Closure plate for a thermal treatment module for a vehicle heat pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure plate (13) for a vehicle thermal treatment module, wherein the closure plate comprises fluid connectors (132) for the flow of fluid through the module, wherein the plate comprises: a portion (131) configured to form, at least partially, a wall of a cylinder, in particular an accumulator or a desiccant cylinder (3); and integrated ducts (134) configured to establish fluid communication between the cylinder and the module.

Description

Description Title: Closing plate of a heat treatment module for a vehicle heat pump. Technical field. [1] The present invention relates to a closure plate for a vehicle heat treatment module. The invention also relates to a heat treatment module and a heat pump comprising said module. Finally, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the heat treatment module. [2] The invention relates to the technical field of vehicles, preferably motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to the field of motor vehicle heat pumps adapted for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (and whose abbreviation is HVAC, in English). State of the art. [3] Currently, most motor vehicles include an air conditioning system, a ventilation system and a heating system whose operations are complementary, and are preferably managed using a heat pump. However, in motor vehicles, traditional heating and air conditioning systems occupy a significant amount of space in the engine compartment, limiting the design and configuration options of other essential components. [4] The heat pump of a vehicle therefore allows both the heating or the cooling of one or more compartments of said vehicle, according to the needs. The pump preferably comprises at least one compressor and a heat treatment module consisting of one or more exchangers. The large number of components constituting said pump means that its design results in a significant bulk. [5] Published patent document FR 3 126 647 A1 discloses a heat treatment module for a motor vehicle having a more compact, and more specifically a more compact design of the heat exchangers and an internal heat exchanger forming said module. An expansion member is also coupled to the heat treatment module. A space is specifically dedicated in the module to group together the various fluid connectors connecting the different components of the pump and the expansion member. However, in this configuration, these connectors still take up a lot of space. [6] The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to reduce the space taken up by the fluid connectors, and therefore to reduce the size of the heat pump. [7] The invention also aims to reduce the size of the heat treatment module and to improve the strength of the desiccant bottle integrated into the heat pump. [8] The invention also aims to facilitate the manufacture of a heat treatment module according to the invention. Presentation of the invention. [9] The solution proposed by the invention is a closing plate for a vehicle heat treatment module, comprising fluid connectors for fluid circulation in said module, said plate comprising: a portion configured to form, at least partially, a wall of a bottle, in particular an accumulator or a desiccant bottle, integrated conduits configured to put the bottle and the module into fluid communication.

[0010] Thus, the bottle may be, indifferently, an accumulator or a desiccant bottle. Particularly preferably, the bottle is a desiccant bottle. The wording "a portion configured to form, at least partially, a wall of the bottle" means that the portion of the closure plate may form all or part of the wall and adapt to any shape or size of the bottle, whether it is an accumulator or a desiccant bottle.

[0011] In the heat pump, the heat treatment module carries out heat exchanges between two different temperature levels of a fluid refrigerant. This module also performs heat exchanges between the refrigerant and one or more heat transfer fluids circulating in different components of said module. These heat exchanges allow the module to regulate the temperature of vehicle compartments, such as the engine compartment or the passenger compartment.

[0012] More specifically, the desiccant bottle of a heat pump is used to remove moisture and impurities from the refrigerant. It therefore helps reduce damage caused by the fluid to the main circuit, by reducing the risk of corrosion of said circuit. The desiccant bottle also ensures the circulation of the refrigerant in the liquid state in the module. Finally, this bottle also serves as a fluid reserve to ensure the proper functioning of the fluid circuit in which it circulates, which depends on the conditions of use of the pump and the presence or absence of micro-leaks in the fluid circuit. The accumulator, or heat accumulator, is mainly used to store the refrigerant.

[0013] Attaching the closure plate to the bottle wall improves the plate's retention, and therefore improves the connectors' retention. This attachment also facilitates their connection to the heat treatment module, while allowing them to be grouped together, thus reducing the module's footprint. Generally speaking, this attachment reduces the weight of the heat pump, allowing, in the case of electric vehicles, to reduce their energy consumption and make their batteries last longer. Integrating the connectors into the plate also improves the thermal efficiency of the module, and therefore of the pump, and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0014] Other advantageous characteristics of the plate which is the subject of the invention are listed below. Each of these characteristics can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable characteristics defined above. Each of these characteristics contributes, where appropriate, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the remarkable characteristics defined above do not necessarily participate. The latter may be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closure plate is formed by the assembly of two sub-plates, each of said sub-plates comprising the portion configured to form, at least partially, the wall of the bottle.

