Assembly comprising a heat exchanger
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023817770
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-01-02
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-12
AI Technical Summary
Current vehicle systems require separate, bulky components for thermal management of battery packs, power electronics, and passenger comfort, leading to increased size and complexity, with complex fluidic connections and additional pipes needed for heat transfer fluids.
A compact assembly integrating both water-based and dielectric fluid circuits with a fluid junction for heat exchange, eliminating the need for additional pipes and centralizing thermal management components, featuring degassing tanks and a two-stage valve for efficient fluid circulation and heat transfer.
This solution optimizes vehicle footprint, reduces costs, and simplifies integration by enabling synergy in thermal management, enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing the risk of electrical issues with dielectric fluids.
Smart Images

Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
Description Title of the invention: ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A HEAT EXCHANGER [1] The present invention relates to an assembly, in particular for a vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger. [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] Furthermore, on current vehicles, it is required to thermally manage the battery pack, the power electronics, the electric motor(s), and to ensure comfort in the passenger compartment, and this in all conditions of use of the vehicle (in summer, in winter, during rapid recharging of the vehicle, during power peaks for example). [5] The present invention aims to find a synergy between these different elements, in particular by proposing to centralize the different functions of the cooling system within a single assembly which notably integrates the pumps, the distribution valves, and possibly other components. [6] The invention thus relates to an assembly, in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a first subassembly configured for circulation of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, comprising a component with a function fluidic, in particular a valve or a pump, dedicated to the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid, - a second subassembly configured for circulation of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid, comprising a component with a fluidic function, in particular a valve or a pump, dedicated to the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid, this second subassembly being fixed to the first subassembly, - a fluid junction between the first subassembly and the second subassembly configured to allow circulation of the first heat transfer fluid from the first subassembly to the second subassembly so as to allow, in a heat exchanger belonging to the second subassembly, an exchange of heat between the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid. [7] The invention makes it possible in particular to centralize different thermal management components in a single assembly, so as to optimize the vehicle's footprint, reduce the cost and facilitate its integration. These different components belong to one of the first sub-assemblies and second sub-assemblies which, in the state of the art, usually appear as separate parts which must be handled separately and which require complex and cumbersome fluid connections, for example using additional pipes for the different heat transfer fluids. The invention makes it possible to do without this type of additional pipe. [8] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid junction between the first subassembly and the second subassembly allows the first heat transfer fluid to be sent, using a pump, from the first subassembly to the second heat exchanger. [9] According to one aspect of the invention, the first subassembly comprises at least one first degassing tank configured to allow the first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, to undergo degassing which separates a gas, in particular air, present in the first heat transfer fluid.
[0010] For example, the first degassing tank allows the first heat transfer fluid loaded with air bubbles to be freed from the air bubbles before joining a cooling circuit of the first heat transfer fluid. This allows for proper operation of this cooling circuit.
[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the first subassembly comprises a first single-piece body comprising a receptacle arranged to receive a first heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and another heat transfer fluid such as a refrigerant, and a cavity arranged to form the first degassing tank.
[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the second subassembly comprises at least one second degassing tank configured to allow the second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid, to undergo degassing which separates a gas, in particular air, present in the second heat transfer fluid.
[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the second subassembly comprises a second single-piece body comprising a receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger configured for heat exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid, this heat exchanger being called the second heat exchanger, and a cavity arranged to form the second degassing tank.
[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the second heat exchanger is configured to allow heat exchanges within it between, on the one hand, the first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, for example glycolated water, coming from the first sub-assembly, and, on the other hand, the second heat transfer fluid, in particular dielectric fluid.
[0015] Thus, the first heat transfer fluid can be used to cool the second heat transfer fluid by heat exchanges within the second heat exchanger. The invention allows for synergy in terms of heat exchanges between the two sub-assemblies.
[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second one-piece bodies are fixed to each other.
