Cooling device for an electrical arrangement

Abstract

Title: Cooling Device for an Electrical Arrangement Cooling device (2) for an electrical arrangement (1) comprising a support (7) for an electrical component (9), the cooling device (2) being characterized in that the support (7) is hollow so as to delimit an internal volume of the support (7) configured to receive a compressed gas, the device (2) being characterized in that it comprises a busbar (6) associated with a conduit (8) connected to the internal volume intended to be supplied with compressed gas such that a pressure difference exists between the inlet (81) and the outlet (82) of the conduit (8), thus ensuring expansion of the gas. Abstract figure: Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: Cooling device for an electrical arrangement

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device for an electrical arrangement, such as an electric battery device, particularly for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. The invention further relates to an electric or hybrid vehicle equipped with such a cooling device.

[0002] In electric or hybrid vehicles, current electric propulsion systems rely on increasingly efficient electric battery devices to compete with internal combustion engines. Typically, these battery devices comprise a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in one or more modules contained within at least one casing. These cells can be cylindrical, prismatic, or flexible.

[0003] In these battery devices, a junction box is generally connected on one side to the vehicle's traction system and on the other to the charging system. Rapidly recharging the battery in such a device requires a high current, on the order of several hundred amperes. Such power can generate hot spots on the electrical components of the battery device, particularly at the connectors of said components. Excessive temperature increases can lead to malfunctions in the electrical circuit, or even damage the electrical components. Cooling these components then becomes necessary to maintain the temperature of said hot spots below a predefined level.

[0004] The present invention falls within this context and aims to provide an efficient and economical cooling solution. An objective of the invention is therefore to provide an efficient and economical cooling device that precisely targets the hot spots in the electrical circuit to keep them below a maximum temperature.

[0005] To this end, the invention provides a cooling device for an electrical arrangement, in particular for a battery device of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, the cooling device comprising a support for at least one electrical component of the electrical arrangement, the cooling device being characterized in that the support is hollow so as to delimit an internal volume of the support configured to receive a compressed gas, the cooling device being characterized in that it further comprises at least one busbar associated with a conduit connected to the internal volume of the support intended to be supplied with compressed gas by a compression means connected to the internal volume of the support so that a pressure difference exists between an inlet of the conduit and an outlet of the conduit, thus ensuring a gas expansion.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the support comprises a plurality of hollow blades joined together by connecting walls and internal walls of the support have openings so as to delimit the internal volume of the support.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the conduit is made of an electrically conductive material having high thermal conductivity; the walls of the conduit form at least one busbar.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the conduit has at least one helical portion and the helical portion is arranged around an axis.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the at least one bus bar comprises at least one wall and the conduit is fixed on a first face of said wall.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the conduit fixed on a first face of at least one wall of the busbar has at least one bend.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the at least one bus bar comprises a first wall and a second wall intended to be permanently attached to the first wall and at least one of said walls has a recess intended to form or accommodate at least one conduit so that the conduit is arranged between the first wall and the second wall.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the recess intended to accommodate at least one conduit has at least one bend.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the cooling device includes, among other things, a settling device.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the cooling device includes, among other things, a booster pump.

[0015] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a cooling device as described above.

[0016] The invention also relates to the use of a cooling device as described above, and characterized in that at least a portion of the compressed gas stored inside the internal volume of the support is delivered into the conduit associated with the busbar so that a pressure difference exists between the inlet of the conduit and the outlet of the conduit, thus ensuring an expansion of the gas, this expansion causing a lowering of the temperature of the gas and of the conduit so as to cool the busbar to which the conduit is associated.

[0017] Other details, features and advantages will become clearer upon reading the detailed description given below, by way of example and not limitation, in relation to the various embodiments illustrated in the following figures:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an assembly of hollow blades to form a support for a battery device.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a battery device.

[0020] Figure 3 is a detailed view of a first embodiment of a system of cooling according to the invention.

[0021] Fig. 4 is another detailed view of the cooling system according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Fig. 5 is a detail view of a battery device equipped with a cooling system according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 6 illustrates a battery device equipped with a cooling system according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 7 is a detailed view of a cooling system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. 8 is a detail view of a battery device equipped with a cooling system according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 9 illustrates a battery device equipped with a cooling system according to the second embodiment.

[0027] Fig. 10 is a detail view of a third embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention.

[0028] Fig. 11 is a detailed view of a cooling system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Fig. 12 illustrates a battery device equipped with a cooling system according to the third embodiment.

[0030] In the description below, the terms "first", "second", "primary" and "secondary" are intended to distinguish the different elements of the invention and not to establish a hierarchy among them.