[0016] The assembly of two sub-plates facilitates the fabrication of the closure plate and the assembly of the cylinder. Access to and maintenance of the cylinder are also facilitated.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the portions of the sub-plates are fixed together at a connection oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bottle.

[0018] The connection allows the two sub-plates to be fixed together to form the closure plate. This connection also allows the two sub-plates to be fixed and sealed in order to facilitate the positioning and sealing of the connectors, while simplifying assembly. The direction of the connection, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, also allows the module and the cylinder to be minimized, and to be structurally reinforced. The fixing is carried out by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as welding, brazing or bolting.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the portions of the sub-plates are fixed together by a junction positioned at a distance from the connection and oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle.

[0020] This junction therefore forms a second attachment between the sub-plates. Thus, the junction is preferably made using attachment methods known to those skilled in the art, such as brazing or welding for example. This second attachment between the sub-plates improves the reliability and lifespan of the heat treatment module. The distance between the connection and the junction may vary depending, for example, on the manufacturing constraints of the sub-plates. For example, the junction is located on the side of the bottle opposite the connection, allowing the formation of sub-plates of similar sizes, facilitating their manufacture.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, channels are formed in a first sub-plate, a second sub-plate closing said channels to form the integrated conduits.

[0022] The creation of shaped channels in the plate simplifies the assembly of the module, the bottle and the closing plate, reducing the number of connectors and pipes to be manufactured and installed in the pump.

[0023] Preferably, the channels are stamped into the first sub-plate. Alternatively, the channels may also be stamped into the second sub-plate or into the closure plate, when a single plate is used to form the wall of the bottle. Stamping is a technique known to those skilled in the art and easy to implement, which facilitates the manufacture of the plates, sub-plates and channels. Sealing may be ensured by fastening methods known to those skilled in the art, such as welding, brazing or bolting, this sealing allowing good circulation of the fluid between the bottle and the heat treatment module.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closing plate has: a first closing face located in use against the heat treatment module, a second face opposite said first face and on which the connectors are fixed.

[0025] This design allows for a reduction in the footprint of the connectors, the heat treatment module and the bottle, by optimizing their spacing and orientation. It also improves the module's efficiency by reducing pressure losses.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fluidic connectors each have a connection end piece to the heat treatment module, which end pieces protrude from the first closing face and are provided with sealing gaskets.

[0027] The connection tips allow the heat treatment module and the closing plate to be mounted together, the presence of the sealing gaskets improving the sealing of the connectors.

[0028] The connection tips are preferably stamped onto the closure plate, which facilitates their manufacture and reduces their assembly time on the said plate. This stamping also has the advantage of reducing the risk of errors during the plate manufacturing stages.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fluid connectors are inlet and outlet connectors for a refrigerant fluid.

[0030] These connectors therefore allow exchanges between the components of the heat treatment module and the compressor.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closure plate also comprises one or more fluid connectors adapted to each receive a fluid expansion member.

[0032] Expansion devices are used to reduce the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant at the inlet of the heat exchangers. This improves heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid in the secondary circuit of the exchanger, and therefore allows for more efficient cooling of the refrigerant. The integration of these devices also improves fluid temperature control, making it more precise. This integration also reduces the number of parts required by simplifying the design and manufacturing of the module.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the portion is bent relative to the connection, so that the longitudinal axis of the bottle is offset from a plane containing the connectors.

[0034] The specific positioning of the closure plate plane relative to the bottle allows for lateral positioning, in use, of said bottle relative to the heat treatment module. This therefore reduces the bulk of the module and the bottle, thus reducing the bulk of the heat pump in the vehicle's engine compartment.

[0035] This design also simplifies the manufacturing of the heat treatment module by making only one part forming both the bottle and the closure plate. It therefore has the advantage of reducing the mass of the module by reducing the quantity of metal required for its manufacture. This therefore reduces the vehicle weight and the manufacturing cost of the heat pump, by increasing the operating time of the batteries, especially when the vehicle is a hybrid or electric vehicle.

[0036] Alternatively, the closure plate may also be designed as a single plate, comprising both the plane and the portion, the joints then being brazed to form the portion(s) of the bottle.

[0037] Alternatively, the plate may comprise a single portion, two connections and two planes in continuity with said portion and configured to be fixed together by the aforementioned fixing methods. The two planes may then be folded laterally at the connections of said portion, then positioned opposite each other and fixed together, so as to seal the fluid connectors and the conduits.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, when the plate comprises the two sub-plates, the two portions are fixed together by the connection and by the junction, the wall of the bottle also being closed by two end portions.

