Thermal conditioning system comprising two plates forming two fluid circuits

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal conditioning system (1) for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic components of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, and, preferably, the passenger compartment of said vehicle, the system comprising a heat transfer fluid circuit and a refrigerant fluid circuit, the system being equipped with an intermediate plate located between the first (20) and second (21) plates, the intermediate plate extending along a plane P0 parallel to planes P1 and P2 and forming a closing portion for said first and second channels.

Description

Description Title: THERMAL CONDITIONING SYSTEM COMPRISING TWO PLATES FORMING TWO FLUID CIRCUITS Technical field.

[0001] The invention relates to a thermal conditioning system for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic components of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, and preferably the passenger compartment of said vehicle. The invention also relates to a method for assembling this thermal conditioning system. [2] The present invention relates to the field of thermal conditioning systems. These systems can be fitted to a motor vehicle. Such systems allow for the thermal regulation of various vehicle components, such as the passenger compartment or an electrical energy storage battery, in the case of an electric vehicle. Heat exchange is managed primarily by the evaporation and condensation of a refrigerant within various heat exchangers, enabling the heating or cooling of different components. State of the art. [3] Thermal conditioning systems commonly use a refrigerant loop and a heat transfer fluid loop that exchanges heat with the refrigerant. Such systems are therefore called indirect. The refrigerant loop is designed so that the refrigerant transfers heat to a heat transfer fluid in a first heat exchanger. The heat transferred to the heat transfer fluid can then be dissipated into an airflow destined for the passenger compartment to heat it. The heat transfer fluid circuit also cools heat-dissipating components of the vehicle's powertrain, such as the vehicle's electric traction motor or the power electronics controlling the electric motor. For this purpose, another heat exchanger facilitates heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant to cool the heat transfer fluid. [4] There is therefore a need to arrange thermal conditioning systems in the most compact way possible, which can offer different modes of cooling and / or heating the battery or different elements of the vehicle's powertrain. [5] Thermal conditioning systems consist in particular of thermal management components, such as pumps, valves, heat exchangers, including condensers and / or plate coolers, a storage tank or desiccant bottle, and components used for temperature regulation, including temperature and / or pressure sensors. They also include components, such as conduits, that guide a fluid and fluidly connect the thermal management components. [6] The development of electric vehicles has increased the need for optimized thermal conditioning systems with simplified and economical manufacturing processes while creating a demand for compact systems. [7] However, optimized management of space under the hood or more generally in the vehicle remains paramount, including for electric vehicles in which new components (compared to internal combustion engine cars) are required. [8] Also, reducing these components or their associated connections is of major interest. [9] The invention aims primarily to offer a solution to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention.

[0010] The invention thus relates to a thermal conditioning system for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic components and / or the passenger compartment of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle using two support plates for said components and a single intermediate plate to form the fluid circulation channels, said support plates being configured in such a way that their association / fixation with the intermediate plate form flat closing portions to close / delimit each of said channels.

[0011] The invention thus relates to a thermal conditioning system for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic components, in particular the battery, of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, and preferably the passenger compartment of said vehicle, comprising: - a heat transfer fluid circuit for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic components, and preferably the vehicle's passenger compartment, said circuit comprising a first plate extending along a plane P1, said first plate forming, by protrusions relative to said plane P1, first channels defining a collector for the heat transfer fluid; - a refrigerant circuit comprising: o a condenser, o a compressor, o a first evaporator, preferably for cooling the vehicle's passenger compartment, said refrigerant circuit comprising a second plate extending along a plane P2, said second plate forming, by protrusions relative to the plane P2, second channels defining a collector for the refrigerant.

[0012] The thermal conditioning system according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises an intermediate plate, located between the first and second plates, the intermediate plate extends along a plane PO parallel to the planes P1 and P2 and forms a closing portion for the aforementioned first and second channels.

[0013] Thanks to these characteristics, space is saved by placing different elements of the fluid management module of the thermal conditioning system on both sides of the structural support in an optimized way, the plates of each of the two circuits - heat transfer fluid and refrigerant fluid - serving directly, with the intermediate plate, to define or form the collectors of each of the two circuits.