[0017] This fixing is achieved, for example, by means of fixing elements such as screws. Shapes may be provided on the single-piece bodies, shapes which cooperate with each other, for example by snap-fastening.
[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, the assembly comprises a single-piece body common to the first subassembly and second subassembly, this common single-piece body comprising two cavities arranged to form respectively the first degassing tank and the second degassing tank.
[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, this common single-piece body comprises two cavities, in particular adjacent ones, arranged to form the first and second respective degassing tanks.
[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, each of the first subassembly and second subassembly comprises at least one pump for pumping the first heat transfer fluid, respectively the second heat transfer fluid, so as to ensure the circulation of heat transfer fluid.
[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, each of the first subassembly and second subassembly comprises at least one valve for controlling the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid, respectively the second heat transfer fluid.
[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly comprises a two-stage valve.
[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the two-stage valve comprises a first stage used for the first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, and a second stage for the second heat transfer fluid, in particular the dielectric fluid.
[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the two-stage valve comprises a distributor member movable in rotation about an axis of rotation, which comprises, for each of the first and second stages, a plurality of chambers configured to selectively connect fluid circulation paths, for each of the heat transfer fluids. Of course, these stages are isolated from each other and allow these first and second fluids not to mix.
[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid junction between the first subassembly and the second subassembly is formed by an end piece of the first subassembly and a complementary end piece of the second subassembly which are assembled, in particular by fitting together male-female shapes.
[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the respective end pieces are made in one piece with the corresponding one-piece body.
[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, a forward fluid junction is provided for the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid from the first sub-assembly to the second sub-assembly, and a return fluid junction for the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid from the second sub-assembly to the first sub-assembly.
[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, these forward and return fluid junctions are formed by couplings of the tips of the two sub-assemblies respectively.
[0029] These coupled tips extend in particular in a parallel manner.
[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the second heat transfer fluid is a dielectric fluid, namely an insulating fluid, not conducting electric current, and which can be defined as an electrical insulator. This dielectric fluid thus makes it possible, for example, to cool a battery pack directly by immersion, or by spray, and is also compatible with conventional cooling methods (for example, plate or tube exchanger type) by limiting the risks of short circuit or fire of the battery pack in the event of a breakdown of the cooling system.
[0031] For example, the first heat transfer fluid (particularly water-based, for example glycolated water) is dedicated to the thermal management of the passenger compartment, and the second heat transfer fluid (for example a dielectric fluid) is dedicated to the thermal management of the battery, the electric motor and the power electronics.
[0032] The features described below apply to either or both of the first and second heat exchangers.
[0033] 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 heat transfer fluid of this heat exchanger is formed between a side wall of the receptacle and a peripheral wall of this heat exchanger.
[0034] Thus, when the heat exchanger is the one that operates with the first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, for example glycolated water, the fluid path formed in the gap between the receptacle and the heat exchanger allows said fluid to circulate in contact with this heat exchanger and therefore to cool it around its periphery. The invention thus allows additional cooling, and therefore to boost the cooling of the heat exchanger. Preferably, the heat transfer fluid that was used for this cooling boost then flows into this heat exchanger.
[0035] Generally speaking, it is the same heat transfer fluid that flows in the gap between the receptacle and the heat exchanger, and which then flows within this heat exchanger.
[0036] Similarly, when the heat exchanger is the one that operates with a second heat transfer fluid, in particular dielectric fluid, the fluid path formed in the gap between the receptacle and the heat exchanger allows said fluid to circulate in contact with this heat exchanger and therefore to cool it around its periphery. The invention thus allows additional cooling, and therefore to boost the cooling of the heat exchanger. Preferably, the heat transfer fluid that was used for this cooling boost then flows into this heat exchanger.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle of the one-piece body comprises a heat transfer fluid inlet for supplying heat transfer fluid to the fluid path inside the receptacle.
[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid inlet orifice is made on the side wall of the receptacle.
[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the exchanger of the first subassembly is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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 shut-off 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.
