Thermal regulation device, in particular a cooling device, for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention primarily relates to a thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage members (2), the thermal regulation device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members and comprising at least one heat-transfer fluid circulation channel (8), in particular a plurality of circulation channels (8), and a collection box (10) arranged at one end of the tube (6) and comprising at least one collection chamber (26) fluidically communicating with the at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), connected to a first end of the tube (6), the collection box comprising a first part (11) and a second part fastened to the first part (11) and to the tube (6), characterized in that the second part (12) of the collection box (10) comprises an orifice defined by a flange turn-up (raised edge (13)) configured to be traversed by the tube, and a peripheral edge (120) intended to be in contact with the first part (11) of the collection box, and allowing it to be fastened thereto, preferably by brazing.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Thermal regulation device, in particular cooling for motor vehicles.

[0003] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device, in particular a cooling device, in particular for an electrical component likely to release heat during its operation, in particular a device for cooling at least one battery or battery cells of a vehicle, for example a vehicle. The vehicle may be of the land, sea or air type.

[0004] It is now known to equip electric, thermal or hybrid vehicles with electrical energy storage units allowing an electrical supply to the various elements of the vehicle. These electrical energy storage units are generally composed of electrical energy storage cells positioned in a battery pack.

[0005] Car manufacturers are currently seeking to provide more powerful electric or hybrid vehicles with increased electric range. To this end, more and more battery packs, and / or increasingly larger battery packs, are being installed on these electric or hybrid vehicles. It is known to install all or at least some of these battery packs at vehicle floor level, substantially across the entire width of the vehicle.

[0006] It is understood that, during vehicle operation, battery packs can release a significant amount of heat and therefore be subject to temperature increases which can, in some cases, cause them to be damaged or even destroyed. Consequently, their cooling is essential in order to keep them in good condition and thus ensure the reliability, autonomy and performance of the vehicle. Furthermore, the operation of battery packs can be less efficient in the event of low temperatures, as the electrical or electronic components equipping these battery packs then need time to warm up before operating at full capacity.

[0007] To do this, one or more thermal regulation devices intended to regulate the temperature of the battery packs are implemented to ensure the heating and / or cooling functions of the electrical or electronic components inside these battery packs and thus optimize the operation of the different components.

[0008] These thermal regulation devices are generally traversed by a heat transfer fluid which can, depending on requirements, either absorb the heat emitted by each battery pack in order to cool it or provide heat if the temperature of the battery pack is insufficient for its proper functioning.

[0009] It is known in particular, in battery packs where electrical energy storage cells are arranged vertically next to each other so as to form a plurality of successive rows of cells, to have thermal regulation devices having a tube arranged between two rows of cells and within which heat transfer fluid is able to circulate. The contact between the tube and the cells allows an evacuation, or an input, of calories via the heat transfer fluid. To manage the arrival and the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid, a fluid collection box is arranged at one end of the tube and heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet conduits are connected to this collection box.More particularly, when several thermal regulation devices are arranged in parallel to be respectively inserted between two rows of cells, and the conduits must be connected successively to each collection box of the thermal regulation devices, it is known to form respectively the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of heat transfer fluid by a succession of tubular portions among which sleeves integral with each collection box and additional connection means interposed between the sleeves to fix them to each other and allow a sealed passage of heat transfer fluid within each of the tubular portions.

[0010] The size of battery packs must be increasingly large to meet the increasingly important electrical energy needs of modern electric or hybrid vehicles, and the number of rows of cells, and therefore the number of tubes interposed between these rows of cells to achieve thermal regulation, must be increasingly large. As a result, connecting the conduits to the various collection boxes can be tedious due to the large number of parts to be assembled together. Furthermore, the increase in the number of parts and their respective manufacturing tolerances implies larger assembly clearances and increased complexity for the production of this assembly.

[0011] An example of a thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage members consists of a thermal regulation device comprising a tube configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members and comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, a collection box arranged at one end of the tube and comprising collection chambers communicating fluidically with at least one circulation channel of the tube, and at least two connection sleeves arranged on either side of the collection box and configured to communicate with the same collection chamber, the connection sleeves having distinct shapes relative to each other.

[0012] In the context of a multi-port tube as described previously as an example, an electrical insulation function may be necessary, and a coating must then be added to the exchanger which is thermally and electrically conductive due to the classic optimized choice of materials, generally aluminum.

