Electric battery incorporating a device for thermal management of an element of a powertrain

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement of an electric vehicle (100) having a thermal management device (1) which comprises at least one heat exchanger (2) and at least one element to be thermally regulated belonging to an electric drivetrain, in particular a powertrain (11), the vehicle comprising a battery (13) positioned in particular under the vehicle, in particular under the passenger compartment floor, characterized in that the thermal management device (1) is arranged inside the battery (13).

Description

[0001] TITLE: ELECTRIC BATTERY INCORPORATING A DEVICE FOR THE THERMAL TREATMENT OF AN ELEMENT OF A POWERTRAIN

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement of an electric vehicle comprising a heat treatment device, which comprises at least one heat exchanger and at least one element to be thermally regulated of an electric drive chain. The invention relates to a vehicle comprising such an arrangement, as well as to a method for producing such an arrangement.

[0003] Electrically powered motor vehicles traditionally comprise a chassis under which is arranged, in particular in the central part, under the passenger compartment, a modular electrical energy storage assembly comprising electric battery cells. The powertrain, including in particular the electric motor, can be placed at the front of the chassis for a front-wheel drive vehicle, at the rear of the chassis for a rear-wheel drive vehicle, or partly at the front and partly at the rear of the chassis for a four-wheel drive vehicle.

[0004] The problem with vehicles with a rear powertrain lies partly in the thermal management of the components that make it up, particularly when it involves transporting a heat transfer fluid through a flow circuit between at least one element to be thermally managed located at the rear of the vehicle and at least one heat exchanger located at the front of the vehicle.

[0005] It is known to create a flow circuit for a heat transfer fluid using plastic pipes, such as EPDM ®, or steel pipes, such as aluminum, such pipes then being fitted under the vehicle body.

[0006] It was noted that this known solution is difficult to apply to electric vehicles given the underbody environment which is highly constrained by the presence of said electrical energy storage unit.

[0007] The invention aims to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problem. The invention falls within this context and aims to provide an arrangement of an electric vehicle, as well as a method for producing such an arrangement which overcomes the above drawbacks.

[0008] In particular, the invention relates to an arrangement of an electric vehicle comprising a heat treatment device which comprises at least one heat exchanger, at least one element to be thermally regulated of an electric drive train, in particular a powertrain, the vehicle comprising a battery positioned in particular under the vehicle, in particular under the passenger compartment floor. The arrangement which is the subject of the invention is characterized in that the heat treatment device is arranged inside the battery.

[0009] According to other particularities, the arrangement may comprise the following characteristics taken separately or in combination with each other:

[0010] - the battery comprises at least one interface element connecting the battery to the chassis of the vehicle, in particular under the passenger compartment of the vehicle,

[0011] - the heat treatment device comprises at least one pipe, in particular consisting of a rigid tube intended for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, in particular a glycolated water-based fluid, making it suitable for the heat treatment of at least one element of the electric drive chain, in particular a powertrain,

[0012] - the rigid tube is arranged inside the interface element,

[0013] - the rigid tube is arranged inside the interface element such that at least one end of the rigid tube is arranged projecting outside the interface element,

[0014] - the pipe comprises at least one flexible tube connected to the rigid tube by a female connector,

[0015] - the female connector is assembled at one end of the interface element, in particular by screwing,

[0016] - the rigid tube comprises at least one fixing lug, in particular welded to the rigid tube at an external portion,

[0017] - the battery interface element comprises at least one plate intended for fixing the heat treatment device, in particular for fixing the rigid tube via the female connector or the fixing lug,

[0018] - the rigid tube comprises at least one insulating insert, fixed in particular by gluing, such that the insert creates a thermal break between the rigid tube and the interface element.

