Thermal regulation device, in particular cooling for motor vehicles.

Abstract

Title: Thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage members. The main subject of the invention is a thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage members (2), comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members (2), the tube (6) extending in a main longitudinal elongation direction and comprising a plurality of longitudinal channels (8) for circulating heat transfer fluid formed next to each other in the material inside the tube and which open onto each longitudinal end face (12) of the tube which has a return box which comprises an internal wall and a bottom, the wall comprising an assembly stop configured to be in contact with a first end of the tube (6) when the latter is introduced into the return box,so as to leave a space between the bottom of the return box and said end of the tube (6), and in that the device further comprises an electrically insulating element configured to be fixed to the return box so as to electrically insulate at least the return box, preferably the return box and a portion of the tube. Figure for abstract: Figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal regulation device, in particular cooling for motor vehicles.

[0001] 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.

[0002] It is known nowadays to equip electric, thermal or hybrid vehicles with electrical energy storage devices allowing an electrical supply to the various elements of the vehicle. These electrical energy storage devices are generally composed of electrical energy storage cells positioned in a battery pack.

[0003] 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 the floor of the vehicle, substantially across the entire width of the vehicle.

[0004] It is understood that, during operation of the vehicle, the battery packs can release a significant amount of heat and therefore be subjected to temperature increases which can cause them to be damaged or even destroyed in certain cases. 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 the battery packs can be less efficient in the event of low temperatures, the electrical or electronic components equipping these battery packs then needing time to warm up before operating at full efficiency.

[0005] 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.

[0006] These thermal regulation devices are generally traversed by a heat transfer fluid which can, depending on requirements, either absorb the heat emitted by each pack- battery in order to cool it or provide heat if the temperature of the battery pack is insufficient for its proper functioning.

[0007] 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 capable of circulating. 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.

[0008] The size of battery packs must be increasingly large to meet the increasingly high 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.

[0009] Furthermore, the multiplication of the number of parts and their respective manufacturing tolerances implies larger assembly clearances and increased complexity for the production of this assembly.

[0010] 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 box. collection and configured to communicate with the same collection chamber, the connecting sleeves having distinct shapes relative to each other.

[0011] In the context of a multi-port tube as described previously by way of example, an electrical insulation function may be necessary, and a coating must then be added to the exchanger which is thermally and electrically conductive due to the conventional optimized choice of materials, generally aluminum.

[0012] The area to which this electrical insulation is to be applied is generally defined in advance, taking into account several factors:

[0013] the location of the batteries in relation to the exchanger;

[0014] the potential conditions leading to the formation of an electric arc in the event of a failure on the battery pack;

[0015] The technical difficulty lies in finding a technical solution to meet the need for electrical insulation.

[0016] In order to ensure the connection of a battery cooler A with an adjacent battery cooler B within the pack and thus create a fluid circulation, the connection elements comprising specific elements of conjugate shape such that:

[0017] a male part on the battery cooler A and a female part on the battery cooler B, said connection elements being preferably made of aluminum which will be brazed directly onto the boxes of the coolers themselves made of aluminum, a sealing member such as an O-ring being added at the connection of two coolers, such as a lip seal or quadrilobe seal for example, which could be placed indifferently on the male part or inside the female part.

[0018] This sealing member may be made of EPDM, nitrile, for example, or any other polymer material compatible with the coolant and resistant to the temperature constraints of the environment.

[0019] In the case where the electrical insulation function is necessary and depending on the location required for this function, it may be difficult to achieve this function only by applying a surface coating to the exchanger. Indeed, applying a coating to a complex component can be difficult to carry out in a repeatable and safe manner, and the process is complex.

[0020] In addition, this insulation solution may have to be applied to a significant portion of the product due to its proximity to the batteries.

[0021] This results in a need to provide a simple and inexpensive insulating solution which makes it possible to prevent the electric arc from propagating in conductive materials not coated by the insulating layer.

[0022] The present solution aims to solve the technical problem by proposing a specific device.

