Electrical energy storage module having integrated power conversion means, and electrical energy store incorporating same

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical energy storage module (M1-ln) which comprises a plurality of elementary storage cells (C1 to C12). According to the invention, the module comprises at least one cell unit (U1-1, U1-2) including a plurality of elementary storage cells connected in series (C1 to C6; C7 to C12) and integrated power-switching means (P1, S1; P2, S2) dedicated to this cell unit, delivering, between two power output terminals (B1, B2) of the cell unit, a positive DC voltage, a negative DC voltage, a zero voltage or a high impedance state, depending on a command received by the cell unit.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE OF THE INVENTION: ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE MODULE HAVING INTEGRATED POWER CONVERSION MEANS AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORER INCORPORATING SAME

[0001] The invention generally relates to the storage of electrical energy and the electrical conversion of power, in particular in mobile applications, such as vehicles equipped with an electrified powertrain or stationary applications for storing and converting energy. More particularly, the invention relates to an electrical energy storage module having integrated power conversion means. The invention also relates to an electrical energy store formed by the association of several electrical energy storage modules and capable of being directly connected to different types of electrical networks present in an electrified vehicle, such as a hybrid or all-electric vehicle, or in an electrical micro-grid comprising the production, storage and distribution of electrical energy.

[0002] Generally speaking, in an electrical energy storage device, for example of the Lithium-Ion type, called "Li-ion", a plurality of elementary energy storage cells are interconnected in series so as to obtain a desired nominal voltage. To achieve the required capacity level, the cells can also be doubled, tripled or more, by placing them in parallel.

[0003] Thus, for example, car manufacturers have chosen to group Li-ion cells into modules with electrical couplings called "1 p12s" and "2p6s", corresponding respectively to twelve cells in series and six series packs of two cells in parallel per pack. The electrical energy store obtained with the aforementioned type of arrangement delivers a direct current to the vehicle's on-board power network, typically 450V or even 800V. Electronic power conversion means are provided to convert the direct current into alternating current, to lower the voltage or other, depending on the needs of other on-board networks of the vehicle or actuators to be powered.

[0004] In stationary applications, Li-ion cells are electrically coupled within a module. Several modules are connected in series to deliver a direct voltage of up to 1500V. Power conversion means are used to deliver an alternating voltage to exchange energy with the distribution network, via an intermediate voltage transformer if necessary.

[0005] The architecture described above for the electrical energy storage system is the one currently used for electric mobility applications, as well as stationary applications. It has the following disadvantages in particular:

[0006] 1) High voltage is present inside the electrical energy storage device. Dismantling / opening the storage device requires specific authorizations and the use of individual and collective protective equipment, which prevents, in the field of mass mobility, these operations from being carried out in a large number of car garages.

[0007] 2) The electrical energy store operates on direct current, which implies the need for electronic means of power conversion to adapt the voltage and current to the needs of electrical consumers (actuators, on-board networks of the electric vehicle, auxiliary functions of a stationary battery).

[0008] 3) The Li-ion cells in the electrical energy storage device are subjected to the same load at all times. As a result, it is not worthwhile to include cells with different capacities, different health conditions, or different power outputs in the storage device.

[0009] 4) The remaining usable energy of a storage device, which in the case of the mobility application translates into the calculated remaining range of the vehicle, is determined by the Li-ion cell with the lowest charge in the electrical energy storage device. This results in a displayed remaining range which may be significantly lower than the actual energy remaining in the storage device.

[0010] The applicant disclosed in its patent applications WO2018154206A1 and WO2018193173A1 an electrical energy storage device comprising a distributed multi-level inverter. In this architecture, groups of electrical energy storage cells are associated respectively with conversion modules. This electrical energy storage device can provide different types of voltages and supports different charging systems.

[0011] The invention aims to provide a solution to the drawbacks set out above of the state of the art by providing an electrical energy storer formed by the association of several electrical energy storage modules and distributed power conversion means, and being capable of being connected directly to different types of electrical networks present in an electrified vehicle, such as a hybrid or all-electric vehicle, or in an electrical micro-grid integrating an electrical energy storer.

