DEVICE FOR DISCHARGING A HEAT TRANSFER FLUID

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of battery thermal regulation devices and more particularly to the field of heat transfer liquid distribution devices for the thermal regulation of battery cells.

[0002] Battery cooling typically involves cooling plates positioned in contact with the surface of the batteries to be cooled. Each of these cooling plates has a hollow structure within which a heat transfer fluid is circulated. The contact of a cooling plate with the surface of a battery optimizes heat exchange between the two surfaces. The heat transfer fluid moving within a cooling plate then extracts the heat transferred from a battery to the cooling plate. The circulation of heat transfer fluid thus optimizes heat exchange between a battery and the cooling plate with continuous heat extraction.

[0003] Inside the cooling plates, the heat transfer fluid moves between two inlet and outlet orifices, arranged at at least one end of the plates. The heat transfer fluid is distributed between different cooling plates arranged parallel to each other by distribution conduits which, on the one hand, supply the inlet orifices of each of the cooling plates and, on the other hand, recover the heat transfer fluid at the outlet orifices of these plates. These distribution, supply and extraction conduits, conventionally have a rectilinear structure of substantially circular section, which comprises a plurality of orifices whose respective shapes are complementary to that of the inlet and outlet orifices, carried by each of the plates at at least one of its ends.The distribution ducts are thus welded to each of the plates at the periphery of each of the inlet and outlet orifices. However, such a method of assembling the distribution duct with the cooling plates, although it has a notable effectiveness in terms of sealing, also causes difficulties for a user who wishes to intervene at this junction, particularly in the context of a maintenance operation. Indeed, due to its specific position between the two joined elements, which are an orifice of the distribution duct and an orifice of the cooling plate, the weld has a lack of accessibility which complicates the separation of these two elements. Furthermore, a weld requires a detachment of these elements with a rupture of the junction and / or with a breakage of the distribution duct.Also, when a user has to replace a broken conduit due to welding, such a welded assembly does not allow for quick and easy separation. As a result, the user is forced to remove the entire broken element to replace it with a new element, even if this rupture of the conduit is punctual and very localized.

[0004] Documents WO 2018 / 206895 and KR 20140011613A disclose state-of-the-art dispensing devices.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a solution for assembling the distribution duct with the cooling plate which allows for easy installation and separation while guaranteeing the sealing of the junction between these two elements without risk of damage to the distribution duct.

[0006] The invention thus relates to a device for distributing heat transfer liquid at the level of circulation orifices of cooling plates, characterized in that the device comprises at least: a heat transfer fluid conduit comprising at least: a distribution orifice configured to be positioned opposite at least one circulation orifice of a cooling plate, a support surface configured to be of a shape complementary to the portion of the surface of the cooling plate which carries at least one circulation orifice, this support surface surrounding at least a part of the distribution orifice of the conduit, a seal positioned along at least a part of the support surface of the conduit, this seal being configured to seal the junction of the distribution orifice of the conduit with a cooling plate, a means for fixing the conduit to the surface of a cooling plate.

[0007] The invention also relates to an assembly which comprises at least one dispensing device according to the invention attached to at least one cooling plate.

[0008] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to various preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which: [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates a schematic representation according to an exploded view of an example of an assembly combining a heat transfer liquid distribution device according to the invention in association with a cooling plate. [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates a schematic representation of a first example of implementation of a heat transfer liquid distribution device according to the invention associated with a cooling plate. [ Fig.3] illustrates a schematic representation according to a sectional view of a second example of implementation of a heat transfer liquid distribution device according to the invention associated with a cooling plate.

[0009] The invention relates to a device 1 for distributing heat transfer liquid at the level of circulation orifices 91 of cooling plates 9, characterized in that the device comprises at least: a heat transfer fluid conduit 4 comprising at least: a distribution orifice 41 configured to be positioned opposite at least one circulation orifice 91 of a cooling plate 9, a bearing surface 42 configured to be of a shape complementary to the portion of the surface 92 of the cooling plate 9 which carries at least one circulation orifice 91, this bearing surface 42 surrounding at least a portion of the distribution orifice 41 of the conduit 4, a seal 2 positioned along at least a portion of the bearing surface 42 of the conduit 4, this seal 2 being configured to seal the junction of the distribution orifice 41 of the conduit 4 with a cooling plate 9, a means 3 for fixing the conduit 4 to the surface of a cooling plate 9.

