FLUID DISTRIBUTION MODULE

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid distribution module (12), particularly for a refrigerant, comprising a single-piece body (20) defining: - at least two compartments (24, 26), at least one of which is a multi-way compartment, - a plurality of first inlet and / or outlet conduits (28, 30, 32, 34) for said fluid opening into one of said compartments (24, 26), - at least one connecting conduit (36) linking at least two of said compartments (24, 26), - said at least one multi-way compartment being connected to at least three conduits from among the aforementioned conduits, said module (12) further comprising, for each compartment (24, 26), a selector element (40, 42), comprising, for said multi-way compartment(s), a sphere (44, 46) rotatable within the compartment (24, 26) and equipped of a recess (48, 50) for controlling the flow of fluid through said housing. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: FLUID DISTRIBUTION MODULE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a module for distributing a fluid, in particular a module intended to distribute a refrigerant fluid capable of circulating in a thermoregulation circuit of a vehicle, in particular a hybrid or electric motor vehicle. Technical background

[0002] Fluid distribution modules are known in the state of the art. They allow refrigerant to be distributed between several branches of a thermoregulation circuit by directing it between different exchangers of this circuit, according to specific needs. The distribution modules include valves which allow the flow to be directed or interrupted at different points of these modules.

[0003] Modules comprising needle valves are particularly known. The advantage of a needle valve is that it is mounted in a cartridge which can be easily integrated into the body of a module.

[0004] Such valves, however, have drawbacks.

[0005] On the one hand, these valves are necessarily two-way valves which only allow the passage or interruption of the refrigerant flow, but do not allow its orientation between two directions. Their use does not allow the flow of refrigerant to be directly oriented in the module. They are therefore limited with regard to the number of possible circulations.

[0006] On the other hand, these valves involve a linear movement of needles relative to seats formed in the cartridges. The guarantee of satisfactory sealing involves clearances of the needles sliding relative to the cartridges which are very reduced. However, these reduced clearances can ultimately be a source of jamming of the needles in the cartridges.

[0007] There is therefore a real need for modules comprising valves that are simple, reliable and inexpensive to implement. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention meets this need by proposing a fluid distribution module comprising one or more rotary ball valves.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention proposes a module for distributing a fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid, said module comprising a single-piece body defining:

[0010] - at least two housings, at least one of said at least two housings being a multi-lane housing,

[0011] - a plurality of first inlet and / or outlet conduits for said fluid opening into said accommodations,

[0012] - at least one connecting conduit connecting at least two of said housings,

[0013] said at least one multi-way housing being connected to at least three conduits among said first inlet and / or outlet conduits and / or said at least one connecting conduit,

[0014] said module further comprising for each housing, a selector member, said selector member comprising, for said multi-way housing(s), a sphere comprising a recess for controlling the circulation of the fluid through said housing and movable in rotation in said housing around an axis of rotation.

[0015] Thanks to the use of spherical selector members and the associated multi-way housings, the invention allows a high degree of integration and reliability. Multi-way housing is understood to mean a housing opening onto at least three conduits.

[0016] According to various additional characteristics of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which form as many embodiments of the invention:

[0017] - the plurality of first inlet and / or outlet conduits open outside the body,

[0018] - the distribution module comprises at least two spheres,

[0019] - two or more of said at least two housings each comprise a sphere.

[0020] - one of the two housings comprising a sphere is a multi-way housing and the other of the two housings comprising a sphere can be multi-way or two-way. Advantageously, compared to a needle valve, a two-way housing comprising a sphere makes it possible to reduce the pressure losses through said housing. In the case where several multi-way housings are present, the module makes it possible to simply offer a large number of fluid circulation options.

