Electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical energy storage device (100) intended for a vehicle, comprising at least one enclosure in which at least two electrical energy storage cells (120) and at least one heat exchanger (130) are housed, the at least one heat exchanger being configured to exchange heat between a coolant designed to circulate in the at least one heat exchanger (130) and the electrical energy storage cells (120), characterized in that the heat exchanger (130) comprises at least one coolant release member (140) configured to release the coolant into the enclosure (110).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electric vehicles, and more particularly to the field of safety associated with the use of such electric vehicles.

[0002] In particular, in response to today’s climate challenges, so-called electric or hybrid vehicles, which are vehicles that rely on electricity at least in part, have been widely developed.

[0003] Therefore, such a vehicle includes at least a portion of an electric drive system and is equipped with an energy storage device configured to store electrical energy and release that electrical energy to a motor to make the motor rotate.

[0004] These energy storage devices typically consist of multiple energy storage cells housed in a protective casing. During the charging phase, these energy storage cells tend to generate heat. Excessive heat now poses a risk of damaging these energy storage cells.

[0005] To limit the risk of damage to these storage cells due to excessive temperature rise, in addition to the storage cells, the housing may also include a cooling device and, for example, a heat exchanger, in which the storage cells are arranged to contact the heat exchanger and are designed to capture the heat generated from the storage cells and thus cool the storage cells to protect the coolant circulating in the heat exchanger.

[0006] Despite these precautions, accidents can still occur, particularly the possibility of one of the storage cells catching fire, for example, due to a manufacturing defect in the cell in question, a short circuit in the storage cell, an accident involving the vehicle, or a malfunction in the cooling system. A fire presents a risk of thermal runaway within the electrical storage device—the risk of a fire spreading from one storage cell to another, and then from the storage device to the vehicle. Therefore, it is crucial to provide a system capable of detecting and extinguishing any fires that may occur during vehicle use, whether during operation or while the cells of the storage device are being charged.

[0007] The present invention falls into this context and seeks to solve this problem by proposing a system for releasing fluid into an electrical energy storage device, the system being designed to detect and extinguish any nascent fire within the casing housing the electrical energy storage unit.

[0008] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention relates to an energy storage device intended for use in a vehicle, the energy storage device comprising at least one housing housing at least one energy storage cell and at least one heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a coolant designed to circulate within the at least one heat exchanger and one or more energy storage cells. According to the invention, the heat exchanger includes at least one coolant release member configured to release coolant into the housing.

[0009] According to the invention, the coolant circulates through the heat exchanger at a pressure sufficient to allow for rapid release in the event of a fire. For example, a pressure of 200 bar allows for a rapid enough release to completely submerge the energy storage cells housed within the casing of the energy storage device. Furthermore, the amount of coolant that can be released through the coolant release member is at least sufficient to submerge the energy storage cells. In other words, this amount of coolant, and the pressure at which it circulates through the heat exchanger, is sufficient to at least cover the energy storage cells, thereby preventing any fire risk.

[0010] According to the invention, the coolant release member includes at least one shut-off device configured to at least partially break when the temperature is greater than 150°C and / or when the pressure is greater than 200 bar.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coolant release member includes at least a head and a body, the body including at least a first part and a modular second part, the body being fixed to a heat exchanger by means of the first part via a threaded connection, the modular second part being attached to the first part and a shut-off device being arranged in the modular second part.

[0012] The heat exchanger according to the invention is assembled by brazing, i.e., the components constituting the heat exchanger are brazed together. Such brazing is performed at a very high temperature of around 600°C. As previously mentioned, the shut-off device of the coolant release member is configured to at least partially break when the temperature inside the casing of the energy storage device rises after a fire. In other words, this shut-off device is configured to at least partially break when the temperature reaches around 150°C, and therefore needs to be attached to the heat exchanger after it has been brazed. According to one example of the invention, the coolant release member is threaded onto the heat exchanger. For example, threads may be formed on a first portion of the body of the release member, and the corresponding tapped threads themselves may be formed on the heat exchanger. Advantageously, the modular aspect of the second portion of the coolant release member body means that, for example, if a fire causes the shut-off device on this second portion to break, only this second portion needs to be replaced.

