Heat management system for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat management system (100) for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger (2); - a first loop (101) for circulating a first heat-transfer fluid passing through a cooling radiator configured to cool the first heat-transfer fluid circulating in this cooling radiator (110), as well as through the heat exchanger (2); - a second loop (102) for circulating a first heat-transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger (2), without passing through the cooling radiator (110); - a third loop (103) for circulating a first heat-transfer fluid configured to cool at least one component; and - a multi-way valve (45) configured to orient the first heat-transfer fluid selectively in the first loop (101) or in the second loop (102) while maintaining the circulation of the first heat-transfer fluid in the third circulation loop (103).

Description

Description Title of the invention: THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE [1] The present invention relates to a thermal management system for a vehicle. [2] The vehicle can be land, sea or air. [3] Generally speaking, we are trying to reduce the size of components in vehicles. This is a major challenge. In the context of a vehicle heat pump, one avenue of work is to compact all of its components, in particular the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer fluid circuit. [4] The invention aims in particular at such an aim. [5] The invention thus relates to an assembly, in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, within the heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, - a degassing tank in which the first heat transfer fluid can circulate to undergo degassing to separate a gas, in particular air, present in the first heat transfer fluid, - a single-piece body comprising a receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger and a cavity arranged to form the degassing tank. [6] The degassing tank allows the first heat transfer fluid loaded with air bubbles to be freed from the air bubbles before joining a circuit of cooling of the first heat transfer fluid. This allows for proper operation of this cooling circuit. [7] The invention makes it possible in particular to have a grouping of several fluidic functions of a heat pump, here a grouping of the degassing tank function and heat exchanger support. [8] The invention makes it possible in particular to avoid the need for additional tubing / pipes to fluidly connect different components together. These fluid connections are made directly by channels on a single-piece body. [9] The invention thus makes it possible to reduce costs because the invention makes it possible to do without numerous pipes to connect the components.

[0010] The invention thus makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the assembly, which makes it possible to reduce its overall size. In the case of a heat pump, for example, the invention makes it possible to reduce the size of all of its components, in particular the various heat transfer fluid circuits.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle is configured such that, when the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle, a fluid path for the first heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall of the receptacle and a peripheral wall of this heat exchanger.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid path extends over at least a portion of the periphery of the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall of the receptacle and the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger are parallel to each other.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger comprises four faces perpendicular to each other, possibly with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall of the receptacle comprises four faces perpendicular to each other, possibly with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle of the one-piece body comprises a first fluid inlet orifice for supplying first heat transfer fluid to the fluid path inside the receptacle.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the first fluid inlet orifice is made on the side wall of the receptacle.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the first fluid inlet orifice is placed opposite a corner of the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger so that the first heat transfer fluid arriving through the first fluid inlet orifice splits into two fluid flows flowing over two faces of the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger comprises a first fluid inlet opening arranged to receive first fluid flowing along the fluid path into the receptacle.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, this first fluid inlet opening is located on one face of the heat exchanger, this face being in particular flat and perpendicular to the peripheral wall.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger comprises a first fluid outlet opening allowing the first fluid having circulated within the heat exchanger to exit therefrom, after having exchanged heat with the second heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, this outlet opening of the exchanger communicates with a first fluid outlet orifice of the receptacle which is arranged to evacuate the first fluid from the receptacle.

[0023] Thus the first fluid enters the receptacle through the first fluid inlet port and then follows the fluid path before entering the heat exchanger via the first fluid inlet opening of the heat exchanger. Then the first fluid exits the heat exchanger via the first fluid outlet opening before reaching the first fluid outlet port of the receptacle.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the first fluid outlet orifice is provided in a conduit separate from the receptacle, and this conduit communicates with the first fluid outlet opening of the heat exchanger by an angled channel which spans a partition between the separate conduit and the receptacle.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the angled channel which spans the partition between the separate conduit and the receptacle is formed by a deflector, in particular in the form of a half-shell.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the partition wall forms a portion of the side wall of the receptacle.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the first fluid outlet orifice faces this separating partition.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the separate conduit has a volume at least 10 or 15 or 20 times smaller than the volume of the receptacle.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, this deflector is a separate part from the single-piece body.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle comprises a bottom wall, in particular a flat wall, on which the side wall rests.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall of the receptacle is thus adjacent, at one end, to the bottom wall, and is open, at the other end, to receive the heat exchanger.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the single-piece body is made of plastic, in particular by molding.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger comprises a plate arranged to close the receptacle of the single-piece body, once the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, a seal is interposed between the plate of the heat exchanger and an annular rim of the single-piece body, this annular rim being in particular flat.