[0010] The distribution device 1 according to the invention is thus produced by the combination of a distribution conduit 4 with a seal 2 and a fixing means 3 arranged to cooperate with the surface of a cooling plate 9 at a circulation orifice 91. The distribution device 1 is configured to operate a sealed junction with the cooling plate 9 by means of a sealing seal 2 in particular positioned in compression between the distribution conduit 4 of the heat transfer liquid and the surface of the cooling plate 9. The sealed seal 2 is made of an elastic material, for example a silicone or rubber type material.The fixing means 3 is configured to maintain the duct 4 assembled to the cooling plate 9 so that at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the distribution orifice 41 of the duct 4 is pressed against a surface of the sealed joint 2, an opposite surface of the sealed joint 2 being pressed against a portion of the peripheral edge of the circulation orifice 91 of a cooling plate 9. This sealing by compression of the joint 2 between the surfaces of the duct 4 and of the cooling plate 9 on the periphery of the distribution orifices 41 and circulation orifices 91 allows, thanks to the elasticity of the joint 2, a relative flexibility of the positioning between them of the two assembled elements, despite the maintenance ensured by the fixing means 3.In addition, the sealing joint 2 is produced in the form of a substantially circular structure, for example annular, so as to allow peripheral partitioning of the space or volume which separates the two orifices, distribution 41 and circulation 91, respectively carried by the distribution conduit 4 and the surface of the cooling plate 9. Thanks to such partitioning of the space or volume between the distribution conduit 4 and the surface of the cooling plate 9 at their respective orifices 41, 91, it is not necessary for these orifices 41, 91 to have contours and shapes which are strictly identical. Indeed, the contours and shapes of the distribution 41 and circulation 91 orifices are likely to have differences since each of these two orifices 41, 91 arranged opposite one another remains positioned inside the inner edge of the sealing joint 2.

[0011] The fixing means 3 is preferably configured to operate a reversible assembly of the conduit 4 to the surface of a cooling plate 9. This reversibility of the fixing means 3 thus allows an easy separation of the joined elements, in particular when one of the two elements must be replaced. According to different alternatives, the fixing means 3 is likely to be independent of the conduit 4 and the cooling plate 9 or, on the contrary, to be fixed with one or the other of these two elements.

[0012] According to an example of construction relating to a particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention, the bearing surface 42 of the conduit 4 at which the seal 2 is positioned, comprises a housing 43 capable of receiving at least a portion of the seal 2. According to this variant, the bearing surface 42 of the conduit 4 which exerts compression on the seal 2 has a cavity forming a housing 43 of shape and contour substantially complementary to the shape and contour of the seal 2. According to a specific construction, at least a portion of the dimensions of this housing 43 is selected to allow deformation of the seal 2 in compression inside the housing 43. According to an alternative, or possibly even complementary, specific construction, at least a portion of the dimensions of this housing 43 is selected to maintain a portion of the seal 2 in compression when the seal 2 is positioned therein.According to this construction specificity, the part of the seal 2 in compression corresponds substantially to the part of the seal 2 inserted into the housing 3. This compression of the inserted part of the seal 2 makes it possible to pinch the seal 2 by a part of the housing 43, so that the seal 2 is able to be held in position inside the housing 43. The pinching and / or compression of the seal 2 inserted by opposite edges of the housing 43, is carried out in a plane substantially perpendicular to the compression axis of the seal 2 between the distribution duct 4 and the cooling plate 9. It should be noted that the depth of this cavity forming a housing 43 is defined so that, when the seal 2 is compressed, the thickness of the seal 2 remains sufficient for the seal 2 to exceed the level formed by the bearing surface 42.

