Refrigerant distribution module and method for manufacturing such a module

Abstract

Refrigerant distribution module for a motor vehicle, said module comprising a body (2) having a plurality of circulation channels, said body (2) comprising at least one mounting flange (200) for attaching said module to a vehicle support component (70), said flange (200) being made of the same material as said body. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Refrigerant distribution module and method for manufacturing such a module

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigerant distribution module and a method for manufacturing such a module. It will find applications, in particular, in the field of thermal conditioning, for example, for motor vehicles.

[0002] In this field, it is known to achieve thermal regulation of areas or equipment of the vehicle, such as the passenger compartment and / or an electrical energy storage battery in the case of an electric vehicle. This is achieved using a refrigerant fluid which performs a thermodynamic cycle during which it exchanges heat with other fluids and also absorbs and / or releases heat directly to said equipment.

[0003] The circuits used for this purpose include a large number of pipes and components such as heat exchangers and devices used to determine the distribution of the refrigerant in loops or branches of the circuits, such as valves or expansion devices. Since space is limited, their integration into the vehicle can be problematic.

[0004] The applicant has already proposed, in a patent application not yet published, a refrigerant distribution module that allows some of these components to be grouped into a single unit. However, the mounting of such a module in a vehicle can be improved.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome at least in part the previous drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a refrigerant distribution module for motor vehicles, said module comprising a body provided with a plurality of circulation channels for said fluid, said body comprising at least one flange for attaching said module to a support member of the vehicle, said flange being made of the material of said body.

[0006] Thanks to the flange(s) formed in the module body, its attachment is facilitated without the need for additional components attached to the body, as the flange(s) are made of the same material as the body. The connection between the body and the flange(s) by continuity of material also makes the module more robust and its attachment to its support more reliable.

[0007] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said support element is a chassis, said body includes inlets and / or outlets of said fluid. said body includes housings for distribution components of said fluid. said channels emerge from said module, possibly from one end to the other, to be in communication, at their end, with one of the inputs and / or outputs and / or to define one of the housings of said module. These channels are interconnected to form a network for the circulation of said fluid. the said flange(s) include at least four openings for the passage of a component for fixing the module to the support, said body includes weight reduction recesses, said body is obtained by extrusion, along an extrusion direction, The flange(s) are formed during the extrusion of the body. All or part of said hollows are formed during the extrusion of the body. said bridle(s) are respectively formed of a substantially flat leg extending from a face of said body, said leg is substantially orthogonal to the face from which it extends, the said passage orifice(s) are oriented through said legs in a transverse direction, in particular orthogonal, to the extrusion direction, the said bridle(s) take the form of ears extending from one side of the said body, the said passage orifice(s) are oriented through said ears in said extrusion direction, said body is obtained by forging, The flange(s) are formed during the forging of the body. The hollows are formed during the forging of the body. said module includes a heat exchanger, intended to be traversed by said fluid, said exchanger being fixed to one of the faces of the body, The heat exchanger is configured to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid. The heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a heat transfer fluid inlet and a heat transfer fluid outlet extending in parallel directions. The heat exchanger also includes a refrigerant inlet fitting. and a refrigerant outlet, extending in parallel directions, - the refrigerant inlet nozzle, the refrigerant outlet nozzle, the heat transfer fluid inlet nozzle and the heat transfer fluid outlet nozzle are arranged protruding from the same face of the heat exchanger. - said legs are two in number and extend respectively from two of the faces, provided to be opposite, of the body, said exchanger being fixed to one of the faces of the body, called connection face, linking said opposite faces. - said connecting face is substantially perpendicular to said extrusion direction, - said connecting ears are at least three in number and are heard respectively from two of the faces, provided to be opposite, of the body, said exchanger being fixed to one of the faces of the body, said connection face, linking said opposite faces, - said connection face is substantially parallel to said extrusion direction. - said module is configured to be fixed to said support by said flanges so that said fluid enters said exchanger and / or exits said exchanger in a substantially vertical direction.

[0008] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a module as described above, said method comprising a first manufacturing step of the body and flanges, in particular by extrusion or forging.

[0009] According to one embodiment, said process includes a successive step of forming the passage orifices, in particular by machining.

