PLATE FOR A HEAT EXCHANGER HEAT EXCHANGER FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle.

[0002] The vehicle can be of the land, sea or air type.

[0003] The present invention relates in particular to the field of heat exchangers, especially those intended for use in air conditioning and / or cooling systems of motor vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to cooling systems for electrical storage devices, particularly batteries, in motor vehicles.

[0004] A heat exchanger is known to consist of several elongated plates stacked one on top of the other, with cavities formed between them. Two fluids circulate within these stacked cavities—a cooling fluid and a fluid to be cooled—so that heat can be exchanged between the two fluids. Openings are usually provided in the plates, which coincide to form a total of four channels or chambers perpendicular to the stacked plates. Two of these channels are designed to supply and discharge one fluid, and two of these channels are designed to supply and discharge the other fluid into their respective cavities. The cavities for the two fluids alternate within the heat exchanger, and the channels are fluidically connected only to the corresponding cavities.

[0005] In order to implement certain fluid path schemes in the stacked plate heat exchanger, for example a path with multiple passes, a dip tube is required which guides the fluid through the stacked plates.

[0006] Patent application DE102018206574A1 describes a plate heat exchanger that plans to replace the plunger tube as an additional part with a channel that performs the same function, but is formed by the plates themselves.

[0007] The present invention aims to improve this known exchanger.

[0008] The invention thus relates to a plate having a through hole surrounded by a plate, this hole being surrounded by an internal raised edge of the plate, this edge being substantially annular in shape so as to form, with the hole, a section of a plunger channel arranged to conduct the first fluid towards the first distribution chamber, this plate further comprising an external raised edge, the external raised edge of the plate surrounding its internal raised edge, the plate further comprising, on its top, an orifice belonging to a return passage of the first circulation path, this orifice being between the internal and external raised edges of the plate, the distance between the internal and external edges of the plate having an enlargement in a region where the orifice is present.

[0009] The invention also relates to a heat exchanger, particularly for vehicles, with the characteristics of claim 2.

[0010] The stacking of plates forms a succession of sections of plunger channel which together form a complete plunger channel.

[0011] The present invention presents improvements on the aspect of pressure loss because the dipping channel and / or the orifices of the return passage are not completely surrounded by an annular bead, this bead resulting in a suboptimal pressure loss.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention avoids the need for numerous holes around the dip channel, and provides, for each plate, a single return passage orifice. This also improves pressure drop.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, a second distribution chamber is provided, configured to supply a second fluid to the second circulation path.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the top of the plate is flat and the opening of the return passage is also flat.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the return passage opening and the through hole of the first plate extend along two parallel planes separated from each other by a non-zero height.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, for one of the plates, in particular for all the plates, the area of ​​the through hole is smaller than the area of ​​the return passage orifice.

[0017] Alternatively, the area of ​​the through hole is greater than the area of ​​the return passage orifice.

[0018] Alternatively, the area of ​​the through hole is equal to the area of ​​the return passage opening.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, on each first plate, a single return passage orifice is provided for the first fluid path.

[0020] This avoids multiple return passage holes on the plate.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the return passage orifice has a shape that is opposite only a portion of the contour of the associated through hole.

[0022] In other words, the opening of the return passage does not completely surround the through hole.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the plunger channel is arranged to conduct the first fluid from a first fluid inlet to the distribution chamber which is substantially opposite the fluid inlet, in the direction of the stacking of the plates.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the plunger channel is formed by at least half of the stacked plates, in particular about 55% to 80% of the plates.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the dipping channel is formed by a succession of through holes and annular raised edges associated with these holes and aligned with each other.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the second plate includes a platform on the top of which is formed one of the through holes of the plunger channel, and this platform of the second plate rests on the first plate so that the through holes of these two plates are aligned.

[0027] Each through hole is thus opposite a contact between two flat, perforated areas of two adjacent plates.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the return passage opening on the second plate is formed on a flat area of ​​this second plate which connects to the platform by a raised edge.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, this flat area of ​​the second plate is in contact with a plate of the neighboring plate, and the orifices of these neighboring plates are aligned with respect to each other.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the return passage of the first fluid and the plunging channel extend in parallel.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the return passage of the first fluid path extends at least partially around each hole through the dipping channel.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the through hole has a contour substantially in the form of a portion of a circle and optionally a straight edge.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the through hole has a substantially circular contour.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the return passage opening has a contour substantially in the form of a portion of a circle and optionally a straight edge.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the return passage orifice has a substantially circular contour.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the return passage opening has a crescent moon shape.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the through hole and the return passage opening each have a substantially circular contour and a straight edge, the respective straight edges being parallel and opposite each other.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the through hole has a circular contour and the return passage orifice has a crescent moon shape which partially surrounds the through hole.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the first fluid path, due to the return passage, has at least one reversal, so as to create a path with at least two passes.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the first fluid path, due to the return passage, has at least two reversals, so as to create a path with at least three passes.

