Thermal regulation device for a vehicle battery pack

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal regulation device (5) for a battery, comprising: a housing (3) having at least two side walls (3A) and a circuit (5A) for circulation of the heat transfer fluid, and capable of housing the battery comprising at least two battery cells (1A), the heat transfer fluid circulating around the cells (1A) being supplied and discharged by input (5B) and output (5C) collectors. A spacer (5F) is installed between the cells (1A), at least one of the collectors (5B, 5C) extending along the side wall (3A), the circuit (5A) of the heat transfer fluid being defined at least in part by the spacer (5F), and at least two orifices (5F.2a, 5F.2b) are arranged on the spacer (5F), each of the orifices (5F.2a, 5F.2b) opening into the input collector (5B) and into the output collector (5C), respectively.

Description

Description Title: THERMAL REGULATION DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE BATTERY PACK. Technical field. [1] The invention relates to a thermal regulation device for a vehicle battery pack, as well as a cooling system comprising such a device. [2] The invention relates in particular to the technical field of thermal regulation of batteries, and more particularly of the cells making up said battery, said cells being capable of releasing heat during their operation. The invention applies preferentially, but not exclusively, to the automotive field, and more particularly to the field of vehicles with electric and / or hybrid motors. State of the art. [3] A motor vehicle, and more specifically an electric and / or hybrid vehicle, requires one or more battery packs to produce the energy necessary for its operation. Each battery pack is made up of at least two cells whose electrical conduction is enabled by busbars (also called "busbars" or "bus bars"). But when the cells overheat, they can swell, thus risking damage. These swelling cells can also damage adjacent cells by coming into contact with them. [4] Thus, in order to prevent the swelling of the battery cells, two devices are provided. On the one hand, a spacer is positioned between two adjacent cells, which keeps said cells at a distance from each other. On the other hand, a thermal regulation device is provided around the battery pack to control its temperature. [5] More specifically, in the field of motor vehicles, the thermal regulation device of a battery pack makes it possible to control its cooling. This device makes it possible to modify the temperature of a pack battery, for example when starting the vehicle in cold weather, by increasing its temperature for example, or whether during driving or during a recharging operation, by reducing the temperature of the cells, which tend to heat up during use. [6] Such a thermal regulation device generally comprises a sealed enclosure in which the battery pack is positioned. A heat transfer fluid is conveyed by a circulation circuit passing around the battery cells, and makes it possible to regulate the temperature of the battery pack. Inlet and outlet manifolds also make it possible to bring the heat transfer fluid into or out of the enclosure enclosing the battery pack. On the other hand, such manifolds are often bulky, since they are generally positioned on an upper wall of the enclosure so as to open into it via openings provided for this purpose. [7] In the published patent document EP 2 608 309 A1, for example, the thermal regulation device of a battery block comprises the circuit for circulating the heat transfer fluid circulating between the battery cells, and inlet and outlet collectors for said fluid from / to said circuit. These collectors are positioned one below the other in the middle of two rows of battery cells forming said block. But the regulation device described in this document is complex, formed of numerous parts whose installation can be difficult to implement, in addition to being bulky. [8] The invention makes it possible to overcome the aforementioned problems. More particularly, one objective of the invention is to reduce the height of the battery pack, by reducing the space taken up by the thermal regulation device. [9] The invention also aims to maintain a sufficient compression ratio to avoid cell swelling, and to maintain a minimum distance between cells to avoid damage to adjacent cells in the event of overheating. Thus, the cells retain their electrical performance.

[0010] Finally, the invention allows the formation of an efficient circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid in the spacer, by improving the exchange coefficient and the cooling homogeneity of the large lateral faces of the cells adjacent to said spacer. Presentation of the invention.

[0011] The solution proposed by the invention is a device for thermal regulation of a vehicle battery pack, said device comprising: a housing forming an enclosure sealed against a heat transfer fluid, having at least two side walls and an upper wall, and comprising a circuit for circulating the heat transfer fluid, which housing is capable of housing the battery pack, which pack comprises at least two battery cells, the heat transfer fluid circulating around the battery cells to regulate them thermally, inlet and outlet manifolds respectively for supplying and evacuating the heat transfer fluid to said circulation circuit, a spacer being installed between the cells so as to space them apart, at least one of the manifolds extending along at least one side wall of the housing, the circuit for circulating the heat transfer fluid is defined at least in part by the spacer,and at least two orifices are provided on the spacer, each of the orifices opening respectively into the inlet manifold and into the outlet manifold.,

[0012] The positioning of the collectors laterally to the battery pack housing reduces the height of the housing. This reduction in size makes it easier to install, particularly in a motor vehicle. Finally, the integration of the circulation circuit into the spacer reduces the number of elements making up the battery's thermal regulation device, thus reducing its size while simplifying its design.

[0013] Other advantageous characteristics of the apparatus which is the subject of the invention are listed below. Each of these characteristics can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable characteristics defined above. Each of these characteristics contributes, where appropriate, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the remarkable characteristics do not necessarily participate. defined above. These may be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two side walls are opposite or facing side walls.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spacer (3) is configured to be in contact with large adjacent lateral faces of said cells, and comprises a flow zone arranged to be located opposite the large adjacent lateral faces of the cells and to extend over the majority of said large faces, one or more ribs extending in the flow zone, the rib(s) being arranged so as to form at least one circuit for forced circulation of the heat transfer fluid between said cells (10), preferably so that the fluid is in contact with the two large adjacent lateral faces of said cells, the forced circulation circuit comprises an inlet and an outlet.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet manifolds both extend along at least one side wall of the housing.

[0017] Positioning the collectors along at least one of the side walls allows the size of the thermal regulation device to be reduced.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet manifolds both extend along the same side wall of the housing.

[0019] The positioning of the collectors along the same side wall allows a reduction in the size of the battery box, particularly in the direction of the width of said box.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the outlet manifold is located above the inlet manifold.

[0021] The presence of the outlet manifold above the inlet manifold facilitates the circulation of the fluid, due to the variations in density of the fluid when it is hot or cold. In fact, the hot heat transfer fluid will rise, while the cold, heavier heat transfer fluid will descend in the circulation circuit. Thus, when the battery cells have heated the fluid, the high positioning of the outlet manifold will facilitate the movement of fluid from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold, thus maintaining constant cell cooling.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet collectors extend respectively along each of the two side walls.

[0023] This embodiment makes it possible to reduce the size of the housing in terms of height.

[0024] Advantageously, both collectors are located at the same height or level against or on their respective side wall.

[0025] Preferably, the two collectors are positioned against the side walls and close to the upper wall of the housing. Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid is brought into the inlet collector in a direction opposite to the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid discharged from the outlet collector. This direction of circulation allows a further reduction in the size of the thermal regulation device, by positioning all the elements of said device on the same side of the battery pack.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery pack further comprises busbars located in an upper space formed between the battery cells and the upper wall of the housing, and one of said collectors of the device, advantageously the inlet collector, extends along one of the side walls while the other collector is formed at least in part by the upper space.

[0027] Advantageously, one of said collectors may be formed by the upper space. If one of the collectors is formed partially in the upper space provided between the cells and the upper wall of the housing, then the cooling of the busbars is improved thanks to the passage of the heat transfer fluid in their proximity. The presence of a single collector on the side wall also makes it possible to reduce the size of the thermal regulation device.

