional pass of the first heat exchanger and the first passage of the second heat exchanger. The additional pass makes it possible to fluidically connect the first channel of the internal heat exchanger to the expansion member, and this by passing through the first heat exchanger via the additional pass. Unlike the first pass, there is no heat exchange carried out with the refrigerant circulating in the additional pass. The latter thus allows a connection between the first channel of the internal heat exchanger and the first passage of the second heat exchanger by passing through the expansion member.

[0024] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger form an assembly, the expansion member being arranged within a space interposed between the assembly formed by the heat exchangers and the internal heat exchanger. This is a second embodiment of the heat treatment module according to the invention. The space formed between the assembly of the two heat exchangers and the internal heat exchanger makes it possible to house the expansion member as well as elements ensuring, for example, a fluid connection between the assembly of the heat exchangers and the internal heat exchanger.

[0025] According to a feature of the invention, the space houses a connection block ensuring a fluid connection between the first pass of the first heat exchanger and the first channel of the internal heat exchanger. After participating in the heat exchange within the first heat exchanger, the refrigerant must join the first channel of the internal heat exchanger. It is the connection block that allows the refrigerant to pass through the space between all of the heat exchangers and the internal heat exchanger. As such, the connection block may include a conduit extending within its internal structure in order to ensure the circulation of the refrigerant.

[0026] According to a feature of the invention, the space houses at least one connecting element participating in a fluid connection between the first passage of the second heat exchanger and the second channel of the internal heat exchanger. The connecting element can provide a fluid connection between an element external to the heat treatment module and the internal heat exchanger. Advantageously, the space houses two connecting elements allowing respectively entry into the internal heat exchanger and then exit from the internal heat exchanger, the latter marking the end of the second section of the heat treatment module.

[0027] The fluid connection between the second heat exchanger and the connecting element may, for example, correspond to a circulation of the refrigerant fluid outside the heat treatment module. The refrigerant fluid may also pass through a refrigerant accumulation device, capable of retaining a liquid fraction of the latter, before recirculating in the internal heat exchanger via the connecting element.

[0028] According to a feature of the invention, the expansion member provides a direct fluid connection between the first channel of the internal heat exchanger and the first passage of the second heat exchanger. The expansion member being housed in the space according to the second embodiment of the heat treatment module, the fluid connection between the internal heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and therefore the connection between the first section and the second section, can be implemented easily.

[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, at least one heat exchanger is a plate exchanger comprising a first end plate and a second end plate between which a stack of plates is arranged, the expansion member being integral with at least one of the end plates. The plate exchangers consist of a stack of plates, said plates being stacked along a stacking axis. When the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid circulate within the heat exchange blocks of one or other of the heat exchangers if the latter are plate exchangers, the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid circulate within gaps located between the plates, said gaps corresponding to the passes for the first heat exchanger and to the passages for the second heat exchanger.Advantageously, the arrangement of the plates forms an alternating circulation between the first pass and the second pass for the first heat exchanger, and between the first pass and the second pass for the second heat exchanger. Such alternating circulation guarantees the proper conduct of the heat exchange within each of the heat exchangers.

[0030] End plates are the two plates located at the ends of the heat exchange block. In other words, these are the two plates that are not framed on either side by two adjacent plates. Thus, when one of the heat exchangers is a plate exchanger, the expansion member is integral with one of the end plates of this or these plate exchangers.

[0031] According to a characteristic of the invention, the expansion member may be integral with the first end plate of each of the heat exchangers. The first end plate of the heat exchangers corresponds to the upper wall of the first heat exchanger and to the upper face of the second heat exchanger. In other words, it is at the level of the first end plate of each of the heat exchangers that the expansion member is integral according to the first embodiment as described previously.

[0032] According to a characteristic of the invention, the expansion member may be integral with the second end plate of each of the heat exchangers. The second end plate corresponds to the plate of each of the heat exchangers arranged opposite the internal heat exchanger. It is therefore within the framework of the second embodiment of the heat treatment module that the expansion member is integral with the second end plate of each of the heat exchangers.