[0021] - the recess of the sphere is configured to control the circulation of said fluid between said at least three conduits according to specific angular positions of said sphere,

[0022] “control” means the ability of the sphere to direct the fluid among different conduits, regulate its flow rate, and optionally block it and prevent it from passing through the housing,

[0023] - said selector member comprises an actuator for driving said sphere in rotation,

[0024] - the body delimits a separation wall between the actuator and the housing multi-way,

[0025] - said separating wall is crossed by a shaft of the actuator driving the sphere in rotation,

[0026] - the body has a counterbore which opens into an external face of the body, a bottom wall of said counterbore constituting said separation wall,

[0027] - the actuator comprises a casing, a first part of which is received in said counterbore,

[0028] - the actuator casing has a second part which is crossed by screws which are received in threads arranged around said counterbore,

[0029] - the module comprises at least one first sealing member bearing on said body and in sliding contact with said sphere,

[0030] - the first sealing member is located in a first passage section through which one of the first inlet and / or outlet conduits or said connecting conduit (one of said at least three conduits) opens into the housing,

[0031] - the module comprises a tubular holding member which is received in one of the first inlet and / or outlet conduits opening into the housing, to hold the sphere of the selector member in position in said housing,

[0032] - the distribution module comprises at least one second sealing member bearing on said tubular holding member and in sliding contact with the sphere of the selector member,

[0033] - the second sealing member is located in a second passage section between the housing, on the one hand, and the first inlet and / or outlet conduit equipped with the tubular holding member receiving said second sealing member, on the other hand,

[0034] - the sphere is clamped between the first and second sealing members, the first and the second sealing member being preferably respectively located diametrically opposite to said sphere,

[0035] - the first inlet and / or outlet conduits opening into said housing are at minus two and said first sealing member is unique,

[0036] - said first sealing member is provided at the level of the or one of the conduits of connection,

[0037] - the first and / or second sealing members respectively comprise a first and / or second annular seat which bears respectively on the body or on the tubular holding member while being in sliding contact with the sphere of the selector member,

[0038] - said first annular seat is coaxial with the first passage section,

[0039] - said second annular seat is coaxial with the second passage section,

[0040] - said first annular seat is coaxial with said second annular seat,

[0041] - the first annular seat is received in a first counterbore which is located in the body at the level of said first passage section,

[0042] - the second annular seat is received in support in a second counterbore which is located in the tubular holding member at the level of said second passage section,

[0043] - the module comprises one or more sealing rings interposed respectively between the first seat and the first counterbore and / or between the second seat and the second counterbore,

[0044] - the body defines at least one second inlet and / or outlet conduit opening out in said connecting conduit,

[0045] - at least one sphere is capable of controlling the circulation and / or flow rate of said fluid between said at least three conduits in one or more determined angular positions of the sphere. Thus it is possible in particular to create an expansion of the refrigerant fluid.

[0046] - the body comprises at least one elbow,

[0047] - said connecting conduit follows said elbow,

[0048] - the connecting conduit has a rectilinear or non-rectilinear shape, for example example in L. By adapting the shape of the connection conduit, the body of the module thus allows the module to be arranged, without additional parts, according to the desired configuration, in particular for the positioning of the actuators, and to facilitate connection to the pipes.

[0049] - the number of inlet and / or outlet conduits is at least four, the number of accommodations being possibly limited to two,

[0050] - the body has interfaces for fixing to a support.

[0051] The invention also relates to a thermal conditioning assembly, in particular for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising a distribution module of the type described above, and a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising an inlet port or an outlet port connected to one of the inlet and / or outlet conduits of the distribution module.

[0052] The invention also relates to a thermal conditioning system comprising a thermal management assembly of the type described above comprising a thermoregulation circuit in fluid communication with the distribution module and the exchanger and a compressor for circulating the fluid. Brief description of the figures

[0053] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings among which:

[0054] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a distribution module according to a embodiment of the invention assembled to an exchanger;

[0055] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a sectional view through plane 2-2 of the distribution module of [Fig.l];

[0056] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a phantom view of the body of the distribution module of [Fig.l];

[0057] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a detailed sectional view of the distribution module in the vicinity of one of its housings by plane 4-4 of figures 1 and 3;

[0058] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a detailed sectional view of the distribution module in the vicinity of one of its housings by plane 5-5 of figures 1 and 3. Detailed description of the invention

[0059] It should first be noted that the terms "first", "second"... are only used to distinguish the components concerned from each other and do not indicate either an order or a possible importance of said components.

