EP2402694B1 - Condenser, in particular for a car air-conditioning system and heat exchanger equipped with such a condenser - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a condenser, in particular for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. It also relates to a support device for one or more items of equipment of a motor vehicle front face and a heat exchanger equipped with such a condenser. More particularly, the invention relates to a condenser as defined in the preamble of claim 1, and as disclosed by the document EP 0 889 299 A2 .

Air conditioning circuits for motor vehicles are now known comprising a refrigerant fluid compressor, which may for example be supercritical carbon dioxide CO ₂ or the fluorinated refrigerant known under the reference R134a or even the fluid referenced 1234YF. Downstream of the compressor, the refrigerant under pressure passes through a heat exchanger called a “gas cooler” (“Gas Cooler”) for carbon dioxide or “condenser” for R134a because, in this case, the refrigerant initially in phase gas leaves the condenser in the liquid phase. To simplify the vocabulary, the term "condenser" will be used below to designate this type of heat exchanger.

The refrigerant fluid is then led to a pressure reducer or a calibrated orifice before entering an evaporator where the heat exchange then takes place between the cooled refrigerant fluid and the air blown in the direction of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The refrigerant, heated at the outlet of the evaporator, is finally returned to the compressor to carry out a new thermal cycle.

The heat transfer fluid for heat exchange with the refrigerant fluid in the condenser can be outside air. In this case, the condenser is placed on the front face of the vehicle so as to be traversed by a flow of ambient air produced by the movement of the vehicle or by a fan. We then speak of an air condenser.

For various reasons, in particular the size of the front face of the vehicle linked in particular to the problem of the safety of pedestrians, it is advantageous to no longer use an air condenser. In this configuration, the heat transfer fluid is water to which an antifreeze, glycol for example, has been added, circulating in a low temperature circuit using an electric pump between the condenser and a water/external air heat exchanger. We then speak of a water condenser.

Many configurations of water condensers have already been proposed. They have an all-metal structure. A first drawback encountered with such a structure is that it requires the use of attached attachment and fluid inlet/outlet flanges. Another drawback is that it requires the use of stamped parts, the precision of the dimensions of which is difficult to control. It thus presents assembly difficulties which affect their reliability and cost price.

The invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks and relates to a condenser, in particular for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing and a heat exchange bundle, the condenser being configured to allow an exchange of heat between a fluid refrigerant flowing through the bundle and a coolant flowing through the housing. According to the invention, said casing is made of plastic.

It is thus possible to produce the casing, for example by molding, by integrating therein several functions such as flanges or others. This provides a condenser using a heat transfer fluid which may be liquid having a simplified structure.

The invention is defined as in claim 1.

• ledit boîtier présente des nervures de renfort et/ou des brides de fixation du condenseur à un support, issues de matière;
• lesdites brides de fixations sont situées au niveau d'une ou plusieurs nervures de renforts.

According to different embodiments:

• said casing has reinforcing ribs and/or flanges for fixing the condenser to a support, made of material;
• said fixing flanges are located at one or more reinforcing ribs.

The invention also relates to a support device for one or more items of equipment of a motor vehicle front face, said support device comprising a nozzle capable of receiving the said item or items, and a condenser according to one any of the preceding claims, the housing of said condenser being attached to said nozzle. According to this mode of implementation, the condenser is thus integrated into the nozzle.

The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a heat transfer fluid exchange bundle with an air flow, an inlet manifold arranged to distribute the heat transfer fluid in said heat transfer fluid exchange bundle, an outlet manifold arranged to collect the heat transfer fluid from said heat transfer fluid exchange bundle, said inlet manifold and said outlet collector each comprising a housing closed by a collector plate, connected to the bundle, said exchanger further comprising a condenser as described above, the housing of the condenser being made up of the housing of the inlet and/or outlet collector.

According to this mode of implementation, the condenser is thus integrated into the heat exchanger, the collector advantageously fulfilling the function of condenser casing to guide the heat transfer fluid. The air conditioning and exchange circuits are advantageously merged within the same unit, which limits the size while maintaining optimal performance.

