Assembly including a heat exchanger

Abstract

Title: Assembly comprising a heat exchanger The invention relates to an assembly (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising: a heat exchanger configured to allow 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 or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, in particular a support (2) arranged to carry at least one fluidic component, in particular a plurality of fluidic components, a receptacle (5) arranged to receive the heat exchanger, the receptacle (5) being configured so that, when the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle, a fluid path (6) for a third heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall (7) of the receptacle and a peripheral wall of this heat exchanger.Figure for the summary: Fig. 2.

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 may be of land, sea or air type.

[0003] Generally speaking, the aim is to reduce the size of the components in vehicles. This is a major challenge. In the context of a vehicle heat pump, one approach is to compact all of its components, particularly the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer fluid circuit. Furthermore, there is a need to improve the performance of the various cooling functions in a motor vehicle.

[0004] The invention is aimed in particular at such a goal.

[0005] The invention thus relates to an assembly, particularly for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger configured to allow 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 or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger, - in particular a support arranged to carry at least one fluidic function component, in particular a plurality of fluidic function components, - a receptacle arranged to receive the heat exchanger, the receptacle being configured so that, when the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle, a fluid path for a third heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall of the receptacle and a peripheral wall of this heat exchanger, and this fluid path being configured to be fluidly connected to an external cooling circuit to cool at least one auxiliary module, in particular an auxiliary electronic module, the operation of which is temperature sensitive.

[0006] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to use the heat exchanger, which is for example dedicated to the vehicle's air conditioning (for example, which is part of a heat pump), to cool one or more auxiliary modules. The auxiliary module is, for example, an electronic module that is part of an ADAS or driver assistance system.

[0007] The invention is particularly advantageous insofar as it offers synergy between different cooling functions by using the same heat exchanger for different functions. The invention makes it possible to centralize different cooling functions around this heat exchanger.

[0008] In particular, the invention advocates using the heat exchanger, especially of the "Chiller" type, to exchange heat with the third fluid circulating in the fluid path around the heat exchanger. This heat exchange method for the third fluid may be sufficient when this third fluid in the external cooling circuit is used to cool an auxiliary module that requires relatively low cooling power, for example, a cooling power of less than 5 kW (kilowatts), for example, between 2 and 3 kW.

[0009] The invention makes it possible to achieve a performance gain when the cooling requirement is relatively low, particularly compared to the cooling power obtained within the heat exchanger between the first and second heat transfer fluids. For example, an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) requires only about 1 or 2 kW of cooling power.

[0010] The external cooling circuit can be separate from the flow of the first heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger. It is therefore possible to have, for the first heat transfer fluid circulating within the heat exchanger, a flow rate and a temperature value that are different from those of the third fluid circulating in the external cooling circuit.

[0011] For example, the first heat transfer fluid circulating in the heat exchanger may have a temperature of approximately 25 degrees and a flow rate of approximately 1000 liters per hour if the first heat transfer fluid is dedicated to cooling a vehicle battery. The third fluid circulating in the external cooling circuit may, on the other hand, have a temperature of approximately 65 degrees and a flow rate of approximately 150 liters per hour to cool, for example, an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).

[0012] The integration of this fluid path around the heat exchanger makes it possible to manage the cooling of the auxiliary electronic module without degrading the cooling power of the heat exchanger or "Chiller".

[0013] An additional advantage afforded by the invention is the compactness of the assembly around the heat exchanger, since the receptacle and the support that carries one or more fluidic components can be made as a single piece. The invention thus allows for greater integration of the various elements of the assembly.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle and the support are made in one piece.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle and the support form a single piece, in particular obtained by molding, in particular from a plastic material.

[0016] Alternatively, the receptacle and the support are made as separate parts and then assembled together. In particular, the receptacle and the support can be assembled together in a detachable manner.

[0017] 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.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid path extends over at least a portion of the perimeter of the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger.

