WO2023227558A1 - Refrigerant circuit equipped with at least one three-way valve - Google Patents

Abstract

Refrigerant circuit (2) comprising a main loop (4) equipped with a compressor (6), the main loop comprising a first circulation branch (8) connecting the compressor (6) to a main expansion member (10), the first circulation branch (8) being equipped with a first upstream heat exchanger (14), the main loop further comprising a second circulation branch (18) connecting the main expansion member (10) to the compressor (6), the second circulation branch (18) being equipped with a first downstream heat exchanger (20), which is arranged moreover across an air flow, the first bypass branch (30) being arranged parallel to the first circulation branch (8), the circuit comprising a three-way valve (15) having a refrigerant outlet (153) connected to the main expansion member (10), a first refrigerant inlet (151) being connected to the first circulation branch (8) and a second refrigerant inlet (152) being connected to the first bypass branch (30).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title ■ Refrigerant fluid circuit equipped with at least one three-way valve

The present invention relates to the field of refrigerant fluid circuits, and more particularly refrigerant fluid circuits fitted to thermal regulation installations fitted to motor vehicles.

In motor vehicles, refrigerant fluid installations are known which comprise a plurality of heat exchangers arranged respectively on a refrigerant fluid circulation branch and valves which are controlled in such or such configurations to direct the refrigerant fluid towards one or the other of the exchangers depending on the thermal function that is desired.

It is conventional to have three-way valves which direct the high pressure refrigerant fluid either to a first outlet or to a second outlet, depending on the need to have a high or low pressure refrigerant outlet.

The number of thermal functions to be provided by a heat treatment system on board a motor vehicle is increasing and this may involve multiplying the number of three-way valves, by providing at least as many three-way valves as there are branches. high pressure fluid inlet.

The present invention fits into this context by proposing an alternative to existing refrigerant fluid circuits which makes it possible to limit the number of components, in particular due to the specific use of a three-way valve.

The main object of the present invention is thus a refrigerant fluid circuit for a heat treatment system comprising a main loop equipped with a compressor configured to circulate the refrigerant fluid, in a defined direction of circulation, within said main loop, the main loop comprising a first circulation branch connecting the compressor to a main expansion member, said first circulation branch being equipped with a first upstream heat exchanger, the main loop further comprising a second circulation branch connecting the member main expansion valve to the compressor, said second branch of circulation being equipped with a first downstream heat exchanger, also arranged across an air flow, characterized in that a first branch of diversion is arranged parallel to the first circulation branch, between a first point in outlet of any component of the loop, such as the compressor, and a first point of convergence arranged between the first heat exchanger and the expansion member, the first branch branch being able to be equipped with a second upstream heat exchanger , and characterized in that it comprises a three-way valve which is configured to have two refrigerant fluid inlets and a refrigerant fluid outlet, a first refrigerant fluid inlet being connected to the first circulation branch and the second fluid inlet refrigerant being connected to the first branch of diversion, the three-way valve comprising an outlet connected to the expansion member.

The refrigerant fluid circuit is particular in that it uses a three-way valve connected to different refrigerant fluid circulation branches of the circuit so that the refrigerant fluid can come upstream of the three-way valve via two distinct paths. In a portion of the refrigerant fluid circuit in which the refrigerant fluid circulates at high pressure and high temperature and where the upstream heat exchangers crossed by the refrigerant fluid therefore operate as a condenser, capable of transferring calories to a heat transfer fluid passing through elsewhere the condenser, it is advantageous for a branch branch to be provided in parallel with the main circulation branch so that one can alternatively select to supply calories to a cabin heating system or to a temperature rise system. an element of a traction chain of a motor vehicle, and the presence of a three-way valve downstream of these two branches in parallel makes it possible to manage this alternation.

The first branch of diversion can in particular extend between a first point of divergence arranged between the compressor and the first upstream heat exchanger and the first point of convergence as mentioned previously.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the first branch branch is equipped with a second upstream heat exchanger. According to one characteristic of the invention, the first upstream heat exchanger arranged on the first circulation branch is also arranged across an air circuit of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the second upstream heat exchanger arranged on the first branch branch is also arranged across a thermal regulation circuit of an electrical storage element of this motor vehicle.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the first upstream heat exchanger and/or the second upstream heat exchanger is a water or air exchanger. In other words, these heat exchangers are simultaneously crossed by the refrigerant fluid present in the circuit according to the invention and by a heat transfer fluid, such as water or air, which is also part of a passenger compartment heating circuit or a circuit for raising the temperature of a vehicle powertrain element, such as an electrical storage device.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the three-way valve is a ball valve configured to connect, depending on the positioning of the ball, one of the two refrigerant fluid inlets to the refrigerant fluid outlet.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the three-way valve and the main expansion member are arranged at the first point of convergence, the ball of the three-way valve being configured to form the main expansion member. Without departing from the context of the invention, the main expansion member can just as easily be integrated into the three-way valve, and in particular at the level of the single refrigerant fluid outlet of this three-way valve, or else be arranged remotely of the three-way valve, between it and the first downstream heat exchanger.

According to one characteristic of the invention, at least a second branch of diversion is arranged parallel to the second branch of circulation, between a second point of divergence arranged downstream of the refrigerant outlet of the three-way valve and a second point of divergence. convergence arranged upstream of the compressor, the second branch of diversion being equipped with a second downstream heat exchanger and a regulator arranged upstream of the downstream heat exchanger. Depending on the operating modes implemented, the main expansion device can be made inactive if the fluid refrigerant is intended to pass through one of the regulators of a second branch of diversion.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the second point of divergence is arranged downstream of the first downstream heat exchanger.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the three-way valve is associated with an additional three-way valve to form a five-way valve, the additional three-way valve comprising a refrigerant fluid inlet and two refrigerant fluid outlets respectively connected to a branch of circulation arranged downstream of the additional three-way valve according to the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid between the additional three-way valve and the compressor. According to a characteristic of the invention, one of the first circulation branch or the first diversion branch, respectively connected to the refrigerant fluid inlets of the three-way valve, is also connected to the inlet of the additional three-way valve .

