Heat treatment module and system for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat treatment module for a vehicle, comprising a stack of plates (P) defining: - a heat exchanger (6), - a condenser (2), - an internal heat exchanger (4) defining a base common to the heat exchanger and to the condenser, characterised in that: - a closure plate (61) of the heat exchanger (6) has: -- a first opening (O7) opening into a manifold (C7) defined in the stack of plates for discharging the refrigerant fluid from the heat exchanger, -- a second opening (O3) opening into a manifold (C3) defined in the stack of plates for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in the internal heat exchanger, and - an adapter flange (8) supporting refrigerant fluid inlet and outlet connectors is attached to the closure plate, the flange fluidically connecting the first opening (O7) and the second opening (O3).

Description

Description Title: Vehicle heat treatment module and system Technical field [1] The invention relates to a heat treatment module for a vehicle and a heat treatment system comprising such a module. [2] The invention relates to the technical field of heat treatment of fluid within a vehicle by plate exchangers. The vehicle is preferably a motor vehicle (car, truck, etc.), but more generally, it can be of the land, sea or air type. State of the art [3] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with a refrigerant circuit and at least one heat transfer fluid circuit, both used to participate in a heat treatment of different areas or different components of the vehicle. It is notably known to use the refrigerant circuit and / or the heat transfer fluid circuit to heat treat an air flow sent into a passenger compartment of the vehicle equipped with such a circuit and / or to cool components of the vehicle's powertrain (battery, engine, etc.). [4] The refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid usually circulate within their respective circuits and interact with each other via a plurality of heat exchangers ensuring an exchange of calories between the two fluids. In order to improve the compactness of the heat treatment system, several of these heat exchangers can be grouped into a heat treatment module. As automobile manufacturers are in a perspective of continuous improvement of their vehicles, one improvement objective is to group more elements of the heat treatment system within the heat treatment modules to reduce the space occupied by these elements. [5] Patent document FR3126647 discloses a particularly compact heat treatment module for vehicles, combining several functions. This module is formed from a stack of arranged plates and configured to group together several exchangers, and in particular: a heat exchanger (or chiller in English) for a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the heat transfer fluid, and an internal heat exchanger (or IHX for the English acronym of Internal Heat Exchanger) for a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid subjected to two different temperature levels. [6] In practice, the circulation of the refrigerant fluid inside this module follows particularly long and winding paths which generate significant pressure losses in the module. [7] In addition, the quantity of fluid on board can be relatively large due to volumes lost inside the module and due to the connections required to connect certain connectors together. [8] Furthermore, the assembly and disassembly of the connectors on the module can be relatively complex, making assembly, maintenance and repair operations difficult, particularly in an environment where access to these connectors is often hindered by complex configurations and restricted spaces. [9] The invention aims to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. It aims in particular to achieve all or part of the following objectives: reduce pressure losses within the heat treatment module; reduce the quantity of fluid on board; improve the overall efficiency of the heat treatment module; reduce the operational costs and times associated with the phases of assembly, maintenance and repair of the heat treatment module. Presentation of the invention

[0010] The solution proposed by the invention is a heat treatment module for a vehicle comprising a stack of plates defining: - a heat exchanger for heat exchange between a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer fluid, - a condenser for heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer fluid, - an internal heat exchanger for heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid subjected to two different temperature levels, which heat exchanger internal heat defines a base common to the heat exchanger and the condenser, and in which: - a heat exchanger closing plate has: -- a first opening opening into a collector defined in the stack of plates for the evacuation of the refrigerant fluid from said heat exchanger, -- a second opening leading into a collector defined in the stack of plates for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in the internal heat exchanger, - an adapter flange supporting refrigerant fluid inlet and outlet connections is attached to said closure plate, which flange is configured to put the first opening and the second opening into fluid communication.

[0011] By locating the chiller refrigerant outlet and the refrigerant inlet into the IHX side by side on the same closing plate of said chiller, the circulation path of the refrigerant between these two exchangers is particularly short, so that the pressure losses associated with this circulation are minimized, as well as the lost volumes, thereby contributing to improving the overall efficiency of the heat treatment module. In addition, the chiller refrigerant outlet manifold and the inlet manifold of said fluid into the IHX can be brought closer together in the module 10 and be optimized in terms of length and linearity, freeing up space within the module 10 and / or improving its compactness.

