Thermal management module, particularly for a vehicle

Abstract

Thermal management module, particularly for a vehicle. The invention relates to a thermal management module (10), comprising two heat exchangers, the first heat exchanger (1) circulating a first heat transfer fluid belonging to a first loop (100) of heat transfer fluid circulation and circulating an additional heat transfer fluid, the second heat exchanger (2) circulating a second heat transfer fluid belonging to a second loop (200) of heat transfer fluid circulation and circulating the additional heat transfer fluid, the thermal management module (10) comprising an interconnection flange (20; 32) configured to form a fluid interconnection (21; 35) for the additional heat transfer fluid, between the first heat exchanger (1) and the second heat exchanger (2), the interconnection flange (20;32) being in particular monobloc, and configured to allow the assembly of the first heat exchanger (1) with the second heat exchanger (2). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal management module, in particular for a vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal management module, in particular for a vehicle.

[0002] The vehicle can be land, sea or air.

[0003] Generally speaking, electric vehicles require an on-board thermal management system incorporating, for example, a heat pump, coolant distributors, a battery cooling loop, etc.

[0004] There is a need to ensure an optimal temperature at the battery cells, in particular during a period of rapid charging of the battery, or with a view to improving the autonomy of the electric vehicle at particular ambient temperatures, for example at cold temperatures.

[0005] There is also a need to maintain the footprint of the thermal management system at an acceptable level in the vehicle, while reducing the pressure losses that occur in the thermal management system, thereby reducing the electrical consumption of the thermal management system.

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy the precipitated drawbacks.

[0007] The invention thus relates to a thermal management module, in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a first heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between: • a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, within this first heat exchanger, this flow of first heat transfer fluid being configured to belong to a first heat transfer fluid circulation loop, and • an additional flow of an additional heat transfer fluid (for example a refrigerant fluid), in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within this first heat exchanger, - a second heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between: • a flow of a second heat transfer fluid within this second heat exchanger, this flow of second heat transfer fluid being configured to belong to a second heat transfer fluid circulation loop, and • an additional flow of additional heat transfer fluid within of this second heat exchanger, the thermal management module comprising an interconnection flange configured to form a fluidic interconnection for the additional heat transfer fluid, between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the interconnection flange being in particular a single piece, and configured to allow the assembly of the first heat exchanger with the second heat exchanger.

[0008] Thanks to the invention, due to the use of two heat exchangers in the thermal management module, it is possible to produce this thermal management module by adapting it to required fluid distributions, insofar as the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger can be dimensioned according to the cooling requirements in the first circulation loop and in the second heat transfer fluid circulation loop.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the interconnection flange extends opposite the inlet / outlet orifices for the additional heat transfer fluid and extends back from the inlet / outlet orifices for the first and second heat transfer fluids.

[0010] In the present invention, the additional heat transfer fluid first circulates in the first heat exchanger before being sent to the second heat exchanger. In other words, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged in series from the point of view of this additional heat transfer fluid.

[0011] Advantageously, the flow of first heat transfer fluid within the first heat exchanger and the flow of second heat transfer fluid within the second heat exchanger are separate, namely these flows do not mix.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger can be sized according to the thermal power and the pressure losses of the heat transfer fluid which are required for each heat transfer fluid circulation loop.

[0013] Preferably, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are stacked plate heat exchangers.

[0014] The number of plates in the first heat exchanger and in the second heat exchanger may be the same. In this case, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may have the same height measured in the direction of the plate stack.

[0015] Alternatively, this number of plates differs from one heat exchanger to another, making it possible to obtain respective thermal powers and pressure losses which are different. In this case, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may have different heights.

[0016] The invention allows great flexibility in the production of the management module. thermal according to needs, by choosing a suitable combination of heat exchangers.

[0017] The invention may have one of the following characteristics, separately or in combination: - the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger each have a substantially rectangular perimeter, - the corners of this rectangular perimeter can be rounded, - the rectangular perimeter has a length and a width, - the heat exchangers can have different lengths and / or widths.

[0018] Alternatively, the heat exchangers may have identical lengths and widths.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged side by side, along their respective short sides.

[0020] Alternatively, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged side by side, along their respective long sides.

[0021] As a further variant, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged side by side, with a large side of one of the heat exchangers against the small side of the other of the heat exchangers.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged side by side, with contact between them.

[0023] Alternatively, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged side by side, with a spacing between them.

[0024] The invention may have one of the following characteristics, separately or in combination: - the thermal management module comprises an assembly plate on which the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are assembled, - the assembly plate comprises a fluid inlet orifice and a fluid outlet orifice for the heat transfer fluid, for each of the first and second heat exchangers, - the assembly plate comprises a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port for the additional heat transfer fluid, for each of the first and second heat exchangers.

