Thermal control device comprising a heat exchanger with a stack of plates

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal control device (1) comprising a heat exchanger (4) with a stack of plates and a casing (6), the heat exchanger (4) comprising a first circuit that extends at least partially between at least two adjacent plates of the stack of plates and is intended to have a refrigerant flow therethrough, the heat exchanger (4) comprising a second circuit that extends at least partially between at least two adjacent plates of the stack of plates and is intended to have a heat transfer liquid flow therethrough, the heat exchanger (4) being accommodated in the casing (6) while leaving a space (32) arranged between the stack of plates and the casing (6), the space (32) defining a third circuit intended to have a heat transfer liquid flow therethrough, which third circuit runs along at least one outer side of the stack of plates, wherein at least one of the plates of the stack of plates comprises a thermal dissipation member that extends into the third circuit.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title of the invention: THERMAL REGULATION DEVICE COMPRISING A PLATE STACK HEAT EXCHANGER

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of thermal regulation devices, and more particularly to the means implemented to regulate the temperature of electrical energy storage devices fitted to vehicles.

[0004] These thermal regulation devices may, for example, be fitted to a vehicle. They are then arranged within this vehicle to enable the thermal regulation of a first fluid circulating in a first circuit, a second fluid circulating in a second circuit separate from the first circuit, and a third fluid flowing through a third circuit annexed to the first and second circuits. The fluids may in particular be a refrigerant circulating within an air conditioning loop of the vehicle or a coolant intended to regulate the temperature of a heat engine.

[0005] Within thermal control devices and the thermodynamic circuits to which they are attached, fluids circulate, dissipating or absorbing thermal energy. The efficiency of heat exchangers and thermodynamic circuits is mainly determined by the heat exchanges between the fluids flowing through them. Therefore, the design of heat exchangers in which the heat exchanges between the fluids circulating within them are optimized is sought.

[0006] One type of heat exchanger used in the automotive industry is a plate heat exchanger, consisting of a stack of plates that are arranged on top of each other by brazing and in which the spaces remaining between two adjacent plates after assembly define fluid circulation zones. These circulation zones, normally adapted to the fluids flowing through them, imply the existence of several different types of plates. A technical problem lies in the fact that brazing these plates complicates the manufacturing process of these plate heat exchangers.

[0007] Furthermore, this type of exchanger is incorporated into a single-unit sub-assembly centralizing different functions integrating pumps, valves or possibly other components. These multiple components require optimization of the heat exchanger's performance.

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a thermal regulation device comprising a heat exchanger whose plates have edges configured to optimize the heat exchange and consequently optimize the cooling performance of the thermal regulation device comprising this exchanger. The edges usually designed by stamping are optimized in order to create a heat exchange surface.

[0009] The main subject of the present invention is thus a thermal regulation device comprising a heat exchanger with a stack of plates and a housing, the heat exchanger comprising a first circuit which extends at least in part between at least two adjacent plates of the stack of plates and which is intended to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid, the heat exchanger comprising a second circuit which extends at least in part between at least two adjacent plates of the stack of plates and which is intended to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid, the heat exchanger being housed in the housing leaving a space arranged between said stack of plates and said housing, the space delimiting a third circuit intended to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid which runs along at least one external side of the stack of plates,wherein at least one of the plates of the plate stack comprises a heat dissipation member which extends into the third circuit.,

[0010] The plates of the heat exchanger according to the invention are configured for the circulation of several fluids making it possible to optimize heat exchanges, in particular by means of the heat dissipation member present on at least one plate constituting the stack of plates forming the heat exchanger. The heat dissipation members are longitudinal extensions of edges structuring the plates.

[0011] The first fluid, which is a refrigerant fluid intended to circulate in the first circuit and the second fluid, which is a heat transfer liquid intended to circulate in the second circuit, circulate within volumes each formed between adjacent plates belonging to the stack of plates forming the heat exchanger. The stacking of several plates on top of each other thus makes it possible to superimpose several heat dissipation members to which the plates are attached, in order to create circulation channels extending in the space delimiting the third circuit intended to be crossed by a heat transfer liquid to increase the heat exchange surface external to this exchanger. By "external" is meant an exchange surface not arranged between the first plate and the second plate but within the space arranged between the housing and the heat exchanger. This increase thus makes it possible to improve the thermal performance of the exchanger.