[0010] According to one embodiment, said process includes a successive step of forming the conduit(s), in particular by machining, said step of forming the conduit(s) occurring before, simultaneously and / or after the step of forming the passage orifice(s).

[0011] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0012] [Fig-1] is a detailed perspective view of a first example of implementation of a body of the module according to the invention;

[0013] [Fig.2] is a detailed perspective view of a first example of a module according to the invention comprising the body illustrated in [Fig.2];

[0014] [Fig.3] is a detailed perspective view of a second embodiment of a module according to the invention comprising the body illustrated in [Fig.2];

[0015] [Fig.4] is a schematic, perspective view of a second example of an embodiment of a module body according to the invention.

[0016] It should first be noted that the terms upstream and downstream used in the following description refer to the direction of flow of the fluid in question. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", "third", ... are used solely to distinguish the components concerned from one another and do not imply any order or potential importance of said components.

[0017] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the invention relates to a refrigerant distribution module. It will find applications, in particular, in the field of thermal conditioning, for example, for motor vehicles.

[0018] By way of example, such a module is intended to be integrated into a thermal conditioning system comprising a closed refrigerant circulation circuit. This system includes, in particular, a refrigerant compressor and a plurality of heat exchangers and various refrigerant distribution devices in loops or branches of the circuit to ensure different operating modes of the air conditioning system. These distribution devices include, for example, shut-off valves, check valves, and / or expansion devices.

[0019] The module according to the invention makes it possible to group all or part of said organs into a single component and to connect different parts of the refrigerant circuit.

[0020] The refrigerant used by the refrigerant circuit is a chemical fluid such as R1234yf. Other refrigerants can also be used, such as R134a, R290, or R744.

[0021] According to the illustrated example, the refrigerant distribution module includes refrigerant inlets and / or outlets, here a first, a second, a third and a fourth inlet E1, E2, E3, E4 and a first, a second and a third outlet S1, S2, S3. Said module further includes housings for the distribution devices intended to be accommodated by said module, here a first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth housing L1-L5.

[0022] Said module further comprises channels. Said channels are advantageously connected to each other in order to form a circulation network of said fluid, connecting said inlets E1-E4 and said outputs S1-S3, in particular depending on the state of the distribution elements of the module.

[0023] Said channels here include primary channels, in particular three Cpl-Cp3 primary channels and / or secondary channels, in particular seven Csl-Cs7 secondary channels. The main channels Cpl-Cp3 and / or secondary channels Csl-Cs7 are, for example, substantially straight. The secondary channels Csl-Cs7 are oriented, for example, substantially radially and / or tangentially to the main channels Cpl-Cp3. The main and / or secondary channels Cpl-Cp3, Csl-Cs7 emerge from the module, possibly through and through, to communicate with one of the inputs and / or outputs of the module and / or to define one of the L1-L5 slots at their end.

[0024] Here, a first Cpl and a second Cp2 of the main channels extend parallel to each other along a large dimension X of said module. A third Cp3 of the main channels is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the first and second main channels Cpl, Cp2 and connects them.

[0025] Here, the first main channel Cpl opens axially, on the one hand, into an opening 6 and / or on the other hand into the first housing L1. The second main channel Cp2 opens axially into the second housing L2. It is blind at the opposite end. The third main channel Cp3 opens axially into the third housing L3 and, at its opposite end, into the first main channel Cpl, for example at the level of said first housing LL

[0026] Said secondary channels Csl-Cs7 respectively connect one of the inputs and / or outputs and one of the main channels Cpl-Cp3. Here, four of the inputs and / or outputs communicate with the first main channel Cpl via four of the secondary channels, two other of the inputs and / or outputs communicate with the second main channel Cp2 via two of the secondary channels and one other of the inputs and / or outputs communicates with the third main channel Cp3 via the last of the secondary channels.

[0027] More specifically, the second input E2, the third input E3, the second output S2, and the fourth input E4 communicate with the first main channel Cpl via the first, second, third, and fourth secondary channels Csl-Cs4. The first output SI and the third output S3 communicate with the second main channel Cp2 via the fifth and sixth secondary channels Cs5-Cs6. The first input El communicates with the third main channel Cp3 via the seventh secondary channel Cs7, for example, at the third slot L3. The fourth secondary channel Cs5 also terminates at its opposite end from the first output SI on the fifth slot L4, and / or the sixth secondary channel Cs6 also terminates at its opposite end from the third output S3 on the fifth slot L5.

