Battery power distribution unit and associated battery

Abstract

Battery power distribution unit and associated battery. This unit (16) includes a support (40) and electrical, electronic, and / or electrotechnical components (46). The support (40) includes a metal plate (60) comprising: for at least one component (46), a heat-harvesting region (64) for heat produced by the component (46), with at least one heat-dissipating surface (56) of the component (46) being applied to the heat-harvesting region (64); a heat-draining region (66) for the heat harvested by the heat-harvesting region (64), the draining region (66) defining an external face intended to be fixed to a heat-absorbing surface of a battery compartment; a connecting region between the heat-harvesting region(s) (64) and the draining region(s) (66). Figure for abbreviation: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Battery power distribution unit and associated battery

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery power distribution unit (PDU), the power distribution unit comprising: - at least one support; - electrical, electronic and / or electrotechnical components intended to be electrically connected to at least one battery module contained in the battery box, the components being carried by the support.

[0002] Such a power distribution unit is intended to control the electrical power delivered or received by the battery elements, via electrical, electronic and electrotechnical components carried by the power distribution unit.

[0003] An example of a battery power distribution unit is described in CN203607506. Other examples of battery power distribution units are described in CN215299373 or in CN108878720.

[0004] In known batteries, the electrotechnical components enabling the power control of the battery are generally integrated in a box outside the main battery compartment. The compartment containing the battery elements on the one hand, and the electrotechnical components on the other hand, form two distinct and separate parts of the battery which are assembled on top of each other.

[0005] During their use, the electrotechnical components for battery power control generate heat which must be dissipated to ensure their proper functioning. The cooling of the electrotechnical components requires either the installation of external cooling systems, for example a system for circulating a forced air flow, or the addition of an additional heat sink plate, often equipped with fins. This equipment, essential for the proper functioning of the electrotechnical components, increases the spatial footprint of the battery.

[0006] Battery power distribution units, although necessary for the operation of the battery, therefore have the disadvantage of being bulky.

[0007] One aim of the invention is to optimize the size of a battery, while ensuring efficient thermal dissipation of the heat generated by one or more electrical, electronic or / and electrotechnical components for controlling the power of the battery.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a battery power distribution unit characterized in that the power distribution unit is intended to be inserted into a battery box, the support comprising a metal plate comprising:

[0009] - for at least one component, a heat capture region produced by the component, at least one heat dissipation surface of the component being applied to the heat collection region of the metal plate;

[0010] - at least one region for draining the heat captured by the or each region of heat capture, the drainage region defining an external face intended to be fixed on a heat absorption surface of the battery box,

[0011] - a connecting region between the or each heat capture region and the or each drainage region.

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the battery power distribution unit comprises one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

[0013] - The or each heat capture region projects relative to the region of connection and / or relative to the drainage region.

[0014] - The or each heat capture region is formed by a projecting tab having at least one free edge.

[0015] - The or each heat capture region defines at least one attachment passage of the component on the heat capture region, the power distribution unit comprising at least one component fixing member attached to the component and inserted into the fixing passage.

[0016] - The metal plate is in one piece, the heat capture region being a bent part of the metal plate.

[0017] - The support comprises at least one region of electrical insulation of the components between them and / or with the drainage region.

[0018] - The support comprises an electrically insulating stiffening frame finishing the thermal insulation region, the metal plate being fixed on the stiffening frame.

[0019] - The stiffening reinforcement comprises, for at least one component, a protrusion supporting the component, the heat capture region being interposed between the heat dissipation surface of the component and the protrusion.

[0020] - The stiffening frame comprises a support frame for the dissipation region, the support frame being applied to an internal face of the drainage region opposite the external face.

[0021] - The support comprises an electrically insulating coating, applied to a part of the metal plate, the insulating coating defining the thermal insulation region.

[0022] The invention also relates to a battery, comprising:

[0023] - a battery box defining an interior volume;

[0024] - at least one battery module housed in the interior volume;

[0025] the battery box comprising at least one metallic element defining a thermal absorption surface,

[0026] - at least one power distribution unit as defined above, received in the inner volume, the outer face of the drainage region being applied and fixed on the thermal absorption surface.

