TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR COOLING DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates mainly to a temperature control device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with at least one electrical energy storage member, the tube comprising a plurality of circulation channels (8) for heat-transfer fluid, and at least a first header (10), the first header (10) comprising at least two shells (11) configured to be assembled together, at least one of the shells comprising at least one separating partition in order to separate the header chamber (26) into at least two mutually sealed parts when the shells are assembled, characterized in that at least one separating partition (5) is obtained by stamping, and in that the base of the separating partition (5) comprises a stamped portion (9) forming a groove configured to comprise the angle due to the stamping operation, in such a way that the end of the separating partition (5) has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube (61).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: THERMAL REGULATION DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR COOLING FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

[0003] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device, in particular a cooling device, in particular for an electrical component likely to release heat during its operation, in particular a device for cooling at least one battery or battery cells of a vehicle, for example a vehicle. The vehicle may be of the land, sea or air type.

[0004] It is now known to equip electric, thermal or hybrid vehicles with electrical energy storage units allowing an electrical supply to the various elements of the vehicle. These electrical energy storage units are generally composed of electrical energy storage cells positioned in a battery pack.

[0005] Car manufacturers are currently seeking to provide more powerful electric or hybrid vehicles with increased electric range. To this end, more and more battery packs, and / or increasingly larger battery packs, are being installed on these electric or hybrid vehicles. It is known to install all or at least some of these battery packs at vehicle floor level, substantially across the entire width of the vehicle.

[0006] It is understood that, during vehicle operation, battery packs can release a significant amount of heat and therefore be subject to temperature increases which can, in some cases, cause them to be damaged or even destroyed. Consequently, their cooling is essential in order to keep them in good condition and thus ensure the reliability, autonomy and performance of the vehicle. Furthermore, the operation of battery packs can be less efficient in the event of low temperatures, as the electrical or electronic components equipping these battery packs then need time to warm up before operating at full capacity.

[0007] To do this, one or more thermal regulation devices intended to regulate the temperature of the battery packs are implemented to ensure the heating and / or cooling functions of the electrical or electronic components inside these battery packs and thus optimize the operation of the different components.

[0008] These thermal regulation devices are generally traversed by a heat transfer fluid which can, depending on requirements, either absorb the heat emitted by each battery pack in order to cool it or provide heat if the temperature of the battery pack is insufficient for its proper functioning.

[0009] It is particularly known, in battery packs where electrical energy storage cells are arranged vertically next to each other so as to form a plurality of successive rows of cells, to have thermal regulation devices having a tube arranged between two rows of cells and within which heat transfer fluid is able to circulate. The contact between the tube and the cells allows an evacuation, or an input, of calories via the heat transfer fluid. To manage the arrival and the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid, a fluid collection box is arranged at one end of the tube and heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet conduits are connected to this collection box.More particularly, when several thermal regulation devices are arranged in parallel to be respectively inserted between two rows of cells, and the conduits must be connected successively to each collection box of the thermal regulation devices, it is known to form respectively the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of heat transfer fluid by a succession of tubular portions among which sleeves integral with each collection box and additional connection means interposed between the sleeves to fix them to each other and allow a sealed passage of heat transfer fluid within each of the tubular portions.

[0010] The size of battery packs must be increasingly large to meet the ever-increasing electrical energy needs of modern electric or hybrid vehicles, and the number of rows of cells, and therefore the number of tubes interposed between these rows of cells to achieve thermal regulation, must be increasingly large. As a result, connecting the conduits to the various collection boxes can be tedious due to the large number of parts to be assembled together. Furthermore, the increase in the number of parts and their respective manufacturing tolerances implies larger assembly clearances and increased complexity for the production of this assembly.

[0011] An example of a thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage members consists of a thermal regulation device comprising a tube configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members and comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, a collection box arranged at one end of the tube and comprising collection chambers communicating fluidically with the at least one circulation channel of the tube, and at least two connection sleeves arranged on either side of the collection box and configured to communicate with the same collection chamber, the connection sleeves having distinct shapes relative to each other.

[0012] There is an ever-increasing demand for thermal control devices for cooling electrical energy storage devices with improved heat exchange efficiency.

[0013] For reasons of simplicity of manufacture, at least the collection boxes of such thermal regulation devices are formed by stamping, for example from metal such as aluminum. Stamping thus allows the formation of reliefs in a relatively simple manner, but this technique does not allow the formation of right angles. Indeed, stamping creates a rounding called here stamping radius, causing approximations of supposedly straight reliefs.

