Heat transfer fluid circuit for a heat treatment system

Abstract

Heat transfer fluid circuit for a heat treatment system The present invention relates to a heat transfer fluid circuit (2), comprising: a main branch (4) extending between a convergence zone (7) and a divergence zone (8), a first loop (9) comprising a main section (10) and a secondary section (11), the main section (10) being provided with a first bypass device (14), the first bypass device (14) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the main section (10) to the convergence zone (7) and a second outlet connected to the secondary section (11), a second loop (23) comprising a second bypass device (27), the second bypass device (27) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the second loop (23) and a second outlet connected to the convergence zone (7) via a junction branch (30). (figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Heat transfer fluid circuit for a heat treatment system

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat treatment systems for a motor vehicle, and more particularly concerns a heat transfer circuit integrated into such heat treatment systems.

[0002] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with a refrigerant circuit and at least one heat transfer fluid circuit, both used to participate in a heat treatment of different zones or different components of the vehicle. It is in particular known to use the refrigerant circuit and / or the heat transfer fluid circuit to heat treat a flow of air sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle equipped with such a circuit. This heat treatment is carried out in particular by means of a circulation of the refrigerant within a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation arranged in the vehicle.

[0003] In another application of this circuit, it is known to use the heat transfer fluid circuit to cool components of the vehicle's powertrain, such as for example an electrical storage device, the latter being used to supply energy to an electric motor capable of setting the vehicle in motion. The heat treatment system thus supplies the energy capable of cooling the electrical storage device during its use in driving phases.

[0004] Several refrigerants have been used for this type of heat treatment system, such as R 134a or R1234yf. However, following new European standards, these refrigerants have been banned from use in Europe due to their environmental harm. For future heat treatment systems, it was therefore decided to use R290 as the refrigerant. However, R290 is pure propane. As a safety measure, it is therefore essential to avoid circulating propane directly in the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning system. Thus, the heat treatment of the vehicle interior is done indirectly by the refrigerant, and only the heat transfer fluid circulates within the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning system.

[0005] Such a condition leads to rethinking the configuration of the heat treatment system, in particular in order to design a heat transfer fluid circuit combining compactness, simplicity and multiplicity of heat treatment functions.

[0006] In order to meet these objectives, the present invention proposes a heat transfer fluid circuit for a heat treatment system of a vehicle and intended to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid, comprising: - a main branch comprising a first heat exchanger configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and an external air flow, and extending between a convergence zone and a divergence zone, - a first loop comprising a main section and a secondary section, the main section starting at the divergence zone and being provided with a second heat exchanger configured to heat treat an electric motor of the vehicle, a first pumping device and a first bypass device, the first bypass device comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the main section to the convergence zone and a second outlet connected to the secondary section, the secondary section comprising a second pumping device, a third heat exchanger configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit, and a fourth heat exchanger configured to heat treat an electrical storage device of the vehicle, - a second loop comprising a fifth heat exchanger configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant fluid circulating in the refrigerant circuit, a third pumping device, a second bypass device and a sixth heat exchanger configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and an interior air flow intended to be sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the second bypass device comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the second loop to the sixth heat exchanger and a second outlet connected to the convergence zone via a junction branch.

[0007] A heat transfer fluid circuit configured in this way guarantees a good compromise between multiplicity of functions and simplicity. On the one hand, the heat transfer fluid circuit ensures a plurality of functions, without circulating the refrigerant fluid within a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation associated with the heat treatment system in question. On the other hand, the architecture of the heat transfer fluid circuit is implemented in a simple manner, without the need to integrate expensive and / or complex elements.

[0008] The main branch is fluidically connected to all the loops of the heat transfer fluid circuit. In other words, the heat transfer fluid from the first loop or the second loop can circulate via the main branch thereafter. The main branch allows passive thermal treatment of the heat transfer fluid via the first heat exchanger and the outside air flow passing through it. Outside air flow means an air flow that is not intended to be sent to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In order to be arranged on a path of the outside air flow, the first heat exchanger can, for example, be arranged at a front face of the vehicle.

[0009] By convergence zone, it should be understood that it is a section of the main branch comprising one or more points of convergence through which the heat transfer fluid from the different loops of the heat transfer fluid circuit circulates.

[0010] The divergence zone corresponds to a section of the main branch comprising one or more divergence points allowing the distribution of the heat transfer fluid within the different loops of the heat transfer fluid circuit. Depending on the need, the divergence zone can supply one or more loops with heat transfer fluid.

[0011] The first loop allows in particular the heat transfer fluid to provide thermal treatment, which may be heating or cooling, of the electric motor via the main section and the second heat exchanger and / or of the electrical storage device via the secondary section and the fourth heat exchanger.

[0012] Such an operation may prove necessary in the event of the temperature of the electric motor or the electrical storage device being too high or too low. For example, the electric motor may reach a high temperature when driving at high speed, for example on the highway, while the electrical storage device may need to be heated when the vehicle is started or to be cooled after a rapid recharge of the vehicle.

[0013] The third heat exchanger participates in the cooling of the electric motor and / or the electrical storage device by carrying out a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid. The refrigerant fluid being previously expanded before passing through the third heat exchanger, the heat transfer fluid is then cooled within the third heat exchanger before circulating within the second heat exchanger or the fourth heat exchanger to respectively cool the electric motor or the electrical storage device.

[0014] The first pumping device makes it possible to circulate the heat transfer fluid, in particular in the main section of the first loop. The first bypass device makes it possible to circulate the heat transfer fluid towards the main branch or towards the secondary section. The second pumping device makes it possible to circulate the heat transfer fluid within the secondary section, for example in order to generate a circulation of fluid independent of any other potential circulation of fluid within the main section.

[0015] The second loop provides cooling for the vehicle's passenger compartment. The The third pumping device allows the heat transfer fluid to be circulated within this second loop. Just like the third heat exchanger, the fifth heat exchanger is configured to cool the heat transfer fluid using the previously expanded refrigerant.

[0016] The cooled heat transfer fluid then circulates to the sixth heat exchanger, and thus cools the interior air flow which is then sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The second loop therefore contributes to the air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. As such, the sixth heat exchanger can be arranged within the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning system mentioned above. The second bypass device is arranged downstream of the fifth heat exchanger, and allows either the heat transfer fluid from the fifth heat exchanger to circulate to the sixth heat exchanger, or to circulate it to the main branch via the junction branch.

[0017] Thus, all of the loops partially constituting the heat transfer fluid circuit comprise at least one fluid connection with the first heat exchanger, via its respective bypass device. These fluid connections guarantee a multiplicity of functionalities of the heat transfer fluid circuit, whether at the level of the heat treatment of the passenger compartment of the vehicle or the heat treatment of the components of the vehicle's powertrain.

[0018] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first loop comprises a first transfer branch between the main section and the secondary section, the first transfer branch starting at the second outlet of the first bypass device and extending to the secondary section. This first transfer branch allows the circulation of the heat transfer fluid from the main section to the secondary section. Thanks to this first transfer branch, a fluid connection is ensured in particular between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger, allowing cooling of the engine, or between the second heat exchanger and the fourth heat exchanger in order to be able to carry out indirect heat exchanges between the electric motor and the electrical storage device.

[0019] According to a feature of the invention, the first loop comprises a second transfer branch between the main section and the secondary section, the second transfer branch starting at the secondary section and being configured to be fluidically connected to the main section. The second transfer branch makes it possible to complete the first loop and to connect the main section to the secondary section in a closed manner, also thanks to the first transfer branch mentioned above. The second transfer branch is therefore essential for performing the functions mentioned above. Depending on the configuration of the fluid circuit heat transfer fluid, the second transfer branch can be connected directly to the main section, or indirectly, for example by being connected to the main branch which can subsequently redistribute the heat transfer fluid to the main section via the divergence zone.