[0014] The structural support here consists of the first and second plates, as well as the intermediate plate. Such a structural support is capable of serving as mechanical support, meaning that this support is capable of carrying components that need to be mounted on it.

[0015] Such a structural support formed by the assembled plates fulfills several roles, namely at least a structural role and a functional role, which allows for a compact module with a limited number of parts.

[0016] The invention allows in particular for the grouping of several components of a hydraulic circuit of heat transfer fluid and refrigerant fluid, in an optimal way with in particular a unique plate support which integrates the hydraulic circuit.

[0017] The invention notably eliminates the need for additional tubing / pipes to fluidly connect different components. These fluidic connections are made directly through channels in the assembled plates.

[0018] The assembly of the different components together can be simplified because it is not necessary to use tubing / pipes.

[0019] The invention thus reduces costs because it eliminates the need for numerous pipes to connect the components. The invention also reduces the amount of coolant used.

[0020] The components may include, in particular: a pump to pump the heat transfer fluid, a valve / direction valve for the heat transfer fluid, a check valve / non-return valve for the heat transfer fluid and / or for the refrigerant, a restrictor valve / throttling valve for the heat transfer fluid and / or for the refrigerant, a plate heat exchanger, a condensing heat exchanger, an evaporative heat exchanger, an electric heating element arranged to heat the heat transfer fluid, a accumulator or desiccant bottle for the circuit dedicated to the refrigerant, a filter to filter particles present in the heat transfer fluid, at least one pressure and / or temperature sensor, an expansion device for the circuit dedicated to the refrigerant, a charging port for the circuit dedicated to the refrigerant.

[0021] Furthermore, the structural plate support can be used as a component of a valve and / or pump, for example. This allows for a highly compact module.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, at least one valve and / or pump can be partially or totally enclosed by the structural plate support.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, at least one valve and / or a pump is designed entirely within the structural support, in particular in the form of at least one hollow and / or at least one chamber, such as at least one valve chamber and / or at least one pump chamber.

[0024] The invention thus makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the components, thereby reducing the overall size of the cooling module. In the case of a heat pump, for example, the invention makes it possible to reduce the size of all its components, particularly the various heat transfer fluid circuits.

[0025] Furthermore, such a structure allows the elimination of pipes intended to conduct or bring the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant to their respective manifolds.

[0026] The term "first (or second) plate extending along a plane" refers to the fact that these plates have a plane of extension, P1 or P2 respectively, said plates also having protrusions extending from this plane, and are intended solely to form the channels for circulating / distributing fluids, namely heat transfer fluid and refrigerant fluid respectively. In other words, the first and second plates can be laid flat on one face, in this case in contact with the intermediate plate, and this flat face of each of the first and second plates is opposite each other once the conditioning system according to the invention is assembled, the first and second plates being separated only by the intermediate plate.

[0027] Other advantageous features of the device that is the subject of the invention are listed below. Each of these features can be considered alone or in combination with the notable features defined above. Each of these features contributes, where applicable, to solving specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the notable features defined above do not necessarily participate. The latter may, where applicable, be the subject of one or more divisional patent applications:

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned first and / or second plates are fixed to the intermediate plate by welding, at least along the first and / or second channels so as to ensure the sealing of said first and / or second channels.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the aforementioned first and / or second plates are mechanically fixed to the intermediate plate, preferably by crimping, interlocking, clipping and / or by means of fixing elements such as tabs, screws, nuts.

[0030] According to yet another embodiment, the aforementioned first and / or second plates are chemically fixed to the intermediate plate at least along the first and / or second channels, preferably by adhesion and fixation of at least one polymer layer present on one or the other of the surfaces of the first and / or second plate.

[0031] Advantageously, when the first and / or second plates are mechanically and / or chemically fixed to the intermediate plate, at least one sealing gasket is present between the first and / or second plate on the one hand and the intermediate plate on the other hand so as to ensure the sealing of the first and / or second channels, preferably the first and / or second plate having a groove forming a receiving channel for the sealing gasket.

[0032] According to one possibility offered by the invention, the first and / or second plates and / or the intermediate plate are metallic, preferably made of the same material such as aluminum or steel.

[0033] According to another possibility offered by the invention, the first and / or second plates and / or the intermediate plate are made of plastic.

