Thermal conditioning system

Abstract

The invention relates to a multifunction heat exchange assembly (1), comprising: - a first heat exchanger (10), comprising first plates (41) stacked, in a stacking direction (E), - a second heat exchanger (20) with internal heat exchanger plates, comprising second plates (42) stacked, in said stacking direction (E), - a third heat exchanger (30) with evaporator plates, comprising third plates (43) stacked, in said stacking direction (E), the first and second heat exchangers (10, 20) being arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction (E), the heat exchanger assembly (1) being characterized in that the bodies of the first and second heat exchangers (10, 20) are inscribed in a projection, in said stacking direction (E), of the body of the first heat exchanger (30). Abstract Figure: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal conditioning system Technical field

[0001] The subject of the invention is a heat exchange assembly for a vehicle as well as a heat pump circuit comprising such an assembly.

[0002] The invention relates to the technical field of heat treatment of fluid within a vehicle by plate exchangers. The vehicle is preferably a motor vehicle (car, truck, etc.), but more generally, it can be of the land, sea or air type. Prior art

[0003] 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 areas 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 an air flow sent into a passenger compartment of the vehicle equipped with such a circuit and / or to cool components of the vehicle's powertrain (battery, engine, etc.).

[0004] The refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid usually circulate within their respective circuits and interact with each other via a plurality of heat exchangers ensuring an exchange of calories between the two fluids. In order to improve the compactness of the heat treatment system, several of these heat exchangers can be grouped into a heat treatment module. Since automobile manufacturers are aiming to continually improve their vehicles, one improvement objective is to group more elements of the heat treatment system within the heat treatment modules to reduce the space occupied by these elements.

[0005] The invention aims in particular at such an aim. Summary

[0006] To this end, the present invention provides a multi-function heat exchange assembly, comprising: - a first plate heat exchanger, in particular of the condenser type, comprising first plates, said first plates being stacked in a stacking direction so as to define an alternation of at least one heat transfer fluid channel and one refrigerant fluid channel, - a second plate heat exchanger of the internal heat exchanger type, comprising second plates, said second plates being stacked according to said stacking direction so as to define an alternation of at least one refrigerant fluid channel at a first pressure, called high pressure, and a refrigerant fluid channel at a second pressure, called low pressure, different from the first pressure, - a third evaporator-type plate heat exchanger, comprising third plates, said third plates being stacked in said stacking direction so as to define an alternation of at least one heat transfer fluid channel and one refrigerant fluid channel, the first and second heat exchangers being arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to said stacking direction, the heat exchanger assembly being characterized in that the bodies of the first and second heat exchangers are inscribed in a projection, in said stacking direction, of the body of the third heat exchanger.

[0007] The first heat exchanger is a water condenser. It is configured to transfer heat to the heat transfer fluid from the high-pressure refrigerant, which undergoes condensation.

[0008] The second heat exchanger is an internal heat exchanger, or IHX for "Internal Heat eXchanger" in English. The internal heat exchanger is configured to carry out a heat exchange between low pressure refrigerant and high pressure refrigerant.

[0009] The third heat exchanger is a water evaporator, or "chiller" in English. It is configured to extract heat from the heat transfer fluid and transfer it to the low-pressure refrigerant, which undergoes evaporation.

[0010] The heat exchange assembly is thus made more compact. According to the invention, the surface area of ​​the heat exchange assembly, projected along the stacking direction, corresponds to the surface area of ​​the third plates of the third heat exchanger.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the invention, the surface area of ​​the third heat exchanger projected along the stacking direction is greater than or equal to the sum of the surfaces of the first and second heat exchangers projected along the stacking direction.

[0012] In this way, the surface area of ​​the third heat exchanger, the evaporator, is maximized. On the other hand, the surface area of ​​the second heat exchanger, the internal heat exchanger, is minimized. The advantage of minimizing the surface area of ​​the second heat exchanger is to limit overheating at its outlet, on the low pressure side. Indeed, excessive overheating at the second heat exchanger would cause overconsumption at the compressor.

