Device for thermal control of a battery pack of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the thermal regulation of a battery pack (1) of a vehicle, comprising: a housing comprising a circuit for circulating a heat transfer fluid, the housing being adapted to house the group comprising at least two battery cells each having two large sides (100), the cells being adjacent at one of the large sides thereof; a spacer (3) mounted between the cells (10) and configured to contact adjacent large sides (100) of the cells, the spacer (3) comprising: a perforated portion (30) positioned opposite the adjacent large sides and extending over a majority of the large sides, one or more ribs (300) extending in the perforated portion (30), the one or more ribs (300) are arranged to form at least one forced circulation loop (C1, C2) for circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the cells (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for thermal regulation of a vehicle battery and to a cooling system comprising such a device. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a cooling system.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to the technical field of thermal regulation of electrical energy storage elements, in particular battery elements, which are prone to releasing heat during their operation. The invention is preferably, but not exclusively, applicable to the automotive field and more particularly to the field of electric vehicles and / or hybrid vehicles. Background Art

[0003] The electrical energy of an electric vehicle and / or a hybrid vehicle is supplied by one or more battery packs, each of which comprises several battery cells. During operation of the cells, the cells expand due to heat and are therefore at risk of being damaged. In particular, a charging technique known as fast charging consists in charging the cells at high voltage and high amperage in a short time, in particular in a maximum of about twenty minutes. This fast charging implies a significant heating of the cells and this heating needs to be managed.

[0004] In the field of motor vehicles, it is known practice to use thermal regulation devices, in particular for cooling battery packs. Such thermal regulation devices make it possible to modify the temperature of the battery pack, for example by increasing its temperature when starting the vehicle in cold weather, or by reducing the temperature of the cells that tend to heat up during use, for example, either during driving or during charging operations.

[0005] According to a known solution, the thermal conditioning device comprises a cold plate in which a cooling fluid circulates and which is arranged in contact with the cells to be cooled. It has been found that this arrangement can lead to uneven cooling of the cells of one and the same battery pack to be cooled, and therefore to a reduction in the overall performance. This thermal conditioning device also has a high thermal resistance due to the material thickness between the cooling fluid and the cells to be cooled. In addition, this solution generally has large overall dimensions.

[0006] According to another known thermal regulation solution, by means of a dielectric fluid loop and a dielectric fluid nozzle or orifice, the dielectric fluid is atomized and is usually directed directly to the battery core in the form of a spray. Then, heat exchange can occur between the battery core and the dielectric fluid in direct contact with the surface of the battery core. After the dielectric fluid has been sprayed onto the battery core, especially sprayed onto the battery core with the liquid phase, the dielectric fluid can flow along the wall of the battery core, and especially accumulate in the lower part of the housing of the battery pack to be thermally regulated. For example, this solution is described in patent document FR 3077683. However, especially in the context of use in a vehicle, the battery core may not necessarily be laid flat parallel to the horizontal plane, but may be tilted, tilted relative to the horizontal plane, so that the dielectric fluid may only accumulate on one side. The accumulated dielectric fluid is then unevenly distributed relative to the battery core. When the vehicle itself tilts, for example, on a tilted road, or due to the vibration caused by road conditions, driving or any other conditions, these problems may also be encountered. In addition, this can make the pump produce greater work, for example so that the dielectric fluid accumulated on one side can be sucked out from the housing. Additionally, the pump may draw in air, which may damage the pump.

[0007] Patent document FR 3060863 proposes another solution for dissipating the heat generated by the battery cells, which solution consists in installing spacers between the cells so as to space the cells from each other and blowing cooling air towards them. However, the solution proposed in this document is relatively complex to produce and does not allow, in practice, uniform and optimal cooling of the cells. It has also been found that the time taken for the cells to reach the desired temperature can be relatively long.

[0008] Also known are conditioning devices comprising a housing in which a cooling fluid circulates and in which the battery pack is housed. This method enables heat exchange between the cells and the cooling fluid. However, immersing the cells in the fluid does not allow uniform cooling of said cells.

[0009] The present invention aims to remedy all or some of the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, one object of the present invention is to propose a thermal regulation device that allows the cells of a battery pack to be cooled more evenly and more effectively. Another object of the present invention is to propose a thermal regulation device that makes it possible to bring the cells to the desired temperature more quickly. Another object of the present invention is to propose a thermal regulation device that is simple in design, inexpensive and easy to install. Summary of the invention

[0010] The solution proposed by the present invention is a device for thermal regulation of a vehicle battery pack, the device comprising:

[0011] a casing comprising a circuit for circulating a heat transfer fluid, the casing being suitable for housing a battery pack comprising at least two battery cells of substantially parallelepiped shape, each of which has two large sides, the cells being adjacent at one of the large sides,

[0012] A spacer is installed between the battery cells to space them apart from each other, the spacer being configured to contact adjacent large side surfaces of the battery cells.