[0035] This makes the receptacle watertight.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate of the heat exchanger carries a fluid connection flange arranged to allow the connection of pipes supplying and discharging the second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, intended for the heat exchanger.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the inlet and outlet openings for the first heat transfer fluid open onto this plate.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate comprises at least one opening arranged to allow the flow of the first fluid between the fluid path in the receptacle and the first fluid inlet or outlet opening of the heat exchanger.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the opening is closed by the deflector to create an angled channel for the first fluid.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the deflector is fixed to this plate of the heat exchanger.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the opening associated with the first fluid inlet opening of the heat exchanger extends both opposite this inlet opening and opposite the space between the side wall of the receptacle of the single-piece body and the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, this opening is in one piece.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the opening communicating with the first fluid outlet opening of the heat exchanger is spaced away from this outlet opening and positioned opposite the separate conduit.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, this opening has the shape of a truncated disc.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the bent channel directs the first heat transfer fluid from the outlet opening of the heat exchanger to the separate conduit.

[0046] According to another aspect of the invention, the receptacle is closed by a plate separate from the heat exchanger.

[0047] So the heat exchanger is first installed in the receptacle then the plate is fixed on the monobloc body to close the receptacle.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the separate conduit in the one-piece body which comprises the first fluid outlet orifice is open at both ends, one end of this separate conduit being closed by the plate.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the other end of this separate conduit opens onto a deflector to provide an angled channel for the first fluid between the fluid outlet opening of the heat exchanger and this separate conduit.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, this deflector is fixed to the bottom wall of the receptacle, outside the single-piece body.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, this bottom wall comprises a through passage for housing a fluid connection flange arranged to allow the connection of pipes supplying and discharging the second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, intended for the heat exchanger.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the single-piece body comprises a separating wall between the cavity forming the degassing tank and the receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity forming the degassing tank is closed by a cover bearing against an annular rim of the cavity.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the annular rim of the cavity is flat, in particular having a rectangular circumference.

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the cover is part of the single-piece body.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the cover is a part attached to the single-piece body, and fixed, for example by welding, to the single-piece body.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the cover comprises a removable cap cooperating with a degassing vent of the tank.

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the open annular rim of the cavity and the open annular rim of the receptacle extend in two intersecting planes, in particular intersecting at right angles.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity forming the degassing tank comprises a side wall and a bottom wall.

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity partially envelops the receptacle.

[0061] Thus the cavity has a shape which runs along a portion of the perimeter of the receptacle.

[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity is of variable depth, with this depth being smaller in the part of the cavity which is above the location of the receptacle for the heat exchanger.

[0063] The depth of the cavity is the distance measured between the plane of the annular rim of the cavity and the bottom wall of this cavity, in a direction perpendicular to this plane of the annular rim of the cavity.

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom wall of the tank merges with a portion of the side wall of the receptacle.

[0065] Schematically, the cavity generally has a lying L shape, which fits into the rectangular shape of the receptacle.

[0066] According to one aspect of the invention, the exchanger is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, the single-piece body comprises a support arranged to carry at least one component with a fluidic function, in particular a plurality of components with a fluidic function.

[0068] The term "fluidic function" means a function participating in the operation of the assembly, for example chosen to act on the flow of a heat transfer fluid or to measure a parameter linked to the fluid or its flow in channels.

[0069] According to one aspect of the invention, the component with a fluidic function is chosen from the following elements: - a pump for pumping the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a valve for directing the first or second heat transfer fluid, in particular a multi-way valve, - a non-return valve for the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a throttle valve for the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a condensation exchanger, in particular a water condenser, - an electric heating resistance heating device arranged to heat the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a desiccant bottle, - a filter for filtering particles present in the first or second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid.

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, the support forms at least a portion of a body of the valve or pump.

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the pump is actuable by an electric motor.

[0072] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is provided with two housings for receiving two pumps.

[0073] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat transfer fluid is a cooling fluid such as water, in particular glycolated water.

[0074] According to one aspect of the invention, the second heat transfer fluid is chosen from: a dielectric fluid, a refrigerant fluid such as R134a, R1234yf or R744.

[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, the flow of second fluid which is a refrigerant fluid, is in particular connected to an air conditioning loop of the vehicle.