In the case of an exchanger in the form of a radiator and a water condenser, the water condenser is mounted in the front of the vehicle, like an air condenser, without increase the space on the front face. Another advantage of this solution is that it makes it possible to keep air conditioning circuit topologies relatively close to those with air condenser of the state of the art. This avoids having to design an entirely new architecture for the use of a water condenser.

Preferably, the manifold comprising a U-section housing, the coolant exchange bundle is mounted integral with a first branch of the U. Thus, the coolant exchange bundle forms a structural assembly with the housing. The casing thus obtained can be assembled in a conventional manner to form the heat exchanger.

Also preferably, the coolant exchange bundle is mounted at a distance from the second branch of the U so as to provide a space for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the second branch of the U and the coolant exchange bundle. Thus, the heat transfer fluid can circulate in the bundle and around the bundle so as to promote the transfer of heat by thermal conduction.

According to one aspect of the invention, the coolant fluid exchange bundle comprises an inlet pipe and a coolant fluid outlet pipe extending outside of said housing. The refrigerant fluid is advantageously introduced and evacuated via the housing, which makes it possible to form an air conditioning circuit by connecting to said refrigerant fluid inlet and outlet pipes which are accessible.

Preferably, at least one of said pipes comprises a threaded portion. Preferably again, a fastening nut secures said tubing to said casing. The threaded portion can advantageously fulfill a function of sealingly securing the refrigerant fluid exchange bundle to the housing and allowing connection to the air conditioning circuit.

According to one aspect of the invention, the collector comprises a coolant fluid pipe opening into said volume. The heat transfer fluid can thus be introduced/evacuated from the collector before/after exchange with the bundle of refrigerant fluid.

According to one aspect of the invention, the condenser is defined by the outlet collector. In this configuration, the refrigerant fluid can be cooled with a heat transfer fluid cooled by the exchanger. This advantageously improves the exchange performance of the bundle of refrigerant fluid.

Preferably, the heat transfer fluid exchange bundle extends orthogonally to the coolant fluid exchange bundle. The exchange performance of the bundle of refrigerant fluid is advantageously optimized due to the cross circulation of the two fluids.

Preferably, the heat transfer fluid exchange bundle comprising a plurality of heat transfer fluid circulation tubes, the fluid exchange bundle refrigerant extends facing the mouth of the tubes of the heat transfer fluid exchange bundle. The circulation speed of the heat transfer fluid is then high when it circulates in the cooling bundle, which improves heat transfer by thermal conduction.

The figures 1 to 8c show an exemplary heat exchanger which is not the subject of the invention, while the figures 9 to 12 show the claimed heat exchanger.

• la figure 1 est une vue simplifiée en perspective d'un échangeur de chaleur muni d'un exemple de réalisation d'un condenseur;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe de l'échangeur de chaleur de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale de côté du collecteur de sortie de l'échangeur de chaleur de la figure 1 fermé par une plaque collectrice et dans lequel est monté un faisceau parcouru par un fluide réfrigérant ;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique de face de la plaque collectrice du collecteur de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique de face du collecteur de sortie ;
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique de la circulation du fluide réfrigérant ;
• la figure 7 est une vue éclatée du faisceau parcouru par un fluide réfrigérant ;
• la figure 8A est une vue en perspective de l'étape d'introduction du faisceau parcouru par un fluide réfrigérant dans le collecteur de sortie ;
• la figure 8B est une vue en perspective de l'étape de positionnement du faisceau parcouru par un fluide réfrigérant dans le collecteur de sortie; et
• la figure 8C est une vue en perspective de l'étape de solidarisation du faisceau parcouru par un fluide réfrigérant au collecteur de sortie,
• la figure 9 illustre en perspective un autre exemple de réalisation du condenseur selon l'invention,
• la figure 10 est une vue de coté du condenseur selon la figure 9,
• la figure 11 est une vue de coupe effectuée selon la ligne XI-XI de la figure 10,
• la figure 12 est une vue de coupe effectuée selon la ligne XII-XII de la figure 10.