[0034] Preferably, the condenser is connected or fixed directly to the second plate.

[0035] Advantageously, the first and second plates consist of a monolithic piece, preferably formed by stamping.

[0036] Advantageously, the first and / or second plate includes one or more guide elements arranged to cooperate with at least one guide element of the intermediate plate to guide the plates relative to each other for the purpose of their fixing.

[0037] These guide elements are not visible in the attached figures but may consist of rods / pins cooperating with grooves / holes or hooks cooperating with a grip. All types of mechanical elements can be considered here to form a keying device so that the operator is certain to correctly position the first and second plates, as well as the intermediate plate, relative to each other, in a single, specific direction.

[0038] Advantageously, the refrigerant circuit includes a second evaporator to cool the electrical and / or electronic components, such that the second evaporator is thermally coupled to the heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0039] Most advantageously, the first, and where applicable the second evaporator, is connected or fixed directly to the second plate.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a thermal conditioning system for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic components of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, and preferably the passenger compartment of said vehicle, comprising: - a heat transfer fluid circuit for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic components, and preferably the vehicle's passenger compartment, said circuit comprising a first plate extending along a plane P1, said first plate forming, by protrusions relative to said plane P1, first channels defining a collector for the heat transfer fluid; - a refrigerant circuit comprising: o a condenser, o a compressor, o a first evaporator to cool the vehicle's passenger compartment, o preferably a second evaporator to cool the electrical and / or electronic components, such that the second evaporator is thermally coupled to the heat transfer fluid circuit, said refrigerant circuit comprising a second plate extending along a plane P2, said second plate forming, by protrusions relative to the plane P2, second channels defining a collector for the refrigerant.

[0041] The assembly process of a thermal conditioning system is characterized in that it includes a step of fixing the first and second plate to an intermediate plate, located between the first and second plate, the intermediate plate extending along a plane PO parallel to the planes P1 and P2 and forming a closing portion for the aforementioned first and second channels.

[0042] Advantageously, the step of fixing the aforementioned first plate and / or the aforementioned second plate is carried out by welding, mechanically or chemically, preferably with the addition of at least one sealing gasket between the first and second plates when the fixing is mechanical or chemical. Brief description of the figures.

[0043] Other advantages and features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the attached drawings, which are provided as illustrative and non-limiting examples and on which: [Fig. 1] is a simplified perspective view of a support for a fluid management module for the refrigerant and heat transfer fluid circuits of a vehicle. [Fig. 2] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the first and second plates enclosing the intermediate plate. [Fig. 3] is a schematic cross-sectional view, along a plane perpendicular to the cross-section in Figure 2, illustrating the channels formed by each of the first and second plates enclosing the intermediate plate. Description of the implementation methods.

[0044] The invention relates to a thermal conditioning system 1, as illustrated by an example of an embodiment of the present invention in Figure 1 (the technical aspects specific to the invention not being visible in this figure), for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic components of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, and, preferably, the passenger compartment of said vehicle, conventionally comprising a heat transfer fluid circuit for heating and / or cooling the electrical and / or electronic components, and, preferably, the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a refrigerant circuit comprising a condenser, a compressor 10, a first evaporator for cooling the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a second evaporator for cooling the electrical and / or electronic components, such that the second evaporator is thermally coupled to the heat transfer fluid circuit,a fluid management module and a plurality of 11 pipes intended to connect the various components.

[0045] In general, the assembled plates 20, 21 - the first 20 and second 21 plates as well as the intermediate plate 22 - forming the structural support carry at least one, preferably a plurality, of the following components listed in a non-exhaustive manner: - a pump to pump the heat transfer fluid, - a valve / direction valve for the heat transfer fluid, - a non-return valve for the heat transfer fluid, - a restrictor valve / throttle valve for the heat transfer fluid, - a plate heat exchanger, specifically an evaporative heat exchanger also known as a "chiller" in English, - a condensation exchanger, in particular a "water condenser", - an electric heating element arranged to heat the heat transfer fluid, - a desiccant bottle and / or an accumulator in the circuit dedicated to the refrigerant fluid, - a filter to filter particles present in the heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid.

[0046] The refrigerant used in the refrigerant circuit is a chemical fluid such as R1234yf. Other refrigerants could be used, such as R134a, R290, or R744.

