Monoblock heat exchanger with at least two heat exchanger blocks, each comprising a circulation path for a refrigerant and a circulation path for a heat transfer fluid

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger. Such an exchanger according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 2 420 763. The present invention also relates to an installation comprising a refrigerant fluid circuit, a heat transfer fluid circuit and such a refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger. The present invention also relates to a method for cooling an electrical storage device of a motor vehicle by means of such an installation.

[0002] In the automotive field, it is common to have to modify the temperature of a component, such as an electric motor, a battery, a device for storing calories and / or frigories or the like. For this purpose, the motor vehicle is equipped with an installation which comprises a refrigerant circuit inside which a refrigerant circulates and a heat transfer liquid circuit inside which a heat transfer liquid circulates. The refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, a heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant at constant pressure, an expansion member for allowing expansion of the refrigerant and a refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger which is arranged to allow heat transfer between the refrigerant and the heat transfer liquid.The heat transfer fluid circuit includes a pump and a heat exchanger capable of modifying the temperature of the component.

[0003] The refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger is an exchanger comprising plates stacked and joined together to form tubes delimiting channels for the circulation of the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid. The plate includes four orifices to allow an inlet and outlet of the refrigerant, and an inlet and outlet of the heat transfer fluid inside the circulation channels located on either side of the same plate.

[0004] The refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger is bordered longitudinally by a first cheek and a second cheek between which the plates are arranged. The first cheek is provided with four passages to allow an inlet and outlet of the refrigerant fluid, and an inlet and outlet of the heat transfer fluid inside the circulation channels located on either side of the same plate. The second cheek is free of passages.

[0005] It is common to have to cool the component in different ways, especially when it includes at least one electric battery. Indeed, it is necessary to cool the electric battery during its charging, during which the electric battery tends to heat up. The electric battery can be recharged in fast charging mode in which the charging time is short and the electric charging current is high, or in normal charging mode in which the charging time is long and the electric charging current is low. However, the heating of the electric battery is generally proportional to the electric charging current.

[0006] Thus, it is common to have to cool the electric battery in fast charging mode in which the electric battery dissipates a significant amount of heat requiring that a cooling power provided by the heat exchanger is also significant. It is also common to have to cool the electric battery in normal charging mode in which the electric battery dissipates a small amount of heat, which a cooling power significantly lower than that required in fast charging mode is sufficient to dissipate.

[0007] To accommodate these two distinct operating modes, the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger is typically configured to provide the high cooling power required when the electric battery is in fast charging mode. In other words, the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger is sized and configured to provide high cooling power, corresponding to that required to dissipate the heat supplied by the battery in fast charging mode.

[0008] However, and paradoxically, it appears that a refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger configured in this way has a degraded cooling efficiency when the required cooling power is low. In other words, it appears that the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger configured in this way cools the electric battery less well in normal charging mode than the same electric battery in fast charging mode.

[0009] An aim of the present invention is to propose a refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger configured to efficiently and quickly provide cooling power adapted according to various operating conditions of the electric battery.

[0010] The present invention improves the situation by proposing a refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger having the technical characteristics of claim 1.

[0011] The refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger advantageously comprises at least one of the following technical characteristics, taken alone or in combination: the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger is a single-piece unit in the sense that the heat exchange blocks constituting the heat exchanger cannot be separated from one another without destroying at least one of the heat exchange blocks, the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger and its heat exchange blocks are a single unit and cannot operate after the heat exchange blocks have been separated from one another, the refrigerant circulation paths and the heat transfer fluid circulation paths are arranged so as to allow an exchange of calories between the refrigerant intended to circulate inside the refrigerant circulation paths and the heat transfer fluid intended to circulate inside the heat transfer fluid circulation paths,the circulation paths being housed indifferently inside the first heat exchange block or the second heat exchange block, a first volume of the first heat exchange block is between 50% and 70% of a total volume of the single-piece refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger, a second volume of the second heat exchange block is between 30% and 50% of the total volume of the single-piece refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger, the first heat exchange block and the second heat exchange block are longitudinally abutted by means of the separation plate, the separation plate is equipped with means for centering the first heat exchange block and the second heat exchange block on the separation plate, the centering means comprise at least a plurality of bosses, the bosses equip both faces of the separation plate, each boss has a top which is intended to be brazed onto any one of the heat exchange blocks,the fixing means allow fixing of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger to a part of its environment, the fixing means comprise at least one opening fitted to an area of ​​the separation plate overhanging any of the flanks and / or sides of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger, the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger extends longitudinally between a first cheek and a second cheek, the first cheek being provided with four passages, including a first passage, a second passage, a third passage and a fourth passage, and the second cheek being provided with four passages, including a fifth passage, a sixth passage, a seventh passage and an eighth passage, the first heat exchange block is longitudinally bordered on one side by the first cheek and on the other side by the separation plate,the second heat exchange block is longitudinally bordered on one side by the separation plate and on the other side by the second cheek, the first passage and the second passage constitute the first circulation path of the refrigerant fluid, the third passage and the fourth passage constitute the first circulation path of the heat transfer liquid, the fifth passage and the sixth passage constitute the second circulation path of the refrigerant fluid, and the seventh passage and the eighth passage constitute the second circulation path of the heat transfer liquid, the first circulation path of the refrigerant fluid and the first circulation path of the heat transfer liquid are shaped in a “U”, the second circulation path of the refrigerant fluid and the second circulation path of the heat transfer liquid are shaped in a “U”,the first passage and the fourth passage constitute the first circulation path of the refrigerant fluid, the second passage and the third passage constitute the first circulation path of the heat transfer liquid, the fifth passage and the eighth passage constitute the second circulation path of the refrigerant fluid, and the sixth passage and the seventh passage constitute the second circulation path of the heat transfer liquid, the first circulation path of the refrigerant fluid and the first circulation path of the heat transfer liquid are shaped in an “I” shape, the second circulation path of the refrigerant fluid and the second circulation path of the heat transfer liquid are shaped in an “I” shape, the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger is a plate exchanger comprising the separating plate and exchange plates which are assembled together by brazing, the first heat exchange block,the second heat exchange block and the separation plate are secured by means of a mechanical assembly means, the mechanical assembly means comprises assembly means by screwing using screws, nuts or the like, by clipping, by fitting or the like, the exchange plates constituting the first heat exchange block are identical to the exchange plates constituting the second heat exchange block, the exchange plates are exchange plates of the first type intended to conform the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger into a “U” heat exchanger, the exchange plates are exchange plates of the second type intended to conform the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger into an “I” heat exchanger, ,

