Thermal management module for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal management module for a motor vehicle, - which has a refrigerant circuit in which at least two heat exchangers of the thermal management module are arranged, the heat exchangers serving to transfer heat between a refrigerant and a coolant which is guided through the heat exchangers fluidically separated from the refrigerant, - which also has a component carrier on which at least one of the heat exchangers is arranged, - in which a channel structure with fluid paths is formed in the component carrier, which fluid paths are arranged in the refrigerant circuit, - in which, in order to form the channel structure, the component carrier has at least two channel plates which are stacked on one another in a stacking direction and delimit the fluid paths, the channel plates being arranged in the stacking direction between two cover plates which lie opposite one another in the stacking direction, - in which a fluid guide body is arranged on a first of the two cover plates, in which fluid guide body at least one further fluid path is formed which is in fluid communication with the channel structure of the component carrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a thermal management module for motor vehicles and a motor vehicle having such a thermal management module. Background Technology

[0002] A so-called thermal management module for regulating the temperature of vehicle components in a motor vehicle includes a closed refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant circulates. In such a vehicle, a coolant circuit is provided fluidly separately from the refrigerant circuit, in which coolant circulates separately from the refrigerant. The coolant allows for the temperature regulation of various vehicle components and the interior space of the motor vehicle. The refrigerant circuit, containing the refrigerant, regulates the temperature of the coolant circulating in the coolant circuit and, in particular, absorbs heat from the coolant. This typically occurs using two heat exchangers in the thermal management module, arranged in both the refrigerant and coolant circuits, so that the two circuits, and consequently the refrigerant and coolant, are thermally coupled to each other in the two heat exchangers. In this way, heat can be transferred between the refrigerant and coolant. It has proven advantageous that the closed refrigerant circuit does not come into contact with the vehicle components to be regulated and does not need to be guided through the vehicle interior space, which is generally no longer permitted in modern motor vehicles for safety reasons and due to legal regulations.

[0003] In practice, only a limited amount of structural space is typically available for installing such a thermal management module in a motor vehicle. This has proven particularly problematic due to the often complex fluid guidance involved in the refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit.

[0004] Therefore, conventional thermal management modules have a so-called component carrier, which not only secures the different functional components of the thermal management module to the component carrier, but also additionally forms a channel structure within the component carrier, which forms part of the refrigerant circuit. This channel structure includes a fluid path through which refrigerant can flow, the fluid path being in fluid communication with the functional components of the thermal management module, and refrigerant can be delivered to and from these functional components in this manner.

[0005] However, due to the typically extremely limited structural space in motor vehicles, component carriers with integrated fluid paths have also proven insufficient to achieve the fluid connections required in thermal management modules. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to describe new approaches in the development of thermal management modules. In particular, improved embodiments for thermal management modules should be provided, in which the aforementioned problems of complex fluid guidance within a smaller construction space are first partially, and preferably completely, eliminated.

[0007] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide an improved embodiment of the arrangement having a compressor and the aforementioned thermal management module, since the aforementioned disadvantages are at least partially, and preferably completely, eliminated.

[0008] This task is addressed through the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] Therefore, the basic concept of the present invention is to provide the above-mentioned component carrier of the thermal management module in order to supplement an additional fluid guide, in which at least one additional fluid path is formed.

[0010] The fluid guide can be constructed separately from the actual component carrier, and thus complements and expands the channel structure formed in the component carrier in terms of fluidity.

[0011] In the thermal management module according to the invention, the component carrier typically includes a plate-like channel plate that is stacked on top of each other in a stacking direction to form a channel structure with a fluid path, and the geometry of the fluid guide can be flexibly adapted to individualized edge conditions that vary due to the structural space.

[0012] Therefore, the structural space available in motor vehicles but not suitable for arranging component carriers with channel plates can also be used for refrigerant fluid guidance by arranging this fluid guide.

[0013] According to the present invention, the fluid guide is constructed as a separate component from the component carrier. This simplifies the manufacture of fluid guides with additional fluid paths, since the fluid guide and component carrier can be manufactured separately. In particular, the typically complex channel structure of the component carrier can be manufactured using a different manufacturing method than that used for the additional fluid paths in the fluid guide. Here, the component carrier with the channel structure can be manufactured by stacking and brazing multiple channel plates together along the stacking direction, as suggested by the present invention.