In the following detailed description, made purely by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a heat exchanger provided with an exemplary embodiment of a condenser;
• the picture 2 is a schematic sectional view of the heat exchanger of the figure 1 ;
• the picture 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the heat exchanger outlet manifold of the figure 1 closed by a collector plate and in which is mounted a bundle traversed by a refrigerant fluid;
• the figure 4 is a schematic front view of the collector plate of the collector of the picture 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a schematic front view of the outlet manifold;
• the figure 6 is a schematic view of the circulation of the refrigerant fluid;
• the figure 7 is an exploded view of the beam traversed by a refrigerant fluid;
• the figure 8A is a perspective view of the step of introducing the bundle traversed by a refrigerant fluid into the outlet manifold;
• the figure 8B is a perspective view of the step of positioning the bundle traversed by a refrigerant fluid in the outlet manifold; and
• the Fig. 8C is a perspective view of the step of securing the bundle traversed by a refrigerant fluid to the outlet manifold,
• the figure 9 illustrates in perspective another embodiment of the condenser according to the invention,
• the figure 10 is a side view of the condenser according to figure 9 ,
• the figure 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of the figure 10 ,
• the figure 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII of the figure 10 .

As shown in figures 1 to 3 , 5 (which are not the subject of the invention), 8 and 9 to 13 (which are the subject of the invention), the invention relates to a condenser, in particular for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing 7, 103 and a heat exchange bundle 5, 105.

The condenser is configured to allow a heat exchange between a refrigerant flowing through the bundle 5, 105, and a heat transfer fluid passing through the housing 3B, 103. The beam 5, 105 is, for example, housed in the housing 7, 103.

The refrigerant may be a fluorinated fluid, in particular that known as R134a. It could still be carbon dioxide or the liquid known as 1234YF. The heat transfer fluid is a liquid, for example, a mixture of water and antifreeze.

According to the invention, the casing is made of plastic. It can thus be given many functions, taking into account the ease of shaping that such a material presents.

According to the embodiment of figures 1 to 8 (which are not the subject of the invention), the condenser is made in the collector of an exchanger of the intermediate tube type.

More specifically, with reference to the figure 1 (which is not the subject of the invention), a heat exchanger 1 comprises a bundle 2 for exchanging heat transfer fluid F2 with an air flow F3, an inlet manifold 3A, called a hot box, arranged to distribute the heat transfer fluid to be cooled F2 in said heat exchange bundle heat transfer fluid 2 and an outlet manifold 3B, called a cold box, arranged to collect the cooled heat transfer fluid F2 from said heat transfer fluid exchange bundle 2.

In this embodiment, the outlet manifold 3B further comprises the bundle 5 for exchanging the coolant fluid F1 mounted in the volume of the outlet manifold 3B so as to allow the cooling of the coolant fluid F1 by the cooled heat transfer fluid F2.

Subsequently, the heat transfer fluid exchange bundle 2 F2 is designated heat transfer fluid bundle 2. Similarly, the refrigerant fluid exchange bundle 5 F1 is subsequently designated refrigerant bundle 5.

The heat transfer bundle 2 consists of a bundle of tubes 20 arranged in parallel on one or more rows, these tubes 20 are intended for the circulation through the exchanger 1 of a heat transfer fluid F2, such as water with added glycol in the case of engine cooling radiators. The heat transfer fluid F2 is introduced into the circulation tubes 20 via the inlet manifold 3A placed at the inlet of the heat transfer bundle 2 and provided with a fluid inlet pipe 11. The outlet collector 3B of the same type is installed at the outlet of the bundle 2 to collect the heat transfer fluid F2 having passed through the tubes 20 and evacuate it outside through an outlet pipe 12.

