FR3133432A1 - Common plate of a thermal module of a refrigerant circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

Common plate of a thermal module of a refrigerant circuit. Thermal module (1) of a refrigerant circuit (2), the thermal module (1) comprising two heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) and an accumulation device (6) of the refrigerant, the thermal module (1) comprising a common plate (8) to the two heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) and to the accumulation device (6), characterized in that the common plate (8) comprises four passages (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) of the refrigerant fluid circuit (2) formed in a volume (7) of the common plate (8), each of the passages (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) being connected to the accumulation device (6), said accumulation device (6) consisting of an upper partition (61), a lower partition (62) and at least one peripheral wall (63), said accumulation device (6) ) housing an internal exchanger (5) and an accumulation zone (9). Figure 1

Description

Common plate of a thermal module of a refrigerant circuit

The present invention relates to a thermal module of a refrigerant fluid circuit of a vehicle.

The refrigerant fluid circuits installed within a motor vehicle make it possible to control the temperature of different components and/or spaces of the vehicle, such as for example an electrical storage device and/or a passenger compartment of said vehicle. To this end, the refrigerant fluid circuits comprise at least one thermal module composed, among other things, of a heat exchanger, an internal heat exchanger and an accumulator which participate in the thermal exchanges of the refrigerant fluid circuit. The thermal module is fluidly connected to other components of the refrigerant circuit such as a thermal regulation device of the passenger compartment, in order to optimize the thermal exchanges within said refrigerant circuit, or even a compressor so as to to implement the thermodynamic cycle within the refrigerant circuit.

Current refrigerant circuits represent a significant portion of the volume of the vehicle, particularly due to the multitude of components they include but also due to the spatial arrangement of each of these components within the vehicle. Furthermore, a distant arrangement of the components in relation to each other increases the quantity of refrigerant, the risk of leaks and complicates the system. In particular, the length of the pipes making it possible to fluidly connect the components of the refrigerant circuit to each other directly impacts the quantity of refrigerant necessary in said circuit as well as the space occupied by the latter within the motor vehicle.

Thus, the refrigerant fluid circuits can be improved, particularly from the point of view of their compactness, in order to reduce, on the one hand, the manufacturing costs due to the extent of the conduits fluidly connecting the different components of the refrigerant fluid circuit and, on the other hand, the space occupied by its components in the volume of the vehicle, thus freeing up more volume for other elements of the vehicle or even for these occupants.

The invention therefore relates to a thermal module of a refrigerant fluid circuit, the thermal module comprising two heat exchangers and a device for accumulating the refrigerant fluid, the thermal module comprising a plate common to the two heat exchangers and to the device accumulation, characterized in that the common plate comprises four passages of the refrigerant circuit formed in a volume of the common plate, each of the passages being connected to the accumulation device. The accumulation device consists of an upper partition, a lower partition and at least one peripheral wall, said accumulation device housing an internal exchanger and an accumulation zone. Said accumulation device is characterized in that it also houses:

- a containment wall of the internal exchanger in relation to the accumulation zone,

- a first pipe which connects the accumulation zone to the refrigerant fluid circuit,

- a second pipe which connects the accumulation zone to the internal exchanger.

By common plate we mean the fact that said common plate is in direct contact with the two heat exchangers and with the accumulation device. In other words, the common plate forms a mechanical holding element which carries the two heat exchangers and the accumulation device.

The passages formed in the common plate correspond to material recesses in a thickness of the common plate. In other words, the passages extend into the volume of the common plate and serve to channel the refrigerant fluid when it passes from one component to another.

The internal exchanger makes it possible to transfer calories between a low pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit and a high pressure portion of said refrigerant circuit. Such an exchange of calories makes it possible to optimize the thermodynamic properties of the refrigerant circuit.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the two heat exchangers are arranged in contact with the same face of the common plate.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the accumulation device is in contact with the face of the common plate on which the two heat exchangers are arranged.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the internal exchanger is in contact with the face of the common plate on which the two heat exchangers are arranged.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the two heat exchangers arranged on the common plate are in contact at least partly with each other.