[0013] The spacer comprises:

[0014] a perforated portion arranged to be located opposite to the adjacent large side surfaces of the cells and extending over a majority of the large side surfaces,

[0015] One or more ribs extend in the perforated portion, the one or more ribs are arranged to form at least one forced circulation loop for circulating the heat transfer fluid between the battery cells, the forced circulation loop comprising an inlet and an outlet.

[0016] The proposed innovation consists in now using a dedicated spacer whose particularly simple configuration allows the heat transfer fluid to be forced to circulate along an imposed path. Thus, the forced circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid makes it possible to increase the heat exchange coefficient and ensure uniform cooling or heating over the entire large surface of the cell. As a result, the cell reaches the desired temperature very quickly.

[0017] Furthermore, since the ribs are in close contact with the large side faces of the cell, they can counteract the expansion of the cell and thus enable the autonomy and capacity of the cell to be increased.

[0018] The spacer ultimately has a triple function: keeping the cells separate, limiting the expansion of the cells, and creating a loop for the forced circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

[0019] The following lists further advantageous features of the invention. Each of these features may be considered individually or in combination with the significant features defined above. Each of these features, when appropriate, contributes to solving the specific technical problems previously defined in this specification, and the other features defined above do not necessarily contribute to solving these problems. Therefore, the following features, when appropriate, may form the subject of one or more divisional patent applications:

[0020] According to one embodiment, the inlet of the forced circulation circuit is located at one edge of the large side surface and the outlet is located at the other edge of said large face.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises: a heat transfer fluid inlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the forced circulation circuit of the spacer; a heat transfer fluid outlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the forced circulation circuit of the spacer.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the rib or ribs are arranged in the spacer so that the circulation of the fluid in the forced circulation circuit occurs only between the inlet and the outlet of said circuit.

[0023] According to one embodiment, one or more sealing gaskets are arranged in the space between adjacent cells so that the circulation of the fluid in the forced circulation circuit occurs only between the inlet and the outlet of said circuit.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the housing is formed by an outer shell which is closed by a cover and a bottom wall such that it is sealed against the ingress / egress of a heat transfer fluid.

[0025] According to one embodiment, at least one heat transfer fluid inlet and at least one heat transfer fluid outlet of the housing are formed in the bottom wall.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the bottom wall is provided with a heat transfer fluid inlet channel or pipe and a heat transfer fluid exhaust channel or pipe; the inlet and outlet of the forced circulation loop lead to a first channel or pipe and a second channel or pipe formed in the cover, respectively; the first pipe formed in the shell is configured to transport the fluid circulating in the inlet channel or pipe to the first channel or pipe; the second pipe formed in the shell is configured to transport the fluid circulating in the second channel or pipe to the exhaust channel or pipe.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the heat transfer fluid inlet of the housing is formed in the bottom wall and the heat transfer fluid outlet of said housing is formed in the cover.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the heat transfer fluid inlet of the housing is formed in the cover and the heat transfer fluid outlet of said housing is formed in the bottom wall.

[0029] According to one embodiment, at least one heat transfer fluid inlet and at least one heat transfer fluid outlet of the housing are formed in the cover.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the cover is provided with a heat transfer fluid inlet and / or outlet channel or duct, which opens into each spacer.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the bottom wall is provided with a heat transfer fluid inlet and / or outlet channel or duct, which leads to each spacer.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the bottom wall is provided with a heat transfer fluid inlet channel or duct leading to each spacer.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the cover is provided with a heat transfer fluid discharge channel or duct, which opens into each spacer.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the spacer comprises several ribs which are arranged in such a way that at least a first forced circulation loop and a second forced circulation loop are formed.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first circuit and the circulation of said fluid in the second circuit are in the same direction.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first circuit is in a direction opposite to the direction of circulation of said fluid in the second circuit.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the spacer includes several ribs, which are arranged in such a way as to form at least a first forced circulation loop and a second forced circulation loop, each forced circulation loop including a forced circulation loop inlet located at one edge of the large side surface (100) and an outlet located at another edge of the large surface, these inlets and outlets being located in particular in the cover and bottom wall of the shell.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the rib or ribs occupy at most 10%, advantageously at most 5%, of the surface of the large side of the cell.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the spacer is composed of a material having a maximum of 0.4 Wm -1 .K -1 Thermal conductivity, preferably at most 0.2 Wm - 1 .K -1 The thermal conductivity of the material.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the spacer is made of a polymer material or of a polymer-based composite material.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the spacer contains a material from the silicate family, preferably made of fiber-reinforced calcium silicate.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the spacer is configured to be clipped onto the first battery cell or to be bonded to at least one battery cell.

