Centralized battery temperature and cooling management module

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising:- a multifunction support (10) configured to support at least two components with a fluidic function (21, 22), the multifunction support (10) comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel (11) configured to be fluidically connected to a heat transfer fluid circuit,- a housing (30) configured to receive a centralized electronic control unit (31) of the components with a fluidic function (21, 22), said housing (30) being configured to be able to be assembled with the multifunction support (10), the assembly (1) being characterized in that it comprises a cold wall (40), said cold wall (40) comprising a heat transfer fluid circulation passage (41), said fluid circulation passage (41) being fluidically connected to the heat transfer fluid circulation channel (11),said cold wall (40) being configured to be in contact with the centralized electronic control unit (31). Abstract figure: Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Centralized module for managing battery temperature and cooling Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of centralized temperature and cooling management modules (coolant hub in English) for battery systems, in particular electric vehicle battery systems. Prior art

[0002] Centralized battery temperature management and cooling modules generally include: - components with a fluidic function, in particular electromechanical, comprising one or more multi-way solenoid valves, one or more pumps, at least one degassing tank, various sensors, including temperature and / or pressure sensors, liquid level sensors; - coolant circulation channels made in a support for said equipment, also called a multifunction support; and, - a centralized electronic control unit for the fluidic function components.

[0003] The centralized modules thus comprise an electrical and electronic part and a hydraulic part. The hydraulic part comprises the channels in the multifunctional support and a mechanical part of the fluidic function components, which are inserted into the multifunctional support to join the channels. The electrical and electronic part comprises the control unit and the electronic / electrical part of the fluidic function components. The electronic / electrical part of the fluidic function components is located on an end part of the fluidic function components, located opposite the mechanical part inserted into the multifunctional support.

[0004] In such a centralized module, it is known to arrange the control unit directly on the multifunction support. Electrical cables then connect said electronic / electrical part of the fluidic function components to the control unit, said electronic / electrical parts and said control unit comprising connectors for connecting said cables.

[0005] In this type of device, the cooling of the control unit, even if it is better than if the control unit were separated from the support plate, is not optimal.

[0006] The objective of the invention is therefore to improve the cooling of the centralized electronic control unit of the fluidic function components. Summary

[0007] To this end, the present invention proposes an assembly, in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a multifunctional support configured to support at least two components with a fluidic function, the multifunctional support comprising at least one heat transfer fluid circulation channel configured to be fluidically connected to a heat transfer fluid circuit, - a housing configured to receive a centralized electronic control unit for the fluidic function components, said housing being configured to be able to be assembled with the multifunction support, in particular in a removable manner, the assembly comprising a cold wall, said cold wall comprising a heat transfer fluid circulation passage, said heat transfer fluid circulation passage being fluidically connected to the heat transfer fluid circulation channel, said cold wall being configured to be in contact, at least partially, with the centralized electronic control unit.

[0008] The heat transfer fluid circulation passage is thus part of the heat transfer fluid circuit, and benefits from the thermal regulation of said circuit.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the assembly is configured to be integrated into said heat transfer fluid circuit, which may be a water circuit of the heat pump. This water circuit is in particular associated with a refrigerant circuit of the heat pump to allow heat exchanges between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cold wall is integral with the multifunctional support.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing is parallelepipedal.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a first opening forming access configured to insert the centralized electronic control unit into the housing.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a second opening, said second opening being configured to receive a first electrical connection means of the centralized electronic control unit, such as a plug or a socket.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises at least one third opening, said at least one third opening being configured to receive a second electrical connection means of the centralized electronic control unit, such as a plug or a socket.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cold wall is housed in the housing.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cold wall comprises a first plate and a second plate, said first and second plates being in particular made of aluminum, said first and second plates being assembled together to define the passage for circulation of heat transfer fluid, the passage being formed by a cavity in the first and / or in the second plate.