According to an alternative of the invention, at least one thermal insulation means is arranged between the two heat exchangers arranged on the common plate.

The thermal insulation means can be an air gap or even a thermal insulation device such as an insulating plate, foam or thermally insulating wool.

According to a characteristic of the invention, each passage comprises a first port and a second port, each port of each of the passages opening on an upper face of the common plate. We understand that the upper face of the common plate corresponds to the face on which the two heat exchangers are arranged.

According to one characteristic of the invention, at least one of the heat exchangers and/or the internal exchanger extends in an extension plane at least partly contained in a thickness of the common plate.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the common plate comprises an upper face and a side face, each passage comprising a first port and a second port, at least one of the ports opening on the upper face and at least one second port opening on the side face. It is understood that at least one of the heat exchangers and/or the internal exchanger which extends in an extension plane at least partly contained in the thickness of the common plate is in contact, at least partially, of the side face of the common plate.

According to one characteristic of the invention, at least one thermal insulation element is arranged between at least one of the heat exchangers placed on the common plate and the accumulation device. The insulation element can be, for example and in a non-limiting manner, an air gap or even a thermal insulation member, such as an insulating plate, foam or thermally insulating wool.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the thermal module comprises at least one compressor secured to the common plate. It is understood that the compressor is arranged on the same face of the common plate carrying the two heat exchangers or on the side face of said common plate.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the two heat exchangers are a liquid condenser, configured to carry out a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid of a high pressure portion of the refrigerant fluid circuit and a heat transfer liquid, and a cooler, configured to carry out a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid of a low pressure portion of the refrigerant fluid circuit and a heat transfer liquid. A first passage of the refrigerant circuit fluidly connects the liquid condenser and the accumulation device, a second passage of the refrigerant circuit fluidly connects the accumulation device to the liquid condenser, a third passage of the refrigerant circuit connects fluidly the cooler and the accumulation device and a fourth passage of the refrigerant fluid circuit fluidly connects the accumulation device to the compressor, the first, second, third and fourth passages extending in the volume of the common plate.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the thermal module comprises at least one expansion member and a valve.

The expansion member can for example be a holder and makes it possible to lower the pressure of the refrigerant fluid when the latter passes through it.

The invention also relates to a refrigerant fluid circuit which comprises at least one thermal module according to any of the preceding characteristics, and at least one evaporator. Such an evaporator is a heat exchanger configured to cool the fluid passing through it, in particular air or a heat transfer liquid, in contact with the refrigerant fluid, which then tends to evaporate.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description given below for information purposes in relation to the drawings in which:

is a schematic general view of a thermal module of a refrigerant fluid circuit according to a first example of the invention;

is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of the operating according to a first mode of operation;

is a general schematic view of the thermal module of a refrigerant fluid circuit according to a second example of the invention;

is a general schematic view of the thermal module of a refrigerant fluid circuit according to a third example of the invention;

is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit comprising the thermal module according to the first, second or third example of the invention operating according to the second mode of operation;

is a schematic view of the refrigerant fluid circuit comprising the thermal module according to the first, second or third example of the invention operating according to the third mode of operation.

It should first be noted that if the figures present the invention in detail for its implementation, these figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary. It should also be noted that these figures only show a few examples of implementation of the invention.

There illustrates a thermal module 1 of a refrigerant circuit 2 used to cool an electrical storage device of an electric or hybrid vehicle.

It should be considered that, initially, the thermal module 1 will be described only in its spatial configuration, that is to say by describing the position of the elements composing it in relation to each other. Secondly, the thermal module 1 will be described from a functional point of view, that is to say by describing the operation of its elements in relation to each other, and within the refrigerant circuit 2.

