Heat exchanger with two rows of tubes for temperature control of a motor vehicle battery

Abstract

Heat exchanger (5) for temperature control of cells (10) for storing electrical energy, which are arranged on one side and on the other side of the heat exchanger (5), wherein the heat exchanger (5) comprises a heat exchange bundle consisting of a first row (51A) of at least one tube (51) having an outer surface for being in thermal contact with at least one first cell (10) for storing electrical energy, so that the temperature of the at least one first cell (10) is controlled, wherein the heat exchange bundle further comprises a second row (51B) of at least one tube (51) in which an outer surface is provided for arrangement in thermal contact with at least one second cell (10) for storing electrical energy, so that the temperature of the at least one second cell (10) is regulated, wherein the inner surfaces of the two rows (51A, 51B) of at least one tube (51) are arranged opposite each other and separated by an intermediate space (23), and the heat exchanger (5) has at least one element (24) made of elastically deformable material, which is arranged in the space (23) formed between the inner surfaces of the first (51A) and the second row (51B) of at least one tube (51), such that the tubes (51) are kept in thermal contact with the electrical cells (10), where at least one pipe (51) of the two rows is a multi-channel pipe, wherein at least part of the channels (514) is provided for at least one of the multi-channel tubes (51) for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, characterized in that another part of the channels (512) is provided for at least one of the multi-channel tubes (51) for the storage of a phase change material.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of heat exchangers intended for the thermal regulation of batteries, in particular the batteries of a motor vehicle whose drive is provided entirely or partially by an electric motor. The invention particularly relates to a heat exchanger having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Battery thermal control is an important issue, especially in the field of electric and hybrid vehicles.

[0003] In fact, the battery temperature must be controlled at a temperature close to 20°C to ensure the reliability, range and performance of the vehicle while optimising the battery's operating life.

[0004] In electric or hybrid vehicles, the battery is generally formed by cells for storing electrical energy, which are arranged parallel to each other in a protective housing and form a battery pack.

[0005] To control the battery temperature, it is known to use a thermal control device that performs the functions of heating and cooling the battery.

[0006] Numerous solutions are known that make it possible to regulate the temperature of electric battery cells.

[0007] A first solution consists in using a thermal control device in the form of one or more heat exchangers within the battery pack on one or more surfaces of the battery.

[0008] In one variant, the thermal control device can be used on the outer surface of the battery pack.

[0009] However, this first solution has poor performance in terms of heat control.

[0010] With such a solution, it is not possible to optimally cool all the electrical cells that make up the battery, since the center or core of the cells is not in contact with the thermal regulation device.

[0011] Another known solution is to use a thermal control device comprising several heat exchangers inserted between all the electrical cells of the battery.

[0012] This second solution allows for better thermal control of the batteries.

[0013] However, a disadvantage of this solution is that the device is not able to maintain optimal contact between the heat exchangers and the electrical cells when they deform under the influence of temperature changes.

[0014] For this reason, heat control and especially battery cooling are not yet optimal.

[0015] To eliminate this disadvantage, there is a (in Fig. 1) consists in inserting, in the stack of heat exchangers and electric cells, an element B made of deformable material between each of the faces of a heat exchanger A and the electric cells 10 arranged on one side and the other of this heat exchanger A.

[0016] However, adding an element B made of deformable material between the electrical cells 10 and the heat exchangers A impairs or reduces the heat transfer between these elements.

[0017] This solution is therefore still unsatisfactory.

[0018] These known solutions also use heat transfer fluids, such as blower air, a water-glycol mixture or coolant.

[0019] From US 2011 / 0189525 A1 a heat exchanger with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known.

[0020] A disadvantage of these known solutions is that they have only a limited ability to effectively absorb heat peaks that occur during charging and / or discharging of the electrical cells.

[0021] When using and charging the electric cells, strong heat peaks can be observed, which cause abrupt temperature fluctuations.

[0022] With the current state of the art solutions it is not possible to effectively absorb these heat fluctuations.

[0023] There is therefore a need to provide a new solution for thermal control of the electrical cells of a battery, which, in at least one embodiment, eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0024] To this end, the invention proposes a heat exchanger for heat control of cells for storing electrical energy according to the preamble of claim 1, which has the features of the characterising part of claim 1.

[0025] According to the invention, the heat exchanger further comprises a second row of at least one tube, an outer surface of which is provided for arrangement in thermal contact with at least one second cell for storing electrical energy, so that the temperature of the at least one second cell is regulated, the inner surfaces of the two rows of at least one tube being arranged opposite one another and separated by a space.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the invention, the heat exchanger comprises at least one element made of elastically deformable material arranged in the space formed between the inner surfaces of the first and second row of at least one tube, so that the tubes are held in thermal contact with the electrical cells.