[0020] According to a characteristic of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circuit comprises a third loop comprising a seventh heat exchanger configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit, a fourth pumping device, a third bypass device and an eighth heat exchanger configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the interior air flow intended to be sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the third bypass device comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the third loop to the eighth heat exchanger and a second outlet connected to the convergence zone via a connecting branch. The third loop has in particular the function of ensuring the heating function within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.The fourth pumping device ensures the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the third loop. The seventh heat exchanger, just like the third heat exchanger and the fifth heat exchanger, allows a heat exchange with the refrigerant. However, the heat exchange carried out within the seventh heat exchanger is carried out with the refrigerant previously compressed and not expanded. The seventh heat exchanger therefore allows the heat transfer fluid to be heated via the high-pressure refrigerant. Subsequently, the heated heat transfer fluid passes through the eighth heat exchanger in order to heat the interior air flow passing through the latter. The interior air flow thus heated is then sent into the vehicle's passenger compartment to heat it.Like the sixth heat exchanger, the eighth heat exchanger can be arranged within the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning system. The vehicle interior can thus be heated or air-conditioned via the sixth heat exchanger and / or the eighth heat exchanger.

[0021] Just like the first branch device and the second branch device, one of the outputs of the third branch device is connected to the main branch, here via the connecting branch.

[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the divergence zone is fluidically linked to the third loop. As mentioned previously, the divergence zone is configured to supply all of the loops with heat transfer fluid. Thus, in the case where the third loop is present in the heat transfer fluid circuit, the divergence zone is also capable of supplying the third loop with heat transfer fluid.

[0023] According to a characteristic of the invention, the secondary section of the first loop comprises an electric heating element. The electric heating element ensures the heating of the heat transfer fluid using an external energy supply to the heat transfer fluid circuit. Depending on the need, the electric heating element is therefore capable of heating the heat transfer fluid circulating in the secondary section.

[0024] Depending on an embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit, the electric heating element can be positioned at different locations in the heat transfer fluid circuit. According to a first embodiment, the electric heating element is therefore positioned on the secondary section of the first loop.

[0025] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first loop comprises a bypass member and a bypass branch, the bypass member comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the secondary section to the third heat exchanger and a second outlet, the bypass branch starting at the second outlet of the bypass member and being arranged in parallel with the fourth heat exchanger. The bypass branch allows the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the secondary section of the first loop without the latter passing through the fourth heat exchanger.Thus, when there is no need to heat treat the electrical storage device but the heat transfer fluid is heated via the electric heating element or cooled via the third heat exchanger for a heat treatment purpose other than that of the electrical storage device, the bypass branch prevents the heat transfer fluid from passing through the fourth heat exchanger and disturbing the temperature of the heat transfer fluid.

[0026] According to a characteristic of the invention, the third loop comprises an electric heating element. This is a second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit according to the invention, more complex than the first embodiment, but also capable of performing more functions than the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the electric heating element is arranged at the level of the third loop, for example downstream of the seventh heat exchanger and upstream of the third bypass device.

[0027] According to a characteristic of the invention, the third loop comprises a fourth bypass device arranged downstream of the electric heating element and upstream of the third bypass device, the fourth bypass device comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the third loop to the third bypass device and a second outlet connected to the secondary section of the first loop via an interconnection branch. Still concerning the second embodiment, the fourth bypass device makes it possible to create a direct fluid connection between the third loop and the section secondary to the first loop, via the interconnection branch. This fluid connection makes it possible to increase the number of possible configurations of the heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the secondary section of the first loop comprises a first bypass element downstream of the third heat exchanger and upstream of the fourth heat exchanger, the first bypass element comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the secondary section of the first loop to the fourth heat exchanger and a second outlet connected to the convergence zone via an outlet branch. Thanks to the outlet branch, the secondary section has a direct fluid connection with the main branch and its convergence zone, thus ensuring direct interaction between the secondary section and the first heat exchanger.

[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, the secondary section of the first loop comprises a second bypass element arranged downstream of the fourth heat exchanger and upstream of the third heat exchanger, the second bypass element comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the secondary section of the first loop to the third heat exchanger and a second outlet connected to the third loop via a return branch. This return branch makes it possible to form an additional loop with a portion of the third loop, a portion of the secondary section of the first loop and the interconnection branch.

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0031] [Fig. 1] represents a heat treatment system comprising a first embodiment of a heat transfer fluid circuit according to the invention,

[0032] [Fig.2] illustrates a first mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0033] [Fig.3] illustrates a second mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0034] [Fig.4] illustrates a third mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0035] [Fig.5] illustrates a fourth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0036] [Fig.6] illustrates a fifth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0037] [Fig.7] illustrates a sixth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0038] [Fig.8] illustrates a seventh mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0039] [Fig.9] illustrates an eighth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0040] [Fig. 10] illustrates a ninth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0041] [Fig. 11] illustrates a tenth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0042] [Fig. 12] illustrates an eleventh mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0043] [Fig. 13] illustrates a twelfth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0044] [Fig. 14] illustrates a thirteenth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system,

[0045] [Fig. 15] represents a heat treatment system comprising a second embodiment of a heat transfer fluid circuit according to the invention,

[0046] [Fig. 16] illustrates a fourteenth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system provided with the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit,

[0047] [Fig. 17] illustrates the second mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system provided with the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit,

[0048] [Fig. 18] represents a heat treatment system comprising a variant of the second embodiment of a heat transfer fluid circuit according to the invention,

[0049] [Fig. 19] illustrates a fifteenth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) circulating in the heat treatment system provided with the variant of the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0050] The terms upstream and downstream used in the following description refer to the direction of circulation of the fluid in question, i.e. the refrigerant fluid or the heat transfer fluid.

[0051] In Figures 1, 15 and 18, a heat transfer fluid circuit 2 is illustrated in solid lines and a refrigerant fluid circuit is illustrated in dotted lines. In Figures 2 to 14, 16, 17 and 19, for each of the circuits, the portions traversed by their respective fluid are in solid lines and the portions without fluid circulation are in short dotted lines. The solid lines indicating the circulation of fluid are also of different thicknesses with respect to the refrigerant fluid circuit 3 when the latter is used. More precisely, the thickest solid lines correspond to portions where the refrigerant circulates at high pressure and the thinnest solid lines correspond to portions where the refrigerant circulates at low pressure.

[0052] [Fig.l] represents a heat treatment system 1 which can be integrated within a motor vehicle and comprising a first embodiment of a heat transfer fluid circuit 2 according to the invention. This heat treatment system 1 is capable of ensuring heat treatment of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, but also heat treatment of different components of a powertrain of the vehicle.

[0053] To do this, the heat treatment system comprises the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 within which a heat transfer fluid circulates, and a refrigerant circuit 3 within which a refrigerant circulates. The heat treatment system 1 is configured to operate different interactions between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant fluid in order to heat treat the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the different components of the vehicle's powertrain in an optimal manner. The heat transfer fluid may for example be glycolated water, while the refrigerant fluid may advantageously be a fluid of type R290, that is to say propane, meeting European environmental protection standards unlike other types of refrigerant fluid used for heat treatment.

[0054] The heat transfer fluid circuit 2 is divided into several sections fluidically linked together in order to multiply the functionalities of the heat treatment system 1. Thus, the heat transfer fluid circuit comprises in particular a main branch 4 provided with a first heat exchanger 5. The latter is configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid which circulates therein and an external air flow 6 passing through the first heat exchanger 5. By external air flow, it is necessary to understand an air flow which is not intended to be sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In order to be positioned at the level of a trajectory of the external air flow 6, the first heat exchanger 5 can for example be arranged at the level of a front face of the vehicle.

[0055] The main branch 4 extends between a convergence zone 7 and a divergence zone 8. The convergence zone 7 corresponds to a zone of the main branch 4 comprising one or more convergence points at which one or more heat transfer fluid flows can flow. The divergence zone 8 corresponds to a zone comprising one or more divergence points at which one or more heat transfer fluid flows can be distributed. Thus, the convergence zone 7 is arranged upstream of the first heat exchanger 5, while the divergence zone 8 is arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger 5.