[0025] Thus the assembly plate can comprise a total of eight fluid inlet / outlet orifices.

[0026] What will be described in connection with the first heat transfer fluid and the first heat exchanger can be applied to the second heat transfer fluid and to the second heat exchanger.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat exchanger comprises fluid inlets and outlets for the first heat transfer fluid and fluid inlets and outlets for the additional heat transfer fluid, which are respectively arranged opposite each other along the diagonals of the rectangular periphery of the first heat exchanger.

[0028] In this case, the first heat transfer fluid and the additional heat transfer fluid follow respective paths, within the first heat exchanger, which are cross-shaped or X-shaped.

[0029] It is indicated that these X-shaped fluid paths do not intersect each other in the sense that the path followed by the first heat transfer fluid and the path followed by the additional heat transfer fluid are separated from each other. These respective paths alternately overlap so that the first heat transfer fluid circulates on certain stages and the additional heat transfer fluid circulates on other stages of the plate stack within the first exchanger. When it is said that the paths are X-shaped, it is to be understood that the respective paths follow different diagonals within the heat exchanger concerned.

[0030] Alternatively, the first heat exchanger comprises fluid inlets and outlets for the first heat transfer fluid and fluid inlets and outlets for the additional heat transfer fluid, which are respectively arranged on two parallel sides of the rectangular periphery of the first heat exchanger.

[0031] Thus the fluid paths for the first fluid and for the additional heat transfer fluid are parallel within the heat exchanger concerned, in particular with opposite flow directions.

[0032] The first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid may be of the same nature.

[0033] Alternatively, the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid may be of different natures.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly plate carries at least one fluid connection flange, for example brazed onto the assembly plate, and configured to be placed opposite the inlet / outlet orifice for one of the first and second heat transfer fluids.

[0035] The flange is configured to allow the connection of external tubing to the flange.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly plate comprises an interconnection flange configured to form a fluidic interconnection for the additional heat transfer fluid, between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The interconnection flange comprises an inlet and an outlet of fluid separated from the fluidic interconnection, allowing external tubing to be fixed to the interconnection flange.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the interconnection flange is in one piece.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal management module is configured such that the flow of the additional heat transfer fluid within the first heat exchanger is in series with the flow of the additional heat transfer fluid within this second heat exchanger.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, it is possible to have more than two heat exchangers in the management module. For example, in the thermal management module, it is possible to connect a series of heat exchangers.

[0040] The invention also relates to a thermal management system comprising a heat pump and a thermal management module as described above, configured to be connected to the heat pump.

[0041] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a thermal management module as described above, comprising the following step: - form the thermal management module by assembling a first heat exchanger with a second heat exchanger using an assembly plate or an interconnecting flange.

[0042] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

[0043] - [Fig.l] illustrates, schematically and partially, a management system thermal according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0044] - [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, the module of thermal management of the thermal management system of [Fig.l];

[0045] - [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically and partially, a variant of the module of thermal management of the thermal management system of [Fig.l];

[0046] - [Fig.4] illustrates, schematically and partially, another variant of the module thermal management of the thermal management system of [Fig.l];

[0047] - [Fig.5] illustrates, schematically and partially, another variant of the module thermal management of the thermal management system of [Fig.l];

[0048] - [Fig.6] illustrates, schematically and partially, a management module thermal according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0049] [Fig.l] shows a thermal management system 1 for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a first loop 100 for circulating a first heat transfer fluid, configured to ensure thermal management of a first assembly 101 which comprises, for example, power electronics associated with a motor electrical, this first heat transfer fluid circulation loop 100 comprising a first cooling radiator (not shown) and a first heat exchanger 1, also called a “chiller” in English, configured to allow the first heat transfer fluid to exchange heat, within this heat exchanger 1, with an additional heat transfer fluid, here a refrigerant fluid, of an air conditioning device 150 of the vehicle, - a second heat transfer fluid circulation loop 200, configured to ensure thermal management of a second assembly 201 which comprises a battery, this second heat transfer fluid circulation loop 200 comprising a second cooling radiator (not shown) and a second heat exchanger 2, also called a “chiller” in English, configured to allow the second heat transfer fluid to exchange heat, within this heat exchanger 2, with the refrigerant fluid of the air conditioning device 150 of the vehicle.

[0050] The heat transfer fluid circulating in the first and second loops 100 and 200 is here glycolated water. It is thus a heat transfer fluid of the same nature which circulates in the first and second exchangers 1 and 2.