[0027] The pipes in both rows are multi-channel pipes.

[0028] At least part of the channels of at least one of the multi-channel pipes is provided for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid.

[0029] Furthermore, another part of the channels of at least one of the multi-channel pipes is provided for storing a phase change material.

[0030] In order to better absorb the temperature peaks of the associated electrical cells, the invention proposes, in a particular embodiment, the use of a phase change material in addition to a heat transfer fluid in the heat exchanger.

[0031] The use of a phase change material in combination with the use of a heat transfer fluid can provide rapid and effective absorption or release of thermal energy to the heat exchanger in order to limit the temperature peaks of the associated electrical cells and thus optimize the performance and operating time of the battery.

[0032] The invention thus proposes a heat exchanger structure comprising two rows of tubes spaced apart from one another and possibly arranged in parallel, each row of tubes being in contact on its outer surface with an electrical cell to be cooled or heated.

[0033] The heat transfer from the tubes of one and the same row of tubes thus takes place to one and the same electrical cell, which allows for optimization of its thermal control.

[0034] In contrast to the known approach, which consists in associating two electrical cells with a single row of tubes of an exchanger, the invention associates a row of tubes with a single electrical cell, so that heat exchange occurs only between these two elements.

[0035] In this way, the thermal control of the battery of a hybrid or electric vehicle is optimized when the battery consists of a stack alternating electric cells and at least one heat exchanger according to the invention.

[0036] Furthermore, the use of an elastic element between the two rows of tubes allows for the absorption of possible deformations of the electrical cells during charging / discharging and ensures constant contact between the exchanger tubes and the electrical cells.

[0037] Thus, the heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the electrical cells arranged on one and the other side of the exchanger is optimized.

[0038] In contrast to the known design, it is not necessary to use an elastic element between each electrical cell and the associated heat exchanger. With a single elastic element arranged in the housing formed between the two rows of tubes of the heat exchanger according to the invention, the deformations of the two electrical cells associated with the exchanger can be effectively absorbed.

[0039] Furthermore, the use of this elastic element in the housing formed between the two rows of tubes allows them to be in direct contact with the electrical cells whose temperature must be regulated.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one elastic element is arranged in the intermediate space in a prestressed manner.

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, the at least one element consists of a silicone or graphite material.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one electrical insulating means is inserted between the tubes of the heat exchanger and the electrical cells.

[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, the outer surfaces of the first and second rows of at least one tube are mechanically in contact with the electrical cells.

[0044] According to a further aspect of the invention, the tubes of the two rows are flat tubes.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat exchanger has a collecting device at each end of the multi-channel tubes, the collecting device comprising a heat transfer fluid container formed in a nozzle, the nozzle having a first row of gaps for the passage of the ends of the multi-channel tubes of the first row and a second row of gaps for the passage of the ends of the multi-channel tubes of the second row.

[0046] According to a further aspect of the invention, the collection device comprises a heat transfer fluid container and a phase change material container.

[0047] According to a further aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid container and the phase change material container are arranged one above the other.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one part of the channels of the at least two multi-channel tubes, which is provided for the storage of the phase change material, has a first length and opens into the phase change material container, and the at least one part of the channels of the at least two multi-channel tubes, which is provided for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, has a second length different from the first length and opens into the heat transfer fluid container.

[0049] According to a further aspect of the invention, at least one part of the channels provided for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid passes through the phase change material container.

[0050] The invention also proposes a heat control device for at least two cells for storing electrical energy, comprising at least one heat exchanger as described above.

[0051] Further features and advantages will become clear upon reading the following detailed description, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of a known heat exchanger arranged in thermal contact with two electric cells and intended to regulate their temperature; - Fig. Figure 2 is a side view of a heat exchanger in contact with two electric cells and intended to regulate their temperature; - Fig. 3 a perspective view of the heat exchanger and the electrical cells of Fig. 2; - Fig. 4 a side view of the heat exchanger and the electrical cells from Fig. 2, which shows a deformation of the electrical cells; - Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a section of a collecting device of a first exchanger type not belonging to the invention; - Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view illustrating two multi-channel tubes of the first exchanger type; - Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a section of a collecting device of a second type of exchanger according to the invention; - Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional view illustrating two multi-channel tubes of the second exchanger type; and - Fig. 9 shows in perspective an assembly for the electrical supply of a vehicle, in which a stack of several heat exchangers according to the invention is used alternately with electrical cells.

[0052] Unless otherwise indicated, identical elements in the various figures have the same reference numerals and the same technical characteristics and operating modes.

[0053] An optimization of the thermal regulation of the electric cells 10 of a vehicle battery 1 is achieved by using on one and the same heat exchanger 20 two rows 21A and 21B of heat transfer fluid circulation tubes 21, so that the outer surface of each row 21A, 21B of tubes 21 is in contact with a surface of only a single electric cell 10, as in Fig. 2 is illustrated.