[0012] The use of a flange that serves both as a connector support and as a fluid connection between the chiller and the IHX simplifies assembly and maintenance operations, as it reduces the need for additional external fittings, conduits or tubing or dispersed components, thus optimizing the use of space within and around the module. The adapter flange also makes it easy to equip the module with several connectors, these being grouped on a single part. Maintenance operations are also simplified since it is sufficient to remove the flange to work on the elements it supports, without having to disassemble the entire module without having to intervene in different places on the module.

[0013] Other advantageous features of the invention are listed below. Each of these features can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable features defined above. Each of these features contributes, where appropriate, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the other features defined above do not necessarily contribute. The following characteristics may thus be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications:

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first opening and the second opening open into a common channel formed in the thickness of the flange.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the flange supports a first refrigerant fluid inlet connection in the internal heat exchanger, which flange is configured to fluidly connect said first inlet connection with the first opening and with the second opening.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first input connector opens into the common channel.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the flange supports a second refrigerant fluid inlet connection in the internal heat exchanger, which flange is configured to fluidly connect said second inlet connection with the first opening and with the second opening.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the second input connector opens into the common channel.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the closing plate of the heat exchanger has a third opening opening into a collector defined in the stack of plates for the evacuation of the refrigerant fluid from the internal heat exchanger, the flange being configured to put said third opening into fluid communication with a refrigerant fluid outlet connection of the internal heat exchanger, which connection is supported by said flange.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the closing plate of the heat exchanger has a fourth opening opening into a collector defined in the stack of plates for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in said exchanger, the flange being configured to put said fourth opening into fluid communication with a connection for the inlet of the refrigerant fluid into the heat exchanger, which connection is supported by said flange.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a refrigerant fluid inlet connection in the heat exchanger and a refrigerant fluid inlet connection in the internal heat exchanger are grouped together on a part fixed to the flange.

[0022] According to one embodiment, an expansion member is associated with the refrigerant fluid inlet connection in the heat exchanger, which member is fixed to the part.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention relates to a thermal treatment system for a vehicle, comprising a thermal treatment module in accordance with one of the preceding characteristics. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of the embodiments which follow, with reference to the appended drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: [Fig. 1] shows a diagram of an example of a heat treatment system for a motor vehicle, comprising a heat treatment module according to the invention. [Fig. 2A] is a perspective representation of a heat treatment module according to the invention, seen from a first face (called a top view). [Fig. 2B] illustrates the heat treatment module of Figure 2A, seen from a second face (called bottom view) opposite the first face. [Fig. 3A], [Fig. 3B], [Fig. 3C], [Fig. 3D] and [Fig. 3E] are different sectional views of a heat treatment module according to the invention. [Fig. 4A] is a perspective representation of the IHX, chiller and condenser, seen from above. [Fig. 4B] is a perspective representation of the IHX, chiller and condenser, seen from below. [Fig. 5A] is a perspective representation of the flange, showing the external face of said flange. [Fig. 5B] is a perspective representation of the flange, showing the internal face of said flange. [Fig. 6] is a perspective representation of a connecting piece suitable for attachment to the flange. Description of the embodiments

[0025] To possibly complete their current definition, the following clarifications are made to certain terms used in the claims and the description: - As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the possible use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object merely indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are being referred to and does not imply that the objects so described must be in any given sequence, whether in time, space, ordering, or otherwise. - “X and / or Y” means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. - Generally speaking, it will be appreciated that on the various attached drawings, the objects are arbitrarily drawn to facilitate their reading.

[0026] Figure 1 represents a heat treatment system 100 of the heat pump type, for a motor vehicle. This system comprises a first refrigerant fluid loop 101, represented in solid lines, in which a refrigerant fluid (e.g.: R134a, R1234yf, R290, R744) circulates, and one or more heat transfer fluid loops 102i, 1022, represented in dotted lines, in which a heat transfer fluid (e.g.: glycolated water, dielectric fluid) circulates.

[0027] The first refrigerant fluid loop 101 comprises, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid: a compressor 1, a condenser 2, a desiccant bottle 3, an internal heat exchanger 4 or IHX (for the English acronym of Internal Heat Exchanger), an expansion member 5, and a 6-type thermal heat exchanger, water evaporator, or chiller in English.

[0028] The condenser 2 is preferably a water condenser or WCDS (for the English acronym for Water Cooled Condenser). It is a two-fluid heat exchanger, arranged downstream of the compressor 1, and configured to extract heat from the refrigerant fluid which condenses, and transfer it to the heat transfer fluid circulating in the heat transfer fluid loop 102i. The condenser 2 has an inlet 2e and an outlet 2s of the refrigerant fluid, and an inlet 2'e and an outlet 2's of the heat transfer fluid. The inlet 2e is fluidically connected to the outlet 1s of the compressor 1. The circulation of the refrigerant and heat transfer fluids is preferably countercurrent to optimize the exchanges.

