Thermal conditioning device for component, in particular of power electronics module

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal conditioning device (1) for cooling and / or heating at least one component (50), the operation of which is temperature-sensitive, in particular a power electronics module of an inverter, comprising a stack (2) of plates (3) brazed together and forming a sealing body (4), at least one heat transfer fluid flow channel is arranged in the sealing body (4), said heat transfer fluid flow channel extending through at least some of the plates (3) in the stack.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal conditioning device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, in particular a power electronic module of an inverter. BACKGROUND

[0002] The patent application WO2022248427 discloses a cooling structure comprising a stack of plates forming a network of openings and chambers for the flow of a cooling fluid. The structure is placed in a duct and the duct is closed by a base plate of a power electronic module. A cooling liquid flows through the meanders inside the structure. SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention aims at providing a new thermal conditioning device.

[0004] The present invention thus relates to a thermal conditioning device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, in particular a power electronic module of an inverter, comprising a stack of plates brazed together and forming a sealed body, at least one flow passage for a heat transfer fluid extending through at least some of the plates of the stack being formed within the sealed body.

[0005] The present invention makes it possible to simplify the design and manufacturing of the thermal conditioning device, since a number of complex operations can be avoided, such as friction stir welding (or FSW), machining and surface finishing. The present invention also makes it possible to avoid the use of castings. The present invention also makes it possible to avoid any direct hydraulic leakage path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, since the plates are brazed to each other and mutually sealed. Furthermore, in the same environment and with the same overall dimensions, the present invention makes it possible to maximize the heat exchange with the passage(s) within the stack, since, for example, for friction stir welding and due to the added components, there is no loss of volume. The present invention also makes it possible to reduce the total mass of the exchanger with the same performance.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the plates all have the same thickness within the stack.

[0007] In a variant, the plates have different thicknesses.

[0008] In particular, some of the plates have a first thickness and some of the other plates have a second thickness different from the first thickness.

[0009] The total number of plates can be in the range of 5 to 20, in particular in the range of 5 to 15 or in the range of 5 to 10.

[0010] The plates can have a thickness of about 1 mm.

[0011] According to an aspect of the application, the stack comprises a cover plate which is solid and which defines at least one deposit area, in particular a plurality of deposit areas, for receiving components.

[0012] According to an aspect of the application, the cover plate has no through opening.

[0013] According to an aspect of the application, the cover plate is located at one end of the stack.

[0014] According to an aspect of the application, the stack comprises a base plate provided with at least one through opening forming an inlet or an outlet for a heat transfer fluid for the passage(s) of the stack. According to an aspect of the application, the base plate of the stack comprises an inlet and an outlet for a heat transfer fluid.

[0015] According to an aspect of the application, the fluid inlet and / or the fluid outlet have an elongated shape, for example each having two straight edges connected on each side to a circular arc.

[0016] According to an aspect of the application, the thermal regulation device comprises at least one connector mounted on the base plate and configured to fluidically connect the fluid outlet of the stack to an external discharge duct for the heat transfer fluid.

[0017] Thus, the base plate carries two connectors, in particular crimped and brazed to the base plate.

[0018] According to an aspect of the application, the connectors each have a neck.

[0019] According to an aspect of the application, the plates have a mechanical attachment shape, in particular each in the form of a lug.

[0020] Other shapes are naturally conceivable. For example, the attachment shape is formed within the main perimeter of the stack of plates.

[0021] According to an aspect of the application, each mechanical attachment shape has an aperture which, when aligned with a corresponding hole of the other plates, makes it possible to receive a fastening element, for example a tie rod, which holds the stack in place on a structural element of the vehicle.

[0022] According to an aspect of the application, the connectors have one or more mechanical attachment shapes, in particular each in the form of a lug.

[0023] According to an aspect of the application, the plates of the stack each comprise a mistake-proofing element configured to identify the orientation of a corresponding plate relative to the other plates when the plates are placed relative to each other.

[0024] According to one aspect of the application, the mistake-proofing element is formed by a mechanical attachment shape which is offset, in particular in the axial direction, with respect to one or more other mechanical attachment shapes.

[0025] According to another aspect of the application, the mistake-proofing element is formed by a hole present on the stack for defining a visual positioning indicator.

[0026] According to another aspect of the application, the mistake-proofing element is formed by a recess present on the stack for defining a visual positioning indicator.

[0027] According to one aspect of the application, the recess is located in a corner of the stack. In a variant, the recess extends along a peripheral edge of the stack and can have a step.

[0028] According to one aspect of the application, the stack of plates forms a network of channels within it, said channels being configured to cool the component(s) placed on the cover plate.

[0029] According to one aspect of the application, the network of channels can form one or more passages for a fluid in contact with the cover plate.