[0014] According to the invention, it is also proposed that the fluid guide be arranged on the cover plate of the component carrier. Therefore, only a smaller structural space is required for the combination consisting of the component carrier and the fluid guide.

[0015] According to the above-described inventive concept, the thermal management module according to the invention includes a preferably closed refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant can flow. At least two heat exchangers of the thermal management module are arranged in the refrigerant circuit, the heat exchangers being used to transfer heat between the refrigerant and a coolant that is fluidly guided through the heat exchangers separately from the refrigerant.

[0016] Furthermore, the thermal management module according to the invention includes a component carrier on which at least one heat exchanger is arranged, particularly fastened, preferably, both heat exchangers, and especially preferably all of the heat exchangers, are also arranged or fastened to the component carrier.

[0017] The component carrier of the thermal management module according to the invention comprises a channel structure having at least two fluid paths through which refrigerant can flow, the fluid being arranged in a refrigerant circuit. To construct the channel structure, the component carrier has at least two channel plates stacked together in a stacking direction, defining the fluid paths. The channel plates are arranged between two cover plates opposite each other in the stacking direction. The channel plates and cover plates can be connected to each other in a material-locking manner, particularly by brazing.

[0018] A fluid guide, constructed separately from the component carrier, is arranged on the first of the two cover plates. At least one additional fluid path is formed within the fluid guide, which is in fluid communication with the channel structure of the component carrier. Therefore, the component carrier and the fluid guide are constructed in at least two parts. However, it is also conceivable that the component carrier may be constructed in two or more parts, which in turn leads to a construction of at least three parts for both the component carrier and the fluid guide.

[0019] The thermal management module according to the invention can be part of a motor vehicle according to the invention, wherein a cooling circuit is provided through which coolant can flow and which is fluidly separated from the refrigerant circuit of the thermal management module. In this case, the cooling circuit and the refrigerant circuit are thermally coupled to each other by means of two heat exchangers of the thermal management module.

[0020] Particularly suitably, the fluid guide can be formed by extrusion or casting. In this way, the fluid guide can be manufactured at a particularly low cost, which has a favorable impact on the manufacturing cost of the thermal management module according to the invention.

[0021] Particularly preferably, at least one fluid path disposed in the fluid guide can be constructed in an open manner and can be fluid-tightly closed by a first cover plate of the component carrier. The open construction of at least one additional fluid path simplifies its manufacture, for which, for example, a milling method that is technically simple to implement can be used.

[0022] Therefore, preferably, at least one additional fluid path can be milled into the material of the fluid guide. Particularly preferably, all fluid paths formed in the fluid guide can be milled into the fluid guide.

[0023] According to an advantageous improvement of the thermal management module according to the invention, at least one fluid connector for connecting functional components of the thermal management module can be provided on the fluid guide, which is in fluid communication with at least one of at least one additional fluid path. In this way, similar to the component carrier, the functional components of the thermal management module can be directly mounted on the fluid guide and fluidly connected to the fluid guide.

[0024] In other preferred embodiments, a functional component may be housed in at least one fluid connector. In this embodiment, the functional component is a valve device for selectively fluid closing or releasing the fluid connector.

[0025] In other preferred embodiments, the channel plate and the two cover plates can be connected to each other in a material-locking manner, preferably by brazing. In this way, the channel structure formed in the fluid guide can be implemented with particular technical simplicity and especially along the stacking direction (saving structural space). Furthermore, it ensures the required sealing of the channel structure relative to the external environment of the fluid guide.

[0026] According to another advantageous improvement, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant can be arranged in the refrigerant circuit, particularly mounted on a component carrier. Therefore, the compressor acting as a compressor and the thermal management module can be installed as structural units on the vehicle.

