Thermal regulation device for a component, in particular a power electronic module

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal regulation device (1) for cooling and / or heating at least one component (50), the operation of which is temperature-sensitive, this component being in particular a power electronic module of an inverter, this thermal regulation device comprising a stack (2) of plates (3) which are brazed together and form a sealed body (4) in which at least one heat-transfer fluid circulation channel is arranged which extends through at least some of the plates (3) in the stack.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: Thermal regulation device for a component, in particular an electronic power module [1] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter. [2] Patent application WO2022248427 discloses a cooling structure comprising stacked plates forming a network of openings and chambers for the flow of a cooling fluid. This structure is placed in a conduit and this conduit is closed by a base plate of a power electronic module. The cooling fluid travels through meanders within this structure. [3] The invention aims to propose a new type of thermal regulation device. [4] The invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter, this thermal regulation device comprising a stack of plates brazed together and forming a sealed body within which is arranged at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel which extends through at least some of the plates of the stack. [5] Thanks to the invention, the design and manufacture of the thermal regulation device can be simplified, because multiple and complex operations can be avoided, such as hot plastic deformation (also called Friction Stir Welding or FSW in English), machining, surfacing. The invention also makes it possible to avoid the use of foundry parts. The invention also makes it possible to avoid any direct hydraulic leak path between the fluid inlet and outlet, because the plates are brazed and sealed together. In addition, in the same environment and the same size, the present invention makes it possible to maximize the heat exchanges with the channel(s) within the stack because no volume is lost, for example for hot plastic deformation and because of added parts. The invention also makes it possible to reduce the total mass of the exchanger with equal performance. [6] According to one aspect of the invention, the plates all have the same thickness within the stack. [7] Alternatively, the plates have different thicknesses. [8] In particular, some plates have a first thickness and some of the other plates have a second thickness different from the first thickness. [9] The total number of plates can be between 5 and 20, in particular between 5 and 15 or between 5 and 10.

[0010] The plates can have a thickness of around 1mm.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack comprises a cover plate which is solid and which defines at least one placement area for receiving a component, in particular a plurality of placement areas.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, this cover plate is devoid of a through opening.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, this cover plate is at one of the ends of the stack.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack comprises a base plate which is provided with at least one through opening forming, for the channel(s) of the stack, a heat transfer fluid inlet or outlet. According to one aspect of the invention, the base plate of the stack comprises both a heat transfer fluid inlet and an outlet.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid inlet and / or outlet are of elongated shape, for example with each two straight edges connecting on each side to an arc of a circle.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal regulation device comprises at least one connector mounted on the base plate and configured to fluidically connect the fluid outlet of the stack with an external heat transfer fluid discharge conduit.

[0017] Thus the base plate has two connections, namely crimped and brazed onto this base plate.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the connectors each comprise a tubular.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the plates comprise mechanical attachment shapes, in particular each in the form of an ear.

[0020] Other shapes are of course possible. For example, the attachment shapes are formed inside the main perimeter of the stack of plates.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, each form of mechanical attachment comprises an orifice which, by being aligned with the respective orifices of the other plates, makes it possible to receive a fixing element, for example a tie rod, which holds the stack on a structural element of the vehicle.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the connection comprises one or more mechanical attachment forms, in particular each in the form of an ear.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the plates of the stack each comprise a keying element configured to identify an orientation of the corresponding plate relative to the other plates when placing the plates relative to each other.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the keying element is formed by a mechanical attachment shape which is offset, in particular in an axial direction, relative to one or more other mechanical attachment shapes.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the keying element is formed by a hole present on the stack to define a visual positioning indicator.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the keying element is formed by a notch present on the stack to define a visual positioning indicator.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the notch is present at a corner of the stack. Alternatively, the notch is present along a circumferential edge of the stack, and may have steps.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack of plates forms a network of channels therein configured to cool the component(s) placed on the cover plate.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the network of channels can make one or more fluid passes in contact with the cover plate.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the plates all have the same circumference.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the plates are based on aluminum, in particular made from an aluminum alloy, for example type 3003.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the plates comprises an aluminum core and a brazing material, this brazing material being in particular of the aluminum alloy type 3003, 4343 or 4045. The brazing material can be on a lower face, an upper face or both faces of the plate.

