Assembly combining a battery module and its thermal regulation device

The dual circuit thermal regulation device addresses non-homogeneous thermal regulation in battery modules by using a first circuit for direct exchange and a second bypass circuit to compensate for reduced efficiency, ensuring consistent heat exchange and reducing premature aging.

FR3160271A1Active Publication Date: 2025-09-19SOGEFI AIR & COOLING (SAS)
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024002597
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-15
Publication Date
2025-09-19
Estimated Expiration
2044-03-15

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing battery thermal regulation systems using heat transfer fluids experience non-homogeneous thermal regulation across battery modules, leading to divergent operating efficiencies and premature aging of cells due to uneven heat exchange.

Method used

A thermal regulation device with a dual distribution circuit system, comprising a first circuit for direct heat exchange with battery cells and a second circuit that bypasses cells to compensate for reduced efficiency at the end of the first circuit, ensuring homogeneous thermal regulation across the entire battery module.

Benefits of technology

The dual circuit system optimizes thermal homogeneity and continuity, reducing premature aging by maintaining consistent heat exchange efficiency throughout the battery module.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Assembly combining a battery module and its thermal regulation device The invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one battery module (1) consisting of cells (11) and a thermal regulation device (2) of the battery module (1), the regulation device (2) comprising a surface (21) of which at least one part is substantially planar and positioned against the battery module (1) and a thickness integrating at least one distribution tree (3) of a heat transfer fluid, characterized in that the distribution tree (3) comprises: a first distribution circuit (31) arranged opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1), at least one second distribution circuit (32) of which at least a first part 321 is arranged so as not to be opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1) and a second part (322) is arranged opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig.2.
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Description

Title of the invention: Assembly combining a battery module and its thermal regulation device

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of battery thermal regulation devices and more particularly to the field of devices for optimized thermal regulation of battery cells using a heat transfer fluid.

[0002] Some batteries are made up of several modules, in each of which there are a plurality of cells juxtaposed together so that these cells are arranged to be respectively supported against the surface of a cooling plate. Such cooling plates are generally produced in the form of a device which comprises, on the one hand, a flat outer surface against which the cells are intended to be supported and, on the other hand, an interior volume which forms a conduit arranged to form a serpentine circuit between a heat transfer fluid supply orifice and an outlet orifice. The heat transfer fluid injected into the cooling plate circulates along the serpentine so as to carry out a heat exchange with the different battery cells through the flat outer surface against which these cells are supported.

[0003] Thanks to an inner conduit arranged according to a circuit whose convolutions are distributed opposite the entirety of its flat outer surface, the cooling plate is then able to provide a maximized heat exchange surface. However, the heat transfer fluid circulating in such cooling plates experiences a heating of its temperature while it moves from the injection orifice towards the outlet orifice. Also, the cells positioned along the path, opposite the start of the circuit, that is to say near the injection orifice of the fluid, carry out a greater and therefore more efficient heat exchange than the cells positioned opposite the end of the circuit, that is to say near the outlet orifice of the fluid when the latter is heated.As a result, the thermal regulation carried out by the heat transfer fluid circulating in the existing cooling plates cannot be ensured homogeneously across the entire flat external surface of the device. This heterogeneity of regulation, within the same battery module, then forces the different cells to divergent operating efficiencies which lead to premature aging of the battery.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a solution which makes it possible to optimize the thermal regulation by heat transfer fluid over the entire surface of a battery module and in particular a improvement of the homogenization and continuity of this thermal regulation along the heat transfer fluid circuit opposite the battery module.

[0005] The invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one battery module made up of cells and a device for thermal regulation of a battery module, the thermal regulation device comprising at least one surface of which at least one part is substantially planar and positioned against cells of the battery module and a thickness integrating at least one distribution tree of a heat transfer fluid, characterized in that the distribution tree of the thermal regulation device comprises: - a first distribution circuit arranged opposite the cells of the battery module, - at least one second distribution circuit of which at least a first part is arranged so as not to be opposite cells of the battery module and a second part is arranged opposite cells of the battery module.

