Thermal regulation device, particularly for cooling motor vehicles.

Abstract

Title: Thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage components. The main object of the invention is a thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage components (2), the thermal regulation device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with at least one electrical energy storage component and comprising at least one circulation channel (8) for heat transfer fluid, a collection box (10) disposed at one end of the tube (6) and comprising 2 opposite faces, said collection box (10) comprising at least one collection chamber (26) communicating fluidly with at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), and, the device being characterized in that it further comprises at least two shells configured to be assembled on the two opposite faces of the collection box to form at least one connecting sleeve (18, 18a,18b) disposed on either side of the collection box (10) and configured to communicate with the collection chamber (26), characterized in that the two shells comprise an electrically insulating element configured to electrically isolate the collection box (10) and / or at least one sleeve from the storage components. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 3,

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal regulation device, in particular cooling for motor vehicles.

[0001] 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.

[0002] It is known nowadays to equip electric, thermal or hybrid vehicles with electrical energy storage devices allowing an electrical supply to the various elements of the vehicle. These electrical energy storage devices are generally composed of electrical energy storage cells positioned in a battery pack.

[0003] 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 the floor of the vehicle, substantially across the entire width of the vehicle.

[0004] It is understood that, during operation of the vehicle, the battery packs can release a significant amount of heat and therefore be subjected to temperature increases which can cause them to be damaged or even destroyed in certain cases. 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 the battery packs can be less efficient in the event of low temperatures, the electrical or electronic components equipping these battery packs then needing time to warm up before operating at full efficiency.

[0005] 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.

[0006] These thermal regulation devices are generally traversed by a heat transfer fluid which can, depending on the needs, 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.

[0007] It is particularly known, 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 capable of circulating. 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.

[0008] The size of battery packs must be increasingly large to meet the increasingly high 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.

[0009] Furthermore, the multiplication of the number of parts and their respective manufacturing tolerances implies larger assembly clearances and increased complexity for the production of this assembly.

[0010] 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 the 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.

[0011] In the context of a multi-port tube as described previously by way of 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.

[0012] The area to which this electrical insulation is to be applied is generally defined in advance, taking into account several factors:

[0013] the location of the batteries in relation to the exchanger;

[0014] the potential conditions leading to the formation of an electric arc in the event of a failure on the battery pack;

[0015] The technical difficulty lies in finding a technical solution to meet the need for electrical insulation.

[0016] 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 that:

[0017] 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 boxes of the coolers themselves made of aluminum, a sealing member such as an O-ring being added at the connection of two coolers, such as a lip seal or quadrilobe seal for example, which could be placed indifferently on the male part or inside the female part.

[0018] This sealing member may be made of EPDM, nitrile, for example, or any other polymer material compatible with the coolant and resistant to the temperature constraints of the environment.

[0019] In the case where the electrical insulation function is necessary and depending on the location required for this function, it may be difficult to achieve this function only by applying a surface coating to the exchanger. Indeed, applying a coating to a complex component can be difficult to carry out in a repeatable and safe manner, and the process is complex.

[0020] In addition, this insulation solution may have to be applied to a significant portion of the product due to its proximity to the batteries.

[0021] In the case of more or less complex part geometry, for example when the cooling device has an input / output box geometry with bulky connections and / or excess thicknesses linked to crimping teeth on the boxes for example, the coating cannot be applied in a simple and homogeneous manner to certain areas.

[0022] This results in a need to provide a simple and inexpensive insulating solution which makes it possible to prevent the electric arc from propagating in conductive materials not coated by the insulating layer.

[0023] The present solution aims to solve the technical problem by proposing a specific device.

[0024] The present invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage members, the thermal regulation device comprising a tube configured to be in contact with at least one electrical energy storage member and comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, a collection box arranged at one end of the tube and comprising 2 opposite faces, said collection box comprising at least one collection chambers fluidically communicating with the at least one circulation channel of the tube, and, the device being characterized in that it further comprises at least two shells configured to be assembled on the two opposite faces of the collection box to form at least one connection sleeve arranged on either side of the collection box and configured to communicate with the collection chamber,characterized in that the two shells comprise an electrically insulating element configured to electrically insulate the collection box and / or the at least one sleeve from the storage members.