[0013] Finally, the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the length of the connections, the first, second and third heat exchangers being positioned as close as possible from each other.

[0014] In particular, the body of the second heat exchanger is not included in a projection, along the stacking direction, of the body of the first heat exchanger. Similarly, the body of the first heat exchanger is not included in a projection, along the stacking direction, of the body of the second heat exchanger.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least the first and third heat exchangers are integral.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first, second and third heat exchangers are integral.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange assembly forms a housing capable of receiving at least one expansion device.

[0018] Such a heat exchange assembly according to the invention thus makes it possible to integrate, in the volume occupied by the heat exchange assembly, the expansion device, which avoids the installation of an expansion device at a distance from the heat exchange assembly, as well as the pipes which must connect this expansion device to the heat exchange assembly.

[0019] In addition, the expansion device being integrated into the volume of the heat exchange assembly, the compactness of the latter is improved.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing capable of receiving the expansion device is interposed, at least partially, between the second and third heat exchangers.

[0021] The housing capable of receiving the expansion device being interposed between the second and third heat exchangers, the compactness of the heat exchange assembly is improved.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the stacks of first, second and third plates of the first, second and third heat exchanger comprises, respectively, at least one first, second and third end plate.

[0023] A first, second and third end plate delimits the stack of plates at at least one of the ends, respectively, of the first, second and third heat exchanger. In particular, an end plate may be thicker than the other plates of the stack of plates, so as to mechanically reinforce the first, second and third heat exchanger.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing is defined, on a first side, by a second end plate of the second heat exchanger, and, on a second side, opposite the first side, by a third end plate of the third heat exchanger.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange assembly comprises an expansion device, said expansion device being in contact with second and third end plates respectively of the second and third heat exchangers.

[0026] The heat exchange assembly comprises, according to the stacking direction, the second heat exchanger, the expansion device and the third heat exchanger, in particular each of the second and third heat exchangers being integral with the expansion device.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first, second and third heat exchangers and the expansion device are integral.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one of the second plates of the second heat exchanger and / or at least one of the third plates of the third heat exchanger forms the housing capable of receiving the expansion device.

[0029] In other words, the housing crosses the extension plane of at least one of the plates of the second and / or third heat exchanger.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plurality of second plates of the second heat exchanger and / or a plurality of third plates of the third heat exchanger form the housing capable of receiving the expansion device.

[0031] In other words, the expansion device passes through the extension plane of a plurality of second plates of the second heat exchanger and / or of a plurality of third plates of the third heat exchanger.

[0032] In particular, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the second and / or the third heat exchanger respectively comprises at least one second and / or one third opening plate, preferably several second and / or third opening plates, said at least one second and / or third opening plate comprising an opening at least partially forming the housing.

[0033] According to this alternative embodiment, the opening of the opening plate(s) forms an orifice, i.e. at least a portion of the opening plate(s) surrounds the expansion device.

[0034] According to a variant of this alternative embodiment, the opening of the opening plate(s) is formed by a truncated portion of said opening plate(s).

[0035] The housing is then formed, on at least one side, by at least one of the edges of the opening plates of the second and / or third heat exchanger.

[0036] According to a variant of this alternative embodiment, the second exchanger of heat is at least partially in contact with the third heat exchanger, in particular a second plate or a second end plate or a second opening plate of the second heat exchanger is in contact with a third plate or a third end plate or a third opening plate of the third heat exchanger.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first, second and third plates respectively forming the first, second and third heat exchangers are rectangular, in particular with rounded corners, and are defined by a length and a width.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange assembly comprises an expansion device, said expansion device comprising at least a first passage, directly connected, on the one hand, to the second heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, to the third heat exchanger.