[0019] The invention also relates to an electric vehicle comprising an arrangement having any of the above-mentioned characteristics.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method of producing the arrangement, according to which the steps are:

[0021] - the production of the rigid tube and the interface element,

[0022] - positioning the rigid tube inside the interface element, in particular inside a channel passing longitudinally through the interface element, by sliding from one end of the interface element,

[0023] - fixing the rigid tube by one of its ends, in particular by screwing or riveting,

[0024] - the assembly of the rigid tube and a female connector,

[0025] - fixing the female connector to the interface element, in particular by screwing or riveting.

[0026] Other details, characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, for informational and non-limiting purposes, in relation to the various examples of embodiment illustrated in the following figures:

[0027] - [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the arrangement of the invention, - [Fig.2] is a partial perspective representation of a battery and a heat treatment device, according to the invention,

[0028] - [Fig.3] is an enlargement of the rear part of the battery of [Fig.2],

[0029] - [Fig.4] is an enlargement of the front part of the battery of [Fig.2],

[0030] - [Fig.5] is a longitudinal sectional view of the arrangement of [Fig.3],

[0031] - [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view VI-VI of the arrangement of [Fig.4],

[0032] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 100 equipped with a heat treatment device 1. The vehicle 100 can be of any type, that is to say it can be a private vehicle, a utility vehicle, a truck or a bus. Also, the vehicle 100 can be an autonomous or non-autonomous vehicle. Here, Figure 1 represents a sports car whose design feature lies in a placement at the rear of the powertrain, which must be cooled by heat exchanges carried out near the front of the vehicle, close to air intake openings.

[0033] In particular, the vehicle 100 is electrically powered. In this sense, it comprises an electric drive train comprising an electric powertrain 11 of the vehicle 100, at least one power electronics element 12 and an electric drive battery 13, also likely to be referred to more generally hereinafter as a “battery”, “battery module” or even “battery pack” in English, allowing the storage of electrical energy and the supply of at least one component of the drive train with such electrical energy.

[0034] The vehicle 100 also comprises a heat treatment device 1 in which a heat transfer fluid is capable of circulating in order to pass through the electric powertrain 11, at least one power electronic element 12 and / or the electric battery 13, so as to heat or cool according to their respective needs.

[0035] The vehicle 100 comprises a front compartment 101 in which a heat exchanger 2 of the air / heat transfer fluid type is arranged. The heat exchanger 2 may be of the type of a front radiator through which the ambient air passes in order to cool the heat transfer fluid. The front compartment 101 may also comprise at least one power electronics element 12. The vehicle 100 comprises a rear compartment 102 in which the electric powertrain 11 is arranged. The battery 13 is arranged under the floor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, between the front 101 and rear 102 compartments.

[0036] Due to the location of the electric powertrain 11 at the rear of the vehicle, and the heat exchanger 2 at the front of the vehicle, the battery 13 is used for the purpose of circulating the heat transfer fluid. To do this, the battery 13 comprises a frame 130 which is visible in Figure 2. The frame 130 may be approximately parallelepiped in shape, at least comprising lateral edges parallel to each other. The frame 130 comprises longitudinal beams

[0037] 131, in particular right and left lateral, delimiting the lateral edges of the battery 13. The chassis 130 comprises transverse beams

[0038] 132, parallel to each other, connecting the longitudinal beams 131 to each other in order to form compartments 133 in each of which is arranged a module 14 of electric battery cells. In FIG. 2, the transverse beams 132 define with the longitudinal beams 131 four compartments 133 adjacent longitudinally. The transverse beams 132 are preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal beams 131.

[0039] The longitudinal 131 and transverse 132 beams can be obtained by extrusion of an alloy, in particular aluminum. They can be of hollow section with stiffening walls connecting internal walls of the beam together.

[0040] In order to connect the battery 13 to the body of the vehicle, from below, the battery 13 comprises interface elements 15, secured to the longitudinal beams 131, preferably by welding. Each interface element 15 is in the form of a unitary part which extends over almost the entire length of a longitudinal beam 131. The interface element 15 can also be described in the following as a battery stretcher.