[0027] The battery according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

[0028] - The external face of the drainage region is welded to the absorption surface thermal.

[0029] - The metallic element is a wedge of at least one battery module in the volume interior.

[0030] - The battery box comprises a bottom, side walls and end walls connecting the ends of the side walls, the wedge being attached to the bottom, the power distribution unit being interposed between the wedge, and an end wall and / or a side wall.

[0031] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a front perspective view of a battery showing a portion of the battery box, the battery cells and the battery power distribution unit according to the invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a front perspective view of the metal plate of the unit power distribution box of [Fig.l] comprising two projecting tabs intended for fixing electrotechnical components;

[0034] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a front perspective view of the metal plate, carrying two electrotechnical components, the plate being welded to a heat absorbing surface of the battery box, illustrating the heat dissipation path of the heat produced by the electrotechnical components;

[0035] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a front perspective view of a support of the dis energy contribution presenting a stiffening frame on which the metal plate is fixed.

[0036] A first battery 10 according to the invention is illustrated by [Fig.l].

[0037] The battery 10 comprises a battery box 12, and, received in the battery box 12, at least one battery module 14 (in English “cell block”) and a dis- battery energy contribution 16.

[0038] The battery box 12 comprises a bottom 20, a cover (not shown), two side walls 24 and two front and rear end walls 26, connecting the side walls 24, 26 at their ends. The walls 24, 26 extend vertically between the bottom 20 and the cover.

[0039] The side walls 24 are assembled on the bottom 20 of the trunk 12. The walls 24, 26, and the bottom 20 define an interior volume 27 of the trunk closed by the hood.

[0040] The bottom 20 is preferably made of metallic material with a conductivity greater than 150 W / m K, thus allowing the evacuation of thermal energy by natural or forced convection if the bottom 20 is placed in contact with a fluid cooling system, for example.

[0041] The trunk 12 also comprises at least one metal element defining a thermal absorption surface 28. This element is here a transverse wedge 29 of the battery module 14 attached to the bottom 20.

[0042] The thermal absorption surface 28 and more generally the box 12 constitutes a thermal sink for the energy distribution unit 16, as will be seen below.

[0043] The battery module 14 is inserted into the interior volume 27 of the battery box 12. It is formed from a stack of electrochemical elements 30 (or “cell” in English).

[0044] By "electrochemical element" is meant in particular an assembly of electrodes, electrolyte, container, terminals and generally separators, which is a source of electrical energy obtained by direct transformation of chemical energy.

[0045] In the example shown in [Fig.l], the electrochemical elements 30 are prismatic elements each comprising a container 32, with a general shape of a parallelepiped, in particular a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0046] As a variant (not shown), the electrochemical elements 30 are pockets.

[0047] The container 32 or the pocket generally contains the electrodes of opposite polarities stacked alternately with the interposition of at least one separator.

[0048] The electrochemical elements are for example of the rechargeable type, for example Lithium-Ion.

[0049] The battery module 14 comprises a plurality of electrochemical elements 30 stacked on top of each other successively by their front surfaces. The two front surfaces of each electrochemical element 30 are each in contact with the front surface of another electrochemical element 30, with the exception of the electrochemical elements 30 at the ends of the battery module 14 which have a free front surface.

[0050] These free front surfaces are in contact with a transverse wedge 29 and / or with an end wall 26.

[0051] The power distribution unit 16 is intended to control the electrical power delivered and / or received by the battery modules 14. It is electrically connected to each battery module 14 by a connector (not shown) comprising, for example, power connections of the bar type (or “bus bar” in English).

[0052] In the example shown in Figures 1 to 4, the power distribution unit 16 is arranged in the interior volume 27 of the battery box 12, being completely contained in the interior volume 27. More precisely, the power distribution unit 16 is interposed between the wedge 29 and the front end wall 26 of the battery box 12. The power distribution unit 16 occupies the entire width of the battery box 12.

[0053] As visible in [Fig.4], the power distribution unit 16 comprises a support 40 and electrical, electronic and / or electrotechnical components 46, carried on the support 40.