[0027] In particular, it is possible that the closed refrigerant circuit (in which the compressor fluid is arranged) is already filled with refrigerant before the thermal management module and compressor are installed in the vehicle. This also simplifies the installation of the thermal management module in the vehicle.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, the thermal management module according to the invention may include a cooling module that is fluidly connected to or can be fluidly connected to the aforementioned cooling circuit of the motor vehicle and for this purpose may have a coolant path through which coolant can flow. Furthermore, the cooling module may have one, two, or more coolant connectors, so that vehicle components capable of temperature regulation by means of coolant can be connected to at least one coolant connector. For this purpose, corresponding cooling lines can be arranged between the respective vehicle components and the cooling module and connected to their respective coolant connectors.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having the aforementioned thermal management module according to the invention. Therefore, the aforementioned advantages of the thermal management module according to the invention can be transferred to a motor vehicle according to the invention. The motor vehicle according to the invention includes a cooling circuit through which coolant flows and which is fluidly separated from the refrigerant circuit of the thermal management module, wherein the cooling circuit and the refrigerant circuit are thermally coupled to each other in two heat exchangers of the thermal management module. Furthermore, the motor vehicle according to the invention includes at least one vehicle component capable of temperature regulation by means of a coolant circuit or by means of coolant.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the motor vehicle has an interior space that can be regulated by means of a coolant circuit or by means of a coolant.

[0031] Further important features and advantages of the invention are described by the dependent claims, the drawings, and related figures with reference to the drawings.

[0032] It should be understood that the features mentioned above and those described below may be used not only in the corresponding combinations, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and are described in detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical parts. Schematally, respectively: Figure 1 An example of a thermal management module according to the present invention is shown in perspective view; Figure 2 An explanation is provided. Figure 1 A rough schematic cross-sectional view of the arrangement of the component carriers and fluid guides of the thermal management module; Figure 3 , Figure 4 A detailed diagram illustrating the arrangement of the fluid guide on the component carrier is shown; Figure 5 It shows Figures 1 to 4 An improved version of the example. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1 An example of a thermal management module 1 according to the present invention is shown in perspective. The thermal management module 1 includes a closed refrigerant circuit 2 through which refrigerant can flow (in... Figure 1(Not shown in detail). At least two heat exchangers 3a, 3b of the thermal management module 1 are arranged in the refrigerant circuit 2 for transferring heat between the refrigerant and a coolant that is guided through the heat exchangers 3a, 3b in a manner separate from the refrigerant fluid. The aforementioned coolant can circulate in a coolant circuit (not shown) that is fluidly separate from the refrigerant circuit 2, in which two heat exchangers 3a, 3b are arranged. Thermal coupling between the refrigerant circuit 2 and the coolant circuit takes place in the two heat exchangers 3a, 3b.

[0035] The first heat exchanger 3a can be configured as a condenser, in which the refrigerant condenses. The heat released here can be transferred to the coolant. The second heat exchanger 3b can be configured as a so-called "chiller," in which the refrigerant is evaporated. The heat of evaporation required for evaporation is then extracted from the coolant. Therefore, the coolant temperature can be regulated by means of the two heat exchangers 3a and 3b. The coolant circuit can be thermally coupled to different vehicle components of the motor vehicle that are regulated by the coolant.

[0036] like Figure 1 As can be seen, the thermal management module 1 includes a component carrier 4, and two heat exchangers 3a and 3b are arranged and also fastened to the component carrier.

[0037] Other functional components of the thermal management module 1 can also be arranged and secured to the component carrier 4. Figure 1 In the example, the compressor 13, which is arranged in the refrigerant circuit 2 in terms of fluid and acts there as a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, is also arranged on the component carrier 4 and is also fastened thereto.

[0038] First heat exchanger 3a from Figure 1 From the perspective of [the first part], it is directly visible, while the second heat exchanger 3b is obscured by the component carrier 4. In [the second part], Figure 1 In the example scenario, the thermal management module 1 includes an additional heat exchanger 3c. The component carrier 4 can be arranged and also secured to the base carrier 19, which in the example scenario has an L-shaped geometry with a first L-side 20a and a second L-side 20b extending orthogonally thereto.

[0039] Subsequently, with the help of Figure 2 The structure of component carrier 4 is described in detail. Figure 2 The component carrier 4 is shown in a rough, schematic, and extremely simplified cross-sectional view along the stacking direction SR.