[0028] Advantageously, the upper wall has an orifice to allow fluid communication of the heat transfer fluid present in the circulation circuit with the upper space.

[0029] Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit comprises or is connected to at least one pump to facilitate the circulation of said fluid in the circuit. The pump of the thermal regulation device improves the movement of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation circuit, thus allowing better cooling of the cells.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fluidic junction between a collector and the spacer is achieved by adding a part or by extending the spacer allowing the spacer to be held on the cell.

[0031] Advantageously, each battery cell comprises four side faces, two large side faces, at least one of which is oriented towards one of the large side faces of the adjacent cell, and two small side faces connecting the two large side faces together. Advantageously, the spacer is extended onto the small side walls of the cell by small support areas. The positioning of the spacer makes it easier to mount and maintain said spacer on the battery cell.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit comprises fluid circulation sections of variable width, preferably these circulation sections of variable width being formed by the spacer.

[0033] The difference in width of the circulation sections of the circulation circuit makes it possible to keep a heat exchange coefficient between the heat transfer fluid and the cell constant along said circuit, therefore having the same cooling efficiency regardless of the location of the cell in contact with said fluid.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit comprises fluid circulation sections of decreasing width, preferably gradual or continuous, from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold.

[0035] More specifically, a decreasing width of the circulation sections makes it possible to maintain the same cooling efficiency of the cells, thanks to the increase in the circulation speed of the heat transfer fluid in said sections.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the decreasing width of the fluid circulation sections from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold is between -20% and -80%, preferably between -40% and -60%.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spacer is clipped onto at least one battery cell, or glued onto at least one battery cell.

[0038] These two fastening methods, by clipping or by gluing, simplify the fastening and assembly of the spacer on the cell. These fastening methods also reduce the spacer and the circulation circuit in the housing. These fasteners also facilitate the handling and assembly of the spacers on the cells. Fixing the spacer on the cell also provides optimal sealing with respect to the heat transfer fluid.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the spacer is bonded, the spacer is formed from a plurality of independent segments or elements.

[0040] Independent elements mean that the spacer is formed by several elements that are not connected to each other and that form the circulation circuit. This makes it possible to simplify the spacer, facilitate its assembly and gluing to the face of the corresponding battery cell.

[0041] Advantageously, the spacer is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 W.nr 1 .K -1 , preferably at most 0.2 Wm -1 .K“ 1. Preferably, the spacer is made of a polymer material or a polymer-based composite material, such as a flame-retardant polyamide. Even more preferably, the spacer comprises a material from the silicate family, preferably calcium silicate reinforced with fibers. These materials must be rigid to allow their assembly, and must prevent thermal conductivity as much as possible, so that it is limited to the heat transfer fluid, and is not transmitted, by the spacers, from one cell to another.

[0042] The invention also relates to a cooling system comprising a thermal regulation device according to the invention, and further comprising: a battery pack comprising N battery cells adjacent, including two end cells each arranged at an end wall of the housing, N being an integer greater than 3, the device comprising at least N-1 spacers, preferably N+1 spacers.

[0043] The cooling system is designed so that a spacer is installed between two adjacent cells, so as to cool all of the large side faces of said cells.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, a spacer is installed between each cell adjacent to another cell, a spacer is installed between each end wall of the housing and the end cell of which a large lateral face is adjacent to said wall, the spacers are in contact with the adjacent large lateral faces of said battery cells, so that all the large lateral faces of the cells are cooled by the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit.

[0045] This configuration allows for efficient cooling of all the large side faces of the battery pack cells, by also positioning a spacer between the end wall of the housing and the large side face of the adjacent end cell. Preferably, the inlet and outlet manifolds supply or evacuate the heat transfer fluid from each portion of the circulation circuit located on each of the spacers.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the N adjacent cells of the battery pack form two or more rows of cells placed side by side, each spacer comprises ribs shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits, each said circuit having one or more passes straddling the two large lateral faces of two cells arranged side by side, each spacer comprises a median rib which extends in the height of said cells and which is installed, in use, between lateral edges of said large lateral faces, so that said median rib fills the space between the two cells and forms a seal between said cells.

[0047] This embodiment is particularly suitable for devices whose inlet and outlet manifolds are positioned on a single side wall. of the housing. Carrying out each pass across the two cells side by side allows the temperature to be kept as uniform as possible.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, openings are provided in the median rib so as to allow the circulation of fluid between the large lateral faces of two cells arranged side by side.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, an inlet manifold and / or an outlet manifold are extended and bent so as to open directly into the forced circulation circuit formed at at least one of the end cells.

[0050] Alternatively, the midrib may not be present, or may be only partially present, so as to allow the circulation of fluid between the side-by-side cells. This embodiment is particularly suitable for devices whose inlet and outlet manifolds are positioned on each of the two side walls of the housing. The space between the two cells then forms an intermediate manifold which facilitates the distribution of the fluid between the cells.

[0051] Generally speaking, the presence of a spacer, positioned between two adjacent cells, allows a constant space to be maintained between said cells, limiting the risk of them being in contact in the event of swelling. The spacer comprising the circulation circuit, it also allows the heat transfer fluid to be in permanent contact with the cells. These spacers also serve to apply a minimum compression rate to said cells, in order to limit their possible swelling. Brief description of the figures.

[0052] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: [Fig. 1 a] is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack integrated into a housing according to the invention, for a motor vehicle. [Fig. 1 b] shows a perspective view of a battery cell according to the invention. [Fig. 2] is a simplified schematic representation of a thermal regulation device for a battery pack according to the invention. [Fig. 3a] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at a spacer, said device being according to a first embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 3b] is a perspective view of the spacer mounted on a battery cell according to the first embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 4a] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at a spacer, said device being according to a second embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 4b] is a perspective view of the spacer mounted on a battery cell according to the second embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 5] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at a spacer, said device being according to a third embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 6] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at a spacer, said device being according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 7] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at a spacer, said device being according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 8] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at a spacer, said device being according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 9] is a perspective view of the spacer mounted on a battery cell, according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 10] is a battery pack comprising two rows of cells placed side by side. [Fig. 1 1 ] is a possible configuration of a spacer for the battery pack of [Fig. 10], [Fig. 12] illustrates a possible configuration of fluid inlet and outlet manifolds. Description of the embodiments.

[0053] As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object simply indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are referred to and does not imply that the objects so described must be in any given sequence, whether in time, space, ordering, etc. "X and / or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. Generally speaking, it will be appreciated that in the various accompanying drawings, the objects are arbitrarily drawn to facilitate their reading.

[0054] The thermal regulation device that is the subject of the invention aims to regulate the temperature of a battery pack, in particular the battery pack of an electric and / or hybrid motor vehicle. However, it can be fitted to other types of vehicles or used to regulate the temperature of other electrical and / or electronic components, such as power electronics elements, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, semiconductors such as diodes or transistors. It could also be computer server components. According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal regulation consists of cooling the cells of the battery pack.

[0055] Figures 1a and 1b show perspective views of a battery pack and a battery cell according to the invention.

