Cooling device for a battery module

Abstract

The invention relates to a structure (2) for producing a cooling device (1) for a battery module. According to the invention, the structure (2) comprises a first panel (20) comprising a first cooling circuit (200), a second panel (22) and a third panel (24) comprising a second cooling circuit (240), the first panel (20) being connected to the second panel (22) by a first folding area (21), the second panel (22) being connected to the third panel (24) by a second folding area (23).

Description

Cooling device for battery module

[0001] The invention relates to the field of battery module cooling devices, more particularly the invention relates to a structure for manufacturing such battery module cooling devices.

[0002] A cooling device for a battery module is already known in the prior art, in particular from document CN107359292. However, such a device comprising two cooling panels, each equipped with a battery module cooling circuit, requires a large number of added parts and a multiplicity of steps during its manufacture. Documents FR 3 034 568, US 2005 / 089750, FR 3 01 515 and CN 105 453 331 also describe cooling devices for a battery module.

[0003] The invention aims in particular to propose a structure allowing easy and simplified production of battery module cooling devices.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module, said structure comprising a first panel comprising a first cooling circuit, a second panel and a third panel comprising a second cooling circuit, the first panel being connected to the second panel by a first folding zone, the second panel being connected to the third panel by a second folding zone.

[0005] Advantageously, the structure according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of additional parts required for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module. Indeed, the structure according to the invention makes it possible to have in a single piece a first cooling panel provided with a first cooling circuit, a third cooling panel provided with a second cooling circuit, the first panel and the third panel being joined via a second panel. The structure has a first folding zone located between the first cooling panel and the second panel as well as a second folding zone located between the second panel and the third panel provided with a second cooling circuit. The presence of these folding zones makes it possible to reduce the number of additional parts required for fixing the first, second and third panels together.The structure is therefore in the form of a flat sheet provided with folding zones allowing the formation of an envelope, preferably a housing configured to receive a battery module comprising several battery cells, such as for example cells in the form of a pocket.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are provided with a common fluid inlet and / or a common fluid outlet. Preferably, the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are provided with a common fluid inlet and a common fluid outlet. Such an arrangement makes it possible to reduce the number of fluid connections required and thus reduce the risk of leakage. Advantageously, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are provided with a common fluid inlet and a common fluid outlet.Thus, such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain parallel circuits comprising heat transfer fluid flows in opposition with regard to their direction of flow and this independently of the position of the common fluid inlet and the common fluid outlet. The heat transfer fluid circulating in the different cooling circuits is preferably an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution possibly comprising an organic compound miscible in water, said organic compound making it possible to reduce the freezing temperature of the aqueous solution. Such an organic compound is for example ethylene glycol.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that it comprises a fourth panel connected to the third panel provided with a second cooling circuit by a third folding zone. A structure having a fourth panel connected to the third panel by a third folding zone allows the easy production of a cooling device for a battery module. The presence of the folding zones allows a receptacle to be obtained for the battery module following folding operations. Alternatively, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the fourth panel is connected to the first panel by a fourth folding zone.Such structures allow the production of a housing configured to receive a battery module comprising several battery cells, for example cells in the form of a pocket. Said housings therefore have at least one lateral opening allowing the insertion of a battery module comprising several battery cells, such as for example cells in the form of a pocket.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the second panel comprises a third cooling circuit. A third cooling circuit at the second panel allows for improved cooling of the battery module.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are connected to each other by the third cooling circuit. Such an arrangement of the cooling circuits allows a reduction in the number of connections and therefore reduces the risk of leakage.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the common fluid inlet and the common fluid outlet of the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are located in the third cooling circuit. Such an arrangement allows easier supply of the different cooling circuits.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the first cooling circuit is symmetrical to the second cooling circuit by a central symmetry whose center is located in the second panel. A structure having symmetry between the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit makes it possible to have two cooling circuits whose inlet and outlet heat transfer fluid flows are placed in opposition when said circuits comprise a common fluid inlet and a common fluid outlet. Such an arrangement of the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit makes it possible to obtain an optimum temperature gradient within a battery module using such a cooling device.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the first cooling circuit is located within the first cooling panel and / or the second cooling circuit is / are located within the third panel and / or the third cooling circuit is / are located within the second panel. A cooling circuit inserted within a panel may for example mean that the cooling circuit consists of a pipe located between two plates or that the panel consists of two adjoining plates, one of the plates or both plates comprising a groove constituting the cooling circuit, said groove being hollowed out in the plate or plates.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the common fluid inlet and / or the common fluid outlet of the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit is / are constituted by a pipette or a nozzle.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that it is based on a metallic material, preferably based on aluminum.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the fourth panel comprises an area configured to be welded to the first panel or to the third panel. Preferably, the area configured to be welded to the first panel or to the third panel is constituted by a flap of the fourth panel.

