THERMAL MANAGEMENT DEVICE FOR BATTERIES FOR ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLES

Abstract

Thermal management device (1) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, said thermal management device (1) comprising a circulation circuit (A) in which a refrigerant fluid is intended to circulate and comprising: - a main loop (A1) comprising, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, a compressor (3), an internal condenser (4) intended to directly or indirectly heat an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment, a first expansion device (5) and a first heat exchanger (6), - a first bypass branch (A2) connected in parallel at least with the first heat exchanger (6) and comprising a second expansion device (7) arranged upstream of a cooler (8), said cooler (8) being intended to cool the batteries and / or the electric power chain of the motor vehicle,and- a second branch (A3) bypassing the internal condenser (4) and the first expansion device (5). Abstract figure: Fig 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal management device for batteries for electric or hybrid vehicles

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electric and hybrid motor vehicles and more particularly to a thermal management device, in particular a heat pump.

[0002] Current electric or hybrid motor vehicles increasingly often include a means of thermal management of the passenger compartment, in particular in order to heat the passenger compartment. Such a means of thermal management is generally a circuit for circulating a refrigerant fluid operating according to the principle of a heat pump. Such a heat pump operates by taking heat from the ambient air outside the motor vehicle by a heat exchanger crossed by an external air flow and acting as an evaporator. This heat is reinjected into an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment by another heat exchanger, for example an internal condenser. A heat pump is relatively energy-intensive in electrical energy because it is necessary to rotate a compressor to allow the refrigerant fluid to be pressurized.

[0003] To limit the electrical consumption in the field of electric or hybrid motor vehicles, it is known to couple the thermal management system of the passenger compartment with a thermal management system of the batteries and / or the electric power chain in order to carry out heat recovery at the level of said batteries and / or the electric power chain. However, current architectures are not satisfactory, because the refrigerant fluid passes successively through an expansion device, a first heat exchanger configured to absorb heat in the outside ambient air and then again through another expansion device and into a second heat exchanger configured to recover heat from the batteries and / or the electric power chain. This succession of expansion devices and heat exchangers causes pressure losses which are reflected on the compressor.In fact, these pressure losses require greater suction power and therefore the use of a more powerful and more energy-intensive compressor.

[0004] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to remedy at least partially the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose an improved management device, in particular in heat pump mode with heat recovery at the level of the batteries and / or the electrical power chain.