[0013] For example, the shut-off device can take the form of a membrane designed to tear when a predetermined pressure is applied to it or to melt when a predetermined temperature is reached. For instance, one or more slits forming a plurality of fracture initiators can be formed in the membrane to allow it to fracture when sufficient pressure is applied. Alternatively, the membrane can exhibit varying thicknesses, particularly the central portion, which can exhibit a smaller thickness compared to the rest of the membrane, such that this central portion fractures when sufficient pressure and / or temperature is applied. Advantageously, this predetermined pressure and temperature correspond to the pressure and temperature reached within the housing of the energy storage device in the event of a fire. In other words, the invention allows coolant to be released into the housing immediately upon detection of a fire or simultaneously when conditions triggering a fire are present.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, the heat exchanger includes at least two manifolds extending in a substantially transverse direction, at least two coolant circulation conduits fluidly connected to each manifold extending between the at least two manifolds, and a coolant release member disposed at a transverse end of at least one of the manifolds. A conduit is referred to as fluidly connected to a manifold when an opening allows coolant to flow from the manifold to a conduit or vice versa. More specifically, the heat exchanger includes at least an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold, the inlet manifold being configured to distribute coolant to the coolant circulation conduit, the outlet manifold being configured to collect the coolant after it has captured the heat energy generated from the energy storage cell, and the coolant release member being capable of (in the absence of a preferred positioning) being positioned on the inlet manifold and / or on the outlet manifold.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger includes at least one intermediate manifold disposed between and parallel to two manifolds, and at least one coolant release member disposed at one end of the intermediate manifold. A first circulation conduit is disposed between one manifold and the intermediate manifold, and a second circulation conduit is disposed between the other manifold and the intermediate manifold. Advantageously, the at least one intermediate manifold is arranged at an equidistant distance from the two manifolds.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger includes a plurality of intermediate manifolds arranged between two manifolds. Advantageously, these intermediate manifolds are aligned along a straight line parallel to the main extension line of at least one of the manifolds, and are arranged at equal distances from the two manifolds.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, the at least one coolant release member extends along a main extension axis parallel to the main extension direction of at least one manifold on which the at least one coolant release member is disposed. According to another feature of the invention, the at least one coolant release member extends along a main extension axis secantly to the main extension direction of the at least one manifold on which the at least one coolant release member is disposed. Advantageously, the main extension axis of the coolant release member may be perpendicular to the main extension direction of the at least one manifold in question. It should be understood that these features are compatible with each other, i.e., the invention also covers heat exchangers that, on the one hand, include at least one coolant release member whose main extension axis extends parallel to the main extension direction of the manifold with the at least one coolant release member, and on the other hand, include at least one other coolant release member whose main extension axis is secantly to the main extension direction of the manifold with the at least one other coolant release member.

[0018] According to the invention, the coolant is a fluid primarily composed of carbon dioxide. In any case, the selection of this coolant is based on both its ability to capture, transport, and release heat energy and its ability not to cause the initiation and spread of fire within the enclosure. In other words, it should be understood that the fluid primarily composed of carbon dioxide simultaneously acts as both a coolant and a fire extinguishing agent: when circulating in the heat exchanger, the fluid acts as a coolant, i.e., it is thus configured to capture heat energy generated from the energy storage cells of the energy storage device in order to cool the energy storage cells; the fire extinguishing agent is the fluid capable of extinguishing nascent fires, particularly by being injected at a high flow rate into the enclosure to almost instantaneously fill the volume defined by the enclosure and expel existing oxygen that would promote the spread of fire.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one energy storage device as described above.