[0039] Advantageously, the wall of the bottle comprises the portions of the two sub-plates and the two end portions which are fixed together. This variant is particularly preferred because it simplifies the design and assembly of the heat pump, while limiting its mass. The end portions and the sub-plates are fixed together using methods known to those skilled in the art, such as brazing or welding for example.

[0040] The invention also relates to a heat treatment module for a vehicle comprising a stack of plates defining at least one heat exchanger for heat exchange between a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer fluid, and an internal heat exchanger for heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid subjected to two different temperature levels, which module is closed by a closing plate, the closing plate being in accordance with the invention.

[0041] This module has a minimal footprint compared to known modules, by grouping all the connectors on a single plate. This This reduces the heat pump's footprint in the vehicle's engine compartment. This module also features optimized thermal performance and a reduction in the number of components, simplifying its manufacturing and assembly and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the exchangers of said module extend along the first face of the closing plate.

[0043] This design reduces the footprint of the heat treatment module and connectors, while allowing better thermal management thanks to the alignment of the heat exchangers along the first face of the plate.

[0044] The invention also relates to a heat pump for a vehicle, the pump comprising a heat treatment module closed by a closing plate, and a bottle, in particular an accumulator or a desiccant bottle, the closing plate being according to the invention, the bottle comprising at least two superimposed walls, an internal wall in contact with the refrigerant fluid and an external wall for containing said bottle.

[0045] Particularly preferably, the bottle is a desiccant bottle. The presence of two walls forming the bottle improves its strength and its resistance to the high pressures generated by the circulation of fluid.

[0046] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a heat treatment module for a vehicle according to the invention, the method comprising the following steps: - closure plate assembly comprising a portion configured to form, at least partially, a wall of a bottle, in particular an accumulator or a desiccant bottle, with integrated fluidic connectors and conduits, - connection of the heat treatment module to the connection tips of the first face of said plate, the exchangers of the heat treatment module and the closing plate being fixed together simultaneously.

[0047] This process is easy to implement and execute. Manufacturing the heat pump is therefore simplified since a large part of the connectors are grouped together, which also facilitates their connection to the module. This reduces the number of steps required to manufacture the heat pump, reducing its manufacturing time. The attachment between the module and the closing plate is preferably carried out by brazing, but other attachment methods known to those skilled in the art may be considered.

[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second face of the closing plate is brazed to the connectors.

[0049] The soldering method is a method known to those skilled in the art and easy to implement, it allows the connection between the plate and the connectors to be sealed. This method is also effective in improving the resistance of the connectors to pressure.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, when the closing plate comprises two sub-plates, said sub-plates are welded together.

[0051] Welding is a method known to those skilled in the art, easy to implement and inexpensive, which makes it possible to hold the sub-plates together. Alternatively, the sub-plates can be fixed together by the other fixing methods mentioned above and known to those skilled in the art.

[0052] Alternatively, a portion of the closure plate is configured to surround, at least partially, a wall of the bottle. Preferably, when the closure plate is formed by assembling two sub-plates, each of said sub-plates comprises the portion configured to surround, at least partially, the wall of the bottle. Thus, the closure plate may comprise the portion(s) which extend around the wall of the bottle. The aforementioned characteristics relating to the closure plate and the sub-plates forming the wall of the bottle may also apply.

[0053] This configuration improves the stability and reliability of the bottle attachment to the module. It also reduces vibrations and therefore noise during pump operation.

[0054] Mounting the closure plate around the bottle can also consist of fixing the two sub-plates together at their respective portions, therefore at the connection and possibly at the junction. The two sub-plates surrounding the bottle are then tightened together at the of said junction and connection, allowing the closure plate to be held around the bottle.

[0055] Alternatively, the channels forming the integrated conduits can be directly stamped into a single closure plate mounted around the bottle. Alternatively, the closure plate can be designed as a single plate, comprising both the plane and the portion, with the connections then being brazed to tighten the portions around the bottle.

[0056] The positioning of the closure plate around the bottle improves the retention of said plate around the bottle, therefore improves the retention of the connectors, and also facilitates their connection to the heat treatment module. This positioning ensures the grouping of the connectors, therefore contributes to the reduction of the module's size, and, more generally, reduces the weight of the heat pump. Thus, the use of this pump reduces the energy consumption of the electric vehicles in which it is installed, and improves the durability of the batteries. The integration of the connectors into the plate also improves the thermal efficiency of the module, therefore of the pump, and reduces manufacturing costs. Brief description of the figures.