[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the support forms at least a portion of a body of the valve or pump.
[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the pump is actuable by an electric motor.
[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is provided with two housings for receiving two pumps.
[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat transfer fluid is a cooling fluid such as water, in particular glycolated water.
[0051] 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 second circuit for the second heat transfer fluid.
[0052] The assembly can thus form a compact bi-fluid module performing several fluidic functions.
[0053] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:
[0054] - [Figure 1] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, an assembly according to an example of implementation of the invention;
[0055] - [Figure 2] illustrates, schematically and partially, according to a different view, the assembly of [Figure 1];
[0056] - [Figure 3] illustrates, schematically and partially, the single-piece body of the assembly of [Figure 1];
[0057] - [Figure 4] illustrates, schematically and partially, according to another view, the single-block body of [Figure 3];
[0058] - [Figure 5] illustrates, schematically and partially, according to yet another view, the single-piece body of [Figure 3];
[0059] - [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];
[0060] - [Figure 7] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, the single-piece body of [Figure 6], with the heat exchanger in place in the receptacle;
[0061] - [Figure 8] illustrates, schematically and partially, the assembly of [Figure 1], seen from below;
[0062] - [Figure 9] illustrates, schematically and partially, details of the fluidic junction between the first and second subassemblies of the assembly of [Figure 1];
[0063] - [Figure 10] illustrates, schematically and partially, in section, the two-stage valve equipping the assembly of [Figure 8];
[0064] - [Figure 11] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, the distributor organ of the valve of [Figure 10].
[0065] Figures 1 and 2 show an assembly 1 for a motor vehicle, comprising a first subassembly 100 with a first heat exchanger 2 configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, here glycolated water (or mixture of water and ethylene glycol), within the first heat exchanger 2, and, on the other hand, a flow of another heat transfer fluid, here a refrigerant, within the first heat exchanger 2.
[0066] The refrigerant is chosen from R134a, R1234yf or R744 fluid which supplies a vehicle air conditioning loop.
[0067] The first exchanger 2 is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English.
[0068] Assembly 1 is part of a heat pump, installed on the vehicle. The heat pump is, for example, an indirect type. This heat pump can have many different operating modes, each requiring different circulations of heat transfer fluids.
[0069] The first subassembly 100 also comprises a degassing tank 3 configured to allow the first heat transfer fluid to undergo degassing making it possible to separate a gas, in particular air, present in the first heat transfer fluid.
[0070] The first subassembly 100 further comprises a single-piece body 5 comprising a receptacle 6, visible in FIGS. 3 and 5, arranged to receive the first heat exchanger 2 and a cavity 7 arranged to form the degassing tank 3.
[0071] The one-piece body 5 is made of plastic, by molding.
[0072] As illustrated in Figure 6, the receptacle 6 is configured so that, when the first 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 first heat exchanger 2.
[0073] The fluid path 8 extends around the circumference of the peripheral wall 10 of the first heat exchanger 2.
[0074] The side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 and the peripheral wall 10 of the first heat exchanger 2 are parallel to each other, and are substantially homothetic to each other.
[0075] The peripheral wall 10 of the first heat exchanger 2 has four faces 11 perpendicular to each other, with rounded corners at their junctions.
[0076] The side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 has four faces 12 perpendicular to each other, with rounded corners at their junctions.
[0077] 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.
[0078] The inlet orifice 14 for the first fluid is made on the side wall 9 of the receptacle 6.
[0079] The first fluid inlet orifice 14 is placed opposite a corner of the peripheral wall 10 of the first 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 first heat exchanger 2.
[0080] The first 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.
[0081] This inlet opening 15 for the first fluid is located on a flat face 16 of the first heat exchanger 2, this face 16 being perpendicular to the peripheral wall 10.
[0082] The first heat exchanger 2 comprises an outlet opening 17 for the first fluid allowing the first fluid having circulated within the first heat exchanger 2 to exit therefrom, after having exchanged heat with the refrigerant fluid within the first heat exchanger 2.