[0056] The heat transfer fluid circuit also comprises a first loop 9 divided into a main section 10 and a secondary section 11. The main section 10 extends between the divergence zone 8 and the convergence zone 7, and comprises a first pumping device 12, a second heat exchanger 13 and a first bypass device 14.

[0057] The first pumping device 12 allows the heat transfer fluid to be circulated within the first loop 9. The second heat exchanger 13 allows heat treatment of an electric motor of the vehicle by the heat transfer fluid. By circulating in the second heat exchanger 13, the heat transfer fluid is thus able to heat or cool the electric motor depending on their respective temperatures.

[0058] The first bypass device 14 is arranged downstream of the first pumping device 12 and the second heat exchanger 13. The first bypass device 14 comprises an inlet into which the heat transfer fluid from the second heat exchanger 13 enters, a first outlet which extends the main section 10 to the convergence zone 7 of the main branch 4, and a second outlet allowing a fluid connection between the main section 10 and the secondary section 11. The first loop 9 thus comprises a first transfer branch 15 extending between the second outlet of the first bypass device 14 and the secondary section 11.

[0059] The secondary section 11 comprises a second pumping device 16, an electric heating element 17, a third heat exchanger 18 and a fourth heat exchanger 19. The second pumping device 16 makes it possible to circulate the heat transfer fluid in the secondary section 11, independently of a potential circulation of fluid in the main section 10. The electric heating element 17 makes it possible to heat the heat transfer fluid via an external energy supply to the heat treatment system 1.

[0060] The third heat exchanger 18 is configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid circulating in the secondary section 11 and the refrigerant fluid circulating in the refrigerant circuit 3. As will be detailed later, the third heat exchanger 18 makes it possible to cool the heat transfer fluid.

[0061] Finally, the fourth heat exchanger 19 allows heat treatment of an electrical storage device of the vehicle by the heat transfer fluid. By circulating in the fourth heat exchanger 19, the heat transfer fluid is thus able to heat or cool the electrical storage device according to their respective temperatures.

[0062] The first loop 9 also comprises a second transfer branch 20 which, like the first transfer branch 15, ensures a fluid connection within the first loop 9 between the main section 10 and the secondary section 11. The two transfer branches 15, 20 make it possible to form a closed circuit composed of at least at least partially the main section 10 and at least partially the secondary section 11. Such a configuration makes it possible to multiply the functions of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 according to the invention.

[0063] The first loop 9 finally comprises a bypass member 21 arranged on the secondary section 11 downstream of the third heat exchanger 18 and upstream of the fourth heat exchanger 19. The bypass member 21 comprises an inlet through which the heat transfer fluid circulates. The bypass member 21 comprises a first outlet extending the secondary section 11 to the fourth heat exchanger 19 and a second outlet from which a bypass branch 22 begins. The bypass branch 22 is arranged in parallel with the fourth heat exchanger 19 and makes it possible to bypass the latter when the heat transfer fluid is not intended to thermally treat the electrical storage device.

[0064] The heat transfer fluid circuit 2 also comprises a second loop 23. Just like the first loop 9, the second loop 23 is connected to the divergence zone 8 of the main branch 4.

[0065] The second loop 23 comprises a third pumping device 24, a fifth heat exchanger 25, a sixth heat exchanger 26 and a second bypass device 27.

[0066] The third pumping device 24 circulates the heat transfer fluid in the second loop 23. The fifth heat exchanger 25, just like the third heat exchanger 18 of the first loop 9, is configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 3. As will be detailed later, the fifth heat exchanger 25 makes it possible to cool the heat transfer fluid.

[0067] The sixth heat exchanger 26 is configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and an interior air flow 28. Unlike the exterior air flow 6, the interior air flow 28 is intended to be sent to the passenger compartment of the vehicle in order to heat treat it. As such, the sixth heat exchanger 26 can be arranged within a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation 29 which makes it possible to direct the interior air flow 28 through in particular the sixth heat exchanger 26 before sending it to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. As will be detailed later, the sixth heat exchanger 26 participates in the air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0068] The second bypass device 27 is arranged downstream of the fifth heat exchanger 25 and upstream of the sixth heat exchanger 26. The second bypass device 27 comprises an inlet, a first outlet which extends the second loop 23 to the sixth heat exchanger 26 and a second outlet through which the heat transfer fluid can circulate to the convergence zone 7 of the main branch 4. As such, the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 comprises a junction branch 30 which extends between the second outlet of the second bypass device 27 and the convergence zone 7 of the main branch 4. The junction branch 30 therefore ensures the fluid connection between the second loop 23 and the main branch 4.

[0069] The heat transfer fluid circuit 2 further comprises a third loop 31 provided with a fourth pumping device 32, a seventh heat exchanger 33, an eighth heat exchanger 34 and a third bypass device 35. The third loop 31 can be supplied with heat transfer fluid via the divergence zone 8. According to one example, and as illustrated in all of the figures, the bypass devices and the bypass member are three-way valves.

[0070] The fourth pumping device 32 is capable of circulating the heat transfer fluid in the third loop 31 while the seventh heat exchanger 33 is configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant fluid. As will be detailed later, the seventh heat exchanger 33 allows the heat transfer fluid to be heated.

[0071] Just like the sixth heat exchanger 26, the eighth heat exchanger 34 is configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the interior air flow 28. The eighth heat exchanger 34 is therefore also advantageously arranged within the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation 29. As will be detailed later, the eighth heat exchanger 34 participates in heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0072] The third bypass device 35 is arranged downstream of the seventh heat exchanger 33 and upstream of the eighth heat exchanger 34. The third bypass device 35 comprises an inlet, a first outlet which extends the third loop 31 to the eighth heat exchanger 34 and a second outlet through which the heat transfer fluid can circulate to the convergence zone 7 of the main branch 4. As such, the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 comprises a connection branch 36 which extends between the second outlet of the third bypass device 35 and the convergence zone 7 of the main branch 4. The connection branch 36 therefore ensures the fluid connection between the third loop 31 and the main branch 4.

[0073] The set of loops 9, 23, 31 of the heat transfer fluid circuit therefore comprises a branch connecting them directly to the main branch, upstream of the first heat exchanger 5. This characteristic makes it possible to multiply the possible operating modes of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2, while maintaining a simple architecture.

[0074] The refrigerant circuit 3 comprises a main path 37 provided of a compression device 38 circulating the refrigerant fluid in the refrigerant circuit. The main path 37 extends until it passes through the seventh heat exchanger 33, then separates into a first path 43 comprising a first expansion member 39 and into a second path 40 comprising a second expansion member 41.

[0075] Each of the expansion members 39, 41 ensures an expansion of the refrigerant fluid which then drops in pressure and temperature. Subsequently, the refrigerant fluid can pass through the third heat exchanger 18 or the fifth heat exchanger 25 depending on the path in which the refrigerant fluid circulates. This choice of path is obviously dependent on the objectives that the heat treatment system 1 must fulfill.

[0076] Subsequently, the first path 43 and the second path 40 join to reform the main path 37. The compression device 38 being capable of compressing only refrigerant fluid in the gaseous state, the refrigerant fluid circuit 3 can advantageously comprise an accumulation device 42 arranged on the main path upstream of the compression device 38 in order to retain a liquid fraction of the refrigerant fluid before it passes through the compression device 38 and damages it.

[0077] The refrigerant fluid being advantageously propane, there is no question of circulating it within the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation 29 for safety reasons. Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.l], only the heat transfer fluid circulates within the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation 29.

[0078] [Fig. 2] illustrates a first mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. In this circulation mode and in each of the following ones, one or more heat treatment objectives are resolved by the heat treatment system. The different circulation modes presented below are not exhaustive and can even be combined with each other in order to accomplish more objectives simultaneously.