[0043] According to one embodiment, when bonding the spacer, the spacer is formed from a plurality of separate elements or segments.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the spacer is made of a rigid core and a deformable outer covering which covers at least a portion of the core so as to seal the portion against the ingress / egress of a heat transfer fluid when the portion is pressed against one and / or the other of the first or second battery cells.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the heat transfer fluid circulation loop comprises fluid circulation sections with variable width, these variable width circulation sections are preferably formed by spacers.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the heat transfer fluid circulation loop comprises a fluid circulation section with a decreasing width, which width decreases, preferably gradually or continuously, from at least one inlet manifold to at least one outlet manifold.

[0047] According to one embodiment, turbulators are present in the forced circulation circuit in order to generate turbulence in the flow of the heat transfer fluid between the inlet and the outlet of said forced circulation circuit, these turbulators being arranged in relief and extending over the height of the ribs.

[0048] According to one embodiment, turbulators are formed on one or more supports distinct from the spacers and are added to the forced circulation circuit.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the turbulators and the spacers (3) together form a one-piece entity.

[0050] The present invention also relates to a cooling system, which comprises a device according to any one of the aforementioned features and further comprises: - a battery pack, which comprises N adjacent battery cells, each of which comprises two end cells arranged at an end wall of a shell, N is an integer greater than 3; the device comprises at least N-1 spacers, preferably N+1 spacers.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the system, a spacer is installed between each battery cell and another adjacent battery cell; a spacer is installed between each end wall of the shell and the end battery cell, the large side of the end battery cell is adjacent to the wall; these spacers are described in accordance with the present invention so that all large sides of the battery cells are cooled by a forced circulation loop.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the system, the heat transfer fluid is a dielectric cooling fluid.

[0053] Another subject of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with a system according to one of the preceding features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Further advantages and characteristics of the invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following description of embodiments produced by way of non-limiting indicative examples, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0055] Figure 1 is an exploded view showing the various constituent elements of the apparatus and system according to the present invention.

[0056] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the shell.

[0057] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of a spacer according to the present invention.

[0058] Figure 4 An assembly of two adjacent battery cells is shown with spacers mounted thereon.

[0059] Figure 5 Shown along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the assembly taken along AA.

[0060] Figure 6 Shown along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of BB (beam not depicted).

[0061] Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C , Fig.7D , Fig. 7E and Figure 7F Various possible configurations of spacers and for the circulation of fluids are shown.

[0062] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B A way of circulating a fluid in a housing is shown, the housing being viewed from above and from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, any use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," etc., when describing objects indicates only that various occurrences of similar objects are referred to, and does not imply that the objects so described need to be in a given order, whether in time, space, order, or in any other manner. "X and / or Y" means: X alone, or Y alone, or X+Y. In general, it will be understood that in the various figures, objects are arbitrarily drawn to make the figures easier to read.

[0064] The thermal regulation device forming the subject of the present invention seeks to regulate the temperature of a battery pack, in particular of an electric vehicle and / or a hybrid motor vehicle. However, it can be fitted to other types of vehicles, or used to regulate the temperature of other electrical and / or electronic components, such as power electronics, for example and without limitation, semiconductors such as diodes or transistors. These can also be components of computer servers. According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal regulation consists in cooling the cells of the battery pack.

[0065] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the battery pack 1 comprises at least two battery cells 10 and usually between 2 and 25 cells, the pack being housed in a housing 2 ( Figure 2 According to one embodiment, the battery pack 1 includes N adjacent battery cells 10 , wherein N is an integer greater than 2 and preferably greater than 3, and the battery cells include two end battery cells each positioned at an end wall 201 of the housing 2 .

[0066] The cells 10 are of a type known to those skilled in the art, generally prismatic, that is to say having the general shape of a parallelepiped, each having two large sides 100, two small sides 103, a top face 101 and a bottom face 102. These various faces are generally planar, but some of them may be curved (disc-shaped or arched). The cells 10 are positioned so that they are adjacent at their large sides 100.

