EP2483620B1 - Condenser for vehicles with improved integration - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of air conditioning circuits, in particular for motor vehicles.

It relates more particularly to a condenser, for use in such a circuit, comprising a stack, in a longitudinal direction, of stamped plates delimiting first blades for the circulation of a first fluid and second blades for the circulation of a second fluid, said second blades being interposed in said first blades; two first collectors, formed by the alignment in the longitudinal direction and the fluid communication of inlet and outlet ports respectively belonging to the blades for the first fluid, a first of said first collectors, said inlet manifold for the first fluid, comprising at least two connecting lines, the other of said first collectors, said output manifold for the first fluid, comprising at least two other connecting lines; a first inlet pipe, intended for the first fluid, opening into a so-called upstream connecting pipe of said connecting pipes of the inlet manifold for the first fluid; a first outlet pipe, intended for the first fluid, opening into a connecting pipe, called downstream, of said connecting lines of the outlet manifold for the first fluid, said connecting ducts of the inlet manifold and said connecting ducts of the collector output of the first fluid being arranged to allow alternating flow of the first fluid from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold, from the upstream connecting pipe to the downstream connecting pipe.

A condenser of this type is already known, in particular according to FR 2,846,733 .

A condenser comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from FR 2,870,588 .

Condensers of this type must be mounted inside the vehicle and connected to the circuits of the first and second fluids. The size and connection possibilities of these condensers are particularly critical for the integration of the condensers in the vehicle. In addition, it seeks easy accessibility to the connection between the condenser and the rest of the circuits to facilitate assembly and subsequent maintenance operations.

Since the condensers known to date have only partially satisfied, the Applicant has set itself the goal of improving the situation.

The proposed condenser is aimed at a condenser as defined in the introduction comprising an outlet pipe communicating said downstream connecting pipe with said outlet pipe, so that the first inlet pipe and the first outlet pipe are provided on the same first end face of said stack.

Thus, the inputs and outputs of the first fluid, even when it comes to the refrigerant flowing through the condenser, are on the same side of the exchanger. This facilitates integration into the motor vehicle and improves accessibility to the connections of the condenser in question.

In the configuration of the condenser according to the invention, said upstream connection line is close to said first end face, while said downstream connection pipe is remote.

The condenser further comprises two seconds collectors formed by the alignment in the longitudinal direction and the fluid communication of inlet and outlet ports respectively belonging to the blades for the second fluid.

According to the invention, said first collectors are mutually juxtaposed in the lateral direction and / or said second collectors are mutually juxtaposed in the lateral direction.

The first inlet pipe and / or the first outlet pipe may pass through said first end face. Said condenser comprises, for example, shutter plates for the inlet and / or outlet ports belonging to the blades intended for the first fluid, each time a shutter plate delimiting two connecting pipes in the respective first manifold. And at least one of the closure plates is adapted to be traversed by the outlet pipe.

For this, said closure plate is, for example, provided with a shaped orifice corresponding to the cross section of the outlet pipe, at least in the vicinity of said closure plate, and sealing means disposed externally. between the outlet pipe and the sealing plate. The sealing means comprise, in particular, a solder deposit.

According to one embodiment, the outlet pipe passes successively through the inlet and / or outlet orifices of each blade forming a connecting pipe adjacent to the downstream connecting pipe, in the outlet manifold for the first fluid.

The outlet pipe can thus pass through the inlet and / or outlet orifices of each blade forming each connecting pipe disposed longitudinally between the first end face and the downstream connecting pipe, in the outlet manifold for the first fluid. .

According to the invention, a first part of said stack delimits the second blades interposed in a part of said first blades, while a second part of the stack delimits third blades intended for the circulation of a third fluid, said third blades being interposed in the other part of said first blades, said downstream connection line belonging to the second part of said stack.

According to this embodiment, the condenser further comprises, for example, two third collectors mutually juxtaposed in the lateral direction and formed by the alignment in the longitudinal direction and the communication between fluid of inlet and outlet ports. respectively belonging to the blades for the third fluid, these third collectors being delimited in their entirety in at least two connecting lines; a third inlet manifold and a third outlet manifold for the third fluid.

The third inlet pipe and the third outlet pipe pass through, in particular, a second end face of said stack, this second face being longitudinally opposite to said first end face.

The third inlet pipe and the third outlet pipe may be in fluid communication respectively with the third collectors.

Said first and second parts of said stack are, for example, separated from each other by an intermediate separating plate. The latter comprises, in particular, a first orifice adapted to be traversed by the outlet pipe. It may also be adapted to close the inlet and outlet ports belonging to the blades for the second fluid remote from said first end face.