[0014] When the collection box includes different compartments, it is known to separate these by reliefs of the box itself, by a separating partition.

[0015] However, due to the stamping radius, it is impossible to place the tube in contact with the vertical wall of traditional collection boxes. Indeed, the contact is not perfect because of this rounding, where the straight tube is pushed to the end in the collection box up to a separating partition. Consequently, a leak (called by-pass) is present between the incoming and outgoing flows. The cooling performance is therefore reduced. The present invention aims to solve the technical problem by proposing a specific device for improving the cooling performance.

[0016] The present invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage members, the thermal regulation device comprising a tube configured to be in contact with at least one electrical energy storage member, the tube comprising a plurality of heat transfer fluid circulation channels, at least one first collection box arranged at a first end of the tube, the first collection box comprising at least two shells configured to be assembled together to form a collection chamber fluidly communicating with the plurality of circulation channels of the tube, at least one of said shells, preferably both shells, comprise at least one separating partition having an end configured to be in contact with one end of the tube when the two shells are assembled with said tube,in order to separate the collection chamber into at least two parts sealed relative to each other when the shells are assembled, each of the parts communicating fluidically respectively with a part of the plurality of circulation channels, characterized in that at least one separating partition, preferably both, is obtained by stamping, and in that the base of said separating partition comprises a stamping forming a groove, the groove being configured to include the angle due to the stamping, so that the end of the separating partition has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube.,

[0017] The technical solution consists of positioning a groove at the bottom of the wall of the dividing partition so that it is this groove which includes the stamping radius, without interference with the tube.

[0018] Advantageously, this ensures the verticality of the wall of the separating partition in contact with the end of the tube in order to guarantee a sealed contact between the two elements and thus ensure the separation between the flows of the collection box. Preferably, this invention may have several optional aspects:

[0019] According to a characteristic of the invention, the end of the separating partition of each shell has a vertical wall configured to be in continuous contact with the end of the tube.

[0020] According to a characteristic of the invention, the separating partition is in contact with the tube at the level of at least one channel of the plurality of distribution channels.

[0021] According to a characteristic of the invention, the channel in contact with the separating partition is solid.

[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the channel in contact with the separating partition is empty, the separating partition being sized to obstruct the channel when the two shells of the collector box are assembled with the tube.

[0023] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a second stamped portion at the top of the separating partition, configured to reduce the stamping radius of said top so that the end of the separating partition has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube.

[0024] This advantageously allows for the smallest possible radius to be obtained at the top of the wall.

[0025] In other words, the second stamping makes it possible to reduce the stamping radius present at the angle between the face of the end of the separating partition, intended to be arranged in contact with the face of the end of the tube, and the face forming the top of the separating partition.

[0026] According to another characteristic of the invention, the second stamped part is formed so as to obtain a substantially right angle at the apex.

[0027] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a second collection box at a second end of the tube opposite the first end of the tube comprising the first collection box, the second collection box being identical to the first collection box.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the two shells are symmetrical. According to a characteristic of the invention, the groove has a depth of between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm.

[0029] Advantageously, the depth of this groove is sized so that it allows the radius to be retracted at the base of the wall and preferably also to be filled by the brazing joint.

[0030] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box is made of metal such as aluminum or plastic.

[0031] According to a characteristic of the invention, at least one of the shells, preferably both, comprises orifices.

[0032] According to a feature of the invention, at least two connecting sleeves, preferably four, are configured to fluidly communicate with the collection chamber, preferably with each part of the collection chamber, the connecting sleeves preferably having distinct shapes relative to each other.

[0033] The invention also relates to a thermal regulation system comprising several thermal regulation devices as described previously, and several electrical storage members arranged in a row, the regulation devices being connected to each other by their sleeves and being configured to be in contact with said rows of storage members.

[0034] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a thermal regulation device as described above, which comprises the following steps:

[0035] - two shells are provided which are stamped so as to form a partition separating the collection chamber, the separating partition comprising at its base a stamped part forming a groove having the stamped radius, also called residual stamped part,

[0036] - the two shells are assembled together to form the said collection box forming the collection chamber,

[0037] - a tube is provided comprising a plurality of circulation channels (8) for heat transfer fluid, which are introduced into the collection box, so that one end of the tube is in contact with one end of the separating partition,

[0038] - the assembly of the shells and the tube is fixed by brazing, gluing, welding, clipping, ultrasound, or a mixture of these. According to a characteristic of the invention, the stamping forming the groove is produced in a second stamping step.