[0029] The desiccant bottle 3 is configured to remove a gaseous fraction of the refrigerant that has not been condensed in the condenser 2. The desiccant bottle 3 is disposed between the condenser 2 and the IHX 4. More particularly, the desiccant bottle 3 comprises an inlet 3e fluidly connected to the outlet 2s of the condenser 2 and an outlet 3s fluidly connected to an inlet 4e of the IHX 4.

[0030] The IHX 4 is configured for heat exchange between the refrigerant subjected to two different temperature levels. For this purpose, the IHX comprises two heat exchange stages. The IHX 4 allows in particular to cool the refrigerant by heat exchange between the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant coming from the condenser 2 and the low temperature and low pressure refrigerant coming from the chiller 6. On the high temperature side, the IHX 4 has an inlet 4e fluidly connected to the outlet 3s of the desiccant bottle 3, and an outlet 4s fluidly connected to the expansion member 5. On the low temperature side, it has an inlet 40e fluidly connected to the outlet 6s of the chiller 6, and an outlet 40s fluidly connected to the inlet 1e of the compressor 1.

[0031] The expansion member 5 is for example of the EXV expansion valve type (for the English acronym of Electronic expansion Valve). It is configured to expand the high-pressure refrigerant fluid to a first pressure level (low pressure), this reduction in pressure being accompanied by a reduction in the temperature. This expansion device provides a fluid connection between the IHX 4 and the chiller 6. In particular, it has a 5e inlet fluidly connected to the 4s outlet of the IHX 4 and a 5s outlet fluidly connected to the 6e inlet of the chiller 6.

[0032] The chiller 6 is configured to extract heat from the heat transfer fluid circulating in the heat transfer fluid loop 1022 and transfer it to the refrigerant. On the refrigerant side, it has an inlet 6e associated with the expansion member 5 and an outlet 6s fluidically connected to the inlet 40e of the IHX 4. The chiller 6 also has an inlet 6'e and an outlet 6's of the heat transfer fluid. The circulation of the refrigerant and heat transfer fluids is preferably countercurrent to optimize the exchanges.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the heat transfer fluid loop 102i is used for heat exchange with an air flow sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, for example by being connected to the radiator 110 of said passenger compartment for its heating. And the heat transfer fluid loop 1022 allows heat exchange with one or more components 111 of the vehicle's powertrain for their cooling or heat recovery, for example with the electronic part of said chain (or PEEM for the English acronym for Power Electronics and Electric Machinery), with the engine and / or with the batteries.

[0034] In the system of Figure 1, a portion of the refrigerant fluid leaving the high temperature stage of the IHX 4 through the outlet 4s also passes through another heat exchanger 112 allowing a heat exchange to be carried out between said refrigerant fluid and an air flow, for example an interior air flow for heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The refrigerant fluid is expanded upstream of this exchanger to reduce its temperature. This expansion is carried out by means of an expansion member 7 of the type described previously. The refrigerant fluid leaving this exchanger 112 then returns to the low temperature stage of the IHX 4 and / or circulates to an additional heat exchanger 113. The latter can for example be placed within the vehicle so as to be crossed by an external air flow, for example at a front face of the vehicle. This additional exchanger 113 can behave as a condenser or as an evaporator depending on a operating mode of the heat treatment system. The refrigerant leaving this additional exchanger 113 then returns to the low temperature stage of the IHX 4.

[0035] It can therefore be seen that the low temperature stage of the IHX 4 is supplied by the refrigerant coming from the chiller 6, by the refrigerant coming from the exchanger 112, and by the refrigerant coming from the additional exchanger 113. According to one embodiment, the heat treatment module 10 aims to integrate this multi-way connection at the level of the inlet 40e of the IHX 4.

[0036] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the module 10 is formed from a stack of plates P (partially shown in Figure 2A for clarity) defining the condenser 2, the IHX 4 and the chiller 6. These plates define between them collectors and fluid circulation passes for each of these exchangers. The module 10 is thus of the multifunction type, that is to say that it performs three distinct heat exchange functions and is suitable for integration into a system of the type illustrated in Figure 1.