[0056] A battery pack 1 comprises at least two 1 A battery cells and is housed in a housing 3. More generally, the battery pack 1 comprises between 2 and 25 1 A cells. According to one embodiment, the battery pack 1 comprises N adjacent 1 A cells, with N an integer greater than 2 and preferably greater than 3. The 1 A cells comprise two end cells 1 A.1 arranged at each of the ends of the battery pack 1, and possibly central cells 1 A.2 positioned between the two end cells 1 A.1. The central cells 1 A.2 and the end cells 1 A.1 have a generally identical shape, therefore, for the sake of simplification, only the shape of a cell 1 A will be described below, and can indifferently represent the shape of a central cell 1 A.2 or an end cell 1 A.1.

[0057] Generally, 1 A battery cells are preferably prismatic, i.e. generally parallelepipedal in shape, but can also be of any shape known to those skilled in the art. When the 1 A cell is prismatic, it comprises two large lateral faces 1 A.3, two small lateral faces 1 A.4, an upper face 1 A.5 and a lower face 1 A.6. These different faces (1 A.3, 1 A.4, 1 A.5, 1 A.6) are generally flat, but some may sometimes be curved or bent.

[0058] More specifically, in Figure 1b, cell 1A is preferentially oriented. By oriented, we mean that the two large lateral faces 1A.3 are not strictly identical. Indeed, a first large lateral face 1 A.3a extends between the two small lateral faces 1 A.4 and is substantially planar. A second large lateral face 1 A.3b is positioned opposite the first 1 A.3a, and has at least one notch 1 A.3bi at its junction with one of the small lateral faces 1 A.4. Preferably, the second large lateral face 1 A.3b has two notches 1 A.3bi, at each junction with each small lateral face 1 A.4 of the cell 1 A. The function of said notches 1 A.3bi will be detailed in figure 3b. However, in certain configurations of cells 1 A, the notches 1 A.3bi may not be present.

[0059] Each 1 A cell further has two positive and negative terminals 1A.7 for electrical connection. More specifically, each 1 A cell is connected in series via its terminals 1A.7 to the terminals 1A.7 of the adjacent 1 A cells, by means of busbars 1B (also called "busbars" or "busbars"). The busbars 1B of the battery pack 1 extend into an upper space 3E formed between the 1 A cells of the battery pack 1 and the upper wall 3C of the housing 3, between either the positive terminals 1A.7 or the negative terminals 1A.7 of the two end cells 1A.1.

[0060] The housing 3 containing the battery pack 1 comprises two side walls 3A and two end walls 3B, said walls (3A, 3B) being closed at their upper ends by an upper wall 3C and, at their lower ends, a lower wall 3D. Thus, the housing 3 forms a sealed enclosure, which is configured to receive one or more battery packs 1. Advantageously, the two side walls 3A are opposite or facing side walls 3A. The 1 A cells of the battery pack 1 are preferably positioned in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3, that is to say that the large lateral faces 1 A.3 of the 1 A cells are positioned parallel to the end walls 3B of the housing 3. Thus, each end cell 1 A.1 is arranged at an end wall 3B, and more specifically, one of the large lateral faces 1 A.3 of the end cell 1 A.1 is adjacent to one of the end walls 3B of the housing 3.The rest of the 1 A cells are then positioned adjacently at their large lateral faces 1 A.3.

[0061] In these figures, the housing 3 is generally parallelepipedal in shape, but other shapes can be envisaged, which may in particular depend on the general shape of the battery pack 1. According to one embodiment, the walls (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) can be made by molding a plastic material, but other materials suitable to those skilled in the art can be used. This housing 3 is part of a thermal regulation device for a battery pack 1.

[0062] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a part of the thermal regulation device according to the invention.

[0063] As mentioned above, temperature regulation of the battery pack 1 is necessary to limit the risk of cell degradation (the cells not being shown in Figure 2). This is why the thermal regulation device 5 is important for the proper functioning of the battery pack 1.

[0064] This thermal regulation device 5 comprises a circulation circuit 5A of a heat transfer fluid, said fluid being maintained around the battery block 1 thanks to the sealed enclosure formed by the housing 3. The circulation circuit 5A is preferably designed to pass between the cells of the battery pack 1, in order to regulate them thermally.

[0065] The thermal regulation device 5 further comprises an inlet manifold 5B which brings the heat transfer fluid to the circulation circuit 5A, and an outlet manifold 5C which evacuates said fluid from said circuit 5A. This device 5 further comprises a pump 5D which will facilitate the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation circuit 5A. The pump 5D allows the circulation of the heat transfer fluid from a tank 5E, via an external circulation circuit 5A' to the housing 3, the external circulation circuit 5A' connecting said tank 5E to the housing 3 of the battery pack 1. Also, the pump 5D is connected to the circulation circuit 5A. The arrows shown on the external circuit 5A' represent the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid. Alternatively, the pump 5D can be included in the circulation circuit 5A, this embodiment not being shown in these figures.In this figure, the collectors (5B, 5C) are positioned on the side walls 3A of the housing 3.

[0066] Particularly advantageously, the inlet manifold 5B may comprise a screen, said screen being configured to filter the heat transfer fluid so as to prevent the circulation of particles in said fluid (the screen not being shown in these figures). These particles also have the disadvantage of reducing the efficiency of the heat transfer fluid. The screen is therefore preferably placed at the inlet of the inlet manifold 5B and / or in at least a portion of said manifold 5B, upstream of the arrival of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation circuit 5A. Advantageously, the screen may be of a generally cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the screen may be of the shape of the manifold 5B. The screen is generally constituted by a rigid structure, manufactured in particular from a plastic or metallic material, in the form of a net or frame.This net serves as a support for a mesh grid capable of allowing the filtration of particles preferably less than 200 pm, more preferably 50 pm. The mesh grid is advantageously made of metallic material.

[0067] The following figures 3 to 9 show different embodiments of a spacer according to the invention.

[0068] Generally speaking, spacers are designed to be positioned between two adjacent cells in a battery pack. Spacers are designed to keep the cells spaced apart at a specific distance. They also compress the cells to prevent them from swelling in the event of overheating.

[0069] In the thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to the invention, spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) are installed between two adjacent cells (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A'). Thus, the device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprises at least N-1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), N being the number of cells (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') present in the battery pack (1; 701). Preferably, the thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprises N+1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F). Indeed, preferably, an additional spacer is advantageously provided between one of the end cells 1 A.1 and the adjacent end wall 3B of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703), this particular installation not being specifically shown in the figures. The spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) are therefore in contact with the large side faces (1 A.3; 101 A.3; 201 A.3; 301 A.3; 401 A.3; 501 A.3; 601 A.3; 701 A.3, 701 A'.3) adjacent to the battery cells (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A'). More preferably still, the thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) includes N+2 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), two additional spacers being provided between each of the two end cells 1 A.1 and the end wall 3B of the corresponding housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703).

[0070] In all embodiments of the invention, the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) also define a portion of the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) of the heat transfer fluid. Thus, the presence of the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) in contact with the large lateral faces (1 A.3; 101 A.3; 201 A.3; 301 A.3; 401A.3; 501 A.3; 601 A.3; 701 A.3, 701A'.3) of each cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') of the battery allows cooling of said large faces (1A.3; 101 A.3; 201 A.3; 301 A.3; 401 A.3; 501 A.3; 601 A.3; 701 A.3, 701 A'.3) by the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) of the heat transfer fluid. The arrival of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) is allowed by an inlet manifold (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B), and the exit of said fluid is allowed by an outlet manifold (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C). At least one manifold (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) extends along at least one of the side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) forming the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703). According to another embodiment, the collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) extend along at least one of the side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) forming the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703). Optionally, one of the collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) can be formed by the upper space (3E; 203E; 303E) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703).