[0054] The components 46 are connected together to control the battery modules 14 to which they are electrically connected, in particular by means of electrical cables 48.

[0055] The electrical cables 48 connect the components to each other and to the electronic cards 50.

[0056] The power distribution unit 16 comprises, for each component 46, a fixing member 52 assembling the component 46 on the support 40.

[0057] The electric cables 48 are held to the support by clamping and locking systems 54.

[0058] The components 46 generate heat during their use. The generated heat is mainly evacuated by a heat evacuation surface 56 (see [Fig. 3]) present on the component 46, which is placed in contact with the support 40.

[0059] The support 40 comprises a metal plate 60 for collecting and conducting heat, and a stiffening frame 62, the metal plate 60 being fixed to the frame 62.

[0060] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the metal plate 60 is made for example of stainless steel or aluminum. It is made of a single piece.

[0061] The metal plate 60 is formed for example by stamping and folding from a metal strip. Its thickness is generally less than 1.5 mm and in particular between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0062] The thermal conductivity of the plate 60 is greater than 150 W / m K. It comprises a region 64 for capturing the heat emitted by each component 46, a region 66 for draining the heat towards the thermal absorption surface 28 and an intermediate connecting region 68 between the regions 64 and 66.

[0063] The heat capture region 64 is here formed of legs projecting relative to to the rest of the metal plate 60. The tabs are applied in contact with the heat evacuation surface 56 of the components 46 and collect by thermal conduction the heat generated by the components 46.

[0064] Each tab receives at least one component 46 and defines at least one fixing passage 70 (visible in [Fig.2]) receiving the fixing member 52 of a component 46.

[0065] In this example, the capture region 64 comprises two tabs. One of the tabs is provided with two holes 70 allowing a component 46 to be fixed. The other tab has a notch 70 opening into the free edge of the tab. This notch 70 allows another component 46 to be fixed.

[0066] The drainage region 66 transfers the heat emitted by each component 46 and collected by the capture region 64 to the heat absorption surface 28 to drain it. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the drainage region 66 is formed from a flat part of the metal plate 60, in particular of polygonal shape. The drainage region 66 is welded on its external face opposite the tabs of the heat capture region 64, on the heat absorption surface 28 of a shim 29.

[0067] The connecting region 68 transports the heat collected on the legs of the heat capture region 64, towards the drainage region 66. It is here coplanar with the drainage region 66.

[0068] For its attachment to the frame 62, the metal plate 60 has, at one of its lateral free edges, here adjacent to the drainage region 66, a stepped recess 72. The recess 72 forms a hinge connection with the stiffening frame 62, thus making the two parts integral.

[0069] With particular reference to [Fig. 4], the stiffening frame 62 is formed from an electrically and thermally insulating material, which electrically and thermally insulates the components 46 from each other and from the drainage region 66 of the metal part 60.

[0070] By “thermal insulator” we mean a material with a thermal conductivity generally less than 0.3W / m K.

[0071] By “electrical insulator” is meant a material with an electrical resistance greater than 10 MΩ.

[0072] With reference to [Fig. 4], the frame 62 has a base 73 and protrusions 74 which support the heat dissipation surfaces 56 of the components 46. Each component 46 is assembled on a tab of the region 64 and simultaneously on a protrusion 74 of the frame 62. Preferably, the tab is interposed between the heat dissipation surface 56 of the component 46 and the protrusion 74, so that the capture region 64 is partially sandwiched between the heat dissipation surface 56 and the protrusion 74.

[0073] Thus the thermal contact between the capture region 64 and the surface 56 is reliable and robust. In addition, the component 46 is held securely on the stiffening frame. fication 62.

[0074] For this purpose, the frame 62 defines fixing passages 76 (see [Fig.l]) receiving the fixing members 52 of the components 46 which are also inserted into the fixing passages 70 of the metal plate 60. The components 46 are thus carried jointly by the metal plate 60 and by the stiffening frame 62.

[0075] The frame 62 also defines openings 78 (visible in [Fig.4]) allowing the insertion of the clamping and locking systems 54 of the electric cables 48 which connect the components 46 to each other and to the connectors.

