Thermal regulation device
The thermal regulation device with a stack of brazed plates and secant slit axes addresses the challenge of achieving homogeneous temperature profiles and efficient cooling of electronic components, resulting in improved thermal management and reduced costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023011686
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing thermal management systems for electronic components in the automotive field face challenges in achieving homogeneous temperature profiles and efficient cooling, leading to increased component costs and potential performance issues.
A thermal regulation device comprising a stack of brazed plates with secant slit axes, allowing for two-dimensional fluid flow and increased residence time of the heat transfer fluid, which enhances cooling efficiency and temperature homogeneity.
The solution provides improved thermal regulation with reduced pressure drops and load losses in the heat transfer fluid, leading to more efficient cooling of electronic components while minimizing manufacturing costs and optimizing component performance.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Thermal regulation device
[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter or a battery cell.
[0002] In the context of electrification in the automotive field, many electronic components are being developed or improved for higher power. Generally speaking, the electronics used are impacted by the quality of thermal management because the electronic components have a usage temperature limit. Above all, there is a strong correlation between maximum temperature and component price. There are often alternatives that withstand higher temperatures, but with a higher cost. Therefore, there is a significant need to optimize the cooling of these electronic components in order to improve durability or reduce the costs related to these components. Electronic components can be, for example, components of an electric machine of the vehicle, components of a DC-DC converter, an on-board charger, an inverter, etc.
[0003] For some of these components, the heat flow produced by these components is high due to the small surface areas (very small components). It is also required to have homogeneity of maximum temperatures between several heat sources that are the components. Indeed, certain quantities are affected by the temperature (for example the resistance) and the power is distributed in parallel between several power modules.
[0004] In certain configurations, the liquid cooling circuits of electrical / electronic components, called heat transfer fluid circuits, are arranged in series to optimize compactness (or packaging) but this arrangement generates constraints of temperature and minimum flow rate of a heat transfer fluid used to cool these components.
[0005] The components to be cooled are, for example, switching cell modules of an inverter. This type of component is temperature-sensitive and requires precise thermal management. Until now, a thermal device with a copper base plate with cooling elements in the form of machined pins immersed in a flow of coolant allows this thermal management. In this thermal device, the temperature is not homogeneous because the arrangement of the pins is the same throughout the plate, imposing a constant heat transfer coefficient. Due to natural heating of the fluid along the plate, the temperature difference decreases between the fluid and the switching cells, which generates a non-homogeneous temperature profile at the component level.
[0006] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks, in particular to further improve the thermal regulation of components, in particular for cooling them, by proposing thermally efficient solutions with a simpler design and / or less expensive to manufacture, while reducing pressure losses in the heat transfer fluid circuits.
[0007] The invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter or a battery cell, this thermal regulation device comprising:
[0008] - a stack of at least two plates, in particular brazed together, within in which at least one heat transfer fluid circuit is arranged, this thermal regulation device having an external face on which one or more components can be placed, for example an electronic power module, the stack of plates successively comprising: • at least one circulation plate provided with at least one longitudinally shaped slot having a slot axis forming with a longitudinal axis of the plate, an angle Al; and • at least one other circulation plate provided with at least one longitudinally shaped slot, having another slot axis, forming with a longitudinal axis of the plate, another angle A2; and the heat transfer fluid circuit being configured so that the heat transfer fluid passes through the longitudinally shaped slots; and
[0009] the slot axes being intersecting with each other.
[0010] The term "secants" is understood to mean when the slot axes are not parallel to each other so that there is at least one point of intersection between these slot axes.
[0011] The intersection point forms an element of disturbance of the fluid flow in the heat transfer fluid circuit.
[0012] The “slot axis” is for example the longitudinal axis of the slot defined along the greatest length of the slot.
