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

Abstract

The invention relates to a distribution module for a refrigerant circuit formed by an active fluid supplemented with a lubricating fluid, the module being intended in particular for a motor vehicle, the module including a body (10) provided with at least one first collector duct (1), intended for at least one outlet of the refrigerant from the module, and a plurality of supply ducts, intended for an inlet of the refrigerant into the module, at least one (2) of the supply ducts, referred to as first supply duct, opening into the first collector duct (1) so that the module blocks any return of the lubricating fluid circulating in the first collector duct (1) towards the one or more first supply ducts (2), including in the case where a flow rate of the refrigerant in the one or more first supply ducts is very low, or even zero.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Distribution module for a refrigerant circuit and assembly comprising such a module

[0003] The invention relates to a distribution module for a refrigerant circuit and an assembly comprising such a module. It will find its applications, in particular, in the field of thermal conditioning, for example, for motor vehicles.

[0004] In this field, it is known to perform thermal regulation of areas or equipment within a vehicle, such as the passenger compartment, an electrical energy storage battery, and / or other components of an electric vehicle's powertrain. This is achieved using a refrigerant fluid that undergoes a thermodynamic cycle during which it exchanges heat with other fluids and also absorbs and / or releases heat directly to these components.

[0005] The circuits used for this purpose include a large number of pipes and components such as heat exchangers and devices used to control the distribution of refrigerant in loops or branches of the circuits, such as valves or expansion devices. Due to limited space, their integration into the vehicle can be problematic.

[0006] A distribution module has already been proposed, comprising a body with a collector duct and multiple supply lines opening into said collector duct. Such a module improves the integration of refrigerant circuits equipped with it by consolidating the connection of the supply lines to the collector duct into a single component.

[0007] That said, the refrigerant consists of an active fluid, meaning one that changes phases during the thermodynamic cycle, and a fluid intended to lubricate the components used in the system. This lubricating fluid is particularly important for the proper functioning of those components with moving parts, especially compressors. The lubricating fluid has a different density than the active fluid, at least during certain phases of the thermodynamic cycle when the active fluid is gaseous, possibly at low pressure, while the lubricating fluid is in a liquid state. In branches or loops where the refrigerant, in its gaseous state, does not circulate or circulates only at a residual flow rate, the lubricating fluid and the active fluid separate from each other, whereas they are otherwise intimately mixed in a liquid state.The lubricating fluid may then be trapped in parts of the circuits from which it will not be able to leave even after the flow has been restored in the branches or loops concerned.

[0008] The invention aims to overcome at least partially the previous drawbacks and proposes to this end a distribution module for a refrigerant circuit made up of an active fluid plus a lubricating fluid, said module being in particular intended for a motor vehicle, said module comprising a body provided with at least one first collector conduit, intended at least for an outlet of said refrigerant from the module, and a plurality of supply conduits, intended for an inlet of said refrigerant into the module, at least one of said supply conduits, said first supply conduit, opening into said first collector conduit so that said module blocks a return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit towards the first supply conduit(s), including in the case where a flow of said refrigerant in the first supply conduit(s) is very low, or even zero.

[0009] Since the module is integrated into a circuit with multiple refrigerant circulation branches, such a situation arises, for example, in the supply lines associated with branches where the fluid circulation is closed. Indeed, in such a configuration, the fluid flow in the affected branch(es) is zero or only residual. As mentioned above, there is then a risk that lubricating fluid will stagnate in these branches and be unable to circulate through the rest of the circuit once the flow is restored.

[0010] With the mutual configuration of the first collector duct and the first supply duct(s) of the invention, the amount of lubricating fluid potentially trapped in either branch is limited by ensuring that the lubricating fluid circulating in the first collector duct does not flow back towards said supply ducts. This prevents excessive amounts of lubricating fluid from being trapped in parts of the circuit where the refrigerant is stagnant, i.e., parts of the circuit where there is no refrigerant circulation or only residual circulation.

