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 components

[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 components equipping vehicles.

[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 components or electrical energy storage cells, positioned within a battery module or battery pack.

[0003] 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, battery pack operation may be less efficient at low temperatures, as the electrical or electronic components of these battery packs require a warm-up period before operating at full capacity.

[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 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.

[0006] Battery packs may consist, for example, of rows of electrical energy storage elements 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 flowing through these corrugated tubes from one longitudinal end to the other in order to cool or heat the cylindrical cells opposite which the thermal regulation devices are located. 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 it increases the contact area between the tube and the cells because the corrugated shape of the tube conforms to the cylindrical shape of the cells for a longer period than a flat tube. However, such thermal regulation devices are not 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 heat exchange and therefore hinders proper cooling or heating of the cylindrical cells.

[0008] Prior art exists solutions for thermal regulation devices in which the contact areas between the cylindrical cells and the tubes are increased by means of added parts, these added parts increasing the exchange surfaces. However, such thermal regulation devices equipped with added parts are obtained through a more 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 cooling device for cylindrical cells in which the heat exchange areas are increased, while limiting the costs and size of said device.

[0010] The main object of the present invention is a thermal regulation device for cooling cylindrical energy storage cells, comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation tube extending primarily in a longitudinal direction. The tube comprises corrugations that successively form bumps and depressions along the longitudinal direction. At least one of the depressions comprises a receiving zone configured to receive a cylindrical energy storage cell. According to the invention, the tube has a variable cross-sectional area for the heat transfer fluid, 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 combustion engine, hybrid, or electric motor vehicle. Its purpose is to regulate the temperature of electrical energy storage components of a battery module or battery pack of this motor vehicle, which take the form of cylindrical cells. To this end, the thermal regulation device comprises at least one tube through which a heat transfer fluid or thermal regulation fluid circulates, this fluid enabling the thermal regulation of at least certain cylindrical energy storage cells opposite which the thermal regulation device is positioned.

[0012] The tube through which the heat transfer fluid is channeled is corrugated; it thus exhibits undulations, which can give the tube a sinusoidal or pseudo-sinusoidal shape. When viewed from the side, the undulations correspond to a succession of bulges and depressions. These bulges and depressions are arranged one after the other along the longitudinal direction of the tube, which is its principal direction of elongation; therefore, between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the tube, there is a bulge, then a depression, then a bulge, then a depression, and so on. The tube is, for example, made of metal.

[0013] Of course, the terms depressions and bulges that follow one another along 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 viewed from the upper face corresponds to a bulge when viewed from the lower face.

[0014] Considering a given orientation, at least one depression, preferably all depressions, are configured to be positioned opposite a cylindrical energy storage cell in the same row of cells. To this end, each depression has a receiving area adapted to accommodate a cylindrical energy storage cell.

[0015] According to the invention, this receiving zone is unique in that it corresponds to a local deformation of the tube's corrugations, which allows the tube's volume to be hollowed out to generate a seat shape that better conforms to the contours of the cylindrical energy storage cell and thus increases the heat exchange surfaces between the cell and the tube through which the heat transfer fluid circulates. This aims to improve the thermal performance of the temperature control device.

[0016] More particularly, the reception area of ​​a cell is formed by a local deformation of a depression of the undulations.

[0017] As mentioned, the tube has a variable cross-section, and this variability can be along the longitudinal direction as well as in a vertical direction perpendicular to this longitudinal direction. Such a cross-section is understood to be a section formed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Considering the longitudinal direction, the tube has a variable cross-section insofar as a cross-section The cross-section of the tube at a cell receiving zone differs from the cross-section of the tube at a zone not in contact with any of the cells. This variable cross-section is obtained through local deformation. In other words, the cross-section of the tube varies from its first longitudinal end to its second longitudinal end, with the cross-section being modified at the receiving zones due to local deformation.

[0018] Considering the vertical direction, the passage cross-section of the tube can be variable insofar as the height of the conduit delimited within the tube, from one face to the other of the tube, evolves 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 disturbances in the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the tube and thus increase heat exchange.

[0020] According to an optional feature 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 compression of the material, and more particularly of one of the walls delimiting the tube, within this depression. This generally concave shape is observed in a longitudinal and transverse cross-section, from the inside of the tube to its outside. The generally concave shape is easy to achieve during the manufacturing of the tube and is well-suited to the cylindrical shape of energy storage cells.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the passage section is reduced at the level of the receiving area.

