Thermal regulation device for cooling energy storage components

Abstract

Title of the invention: Thermal control device for cooling energy storage components. The present invention relates to a thermal control device (4) for cooling cylindrical energy storage cells (2), comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation tube (14) extending primarily in a longitudinal direction (L), the tube (14) having corrugations successively forming bumps (26) and depressions (28), at least one of the depressions (28) comprising a receiving area (30) configured to receive a cylindrical energy storage cell (2), the thermal control device (4) being characterized in that the tube (14) has a variable cross-sectional area for the heat transfer fluid and in that the receiving area (30) is formed at least partially, preferably by a local deformation of the corrugations. Abstract figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal regulation device for cooling energy storage devices

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermal regulation devices and more particularly to the means used to regulate the temperature of electrical energy storage devices fitted to vehicles.

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

[0003] During vehicle operation, battery packs can release a significant amount of heat and therefore be subject to temperature increases which can in some cases cause their damage or even destruction. 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 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.

[0004] In this context, 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.

[0005] These thermal regulation devices are generally traversed by a thermal regulation fluid which can, depending on requirements, 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.

[0006] The battery packs may consist, for example, of rows of electrical energy storage members in the form of cylindrical or tubular cells. Thermal regulation devices in the form of corrugated tubes may be interposed between such rows, the thermal regulation fluid then passing through these corrugated tubes from one longitudinal end to another in order to cool or heat the cylindrical cells opposite which the thermal regulation devices are arranged, by thermal conduction through the walls of the tubes in contact with the cells.

[0007] The corrugated shape of the tubes is advantageous compared to a flat shape insofar as it allows contact between two successive rows of cells while limiting the overall size, and where it allows the contact area between the tube and the cells to be increased with the corrugated shape of the tube which fits the cylindrical shape of the cells for longer than a flat tube. Such thermal regulation devices are not, however, optimal, because despite the corrugated shape of the tubes a significant portion of the cylindrical cells is not in contact with them. This significantly limits the exchange of calories and therefore hinders correct cooling or heating of the cylindrical cells.

[0008] In the prior art, there are solutions for thermal regulation devices in which contact areas between the cylindrical cells and the tubes are increased by the presence of added parts, these added parts increasing the exchange surfaces. Such thermal regulation devices equipped with added parts are however obtained at the end of a complex manufacturing process, and they also lead to an increase in costs as well as an increase in the final mass of the thermal regulation device.

[0009] The present invention falls within this context by proposing a device for cooling cylindrical cells within which the heat exchange zones are increased, while limiting the costs and size of said device.

[0010] The main subject of the present invention is thus a thermal regulation device for cooling cylindrical energy storage cells, comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation tube extending mainly in a longitudinal direction, the tube comprising corrugations which successively form bosses and depressions along the longitudinal direction, at least one of the depressions comprising a receiving zone configured to receive a cylindrical energy storage cell. According to the invention, the tube has a variable heat transfer fluid cross-section and the receiving zone is formed by a local deformation of the corrugations.

[0011] The thermal regulation device according to the invention is intended to equip a vehicle, for example a thermal, hybrid or electric motor vehicle. Its purpose is to regulate a temperature of electrical energy storage members of a battery module or battery pack of this motor vehicle, which take the form of cylindrical cells. For this purpose, the thermal regulation device comprises at least one tube within which a heat transfer fluid or thermal regulation fluid circulates, this fluid allowing the thermal regulation of at least some of the cylindrical energy storage cells opposite which the re- thermal regulation is positioned.

[0012] The tube within which the heat transfer fluid is channeled is corrugated; it thus has undulations, which can give the tube a sinusoidal or pseudosinusoidal shape. The undulations correspond, when the tube is viewed from the side, to a succession of bosses and depressions. These bosses and depressions are arranged one after the other in a longitudinal direction of the tube, which is its main direction of elongation; there is therefore, between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the tube, a boss, then a depression, then a boss, then a depression and so on. The tube is for example made of metal.

[0013] Of course, the terms depressions and bosses which follow one another in the longitudinal direction must be considered based on a given orientation of the tube, with an upper face, or first face, intended to be turned towards a first row of cells and a lower face, or second face, intended to be turned towards a first row of cells. It is understood that an area of ​​the tube corresponding to a depression when looking at the upper face corresponds to a boss when looking at the lower face.

[0014] Considering a given orientation, at least one depression, preferably all the depressions, are configured to be arranged opposite a cylindrical energy storage cell of the same row of cells. For this purpose, each depression has a receiving zone adapted to receive a cylindrical energy storage cell.

