Wall disrupting the circulation of a heat transfer fluid within an electrical energy storage means.

Abstract

Title of the invention: Wall for disrupting the circulation of a heat transfer fluid within an electrical energy storage means. The present invention relates to a temperature regulation device (9) for a plurality of electrochemical cells (4) organized into subassemblies (6), the temperature regulation device (9) comprising at least one wall (8) having a central portion (10) interposed between two adjacent subassemblies (6), said wall (8) being configured to participate in delimiting at least one circulation channel (14) for a heat transfer fluid, the circulation channel (14) being configured so that said heat transfer fluid intended to circulate within said circulation channel (14) is in contact with at least one subassembly (6) along a longitudinal dimension of this subassembly (6), said wall (8) comprising means (16) for disrupting the flow of the heat transfer fluid within the at least one circulation channel (14).(Figure 3).

Description

Title of the invention: Wall disrupting the circulation of a heat transfer fluid within an electrical energy storage means.

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

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

[0003] During operation of the vehicle, the electrochemical cells can release a significant amount of heat so that the battery pack can be subjected to temperature increases which can cause in certain cases damage or even destruction of the electrochemical cells. Consequently, the question of cooling within the battery pack is essential in order to keep it in good condition and thus ensure the reliability, autonomy and performance of the vehicle. To do this, one or more thermal regulation devices are implemented to ensure the cooling functions of the electrical or electronic components inside this battery pack, and thus optimize the operation of its various components.

[0004] Such thermal regulation devices are, for example, cooling devices arranged in the vicinity of the electrochemical cells and traversed by a heat transfer fluid, the function of which is to recover calories emitted by the cells of the battery pack and then discharge them outside the battery pack.

[0005] However, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within these cooling devices is not optimal and can be improved to promote the exchange of calories between the electrochemical cells and the heat transfer fluid.

[0006] The present invention falls within this context and proposes to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art and in particular to propose a temperature regulation device within which the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is improved, in particular to increase the exchange of calories between the heat transfer fluid and the electrochemical cells.

[0007] Thus, the present invention relates to a device for regulating the temperature of a plurality of electrochemical cells of an electrical energy storage means, the plurality of electrochemical cells being organized into sub-assemblies of at least two electrochemical cells, the temperature regulation device comprising at least one wall comprising a central part interposed between two adjacent sub-assemblies, said wall being configured to participate in delimiting at least one circulation channel for a heat transfer fluid, the circulation channel being configured so that said heat transfer fluid intended to circulate within said circulation channel is in contact with at least one sub-assembly along a longitudinal dimension of this sub-assembly, said wall comprising means for disturbing the flow of the heat transfer fluid within the at least one circulation channel.

[0008] The electrochemical cells of the electrical energy storage means, or battery pack, are cooled by means of the temperature control device. If necessary, the electrochemical cells could be heated, in particular when starting the vehicle, to improve their performance, provided that the resulting increase in temperature is not detrimental to the operation of the battery pack. It would then be sufficient for the heat transfer fluid to be heated upstream so that it releases calories to the electrochemical cells. Generally speaking, the temperature control, and therefore the cooling if necessary, of the electrical energy storage means is carried out in accordance with the invention by a heat transfer fluid penetrating into the battery pack with an appropriate temperature and the flow of which within at least one circulation channel is advantageously disturbed.This disturbance of the flow of the heat transfer fluid is achieved by the disturbance means which allow the heat transfer fluid not to have a laminar flow in the at least one circulation channel.

[0009] A subset of electrochemical cells, which will be designated throughout the document by the term subset, is formed of at least two electrochemical cells, and it should be noted that this number of electrochemical cells forming a subset may be greater than two since the heat transfer fluid circulating in a circulation channel is in contact with at least a portion of each of the electrochemical cells forming the subset. In addition, a subset of the electrical energy storage means may have a distinct number of electrochemical cells compared to another subset since each electrochemical cell of each subset is in contact with the heat transfer fluid circulating in a circulation channel.

[0010] The circulation channel extends along the longitudinal dimension of an associated subassembly, i.e. a subassembly in contact with the heat transfer fluid circulating in said circulation channel. More specifically, the circulation channel extends over the entire longitudinal dimension of the associated subassembly. It should be noted that this longitudinal dimension is the dimension along which the subassembly mainly extends, perpendicular to the stacking direction of the electrochemical cells forming the subassembly.