[0023] 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 the electrical energy storage members, the tube extending in a main longitudinal elongation direction and comprising a plurality of longitudinal heat transfer fluid circulation channels formed next to each other in the material inside the tube and which open onto each longitudinal end face of the tube, the longitudinal channels being divided into a first heat transfer fluid circulation assembly and a second heat transfer fluid circulation assembly,characterized in that at least one longitudinal end face of the tube has a return box configured to guide the fluid circulating in the first heat transfer fluid circulation assembly to the second heat transfer fluid circulation assembly, characterized in that the return box comprises an internal wall and a bottom, the wall comprising an assembly stop configured to be in contact with a first end of the tube when the latter is introduced into the return box, so as to leave a space between the bottom of the return box and said end of the tube, and in that the device further comprises an electrically insulating element configured to be fixed to the return box (20) so as to electrically insulate at least the return box, preferably the return box and a portion of the tube.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the stop is produced by a shoulder of the wall forming a groove in the return box.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, said electrically insulating element comprises a means of fixing to the return box complementary to the groove forming a stop.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, said electrically insulating element comprises a means of attachment to one end of the return box being in contact with the tube so as to encompass said return box.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the return box is made of metal, while said electrically insulating element is made of plastic material.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the return box or the electrical insulating element comprises an appendage configured to form a connection for grounding the device.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the return box or the electrical insulating element comprises at least one ear forming a gripping member of the device.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom of the return box has a V or U profile, the top of the V or U being substantially centered.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the space between the bottom of the return box and the end of the tube is at least 2 mm, preferably 2.3 mm.

[0032] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device as described above, comprising at least the following steps: - Provide a tube and a return box - Insert the tube into the return box until one end of the tube is in contact with the assembly stop of the return box, - fix the assembly by welding, in particular by brazing, - Apply an electrically insulating coating to the assembly, then fix an electrically insulating element, in particular by a means of fixing to the return box complementary to the groove forming a stop for the return box

[0033] Preferably, this invention may have several optional aspects:

[0034] According to the invention, the collection box is equipped with at least two connecting sleeves, including a connecting sleeve of a first type and a connecting sleeve of a second type. The difference in shape of the connecting sleeves makes it possible, when two identical thermal regulation devices are assembled together to form part of an electrical energy storage device with several rows of electrical energy storage members in particular, to make a connecting sleeve of a first type associated with a first thermal regulation device cooperate directly with a sleeve of a second type associated with a second thermal regulation device.

[0035] Advantageously, this avoids having to provide an assembly with connecting sleeves of identical shapes which must be connected by an additional sheath, and thus avoids a multiplication of manufacturing tolerances and alignment defects.

[0036] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box and the two connecting sleeves form a single-piece assembly. In particular, the collection box and the connecting sleeves may be made of the same material, and more particularly of aluminum. Additionally, the collection box, the connecting sleeves and the tube form a single-piece assembly.

[0037] According to a characteristic of the invention, the single-piece assembly formed by at least the collection box and the connection sleeves is obtained by a brazing operation.

[0038] The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage device for an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising several sets of electrical energy storage members and several thermal regulation devices as previously mentioned, each thermal regulation device being arranged between two sets of electrical energy storage members, two neighboring thermal regulation devices being configured to be connected in a sealed manner by direct cooperation of a connection sleeve of a first thermal regulation device, equipped with a seal, with a connecting sleeve for a second thermal regulation device.

[0039] The invention also relates to a method for assembling an electrical energy storage device, during which electrical energy storage members are deposited against a tube of a first thermal regulation device and then a tube of a second thermal regulation device is deposited against the previously deposited electrical energy storage members, by inserting the connection sleeves associated with this tube of the second device and arranged on one side of the collection box of the second device directly into the connection sleeves associated with the tube of the first device and arranged on one side of the collection box of the first device.

[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-1] 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 one example;

[0042] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective representation of a detail of the device of thermal regulation according to a first embodiment in which only the tube and the return box are shown.

[0043] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation of different modes of production (A, B, C, D) of a return box for a thermal regulation device.

[0044] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation of a detail of a device thermal regulation according to a second embodiment in which an electrical insulating element is assembled on the return box (5A). Figure 5B shows the detail of the electrical insulating element.

[0045] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective representation of a detail of a device thermal regulation according to a third embodiment in which an electrical insulating element is assembled on the return box.