[0033] According to a characteristic of the invention, the internal heat exchanger is a plate exchanger comprising at least one end plate, the expansion member being integral with the end plate. Just like the heat exchangers, the internal heat exchanger can also be a plate exchanger. The refrigerant of the first section and the refrigerant of the second section thus also circulate between the plates of the internal heat exchanger so that the heat exchange between the two sections is carried out. In this configuration, the end plate corresponds to one of the two plates not framed on either side by two adjacent plates. More precisely, the end plate of the internal heat exchanger corresponds to the plate arranged opposite the heat exchangers.According to the second embodiment of the heat treatment module, the expansion member is arranged in the space between the assembly comprising the two heat exchangers and the internal heat exchanger. The expansion member is therefore integral with the two heat exchangers and the internal heat exchanger.

[0034] According to a feature of the invention, the expansion member is welded to the first heat exchanger and to the second heat exchanger. This feature may correspond to all embodiments of the heat treatment module according to the invention. The welding may, for example, consist of brazing the expansion member to the heat exchangers. The expansion member may also be secured to the heat exchangers in another manner, for example by screwing.

[0035] According to a feature of the invention, the expansion member is welded to the internal heat exchanger. This feature is only applicable to the second embodiment among the embodiments described previously. The expansion member being interposed between the set of heat exchangers and the internal heat exchanger, it is therefore possible to reinforce the mechanical fixing of the heat treatment module by also welding the expansion member to the internal heat exchanger.

[0036] According to a characteristic of the invention, the internal heat exchanger is included in a projection on a plane perpendicular to a stacking axis of the plates, a projection on the plane perpendicular to the stacking axis of the plates of an assembly formed by the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger being included in the projection of the internal heat exchanger. Integrating the projection planes of the heat exchangers within the projection plane of the internal heat exchanger makes it possible to keep at least two dimensions of the heat treatment module equal to the dimensions of the internal heat exchanger. Such a configuration reinforces the compactness of the heat treatment module.

[0037] According to a feature of the invention, the second heat exchanger comprises an additional passage fluidly connecting the second channel of the internal heat exchanger and the outlet of the heat treatment module. As in the case of the additional pass, there is no heat exchange carried out with the refrigerant circulating in the additional passage.

[0038] According to a feature of the invention, the first heat exchanger comprises an additional pass fluidically connecting the second channel of the internal heat exchanger and the outlet of the heat treatment module. As in the case of the additional pass, there is no heat exchange carried out with the refrigerant circulating in the additional pass.

[0039] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0040] [fig 1] represents a first embodiment of a heat treatment module according to the invention, [fig 2] represents a first example of a circulation of a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer liquid within the first embodiment of the heat treatment module,

[0041] [fig 3] represents a second example of the circulation of the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid within the first embodiment of the heat treatment module,

[0042] [fig 4] represents a second embodiment of the heat treatment module according to the invention,

[0043] [fig 5] represents a first part of the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within the second embodiment of the heat treatment module,

[0044] [fig 6] represents a second part of the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within the second embodiment of the heat treatment module.

[0045] Figure 1 represents a first embodiment of a heat treatment module 1 according to the invention. The heat treatment module 1 is part of a heat treatment system of a vehicle, said system being able to simultaneously provide heat treatment of a passenger compartment of the vehicle and heat treatment of different components of a powertrain of the vehicle. For this, the heat treatment system comprises at least one refrigerant circuit and at least one heat transfer liquid circuit, and the heat treatment module 1 comprises portions of these two circuits. The heat treatment module 1 is thus able to ensure the circulation of a refrigerant and a heat transfer liquid within it. For example, the refrigerant may be a fluid of type Ri34a or Ri234yf and the heat transfer liquid may be glycolated water.

[0046] The heat treatment module 1 groups together a first heat exchanger 2, a second heat exchanger 3 and an internal heat exchanger 4, each providing a specific function enabling the vehicle's heat treatment system to operate properly. Thus, the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 3 are configured to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid, the heat exchange within each of the heat exchangers 2, 3 being specific to one or more functions of the heat treatment system. The internal heat exchanger 4 provides heat exchange intrinsic to the refrigerant circuit, but between two temperature levels of said refrigerant, namely at a first temperature and at a second temperature.Details of the circulation of the refrigerant and heat transfer fluid, as well as all heat exchanges occurring within the heat treatment module 1, will be described below.