[0060] [Fig.l] shows an assembly 10 comprising a distribution module 12 for a fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid.

[0061] Said refrigerant fluid comprises, for example, an active fluid (or refrigerant) and a lubricating fluid. Said active fluid is formed, in particular, of a hydrofluorocarbon, such as that known as R-134a or an HFO such as R1234yf. It may also be a carbon dioxide, also known as R744, or R290 (propane).

[0062] The assembly 10 further comprises a heat exchanger 14 connected to the module 12. The exchanger 14 comprises at least two inlet / outlet conduits for a heat transfer fluid to be cooled and / or heated, one conduit 16 of which is visible in [Fig.l]. The exchanger 14 is for example a plate exchanger 14 (not shown) within which the heat transfer fluid is cooled and / or heated by the refrigerant circulating in a thermoregulation circuit. The refrigerant can be selectively distributed in branches of the circuit via the module 12, which is fluidically connected to the exchanger for example by a conduit 18.

[0063] In [Fig.l], a support allowing the fixing of the module 12 on the exchanger 14, which is normally interposed between the module 12 and the exchanger 14, has not been shown, in order to see the inlet conduit 18 coming from the exchanger 14 which enters a single-piece body 20 of the module 12. It will be understood that the single-piece body 20 has fixing interfaces on the support (not shown), namely for example threads capable of receiving screws 22 for fixing on the support.

[0064] The distribution module 12 is intended to allow different circulations of the refrigerant fluid. For this purpose, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the single-piece body 20 defines at least two housings 24 and 26. These housings 24, 26 are capable of being connected to the outside of the body 20 by a plurality of first inlet and / or outlet conduits for said fluid opening into the housings 24, 26 and opening outside the body 20. As can be seen in the phantom view of [Fig. 3], which represents the bare body 20, in a non-limiting manner of the invention, two first inlet / outlet conduits 28 and 30 open into the housing 24 and two first inlet / outlet conduits 32 and 34 open into the housing 26.

[0065] The single-piece body 20 also comprises at least one connecting conduit 36 ​​connecting the two housings 24, 26. It will be understood that in the case of a body comprising a greater number of housings, it could comprise more than one connecting conduit 36, connecting, for example, the housings two by two. For example, three connecting conduits may be present when the body 20 comprises three housings.

[0066] Furthermore, the single-piece body 20 defines at least one second inlet and / or outlet conduit 37, 38 opening into said or one of said connection conduits 36.

[0067] In the embodiment shown here, the body 20 is bent and comprises at least one bend, in particular at 90°. It will be understood that a body 20 comprising a greater number of housings could comprise more than one bend.

[0068] As seen in [Fig. 2], the body 20 being bent, the connecting conduit 36 ​​follows said bend. The connecting conduit 36 ​​is therefore preferably also bent and comprises two branches 36a, 36b substantially perpendicular to each other. These two branches 36a, 36b are for example machined in the body 20 using axial tools introduced from outside the body 20. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, this configuration also makes it possible to simply produce one of the second inlet and / or outlet conduits 37, 38 opening into the connecting conduit 36, namely more particularly the conduit 38, which here opens in alignment with the branch 36b of the connecting conduit 36. This configuration makes it possible to simplify the installation of such a connecting conduit 38 in the body 20.

[0069] The module further comprises for each housing 24, 26, an associated selector member 40, 42.

[0070] Generally, according to the invention, at least one of the housings, 24, 26, called multi-way, is connected to at least three conduits among said first inlet conduits. and / or outlet and / or connection 28-36. The selector member 40, 42 then comprises, for each multi-way housing 24, 26, a sphere 44, 46 comprising a recess 48, 50 for controlling the circulation of the fluid through said housing. The passage of the fluid in the housing 24, 26 can thus be guided from one or more conduits to one or more other selected conduits, depending on the orientation taken by the sphere 44, 46. The flow rate of the fluid can also be modified in certain intermediate positions of the sphere 44, 46, in particular for the purpose of expanding the fluid. If desired, the fluid can also be prevented from passing through the housing for at least one orientation taken by the sphere 44, 46.