According to one characteristic of the invention, the second point of divergence is arranged upstream of the first downstream heat exchanger. In other words, the five-way valve includes a branch arranged on the first circulation branch which makes it possible to simultaneously or alternately supply each of the valves participating in forming the five-way valve, namely the three-way valve with two fluid inlets refrigerant and the additional valve.

According to a characteristic of the invention, a first refrigerant fluid outlet of the additional three-way valve is linked to a first connection branch opening onto the second circulation branch at a third point of convergence, the second refrigerant fluid outlet of the additional three-way valve being linked to a second connection branch opening at a fourth point of convergence on a second branch of diversion arranged parallel to the second circulation branch.

The invention also relates to a method of thermal regulation of a passenger compartment and/or an electrical storage element implementing a refrigerant fluid circuit conforming to what has been mentioned, during which refrigerant fluid is supplied. at high pressure and high temperature either of the two refrigerant inlets of the three-way valve, after that the high pressure and high temperature refrigerant fluid has passed through a heat exchanger operating as a condenser.

According to different characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination, it can be expected that:

- in a first mode of operation, the passenger compartment is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the three-way valve, via the first circulation branch equipped with the first upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a circuit passenger compartment air of a motor vehicle and operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid entering at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate at low pressure in the second branch of circulation through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

- in a second operating mode, the electrical storage element is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the three-way valve, via the first branch branch equipped with a second upstream heat exchanger also arranged across it 'a thermal regulation circuit of the electrical storage element and functioning as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate at low pressure in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

- in a third mode of operation, the electrical storage element is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the three-way valve, via the first branch branch equipped with a second upstream heat exchanger also arranged across it 'a thermal regulation circuit of the electrical storage element and functioning as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid entering at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting at high pressure via the single outlet of this valve three lanes to circulate successively in the second traffic branch through at least the first interchange of downstream heat operating as a condenser and in a second branch branch through an expander and a second downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

- in a fourth mode of operation, the passenger compartment is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the three-way valve, via the first circulation branch equipped with the first upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a circuit passenger compartment air of a motor vehicle and operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid entering at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting at high pressure via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate successively in the second branch of circulation through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as a condenser and in a second branch of diversion through an expander and a second downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

- in a first example of operation, the passenger compartment is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the five-way valve which helps to form the three-way valve previously mentioned, via the first circulation branch equipped with the first heat exchanger upstream also arranged across a passenger compartment air circuit of a motor vehicle and operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate at low pressure in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

- in a second example of operation, an element of the traction chain of a vehicle, for example an electrical storage element, and the passenger compartment are simultaneously heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the five-way valve that participates in forming the three-way valve previously mentioned in two branches in parallel respectively equipped with an upstream heat exchanger operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into each of the two inlets of the three-way valve and emerging via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate at low pressure in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor, the refrigerant fluid penetrating moreover in the additional valve participating in forming the five-way valve jointly with the three-way valve to emerge at high pressure from this additional valve and circulate in a connection branch towards a second downstream heat exchanger operating as a front evaporator to join the compressor.

- in a third example of operation, the air brought into a passenger compartment is heated and dehumidified by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the five-way valve which participates in forming the three-way valve previously mentioned via the first branch of circulation equipped with the first upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a passenger compartment air circuit of a motor vehicle and operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate at low pressure in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor, the refrigerant fluid also entering the valve additional participating in forming the five-way valve jointly with the three-way valve to emerge at high pressure from this additional valve and circulate in a connecting branch towards a second downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

- in a fourth example of operation, an element of the traction chain of a vehicle is cooled by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the five-way valve which participates in forming the three-way valve previously mentioned via the first branch of circulation equipped with the first upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a passenger compartment air circuit of a motor vehicle and operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate at low pressure in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor, the refrigerant fluid also penetrating into the additional valve participating in forming the five-way valve jointly with the three-way valve to emerge at high pressure from this additional valve and circulate in a connecting branch towards a second downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

- in a fifth example of operation, the air intended to be sent into a passenger compartment is cooled by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the additional valve of the five-way valve previously mentioned, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into the the inlet of the additional valve and emerging via a first of the two outlets of this three-way valve to circulate at high pressure in a first connection branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as a condenser then to circulate in a second bypass branch and pass, after expansion, through a second downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator, before joining the compressor.

- in a sixth example of operation, the air intended to be sent into a passenger compartment is cooled by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the additional valve of the five-way valve previously mentioned, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into the the inlet of the additional valve and emerging via a first of the two outlets of this three-way valve to circulate at average pressure in a first connection branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as a condenser then to circulate in a second bypass branch and pass, after additional expansion, through a second downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator, before joining the compressor.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of realization given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand, in which:

[Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of a refrigerant fluid circuit according to a first embodiment of the invention, equipped in particular with a three-way valve used specifically;

[Fig. 2] is a schematic representation of the three-way valve fitted to the refrigerant fluid circuit, in a first distribution position;

[Fig. 3] is a schematic representation of the three-way valve fitted to the refrigerant fluid circuit, in a second distribution position;

[Fig. 4] is a schematic representation of the three-way valve fitted to the refrigerant fluid circuit, in a blocking position;

[Fig. 5] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 1, in a first configuration aimed at heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

[Fig. 6] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 1, in a second configuration aimed at heating an electrical storage element of the vehicle;