[0030] According to one aspect of the application, the plates all have the same periphery.

[0031] According to one aspect of the application, the plates are based on aluminium, in particular made of an aluminium alloy, for example of the 3003 type.

[0032] According to one aspect of the application, at least one of the plates comprises an aluminium core and a brazing material, in particular of the 3003, 4343 or 4045 aluminium alloy type. The brazing material can be on the lower face, the upper face or both faces of the plate.

[0033] This brazing material is called a "cladding".

[0034] The application also relates to an assembly comprising a thermal regulation device as described above, and at least one power electronic module, in particular for an inverter, placed on the placement area of the thermal regulation device, so that a heat exchange can be carried out between the heat transfer fluid circulating within the thermal regulation device and the power electronic module.

[0035] This placement area thus forms a heat exchange area.

[0036] According to one of the aspects of the application, a plurality of power electronic modules are placed on different placement areas of the thermal regulation device, these areas in particular all being on a single main face of the thermal regulation device.

[0037] The application also relates to a method for manufacturing a thermal conditioning device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, in particular a power electronics module of an inverter, the method comprising the following steps:

[0038] - providing a stack of plates,

[0039] - brazing the plates together to form a sealed body, at least one flow passage for a heat transfer fluid extending through at least some of the plates of the stack being formed within the sealed body.

[0040] According to one aspect of the application, the brazing material is initially in the form of a foil deposited on the aluminium core, or by co-lamination bonding.

[0041] According to one aspect of the application, the stack plate(s) are initially provided with brazing material on a single face, or in one variant on two faces.

[0042] According to one aspect of the application, the stack is brazed through a brazing furnace, with or without pressure.

[0043] According to one aspect of the application, the stack comprises at least one weld bead, around the periphery of the stack and possibly between the component placement areas, in particular produced by friction stir welding (FSW), the component placement areas being the heat exchange areas for each module.

[0044] This weld bead makes it possible to reinforce the sealing of the passage(s) within the stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the application will become more clearly apparent on reading the following description and on studying the appended drawings, given by way of non-restrictive indication of several exemplary embodiments of the application, in which:

[0046] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a thermal conditioning device according to one exemplary embodiment of the application;

[0047] Figure 2 is a top profile view of the thermal conditioning device in Figure 1 ;

[0048] Figure 3 is a top profile view of the thermal conditioning device in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ;

[0049] Figure 4 is a representation of a stack of plates according to one example of the application, with a type of foolproofing element;

[0050] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a stack of plates according to another example of the invention, which has another type of error-proofing element;

[0051] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a stack of plates according to another example of the invention, which has yet another type of error-proofing element;

[0052] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a stack of plates according to another example of the invention, which has another type of error-proofing element. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The features, variations, and various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not mutually incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variations of the invention may be contemplated that include only selections of the features described below, independent of the other features described, provided that such selection is sufficient to provide a technical advantage and / or distinguish the invention from the prior art.

[0054] Figure 1 and 2 A thermal regulation device 1 is shown for cooling multiple power electronic modules 50 of the inverter. In this case, there are three power electronic modules 50 (a single power electronic module is shown in dashed lines).

[0055] The heat regulation device 1 includes a stack 2 of plates 3, which are brazed together to form a seal 4. A flow channel 5 for a heat transfer fluid (e.g., water in glycol) is formed in the seal 4, and the flow channel 5 extends through some of the plates 3 of the stack 2.

[0056] These channels 5 are defined, for example, by orifices 7 in some plates 3, which form channels 5 in the stacking direction of the plates 3. These channels 5 allow fluid to flow in directions F1 and F2 to achieve the desired fluid passage, as in Figure 3 It is visible in the text.

[0057] Plate 3 has the same thickness within the stack 2. In the variant, the plates have different thicknesses.

[0058] The stack 2 includes a cover plate 9, which is solid and defines placement areas 10, each placement area 10 for receiving a power electronics module 50.

[0059] The cover plate 9 does not have a through opening and is located at one end of the stack 2.

[0060] The stack 2 also includes a substrate 11, which has a through opening 12 that forms an inlet or outlet for heat transfer fluid in the channel 5 of the stack.

[0061] These through openings 12 have an elongated shape, for example each with two straight edges and the two straight edges are connected to a circular arc on each side.

[0062] The thermal regulation device 1 comprises two connectors 15 mounted on the base plate 11, in particular by crimping and brazing, and each configured to fluidically connect the fluid inlet of the stack 2 to an external supply pipe (not shown) for a heat transfer fluid.

[0063] The connectors 15 each have a neck 16.

[0064] The plates 3, 9 and 11 have mechanical attachment shapes 17, each in the form of a lug in the example described.

[0065] Other shapes are naturally conceivable. For example, the attachment shapes are formed within the main periphery of the stack of plates.