The thermal module 1 illustrated in the comprises two heat exchangers 4 and an accumulation device 6 for the refrigerant fluid, the thermal module 1 comprising a plate 8 common to at least the two heat exchangers 4 and the accumulation device 6.

According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the at least two heat exchangers 4 are a liquid condenser 4a of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2, configured to carry out an exchange of calories between the refrigerant fluid of a high pressure portion of the circuit of refrigerant fluid 2 and a heat transfer liquid, and a cooler 4b, configured to carry out an exchange of calories between the refrigerant fluid of a low pressure portion of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 with a heat transfer liquid, such exchanges being detailed later in the description, particularly in the .

According to the invention, the accumulation device 6 consists of an upper partition 61, a lower partition 62 and at least one peripheral wall 63, said accumulation device 6 housing an internal exchanger 5 and a zone accumulation device 9, characterized in that the accumulation device 6 also houses: - a confinement wall 64 of the internal exchanger 5 with respect to the accumulation zone 9, - a first pipe 10a which connects the zone d accumulation 9 to the refrigerant fluid circuit 2, - a second pipe 10b which connects the accumulation zone 9 to the internal exchanger 5.

By common plate 8 is meant the fact that the two heat exchangers 4 as well as the accumulation device 6 are arranged in contact with said common plate 8, the latter forming a mechanical holding element for these three components.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the two heat exchangers 4 are arranged on the same face 14 of the common plate 8. More precisely, we define an upper face 14a of the common plate 8 on which the two heat exchangers 4. As visible on the , the accumulation device 6 is also in contact with the face 14, here the upper face 14a, of the common plate 8. More precisely, the internal exchanger 5 of the accumulation device 6 is in contact with the upper face 14a of the common plate 8. Furthermore, according to a particular arrangement of the thermal module 1, the cooler 4b is arranged between the accumulation device 6 and the liquid condenser 4a, in a direction of main elongation P of the common plate 8 .

According to the first example of the invention of the , the at least two heat exchangers 4, namely the liquid condenser 4a and the cooler 4b, are arranged on the common plate 8 such that they are at least partly in contact with each other. We understand that such a characteristic makes it possible to optimize the compaction of the thermal module 1. Furthermore, according to the example of the invention of the , at least one of the heat exchangers 4 is in contact at least partly with the accumulation device 6. In this case, at least the cooler 4b is in contact at least partly with the accumulation device 6.

Still according to the example of the invention of , the thermal module 1 comprises at least one compressor 20 secured to the common plate 8. The compressor 20 is in particular arranged at one end of the common plate 8, opposite the end on which the accumulation device 6 is arranged. Thus , we understand from the above that, according to the direction of main elongation P of the common plate 8, the cooler 4b is arranged between the accumulation device 6 and the liquid condenser 4a and that said liquid condenser 4a is arranged between the cooler 4b and the compressor 20.

According to the invention, the common plate 8 comprises at least four passages 11 of the refrigerant circuit 2 formed in a volume 7 of the common plate 8, each of the passages 11 connecting the accumulation device 6 to one of the heat exchangers 4 It is understood in particular that each of the passages 11 is formed by a recess of material in a thickness E of the common plate 8. Furthermore, the at least four passages 11 are fluidically distinct from one another. Thus, according to the example of the invention illustrated in the , a first passage 11a of the refrigerant fluid circuit 1 fluidly connects the liquid condenser 4a and the accumulation device 6, a second passage 11b of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 fluidly connects the accumulation device 6 to the liquid condenser 4a, a third passage 11c of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 fluidly connects the cooler 4b and the accumulation device 6 and a fourth passage 11d of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 fluidly connects the accumulation device 6 to the compressor 20, the passages 11 are extending into the volume of the common plate 8.

According to the invention, each of the passages 11 of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 comprises a first port 16 and a second port 18. Thus, according to the example of the invention of the , each port 16, 18 of each of the passages 11 opens on the upper face 14a of the common plate 8. It is understood that for each of the passages 11, one of the ports 16, 18 represents an entrance to the passage 11 and the other port 16, 18 represents an exit from passage 11.