[0013] The area to which this electrical insulation must be applied is generally defined in advance, taking into account several factors: the location of the batteries in relation to the exchanger; the potential conditions leading to the formation of an electric arc in the event of failure on the battery pack;

[0014] Cooling energy storage devices, such as battery cells, using multi-channel tube cooling devices sometimes requires complex shapes and / or constrained functions on the inlet and / or outlet collection box.

[0015] Thus, for example, the collection box can act as a reference point for the assembly of the device or the entire system comprising the device and the cells, it can be used as an anchor point for clipping connections, or may require high mechanical strength related to production, assembly or use constraints. For all these reasons, the collection box of a cooling device may not be designed based on stamped half-shells, but have more solid shapes, and for example be designed in single-piece aluminum by an extrusion or die-casting process in particular.

[0016] The major disadvantage of this type of shape or process is that the material does not allow for permanent, watertight assembly and fixing by brazing, particularly because the collection box and the multiport tube to which the said collection box must be connected are both produced from a process that does not include a layer of filler metal allowing brazing. Thus, the tube does not have a clad because it is produced from an extrusion process.

[0017] Brazing is a well-known and very interesting process for manufacturers of cooling devices, which allows for reliable and easily reproducible sealing. Brazing consists of an assembly operation which is obtained by melting a filler metal (thus referred to as "clad" in this description) without melting the base metal. The melting point of the filler metal must therefore be at a lower temperature than that of the base metal to which it is attached.

[0018] It is therefore necessary to create a watertight connection by brazing between 2 components (collection box and tube) which do not include a clad.

[0019] It is known from the prior art to add a clad between these two components, for example by adding a ring of clad wire which will melt during a furnace brazing process or by an induction process. The clad ring is in fact a cored wire of 4047 material, it can be of circular or oval section and can be easily shaped because it is malleable to be able to follow the profile of the parts present to be brazed. One of the disadvantages of this process, besides the addition of a step and an additional element, is that the melting of this ring tends to generate a change in surface condition on the components present and sometimes flux crystals.

[0020] This change in surface condition prevents the area (essentially required on the tube at a minimum) from being properly covered with a layer of electrical insulation required in this type of application, the electrical insulation being used to protect all areas located within a certain distance of the batteries. It is therefore necessary to resort to a prior action of cleaning the surface, by laser for example, to be able to carry out this operation, which causes an additional cost.

[0021] There therefore arises a need for a device which makes it possible to address at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0022] The present invention thus proposes a thermal regulation cooling device for cooling electrical energy storage members, the thermal regulation device comprising a tube configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members and comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, in particular a plurality of circulation channels, and a collection box arranged at one end of the tube and comprising at least one collection chamber fluidically communicating with at least one circulation channel of the tube, connected to a first end of the tube, the collection box comprising a first part and a second part fixed to the first part and to the tube, characterized in that the second part of the collection box comprises: an orifice defined by a raised edge configured to be crossed by the tube, a peripheral edge intended to be in contact with the first part of the collection box,and allowing its attachment, preferably by soldering.,

[0023] Advantageously, such a device allows a sealed assembly without adding a clad ring, thanks to the second part of the collection box which plays the role of fixing interface between the collection box and the tube while the first part is then no longer dependent on this function and can therefore be freed from this need to meet constraints or other needs such as for example mechanical resistance, or the function of anchoring point or reference for the assembly.

[0024] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second part of the collection box is stamped.

[0025] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first part forms at least one, preferably two collection chambers, the second part of the collection box forming a cover for the collection chamber(s) and being configured to form the fluidic interface between the collection chamber and the tube, when it is attached to the first part of the collection box.

[0026] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first part comprises at least one cylinder, preferably two cylinders, forming at least one, in particular two, collection chambers, the second part of the collection box closing one side of the cylinder(s). Thus, the second part of the collection box has an additional function of cover closing the cylinder(s) of the first part of the collection box, the other side of the cylinder(s) being able for example to be connected to a heat transfer fluid inlet and / or outlet.

[0027] Advantageously, the cylindrical shape makes it easier to manufacture the first part of the collection box by extrusion, and thus limit manufacturing costs.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second part of the collection box is fixed to the tube at the raised edge, in particular by brazing.

[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second part of the collection box is fixed to the first part at the peripheral edge, in particular by brazing.

[0030] According to a feature of the invention, the first part of the collection box is formed by extrusion or die-casting, preferably by extrusion.

[0031] Advantageously, this makes it possible to obtain a part that meets high constraints without worrying about having a layer of clad allowing fixing by brazing.