[0011] The disturbance means may form elements extending across the circulation channel, in which case the heat transfer fluid is diverted by the disturbance means, or form elements that narrow the circulation channel at specific points, causing a deviation of the flow of the heat transfer fluid, generally accompanied by an acceleration of the fluid. It should be noted that after each narrowing element, the circulation channel returns to an original passage section, i.e. the passage section before it was narrowed at specific points by the presence of a disturbance means. Conversely to the effect generated by the reduction of the passage section of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation channel, the increase in the passage section causes a slowing down of the heat transfer fluid.

[0012] These narrowing elements create a punctual acceleration of the flow accompanied by an increase in dynamic pressure, where the heat exchange between the wall and the heat transfer fluid is intensified. After the punctual acceleration of the flow, the heat transfer fluid takes over the entire passage section of the circulation channel, the speed of the heat transfer fluid decreases and its movement is disordered which promotes the mixing of the particles of the fluid having different temperatures improving the heat exchanges.

[0013] According to an optional feature of the invention, the electrical energy storage means comprises a housing in which the plurality of electrochemical cells are housed, the wall of the temperature regulation device being configured to come into contact with an internal face of the housing. In other words, the wall bears against the housing to form a support for a subassembly and ensure its positioning within the housing. The wall thus makes it possible to position the subassembly relative to other subassemblies to form a module, then an orderly and solid battery pack. Indeed, the contact between the wall and the housing helps to form a positioning reference for an operator when inserting the subassembly into the housing.This additional functionality of the temperature control device highlights its multifunctionality, making it possible to avoid the use of additional means to position a sub-assembly in the housing.

[0014] The housing forms a sealed receptacle in which the heat transfer fluid is able to circulate. The plurality of electrochemical cells is housed in the housing so as to be at least partially immersed in the heat transfer fluid. The housing comprises a heat transfer fluid inlet and a heat transfer fluid outlet allowing the heat transfer fluid to enter and exit the housing respectively. This fluid inlet and this fluid outlet form the only two zones of the housing through which the heat transfer fluid can communicate with the environment outside the housing.

[0015] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the disturbance means are formed respectively of at least a portion of the wall delimiting the circulation channel. This portion of the wall forming a means of disturbance participates in delimiting the circulation channel.

[0016] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the disturbance means are produced on a portion of the wall delimiting the circulation channel. More specifically, the disturbance means extend over a portion of the section of said wall, said section being considered along a section plane perpendicular to a main elongation direction of the circulation channel. It is understood that the disturbance means do not extend over the entire section of said wall. Thus, the heat transfer fluid is able to bypass the disturbance means. This bypassing of the disturbance means promotes the mixing of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation channel, improving heat exchanges.

[0017] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the portion of the wall projects from an elongation plane of said wall in the direction of the subassembly. This portion of the wall is folded relative to the wall in the direction of the subassembly. For example, this portion of the wall may be a tab obtained by cutting a U-shaped notch and then folded so as to form an element projecting from the elongation plane of the wall in the direction of the subassembly.

[0018] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the wall participates in delimiting at least two circulation channels distinct from each other. In one embodiment of the invention, these circulation channels are opposite one another, the subassembly being interposed between the two circulation channels. In another embodiment of the invention, these circulation channels are superimposed one above the other between two adjacent subassemblies.

[0019] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the wall comprises means for disturbing the flow of the heat transfer fluid within each circulation channel. Such a distribution of the disturbance means makes it possible to ensure that the flow of the heat transfer fluid is disturbed at the level of each circulation channel.

[0020] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the disturbance means are offset relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the subassembly.

[0021] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the disturbance means are offset relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the subassembly.

[0022] This shift of the disturbance means allows the heat transfer fluid to have its flow disturbed, on the one hand by the shape of the disturbance means and on the other hand by their arrangement within the circulation channel.

[0023] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the central part of the wall interposed between the two adjacent sub-assemblies is in contact with said adjacent sub-assemblies. Such contact of the wall against the sub-assemblies allows the latter to participate in cooling the sub-assemblies by capturing calories and by carrying out an exchange of these calories with the heat transfer fluid circulating within the at least one circulation channel.