[0028] Said module further advantageously comprises a one-way valve for blocking the flow of fluid along the third main channel Cp3 from the second main channel Cp2 to the first main channel Cpl. The valve A unidirectional valve is, for example, a passive valve such as a check valve. This unidirectional valve is entirely contained within the module. In other words, once the module is equipped with all the fluid distribution components, the unidirectional valve is no longer visible or accessible.

[0029] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the first housing L1 is intended to accommodate a first shut-off valve 10. Said shut-off valve 10 is intended to open and / or close the circulation of the fluid between a point in the first main channel Cpl communicating with the fourth inlet E4 via the fourth secondary channel Cs4 and a portion of the first main channel Cpl serving said second inlet E2, said third inlet E3 and said second outlet S2, via the first, second and third secondary channels Csl-Cs3. It should be noted that, here, the point at which the fourth secondary channel Cs4 opens into the first main channel Cpl is also the point in the first main channel Cpl communicating with said third main channel Cp3.Thus, even if the said first shut-off valve 10 is closed, the fourth inlet E4 still communicates with the second main channel Cp2 via the said fourth secondary channel Cs4 and the said third main channel Cp3 by way of the said one-way valve.

[0030] The second housing L2 is intended to accommodate, for example, a charging valve 20.

[0031] The third housing L3 is intended to accommodate a second shut-off valve 30. Said second shut-off valve 30 is intended to open and / or close the circulation of the fluid between, on the one hand, a point of the second main channel Cp2 communicating with the first inlet El via the seventh secondary channel Cs7 and the third main channel Cp3 and, on the other hand, a portion of the second main channel Cp2 serving said first outlet SI as well as said third outlet S3, via the fifth and sixth secondary channels Cs5, Cs6. It should be noted that, here, the point through which the second main channel Cp2 communicates with said third main channel Cp3 is downstream of said second shut-off valve 30.Thus, even if said second shut-off valve 30 is closed, the first output SI and the third output S3 still communicate with the third main channel Cp2, via said fifth secondary channel Cs5 and said sixth secondary channel Cs6.

[0032] Said fourth housing L4 is intended to accommodate a first expansion valve 40, in particular an electronic expansion valve. It allows for the expansion of the fluid circulating in said second main channel Cp2 towards said first outlet SI, via said fifth secondary channel Cs5.

[0033] Said fifth housing L5 is intended to accommodate a second expansion valve 50, in particular an electronic expansion valve. It allows for expansion of the fluid circulating in said second main channel Cp2 towards said third output S3, via said sixth secondary channel Cs6.

[0034] Said module advantageously comprises a body 2 provided with said fluid circulation channels Cpl-Cp3, Csl-Cs7. Said body 2 forms an elementary block. It is, for example, made of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0035] Said body 2 is, for example, substantially parallelepiped-shaped. Here it presents two large opposite faces 110, 120 connected by longitudinal edges 130, 140 and transverse edges 150, 160.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, one of the first 110 of said large faces has said first inlet E1, said second inlet E2, said fourth inlet E4 and / or said second outlet S2. Said fourth and / or fifth housings L4, L5 open here into the first large face 110. In other words, the first and / or second regulators 40, 50 are located at the level of said first large face 110.

[0037] The second 120 of said large faces presents, for example, said third input E3, said first output SI and / or said third output S3.

[0038] Said first and / or second housings L1, L2 open here into a first 150 of the transverse edges. In other words, said first shut-off valve 10 and / or said recharging valve 20 are located at said first transverse edge 150.

[0039] The second transverse edge 160 has, for example, the opening 6.

[0040] Said third housing L3 opens here into a first 130 of the longitudinal edges. In other words, said second shut-off valve 30 is located at said first longitudinal edge 130.

[0041] The fluid circulation channels here have a circular cross-section. The channels can thus be made by simple machining, such as drilling the elementary block 20. A cross-section of the same channel may vary along said channel, in particular to define one of the housings or the and / or communication ports of appropriate size with the channel(s) communicating with said channel.