[0031] An electrical arrangement 1, such as a battery device for an electric or hybrid vehicle, for example, generally comprises several electrical components 11. Such an arrangement 1 generally includes a support 7 for arranging the various electrical components 11. The support 7 can also be used to arrange a cooling device to cool the hot spots that appear at certain locations on the electrical components 11 when a high-intensity current flows with high power within said electrical components 11 of the electrical arrangement 1.

[0032] The support 7 is hollow, so as to define an internal volume of said support 7 which is then configured to receive a compressed gas. Such a support 7 may comprise a set of hollow blades 3 which are joined together by connecting walls 5 so as to form said planar support 7, as illustrated in the [Fig. 1]. The hollow blades 3 can be, for example, in the form of extruded metallic materials, particularly aluminum. In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], three distinct parallelepiped-shaped, flat hollow blades 3 are arranged side by side and welded together by their joining walls 5. The joining walls 5 refer to the longer lateral walls of each hollow blade 3 considered here.

[0033] Pipes 31 are arranged inside the support 7, for example inside the hollow blades 3; these pipes 31 delimit a part of a fluidic circuit configured to accommodate a glycol solution intended to circulate within the support 7 of the electrical arrangement 1. The glycol solution intended to circulate in the pipes 31 allows to cool a part of the electrical components 11 arranged on the support 7. In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], each hollow blade 3 comprises three pipes 31 in the form of a hollow cylinder.

[0034] The hollow blades 3 further comprise internal walls 33 which serve to reinforce the structure of said hollow blades 3 in order to provide greater stability to the hollow support 7. As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the internal walls 33 are arranged inside the hollow blades 3, between two adjacent pipes 31.

[0035] In all the embodiments described here, the internal walls 33 of the same hollow blade 3 comprise at least one opening 133. The openings 133 in the internal walls 33 allow communication between the hollow spaces of the hollow blades 3, so as to delimit the internal volume which extends through the whole of the support 7.

[0036] In other words, the assembly of the hollow blades 3 allows, on the one hand, for the establishment of a fluidic circuit comprising channels 31 for the circulation of a glycol solution through the support 7, and on the other hand, for the delimitation of the distinct internal volume of said fluidic circuit. The internal volume is configured to receive a compressed gas. The fluidic circuit for the circulation of a glycol solution and the internal volume that serves as a reservoir for receiving a compressed gas are thus complementary within the support 7.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the support 7, the short sides of the hollow blades 3 are covered by closing walls 35. These closing walls 35 are particularly visible in Figures 1 and 2. The closing walls 35 are associated with the hollow blades 3 so as to provide a sealing function for the support 7.

[0038] The closing walls 35 include a notch 37 to allow connection of the pipes 31 to one or more external elements 41 of the circuit to ensure the circulation of the glycol solution. A portion of the closing walls 35 further includes one or more openings 39 for connecting connecting pipes 43 which allow the hollow blades 3 to be linked together. The ends Connecting pipes 43 to openings 39 in closure walls 35 arranged on two separate hollow plates 3 joined together, are part of a connecting pipe 43. In this way, the connecting pipes 43 contribute to defining the internal volume that serves as a reservoir for a compressed gas.

[0039] In [Fig. 2], the external elements 41 are in the form of fittings which are arranged in the notches 37 of the closing walls 35 so as to communicate with the pipes 31 inside the hollow blades 3 for the circulation of the glycol fluid. Furthermore, the connecting pipes 43 are also shown in this [Fig. 2].

[0040] A compression means 50, such as a compressor, is configured to supply compressed gas to be stored in the internal volume of the support 7. Such a compression means 50 can be arranged on one of the hollow blades 3 that form the support 7 for the electrical arrangement 1. The compression means 50 is illustrated in particular in [Fig. 2]. The compression means 50 can be connected to an air inlet pipe 52 configured to draw air from an environment external to the electrical arrangement. The gas to be stored in the internal volume of the support 7 can, in particular, be air. The compression means 50 is also connected to a compressed air outlet pipe 54 configured to supply compressed air into the internal volume of the support 7.

[0041] The cooling device 2 further comprises at least one busbar 6, and more particularly a plurality of busbars 6 configured to conduct electric current. A busbar 6 generally comprises a conductor made of metallic material, such as copper or aluminum.