[0039] The expansion device comprises at least a first expansion member, configured to lower the pressure of the refrigerant passing through it. The first passage passes through the first expansion member. Said first passage connects the outlet, on the high-pressure refrigerant side, of the second heat exchanger, to the refrigerant inlet of the third heat exchanger.

[0040] The first expansion member is a pressure reducer, for example an electronic, thermostatic pressure reducer or a calibrated orifice.

[0041] According to a variant of this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the expansion device comprises a second passage, directly connected, on the one hand, to the second heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, to the third heat exchanger.

[0042] According to a variant of this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the expansion device comprises at least a third passage, directly connected, on the one hand, to the second heat exchanger, and connected, on the other hand, to a fourth heat exchanger.

[0043] According to this embodiment, the expansion device comprises a second expansion member, configured to lower the pressure of the refrigerant passing through it. The third passage passes through the second expansion member. Said third passage connects the outlet, on the high-pressure refrigerant side, of the second heat exchanger, to the refrigerant inlet of the fourth heat exchanger.

[0044] The second expansion member is a pressure reducer, for example an electronic, thermostatic pressure reducer or a calibrated orifice.

[0045] According to a variant of this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the expansion device comprises a fourth passage, connected, on the one hand, to the fourth heat exchanger, and directly connected, on the other hand, to the second heat exchanger, and in particular to the second passage.

[0046] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the fourth heat exchanger is an air evaporator type exchanger. It is configured to extract heat from an air flow passing through it, in particular an air flow inside the passenger compartment, and to transfer it to the low-pressure refrigerant fluid, which undergoes evaporation.

[0047] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the fourth heat exchanger is a plate exchanger, of the water evaporator type, or "chiller" in English. It is configured to extract heat from the heat transfer fluid and to transfer it to the low pressure refrigerant fluid, which undergoes evaporation.

[0048] According to this embodiment, the fourth plate heat exchanger comprises fourth plates stacked, according to the stacking direction, so as to define an alternation of at least one heat transfer fluid channel and one refrigerant fluid channel. In particular, the fourth plates of the fourth heat exchanger are stacked in the extension of the stacking of the third plates of the third heat exchanger. In this way, the heat exchange assembly partly retains its compactness, only its dimension according to the stacking direction being impacted.

[0049] Preferably, the third heat exchanger is interposed between, on one side, the fourth heat exchanger, and on the other side, the housing, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first plates or one of the first end plates of the first heat exchanger is in contact with at least one of the third plates or one of the third end plates of the third heat exchanger.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the third heat exchanger is integral with the first heat exchanger.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange assembly comprises a first thermal insulation element, said first thermal insulation element being arranged between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger.

[0053] Indeed, the refrigerant circulates in the third heat exchanger at a temperature around 0°C, and, in the first heat exchanger, at a temperature around 60°C. To avoid deteriorating the performance of either, it may therefore be beneficial to insert a first thermal insulation element between the two. The first thermal insulation element may be, for example, an insulating material or an air gap.

[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange assembly comprises a second thermal insulation element, said second thermal insulation element being arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

[0055] Since the first and second heat exchangers operate at different refrigerant temperatures, placing a second thermal insulation element between them optimizes their performance. The second thermal insulation element may be, for example, an insulating material or an air gap.

[0056] According to a particular embodiment, at least the first and third heat exchangers can be brazed at the same time, thereby limiting the manufacturing time and steps.

[0057] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second and third heat exchangers and the expansion device can be brazed at the same time, thereby limiting the manufacturing time and steps.

[0058] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first, second and third heat exchanger and the expansion device can be brazed at the same time, thereby limiting the manufacturing time and steps.

[0059] The invention also relates to a two-fluid circuit of a heat pump, comprising a heat exchange assembly according to the invention.

[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid is for example water, glycolated water, or a dielectric fluid.

[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the refrigerant fluid is for example R134a, R1234yf, R744 or R290. Brief description of the drawings

[0062] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

[0063] [Fig. 1] shows a diagram of an example of a two-fluid circuit of a heat pump comprising a heat exchange assembly according to a first example embodiment of the invention.

