Assembly comprising a heat exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger (2) configured to allow heat to be exchanged between a flow of a first heat-transfer fluid, in particular a water-based heat-transfer fluid, within the heat exchanger, and a flow of a second heat-transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger (2), - a degassing tank (3) in which first heat-transfer fluid can undergo degassing to separate a gas, in particular air, present in the first heat-transfer fluid, - a support (80) arranged to bear at least one component with a fluidic function, in particular a plurality of components with a fluidic function, - a body (5) comprising a receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger (2) and a cavity arranged to form the degassing tank, this body (5) being configured to be able to be assembled with the support (80) in a demountable manner.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: ASSEMBLY CONTAINING 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 of land, sea or air type. [3] Generally speaking, the aim is to reduce the size of components in vehicles. This is a major challenge. In the context of a vehicle heat pump, one approach is to compact all of its components, particularly the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer fluid circuit. [4] The invention is specifically aimed at such a purpose. [5] The invention thus relates to an assembly, particularly for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, within the heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, - a degassing tank in which the first heat transfer fluid can undergo degassing to separate any gas, particularly air, present in the first heat transfer fluid, - a support designed to carry at least one fluidic component, in particular a plurality of fluidic components, - a body comprising a receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger and a cavity arranged to form the degassing tank, this body being configured to be able to be assembled with the support in a demountable manner. [6] In the invention, the body is configured to be manipulated as a single piece. [7] Thanks to the fact that the degassing tank is separate from the support, the invention offers greater flexibility, allowing it to adapt to different configurations and different sizes of degassing tanks. For example, a given support (or "hub") can accommodate degassing tanks of different sizes. The invention also improves after-sales service, namely in-product maintenance, because it is possible to replace only the degassing tank or the support (after disassembly) without having to replace the other part. scrap. In other words, if necessary, it is possible to replace only certain parts of the assembly. This helps to protect the environment, particularly by reducing the carbon footprint of ongoing maintenance operations. [8] According to one aspect of the invention, the body is made in one piece. [9] According to one aspect of the invention, the body is monobloc.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the body is made by molding a plastic material.

[0011] Alternatively, the body is formed of two parts assembled together, in particular in a demountable manner, one of the parts defining the cavity of the degassing tank and the other part defining the receptacle to receive the heat exchanger.

[0012] In this way, the part defining the cavity of the degassing tank can be disassembled independently of the other part defining the receptacle to receive the heat exchanger, which has an advantage during maintenance.

[0013] According to another variant, the body is formed of two parts welded together, one part defining the cavity of the degassing tank and the other part defining the receptacle to receive the heat exchanger.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the one-piece body includes a separating wall between the cavity forming the degassing tank and the receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the support, for example made by molding a plastic material, comprises a flat base which carries fluidic components, and a seat to receive the body.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity forming the degassing reservoir is closed by a lid resting against an annular rim of the cavity.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the annular rim of the cavity is flat, in particular having a rectangular perimeter.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the lid is part of the one-piece body.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the cover is an added part on the one-piece body, and fixed, for example by welding, to the one-piece body.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the lid includes a removable plug cooperating with a degassing vent of the tank.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the open annular rim of the cavity and an open annular rim of the receptacle extend in two intersecting planes, in particular intersecting at right angles.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity forming the degassing tank comprises a side wall and a bottom wall.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity partially encloses the receptacle.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle configured to receive the heat exchanger has a side wall that intersects the side wall of the cavity

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the respective side walls intersect at right angles.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle that receives the heat exchanger has a bottom wall that is substantially parallel to a portion of the side wall of the cavity that forms the degassing tank.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom wall of the receptacle merges with a portion of the side wall of the cavity that forms the degassing reservoir.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger and the cavity which forms the degassing tank are separated by a simple partition.

[0029] Alternatively, the receptacle and the cavity are separated by a double partition.

