Distribution module for a refrigerant circuit and assembly comprising such a module

Abstract

Distribution module for a refrigerant circuit consisting of an active fluid plus a lubricating fluid, said module being intended in particular for a motor vehicle, said module comprising a body (10) provided with at least one first collector conduit (1), intended for at least one outlet of said refrigerant from the module, and a plurality of supply conduits, intended for an inlet of said refrigerant into the module, at least one (2) of said supply conduits, said first supply conduit, opening into said first collector conduit (1) so that said module prevents the return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit (1) to the first supply conduit(s) (2), including in the case where the flow rate of said refrigerant in the first supply conduit(s) is very low or even zero. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Distribution module for a refrigerant circuit and assembly comprising such a module

[0001] The invention relates to a distribution module for a refrigerant circuit and an assembly comprising such a module. It will find its 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, an electrical energy storage battery, and / or other components of an electric vehicle motor. This is achieved using a refrigerant fluid that 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 for controlling 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] A distribution module comprising a body with a collector duct and a plurality of supply ducts opening into said collector duct has already been proposed. Such a module improves the level of integration of the refrigerant circuits equipped with it by grouping the connection of the supply ducts to the collector duct at a single component.

[0005] That being said, the refrigerant consists of an active fluid, that is, a fluid that changes phases during the execution of the thermodynamic cycle, and a fluid intended to lubricate the components used in the circuits. Such a lubricating fluid is particularly useful for the proper functioning of those components with moving parts, especially compressors. The lubricating fluid has a different density than the active fluid, at least during certain phases of the thermodynamic cycle during which the active fluid is gaseous, possibly at low pressure, while the lubricating fluid is in a liquid state. In branches or loops in which the refrigerant, in a gaseous state, does not circulate or circulates only at a residual flow rate, the lubricating fluid and the active fluid separate from each other, whereas they are otherwise intimately mixed in a liquid state.The lubricating fluid may then become trapped in parts of the circuits from which it will not be able to flow out again, even after the flow has been restored in the branches or loops concerned.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome at least in part the previous drawbacks and proposes to this end a distribution module for a refrigerant circuit formed of an active fluid with added lubricant, said module being in particular intended for a motor vehicle, said module comprising a body having at least one first collector conduit, intended at least for an outlet of said refrigerant from the module, and a plurality of supply conduits, intended for an inlet of said refrigerant into the module, at least one of said supply conduits, said first supply conduit, opening into said first collector conduit so that said module blocks a return of the lubricant circulating in said first collector conduit towards the first supply conduit(s), including in the case where a flow of said refrigerant in the first supply conduit(s) is very low, or even zero.

[0007] Since the module is integrated into a circuit comprising a plurality of refrigerant circulation branches, such a situation arises, for example, in the supply lines associated with branches where the fluid circulation is closed. Indeed, in such a configuration, in the branch(es) in question, the fluid flow is zero or only residual. As mentioned above, there is then a risk that lubricating fluid will stagnate in said branches without being able to circulate again through the rest of the circuit after the flow is restored.

[0008] With the mutual configuration of the first collector conduit and the first supply conduit(s) of the invention, the amount of lubricating fluid potentially trapped in either branch is limited by ensuring that the lubricating fluid circulating in the first collector conduit does not flow back towards said supply conduits. This prevents an excessive amount of lubricating fluid from being trapped in parts of the circuit where the refrigerant is stagnant, i.e., parts of the circuit where there is no refrigerant circulation or only residual circulation.