[0015] According to the invention, this receiving zone is particular in that it corresponds to a local deformation of the corrugations of the tube, which makes it possible to hollow out the volume of the tube to generate a seat shape which better matches the contours of the cylindrical energy storage cell and which thus makes it possible to increase the heat exchange surfaces between the latter and the tube within which the heat transfer fluid circulates. This is intended to improve the thermal performance of the thermal regulation device.

[0016] More particularly, the reception zone of a cell is formed by a local deformation of a depression of the corrugations.

[0017] As mentioned, the tube has a variable cross-sectional area of ​​passage and this variability can be just as well along the longitudinal direction as along a vertical direction perpendicular to this longitudinal direction. Such a cross-sectional area of ​​passage means a section made perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Considering the longitudinal direction, the tube has a variable cross-sectional area of ​​passage to the extent that a cross-sectional area of ​​passage of the tube at a receiving zone of a cell is different from a cross-sectional area of ​​passage of the tube at a receiving zone of a cell. transverse passage of the tube at an area that is not in contact with one of the cells. Such a variable passage section is obtained by local deformation. In other words, the transverse passage section of the tube varies from the first longitudinal end of this tube to its second longitudinal end, the passage section being modified at the receiving zones due to the local deformation.

[0018] Considering the vertical direction, the passage section of the tube can be variable to the extent that the height of the conduit delimited within the tube, from one face of the tube to the other, changes from one vertical end of the tube to the other.

[0019] In addition to allowing the creation of a cell receiving seat, outside the tube, the variable passage section of the tube makes it possible to create, within the tube, disturbances in the circulation of the heat transfer fluid and thus increases the exchange of calories.

[0020] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the depression comprising the receiving zone has a generally concave shape. In other words, the receiving zone is formed by a local crushing of the material and more particularly of one of the walls delimiting the tube in this depression. Such a generally concave shape is appreciated in a longitudinal and transverse section plane, from an interior of the tube towards an exterior thereof. The generally concave shape is a simple shape to obtain during the manufacture of the tube and it is adapted to the cylindrical shape of the energy storage cells.

[0021] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the passage section is reduced at the level of the reception zone.

[0022] In other words, the local deformation helps to reduce the height of the passage section of the tube at the level of the receiving zone by hollowing out the volume of the tube within the depression.

[0023] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the tube is delimited by walls in which the corrugations are formed and by low walls connecting the walls, a height of the passage section measured between the walls at a distance from the low walls being, outside the reception zone, greater than a height of the low walls.

[0024] The walls and the low walls of the tube make it possible to delimit an internal housing in the tube, within which the heat transfer fluid circulates. The low walls have dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the walls, which carry the bosses and depressions. It is understood that when a section of the tube is made, the latter is delimited, perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, by its walls and its low walls.

[0025] Outside the receiving zone, that is to say for the entire tube with the exception of its zone which is deformed locally, the variable passage section is materialized by a height measured between the walls at a distance from the low walls which is different from a height of the walls themselves; more specifically, the height measured at a distance from the walls is greater than the height of the walls. In other words, the height of the passage section is increasingly important as one moves away from the walls. This gives a curved, convex shape to the tube which allows it to channel, around the receiving zones, a greater quantity of heat transfer fluid in a center of the tube. Such an increase in the height of the passage section outside the receiving zones makes it possible to thicken the tube in areas which would not otherwise be in contact with the cylindrical energy storage cells. Thus, the tube is in contact with these cylindrical energy storage cells both in the receiving zones and in the areas adjoining them.

[0026] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, at the level of the reception zone the height of the passage section measured between the walls at a distance from the low walls is variable according to the longitudinal direction, with a height value which tends to decrease as one moves away from the center of a central longitudinal portion of the reception zone.

[0027] When considering a receiving zone of a cell produced by deformation of one face of the tube in a depression of the corrugations of the tube, it should be noted that on the opposite face, or opposite wall, deformations may also be visible, these deformations participating in delimiting a receiving zone for another cell on the other side of the tube. In other words, in certain areas of the tube, there is an overlap of two deformations alternately produced on one of the faces of the tube, so that the two walls delimiting the tube may be flattened and have a flat or substantially flat profile. In these areas, the height value of the passage section measured at a distance from the walls may be substantially the same as that measured at the height of the walls.

[0028] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, in the receiving zone, the wall delimiting the tube which is intended not to be in contact with a cylindrical cell in this receiving zone has a partially curved shape.