[0024] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the wall comprises at least one return edge extending the central part of said wall, said return edge participating in delimiting a circulation channel and comprising disturbance means, the return edge being arranged opposite a face of the subassembly distinct from a face of said subassembly opposite which is arranged the central part of the wall. Each return edge participates in delimiting a single circulation channel. Thus, a wall comprising two return edges, extending the central part in opposition to each other, participates in delimiting two circulation channels distinct from each other.

[0025] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the wall configured to come into contact with the housing is formed by the return edge. It is understood that in this context the return edge ensures the role of support, in particular of the weight, of the associated subassembly. Indeed, said return edge, and more specifically a return edge arranged opposite a lower face of the housing arranged closest to the road surface when the temperature regulation device is installed in the vehicle, is in contact with an internal face of said lower face of the housing.

[0026] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the wall comprises two return edges, each return edge extending from one end of the central part opposite one another and facing a separate face of the subassembly.

[0027] In other words, the wall comprises the central part arranged between two adjacent subassemblies, advantageously in contact with these subassemblies, and it comprises on the one hand a first part of the wall, forming a first return edge with reference to the above denomination, which extends in a first secant elongation plane, preferably substantially perpendicular, to the main elongation plane of the central part, and on the other hand a second part of the wall, forming a second return edge and which extends in a second elongation plane, substantially parallel to the first part of the wall. The first part of the wall participates in delimiting a circulation channel opposite a first side of the subassembly and the second part of the wall participates in delimiting a circulation channel opposite a second side of the subassembly, the first side of the subassembly being distinct from the second side of the subassembly.The first part of the wall and the second part of the wall are arranged on either side of a . same subset of electrochemical cells.

[0028] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, a return edge of a wall of the temperature regulation device is in contact with the central part of an adjacent wall of the temperature regulation device to delimit one of the circulation channels, the central part of the adjacent wall being separated from the central part of said wall by a subassembly.

[0029] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the temperature regulation device comprises at least one separating wall configured to allow the circulation of the heat transfer fluid through at least two adjacent circulation channels in two opposite directions. This separating wall participates in generating a first direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid within at least one circulation channel and a second direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid within at least one adjacent circulation channel.

[0030] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the wall extends strictly between two adjacent sub-assemblies.

[0031] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the wall comprises a plurality of circulation channels superimposed on each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension.

[0032] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, among the circulation channels of the plurality of circulation channels, first circulation channels are configured so that the heat transfer fluid circulating within said first circulation channels is in contact with a sub-assembly and second circulation channels of the plurality of circulation channels are configured so that the heat transfer fluid circulating within said second circulation channels is in contact with another sub-assembly.

[0033] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0034] [Fig-1] schematically represents a general view of a storage means in electrical energy comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells organized into sub-assemblies, a temperature regulation device according to a first embodiment of the invention making it possible to carry out a heat exchange with the electrical energy storage means, a heat transfer fluid regulation loop being furthermore schematically illustrated outside the electrical energy storage means;

[0035] [Fig.2] schematically represents a detailed view of the regulating device of temperature of [Fig.l] highlighting circulation channels delimited in part by a wall comprising means for disturbing the flow of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation channels;

[0036] [Fig.3] schematically represents a side view of a subassembly of a temperature regulation device visible in figures 1 and 2, said view highlighting the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation channels and the disturbance generated by the disturbance means;

[0037] [Fig.4] schematically represents an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is carried out in several passes by means of at least one separating wall;

[0038] [Fig.5] schematically represents a view similar to that of [Fig.l] with a temperature regulation device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0039] [Fig.6] schematically represents a detailed view of a wall of the device of re temperature regulation visible in [Fig.5] arranged between two adjacent sub-assemblies;

[0040] [Fig.7] schematically represents a detailed view of a particular arrangement disturbance means according to the present invention and the disturbance of a heat transfer fluid by these disturbance means.

[0041] In particular, it will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0042] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0043] In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of the temperature control device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main extension direction of a wall of the temperature control device interposed between two sub-assemblies of electrochemical cells, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction of superposition of the electrochemical cells, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference frame L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference frame L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T.

[0044] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an electrical energy storage means 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Such an electrical energy storage means 2 is intended to equip a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, in order to electrically power its various components.