[0037] The P plates can be common to the different exchangers or dedicated to one exchanger only. In this case, the different exchangers 2, 4, 6 are reported and assembled together.

[0038] The plates P are stacked along a stacking axis A which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the planes of the plates P. These plates P are for example rectangular in circumference and produced by sheet metal stamping. They are in particular configured and arranged to form passes for the circulation of fluid and advantageously comprise corrugations or elements for disturbing the flow of fluid to improve heat transfers. These plates P being known to the person skilled in the art, they will not be described in further detail.

[0039] The IHX 4 defines a common base for the condenser 2 and the chiller 6. Thanks to this arrangement, the module 10 is particularly compact and the fluid collectors defined inside said module can be shaped to minimize bends, changes of direction or intersections likely to increase pressure losses. As explained further in the description, this arrangement also makes it possible to arrange the various fluid inlet and outlet connections to limit the number and / or length of external fittings or tubing and to optimize the space in and around the module 10.

[0040] The condenser 2 and the chiller 6 each comprise a first end plate 21, 61 corresponding to closing plates of said exchangers. In other words, these plates 21 and 61 respectively close the condenser 2 and the chiller 6 at their end opposite the IHX 4. The IHX 4 also comprises closing plates 41, 42 closing the ends of said IHX.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the closing plate 42 of the IHX 4 which is opposite the condenser 2 and the chiller 6, also serves as a closing plate common to these exchangers. In other words, the closing plate 42 closes the condenser 2 and the chiller 6 at their end adjacent to the IHX 4. This solution has the advantage of simplifying the design of the module 10 and reducing the number of plates.

[0042] According to an alternative embodiment, the condenser 2 and the chiller 6 each comprise a second closing plate 22, 62 closing said exchangers at their end adjacent to the IHX 4. The closing plates 22, 62 are then adjacent to the closing plate 42. This solution has the advantage of being able to form the IHX 4, the condenser 2 and the chiller 6 separately and to assemble them subsequently.

[0043] In any event, the closing plate 41 of the IHX 4 defines a first end face of the module 10 and the closing plates 21 of the condenser 2 and 61 of the chiller 6 define second end faces opposite said first face.

[0044] Connections for the inlet / outlet of the fluids are arranged at the various closure plates. In particular, the closure plate 41 of the IHX 4 comprises: the inlet 4e and outlet 4s connections for the refrigerant fluid in the high-temperature stage of the IHX, the outlet 2's connection for the heat transfer fluid of the condenser 2, and the inlet 6'e and outlet 6's connections for the heat transfer fluid of the chiller 6.

[0045] The closing plate 21 of the condenser 2 comprises: the inlet connections 2e and outlet 2s of the refrigerant fluid in said condenser and the inlet connection 2'e of the heat transfer fluid in said condenser.

[0046] The closing plate 61 of the chiller 6 comprises an adapter flange 8 supporting refrigerant fluid inlet 40ie, 402e and outlet 40s connections. According to a preferred embodiment, the expansion member 5 is also carried by the flange 8. This flange 8 is described in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0047] For the sake of simplification and understanding, the connectors installed on the module 10 bear the same references as the inlets / outlets of the various exchangers 2, 4, 6 and other components 3, 5 illustrated in FIG. 1, insofar as these connectors are associated with said inlets / outlets. However, the reference 40e in FIG. 1 becomes 40ie and 402e in the other figures. These connectors may be in the form of fittings, conduits, tubing, valves, and more generally in the form of any means, elements or members allowing a fluid connection between said inlets / outlets and the fluid collectors formed in the module 10.

[0048] Referring to Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, collectors are defined in the stack of plates P for the circulation of fluid inside the module 10.

[0049] In particular, the IHX 4 has a collector C1 for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in the high temperature stage and a collector C2 for the evacuation of said fluid from said stage. These two collectors C1, C2 extend rectilinearly in the height of the IHX 4 and open respectively at an opening 01 and an opening 02 made in the closing plate 41 of the IHX 4. The openings 01, 02 are configured to receive respectively the aforementioned connectors 4e and 4s. This particular arrangement of the connectors 4e, 4s makes it possible to reduce the length of the collectors C1 and C2 inside the module 10 and the associated pressure losses. Indeed, by arranging these 4e, 4s connectors as close as possible to the IHX 4, the C1 and C2 collectors are more direct and shorter, eliminating, or at least reducing, the need to pass said collectors through additional sections or stages and / or more tortuous fluid paths.