[0019] 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.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger comprises four faces perpendicular to each other, optionally with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall of the receptacle has four faces perpendicular to each other, optionally with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle communicates with a third fluid inlet port to bring the third heat transfer fluid to the fluid path inside the receptacle.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, this inlet orifice communicates with a nozzle on a transverse wall of the receptacle.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, this transverse wall, in particular flat, closes one end of the receptacle.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the transverse wall is made in one piece with the lateral wall of the receptacle.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the third fluid inlet orifice is placed opposite an enlargement of the receptacle.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, this enlargement locally defines, on one side of the heat exchanger, a fluid distribution volume, in particular over the entire height of the heat exchanger.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, this distribution volume has a divergent shape from the inlet orifice towards the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle communicates with a third fluid outlet port to evacuate the third heat transfer fluid that has flowed through the fluid path inside the receptacle.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, this outlet communicates with a nozzle on the transverse wall of the receptacle.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the third fluid outlet orifice is placed opposite an enlargement of the receptacle.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, this enlargement locally defines, on one side of the heat exchanger, a fluid collection volume, in particular over the entire height of the heat exchanger.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, this collection volume has a convergent shape from the peripheral wall of the heat exchanger towards the fluid outlet orifice.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid inlet orifice and the fluid outlet orifice are arranged substantially diagonally opposite each other, on either side of the heat exchanger.

[0035] Thus the inlet and outlet ports of the third fluid for the fluid path are on the transverse wall of the receptacle.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the third fluid inlet and outlet ports comprise connection tips, in particular cylindrical in shape, in particular made in one piece with the transverse wall.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the tips are connectable to the external cooling circuit to cool an auxiliary module, in particular an auxiliary electronic module.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the auxiliary electronic module is in particular part of an AD AS system or driver assistance system, in particular the auxiliary electronic module being an AD AS control unit connected to sensors (for example radars, lidars, cameras...).

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, the auxiliary electronic module includes in particular battery switches.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the transverse wall of the receptacle is substantially parallel to the support of the components with fluidic function.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the first heat transfer fluid and the third heat transfer fluid are of the same type, for example being glycol water.

[0042] Alternatively, the first heat transfer fluid and the third heat transfer fluid are of different types, for example glycol water for the first fluid and dielectric fluid for the third fluid.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger includes a first fluid inlet opening located on a plate of the heat exchanger, this plate being in particular perpendicular to the side wall of the receptacle.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger includes a first fluid outlet opening allowing the first fluid that has circulated within the heat exchanger to exit, after having exchanged heat with the second heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, this outlet opening of the exchanger communicates with a pump of the assembly, in particular this outlet opening leads to a seat of the pump.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the pump seat is formed as a single unit with the support.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle configured to receive the heat exchanger comprises the side wall which is annular, in particular with an overall rectangular perimeter.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle which receives the heat exchanger has a transverse end wall which is substantially perpendicular to the side wall.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, this transverse end wall is disposed at an end opposite to the heat exchanger plate.

[0050] Thus the receptacle is delimited by the side wall, and at the ends, by the transverse wall, on the one hand, and the plate, on the other hand.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the closing plate has openings allowing the passage of fastening elements such as screws for fixing the plate onto the receptacle.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle has openwork studs configured to coincide with the holes in the closure plate and allowing fasteners such as screws to be inserted into them, in order to fix the closure plate onto the receptacle.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the closing plate carries a fluidic connection flange having an inlet for the second heat transfer fluid and an outlet for the second heat transfer fluid having circulated in the heat exchanger.

[0054] This fluidic connection flange allows the connection of tubing between the assembly according to the invention and an air conditioning system using the second heat transfer fluid.

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the closing plate further comprises a fluidic connection fitting configured for the connection of a tube for the transport of the first heat transfer fluid used by the heat exchanger.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the exchanger is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a "chiller" in English.

[0057] 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 related to the fluid or its flow in channels.

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluidic function component is selected from the following elements: - a pump to pump the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a diverter valve for 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 throttling valve for the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a condensing exchanger, in particular a water condenser, - an electric resistance heating device arranged to heat the first or second heat transfer fluid, - a temperature and / or pressure sensor, - a desiccant bottle or accumulator, - a filter to filter particles present in the first or second heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the support forms at least a portion of a body of the valve and / or the pump.