[0076] The invention also relates to a thermal management system for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, - a first circulation loop of first heat transfer fluid passing, on the one hand, through a cooling radiator, in particular arranged on a front face of a vehicle, configured to cool the first heat transfer fluid circulating in this cooling radiator, by heat exchange with air, and, on the other hand, through the heat exchanger, - a second circulation loop of the first heat transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger, without passing through the cooling radiator, - a third circulation loop of first heat transfer fluid configured to cool at least one component likely to release heat during its operation, in particular a battery and / or power electronics and / or an electric motor, - a multi-way valve, in particular a 6-way valve, configured to direct the first heat transfer fluid selectively into the first loop or into the second loop while maintaining the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the third circulation loop.

[0077] Thanks to the invention, in particular through the use of a 6-way valve, it is possible to simplify the system architecture, reduce the number of components, or even facilitate its integration into the vehicle, while allowing different thermal operating modes. The invention also makes it possible to make the system more compact.

[0078] According to one aspect of the invention, the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop share a common circulation branch passing through the heat exchanger and connecting to the multi-way valve, at an inlet (E2) of this multi-way valve.

[0079] According to one aspect of the invention, the second circulation loop comprises a bypass branch starting from the multi-way valve and opening into the common circulation branch passing through the heat exchanger.

[0080] This bypass branch allows, for a predetermined position of the multi-way valve, to circulate the first heat transfer fluid in the heat exchanger, without passing through the cooling radiator.

[0081] According to one aspect of the invention, the multi-way valve comprises a fluid outlet (S1) connected to the bypass branch which belongs to the second circulation loop.

[0082] According to one aspect of the invention, the multi-way valve comprises a fluid outlet (S5) connected to the first circulation loop, through which outlet the first heat transfer fluid leaves the multi-way valve to circulate in the first circulation loop.

[0083] According to one aspect of the invention, the third circulation loop is connected to a fluid outlet (S4) of the multi-way valve and reconnects the circulation of this third circulation loop to the multi-way valve, on a fluid inlet (E3) of this valve.

[0084] According to one aspect of the invention, the third circulation loop passes through two components to be cooled, arranged in series.

[0085] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid inlet and outlet of the multi-way valve dedicated to the third circulation loop are in communication with the inlet (E2) of the multi-way valve on which the common branch of the first circulation loop and second circulation loop arrives.

[0086] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid inlet (E3) and outlet (S4) of the multi-way valve dedicated to the third circulation loop and the inlet (E2) of the multi-way valve on which the common branch of the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop arrives are connected, for all operating positions of the multi-way valve, to a first chamber of the multi-way valve.

[0087] According to one aspect of the invention, when one of the first circulation loop and second circulation loop is in operation, the first heat transfer fluid cooled by the operating loop is directed to the third loop in order to cool the components on this third loop.

[0088] Conversely, when the first circulation loop and second circulation loop are stopped, the third loop can operate in isolation and the first heat transfer fluid circulating therein is heated by one of the electrical components, for example electronics or an electric motor, and, after being heated, is used to heat another electrical component, for example a battery, on this third loop.

[0089] According to one aspect of the invention, the third circulation loop is connected to a bypass branch configured to divert first heat transfer fluid from the third circulation loop to an inlet (E6) of the multi-way valve.

[0090] According to one aspect of the invention, the multi-way valve is configured to selectively put this inlet (E6) into fluid communication with the outlet (S5) towards the first circulation loop or this inlet (E6) with the outlet (S1) towards the second circulation loop.

[0091] According to one aspect of the invention, the multi-way valve comprises a second chamber and a third chamber, isolated from each other and each isolated from the first chamber, where: - in a first position of the multi-way valve, the second chamber connects, on the one hand, the inlet (E6) of the multi-way valve connected to the bypass branch connected to the third circulation loop and, on the other hand, the outlet (S5) of the multi-way valve to the first circulation loop, while the third chamber is not operating, - in a second position of the multi-way valve, the third chamber connects, on the one hand, the inlet (E6) of the multi-way valve connected to the bypass branch connected to the third circulation loop and, on the other hand, the outlet (S1) of the multi-way valve to the second circulation loop, while the second chamber is not operating, - the multi-way valve being operable between these first and second positions.

[0092] According to one aspect of the invention, the common branch of the first circulation loop comprises, in series with the heat exchanger, a heating device, in particular with an electrical resistance, configured to heat the first heat transfer fluid, when the heat exchanger is shut down.

