Tray for accommodating a part capable of giving off heat

Abstract

The invention relates to a tray (1) designed to accommodate a part capable of giving off heat during its operation, in particular said part being an electrochemical energy storage module, the tray comprising: - a bottom wall (2) designed to accommodate the part; - at least one side wall (7) that is attached to the bottom wall and comprises in particular an inner plate (8) and an outer plate (9) that are assembled together to form at least one heat transfer fluid flow channel, said side wall having a periphery provided with at least one folded corner (12).

Description

[0001] Tray for receiving a component likely to release heat

[0002] [1] The present invention relates to a container, arranged to receive a component likely to release heat during its operation. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a container.

[0003] [2] The invention relates in particular to a cooling tank for at least one electrochemical storage module, in particular for the automotive sector.

[0004] [3] Electrochemical storage modules, namely battery modules for electric or hybrid vehicles, must be kept at the desired temperature as far as possible for optimal operation. For this purpose, temperature control devices are used, either to cool or to heat the said modules to maintain them at a desired temperature.

[0005] In particular, the temperature control devices include a tray designed to receive the battery modules.

[0006] [4] The invention aims to simplify the design and manufacture of the compartment to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0007] [5] The invention thus proposes a container arranged to receive a component likely to release heat during its operation, in particular this component being an electrochemical energy storage module, the container comprising:

[0008] - a bottom wall arranged to receive the component;

[0009] - at least one side wall fixed to the bottom wall and comprising in particular an internal plate and an external plate assembled together to form at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, this side wall having a periphery provided with at least one folded corner.

[0010] [6] Thanks to the invention, the side wall can be continuous on the corner(s) of its perimeter, unlike a side wall which would be formed by several panels assembled at the corners. The invention thus offers better sealing because at least some corners of the perimeter are not formed by joint lines which could present a sealing defect. [7] In addition, the invention makes it possible, to manufacture the side wall, to use fewer elements to be assembled, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the tank.

[0011] [8] According to one aspect of the invention, the folded corner is substantially rounded.

[0012] [9] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall has a height measured in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall, and the folded corner extends over this entire height of the side wall.

[0013]

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall has a closed periphery and comprises a joining line along which the side wall closes on itself.

[0014]

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the joining line is rectilinear and extends over the entire height of the side wall.

[0015]

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the joining line is a weld line which connects two joining edges of the side wall.

[0016]

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the periphery of the side wall is substantially rectangular with three rounded folded corners, and one corner formed by the join line.

[0017]

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall has an extension defining an internal wall, inside the periphery of the side wall.

[0018]

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the inner wall extends between two locations for components to be cooled. Thus, the channel(s) in this inner wall serves to cool the components on either side of the inner wall.

[0019]

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the internal wall is substantially flat, in particular extending between two opposite edges of the periphery of the side wall.

[0020]

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall has two extensions defining two internal walls placed against each other, inside the periphery of the side wall.

[0021]

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembled plates of the side wall are made of metal, in particular aluminum.

[0022]

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the inner and outer plates of the side wall are assembled together by welding, brazing or gluing.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the inner plate faces the inside of the tank, and the outer plate faces the outside of the tank.

[0023]

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the external plate comprises a plurality of recessed zones forming the heat transfer fluid circulation channel(s).

[0024]

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the external plate comprises flat junction zones, in particular between the recessed zones, these flat junction zones being arranged to be placed in abutment against the internal plate to form the heat transfer fluid circulation channel(s).

[0025]

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the folded corner of the side wall corresponds to folded corners of the inner and outer plates.

[0026]

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom wall comprises at least two plates forming between them one or more heat transfer fluid circulation channels.

[0027]

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the internal face of the bottom wall is flat. Thus, the contact surface between the component and the bottom wall is maximum so that the heat exchange between the bottom wall and the component is optimized.

[0028]

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom wall comprises an internal plate comprising an internal face on which the component can be placed and an external plate forming with the internal plate one or more heat transfer fluid circulation channels.

[0029]

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall is welded or brazed to the bottom wall.

[0030]

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the welding method is MIG (“metal inert gas welding”) - MAG (“metal active gas”) welding.

[0031]

[0029] Alternatively, the welding method is laser welding.

[0032]

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the tank comprises a weld bead between the side wall and the bottom wall.

[0033]

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the weld bead extends around the entire circumference of the side wall, or a portion of this circumference.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the tank comprises a sealing joint, in particular based on resin, which runs along a junction line between the side wall and the bottom wall.

[0034]

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall or the bottom wall comprises at least one fluid inlet or outlet orifice to allow the connection of external fluid supply or collection pipes to the channel or channels present in these walls.

[0035]

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall and / or the bottom wall comprises heat transfer fluid circulation channels arranged to allow counterflow, namely the channels have at least two parallel neighboring sections with opposite flow directions.

[0036]

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the container comprises a cover arranged to be fixed to the side wall.

[0037]

[0036] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one component, in particular at least one electrochemical energy storage module, and a tank as mentioned above, arranged to exchange heat with this component placed on the bottom wall of the tank.

