Thermal conditioning device for vehicle battery pack

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal conditioning device (5) for a battery, comprising: a housing (3) having at least two side walls (3A) and a circuit (5A) for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid and capable of accommodating a battery comprising at least two battery cells (1A), the heat transfer fluid circulating around the cells (1A) being supplied and discharged by an input collector (5B) and an output collector (5C). According to the invention, a spacer (5F) is mounted between the cells (1A), at least one collector (5B, 5C) extends along the side wall (3A), a circuit (5A) of heat transfer fluid is at least partially defined by the spacer (5F), and at least two apertures (5F. 2a, 5F. 2b) are arranged on the spacer (5F), each aperture (5F. 2a, 5F. 2b) leading to an input collector (5B) and an output collector (5C), respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal conditioning device for a vehicle battery pack and a cooling system including such a device.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to the technical field of thermal regulation of batteries, and more specifically to the cells constituting said batteries, which cells are susceptible to releasing heat during their operation. The invention is preferably, but not exclusively, applied in the automotive field, and more specifically in the field of electric and / or hybrid vehicles. Background Art

[0003] Motor vehicles, in particular electric and / or hybrid vehicles, require one or more battery packs to generate the energy required for their operation. Each battery pack includes at least two cells, the electrical conduction of which is achieved via a busbar (also called a "busbar pack" or "integrated busbar"). However, when the cells overheat, they may swell and thus risk being damaged. These swollen cells can also damage adjacent cells by coming into contact with them.

[0004] Therefore, in order to avoid the expansion of the battery cells, two means are provided. Firstly, a spacer is positioned between two adjacent cells, which allows the cells to be kept at a certain distance from each other. Secondly, a thermal regulation device is provided around the battery pack in order to control its temperature.

[0005] More specifically, in the field of motor vehicles, a thermal regulation device for a battery pack enables the control of its cooling. Such a device makes it possible in practice to modify the temperature of the battery pack, for example when starting the vehicle in cold weather, for example by increasing its temperature, or by reducing the temperature of the cells which heat up during use, either during driving or during charging operations.

[0006] Such thermal regulation devices generally comprise a sealed housing in which the battery pack is located. A heat transfer fluid is conducted via a circulation circuit surrounding the battery cells and allows the temperature of the battery pack to be controlled. Inlet and outlet collectors also allow the heat transfer fluid to enter or leave the housing enclosing the battery pack. However, such collectors generally occupy a considerable amount of space, since they are generally located on the top wall of the housing so as to be opened therein through an opening provided for this purpose.

[0007] For example, in the published patent document EP 2 608 309 A1, a thermal regulation device for a battery pack comprises a circulation circuit for a heat transfer fluid circulating between battery cells, and inlet and outlet collectors for said fluid to / from said circuit. These collectors are located one after another in the middle of two rows of battery cells forming said battery pack. However, the regulation device described in this document is complex, formed by many components that may be difficult to install, and is bulky.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above problems. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to reduce the height dimension of a battery pack by reducing the space occupied by a thermal conditioning device.

[0009] The invention also aims to maintain a compression ratio sufficient to avoid expansion of the cells and to maintain a minimum distance between the cells to avoid damage to adjacent cells in the event of overheating. Thus, the cells retain their electrical properties.

[0010] Finally, the invention allows the formation of an effective circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid inside the spacer, by improving the exchange coefficient and the cooling uniformity of the large side faces of the cell adjacent to the spacer. Summary of the invention

[0011] The solution proposed by the present invention is a thermal regulation device for a vehicle battery pack, the device comprising: a shell, which forms an enclosure for sealing a heat transfer fluid, has at least two side walls and a top wall, and includes a circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid, the shell is capable of accommodating a battery pack, the battery pack comprising at least two battery cells, the heat transfer fluid circulates around the battery cells to thermally regulate them, inlet and outlet collectors, respectively used to supply and discharge the heat transfer fluid to / from the circulation circuit, spacers are installed between the cells to space them apart from each other, at least one collector extends along at least one side wall of the shell, the circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid is at least partially defined by the spacer, and at least two holes are arranged on the spacer, each hole leads to the inlet collector and the outlet collector respectively.

[0012] Positioning the collector on the side of the battery housing allows reducing the dimensions of said housing in the height direction. This reduction in dimensions facilitates its installation, in particular in motor vehicles. Finally, integrating the circulation circuit in the spacer allows reducing the number of elements constituting the battery thermal conditioning device and therefore reducing its dimensions, while simplifying its design.

[0013] Further advantageous features of the device forming the subject of the present invention are listed below. Each of these features can be considered alone or in combination with the distinguishing features defined above. Each of these features appropriately contributes to solving the specific technical problems defined earlier in the specification, while the distinguishing features defined above do not necessarily contribute to solving these problems. The latter may appropriately form the subject of one or more divisional patent applications.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two side walls are opposite or facing side walls.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spacer is configured to contact the adjacent large side surfaces of the battery cell and includes a flow area, which is arranged to be located on the adjacent large side surfaces facing the battery cell and extends over most of the large side surfaces, and one or more ribs extend in the flow area, and the one or more ribs are arranged to form at least one forced circulation loop for heat transfer fluid between the battery cells (10), preferably so that the fluid contacts two adjacent large side surfaces of the battery cell, and the forced circulation loop includes an inlet and an outlet.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, both the inlet and outlet collectors extend along at least one side wall of the housing.

[0017] The positioning of the collector along at least one side wall allows reducing the size of the heat conditioning device.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, both the inlet and outlet collectors extend along the same side wall of the housing.

[0019] The positioning of the collectors along the same side wall allows reducing the dimensions of the battery housing, in particular in the width direction of said housing.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outlet collector is located above the inlet collector.

[0021] The presence of the outlet collector above the inlet collector facilitates the circulation of the fluid, since its density varies when hot or cold. In fact, the hot heat transfer fluid will rise, while the heavier cold heat transfer fluid will fall in the circulation loop. Thus, when the cells of the battery pack have heated the fluid, the positioning of the outlet collector at a height facilitates the movement of the fluid from the inlet collector towards the outlet collector and thus maintains constant cooling of the cells.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet collectors extend along each of the two side walls, respectively.

[0023] This embodiment allows the size of the housing to be reduced in the height direction.

[0024] Advantageously, the two collectors are located at the same height or level relative to or on their respective side walls.

[0025] Preferably, the two collectors are positioned against the side walls of the housing and close to the top wall. Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid is supplied to the inlet collector in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the heat transfer fluid discharged from the outlet collector. This flow direction allows further reduction of the size of the heat conditioning device, all elements of which are located on the same side of the battery pack.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery pack further comprises a busbar located in an upper space formed between the battery cells and the top wall of the housing, and one of the collectors of the device, advantageously the inlet collector, extends along one of the side walls, while the other collector is at least partially formed by the upper space.

[0027] Advantageously, one of the collectors is easily formed by the upper space. If one collector is formed partly in the upper space provided between the cell and the top wall of the casing, the cooling of the busbar is improved due to the passage of the heat transfer fluid close thereto. The presence of a single collector on the side wall also allows reducing the size of the thermal conditioning device.

[0028] Advantageously, the top wall has holes to allow the heat transfer fluid present in the flow circuit to be in fluid communication with the upper space.

