Fluid compression device

Abstract

1. A fluid compression device, said device comprising a housing (6) defining first and second compartments (14, 16), said second compartment (16) housing one or more heat-generating components configured for controlling fluid compression in the first compartment (14), said housing (6) comprising a partition (12) separating the first and second compartments (14, 16), said device comprising, in said second compartment (16), one or more first fins (102) forming a thermal bridge between a location (100) of said heat-generating component(s) and said partition (12). Figure for abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Fluid compression device

[0001] The invention relates to a device for compressing a fluid, in particular a refrigerant. It is intended, for example, for applications in thermoregulation systems, particularly in the automotive field.

[0002] In this field, compression devices comprising a housing defining a main compartment for an electric motor and compression elements driven by the motor are known. The housing also includes another compartment housing a motor control system. This control system includes a power module equipped with electronic switches for regulating the motor's supply current. Such a power module generates significant heat, which must be dissipated to prevent excessive heating of the control system and limit the risk of failure of the compression devices.

[0003] For this purpose, it is known to circulate the refrigerant to be compressed in the main housing in contact with a partition separating said main housing from the housing in which said control system is located. The heat released by said control system can thus be transferred to the refrigerant by conduction through said partition.

[0004] However, with the increasing power of compressors and their control system, the amount of heat to be dissipated increases and there remains a need to strengthen the cooling of said control systems.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome at least in part the previous drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a fluid compression device, said device comprising a housing defining first and second housings, said second housing housing one or more heat-generating components, configured for controlling the compression of the fluid in the first housing, said housing comprising a partition separating the first and second housings, said device comprising, in said second housing, one or more first fins forming a thermal bridge between a location of said heat-generating component(s) and said partition.

[0006] Thanks to the thermal bridge created by the fins, thermal conduction between the fluid circulating in the first housing and the heat-generating component(s) is improved, thereby facilitating the dissipation of heat generated by said components into the fluid through the partition. Furthermore, since the fins are located on the second housing side rather than the first housing side, they do not generate any additional pressure losses in the fluid.

[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:

[0008] - said device has a thermal interface layer between said partition and the or said heat-generating components.

[0009] - said partition has a projecting shape towards the second dwelling, the or said heat-generating components being located opposite said protruding shape,

[0010] - said protruding shape has a flattened apex, said component(s) heat generators being located opposite said summit,

[0011] - said first fins extend substantially perpendicularly to a part from the bottom of said partition and / or to the lateral edges of said projecting shape,

[0012] - said lateral edges connect said bottom part of the partition and said top of the protruding shape,

[0013] - said first fins are attached to the partition,

[0014] - said first fins are made of copper and / or copper alloy,

[0015] - said partition includes grooves for positioning said first fins,

[0016] - said grooves extend at the level of the bottom part of the partition and / or the lateral edges of said protruding shape,

[0017] - said first fins have an area, in particular in the form of a ergot, protruding from said gorges at said location, in particular at said summit of the projecting shape,

[0018] - the said heat-generating component(s) are in contact with said partition,

[0019] - said device further comprises, between said partition and said component(s) heat generators, one or more plates exhibiting heat conduction properties superior to the heat conduction properties of the casing,

[0020] - the said plate(s) are made of copper and / or copper alloy,

[0021] - said device has electrical insulation properties from said [electrode](e) plates,

[0022] - said electrical insulation properties are integrated into said plate(s),

[0023] - said partition has a thickness of between 3 and 6 mm, in particular between 4 and 5 mm, specifically approximately 4.5 mm,

[0024] - said plate has a thickness of between 1 and 4 mm, in particular between 1.5 and 3 mm, specifically approximately 2.3 mm,

[0025] - the said plate(s) are fixed to said housing,

[0026] - the said plate(s) are held in place by sandwiching between the said plate(s) heat-generating components and said partition,

[0027] - said device has a thermal interface layer between said partition and the said plate(s) and / or between the said plate(s) and the said heat-generating component(s),

[0028] - said first fins are made from material of the partition,

[0029] - the housing is made of aluminium and / or aluminium alloy,

[0030] - said partition has second heat dissipation fins on the side of the first home,

[0031] - said second fins are located near and / or opposite said shape projecting,

[0032] - the heat-generating component(s) include a power module,

[0033] - said power module includes electronic switches and / or diodes,

[0034] - said device includes a printed circuit board.