[0013] The present invention is advantageous in that the stacking of the plates allows the circulation of fluid to take place in the circulation plates which are stacked one on top of the other. For each circulation plate, a flow takes place in two dimensions, that is to say essentially in a plane following a direction defined by the slot axis, which makes it possible to minimize pressure drops which occur would occur if the flow took place in the three dimensions of space.
[0014] Furthermore, the stacking of plates makes it possible to increase the residence time of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid circuit. In this way, the components can be cooled for a longer time and the thermal regulation of the components can be improved.
[0015] Furthermore, this stack of plates makes it possible to balance the fluid temperature at different locations on the plate. In particular, in the case where several electronic components are placed on the external face of the device, in dedicated reception areas, the invention makes it possible to have a homogeneous temperature profile at the level of the different electronic components.
[0016] The invention thus makes it possible to uniformly cool the external face of the thermal regulation device in order to optimize the operation of these electronic components thanks to this better thermal management.
[0017] Furthermore, the fact that the slot axes of these circulation plates intersect each other makes it possible to change only the orientation of the longitudinally shaped slots for at least the two circulation plates, in particular identical ones. The heat transfer fluid can circulate in a preferred direction defined by an orientation angle following the longitudinally shaped slots.
[0018] Thus, not only the pressure losses of the heat transfer fluid are reduced, but also the manufacturing time of the device while increasing the exchange surface between the heat transfer fluid and the circulation plates.
[0019] In addition, the fact that the slot axes intersect with each other also makes it possible to induce a splitting and recombination effect of the heat transfer fluid ("splitting and recombination" or "SAR" in English), coupled with changes in direction. This effect promotes mixing of the boundary layers, and improves the heat exchange coefficient between the heat transfer fluid and the thermal regulation device.
[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the circulation plates are identical to each other.
[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the plates are brazed together.
[0022] Thus, the manufacturing cost of the device is reduced.
[0023] In short, the invention allows the device to obtain optimal thermal performance, with a simpler and / or less expensive design to manufacture, while reducing the pressure losses of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid circuits.
[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the circulation plates extend over the entire length of the thermal regulation device, and are configured to define at least one fluid circulation cavity, in particular two fluid circulation cavities, in particular at least three fluid circulation cavities.
[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, each of the circulation plates is configured to define at least one fluid circulation cavity.
[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate(s) comprise at least one separating wall, or even two separating walls, each separating wall being arranged to separate the two successive fluid circulation cavities.
[0027] In particular, the presence of at least two separating walls makes it possible to optimize the isostatism of the plate.
[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack of plates comprises at least four circulation plates.
[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack of plates successively comprises: - At least one circulation plate of the first type, provided with a plurality of longitudinally shaped slots, each having a slot axis forming with an axis of the plate, an angle Al; and - At least one circulation plate of the second type, provided with a plurality of longitudinally shaped slots, each having another slot axis, forming with an axis of the plate, another angle A2.
[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid circulation cavity comprises at least one longitudinally shaped slot.
[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack of plates successively comprises at least one alternation, preferably at least two alternations, of a circulation plate of the first type with a circulation plate of the second type.
[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack of plates comprises the second type circulation plate between two first type circulation plates.
[0033] Alternatively, the stack of plates comprises the first type circulation plate between two second type circulation plates.
[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the length of the slot is greater than the width of the slot.
[0035] The term "slot length" means a dimension of the slot measured along the longest side of the slot along a longitudinal axis of the slot. The "slot width" is a dimension of the slot measured perpendicular to the length. The length and width of the slot are advantageously both measurements in a plane of the slot. They are perpendicular to each other in this same plane.
[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the circulation plate has a succession of slots parallel to each other.
[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid circulation cavity has a substantially rectangular shape.
[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the slot has a substantially trapezoidal shape.
[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, each slot comprises two rectilinear edges which are parallel to each other.
[0040] In other words, the ends of the slot are triangular so that these ends are inscribed in the circulation cavity having a substantially square shape.
[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the slots have identical widths.