[0009] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - One or more of the first supply ducts, then called siphon supply ducts, open onto lateral or lower faces of the body, - all the supply conduits connected to said first collector conduit are first conduits, or even siphon conduits, - said first collector conduit is straight, The first supply conduit(s), in particular the siphon conduits, open transversely, notably perpendicularly, into said first collector conduit. The first supply conduit(s), in particular the siphon conduits, are straight, the first supply conduit(s), in particular the siphon conduits, are bent, said module is configured to operate with a refrigerant in which said lubricating fluid has a higher density than said active fluid, at least in certain parts of the circuit where the active fluid is gaseous, particularly at low pressure, while the lubricating fluid is in a liquid state, said body is configured so that said lubricating fluid circulates in a bottom portion of said first collector conduit, one or more of the first supply conduits, in particular the siphoning supply conduits, open into said first collector conduit through a first communication orifice such that a lowest area of ​​said communication orifice is above the bottom part of said first collector conduit, one or more of the first supply conduits open into said first collector conduit through a second communication opening located in a part of the vault of said first collector conduit, said module includes a tube housed in the said first supply duct(s), in particular the supply ducts forming a siphon, in a sealed manner with said body so that said refrigerant passes through said tube(s), The tubing of one of the said ducts, called the lower duct, opens into the said first collector duct through an outlet located above the said bottom part of the said first collector duct, said module includes one or more connection flanges opposite one or more of the first supply conduits, in particular said supply conduits acting as a siphon, the said flange(s) are fixed to the said tube(s), the first collector duct opens from said module through to said first collector duct and / or said first ducts supply lines, in particular the siphoning supply lines, are configured for circulation of said refrigerant fluid in a low-pressure state, said body includes at least one second collector conduit, - said second collector duct is configured for circulation of said refrigerant fluid in a high-pressure state, - the second collector conduit opens from said module through and through.

[0010] The invention also relates to a thermal conditioning system comprising a closed refrigerant circulation circuit intended to perform a thermodynamic cycle, said system comprising branches of said circuit in which said fluid is intended to be at low pressure:

[0011] - a first heat exchanger,

[0012] - a second heat exchanger,

[0013] - a module as described above, each of said first and second exchangers being respectively connected to one of the aforementioned first supply conduits.

[0014] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - one of said exchangers is fixed to one of the faces of the body, - one of said exchangers is located at a distance from said body, - said module and said heat exchangers are intended to be positioned relative to each other so that said module is generally located above at least one of said first or second heat exchangers, - at least one of said first or second exchangers is configured for heat exchange between said refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid.

[0015] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and The advantages thereof will become clearer during 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 attached schematic drawings, among which:

[0016] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates in perspective an example of a module of distribution in accordance with the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] illustrates schematically, according to a longitudinal section plane, the module of the [Fig.1];

[0018] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically, according to a first cross-section plane, the module of the [Fig.1];

[0019] [Fig.4] illustrates schematically, according to a second cross-sectional plane, the module of the [Fig.1];

[0020] [Fig.5] illustrates schematically, according to a third cross-sectional plane, the module of the [Fig.1];

[0021] [Fig.6] illustrates schematically, according to a fourth cross-sectional plane, the module of the [Fig.1].

[0022] 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.

[0023] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the invention relates to a refrigerant distribution module. Its applications will include, in particular, applications in the field of thermal conditioning, for example, for motor vehicles.

[0024] By way of example, such a module is intended to be integrated into a thermal conditioning system comprising a closed refrigerant circulation circuit designed to perform a thermodynamic cycle. 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.

[0025] The refrigerant used by the circuit consists of an active fluid combined with a lubricating fluid of a different density than the active fluid, at least in certain parts of the circuit where the active fluid is gaseous, possibly at low pressure, while the lubricating fluid is in a liquid state. The active fluid is intended to carry out the thermodynamic cycle. For example, it may be a chemical fluid such as R1234yf. Other active fluids may also be used, such as R134a, R290, or R744.

[0026] The module according to the invention comprises a body 10. In the embodiment shown, said body 10 is parallelepiped-shaped. It comprises two opposing transverse faces 12, 14 connected by longitudinal faces 16-19. Such a shape is not limiting to the different forms that said body 10 can take while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0027] Said body 10 is, for example, made of steel, aluminum and / or aluminum alloy.

[0028] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], said body 10 is provided with at least one first collector conduit 1. Said body 10 is further provided with a plurality of supply conduits 2-5 intended for the inlet of said refrigerant into the module and opening, at least some of them, into said first collector conduit 1. Said first collector conduit 1 is intended for at least one outlet SI of said refrigerant from the module. In the application mentioned above, said body 10 allows different parts of the refrigerant circuit to be connected by means of said collector and supply conduits 1-5.

