FR2866947A1 - Heat exchanger for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system of vehicle, has evaporator and heater core forming rigid block and assembled in single operation in air treating case - Google Patents

Abstract

The exchanger has an evaporator (1) and a heater core (2) forming a rigid block and assembled in single operation in an air treating case. Two parallel paths for coolants defined by the evaporator and the core are in thermal contact with air flow, between inlet nozzles (101, 11) and outlet nozzles (102, 12), respectively. The paths are defined for storing hot or cold fluid.

Description

VCL1505.FRD Combined heat exchanger device

  The invention relates to a heat exchange device, in particular for a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning plant of a motor vehicle, comprising two heat exchangers adapted to be traversed successively by an air flow and each defining a path for a first fluid in thermal contact with said flow of air between at least one inlet and at least one fluid outlet.

  Such a device comprises, for example, as is well known, an evaporator and a radiator placed one behind the other in the path of an air flow intended to be sent into the passenger compartment of a vehicle for cool this air flow then warm it to the desired temperature.

  In these known devices, the two heat exchangers are separate components which must be mounted independently of one another in a housing in appropriate positions.

  The object of the invention is to simplify the mounting of the heat exchange device.

  Another object of the invention is to enrich the functions of this device.

  The invention aims in particular at a device of the kind defined in the introduction, and provides that the two heat exchangers form a rigid block and each further define a path for a second fluid, in thermal contact with the first fluid and with said flow of air, between an inlet and a fluid outlet, the paths for the second fluid defined by the two heat exchangers being paralleled by the connection of the corresponding inputs and fluid outputs.

  2866947 2 The rigid block formed by the two heat exchangers makes it possible to mount these in a single operation. In addition, the paths for the second fluid make it possible to provide the device with additional functions, as will be seen in detail below.

  Optional features of the invention, complementary or substitution, are set out below: The first fluids associated with the two heat exchangers circulate in separate circuits.

  - The first fluids associated with the two heat exchangers are different.

  - The two heat exchangers are respectively an evaporator and a heating radiator.

  The first fluids associated with the two heat exchangers are identical.

  - Said heat exchangers are both evaporators.

  Said heat exchangers are both heating radiators.

  The paths for the first fluid defined by the two heat exchangers are paralleled by the connection of the corresponding inputs and fluid outlets.

  Said second fluid is an accumulation fluid capable of receiving heat or cold from the first fluid in one of the heat exchangers when the heating or cooling power supplied by the first fluid exceeds the requirements of the treatment of the flow. of air and to return to the latter heat or cold in one of the heat exchangers when said power is insufficient.

  - Valves are provided to control the flow of said fluids in at least some of said paths.

  Said rigid block comprises a multiplicity of mutually stacked plates, each plate comprising a first part defining at least one wall delimiting a path element for one of the first and second fluids and / or for the flow of air in a first heat exchangers, and a second portion defining at least one wall defining a path element for one of the first and second fluids and / or for the air flow in the second heat exchanger.

  - Each plate has a third portion interconnecting the first and second parts.

  The stack comprises a plurality of games each formed of a first plate facing a first end of the stack, a second plate facing the second end of the stack and a third intermediate plate mutually contiguous, the plates of two neighboring sets being spaced apart from each other in at least one median region of each of the first and second parts, so as to define between them intervals for the passage of the air flow.

  - Said plates have substantially the same contour.

  Said plates are stamped in such a way as to define path elements for the first and second fluids respectively on either side of the intermediate plate of each set, and present, in end regions of said parts situated on both sides, other of said middle region, openings allowing said path elements for each fluid to communicate with each other and with the corresponding inlets and outlets, the fluid-tightness of said paths being ensured by appropriate mutual connection of the plates around the openings and the periphery of the first and second parts.

  2866947 4 - The path elements for the second fluid have in the stacking direction a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm.

  Each plate has, in a first of said end regions, first and second openings allowing the path elements for the first fluid to communicate with at least one inlet and at least one outlet respectively and a third opening allowing the elements path for the second fluid to communicate with at least one input or at least one output and, in the second of said end regions, a fourth opening allowing the path elements for the second fluid to communicate with at least one output or least one entry.

  - The third opening is disposed between the first and second openings.

