Thermal regulation device, particularly for motor vehicles

Abstract

Thermal regulation device, in particular for a motor vehicle The invention relates to a thermal regulation device (1) for a predefined number of electronic and / or electrical components (7), comprising a support (37) configured to carry the predefined number of components, at least one compartment configured to receive at least one component and delimited at least by a housing bottom, and a dielectric fluid circuit comprising at least one collection channel (11) arranged in the housing bottom, the support (37) being provided with at least one collection orifice (16) of elongated shape, associated with the at least one compartment and opening into the at least one collection channel (11) of the dielectric fluid, and comprising at least one element (18) disturbing the flow of the dielectric fluid, extending from an edge (16a, 16b) delimiting the at least one collection orifice (16) and forming a projection from the support (37). Figure for abstract: Fig. 2b

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal regulation device, in particular for a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device, in particular in the automotive field. Such a device is generally intended to receive a plurality of electrical and / or electronic components likely to release heat during their operation.

[0002] The components that may be concerned by the present invention may be electrical energy storage elements, in particular battery elements, or power electronics, for example, but not limited to, semiconductors, such as diodes or transistors. They could also be computer server components.

[0003] The invention finds an advantageous application in the field of thermal regulation of a power electronics device or module, i.e. comprising power electronic components. In operation, the temperature of such a power electronics device or module may rise, which risks damaging some of the power electronic components.

[0004] The invention also finds an advantageous application in the field of thermal regulation of electrical energy storage elements, such as battery cells or a battery pack, for example for a motor vehicle with an electric and / or hybrid engine. The electrical energy of vehicles with an electric and / or hybrid engine is supplied by one or more batteries. During their operation, the electrical energy storage elements such as the batteries are caused to heat up and thus risk being damaged. In particular, a charging technique, called rapid charging, consists of charging the energy storage elements under a high voltage and a high amperage, in a short time, in particular in a maximum time of around twenty minutes. This rapid charging involves significant heating of the electrical energy storage elements which must be treated.

[0005] In the field of motor vehicles, it is known to use a thermal regulation device, in particular for cooling, components for example for storing electrical energy, such as batteries. Such a thermal regulation device makes it possible to modify a temperature of an electrical energy storage device, for example when starting the vehicle in cold weather, by increasing its temperature for example, or whether during driving or during a recharging operation of said system, by reducing the temperature of the battery elements, which tend to heat up during their use.

[0006] According to a known solution, a cold plate inside which a cooling fluid circulates is arranged in contact with the components to be cooled. However, it has been found that such an arrangement can lead to non-uniform cooling of the components of the same device, for example for storing electrical energy, to be cooled, thus leading to a reduction in overall performance.

[0007] According to another known thermal regulation solution, the components received in a housing can be sprayed with a dielectric fluid and / or immersed at least partly in the dielectric fluid, by means of a dielectric fluid circuit. The dielectric fluid generally circulates in a closed circuit. The circuit comprises channels in which the dielectric fluid can flow as well as orifices or nozzles for spraying the dielectric fluid through which the dielectric fluid is propelled under pressure to spray the components or modules to be regulated. A heat exchange can then take place between the components sprayed or immersed in the dielectric fluid.

[0008] The dielectric fluid generally falls back by gravity into the bottom of the housing. It can then be sucked, via a network of channels, by a pump which discharges it into a cooling system for example. Then, the cooled dielectric fluid can be reinjected into another network to be redistributed to the orifices or spray nozzles.

[0009] This solution limits the volume of dielectric fluid, such as liquid, which therefore leaves a large volume of air in the housing. However, the discharge speed of the liquid can create a vortex at the point of suction by the pump.

[0010] The present invention aims to at least partially overcome one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a thermal regulation device making it possible to limit the formation of a vortex.

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for thermal regulation of a predefined number of electronic and / or electrical components, in particular for a motor vehicle, said device comprising a housing comprising a housing bottom comprising a support configured to carry the predefined number of electronic and / or electrical components, the housing further comprising at least one compartment configured to receive at least one electronic and / or electrical component and delimited at least by the housing bottom, and a dielectric fluid circuit comprising at least one channel for circulation of the dielectric fluid opening onto the at least one compartment, so as to spray or immerse at least in part the at least one electronic and / or electrical component with dielectric fluid when it is received in the compartment,and at least one collection channel provided in the housing bottom configured to collect the dielectric fluid after spraying or immersion in the , less in part of said component.

[0012] According to the invention, the support is provided with at least one elongated collection orifice, associated with the at least one compartment and opening into the at least one dielectric fluid collection channel.