[0045] The electrical energy storage means 2, or battery pack, comprises a housing 3 in which a plurality of electrochemical cells 4 are housed, which are arranged one after the other, or superimposed, in a transverse direction T. The electrochemical cells 4 extend mainly in a longitudinal direction L, that is to say parallel to the axis L, and they have a main body which has a substantially parallelepipedal general shape.

[0046] It should be noted that in the schematic representation of [Fig. 1], the electrochemical cells 4 are visible by transparency in dotted lines. Return edges of a thermal regulation device, which will be described in more detail in the description which follows, cover the electrochemical cells 4.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, the plurality of electrochemical cells 4 is organized into sub-assemblies 6 of at least two electrochemical cells 4. Here each sub-assembly 6 comprises two electrochemical cells 4 without this being limiting of the invention, in particular since the return edges cover all of the electrochemical cells of the sub-assembly. Each sub-assembly 6 may also comprise a compression foam, arranged between the electrochemical cells juxtaposed against each other to form a sub-assembly. The sub-assemblies 6 extend mainly, like the electrochemical cells 4, along a longitudinal dimension, that is to say parallel to the axis L. In addition, at each of the longitudinal ends of the sub-assemblies 6, there is arranged an electrical connection member 7 making it possible to electrically connect the electrochemical cells of these sub-assemblies 6 to an electrical network.

[0048] The subassemblies are arranged, in accordance with what has been mentioned for electrochemical cells, one after the other, or superimposed, in a transverse direction T. A subassembly is arranged between two adjacent subassemblies, arranged on either side in the transverse direction.

[0049] In order to regulate the temperature of the electrochemical cells present within the electrical energy storage means 2, the latter is equipped with a temperature regulation device 9 which allows the circulation of heat transfer fluid within the electrical energy storage means 2, the heat transfer fluid here being circulated by an appropriate pump P to pass it through a heat exchanger E external to the electrical energy storage means in order to eliminate the calories taken from within this electrical energy storage means 2. The pump is in particular configured to direct the heat transfer fluid in a first direction SI, illustrated schematically in [Fig. 3], within a distribution chamber 61 formed along a first longitudinal end of the subassemblies 6 and to direct the heat transfer fluid, here in the same first direction SI, within a distribution chamber 62 formed along the second opposite longitudinal end of these subassemblies, after the heat transfer fluid has passed into one of the circulation channels 14.

[0050] The housing 3 forms a sealed assembly within which the plurality of electrochemical cells 4 is at least partially immersed. This housing 3 may, as an illustrative and non-limiting example of the invention, be formed of a base delimiting an internal volume in which the electrochemical cells 4 are positioned and of a cover sealingly closing the internal volume. The housing 3 comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet fluidly connected to the pump P so that the heat transfer fluid circulating in the housing 3 is able to enter and exit strictly via the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

[0051] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate this temperature regulation device according to a first embodiment.

[0052] The temperature regulation device 9 comprises at least one wall 8 comprising a central part 10 interposed between two adjacent sub-assemblies 6. This wall 8 extends in a main elongation direction along the longitudinal dimension along which the sub-assemblies 6 extend and makes it possible to separate two adjacent sub-assemblies 6. The central part faces main faces of an electrochemical cell, which here extend in a longitudinal and vertical plane.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the wall 8 further comprises at least one return edge 12 which extends the central part 10 from one end, here vertical, of this central part 10. In particular, the return edge 12 extends the central part 10 substantially perpendicularly. This return edge 12 extends opposite a lateral face of an electrochemical cell, this lateral face of an electrochemical cell extending here in a longitudinal and vertical plane.

[0054] More particularly, in the illustrated example, each wall 8 comprises two return edges 12, with a first return edge which extends from a first vertical end of the central part and a second return edge which extends from a second vertical end of the central part opposite the first vertical end. In this way, the central part 10 and each of the return edges 12 extend opposite a distinct face of the same sub-assembly 6, the return edges 12 of the same wall 8 being respectively arranged opposite opposite faces of the sub-assembly 6. The face opposite which the central part 10 extends and the face opposite which a return edge 12 extends share an edge commune.