Furthermore, it should be considered that the thermal module 1 comprises at least one valve 22 and an expansion member 30, here taking the form of a regulator 30 and whose function and position within the refrigerant fluid circuit will be detailed later in the description. Also, it is understood that other pipes 10 are implemented in the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 in order to fluidly connect at least the different components of said refrigerant fluid circuit 2 described above, to each other or to other components of said circuit.

Thus, here, a first passage 11a connects the liquid condenser 4a to the internal exchanger 5 of the accumulation device 6. A second pass 12b of refrigerant fluid then passes through the internal exchanger 5, then said refrigerant fluid imprints the second passage 11b to liquid condenser 4a. The refrigerant then circulates within the fifth 10th pipe. This fifth pipe 10e makes it possible to fluidly connect the second passage 11b to the expansion member 30. Thus, the refrigerant fluid circulating in the fifth pipe 10e does not undergo heat exchange despite the fact that it passes through the liquid condenser 4a.

At the outlet of the expansion member 30, the refrigerant fluid passes through the cooler 4b via a cooler pass 13 connected, at the outlet, directly to the third passage 11c, then, via said third passage 11c, to the accumulation device 6 The refrigerant fluid then circulates within the first pipe 10a through the internal exchanger and the containment wall 64 to the accumulation zone 9. The first pipe 10a makes it possible to fluidly connect the third passage 11c to the accumulation zone 9. Thus, the refrigerant fluid circulating in the first pipe 10a does not undergo heat exchange despite the fact that it passes through the internal exchanger 5.

The refrigerant fluid then circulates in the second pipe 10b from the accumulation zone 9 through the confinement wall 64 to the internal exchanger 5. The refrigerant fluid then passes through the internal exchanger 5 via a first pass 12a, then circulates via the fourth passage 11d then the third pipe 10c to the compressor 20. At the outlet of compressor 20, the refrigerant fluid circulates in the fourth pipe 10d and is directed by means of a first valve 22a towards the liquid condenser 4a. The refrigerant fluid then passes through the liquid condenser 4a via a pass 17, before joining the first passage 11a described previously.

A first mode of operation of the refrigerant circuit 2, comprising the thermal module 1 according to the first example of the invention, and making it possible to cool an electrical storage device of a vehicle will now be described in relation to the . Furthermore, the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 will be described starting with the compressor 20, but we understand that the latter only represents a fictitious starting point of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 and that said refrigerant fluid circuit 2 forms a closed loop.

In order to facilitate understanding, it should be considered that only the pipes symbolized in solid lines on the will be described, because they are implemented in the first mode of operation. Furthermore, thicker lines of the pipes or components of the refrigerant circuit 2 make it possible to symbolize the portions of the refrigerant circuit 2 where the refrigerant fluid is at high pressure.

In this first mode of operation, the compressor 20, described previously, makes it possible to compress the refrigerant fluid in order to increase its pressure, and therefore its temperature. Thus, we understand that at the outlet of compressor 20, the high pressure refrigerant fluid is in the gaseous state and has a high temperature, that is to say higher than its entry temperature into said compressor 20. The refrigerant fluid leaving the compressor 20 circulates in the fourth pipe 10d and is directed by means of a first valve 22a open towards the liquid condenser 4a. Said liquid condenser 4a then transfers its calories to a first heat transfer fluid 28a of the closed cooling circuit 44. Thus, at the outlet of liquid condenser 4a, the refrigerant fluid is colder than at the inlet and is at least partly at the liquid state.