[0025] Preferably, this invention may have several optional aspects:

[0026] According to a characteristic of the invention, the shells are formed entirely by the electrical insulating element.

[0027] According to a characteristic of the invention, the two shells comprise at least one alignment means, for example a first shell comprising at least one centering pin, preferably two, complementary to at least one oblong hole, preferably two, included by the second shell, allowing the alignment of the two shells with each other.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, a sealing member placed between the manifold box (10) and at least one of the shells.

[0029] According to a characteristic of the invention, the sealing member is placed in a groove or a rib provided in one of the shells or in the collection box (10), preferably on their periphery.

[0030] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box (10) further comprises at least one, preferably at least two through-orifices of said collection box (10), the at least one connecting sleeve being connected to the collection box via the at least one, preferably at least two through-orifices.

[0031] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box (10) is fixed to the tube (6) by welding or brazing, preferably by brazing.

[0032] According to a characteristic of the invention, the shells are assembled by crimping.

[0033] According to a characteristic of the invention, the shells are preferably made by an injection or molding process, and assembled by welding, for example by mirror welding, friction welding or by ultrasound.

[0034] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box is made of aluminum and the shells are made of an electrically insulating material, preferably chosen from a foam, textile, plastic or metal part covered with varnish, paint, thermoplastic film or a mixture of these, or has an electrically insulating coating.

[0035] According to a characteristic of the invention, said two shells are identical.

[0036] Advantageously, these 2 hulls will be a single and same reference of part in order to optimize costs.

[0037] According to a characteristic of the invention, the tube is coated with an electrically insulating coating, in particular in the form of a film or paint.

[0038] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device is configured to allow circulation of the fluid in a U or I shape.

[0039] According to a characteristic of the invention, at least two connecting sleeves (18, 18a, 18b), preferably four, are arranged on either side of the collection box (10) and configured to communicate with the same collection chamber (26), the connecting sleeves (18, 18a, 18b) preferably having shapes that are distinct from one another.

[0040] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a thermal regulation device as described above, which comprises the following steps:

[0041] - a tube (6) of a first thermal regulation device (4) is provided,

[0042] - a collection box (10) is fixed to one end of said tube (6),

[0043] - said collection box (10) is covered on a first face by a first half-shell, then a second half-shell is placed on a second face of the collection box (10) opposite the first face, preferably by aligning them using an alignment means present on said shells,

[0044] - the assembly of the two hulls is welded.

[0045] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a thermal regulation system (4) comprising several thermal regulation devices (4) as described previously, which comprises the following steps:

[0046] - a first thermal regulation device (4) is provided,

[0047] - electrical energy storage members (2) are placed against a tube (6) of a first thermal regulation device (4),

[0048] - a second thermal regulation device (4) is placed against the organs of electrical energy storage (2), by inserting the connection sleeves (18) formed by the shells of the second device arranged on one side of the collection box (10) of the second device directly into the connection sleeves (18) associated with the tube (6) of the first device and arranged on one side of the collection box (10) of the first device.

[0049] The invention also relates to a thermal regulation system comprising several thermal regulation devices as described previously, and several electrical storage members arranged in a row, the regulation devices being connected to each other by their sleeves and being configured to be in contact with said rows of storage members.

[0050] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box is equipped with at least two connecting sleeves, including a connecting sleeve of a first type and a connecting sleeve of a second type. The difference in shape of the connecting 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 connecting 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] According to a characteristic of the invention, the collection box, the connection sleeves and the tube form a single-piece assembly.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 smaller 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.

[0055] According to a characteristic of the invention, one of the 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.

[0056] In other words, the thermal regulation device comprises a connecting sleeve of the first type which has a male shape, where appropriate which tends to narrow as the distance from the collection box increases, and a connecting sleeve of the second type which has a female shape, where appropriate which tends to widen as the distance from the collection box increases in a direction opposite to the direction of distance of the connecting sleeve of the first type, 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.

[0057] According to a characteristic of the invention, a first connection sleeve associated with the collection box comprises means for cooperation with a connection sleeve of a first neighboring thermal regulation device which are arranged on its external face and a second connection sleeve forming a single-piece assembly with the collection box, arranged opposite the first connection sleeve with respect to said collection box, comprises means for cooperation with a connection sleeve of a second neighboring thermal regulation device which are arranged on its internal face.