According to a particular embodiment, the separation plate is provided with additional orifices calibrated for respectively putting the second collectors and the third collectors into fluid communication, the second and the third fluids then being the same and the condenser having a single manifold inlet and a single outlet pipe for said same fluid.

• la figure 1 montre un premier mode de réalisation d'un condenseur selon l'invention, vu en perspective isométrique,
• la figure 2 montre le condenseur de la figure 1 vu en perspective isométrique éclatée, certaines des plaques ayant été omises,
• la figure 3 montre le condenseur de la figure 1 vu en plan et de dessus,
• la figure 4 est une vue du condenseur de la figure 1 vu en coupe transversale suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3,
• la figure 5 montre le condenseur de la figure 1 vu en coupe transversale suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 3, et
• la figure 6 montre un second mode de réalisation d'un condenseur dans une vue analogue à celle de la figure 5.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a condenser according to the invention, seen in isometric perspective,
• the figure 2 shows the condenser of the figure 1 seen in exploded isometric perspective, some of the plates having been omitted,
• the figure 3 shows the condenser of the figure 1 seen in plan and from above,
• the figure 4 is a view of the condenser of the figure 1 seen in cross-section along line IV-IV of the figure 3 ,
• the figure 5 shows the condenser of the figure 1 seen in cross-section along line VV of the figure 3 , and
• the figure 6 shows a second embodiment of a condenser in a view similar to that of the figure 5 .

The drawings include, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They can therefore not only serve to better understand the description, but also contribute to its definition, if any.

The Figures 1 to 5 show a condenser 10 intended to be part of an air conditioning circuit, not shown, in particular for a motor vehicle.

In such a circuit, a refrigerant, or first fluid, through a closed loop in a compressor, the aforementioned condenser, an expander and an evaporator, before returning to the compressor, and so on.

Here, the condenser 10 is intended to operate with a refrigerant fluid capable of being present both in a liquid form and in a gaseous form, for example a fluorinated fluid such as that known under the name R134a.

The condenser 10 comprises a first heat exchange unit 12 for cooling the cooling fluid until it is condensed by means of a first cooling fluid.

This cooling fluid may consist of water containing an antifreeze, for example of the glycol type.

The condenser 10 further comprises a second heat exchange unit 14 for sub-cooling the fluid refrigerant by means of a second cooling fluid.

The second cooling fluid may also consist of water containing an antifreeze. In particular, the second cooling fluid and the first cooling fluid can form a single fluid flowing in the same circuit.

The condenser 10 may also comprise a bottle, not shown, interposed between the first block 12 and the second block 14, and adapted to be traversed by the refrigerant.

The cooling fluid in the gas phase, as coming from the compressor, is first cooled until it is condensed in the first block 12. If necessary, this cooling fluid passes through the bottle where it is filtered and dehydrated. Then the condensed refrigerant flows through the second block 14 which provides subcooling.

The condenser 10 further comprises a first flange 16 and a second flange 18, both interposed between the first block 12 and the second block 14. The first flange 16 and the second flange 18 form interfaces for the circulation of the refrigerant between this first block 12 and this second block 14.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the condenser comprises a specific plate, similar in shape to the other plates of the first and second blocks but having only two orifices, said specific plate separating said blocks while allowing through said two orifices a communication of the refrigerant between the two blocks.

The first block 12 comprises a series of stamped plates 20 stacked in a longitudinal direction of the condenser 10. Here, the stamped plates 20 have a general shape of rectangular bowl. The stamped plates 20 of the first block 12 delimit circulation strips for the refrigerant fluid which alternate with circulation blades for the first cooling fluid. In other words, these stamped plates 20 define first blades for the circulation of the refrigerant and second blades for the circulation of the first cooling fluid, said second blades being interposed in said first blades.

The second block 14 also comprises a series of stamped plates 22, stacked in the longitudinal direction of the condenser 10. Here, the stamped plates 22 have a general appearance similar to that of the stamped plates 20. These stamped plates 22 form circulation blades for the cooling fluid which alternates with circulation blades for the second cooling fluid. In other words, these stamped plates 22 define third blades for the circulation of the second cooling fluid, said third blades being interposed in a portion of said first blades.

In other words, the stack of stamped plates 20 and 22 comprises a first part, corresponding to the first heat exchange block 12, which delimits second blades interposed in a first part of said first blades, while the other part of this stack of plates delimits third blades interposed in the other part of said first blades.

The stamped plates 20 of the first block 12 are maintained between the first flange 16 and a first end plate 24, longitudinally opposite to the first flange 16. The stamped plates 22 of the second block 14 are between the second flange 18 and a second end plate 26, longitudinally opposite to the second flange 18.