[0020] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the accompanying illustrative drawings, from the following description, and also from several exemplary embodiments given as non-limiting descriptions, in which:

[0021] [ Figure 1 [Illustrated diagram of an energy storage device according to the present invention, viewed in a cross-section;]

[0022] [ Figure 2 [Illustrated perspective view of a coolant release component intended to be incorporated into an electrical energy storage device according to the present invention;]

[0023] [ Figure 3 ]yes Figure 2The schematic diagram shown is a longitudinal cross-section of a coolant release member, which is depicted as being integrated into the manifold of a heat exchanger of an energy storage device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0024] [ Figure 4 [Illustrative diagram of an energy storage device according to a first embodiment, viewed from above, wherein the housing of the energy storage device is depicted in a longitudinal section so that the components housed inside the housing are visible;]

[0025] [ Figure 5 [This is a schematic diagram of an energy storage device according to a second embodiment, viewed from above. The housing of this energy storage device is depicted in a longitudinal section so that the components housed inside the housing are visible.]

[0026] [ Figure 6 [This is a schematic diagram of an energy storage device according to a third embodiment, viewed from above. The housing of this energy storage device is depicted in a longitudinal section so that the components housed inside the housing are visible.]

[0027] [ Figure 7 [Illustrated diagram from above of a variant of an energy storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing of the energy storage device is depicted in a longitudinal section so that the components housed within the housing are visible.]

[0028] Features, variations, and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in a variety of combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variations of the present invention are contemplated to include only selections of the features described below, independent of the other described features, provided that such selections are sufficient to provide technical advantages or distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0029] In the diagram, the terms "longitudinal," "vertical," "lateral," "left," "right," "up," and "down" refer to the orientation of the L, V, and T trihedrons. Within this frame of reference, the longitudinal axis L represents the longitudinal direction of the object under discussion, the lateral axis T represents the lateral direction, and the vertical axis V represents the vertical direction. In the following description, the terms "energy storage" and "storage" will be used interchangeably, the lateral section will correspond to a section taken in the lateral and vertical planes (i.e., the planes containing the lateral axis T and the vertical axis V of the trihedron), and the "longitudinal" section will correspond to a section taken in the longitudinal and lateral planes (i.e., the planes containing the longitudinal axis L and the lateral axis T of the trihedron shown).

[0030] therefore, Figure 1An energy storage device 100 according to the invention, viewed in a cross-section, is shown. As depicted, this storage device 100 includes at least a housing 110 that houses at least one, advantageously multiple, energy storage cells 120 and at least one heat exchanger 130 dedicated to thermal management of the storage cells 120. Optionally, the storage device 100 according to the invention may include multiple heat exchangers, each dedicated to thermal management of one or more storage cells 120.

[0031] The heat exchanger 130 includes at least two manifolds 132, 133 (e.g. Figures 4 to 7 As shown in the illustration, at least one conduit 131 extends between at least two manifolds, within which coolant can circulate. According to the illustrated example, the heat exchanger 130 includes a plurality of conduits 131. Each of these conduits leads to one of the manifolds and has fluid communication between the conduit and the manifold, allowing coolant to circulate throughout the heat exchanger. More specifically, the heat exchanger 130 includes an inlet manifold configured to distribute coolant to the conduits 131 and an outlet manifold configured to collect coolant once heat exchange has occurred with the storage unit 120.

[0032] Storage cells 120 are arranged in contact with heat exchangers 130 or at least in direct proximity to, and more particularly with, conduits 131 through which coolant circulates. Where appropriate, a heat-generating compound may be inserted between the storage cells and the conduits 131. During use, storage cells 120 tend to heat up, and this phenomenon is exacerbated during the so-called “charging” phase (i.e., when storage cells 120 are accumulating the electrical energy they are intended to store). Such temperature rise is undesirable because it could cause irreversible damage to these storage cells 120. Therefore, when these storage cells 120 heat up, the coolant circulating in these conduits 131 is configured to capture the heat generated from these storage cells 120 in order to cool them.

[0033] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 130 is placed in a coolant circuit (not shown here), by means of which the coolant removes the heat energy thus captured in the region away from the storage unit, so that once the coolant returns to the conduit 131 of the heat exchanger 130, it can again capture the heat energy generated from the storage unit 120. Without departing from the context of the invention, the coolant circuit can be entirely contained within the housing, or it can extend partially outside the housing, such that the region away from the storage unit is outside the housing.