[0058] According to a characteristic of the invention, the cooperation means comprise at least one zone for receiving an annular sealing joint projecting from the corresponding face of the first or second connecting sleeve.

[0059] According to a characteristic of the invention, the receiving zone comprises a groove formed in the thickness of the corresponding face of the first or second connecting sleeve and dimensioned to house the at least one annular sealing gasket.

[0060] According to a characteristic of the invention, one of the connecting sleeves comprises at least one light passing through the thickness of this sleeve from the internal face to the external face, said light being configured to receive a fixing clip.

[0061] 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, 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. collection.

[0062] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0063] [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 one example;

[0064] [Fig.2] is a detailed view of several electrical energy storage devices and from one end of several thermal regulation devices, seen in [Fig.l];

[0065] [Fig.3] is a detail of one end of a thermal regulation device in perspective view according to a first embodiment once the shells are assembled;

[0066] [Fig.4] is a detail of the thermal regulation device in side view with elements to be cooled;

[0067] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of the insulating shells before assembly according to a first embodiment;

[0068] [Fig.6] represents a detail of two thermal regulation devices according to the prior art in side view without their assembled shells, showing the misalignment;

[0069] [Fig.7] is a top view detail of the assembled insulating shells comprising alignment means according to a second embodiment;

[0070] [Fig.8] is a perspective representation of a thermal regulation device according to a third embodiment in which the U-shaped circulation of the heat transfer fluid intended to circulate in this device has been represented by solid line arrows;

[0071] [Fig.9] is a perspective representation of a thermal regulation device according to a fourth embodiment in which the circulation in I of the heat transfer fluid intended to circulate in this device has been represented by solid line arrows;

[0072] [Fig. 10] is a perspective representation of one end of a thermal regulation device with the shells assembled, showing a collection box and connecting sleeves extending projecting from either side of this box;

[0073] [Fig. 11] is a sectional view of two neighboring thermal regulation devices, notably showing the cooperation between connection sleeves of their respective thermal regulation device;

[0074] [Fig. 12] is a schematic perspective representation, similar to that of [Fig. 10], in which the shells and the collection box of the device have been partially represented to make its internal structure visible and to make visible the internal structure of the tube at one end of which the collection box is fixed;

[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.

[0076] 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.

[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 at least one electrical energy storage member and comprising at least one circulation channel (8) for heat transfer fluid, a collection box (10) arranged at one end of the tube (6) and comprising 2 opposite faces, said collection box (10) comprising at least one collection chamber (26) fluidly communicating with the at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), and, the device being characterized in that it further comprises at least two shells configured to be assembled on the two opposite faces of the collection box to form at least one connection sleeve (18, 18a, 18b) arranged on either side of the collection box (10) and configured to communicate with the collection chamber (26),characterized in that the two shells comprise an electrically insulating element configured to electrically insulate the collection box (10) and / or the at least one sleeve from the storage members.

[0078] This advantageously allows for easy, safe and low-cost electrical insulation. Indeed, this makes it possible to ensure good insulation of the electrical storage elements from the sleeves 18 in particular, where the insulating coating of the cooling device may not be sufficient, in particular at level of the complex shapes of the device, particularly the sleeves 18, as for example shown in [Fig.3].

[0079] Thus, in certain embodiments, the tube 6 and the collection box 10 comprise an insulating coating. In these cases, the shells advantageously intervene to ensure safe insulation at the level of complex shapes in order to avoid electric arcs, and this, at lower cost.

[0080] It is understood that the heart of the invention lies in the presence of an insulating element between the end of the tube 6 and the set of elements forming the collection chamber 10 and the connections such as the sleeves 19.

[0081] The invention as just described makes it possible to meet the objectives it set itself, namely to propose an electrically insulated electrical energy storage device 1.

[0082] The present invention further comprises the following features taken alone or in combination:

[0083] In certain embodiments, the two shells comprise at least one alignment means, for example a first shell comprising at least one centering pin, preferably two, complementary to at least one oblong hole, preferably two, comprised by the second shell, allowing the alignment of the two shells with each other.