[0067] The battery pack 1 is housed in a housing 2 formed by a shell 20 which is closed by a cover 21 and a bottom wall 22 so that it is sealed to prevent the ingress / egress of a heat transfer fluid. The shell 20 has an internal space capable of accommodating one or more battery packs. A structural beam 24 may be fixed to the shell 20 in order to further stiffen the shell 2.

[0068] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, the housing 2 has the general shape of a parallelepiped, but other suitable shapes may be envisaged, in particular depending on the general shape of the battery pack 1. According to one embodiment, the various elements 20, 21, 22 are produced by moulding a plastic material, but other materials suitable to a person skilled in the art may be used.

[0069] exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 4 , the housing 20 is defined by two side walls 200 extending in the longitudinal direction and two end walls 201 perpendicular to the side walls.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the cover 21 is provided with one or more heat transfer fluid circulation channels 2101, 2102, which are in fluid communication with the housing 20. Preferably, these channels 2101, 2102 extend along the entire length of the housing 20 so as to be in fluid communication with all the cells 10 of the group 1. These channels 2101, 2102 can be used as an inlet (i.e., where the fluid reaches the housing 2) or an outlet (i.e., where the fluid is discharged from the housing 2). According to one embodiment, one channel 2101 can be used as an inlet, while another channel 2102 can be used as an outlet. According to another embodiment, the channels 2101, 2102 are used as inlets. According to yet another embodiment, the channels 2101, 2102 are used as outlets. In another embodiment, the cover 21 does not have a heat transfer fluid circulation channel, and the fluid enters / exhausts only through the bottom wall 22.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the bottom wall 22 is produced in two parts 220, 221, which are assembled to each other, for example by screwing, welding, gluing, etc. The first part 22 takes the form of a plate intended to be fixed to the bottom of the housing 20. The second part 221 presents a profile section in the form of channels 22101, 22102, which open at openings 22001, 22002 formed in the plate 222, which are in fluid communication with the housing 20. Figure 1 In the embodiment, these openings extend along the entire length of the housing 20 so as to be in fluid communication with all the cells 10 of the group 1. The channels 22101, 22102 thus lead to each spacer 3 (to each inter-cell space). However, the bottom wall 22 can be made in one piece, the channels 2210 then being directly integrated into the plate 220, for example by molding. The bottom wall 22 can form the bottom of the housing 20, or can be an additional wall attached independently of the bottom of the housing.

[0072] The channels 22101, 22102 in the bottom wall 22 are used for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid 210. These channels can be used as an inlet (i.e., where the fluid reaches the housing 2) or an outlet (i.e., where the fluid is discharged from the housing 2). According to one embodiment, one channel 22101 can be used as an inlet, while another channel 22102 can be used as an outlet. According to another embodiment, the channels 22101, 22102 are used as inlets. According to yet another embodiment, the channels 22101, 22102 are used as outlets. In another embodiment, the bottom wall 22 does not have a heat transfer fluid circulation channel, and the fluid only enters / exhausts via the cover 21.

[0073] refer to Figure 2 , the inlet / outlet of the housing 2 is connected to a heat transfer fluid circulation circuit 23, which comprises, for example, a pumping circuit, in particular enabling a heat transfer fluid to circulate in the housing in order to regulate the temperature of the cells 10 housed therein. The circulation of the fluid in the housing 2 will be described in detail later in the description. The temperature regulation preferably consists in a regulated cooling in order to keep the cells 10 at a temperature lower than or equal to a threshold temperature (for example, between 20° C. and 40° C.). When the cells 10 exceed this threshold temperature, they are cooled by the heat transfer fluid, which is therefore a cooling fluid.

[0074] In certain cases, such as when starting the vehicle, regulation may also consist in heating the cells 10 , in particular when they are at a temperature lower than or equal to a threshold temperature, for example lower than 0° C. Below this threshold temperature, the cells 10 are heated by the heat transfer fluid, which is then the heating fluid.

[0075] The heat transfer fluid used is preferably a dielectric liquid, such as mineral oil or a fluorinated liquid. However, the heat transfer fluid may be in some other form, such as blown air. The fluid may be pre-cooled or pre-heated depending on the desired thermal regulation.

[0076] A spacer 3 (or insert, both terms are synonymous within the meaning of the present invention) is installed between each cell 10 and another adjacent cell in order to space these cells apart. The spacer 3 is also advantageously installed between each end wall 201 of the housing 2 and the end cell 10 whose large side 100 is adjacent to the wall. According to one embodiment, if the battery 1 comprises N cells 10, the device comprises at least N-1 spacers 3, preferably N+1 spacers.