[0012] The present invention also relates to a heat treatment installation for a component fitted to a motor vehicle, the installation comprising a refrigerant circuit, a heat transfer liquid circuit and such a refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger, the refrigerant circuit comprising a first refrigerant circulation branch and a second refrigerant circulation branch which are arranged in parallel to one another, the heat transfer liquid circuit comprising a first heat transfer liquid circulation branch and a second heat transfer liquid circulation branch which are arranged in parallel to one another, in which the first refrigerant circulation path constitutes the first refrigerant circulation branch,the first heat transfer fluid circulation path constitutes the first heat transfer fluid circulation branch, the second refrigerant fluid circulation path constitutes the second refrigerant fluid circulation branch and the second heat transfer fluid circulation path constitutes the second heat transfer fluid circulation branch, , the first heat exchange block is installed on the first refrigerant circulation branch and on the first heat transfer liquid circulation branch, the second heat exchange block is installed on the second refrigerant circulation branch and on the second heat transfer liquid circulation branch, the first refrigerant circulation branch and the second refrigerant circulation branch are arranged in parallel between a first point of the refrigerant circuit and a second point of the refrigerant circuit, at least one of the first point of the refrigerant circuit and the second point of the refrigerant circuit being equipped with a first member for controlling a supply of a refrigerant to the heat exchange blocks of the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger,the first control member is for example a three-way valve or any other control means authorizing or prohibiting a supply of refrigerant fluid to the first refrigerant circulation branch and / or the second refrigerant circulation branch, the first heat transfer fluid circulation branch and the second heat transfer fluid circulation branch are arranged in parallel between a first point of the heat transfer fluid circuit and a second point of the heat transfer fluid circuit, at least one of the first point of the heat transfer fluid circuit and the second point of the heat transfer fluid circuit being equipped with a second control member for a supply of a heat transfer fluid to the heat exchange blocks of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger,the second control member is for example a three-way valve or any other control means authorizing or prohibiting a supply of heat transfer liquid to the first heat transfer liquid circulation branch and / or to the second heat transfer liquid circulation branch.

[0013] The present invention also relates to a method for cooling an electrical storage device of a motor vehicle by means of such an installation, in which: the first heat exchange block and the second heat exchange block are traversed by the refrigerant fluid and by the heat transfer liquid when the electrical storage device is in a fast charging mode, and only the first heat exchange block is traversed by the refrigerant fluid and by the heat transfer liquid when the electrical storage device is in an intermediate charging mode, only the second heat exchange block is traversed by the refrigerant fluid and by the heat transfer liquid when the electrical storage device is in a normal charging mode.

[0014] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following non-limiting description, drawn up with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] - there figure 1 represents an installation of the present invention, according to a first mode of cooling a component. Fig. 2 ] - there figure 2 represents the installation illustrated on the figure 1 , according to a second mode of cooling the component. [ Fig. 3 ] - there figure 3 represents the installation illustrated on the figures 1 et 2 , according to a third mode of cooling the component. [ Fig. 4 ] - there figure 4 represents in perspective a refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger of the present invention which constitutes the installation illustrated in the figures 1 à 3 . [ Fig. 5 ] - there figure 5 schematically illustrates the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger shown in the figure 4 . [ Fig. 6 ] - there figure 6 represents a front view of a separating plate constituting the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger shown in the figures 4 And 5 . [ Fig. 7 ] - there figure 7 represents a side view of the separation plate shown in the figure 6 . [ Fig. 8 ] - there figure 8 schematically illustrates an exchange plate of the first type constituting a first variant embodiment of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger illustrated in the figures 4 And 5 . [ Fig. 9 ] - there figure 9 schematically illustrates a second type exchange plate constituting a second variant embodiment of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger illustrated in the figures 4 And 5 . [ Fig. 10 ] - there figure 10 schematically illustrates a refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger made from plates illustrated on the figure 8 . [ Fig. 11 ] - there figure 11 schematically illustrates a refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger made from plates illustrated on the figure 9 . [ Fig. 12 ] - there figure 12 schematically illustrates an end plate constituting one embodiment of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger illustrated in the figures 10 ou 11 .