[0039] According to a characteristic of the invention, the method further comprises a step of stamping the top of the separating partition, so as to reduce the stamping radius of said top so that the end of the separating partition has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube.

[0040] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0041] [Fig. i] is a perspective representation of a battery pack as a whole equipped with several electrical energy storage members and a plurality of thermal regulation devices according to an example;

[0042] [Fig. 2] is a detail view of several electrical energy storage members and one end of several thermal regulation devices, seen in Figure 1;

[0043] [Fig. 3] is a schematic perspective representation in which the distribution box has been partially represented (a single shell) to make its internal structure visible and to make visible the internal structure of the tube at one end of which the distribution box is fixed;

[0044] [Fig. 4] is a schematic perspective detail of the thermal regulation device in exploded view;

[0045] [Fig. 5] is a schematic view of a hull according to a first embodiment;

[0046] [Fig. 6] represents a schematic representation in sectional view of a thermal regulation device according to a second embodiment of the invention; [Fig. 7] is a detail in top view (fig. 7A) of a thermal regulation device according to a second embodiment, and from the front (fig. 7B) according to the section DD shown in figure 7A. ;

[0047] [Fig. 8] is a perspective representation of a thermal regulation device according to a third embodiment in which the U-shaped circulation of the heat transfer fluid intended to circulate in this device has been represented by solid line arrows;

[0048] [Fig. 9] is a perspective representation of a thermal regulation device according to a fourth embodiment in which the circulation in I of the heat transfer fluid intended to circulate in this device has been represented by solid line arrows;

[0049] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

[0050] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" refer to the orientation of a thermal regulation device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main extension direction of a thermal regulation device and a transverse direction corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to a main extension plane of a thermal regulation device and to a main extension direction of a hydraulic connection sleeve of the thermal regulation device, this transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction. The present invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage members (2),the thermal regulation device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with at least one electrical energy storage member, the tube comprising a plurality of circulation channels (8) for heat transfer fluid, at least one first collection box (10) arranged at a first end of the tube (61), the first collection box (10) comprising at least two shells (11) configured to be assembled together to form a collection chamber (26) fluidly communicating with the plurality of circulation channels (8) of the tube (6), at least one of said shells (11), preferably both shells (11), comprise at least one separating partition (5) having one end configured to be in contact with one end of the tube (6) when the two shells are assembled with said tube, in order to separate the collection chamber (26) into at least two parts (26a, 26b) sealed relative to each other when the shells are assembled,each of the parts communicating fluidly respectively with a part of the plurality of circulation channels (8), characterized in that at least one separating partition, preferably both, is obtained by stamping, and in that the base of said separating partition comprises a stamping (9) forming a groove, the groove being configured to comprise the angle due to the stamping, so that the end of the separating partition (5) has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube (61).,

[0051] It is understood that the heart of the invention lies in the presence of a stamping contiguous to the end of the separating partition intended to be brought into contact with the end of the tube of the device in order to include the stamping radius in said stamping and obtain a completely straight separating partition end.

[0052] This advantageously allows for total improved contact between said separating partition of the box and said tube.

[0053] Indeed, this ensures the verticality of the two faces between them, without the tube being in contact with the residual stamping angle of the box, more precisely of the partition, and therefore the sealing of the two parts between them. This ultimately allows a separation between the inlet and outlet flows of fluid and therefore improved and lasting thermal exchanges.

[0054] The invention as just described makes it possible to meet the objectives it set itself, namely to propose a safe and leak-free electrical energy storage device.

[0055] The present invention further comprises the following features taken alone or in combination:

[0056] In some embodiments, the end of the partition wall of each shell has a vertical wall configured to be in continuous contact with the end of the tube.

[0057] In some embodiments, the partition wall contacts the tube at at least one of the plurality of distribution channels.

[0058] In some embodiments, the channel in contact with the partition wall is solid.

[0059] In some embodiments, the channel in contact with the partition wall is empty, the partition wall being sized to obstruct the channel when the two shells of the manifold box are assembled with the tube.

[0060] In some embodiments, the device comprises a second stamping (not shown) at the top of the separating partition, configured to reduce the stamping radius of said top so that the end of the separating partition (5) has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube (61).