[Fig. 7] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 1, in a third configuration aimed at cooling the passenger compartment of the vehicle and heating an electrical storage element of the vehicle;

[Fig. 8] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 1, in a fourth configuration aimed at cooling the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

[Fig. 9] is a schematic representation of a refrigerant fluid circuit according to a second embodiment of the invention, equipped in particular with a five-way valve;

[Fig. 10] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 9, in a first configuration aimed at heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

[Fig. 11] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of the Figure 9, in a second configuration aimed at heating the passenger compartment and dehumidifying the air;

[Fig. 12] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 9, in a third configuration aimed at heating the passenger compartment in heat pump mode;

[Fig. 13] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 9, in a fourth configuration aimed at heating the passenger compartment in heat pump mode and dehumidifying the air;

[Fig. 14] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 9, in a fifth configuration aimed at heating an electrical storage element of the vehicle and dehumidifying the air;

[Fig. 15] is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circuit of Figure 9, in a sixth configuration aimed at heating the passenger compartment in heat pump mode and cooling an electrical storage element of the vehicle.

The characteristics, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other, in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive with respect to each other. In particular, it will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described subsequently in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and/or to differentiate the invention. compared to the state of the prior art.

In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

Figure 1 and Figure 9 are general representations of a heat treatment system 1 of a vehicle comprising at least one refrigerant fluid circuit 2 according to two different embodiments, and Figures 5 to 8 on the one hand and 10 to 15 on the other hand are representations of these embodiments in different functional configurations of the heat treatment system.

In Figures 5 to 8 and 10 to 15, the solid lines illustrate a portion of the circuit 2 where the refrigerant fluid circulates while the dotted lines show an absence of circulation of the refrigerant fluid. High pressure and high temperature refrigerant fluid is represented by thick lines. Low pressure and low temperature refrigerant is represented by thin lines.

The terms “upstream” and “downstream” used in the following description refer to the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid.

The designations “main”, “first/era”, “second”, etc. are not intended to indicate a level of hierarchy or order the terms they accompany. These names make it possible to distinguish the terms they accompany and can be interchanged without reducing the scope of the invention.

The refrigerant fluid can for example be a subcritical fluid such as that known under the reference R134A or R1234YF, which is intended in particular for the heat treatment of a vehicle passenger compartment.

We will first describe a first embodiment in which a three-way valve is arranged across the refrigerant fluid circuit according to a specific configuration of the invention according to which it comprises two refrigerant fluid inlets and a refrigerant fluid outlet. .

As illustrated in Figure 1, the refrigerant circuit 2 comprises a plurality of paths forming a closed circuit which implements a thermodynamic cycle. The circuit 2 comprises at least one main loop 4 and a plurality of branch branches, on which are arranged heat exchangers operating as a condenser or as an evaporator depending on their position on the circuit and/or according to the functional configuration given to the treatment system thermal, as well as a compressor 6 and at least one expansion member, respectively arranged on the main loop 4.

The compressor 6 is configured to ensure the circulation of the refrigerant fluid within the refrigerant fluid circuit 2, in a defined direction of circulation, and the setting of said refrigerant fluid at high pressure and high temperature. The main loop comprises a first circulation branch 8 connecting the compressor 6 to a main expansion member 10, and on which are arranged successively a first point of divergence 12, a first heat exchanger 14, subsequently called first heat exchanger upstream 14 and a first point of convergence 16. According to the invention, a three-way valve 15 as it may have been mentioned, with two inlets 151, 152 of refrigerant fluid and an outlet 153 of refrigerant fluid, is arranged at the first point of convergence 16 and will be described in more detail below. The outlet 153 of the three-way valve 15 is connected to the main expansion member 10, or else the three-way valve 15 is configured to integrate the main expansion member which is in this case also arranged at the first point of convergence 16 .

Downstream of the main expansion member 10, a second circulation branch 18 of the main loop 4 extends to the compressor 6, successively presenting, in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, a first downstream heat exchanger 20, a second point of divergence 22, means 24 for regulating the flow of refrigerant fluid, configured to interrupt the circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the second branch of circulation or to regulate the flow rate and a second point of convergence 26.

The first upstream heat exchanger 14 is advantageously used as a condenser, by being arranged across an air flow circuit intended to be directed towards the passenger compartment. The first heat exchanger may in particular be a condenser integrated into a housing of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning installation, known as an “inner condenser”. As will be detailed below, it is intended to be crossed by a refrigerant fluid at high pressure and high temperature so that calories from the refrigerant fluid can be transferred to the air flow also passing through this first upstream heat exchanger.

The first downstream heat exchanger 20 can be used as a condenser or as an evaporator, depending on the pressure of the refrigerant fluid as it passes through the first downstream heat exchanger. Such an evapo-condenser can in particular be placed on the front of the vehicle to benefit from a supply of external air flow during the driving phase. As illustrated in Figure i, the main loop 4 can also include an accumulation device 28, disposed between the second point of convergence 26 and the compressor 6. The latter can only compress the refrigerant fluid in the gaseous state , the accumulation device 28 is arranged upstream of the compressor 6 in order to retain a potential fraction of refrigerant fluid which has not been evaporated during circulation within the refrigerant fluid circuit 2. The accumulation device 28 therefore guarantees that the refrigerant fluid passing through the compressor 6 is entirely in the gaseous state, a passage of refrigerant fluid into the liquid state in the compressor 6 risks damaging the latter.

The refrigerant fluid circuit 2 according to the invention also comprises at least one first branch of diversion 30 arranged in parallel with the first branch of circulation 8. The first branch of diversion 30 extends in the direction of circulation of refrigerant fluid from the first point of divergence 12 to the first point of convergence 16. A second upstream heat exchanger 32, which can be either a water or air exchanger, is arranged on this first branch of diversion 30, being arranged elsewhere across an air or heat treatment water circuit of an element of the traction chain of the motor vehicle to be heated, and in particular when starting the vehicle, the element of the traction chain of the motor vehicle being able to in particular consist of an electrical energy storage device configured to supply the vehicle's engine with electrical energy.