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, the pump is actuable by an electric motor.

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is provided with two housings to receive two pumps, in particular with three housings to receive three pumps.

[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly includes a degassing tank which can be integral with the support or, alternatively, can be detachably fixed to the support to allow for maintenance. The first heat transfer fluid can undergo degassing in this degassing tank, making it possible to separate a gas, in particular air, present in the first heat transfer fluid, which is, for example, glycol water.

[0063] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle system comprising an assembly with a heat exchanger as described above, and an external cooling circuit for cooling an auxiliary module, in particular an auxiliary electronic module that is part of an ADAS or driver assistance system, in particular the auxiliary electronic module being an ADAS control unit connected to sensors (e.g., radars, lidars, cameras, etc.), the assembly comprising a receptacle configured such that, when the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle, a fluid path for a third heat transfer fluid is formed between a wall lateral of the receptacle and a peripheral wall of this heat exchanger, and this fluid path being configured to be fluidly connected to the external cooling circuit.

[0064] The AD AS control unit includes, in particular, an on-board computer.

[0065] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0066] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 illustrates, very schematically, a motor vehicle system comprising an assembly with a heat exchanger according to an example of implementation of the invention;

[0067] [Fig.2] Fig.2 illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, an assembly according to an example of implementation of the invention, according to a first view;

[0068] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically and partially, in perspective, from a different view, the assembly of the [Fig.1];

[0069] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] illustrates, schematically and partially, in cross-section the assembly of the [Fig.1];

[0070] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] illustrates, schematically and partially, in cross-section, the assembly of the [Fig.1], the section being made by a plane passing through two ends of the receptacle;

[0071] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] illustrates, schematically and partially, in cross-section parallel to the plates of the heat exchanger, the assembly of the [Fig.1].

[0072] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0073] Figure 1 shows a system 100 for a motor vehicle comprising an assembly 1 with a heat exchanger 10, and an external cooling circuit 200 for cooling an auxiliary module 201, here an auxiliary electronic module that is part of an ADAS or driver assistance system. The auxiliary electronic module 201 is in particular an ADAS control unit connected to sensors (e.g. radars, lidars, cameras...).

[0074] The heat exchanger 10 is configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, here glycol water, within the heat exchanger 10, and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, here a refrigerant fluid, within the heat exchanger 10.

[0075] The first heat transfer fluid is dedicated to cooling a vehicle battery via a cooling loop 220.

[0076] The refrigerant is chosen from an R 134a, R1234yf, R290 or R744 fluid which supplies a vehicle air conditioning system 210.

[0077] The exchanger 10 is a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a "chiller" in English.

[0078] Assembly 1 is part of a heat pump, mounted on the vehicle. The heat pump is, for example, of the indirect type.

[0079] We will now describe assembly 1 in more detail.

[0080] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the assembly 1 includes a support 2 arranged to carry components with a fluidic function, here three pumps 3 configured to pump the first or second heat transfer fluid.

[0081] The support 2 forms a portion of a pump body for the three pumps 3.

[0082] The pumps are actuable by an electric motor.

[0083] According to one aspect of the invention, the support is provided with three housings to receive three pumps.

[0084] Assembly 1 further includes a receptacle 5 arranged to receive the heat exchanger 10.

[0085] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the receptacle 5 is configured so that, when the heat exchanger 10 is placed in this receptacle 5, a fluid path 6 for a third heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall 7 of the receptacle 5 and a peripheral wall 11 of this heat exchanger 10. The fluid flow along this fluid path 6 is represented very schematically by arrow F2. One of the plates 50 of the plate stack of the heat exchanger 10 is visible in [Fig. 5].

[0086] This fluid path 6 is configured to be fluidically connected to the external cooling circuit 200, as will be explained in detail later.

[0087] The receptacle 5 and the support 2 are made as a single unit.

