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 the electrical energy storage components and comprising at least one circulation channel (8) for a heat transfer fluid, in particular a plurality of circulation channels (8), and a collection box (10) disposed at one end of the tube (6) and comprising at least one collection chamber (26) communicating fluidly with at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), connected to a first end of the tube (6), the collection box comprising a first part (11) and a second part fixed to the first part (11) and to the tube (6),characterized in that the second part (12) of the collection box (10) comprises an orifice defined by a raised collar (raised edge (13)) configured to be traversed by the tube, a peripheral edge (120) intended to be in contact with the first part (11) of the collection box, and allowing its attachment thereto, preferably by brazing. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2,

Description

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

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device, in particular a cooling device, for an electrical component capable of generating heat during its operation, in particular a cooling device for 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 now common practice to equip electric, internal combustion, or hybrid vehicles with electrical energy storage systems that provide power to the various components of the vehicle. These electrical energy storage systems are generally composed of electrical energy storage cells positioned within a battery pack.

[0003] Today, car manufacturers are seeking to provide more powerful electric or hybrid vehicles with increased electric range. To achieve this, 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 in the vehicle floor, essentially across the entire width of the vehicle.

[0004] It is understood that, during vehicle operation, battery packs can generate a significant amount of heat and therefore be subject to temperature increases that can, in some cases, cause damage or even destruction. Consequently, cooling them is essential to maintain their condition and thus ensure the vehicle's reliability, range, and performance. Furthermore, the operation of battery packs may be less efficient at low temperatures, as the electrical or electronic components equipping these battery packs then require a warm-up period before operating at full capacity.

[0005] To achieve 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 various 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 supply heat if the temperature of the battery pack is insufficient for its proper functioning.

[0007] It is particularly known that, in battery packs where electrical energy storage cells are arranged vertically side by side to form a plurality of successive rows of cells, thermal regulation devices are used. These devices have a tube positioned between two rows of cells and within which a heat transfer fluid can circulate. The contact between the tube and the cells allows for the removal or addition of heat via the heat transfer fluid. To manage the inflow and outflow of the heat transfer fluid, a fluid collection box is positioned at one end of the tube, and inlet and outlet pipes for the heat transfer fluid are connected to this collection box.More specifically, when several thermal regulation devices are arranged in parallel to be inserted respectively between two rows of cells, and the ducts must be connected successively to each collection box of the thermal regulation devices, it is known to form respectively the inlet duct and the outlet duct of the heat transfer fluid by a succession of tubular portions among which sleeves are attached to each collection box and additional connecting means are 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 larger to meet the growing electrical energy needs of modern electric or hybrid vehicles, and the number of cell rows, and therefore the number of tubes interposed between these cell rows for thermal regulation, must also be increasingly greater. As a result, connecting the conduits to the various collection boxes can be tedious due to the large number of parts that need to be assembled.

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

[0010] An example of a thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage devices consists of a thermal regulation device comprising a tube configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage devices and comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, a collection box disposed at one end of the tube and comprising collection chambers communicating fluidly with at least one circulation channel of the tube, and at least two connecting sleeves disposed on either side of the collection box and configured to communicate with the same collection chamber, the connecting sleeves having distinct shapes relative to each other.

[0011] In the context of a multi-port tube as described above by way of example, An electrical insulation function may be required, and a coating must then be added to the exchanger which is thermally and electrically conductive due to the classic optimized material choices, generally aluminum.

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

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

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

[0015] Cooling energy storage organs, for example battery cells, by multi-channel tube cooling devices sometimes requires complex shapes and / or functions constrained on the inlet and / or outlet collection box.

[0016] Thus, by way of example, the collection box can play the role of a reference point for the assembly of the device or the entire system including the device and the cells, it can be used as an anchor point for clipping the connections, or may require high mechanical resistance related to production, assembly or use constraints.

[0017] For all these reasons, the collection box of a cooling device may therefore not be designed on the basis of stamped half-shells, but have more solid shapes, and for example be designed in monobloc aluminium by an extrusion or die casting process in particular.