[0029] Preferably, the first collector duct 1 opens completely into said module. Here, a first refrigerant inlet El is associated with a first opening end of said first collector duct 1. The refrigerant outlet SI is associated with another opening end of said first collector duct 1. The latter is, for example, straight so that the first inlet El and the outlet SI are longitudinally opposite. They are located here at the transverse faces 12, 14 of said body 10.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, a first, a second, a third, and a fourth supply conduit 2-5 are provided. Three of them open respectively at certain 16-19 of the longitudinal faces of said body 10. A fourth of them opens at an edge 20 of said body 10. Said supply conduits are, for example, respectively associated with second inlets E2-E5 of refrigerant in said module.

[0031] For illustrative purposes, the supply conduits 2-5 shown are of different configurations, all in accordance with the invention. These configurations depend, for example, on the face of the body 10 at which they open, as will be detailed later.

[0032] Naturally, the number of supply conduits may of course be different as long as it is greater than or equal to two. The same applies to the location of the face at which they open, and therefore to their configuration, while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0033] Said first manifold 1 and / or said supply lines 2-5 connected to said first manifold 1 are, for example, configured for circulation of said refrigerant in a low-pressure state. This means that, particularly in the application referred to above, said first manifold 1 and / or said supply lines 2-5 connected to said first manifold 1 are connected to parts of the circuit where said active fluid is gaseous and at low pressure, in particular parts of the circuit connected to a compressor inlet, possibly with the interposition of a fluid storage device such as an accumulator.

[0034] Advantageously, said body 10 further comprises at least one second collector conduit 6 for the refrigerant. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply conduit(s) opening into said second collector conduit 6 have not been shown to simplify the figures.

[0035] Said second collector conduit 6 and the corresponding supply conduit(s) are configured, for example, for circulation of said refrigerant in a high-pressure state. This means that, particularly in the application referred to above, said second collector conduit and the corresponding supply conduit(s) 6 are connected to parts of the circuit where said refrigerant fluid is at high pressure, particularly parts of the circuit connected to a compressor outlet.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the second collector conduit 6 opens from said module completely. Said second collector conduit is, for example, straight. They open here at the same transverse faces 12, 14 of said body 10 as the first collector conduit 1.

[0037] Advantageously, said body 10 allows for the grouping of all or part of the distribution components of the circuit for which said module is intended. For this purpose, said module may include housings for said distribution components, such housings not being shown here for the sake of simplicity in the figure. They are located, where applicable, at the end of said collector and / or supply conduits 1-6.

[0038] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, according to the invention, at least one of said supply lines 2-5, referred to as the first supply line, opens into said first collector line so that said module blocks a return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector line 1 to the first supply line(s) 2-5, including in the case where a flow of said refrigerant fluid in the first supply line(s) is very low, or even zero.

[0039] In the application mentioned above, such a case occurs, for example, in the supply lines associated with branches of the circuit in which the refrigerant circulation is closed. Indeed, in such a configuration, in the branch(es) concerned, the fluid flow is zero or only residual. There is thus a risk that lubricating fluid will accumulate in said branches without being able to circulate again through the rest of the circuit.

[0040] Thanks to the mutual configuration of the first collector conduit 1 and the first supply conduits 2-5 acting as a siphon, it is prevented that the lubricating fluid circulating in the first collector conduit 1 leaves through the first supply conduits 2-5 and is trapped in the corresponding parts of the circuit, in particular the parts of the circuit in which the refrigerant is stagnant, i.e. the parts of the circuit where there is little or no circulation of the refrigerant.

[0041] In the illustrated example, all the supply conduits 2-5, that is, all those opening into the first collector conduit 1, are first conduits. They are, for example, straight. In a variant according to the invention, not illustrated, they are angled.

[0042] Preferably, the first supply conduit(s) 2-5 open transversely into said first collector conduit 1. They are oriented, for example, perpendicular to said first collector conduit 1, as in Figures 3, 5 and 6 or inclined, as in [Fig.4].

[0043] Preferably, said module includes a tube 24 housed in said supply duct(s) in a sealed manner with said body 10 so that said refrigerant fluid passes through said tube(s) 24 in the supply duct(s) which are equipped with it, in other words here all said first supply ducts.

[0044] Preferably, said module includes one or more connecting flanges 26 opposite one or more of the first supply conduits 2-5, here of all of said first supply conduits 2-5. The said flange(s) 26 are, for example, fixed to the said pipe(s) 24.

