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 common base for the heat exchanger and the condenser, - first connectors (2'e, 2's, 6'e, 6's) for the inlet and outlet of heat-transfer fluid and second connectors for the inlet and outlet of refrigerant fluid, characterised in that the first connectors are installed on a closure plate (41) of the internal heat exchanger, this closure plate defining a first end face of the module.

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 FR3124248 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 condenser for a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and a heat transfer fluid, a heat exchanger (or chiller in English) for a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and a 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. The IHX defines a base common to the chiller and the condenser. [6] This state-of-the-art module comprises connections for the inlet and outlet of the heat transfer fluid and connections for the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant. The heat transfer fluid connections are distributed over an IHX closure plate, a condenser closure plate and a chiller closure plate. [7] In practice, due to this dispersed arrangement of the heat transfer fluid connectors, access to them can be relatively complicated, 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. [8] In addition, connecting these connectors to other heat exchangers in the system, such as a radiator or a vehicle cabin air conditioning element, requires additional and / or relatively long external fittings, conduits or tubing, reducing the space available around the module. [9] Furthermore, in certain cases of use, it may be observed that the condenser and / or chiller plates could be subjected to significant thermal stress, in particular due to a high thermal gradient between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant fluid circulating in these exchangers, and which could lead to premature wear of the plates.

[0010] The invention aims to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, it aims to achieve all or part of the following objectives: reduce the operational costs and times associated with the assembly, maintenance and repair phases of the heat treatment module; extend the service life of the condenser and / or chiller plates. Presentation of the invention

[0011] 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 internal heat exchanger defines a base common to the heat exchanger and the condenser, - first connectors for the inlet and outlet of heat transfer fluid and second connectors for the inlet and outlet of refrigerant fluid, and wherein the first connectors are installed on a closing plate of the internal heat exchanger, which closing plate defines a first end face of said module.

[0012] Instead of having to work on several scattered connectors, operators can now focus on a single location. This grouping and centralization of the first heat transfer fluid connectors at the IHX level therefore simplifies the assembly, maintenance and repair operations of the module.

[0013] Furthermore, it turns out that the connection of these first connectors to the other heat exchangers in the system can be carried out by reducing the number and / or length of external fittings, conduits or pipes, thereby freeing up available space around the module, which is a particularly sought-after advantage in environments where space is limited, such as in vehicle engine compartments. Another appreciable consequence is that pressure losses are reduced in this external connection network.

[0014] In addition, the heat transfer fluid now passes through the IHX which acts as a thermal mediator regulating the temperature of said fluid before its circulation in the condenser and in the chiller. The circulation portion in the IHX thus makes it possible to control the thermal gradient between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant circulating in these exchangers, in order to reduce the risks of thermal stress likely to affect their physical integrity. The positioning of the first heat transfer fluid connections at the level of the IHX makes it possible to ensure the best compromise between, on the one hand, the overall thermal efficiency of the module, and on the other hand, the preservation of the physical integrity of the condenser and the chiller.

[0015] 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:

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first connectors are aligned along an edge of the closure plate, preferably above the condenser.

[0017] According to one embodiment, conduits fixed to the closing plate of the internal heat exchanger put first connectors for the inlet and outlet of heat transfer fluid in the heat exchanger into fluid communication with circulation orifices shaped in said closing plate, which conduits preferably have a concave cross-section, preferably U-shaped, which is closed by said closing plate.

[0018] According to one embodiment, second connections for the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant fluid subjected to a first temperature level in the internal heat exchanger are installed on a closing plate of said exchanger.

[0019] According to one embodiment, second connectors for the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant fluid subjected to a second temperature level in the internal heat exchanger and a second connection for the entry of the refrigerant fluid into the heat exchanger are installed on a closing plate of said heat exchanger, which closing plate defines a second end face of said module which is opposite the first end face.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the second connections for the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant fluid subjected to the second temperature level in the internal heat exchanger and the second connection for the inlet of the refrigerant fluid into the heat exchanger, are installed on an adapter flange (8) attached to the closing plate of said heat exchanger.

[0021] According to one embodiment, an expansion member is associated with the second refrigerant fluid inlet connection in the heat exchanger, which member is fixed to the adaptation flange.

[0022] According to one embodiment: - a closing plate of the heat exchanger 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, and a second opening opening into a collector defined in the stack of plates for the arrival of the refrigerant fluid in the internal heat exchanger; - an adaptation flange supporting refrigerant fluid inlet and outlet connectors is attached to said closing plate, which flange is configured to put the first opening and the second opening in fluid communication.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the module further comprises a desiccant bottle installed against a side wall of the condenser, said bottle having a longitudinal axis, which bottle is installed so that said longitudinal axis is parallel to said side wall and perpendicular to a stacking direction of the plates.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle heat treatment system, which system comprises a heat treatment module in accordance with one of the preceding characteristics. Brief description of the figures

[0025] 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

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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 thermal heat exchanger 6 of the water evaporator type, or chiller in English.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The IHX 4 is configured for heat exchange between the refrigerant subjected to two different temperature levels. The IHX includes for this purpose 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.