[0076] The stiffening frame 62 also defines wiring paths which prevent the cables 48 from vibrating during use of the battery 10.

[0077] The base 73 of the stiffening reinforcement 62 comprises an open frame 79, on which the drainage region 66 of the metal plate 60 rests. The frame 79 is applied to the internal face of the drainage region 66, which is the face opposite the external face welded to the absorption surface 28 of the shim 29. The opening of the frame 79 of the stiffening reinforcement 62 allows the drainage region 66 to come into contact with the shim 29.

[0078] The frame 79 of the stiffening frame 62 also has a stepped indentation (not visible) on one of its free lateral edges. This indentation is of a complementary shape to the indentation 72 of the metal plate 60, to form the hinge connection which secures the metal plate 60 and the stiffening frame 62.

[0079] The frame 62 also has fixing holes 81 on its internal face for mounting the electronic cards, not shown, on the support 40, by means of screws in this example.

[0080] The frame 62 also includes projecting sockets 82 for connecting the power distribution unit 16 to the front end wall 26 of the battery box. These sockets 82 receive members for fixing the front end wall 26.

[0081] The frame 62 advantageously has at least two rims 84 projecting from the lateral free edges. These two rims 84 are applied to the side walls 24 of the battery box 12. They guarantee good mechanical strength of the energy distribution unit 16 over the width of the battery box 12.

[0082] The assembly of a battery 10 according to the invention will now be described.

[0083] The or each power distribution unit 16 is pre-assembled.

[0084] For this purpose, the metal plate 60, in one piece, was previously cut. It was then folded to form the projecting tabs of the heat capture region 64 and the recess 72 of the connection with the stiffening frame 62.

[0085] The stiffening frame 62 is assembled or overmolded onto the plate to form support 40.

[0086] The components 46 are then mounted on the metal plate 60, at the lugs, by inserting each lug between a protrusion 74 and a heat dissipation surface 56, then mounting a fixing member 52 through the component 46 and the fixing passages 70 and 76.

[0087] In parallel, the battery box 12 is mounted. The bottom 20 and the cover of the battery box 12 are first assembled, preferably by welding, with the side walls 24 to form the battery box 12 and define the interior volume 27, which is then open at the longitudinal ends of the battery box 12.

[0088] Then, the or each battery module 14 is inserted into the interior volume 27.

[0089] The shim 29 is placed in contact with the front surfaces of the electrochemical elements 30 at the ends of the battery module 14. It is then assembled on the bottom 20 of the battery box 12, preferably by welding.

[0090] An intermediate space is then defined in the battery box 12, between the wedge 29, and an end wall 26 for the insertion of the power distribution unit 16.

[0091] The power distribution unit 16 is then inserted into the intermediate space. The drainage region 66 of the metal plate 60 is brought into contact and preferably fixed by welding to the heat dissipation surface 28 of the shim 29.

[0092] The contacts between the different elements allowing the thermal dissipation of the heat generated by the components 46 are preferably made by welding. Welding is chosen because it reduces the spatial size of the contacts. It also guarantees intimate contact between the surfaces and therefore good performance in terms of thermal dissipation. In addition, implementation on an industrial scale is simple and robust mechanical retention of the parts between them is ensured.

[0093] Then, the end walls 26 are put in place to close the interior volume 27.

[0094] During use of the battery 10, the energy distribution unit 16 controls the energy delivered or received by the battery elements 30 within the modules 14, in particular by means of the components 46.

[0095] The components 46 generate heat during their use. This heat is emitted by the component 46 at its heat evacuation surface 56. The surface 56 being in direct contact with the heat capture region 64 of the metal plate 60, the heat generated by the component 46 is therefore transmitted by thermal conduction to the metal plate 60. It is then conducted within the connection region 68 to the drainage region 66, then to the heat absorption surface 28 of the battery box 12.

[0096] This heat dissipation path from the heat evacuation surface 56 to a heat sink 28 ensures efficient heat dissipation and guarantees the proper operation of the components 46, even if the electrical powers received or delivered by the battery 10 are high.

[0097] Alternatively, (not shown), the power distribution unit 16 is devoid of stiffening reinforcement 62.