[0018] The major drawback of this type of shape or process is that the material does not allow for permanent, leak-proof assembly and fastening by brazing, particularly because the collection box and the multiport tube to which said collection box is to be connected are both produced by a process that does not include a filler metal layer enabling brazing. Thus, the tube does not have a coating because it is produced by an extrusion process.

[0019] Brazing is a well-known and highly advantageous process for cooling device manufacturers, as it allows for reliable and easily reproducible sealing. Brazing is an assembly operation achieved by melting a filler metal (referred to as "clad" in this description) without melting the base metal. The melting point of the filler metal must therefore be lower than that of the base metal to which it is joined.

[0020] It is therefore necessary to make a sealed connection by brazing between 2 components (collection box and tube) which do not have a clad.

[0021] It is known in the prior art to add a clad element between these two components, for example by adding a ring of clad wire which will melt during a furnace brazing process or by an induction process. The clad ring is in fact a wire Filled with 4047 material, it can be circular or oval in cross-section and is easily shaped because it is malleable, allowing it to follow the profile of the parts to be brazed. One of the drawbacks of this process, besides adding an extra step and component, is that the casting of this ring tends to cause a change in the surface finish of the components and sometimes the formation of flux crystals.

[0022] This change in surface state prevents the area (essentially required on the tube at a minimum) from being properly covered with a layer of electrical insulation required in this type of application, the electrical insulation serving to protect all areas located within a certain distance of the batteries.

[0023] It is therefore necessary to resort to a prior action of cleaning the surface, by laser for example, in order to carry out this operation which causes an additional cost.

[0024] This results in a need for a device which makes it possible to address at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0025] The present invention thus proposes a thermal regulation cooling device for cooling electrical energy storage devices, the thermal regulation device comprising a tube configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage devices and comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel, in particular a plurality of circulation channels, and a collection box disposed at one end of the tube and comprising at least one collection chamber communicating fluidly with at least one circulation channel of the tube, connected to a first end of the tube, the collection box comprising a first part and a second part fixed to the first part and to the tube,

[0026] characterized in that the second part of the collection box comprises:

[0027] - an orifice defined by a raised edge configured to be traversed by the tube,

[0028] - a peripheral edge intended to be in contact with the first part of the box collection, and allowing its attachment there, preferably by brazing.

[0029] Advantageously, such a device allows a watertight assembly without the addition of a clad ring, thanks to the second part of the collection box which acts as a fixing interface between the collection box and the tube, while the first part is no longer dependent on this function and can therefore do without this need to meet constraints or other needs such as, for example, mechanical resistance, or the function of anchor point or reference for the assembly.

[0030] According to a feature of the invention, the second part of the collection box is stamped.

[0031] According to one feature of the invention, the first part forms at least one, preferably two, collection chambers, the second part of the collection box forming a lid for the collection chamber(s) and being configured to form the fluidic interface between the collection chamber and the tube, when it is attached to the first part of the collection box.

[0032] According to one feature of the invention, the first part comprises at least one cylinder, preferably two cylinders, forming at least one, in particular two, collection chambers, the second part of the collection box closing one side of the cylinder(s). Thus, the second part of the collection box has an additional function of a lid closing the cylinder(s) of the first part of the collection box, the other side of the cylinder(s) being able, for example, to be connected to an inlet and / or outlet of a heat transfer fluid.

[0033] Advantageously the cylindrical shape makes it easier to manufacture the first part of the collection box by extrusion, and thus limit manufacturing costs.

[0034] According to one feature of the invention, the second part of the collection box is fixed to the tube at the raised edge, in particular by brazing.

[0035] According to one feature of the invention, the second part of the collection box is fixed to the first part at the peripheral edge, in particular by brazing.

[0036] According to one feature of the invention, the first part of the collection box is formed by extrusion or by pressure molding, preferably by extrusion.

[0037] Advantageously, this makes it possible to obtain a part that meets high constraints without worrying about having a layer of clad allowing for brazing.

