MODULAR ASSEMBLY FOR THE CIRCULATION OF A HEAT TRANSFER FLUID IN A MOTOR VEHICLE BATTERY
The modular assembly for heat transfer fluid in battery units addresses the inflexibility and complexity of existing designs by integrating inlet/outlet modules and serpentine circuits, achieving a compact, maintainable, and cost-effective thermal regulation system for battery packs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2018055511
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2018-06-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2038-06-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing battery pack designs for hybrid and electric vehicles are inflexible, complex, and difficult to maintain, with numerous watertight connections that can age poorly, leading to a bulky and multi-component structure.
A modular assembly for heat transfer fluid circulation in battery units, featuring inlet and outlet modules, base modules with parallel channels, and bridges forming U-shaped or serpentine circuits, integrated into a housing with an extruded metal floor, allowing flexible circuit design and reduced part count.
This design results in a compact, easily maintainable structure with fewer parts, improved thermal regulation, and reduced production costs, while maintaining flexibility for various circuit configurations.
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Abstract
Description
The present invention relates to the field of autonomous electrical energy sources, in particular those embedded in motor vehicles, and has as its subject a modular assembly for the admission, circulation and exit of a cooling fluid in a battery unit for a hybrid or electric motor vehicle comprising at least one such unit. Hybrid / electric vehicles are equipped with a battery to store the electrical energy required for their operation. Current challenges require optimizing the design of battery units, also known as "battery packs," in order to achieve the best performance in terms of lifespan (charge / discharge) and driving range. Charging time is also an important factor in the daily use of these battery packs. Ideally, batteries should operate at temperatures between 10°C and 30°C, especially high-density storage batteries such as Li-ion or Li-polymer. Too low a temperature impacts battery life, and too high a temperature impacts battery life. It is therefore necessary to regulate battery temperatures as effectively as possible. In the context of on-board vehicle applications, there are solutions for batteries cooled by a heat transfer fluid in order to improve heat exchange and increase regulation efficiency. Receiving trays are provided for these batteries, which consist of boxes in which the battery modules supplied by the manufacturer are placed. These are generally boxes with an extruded aluminum floor, as described for example in US patent 8,790,808. This floor is crossed from one side to the other by rectilinear channels in which the heat transfer fluid, in particular the cooling fluid, circulates. However, these solutions are very inflexible in terms of implementation and make maintenance difficult. The result is a complex construction, formed by the assembly of a large number of parts, requiring the creation of numerous watertight connections during manufacturing (whose resistance to aging can be problematic) and constituting a bulky, multi-component structure. There is therefore a need for a modular device or assembly for supplying, circulating and recovering the heat transfer liquid which is arranged at the ends of the channels of the aforementioned extruded floor. The present invention aims to overcome at least the main limitations mentioned above and to propose such a modular assembly. To this end, the invention relates to a modular assembly for the admission, circulation and exit of a heat transfer fluid, in particular cooling fluid in a battery unit for a hybrid or electric motor vehicle comprising at least one such unit, said at least one battery unit being housed in a housing having a floor, in particular made of extruded metal, in which rectilinear and mutually parallel channels receiving said fluid are arranged, characterized in that the housing comprises: - a module serving as an inlet and an identical module serving as an outlet for said heat transfer fluid to, respectively from, the channel circuit via each time a base module, each base module comprising a system of substantially rectilinear and parallel channels and coming opposite the ends of the channels of said floor, so that the channels of the base module each time come into sealed support on said ends, said base modules being fixed on said floor, - a plurality of base modules distributed along each of the two faces of the floor and facing the ends of the channels of said floor, so that the channels of the base module each time come into sealed support on said ends, said base modules being fixed to said floor, and - a plurality of bridges fluidically connecting two adjacent base modules located on the same side of said floor to each other and two base modules located on the opposite side of the housing to each other with an offset so as to form a U-shaped or serpentine heat transfer fluid circuit between the two opposite faces of said housing, where appropriate along the entire length of the latter. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular electric or hybrid, characterized in that it comprises at least one aforementioned assembly also according to the invention. The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a housing for receiving one or more battery units; Figure 2 is a simplified schematic view seen from above of an example of a modular assembly according to the invention (without visible channels); Figure 3 is a view of the input or output module of the modular assembly according to the invention; Figures 4a to 4c are side representations of two base modules and a bridge, all according to the invention, in different assembly phases; Figure 5 is a partial enlargement of a connection area of Figure 4c; Figure 6 is a representation of a longitudinal section in a median plane of the assembly according to the invention illustrated in Figure 4c; and Figure 7 is a schematic top view of the assembly according to the invention illustrated in Figure 4c. Figures 1 and 2 show a housing 1, in particular for a hybrid and / or electric motor vehicle, intended to receive a plurality of cells or battery elements (not shown), where appropriate grouped physically and / or electrically into several blocks or modules, said