[0071] Advantageously, the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) also have a relatively low thermal conductivity, so as to act as a thermal insulator between the cells (1 A; 101 A; 201A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A'). Preferably, the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) are made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 Wm -1 .K“ 1 , preferably with a thermal conductivity of at most 0.2 Wm -1 .K“ 1 The material used may be a polymer or a polymer-based composite material, such as a flame-retardant polyamide, or a material from the silicate family, preferably fiber-reinforced calcium silicate.

[0072] Generally speaking, the heat transfer fluid used is preferably a dielectric liquid, for example a mineral oil or a fluorinated liquid. The heat transfer fluid can however be in another form, for example blown air. The fluid can be pre-cooled or pre-heated depending on the desired thermal regulation.

[0073] Figures 3a and 3b show, respectively, a sectional view at a spacer of the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a first embodiment of the invention, and a perspective view of said spacer mounted on a cell.

[0074] In this first embodiment of the invention, the inlet manifolds 5B and outlet manifolds 5C of the heat transfer fluid extend along the same side wall 3A of the housing 3 of the thermal regulation device 5. The outlet manifold 5C is preferably positioned above the inlet manifold 5B. This positioning makes it easier to move the heat transfer fluid through the circulation circuit 5A. Indeed, the heat transfer fluid which has performed its heat exchanger function will be hotter, therefore less dense, and will spontaneously tend, outside of the operation of the pump mentioned in FIG. 2, to rise along the circulation circuit 5A. Preferably, the manifolds (5B, 5C) are formed in the corresponding side wall 3A. Even more preferably, the formation of the manifolds (5B, 5C) in the side wall 3A of the housing 3 is carried out by stamping.

[0075] In this embodiment, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the collectors (5B, 5C) is in the same direction. Also, if the fluid inlet is made on one of the end walls of the housing 3 (said end walls not being visible in these figures), then the heat transfer fluid outlet is made at the other end wall. The direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid is represented in Figures 3a and 3b by arrows.

[0076] These figures also show one of the spacers 5F positioned against a cell 1A. Each spacer 5F defines a portion of the circulation circuit 5A of the heat transfer fluid, all of the parts on each of the spacers 5F present in the housing 3 forming the circulation circuit 5A. The structure of a spacer 5F according to the invention has a general shape of a U-shaped chute, and may be in the form of a single piece. The spacer 5F further has a large bearing area 5F.1 configured to bear against the large lateral face 1A.3 of the cell 1A, and more particularly against the first large side face 1 A.3a of the cell 1 A. The spacer 5F further comprises two small support zones 5F.2 configured to come into contact with the small side faces 1 A.4 of said cell 1A, and each oriented towards one of the side walls 3A of the housing 3. The small support zones 5F.2 form an extension of the spacer 5F which allows it to be held on the cell 1 A.

[0077] When the cells 1A are installed in the usage configuration in the housing 3, the large bearing area 5F.1 not only bears against the large lateral face 1A.3 of the cell 1A against which the spacer 5F is installed (hereinafter referred to as the large “front” lateral face), but also bears against the large lateral face of the adjacent cell (hereinafter referred to as the large “rear” lateral face). The large bearing area 5F.1 is thus sandwiched between the adjacent large lateral faces 1A.3 of the cells 1A. According to a preferred embodiment, the contacts between the large bearing area 5F.1 and the large front and rear lateral faces 1A.3 of the adjacent cells 1A are fluid-tight contacts.

[0078] The large support zone 5F.1 has the same dimensions, or substantially the same dimensions, in length and width, as those of a large lateral face 1A.3 of cell 1A. It defines a circulation section 5A.1 of the heat transfer fluid located opposite the large lateral face 1A.3 of the cell 1A against which the spacer 5F is installed, and which extends over the majority of said large lateral face 1A.3. Symmetrically, this circulation section is also located opposite the large rear lateral face of the adjacent cell, so that the heat transfer fluid which flows in said section 5A.1 is in contact with the two large lateral faces 1A.3 of the adjacent cells 1A.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the circulation section 5A.1 extends over at least 51%, advantageously at least 90% and preferably at least 95% of the surface area of ​​the adjacent large lateral faces 1A.3. The majority of these large lateral faces 1A.3 can thus be in contact with the heat transfer fluid, as explained further in the description.

[0080] Each spacer 5F further comprises one or more horizontal ribs 5F.3 which extend into the openwork portion of the circulation section 5A.1, and are arranged so as to form a portion of the forced circulation circuit 5A of the heat transfer fluid between the adjacent cells 1A. By “forced circulation”, it is meant that the fluid is forced to follow a singular path, from bottom to top, imposed by the arrangement of the rib(s) 5F.3. This or these portions of circuits 5A are thus delimited on the one hand by the adjacent large lateral faces 1A.3 of the cells 1A, and on the other hand by the ribs 5F.3. All the large lateral faces 1A.3 of the cells 1A are thus cooled by the forced circulation circuit 5A. The number of passes (i.e. changes of direction in a portion of the forced 5A circulation circuit) is adjusted according to the desired heat exchange and / or according to the permitted pressure drop.The best results in terms of heat exchange are obtained when the portion of the forced circulation circuit 5A has at least one change in direction of the fluid, advantageously at least 3 changes in direction of the fluid.

[0081] At least one or more orifices (5F.2a, 5F.2b) are further provided on the spacer 5F, each of the orifices opening respectively into the inlet manifold 5B and into the outlet manifold 5C of the thermal regulation device 5. In Figures 3a and 3b, one of the small support zones 5F.2 of the spacer 5F has one or more upper orifices 5F.2a and one or more lower orifices 5F.2b, each adapted to put the portion of the circulation circuit 5A in fluid communication with the manifolds (5B, 5C). In Figure 3a, the lower orifice 5F.2b ensures the entry of the fluid into the portion of the circulation circuit 5A from the inlet manifold 5B, and the upper orifice 5F.2a allows the fluid to exit from said portion of the circuit 5A to the outlet collector 5C. This arrangement advantageously allows for collectors of reduced size. More specifically, the sum of the heights of the two collectors (5B, 5C) is less than the height of the adjacent cell 1A.

[0082] Each 5F spacer further has a structure configured to be installed in a removable manner on the cell 1A, preferably by clipping or gluing. According to one embodiment, the structure of the spacer 5F is adjusted (for example, by elastic deformation of said structure) to the shape of the cell 1A to be tightly mounted on said cell 1A, so that the contacts between said structure and said cell 1A are fluid-tight contacts.

[0083] The two small support zones 5F.2 can also be extended, towards the rear, by rear support zones 5F.4. These rear support zones 5F.4 are intended to allow the clipping of the spacer 5F onto the cell 1A. In order to maintain the sealing of the portion of the circulation circuit 5A located between two adjacent cells 1A, these rear support zones 5F.4 are configured to each be inserted into one of the notches 1A.3bi of the second large lateral face 1 A.3b of cell 1 A. However, as for notches 1 A.3bi, the rear support areas 5F.4 may not be found on spacer 5F. The clipping of spacer 5F onto cell 1 A will then be achieved solely thanks to the small support areas 5F.2 and thanks to the compression of said cells 1 A. Alternatively, a spacer 5F of this type can also be glued.