[0042] The diameter of the refrigerant fluid circulation channels is between 8 millimeters and 30 millimeters.

[0043] The height of body 2, i.e., the dimension along the Z-axis in Figures 1 to 3, is between 90 millimeters and 130 millimeters. The width of body 2, i.e., the dimension along the Y-axis in the figures, is between 180 millimeters and 240 millimeters. The length of body 2, i.e., the dimension along the X-axis in the figures, is between 200 millimeters and 280 millimeters.

[0044] Said body advantageously includes weight-reducing recesses. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the first large face 110 has a first level 110a into which the inlets and / or outlets E1, E2, E4, S2 open. corresponding and / or a second level 110b where said corresponding L4 and L5 dwellings open. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the first longitudinal edge 130 has a first level 130a equipped with one L3 of the dwellings and a second level 130b without openings. The first transverse edge 150 has a first level 150a equipped with one L1 of the dwellings and a second level 150b equipped with another L2 of the dwellings.

[0045] According to the embodiment of [Fig. 3], said module comprises a heat exchanger 4, intended to be traversed by said refrigerant. Said heat exchanger 4 is fixed to one of the faces of the body 2, here the second large face 120.

[0046] Said heat exchanger 4 is configured to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant and, for example, a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid is, for example, a mixture of water and glycol. Said heat exchanger 4 is, for example, a plate heat exchanger. Said heat exchanger 4 here has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0047] The heat exchanger 4 comprises, for example, an inlet nozzle 6a of heat transfer fluid and an outlet nozzle 6b of heat transfer fluid, advantageously extending in parallel directions.

[0048] The heat exchanger 4 includes, for example, a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. These are not visible in the figure. They are respectively connected to the third outlet S3 and the third inlet E3 of the module.

[0049] Said inlet and / or outlet fittings for the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant fluid are preferably arranged protruding from the same face of the heat exchanger 4.

[0050] As shown in the various figures, according to the invention, said body 2 comprises at least one mounting flange 200 for attaching said module to a support 70, in particular a chassis 72 of the vehicle. The flange(s) 200 are made of the same material as said body 2. This simplifies the manufacture of the module by integrating the attachment of the flange(s) 200 to the module body 2 through continuous material. This continuous material connection also makes the module more robust.

[0051] The said flange(s) 200 include at least one passage 80 for a fixing element 90 of the module to the chassis 72.

[0052] Said body 2 is preferably obtained by extrusion, along an extrusion direction, here the Z direction. The flange(s) 200 are formed during the extrusion of the body 2.

[0053] Some at least of said excavations are formed during the extrusion of the body. This is the case, for example, of the recess formed by the second level 130b of the first longitudinal edge 130. This is also the case, for example, of the recess formed by the first level 150a of said first transverse edge 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the second level 110b of said first large face 110 is advantageously obtained by machining said body 2.

[0054] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the said flange(s) 200 are respectively formed of a substantially flat tab 90a, 90b extending from a face of said body 2. Said tabs 90a, 90b are here two in number. They are arranged on either side of said body 2. They extend respectively from two of the faces, provided to be opposite, of the body 2, in particular from said longitudinal edges 130, 140.

[0055] The said tabs 90a, 90b are advantageously configured so as to press the second transverse edge 160 of the module against the chassis 72. More precisely, here, the said tabs 90a, 90b are substantially orthogonal to the faces from which they extend. Furthermore, a lower face 92a, 92b of the said tabs is continuous and in the same plane as the said second transverse edge 160. The opening 6 is thus closed by the chassis 72.

[0056] The said passage orifice(s) 80 are oriented through said tabs 90a, 90b in a transverse direction, in particular orthogonal, to the extrusion direction Z. There are two of them for each of the tabs 90a, 90b. They are formed by machining.

[0057] In the embodiment of [Fig.3], said exchanger 4 is fixed to one of the faces of the body, called the connection face, connecting said opposite faces formed by the longitudinal edges 130, 140. Said connection face is here formed, as already mentioned, from the second large flat face 120. It is therefore substantially perpendicular to said extrusion direction Z.