[0035] - the said heat-generating component(s) are fixed to said card,

[0036] - said device includes means for fixing said power module on said case,

[0037] - the said plate(s) have openings for the passage of said fastening elements,

[0038] - said partition includes raised sections of material in the form of bosses equipped bores to accommodate said fastening components.

[0039] 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 which 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:

[0040] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in cross-section, a compression device to which the invention applies;

[0041] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in perspective a first example of a device compression according to the invention during one of its assembly stages;

[0042] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates in perspective the example of a device compression of [Fig.2] during a preliminary assembly step;

[0043] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates in perspective a part of the example of the compression device of figures 2 and 3;

[0044] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates in cross-section a part, labeled D at the [Fig.2], of said compression device, during a subsequent assembly step;

[0045] [Fig.6] illustrates in more detail in cross-sectional view said part D;

[0046] [Fig.7] reproduces [Fig.2] according to a second example of a compression device according to the invention.

[0047] It should first be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", ... are used only to distinguish the components concerned from each other and do not imply any order or possible importance of said components.

[0048] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the invention relates to a fluid compression device. It will find applications, for example, in a motor vehicle for compressing a refrigerant fluid in a thermoregulation system for areas of the vehicle, such as a vehicle passenger compartment, and / or for vehicle components, such as an electrical energy storage device, an electric motor for the vehicle and / or an electronic control device for said electric motor.

[0049] Said fluid comprises, for example, a refrigerant and a lubricating fluid. Said refrigerant is composed, in particular, of a hydrofluorocarbon, such as that known as R-134a. Alternatively, it is, in particular, the fluid known as R1234yf or carbon dioxide, also known as R744.

[0050] Said device comprises a housing 6 defining first and second compartments 14, 16. Said housing further comprises a partition 12 separating the first and second compartments 14, 16. The housing 6, including said partition 12, is preferably made of aluminum and / or aluminum alloy. It is, for example, cast and / or forged.

[0051] Said second housing 16 accommodates one or more heat-generating components, not illustrated in this figure, configured for controlling the compression of the fluid in the first housing 14. An example of such heat-generating components will be detailed later.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, said device includes a control system 10, located in said second housing 16. Said control system 10 advantageously integrates said heat-generating component(s). Said device, more particularly said control system 10, here includes a printed circuit board 8. Said heat-generating component(s) are fixed and / or electrically connected to said board 8.

[0053] In the first housing 14, said device includes, for example, a compressor 2 of said fluid and an electric motor 4 for driving said compressor 2. Said or said heat-generating component(s) are intended for controlling the motor 4, in particular through said control system 10.

[0054] Advantageously, said housing 6 is configured so that said fluid passes through said first housing 14, allowing cooling of said control system 10, or at least of said heat-generating component(s).

[0055] In more detail, here, said housing 6 is configured so that said fluid passing through said first housing 14 is in contact with said partition 12, in particular before passing through said motor 8. In this way, by heat exchange through said partition 12, said fluid cools said control system 10, at least said heat-generating component(s).

[0056] Said device has, for example, an inlet 22 of said fluid in said first housing 14, in particular located near said partition 12, and / or an outlet 24 of said fluid, in particular located at an opposite longitudinal end of said first housing 14. The fluid thus enters the first housing 14 through said inlet 22, at low pressure, passes over the partition 22, passes axially through said motor 4 and then through said compressor 2 to exit, at high pressure, through said outlet 24.

[0057] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the device here comprises a single heat-generating component, intended to be located at a location designated 100. To better visualize said location 100, neither the printed circuit board 8 nor said heat-generating component have been shown in this figure.

[0058] According to the invention, said device comprises, in said second housing 16, one or more first fins 102 forming a thermal bridge between said location 100 and said partition 12. In the case of several locations 100 each accommodating one or more of the heat-generating components, it is understood that each of said locations is associated with several of said first fins 102.

[0059] Thanks to the thermal bridge created by the first fins 102, the thermal conduction between the fluid circulating in the first housing 14 and the heat-generating component(s) is improved, which makes it easier to dissipate the heat generated by the said component(s) in said fluid, through the partition 12. In addition, since the first fins 102 are located on the side of the second housing 16 rather than on the side of the first housing 14, they do not generate additional pressure losses on the fluid.

[0060] Said partition 12 preferably has a projecting shape 42 in the direction of the second housing 16. Said location 100 is situated at the level of said projecting shape 42. Consequently, said heat-generating component is intended to be situated opposite said projecting shape 42, as will become clearer later. Said projecting shape 42 advantageously has a flattened apex 44 and / or lateral edges 104 connecting said apex 44 to a bottom portion 106 of said partition 12. Said apex 44 here has two long parallel sides connected by short sides.