[0071] In the illustrated example, the two housings 24, 26 are multi-way housings.

[0072] The advantage of a sphere-shaped selective organ is that it allows taking supports a distribution scheme between a large number of conduits, which moreover open directly into the housing in which the sphere is mobile. In the context of a module integrating several housings, this allows a high level of integration.

[0073] The invention will find its application as soon as one of the housings is occupied by such a sphere 44, 46 and the housing in question is a multi-way housing 24, 26. The other housing(s) may be occupied by a member other than a sphere (for example a needle) and / or the other housing(s) may also be housings in which only two conduits open out from among said first inlet and / or outlet and / or connection conduits (these are then two-way housings).

[0074] To allow a large number of possibilities for circulation of the refrigerant fluid, the number of housings is at least two, and it can be limited to two. The number of inlet and / or outlet conduits is at least four, but can, of course, be greater.

[0075] The spheres 44, 46 are movable in rotation respectively in the housings 24, 26 around an axis of rotation A, B. More particularly, the sphere 44 is driven in rotation by a shaft 52 of axis A and the sphere 46 is driven in rotation by means of a shaft 54 ​​of axis B.

[0076] The recesses 48, 50 of the spheres 44, 46 are configured to control the circulation of the fluid between said first inlet and / or outlet conduit(s) 28, 30, 32, 34 and / or said connecting conduit 36 ​​as a function of specific angular positions of the spheres 44, 46 and therefore of the recesses 48, 50.

[0077] In the embodiment shown here, and in a non-limiting manner of the invention, each recess 48, 50 is shaped in the form of a bent channel. Thus, the bent channel 48 makes it possible to place the first inlet and / or outlet conduit 30 in communication selectively with the first inlet and / or outlet conduit 28 or with the branch 36a of the connecting conduit 36 ​​by rotation of the sphere 44 according to two opposite extreme angular positions. Similarly, the bent channel 50 makes it possible to put the branch 36b of the connecting conduit 36 ​​into communication with the first inlet and / or outlet conduit 32 or with the first inlet and / or outlet conduit 34 by rotation of the sphere 46 according to two opposite extreme angular positions.

[0078] The spheres 44, 46 are not necessarily limited to these extreme positions. For example, at least one of the spheres 44, 46 may be capable of controlling the circulation and flow rate of said fluid between said first inlet and / or outlet conduits and / or said connecting conduit in one or more determined intermediate angular positions of the sphere 44, 46. Thus, it is possible in particular to create an expansion of the refrigerant fluid thanks to intermediate positions of the recesses 48, 50.

[0079] Advantageously, the module allows for easier management of the seal by direct contact between the common body and each of the spheres 44, 46 of the selector members 40, 42. In particular, the connection conduit may only be provided with a seal member at one of its ends.

[0080] It thus makes it possible to dispense with intermediate cartridges, which further increases the level of integration offered by the module, to simplify sealing and to avoid carrying out superfluous machining in the body 20.

[0081] As can be seen in the figures, each selector member 40, 42 comprises an actuator 56, 58, comprising for example a respective electric motor, which drives the corresponding shaft 52, 54 associated with the sphere 44, 46 to drive the latter in rotation.

[0082] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 2 to 5, the body 20 delimits a separation wall 57, 59 between each actuator 56, 58 and the multi-way housing 24, 26. This separation wall 57, 59 is crossed by the shaft 52, 54 of the corresponding actuator 56, 58.

[0083] Preferably, the body 20 comprises a counterbore 61, 63 associated with each actuator 56, 58, which opens into a corresponding external face 65, 67 of the body 20. A bottom wall of this counterbore 61, 63 constitutes said separation wall 57, 59. The actuator 56, 58 for its part comprises a casing 69, 71 of which a first part 73, 75 is received in said counterbore 61, 63. The casing 69, 71 of the actuator 56, 58 further comprises a second part 77, 79 which is traversed by screws 81 which are received in tappings 83 arranged around said counterbore 61, 63. To ensure sealing of the spheres 44, 46 in the housings, the module 12 comprises at least one first sealing member corresponding 60, 62 resting on the body 20 and in sliding contact with the sphere 44, 46. This member 60, 62 is located in a first section passage 64, 66 through which said connecting conduit 36 ​​or one of the first inlet and / or outlet conduits 34 opens respectively into the housing 24, 26.