[0041] The heat exchanger according to the invention can be used in a cooling system, in particular to cool cells of an electric battery.

[0042] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: there [ Figure 1 ] illustrates, schematically and partially, in cross-section, a heat exchanger according to an example of an embodiment of the invention; the [ Figure 2 ] illustrates, schematically and partially, a detail of the exchanger of the [ Figure 1 ], there [ Figure 3 ] illustrates, schematically and partially, another view of part of the [ Figure 2 ], there [ Figure 4 ] illustrates, schematically and partially, a stack of plates from the heat exchanger of the figure 1 , there [ Figure 5 ] illustrates, schematically and partially, another example of the realization of the invention.

[0043] We have represented on the figure 1 a heat exchanger 1 for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of plates, the plates being stacked one on top of the other in a stacking direction to form a bundle 2 of plates.

[0044] Among these plates, a first plate 3 and a second plate 4 define a first circulation path 5 configured for the circulation of a first fluid.

[0045] The second plate 4 and a third plate, which is identical to the first plate 3, define a second circulation path 7 configured for the circulation of a second fluid.

[0046] The plate bundle 2 includes a first distribution chamber 9 configured to supply first fluid to the first flow path 5, and a second distribution chamber, not shown, configured to supply second fluid to the second flow path 7.

[0047] The first plate 3 has a through hole 10 surrounded by a plate 11, this hole 10 being surrounded by an internal raised edge 12 of the plate 11.

[0048] This inner edge 12 is substantially annular in shape so as to form, with the hole 10, a section 14 of a plunging channel 15 arranged to conduct the first fluid towards the first distribution chamber 9, as visible on the figures 1 And 2 .

[0049] This plate 11 further includes an external raised edge 16, the external raised edge 16 of the plate surrounding its internal raised edge 12.

[0050] Plateau 11 also includes, on its summit 17, an opening 18 belonging to a return passage 19 of the first circulation path 5.

[0051] This orifice 18 is located between the raised inner edge 12 and outer edge 16 of the plate 11, the distance between the inner edge 12 and the outer edge 16 of the plate having a widening in a region 20 where the orifice 18 is present

[0052] The stacking of plates 3 and 4 form a succession of sections 14 of plunger channel which together form the complete plunger channel 15.

[0053] The summit 17 of the plateau is flat and the opening 18 of the return passage is also flat.

[0054] The orifice 18 of the return passage and the through hole 10 of the first plate 3 extend along two parallel planes separated from each other by a non-zero height H.

[0055] The area of ​​the through holes 10 is smaller than the area of ​​the orifices 18 of the return passage.

[0056] On each first plate 3, a single return passage 18 is provided for the first fluid path 5.

[0057] This avoids multiple return passage holes on the plate.

[0058] The return passage orifice 18 has a shape that is opposite only a portion of the contour of the associated through hole.

[0059] In other words, the opening 18 of the return passage does not completely surround the through hole 10, as can be clearly seen on the figure 3 .

[0060] The plunger channel 15 is arranged to conduct the first fluid from a first fluid inlet 22 to the distribution chamber 9 which is substantially opposite the fluid inlet, in the direction of the stacking of plates 3 and 4.

[0061] The plunger channel 15 is formed by at least half of the stacked plates, specifically by 55% to 80% of the stacked plates 3 and 4.

[0062] Plates 3 and 5 alternate, namely one plate 3 being between two plates 5 and so on.

[0063] The plunging channel 15 is formed by a succession of through holes 10 and annular raised edges 12 associated with these holes 10 and aligned one on top of the other.

[0064] The second plate 4 includes a platform 24 on the top 17 of which is formed the through hole 10 of the plunger channel 15, and this platform 24 of the second plate 4 rests on the first plate 3 so that the through holes 10 of these two plates are aligned.

[0065] Each through hole 10 is opposite the contact of two flat perforated areas 25 and 26 of two neighboring plates 3 and 4.

[0066] The opening 18 of the return passage on the second plate 4 is formed on a flat area 28 of this second plate which connects to the plate 24 by a raised edge 27, as can be seen more clearly on the figure 3 .

[0067] This flat area 28 of the second plate 4 is in contact with the plateau 11 of the neighboring plate, and the orifices 18 of these neighboring plates are aligned with respect to each other.

[0068] The return passage 19 of the first fluid and the plunging channel 15 extend in a parallel manner.

[0069] The return passage 19 of the first fluid path 5 extends at least partially around each hole traversing 10 of the plunger channel 15.

[0070] The through hole 10 has a contour that is substantially a portion of a circle and optionally a straight edge.