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

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

[0024] The walls and parapets of the tube define an internal cavity within the tube, through which the heat transfer fluid circulates. The parapets have dimensions smaller than the walls, which support the bosses and depressions. It is understood that when a cross-section of the tube is made, it is delimited, perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, by its walls and parapets.

[0025] Outside the receiving zone, that is to say for the entire tube except for the area which is locally deformed, the variable passage cross-section materializes The height measured between the walls at a distance from the retaining walls differs from the 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 cross-section increases with distance from the retaining walls. This gives the tube a convex shape, allowing it to channel a larger quantity of heat transfer fluid to a central point around the receiving areas. This increase in the cross-section height outside the receiving areas allows the tube to be thickened in areas that 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 areas and in the areas adjacent to them.

[0026] According to an optional feature of the invention, at the level of the receiving area the height of the passage section measured between the walls at a distance from the walls is variable along 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 receiving area.

[0027] When considering a cell reception area formed by deforming one face of the tube in a depression of the tube's corrugations, it should be noted that deformations may also be visible on the opposite face, or opposite wall. These deformations contribute to defining a reception area 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 formed on one of the tube's faces, so that the two walls delimiting the tube can be flattened and have a flat or substantially flat profile. In these areas, the height of the passage section measured at a distance from the walls can be substantially the same as that measured at the height of the walls.

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

[0029] This convex shape is in particular given originally to each of the walls delimiting the tube, before the receiving areas are made by flattening the passage section.

[0030] According to an optional feature of the invention, the partially curved shape of said wall is a Gaussian shape. This Gaussian shape can be seen in a transverse and vertical cross-sectional plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0031] As mentioned, the partially curved shape of the walls, in a cutting plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, is the shape originally given to the tube before it is locally deformed in the receiving areas to create A receiving chamber for cylindrical cells according to the invention. This curved shape is formed between each of the walls, the height of the passage section increasing with distance from the wall. The Gaussian shape is one embodiment of the curved shape, which is complex to achieve but prevents weakening the walls when the curved shape is compressed to form the cell receiving areas, resulting in better stress distribution within the tube. Alternatively, the partially curved shape of said wall is a sinusoidal shape, with the troughs of the sinusoid corresponding to one end of a wall.

[0032] According to an optional feature of the invention, the receiving area is at a distance from the low walls.

[0033] In certain embodiments of the invention, the receiving area is formed on the walls at a distance from the low walls, that is to say, in a central portion of these walls. This makes it possible to avoid any unintentional deformation of the low walls that would result from local deformation.

[0034] According to an optional feature of the invention, the tube comprises several circulation conduits for the heat transfer fluid, including at least one circulation conduit with a variable cross-section height and at least one circulation conduit with a constant cross-section height.

[0035] The heat transfer fluid circulation channels are provided within the tube and allow the heat transfer fluid to be channeled in a more organized manner. In some embodiments, not all circulation channels have variable cross-sectional heights, which makes it possible to adapt the heat transfer fluid flow and therefore the heat exchange according to the channels.

[0036] According to an optional feature 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 the maximum height of the second duct. This allows for more even heat exchange within the thermal regulation system. Either only the second duct has a variable height and the height of the first duct is approximately equal to the height of the walls, which corresponds to the minimum height of the second duct, or both the first and second ducts 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 feature 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 the 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 those intended to be in contact with the heat transfer fluid.

[0040] According to an optional feature 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 of obtaining a thermal regulation device as mentioned above, comprising a first step at the end of which a tube is obtained having a constant cross-section along the longitudinal direction and a variable height of the cross-section measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a second step in which the tube is deformed to give it its undulations along the longitudinal dimension, and a third step in 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 an extrusion step of the tube to give it its curved shape. The second step is a step in which the expanded tube passes through a press and is corrugated with successive bosses and depressions. The third step is a stamping step in which local deformation is carried out on a depression of the tube, preferably on all depressions of the tube. The second and third steps can be simultaneous.

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

[0045] The intermediate filling step ensures that the tube's corrugations are preserved. It involves, for example, the use of a material such as filling with water, ice, sand, or air. When using a liquid or gas, it is necessary to use tube closure devices to prevent the filling material from escaping the tube during the third stage.

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

[0047] This verification step ensures that the third step does not significantly distort the tube undulations obtained at the end of the second step.