[0006] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0007] [Fig.l] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a thermal regulation device for an assembly according to the invention,

[0008] [Fig.2] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a re device thermal regulation associated with two battery modules in the context of producing an assembly according to the invention,

[0009] [Fig.3] represents a schematic illustration in section of an example of a distribution tree structure of the heat transfer fluid inside a thermal regulation device for an assembly according to the invention,

[0010] [Fig.4] represents a schematic illustration in section of a detailed example of the distribution tree structure of the heat transfer fluid at the level of the inlet and outlet manifolds of a thermal regulation device for an assembly according to the invention,

[0011] [Fig.5] represents a schematic illustration in section of a detailed example of the distribution tree of the heat transfer fluid at a branch of the at least two circuits of a thermal regulation device for an assembly according to the invention.

[0012] The present invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one battery module 1 made up of cells and a thermal regulation device 2 of a battery module 1, the thermal regulation device 2 comprising at least one surface 21 of which at least one part is substantially planar and positioned against cells of the battery module 1 and a thickness integrating at least one tree 3 of dis delivery of a heat transfer fluid, characterized in that the distribution tree 3 of the thermal regulation device 2 comprises: - a first distribution circuit 31 arranged opposite cells of the battery module 1, - at least one second distribution circuit 32 of which at least a first part 321 is arranged so as not to be opposite cells of the battery module 1 and a second part 322 is arranged opposite cells of the battery module 1.

[0013] The assembly according to the invention thus integrates a heat transfer fluid distribution tree 3 configured to integrate, on the one hand, a first circuit 31 for distributing the heat transfer fluid arranged opposite the battery module so as to carry out thermal regulation by heat exchange over the entire length of the stroke and, on the other hand, a second distribution circuit 32 whose stroke is divided into two parts 321, 322. The first part 321 of the second circuit 32 forms a circuit portion independent of the first distribution circuit 31 and arranged to produce a flow of the heat transfer fluid at a distance from the battery module 1 and therefore limit, or even prevent, any thermal regulation along this part 321 of the circuit 32 while, on the contrary, the second part 322 of the circuit 32 is arranged to be arranged opposite cells of the battery module 1.As part of its movement along the entire first distribution circuit 31, the heat transfer fluid performs thermal regulation of the battery module 1. The amplitude of the heat exchanges between the fluid and the battery module 1 tends, however, to decrease with the advance of the heat transfer fluid along its path so that the heat recovery by the heat transfer fluid is greater at the beginning of its path than at its end. The thermal regulation by the heat transfer fluid is thus reduced over the final part of its path. Conversely, as part of its movement along the entire second distribution circuit 32, the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first part 321 of the circuit 32 does not perform any thermal exchange with the battery module 1. The heat exchanges allowing thermal regulation of the battery module 1 occur only on the second part 322 of the second distribution circuit 32.Also, the second circuit 32 of the distribution tree 3 is arranged so that the second part 322 of its path is positioned opposite the same portion of the battery module 1 as that opposite which is positioned the part of the first circuit 31 where the thermal exchanges with the heat transfer fluid are attenuated, that is to say in particular the final part of the path of the first circuit 31. Also, the second circuit 32 of the distribution tree 3 is configured to operate a thermal regulation complementary to that of the first circuit 31 of the tree 3 and in particular to the . level of the part where the heat transfer fluid moving in the first distribution circuit 31 has an attenuated efficiency for operating a thermal regulation of the battery module 1. The first part 321 of the second circuit 32 of the distribution tree 3 makes it possible to operate a movement of the heat transfer fluid without altering its heat exchange capacity, up to the required portion of the battery module 1. This required portion of the battery module 1 thus preferentially corresponds to the portion at the level of which the stroke of the first heat transfer fluid distribution circuit 31 operates a thermal regulation whose efficiency is reduced or attenuated compared to the start of its stroke.

[0014] It should be noted that the first circuit 31 and the at least one second circuit 32 of the tree structure 3 relate to different portions of the tree structure 3. These portions of the tree structure 3 are likely to correspond to portions that are strictly independent of one another, that is to say portions of conduits within which the respective circulating fluids are not capable of being subject to any mixing. Alternatively, these portions of the tree structure 3 comprise shared segments 33 at which the circulating fluids are likely to be mixed.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment, the thermal regulation device 2 is constructed from a metallic material such as aluminum, in the form of an extruded aluminum plate or alternatively a pair of aluminum plates assembled together or the combination of an aluminum plate with a plastic plate associated with each other.