[0012] The heat transfer fluid circulating in the space constituting the third circuit leaves said third circuit until it enters the second circuit. It is understood that the second circuit is linked to the third circuit. According to the invention, the heat dissipation members also participate in maintaining and centering the heat exchanger within the housing in which it is housed.

[0013] According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, at least one of the plates which delimits the first circuit and / or the second circuit comprises the dissipation member.

[0014] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the plates delimiting the first circuit and / or the second circuit each comprise at least one bottom and one edge inclined relative to the bottom, the inclined edge of one plate being in contact with the inclined edge of the other plate, the dissipation member extending from the inclined edge of one of these plates. The plates of the heat exchanger according to the invention have a bathtub shape with two opposite longitudinal edges connected to each other by two lateral edges, the lateral and longitudinal edges being connected to each other by a bottom of the plate. All of the lateral and longitudinal edges are inclined relative to the bottom of the plate.

[0015] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the dissipation member extends the inclined edge of one of these plates.

[0016] The dissipation member forms, for example, a rim which extends the inclined edge parallel to the bottom of the plate, in the direction of at least one of the walls of the housing which houses the heat exchanger.

[0017] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the dissipation member extends in a plane parallel to the plane in which the bottom mainly extends.

[0018] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the dissipation member extends the inclined edge over a distance of between 1.5 mm and 5 mm.

[0019] This distance is measured between a base of the dissipation member and its top. Its base corresponds to a first of its ends which joins the inclined edge while its top is a second of its ends, the furthest from this edge, this second end being a free end of the dissipation member and oriented opposite the heat exchanger.

[0020] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the dissipation member is made of the same material as the plate which carries it.

[0021] The plate and the dissipation element it contains are made of metal, for example aluminum.

[0022] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, one plate out of two of the stack of plates comprises a dissipation member.

[0023] In such a case, the other plate is devoid of a dissipation member which extends into the third circuit. Two dissipation members of two plates at least partially delimit a channel constituting the third circuit. According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, at least two plates each comprise a dissipation member, a free end of each of the two dissipation members being in contact with a wall of the housing, said dissipation members and said wall of the housing at least partially delimiting a circulation channel constituting the third circuit.

[0024] The circulation channels are intended to be crossed by the heat transfer fluid circulating in the third circuit. These circulation channels make it possible to increase the external exchange surface of the exchanger crossed by the heat transfer fluid circulating in the third circuit, thus improving the performance of said exchanger.

[0025] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, at least one circulation channel is interrupted at a first opening of the second circuit.

[0026] The first opening of the second circuit is configured for the passage of the heat transfer fluid. In order not to hinder the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the second circuit, it is generally necessary for a portion of the circulation channels to be interrupted at this orifice.

[0027] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the thermal regulation device comprises a multiplicity of circulation channels, the circulation channels extending from a zone proximal to a supply mouth of the third circuit to a zone of interruption of the circulation channels proximal to the first opening of the second circuit.

[0028] The interruption zone is an area without circulation channels. This zone is configured to allow free passage to the heat transfer fluid entering through the first opening belonging to the second circuit.

[0029] According to another preferred feature of the invention, the plate comprises two dissipation members, a first dissipation member projecting from a first edge of the plate and a second dissipation member projecting from another edge of the plate, this other edge extending along a line parallel to a line along which the first edge extends. It should be understood here that the plate may comprise a first dissipation member on one of its inclined lateral edges as well as a second dissipation member on the other of its two inclined lateral edges.

[0030] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the plate comprises two dissipation members, a first dissipation member projecting from a first edge of the plate and a second dissipation member projecting from another edge of the plate, this other edge extending along a line perpendicular to a line along which the first edge extends.

[0031] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, said thermal regulation device comprises a single-piece body comprising the housing.

[0032] We understand that the case is overmolded with the single-piece body forming a solid unit.

[0033] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the single-piece body comprises an expansion vessel configured to receive heat transfer liquid.

[0034] It is important to understand that the monobloc body has the function of centralizing multiple functions in a single support.

[0035] According to another preferred characteristic 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.