[0034] According to the present invention, the coolant is a non-flammable fluid capable of exchanging heat energy with the storage unit 120. For example, the coolant is mainly composed of carbon dioxide.

[0035] Therefore, the heat exchanger 130 is arranged to contact the storage cells 120 on one hand and directly or indirectly contact the bottom wall 111 of the housing 110 on the other. In other words, the heat exchanger 130 can be arranged to directly contact the bottom wall 111, or alternatively, a support element can be inserted between the bottom wall 111 of the housing 110 and the heat exchanger 130. Optionally, this support element can be configured to apply vertical pressure (i.e., pressure applied parallel to the vertical axis V of the illustrated trihedron) to press the heat exchanger 130 tightly against the storage cells 120 to optimize the heat exchange that occurs between the coolant circulating in the heat exchanger 130 and these storage cells 120.

[0036] According to the present invention, at least one of the manifolds in the heat exchanger 130 includes a coolant release member 140 (e.g., in...). Figure 2 and Figure 3 (As shown in the illustration). In the remainder of this specification, the terms "coolant release member" and "release member" will be used interchangeably. "Coolant release member 140" means a member configured to allow coolant circulating in heat exchanger 130 to escape from the heat exchanger under certain predetermined conditions. According to the invention, more specifically, release member 140 is configured to allow coolant to be released into the housing of the storage device when the temperature or pressure within this housing exceeds a predetermined threshold. Advantageously, this threshold is determined such that fluid release occurs in the event of a fire within one of the storage units housed in said housing. It should be understood that this fluid release allows the storage unit to be flooded, allowing the fire to be extinguished quickly, thereby limiting potential damage that may be caused by the spread of the fire. In other words, the amount of coolant circulating in the heat exchanger and capable of being released into the housing by at least one coolant release member is at least sufficient to cover the storage unit 120. It should also be understood that the pressure of the coolant in the heat exchanger is selected to allow this coolant release throughout the entire housing. For example, the circulating pressure of the coolant is therefore between 25 bar and 132 bar.

[0037] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Therefore, one embodiment of such a coolant release component is shown. Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of the coolant release component, and Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the coolant release member incorporated into the manifold 132 of the heat exchanger 130. It should be understood that this is merely one embodiment, and any other coolant release member 140 providing the same function as described below can be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0038] According to the example shown, the release member 140 is generally in the form of a screw, extending primarily along the main extension axis X, and includes at least a head 141 and a body 142, which are aligned front to back along the main extension axis X. Threads 143 are formed on the body 142, allowing it to be mounted (in this case, via a threaded connection) onto at least one manifold 132 of the heat exchanger, the manifold 132 being equipped with corresponding tapped threads. It should be understood that any other mechanism for mounting this release member 140 onto the heat exchanger is conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. The body 142 has a cylindrical or generally cylindrical shape, open at both ends. Thus, a first end 144 of the body 142 communicates with a hollow body 149 defined by the head 141 of the release member 140, while a second end 145 of the body 142 itself opens to the external environment of the release member 140 via an orifice 146.

[0039] According to the invention, the release member 140 is intended to be mounted on a heat exchanger via a second end 145 of the body 142. In other words, the coolant FR circulating through the heat exchanger can reach the body 142 of the release member 140 via an orifice 146 formed in the second end 145 of the body 142, and then reach the head 141 of the release member 140 via a first end 144 of the body 142, and more particularly, the hollow body 149 defined by the head 141. At least one orifice 147, advantageously multiple orifices 147, are formed in the head 141 of the release member 140, which are configured to allow coolant to be released from the heat exchanger, i.e., released into the housing of the energy storage device when the release member 140 is mounted on the corresponding manifold 132.

[0040] Therefore, it should be understood that under certain conditions, particularly when there is fluid communication between the manifold and the internal volume of the body 142 of the release member, the coolant can leave the manifold of the heat exchanger (through which the coolant circulates), first reaching the body 142 of the release member 140, then the hollow body 149 defined by the head 141 of the release member 140, and finally the casing inside the outer shell of the storage device. Again, it should be understood that under normal temperature and pressure conditions, the shut-off device 150 prevents the coolant from reaching the hollow body 149 defined by the head 141 of the release member 140; thus, the coolant circulates only through the heat exchanger and the coolant circuit with this heat exchanger.