[0057] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a heat treatment module according to the invention for a vehicle heat pump. [Fig. 2] represents a view of a closure plate according to the invention associated with a desiccant bottle of a heat treatment module. [Fig. 3] represents another view of a closure plate according to the invention associated with a desiccant bottle of a heat treatment module. [Fig. 4] is a top view of a heat treatment module closed by a closing plate and associated with a desiccant bottle according to the invention. Description of the embodiments.

[0058] As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object simply indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are referred to and does not imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, whether in time, space, ordering, etc. "X and / or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. Generally speaking, it will be appreciated that in the various accompanying drawings, the objects are arbitrarily drawn to facilitate their reading. The adverbs "upstream" and "downstream" are used in relation to the flow of the fluid in the fluid circuit in which the heat treatment module is installed.

[0059] Figure 1 is a heat treatment module of a vehicle heat pump according to the invention.

[0060] Currently, most motor vehicles include at least one cooling system and one heating system. A heat pump allows these two systems to be efficiently coupled, minimizing energy losses and excess consumption. Thus, this pump allows the temperature to be simultaneously regulated within at least one compartment of the vehicle, preferably two, such as the passenger compartment and / or the engine compartment.

[0061] Temperature regulation is achieved by circulating a refrigerant fluid in a main circuit (Cp) of the pump, the temperature changes of said fluid making it possible to regulate the temperature of one or more heat transfer fluids, located in one or more secondary circuits (Csi, Cs2, Csa) separate from different components of the pump. The heat transfer fluid directly influences the temperature of the vehicle compartments. Also, the refrigerant liquid can be, but is not limited to, R134a, R1234yf, R290 or R-1234ze. The heat transfer fluid can be glycolated water, thermal oils or aqueous solutions comprising calcium chloride or potassium acetate, in the case, for example, of a heat exchanger used for heat exchange in an engine compartment.In the case of a heat exchanger used for thermal regulation of the passenger compartment, the heat transfer fluid may be air, and it may carry out exchanges with the air in the passenger compartment and / or the environment outside the vehicle.

[0062] The heat pump of a vehicle comprises a heat treatment module 1 responsible for regulating the temperature within said vehicle, and, more specifically, for regulating the temperature in the passenger compartment and / or in the engine compartment of the vehicle.

[0063] Such a module 1 comprises a stack of plates 10 superimposed along a stacking axis (z) and shown, in this figure, in a vertical direction. However, the orientation of the heat treatment module 1 may vary in the heat pump, and the stacking axis (z) will not necessarily be vertical in use. This module 1 has a substantially parallelepiped shape, and has an orientation along two other axes, a longitudinal axis (y) and a transverse axis (x) to said longitudinal axis. The plane formed by the two transverse (x) and longitudinal (y) axes is oriented perpendicular to the stacking axis (z) of the plates 10. By “substantially parallelepiped” means that module 1 has the shape of a parallelepiped, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5% depending on the manufacturing hazards of said module.

[0064] Each plate 10 therefore has, like the module 1, a substantially parallelepiped shape, with a rim 101 on its periphery so that two superimposed plates 10 remain mounted on each other, thus facilitating their stacking. A median separation 102 also divides each plate 10 into two parts (103, 104) having similar measurements, this separation being carried out along the longitudinal axis (y) of the module 1.

[0065] Each plate 10 further comprises orifices 105 allowing the entry and / or exit of fluid from the heat treatment module 1. The orifices 105 of each plate 10 are configured to be positioned opposite each other once the plates 10 are stacked. In a particularly preferred manner, eight orifices are provided on a first part 103 of the plate 10, and two orifices are provided on a second part 104 of said plate 10. The positioning of each orifice 105 depends on the component of the heat treatment module 1 into which the fluid must enter or exit, and / or on the other components of the heat pump to which said orifice must be connected, therefore on the design of said pump. Thus, the module 1 is itself sectioned into two portions (11, 12), a first portion 11 corresponding substantially to a stack of the first parts 103 of the plates 10, and a second portion 12 corresponding to a stack of the second parts 104 of said plates 10.

[0066] The heat treatment module 1 is thus divided into different components, each component being formed by a set of plates 10, or, more specifically, a section of the stack of plates 10 forming said module. Thus, this module 1 delimits at least one heat exchanger (111, 112). Preferably, in this figure, two heat exchangers (111, 112) are shown, each exchanger allowing the thermal regulation of the passenger compartment or the engine compartment.

[0067] Each heat exchanger (111, 112) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid. The refrigerant is positioned in the main circuit (Cp) of the heat pump, and the heat transfer fluid is positioned in secondary circuits (Csi, CS2). Preferably, each secondary circuit (Csi, Cs2) of each exchanger (111, 112) is independent, and allows the cooling and / or heating of two separate compartments of the vehicle.