  - The fourth opening is elongated.

  In each of the two exchangers, the first plate of a game and the third plate of a neighboring game have respective bosses in mutual support in which are formed the first and second corresponding openings, the first and second openings of the second plate of said adjacent game being sealed through the bosses of said third plate.

  - In each of the two exchangers, the third opening of the first plate of a game is adjacent to that of the third plate of the same game and that of the second plate of a neighboring game, the latter opening being formed in a boss .

  - The first plate of a game and the second plate of a neighboring game have respective bosses in mutual support in which are formed the fourth corresponding openings, the first and third plates of a game being sealed in a zone annular surrounding the boss of the first plate and the opening of the third plate.

  The third opening of each portion is located higher than the fourth opening of the same portion.

  The features and advantages of the invention are described in more detail in the description below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchange device according to the invention.

  FIGS. 2 and 3 are elevational views of the device equipped with fluid inlet and outlet pipes, taken respectively along arrow A of FIG. 3 and arrow B of FIG.

  Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2 showing the implantation of the device in a vehicle air conditioner housing.

  Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, illustrating a variant of the device.

  FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view along the line VI-VI of FIG. 3.

  FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view along line VII - VII of FIG. 3.

  Figures 8 and 9 are partial sectional views along line VIIIVIII of Figure 6, respectively of the upper part and the lower part of the evaporator.

  Figures 10 to 12 are partial front views of the three plates constituting a set of plates of the device of Figures 1 to 4.

  FIG. 13 represents a plate that can be used as a replacement for that of FIG. 12.

  FIG. 14 is a front view of the plate of FIG.

  The heat exchange device shown as a whole in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises an evaporator 1 and a heating radiator 2 intended to form part of a vehicle air-conditioning system. Figure 4 shows these two exchangers mounted in an air handling unit 3 so as to be traversed successively by a flow of air F to be sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. As known per se, a mixing flap 4 disposed in the housing 3 can move between a position in which it prevents the passage of the flow F through the radiator 2, the air cooled by the evaporator 1 being sent directly into the chamber. the passenger compartment, and a position in which the entire stream having passed through the evaporator then passes through the radiator to be reheated, passing through intermediate positions in which a variable fraction of the air flow which has passed through the evaporator passes through the radiator.

  According to the invention, the heat exchangers 1 and 2 are made, as described in detail below, so as to form a rigid block which can be mounted in a single operation in the housing 3.

  According to the invention also, in addition to a path for a refrigerant fluid defined by the evaporator 1, in thermal contact with the air flow F, between an inlet pipe 101 and an outlet pipe 102, and a path for a heat transfer fluid, for example the cooling fluid of the engine of the vehicle, defined by the radiator 2, in thermal contact with the air flow F, between an inlet pipe 11 and an outlet pipe 12, paths Parallels are defined in the two heat exchangers for a heat or cold storage fluid. A storage fluid inlet pipe 13 is connected to an inlet distribution pipe 14 connecting fluid inlets located, in the example shown, to the lower part of the two heat exchangers, and a pipe 15 of accumulation fluid outlet is connected to an outlet distribution line 16 which connects fluid outlets located, according to the example shown, to the upper part of the two exchangers, in the vicinity of the inputs and the outputs 101, 102, 11 , 12 for the first fluids, the output of the second fluid in each exchanger being located substantially between the inlet and the outlet of the first fluid in the same exchanger. Thus, the accumulation fluid or second fluid. arriving through the pipe 13 and distributed by the pipe 14 flows in parallel in the two heat exchangers where it can exchange heat with the first fluids and / or with the air flow F, as needed, before emerging by, line 16 and tubing 15.

  FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a heat exchange device comprising a first evaporator 1 identical to that of the preceding figures and a second evaporator 21 forming a single block with the evaporator 1 in the same manner as the radiator 2. There is shown in Figure 5 an inlet pipe 13, an inlet distribution pipe 14, a distribution pipe 16 and an outlet pipe 15 for circulating a cold accumulation fluid or second fluid in parallel in the two evaporators, as previously described. In addition, there is also provided an inlet distribution pipe 22 connected to the coolant inlet pipe 101 and an outlet distribution pipe 23 connected to the refrigerant outlet pipe 102, making it possible to circulate the refrigerant in parallel in the two evaporators.