[0041] To prevent any leakage of coolant, the sealing device 148 may optionally be installed (e.g., in...). Figure 2The sealing device 148, as shown, is inserted between the second end 145 of the body 142 of the heat exchanger and the release member 140, and more particularly between one of the manifolds of the heat exchanger and the second end. In other words, this sealing device 148 extends around the periphery of the orifice 146 formed in the second end 145 of the body 142.

[0042] As previously mentioned, and more specifically, the release member 140 is configured to allow coolant to be released when the pressure and / or temperature within the housing exceeds a predetermined threshold. Figure 3 As shown, the release member 140 includes a shut-off device 150 disposed in the body 142 of the release member 140 downstream of the orifice 146 relative to the direction of circulation of the coolant FR in this release member 140. This shut-off device 150 is configured to allow the coolant FR to pass through only when the temperature and / or pressure in the housing exceeds a threshold.

[0043] According to the example shown, this shut-off device 150 takes the form of a membrane 151 having at least one cut 152 that forms a fracture initiator. In other words, the membrane 151 is thus weakened at this at least one cut 152, such that when sufficient pressure is applied to the membrane 150, the membrane tears, thereby releasing the coolant FR into the housing of the storage device.

[0044] Alternatively, the membrane thickness can be set such that the membrane tears when sufficient pressure is applied. According to yet another alternative, the membrane can be made of a material that melts at a certain temperature, advantageously above a predetermined threshold.

[0045] More specifically, the body 142 of this release member 140 includes at least a first portion 154 and a second portion 155, with threads formed on the first portion and a stop device 150 on the second portion. Thus, as shown, the first portion 154 of the body 142 extends from the head 141 of the release member 140 to the stop device 150, while the second portion 155 of the body 142 itself extends from the stop device 150 (which forms part of this second portion 155 of the body 142) to an aperture 146 (which facilitates the formation of the second end 145 of the body 142). Advantageously, embodiments consisting of two distinct portions make the stop device 150 easier to replace after it has been torn. It should be understood that if the shut-off device 150 breaks, the release member 140 can be disconnected from the manifold 132 with the release member, so that the second part 155 of the body 142 can be removed and replaced with another new second part 155 (i.e., the second part 155 of the shut-off device 150 that is intact).

[0046] As can be seen from the foregoing, according to the example shown herein, the shut-off device 150 is arranged at the second end 145 of the body 142 of the release member 140, that is, closer to the second end 145 of the body 142 than to the head 141 of the release member 140.

[0047] Figures 4 to 7 Various embodiments and variations of the storage device according to the invention are illustrated, differing particularly in the position and orientation of the release member 140 relative to the heat exchanger 130. More specifically, the figures show the energy storage device 100 as viewed from above, in which the housing 110 is depicted in a longitudinal section to make the heat exchanger 130 and storage cells 120 of this storage device 100 visible. According to the example shown herein, the energy storage device 100 comprises six energy storage cells 120 distributed in two rows. In other words, these storage cells are aligned in groups of three along two parallel transverse axes. It should be understood that this is only one exemplary embodiment, and the energy storage device 100 may be configured to include fewer or more storage cells 120 without departing from the context of the invention.

[0048] As previously mentioned, the heat exchanger 130 includes an inlet manifold 132, an outlet manifold 133, and a plurality of conduits 131 in which coolant circulates, the conduits extending between the inlet manifold 132 and the outlet manifold 133. As shown, the inlet manifold 132 and the outlet manifold 133 each extend along a main extending line D parallel to the transverse axis T of the illustrated trihedron. For example, the heat exchanger 130 may include at least one coolant release member 140 disposed at a transverse end of one of the manifolds 132, 133. Advantageously, the heat exchanger 130 includes a plurality of coolant release members 140 distributed at each of the transverse ends 134, 135, 136, 137 of the manifolds 132, 133.