[0032] According to a particularity, the first part of the collection box is formed by extrusion.

[0033] According to a special feature, the first part and the second part of the collection box as well as the tube are made of metal.

[0034] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second part of the collection box has two faces, and comprises a coating of filler metal on a single face, in contact with the first part of the collection box and the tube, configured to allow the fixing of the second part with the first part and the tube by brazing.

[0035] Advantageously, in this alternative, an internal cladded material is sufficient to ensure the connection between the tube, the first and second parts of the collection box. The first part of the extruded collection box can be inserted during assembly in abutment on the bottom of the second part of the collection box, the tube also being brought into abutment on this extruded box.

[0036] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second part of the collection box may further comprise a shape arranged in its center allowing it to be brazed onto the multiport tube, thus creating leak-free U-shaped circulation.

[0037] According to a characteristic of the invention, the raised edge of the orifice of the second part extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the peripheral edge extends.

[0038] According to a characteristic of the invention, the second part of the collection box has two faces, and comprises a coating of filler metal on said two faces configured to allow the fixing of the second part with the first part and the tube by brazing.

[0039] In some cases, a two-sided cladded material is necessary to ensure the connection of the tube with the second part of the collection box, thanks to the addition of brazing material on the outer face, and the second part of the collection box with the first part of the extruded collection box, thanks to the addition of brazing material on the inner face.

[0040] In some embodiments, the raised edge has in its center a bridge of material separating the orifice in two, opposite which the tube will be inserted in abutment. The first part of the collection box may also have a nose forming a stop, said first part of the box is then also assembled in abutment on this bridge of material at the level of the nose forming a stop.

[0041] According to a characteristic of the invention, the raised edge of the orifice of the second part extends in the same direction as the peripheral edge.

[0042] According to a characteristic of the invention, the peripheral edge may itself comprise a flat edge at its free end.

[0043] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first part of the collection box has a nose forming a stop 112, and at least one groove (10) configured to be complementary to the end of the tube (6), so that the nose forming a stop (12) forms the assembly stop with said tube (6) fitted through the orifice (14) of the second part (12) of the collection box (10). According to a characteristic of the invention, the tube comprises a plurality of circulation channels, and wherein said groove of the first part of the collection box complementary to the end of the tube has a solid central portion in order to separate the plurality of channels of the tube into two groups when said tube is in abutting contact with said solid central portion of the first part of the collection box.

[0044] According to a characteristic of the invention, the tube comprises a plurality of circulation channels, and in which the second part of the collection box has a bridge of material separating its orifice in two in order to separate the plurality of channels of the tube into two groups when the latter is fitted into the orifice of the second part of the collection box, the bridge of material being configured to form a stop for assembling the tube with the collection box.

[0045] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a device as described above, which comprises the following steps:

[0046] Provide the first and second part of the collection box,

[0047] Assembling the first part of the collection box with the second part of the collection box so that the peripheral edge of the second part is in contact with the first part of the collection box, the first part of the collection box preferably forming an assembly stop so as to lock the second part of the collection box in an assembled position with the first part of the collection box,

[0048] Providing a tube having in particular a plurality of channels, the shape of which is complementary to the orifice of the second part of the collection box and inserting the tube into said orifice, until one end of the tube comes into abutment with the first part of the collection box or with the second part of the collection box,

[0049] Braze the assembly so as to fix the first part of the collection box, the second part of the collection box, and the tube together irreversibly.

[0050] The invention also relates to an assembly kit for forming a cooling device as described above, comprising a first part of the collection box, a second part of the collection box, and a tube comprising at least one circulation channel (8) for heat transfer fluid, in particular a plurality of channels, characterized in that the second part of the collection box comprises: an orifice defined by a raised edge configured to be crossed by the tube, a peripheral edge intended to be in contact with the first part of the collection box, and allowing its attachment thereto, preferably by brazing.

[0051] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device can allow circulation of the fluid in a U or I shape.

[0052] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box is therefore equipped with at least two connection sleeves.

[0053] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box comprises a connection sleeve of a first type and a connection sleeve of a second type. The difference in shape of the connection sleeves makes it possible, when two identical thermal regulation devices are assembled together to form part of an electrical energy storage device with several rows of electrical energy storage members in particular, to make a connection sleeve of a first type associated with a first thermal regulation device cooperate directly with a sleeve of a second type associated with a second thermal regulation device.