  Alternatively, the exchangers of Figure 5 may both be radiators.

  Valves not shown may be provided to control the flow of fluids in the heat exchangers of the device, in particular to establish different operating phases such as heat accumulation and / or cold accumulation phases by the second fluid in the heat exchanger. one of the heat exchangers or in the two heat exchangers, and heat or cold return phases by the accumulation fluid in an exchanger or in the two heat exchangers. Valves may also be provided for connecting the paths for the first fluid of the two exchangers, either to the same external circuit, or to separate external circuits, allowing in particular to operate the device, either as a double evaporator or as a dual radiator, either as evaporator and radiator combined.

  FIGS. 6 and following illustrate an advantageous way of producing the rigid block formed by the heat exchangers 1 and 2 in the form of a stack of thin metal stamped plates, one of which is shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is composed of three parts, namely a first part 108 of approximately rectangular contour, elongate in a substantially vertical direction, a second part 31 laterally offset relative to the part 108 and elongated in a direction making, in the the example shown, an angle with the vertical, and a third portion 32 in the form of a narrow band connecting the lower portions of the parts 108 and 31, which belong respectively to the evaporator 1 and the radiator 2. The rigid block comprises a multiplicity of identical sets of three plates, one of which is similar to the plate 30 of FIG. 14, and the other two have the same outline as this but differ in the configuration of the first and second parts. The first parts of the different plates are described in detail below, this description being equally valid, mutatis mutandis, for the second parts.

  Figures 1 and 2 show the sets of plates 100 or mutually stacked modules. These are in mutual contact in an upper region and in a lower region of the evaporator, and have between them, in a median region extending over most of the height of the evaporator, intervals 106 for the passage of the air flow, which are lined with corrugated inserts 107. The respective portions 108, 109, 110 of the plates 30, 33, 34 constituting each module each have a peripheral edge 111 located in a plane perpendicular to the direction of 2, the parts 108, 110 and 109, shown separately in FIGS. 10 to 12 respectively, are arranged in this order from left to right of FIGS. 6 to 9. As seen in these figures, which represent partial sections through planes parallel to the stacking direction, the peripheral edges 111 of the three parts are mutually joined and soldered in a fluid-tight manner. es. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the outlet distribution line 16 of the accumulation fluid is connected to the upper end region of the parts, at the mid-width thereof, while the inlet and outlet pipes outlet 101, 102 of the refrigerant are connected in the same upper region, laterally on either side of the pipe 16. It is advantageous that the inlet and the outlet of the accumulation fluid are located respectively at the lower part and at the upper part of the exchanger so as to eliminate the residual gases.

  Next to each of the tubes 101 and 102, the portion 108 of a module and the portion 110 of the neighboring module are stamped to form respective bosses 112, 113 whose planar tops 114, 115 are in mutual support and are pierced with apertures 116, 117 in coincidence. The planar vertices 114, 115 are soldered together in a sealed manner around the openings 116, 117 to form, through the stack, longitudinal ducts 118, 119 respectively connected to the pipes 101 and 102.

  Opposite the entry of the accumulation fluid through the pipe 14, as seen more particularly in FIG. 9, the portion 108 of a module and the portion 109 of a neighboring module have respective bosses 120 , 121 whose planar vertices 122, 123 are applied against each other and are pierced with coincident apertures 124, 125 around which they are brazed together in a fluid-tight manner. These bosses define a longitudinal conduit 126 in communication with the inlet 14, openings 127 being formed in the parts 110 to ensure the continuity of this conduit.

  Opposite the outlet of the accumulation fluid via the pipe 16, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the parts 108 and 110 of each module extend in the planes of their respective peripheral edges 111, and the part 109 of a module has a boss 128 whose plane top 129 bears on the part 110 of the neighboring module, the top 129 and the parts 108 and 110 having respective coincident openings 130, 131 and 132 around which they are brazed together in a fluid-tight manner. The bosses 128 delimit a longitudinal duct 133 communicating with the outlet 16.

  In the median region of the height of the evaporator, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 9 ', the parts 108 and 110 generally extend in planes parallel to the planes of their peripheral edges 111, and spaced apart the other.