[0017] Advantageously, at least one of the first and second plates is essentially flat, so as to optimize the contact surface when the latter is placed in contact with a centralized electronic control unit.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cold wall comprises a first plate, in particular made of aluminum, said first plate being assembled to a wall of the housing to define the passage for circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circulation passage forms a U-shaped or W-shaped circulation.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the passage comprises at least one mixing means, in particular in the form of deformations of the wall or disturbance devices inserted into the heat transfer fluid circulation passage.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multifunctional support extends mainly along a first plane, the cold wall extends mainly along a second plane, the first plane being substantially perpendicular to the second plane.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing is integral with the multifunction support.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cold wall forms at least one of the walls of the housing, in particular at least three walls of the housing, in particular four walls of the housing.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cold wall comprises an internal envelope and an external envelope, said external envelope at least partially surrounding said internal envelope, the heat transfer fluid circulation passage being arranged between the internal envelope and the external envelope.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the internal envelope and the external envelope of the cold wall are parallelepipedal.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cold wall forms a plurality of walls of the housing, the heat transfer fluid circulation passage being arranged in said plurality of walls of the housing.

[0027] Preferably, the heat transfer fluid circulation passage extends between at least three of the sides or faces of the parallelepiped outer casing and three of the sides or faces of the parallelepiped inner casing, more preferably between at least four of the sides or faces of the parallelepiped outer casing and four of the sides or faces of the parallelepiped inner casing.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first opening forms access configured to insert the centralized electronic control unit into the housing, in particular into the internal envelope of the housing.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a cover, said cover being configured to close the first opening, in particular to close the internal envelope, in particular in a removable manner.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cover comprises the second opening.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the components with fluidic functions are chosen from valves, pumps, temperature and / or pressure sensors, liquid level sensors.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multifunction support comprises a heat exchange device.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said heat exchange device comprises a receptacle.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said receptacle is configured to be fluidically connected to the heat transfer fluid circulation passage to cool at least the centralized electronic control unit.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said receptacle of said heat exchange device is arranged to receive a two-fluid heat exchanger.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said receptacle is made in one piece with the multifunction support or fixed to the multifunction support.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said receptacle is configured such that, when a dual-fluid heat exchanger is placed in said receptacle, a first heat transfer fluid circulation path is formed between a side wall of the receptacle and a peripheral wall of the dual-fluid heat exchanger. In particular, said first heat transfer fluid circulation path extends around the periphery of the peripheral wall of the dual-fluid heat exchanger.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said first heat transfer fluid circulation path is configured to be fluidically connected to the heat transfer fluid circuit, in particular to the heat transfer fluid circulation passage for cooling at least the centralized electronic control unit.

[0039] The invention also relates to a temperature management module, said temperature management module comprising an assembly according to the invention.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the temperature management module comprises a centralized electronic control unit for the fluidic function components, the centralized electronic control unit being housed in the housing of said assembly, said centralized electronic control unit comprising the means of electrical connection, power supply, and / or control of said components with fluidic function.

[0041] In this way, the means of electrical connection, power supply, and / or control of the various components with fluidic functions are centralized, and a single socket, or plug, is necessary to allow said components with fluidic function to be electrically powered.

[0042] Another advantage of the invention is to be able to cool all of the electrical connection, power supply and / or control means simultaneously using a single cold wall.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the centralized electronic control unit of the temperature management module comprises a printed circuit board, the means for electrical connection, power supply, and / or control of the components with a fluidic function being at least partially mounted on said printed circuit board.

[0044] According to an exemplary embodiment of the temperature management module, the cover comprises the centralized electronic control unit and a first electrical connection means, such as a plug or a socket, said centralized electronic control unit being connected to said first electrical connection means, said temperature management module being characterized in that, when the cover closes the first opening, the centralized electronic control unit is housed in the housing.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment of the temperature management module, the cover comprises the second opening, and the centralized electronic control unit is connected to the first electrical connection means via said second opening.

[0046] In this way, the centralized electronic control unit and the first electrical connection means are fixed respectively on either side of the cover. Removing the cover thus makes it possible to extract the centralized electronic control unit from its housing without requiring any additional operation.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange device of the temperature management module comprises a two-fluid heat exchanger, in particular said two-fluid heat exchanger being placed in the receptacle.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the two-fluid heat exchanger comprises a second circulation path and a third circulation path.

[0049] The two-fluid heat exchanger is preferably a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English.