[0051] The refrigerant fluid in the air conditioning device 150 is chosen from an R134a, R1234yf or R744 fluid.

[0052] The air conditioning device 150 comprises in particular a compressor 151, a condenser 152 and an expansion member 153 through which the refrigerant fluid passes.

[0053] The battery may comprise battery cells, for example of the lithium-ion type. Other types of battery may of course be envisaged. The assembly is intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle. The electronic module comprises for example a DCDC converter and / or an inverter and / or an electronic part of an on-board electrical charger.

[0054] The first exchanger 1 and the second exchanger 2 belong to a thermal management module 10 in which the flow of the additional heat transfer fluid within the first heat exchanger 1 is in series with the flow of the additional heat transfer fluid within this second heat exchanger 2.

[0055] Thanks to the invention, due to the use of two heat exchangers 1 and 2 in the thermal management module 10, it is possible to produce this thermal management module by adapting it to required fluid distributions, insofar as the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 can be sized according to the cooling requirements in the first circulation loop 100 and in the second heat transfer fluid circulation loop 200.

[0056] In the present invention, the refrigerant fluid first circulates in the first heat exchanger 1 before being sent to the second heat exchanger 2. In other words, the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 are arranged in series from the point of view of this refrigerant fluid.

[0057] The first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 are stacked plate heat exchangers.

[0058] The heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant fluid circulate in different stages of this stack of plates, and exchange calories through the plates.

[0059] The number of plates in the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 may be the same. In this case, the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 may have the same height measured in the direction of the plate stack.

[0060] Alternatively, this number of plates differs from one heat exchanger to another, making it possible to obtain respective thermal powers and pressure losses which are different. In this case, the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 may have different heights.

[0061] In the example illustrated in [Fig.2], the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 each have a substantially rectangular perimeter, with corners of this perimeter which are rounded.

[0062] The rectangular perimeter has a length and a width.

[0063] In the example described, the heat exchangers 1 and 2 have different lengths L1 and L2 and widths W1 and W2.

[0064] The first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 are arranged side by side, along their respective short sides, with contact between them.

[0065] The first heat exchanger 1 comprises fluid inlets 11 and outlets 12 for the first heat transfer fluid and fluid inlets 13 and outlets 14 for the refrigerant fluid, which are respectively arranged opposite each other along the diagonals of the rectangular periphery of the first heat exchanger 1, as can be seen in [Fig.2],

[0066] In this case, the first heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant fluid follow respective paths, within the first heat exchanger, which are X-shaped, or cross-shaped.

[0067] It is indicated that these X-shaped fluid paths do not intersect each other in the sense that the path followed by the first heat transfer fluid and the path followed by the refrigerant fluid are separated from each other. These respective paths are alternately superimposed so that the first heat transfer fluid circulates on certain stages and the refrigerant fluid circulates on other stages of the stack of plates within the first exchanger. When the paths are said to be X-shaped, it is necessary understand that the respective paths follow different diagonals within the heat exchanger concerned.

[0068] In the example of [Fig.2], the second heat exchanger 2 also has X-shaped fluid paths.

[0069] The thermal management module 10 comprises an interconnection flange 20 configured to form a fluidic interconnection 21 for the refrigerant fluid, between the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2, the interconnection flange 20 being a single piece, for example made of aluminum, and configured to allow the assembly of the first heat exchanger 1 with the second heat exchanger 2.

[0070] The interconnection flange 20 extends opposite the outlet orifice 14 of the second heat exchanger 2 and opposite the fluid inlet orifice 13 of the first heat exchanger 1 so as to form a fluidic interconnection 21 for the refrigerant fluid.

[0071] The interconnection flange 20 extends back from the inlet 11 and outlet 12 ports for the first and second heat transfer fluids.

[0072] In a variant, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first heat exchanger 1 comprises fluid inlets 11 and outlets 12 for the first heat transfer fluid and fluid inlets 13 and outlets 14 for the refrigerant fluid, which are respectively arranged on two parallel sides of the rectangular periphery of the first heat exchanger 1.

[0073] Thus the fluid paths for the first fluid and for the refrigerant fluid are parallel within the heat exchanger 1, with opposite flow directions. In the example of [Fig.3], the second heat exchanger 2 also has parallel fluid paths.

[0074] In variants of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 are arranged side by side, along their respective long sides, with contact between them. In [Fig.4], this is the X-flow configuration, and in [Fig.5], this is the parallel flow configuration.

[0075] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 6], the thermal management module comprises an assembly plate 30 on which the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2 are assembled.

[0076] The assembly plate 30 comprises a fluid inlet orifice 11 and a fluid outlet orifice 12 for the heat transfer fluid, for each of the first and second heat exchangers 1 and 2.