[0064] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a heat exchange assembly according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0065] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the heat exchange assembly of [Fig.2] including an expansion device.

[0066] [Fig.4] is a view along a first section of the heat exchange assembly of [Fig.3].

[0067] [Fig.5] is a view along a second section of the heat exchange assembly of [Fig.3].

[0068] [Fig.6] shows schematically the two-fluid circuit of a heat pump of [Fig.l] superimposed on the heat exchange assembly of [Fig.3].

[0069] [Fig.7] is a side view of the heat exchange assembly according to a alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0070] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the heat exchange assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0071] [Fig.9] shows a diagram of an example of a two-fluid circuit of a heat pump comprising a heat exchange assembly according to a second example embodiment of the invention.

[0072] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of a heat exchange assembly according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0073] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0074] [Fig. 1] represents a two-fluid circuit 100 of a heat pump, for a motor vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the invention. This two-fluid circuit 100 comprises a refrigerant loop 101 in which a refrigerant circulates, a first heat transfer fluid loop 102 (shown very schematically) in which a first heat transfer fluid circulates, for example glycolated water or a dielectric fluid, a second heat transfer fluid loop 103 (shown very schematically) in which a second heat transfer fluid circulates, for example glycolated water or a dielectric fluid. The first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid may be of the same nature, or of different nature.

[0075] The refrigerant fluid loop 101 comprises, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid: - a 105 compressor, - a first bifluid heat exchanger 10, arranged downstream of the compressor 105, configured to extract heat from the high-pressure refrigerant fluid by its condensation and transfer it to the heat transfer fluid of the first heat transfer fluid loop 102, this exchanger being able to be designated water condenser or WCDS for Water Cooled Condenser in English, - an accumulator 107 or bottle configured to remove gas from the refrigerant, - a high pressure pass of a second internal heat exchanger 20 (generally referred to as an internal heat exchanger or IHX for Internai Heat eXchanger in English abbreviation) configured to cool the refrigerant by heat exchange between the high pressure refrigerant of the high pressure pass and the low pressure refrigerant of a low pressure pass of the second heat exchanger 20, - a first branch 101A comprising: — a first expansion member 61, this first expansion member 61 being connected to a third two-fluid heat exchanger 30, — said third bifluid heat exchanger 30, configured to extract heat from the heat transfer fluid of the second heat transfer fluid loop 103 and transfer it to the low pressure refrigerant fluid by its evaporation, this exchanger being able to be designated a water evaporator (or “Chiller” in English), - a second branch 101B, in parallel with the first branch 101A, comprising: — a second expansion member 62, this second expansion member 62 being connected to a fourth air heat exchanger 31, — said fourth air heat exchanger 31, configured to extract heat from an internal air flow Fi passing through it and transfer it to the low-pressure refrigerant fluid by its evaporation, this exchanger being able to be designated as an air evaporator, - the low-pressure pass of the second internal heat exchanger 20.

[0076] The refrigerant fluid loop 101 is not described in more detail because it is known in the state of the art. The same applies to the first and second heat transfer fluid loops 102, 103.

[0077] [Fig.2] represents a heat exchange assembly 1, of multifunction type, according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0078] Assembly 1 comprises: - a first plate heat exchanger 10, in particular of the condenser type, comprising first plates 41 stacked, in a stacking direction E, so as to define an alternation of at least one heat transfer fluid channel and one refrigerant fluid channel, - a second plate heat exchanger 20 of the internal heat exchanger type, comprising second plates 42 stacked, according to said stacking direction E, so as to define an alternation of at least one refrigerant fluid channel at a first pressure, called high pressure, and a refrigerant fluid channel at a second pressure, called low pressure, different from the first pressure, - a third heat exchanger 30 with evaporator-type plates, comprising third stacked plates 43, in said stacking direction E, so as to define an alternation of at least one heat transfer fluid channel and one fluid channel refrigerant, the first and second heat exchangers 10, 20 being arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction E, the heat exchanger assembly 1 being characterized in that the bodies of the first and second heat exchangers 10, 20 are inscribed in a projection, in said stacking direction E, of the body of the third heat exchanger 30.