[0084] Indeed, in the state of the art, the use of devices directly connected to each other without the use of tubulars or flexible elements can give rise to misalignment problems, such as those shown by way of non-limiting example in [Fig.6].

[0085] Advantageously, the presence of alignment means on the shells makes it possible to simply and inexpensively resolve the problems of misalignment between different thermal regulation devices during assembly.

[0086] According to a characteristic of the invention, the two shells are formed entirely from an electrically insulating element. In other words, the two half-shells (11) form, once assembled, the electrically insulating element configured to electrically insulate said storage members from the sleeves (18) and from the collection box (10). Such a particular embodiment is shown in [Fig. 5] Thus, the two shells (11) are inserted on each side of the collection box 10 to form, once assembled around the latter, an insulating element 23 which separates the tube 6 (and the energy storage members 2) from the sleeves 18 and from the collection box 10.

[0087] [Fig. 4] represents a cooling device 4 with several tubes 6 assembled by their pair of sleeves 18, with the cells 2, with the insulating shells. A theoretical circle having as its center the cell 2 closest to the end of the tube 6 and having a larger radius than that of said cell represents the pos possibility of arcing and / or the manufacturers' demand for the size of the required insulation zone. It is therefore in this area that it is interesting to provide insulation, in case the parts are poorly coated or have no coating.

[0088] According to a characteristic of the invention, said two shells 230 are identical.

[0089] Indeed, advantageously, the two shells 230 are each formed from a single part reference in order to optimize costs. The assembly is thus carried out between two identical parts which are reversed relative to each other.

[0090] According to an alternative embodiment, the two shells have an identical base, with different alignment means, for example added after the production of the base half-shell comprising the sleeves 18. In a preferred embodiment, one of the shells comprises 2 orifices, preferably oblong holes, while the other shell comprises two studs to allow the alignment of these in said orifices.

[0091] Of course, the alignment means can be different, for example a combination of grooves and ribs.

[0092] In some embodiments, the device is configured to allow U-shaped or I-shaped fluid flow.

[0093] Application of a coating to the part of the tube which has a homogeneous and continuous geometry.

[0094] The size of the electrical energy storage device 4 can thus easily be increased without this involving a multiplication of assembly operations.

[0095] 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, and several thermal regulation devices 4 arranged near these cells to allow thermal exchange between them.

[0096] The electrical energy storage members have in particular the form 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 is mainly located.

[0097] 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.

[0098] Thermal regulation devices 4 are arranged between two rows 3 of neighboring electrical energy storage members, 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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 12 of the tube 6 and which has the purpose of collecting the fluid from a heat transfer fluid inlet conduit 14 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.

[0102] In other words, the heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate in the inlet duct, and at each collection box encountered by the inlet duct, a portion of heat transfer fluid is directed towards this collection box and the associated thermal regulation device and another portion of heat transfer fluid is directed through the remainder of the inlet duct to supply the next collection box.

[0103] It should be noted that preferably, any poorly coated or uncoated aluminum part within 15 mm of an electrical storage element such as a battery cell must be protected from it.

[0104] In other words, it is understood that this invention applies in particular to any connector or sleeve made of electrically conductive material, and in particular when the latter is located less than a distance R, for example 15 mm from an electrical storage element such as a battery cell.

[0105] By electrically conductive material is meant any material having an electrical conductance capable of generating electric arcs in the field 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, especially aluminum.

[0106] As an example of a cooling device, the heat transfer fluid inlet duct 14 and the heat transfer fluid outlet duct 16 are formed by the direct cooperation of connection sleeves 18 secured to two neighboring collection boxes 10, without there being any intermediate devices arranged between these connection sleeves 18, it being understood where appropriate that a seal may be carried by one of the connection sleeves and be supported on the other connection sleeve at the level of the direct connection zone between the sleeves.

[0107] The characteristics relating to the connecting sleeves 18 allowing in particular the direct cooperation as mentioned will be described in more detail below.

[0108] It can however be seen at this stage of the description, based on the illustrations of figures 1 and 2, that two connecting sleeves 18 extend on either side of a collection box 10 to form a pair 19, and that the two connecting sleeves 18 of this pair preferably have, as illustrated, a different shape from each other, so as to allow the sleeve of a first type 18a associated with a first collection box 10 to be connected directly to a sleeve of the second type 18b associated with a second collection box 10, without it being necessary to provide additional connecting means.

