Vehicle battery

Abstract

The battery comprises an external casing delimiting: - a lower compartment housing a first group of battery modules, the lower compartment including a lower module cooling plate with a lower circuit for the passage of coolant, and - an upper compartment, located above the lower compartment and housing a second group of battery modules, the upper compartment including an upper module cooling plate with an upper circuit for the passage of coolant. The external casing includes: - a first lower port (44) connected to the lower cooling circuit (42), - a first upper port (54) connected to the upper cooling circuit (52), and the battery includes an external connection conduit, called the first external conduit (74), connecting the first lower port (44) and the first upper port (54). See Figure 4 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle battery

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle battery, comprising in particular an upper cooling circuit and a lower cooling circuit. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the battery.

[0002] A vehicle battery, particularly for an electric, hybrid, or hydrogen vehicle, generally comprises an external casing housing a plurality of modules, each module containing battery cells. The battery may also include a cooling plate through which a coolant flows to cool these cells.

[0003] Batteries such as the one described in document EP4184666 are also known, comprising two cooling plates for cooling modules distributed vertically on two levels. To supply the plates with coolant, the system includes a conduit fixed along a side wall of the lower modules. This conduit is in simultaneous fluid communication with both the upper and lower cooling plates via openings formed in the conduit. Therefore, a seal must be provided at each opening leading to the cooling plates. It is understood that this seal is particularly important for the proper functioning of the battery, because in the event of a leak, the fluid can damage the modules, or even cause short circuits and a fire.

[0004] The invention aims in particular to provide a battery with two-stage modules and a simple cooling system while reducing the risk of liquid leakage to the battery modules.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle battery comprising an external casing delimiting: * a lower compartment housing a first group of battery modules, the lower compartment including a lower cooling plate for the modules, equipped with a lower circuit for the passage of a coolant, and * an upper compartment, positioned above the lower compartment and housing a second group of battery modules, the upper compartment including a top cooling plate for the modules, equipped with a top circuit for the passage of coolant, the external casing comprising: * a lower port connected to the lower cooling circuit, * an upper port connected to the upper cooling circuit, the battery having an external connection conduit, called the first external conduit, connecting the first lower port and the first upper port.

[0006] The invention therefore proposes connecting the cooling plates externally to the battery, using ports located on the outside of the battery, thus remotely and isolated from the modules. The connection of the upper and lower cooling circuits is therefore made externally to the casing, via the connecting conduit located on the outside of the outer casing. Thus, in the event of a leak at the connection ports, the coolant flows outside the battery, without risk of penetrating the modules or cells. A particularly advantageous feature, unlike the prior art, is that the connection of the cooling plates is not made inside the outer casing of the battery, so that a liquid leak occurring at the upper or lower port does not generate any flow inside the battery casing.

[0007] By "the external casing has a port," it is understood that the port is arranged on an external surface of the battery. An "external surface" of the battery is defined as a surface located outside a sealing barrier normally provided by the battery casing, designed to prevent external liquids such as rainwater from entering the battery casing. Thus, the passage of coolant from one circuit to another occurs externally, and therefore any leaking fluid can flow under the vehicle, draining onto the ground. Furthermore, the "external casing" of the battery is understood to mean that the battery does not include an additional housing that contains the entire external casing.

[0008] Finally, it is specified that the term "external housing delimiting the lower / upper compartment" means a housing that at least partially delimits the lower / upper compartment.

[0009] The battery may further include one or more of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination:

[0010] - The external housing also includes: * a second lower port connected to the lower cooling circuit, * a second upper port connected to the upper cooling circuit, and the battery has a second external connection conduit, called the second external conduit, connecting the second lower port and the second upper port.

[0011] Thus, two external connecting conduits are provided to connect the lower and upper circuits. Thanks to this architecture, a "series" type connection of the lower and upper cooling circuits can be envisaged, imposing a single flow direction in each external connecting conduit, and therefore a laminar flow of the Liquid. Indeed, for example, the coolant can first flow into the upper circuit, then into the lower circuit via the first external connection pipe, through the first upper port and then the first lower port, flow into this lower circuit, and then return to the upper circuit via the second external connection pipe, separate from the first. Thus, thanks to this arrangement, a single inlet and outlet for the coolant in the battery is possible, which simplifies the distribution of the liquid within the battery and reduces manufacturing costs as well as the risk of leaks.

[0012] Here too, the second upper and lower ports are on the external case, therefore outside the battery so that in case of leakage, the coolant cannot reach the modules or cells.

[0013] - The external housing further comprises an inlet and outlet for the liquid Cooling is provided within the battery, with the inlet and outlet configured to connect to the vehicle's cooling system. It is understood that the coolant inlet and outlet are separate from the first lower port, the first upper port, any second lower port, and any second upper port.