[0045] Preferably, said module is configured to operate with a refrigerant fluid in which said lubricating fluid has, as already stated, a higher density than said active fluid, at least in some of their respective phases. This is the case in the illustrated example where the module is shown in its operating orientation, that is, with one of its lateral faces forming a top face of said module.

[0046] Said body 10 is configured so that said lubricating fluid circulates in a bottom portion 30 of said first collector conduit 1. It should be understood that, while at nominal flow rate, said active fluid and said lubricating fluid are intimately mixed, they may, on the other hand, separate at lower flow rates or even at zero flow rate when the circuit(s) in which the module is used are stopped. In the first collector conduit 1, the lubricating fluid is then likely to deposit in said bottom portion 30.

[0047] As illustrated in [Fig.5], one or more of the first supply conduits, here the supply conduit identified as 4, open into said first collector conduit 1 through a second communication orifice 40 located in a part of vault 42 of said first collector conduit 1.

[0048] By positioning said second communication orifice 40 at the level of the vault 42 of the first collector conduit 1, it is understood that such positioning in itself blocks the return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit 1 towards the first supply conduit 4 in question.

[0049] At its opposite end, the first supply conduit marked 4 opens at the level of the upper face 16 of said module.

[0050] Preferably, at least one or more of the first supply conduits 2, 3, 6, referred to as siphon supply conduits, open onto lateral or lower faces of the body 10. In the illustrated example, the lateral faces are formed by the opposing transverse faces 12, 14 and two 17, 19 of the longitudinal faces. The lower face is formed by one 18 of the longitudinal faces. It is understood that, according to the invention, it is not necessary for the branches of the circuit to be connected to the upper face of the body to obtain the desired blocking effect.

[0051] As illustrated in figures 3 and 4, one or more of the supply conduits acting as a siphon, here the supply conduits identified as 2 and 3 open into said first collector conduit 1 through a first communication orifice 32 so that a lowest zone 34 of said communication orifice 32 is above the bottom part 30 of said first collector conduit 1.

[0052] The barrier to the return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit 1 towards the supply conduits 2, 3 forming a siphon in question is then formed by a difference in level between a lowest flow line or surface of said bottom part 30, identified 36, and a lowest line or surface, identified 38, of a contour of the first communication orifice 32.

[0053] At its opposite end, the siphon-forming supply conduit marked 2 opens at the level of one of the lateral faces, namely here that marked 17.

[0054] At its opposite end, the siphon-forming supply conduit marked 3 opens at the level of one of the edges formed between one of the lateral faces, namely here that marked 17, and one of the longitudinal faces, namely here that marked 14.

[0055] Said level difference is, for example, greater than 1 / 4, or even 1 / 3, or even 1 / 2 of a diameter of said first collector conduit 1.

[0056] As illustrated in [Fig.6], cumulatively or not, the tubing 24 of one of said supply conduits acting as a siphon, said lower conduit, here identified as 5, opens into said first collector conduit 1 through an outlet orifice 50 located above said bottom part 30 of said first collector conduit 1.

[0057] The barrier to the return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit 1 towards the supply conduit 5 acting as a siphon is then formed by a difference in level between the lowest flow line or surface 36 of said bottom part 30 and the lowest part 52 of a contour of the outlet orifice 50.

[0058] At its opposite end, the siphon-forming supply conduit marked 5 opens at the level of one of the lateral faces of said module, namely here a lower lateral face 18.

[0059] Said level difference is, for example, greater than 1 / 4, or even 1 / 3, or even 1 / 2 of a diameter of said first collector conduit 1.

[0060] As can be seen from the above, the said first supply conduit(s) 2-5, in particular said supply conduits forming a siphon, are advantageously configured for circulation of said refrigerant fluid in a low pressure state.

[0061] Said first and / or second collector conduits and / or said supply conduits 1-6 are, for example, of circular cross-section. Cumulatively or Alternatively, they are smooth and / or of constant cross-section so as not to offer areas of stagnation of said lubricating fluid.

[0062] Advantageously, the first supply conduit(s) 2-5, in particular the siphon supply conduit(s), are configured to be connected, for example, to branches of said refrigerant circuit in which said fluid is intended to be at low pressure.

[0063] The invention also relates to the thermal conditioning system in which said module is integrated. It comprises at least first and second heat exchangers located in the branches of the circuit in which said fluid is intended to be at low pressure, for example by means of expansion devices located upstream of said first and / or second heat exchangers depending on the circulation of said refrigerant.