[0054] Advantageously, this avoids having to provide an assembly with connecting sleeves of identical shapes which must be connected by an additional sheath, and thus avoids a multiplication of manufacturing tolerances and alignment defects.

[0055] According to another characteristic of the invention, the two connecting sleeves are identical.

[0056] According to a feature of the invention, the second part of the collection box and the two connecting sleeves form a single-piece assembly. In particular, the collection box and the connecting sleeves may be made of the same material, and more particularly of aluminum. Additionally, the collection box, the connecting sleeves and the tube form a single-piece assembly.

[0057] In order to ensure the connection of a battery cooler A with an adjacent battery cooler B within the pack and thus create a fluid circulation, the connection elements comprising specific elements of conjugate shape such as a male part on the battery cooler A and a female part on the battery cooler B, said connection elements being preferably made of aluminum which will be brazed directly onto the cooler boxes themselves made of aluminum, a sealing member such as an O-ring being added at the connection of two cooling devices, such as a lip seal or quadrilobe seal for example, which could be placed indifferently on the male part or inside the female part.

[0058] According to a characteristic of the invention, the single-piece assembly formed by at least the collection box and the connection sleeves is obtained by a brazing operation.

[0059] According to a feature of the invention, the collection box includes the connection elements or these are independent components added. These elements can be extruded or stamped, and welded to the collection box by brazing, respectively with or without a ring.

[0060] According to a characteristic of the invention, one of the two connecting sleeves, so as to form a male element, has an external diameter, at a free end opposite the collection box, which is slightly less than the internal diameter of the other of the two connecting sleeves at a free end opposite the collection box, this other connecting sleeve being intended to form a female element.

[0061] According to a characteristic of the invention, one of the two connecting sleeves has a free end, opposite the collection box, which has external dimensions smaller than the corresponding external dimensions of this connecting sleeve in the vicinity of the collection box, and / or the other of the two connecting sleeves has a free end, opposite the collection box, which has internal dimensions greater than the corresponding internal dimensions of this connecting sleeve in the vicinity of the collection box.

[0062] In other words, the thermal regulation device comprises a first-type connecting sleeve which has a male shape, where appropriate which tends to narrow as it moves away from the collection box, and a second-type connecting sleeve which has a female shape, where appropriate which tends to widen as it moves away from the collection box in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the first-type connecting sleeve, the male shape and the female shape of these connecting sleeves allowing direct cooperation, in particular by fitting, between two connecting sleeves of two neighboring thermal regulation devices.

[0063] According to a characteristic of the invention, the tube comprises two sets of separate circulation channels and the collection box comprises two collection chambers communicating fluidically respectively with one of the sets of circulation channels of the tube.

[0064] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises two pairs of connecting sleeves being arranged, with a connecting sleeve on either side of the collection box, to communicate with each of the collection chambers, the pairs of connecting sleeves being configured such that a connecting sleeve of a first pair of connecting sleeves arranged on a first side of the collection box has a shape and dimensions identical to those of a connecting sleeve of the second pair of connecting sleeves arranged on the second side of the collection box.

[0065] The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage device for an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising several sets of electrical energy storage members and several thermal regulation devices as previously mentioned, each thermal regulation device being arranged between two sets of electrical energy storage members, two neighboring thermal regulation devices being configured to be connected in a sealed manner by direct cooperation of a connection sleeve of a first thermal regulation device, equipped with a seal, with a connection sleeve of a second thermal regulation device.

[0066] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0067] 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 appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0068] [Fig. 1] is a perspective representation of a battery pack as a whole equipped with several electrical energy storage members and a plurality of thermal regulation devices according to an example;

[0069] [Fig. 2] is a schematic view of a detail of a thermal regulation device according to a first embodiment;

[0070] [Fig. 3] is a schematic view of the first part (3A) and the second part (3B) of the collection box of the thermal regulation device and their assembly (3C) according to a first embodiment;

[0071] [Fig. 4] is a schematic perspective representation of a thermal regulation device according to a first embodiment in which the second part of the collection box is not visible, to highlight the connection;

[0072] [Fig. 5] is a schematic view of a detail of a thermal regulation device according to a second embodiment;

[0073] [Fig. 6] is a schematic view of the first part (3B) and the second part (3C, external view and 3D, internal view) of the collection box of the thermal regulation device and their assembly (3 A) according to a second embodiment.