[0084] The circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the thermal regulation device is described below. In this embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid therefore arrives via the inlet manifold 5B, preferably positioned on or against the lower end of one of the side walls 3A, and enters the circulation circuit 5A through the lower orifice 5F.2b positioned at one of the small support zones 5F.2 of the spacer 5F. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the circulation sections 5A.1 of said circuit 5A, formed in particular by the ribs 5F.3, towards the upper orifice 5F.2a, located on the same small support zone 5F.2 of the spacer 5F. The heat transfer fluid can then leave the housing 3 via the outlet manifold 5C positioned laterally on the same side wall 3A of the housing 3. The support zones 5F.2 will therefore also allow the fluid junction between said spacer 5F and the manifolds (5B, 5C).Alternatively, this fluid junction may be achieved by an added part. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for reducing the height and width of the housing 3 containing the battery pack, by positioning the two collectors (5B, 5C) on the same side of said housing 3.

[0085] Figures 4a and 4b show, respectively, a sectional view at the level of a spacer of the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a second embodiment of the invention, and a perspective view of said spacer. These figures repeat the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering being however incremented by 100. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the first embodiment of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the first embodiment of the invention and the second embodiment of the invention.

[0086] In this second embodiment of the invention, the inlet manifolds 105B and outlet manifolds 105C of the heat transfer fluid extend along each of the two side walls 103A of the housing 103 of the thermal regulation device 105. The two manifolds (105B, 105C) are preferably positioned at the same height or at the same level of the side walls 103A, and are preferably positioned against or on their respective side wall 103A. Preferably, the manifolds (105B, 105C) are formed in the corresponding side wall 103A. Even more preferably, the manifolds (105B, 105C) are positioned in upper ends of the side walls 103A.

[0087] In this embodiment, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the collectors (105B, 105C) is in opposite directions. Also, the inlet and outlet of the heat transfer fluid is carried out on the same end wall (the end walls not being visible in these figures) of the housing 103. The direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid is represented in Figure 4a by arrows.

[0088] In addition, the structure of the spacer 105F also has a general U-shaped chute shape, and is in the form of a single piece. As previously, the spacer 105F has a large support area 105F.1 configured to bear against the large lateral face 101A.3 of the cell 101A, preferably the first large lateral face 101A.3a of the cell 101 A, and two small support areas 105F.2 configured to come into contact with the small lateral faces of said cell 101 A (the small lateral faces not being visible in figures 4a and 4b). The positioning of the spacer 105F with respect to the adjacent cells 101 A is similar to previously indicated in the first embodiment of the invention. The large support zone 105F.1 also defines a circulation section 105A.1 of the heat transfer fluid, which determines a circulation of said fluid along the large lateral faces 101 A.3 of the adjacent cells 101 A, this time in a vertical direction.

[0089] As previously, the small support zones 105F.2 can also be extended, towards the rear, by the rear support zones 105F.4 which fit into one of the notches 101 A.3bi of the second large lateral face 101 A.3b of the cell 101 A. However, as for the previous embodiment, the rear support zones 105F.4 and the notches 101 A.3bi may not be found respectively on the spacer 105 and on the cell 101 A. The differences between these two embodiments come in the configuration of the spacer 105F. Indeed, the spacer 105F comprises one or more vertical ribs 105F.3 which extend into the openwork portion of the circulation section 105A.1, and are arranged so as to form a portion of the forced circulation circuit 105A of the heat transfer fluid between the adjacent cells 101A. This forced circulation is permitted from a first side wall 103A.1 to a second side wall 103A.2 of the housing 103.This or these portions of circuits 105A are thus delimited on the one hand by the large lateral faces. 101 A.3 adjacent cells 101 A and on the other hand by the ribs 105F.3. The number of passes (i.e. the changes of direction in a portion of the forced circulation circuit 105A) is also adjusted according to the desired heat exchange and / or according to the admitted pressure drop. The best results in terms of heat exchange are obtained when the portion of the forced circulation circuit 105A has at least one change of direction of the fluid, advantageously at least 3 changes of direction of the fluid.

[0090] Differences exist concerning at least one or more orifices 105F.2a, which are arranged on the spacer 105F. Each of the orifices opening respectively into the inlet manifold 105B and into the outlet manifold 105C. Each of the two small support zones 105F.2 of the spacer 105F has one or more upper orifices 105F.2a adapted to allow the passage of the heat transfer fluid. Preferably, the upper orifice 105F.2a of a first small support zone 105F.2c makes it possible to bring the fluid into the circulation circuit 105A, while the upper orifice 105F.2a of a second support zone 105F.2d makes it possible to evacuate said fluid from the circulation circuit 105A.

[0091] In this second embodiment of the invention, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is also different. Indeed, the heat transfer fluid arrives via the inlet manifold 105B preferably positioned on or against an upper end of one of the side walls 103A of the housing 103. The fluid then enters the circulation circuit 105A through the upper orifice 105F.2a positioned on the first small support zone 105F.2c of the spacer 105F. Said fluid then circulates in the circulation sections 105A.1 of said circuit 105A, said sections 105A.1 being formed against the large lateral face 101A.3 of the adjacent cells 101A. The heat transfer fluid then flows towards the upper orifice 105F.2a located on the second small support zone 105F.2d of the spacer 105F, and can leave the housing 103 via the outlet manifold 105C. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for reducing the height of the housing 103.

[0092] Figure 5 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer and the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a third embodiment of the invention. This figure uses the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering being however incremented by 100 compared to the second embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the third embodiment of the invention.

[0093] In this embodiment of the invention, a single inlet manifold 205B of the thermal regulation device 205 extends along one of the side walls 203A of the housing 203. The outlet manifold 205C is formed, at least in part, by the upper space 203E of the housing 203, and can be positioned anywhere on the upper wall 203C of said housing 203. More preferably, in order to have the most efficient cooling possible with a coolant that circulates throughout the upper space 203E, the outlet manifold 205C is positioned at one end of the housing 203, on the side of the inlet manifold 205B. The outlet manifold 205C communicates with the upper space 203E and the circulation circuit 205A via an orifice, which is not shown in this figure. This orifice allows the passage of the heat transfer fluid. Alternatively, the manifold that extends along one of the side walls can be the outlet manifold. It will then be the inlet manifold that will be formed, at least in part, by the upper space of the housing. This variant is not specifically shown in these figures.

[0094] In this embodiment of the invention, the spacer 205F also has, on the large support zone 205F.1 at one of the large lateral faces 201A.3 of one of the cells 201A, more specifically the first large lateral face 201A.3a of said cell 201A, vertical ribs 205F.3. These ribs 205F.3 will delimit circulation sections 205A.1 of the heat transfer fluid on the surface of adjacent cells 201A, so as to allow effective cooling of the large lateral faces 201A.3 of the cells 201A. In the same way as previously, the spacer 205F is positioned between two adjacent cells 201A and is pressed against said cells 201A, so as to allow the sealed circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0095] At least one or more orifices 205F.2a are provided on the spacer 205F, each of the orifices 205F.2a opening into the inlet manifold 205B. The spacer 205F further has an upper outlet orifice 205F.1a positioned on an upper edge of the spacer 205F, and at the opposite end of the upper orifice 205F.2a positioned in the small support zone 205F.2 in contact with the lateral inlet manifold 205B.