[0064] The first and second heat exchangers are respectively connected to one of said first supply conduits of the module, in particular to one of said supply conduits acting as a siphon.

[0065] The first and second heat exchangers are formed, for example, by one or more evaporators, allowing an airflow to be cooled by heat exchange with said refrigerant. Alternatively or cumulatively, they may consist of one or more coolers, that is to say, heat exchangers configured for heat exchange between said refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid, for example, a mixture of water and antifreeze, in particular glycol, or, in particular, a liquid exhibiting dielectric properties.

[0066] Here, one of the said first or second exchangers is a cooler. It is connected to the supply conduit marked 2.

[0067] According to a first variant, said heat exchanger is located at a distance from said body 10. They are connected to each other by a tube. According to another variant, said heat exchanger is fixed to one of the faces of the body, here the lateral face 17 at which the supply conduit marked 2, acting as a siphon, opens externally.

[0068] In either case, said module and said exchanger are intended to be positioned relative to each other so that said module is globally located above said exchanger.

[0069] Indeed, with the invention, the first or second heat exchanger(s), even if located in low-pressure sections of the circuit where there is a risk of lubricant accumulation, can be positioned below the module because, thanks to the first supply lines, a barrier is formed within the module to prevent lubricant from flowing back in that direction. Furthermore, with the lines acting as a siphon, it is even possible to connect this heat exchanger(s) to lateral or even lower faces of the module.

[0070] The module according to the invention thus allows for circuits where the heat exchangers, even those located in the low-pressure sections of the circuit, can be freely positioned at a height relative to the module, below and / or above it. The module can therefore be placed in a relatively high position, for example in an engine compartment, which will facilitate its installation and the connection of the various pipes that must be connected to its supply lines.

Claims

Demands

1. Distribution module for a refrigerant circuit consisting of an active fluid plus a lubricating fluid, said module being intended in particular for a motor vehicle, said module comprising a body (10) having at least one first collector conduit (1), intended at least for an outlet of said refrigerant from the module, and a plurality of supply conduits (2-5), intended for an inlet of said refrigerant into the module, at least one of said supply conduits (2-5), said first supply conduit, opening into said first collector conduit (1) so that said module blocks a return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit (1) to the first supply conduit(s) (2-5), including in the case where a flow of said refrigerant in the first supply conduit(s) is very low, or even zero.

2. Module according to the preceding claim in which all the supply conduits (2-5) are first conduits.

3. Module according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first collector conduit (1) opens from said module through and the first supply conduit(s) (2-5) opens transversely into said first collector conduit (1).

4. Module according to any one of the preceding claims configured to operate with a refrigerant fluid in which said lubricating fluid has a density greater than said active fluid.

5. Module according to the preceding claim in which said body (10) is configured so that said lubricating fluid circulates in a bottom portion of said first collector conduit (1).

6. Module according to the preceding claim in which one or more of the first supply conduits (2-5) open into said first collector conduit (1) through a first communication orifice (32) such that a lowest area (34) of said communication orifice (32) is above the bottom part of said first collector conduit (1).

7. Module according to any one of claims 4 or 5 in which one or more of the first supply conduits (2-5) open into said first collector conduit (1) through a second communication orifice (40) located in a part of the vault (42) of said first collector conduit (1).

8. Module according to any one of claims 4 to 6 in which said module comprises a tube (24) housed in said first supply conduit(s) (2-5) in a sealed manner with said body (10) such that said refrigerant passes through said tube(s) (24), the tube (24) of one (5) of said conduit(s), said lower conduit, opening into said first collector conduit (1) by an outlet port (50) located above said bottom portion of said first collector conduit (1).

9. Module according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first collector conduit (1) and / or said first supply conduits (2-5) are configured for circulation of said refrigerant fluid in a low-pressure state.

10. Thermal conditioning system comprising a closed refrigerant circulation circuit intended to perform a thermodynamic cycle, said system comprising in branches of said circuit in which said fluid is intended to be at low pressure: - a first heat exchanger - a second heat exchanger - a module according to any one of the preceding claims, each of said first and second exchangers being respectively connected to one of said first supply lines.

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