[0061] This advantageously allows for the smallest possible radius to be obtained at the top of the wall.

[0062] In other words, the second stamping makes it possible to reduce the stamping radius present at the angle between the face of the end of the separating partition, intended to be arranged in contact with the face of the end of the tube (61), and the face forming the top of the separating partition. In a particular embodiment, the second stamping is formed so as to obtain a substantially right angle at the top.

[0063] In some embodiments, the device includes a second collection box at a second end of the tube opposite the first end of the tube including the first collection box, the second collection box being identical to the first collection box.

[0064] In some embodiments, the two shells are symmetrical.

[0065] In some embodiments, the groove has a depth of between 0.05mm and 0.2mm.

[0066] In some embodiments, the collection box (10) is made of metal such as aluminum or plastic.

[0067] In some embodiments, at least one of the shells, preferably both, includes ports.

[0068] In some embodiments, at least two connecting sleeves (18, 18a, 18b), preferably four, are configured to fluidly communicate with the collection chamber (26), preferably with each portion of the collection chamber (26), the connecting sleeves (18, 18a, 18b) preferably having distinct shapes relative to one another.

[0069] In certain embodiments, a thermal regulation system comprising several thermal regulation devices (4) as described previously, and several electrical storage members arranged in a row, the regulation devices being connected to each other by their sleeves and being configured to be in contact with said rows of storage members

[0070] In some embodiments relating to the method according to the invention, the method comprises the following steps:

[0071] - two shells are provided which are stamped so as to form a partition separating the collection chamber, the separating partition comprising at its base a stamped part forming a groove having the stamped radius, also called residual stamped part,

[0072] - the two shells are assembled together to form said collection box forming the collection chamber, - a tube (6) is provided comprising a plurality of circulation channels (8) for heat transfer fluid, which is introduced into the collection box, so that one end of the tube is in contact with one end of the separating partition,

[0073] - the assembly of the shells and the tube is fixed by brazing, gluing, welding, clipping, ultrasound, or a mixture of these.

[0074] In some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of stamping the top of the separating partition, so as to reduce the stamping radius of said top so that the end of the separating partition (5) has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube (61).

[0075] Figure 1 represents several cooling devices 4 with several tubes 6 assembled by their pair of sleeves 18, with the cells 2, with the insulating shells.

[0076] Figure 2 represents a detail of Figure 1 showing in more detail these connections between different cooling devices.

[0077] Figure 3 shows a view of the device in which one of the shells 11 and a part of the collection box have not been shown. Thus, only one shell 11 and only one part of the collection box 10 to which it is fixed are shown.

[0078] Figure 3 makes particularly visible the fact that the collection box 10 of the thermal regulation device 4 comprises within it at least one collection chamber 26 communicating fluidically with at least one of the circulation channels 8 formed within the tube, and more particularly one of the circulation assemblies 21, 22 formed by several channels.

[0079] In certain embodiments, as shown by way of non-limiting example, the collection box 10 is formed by two parts attached and fixed or welded against each other, with fixing means at the periphery of the shells. At least one part comprises hooking tabs 40 which allow the half-shells to be held together before a brazing operation fixing the position of the half-shells and the holding of the collection box.

[0080] Each part of the collection box has two hollows 42 formed by deformation of said part and a rib 44 arranged between the two hollows. It is understood that when the two parts are fixed to each other, the hollows 42 of each part are arranged opposite each other to form the collection chambers 26 previously mentioned and the ribs 44 of each part are in contact with each other to form a separating partition 46 which delimits and separates the collection chambers 26 from each other.

[0081] This central wall 46 is intended to be in contact with a solid surface of the tube forming a sealing zone 48, devoid of circulation channels, in order to ensure a sealed contact and to prevent fluid present in a first collection chamber from flowing into the other collection chamber, or into channels which must not be connected to this first collection chamber, within the collection box.

[0082] Each hollow 42 is defined by a bottom wall 41 which is pierced with an orifice 43 substantially in its center. This orifice allows a passage of fluid between the collection chamber 26 formed by the hollow and a connecting sleeve 18 of the pair of connecting sleeves opening into this collection chamber 26.

[0083] In other words, the connecting sleeves are each configured to communicate with a collection chamber, and it is understood that the sleeves arranged on either side of the collection box are configured to communicate with the same collection chamber.