[0083] 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.
[0084] 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 first heat exchanger 2 via the first fluid inlet opening 15 of the first heat exchanger 2. Then the first fluid leaves the first heat exchanger 2 via the first fluid outlet opening 17 before reaching the first fluid outlet orifice 18 of the receptacle 6.
[0085] The outlet orifice 18 for the first fluid is made in a separate conduit 19 of the receptacle 6, and this separate conduit 19 communicates with the outlet opening 17 for the first fluid of the first heat exchanger 2 by an angled channel 20 which spans a separation partition 21 between the separate conduit 19 and the receptacle 6.
[0086] 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 of the single-piece body 5.
[0087] The partition wall 21 is formed by a portion of the side wall 9 of the receptacle 6.
[0088] The first fluid outlet 18 faces this separating partition 21.
[0089] The separate conduit 19 has a volume at least 10 or 15 or 20 times smaller than the volume of the receptacle 6.
[0090] 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.
[0091] 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 first heat exchanger 2.
[0092] The first heat exchanger 2 comprises a plate 26 arranged to close the receptacle 6 of the single-piece body 5, once the first heat exchanger 2 is placed in this receptacle 6.
[0093] As visible in Figure 1, a seal 27 is interposed between the plate 26 of the first heat exchanger 2 and a flat annular rim 28 of the single-piece body 5.
[0094] Thus the receptacle 6 is made watertight.
[0095] The plate 26 of the first heat exchanger 2 carries a fluid connection flange 29 arranged to allow the connection of pipes supplying and discharging refrigerant fluid intended for the first heat exchanger 2.
[0096] The inlet 15 and outlet 17 openings for the first heat transfer fluid open onto this plate 26.
[0097] The plate 26 comprises an opening 30 associated with the inlet opening 15 of the first fluid of the first heat exchanger 2, opening 30 arranged to allow the flow of the first fluid between the fluid path 8 in the receptacle 6 and the inlet opening 15 of the first fluid of the first heat exchanger 2.
[0098] 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 first heat exchanger 2.
[0099] 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.
[0100] The plate 26 comprises an opening 33 associated with the outlet opening 17 of the first fluid of the first heat exchanger 2, opening 33 which is distant from this outlet opening 17 and positioned opposite the separate conduit 19.
[0101] 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 first heat exchanger 2 and the separate conduit 19.
[0102] The opening 33 is closed by the deflector 22 to create the bent channel 20 for the first fluid.
[0103] The deflector 22 is fixed on this plate 26 of the first heat exchanger 2.
[0104] The bent channel 20 directs the first heat transfer fluid from the outlet opening 17 of the first heat exchanger 2 to the separate conduit 19 via the opening 33.
[0105] 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 first heat exchanger 2.
[0106] The cavity 7 forming the degassing tank 3 is closed by a cover 36 bearing against an annular rim 37 of the cavity 7.
[0107] The annular rim 37 of the cavity 7 is flat and has a rectangular outline.
[0108] The annular rim 37 extends along a plane PP, visible in Figure 3.
[0109] 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.
[0110] The cover 36 comprises a removable plug 38 cooperating with a degassing vent 39 of the tank 3.
[0111] 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.
[0112] The cavity 7 forming the degassing tank 3 comprises a side wall 40 and a bottom wall 41.
[0113] 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.
[0114] 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 first heat exchanger 2.
[0115] By above, we mean in a direction perpendicular to the plane PP and a direction going from the bottom wall 41 towards the annular rim 37.
[0116] 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.
[0117] The bottom wall 41 of the reservoir 3 merges with a portion of the side wall 9 of the receptacle 6.
[0118] Schematically, the cavity 7 generally has a lying L shape, which fits into a rectangular shape of the receptacle 6.
