Fluid management module, notably for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid management module (1), notably for a vehicle, this module comprising a support (2) comprising at least one passage (4) in which a refrigerant can flow, this support (2) bearing at least one component having a fluidic function, such as an expansion member or a coolant valve, this module further comprising at least one main two-fluid heat exchanger (8; 9) arranged in such a way as to allow an exchange of heat between the refrigerant and a coolant, the support being assembled with the heat exchanger to form at least one fluidtight connection for the refrigerant flowing between the passage of the support and the main two-fluid heat exchanger.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Fluid management module, particularly for a vehicle [1] The present invention relates to a fluid management module, particularly for a vehicle. The vehicle may be of the land, sea, or air type. The fluid management module is particularly intended for use in a cooling system, or more generally a thermal management system, including a heat pump. [2] A major current challenge for vehicles is reducing the size of the various equipment. [3] The invention proposes to achieve the objective of reducing the size of a thermal management system. [4] The invention thus proposes a fluid management module, particularly for a vehicle, this module comprising a support including at least one channel for the flow of a refrigerant, this support carrying at least one component with a fluidic function such as an expansion device or a refrigerant valve, this module further comprising at least one main two-fluid heat exchanger arranged to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid, the support being assembled with the heat exchanger to form at least one sealed connection for the refrigerant flowing between the channel of the support and the main two-fluid heat exchanger, this sealed connection being formed by: - a fluidic connection flange fixed to the support and arranged to be assembled, in particular by screwing, brazing, welding or bonding, with a complementary connection flange of the main heat exchanger, or - a brazed junction between a fluidic connection tip of the support, tip which is at one end of the channel of the support, and a fluidic connection area of ​​the main heat exchanger. [5] The term “fluidic function” refers to a function involved in the operation of the module, for example chosen to act on the flow of the heat transfer fluid or to measure a parameter related to the fluid or its flow in the channels. [6] The invention provides many advantages. [7] The invention makes it possible to replace the hoses usually used with the support, while ensuring mechanical retention of the fluidic components on the support. These fluidic connections are made directly through channels in the support. [8] The support allows the components to be assembled in a compact manner. [9] Thus, the support fulfills several roles, namely at least a structural role because it can carry components and a functional role, which allows for a compact module with a limited number of parts.

[0010] The invention allows, in particular, for the grouping of several components of a refrigeration circuit in an optimal way.

[0011] The invention thus makes it possible to reduce costs, because the invention eliminates the need for many pipes to connect the components.

[0012] Furthermore, as we will see below, it is possible to use the support as a component of a valve, for example. This allows for a highly compact module.

[0013] The invention thus makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the components, thereby reducing the overall size of the cooling module. In the case of a heat pump, for example, the invention makes it possible to reduce the size of all its components, particularly the various fluid circuits.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the module comprises two main two-fluid heat exchangers, and the support is connected to the two exchangers. heat to allow circulation of refrigerant fluid between the support and these exchangers.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the two main heat exchangers are placed side by side. These heat exchangers are, for example, substantially rectangular in shape and are positioned so that their long sides are side by side.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, one of the exchangers is a low-pressure exchanger forming a refrigerant / heat transfer fluid cooler, and the other of the exchangers is a high-pressure exchanger forming a refrigerant / heat transfer fluid condenser.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, these main exchangers each comprise a stack of cooling plates.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the main high-pressure heat exchanger is fluidly connected to a refrigerant fluid circulation loop of the support intended for the circulation of the high-pressure refrigerant fluid.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the main low-pressure heat exchanger is fluidly connected to a refrigerant fluid circulation loop of the support intended for the circulation of the low-pressure refrigerant fluid.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the channels of the low pressure and high pressure loops extend in the same plane of the support.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, these main exchangers are fluidly connected to an internal exchanger arranged to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating at high pressure and the refrigerant circulating at low pressure.