As mentioned previously, the three-way valve 15 arranged at the first point of convergence 16 is configured to have two refrigerant fluid inlets and one refrigerant fluid outlet. More particularly, the first refrigerant fluid inlet 151 is connected to the first circulation branch 8 and is thus intended to receive high pressure refrigerant fluid having passed through the first upstream heat exchanger 14 and the second refrigerant fluid inlet 152 is connected to the first branch 30 and is thus intended to receive high pressure refrigerant fluid having passed through the second upstream heat exchanger 32. The advantages of such an implementation of the three-way valve will appear during the description of the modes of operation which will follow, but we can now note that the three-way valve with two refrigerant fluid inlets 151, 152 makes it possible to operate alternately in condenser mode a heat exchanger associated with the heating of a passenger compartment or a heat exchanger associated with the heating of a heating element. the traction chain of the motor vehicle, which can be particularly useful when starting the vehicle whatever the season to optimize the operation of the element of the traction chain from the start of the vehicle.

The three-way valve has in this context a single refrigerant fluid outlet 153, which is connected to the main expansion member 10 and to the second circulation branch 18, to supply refrigerant fluid to the first downstream exchanger previously mentioned.

The main expansion member 10 can be functional and generate a drop in the pressure of the refrigerant fluid, so that the refrigerant fluid passing through the first downstream exchanger is at low pressure, the first downstream exchanger therefore operating as an evaporator to cool a air flow passing through it. Alternatively, the main expansion member can be controlled not to be operational, so that the refrigerant fluid passing through the first downstream exchanger is at high pressure, the first downstream exchanger therefore operating as a condenser to heat a flow of air passing through it.

The refrigerant fluid circuit 2 further comprises at least one second branch of diversion arranged parallel to the second branch of circulation 18, and more particularly here two second branches of branch 34, 36, which extend between the second point of divergence 22 , arranged downstream of the refrigerant outlet of the three-way valve and more particularly here downstream of the first downstream heat exchanger 20, and the second point of convergence 26.

Each second branch branch 34, 36 is equipped with a second downstream heat exchanger 38 and an associated regulator 40, disposed between the second point of divergence 22 and the second downstream heat exchanger 38. Each second downstream heat exchanger 38, placed after a regulator 40, is configured to operate as an evaporator. As will be mentioned below in certain operating modes, it is understood that the main expansion member can be controlled so as not to be operational when the refrigerant fluid is intended to pass through one of the second diversion branches equipped with its own regulator.

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the three-way valve 15 which allows, in its integration into the refrigerant fluid circuit previously described, to have two refrigerant fluid inlets 151, 152 for one refrigerant fluid outlet 153.

The three-way valve here consists of a ball valve configured to connect, depending on the positioning of the ball, one of the two refrigerant fluid inlets to the refrigerant fluid outlet.

Schematically shown in Figures 2 to 4 is a first refrigerant fluid inlet 151, intended to be connected as previously mentioned to the first circulation branch 8, a second refrigerant fluid inlet 152, intended to be connected as previously mentioned to the first branch 30, each inlet opening into a chamber 154 within which a ball 155 is arranged so as to be able to rotate around an axis of rotation along the axis of rotation from the surface of the ball and which communicates substantially at the center of the ball with a radial channel 157, substantially perpendicular to the axial channel. The ball is mounted to rotate within the chamber to pivot around the axis of rotation refrigerant fluid 151 and a second distribution position shown in Figure 3 where the radial channel 157 faces the second refrigerant fluid inlet 152. Between these two distribution positions, the ball can take at least one intermediate blocking position , shown in Figure 4 in which the radial channel 157 opens into the chamber, without facing either the first refrigerant fluid inlet nor the second refrigerant fluid inlet. In each of these positions, the axial channel 156 faces the single fluid outlet refrigerant, which is only supplied with refrigerant fluid to the extent that the ball is in one of the distribution positions.

Furthermore, the ball is positioned in the chamber such that the refrigerant fluid inlets and the refrigerant fluid outlet, opening into said chamber, form a seat for receiving the ball. The ball thus closes each of the inlet or outlet orifices and only the position of a channel opposite these orifices allows the passage of refrigerant fluid through the ball from one orifice to the other.

When the ball is in the first distribution position, the refrigerant fluid is able to pass through the three-way valve after passing through the first upstream heat exchanger 14, and the refrigerant fluid then circulates at the outlet of the three-way valve in the direction from the main expansion member 10 and subsequently towards the second circulation branch 18, whether it has been relaxed or not.

When the ball is in the second distribution position, the refrigerant fluid is able to pass through the three-way valve after passing through the second upstream heat exchanger 32, and the refrigerant fluid then circulates at the outlet of the three-way valve in the direction from the main expansion member 10 and subsequently towards the second circulation branch 18, whether it has been relaxed or not.

As has been mentioned, the three-way valve 15 is arranged at the first point of convergence 16. Alternatively to what has just been described, the three-way valve can integrate the main expansion member so that the main expansion member is also arranged at the first point of convergence. As a non-limiting example of such an implementation of this alternative, the ball of the three-way valve can be configured to form the main expansion member, in particular by presenting a notch next to the radial channel which participates in modify the passage section of the radial channel in the vicinity of the refrigerant fluid inlets.