[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the slot axes form an angle A1 and A2, between 20 and 70°, preferably between 40 and 50°, more particularly between 43 and 47° relative to the longitudinal axis of the circulation plate.
[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a collector base configured to participate in the formation of the heat transfer fluid circuit.
[0044] The collector base forms a base of the thermal regulation device.
[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the collector base comprises a bottom and uprights extending from the bottom defining at least one compartment.
[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the collector base comprises at least two compartments, including a heat transfer fluid inlet compartment and a heat transfer fluid outlet compartment, these compartments being separated by at least one separating partition arranged between the uprights and extending from the bottom of the collector base.
[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet to be connected to external conduits.
[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the slots are arranged so that the heat transfer fluid flows from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet along the slot axis.
[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the collector base is provided with at least one fluid inlet and outlet to be connected to external conduits.
[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the collector base comprises a distribution channel supplied by the fluid inlet and a discharge channel connected to the fluid outlet.
[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid inlet compartment of the collector base comprises the distribution channel.
[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid outlet compartment of the collector base comprises the discharge channel.
[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the presence of the separating partition in the collector base allows fluid circulation in M between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet in the direction perpendicular to the bottom of the collector base.
[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid inlet compartment has a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped shape.
[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the fluid outlet compartment has a substantially triangular shape.
[0056] These inlet and outlet compartments are separated from each other by a separating partition having a substantially U or V shape. These inlet and outlet compartments together form a substantially rectangular shape.
[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom of the collector base forms a base for said compartments of the collector base.
[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom of the collector base has a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners.
[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the collector base is in one piece.
[0060] A single heat transfer fluid circulates in the thermal regulation device. The thermal regulation device is of the single-fluid type, not the two-fluid type.
[0061] Thus, we have a circulation of the same fluid in all the plates formed by the stack of plates.
[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a distribution plate, in particular a flat one, arranged to cover the collector base, said distribution plate comprising at least one opening.
[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the stack of plates further comprises the distribution plate, in particular flat, arranged to cover the collector base.
[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate(s) comprise at least one opening through which the heat transfer fluid can circulate.
[0065] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate(s) comprise at least one row of openings.
[0066] According to one aspect of the invention, the opening is arranged to allow circulation of heat transfer fluid in a direction perpendicular to the plate.
[0067] This opening is for example made by cutting the plate.
[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, the opening(s) on the plate are arranged on at least one of the peripheries of the plate or in the center of the plate.
[0069] The two peripheries of the plate are symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane passing through the center of the plate.
[0070] The term "peripheries" refers to the end zones close to the periphery of the plate. Conversely, the "center" of the plate relative to the peripheries refers to a central position of the plate relative to the periphery of the plate.
[0071] The plate comprises at least three rows of openings, preferably at least nine rows of openings, through which the heat transfer fluid can circulate, distributed equidistant from each other, in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the plate. The plane defining the plate contains both the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction and these transverse and longitudinal directions are perpendicular to each other.
[0072] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate comprises at least one row of inlet openings and at least one row of outlet openings for heat transfer fluid.
[0073] According to one aspect of the invention, the row of outlet openings is arranged in the center of the plate, preferably on the mirror plane passing through the center of the plate.
[0074] According to one aspect of the invention, the rows of inlet openings are located mirror-symmetrically with respect to the rows of outlet openings.
[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, the rows of inlet openings are located on the peripheries of the plate.
[0076] According to one aspect of the invention, the inlet opening is arranged so as to allow the heat transfer fluid to flow towards the outlet opening along the axis of the longitudinally shaped slot, for example along the longitudinal axis of the longitudinally shaped slot.
[0077] According to another aspect of the invention, the inlet opening is located in the vicinity of one of the ends of the slot of the circulation plate.
[0078] According to one aspect of the invention, each plate comprises at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening.
[0079] According to one aspect of the invention, each plate is in fluid communication through at least one inlet opening with the heat transfer fluid inlet.
[0080] Thus, the heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer fluid inlet is distributed to each plate.