[0038] According to one particular feature, the first part of the collection box is formed by extrusion.

[0039] According to one feature of the invention, the second part of the collection box has two faces, and includes a filler metal coating on one face, in contact with the first part of the collection box and the tube, configured to allow the second part to be fixed with the first part and the tube by brazing.

[0040] Advantageously, in this alternative, an internal cladding material is sufficient to ensure the connection between the tube, the first part, and the second part of the collection box. The first part of the extruded collection box can be inserted during assembly, butted against the bottom of the second part of the collection box, the tube also being brought against this extruded box.

[0041] According to one feature of the invention, the second part of the collection box may further include a shape arranged in its center allowing it to be brazed onto the multiport tube, thus creating the leak-free U-shaped circulation.

[0042] According to a feature of the invention, the raised edge of the orifice of the second part extends in the opposite direction to the direction in which the peripheral edge extends.

[0043] According to a feature of the invention, the second part of the collection box has two faces, and includes a filler metal coating on said two faces configured to allow the second part to be fixed to the first part and the tube by brazing.

[0044] In some cases, a two-sided cladding material is necessary to ensure the connection of the tube with the second part of the collection box, thanks to the addition of brazing material on the outside face, and the second part of the collection box with the first part of the extruded collection box, thanks to the addition of brazing material on the inside face.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the raised edge has a central bridge of material dividing the opening in two, opposite which the tube will be inserted against the stop. The first part of the collection box may also have a nose forming a stop; said first part of the box is then also assembled against this bridge of material at the level of the nose forming a stop.

[0046] According to one feature of the invention, the raised edge of the orifice of the second part extends in the same direction as the peripheral edge.

[0047] According to a feature of the invention, the peripheral edge can itself include at its free end a flat edge.

[0048] According to one feature of the invention, the first part of the collection box has a stop-forming nose 112, and at least one groove (10) configured to be complementary to the end of the tube (6), so that the stop-forming nose (12) forms the assembly stop with said tube (6) fitted through the orifice (14) of the second part (12) of the collection box (10).

[0049] According to one feature of the invention, the tube comprises a plurality of circulation channels, and wherein said groove of the first part of the complementary collection box of the end of the tube has a solid central portion in order to separate the plurality of channels of the tube into two groups when said tube is in butt contact with said solid central portion of the first part of the collection box.

[0050] According to one feature of the invention, the tube comprises a plurality of circulation channels, and wherein the second part of the collection box has a material bridge separating its orifice in two in order to separate the plurality of channels of the tube into two groups when the latter is fitted into the orifice of the second part of the collection box, the material bridge being configured to form an assembly stop of the tube with the collection box.

[0051] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a device as described above, which comprises the following steps:

[0052] - Provide the first and second parts of the collection box,

[0053] - Assemble the first part of the collection box with the second part of the collection box so that the peripheral edge of the second part is in contact with the first part of the collection box,

[0054] the first part of the collection box preferably forming an assembly stop so as to lock the second part of the collection box in a position assembled with the first part of the collection box,

[0055] - To provide a tube having in particular a plurality of channels, the shape of which is complementary to the opening of the second part of the collection box, and insert the tube into said opening, until one end of the tube comes to a stop against the first part of the collection box or with the second part of the collection box,

[0056] - Braze the assembly so as to fix the first part of the collection box, the second part of the collection box, and the tube together irreversibly.

[0057] The invention also relates to an assembly kit for forming a cooling device as described above, comprising a first part of the collection box, a second part of the collection box, and a tube having at least one circulation channel (8) for heat transfer fluid, in particular a plurality of channels, characterized in that the second part of the collection box comprises: - an opening defined by a raised edge configured to allow the tube to pass through it, - a peripheral edge intended to be in contact with the first part of the collection box, and allowing its attachment, preferably by brazing.

[0058] According to a feature of the invention, the device can allow fluid circulation in a U or I shape.

[0059] According to a feature of the invention, the collection box is therefore equipped with at least two connecting sleeves.