[0061] Advantageously, said first fins 102 extend substantially perpendicularly to said bottom portion 106 and / or to said lateral edges 104 of said projecting shape 42. Said first fins 102 are, for example, distributed in two rows extending respectively along each of the long sides of said vertex 44. Each row here presents five first fins 102.

[0062] A length of the first fins 102 corresponds, for example, substantially to a width of said vertex 44. A width of said first fins 102 is, for example, substantially identical to a spacing between two of said first fins 102 next door.

[0063] In the illustrated example, the said first fins 102 are attached to the partition 12. They are, for example, made of copper and / or copper alloy.

[0064] As can be seen more clearly in [Fig.3], to facilitate the placement of said first fins 102, said partition 12 includes grooves 112 for positioning said first fins 102.

[0065] As illustrated in [Fig.4], said first fins 102 have, for example, a lateral edge 108 intended to be in contact with said lateral edges 104 of said protruding shape 42 and / or a bottom edge 110 intended to be in contact with said bottom part 106 of said partition 12.

[0066] Said first fins 102 advantageously present an area, in particular in the form of a lug 110, intended to protrude from said grooves 112 at the level of said summit 44 of the projecting shape 42. Said lug 110 is here located at the level of a summit of said lateral edge 108.

[0067] Returning to [Fig.3], we see that said grooves 112 extend, for example, at the level of the bottom part 106 of the partition 12. The bottom edge 110 of said first fins 102 is intended to be disposed at the level of a first part of said grooves 112.

[0068] Cumulatively or alternatively, said grooves 112 extend along the lateral edges 104 of said protruding shape 42. In other words, said lateral edges 104 are provided with notches corresponding to a second part of said grooves 112 and into which said first fins 102 are inserted along their lateral edge 108.

[0069] As illustrated in [Fig.5], said heat-generating component, identified as 18, is present at location 100. The first fins are not visible in this figure due to the cutting plane used.

[0070] Said heat-generating component 18 preferably forms a power module 20, that is to say, in this case, a module intended to supply said motor 4 with alternating electrical currents, also called power currents, from a direct current and control currents. For this purpose, said power module 20 comprises, for example, electronic switches and / or diodes. Said switches are formed, in particular, by insulated-gate bipolar transistors or IGBTs (insulated-gate bipolar transistors).

[0071] The power module 20 here takes the form of a resin block. The resin block encases active components, defining in particular the switch(es), as well as electrical conductors connected, on the one hand, to the said active components and, on the other hand, to connection terminals of the module 20. The resin block defines the external faces of the power module 20. The heat emitted by the heat-generating component 18 is dissipated by at least one of the faces, namely here a first large face of the power module 20 opposite a second large, visible face 26.

[0072] According to the illustrated embodiment, said device comprises, between said partition 12 and said heat-generating component 18, a layer 28 of material having heat conduction properties superior to the heat conduction properties of the housing 6. In addition, said layer of material 28 is in the form of one or more plates 30.

[0073] Thanks to the use of the material chosen for the plate(s) 30, the heat conduction between the first housing 14 and the heat-generating component(s) 18 is further enhanced compared to a material thickness consisting solely of the partition 12, for the same total thickness. Furthermore, the plate-like form of said material layer 28 increases the pressure resistance of the partition 12 compared to a component made solely of a paste-like material.

[0074] The said plate(s) 30 are preferably made of copper and / or copper alloy. In the illustrated embodiment, only one said plate 30 is provided.

[0075] Advantageously, the device has a thermal interface layer 32 between the partition 12 and the plate 28 and / or between the plate 30 and the heat-generating component 18, particularly its first large face, designated 34 in this figure. This thermal interface layer is formed, for example, of a paste-like material. Due to its viscosity, such a thermal interface layer has the advantage of being able to fill any surface defects in the partition 12, the plate 30, and / or the power module 20.

[0076] Said plate 30 is fixed, for example, to said housing 6. For this purpose, here, it is held by being sandwiched between said heat-generating component 18 and said partition 12.

[0077] More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, said device includes fasteners 36 for attaching the power module 20 to said housing 6. These fasteners 36 are formed, in particular, of screws and / or nuts. Said power module 20 has openings 38 for the passage of said fasteners 36. Said plate 30 has openings 40 for the passage of said fasteners 36 in line with said openings 38. Said partition 12 is provided with bores 41 allowing the fasteners 36 to engage in said partition. 12. The said bores 41 are located in an extension of the said lights 38 and the said orifices 40. The said fixing members 36 thus make it possible to hold the power module 20 on the partition 12 by clamping the said plate 30 between the said power module 20 and the said partition 12.

