TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device, in particular a cooling device, in particular for an electrical component likely to release heat during its operation, in particular a device for cooling at least one battery or battery cells of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Vehicle batteries, especially for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, must be kept at the desired temperature as much as possible, which is why so-called cooling devices for vehicle batteries are used. These cooling devices comprise cooling plates through which a coolant circulates. The cooling plates are installed, as far as possible without gaps, on the outside of the batteries for the purpose of dissipating heat or heating the battery. Cooling devices are known in which the cooling plate consists of two plate parts that are normally fixed directly to each other. Here, the first plate part is preferably flat, and the second plate part is preferably a pressed or deformed metal sheet that has meandering depressions.Said depressions are closed by the flat plate part which is fixed to the stamped plate part, so that refrigerant ducts are formed. Patent EP 2 828 922 B1 describes such a device. Document DE 10 2019 118356 A1 describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The invention aims to improve this type of device.

[0004] The invention thus proposes a thermal regulation device, in particular a cooling device, for an electrical component likely to release heat during its operation, in particular for an electrical energy storage module, this device comprising an upper plate and a lower plate assembled with the upper plate to form together a plurality of circulation channels for a heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant fluid, in particular a fluid chosen from the following refrigerant fluids R134a, R1234yf or R744, a device in which at least some of the channels open into at least one turning chamber by means of which the fluid can make a turn, a device in which at least one of the turning chamber and the channels comprises a mechanical reinforcement element formed on a wall of this turning chamber or of one of the channels,this reinforcing element being arranged to improve the mechanical strength of the chamber and / or the channel against potential deformations under the action of high pressure.,

[0005] In this type of device, there are stress concentrations in the areas where the fluid must make turns, reversals or branches, for example non-linear, in particular in the areas of distribution, collection or reversal of the fluid flow. To avoid deformation in these areas, we use particular shapes, preferably obtained by stamping, which are the reinforcing element(s) according to the invention.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing element extends over the entire height of the turning chamber and the channels.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the turning chamber and the channels each have a length measured along a direction of flow of the fluid, and the reinforcing element extends over only part of the length of the turning chamber or the channel respectively, in particular less than half of this length, or less than a quarter or a tenth of this length.

[0008] In other words, the reinforcing element is relatively small compared to the turning chamber or channels as a whole.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a plurality of reinforcing elements are provided along the turning chamber and / or one of the channels, this plurality of reinforcing elements being for example spaced from each other regularly.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, these reinforcing elements formed on the turning chamber are all identical.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing element has a rounded profile when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plates, this rounded profile having a concavity directed towards the outside of the turning chamber or the associated channel.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the concavity has a radius of curvature, in particular of a value less than 5 mm, in particular less than 2 mm.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, two neighboring channels connect on the turning chamber in connection sections such that an inter-channel space is present on the turning chamber between the two connection sections and the reinforcing element is located in this inter-channel space, in particular in the middle of this inter-channel space.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing elements are arranged, with regular spacing between them, along a line running along the turning chamber.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the passage section of the fluid turning chamber is increased on either side of each reinforcing element.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, two neighboring fluid channels connect to the turning chamber, and the reinforcing element which is formed on a side wall of the turning chamber, opposite these two fluid channels, is arranged so as to be able to place an imaginary inscribed circle adjacent to the two neighboring channels and to the opposing reinforcing element, this inscribed circle having a diameter in particular less than 15 mm.

[0017] According to the invention, the reinforcing element(s) are formed by stamping.

[0018] Preferably, the reinforcing element is placed in a junction zone of a channel with another channel or with a turning chamber, this reinforcing element being in particular opposite this channel.

[0019] In particular, when a number N consecutive channels connect to a turning chamber, a number M consecutive reinforcement elements is provided, with M=N or M less than N.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, reinforcing elements are arranged along a straight line, in particular at equal distances from each other.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing elements make it possible to have larger fluid passage sections while ensuring good mechanical resistance to deformation. This increase in the refrigerant passage section is accompanied by a reduction in the pressure drop caused. The gain in passage section can be approximately +40% compared to a conventional design, without reinforcing elements.

[0022] The invention also allows an improvement in the shape coefficient.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the turning chamber may be arranged to allow a reversal of the fluid flow, or to allow fluid collection at the fluid inlet or outlet. In the latter case, the turning chamber may be referred to as a fluid inlet or outlet collection chamber.

[0024] The invention also relates to a system comprising an electrical component capable of releasing heat during its operation, in particular for an electrical energy storage module, and a cooling device described above, arranged to cool the component, this component or battery being in thermal contact with the upper plate of the cooling device.