[0060] According to one feature of the invention, the collection box comprises a connecting sleeve of a first type and a connecting sleeve of a second type. The difference in shape of the connecting sleeves allows, when two identical thermal regulation devices are assembled together to form part of a multi-row electrical energy storage device, in particular, a connecting sleeve of a first type associated with a first thermal regulation device to cooperate directly with a sleeve of a second type associated with a second thermal regulation device.

[0061] Advantageously, this avoids the need to provide for an assembly with connecting sleeves of identical shapes which must be connected by an additional sleeve, and thus avoids a multiplication of manufacturing tolerances and alignment defects.

[0062] According to another feature of the invention, the two connecting sleeves are identical.

[0063] According to one feature of the invention, the second part of the collection box and the two connecting sleeves form a single unit. In particular, the collection box and the connecting sleeves can be made of the same material, and more particularly of aluminum. Additionally, the collection box, the connecting sleeves, and the tube form a single unit.

[0064] 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 include specific conjugate shape elements such as a male part on the battery cooler A and a female part on the battery cooler B, said connection elements being preferably made of aluminum which will be brazed directly onto the boxes of the coolers themselves made of aluminum, a sealing element such as an O-ring being added at the connection of two cooling devices, such as a lip or quadruple seal for example, which could be placed indifferently on the male part or inside the female part.

[0065] According to one feature of the invention, the one-piece assembly formed by at least the collection box and the connecting sleeves is obtained by a brazing operation.

[0066] According to one feature of the invention, the collection box includes the connection elements, or these are independent, attached components. These elements may be extruded or stamped and welded to the collection box by brazing, respectively with or without a ring.

[0067] According to a feature of the invention, one of the two connecting sleeves, so as to form a male element, has an external diameter, at the level of a free end opposite the collection box, which is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the other of the two connecting sleeves at the level of a free end opposite the collection box, this other connecting sleeve being intended to form a female element.

[0068] According to a feature of the invention, one of the two connecting sleeves has a free end, opposite the collection box, which has external dimensions smaller than the corresponding external dimensions of this connecting sleeve in the vicinity of the collection box, and / or the other of the two connecting sleeves has a free end, opposite the collection box, which has internal dimensions larger than the corresponding internal dimensions of this connecting sleeve in the vicinity of the collection box.

[0069] In other words, the thermal regulation device comprises a first-type connecting sleeve which has a male shape, where applicable, which tends to narrow as it moves away from the collection box, and a sleeve of connection of the second type which has a female form, where appropriate which tends to widen as it moves away from the collection box in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the connection sleeve of the first type, the male and female form of these connection sleeves allowing direct cooperation, in particular by fitting, between two connection sleeves of two neighboring thermal regulation devices.

[0070] According to one feature of the invention, the tube comprises two sets of separate circulation channels and the collection box comprises two collection chambers communicating fluidly respectively with one of the sets of circulation channels of the tube.

[0071] According to one feature of the invention, the device further comprises two pairs of connecting sleeves being arranged, with one 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.

[0072] The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage device for an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising several sets of electrical energy storage elements and several thermal regulation devices as previously mentioned, each thermal regulation device being arranged between two sets of electrical energy storage elements, two neighboring thermal regulation devices being configured to be connected in a sealed manner by direct cooperation of a connecting sleeve of a first thermal regulation device, equipped with a sealing gasket, with a connecting sleeve of a second thermal regulation device.

[0073] Detailed description of the figures

[0074] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0075] [Fig-1] is a perspective representation of a battery pack as a whole equipped with several electrical energy storage components and a plurality of thermal regulation devices according to an example;

[0076] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a detail of a thermal regulation device according to a first embodiment;

[0077] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the first part (3A) and the second part (3B) of the collection box of the thermal regulation device and their assembly (3C) according to a first embodiment;

[0078] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation of a re-device thermal regulation according to a first embodiment in which the second part of the collection box is not visible, to highlight the connection;

[0079] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of a detail of a thermal regulation device according to a second embodiment;

[0080] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of the first part (3B) and the second part (3C, external view and 3D, internal view) of the collection box of the thermal regulation device and their assembly (3A) according to a second embodiment.