[0081] The heat transfer fluid coming from one or more inlet openings is directed towards the outlet opening(s).
[0082] According to one aspect of the invention, the circulation plates are arranged to be supplied by at least one fluid distribution column connected to the rows of inlet openings of each plate.
[0083] The rows of outlet openings of the plates are arranged to be connected to a heat transfer fluid collection column which allows the heat transfer fluid to be evacuated.
[0084] The term "plate" or "plates" means a circulation plate or a distribution plate. This generic term is used so that the characteristics corresponding to this term can be interchangeable between the circulation plate and the distribution plate.
[0085] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a cover configured to cover the stack of plates.
[0086] According to one aspect of the invention, this cover is made of metal, or based on plastic material.
[0087] According to one aspect of the invention, the cover has an external face on which one or more components can be placed, for example an electronic power module, a component of an electrical machine of the vehicle, a component of a DC-DC converter, a component of an on-board charger, a component of an inverter.
[0088] The external face of the cover is understood to mean the face which is in contact with the component. Conversely, the internal face of the cover refers to the face in contact with the heat transfer fluid.
[0089] According to one aspect of the invention, the external face of the cover comprises at least one component receiving zone.
[0090] According to one aspect of the invention, each receiving zone of an electronic component is flat.
[0091] The heat transfer fluid circuit comprises at least one fluid flow path.
[0092] According to one aspect of the invention, the longitudinally shaped slots define the fluid flow paths in the circulation plate.
[0093] According to one aspect of the invention, the circulation plates are substantially parallel to the external face of the device, in particular to the external face of the cover.
[0094] According to one aspect of the invention, the slot axes of the successive circulation plates form a rotational symmetry of an angle R.
[0095] According to one aspect of the invention, the angle R is advantageously between 60 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 110°, more particularly around 90°.
[0096] According to one aspect of the invention, the respective fluid flow paths of the two successive circulation plates have rotational symmetry at angle R in a plane parallel to the plates.
[0097] The invention thus makes it possible to cause the heat transfer fluid to flow over at least two circulation plates, or even several circulation plates, in such a way that the heat transfer fluid, which is still cold, can be in contact with the reception areas of the electronic components.
[0098] According to one aspect of the invention, at least two or three receiving zones are formed on the external face, in particular of identical dimensions.
[0099] According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a stack of at least three plates intended to be placed on the collector base, said stack comprises: - a first plate, in particular the distribution plate, arranged to cover the collector base - at least two circulation plates, said circulation plates comprise a last plate arranged to be in contact with the cover.
[0100] Advantageously, the last plate is intended to cool the component.
[0101] According to one aspect of the invention, the last plate of the stack of plates is arranged to be in contact with the cover, in particular in the form of a plate, on the external face of which the areas for placing the components to be cooled are formed. The cover is arranged to cover this last plate. The distribution plate is the first plate of the stack of plates.
[0102] According to another aspect of the invention, only the last circulation plate is in fluid communication through the at least one opening with the heat transfer fluid inlet.
[0103] In this way, the heat transfer fluid passes directly from the heat transfer fluid inlet to the last circulation plate.
[0104] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a thermal regulation device as mentioned above, and at least one electronic component placed on the external face of this thermal regulation device to be cooled by the fluid flow paths in the thermal regulation device.
[0105] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a thermal regulation device for cooling and / or heating at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter or a battery cell, this method comprising the following step: - producing a stack of plates of at least two plates, in particular brazed together, within which at least one heat transfer fluid circuit is arranged, this thermal regulation device having an external face on which one or more components can be placed, for example an electronic power module, the stack of plates successively comprising: • at least one circulation plate provided with at least one longitudinally shaped slot having a slot axis forming with a longitudinal axis of the plate, an angle Al; and • at least one other circulation plate provided with at least one longitudinally shaped slot, having another slot axis, forming with a longitudinal axis of the plate, another angle A2; and the heat transfer fluid circuit being configured so that the heat transfer fluid passes through the longitudinally shaped slots; and
[0106] the slot axes being intersecting with each other.