[0050] The IHX 4 also has a collector C3 for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in the low temperature stage and a collector C4 for the evacuation of said fluid from said stage. These two collectors extend in a straight line in the height of the IHX 4 and the chiller 6 to open respectively at a third 03 and an opening 04 made in the closing plate 61 of the chiller 6.

[0051] The condenser 2 has a collector C5 for discharging the refrigerant fluid from said condenser. This collector extends rectilinearly in the height of the condenser 2 to open at an opening 05 made in the closing plate 21 of said condenser. This opening 05 is configured to receive the connectors 2s. The closing plate 21 also comprises an opening 012 for the entry of the refrigerant fluid into the condenser 2. This opening 012 can open into the stack of plates of the condenser 2 or into a collector defined in this stack. This positioning makes it possible to group together on the same side of the module 10 several connectors dedicated to the refrigerant fluid, which facilitates assembly and maintenance operations.

[0052] The chiller 6 has a collector C6 and a collector C7 for the arrival and evacuation of the refrigerant fluid in said chiller respectively. These two collectors extend in a rectilinear manner in the height of the chiller 6 to open respectively at an opening 06 and an opening 07 made in the closing plate 61 of said chiller.

[0053] Concerning the heat transfer fluid, the condenser 2 has a collector C8 and a collector C9 for respectively the arrival and the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid in said condenser. They extend in a rectilinear manner in the height of the IHX 4 and the condenser 2 to open respectively at an opening 08 made in the closing plate 21 of said condenser and an opening 09 made in the closing plate 41 of said IHX. These two collectors are preferably coaxial (figures 3A and 3D), but can be in another arrangement. Coaxial collectors C8, C9 however, have the advantage of freeing up space in the module 10 and / or improving its compactness. The openings 08, 09 are configured to receive the aforementioned 2'e connector and 2's connector respectively.

[0054] According to an alternative embodiment, the openings 08 and 09 are both made in the closing plate 21 of the condenser 2. The connectors 2'e and 2's are in this case also fixed to the closing plate 21. This arrangement allows centralized access to the connectors 2'e and 2's, which can facilitate their connection and maintenance.

[0055] The chiller 6 has a collector C10 and a collector C11 for the arrival and evacuation of the heat transfer fluid in said chiller respectively. These collectors extend in a rectilinear manner in the height of the IHX 4 and the chiller 6 to open respectively at an opening 010 and an opening 011 made in the closing plate 41 of said IHX.

[0056] The inlet 6'e and outlet 6's connections for the heat transfer fluid in the chiller 6 are also arranged on the closing plate 41 of the IHX 4. These connections 6'e, 6's are in fluid communication with the collectors C10 and C11 respectively, through the openings 010 and 011. This location of the connections 6'e and 6's not only makes it easier to access them, in particular when the module 10 is integrated into the system of FIG. 1, but also avoids further cluttering the closing plate 61 of the chiller 6.

[0057] Referring in particular to Figure 3A, the connectors 6'e and 6's are advantageously offset from the openings 010 and 011. The openings 010 and 011 are located above the chiller 6, while the connectors 6'e and 6's are located above the condenser 2. More particularly, they are aligned along an edge of the closing plate 41, with the connectors 2's and 4e, which tends to facilitate their access. This grouping of the connectors 6'e, 6's, 2's, 4e at the edge of the closing plate 41, also makes it possible to leave a part of said plate and the space surrounding it free, which allows the arrangement of other components of the system in this space.

[0058] In the attached figures, the fluid connection between the connectors 6'e and 6's and the openings 010 and 011 is carried out by means of conduits 600 fixed on the closing plate 41, which avoids conforming fluid circulation paths inside the IHX 4. These conduits 600 have a concave cross-section, preferably U-shaped, which is closed by the plate 41, so that the size of said conduits is minimized in terms of height and it is not necessary to use additional closing parts.

[0059] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the arrangement of the different openings 01 - 011 on the different closure plates. The other openings 030, 040, 090, 0100, 0110 are other openings made in the different closure plates 22, 42, 62 for the fluid communication of the collectors C3, C4, C9, C10 and C11 between the IHX 4 and the condenser 2 or the chiller 6. The opening 012 made in the closure plate 61 of the condenser is configured to receive the aforementioned connector 2e. These different openings are preferably circular, but can be of another shape (e.g.: polygonal, oval, triangular, etc.).