[0084] Thus, in the present case, a first sealing member 60 is located in the first passage section 64 through which the connection conduit 36 ​​opens into the housing 24 while another first sealing member 62 is located in another first passage section 66 through which one of the first inlet and / or outlet conduits 34 opens into the housing 26.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, the module 12 comprises, for each of the housings 24, 26, a tubular holding member 68, 70 which is received in one of the inlet and / or outlet conduits 28, 32 opening into the corresponding housing 24, 26, to hold the associated sphere 44, 46 in position in this housing 24, 26. The sphere 44, 46 is inserted into its housing 24, 26 via the inlet / outlet conduit receiving this tubular holding member 68, 70.

[0086] This tubular holding member 68, 70 may for example consist of an open threaded plug, also known as a “stuffing gland”, which is received in a corresponding thread formed inside the first conduit 28, 32 in question. The tightening of each threaded plug 68, 70 makes it possible to control the tightening of the sphere 44, 46 in the housing 24, 26.

[0087] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, the distribution module 12 comprises for each sphere 44, 46, a second sealing member 72, 74 which bears on the tubular holding member 68, 70 and in sliding contact with the sphere 44, 46 of the selector member 40, 42. In the same way as for the first sealing member, the second sealing member 72, 74 is located in a second passage section 76, 78 between the housing 24, 26, on the one hand, and the first inlet and / or outlet conduit 28, 32 equipped with said holding member provided with said second sealing member.

[0088] Advantageously, the first sealing members 60, 62 and the second sealing members 72, 74 are respectively located diametrically opposite relative to the spheres 44, 46. This configuration makes it possible, even if more than one inlet and / or outlet conduit opens into the housing 24, 26, to use only a single first sealing member per housing, arranged opposite a single second sealing member 72, 74 carried by the tubular holding member 68, 70. Here, the first sealing member 60 is provided at the connection conduit 36, and the first sealing member 62 is provided at the inlet / outlet conduit 34.

[0089] Even if another first inlet and / or outlet conduit 30 or another connection conduit opens into the housing 24, 26, it is not necessary for the latter to be equipped with a first sealing member because the sealing between the housing and the recess 48, 50 of the corresponding sphere 44, 46 is already ensured by the first and second sealing members and therefore, the orientation of the refrigerant flow through the recess 48, 50 of the sphere 44, 46, in the absence of leakage, is not compromised. Preferably, the first sealing member(s) are located at the level of one of the first passage sections 64 corresponding to one of the connection conduits 36.

[0090] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, to ensure good sealing with the spheres 44, 46, the first sealing members 60, 62 respectively comprise a first annular seat 61, 63 which bears on the body 20 while being in sliding contact with the sphere 44, 46 of the selector member 40, 42. Similarly, the second sealing members 72, 74 each comprise a second annular seat 73, 75 which bears on the tubular holding member while being in sliding contact with the sphere 44, 46 of the selector member 40, 42. Each seat 61, 63, 73, 75 is for example frustoconical or in the form of a concave portion of a sphere.

[0091] It will be understood that the first annular seats 61, 63 are coaxial with the first passage sections 64, 66 which correspond to said first sealing members 60, 62. Similarly, the second annular seats 73, 75 are coaxial with the second passage sections 76, 78 which correspond to said second sealing members 72, 74, and therefore with the first annular seats 61, 63.

[0092] To ensure the retention of the annular seats, each first annular seat 61, 62 is received in a first counterbore 80, 82 which is located in the body 20 at the level of the corresponding first passage section 64, 66. Similarly, each second annular seat 73, 75 is received in abutment in a second counterbore 84, 86 which is located in the tubular holding member 68, 70 at the level of said corresponding second passage section 76, 78.