[0054] In the illustrated example, the tubes 21 are multi-channel tubes and the electrical cells 10 are cuboid-shaped.

[0055] Thus, unlike other known solutions in which a row of tubes of an exchanger is in contact with two electrical cells arranged on one side and the other of the tubes of the row, each row 21A and 21B of tubes 21 is associated with a single electrical cell 10 located on the outer surface of the row of tubes.

[0056] In other words, a series of tubes 21 is provided for the thermal control of a single electric cell 10, which makes it possible to improve the heat exchange between a series of tubes 21 of the heat exchanger 20 and the electric cell 10 with which it is in thermal contact and possibly in mechanical contact.

[0057] By using two rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21, a heat exchanger 20, when brought into contact with two electric cells 10 arranged on one side and the other of the two rows of tubes, can therefore improve the heat exchange between the heat exchanger 20 and the electric cells 10 and thus optimize the thermal control of the battery 1.

[0058] By using two rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21, the thermal energy storage capacity of the heat exchanger 20 can be increased and its charge losses can be reduced.

[0059] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the heat exchanger 20 has two rows 21A, 21B of multi-channel tubes 21, the ends of which each open into two collecting devices 22.

[0060] In this example, each row 21A, 21B comprises five tubes 21, so that in each row 21A, 21B a heat transfer fluid is circulated in a so-called “I” circuit.

[0061] The first row 21A thus comprises five tubes 21 distributed in a first plane P1, and the second row 21B comprises five tubes 21 distributed in a second plane P2, the plane P2 extending parallel to the plane P1 (the two rows 21A, 21B thus extend parallel to each other).

[0062] The pipes 21 of the two rows 21A, 21B extend perpendicular to the collecting devices 22.

[0063] A larger or smaller number of tubes 21 and additional heat transfer fluid circulation circuits may be used.

[0064] As in Fig. 3, a first end of the collecting device 22 is sealed by a plate or wall 221.

[0065] The second end of each collecting device 22 opens into a connecting element 4, which forms a heat transfer fluid inlet line 42E for a first collecting device 22 (in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 on the left) and a heat transfer fluid outlet line 42S for a second collecting device 22 (in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 arranged on the right).

[0066] Each inlet line 42E and outlet line 42S is open at both ends.

[0067] The heat transfer fluid can thus flow from the inlet line 42E to the first collecting device 22 and then from the second collecting device 22 to the outlet line 42S once it has flowed through the tubes 21.

[0068] As in Fig. 9, the connecting element 4 can further connect the heat exchanger 20 to one or two adjacent heat exchangers having an identical structure.

[0069] In addition, the heat exchanger 20 has a receptacle or space 23 between the inner surfaces of the two rows 21A and 21B of tubes 21.

[0070] In the embodiments described here, a bearing 24 made of elastically deformable material is accommodated in this intermediate space 23.

[0071] In other words, the planes P1 and P2 are spaced apart from each other, and the rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21 distributed in these planes form, with the collecting devices 22, the housing 23 intended to receive the bearing 24.

[0072] In this example, the height “h” of the recess 23 formed between the two rows 21A and 21B of tubes 21 is between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0073] The bearing 24 can be preloaded in the receptacle 23 formed between the tubes 21.

[0074] In this case, its thickness before being mounted between the two rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21 is greater than the height “h” of the housing 23.

[0075] In one variant, its thickness essentially corresponds to the height “h”.

[0076] The bearing 24, which is made of elastically deformable material, allows a compressive force to be exerted against each of the tubes 21 between which it is mounted, so that the contact between the tubes 21 and the electrical cells 10 in contact with the heat exchanger 20 is optimized.

[0077] In other words, the bearing 24 makes it possible to move or push back two tubes 21 arranged opposite each other and associated with the first row 21A and the second row 21B of tubes 21, respectively.

[0078] Consequently, when the electric cells 10 deform under the influence of temperature variations, the bearing 24 also deforms, so that the deformations 11 of the electric cells 10 are absorbed and optimal contact is maintained between the tubes 21 of the heat exchanger 20 and the electric cells 10 of the battery 1, as shown in Fig. 4 is illustrated.

[0079] In Fig. 4, the two rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21 are bent towards each other under the effect of the deformation 11 of the two electric cells 10 arranged on one and the other side of the heat exchanger 20, the bearing 24 then being compressed.

[0080] These deformations 11 of the electric cells 10 are absorbed by the bearing 24, and the quality of the heat exchange between the tubes 21 of the heat exchanger 20 and the electric cells 10 is maintained.

[0081] The bearing 24 is preferably made of an elastic material and more specifically of an elastomer material such as silicone.

