Charging port for thermal management module

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal management module (100) comprising a plate assembly (10). The plate assembly (10) has one or more channels (12) adapted to fluidically connect a plurality of components (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d;…) of the thermal management module (100). The plate assembly (10) comprises a first receiving portion (14) in fluidic communication with the one or more channels (12) and adapted to receive a refrigerant charging assembly (30) in a fluidically sealed manner.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] CHARGING PORT FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT MODULE

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to a refrigerant charging port of a thermal management module which is meant for controlling fluid flow through multiple components of a heat pump / heating ventilating and air conditioning system (hereinafter referred to as HVAC), particularly that of a vehicle.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A refrigerant loop of a vehicle heat pump / HVAC system comprises multiple components such as compressors, heat exchangers, expansion valves, and connecting pipes to connect the different components in a closed loop. Further, the refrigerant loop also includes a refrigerant charging port through which a refrigerant filled in to the refrigerant loop. Usually, the charging port is disposed on to the connecting pipes to facilitate easy access. The charging port is usually brazed on to the connection tubes. However, the brazed joint of the charging port on the connecting tube(s) is prone to leakages. An alternate position for the charging port on the refrigerant loop is thus required.

[0007] Moreover, in modern vehicle heat pump / HVACs, a thermal management module is used that includes a plate assembly which is a formed with multiple fluid flow channels to configure fluid communication (of refrigerant) between two or more components. This makes the heat pump / HVAC system more compact, lighter, and drastically reduces the requirement of bulky and complicatedly routed connection tubes of the refrigerant loop, leaving less options for the placement of the charging port.

[0008] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide a proper placement of a refrigerant charging port in a refrigerant loop of a heat pump / HVAC system. Another objective of the invention is to a reliable and less leakage- prone joint for the refrigerant charging port in the refrigerant loop of the heat pump / HVAC system.

[0010] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a solution so that refrigerant charging ports of different models can be used in the refrigerant loop with minimum to no modification to the design of the refrigerant loop.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a thermal management module that includes a plate assembly. The plate assembly includes at least one channel to fluidically connect different components of the thermal management module. The plate assembly comprises a first receiving portion in fluidic communication with the at least one channel. The plate assembly is configured to receive a refrigerant charging assembly in a fluidically sealed manner.

[0013] Particularly, the refrigerant charging assembly includes a charging valve wherein, the charging valve comprises a first connection portion.

[0014] Specifically, the refrigerant charging assembly further comprises an adapter comprising a second connection portion and a second receiving portion.

[0015] Particularly, the first connection portion of the charging valve is adapted to be received in the first receiving portion of the plate assembly.

[0016] Specifically, the second connection portion of the adapter is adapted to be received in the first receiving portion of the plate assembly. Specifically, the second connection portion of the adapter is received in the first receiving portion of the plate assembly using at least one of a threaded connection and a snap-fit type connection.

[0017] Alternatively, the first connection portion of the charging valve is adapted to be received in the second receiving portion of the adapter.

[0018] Specifically, the first connection portion of the charging valve is received in the first receiving portion of the plate assembly using at least one of a threaded connection and a snap-fit type connection.

[0019] Specifically, the first connection portion of the charging valve is adapted to be received in the second receiving portion of the adapter) using at least one of a threaded connection and a snap-fit type connection.

[0020] Generally, the first receiving portion receives the refrigerant charging assembly in a fluidically sealed manner using a gasket.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention may be inferred from the description of the invention hereunder. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation depicting a thermal management module connecting different components and comprising a refrigerant charging assembly, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation depicting an alternate second embodiment of the thermal management module connecting different components and comprising a refrigerant charging assembly. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the thermal management module according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the thermal management module according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] It must be noted that the accompanying figures disclose the invention in a detailed enough way to be implemented, said figures helping to better define the invention, if need be. The invention should however not be limited to the embodiments disclosed in the description.

[0028] The present invention envisages a thermal management module for connecting different components of a refrigerant loop. Generally, the thermal management module caters to various cooling / heating requirements (such as cabin cooling, battery cooling, etc.) in a vehicle environment.

[0029] Conventionally, refrigerant loops include multiple connecting tubes to connect various components of the refrigerant loop (such as compressors, heat exchangers, expansion valves, etc.). In a conventional refrigerant loop, a charging valve is fluidically connected to one of the tubes that enables an operator to charge refrigerant in to the refrigerant loop. However, the connection between the charging valve and the tubes is prone to leakage and requires more frequent servicing.

[0030] Modern vehicles use a thermal management module that has a plate assembly having multiple channels in it that connect the various components of the refrigerant loop. This eliminates bulky and complicated tubing, thus reducing cost, weight, and assembly time.