[0015] On the figures 1 à 3 , a motor vehicle is equipped with a component 1 which needs to be cooled or heated, for example to optimize its operation. Such a component 1 is for example an electric or thermal engine intended to at least partially propel the motor vehicle, an electrical storage device comprising at least one electric battery provided for storing electrical energy, a device for storing calories and / or frigories or the like. The component 1 is more particularly an electrical storage device comprising at least one electric battery, which can be recharged in particular in fast charging mode in which a charging time is short and an electric charging current is high, or in normal charging mode in which the charging time is long and the electric charging current is low.The present invention aims to efficiently cool the electric battery, whatever its charging mode: fast charging mode in which the electric battery heats up quickly and strongly, as shown in the . figure 1 , or normal charging mode in which the electric battery heats up slowly and weakly, as shown in the figure 2 , or even in an intermediate mode in which the battery heats up moderately, notably more than in normal charging mode and less than in fast charging mode, as shown in the figure 3 .

[0016] For this purpose, the motor vehicle is equipped with an installation 2 which comprises a refrigerant circuit 3 inside which circulates a refrigerant 4, carbon dioxide for example or the like, and a heat transfer liquid circuit 5 inside which circulates a heat transfer liquid 6, glycolated water in particular or the like. The installation 2 is configured to modify a temperature of the component 1, and in particular to cool the component 1.

[0017] The installation 2 comprises at least one refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 according to the present invention. The installation 2 is described below to better understand the present invention but the characteristics of the installation 2 described are in no way restrictive for the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 of the present invention. In other words, the installation 2 is likely to have distinct structural characteristics and / or operating methods different from those described without the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 deviating from the rules of the present invention.

[0018] The refrigerant circuit 3 successively comprises a compressor 7 for compressing the refrigerant 4, a refrigerant / external air exchanger 8 for cooling the refrigerant 4 at constant pressure, for example placed on the front of the motor vehicle, an expansion member 9 for allowing expansion of the refrigerant 4, a first control member 10 for controlling a supply of refrigerant 4 to the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 and the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 which is arranged to allow heat transfer between the refrigerant 4 and the heat transfer fluid 6.

[0019] The first control member 10 is capable of directing the refrigerant 4 from the expansion member 9 to at least one of a first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and a second refrigerant circulation branch 10b that the refrigerant circuit 3 comprises, the first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and the second refrigerant circulation branch 10b being arranged in parallel with each other. The first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and the second refrigerant circulation branch 10b are arranged in parallel between a first point of the refrigerant circuit 51 and a second point of the refrigerant circuit 52.The first point of the refrigerant circuit 51 is located between the expansion member 9 and the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 while the second point of the refrigerant circuit 52 is placed between the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 and the compressor 7.

[0020] The first point of the refrigerant circuit 51 is equipped with the first control member 10 for the refrigerant supply 4 to the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. According to another variant, the second point of the refrigerant circuit 52 is equipped with the first control member 10 for the refrigerant supply 4 to the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 constitutes the first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and the second refrigerant circulation branch 10b.

[0021] The first control member 10 comprises, for example, a three-way valve or any other control means authorizing or prohibiting a supply of refrigerant fluid 4 to the first refrigerant fluid circulation branch 10a and / or to the second refrigerant fluid circulation branch 10b.

[0022] The heat transfer fluid circuit 5 successively comprises a pump 14 for circulating the heat transfer fluid 6 inside the heat transfer fluid circuit 5, a second control member 15 for controlling a heat transfer fluid supply 6 to the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11, the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 which also constitutes the refrigerant fluid circuit 3, and a heat exchanger 16, the heat exchanger 16 being capable of modifying a temperature of the component 1, in particular by direct contact provided between the component 1 and the heat exchanger 16.

[0023] The second control member 15 is capable of directing the heat transfer liquid 6 from the pump 14 to at least one of a first heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15a and a second heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15b that the heat transfer liquid circuit 5 comprises, the first heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15a and the second heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15b being arranged in parallel with each other. The first heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15a and the second heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15b are arranged in parallel between a first point of the heat transfer liquid circuit 61 and a second point of the heat transfer liquid circuit 62.The first point of the heat transfer fluid circuit 61 is located between the pump 14 and the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 while the second point of the heat transfer fluid circuit 62 is placed between the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 and the heat exchanger 16.

[0024] The first point of the heat transfer liquid circuit 61 is equipped with the second control member 15 for supplying heat transfer liquid 6 to the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11. According to another variant, the second point of the heat transfer liquid circuit 62 is equipped with the second control member 15 for supplying heat transfer liquid 6 to the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11. The refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 constitutes the first heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15a and the second heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15b.

[0025] The second control member 15 comprises, for example, a three-way valve or any other control means authorizing or prohibiting a supply of heat transfer liquid 6 to the first heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15a and / or to the second heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15b.

[0026] To constitute the first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and the second refrigerant circulation branch 10b as well as the first heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15a and the second heat transfer liquid circulation branch 15b, the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 has a particular structure and arrangement.

[0027] Indeed, the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 comprises at least two refrigerant fluid circulation paths 21a, 21b and at least two heat transfer liquid circulation paths 22a, 22b.