[0036] According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the fluidic function component 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 liquid, in particular a dielectric liquid.Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0037] [Fig. i] is a sectional view of the thermal regulation device according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig. 2] is a front view of the thermal regulation device according to the invention;

[0039] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of a plate constituting the stack of plates forming the heat exchanger belonging to the thermal regulation device of Figure 1;

[0040] [Fig. 4] is a side view of the plate of Figure 2;

[0041] [Fig. 5] is a perspective and partially sectional view of the heat exchanger housed in a housing belonging to the thermal regulation device of Figure 1.

[0042] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0043] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0044] In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of a thermal regulation device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a main elongation axis of the thermal regulation device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a width of the thermal regulation device, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference frame L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference frame L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T.

[0045] Figure 1 thus illustrates a thermal regulation device 1 according to the invention, this thermal regulation device i being intended to equip a motor vehicle. The thermal regulation device i participates in the cooling of at least one element of the motor vehicle with which it is equipped. For this purpose, it is configured to carry out a heat exchange, in other words an exchange of calories, between a refrigerant fluid and another fluid, the exchange of calories being carried out thanks to a heat exchanger 4 which it comprises. This other fluid may for example be a heat transfer liquid such as glycolated water, dielectric fluid or oil. These two fluids more precisely pass through the heat exchanger 4.

[0046] The thermal regulation device 1 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L. It comprises a housing 6 in which the heat exchanger 4 is arranged, as well as a support 8, the assembly of the housing 6 and the support 8 forming a single-piece body 10.

[0047] The support 8 is configured to carry at least one fluidic function component, in particular a plurality of fluidic function components which are not shown in the figures. One of the fluidic function components is a pump configured to draw off the refrigerant or the heat transfer liquid. The support 8 also comprises a valve for directing the refrigerant or the heat transfer liquid; this valve may, for example, be a multi-way valve. A non-return valve is also provided on the support 8 for the refrigerant or the heat transfer liquid, as well as a throttle valve. Furthermore, the support 8 comprises a condensation exchanger, in particular a water condenser. A heating device with an electric heating resistor is also arranged on the support 8 to heat the heat transfer liquid.A desiccant bottle and a filter for filtering particles present in the refrigerant fluid or in the heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid, are included by the support 8.

[0048] It is then understood that the single-piece body 10 comprising on the one hand the housing 6 in which the heat exchanger 4 is housed and on the other hand the support 8, makes it possible to compact different functions and therefore has the advantage of saving space within the vehicle which it equips.

[0049] As detailed in Figure 1, the housing 6 is formed by four walls including a first wall 12a and a second wall 12b which extend in the longitudinal L and transverse T directions, and a third wall 12c and a fourth wall i2d which extend in the vertical V and transverse T directions. It is understood here that the first wall 12a and the second wall 12b extend perpendicular to the third wall 12c and to the fourth wall i2d.

[0050] The heat exchanger 4 housed inside the housing 6, comprises a first orifice 14a configured to receive the refrigerant circulating in a first circuit and a second orifice 14b configured to evacuate the refrigerant. It is understood that the first circuit extends in the heat exchanger 4 from the first orifice 14a to the second orifice 14b.

[0051] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 4 comprises a first opening 18a configured to receive the heat transfer fluid circulating in a second circuit and a second opening 18b configured to discharge the heat transfer fluid. It is understood that the second circuit extends in the heat exchanger 4 from the first opening 18a to the second opening 18b. It is understood that the first circuit and the second circuit are circuits internal to the heat exchanger 4, in which the refrigerant circulating in the first circuit and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit pass through plates 22 which form the heat exchanger 4, as will be detailed in FIG. 2.

[0052] The housing 6 further comprises a supply opening 42 configured for the passage of the heat transfer liquid circulating in a third circuit delimited by a peripheral space 32 of the heat exchanger 4. Thus, unlike the first circuit and the second circuit, the third circuit supplied by the supply opening 42 taking place within the peripheral space 32 of the heat exchanger 4 is a circuit external to the heat exchanger 4.

[0053] More precisely, the heat transfer liquid enters the third circuit via a supply opening 42, circulates to the first opening 18a constituting an outlet of the third circuit and an inlet of the second circuit, then leaves the second circuit internal to the heat exchanger 4 via the second opening 18b. It is understood that the second circuit and the third circuit are connected in series.

[0054] The second opening 18b is connected to a conduit molded into the housing and showing on its external surface a boss 9 visible in figure 2.