[0032] The expansion member 5 is for example of the EXV expansion valve type (for the English acronym for Electronic expansion Valve). It is configured to expand the high-pressure refrigerant to a first pressure level (low pressure), this reduction in pressure being accompanied by a reduction in temperature. This expansion member provides a fluid connection between the IHX 4 and the chiller 6. It has in particular an inlet 5e fluidically connected to the outlet 4s of the IHX 4 and an outlet 5s fluidically connected to the inlet 6e of the chiller 6.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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. According to a preferred embodiment, the heat transfer fluid circulating in the loop 102i and that circulating in 1022 are not the same.

[0035] 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 may for example be placed within the vehicle so as to be crossed by an exterior 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 an operating mode of the heat treatment system. The refrigerant fluid leaving this additional exchanger 113 then returns to the low temperature stage of the IHX 4.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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 reduce the number of plates.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Connections for the inlet / outlet of fluids are arranged at the various closure plates. For the sake of simplification and understanding, the connections 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 connections are associated with said inlets / outlets. However, the reference 40e in FIG. 1 becomes 40ie and 402e in the other figures. These connections can be in the form of fittings, conduits, pipes, 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.

[0046] In the remainder of the description, the heat transfer fluid inlet / outlet connectors are referred to as “first connectors” and the refrigerant fluid inlet / outlet connectors are referred to as “second connectors”. The first connections include: the inlet connections 2'e and outlet connections 2's for heat transfer fluid in the condenser 2 and the inlet connections 6'e and outlet connections 6's for heat transfer fluid in the chiller 6. The second connections include: the inlet connections 2e and outlet connections 2s for refrigerant fluid in the condenser 2, the inlet connections 4e and outlet connections 4s for refrigerant fluid in the high temperature stage of the IHX 4, the inlet connections 40ie, 402e and outlet connections 40s for refrigerant fluid in the low temperature stage of said IHX, and the inlet connections 6e and outlet connections 6s for refrigerant fluid in the chiller 6.

[0047] According to the invention, and with particular reference to FIG. 2A, all of the first heat transfer fluid connectors 2'e, 2's, 6'e, 6's are grouped and centralized on the closing plate 41 of the IHX 4, which facilitates their assembly and maintenance operations. They are preferably aligned along an edge of the closing plate 41, which tends to facilitate their access and also makes it possible to leave a part of said plate and the space surrounding it free, to allow the installation of other components of the system in this space and / or improve their accessibility. According to one embodiment, the first connections 2'e, 2's, 6'e, 6's are arranged above the condenser 2. This arrangement makes it possible to minimize the length of the heat transfer fluid collectors between the IHX 4 and the condenser 2, thereby contributing to reducing heat losses.

[0048] In the attached figures, the closure plate 41 also includes the inlet 4e and outlet 4s connections for the refrigerant fluid in the high temperature stage of the IHX. More particularly, one and / or the other of these connections 4e, 4s are aligned with the first connections 2'e, 2's, 6'e, 6's, to facilitate their access and to avoid further cluttering the closure plate 41, thus optimizing the extent of the free part thereof.

[0049] The closing plate 21 of the condenser 2 includes the inlet 2e and outlet 2s connections of the refrigerant fluid in said condenser.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 in a rectilinear manner 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 the aforementioned 4e connector and 4s connector respectively. This particular arrangement of the 4e, 4s connectors 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 collectors C1 and C2 are more direct and shorter, eliminating, or at least reducing, the need to pass said collectors through additional sections or stages and / or more sinuous fluid paths.

[0053] 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 an opening 03 and an opening 04 made in the closing plate 61 of the chiller 6.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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 and an opening 09 made in the closing plate 41 of the IHX 4. The openings 08, 09 are configured to receive respectively the aforementioned connector 2'e and connector 2's.

[0057] The chiller 6 has a collector C10 and a collector C11 for respectively the arrival and the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid in said chiller. These collectors extend rectilinearly 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.