[0013] According to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the characteristics of the previously stated variant, the bearing surface 92 of the cooling plate 9 at which the seal 2 is positioned, comprises a housing 93 capable of receiving at least a portion of the seal 2. It should be noted that, within the framework of this particular variant of construction, the housing 93 is produced by a cavity of shape and contour substantially complementary to the shape and contour of the seal 2. This cavity forming a housing 93 is then capable of adopting characteristics in its construction and its interactions with the seal 2 which reproduce in a substantially similar, if not identical, manner the characteristics of the cavity previously detailed and relate to the bearing surface 42 of the conduit 4.It should be noted that the depth of this cavity forming a housing 93 is defined so that, when the seal 2 is compressed, the thickness of the seal 2 remains sufficient for the seal 2 to exceed the level formed by the bearing surface 92 of the cooling plate 9.

[0014] Likewise, according to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention, the seal 2 cooperates with the distribution conduit 4 and the cooling plate 9, so that each of these two elements comprises a respective cavity which, positioned opposite each other, form two parts of a housing inside which two parts of the seal 2 are positioned. The cumulative depth of each of these two cavities positioned opposite each other is defined such that, when the seal 2 is compressed, the thickness of the seal 2 remains sufficient to prevent the respective bearing surfaces 42, 92 of the distribution conduit 4 and the cooling plate 9 from making direct contact but remaining spaced from each other by the sealing seal 2.

[0015] According to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the characteristics of the previously stated variants, at least a portion of the seal 2 is made of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer also called EPDM, hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile also called HNBR and / or silicone. Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer or EPDM, like the materials preferentially selected to participate in the production of the sealing seal 2, has the property of having good chemical resistance to a compound such as glycol, a fluid having particularly interesting heat transfer properties. Furthermore, these materials also have elastic properties which ensure that the seal 2 holds up over time, particularly in the face of compressive forces exerted between the conduit 4 and the cooling plate 9.

[0016] According to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the characteristics of the variants previously stated, in section at the level of a distribution orifice 41 intended to be positioned opposite a cooling plate 9, the conduit 4 has a “U” shape comprising a portion with a substantially semi-circular arrangement open towards the distribution orifice 41 intended to be partitioned by the surface of the cooling plate 9. According to this construction variant, the opening which forms a distribution orifice 41 is positioned on the peripheral surface of the conduit 4 according to a particular arrangement to allow for easier construction and optimized cooperation with a cooling plate 9.This conduit 4 thus has, at the level of portions of its length intended to be in contact with a cooling plate 9, that is to say in particular at the level of portions of its length positioned on the periphery of the distribution orifice 41, an arrangement which, in a plane in section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the flow in the conduit 4, has a design shape which is simple to produce. This arrangement in a “U” shape, that is to say comprising, on the one hand, a partitioned side and, on the other hand, an open side which forms the distribution orifice 41, makes it possible to obtain two portions of the bearing surface 42 at the end of the legs of the “U” capable of being arranged on either side of the distribution orifice 41.Furthermore, an arrangement in which the legs of the “U” have substantially similar heights over the entire length of the portion of conduit 4 provides the advantage of allowing easy positioning of the conduit 4 against the surface of a cooling plate 9. It should be noted that, if in each of the examples illustrated by the different figures, the partitioned side has a rounded arrangement, a construction having an alternative configuration, for example with different angles, is likely to be envisaged without departing from the device of the invention.

[0017] According to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the characteristics of the previously stated variants, in section at the level of a portion of the conduit 4 not carrying a distribution orifice 41, the conduit 4 has a totally partitioned, or even substantially circular, arrangement. Such a portion of conduit 4 is produced in particular at the level of parts of the conduit 4 intended to be positioned, relative to the direction of the flow provided in the conduit 4, upstream or downstream of the parts of the conduit 4 which interact with the cooling plate 9. The shape of these partitioned portions of the conduit 4, in a plane in section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the flow in the conduit 4, is capable of being of any type.However, according to a specific example of construction, when the distribution conduit 4 has a single structure, the shape adopted by the partitioned portions of the conduit 4 is preferably configured to provide surface continuity with the portions of the conduit 4 which carry distribution orifices 41 at the level of a majority part of the surface of the conduit 4.