[0005] The present invention therefore relates to a thermal management device for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, said thermal management device comprising a reversible circulation circuit in which a refrigerant fluid is intended to circulate and comprising: - a main loop comprising, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, a compressor, an internal condenser intended to directly or indirectly heat an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment, a first expansion device and a first heat exchanger, - a first bypass branch connected in parallel at least with the first heat exchanger and comprising a second expansion device arranged upstream of a cooler, said cooler being intended to cool the batteries and / or the electrical power chain of the motor vehicle, and - a second bypass branch of the internal condenser and the first expansion device, connecting a third connection point arranged on the main loop downstream of the compressor, between said compressor and the internal condenser, to a fourth connection point arranged on the main loop downstream of the first expansion device, between said first expansion device and the first heat exchanger.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat exchanger is arranged jointly on the circulation circuit and on an ancillary circuit in which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the first bypass branch connects a first connection point arranged on the main loop upstream of the first expansion device, between the internal condenser and said first expansion device, to a second connection point arranged on the main loop upstream of the compressor, between the first heat exchanger and said compressor.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the circulation circuit further comprises a third bypass branch connected in parallel with the second expansion device and the cooler, said third bypass branch comprising a third expansion device arranged upstream of an evaporator intended to be crossed by an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the third branch branch connects a fifth connection point arranged on the first branch branch upstream of the second expansion device, between the first connection point and said second expansion device, to a sixth connection point arranged on the first branch branch downstream of the cooler, between said cooler and the second connection point, the circulation circuit further comprising a fourth bypass branch connecting a seventh connection point arranged on the main loop downstream of the first heat exchanger, between said first heat exchanger and the second connection point, to an eighth connection point arranged upstream of the third expansion device, on the first bypass branch or the third bypass branch.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the circulation circuit comprises an internal heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side arranged on the fourth bypass branch and a second side arranged on the first bypass branch or on the third bypass branch, downstream of the evaporator.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the second bypass branch connects a third connection point arranged on the main loop downstream of the compressor, between said compressor and the internal condenser, to a fourth connection point arranged on the main loop upstream of the second connection point, between the first heat exchanger and said second connection point, the first heat exchanger being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within it in one direction or the other.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the third bypass branch connects a fifth connection point arranged on the first bypass branch upstream of the second expansion device, between the first connection point and said second expansion device, to a sixth connection point arranged on the first bypass branch downstream of the cooler, between said cooler and the second connection point, the circulation circuit further comprising a fourth bypass branch connecting a seventh connection point arranged on the main loop downstream of the first expansion device, between said first expansion device and the first heat exchanger, to an eighth connection point arranged upstream of the third expansion device, on the first bypass branch or the third bypass branch.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the circulation circuit comprises an internal heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side arranged on the fourth bypass branch and a second side arranged on the first bypass branch or on the third bypass branch, downstream of the evaporator.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the third branch connection connects a fifth connection point arranged on the first branch connection upstream of the second expansion device, between the first connection point and said second expansion device, at a sixth connection point arranged on the first bypass branch downstream of the cooler, between said cooler and the second connection point, the circulation circuit further comprising a fourth bypass branch connecting a seventh connection point arranged on the main loop downstream of the first expansion device, between said first expansion device and the first heat exchanger, to an eighth connection point arranged on the main loop upstream of the first expansion device, between the internal condenser and said first expansion device.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the circulation circuit comprises an internal heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side arranged on the fourth bypass branch and a second side arranged on the first bypass branch or on the third bypass branch downstream of the evaporator.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the third bypass branch connects a fifth connection point arranged on the main branch downstream of the first connection point, between said first connection point and the first expansion device, to a sixth connection point arranged on the first bypass branch downstream of the cooler, between said cooler and the second connection point, the first expansion device also being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within it in one direction or the other.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the circulation circuit comprises an internal heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side arranged on the main branch upstream of the first expansion device between the fifth connection point and said first expansion device and a second side arranged on the first bypass branch or on the third bypass branch downstream of the evaporator, said internal heat exchanger being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within its first side in one direction or the other.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, the first bypass branch connects a first connection point arranged on the main loop downstream of the first expansion device, between said first expansion device and the first heat exchanger, to a second connection point arranged on the main loop upstream of the compressor, between the first heat exchanger and said compressor, the second bypass branch connecting a third connection point arranged on the main loop downstream of the compressor, between said compressor and the internal condenser, to a fourth connection point arranged on the loop main upstream of the second connection point, between the first heat exchanger and said second connection point, the first heat exchanger being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within it in one direction or the other.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the circulation circuit comprises an internal heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side arranged on the main branch downstream of the first connection point, between said first connection point and the first heat exchanger, and a second side arranged on the first bypass branch or on the third bypass branch downstream of the evaporator, said internal heat exchanger being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within its first side in one direction or the other. the first side of the heat exchanger having a pressure drop equal to the pressure drop of the second expansion device at its maximum opening.

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, and the appended drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a management device thermal according to a first embodiment,

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a thermal management device according to a second embodiment,

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a thermal management device according to a third embodiment,

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a thermal management device according to a fourth embodiment,

[0025] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a thermal management device according to a fifth embodiment,

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of a thermal management device according to a sixth embodiment.

[0027] In the various figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

[0028] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0029] In the present description, certain elements or parameters may be indexed, such as for example first element or second element as well as first parameter and second parameter or even first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements or parameters or criteria that are close, but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion over another and such names can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present description. This indexing also does not imply an order in time for example to assess such or such criterion.

[0030] In the present description, the term "placed upstream" means that an element is placed before another with respect to the direction of circulation of a fluid. Conversely, the term "placed downstream" means that an element is placed after another with respect to the direction of circulation of the fluid. For reasons of clarity and understanding, the direction of circulation used to define that an element is upstream or downstream of another is generally that of a heat pump mode described in more detail later in the description.

[0031] [Fig.l] shows a thermal management device 1 for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. This thermal management device 1 comprises a circulation circuit A in which a refrigerant fluid is intended to circulate and comprising a main loop A1 and a first bypass branch A2.