[0029] This curved shape is notably given initially to each of the walls delimiting the tube, before the reception zones are produced by flattening the passage section.

[0030] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the partially curved shape of said wall is a Gaussian shape. This Gaussian shape is appreciated in a transverse and vertical section plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0031] As mentioned, the partially curved shape of the walls, in a section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, is the shape originally given to the tube before it is locally deformed in the receiving zones to create a seat for receiving cylindrical cells in accordance with the invention. This curved shape is made between each of the walls, the height of the passage section being increased as one moves away from the wall. The Gaussian shape is one of the embodiments of the curved shape, which is complex to obtain but makes it possible to avoid weakening the walls when the curved shape is crushed to form the cell reception areas, a better distribution of forces within the tube. Alternatively, the partially curved shape of said wall is a sinusoidal shape, with the hollows of the sinusoid corresponding to one end of a wall.

[0032] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the reception zone is at a distance from the low walls.

[0033] In certain embodiments of the invention, the receiving zone is made on the walls at a distance from the low walls, i.e. in a central portion of these walls. This makes it possible to avoid any involuntary deformation of the low walls which would result from the local deformation.

[0034] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the tube comprises several conduits for circulating the heat transfer fluid, including at least one circulation conduit whose passage section height is variable and at least one circulation conduit whose passage section height is constant.

[0035] The heat transfer fluid circulation conduits are arranged within the tube and allow the heat transfer fluid to be channeled in a more organized manner. In certain embodiments, not all of the circulation conduits have variable passage section heights, which allows the flow of heat transfer fluid and therefore the heat exchanges to be adapted according to the conduits.

[0036] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the tube comprises a first circulation conduit configured for the inlet of the heat transfer fluid and a second circulation conduit configured for the outlet of the heat transfer fluid, a maximum height of the first conduit being different from a maximum height of the second conduit.

[0037] The maximum height of the first duct is for example less than a maximum height of the second duct. This makes it possible to homogenize the heat exchanges within the thermal regulation device. Either only the second duct has a variable height and the height of the first duct is substantially also at the height of the walls, which corresponds to the minimum height of the second duct, or both the first duct and the second duct have a variable height but the maximum height of the second duct is greater than the maximum height of the first duct.

[0038] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the tube has a first face intended to be in contact with a first row of cylindrical energy storage cells and a second face intended to be in contact with a second row of cylindrical energy storage cells.

[0039] This is an embodiment of the invention for ensuring thermal regulation of a battery module or battery pack having successive rows of cylindrical energy storage cells. The thermal regulation device then has two faces each provided with receiving zones, these faces corresponding to the sides of the walls opposite their sides intended to be in contact with the heat transfer fluid.

[0040] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, a portion of the first face intended to be in contact with a given cylindrical energy storage cell is arranged opposite a portion of the second face intended to be an area between two cylindrical energy storage cells.

[0041] As a result, there is an offset between the cylindrical energy storage cells of the first row and those of the second row, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the battery module.

[0042] The invention further relates to a method for obtaining a thermal regulation device as mentioned above, comprising a first step at the end of which a tube is obtained whose transverse passage section is constant along the longitudinal direction and whose height of the passage section measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is variable, a second step during which the tube is deformed to give it its undulations along the longitudinal dimension, and a third step during which at least one local deformation is carried out on a depression of the tube to form a receiving zone.

[0043] The first step corresponds for example to a step of extruding the tube so as to make it take its curved shape. The second step is a step during which the expanded tube passes through a press and is corrugated with successions of bosses and depressions. The third step is a stamping step during which the local deformation is carried out on a depression of the tube, preferably on all the depressions of the tube. The second step and the third step can be simultaneous.

[0044] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the method for obtaining a thermal regulation device comprises an intermediate step of filling the tube prior to the third step.

[0045] The intermediate filling step ensures that the corrugations of the tube are preserved. It uses, for example, water, ice, sand or air as the filling material. In the case of using a liquid or a gas, it is necessary to use tube closure members to prevent the filling material from escaping from the tube during the third step.

[0046] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the method for obtaining a thermal regulation device comprises a step of verifying the shape of the tube following the third step.

[0047] This verification step makes it possible to ensure that the third step does not excessively deform the corrugations of the tube obtained at the end of the second step.

