Heat transfer fluid distribution structure

Abstract

Heat Transfer Fluid Distribution Structure The present invention relates to a heat transfer fluid distribution structure (1) between a distribution conduit (2) and a circulation orifice (31) of a cooling plate (3), characterized in that the distribution structure (1) comprises at least one distribution orifice (11) in the form of a hole passing through the thickness of the distribution structure (1). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Heat transfer fluid distribution structure

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heat transfer fluid distribution devices for the thermal regulation of battery cells and more particularly to the field of heat transfer fluid distribution mechanisms between the distribution device and a battery cooling structure.

[0002] Battery cooling conventionally involves cooling plates positioned in contact against the surface of the batteries intended to be cooled. Each of these cooling plates has a hollow structure inside which a heat transfer fluid is circulated. The contact of a cooling plate against the surface of a battery makes it possible to optimize the heat exchanges between the two surfaces. The heat transfer fluid moving inside a cooling plate then allows extraction of the heat transferred from a battery to the cooling plate. The circulation of heat transfer fluid thus makes it possible to maintain optimized heat exchanges between a battery and the cooling plate with continuous extraction of the heat.

[0003] Inside the cooling plates, the heat transfer fluid moves between two inlet and outlet orifices, respectively arranged in alignment at each end of the plates. The heat transfer fluid is distributed between different cooling plates arranged parallel to each other by distribution conduits which, on the one hand, supply the inlet orifices of each of the cooling plates and, on the other hand, recover the heat transfer fluid at the outlet orifices of these plates. These distribution conduits conventionally have a rectilinear structure of substantially circular section mounted on the cooling plate at the inlet or outlet of the heat transfer fluid from the cooling plate, so as to supply or extract the heat transfer fluid distributed inside the cooling plate.

[0004] It should be noted that cooling plates generally have internal circuits which distribute the moving heat transfer fluid so that the heat exchanges of the cooling plate with a juxtaposed battery are optimized. The distribution of the heat transfer fluid between a distribution duct mounted on a cooling plate and the different circuits inside the cooling plate is then a function of the circulation orifices specific to each of the internal circuits. Conventionally, these circulation orifices are made at the surface of the cooling plate and have substantially identical dimensions. However, such a construction of the intake orifices is sus likely to lead to a different supply quality depending on the position of the cooling plate along the distribution duct, or even more particularly on the position of the orifice specific to an internal circuit of the cooling plate along the distribution duct. Consequently, the operating quality of a cooling plate is likely to be degraded depending on its position along the distribution duct.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a solution allowing adjustment of the supply of each of the internal circuits of a cooling plate from a distribution conduit, independently of the arrangement of the orifices carried by the surface of the cooling plate.

[0006] The invention thus relates to a structure for distributing heat transfer fluid between a distribution conduit and a circulation orifice of a cooling plate, characterized in that the distribution structure comprises at least one distribution orifice in the form of a hole passing through the thickness of the distribution structure.

[0007] The invention also relates to an assembly combining a distribution structure according to the invention and at least one cooling plate comprising at least one orifice for the circulation of heat transfer fluid, characterized in that the distribution structure has an arrangement of shape substantially complementary to the circulation orifice of the cooling plate so as to cover the circulation orifice of the cooling plate.

[0008] The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to different preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which:

[0009] [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic representation according to an exploded view of an example of a distribution structure in an assembly combining a distribution duct with a cooling plate.

[0010] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic representation according to a sectional view of a first example of a distribution structure integrated into an assembly combining a distribution duct mounted on a cooling plate.

[0011] [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic representation according to a sectional view of a second example of a distribution structure integrated into an assembly combining a distribution duct mounted on a cooling plate.

[0012] The invention relates to a distribution structure 1 for heat transfer fluid between a distribution conduit 2 and a circulation orifice 31 of a cooling plate 3, characterized in that the distribution structure 1 comprises at least one distribution orifice 11 in the form of a hole passing through the thickness of the distribution structure 1.

[0013] Conventionally, a distribution conduit 2 is mounted on the surface of a plate of cooling 3 at a circulation orifice 31 by means of a sealed junction, produced by welding or involving a sealing joint 4, for example elastic, positioned in compression between, on the one hand, the distribution conduit 2 of the heat transfer liquid and the surface of the cooling plate 3; the compression then being ensured and maintained by a fixing means 5 capable of being arranged to cooperate with the surface of the cooling plate 3.