[0058] According to the embodiment of [Fig.4], the said flange(s) 200 are in the form of ears 100a, 100b, 100c extending from a face of said body 2.

[0059] In this figure, the distribution channels and components have not been illustrated but they are, for example, identical to those of the previous embodiment, unless otherwise stated below.

[0060] The said passage orifice(s) 80 are oriented through said ears 100a, 100b, 100c according to said extrusion direction Z. They are thus directly formed during extrusion.

[0061] The said connecting ears 100a, 100b, 100c are here three in number. They are arranged on either side of said body 2. They extend respectively from two of the faces, provided to be opposite, of the body 2, in particular from said longitudinal edges 130, 140. In this mode, said module is intended to be brought back onto its support, for example, by said second large flat face 120.

[0062] Although not shown, alternatively, said module is also equipped with said exchanger 4. Said exchanger 4 is fixed to one of the faces of the body 2, said connection face, connecting said opposite faces formed by said longitudinal edges 130, 140. Said connection face is here formed by said second transverse edge 160. It is therefore substantially parallel to said extrusion direction Z.

[0063] In this variant, the third inlet and / or the third outlet are preferably located at the level of said second transverse edge 160, in particular by being formed from the opening 6 and an orifice opening from the second main channel Cp2, extended for this purpose.

[0064] It is noted that, in both of the preceding embodiments, said module is configured to be fixed on said chassis 72 by said flanges 200 so that said fluid enters said exchanger 4 and / or exits said exchanger 4 in a substantially vertical direction, said connection face being intended to be horizontal, whether it is the second large flat face 120 or the second transverse edge 160.

[0065] According to one embodiment, said body 2 is obtained by forging. The flange(s) 200 are then formed during the forging of the body 2. In this embodiment, the recesses are advantageously formed during the forging of the body 2.

[0066] In both of the manufacturing variants of the body 2, by extrusion and / or forging, said fluid circulation channels are preferably obtained by machining the body 2.

[0067] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a module as described above.

[0068] The process comprises a first step of manufacturing the body 2 and the flanges 200, 300, by extrusion or forging. In a second step, the process comprises a step of forming the conduit(s) Cpl-Cp3, Csl-Cs7, in particular by machining, and / or a step of forming the passage orifices 80, in particular by machining.

Claims

Demands

1. Refrigerant distribution module for a motor vehicle, said module comprising a body (2) having a plurality of circulation channels (Cpl-Cp3, Csl-Cs7) for said fluid, said body (2) comprising at least one attachment flange (200) for attaching said module to a vehicle support component (70), said flange (200) being made of material from said body.

2. Module according to the preceding claim in which said body (2) comprises inlets (E1-E4) and / or outlets (S1-S3) of said fluid and / or housings (L1-L5) for distribution elements of said fluid, said channels (Cpl-Cp3, Csl-Cs7) exiting from said module to be in communication, at their end, with one of the inlets (E1-E4) and / or outlets (S1-S3) and / or to define one of the housings (L1-L5) of said module, said channels (Cpl-Cp3, Csl-Cs7) being connected together in order to form a circulation network of said fluid.

3. Module according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said flange(s) (200) comprise at least four through-holes (80) for a fixing member (90) of the module to the support (70).

4. Module according to any one of the preceding claims in which said body (2) comprises weight reduction recesses.

5. Module according to any one of the preceding claims in which said body (2) is obtained by extrusion, along an extrusion direction (Z).

6. Module according to any one of the preceding claims in which said flange(s) (200) are respectively formed of a substantially flat tab (90a, 90b) extending from a face of said body (2).

7. Module according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which said flange(s) (200) are in the form of ears (100a, 100b, 100c) extending from a face of said body (2).

8. Module according to any one of the preceding claims includes a heat exchanger (4), intended to be traversed by said fluid, said exchanger (4) being fixed to one of the faces of the body.

9. Module according to the preceding claim configured to be fixed to said support (70) by said flanges (200) so that said

10. fluid enters said exchanger (4) and / or exits said exchanger (4) in a substantially vertical direction. Method of manufacturing a module according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a first manufacturing step of the body (2) and the flanges (200), in particular by extrusion or forging.

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