[0047] In order to bring the refrigerant into and out of the heat treatment module 1, the latter comprises a refrigerant inlet 7 and a refrigerant outlet 8. In Figure 1, the refrigerant inlet 7 is positioned at the first heat exchanger 2 and the refrigerant outlet 8 is positioned at the second heat exchanger 3, but these positions can be diverse depending on the circulation of the refrigerant within the heat treatment module 1.

[0048] Furthermore, the first heat exchanger 2 comprises a heat transfer liquid inlet 9 and a heat transfer liquid outlet 10, while the second heat exchanger 3 comprises an inlet orifice 11 and an outlet orifice 12. Unlike the refrigerant, the heat transfer liquid entering one of the heat exchangers 2, 3 only circulates within said heat exchanger 2, 3. Thus, the heat transfer liquid entering respectively via the heat transfer liquid inlet 9 or the inlet orifice 11 necessarily leaves respectively via the heat transfer liquid outlet 10 or the outlet orifice 12.

[0049] The particularity of the heat treatment module 1 according to the invention is that it also comprises an expansion member 5 ensuring the expansion of the refrigerant fluid when the latter passes through the expansion member 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the expansion member 5 is mechanically secured to the first heat exchanger 2 and to the second heat exchanger 3. Such a securing of the expansion member 5 can for example be carried out by welding or by screwing. The expansion member 5 comprises an electronic control 17 making it possible to control a level of expansion of the refrigerant fluid within the expansion member 5.

[0050] Each heat exchanger 2, 3 comprises a heat exchange block 15 within which the heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid takes place. The first heat exchanger 2 comprises an upper wall 13 while the second heat exchanger 3 comprises an upper face 14. The upper wall 13 and the upper face 14 correspond to the wall and the face opposite the internal heat exchanger 4 with respect to the heat exchange block 15 respective to each of the heat exchangers 2, 3. According to this first embodiment of the heat treatment module 1, the expansion member 5 is integral with the upper wall 13 of the first heat exchanger 2 and the upper face 14 of the second heat exchanger 3.

[0051] The first heat exchanger 2 and / or the second heat exchanger 3 and / or the internal heat exchanger 4 may be plate exchangers. In Figure 1, the three exchangers 2, 3, 4 are plate exchangers. Each of these plate exchangers comprises a plurality of plates 30 stacked on top of each other along a stacking axis 31. The stacking axis 31 of the heat exchangers 2, 3 and of the internal heat exchanger 4 are parallel or substantially parallel to each other.

[0052] It is the stack of plates 30 which allows the circulation of the refrigerant fluid, and of the heat transfer liquid for the heat exchangers 2, 3, the latter circulating between the plates 30. Preferably, the circulation between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer liquid for the heat exchangers 2, 3 and the circulation between the refrigerant fluid at the first temperature and the refrigerant fluid at the second temperature within the internal heat exchanger 4 is done alternately from one plate 30 to another, in order to optimize the heat exchange.

[0053] The first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 3 each comprise a first end plate 32 and a second end plate 33, each corresponding to the end plates of each of the heat exchangers 2, 3. In other words, these end plates 32, 33 close the heat exchange block 15 at each of its ends. In Figure 1, the first end plate 32 of the two heat exchangers 2, 3 corresponds to the plate 30 opposite the internal heat exchanger 4 with respect to the heat exchange block 15, while the second end plate 33 of the two heat exchangers 2, 3 corresponds to the plate 30 opposite the internal heat exchanger 4. According to the first embodiment of Figure 1, the expansion member 5 is therefore integral with each of the first end plates 32 of each of the heat exchangers 2, 3.The internal heat exchanger 4 further comprises a body 16 also formed by a stack of plates 30 and which is closed by an end plate 34 which corresponds to the plate 30 arranged opposite the two heat exchangers 2, 3.

[0054] The internal heat exchanger 4 is included in a projection P perpendicular to the stacking axis 31 of the plates 30 of said internal heat exchanger 4. It should be noted that a projection of the first heat exchanger 2 and of the second heat exchanger 3 are included in the projection P of the internal heat exchanger 4. Such an arrangement makes it possible to improve the compactness of the heat treatment module 1.