[0068] The heat exchangers (111, 112) are arranged in the first portion 11 of the heat treatment module 1, these exchangers (111, 112) being composed of a section of the first parts 103 of the stack of plates 10. The two heat exchangers (111, 112) are here superimposed. Preferably, the upper heat exchanger 111 is used for heat exchanges with the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the lower heat exchanger 112 is used for heat exchanges with the engine compartment of said vehicle.

[0069] In order to carry out the heat exchanges between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid, each heat exchanger (111, 112) comprises an inlet opening 114 and an outlet opening 114 for the heat transfer fluid for the inlet and / or outlet of heat transfer fluid from the corresponding secondary circuit (Csi, CS2). Each exchanger (111, 112) also comprises an inlet opening 115 and an outlet opening 115 for the refrigerant fluid, said inlet openings (114, 115) being preferably distinct from said outlet openings (114, 115). The heat transfer fluid is configured to circulate between the plates 10, in order to promote the heat exchanges with the refrigerant fluid circulating in each of the exchangers (111, 112).

[0070] The heat treatment module 1 further comprises an internal heat exchanger 113 which exchanges heat between two different temperatures of refrigerant fluid. Thus, in this exchanger, two separate refrigerant fluid pipes each having a different temperature level are present, in order to allow heat exchanges between said pipes. In this module 1, the internal heat exchanger 113 is positioned above the heat exchangers (111, 112). The addition of this exchanger 113 makes it possible to improve the efficiency of said module. Four of the orifices 105 of the first parts 103 of the plates 10 form fluid inlet and outlet openings 116 of the internal heat exchanger 113, allowing the inlet and outlet of refrigerant fluid at two different temperature levels.

[0071] The heat treatment module 1 further comprises a condenser 121, preferably a water condenser, positioned in the second portion 12 of said module. This condenser 121 is constituted, as previously described for the exchangers, by a stack of plates 10, preferably a stack of second parts 104 of plates 10. The condenser 121 comprises an inlet opening 122 and an outlet opening 122 for refrigerant fluid constituted by the orifices 105 of the second part 104 of the plates 10, for the passage of said fluid within the condenser and the lowering of the temperature of the fluid. Inlet and outlet openings 123 for the heat transfer fluid in one of the secondary circuits (Csa) are also provided on the other side of the module, allowing the entry of the heat transfer fluid (preferably water) into the condenser 121. Alternatively, other fluids, known to those skilled in the art, may be used, such as ethylene glycol or R134a for example.

[0072] The heat pump according to the invention also comprises a compressor 2 installed on the main circuit (Cp) of the refrigerant fluid, this compressor 2 allowing the increase of the pressure and the temperature of said fluid in the main circuit. The compressor 2 makes it possible to initiate the thermodynamic cycle leading in particular to the heat exchanges between the refrigerant fluid and the different heat transfer fluids.

[0073] The heat pump further comprises a desiccant bottle 3 configured to reduce the humidity of the refrigerant, thus allowing in particular to limit the risk of corrosion in the main circuit (Cp). The desiccant bottle 3 generally comprises a desiccant material (such as silica gel or activated alumina). The bottle 3 may also comprise a filter serving to prevent solid particles and / or other impurities from circulating in the fluid and ending up in the rest of the main circuit. Advantageously, the desiccant bottle may comprise at least two superimposed walls, an internal wall in contact with the refrigerant fluid and an external wall for containing said bottle, serving to improve the solidity of the bottle, in particular in the event of high pressures in the circuit. Optionally, the portion(s) forming part of or all of the closure plate may be mounted on the superimposed walls of the desiccant bottle.Alternatively, the desiccant bottle can be replaced by an accumulator, this variant embodiment of the invention not being shown in these figures.

[0074] Finally, the heat pump also comprises at least one expansion member, preferably two members, one expansion member being preferably positioned upstream of each heat exchanger (111, 112). Such a member reduces the pressure of the refrigerant fluid at the outlet of the internal heat exchanger 113 before its introduction into the heat exchanger (111, 112). This drop in pressure makes it possible to facilitate heat exchanges and to reduce the risk of damage to the exchangers.

[0075] In order to facilitate the reduction of the size of the heat treatment module, all of the connectors and refrigerant supply pipes are positioned on the same side of said module, and the connectors and pipes specific to the secondary heat transfer fluid supply circuits are positioned on a side opposite said module.