[0032] The main loop A1 comprises, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid (illustrated by arrows), a compressor 3, an internal condenser 4 intended to directly or indirectly heat an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment, a first expansion device 5 and a first heat exchanger 6 to be arranged jointly with an annex circuit B within which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate, as illustrated in [Fig.l]. Such an annex circuit B is described later in this description.

[0033] Another possibility is that the first heat exchanger 6 may be intended to be crossed by an air flow external to the motor vehicle. The first heat exchanger 6 may then be arranged in the front phase of the motor vehicle.

[0034] The internal condenser 4 may be intended to be directly traversed by an internal air flow to the passenger compartment. The internal condenser 4 is thus configured to directly heat this internal air flow. The internal condenser 4 may thus be arranged within a heating and ventilation device. An alternative may be that the internal condenser 4 is arranged jointly on the main loop A1 and on an auxiliary loop (not shown) within which a heat transfer fluid circulates. This auxiliary loop may comprise a pump as well as a radiator intended to be traversed by an internal air flow to the passenger compartment. The internal condenser 4 is thus configured to indirectly heat this internal air flow. The radiator of the auxiliary loop can be arranged within a heating and ventilation device.

[0035] The first branch branch A2 is connected in parallel with at least the first heat exchanger 6. The first branch branch A2 comprises a second expansion device 7 arranged upstream of a cooler 8. This cooler 8 is intended in particular to cool the batteries and / or the electrical power chain of the motor vehicle. The fact that the first branch branch A2 with its cooler 8 is connected in parallel with the first heat exchanger 6 allows parallel circulation of the refrigerant fluid. This parallel circulation of the refrigerant fluid limits the pressure losses it undergoes and thus the power required by the compressor 3 can be lower.

[0036] As shown in [Fig.l], the cooler 8 can in particular be arranged jointly on the main loop A1 and an auxiliary circuit B in which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate. This auxiliary circuit B comprises, for example, a main loop B1 comprising, in the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid, a pump 23, the cooler 8 and a heat exchanger 24 with the batteries. Connected in parallel with the heat exchanger 24 with the batteries, the main loop B1 also comprises a first bypass branch B2 comprising at least one exchanger 25 with a component of the electrical power chain. By electrical power chain, we mean, for example, the electric motor and the power electronics.In order to redirect the heat transfer fluid towards the heat exchanger 24 with the batteries and / or towards the at least one exchanger 25 with a component of the electrical power chain, the auxiliary circuit may comprise valves 26, 27 arranged respectively upstream of the heat exchangers 24 and 25.

[0037] The main loop B1 may also comprise a second bypass branch B3 connected in parallel with the cooler 8. This second bypass branch B3 more particularly comprises the first heat exchanger 6 when the latter is connected jointly to the circulation circuit A and the auxiliary circuit B. In order to redirect the heat transfer fluid to the first heat exchanger 6 and / or to the cooler 8, the auxiliary circuit B may comprise valves 28, 29 arranged respectively upstream of the cooler 8 and of the first heat exchanger 6.

[0038] Thus, when the first heat exchanger 6 is arranged jointly with the annex circuit B, it is possible to efficiently recover heat from the batteries and / or the power chain with limited pressure losses due to the fact that the first heat exchanger 6 and the cooler 8 are in parallel.

[0039] According to a first embodiment illustrated in [Fig.l] to 5, the first branch branch A2 connects a first connection point 101 arranged on the loop main loop Al upstream of the first expansion device 5, between the internal condenser 4 and said first expansion device 5, to a second connection point 102 arranged on the main loop Al upstream of the compressor 3, between the first heat exchanger 6 and said compressor 3.

[0040] According to this first embodiment, the first 5 and second 7 expansion devices may more particularly be electronic expansion valves comprising a stop function. Such a stop function makes it possible to block the flow of refrigerant fluid when the electronic expansion valve is closed. This thus makes it possible to control the flow of refrigerant fluid and thus to direct it towards the first heat exchanger 6 and / or through the first bypass branch A2.

[0041] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the refrigerant circulates both in the first heat exchanger 6 and in the cooler 8. This is a heat pump operating mode with heat recovery. Within the annex circuit B, the heat transfer fluid circulates both through the heat exchanger 24 with the batteries and the at least one exchanger 25 with a component of the electrical power chain. Heat recovery is therefore carried out both on the batteries and on the electrical power chain.