[0022] The internal heat exchanger optimizes the thermodynamic properties of the refrigerant.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, this internal exchanger is placed against a base of the two main exchangers.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is placed opposite faces, called upper faces, of the main heat exchangers.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, these upper faces are opposite the internal exchanger, which is opposite the so-called lower faces of the main heat exchangers.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the support comprises a first plate and a second plate assembled together to define the channel, these plates being joined and together forming a circumference of the channel.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the channel is formed by a first cavity of the first plate and / or a second cavity of the second plate.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the plates are joined together by welding or by gluing or brazing.

[0029] In the case of a brazed joint, the first plate is brazed to the main heat exchanger at the location of the fluidic connection end of the support, and the second plate is welded to the first plate.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluidic connection tip of the support is made in one piece with the first plate.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluidic connection tip of the support has a substantially frustoconical shape.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the brazed area is on a vertex of this fluidic connection tip of the support.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the first plate and / or the second plate comprise sites suitable for receiving one or more elements selected from: a valve, a pressure reducing device in particular an electronic pressure reducing device (called by the abbreviation EXV) or a thermostatic pressure reducing device (called by the abbreviation TXV), a flange, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature and pressure sensor.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is placed opposite only a portion of the upper faces of the main heat exchangers, namely, when the module is observed along an axis perpendicular to the upper faces, which are preferably generally flat, certain areas of these upper faces of the main exchangers are left uncovered, not covered by the support.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, these uncovered areas receive one or more tubes from the main exchangers, tubes arranged to be connected to a heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, these tubes extend perpendicularly to the upper faces of the exchangers.

[0037] Thus the connections for the heat transfer fluid, formed in particular by rigid tubes, are arranged on the side of the support, and not on a side opposite to the support.

[0038] The invention thus allows the refrigerant fluid connections and those of the heat transfer fluid to be on the same side of the exchangers, which can make the whole thing more compact.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the first support plate is at a non-zero distance from the upper faces of the main exchangers, outside the brazed joint or the connecting flange.

[0040] In the case of a brazed joint, the first plate includes in particular an end fitting with an opening at its top for the passage of refrigerant fluid, this end fitting being brazed with one of the main heat exchangers.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, this nozzle, for example of truncated conical shape, extends into a housing of the heat exchanger, and the nozzle is brazed onto a surface at the bottom of this housing, while leaving the internal refrigerant channels of the exchanger clear.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one temperature / pressure sensor is inserted into the first plate and / or the second plate.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the sensor is carried by a base, in particular of round, square or rectangular cross-section, this base comprising a portion of the channel of the support.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the support, in particular formed by two assembled plates, is mounted on said at least one exchanger, high pressure or low pressure.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the support, in particular formed by two assembled plates, is mounted on two exchangers, in particular chosen from the low pressure cooler, the high pressure condenser and the internal exchanger.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the low pressure cooler (also called "Chiller" in English), the high pressure condenser and the internal exchanger form a pre-assembled exchanger assembly.

[0047] The term "high pressure refrigerant" refers to a refrigerant at a pressure of around 20 bar, and "low pressure refrigerant" refers to a refrigerant at a pressure of 3 bar.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is arranged to receive the refrigerant fluid at a pressure between 3 and 20 bars.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is devoid of a pump and a 3-way or 4-way valve.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the support, in particular formed by the first and second plates, includes a passage to receive a fluidic connection element, in particular a tube, for the heat transfer fluid.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, this passage is a hole that goes through the two assembled plates.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the main exchangers each comprise a heat transfer fluid inlet pipe and a heat transfer fluid outlet pipe.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, for one of the main exchangers, one of the tubes passes through the through hole of the support and the other of the tubes extends outside the support, without passing through it.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the module includes a compressor for the refrigerant fluid.

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the module includes a bottle, in particular a desiccant bottle, configured to contain the high-pressure refrigerant fluid and capture the moisture from the refrigerant fluid passing through it.

[0056] According to another aspect of the invention, the module includes an accumulator, configured to contain low-pressure refrigerant fluid.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluidic connection flange(s) are fixed to the support by brazing, welding, or gluing.

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid is chosen from: a dielectric fluid and a cooling fluid such as water, or a mixture of water and ethylene glycol.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the refrigerant is chosen from among the fluids R134a, R1234yf or R744.