[0109] Furthermore, it can be noted that each assembly formed by a collection box 10 and its connection sleeves 18 is identical from one thermal regulation device 4 to another.

[0110] [Fig.8] illustrates an example of the thermal regulation device, in which 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 having passed through a return box 20 at one of the longitudinal ends of the tube.

[0111] More particularly, the thermal regulation device 4 comprises in this first embodiment a tube 6 and at each of its longitudinal ends a collection box 10 and a return box 20.

[0112] The tube 6 comprises several channels 8 formed within it, distributed into two circulation assemblies which are distinguished in that the same portion of heat transfer fluid circulates in the first circulation direction SI within the channels of a first circulation assembly 21 and in a second circulation direction S2, opposite to the first circulation direction SI, within the channels of a second circulation assembly 22.

[0113] The collection box 10 arranged at a first longitudinal end 12 of the tube is equipped with connection sleeves 18 to allow the arrival and evacuation of the heat transfer fluid. The collection box 10 is configured to guide the fluid circulating in the connection sleeves 18 participating in forming the heat transfer fluid inlet conduit 14 towards a part of the channels, here the channels of the first circulation assembly 21, within the tube and to guide the fluid leaving the tube through the other part of the channels, here the channels of the second circulation assembly 22, in the connection sleeves 18 participating in forming the heat transfer fluid discharge conduit 16.

[0114] The return box 20 arranged at a second longitudinal end of the tube 6 does not have 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.

[0115] This configuration results, as illustrated by the arrows visible in [Fig. 8], in an arrival of heat transfer fluid through a first connection sleeve 18 of a pair 19, a passage of a portion of this heat transfer fluid into the tube 6 in a first circulation direction SI while the other part of this heat transfer fluid continues its route in the inlet conduit 14 towards a neighboring thermal regulation device 4, a circulation of heat transfer fluid within the channels of the first circulation assembly 21 in a first circulation direction SI during which the heat transfer fluid recovers or gives up calories with the surface of the cells in contact with the tube 6, at the level of its channels of the first circulation assembly 21, a change of direction in the return box and a passage in the tube in a second circulation direction S2,with a circulation of heat transfer fluid this time within the channels of the second circulation assembly 22 in the second direction of circulation S2 during which the heat transfer fluid again recovers or releases calories with the surface of the cells in contact with the tube, at the level of its channels of the second circulation assembly 22, and an outlet of fluid via the second connection sleeve 18 of said pair 19, which joins fluid coming from the neighboring thermal regulation device.

[0116] [Fig.9] illustrates a second example of thermal regulation device 4, in which 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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, in their set of respective channels. A first portion of heat transfer fluid can thus circulate in the first circulation direction SI within the channels of the first circulation assembly 21 and a second portion of heat transfer fluid can circulate in a second circulation direction S2, opposite to the first circulation direction, within the channels of the second circulation assembly 22.

[0119] Each collection box 10 is here equipped with two shells 11 carrying connection sleeves 18 within the meaning of the invention, that is to say configured to be able to cooperate directly with connection sleeves of a neighboring collection box to form an inlet conduit 14 and an outlet conduit 16 for heat transfer fluid. Here again, each collection box 10 is configured to guide the heat transfer fluid circulating in the connection sleeves 18 participating in forming the fluid inlet conduit 14 towards a part of the channels within the tube 6 and to guide the fluid leaving the tube through the other part of the channels in the connection sleeves 18 participating in forming the fluid outlet conduit 16.

[0120] This configuration results, as illustrated by the arrows visible in [Fig. 4], in two separate circuits. A first circuit C1 comprises an inlet of fluid via a first sleeve of a first collection box, a passage of a portion of this fluid into the tube in a first direction of circulation while the other portion of this fluid continues its route in the supply conduit towards a neighboring thermal regulation device, and an outlet of the fluid via a first sleeve of the second collection box after passing through the tube, to join fluid coming from the neighboring thermal regulation device.And a second circuit C2 comprises an inlet of fluid through a second sleeve of the second collection box, a passage of a part of this fluid in the tube in a second direction of circulation while the other part of this fluid continues its route in the supply conduit towards a neighboring thermal regulation device, and an outlet of the fluid via a second sleeve of the first collection box after having passed through the tube, to join fluid coming from the neighboring thermal regulation device.