[0029] Advantageously, the circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid comprises or is connected to at least one pump which facilitates the circulation of said fluid in the circuit. The pump of the thermal conditioning device improves the movement of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation circuit, thus allowing better cooling of the cells.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fluid connection between the collector and the spacer is achieved by adding a component or by extending the spacer, thereby allowing the spacer to remain on the cell.

[0031] Advantageously, each battery cell comprises four sides: two large sides, at least one of which faces one of the large sides of an adjacent cell, and two small sides connecting the two large sides together. Advantageously, the spacer extends through the small support area to the small side wall of the cell. The positioning of the spacer can facilitate the mounting and support of the spacer on the battery cell.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flow circuit for the heat transfer fluid comprises fluid flow sections of variable width, which are preferably formed by spacers.

[0033] The difference in width of the flow-through portion of the flow-through circuit allows the heat exchange coefficient between the heat transfer fluid and the cells to remain constant along the circuit, thus allowing the same cooling efficacy regardless of the position of the cells in contact with the fluid.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid comprises a fluid circulation portion whose width decreases from the inlet collector towards the outlet collector, preferably gradually or continuously.

[0035] More specifically, the reduction in the width of the circulation portion allows the cooling efficiency of the battery to remain unchanged, since the circulation velocity of the heat transfer fluid in the portion increases.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the decreasing width of the fluid passage portion from the inlet collector towards the outlet collector is between -20% and -80%, preferably between -40% and -60%.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spacer is clamped onto at least one battery cell or bonded to at least one battery cell.

[0038] These two fixing methods - clamping or bonding - make it possible to simplify the fixing and mounting of the spacer on the cell. These fixing methods also allow to reduce the size of the spacer and the size of the flow circuit in the housing. These fixings can also facilitate the handling and assembly of the spacer on the cell. Fixing the spacer on the cell also allows an optimal sealing of the heat transfer fluid.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the spacer is formed from a plurality of segments or separate elements when the spacer is joined.

[0040] The term "independent element" means that the spacer is formed of a plurality of elements which are not connected to one another and form a flow circuit. This can simplify the spacer and facilitate its installation and bonding to the surface of the corresponding battery cell.

[0041] Advantageously, the spacer is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 Wm -1 .K -1 Made of materials, preferably at most 0.2Wm -1 .K -1 Preferably, the spacers are made of a polymer material or a polymer-based composite material, such as a flame retardant polyamide. Further preferably, the spacers comprise a material from the silicate family, preferably made of fiber-reinforced calcium silicate. These materials must be rigid to allow their mounting and prevent heat conduction as much as possible, so that heat conduction is limited to the heat transfer fluid and not transferred between the cells through the spacers.

[0042] The present invention also relates to a cooling system, which includes a heat regulating device according to the present invention, and also includes: a battery pack, which includes N adjacent battery cells, including two end cells, each arranged at an end wall of the shell, N is an integer greater than 3, and the device includes at least N-1 spacers, preferably N+1 spacers.

[0043] The cooling system is designed such that a spacer is installed between two adjacent cells in order to cool all large side surfaces of the cells.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a spacer is installed between each battery cell adjacent to another battery cell; the spacer is installed between each end wall of the shell and the end battery cell, and its large side surface is adjacent to the wall; the spacer is in contact with the adjacent large side surfaces of the battery cell, so that all large side surfaces of the battery cell are used for circulation circuit cooling of the heat transfer fluid.

[0045] This configuration allows efficient cooling of all large sides of the battery cells by also positioning spacers between the end walls of the housing and the large sides of the adjacent end cells. Preferably, the inlet collector and the outlet collector supply heat transfer fluid to or exhaust heat transfer fluid from each portion of the flow circuit located on each spacer.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, N adjacent battery cells of a battery pack form two or more rows of battery cells placed side by side; each spacer includes ribs formed to produce one or more forced circulation loops, each of the loops having one or more passages spanning two large sides of two battery cells arranged side by side; each spacer includes an intermediate rib extending at the height of the battery cell and located between the side edges of the large sides during use, so that the intermediate rib fills the space between the two battery cells and forms a seal between the battery cells.

[0047] This embodiment is particularly suitable for devices where the inlet and outlet collectors are located on a single side wall of the housing.The formation of each passage spanning two side-by-side cells allows the temperature to be kept as uniform as possible.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, openings are provided in the middle rib to allow fluid to flow between the large sides of two battery cells arranged side by side.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet collector and / or the outlet collector is extended and bent so as to open directly into a forced circulation circuit formed at the level of at least one end cell.

[0050] Alternatively, the intermediate rib may not be present, or may be present only partially, so as to allow the fluid to circulate between the side-by-side cells. This embodiment is particularly suitable for devices where the inlet and outlet collectors are located on the two side walls of the housing. The space between the two cells then forms an intermediate collector which facilitates the distribution of the fluid between the batteries.

[0051] Generally, the presence of a spacer located between two adjacent cells allows the spacing between said cells to remain constant, limiting the risk of their coming into contact in the event of expansion. It also allows the heat transfer fluid to be in permanent contact with the cells, since the spacer comprises a circulation circuit. These spacers also serve to impose a minimum compression rate on said cells, in order to limit their possible expansion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Further advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting indicative examples, in which:

[0053] Figure 1ais an exploded perspective view of a battery pack for a motor vehicle integrated into a housing according to the invention.

[0054] Figure 1b A perspective view of a battery cell according to the invention is shown.

[0055] Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a thermal regulation device for a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0056] Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view of a heat regulating device at a spacer, the device being a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 3b is a perspective view of a spacer mounted on a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view of a heat regulating device at a spacer, the device being a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 4b is a perspective view of a spacer mounted on a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a heat regulating device at a spacer, the device being a device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heat regulating device at a spacer, the device being a device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a heat regulating device at a spacer, the device being a device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a heat regulating device at a spacer, the device being a device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a spacer mounted on a battery cell according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Fig.10 A battery pack consisting of two rows of cells placed side by side.

[0066] Fig.11 is used for Fig.10 Possible configurations of spacers for a battery pack.

[0067] Fig.12 Possible configurations of fluid inlet and outlet collectors are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc. to describe an object merely indicates that different examples of similar objects are referred to, and does not mean that the objects so described must be in any given order, whether temporal, spatial, hierarchical, etc. "X and / or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. In general, it should be understood that in the various figures, objects are arbitrarily drawn to make the figures easier to read.

[0069] The thermal regulation device that is the subject of the present invention seeks to regulate the temperature of a battery pack, in particular of an electric and / or hybrid 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, such as, but not limited to, 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.

[0070] Figure 1a and 1b A perspective view of a battery pack and a battery cell according to the invention is shown.

[0071] The battery pack 1 includes at least two battery cells 1A and is housed in a housing 3. More generally, the battery pack 1 includes between 2 and 25 cells 1A. According to one embodiment, the battery pack 1 includes N adjacent cells 1A, where N is an integer greater than 2, preferably greater than 3. The cells 1A include two end cells 1A.1 arranged at each end of the battery pack 1, and in some cases a central cell 1A.2 located between the two end cells 1A.1. The central cell 1A.2 and the end cell 1A.1 are generally identical in form, so for reasons of simplicity, only the form of one cell 1A will be described below, and the form of the central cell 1A.2 or the end cell 1A.1 may be indicated.