[0082] These materials have the advantage of being able to adapt to the deformations of the electrical cells, as they have a compression ratio of between 10 and 40%.

[0083] In addition, the material of the bearing 24 is selected so that its thermal conductivity is low, so that heat exchange between the tubes 21 of the two rows 21A, 21B is prevented.

[0084] These materials are also heat-resistant and can be used up to operating temperatures of around 100°C.

[0085] The bearing 24 is preferably made of silicone material because this material has good electrical insulation properties.

[0086] With the bearing 24 it is thus also possible to electrically insulate the heat exchangers 20, in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, from the electrical cells 10 of the battery 1.

[0087] One of the surfaces of the bearing 24 in contact with the rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21 may be adhesive, so that its attachment to the two rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21 is simplified.

[0088] In this example, the bearing 24 consists of several cuboid blocks 241, each of which is accommodated between two opposite tubes 21 of the rows 21A and 21B.

[0089] Each block 241 of the bearing 24 has substantially the same dimensions (width and length) as the tubes 21 between which it is mounted.

[0090] In one variant, the bearing 24 consists of a single cuboid block extending over the entire length of the housing 23 between the two rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21.

[0091] The use of a bearing 24 between the two rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21, as opposed to the use of two intermediate elements located on one side and the other of the single row of tubes of an exchanger, between the tubes of the row and the electrical cells (according to the Fig. 1 illustrated prior art) is particularly advantageous.

[0092] The deformations are absorbed by the bearing 24 and the tubes 21 can thus be brought into direct contact with the electrical cells 10, thereby further improving the heat exchange between these two elements.

[0093] By using two spaced rows 21A, 21B of tubes 21 and optionally a bearing 24 arranged between these tubes 21, it is thus possible to improve the heat exchange between the heat exchangers 20 and the electric cells 10, so that the temperature of the battery 1 is better regulated.

[0094] When such a bearing 24 is used in the heat exchanger 20, it is also possible for the deformations 11 of the electrical cells 10 to be optimally absorbed, so that the accumulation of deformations of each electrical cell is limited, in particular in a stack of heat exchangers and cells forming a power supply assembly.

[0095] An example of a power supply module E is shown in Fig. 9 illustrates and comprises a device 2 for heat control of the vehicle battery 1, in which several heat exchangers 20 according to the invention are used.

[0096] In this example, the battery 1 of a vehicle consists of four cells for storing electrical energy, hereinafter referred to as electrical cells 10, which are spaced apart from one another and arranged in parallel.

[0097] In this example from Fig. 9, each electric cell 10 can generate electric current and has a rigid shell.

[0098] In this example, the thermal control device 2 comprises five heat exchangers 20 according to the invention, each of which is inserted between two consecutive electrical cells 10 (except at the ends) and brought into contact with them in order to regulate the temperature of these electrical cells 10 and, more generally, of the battery 1.

[0099] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 9, the power supply assembly E comprises clamping means 6 which, after the electric cells 10 of the battery 1 and the heat exchangers 20 have been arranged side by side in parallel, make it possible to compress this stack so as to obtain optimal contact between the electric cells 10 and the heat exchangers 20.

[0100] In the Fig. In the example illustrated in Figure 9, the clamping means 5 comprise two clamping plates 61, four clamping struts 62 and several deformable webs 63.

[0101] The two clamping plates 61 are intended to be arranged on one and the other side of the stack of the electrical cells 10 and the heat exchangers 20.

[0102] At the four corners of each clamping plate 61, four holes 611 are arranged and designed to receive a fastening screw (not shown) with which the clamping plate 61 and the four clamping struts 62 can be firmly connected to one another.

[0103] In addition, the clamping plates 61 have openings 612 intended for cooperation with deformable webs 63 distributed in the height of the plates.

[0104] Springs (not shown) arranged between the deformable webs 63 and the clamping plate 61 make it possible to exert a force with which the heat exchangers 20 are to be brought closer to the electrical cells 10 of the battery 1 and pressed against them.

[0105] In other words, the springs of each deformable web 63 make it possible to press them against the electric cell 10 or the heat exchanger 20 adjacent to the clamping plate 61 to which these deformable webs 63 are attached.

[0106] These clamping webs 63 are thus intended to optimize the contact between the tubes 21 of the heat exchangers 20 and the electrical cells 10.

[0107] Two types of heat exchangers are described in more detail below.

[0108] Fig. Figure 5 partially illustrates a heat exchanger 3 of a first type intended to be brought into contact with two electric cells 10 of the battery 1 in order to regulate their temperature.

[0109] Fig. Figure 5 is a sectional view taken at the level of a collecting device 33 of the heat exchanger 3.