[0031] The current invention proposes disposing a refrigerant charging valve directly on the plate assembly instead of placing on the connecting tubes. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation depicting a thermal management module 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, while FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the thermal management module 100 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The thermal management assembly 100 includes a plate assembly 10. The plate assembly 10 comprises one or more channels 12 connecting a plurality of components 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as components 20, as applicable). A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of components depicted in FIG. 1 is by way of example and any number of components can be employed as per the specific architecture of different systems, without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, any number of channels 12 are possible, and each channel 12 connects at least two of the components 20. Usually, the plate assembly 10 is comprises two separate shells (not illustrated) wherein at least one shell has depressions (not illustrated), and when the shells are joined together by a suitable joining method (such as brazing), the depressions form the channels 12. The channels 12 connect the components 20 in a fluidically sealed manner. The plate assembly 10 comprises a first receiving portion 14. The receiving portion 14 is a hollow opening in the plate assembly which is in fluidic communication with the at least one channel 12. The receiving portion is adapted to receive a refrigerant charging assembly 30 in a fluidically sealed manner. The refrigerant charging assembly 30 is used for charging a refrigerant fluid in to the thermal management module 100 to be circulated within the refrigerant loop i.e. channels 12 and the components 20. Alternatively, the refrigerant charging assembly 30 can also be used for egress of refrigerant, such as to purge the refrigerant from the thermal management module 100. In the first embodiment of the invention, the refrigerant charging assembly 30 comprises a charging valve 32. While other sub-parts of the refrigerant charging assembly 30 may be present, however, for the sake of brevity, FIG. 1 depicts the refrigerant charging assembly 30 and the charging valve 32 as the same component. A second embodiment wherein the refrigerant charging assembly 30 comprises more than one sub-part has been depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 and will be described in the forthcoming paragraphs. Continuing with the description of the first embodiment, the charging valve 32 comprises a first connection portion 32a. The first connection portion 32a of the charging valve 32 is adapted to be received in the first receiving portion 14 of the plate assembly 10. The first connection portion 32a of the charging valve 32 is adapted to be received in the first receiving portion 14 of the plate assembly 10, preferably using at least one of a threaded connection and a snap-fit type connection. Specifically for facilitating a threaded connection, the first receiving portion 14 may have internal threads while the first connection portion 32a has external threads thereon. For a snap-fit connection, the plate assembly 10 and the charging valve 32 may have suitable projections (not illustrated) interfacing with each other to create a snap-fit connection. However, the connection between the first connection portion 32a and the first receiving portion 14 may be implemented with any suitable temporary fastening method that allows easy disassembly, without limiting the scope of the invention. The first receiving portion 14 receives the refrigerant charging assembly 30 in a fluidically sealed manner using a gasket 40. More specifically, the gasket 40 is disposed at the interface of the first connection portion 32a of the charging valve 32 and the first receiving portion 14. As shown in FIG. 1 , the seal 40 that is used is a radial seal or an O-ring. However, a face seal or a washer may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0032] This invention allows placement of the refrigerant charging assembly 30 (or the charging valve 32) on the plate assembly 10. This eliminates the requirement of installing the refrigerant charging assembly 30 (or the charging valve 32) on connecting tubes of conventional refrigerant loops that are prone to leakage issues. Further, a releasable nature of the connection between the plate assembly 10 and the refrigerant charging assembly 30 improves serviceability. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation depicting a thermal management module 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, while FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the thermal management module 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment described above, the thermal management assembly 100 includes a plate assembly 10 comprising one or more channels 12 and a first receiving portion 14 is in fluidic communication with the at least one channel 12. The receiving portion is adapted to receive a refrigerant charging assembly 30 in a fluidically sealed manner. Similar to the first embodiment, the refrigerant charging assembly 30 in this second embodiment is used for charging a refrigerant fluid in to the thermal management module 100 to be circulated within the refrigerant loop i.e. channels 12 and the components 20. Alternatively, the refrigerant charging assembly 30 can also be used for egress of refrigerant, such as to purge the refrigerant from the thermal management module 100. In this second embodiment, the refrigerant charging assembly 30 further comprises an adapter 34 in addition to a charging valve 32 (similar to that of the first embodiment) having a first connection portion 32a. The adapter 34 comprises a second connection portion 34a and a second receiving portion 34b. The second connection portion 34a of the adapter 34 is adapted to be received in the first receiving portion 14 of the plate assembly 10 while the first connection portion 32a of the charging valve 32 is adapted to be received in the second receiving portion 34b of the adapter 34. The second connection portion 34a of the adapter 34 is received in the first receiving portion 14 of the plate assembly 10 using a threaded connection or a snap-fit type connection or a combination thereof. Similarly, the first connection portion 32a of the charging valve 32 is adapted to be received in the second receiving portion 34b of the adapter 34 using a threaded connection or a snap-fit type connection or a combination thereof. Specifically for facilitating a threaded connection, the first receiving portion 14 and the second receiving portion 34b may have internal threads while the first connection portion 32a and the second connection portion 34a has external threads thereon. For a snap-fit connection, the plate assembly 10, adapter 34 and the charging valve 32 may have suitable projections (not illustrated) interfacing with each other to create a snap-fit connection. However, the connection between the first connection portion 32a with the second receiving portion 34b, and the connection between the second connection portion 34a with the first receiving portion 14 may be implemented with any suitable temporary fastening method that allows easy disassembly, without limiting the scope of the invention. The first receiving portion 14 receives the second connection portion 34a of the adapter 34 of the refrigerant charging assembly 30 in a fluidically sealed manner using a gasket 40. More specifically, the gasket 40 is disposed at the interface of the second connection portion 34a of the adapter and the first receiving portion 14 of the plate assembly 10 to provide a fluidic seal therein. Similarly, the second receiving portion 34b receives the first connection portion 32a of the charging valve 32 in a fluidically sealed manner using a gasket 40. More specifically, the gasket 40 is disposed at the interface of the first connection portion 32a of the charging valve 32 and the the second receiving portion 34b of the adapter 34 to provide a fluidic seal therein. As shown in FIG. 2, the seal 40 that is used is a radial seal or an O-ring. However, a face seal or a washer may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, advantageously, one particular adapter 34 can be swapped with a differently sized adapter 34 to connect different sizes of charging valve 32 (more specifically first connection portion 32a of the charging valve). It should be understood that the adapter 34 of a particular size enables a charging valves 32 having a particular size of first connection portion 32a to be fitted to it. Thus, keeping the dimensions of the second portion 34a same, merely varying the dimension of the second receiving portion 34b, different sized charging valves 32 with different first connection portion 32a can be configured to be connected to the first receiving portion 14 of the plate assembly 10. Thus, to connect different sizes of charging valves 32 to the plate assembly 10, only a suitably sized adapter 34 can be used, without the need to alter the dimensions of the plate assembly 10 (or the first receiving portion 14), itself. This enables the same plate assembly 10 to be used for various automotive OEMs without the need of redesigning the plate assembly 10.