[0079] In [Fig.2], the objective is to heat the passenger compartment of the vehicle by means of the interior air flow 28. The heat transfer fluid therefore circulates within at least the third loop 31. The fourth pumping device 32 circulates the heat transfer fluid, and the latter passes through the seventh heat exchanger 33.

[0080] In order to heat the heat transfer fluid so that the latter subsequently releases its calories to the internal air flow 28, the refrigerant circuit 3 is also started using the compression device 38. This compresses the refrigerant at high pressure, which causes its temperature to rise. The refrigerant can thus condense by releasing its calories to the heat transfer fluid within the seventh heat exchanger 33.

[0081] At the outlet of the seventh heat exchanger 33, the hot heat transfer fluid circulates to the third diversion device 35 which directs the hot heat transfer fluid to the eighth heat exchanger 34. By passing through the latter, the calories of the heat transfer fluid are transferred to the interior air flow 28, which is then sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle to ensure heating thereof.

[0082] The refrigerant having been used to heat the heat transfer fluid within the seventh heat exchanger 33, the thermodynamic cycle of the refrigerant must be continued in order to maintain the effectiveness of the heat treatment. To do this, the at least partially condensed refrigerant continues its circulation within the main path 37, then the first path 43. The refrigerant is then expanded by the first expansion member 39 and passes through the third heat exchanger 18.

[0083] Simultaneously with this, another heat transfer fluid loop is put into circulation, at the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9. The second pumping device 16 puts the heat transfer fluid into circulation, and the electric heating element 17 is activated in order to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the secondary section 11. The heated heat transfer fluid then passes through the third heat exchanger 18. The heat exchange occurring in the third heat exchanger 18 therefore makes it possible to complete the thermodynamic cycle of the refrigerant fluid by evaporating the latter thanks to the heated heat transfer fluid.

[0084] The evaporated refrigerant fluid can then circulate to the compression device 38, the accumulation device 42 possibly being able to retain a liquid fraction of the refrigerant fluid. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the secondary section 11 until it reaches the second pumping device 16 again. Since the electrical storage device does not require heat treatment, the deflection member 21 directs the heat transfer fluid towards the bypass branch 22.

[0085] [Fig. 3] illustrates a second mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. In [Fig. 3], the electrical storage device needs to be heated. This may be necessary, for example, when starting the vehicle and / or in the event of low ambient temperature. [Fig. 3] illustrates a circulation mode ensuring the heating of the electrical storage device, but as will be detailed later, several circulation modes make it possible to meet this objective.

[0086] The electrical storage device is here heated only using the electric heating element 17. This circulation mode therefore does not require circulation of the refrigerant fluid. Only the heat transfer fluid circulates within the secondary section 11 using the second pumping device 16. The heat transfer fluid is therefore heated by the electric heating element 17 and passes through the third heat exchanger 18 without heat exchange, the refrigerant fluid not circulating.

[0087] Subsequently, the deflection member 21 directs the heat transfer fluid towards the fourth heat exchanger 19 which passes through the latter in order to transfer its calories to the electrical storage device which is then heated. Subsequently, the heat transfer fluid circulates again to the second pumping device 16.

[0088] [Fig. 4] illustrates a third mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. For this mode of circulation, the electrical storage device needs to be cooled. As for the previous modes of circulation, the heat transfer fluid circulates within the secondary section 11 of the first loop via the second pumping device 16. The heat transfer fluid then passes through the electric heating element 17 but since the latter is inactive, the heat transfer fluid remains at the same temperature.

[0089] The heat transfer fluid is, on the other hand, cooled within the third heat exchanger 18 by means of the refrigerant fluid circulating in the first path 43 and previously expanded by the first expansion member 39. The cooled heat transfer fluid then circulates to the fourth heat exchanger 19 in order to capture the calories from the electrical storage device and thus cool the latter, before being pumped again by the second pumping device 16.

[0090] In order to operate an optimal thermodynamic cycle, the compressed refrigerant fluid must be condensed before being expanded and evaporated to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the third heat exchanger 18. To do this, another heat transfer fluid loop must be implemented in order to condense the refrigerant fluid within the seventh heat exchanger 33. The fourth pumping device 32 circulates the heat transfer fluid which then passes through the seventh heat exchanger 33 in order to capture the calories from the high-pressure refrigerant fluid to condense the latter. The heat transfer fluid subsequently circulates to the third bypass device 35 which this time directs the heat transfer fluid within the connection branch 36 to the convergence zone 7 of the main branch 4.This allows the heat transfer fluid to pass through the first heat exchanger 5 so that the outside air flow 6 dissipates the calories of the heat transfer fluid captured during the heat exchange carried out within the seventh heat exchanger 33.

[0091] At the outlet of the first heat exchanger 5, the heat transfer fluid continues its circulation in the main branch 4 up to the divergence zone 8 and can recirculate within the third loop 31 to be pumped again by the fourth pumping device 32.

[0092] [Fig.5] illustrates a fourth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. This fourth mode of circulation is similar to the third mode of circulation except that it is the passenger compartment of the vehicle which needs to be cooled and not the electrical storage device.

[0093] As a result, there is no circulation of heat transfer fluid within the first loop 9. The refrigerant fluid must, however, also be condensed by passing through the seventh heat exchanger 33 in order to respect the thermodynamic cycle, therefore the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the seventh heat exchanger 33 and the first heat exchanger 5 as described in [Fig.4] is always implemented and reference will be made to the description of [Fig.4] concerning the details of this heat exchange.

[0094] The condensed refrigerant fluid continues its circulation in the main path 37 then within the second path 40 in order to be expanded by the second expansion member 41 and to pass through the fifth heat exchanger 25 to be evaporated there then compressed again by the compression device 38.

[0095] In parallel, the heat transfer fluid is circulated within the second loop 23 by the third pumping device 24 and passes through the fifth heat exchanger 25 to be cooled by the expanded refrigerant. The cooled heat transfer fluid then circulates to the second bypass device 27 which directs the cooled heat transfer fluid to the sixth heat exchanger 26. By circulating within the sixth heat exchanger 26, the heat transfer fluid then cools the interior air flow 28 and the latter is then sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle to air-condition it. At the outlet of the sixth heat exchanger 26, the heat transfer fluid is again pumped by the third pumping device 24.

[0096] [Fig. 6] illustrates a fifth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. The objective of this fifth mode of circulation is to carry out passive cooling of the electric motor by means of the heat transfer fluid and the first heat exchanger 5.

[0097] To do this, the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 is configured so that the heat transfer fluid circulates in a loop in the main section 10 of the first loop 9 and in the main branch 4. The heat transfer fluid is circulated by the first pumping device 12 then captures the calories generated by the electric motor by circulating in the second heat exchanger 13. Subsequently, the heat transfer fluid travels through the entirety of the main section 10 until it reaches the convergence zone 7 to continue its circulation within the main branch 4.

[0098] The heat transfer fluid then circulates within the first heat exchanger 5 and the calories of the electric motor captured by the heat transfer fluid are then dissipated by the flow of external air 6 passing through the first heat exchanger 5. Subsequently the heat transfer fluid circulates to the divergence zone 8 and recirculates in the main section 10 while being pumped again by the first pumping device 12.

[0099] The electric motor is thus passively cooled by transferring its calories to the fluid heat transfer fluid, and said calories are dissipated by the outside air flow 6 thanks to the circulation of the heat transfer fluid having stored said calories at the level of the second heat exchanger 13.

[0100] [Fig.7] illustrates a sixth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. This sixth circulation mode is actually a combination of the third circulation mode and the fifth circulation mode, i.e. cooling of the electrical storage device using the refrigerant fluid and passive cooling of the electric motor simultaneously.