[0028] More particularly, the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 comprises at least a first refrigerant circulation path 21a and a second refrigerant circulation path 21b. The first refrigerant circulation path 21a and the second refrigerant circulation path 21b are arranged parallel to each other inside the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. Thus, the first refrigerant circulation path 21a is an integral part of the first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and the second refrigerant circulation path 21b is an integral part of the second refrigerant circulation branch 10b.

[0029] Similarly, the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 comprises at least a first heat transfer fluid circulation path 22a and a second heat transfer fluid circulation path 22b. The first heat transfer fluid circulation path 22a and the second heat transfer fluid circulation path 22b are arranged parallel to each other inside the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. Thus, the first heat transfer fluid circulation path 22a is an integral part of the first heat transfer fluid circulation branch 15a and the second heat transfer fluid circulation path 22b is an integral part of the second heat transfer fluid circulation branch 15b.

[0030] The first refrigerant circulation path 21a and the first heat transfer liquid circulation path 22a are arranged so that the refrigerant 4 present inside the first refrigerant circulation path 21a exchanges calories with the heat transfer liquid 6 present inside the first heat transfer liquid circulation path 22a.

[0031] Likewise, the second refrigerant circulation path 21b and the second heat transfer liquid circulation path 22b are arranged so that the refrigerant 4 present inside the second refrigerant circulation path 21b exchanges calories with the heat transfer liquid 6 present inside the second heat transfer liquid circulation path 22b.

[0032] Preferably, the first refrigerant circulation path 21a comprises several first refrigerant circulation channels 211a and the first heat transfer liquid circulation path 22a comprises several first heat transfer liquid circulation channels 221a, a first refrigerant circulation channel 211a being interposed between two first heat transfer liquid circulation channels 221a and a first heat transfer liquid circulation channel 221a being interposed between two first refrigerant circulation channels 211a.

[0033] Preferably, the second refrigerant circulation path 21b comprises several second refrigerant circulation channels 211b and the second heat transfer liquid circulation path 22b comprises several second heat transfer liquid circulation channels 221b, a second refrigerant circulation channel 211b being interposed between two second heat transfer liquid circulation channels 221b and a second heat transfer liquid circulation channel 221b being interposed between two second refrigerant circulation channels 211b.

[0034] The refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 is an exchanger which comprises a first heat exchange block 41 extending between a first cheek 23 and a separation plate 40 and a second heat exchange block 42 which extends between the separation plate 40 and a second cheek 24. In other words, the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 is formed of two heat exchange blocks 41, 42 which are sealed with each other and which are separated and fluidically isolated from each other by the separation plate 40.

[0035] The first heat exchange block 41 houses the first refrigerant circulation path 21a and the first heat transfer liquid circulation path 22a while the second heat exchange block 42 houses the second refrigerant circulation path 21b and the second heat transfer liquid circulation path 22b. It is understood from this that the first refrigerant circulation path 21a and the first heat transfer liquid circulation path 22a are located on one side of the partition plate 40 and that the second refrigerant circulation path 21b and the second heat transfer liquid circulation path 22b are located on the other side of the partition plate 40.

[0036] The refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 is a single-piece heat exchanger in the sense that the heat exchange blocks 41, 42 constituting the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 can only be separated from one another from a dislocation and / or destruction of at least one of the heat exchange blocks 41, 42.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment, the first heat exchange block 41 represents in volume two thirds, to within 10%, of a total volume of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 while the second heat exchange block 42 represents in volume one third, to within 10%, of the total volume of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11.

[0038] On the figure 1 , the component 1 is in fast charging mode and requires significant cooling power. Also, the first control member 10 allows circulation of the refrigerant 4 to the first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and to the second refrigerant circulation branch 10b, such that the entire volume of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 is traversed by the refrigerant 4. Similarly, the second control member 15 allows circulation of the heat transfer fluid 6 to the first heat transfer fluid circulation branch 15a and to the second heat transfer fluid circulation branch 15b, such that the entire volume of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 is traversed by the heat transfer fluid 6.These arrangements are such that an exchange surface between the circulation paths of the refrigerant fluid 21a, 21b and the circulation paths of the heat transfer liquid 22a, 22b is as large as possible, in order to optimize cooling of the heat transfer liquid 6, and consequently of the component 1.

[0039] On the figure 2 , the component 1 is in intermediate load mode and requires an average cooling power, lower than the high cooling power. Also, the first control member 10 allows a circulation of the refrigerant fluid 4 towards the first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and prohibits a circulation of the refrigerant fluid 4 towards the second refrigerant circulation branch 10b, such that only the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 is crossed by the refrigerant fluid 4.Similarly, the second control member 15 authorizes circulation of the heat transfer fluid 6 to the first heat transfer fluid circulation branch 15a and prohibits circulation of the heat transfer fluid 6 to the second heat transfer fluid circulation branch 15b, such that only the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 is traversed by the heat transfer fluid 6. These arrangements are such that an exchange surface between the refrigerant circulation paths 21a, 21b and the heat transfer fluid circulation paths 22a, 22b is average, in order to cool the heat transfer fluid 6 according to the cooling requirement of the component 1, which is less than when the latter is in fast charging mode.