[0013] The support comprises at least one element disturbing the flow of the dielectric fluid, extending from an edge delimiting the at least one collection orifice and forming a projection from the support.

[0014] The elongated shape, for example oblong, limits or prevents the liquid from gaining rotational speed and creating a column of air in the center, which prevents the formation of a vortex. The disruptive element makes it possible to reinforce this effect to reduce the formation of vortices. The flow of the dielectric fluid can remain laminar.

[0015] The thermal regulation device may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics described below, taken separately or in combination.

[0016] The disturbing element may project into a collection channel.

[0017] The elongated shape may extend in an elongation direction configured to coincide with the flow direction of the dielectric fluid in the at least one collection channel.

[0018] The dielectric fluid is for example a dielectric liquid.

[0019] The housing bottom may further comprise a closing wall assembled to the support, delimiting the at least one channel for collecting the dielectric fluid between the support and the closing wall.

[0020] The elongated shape of the at least one collection orifice may be delimited by two parallel longitudinal edges.

[0021] The at least one collection orifice is for example oblong in shape.

[0022] The disruptive element can be produced in the form of a rib or a fin.

[0023] The disruptive element may have an at least partially rounded edge.

[0024] The at least one disturbing element can extend longitudinally in a direction of elongation of the at least one collection orifice.

[0025] The at least one disturbing element can extend in a direction secant relative to a direction of elongation of the at least one collection orifice.

[0026] The disturbing element may extend transversely relative to the direction of elongation of the collection orifice.

[0027] At least two disturbing elements may extend from two opposite edges delimiting the at least one collection orifice.

[0028] According to one example, the housing comprises at least two collection channels.

[0029] The support may comprise for each respective collection channel at least one elongated collection orifice and at least one disturbing element associated with the collection port.

[0030] The device may comprise at least one pump configured to circulate the dielectric fluid in the collection channels.

[0031] The collection ports can be of different sizes depending on the distance from the pump.

[0032] The disturbing elements can be of different sizes depending on the distance from the pump.

[0033] The collection orifices may be of increasing size with distance from the pump.

[0034] The disturbing elements can be of increasing size with distance from the pump.

[0035] The housing may comprise at least two compartments.

[0036] For each compartment, the housing bottom comprises a respective collection channel and the support comprises at least one elongated collection orifice and at least one respective disturbing element.

[0037] The invention may also relate to a battery pack forming a thermal regulation assembly as defined previously. The battery pack may comprise a predefined number of modules / rows of several cells connected together.

[0038] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

[0039] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a thermal regulation device comprising a housing receiving components to be thermally regulated.

[0040] [Fig.2a] shows a partial sectional view of the device of [Fig.l].

[0041] [Fig.2b] is a partial view showing a support of the device of [Fig.l] having collection holes fitted with disturbing elements.

[0042] [Fig.3] is a sectional view at the level of a fluid distribution crosspiece di electrical of the device of [Fig.l].

[0043] [Fig.4] is a partial perspective view of an integrated dielectric fluid circuit in a housing bottom of the device of [Fig.l].

[0044] [Fig.5] is a bottom view of the device of [Fig.l] on which a wall of case closure is removed.

[0045] [Fig.6] is an enlarged view at a collection port of the support with disruptive elements according to a first embodiment.

[0046] [Fig.7a] is a first enlarged view at the level of a collection orifice of the support with disruptive elements according to a second embodiment.

[0047] [Fig.7b] is a second enlarged view at the level of the collection orifice of the support with disruptive elements according to the second embodiment.

[0048] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers.

[0049] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0050] With reference to [Fig.l], the invention relates to a thermal regulation device 1 which may be intended to equip a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0051] The thermal regulation device 1 may comprise a housing 3, for example of a generally parallelepiped shape. Any other shape may be envisaged.

[0052] In the remainder of the description, the longitudinal axis L, the vertical axis V and the transverse axis T indicated in [Fig.l] by the trihedron (L, V, T) are adopted without limitation. The longitudinal axis L corresponds to the main extension direction of the housing 3. The transverse axis T corresponds to the width direction of the housing 3. The vertical axis V and the transverse axis T are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and perpendicular to each other. The vertical axis V corresponds to a vertical axis of a vehicle for example when the regulation assembly 1 is installed in the operating position in this vehicle.