[0060] This being stated, the closing plate 61 of the chiller 6 has: a first opening 07 opening into the collector C7 for discharging the refrigerant fluid from said chiller, and a second opening 03 opening into the collector C3 for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in the low temperature stage of the IHX 4. Due to the proximity of the two openings 07, 03 on the closing plate 61, the circulation path of the refrigerant fluid between the collectors C7 and C3 is particularly short, so that the pressure losses associated with this circulation are minimized. In addition, the collectors C7 and C3 can be brought closer together in the module 10 and be optimized in terms of length and linearity, which frees up space within the module 10 and / or improves its compactness.

[0061] The two openings 07, 03 are placed in fluid communication by means of the flange 8, without it being necessary to provide additional circulation paths internal to the module 10, or external fittings, conduits or tubing, to place the collectors C7 and C3 in fluid communication. As a result, the space internal to the module 10 and the external space around said module are optimized, which facilitates access for the installation and maintenance of said module.

[0062] In Figures 5A and 5B, the flange 8 is of substantially parallelepipedal shape, and is advantageously in the form of a single piece. It is preferably rigid, for example made of steel, aluminum-type metal, or any other material suitable to the person skilled in the art.

[0063] The flange 8 is configured to be fixed against the external face of the closing plate 61, by screwing, welding, gluing, or by any other means or technique ensuring a stable mechanical fixing, eliminating any risk of loosening or displacement due in particular to vibrations of the vehicle and / or thermal cycles.

[0064] The face 81 of the flange 8 intended to be pressed against the external face of the closing plate 61 is called the “internal face” and the face 82 opposite this face is called the “external face”.

[0065] According to one embodiment, a channel 83 is formed in the thickness of the flange 8. This channel 83 has a U-shaped cross-section, that is to say that it is open at the external face 81. The channel 83 can thus be closed by the plate 61, without it being necessary to use an additional closing part. To simplify the design, the channel 83 can for example be machined from the external face 81. One or more seals can be arranged to form a fluid seal between the flange 8 and the closing plate 81, at the channel 83.

[0066] The flange 8 is positioned on the closing plate 61 so that the openings 07 and 03 open into the channel 83. The channel 83 is thus common to these two openings and allows them to be put into fluid communication. A keying device may be provided on the flange 8 and / or on the closing plate 61 so as to guarantee the precise positioning of said flange.

[0067] To limit pressure losses in the channel 83, it is preferably rectilinear between the openings 07 and 03 so that the fluid path is as direct as possible. In addition, its width and depth advantageously correspond to the diameter of said openings.

[0068] As previously indicated with reference to Figure 1, the low temperature stage of the IHX 4 can also be supplied by the refrigerant fluid coming from the exchanger 112 and / or coming from the additional exchanger 113. Also, according to one embodiment, the flange 8 supports a first inlet connection 40ie and possibly a second connection 402e of refrigerant fluid in the low temperature stage of the IHX 4. These connections 40ie, 402e are configured to be fluidically connected respectively to the outlet of the exchanger 112 and to the outlet of the additional exchanger 113, for example by means of fittings or tubing. They are advantageously installed on the external face 82 of the flange 8. The latter is then configured to put the first connector 40ie and, where appropriate, the second connector 402e into fluid communication with the openings 07 and 03. To simplify the design and improve the compactness of the flange 8, the connectors 40ie, 402e open into the common channel 83.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the flange 8 also supports the connection 40s for discharging the refrigerant fluid from the low temperature stage of the IHX 4, which is advantageously installed on the external face 82 of said flange. The flange 8 is configured to put the connection 40s into fluid communication with the aforementioned opening 04. To simplify the design and improve the compactness of the flange 8, the connection 40s is coaxial with the opening 04 and opens directly into it.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the flange 8 also supports the connection 6e for the refrigerant fluid inlet into the chiller 6, which is advantageously installed on the external face 82 of said flange. The flange 8 is configured to put the connection 6e into fluid communication with the aforementioned opening 06. To simplify the design and improve the compactness of the flange 8, the connection 6e is coaxial with the opening 06 and opens directly into it.