[0014] The distribution structure 1 according to the invention thus relates to an element structurally independent, on the one hand, of the cooling plate 3 and, on the other hand, of the distribution duct 2. This distribution structure 1 then produces a perforated element mounted on the cooling plate 3 so as to adjust the distribution of heat transfer fluid from the distribution duct 2 towards the inside of the cooling plate 3, and in particular towards each of the circuits inside the cooling plate 3.

[0015] According to a preferred example of construction of the distribution structure 1, the latter has a substantially flattened arrangement. Such a flattened arrangement makes it possible to position the distribution structure 1 against the cooling plate 3, or even inside a part of the volume of the distribution duct 2, without however creating a relief likely to alter the quality of the flow of heat transfer fluid inside the distribution duct 2.

[0016] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the distribution structure 1 according to the invention, the heat transfer fluid distribution structure 1 has a substantially elongated arrangement. Such an arrangement allows a positioning between the distribution duct 2 and the cooling plate 3 which is adjusted to the conventional arrangement of a distribution duct 2 mounted on a cooling plate 3. Indeed, generally, the distribution duct 2 and the circulation orifices 31 of a cooling plate 3 have substantially rectilinear arrangements or alignments. Such an arrangement is particularly preferred to facilitate the mounting and assembly of a wider range of combinations of cooling plates 3 and types of distribution ducts 2.

[0017] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the distribution structure 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the construction variant previously detailed, the distribution structure 1 of heat transfer fluid comprises a cooperation interface 12 with the peripheral edge of a circulation orifice 31 of a cooling plate 3. This cooperation between the interface 12 of the distribution structure 1 and the cooling plate 3 is in particular capable of being achieved by a complementarity of shape between a portion of the distribution structure 1 and a portion of the surface of the cooling plate 3 arranged on the periphery of the circulation orifice 31. According to another example of implementation of this construction variant, the cooperation between the interface 12 of the distribution structure 1 and the cooling plate 3 is carried out by a complementarity of shape between the peripheral edge of the distribution structure 1 and the inner edge of the circulation orifice 31 of the cooling plate 3. Such a complementarity of shape makes it possible to carry out an assembly of the distribution structure 1 on the cooling plate 3 carried out by an intimacy of cooperation. By way of example, this complementarity of shape involves one or more reliefs or housings carried by the surface of the cooling plate 3 or the inner edge of the circulation orifice 31 so that these reliefs or housings are of shapes complementary to the peripheral edge of the distribution structure 1 intended to be associated with the cooling plate 3, or even to a particular circulation orifice 31 of the plate 3.

[0018] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the distribution structure 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with the construction variant previously detailed, the distribution structure 1 comprises a cooperation interface 13 with a part of a distribution conduit 2 for heat transfer fluid. This cooperation interface 13 between the distribution structure 1 and the distribution conduit 2 is in particular capable of being produced by a complementarity of shape between a portion of the distribution structure 1, in particular a portion positioned on the periphery of the distribution structure 1 and a portion of the part of the distribution conduit 2 intended to be positioned against or facing the surface of the cooling plate 3.According to an example of implementation of this construction variant, this cooperation between the interface 13 of the distribution structure 1 and the distribution duct 2 ensures that the distribution structure 1 is held, for example in compression, against the cooling plate 3. According to another example of implementation that can be combined with the previous example, the complementarity of shape involves one or more reliefs or housings carried by one or more portions of the part of the distribution duct 2 intended to be positioned against or facing the surface of the cooling plate 3.

[0019] It should be noted that according to an example relating to a construction variant combining the previously detailed examples, the distribution structure 1 is arranged to cooperate, by each of its interfaces 12, 13, with the distribution duct 2 and / or the cooling plate 3. When this cooperation involves a complementarity of shape, the distribution duct 2 and the cooling plate 3 are also capable of being arranged to achieve between them a cooperation which makes it possible to define one or more housings intended to receive all or part of the distribution structure.

