Improved heat exchanger terminal block

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection block (1) of a heat exchanger (100), in particular a gas cooler, for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising: - a body (10), - at least one passage (11) configured to fluidly connect the heat exchanger (100) to a fluid circuit, - an outer layer (20) covering at least partially said body (10), said connection block (1) being characterized in that the outer layer (20) is configured to thermally insulate said body (1), said outer layer (20) comprising in particular alumina or ceramic, in particular a plurality of ceramic spheres.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, particularly heat exchangers for motor vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a connection block as defined in the preamble of claim 1, and as illustrated in document EP 4 198 441. Previous technique

[0002] In the field of heat exchangers for thermal management of components, particularly for motor vehicles, especially electric vehicles, the available volume is limited.

[0003] Air-cooled heat exchangers, particularly front-mounted heat exchangers positioned at the front of the vehicle, are characterized by a large frontal area and a thin profile. These heat exchangers, including radiators, condensers, and gas coolers, are assembled one behind the other, along their thickness. To minimize their volume, these heat exchangers are assembled close together. As a result, the distance between two heat exchangers can be less than 10 mm, or even less than 5 mm.

[0004] Under these conditions, heat transfer, particularly by radiation, between heat exchangers within the same assembly can lead to a deterioration in the thermal performance of said exchangers. In some cases, this heat transfer can cause physical damage to said heat exchangers, especially to the plastic portions of said heat exchangers.

[0005] In particular, during operation, the temperature of the connection block, which supplies fluid to the heat exchangers, is approximately equal to the temperature of the fluid circulating within the heat exchanger. When this fluid is at a high temperature, heat transfer, especially by radiation, between the connection block and the heat exchanger environment can damage components located near the connection block. Specifically, this heat transfer can damage the heat exchangers positioned near the connection block, and in particular the plastic parts of these heat exchangers.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to limit heat transfer between the connection block of a heat exchanger and its environment, particularly heat transfer between the connection block of a heat exchanger and an additional heat exchanger. Summary

[0007] To this end, the present invention proposes a connection block for a heat exchanger, in particular a gas cooler, for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising: a body, at least one passage configured to fluidly connect the heat exchanger to a fluid circuit, an outer layer at least partially covering said body, said connecting block being characterized in that the outer layer is configured to thermally insulate said body, said outer layer comprising in particular alumina or ceramic, in particular a plurality of ceramic spheres.

[0008] The connection block is a fluidic connection block.

[0009] The outer layer is configured to limit heat transfers, in particular heat transfers by radiation, between the connection block and an environment of said connection block, in particular between the connection block and an additional heat exchanger, in particular an additional heat exchanger located near the connection block.

[0010] An outer layer containing alumina, or aluminum oxide, helps to limit heat exchange, particularly heat exchange by radiation, between the connection block and its environment.

[0011] An outer layer comprising ceramic, in particular a plurality of ceramic spheres, helps to limit heat exchange, in particular heat exchange by radiation, between the connection block and its environment.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fluid circuit is a refrigerant fluid circuit, in particular of R134a or R290 or R744, preferably R744.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the body of the connection block is a single piece.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting block, in particular the body of the connecting block, is substantially parallelepiped-shaped.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, said outer layer covers at least one face of the body.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the faces of the body comprise at least a first large face and a second large face extending, on either side of said body, parallel to a principal direction of extension of the passage, said outer layer covering at least one of the first and second large faces.

[0017] The faces of the body also include at least one first small face and a second small face extending, on either side of said body, parallel to the principal direction of extension of the passage, an area of ​​each of the first and second large faces being greater than an area of ​​any of the first and second small faces.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, said body of said connecting block comprises aluminum.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the passage is configured to fluidly connect a heat exchanger manifold to a fluid circuit.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, said connection block comprises at least one positioning element, in particular a positioning pin configured to be received in a positioning orifice or a positioning orifice configured to receive a positioning pin, the positioning element being configured to allow good positioning and facilitate the mounting of the connection block with a fluid circuit connection interface.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the passage of the connection block goes through said connection block from one side to the other.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the passage of the connection block includes an enlarged section, said enlarged section being positioned at one end of said passage, said enlarged section being configured to connect said passage to the fluid circuit.