[0041] The battery stretcher 15 comprises opposite ends 151, 152 on which are positioned plates 153, 154 intended for fixing constituent elements of the heat treatment device 1, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0042] The heat treatment device 1 comprises at least one pipe 20 which is fluidically connected to the heat exchanger 2 and to the electric powertrain 11. The pipe 20 consists of at least one rigid tube 22. It may comprise at least one flexible tube 21 which can be connected to the rigid tube 22 or to an element of the electric drive chain.

[0043] Figure 3 and Figure 5 show the assembly of the heat treatment device 1 on the battery stretcher 15. At one of the ends 152 of the battery stretcher 15, the flexible tube 21 is connected to the rigid tube 22 via a female connector 23.

[0044] The rigid tube 22 projects out of the rear end 152 of the stretcher 15. The female connector 23 comprises a receiving chamber 26 in which the rigid tube 22 is housed by its free end, as shown in Figure 5.

[0045] The receiving chamber 26 comprises a first sealing zone 27, forming a portion of the internal wall of the female connector 23, in which a ring 25 is arranged. The receiving chamber 26 may comprise a second sealing zone 28, located at the extension of the first, in which an O-ring 24 is arranged. The second sealing zone 28 forms another portion of the internal wall of the female connector 23.

[0046] The ring 25 is substantially conical in profile and made of steel, in particular copper, aluminum, or plastic.

[0047] Inserting the rigid tube 22 inside presses the ring 25 against the inner wall of the first sealing zone 27, which forces the O-ring 24 against the shoulder of the inner wall of the second sealing zone 28.

[0048] The receiving chamber 26 of the rigid tube comprises an annular wall which is located at the extension of the second sealing zone 28, and against which the free end of the rigid tube 22 is arranged to bear, excluding the assembly clearances.

[0049] The internal walls of the chamber 26 for receiving the rigid tube 22, of the first and second sealing zones 27, 28 respectively housing the sealing ring 25 and the O-ring 24 are each of substantially cylindrical section, and coaxial with each other, in particular around an axis normal to the rigid tube 22.

[0050] The female connector 23 comprises a tube 29 which can be inclined relative to the axis of revolution of the zones 27, 28 and of the chamber 26, in particular upwards, as can be seen in Figure 5, which makes it possible to position the flexible tube 21, then fitted onto the tube, as close as possible to the battery 13. The free end of the tubing 29 may comprise an inverted chamfer forming a first means for retaining the flexible tube 21 on the female connector 23. The tubing 29 may comprise an axial stop formed by a collar which is located at a predetermined distance from the free end of the connector 23. Such a stop aims to limit the fitting length of the flexible tube 21 on the female connector 23. The tubing 29 may further comprise retaining grooves which are arranged on the outer face of the tubing 29, in particular between the stop and the free end, so as to form a means for retaining the flexible tube 21 on the female connector 23.To complete the fluid connection between the flexible tube 21 and the female connector 23, a clamp can be used to radially constrain the flexible tube 21 onto the tubing 29, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0051] In order to ensure the fixing of the female connector 23 on the stretcher 15, the female connector 23 comprises a radial protrusion forming a fixing lug 30 located projecting outside the first sealing zone 27 delimiting an end face of the female connector 23 intended to come to bear against the rear plate 154 of the stretcher 15. The fixing lug comprises an opening through which a clamping screw can extend, the threaded rod of which engages with a tapped hole made through the rear plate 154 of the stretcher 15. The female connector 23 is attached and screwed onto the stretcher 15 by means of the fixing lug 30.

[0052] In Figure 4 is visible the other end of the rigid tube 22 which extends out of the front end 153 of the stretcher 15. The end of the rigid tube 22 extending in projection can be inclined relative to a rectilinear portion of the rigid tube 22 which is intended to be housed inside the stretcher 15 and the female connector 23 by its other end. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the heat treatment device 1 under the vehicle body.

[0053] Because the rigid tube 22 is larger than the length of the stretcher 15, a portion of the rigid tube 22 is arranged outside the stretcher, here projecting forward. This projecting portion can be described as the external portion 221 of the rigid tube 22 compared to the straight portion of the rigid tube 22 which is arranged inside the stretcher, which can then be described as the internal portion 222 of the tube. The external portion 221 of the tube 22 can be inclined relative to an internal portion 222 of the rigid tube 22.