[0011] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention:

[0012] - One or more of the first supply ducts, then called siphon supply ducts, open onto lateral or lower faces of the body,

[0013] - all the supply pipes connected to said first collector pipe are first pipes, or even pipes acting as a siphon,

[0014] - said first collector conduit is straight,

[0015] - the first supply conduit(s), in particular the siphon conduits, open transversely, notably perpendicularly, into said first collector conduit,

[0016] - the aforementioned first supply conduit(s), in particular the siphon conduits, are straight,

[0017] - the aforementioned first supply conduit(s), in particular the siphon conduits, are bent,

[0018] - said module is configured to operate with a refrigerant in which said lubricating fluid has a higher density than said active fluid, at least in certain parts of the circuit where the active fluid is gaseous, particularly at low pressure, while the lubricating fluid is in a liquid state,

[0019] - said body is configured so that said lubricating fluid circulates in a bottom portion of said first collector conduit,

[0020] - one or more of the first supply conduits, in particular the siphoning supply conduits, open into said first collector conduit through a first communication orifice such that the lowest area of ​​said communication orifice is above the bottom part of said first collector conduit,

[0021] - one or more of the first supply lines open into said first collector line through a second communication orifice located in a part of the vault of said first collector line, - said module includes a tube housed in said first supply line(s), in particular the supply lines acting as a siphon, in a sealed manner with said body so that said refrigerant passes through said tube(s),

[0022] - the tubing of one of the said ducts, called the lower duct, opens into the said first collector duct through an outlet located above the said bottom part of the said first collector duct,

[0023] - said module includes one or more connection flanges opposite one or more of the first supply conduits, in particular said supply conduits acting as a siphon,

[0024] - the said flange(s) are fixed to the said tube(s),

[0025] - the first collector conduit opens from said module completely through,

[0026] - said first collector duct and / or said first supply ducts, in particular the siphoning supply ducts, are configured for circulation of said refrigerant in a low-pressure state,

[0027] - said body includes at least one second collector conduit,

[0028] - said second collector duct is configured for circulation of said refrigerant fluid in a high-pressure state,

[0029] - the second collector conduit opens from said module through and through.

[0030] The invention also relates to a thermal conditioning system comprising a closed refrigerant circulation circuit intended to perform a thermodynamic cycle, said system comprising branches of said circuit in which said fluid is intended to be at low pressure:

[0031] - a first heat exchanger,

[0032] - a second heat exchanger,

[0033] - a module as described above, each of said first and second exchangers being respectively connected to one of said first supply conduits.

[0034] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: one of said exchangers is fixed to one of the faces of the body, one of said exchangers is located at a distance from said body, - said module and said exchangers are intended to be positioned relative to each other so that said module is globally located above at least one of said first or second exchangers,

[0035] - at least one of said first or second exchangers is configured for heat exchange between said refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid.

[0036] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0037] [Fig 1] schematically illustrates in perspective an example of a distribution module according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig 2] schematically illustrates, according to a longitudinal section plane, the module of figure 1;

[0039] [Fig 3] schematically illustrates, according to a first cross-section plane, the module of figure 1;

[0040] [Fig 4] schematically illustrates, according to a second cross-sectional plane, the module of figure 1;

[0041] [Fig 5] schematically illustrates, according to a third cross-sectional plane, the module of figure 1;

[0042] [Fig 6] schematically illustrates, according to a fourth cross-sectional plane, the module of figure 1;

[0043] [Fig 7] schematically illustrates in perspective a first example of an assembly conforming to the invention;

[0044] [Fig 8] schematically illustrates, according to a cross-sectional plane, a second example of an assembly conforming to the invention.

[0045] It should first be noted that the terms upstream and downstream used in the following description refer to the direction of flow of the fluid in question. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used solely to distinguish the components involved and do not imply any order or importance of said components.

[0046] As illustrated in Figure 1, the invention relates to a refrigerant distribution module. Its applications will include, in particular, applications in the field of thermal conditioning, for example, for motor vehicles.

[0047] As an example, such a module is designed to be integrated into a thermal conditioning system comprising a closed refrigerant circulation circuit intended to perform a thermodynamic cycle. This system includes, in particular, a refrigerant compressor, as well as multiple heat exchangers and various refrigerant distribution components within loops or branches of the circuit to ensure different operating modes of the air conditioning system. These distribution components include, for example, shut-off valves, check valves, and / or expansion devices.