[0040] On the figure 3 , component 1 is in normal load mode and requires low cooling power, lower than the high and medium cooling powers. Also, the first control member 10 prohibits circulation of the refrigerant 4 to the first refrigerant circulation branch 10a and authorizes circulation of the refrigerant 4 to the second refrigerant circulation branch 10b, such that only the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 is passed through by the refrigerant 4.Likewise, the second control member 15 prohibits circulation of the heat transfer fluid 6 to the first heat transfer fluid circulation branch 15a and authorizes circulation of the heat transfer fluid 6 to the second heat transfer fluid circulation branch 15b, such that only the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 is traversed by the heat transfer fluid 6. These arrangements are such that an exchange surface between the refrigerant circulation paths 21a, 21b and the heat transfer fluid circulation paths 22a, 22b is minimal, in order to cool the heat transfer fluid 6 according to the cooling requirement of the component 1, which is less than when the latter is in fast or intermediate charging mode.

[0041] These arrangements are such that the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 thus configured and associated with the first control member 10 and the second control member 15 is capable of efficiently and quickly providing cooling power adapted according to the operating conditions of the component 1.

[0042] On the figures 4 And 5, the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 is schematically represented in an orthonormal reference frame Oxyz linked to the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11, in which a direction Ox is a longitudinal direction, a direction Oy is a lateral direction and a direction Oz is a vertical direction. The refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 is generally parallelepipedal and extends longitudinally between the first cheek 23 and the second cheek 24 which longitudinally border the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 and which each extend mainly within a plane parallel to the plane Oyz.

[0043] The first cheek 23 is provided with four passages, including a first passage 31, a second passage 32, a third passage 33 and a fourth passage 34, which are preferably circular. It is understood that the first passage 31, the second passage 32, the third passage 33 and the fourth passage 34 are for example each formed of an orifice to allow circulation of the refrigerant fluid 4 and / or the heat transfer liquid 6 through the first cheek 23.

[0044] The first passage 31 and the second passage 32 are aligned in a direction parallel to the direction Oy and are located near a first side 25 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11, parallel to the plane Oxy. The first passage 31 is located near a first flank 26 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11, the first flank 26 extending in a plane parallel to the plane Oxz. The second passage 32 is located near a second flank 27 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11, the second flank 27 extending in a plane parallel to the plane Oxz. The first flank 26 and the second flank 27 laterally border the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11.

[0045] The third passage 33 and the fourth passage 34 are aligned in a direction parallel to the direction Oy and are located near a second side 28 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11, parallel to the plane Oxy. The second side 28 and the first side 25 vertically border the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The third passage 33 is located near the first side 26 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The fourth passage 34 is located near the second side 27 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11.

[0046] The first passage 31, the second passage 32, the third passage 33 and the fourth passage 34 are arranged at respective angles of the first cheek 23 which is generally rectangular.

[0047] On the figure 5 more particularly, the second cheek 24 is provided with four passages, including a fifth passage 35, a sixth passage 36, a seventh passage 37 and an eighth passage 38, which are preferably circular. It is understood that the fifth passage 35, the sixth passage 36, the seventh passage 37 and the eighth passage 38 are for example each formed of an orifice to allow circulation of the refrigerant fluid 4 and / or the heat transfer liquid 6 through the second cheek 24.

[0048] The fifth passage 35 and the sixth passage 36 are aligned in a direction parallel to the direction Oy and are located near a first side 25 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11, parallel to the plane Oxy. The fifth passage 35 is located near the first side 26 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The sixth passage 36 is located near the second side 27 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11.

[0049] The seventh passage 37 and the eighth passage 38 are aligned in a direction parallel to the direction Oy and are located near the second side 28 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The seventh passage 37 is located near the first side 26 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The eighth passage 38 is located near the second side 27 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11.

[0050] The fifth passage 35, the sixth passage 36, the seventh passage 37 and the eighth passage 38 are arranged at respective angles of the second cheek 24, which is generally rectangular and of substantially identical conformation to that of the first cheek 23.

[0051] Preferably, the first passage 31 and the fifth passage 35 are aligned in a direction parallel to the Ox direction, the second passage 32 and the sixth passage 36 are aligned in a direction parallel to the Ox direction, the third passage 33 and the seventh passage 37 are aligned in a direction parallel to the Ox direction, and the fourth passage 34 and the eighth passage 38 are aligned in a direction parallel to the Ox direction.

[0052] The first exchange block 41 is generally parallelepipedal and extends along a first block height X1 taken between the first side 25 and the second side 28 parallel to the axis Oz. The first exchange block 41 extends along a first block length X2 taken between the first cheek 23 and the separation plate 40 parallel to the axis Ox. The first exchange block 41 extends along a first block width X3 taken between the first flank 26 and the second flank 27 parallel to the axis Oy.

[0053] The second exchange block 42 is generally parallelepipedal and extends along a second block height X4 taken between the first side 25 and the second side 28 parallel to the axis Oz. The first exchange block 41 extends along a second block length X5 taken between the separation plate 40 and the second cheek 24 parallel to the axis Ox. The first exchange block 41 extends along a second block width X6 taken between the first flank 26 and the second flank 27 parallel to the axis Oy.

[0054] Preferably, the first block height X1 and the second block height X4 are equal, within manufacturing tolerances, the first block length X2 is twice the second block length X5, within manufacturing tolerances, and the first block width X3 and the second block width X6 are equal, within manufacturing tolerances.