At the outlet of the liquid condenser 4a, the refrigerant fluid is directed, via the first passage 11a, towards the internal exchanger 5 of the accumulation device 6 in order to allow said high pressure refrigerant fluid circulating in the second pass 12b of said internal exchanger d 'exchange calories with the low pressure refrigerant fluid from another portion of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2, circulating in the first pass 12a. This transfer makes it possible to improve the thermodynamic performances implemented in the refrigerant circuit 2.

At the end of its passage in the internal exchanger 5 via the second pass 12b, the fluid crosses the second passage 11b then the fifth pipe 10e to reach the first regulator 30a, in order to lower its pressure and its evaporation point . We understand that at this stage, we move from the high pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit 2 to the low pressure portion of the latter.

At the outlet of the first expander 30a, the refrigerant fluid is at low pressure and circulates within the cooler 4b via the cooler pass 13, in order to exchange calories with a second heat transfer liquid 28b intended to cool the electrical storage device and passing through said cooler 4b. More particularly, the second heat transfer liquid 28b passing through the cooler 4b is hot at the inlet of the cooler 4b and transfers its calories to the refrigerant fluid circulating in the cooler pass 13, which thus evaporates, the change of state absorbing the necessary energy for cooling the electrical storage device. Thus, we understand that within the cooler 4b, the refrigerant fluid evaporates under the effect of the capture of calories, the first regulator 30a having lowered its evaporation point. We then understand that at the outlet of the cooler 4b, the refrigerant fluid is mainly in the gaseous state.

Once passing through the cooler 4b, the refrigerant fluid passes through the third passage 11c and joins the accumulation device 6, then, via the first pipe 10a, the accumulation zone 9, so that the latter collects a liquid fraction of the refrigerant fluid at the outlet of the cooler 4b. Such a passage through the accumulation zone 9 is necessary prior to the passage of the refrigerant fluid into the compressor 20 which can only accept the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous state. Furthermore, we understand that the passage of the refrigerant fluid from the cooler 4b to the accumulation device 6 is carried out by means of the third passage 11c of the common plate 8 described previously.

At the outlet of the accumulation zone 9, the refrigerant fluid, in the gaseous state and always at low pressure, is directed towards the internal exchanger 5 by means of the second pipe 10b of the accumulation device 6, in order to carry out the heat exchange with the refrigerant fluid of the high pressure portion of the refrigerant fluid circuit via the first pass 12a, as described previously. Subsequently, the refrigerant fluid is directed towards the compressor 20, via the fourth passage 11d and the third pipe 10c, so that it increases its pressure and its temperature as described above. We understand that thus, at the outlet of compressor 20, we switch again to the high pressure portion of the refrigerant fluid circuit and that a new thermodynamic cycle can take place.

A second example of the invention of the thermal module 1 according to the invention will now be described in relation to the . It should then be considered that only the distinct characteristics of the first example of the invention of the will be described. For common characteristics, please refer to said .

According to this second example of the invention, visible at , at least one thermal insulation means 40 is arranged between the two heat exchangers 4 arranged on the common plate 8. In other words, the at least one thermal insulation means 40 extends at least between the cooler 4b and the liquid condenser 4a. The thermal insulation means 40 can be an air blade or even a thermal insulation member.

Still according to the second example of the invention of the , at least one thermal insulation element 42 is arranged between at least one of the heat exchangers 4 arranged on the common plate 8 and the accumulation device 6. Here, it is understood that the thermal insulation element 42 is arranged between the cooler 4b and the accumulation device 6. According to a non-limiting example, the thermal insulation element 42 can be an air blade.

A third example of the invention will now be described in connection with the . It should be considered that only the features distinct with the second example of the invention will be described. For common characteristics, please refer to the .

According to the third example of the invention, at least one of the heat exchangers 4 and/or the internal exchanger 5 extends in a main plane of extension X at least partly contained in the thickness E of the common plate 8. In other words, at least one of the heat exchangers 4 and/or the internal exchanger 5 extends at least partly in the volume 7 of the common plate 8. In the example of the invention of there , the internal exchanger 5 of the accumulation device 6 extends in the main extension plane X at least partly contained in the thickness E of the common plate 8. More particularly, the extension plane The internal exchanger 5 and the main elongation plane P of the common plate 8 coincide.