[0054] The outer portion 221 comprises a radially extending fixing lug 31. Identical to the connection of the female connector 23 described previously, the rigid tube 22 is fixed by this outer portion 221 to the plate 153 arranged at the front end of the stretcher 15, by screwing. The front pad 153 comprises, identical to the rear plate 154, a tapped hole for fixing the rigid tube 22 by screwing. In an alternative embodiment, the fixing could be carried out by riveting. Another flexible tube 21 can be assembled to the rigid tube 22 by the front outer portion 221 which is of substantially identical design to that of the female connector 23 previously described. In this sense, the free end of the outer portion 221 can comprise an inverted chamfer forming a first means for retaining the flexible tube 21 on the rigid tube 22.The external portion 221 may comprise an axial stop formed by a collar which is located at a predetermined distance from the free end of the rigid tube 22. Such a stop aims to limit the fitting length of the flexible tube 21 on the rigid tube 22. The external portion 221 may further comprise retaining grooves which are arranged on the external face of the rigid tube 22, in particular between the stop and the free end, so as to form a means for retaining the flexible tube 21 on the rigid tube 22. To perfect the fluid connection between the flexible tube 21 and the rigid tube 22, a clamping collar may be used to radially constrain the flexible tube 21 on the rigid tube 22, which improves the fixing.

[0055] The stretcher 15 is made by extrusion, in particular from an alloy, such as aluminum for example. The front plates 153 and 154 at the rear of the stretcher 15 can be fixed respectively to the front and rear ends of the stretcher 15, by brazing.

[0056] In Figure 6, the stretcher 15 is visible in a cross section, which reveals a channel 155 extending longitudinally along the stretcher. The rectilinear portion of the rigid tube 22 extends inside the channel in a manner spaced from the latter in such a way that an air circulation space is created at the periphery of the rigid tube 22. It is important to break the thermal bridge which could exist between the stretcher 15 and the heat treatment device 1 by a gap allowing the natural flow of air between the rigid tube 22 and the stretcher 15.

[0057] In order to maintain the peripheral distance between the rigid tube 22 and the channel of the stretcher 15, and thus avoid any vibration phenomenon of the rigid tube likely to generate noise, at least one insulating insert is attached to the rigid tube 22. The insulating insert may be fixed in particular by gluing. The insulating insert may be made of plastic material, in particular deformable. However, in order to allow sliding of the rigid tube 22 by one of the ends, in particular the front end 151 of the stretcher 15, the material used in the manufacture of the insulating insert has a reduced coefficient of friction. The material used in the manufacture of the insulating insert may for example be polyamide or polypropylene.In order to limit as much as possible the heat transfer between the rigid tube 22 and the stretcher 15, in addition to the insert which forms a thermal break, the channel 155 opens through at least one vent, preferably several vents distributed uniformly along the stretcher 15. The use of several air vents allows the creation of a turbulent flow around the rigid tube 22 during the movement of the vehicle, which promotes the heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid circulating in the rigid tube and the ambient air. The assembly consisting of the stretcher 15 and the rigid tube 22 plays a heat exchanger role complementary to that of the radiator 2. Air circulation is thus made possible through the channel 155 so that the heat transfer effect of the internal portion 222 of the rigid tube 22 on the stretcher 15 is almost zero, or even absent.

[0058] The method of mounting the heat treatment system 1 on the battery 13 will now be described.

[0059] It includes the following steps:

[0060] - production of the rigid tube 22 and the stretcher 15, - positioning of the rigid tube 22 inside the stretcher 15, in particular inside the channel 155 passing longitudinally through the stretcher 15, by sliding from one end of the stretcher, in particular a front end 151, so that the fixing lug of the external portion 222 of the rigid tube 22 is arranged to bear against the plate 153 before fixing,

[0061] - fixing the external portion 222 on the stretcher, in particular by screwing or riveting,

[0062] - placement of the sealing ring 25 on the opposite end, in particular the rear end of the rigid tube 22,

[0063] - assembly of the rigid tube 22 and the female connector 23,

[0064] - fixing the female connector 23 on the stretcher, in particular by screwing or riveting.