[0046] [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective representation of a device for thermal regulation according to an embodiment in which the electrical insulating element has not been shown, and in which the circulation of the heat transfer fluid intended to circulate in this device has been represented by solid arrows;

[0047] 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 imagined which do not include than a selection of features described subsequently 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 prior art.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The present invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage members (2), comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members (2), the tube (6) extending in a main longitudinal elongation direction and comprising a plurality of longitudinal channels (8) for circulating heat transfer fluid formed next to each other in the material inside the tube and which open onto each longitudinal end face (12) of the tube, the longitudinal channels being divided into a first heat transfer fluid circulation assembly (21) and a second heat transfer fluid circulation assembly (22),characterized in that at least one longitudinal end face (12) of the tube (6) has a return box configured to guide the fluid circulating in the first heat transfer fluid circulation assembly (21) to the second heat transfer fluid circulation assembly (22), characterized in that the return box comprises an internal wall and a bottom, the wall comprising an assembly stop configured to be in contact with a first end of the tube (6) when the latter is introduced into the return box, so as to leave a space between the bottom of the return box and said end of the tube (6), and in that the device further comprises an electrically insulating element configured to be fixed to the return box so as to electrically insulate at least the return box, preferably the return box and a portion of the tube.

[0050] This advantageously allows for easy, safe and low-cost electrical insulation. Indeed, this ensures good insulation of the electrical storage elements from the tube 6 or the return box 20, where the coating insulation of the cooling device may not be sufficient, especially in complex device shapes.

[0051] Thus, in certain embodiments, the tube 6 and the collection box 10 comprise an insulating coating. In these cases, the insulating element advantageously acts to ensure safe insulation at the level of complex shapes in order to avoid electric arcs, and this, at lower cost.

[0052] Preferably, this invention may have several optional aspects:

[0053] The present invention further comprises the following features taken alone or in combination:

[0054] The stop is made by a shoulder of the wall forming the groove of the return box.

[0055] Said electrical insulating element comprises a means of fixing to the return box complementary to the groove forming a stop.

[0056] Said electrically insulating element comprises a fixing means at one end of the return box being in contact with the tube so as to encompass said return box.

[0057] The return box is made of metal, while said electrical insulating element is made of plastic material.

[0058] The return box or electrical insulating element comprises an appendage configured to form a connection for grounding the device.

[0059] The return box or the electrical insulating element comprises at least one ear forming a gripping member of the device.

[0060] The ear may be a solid appendage, or have an orifice through which a gripping tool can pass. Preferably, it comprises such an orifice.

[0061] The bottom of the return box has a V or U profile, the top of the V or U being substantially centered.

[0062] The space between the bottom of the return box and the end of the tube is at least 2 mm, preferably 2.3 mm.

[0063] The device comprises an electrically insulating member configured to electrically insulate said storage members from a second end of the tube (6) opposite the first end of the tube (6), in particular insulates the fluid inlet and outlet of the tube (6).

[0064] The device comprises an electrically insulating member configured to electrically insulate said storage members from a second end of the tube (6) opposite the first end of the tube (6), in particular insulates the fluid inlet and outlet of the tube (6).

[0065] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device 4 as described, comprising at least the following steps: - Provide a tube 6 and a return box 20 - Insert the tube 6 into the return box 20 until a first end of the tube (6) is in contact with the assembly stop of the return box, - fix the assembly by welding, in particular by brazing, - Apply an electrically insulating coating to the assembly, then fix an electrically insulating element, in particular by a means of fixing to the return box complementary to the groove forming a stop for the return box

[0066] This succession of steps advantageously makes it possible to improve the reliability of the electrical insulation by adding an element forming electrical insulation which makes it possible to electrically isolate the areas where it is complicated to have a uniform insulating coating, namely the return box and the areas close to the junction between the return box and the tube.

[0067] Application of a coating on the multiport tube part which has a homogeneous and continuous geometry

[0068] As an example of the prior art, as shown in [Fig.l], 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.

[0069] The electrical energy storage members 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] In the example illustrated, the rows 3 are arranged in a staggered manner relative to one another, 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.

[0073] 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 to evacuate them from the electrical energy storage device 1.

[0074] 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 at least one circulation channel 8 of heat transfer fluid, and at least one collection box 10 which is arranged at a longitudinal end 12 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.

[0075] 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 towards this collection box and the associated thermal regulation device and another portion of heat transfer fluid is directed through the remainder of the inlet duct to supply the next collection box.