[0048] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0049] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates 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 illustrative purposes;

[0050] [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically, another perspective view of the battery module of [Fig.1], a row of cylindrical energy storage cells having been removed;

[0051] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a longitudinal-transverse cross-sectional view of the thermal regulation device of the [Fig.1], part of this thermal regulation device having reception areas of cylindrical energy storage cells resulting from a 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 section view- cross-section 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 area;

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

[0056] [Fig.8] illustrates, schematically, the steps of a process for obtaining the thermal regulation device of the [Fig.1].

[0057] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. others. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described subsequently 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 that 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 principal elongation axis of the thermal regulation device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A vertical direction corresponds to a direction along which cylindrical energy storage cells are arranged along the thermal regulation device, this vertical direction being parallel to a transverse axis V of the 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 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] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a battery module 1 intended for use in a motor vehicle, for example, a combustion engine, hybrid, or electric vehicle. This battery module 1 consists of two successive rows of electrical energy storage elements, such energy storage elements being cylindrical energy storage cells 2.

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

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

[0064] The inlet and outlet of the heat transfer fluid in the thermal control device 4 occur at one longitudinal end of the thermal control device 4, which is, for example, equipped with a main manifold. Without limiting the invention, the fluid inlet and outlet may occur at the same longitudinal end, for example, here a first end 6. Along a longitudinal direction L corresponding to a main extension direction of the thermal control device 4, the first end 6 is opposite a second end 8 of the thermal control device 4. This second end 8, in the aforementioned case, carries a return manifold, 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 along 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. 1], 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 illustrative purposes.

[0066] The first row of cylindrical energy storage cells 2 and the second row of cylindrical energy storage cells 2 are arranged in an offset arrangement 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 positioned opposite a portion of the second face 12 intended to be opposite a spacing zone between two adjacent cylindrical energy storage cells 2. This 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 includes a heat transfer fluid circulation tube 14 which extends along a main elongation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The tube 14, particularly visible in figures 3 to 6, extends over the 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 cavity 16 through which this heat transfer fluid flows. This internal cavity 16 is here subdivided into a plurality of heat transfer fluid circulation conduits 18, 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 inlet of the heat transfer fluid into the thermal control device 4 and a second circulation conduit 18B can be configured for the outlet of the heat transfer fluid from the thermal control device 4. It is understood that in such a case, the heat transfer fluid enters through the main manifold into the first circulation conduit 18A at the first end 6, passes through it to the return manifold 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 manifold and be discharged from the thermal control device 4.One could also consider, 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 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 in pairs 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, 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 bumps 26 and depressions 28 arranged alternately. It is understood that these terms bump and depression are to be considered in relation to a given face of the tube 14, with portions of the tube that are considered as depressions 28 when observing the first face 10 of the tube 14 and that are considered as bumps 26 when observing the second face 12 of this tube 14.

[0071] As previously mentioned, the cylindrical energy storage cells 3 are arranged on either side of the thermal regulation device 4, in two rows. More specifically, 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 specifically, 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 areas 30 housed in their depressions 28.

[0073] The depressions 28 include receiving zones 30 for this purpose. These receiving zones 30 correspond to local deformations of the tube 14, notably achieved by flattening the face of the tube associated with the depressions. These local deformations can be carried out continuously from one vertical end of the tube to the other, or they can be carried out intermittently, particularly to avoid deforming or weakening the walls inside the tube during flattening. To return to the previous example of cells in 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 formed by a local deformation, and more specifically 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 can result in a surface whose profile, when viewed from a transverse vertical cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, is substantially straight from one vertical end of the tube to the other, as illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, or whose profile, when viewed from the same cross-section, remains partially convex after deformation, with regularly distributed bosses between the walls 24, as illustrated in [Fig. 7]. This partially convex profile after deformation can notably be obtained when the walls delimiting the tube have, before deformation of the receiving areas, a partially convex profile in the form of a Gaussian curve, such an original Gaussian curve being illustrated in [Fig. 5] or [Fig. 7].

[0075] The local deformation has the effect of deepening the depression 28 to adapt the shape of the receiving zone 30 to that of the cylindrical energy storage cell, thereby increasing the contact surface and improving heat exchange. The local deformation is, for example, the result of a stamping process, which will be described in detail later. As mentioned previously, in certain embodiments such as the one illustrated in [Fig. 7], the receiving zones 30 are obtained by deforming the walls 24 that delimit the conduits within the tube 14 along 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 variable cross-sectional area, as is particularly visible in [Fig.3]. Such a cross-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 cross-section is more precisely a cross-longitudinal cross-section.