[0071] The through hole 10 and the opening 18 of the return passage each have a contour substantially in the form of a portion of a circle and a straight edge, the respective straight edges 30 and 31 being parallel and opposite each other.

[0072] We illustrated on the figure 4 the first plate 3 on top of the stack of plates to form the beam 2. Three other inlet or outlet ports for the fluid paths are provided, and are referenced 41, 42 and 43.

[0073] In another example illustrated at the figure 5 , the through hole 10 has a circular outline and the return passage orifice 18 has a crescent moon shape which partially surrounds the through hole.

[0074] The first fluid path 5, due to the return passage 19, has at least two reversals, so as to create a path with at least three passes.

[0075] The heat exchanger 1 according to the invention can be used in a cooling system, in particular for cooling cells of an electric battery.

[0076] This exchanger 1 could also be used to cool and / or heat other components in a motor vehicle.

[0077] The heat exchanger 1 according to the invention can be used in a cooling system, in particular for cooling the cells of an electric battery. This heat exchanger 1 is arranged in a cooling system comprising a loop thermally coupled to the electrical storage device and in communication with a first path 5 of the heat exchanger 1, and a circuit in communication with a second circulation path of the heat exchanger 1.

[0078] The heat exchanger facilitates the exchange of heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, with the first fluid being cooled by the second. The first fluid is, for example, a heat transfer fluid or a mixture of one or more heat transfer fluids and one or more other fluids.

[0079] One of the fluids may be a dielectric fluid.

[0080] The other fluid may be a refrigerant or a mixture of one or more refrigerants and one or more other fluids. The refrigerant(s) may include hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) or hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants. Examples of refrigerants include RI 34a, also known as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and 1234YF, also called 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. Carbon dioxide, known as R744, may also be used.

Claims

1. A plate (3) for a heat exchanger (1), in particular for a vehicle, this plate being arranged to define, with an adjacent plate, a first circulation path (5) configured for the circulation of a first fluid, characterised in that the first plate (3) comprises a through hole (10) surrounded by a plateau (11), said hole (10) being surrounded by an internal raised edge (12) of the plate, said edge being substantially annular in shape so as to form, with the hole, a section (14) of a dip tube (15) arranged to conduct the first fluid to a first distribution chamber, said plate further comprising an external raised edge (16), the external raised edg of the plate surrounding its internal raised edge, characterised in that the plate further comprises, on its top, an orifice (18) belonging to a return passage (19) of the first circulation path, this orifice being between the internal and external raised edges of the plate, the distance between the inner edge (12) and the outer edge (16) of the tray being wider in the region where the opening is located.

2. A heat exchanger (1) according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of plates, the plates (3, 4) being stacked on top of each other in a stacking direction to form a plate bundle (2), at least a first plate (3) and at least a second plate (4) define a first flow path (5) configured for the flow of a first fluid, at least the second plate (4) and at least a third plate (3) define a second flow path (7) configured for the flow of a second fluid, the plate bundle (2) comprising a first distribution chamber (9) configured to supply the first fluid to the first circulation path (5), characterised in that the first plate (3) has a through hole (10) surrounded by a plate (11), this hole (10) being surrounded by an internal raised edge (12) of the plate, this edge being substantially annular in shape so as to form, with the hole, a section (14) of a plunger channel (15) arranged to conduct the first fluid to the first distribution chamber, this plate further comprising an external raised edge (16), the raised outer edge of the plate surrounding its raised inner edge, the plate further comprising, on its top, an orifice (18) belonging to a return passage (19) of the first circulation path, this orifice being between the raised inner and outer edges of the plate, the distance between the inner edge (12) and the outer edge (16) of the tray being wider in the region where the orifice is located.

3. Exchanger according to the previous claim, in which the top (17) of the plate is flat and the opening (18) of the return passage is also flat.

4. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the area of the through hole (10) of the plunger channel is smaller than the area of the return passage orifice (18).

5. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a single return passage orifice (18) for the first fluid path is provided on each first plate.

6. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the return passage orifice (18) has a shape that faces only a portion of the contour of the associated through hole (10).

7. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plunger channel (19) is arranged to conduct the first fluid from a first fluid inlet to a distribution chamber which is substantially opposite the fluid inlet.

8. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second plate (4) comprises a plate (24) on the top of which one of the through holes (10) of the plunger channel is formed, and this plate of the second plate rests on the first plate (3) so that the through holes of these two plates are aligned.

9. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the return passage orifice (18) has a substantially circular contour and optionally a straight edge.

10. Exchanger according to one of claims 2 -8 , in which the return passage orifice (18) has a crescent shape.

11. Exchanger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fluid path (5), due to the return passage (19), has at least two reversals, so as to create a path with at least three passes.