[0014] Preferably, the external housing has a single inlet and a single outlet, each configured to be connected to the vehicle's cooling system. Thus, thanks to the first external connection conduit, or even the second, it is not necessary to provide a separate inlet for each of the lower and upper cooling plates; the coolant can be supplied to only one of the plates. This simplifies the distribution of the liquid around the battery and reduces manufacturing costs and the risk of leaks.

[0015] In one example, the coolant inlet and outlet of the battery are located on the top plate and include inlet and outlet ports projecting from the outer surface of this top plate. Advantageously, the coolant inlet and outlet are located on the outer casing on a surface opposite to a surface bearing the first or second top port. This configuration optimizes the flow of the coolant through the battery.

[0016] - A so-called main plate, chosen from the upper plate and the plate The lower cooling system includes: * a main inlet branch, connected to the coolant inlet, * a main outlet branch, connected to the coolant outlet, * a cooling section of the main plate, comprising a set of cooling branches connecting the main inlet branch to the main outlet branch, and * a cooling section of the other plate than the main plate, connecting the main inlet branch to the first lower or upper port for connecting the main inlet branch to the other plate than the main plate.

[0017] Thus, the main inlet branch opens onto two different sections, one to cool the main plate, the other to send the coolant to the other plate.

[0018] Preferably, in the case where the battery includes a second external connection conduit, the main plate also includes a coolant return section, connecting the second lower or upper port for connecting the main inlet branch to the other plate and the main outlet branch.

[0019] In one example, the main plate is the upper plate. Advantageously, this plate includes a receiving area for the second group of modules and an adjacent receiving area for an electronic battery system, in particular for managing the battery modules.

[0020] - Preferably, the branching system comprises serpentine channels, or branching channels arranged parallel to each other. The branches allow for a larger surface area to be covered for cooling the modules.

[0021] - The inlet branch has a tubular shape with a cross-section SI and the branch assembly has an inlet pipe with cross-section S2, such that S2 is strictly less than SL. In other words, the coolant from the inlet branch passes through a liquid passage restriction before entering the branch assembly.

[0022] The inlet pipe of the branch assembly allows the flow rate of coolant flowing into the branch assembly to be more or less equal to the flow rate of coolant flowing into the lower cooling circuit, in order to homogenize the temperature of the coolant present in the branch assembly and in the lower cooling circuit. Thus, the flow of coolant entering the battery splits into two flows, one directed towards the branch assembly and the other towards the lower cooling circuit.

[0023] For example, the cross-section S2 is less than 60% of the cross-section SI, preferably less than 50% of the cross-section SL

[0024] - The coolant flow rate in the inlet branch is between 3 and 15 1 / min, preferably close to 12 1 / min (liters per minute).

[0025] - The first or second external connecting conduit comprises two ends each equipped with a self-fixing mechanism, for fixing onto a port of the external case.

[0026] Such a fastening allows for easy mounting of the conduit onto the external housing, without requiring any additional parts or tools. Unlike the prior art, the invention requires very few watertight connections; therefore, this type of self-fastening mechanism is highly relevant.

[0027] Preferably, the self-locking mechanism is made possible by means of a fluid connection device of the "quick connect" type. Such a fluid connection device is configured to allow uninterrupted fluid connection between the external connecting conduit(s) and each port. In one example, the fluid connection device comprises a female part and an associated male part. Each of the male and female parts includes an internal passage, the internal passages being in fluid communication when the fluid connection device is in a connected configuration. The female part preferably includes a locking device, which engages when the male and female parts are connected, so as to maintain the fitting in the connected configuration.

[0028] - Preferably, the self-fastening mechanism ensures removable fastening, so that it is easy to change the connections in case of leaks, or for after-sales service.

[0029] - The lower port(s) are supported by the lower cooling plate, of preference comes from the material with this plate.

[0030] - The upper port(s) are supported by the upper cooling plate, preferably made of material with this plate.

[0031] -The first and / or second external connecting conduit is a flexible hose, for example made of rubber or thermoplastic material.

[0032] - The upper or lower cooling plate is composed of two metal sheets stamped to form the corresponding cooling circuit and welded together.

[0033] - Each battery module includes cells attached to the plate lower or upper cooling plate, possibly via a thermal conduction resin.

[0034] The cooling plates thus allow for action as close as possible to the cells. It is understood that the modules may therefore have a lateral or upper casing, but no wall beneath the cells, to improve the effect of the cooling plates on the cells. Preferably, the thermal conduction resin is of the "gap filler" type.

[0035] - In the battery: * The external casing comprises a lower side casing and an upper side casing, positioned above, defining respectively the side walls of the lower compartment and the side walls of the upper compartment, * The lower compartment is delimited at the bottom by the lower cooling plate and at the top by the upper cooling plate. - The upper compartment is delimited at the bottom by the upper cooling plate and at the top by a battery top cover.