[0033] This brazing material is called “Cladding” in English.

[0034] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the thermal regulation device as mentioned above, and at least one electronic power module, in particular for an inverter, placed on a placement area of ​​the thermal regulation device, so that to allow heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid circulating within the thermal regulation device and the electronic power module.

[0035] This placement area thus forms a heat exchange zone.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, several electronic power modules are placed on different placement zones of the thermal regulation device, these zones being in particular all on the same main face of this thermal regulation device.

[0037] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a thermal regulation device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter, this method comprising the following steps: - providing a stack of plates, brazing the plates together to form a sealed body within which is arranged at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel which extends through at least some of the plates of the stack.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the brazing material is initially in the form of a sheet deposited on the aluminum core, or assembled by co-lamination.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the stacked plate(s) are initially provided with brazing material, on one side only or alternatively on both sides.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack is passed through a brazing furnace to carry out the brazing, with or without pressurization.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack comprises at least one weld bead produced around a periphery of this stack and possibly between the component placement zones, which are heat exchange zones, for each module, in particular by hot plastic deformation (FSW).

[0042] This weld bead helps to reinforce the sealing of the channel(s) within the stack.

[0043] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0044] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a representation, in perspective, from above, of a thermal regulation device according to an exemplary implementation of the invention;

[0045] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a side view of the thermal regulation device of Figure 1, from below;

[0046] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective representation of a plate of the thermal regulation device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

[0047] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a representation of a stack of plates according to an example of the invention, with one type of keying element;

[0048] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a representation of a stack of plates according to another example of the invention, with another type of keying element;

[0049] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a representation of a stack of plates according to another example of the invention, with another type of keying element;

[0050] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a representation of a stack of plates according to another example of the invention, with another type of keying element.

[0051] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

[0052] Figures 1 and 2 show a thermal regulation device 1 for cooling several electronic power modules 50 of an inverter. Here, there are three electronic power modules 50 (only one of which is shown in dotted lines).

[0053] The thermal regulation device 1 comprises a stack 2 of plates 3 brazed together and forming a sealed body 4 within which are arranged channels 5 for circulation of heat transfer fluid, for example glycolated water, which extend through some of the plates 3 of the stack 2.

[0054] These channels 5 are for example defined by openings 7 in plates 3, openings 7 which form, depending on the stacking of the plates 3, the channels 5. These channels 5 can allow the fluid to circulate in a direction F1 and in a direction F2 to accomplish the desired fluid passes, as can be seen in figure 3.

[0055] The plates 3 all have the same thickness within the stack 2. Alternatively, the plates have different thicknesses.

[0056] The stack 2 comprises a cover plate 9 which is solid and which defines placement zones 10 for each receiving an electronic power module 50.

[0057] This cover plate 9 has no through opening and is located at one end of the stack 2.

[0058] The stack 2 further comprises a base plate 11 which is provided with through openings 12 forming, for the channels 5 of the stack, an inlet or an outlet for heat transfer fluid.

[0059] These through openings 12 are of elongated shape, for example with each two straight edges connecting on each side to an arc of a circle.

[0060] The thermal regulation device 1 comprises two connectors 15 mounted, in particular by crimping and brazing, on the base plate 11 and each configured to fluidically connect the fluid inlet of the stack 2 with an external supply conduit (not shown) of heat transfer fluid.

[0061] The fittings 15 each comprise a tubular 16.

[0062] The plates 3, 9 and 11 comprise mechanical attachment forms 17, each in the form of an ear in the example described.

[0063] Other shapes are of course possible. For example, the attachment shapes are formed inside the main perimeter of the stack of plates.

[0064] Each mechanical attachment form 17 comprises an orifice 18 which, by being aligned with the respective orifices of the other plates, makes it possible to receive a fixing element, for example a tie rod, which holds the stack 2 on a structural element of the vehicle.