[0101] At the divergence zone 8, the heat transfer fluid is therefore distributed between the main section 10 of the first loop 9 and the third loop 31. The heat transfer fluid is therefore circulated by the first pumping device 12 and by the fourth pumping device 32. In both cases, calories are captured by the heat transfer fluid, that is to say the calories generated by the electric motor, or the calories of the high-pressure refrigerant fluid compressed by the compression device 38 and circulating in the refrigerant circuit 3. Subsequently, in either case, the heat transfer fluid joins the convergence zone 7 to circulate within the main branch 4 and the first heat exchanger 5 so that the calories captured within the second heat exchanger 13 or the seventh heat exchanger 33 are dissipated by the outside air flow 6.The heat transfer fluid is subsequently redistributed within the main section 10 or the third loop 31 via the divergence zone 8.

[0102] The electrical storage device is cooled by means of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9 and previously cooled within the third heat exchanger 18 by the expanded refrigerant. The electric heating element 17 is of course inactive. As described above, the heat exchange ensuring the cooling of the electrical storage device takes place within the fourth heat exchanger 19. The refrigerant fluid operates its cooling function optimally because it has been previously at least partially condensed within the seventh heat exchanger 33 by the heat transfer fluid circulating in the third loop 31.

[0103] Concerning the sixth mode of circulation, one can refer to the description of figures 4 and 6 for further details.

[0104] [Fig.8] illustrates a seventh mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. The objective of this seventh circulation mode is to heat the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The heat transfer fluid therefore circulates within the third loop 31, is heated within the seventh heat exchanger 33 by the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compression device 38, then circulates to the eighth heat exchanger 34 where the calories are transferred to the flow interior air 28 passing through the eighth heat exchanger 34. The interior air flow 28 is thus heated and is sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0105] Just like the first circulation mode whose objective was also to heat the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the refrigerant fluid was used to heat the heat transfer fluid by means of the seventh heat exchanger 33, and the thermodynamic cycle of the refrigerant fluid must be continued in order to maintain the effectiveness of the heat treatment.

[0106] Unlike the first circulation mode where the expanded refrigerant was evaporated in the third heat exchanger 18 by means of the heat transfer fluid previously heated using the electric heating element 17, the seventh circulation mode takes advantage of the heat from the electric motor in order to heat the heat transfer fluid. This makes it possible to avoid an additional energy input to power the electric heating element 17.

[0107] To do this, the first transfer branch 15 and the second transfer branch 20 are used to form a junction between the main section 10 and the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9. The transfer branches 15, 20 thus provide a direct fluid connection between the second heat exchanger 13 and the third heat exchanger 18. The first bypass member 14 is also used to direct the heat transfer fluid coming from the main section 10 to the first transfer branch 15.

[0108] The heat transfer fluid is circulated by the first pumping device 12 and circulates within the second heat exchanger 13 to capture the calories from the electric motor which emits heat due to its operation. The heat transfer fluid then circulates to the first bypass device 14 which directs it to the first transfer branch 15. The heat transfer fluid therefore circulates from the main section 10 to the secondary section 11.

[0109] The heat transfer fluid subsequently transfers the calories captured from the electric motor to the refrigerant fluid, during the heat exchange occurring within the third heat exchanger 18. The refrigerant fluid is thus evaporated and its thermodynamic cycle is completed, thus optimizing the thermal performance of the heat treatment system 1. At the outlet of the third heat exchanger 18, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the bypass branch 22 to bypass the fourth heat exchanger 19 because the electrical storage device does not require heat treatment, then circulates within the second transfer branch 20 in order to return to the main section 10 and be pumped by the first pumping device 12.

[0110] [Fig.9] illustrates an eighth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. Just as for the seventh mode of circulation, The eighth circulation mode provides heating for the vehicle's passenger compartment, but instead of subsequently using the heat from the electric motor to evaporate the refrigerant, it uses the heat emitted by the electrical storage device.

[0111] The circulation of the heat transfer fluid takes place here entirely in the secondary section 11 and the heat transfer fluid is circulated by the second pumping device 16. The heat transfer fluid captures the calories generated by the electrical storage device by circulating within the fourth heat exchanger 19 and continues its circulation in the secondary section 11 to the third heat exchanger 18 to transfer the calories to the refrigerant fluid. In [Fig.9], the electric heating element 17 is inactive, but it is possible to activate it to further raise the temperature of the heat transfer fluid before it circulates in the third heat exchanger 18.

[0112] In a circulation mode not shown, it is possible to combine the seventh circulation mode and the eighth circulation mode in order to recover both the heat generated by the electric motor and the heat generated by the electrical storage device. In this circulation mode, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the first loop, captures the heat from the electrical storage device by circulating in the fourth heat exchanger 19, and separates into two fractions at the second transfer branch 20. One of the fractions continues its circulation in the secondary section 11 while the other fraction joins the main section 10 via the second transfer branch 20 and circulates in the second heat exchanger 13 to capture the calories generated by the electric motor. The two fractions subsequently join upstream of the third heat exchanger 18.

[0113] [Fig. 10] illustrates a ninth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. The objective of this circulation mode is to heat the electrical storage device using the heat emitted by the electric motor. This circulation mode is therefore particularly advantageous because it is thus not necessary to use the refrigerant circuit 3.

[0114] The transfer branches 15, 20 are once again used to form the junction between the main section 10 and the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9. The heat transfer fluid is circulated by the first pumping device 12, captures the calories generated by the electric motor by circulating within the second heat exchanger 13, then circulates in the first transfer branch 15 to reach the secondary section 11.

[0115] The heat transfer fluid then passes through the third heat exchanger 18 without consequences given that the refrigerant circuit 3 is inactive, then circulates to the fourth heat exchanger 19 to transfer said calories to the device electrical storage to heat the latter. Subsequently, the heat transfer fluid joins the main section 10 thanks to the second transfer branch 20.

[0116] [Fig. 11] illustrates a tenth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. The objective here is to defrost the first heat exchanger 5 when the ambient temperature is very low.

[0117] To do this, the heat transfer fluid circulates between the third loop 31 and the main branch 4 via the connecting branch 36. The aim is to heat the heat transfer fluid within the seventh heat exchanger 33 via the refrigerant compressed by the compression device 38. The heated heat transfer fluid then leaves the third loop 31 via the connecting branch 36 and joins the main branch 4 via the convergence zone 7.

[0118] Then, the hot heat transfer fluid circulates in the first heat exchanger 5 in order to defrost it, and again joins the third loop 31 via the divergence zone 8.

[0119] The completion of the thermodynamic cycle of the refrigerant fluid is done as for example for the first circulation mode, that is to say that the evaporation of the expanded refrigerant fluid takes place within the third heat exchanger 18. The heat transfer fluid ensuring the evaporation of the refrigerant fluid circulates in the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9, is preheated using the electric heating element 17 and bypasses the fourth heat exchanger 19 thanks to the bypass branch 22.

[0120] In a circulation mode not shown, the defrosting of the first heat exchanger 5 can be done using the heat generated by the electric motor. This circulation mode is strictly identical to the fifth circulation mode shown in [Fig.6], i.e. the refrigerant circuit 3 is inactive and the heat transfer fluid circulates between the main branch 4 and the main section 10 of the first loop 9.

[0121] Instead of cooling the electric motor using the outside air flow 6 as described in [Fig.6], in this circulation mode not illustrated it is the first heat exchanger 5 which is defrosted using the heat generated by the heat engine and captured by the heat transfer fluid during its circulation within the second heat exchanger 13.

[0122] In another circulation mode not illustrated, it is possible to combine the two defrosting modes previously described, i.e. the tenth circulation mode with the circulation mode not illustrated described above, in order to improve the defrosting of the first heat exchanger 5. The heat transfer fluid thus separates into two fractions, one of which is heated by the refrigerant fluid via the seventh heat exchanger 33, while the other captures the calories generated by the electric motor in circulating within the second heat exchanger 13. The two fractions of heated heat transfer fluid then join at the convergence zone 7 and then carry out defrosting by circulating within the first heat exchanger 5.

[0123] [Fig. 12] illustrates an eleventh mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. This mode of circulation consists of heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle and evaporating the refrigerant fluid using the third heat exchanger 18 while heating the electrical storage device in particular using the heat generated by the electric motor.