[0023] The cross-section of the enlarged section is larger than the cross-section of the passage, in particular the hydraulic diameter of the enlarged section is larger than the hydraulic diameter of the passage.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connection block includes a fixing orifice, said fixing orifice being configured to attach said connection block to a connection interface of the fluid circuit.

[0025] In this way, the connection block is configured to attach, in particular in a detachable manner, the said heat exchanger to the said fluid circuit.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, said connection block comprises at least one rib, in particular circular, said rib forming at least partially said passage, said rib being configured to allow good positioning and facilitate mounting of the connection block on the manifold.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, said connection block comprises at least one interface element, preferably two interface elements, in particular in the form of elongated projections, said interface elements being configured to cooperate with curved portions of the manifold to attach said connection block to said manifold.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, said connection block comprises at least one fixing lug, said fixing lug being integral with said connection block, in particular said fixing lug being in continuity of material with said connection block, said fixing lug being configured to cooperate with a fixing member of an additional heat exchanger so as to attach said additional heat exchanger to the heat exchanger.

[0029] In this way, only one part is needed instead of two, a connecting block and a fixing bracket, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the outer layer is between 5 µm and 100 µm, preferably between 5 µm and 50 µm, and even more preferably between 10 µm and 20 µm.

[0031] In this way, the outer layer limits heat exchange, particularly heat exchange by radiation, between the connection block and its environment.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the alumina of the outer layer is obtained by anodizing the connecting block.

[0033] In this way, the outer layer includes a controlled thickness of alumina, in particular a thickness between 5 µm and 100 µm of alumina, especially between 5 µm and 50 µm.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the outer layer comprising ceramic is a paint or a paste or an adhesive or a gel or an aerogel, the ceramic being in particular dispersed within said paint or said paste or said adhesive or said gel or said aerogel in the form of a plurality of spheres.

[0035] In this way, the outer layer can be easily applied to the body of the connecting block, in particular to at least one of the faces of the body.

[0036] The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a connection block according to the invention.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger is an air heat exchanger, in particular an air gas cooler, in particular an air gas cooler in which R744 circulates.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger comprises a bundle of parallel tubes and a multiplicity of spacers, said spacers being arranged between said tubes.

[0039] The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant, circulating in the heat exchanger tubes, and air, circulating around the spacers.

[0040] When the refrigerant circulating in the heat exchanger tubes is R744, the heat exchanger is an air-cooled gas cooler. The R744 circulates in the tubes in a supercritical state, at high temperature and high pressure. In particular, the temperature of the R744 circulating within the heat exchanger can reach, or even exceed, 180°C.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connection block is fluidically connected to a manifold of the heat exchanger, said manifold being configured to supply fluid to the tubes of said heat exchanger.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger extends mainly along a foreground plane.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger tubes extend along said first plane.

[0044] The invention also relates to a heat exchange assembly comprising a heat exchanger according to the invention and at least one additional heat exchanger, said additional heat exchanger being disposed near said heat exchanger.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the additional heat exchanger extends mainly along a second plane, parallel to the first plane.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the additional heat exchanger is a cooling radiator.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, a first distance, separating the heat exchanger from the additional heat exchanger, said first distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to the first plane, said first distance being less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm.

[0048] In this way, the compactness of the heat exchange assembly is improved.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the additional heat exchanger comprises a water box, in particular a water box made of plastic material, the heat exchanger connection block being disposed at least partially opposite said water box, in particular one of the faces of the body of the connection block covered with the outer layer being disposed at least partially opposite said water box.

[0050] The plastic material allows for a low weight of the water box, as well as a high degree of modularity in shape, the use of plastic allowing the geometry of the water box to be modified by adapting the tools.