[0065] The connection 15 comprises mechanical attachment forms 17 in the manner of the plates of the stack 2.

[0066] As illustrated in the examples of Figures 4 to 7, the plates 3 of the stack 2 may each comprise a keying element configured to identify an orientation of the corresponding plate relative to the other plates 3 when placing the plates relative to each other.

[0067] In the example of Figure 4, the keying element is formed by a mechanical attachment shape 20 which is offset, in an axial direction X, relative to the other mechanical attachment shapes 17.

[0068] In the example of Figure 5, the keying element is formed by a hole 21 present on the stack 2 to define a visual positioning indicator.

[0069] In the example of Figure 6, the keying element is formed by a notch 22 present on the stack to define a visual positioning indicator. This notch 22 is present at a corner 23 of the stack 2. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the notch 24 is present along a peripheral edge of the stack 2, and may have steps 25.

[0070] The stack 2 of plates forms a network of channels 5 within it configured to cool the components placed on the cover plate 9.

[0071] The channel network 5 can make one or more fluid passes in contact with the cover plate.

[0072] The plates 3 all have the same outline, generally rectangular with rounded corners 23.

[0073] Plates 3 are made of an aluminum alloy, for example type 3003.

[0074] The plates 3 comprise an aluminum core and a brazing material, this brazing material being in particular of the aluminum alloy type 3003, 4343 or 4045. The brazing material can be on a lower face, an upper face or both faces of the plate.

[0075] This brazing material is called “Cladding” in English.

[0076] The thermal regulation device 1 and the modules 50 placed on it form an assembly 60. The placement zones 10 are all on the same main face 26 of the thermal regulation device 1.

[0077] The thermal regulation device 1 is manufactured by a process which comprises the following steps: - provide plates 3, braze the plates together to form the sealed body 4, in a brazing furnace to carry out the brazing, with or without pressurization.

[0078] Preferably, the plates are all brazed at the same time so that there is only one pass through the oven.

[0079] The brazing material is initially in the form of foil deposited on the aluminum core, or assembled by co-lamination.

[0080] The stack 2 may comprise a weld bead produced around a periphery of this stack and possibly between the placement zones 10 of the components, which are heat exchange zones, for each module, in particular by hot plastic deformation (FSW).

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Thermal regulation device (1) for cooling and / or heating at least one component (50) whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter, this thermal regulation device comprising a stack (2) of plates (3) brazed together and forming a sealed body (4) within which is arranged at least one channel (5) for circulation of heat transfer fluid which extends through at least some of the plates (3) of the stack.

2. Thermal regulation device according to the preceding claim, in which the stack (2) comprises a cover plate (9) which is solid and which defines at least one placement zone (10) for receiving a component (50).

3. Thermal regulation device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the stack (2) comprises a base plate (11) which is provided with at least one through opening (12) forming, for the channel(s) of the stack, an inlet or outlet for heat transfer fluid.

4. Thermal regulation device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the thermal regulation device (1) comprises at least one connector (15) mounted on the base plate and configured to fluidically connect the fluid outlet of the stack with an external heat transfer fluid discharge conduit.

5. Thermal regulation device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the plates (3) comprise mechanical attachment shapes (17), in particular each in the form of an ear.

6. Thermal regulation device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the plates (3) of the stack each comprise a keying element (20; 21; 22; 24) configured to identify an orientation of the corresponding plate relative to the other plates when placing the plates relative to each other.

7. Thermal regulation device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the plates (3) are based on aluminum, in particular made from an aluminum alloy, for example type 3003.

8. Assembly (60) comprising the thermal regulation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and at least one electronic power module (50), in particular for an inverter, placed on a placement zone (10) of the thermal regulation device, so as to allow an exchange of heat between the heat transfer fluid circulating within the thermal regulation device and the electronic power module.

9. Method for manufacturing a thermal regulation device (1) for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter, this method comprising the following steps: - providing a stack of plates (3), brazing the plates together to form a sealed body (4) within which at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel is arranged which extends through at least some of the plates of the stack.

10. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the stacking (2) is passed through a brazing furnace to carry out the brazing, with or without pressurization.

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