[0042] In the example of [Fig.l], the thermal management device 1 and more particularly the circulation circuit A can only operate in a heat pump mode with or without heat recovery in order to heat the internal air flow to the passenger compartment. The first heat exchanger 6 thus has only an evaporator function.

[0043] According to embodiments and variants illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the circulation circuit A is reversible and further comprises a second bypass branch A3 for bypassing the internal condenser 4 and the first expansion device 5.

[0044] In order to also allow cooling of an internal air flow to the passenger compartment, the circulation circuit A may also comprise a third bypass branch A4 connected in parallel with the second expansion device 7 and the cooler 8. This third bypass branch A4 more particularly comprises a third expansion device 9 arranged upstream of an evaporator 10 intended to be crossed by an internal air flow to the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. This evaporator 10 may in particular be arranged within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning device. The third expansion device 9 may also be an electronic expansion valve and comprise a stop function.

[0045] By reversible, we mean that the circulation circuit A can operate in a heat pump mode and a cooling mode. In the heat pump mode, the refrigerant circulates successively in the compressor 3, the condenser internal 4, the first expansion device 5, the first heat exchanger 6, which plays the role of evaporator in this operating mode, before returning to the compressor 3. As described above, the refrigerant fluid can also circulate in parallel in the first bypass branch A2 to carry out heat recovery.

[0046] In the cooling mode, the refrigerant can be used to cool the internal air flow via the evaporator 10. The refrigerant thus circulates successively in the compressor 3, bypasses the internal condenser 4 via the second bypass branch A3, passes through the first heat exchanger 6, which in this operating mode plays the role of a condenser, passes through the third expansion device 9 and the cooler 10 before reaching the compressor 3. The refrigerant can also, in parallel with the third bypass branch A4, pass through the second expansion device 7 and the cooler 8 at the outlet of the first heat exchanger 6 to cool the heat transfer fluid of the annex circuit B and therefore the batteries and / or the electrical power chain.

[0047] Still according to the embodiments and variants illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the reversible circulation circuit A may further comprise a refrigerant accumulator 12. This accumulator 12 is preferably arranged on the first branch branch A2 upstream of the second connection point 102, between the sixth connection point 106 and said second connection point 102. The arrangement of the accumulator 12 allows in particular, in heat pump mode, that the refrigerant at the outlet of the first heat exchanger 6 does not pass through said accumulator 12 and directly joins the compressor 3. This thus makes it possible to further limit the pressure losses and therefore an increase in the power and consumption of the compressor 3 to compensate for these pressure losses.

[0048] In order to control the flow of refrigerant fluid from the compressor 3 and redirect it to the internal condenser 4 or the second bypass branch A3, the circulation circuit A may comprise a first stop valve 31, arranged on said second bypass branch A3, and a second stop valve 32, arranged on the main loop A1 upstream of the internal condenser 4, between the third connection point 103 and said internal condenser 4. In order to prevent backflow to the internal condenser 4, the main loop A1 may comprise a non-return valve 41 arranged downstream of said internal condenser 4. In order to prevent, in particular in cooling mode, the refrigerant fluid from bypassing the evaporator 10, a third stop valve 33 may be arranged on the main loop upstream of the second connection point 102.In order to prevent the refrigerant fluid from the sixth connection point 106 to the evaporator 10, the third bypass branch A4 may comprise a non-return valve 43 downstream of said evaporator 10.

[0049] According to a first connection variant of the second bypass branch A3 illustrated in [Fig.2], said second bypass branch A3 connects a third connection point 103 to a fourth connection point 104. The third connection point 103 is arranged on the main loop A1 downstream of the compressor 3, between said compressor 3 and the internal condenser 4. The fourth connection point 104 is arranged on the main loop A1 downstream of the first expansion device 5, between said first expansion device 5 and the first heat exchanger 6.

[0050] In the example illustrated in [Fig.2], the third branch branch A4 more particularly connects a fifth connection point 105 to a sixth connection point 106. The fifth connection point 105 is arranged on the first branch branch A2 upstream of the second expansion device 7, between the first connection point 101 and said second expansion device 7. The sixth connection point 106 is arranged on the first branch branch A2 downstream of the cooler 8, between said cooler 8 and the second connection point 102.