[0016] According to other optional characteristics of the structure for the manufacture of a cooling device for a battery module taken alone or in combination:

[0017] - the structure for the cooling device for the battery module is such that the first panel and the third panel have similar dimensions. Advantageously, a first panel and a third panel having similar dimensions allow better thermal regulation of the battery module.

[0018] - the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the second panel and the fourth panel have similar dimensions. A second panel and a fourth panel having similar dimensions make it possible to obtain a cooling device for a battery module having a constant width, the second panel and the fourth panel forming the side walls of the structure constituting the cooling device.

[0019] - the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the first panel and the third panel have a larger dimension than the second and the fourth panel, this makes it possible to obtain a good cooling capacity of the cooling device.

[0020] - the structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit comprise meanders and / or obstacles to the flow of the heat transfer fluid. The presence of these meanders and / or obstacles makes it possible to improve the cooling capacity of the cooling device.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:Providing a structure for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module as described above,Folding along the first folding zone so as to form an angle of approximately 90° between the first panel comprising a first cooling circuit and the second panel,Folding along the second folding zone so as to form an angle of approximately 90° between the third panel comprising a second cooling circuit and the second panel,Obtaining a U-shaped cooling device for a battery module.The term "folding" is understood to mean that the structure is subjected to a stress in such a way as to orient the respective planes of two adjoining panels to each other along a folding zone at an angle of the order of 90°, the folding zone then preferentially generating a curvature zone.

[0022] The invention also relates to a cooling device for a battery module obtained by implementing the aforementioned method of manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module.

[0023] According to a preferred implementation, the method for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that it comprises a step of folding along the third folding zone so as to form an angle of approximately 90° between the third panel comprising a second cooling circuit and the fourth panel. This step results in obtaining a cooling device in the form of a box having open lateral sides allowing the insertion of the cells constituting the battery module.

[0024] According to a preferred implementation, the method for manufacturing a cooling device for a battery module is such that it comprises a step of securing the edge of the first panel located opposite the first folding zone with the edge of the third panel located opposite the second folding zone. This securing step can be carried out using a threaded rod and bolt system for example. An alternative may consist of welding a flap of the fourth panel to the first panel of the structure or of welding a flap of the first panel to the fourth panel.

[0025] Finally, the invention also relates to a cooling device for a battery module obtained from the structure according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0026] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] is an elevational view of a cooling device manufactured from a structure according to the invention.

[0028] is an elevational view from the opposite side of a cooling device manufactured from a structure according to the invention.

[0029] is a side view of a cooling device manufactured from a structure according to the invention.

[0030] is an exploded view of two opposing panels comprising cooling circuits of the structure according to the invention. Detailed description

[0031] Figures 1 to 4 show a cooling device 1 obtained from a structure 2 according to the invention. In these figures 1 to 4, similar elements are designated by identical references.

[0032] Illustrates a cooling device 1 obtained from a structure 2 according to the invention. The structure 2 comprises a first panel 20 comprising a first cooling circuit 200, a second panel 22 and a third panel 24 comprising a second cooling circuit (not shown), the first panel 20 being connected to the second panel 22 by a first folding zone 21, the second panel 22 being connected to the third panel 24 by a second folding zone 23. The folding zones are folded so as to orient two adjacent panels at 90° to each other. The first cooling circuit 200 and the second cooling circuit (not shown) are provided with a common fluid inlet 27 and a common fluid outlet 28, the common fluid inlet 27 and the common fluid outlet 28 are located in a third fluid circuit (not shown) located at the second panel 22.It is observed that the first fluid circuit 200 comprises obstacles or meanders 2000 allowing better thermal regulation, their presence increasing the contact time between the heat transfer fluid circulating therein and the panel to be cooled. The device also comprises a fourth panel 26, said fourth panel 26 being connected to the third panel 24 by a third folding zone 25. The fourth panel 26 is welded to the first panel 20, at a flap of the first panel 20.