[0018] According to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the characteristics of the previously stated variants, the fixing means 3 comprises a plurality of clipping parts, staples, or screws distributed over the length of the distribution conduit 4 so that each part of the fixing means 3 anchors the distribution orifice 41 with the surface of the cooling plate 9. Depending on the specificity of the fixing means, the anchoring of the conduit 4 to the cooling plate 9 is capable of involving particular arrangements or reliefs at the level of the structures or surfaces of each of these two assembled elements 4, 9. Thus, by way of example, the fixing means 3 comprises at least one tab carrying a fixing interface 31 positioned on each side of the axis of the conduit 4 and level with the bearing surface of the conduit 4.This conduit 4 is then likely to comprise one or more tabs arranged along its length which have interfaces substantially complementary to the surface of the cooling plate 9 and are arranged to be crossed by through-parts, such as screws, to cooperate with threaded interfaces carried by the surface of the cooling plate 9.

[0019] According to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the characteristics of the previously stated variants, the fixing means 3 comprises a structure having the shape of a rider arranged to surround at least a portion of the conduit 4 at a section, each of the two ends of the rider comprising a fixing interface 31 configured to interact with at least a part 92 of the surface of the cooling plate 9 on which the fixing of the conduit 4 takes place. According to this variant of construction, the inner edge produced by the surface located between the legs of the rider preferably has an arrangement of substantially similar, or even identical, shape to be complementary to the part of the periphery of the distribution conduit 4 with which the rider of the fixing means 3 cooperates.This complementarity of shape allows the rider of the fixing means 3 to operate a positioning and a maintenance of the conduit 4 which are optimized by matching as well as possible the external surface of the conduit 4. Each of the fixing interfaces 31 positioned at the ends of the rider of the fixing means 3 operates an anchoring with the surface of the cooling plate 9 by cooperation with one or more clipping parts, staples, or screws which interact with particular arrangements or reliefs carried by the structure or the surfaces of the cooling plate 9 and / or the ends of the rider of the fixing means 3. According to a specific embodiment of this construction variant, the fixing means 3 comprises at least one tab carrying a fixing interface 31 positioned on each side of the axis of the conduit 4 and level with the bearing surface of the conduit 4.Thus, the ends of the rider of the fixing means 3 are likely to comprise one or more tabs which have interfaces substantially complementary to the surface of the cooling plate 9 and are arranged to be crossed by through-parts, such as screws, to cooperate with threaded interfaces carried by the surface of the cooling plate 9.

[0020] According to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the distribution device 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the characteristics of the variants previously stated, the conduit 4 of the heat transfer liquid comprises a covering structure 44 of at least one circulation orifice 91 of a cooling plate 9, this covering structure 44 comprising a plurality of distribution orifices 41. According to this construction variant, the circulation orifice 91 of the cooling plate 9 comprising a lengthwise arrangement, the conduit 4 is positioned at the circulation orifice 91 so that the axis of the conduit 4 is arranged in the length of the circulation orifice 91.The covering structure 44 thus allows the conduit 4 to partially close the circulation orifice 91 by positioning one or more distribution orifices 41 of different respective dimensions so as to optimize the distribution or extraction of the heat transfer fluid between the conduit 4 and the cooling plate 9. Thus, the covering structure 44, on the one hand, has a dimensioning at least greater than the surface of the circulation orifice 91 of the cooling plate 9 and, on the other hand, preferably comprises several through openings along its surface, each defining a distribution orifice 41 of respective shape and dimension. Preferably, this covering structure 44 is structurally independent of the rest of the structure of the distribution conduit 4.This covering structure 44 is thus capable of being mounted on the surface of the cooling plate 9 independently of the fixing of the distribution conduit 4 on this same plate 9. Alternatively, the covering structure 44 is held at the level of the surface of the circulation orifice 91 of the cooling plate 9 by pinching or compressing the distribution conduit 4 bearing against the cooling plate 9. Similarly, this covering structure 44 is capable of being assembled with the distribution conduit 4 before these two elements are mounted on the surface of the cooling plate 9.