[0047] High-pressure refrigerant is defined as a refrigerant at a pressure of around 15 / 20 bar and low-pressure refrigerant is defined as a refrigerant at a pressure of 3 / 7 bar.

[0048] In the particular embodiment of the fluid management module of the thermal conditioning system 1, the structural support is formed by the association of the first 20 and the second 21 plates, the latter 20, 21 enclosing, once assembled, an intermediate plate 22.

[0049] The intermediate plate 22 extends only along a plane PO, while the first and second plates 20, 21 each extend respectively along planes P1 and P2, with protrusions or projections beyond these planes P1, P2 intended to form channels 25, 26 for the refrigerant and heat transfer fluid. Once the plates 20, 21, 22 are assembled and fixed together, the planes PO, P1, and P2 are parallel to each other.

[0050] In other words, the first and second plates 20, 21 forming a support for / for components each have one or more planar regions between the channels 25, 26, these planar regions extending respectively along the plane P1 or P2, as is particularly shown in Figure 3.

[0051] It should also be noted that the intermediate plate 22 also has a mechanical holding function when it is fixed to the first and second plates 20, 21, the latter 20, 21 providing support, retention, or fixing for all the components. The term "mechanical holding" refers to the intermediate plate's ability to prevent any relative movement of the plates 20, 21, whether by bending, torsion, or folding, particularly under the weight of the components being held / fixed. he

[0052] Depending on the number of components that the first and second plates 20, 21 must carry or support, the appropriate thickness of the intermediate plate 22 is determined so that the intermediate plate 22 perfectly fulfills its function of providing mechanical support for the structural structure. Thus, the intermediate plate 22 preferably has a total thickness between 0.2 centimeters (cm) and 2 cm.

[0053] The structural support 20, 21, 22, as such, is formed of at least a first high-pressure and / or low-pressure refrigerant circulation zone and a second heat transfer fluid circulation zone. The structural support 20, 21, 22 according to the invention incorporates or includes the intermediate plate 22.

[0054] This structural support 20, 21, 22 is also called the central platform (or "hub" in its English name). The structural support 20, 21, 22 is intended to be part of a vehicle's thermal conditioning system in which refrigerant circulates, particularly in an air conditioning and / or heat pump circuit.

[0055] Advantageously, the thickness of the plates 20, 21, 22 forming the structural support is substantially uniform both in the flat regions and in the channels 25, 26.

[0056] If we now consider Figure 2, as an illustrative example, the first plate 20 supports or fixes a valve 31 for the heat transfer fluid, a sensor 32, a pump 33. The first plate 20 includes, within these channels 26 formed by protrusions with respect to the plane P1, an internal valve 34 intended to regulate the flow of the heat transfer fluid.

[0057] The second plate 21 supports or fixes a valve / valve or EXV (35 “Electronic expansion valve”) for the refrigerant, a sensor 36, a charging port 37 and an exchanger or accumulator 38.

[0058] As can be seen in Figure 3, the channels 26, 25 formed in the first and second plates 20, 21 are initially open (when each of the first or second plates 20, 21 is considered alone) and are closed by the intermediate plate 22, along the plane PO. Such an arrangement facilitates on the one hand the making of the channels 25, 26 on each of the first and second plates 20, 21 and on the other hand the assembly by stacking the plates 20, 21, 22 or sandwiching the intermediate plate 22 by the first and second plates 20, 21.

[0059] The intermediate plate 22 is therefore a plate used to close or define a portion of the first channels 26 of the heat transfer fluid circuit as well as the second channels 25 of the refrigerant fluid circuit.

[0060] The section of the channels 25, 26 can be square or rectangular as shown in figure 3 but this section can also be substantially circular, it being understood that the closing portion - corresponding to the portion of the wall of the channels 25, 26 formed by the intermediate plate 22 - extends along a plane, in this case along the plane PO.

[0061] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0062] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. Various variants may be envisaged, including: - the shape, dimensions or thickness of the structural support 20, 21, 22, i.e. the first 20 and second 21 plates as well as the intermediate plate 22 insofar as the latter effectively closes the channels 25, 26 defined by the first 20 and second 21 plates, - the components chosen to be supported or fixed by the first 20 or the second 21 plate, - the nature of the heat transfer fluid as well as that of the refrigerant fluid.