[0053] The housing 3 may comprise a container 31 open on at least one side and a cover 33 which closes the housing 3 when it is assembled to the container 31. The housing 3, in particular the container 31, comprises a housing bottom 35 opposite the cover 33 when the housing 3 is closed. The housing bottom 35 and the cover 33 are opposite along the vertical axis V.

[0054] Better visible in [Fig.2a], the housing bottom 35 can be formed of a support 37 and a closing wall 39 assembled to each other, for example by welding.

[0055] The housing 3 has an internal volume which can define a compartment 4 or be divided into several compartments 4. Each compartment 4 is delimited, among other things, by the housing bottom 35, in particular by the support 37. The support 37 is further provided with at least one collection orifice 16 of elongated shape, associated with a compartment 4. When several compartments 4 are provided, at least one collection orifice 16 can be associated with a respective compartment 4, or even with each compartment 4. The collection orifice or orifices 16 are described in more detail below.

[0056] The housing 3 may further comprise a predefined number of crosspieces 5 ([Fig.3]), for example produced by extrusion.

[0057] Such crosspieces 5 extend from the support 35, for example perpendicular to the support 35. Each crosspiece 5 can extend along the vertical axis V. crosspieces 5 extend for example from the support 35 towards the cover 33 when the housing 3 is closed.

[0058] The crosspieces 5 may have a longitudinal shape. In addition, the crosspieces 5 may extend in the length direction of the parallelepiped housing 3, i.e. along the longitudinal axis L. In particular, the crosspieces 5 may extend over the entire length of the housing 3. Alternatively, the crosspieces 5 may extend in the width direction of the parallelepiped housing 3, i.e. along the transverse axis T. In particular, the crosspieces 5 may extend over the entire width of the housing 3.

[0059] The thermal regulation device 1, and more precisely the housing 3, is intended to receive one or more electronic and / or electrical components 7 within the or each compartment 4. These are in particular components 7 whose temperature must be regulated, for example reduced. According to one option, the thermal regulation device 1 can receive one or more modules comprising the electronic and / or electrical component(s) 7. A module can also be defined as a container or housing comprising one or more electronic and / or electrical components 7.

[0060] The component(s) 7 or module(s) are carried by the support 37 of the housing base 35.

[0061] By way of non-limiting example, the thermal regulation device 1 may be a battery pack comprising a plurality of energy storage cells, the temperature of which must be regulated. A component 7 may be an energy storage cell. The thermal regulation device 1 may comprise modules comprising several energy storage cells. Each module may be formed by a group of cells connected to each other.

[0062] In the illustrated examples, the components 7 or modules are represented schematically with a general parallelepiped shape. Of course, any other shape can be envisaged. For example, the components can be cylindrical in shape.

[0063] The components 7 or modules may be arranged in one row or in several rows. These rows are advantageously arranged parallel to each other. One or more rows may be arranged in each compartment 4. A crosspiece 5 may extend opposite an entire row of components 7. When the assembly 1 comprises several rows of components 7 or modules, a crosspiece 5, in particular a fluid distribution crosspiece 5, may be arranged between two consecutive rows of components 7 or modules.

[0064] The temperature of the component(s) 7 or module(s) may be intended to be thermally regulated by spraying dielectric fluid onto one or more surfaces of the components 7 or modules. Alternatively, the thermal regulation may be carried out by at least partial immersion of the components 7 or modules in a bath of dielectric fluid. electric. The dielectric fluid can be single-phase or two-phase. The latter is chosen, for example, according to its phase change temperatures.

[0065] In the case of a two-phase dielectric fluid, when it is sprayed in liquid phase, it tends to evaporate on contact with the components 7 or modules which have for example heated up during their operation. The vapor can possibly subsequently be cooled by a cooling circuit.

[0066] In the case of a single-phase dielectric fluid, once projected, in particular in the liquid phase, the dielectric fluid can possibly be re-aspirated by a pump, for example, in order to be cooled before being reintroduced.

[0067] A dielectric fluid circuit 8, partly visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, is provided for this purpose. This circuit 8 comprises at least one circulation channel 9 for the dielectric fluid opening onto the compartment or an associated compartment.

[0068] A main supply channel 10 may be in fluid communication with one or more circulation channels 9 which may be in bypass. At least some of the circulation channels 9 may extend in parallel.

[0069] Advantageously, at least one of the channels 9, 10 can be integrated into the housing 3, in particular at the level of the housing bottom 35, more precisely between the support 37 and the closing wall 39.

[0070] A dielectric fluid inlet mouth configured to bring the dielectric fluid into the dielectric fluid circuit 8 may be provided. The housing 3, and in particular the housing bottom 35 or other wall of the container 31, integrating the channels 9, 10 may comprise this inlet mouth. The main supply channel 10 is in fluid communication with the inlet mouth.