[0040] Therefore, a channel structure 5 is formed in the component carrier 4, which has a fluid path 6 through which refrigerant can flow. The channel structure 5 is fluidly arranged in the refrigerant circuit 2, that is, it forms part of the refrigerant circuit 2 of the thermal management module 1. For this purpose, the component carrier 4 has channel plates 7 that are stacked together along the stacking direction SR and define the fluid path 6. The channel plates 7 are arranged along the stacking direction SR between two cover plates 7a and 7b that are opposite each other in the stacking direction SR of the component carrier 4. In the example scenario, the channel plates 7 and the two cover plates 7a and 7b of the component carrier 4 are brazed together. In this way, the channel structure 7 is fluid-tightly sealed relative to the coolant circuit and the external environment 15 of the component carrier 4.

[0041] As from Figure 2 As can be seen, a fluid guide 8 is arranged on the first cover 7a of the two cover plates 7a and 7b, forming an additional fluid path 9. This fluid path 9 can be fluidly connected to the channel structure 5 of the component carrier 4 through a through hole 14 formed in the cover plate 7a (for clarity, the fluid guide 8 is shown in the image). Figure 1 (Not shown in the illustration).

[0042] In a variant not shown in the example, two or more such fluid paths 9 may also be provided. Suitably, the fluid paths 9 may be fluidly connected to each other, or they may be fluidly separated from each other. In particular, by means of the fluid paths 9, the different functional components of the thermal management module 1 (including heat exchangers 3a, 3b, 3c arranged in the refrigerant circuit 2) may be fluidly connected to each other. In this way, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 2 may also be guided to these functional components and then withdrawn from them again.

[0043] Figure 3 and Figure 4 An application example of the thermal management module 1 according to the invention, having a component carrier 4 and a fluid guide 8, is shown. The fluid guide 8 is constructed as a separate component relative to the component carrier 4. Suitably, the fluid guide 8 can be formed by an extruded or cast component 21.

[0044] Here, as Figure 2 As shown, the fluid path 9 can be constructed open toward the cover plate 7a and is fluid-tightly sealed by the first cover plate 7a of the component carrier 4. The fluid path 9 can then be milled into the material of the fluid guide 8. The fluid guide 8 can be arranged on the outer side 16 of the first cover plate 7a opposite to the channel plate 7. To achieve a fluid seal for the fluid path 9, the cover plate 7a and the fluid guide 8 can be material-locked together, particularly by means of adhesive or brazing.

[0045] The cooling module 17 can be arranged and also secured to the additional component carrier 4a.

[0046] Figure 5 It shows Figures 1 to 4 An improved version of the example, Figure 5 A partial illustration of the thermal management module 1 is shown in a top view of the first cover plate 7a of the component carrier 4 along the stacking direction SR. The fluid guide 8 arranged on the first cover plate 7a is clearly visible. This fluid guide... Figure 5 The middle part is shown transparently, so that the fluid path 9 present in the fluid guide 8 can be seen.

[0047] As in Figure 5 As can also be seen, two fluid connectors 10 are formed on the fluid conductor 8, with a fluid path 9 leading into the fluid connectors, and the fluid connectors are thus fluidly connected to each other through the fluid path 9. Figure 5 The transparent diagram also shows the through hole 14 arranged in the fluid path 9, through which the fluid path 9 connects with the component carrier 4 (in... Figure 5 (Invisible in the middle) Channel structure 7 connected.

[0048] exist Figure 5 In the example scenario, a functional component 11 in the form of a valve device 12 is arranged in each of the two fluid connectors 10. Each valve device 12 is used to selectively close or release the associated fluid connector 10.

[0049] The thermal management module 1 described above with reference to the accompanying drawings can be part of a motor vehicle (not shown) according to the present invention, in which a cooling circuit is provided through which coolant can flow and which is fluidly separated from the refrigerant circuit 2 of the thermal management module 1. In this case, the cooling circuit and the refrigerant circuit 2 are thermally coupled to each other in the two heat exchangers 3a and 3b of the thermal management module 1.

[0050] Now refer to it again Figure 1 As illustrated, the thermal management module 1 may include a cooling module 17, which can be fluidly connected to the aforementioned cooling circuit (not shown) and may have a coolant path (not shown) through which coolant can flow. Furthermore, the cooling module 17 may have one, two, or more coolant connectors 18 to which vehicle components (not shown) capable of temperature regulation by coolant can be connected. Accordingly, corresponding cooling lines (not shown) may be arranged between the respective vehicle components and the cooling module 17 and connected to their respective coolant connectors 18.