[0074] [Fig. 7] is a schematic view of a detail of a thermal regulation device according to a third embodiment;

[0075] 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 imagined 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 prior art. In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" refer to the orientation of a thermal regulation device according to the invention.A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main extension direction of a thermal regulation device and a transverse direction corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to a main extension plane of a thermal regulation device and to a main extension direction of a hydraulic connection sleeve of the thermal regulation device, this transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction.

[0076] In the explanations, the term "clad" means the filler metal having a melting temperature lower than the temperature of the metal coating it.

[0077] The present invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage members (2), the thermal regulation device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members and comprising at least one circulation channel (8) for heat transfer fluid, in particular a plurality of circulation channels (8), and a collection box (10) arranged at one end of the tube (6) and comprising at least one collection chamber (26) fluidically communicating with at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), connected to a first end of the tube (6), the collection box comprising a first part and a second part fixed to the first part and to the tube (6), characterized in that the second part of the collection box comprises: an orifice 14 defined by a raised edge 13 configured to be crossed by the tube 6,a peripheral edge 120 intended to be in contact with the first part 11 of the collection box 10, and allowing its attachment there, preferably by brazing.,

[0078] The present invention further comprises the following features taken alone or in combination:

[0079] Application of a coating on the multiport tube part 6 which has a homogeneous and continuous geometry.

[0080] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device 4 can allow a circulation of the fluid in a U or I shape. By way of example, an electrical energy storage device 1, in particular intended to equip an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprises several sets of electrical energy storage members 2, also subsequently called electrical energy storage cells 2, and several thermal regulation devices 4 arranged near these cells to allow a thermal exchange between them.

[0081] The electrical energy storage members 2 have in particular the shape of cylindrical cells, here with a circular section, arranged vertically, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse plane in which the electrical energy storage device 1 is mainly located.

[0082] The electrical energy storage members 2 are in particular arranged in successive rows 3, parallel to each other, and each row, or set of electrical energy storage members, extends mainly longitudinally.

[0083] Thermal regulation devices 4 are arranged between two neighboring rows 3 of electrical energy storage members 2, with in particular a tube 6 which is configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members 2 of these two neighboring rows 3.

[0084] In the example illustrated, the rows 3 are arranged in a staggered manner relative to one another, that is to say with a longitudinal offset of the storage members of one row relative to the storage members of the neighboring row, which makes it possible to optimize the size of the electrical energy storage device 1, and the thermal regulation devices 4 each comprise a tube 6 of corrugated shape so as to be able to be in contact with each of the electrical energy storage members 2 of the two rows 3 between which they extend respectively.

[0085] Heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate inside this corrugated tube 6 in order to be able to exchange calories with the electrical energy storage members 2, via the heat-conducting wall of the tube. In particular, when the electrical energy storage members 2 must be cooled following a rise in temperature during their operation, the heat transfer fluid is intended to recover the calories and evacuate them from the electrical energy storage device 1.

[0086] Each thermal regulation device 4 comprises, to allow this exchange of calories, the tube 6 previously mentioned, here of corrugated shape, within which is formed at least one circulation channel 8 of heat transfer fluid, and at least one collection box 10 which is arranged at a longitudinal end of the tube 6 and which has the purpose of collecting the fluid from a heat transfer fluid inlet conduit 15 and distributing it in the circulation channel(s) 8 within the tube 6 and / or the purpose of collecting the heat transfer fluid at the outlet of the tube 6 and directing it into a heat transfer fluid discharge conduit 16.

[0087] In other words, the heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate in the inlet duct 15, at least a portion of heat transfer fluid is directed towards this collection box of the associated thermal regulation device.

[0088] Electrically conductive material means any material having an electrical conductance capable of generating electric arcs in the area of ​​use of the cooling device. By way of non-limiting example, when the cooling device is used to cool automotive battery cells, the sleeves, collection box and tube are made of a conductive material such as metal, in particular aluminum.

[0089] In an example of the thermal regulation device as shown in Figure 1, the circulation of the fluid is said to be U-shaped, that is to say with the same portion of heat transfer fluid circulating in both directions within the tube 6 after passing through a return box 20 at one of the longitudinal ends of the tube.

[0090] More particularly, the thermal regulation device 4 comprises in this embodiment a tube 6 and at each of its longitudinal ends a collection box 10 and a return box 20.

[0091] The tube 6 comprises several channels 8 formed within it, distributed into two circulation sets which are distinguished in that the same portion of heat transfer fluid circulates in the first circulation direction within the channels 8 of a first circulation set and in a second circulation direction, opposite to the first circulation direction, within the channels of a second circulation set.