Thus, a side face 14b of the common plate 8 is defined, distinct from the upper face 14a, and against which one of the heat exchangers 4 and/or the internal exchanger 5 is at least partly in contact, namely here the internal exchanger 5. We then understand that at least one of the ports 16, 18 of one of the passages 11 opens onto the side face 14b. More precisely, at least one of the ports 16, 18 of one of the passages 11 connecting the heat exchanger 4 and/or the internal exchanger 5 which extends in the extension plane in the thickness E of the common plate 8, opens onto the side face 14b of the common plate 8. In this case, here, at least one of the ports 16, 18 of the first passage 11a which connects the liquid condenser 4a with the internal exchanger 5 opens onto the side face 14b.

A second mode of operation of the refrigerant circuit 2, comprising the thermal module 1 and making it possible to cool the passenger compartment and/or the storage device of the vehicle, will now be described in relation to the . It should be considered that only the distinct characteristics with the first mode of operation of the refrigerant circuit 2 will be described. For common characteristics, please refer to the . Furthermore, the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 will be described starting with the compressor 20, but we understand that the latter only represents a fictitious starting point of the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 and that said refrigerant fluid circuit 2 forms a closed loop.

In this second mode of operation of the refrigerant circuit 2 comprising the thermal module 1, the refrigerant fluid leaving the compressor 20 is directed, via the fourth pipe 10d and the first open valve 22a, towards the liquid condenser 4a. Said liquid condenser 4a then transfers its calories to a first heat transfer fluid 28a of the closed cooling circuit 44. At the outlet of the liquid condenser 4a, the refrigerant fluid circulates in the first passage 11a up to the internal exchanger 5, then in the internal exchanger 5 via the second pass 12b. The refrigerant fluid then circulates, via the second passage 11b, to the first holder 30a and the second regulator 30b.

At the outlet of the first expander 30a, in a manner identical to the first operating mode, the refrigerant fluid is at low pressure and circulates within the cooler 4b in order to exchange calories with a second heat transfer liquid 28b intended to cool the electrical storage device and passing through said cooler 4b. The refrigerant fluid, then mainly in the gaseous state, passes through the third passage 11c and joins the accumulation device 6. Then, via the first pipe 10a, the refrigerant fluid joins the accumulation zone 9, so that the latter collects a liquid fraction of the refrigerant fluid leaving the cooler 4b.

At the outlet of the second regulator 30b, the refrigerant fluid, cold and at low pressure, is directed via a sixth pipe 10f, towards an evaporator 32 of a thermal regulation device 34 of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, arranged for example in the passenger compartment of said vehicle. More particularly, the thermal regulation device 34 is arranged in the passenger compartment such that it is crossed by an air flow F which is sent into the passenger compartment. Thus, we understand that the air flow F passing through the evaporator 32 is cooled by the cold refrigerant fluid circulating within the latter, thus making it possible to cool the passenger compartment. The refrigerant fluid passing through the evaporator 32 is then evaporated by the effect of the captured calories, so that it exits at least partially in the gaseous state in a seventh pipe 10g. The refrigerant fluid, then mainly in the gaseous state, joins the accumulation device 6. Then, via the first pipe 10a, the refrigerant fluid joins the accumulation zone 9, so that the latter collects a liquid fraction of the refrigerant fluid at the outlet of the evaporator 32.

The refrigerant fluid subsequently circulates in the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 in an identical manner to the first embodiment, that is to say from the accumulation zone 9 before passing through the first pass 12a of the internal exchanger 5 via the second pipe 10b, before being redirected to the compressor 20 by means of the fourth passage 11d and the third pipe 10c.

A third mode of operation of the refrigerant circuit 2 comprising the thermal module 1 will now be described in relation to the .