[0077] In [Fig. 3], to facilitate understanding of the invention, the thermal regulation device 4 is shown with, for each of its first face 10 and second face 12, a first depression 28A without a receiving zone 30 and therefore without local deformation, followed by two depressions 28B, 28C whose receiving zones 30 exhibit the local deformation. Furthermore, in the same spirit of facilitating the reader's understanding of the concept of local deformation at the depressions, dashed lines illustrate the original shape of the tube before local deformation.

[0078] The cross-sectional area measured between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 of the tube 14 at the first depression 28A of the first face 10 has a first dimension D1. Due to local deformation, at each of the two depressions 28B, 28C, the cross-sectional area measured between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 has a second dimension D2 that is smaller than the first dimension D1. As a result, the cross-sectional area varies along the longitudinal dimension of the tube, being reduced at the receiving zone 30. The second dimension D2 can vary from one depression 28 to another, or even within the same depression 28. Such a second dimension D2 is, for example, approximately 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 illustrated in particular in Figures 4 to 7.

[0079] As can also be seen in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a height of the cross-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] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the tube 14 in a first vertical-transverse sectional view, taken 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 PI visible in Figure 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. Figure 6 illustrates the tube 14 in a first vertical- The cross-section is taken at a more eccentric portion of the same receiving zone 30. The tube is thus seen in this [Fig. 6] in the second cross-sectional plane P2 visible in [Fig. 2]. Here, "more eccentric portion" means that this portion is closer to one of the bosses 26 adjacent to the depression 28 supporting the given receiving zone 30 than to the other adjacent boss 26. It can be seen from these figures that the height of the tube 14's passage section varies between the central portion and the more eccentric portion. More precisely, this height is greater 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 varies from one end of the tube 14 to the other along the vertical direction V, that is, between two walls 24. These walls 24 have the height H1 mentioned above. Conversely, 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 represented here as being measured between the walls 20, 22 equidistant 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 changes constantly as the distance between the walls 24 increases until it reaches a point equidistant from two adjacent walls 24, with one of the walls—that is, the wall not intended to be opposite a cylindrical cell—having a partially convex shape between the two walls. In [Fig. 4], the partially convex shape of this wall, which corresponds to the partially convex shape of the tube walls before local deformation operations to create the receiving zones, is a partially sinusoidal shape. It should be noted that, alternatively, the shape could be sinusoidal, with the walls positioned at a vertex of the sinusoid. The partially convex shape as just described 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 which makes it possible to form the receiving 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 along 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 have a straight shape here. This configuration is in particular due to the fact that in this second section plane P2, the second wall 22 is also deformed to form a receiving area 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 the level of a given reception area 30, the height of the cross passage section H2, H3 measured between the walls 20, 22 at the level of the walls 24 and at a distance from them is successively variable and constant, this height of cross 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 located at the first end 6 and the second end 8 of the thermal regulation device 4 and are visible in Figures 1 to 3, the walls 20, 22 of the tube 14 also have a convex shape. In other words, for these end edges, the 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 partially curved in a transverse and vertical cross-sectional plane, and they contribute to forming a fluid circulation conduit whose passage cross-section is enlarged compared to a rectangular passage cross-section with straight walls. In other words, with the exception of the receiving zones 30, the walls 20 and 22 lack straight portions, except perhaps in the immediate vicinity of the walls when the partially curved shape of the walls is Gaussian, as previously mentioned. The combination of these curved shapes outside the receiving zones and the local deformation within the receiving zones generates, at each longitudinal end of the receiving zones, a raised edge that increases the contact area with the cell received in that 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 above with a variable cross-sectional height, both along the longitudinal direction L and along the vertical direction V, and at least one other conduit 18 would have a constant cross-sectional height along these two longitudinal directions L and vertical direction V. In such embodiments, it is understood that the two conduits 18 are of different shapes.

[0087] In other embodiments, not illustrated here, with 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 Conduits 18A and 18B do not have the same maximum height. Such a maximum height is measured, for example, at the end edges of the tube 14. Thus, a maximum height of the first circulation conduit 18A, measured equidistant from the two walls 24 that delimit it, is less than a maximum height of the second circulation conduit 18B, also measured equidistant from the two walls 24 that delimit it.