[0076] The circulation of fluid in the main circuit (Cp) is described below. The circulation of fluid begins from the compressor 2, where the refrigerant is introduced into the main circuit under high pressure and high temperature. This fluid is then sent to the water condenser 121, heat exchanges being carried out between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid (preferably water) circulating in a secondary circuit (Csa) around said refrigerant. These exchanges will make it possible to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant, before its entry into the desiccant bottle which is used to remove moisture and any impurities.

[0077] The refrigerant fluid then enters the internal heat exchanger 113 where heat exchanges are carried out with the refrigerant fluid at a second lower temperature level. This makes it possible to reduce the pressure of said fluid, before it is sent to the expansion members located, respectively, before each heat exchanger (111, 112). These expansion members further reduce the pressure of the refrigerant fluid before its introduction into the heat exchangers (111, 112).

[0078] At the heat exchangers (111, 112), heat exchanges between the refrigerant of the main circuit (Cp) and the heat transfer fluid located in the secondary circuit (Csi, CS2) corresponding to the exchanger (111, 112) will be carried out. More particularly, in the case of the upper heat exchanger 111, heat exchanges are carried out between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid. In this case, the heat transfer fluid will be used to exchange heat with the air coming from the passenger compartment and / or the outside environment, thus regulating the temperature within the passenger compartment. For the lower heat exchanger 112, the heat exchanges will be between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid located in the exchanger, and will be used for thermal regulation of the engine compartment.

[0079] In this case, the heat exchanges cause the low pressure, low temperature refrigerant, partially evaporated within the heat exchangers (111, 112), to continue its evaporation within the internal heat exchanger 113 thanks to the heat exchanges carried out with the high pressure, high temperature refrigerant circulating in said internal heat exchanger 113. The low pressure, low temperature refrigerant is then returned to the compressor 2, where it will again be put under high pressure and high temperature to return to the circuit.

[0080] Figures 2 to 4 show different views of a closing plate for the heat treatment module described in Figure 1, associated with the desiccant bottle of the heat pump according to the invention.

[0081] A heat treatment module 1 is closed by a closing plate 13 serving in particular to seal it. The plate 13 comprises a portion 131 configured to form, at least partially, a wall of the desiccant bottle 3. In fact, the portion 131 allows the bottle 3 to be positioned laterally to the heat treatment module 1, thus making it possible to reduce the size of the heat pump.

[0082] The closing plate 13 further comprises fluid connectors 132 allowing fluid circulation within the heat treatment module 1, and / or between said module and another component of the heat pump, such as the compressor. These connectors 132 are preferably inlet and outlet connectors for the refrigerant fluid in the main circuit and are, particularly advantageously, positioned in a plane 133 of the plate 13. This plane is of substantially parallelepipedal shape, so that the closing plate 13 hermetically closes the heat treatment module 1, and the connectors 132 can be inserted, at least partially, into the corresponding openings of said module. More specifically, each connector 132 has a connection end piece 1321 to the heat treatment module 1, the end piece being provided with a seal 1322.Thus, the connectors 132 are positioned on the plane 133 so as to be able to be inserted, in use, into the corresponding openings of the heat treatment module 1.

[0083] These fluid connectors 132 also comprise at least one connector for the inlet of the refrigerant fluid into the condenser from the compressor, and / or other connectors allowing the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant fluid at different temperature levels in the internal heat exchanger. The plane 133 of the closure plate 13 also comprises connectors 132 allowing the outlet of the refrigerant fluid from at least one, preferably two heat exchangers.

[0084] Preferably, an expansion member is positioned upstream of each heat exchanger. These members may be, for example, an electronic expansion valve (abbreviated EXV), a thermostatic expansion valve (abbreviated TXV), or an automatic expansion valve, for example. Particularly preferably, the expansion member is a solenoid valve.

[0085] The closure plate 13 further comprises integrated conduits 134 which place the desiccant bottle 3 and the module 1 in fluid communication. More specifically, one of the conduits 134 allows the entry of refrigerant fluid from the condenser to the desiccant bottle 3, the other conduit 134 allowing the exit of fluid from said bottle to the internal heat exchanger.

[0086] The closure plate 13 further comprises a first closure face 135 which is positioned, in use, against the heat treatment module 1, and a second face 136 opposite the first face 135, and on which the connectors 132 are fixed. More specifically, the first face 135 comprises connection tips 1321 configured to fit into the corresponding openings of the heat treatment module 1. Thus, these tips 1321 protrude from the first face 135. Preferably, the exchangers of the heat treatment module 1 therefore extend along the first face 135 of the closure plate 13.