[0077] The assembly plate 30 further comprises a fluid inlet orifice 13 and a fluid outlet orifice 14 for the refrigerant fluid, for each of the first and second heat exchangers 1 and 2.

[0078] Thus the assembly plate can comprise a total of eight fluid inlet / outlet orifices.

[0079] The assembly plate 30, for example in the form of an aluminum plate, carries fluid connection flanges, for example brazed onto the assembly plate 30.

[0080] Among these flanges, there are two flanges 31, each configured to be placed opposite the inlet 11 and outlet 12 ports for the heat transfer fluid of each heat exchanger 1, respectively 2.

[0081] Each flange 31 is placed for example along an edge (here the small side) of each heat exchanger 1, respectively 2.

[0082] The flange 31 is configured to allow the connection of external tubing, not shown, to this flange 31.

[0083] The assembly plate 30 also comprises an interconnection flange 32 configured to form a fluid interconnection 35, in the form of a channel made in this interconnection flange 32, for the refrigerant fluid, between the first heat exchanger 1 and the second heat exchanger 2. The interconnection flange 32 comprises a fluid inlet 33 and outlet 34 separate from the fluid interconnection 35. These fluid inlets 33 and outlets 34 make it possible to fix external tubes, not shown, to the interconnection flange 32.

[0084] The interconnecting flange 32 is a single piece, for example made of aluminum.

[0085] In the example of [Fig.6], in each heat exchanger 1 and 2, the flows of heat transfer fluid and refrigerant fluid can be cross, parallel or cross or U-shaped. The fluid inlets and outlets are then adapted according to the choice of flow path.

[0086] Thus the manufacture of a thermal management module 10 according to the invention can comprise the following step: - forming the thermal management module 10 by assembling a first heat exchanger 1 with a second heat exchanger 2 using an assembly plate 30 or an interconnection flange 20.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal management module (10), in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a first heat exchanger (1) configured to allow heat exchange between: • a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, within this first heat exchanger (1), this flow of first heat transfer fluid being configured to belong to a first heat transfer fluid circulation loop (100), and • an additional flow of an additional heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within this first heat exchanger (1), - a second heat exchanger (2) configured to allow heat exchange between: • a flow of a second heat transfer fluid within this second heat exchanger (2), this flow of second heat transfer fluid being configured to belong to a second heat transfer fluid circulation loop (200), and • an additional flow of additional heat transfer fluid within this second heat exchanger (2), the thermal management module (10) comprising an interconnection flange (20; 32) configured to form a fluidic interconnection (21; 35) for the additional heat transfer fluid, between the first heat exchanger (1) and the second heat exchanger (2), the interconnection flange (20; 32) being in particular a single piece, and configured to allow the assembly of the first heat exchanger (1) with the second heat exchanger (2).

2. Thermal management module (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first heat exchanger (1) and the second heat exchanger (2) are plate heat exchangers stacked.

3. Thermal management module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first heat exchanger (1) and the second heat exchanger (2) each have a substantially rectangular perimeter, in particular the corners of this rectangular perimeter being rounded and the rectangular perimeter having a length and a width.

4. Thermal management module (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the heat exchangers (1, 2) have different lengths and / or widths.

5. Thermal management module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal management module (10) comprises an assembly plate (30) on which the first heat exchanger (1) and the second heat exchanger (2) are assembled.

6. Thermal management module (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the assembly plate (30) comprises a fluid inlet orifice (11) and a fluid outlet orifice (12) for the heat transfer fluid, for each of the first and second heat exchangers (1, 2).

7. Thermal management module (10) according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the assembly plate (30) comprises a fluid inlet orifice (13) and a fluid outlet orifice (14) for the additional heat transfer fluid, for each of the first and second heat exchangers (1, 2).

8. Thermal management module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first heat transfer fluid and the additional heat transfer fluid follow respective paths, within the first heat exchanger, which are X-shaped.

9. Thermal management module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with claims 3 or 4, wherein the first heat exchanger (1) has fluid inlets (11) and outlets (12) for the first heat transfer fluid and fluid inlets (13) and outlets (14) for the additional heat transfer fluid, which are respectively arranged on two parallel sides of the rectangular periphery of the first heat exchanger (1), and thus the fluid paths for the first fluid and for the additional heat transfer fluid are parallel within the heat exchanger (1, 2) concerned, in particular with opposite flow directions.

10. A method of manufacturing a thermal management module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following step: forming the thermal management module (10) by assembling a first heat exchanger (1) with a second heat exchanger (2) using an assembly plate (30) or an interconnecting flange (20; 32).

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