[0048] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0049] [Fig-1] illustrates, schematically, a perspective view of a battery module comprising a thermal regulation device according to the invention and a plurality of cylindrical energy storage cells, one of these cylindrical energy storage cells having been removed for illustration purposes;

[0050] [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically, another perspective view of the battery module of [Fig.l], a row of cylindrical energy storage cells having been removed;

[0051] [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically, a longitudinal-transverse sectional view of the thermal regulation device of [Fig.l], a part of this thermal regulation device having areas for receiving the cylindrical energy storage cells resulting from local deformation;

[0052] [Fig.4] illustrates, schematically, a first vertical-transverse section view of the thermal regulation device at the level of a given reception area;

[0053] [Fig.5] illustrates, schematically, a variant of the first vertical-transverse section view of [Fig.4];

[0054] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a second vertical-transverse sectional view of the thermal regulation device at the level of the reception zone;

[0055] [Fig.7] illustrates, schematically, a view similar to that of [Fig.5] according to a alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0056] [Fig.8] illustrates, schematically, the steps of a method for obtaining the thermal regulation device of [Fig.l].

[0057] 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.

[0058] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0059] In the detailed description which follows, 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 direction parallel to a main elongation axis of the thermal regulation device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A vertical direction corresponds to a direction in which cylindrical energy storage cells are arranged along the thermal regulation device, this vertical direction being parallel to a transverse axis V of the reference frame L, V, T and this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference frame L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the vertical axis V.

[0060] Furthermore, in the present description the term “heat transfer fluid” may refer to any cooling, refrigerant, thermal regulation, dielectric or two-phase fluid, provided that this fluid, liquid or gaseous, has the effect of cooling or heating cylindrical energy storage cells.

[0061] [Fig.l] thus illustrates, schematically, a battery module 1 intended to equip a motor vehicle, for example a thermal, hybrid or electric vehicle. This battery module 1 is composed of a succession of two rows of electrical energy storage members, such energy storage members here being cylindrical energy storage cells 2.

[0062] A thermal regulation device 4 according to the invention is interposed between the two rows of cylindrical energy storage cells 2. Generally speaking, there exists, within the battery module 1, a repeated sequence of a thermal regulation device 4 and a row of energy storage members 2 along a transverse direction T.

[0063] The thermal regulation device 4 is traversed by a heat transfer fluid which can, depending on requirements, either absorb the heat emitted by the energy storage members 2 in order to cool them, or provide them with heat if their temperature is too low, with a view to optimal operation of the battery module 1.

[0064] The arrival and evacuation of the heat transfer fluid in the thermal regulation device 4 take place at a longitudinal end of the thermal regulation device 4, which is for example equipped with a main collector. Without this being limiting of the invention, the arrival and evacuation of fluid can take place at of the same longitudinal end, for example here a first end 6. In a longitudinal direction L corresponding to a main direction of extension of the thermal regulation device 4, the first end 6 is opposite a second end 8 of the thermal regulation device 4. This second end 8 is in the case previously mentioned carrying a return collector, which allows the heat transfer fluid to circulate from the first end 6 to the second end 8 and vice versa along each row of cylindrical energy storage cells 2.

[0065] Between the first end 6 and the second end 8, the thermal regulation device 4 comprises a first face 10 and a second face 12 which delimit it in the transverse direction T. At least one of the faces 10, 12 is intended to be opposite at least one cylindrical energy storage cell 2. In the embodiment shown in the figures, both the first face 10 and the second face 12 receive cylindrical energy storage cells 2. In [Fig.l], the two faces 10, 12 are shown opposite cylindrical energy storage cells 2, while in [Fig.2] these cylindrical energy storage cells 2 have been removed from the first face 10 for the purposes of illustration.

[0066] The first row of cylindrical energy storage cells 2 and the second row of cylindrical energy storage cells 2 are arranged offset on either side of the thermal regulation device 4, such that a portion of the first face 10 of the thermal regulation device 4 intended to be in contact with a given cylindrical energy storage cell 2 is arranged opposite a portion of the second face 12 intended to be opposite a spacing zone between two neighboring cylindrical energy storage cells 2. Such an arrangement of the rows of cylindrical energy storage cells 2 around the thermal regulation device 4 makes the battery module 1 more compact.

[0067] The thermal regulation device 4 comprises a tube 14 for circulating the heat transfer fluid which extends along a main elongation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The tube 14, particularly visible in FIGS. 3 to 6, extends over an entire length of the thermal regulation device 4, that is to say from its first end 6 to its second end 8, between its first face 10 and its second face 12.