[0038]

[0037] The invention also relates to a method for producing a container arranged to receive a component capable of releasing heat during its operation, in particular this component being an electrochemical energy storage module, the method comprising the following steps:

[0039] - provide a back wall designed to receive the component;

[0040] - folding a double-plate structure, in particular made of metal, to form a side wall comprising an internal plate and an external plate together forming at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, the fold corresponding to a corner of the periphery of the side wall,

[0041] - fix the side wall to the back wall.

[0042]

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the following step:

[0043] - heating the double plate structure prior to the folding step.

[0039] Deformation for folding the double plate structure can be easier once heated.

[0044]

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the double plate structure is heated in an oven.

[0045]

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the double-plate structure is folded in contact with a mandrel, in particular of cylindrical shape, to form the rounded corner(s).

[0046]

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the double plate structure is wrapped around a mandrel and stretched at the same time in order to limit the crushing of the channels.

[0047]

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the double plate structure is folded at several locations to form an extension defining an inner wall, within the periphery of the side wall. For example, the double plate structure is folded at at least 5 locations, forming at least 5 rounded corners.

[0048]

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant fluid, in particular a fluid chosen from the refrigerant fluids R134a, R1234yf or R744, or a glycolated water.

[0049]

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid is itself cooled by an evaporation exchanger (called a “chiller” in English) connected to an air conditioning loop of the vehicle.

[0050]

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the component is an electrochemical energy storage module which is chosen from battery modules of the Li-ion, Li-air, Lithium polymer, Lithium sulfur, Lithium metal, Na-ion, Na-air, K-ion, Mg-ion, or Zn-air type.

[0051]

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the component is a fuel cell.

[0052]

[0048] The component may be an electrochemical energy storage module, in particular a battery module, comprising one or more battery cells, in particular housed in a housing. The container may receive one or more modules. The modules may be arranged in the container in one or more parallel rows.

[0049] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

[0053]

[0050] - [Figure 1] illustrates, schematically and partially, a perspective view of a bin according to an exemplary implementation of the invention;

[0054]

[0051] - [Figure 2] illustrates, schematically, a sectional view of the side wall of the tank of [Figure 1];

[0055]

[0052] - [Figure 3] illustrates, schematically, a sectional view of the bottom wall of the tank of [Figure 1];

[0056]

[0053] - [Figure 4] illustrates, schematically, a mandrel in contact with which the folding of the side wall is made,

[0057]

[0054] - [Figure 5] illustrates, schematically and partially, a top view of a container according to another example of implementation of the invention.

[0058]

[0055] In the following, in the drawings, the same numerical references designate the same elements or members.

[0059]

[0056] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container 1 arranged to receive components 50 placed on a flat internal face 3 of a bottom wall 2 of the container 1.

[0060]

[0057] The container 1 further comprises a cover 4 arranged to be fixed to a side wall 7 of the container 1.

[0061]

[0058] Each component 50 is an electrochemical energy storage module.

[0062]

[0059] The electrochemical energy storage module is chosen from battery modules of the Li-ion, Li-air, Lithium polymer, Lithium sulfur, Lithium metal, Na-ion, Na-air, K-ion, Mg-ion, or Zn-air type.

[0063]

[0060] In the example described, the tray 1 receives two rows of six modules each, so that a total of twelve modules are housed in this tray 1. Each module can be fixed in the tray 1 by means of fixing elements such as screws (not shown). Each module has a rectangular perimeter.

[0061] The side wall 7 is fixed to the bottom wall 2 and comprises, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an internal plate 8 and an external plate 9 assembled together to form channels 10 for circulating heat transfer fluid.

[0064]

[0062] The inner plate 8 faces the inside of the tank 1, and the outer plate 9 faces the outside of the tank 1.

[0065]

[0063] This side wall 7 has a perimeter 11 provided with three folded corners 12.

[0066]

[0064] Each folded corner 12 is substantially rounded.

[0067]

[0065] The side wall 7 has a height H measured in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall, and the folded corners extend over the entire height H of the side wall 7.

[0068]

[0066] The perimeter 11 is closed and includes a joining line 14 along which the side wall 7 closes on itself.

[0069]

[0067] The joining line 14 is rectilinear and extends over the entire height H of the side wall 7. This joining line 14 is a weld line which connects two adjoining edges 15 of the side wall 7.

[0070]

[0068] Thus, the perimeter 11 of the side wall 7 is substantially rectangular with three rounded folded corners 12, and a corner 16 formed by the joining line 14.

[0071]

[0069] The assembled plates 8 and 9 of the side wall 7 are made of metal, here aluminum. The assembly is done by welding, brazing or gluing.

[0072]

[0070] The external plate 9 comprises a plurality of recessed zones 17 forming the channels 10 for circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0073]

[0071] The external plate 9 comprises flat junction zones 19, between the recessed zones 17, these flat junction zones 19 being arranged to be placed in abutment against the internal plate 8 to form the channels 10 for circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0074]

[0072] Each folded corner 12 of the side wall 7 corresponds to folded corners of the inner and outer plates 8 and 9.