[0077] Advantageously, the spacer 3 has a relatively low thermal conductivity so as to act as a thermal insulator between the cells. According to one embodiment, the spacer 3 is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 Wm -1 .K -1 Thermal conductivity, preferably at most 0.2 Wm -1 .K -1 The material used can be a polymer or a polymer-based composite material, or a material from the silicate family, preferably made of fiber-reinforced calcium silicate.

[0078] Each spacer 3 has a structure configured so that it can be removably mounted on the battery cell 10. According to one embodiment, the structure of the spacer 3 is adjusted (for example, by elastically deforming the structure) to adapt to the shape of the battery cell 10 so that it can be tightly mounted on the battery cell, so that the contact between the structure and the battery cell is a fluid-tight contact.

[0079] exist Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the structure of the spacer 3 has the general shape of a U-shaped channel cross section. The spacer 3 has a first support area 30, a second support area 31 and a third support area 32, the first support area is configured to abut against the large side surface 100 of the battery cell 10, the second support area is configured to abut against the top surface 101 of the battery cell, and the third support area is configured to abut against the bottom surface 102 of the battery cell. However, the structure of the spacer 3 can have a different configuration and, for example, have only the first support area 30, or only the first area 30 and the second area 31, or only the first area 30 and the third area 32.

[0080] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, when the battery cell 10 is installed in the housing 2 in a use configuration, the first zone 30 not only abuts against the large side 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "front" large side) of the battery cell 10 (the spacer 3 is installed against the large side), but also abuts against the large side 100 of the adjacent battery cell 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear" large side). Therefore, the first zone 30 is sandwiched between the adjacent large sides of the battery cell. According to a preferred embodiment, the contact between the first zone 30 and the front large side and the rear large side of the adjacent battery cell is a fluid-tight contact. Alternatively or in addition, one or more sealing gaskets are installed in the space between adjacent battery cells 10 to produce a fluid-tight contact.

[0081] The first area 30 has the same or substantially the same dimensions in length and width as the length and width of the large side surface 100. The first area has a perforated portion that is positioned facing the large side surface 100 of the cell 10 (against which the spacer 3 is mounted) and extends over most of the large side surface. Symmetrically, the perforated portion is also positioned facing the rear large side surface of the adjacent cell.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the perforated portion is left empty for at least 51%, advantageously at least 90% and preferably at least 95% of the adjacent large sides 100. Thus, a large portion of these large sides 100 can be in contact with a heat transfer fluid, as explained further in the description.

[0083] One or more ribs 300 extend in the perforated portion of the first zone 30 and are arranged to form one or more forced circulation loops for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid between adjacent cells. "Forced circulation" means that the fluid is forced to follow one or more separate paths imposed by the arrangement of the one or more ribs 300. Thus, this or these loops are defined on the one hand by the adjacent large sides 100 of the cell and on the other hand by the ribs 300. Thus, all large sides 100 of the cell 10 are cooled by the forced circulation loop. The number of passages (that is, the change of direction in the forced circulation loop) is tailored to suit the desired level of heat exchange and / or to suit the allowable pressure drop.

[0084] Each forced circulation loop includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the inlet / outlet being defined by the arrangement of the one or more ribs 300. Figure 4 and Figure 6 In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of ribs 300 are arranged in such a way that two different loops C1 and C2 are formed respectively, each loop including corresponding inlets E1 and E2 and corresponding outlets S1 and S2. In other embodiments, the ribs 300 are arranged to form M forced circulation loops, where M is an integer greater than 2.

[0085] exist Figure 4In the example of FIG. 1 , the inlets E1 and E2 are located at one edge of the large side surface 100 (at the junction where the large side surface intersects with the bottom surface 102), and the outlets S1 and S2 are located at the other edge of the large surface (at the junction where the large surface intersects with the top surface 101). However, other inlet / outlet configurations are conceivable, especially with Figure 4 The configuration of the opposite of the configuration of the first loop C1. Similarly, the inlet and the corresponding outlet are not necessarily located at the same edge of the large side 100. The inlet E1 of the first loop C1 can be located at the first edge (e.g., the top edge) and the outlet S1 is located at the second edge (e.g., the bottom edge), while the inlet E2 of the second loop C2 is located at the second edge and the outlet S2 is located at the first edge, or vice versa. According to another configuration example, the inlet E1 and outlet S2 of the first loop C1 are located at the same edge (e.g., the bottom edge), while the inlet E2 and outlet S2 of the second loop C2 are located at another edge (e.g., the top edge). In other embodiments, all or some of the inlets / outlets are located at one or more of the side edges of the large side 100 (at the junction where the large side intersects with the small side 103).