[0084] Figure 4 represents a simplified and exploded view of the tube 6 between the two shells 11 each comprising a separating partition 5 whose stamped base ends in a stamped groove 9 carrying the stamping radius and allowing the wall of the end of the separating partition 5 to be completely straight.

[0085] Figure 5 shows in detail this stamping at the base of the separating partition 5, which can be carried out at the same time or in a delayed step.

[0086] Preferably, the stamping forming the groove or groove 9 is made in the opposite direction to the stamping forming the separating partition 5.

[0087] In certain embodiments, as shown in a non-limiting manner in Figure 6, said two shells 11 are identical, and each comprises a stamped part forming the separating partition 5 and a stamped part forming a groove or groove 9. Indeed, advantageously, the two shells n are each formed from a single part reference in order to optimize costs. The assembly is thus carried out between two identical parts which can be reversed relative to each other.

[0088] Figure 7 shows a collection box 10 seen from above, and its internal section where the groove 9 can be seen.

[0089] Figure 7A allows the DD section to be located (Figure 7B). Figure 7B represents a particular embodiment in which the grooves 9 and the fact that the vertical wall of each half-box obstruct two channels can be seen. The number of obstructed channels can vary and depends on the design of the device. In certain alternative embodiments, only one channel is obstructed.

[0090] The size of the electrical energy storage device 4 can thus easily be increased without this involving a multiplication of assembly operations.

[0091] In an alternative embodiment, the second collection box is different from the first box, and forms for example a turning section. This advantageously makes it possible to connect the outlet of the channels of the tube supplied with fluid coming from a part of the collection chamber forming a fluid inlet zone with the inlet of the channels of the tube connected to a part of the collection chamber forming a fluid outlet zone.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, each shell comprises 2 orifices allowing the arrival and exit of fluid via the connecting sleeves 18. These sleeves can be integral with each shell, or be assembled and fixed subsequently.

[0093] In some embodiments, the device is configured to allow U-shaped or I-shaped fluid flow.

[0094] By way of example, an electrical energy storage device 1, in particular intended to equip an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprises several sets of electrical energy storage members 2, also subsequently called electrical energy storage cells, and several thermal regulation devices 4 arranged near these cells to allow thermal exchange between them.

[0095] The electrical energy storage devices have in particular the form of cylindrical cells, here with a circular section, arranged vertically, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse plane in which the electrical energy storage device is mainly located.

[0096] The electrical energy storage members 2 are in particular arranged in successive rows 3, parallel to each other, and each row, or set of electrical energy storage members, extends mainly longitudinally.

[0097] Thermal regulation devices 4 are arranged between two rows 3 of neighboring electrical energy storage members, with in particular a tube 6 which is configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members 2 of these two neighboring rows 3.

[0098] In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the rows 3 are arranged in a staggered manner relative to each other, that is to say with a longitudinal offset of the storage members of one row relative to the storage members of the neighboring row, which makes it possible to optimize the size of the electrical energy storage device 1, and the thermal regulation devices 4 each comprise a tube 6 of corrugated shape so as to be able to be in contact with each of the electrical energy storage members 2 of the two rows 3 between which they extend respectively.

[0099] In an alternative embodiment, the thermal regulation devices 4 each comprise a flat-shaped tube 6.

[0100] Heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate inside this corrugated tube 6 in order to be able to exchange calories with the electrical energy storage members 2, via the heat-conducting wall of the tube. In particular, when the electrical energy storage members 2 must be cooled following a rise in temperature during their operation, the heat transfer fluid is intended to recover the calories and evacuate them from the electrical energy storage device 1.Each thermal regulation device 4 comprises, to allow this exchange of calories, the tube 6 previously mentioned, here of corrugated shape, within which is formed a plurality of circulation channels 8 of heat transfer fluid, and at least one collection box 10 which is arranged at a longitudinal end of the tube 6 and which has the purpose of collecting the fluid from a heat transfer fluid inlet conduit 14 and distributing it in the circulation channel(s) 8 within the tube 6 and / or the purpose of collecting the heat transfer fluid at the outlet of the tube 6 and directing it into a heat transfer fluid discharge conduit 16.

[0101] In other words, the heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate in the inlet duct, and at each collection box encountered by the inlet duct, a portion of heat transfer fluid is directed to this collection box and the associated thermal regulation device and another portion of heat transfer fluid is directed through the continuation of the inlet duct to supply the next collection box.

[0102] By way of non-limiting example, when the cooling device is used to cool automotive battery cells, the sleeves, collection box and tube are made of a conductive material such as metal, in particular aluminum.