[0078] Said fastening members 36 are here located at two longitudinally opposite sides of said power module 20.

[0079] As illustrated in [Fig. 6], said partition 12 has, for example, a thickness el of between 3 and 6 mm, in particular between 4 and 5 mm, in particular approximately 4.5 mm. This partition thickness is understood as a dimension of the partition between the first and second housings 14, 16 at a distance from any point overthicknesses formed, for example, by possible bosses and / or fins. Such a thickness el is shown in [Fig. 6], at the location of said power module 20.

[0080] Said plate and / or said plates 30, taken together, have, for example, a thickness e2 between 1 and 4 mm, in particular between 1.5 and 3 mm, in particular of about 2.3 mm.

[0081] After assembly, said plate 30 is opposite said vertex 44. Said vertex 44, said plate 30 and / or said first large face 34 of the power module 20 have substantially the same surface area so that their contours stack together. The thickness "el" of the partition 12 specified above corresponds to a thickness at said vertex 44.

[0082] In addition, some at least of the electrical connection terminals of said power module 20 are distinguished in this figure. They are identified as 21.

[0083] Advantageously, said partition 12 has second heat dissipation fins 46 on the side of the first housing 14. Said second fins 46 are located, for example, near and / or opposite said projecting shape 42. They extend substantially perpendicularly to said apex 44.

[0084] The said partition 12 further includes here overthicknesses of material in the form of a boss 48 provided with bores 41 intended to accommodate the said fixing members 36.

[0085] The said device further includes herein washers 50 intended to cooperate with said fastening members 36 by being located between heads 52 of said fastening members 36 and said power module 20. Said washers 50 are, for example, cup-shaped.

[0086] In this embodiment, it is understood that the heat-generating component 18 is not in direct contact with the partition 12 at said location 100, but rather that one or more of the plates 30 are in contact with said partition 12, possibly with an interposed thermal interface layer. Similarly, in combination with the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the lugs 110 are not in direct contact with the heat-generating component 18. heat but with one or more of the plates 30, with a possible interposition of a thermal interface layer.

[0087] According to an unillustrated variant, none of said plates 30 are provided and said heat-generating component 18 is directly in contact with said partition 12 and / or said lugs 110 at said location 100, with or without interposition of a thermal interface layer.

[0088] As illustrated in [Fig.7], according to another embodiment, the first fins 102 are made from material of the partition 12. They otherwise have substantially the same configuration as in the first embodiment of Figures 2 and 3.

[0089] Although not shown, said card 8 is advantageously mounted in said second housing 16 above said power module 20. Recesses are provided in said card 8 to allow access to said washers 50 and / or said fixing members 36.

Claims

Demands

1. Fluid compression device, said device comprising a housing (6) defining first and second housings (14, 16), said second housing (16) housing one or more heat-generating components (18) configured for controlling the compression of the fluid in the first housing (14), said housing (6) comprising a partition (12) separating the first and second housings (14, 16), said device comprising, in said second housing (16), one or more first fins (102) forming a thermal bridge between a location (100) of said heat-generating component(s) (18) and said partition (12).

2. Device according to the preceding claim in which said partition (12) has a projecting shape (42) in the direction of the second housing (16), said projecting shape (42) has a flattened top (44), said heat-generating component(s) (18) being located opposite said top (44).

3. Device according to the preceding claim in which said first fins (102) extend substantially perpendicularly to a bottom portion (106) of said partition (12) and / or to lateral edges (104) of said protruding form (42), said lateral edges (42) connecting said bottom portion (106) of the partition (12) and said apex (44) of the protruding form (42).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first fins (102) are attached to the partition (12).

5. Device according to the preceding claim in which said first fins (102) are made of copper and / or copper alloy.

6. Device according to any one of claims 4 or 5 in which said partition (12) includes grooves (112) for positioning said first fins (102).

7. Device according to the preceding claim in which said first fins (102) have a lug (110), flush with said grooves (112) to be at said location (100).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said first fins (102) are made from material of the partition (12).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said heat-generating component(s) (18) are in contact with said partition (12).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising, between said partition (12) and said heat-generating component(s) (18), one or more plates (30) having heat conduction properties superior to the heat conduction properties of the housing (6).

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