[0055] On the figure 6 , the separating plate 40 is generally rectangular. The separating plate 40 extends between a first lateral edge 40a and a second lateral edge 40b which are parallel to the axis Oz, and extends between a first transverse edge 40c and a second transverse edge 40d which are parallel to the axis Oy. The separating plate 40 extends along a plate height X7 taken between the first transverse edge 40c and the second transverse edge 40d parallel to the axis Oz. The separating plate 40 extends along a plate width X8 taken between the first lateral edge 40a and the second lateral edge 40b parallel to the axis Oy.

[0056] The plate height X7 is strictly greater than the first block height X1 and the second block height X4, such that the separation plate 40 emerges beyond the first side 25 and the second side 28. In other words, the separation plate 40 comprises a first zone 40e which overhangs the first side 25 and a second zone 40f which overhangs the second side 28.

[0057] The plate width X8 is strictly greater than the first block width X3 and the second block width X6, such that the separation plate 40 emerges beyond the first flank 26 and the second flank 27. In other words, the separation plate 40 comprises a third zone 40g which overhangs the first flank 26 and a fourth zone 40h which overhangs the second flank 27.

[0058] The separation plate 40 is provided with fixing means 43 which equip at least one of the zones 40e, 40f, 40g, 40h that the separation plate 40 comprises. The fixing means 43 are provided to allow the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 to be installed on a support that the motor vehicle comprises, such as an element of a chassis of the motor vehicle or the like. Preferably, the fixing means 43 comprise at least one opening 44, and preferably four openings 44 distributed at the corners of the separation plate 40, these openings 44 being capable of receiving fixing bolts or the like.

[0059] On the figures 6 And 7, the separation plate 40 is provided with centering means 45 for centering the first heat exchange block 41 and the second heat exchange block 42. The centering means 45 are intended to position the first heat exchange block 41 and the second heat exchange block 42 on either side of the separation plate by providing the zones 40e, 40f, 40g, 40h, which jointly border and surround the first heat exchange block 41 and the second heat exchange block 42. The centering means 45 comprise a plurality of bosses 46 which are distributed on each of the faces 47 of the separation plate 40. The bosses 46 are preferably distributed on the edge of the zones 40e, 40f, 40g, 40h of the separation plate which the bosses 46 at least partially delimit. Each boss 46 is for example arranged substantially in a half-ovoid, in particular obtained by stamping the separation plate 40.Each boss 46 comprises a peak 48 which is intended to come into contact against the first heat exchange block 41 or the second heat exchange block 42, in order to be brazed therewith.

[0060] The refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 is a plate exchanger which comprises the first cheek 23, the second cheek 24, the separation plate 40 and a plurality of first type exchange plates 105a, such as the first type exchange plate 105a illustrated in the figure 8 , or a plurality of second type exchange plates 105b, such as the second type exchange plate 105b illustrated in the figure 9 .

[0061] On the figures 8 And 9 , each exchange plate 105a, 105b indifferently exchange plate of first type 105a illustrated on the figure 8 or second type exchange plate 105b illustrated on the figure 9 , extends mainly along an elongation axis A1. Each exchange plate 105a, 105b comprises a bottom 106 and at least one raised edge 107 which surrounds the bottom 106. In other words, the raised edge 107 is provided at the periphery of the bottom 106, which extends inside a bottom plane P1, and the raised edge 107 surrounds the bottom 106. It is understood that each exchange plate 105a, 105b is arranged in a generally rectangular tub, the bottom of the tub consisting of the bottom 106 and the edges of the tub consisting of the raised edge 107. More particularly, the raised edge 107 comprises two lateral raised edges 108a, 108b arranged opposite each other and two transverse raised edges 109a, 109b arranged opposite each other.

[0062] Each exchange plate 105a, 105b comprises four orifices 110, in particular circular, which are distributed two by two at each transverse end of the exchange plate of the first type 105a, and more particularly at each of the corners of the bottom 106 of the exchange plate 105a, 105b. Two of these orifices 110 are configured to communicate with one of the circulation paths 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b arranged on one side of the bottom 106 and the other two orifices 110 are configured to communicate with one of the circulation paths 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b arranged on another side of the bottom 106.

[0063] The bottom 106 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 112 to disturb a circulation of the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6 and improve a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid 4 and the heat transfer liquid 6.

[0064] To form the first heat exchange block 41 or the second heat exchange block 42, a plurality of exchange plates 105a, 105b are nested one inside the other and in contact with one another at least via their raised edges 107. In other words, two exchange plates 105a, 105b are stacked one above the other and provide between them a space which forms the circulation channel 211a, 211b, 221a, 221b of the refrigerant fluid 4 or the heat transfer liquid 6.

[0065] On the figure 8 which illustrates the first type exchange plate 105a, two of the orifices 110 provided at the same transverse end of the first type exchange plate 105a are each surrounded by a collar 120, such that these orifices 110 surrounded by this collar 120 extend in a plane offset from the bottom plane P1, parallel to the plane Oyz, in which the bottom 106 is inscribed. The two other orifices 110 located at the other transverse end of the first type plate 105a extend in the bottom plane P1.