[0103] As a non-limiting example of a cooling device, the heat transfer fluid inlet duct 14 and the heat transfer fluid discharge duct 16 are formed by the direct cooperation of connection sleeves 18 secured to two neighboring collection boxes 10, without there being any intermediate devices arranged between these connection sleeves 18, it being understood where appropriate that a seal may be carried by one of the connection sleeves and be supported on the other connection sleeve at the level of the direct connection zone between the sleeves.

[0104] The characteristics relating to the connecting sleeves 18 allowing in particular the direct cooperation as mentioned will be described in more detail below.

[0105] It can however be seen at this stage of the description, based on the illustrations of figures 1 and 2, that two connecting sleeves 18 extend on either side of a collection box 10 to form a pair 19, and that the two connecting sleeves 18 of this pair preferably have, as illustrated, a different shape from each other, so as to allow the sleeve of a first type 18a associated with a first collection box 10 to be connected directly to a sleeve of the second type 18b associated with a second collection box 10, without it being necessary to provide additional connecting means.

[0106] Figure 8 illustrates an example of the thermal regulation device, in which the circulation of the fluid is said to be U-shaped, that is to say with the same portion of heat transfer fluid circulating in both directions within the tube 6 after passing through a return box 20 at one of the longitudinal ends of the tube.

[0107] More particularly, the thermal regulation device 4 comprises in this first embodiment a tube 6 and at each of its longitudinal ends a collection box 10 and a return box forming a turning section 20.

[0108] The tube 6 comprises several channels 8 formed within it, distributed into two circulation sets which are distinguished in that the same portion of heat transfer fluid circulates in the first circulation direction Si within the channels of a first circulation set 21 and in a second circulation direction S2, opposite to the first circulation direction Si, within the channels of a second circulation set 22.

[0109] The collection box 10 arranged at a first longitudinal end 12 of the tube is equipped with connection sleeves 18 to allow the arrival and evacuation of the heat transfer fluid. The collection box 10 is configured to guide the fluid circulating in the connection sleeves 18 participating in forming the heat transfer fluid inlet conduit 14 towards a part of the channels, here the channels of the first circulation assembly 21, within the tube and to guide the fluid leaving the tube via the other part of the channels, here the channels of the second circulation assembly 22, in the connection sleeves 18 participating in forming the heat transfer fluid evacuation conduit 16. The return box 20 arranged at a second longitudinal end of the tube 6 does not comprise connection sleeves and is only fluidically connected to the tube 6.The return box 20 is configured to guide the fluid flowing in one direction in one portion of the circulation channels to the other portion of the circulation channels to flow in the other direction.

[0110] Figure 9 illustrates a second example of thermal regulation device 4, in which the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is said to be in I, that is to say with the same portion of heat transfer fluid which only circulates in one direction within the tube 6.

[0111] More particularly, the thermal regulation device 4 comprises in this second embodiment a tube 6 and at each of its longitudinal ends a collection box 10 according to the invention.

[0112] Here again, the tube 6 comprises several channels 8 formed within it, divided into two circulation sets which are distinguished this time in that two different portions of fluid can circulate distinctly within the tube, in their respective set of channels. A first portion of heat transfer fluid can thus circulate in the first circulation direction Si within the channels of the first circulation set 21 and a second portion of heat transfer fluid can circulate in a second circulation direction S2, opposite to the first circulation direction, within the channels of the second circulation set 22.

[0113] This configuration results, as illustrated by the arrows visible in Figure 4, in two separate circuits. A first circuit C1 comprises an inlet of fluid through a first sleeve of a first collection box, a passage of a portion of this fluid into the tube in a first direction of circulation while the other portion of this fluid continues its route in the supply conduit towards a neighboring thermal regulation device, and an outlet of the fluid via a first sleeve of the second collection box after passing through the tube, to join fluid coming from the neighboring thermal regulation device.And a second circuit C2 comprises an inlet of fluid via a second sleeve of the second collection box, a passage of a portion of this fluid into the tube in a second direction of circulation while the other portion of this fluid continues its route in the supply conduit towards a neighboring thermal regulation device, and an outlet of the fluid via a second sleeve of the first collection box after passing through the tube, to join fluid coming from the neighboring thermal regulation device.

[0114] The invention relates firstly to a device comprising shells produced by stamping. It can, however, be applied to all processes which generate a radius at the base of the wall. Thus, the present invention also relates, among other things, to a similar device whose separating partition is produced by machining, the groove then also being produced by machining.