[0016] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention, the at least one surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2 is larger than the surface of the cells of the battery module 1 positioned opposite the thermal regulation device 2. Also, according to this construction variant, the respective surfaces positioned opposite the thermal regulation device 2 and the battery module 1 have different dimensions so that the surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2 has, on the one hand, a portion which covers the surface of the battery module 1 and, on the other hand, a portion which is not positioned opposite the battery module 1.This construction of the combination of the thermal regulation device 2 with the battery module 1 allows an arrangement of portions of the thermal regulation device 2 at the level of which any thermal exchange between, on the one hand, a part of the heat transfer fluid circulating in its distribution tree 3 and, on the other hand, all or part of the battery module 1 is limited, or even prevented.

[0017] According to an example relating to a specific construction variant of the previously detailed variant, the first distribution circuit 31 being arranged at level of a central portion of the thermal regulation device 2, the at least one second distribution circuit 32 comprises at least one part 321 arranged laterally with respect to the portion of the thermal regulation device 2. According to this construction variant, a part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is positioned at a portion of the thermal regulation device 2 within which the circulating heat transfer fluid is prevented from any heat exchange with the battery module 1. The part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is thus arranged at a lateral portion of the surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2, at least one part of which is positioned against cells of the battery module 1, that is to say a portion offset with respect to the portion of the thermal regulation device 2 positioned opposite the cells of the battery module 1.According to a preferred construction example, the part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is arranged at a lateral portion of the surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2 and is produced in the form of two sub-parts resulting from a division of said part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 so that each of the two sub-parts is positioned at a respective lateral portion of the surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2.

[0018] According to an alternative construction, the part of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is arranged more deeply relative to the portion of the surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2 positioned opposite the cells of the battery module 1. However, in the context of such a construction, indirect heat exchanges are likely to occur between, on the one hand, the heat transfer fluid circulating in the tree 3 and, on the other hand, the battery module 1, for example in particular through the portion of the tree 3 located at a more superficial level of the surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2 opposite the cells of the battery module 1. Furthermore, it should be noted that such an arrangement requires the construction of a thermal regulation device 2 whose thickness is greater, that is to say which imposes particular space constraints.

[0019] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the first circuit 31 and at least one second distribution circuit 32 share in common at least one segment 33 of their paths arranged opposite cells of the battery module 1. According to this construction variant, a part 322 of the path of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 arranged opposite cells of the battery module 1, is produced in the form of a segment 33 of the tree structure 3 common with at least one part of the first circuit 31 of which the entire path is arranged opposite the battery module 1. Also, the first circuit 31 and the at least one second circuit 32 integrate, along their respective paths, at least one common branch 34 at which and / or from which the at least two circuits 31, 32 share in common a segment 33 of the tree structure 3 of the thermal regulation device 2. In a complementary manner, this segment 33 of the tree structure 3 shared by the at least two distribution circuits 31, 32 is also likely to be terminated by a division branch at which and / or from which the at least two circuits 31, 32 separate.

[0020] According to an example relating to a specific construction variant of the previously detailed variant, the segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is positioned at one end of their paths. According to this construction variant, the second part 322 of the second distribution circuit 32, namely the part 322 of the second circuit 32 arranged opposite cells of the battery module 1, is produced in the form of a segment 33 of the tree structure 3 common with at least a part of the first circuit 31, the entire path of which is arranged opposite the battery module 1.Also, the first part 321 of the at least one second circuit 32 is associated with a branch 34 common with the first circuit 31 at which and / or from which the second part 322 of the at least one second circuit 32 is merged with at least a portion of the first circuit 31 and therefore with the common segment 33 of the tree structure 3. The respective heat transfer fluid circulation conduits of the first circuit 31 and of the first part 321 of the at least one second circuit 32 come together at this common branch 34 so that, along at least one segment 33 of the distribution tree structure 3, the first circuit 31 and the second part 322 of the at least one second circuit 32 form a common conduit positioned opposite cells of the battery module 1.Inside this segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to the at least one second circuit 32, the heat transfer fluids respectively circulating inside the first circuit 31 and the second part 322 of the at least one second circuit 32 are mixed. Also, the heat transfer fluid circulating inside the first part 321 of the at least one second circuit 32 does not carry out any heat exchange with the battery module 1, this heat transfer fluid has an optimal heat exchange and therefore regulation potential at the branch 34 common between the at least two circuits 31, 32. Thus along the common segment 33 of the distribution tree 3, the heat transfer fluid coming from the first part 321 of the at least one second circuit 32 carries out a thermal regulation which completes the attenuated thermal regulation of the heat transfer fluid coming from the first circuit 31.It should be noted that, structurally, this segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to the second part 322 of the at least one. second circuit 32 has, on the one hand, a first end bounded by the common branch 34 and, on the other hand, a second end positioned close to or merged with the terminal end of the distribution tree 3 with respect to the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid inside the thermal regulation device 2. The second end of the segment 33 common to the at least two circuits 31, 32 is thus capable of taking the form of a division branch at the level of which and / or from which the mixed heat transfer fluids divide to circulate in respective conduits of the at least two circuits 31, 32.