[0086] The rib 300 is preferably straight, but may be curved or have curved and straight portions, or may be in the form of a broken line, or any other form suitable to a person skilled in the art.

[0087] The rib 300 is in close contact with the adjacent large side surface 100. This close contact creates fluid tightness, so that the circulation of the fluid in the forced circulation loop C1, C2 occurs only between the inlet E1, E2 and the outlet S1, S2 of the loop. When the spacer 3 defines multiple loops, there is in particular no fluid communication between these loops, thereby ensuring uniform circulation within each loop. Alternatively or in addition, one or more sealing gaskets are arranged in the space between adjacent battery cells 10, so that the circulation of the fluid in the forced circulation loop occurs only between the inlet and outlet of the loop.

[0088] The thickness of the structure of the spacer 3 and / or the thickness of the ribs 300 depends on the desired spacing between the cells 10 and / or the desired flow rate of the fluid circulating in one or more circuits. The best results, especially in terms of regulation, are obtained when this thickness is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, advantageously between 1 mm and 4 mm, and preferably between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm.

[0089] In addition to spacing adjacent cells 10 apart to allow the heat transfer fluid to flow, the spacers 3 also have the mechanical function of preventing the cells 10 from expanding due to their increased temperature. This is because they are able to keep the cells 10 in a compressed state under the effect of this expansion, thus ensuring that the cells can operate at their full capacity.

[0090] In order for the ribs 300 to block the minimum amount of surface of the large side 100 in contact with the heat transfer fluid, the ribs occupy at most 10%, advantageously at most 5% of the surface of the large side 100. The best results in terms of expansion limitation and heat exchange effect are obtained when the ribs 300 have a width between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, advantageously between 1 mm and 4 mm, and preferably between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. The ribs 300 can have the same width or different widths. In particular, the ribs 300 or rib portions located in the central area of ​​the large side 100 can be wider, because the mechanical stresses generated due to expansion are at their maximum in this area.

[0091] In the accompanying drawings, the second zone 31 and the third zone 32 have the same or substantially the same dimensions in length and width as the length and width of the top surface 101 and the bottom surface 102 of the battery cell 10. However, they can have different dimensions in length and / or width. The second zone 31 advantageously has perforated portions 310, which are designed to leave empty connection terminals 104 of the battery cell 10. The third zone 32 can also have perforated portions. In these perforated portions, the fluid is in contact with the top surface 101 and the bottom surface 102, which contributes to heat exchange at the surfaces and thermal regulation of the battery cell 10.

[0092] When the cell 10 and the spacer 3 are mounted in the housing 2 in the use configuration, the inlet / outlet of the circuits C1 and C2 are in fluid communication with the inlet / outlet of the circuit 23 of the housing 2. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the openings 22101, 22102 in the bottom wall 22 lead to the inlets E1, E2, and the channels 2101, 2102 of the cover 21 lead to the outlets S1, S2. Therefore, the channels 2101, 2102 and 22101, 22102 lead to each spacer 3, that is, to each inter-cell space.

[0093] Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C , Fig.7D , Fig. 7E and Figure 7F Various configurations of the device are shown. Fig. 7ACorresponding to the above configuration. The spacer 3 includes a number of ribs 300, which are arranged in a manner such that a first forced circulation loop C1 and a second forced circulation loop C2 are formed. The first loop C1 includes an inlet E1 and an outlet S1, and the second loop C2 includes an inlet E2 and an outlet S2. The inlets E1 and E2 are located at the bottom edge of the large side 100, and the outlets S1 and S2 are located at the top edge of the large side. The inlets E1 and E2 are fluidly connected to the inlet channels 22101 and 22102 formed in the bottom wall 22. The outlets S1 and S2 are fluidly connected to the discharge channels 2101 and 2102 formed in the cover 21. The fluid enters via the inlet channel 22101, is forced to circulate from the inlet E1 in the first loop C1 until the outlet S1, and is discharged via the discharge channel 2101. In parallel, the fluid also enters via another inlet channel 22102, is forced to circulate from the inlet E2 in the second loop C2 until the outlet S2, and is discharged via the discharge channel 2102. In this case, the circulation of the fluid in the first circuit C1 and the circulation of said fluid in the second circuit C2 are in the same direction.