[0071] The flange 8 is thus multifunctional in that it serves not only as a means of fluid communication between the chiller 6 and the IHX 4, but also as a multi-way connector for the low temperature inlet of the IHX and also as a grouped support for the 40ie, 402e, 40s and 6e connectors. This multifunctional flange thus makes it possible to reduce the number of components necessary for the operation of the module 10 and simplifies its design, in that it reduces the need for additional external pipes or dispersed components. The assembly of the module 10 is then faster and less susceptible to assembly errors. In addition, by grouping the 40ie, 402e, 40s and 6e connectors on flange 8, there is centralized access, so that in the event of a failure, it is sufficient to simply remove the flange to work on these connectors, without having to dismantle the entire module 10.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the refrigerant fluid inlet connection 6e in the chiller 6 and the refrigerant fluid inlet connection 402e in the IHX 4 are grouped on a part 9 fixed on the flange 8. In Figure 6, this part 9 is parallelepipedal in shape and in one piece. It is rigid, for example made of steel, aluminum-type metal, or any other material suitable to the person skilled in the art. The part 9 makes it possible in particular to reinforce the robustness of the flange 8. Its one-piece design also simplifies the assembly and maintenance steps of the module 10. In particular, in the event of failure of the connector 6e and / or the connector 402e, only the part 9 needs to be removed, without having to dismantle the flange 8. It is configured to be fixed against the external face 82 of the flange 8, by screwing, welding, gluing, or by any other means or technique ensuring stable mechanical fixing.

[0073] The part 9 has on its face intended to be fixed on the flange 8 female connectors, respectively male, 60e, 4002e configured to connect to male connectors, respectively female, arranged on said flange (corresponding to the connectors 6e, 402e of figure 5A). Seals are advantageously provided at these connectors. The connectors 60e, 4002e open respectively onto two distinct faces of the part 9, at the connectors 6e and 402e. The arrangement on two distinct faces of the connectors 6e and 402e facilitates their access and allows them to be distinguished more clearly.

[0074] To simplify assembly and improve the compactness of the module 10, the expansion member 5 associated with the connector 6e is advantageously fixed to the part 9, upstream of said connector. By being thus offset from the flange 8, the expansion member 5 does not hinder access to the other connectors supported by said flange. In particular, it can be easily installed on a large face of the part 9 onto which the connector 6e opens. In the case where the flange 8 does not does not support part 9, the relaxation member 5 can however be directly fixed on said flange.

[0075] According to an alternative embodiment, the refrigerant fluid inlet connection 6e in the chiller 6 and the refrigerant fluid inlet connection 402e in the IHX 4 are two separate elements installed on the flange 8.

[0076] According to an embodiment illustrated in particular by FIG. 2B, the height of the condenser 2 is greater than that of the chiller 6, so that the module 10 has a recess at the level of said chiller. This recess makes it possible to absorb all or part of the size of the flange 8, and where appropriate of the part 9, installed on the closing plate 61, so that the module 10 remains particularly compact. In addition, the total surface area available for heat transfer in the condenser 2 is maximized.

[0077] In Figures 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and 3C, the desiccant bottle 3 is installed against a side wall of the condenser 2. To optimize the compactness of the module 10, the bottle 3 is installed so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the side wall - or to the plane of said wall - of the condenser 2 and perpendicular to the stacking direction A of the plates P. This compactness is further improved when the length of the bottle 3 is less than or equal to the length of the side wall of the condenser 2.

[0078] In this arrangement, the inlet connection 3e of the bottle 3 is as close as possible to the outlet connection 2s of the condenser 2 and the outlet connection 3s of said bottle is as close as possible to the inlet connection 4e of the IHX 4. This proximity of the bottle 3 to the condenser 2 and the IHX 4 makes it possible to reduce the length of the conduits or tubing 30 connecting the connections 2s-3e and 3s-4e, and therefore the associated pressure losses, as well as the volumes lost and the quantity of fluid carried in the system 100.

[0079] The simplified arrangement of the various elements described above, in particular the connectors, simplifies not only the connection of these connectors to each other, but also the connections between these connectors and the various elements of the system 100, in particular the compressor 1, and the exchangers 110, 111, 112. In particular, the pipes, conduits or connectors located outside the module 10 and which connect the connectors to each other or to the different elements of the system 100, can be shorter and more direct, thereby reducing the number of bends or changes of direction likely to complicate the assembly and increase pressure losses. This reduction also makes it possible to reduce the volumes lost as well as the quantity of fluid carried in the system 100.

[0080] This simplified layout also promotes a more compact assembly of the 10 module, which is a major advantage in space-constrained environments, such as vehicles. In addition, this simplicity speeds up assembly, maintenance or repair operations and reduces the risk of errors, significant advantages in large-scale production environments.

[0081] In a particular context, the flange 8 may not be configured to put the first opening 07 (i.e. the manifold C7) and the second opening 03 (i.e. the manifold C3) into fluid communication. This fluid communication may in particular be ensured by other means, such as external fittings or pipes, or even with manifolds C7 and C3 combined.