[0110] The exchanger 3 has a structure similar to that of the Fig. 3 is essentially identical to the exchanger 20 illustrated.

[0111] In other words, the exchanger 3 comprises two rows of five multi-channel pipes 31 (where in Fig. 5 only the row 31A and three tubes 31 are shown), the ends of which are connected to a collecting device 33.

[0112] The outer surface of each of the rows of tubes 31 is intended to come into contact with an electric cell 10 in order to regulate its temperature.

[0113] The heat exchanger 3 is intended to come into contact with two electric cells 10 arranged on one and the other side of the heat exchanger 3.

[0114] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of two tubes 31 of the first type heat exchanger 3, belonging to each of the rows 31A, 31B of tubes 31.

[0115] In the following description, only one of the multi-channel tubes 31 of the heat exchanger 3 is described, it being understood, of course, that the structure of the tubes 31 forming the two rows 31A and 31B of tubes of the heat exchanger 3 is identical.

[0116] In this figure, a block 241 of the bearing 24 is arranged between the two tubes 31 in question, which belong to the first row 31A and the second row 31B of tubes 31 of the heat exchanger 3, respectively.

[0117] The tube 31 is preferably made of aluminum and has a high thermal conductivity so that the electric cell 10 of the battery 1, with which it is in direct contact, can be cooled or heated.

[0118] The tube 31 is in the form of a flat tube with an elongated cross-section, which has a plurality of inner walls 311 which define a plurality of inner channels 312 which extend parallel and longitudinally over the entire tube 31.

[0119] The tube 31 is preferably obtained by extrusion, which simplifies the manufacture of the internal channels 312.

[0120] The channels 312 of the tube 31 are designed to allow the circulation of a heat transfer fluid between the various channels 312 of the tube 31 and the collecting devices 33.

[0121] For this purpose, each end of the pipe 31 opens into a collecting device 33.

[0122] The collecting devices 33 are in the form of a nozzle 330, which extends on one side of the heat exchanger 3.

[0123] As in Fig. 5, the space formed within the nozzle 330 forms a container 331 for receiving the heat transfer fluid.

[0124] The channels 312 of the tubes 31 and the containers 331 of the collecting devices 33 form the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit within the heat exchanger 3.

[0125] The bottom of the nozzle 330 further has two rows of a plurality of longitudinal slots 332 arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle 330.

[0126] Fig. 5 shows only one row 332A of gaps 332 formed in the bottom of the nozzle 330 for the passage of the tubes 31 of the first row 31A. It should be understood here that the bottom of the nozzle 330 has a second row of gaps 332 for the passage of the tubes 31 of the second row.

[0127] These two rows of columns 332 can interact with the two rows (including row 31A) of tubes 31.

[0128] The gaps 332 are in particular designed such that they each allow one end of a pipe 31 to pass through.

[0129] In other words, the width of a gap 332 corresponds to the width of a tube 31.

[0130] The gaps 332 are thus designed to ensure the tightness between the pipes 31 and the collecting device 33.

[0131] A first end of the collecting device 33 is defined by a plate or a wall (in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 not shown, but identical to the wall 221 from Fig. 3) sealed tightly.

[0132] Although not shown, the second end of each collecting device 33 opens into a channel as previously described with reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described connecting element, which is designated 4 in these figures.

[0133] The connecting element makes it possible to connect the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit of the heat exchanger 3 with the total circulation circuit of the heat control device 2 from Fig. 9 to connect.

[0134] Fig. Figure 7 partially illustrates a heat exchanger 5 of a second type according to the invention, intended to be brought into contact with two electric cells 10 of the battery 1 in order to regulate their temperature, the electric cells 10 being arranged on one side and on the other side of the heat exchanger 5.

[0135] Fig. Figure 7 is a sectional view taken at the level of a collecting device 53 of the heat exchanger 5.

[0136] The exchanger 5 has a structure similar to that of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is essentially identical to the exchanger 20 illustrated.

[0137] In other words, the heat exchanger 5 has two rows (where in Fig. 7 only the row 51A is shown) of five multi-channel pipes 51 (of which in Fig. 7 four are shown), the ends of which are connected to a collecting device 53.

[0138] The outer surface of each of the rows of tubes 51 is intended to come into contact with an electric cell 10 in order to regulate its temperature.

[0139] The heat exchanger 5 is intended to come into contact with two electric cells 10 arranged on one and the other side of the heat exchanger 5.

[0140] Fig. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of two tubes 51 of the second type heat exchanger 5.

[0141] In this figure, a block 241 of the bearing 24 is arranged between the two tubes 51 in question, which belong to the first row 51A and the second row 51B of tubes 51 of the heat exchanger 5, respectively.

[0142] The tube 51 is preferably made of aluminum and has a high thermal conductivity so that the electric cell 10 of the battery 1, with which it is in direct contact, can be cooled or heated.