  However, these portions are sealed together in an area 134 (FIG. 9) immediately above conduit 126 and extending the entire width of the portion to the vertical sides of edges 111, and also in a median vertical line corresponding to the respective rib ridges 140 (Fig. 7) formed by stamping, which connects to the upper sides of the peripheral edges 111 and extends up to a certain distance above the zone 134. The parts 108 and 110 thus define between them a U-shaped path between the ducts 118 and 119, whose branches 137, 138 are located on either side of the ribs 140 and are connected to each other between the lower end The bosses 120, 121 and the associated openings are advantageously horizontally elongated and extend over most of the width of the evaporator.

  The portion 109 of each module extends over its entire surface area except the peripheral edge 111 and bosses 121 and 128, in a plane parallel to the plane of its peripheral edge, and spaced from the portion 110. bosses 121 and 128 are formed from this planar portion 135, and the bosses 113 pass tightly through openings 136 formed therein. The plane portion 135 delimits with the part 110 a space 139 allowing a vertical path from bottom to top for the accumulation fluid of the conduit 126 to the conduit 133, allowing this fluid to circulate without noise emission due to degassing and without problem of oil retainer.

  An interlayer not shown may be provided in the space 139 to promote heat exchange.

  Figure 13 shows a plate 34a which may be used as a replacement for the plate 34 in the stack of the device described, without further changes. The elements of this plate similar to the corresponding elements of the plate 34 are designated by the same reference signs. The portion 109a of the plate 34a differs from the portion 109 of the plate 34 by the presence of two ribs formed by stamping from the plane portion 135 and whose vertices are soldered tightly to the part 110 of the same module. A first rib has a first horizontal connection region 143 which is connected to the peripheral edge 111 on one of the vertical sides of the portion (right in the figure), immediately below the apertures 136, followed by a bend 144 and a vertical region 145 which extends downwardly to the vicinity of the boss 121. The second rib has a second connecting region 146 which extends substantially horizontally and connects to the peripheral edge 111 on the side opposed to the connection of the first region 143 (left in the figure), immediately above the boss 121, followed by a bend 147 and a vertical region 148 which extends upwardly to the vicinity of the openings 136. The lower end of region 145 and the upper end of region 148 are located opposite regions 146 and 143, respectively. The ribs 143 148 delimit, with the peripheral edge 111, an S-shaped path for the second fluid comprising, from the conduit 126, a first ascending branch lying between the right side of the portion and the rib 146 148, a second descending branch lying between two ribs and a third ascending limb between the left side of the game and. the rib 143-145 and ending in the conduit 133, the regions 145 and 148 being arranged such that these three branches are substantially the same width. On the other hand, the region 146 widens upward towards the left side of the part so as to form a rounding at the transition between the second and third branches of the path.

  The plate 34a can also be used in an exchanger whose inlet and outlet for the second fluid are located respectively upwards and downwards, the ribs then delimiting two descending branches and an ascending branch.

  The device according to the invention can optionally be used by circulating, in heat exchange relation with the air flow, either three fluids (refrigerant, heat transfer fluid, accumulation fluid), or any two thereof , or a single fluid (refrigerant or heat transfer fluid).

  Although a preferred embodiment of the rigid block has been described and shown in the form of a stack of identical games each formed of three different thin plates defining between them path elements for the fluids, the rigid block can be realized. in a different way, for example in the form of a stack of components other than thin plates, or by the assembly of two heat exchangers made independently of one another.

  Whatever the technology adopted, the exchangers can be designed for fluid circulation in 2n passes, n being one. integer chosen arbitrarily and generally between 1 and 3.