In this example, with reference to figures 1 and 2 (which are not the subject of the invention), the heat transfer bundle 2 comprises a single row of flat tubes 20, parallel to each other, extending longitudinally in a direction X. The tubes 20 are flattened so as to that the cross section of a tube 20 is in the form of an ellipse whose major diameter extends along a direction Z. In other words, the tubes 20 are flattened along the direction Y.

Subsequently, the elements of the heat transfer bundle 2 are identified in an orthogonal frame (X, Y, Z). With reference to the figure 1 , the tubes 20 of the heat transport bundle 2 extend along a longitudinal axis X. Subsequently, the terms “left” and “right” are defined with respect to the longitudinal axis X which extends from left to right on the figure 1 . The air flow F3 circulates orthogonally to the tubes 20 in the direction Z. Subsequently, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are defined with respect to the axis Z which extends from upstream to downstream. on the figure 1 . Thus, the flattened shape of the tubes 20 makes it possible to maximize the exchange surface between the tubes 20 and the flow of air F3 circulating in the direction Z.

The tubes 20 of the heat transfer bundle 2 are stacked vertically along the Y axis. Subsequently, the terms “lower” and “upper” are defined with respect to the Y axis which extends from the lower part of the heat transfer bundle 5 towards its upper part on the figure 1 as shown on the figure 2 . The vertical and horizontal directions are defined respectively along the X and Y axes as shown in the figure 2 illustrating the exchanger 1 in a vertical mounting position.

The bundle may be a brazed assembly bundle, that is to say a bundle of tubes and spacers brazed together. It may also be a bundle with mechanical assembly, that is to say, a bundle of tubes and fins assembled by expansion of the tubes against the fins. The spacers or fins are used to increase the exchange surface with the air.

Referring now to the picture 3 (which is not the subject of the invention), the outlet collector 3B is made up of two parts, namely, a housing 7 and a collector plate 6. The following structural description relates more particularly to the collector output 3B but it applies similarly to the input collector 3A.

Collector plate 6, shown in the figures 3 and 4 (which are not the subject of the invention), is a part in contact with the heat transfer bundle 2 and comprises orifices 61 intended to receive the end of the tubes 20 opening into the output collector 3B. The collector plate 6 has a substantially rectangular shape and extends orthogonally to the direction of the tubes 20 of the heat transfer bundle 2. In other words, the collector plate 6 extends parallel to the plane (Y, Z) to close the open face of the casing 7 as will be detailed below.

As shown on the figure 2 , a collector plate 6 is mounted at each of the ends of the heat transfer bundle 2 so as to hold the tubes 20 opening into the collectors 3A, 3B.

In the case of a radiator with a metal collector plate and a plastic casing, a seal providing the seal between the casing 7 and the heat transfer bundle 2 is placed on the collector plate 6. For mechanically assembled bundles, the seal can do any the surface of the collector plate 6, orifices 61 being provided in the joint for the sealed passage of the tubes 20. With reference to the picture 3 , the ends of the tubes 20 protrude inside the manifold 3B. The protrusion reaches approximately 2 to 3 mm for bundles of tubes with mechanical assembly. It is significantly lower for brazed bundles in which the tubes are brazed to the header plate.

Referring now to the figure 4 (which is not the subject of the invention), the orifices 61 of the collector plate 6 are oblong so as to allow a sealed assembly with the flattened tubes 20 of the heat transfer bundle 2.

The housing 7 is in the form of a U-shaped channel, that is to say a parallelepiped having an open face, the collector plate 6 closing the U by crimping. The housing 7 defines with its collector plate 6 a volume of fluid circulating at the inlet and at the outlet of the exchanger 1 which is commonly referred to as collector 3A, 3B. With reference to figure 3 and 5 , the U-shaped chute, whose housing 7 is shaped, comprises an upstream vertical wall 71, a bottom vertical wall 72, a downstream vertical wall 73, a lower horizontal wall 74 and an upper horizontal wall 75.