[0049] If a fire occurs at one of the energy storage cells 120, the pressure and / or temperature within the casing 110 will rise sharply. As previously mentioned, such a rise in pressure and / or temperature within the casing causes the shut-off device located in the release member 140 closest to the fire (i.e., the release member 140 undergoing the greatest temperature / pressure change) to break. This causes the area around the release member 140 of the casing 110 to fill, and thus the area around the storage cell 120 where the fire began to fill. According to the invention, coolant release continues until the casing 110 is completely or almost completely filled with coolant. Advantageously, the invention thus allows the rapid release of coolant, which is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, as close as possible to the fire location, thereby ensuring that nascent fires are quickly extinguished, i.e., the oxygen supply to the nascent fire is thus rapidly cut off, thereby preventing the fire from spreading.

[0050] according to Figure 4 In the first embodiment shown, the heat exchanger 130 includes four coolant release members 140. Thus, according to this first embodiment, a first release member 140 is arranged at a first lateral end 134 of the inlet manifold 132, a second release member 140 is arranged at a second lateral end 135 of the inlet manifold 132, a third release member 140 is arranged at a first lateral end 136 of the outlet manifold 133, and a fourth release member 140 is arranged at a second lateral end 137 of the outlet manifold 133. According to the example shown here, the main extension axis X of each release member 140 coincides with the main extension line D of the manifolds 132, 133 with the release members 140 in question.

[0051] Figure 5 The second embodiment shown and Figure 6 The third embodiment shown differs from the first embodiment in that the heat exchanger 130 includes at least one intermediate manifold 138, which is substantially equidistant from the inlet manifold 132 and from the outlet manifold 133. As depicted, this at least one intermediate manifold 138 is positioned between a first row 121 consisting of three storage units 120 and a second row 122 consisting of three storage units 120. In other words, this at least one intermediate manifold 138 is substantially positioned at the center of the storage device 100. Advantageously, this at least one intermediate manifold 138 is equipped with at least one, advantageously at least two, coolant release members 140.

[0052] according to Figure 5In the second embodiment shown, the heat exchanger 130 includes a single intermediate manifold 138 equipped with two release members 140, each disposed at one of the lateral ends of the intermediate manifold 138. According to the illustrated example, it should be noted that this intermediate manifold 138 is identical or nearly identical to the manifolds 132, 133 themselves distributed at the longitudinal ends of the heat exchanger 130, the only difference being that conduits 131 are fluidly connected to the intermediate manifold on both sides. In other words, this intermediate manifold 138 extends primarily along a main extending straight line D' parallel to the lateral axis T of the illustrated trihedron, and the shape and size of the intermediate manifold are equal to or nearly equal to the shape and size of the manifolds 132, 133. It should be understood that this is merely one embodiment, and this intermediate manifold 138 may vary without departing from the scope of the invention, as long as the intermediate manifold includes at least one coolant release member exhibiting the features described above.

[0053] according to Figure 6 In the third embodiment shown, the heat exchanger 130 includes three intermediate manifolds 138 aligned along a transverse straight line D (i.e., a straight line parallel to the transverse axis T), and each intermediate manifold is equipped with two release members 140 distributed at two transverse ends of each intermediate manifold 138. Again, this is only one embodiment, and different numbers of coolant release members can be provided along each intermediate manifold, and different numbers of intermediate manifolds can be provided in the heat exchanger without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0054] It should be noted that, according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the main extension axis X of each release member 140 coincides with the main extension line D' of the intermediate manifold 138 or with the intermediate manifold with these release members 140 along its aligned lateral direction D''.