[0071] The circulation channel(s) 9 make it possible to convey the dielectric fluid so as to spray or immerse at least partially one or more components received in an associated compartment 4.

[0072] These circulation channels 9 may be in fluid communication with at least some of the crosspieces 5 which may be configured to allow distribution of dielectric fluid within the housing 3. Such crosspieces are then called fluid distribution crosspieces 5. The circulation channels 9, in particular outside the main supply channel 10, may have at least one bent portion to end under a fluid distribution crosspiece 5.

[0073] According to an exemplary embodiment ([Fig.3]), at least certain fluid distribution crosspieces 5 comprise at least one dielectric fluid inlet 51, at least one dielectric fluid distribution orifice 53, and at least one dielectric fluid conveying conduit 55.

[0074] The dielectric fluid inlet 51 is in fluid communication with a circulation channel 9.

[0075] The dielectric fluid distribution orifice 53 is arranged at one end of the fluid distribution crosspiece 5 opposite the support 37. A distribution orifice 53 may be provided for spraying dielectric fluid onto one or more components 7 or modules.

[0076] The dielectric fluid conveying conduit 55 places the dielectric fluid inlet 51 and the dielectric fluid distribution orifice 53 in fluid communication, and is shaped to direct the dielectric fluid towards the distribution orifice 53. The fluid distribution crosspieces 5 are in this example used to convey the dielectric fluid arriving from the circulation channels 9 and which rises through the conveying conduit(s) 55 to the distribution orifices 53.

[0077] Referring again to Figures 4 and 5, the dielectric fluid circuit 8 further comprises at least one dielectric fluid collection channel 11 arranged in the housing bottom 35, more precisely between the support 37 and the closing wall 39.

[0078] A main discharge channel 12 may be in fluid communication with one or more collection channels 11 which may be branched off. At least some of the collection channels 11 may extend in parallel. The collection channels 11 may be arranged between two consecutive crosspieces 5.

[0079] The collection channels 11 make it possible to recover the dielectric fluid after spraying or immersing at least part of the component(s) 7 received in the respective compartments 4 and discharge into the discharge channel 12.

[0080] For this purpose, the support 37 comprises at least one collection orifice 16 associated with a compartment 4 and which opens into a collection channel 11. When several compartments 4 are provided, a respective collection channel 11 can be provided for each compartment 4. The support 37 comprises for each collection channel 11 at least one respective collection orifice 16.

[0081] The collection orifice or orifices 16 are advantageously of elongated shape. The elongated shape extends in a direction of elongation or a longitudinal direction A which may coincide with the direction of flow of the dielectric fluid in the collection channel 11.

[0082] The elongated shape may be delimited by two parallel longitudinal edges 16a. The two parallel longitudinal edges 16a are opposite. They may be connected by two opposite lateral edges 16b. This is in particular an oblong shape.

[0083] Furthermore, the support 37 comprises at least one disturbing element 18 configured to disturb the flow of the dielectric fluid, extending from an edge 16a, 16b, delimiting the collection orifice 16. This disturbing element 18 forms a projection of the support 37. More precisely, the disturbing element 18 projects into a respective collection channel 11 (Figures 2b, 6, 7a, 7b).

[0084] A disruptive element 18 may be produced in the form of a rib, or a fin. The disruptive element 18 may have an at least partially rounded edge.

[0085] According to one example, shown diagrammatically in Figures 2b and 6, the disruptive element 18 extends in a direction B which is secant with respect to the direction of elongation A of the collection orifice 16. The disruptive element 18 may extend in particular transversely with respect to the direction of elongation A of the collection orifice 16.

[0086] According to another example, shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the disruptive element 18 extends longitudinally in a direction of elongation A of the collection orifice 16.

[0087] Two disturbing elements 18 may extend from one or two edges 16a, 16b, delimiting the collection orifice 16. The two disturbing elements 18 may be opposite.

[0088] When several compartments 4 are provided, the support 37 comprises for each collection channel 11 at least one disturbing element 18 around the collection orifice 16 associated with a compartment 4.

[0089] The specific shape of the collection orifice 16 and the disturbing element or elements 18 make it possible to reduce the formation of vortices. The flow of the dielectric fluid can remain laminar.

[0090] The collection orifices 16 and / or the disturbing elements 18 may be of different sizes.