[0079] The heat exchange assembly 1 is thus made more compact. According to the invention, the surface area of ​​the heat exchange assembly 1, projected along the stacking direction E, corresponds to the surface area of ​​the third plates 43 of the third heat exchanger 30.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the invention, the surface area of ​​the third heat exchanger 30 projected along the stacking direction E is greater than or equal to the sum of the surfaces of the first and second heat exchangers 10, 20 projected along the stacking direction E.

[0081] In this way, the surface area of ​​the third heat exchanger 30, the evaporator, is maximized. On the other hand, the surface area of ​​the second heat exchanger 20, the internal heat exchanger, is minimized. The advantage of minimizing the surface area of ​​the second heat exchanger 20 is to limit overheating at its outlet, on the low pressure side. Indeed, excessive overheating at the second heat exchanger 20 would cause overconsumption at the compressor 105.

[0082] Finally, the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the length of the connections, the first, second and third heat exchangers 10, 20, 30 being positioned as close as possible to each other.

[0083] In particular, the body of the second heat exchanger 20 is not included in a projection, along the stacking direction E, of the body of the first heat exchanger 10. Similarly, the body of the first heat exchanger 10 is not included in a projection, along the stacking direction E, of the body of the second heat exchanger 20.

[0084] According to the illustrated embodiment [Fig.2], the first and third heat exchangers 10, 30 are integral.

[0085] The heat exchange assembly 1 forms a housing 50 capable of receiving at least one expansion device 60.

[0086] Such a heat exchange assembly 1, as shown [Fig. 3], thus makes it possible to integrate, in the volume occupied by the heat exchange assembly 1, the expansion device 60, which avoids the installation of an expansion device 60 at a distance from the heat exchange assembly 1, as well as pipes which must connect this expansion device 60 to the heat exchange assembly 1.

[0087] In addition, the expansion device 60 being integrated into the volume of the heat exchange assembly 1, the compactness of the latter is improved.

[0088] The housing 50 capable of receiving the expansion device 60 is interposed, at least partially, between the second and third heat exchangers 20, 30. In particular, each of the second and third heat exchangers 20, 30 is integral with the expansion device 60.

[0089] The housing 50 capable of receiving the expansion device 60 being interposed between the second and third heat exchangers 20, 30, the compactness of the heat exchange assembly 1 is improved.

[0090] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the stacks of first, second and third plates 41, 42, 43 of the first, second and third heat exchangers 10, 20, 30 comprises, respectively, at least one first, second and third end plate 401, 402, 403.

[0091] A first, second and third end plate 401, 402, 403 delimits the stack of plates at at least one of the ends, respectively, of the first, second and third heat exchanger 10, 20, 30. In particular, an end plate 401, 402, 403 may be thicker than the other plates 41, 42, 43 of the stack of plates, so as to mechanically reinforce the first, second and third heat exchanger 10, 20, 30.

[0092] According to the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in particular in figures 2 and 3, the housing 50 is defined, on a first side, by a second end plate 402 of the second heat exchanger 20, and, on a second side, opposite the first side, by a third end plate 403 of the third heat exchanger 30.

[0093] According to the illustrated embodiment [Fig. 3], the heat exchange assembly 1 comprises an expansion device 60, said expansion device 60 being in contact with second and third end plates 402, 403, respectively of the second and third heat exchangers 20, 30.

[0094] The heat exchange assembly 1 comprises, according to the stacking direction, the second heat exchanger 20, the expansion device 60 and the third heat exchanger 30.