[0048] The refrigerant used in the circuit consists of an active fluid mixed with a lubricating fluid of a different density, at least in certain parts of the circuit where the active fluid is gaseous, possibly at low pressure, while the lubricating fluid is liquid. The active fluid is designed to carry out the thermodynamic cycle. For example, it could be a chemical fluid such as R1234yf. Other active fluids can also be used, such as R134a, R290, or R744.

[0049] The module according to the invention comprises a body 10. In the embodiment shown, said body 10 is parallelepiped-shaped. It comprises two opposing transverse faces 12, 14 connected by longitudinal faces 16-19. Such a shape is not limiting to the different forms that said body 10 can take while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0050] The said body 10 is, for example, made of steel, aluminum and / or aluminum alloy.

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 2, said body 10 is provided with at least one first collector conduit 1. Said body 10 is further provided with a plurality of supply conduits 2-5 intended for the inlet of said refrigerant into the module, some of which open into said first collector conduit 1. Said first collector conduit 1 is intended for at least one outlet S1 of said refrigerant from the module. In the application mentioned above, said body 10 allows different parts of the refrigerant circuit to be connected by means of said collector and supply conduits 1-5.

[0052] Preferably, the first collector duct 1 opens completely into the module. Here, a first refrigerant inlet E1 is associated with one opening end of the first collector duct 1. The refrigerant outlet S1 is associated with another opening end of the first collector duct 1. The latter is, for example, straight so that the first inlet E1 and the outlet S1 are longitudinally opposite. They are located here at the transverse faces 12, 14 of the body 10.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, a first, a second, a third, and a fourth supply conduit 2-5 are provided. Three of them open respectively at certain 16-19 of the longitudinal faces of said body 10. A fourth of them opens at an edge 20 of said body 10. Said supply conduits are, for example, respectively associated with second inlets E2-E5 of refrigerant in said module.

[0054] For illustrative purposes, the supply conduits 2-5 shown are of different configurations, all conforming to the invention. These configurations depend, for example, on the face of the body 10 at which they open, as will be detailed later.

[0055] Naturally, the number of supply conduits can vary, provided it is greater than or equal to two. The same applies to the location of the face on which they open, and therefore to their configuration, while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0056] The first manifold 1 and / or the supply lines 2-5 connected to said first manifold 1 are, for example, configured for circulation of said refrigerant in a low-pressure state. This means that, particularly in the application referred to above, said first manifold 1 and / or the supply lines 2-5 connected to said first manifold 1 are connected to parts of the circuit where said active fluid is gaseous and at low pressure, in particular parts of the circuit connected to a compressor inlet, possibly with the interposition of a fluid storage device such as an accumulator.

[0057] Advantageously, said body 10 further comprises at least one second collector conduit 6 for the refrigerant. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply conduit(s) opening into said second collector conduit 6 have not been shown to simplify the figures.

[0058] The second manifold 6 and the corresponding supply line(s) 6 are configured, for example, for circulation of the refrigerant at high pressure. This means that, particularly in the application referred to above, the second manifold 6 and the corresponding supply line(s) 6 are connected to parts of the circuit where the refrigerant is at high pressure, in particular parts of the circuit connected to a compressor outlet.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the second collector conduit 6 opens completely through said module. Said second collector conduit is, for example, straight. They open here at the same transverse faces 12, 14 of said body 10 as the first collector conduit 1.

[0060] Advantageously, the body 10 allows for the grouping of all or part of the distribution components of the circuit for which the module is intended. To this end, the module may include housings for these distribution components, such housings being omitted from the figure for simplicity. These housings are located, where applicable, at the ends of the collector and / or supply conduits 1-6.

[0061] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, according to the invention, at least one of said supply lines 2-5, referred to as the first supply line, opens into said first collector line so that said module blocks a return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector line 1 to the first supply line(s) 2-5, including in the case where a flow of said refrigerant fluid in the first supply line(s) is very low, or even zero.

[0062] In the application mentioned above, such a situation arises, for example, in the supply lines associated with branches of the circuit where the refrigerant circulation is closed. Indeed, in such a configuration, in the branch(es) in question, the fluid flow is zero or only residual. There is therefore a risk that lubricating fluid will accumulate in these branches without being able to circulate again through the rest of the circuit.