[0072] Typically, the battery cell 1A is preferably prismatic, i.e., generally parallelepiped-shaped, but may also be any shape known to those skilled in the art. When the cell 1A is prismatic, it comprises two large side surfaces 1A.3, two small side surfaces 1A.4, a top surface 1A.5, and a bottom surface 1A.6. These different surfaces (1A.3, 1A.4, 1A.5, 1A.6) are generally flat, but some of them may be curved inwards or outwards.

[0073] More specifically, in Figure 1bIn the embodiment, the cell 1A is preferably oriented. Orientation here means that the two large side faces 1A.3 are not exactly the same. In fact, the first large side face 1A.3a extends between the two small side faces 1A.4 and is essentially planar. The second large side face 1A.3b is positioned facing the first face 1A.3a and has at least one notch 1A.3bi at its junction with one of the small side faces 1A.4. Preferably, the second large side face 1A.3b has two notches 1A.3bi at each junction with each small side face 1A.4 of the cell 1A. The function of the notches 1A.3bi will be Figure 3b However, in certain configurations of the battery cell 1A, the notch 1A.3bi may not exist.

[0074] Each cell 1A also has two terminals 1A.7 for electrical connection, namely positive and negative. More specifically, each cell 1A is connected in series via its terminals 1A.7 to the terminals 1A.7 of the adjacent cells 1A by means of a busbar 1B (also called a "busbar group" or "integrated busbar"). The busbar 1B of the battery pack 1 extends in the upper space 3E formed between the cells 1A of the battery pack 1 and the top wall 3C of the housing 3, or between the positive terminals 1A.7 of the two end cells 1A.1 or between the negative terminals 1A.7.

[0075] The housing 3 containing the battery pack 1 comprises two side walls 3A and two end walls 3B, the walls (3A, 3B) being closed at their upper end by a top wall 3C and at their lower end by a bottom wall 3D. Thus, the housing 3 forms a sealed enclosure configured to receive one or more battery packs 1. Advantageously, the two side walls 3A are opposite or facing side walls 3A. The cells 1A of the battery pack 1 are preferably positioned in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3, i.e. the large side faces 1A.3 of the cells 1A are positioned parallel to the end walls 3B of the housing 3. Thus, each end cell 1A.1 is arranged at the end wall 3B; more specifically, one large side face 1A.3 of the end cell 1A.1 is adjacent to one end wall 3B of the housing 3. The remaining cells 1A are then positioned on their large side faces 1A.3 in an adjacent manner.

[0076] In these figures, the housing 3 is generally parallelepiped-shaped, but other suitable shapes are conceivable, depending in particular on the overall shape of the battery 1. According to one embodiment, the walls (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) can be produced by moulding plastic material, but other materials considered suitable by a person skilled in the art may be used. This housing 3 forms part of the thermal regulation means of the battery 1.

[0077] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a heat conditioning device according to the invention.

[0078] As mentioned above, it is necessary to regulate the temperature of the battery pack 1 to limit the risk of cell damage ( Figure 2The cells are not shown in the figure). For this reason, the thermal control device 5 is important for the proper functioning of the battery block 1.

[0079] The thermal regulation device 5 comprises a circulation circuit 5A for a heat transfer fluid which is retained around the battery 1 thanks to the sealed enclosure formed by the casing 3. The circulation circuit 5A is preferably designed to pass between the cells of the battery 1 for thermal regulation thereof.

[0080] The heat regulating device 5 also includes an inlet collector 5B for supplying a heat transfer fluid to the circulation loop 5A, and an outlet collector 5C for discharging the fluid from the circulation loop 5A. The device 5 also includes a pump 5D, which will promote the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation loop 5A. The pump 5D allows the heat transfer fluid to be set to circulate from the reservoir 5E to the shell 3 via the external circulation loop 5A', and the external circulation loop 5A' connects the reservoir 5E to the shell 3 of the battery pack 1. Therefore, the pump 5D is connected to the circulation loop 5A. The arrow shown on the external loop 5A' indicates the circulation direction of the heat transfer fluid. Alternatively, the pump 5D can be included in the circulation loop 5A, which embodiment is not shown in the figure. In this figure, the collectors (5B, 5C) are located on the side wall 3A of the shell 3.

[0081] Particularly advantageously, the inlet collector 5B may include a filter screen configured to filter the heat transfer fluid to avoid the circulation of particles in the fluid (the filter screen is not shown in these figures). These particles also have the disadvantage of reducing the efficacy of the heat transfer fluid. Therefore, the filter screen is preferably placed at the entrance of the inlet collector 5B and / or in at least a portion of the collector 5B, upstream of the arrival of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation loop 5A. Advantageously, the filter screen can be roughly cylindrical. Alternatively, the filter screen can have the shape of the collector 5B. The filter screen is generally formed by a rigid structure, in particular made of plastic or metal material, in the form of a net or frame. The net is used to support a mesh that allows filtering particles preferably less than 200 μm, more preferably less than 50 μm. The mesh is advantageously made of metal material.

[0082] The following Figures 3 to 9 show various embodiments of a spacer according to the invention.

[0083] Typically, spacers are designed to be located between two adjacent cells of a battery pack. The purpose of the spacers is to keep the cells separated from each other at a defined distance. They also allow pressure to be applied to the cells to avoid their expansion in case of overheating.

[0084] In the heat regulating device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to the present invention, a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is installed between two adjacent battery cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'). Thus, the device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprises at least N-1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), N being the number of cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A') present in the battery pack (1; 701). Preferably, the thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprises N+1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F). In fact, preferably, an additional spacer is advantageously provided between one end cell 1A.1 and the adjacent end wall 3B of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703), this particular arrangement not specifically shown in the figures. Thus, the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is in contact with the adjacent large side face (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) of the battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'). More preferably, the thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprises N+2 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), two additional spacers being arranged between each of the two end cells 1A.1 and the corresponding end wall 3B of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703).

[0085] In all embodiments of the invention, the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) also defines a portion of the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) for the heat transfer fluid. Thus, the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) in contact with the large side (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) of each battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A') F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) allows the large sides (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) to be cooled by a circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) for a heat transfer fluid. The entry of the heat transfer fluid into the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) is achieved through an inlet collector (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B) and the discharge of the fluid is achieved through an outlet collector (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C). At least one collector (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) extends along at least one side wall (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) forming a shell (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703). According to another embodiment, the collector (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) extends along at least one side wall (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) forming a shell (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703). In some cases, one of the collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) may be formed by an upper space (3E; 203E; 303E) of a shell (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703).

[0086] Advantageously, the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) also has a relatively low thermal conductivity so as to act as a thermal insulator between the battery cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'). Preferably, the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is made of a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 Wm -1 .K -1 The material preferably has a thermal conductivity of at most 0.2 Wm -1 .K -1 The material used may be a polymer or a polymer-based composite material, such as flame-retardant polyamide, or a material from the silicate family, preferably made of fiber-reinforced calcium silicate.

[0087] Typically, 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 in the form of blown air. Depending on the desired thermal regulation, the fluid may be pre-cooled or pre-heated.

[0088] Figure 3a and 3b A cross-sectional view of a spacer of a battery pack installed in a case and a perspective view of the spacer installed on a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention are respectively shown.