[0096] In this embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid arrives via the inlet manifold 205B, preferably positioned on or against the upper end of one of the side walls 203A, and enters a portion of the circulation circuit 205A through the upper orifice 205F.2a positioned at the small support zone 205F.2 of the spacer 205F. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the circulation sections 205A.1 of said portion of the circuit 205A, formed against the large lateral face 201A.3 of the adjacent cells 201A, towards the orifice upper outlet orifice 205F.1a located at an opposite end of the spacer 205F of the inlet manifold 205B. This orifice 205F.1a is positioned at the level of the large support zone 205F.1, on the upper edge of said zone 205F.1. Thus, the heat transfer fluid will be able to flow at the level of the upper space 203E of the housing 203. It can in particular circulate above and around the busbars 201B. The heat transfer fluid will then be able to leave the housing 203 through an orifice provided for this purpose in the upper wall 203C of said housing 203, extended by the outlet manifold 205C. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if it is desired to provide, in addition to cooling of the cells 201A, cooling of the busbars 201B.

[0097] Figure 6 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer and the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. This figure uses the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering being however incremented by 100 compared to the third embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0098] In this fourth embodiment of the invention, the inlet manifolds 305B and outlet manifolds 305C of the heat transfer fluid extend along the same side wall 303A of the housing 303 of the thermal regulation device 305. The outlet manifold 305C is preferably positioned above the inlet manifold 305B. At least one or more orifices (305F.2a, 305F.2b, 305F.1 a, 305F.1 b) are arranged on the spacer 305F, some of the orifices (305F.2b, 305F.2a) opening respectively into the inlet manifold 305B and into the outlet manifold 305C. More specifically, a lower orifice 305F.2b is arranged in the spacer 305F, and more particularly in one of the small support zones 305F.2 of said spacer 305F, so as to be in fluid communication with the inlet manifold 305B. An upper orifice 305F.2a is also arranged in the spacer 305F, and more particularly in the same small support zone 305F.2 of said spacer 305F, so as to. be in fluid communication with the outlet manifold 305C. Two other orifices are also arranged in the upper edge of said spacer 305F, an upper outlet orifice 305F.1 a and an upper return orifice 305F.1 b, said orifices (305F.1 a, 305F.1 b) allowing, respectively, the entry and exit of heat transfer fluid into the upper space 303E, from and to said spacer 305F.

[0099] In addition, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the collectors (305B, 305C) is in the same direction. Also, if the fluid inlet is made on one of the end walls, the outlet is made on the other wall (the end walls not being visible in these figures) of the housing 303. The direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid is represented in Figure 6 by arrows.

[0100] Finally, the spacer 305F has, on the large support zone 305F.1 at one of the large lateral faces 301 A.3 of a cell 301 A, more specifically the first large lateral face 301 A.3a of said cell 301 A, vertical and horizontal ribs 305F.3. These ribs 305F.3 will delimit the circulation sections 305A.1 of the heat transfer fluid on the surface of the cells 301 A, so as to allow effective cooling of said lateral faces 301 A.3. In the same way as previously, the spacer 305F is positioned between two adjacent cells 301 A and is pressed against said cells 301 A, so as to allow the sealed circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0101] In this embodiment of the invention, the circulation circuit 305A is substantially different from the circulation circuits previously described. Indeed, the heat transfer fluid arrives via the inlet manifold 305B preferably positioned on or against the lower end of one of the side walls 303A of the housing 303. The heat transfer fluid then enters a portion of the circulation circuit 305A through the lower orifice 305F.2b positioned at one of the small support zones 305F.2 of the spacer 305F. Said fluid then circulates in the circulation sections 305A.1 of the portion of said circuit 305A delimited by the spacer 305F, said sections 305A.1 being formed against the large lateral faces 301 A.3 of the adjacent cells 301 A, then heads towards the upper outlet orifice 305F.1 a located at an opposite end of the spacer 305F of the inlet manifold 305B. This orifice 305F.1 a is positioned Tl at the upper edge of said support zone 305F.1. Thus, the heat transfer fluid will be able to flow at the upper space 303E of the housing 303, in particular above and around the busbars 301 B. The heat transfer fluid will then be able to leave the upper space 303E through an upper return orifice 305F.1 b located at the upper edge of the large support zone 305F.1, and at an end opposite the upper outlet orifice 305F.1 a. Said fluid will then be able to join the outlet manifold 305C located on the upper end of the same side wall 303A as the inlet manifold 305B, before being evacuated. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if it is desired to combine a reduction in the size of the housing 303 with cooling of the busbars 301 B.

[0102] Figure 7 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer and the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. This figure uses the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering being however incremented by 100 compared to the fourth embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0103] In this embodiment, the spacer 405F comprises the large bearing area 405F.1 configured to bear against the large lateral face 401A.3 of the cell 401A, more preferably, the first large lateral face 401A.3a of said cell 401A, and the two small bearing areas 405F.2 configured to bear against the small lateral faces of the cell 401A (the small lateral faces not being visible in FIG. 7). At least one or more orifices 405F.2a are also provided on the spacer 405F, each of the orifices 405F.2a opening either into the inlet manifold 405B or into the outlet manifold 405C.

[0104] The housing 403 further comprises the two inlet 405B and outlet 405C collectors, each collector (405B, 405C) being respectively positioned on one of the two side walls (403A, 403A.1, 403A.2) of said housing 403. The small support zones 405F.2 of the spacer 405F each comprise at least one upper orifice 405F.2a, the orifice 405F.2a of the first small support zone 405F.2c allowing the heat transfer fluid to enter the portion of the circulation circuit 405A of the spacer 405F, and the upper orifice 405F.2a of the second small support zone 405F.2d allowing the said fluid to exit from the portion of the circulation circuit 405A. In addition, the spacer 405F has vertical ribs 405F.3 which will delimit the circulation sections 405A.1.

[0105] More specifically, the portion of the circulation circuit 405A of the heat transfer fluid formed in the spacer 405F has circulation sections 405A.1 with variable widths. Advantageously, said sections 405A.1 have a decreasing width from the inlet manifold 405B to the outlet manifold 405C. Preferably, this decrease can be gradual or continuous. The decreasing width of the circulation sections 405A.1 is between -20% and -80%, and preferably between -40% and -60%. This reduction in width is possible thanks to the spacer 405F, the vertical ribs 405F.3 of which become closer together as they are positioned near the outlet manifold 405C.

[0106] Two distinct operating modes are then possible.

[0107] First of all, when the pump of the thermal regulation device 405 is operational (said pump not being visible in this figure), the reduction in the size of the circulation sections 405A.1 from the inlet manifold 405B to the outlet manifold 405C makes it possible to increase the speed of the heat transfer fluid, while increasing the turbulence of said fluid. Effective cooling of the large side faces 401A.3 of the cells 401A is then permitted.

[0108] Then, when the pump of the thermal regulation device 405 is not active (in the event of thermal runaway, for example), heating the heat transfer fluid will still allow its movement. Indeed, the variation in density between the hot fluid and the cold fluid will allow the fluid to move from the bottom to the top in the circulation circuit 405A, and the cooling of part of the heat generated by the cell 401A will be maintained. The reduction in the width of the circulation sections 405A.1 then makes it possible to promote the flow of fluid, and improve the cooling of said cell 401 A.