[0143] As in Fig. 7, the end of each of the tubes 51 is connected to a collecting device 53.

[0144] The tubes 51 and the collecting devices 53 of the heat exchanger 5 are designed such that, in addition to the heat transfer fluid circulation, they enable the storage of a phase change material within the heat exchanger 5.

[0145] For this purpose, the tubes 51 are designed in such a way that they can either store a phase change material (PCM) or distribute a heat transfer fluid.

[0146] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 8, the heat exchanger 5 comprises a static circuit 511 for storing the phase change material, using a first group of channels 512.

[0147] The heat exchanger 5 further comprises a dynamic circuit 513 which uses a second group of channels 514 and which is designed to allow the circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

[0148] It should be noted that the phase change material contained in the static circuit 511 should not circulate in the channels 512 and in the collection devices 53, even though the phase change material may shift slightly within these elements.

[0149] In contrast, the heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate between the various channels 514 of the dynamic circuit 513 and the collecting devices 53 of the heat exchanger 5.

[0150] In this example, each tube 51 has alternating channels 512 intended for storing the phase change material and channels 514 for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

[0151] In other words, each tube 51 has alternating channels belonging either to the static circuit 511 or to the dynamic circuit 513, so that heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the phase change material is possible.

[0152] The phase change material ensures a high heat storage capacity.

[0153] It can thus extract a certain amount of heat from the heat transfer fluid moving within the channels 514 and thus cool it.

[0154] The specific amount of heat stored with the static component (phase change material) within the channels 512 is available to be used at a later time to heat the heat transfer fluid moving within the channels 514.

[0155] Thus, when the temperature of the electrical cells 10 of the battery 1 rises abruptly, the temperature of the heat transfer fluid also rises, and the phase change material can store / absorb this temperature increase.

[0156] In the event of an abrupt drop in temperature of the electrical cells 10, the phase change material can release or dissipate the stored thermal energy via the heat transfer fluid, so that the temperature of the electrical cells 10 is maintained at an optimal value.

[0157] The phase change material acts as a thermal energy storage device.

[0158] The heat transfer fluid controls the phase changes of the material stored in adjacent channels through conduction.

[0159] In the solid state, it initially stores the heat energy without changing state.

[0160] When the temperature of the phase change material reaches the melting temperature, the phase change material changes to the liquid state and the heat is then stored in latent form.

[0161] When the temperature of the phase change material drops to the melting temperature, the phase change material changes from the liquid state to the solid state.

[0162] The distribution of the number of channels 512 of the static circuit 511 and the number of channels 514 of the dynamic circuit 513 can be changed.

[0163] Depending on the desired total heat output, it is possible to provide two channels 512 of the static circuit 511 between two channels 514 of the dynamic circuit 513 or vice versa.

[0164] Any other distribution variant of the channels can of course be considered without deviating from the basic principle of the invention.

[0165] The collecting device 53 of the heat exchanger 5 of the second type, which Fig. 7, comprises a nozzle 55 which is partially arranged in a U-shaped groove 54, in contact with the inner walls of this groove, so that the nozzle 55 and the groove 54 lie one above the other, the nozzle 55 forming the outer edges of the collecting device 53.

[0166] The channel 54 and the nozzle 55 are firmly connected to each other by soldering, so that the fastening and the tightness between these two elements is ensured.

[0167] The space formed between the bottom of the trough 54 and the nozzle 55 forms a container 541 for storing / receiving the phase change material.

[0168] This tank 541 is part of the static circuit 511.

[0169] The space formed within the nozzle 55 forms a container 551 for receiving the heat transfer fluid.

[0170] This container 551 is part of the dynamic circuit 513.

[0171] The bottom of the trough 54 has two rows (only row 542A is shown) of a plurality of longitudinal slots 542 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal axis of the trough 54.

[0172] The channel 54 has a number of columns 542 per row which corresponds to the number of tubes 51 per row used in the heat exchanger 5.

[0173] The gaps 542 are thus designed such that they each allow one end of a pipe 51 to pass through.

[0174] In other words, the width of the gap 542 substantially corresponds to the thickness of the tube 51.

[0175] Fig. Figure 7 shows only one row 542A of gaps 542 formed in the bottom of the trough 54 for the passage of the pipes 51 of the first row 51A, it being clearly understood that the bottom of the trough 54 has a second row of gaps 542 for the passage of the pipes 51 of the second row, spaced apart from and parallel to the first row 51A.

[0176] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the ends of the tubes 51 do not extend in a single plane, but are jagged.

[0177] The channels 512 of the static circuit 511 thus have a length that is smaller than the length of the channels 514 of the dynamic circuit 513.