[0042] In all the embodiments described here, each busbar 6 is associated with a conduit 8 which is connected to the internal volume of the support 7 intended to be supplied with compressed gas. The gas stored inside the internal volume of the support 7 is therefore intended to flow through the conduit 8. More precisely, a portion of the gas stored inside the internal volume of the support 7 is released at an inlet 81 of each conduit 8. This portion of gas undergoes expansion, such that a pressure difference exists between the inlet 81 of the conduit 8 and an outlet of the conduit 8 associated with the busbar 6. This expansion of the gas is accompanied by a decrease in the temperature of the gas in the conduit 8, so as to cool the busbar 6 to which the conduit 8 is associated.

[0043] The busbars 6 are arranged at locations in the electrical arrangement 1 where the formation of hot spots is most likely, particularly at the connectors of the electrical components 11 located on the support 7. In this way, the conduits 8 associated with the busbars 6 allow the busbars 6 and their immediate environment, so as to limit the appearance of hot spots by reducing temperatures at the connectors of the 11 electrical components.

[0044] Several embodiments are conceivable for the design of at least one omnibus bar 6 and its association with the conduit 8 connected to the internal volume of the support 7.

[0045] According to a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, the busbar 6 and the conduit 8 designate two parts of the same component. In this first embodiment, the conduit 8 is made of an electrically conductive material having high thermal conductivity, and the walls of the conduit 8 form at least one busbar 6. In this way, the gas passes inside the conduit 8 while the current flows through the walls of said conduit 8.

[0046] The conduit 8 may include at least one helical portion 85, as illustrated more particularly in [Fig. 4]. The helical portion 85 of the conduit 8 may, in particular, be arranged around an axis which may be in the form of a straight diabolo fitting, also commonly called a "diabolo." This axis or diabolo is located at the point where a hot spot forms. In this way, the helical portion 85 of the conduit 8 makes it possible to specifically target the point where the hot spot forms, where cooling is required. The helical portion 85 of the conduit thus increases the efficiency of the cooling device 2.

[0047] A fastening means 9 such as a screw for example can allow the axis around which the turns of the helical portion 85 are arranged to be fixed in the electrical arrangement 1, as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0048] In the example illustrated in [Fig.3], each duct-shaped omnibus bar 6 8 has two helical portions 85, which allows two separate hot spots to be cooled with the same omnibus bar 6.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the cooling device 2 comprises, for example, four busbars 6 in the form of conduits 8. Each inlet 81 of a conduit 8 is connected to a manifold 15 via a pipe 17. The pipes 17 that connect the manifold 15 to the various busbars 6 are bent to allow for optimal arrangement. The pipes 17 are electrically insulated to prevent electric current from flowing between the manifold 15 and the busbars 6. In the example illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the pipes 17 have a diameter larger than that of the conduit 8, which serves as a busbar 6 in the first embodiment.

[0050] Figure 6 further illustrates an example of fluidic connections between the compression means 50, the internal volume of the support 7, and the reservoir block 15, which can be arranged on said support 7, as in Figures 9 and 12. In this mode of In implementation, the manifold block 15 is itself connected to the internal volume of the support 7 by a pipe.

[0051] However, according to an embodiment not shown in the figures, each inlet 81 of a conduit 8 can be directly connected to the internal volume of the support 7. This particular arrangement eliminates the need for the manifold 15, thereby reducing the weight of the cooling device 2 and making it more compact. This embodiment also shortens the fluid circuit between the internal volume of the support 7 and the conduit(s) 8.

[0052] According to a third embodiment illustrated in Figures 10, 11, and 12, at least one busbar 6 comprises a first wall 61 and a second wall 62 intended to be permanently bonded to the first wall 61. In this embodiment, at least one of the two walls 61, 62 has a recess 80 that can form the conduit 8. In this way, the conduit 8 is formed directly in the first wall 61 and the second wall 62 of the busbar 6 via the recess 80, which makes it possible to lighten the busbar while offering an economic advantage. The first wall 61 and the second wall 62 are then welded together in a watertight manner. Alternatively, the recess 80 can serve as a housing to accommodate an added piece which then forms the conduit 8, so as to provide additional security in terms of sealing between the first wall 61 and the second wall 62.The wall 61 may have at least one opening 63 (visible in [Fig. 10]) to allow the insertion of a fastening means, such as a screw for example.

[0053] According to a variant of this third embodiment, each of the two walls 61, 62 includes a recess 80 which then corresponds to half of a conduit 8. In other words, it is the association of the two walls 61, 62 of the omnibus bar 6 which makes it possible to form the whole of the recess 80 intended to form directly or, alternatively, to accommodate the conduit 8 associated with this omnibus bar 6.