[0087] Advantageously, the plane 133 comprising the connectors 132 and the portion 131 are assembled at a connection 137, this connection being oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the desiccant bottle 3. In this way, the heat treatment module 1, once fixed to the plate, will be positioned laterally to the bottle 3, the longitudinal axis of the bottle 3 then being parallel to the longitudinal axis (y) of the module.

[0088] Particularly advantageously, the portion 131 of the closure plate 13 is bent relative to the connection 137, so that the longitudinal axis of the desiccant bottle 3 is offset from the plane 133 containing the connectors 132, allowing a substantial saving of space for the assembly comprising the module and the bottle (see in particular figure 4).

[0089] Particularly preferably, the closure plate 13 comprises two sub-plates (138, 139) which assemble. Each sub-plate (138, 139) comprises a portion 131 configured to form, at least partially, the wall of the desiccant bottle 3, a connection 137 and a plane 133. The two sub-plates (138, 139) are fixed together by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as by brazing, at least at the connection 137, and possibly at the plane 133. Advantageously, the two sub-plates (138, 139) are also fixed together at a junction 137' located at a distance from the connection 137 and oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the desiccant bottle 3. Thus, the two portions 131 can form the entire wall of the desiccant bottle 3, when the two sub-plates (138, 139) are fixed together.

[0090] The connection 137 and / or the junction 137' of the two sub-plates (138, 139) is advantageously carried out by fixing methods known to those skilled in the art. In particular, methods such as welding, gluing, in particular with epoxy adhesives, and bolting (with sealing gaskets) can be envisaged. In a particularly preferred manner, brazing is the selected method.

[0091] The wall of the bottle 3 may also comprise end portions 31 formed, respectively, in continuity with the portions 131 and / or fixed to said portions by the aforementioned fixing methods. The end portions 31 may also be directly fixed to the portion(s) 131 to form the wall of the desiccant bottle 3.

[0092] To produce integrated conduits 134, channels 1341 may be formed in a first sub-plate 138, and a second sub-plate 139 closes the channels 1341 to form said conduits. The fixing, with the aforementioned methods, must be carried out in order to allow the conduits 134 to be sealed.

[0093] Alternatively, the closure plate 13 may be single, with a single portion 131 forming the entire desiccant bottle 3, the connection 137 and the plane 133 with the two faces (135, 136). Alternatively, two connections and two planes may be mounted in continuity with a single portion 131 and secured together by the aforementioned securing techniques.

[0094] Alternatively, the portion 131 may surround, at least partially, the wall of the desiccant bottle 3. Thus, when the plate 13 comprises two sub-plates (138, 139), the two portions 131 of each of said sub-plates (138, 139) are fixed together to be able to surround the wall of the desiccant bottle 3, each therefore surrounding only a part of said bottle. The fixings are, as previously, preferably carried out at the level of the connection 137 and / or at the junction 137' positioned at a distance from said connection, said connection and junction being oriented in the longitudinal axis of the bottle 3 in order to tighten the closure plate 13 or the sub-plates (138, 139) forming said plate around the wall of the desiccant bottle 3. End portions 31 may also be formed, respectively, in continuity with the portions 131 and / or be fixed to said portions by the aforementioned fixing methods.

[0095] Thus, the portion(s) 131 may surround the entire wall of the desiccant bottle 3, when the two sub-plates (138, 139) are fixed together. Thus, if the portions 131 are also fixed to end portions 31, a second wall may surround the wall of the desiccant bottle 2.

[0096] Alternatively, the closure plate may be single, with a single portion surrounding the entire desiccant bottle, a single connection, and a single plane. Alternatively, two connections and two planes may be mounted in continuity with the portion and secured together by the aforementioned fastening techniques.

[0097] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a heat treatment module according to the invention. This method is described in correlation with figures 1 to 4 previously described.

[0098] This process includes the following steps:

[0099] First, there is an assembly of the closure plate 13. The closure plate 13 comprises a portion 131 which can form, at least partially, the wall of the desiccant bottle 3. This assembly comprises an assembly of the portion 131 with the fluidic connectors 132 and with the integrated conduits 134.

[0100] In the case where said plate comprises two sub-plates (138, 139), the portion 131 of each of the sub-plates (138, 139) forms each side of the desiccant bottle 3, the two planes of each sub-plate (138, 139) then being joined to each other. The two sub-plates (138, 139) are then fixed together by the fixing techniques known to those skilled in the art and mentioned above. Advantageously, the two sub-plates (138, 139) are welded together.

[0101] In a particularly preferred manner, the portions 131 of the two sub-plates (138, 139) are fixed together at the level of the connection 137, of the junction 137' and end portions 31 to form the wall of the desiccant bottle 3.