Figure 5 illustrates a first mode of operation of the heat treatment system 1, in which the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 operates in heating mode of the passenger compartment of the vehicle equipped with this treatment system thermal. More particularly, in this first mode of operation, the passenger compartment is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the three-way valve, via the first circulation branch equipped with the first upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a passenger compartment air circuit of a motor vehicle and operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid entering at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate at low pressure in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

As illustrated, the refrigerant fluid leaves the compressor 6 at high pressure and high temperature and circulates in the main loop, towards the first point of divergence 12. The refrigerant fluid then continues to follow the first branch of circulation 8, in particular from made of the configuration of the three-way valve 15 at the first point of convergence 16, which authorizes the passage of fluid coming from the first circulation branch 8 but not from the first branch of diversion 30.

The high pressure and high temperature refrigerant fluid then passes through the first upstream heat exchanger 14, used as a condenser, in which it transfers calories to a colder air flow FAi, passing through said first upstream heat exchanger 14 and intended to be sent, once heated, to the passenger compartment so as to ensure heating. The refrigerant fluid, at least partially condensed, leaves the first upstream heat exchanger 14 towards the first point of convergence 16 and the three-way valve 15 which is arranged there.

The configuration of the three-way valve 15 makes it possible to direct the refrigerant fluid towards the main expansion member 10. In the first mode of operation, the refrigerant fluid is expanded, so that the refrigerant fluid is mainly in liquid form at low pressure in the second circulation branch 18 downstream of the main expansion member 10.

The refrigerant fluid enters the first downstream heat exchanger 20, used as an evaporator, in which it recovers calories from an air flow external cool passing through said first downstream heat exchanger 20. The refrigerant fluid, mainly in gaseous form, leaves the first downstream heat exchanger 20 towards the second point of convergence 22. In this first configuration, in passenger compartment heating mode, the refrigerant fluid continues to circulate in the second circulation branch of the main loop 4, as authorized by the configuration of the flow regulation means 24, up to the second point of convergence 26. The refrigerant fluid then passes through the accumulation device 28 if the refrigerant fluid circuit is equipped with one and is then directed towards the compressor 6 to restart a thermodynamic cycle.

Figure 6 illustrates a second mode of operation of the heat treatment system 1, in which the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 operates in heating mode of a traction element of the vehicle, and in particular of an electrical energy storage member. More particularly, in this second embodiment, the electrical storage element is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the three-way valve, via the first branch branch equipped with a second upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a thermal regulation circuit of the electrical storage element and functioning as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into a second of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting via the single outlet of this valve three ways to circulate at low pressure in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

The operation is substantially the same as that described for the first mode of operation, with the exception of the fact that the three-way valve 15 is in a configuration such that the two inlets of the three-way valve which is supplied with refrigerant fluid are the second refrigerant fluid inlet 152, linked to the first branch 30.

We understand that to switch from one operating mode to another, it is necessary to modify the configuration of the three-way valve, and in the case illustrated and described previously to rotate the ball to move it from the first distribution position illustrated in Figure 2 to the second distribution position illustrated in Figure 3.

The high pressure and high temperature refrigerant fluid is directed towards the first branch 30 to pass through the second upstream heat exchanger 32, also used there as a condenser, in which it transfers calories to another fluid, which can be air or water and which is intended to supply a heating loop of the traction chain element, partially shown in Figure 6.

The refrigerant fluid, at least partially condensed, leaves the second upstream heat exchanger 32 towards the first point of convergence 16 and the three-way valve 15 which is arranged there, as previously, and the configuration of the three-way valve 15 allows to direct the refrigerant fluid towards the main expansion member 10, then through the second circulation branch as previously described for the first mode of operation.

Figure 7 illustrates a third mode of operation of the heat treatment system 1, in which the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 operates in mode of cooling the passenger compartment and heating a traction element of the vehicle, and in particular an element electrical energy storage. More particularly, the electrical storage element is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the three-way valve, via the first branch branch equipped with a second upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a circuit of thermal regulation of the electrical storage element and functioning as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid entering at high pressure into a second of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting at high pressure via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate successively in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as a condenser and in a second branch of diversion through an expander and a second downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor. Such operating mode can in particular be implemented when the vehicle is driving and the outside temperature is low.

The circulation of the refrigerant fluid between the compressor 6 and the three-way valve 15 is the same as in the second operating mode, so that the second upstream exchanger 32 functions as a condenser to raise the temperature of an element of the traction chain of the vehicle.

This third mode of operation differs from the second mode of operation in that the main expansion member 10 is not operational and therefore in that the refrigerant fluid is always at high pressure when it enters the first downstream heat exchanger. 20, which then functions as a condenser, or as a subcooling module. This double condensation stage, with the successive passage of the refrigerant fluid in the second upstream heat exchanger 32 and the first downstream heat exchanger 2 both operating as a condenser, allows enough energy to perfectly condense the refrigerant fluid .

The refrigerant fluid, still at high pressure, is then directed, at the second point of divergence 22, towards a second branch of diversion 34, equipped with a second downstream heat exchanger 38 and a regulator 40. The refrigerant fluid is expanded and passes through the downstream heat exchanger 38 which functions as an evaporator. Within this evaporator, the refrigerant fluid captures calories from the warmer exterior air flow FAi and thus contributes to the cooling of this air subsequently directed towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The refrigerant fluid leaves the second downstream heat exchanger 38 in the essentially gaseous state and passes the second point of convergence 26, to be directed towards the compressor and restart a thermodynamic cycle as previously described, if necessary by passing through a device accumulation 28.