[0093] According to one aspect of the invention, the common branch of the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop comprises at least one pump for causing the circulation of fluid in these loops.

[0094] According to one aspect of the invention, the third circulation loop comprises at least one pump, in particular an electric pump, to cause the circulation of fluid in these loops.

[0095] According to one aspect of the invention, the bypass branch connected to the third circulation loop and connected to the inlet (E6) comprises a shut-off valve configured to cut off the circulation of fluid in this branch.

[0096] This valve prevents part of the fluid from continuing to circulate through the chiller when the battery is being heated by the power electronics.

[0097] The invention also relates to a thermal management method for a vehicle, comprising the following steps: - provide a heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, - provide a first circulation loop of first heat transfer fluid passing, on the one hand, through a cooling radiator, in particular arranged on a front face of a vehicle, configured to cool the first heat transfer fluid circulating in this cooling radiator, by heat exchange with air, and, on the other hand, through the heat exchanger, - provide a second circulation loop of the first heat transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger, without passing through the cooling radiator, - provide a third circulation loop of first heat transfer fluid configured to cool at least one component likely to release heat during its operation, in particular a battery and / or power electronics and / or an electric motor, - provide a multi-way valve, in particular a 6-way valve, - operate the multi-way valve to direct the first heat transfer fluid selectively into the first loop or into the second loop while maintaining the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the third circulation loop.

[0098] The invention also relates to a heat pump, in particular on board a vehicle, comprising an assembly as mentioned above, dedicated to a first circuit for the first heat transfer fluid and to a circuit for the second heat transfer fluid.

[0099] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given as an illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

[0100] - [Figure 1] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, an assembly according to an example of implementation of the invention;

[0101] - [Figure 2] illustrates, schematically and partially, according to a different view, the assembly of [Figure 1];

[0102] - [Figure 3] illustrates, schematically and partially, the single-piece body of the assembly of [Figure 1];

[0103] - [Figure 4] illustrates, schematically and partially, according to another view, the single-block body of [Figure 3];

[0104] - [Figure 5] illustrates, schematically and partially, according to yet another view, the single-piece body of [Figure 3];

[0105] - [Figure 6] illustrates, schematically and partially, the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the receptacle of the single-block body of [Figure 3];

[0106] - [Figure 7] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, the single-piece body of [Figure 6], with the heat exchanger in place in the receptacle;

[0107] - [Figure 8] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, an assembly according to an example of implementation of the invention;

[0108] - [Figure 9] illustrates, schematically and partially, the assembly of [Figure 8], without the plate;

[0109] - [Figure 10] illustrates, schematically and partially, according to a different view, the assembly of [Figure 8];

[0110] - [Figure 11] illustrates, schematically and partially, in section, the assembly of [Figure 10];

[0111] - [Figure 12] illustrates, schematically and partially, a thermal management system integrating the assembly of [Figure 11], in one operating mode;

[0112] - [Figure 13] illustrates, schematically and partially, the thermal management system of [Figure 12], in another operating mode;

[0113] - [Figure 14] illustrates, schematically and partially, the thermal management system of [Figure 12], in yet another mode of operation;

[0114] - [Figure 15] illustrates, schematically and partially, the thermal management system of [Figure 12], in yet another mode of operation.

[0115] Figures 1 and 2 show an assembly 1 for a motor vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger 2 configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, here glycolated water, within the heat exchanger 2, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, here a refrigerant fluid, within the heat exchanger 2.

[0116] The refrigerant fluid is chosen from R134a, R1234yf or R744 fluid which supplies an air conditioning loop 200 of the vehicle.

[0117] Exchanger 2 is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English.

[0118] Assembly 1 is part of a heat pump, installed on the vehicle. The heat pump is, for example, an indirect type.

[0119] The assembly 1 also comprises a degassing tank 3 in which the first heat transfer fluid can circulate to undergo degassing making it possible to separate a gas, here air, present in the first heat transfer fluid.

[0120] The assembly 1 further comprises a single-piece body 5 comprising a receptacle 6, visible in FIGS. 3 and 5, arranged to receive the heat exchanger 2 and a cavity 7 arranged to form the degassing tank 3.

[0121] The one-piece body 5 is made of plastic, by molding.

[0122] As illustrated in Figure 8, the receptacle 6 is configured so that, when the heat exchanger 2 is placed in this receptacle 6, a fluid path 8 for the first heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 and a peripheral wall 10 of this heat exchanger 2.

[0123] The fluid path 8 extends around the circumference of the peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2.