[0065] The method of mounting the heat treatment device 1 on the battery 13 may also comprise the following steps:

[0066] - the production of the rigid tube 22 comprises a step of bending one of the ends in order to create an external portion 221 inclined relative to the internal portion 222 of the rigid tube which is rectilinear;

[0067] - the production of the rigid tube 22 comprises a step of welding a fixing lug 31 intended for fixing the tube to a dedicated plate of the stretcher, in particular a front plate 153;

[0068] - prior to the step of assembling the rigid tube 22 and the female connector 23, the O-ring 24 is arranged inside the second sealing zone 26 of the female connector 23;

[0069] - the flexible tube 21 is fitted onto the female connector 23, in particular onto the tubing 29 so that the flexible tube 21 is attached to bear against the axial stop;

[0070] - the flexible tube 21 is fitted onto the rigid tube 22, in particular onto the external portion 22 so that the flexible tube 21 is attached to bear against the axial stop; - the flexible tube 21 is held on the female connector 23 and / or the rigid tube 22 by a clamping collar.

[0071] By operating according to the aforementioned method, an assembly of the heat treatment device 1 to the battery 13 is produced which is compact, rapid in its implementation, and free from risk of leakage. The compactness is obtained by positioning a part of the heat treatment device 1 inside the battery 13 itself, in particular by means of its stretcher 15.

[0072] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technically operative combination of such means insofar as they ultimately fulfill the functionalities described and illustrated.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Arrangement of an electric vehicle (100) comprising a heat treatment device (1) which comprises at least one heat exchanger (2), at least one element to be thermally regulated of an electric drive train, in particular a powertrain (11), the vehicle comprising a battery (13) positioned in particular under the vehicle, in particular under the passenger compartment floor, characterized in that the heat treatment device (1) is arranged inside the battery (13).

2. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the battery (13) comprises at least one interface element (15) connecting the battery to the chassis of the vehicle, in particular under the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

3. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the heat treatment device (1) comprises at least one pipe (20), in particular consisting of a rigid tube (22) intended for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, in particular a glycolated water-based fluid, making it suitable for the heat treatment of at least one element of the electric drive chain, in particular a powertrain (11).

4. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rigid tube (22) is arranged inside the interface element (15).

5. Arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the rigid tube (22) is arranged inside the interface element (15) such that at least one end of the rigid tube (22) is arranged projecting outside the interface element (15).

6. Arrangement according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the pipe (20) comprises at least one tube flexible (21) connected to the rigid tube (22) by a female connector (23). Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the female connector (23) is assembled to one of the ends (151, 152) of the interface element (15), in particular by screwing. Arrangement according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the rigid tube (22) comprises at least one fixing lug (31), in particular welded to the rigid tube at an external portion (221). Arrangement according to the combination of claims 6 and 8, characterized in that the battery interface element (15) comprises at least one plate (153, 154) intended for fixing the heat treatment device (1), in particular for fixing the rigid tube (22) via the female connector (23) or the fixing lug (31).Arrangement according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the rigid tube (22) comprises at least one insulating insert, fixed in particular by gluing, such that the insert creates a thermal break between the rigid tube (22) and the interface element (15). Electric vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims. Method for producing an arrangement according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:. - production of the rigid tube (22) and the interface element (15), - positioning the rigid tube (22) inside the interface element (15), in particular inside a channel (155) passing longitudinally through the interface element, by sliding from one end (151) of the interfacing element, - fixing the rigid tube (22) by one of its ends, in particular by screwing or riveting, - assembly of the rigid tube (22) and a female connector (23), - fixing the female connector (23) on the interface element (15), in particular by screwing or riveting.

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