[0124] Just as for the circulation modes described previously and having in particular the objective of heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the heat transfer fluid circulates within the third loop 31, is heated within the seventh heat exchanger 33 by the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compression device 38, then circulates to the eighth heat exchanger 34 where the calories are transferred to the interior air flow 28 passing through the eighth heat exchanger 34. The interior air flow 28 is thus heated and is sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0125] The condensed refrigerant fluid then circulates within the first path 43, is expanded by the first expansion member 39 and is evaporated within the third heat exchanger 18 by the heat transfer fluid. The refrigerant fluid then circulates to the compression device 38.

[0126] In order to store enough calories to both evaporate the refrigerant and subsequently heat the electrical storage device, the assistance of the electric heating element 17 and the heat generated by the electric motor is necessary. The heat transfer fluid circulating in the first loop 9 then separates into two fractions. The first fraction circulates in the second transfer branch 20, is pumped by the first pumping device 12 and circulates within the second heat exchanger 13 to capture the calories generated by the electric motor and then join the secondary section 11 via the first transfer branch 15. The second fraction is pumped by the second pumping device 16 and is heated by the electric heating element 17.Subsequently, the two fractions of heat transfer fluid, both heated, join and circulate together within the third heat exchanger 18 to evaporate the refrigerant fluid. Thanks to the contribution of the two fractions of heat transfer fluid and their respective calories captured previously, the heat transfer fluid leaves the third heat exchanger 18 still sufficiently hot to circulate within the fourth heat exchanger 19 and release the remaining calories to heat the electrical storage device. At the outlet of the fourth heat exchanger 19, the heat transfer fluid continues its circulation in the secondary section 11 until it separates again into two fractions.

[0127] The distribution of the heat transfer fluid between the two heat transfer fluid fractions can be regulated to optimize the temperature of the heat transfer fluid. This distribution can for example depend on the temperature of the electric motor, which can encourage sending more heat transfer fluid through the second heat exchanger 13 if said temperature is very high. The heating power of the electric heating element 17 can also be modulated according to the need. The regulation of the distribution of the heat transfer fluid can for example be carried out by the pumping devices 12, 16 if the pumping speed thereof can be modified.

[0128] [Fig. 13] illustrates a twelfth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. This twelfth mode of circulation has the objective of dehumidifying the interior air flow 28 intended to be sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The dehumidification consists of circulating heat transfer fluid both within the sixth heat exchanger 26 and the eighth heat exchanger 34 in order to dehumidify the interior air flow 28. This method avoids sending a humid air flow into the passenger compartment which can cause several disadvantages such as the formation of fog on the windows of the vehicle which can impair visibility, or even discomfort for the occupants of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In [Fig. 13], the dehumidification method is coupled with passive cooling of the electric motor, but the dehumidification can quite easily be implemented alone.

[0129] For this twelfth circulation mode, the heat transfer fluid circulates in particular within the third loop 31. After having been put into circulation by the fourth pumping device 32, the heat transfer fluid is heated within the seventh heat exchanger 33 by the high-pressure refrigerant fluid compressed by the compression device 38, then circulates to the eighth heat exchanger 34 where the calories are transferred to the internal air flow 28 passing through the eighth heat exchanger 34.

[0130] In parallel, heat transfer fluid is also circulated within the second loop 23 by the third pumping device 24 and passes through the fifth heat exchanger 25 to be cooled by the expanded refrigerant. The cooled heat transfer fluid then circulates to the sixth heat exchanger 26. By circulating within the sixth heat exchanger 26, the heat transfer fluid then cools the interior air flow 28.

[0131] Thus, before being sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the interior air flow 28 is first cooled by passing through the sixth heat exchanger 26. The cooling of the interior air flow 28 makes it possible to condense the humidity present therein and to retain it. The interior air flow 28 thus leaves the sixth heat exchanger 26 cold and dry.

[0132] Then, the objective being to heat the passenger compartment of the vehicle while dehumidifying it, the interior air flow 28 passes through the eighth heat exchanger 34 to be heated there. The interior air flow 28 is thus sent into the warm and dry vehicle passenger compartment.

[0133] Thanks to the dehumidification method, the management of the refrigerant circuit 3 is simplified. Indeed, after having been compressed by the compression device 38, the refrigerant is condensed within the seventh heat exchanger 33 and transfers its calories to the heat transfer fluid intended to heat the interior air flow 28. The refrigerant then circulates within the second path 40, is expanded by the second expansion member 41, and is evaporated within the fifth heat exchanger 25, making it possible to cool the heat transfer fluid intended to cool the interior air flow 28. The evaporated refrigerant then continues its circulation until it is again compressed by the compression device 38.The dehumidification process is therefore sufficient for the refrigerant fluid to operate a complete thermodynamic cycle and it is therefore not necessary to implement other functions of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 to complete this thermodynamic cycle.

[0134] Optionally, the heat transfer fluid circuit, in parallel with the dehumidification process, can operate passive cooling of the electric motor. The circulation of the heat transfer fluid is identical to that illustrated in [Fig.6]. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the main section 10 of the first loop 9 and cools the electric motor by capturing its calories within the second heat exchanger. The heat transfer fluid then joins the main branch 4 and circulates within the first heat exchanger 5, where the outside air flow 6 allows the calories of the heat transfer fluid to be dissipated. The heat transfer fluid then joins the main section 10 via the divergence zone 8.

[0135] [Fig. 14] illustrates a thirteenth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1. This mode of circulation consists of heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle and evaporating the refrigerant fluid using the fifth heat exchanger 25.

[0136] Just as for the circulation modes described previously and having in particular the objective of heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the heat transfer fluid circulates within the third loop 31, is heated within the seventh heat exchanger 33 by the high-pressure refrigerant fluid compressed by the compression device 38, then circulates to the eighth heat exchanger 34 where the calories are transferred to the interior air flow 28 passing through the eighth heat exchanger 34. The interior air flow 28 is thus heated and is sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0137] To evaporate the refrigerant fluid previously condensed by its heat exchange within the seventh heat exchanger 33, the refrigerant fluid circulates this path within the second path 40, is expanded by the second expansion member 41 and is evaporated within the fifth heat exchanger 25.

[0138] For the evaporation of the refrigerant fluid, another heat transfer fluid loop is formed, said other loop being formed from the main branch 4 and a portion of the second loop 23, the latter and the main branch 4 being fluidically linked by means of the junction branch 30. The heat transfer fluid is thus put into circulation by the third pumping device 24 and captures the calories from the expanded refrigerant fluid by circulating within the fifth heat exchanger 25.

[0139] The heat transfer fluid then circulates to the second bypass device 27 which guides it within the recovery branch 30. The heat transfer fluid subsequently joins the main branch 4 via the convergence zone 7. The captured calories are then dissipated when the heat transfer fluid circulates within the first heat exchanger 5 and the latter is crossed by the outside air flow 6. As the heating of the passenger compartment is active, this means that the ambient temperature is relatively low. The outside air flow 6 therefore offers a very good means of dissipating the calories of the heat transfer fluid, thus optimizing the thermodynamic cycle of the refrigerant fluid. At the outlet of the first heat exchanger 5, the heat transfer fluid continues its circulation in the main branch 4 and joins the second loop 23 via the divergence zone 8.

[0140] [Fig. 15] represents a heat treatment system 1 provided with a second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 according to the invention. The second embodiment is structurally more complex than the first embodiment but in return allows more circulation modes to be implemented than the first embodiment. Only the elements differing from the first embodiment will be described here and reference will be made to the description of [Fig.l] for the elements common to both embodiments.