[0093] Furthermore, to ensure the sealing of the annular seats 61, 62, 73, 75, the module 12 comprises one or more sealing rings 88 interposed between the first seat 61, 62 and the first counterbore 80, 82 and sealing rings 90 interposed respectively between the second seat 73, 75 and the second counterbore 84, 86.

[0094] In the above, the description of the selector member, the sealing members and the tubular holding member has been made in relation to one or more multi-way housings but, unless otherwise indicated, it also applies to housings in which only two conduits open out from among said first inlet and / or outlet and / or connection conduits,

[0095] The invention is also intended to be applied to cases in which the module comprises one or more housings accommodating selector members without being connected to one of the other housings by connection conduits, provided that said other housings comply with the above.

[0096] The invention therefore proposes a refrigerant distribution module offering numerous circulation possibilities.

Claims

Claims

1. Module (12) for distributing a fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid, said module (12) comprising a single-piece body (20) defining: - at least two housings (24, 26), at least one of said at least two housings (24, 26) being a multi-way housing, - a plurality of first inlet and / or outlet conduits (28, 30, 32, 34) for said fluid opening into one of said housings (24, 26), - at least one connecting conduit (36) connecting at least two of said housings (24, 26), - said at least one multi-way housing being connected to at least three conduits among said first inlet and / or outlet conduits and / or said at least one connecting conduit (28-36), said module (12) further comprising for each housing (24, 26), a selector member (40, 42), said selector member (40, 42) comprising, for said multi-way housing(s), a sphere (44, 46) provided with a recess (48,50) for controlling the circulation of the fluid through said housing and movable in rotation in said housing (24, 26) around an axis (A, B) of rotation.,

2. Module (12) for distributing a fluid according to the preceding claim, in which the recess (48, 50) of the sphere (44, 46) is configured to control the circulation of said fluid between said at least three conduits (28, 30, 36; 32, 34, 36) as a function of specific angular positions of said sphere (44, 46).

3. 3. Distribution module (12) of a fluid according to one of the preceding claims, in which said selector member (40, 42) comprises an actuator (56, 58) for driving said sphere (44, 46) in rotation.

4. Distribution module (12) for a fluid according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one first sealing member (60, 62) bearing on said body (20) and in sliding contact with said sphere (44, 46), said first sealing member (60, 62) being located in a first passage section (64, 66) through which one of the first inlet and / or outlet conduits (34) or said connection conduit (36) opens into the housing (24, 26).

5. Distribution module (12) of a fluid according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a tubular member of holding (68, 70) which is received in one of the first inlet and / or outlet conduits (28, 32) opening into the housing (24, 26) to hold the sphere (44, 46) of the selector member (40, 42) in position in said housing (24, 26).

6. 6. Distribution module (12) for a fluid according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one second sealing member (72, 74) bearing on said tubular holding member (68, 70) and in sliding contact with the sphere (44, 46) of the selector member (40, 42).

7. 7. A dispensing module (12) according to claim 6 taken in combination with claim 4, wherein the sphere is clamped between the first (60, 62) and the second (72, 74) sealing members, the first (60, 62) and the second (72, 74) sealing members being preferably respectively located diametrically opposite to said sphere (44, 46).

8. Distribution module (12) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the body (12) defines at least one second inlet and / or outlet conduit (37, 38) opening into said connection conduit (36).

9. Distribution module (12) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two spheres, two or more of said at least two housings each comprising a sphere (44, 46), one of the two housings comprising a sphere (44, 46) being a multi-way housing and the other of the two housings comprising a sphere (44, 46) being a multi-way or two-way housing...

10. 10. Thermal conditioning assembly, in particular for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising a distribution module (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising an inlet port or an outlet port connected to one of the inlet and / or outlet conduits of the distribution module.

11. 11. Thermal conditioning system comprising a thermal management assembly according to the preceding claim, a thermoregulation circuit in fluid communication with the distribution module (12) and the exchanger and a compressor for circulating the fluid.