Figure 8 illustrates a fourth mode of operation of the heat treatment system 1, in which the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 operates in cabin cooling mode. More particularly, the passenger compartment is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the three-way valve, via the first circulation branch equipped with the first upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a passenger compartment air circuit of a motor vehicle and operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid penetrating at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve and exiting at high pressure via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate successively in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as a condenser and in a second branch of diversion through a regulator and a second downstream heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

The circulation of the refrigerant fluid downstream of the three-way valve conforms to what could be described in the third mode of operation, with the refrigerant fluid which is not expanded in the main expansion member 10 and which passes successively through the first downstream exchanger 20 forming a condenser, the expander 40 and the second downstream heat exchanger 38 forming an evaporator.

Upstream of the three-way valve, the refrigerant fluid circulates in the main loop, in particular passing through the first upstream heat exchanger 14 and therefore entering the three-way valve through the first refrigerant fluid inlet, in accordance with what was described in the first mode of operation. The objective of this fourth mode of operation being the cooling performance of the air intended to enter the passenger compartment, and therefore the cooling performance of the air flow FAi, this air flow can be diverted within the ventilation, heating and air conditioning installation so as not to pass through the first upstream heat exchanger 14.

We understand from the above that the presence of a three-way valve 15 at the first point of convergence 16 makes it possible to implement several operating modes of a thermal regulation system by authorizing in particular the passage of refrigerant fluid in a branch or another upstream of the three-way valve and each equipped with a heat exchanger operating as a condenser.

We will now describe a second embodiment in which an additional valve 42 is combined with the three-way valve 15 previously mentioned and presenting a specific configuration according to which it comprises two refrigerant fluid inlets 151, 152 and a refrigerant fluid outlet 153. The additional valve 42 is a valve used conventionally with one refrigerant fluid inlet and two refrigerant fluid outlets, so that a five-way valve 50 is made with two refrigerant inlets and three refrigerant outlets.

As illustrated in Figure 9, and in accordance with the first embodiment, the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 comprises a plurality of paths forming a closed circuit which implements a thermodynamic cycle. The three-way valve 15 is, in accordance with the first embodiment, arranged at the first point of convergence 16, with the first refrigerant fluid inlet 151 connected to the first circulation branch 8 and to the first upstream heat exchanger 14 and the second fluid inlet refrigerant 152 connected to the first branch of diversion 30 and to the second upstream heat exchanger 32, while the outlet of refrigerant fluid is linked to the main expansion member 10 and consequently to the second circulation branch 18.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in particular in the fact that the additional valve 42 is juxtaposed with the three-way valve 15 to form a five-way valve 50 and also in the configuration of the second branch branches relative to the second circulation branch.

The additional valve 42 comprises a single refrigerant fluid inlet 421, which is connected to the first refrigerant fluid inlet 151 of the three-way valve at a branch 500, and two refrigerant fluid outlets including a first fluid outlet refrigerant 422, connected to the second circulation branch 18 by a first connection branch 44 which extends from the additional valve 42 to a third point of convergence 46, and a second refrigerant fluid outlet 423, connected to the second diversion branches 34, 36 by a second connection branch 48 which extends from the additional valve 42 to a third point of divergence 52.

As illustrated in Figure 9, the first connection branch 44 is equipped with an additional expansion member 54 and the second connection branch 48 is devoid of means for expanding the refrigerant fluid. The two branch branches 34 and 36 of the second embodiment differ from those of the first embodiment in that they no longer extend from a point of divergence present on the second branch of circulation but from the third point of divergence formed at the end of the second connection branch linked to the additional three-way valve.

For the rest of the components, what has been described and mentioned for the first embodiment applies mutatis mutandis to the refrigerant fluid circuit of the second embodiment.

Figure 10 illustrates a first example of operation of the heat treatment system 1 according to the second embodiment, in which the refrigerant circuit 2 operates in heating mode of the passenger compartment of the vehicle equipped with this heat treatment system. More particularly, in this first example of operation of the second embodiment, the passenger compartment is heated by circulating the refrigerant fluid between the compressor and the five-way valve, via the first circulation branch equipped with the first upstream heat exchanger also arranged across a passenger compartment air circuit of a motor vehicle and operating as a condenser, the refrigerant fluid entering at high pressure into a first of the two inlets of the three-way valve participating in forming the five-way valve and exiting at low pressure via the single outlet of this three-way valve to circulate in the second circulation branch through at least the first downstream heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before joining the compressor.

As illustrated, the refrigerant fluid leaves the compressor 6 at high pressure and high temperature and circulates in the main loop, towards the first point of divergence 12. The refrigerant fluid then continues to follow the first branch of circulation 8, in particular from made of the configuration of the three-way valve 15 at the first point of convergence 16, which authorizes the passage of fluid coming from the first circulation branch 8 but not from the first branch of diversion 30.

The high pressure and high temperature refrigerant fluid then passes through the first upstream heat exchanger 14, used as a condenser, in which it transfers calories to a colder air flow FAi, passing through said first upstream heat exchanger 14 and intended to be sent, once heated, to the passenger compartment so as to ensure heating. The refrigerant fluid, at least partially condensed, leaves the first upstream heat exchanger 14 towards the five-way valve 50.

The configuration of the five-way valve 50 and in particular of the branch 500 makes it possible to direct the refrigerant fluid arriving from the first upstream heat exchanger 14 towards the three-way valve 15 and its single refrigerant fluid outlet 153, linked to the main expansion member 10. In this first example of operation of the second embodiment, the refrigerant fluid is expanded, so that the refrigerant fluid is mainly in liquid form at low pressure in the second circulation branch 18 downstream of the the main trigger member 10.

The refrigerant fluid enters the first downstream heat exchanger 20, used as an evaporator, in which it recovers calories from a flow of fresh exterior air passing through said first downstream heat exchanger 20. The refrigerant fluid, mainly in gaseous form, exits of the first downstream heat exchanger 20 towards the third point of convergence 46. The refrigerant fluid continues to circulate in the second circulation branch 18, as authorized by the configuration of the flow regulation means 24, up to the second point convergence 26. The refrigerant fluid then passes through the accumulation device 28 if the refrigerant fluid circuit is equipped with one and is then directed towards the compressor 6 to restart a thermodynamic cycle.