[0081] [Fig.7] is a schematic view of a detail of a thermal regulation device according to a third embodiment;

[0082] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0083] In the description that follows, the designations "longitudinal", "Transverse" and "vertical" refer to the orientation of a thermal control device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a principal extension direction of a thermal control device, and a transverse direction corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to a principal extension plane of a thermal control device and to a principal extension direction of a hydraulic connection sleeve of the thermal control device, this transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

[0084] In the explanations, "clad" is understood to mean the filler metal having a melting point lower than the temperature of the metal coating it.

[0085] The present invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage devices (2), the thermal regulation device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage devices and comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel (8), in particular a plurality of circulation channels (8), and a collection box (10) disposed at one end of the tube (6) and comprising at less a collection chamber (26) communicating fluidly with at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), connected to a first end of the tube (6), the collection box comprising a first part and a second part fixed to the first part and to the tube (6), characterized in that the second part of the collection box comprises:

[0086] - an orifice 14 defined by a raised edge 13 configured to be traversed by the tube 6,

[0087] - a peripheral edge 120 intended to be in contact with the first part 11 of the collection box 10, and allowing its attachment there, preferably by brazing.

[0088] The present invention further comprises the following features taken alone or in combination:

[0089] Application of a coating on the multiport tube part 6 which has a homogeneous and continuous geometry.

[0090] According to one feature of the invention, the device 4 can allow fluid circulation in a U or I shape.

[0091] 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 organs 2, also referred to hereafter as electrical energy storage cells 2, and several thermal regulation devices 4 arranged near these cells to allow heat exchange between them.

[0092] The electrical energy storage organs 2 have in particular the form of cylindrical cells, here with a circular cross-section, arranged vertically, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse plane in which the electrical energy storage device 1 is mainly located.

[0093] The electrical energy storage organs 2 are in particular arranged in successive rows 3, parallel to each other, and each row, or set of electrical energy storage organs, extends mainly longitudinally.

[0094] Thermal regulation devices 4 are arranged between two rows 3 of adjacent electrical energy storage elements 2, including a tube 6 which is configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage elements 2 of these two adjacent rows 3.

[0095] In the illustrated example, the rows 3 are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to each other, i.e. with a longitudinal offset of the storage elements of one row relative to the storage elements of the neighboring row, which optimizes the footprint of the electrical energy storage device 1, and the thermal regulation devices 4 each have a corrugated tube 6 so as to be in contact with each of the electrical energy storage elements 2 of the two rows 3 between which they extend respectively.

[0096] Heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate inside this corrugated tube 6 to exchange heat with the electrical energy storage units 2, via the heat-conducting wall of the tube. In particular, when the electrical energy storage units 2 need to be cooled following a temperature increase during their operation, the heat transfer fluid is intended to recover the heat and remove it from the electrical energy storage device 1.

[0097] Each thermal regulation device 4 includes, to allow this heat exchange, the previously mentioned tube 6, 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 disposed at a longitudinal end of the tube 6 and which has the purpose of collecting the fluid from an inlet conduit 15 of heat transfer fluid and distributing it in the circulation channel(s) 8 within the tube 6 and / or has the purpose of collecting the heat transfer fluid at the outlet of the tube 6 and directing it into an evacuation conduit 16 of heat transfer fluid.

[0098] In other words, the heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate in the inlet duct 15, at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid is directed towards this collection box of the associated thermal regulation device.

[0099] By electrically conductive material is meant any material having an electrical conductance capable of generating electric arcs within the operating range of the cooling device. By way of non-limiting example, when the cooling device is used to cool automotive battery cells, the sleeves, collection box, and tube are made of a conductive material such as metal, in particular aluminum.

[0100] In an example of the thermal regulation device as shown in [Fig. 1], the fluid circulation is said to be U-shaped, i.e. with the same portion of heat transfer fluid circulating in both directions within the tube 6 after passing through a return box 20 at one of the longitudinal ends of the tube.