[0063] The use of the verb "comporter", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those stated in a claim.

[0064] In claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim,

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal conditioning system (1) for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic elements of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, and, preferably, the passenger compartment of said vehicle, comprising: - a heat transfer fluid circuit for heating and / or cooling the electrical and / or electronic elements, and preferably the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said circuit comprising a first plate (20) extending along a plane P1, said first plate (20) forming, by protuberances relative to said plane P1, first channels (26) defining a collector for the heat transfer fluid; - a refrigerant circuit comprising: o a condenser, o a compressor, o a first evaporator, preferably for cooling the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said refrigerant circuit comprising a second plate (21) extending along a plane P2, said second plate (21) forming, by protuberances relative to the plane P2, second channels (25) defining a collector for the refrigerant; characterized in that it comprises an intermediate plate, located between the first (20) and the second (21) plate, the intermediate plate extends along a plane PO parallel to the planes P1 and P2 and forms a closing portion for the above-mentioned first channels (26) and second channels (25).

2. Thermal conditioning system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first (20) and / or second (21) plates are fixed to the intermediate plate by welding, at least along the first channels (26) and / or second channels (25) so as to ensure the sealing of said first channels (26) and / or second channels (25). [Claim s] Thermal conditioning system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first (20) and / or second (21) plates are mechanically fixed to the intermediate plate, preferably by crimping, interlocking, clipping and / or by means of fixing elements such as tabs, screws, nuts.

4. Thermal conditioning system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first (20) and / or second (21) plates are chemically fixed to the intermediate plate at least along the first channels (26) and / or second channels (25), preferably by adhesion and fixing of at least one polymer layer present on one or other of the surfaces of the first (20) and / or the second (21) plate. [Claim s] Thermal conditioning system (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one seal is present between the first (20) and / or the second (21) plate on the one hand and the intermediate plate on the other hand so as to ensure the sealing of the first channels (26) and / or second channels (25), preferably the first (20) or the second (21) plate comprising a groove forming a receiving channel for the seal.

6. Thermal conditioning system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (20) and / or the second (21) plates and / or the intermediate plate are metallic, preferably made of an identical material such as aluminum or steel.

7. Thermal conditioning system (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first (20) and / or the second (21) plates and / or the intermediate plate are made of plastic. [Claim s] Thermal conditioning system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (20) and second (21) plates consist of a monolithic part, preferably formed by stamping. [Claim s] Thermal conditioning system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigerant circuit comprises a second evaporator for cooling the electrical and / or electronic elements, such that the second evaporator is thermally coupled to the heat transfer fluid circuit, and wherein the first, as well as that where appropriate the second evaporator is connected or fixed directly to the second plate (21).

10. Method for assembling a thermal conditioning system (1) for heating and / or cooling electrical and / or electronic elements of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, and, preferably, the passenger compartment of said vehicle, comprising: - a heat transfer fluid circuit for heating and / or cooling the electrical and / or electronic elements, and preferably the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said circuit comprising a first (20) plate extending along a plane P1, said first (20) plate forming, by protuberances relative to said plane P1, first channels (26) defining a collector for the heat transfer fluid; - a refrigerant circuit comprising: o a condenser, o a compressor, o a first evaporator for cooling the passenger compartment of the vehicle, o preferably a second evaporator for cooling the electrical and / or electronic elements, such that the second evaporator is thermally coupled to the heat transfer fluid circuit, said refrigerant circuit comprising a second plate (21) extending along a plane P2, said second plate (21) forming, by protuberances relative to the plane P2, second channels (25) defining a collector for the refrigerant, characterized in that it comprises a step of fixing the first (20) and the second (21) plate to an intermediate plate, located between the first (20) and the second (21) plate, the intermediate plate extending along a plane PO parallel to the planes P1 and P2 and forming a closing portion for the above-mentioned first and second channels (25),in which the step of fixing the above-mentioned first plate and / or the above-mentioned second plate is carried out by welding, mechanically or chemically, preferably with the addition of at least one sealing joint between the first (20) and second (21) plates when the fixing is mechanical or chemical, j,

Images