[0102] Then, there is a connection between the heat treatment module 1 and the connection tips 1321 of the closing plate 13, by attaching said module to the first face 135 of the plate. The exchangers (111, 112, 113) of the module 1 and the plate are then fixed together simultaneously. The connectors 132 are advantageously brazed to the second face 136 of the closing plate 13. Other fixing methods, such as gluing or welding, can also be envisaged instead of brazing.

[0103] Optionally, there is a connection of the desiccant bottle 3 to the main circuit (Cp) of refrigerant fluid.

[0104] Alternatively, a second method of manufacturing a heat treatment module comprising a closure plate surrounding a wall of a desiccant bottle is described. This method comprises the following steps:

[0105] First, there is an assembly of the closure plate 13. The closure plate 13 comprises a portion 131 which can surround, at least partially, the wall of the desiccant bottle 3. This assembly comprises an assembly of the portion 131 with the fluidic connectors 132 and the integrated conduits 134.

[0106] In the case where the closure plate 13 comprises two sub-plates (138, 139), each portion 131 of the two sub-plates (138, 139) is positioned on either side of the desiccant bottle 3, the two planes of the two sub-plates (138, 139) being joined to each other. The two sub-plates (138, 139) are then fixed together by the fixing techniques known to those skilled in the art and mentioned above. Advantageously, the two sub-plates (138, 139) are welded together.

[0107] Then, there is a connection between the heat treatment module 1 and the connection tips 1321 of the closing plate 13, by attaching said module to the first face 135 of the plate. The exchangers (111, 112, 113) of the module 1 and the plate are then fixed simultaneously together. Optionally, the connectors 132 are brazed to the second face 136 of the closure plate 13. Other attachment methods, such as gluing or welding, may also be considered instead of brazing.

[0108] Optionally, there is a connection of the desiccant bottle 3 to the main circuit (Cp) of refrigerant fluid.

[0109] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0110] Further, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be combined with one or more other features disclosed only in another embodiment. Similarly, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be generalized to other embodiments, even if that or those features are described only in combination with other features.

[0111] The use of the verb “comprise”, “comprendre” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim. |

Claims

Claims

1. Closing plate (13) of a vehicle heat treatment module (1), comprising fluid connectors (132) for circulation of fluid in said module, characterized in that said plate comprises: - a portion (131) configured to form, at least partially, a wall of a bottle, in particular an accumulator or a desiccant bottle (3), - integrated conduits (134) configured to put the bottle and the module (1) into fluid communication.

2. Plate (13) according to claim 1, wherein said plate is formed by the assembly of two sub-plates (138, 139), each of said sub-plates comprising the portion (131) configured to form, at least partially, the wall of the bottle.

3. A plate (13) according to claim 2, wherein the portions (131) of the sub-plates (138, 139) are fixed together at a connection (137) oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bottle.

4. Plate (13) according to claim 3, in which the portions (131) of the sub-plates (138, 139) are fixed together by a junction (137') positioned at a distance from the connection (137) and oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle.

5. Plate (13) according to one of claims 2 to 4, in which channels (1341) are formed in a first sub-plate (138), a second sub-plate (139) closing said channels to form the integrated conduits (134).

6. Plate (13) according to one of the preceding claims, having: - a first closing face (135) located in use against the heat treatment module (1), - a second face (136) opposite said first face (135) and on which the connectors (132) are fixed.

7. Plate (13) according to claim 6, in which the fluidic connectors (132) each have a connection tip (1321) to the heat treatment module (1), which end pieces protrude from the first closing face (135) and are provided with sealing gaskets (1322).

8. Plate (13) according to one of claims 4 to 7, in combination with claim 3, in which the portion (131) is bent relative to the connection (137), so that the longitudinal axis of the bottle is offset from a plane (133) containing the connectors (132).

9. Heat treatment module (1) for a vehicle comprising a stack of plates (10) defining at least one heat exchanger (111, 112) for heat exchange between a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer fluid, and an internal heat exchanger (113) for heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid subjected to two different temperature levels, which module is closed by a closing plate (13), characterized in that the closing plate (13) is in accordance with one of the preceding claims.

10. Heat pump for a vehicle, the pump comprising a heat treatment module (1) closed by a closing plate (13), and a bottle, in particular an accumulator or a desiccant bottle (3), characterized in that the closing plate (13) is according to one of claims 1 to 8, the bottle comprising at least two superimposed walls, an internal wall in contact with the refrigerant fluid and an external wall for containing said bottle.

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