[0055] Figure 2 and Figure 3 represent two examples of circulation of the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid within the first embodiment of the heat treatment module 1. For these two figures, the circulation of the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid is represented by lines of different thicknesses, the thickest lines corresponding to the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within a first section 18, the thinnest lines corresponding to the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within a second section 19 and the lines of intermediate thickness corresponding to the circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

[0056] As previously described, the refrigerant circulates in the heat treatment module 1 at two different temperatures. Thus, the refrigerant circulating in the first section 18 corresponds to the refrigerant at the first temperature, while the refrigerant circulating in the second section 19 corresponds to the refrigerant at the second temperature. The expansion member 5 separates the first section 18 from the second section 19 because by expanding the refrigerant, the latter switches from the first temperature to the second temperature, the first temperature being higher than the second temperature.

[0057] According to the first circulation example illustrated in Figure 2, the refrigerant enters the heat treatment module 1, more particularly within a first pass 20 of the first heat exchanger 2. It is at the level of this first pass 20 that the first section 18 begins, where the refrigerant is at the first temperature. Simultaneously, the heat transfer fluid circulates within a second pass 21 of the first heat exchanger 2. The heat exchange taking place in the first heat exchanger 2 is therefore between the refrigerant circulating in the first pass 20 and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second pass 21. Within the first heat exchanger 2, the refrigerant is at a higher temperature than the heat transfer fluid.The objective of this heat exchange is in particular to condense the refrigerant fluid via the heat transfer fluid, in order to facilitate the expansion of the latter via the expansion member 5. This heat exchange can also be used to heat the heat transfer fluid in the context of an indirect heat pump type configuration if this is the case for the associated heat treatment system.

[0058] After having circulated within the first pass 20, the refrigerant circulates within the internal heat exchanger 4 via a first channel 24 in order to carry out a heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the second section 19. The heat exchange carried out within the internal heat exchanger 4 makes it possible to optimize the thermal performance of the refrigerant circuit.

[0059] After passing through the first channel 24, the refrigerant fluid returns to the first heat exchanger 2 and circulates within an additional pass 26. This additional pass 26 makes it possible to fluidically connect the first pass 24 to the expansion member 5. Thus the refrigerant fluid circulating in the additional pass 26 does not undergo heat exchange despite the fact that it passes through the first heat exchanger 2.

[0060] The refrigerant fluid thus reaches the expansion member 5 which, by expanding the refrigerant fluid, makes the transition between the first section 18 and the second section 19.

[0061] The refrigerant fluid leaves the expansion member 5 at the second temperature and circulates within a first passage 22 arranged in the second heat exchanger 3. Simultaneously, the heat transfer fluid circulates within a second passage 23 of the second heat exchanger 3. The heat exchange taking place in the second heat exchanger 3 therefore takes place between the refrigerant fluid circulating in the first passage 22 and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second passage 23. Within the second heat exchanger 3, the refrigerant fluid is at a lower temperature than the heat transfer fluid. The objective of this heat exchange is in particular to cool the heat transfer fluid via the refrigerant fluid.The cooled heat transfer fluid can then be circulated to one or more components of the vehicle's powertrain and heat treated, or to an exchanger located in the HVAC to cool the air in the passenger compartment. This heat exchange also allows the refrigerant to be at least partially evaporated in order to optimize the performance of the refrigerant circuit.

[0062] At the outlet of the first passage 22, the refrigerant fluid returns to the internal heat exchanger 4 but this time via a second channel 25. The heat exchange taking place within the internal heat exchanger 4 therefore takes place between the refrigerant fluid circulating in the first channel 24 and the refrigerant fluid circulating in the second channel 25.

[0063] After having circulated within the second channel 25, the refrigerant fluid leaves the heat treatment module 1 via the second heat exchanger 3, thanks to an additional passage 27. Just as for the additional pass 26, the refrigerant fluid circulating in the additional passage 27 does not undergo heat exchanges and just allows the refrigerant fluid to exit the heat treatment module 1. This being done, the refrigerant fluid can for example circulate to a compression device not shown.

[0064] Figure 3 shows a second example of circulation within the first embodiment of the heat treatment module 1. This second example of circulation differs from the first example of circulation only by the exit of the refrigerant fluid from the heat treatment module 1 from the second channel 25. Thus, instead of passing through the additional passage as illustrated in Figure 2, the refrigerant fluid passes back into the first heat exchanger 2 via an additional pass 28 within which, just as for the additional pass 26, no heat exchange takes place. According to this example, the refrigerant fluid outlet illustrated in Figure 1 on the second heat exchanger 3 must here be positioned at the first heat exchanger 2.