[0012] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an electrical energy storage module comprising a plurality of elementary storage cells. According to the invention, the module comprises at least one cell unit including several said elementary storage cells connected in series and integrated power switching means dedicated to this cell unit delivering, between two power output terminals of the cell unit, a positive DC voltage, a negative DC voltage, a zero voltage or a high impedance state, depending on a command received by the cell unit.

[0013] According to a particular characteristic, said dedicated integrated power switching means comprise power switching means and separate supervision means, the supervision means being implemented in the form of an electronic supervision card installed on an upper face of said cell unit.

[0014] According to a particular characteristic, the power switching means have the form of an electronic power switching card comprising an “H” power switching bridge, this electronic power switching card being installed at the level of a lateral face of said cell unit.

[0015] According to a particular characteristic, the module comprises means for cooling the electronic power switching card arranged between this electronic power switching card and the side face of said cell unit.

[0016] According to a particular characteristic, the lateral face of the cell unit is a transverse face of this cell unit and the module comprises a transverse assembly plate arranged against this transverse face, the cooling means being juxtaposed in a sandwich between the transverse assembly plate and the electronic power switching card.

[0017] According to a particular characteristic, the transverse assembly plate and the cooling means of the electronic power switching card form a common part. Such a common part is also referred to as a power module.

[0018] According to another particular feature, the transverse assembly plate and the power switching electronic card form a common part.

[0019] According to another particular characteristic, the lateral face of the cell unit is a longitudinal face of this cell unit and the module comprises a longitudinal assembly plate arranged against this longitudinal face, the cooling means comprising a cooling plate juxtaposed in a sandwich between the longitudinal assembly plate and the electronic power switching card and / or a cooling plate covering the electronic power switching card.

[0020] According to a particular feature, the module comprises a cooling plate forming a base on which the cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2) is placed.

[0021] According to yet another particular characteristic, the power switching means comprise power transistors of the “MOSFET”, “HEMT” or “SiC” type.

[0022] According to yet another particular feature, the cell unit comprises six elementary storage cells which are of the “Li-ion” type.

[0023] According to yet another particular characteristic, the electrical energy storage module comprises at least two cell units, these cell units being disconnected or connected in series by their power output terminals.

[0024] The invention also relates to an electrical energy store comprising a plurality of electrical energy storage modules as briefly described above, in which the modules are organized into at least one set of modules, the modules of the set being aligned in at least one row, the cell units included in the aligned modules being connected in series by their power output terminals between first and second conductive lines associated with the set of modules and being connected to a cooling circuit, and each cell unit being controlled independently via its supervision means. According to a particular embodiment capable of operating in three-phase alternating current, the electrical energy store comprises three sets of modules as described above with which are associated three respective current conductive lines and a common neutral conductive line.

[0025] The invention also relates to a stationary or mobile electrical device comprising an electrical energy store as described above. According to a particular embodiment, the electrical device of the invention is an electrical network or electrical micro-network integrating the production, storage and / or distribution of electrical energy.

[0026] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description below of several particular embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a simplified perspective drawing of a first embodiment of an electrical energy storage module according to the invention.

[0028] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a drawing showing in top view the basic architecture of a first electrical energy store produced by associating a plurality of modules of Fig.1.

[0029] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a basic electrical diagram of a cell unit included in the electrical energy storage module of Fig.1.

[0030] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a simplified perspective drawing of a second embodiment of an electrical energy storage module according to the invention.

[0031] [Fig.5] Fig.5 is a drawing showing in top view the basic architecture of a second electrical energy store made by associating a plurality of modules of Fig.4.

[0032] With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, two particular embodiments ST1 and ST2 of an electrical energy storer according to the invention are described below. In general, it will be noted that the spatial reference frame considered in the present patent application for the electrical energy storers ST1 and ST2 is the orthogonal spatial reference frame XYZ shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in Figs. 4 and 5. In this orthogonal spatial reference frame XYZ, the axes X, Y and Z correspond respectively to a longitudinal horizontal axis, a transverse horizontal axis and a vertical axis. The electrical energy storage devices ST1 and ST2, the general arrangement of which is shown in Figs. 2 and 5, respectively, are considered to be placed on a horizontal plane XY.