[0066] The bottom 106 comprises a rib 113 which is arranged so that the circulation channel 211a, 211b, 221a, 221b has a “U” shaped profile. The rib 113 is parallel to a direction D of elongation of the lateral raised edges 108a, 108b, the direction D of elongation of the lateral raised edges 108a, 108b being preferentially parallel to the axis of elongation A1 of the first type exchange plate 105a. The rib 113 extends between a first end 114 and a second end 115, the first end 114 being in contact with the raised edge 107, and preferably in contact with a first transverse raised edge 109a which the raised edge 107 comprises. The second end 115 is located at a first non-zero distance D1 from the raised edge 107, the first distance D1 being taken along the elongation axis A1 between the second end 115 and a second transverse raised edge 109b, opposite the first transverse raised edge 109a.

[0067] These arrangements are such that the circulation channel 211a, 211b, 221a, 221b is shaped into a “U” whose branches of the “U” are parallel to the raised lateral edges 108a, 108b of the first type exchange plate 105a and are separated by the rib 113, and whose base of the “U” adjoins the second transverse edge 109b. The rib 113 is arranged at an equal second distance D2 from the two lateral edges 108a, 108b of the first type exchange plate 105a, the second distance D2 being measured between the rib 113, taken at its center, and one of the raised lateral edges 108a, 108b, perpendicular to the axis of elongation A1 of the first type exchange plate 105a.

[0068] It results from these provisions that the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 obtained from such first type exchange plates 105a is illustrated in the figure 10 . In this case, the first passage 31 and the second passage 32 are an integral part of the first refrigerant circulation path 21a, which is shown in bold and continuous lines. The first passage 31 is for example an inlet of the refrigerant 4 inside the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 while the second passage 32 is an outlet of the refrigerant 4 from the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The third passage 34 and the fourth passage 34 are an integral part of the first heat transfer fluid circulation path 22a, which is shown in bold and dotted lines.The third passage 34 is for example an inlet of the heat transfer liquid 6 inside the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 while the fourth passage 34 is an evacuation of the heat transfer liquid 6 out of the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11. It is understood from this that inside the first heat exchange block 41, the first circulation path of the refrigerant fluid 21a is arranged in a “U” shape and that the first circulation path of the heat transfer liquid 22a is also arranged in a “U” shape.

[0069] The fifth passage 35 and the sixth passage 36 are an integral part of the second refrigerant circulation path 21b, which is shown in bold and continuous lines. The fifth passage 35 is for example an inlet of the refrigerant 4 inside the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 while the sixth passage 36 is an outlet of the refrigerant 4 from the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The seventh passage 37 and the eighth passage 38 are an integral part of the second heat transfer fluid circulation path 22b, which is shown in bold and dotted lines.The seventh passage 37 is for example an admission of the heat transfer liquid 6 inside the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 while the eighth passage 38 is an evacuation of the heat transfer liquid 6 out of the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11. It is understood from this that inside the second heat exchange block 42, the second circulation path of the refrigerant fluid 21b is arranged in a “U” shape and that the second circulation path of the heat transfer liquid 22b is also arranged in a “U” shape.

[0070] On the figure 9 which illustrates the second type exchange plate 105b, two of the orifices 110 arranged along a diagonal D3 of the second type exchange plate 105b are surrounded by a collar 120, such that these orifices 110 surrounded by this collar 120 extend in a plane offset from the bottom plane P1, parallel to the plane Oyz, in which the bottom 106 is inscribed. The two other orifices 110 located along the other diagonal of the second type exchange plate 105b extend in the bottom plane P1. These arrangements are such that the circulation channel 211a, 211b, 221a, 221b is shaped in an “I”.

[0071] It results from these provisions that the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 obtained from such second type exchange plates 105b is illustrated in the figure 11 . In this case, the first passage 31 and the fourth passage 34 are an integral part of the first refrigerant circulation path 21a, which is shown in bold and continuous lines. The first passage 31 is for example an inlet of the refrigerant 4 inside the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 while the fourth passage 34 is an outlet of the refrigerant 4 from the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The second passage 32 and the third passage 33 are an integral part of the first heat transfer fluid circulation path 22a, which is shown in bold and dotted lines.The second passage 32 is for example an inlet of the heat transfer liquid 6 inside the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 while the third passage 33 is an evacuation of the heat transfer liquid 6 out of the first heat exchange block 41 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11. It is understood from this that inside the first heat exchange block 41, the first circulation path of the refrigerant fluid 21a is arranged in an “I” shape and that the first circulation path of the heat transfer liquid 22a is also arranged in an “I” shape.

[0072] The fifth passage 35 and the eighth passage 38 are an integral part of the second refrigerant circulation path 21b, which is shown in bold and continuous lines. The fifth passage 35 is for example an inlet of the refrigerant 4 inside the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11 while the eighth passage 38 is an outlet of the refrigerant 4 from the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant / heat transfer fluid heat exchanger 11. The sixth passage 36 and the seventh passage 37 are an integral part of the second heat transfer fluid circulation path 22b, which is shown in bold and dotted lines.The sixth passage 36 is for example an admission of the heat transfer liquid 6 inside the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11 while the seventh passage 37 is an evacuation of the heat transfer liquid 6 out of the second heat exchange block 42 of the refrigerant fluid / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger 11. It is understood from this that inside the second heat exchange block 42, the second circulation path of the refrigerant fluid 21b is arranged in an “I” shape and that the second circulation path of the heat transfer liquid 22b is also arranged in an “I” shape.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchange block 41 and / or the second heat exchange block 42 comprises an end plate 49 which is interposed between the separation plate 40 and the exchange plate 105a, 105b furthest from the cheek 23, 24 such as the end plate shown in the figure 12 . The end plate 49 is similar to an exchange plate with the notable exception that the end plate 49 is free of orifice 110, protrusion 112 and groove 113. The end plate 49 is however shaped like a bowl and has a raised edge 107 which surrounds a bottom 106. The raised edge 107 of the end plate 49 is in particular intended to come into abutment against the bosses 46 of the separation plate 40. The bottom 106 of the end plate 49 is in particular intended to come into contact with the top 48 of each boss 46 to allow brazing of these elements together.