As shown on the figure 1 , the housing 7 of the outlet manifold 3B comprises a coolant fluid pipe F2 designated as tubing 12 which extends in the direction Z to allow the evacuation of the coolant fluid F2 at the outlet of the outlet manifold 3B. The outlet pipe 12 is here arranged in the upper part of the downstream vertical wall 73. Similarly, the housing 7 of the inlet manifold 3A comprises a pipe 11 which extends in the direction Z to allow the introduction of the heat transfer fluid F2 in heat transfer bundle 2. The inlet pipe 11 is here arranged in the lower part of the inlet manifold 3A.

Before discussing in more detail the assembly of the cooling bundle 5 in the outlet manifold 3B, the components of the cooling bundle 5 will be presented further.

With reference to the figure 5 (which is not the subject of the invention), the cooling bundle 5 comprises a plurality of stacked tubes 50 distributed in two rows R1, R2. The cooling bundle 5 forms a circulation circuit for a cooling fluid F1 which enters the cooling bundle 5 via a fluid inlet 51 and leaves via a fluid outlet 52. The cooling fluid F1 exchanges heat by thermal conduction with the heat transfer fluid F2 circulating between the tubes 50 of the bundle 5.

With reference to the figure 7 , the tubes 50 of the cooling bundle 5 extend along the longitudinal axis Y, the heat transfer fluid F2 flowing orthogonally to the tubes 50 in the direction X. The tubes 50 of a row R1, R2 of the cooling bundle 5 are stacked along the Z axis. As shown in the figure 5 , the cooling bundle 5 is mounted in the outlet manifold 3B of the heat exchanger 1 arranged to conduct the heat transfer fluid F2 and to exchange heat with the air flow F3.

With reference to the figure 7 schematically representing the cooling bundle 5, this comprises a left row R1 and a right row R2 which each comprise three exchange units U1-U3, U4-U6 stacked along the Z axis. Each exchange unit U1-U3, U4-U6 comprises a block tubes 53, the ends of which are fixed in leaktight manner to collector elements 54 or end pieces.

A block of tubes 53 comprises a stack of flat tubes 50 inside which the refrigerant fluid F1 circulates. The tubes 50 are made of metal, usually an aluminum alloy, and include coolant fluid circulation channels F1 in the form of parallel holes (not shown) extending over the entire length of the tubes 50. Each tube 50 has an outer surface which is in contact with the heat transfer fluid F2 so that the latter brings cold temperatures to the refrigerant fluid F1 by thermal conduction.

With reference to the figure 5 , the ends of the block of tubes 53 are mounted in a sealed manner in the collector elements 54 which make it possible to distribute or collect the refrigerant F1 in the block of tubes 53.

As shown on the figure 7 , a collector element 54 comprises a cylindrical body extending along the vertical axis Z and has a circular cross section. The body is open by its upper face as well as by its lower face and further comprises a connecting opening made in the transverse face of said body which opens along the Y axis to receive one end of a block of tubes 53.

As shown on the figure 5 and 7 , an exchange unit comprises a block of tubes 53 which is connected by its ends to the collector elements 54. An exchange unit U1-U6 corresponds to an elementary brick of the cooling bundle 5, the exchange units U1-U6 s interlocking with each other so as to form a refrigerant circulation circuit F1. To form the cooling bundle 5, the exchange units U1-U6 are stacked vertically along the Z axis in one or more rows R1, R2 which are then connected to form the bundle 5.

With reference to the figure 7 , a pipe 9 puts the first row R1 in fluid communication with the second row R2.

A row of the cooling bundle 5 can include one or more passes to circulate the cooling fluid F1. The term “pass” is understood to mean one or more exchange units traversed in parallel by the refrigerant fluid F1. So, with reference to the figure 7 , the left row R1 of the beam 5 comprises a single pass and the right row R2 comprises two passes, a separation cover 55 being mounted between two collector elements 54 of the right row R2 so as to divert the circulation of the cooling flow F1. It goes without saying that a row of exchange beam can comprise more than two passes, for example three.