[0021] According to an example relating to a specific construction variant of the previously detailed variant, one end of the segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is configured to be connected to an outlet manifold 42. According to this construction variant, the second end of the segment 33 common to the at least two circuits 31, 32 is produced by the terminal end of the distribution tree 3 of the thermal regulation device 2 so that the heat transfer fluids mixed inside the segment 33 common to the at least two circuits 31, 32 exit at a common orifice of the thermal regulation device 2 produced by the outlet manifold 42.

[0022] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the respective independent ends of the first circuit 31 and of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 are configured to be connected to an inlet manifold 4L. According to this construction variant, each of the at least two circuits 31, 32 of the distribution tree 3 of the thermal regulation device 2 comprises a heat transfer fluid supply end connected to an inlet manifold 4L. The inlet manifold 41 thus provides, on the one hand, a heat transfer fluid supply orifice for the thermal regulation device 2 and, on the other hand, a heat transfer fluid division branch for supplying each of the independent portions of the at least two circuits 31, 32 of the distribution tree 3 of the thermal regulation device 2..

[0023] According to an example relating to a specific construction variant of the previously detailed variant, the junction by a branch 34 of the respective independent portions of the first circuit 31 and of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is positioned at one side of the thermal regulation device 2 opposite the side integrating the end of the common segment 33 configured to be connected to an outlet collector 42. According to this construction variant, the segment 33 of the distribution tree 3 common to the at least two distribution circuits 31, 32 is bounded, on the one hand, by a branch 34 of the respective independent portions of these at least two distribution circuits 31, 32 and, on the other hand, by the outlet manifold 42 so that these two ends of this common segment 33 are structurally positioned at opposite sides of the thermal regulation device 2. Such a spacing of the ends of the common segment 33 so that they are, for example, at opposite edges of the thermal regulation device 2, or even opposite corners of the device 2, allows the production of a segment 33 common to the at least two distribution circuits 31, 32 along a path which covers a larger surface area of ​​the battery module 1 for heat exchanges with the circulating heat transfer fluids.Furthermore, a structural distance from the ends of the segment 33 common to the at least two distribution circuits 31, 32 makes it possible to operate a branch 34 from the first part 321 of the at least one second circuit 32 to the first circuit 31 at a distance from the outlet manifold 42, that is to say from the point of the thermal regulation device 2 at which the thermal regulation by the circulating heat transfer fluid is the least effective. Also, at this branch 34 positioned at a distance from the outlet manifold 42, the heat transfer fluid coming from the first part 321 of the at least one second circuit 32 is not affected by any parasitic heat exchange, direct or indirect, with the circulating heat transfer fluid at the outlet manifold 42.It should be noted that these two ends of the common segment 33 are likely to be positioned at the level of the same face of the thermal regulation device 2 or, alternatively, at the level of opposite faces of this device 2.