[0068] This tube 14 is configured for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid; for this purpose, it has an internal housing 16 where this heat transfer fluid flows. This internal housing 16 is here subdivided into a plurality of conduits 18 for circulation of the heat transfer fluid, which are arranged side by side along a vertical direction V. The internal housing 16 here comprises three conduits 18A, 18B, 18C, among which a first circulation conduit 18A can be configured for the entry of the heat transfer fluid into the thermal regulation device 4 and a second circulation conduit 18B may be configured for the outlet of the heat transfer fluid from the thermal regulation device 4. It is understood that in such a case, the heat transfer fluid enters through the main collector within the first circulation conduit 18A at the first end 6, passes through it to the return collector positioned at the second end 8, then passes through the second circulation conduit 18B from the second end 8 to the first end 6 to return to the main collector and be evacuated from the thermal regulation device 4. It could also be envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention, an internal housing 16 of the tube 14 subdivided into a different number of conduits 18, for example two or four.

[0069] The tube 14 is delimited in the transverse direction T by a first wall 20 and a second wall 22, which are respectively inscribed in the first face 10 and the second face 12 of the thermal regulation device 4. The tube 14 is delimited in the vertical direction V by walls 24, which are straight edges which connect two by two the first wall 20 and the second wall 22. Other walls 24 also participate in delimiting two adjacent conduits 18.

[0070] The tube 14 is corrugated, that is to say that it has a general sinusoidal or pseudo-sinusoidal shape composed of successive undulations along the longitudinal direction, from the first end 6 of the thermal regulation device 4 to its second end 8. The tube 14 thus comprises a succession of bosses 26 and depressions 28 arranged alternately. It is understood that these terms boss and depression are to be considered as a function of a given face of the tube 14, with portions of tube which are considered as depressions 28 when the first face 10 of the tube 14 is observed and which are considered as bosses 26 when the second face 12 of this tube 14 is observed.

[0071] As mentioned previously, the cylindrical energy storage cells 3 are arranged on either side of the thermal regulation device 4, in two rows. More particularly, the cylindrical energy storage cells 3 of the same row are positioned in the depressions 28 of the thermal regulation device 4 when considering one of the faces 10, 12 of the tube 14. More particularly, the cells of a first row are arranged against the tube in the depressions 28 associated with the first face 10 and the cells of a second row are arranged against the tube in the depressions 28 associated with the second face 12.

[0072] In other words, each of the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 has undulations, the bosses 26 of the first wall 20 corresponding to the depressions 28 of the second wall 22 and conversely the depressions 28 of the first wall 20 corresponding to the bosses 26 of the second wall 22. As a result, both the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 have receiving zones 30 housed in their depressions 28.

[0073] The depressions 28 comprise for this purpose receiving zones 30. These receiving zones 30 correspond to local deformations of the tube 14, in particular produced by flattening the face of the tube associated with the depressions. These local deformations can be produced continuously from one vertical end of the tube to the other, or else be produced punctually, in particular so as not to deform or weaken the walls inside the tube during flattening. To return to the previous example of cells of a first row arranged in depressions 28 associated with the first face 10 of the tube, the receiving zones provided to receive the cells are produced by a local deformation, and more particularly a flattening, of this first face 10 in the hollow formed by the depressions 28.

[0074] The local deformation of the corresponding face of the tube 14 may result in a surface whose profile, if we consider a transverse and vertical section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, is substantially straight from one vertical end to the other of the tube, as illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, or whose profile, considering this same section plane, remains partially curved after deformation, with bosses regularly distributed between the walls 24, as illustrated in [Fig. 7]. This partially curved profile after deformation may in particular be obtained when the walls delimiting the tube have, before deformation of the receiving zones, a partially curved profile in the form of a Gaussian, such a Gaussian shape at the origin being illustrated in [Fig. 5] or in [Fig. 7].

[0075] The local deformation has the effect of hollowing out the depression 28 to adapt the shape of the receiving zone 30 to that of the cylindrical energy storage cell, so as to increase the contact surface and improve the heat exchanges. The local deformation is for example the result of stamping, which will be detailed later. As was previously mentioned, in certain embodiments such as that illustrated in [Fig.7], the receiving zones 30 are obtained by a deformation at a distance from the walls 24 which delimit the conduits within the tube 14 in the vertical direction V so as not to weaken them during the deformation.

[0076] Within the thermal regulation device 4, the tube 14 has a transverse passage section which is variable, as is particularly visible in [Fig. 3]. Such a transverse passage section is defined along the longitudinal direction L, from the first end 6 to the second end 8, as well as along the transverse direction T, between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 of the tube 14. In other words, the transverse passage section is more precisely a transverse-longitudinal passage section.