[0033] In these embodiments, the electrical energy storage devices ST1 and ST2 are of the Li-ion type and each comprise several sets of modules associated with current lines. The sets of modules each comprise several modules connected in series which are activated or deactivated according to the current / voltage requirements of the consumers. The consumers here are, for example, a rotating electrical traction machine supplied with alternating current or a direct current power supply bus of an electric vehicle. In the case of powering a rotating electrical machine, each set of modules of the storage device provides, on the associated current line, the alternating current necessary to power one of the phases of the rotating electrical machine.

[0034] In the example of a power grid application, the storage device is connected to a three-phase power grid and exchanges energy bidirectionally. The storage device can also be connected to a string of photovoltaic panels and provide a DC voltage bus.

[0035] With particular reference to Figs. 2 and 4, the electrical energy storage device ST1 (ST2) comprises three sets of electrical energy storage cell modules EM1-1 to EM1-3 (EM2-1 to EM2-3) respectively connected to three current conducting lines L1 to L3, as well as to a common neutral conducting line LN and a cooling circuit CRF. The sets EM1-1, EM1-2 and EM1-3 (EM2-1, EM2-2 and EM2-3) each comprise eight modules, namely, M1-11 to M1-18, M1-21 to M1-28 and M1-31 to M1-38 (M2-11 to M2-18, M2-21 to M2-28 and M2-31 to M2-38), respectively. Thus, the electrical energy store ST1 (ST2, is capable of supplying a three-phase rotating electrical machine or of being connected to an electrical network via the three current lines L1 to L3 and the neutral line N.

[0036] With particular reference to Fig. 1 and 3, the general architecture of any cell module M1 -ln among the twenty-four modules of the electrical energy store ST 1 is now described in detail, with I varying from 1 to 3 and n varying from 1 to 8 which respectively represent the set of modules to which the module considered belongs and an order occupied by it in its set of modules.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 1, in this embodiment, the module M1-In comprises two cell units U1-1 and U1-2 having an identical architecture. The cell unit U1-1 essentially comprises six electrical energy storage cells C1 to C6, a power switching electronic card P1 and a supervision electronic card S1. The cell unit U1-2 essentially comprises six electrical energy storage cells C7 to C12, a card P2 power switching electronics and an S2 supervision electronic card.

[0038] With reference to Fig. 3, in the cell unit U1-1 (U1-2), the cells C1 to C6 (C7 to C12) are electrically connected in series. The electronic power switching card P1 (P2) is an “H” switching bridge comprising four electronic switches SW1 to SW4, for example “MOSFET”, “HEMT” or “SiC” type transistors. The electronic supervision card S1 (S2) is an electronic control unit typically connected to a data communication bus BD of the electrical energy store ST1. Through the data communication bus BD, the supervision cards S1, S2, of all the modules are in data communication with a computer (not shown) responsible for the general supervision of the electrical energy store ST1 and connected to a data communication bus (not shown) of the vehicle, typically a “CAN” type bus.The electronic supervision board S1 (S2) generates switching commands CD1 to CD4 intended for the electronic switches SW1 to SW4 according to instructions received via the data communication bus BD. The electronic supervision board S1 (S2) also provides diagnostic and monitoring functions for each of the cells C1 to C6 (C7 to C12). The electronic supervision board S1 (S2) monitors the cells C1 to C6 (C7 to C12) with respect to their states of charge, called "SOC", their states of health, called "SOH", and the temperature. To avoid complicating Figs. 1 and 3, the electrical connections between the electronic supervision board S1 (S2) and the cells C1 to C6 (C7 to C12), to obtain measurements of the voltage at the terminals of the cells and the incoming / outgoing current, are not shown in these figures.