[0091] Finally, referring again to Figures 4 and 5, a dielectric fluid outlet mouth configured to discharge the dielectric fluid to the outside of the housing 3 may be provided. Such an outlet mouth may be formed in the housing 3, in particular in the housing bottom 35 or other wall of the container 31. The main discharge channel 12 is in fluid communication with this outlet mouth.

[0092] Furthermore, the dielectric fluid circuit 8 comprises, for example, a distribution ramp 13 at the end of a respective crosspiece 5, opposite the support 37. The distribution orifices 53 may possibly open into a cavity of this distribution ramp which makes it possible to distribute the dielectric fluid in an associated compartment 4.

[0093] The dielectric fluid circuit 8 may further comprise a predefined number of nozzles (not shown) for spraying dielectric fluid, also called jets. Such nozzles may be arranged so as to project and spray dielectric fluid onto at least one surface of at least one component or module 7. In operation, these nozzles may be supplied with dielectric fluid via the supply channels. The nozzles may each comprise one or more orifices for projecting the dielectric fluid. electrical. When provided, the nozzles may for example be arranged in fluid communication with at least one distribution orifice 53 of an associated fluid distribution crossmember 5 and / or with a distribution ramp at the end of a crossmember 5.

[0094] The thermal regulation device 1 may also comprise one or more elements or members necessary for the operation of the dielectric fluid circuit and the circulation of the dielectric fluid, not described in more detail, such as at least one pump, a heat exchanger.

[0095] The collection orifices 16 and / or the disturbing elements 18 may be of different sizes depending on their distance from the pump. For example, the collection orifices 16 and / or the disturbing elements 18 may be of increasing size with distance from the pump.

[0096] Thus, after at least partial spraying or immersion of the components 7 or module, for the or each compartment 4, the dielectric fluid can be collected via the collection orifice 16 in an associated collection channel 11 discharging for example into the main discharge channel 12, being sucked in by the pump. The elongated shape, for example oblong, of the collection orifice 16 and the disturbing element 18 make it possible to prevent the dielectric fluid from gaining rotational speed and creating a column of air in the center.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for thermal regulation of a predefined number of electronic and / or electrical components (7), in particular for a motor vehicle, said device (1) comprising: - a housing (3) comprising a housing bottom (35) comprising a support (37) configured to carry the predefined number of electronic and / or electrical components (7), the housing (3) further comprising at least one compartment (4) configured to receive at least one electronic and / or electrical component (7) and delimited at least by the housing bottom (35), and - a dielectric fluid circuit (8) comprising at least one circulation channel (9) for the dielectric fluid opening onto the at least one compartment (4), so as to spray or immerse at least partially the at least one electronic and / or electrical component (7) with dielectric fluid when it is received in the compartment (4),and at least one collection channel (11) arranged in the housing bottom (35) configured to collect the dielectric fluid after spraying or immersing at least in part said component (7), - characterized in that the support (37) is provided with at least one collection orifice (16) of elongated shape, associated with the at least one compartment (4) and opening into the at least one collection channel (11) of the dielectric fluid, and in that the support (37) comprises at least one disruptive element (18) of the flow of the dielectric fluid, extending from an edge (16a, 16b) delimiting the at least one collection orifice (16) and forming a projection from the support (37).,

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the housing bottom (35) further comprises a closing wall (39) assembled to the support (37), delimiting the at least one collection channel (11) of the dielectric fluid between the support (37) and the closing wall (39).

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the elongated shape of the at least one collection orifice (16) is delimited by two parallel longitudinal edges (16a).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one collection orifice (16) is oblong in shape.

5. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one disturbing element (11) extends longitudinally in a direction of elongation (A) of the at least one collection orifice (16).

6. Device (1) according to claim 1, in which the at least one disturbing element (18) extends in a direction (B) secant with respect to a direction of elongation (A) of the at least one collection orifice (16).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (3) comprises at least two collection channels (11), the support (37) comprises for each respective collection channel (11) at least one collection orifice (16) of elongated shape and at least one disturbing element (18) associated with the collection orifice (16).

8. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one pump configured to circulate the dielectric fluid in the collection channels (11), and in which the collection orifices (16) and / or the disturbing elements (18) are of different sizes depending on the distance from the pump.

9. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the collection orifices (16) and / or the disturbing elements (18) are of increasing size with distance from the pump.

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) comprises at least two compartments (4), and for each compartment (4), the housing bottom (35) comprises a respective collection channel (11) and the support (37) comprises at least one collection orifice (16) of elongated shape and at least one respective disturbing element (18).

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