[0060] The invention also relates to a two-fluid circuit of a heat pump, comprising a module such as the one mentioned above.

[0061] In the context of a heat pump, the invention makes it possible to compact all the components of the module, these components being able to belong to a refrigerant circuit and to a heat transfer fluid circuit of the heat pump.

[0062] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a module as described above, with a step consisting of brazing, in particular in a furnace, the first plate with the heat exchanger and then a step consisting of welding the second plate with the first plate.

[0063] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0064] - Figure 1 illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, a module according to an example of an implementation of the invention,

[0065] - [Figure 2] illustrates, schematically and partially, in top view, the module of [Figure 1],

[0066] - [Figure 3] illustrates, schematically and partially, from below, the module according to the view of [Figure 1],

[0067] - Figure 4 illustrates, schematically and partially, from a bottom view, the support for the module of Figure 1, without the components,

[0068] - [Figure 5] illustrates, schematically and partially, in cross-section, a detail of the module of [Figure 1],

[0069] - [Figure 6] illustrates, schematically and partially, in cross-section, the support of the module of [Figure 1],

[0070] - Figure 7 illustrates, schematically and partially, in a top view, a module according to another example of an implementation of the invention,

[0071] - [Figure 8] illustrates, schematically and partially, in side view, the module of [Figure 7],

[0072] - [Figure 9] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, the support of the module of [Figure 7],

[0073] Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a fluid management module 1 according to an example of implementation of the invention, intended to be used in a heat pump system on board a vehicle.

[0074] This module 1 is integrated into a heat transfer fluid circuit which can be a water circuit of the heat pump, and a refrigerant circuit of the heat pump to allow heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant.

[0075] The heat pump will not be described in further detail, as it is known from the prior art. The invention is adaptable to a large number of cooling circuit types, insofar as the various components can be chosen to perform the different expected functions.

[0076] The fluid management module 1 includes a support 2 comprising a plurality of channels 4 for the flow of a refrigerant fluid.

[0077] The refrigerant is chosen from among the fluids R134a, R1234yf or R744.

[0078] This support 2 carries components with fluidic function, as will be seen later.

[0079] Module 1 also includes two main two-fluid heat exchangers 8 and 9 arranged to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid.

[0080] Support 2 is assembled with heat exchangers 8 and 9 to form sealed connections 10 for the refrigerant flowing between the channels 4 of support 2 and the main two-fluid heat exchangers 8 and 9.

[0081] In the example described, as can be better seen in Figure 5, each of these sealed connections 10 is formed by a brazed junction between a fluidic connection tip 11 of the support 2, tip which is at one end of the channel 4 of the support, and a fluidic connection area 12 of the main heat exchanger 8, 9.

[0082] The connection zone 12 on the main heat exchanger 8, 9 is formed by an annular zone 15 on the outer plate 14 of the stack 16 of plates of this exchanger.

[0083] In the example described, support 2 is connected to the two heat exchangers 8 and 9 to allow refrigerant fluid to circulate between support 2 and these exchangers 8 and 9.

[0084] These two main interchanges, 8 and 9, are placed side by side. These interchanges, 8 and 9, are roughly rectangular in shape and are positioned so that their long sides are side by side.

[0085] One of the exchangers is a low pressure exchanger 8 forming a refrigerant / heat transfer fluid cooler, and the other of the exchangers is a high pressure exchanger 9 forming a refrigerant / heat transfer fluid condenser.

[0086] These main exchangers 8 and 9 each comprise a stack of 16 cooling plates.

[0087] The main low-pressure heat exchanger 8 is fluidly connected to a refrigerant fluid circulation loop 17 of the support intended for the circulation of the low-pressure refrigerant fluid.

[0088] The main high-pressure heat exchanger 9 is fluidly connected to a refrigerant fluid circulation loop 18 of the support intended for the circulation of the high-pressure refrigerant fluid.

[0089] The channels 4 of the low pressure loops 17 and high pressure loops 18 extend in the same plane P1 of the support 2, as illustrated in Figure 2 for example.