[0058] The heat transfer fluid inlet 6'e and outlet 6's connections are in fluid communication with the collectors C10 and C11 respectively, through the openings 010 and 011. Referring in particular to FIG. 3A, the connections 6'e and 6's are 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. The fluid connection between the connectors 6'e and 6's and the openings 010 and 011 is advantageously carried out by means of conduits 600 fixed on the closing plate 41, which avoids forming 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] Due to the positioning of the first connectors on the closing plate 41 of the IHX 4, the heat transfer fluid collectors C8, C9, C10 and C11 each have a portion which extends into the height of the IHX 4. As a result, before entering the condenser 2, respectively the chiller 6, the heat transfer fluid passes through the IHX 4, the latter acting as a thermal mediator regulating the temperature of said fluid. The circulation portion in the IHX 4 thus makes it possible to preheat the heat transfer fluid to lower the thermal gradient between said heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant circulating in the condenser 2, respectively in the chiller 6. The risks of thermal stress likely to affect the physical integrity of the exchangers 2, 6 are then reduced. This control of the thermal gradient tends to very slightly degrade the efficiency of the heat exchanges in the condenser 2 and in the chiller 4. However, on leaving the condenser 2, respectively from the chiller 6, the heat transfer fluid passes again through the IHX 4 in which it is superheated, so that the overall thermal efficiency of the module 10 remains excellent. Ultimately, the positioning of the first connections on the IHX 4 makes it possible to ensure the best compromise between, on the one hand, the overall thermal efficiency of the module 10, and on the other hand, the preservation of the physical integrity of the condenser 2 and the chiller 6.

[0060] 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.).

[0061] 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.

[0062] The two openings 07, 03 are placed in fluid communication by means of the flange 8, without it being necessary to provide paths of additional circulation internal to module 10, or external fittings, conduits or tubing, to put the C7 and C3 collectors in fluid communication. As a result, the space internal to module 10 and the external space around said module are optimized, which facilitates access for the installation and maintenance of said module.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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”.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] As indicated previously with reference to FIG. 1, the low temperature stage of the IHX 4 can also be supplied by the refrigerant 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 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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 the flange 8, centralized access is available, 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] The part 9 has on its face intended to be fixed on the flange 8 female, respectively male, connectors 60e, 4002e configured to connect to male, respectively female, connectors 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 faces separate from the 6e and 402e connectors makes them easier to access and allows them to be distinguished more clearly.

[0075] 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 support the part 9, the expansion member 5 can however be directly fixed to said flange.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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 tubes 30 connecting the connectors 2s-3e and 3s-4e, and in fact the associated pressure losses, as well as the volumes lost and the quantity of fluid carried in the system 100.

[0080] 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 various 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 the pressure losses. This reduction again makes it possible to reduce the lost volumes as well as the quantity of fluid carried in the system 100.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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. 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. A 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 the condenser (2), - first connectors (2'e, 2's, 6'e, 6's) for the inlet and outlet of heat transfer fluid and second connectors (2e, 2s, 4e, 4s, 40ie, 402e, 40s, 6e, 6s) for the inlet and outlet of refrigerant fluid, characterized in that the first connectors are installed on a closing plate (41) of the internal heat exchanger (4), which closing plate defines a first end face of said module.

2. Module according to claim 1, in which the first connectors (2'e, 2's, 6'e, 6's) are aligned along an edge of the closing plate (41), preferably above the condenser (2).

3. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which conduits (600) fixed on the closure plate (41) of the internal heat exchanger (4) put into fluid communication first connectors (6'e, 6's) for the inlet and outlet of heat transfer fluid in the heat exchanger (6) with circulation orifices (010, 011) shaped in said closure plate, which conduits preferably have a concave cross-section, preferably U-shaped, which is closed by said closure plate.

4. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which second connections (4e, 4s) for the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant fluid subjected to a first temperature level in the exchanger internal heat (4) are installed on the closing plate (41) of said exchanger.

5. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which second connections (40ie, 402e, 40s) for the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant fluid subjected to a second temperature level in the internal heat exchanger (4) and a second connection (6e) for the inlet of the refrigerant fluid into the heat exchanger (6) are installed on a closing plate (61) of said heat exchanger, which closing plate defines a second end face of said module which is opposite the first end face.

6. Module according to claim 5, in which the second connections (40ie, 402e, 40s) for the inlet and outlet of the refrigerant fluid subjected to the second temperature level in the internal heat exchanger (4) and the second connection (6e) for the inlet of the refrigerant fluid into the heat exchanger (6), are installed on an adaptation flange (8) attached to the closing plate (61) of said heat exchanger.

7. Module according to claim 6, in which an expansion member (5) is associated with the second connection (6e) for the refrigerant fluid entering the heat exchanger (6), which member is fixed to the adaptation flange (8).

8. Module according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which: - 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 connectors is attached to said closing plate (61), which flange is configured to put the first opening (07) and the second opening (03) into fluid communication.

9. Module according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a desiccant bottle (3) installed against a side wall of the condenser (2), said bottle having a longitudinal axis, which bottle is installed so that said longitudinal axis is parallel to said side wall and perpendicular to a stacking direction (A) of the plates (P).

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

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