As the coolant F1 cools, its temperature decreases which induces a decrease in its volume. To optimize the operation of the bundle 5, the flow section of the coolant fluid F1 downstream of the cooling circuit is advantageously reduced. The cooling bundle 5 advantageously comprises more exchange units in an upstream pass than in a downstream pass in the direction of the circulation of the cooling fluid F1.

With reference to the figure 6 (which is not the subject of the invention) schematically representing the circulation circuit of refrigerant fluid F1 in the refrigerant bundle 5, the refrigerant fluid F1 is introduced into the bundle 5 from the inlet 51 and leaves from the outlet 52 after crossing all of the exchange units U1-U6. The exchange units U1-U3 of the left row R1 are connected in parallel and the exchange units U4-U5 of the right row R2 are connected in parallel. The group of exchange units U1-U3, the group of exchange units U4-U5 and the exchange unit U6 are connected in series so that the refrigerant fluid F1 which enters the refrigerant bundle 5 via the inlet 51 successively crosses three exchange units (U1-U3) then two (U4-U5) and finally one (U6) to come out via the outlet 52. In other words, the refrigerant fluid F1 circulates in the cooling bundle 5 in three passes distributed over two rows R1, R2.

The rows R1, R2 of the cooling bundle 5 are held together in their upper part by clips 56 mounted respectively at the right and left ends of the bundle 5 as shown in Fig. figure 7 . A clip 56 extends substantially along the X axis and comprises two curved parts intended to respectively hold the bodies of the collector elements 54 of the exchange units of the left row R1 and of the right row R2, the curved parts being connected by a tenon , extending substantially rectilinearly.

The inlet and the outlet of the refrigerant fluid F1 of the refrigerant bundle 5 are respectively in the form of cylindrical inlet 51 and outlet 52 pipes extending in the Z direction and whose free end is threaded to allow mounting of the refrigerant bundle 5 in the outlet manifold 3B.

The assembly of the cooling bundle 5 in the outlet manifold 3B will now be presented. With reference to the figure 5 , the cooling bundle 5 is mounted integral with the housing 7 in the volume of the outlet manifold 3B so that the cylindrical inlet 51 and outlet 52 pipes of the cooling bundle 5 extend respectively through an inlet orifice 76 and an outlet orifice 77 made in the downstream vertical wall 73 as shown in the figure 8A . Securing nuts 8 are fixed to the free ends of the cylindrical inlet 51 and outlet 52 pipes so as to secure the cooling bundle 5 to the casing 7.

To mount the cooling bundle 5 in the outlet manifold 3B, with reference to the figure 8A (which is not the subject of the invention), the cooling bundle 5 is introduced into the housing 7 by its open face by moving it in the direction X. Advantageously, the dimension of the cooling bundle 5 is less than the dimension of the casing 7 along the direction X so as to allow the introduction of the cooling bundle 5 with its cylindrical inlet 51 and outlet 52 pipes into the casing 7.

Once the cylindrical inlet 51 and outlet 52 pipes are facing the inlet 76 and outlet 77 orifices made in the downstream vertical wall 73 of the box 7, the cooling bundle 5 is moved in the direction Z so as to that the cylindrical pipes 51, 52 protrude through the downstream vertical wall 73 of the casing 7 as shown in the figure 8B . The fastening nuts 8 are then screwed to the threaded ends of the cylindrical pipes 51, 52 as shown in the Fig. 8C in order to ensure the mechanical connection between the cooling bundle 5 and the box 7.

In the mounted position, as shown in the figure 2 , the tubes 50 of the cooling bundle 5 extend in the lower part of the outlet manifold 3B. In other words, the refrigerant bundle 5 is offset vertically with respect to the outlet pipe 12 of the exchanger 1.

Advantageously, the tubes 50 of the cooling bundle 5 are stacked in the direction Z so that a tube 20 of the heat transfer bundle 2, which has an oblong section of large diameter extending in the direction Z, sends the flow heat carrier F2 which it leads over all of the stacked tubes of the cooling bundle 5. In other words, the cooling bundle 2 extends orthogonally to the cooling bundle 5, the cooling bundle 5 extending opposite the mouth tubes 20 of the heat transfer bundle 2.