[0092] The return box 20 arranged at a second longitudinal end of the tube 6 does not have a collection box or connection sleeves and is only fluidically connected to the tube 6. The return box 20 is configured to guide the fluid circulating in one direction in a part of the circulation channels to the other part of the circulation channels so that it circulates in the other direction.

[0093] In a second example of thermal regulation device 4 not shown, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is said to be in I, that is to say with the same portion of heat transfer fluid which only circulates in one direction within the tube 6.

[0094] More particularly, the thermal regulation device 4 comprises in this second embodiment a tube 6 and at each of its longitudinal ends a collection box 10.

[0095] Here again, the tube 6 comprises several channels 8 formed within it, divided into two circulation sets which are distinguished this time in that two different portions of fluid can circulate distinctly within the tube 6, in their respective set of channels 8. A first portion of heat transfer fluid can thus circulate in the first direction of circulation within the channels of the first circulation set and a second portion of heat transfer fluid can circulate in a second direction of circulation, opposite to the first direction of circulation, within the channels of the second circulation set. This configuration results in two separate circuits.

[0096] In an alternative not shown here, a circulation of the heat transfer fluid in I can be implemented with heat transfer fluid which only circulates in one direction within the tube 6, and with collection boxes at each end of the tube. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the same direction in each of the channels within the tube, between a collection box forming a supply collection box at one end of the tube 6 and another collection box forming a discharge collection box at the other end of the tube.

[0097] Figure 2 shows a first embodiment by way of example and non-limiting of a thermal regulation device 4 comprising a tube 6 comprising at least one circulation channel 8 for heat transfer fluid, here a plurality of channels 8, assembled with a collection box 10 in two parts, the first part 11 being fixed to the second part 12 at the peripheral edge of the second part 12. The second part 12 comprises a raised edge 13 around an orifice 14 crossed by the tube 6. The raised edge 13 extends here towards the tube 6 so as to have a wall in contact with it and allowing brazing thanks to the presence of a metal filler, also called "clad", on the internal face 30 of this raised edge 13. The same internal face 30 ends at the periphery with the peripheral edge 120 in brazed contact with the first part 11 of the collection box 10.

[0098] In detail, as shown by way of example in Figure 3, the first part 11 of the collection box 10 (Figure 3 A) here comprises a nose forming a stop 112 and grooves 110 complementary to the shape of the tube 6 so that the nose forming a stop 12 forms the assembly stop with said tube 6 when it is inserted by passing through the orifice 14 of the second part 12 whose perimeter is formed by the raised edge 13 (Figure 3B). The grooves 110 are arranged so as to allow all the channels 8 of the tube 6 to be supplied, without the risk of blocking these channels by brazing. They also allow these areas to be cleared in order to ensure that the abutting assembly of the tube 6 with the first part 11 of the collection box 10 is carried out correctly on the nose forming a stop 112 and not on the rest of the face of the first part 11.

[0099] It should be noted that the gripping of the assembly of the two parts 11, 12 of the collection box 10 (figure 3C) can be ensured or improved by the optional presence of ears 111 formed on the first extruded part 11. Said ears 111 are particularly useful for handling parts on assembly lines.

[0100] As mentioned, Figure 4 shows a thermal regulation device 4 comprising a tube 6 comprising at least one circulation channel 8 for heat transfer fluid, here a plurality of channels 8, on which the second part of the collection box participating in forming the collection box 10 has been removed to make visible the interior of the latter and the presence of grooves 110 in the first part of the collection box.

[0101] The tube 6 has a plate shape extending in a main direction of longitudinal elongation, so as to follow the direction of longitudinal elongation of the row 3 of cells with which the tube 6 must be in contact to perform the heat exchange function.

[0102] More particularly, the tube 6 here has a corrugated shape with a succession of ridges along the longitudinal direction of elongation of the tube 6, to be able to be in contact with each of the cells of the rows 3 surrounding the tube 6, these rows being arranged in a staggered pattern. It is understood that the channels 8 within the tube 6 follow the corrugated shape. A blocked channel 81, in particular a central one, and optional, makes it possible to separate the two fluid circulation assemblies circulating in the tube 6. Another embodiment is shown as an example in FIG. 5, in which the second part 12 of the collection box 10 here has a raised edge 13 extending in the direction of insertion of the tube 6, as can be seen in FIGS. 6A, 6C and 6D.