[0088] In particular, the receptacle 5 and the support 2 form a single piece, obtained by molding a plastic material.

[0089] The support 2 includes a flat base 9 which carries the fluidic components.

[0090] The fluid path 6 extends around the perimeter of the peripheral wall 11 of the heat exchanger 10.

[0091] The side wall 7 of the receptacle 5 and the peripheral wall 11 of the heat exchanger 10 are parallel to each other.

[0092] The peripheral wall 11 of the heat exchanger 10 has four faces 12 perpendicular to each other, with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0093] The side wall 7 of the receptacle 5 has four faces 14 perpendicular to each other, with rounded corners at their junctions.

[0094] The receptacle 5 communicates with a third fluid inlet port 20 to bring the third heat transfer fluid to the fluid path 6 inside the receptacle 5.

[0095] This inlet orifice 20 communicates with a nozzle 21 on a transverse wall 23 of the receptacle 5.

[0096] This flat transverse wall 23 closes one end of the receptacle 5.

[0097] The transverse wall 23 is made in one piece with the lateral wall 7 of the receptacle 5.

[0098] The third fluid inlet orifice 20 is positioned opposite an enlargement 25 of the receptacle 5.

[0099] This enlargement 25 locally defines, on one side of the heat exchanger 10, a fluid distribution volume, over the entire height of the heat exchanger.

[0100] This distribution volume has a divergent shape from the inlet orifice 25 towards the peripheral wall 11 of the heat exchanger 10.

[0101] The receptacle 5 communicates with a third fluid outlet 26 to evacuate the third heat transfer fluid that has flowed in the fluid path 6 inside the receptacle 5.

[0102] This outlet orifice 26 communicates with a nozzle 28 on the transverse wall 23 of the receptacle 5.

[0103] The third fluid outlet 26 is positioned opposite an enlargement of the receptacle 27.

[0104] This enlargement 27 locally defines, on one side of the heat exchanger 10, a fluid collection volume, over the entire height of the heat exchanger 10.

[0105] The height corresponds to the dimension measured perpendicularly to the transverse wall 23.

[0106] The collection volume formed by the enlargement 27 has a convergent shape from the peripheral wall 11 of the heat exchanger 10 towards the fluid outlet orifice 26.

[0107] The fluid inlet orifice 20 and the fluid outlet orifice 26 are arranged substantially diagonally opposite each other, on either side of the heat exchanger 10.

[0108] Thus the inlet orifices 20 and outlet orifices 26 of the third fluid for the fluid path 6 are on the transverse wall 23 of the receptacle.

[0109] The inlet 20 and outlet 26 ports of the third fluid have cylindrical connection tips 21 and 28, made in one piece with the transverse wall 23.

[0110] The tips 21 and 28 are connectable to the external cooling circuit 200.

[0111] The transverse wall 23 of the receptacle 5 is substantially parallel to the support 2 of the components with fluidic function.

[0112] The first heat transfer fluid and the third heat transfer fluid are of the same type, being in this case glycol water.

[0113] As clearly visible in Figures 2 and 4, the heat exchanger 10 has a first fluid inlet opening 30 located on a plate 31 of the heat exchanger 10, this plate 31 being perpendicular to the side wall 7 of the receptacle 5. This inlet opening 30 includes a nozzle 37 fixed on the plate 31.

[0114] The heat exchanger 10 has an outlet opening 32 for the first fluid, allowing the first fluid which has circulated within the heat exchanger 10, between internal plates, to exit after having exchanged heat with the second heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger 10. The flow within the heat exchanger 10 is represented very schematically by the arrow Fl on [Fig.4].

[0115] This outlet opening 32 of the heat exchanger communicates with a pump 3 of the assembly. In particular, this outlet opening leads to a seat 33 of the pump 3. The pump seat 33 is formed as a single unit with the support 2.

[0116] The transverse end wall 23 is disposed at an end opposite the plate 31 of the heat exchanger 10.

[0117] Thus the receptacle 5 is delimited by the lateral wall 7, and at the ends, by the transverse wall 23, on the one hand, and the plate 31, on the other hand.