[0051] In order to be able to bring the refrigerant fluid from the fluid outlet of the first heat exchanger 6, in particular in a cooling mode, to the second 7 and / or third 9 expansion devices, the circulation circuit A further comprises a fourth bypass branch A5. This fourth bypass branch A5 more particularly connects a seventh connection point 107 to an eighth connection point 108. The seventh connection point 107 is arranged on the main loop A1 downstream of the first heat exchanger 6, between said first heat exchanger 6 and the second connection point 102. The eighth connection point 108 is arranged upstream of the third expansion device 9, on the first bypass branch A2 (not shown) or on the third bypass branch A4 (as illustrated in [Fig.2]).

[0052] In order to avoid the reflux of refrigerant fluid within the fourth bypass branch A5 from the eighth connection point 108 to the seventh connection point 107, in particular during heat recovery via the cooler 8, the fourth bypass branch A5 may comprise a non-return valve 44. In the example of [Fig. 2], the third stop valve 33 is arranged on the main branch A1 between the seventh connection point 107 and the second connection point 102.

[0053] Still according to the example illustrated in [Fig.2], the circulation circuit A may comprise an internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side 11a arranged on the fourth branch of bypass A5 and a second side 11b arranged on the first branch of bypass A5. bypass A2 or on the third bypass branch A4 downstream of the evaporator 10. In the example illustrated in [Fig.2], the second side 11b of the internal heat exchanger is arranged on the first bypass branch A2, between the sixth 106 and the second 102 connection point, more particularly downstream of the accumulator 12. This internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b makes it possible in particular to improve the coefficient of performance of the reversible circulation circuit in cooling mode.

[0054] According to a second connection variant of the second bypass branch A3 illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the second bypass branch A3 always connects a third connection point 103 to a fourth connection point 104. Like the first variant of [Fig.2], the third connection point 103 is arranged on the main loop A1 downstream of the compressor 3, between said compressor 3 and the internal condenser 4. The fourth connection point 104 has a different arrangement. The fourth connection point 104 is arranged, in this second variant, on the main loop A1 upstream of the second connection point 102, between the first heat exchanger 6 and said second connection point 102.Due to this particular arrangement of the fourth connection point 104, the first heat exchanger 6 is configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within it in one direction or the other. Indeed, in a heat pump mode, the refrigerant fluid passes through the first heat exchanger 6 towards the fourth connection point 104 whereas in cooling mode, the refrigerant fluid passes through the first heat exchanger 6 from the fourth connection point 104.

[0055] [Fig. 3] shows a first example of this second variant similar to that of [Fig. 2] with regard to the connections of the third branch branch A4. The fifth connection point 105 is thus arranged on the first branch branch A2 upstream of the second expansion device 7, between the first connection point 101 and said second expansion device 7. The sixth connection point 106 is also arranged on the first branch branch A2 downstream of the cooler 8, between said cooler 8 and the second connection point 102.

[0056] As in the example of [Fig.2], in the example of [Fig.3], the circulation circuit A comprises a fourth bypass branch A5. The eighth connection point 108 is also arranged upstream of the third expansion device 9, on the first bypass branch A2 or the third bypass branch A4. However, the seventh connection point 107 is arranged on the main loop A1 downstream of the first expansion device 5, between said first expansion device 5 and the first heat exchanger 6.

[0057] Still according to the first example illustrated in [Fig. 3], the circulation circuit A may also comprise an internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side 11a, arranged on the fourth bypass branch A5, and a second side 11b arranged on the first bypass branch A2 or on the third bypass branch A4, downstream of the evaporator 10. In the first example illustrated in [Fig. 3], the second side 11b of the internal heat exchanger is arranged on the first bypass branch A2, between the sixth 106 and the second 102 connection point, more particularly downstream of the accumulator 12. This internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b makes it possible in particular to improve the coefficient of performance of the reversible circulation circuit in cooling mode.

[0058] Whether in the example of [Fig.2] or that of [Fig.3], the first bypass branch A2 may comprise a non-return valve 42 arranged so as to prevent the reflux of refrigerant fluid from the fifth connection point 105 to the first connection point 101.