Advantageously, as shown in the picture 3 , the cooling bundle 5 is mounted at a distance from the upstream vertical wall 71 so as to provide a space "d" for circulation of the heat transfer fluid F2 between the upstream vertical wall 71 and the cooling bundle 5. This advantageously makes it possible to facilitate the circulation of the heat transfer fluid F2 in the outlet manifold 3B by limiting pressure drops in said manifold 3B.

In operation, with reference to the figure 1 , the heat exchanger 1 conducts the heat transfer fluid F2 from its inlet manifold 3A to the outlet manifold 3B and exchanges heat by thermal conduction with the air flow F3 when the heat transfer fluid F2 passes through the heat transfer bundle 2.

The tubes 20 of the heat transfer bundle 2 inject into the outlet manifold 3B the cooled heat transfer flow F2 which circulates, in the lower part of the casing 3B, through the cooling bundle 5 and which circulates, in the upper part of the casing 3B, directly towards the outlet pipe 12. By crossing the cooling bundle 5, the heat transfer fluid F2 circulates between the tubes 50 of the cooling bundle 5 to cool the cooling fluid F1 which circulates in passes in the said cooling bundle 5. After having cooled the cooling bundle 5, the heat transfer fluid F2 is routed to the outlet pipe 12 of the exchanger 1. The refrigerant fluid F1 is for its part introduced and evacuated from the cooling bundle 5 by the cylindrical pipes 51, 52 which open out from the downstream vertical wall 73. Thus , advantageously, all the interfaces of the heat exchanger 1 and of its integrated refrigerant bundle 5 are provided on the downstream face of the exchanger 1 which i facilitates the integration of said exchanger 1 in a motor vehicle and limits its size.

In this example, the cylindrical outlet pipe 52 of the cooling bundle 5 is arranged close to the outlet pipe 12 of the heat exchanger 1 but it goes without saying that the cooling bundle 5 could also be mounted in the opposite direction with its cylindrical inlet pipe 51 arranged close to the outlet pipe 12 of the heat exchanger 1.

Similarly, a heat exchanger 1 has been presented with the cooling bundle 5 integrated in its outlet manifold 3B, but it could also be mounted in the inlet manifold 3A.

In the same spirit, beam 5 could have another structure.

As shown in figures 9 to 12 , the condenser according to the invention can also to be independent. The heat exchanger shown in the Figures 9-12 is the object of the invention. Its preferred embodiment is claimed in claim 1.

Its box 103 is configured, for example, to force a circulation of the heat transfer fluid through the beam 105, visible at the level of a scratched zone to the figures 9 and 10 .

For this, the housing has, in particular, a first zone 107 in contact with the beam and at least a second zone 109 at a distance from the beam to define collectors 111a, 111b for the heat transfer fluid so that said heat transfer fluid passes from a coolant fluid inlet 113ade, communicating with one 111a of the manifolds, to a coolant fluid outlet 113b, communicating with another one of the manifolds 111b, passing through a circulation path of the coolant fluid through said bundle 105 at the level of said first area 107.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the bundle 105 comprises a stack of tubes 115 opening at their end into superimposed collector elements 117. The collector elements 117 communicate with each other through orifices, not shown, to define collectors for the refrigerant, on either side of the tubes 115. The refrigerant circulates in the tubes 115, in particular provided with multichannels, and the heat transfer fluid circulates between the tubes 115. More generally, the bundle 105 will define, for example, a first path for the refrigerant fluid and a second path for the heat transfer fluid.

To return to the illustrated embodiment, the tubes 115 are in contact with the casing 103 while the casing 103 moves away from the beam at the level of the collector elements 117. The collectors 111a, 111b for the heat transfer fluid are located at the level of said collector elements. 117.