[0055] Figure 2 illustrates the thermal regulation device 1 seen from the front. The boss 9 is configured to receive the heat transfer liquid leaving the second circuit through the second opening 18b and circulate it outside the housing 6, in particular by leading it to a multi-way valve carried by the support 8, visible in figure 1.

[0056] Figure 2 also illustrates the first orifice 14a and the second orifice 14b configured for the passage of the refrigerant fluid within the heat exchanger 4. Figure 3 illustrates a plate 22 belonging to a stack 24 of plates 22 superimposed on each other as will be detailed in Figure 5. Each plate 22 of the stack 24 has a substantially rectangular bathtub shape as well as four corners 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d. The bathtub shape is defined by two longitudinal edges 26a, 26b opposite each other. The longitudinal edges 26a, 26b are connected to each other by two lateral edges 28a, 28b also opposite each other. All of the longitudinal edges 26a, 26b and the lateral edges 28a, 28b are connected by a bottom 30 of the plate 22. Furthermore, the two lateral edges 28a, 28b are inclined relative to the bottom 30 of the plate 22, thus forming rims 31. It is understood here that the longitudinal edges 26a, 26b are extended by the rims 31.These edges 31 are configured to support an adjacent plate and intended to be stacked on this first plate 22. The edge 31 connects the bottom 30 of the plate 22 to one of the longitudinal edges 26a, 26b or lateral edges 28a, 28b structuring the bathtub shape of the plate 22.

[0057] Furthermore, it is understood that the bottom 30 constitutes the active exchange surface for the refrigerant fluid circulating in the first circuit and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit.

[0058] As detailed in Figure 3, at least one of the lateral edges 28a, 28b extends parallel to the bottom 30 of the plate 22 so as to create a dissipation member 34 (referenced Figure 5) configured to optimize the heat exchange performance of the thermal regulation device 1 by creating an additional exchange surface.

[0059] The dissipation member 34 extends the edge 31 of one of the plates 22 in a plane parallel to the plane in which the base 30 extends for the most part. The dissipation member 34 extends over a distance D of between 1.5 mm and 5 mm. The distance D is measured between one end 27 of one of the lateral edges 28a, 28b to a free end 29 of the dissipation member 34.

[0060] Furthermore, as visible in Figure 3, the dissipation member 34 is made of a single material with the plate 22 which carries it. As visible in Figure 4, a first dissipation member 34a is arranged at a first end A of the plate 22 and a second dissipation member 34b is arranged at a second end B of the plate 22. It is understood that the first dissipation member 34a is symmetrically opposite the second dissipation member 34b with respect to a vertical plane P.

[0061] Figure 5 illustrates the heat exchanger 4 housed within the housing 6. It is configured for this purpose to carry out a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid.

[0062] The heat exchanger 4 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L when it is stored in the housing 6. It comprises a plurality of plates 22 which each extend in the longitudinal L and vertical V directions. More particularly, the heat exchanger 4 is formed by the stack 24 of plates 22 which are superimposed on one another in a stacking direction E perpendicular to a plane in which the longitudinal L and vertical V directions are inscribed. The stack 24 of plates 22 constitutes a heating body of the heat exchanger 4, that is to say a portion within which the heat exchanges between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer liquid take place.

[0063] Furthermore, the stack 24 of plates 22 is arranged in the housing 6 so as to form the space 32 extending between said housing 6 and at least one of four faces 14a, 14b, 14c, 14b of the heat exchanger 4 and in which the heat transfer liquid circulates.

[0064] As seen in Figure 5, a plurality of dissipation members 34 extend from several plates 22 of the stack 24 until they come into contact with one of the walls 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the housing 6 in order to create circulation channels 40 arranged in series at least in part along the four walls of the heat exchanger 4, and extending into the space 32. It is then understood that the dissipation members 34 arranged within the space 32 which delimits the third circuit, are configured to extend the external energy exchange surface to the heat exchanger 4. The series of circulation channels 40 extends from a zone proximal to the supply mouth 42 configured for the passage of the heat transfer liquid represented by dashed arrows (Figure 1) in the third circuit to a first interruption zone 44a and a second interruption zone 44b represented by two respective circles shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.The first interruption zone 44a is arranged near the supply opening 42 configured for the passage of the heat transfer liquid into the third circuit. It is understood that the first interruption zone 44a is configured to allow free passage for the heat transfer liquid to enter the third circuit. The passage of the heat transfer liquid into the third circuit is represented by dashed arrows in FIG. 1. The second interruption zone 44b is arranged near the first opening 18a configured for the entry of the heat transfer liquid into the second circuit. It is understood that the second interruption zone 44b is also configured to allow free passage for the heat transfer liquid to enter the third circuit.