[0077] In [Fig. 3], in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the thermal regulation device 4 has been shown with, for each of its first face 10 and its second face 12, a first depression 28A devoid of reception zone 30 and therefore of local deformation, then two depressions 28B, 28C whose reception zones 30 present the local deformation. Furthermore, in this same concern to facilitate the understanding for the reader of the notion of local deformation at the level of the depressions, dotted lines illustrate the shape the original shape of the tube before local deformation.

[0078] The transverse passage section measured between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 of the tube 14 at the level of the first depression 28A of the first face 10 has a first dimension D1. Due to the local deformation, at the level of each of the two depressions 28B, 28C the transverse passage section measured between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 has a second dimension D2 less than the first dimension D1. As a result, the cross-sectional area of ​​passage is variable along the longitudinal dimension of the tube, being reduced at the receiving zone 30. The second dimension D2 may vary from one depression 28 to another, or even within the same depression 28. Such a second dimension D2 is for example substantially equal to a height H1 of the walls 24, measured between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22. Such a height H1 of the walls 24 is notably illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0079] As is further visible in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a height of the transverse passage section, measured in a vertical-transverse plane between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22, is variable on the one hand depending on where this height is measured in the tube 14 along the longitudinal direction L, between the first end 6 and the second end 8 of the tube, and on the other hand depending on where this height is measured in the tube 14 along the vertical direction V.

[0080] [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] illustrate the tube 14 according to a first vertical-transverse sectional view, made at a central portion of a given receiving zone 30 of a cylindrical energy storage cell 2. The tube is thus seen in these figures 4 and 5 in the first sectional plane P1 visible in [Fig.2]. Such a central portion is understood to be a portion substantially equidistant from each of the bosses 26 surrounding the depression 28 which presents the given receiving zone 30. [Fig.6] illustrates the tube 14 according to a first vertical-transverse sectional view made at a more eccentric portion of the same given receiving zone 30. The tube is thus seen in this [Fig.6] in the second sectional plane P2 visible in [Fig.2]. Here, the term “more eccentric portion” means that said portion is closer to one of the bosses 26 adjoining the depression 28 carrying the given reception zone 30 than to the other adjoining boss 26.It can be seen from these figures that the height of the passage section of the tube 14 varies between the central portion and the more eccentric portion. More precisely, this height is more im- . bearing in the central portion than in the more eccentric portion.

[0081] In Figures 4 and 5, for the central portion the height of the passage section of the tube 14 measured between the walls 20, 22 is variable from one end to the other of the tube 14 in the vertical direction V, that is to say between two walls 24. These walls 24 have the height H1 mentioned above. On the contrary, a height H2 of the passage section measured between the walls 20, 22 at a distance from the walls 24 is greater than the height H1 of the walls 24 themselves. The height H2 measured at a distance from the walls 24 is here represented as being measured between the walls 20, 22 at an equal distance from two walls 24, but in general any height measured between these walls 20, 22 at a distance from the walls 24 is greater than the height H1 of the walls 24. In the example illustrated in [Fig.4], the height of the passage section evolves constantly as the walls 24 move away up to a point equidistant from two adjoining walls 24, with one of the walls, i.e. the wall which is intended not to be opposite a cylindrical cell, which has a partially curved shape between the two walls. In [Fig. 4], the partially curved shape of this wall, which corresponds to the partially curved shape of the walls of the tube before local deformation operations to create the reception zones, is a partially sinusoidal shape and it should be noted that alternatively, the shape could be sinusoidal, with the walls arranged at a vertex of the sinusoid. The partially curved shape as just mentioned could also have a Gaussian shape, as shown in [Fig. 5].Such a Gaussian shape is translated here by an angle measured between the second wall 22 and one of the walls 24 of the order of 90° in the vicinity of said wall 24. This makes it possible to avoid the appearance of possible cracks at the level of the walls 24 during the deformation making it possible to form the reception zone 30.

[0082] In [Fig.6], for the more eccentric portion the height of the passage section of the tube 14 measured between the walls 20, 22 is constant when measured in the vertical direction between two walls 24. A height H3 of the more eccentric portion measured between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 at a distance from the walls 24 is therefore equal to the height H1 of the walls 24 in the more eccentric portion. The first wall 20 and the second wall 22 here have a straight shape. This configuration is notably due to the fact that in this second section plane P2, the second wall 22 is also deformed to form a receiving zone on one of the depressions 28 associated with the second wall 22.