[0089] In this first embodiment of the invention, the inlet collector 5B and the outlet collector 5C of the heat transfer fluid extend along the same side wall 3A of the housing 3 of the heat conditioning device 5. The outlet collector 5C is preferably located above the inlet collector 5B. This positioning makes it possible to facilitate the movement of the heat transfer fluid through the circulation circuit 5A. In fact, when the heat transfer fluid has performed its function as a heat exchanger, it will become hotter and therefore less dense, and will spontaneously tend to rise along the circulation circuit 5A, unlike the heat transfer fluid which has been heated to the point of being ... Figure 2 The function of the pump mentioned in the above is irrelevant. Preferably, the collectors (5B, 5C) are formed in the corresponding side walls 3A. Further preferably, the collectors (5B, 5C) are formed in the side walls 3A of the housing 3 by deep drawing.

[0090] In this embodiment, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the collectors (5B, 5C) in the same direction. Therefore, if the fluid inlet is arranged on one end wall of the housing 3 (the end wall is not visible in these figures), the heat transfer fluid outlet is arranged on the other end wall. Figure 3a and 3b Indicated by arrows.

[0091] These figures also show a spacer 5F positioned against the cell 1A. Each spacer 5F defines a portion of a circulation circuit 5A for a heat transfer fluid, wherein all portions on each spacer 5F present in the housing 3 form the circulation circuit 5A. The structure of the spacer 5F according to the invention has the overall form of a U-shaped channel and can be in the form of a single piece. The spacer 5F also has a large support area 5F.1, which is configured to abut against the large side 1A.3 of the cell 1A, and more specifically against the first large side 1A.3a of the cell 1A. The spacer 5F also includes two small support areas 5F.2, which are configured to abut against the small side 1A.4 of the cell 1A and each is oriented towards one of the side walls 3A of the housing 3. The small support areas 5F.2 form an extension of the spacer 5F, which allows it to remain on the cell 1A.

[0092] When the cell 1A is mounted in the housing 3 in the use configuration, the large support area 5F.1 abuts not only against the large side 1A.3 of the cell 1A on which the spacer 5F is mounted (hereinafter referred to as the "front" large side), but also against the large side of the adjacent cell (hereinafter referred to as the "rear" large side). Therefore, the large support area 5F.1 is sandwiched between adjacent large sides 1A.3 of the cell 1A. According to a preferred embodiment, the contact between the large support area 5F.1 and the front and rear large sides 1A.3 of the adjacent cell 1A is a fluid-tight contact.

[0093] The large support area 5F.1 has the same or substantially the same dimensions, in terms of length and width, as the large side 1A.3 of the cell 1A. It defines a circulation portion 5A.1 for the heat transfer fluid, which is positioned facing the large side 1A.3 of the cell 1A against which the spacer 5F is mounted, and which extends over a large part of said large side 1A.3. Symmetrically, this circulation portion is also situated opposite the rear large side of the adjacent cell, so that the heat transfer fluid flowing in said portion 5A.1 is in contact with both large sides 1A.3 of the adjacent cell 1A.

[0094] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow-through portion 5A.1 extends over at least 51%, advantageously at least 90%, preferably at least 95% of the surface of the adjacent large side faces 1A.3. Most of these large side faces 1A.3 can thus be in contact with the heat transfer fluid, as explained earlier in the description.

[0095] Each spacer 5F also includes one or more horizontal ribs 5F.3, which extend in the perforated portion of the circulation portion 5A.1 and are arranged to form part of a forced circulation circuit 5A for a heat transfer fluid between adjacent cells 1A. The term "forced circulation" means that the fluid is forced to follow a specific path from bottom to top imposed by the arrangement of one or more ribs 5F.3. Therefore, this or these circuit portions 5A are firstly bounded by the adjacent large side faces 1A.3 of the cell 1A and secondly by the ribs 5F.3. All large side faces 1A.3 of the cell 1A are therefore cooled by the forced circulation circuit 5A. The number of passages (i.e. the changes in direction in a portion of the forced circulation circuit 5A) is tailored to suit the desired level of heat exchange and / or to suit the allowed pressure drop. When a portion of the forced circulation circuit 5A has at least one change in fluid direction, advantageously at least 3 changes in fluid direction, the best results are obtained in terms of heat exchange.

[0096] At least one or more holes (5F.2a, 5F.2b) are also arranged on the spacer 5F, each hole leading to the inlet collector 5B and the outlet collector 5C of the heat conditioning device 5, respectively. Figure 3a and 3b In the embodiment, a small support area 5F.2 of the spacer 5F has one or more upper holes 5F.2a and one or more lower holes 5F.2b, each hole being suitable for establishing fluid communication between a portion of the flow circuit 5A and the collector (5B, 5C). Figure 3a In the embodiment of the invention, the lower holes 5F.2b ensure that the fluid enters the portion of the circulation circuit 5A from the inlet collector 5B, and the upper holes 5F.2a allow the fluid to be discharged from said portion of the circuit 5A to the outlet collector 5C. This arrangement advantageously allows the use of smaller collectors. More specifically, the sum of the heights of the two collectors (5B, 5C) is less than the height of the adjacent cell 1A.

[0097] Each spacer 5F also has a structure configured to be removably mounted on the battery cell 1A, preferably by clamping or bonding. According to one embodiment, the structure of the spacer 5F is adjusted (for example, by elastically deforming the structure) to adapt to the shape of the battery cell 1A so that it can be tightly mounted on the battery cell 1A, so that the contact between the structure and the battery cell 1A is a fluid-tight contact.

[0098] The two small support areas 5F.2 may also be extended backwards by rear support areas 5F.4. These rear support areas 5F.4 are used to allow the spacer 5F to be clamped on the battery cell 1A. In order to maintain the sealing of the part of the circulation loop 5A located between two adjacent battery cells 1A, these rear support areas 5F.4 are configured so that each is inserted into one of the recesses 1A.3bi of the second large side 1A.3b of the battery cell 1A. However, in the same way as the recesses 1A.3bi, the rear support area 5F.4 may not be on the spacer 5F. The spacer 5F is then clamped to the battery cell 1A only by the small support areas 5F.2 and by compression of the battery cell 1A. Alternatively, this type of spacer 5F may also be combined.

[0099] The circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the heat regulating device is described as follows. In this embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid thus arrives via the inlet collector 5B, preferably positioned on or against the lower end of one of the side walls 3A, and enters the circulation circuit 5A through the lower hole 5F.2b positioned at one of the small support areas 5F.2 of the spacer 5F. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the circulation portion 5A.1 of the circuit 5A, in particular formed by the ribs 5F.3, towards the upper hole 5F.2a located on the same small support area 5F.2 of the spacer 5F. The heat transfer fluid will then be able to leave the housing 3 via the outlet collector 5C positioned laterally on the same side wall 3A of the housing 3. Therefore, the support area 5F.2 will also allow a fluid connection between the spacer 5F and the collectors (5B, 5C). Alternatively, this fluid connection can be achieved by a separate component. By positioning the two collectors (5B, 5C) on the same side of the housing 3, this embodiment is particularly advantageous for reducing the height and width of the housing 3 containing the battery pack.