[0020] According to an example relating to another variant of construction of the structure of distribution structure 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with each of the construction variants detailed above, the distribution structure 1 comprises a plurality of distribution orifices 11 having different respective shapes and / or dimensions. These different distribution orifices 11 are positioned and distributed on the distribution structure 1 according to an arrangement defined as a function of the desired distribution of the heat transfer fluid in the cooling plate 3 intended to be associated with the distribution structure 1. The shapes and dimensions specific to each of the distribution orifices 11 are also defined as a function of the desired distribution of the heat transfer fluid in the cooling plate 3.

[0021] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the distribution structure 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with each of the construction variants detailed above, the distribution structure 1 has, in a sectional plane, a concave-shaped arrangement. This concave arrangement is then comparable to a “U” shape, so that the two opposite faces of the distribution structure 1 make it possible to define, on the one hand, a concavity intended to be oriented opposite the cooling plate 3 and, on the other hand, a second surface intended to be oriented opposite the distribution duct 2. This second surface is then capable of having a planar arrangement or a convex arrangement.According to an example of construction, the concave arrangement similar to a “U” shape makes it possible to define, on the one hand, two branches whose ends are intended to be positioned in the direction of the cooling plate 3 and, on the other hand, a junction surface of these branches intended to be positioned opposite the distribution duct 2. Also, the ends of the branches of the “U” section of the distribution structure 1 relate to two portions of the peripheral edge of the distribution structure 1. According to an example of construction, these ends provide a cooperation interface 12 of the distribution structure 1 with the peripheral edge of a circulation orifice 31 of a cooling plate 3. According to another example of construction, the ends of the “U” section have lateral extensions on either side of the “U” arrangement.These extensions thus have the form of tabs or edges for cooperation with the distribution duct 2 and / or with the cooling plate 3, by carrying, on the one hand, a cooperation interface 12 with a part of the cooling plate 3 and, on the other hand, a cooperation interface 13 with a part of a distribution duct 2. Each of these two cooperation interfaces 12, 13 is then carried by the opposite faces produced on either side of the cooperation tabs or edges of the distribution structure 1. The form of these cooperation tabs or edges thus produces one or more structural portions of the distribution structure 1 capable. to present a complementarity of shape with the distribution conduit 2 and / or with the cooling plate 3.

[0022] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the distribution structure 1 according to the invention and capable of being combined with each of the construction variants detailed above, the distribution structure 1 has, at the level of its surface face intended to be positioned opposite the cooling plate 3 and more particularly at the level of the portion of the surface intended to be positioned opposite the circulation orifice 31, a relief arranged to optimize a partitioning between the respective intake orifices of each of the internal circuits of the cooling plate 3.Thus, when the cooling plate 3 comprises a circulation orifice 31 inside which are arranged identical intake orifices specific to each of the internal circuits of the cooling plate 3, the distribution structure 1 operates a partitioning of the different intake orifices so that the distribution of the heat transfer fluid between the different internal circuits of the cooling plate 3 is conditioned by the shape and the dimensions specific to each of the distribution orifices 11 of the distribution structure 1 respectively positioned opposite an intake orifice to which it is dedicated.According to a particular example of construction, the relief carried by the distribution structure 1 and arranged to optimize a partitioning between different internal circuit orifices of the cooling plate 3, has a complementarity of shape with the concavity of the circulation orifice 31 on the cooling plate 3.

[0023] The invention also relates to an assembly combining a distribution structure 1 according to the invention and at least one cooling plate 3 comprising at least one orifice 31 for the circulation of heat transfer fluid, characterized in that the distribution structure 1 has an arrangement of shape substantially complementary to the circulation orifice 31 of the cooling plate 3 so as to cover the circulation orifice 31 of the cooling plate 3. This covering makes it possible in particular to constrain the circulation of the heat transfer fluid through the distribution structure 1 during its movement from the distribution duct 2 towards the interior of the cooling plate 3.

[0024] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention, the latter also comprises at least one means for fixing the distribution structure 1 against the circulation orifice 31 of the cooling plate 3. This fixing means is capable of taking the form of a weld. In a complementary or alternative manner, this fixing means is capable of taking the form of a plurality of clipping pieces, staples, or screws distributed along the length of the distribution structure 1 so that each piece of the means of fixing operates an anchoring of the distribution structure 1 with the surface of the cooling plate 3.

