Recreational vehicle equipped with a heat pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a recreational vehicle (1), comprising a control device (9) configured to operate an external heat exchanger (3) as a condenser and an internal heat exchanger (4) as an evaporator in a first operating mode, and to operate the external heat exchanger (3) as an evaporator and the internal heat exchanger (4) as a condenser in a second operating mode, such that the flow of refrigerant heats the liquid to be heated in a heat exchanger (5) in both the first and second operating modes. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Leisure vehicle equipped with a heat pump

[0001] The invention relates to leisure vehicles, and in particular to thermal systems of leisure vehicles, aimed at heating the domestic water circuit of the vehicle or at heating the passenger compartment.

[0002] Recreational vehicles, such as caravans or motorhomes, are enjoying increasing success but are facing a growing demand for comfort from users. To ensure the functions of heating the air in the passenger compartment and the domestic water circuit, it is known to use a gas burner heater, making it possible to heat a water circuit and an air circuit to respective set temperatures.

[0003] However, such a heating device requires the use of gas cylinders, which can be inconvenient for refueling depending on the areas in which you are traveling.

[0004] The invention aims to solve one or more of these drawbacks. The invention thus relates to a leisure vehicle, comprising:

[0005] - a circuit of liquid to be heated;

[0006] - a refrigerant circuit passing through an external exchanger and an internal exchanger;

[0007] -a compressor configured to circulate refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit;

[0008] - a heat exchanger between the liquid circuit to be heated and the refrigerant circuit;

[0009] -a fan forcing air from inside the vehicle to pass through the external exchanger towards the outside;

[0010] -a control device configured to operate the external exchanger as a condenser and the internal exchanger as an evaporator in a first operating mode and to operate the external exchanger as an evaporator and the internal exchanger as a condenser in a second operating mode, so that the flow of refrigerant heats the liquid to be heated in the heat exchanger in the first and second operating modes.

[0011] The invention also relates to the following variants. Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the features of the following variants can be independently combined with the above features, without constituting an intermediate generalization.

[0012] According to a variant, the circuit of liquid to be heated comprises a bypass towards a floor heating circuit, a branch to a solar heating circuit, and or a branch to a domestic water supply circuit.

[0013] According to another variant, said heat exchanger is a plate exchanger.

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation of an example of a thermal system of a recreational vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the thermal system of [Fig.l] in a recreational vehicle cabin heating configuration;

[0017] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of the thermal system of [Fig.l] in a recreational vehicle cabin cooling configuration;

[0018] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the thermal system of [Fig.l] in a cabin dehumidification configuration.

[0019] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of an example of a thermal system of a recreational vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a heat pump. The vehicle 1 thus comprises: a circuit of liquid to be heated 6, a refrigerant circuit 7 passing through an external exchanger 3 and an internal exchanger 2, a compressor 4 configured to circulate refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 7, a heat exchanger 5 between the circuit 6 of liquid to be heated and the refrigerant circuit 7. A fan 31 forces air from inside or outside the vehicle to pass through the external exchanger 3 towards the outside. A control device 9 is configured to control the operating mode of the heat pump.

[0020] [Fig. 2] illustrates an operating mode in which it is desired to heat the interior of the passenger compartment relative to the exterior. In this operating mode, the control device 9 operates the external exchanger 3 as an evaporator and the internal exchanger 2 as a condenser. In particular, the internal exchanger 2 comprises a cooling exchanger 22, a heating exchanger 23, and a heating resistor 24. The exchanger 23 operates here as a condenser.

[0021] For this purpose, the refrigerant coming from the exchanger 5 passes through a distributor 933. An expansion valve 932 is arranged in one branch between the distributor 933 and the distributor 931, a valve 934 is arranged in another branch between the distributor 933 and the distributor 931. The expansion valve 932 is open and the valve 934 is closed. The refrigerant thus passes through the distributor 933, the expansion valve 932 and the distributor 931.