[0083] It follows from the above and from figures 4 to 6 that at a given reception zone 30, the height of the transverse passage section H2, H3 measured between the walls 20, 22 at the level of the low walls 24 and at a distance from them is successively variable and constant, this height of transverse passage section H2, H3 being thus successively, if we consider the longitudinal direction, greater than the height H1 of the walls 24 and equal to it.

[0084] It should be noted that at the end edges of the tube 14, which are respectively arranged at the first end 6 and at the second end 8 of the thermal regulation device 4 and are visible in FIGS. 1 to 3, the walls 20, 22 of the tube 14 also have a curved shape. In other words, for these end edges a height of the passage section measured at a distance from the walls 24 is greater than the height H1 of said walls 24.

[0085] Generally, outside the receiving zones 30, the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 are of partially curved shape in a transverse and vertical section plane, and they participate in forming a fluid circulation conduit whose passage section is widened compared to a rectangular passage section with straight walls. In other words, with the exception of the receiving zones 30, the walls 20, 22 are devoid of straight portions, except where appropriate in the immediate vicinity of the low walls when the partially curved shape of the walls is of the Gaussian type as previously mentioned. The combination of these curved shapes outside the receiving zones and the local deformation in the receiving zones generates at each longitudinal end of the receiving zones a raised edge which increases the contact surface with the cell received in this seat.

[0086] As mentioned above and as shown in the figures, the tube 14 comprises a plurality of circulation conduits 18. Although the tube 14 here comprises identical conduits 18, one could imagine, without departing from the scope of the invention, embodiments in which at least one of the conduits 18 would be as described previously with a variable passage section height, both in the longitudinal direction L and in the vertical direction V, and at least one other conduit 18 would have a constant passage section height in these two longitudinal directions L and vertical V. In such embodiments, it is understood that the two conduits 18 are of different shapes.

[0087] In other embodiments, not illustrated here, in the presence of the first circulation duct 18A configured for the inlet of the heat transfer fluid and the second circulation duct 18B configured for the outlet of the heat transfer fluid, these two ducts 18A, 18B do not have the same maximum height. Such a maximum height is for example measured at the end edges of the tube 14. Thus, a maximum height of the first circulation duct 18A, measured equidistant from the two walls 24 which delimit it, is less than a maximum height of the second circulation duct 18B, also measured equidistant from the two walls 24 which delimit it.

[0088] [Fig.7] illustrates a previously mentioned variant embodiment in which the receiving zone is formed in accordance with the invention by a deformation of a depression of the corrugations of the tube, but by modifying the flattening depth of the first wall 20 compared to what has been illustrated in figures 4 to 6. In the example illustrated in this [Fig.7], the deformation of the first wall 20 is such that a partially curved shape is retained, with a clearance height Hd between the surface intended to be in contact with the cylindrical cell and the plane in which the ends of the walls 24 are inscribed. It is ensured that the press intended to flatten the first wall 20 does not force on the end of the walls. In order to account for the local deformation produced in the depression 28, the partially curved shape of the tube at the origin, with the Gaussian curve profiles between the walls, has been shown in dotted lines in [Fig.7].

[0089] A method 32 for obtaining the thermal regulation device 4 according to the invention will now be described in relation to [Fig. 8]. The method 32 for obtaining begins with the formation of the tube 14. A first step 34 consists of an extrusion operation which makes it possible to generate a tube 14 with the desired number of circulation conduits 18. The die making it possible to obtain the extruded tube is such that the height of the transverse passage section is variable along the vertical direction V, each of the circulation conduits 18 then having a curved shape. At the end of the first step 34, the tube 14 thus has, for at least one circulation conduit, and this from the first end 6 of the thermal regulation device 4 to its second end 8, a passage section height measured at a distance from the walls 24 greater than the height H1 of said walls 24.

[0090] The obtaining method 32 continues with a second step 36, which corresponds to a pressing or stamping step. During this second step 36, the previously expanded tube 14 is folded until it takes on its corrugated shape with the succession of bosses 26 and depressions 28. For this purpose, the tube in its substantially flat form is for example arranged between two corrugated plates of complementary shapes, these plates being brought closer to each other until the tube 14 is obtained with the desired corrugated shape. This second step 36 does not modify within the tube 14 the values ​​of the cross-sectional passage of the heat transfer fluid measured between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 is constant along the longitudinal direction L, possibly with the exception of the end edges of the tube 14. The passage section has for example the first dimension DI illustrated in [Fig. 3]