[0055] The wall 8 helps to ensure on the one hand the positioning of at least one subassembly 6 relative to the housing 3 and on the other hand the support of the subassembly 6 within the housing 3. Indeed, at least one of the return edges 12 of each wall 8 is in contact with an internal face of the housing 3. The forces, and in particular the weight of the subassembly 6, are supported by the wall 8. Thus, the temperature regulation device 9 comprising such a wall 8 makes it possible to dispense with the use of additional means for positioning the subassembly 6 in the housing 3 and for supporting said subassembly 6. This arrangement of the return edges 12 against the housing 3 is particularly visible in [Fig.2].

[0056] According to the invention, as illustrated in particular in [Fig. 2], each wall 8 of the temperature regulation device 9 is configured to participate in delimiting at least one circulation channel 14 of a heat transfer fluid, this channel comprising means 16 for disturbing the flow of the heat transfer fluid, represented here schematically and described in more detail below.

[0057] Each wall 8 participates in defining at least one circulation channel 14 by extending locally at a distance from the face of the subassembly 6 against which it is desired to circulate the heat transfer fluid to carry out a heat exchange.

[0058] In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the at least one circulation channel 14 extends along a lateral face of an electrochemical cell of the subassembly 6, this circulation channel being more particularly delimited in one direction, here vertical, between a return edge 12 of a wall 8 associated with this subassembly 6 and the lateral face of the electrochemical cell and in another direction, here transverse, between a vertical end of the central part 10 of this wall 8 and the vertical end of the central part of the adjacent wall associated with this same subassembly 6. In this context, in order to make the circulation channel as leaktight as possible, the free end of a return edge 12 of a wall 8 comes into contact with the central part 10 of the adjacent wall 8.

[0059] As a result, in the embodiment shown, the circulation channel 14 is delimited between at least one return edge 12, the central part 10 from which said return edge 12 extends, the central part 10 of another adjacent wall 8 against which said return edge 12 comes into contact and a subassembly 6. It is understood that the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circulation channel 14 is directly in contact with a subassembly 6. Thus, the heat transfer fluid, which is a dielectric fluid to be able to circulate in contact with electrochemical cells, directly recovers calories emitted by the subassembly 6.

[0060] It is notable in [Fig.2] that the free end of each return edge 12 is extended by a claw 36 extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation of said return edge 12, that is to say substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the central part 10. This claw 36 comes into contact with the central part 10 of an adjacent wall 8. More precisely, the contact between the claw 36 and the central part 10 of the adjacent wall 8 forms a flat support.

[0061] The claw 36 helps to reinforce the rigidity of the return edge 12 and more broadly of the wall 8, in particular by increasing the contact surface between the return edge 12 and the central part 10 of the adjacent wall 8.

[0062] The heat transfer fluid can also indirectly recover calories by carrying out a heat exchange with the walls 8 participating in delimiting a circulation channel 14. For this purpose, a portion of the central part 10 of the wall 8 is in contact with at least one subassembly 6. When the central part 10 is interposed between two subassemblies 6, the latter can, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, be in contact with the two subassemblies 6 between which the central part 10 is interposed. Thus, the central part 10 participates in recovering calories from each of said subassemblies 6.

[0063] The disturbance means 16 are arranged in the circulation channel 14 to generate turbulence in the flow of the heat transfer fluid within this circulation channel 14 and promote heat exchanges between at least the subassembly 6 and the heat transfer fluid. It should be noted that in all of the illustrated embodiments the disturbance means are made in one piece with the wall 8, being formed from at least a portion of this wall 8, locally deformed, but that it would be possible to have, alternatively, disturbance means attached to the wall 8 so as, in accordance with the invention, to locally modify the passage section of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation channel. For this purpose, each disturbance means 16 projects from an elongation plane of the corresponding wall 8 in the direction of the subassembly 6.According to alternative embodiments, the disturbance means may be centered on the wall from which they protrude or be off-center and open onto an edge of this wall, in particular depending on how they are obtained.

[0064] In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, at least one of the return edges 12 extending the central part 10 of each wall 8 comprises said disturbance means 16. It is also notable that each portion of the wall 8 which forms one of these disturbance means 16 is produced by a partial cutting of said portion of the wall 8, with a U-shaped or L-shaped notch around this portion, then by folding said portion around an axis passing through the ends of the notch, the folding being carried out to position the wall portion in a plane intersecting that in which the rest of the wall extends. The direction of folding is such that once the wall 8 is in position around a subassembly 6, the disturbance means are oriented in the direction of a subassembly 6.