The first end plate 24 carries a connection flange 28 for the entry of the refrigerant to be condensed and a connection flange 30 for the output of this coolant, condensed and subcooled. On the figure 4 , the circulation of this refrigerant inside the condenser 10 is illustrated by arrows F1.

The first cooling fluid enters the first block 12 through an inlet pipe 32 and exits through an outlet pipe 34, both carried by the first end plate 24. On the figure 5 The circulation of the first cooling fluid is represented by an arrow F2.

The second cooling fluid enters the second block 14 through an inlet pipe 36 and exits through an outlet pipe 38, both carried by the second end plate 26. On the figure 5 the circulation of the second cooling fluid is represented by an arrow F3.

The first and the second cooling fluid may be a single fluid taken at different places of the same circuit, or different fluids in the sense that they have different compositions and / or belong to different circuits.

Each of the stamped plates 20 of the first block 12 presents four circular orifices 39, for example located in the vicinity of each corner of the plate, provided substantially rectangular. Each of the orifices of the same stamped plate 20 belongs to an alignment, in the longitudinal direction, of the homologous orifices of the set of stamped plates 20 of the first block 12.

In the same way, each of the stamped plates 22 of the second block 14 is pierced with four circular orifices. Two of these orifices respectively belong to two homologous orifice alignments of the stamped plates 22 of this block 14, whereas the two other orifices belong to two respective alignments of the first heat exchange block 12.

In particular, each orifice of a stamped plate 22 of the second block 14 is here in alignment, in the longitudinal direction with an alignment of homologous orifices of stamped plates 20 of the first block 12.

The alignment of these latter orifices forms two first collectors 40 and 42, mutually juxtaposed in the lateral direction, formed by the alignment, in the longitudinal direction, and the placing in communication of fluid, of inlet and outlet ports. respectively belonging to the blades for the refrigerant.

These two first collectors 40 and 42 are formed of orifices belonging to stamped plates 20 of the first block 12 and orifices formed in stamped plates 22 of the second heat exchange block 14. Two second collectors mutually juxtaposed in the direction lateral alignment, formed by the alignment in the longitudinal direction and the placing in communication of fluid of inlet and outlet ports respectively belonging to the blades intended for the first coolant, are also formed. These second collectors are formed by the alignment of orifices belonging to stamped plates 20 of the first block 12 only.

Two third collectors, mutually juxtaposed in the lateral direction, formed by the alignment in the longitudinal direction and the communication between inlet and outlet fluid fluids respectively belonging to the blades for the second cooling fluid are also formed. These third collectors are formed by the alignment of orifices formed in stamped plates 22 of the second heat exchange unit 14 only.

The first collectors 40 and 42 are, as a whole, delimited into several connecting pipes.

Thus, the first inlet manifold 40, connected to the inlet connection flange 28, is partitioned into four connecting pipes 52, 54, 56 and 58 adjacent to each other, while the first outlet manifold 42, connected to the outlet connection flange 30, is partitioned into three connecting ducts 60, 62 and 64.

The connection flange 28 for the refrigerant inlet opens into the connecting pipe 52 of the first inlet manifold 40. The connecting pipe 52 thus forms an upstream connection pipe, close to the first end plate 24. From there, the refrigerant circulates in a portion of the stamped plates 20 to reach the connecting line 60 of the first outlet manifold 42. From there, the refrigerant flows laterally through the condenser 10 to reach the connecting line 54 of the first collector d 40, then the connecting line 62 of the first outlet manifold 42, and then the link 56 of the first input manifold 40, adjacent to the connecting line 54, in an alternating flow from the first input manifold to the first output manifold.

The connecting line 58 of the first inlet manifold 40 is formed by the alignment of the orifices of each of the stamped plates 22 of the second heat exchange unit 14.

The first flange 16 and the second flange 18 are respectively pierced with a through hole, the two through holes coinciding with each other for the passage of the refrigerant fluid of the connecting pipe 56, the first block 12, to the connecting line 58 of the second block 14.

From there, the coolant gains the connecting pipe 64, which thus forms a downstream pipe remote from the first end face 24.

The connecting line 64 of the second block 14 is separated from the adjacent connecting line 62 by the first flange 16 and the second flange 18. These first and second flanges 18 are here in mutual abutment over most of their surface.

The remainder of the connecting lines 52, 54, 56, 60 and 62 is partitioned with respect to one another by closing the corresponding orifice of a stamped plate 20 of the first block 12, for example by means of a flat cap 66 visible on the figure 2 .