[0059] [Fig.4] shows a second example of this second variant in which the connections of the second A3 and the third A4 branch branch are identical to those of the example of [Fig.3]. The fifth connection point 105 is arranged on the first branch branch A2 upstream of the second expansion device 7, between the first connection point 101 and said second expansion device 7. The sixth connection point 106 is arranged on the first branch branch A2 downstream of the cooler 8, between said cooler 8 and the second connection point 102.

[0060] The circulation circuit A also comprises a fourth bypass branch A5. The seventh connection point 107 of the latter is arranged on the main loop A1 downstream of the first expansion device 5, between said first expansion device 5 and the first heat exchanger 6. The eighth connection point 108 is arranged on the main loop A1 upstream of the first expansion device 5, between the internal condenser 4 and said first expansion device 5. In order to prevent the reflux of refrigerant fluid from the first heat exchanger 6 in cooling mode in the main loop A1 from the seventh connection point 107 to the first connection point 101, a non-return valve 45 may be arranged between said seventh connection point 107 and the first connection point 101.

[0061] In the second example illustrated in [Fig.4], the first 5, second 7 and third 9 relaxation devices can in particular be integrated within a common element to save space and facilitate assembly within the motor vehicle. The first 101, fifth 105 and eighth 108 connection points can also be grouped within the same structure with the expansion devices 5, 7 and 9. The first 101, fifth 105 and eighth 108 connection points can in particular be grouped into a single distribution and reception point for the refrigerant fluid.

[0062] Similarly, still according to the second example illustrated in [Fig.4] and for the sake of compactness and assembly, the non-return valves 44, 45 as well as the seventh connection point 107 can be grouped together at a first end of the first heat exchanger 6. The first 31 and third 33 stop valves as well as the fourth connection point 104 can be grouped together at a second end of the first heat exchanger 6 opposite the first end.

[0063] Still according to the second example illustrated in [Fig.4] the circulation circuit A comprises an internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side 11a arranged on the fourth bypass branch A5 and a second side 11b arranged on the first bypass branch A2 or on the third bypass branch A4 downstream of the evaporator 10. In the second example illustrated in [Fig.4], the second side 11b of the internal heat exchanger is arranged on the first bypass branch A2, between the sixth 106 and the second 102 connection point, more particularly downstream of the accumulator 12. This internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b makes it possible in particular to improve the coefficient of performance of the reversible circulation circuit in cooling mode.

[0064] [Fig. 5] shows a third example in which the fifth connection point 105 of the third bypass branch A4 is arranged on the main branch A1 downstream of the first connection point 101, between said first connection point 101 and the first expansion device 5. The sixth connection point 106 is arranged on the first bypass branch A2 downstream of the cooler 8, between said cooler 8 and the second connection point 102. According to this third example illustrated in [Fig. 5], like the first heat exchanger 6, the first expansion device 5 is also configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within it in one direction or the other.This particular connection of the third branch of derivation A4 makes it possible, compared to the first, second and third examples illustrated in figures 2 to 4, to do without a fourth branch of derivation A5 for the cooling mode.

[0065] The circulation circuit A then comprises an internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side 11a arranged on the main branch A1 upstream of the first expansion device 5 between the fifth connection point 105 and said first expansion device 5 and a second side 11b arranged on the first bypass branch A2 or on the third bypass branch A4 downstream of the evaporator 10. The second side 11b of the internal heat exchanger is here arranged on the first bypass branch A2, between the sixth 106 and the second 102 connection point, more particularly downstream of the accumulator 12. This internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b makes it possible in particular to improve the coefficient of performance of the reversible circulation circuit in cooling mode. The internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b is in particular configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within its first side 11a in one direction or the other.

[0066] [Fig. 6] finally shows a second embodiment of connection of the first bypass branch A2. In this second embodiment, the first connection point 101 is arranged on the main loop A1 downstream of the first expansion device 5, between said first expansion device 5 and the first heat exchanger 6. The second connection point 102 is still arranged on the main loop A1 upstream of the compressor 3, between the first heat exchanger 6 and said compressor 3.

[0067] In this second embodiment, the circulation circuit A is also reversible and comprises, as for the third example illustrated in [Fig.5], a second bypass branch A3 for bypassing the internal condenser 4 and the first expansion device 5. Similarly, the circulation circuit A can also comprise a third bypass branch A4 connected in parallel with the second expansion device 7 and the cooler 8.