[0178] This particular serrated shape of the ends of the tube 51 is obtained in this example by notching the ends of the channels 512 for storing the phase change material.

[0179] It can be considered to obtain this serrated shape, for example, by machining.

[0180] Due to this difference in length between the channels 512 and 514, the channels 512 of the static circuit 511 can open into the first container 541 and the channels 514 of the dynamic circuit 513 can open into the second container 551 of the collecting device 53.

[0181] For this purpose, the nozzle 55 has at its bottom two rows (only row 552A being shown) of a plurality of openings 552 which are designed to allow the end of the heat transfer fluid circulation channels 514 to pass through.

[0182] Fig. 7 again shows only a single row 552A of openings 552 formed in the bottom of the nozzle 55 for the passage of the channels 514 of the first row 51A of tubes 51, it being clearly understood that the bottom of the nozzle 55 has a second row of openings 552 for the passage of the channels 514 of the second row of tubes 51.

[0183] The joining of the tubes 51 and the channels 512 in the gaps 542 or in the openings 552 is carried out in such a way that the tightness between the first container 541 and the second container 551 of the collecting device 53 is ensured.

[0184] In addition, a first end of each collecting device 53 of the heat exchanger 5 is formed by a plate or a wall, similar to the exchanger 20 of Fig. 3 (which has a plate 221), sealed in a tightly closed manner.

[0185] Similar to the heat exchanger 20, the second end of each collecting device 53 opens into a as previously described with respect to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described connecting element, which is designated 4 in these figures.

[0186] However, the connecting element of the heat exchanger 5 is not connected to the phase change material container 541, but only to the heat transfer fluid container 551.

[0187] The connecting element makes it possible to connect the dynamic heat transfer fluid circulation circuit 513 of the exchanger 5 with the total circulation circuit of the heat control device 2 from Fig. 9 to connect.

[0188] In this second type heat exchanger, the heat exchanger 5 can have improved thermal responsiveness compared to a conventional heat exchanger by using a phase change material and a heat transfer fluid within one and the same tube 51.

[0189] The strong thermal reactivity of the heat exchanger 5 thus makes it possible to better manage / absorb temperature fluctuations so that the electric cells 10 of the battery 1 are kept at an optimal temperature.

[0190] The temperature peaks of the electrical cells 10 are thus limited and the performance of the battery 1 is optimized.

[0191] With the connecting element 4, a heat exchanger according to the invention can be connected to one or two adjacent heat exchangers.

[0192] As in Fig. 9, the fixed connection of two adjacent heat exchangers 20 is achieved by simply joining the inlet line 42E and the outlet line 42S of the first exchanger with the inlet line 42E and outlet line 42S of the second exchanger.

[0193] For this purpose, the heat transfer fluid inlet line 42E and the heat transfer fluid outlet line 42S each have a plug-like part 421 and a socket-like part 422.

[0194] It is thus possible to install several heat exchangers in parallel by placing electric cells 10 between two consecutive heat exchangers.

[0195] In addition, a plug (not shown) is arranged at the exposed end of the heat transfer fluid inlet line 42E and the heat transfer fluid outlet line 42S of the heat exchanger 20, which is located at a first end of the stack of electrical cells 10 and heat exchangers 20.

[0196] The free end of the heat transfer fluid inlet line 42E and the heat transfer fluid outlet line 42S of the heat exchanger 20, which is located at a second end of the stack, in turn has a connection element (not shown) provided for connecting the thermal control device 2 to the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit of the vehicle (not shown).

[0197] If the heat exchangers according to the invention are used in a Fig. 9, it is possible to provide that the heat exchangers located at each end of the assembly have only one row of tubes.

[0198] The clamping means 6 can thus exert their compression force directly on the end row of tubes of these heat exchangers, which is in contact with an electric cell 10.

[0199] The following can be used for the heat control device 2: - only heat exchangers 3 of the first type, ie which have only one circuit for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid; - only heat exchangers 5 of the second type, ie having a circuit for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid and a circuit for storing a phase change material; - a combination of heat exchangers 3 and 5 of the first and second types.

[0200] Another variant can be considered using two heat exchangers within a heat control device, which have a combination or alternating multi-channel tubes: - only for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid; and - both for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid and for the storage of the phase change material.

[0201] In this case, it is necessary to modify the collection devices of the heat exchangers.

[0202] The heat control device 2 can thus be easily modified according to the desired heat output.

[0203] In any case, the heat exchangers make it possible to absorb and / or release the energy emitted by each electrical cell 10 of the battery 1, so that their temperature is optimally regulated.

[0204] In the variants described, the heat exchangers have 5 multi-channel tubes, so that a circulation of the heat transfer fluid in a so-called “I” circuit is proposed.