[0051] The outer layer helps to limit heat transfers, particularly heat transfers by radiation, between the connection block and the water box of the additional heat exchanger, as these heat transfers could damage the water box.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the water box includes at least one fastening member, said fastening member being configured to attach the additional heat exchanger to the heat exchanger.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger includes at least one mounting lug, in particular a manifold of said heat exchanger or said connection block includes at least one mounting lug, said mounting lug being configured to cooperate with the mounting member of the additional heat exchanger so as to attach the additional heat exchanger to the heat exchanger.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange assembly includes a fastening element, in particular a screw, rivet or nut, said fastening element cooperating with the fixing lug and the fixing member so as to attach the additional heat exchanger to the heat exchanger.

[0055] The invention also relates to a cooling device for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising a fluid circuit, in particular a refrigerant fluid circuit, and a heat exchange assembly according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0056] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of a heat exchange assembly according to the invention. Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view of a connection block of a heat exchanger of the heat exchange assembly of the [ Fig. 1 ]. Fig. 3 ] is a view according to section AA of the connecting block of the [ Fig. 2 ]. Fig. 4 ] is a view according to a BB section of the connection block of the [ Fig. 2 ]. Description of the implementation methods

[0057] To facilitate the reading of the figures, the different elements are not necessarily drawn to scale. In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers. Some elements or parameters may be indexed, that is, designated, for example, as first element or second element, or first parameter and second parameter, etc. This indexing aims to differentiate between similar, but not identical, elements or parameters. This indexing does not imply any priority of one element or parameter over another. The designations 'first', 'second', 'third', etc., can therefore be interchanged.

[0058] References: Connection block 1; Body 10; Passage 11; Positioning element 12; Enlarged section 13; Fixing hole 14; Rib 15; Interface element 16; First and second large faces 17a, 17b; First and second small faces 18a, 18b; Outer layer 20; Heat exchanger 100; Manifold 101; Curved portions 102; Fixing tab 103; Tubes 110; Additional heat exchanger 200; Water box 201; Fixing member 202; First distance D1; Thickness E; First plane P1; Second plane P2.

[0059] A cooling device for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, includes a fluid circuit, in particular a refrigerant fluid circuit, in particular R134a or R290 or R744, and a heat exchanger 100 according to the invention.

[0060] A vehicle cooling system typically includes a heat exchange assembly, specifically a front-end heat exchange assembly, as illustrated. figure 1 . Such a heat exchange assembly comprises a heat exchanger 100 and at least one additional heat exchanger 200, said additional heat exchanger 200 being disposed in proximity to said heat exchanger 100.

[0061] Heat exchanger 100 is an air heat exchanger, specifically an air gas cooler, in particular an air gas cooler in which R744 circulates.

[0062] The heat exchanger 100 comprises a bundle of parallel tubes 110 and a multiplicity of spacers, said spacers being arranged between said tubes 110. The heat exchanger 100 also comprises a manifold 101 configured to supply fluid to the tubes 110 of said heat exchanger 100.

[0063] The heat exchanger 100 is configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant, circulating in the tubes 110 of the heat exchanger 100, and air, circulating around the spacers.

[0064] When the refrigerant circulating in the tubes 110 of the heat exchanger 100 is R744, the heat exchanger 100 is an air-cooled gas cooler. The R744 circulates in the tubes 110 in a supercritical state, at high temperature and high pressure. In particular, the temperature of the R744 circulating within the heat exchanger 100 can thus reach, or even exceed, 180°C.

[0065] The heat exchanger 100 extends mainly along a first plane P1.

[0066] The tubes 110 of the heat exchanger 100 extend according to the said first plane P1.

[0067] The additional heat exchanger extends mainly along a second plane P2, parallel to the first plane P1.

[0068] A first distance D1, separating the heat exchanger 100 from the additional heat exchanger 200, said first distance D1 being measured along a direction perpendicular to the first plane P1, said first distance D1 being less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm.

[0069] In this way, the compactness of the heat exchange assembly is improved.

[0070] The additional heat exchanger 200 includes a water box 201, in particular a water box 201 made of plastic material, the connection block 1 of the heat exchanger 100 being disposed at least partially opposite said water box 201.