[0115] The invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technical combination operating such means. By way of non-limiting example, and as may have been mentioned previously, the shapes of the sleeves may vary since the connecting sleeves from one thermal regulation device to another can cooperate directly with each other.

[0116] LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0117] 1. Electrical energy storage device

[0118] 2. Electrical energy storage device

[0119] 3. Row of cells

[0120] 4. Thermal regulation devices

[0121] 5. Partition wall

[0122] 6. Tube

[0123] 61. End of the tube

[0124] 48. Central Canal

[0125] 8. Heat transfer fluid circulation channel

[0126] 9. Stamped, Throat

[0127] 10. Collection box

[0128] 11. Shells

[0129] 12. Longitudinal end

[0130] 14. Inlet duct

[0131] 16. Exhaust duct

[0132] 18. Connecting sleeves

[0133] 18a. Sleeve of the first type

[0134] 18b. Sleeve of the second type

[0135] 20. Return box

[0136] 26. Collection chambers

[0137] 40. means of cooperation

[0138] 41. Back wall

[0139] 42. Hollow

[0140] 43. Orifice

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage members (2), the thermal regulation device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with at least one electrical energy storage member, the tube comprising a plurality of circulation channels (8) for heat transfer fluid, at least one first collection box (10) arranged at a first end of the tube (61), the first collection box (10) comprising at least two shells (11) configured to be assembled together to form a collection chamber (26) fluidly communicating with the plurality of circulation channels (8) of the tube (6), at least one of said shells (11), preferably both shells (11), comprise at least one separating partition (5) having an end configured to be in contact with one end of the tube (6) when both shells are assembled with said tube,in order to separate the collection chamber (26) into at least two parts (26a, 26b) sealed relative to each other when the shells are assembled, each of the parts fluidly communicating respectively with a part of the plurality of circulation channels (8), characterized in that at least one separating partition, preferably both, is obtained by stamping, and in that the base of said separating partition comprises a stamping (9) forming a groove, the groove being configured to include the angle due to the stamping, so that the end of the separating partition (5) has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube (61)., 2. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the end of the separating partition of each shell has a vertical wall configured to be in continuous contact with the end of the tube.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the separating partition is in contact with the tube at at least one channel of the plurality of distribution channels.

4. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the channel in contact with the separating partition is solid. 5- Device according to claim 3, in which the channel in contact with the separating partition is empty, the separating partition being sized to obstruct the channel when the two shells of the collector box are assembled with the tube.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the device comprises a second stamping at the top of the separating partition, configured to reduce the stamping radius of said top so that the end of the separating partition (5) has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube (61).

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the device comprises a second collection box at a second end of the tube opposite the first end of the tube comprising the first collection box, the second collection box being identical to the first collection box.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the two shells are symmetrical.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the stamped part (9) forms a groove having a depth of between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the collection box (10) is made of metal such as aluminum or plastic.

11. Thermal regulation device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the shells, preferably both, comprises orifices.

12. Device according to the preceding claim, in which at least two connecting sleeves (18, 18a, 18b), preferably four, are configured to fluidly communicate with the collection chamber (26), preferably with each part of the collection chamber (26), the connecting sleeves (18, 18a, 18b) preferably having distinct shapes relative to each other. 13- Thermal regulation system comprising several thermal regulation devices (4) according to one of the preceding claims, and several electrical storage members arranged in a row, the regulation devices being connected to each other by their sleeves and being configured to be in contact with said rows of storage members.

14. Method for assembling a thermal regulation device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 12, which comprises the following steps: - two shells are provided which are stamped so as to form a partition separating the collection chamber, the separating partition comprising at its base a stamped part forming a groove having the stamped radius, also called residual stamped part, - the two shells are assembled together to form the said collection box forming the collection chamber, - a tube (6) is provided comprising a plurality of circulation channels (8) for heat transfer fluid, which are introduced into the collection box, so that one end of the tube is in contact with one end of the separating partition, - the assembly of the shells and the tube is fixed by brazing, gluing, welding, clipping, ultrasound, or a mixture of these.

15. Method for assembling a thermal regulation device (4) according to the preceding claim, which further comprises a step of stamping the top of the separating partition, so as to reduce the stamping radius of said top so that the end of the separating partition (5) has a face parallel to the face of the end of the tube (61).