[0030] In this case, an air gap in the double partition allows for good thermal insulation between the receptacle and the cavity.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the volume of the cavity is greater than the volume of the receptacle for the heat exchanger.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle for the heat exchanger includes a closing plate.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the closing plate has openings allowing the passage of fastening elements such as screws for fixing the plate onto the receptacle.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle has openwork studs configured to coincide with the holes in the closure plate and allowing fasteners such as screws to be inserted in order to fix the closure plate onto the receptacle.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the closing plate carries a fluidic connection flange having an inlet for the second heat transfer fluid and an outlet for the second heat transfer fluid that has circulated in the heat exchanger.

[0036] This fluidic connection flange allows the connection of tubing between the assembly according to the invention and an air conditioning system using the second heat transfer fluid.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the closing plate further comprises a fluidic connection fitting configured for the connection of a tube for the transport of the first heat transfer fluid used by the heat exchanger.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle is configured so that, when the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle, a fluid path for the first heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall of the receptacle and a peripheral wall of this heat exchanger.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid path extends over at least a portion of the perimeter of the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger.

[0040] 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.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger comprises four faces perpendicular to each other, optionally with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall of the receptacle has four faces perpendicular to each other, possibly with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the body receptacle communicates with a first fluid inlet port to bring first heat transfer fluid to the fluid path inside the receptacle.

[0044] This inlet opening communicates with a tube on the closing plate.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the first fluid inlet orifice is placed opposite an enlargement of the receptacle.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger includes a first fluid inlet opening arranged to receive first fluid having flowed in the fluid path in the receptacle.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, this first fluid inlet opening is located on one face of the heat exchanger, this face being in particular opposite the bottom wall of the receptacle.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger includes a first fluid outlet opening allowing the first fluid that has circulated within the heat exchanger to emerge, after having exchanged heat with the second heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, this outlet opening of the exchanger communicates with a first fluid outlet orifice of the receptacle which is arranged to evacuate the first fluid out of the receptacle.

[0050] The first fluid enters the receptacle through the first fluid inlet port and then follows the fluid path before entering the heat exchanger via the first fluid inlet port. The first fluid then exits the heat exchanger through the first fluid outlet port before reaching the first fluid outlet port of the receptacle.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity is of variable depth, with this depth being smaller in the part of the cavity which is above the location of the receptacle for the heat exchanger.

[0052] The depth of the cavity is the distance measured between the plane of the annular rim of the cavity and the bottom wall of that cavity, along a direction perpendicular to that plane of the annular rim of the cavity.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the exchanger is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a "chiller" in English.

[0054] The term "fluidic function" refers to a function that participates in the operation of the assembly, for example chosen to act on the flow of a heat transfer fluid (for example a fluid flow channel) or to measure a parameter related to the fluid or its flow in channels.

[0055] According to one aspect 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 diverter valve for 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 throttling valve for the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a condensing heat exchanger, in particular a water condenser, - an electric heating element arranged to heat the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a temperature and / or pressure sensor, - a desiccant bottle, - a filter to filter particles present in the first or second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the support forms at least a portion of a body of the valve and / or pump.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the pump is actuable by an electric motor.

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is provided with three housings to receive three pumps.

[0059] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0060] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, an assembly according to an example of implementation of the invention;

[0061] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 illustrates, schematically and partially, from a different view, the assembly of [Figure 1];

[0062] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 illustrates, schematically and partially, the one-piece body of the assembly of [Figure 1];

[0063] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a representation of part of the assembly of [Figure 1];

[0064] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a perspective representation of the support with the components of the assembly of [Figure 1];

[0065] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a view of the heat exchanger of the assembly of [Figure 1];

[0066] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a view of an assembly according to another example of implementation of the invention.

[0067] 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.

[0068] Figures 1 and 2 show an assembly 1 for a motor vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger 2 configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, here glycol water, within the heat exchanger 2, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, here a refrigerant fluid, within the heat exchanger 2.

[0069] The refrigerant is chosen from R134a, R1234yf or R744 which supplies an air conditioning loop of the vehicle.

[0070] Exchanger 2 is a plate exchanger, specifically an evaporation exchanger, also known as a "chiller" in English.

[0071] Assembly 1 is part of a heat pump, mounted on the vehicle. The heat pump is, for example, of the indirect type.