Claims (23)

claims   1. A heat exchange device, in particular for a heating, ventilation and / or air-conditioning installation of a motor vehicle, comprising two heat exchangers (1, 2) adapted to be traversed successively by an air flow (F) and each defining a path for a first fluid in thermal contact with said airflow between at least one inlet and at least one fluid outlet (101, 102, 11, 12), characterized in that the two heat exchangers form a rigid block and each further define a path for a second fluid, in thermal contact with the first fluid and with said air flow, between an inlet and a fluid outlet, the paths for the second fluid defined by the two heat exchangers. heat being paralleled by the connection (14, 16) of the corresponding fluid inlets and outlets.   2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first 20 fluids associated with the two heat exchangers circulate in separate circuits.   3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the first fluids associated with the two heat exchangers are different.   4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the two heat exchangers are respectively an evaporator (1) and a heating radiator (2).   5. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the first fluids associated with the two heat exchangers are identical.   6. Device according to one of claims 1 and 5, wherein said heat exchangers are both evaporators.   2866947 15 7. Device according to one of claims 1 and 5, wherein said heat exchangers are both heating radiators.   8. Device according to one of claims 1 and 5 to 7, wherein the paths for the first fluid defined by the two heat exchangers are connected in parallel by the connection (22, 23) of the corresponding fluid inlets and outlets .   9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said second fluid is an accumulation fluid adapted to receive heat or cold from the first fluid in one of the heat exchangers when the heating or cooling power supplied by the first fluid exceeds the needs of the treatment of the air flow and to return to the latter of heat or cold in one of the heat exchangers when said power is insufficient.   10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein valves are provided to control the flow of said fluids in at least said paths.   11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said rigid block comprises a multiplicity of plates (30, 33, 34) mutually stacked, each plate (20) having a first portion (108) defining at least one wall defining a path element for one of the first and second fluids and / or for the flow of air in a first (1) of the heat exchangers, and a second portion (32) defining at least one wall defining a path element for one of the first and second fluids and / or for the flow of air in the second heat exchanger (2).   12. Device according to claim 11, wherein each plate (108) has a third portion (32) interconnecting the first and second parts.   2866947, 16 13. Device according to one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the stack comprises a plurality of games each formed of a first plate (30) facing a first end of the stack, a second plate (33). ) facing the second end of the stack and a third intermediate plate (34) mutually contiguous, the plates of two adjacent games being spaced from each other, in at least one median region of each of the first and second parts, so as to define between them intervals (106) for the passage of the air flow.   14. Device according to claim 13, wherein said plates have substantially the same contour.   15. Device according to one of claims 13 and 14, wherein said plates are stamped so as to define path elements (137-139) for the first and second fluids respectively on either side of the intermediate plate ( 110) of each set, and have openings (116, 117, 124, 125, 127, 130, 131, 132, 136) in end regions of said portions on either side of said middle region. allowing said path elements for each fluid to communicate with each other and with the corresponding inlets and outlets, the fluid-tightness of said paths being ensured by appropriate mutual connection of the plates around the apertures and at the periphery of the first and second parts. .   16. Device according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the path elements for the second fluid have in the stacking direction a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm.   The device according to one of claims 13 to 16, wherein each plate has, in a first one of said end regions, first and second openings (116, 117, 136) allowing the path elements for the first fluid to communicating with at least one input and at least one output respectively and a third opening (130, 131, 132) allowing the path elements for the second fluid to communicate with at least one input or at least one output and, in the second of said end regions, a fourth opening (124, 125, 127) allowing the path elements for the second fluid to communicate with at least one output or at least one input.   The device of claim 17, wherein the third opening is disposed between the first and second openings.   19. Device according to one of claims 17 and 18, wherein the fourth opening is elongate.   20. Device according to one of claims.17.à 19, wherein, in each of the two exchangers, the first plate (108) of a game and the third plate (110) of a neighboring game have respective bosses (112, 113) in mutual support in which are formed the first and second corresponding apertures (116, 117), the first and second openings (136) of the second plate of said adjacent game being penetrated in a sealed manner by the bosses of said third plate.   21. Device according to one of claims 17 to 20, wherein in each of the two heat exchangers, the third opening (131) of the first plate (108) of a set is adjacent to that (132) of the third plate (110) of the same set and that (130) of the second plate (109) of a neighboring game, the latter opening being formed in a boss (128).   22. Device according to one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the first plate (108) of a set and the second plate (109) of a neighboring game have respective bosses (120, 121) in mutual support in which fourth openings (124, 125) are formed, the first and third plates (110) of a set being sealingly connected to an annular zone (111, 134) surrounding the 2866947, the boss (120) of the first plate and the opening (127) of the third plate.   23. Device according to one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the third opening of each part is located higher than the fourth opening of the same part.