[0025] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being combined with the construction variant previously detailed, the latter also comprising a distribution duct 2, the distribution structure 1 is arranged in the interior volume of the distribution duct 2 so that the positioning of the distribution structure 1 against the cooling plate 3 divides the interior volume of the distribution duct 2 into two sub-volumes arranged on either side of the distribution structure 1. It should be noted that such a variant is in particular capable of being obtained when one of the faces of the distribution structure 1 positioned opposite the distribution duct 2 has a convex arrangement and / or produces a relief relative to the surface of the cooling plate 3 at the level of which the distribution structure 1 is positioned.

[0026] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the assembly according to the invention and capable of being combined with each of the construction variants detailed above, the cooperation of the distribution structure 1 with the distribution duct 2 and / or the cooling plate 3 involves at least one seal. According to an example of construction, the seal is positioned in compression between the distribution structure 1 and the distribution duct 2 and / or the cooling plate 3. According to an example corresponding to a particular construction variant, at least one seal comprises at least one part positioned at the level of a housing carried by one and / or the other of the cooperation interfaces 12, 13 of the distribution structure 1.Likewise, at least a portion of a seal is capable of being positioned at a housing carried by a portion of the bearing surface of the distribution duct 2 against the cooperation interface 13 of the distribution structure 1 and / or against the surface of the cooling plate 3. Similarly, at least a portion of a seal is also capable of being positioned at a housing carried by a portion of the surface of the cooling plate 3 intended to interact with the cooperation interface 12 of the distribution structure 1 and / or with a bearing surface of the distribution duct 2.

[0027] According to an example of construction, at least a portion of the seal is made of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer also called EPDM, hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile also called HNBR and / or silicone. Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer or EPDM, like the materials preferentially selected to participate in the production of the seal, have the property of having good chemical resistance to a compound such as glycol, a fluid with particularly interesting heat transfer properties. Furthermore, these materials also have elastic properties which ensure that the seal holds up over time, particularly in the face of compressive forces exerted between the distribution structure 1 and the distribution duct 2 and / or the cooling plate 3.

[0028] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular 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. Distribution structure (1) for heat transfer fluid between a distribution duct (2) and a circulation orifice (31) of a cooling plate (3), characterized in that the distribution structure (1) comprises at least one distribution orifice (11) in the form of a hole passing through the thickness of the distribution structure (1), and in that the distribution structure (1) comprises a plurality of distribution orifices (11) having different respective shapes and / or dimensions.

2. Distribution structure (1) for heat transfer fluid according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a substantially elongated arrangement.

3. Distribution structure (1) for heat transfer fluid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution structure (1) comprises a cooperation interface (12) with the peripheral edge of a circulation orifice (31) of a cooling plate (3).

4. Distribution structure (1) for heat transfer fluid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution structure (1) comprises a cooperation interface (13) with a part of a distribution conduit (2) for heat transfer fluid.

5. Distribution structure (1) for heat transfer fluid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution structure (1) has, in a sectional plane, a “U”-shaped arrangement.

6. Assembly combining, on the one hand, at least one cooling plate (3) comprising at least one orifice (31) for the circulation of heat transfer fluid and, on the other hand, a distribution structure (1) of heat transfer fluid intended to be positioned between a distribution duct (2) and a circulation orifice (31) of the cooling plate (3), characterized in that the distribution structure (1) has an arrangement of shape substantially complementary to the circulation orifice (31) of the cooling plate (3) so as to cover the circulation orifice (31) of the cooling plate (3) and in that the distribution structure (1) comprises at least one distribution orifice (11) in the form of a hole passing through the thickness of the distribution structure (1).

7. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the assembly also comprises at least one means for fixing the distribution structure (1) against the circulation orifice (31) of the cooling plate (3).

8. Assembly according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that, the assembly also comprising a circulation duct (2), the distribution structure (1) is arranged in the interior volume of the circulation duct (2) so that the positioning of the distribution structure (1) against the cooling plate (3) divides the interior volume of the circulation duct (2) into two sub-volumes arranged on either side of the distribution structure (1).

9. Assembly according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the cooperation of the distribution structure with the circulation duct (2) and / or the cooling plate (3) involves at least one sealing joint.

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