[0071] The plastic material allows for a low weight of the 201 water box, as well as a high degree of modularity in shape, the use of plastic allowing the geometry of the 201 water box to be modified by adapting the tools.

[0072] The water box 201 includes at least one fastening member 202, said fastening member 202 being configured to attach the additional heat exchanger 200 to the heat exchanger 100.

[0073] The heat exchanger 100 includes at least one fixing lug 103, said fixing lug 103 being configured to cooperate with the fixing member 202 of the additional heat exchanger 200 so as to attach the additional heat exchanger 200 to the heat exchanger 100.

[0074] According to an example of an embodiment of the invention, not shown, the connection block 1 comprises said fixing tab 103, said fixing tab 103 being integral with said connection block 1, in particular said fixing tab 103 being in continuity of material with said connection block 1. In this way, only one part is required instead of two, a connection block 1 and a fixing tab 103, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0075] The heat exchange assembly includes a fastener, in particular a screw, rivet or nut, not shown, said fastener cooperating with the fixing lug 103 and the fixing member 202 so as to attach the additional heat exchanger 200 to the heat exchanger 100.

[0076] The heat exchanger 100 includes a connection block 1 as illustrated figures 2 to 4 . The connection block 1 is a fluidic connection block, fluidly connecting the manifold 101 of the heat exchanger 100 to the fluid circuit, so as to supply fluid to the tubes 110 of said heat exchanger 100.

[0077] The connection block 1 includes a body 10, at least one passage 11 configured to fluidly connect the heat exchanger 100 to the fluid circuit and an outer layer 20 covering at least partially said body 10.

[0078] The body 10 of the connection block 1 is preferably a single piece. The body 10 is substantially parallelepiped-shaped and comprises aluminum.

[0079] The outer layer 20 is configured to thermally insulate the body 1. More specifically, the outer layer 20 is configured to limit heat transfers, in particular heat transfers by radiation, between the connection block 1 and an environment of said connection block 1. In particular, the outer layer 20 makes it possible to limit heat transfers, in particular heat transfers by radiation, between the connection block 1 and the water box 201 of the additional heat exchanger 200, said heat transfers being likely to damage said water box 201.

[0080] The outer layer 20 covers at least one face 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b of the body 10. The faces of the body 10 comprise at least a first large face 17a and a second large face 17b extending, on either side of said body 10, parallel to a principal direction of extension of the passage 11. Said outer layer 20 covers at least one of the first and second large faces 17a, 17b.

[0081] The faces 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b of the body 10 also include at least a first small face 18a and a second small face 18b extending, on either side of said body 10, parallel to the main direction of extension of the passage 11. An area of ​​each of the first and second large faces 17a, 17b is greater than an area of ​​any of the first and second small faces 18a, 18b.

[0082] Preferably, the outer layer 20 covers the large face 17a, 17b of the body 10 of the connection block 1 arranged at least partially opposite the water box 201 of the additional heat exchanger 200.

[0083] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the outer layer 20 comprises alumina, or aluminum oxide. The alumina, or aluminum oxide, helps to limit heat exchange, particularly heat exchange by radiation, between the connection block 1 and its environment.

[0084] The thickness E of the outer layer 20, represented figure 4 , is between 5 µm and 100 µm, preferably between 5 µm and 50 µm, again preferably between 10 µm and 20 µm.

[0085] The alumina of the outer layer 20 is obtained by anodizing the connection block 1. This process makes it possible to obtain an outer layer 20 of alumina of controlled thickness E, in particular a thickness E between 5 µm and 100 µm, especially between 5 µm and 50 µm.

[0086] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the outer layer 20 comprises ceramic, in particular a plurality of ceramic spheres. The ceramic limits heat exchange, particularly heat exchange by radiation, between the connection block 1 and its environment.

[0087] The outer layer 20 comprising ceramic is a paint or a paste or an adhesive or a gel or an aerogel, the ceramic being in particular dispersed within said paint or said paste or said adhesive or said gel or said aerogel, in the form of a plurality of spheres.

[0088] In this way, the outer layer 20 can be easily applied to the body 10 of the connecting block 1, in particular to at least one of the faces 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b of the body 10.