[0065] It is understood that the entry of the heat transfer liquid into the third circuit can be done in two opposite directions of circulation.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the heat exchanger 4, thus making the stack of plates 22 visible. A first plate 22a stacked on a second plate 22b together participate in forming a channel 40 configured to be crossed by the heat transfer liquid.

[0067] The present invention thus proposes a thermal regulation device 1 comprising a housing 6 housing a heat exchanger 4 with plates 22, the plates 22 comprising dissipation members 34 configured to optimize the heat exchanges. These dissipation members 34 being defined by the increase in length of the longitudinal edges 26a, 26b and lateral edges 28a, 28b extending the inclined edges 31 extending from the plates 22, penetrate into the space 32 constituting the third circuit arranged between said exchanger and the housing 6, thus increasing the external heat exchanger surface of the heat exchanger 4. In this way, the longitudinal edges 26a, 26b and the lateral edges 28a, 28b form a more substantial heat exchange surface and the inclined edges 31 constitute a support for the brazing of one plate on another.

[0068] Furthermore, the thermal regulation device 1, presented in a single-piece body 10 comprising a housing 6 housing the heat exchanger 4 and a support 8 with elements having fluidic compositions, makes it possible to optimally manage the heat exchanges within the thermal regulation device 1 by centralizing several distinct functions.

[0069] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Thermal regulation device (1) comprising a heat exchanger (4) with a stack (24) of plates (22) and a housing (6), the heat exchanger (4) comprising a first circuit (16) which extends at least in part between at least two adjacent plates (22) of the stack (24) of plates (22) and which is intended to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid (2), the heat exchanger (4) comprising a second circuit (20) which extends at least in part between at least two adjacent plates (22) of the stack (24) of plates (22) and which is intended to be traversed by a heat transfer liquid (3), the heat exchanger (4) being housed in the housing (6) leaving a space (32) arranged between said stack (24) of plates (22) and said housing (6), the space (32) delimiting a third circuit (21) intended to be traversed by a heat transfer liquid (3) which runs along at least one external side of the stack (24) of plates (22),wherein at least one of the plates (22) of the stack of plates (24) comprises a heat dissipation member (34) which extends into the third circuit (21)., 2. Thermal regulation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plates (22) which delimits the first circuit (16) and / or the second circuit (20) comprises the dissipation member (34).

3. Thermal regulation device (1) according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the plates (22) delimiting the first circuit (16) and / or the second circuit (20) each comprise at least one bottom (30) and an inclined edge (31) relative to the bottom (30), the inclined edge (31) of one plate (22) being in contact with the inclined edge (31) of the other plate (22), the dissipation member (34) extending from the inclined edge (31) of one of these plates (22).

4. Thermal regulation device (1) according to claim 3, in which the dissipation member (34) extends the inclined edge (31) of one of these plates (22).

5. Thermal regulation device (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, in which the dissipation member (34) extends in a plane parallel to the plane in which the base (30) mainly extends.

6. Thermal regulation device (i) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the dissipation member (34) extends the inclined edge (31) over a distance (D) of between 1.5 mm and 5 mm.

7. Thermal regulation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the dissipation member (34) is made in one piece with the plate (22) which carries it.

8. Thermal regulation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which at least two plates (22) each comprise a dissipation member (34), a free end (29) of each of the two dissipation members (34a, 34b) being in contact with a wall (12a, 12b, 12c, i2d) of the housing (6), said dissipation members (34) and said wall (12a, 12b 12c, i2d) of the housing (6) delimiting at least in part a circulation channel (40) constituting the third circuit (21).

9. Thermal regulation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said thermal regulation device (1) comprises a single-piece body (10) comprising the housing (6).

10. Thermal regulation device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the single-piece body (10) comprises an expansion tank configured to receive heat transfer liquid.

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