[0039] Depending on an instruction received by the electronic supervision card S1 (S2) and from which the switching commands CD1 to CD4 are deduced, the cell unit U 1 -1 (U1 -2) provides an output OUT, between output terminals B1 and B2, which is a voltage +VC, a voltage -VC, a zero voltage 0V or a high impedance state HL

[0040] The voltage VC is here substantially equal to VC = 6.Vc, Vc being the voltage between the terminals of the cells, which essentially depends on the states "SOC", "SOH" and the temperature. In this embodiment, the choice of connecting six Li-ion cells in series to form the cell unit U1 -1 (U1-2) makes it possible to obtain a voltage VC of the order of 24V as the maximum potential difference between the output terminals B1 and B2. The voltage VC = 24V approximately, obtained here with a unit of six cells in series, is a good compromise for an automotive application, on considerations of harmonic generation and cost. The voltage VC = 24V represents an acceptable voltage jump with respect to the generation of harmonics for the current waves delivered at the output by the electrical energy store ST1. Of course, the number of six cells per unit is treated here as an example, and is not limiting. The number of cells per unit will depend mainly on the application. In automotive applications, twelve cells per unit is also acceptable for integration into a vehicle, with a voltage VC = approximately 48V which remains significantly lower than the very low direct voltage of 60V in an electric vehicle, at the cost, however, of a degradation in the quality of the current waves which can complicate the control of the rotating electrical traction machine. This is also acceptable for an electrical network application, with additional filtering at the output of the storage device to limit voltage harmonics.

[0041] The high impedance state HI is provided by the blocked state of all the MOSFET transistors of the electronic switches SW1 to SW4, by an adequate control of the gate electrodes thereof. In the high impedance state HI, the electronic switches SW1 to SW4 are all electrically open and the output terminals B1 and B2 are then electrically isolated from the cells C1 to C6 (C7 to C12). By placing the cell units of the electrical energy store ST1 in the high impedance state HI, the invention guarantees the non-exposure to electrical risk of a person having to open the storer for a maintenance operation.

[0042] As seen in Fig. 1, the cell unit U1-1 (U1-2) is spatially arranged in a generally parallelepiped volume. The cells C1 to C6 (C7 to C12) forming the cell unit U1-1 (U1-2) are here typically of the so-called "prismatic" type and have a general external shape of a flat parallelepiped. Thus, the cells C1 to C6 (C7 to C12) have two parallel faces aligned in the YZ plane, two parallel edges aligned in the XY plane and two other parallel edges aligned in the XZ plane. The cells C1 to C6 (C7 to C12) are juxtaposed against each other by respective faces and form a stack along the X axis.

[0043] In the module M1-ln, as visible in Fig. 1, the cell units U 1 -1 and U1- 2 are juxtaposed against each other by first end faces which are those of the cells C6 and C7. The module M1 -ln thus comprises a stack of twelve cells C1 to C12 along the X axis. The cells C1 to C12 are placed on a plate forming an SBR base, in the XY plane, having a support function and a cooling function. The cells C1 to C12 are held tightly against each other by mechanical assembly means PA1, PA2, PA3 and PA4 in the form for example of transverse assembly plates PA1, PA2, and longitudinal assembly plates PA3, PA4. The transverse assembly plates PA1 and PA2 extend in YZ planes and are arranged against second end faces of the cell units U1-1 and U1-2 which are those of the cells C1 and C12. The longitudinal assembly plates PA3 and PA4, of which only PA3 is visible in Fig.1, extend in XZ planes and support clamping means (not shown) causing, during clamping, a bringing together of the transverse assembly plates PA1, PA2, along the X axis. The cells C1 to C12 are thus clamped in a sandwich and kept fixed between. the transverse assembly plates PA1, PA2. The outer casing of the prismatic type cells is very strong and is suitable for withstanding the clamping pressure.

[0044] For the cell unit U1-1, the power switching electronic board P1 is mounted at its second end face, corresponding to the cell C1, in a YZ plane. A cooling plate SR1 is sandwiched between the transverse assembly plate PA1 and the power switching electronic board P1. The supervision electronic board S1 is mounted on the upper part of the cell unit U1-1, near the connection terminals of the cells C1 to C6.