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given as an illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which: there [ Figure 1 ] illustrates, schematically and partially, a cooling device; the [ Figure 2 ] illustrates, schematically and partially, the device of the [ Figure 1 ] according to a different view, the [ Figure 3 ] illustrates, schematically and partially, a device according to another example of the invention, with details on part of the plates.

[0026] It has been represented on the [ Figure 1 ] and on the [ Figure 2 ] a system 1 comprising a set of battery cells 2 to be cooled, for example arranged in two or more rows, and a cooling device 10 arranged to cool the cells 2, which are in thermal contact with an upper plate of the cooling device 10, as explained below.

[0027] The thermal regulation device 10 comprises an upper plate 11, a lower plate 12 assembled with the upper plate 11 to together form a plurality of circulation channels 13 for a heat transfer fluid, in particular a refrigerant, in particular a fluid chosen from the following refrigerants R134a, R1234yf or R744. The channels 13 are grouped in groups 14 of channels, the channels of a group extending substantially parallel to each other with a predetermined spacing between neighboring channels called intra-group spacing 15. The channels 13 each have a cross-section of between 1 mm2 and 15 mm2, being for example locally approximately 11 mm2 in each channel. The channels 13 extend substantially over the entire length of the plates.

[0028] The plates are made of aluminum.

[0029] The cooling device comprises a turning chamber 20 arranged to conduct the fluid exiting from one of the groups 14 of channels to one of the other groups of channels. The turning chamber 20 is formed by the upper 11 and lower 12 plates, for example made of aluminum. The lower plate 12 comprises a stamped area 21 arranged to participate in the formation of the turning chamber 20. The stamped area 21 is closed with the other of the plates 11 which is flat to form the turning chamber 20. The turning chamber 20 extends on one side 23 of the plates.

[0030] The cooling device comprises a refrigerant fluid inlet zone 30 for the channels, this inlet zone being formed between the two plates 11 and 12. This fluid inlet zone 30 is arranged to supply all the fluid circulation channels 13 which open onto the turning chamber 20, namely the channels in which the fluid flows towards the turning chamber. This inlet zone 30 is common to the groups 14 of channels. The cooling device comprises a refrigerant fluid outlet zone 31 for the channels, this outlet zone being formed between the two plates 11 and 12. This fluid outlet zone 31 is arranged to conduct the fluid leaving all the fluid circulation channels 13 which come from the turning chamber. This outlet zone 31 is common to the two groups of channels. The inlet zones 30 and 31 and the outlet zones are adjacent to an inlet orifice 32, respectively an outlet orifice 33.The inlet 32 ​​and outlet 33 ports are connected to a tubing connector block 6.

[0031] The lower plate 2 comprises areas 37 of rounded cross-section, in particular stamped areas, to form the channels 13 with the upper plate. The inlet 30 and outlet 31 areas comprise stamped areas of the lower plate 12.

[0032] Preferably, the heat transfer fluid can be chosen from refrigerant fluids called R134a, R1234yf or R744.

[0033] The battery cells comprise, for example, a plurality of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for use in a hybrid vehicle. In another embodiment, the plurality of battery cells are Li-ion batteries for use in a battery electric vehicle. The turning chamber 20 and / or the inlet zone 30 and / or the outlet zone 31 comprise, where appropriate, reinforcing elements to reinforce the mechanical strength in these zones which are potentially of larger cross-section.

[0034] It has been represented on the [ Figure 3 ] a detail of a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which incorporates most of the elements of the example described previously.

[0035] Here we will describe in more detail a turning chamber and the channels that connect to it.

[0036] Channels 13 open into a turning chamber 20 through which the fluid can perform a turn.

[0037] The arrows 28 show the direction of flow of the fluid in the channels 13 and the turning chamber 20.

[0038] The turning chamber 20 comprises mechanical reinforcement elements 27 formed on a wall of this turning chamber 20, each reinforcement element 27 being arranged to improve the mechanical strength of the chamber against potential deformations under the action of high pressure.

[0039] Each reinforcing element 27 extends over the entire height of the turning chamber 20.

[0040] The turning chamber 20 and the channels 13 each have a length measured along a direction of flow of the fluid, and each reinforcing element 27 extends over only a part of the length of the turning chamber 20, here less than 1 / 5 or 1 / 8 or 1 / 10 of the total length of the associated turning chamber 20.

[0041] The reinforcing elements 27 are provided along the turning chamber 20, this plurality of reinforcing elements being spaced from each other in a regular manner.

[0042] These reinforcing elements 27 formed on the turning chamber 20 are all identical, of the same shape and the same dimensions.