[0124] The side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 and the peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2 are parallel to each other, and are substantially homothetic to each other.

[0125] The peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2 has four faces 11 perpendicular to each other, with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0126] The side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 has four faces 12 perpendicular to each other, with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0127] As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the receptacle 6 of the one-piece body comprises an inlet orifice 14 for first fluid to bring first heat transfer fluid to the fluid path 8 inside the receptacle 6.

[0128] The inlet orifice 14 for the first fluid is made on the side wall 9 of the receptacle 6.

[0129] The first fluid inlet orifice 14 is placed opposite a corner of the peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2 so that the first heat transfer fluid arriving through the first fluid inlet orifice 14 splits into two fluid flows flowing over two faces 11 of the peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2.

[0130] The heat exchanger 2 comprises a first fluid inlet opening 15 arranged to receive first fluid flowing along the fluid path 8 into the receptacle 6.

[0131] This inlet opening 15 for the first fluid is located on a flat face 16 of the heat exchanger 2, this face 16 being perpendicular to the peripheral wall 10.

[0132] The heat exchanger 2 comprises an outlet opening 17 for the first fluid allowing the first fluid having circulated within the heat exchanger 2 to exit therefrom, after having exchanged heat with the second heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger 2.

[0133] This outlet opening 17 of the exchanger communicates with an outlet orifice 18 of the first fluid of the receptacle 6 which is arranged to evacuate the first fluid from the receptacle 6.

[0134] Thus the first fluid enters the receptacle 6 through the first fluid inlet orifice 14 and then follows the fluid path 8 before entering the heat exchanger 2 via the first fluid inlet opening 15 of the heat exchanger 2. Then the first fluid leaves the heat exchanger 2 via the first fluid outlet opening 17 before reaching the first fluid outlet orifice 18 of the receptacle 6.

[0135] The first fluid outlet orifice 18 is made in a separate conduit 19 of the receptacle 6, and this separate conduit 19 communicates with the first fluid outlet opening 17 of the heat exchanger 2 by an angled channel 20 which spans a separation partition 21 between the separate conduit 19 and the receptacle 6.

[0136] As seen in Figure 1, the bent channel 20 which spans the partition wall 21 between the separate conduit 19 and the receptacle 6 is formed by a deflector 22, in the form of a half-shell. The deflector 22 is a separate part from the single-piece body 5.

[0137] The partition wall 21 is formed by a portion of the side wall 9 of the receptacle 6.

[0138] The first fluid outlet 18 faces this separating partition 21.

[0139] The separate conduit 19 has a volume at least 10 or 15 or 20 times smaller than the volume of the receptacle 6.

[0140] The receptacle 6 comprises a flat bottom wall 25 on which the side wall 9 rests. The bottom wall 25 is completely closed, i.e. it has no opening.

[0141] The side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 is thus adjacent, at one end, to the bottom wall 25, and is open, at the other end, to receive the heat exchanger 2.

[0142] The heat exchanger 2 comprises a plate 26 arranged to close the receptacle 6 of the single-piece body 5, once the heat exchanger 2 is placed in this receptacle 6.

[0143] As visible in Figure 1, a seal 27 is interposed between the plate 26 of the heat exchanger 2 and a flat annular rim 28 of the single-piece body 5.

[0144] Thus the receptacle 6 is made watertight.

[0145] The plate 26 of the heat exchanger carries a fluid connection flange 29 arranged to allow the connection of pipes supplying and discharging the second heat transfer fluid, here a refrigerant fluid intended for the heat exchanger 2.

[0146] The inlet 15 and outlet 17 openings for the first heat transfer fluid open onto this plate 26.

[0147] The plate 26 comprises an opening 30 associated with the inlet opening 15 of the first fluid of the heat exchanger 2, opening 30 arranged to allow the flow of the first fluid between the fluid path 8 in the receptacle and the first fluid inlet opening 15 of the heat exchanger 2.

[0148] This opening 30, in one piece, extends both opposite this inlet opening 15 and opposite the space between the side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 of the single-piece body 5 and the peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2.

[0149] The opening 30 is closed by the deflector 32 to create an angled channel for the first fluid. This deflector 32 has a half-shell shape and is fixed to the plate 26.

[0150] The plate 26 comprises an opening 33 associated with the outlet opening 17 of the first fluid of the heat exchanger 2, opening 33 which is distant from this outlet opening 17 and positioned opposite the separate conduit 19.