This operating example is similar to the first operating mode described for the first embodiment insofar as the five-way valve is only effective here via the three-way valve previously described. Another example of operation not described below could be implemented using only the three-way valve, by circulating the refrigerant fluid upstream of the three-way valve via the first branch of diversion, in accordance with what could be described in the second mode of operation of the first embodiment. Figure n illustrates a second example of operation of the heat treatment system i according to the second embodiment, in which the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 operates in cooling the passenger compartment and in heating a traction element of the vehicle, and in particular of an electrical energy storage element. Such an operating mode can in particular be implemented when the vehicle is driving and the outside temperature is low.

The circulation of the refrigerant fluid between the compressor 6 and the five-way valve 50 takes place here both in the first circulation branch 8 of the main loop and in the first branch 30. Such parallel circulation makes it possible to on the one hand to supply refrigerant fluid at high pressure and high temperature to the second upstream exchanger 32 so that it functions as a condenser and makes it possible to raise the temperature of an element of the vehicle's traction chain, and on the other hand to supply the inlet 421 of the additional three-way valve 42 via the branch 500 arranged in the vicinity of the first refrigerant fluid inlet 151 of the three-way valve.

In this second example of operation, downstream of the five-way valve 50, part of the refrigerant fluid circulates via the second circulation branch 18, at the outlet of the three-way valve 15, passing successively through the main expansion member 10 to be relaxed there, by the first downstream heat exchanger 20 operating as an evaporator, to return to the compressor 6, and part of the refrigerant fluid circulates via the second connection branch 48, at the outlet of the additional valve 42, passing successively by the third point of divergence, by the regulator 40 and by the second downstream exchanger 38 arranged on a second branch of diversion, the second downstream exchanger 38 operating as an evaporator, to return to the compressor 6. Within the second downstream exchanger 38 operating like an evaporator, the refrigerant fluid captures calories from the warmer exterior air flow FAi and thus participates in the cooling of this air subsequently directed towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle. One of the objectives of this second example of operation being the cooling performance of the air intended to enter the passenger compartment, and therefore the cooling performance of the air flow FAi, this air flow can be diverted at within the ventilation, heating and air conditioning installation so as not to pass through the first upstream heat exchanger 14.

Figure 12 illustrates a third example of operation of the heat treatment system 1 according to the second embodiment, in which the refrigerant circuit 2 operates in passenger compartment heating with an air dehumidification function.

The circulation of the refrigerant fluid between the compressor 6 and the five-way valve 50 takes place only in the first circulation branch 8 of the main loop. The first upstream heat exchanger 14 is thus supplied with refrigerant fluid at high pressure and high temperature and this first upstream heat exchanger 14 functions as a condenser brought to heat the air flow FAi passing through it elsewhere before being directed towards the passenger compartment. The air flow FAi is previously dried during its passage through the evaporator formed by the second downstream heat exchanger 38, within which refrigerant fluid circulates at low pressure, expanded after its passage through the expander 40 in the second corresponding branch 34.

More particularly, in this second example of operation, the five-way valve operates with refrigerant fluid arriving from the first upstream heat exchanger 14, the refrigerant fluid being distributed at the level of the branch 500 as well in the three-way valve 15, to exit through the single refrigerant fluid outlet 153, only in the additional valve 42, to exit through the second refrigerant fluid outlet 423 of this additional valve.

At the outlet of the three-way valve 15, the refrigerant fluid is expanded by the main expansion member 10, to then pass through the first downstream heat exchanger 20 operating as an evaporator before passing back through the compressor 6.

At the outlet of the additional valve 42, the refrigerant fluid circulates in the second connection branch 48 to pass successively through the third point of divergence, by the regulator 40 and by the second downstream exchanger 38 arranged on a second branch of diversion, the second downstream exchanger 38 functioning as an evaporator, to return to the compressor 6.

Figure 13 illustrates a fourth example of operation of the heat treatment system 1 according to the second embodiment, in which the refrigerant circuit 2 operates in passenger compartment heating with a function of cooling an element of the traction chain of the vehicle.

The circulation of the high pressure and high temperature refrigerant fluid upstream of the five-way valve and within the five-way valve is the same as what has just been described for the third operating example, and the circulation of the refrigerant fluid past by the three-way valve 15 is also the same as what has just been described for the third example of operation, passing in particular through the first downstream heat exchanger 20 operating as an evaporator.

The fourth example of operation differs from the third example of operation in that the part of the refrigerant fluid circulating in the second connection branch 38 is directed towards a second branch of diversion 36 different from the second branch of diversion 34 taken by the refrigerant fluid in the third example of operation. Here, the second downstream heat exchanger 38 crossed by the refrigerant fluid functions as an evaporator capable of recovering calories from another fluid, which can be air or water and which is intended to supply a loop of cooling of the traction chain element, partially shown in Figure 13.

Figures 14 and 15 respectively illustrate a fifth and a sixth example of operation of the second embodiment of the heat treatment system of the invention, in which the refrigerant fluid circuit 2 operates in cabin cooling mode.

The fifth example of operation illustrated in Figure 14 differs from what was previously described in that the refrigerant fluid circulates only in the five-way valve within the additional valve. Refrigerant fluid is directed at the level of the branch 500 towards the refrigerant fluid inlet 421 of the additional valve and the latter is controlled so that the refrigerant fluid is directed towards the first refrigerant fluid outlet 422 and the first connection branch 44.

In this fifth example of operation, the additional expansion member 54 is not operational and the refrigerant fluid is still at high pressure when it enters the first downstream heat exchanger 20, which then functions as a condenser, or as a sub-cooling module.