[0063] Thanks to the mutual configuration of the first collector conduit 1 and the first supply conduits 2-5 acting as a siphon, it is prevented that the lubricating fluid circulating in the first collector conduit 1 leaves through the first supply conduits 2-5 and is trapped in the corresponding parts of the circuit, in particular the parts of the circuit in which the refrigerant is stagnant, i.e. the parts of the circuit where there is little or no circulation of the refrigerant.

[0064] In the illustrated example, all the supply conduits 2-5, that is, all those opening into the first collector conduit 1, are first conduits. They are, for example, straight. In an alternative according to the invention, not illustrated, they are angled.

[0065] Preferably, the first supply conduit(s) 2-5 open transversely into said first collector conduit. They are oriented, for example, perpendicularly to said first collector conduit 1, as in figures 3, 5 and 6 or at an angle, as in figure 4.

[0066] Preferably, said module includes a tube 24 housed in the supply duct(s) in a sealed manner with said body 10 so that said refrigerant passes through the tube(s) 24 in the supply duct(s) which are equipped with them, in other words here all said first supply ducts.

[0067] Preferably, said module includes one or more connecting flanges 26 opposite one or more of the first supply conduits 2-5, here of all of said first supply conduits 2-5. The said flange(s) 26 are, for example, fixed to the said pipe(s) 24.

[0068] Preferably, the module is configured to operate with a refrigerant in which the lubricating fluid has, as already stated, a higher density than the active fluid, at least in some of their respective phases. This is the case in the illustrated example where the module is shown in its operating orientation, that is, with one of its lateral faces forming a top face of the module.

[0069] The body 10 is configured so that the lubricating fluid circulates in a bottom portion 30 of the first collector conduit 1. This means that, while at nominal flow rate the active fluid and the lubricating fluid are intimately mixed, they may separate at lower flow rates or even at zero flow rate when the circuit(s) in which the module is used are shut down. In the first collector conduit 1, the lubricating fluid may then deposit in the bottom portion 30.

[0070] As illustrated in Figure 5, one or more of the first supply conduits, here the supply conduit marked 4, open into said first collector conduit 1 through a second communication orifice 40 located in a part of vault 42 of said first collector conduit 1.

[0071] By positioning said second communication orifice 40 at the level of the vault 42 of the first collector conduit 1, it is understood that such positioning in itself blocks the return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit 1 towards the first supply conduit 4 in question.

[0072] At its opposite end, the first supply conduit marked 4, opens at the level of the upper face 16 of said module.

[0073] Preferably, at least one or more of the first supply conduits 2, 3, 6, referred to as siphon supply conduits, open onto lateral or lower faces of the body 10. In the illustrated example, the lateral faces are formed by the opposing transverse faces 12, 14 and two longitudinal faces 17, 19. The lower face is formed by one of the longitudinal faces 18. It is understood that, according to the invention, it is not necessary for the branches of the circuit to be connected to the upper face of the body to obtain the desired blocking effect.

[0074] As illustrated in figures 3 and 4, one or more of the supply conduits acting as a siphon, here the supply conduits marked 2 and 3 open into said first collector conduit 1 through a first communication orifice 32 so that a lowest zone 34 of said communication orifice 32 is above the bottom part 30 of said first collector conduit 1.

[0075] The barrier to the return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit 1 towards the supply conduits 2, 3 forming a siphon in question is then formed by a difference in level between a lowest flow line or surface of said bottom part 30, identified 36, and a lowest line or surface, identified 38, of a contour of the first communication orifice 32.

[0076] At its opposite end, the siphon-forming supply conduit marked 2 opens at one of the lateral faces, namely here the one marked 17. At its opposite end, the siphon-forming supply conduit marked 3 opens at one of the edges formed between one of the lateral faces, namely here the one marked 17, and one of the longitudinal faces, namely here the one marked 14.

[0077] The said difference in level is, for example, greater than 1 / 4, or even 1 / 3, or even 1 / 2 of a diameter of said first collector conduit 1.

[0078] As illustrated in figure 6, cumulatively or not, the tubing 24 of one of said supply conduits acting as a siphon, called lower conduit, here identified as 5, opens into said first collector conduit 1 through an outlet orifice 50 located above said bottom part 30 of said first collector conduit 1.