[0151] This opening 33 has the shape of a truncated disc, and is arranged to allow the flow of the first fluid between the first fluid outlet opening 17 of the heat exchanger and the separate conduit 19.

[0152] The opening 33 is closed by the deflector 22 to create the bent channel 20 for the first fluid.

[0153] The deflector 22 is fixed on this plate 26 of the heat exchanger.

[0154] The bent channel 20 directs the first heat transfer fluid from the outlet opening 17 of the heat exchanger to the separate conduit 19 via the opening 33.

[0155] The single-piece body 5 comprises a separating wall 35 between the cavity 7 forming the degassing tank 3 and the receptacle 6 arranged to receive the heat exchanger 2.

[0156] The cavity 7 forming the degassing tank 3 is closed by a cover 36 bearing against an annular rim 37 of the cavity 7.

[0157] The annular rim 37 of the cavity 7 is flat and has a rectangular outline.

[0158] The cover 36 is a part attached to the single-piece body 5, and fixed, for example by welding, to the single-piece body 5.

[0159] The cover 35 comprises a removable plug 38 cooperating with a degassing vent 39 of the tank 3.

[0160] The open annular rim 37 of the cavity 7 and the open annular rim 28 of the receptacle 6 extend in two perpendicular planes, as can be seen in Figure 3.

[0161] The cavity 7 forming the degassing tank 3 comprises a side wall 40 and a bottom wall 41.

[0162] The cavity 7 partially envelops the receptacle 6. Thus the cavity 7 has a shape which runs along a portion of a circumference of the receptacle 6.

[0163] The cavity 7 is of variable depth, with this depth being smaller in the part of the cavity 7 which is above the location of the receptacle 6 for the heat exchanger 2.

[0164] The depth of the cavity 7 is the distance measured between the plane PP of the annular rim 37 of the cavity 7 and the bottom wall 41 of this cavity 7, in a direction perpendicular to this plane of the annular rim 37 of the cavity 7.

[0165] The bottom wall 41 of the reservoir 3 merges with a portion of the side wall 9 of the receptacle 6.

[0166] Schematically, the cavity 7 generally has a lying L shape, which fits into a rectangular shape of the receptacle 6.

[0167] The one-piece body 5 comprises a support 44 arranged to carry components with a fluidic function. This support 44 is part of the one-piece body 5 and is presented as an extension of this one-piece body 5. This support 44 extends from the receptacle 6, generally following the plane of the open annular rim 28 of the receptacle 6.

[0168] In the example described, among the components with a fluidic function, there is a multi-way valve 45 for controlling the flow of the first heat transfer fluid through different flow paths, some of which pass through the degassing tank 3 and the receptacle 6. The support 44 defines a seat 46 with channels 47, this seat 46 receiving the valve 45.

[0169] Among the fluidic function components carried by the support 44, there are also two pumps 48 for generating the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid.

[0170] The support 44 forms two housings 49, or seats, respectively for the two pumps 48. Each seat 49 comprises a channel 50 of first heat transfer fluid communicating with the corresponding pump 48.

[0171] The 48 pumps are electric type.

[0172] The assembly 1 further comprises a fluidic function component 52 forming a heat exchanger of the heat pump, involving a dielectric fluid flowing therein. This heat exchanger 52 is arranged against the bottom wall 25 of the receptacle 6.

[0173] This fluidic function component 52 may, as a variant, be an electric heating resistance heating device arranged to heat the first heat transfer fluid.

[0174] An assembly variant of the example just described has been described with reference to Figures 8 to 10.

[0175] In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the receptacle 6 is closed by a flat plate 55, separate from the heat exchanger 2. The plate 55 is solid, without opening.

[0176] Thus the heat exchanger 2 is first installed in the receptacle 6 then the plate 55 is fixed on the single-piece body 56 to close the receptacle 6.

[0177] The separate conduit 19 in the one-piece body 5 which includes the outlet orifice 18 for the first fluid is open at both ends, one end of this separate conduit being closed by the plate 55.

[0178] The other end of this separate conduit 19 opens onto a deflector 22 to produce the bent channel 20, as in the previous example.

[0179] This deflector 22 is fixed on a bottom wall 57 of the receptacle 6, outside the single-piece body 56. The separate conduit 19 opens onto the bottom wall 57.

[0180] This bottom wall 57 is not solid, unlike the bottom wall 25 of the previous example.