[0095] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in particular in figures 4 and 5, the expansion device 60 comprises a first passage 601, directly connected, on the one hand, to the second heat exchanger 20, and, on the other hand, to the third heat exchanger 30.

[0096] The expansion device 60 comprises a first expansion member 61, configured to lower the pressure of the refrigerant fluid passing through it. The first passage 601 passes through the first expansion member. Said first passage 601 connects the outlet, on the high-pressure refrigerant fluid side, of the second heat exchanger 20, to the inlet of refrigerant fluid from the third heat exchanger 30.

[0097] The first expansion member 61 is a pressure reducer, for example an electronic, thermostatic pressure reducer or a calibrated orifice.

[0098] The expansion device 60 comprises a second passage 602, directly connected, on the one hand, to the second heat exchanger 20, and, on the other hand, to the third heat exchanger 30.

[0099] The expansion device 60 comprises a third passage 603, directly connected, on the one hand, to the second heat exchanger 20, and connected, on the other hand, to the fourth heat exchanger 31.

[0100] The expansion device comprises a second expansion member 62, configured to lower the pressure of the refrigerant fluid passing through it. The third passage 603 passes through the second expansion member 62. Said third passage 62 connects the outlet, on the high-pressure refrigerant fluid side, of the second heat exchanger 20, to the refrigerant fluid inlet of the fourth heat exchanger 31.

[0101] The second expansion member 62 is a pressure reducer, for example an electronic, thermostatic pressure reducer or a calibrated orifice.

[0102] The expansion device 60 comprises a fourth passage 604, connected, on the one hand, to the fourth heat exchanger 31, and directly connected, on the other hand, to the second heat exchanger 20, and in particular to the second passage 602.

[0103] With reference to [Fig.6], the refrigerant fluid loop 101 comprises, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid: - compressor 105, - the first 10 bifluid heat exchanger, - accumulator 107 or bottle, - the high pressure pass of the second internal heat exchanger 20, - the first branch 101A comprising: — the first passage 601 of the relaxation device 60, passing through the first relaxation member 61, — said third bifluid heat exchanger 30, — the second passage 602 of the relaxation device 60, - the second branch 101B, in parallel with the first branch 101A, comprising: — the third passage 603 of the expansion device 60, passing through the second expansion member 62, — said fourth air heat exchanger 31, — the fourth passage 604 of the expansion device 60, - the low pressure pass of the second internal heat exchanger 20.

[0104] One of the first end plates 401 of the first heat exchanger 10 is in contact with one of the third end plates 403 of the third heat exchanger heat 30.

[0105] The third heat exchanger 30 is integral with the first heat exchanger 10.

[0106] According to an exemplary embodiment not illustrated, at least one of the second plates 42 of the second heat exchanger 20 and / or at least one of the third plates 43 of the third heat exchanger 30 forms the housing 50 capable of receiving the expansion device 60.

[0107] In other words, the expansion device 60 passes through the extension plane of at least one of the second plates 42 of the second heat exchanger 20 and / or at least one of the third plates 43 of the third heat exchanger 30.

[0108] In particular, according to this embodiment, a plurality of second plates 42 of the second heat exchanger 20 and / or a plurality of third plates 43 of the third heat exchanger 30 form the housing 50 capable of receiving the expansion device 60.

[0109] In other words, the expansion device 60 passes through the extension plane of a plurality of second plates 42 of the second heat exchanger 20 and / or of a plurality of third plates 43 of the third heat exchanger 30.

[0110] According to another alternative embodiment example illustrated [Fig.7], the second and third heat exchangers 20, 30 respectively comprise several second and third opening plates 420, 430, said second and third opening plates 420, 430 comprising an opening at least partially forming the housing 50.

[0111] According to this alternative embodiment, the opening of the opening plates is formed by a truncated portion of said second and third opening plates 420, 430.

[0112] The housing 50 is then formed, on at least one side, by at least one of the edges of the second and third opening plates 420, 430 of the second and third heat exchangers 20, 30.