[0074] All of these provisions are such that a cooling method according to the present invention of the component 1 by means of the installation 2 previously described makes it possible to cool the component 1, according to three appropriate methods, depending on the state of charge of the electrical storage device 1, and in particular from a choice of activation of the first control member 10 and / or of the second control member 15 in which: the first heat exchange block 41 and the second heat exchange block 42 are traversed by the refrigerant 4 and by the heat transfer liquid 6 when the component 1 is placed in a fast charging mode, and only the first heat exchange block 41 is traversed by the refrigerant and by the heat transfer liquid 6 when the component 1 is placed in an intermediate charging mode, only the second heat exchange block 42 is traversed by the refrigerant and by the heat transfer liquid 6 when the component 1 is placed in a normal charging mode.

Claims

1. Refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) in which the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger is a monoblock refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) comprising at least two heat exchange blocks (41, 42), including a first heat exchange block (41) comprising a first circulation path for a refrigerant (21a) and a first circulation path for a heat transfer liquid (22a), and a second heat exchange block (42) comprising a second circulation path for the refrigerant (21b) and a second circulation path for the heat transfer liquid (22b), the heat exchange blocks (41 , 42) being joined by means of a partition plate (40), said partition plate (40) being equipped with fixing means (43) for fixing the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11), characterized in that the two heat exchange blocks (41, 42) are sealed with respect to one another, the partition plate (40) fluidically isolating the first heat exchange block (41) from the second heat exchange block (42).

2. Refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) according to Claim 1, wherein the first heat exchange block (41) and the second heat exchange block (42) are butted longitudinally via the partition plate (40).

3. Refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partition plate (40) is equipped with centring means (45) for centring the first heat exchange block (41) and the second heat exchange block (42) on the partition plate (40).

4. Refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) extends longitudinally between a first cheek (23) and a second cheek (24), the first cheek (23) being provided with four passages (31, 32, 33, 34), including a first passage (31), a second passage (32), a third passage (33) and a fourth passage (34), and the second cheek (24) being provided with four passages (35, 36, 37, 38), including a fifth passage (35), a sixth passage (36), a seventh passage (37) and an eighth passage (38).

5. Refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) according to Claim 4, wherein the first passage (31) and the second passage (32) constitute the first circulation path for the refrigerant (21a), the third passage (33) and the fourth passage (34) constitute the first circulation path for the heat transfer liquid (22a), the fifth passage (35) and the sixth passage (36) constitute the second circulation path for the refrigerant (21b), and the seventh passage (37) and the eighth passage (38) constitute the second circulation path for the heat transfer liquid (22b).

6. Refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) according to Claim 4, wherein the first passage (31) and the fourth passage (34) constitute the first circulation path for the refrigerant (21a), the second passage (32) and the third passage (33) constitute the first circulation path for the heat transfer liquid (22a), the fifth passage (35) and the eighth passage (38) constitute the second circulation path for the refrigerant (21b), and the sixth passage (36) and the seventh passage (37) constitute the second circulation path for the heat transfer liquid (22b).

7. Refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) is a plate exchanger comprising the partition plate (40) and exchange plates (105a, 105b) which are assembled together by brazing.

8. Refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) according to Claim 7, wherein the exchange plates (105a, 105b) constituting the first heat exchange block (41) are identical to the exchange plates (105a, 105b) constituting the second heat exchange block (42).

9. Installation (2) for thermal treatment of a component equipping a motor vehicle, the installation (2) comprising a refrigerant circuit (3), a heat transfer liquid circuit (5) and a refrigerant / heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, the refrigerant circuit (3) comprising a first refrigerant circulation branch (10a) and a second refrigerant circulation branch (10b) that are arranged parallel to each other, the heat transfer liquid circuit (5) comprising a first heat transfer liquid circulation branch (15a) and a second heat transfer liquid circulation branch (15b) that are arranged parallel to each other, wherein the first refrigerant circulation path (21a) constitutes the first refrigerant circulation branch (10a), the first heat transfer liquid circulation path (22a) constitutes the first heat transfer liquid circulation branch (15a), the second refrigerant circulation path (21b) constitutes the second refrigerant circulation branch (10b) and the second heat transfer liquid circulation path (22b) constitutes the second heat transfer liquid circulation branch (15b).

10. Method of cooling an electrical storage device (1) of a motor vehicle by means of an installation (2) according to Claim 9, wherein: - the refrigerant (4) and the heat transfer liquid (6) travel through the first heat exchange block (41) and the second heat exchange block (42) when the electrical storage device (1) is in a rapid charging mode, and - the refrigerant (4) and the heat transfer liquid (6) travel through only the first heat exchange block (41) when the electrical storage device (1) is in an intermediate charging mode, - the refrigerant (4) and the heat transfer liquid (6) travel through only the second heat exchange block (42) when the electrical storage device (1) is in a normal charging mode.