[0072] Assembly 1 also includes a degassing tank 3 in which the first heat transfer fluid can circulate to undergo degassing to separate a gas, here air, present in the first heat transfer fluid.

[0073] The assembly 1 further includes a one-piece body 5 having a receptacle 6, visible in particular in Figures 3, 4 and 7, arranged to receive the heat exchanger 2 and a cavity 7 arranged to form the degassing tank 3.

[0074] The one-piece body 5 is made of plastic, by molding.

[0075] As illustrated in Figure 4, the receptacle 6 is configured so that, when the heat exchanger 2 is placed in this receptacle 6, a fluid path 8 for the first heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 and a peripheral wall 10 of this heat exchanger 2.

[0076] The fluid path 8 extends around the perimeter of the peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2.

[0077] The side wall 9 of the receptacle 6 and the peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2 are parallel to each other.

[0078] The peripheral wall 10 of the heat exchanger 2 has four faces 11 perpendicular to each other, with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0079] The receptacle 6 of the body 5 communicates with an inlet port 60 of the first fluid to bring the first heat transfer fluid to the fluid path 8 inside the receptacle 6, as seen in Figure 6 for example.

[0080] This inlet orifice 60 communicates with a tube 61 on a closing plate 62.

[0081] The first fluid inlet 60 is positioned opposite an enlargement 63 of the receptacle 6.

[0082] The heat exchanger 2 has an inlet opening 66 for the first fluid arranged to receive the first fluid having flowed in the fluid path 8 into the receptacle.

[0083] This first fluid inlet 66 is located on a face 67 of the heat exchanger opposite the bottom wall 68 of the receptacle 6.

[0084] As illustrated in Figure 6, the heat exchanger 2 has an outlet opening 69 for the first fluid, allowing the first fluid that has circulated within the heat exchanger 2 to exit, after having exchanged heat with the second heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger 2.

[0085] This outlet opening 69 of the exchanger communicates with an outlet 70 of the first fluid of the receptacle which is arranged to evacuate the first fluid out of the receptacle 6.

[0086] Thus, the first fluid enters the receptacle 6 through the first fluid inlet 60 and then follows the fluid path 8 before entering the heat exchanger 2 via the first fluid inlet 66. Next, the first fluid exits the heat exchanger through the first fluid outlet 69 before reaching the first fluid outlet 70 of the receptacle 2.

[0087] This allows for a cooling boost function using path 8.

[0088] Assembly 1 also includes a support 80 arranged to carry components with fluidic function, as explained below.

[0089] Body 5 is configured to be able to be assembled with support 80 in a detachable manner.

[0090] The monobloc body 5 has a separating wall 20 between the cavity 7 forming the degassing tank and the receptacle 6 arranged to receive the heat exchanger 2.

[0091] The cavity 7 is closed by a lid 21 resting against an annular rim 22 of the cavity 7.

[0092] The annular rim 22 of the cavity is flat, being in particular of substantially rectangular circumference.

[0093] The cover 21 is an added part on the one-piece body 5, and fixed, for example by welding, to the one-piece body.

[0094] The cover 21 has a removable plug (not shown) cooperating with a degassing vent 24 of the tank.

[0095] The open annular rim 22 of the cavity and an open annular rim 25 of the receptacle 6 extend in two planes intersecting at right angles.

[0096] The cavity 7 forming the degassing tank comprises the side wall 9 and the bottom wall 68.

[0097] Cavity 7 partially encloses receptacle 6.

[0098] Lateral wall 9 intersects a lateral wall 26 of cavity 7.

[0099] The respective side walls 9 and 26 intersect at right angles.

[0100] The bottom wall 68 is substantially parallel to a portion of the lateral wall 26 of the cavity 7.

[0101] The bottom wall 68 of the receptacle merges with a portion of the lateral wall 26 of the cavity 7.

[0102] The receptacle 6 and the cavity 7 are separated by a simple partition 27, as can be seen in figure 4.

[0103] Alternatively, as illustrated in figure 7, the receptacle 6 and the cavity 7 are separated by a double partition 28.