[0113] According to a variant of this alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the opening of the second and / or third opening plate(s) 420, 430 forms an orifice, that is to say that at least a portion of the second and / or third opening plate(s) 420, 430 surrounds the expansion device 60.

[0114] According to a variant of this alternative embodiment, illustrated [Fig.7], the second heat exchanger 20 is at least partially in contact with the third heat exchanger 30, in particular a second opening plate 420 of the second heat exchanger 20 is in contact with a third opening plate 430 of the third heat exchanger 30.

[0115] The first, second and third plates 41, 42, 43 respectively forming the first, second and third heat exchangers 10, 20, 30 are rectangular, in particular with rounded corners.

[0116] According to a particular embodiment illustrated [Fig.8], the heat exchange assembly 1 comprises a first thermal insulation element 80, said first thermal insulation element 80 being arranged between the first heat exchanger 10 and the third heat exchanger 30.

[0117] Since the first and third heat exchangers 10, 30 operate at different refrigerant fluid temperatures, arranging a first thermal insulation element 80 between them makes it possible to optimize their performance. The first thermal insulation element 80 may be, for example, an insulating material or an air gap.

[0118] According to an embodiment not illustrated, the heat exchange assembly 2 comprises a second thermal insulation element, said second thermal insulation element being arranged between the first heat exchanger 10 and the second heat exchanger 20.

[0119] Since the first and second heat exchangers 10, 20 operate at different refrigerant temperatures, placing a second thermal insulation element between them makes it possible to optimize their performance. The second thermal insulation element may be, for example, an insulating material or an air gap.

[0120] The heat transfer fluid is, for example, water, a mixture of water and glycol, or a dielectric fluid.

[0121] The refrigerant is for example R 134a, R1234yf, R744 or R290.

[0122] [Fig.9] represents a two-fluid circuit 100 of a heat pump, for vehicle automobile, according to a second embodiment of the invention. This two-fluid circuit 100 comprises a refrigerant fluid loop 101 in which a refrigerant fluid circulates, a first heat transfer fluid loop 102 (shown very schematically) in which a first heat transfer fluid circulates, for example glycolated water or a dielectric fluid, a second heat transfer fluid loop 103 (shown very schematically) in which a second heat transfer fluid circulates, for example glycolated water or a dielectric fluid, a third heat transfer fluid loop 104 (shown very schematically) in which a third heat transfer fluid circulates, for example glycolated water or a dielectric fluid. The first heat transfer fluid, the second heat transfer fluid and the third heat transfer fluid may be of the same nature, or of different nature.

[0123] The refrigerant fluid loop 101 comprises, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid: - a 105 compressor, - a first bifluid heat exchanger 10, arranged downstream of the compressor 105, configured to extract heat from the high-pressure refrigerant fluid by its condensation and transfer it to the heat transfer fluid of the first heat transfer fluid loop 102, this exchanger being able to be designated water condenser or WCDS for Water Cooled Condenser in English, - a high pressure pass of a second internal heat exchanger 20 (generally referred to as an internal heat exchanger or IHX for Internai Heat eXchanger in English abbreviation) configured to cool the refrigerant by heat exchange between the high pressure refrigerant of the high pressure pass and the low pressure refrigerant of a low pressure pass of the second heat exchanger 20, - a first branch 101A comprising: — a first expansion member 61, this first expansion member 61 being connected to a third two-fluid heat exchanger 30, — said third bifluid heat exchanger 30, configured to extract heat from the heat transfer fluid of the second heat transfer fluid loop 103 and transfer it to the low pressure refrigerant fluid by its evaporation, this exchanger being able to be designated a water evaporator (or “Chiller” in English), - a second branch 101B, in parallel with the first branch 101A, comprising: — a second expansion member 62, this second expansion member 62 being connected to a fourth heat exchanger 31, — said fourth heat exchanger 31 being, according to this second embodiment, a two-fluid heat exchanger, configured to extract heat from the heat transfer fluid of the third heat transfer fluid loop 104 and transfer it to the low-pressure refrigerant fluid by its evaporation, this exchanger being able to be designated by water evaporator (or “Chiller” in English), - a desiccant bottle 106 or bottle configured to capture moisture from the refrigerant, - the low pressure pass of the second internal heat exchanger 20.