[0055] Figure 7 A variation of the first embodiment is shown. This variation is related to... Figure 4 The first embodiment shown differs in the orientation of the coolant release member 140. Therefore, in the three embodiments just described, the release member 140 is arranged at the lateral ends of the manifolds 132, 133 / intermediate manifold 138 and extends primarily parallel to the lateral axis T. In other words, the release member 140 is arranged such that the coolant must pass through these members substantially laterally within the corresponding manifold continuation. Figure 7In the variant shown, it should be understood that these release members 140 are also arranged near the lateral ends of the manifolds 132 and 133, i.e., closer to the lateral ends of the manifolds than to their centers, but the orientation of these release members differs; they extend parallel to the vertical axis V. In other words, the main extension axis X of each release member 140 is secant and advantageously perpendicular to the main extension direction D of the manifolds 132 and 133. The operating principle of the coolant release member 140 according to this variant is the same as that of the coolant release member described above.

[0056] Advantageously, this embodiment variant can also be converted into Figure 5 The second embodiment shown and Figure 6 The third embodiment shown, according to the invention, has the main extension axis X of each release member 140 transverse to, and advantageously perpendicular to, the main extension line of the individual intermediate manifold or the transverse direction of the intermediate manifold relative to it.

[0057] According to another variation of the first embodiment (not shown here), the coolant release members are arranged at a distance from the lateral ends, for example, closer to the center of the manifold with these coolant release members than any of these lateral ends. (See previous reference...) Figure 7 The remaining descriptions given, plus the necessary modifications, apply to this other variant not shown.

[0058] By reading the above, it should be understood that the present invention proposes a simple and inexpensive mechanism that can manage the occurrence of fires that may occur in such devices in electric or hybrid vehicles equipped with energy storage devices, and more specifically, enable the extinguishing of such nascent fires, thereby improving the safety of the users of the vehicles in question, as well as the safety of other road users sharing the road with these vehicles.

[0059] However, the invention is not limited to the mechanisms and configurations described and shown herein, but extends to all equivalent mechanisms or configurations and any technically operable combinations thereof. In particular, the number, shape, and arrangement of the coolant release components may be modified without affecting the invention, provided that these coolant release components provide the functions described herein.

Claims

1. An energy storage device (100) intended for use in a vehicle, the energy storage device comprising at least one housing (110) housing at least one energy storage cell (120) and at least one heat exchanger (130), the at least one heat exchanger being configured to exchange heat between a coolant designed to circulate in the at least one heat exchanger (130) and one or more of the energy storage cells (120), characterized in that, The heat exchanger (130) includes at least one coolant release member (140) configured to release the coolant into the housing (110); The coolant release member (140) includes at least one shut-off device (150) configured to at least partially break when the temperature is greater than 150°C and / or when the pressure is greater than 200 bar. The coolant release member (140) includes at least a head (141) and a body (142), the body (142) including at least a first part (154) and a modular second part (155), the body being fixed to the heat exchanger (130) by means of the first part via a threaded connection, the modular second part being attached to the first part (154), and the shut-off device (150) being arranged in the modular second part.

2. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The heat exchanger (130) includes at least two manifolds (132, 133) extending in a transverse direction, at least two coolant circulation conduits (131) fluidly connected to each manifold extending between the at least two manifolds, and a coolant release member (140) disposed at a transverse end (134, 135, 136, 137) of at least one of the manifolds (132, 133).

3. The energy storage device (100) as described in claim 2, wherein, The heat exchanger (130) includes at least one intermediate manifold (138) arranged between and parallel to the two manifolds (132, 133), and at least one coolant release member (140) is arranged at one end of the intermediate manifold (138).

4. The energy storage device (100) as described in claim 3, wherein, The heat exchanger (130) includes a plurality of intermediate manifolds (138) arranged between the two manifolds (132, 133).

5. The energy storage device (100) as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The at least one coolant release member (140) extends along a main extension axis (X) parallel to the main extension direction (D) of the at least one manifold (132, 133), and the at least one coolant release member (140) is arranged on the at least one manifold.

6. The energy storage device (100) as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The at least one coolant release member (140) extends along a main extension axis (X) orthogonal to the main extension direction (D) of the at least one manifold (132, 133), and the at least one coolant release member (140) is arranged on the at least one manifold.

7. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The coolant is a fluid mainly composed of carbon dioxide.

8. A motor vehicle comprising at least one electrical energy storage device (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1-7.

Images