Assembly comprising a heat exchanger

Abstract

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

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly comprising a heat exchanger

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly, in particular for a vehicle, comprising a heat exchanger.

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

[0003] Generally speaking, we are seeking to reduce the size of components in vehicles. This is a major challenge. In the context of a vehicle heat pump, one avenue of work is to compact all of its components, in particular the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0004] The invention aims in particular at such an aim.

[0005] The invention thus relates to an assembly, in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger configured to allow a heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, in particular water-based, within the heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, - a degassing tank in which the first heat transfer fluid can undergo degassing to separate a gas, in particular air, present in the first heat transfer fluid, - a support arranged to carry at least one component with a fluidic function, in particular a plurality of components with a fluidic function, - a body comprising a receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger and a cavity arranged to form the degassing tank, this body being configured to be able to be assembled with the support in a removable manner.

[0006] In the invention, the body is configured to be manipulable as a single piece.

[0007] By having the degassing tank separate from the support, the invention provides flexibility so that it can be adapted to different configurations and different sizes of degassing tank. For example, for a given support (or "hub" in English), it is possible to attach degassing tanks of different formats. The invention also improves after-sales service, namely maintenance during the life of the product, because it is possible to replace only the degassing tank or the support (after disassembly) without needing to put the other part to be scrapped. In other words, if necessary, it is possible to replace only certain parts of the assembly. This helps to respect the environment, in particular by reducing the carbon impact in in-service maintenance operations.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the body is made in one piece.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the body is a single piece.

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

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

[0012] In this way, the part defining the cavity of the degassing tank can be dismantled independently of the other part defining the receptacle for receiving the heat exchanger, which presents an advantage during maintenance.

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

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

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

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity forming the degassing tank is closed by a cover bearing against an annular rim of the cavity.

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

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

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

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the cover comprises a removable cap cooperating with a degassing vent of the tank.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the closing plate comprises orifices allowing the passage of fixing elements such as screws for fixing the plate to the receptacle.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle comprises perforated studs configured to be placed in coincidence with the orifices of the closing plate and allowing the insertion of fixing elements such as screws, in order to fix the closing plate on the receptacle.

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

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

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

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

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

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall of the receptacle and the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger are parallel to each other.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity is of variable depth, with this depth being smaller in the part of the cavity which is above

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056]

[0057]

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061] the location of the receptacle for the heat exchanger. The depth of the cavity is the distance measured between the plane of the annular rim of the cavity and the bottom wall of this cavity, in a direction perpendicular to this plane of the annular rim of the cavity. According to one aspect of the invention, the exchanger is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English. The term "fluidic function" means a function participating in the operation of the assembly, for example chosen to act on the flow of a heat transfer fluid (for example a fluid flow channel) or to measure a parameter linked to the fluid or its flow in channels. According to one aspect of the invention, the fluidic function component is chosen from the following elements: - a pump for pumping the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a valve for directing the first or second heat transfer fluid, including a multi-way valve, - a non-return valve for the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a throttle valve for the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a condensation exchanger, in particular a water condenser, - an electric heating resistance heating device arranged to heat the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a temperature and / or pressure sensor, - a desiccant bottle, - a filter for filtering particles present in the first or second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid. According to one aspect of the invention, the support forms at least a portion of a body of the valve and / or the pump. According to one aspect of the invention, the pump is actuable by an electric motor. According to one aspect of the invention, the support is provided with three housings for receiving three pumps. Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which: [Fig.l] [Fig.l] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, an assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the invention; [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically and partially, according to a different view, the assembly of [Fig.l];

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

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

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

[0065] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view of the heat exchanger of the assembly of [Fig.l]

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

[0067] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

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

[0069] The refrigerant fluid is chosen from an R 134a, R1234yf or R744 fluid which supplies an air conditioning loop of the vehicle.

[0070] The exchanger 2 is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English.

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

[0072] The assembly 1 also comprises a degassing tank 3 in which the first heat transfer fluid can circulate to undergo degassing making it possible to separate a gas, here air, present in the first heat transfer fluid.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0082] The heat exchanger 2 comprises a first fluid inlet opening 66 arranged to receive first fluid having circulated in the fluid path 8 in the receptacle.

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

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

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

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

[0087] This allows a cooling boost function to be performed using path 8.

[0088] The assembly 1 further comprises a support 80 arranged to carry components with a fluidic function, as explained below.

[0089] The body 5 is configured to be able to be assembled with the support 80 in a removable manner.

[0090] The single-piece body 5 comprises a separation wall 20 between the cavity 7 forming the degassing tank and the receptacle 6 arranged to receive the heat exchanger. 2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0097] The cavity 7 partially envelops the receptacle 6.

[0098] The side wall 9 intersects a side wall 26 of the cavity 7.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0107] The receptacle comprises perforated studs 72 configured to be placed in coincidence with the orifices 71 of the closing plate 62 and allowing the insertion of fixing elements such as screws, in order to fix the closing plate on the receptacle.

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

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

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

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

[0112] Here, the exchanger 2 is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English.

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

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

[0115] The pumps 48 are of the electric type.

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

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

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

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

Claims

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the fluidic function component is chosen from the following elements - a pump (48) for pumping the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a valve for directing the first or second heat transfer fluid, in particular a multi-way valve, - a non-return valve for the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a throttle valve for the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a condensation exchanger, in particular a water condenser, - an electric heating resistance heating device arranged to heat the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a desiccant bottle, - a temperature and / or pressure sensor, - a filter for filtering particles present in the first or second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid.

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

Images