In the same way as for the first mode of operation, at the outlet of compressor 20 in the fourth pipe 10d, the refrigerant fluid has a high pressure, a high temperature and is in the gaseous state. The refrigerant fluid is then directed, by closing the first valve 22a and opening the third valve 22c, towards an interior condenser 36 of the thermal regulation device 34 of the passenger compartment via an eighth pipe 10h, in order to heat the air flow F, here cold, passing through at least said interior condenser 36. Thus, we understand that at the outlet of interior condenser 36 of the thermal regulation device 34 of the passenger compartment, the refrigerant fluid is at least partially condensed, that -this having given up at least partly its calories to the flow of cold air F in order to heat it and therefore to heat the passenger compartment. Subsequently, the refrigerant fluid leaves the interior condenser 36 via a ninth line 10i.

The two-phase or liquid refrigerant fluid and at high pressure, in the ninth pipe 10i, is directed by the opening of the second valve 22b towards the first regulator 30a described previously, in order to lower its pressure. The refrigerant fluid leaving the first expander 30a passes through the cooler 4b via the cooler pass 13 in order to capture the calories of the second heat transfer liquid 28b intended to cool the electrical storage device. By capturing the calories of the second heat transfer liquid 28b, the refrigerant fluid evaporates at least partially and continues its path in the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 in a manner identical to what was described previously for the first mode of operation.

The invention, as it has just been described, cannot however be limited to the means and configurations exclusively described and illustrated, and also applies to all equivalent means or configurations and to any combination of such means or configurations.

Claims (10)

Thermal module (1) of a refrigerant circuit (2), the thermal module (1) comprising two heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) and a device for accumulating the refrigerant fluid (6), the thermal module (1) comprising a common plate (8) to the two heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) and to the accumulation device (6), characterized in that the common plate (8) comprises four passages (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) of the refrigerant fluid circuit (2) formed in a volume (7) of the common plate (8), each of the passages (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) being connected to the accumulation device (6), said accumulation device (6) consisting of an upper partition (61), a lower partition (62) and at least one peripheral wall (63), said accumulation device (6) ) housing an internal exchanger (5) and an accumulation zone (9), characterized in that the accumulation device (6) also houses: - a confinement wall (64) of the internal exchanger (5) by relative to the accumulation zone (9), - a pipe (10a), which connects the accumulation zone (9) to the refrigerant fluid circuit (2), - a pipe (10b) which connects the accumulation zone (9) to the internal exchanger (5). Thermal module (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the two heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) and the internal exchanger (5) are arranged in contact with the same face (14, 14a) of the common plate (8). Thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the two heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) arranged on the common plate (8) are in contact at least partly with each other . Thermal module (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which at least one thermal insulation means (40) is arranged between the two heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) arranged on the common plate ( 8). Thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each passage (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) comprises a first port (16) and a second port (18), each port (16, 18 ) of each of the passages (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) opening on an upper face (14, 14a) of the common plate (8). Thermal module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which at least one of the heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) and/or the internal exchanger (5) extends in a plane of extension (X) at least partly contained in a thickness (E) of the common plate (8). Thermal module (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the common plate (8) comprises an upper face (14, 14a) and a side face (14, 14b), each passage (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) comprising a first port (16) and a second port (18), at least one of the ports (16, 18) opening on the upper face (14, 14a) and at least one second port (16, 18) opening opening on the side face (14, 14b). Thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one thermal insulation element (42) is arranged between at least one of the heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) arranged on the common plate ( 8) and the accumulation device (6). Thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one compressor (20) secured to the common plate (8). Thermal module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the two heat exchangers (4, 4a, 4b) are a liquid condenser (4a), configured to carry out an exchange of calories between the refrigerant fluid of a high pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit (2) with the heat transfer liquid, and a cooler (4b), configured to carry out a heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid of a low pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit (2) with a heat transfer liquid.