[0100] Figure 4a and 4b A cross-sectional view of a spacer of a battery pack installed in a housing according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a perspective view of the spacer are respectively shown. These figures repeat the numbering of the same or similar elements in the previous figures, but the numbering is increased by 100. In addition, reference is also made to the description of these elements given in relation to the first embodiment of the present invention. The following will focus on the differences between the first embodiment of the present invention and the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] In this second embodiment of the invention, an inlet collector 105B and an outlet collector 105C for the heat transfer fluid extend along each of the two side walls 103A of the housing 103 of the heat conditioning device 105. The two collectors (105B, 105C) are preferably located at the same height or level of the side walls 103A and are preferably located against or on their respective side walls 103A. Preferably, the collectors (105B, 105C) are formed in the corresponding side walls 103A. Further preferably, the collectors (105B, 105C) are located at the upper end of the side walls 103A.

[0102] In this embodiment, the heat transfer fluid flows in opposite directions in the collectors (105B, 105C). Therefore, the inlet and outlet of the heat transfer fluid are located on the same end wall of the housing 103 (the end wall is not visible in these figures). Figure 4a Indicated by arrows.

[0103] In addition, the structure of the spacer 105F also has the overall form of a U-shaped channel and is in the form of a single piece. As mentioned above, the spacer 105F has a large support area 105F.1, which is configured to abut against the large side 101A.3 of the battery cell 101A, preferably against the first large side 101A.3a of the battery cell 101A, and two small support areas 105F.2, which are configured to abut against the small side of the battery cell 101A (the small side is at Figure 4a and 4b The positioning of the spacer 105F relative to the adjacent cell 101A is similar to the positioning described above in the first embodiment of the invention. The large support area 105F.1 also defines a circulation portion 105A.1 for the heat transfer fluid, which determines the circulation of said fluid along the large side 101A.3 of the adjacent cell 101A, this time in a vertical direction.

[0104] As previously described, the small support area 105F.2 can also be extended backwards by a rear support area 105F.4, which is located in one of the recesses 101A.3bi of the second large side 101A.3b of the battery cell 101A. However, in the same way as in the previous embodiment, the rear support area 105F.4 and the recess 101A.3bi may not be on the spacer 105 and the battery cell 101A, respectively. The difference between the two embodiments lies in the configuration of the spacer 105F. In fact, each spacer 105F includes one or more vertical ribs 105F.3, which extend in the perforated portion of the circulation portion 105A.1 and are arranged to form part of the forced circulation circuit 105A for the heat transfer fluid between adjacent battery cells 101A. This forced circulation from the first side wall 103A.1 of the housing 103 to the second side wall 103A.2 is possible. Thus, this or these circuit portions 105A are firstly delimited by adjacent large sides 101A.3 of the cell 101A and secondly by the ribs 105F.3. The number of passages, i.e. the changes of direction in a portion of the forced circulation circuit 105A, is also adapted to the desired level of heat exchange and / or to the permissible pressure drop. The best results in terms of heat exchange are obtained when a portion of the forced circulation circuit 105A has at least one change of flow direction, advantageously at least 3 changes of flow direction.

[0105] There is a difference regarding at least one or more holes 105F.2a arranged on the spacer 105F. Each hole leads to the inlet collector 105B and the outlet collector 105C, respectively. Each of the two small support areas 105F.2 of the spacer 105F has one or more upper holes 105F.2a suitable for allowing the passage of a heat transfer fluid. Preferably, the upper holes 105F.2a of the first small support area 105F.2c allow the fluid to be supplied to the circulation circuit 105A, while the upper holes 105F.2a of the second support area 105F.2d allow the fluid to be discharged from the circulation circuit 105A.

[0106] In the second embodiment of the invention, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is also different. In fact, the heat transfer fluid arrives via an inlet collector 105B, which is preferably positioned on or against the upper end of one of the side walls 103A of the housing 103. The fluid then enters the circulation circuit 105A via the upper hole 105F.2a located on the first small support area 105F.2c of the spacer 105F. The fluid then circulates in the circulation portion 105A.1 of the circuit 105A, which is formed against the large side 101A.3 of the adjacent battery cell 101A. The heat transfer fluid then circulates towards the upper hole 105F.2a located on the second small support area 105F.2d of the spacer 105F, and will be able to leave the housing 103 via the outlet collector 105C. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for reducing the height dimension of the housing 103.

[0107] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a spacer and a battery pack installed in a housing according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The figure repeats the numbering of the same or similar elements in the previous figures, but the numbering is increased by 100 relative to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, reference is also made to the description of these elements given in relation to the previous embodiment of the present invention. The following will focus on the differences between the previous embodiment and the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] In this embodiment of the invention, a single inlet collector 205B of the heat regulating device 205 extends along one side wall 203A of the housing 203. The outlet collector 205C is at least partially formed by the upper space 203E of the housing 203 and can be positioned at any point on the upper wall 203C of the housing 203. More preferably, in order to achieve the most effective cooling with the cooling fluid circulating in the entire upper space 203E, the outlet collector 205C is located at one end of the housing 203, on one side of the inlet collector 205B. The outlet collector 205C is connected to the upper space 203E and the circulation circuit 205A via a hole (not shown in the figure). The hole allows the heat transfer fluid to pass through. Alternatively, the collector extending along one of the side walls can be an outlet collector. Then, the inlet collector will be at least partially formed by the upper space of the housing. This variation is not specifically shown in these figures.

[0109] In this embodiment of the invention, the spacer 205F also has vertical ribs 205F.3 on the large support area 205F.1, located at one of the large sides 201A.3 of one of the cells 201A, more specifically at the first large side 201A.3a of said cell 201A. These ribs 205F.3 will delimit the circulation portion 205A.1 of the heat transfer fluid at the surface of the adjacent cell 201A, so as to allow effective cooling of the large sides 201A.3 of the cell 201A. In the same way as before, the spacer 205F is positioned between two adjacent cells 201A and pressed against said cells 201A, so as to allow a sealed circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

[0110] At least one or more holes 205F.2a are arranged on the spacer 205F, each hole 205F.2a leading to the inlet collector 205B. The spacer 205F also has an upper outlet hole 205F.1a located on the upper edge of the spacer 205F and located at the end opposite to the upper hole 205F.2a located in the small support area 205F.2 in contact with the lateral inlet collector 205B.

[0111] In this embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid arrives via an inlet collector 205B, preferably positioned on or against the upper end of one of the side walls 203A, and enters a portion of the circulation circuit 205A through an upper hole 205F.2a positioned at a small support area 205F.2 of the spacer 205F. The heat transfer fluid circulates in a circulation portion 205A.1 of said circuit portion 205A, formed against a large side 201A.3 of the adjacent cell 201A, towards an upper outlet hole 205F.1a located at the opposite end of the spacer 205F of the inlet collector 205B. This hole 205F.1a is located at a large support area 205F.1 on the upper edge of said area 205F.1. Thus, the heat transfer fluid will be able to flow at the level of the upper space 203E of the housing 203. In particular, it can circulate above and around the busbar 201B. The heat transfer fluid will then be able to leave the housing 203 via holes provided for this purpose in the upper wall 203C of said housing 203, which holes are extended by the outlet collector 205C. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if, in addition to cooling the cells 201A, it is also desired to cool the busbars 201B.