housing 1 housing and surrounding said cells or elements and means for regulating the temperature of said cells or elements by circulation of heat transfer fluid in channels 2 (fig. 1) present in the floor, in particular extruded, of said housing 1. The housing 1 therefore comprises, at least at the level of a region of its bottom on which the cells rest, at least one, preferably several, heat exchange zone(s) between said cells and the heat transfer fluid, said zone(s) being integrated into the structure of said housing 1 in the floor (for example made of extruded metal) of the latter. Thus, due to the integration of at least part of the temperature regulation means in the very structure of the housing 1, we arrive at -4-to a compact construction (maximum interior volume, minimum exterior volume), with a limited number of parts and pieces to assemble. In order to solve the technical problem posed and thus to be able to propose a greater number of solutions and as illustrated schematically in Figure 2, the present invention relates to a modular assembly for the admission, circulation and exit of a heat transfer fluid, in particular cooling fluid in a battery unit for a hybrid or electric motor vehicle comprising at least one such unit, said at least one battery unit being housed in a housing 1 having a floor, in particular made of extruded metal, in which rectilinear and mutually parallel channels 2 (not shown) receiving said fluid are arranged, characterized in that the housing 1 comprises: - a module 3 serving as an inlet and an identical module 3' serving as an outlet for said heat transfer fluid to, respectively from, the channel circuit 2 via each time a base module 4, each base module 4 comprising a system of substantially rectilinear and parallel channels and coming opposite the ends of the channels 2 of said floor, so that the channels of the base module 4 each time come into sealed support on said ends, said base modules 4 being fixed on said floor, - a plurality of base modules 4 distributed along each of the two faces of the floor and coming opposite the ends of the channels 2 of said floor, so that the channels of the base module 4 each time come into sealed support on said ends, said base modules 4 being fixed on said floor, and - a plurality of bridges 5 fluidically connecting two adjacent base modules 4 located on the same side of said floor to each other and two base modules 4 located on the opposite side of the housing 1 to each other with an offset so as to form a U-shaped or serpentine heat transfer fluid circuit between the two opposite faces of said housing 1, where appropriate along the entire length of the latter. For greater clarity, said channels 2 have not been shown in Figure 2. However, the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the different elements has been indicated by arrows, in particular through the loops formed by the bridges 5, so as to form, in the example not -5-limiting shown in said figure 2, a serpentine-shaped circuit with three U-shaped bends. Of course, by varying the number of each of the modules 3, 3', the base modules 4 and the bridges 5, one or more circuits of varying length can be created in the form of serpentines, U's or inverted U's, etc., which significantly increases the number of possibilities and therefore the flexibility of use depending on the other parameters provided by the manufacturers, in particular the suppliers of battery units. As can be seen in Figure 3, the modules 3, 3' serving as inlet and outlet (for the heat transfer fluid) are made in the form of conduits fixed in a sealed manner by screwing, preferably using two screws V for each module 3, 3' with fluid communication on said base modules 4. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, and as mentioned in the aforementioned figure 2, the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises exactly one module 3 serving as input and an identical module 3' serving as output and in that these modules 3, 3' are arranged on the same side of the housing 1. Between these two modules 3, 3', the desired number of base modules 4 and bridges 5 can be provided. Advantageously, and as illustrated in Figures 4a to 4c and 5 to 7, each base module 4 is produced in the form of an elongated bar 6 comprising at least two, preferably three and even more preferably four channels coming into sealed engagement with a corresponding number of channels 2 located in the floor of said housing 1. In the non-limiting example shown in Figures 4a to 4c, 5 and 6, the four channels present on said base module have been designated by the letter C. In Figure 4a, the J joints intended to ensure sealing at the junctions between said channels C and the channels 2 of said floor have also been shown. These J joints are obviously also present in the embodiments of the other figures but without being expressly designated for greater clarity. For example, the floor, in particular the extruded floor, can measure 14 mm thick and the wall of each channel cannot then exceed a thickness of a few millimeters, for example 2 mm. Each J joint then rests on a very thin profile. To resist deformations of the J joints, which would harm the sealing of the assembly, the joints advantageously have a high ratio between their heights and widths. Each joint is advantageously received in a groove formed -6-in the base module 4, in the floor or even formed partly in the base module 4 and partly in the floor. In order to ensure the assembly shown in particular in Figures 4a to 4c, the assembly according to the invention is further characterized in that each base module 4 has at least two fixing screws 7, preferably (exactly) two fixing screws 7, to fix them to said floor, said fixing screws 7 being arranged near the ends of each base module 4. In order to be able to form the desired circuit for the heat transfer fluid, it is necessary, as shown schematically in Figure 2, to connect the various adjacent base modules 4 to each other by means of bridges 5 which thus form loops. According to the present invention, the aforementioned modular assembly is characterized in that each bridge 5 is produced in the form of an elongated spacer 8 allowing two adjacent base modules 4 to be fluidly connected and comprising at least two pivoting levers 9 which are provided, at their lower ends, with hooks 10 engaging from below with corresponding lugs 11 arranged on the base modules 4 to be connected and which are provided, at their opposite ends, with fixing points 12 coming into contact with corresponding fixing points 13 located