[0065] Each wall 8 of the temperature regulation device 9 can thus be made of the sort. A first step consists of having a plate with the appropriate dimensions to form both the central portion 10 and the return edge(s) 12, this plate being initially flat. In a second step, on two longitudinal strips opposite each other, on either side of a portion subsequently forming the central portion, notches are formed at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction. The notches can take a U shape, or an L shape if they open onto an edge of the plate. A step of folding wall portions at each notch is then carried out, each wall portion being pushed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate, and all in the same direction of pushing. At the end of this third step, the disturbance means 16 formed by these foldings of wall portions are all oriented on the same side of the plate.It is notable that these first steps can be carried out by a press in a single operation. Finally, the longitudinal strips in which these disturbance means 16 have been formed are folded towards each other, on the side where the disturbance means protrude, until these longitudinal strips, which form the return edges 12, are substantially perpendicular to the central part which remains in the initial plane of the plate. The subassembly 6 of electrochemical cells can then be inserted between the return edges to be pressed against the central part. In order to ensure that the subassembly is held against the wall, the cell surface brought into contact with the central part 10 of the wall can be coated with an adhesive.

[0066] [Fig. 3] illustrates a sectional view of the temperature regulation device 9 along a sectional plane extending along the longitudinal dimension of elongation of the subassemblies 6 and vertically.

[0067] As visible in this [Fig. 3], the circulation channel 14 extends along the entire longitudinal dimension of elongation of the subassembly 6 such that the heat transfer fluid circulating in this circulation channel 14 is in contact with the subassembly 6 along the entire longitudinal dimension of the subassembly 6.

[0068] As mentioned previously, the wall 8 of this first embodiment visible in this [Fig.3] comprises two return edges 12, each return edge 12 participating in delimiting a distinct circulation channel 14. Thus, each subassembly 6 is bordered at the level of each of two opposite faces, more particularly two vertically opposite faces, by a circulation channel 14, the same wall 8 participating in delimiting these two circulation channels 14 distinct from one another.

[0069] As visible in [Fig. 3] and represented by arrows 20, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is disturbed within the circulation channels 14 by the disturbance means 16. It is notable here that each circulation channel 14 comprises disturbance means 16 which improves the heat exchange between the subassembly 6 and the heat transfer fluid. [Fig. 3] also schematically shows the distribution chamber 61 within which the heat transfer fluid is caused to circulate in the first direction SI to enter each circulation channel 14 and the collection chamber 62 within which the heat transfer fluid is caused to circulate in the first direction SI, after the heat transfer fluid has passed into one of the circulation channels 14.

[0070] A recirculation loop, visible in [Fig.l] comprising at least one heat exchanger external to the battery pack, makes it possible to reinject the heat transfer fluid leaving the collection chamber into the distribution chamber.

[0071] [Fig. 4] represents an alternative embodiment of the invention. As visible in [Fig. 4], along the first longitudinal end of the subassemblies 6 and along the second longitudinal end of the subassemblies 6, the first direction SI of circulation of the fluid is interrupted punctually by at least one separating wall 63. This separating wall 63 makes it possible to force a circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation channels 14 in several passes. This circulation in several passes of the heat transfer fluid makes it possible to promote thermal exchanges between the heat transfer fluid and the electrochemical cells 4, in particular when the electrical energy storage means 2 comprises a large number of electrochemical cells 4. It is remarkable in [Fig. 4] that the circulation in pass of the heat transfer fluid allows it to circulate in two adjacent passes in two opposite directions.

[0072] Figures 5 and 6 represent a temperature regulation device 9 according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the wall 8 extends strictly between two adjacent subassemblies 6, so that it is devoid of return edges as mentioned in the first embodiment. In this way, in the top view of [Fig.5], similar to that of [Fig.1], the electrochemical cells are entirely visible because they are not covered by return edges.

[0073] The heat transfer fluid circulation channels 14 are thus formed at the central part 10 of the wall 8, interposed between the subassemblies 6 of electrochemical cells. In [Fig.5], in accordance with what was illustrated in [Fig.l] for the first embodiment, the circulation directions SI within the distribution and collection chambers and the circulation channels 14 have been represented.