[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said two-fluid heat exchanger is configured to allow heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer fluid circuit circulating in the second circulation path within the two-fluid heat exchanger, and, on the other hand, a flow of refrigerant fluid from the refrigerant circuit circulating in the third circulation path within the two-fluid heat exchanger. Brief description of the drawings

[0051] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

[0052] [Fig-1] is a top view, in perspective, of an assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0053] [Fig.2] is a bottom view, in perspective, of the first example of embodiment of the assembly of [Fig.l].

[0054] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of the first example of the assembly of [Fig.l].

[0055] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a housing of the first example of the assembly of [Fig.l].

[0056] [Fig.5] is a sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0057] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a housing of the second embodiment example the assembly of [Fig.5].

[0058] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates an example of a heat exchange device of a temperature management module according to the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0059] In order to facilitate the reading of the figures, the different elements are not necessarily represented to scale. In these figures, identical elements bear the same references. Certain elements or parameters may be indexed, that is to say designated for example by first element or second element, or first parameter and second parameter, etc. This indexing is intended to differentiate similar, but not identical, elements or parameters. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element or parameter over another. It is thus possible to interchange the names 'first', 'second', 'third', etc.

[0060] Figures 1 and 2 represent an assembly 1, in particular for a vehicle, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0061] The assembly 1 is integrated into a heat transfer fluid circuit, which may be a water circuit of the heat pump. This water circuit is associated with a refrigerant circuit of the heat pump to allow heat exchanges between the heat transfer fluid and the refrigerant.

[0062] The heat pump will not be described in more detail, being known from the prior art. The invention is adaptable to a large number of types of cooling circuit, to the extent that different components can be chosen to perform the different expected functions.

[0063] Said assembly 1 comprises a multifunction support 10, configured to support at least two components with fluidic function, here two pumps 21 and a valve 22. The components with fluidic functions 21, 22 could also be temperature and / or pressure sensors or liquid level sensors.

[0064] The multifunction support 10 comprises at least one channel 11 for circulating heat transfer fluid configured to be fluidically connected to a heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0065] The assembly 1 also comprises a housing 30, configured to receive a centralized electronic control unit 31 of the fluidic function components 21, 22. Said housing 30 is configured to be able to be assembled with the multifunction support 10, in particular in a removable manner.

[0066] The assembly 1 comprises a cold wall 40, said cold wall 40 comprising a passage 41 for circulation of heat transfer fluid. Said passage 41 for circulation of heat transfer fluid is fluidically connected to the channel 11 for circulation of heat transfer fluid. Said cold wall 40 is configured to be in contact, at least partially, with the centralized electronic control unit 31, as is notably shown [Fig.3].

[0067] The heat transfer fluid circulation passage 41 is thus part of the heat transfer fluid circuit, and thus benefits from the thermal regulation of said circuit.

[0068] The multifunction support 10 extends mainly along a first plane PI, the cold wall 40 extends mainly along a second plane P2, the first plane PI being substantially perpendicular to the second plane P2.

[0069] According to the first example embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the cold wall 40 is integral with the multifunction support 10. In particular, according to the example illustrated, said cold wall 40 forms at least one of the walls of the housing 30.

[0070] The heat transfer fluid circulation passage 41 here forms a W-shaped circulation. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, the heat transfer fluid circulation passage 41 can form a U.

[0071] The passage 41 comprises at least one mixing means, in particular, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the form of deformations of the wall, or “dimples” in English. The mixing means could also consist of disturbance devices inserted into the passage 41 for circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0072] A housing according to the first embodiment of the invention is illustrated [Fig.4]. Said housing 30 is parallelepipedal.

[0073] Said housing 30 comprises a first opening 51 forming access configured to insert the centralized electronic control unit 31 into the housing 30.

[0074] Said housing 30 comprises a second opening 52, said second opening 52 being configured to receive a first electrical connection means 520 of the centralized electronic control unit 31, such as a plug or a socket.

[0075] Said housing 30 comprises at least one third opening 53, said at least one third opening 53 being configured to receive a second electrical connection means 530 of the centralized electronic control unit 31, such as a plug or a socket.

[0076] According to the first example embodiment of the invention illustrated [Fig.3], the cold wall 40 is housed in the housing 30.