[0112] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a spacer and a battery pack installed in a housing according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The figure repeats the numbering of the same or similar elements in the previous figures, but the numbering is increased by 100 relative to the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, reference is also made to the description of these elements given in relation to the previous embodiment of the present invention. The following will focus on the differences between the previous embodiment and the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] In this fourth embodiment of the invention, the inlet collector 305B and the outlet collector 305C of the heat transfer fluid extend along the same side wall 303A of the housing 303 of the heat conditioning device 305. The outlet collector 305C is preferably located above the inlet collector 305B. At least one or more holes (305F.2a, 305F.2b, 305F.1a, 305F.1b) are arranged on the spacer 305F, some of these holes (305F.2b, 305F.2a) lead to the inlet collector 305B and the outlet collector 305C, respectively. More specifically, the lower hole 305F.2b is arranged in the spacer 305F, and more specifically in one of the small support areas 305F.2 of said spacer 305F, so as to be in fluid communication with the inlet collector 305B. An upper hole 305F.2a is also arranged in the spacer 305F, more specifically, in the same small support area 305F.2 of the spacer 305F, so as to be in fluid communication with the outlet collector 305C. Two further holes are also arranged in the upper edge of the spacer 305F, namely the upper outlet hole 305F.1a and the upper return hole 305F.1b, the holes (305F.1a, 305F.1b) respectively allowing the heat transfer fluid to enter and exit from the spacer 305F in the upper space 303E towards the spacer 305F.

[0114] Furthermore, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the collectors (305B, 305C) in the same direction. Thus, if the fluid inlet is located on one of the end walls, the outlet is located on the other wall of the housing 303 (the end wall is not visible in these figures). Figure 6 Indicated by arrows.

[0115] Finally, the spacer 305F has vertical and horizontal ribs 305F.3 on the large support area 305F.1, at one of the large sides 301A.3 of the cell 301A, more specifically at the first large side 301A.3a of said cell 301A. These ribs 305F.3 will delimit a circulation portion 305A.1 of the heat transfer fluid at the surface of the cell 301A, so as to allow effective cooling of said side 301A.3. In the same way as before, the spacer 305F is positioned between two adjacent cells 301A and is pressed against said cells 301A, so as to allow a sealed circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

[0116] In this embodiment of the invention, the circulation circuit 305A is substantially different from the circulation circuits previously described. In fact, the heat transfer fluid arrives via an inlet collector 305B, which is preferably positioned on or against the lower end of one of the side walls 303A of the housing 303. The heat transfer fluid then enters a portion of the circulation circuit 305A via a lower hole 305F.2b located at a small support area 305F.2 of the spacer 305F. The heat transfer fluid then circulates in a circulation portion 305A.1 of the portion of the circuit 305A defined by the spacer 305F, the portion 305A.1 being formed against the large side 301A.3 of the adjacent cell 301A, and is then directed to an upper outlet hole 305F.1a located at the opposite end of the spacer 305F of the inlet collector 305B. This hole 305F.1a is located at the upper edge of the support area 305F.1. Thus, the heat transfer fluid will be able to flow at the level of the upper space 303E of the housing 303, in particular above and around the busbars 301B. The heat transfer fluid will then be able to leave the upper space 303E via the upper return holes 305F.1b situated at the upper edge of the large support area 305F.1 and at the end opposite to the upper outlet holes 305F.1a. The fluid will then be able to rejoin the outlet collector 305C situated on the same upper end of the side wall 303A as the inlet collector 305B before being discharged. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if it is desired to combine a reduction in the size of the housing 303 with cooling of the busbars 301B.

[0117] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a spacer and a battery pack installed in a housing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The figure repeats the numbering of the same or similar elements in the previous figures, but the numbering is increased by 100 relative to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In addition, reference is also made to the description of these elements given in relation to the previous embodiment of the present invention. The following will focus on the differences between the previous embodiment and the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0118] In this embodiment, the spacer 405F includes a large support area 405F.1, which is configured to abut against the large side 401A.3 of the battery cell 401A, more preferably against the first large side 401A.3a of the battery cell 401A, and two small support areas 405F.2, which are configured to abut against the small side of the battery cell 401A (the small side is at Figure 7 At least one or more holes 405F.2a are also arranged on the spacer 405F, each of these holes 405F.2a leading to the inlet collector 405B or the outlet collector 405C.

[0119] The housing 403 further comprises an inlet collector 405B and an outlet collector 405C, each collector (405B, 405C) being respectively located on one of the two side walls (403A, 403A.1, 403A.2) of the housing 403. The small support areas 405F.2 of the spacer 405F each comprise at least one upper hole 405F.2a, the hole 405F.2a of the first small support area 405F.2c allowing the heat transfer fluid to enter the portion of the circulation loop 405A of the spacer 405F, and the upper hole 405F.2a of the second support area 405F.2d allowing the fluid to be discharged from the portion of the circulation loop 405A. In addition, the spacer 405F has vertical ribs 405F.3 that will define the circulation portion 405A.1.

[0120] More specifically, the portion of the circulation circuit 405A for the heat transfer fluid formed in the spacer 405F has a circulation portion 405A.1 of variable width. Advantageously, said portion 405A.1 has a width that decreases from the inlet collector 405B to the outlet collector 405C. Preferably, this reduction can be gradual or continuous. The reduced width of the circulation portion 405A.1 is between -20% and -80%, preferably between -40% and -60%. This reduction in width is possible due to the spacer 405F, the closer the vertical ribs 405F.3 of the spacer 405F are to each other, the closer they are to the outlet collector 405C.

[0121] Two independent operating modes are possible.

[0122] Firstly, when the pump of the thermal conditioning device 405 is running (the pump is not visible in this figure), the reduction in the size of the flow-through portion 405A.1 from the inlet collector 405B to the outlet collector 405C allows the speed of the heat transfer fluid to be increased, while also increasing the turbulence of said fluid. Effective cooling of the large side 401A.3 of the cell 401A is then possible.

[0123] Then, when the pump of the thermal regulator 405 is not working (for example in the case of thermal runaway), the heating of the heat transfer fluid will still allow its movement. In fact, the density variation between the hot and cold fluids will allow the fluid to move from the bottom to the top in the circulation loop 405A and will maintain the cooling of some of the heat generated by the battery cell 401A. The reduced width of the circulation portion 405A.1 can facilitate the flow of the fluid and improve the cooling of the battery cell 401A.

[0124] Figure 8A cross-sectional view of a spacer and a battery pack installed in a housing according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown. This figure repeats the numbering of the previous figures for the same or similar elements, but the numbering is increased by 100 relative to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In addition, reference is also made to the description of these elements given in relation to the previous embodiment of the present invention. The following will focus on the differences between the previous embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] In this embodiment, the spacer 505F includes a large support area 505F.1, which is configured to abut against the large side 501A.3 of the battery cell 501A, and more preferably against the first large side 501A.3a of the battery cell 501A. The spacer 505F also includes two small support areas 505F.2, which are configured to abut against the small side of the battery cell 501A (the small side is at Figure 7 (not visible in the image).