[0121] 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 which each only comprise two connection sleeves. 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 and another collection box forming a discharge collection box at the other end of the tube.

[0122] We will now describe in more detail an example of a thermal regulation device with a collector box equipped with two shells with sleeves of connection, in particular with reference to figures 10 to 12. It should be noted that the detailed description which follows can in particular be applied to the two embodiments of the thermal regulation device previously mentioned.

[0123] As mentioned, the thermal regulation device 4 comprises a tube 6 comprising at least one circulation channel 8 for heat transfer fluid, here a plurality of channels 8 as visible in [Fig. 12], on which a shell participating in forming the collection box 10 has been removed to make the interior of the latter and the presence of the channels in the tube visible.

[0124] 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 must be in contact to perform the heat exchange function.

[0125] More particularly, the tube 6 here has a corrugated shape with a succession of ridges along the longitudinal direction of elongation of the tube, in order 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.

[0126] Furthermore, a collection box 10, arranged at a longitudinal end 12 of the tube 6, is more clearly visible in [Fig. 10].

[0127] This collection box 10 defines fluid collection chambers 26 communicating with the channels as will be described below, and is surrounded by two shells 11, for example crimped then welded against each other.

[0128] To bring or evacuate the heat transfer fluid from these collection chambers 26, the shells 11, each carrying at least one preferably of the connection sleeves 18, are arranged on either side of the collection box 10, taking the form of hollow tubular portions making it possible to guide the circulation of fluid.

[0129] According to a non-limiting example, once assembled, the collection box 10 and the two shells 11 carrying the two connection sleeves 18 form a single-piece assembly, that is to say an assembly which cannot be disassembled without causing the destruction of one and / or the other of the parts forming this assembly. This single-piece assembly can in particular be obtained, prior to the assembly of the thermal regulation devices 4 in contact with the electrical energy storage members 2, by a brazing and / or welding operation.

[0130] As previously mentioned, the connecting sleeves 19 are arranged on either side of the collection box 10 in pairs 19, a pair 19 of connecting sleeves being formed by two connecting sleeves whose axes of elongation, that is to say the axis of revolution of the tubular portion, are substantially coincident. The heat transfer fluid can flow from a connecting sleeve connection to the other connecting sleeve of the same pair, each pair 19 thus forming part of an inlet duct 14 or outlet duct 16 for heat transfer fluid.

[0131] As mentioned, connecting sleeves 18 of two neighboring thermal regulation devices 4 cooperate directly to simplify the assembly process. [Fig.l 1] illustrates in particular the fitting of a connecting sleeve of a thermal regulation device directly into a connecting sleeve of a neighboring thermal regulation device. In order to allow this direct cooperation, one connecting sleeve 18 of a pair 19 is configured as a male element and forms a sleeve of a first type 18a and the other connecting sleeve 18 of this pair 19 is configured as a female element and forms a sleeve of a second type 18b.The assembly of two neighboring thermal regulation devices is achieved by making a connecting sleeve of the first type 18a, or male sleeve, associated with one of the thermal regulation devices, and a connecting sleeve of the second type 18b, or female sleeve, associated with the other of the thermal regulation devices cooperate. In other words, the connecting sleeves of the same pair have distinct shapes relative to each other to allow direct cooperation without intermediary between two connecting sleeves belonging to two neighboring thermal regulation devices, in a context where the thermal regulation devices have identical shapes from one device to the other.

[0132] More particularly, a connecting sleeve of the first type 18a has an external diameter, and in particular at a free end 180a opposite the collection box 10, the value DI of which is slightly less than the value D2 of the internal diameter of a connecting sleeve of the second type 18b, and in particular at a free end 180b opposite the collection box.

[0133] It should be understood that the external diameter of a first type connecting sleeve, i.e. a male element intended to be inserted inside a female element, is considered to be slightly smaller than the internal diameter of a second type connecting sleeve since it allows insertion by fitting of the male element into the female element.