[0107] According to one aspect of the invention, the method further comprises a step of braze the plates to create the plate stack.
[0108] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of realization given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the schematic drawings annexed on the other hand, on which:
[0109] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective representation of a thermal regulation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0110] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a sectional representation along the AA axis of the device of re thermal regulation of [Fig.l];
[0111] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective and sectional representation along the BB axis of the thermal regulation device of [Fig.l], illustrating a stack of plates of said device of the invention;
[0112] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a flat representation of a plate of the device of the [Fig.3] (CC section);
[0113] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a flat representation of a plate of the device of the [Fig.3] (DD section);
[0114] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a flat representation of a distribution plate of the [Fig.3] (EE section);
[0115] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a flat representation of a collector base of the device of the invention (FF section);
[0116] 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.
[0117] Figures 1 and 3 show a thermal regulation device 2 for cooling and / or heating components 4 whose operation is sensitive to temperature. These components 4 are in particular electronic power modules of an inverter or battery cells.
[0118] As illustrated in [Fig.2], this thermal regulation device 2 is part of an assembly 6 which comprises electronic components 4 placed on an external face 8 of the thermal regulation device 2 to be cooled by the fluid flow paths in the thermal regulation device 2.
[0119] Referring in particular to Figures 2 to 6, the example described, the thermal regulation device 2 comprises a stack of five plates 10, including four circulation plates 12 and one distribution plate 14, brazed together, within which a heat transfer fluid circuit 15 is arranged.
[0120] The term “plate” means a circulation plate 12 or a dis plate tribution 14. This generic term is used so that the characteristics corresponding to this term can be interchangeable between the circulation plate 12 and the distribution plate 14.
[0121] As we will see below, the distribution plate 14 differs from the circulation plates 12 in that the distribution plate 14 does not include in particular a longitudinally shaped slot 16 like the circulation plates 12.
[0122] The device 2 comprises a cover 18, made of metal, or based on plastic material, configured to cover the stack of plates 10. The cover 18 has the external face 8 on which the components 4 can be placed.
[0123] The external face 8 of the cover 18 is understood to mean the face which is in contact with the components 4. Conversely, the internal face 20 of the cover 18 refers to the face in contact with the heat transfer fluid.
[0124] Three receiving zones 22 of identical dimensions and flat, are formed on the external face 8, of the cover 18.
[0125] As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4 to 5, the stack of plates 10 successively comprises two alternations, of a circulation plate of the first type 121 with a circulation plate of the second type 122.
[0126] Referring in particular to [Fig.4], the first type circulation plate 121 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally shaped slots 16, each having a slot axis Afl forming with an axis X of the plate, an angle AL
[0127] Referring in particular to [Fig.5], the second type circulation plate 122 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally shaped slots 16, each having another slot axis Af2, forming with an axis X of the plate, another angle A2.
[0128] The heat transfer fluid circuit is configured so that the heat transfer fluid passes through these longitudinally shaped slots 16, the slot axes Afl, Af2 being intersecting with each other.
[0129] The term “secants” is understood to mean when the slot axes Afl, Af2 are not parallel to each other so that there is at least one point of intersection 24 between these slot axes Afl, Af2.
[0130] The intersection point 24 forms an element of disturbance of the fluid flow in the heat transfer fluid circuit.
[0131] The “slot axis” is for example the longitudinal axis of the slot Afl, Af2 defined along the greatest length of the slot 16.
[0132] The present invention is advantageous insofar as the stacking of the plates 10 allows the circulation of fluid to take place in the circulation plates 12 which are stacked one on top of the other. For each circulation plate 12 a flow takes place in two dimensions, that is to say essentially in a plane following a direction defined by the slot axis Afl, Af2, which makes it possible to minimize pressure drops. which would occur if the flow were in all three dimensions of space.