[0024] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, with respect to an edge of the thermal regulation device 2, the direction of movement of the flow inside the segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is reversed to the direction of movement of the flow inside the respective independent parts of the first circuit 31 and of the at least one second distribution circuit 32.According to this construction variant, the first part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is arranged so as to distribute the heat transfer fluid from an inlet manifold 41 to the branch 34 at which the heat transfer fluid is circulating inside the common segment 33, the inlet manifold 41 and the branch 34 being positioned at opposite sides or edges of the thermal regulation device 2. This distribution is arranged to avoid any heat exchange of the heat transfer fluid with the battery module 1 so that the first part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is arranged in an arrangement which bypasses the portion of the surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2 positioned opposite the battery module 1. In the context of this construction variant also, the independent part of the first circuit 31 is also . arranged so as to operate a distribution of the heat transfer fluid from an inlet manifold 41 to the branch 34 at the level of which the heat transfer fluid is in circulation inside the common segment 33. This distribution is however arranged to operate heat exchanges of the heat transfer fluid in circulation with a part of the battery module 1 so that the independent part of the first circuit 31 is arranged to be positioned opposite the battery module 1 over its entire path, creating the junction between the inlet manifold 41 and the branch 34 of the common segment 33.Within the framework of this same construction variant again, the second part 322 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is arranged with a part of the first circuit 31 to produce the common segment 33 of the distribution tree 3 of the thermal regulation device 2 which operates the junction between the branch 34 of the common segment 33 and the outlet collector 42, the branch 34 and the outlet collector 42 being positioned at the level of opposite sides or edges of the thermal regulation device 2; the collectors, respectively inlet 41 and outlet 42, being positioned at the level of the same sides or same edges, while possibly being positioned at the level of opposite faces of the thermal regulation device 2.According to this construction variant, the heat transfer fluid circulating along the independent part of the first circuit 31 operates an optimal thermal regulation of the battery module 1 near the inlet manifold 41 and an attenuated thermal regulation near the branch 34 of the common segment 33 with a progressive degradation of its regulation between these two extremes. Similarly, the heat transfer fluid circulating at the level of the common segment 33 operates an optimal thermal regulation of the battery module 1 near the branch 34 of the common segment 33 and an attenuated thermal regulation near the outlet manifold 42 with a progressive degradation of its regulation between these two extremes.The construction of a thermal regulation device 2 carrying out reverse circulations of the heat transfer fluid respectively in the independent part of the first circuit 31 and in the common segment 33 thus makes it possible to obtain compensation for the qualities of the thermal exchanges between, on the one hand, the heat transfer fluids circulating in each of these two respective portions of the distribution tree 3 and, on the other hand, the battery module 1 so that the thermal regulation carried out by the device 2 is substantially homogeneous over the entire surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2 which separates, on the one hand, the collectors, respectively inlet 41 and outlet 42 and, on the other hand, the branch 34 of the two circuits 31, 32 to the common segment 33.

[0025] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the variants pre previously detailed, the independent part of the first circuit 31 and / or the first independent part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 and / or the segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is produced according to an arrangement comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear tubular conduits 311, 3211, 331. According to this construction variant, each part of the at least two distribution circuits 31, 32 or common segment 33 of the distribution tree 3 of the thermal regulation device 2 is capable of being arranged in the form of a plurality of tubular conduits 311, 3211, 331 having independent and parallel strokes between them. Preferably, these tubular conduits 311, 3211, 331 are distributed juxtaposed and parallel to each other in a substantially flat arrangement in the thickness of the thermal regulation device 2.This multiplication of the pipes for each part of the at least two distribution circuits 31, 32 or common segment 33 of the distribution tree 3 makes it possible to optimize the positioning of the circulating heat transfer fluid relative to the surface of the battery module 1 whose temperature is to be regulated and in particular an improvement in the fineness of the positioning of the regulation in the thickness of the thermal regulation device 2. It should be noted that these different tubular conduits 311, 3211, 331 are likely to adopt circular or polygonal arrangements, for example rectangular or square, in section.It should also be noted that the inlet orifices of the various tubular conduits 331 of the common segment 33 of the distribution tree 3 positioned at the branch 34 of the two circuits 31, 32 to the common segment 33, are likely to have identical dimensions or alternatively different dimensions or diameters so that the distribution of the heat transfer fluid is carried out as a priority at the level of certain tubular conduits and to the detriment of a supply of other tubular conduits.