[0065] Figure 4 represents a second embodiment of the heat treatment module 1. This second embodiment is distinguished from the first embodiment by the position of the expansion member 5. Reference will therefore be made to the description of Figure 1 for everything concerning the characteristics common to the two embodiments.

[0066] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises a space 35 separating an assembly formed by the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 3 and the internal heat exchanger 4. The space 35 makes it possible to house a plurality of elements, in particular the expansion member 5 which is therefore here interposed between the two heat exchangers 2, 3 and the internal heat exchanger 4. Thus, according to this second embodiment, the expansion member 5 is integral with the first heat exchanger 2, the second heat exchanger 3 and the internal heat exchanger 4, for example by welding.

[0067] It is also possible to observe that the space 35 also houses a connection block 36. The latter ensures a fluid connection between the first heat exchanger 2 and the internal heat exchanger 4 and thus allows the refrigerant to pass through the space 35. According to the second embodiment, it is with the second end plate 33 of the first heat exchanger 2 and of the second heat exchanger 3 that the expansion member 5 is secured. As mentioned previously, the second end plate 33 corresponds to the plate 30 of the first heat exchanger 2 and of the second heat exchanger 3 arranged opposite the internal heat exchanger 4. The expansion member 5 being, according to this embodiment, in contact with the internal heat exchanger 4, said expansion member 5 is therefore secured to the end plate 34 of said internal heat exchanger 4.

[0068] Figure 5 schematically illustrates the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within the first section 18, as well as the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the first heat exchanger 2. As for figures 2 and 3, the circulations of figures 5 and 6 are represented by lines of different thicknesses, the thickest lines corresponding to the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within the first section 18, the thinnest lines corresponding to the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within the second section 19 and the lines of intermediate thickness corresponding to the circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

[0069] The refrigerant enters the first pass 20 of the first heat exchanger 2 via the refrigerant inlet 7 while the heat transfer liquid enters the second pass 21 via the heat transfer liquid inlet 9. Just as for the first embodiment, the heat exchange carried out in the first heat exchanger 2 is between the refrigerant circulating in the first pass 20 and the heat transfer liquid circulating in the second pass 21. Following this heat exchange, the heat transfer liquid leaves the first heat exchanger 2 via the heat transfer liquid outlet 10.

[0070] The refrigerant fluid joins the first channel 24 of the internal heat exchanger 4 via the connection block 36 mentioned above. After participating in the heat exchange carried out within the internal heat exchanger 4, the refrigerant fluid can then directly join the expansion member 5. It is thus understood that the second embodiment of the heat treatment module 1, and particularly the arrangement of the expansion member 5, makes it possible to avoid setting up the additional pass, as for the first embodiment. The expansion member 5 thus allows a direct fluid connection between the first channel 24 of the internal heat exchanger 4 and the first passage of the second heat exchanger.

[0071] Figure 6 illustrates the continuation of the circulation of the refrigerant fluid, i.e. the second section 19 of the refrigerant circuit, after the refrigerant fluid has been expanded by the expansion member 5. Figure 6 also makes it possible to illustrate that the space 35, in addition to housing the expansion member 5 and the connection block, also houses a first connection element 37 and a second connection element 38 allowing the refrigerant fluid to access the second channel 25 and to exit from the outside of the heat treatment module 1. The first connection element 37 participates in the fluid connection between the first passage 22 and the second channel 25 as will be described subsequently.

[0072] After having been expanded by the expansion member 5, the refrigerant fluid circulates within the first passage 22 of the second heat exchanger 3. The refrigerant fluid being at the second temperature when circulating in the second section 19, this makes it possible to cool the heat transfer liquid circulating in the second passage 23 after entering via the inlet orifice 11 and before exiting via the outlet orifice 12.

[0073] The refrigerant, after having been at least partially evaporated during the heat exchange carried out in the second heat exchanger 3, leaves the latter via the refrigerant outlet 8 and can for example circulate within an external pipe 29 until it reaches an accumulation device 6, external to the heat treatment module 1. The accumulation device 6 is capable of containing a liquid fraction of refrigerant which has not been evaporated during the heat exchange carried out in the second heat exchanger 3. The accumulation device 6 thus avoids the circulation of refrigerant in the liquid state to the compression device, which is only capable of compressing a small percentage of oil and refrigerant in the liquid state mixed with the refrigerant in the gaseous state.