An outlet pipe 68 connects the outlet connection flange 30 in fluid communication with an orifice 70 formed in the second flange and opening into the connecting pipe 64 of the second block 14. Here, the end of the tubing 68, near the second block 14 is received in a bore 72 adapted formed in the first flange 16.

The coolant flows from the connecting line 64 to the connection flange 30 via the outlet line 68, to leave the condenser 10.

The outlet duct 68 thus passes through a portion of the first outlet manifold 40, namely the connecting ducts 60 and 62.

In other words, the outlet pipe 68 passes through the homologous orifices of each of the stamped plates 20 of the block 12.

The flat plug 66 separating the connecting pipe 60 from the connecting pipe 66 is pierced with a hole shaped in correspondence of the peripheral contour of the outlet pipe 68 at this level.

A brazing operation seals between the outer wall of the outlet pipe 68 and said flat cap 66, creating a solder deposit therein.

In general, the connecting pipe 68 passes through the first outlet manifold 42 being coaxial therewith, said connecting pipe 68 leaving an annular passage for the circulation of said first fluid in the at least one connecting duct 60, 62. located above the downstream link line 64.

The first cooling fluid enters the first block 12 through the inlet pipe 32 and gains the second inlet manifold 44.

From there, the cooling fluid passes through the condenser 10 through the blades which are intended for it and reaches the second outlet manifold 46 for output by the tubing 34.

One or more additional passes of this coolant could be provided in a manner similar to that described above.

The second cooling fluid enters the second block 14 via the tubing 36 and thus opens into the third inlet manifold 48. This cooling fluid reaches the outlet manifold 50 via the blades that are intended for it and leaves by the tubing 38.

Again, one or more additional passes could be planned.

The figure 6 shows a second condenser 20 as a variant of the condenser 10. The condenser 20 differs from the condenser 10 in that the same cooling fluid is used in the first heat exchange block 12 and the second heat exchange block 14 as the first cooling fluid and the second cooling fluid, respectively.

In this embodiment, the second end plate 50 is devoid of inlet pipe 36 and outlet pipe 38. The first flange 16 and the second flange 18 are provided with calibrated orifices 78 and 80, in correspondence of the third inlet manifold 48 and the third outlet manifold 50, to ensure a passage of the cooling fluid from the first heat exchange block 12 to the second heat exchange block 14.

In another variant embodiment, an inlet manifold is provided for the second and third fluids on each of the blocks while a single outlet tubing is provided for said second and third fluids, the condenser allowing mixing of said second and third fluids in one of said second or third output manifold, provided connected to said single outlet tubing. In this variant, the one or more flanges or separating plates between the two blocks are pierced with an orifice to allow communication between said second and third output manifolds, said second and third inlet manifolds being kept separated by the or said flanges or separating plates.

All the connections of the condenser 20 to the remainder of a fluid circuit are disposed on the same end face of this condenser 20, namely the first end plate 24.

In addition or in addition, the second block 14 could be replaced or supplemented by an internal heat exchanger, that is to say a heat exchanger in which the same fluid flows in both types of blades, under conditions of different temperature and pressure.

The stacking of the stamped plates 22 of the second block 14 can then be oppositely oriented with respect to the stamped plates 20 of the first block 12.

Here, the stamped plates 20 of the first block 12 and those 22 of the second block 14 are similarly shaped and are stacked while being oriented alternately with respect to one another. This makes it possible to produce a condenser 10 at a lower cost and facilitates assembly. However, the plates 20 of the first block 12 and 22 of the second block 14 may differ from each other, by their shape, by the material used for their realization, or otherwise.

Similarly, the stacking pitch of the stamped plates 20 of the first block 12 and that of the plates 22 of the second block 14 may differ from one another.

Although the first flange 16 and the second flange 18 have been shown in mutual support, they may be distant from each other, particularly if it is necessary to insert a circuit element between the first and second flanges 18. block 12 and the second block 14.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, by way of example only, but encompasses all the variants that can be envisaged by those skilled in the art.