[0068] The third connection point 103 of the second bypass branch A3 is arranged on the main loop A1 downstream of the compressor 3, between said compressor 3 and the internal condenser 4. The fourth connection point 104 is arranged on the main loop A1 upstream of the second connection point 102, between the first heat exchanger 6 and said second connection point 102.

[0069] The fifth connection point 105 of the third bypass branch A4 is arranged on the first bypass branch A2 upstream of the second expansion device 7, between the first connection point 101 and said second expansion device 7. The sixth connection point 106 is arranged on the first bypass branch A2 downstream of the cooler 8, between said cooler 8 and the second connection point 102. As for the third example of [Fig. 5], the third bypass branch A4 comprises a third expansion device 9 arranged upstream of an evaporator 10 intended to be crossed by an internal air flow to the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The first heat exchanger 6 is also configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid therein in one direction or the other. Unlike the third example illustrated in [Fig. 5], it is not necessary here for the first expansion device 5 to be configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within it in one direction or the other. Indeed, the first expansion device 5 is only crossed in a heat pump mode.

[0070] The circulation circuit A also comprises an internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side 11a arranged on the main branch A1 downstream of the first connection point 101, between said first connection point 101 and the first heat exchanger 6, and a second side 11b arranged on the first bypass branch A2 or on the third bypass branch A4 downstream of the evaporator 10. The internal heat exchanger 11a, 11b is also configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within its first side 11a in one direction or the other.

[0071] Preferably, the first side 11a of the heat exchanger is chosen so that it has a pressure drop equal to the pressure drop of the second expansion device 7 at its maximum opening. This makes it possible in particular to balance the pressure drops in a heat pump mode with heat recovery between the refrigerant fluid from the first expansion device 5 passing through the first heat exchanger 6 and that passing through the first bypass branch A2.

[0072] Thus, it is clear that due to the parallel circulation of the refrigerant fluid within the first heat exchanger 6 and the cooler 8, the thermal management device 1 makes it possible to limit the pressure losses and thus avoids an increase in the power of the compressor 3 and its consumption to compensate for these pressure losses.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal management device (1) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, said thermal management device (1) comprising a reversible circulation circuit (A) in which a refrigerant fluid is intended to circulate and comprising: - a main loop (Al) comprising, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, a compressor (3), an internal condenser (4) intended to directly or indirectly heat an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment, a first expansion device (5) and a first heat exchanger (6), - a first bypass branch (A2) connected in parallel at least with the first heat exchanger (6) and comprising a second expansion device (7) arranged upstream of a cooler (8), said cooler (8) being intended to cool the batteries and / or the electric power chain of the motor vehicle,and - a second bypass branch (A3) for bypassing the internal condenser (4) and the first expansion device (5), the second bypass branch (A3) connecting a third connection point (103) arranged on the main loop (Al) downstream of the compressor (3), between said compressor (3) and the internal condenser (4), to a fourth connection point (104) arranged on the main loop (Al) downstream of the first expansion device (5), between said first expansion device (5) and the first heat exchanger (6).,

2. Thermal management device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first heat exchanger 6 is arranged jointly on the circulation circuit (A) and on an ancillary circuit (B) in which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate.

3. Thermal management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first bypass branch (A2) connects a first connection point (101) arranged on the main loop (Al) upstream of the first expansion device (5), between the internal condenser (4) and said first expansion device (5), to a second connection point (102) arranged on the main loop (Al) upstream of the compressor (3), between the first heat exchanger (6) and said compressor (3).