[0074] Thus, only a small percentage of oil of refrigerant fluid in the liquid state mixed with the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous state leaves the accumulation device and circulates to the first connection element 37 in order to circulate in the second channel 25. The first connection element 37 therefore indirectly ensures the connection between the first passage 22 and the second channel 25. The heat exchange carried out in the internal heat exchanger 4 is carried out with the refrigerant fluid circulating in the first channel, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The refrigerant fluid circulating in the second channel 25 then leaves through the second connection element 38 in order to reach the compression device, not illustrated.

[0075] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0076] The invention, as just described, achieves the aim it set for itself, and makes it possible to propose a heat treatment module grouping together two heat exchangers, an expansion member integral with these two heat exchangers, and an internal heat exchanger. Variants not described here could be implemented without departing from the context of the invention, provided that, in accordance with the invention, they comprise a heat treatment module in accordance with the invention.

Claims

DEMANDS 1- Heat treatment module (1) for a vehicle heat treatment system, comprising a first heat exchanger (2), a second heat exchanger (3) and an internal heat exchanger (4), the first heat exchanger (2) and the second heat exchanger (3) both being configured to operate a heat exchange between a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer fluid, the internal heat exchanger (4) being configured to operate a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid subjected in the heat treatment system to two different temperature levels, characterized in that the heat treatment module (1) comprises at least one expansion member (5) integral with the first heat exchanger (2) and / or the second heat exchanger (3). 2- Heat treatment module (1) according to claim 1, in which the first heat exchanger (2) comprises a first pass (20) configured to be traversed by the refrigerant fluid and a second pass (21) configured to be traversed by the heat transfer fluid, the second heat exchanger (3) comprising a first pass (22) configured to be traversed by the refrigerant fluid and a second pass (23) configured to be traversed by the heat transfer fluid, the internal heat exchanger (4) comprising a first channel (24) configured to be traversed by the refrigerant fluid at a first temperature and a second channel (25) configured to be traversed by the refrigerant fluid at a second temperature different from the first temperature. 3- Heat treatment module (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least the first pass (20) of the first heat exchanger (2) and at least the first channel (24) of the internal heat exchanger (4) form a first section (18) configured to circulate the refrigerant fluid at the first temperature. 4- Heat treatment module (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least the first pass (22) of the second heat exchanger (3) and at least the second channel (25) of the heat exchanger internal (4) form a second section (19) configured to circulate the refrigerant fluid at the second temperature. 5- Heat treatment module (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the expansion member (5) separates the first section (18) from the second section (19) within the heat treatment module (1). 6- Heat treatment module (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first heat exchanger (2) and the second heat exchanger (3) each comprise a heat exchange block (15) at the end of which is disposed an upper wall (13) for the first heat exchanger (2) and an upper face (14) for the second heat exchanger (3), the expansion member (5) being disposed at the upper wall (13) of the first heat exchanger (2) and / or the upper face (14) of the second heat exchanger (3), the upper wall (13) of the first heat exchanger (2) and the upper face (14) of the second heat exchanger (3) being arranged opposite the internal heat exchanger (4) with respect to the heat exchange block (15) of at least one of the heat exchangers (2, 3). 7- Heat treatment module (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the first heat exchanger (2) includes an additional pass (26), the expansion member (5) ensuring a direct fluidic connection between the additional pass (26) of the first heat exchanger (2) and the first pass (22) of the second heat exchanger (3). 8- Heat treatment module (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first heat exchanger (2) and the second heat exchanger (3) form a set, the expansion member (5) being disposed within a space (35) interposed between the set formed by the heat exchangers (2, 3) and the internal heat exchanger (4). 9- Heat treatment module (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the space (35) houses a connecting block (36) ensuring a fluidic connection between the first pass (20) of the first heat exchanger (2) and the first channel (24) of the internal heat exchanger (4). 10- Heat treatment module (1) according to claim 8 or 9, in which the space (35) houses at least one connecting element (37, 38) participating in a fluidic connection between the first passage (22) of the second heat exchanger (3) and the second channel (25) of the internal heat exchanger (4). 11- Heat treatment module (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the expansion member (5) ensures a direct fluidic connection between the first channel (24) of the internal heat exchanger (4) and the first passage (22) of the second heat exchanger (3).