[0119] The monobloc body 5 comprises a support 44 arranged to carry components with a fluidic function. This support 44 is part of the monobloc body 5 and is presented as an extension of this monobloc body 5. This support 44 extends from the receptacle 6, generally along the plane of the open annular rim 28 of the receptacle 6.
[0120] 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.
[0121] 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.
[0122] The 48 pumps are electric type.
[0123] The assembly 1 further comprises a second subassembly 200 configured for circulation of a second heat transfer fluid, here a dielectric fluid, carrying a pump 201, dedicated to the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid.
[0124] This second subset 200 is fixed to the first subset 100.
[0125] As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, a fluid junction 300 is provided between the first subassembly 100 and the second subassembly 200 which is configured to allow circulation of the first heat transfer fluid from the first subassembly 100 to the second subassembly 200 so as to allow, in a second heat exchanger 202 belonging to the second subassembly 200, an exchange of heat between the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid.
[0126] This fluid junction 300 allows the first heat transfer fluid to be sent, using a pump 48, from the first subassembly 100 to the second heat exchanger 202.
[0127] This second subassembly 200 comprises a second degassing tank 204 configured to allow the second heat transfer fluid, namely the dielectric fluid, to undergo degassing which separates a gas, in particular air, present in the second heat transfer fluid.
[0128] The second subassembly 200 comprises a second single-piece body 205 comprising a receptacle 206 arranged to receive the second heat exchanger. heat 202, and a cavity arranged to form the second degassing tank 204.
[0129] The receptacle 206 is closed by a plate 219 secured to the single-piece body 205.
[0130] The second heat exchanger 202 is configured to allow heat exchanges within it between, on the one hand, the first heat transfer fluid, here glycolated water, coming from the first sub-assembly 100, and, on the other hand, the second heat transfer fluid, here dielectric fluid.
[0131] Thus the first heat transfer fluid can be used to cool the second heat transfer fluid by heat exchanges within the second heat exchanger 202.
[0132] The first monobloc body 5 and the second monobloc body 205 are fixed to each other.
[0133] This fixing is achieved, for example, by means of fixing elements such as screws. Shapes may be provided on the single-piece bodies, shapes which cooperate with each other, for example by snap-fastening.
[0134] The fluid junction 300 between the first subassembly 100 and the second subassembly 200 consists of a forward fluid junction 305, for the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid from the first subassembly 100 to the second subassembly 200, and a return fluid junction 306 for the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid from the second subassembly 200 to the first subassembly 100.
[0135] Each forward fluid junction 305, respectively return 306, is formed by an end piece 110 of the first subassembly 100 and a complementary end piece 210 of the second subassembly 200 which are assembled by fitting male-female shapes, with the interposition of a sealing joint 301.
[0136] These respective tips 1, 10, 210 are made in one piece with the corresponding one-piece body 5, 205.
[0137] These coupled 110 and 210 tips, cylindrical in shape with different diameters, extend in parallel. The forward and return connections are made in this way.
[0138] With reference to Figures 10 and 11, a two-stage multi-way valve 45 actuated by a single actuator 57, of the electric actuator type, has been described.
[0139] Using a two-stage 45 valve reduces weight and cost.
[0140] This two-stage multi-way valve comprises a first stage 54 used for the first heat transfer fluid, here glycolated water, and a second stage 55 for the second heat transfer fluid, here the dielectric fluid.
[0141] Each of the first and second stages 54 and 55 of the multi-way valve 45 makes it possible to control the flow of the first heat transfer fluid, respectively of the second heat transfer fluid, through different flow paths, one of which passes through the respective degassing tank.
[0142] The support 44 of the first subassembly 100 defines a seat 46 with fluid inlet / outlet channels 47, this seat 46 housing the first stage 54 of the valve 45.
[0143] Likewise, the one-piece body 205 of the second subassembly 200 defines a seat 246 with fluid inlet / outlet channels 247, this seat 246 housing the second stage 55 of the valve 45.