[0141] In this second embodiment, the first loop 9 is redesigned so that the second transfer branch 20 is connected at the secondary section 11 between the third heat exchanger 18 and the fourth heat exchanger 19. In addition, the second transfer branch 20 is not directly connected to the main section 10 but to the main branch 4 upstream of the divergence zone 8, which makes it possible to potentially distribute the cooled heat transfer fluid within the third heat exchanger 18 to loops other than the first loop 9. This configuration thus makes it possible to do without the diversion member and the bypass branch of the first embodiment. As will be described in detail later, the second transfer branch 20 allows circulation of the heat transfer fluid in both directions of circulation.The divergence zone 8 is thus capable of supplying the second transfer branch 20 with heat transfer fluid.

[0142] In the second embodiment, the electric heating element 17 is no longer positioned on the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9 but at the level of the third loop 31, downstream of the seventh heat exchanger 33 and upstream of the third bypass device 35. Positioning the electric heating element 17 at the level of the third loop 31 makes it possible in particular to improve certain functionalities of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 by heating the heat transfer fluid more, for example to improve the heating capacity of the passenger compartment of the vehicle or to improve the defrosting of the first heat exchanger 5.

[0143] Furthermore, the third loop 31 comprises a fourth bypass device 44 arranged downstream of the electric heating element 17 and upstream of the third bypass device 35. The fourth bypass device 44 comprises an inlet, a first outlet extending the third loop 31 and a second outlet allowing a direct fluid connection between the third loop 31 and the secondary section 11, upstream of the fourth heat exchanger 19. As such, the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 comprises an interconnection branch 45 extending between the second outlet of the fourth bypass device 44 and the secondary section 11.

[0144] The secondary section 11 also comprises a first bypass element 46 arranged downstream of the third heat exchanger 18 and upstream of the fourth heat exchanger 19. The first bypass element 46 comprises an inlet, a first outlet extending the secondary section 11 to the fourth heat exchanger 19 and a second outlet allowing a direct fluid connection between the secondary section 11 and the convergence zone 7 of the main branch 4. As such, the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 comprises an outlet branch 47 extending between the second outlet of the first bypass element 46 and the convergence zone 7 of the main branch 4. Thus, the two sections of the first loop 9 have their own branch connecting to the main branch 4 independently of each other.

[0145] Finally, the secondary section 11 comprises a second bypass element 48 arranged downstream of the second pumping device 16 and upstream of the third heat exchanger 18. The second bypass element 48 comprises an inlet, a first outlet extending the secondary section 11 to the third heat exchanger 18 and a second outlet allowing a direct fluid connection between the secondary section 11 and the third loop 31, downstream of the eighth heat exchanger 34 and upstream of the seventh heat exchanger 33. As such, the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 comprises a return branch 49 extending between the second outlet of the second bypass element 48 and the third loop 31. As will be illustrated later, the return branch 49 makes it possible to compensate for the change in positioning of the electric heating element 17 in order to be able to implement all of the circulation modes described up to now.

[0146] According to one example, and as illustrated in [Fig. 15] and the following figures, the fourth bypass device 44 and the bypass elements 46, 48 are three-way valves.

[0147] [Fig. 16] illustrates a fourteenth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1 provided with the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit. This fourteenth mode of circulation can be implemented exclusively by the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2. This mode of circulation is numbered fourteenth mode of circulation because the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 makes it possible to carry out all of the modes of circulation described previously and applied to the first embodiment, including the modes of circulation described but not illustrated. It should also be noted that this fourteenth mode of circulation is not exhaustive and that other modes of circulation can be implemented exclusively by the heat treatment system 1 provided with the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2.

[0148] This circulation mode allows passive cooling of the electric motor and the electrical storage device simultaneously, so that the refrigerant circuit 3 is not used.

[0149] To do this, the heat transfer fluid separates into two fractions at the divergence zone 8 of the main branch 4. A first fraction circulates in the main section 10 of the first loop, driven by the first pumping device 12, and circulates within the second heat exchanger 13 in order to capture the calories generated by the electric motor. Subsequently, the first fraction of heat transfer fluid continues its circulation within the main section 10 until it joins the main branch 4 via the convergence zone 7.

[0150] A second fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates within the second transfer branch 20, in a direction of circulation going from the divergence zone 8 to the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9. The heat transfer fluid can thus circulate directly from the main branch 4 to the secondary section 11 without passing through the main section 10. This second fraction is driven by the second pumping device 16 and circulates within the fourth heat exchanger 19 in order to capture the calories generated by the electrical storage device. Subsequently, the second fraction of heat transfer fluid continues its circulation within the secondary section 11. The second bypass element 48 directs the second fraction towards the third heat exchanger 18 which is crossed without consequences on the second fraction because the refrigerant circuit 3 is inactive.

[0151] At the outlet of the third heat exchanger 18, the second fraction circulates to the first branch element 46 which directs the second fraction within the output branch 47, thus allowing the second fraction to join the main branch 4 via the convergence zone 7.

[0152] The two fractions combined, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the main branch 4 then within the first heat exchanger 5 so that the flow of outside air 6 dissipates the calories previously captured by the two fractions of heat transfer fluid. At the outlet of the first heat exchanger 5, the heat transfer fluid continues its circulation in the main branch 4 before separating again into two fractions at the divergence zone 8.

[0153] Thanks in particular to the output branch 47 exclusive to the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2, the electrical storage device can be passively cooled independently. In [Fig. 16], the electric motor and the electrical storage device are simultaneously passively cooled, but it is entirely possible to carry out passive cooling of the electrical storage device alone by circulating the entire heat transfer fluid in the second transfer branch 20, then in the secondary section 11, then in the output branch 47.

[0154] [Fig. 17] represents the second circulation mode applied to the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2. Although this second circulation mode has been described previously, the change in position of the electric heating element 17 requires the circulation of the heat transfer fluid to be modified at least for this circulation mode. [Fig. 17] also makes it possible to clearly understand the interest of the interconnection branch 45 and the return branch 49.

[0155] As mentioned previously, the second circulation mode aims to heat the electrical storage device using the electric heating element 17 alone. The latter being positioned this time at the level of the third loop 31, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the third loop and is heated by the electric heating element 17.

[0156] The heated heat transfer fluid then flows to the fourth bypass device 44, which then directs the heat transfer fluid within the interconnecting branch 45. The heat transfer fluid can then directly reach the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9 from the third loop 31.

[0157] Once in the secondary section 11, the heated heat transfer fluid circulates within the fourth heat exchanger 19 to release its calories and thus heat the electrical storage device. Subsequently, the heat transfer fluid circulates to the second bypass element 48 which directs the heat transfer fluid to the return branch 49. It is thus understood that the return branch 49 allows the heat transfer fluid to return to the level of the third loop 31, upstream of at least the element of electric heating 17, in order to continue implementing the second circulation mode. It is thus understood that the connection between the third loop 31 and the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9 by the interconnection branch 45 and the return branch 49 makes it possible in particular to continue applying heating of the electrical storage device by the electric heating element 17.

[0158] [Fig. 18] illustrates the heat treatment system 1 comprising a variant of the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2. The variant is similar to the second embodiment, but additionally comprises a bypass module 50, a first additional branch 51 and a second additional branch 52.

[0159] The bypass module 50 is positioned on the junction branch 30, which fluidically connects the second loop 23 to the main branch 4. This bypass module 50 comprises an inlet, a first outlet extending the junction branch 30 and a second outlet from which the first additional branch 51 begins. The latter extends to the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9. The second additional branch 52 extends from the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9 to the second loop 23, downstream of the fifth heat exchanger 25 and upstream of the sixth heat exchanger 26.

[0160] As can be seen in [Fig. 18], the fluid connections of the first additional branch 51 and the second additional branch 52 to the secondary section 11 are positioned on either side of the fourth heat exchanger 19. The additional branches 51, 52 thus provide a fluid connection between the fifth heat exchanger 25 and the fourth heat exchanger 19.

[0161] The other structural elements of the variant of the second embodiment being identical to the second embodiment, reference will be made to the descriptions of figures 1 and 15 for the elements common to all the embodiments.