[0045] For the U1-2 cell unit, similarly to the U1-1 cell unit, the power switching electronic board P2 is mounted at its second end face, corresponding to the C12 cell, in a YZ plane. A cooling plate SR2 is sandwiched between the transverse assembly plate PA2 and the power switching electronic board P2. The supervision electronic board S2 is mounted on the upper part of the U1-2 cell unit, close to the connection terminals of the C7 to C12 cells.

[0046] The cooling of the M1-ln module is obtained here by means of the aforementioned SBR, SR1 and SR2 plates. These plates are typically made of aluminum or copper, to obtain satisfactory thermal conduction, and may take different configurations depending on the application. Thus, they may be of massive structure to conduct the heat towards a cold source and / or include a cooling circuit by heat transfer liquid. For example, the cold source may be formed by the SBR cooling plate integrating a cooling circuit by heat transfer liquid, the SR1 and SR2 cooling plates then being massive and conveying the heat towards the SBR plate. Of course, in other embodiments, the cold source may also be formed by the SR1 and / or SR2 cooling plate.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment, the plates SR1 and SR2 may be removed and their cooling functions will then be provided by the transverse assembly plates PA1, PA2. In other words, in this alternative, the transverse assembly plate PA1 (PA2) and the cooling means SR1 (SR2) of the electronic power switching card P1 (P2) form a common part. These plates PA1, PA2 will then be modified to provide good thermal coupling with the SBR plate as a cold source.

[0048] In the case of an embodiment with immersive cooling in a dielectric fluid, the module M1 -ln will typically comprise at least one cooling plate having fins, or having any other geometry designed to promote heat exchanges. The position and geometry of the cooling plate will then be chosen to promote the flow of the dielectric fluid, whether static, in conducted flow or delivered locally, for example, in spray or drop form.

[0049] In another embodiment, the electronic power switching board P1 (P2) may take the form of a power module. In other words, in this embodiment, the transverse assembly plate PA1 (PA2) and the electronic power switching board P1 (P2) form a common part. Since the outer casing of a power module is usually very mechanically strong, the power module P1 (P2) may fulfill the function of the transverse assembly plate PA1 (PA2), thus eliminating the need for the latter.

[0050] Referring again to Fig. 2, there is now described the general arrangement of modules M1-11 to M1-18, M1-21 to M1-28 and M1-31 to M1-38 of the ST1 storer in their respective module sets EM1-1, EM1-2 and EM1-3, and the connection of their cell units U1-1, U1-2, to the current lines L1 to L3, neutral LN and to the cooling circuit CRF.

[0051] In the module set EM1-1 (EM1-2 or EM1-3), the eight modules M1-11 to M1-18 (M1-21 to M1-28 or M1-31 to M1-38) are juxtaposed in a single row with their large side faces parallel to the XZ plane, aligned along the Y axis. The electrical connection conductors and cooling lines for connecting the modules are arranged on both sides of the module row. The units U1-1 and U1-2 of the modules M1-11 to M1-18 (M1-21 to M1-28 or M1-31 to M1-38) are electrically connected in series between the current line L1 (L2 or L3) and the neutral line LN. Thus, the units U1-1 aligned on a first side of the row are connected in series by the output terminals B1, B2, of their power switching cards P1 which are located on the first small lateral faces parallel to the YZ plane (see Fig. 1) of the modules M1-11 to M1-18 (M1-21 to M1-28 or M1-31 to M1-38).The units U1-2 aligned on a second side of the row are similarly connected in series by the output terminals B1, B2, of their power switching boards P2 which are located on second small lateral faces parallel to the YZ plane (see Fig. 1) of the modules M1-11 to M1-18 (M1-21 to M1-28 or M1-31 to M1-38). The units U1-1 and U1-2 of the first module M1-11 (M1-21 or M1-31) of the row are connected by the output terminals B1, B2, of their power switching boards P1 and P2 to the current line L1 (L2 or L3) and to the neutral line LN, respectively. Units U1-1 and U1-2 of the last module M1-18 (M1-28 or M1-38) in the row are connected in series through the output terminals B1, B2 of their power switching boards P1 and P2.