[0022] A distributor 913 is interposed between the external exchanger 3 and the distributor 931. A valve 912 is also connected to the distributor 913. The valve 912 is interposed between the distributor 913 and a distributor 911. The valve 912 is closed. The refrigerant passes through the distributor 913 to the external exchanger 3.

[0023] The compressor 4 is arranged between the distributor 911 and a distributor 903. A valve 902 is interposed between the distributor 903 and a distributor 905. The distributor 905 is connected to the external exchanger 3. A valve 901 is connected between a cooling exchanger 22 and a distributor 905. A non-return valve 904 is interposed between the distributor 903 and the cooling exchanger 22. The refrigerant passes through the external exchanger 3 and reaches the distributor 905.

[0024] Valve 901 is closed and valve 902 is open. The refrigerant thus passes through valve 902 to reach distributor 903. The refrigerant passes through compressor 4 and is returned to distributor 911.

[0025] The distributor is connected to another distributor 922. A valve 921 is interposed between the distributor 922 and a heating exchanger 23. A valve 941 is interposed between the distributor 922 and a distributor 942. The valve 921 is open. The valve 941 is closed. The refrigerant passes through the valve 921 and reaches the heating exchanger 23. The refrigerant passes through the heating exchanger 23, passes through a non-return valve 943 and reaches the distributor 942. The refrigerant returns from the distributor 942 to the exchanger 5 to complete its circuit.

[0026] Thus, the refrigerant fluid captures calories from the outgoing air at the exchanger 3, heats the air intended for the passenger compartment at the exchanger 23, and heats the liquid of the circuit 6 at the exchanger 5. At the circuit 6, the heated liquid is selectively directed towards different bypass circuits depending on the opening state of valves 951, 952, 954, 955, 956 and 957. A pump 953 makes it possible to force the flow of the liquid in this circuit 6. A bypass corresponds to a heating circuit 61 for the floor of the vehicle 1. The control of 3-way valves 951 and 952 makes it possible to selectively direct heated liquid into the heating circuit 61. A bypass corresponds to a solar heating circuit 62. The control of 3-way valves 954 and 955 selectively allow liquid heated by solar heating to be directed towards circuit 6. A branch corresponds to a domestic water supply circuit 63.The 3-way valve control selectively directs heated liquid to this circuit 63. Circuit 63 is configured to selectively apply superheat, possibly for a shower or hot water network or for protection against salmonella.

[0027] In this operating mode, the air in the passenger compartment can be heated quickly and produce hot water for circuit 6 simultaneously or at a different time.

[0028] Advantageously, the refrigerant passes through a drying circuit 8. The drying circuit 8 is here interposed between the exchanger 5 and the distributor 933. Advantageously, the refrigerant is R1234yf.

[0029] Advantageously, the heat exchanger 5 is a plate exchanger, in order to optimize the heat exchange. The plate exchanger 5 makes it possible to exchange calories between the refrigerant fluid and the liquid of the circuit 6.

[0030] The internal exchanger 2 advantageously comprises a fan 21 for forcing air from outside or recycled air to pass through the exchangers 22 or 23 to the passenger compartment. The exchanger 2 also advantageously comprises an electric heating resistor 24. Such an additional resistor 24, for example a resistor with a positive temperature coefficient, makes it possible to heat the passenger compartment below a certain temperature or to operate silently in the vehicle 1, for example at night.

[0031] [Fig. 3] illustrates an operating mode in which it is desired to cool the interior of the passenger compartment relative to the exterior. In this operating mode, the control device 9 operates the external exchanger 3 as a condenser and the internal exchanger 2 as an evaporator, in particular the cooling exchanger 22.

[0032] For this purpose, the refrigerant coming from the exchanger 5 passes through the distributor 933. The expansion valve 932 is closed and the valve 934 is open. The refrigerant thus passes through the distributor 933, the valve 934 and the distributor 931.