[0094] Figure 7B The configuration is similar to Fig. 7A configuration. The main difference is that the inlets E1 and E2 are not located at the same edge of the large side surface 100, and the outlets S1 and S2 are not located at the same edge. The inlet E1 of the loop C1 and the outlet S2 of the loop C2 are located at the top edge of the large side surface 100, while the inlet E2 of the loop C2 and the outlet S1 of the loop C1 are located at the bottom edge of the large side surface. In the case of the first loop C1, the fluid enters via the inlet channel 2101, is forced to circulate from the inlet E1 to the outlet S1, and is discharged via the exhaust channel 22101. In the case of the second loop C2, the fluid enters via the inlet channel 22102, is forced to circulate from the inlet E2 to the outlet S2, and is discharged via the exhaust channel 2102. With this configuration, the circulation of the fluid in the first loop C1 is in the opposite direction to the circulation of the fluid in the second loop C2, and this can help to improve the heat exchange between the fluid and the large side surface 100.

[0095] exist Figure 7C In the configuration of , the ribs 300 are arranged in such a way as to form a single forced circulation circuit C, comprising an inlet E and an outlet S, both of which are located at the bottom edge of the large side 100. In this case, the fluid enters and leaves via the bottom wall 22, said fluid not circulating through the cover 21. The fluid enters via the inlet channel 22101 formed in the bottom wall 22, circulates in the circuit C from the inlet E to the outlet S, and is discharged via the discharge channel 22102 formed in said bottom wall.

[0096] Fig.7D The configuration is similar to Figure 7C The main difference is that the inlet E is located at the bottom edge of the large face 100, while the outlet S is located at the top edge of the large face. The fluid enters through the inlet channel 22101 formed in the bottom wall 22, circulates in the circuit C from the inlet E to the outlet S, and is discharged through the discharge channel 2102 formed in the cover 21.

[0097] It can be imagined that Fig.7D The opposite configuration, such as Fig. 7E In this case, it is conceivable that the inlet E is located at the top edge of the large face 100 and the outlet S is located at the bottom edge of the large face. The fluid enters via the inlet channel 2102 formed in the cover 21, circulates in the circuit C from the inlet E to the outlet S, and is discharged via the outlet channel 22101 formed in the bottom wall 22.

[0098] exist Figure 7F In the configuration of , the inlet E and the outlet S of the circuit C are located at the top edge of the large side 100. In this case, the fluid enters and leaves via the cover 21, said fluid not circulating through the bottom wall 22. The fluid enters via the inlet channel 2101 formed in the cover 21, circulates in the circuit C from the inlet E to the outlet S and is discharged via the outlet channel 2102 formed in said cover.

[0099] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B A further configuration of the device is shown which makes the assembly particularly compact and easy to install. The configuration of the spacer 3 is similar to Figure 7F configuration, since the ribs 300 are arranged in such a way that the inlet E and outlet S of the circuit C are located at the top edge of the large side 100. However, the fluid enters and leaves via the bottom wall 22. The wall is provided with an inlet channel 22101 and an outlet channel 22102, each of which leads to each spacer 3 (leading to each inter-cell space). Therefore, the fluid connection between the housing 2 and the circuit 23 is only at the bottom wall 22, thereby simplifying the installation. In addition, since the cover 21 does not have a connection to the circuit 23, the cover can be quickly and easily removed if the battery pack 1 requires intervention.

[0100] The first conduit 21001 conveys the fluid circulating in the inlet channel 22101 to the first channel 2101 formed in the cover 21. According to one embodiment, the ends of the first conduit 21001 open into the inlet channel 22101 and the first channel 2101, respectively. Thus, the first conduit 21001 allows the fluid to "rise" from the bottom wall 22 to the cover 21. The first channel 2101 formed in the cover 21 allows the inlets E of the various circuits C to be supplied in parallel. Fig. 8AIn the embodiment, the first pipe 21001 is formed at the end wall 201 of the shell 2.

[0101] The second conduit 21002 allows the fluid circulating in the second channel 2102 formed in the cover 21 to be transported to the discharge channel 22102. According to one embodiment, the ends of the second conduit 21002 lead to the second channel 2102 and the discharge channel 22102, respectively. Thus, the second conduit 21002 allows the fluid to "fall" from the cover 21 to the bottom wall 22. The second channel 2102 formed in the cover 21 is in fluid communication with the outlet S of each circuit C. Fig. 8A In the embodiment, the second pipe 21002 is formed at the other end wall 201 of the shell 2.

[0102] In this configuration, the fluid enters via the inlet channel 22101 and passes through the first conduit 21001 to reach the first channel 2101 of the cover 21. The fluid is thus forced to circulate in the circuit C from the inlet E to the outlet S. The fluid then circulates in the second channel 2102 and flows along the second conduit 21002 to reach the exhaust channel 22102, by means of which the fluid is discharged.