[0126] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the collectors (505B, 505C) are located on a single side wall 503A of the housing 503. In addition, at least one or more holes (505F.2b, 505F.2a) are arranged on the spacer 505F, each hole leading to the inlet collector 505B and the outlet collector 505C, respectively. These holes (505F.2b, 505F.2a) are located on a small support area 505F.2 of the spacer 505F and include at least an upper hole 505F.2a and a lower hole 505F.2b, each of which is capable of allowing a heat transfer fluid to pass through. Preferably, the lower hole 505F.2b allows the fluid to be supplied to the portion of the circulation loop 505A located on the spacer 505F, and the upper hole 505F.2a allows the fluid to be discharged from the portion of the circulation loop 505A.

[0127] like Figure 7 As shown, this spacer 505F also has the characteristic that the width of the flow-through portion 505A.1 decreases as it approaches the outlet collector 505C. In this embodiment, this width reduction is achieved in the height direction, thanks to the presence of horizontal ribs 505F.3 on the spacer 505F, which extend in the perforated portion of the flow-through portion 505A.1. The flow-through portion 505A.1 is arranged to form part of a forced flow loop 505A for a heat transfer fluid between adjacent cells 501A, the flow then taking place from bottom to top.

[0128] Previously in Figure 7 The same features of the flow-through portion 505A.1 of the heat regulating device 505 described in Figure 8 is found in , and has the same effect as previously described, whether the pump is activated or not.

[0129] Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of a spacer installed or not installed on a battery cell according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown. The figure repeats the numbering of the same or similar elements in the previous figures, but the numbering is increased by 100 relative to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In addition, reference is also made to the description of these elements given in relation to the previous embodiment of the present invention. The following will focus on the differences between the previous embodiment and the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0130] In this embodiment of the invention, the spacer 605F is designed to be bonded to one of the large side faces 601A.3 of the battery cell 601A, preferably to the first large side face 601A.3a of the battery cell 601A.

[0131] In order to enable the spacer 605F to be bonded as effectively as possible, it is preferred that the large support area 605F.1 is formed by a plurality of segments or separate elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d) that are not connected to each other. In the case where the spacer 605F is formed by separate elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d), the elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d) are formed by a first element 605F.1c and a second element 605F.1d, which are bonded to one of the large side faces 601A.3 of the battery cell 601A.

[0132] More specifically, these elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d) have vertical ribs (605F.1ci, 605F.1di) and horizontal ribs (605F.1cii, 605F.1dii) so as to define, within the spacer 605F, a portion of a circulation circuit 605A for a heat transfer fluid. Said fluid preferably circulates from bottom to top between the two large sides 601A.3 of two adjacent cells 601A.

[0133] Advantageously, the first element 605F.1c has a vertical rib 605F.1ci configured to be positioned against a first side end 601A.3ai of the first large side 601A.3a of the battery cell 601A. Two horizontal ribs 605F.1cii extend from the vertical rib 605F.1ci along the first large side 601A.3a of the battery cell 601A, and the first element 605F.1c is preferably designed to be located in the middle of the large side 601A.3a.

[0134] Preferably, the second element 605F.1d has a vertical rib 605F.1di configured to be positioned against the second side end 601A.3aii of the first large side 601A.3a of the battery cell 601A. Three horizontal ribs 605F.1dii extend from the vertical rib 605F.1di along the first large side 601A.3a, and the second element 605F.1d is preferably designed to at least partially frame the first element 605F.1c. The two horizontal ribs 605F.1dii thus frame the first element 605F.1c, and the third horizontal rib 605F.1dii extends between the horizontal ribs 605F.1dii of the first element 605F.1c.

[0135] Once bonded to one of the large sides 601A.3 of the cell 601A, these two elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d) will be able to define a portion of the circulation loop 605A which, as previously described, will allow the heat transfer fluid to flow to the surface of the adjacent cell 601A and thus cool said cell 601A. Since the elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d) are directly bonded to the cell 601A, the spacer 605F naturally has the holes 605F.5 necessary for the movement of the heat transfer fluid towards and from the portion of the circulation loop 605A, towards and from the inlet or outlet collectors of the fluid (the collectors are not shown in this figure). At least one or more holes 605F.5 are arranged on the spacer 605F, each hole 605F.5 being configured to lead respectively to the inlet collector and the outlet collector (the collectors are not visible in these figures).

[0136] The spacer 605F may be bonded to the large side 601A.3 of the cell 601A by any method known to those skilled in the art.

[0137] Therefore, the spacer 605F according to this embodiment is simpler: it has only one large support area 605F.1 and is therefore easier and faster to produce. In addition, it allows avoiding the use of elastomers while maintaining a good seal of the spacer 605F and is therefore cheaper to produce.

[0138] Fig.10 , 11 12 show a cross-sectional view of a heat regulating device according to an eighth embodiment of the invention, a perspective view of a spacer, and a cross-sectional view of a device in which the collector is located on the same side of the housing, respectively. These figures repeat the numbering of the same or similar elements in the previous figures, but with the numbering increased by 100 relative to the seventh embodiment of the invention. In addition, reference is also made to the description of these elements given in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention.

[0139] In this embodiment, the battery pack 701 has two or more rows of cells (701A, 701A') positioned. Fig.10In the embodiment, the battery pack 701 is composed of two rows of battery cells (701A, 701A') placed side by side.

[0140] In order to allow the cells (701A, 701A') to remain in place and allow uniform flow along their large sides (701A.3, 701A'.3), the ribs 705F.3 of the spacer 705F are shaped to create one or more forced flow loops 705A, each having one or more passages, as in the case of the spacers described above for a single cell.

[0141] Advantageously, in order to ensure that the temperature is as uniform as possible, each loop 705A (and each of its passages) extends over or across two large sides ( 701A.3 , 701A′.3 ) of the cells ( 701A, 701A′) arranged side by side.

[0142] Spacer 705F forms a fluid-tight seal along the entire length of loop 705A, just like the spacers previously described for a single cell.

[0143] exist Fig.10 , 11 In the embodiment of the present invention, the spacer 705F comprises an intermediate rib 705F.3a which extends at the height of the cells (701A, 701A') and is located between the side edges of the large sides (701A.3, 701A'.3) during operation. The intermediate rib 705F.3a thus fills the space between the two cells (701A, 701A') and forms a seal between the cells (701A, 701A'). An opening 705F.3ai is provided in the intermediate rib 705F.3a to allow fluid to circulate between the large sides (701A.3, 701A'.3).

[0144] The intermediate rib 705F.3a also allows spacing between the cells (701A, 701A') arranged side by side and plays a mechanical role in resisting the expansion of the cells (701A, 701A') due to their increased temperature. This further helps to keep the cells (701A, 701A') in compression under the effect of such expansion, thereby ensuring that the cells (701A, 701A') can perform at their full capacity.

[0145] like Fig.10 As shown, when the fluid inlet / outlet collectors (705B, 705C) are arranged transversely and on a single side of the battery pack 701, the sealing between the cells (701A, 701A') is particularly advantageous. Then, the lower inlet hole 705F.2b and the upper outlet hole 705F.2a ( Fig.11 ) is arranged in a spacer 705F at the level of a rib or a small supporting area at the edge of the cell.