[0066] Each mechanical attachment shape 17 has a hole 18 which, when aligned with a corresponding hole of the other plates, makes it possible to receive a fastening element, for example a connecting rod, which holds the stack 2 in place on a structural element of the vehicle.

[0067] The connectors 15 have mechanical attachment shapes 17 in the manner of the plates of the stack 2.

[0068] As shown in the example in Figures 4 to 7 , the plates 3 of the stack 2 can each comprise a mistake-proofing element configured to identify the orientation of a corresponding plate relative to the other plates 3 when the plates are placed relative to one another.

[0069] In the example in Figure 4 , the mistake-proofing element is formed by a mechanical attachment shape 20 which is offset relative to the other mechanical attachment shapes 17 in the axial direction X.

[0070] In the example in Figure 5 , the mistake-proofing element is formed by a hole 21 present on the stack 2 for defining a visual positioning indicator.

[0071] In the example in Figure 6 , the mistake-proofing element is formed by a recess 22 present on the stack for defining a visual positioning indicator. This recess 22 is located in a corner 23 of the stack 2. In a variant, as shown in Figure 7 , the recess 24 extends along a peripheral edge of the stack 2 and can have a step 25.

[0072] The stack 2 of plates forms a network of channels 5 within it, said channels 5 being configured to cool a component placed on the cover plate 9.

[0073] The network of channels 5 can form one or more passages for the fluid in contact with the cover plate.

[0074] The plates 3 all have the same outer perimeter, which is generally rectangular with rounded corners 23.

[0075] The plates 3 are made of an aluminum alloy, for example of the 3003 type.

[0076] The plates 3 comprise an aluminum core and a brazing material, in particular of the 3003, 4343 or 4045 aluminum alloy type. The brazing material can be on the lower face, the upper face or both faces of the plate.

[0077] This brazing material is called "cladding".

[0078] The thermal regulation device 1 and the modules 50 laid on top form an assembly 60. The placement areas 10 are all on a single main face 26 of the thermal regulation device 1.

[0079] The thermal regulation device 1 is manufactured by a method comprising the following steps:

[0080] - providing plates 3,

[0081] - brazing the plates together in a brazing furnace for carrying out the brazing, with or without pressurization, to form the sealed body 4.

[0082] Preferably, the plates are all brazed at the same time, so that they pass through the furnace only once.

[0083] The brazing material is initially in the form of a foil deposited on the aluminum core, or by co-lamination bonding.

[0084] The stack 2 can comprise a weld bead that surrounds the perimeter of the stack and possibly between the component placement areas 10, which are the heat exchange areas for each module, in particular produced by friction stir welding (FSW).

Claims

1. A thermal regulation device (1) for cooling and / or heating at least one component (50), the operation of which is temperature sensitive, particularly the power electronics module of an inverter, the thermal regulation device comprising a stack (2) of plates (3) brazed together to form a seal (4), wherein at least one flow channel (5) for heat transfer fluid extending through at least some of the plates (3) of the stack is formed within the seal (4).

2. The thermal regulation device according to the preceding claim, wherein, The stack (2) includes a cover plate (9) which is solid and defines at least one placement area (10) for receiving the component (50).

3. The thermal regulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The stack (2) includes a substrate (11) having at least one through opening (12) that forms an inlet or outlet for heat transfer fluid in a channel (one or more) of the stack.

4. The thermal regulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The thermal regulation device (1) includes at least one connector (15) mounted on the substrate and configured to fluidly connect the fluid outlet of the stack to an external discharge pipe for heat transfer fluid.

5. The thermal regulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The plate (3) has mechanical attachment shapes (17), and in particular, each of the mechanical attachment shapes is in the form of a lug.

6. The thermal regulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each of the plates (3) of the stack includes a mis-proofing element (20, 21, 22, 24) configured to identify the orientation of the corresponding plate relative to other plates when the plates are placed relative to each other.

7. The thermal regulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The plate (3) is based on aluminum, particularly aluminum alloys, such as type 3003 aluminum alloy.

8. A component (60) comprising a thermal regulation device (1) as described in any of the preceding claims and at least one power electronic module (50), particularly for an inverter, the at least one power electronic module being placed on a placement area (10) of the thermal regulation device such that a heat transfer fluid flowing within the thermal regulation device can exchange heat with the power electronic module.

9. A method for manufacturing a thermal regulation device (1) for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, particularly the power electronics module of an inverter, the method comprising the steps of: -Provide a stack of plates (3), - The plates are brazed together to form a seal (4), and at least one flow channel for heat transfer fluid extending through at least some of the plates of the stack is formed within the seal (4).

10. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein, The stack (2) is passed through a brazing furnace under pressure or without pressure for brazing.

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