The heat transfer fluid can thus be distributed between the tubes 115 and then travel through the beam between said manifolds 111a, 111b being channeled between said tubes 115. This prevents part of the heat transfer fluid from passing directly from the inlet 113a to the outlet 113b of the exchanger without exchanging with the refrigerant. In other words, said first zone 107 is provided at the level of the tubes 115 and said second zone 109 is provided at the level of the collector elements 117.

Said casing 103 has, for example, inlet 119a and/or outlet 119b pipes for the heat transfer fluid, made from material. They open into the collectors 111a, 111b.

Said box 103 may also have reinforcing ribs 121, made from material. Said ribs 121 have, for example, a crossed configuration. In the example illustrated, the box 103 has a substantially parallelepipedic shape and the ribs 121 are parallel to the edges of the box.

Said housing 103 may also have flanges 123 for fixing the condenser to a support, said flanges being made from material. Said fixing flanges 123 are located, for example, at one or more said reinforcing ribs 121, in particular, between two said ribs 121.

The box 103 is closed, for example, by a cover 125, in particular made of metal, which can be crimped onto it. The cover defines, for example, an end plate of the beam 105. In other words, the beam 105 is integral with the cover 125.

The heat exchange bundle 105 has, in particular, inlet-outlet pipes 127a, 127b emerging through the cover 125.

In the example illustrated, these pipes 127a, 127b communicate with a bottle 129 which can be carried by the lid 125. This is a bottle serving, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, to define a fluid reserve volume refrigerant. It may also be used to filter it and/or ensure that it comes into contact with a desiccant, placed inside it. Said bottle may also be configured to allow a separation of phases, making it possible to eliminate any parts still in the vapor phase of the refrigerant at the outlet of the condenser before it continues its journey.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerant fluid thus enters the condenser, via the inlet pipe 127a, passes through the collector elements 117 located at a first end of the tubes 115, enters the tubes 115 which it travels through, emerges in the collector elements 117 located at the other end of the tubes 115 to then leave the condenser through the outlet pipe 127b.

The condenser is fixed, for example, to a nozzle of a support device for one or more items of equipment of a motor vehicle front face, said nozzle being provided capable of receiving said item(s) of equipment. It is, for example, a nozzle integrating a stator of a ventilation device. Said nozzle also being made of plastic, fixing the condenser is simplified.

Claims (6)

1. Condenser, in particular for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (103) and a heat exchange bundle (105), the condenser being configured to allow an exchange of heat between a refrigerant fluid flowing through the bundle (105) and a heat transfer fluid passing through the housing (103), the housing being made of plastic, the housing being configured to force a circulation of the heat transfer fluid through the bundle, the housing being closed by a cover, the condenser being characterized in that the housing has a first zone (107) in contact with the bundle and at least one second zone (109) at a distance from the bundle so as to define headers (111a, 111b) for the heat transfer fluid such that said heat transfer fluid passes from a heat transfer fluid inlet (113a), communicating with one of the headers (111a), to a heat transfer fluid outlet (113b), communicating with another of the headers (111b), passing via a path of circulation of the heat transfer fluid through said bundle at said first zone (107), one row of the refrigerant bundle (105) comprising a plurality of passes for causing the refrigerant fluid to circulate, wherein the heat exchange bundle (105) has inlet/outlet pipes (127a, 127b) opening through the cover (125) and communicating with a cylinder (129) that is borne by the cover (125).
2. Condenser according to Claim 1 wherein said housing (103) has inlet and/or outlet pipes (119a, 119b) for the heat transfer fluid.
3. Condenser according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said housing (103) has reinforcing ribs (121).
4. Condenser according to Claim 3 wherein said housing (103) has flanges (123) for fastening the condenser to a support.
5. Condenser according to Claim 4 wherein said fastening flanges (123) are situated at one or more reinforcing ribs (121).
6. Device for supporting one or more equipment elements of a motor vehicle front face, said support device comprising a duct, which is able to accommodate the one or more said equipment elements, and a condenser according to any one of the preceding claims, the housing of the condenser being fastened to said duct.

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