[0118] The closing plate 31 has openings 35 allowing the passage of fixing elements such as screws for fixing the plate onto the receptacle 5.

[0119] The receptacle 5 has openwork studs 36 configured to coincide with the holes 35 of the closure plate 31 and allowing the insertion of fixing elements such as screws, in order to fix the closure plate 31 onto the receptacle 5.

[0120] The closing plate 31 carries a fluidic connection flange 38 having an inlet for the second heat transfer fluid and an outlet for the second heat transfer fluid (refrigerant) having circulated in the heat exchanger 10.

[0121] This fluidic connection flange 38 allows the connection of tubing between the assembly according to the invention and an air conditioning system 210 using the second heat transfer fluid.

[0122] The support 2 also carries a valve 40 to regulate the flow of the first heat transfer fluid (glycol water) according to the required operating modes.

[0123] The support 2 also includes flow channels 41 for the first heat transfer fluid.

[0124] Thus the support 2 integrates different functions in a compact manner.

Claims

Demands

1. An assembly (1), particularly for a vehicle, comprising: - a heat exchanger (10) configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of a first heat transfer fluid, particularly water-based, within the heat exchanger (10), and, on the other hand, a flow of a second heat transfer fluid, particularly a refrigerant or a dielectric fluid, within the heat exchanger (10), - a support (2) arranged to carry at least one fluidic component, particularly a plurality of fluidic components, - a receptacle (5) arranged to receive the heat exchanger (10), the receptacle (5) being configured such that, when the heat exchanger (10) is placed in this receptacle, a fluid path (6) for a third heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall (7) of the receptacle and a peripheral wall (11) thereof. heat exchanger,and this fluid path being configured to be fluidly connected to an external cooling circuit (200) to cool at least one auxiliary module (201), in particular an auxiliary electronic module, the operation of which is temperature-sensitive.

2. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the receptacle (5) and the support (2) form a single piece, in particular obtained by molding, in particular from a plastic material.

3. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid path (6) extends over at least a portion of the periphery of the peripheral wall (11) of the heat exchanger (10), and the side wall (7) of the receptacle (5) and the peripheral wall (11) of the heat exchanger are parallel to each other.

4. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (5) communicates with a third fluid inlet orifice (20) to bring third heat transfer fluid to the fluid path (6) inside the receptacle, and this inlet orifice communicates with an end fitting on a transverse wall (23) of the receptacle this transverse wall, in particular flat, closes one end of the receptacle (5), and in particular the transverse wall (23) is made in one piece with the lateral wall of the receptacle (5).

5. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the third fluid inlet orifice (20) is placed opposite an enlargement (25) of the receptacle (5), and in particular this enlargement (25) locally defines, on one side of the heat exchanger, a fluid distribution volume, in particular over the entire height of the heat exchanger.

6. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (10) has a first fluid inlet opening (30) located on a plate (31) of the heat exchanger, this plate being in particular perpendicular to the side wall of the receptacle (5), and the heat exchanger has a first fluid outlet opening (32) allowing the first fluid which has circulated within the heat exchanger to exit it, after having exchanged heat with the second heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger (10).

7. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein this outlet opening (32) of the exchanger communicates with a pump (3) of the assembly, in particular this outlet opening leads to a seat (33) of the pump, and the pump seat is in particular formed in one piece with the support (2).

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly comprises a degassing tank made in one piece with the support (2) or fixed in a detachable manner to the support (2) to allow its maintenance.

9. A motor vehicle system (100) comprising an assembly (1) with a heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, and an external cooling circuit (200) for cooling an auxiliary module (201), the assembly comprising a receptacle (5) configured such that, when the heat exchanger is placed in this receptacle (5), a fluid path (6) for a third heat transfer fluid is formed between a side wall (7) of the receptacle (5) and a peripheral wall (11) of this heat exchanger, and this fluid path being configured to be fluidly connected to the external cooling circuit.

10. System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the auxiliary electronic module is part of an AD AS system or driver assistance system.

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