[0133] Furthermore, the stack of plates 10 makes it possible to increase the residence time of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid circuit. In this way, the components 4 can be cooled for a longer time and the thermal regulation of the components 4 can be improved.
[0134] Furthermore, this stack of plates 10 makes it possible to balance the fluid temperature at different locations of the circulation plates 12. In particular, in the case where several electronic components 4 are placed on the external face 8 of the device 2, in dedicated reception zones 22, the invention makes it possible to have a homogeneous temperature profile at the level of the different electronic components 4.
[0135] The invention thus makes it possible to uniformly cool the external face 8 of the thermal regulation device 2 in order to optimize the operation of these electronic components 4 thanks to this better thermal management.
[0136] Furthermore, the fact that the slot axes Afl, Af2 of these circulation plates 12 are intersecting with each other makes it possible to change only the orientation of the longitudinally shaped slots 16 for the four identical circulation plates. The heat transfer fluid can circulate in a preferred direction defined by the orientation angles Al, A2 along the longitudinally shaped slots 16.
[0137] Thus, not only the pressure losses of the heat transfer fluid are reduced, but also the manufacturing time of the device 2 while increasing the exchange surface between the heat transfer fluid and the circulation plates 12.
[0138] The circulation plates 12 or the distribution plate 14 extend over the entire length of the thermal regulation device 2, and are configured to define three fluid circulation cavities 26 having a substantially rectangular shape.
[0139] The fluid circulation cavities 26 of the circulation plates 12 comprise the plurality of longitudinally shaped slots 16.
[0140] The circulation plates 12 have a succession of slots 16 parallel to each other, these slots 16 having a substantially trapezoidal shape and having identical widths to each other. As is particularly visible in Figures 4 and 5, each slot 16 has two rectilinear edges which are parallel to each other. In other words, the ends of the slots 16 are triangular so that these ends are inscribed in the circulation cavities 26 having a substantially square shape.
[0141] The slot axes form an angle A1 and A2, between 20 and 70°, preferably between 40 and 50°, more particularly between 43 and 47° relative to the longitudinal axis X of the circulation plates 12.
[0142] The circulation plates 12 or the distribution plate 14 comprise two separation walls 28, each separation wall 28 being arranged to separate the two 26 successive fluid circulation cavities.
[0143] In particular, the presence of two separation walls 28 makes it possible to optimize the isostatism of the plates 12, 14.
[0144] As can be seen in particular in Figures 2 to 3 and 7, the thermal regulation device 2 comprises a collector base 30, configured to participate in the formation of the heat transfer fluid circuit.
[0145] The collector base 30, in one piece, forms a base of the thermal regulation device 2. This collector base 30 has a longitudinal shape in direction X.
[0146] The collector base 30 of the device 2 comprises a fluid inlet 31 and a fluid outlet 32 to be connected to external conduits (not shown), namely an external fluid inlet pipe and an external fluid outlet pipe (not shown).
[0147] The collector base 30 comprises a bottom 34 having a substantially rectangular shape whose corners 36 are rounded. The collector base 30 comprises uprights 38 extending from the bottom 34 defining two compartments 40, 42 including a heat transfer fluid inlet compartment 40 and a heat transfer fluid outlet compartment 42, these compartments 40, 42 being separated by a separating partition 44 arranged between the uprights 38 and extending from the bottom 34 of the collector base 30. The presence of the separating partition 44 in the collector base 30 allows a circulation of fluid in M between the fluid inlet 31 and the fluid outlet 32 in the direction Z. The bottom 34 of the collector base 30.
[0148] The collector base 30 comprises a distribution channel 46 supplied by the fluid inlet 31 and a discharge channel 48 connected to the fluid outlet 32.
[0149] The fluid inlet compartment 40 of the collector base 30 comprises the distribution channel 46 and the fluid outlet compartment 42 of the collector base 30 comprises the discharge channel 48.