[0103] In the embodiments described above, the arrangement of various elements and / or means and / or steps of the present invention should never be interpreted as requiring such an arrangement in all embodiments. In any case, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In particular, channels 2101, 2102, 22101, 22102 may take the form of pipes having openings leading to each spacer 3 (leading to each inter-cell space).

[0104] In addition, one or more of the features described only in one embodiment may be combined with one or more other features described only in one other embodiment. Likewise, one or more features described only in one embodiment may be extended to other embodiments, even if this or these features are described only in combination with other features.

Claims

1. A device for thermal regulation of a vehicle battery pack (1), the device comprising: A housing (2) comprising a circuit for circulating a heat transfer fluid, the housing being suitable for housing a battery pack (1), the pack comprising at least two battery cells (10) of substantially parallelepiped shape, the battery cells each having two large sides (100), the cells being adjacent at one large side, a spacer (3) mounted between the cells (10) in order to space the cells apart from each other, the spacer being configured to contact adjacent large sides (100) of the cells, Characterized in that the spacer (3) comprises: a perforated portion (30) arranged to be positioned opposite to an adjacent large side surface of the battery cell (10) and extending over a majority of the large side surface, One or more ribs (300), the one or more ribs extending in the perforated portion (30), the one or more ribs (300) being arranged to form at least one forced circulation loop (C, C1, C2), the forced circulation loop being used for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the battery cells (10), the forced circulation loop (C, C1, C2) comprising an inlet (E, E1, E2) and an outlet (S, S1, S2).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The inlet (E, E1, E2) of the forced circulation loop (C, C1, C2) is located at one edge of the large side surface (100), and the outlet (S, S1, S2) is located at the other edge of the large surface.

3. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The housing (2) comprises: a heat transfer fluid inlet (2101, 2102) which is in fluid communication with an inlet (E, E1, E3) of a forced circulation circuit (C, C1, C2) of the spacer (3), A heat transfer fluid outlet (22101, 22102), which is fluidically connected to the outlet (S, S1, S2) of the forced circulation circuit (C, C1, C2) of the spacer (3).

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The one or more ribs (300) are arranged in the spacer (3) so that the circulation of the fluid in the forced circulation circuit (C, C1, C2) occurs only between the inlet (E, E1, E2) and the outlet (S, S1, S2) of the circuit.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The housing (2) is formed by an outer shell (20) which is closed by a cover (21) and a bottom wall (22) so that it is sealed against the ingress / egress of a heat transfer fluid.

6. The device as claimed in claims 3 and 5, wherein: At least one heat transfer fluid inlet and at least one heat transfer fluid outlet of the housing (2) are formed in the bottom wall (22).

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein: The bottom wall (22) is provided with a heat transfer fluid inlet channel or pipeline (22101) and a heat transfer fluid outlet channel or pipeline (22102). The inlet (E) and outlet (S) of the forced circulation loop (C) lead to a first channel or duct (2101) and a second channel or duct (2102) formed in the cover (21), respectively. A first conduit (21001) formed in the housing (2) is configured to deliver the fluid circulating in the inlet channel or conduit (22101) to the first channel or conduit (2101), A second conduit (21002) formed in the housing (2) is configured to deliver fluid circulating in the second channel or conduit (2102) to the exhaust channel or conduit (22102).

8. The device as claimed in claims 3 and 5, wherein: At least one heat transfer fluid inlet (2101) and at least one heat transfer fluid outlet (2102) of the housing (2) are formed in the cover (21).

9. The device as claimed in claims 3 and 5 and / or as claimed in claim 8, wherein: The cover (21) is provided with a heat transfer fluid inlet and / or outlet channel or duct (2101), which leads to each spacer (3).

10. The device as claimed in claims 3 and 5 and / or in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein: The bottom wall (22) is provided with a heat transfer fluid inlet and / or discharge channel or duct (22102), which leads to each spacer (3).

11. A cooling system comprising the device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further comprising: A battery pack (1), the battery pack comprising N adjacent battery cells (10), the battery cells comprising two end cells each arranged at an end wall (201) of the housing (2), N being an integer greater than 3, The device comprises at least N-1 spacers (3), preferably N+1 spacers (3).

12. The system of claim 11, wherein: A spacer (3) is installed between each battery cell (10) and another adjacent battery cell. A spacer (3) is installed between each end wall (201) of the housing (2) and the end cell (10), and the large side surface of the end cell is adjacent to the wall. The spacer (3) as claimed in claim 1 enables all large side surfaces (100) of the battery cell (10) to be cooled by a forced circulation loop.

Images