[0090] These main exchangers 8 and 9 are fluidly connected to an internal exchanger 19 arranged to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating at high pressure and the refrigerant circulating at low pressure.

[0091] The internal exchanger 19 allows for the optimization of the thermodynamic properties of the refrigerant fluid.

[0092] The internal exchanger 19 is placed against a base 20 of the two main exchangers 8 and 9, these bases 20 being on a side of the exchangers which is opposite to the support 2.

[0093] The support 2 is placed opposite faces 21, called upper faces, of the main heat exchangers 8 and 9.

[0094] These upper faces 21 are opposite the internal exchanger 19, which is opposite the lower faces or bases 20 of the main heat exchangers 8 and 9.

[0095] The support 2 comprises a first plate 25 and a second plate 26 assembled together to define the channels 4, these plates 25 and 26 being joined and together forming a circumference of each channel 4.

[0096] Each channel 4 is formed by a first cavity 27 of the first plate 25 and a second cavity 28 of the second plate 26, as illustrated in figures 5 and 6.

[0097] Plates 25 and 26 are joined together by welding, gluing, or brazing.

[0098] In the described case of a brazed joint, the first plate 25 is brazed to the main heat exchanger 8, 9 at the location of the end fitting 11 of fluidic connection of support 2, and the second plate 26 is welded to the first plate 25.

[0099] The fluidic connection tip 11 is made in one piece with the first plate 25, and has a substantially frustoconical shape.

[0100] The brazed area on the end piece 11 is on a vertex 29 of this end piece 11. This vertex 29 is open to allow communication with the heat exchanger 8 or 9.

[0101] Thus this nozzle 11 extends into a housing 38 of the heat exchanger.

[0102] The second plate 26 includes sites suitable for receiving several elements, including: - four refrigerant valves 31, two valves forming part of the low-pressure loop and the other two forming part of the high-pressure loop, - two pressure-reducing devices 30, each being either an electronic pressure reducer (abbreviated EXV) or a thermostatic pressure reducer (abbreviated TXV), associated with the two low-pressure and high-pressure loops respectively, - 32 refrigerant inlet and outlet flanges, - a temperature sensor 33, a pressure sensor, a temperature and pressure sensor.

[0103] The fluidic connection flanges 32 are fixed to the support 2 by brazing or welding or gluing.

[0104] Temperature and / or pressure sensors 33 are inserted on the second plate 26.

[0105] Each sensor 33 is carried by a base 34, in particular of round, square or rectangular cross-section, this base comprising a portion of associated channel 4, as seen in figure 2.

[0106] The support 2 is positioned opposite only a portion of the upper faces 21 of the main heat exchangers 8, 9, namely when the module 1 is observed along an axis perpendicular to the upper faces 21, which are here generally flat, certain areas 35 of these upper faces of the main exchangers 8, 9 are left uncovered, not covered by support 2.

[0107] These areas 35 left uncovered receive several tubes 37 from the main exchangers 8, 9, tubes 37 arranged to be connected to a heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0108] These tubes 37 extend perpendicularly to the upper faces 21 of the exchangers.

[0109] Thus the connections for the heat transfer fluid, formed by rigid tubes 37, are arranged on the side of the support 2, and not on a side opposite the support 2. This side opposite the exchangers 8, 9 left free allows to receive the internal exchanger 19.

[0110] The first plate 25 of the support 2 is at a non-zero distance from the upper faces 21 of the main exchangers, outside the brazed junctions.

[0111] Support 2 is mounted on the heat exchangers, high pressure or low pressure, at the same time.

[0112] The low pressure cooler 8 (also called "Chiller" in English), the high pressure condenser 9 and the internal exchanger 19 form a pre-assembled exchanger unit.

[0113] The term "high pressure refrigerant" refers to a refrigerant at a pressure of around 20 bar, and "low pressure refrigerant" refers to a refrigerant at a pressure of 3 bar.

[0114] The support 2 includes a passage 40 to receive a fluidic connection element, here a rigid tube 41, for the heat transfer fluid.