[0082] In this particular context, according to an embodiment not covered by the claims, but likely to be the subject, where appropriate, of a divisional patent application, one of the advantages of the flange 8 then lies in the fact that it supports: the inlet connection 6e of the refrigerant fluid in the chiller 6 and preferably the associated expansion member 5 (via or not the part 9); at least one of the inlet connections 40ie, 402e of the refrigerant fluid in the IHX 4; and the outlet connection 40s of the refrigerant fluid of said IHX. The grouping of these connections on the flange 8 makes it possible to bring the collectors C6, C3 and C4 closer together in the module 10 and to optimize them in terms of length and linearity, which frees up space within the module 10 and / or improves its compactness and reduces pressure losses.This grouping also provides centralized access to these various connectors, so that in the event of a failure, it is sufficient to simply remove the flange to work on it, without having to dismantle the entire module 10. Assembly of the module 10 is also faster and less susceptible to assembly errors.

[0083] In this same particular context mentioned above, and according to another embodiment not covered by the claims, but also likely to be the subject, where appropriate, of a divisional patent application, the flange 8 supports the two inlet connectors 40ie, 402e of the refrigerant fluid in the IHX 4, which flange is configured to put said connectors in fluid communication with the manifold C3. This fluid communication is advantageously achieved by means of the common channel 83 described previously and into which the two connectors 40ie, 402e and the opening 03 open. The multi-channel aspect of the flange 8 and the aforementioned advantages which result therefrom are highlighted here.

[0084] 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 scope of the invention.

[0085] 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.

Claims

Claims

1. Heat treatment module for a vehicle comprising a stack of plates (P) defining: - a heat exchanger (6) for heat exchange between a refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer fluid, - a condenser (2) for heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer fluid, - an internal heat exchanger (4) for heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid subjected to two different temperature levels, which internal heat exchanger defines a base common to the heat exchanger (6) and to the condenser (2), characterized in that: - a closing plate (61) of the heat exchanger (6) has: -- a first opening (07) opening into a collector (C7) defined in the stack of plates for the evacuation of the refrigerant fluid from said heat exchanger, -- a second opening (03) opening into a collector (C3) defined in the stack of plates for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in the internal heat exchanger (4), - an adapter flange (8) supporting refrigerant fluid inlet and outlet connections is attached to said closure plate (61), which flange is configured to put the first opening (07) and the second opening (03) into fluid communication.

2. Module according to claim 1, in which the first opening (07) and the second opening (03) open into a common channel (83) formed in the thickness of the flange (8).

3. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the flange (8) supports a first inlet connection (40ie) for refrigerant fluid in the internal heat exchanger (4), - the flange (8) is configured to put said first input connection (40ie) with the first opening (07) and with the second opening (03).

4. Module according to claim 3 taken in combination with claim 2, in which the first input connector (40ie) opens into the common channel (83).

5. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the flange (8) supports a second inlet connection (402e) for refrigerant fluid in the internal heat exchanger (4), - the flange (8) is configured to put said second inlet connector (402e) into fluid communication with the first opening (07) and with the second opening (03).

6. Module according to claim 5 taken in combination with claim 2, in which the second input connector (402e) opens into the common channel (83).

7. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the closing plate (61) of the heat exchanger (6) has a third opening (04) opening into a collector (C4) defined in the stack of plates for the evacuation of the refrigerant fluid from the internal heat exchanger (4), - the flange (8) is configured to put the third opening (04) into fluid communication with a refrigerant fluid outlet connection (40s) of the internal heat exchanger (4), which connection is supported by said flange.

8. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the closing plate (61) of the heat exchanger (6) has a fourth opening (06) opening into a collector (C6) defined in the stack of plates for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in said exchanger, - the flange (8) is configured to put the fourth opening (06) into fluid communication with a fluid inlet connection (6e) refrigerant in the heat exchanger (6), which connection is supported by said flange.

9. Module according to one of the preceding claims, taken in combination with claims 5 and 8, in which a connection (6e) for inlet of the refrigerant fluid into the heat exchanger (6) and a connection (402e) for inlet of refrigerant fluid into the internal heat exchanger (4) are grouped on a part (9) fixed on the flange (8).

10. Module according to claim 9, in which an expansion member (5) is associated with the connection (6e) for the inlet of the refrigerant fluid into the heat exchanger (6), which member is fixed to the part (9).

11. A heat treatment system for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a heat treatment module (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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