[0076] It should be noted that preferably, any poorly coated or uncoated aluminum part within 15 mm of an electrical storage element such as a battery cell must be protected from it.

[0077] In other words, it is understood that this invention applies in particular to any connector or sleeve made of electrically conductive material, and in particular when the latter is located less than a distance R, for example 15 mm from an electrical storage element such as a battery cell.

[0078] By electrically conductive material is meant any material having an electrical conductance capable of generating electric arcs in the field of use of the cooling device. 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.

[0079] As an example of a cooling device, the heat transfer fluid inlet duct 14 and the heat transfer fluid outlet duct 16 are formed by the direct cooperation of connecting sleeves 18 secured to two neighboring collection boxes 10, without there being any intermediate devices arranged between these connecting sleeves 18, it being understood where appropriate that a seal may be carried by one of the connecting sleeves and be supported on the other. connecting sleeve at the direct connection area between the sleeves.

[0080] [Fig. 2] illustrates an example of the thermal regulation device 4, the return box of which has an assembly stop 21, here in the form of a deformation forming a groove 210 which will block the tube 6 during its insertion. This advantageously leaves enough space between the end of the tube 6 and the bottom 22 of the return box 20, so that the fluid can pass from the circulation channels 8 to the return box 20, then leave in the other direction in other channels 8.

[0081] [Fig. 3] illustrates different embodiments of the return box 20. In embodiment 3A, the bottom 22 of the return box has a U shape in order to reduce pressure losses.

[0082] In embodiment 3B, the return box 20 has a deformation forming an assembly stop 21 without forming a groove, and has a gripping lug 23 making it possible to facilitate the assembly of the elements, and / or to facilitate the step of coating the assembly with electrically insulating coating. 3C represents another way of having a gripping lug. In embodiment 3D, the return box 20 has an appendage forming a connection 24 for grounding the system.

[0083] [Fig. 4] illustrates an example of the thermal regulation device in which the electrically insulating element 25 here has fixing means (26, 27) to the return box 20 which may be at the level of the groove thereof (not shown here) and / or at the level of the junction of the return box 20 with the tube, at the end of the return box 20 opposite the bottom 22 of the return box. As represented by 4B, the fixing means 26 of the electrically insulating element 25 may be formed by hooks which clip onto the groove 210 of the return box 20.

[0084] [Fig. 5] illustrates an embodiment of the thermal regulation device, in which the return box 20 comprises an assembly stop 21 formed by a rib. The electrical insulating element 25 here comprises a fixing means 27 to the return box 20 only at the junction of the end of said box 20 with the tube 6 in order to cover said box 20 and a portion of the tube 6.

[0085] [Fig.6] illustrates an example of the thermal regulation device, without the electrical insulating element being shown, in which the circulation of the U-shaped fluid is shown, that is to say a circulation with the same portion of heat transfer fluid which circulates in both directions within the tube 6 after having passed through a return box 20 at one of the longitudinal ends of the tube.

[0086] 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 20.

[0087] The tube 6 comprises several channels 8 formed within it, distributed into two circulation assemblies 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 assembly 21 and in a second circulation direction S2, opposite to the first circulation direction SI, within the channels of a second circulation assembly 22.

[0088] The collection box 10 arranged at a first longitudinal end 12 of the tube is equipped with connecting 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 connecting 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 connecting sleeves 18 participating in forming the heat transfer fluid evacuation conduit 16.

[0089] The return box 20 arranged at a second longitudinal end of the tube 6 does not have any connecting sleeves and is only fluidically connected to the tube 6. The return box 20 is configured to guide the fluid circulating in one direction in a part of the circulation channels to the other part of the circulation channels so that it circulates in the other direction.

[0090] This configuration results, as illustrated by the arrows visible in [Fig. 6], in an arrival of heat transfer fluid through a first connection sleeve 18 of a pair 19, a passage of a portion of this heat transfer fluid into the tube 6 in a first circulation direction SI while the other part of this heat transfer fluid continues its route in the inlet conduit 14 towards a neighboring thermal regulation device 4, a circulation of heat transfer fluid within the channels of the first circulation assembly 21 in a first circulation direction SI during which the heat transfer fluid recovers or releases calories with the surface of the cells in contact with the tube 6, at the level of its channels of the first circulation assembly 21, a change of direction in the return box and a passage in the tube in a second circulation direction S2,with a circulation of heat transfer fluid this time within the channels of the second circulation assembly 22 in the second direction of circulation S2 during which the heat transfer fluid again recovers or releases calories with the surface of the cells in contact with the tube, at the level of its channels of the second circulation assembly 22, and an outlet of fluid via the second connection sleeve 18 of said pair 19, which joins fluid coming from the neighboring thermal regulation device.