[0104] In this case, an air gap 29 in the double partition 28 allows good thermal insulation between the receptacle and the cavity.

[0105] The volume of cavity 7 is greater than the volume of receptacle 6.

[0106] The closing plate 62 has openings 71 allowing the passage of fixing elements such as screws for fixing the plate onto the receptacle 6.

[0107] The receptacle has openwork studs 72 configured to coincide with the holes 71 of the closure plate 62 and allowing the insertion of fixing elements such as screws, in order to fix the closure plate onto the receptacle.

[0108] The closing plate 62 carries a fluidic connection flange 74 having an inlet 76 for the second heat transfer fluid and an outlet 75 for the second heat transfer fluid having circulated in the heat exchanger 2.

[0109] This fluidic connection flange 74 allows the connection of tubing between the assembly according to the invention and an air conditioning system using the second heat transfer fluid.

[0110] Cavity 7 is of variable depth, with this depth being smaller in the part of the cavity which is above the location of the receptacle 6 for the heat exchanger.

[0111] The depth of cavity 7 is the distance measured between the plane of the annular rim 22 of the cavity and the bottom wall of this cavity, along a direction perpendicular to this plane of the annular rim of the cavity.

[0112] Here, exchanger 2 is a plate exchanger, specifically an evaporation exchanger, also called a "chiller" in English.

[0113] Among the fluidic function components carried by the support 80 are also three pumps 48 to generate the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid.

[0114] The support 80 forms three housings 49, or seats, respectively for the pumps 48. Each seat 49 has a channel 50 for the first heat transfer fluid communicating with the corresponding pump 48.

[0115] The 48 pumps are electric type.

[0116] The support 80 also carries a multi-way valve 53 to control the flow of the first heat transfer fluid through different flow paths, some of which pass through the degassing tank 3 and the receptacle 6.

[0117] As illustrated in figure 5, the support 80, for example made by molding a plastic material, includes a flat base 82 which carries the fluidic components, and a seat 83 to receive the body 5.

[0118] The assembly between this seat 83 and the body 5 can be achieved by screwing through holes 85 on the seat 83.

[0119] Seat 83 is in the form of a band with a curved profile at the ends and body 5 rests on this band by its base.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Assembly (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger (2) configured to allow a heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, within the heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger (2), - a degassing tank (3) in which the first heat transfer fluid can undergo degassing to separate a gas, in particular air, present in the first heat transfer fluid, - a support (80) arranged to carry at least one component with a fluidic function, in particular a plurality of components with a fluidic function, - a body (5) comprising a receptacle (6) arranged to receive the heat exchanger (2) and a cavity (7) arranged to form the degassing tank (3), this body (5) being configured to be able to be assembled with the support (80) in a removable manner.

2. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the body (5) is in one piece.

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, in which the body (5) is formed of two parts assembled together, in particular in a removable manner, one of the parts defining the cavity (7) of the degassing tank and the other part defining the receptacle (6) for receiving the heat exchanger.

4. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support (80), for example made by molding a plastic material, comprises a flat base (82) which carries the fluidic components, and a seat (83) for receiving the body (5).

5. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cavity (7) partially envelops the receptacle (6).

6. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the receptacle (6) and the cavity (7) are separated by a double partition (28), and an air gap (29) in the double partition (28) provides good thermal insulation between the receptacle (6) and the cavity (7).

7. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the receptacle (6) for the heat exchanger comprises a closing plate (62) and the closing plate carries a fluid connection flange (74) comprising an inlet (76) for the second heat transfer fluid and an outlet (75) for the second heat transfer fluid having circulated in the heat exchanger.

8. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (6) is configured so that, when the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle (6), a fluid path (8) for the first heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall (9) of the receptacle (6) and a peripheral wall (10) of this heat exchanger.

9. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the component with fluidic function is chosen from the following elements: - a pump (48) 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 temperature and / or pressure sensor, - a filter for filtering particles present in the first or second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid.

10. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the support (80) forms at least a portion of a body of the valve and / or the pump (48).

Images