[0054] Preferably, but optionally, the recess 80 intended to form, or alternatively to house, at least one conduit 8 has at least one bend 87. In the example illustrated in Figures 10, 11, and 12, the recess 80, and by extension the conduit 8, have several bends 87 which give them a serpentine shape. The serpentine shape increases the contact surface between the conduit 8 and the two walls 61, 62 which form the busbar 6, thus contributing to more efficient cooling.

[0055] Optionally, but preferably, the cooling device 2 may include a settling device. The settling device is configured to extract water present in the gas in order to lower its moisture content. In the case where the gas is, for example, air, the settling device allows Therefore, the air is dried. The duct(s) 8 are thus supplied with dry air, which limits the airflow. According to one variant, another method of extracting moisture from the air can be considered to remove water from the gas in order to dry it.

[0056] Optionally, the cooling device 2 may include a booster pump located downstream of the internal volume of the support 7. In particular, the booster pump may be located between the internal volume of the support 7 and the manifold 15. A booster pump located downstream of the internal volume of the support 7 makes it possible to maintain a relatively low pressure inside said internal volume, and then to increase the pressure towards the manifold 15 and towards the busbar(s) 6. In this way, it is possible to opt for a less powerful and potentially less bulky compression means 50, which can leave more space in the arrangement of the compression means 50 and the booster pump within the cooling device 2.

[0057] Thanks to this cooling device 2, it is possible to maintain the temperature of an electrical assembly below a given threshold. Thus, in the case where an electric or hybrid motor vehicle has a battery system equipped with such a cooling device 2, it is possible to use said cooling device 2 to cool the electrical components of said battery system in order to prevent excessive temperature rise and prevent malfunction of the electrical components.

[0058] During use of the cooling device 2, particularly during rapid charging of the battery of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, at least a portion of the compressed gas stored within the internal volume of the support 7 is released into the conduit 8 associated with the busbar, creating a pressure difference between the inlet 81 and outlet 82 of the conduit 8, thus ensuring gas expansion. This gas expansion lowers the temperature of the gas and the conduit 8, thereby cooling the busbar 6 to which the conduit 8 is connected.

[0059] Such a cooling device 2 can be used to cool various electrical arrangements. In other words, the use of this cooling device 2 is not limited to applications in the automotive field, and other application areas can be considered.

Claims

Demands

1. Cooling device (2) for an electrical arrangement (1), in particular for a battery device of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, the cooling device (2) comprising a support (7) for at least one electrical component (9) of the electrical arrangement (1), the cooling device (2) being characterized in that the support (7) is hollow so as to delimit an internal volume of the support (7) configured to receive a compressed gas, the cooling device (2) being characterized in that it further comprises at least one bus bar (6) associated with a conduit (8) connected to the internal volume of the support (7) intended to be supplied with compressed gas by a compression means (50) connected to the internal volume of the support (7) such that a pressure difference exists between an inlet (81) of the conduit (8) and an outlet (82) of the conduit (8), thus ensuring an expansion of the gas.

2. Cooling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (7) comprises a plurality of hollow blades (3) joined together by junction walls (5) and characterized in that internal walls (33) of the support (7) have openings (133) so as to delimit the internal volume of the support (7).

3. Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conduit (8) is made of an electrically conductive material having high thermal conductivity and in that the walls of the conduit (8) form at least one busbar (6).

4. Cooling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the conduit (8) has at least one helical portion (85) and in that the helical portion (85) is arranged around an axis (9).

5. Cooling device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one busbar (6) comprises at least one wall (61), and characterized in that the conduit (8) is fixed on a first face of said wall (61).

6. Cooling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the conduit (8) fixed on a first face of the at least one wall (61) of the omnibus bar (6) has at least one bend (87).

7. Cooling device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one busbar (6) comprises a first wall (61) and a second wall (62) intended to be permanently attached to the first wall (61), and characterized in that at least one of said walls (61, 62) has a recess (80) intended to form or accommodate the at least one conduit (8) so that the conduit (8) is arranged between the first wall (61) and the second wall (62).

8. Cooling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the recess (80) intended to accommodate at least one conduit (8) has at least one bend (87).

9. Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, among other things, a settling device.

10. Cooling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, among other things, a blower.

11. Motor vehicle (1) with electric or hybrid motorization comprising a cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Use of a cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least a portion of the compressed gas stored inside the internal volume of the support (7) is delivered into the conduit (8) associated with the busbar so that a pressure difference exists between the inlet (81) of the conduit (8) and the outlet (82) of the conduit (8), thus ensuring an expansion of the gas, this expansion causing a lowering of the temperature of the gas and of the conduit (8) so as to cool the busbar (6) to which the conduit (8) is associated.

Images