[0077] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, said cold wall 40 comprises a first plate and a second plate, said first and second plates being in particular made of aluminum, said first and second plates being assembled together to define the passage 41 for circulation of heat transfer fluid, the passage 41 being formed by a cavity in the first and / or in the second plate.

[0078] Advantageously, at least one of the first and second plates is essentially flat, so as to optimize the contact surface when the latter is placed in contact with a centralized electronic control unit 31, as illustrated [Fig.3].

[0079] According to an exemplary embodiment, not illustrated, said cold wall 40 comprises a first plate, in particular made of aluminum, said first plate being assembled to a wall of the housing to define the passage 41 for circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[0080] According to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the cold wall 40 forms two, in particular three, in particular four of the walls of the housing 30.

[0081] According to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing 30 is integral with the multifunction support 10.

[0082] According to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cold wall 40 comprises an internal envelope 42 and an external envelope 43, said external envelope 43 at least partially surrounding said internal envelope 42, the passage 41 for circulation of heat transfer fluid being arranged between the internal envelope 42 and the external envelope 43. The internal envelope 42 and the external envelope 43 of the cold wall 40 are parallelepipedal.

[0083] Preferably, the passage 41 for circulation of heat transfer fluid extends between at least three of the sides or faces of the parallelepiped outer casing 43 and three of the sides or faces of the parallelepiped inner casing 42, more preferably between at least four of the sides or faces of the parallelepiped outer casing 43 and four of the sides or faces of the parallelepiped inner casing 42.

[0084] According to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first opening 51 forms an access configured to insert the centralized electronic control unit 31 into the housing 30, in particular into the internal casing 42 of the housing 30.

[0085] The housing comprises a cover 44, illustrated in particular [Fig.6], said cover 44 being configured to close the first opening 51, in particular to close the internal casing 42, in particular in a removable manner.

[0086] According to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cover 44 comprises said second opening 52.

[0087] The multifunction support 10 comprises a heat exchange device 100, shown diagrammatically [Fig.7].

[0088] Said heat exchange device 100 comprises a receptacle 60 arranged to receive a two-fluid heat exchanger 70. Said receptacle 60 is made in one piece with the multifunction support 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, or fixed to the multifunction support 10.

[0089] Said receptacle 60 is configured so that, when a two-fluid heat exchanger 70 is placed in said receptacle 60, a first circulation path 301 is formed between a side wall 600 of the receptacle 60 and a peripheral wall 700 of the two-fluid heat exchanger 70. This first circulation path 301 is configured to be fluidically connected to the heat transfer fluid circulation passage 41 to cool at least the centralized electronic control unit 31.

[0090] The first circulation path 301 extends around the circumference of the peripheral wall 700 of the two-fluid heat exchanger 70.

[0091] The two-fluid heat exchanger 70 comprises a second circulation path 302 and a third circulation path 303.

[0092] The two-fluid heat exchanger 70 is preferably a plate exchanger, in particular an evaporation exchanger, also called a “chiller” in English.

[0093] Said two-fluid heat exchanger 70 is configured to allow a heat exchange between, on the one hand, a flow of heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer fluid circuit, here glycolated water, circulating in the second circulation path 302, within the two-fluid heat exchanger 70, and, on the other hand, a flow of refrigerant fluid from the refrigerant fluid circuit circulating in the third circulation path 303, within the two-fluid heat exchanger 70.

[0094] The invention also relates to a temperature management module, as illustrated in particular [Fig.3] and 5, said temperature management module comprising: - an assembly 1, - a centralized electronic control unit 31 of the fluidic function components 21, 22.

[0095] The centralized electronic control unit 31 is housed in the housing 30. Said centralized electronic control unit 31 comprises the means for electrical connection, power supply, and / or control of said fluidic function components 21, 22.

[0096] In this way, the electrical connection, power supply, and / or control means of the various components with fluidic functions 21, 22 are centralized, and a single electrical connection means, in particular a first electrical connection means 520 of the centralized electronic control unit 31, such as a socket or a plug, is necessary to electrically power said components with fluidic function 21, 22.