4. Thermal management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circulation circuit (A) comprises a third bypass branch (A4) connected in parallel with the second expansion device (7) and the cooler (8), said third bypass branch (A4) comprising a third expansion device (9) arranged upstream of an evaporator (10) intended to be crossed by an internal air flow intended for the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

5. Thermal management device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the third bypass branch (A4) connects a fifth connection point (105) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) upstream of the second expansion device (7), between the first connection point (101) and said second expansion device (7), to a sixth connection point (106) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) downstream of the cooler (8), between said cooler (8) and the second connection point (102), the circulation circuit (A) further comprising a fourth bypass branch (A5) connecting a seventh connection point (107) arranged on the main loop (A1) downstream of the first heat exchanger (6), between said first heat exchanger (6) and the second connection point (102), to an eighth connection point (108) arranged upstream of the third expansion device (9),on the first branch of derivation (A2) or the third branch of derivation (A4).,

6. Thermal management device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the circulation circuit (A) comprises an internal heat exchanger (11a, 11b) configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side (11a) arranged on the fourth bypass branch (A5) and a second side (11b) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) or on the third bypass branch (A4), downstream of the evaporator (10).

7. Thermal management device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second bypass branch (A3) connects a third connection point (103) arranged on the main loop (Al) downstream of the compressor (3), between said compressor (3) and the internal condenser (4), to a fourth connection point (104) arranged on the loop main (Al) upstream of the second connection point (102), between the first heat exchanger (6) and said second connection point (102), the first heat exchanger (6) being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within it in one direction or the other.

8. Thermal management device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the third bypass branch (A4) connects a fifth connection point (105) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) upstream of the second expansion device (7), between the first connection point (101) and said second expansion device (7), to a sixth connection point (106) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) downstream of the cooler (8), between said cooler (8) and the second connection point (102), the circulation circuit (A) further comprising a fourth bypass branch (A5) connecting a seventh connection point (107) arranged on the main loop (A1) downstream of the first expansion device (5), between said first expansion device (5) and the first heat exchanger (6), to an eighth connection point (108) arranged upstream of the third expansion device (9),on the first branch of derivation (A2) or the third branch of derivation (A4).,

9. Thermal management device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the circulation circuit (A) comprises an internal heat exchanger (11a, 11b) configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side (11a) arranged on the fourth bypass branch (A5) and a second side (11b) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) or on the third bypass branch (A4), downstream of the evaporator (10).

10. Thermal management device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the third bypass branch (A4) connects a fifth connection point (105) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) upstream of the second expansion device (7), between the first connection point (101) and said second expansion device (7), to a sixth connection point (106) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) downstream of the cooler (8), between said cooler (8) and the second connection point (102), the circulation circuit (A) further comprising a fourth bypass branch (A5) connecting a seventh connection point (107) arranged on the main loop (Al) downstream of the first expansion device (5), between said first expansion device (5) and the first heat exchanger (6), to an eighth connection point (108) arranged on the main loop (Al) upstream of the first expansion device (5), between the internal condenser (4) and said first expansion device (5).

11. Thermal management device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the circulation circuit (A) comprises an internal heat exchanger (11a, 11b) configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side (11a) arranged on the fourth bypass branch (A5) and a second side (11b) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) or on the third bypass branch (A4) downstream of the evaporator (10).

12. Thermal management device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the third bypass branch (A4) connects a fifth connection point (105) arranged on the main branch (A1) downstream of the first connection point (101), between said first connection point (101) and the first expansion device (5), to a sixth connection point (106) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) downstream of the cooler (8), between said cooler (8) and the second connection point (102), the first expansion device (5) also being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid therein in one direction or the other.

13. Thermal management device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the circulation circuit (A) comprises an internal heat exchanger (11a, 11b) configured to allow heat exchanges between a first side (11a) arranged on the main branch (A1) upstream of the first expansion device (5) between the fifth connection point (105) and said first expansion device (5) and a second side (11b) arranged on the first bypass branch (A2) or on the third bypass branch (A4) downstream of the evaporator (10), said internal heat exchanger (11a, 11b) being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within its first side (11a) in one direction or the other.

14. Thermal management device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first bypass branch (A2) connects a first connection point (101) arranged on the main loop (Al) downstream of the first expansion device (5), between said first expansion device (5) and the first heat exchanger (6), to a second connection point (102) arranged on the main loop (Al) upstream of the compressor (3), between the first heat exchanger (6) and said compressor (3), the second bypass branch (A3) connecting a third connection point (103) arranged on the main loop (Al) downstream of the compressor (3), between said compressor (3) and the internal condenser (4), to a fourth connection point (104) arranged on the main loop (Al) upstream of the second connection point (102), between the first heat exchanger (6) and said second connection point (102),1st first heat exchanger (6) being configured to allow the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within it in one direction or the other.

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