[0115] This passage 40 is a circular hole that goes through the two assembled plates 25, 26.

[0116] For one of the main exchangers, here exchanger 8, one 41 of the two tubes passes through the hole 40 through the support 2 and the other of the tubes 37 extends outside the support 2, without passing through it.

[0117] Figures 7 to 9 show a module 50 according to another embodiment of the invention, which differs from the module 1 described above. mainly through the fluidic connections between the support 62 and the main exchangers 8, 9.

[0118] In the example of Figures 7 to 9, the support 62 is assembled with the heat exchangers 8, 9 to form sealed connections for the refrigerant flowing between the channels 4 of the support 62 and the two-fluid heat exchangers 8, 9, these connections being formed by fluid connection flanges 51 fixed on the support 62 and arranged each to be assembled, in particular by screwing, brazing, welding or gluing, with a complementary connection flange 52 of the main heat exchanger 8, 9.

[0119] These flanges 51 replace the truncated conical ends described in the previous example.

[0120] Module 50 includes a compressor 55 for the refrigerant, and a bottle 56, in particular a desiccant bottle, configured to contain the refrigerant at high pressure and capture the moisture of the refrigerant passing through it, or an accumulator, configured to contain the refrigerant at low pressure.

[0121] Part of support 62 is opposite compressor 55.

[0122] As in the previous example, the support 62 includes a passage 40 to receive a fluidic connection element, here a rigid tube, for the heat transfer fluid.

[0123] The heat transfer fluid is chosen from a dielectric fluid and a cooling fluid such as water, a mixture of water and ethylene glycol.

Claims

Demands

1. A fluid management module (1; 50), particularly for a vehicle, comprising a support (2; 62) including at least one channel (4) for the flow of a refrigerant, this support (2; 62) carrying at least one fluidic component (30; 31; 32; 33) such as an expansion device or a refrigerant valve, this module further comprising at least one main two-fluid heat exchanger (8; 9) arranged to permit heat exchange between the refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid, the support being assembled with the heat exchanger to form at least one sealed connection for the refrigerant flowing between the channel of the support and the main two-fluid heat exchanger, this sealed connection being formed by: - a fluidic connection flange (51) fixed to the support and arranged to be assembled, in particular by screwing, brazing, welding or bonding, with a complementary connection flange of the main heat exchanger, or - a brazed junction between a fluidic connection tip (11) of the support, tip which is at one end of the channel (4) of the support, and a fluidic connection area of ​​the main heat exchanger (8; 9).

2. Module according to the preceding claim, comprising two main two-fluid heat exchangers (8; 9), and the support (2; 62) is connected to the two heat exchangers to allow circulation of refrigerant fluid between the support and these exchangers.

3. Module according to the preceding claim, wherein one of the exchangers is a low pressure exchanger forming a cooler (8) refrigerant / heat transfer fluid, and the other of the exchangers is a high pressure exchanger forming a condenser (9) refrigerant / heat transfer fluid.

4. Module according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein these main exchangers (8; 9) are fluidly connected to a internal exchanger (19) arranged to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating at high pressure and the refrigerant circulating at low pressure.

5. Module according to the preceding claim, in which this internal exchanger (19) is placed against a base (20) of the two main exchangers.

6. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises a first plate (25) and a second plate (26) assembled together to define the channel (4), these plates being joined and together forming a circumference of the channel.

7. Module according to the preceding claim, wherein, in the case of a brazed joint, the first plate (25) is brazed with the main heat exchanger at the location of the fluidic connection tip (11) of the support, and the second plate (26) is in particular welded to the first plate (25).

8. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plate (25) and / or the second plate (26) comprise sites suitable for receiving one or more elements selected from: a valve (31), a pressure reducing element (30), a flange (32), a temperature sensor (33), a pressure sensor, a temperature and pressure sensor.

9. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (2; 62), in particular formed by the first and second plates, includes a passage (40) for receiving a fluidic connection element, in particular a tube (41), for the heat transfer fluid.

10. Two-fluid circuit of a heat pump, comprising a module (1; 50) according to one of the preceding claims.

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