[0091] In some embodiments, the device comprises a rib forming a sealing zone which is disposed between the channels participating in forming a first circulation assembly and the channels participating in forming a second circulation assembly (22)

[0092] In some embodiments, an insulating member comprises two half-shells configured to assemble with each other around the tube.

[0093] In certain embodiments, said two half-shells are identical.

[0094] In some embodiments, the tube is coated with an insulating coating electrically, especially in the form of film or paint.

[0095] In some embodiments, the insulating element is made of electrically insulating material, preferably selected from a foam, textile, or metal part covered with varnish, paint, thermoplastic film or a mixture thereof.

[0096] 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. List of reference signs

[0097] 1. Electrical energy storage device 2. Electrical energy storage device 3. Row of cells 4. Thermal regulation devices 6. Tube 8. Heat transfer fluid circulation channel 10. Collection box 12. Longitudinal end 14. Inlet duct 16. Exhaust duct 18. Connecting sleeves 18a. First type 18b. Sleeve of the second type 20. Return box 21. Assembly stop 210. Groove forming assembly stop 22. Bottom of the return box 23. Ear forming the gripping organ of the device 24. Connection for grounding 25. Insulating element 26. Means of fixing the complementary insulating element of the groove 27. Means of fixing the insulating element to the end of the return box

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage members (2), comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members (2), the tube (6) extending in a main longitudinal elongation direction and comprising a plurality of longitudinal heat transfer fluid circulation channels (8) formed next to each other in the material inside the tube and which open onto each longitudinal end face (12) of the tube, the longitudinal channels being divided into a first heat transfer fluid circulation assembly (21) and a second heat transfer fluid circulation assembly (22),characterized in that at least one longitudinal end face (12) of the tube (6) has a return box configured to guide the fluid circulating in the first heat transfer fluid circulation assembly (21) to the second heat transfer fluid circulation assembly (22), characterized in that the return box (20) comprises an internal wall and a bottom, the wall comprising an assembly stop (21) configured to be in contact with a first end of the tube (6) when the latter is introduced into the return box, so as to leave a space between the bottom of the return box and said end of the tube (6), and in that the device further comprises an electrically insulating element (25) configured to be fixed to the return box (20) so as to electrically insulate at least the return box (20), preferably the return box (20) and a portion of the tube.

2. Thermal regulation device (4) according to claim 1, in which the stop is produced by a shoulder of the groove-forming wall (21) of the return box (20).

3. Thermal regulation device (4) according to the preceding claim, in which said electrically insulating element comprises a fixing means (26) to the return box (20) complementary to the groove (210) forming a stop (21).

4. A thermal regulation device (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein said electrically insulating element (25) comprises fixing means (27) at one end of the return box being in contact with the tube so as to encompass said return box.

5. Thermal regulation device (4) according to the preceding claim, in which the return box (20) is made of metal, while said electrically insulating element (25) is made of plastic material.

6. Thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the return box (20) or the electrical insulating element (25) comprises an appendage configured to form a connection (24) for grounding the device.

7. Thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the return box (20) or the electrically insulating element (25) comprises at least one ear (23) forming a gripping member of the device.

8. Thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bottom of the return box (20) has a V or U profile, the top of the V or U being substantially centered.

9. Thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the space between the bottom (22) of the return box (20) and the end of the tube is at least 2 mm, preferably 2.3 mm.

10. Method of manufacturing a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least the following steps: - Providing a tube and a return box - Inserting the tube into the return box until a first end of the tube (6) is in contact with the assembly stop of the return box, - fixing the assembly by welding, in particular by brazing, - Applying an electrically insulating coating to the assembly, then fixing an electrically insulating element, in particular by means of fixing to the return box complementary to the groove forming a stop of the return box.

Images