[0074] More specifically, the central part 10 of the wall 8 has a crenellated shape arranged vertically next to each other from a vertical end of a subassembly 6 to its opposite vertical end, each crenellated forming a circulation channel along the entire longitudinal dimension of elongation of the subassembly 6. This crenellated shape of the central part 10 of the wall 8 forms a superposition of circulation channels 14 relative to each other according to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, here the vertical dimension.

[0075] It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment of this second embodiment, the crenellations are arranged longitudinally next to each other from one longitudinal end of a subassembly 6 to its opposite longitudinal end, each crenellation forming a circulation channel along the entire vertical dimension of the subassembly 6. In this alternative embodiment, this crenellation shape of the central part 10 of the wall 8 forms a juxtaposition of circulation channels 14 relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal dimension.

[0076] It should also be noted that the description given in connection with the second embodiment of the invention applies mutatis mutandis to the alternative embodiment of this second embodiment.

[0077] According to the invention, the circulation channels 14 of this embodiment comprise disturbance means 16, which are here, in accordance with what has been described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, formed by at least a portion of the wall 8.

[0078] The wall 8 is alternately in contact with a first subassembly and with a second subassembly. In this way, among the plurality of circulation channels 14 formed by the crenellations of the wall 8, first circulation channels are configured so that the heat transfer fluid circulating within said first circulation channels is in contact with a subassembly and second circulation channels of the plurality of circulation channels are configured so that the heat transfer fluid circulating within said second circulation channels is in contact with another subassembly 6.

[0079] It is understood from the above that the first circulation channels are delimited by the central part 10 of the wall 8 and a subassembly 6 and the second circulation channels are delimited by the central part 10 of the wall 8 and another subassembly 6, the first circulation channels and the second circulation channels being arranged alternately one after the other, which has the effect of homogenizing the cooling of the subassemblies 6.

[0080] Furthermore, the same subassembly 6 makes it possible to delimit the first circulation channels of a wall 8 and the second circulation channels of another wall 8. Thus, two walls 8 participate in delimiting circulation channels 14 configured so that the heat transfer fluid is in contact with said subassembly 6.

[0081] The disturbance means 16 are formed on the wall 8 so as to disturb the flow of the heat transfer fluid circulating in each circulation channel 14 by projecting from an elongation plane of the wall 8 so as to extend within the circulation channel 14 formed by one of the notches. In accordance with what has been mentioned previously, the disturbance means 16 may in particular be formed by a portion of the wall 8 resulting from cutting and folding.

[0082] [Fig. 6] illustrates a preferred arrangement of the disturbance means 16 which are formed locally on the wall in areas intended to be in contact with one face of an electrochemical cell of a subassembly 6. The disturbance means extend projecting in the direction of the other subassembly and only act on the flow of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation channel which is specific to this area of ​​the wall in contact with said subassembly.

[0083] In an alternative configuration, not shown, provision could be made to produce the disturbance means 16 in a wall portion 8 common to two circulation channels, i.e. the wall portions 8 which connect the zones of the wall in contact with a subassembly. In this way, the disturbance means participate in disturbing the flow of the heat transfer fluid within two adjacent circulation channels 14. Indeed, in one case the disturbance means 16 makes it possible to generate a deviation of the flow of the heat transfer fluid in a circulation channel 14 by generating an element slightly obstructing said circulation channel 14. In another case, the disturbance means 16 makes it possible to generate a modification of the flow of the fluid in an adjacent circulation channel 14 by a punctual increase in the width of the latter.

[0084] It should be noted that “obstructing” means that the disturbance means 16 forms an obstacle disturbing the flow of the heat transfer fluid without preventing the circulation of this heat transfer fluid in the circulation channel 14.

[0085] [Fig.7] represents a particular configuration of the disturbance means 16, here in an example where they are produced on a return edge 12 of the wall 8 in accordance with the first embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3. It should be noted that this configuration of the disturbance means 16 could just as easily be applied to the second embodiment.

[0086] As mentioned previously, the disturbance means 16 are formed at regular intervals along the main longitudinal elongation direction of the wall 8, i.e. along the longitudinal dimension of the sub-assemblies 6.

[0087] Of course, in the alternative embodiment of the second embodiment, the disturbance means 16 extend along the direction of elongation of the crenellations, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of elongation of the electrochemical cells 4.