[0075]

[0073] Similarly, as illustrated in Figure 3, the bottom wall 3 comprises two plates 20 and 21 forming between them several channels 22 for circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0074] The internal face of the bottom wall 2 is flat. Thus, the contact surface between the components 50 and the bottom wall 2 is maximum so that the heat exchange between the bottom wall 2 and the components 50 is optimized.

[0076]

[0075] Thus, the internal plate 20 comprises an internal face 24 on which the components 50 are placed and the external plate 21 forming with the internal plate 20 the channels 22 for circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0077]

[0076] The side wall 7 is welded to the bottom wall 2 by MIG (“metal inert gas welding”) welding.

[0078]

[0077] Thus, the tank 1 comprises weld beads 25 between the side wall 7 and the bottom wall 2. These weld beads 25 extend, discontinuously, around the entire circumference of the side wall 7, at its base.

[0079]

[0078] The tank 1 further comprises a sealing joint 26, based on resin such as mastic, which runs along a junction line between the side wall 7 and the bottom wall 2, inside the tank 1.

[0080]

[0079] The side wall 7 comprises fluid inlet or outlet orifices 27, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1, to allow the connection of external fluid supply or collection tubes to the channels 10 present in this side wall 7.

[0081]

[0080] An assembly 60 is thus formed of the electrochemical energy storage modules 50, and the tank 1 arranged to exchange heat with these modules 50 placed on the bottom wall 2.

[0082]

[0081] The manufacturing process of the tray 1 comprises the following steps:

[0083] - provide the back wall 2;

[0084] - folding a double plate structure 30 (visible in figure 4) to form the side wall 7, each fold corresponding to a corner 12 of the periphery of the side wall 7,

[0085] - fix the side wall 7 thus formed to the bottom wall 2.

[0086]

[0082] The double-plate structure 30 is heated, for example in an oven, prior to the folding step.

[0083] The double-plate structure 30 is folded in contact with a mandrel 31, of cylindrical shape, to form the rounded corners 12. Preferably, the double-plate structure 30 is wound around the mandrel 31 and stretched at the same time in order to limit the crushing of the channels 10.

[0084] The heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant fluid, in particular a fluid chosen from the refrigerant fluids R134a, R1234yf or R744, or a glycolated water.

[0087]

[0085] The heat transfer fluid is itself cooled by an evaporation exchanger (called a “chiller” in English) connected to an air conditioning loop of the vehicle.

[0088]

[0086] Another example of implementation of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5

[0087] In this example, the double plate structure 40 is folded so as to form an extension 41 defining an internal wall 42, inside the periphery of the side wall 43. The double plate structure 40 is folded in 5 locations, forming 5 rounded corners 44.

[0089]

[0088] The internal wall 42 is substantially centered to divide the interior of the container into two volumes 45 and 46. Alternatively, this internal wall 42 can be placed differently, off-center for example.

Claims

Demands

1. A container (1) arranged to receive a component capable of releasing heat during its operation, in particular that component being an electrochemical energy storage module (50), the container comprising: - a back wall (2) arranged to receive the component; - at least one side wall (7) fixed to the bottom wall and comprising in particular an inner plate (8) and an outer plate (9) assembled together to form at least one channel (10) for the circulation of heat transfer fluid, this side wall having a perimeter provided with at least one folded corner (12).

2. Tray according to claim 1, wherein the folded corner (12) is substantially rounded.

3. A container according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the side wall (7) has a height (H) measured along a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall (2), and the folded corner extends over the entire height of the side wall (7).

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall has a closed perimeter and includes a joint line (14) along which the side wall (7) closes on itself.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall has an extension (41) defining an internal wall (42), inside the perimeter of the side wall.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembled plates (8, 9) of the side wall (7) are made of metal, in particular aluminum.

7. A tank according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bottom wall (2) comprises at least two plates (20, 21) forming between them one or more channels (22) for the circulation of heat transfer fluid.

8. A tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray comprises a weld bead (26) between the side wall and the bottom wall.

9. According to any one of the preceding claims, the tank includes a sealing joint (25) which runs along a junction line between the side wall (7) and the bottom wall (2).

10. Assembly (60) comprising at least one component (50), in particular at least one electrochemical energy storage module, and a tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged to exchange heat with this component placed on the bottom wall of the tank.

11. A method for making a container (1) arranged to receive a component capable of releasing heat during its operation, in particular this component being an electrochemical energy storage module, the method comprising the following steps: - provide a back wall (2) arranged to receive the component; - bending a double-plate structure (30), in particular made of metal, to form a side wall comprising an inner plate and an outer plate together forming at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, the bend corresponding to a corner of the perimeter of the side wall, - fix the side wall (7) to the bottom wall.

12. A method according to the preceding claim, comprising the following step: - heat the double plate structure (30) prior to the folding step.

13. A method according to any one of claims 10 and 11, wherein the double-plate structure (30) is bent in contact with a mandrel (31), in particular of cylindrical shape, to form the rounded corner(s).

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