[0026] According to an example relating to a specific construction variant of the previously detailed variant, the independent part of the first circuit 31 and the segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to at least one second distribution circuit 32 are arranged opposite cells of the battery module 1 according to an alternating arrangement of their respective tubular conduits 311, 331. Such a construction having an alternating distribution of the respective tubular conduits 311, 331 of the independent part of the first circuit 31 and of the segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to at least one second distribution circuit 32 makes it possible to complete the compensation of the qualities of the different heat exchanges between, on the one hand, the heat transfer fluids circulating in each of these two respective portions 31, 33 of the distribution tree 3 and, on the other hand, the battery module 1 so that this compensation of the heat exchanges is optimized.The homogenization of the thermal regulation carried out by the device 2 is thus carried out optimally over the entire part of the surface 21 of the thermal regulation device 2 positioned opposite the cells of the battery module 1.

[0027] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the first distribution circuit 31 arranged opposite the cells of the battery module 1 is supplied with 40 to 90% of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the thermal regulation device 2. In the context of this construction variant, the distribution of the heat transfer fluid between the at least two circuits 31, 32 near the inlet manifold 41 is carried out according to the desired thermal regulation.In the context of a distribution of the heat transfer fluid essentially oriented towards the first distribution circuit 31, the thermal regulation of the cells of the battery module 1 will be essentially carried out during the circulation of the fluid along the independent part of the first circuit 31. Indeed, at the level of the portion produced by the common segment 33 the supply of heat transfer fluid coming from the first part 321 of the second distribution circuit 32 will be small so that the thermal exchanges between the battery module 1 and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the common segment 33 will be more reduced. In this case, the thermal regulation device 2 has a similar operation to that of a device integrating only the first distribution circuit 31.Conversely, in the context of a more balanced distribution of the heat transfer fluid between the first distribution circuit 31 and the first part 321 of the second distribution circuit 32, the thermal regulation of the cells of the battery module 1 will be operated in a similar manner during the circulation of the fluid along the independent part of the first circuit 31 and during the circulation of the fluid along the common segment 33. Indeed, the supply of heat transfer fluid coming from the first part 321 of the second circuit 32 at the level of the common segment 33 provides a supply of heat transfer fluid with an optimal heat exchange potential so that the quality of the heat exchanges between the battery module 1 and the heat transfer fluid circulating in the common segment 33 is able to be maintained above a threshold value or a sufficient qualitative level.

[0028] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and to the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is produced according to an arrangement comprising a plurality of tubular conduits 331 whose section is smaller than the respective sections of the respective tubular conduits 311, 3211 of the independent part of the first circuit 31 and of the first independent part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32. In the context of the circulation of the heat transfer fluid inside these different tubular conduits 311, 3211, 331, the quantity of heat transfer fluid circulating at the level of all the respective tubular conduits 311, 3211 of the independent part of the first circuit 31 and of the first independent part 321 of the at least one second distribution circuit 32 is identical to the quantity of heat transfer fluid circulating at the level of all the tubular conduits 331 of the common segment 33 of the distribution tree 3 of the thermal regulation device 2. Also, the reduction in the section of the tubular conduits 331 of the common segment 33 imposes on the heat transfer fluid an increase in its circulation speed along this portion of the distribution tree 3 compared to its movement inside the other portions of the distribution tree 3.With an accelerated speed, the heat transfer fluid circulating inside the common segment 33 has a limitation of its thermal exchanges with the battery module 1 so that on this portion of the path the thermal regulation is reduced. Also, such a configuration of the tubular conduits 311, 3211, 331 between them makes it possible to operate a limitation of the thermal regulation at the level of the segment 33 common to the first circuit 31 and at least one second distribution circuit 32 so that the thermal regulation is essentially operated during the circulation of the heat transfer fluid at the level of the independent part of the first circuit 31.It should also be noted that despite, at the level of the common segment 33, a supply of heat transfer fluid with an optimal heat exchange potential coming from the first part 321 of the second circuit 32, the mixing with the circulating fluid coming from the independent part of the first circuit 31 does not allow the obtaining of a fluid whose heat exchange potential is optimal for circulating at the level of the common segment 33. Also, the acceleration of the flow of the heat transfer fluid in this portion of the distribution tree 3 allows the obtaining of a circulation speed which is adapted to the reduced heat exchange potential of the moving fluid.