[0052] Due to its architecture, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the electrical energy store according to the invention allows the generation of any type of waveform, in particular a sinusoidal wave, on each of its current lines, thanks to the individual control of the cell units. Furthermore, the possibility of individually controlling the cell units allows the implementation of a dynamic balancing strategy for them.

[0053] Concerning the CRF cooling circuit, cooling pipes CF1 (CF2 or CF3), in which a heat transfer fluid FC circulates, are located on either side of the row of modules M1-11 to M1-18 (M1-21 to M1-28 or M1-31 to M1-38). The cooling means of the modules M1-11 to M1-18 (M1-21 to M1-28 or M1-31 to M1-38), such as the aforementioned SBR, SR1 and SR2 plates (see Fig. 1), are connected to the cooling pipes CF1 (CF2 or CF3) for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid FC ensuring the evacuation of calories to a heat exchanger (not shown).

[0054] With reference now more particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, the general architecture of any cell module M2-ln among the twenty-four modules of the electrical energy store ST2 is described below, with, as for the module M1 -ln described above, I varying from 1 to 3 and n varying from 1 to 8 which respectively represent the set of modules to which the module considered belongs and the order occupied by it in its set of modules.

[0055] As can be seen in Fig. 4, the M2-ln module differs from the M1-ln module mainly by the spatial arrangement of the power switching boards P1 and P2 in the respective cell units U2-1 and U2-2 of the M2-ln module, as well as by the arrangement of the cooling means.

[0056] The power switching cards P1 and P2 are mounted on the longitudinal assembly plate PA3 located at a first large longitudinal face, parallel to the XZ plane, of the module M2-ln. The power switching cards P1 and P2 are placed opposite the cells C1 to C6 and C7 to C12 of the units U2-1 and U2-2, respectively. A cooling plate SR3 against which the power switching cards P1 and P2 bear is interposed between them and the longitudinal assembly plate PA3. The cooling plate SR3 here ensures the cooling of the two power switching cards P1, P2. Alternatively, the cooling plate SR3 is not interposed between the longitudinal assembly plate PA3 and the cards P1, P2, but covers the cards P1, P2. Alternatively, two cooling plates located on either side of the power switching cards P1, P2 can be provided.

[0057] Unlike the M1-ln module in which the boards P1, P2 of the units U1-1, U1-2 are electrically disconnected at their output terminals B1, B2 inside the module, the boards P1, P2 of the M2-ln module are electrically pre-connected in series by a conductor LS between their output terminals B1, B2, for example, by soldering or screwing.

[0058] In this embodiment, the integration in the M2-ln module of the power switching cards P1, P2, as described above, makes it possible to minimize the length of the line conductors, thus reducing inductances causing overvoltages. It is thus possible to reduce the capacity of filtering and decoupling capacitors installed in the cards P1, P2, intended to limit these overvoltages.

[0059] With reference to Fig.5, the general arrangement of modules M2-11 to M2-18, M2-21 to M2-28 and M2-31 to M2-38 of the ST2 storage unit in their respective module sets EM2-1, EM2-2 and EM2-3, and the connection of their cell units U2-1, U2-2, to the current lines L1 to L3, neutral LN and to the cooling circuit CRF is now described.