[0146] This seal is not necessarily important if the collectors are located on either side of the cells (701A, 701A') (e.g., the inlet collector is located on one side of the cell 701A and the outlet collector is located on the opposite side of the cell 701A'). In fact, the space between the cells (701A, 701A') can be used as an intermediate collector to facilitate fluid distribution between the cells. In this case, the spacer 705F may not include the intermediate rib 705F.3a, or may include an intermediate rib 705F.3a that does not fill the space between the two cells (701A, 701A').

[0147] According to another embodiment, the ribs 705F.3 can be arranged to form a first circuit that meanders along the large side 701A.3 of the first cell 701A, and a second circuit that meanders along the large side 701A'.3 of the second cell 701A'. The communication between the two circuits can occur at the top wall 703C (more specifically, in the busbar area) or the bottom wall 703D of the housing 703. This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring a seal between the cells (701A, 701A'), but is not optimal in terms of temperature uniformity, since the fluid reaching the second cell 701A' is hotter than when it reaches the first cell 701A.

[0148] exist Fig.12 In the embodiment, the fluid inlet / outlet collectors (705B, 705C) are arranged transversely and on a single side of the battery pack 701. In order to ensure the supply of one or more cells 701A located at the end of the battery pack 701, the inlet collector 705B and / or the outlet collector 705C can be extended and bent so as to directly lead to the loop 705A formed at the level of at least one of the end cells.

[0149] According to one embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, a motor vehicle generally comprises a cooling system. The system comprises a battery pack, a heat regulating device according to the invention and at least one spacer. The heat regulating device for the vehicle may comprise one or more of the above-mentioned features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0150] In the embodiment described above, the arrangement of various elements and / or devices and / or steps of the present invention should not be interpreted as requiring such arrangement in all embodiments. In any case, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to these elements and / or devices and / or steps without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0151] In addition, one or more 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 conjunction with other features.

[0152] Use of the verb "have", "comprise" or "include" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim.

Claims

1. A thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) for a vehicle battery pack (1; 701), the device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprising: - housing (3; 103; 203； 303; 403; 503; 703), which forms a housing for sealing a heat transfer fluid, having at least two side walls (3A; 103A; 203A； 303A； 403A； 503A) and a top wall (3C; 203C; 703C) and comprising a circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A) for a heat transfer fluid, the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) being capable of accommodating a battery pack (1; 701), the pack (1; 701) comprising at least two battery cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'), a heat transfer fluid surrounds the battery cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A') circulation for its thermal regulation, - an inlet collector (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B) and an outlet collector (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C) for supplying and draining a heat transfer fluid to / from said circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A), respectively, - a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) configured to be mounted on a battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A') so as to space them apart from each other, Characterized in that at least one collector (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) extends along at least one side wall (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) of the shell (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703), a circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A; 705A) for a heat transfer fluid is at least partially defined by a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), and At least two holes (5F.2a, 5F.2b; 105F.2a; 205F.2a, 205F.1a; 305F.2a, 305F.2b, 305F.1a, 305F.1b; 405F.2a; 505F.2a, 505F.2b; 605F.5; 705F.2a, 705F.2b) are arranged on the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), each hole (5F .2b, 5F.2a; 105F.2a; 205F.2a; 305F.2b, 305F.2a; 405F.2a; 505F.2b, 505F.2a; 605F.5; 705F.2b, 705F.2a) respectively lead to the inlet collector (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B) and / or the outlet collector (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C).

2. The device (105; 405) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: Two side walls (3A; 103A; 203A； 303A； 403A； 503A) are opposite or facing side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A).

3. The device (105; 405) as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: The inlet and outlet collectors (105B, 105C; 405B, 405C) are both arranged along at least one side wall (3A; 103A; 203A； 303A； 403A; 503A) extension.

4. The device (105; 405) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The inlet and outlet collectors (105B, 105C; 405B, 405C) both extend along the same side wall (3A; 303A; 503A) of the housing (3; 303; 503; 703).

5. The device (105; 405) as claimed in claim 4, wherein: The outlet collector (5C; 305C; 505C; 705C) is located above the inlet collector (5B; 305B; 505B; 705B).

6. The device (105; 405) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The inlet and outlet collectors (105B, 105C; 405B, 405C) are respectively arranged along the two side walls (103A; 403A) in each extension.

7. The device (205) of claim 1 or 2, wherein: - the battery pack further comprises a bus bar (201B) located in an upper space (203E) formed between the battery cell (201A) and a top wall (203C) of the housing (203), and - One of the collectors (205B, 205C) of the device (205), advantageously the inlet collector (205B), extends along one of the side walls (203), while the other collector (205B, 205C) is at least partially formed by the upper space (203E).

8. A device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fluid connection between the collector (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) and the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is achieved by adding a component or by extending the spacer (5 F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), thereby allowing the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) to remain on the battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A').

9. The device (405; 505) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The circulation circuit (405A; 505A) for the heat transfer fluid comprises fluid circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of variable width, which are preferably formed by spacers (405F; 505F).

10. The device (405; 505) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The circulation circuit (405A; 505A) for the heat transfer fluid comprises a fluid circulation portion (405A.1; 505A.1) whose width decreases, preferably gradually or continuously, from the inlet collector (405B; 505B) towards the outlet collector (405C; 505C).

11. The device (405; 505) of claim 10, wherein: The decreasing width of the fluid flow passage portion (405A.1; 505A.1) from the inlet collector (405B; 505B) towards the outlet collector (405C; 505C) is between -20% and -80%, preferably between -40% and -60%.

12. A device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is clamped to at least one battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 701A, 701A') or is bonded to at least one battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A,701A').

13. The device of claim 12, wherein: When the spacer (605F) is joined, the spacer (605F) is formed from a plurality of segments or individual elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d).

14. A cooling system comprising a thermal conditioning device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising: -Battery pack (1; 701), which includes N adjacent battery cells (1A; 101A; 201A； 301A； 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'), comprising two end cells (1A.1), each arranged at an end wall of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703), N is an integer greater than 3, - the device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprises at least N-1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), preferably N+1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F).

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: - a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is installed between each battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'), each battery cell is adjacent to another battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'), - a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is mounted between each end wall (3B) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) and the end cell (1A.1), the large side faces (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) of the cell being adjacent to said wall (3B), - a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is in contact with an adjacent large side surface (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) of the battery cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A') so that All large sides (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) of the battery cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A') are cooled by a circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A; 705A) for a heat transfer fluid.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: - N adjacent cells of the battery pack (701) form two or more rows of cells (701A, 701A') placed side by side, - each spacer (705F) comprises a rib (705F.3) shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits (705A), each of said circuits having one or more passages across the two large sides (701A.3, 701A'.3) of two cells (701A, 701A') arranged side by side, - Each spacer (705F) comprises an intermediate rib (705F.3a) extending over the height of the battery cells (701A, 701A') and, during use, located between the side edges of the large sides (701A.3, 701A'.3) so that the intermediate rib (705F.3a) fills the space between the two battery cells and forms a seal between the battery cells.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein: Openings (705F.3ai) are provided in the intermediate rib (705F.3a) to allow fluid communication between the large sides (701A.3, 701A'.3) of two battery cells (701A, 701A') arranged side by side.

18. The system of claim 16 or 17, wherein: The inlet collector (705B) and / or the outlet collector (705C) are extended and bent so as to open directly into a forced circulation circuit (705A) formed at the level of at least one end cell.

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