[0033] This figure shows a different view of the cooling device 1 manufactured from a structure 2 shown in the figure. This figure shows in the foreground the second panel 22 comprising a third cooling circuit 220. It can be seen that the third cooling circuit 220 comprises the common fluid inlet 27 and the common fluid outlet 28 of the first cooling circuit 200 and the second cooling circuit (not shown). The first panel 20, the second panel 22, the third panel 24 and the fourth panel 26 are joined to each other by the first folding zone 21, the second folding zone 23 and the third folding zone 25 respectively.

[0034] This is a side view of the cooling device 1 manufactured from a structure 2. It can be seen that the second panel 22 is joined to the two panels adjacent to it via the folding zones 21 and 23. Said second panel comprises a third cooling circuit 220 comprising the common fluid inlet 27 and the common fluid outlet 28 of the first cooling circuit 200 and of the second cooling circuit.

[0035] The present is a top and exploded view of the first panel 20 and the third panel 24. It is observed that the first cooling circuit 200 is symmetrical to the second cooling circuit 240 by a central symmetry whose center is located in the second panel (not shown). The first cooling circuit 200 and the second cooling circuit 240 comprise obstacles or meanders 2000, 2400. List of references

[0036] 1: Cooling device for battery module2: Structure for manufacturing a cooling device 1 for battery module

[0037] 20: first panel

[0038] 21: first folding zone

[0039] 22: second panel

[0040] 23: second folding zone

[0041] 24: third panel

[0042] 25: third folding zone

[0043] 26: fourth panel

[0044] 27: common fluid inlet

[0045] 28: common fluid outlet

[0046] 200: first cooling circuit

[0047] 220: third cooling circuit

[0048] 240: second cooling circuit

[0049] 2000: obstacle or meander on the first cooling circuit

[0050] 2400: obstacle or meander on the second cooling circuit

Claims

Structure (2) for manufacturing a cooling device (1) for a battery module, said structure (2) comprising a first panel (20) comprising a first cooling circuit (200), a second panel (22) and a third panel (24) comprising a second cooling circuit (240), the first panel (20) being connected to the second panel (22) by a first folding zone (21), the second panel (22) being connected to the third panel (24) by a second folding zone (23); the first cooling circuit (200) and the second cooling circuit (240) being provided with a common fluid inlet (27) and / or a common fluid outlet (28); the second panel (22) comprising a third cooling circuit (220); the first cooling circuit (200) and the second cooling circuit (240) being connected to each other by said third cooling circuit (220);and, the common fluid inlet (27) and the common fluid outlet (28) of the first cooling circuit (200) and of the second cooling circuit (240) being located in the third cooling circuit (220).; Structure (2) for manufacturing a cooling device (1) for a battery module according to the preceding claim, such that the first cooling circuit (200) and the second cooling circuit (240) comprise meanders and / or obstacles (2000) to the flow of a heat transfer fluid in said circuits. Structure (2) for manufacturing a cooling device (1) for a battery module according to any one of the preceding claims, such that it comprises a fourth panel (26) connected to the third panel (24) by a third folding zone (25). Structure (2) for manufacturing a cooling device (1) for a battery module according to claim 3, such that the fourth panel (26) is connected to the first panel (20) by a fourth folding zone. Structure (2) for manufacturing a cooling device (1) for a battery module according to any one of the preceding claims, such that the first cooling circuit (200) is symmetrical to the second cooling circuit (240) by a central symmetry whose center is located in the second panel (22). A method of manufacturing a cooling device (1) for a battery module comprising the following steps:Providing a structure (2) for manufacturing a cooling device (1) for a battery module according to any one of claims 1 and 2,Folding along the first folding zone (21) so as to form an angle of approximately 90° between the first panel (20) comprising a first cooling circuit (200) and the second panel (22),Folding along the second folding zone (23) so as to form an angle of approximately 90° between the third panel (24) comprising a second cooling circuit (240) and the second panel (23),Obtaining a cooling device (1) for a U-shaped battery module. Cooling device (1) for a battery module obtained by implementing a method according to claim 6.

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