[0060] In the set of modules EM2-1 (EM2-2 or EM2-3), the eight modules M2-11 to M2-14 and M2-15 to M2-18 (M2-21 to M2-24 and M2-25 to M2-28 or M2-31 to M2-34 and M2-35 to M2-38) are juxtaposed respectively in first and second parallel rows by their small lateral faces parallel to the XZ plane, being aligned along the X axis. The modules of one and the other of the two rows are arranged so as to have their large longitudinal faces carrying the power switching cards P1 and P2 (see Fig. 4) facing each other. Thus, the modules M2-11, M2-12, M2-13 and M2-14 (M2-21, M2-22, M2-23 and M2-24 or M2-31, M2-32, M2-33 and M2-34) are respectively opposite the modules M2-18, M2-17, M2-16 and M2-15 (M2-28, M2-27, M2-26 and M2-25 or M2-38, M2-37, M2-36 and M2-35) by their large longitudinal faces carrying the power switching cards P1, P2.The electrical connecting conductors and the cooling pipes for connecting the modules are arranged in an interposed space between the two rows of modules. The modules M2-11 to M2-18 (M2-21 to M2-28 or M2-31 to M2-38) are electrically connected in series by terminals B1, B2 between the current line L1 (L2 or L3) and the neutral line LN, the units U2-1 and U2-2 of each module being pre-connected in series as described above. The first modules M2-11 (M2-21 or M2-31) and M2-18 (M2-28 or M2-38) of the first and second rows are connected to the current line L1 (L2 or L3) and the neutral line LN, respectively. The last modules M2-14 (M2-24 or M2-34) and M2-15 (M2-25 or M2-35) of the first and second rows are connected together so as to complete the serial connection of all cell units U2-1, U2-2, of the set EM2-1 (EM2-2 or EM2-3).

[0061] Concerning the CRF cooling circuit, a cooling pipe CF1 (CF2 or CF3), in which a heat transfer fluid FC circulates, is located between the two rows of modules M2-11 to M2-18 (M2-21 to M2-28 or M2-31 to M2-38). The cooling means, such as the SBR and SR3 plates (see Fig. 4), of modules M2-11 to M2-18 (M2-21 to M2-28 or M2-31 to M2-38) are connected to this cooling pipe CF1 (CF2 or CF3) for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid FC ensuring the evacuation of calories to a heat exchanger (not shown).

[0062] In Fig. 5, the cooling line CF1 (CF2 or CF3) is shown in the form of two branches for convenience of representation. Of course, the central arrangement of the electrical and cooling connections between the two rows of modules is an advantage of this embodiment, favoring a reduction in lengths and increased compactness.

[0063] In general, in addition to the advantages already mentioned above, the invention allows units with different capacities, different powers, different electrochemical compositions, or even different health states to be mixed in the same storage device. In a storage device according to the invention, fault tolerance can be increased simply by integrating additional cell units. In addition, a degraded cell does not affect the performance of the entire storage device, which is favorable to the electric autonomy of the vehicle. With the architecture proposed by the invention, the supervisor of a vehicle can easily calculate the electric autonomy of the vehicle from a sum of the remaining capacities in the cell units of the storage device.

[0064] Furthermore, the architecture of the storage device according to the invention is such as to facilitate high-power alternating current charging, compared to prior art solutions. The storage device according to the invention allows the provision of a three-phase socket on board a vehicle, which is of definite interest, for example, in a utility vehicle or for high-power three-phase charging of another vehicle in “V2V” technology.

[0065] The calculations carried out by the inventive entity revealed a significant economic advantage provided by the architecture of the invention compared to the solutions of the state of the art, in particular in terms of manufacturing cost and vehicle repair / maintenance cost. In addition, the modular design of the storage device according to the invention is perfectly suited to a high-volume, high-speed industry such as the automotive industry.

[0066] The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments which have been described here by way of example. Those skilled in the art, depending on the applications of the invention, will be able to make various modifications and variations falling within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Electrical energy storage module (M1-ln, M2-ln) comprising a plurality of elementary storage cells (C1 to C12), characterized in that it comprises at least one cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2) including several said elementary storage cells connected in series (C1 to C6; C7 to C12) and integrated power switching means dedicated (P1, S1; P2, S2) to this cell unit delivering, between two power output terminals (B1, B2) of said cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2), a positive DC voltage (+VC), a negative DC voltage (-VC), a zero voltage (0V) or a high impedance state (HI), depending on a command received by said cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2).

2. Electrical energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that said dedicated integrated power switching means comprise separate power switching means (P1, P2) and supervision means (S1, S2), the supervision means (S1, S2) being produced in the form of an electronic supervision card installed at an upper face of said cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2).