[0029] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly according to the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the internal face of at least one part of at least one circuit 31, 32 of the thermal regulation device 2 comprises at least one turbulator produced in the form of a relief. Each of these internal reliefs of the circuits 31, 32 creates an obstacle which partially obstructs the section of the conduit concerned, so that the flow of heat transfer fluid at the level of this portion of the circuit 31, 32 is subject to turbulence capable of optimizing the quality of the heat exchanges between the moving heat transfer fluid and the cells of the battery module 1 positioned against the thermal regulation device 2 opposite the respective paths of the at least two circuits 31, 32. According to an example of construction, at least one turbulator is produced in the form of a pin. The pin thus corresponds to a localized and internal thickening of the wall of the duct so as to present at least one surface impacting the flow of heat transfer fluid moving in the duct. According to another example of construction, at least one turbulator is produced in the form of a blade arranged along at least one transverse component relative to the axis of the duct. This blade thus has the shape of a transverse obstacle to the flow of heat transfer fluid moving in the duct. It can be noted that the shape of the section of the blade such as flat, beveled, ogive, etc. makes it possible to generate more or less significant turbulence at the level of the flow of heat transfer fluid.

[0030] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly comprising at least one battery module (1) consisting of cells (11) and a thermal regulation device (2) of a battery module (1), the thermal regulation device (2) comprising at least one surface (21) of which at least one part is substantially planar and positioned against cells (11) of the battery module (1) and a thickness integrating at least one distribution tree (3) of a heat transfer fluid, characterized in that the distribution tree (3) of the thermal regulation device (2) comprises: - a first distribution circuit (31) arranged opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1), - at least one second distribution circuit (32) of which at least a first part 321 is arranged so as not to be opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1) and a second part (322) is arranged opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one surface (21) of the thermal regulation device (2) is larger than the surface of the cells of the battery module (1) positioned opposite the thermal regulation device (2).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the first distribution circuit (31) being arranged at a central portion of the thermal regulation device (2), the at least one second distribution circuit (32) comprises at least one part arranged laterally relative to the portion of the thermal regulation device (2).

4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first circuit (31) and at least one second distribution circuit (32) share in common at least one segment (33) of their paths arranged opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1).

5. Assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the segment (33) common to the first circuit (31) and at least one second distribution circuit (32) is positioned at one end of their paths.

6. Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that one end of the segment (33) common to the first circuit (31) and to the at least one second distribution circuit (32) is configured to be connected to an outlet manifold (42).

7. Assembly according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the respective independent ends of the first circuit (31) and of the at least one second distribution circuit (32) are configured to be connected to an inlet manifold (41).

8. Assembly according to at least claim 6, characterized in that the junction by a branch (34) of the respective independent portions of the first circuit (31) and of the at least one second distribution circuit (32) is positioned at one side of the thermal regulation device (2) opposite the side integrating the end of the common segment (33) configured to be connected to an outlet collector (42).

9. Assembly according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that, with respect to an edge of the thermal regulation device (2), the direction of movement of the flow inside the segment (33) common to the first circuit (31) and to the at least one second distribution circuit (32) is reversed to the direction of movement of the flow inside the respective independent parts of the first circuit (31) and of the at least one second distribution circuit (32).

10. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the independent part of the first circuit (31) and / or the first independent part (321) of the at least one second distribution circuit (32) and / or the segment (33) common to the first circuit (31) and to the at least one second distribution circuit (32) is produced according to an arrangement comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear tubular conduits (311, 3211, 331).

11. Assembly according to at least claims 4 and 10, characterized in that the independent part of the first circuit (31) and the segment (33) common to the first circuit (31) and to at least one second distribution circuit (32) are arranged opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1) according to an alternating arrangement of their respective tubular conduits (311, 331).

12. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first distribution circuit (31) arranged opposite cells (11) of the battery module (1) is supplied by 40 to 90% of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the thermal regulation device (2).

13. Assembly according to one of claims 4 and following, characterized in that the segment 33 common to the first circuit (31) and to the at least one second distribution circuit (32) is produced according to an arrangement comprising a plurality of tubular conduits (331) whose section is smaller than the respective sections of the respective tubular conduits (311, 3211) of the independent part of the first circuit (31) and of the first independent part (321) of the at least one second distribution circuit (32).

14. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal face of at least one part of at least one circuit (31, 32) of the thermal regulation device (2) comprises at least one turbulator produced in the form of a relief.

Citation Information

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