[0205] In one variant, it is possible to use a larger or smaller number of multi-channel pipes and to propose a circulation of the heat transfer fluid in a so-called “U” circuit.

[0206] Further variants of the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit can be proposed without deviating from the basic principle of the invention.

[0207] Furthermore, a heat exchanger according to the invention is preferably anodized, so that the electrical insulation of the heat exchanger from the electrical cells 10 of the battery 1 is ensured.

[0208] In a variant, an insert (not shown) of very small thickness can be arranged between the tubes of a heat exchanger according to the invention and the electrical cells 10 in contact with these tubes.

[0209] This insert, e.g. of the silicone pad type, improves thermal contact and electrical insulation between the tubes of a row and the corresponding electrical cells, without compromising the heat exchange between these two elements.

[0210] The heat transfer fluid used in the invention may be a coolant, ie a water-gas mixture, or a cooling liquid, ie a water-glycol mixture.

[0211] The phase change material preferably has a melting temperature between 20°C and 25°C in a temperature difference range between 5°C and 7°C.

[0212] More specifically, the phase change material is selected from paraffins, hydrated salts and eutectic compositions.

[0213] As previously explained, the phase change material acts as a thermal energy storage device.

[0214] The heat transfer fluid controls the phase changes of the material stored in adjacent channels through conduction.

[0215] In the solid state, it initially stores the heat energy without changing state.

[0216] When the temperature of the phase change material reaches the melting temperature, the phase change material changes to the liquid state and the heat is then stored in latent form.

[0217] When the temperature of the phase change material drops to the melting temperature, the phase change material changes from the liquid state to the solid state.

[0218] The electrical cells 10 forming the battery 1 are preferably cuboid-shaped electrical cells.

Claims

[1] Heat exchanger (5) for thermally regulating cells (10) for storing electrical energy arranged on one and the other side of the heat exchanger (5), the heat exchanger (5) comprising a heat exchange bundle consisting of a first row (51A) of at least one tube (51), an outer surface of which is intended to be arranged in thermal contact with at least one first cell (10) for storing electrical energy, so that the temperature of the at least one first cell (10) is regulated, wherein the heat exchange bundle further comprises a second row (51B) of at least one tube (51), an outer surface of which is provided for arrangement in thermal contact with at least one second cell (10) for storing electrical energy, so that the temperature of the at least one second cell (10) is regulated, the inner surfaces of the two rows (51A, 51B) of at least one tube (51) being arranged opposite each other and separated by a space (23), and the heat exchanger (5) comprises at least one element (24) made of elastically deformable material arranged in the space (23) formed between the inner surfaces of the first (51A) and second row (51B) of at least one tube (51), so that the tubes (51) are kept in thermal contact with the electrical cells (10), wherein at least one pipe (51) of the two rows is a multi-channel pipe, wherein at least a part of the channels (514) of at least one of the multi-channel tubes (51) is provided for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, characterized by that another part of the channels (512) of at least one of the multi-channel tubes (51) is provided for storing a phase change material. [2] Heat exchanger (5) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one element (24) is prestressed and mounted in the intermediate space (23). [3] Heat exchanger (5) according to claim 2, characterized by that the at least one element (24) is made of a silicone material. [4] Heat exchanger (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that at least one electrical insulating means is inserted between the tubes (51) of the heat exchanger (5) and the electrical cells (10). [5] Heat exchanger (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the outer surfaces of the first (51A) and second row (51B) of at least one tube (51) are mechanically in contact with the electrical cells (10). [6] Heat exchanger (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that it has a collecting device (53) at each end of the multi-channel tubes (51), the collecting device (53) comprising a heat transfer fluid container (551) formed in a nozzle (55), the nozzle (55) having a first row (552A) of gaps (542) for the passage of the ends of the multi-channel tubes (51) of the first row (51A) and a second row (51B) of gaps (542) for the passage of the ends of the multi-channel tubes (51) of the second row (51B). [7] Heat exchanger (5) according to claim 6, characterized by that the collecting device (53) comprises a heat transfer fluid container (551) and a phase change material container (541). [8] Heat exchanger (5) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the heat transfer fluid container (551) and the phase change material container (541) are arranged one above the other. [9] Heat exchanger (5) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that at least one part of the channels (512) of the at least one of the multi-channel tubes (51) provided for the storage of the phase change material has a first length and opens into the phase change material container (541) and at least one part of the channels (514) of the at least one of the multi-channel tubes (51) provided for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid has a second length different from the first length and opens into the heat transfer fluid container (551). [10] Heat exchanger (5) according to claim 9, characterized by that at least one part of the channels (514) provided for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid passes through the phase change material container (541). [11] Heat control device (2) for at least two cells (10) for storing electrical energy, comprising at least one heat exchanger (5) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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