on the base modules 4, said fixing points 12, 13 being capable of receiving a screw allowing their mutual connection when said pivoting levers (9) are lowered and engaged with the lugs 11 of the base modules 4 to be connected. For this purpose, the levers 9 are provided with through holes allowing the passage of the screws 14 ensuring the connection between the bridge 5 and the base module 4. The housing 1 may, for example, be made of metal or a rigid material with low thermal conductivity, such as a synthetic or plastic material. It consists, on the one hand, of a lower tray with a bottom wall and side walls assembled peripherally, preferably by screwing, and possibly with the interposition of a sealing gasket (see fig. 1). Advantageously, a production of the housing 1 in a rigid plastic material (thermoplastic material loaded or not with additives and / or fibers, for example polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, etc.) and in two parts assembled peripherally, makes it possible to simultaneously achieve (by -7 -compared to metal boxes) to better thermal insulation and reduced production costs, and allows a great variety and diversity of possible shapes. Advantageously, the assembly according to the invention is therefore also characterized in that all its constituent elements are made of one or more plastic materials and in that the thickness of said assembly is less than that of the extruded floor. Preferably, said modular assembly is characterized in that its thickness is less than 14 mm. According to another characteristic, the modules (3, 3') are fluidically connected to distribution / collection lines forming part of a heat transfer fluid supply / evacuation circuit. Furthermore, a conventional means for controlling the temperature, circulation and / or distribution of the heat transfer fluid can be integrated structurally, or even materially, at least in part in the housing 1, for example in the form of a partial integration of a water pump (not shown). Finally, the present invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular electric or hybrid, characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly according to the present invention. Conventionally, said motor vehicle therefore comprises at least one battery unit as described above, this battery unit further comprising at least one means for measuring internal temperature, means for electrically connecting the cells or elements to each other and external connection means, the latter being advantageously partially formed with or in a wall of the housing 1. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. Modular assembly for the admission, circulation and exit of a heat transfer fluid, in particular cooling fluid in a battery unit for a hybrid or electric motor vehicle comprising at least one such unit, said at least one battery unit being housed in a housing (1) having a floor in which rectilinear and parallel channels (2) receiving said fluid are arranged, said housing (1) comprising: - a module (3) serving as an inlet and an identical module (3') serving as an outlet of said heat transfer fluid to, respectively from, the channel circuit (2) via each time a base module (4), each base module (4) comprising a system of substantially rectilinear and parallel channels and coming opposite the ends of the channels (2) of said floor, so that the channels of the base module (4) each time come into sealed support on said ends, said base modules (4) being fixed on said floor, - a plurality of base modules (4) distributed along each of the two faces of the floor and coming opposite the ends of the channels (2) of said floor, so that the channels of the base module (4) each time come into sealed support on said ends, said base modules (4) being fixed on said floor, and - a plurality of bridges (5) fluidically connecting two adjacent base modules (4) located on the same side of said floor to each other and two base modules (4) located on the opposite side of the housing (1) to each other with an offset so as to form a U-shaped or serpentine heat transfer fluid circuit between the two opposite faces of said housing (1), where appropriate along the entire length of the latter, characterized in that each base module (4) is produced in the form of an elongated bar (6) comprising at least two, preferably three and even more preferably four channels coming into sealed engagement with a corresponding number of channels (2) located in the floor of said housing (1).
2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the modules (3, 3') serving as input and output are produced in the form of conduits fixed in a sealed manner by screwing, preferably using two screws (V) for each module (3, 3'), with fluid communication on said base modules (4).
3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises exactly one module (3) serving as input and an identical module (3') serving as output and in that these modules (3, 3') are arranged on the same side of the housing (1).
4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each base module (4) has at least two fixing screws (7), preferably two screws, for fixing them to said floor, said fixing screws (7) being arranged near the ends of each base module (4).
5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each bridge (5) is produced in the form of an elongated spacer (8) allowing two adjacent base modules (4) to be fluidly connected and comprising at least two pivoting levers (9) which are provided, at their lower ends, with hooks (10) engaging from below with corresponding lugs (11) arranged on the base modules (4) to be connected and which are provided, at their opposite ends, with fixing points (12) facing corresponding fixing points (13) located on the base modules (4), said fixing points being capable of receiving a screw allowing their mutual connection when said pivoting levers (9) are lowered and engaged with the lugs (11) of the base modules (4) to be connected.
6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that all its constituent elements are made of one or more plastic materials and in that the thickness of said assembly is less than that of the floor.
7. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the thickness is less than 14 mm.
8. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the modules (3, 3') are fluidically connected to distribution / collection lines forming part of a heat transfer fluid supply / evacuation circuit.
9. Motor vehicle, in particular electric or hybrid, characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8.