[0103] Figure 6A shows the assembly of the two parts 11, 12 according to a particular embodiment in which the second part 12 of the collection box 10 comprises a bridge of material 141 at the level of the orifice 14 which makes it possible to act as a stop for inserting the tube 6 while making it possible to act as a plug making it possible to plug and / or to attach to a channel 8 of the tube 6 so as to separate the circulation channels 8 of the tube 6 into two circulation assemblies.

[0104] The first part 11 of the collection box 10 may optionally comprise a nose-forming stop 112 which may have the same function of blocking and / or securing to a channel 8 of the tube 6 so as to separate the circulation channels 8 of the tube 6 into two circulation assemblies, or may serve as a support for the material bridge 141 in order to stiffen the assembly and facilitate the assembly of the two parts 11, 12 of the collection box 10.

[0105] In this embodiment, the internal wall 30 (figure 6D) and the external wall 31 (figure 6C) of the second part 12 of the collection box comprise a supply of material allowing the brazing of the second part 12 of the collection box to the tube 6 and to the first part 11 of the collection box.

[0106] Advantageously, the second part 12 with a raised edge 13 extending in the opposite direction to the peripheral edge 120 and the insertion of the tube 6, also called the external raised edge, as shown in FIG. 3, makes it possible to only require the addition of material for the purpose of fixing by brazing on an internal face 30, which limits the risk of adhesion to the brazing chair during the brazing assembly process.

[0107] In addition, the bottom of the second part 12 is flat, which facilitates manufacturing and assembly with the first part 11 of the box, the tube 6 and the first part 11 of the box being in abutment through the second part 12.

[0108] Conversely, advantageously, the second part 12 with a raised edge 13 extending in the same direction as the peripheral edge 120 and the insertion of the tube 6, also called the internal raised edge, as shown in FIG. 6, makes it possible to reduce the risks of assembly during the insertion of the tube 6. In addition, when a material bridge 141 is present, it can provide the necessary material to ensure the brazed connection and not have any internal leakage.

[0109] However, it is necessary to have a material supply (clad) for brazing on the two internal and external faces 30, 31 of the second part 12.

[0110] Figures 7A, 7B and 7C show embodiments of the invention in which the first part 11 of the collection box 10 is formed to have lateral inlets and outlets. In Figure 7A, the second part 12 of the collection box 10 has a raised edge extending in the opposite direction to the insertion of the tube, i.e. in the direction of the major part of the tube. Conversely, in Figure 7C, the second part 12 of the collection box 10 has a raised edge 13 extending in the direction of insertion of the tube 6, i.e. extends towards the first part 11 of the collection box 10.

[0111] We will now describe a method of assembling an electrical energy storage device 1 as described previously. Figures 7A and 7B show the inlet 15 and outlet 16 conduits. It is entirely possible to have, as shown, two male inlets on one side and two female outlets on the other, or to have one female outlet and one male outlet on each side.

[0112] A first step of providing a cooling device 4 as described previously, followed by a step during which electrical energy storage members 2 are deposited against a tube 6 of a first thermal regulation device 4. During this step, a step of depositing glue against the face of the tube 6 intended to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members 2 may in particular be carried out.

[0113] These steps can be carried out successively as many times as necessary depending on cooling and energy storage needs.

[0114] An alternative method consists of providing the cooling devices 4 in a first step, connecting them together, for example by means of distribution and collection of the fluid connected to the collection boxes of each cooling device, then providing in a second step the electrical energy storage members 2 against the tubes 6 of the thermal regulation devices 4, with or without application of glue.

[0115] The 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 technical combination operating such means. By way of non-limiting example, and as may have been mentioned previously, the shapes of the sleeves may vary since the connecting sleeves from one thermal regulation device to another can cooperate directly with each other.