[0043] Reinforcing elements of different dimensions and / or sizes could, as a variant, be provided.

[0044] Each reinforcing element 27 has a rounded profile when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plates, this rounded profile having a concavity 29 directed towards the outside of the associated turning chamber 20.

[0045] The concavity 29 has a radius of curvature, in particular of a value less than 5 mm, in particular less than 2 mm. The radius of curvature is that of the dotted circle on the figure 3 , with a value of 1.1 mm.

[0046] Two neighboring channels 13 connect to the turning chamber 20 in connecting sections 18 so that an inter-channel space 19 is present on the turning chamber 20 between the two connecting sections 18 and the reinforcing element 27 is located in this inter-channel space, here in the middle of this inter-channel space.

[0047] The reinforcing elements 27 are arranged, with regular spacing between them, along a line 36 running along the turning chamber 20.

[0048] The reinforcing elements 27 are formed by stamping on the corresponding plate.

[0049] The reinforcing elements 27 allow for larger fluid passage sections while ensuring good mechanical resistance to deformation. This increase in the refrigerant passage section is accompanied by a reduction in the resulting pressure drop. The gain in passage section can be approximately +40% compared to a conventional design without reinforcing elements.

[0050] Two neighboring fluid channels connect to the turning chamber, and the reinforcing element 27 which is formed on a side wall of the turning chamber, opposite these two fluid channels, is arranged so as to be able to place an imaginary circle 26 inscribed adjacent to the two neighboring channels and to the reinforcing element opposite, this inscribed circle 26 having a diameter of less than 15 mm.

[0051] It will be noted that the passage section 25 of the fluid turning chamber 20 is increased on either side of each reinforcing element 27.

[0052] The turning chamber 20 may be arranged to allow a reversal of the fluid flow, or to allow fluid collection at the fluid inlet or outlet. In the latter case, the turning chamber may be referred to as a fluid inlet or outlet collection chamber.

[0053] In a variant, one or more reinforcing elements 27 may be formed on at least one of the channels 13, in particular on a non-linear portion of this channel.

Claims

1. Temperature regulation device (10), notably a cooling device, for an electrical component liable to give off heat during operation, notably for an electrical energy storage module, this device having an upper plate and a lower plate joined to the upper plate such that the plates together form a plurality of circulation channels for a heat transfer fluid, notably a refrigerant fluid, notably a fluid selected from the following refrigerant fluids R134a, R1234yf and R744, in which device at least some of the channels lead into at least one diverting chamber, by virtue of which the fluid can make a diversion (20), in which device at least one of the diverting chamber and the channels (13) has a mechanical reinforcing element (27) formed on a wall of this diverting chamber or of one of the channels, this reinforcing element (27) being designed to improve the mechanical resistance of the chamber and / or of the channel to potential deformations under the action of high pressure, characterized in that the one or more reinforcing elements (27) are formed by stamping.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reinforcing element (27) extends over the entire height of the diverting chamber (20) and of the channels.

3. Device according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diverting chamber (20) and the channels each have a length measured in a direction of flow (13) of the fluid, and the reinforcing element extends only over part of the length of the diverting chamber and the channel, respectively, notably less than half of this length, or less than one quarter or one tenth of this length.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of reinforcing elements (27) are provided along the diverting chamber and / or one of the channels, this plurality of reinforcing elements being, for example, evenly spaced apart from one another.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element (27) has a rounded profile when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plates, this rounded profile having a concavity (29) directed towards the outside of the diverting chamber or of the associated channel.

6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the concavity (29) has a radius of curvature, notably with a value less than 5 mm, notably less than 2 mm.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two neighbouring channels (13) are connected to the diverting chamber in connecting sections (19) such that a gap between channels is present in the diverting chamber between the two connecting sections and the reinforcing element is located in this gap between channels, notably in the middle of this gap between channels.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fluid passage cross section (25) of the diverting chamber (20) is increased on either side of each reinforcing element (27).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two neighbouring fluid channels are connected to the diverting chamber, and the reinforcing element (27) formed on a lateral wall of the diverting chamber, facing these two fluid channels, is disposed so as to be able to position an inscribed imaginary circle (26) adjacent to the two neighbouring channels and the reinforcing element facing them, this inscribed circle (26) having a diameter notably less than 15 mm.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diverting chamber is designed to make it possible to reverse the flow of fluid, or to make it possible to collect fluid at the fluid inlet or outlet.

11. System having an electrical component liable to give off heat during operation, notably for an electrical energy storage module, and a cooling device as claimed in one of the preceding claims that is designed to cool the component, this component or battery being in thermal contact with the upper plate of the cooling device.