[0150] The fluid inlet compartment 40 has a substantially V-shape and the fluid outlet compartment 42 has a substantially triangular shape.
[0151] These inlet and outlet compartments 40, 42 are separated from each other by the separating partition 44 having a substantially V-shape. These inlet and outlet compartments 40, 42 together form a substantially rectangular shape.
[0152] The X axis is, for example, the longitudinal axis of the plates 12, 14 and the Y axis is, for example, the transverse axis of the plates 12, 14. The Z axis is defined as being an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the plates 12, 14. The X and Y axes are perpendicular to the Z axis so as to form an XYZ trihedron.
[0153] Referring in particular to Figures 4 and 5, the slots x are arranged so that the heat transfer fluid flows from the fluid inlet 31 to the fluid outlet 32 along the slot axes Afl, Af2.
[0154] The lengths of the slots 16 are greater than the widths of the slots 16.
[0155] “Slot length” means a dimension of the slot 16 measured along the longest side of the slot 16 along a longitudinal axis of the slot Afl, Af2. The “width of the slot” is a dimension of the slot 16 measured perpendicular to the length. The length and the width of the slot 16 are advantageously both measurements in a plane of the slot 16. They are perpendicular to each other in this same plane (not shown).
[0156] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the heat transfer fluid circuit 15 comprises fluid flow paths.
[0157] The longitudinally shaped slots 16 define the fluid flow paths in the circulation plates 12 which are substantially parallel to the external face 8 of the cover 18.
[0158] The slot axes Afl, Af2 of the successive circulation plates 12, 121, 122 form a rotational symmetry of an angle R. The angle R is advantageously between 60 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 110°, more particularly around 90°.
[0159] The respective fluid flow paths of the two successive circulation plates 12, 121, 122 have rotational symmetry at angle R in a plane parallel to the circulation plates 12.
[0160] In particular, the fluid flow paths are respectively illustrated by arrows F1 and F2 in [Fig.4] and by arrows F3 and F4 in [Fig.5].
[0161] The invention thus makes it possible to cause the heat transfer fluid to flow over the four circulation plates 12, 121, 122 in such a way that the heat transfer fluid, which is still cold, can be in contact with the reception zones 22 of the electronic components 4.
[0162] As can be seen in particular in [Fig.6], the stack of plates 10 of the device 2 comprises the flat distribution plate 14, arranged to cover the collector base 30.
[0163] The circulation plates 12 or distribution plates 14 comprise nine rows of openings 60, through which the heat transfer fluid can circulate, distributed equidistantly between them, in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y of the plates 12, 14. The plane defining the plates 12, 14 contains both the transverse direction Y and the longitudinal direction X and these transverse directions Y and longitudinal X are perpendicular to each other.
[0164] These rows of openings 60, for example produced by cutting the plates 12, 14, are arranged to allow circulation of heat transfer fluid in a direction perpendicular Z to the plates 12, 14.
[0165] These rows of openings 60 comprise six rows of inlet openings of heat transfer fluid 60 and three rows of heat transfer fluid outlet openings 62.
[0166] The rows of outlet openings 62 are arranged in the center of the plates 12, 14, on the mirror plane passing through the center of the plates 12, 14.
[0167] The rows of inlet openings 60 are located mirror-symmetrically, on the peripheries of the plates 12, 14, relative to the rows of outlet openings 62.
[0168] The term “peripheries” refers to the end zones close to the periphery 63 of the circulation plates 12 or distribution plates 14. Conversely, the “center” of the plates 12, 14 relative to the peripheries refers to a central position of the plates 12, 14 relative to the periphery 63 of the plates 12, 14.
[0169] The inlet openings 60 are arranged so as to allow the heat transfer fluid to flow towards the outlet openings 62 along the longitudinal axes of the longitudinally shaped slots Afl, Af2.
[0170] Each plate 12, 14 is in fluid communication through the inlet openings 60 with the heat transfer fluid inlet 31.