[0021] The invention also relates to an assembly characterized in that it comprises at least one distribution device 1 according to the invention fixed to at least one cooling plate 9.

[0022] According to an example of construction relating to a particular variant of the assembly according to the invention, at least one cooling plate 9 is associated with a distribution device 1 positioned at the circulation orifices 91 of each of its ends. According to this variant, on the one hand, a first distribution device 1 is mounted on the cooling plate 9 so as to operate the supply of the internal volume of the plate 9 with heat transfer fluid and, on the other hand, a second distribution device 1 is mounted at another part of the cooling plate 9 so as to extract the heat transfer fluid from the interior of the plate 9.

[0023] According to an example of construction relating to another particular variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being combined with the characteristics of the previously stated variant, the fixing of the distribution device 1 to the cooling plate 9 comprises at least one weld of its fixing means 3. By way of example, the weld is carried out between one or more of the fixing interfaces 31 positioned at the ends of the staple of the fixing means 3 and the surface of the cooling plate 9. It should be noted that direct fixing alternatives are also capable of being considered as a fixing which comprises at least one adhesive composition.

[0024] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and / or shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Dispensing device (1) for dispensing heat-transfer fluid at circulation orifices (91) of cooling plates (9), the device comprising at least: - one heat-transfer fluid duct (4) comprising at least: - one dispensing orifice (41) configured to be positioned facing at least one circulation orifice (91) of a cooling plate (9), - one bearing surface (42) configured to be of a form complementing the portion of the surface (92) of the cooling plate (9) which bears at least one circulation orifice (91), this bearing surface (42) surrounding at least a part of the dispensing orifice (41) of the duct (4), - one seal (2) positioned along at least a part of the bearing surface (42) of the duct (4), this seal (2) being configured to seal the join of the dispensing orifice (41) of the duct (4) with a cooling plate (9), - a fixing means (3) for fixing the duct (4) to the surface of a cooling plate (9), characterized in that the fixing means (3) comprises a structure having the form of a staple arranged to surround at least a portion of the duct (4) at a section, each of the two ends of the staple comprising a fixing interface (31) configured to interact with at least a part (92) of the surface of the cooling plate (9) on which the fixing of the duct (4) is done.

2. Heat-transfer fluid dispensing device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bearing surface (42) of the duct (4) at which the seal (2) is positioned comprises a recess (43) capable of receiving at least a part of the seal (2).

3. Heat-transfer fluid dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a portion of the seal (2) is produced in ethylenepropylene-diene monomer, in hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile and / or in silicone.

4. Heat-transfer fluid dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in section at a dispensing orifice (41) intended to be positioned facing a cooling plate (9), the duct (4) has a "U" form comprising a portion with a substantially semi-circular arrangement open towards the dispensing orifice (41) that is intended to be partitioned by the surface of the cooling plate (9).

5. Heat-transfer fluid dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in section at a portion of the duct (4) not bearing any dispensing orifice (41), the duct (4) has an arrangement that is totally partitioned, even substantially circular.

6. Heat-transfer fluid dispensing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fixing means (3) comprises at least one tab bearing a fixing interface (31) positioned on each side of the axis of the duct (4) and level with the bearing surface of the duct (4).

7. Heat-transfer fluid dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat-transfer fluid duct (4) comprises a covering structure (44) for covering at least one circulation orifice (91) of a cooling plate (9), this covering structure (44) comprising a plurality of dispensing orifices (41).

8. Assembly, characterized in that it comprises at least one dispensing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 fixed to at least one cooling plate (9).

9. Assembly according to Claim 8, characterized in that at least one cooling plate (9) is associated with a dispensing device (1) positioned at the circulation orifices (91) of each of its ends.

10. Assembly according to one of Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the dispensing device (1) is fixed to the cooling plate (9) by welding of its fixing means (3).