Claims (14)

1. Condenser (10, 20) to be used in an air conditioning circuit of an automobile, of the type comprising:

   - punched plates (20, 22) stacked in a longitudinal direction and defining first blades intended for the circulation of a first fluid, such as a refrigerant fluid, as well as second blades intended for the circulation of a second fluid, such as a cooling fluid, the said second blades being interleaved with the said first blades, two first collectors (40, 42), formed by the alignment in the longitudinal direction and the placing in fluid communication of inlet and outlet orifices (39) belonging respectively to the blades intended for the first fluid,

   - a first (40) of the said first collectors, known as the inlet collector for the first fluid, comprising at least two connection lines (52, 54, 56, 58),

   - the other (42) of the said first collectors, known as the outlet collector for the first fluid, comprising at least two other connection lines (60, 62, 64),

   - a first inlet pipe stub (28), intended for the first fluid, discharging into a connection line, referred to as upstream (52), of the said connection lines of the inlet collector for the first fluid,

   - a first outlet pipe stub (30), intended for the first fluid, discharging into a connection line, referred to as downstream (64), of the said connection lines of the outlet collector for the first fluid,

   - the said connection lines of the inlet collector and of the outlet collector for the first fluid being arranged to permit an alternating circulation of the first fluid from the inlet collector (40) towards the outlet collector (42), from the upstream connection line (52) towards the downstream connection line (64),

   - the stacked punched plates (20, 22) defining first and second blocks (12, 14) intended respectively for the condensation and for the sub-cooling of the refrigerant fluid,

   - an outlet line (68) placing the said downstream connection line (64) of the second block (14) in communication with the said outlet pipe stub (30), in such a way that the first inlet pipe stub (28) and the first outlet pipe stub (30) are provided on the same first end surface (24) of the said stack, the outlet pipe stub (68) passing through the equivalent orifices of each of the punched plates (20) of the first block (12), the condenser comprising in addition two second collectors (44, 46) formed by the alignment in the longitudinal direction and the placing in fluid communication of inlet and outlet orifices belonging respectively to the blades intended for the second fluid, characterized in that the said first collectors (40, 42) are mutually juxtaposed in the lateral direction and the said second collectors (44, 46) are mutually juxtaposed in the lateral direction, wherein a first part of the said stack defines the second blades interleaved in a part of the said first blades, whereas a second part of the stack defines third blades intended for the circulation of a third fluid, the said third blades being interleaved in the other part of the said first blades, the said downstream connection line (64) belonging to the second part of the said stack.
2. Condenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first inlet pipe stub (28) and/or the first outlet pipe stub (30) pass through the said first end surface (24).
3. Condenser according to either one of the preceding claims, comprising blanking plates (66) for the inlet (39) and/or outlet orifices belonging to the blades intended for the first fluid, each being a blanking plate defining two connection lines in the first respective collector, wherein at least one of the blanking plates (66) is adapted for the purpose of being passed through by the outlet line (68).
4. Condenser according to Claim 3, wherein the said blanking plate (66) is provided with an orifice having a form corresponding to the cross section of the outlet line (68), at least in the vicinity of the said blanking plate, and with a sealing means arranged externally between the outlet line and the blanking plate.
5. Condenser according to Claim 4, wherein the sealing means comprise a solder deposit.
6. Condenser according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet line (68) passes successively through the inlet and/or outlet (39) orifices of each blade forming an adjacent connection line (62) to the downstream connection line (64) in the outlet collector for the first fluid (42).
7. Condenser according to Claim 6, wherein the outlet line (68) passes through the inlet and/or outlet orifices of each blade forming each connection line (60, 62) arranged longitudinally between the first end surface (24) and the downstream connection line (64), in the outlet collector for the first fluid (42).
8. Condenser according to one of Claims 1 to 7, comprising in addition two third collectors (48, 50) mutually juxtaposed in the lateral direction and formed by the alignment in the longitudinal direction and the placing in fluid communication of inlet and outlet orifices (39) belonging respectively to the blades intended for the third fluid, these third collectors being defined in their entirety as at least two connection lines (48, 50), a third inlet pipe stub (36) and a third outlet pipe stub (38) intended for the third fluid.
9. Condenser according to claim one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the third inlet pipe stub (36) and the third outlet pipe stub (38) pass through a second end surface (26) of the said stack, this second surface (26) being longitudinally opposite the said first end surface (24) .
10. Condenser according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the third inlet pipe stub (36) and the third outlet pipe stub (38) are in fluid communication respectively with the third collectors (48, 50).
11. Condenser according to one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the said first and second parts of the said stack are separated from one another by an intermediate separation plate (16, 18).
12. Condenser according to Claim 11, wherein the separation plate (16, 18) consists of a first orifice (72) adapted to be passed through by the outlet line (68) .
13. Condenser according to either of Claims 11 and 12, wherein the separation plate (16, 18) is adapted to block the inlet and outlet orifices belonging to the blades intended for the second fluid that are remote from the said first end surface.
14. Condenser according to either of Claims 11 and 12, wherein the separation plate (16, 18) is provided with supplementary orifices (78, 80) calibrated to place the second collectors (44, 46) and the third collectors (48, 50) respectively in fluid communication.

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