[0144] The seats 46 and 246 are each provided with a neck 148, respectively 248, placed opposite each other, as can be better seen in figure 10.
[0145] The seats 46 and 246 receive a distributor member 310 which can rotate around an axis of rotation Xv.
[0146] As visible in Figure 11, this distributor member 310 comprises, for each of the first and second stages 54 and 55, a plurality of chambers 154 and 254. In the example described, each stage 54 and 55 comprises three chambers 154 and 254. These chambers are configured to communicate selectively different fluid flow paths, depending on thermal management needs.
[0147] For each stage 54 and 55, the chambers 154 and 254 are angularly delimited, around the axis Xv, by partitions 155 and 255 respectively, and by transverse flanges 156 and 256 at the axial ends of each stage 54 and 55. These transverse flanges 156 and 256 here each have a circular circumference, perpendicular to the axis Xv.
[0148] Stages 54 and 55 are connected to each other by an intermediate shaft 312 which connects one of the flanges 156 to one of the flanges 256. The intermediate shaft 312 is aligned with the axis Xv.
[0149] The intermediate shaft 312 is rotatably disposed through the necks 148 and 248, as can be clearly seen in Figure 10.
[0150] The two-stage distributor member 310 is made in one piece, for example from plastic. The distributor member 310 comprises a drive shaft 31 1 meshing with the actuator 57.
[0151] The distributor member 310 is rotatable by the actuator 57 so that the stages 54 and 55 of the valve 45 can take different distribution positions, to ensure different flow paths respectively for the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid. These different flow paths can be configured in different ways, depending on the type of thermal management chosen.
Claims
Claims
1. Assembly (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a first subassembly (100) configured for circulation of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, comprising a component with a fluidic function, in particular a valve or a pump (48), dedicated to the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid, - a second sub-assembly (200) configured for circulation of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid, comprising a component with a fluidic function, in particular a valve or a pump, dedicated to the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid, this second sub-assembly being fixed to the first sub-assembly, a fluidic junction (300) between the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly configured to allow circulation of the first heat transfer fluid from the first sub-assembly (100) to the second sub-assembly (200) so as to allow, in a heat exchanger belonging to the second sub-assembly, a heat exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid.
2. Assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the first subassembly (100) comprises at least one first degassing tank (3) configured to allow the first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, to undergo degassing which separates a gas, in particular air, present in the first heat transfer fluid.
3. Assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the first subassembly (100) comprises a first single-piece body (5) comprising a receptacle arranged to receive a first heat exchanger (2) configured to allow heat exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and another heat transfer fluid such as a refrigerant, and a cavity (7) arranged to form the first degassing tank.
4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second subassembly (200) comprises at least one second degassing tank (204) configured to allow the second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid, to undergo degassing which separates a gas, in particular air, present in the second heat transfer fluid.
5. Assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the second subassembly (200) comprises a second single-piece body (205) comprising a receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger configured for a heat exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid, this heat exchanger being called the second heat exchanger (202), and a cavity arranged to form the second degassing tank.
6. An assembly according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the first and second one-piece bodies (5, 205) are fixed to each other.
7. An assembly according to claims 3 and 5, wherein, for at least one of the first subassembly (100) and second subassembly (200), the receptacle is configured such that, when the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle, a fluid path (8) for the heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall of the receptacle and a peripheral wall of this heat exchanger.
8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly comprises a two-stage valve (45) with a first stage used for the first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, and a second stage for the second heat transfer fluid, in particular the dielectric fluid.
9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the fluid junction (300) between the first subassembly and the second subassembly is formed by an end piece (110) of the first subassembly and a complementary end piece (210) of the second subassembly which are assembled, in particular by fitting together male-female shapes.
10. Heat pump, in particular on board a vehicle, comprising an assembly (1) according to one of the claims previous ones, dedicated to a first circuit for the first heat transfer fluid and to a second circuit for the second heat transfer fluid.