As can be seen in Figure 14, it can be noted that the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid within the second downstream heat exchanger 20 is reversed compared to the direction of circulation observed in the other operating examples previously described.

The refrigerant fluid, still at high pressure, is then directed towards a second branch 34, equipped with a second downstream heat exchanger 38 and a regulator 40. The refrigerant fluid is expanded and passes through the downstream heat exchanger 38 which operates as an evaporator. Within this evaporator, the refrigerant fluid captures calories from the warmer exterior air flow FAi and thus contributes to the cooling of this air subsequently directed towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The refrigerant fluid leaves the second downstream heat exchanger 38 in the essentially gaseous state and passes the second point of convergence 26, to be directed towards the compressor and restart a thermodynamic cycle as previously described, if necessary by passing through a device accumulation 28.

The sixth operating example illustrated in Figure 15 differs from the fifth operating example in that the expansion of the refrigerant fluid downstream of the five-way valve is carried out in two stages, so as to generate a dehumidification function in series. More particularly, the refrigerant fluid circulating in the first connection branch 44 is partially expanded during its passage through the additional expansion member 54, so as to present a sufficiently low pressure for the first downstream heat exchanger 20 to operate in evaporator. A final expansion of the refrigerant fluid is carried out by the expander 40 upstream of the second downstream heat exchanger 38.

The invention as it has just been described achieves the goal it has set itself, namely to propose a refrigerant fluid circuit which allows a plurality of configurations by the specific implementation of a three-way valve. , that is to say by planning to connect high pressure refrigerant fluid circulation branches in parallel upstream of this three-way valve, or of a five-way valve of which the three-way valve is a part.

Claims

1. Refrigerant fluid circuit (2) for a heat treatment system comprising a main loop (4) equipped with a compressor (6) configured to circulate the refrigerant fluid, in a defined direction of circulation, within said loop main loop, the main loop comprising a first circulation branch (8) connecting the compressor (6) to a main expansion member (10), said first circulation branch (8) being equipped with a first upstream heat exchanger (14 ), the main loop further comprising a second circulation branch (18) connecting the main expansion member (10) to the compressor (6), said second circulation branch (18) being equipped with a first downstream heat exchanger (20), also arranged across an air flow, characterized in that a first branch (30) is arranged parallel to the first circulation branch (8), between a first point (12) at the outlet of any component of the loop and a first point of convergence (16) disposed between the first upstream heat exchanger (14) and the main expansion member (10), and characterized in that it comprises a three-way valve (15) disposed at the first point of convergence (16) and which is configured to have two refrigerant fluid inlets (151, 152) and a refrigerant fluid outlet (153), a first refrigerant fluid inlet (151) being connected to the first circulation branch (8) and the second refrigerant fluid inlet (152) being connected to the first bypass branch (30), the three-way valve (15) comprising a refrigerant fluid outlet (153) connected to the main trigger member (10). 2. Refrigerant fluid circuit (2) according to claim 1, in which the first upstream heat exchanger (14) arranged on the first circulation branch (8) is also arranged across an air circuit of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. 3. Refrigerant fluid circuit (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first upstream heat exchanger (14) is a water or air exchanger. 4 » Refrigerant fluid circuit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the three-way valve (15) is a ball valve configured to connect, depending on the positioning of the ball, one of the two refrigerant fluid inlets ( 151, 152) at the refrigerant outlet (153). 5. Refrigerant fluid circuit (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the three-way valve (15) and the main expansion member (10) are arranged at the first point of convergence (16), the ball (155) of the three-way valve (15) being configured to form the main expansion member (10). 6. Refrigerant fluid circuit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one second branch of diversion (34, 36) is arranged parallel to the second branch of circulation (18), between a second point of divergence (22) arranged downstream of the refrigerant outlet of the three-way valve (15) and a second point of convergence (26) arranged upstream of the compressor (6), the second branch branch (34, 36) being equipped a second downstream heat exchanger (38) and an expander (40) arranged upstream of the second downstream heat exchanger (38). 7. Refrigerant fluid circuit (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the three-way valve (15) is associated with an additional three-way valve (42) to form a five-way valve (50), the additional three-way valve comprising on the one hand a refrigerant fluid inlet (421) and on the other hand two refrigerant fluid outlets (422, 423) respectively connected to a connecting branch (44, 48) arranged downstream of the valve additional three-way valve (42) according to the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid between the additional three-way valve (42) and the compressor (6). 8. Refrigerant fluid circuit (2) according to the preceding claim, in which one of the first circulation branch (8) or the first diversion branch (30), respectively connected to the refrigerant fluid inlets (151, 152) of the three-way valve (15), is also connected to the inlet (421) of the additional three-way valve (42). 9. Refrigerant fluid circuit according to claim 7 or 8, combined with claim 6, in which the second point of divergence (22) is arranged upstream of the first downstream heat exchanger (20). io. Refrigerant fluid circuit according to one of claims 7 or 8, combined with claim 6, in which a first refrigerant fluid outlet (422) of the additional three-way valve (42) is linked to a first connection branch (44 ) opening onto the second circulation branch (18) at a third point of convergence (46), the second refrigerant fluid outlet (423) of the additional three-way valve (42) being linked to a second connection branch (48) opening at a fourth point of convergence (52) onto a second branch of diversion (34, 36) arranged parallel to the second branch of circulation (18). 11. Method for thermal regulation of a passenger compartment and/or an electrical storage element implementing a refrigerant fluid circuit (2) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, during which refrigerant fluid is supplied to high pressure and high temperature either of the two refrigerant inlets (151, 152) of the three-way valve (15), after the high pressure and high temperature refrigerant passes through a heat exchanger operating as a condenser.