[0101] More particularly, the thermal regulation device 4 in this embodiment comprises a tube 6 and at each of its longitudinal ends a collection box 10 and a return box 20.

[0102] The tube 6 has several channels 8 formed within it, distributed into two circulation sets which are distinguished in that the same portion of heat transfer fluid circulates in the first direction of circulation within the channels 8 of a first circulation set and in a second direction of circulation, opposite to the first direction of circulation, within the channels of a second circulation set.

[0103] The return box 20 located at a second longitudinal end of the tube 6 does not have a collection box or connecting sleeves and is only fluidically connected to the tube 6. The return box 20 is configured to guide the fluid flowing in one direction in one part of the circulation channels to the other. part of the traffic channels so that it flows in the other direction.

[0104] In a second example of a thermal regulation device 4 not shown, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is said to be in I, that is to say with the same portion of heat transfer fluid which only circulates in one direction within the tube 6.

[0105] More particularly, the thermal regulation device 4 in this second embodiment comprises a tube 6 and at each of its longitudinal ends a collection box 10.

[0106] Here again, the tube 6 has several channels 8 formed within it, distributed into two circulation sets which are distinguished this time in that two different portions of fluid can circulate distinctly within the tube 6, in their respective sets of channels 8. A first portion of heat transfer fluid can thus circulate in the first direction of flow within the channels of the first circulation set, and a second portion of heat transfer fluid can circulate in a second direction of flow, opposite to the first direction of flow, within the channels of the second circulation set. This configuration results in two distinct circuits.

[0107] In an alternative not shown here, an I-shaped heat transfer fluid circulation can be implemented with the heat transfer fluid flowing in only one direction within the tube 6, and with collection boxes at each end of the tube. The heat transfer fluid flows in the same direction in each of the channels within the tube, between a collection box forming a supply collection box at one end of the tube 6 and another collection box forming a discharge collection box at the other end of the tube.

[0108] Figure 2 presents a first embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, of a thermal regulation device 4 comprising a tube 6 having at least one circulation channel 8 for heat transfer fluid, here a plurality of channels 8, assembled with a two-part collection box 10, the first part 11 being fixed to the second part 12 at the peripheral edge of the second part 12. The second part 12 includes a raised edge 13 around an orifice 14 through which the tube 6 passes. The raised edge 13 extends towards the tube 6 so as to present a wall in contact with it and allowing brazing thanks to the presence of a metal filler, also called "clad", on the inner face 30 of this raised edge 13. The same inner face 30 terminates at the periphery with the peripheral edge 120 in brazed contact with the first part 11 of the collection box 10.

[0109] In detail, as shown by way of example in [Fig. 3], the first part 11 of the collection box 10 (Figure 3A) here comprises a stop-forming nose 112 and grooves 110 complementary to the shape of the tube 6 so that the stop-forming nose 12 forms the assembly stop with said tube 6 when it is inserted by passing through the orifice 14 of the second part 12, the perimeter of which is formed by the raised edge 13 (Figure 3B). The grooves 110 are arranged to allow all the channels 8 of the tube 6 to be supplied without risk of these channels being blocked by brazing. They also allow these areas to be cleared to ensure that the butt joint of the tube 6 with the first part 11 of the collection box 10 is correctly made on the butt nose 112 and not on the rest of the face of the first part 11.

[0110] It should be noted that the gripping of the assembly of the two parts 11, 12 of the collection box 10 (Figure 3C) can be ensured or improved by the optional presence of lugs 111 formed on the first extruded part 11. These lugs 111 are particularly useful for handling the parts on assembly lines.

[0111] As mentioned, [Fig.4] presents a thermal regulation device 4 comprising a tube 6 having at least one circulation channel 8 of heat transfer fluid, here a plurality of channels 8, on which the second part of the collection box participating in forming the collection box 10 has been removed to make visible the interior of the latter and the presence of grooves 110 in the first part of the collection box.