[0134] As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 10], considering a pair 19 of connecting sleeves, the connecting sleeve of the first type 18a has a free end, opposite the collection box 10, which may have external dimensions smaller than the corresponding external dimensions of this connecting sleeve in the vicinity of the collection box, so as to have a male shape tending to narrow as it moves away from the collection box, while the connecting sleeve of the second type 18b has a free end, opposite the collection box 10, which may have internal dimensions greater than the corresponding internal dimensions of this connection sleeve in the vicinity of the collection box, so as to have a female shape tending to widen as it moves away from the collection box.

[0135] Whatever the embodiment variant, a first male connection sleeve associated with the collection box comprises means for cooperation with a female connection sleeve of a first neighboring thermal regulation device which are arranged on its external face 28 and a second female connection sleeve, arranged opposite the first male connection sleeve with respect to said collection box, comprises means for cooperation with a male connection sleeve of a second neighboring thermal regulation device which are arranged on its internal face 30.

[0136] The shape of each of these sleeves helps to form cooperation means 32 of the connecting sleeves between them, with an area of ​​the internal face 30 of a female connecting sleeve 18b which is sized and shaped to be in contact with an area of ​​the external face 28 of a male connecting sleeve 18a.

[0137] Furthermore, at the level of the internal 30 and external 28 faces of the connecting sleeves intended to be in contact with a corresponding surface of another sleeve and forming these cooperation means 32, a receiving zone 34 of an annular seal 36 is provided. This annular seal 36 projects from the corresponding face of the connecting sleeve of the first or second type 18a, 18b. In the example illustrated, the annular seal 36 projects from the external face 28 of the male connecting sleeve, but it will be understood that it could be associated with a female connecting sleeve and project from the internal face 30 of the latter.

[0138] As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 11], the receiving zone 34 of the annular seal 36 may comprise a groove 38 formed in the thickness of the corresponding face of the connecting sleeve and dimensioned to house the at least one annular seal 36.

[0139] As mentioned, two connecting sleeves form a pair 19 by being aligned and arranged on either side of the collection box 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal regulation device 4 is such that two pairs 19 of connecting sleeves are integral with the collection box 10, with for each pair a connecting sleeve arranged on either side of the collection box. In this way, each pair 19 of connecting sleeves can communicate with one of the collection chambers 10.

[0140] In this context of a collection chamber with two pairs of connecting sleeves, and as illustrated in [Fig. 10] in particular, a connecting sleeve of a first pair of connecting sleeves arranged on a first side of the collection box 10 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 10.

[0141] In this way and as can be seen in [Fig. 1 1], the direct cooperation of the connecting sleeves in the example illustrated with two pairs of connecting sleeves helps to create two parallel conduits, namely the heat transfer fluid inlet conduit 14 and the heat transfer fluid discharge conduit 16.

[0142] [Fig. 12] shows a view of the device in which one of the shells 11 and a part of the collection box have not been shown. Thus, only one shell 11 and only one part of the collection box 10 to which it is fixed are shown.

[0143] [Fig. 12] makes it particularly visible that the collection box 10 of the thermal regulation device 4 comprises within it at least one collection chamber 26 communicating fluidically with at least one of the circulation channels 8 formed within the tube, and more particularly one of the circulation assemblies 21, 22 formed by several channels.

[0144] In certain embodiments, the collection box 10 is formed by two parts attached and fixed or welded against each other, with fixing means at the periphery of the half-shells. At least one part comprises hooking tabs 40 which allow the half-shells to be held together before a brazing operation fixing the position of the half-shells and the holding of the collection box.

[0145] Advantageously, the same structure may be independently present for the insulating shells comprising the sleeves.

[0146] Each part of the collection box has two hollows 42 formed by deformation of said part and a rib 44 arranged between the two hollows. It is understood that when the two parts are fixed to each other, the hollows 42 of each part are arranged opposite each other to form the collection chambers 26 previously mentioned and the ribs 44 of each part are in contact with each other to form a central wall 46 which delimits and separates the collection chambers 26 from each other.

[0147] This central wall 46 is intended to be in contact with a solid surface of the tube forming a sealing zone 48, devoid of circulation channels, in order to ensure a sealed contact and to prevent fluid present in a first collection chamber from flowing into the other collection chamber, or into channels which must not be connected to this first collection chamber, within the collection box.