[0181] Indeed, the bottom wall 57 comprises a through passage 59 for housing a fluid connection flange 29 arranged to allow the connection of pipes supplying and discharging the second heat transfer fluid intended for the heat exchanger 2.

[0182] The bottom wall 57 and the plate 55 are positioned opposite each other, on either side of the receptacle 6.

[0183] The heat pump is not described in further detail, being well known in the prior art. The invention is adaptable to a large number of types of cooling circuit, insofar as the different components can be chosen to perform the different expected functions.

[0184] We will now describe in more detail, with reference to FIG. 11, the structure of the multi-way valve 45, which is here a 6-way valve, and with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15, the integration of the assembly 1 in a thermal management system 100.

[0185] This thermal management system 100 includes, in addition to the heat exchanger 2, or chiller in English: - a first loop 101 for circulating the first heat transfer fluid passing, on the one hand, through a cooling radiator 110, on the front face of the vehicle, configured to cool the first heat transfer fluid circulating in this cooling radiator 110, by heat exchange with blown air, and, on the other hand, through the heat exchanger 2, - a second loop 102 for circulating the first heat transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger 2, without passing through the cooling radiator 110, - a third loop 103 for circulating the first heat transfer fluid configured to cool at least one component likely to release heat during its operation, here a battery 111 and power electronics associated with an electric motor 112,

[0186] The 6-way valve 45 is configured to direct the first heat transfer fluid selectively into the first loop 101 or into the second loop 102 while maintaining the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the third circulation loop 103, as will be better explained later.

[0187] The first circulation loop 101 and the second circulation loop 102 share a common circulation branch 104 passing through the heat exchanger 2 and connecting to the valve 45, to an inlet E2 of this valve 45.

[0188] The second circulation loop 102 comprises a bypass branch 106 starting from the valve 45 and opening into the common circulation branch 104 passing through the heat exchanger 2.

[0189] This bypass branch 106 allows, for a predetermined position of the valve 45, the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the heat exchanger 2, without passing through the cooling radiator 110.

[0190] The valve 45 comprises a fluid outlet S1 connected to the bypass branch 106 which belongs to the second circulation loop 102.

[0191] The valve 45 comprises a fluid outlet S5 connected to the first circulation loop 101, outlet S5 through which the first heat transfer fluid leaves the valve 45 to circulate in the first circulation loop 101.

[0192] The third circulation loop 103 is connected to a fluid outlet S4 of the valve 45 and reconnects the circulation of this third circulation loop 103 to the valve 45, on a fluid inlet E3 of this valve 45.

[0193] The third circulation loop 103 passes through two components 111 and 112 to be cooled.

[0194] The fluid inlets / outlets S4 and E3 of the valve 45 dedicated to the third circulation loop 103 are in communication with the inlet E2 of the valve 45 on which the common branch 104 of the first circulation loop 101 and second circulation loop 102 arrives.

[0195] The fluid inlets / outlets S4 and E3 and the inlet E2 of the valve 45 are connected, for all operating positions of the valve, to a first chamber 51 of the valve 45.

[0196] When one of the first circulation loop 101 and second circulation loop 102 is in operation, first heat transfer fluid cooled by the operating loop is directed to the third loop 103 in order to cool the components 111 and 112 on this third loop, as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13.

[0197] Conversely, as illustrated in Figure 15, when the first circulation loop 101 and second circulation loop 102 are stopped, the third loop 103 can operate in isolation and the first heat transfer fluid which circulates therein is heated by one of the electrical components 112, for example electronics or an electric motor, and, after being heated, serves to heat another electrical component, for example a battery 111, on this third loop 103.

[0198] The third circulation loop 103 is connected to a bypass branch 108 configured to divert first heat transfer fluid from the third circulation loop 103 to an inlet E6 of the valve 45.

[0199] The valve 45 is configured to selectively put this inlet E6 into fluid communication with the outlet S5 towards the first circulation loop 101 or this inlet E6 with the outlet S1 towards the second circulation loop 102.

[0200] The valve 45 comprises a second chamber 62 and a third chamber 63, isolated from each other and each isolated from the first chamber 51, where: - in a first position of the multi-way valve POS1 (illustrated in figure 12), the second chamber 62 connects, on the one hand, the inlet E6 of the multi-way valve and, on the other hand, the outlet S5 of the multi-way valve, and only the outlet S1 of the multi-way valve is then connected to the third chamber 63 (there is therefore no circulation in this third chamber), - in a second position of the multi-way valve POS2 (illustrated in figures 13 to 15), the third chamber 63 connects, on the one hand, the inlet E6 of the multi-way valve and, on the other hand, the outlet S1 of the multi-way valve, while the second chamber 62 is not operating (only the outlet S5 of the multi-way valve is then connected to this second chamber, there is therefore no circulation in this second chamber), - the multi-way valve 45 being actuable between these first and second positions POS1 and POS2.