[0033] Valve 912 is closed. The refrigerant passes through the distributor 913 to the external exchanger 3. The refrigerant passes through the external exchanger 3 and reaches the distributor 905.

[0034] Valve 901 is open and valve 902 is closed. The refrigerant thus passes through valve 901 to reach exchanger 22 in the evaporator. The refrigerant passes through exchanger 22 to reach distributor 903. The refrigerant passes through compressor 4 and is returned to distributor 911. The refrigerant then reaches distributor 922.

[0035] Valve 921 is closed. Valve 941 is open. The refrigerant passes through valve 941 and reaches distributor 942. The refrigerant returns from distributor 942 to exchanger 5 to complete its circuit.

[0036] Thus, the refrigerant transmits calories to the air leaving at the level of the exchanger 3, cools the air intended for the passenger compartment at the level of the exchanger 22, and heats the liquid of the circuit 6 at the level of the exchanger 5.

[0037] At the level of circuit 6, the heated liquid is selectively directed towards different bypass circuits depending on the opening state of the valves 951, 952, 954, 955, 956 and 957.

[0038] In order to dehumidify the air in the passenger compartment, another operating mode can be envisaged, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In this operating mode, the control device 9 operates the external exchanger 3 as a condenser and uses both the cooling exchanger 22 and the heating exchanger 23.

[0039] For this purpose, the refrigerant coming from the exchanger 5 passes through the distributor 933. The expansion valve 932 is closed and the valve 934 is open. The refrigerant thus passes through the distributor 933, the valve 934 and the distributor 931.

[0040] Valve 912 is closed. The refrigerant passes through the distributor 913 to the external exchanger 3. The refrigerant passes through the external exchanger 3 and reaches the distributor 905.

[0041] Valve 901 is open and valve 902 is closed. The refrigerant thus passes through valve 901 to reach exchanger 22 in the evaporator. The refrigerant passes through exchanger 22 to reach distributor 903. The refrigerant passes through compressor 4 and is returned to distributor 911. The refrigerant then reaches distributor 922.

[0042] Valve 921 is open. Valve 941 is closed. The refrigerant passes through valve 921 and reaches exchanger 23. After passing through exchanger 23, this portion of the refrigerant reaches distributor 942 and then returns to exchanger 5 to complete its circuit.

[0043] Thus, the refrigerant transmits calories to the air leaving at the level of the exchanger 3, cools the air in the exchanger 22 to ensure condensation of the humidity present in the air of the passenger compartment, the air being moreover heated by the exchanger 23.

[0044] At the level of circuit 6, the liquid heated at the level of exchanger 5 is selectively directed towards different bypass circuits depending on the opening state of valves 951, 952, 954, 955, 956 and 957.

[0045] Advantageously, it is possible to envisage sending heated recycled air from the passenger compartment to the external exchanger 3, in order to heat this external exchanger 3, in order to improve its efficiency for example in winter.

Claims

Claims

1. Recreational vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises: - a circuit of liquid to be heated (6); - a refrigerant circuit (7) passing through an external exchanger (3) and an internal exchanger (2); - a compressor (4) configured to circulate refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (7); - a heat exchanger (5) between the circuit (6) of liquid to be heated (6) and the refrigerant circuit (7); - a fan (31) forcing air from the interior of the vehicle to pass through the external exchanger (3) towards the outside;-a control device (9) configured to operate the external exchanger (3) as a condenser and the internal exchanger (4) as an evaporator in a first operating mode and to operate the external exchanger (3) as an evaporator and the internal exchanger (4) as a condenser in a second operating mode, so that the flow of refrigerant heats the liquid to be heated in the heat exchanger (5) in the first and second operating modes.;

2. Recreational vehicle according to claim 1, in which the circuit (6) of liquid to be heated comprises a bypass to a floor heating circuit (61), a bypass to a solar heating circuit (62), and / or a bypass to a sanitary water supply circuit (63).

3. A recreational vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said heat exchanger (5) is a plate exchanger.