[0098] The support 40 then comprises an electrically and thermally insulating coating, partially applied to the metal plate 60 in particular at the level of the connection region 68 and on a face of the drainage region 66 opposite the face applied to the absorption surface 28.

[0099] Thanks to the invention which has just been described, the energy distribution unit 16 of the battery 10 is placed as close as possible to the battery modules 14, being fixed directly to the shims 29 in the interior volume 27. The compactness of the battery 10 is significantly improved.

[0100] Efficient heat dissipation is ensured, avoiding the use of an external cooling system or the addition of an additional heat sink plate, which further improves the compactness and reduces the weight of the battery 10.

[0101] Fixing the power distribution unit 16 directly to the battery modules 14 by means of the shims 29 also ensures better mechanical strength and a reduction in vibrations of the electrical, electronic and electrotechnical components 46 of the power distribution unit 16.

[0102] The arrangement of the power distribution unit 16 and the battery modules 14 within the same box 12 frees up an additional interface, the front end wall 26 of the battery box 12 being available.

[0103] This integration within the same battery box 12 also facilitates the sealing of the battery 10.

Claims

Claims

1. Battery (10) comprising: - a battery box (12) defining an interior volume (27); - at least one battery module (14) housed in the interior volume (27) the battery box (12) comprising at least one metallic element defining a thermal absorption surface (28), - at least one unit (16) for distributing energy from the battery (10), the energy distribution unit (16) comprising: - at least one support (40); - electrical, electronic and / or electrotechnical components (46) electrically connected to the at least one battery module (14) contained in the battery box (12), the components (46) being carried by the support (40), characterized in that the power distribution unit (16) is received in the interior volume (27) of the battery box (12), the at least one metal element being a wedge (29) of at least one battery module (14) in the interior volume (27), the support (40) comprising a metal plate (60) comprising: - for at least one component (46), a capture region (64) of heat produced by the component (46), at least one heat dissipation surface (56) of the component (46) being applied to the heat capture region (64) of the metal plate (60); - at least one drainage region (66) for the heat captured by the or each heat capture region (64), the drainage region (66) defining an external face applied and fixed to the thermal absorption surface (28) of the battery box (12), - a connecting region (68) between the or each heat capture region (64) and the or each drainage region (66).

2. Battery (10) according to claim 1, wherein the or each heat capture region (64) protrudes relative to the connection region (68) and / or relative to the drainage region (66).

3. Battery (10) according to claim 2, in which the or each heat capture region (64) is formed by a projecting tab having at least one free edge.

4. Battery (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each heat capture region (64) defines at least one passage for fixing the component (70) on the heat capture region (64), the energy distribution unit (16) comprising at least one fixing member (52) of the component attached to the component (46) and inserted into the fixing passage (70).

5. A battery (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the metal plate (60) is integral, the heat capture region (64) being a folded portion of the metal plate (60).

6. Battery (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support (40) comprises at least one region of electrical insulation of the components (46) between them and / or with the drainage region (66).

7. Battery (10) according to claim 6, in which the support (40) comprises an electrically insulating stiffening frame (62) defining the thermal insulation region, the metal plate (60) being fixed on the stiffening frame (62).

8. Battery (10) according to claim 7, in which the stiffening frame (62) comprises for at least one component (46), a protrusion (74) for supporting the component (46), the heat capture region (64) being interposed between the heat evacuation surface of the component (56) and the protrusion (74).

9. Battery (10) according to claim 7 or 8, in which the stiffening frame (62) comprises a frame (79) for supporting the dissipation region, the support frame (79) being applied to an internal face of the drainage region (66) opposite the external face.

10. The battery (10) of claim 6, wherein the support (40) comprises an electrically insulating coating applied to a portion of the metal plate (60), the insulating coating defining the thermal insulation region.

11. Battery (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer face of the drainage region (66) is welded to the heat absorption surface (28).

12. Battery (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery box (12) comprises a bottom (20), side walls (24) and end walls (26) connecting the ends of the side walls (24), the shim (29) being attached to the bottom (20), the power distribution unit (16) being interposed between the shim (29), and an end wall (26) and / or a side wall (24).

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