[0097] Another advantage of the invention is to be able to cool all of the electrical connection, power supply, and / or control means simultaneously using a single cold wall 40.

[0098] Preferably, the centralized electronic control unit 31 comprises a printed circuit board 32. The means for electrical connection, power supply, and / or control of the fluidic function components 21, 22 are at least partially mounted on said printed circuit board 32.

[0099] According to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 5, the cover 44 comprises the centralized electronic control unit 31 and a first electrical connection means 520, such as a plug or a socket, said centralized electronic control unit 31 being connected to said first electrical connection means 520, said temperature management module being characterized in that, when the cover 44 closes the first opening 51, the centralized electronic control unit 31 is housed in the housing 30.

[0100] In particular, the cover 44 comprises the second opening 52, and the centralized electronic control unit 31 is connected to the first electrical connection means 520 via said second opening 52.

[0101] In this way, the centralized electronic control unit 31 and the first electrical connection means 520 are fixed respectively on either side of the cover 44. Removing the cover 44 thus makes it possible to extract the centralized electronic control unit 31 from its housing without requiring any additional operation.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising: - a multifunction support (10) configured to support at least two components with a fluidic function (21, 22), chosen in particular from valves (21) and / or pumps (22), the multifunction support (10) comprising at least one channel (11) for circulating heat transfer fluid configured to be fluidically connected to a heat transfer fluid circuit, - a housing (30) configured to receive a centralized electronic control unit (31) for the components with a fluidic function (21, 22), said housing (30) being configured to be able to be assembled with the multifunction support (10), in particular in a removable manner, the assembly (1) being characterized in that it comprises a cold wall (40), said cold wall (40) comprising a passage (41) for circulating heat transfer fluid, said fluid circulation passage (41) being fluidically connected to the channel (11) for circulating heat transfer fluid,said cold wall (40) being configured to be in contact, at least partially, with the centralized electronic control unit (31).,

2. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the housing (30) comprises at least a second opening (52) and a third opening (53), said second opening (52) and third opening (53) being configured to receive, respectively, a first electrical connection means (520) of the centralized electronic control unit (31) and a second electrical connection means (530) of the centralized electronic control unit (31).

3. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cold wall (40) forms at least one of the walls of the housing (30), in particular at least three walls of the housing (30).

4. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cold wall (40) comprises an internal envelope (42) and an external envelope (43), said external envelope (42) at least partially surrounding said internal envelope (42), the passage (41) being arranged between the internal envelope (42) and the external envelope (43).

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cold wall (40) forms a plurality of walls of the housing (30), the passage (41) being arranged in said plurality of walls of the housing (30).

6. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (30) comprises a first opening (51) forming an access configured to insert the centralized electronic control unit (31) into the housing (30), and a cover (44), said cover (44) being configured to close the first opening (51), in particular in a removable manner.

7. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the cover (44) comprises said second opening (52).

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multifunction support (10) comprises a heat exchange device (100), said heat exchange device (100) comprising a receptacle (60), said receptacle (60) being arranged to receive a two-fluid heat exchanger (70), said receptacle being configured so that, when the two-fluid heat exchanger (70) is placed in said receptacle (60), a first circulation path (301) is formed between a side wall (600) of said receptacle (60) and a peripheral wall (700) of said two-fluid heat exchanger (70), and said first circulation path (301) being configured to be fluidically connected to the heat transfer fluid circuit, in particular to the passage (41) for circulation of heat transfer fluid for cooling at least the centralized electronic control unit (31).

9. Temperature management module, said temperature management module comprising: - an assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, - a centralized electronic control unit (31) for the fluidic function components (21, 22), the centralized electronic control unit (31) being housed in the housing (30), said centralized electronic control unit (31) comprising the means for electrical connection, power supply, and / or control of the fluidic function components (21, 22).

10. Temperature management module according to the preceding claim, in combination with claim 6, wherein the cover (44) comprises the centralized electronic control unit (31) and a first electrical connection means (520), such as a plug or a socket, said centralized electronic control unit (31) being connected to said first electrical connection means (520), said temperature management module being characterized in that, when the cover (44) closes the first opening (51), the centralized electronic control unit (31) is housed in the housing (30).

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