[0124] The refrigerant fluid loop 101 is not described in more detail because it is known in the state of the art. The same applies to the first, second and third heat transfer fluid loops 102, 103, 104.

[0125] The desiccant bottle 106 allows the humidity to be captured and the liquid to be separated from the gas so as to protect the compressor from the liquid.

[0126] Hereinafter, we will only describe the characteristics which differentiate the second embodiment from the first embodiment.

[0127] According to the second embodiment, illustrated in particular [Fig. 10], the fourth plate heat exchanger 31 comprises fourth plates 44 stacked, in the stacking direction E, so as to define an alternation of at least one heat transfer fluid channel and one refrigerant fluid channel. In particular, the fourth plates 44 of the fourth heat exchanger 31 are stacked in the extension of the stacking of the third plates 43 of the third heat exchanger 30. In this way, the heat exchange assembly 1 partly retains its compactness, only its dimension in the stacking direction E being impacted.

[0128] In particular, according to the illustrated embodiment [Fig.10], the third heat exchanger 30 is interposed between, on one side, the fourth heat exchanger 31, and on the other side, the housing 50, the first heat exchanger 10 and the second heat exchanger 20.

Claims

Claims

1. A multifunction heat exchange assembly (1), comprising - a first plate heat exchanger (10), in particular of the condenser type, comprising first plates (41) stacked, in a stacking direction (E), so as to define an alternation of at least one heat transfer fluid channel and one refrigerant fluid channel, - a second plate heat exchanger (20) of the internal heat exchanger type, comprising second plates (42) stacked, in said stacking direction (E), so as to define an alternation of at least one refrigerant fluid channel at a first pressure, called high pressure, and one refrigerant fluid channel at a second pressure, called low pressure, different from the first pressure, - a third plate heat exchanger (30) of the evaporator type, comprising third plates (43) stacked, in said stacking direction (E),so as to define an alternation of at least one heat transfer fluid channel and one refrigerant fluid channel, the first and second heat exchangers (10, 20) being arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction (E), the heat exchanger assembly (1) being characterized in that the bodies of the first and second heat exchangers (10, 20) are inscribed in a projection, in said stacking direction (E), of the body of the third heat exchanger (30).,

2. Heat exchange assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the heat exchange assembly forms a housing (50) capable of receiving at least one expansion device (60).

3. Heat exchange assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the housing (50) capable of receiving the expansion device (60) is interposed, at least partially, between the second and third heat exchangers (20, 30).

4. Heat exchange assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second and / or third heat exchanger (20, 30) comprises at least one opening plate (420, 430), preferably several opening plates (420, 430), said at least one opening plate (420, 430) comprising an opening at least partially forming the housing (50).

5. Heat exchange assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the opening of the one or more opening plates (420, 430) is formed by a truncated portion of said one or more opening plates (420, 430).

6. Heat exchange assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an expansion device (60), said expansion device (60) comprising at least a first passage (601), directly connected, on the one hand, to the second heat exchanger (20), and, on the other hand, to the third heat exchanger (30).

7. Heat exchange assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the expansion device (60) comprises at least one expansion member (61, 62).

8. Heat exchange assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in which at least the second and third heat exchangers (10, 20, 30) and the expansion device (60) are integral.

9. A heat exchange assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising a first thermal insulation element (80), said first thermal insulation element (80) being disposed between the first heat exchanger (10) and the third heat exchanger (30).

10. Two-fluid circuit of a heat pump comprising a heat exchange assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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