[0091] The obtaining method 32 then comprises a third step 38 or local deformation step. This third step 38 allows the formation of the local deformation on each of the depressions 28 intended to be opposite a cell, so as to create the reception zones 30 of the cylindrical energy storage cells 2. third step 38 is for example carried out using a press roller whose shape is similar to that of the cylindrical energy storage cells 2. The shape of a wall of the tube is locally flattened, so that the curved shape of this wall flattens and presents a profile complementary to the cell intended to come into contact with this wall. Following the third step 38, the transverse passage section varies from the first end 6 to the second end 8 of the thermal regulation device 4. This transverse passage section varies for example between the first dimension DI and the second dimension D2 measured at the level of a reception zone 30 of a depression 28. In certain embodiments, this third step 38 is carried out concomitantly with the second step 36.

[0092] Between the second step 36 and the third step 38, or following the first step 34 when these second and third steps 36, 38 are simultaneous, the obtaining method 32 may comprise an intermediate step 40. During this intermediate step 40, which is a filling step, the internal housing 16 of the tube 14 is filled with a material for example chosen from water, ice, sand or air. When this filling material is water or gas, closing members are additionally positioned at the end edges of the tube 14 to confine this water or this gas within the tube 14.

[0093] Once the local deformation of the third step 38 has been carried out, the filling material is removed and a verification step 42 of the shape of the tube 14 is carried out. During this verification step 42, it is particularly important to verify that the third stamping step 38 has not significantly deformed the corrugated shape obtained during the second pressing step 36. Here, the term “significantly deformed” means a deformation such that the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the tube 14 would be unduly hindered.

[0094] The present invention thus proposes a thermal regulation device for cooling or heating cylindrical electrical energy storage cells of a battery module using a heat transfer fluid, the thermal regulation device combining reception zones for these cylindrical cells obtained by local deformation and a variable heat transfer fluid passage section along the thermal regulation device.

[0095] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal regulation device (4) for cooling cylindrical energy storage cells (2), comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation tube (14) extending mainly in a longitudinal direction (L), the tube (14) comprising corrugations which successively form bosses (26) and depressions (28) along the longitudinal direction (L), at least one of the depressions (28) comprising a receiving zone (30) configured to receive a cylindrical energy storage cell (2), the thermal regulation device (4) being characterized in that the tube (14) has a variable heat transfer fluid cross-section and in that the receiving zone (30) is formed by a local deformation of the corrugations.

2. Thermal regulation device (4) according to the preceding claim, in which the passage section is reduced at the receiving zone (30).

3. Thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tube (14) is delimited by walls (20, 22) in which the corrugations are formed and by walls (24) connecting the walls (20, 22), a height of the passage section measured between the walls (20, 22) at a distance from the walls (24) being, outside the reception zone (30), greater than a height of the walls (24).

4. Thermal regulation device (4) according to the preceding claim, in which at the level of the reception zone (30) the height of the passage section measured between the walls (20, 22) at a distance from the low walls (24) is variable in the longitudinal direction, with a height value which tends to decrease as one moves away from the center of a central longitudinal portion of the reception zone.

5. Thermal regulation device (4) according to claim 3 or 4, in the receiving zone (30), the wall (20, 22) delimiting the tube which is intended not to be in contact with a cylindrical cell in this receiving zone (30) has a partially curved shape.

6. Thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 3, in which the tube (14) comprises several circulation conduits (18) for the heat transfer fluid, including at least one circulation conduit (18) whose passage section height is variable and at least one circulation duct (18) whose passage section height is constant.

7. Thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (14) comprises a first circulation duct (18, 18A) configured for the inlet of the heat transfer fluid and a second circulation duct (18, 18B) configured for the outlet of the heat transfer fluid, a maximum height of the first duct (18, 18A) being different from a maximum height of the second duct (18, 18B).

8. Thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first face (10) intended to be in contact with a first row of cylindrical energy storage cells (2) and a second face (12) intended to be in contact with a second row of cylindrical energy storage cells (2).

9. Thermal regulation device (4) according to the preceding claim, in which a portion of the first face (10) intended to be in contact with a given cylindrical energy storage cell (2) is arranged opposite a portion of the second face (12) intended to be an area between two cylindrical energy storage cells (2).

10. Method for obtaining (32) a thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first step (34) at the end of which a tube (14) is obtained whose transverse passage section is constant and a height of the passage section measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is variable, a second step (36) during which the tube (14) is deformed to give it its undulations along the longitudinal dimension, and a third step (38) during which at least one local deformation is carried out on a depression (28) of the tube (14) to form a receiving zone.

Images