[0089] The connection block 1 includes at least one positioning element 12, here a positioning orifice configured to receive a positioning pin, the positioning element 12 being configured to allow good positioning and facilitate the mounting of the connection block 1 with a fluid circuit connection interface.

[0090] Passage 11 of connection block 1 passes through said connection block 1 from one side to the other. Said passage 11 includes an enlarged section 13, said enlarged section 13 being positioned at one end of said passage 11, said enlarged section 13 being configured to connect said passage 11 to the fluid circuit.

[0091] The cross-section of the enlarged section 13 is larger than the cross-section of the passage 11, in particular the hydraulic diameter of the enlarged section 13 is larger than the hydraulic diameter of the passage 11.

[0092] The connection block 1 includes a mounting hole 14, said mounting hole 14 being configured to attach said connection block 1 to a fluid circuit connection interface.

[0093] In this way, the connection block 1 is configured to attach, in particular in a detachable manner, the said heat exchanger 100 to the said fluid circuit.

[0094] The connection block 1 includes at least one rib 15, in particular circular, said rib forming at least partially said passage 11, said rib 15 being configured to allow good positioning and facilitate the mounting of the connection block 1 on the manifold 101.

[0095] The connection block 1 comprises two interface elements 16, notably in the form of elongated projections, said interface elements 16 being configured to cooperate with curved portions 102 of the manifold 101 to attach said connection block 1 to said manifold 101. Said curved portions are illustrated figure 1 .

Claims

1. Connection block (1) of a heat exchanger (100), in particular of a gas cooler, for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising: • a body (10), • at least one passage (11) configured to fluidly connect the heat exchanger (100) to a fluid circuit, • an outer layer (20) at least partially covering said body (10), said connection block (1) being characterized in that the outer layer (20) is configured to thermally insulate said body (1), said outer layer (20) comprising in particular alumina or ceramic, in particular a plurality of ceramic spheres.

2. Connection block (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the body (10) comprises at least a first large face (17a) and a second large face (17b) extending, on either side of said body (10), parallel to a main direction of extension of the passage (11), said outer layer (20) covering at least one of the first and second large faces (17a, 17b).

3. Connection block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a thickness (E) of the outer layer (20) is between 5 µm and 100 µm, preferably between 5 µm and 50 µm, more preferably between 10 µm and 20 µm.

4. Connection block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer layer (20) comprises alumina, said alumina being obtained by anodization of the connection block (1).

5. Connection block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer layer (20) comprises ceramic, said outer layer (20) being a paint or a paste or an adhesive or a gel or an aerogel, the ceramic being in particular dispersed within said paint or said paste or said adhesive or said gel or said aerogel, in the form of a plurality of spheres.

6. Connection block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one fixing lug (103), said fixing lug (103) being integral with said connection block (1), in particular said fixing lug (103) being of material continuity with said connection block (1); said fixing lug (103) being configured to cooperate with a fixing member (202) of an additional heat exchanger (200) so as to attach said additional heat exchanger (200) to the heat exchanger (100).

7. Heat exchanger (100) comprising a connection block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said heat exchanger (100) extending mainly along a first plane (P1).

8. Heat exchange assembly comprising a heat exchanger (100) according to the preceding claim and at least one additional heat exchanger (200), the additional heat exchanger (200) extending mainly along a second plane (P2), parallel to the first plane (P1), the heat exchange assembly being characterized in that a first distance (D1), separating the heat exchanger (100) from the additional heat exchanger (200), said first distance (D1) being measured along a direction perpendicular to the first plane (P1), said first distance (D1) is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm.

9. Heat exchange assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the additional heat exchanger (200) comprises a water box (201), in particular a water box (201) made of plastic material, the connection block (1) of the heat exchanger (100) being arranged at least partially facing said water box (201), in particular at least one face (17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) of the body (10) of the connection block (1) being covered with the outer layer (20), said at least one face (17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) being arranged at least partially facing said water box (201).

10. Cooling device for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising a fluid circuit, in particular a refrigerant fluid circuit, and a heat exchange assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 9.

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