[0116] LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0117] 1. Electrical energy storage device

[0118] 2. Electrical energy storage device

[0119] 3. Row of cells

[0120] 4. Thermal regulation device

[0121] 6. Tube

[0122] 8. Heat transfer fluid circulation channel

[0123] 81. Blocked canal

[0124] 10. Collection box

[0125] 11. first part of the collection box

[0126] 110. Grooves forming a stop for the tube

[0127] 111. Means of grasping (ears)

[0128] 112. Nose forming a stop or solid central portion

[0129] 12. Second part of the collection box

[0130] 120. Peripheral edge

[0131] 13. raised edge

[0132] 14. Orifice of the second part

[0133] 141. Matter Bridge

[0134] 15. Inlet duct

[0135] 16. Exhaust duct

[0136] 20. Return box

[0137] 26. Collection chambers

[0138] 30. inner face

[0139] 31. External face

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage members (2), the thermal regulation device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage members and comprising at least one circulation channel (8) for heat transfer fluid, in particular a plurality of circulation channels (8), and a collection box (10) arranged at one end of the tube (6) and comprising at least one collection chamber (26) fluidically communicating with at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), connected to a first end of the tube (6), the collection box comprising a first part and a second part fixed to the first part and to the tube (6), characterized in that the second part of the collection box comprises: an orifice (14) defined by a raised edge (13) configured to be crossed by the tube 6,a peripheral edge (120) intended to be in contact with the first part of the collection box, and allowing its fixing there, preferably by brazing., 2. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the second part (12) of the collection box (10) is stamped.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first part (11) forms at least one, preferably two collection chambers (26), the second part (12) of the collection box (10) forming a cover for the collection chamber(s) (26) and being configured to form the fluidic interface between the collection chamber (26) and the tube (6), when it is attached to the first part (11) of the collection box (10).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second part (12) of the collection box (10) is fixed to the tube (6) at the raised edge (13), in particular by brazing.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second part (12) of the collection box (10) is fixed to the first part (11) at the peripheral edge (120), in particular by brazing.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first part (11) of the collection box (10) is formed by extrusion or die casting, preferably by extrusion.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second part (12) of the collection box (10) has two faces (30, 31), and comprises a coating of filler metal on a single face (30), in contact with the first part (11) of the collection box (10) and the tube (6), configured to allow the fixing of the second part (12) with the first part (11) and the tube (6) by brazing.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the raised edge (13) of the orifice of the second part (12) extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the peripheral edge (120) extends.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the second part (12) of the collection box (10) has two faces (30, 31), and comprises a coating of filler metal on said two faces (30, 31) configured to allow the fixing of the second part (12) with the first part (11) and the tube (6) by brazing.

10. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the raised edge (13) of the orifice (14) of the second part (12) extends in the same direction as the peripheral edge (120).

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first part (11) of the collection box (10) has a nose forming a stop (112), and at least one groove (10) configured to be complementary to the end of the tube (6), so that the nose forming a stop (112) forms the assembly stop with said tube (6) fitted through the orifice (14) of the second part (12) of the collection box (10).

12. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the tube (6) comprises a plurality of circulation channels (8), and in which said groove (110) of the first part (11) of the collection box (10) complementary to the end of the tube (6) has a solid central portion (112) in order to separate the plurality of channels of the tube (6) into two groups when said tube (6) is in abutting contact with said solid central portion (112) of the first part (11) of the collection box (10).

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the tube (6) comprises a plurality of circulation channels, and in which the second part (12) of the collection box (10) has a material bridge 141 separating its orifice in two in order to separate the plurality of channels of the tube (6) into two groups when the latter is fitted into the orifice of the second part (12) of the collection box (10), the material bridge 141 being configured to form a stop for assembling the tube (6) with the collection box (10).

14. Method of assembling a device according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises the following steps: Provide the first and second part (12) of the collection box (10), Assembling the first part (11) of the collection box with the second part (12) of the collection box (10) so that the peripheral edge (120) of the second part is in contact with the first part (11) of the collection box, the first part (11) of the collection box preferably forming an assembly stop so as to block the second part (12) of the collection box (10) in an assembled position with the first part (11) of the collection box, Providing a tube (6) having in particular a plurality of channels, the shape of which is complementary to the orifice of the second part (12) of the collection box (10) and inserting the tube (6) into said orifice, until one end of the tube (6) comes into abutment with the first part (11) of the collection box or with the second part (12) of the collection box (10), Braze the assembly so as to fix the first part (11) of the collection box, the second part (12) of the collection box (10), and the tube (6) together irreversibly.

15. Assembly kit for forming a cooling device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a first part (11) of the collection box, a second part (12) of the collection box (10), and a tube (6) comprising at least one circulation channel (8) for heat transfer fluid, in particular a plurality of channels (8), characterized in that the second part (12) of the collection box (10) comprises: - an orifice defined by a raised edge (13) configured to be crossed by the tube (6), a peripheral edge (120) intended to be in contact with the first part (11) of the collection box (10), and allowing its attachment there, preferably by brazing.

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