[0088] Figure 7 illustrates a previously mentioned embodiment in which the receiving zone is formed according to the invention by deforming a depression in the tube's corrugations, but by modifying the flattening depth of the first wall 20 compared to what was illustrated in Figures 4 to 6. In the example illustrated in this Figure 7, the deformation of the first wall 20 is such that a partially convex shape is maintained, 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. Care is taken to ensure that the press intended to flatten the first wall 20 does not exert force on the ends of the walls. In order to account for the local deformation carried out in the depression 28, the partially convex shape of the tube at the origin, with the Gaussian curve profiles between the walls, has been represented by dashed lines in Figure 7.7].

[0089] A method for obtaining 32 of the thermal regulation device 4 according to the invention will now be described with reference to [Fig. 8]. The method for obtaining 32 begins with the formation of the tube 14. A first step 34 consists of an extrusion operation that generates a tube 14 with the desired number of circulation channels 18. The die for obtaining the extruded tube is such that the height of the cross-section is variable along the vertical direction V, each of the circulation channels 18 thus having a convex shape. At the end of the first step 34, the tube 14 thus has, for at least one circulation channel, from the first end 6 of the thermal regulation device 4 to its second end 8, a cross-section height measured at a distance from the walls 24 greater than the height H1 of said walls 24.

[0090] The process for obtaining 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 bent 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, placed between two corrugated plates of complementary shapes, these plates being brought close together until the tube 14 is obtained with the desired corrugated shape. This second step 36 does not modify the cross-sectional values ​​of the heat transfer fluid within the tube 14; the values ​​measured between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22 are constant along the longitudinal direction L, possibly with the exception of the end edges of the tube 14. The passage section presents for example the first dimension DI illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0091] The manufacturing process 32 then comprises a third step 38, or local deformation step. This third step 38 enables the formation of local deformation on each of the depressions 28 intended to be opposite a cell, so as to create the receiving zones 30 of the cylindrical energy storage cells 2. The 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 convex 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 cross-sectional area varies from the first end 6 to the second end 8 of the thermal regulation device 4.This cross-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 some 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 and 38 are simultaneous, the production process 32 may include an intermediate step 40. During this intermediate step 40, which is a filling step, the internal cavity 16 of the tube 14 is filled with a material, for example, water, ice, sand, or air. When this filling material is water or gas, closing devices are additionally positioned at the end edges of the tube 14 to confine this water or gas within the tube 14.

[0093] Once the local deformation of the third step 38 has been completed, the filler material is removed and a verification step 42 of the shape of the tube 14 is carried out. During this verification step 42, particular attention is paid to verifying that the third stamping step 38 has not significantly deformed the corrugated shape obtained during the second pressing step 36. "Significantly deformed" here means a deformation such that the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the tube 14 would be unduly impeded.

[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 receiving zones of these cylindrical cells obtained by local deformation and a variable heat transfer fluid passage section along the thermal regulation device.

[0095] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. A thermal control device (4) for cooling cylindrical energy storage cells (2), comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation tube (14) extending mainly along a longitudinal direction (L), the tube (14) comprising undulations that successively form bumps (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 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 zone (30) is formed by a local deformation of the undulations, and in that the tube (14) is delimited by walls (20, 22) in which the undulations are formed and by walls (24) connecting the walls (20, 22),the height of the passage section measured between the walls (20, 22) at a distance from the walls (24) being, outside the reception area (30), greater than the height of the walls (24), and at the level of the reception area (30) the height of the passage section measured between the walls (20, 22) at a distance from the walls (24) is variable along the longitudinal direction, with a height value that tends to decrease as one moves away from the center of a central longitudinal portion of the reception area.

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

3. Thermal regulation device (4) according to claim 1, 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 domed shape.

4. A thermal regulation device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 3, wherein the tube (14) comprises several circulation conduits (18) for the heat transfer fluid, including at least one circulation conduit (18) having a variable cross-sectional height and at least one circulation conduit (18) whose passage section height is constant.

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

6. 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).

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

8. A 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 having a constant cross-sectional area and a variable height of the cross-sectional area measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, a second step (36) in which the tube (14) is deformed to give it its undulations along the longitudinal dimension, and a third step (38) in which at least one local deformation is carried out on a depression (28) of the tube (14) to form a receiving zone.

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