[0171] Thus, the heat transfer fluid coming from the heat transfer fluid inlet 31 is distributed to each plate 12, 14.
[0172] With reference in particular to [Fig. 3], the circulation plates are arranged to be supplied by two fluid distribution columns 70 connected to the rows of inlet openings 60 of each plate 12, 14. Similarly, the rows of outlet openings 62 of the plates 12, 14 are arranged to be connected to a heat transfer fluid collection column 72 which allows the heat transfer fluid to be evacuated.
Claims
Claims
1. Thermal regulation device (2) for cooling and / or heating at least one component (4) whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter or a battery cell, this thermal regulation device (2) comprising: - a stack of at least two plates (12, 121, 122), in particular brazed together, within which at least one heat transfer fluid circuit (15) is arranged, this thermal regulation device (2) having an external face (8) on which one or more components (4) can be placed, for example an electronic power module, the stack of plates (10) successively comprising: • at least one circulation plate (12, 121) provided with at least one longitudinally shaped slot (16) having a slot axis (Afl) forming with a longitudinal axis (X) of the plate, an angle Al;and • at least one other circulation plate (12, 122) provided with at least one longitudinally shaped slot (16), having another slot axis (Af2), forming with a longitudinal axis (X) of the plate, another angle A2; and the heat transfer fluid circuit (15) being configured so that the heat transfer fluid passes through the longitudinally shaped slots (16); and the slot axes (Afl, Af2) being intersecting with each other.;
2. Device (2) according to claim 1, the circulation plate(s) (12, 121, 122) comprise at least one opening (60, 62) through which the heat transfer fluid can circulate.
3. Device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a collector base configured to participate in the formation of the heat transfer fluid circuit.
4. Device (2) according to claim 3, comprising a distribution plate (14), in particular flat, arranged to cover the collector base (30), said distribution plate (14) comprising at least one opening (60, 62).
5. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the plate(s) (12, 14, 121, 122) comprise at least a row of heat transfer fluid inlet openings (60) and at least one row of heat transfer fluid outlet openings (62).
6. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circulation plates (12, 121, 122) extend over the entire length of the thermal regulation device (2), and are configured to define at least one fluid circulation cavity (26), in particular two fluid circulation cavities (26), in particular at least three fluid circulation cavities (26).
7. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the slot axes (Afl, Af2) form an angle (Al, A2), between 20 and 70°, preferably between 40 and 50°, more particularly between 43 and 47° relative to the longitudinal axis of the circulation plate (12, 121, 122).
8. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the slot axes (Afl, Af2) of the successive circulation plates (12, 121, 122) form a rotational symmetry of an angle R, the angle R being advantageously between 60 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 110°, more particularly around 90°.
9. Assembly (6) comprising a thermal regulation device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, and at least one electronic component (4) placed on the external face (8) of this thermal regulation device (2) to be cooled by the fluid flow paths in the thermal regulation device (2).
10. Method for manufacturing a thermal regulation device (2) for cooling and / or heating at least one component (4) whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular an electronic power module of an inverter or a battery cell, this method comprising the following step: - producing a stack of plates (10) of at least two plates, in particular brazed together, within which at least one heat transfer fluid circuit (15) is arranged, this thermal regulation device (2) having an external face (8) on which one or more components (4) can be placed, for example an electronic power module, the stack of plates (10) successively comprising: • at least one circulation plate (12, 121) provided with at least one longitudinally shaped slot (16) having a slot axis (Afl) forming with a longitudinal axis (X) of the plate, an angle Al; and • at least one other circulation plate (12, 122) provided with at least one longitudinally shaped slot (16), having another slot axis (Af2), forming with a longitudinal axis (X) of the plate, another angle A2; and the heat transfer fluid circuit (15) being configured so that the heat transfer fluid passes through the longitudinally shaped slots (16); and the slot axes (Afl, Af2) being intersecting with each other.
Citation Information
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