[0162] [Fig. 19] illustrates a fifteenth mode of circulation of the fluid(s) within the heat treatment system 1 provided with the variant of the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit. This fifteenth mode of circulation can only be implemented with the variant of the second embodiment but all of the modes of circulation described so far are applicable to a heat treatment system 1 comprising the variant of the second embodiment of the heat transfer fluid circuit 2.

[0163] The objective of the fifteenth circulation mode is to provide improved cooling of the electrical storage device, which can reach a very high temperature, particularly during or after rapid recharging of the electrical storage device. To do this, the third heat exchanger 18 and also the fifth heat exchanger 25 are used.

[0164] The refrigerant circuit 3 is used for this fifteenth circulation mode. The refrigerant is circulated and compressed to high pressure by the compression device 38 and is then condensed while circulating within the seventh heat exchanger 33.

[0165] Subsequently, the refrigerant fluid is divided into two fractions. A first fraction of refrigerant fluid circulates within the first path 43 while a second fraction of refrigerant fluid circulates within the second path 40. The first fraction of refrigerant fluid is expanded by the first expansion member 39 and then is evaporated while circulating within the third heat exchanger 18 while cooling the heat transfer fluid also circulating in the third heat exchanger 18. The second fraction of refrigerant fluid is expanded by the second expansion member 41 and then is evaporated while circulating within the fifth heat exchanger 25 while cooling the heat transfer fluid also circulating in the fifth heat exchanger 25.The two fractions of refrigerant fluid then join downstream of the heat exchangers, circulate within the main path 37 to the accumulation device 42 where a potential liquid fraction of refrigerant fluid is retained there, then are compressed again by the compression device 38.

[0166] In order to operate the cooling of the electrical storage device, the heat transfer fluid also circulates in two fractions. A first fraction of heat transfer fluid circulates within the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9 by being circulated by the second pumping device 16 while a second fraction of heat transfer fluid circulates in the second loop 23 by being circulated by the third pumping device 24.

[0167] The first fraction of heat transfer fluid circulates within the third heat exchanger 18 and is cooled there by the first fraction of refrigerant circulating in the first path 43, while the second fraction of heat transfer fluid circulates within the fifth heat exchanger 25 and is cooled there by the second fraction of refrigerant circulating in the second path 40. At the outlet of the fifth heat exchanger 25, the second fraction of heat transfer fluid is directed into the junction branch by the second bypass device 27, then is directed into the first additional branch 51 by the bypass module 50.

[0168] The two cooled fractions of heat transfer fluid thus join within the secondary section 11 of the first loop 9, upstream of the fourth heat exchanger 19. The association of the two fractions of heat transfer fluid cooled independently of one another guarantees improved overall cooling, and the heat transfer fluid then circulates within the fourth heat exchanger 19 to operate a optimal cooling of the electrical storage device which is at a very high temperature.

[0169] At the outlet of the fourth heat exchanger 19, the heat transfer fluid is divided again into two fractions. The first fraction of heat transfer fluid continues its circulation in the secondary section 11 up to the second bypass element 48 which directs it again towards the third heat exchanger 18. The second fraction of heat transfer fluid circulates within the second additional branch 52 to rejoin the second loop 23, circulates within the sixth heat exchanger 26 without consequences because the cooling of the passenger compartment of the vehicle is not active, then rejoins the fifth heat exchanger 25.

[0170] Just as for certain circulation modes described previously, heat transfer fluid also circulates within the third loop 31 to condense the refrigerant fluid within the seventh heat exchanger 33 and thus complete its thermodynamic cycle. The heat transfer fluid circulated by the fourth pumping device 32 and circulating in the third loop 31 captures the calories from the refrigerant fluid by circulating within the seventh heat exchanger 33, then circulates within the electric heating element 17 without consequences, the latter being inactive. The heat transfer fluid is then guided towards the third bypass device 35 by the fourth bypass device 44, then within the connection branch 36 by the third bypass device 35 in order to join the main branch 4 via the convergence zone 7.The calories captured by the heat transfer fluid are then dissipated by the outside air flow 6 when the heat transfer fluid circulates within the first heat exchanger 5. The heat transfer fluid then continues its circulation in the main branch 4 until it again joins the third loop 31 via the divergence zone 8.

[0171] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0172] The invention, as just described, achieves the aim it set itself, and makes it possible to propose a heat transfer fluid circuit meeting the condition of avoiding circulation of refrigerant fluid within a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation, while combining structural simplicity and multiplicity of functions. Variants not described here could be implemented without departing from the context of the invention, provided that, in accordance with the invention, they comprise a heat transfer fluid circuit in accordance with the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Heat transfer fluid circuit (2) for a heat treatment system (1) of a vehicle and intended to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid, comprising: - a main branch (4) comprising a first heat exchanger (5) configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and an external air flow (6), and extending between a convergence zone (7) and a divergence zone (8), - a first loop (9) comprising a main section (10) and a secondary section (11), the main section (10) starting at the divergence zone (8) and being provided with a second heat exchanger (13) configured to heat treat an electric motor of the vehicle, a first pumping device (12) and a first bypass device (14), the first bypass device (14) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the main section (10) to the convergence zone (7) and a second outlet connected to the secondary section (11), the secondary section (11) comprising a second pumping device (16), a third heat exchanger (18) configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit (3) and a fourth heat exchanger (19) configured to heat treat an electrical storage device of the vehicle, - a second loop (23) comprising a fifth heat exchanger (25) configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant fluid circulating in the refrigerant circuit (3), a third pumping device (24), a second bypass device (27) and a sixth heat exchanger (26) configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and an interior air flow (28) intended to be sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the second bypass device (27) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the second loop (23) to the sixth exchanger thermal (26) and a second output connected to the convergence zone (7) via a junction branch (30).

2. A heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to claim 1, wherein the first loop (9) comprises a first transfer branch (15) between the main section (10) and the secondary section (11), the first transfer branch (15) starting at the second outlet of the first bypass device (14) and extending to the secondary section (H).

3. A heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to claim 2, wherein the first loop (9) comprises a second transfer branch (20) between the main section (10) and the secondary section (11), the second transfer branch (20) starting at the secondary section (11) and being configured to be fluidically connected to the main section (10).

4. Heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a third loop (31) comprising a seventh heat exchanger (33) configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit (3), a fourth pumping device (32), a third bypass device (35) and an eighth heat exchanger (34) configured to carry out a heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the interior air flow (28) intended to be sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the third bypass device (35) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the third loop (31) to the eighth heat exchanger (34) and a second outlet connected to the convergence zone (7) via a connecting branch (36).

5. A heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to any preceding claim, wherein the secondary section (11) of the first loop (9) comprises an electric heating element (17).

6. Heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the first loop (9) comprises a bypass member (21) and a bypass branch (22), the bypass member (21) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the secondary section (11) to the third heat exchanger (18) and a second outlet, the bypass branch (22) starting at the second output of the bypass member (21) and being arranged in parallel with the fourth heat exchanger (19).

7. A heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the third loop (31) comprises an electric heating element (17).

8. Heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the third loop (31) comprises a fourth bypass device (44) arranged downstream of the electric heating element (17) and upstream of the third bypass device (35), the fourth bypass device (44) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the third loop (31) to the third bypass device (35) and a second outlet connected to the secondary section (11) of the first loop (9) via an interconnecting branch (45).

9. Heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the secondary section (11) of the first loop (9) comprises a first bypass element (46) downstream of the third heat exchanger (18) and upstream of the fourth heat exchanger (19), the first bypass element (46) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the secondary section (11) of the first loop (9) to the fourth heat exchanger (19) and a second outlet connected to the convergence zone (7) via an outlet branch (47).

10. Heat transfer fluid circuit (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the secondary section (11) of the first loop (9) comprises a second bypass element (48) arranged downstream of the fourth heat exchanger (19) and upstream of the third heat exchanger (18), the second bypass element (48) comprising an inlet, a first outlet extending the secondary section (11) of the first loop (9) to the third heat exchanger (18) and a second outlet connected to the third loop (31) via a return branch (49).

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