[0148] Each hollow 42 is defined by a bottom wall 41 which is pierced with an orifice 43 substantially in its center. This orifice allows a passage of fluid between the collection chamber 26 formed by the hollow and a connecting sleeve 18 of the pair of connecting sleeves opening into this collection chamber 26.

[0149] Each insulating shell is equipped with two connection sleeves 18a, 18b which open respectively into one of the two hollows 42 formed in the parts of the collection box.

[0150] In other words, the connecting sleeves are each configured to communicate with a collection chamber, and it is understood that the sleeves arranged on either side of the collection box are configured to communicate with the same collection chamber.

[0151] 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. List of reference signs

[0152] 1. Electrical energy storage device 2. Electrical energy storage device 3. Row of cells 4. Thermal regulation devices 5. Alignment method 51. Centering pins 52. Centering hole 6. Tube 7. Sealing organ 8. Heat transfer fluid circulation channel 10. Collection box 11. Shells 12. Longitudinal end 14. Inlet duct 16. Exhaust duct 18. Connecting sleeves 18 a. First type 18b. Sleeve of the second type 180b. Free end 19. Pair of sleeves 20. Return box 21. First set of circulation 22. Second set of circulation 23. Insulating element 26. Collection chambers 30. inner face 32. means of cooperation 34. reception area 36. annular seal 38. throat

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 at least one electrical energy storage member and comprising at least one circulation channel (8) for heat transfer fluid, a collection box (10) arranged at one end of the tube (6) and comprising 2 opposite faces, said collection box (10) comprising at least one collection chamber (26) fluidly communicating with the at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), and, the device being characterized in that it further comprises at least two shells (11) configured to be assembled on the two opposite faces of the collection box to form at least one connection sleeve (18, 18a, 18b) arranged on either side of the collection box (10) and configured to communicate with the collection chamber (26),characterized in that the two shells (11) comprise an electrically insulating element configured to electrically insulate the collection box (10) and / or the at least one sleeve from the storage members and in that the collection box (10) comprises at least one, preferably at least two through-holes in said collection box (10), the at least one connection sleeve being connected to the collection box via the at least one, preferably at least two through-holes.,

2. Thermal regulation device (4) according to the preceding claim, in which the shells are formed entirely by the electrical insulating element.

3. Thermal regulation device (4) according to one of the preceding claims in which the two shells (11) comprise at least one alignment means, for example a first shell comprising at least one centering pin (51), preferably two, complementary to at least one orifice (52), preferably at least two, including at least one oblong hole included by the second shell, allowing the alignment of the two shells (11) with each other.

4. Thermal regulation device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sealing member (7) placed between the manifold box (10) and at least one of the shells (11), the sealing member (7) being in particular placed in a groove or a rib arranged in one of the hulls or in the collection box (10), preferably on their periphery.

5. Thermal regulation device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the shells (11) are preferably produced by an injection or molding process, and assembled by welding, for example by mirror welding, friction welding or by ultrasound.

6. Thermal regulation device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the collection box (10) is made of aluminum and the shells are made of an electrically insulating material, preferably chosen from a foam, textile, plastic or metal part covered with varnish, paint, thermoplastic film or a mixture thereof, or has an electrically insulating coating.

7. Thermal regulation device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least two connecting sleeves (18, 18a, 18b), preferably four, are arranged on either side of the collection box (10) and configured to communicate with the same collection chamber (26), the connecting sleeves (18, 18a, 18b) preferably having distinct shapes relative to each other.

8. Thermal regulation system comprising several thermal regulation devices (4) according to one of the preceding claims, and several electrical storage members arranged in a row, the regulation devices being connected to each other by their sleeves and being configured to be in contact with said rows of storage members.

9. Method for assembling a thermal regulation device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises the following steps: - a tube (6) of a first thermal regulation device (4) is provided, - a collection box (10) is fixed to one end of said tube (6), - said collection box (10) is covered on a first face by a first half-shell, then a second half-shell is placed on a second face of the collection box (10) opposite the first face, preferably by aligning them using an alignment means present on said shells, - the assembly of the two shells is welded.

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