[0201] The chambers 51, 62 and 63 formed on a rotating body 64, are delimited by partitions 65 forming three substantially radial branches.

[0202] The body 64 is housed in a seat of the one-piece body 56.

[0203] The common branch 104 of the first circulation loop 101 comprises, in series with the heat exchanger 2, a heating device 109 with an electrical resistance, configured to heat the first heat transfer fluid, when the heat exchanger 2 is stopped, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0204] A non-return valve 130 may be provided on branch 104.

[0205] The common branch 104 comprises a pump 48 to cause the circulation of fluid.

[0206] The third circulation loop 103 also includes a pump 48.

[0207] The bypass branch 108 connected to the third circulation loop 103 and connected to the inlet E6 may comprise a stop valve, not shown, configured to cut off the circulation of fluid. This valve makes it possible to prevent part of the fluid from continuing to circulate through the chiller 2 in battery heating mode by the power electronics.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal management system (100) for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger (2) configured to allow a heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger (2), - a first loop (101) for circulating the first heat transfer fluid passing, on the one hand, through a cooling radiator (110), in particular arranged on a front face of a vehicle, configured to cool the first heat transfer fluid circulating in this cooling radiator (110), by heat exchange with air, and, on the other hand, through the heat exchanger (2), - a second loop (102) for circulating the first heat transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger (2), without passing through the cooling radiator (110), - a third loop (103) for circulating the first heat transfer fluid configured to cool at least one component (111; 112) likely to release heat during its operation, in particular a battery and / or power electronics and / or an electric motor, - a multi-way valve (45), in particular a 6-way valve, configured to direct the first heat transfer fluid selectively into the first loop (101) or into the second loop (102) while maintaining the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the third circulation loop (103).

2. The system of the preceding claim, wherein the first circulation loop (101) and the second circulation loop (102) share a common circulation branch (104) passing through the heat exchanger (2) and connecting to the multi-way valve (45), to an inlet (E2) of this valve.

3. System according to the preceding claim, in which the second circulation loop (102) comprises a bypass branch (106) starting from the multi-way valve (45) and opening into the common circulation branch (104) passing through the heat exchanger (2).

4. System according to the preceding claim, in which the multi-way valve (45) comprises a fluid outlet (S1) connected to the bypass branch (106) which belongs to the second circulation loop (102).

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the multi-way valve (45) comprises a fluid outlet (S5) connected to the first circulation loop (101), outlet through which first heat transfer fluid leaves the multi-way valve to circulate in the first circulation loop.

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the third circulation loop (103) is connected to a fluid outlet (S4) of the multi-way valve (45) and reconnects the circulation of this third circulation loop to the multi-way valve, on a fluid inlet (E3) of this valve.

7. System according to the preceding claim, in which the fluid inlet (E3) and outlet (S4) of the multi-way valve (45) dedicated to the third circulation loop (103) and the inlet (E2) of the multi-way valve on which the common branch of the first circulation loop and the second circulation loop arrives are connected, for all operating positions of the valve, to a first chamber (51) of the multi-way valve.

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the third circulation loop (103) is connected to a bypass branch (108) configured to divert first heat transfer fluid from the third circulation loop to an inlet (E6) of the multi-way valve (45).

9. System according to the preceding claim, in which the multi-way valve (45) comprises a second chamber (62) and a third chamber (63), isolated from each other and each isolated from the first chamber, where: - in a first position (POS1) of the multi-way valve, the second chamber (62) connects, on the one hand, the inlet (E6) of the multi-way valve connected to the bypass branch (108) connected to the third circulation loop (103) and, on the other hand, the outlet (S5) of the multi-way valve to the first circulation loop (101), while the third chamber (63) is not in operation, - in a second position (POS2) of the multi-way valve, the third chamber (63) connects, on the one hand, the inlet (E6) of the multi-way valve connected to the bypass branch (108) connected to the third circulation loop (103) and, on the other hand, the outlet (S1) of the multi-way valve to the second circulation loop (102), while the second chamber is not operating, - the valve (45) being actuable between these first and second positions.

10. Heat pump, in particular on board a vehicle, comprising a system (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

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