[0033] Further, the invention shall not be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated in this patent specification, and shall also extend to any equivalent means or configuration described and illustrated herein, and to any technical combination operating such means. Persons having ordinary skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims, hereinafter introduced, are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations and are within their true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A thermal management module (100), comprising a plate assembly (10) wherein, the plate assembly (10) comprises at least one channel (12) to fluidically connect a plurality of components (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d;...) of the thermal management module (100), characterized in that the plate assembly (10) comprises a first receiving portion (14) in fluidic communication with the at least one channel (12) and adapted to receive a refrigerant charging assembly (30) in a fluidically sealed manner.

2. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the refrigerant charging assembly (30) comprises a charging valve (32) wherein, the charging valve (32) comprises a first connection portion (32a).

3. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 2 wherein, the refrigerant charging assembly (30) further comprises an adapter (34) comprising a second connection portion (34a) and a second receiving portion (34b).

4. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 2 wherein, the first connection portion (32a) of the charging valve (32) is adapted to be received in the first receiving portion (14) of the plate assembly (10).

5. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the second connection portion (34a) of the adapter (34) is adapted to be received in the first receiving portion (14) of the plate assembly (10).

6. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the first connection portion (32a) of the charging valve (32) is adapted to be received in the second receiving portion (34b) of the adapter (34).

7. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the first connection portion (32a) of the charging valve (32) is adapted to be received in the first receiving portion (14) of the plate assembly (10) using at least one of a threaded connection and a snap-fit type connection.

8. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 5 wherein, the second connection portion (34a) of the adapter (34) is received in the first receiving portion (14) of the plate assembly (10) using at least one of a threaded connection and a snap-fit type connection.

9. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 6 wherein, the first connection portion (32a) of the charging valve (32) is adapted to be received in the second receiving portion (34b) of the adapter (34) using at least one of a threaded connection and a snap-fit type connection.

10. The thermal management module (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the first receiving portion (14) receives the refrigerant charging assembly (30) in a fluidically sealed manner using a gasket (40).

Images