[0112] The tube 6 has a plate shape extending along a main longitudinal elongation direction, so as to follow the longitudinal elongation direction of the row 3 of cells with which the tube 6 must be in contact to perform the heat exchange function.

[0113] More specifically, the tube 6 here has a corrugated shape with a succession of ridges along the longitudinal direction of its elongation, so as to be in contact with each of the cells of the rows 3 surrounding the tube 6, these rows being arranged in a staggered pattern. It is understood that the channels 8 within the tube 6 follow the corrugated shape. A blocked channel 81, in particular central and optional, allows the two sets of fluid flow within the tube 6 to be separated.

[0114] Another embodiment is shown by way of example in [Fig.5], in which the second part 12 of the collection box 10 has a raised edge 13 extending in the direction of insertion of the tube 6, as can be seen in Figures 6A, 6C and 6D.

[0115] Figure 6A shows the assembly of the two parts 11,12 according to a particular embodiment in which the second part 12 of the collection box 10 includes a material bridge 141 at the orifice 14 which allows it to act as an insertion stop for the tube 6 while also allowing it to act as a plug to stop and / or to become attached to a channel 8 of the tube 6 so as to separate the circulation channels 8 of the tube 6 into two circulation sets.

[0116] The first part 11 of the collection box 10 may optionally include a stop forming a nose 112 which may have the same function of blocking and / or becoming fixed to a channel 8 of the tube 6 so as to separate the circulation channels 8 of the tube 6 into two circulation sets, or may serve as a support for the material bridge 141 in order to stiffen the whole and facilitate the assembly of the two parts 11, 12 of the collection box 10.

[0117] In this embodiment, the inner wall 30 (figure 6D) and the outer wall 31 (figure 6C) of the second part 12 of the collection box include a material supply enabling the brazing of the second part 12 of the collection box to the tube 6 and to the first part 11 of the collection box.

[0118] Advantageously, the second part 12 with a raised edge 13 extending in the opposite direction to the peripheral edge 120 and the insertion of the tube 6, also called the external raised edge, as shown in [Fig.3], makes it necessary to require the addition of material for brazing only on an internal face 30, which limits the risk of adhesion to the brazing chair during the brazing assembly process.

[0119] In addition, the bottom of the second part 12 is flat, which facilitates the manufacture and assembly with the first part 11 of the box, the tube 6 and the first part 11 of the box being in butt against the second part 12.

[0120] Conversely, advantageously, the second part 12 with a raised edge 13 extending in the same direction as the peripheral edge 120 and the insertion of the tube 6, also called the internal raised edge, as shown in [Fig.6], makes it possible to reduce the risks of assembly during the insertion of the tube 6.

[0121] In addition, when a material bridge 141 is present, it can provide the necessary material to ensure the brazed bond and not have internal leakage.

[0122] However, it is necessary to have a supply of material (clad) for brazing on both internal and external faces 30, 31 of the second part 12.

[0123] Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C show embodiments of the invention in which the first part 11 of the collection box 10 is formed to have lateral inlets and outlets. In Figure 7A, the second part 12 of the collection box 10 has a raised edge extending in the opposite direction to the insertion of the tube, that is, in the direction of the major part of the tube. Conversely, in Figure 7C, the second part 12 of the collection box 10 has a raised edge 13 extending in the direction of the insertion of the tube 6, that is, extending towards the first part 11 of the collection box 10.

[0124] We will now describe a method for assembling an electrical energy storage device 1 as previously described. Figures 7A and 7B show the inlet 15 and outlet 16 conduits. It is entirely possible to have, as shown, two male inlets on one side and two female outlets on the other, or to have one female outlet and one male outlet on each side.

[0125] A first step of supplying a cooling device 4 as described above, followed by a step in which electrical energy storage elements 2 are deposited against a tube 6 of a first regulating device thermal 4. During this step, a step of applying glue against the face of the tube 6 intended to be in contact with the electrical energy storage components 2 may be carried out.

[0126] These steps can be carried out successively as many times as necessary depending on the cooling and energy storage requirements.