3. Electrical energy storage module according to claim 2, characterized in that the power switching means (P1, P2) have the form of an electronic power switching card (P1, P2) comprising an “H” power switching bridge (SW1 to SW4), this electronic power switching card (P1, P2) being located at a lateral face of said cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2).

4. Electrical energy storage module according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means (SR1, SR2, SR3) for cooling the electronic power switching card (P1, P2) arranged between this electronic power switching card (P1, P2) and the lateral face of said cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2).

5. Electrical energy storage module according to claim 4, characterized in that the lateral face of the cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2) is a transverse face of this cell unit and in that the module comprises a transverse assembly plate (PA1, PA2) arranged against this transverse face, the cooling means being juxtaposed in a sandwich between the transverse assembly plate (PA1, PA2) and the electronic power switching card (P1, P2).

6. Electrical energy storage module according to claim 5 characterized in that the transverse assembly plate (PA1, PA2) and the cooling means (SR1, SR2) of the electronic power switching card (P1, P2) form a common part.

7. Electrical energy storage module according to claim 5, characterized in that the transverse assembly plate (PA1, PA2) and the electronic power switching card (P1, P2) form a common part.

8. Electrical energy storage module according to claim 3, characterized in that the lateral face of the cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2) is a longitudinal face of this cell unit and in that the module comprises a longitudinal assembly plate (PA3) arranged against this longitudinal face, the cooling means comprising a cooling plate (SR3) juxtaposed in a sandwich between the longitudinal assembly plate (PA3) and the electronic power switching card (P1, P2) and / or a cooling plate covering the electronic power switching card (P1, P2).

9. Electrical energy storage module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cooling plate (SBR) forming a base on which the cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2) is placed.

10. Electrical energy storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least two said cell units (U 1 -1 , U1-2 ; U2-1 , U2-2), said cell units being disconnected (U 1 -1 , U1-2) or connected in series (U2-1 , U2-2) by their said power output terminals (B1 , B2).

11. Electrical energy store (ST1, ST2) comprising a plurality of electrical energy storage modules (M1-11 to M1-18, M1-21 to M1-28, M1-31 to M1-38; M2-11 to M2-18, M2-21 to M2-28, M2-31 to M2-38) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said modules (M1-11 to M1-18, M1-21 to M1-28, M1-31 to M1-38; M2-11 to M2-18, M2-21 to M2-28, M2-31 to M2-38) are organized into at least one set of modules (EM1-1, EM1-2, EM1-3; EM2-1, EM2-2, EM2-3), said modules (M1-11 to M1-18, M1-21 to M1-28, M1-31 to M1-38; M2-11 to M2-18, M2-21 to M2-28, M2-31 to M2-38) of the set (EM1-1, EM1-2, EM1-3; EM2-1, EM2-2, EM2-3) being aligned in at least one row, the cell units (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2) included in said aligned modules (M1-11 to M1-18, M1-21 to M1-28, M1-31 to M1-38;M2- 11 to M2-18, M2-21 to M2-28, M2-31 to M2-38) being connected in series by their power output terminals (B1, B2) between first and; second conductive lines (L1, LN; L2, LN; L3, LN) associated with said set of modules (EM1-1, EM1-2, EM1-3; EM2-1, EM2-2, EM2-3) and being connected to a cooling circuit (CRF), and each cell unit (U1-1, U1-2; U2-1, U2-2) being controlled independently via its said supervision means (S1, S2).

12. Electrical energy store according to claim 11, capable of operating in three-phase alternating current, characterized in that it comprises three said sets of modules (EM1-1, EM1-2, EM1-3; EM2-1, EM2-2, EM2-3) with which are associated three respective current-conducting lines (L1, L2, L3) and a common neutral-conducting line (LN).

13. Stationary or mobile electrical device, characterized in that it comprises an electrical energy store (ST1, ST2) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. Electrical device according to claim 13, characterized in that it is produced in the form of an electrical network or electrical micro-network integrating the production, storage and / or distribution of electrical energy.

15. Electrical device according to claim 13, characterized in that it is produced in the form of an electrified vehicle.

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