[0051] The above description of temperature control for vehicle components applies, when necessary, to temperature control of the interior space of a motor vehicle that is thermally coupled to the coolant circuit.

[0052] List of reference numerals

[0053] 1 Thermal Management Module

[0054] 2 Refrigerant Circuit

[0055] 3a, 3b First / Second Heat Exchangers

[0056] 4. Component carrier

[0057] 4a Additional component carrier

[0058] 5-channel structure

[0059] 6. Fluid Path

[0060] 7-channel board

[0061] 7a, 7b First / Second Cover Plate

[0062] 8. Fluid guide

[0063] 9. Fluid Path

[0064] 10. Fluid connector

[0065] 11 Functional Components

[0066] 12 Valve Device

[0067] 13 Compressors

[0068] 14 Through holes

[0069] 15 External Environment

[0070] 16 Outer side

[0071] 17 Cooling Module

[0072] 18 Coolant Connector

[0073] 19 Basic Carriers

[0074] 20a, 20b First / Second L Side

[0075] 21 components

[0076] SR stacking direction

Claims

1. A thermal management module for motor vehicles (1). - The thermal management module has a closed refrigerant circuit (2) through which refrigerant can flow, and at least two heat exchangers (3a, 3b) of the thermal management module (1) are arranged in the refrigerant circuit, the heat exchangers being used to transfer heat between the refrigerant and the coolant that is fluidly guided through the heat exchangers (3a, 3b) separately from the refrigerant fluid. - The thermal management module also has a component carrier (4), on which at least one heat exchanger (3a, 3b) is arranged, and in particular fastened, to the component carrier. - Wherein, a channel structure (5) with at least two fluid paths (6) through which the refrigerant can flow is formed in the component carrier (4), and the fluid of the channel structure is arranged in the refrigerant circuit (2). - in, To form the channel structure (5), the component carrier (4) has at least two channel plates (7) that are stacked together along the stacking direction (SR) and define the fluid path (6), the channel plates being arranged between two cover plates (7a, 7b) that are opposite each other in the stacking direction (SR). - In this case, a fluid guide (8) is arranged on the first cover plate (7a) of the two cover plates (7a, 7b), which is separately constructed from the component carrier (4), and at least one additional fluid path (9) is formed in the fluid guide that is in fluid communication with the channel structure (5) of the component carrier (4).

2. The thermal management module according to claim 1, Its features are, The fluid guide (8) is formed by an extruded or cast component (21).

3. The thermal management module according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least one additional fluid path (9) present in the fluid guide (8) is constructed open and is fluid-tightly closed by the first cover (7a) of the component carrier (4).

4. The thermal management module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, At least one additional fluid path (9) is milled into the material of the fluid guide (8).

5. The thermal management module according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, At least one fluid connector (10) is provided on the fluid guide (8) for connecting the functional component (11) of the thermal management module (1), and the fluid connector is in fluid communication with at least one other fluid path (9).

6. The thermal management module according to claim 5, Its features are, - A functional component (11) is housed in at least one fluid connector (10). - The functional component (11) is a valve device (12) for selectively fluid closing or releasing the fluid connector (10).

7. The thermal management module according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The channel plate (6) and the two cover plates (7a, 7b) are interlocked by at least one brazing bonding material.

8. The thermal management module according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, A compressor (13) for compressing refrigerant is arranged in the refrigerant circuit (2), and is mounted, in particular, on the component carrier (4).

9. A motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having: - Thermal management module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. - A cooling circuit through which coolant can flow and which is fluidly separated from the refrigerant circuit (2) of the thermal management module (1), wherein, The cooling circuit and the refrigerant circuit (2) are thermally coupled to each other in the two heat exchangers (3a, 3b) of the thermal management module (1). - At least one vehicle component capable of temperature regulation using coolant circulating in the coolant circuit.

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, Its features are, The motor vehicle has an interior space that can be regulated by means of coolant circulating in a coolant circuit.

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