[0109] Figure 8 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer and the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. This figure uses the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering being however incremented by 100 compared to the fifth embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the sixth embodiment of the invention.

[0110] In this embodiment, the spacer 505F comprises the large support zone 505F.1 configured to come into contact with the large lateral face 501A.3 of the cell 501A, more preferably, the first large lateral face 501A.3a of said cell 501A. The spacer 505F further comprises the two small support zones 505F.2 configured to come into contact with the small lateral faces of the cell 501A (the small lateral faces not being visible in FIG. 7).

[0111] In Figure 8, the positioning of the collectors (505B, 505C) is carried out on a single side wall 503A of the housing 503. Also, at least one or more orifices (505F.2b, 505F.2a) are arranged on the spacer 505F, each of the orifices opening respectively into the inlet manifold 505B and into the outlet manifold 505C. These orifices (505F.2b, 505F.2a) are positioned on one of the small support zones 505F.2 of the spacer 505F and comprise at least one upper orifice 505F.2a and one lower orifice 505F.2b, each of said orifices (505F.2a, 505F.2b) being adapted to allow the passage of the heat transfer fluid. Preferably, the lower orifice 505F.2b makes it possible to bring said fluid into the portion of the circulation circuit 505A located on the spacer 505F, and the upper orifice 505F.2a makes it possible to evacuate said fluid from said portion of the circulation circuit 505A.

[0112] This 505F spacer also has the particularity of presenting 505A.1 circulation sections which decrease in width as one approaches the outlet collector 505C, as in Figure 7. This reduction in width is achieved, in this embodiment, in the height direction, and is due to the presence, on the spacer 505F, of horizontal ribs 505F.3 which extend into the openwork part of the circulation section 505A.1. The circulation sections 505A.1 are arranged so as to form a portion of the forced circulation circuit 505A of the heat transfer fluid between the adjacent cells 501A, the circulation then being carried out from bottom to top.

[0113] The same characteristics, previously described in Figure 7, of the circulation sections 505A.1 of the thermal regulation device 505 are found in Figure 8, and produce the same effects as previously described, whether or not the pump is activated.

[0114] Figure 9 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer mounted or not on a battery cell, according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. This figure uses the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering being however incremented by 100 compared to the sixth embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the seventh embodiment of the invention.

[0115] In this embodiment of the invention, the spacer 605F is designed to be bonded to one of the large lateral faces 601 A.3 of the cell 601 A, preferably the first large lateral face 601 A.3a of said cell 601 A.

[0116] In order for this spacer 605F to be bonded as effectively as possible, it is preferable for the large support area 605F.1 to be formed of a plurality of segments, or independent elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) without connection between them. In the case where the spacer 605F is constituted by independent elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d), said elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) are formed by a first element 605F.1 c and a second element 605F.1 , which are bonded to one of the large lateral faces 601 A.3 of the battery cell 601 A.

[0117] More specifically, these elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) have vertical (605F. I ci, 605F.1 di) and horizontal (605F.1 cii, 605F.1 dii) ribs so as to define a portion of the circulation circuit 605A of the heat transfer fluid within the spacer 605F. The circulation of said fluid is preferably carried out from the bottom to the top, between the two large lateral faces 601 A.3 of the two adjacent cells 601 A.

[0118] Advantageously, the first element 605F.1 c has a vertical rib 605F.I ci configured to be positioned against a first lateral end 601 A.3ai of the first large lateral face 601 A.3a of said cell 601 A. Two horizontal ribs 605F.1 cii extend from the vertical rib 605F.I ci along the first large lateral face 601 A.3a of the cell 601 A, the first element 605F.1 c being preferentially designed to be positioned in the middle of the large lateral face 601 A.3a.

[0119] Preferably, the second element 605F.1 d has a vertical rib 605F.1 di configured to be positioned against a second lateral end 601 A.Saii of the first large lateral face 601 A.3a of the cell 601 A. Three horizontal ribs 605F.1 dii extend from the vertical rib 605F.1 di along the first large lateral face 601 A.3a, the second element 605F.1 d being preferentially designed to frame, at least partially, the first element 605F.1 c. Two of the horizontal ribs 605F.1 dii therefore frame the first element 605F.1 c, the third horizontal rib 605F.1 dii extending between the horizontal ribs 605F.1 dii of the first element 605F.1 c.

[0120] These two elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) can, once glued to one of the large lateral faces 601 A.3 of the cell 601 A, delimit a portion of circulation circuit 605A which, as previously, will allow the passage of the heat transfer fluid to the surface of the adjacent cells 601 A, therefore the cooling of said cells 601 A. Due to the gluing of the elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) directly on the cell 601 A, the spacer 605F naturally has orifices 605F.5 necessary for the movement of the heat transfer fluid to and from the portions of the circulation circuit 605A, to and from the fluid inlet or outlet collectors (the collectors not being shown in this figure). at least one or more orifices 605F.5 are provided on the spacer 605F, each of the orifices 605F.5 being configured to open respectively into the inlet manifold and into the outlet manifold (the manifolds not being visible in these figures).

[0121] The bonding of the spacer 605F on the large lateral face 601 A.3 of the cell 601 A can be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art.

[0122] Thus, the 605F spacer according to this embodiment is simpler: it only has a large support area 605F.1, it is therefore easier and faster to produce. It also makes it possible to avoid the use of an elastomer while maintaining good sealing of the 605F spacer, it is therefore less expensive to produce.

[0123] Figures 10, 11 and 12 show, respectively, a sectional view of a thermal regulation device, a perspective view of a spacer and a sectional view of the device with the collectors positioned on the same side of the housing, according to an eighth embodiment of the invention. These figures repeat the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering being however incremented by 100 compared to the seventh embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention.

[0124] In this embodiment, the battery pack 701 has two or more rows of cells (701 A, 701 A') placed side by side. In FIG. 10, the battery pack 701 is composed of two rows of cells (701 A, 701 A') placed side by side.

[0125] To enable the cells (701 A, 701 A') to be held and the flow to be uniform along their large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3), the ribs 705F.3 of the spacer 705F are shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits 705A, each having one or more passes, as in the case of a spacer for a single cell described previously.

[0126] Advantageously, so that the temperature is as uniform as possible, each 705A circuit (and each of its passes) extends - or straddles - the two large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3) of the cells (701 A, 701 A') arranged side by side.

[0127] The spacer 705F forms a fluid seal along the entire length of the circuit 705A as with a single cell spacer described previously.

[0128] In Figures 10, 11 and 12, the spacer 705F comprises a median rib 705F.3a which extends in the height of the cells (701 A, 701 A') and which is installed in use between the lateral edges of the large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3). This median rib 705F.3a thus fills the space between the two cells (701 A, 701 A') and forms a seal between said cells (701 A, 701 A'). Openings 705F.3ai are provided in the median rib 705F.3a so as to allow the circulation of the fluid between the large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3).

[0129] The median rib 705F.3a also allows for the cells (701 A, 701 A') arranged side by side to be separated and plays a mechanical role against the swelling of said cells (701 A, 701 A') induced by their rise in temperature. It contributes to further maintaining the cells (701 A, 701 A') in compression under the effect of this swelling, which ensures maximum capacity of said cells (701 A, 701 A').