[0079] The barrier to the return of the lubricating fluid circulating in said first collector conduit 1 towards the supply conduit 5 making a siphon in question is then formed by a difference in level between the lowest flow line or surface 36 of said bottom part 30 and the lowest part 52 of a contour of the outlet orifice 50.

[0080] At its opposite end, the siphon-forming supply conduit marked 5 opens at one of the lateral faces of said module, namely here a lower lateral face 18.

[0081] The said difference in level is, for example, greater than 1 / 4, or even 1 / 3, or even 1 / 2 of a diameter of said first collector conduit 1.

[0082] As can be seen from the above, the said first supply conduit(s) 2-5, in particular said supply conduits forming a siphon, are advantageously configured for circulation of said refrigerant fluid in a low-pressure state.

[0083] The first and / or second collector conduits and / or the supply conduits 1-6 are, for example, circular in cross-section. Cumulatively or alternatively, they are smooth and / or of constant cross-section so as not to provide areas where the lubricating fluid may stagnate.

[0084] Advantageously, the first supply line(s) 2-5, in particular the siphon supply lines, are configured to be connected, for example, to branches of the refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant is intended to be at low pressure. The invention also relates to the thermal conditioning system in which the module is integrated. It comprises at least first and second heat exchangers located in the branches of the circuit in which the refrigerant is intended to be at low pressure, for example, via expansion devices located upstream of the first and / or second heat exchangers, depending on the refrigerant flow.

[0085] As illustrated in figures 7 and 8, the first and second heat exchangers are respectively connected to one of the first supply ducts of the module, in particular to one of the supply ducts acting as a siphon.

[0086] The first and second heat exchangers are formed, for example, by one or more evaporators, allowing the cooling of an airflow by heat exchange with the refrigerant. Alternatively or cumulatively, they consist of one or more coolers, that is, heat exchangers configured for heat exchange between the refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid, for example, a mixture of water and antifreeze, particularly glycol, or, in particular, a liquid exhibiting dielectric properties.

[0087] Here, only one of the aforementioned first or second heat exchangers, labeled 60, is shown. This is a cooler. It is connected to the supply line labeled 2.

[0088] In figure 7, said exchanger 60 is located at a distance from said body 10. They are connected to each other by a tube 64. In figure 8, said exchanger 60 is fixed to one of the faces of the body, here the lateral face 17 at the level of which the supply conduit marked 2, acting as a siphon, opens externally.

[0089] It is observed that, in both cases, said module 100 and said exchanger 60 are intended to be positioned relative to each other so that said module 100 is globally located above said exchanger 60.

[0090] Indeed, with the invention, the first or second heat exchanger(s), even if located in low-pressure sections of the circuit where there is a risk of lubricant accumulation, can be positioned below the module because, thanks to the first supply lines, a barrier is formed within the module to prevent lubricant from flowing back in that direction. Furthermore, with the siphoning lines, it is even possible to connect this heat exchanger(s) to the lateral or even lower faces of the module. The module according to the invention thus allows for circuits where the heat exchangers, even those located in low-pressure sections of the circuit, can be freely positioned at any height relative to the module, below and / or above it.The module can therefore be placed in a relatively high position, for example in an engine compartment, which will facilitate its assembly and the connection of the various pipes that will need to be connected to its supply lines.

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

6. Module according to the preceding claim in which one or more of the first supply conduits (2-5) open into said first collector conduit (1) through a first communication orifice (32) such that an area lower (34) of said communication orifice (11) is located above the bottom part (11) of said first collector conduit (1).

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

8. Module according to any one of claims 4 to 6 in which said module comprises a tube (24) housed in said first supply conduit(s) (2-5) in a sealed manner with said body (10) such that said refrigerant passes through said tube(s) (24), the tube (24) of one (5) of said conduit(s), said lower conduit, opening into said first collector conduit (1) by means of an outlet port (50) located above said bottom part (11) of said first collector conduit (1).

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

10. Thermal conditioning system comprising a closed refrigerant circulation circuit intended to perform a thermodynamic cycle, said system comprising branches of said circuit in which said fluid is intended to be at low pressure: - a first heat exchanger - a second heat exchanger - a module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, each of said first and second exchangers being respectively connected to one of said first supply conduits.

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