[0127] An alternative process consists of supplying the cooling devices 4 in the first stage, connecting them together, for example by means of distribution and collection of the fluid connected to the collection boxes of each cooling device, and then supplying in a second stage the electrical energy storage elements 2 against the tubes 6 of the thermal regulation devices 4, with or without the application of glue.

[0128] The invention is not limited, however, to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, and also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technical combination operating such means. By way of non-limiting example, and as previously mentioned, the shapes of the sleeves can vary since the connecting sleeves of one thermal regulation device to another can cooperate directly with each other. List of reference signs

[0129] 1. Electrical energy storage device 2. Electrical energy storage device 3. Cell row 4. Thermal regulation device 6. Tube 8. Heat transfer fluid circulation channel 81. Blocked canal 10. Collection box 11. First part of the collection box 110. Grooves forming a stop for the tube 111. Means of grasping (ears) 112. Nose forming a stop or solid central portion 12. Second part of the collection box 120. Peripheral edge 13. raised edge 14. Orifice of the second part 141. Bridge of matter 15. Inlet duct 16. Drainage duct 20. Return box 26. Collection chambers 30. inner face 31. Outer surface

Claims

Demands

1. Thermal control device (4) for cooling electrical energy storage devices (2), the thermal control device (4) comprising a tube (6) configured to be in contact with the electrical energy storage devices and comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel (8), in particular a plurality of circulation channels (8), and a collection box (10) disposed at one end of the tube (6) and comprising at least one collection chamber (26) communicating fluidly with at least one circulation channel (8) of the tube (6), connected to a first end of the tube (6), the collection box comprising a first part and a second part fixed to the first part and to the tube (6), characterized in that the second part of the collection box comprises: - an orifice (14) defined by a raised edge (13) configured to be traversed by the tube 6,- a peripheral edge (120) intended to be in contact with the first part of the collection box, and allowing its attachment thereto, preferably by brazing, and in that the first part (11) of the collection box (10) has a stop-forming nose (112), and at least one groove (10) configured to be complementary to the end of the tube (6), so that the stop-forming nose (112) forms the assembly stop with said tube (6) fitted through the orifice (14) of the second part (12) of the collection box (10).

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second part (12) of the collection box (10) is stamped.

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

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

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

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (11) of the collection box (10) is formed by extrusion or by pressure molding, preferably by extrusion.

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

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

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second part (12) of the collection box (10) has two faces (30, 31), and includes a filler metal coating on said two faces (30, 31) configured to permit the attachment of the second part (12) with the first part (11) and the tube (6) by brazing.

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

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the tube (6) comprises a plurality of flow channels (8), and wherein said groove (110) of the first part (11) of the collection box (10) complementary to the end of the tube (6) has a solid central portion (112) in order to separate the plurality of channels of the tube (6) into two groups when said tube (6) is in butt contact with said solid central portion (112) of the first part (11) of the collection box (10).

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tube (6) comprises a plurality of flow channels, and wherein the second part (12) of the collection box (10) has a material bridge 141 dividing its orifice in two in order to separate the plurality of channels of the tube (6) in two groups when it is fitted into the orifice of the second part (12) of the collection box (10), the material bridge 141 being configured to form an assembly stop of the tube (6) with the collection box (10).

13. A method for assembling a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - Provide the first and second parts (12) of the collection box (10), - Assemble the first part (11) of the collection box with the second part (12) of the collection box (10) so that the peripheral edge (120) of the second part is in contact with the first part (11) of the collection box, the first part (11) of the collection box preferably forming an assembly stop so as to lock the second part (12) of the collection box (10) in a position assembled with the first part (11) of the collection box, - Provide a tube (6) having in particular a plurality of channels, the shape of which is complementary to the orifice of the second part (12) of the collection box (10) and insert the tube (6) into said orifice, until one end of the tube (6) comes to rest against the first part (11) of the collection box or with the second part (12) of the collection box (10), - Braze the assembly so as to fix the first part (11) of the collection box, the second part (12) of the collection box (10), and the tube (6) together irreversibly.

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

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