[0088] In the configuration illustrated in [Fig.7], the disturbance means 16 are also offset relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the subassembly 6. This results in an arrangement of the disturbance means in rows, with a longitudinal offset from one row to another which increases the disturbance of the flow of the heat transfer fluid and promotes the exchange of calories between the heat transfer fluid and the electrochemical cells of subassembly 6, the circulation arrows 22 visible in [Fig.7] illustrating the different possible trajectories of the heat transfer fluid as it advances within the circulation channel.

[0089] Thus the present invention achieves the aim it set itself by proposing a device for regulating the temperature of a plurality of electrochemical cells within which the heat exchange between the electrochemical cells and a heat transfer fluid is improved by a flow of the heat transfer fluid as close as possible to the electrochemical cells due to the wall interposed between two adjacent sub-assemblies of electrochemical cells and by a disturbance of the flow of the heat transfer fluid due to the formation in this wall of disturbance means, simple to implement.

[0090] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Claims

1. Temperature regulation device (9) of a plurality of electrochemical cells (4) of an electrical energy storage means (2), the plurality of electrochemical cells (4) being organized into sub-assemblies (6) of at least two electrochemical cells (4), the temperature regulation device (9) comprising at least one wall (8) having a central portion (10) interposed between two adjacent sub-assemblies (6), said wall (8) being configured to participate in delimiting at least one circulation channel (14) of a heat transfer fluid, the circulation channel (14) being configured so that said heat transfer fluid intended to circulate within said circulation channel (14) is in contact with at least one sub-assembly (6) along a longitudinal dimension of this sub-assembly (6), said wall (8) comprising means (16) for disturbing the flow of the heat transfer fluid within the at least one circulation channel (14).

2. Temperature control device (9) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical energy storage means comprises a housing (3) in which the plurality of electrochemical cells (4) are housed, the wall (8) of the temperature control device (9) being configured to come into contact with an internal face of the housing (3).

3. Temperature regulating device (9) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the disturbance means (16) are formed respectively of at least a portion of the wall (8) delimiting the circulation channel (14).

4. Temperature regulating device (9) according to the preceding claim, wherein said portion of the wall (8) projects from an elongation plane of said wall (8) in the direction of the subassembly

5. W. Temperature regulating device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the wall (8) participates in delimiting at least two circulation channels (14) distinct from each other.

6. Temperature regulating device (9) according to the preceding claim, in which the wall (8) comprises means (16) for disturbing the flow of the heat transfer fluid within each circulation channel (14).

7. A temperature regulating device (9) according to any preceding claim, wherein the disturbance means (16) are offset from each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the subassembly (6).

8. A temperature regulating device (9) according to any preceding claim, wherein the disturbance means (16) are offset relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the subassembly (6).

9. Temperature regulating device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the central part (10) of the wall (8) interposed between the two adjacent sub-assemblies (6) is in contact with said adjacent sub-assemblies (6).

10. Temperature regulation device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the wall (8) comprises at least one return edge (12) extending the central part (10) of said wall (8), said return edge (12) participating in delimiting a circulation channel (14) and comprising disturbance means (16), the return edge (12) being arranged opposite a face of the subassembly (6) distinct from a face of said subassembly opposite which the central part (10) of the wall (8) is arranged.

11. Temperature regulating device (9) according to the preceding claim, in which the wall (8) comprises two return edges (12), each return edge (12) extending from one end of the central part (10) opposite one another and facing a separate face of the subassembly (6).

12. A temperature control device (9) according to any preceding claim, wherein a return edge (12) of a wall (8) of the temperature control device (9) is in contact with the central portion (10) of an adjacent wall (8) of the temperature control device (9) to delimit one of the circulation channels (14), the central portion (10) of the adjacent wall being separated from the central portion of said wall (8) by a subassembly (6).

13. Temperature regulating device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the wall (8) extends strictly between two adjacent sub-assemblies (6).

14. Temperature regulating device (9) according to the preceding claim, in which the wall (8) comprises a plurality of circulation channels (14) superimposed on each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension.

15. Temperature regulating device (9) according to claim previous, wherein among the circulation channels (14) of the plurality of circulation channels (14), first circulation channels are configured so that the heat transfer fluid circulating within said first circulation channels is in contact with a sub-assembly (6) and second circulation channels of the plurality of circulation channels (14) are configured so that the heat transfer fluid circulating within said second circulation channels is in contact with another sub-assembly (6).

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