[0130] The sealing between the cells (701 A, 701 A') is particularly advantageous when the fluid inlet / outlet collectors (705B, 705C) are arranged laterally and on one side only of the battery pack 701, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The lower inlet orifice 705F.2b and the upper outlet orifice 705F.2a (FIG. 11) of the circuit 705A are then arranged in the spacer 705F, at the level of a rib, or a small support zone, located at the edge of the cell.

[0131] If the collectors are positioned on either side of the cells (701 A, 701 A') (for example, the inlet manifold is positioned on one side of the cell 701 A and the outlet manifold is positioned on the opposite side of the cell 701 A'), this sealing would no longer necessarily be important. Indeed, the space between the cells (701 A, 701 A') can be used as an intermediate manifold facilitating the distribution of the fluid between the cells. In this case, the spacer 705F may not have a median rib 705F.3a or have a median rib 705F.3a, but which does not fill the space between the two cells (701 A, 701 A').

[0132] According to another embodiment, the ribs 705F.3 can be arranged so as to form a first circuit which winds along the large lateral face 701 A.3 of the first cell 701 A and a second circuit which winds along the large lateral face 701 A'.3 of the second cell 701 A'. The communication between the two circuits can be carried out at the level of the upper wall 703C (more particularly at the level of the busbar zone) or the lower wall 703D of the housing 703. This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring sealing between the cells (701 A, 701 A'), but is not optimal in terms of temperature homogeneity because the fluid arrives hotter on the second cell 701 A' than on the first cell 701 A.

[0133] In Figure 12, the fluid inlet / outlet manifolds (705B, 705C) are arranged laterally and on one side only of the battery pack 701. To ensure the supply of one or more cells 701A located at the ends of the battery pack 701, the inlet manifold 705B and / or the outlet manifold 705C can be extended and bent so as to open directly into the circuit 705A formed at the level of at least one of said end cells.

[0134] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, a motor vehicle generally comprises a cooling system. This system comprises a battery pack, a thermal regulation device according to the invention and at least one spacer. The thermal regulation device for this vehicle may comprise one or more of the features mentioned above in the different embodiments of the invention.

[0135] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0136] Further, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be combined with one or more other features disclosed only in another embodiment. Similarly, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be generalized to other embodiments, even if that or those features are described only in combination with other features.

[0137] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprise" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) of a vehicle battery pack (1; 701), said device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprising: - a housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) forming an enclosure sealed against a heat transfer fluid, having at least two side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) and an upper wall (3C; 203C; 703C), and comprising a circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A) for the heat transfer fluid, which housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) is capable of housing the battery pack (1; 701), which pack (1; 701) comprises at least two cells (1A; 101A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') of battery, the heat transfer fluid circulating around the cells (1A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') of battery to regulate them thermally, - inlet manifolds (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B) and outlet manifolds (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C) respectively for supplying and evacuating the heat transfer fluid to / from said circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A), - a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) configured to be installed between the cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A') so as to space them apart from each other, characterized in that at least one of the collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) extends along at least one side wall (3A; 103A; 203A ; 303A; 403A; 503A) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703), in that the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A; 705A) of the heat transfer fluid is defined at least in part by the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), and in that at least two orifices (5F.2a, 5F.2b; 105F.2a; 205F.2a, 205F.1 a; 305F.2a, 305F.2b, 305F.1 a, 305F.1 b; 405F.2a; 505F.2a, 505F.2b; 605F.5; 705F.2a, 705F.2b) are arranged on the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), each of the orifices (5F.2b, 5F.2a;. 105F.2a; 205F.2a; 305F.2b, 305F.2a; 405F.2a; 505F.2b, 505F.2a; 605F.5; 705F.2b, 705F.2a) opening respectively into the inlet manifold (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B) and / or into the outlet manifold (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C).

2. Device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to claim 1, wherein the two side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) are opposite or facing side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A).

3. Device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the inlet and outlet collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) both extend along at least one side wall (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703).

4. Device (5; 305; 505) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the inlet and outlet collectors (5B, 5C; 305B, 305C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) both extend along the same side wall (3A; 303A; 503A) of the housing (3; 303; 503; 703).

5. Device (5; 305, 505) according to claim 4, wherein the outlet manifold (5C; 305C; 505C; 705C) is located above the inlet manifold (5B; 305B; 505B; 705B). [Claim s] Device (105; 405) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the inlet and outlet collectors (105B, 105C; 405B, 405C) extend respectively along each of the two side walls (103A; 403A).

7. Device (205) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: - the battery pack further comprises busbars (201 B) located in an upper space (203E) formed between the battery cells (201 A) and the upper wall (203C) of the housing (203), and - one of said collectors (205B, 205C) of the device (205), advantageously the inlet collector (205B), extends along one of the side walls (203) while the other collector (205B, 205C) is constituted at least in part by the upper space (203E). [Claim s] Device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid junction between a manifold (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) and the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is made by adding a part or by extending the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) allowing the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) on the cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A').

9. Device (405; 505) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circulation circuit (405A; 505A) of the heat transfer fluid comprises circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of the fluid of variable width, preferably these circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of variable width being formed by the spacer (405F; 505F).

10. Device (405; 505) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circulation circuit (405A; 505A) of the heat transfer fluid comprises circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of the fluid of decreasing width, preferably gradual or continuous, from the inlet manifold (405B; 505B) to the outlet manifold (405C; 505C).

11. Device (405; 505) according to claim 10, wherein the decreasing width of the circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of the fluid from the inlet manifold (405B; 505B) to the outlet manifold (405C; 505C) is between -20% and -80%, preferably between -40% and -60%.

12. Device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is clipped onto at least one battery cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 701 A, 701 A'), or glued onto at least one battery cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A').

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein, when the spacer (605F) is bonded, the spacer (605F) is formed from a plurality of independent segments or elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d).

14. Cooling system comprising a thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to one of the preceding claims, and further comprising: - a battery block (1; 701) comprising N adjacent battery cells (1A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A'), including two end cells (1A.1) each arranged at an end wall (3B) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703), N being an integer greater than 3, - the device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprising at least N-1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), preferably N+1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F).

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: - a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is installed between each cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A') adjacent to another cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'), - a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is installed between each end wall (3B) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) and the end cell (1 A.1) of which a large lateral face (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701 A'.3) is adjacent to said wall (3B), - the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) are in contact with the adjacent large side faces (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) of said battery cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'), so that all the large side faces (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) of the cells (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') are cooled by the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A; 705A) of the heat transfer fluid.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: - the N adjacent cells of the battery pack (701) form two or more rows of cells (701 A, 701 A') placed side by side, - each spacer (705F) comprises ribs (705F.3) shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits (705A), each said circuit having one or more passes straddling the two large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3) of two cells (701 A, 701 A') arranged side by side, - each spacer (705F) comprises a median rib (705F.3a) which extends in the height of said cells (701 A, 701 A') and which is installed, in use, between lateral edges of said large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3), so that said median rib (705F.3a) fills the space between the two cells and forms a seal between said cells.

17. System according to claim 16, in which: openings (705F.3ai) are provided in the median rib (705F.3a) so as to allow the circulation of fluid between the large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3) of two cells (701 A, 701 A') arranged side by side.

18. A system according to any one of claims 16 or 17, wherein: - an inlet manifold (705B) and / or an outlet manifold (705C) are extended and bent so as to open directly into the forced circulation circuit (705A) formed at at least one of the end cells. |

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