[0036] Inside the battery: * The upper cooling plate protrudes from the lower side casing, the protruding portion of this plate bearing the first upper port, and * The lower cooling plate protrudes from the lower side casing, the protruding part of this plate bearing the first lower port.

[0037] Thus, the protruding parts of the upper plate and the lower plate make it possible to create a kind of open housing, to protect the external connecting conduit and prevent it from coming into contact with external obstacles during the assembly of the vehicle.

[0038] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a battery as described above. By "vehicle" is meant any vehicle, whether land-based such as a motor vehicle (car, motorcycle, truck, bus, train, machine, in particular construction equipment, etc.), marine such as a ship or aerial such as an aircraft. Brief description of the figures

[0039] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0040] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the interior of a battery according to the invention.

[0041] [Fig. 2] is an exploded view of part of the battery of [Fig. 1].

[0042] [Fig.3] is a set of views (figures 3a and 3b) of the frame of the external housing of the battery of [Fig.1], isolated from other elements with a top view of the front of the battery and a bottom view of the rear of the battery.

[0043] [Fig.4] is a side perspective view of the rear of the battery.

[0044] [Fig. 5] is a set of views (Figures 5a and 5b) of a cooling plate isolated from the battery.

[0045] [Fig.6] is an illustration of the coolant flow path in the battery. Detailed description

[0046] Figures 1 to 4 show a vehicle battery 1, illustrating in particular aspects of the battery in the context of its cooling. Figures 5 to 6 show a cooling plate and the flow of coolant through the battery 1. In all that follows, directions refer to the (X, Y, Z) directions indicated in the figures. In particular, the terms "upper," "lower," "above," and "below" refer to the vertical direction Z shown in [Fig. 1], and the terms "front" and "rear" refer to the horizontal direction X shown in [Fig. 1] (the arrowhead indicates the front direction).

[0047] Fig. 1 illustrates battery 1 in an assembled form, without its top cover so as to show the inside, and Fig. 2 represents part of battery 1 in an exploded view so as to illustrate the assembly of the lower compartment and the external casing of battery 1. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate part of the external casing of battery 1; more specifically, Figure 3a gives a view of the top and front of battery 1, and Figure 3b gives a view of the bottom of battery 1, notably rotated around a plane of 180° to give a view of the rear of battery 1.

[0048] The battery 1 includes an external housing 10 forming a housing for receiving a plurality of battery modules 21, 31.

[0049] In particular, the modules 21, 31 are distributed over two levels: a lower level visible in [Fig. 2] and an upper level visible in [Fig. 1]. More precisely, the external housing 10 comprises a lower compartment 2 housing a first group of modules 21 and an upper compartment 3 housing a second group of modules 31. Preferably, the lower compartment 2 and upper compartment 3 are stacked one above the other in a vertical direction Z.

[0050] In the example presented here, which will be described in more detail below, the battery 1 comprises eight battery modules 21, 31, arranged in four modules 21 in the lower compartment 2 and four modules 31 in the upper compartment 3. Advantageously, each module 21, 31 is capable of supplying 48V (volts) of energy by stacking prismatic battery cells, so that the total voltage of the battery 1 reaches approximately 400V by connecting the modules in series. Of course, the invention is not limited to this example; it is possible to use different numbers of modules depending on the desired voltage.

[0051] As shown in [Fig.1], the upper compartment 3 is also configured to house a control system 32 for managing the modules and which groups all or part of the electronics of the battery 1. In particular, the upper compartment 3 includes a receiving area 310 for the second group of modules 31, and an adjacent receiving area 320 for the control system 32. This control system 32 includes a module management system for modules 21 and 31, specifically BMS (Battery Management System) modules configured to control the operation of modules 21 and 31. This includes a master BMS 321 that controls slave BMS 322. Furthermore, the control system 32 includes a junction box 33, configured to provide a connection interface between the vehicle's electrical components and the battery cells. More specifically, the junction box 33 provides an interface between the electrical components and the master BMS 321. The control system 32 also has several other functions not detailed here.

[0052] With reference to [Fig.2], the external housing 10 comprises a frame 11 having lower side walls 12 and upper side walls 13, which laterally delimit respectively the lower compartment 2 and the upper compartment 3. According to the example illustrated in [Fig.2], these lower side walls 12 and upper side walls 13 form respectively a lower side envelope 112 and an upper side envelope 113 delimiting respectively the lower compartment 2 and the upper compartment 3.

[0053] With further reference to [Fig. 2], the first group of modules 21 is mounted on a plate, called the lower plate 4. Advantageously, this lower plate 4 is a cooling lower plate 4 for the first group of modules 21. This cooling lower plate 4 is provided with a cooling circuit 42 (visible in Figure 5b) for the passage of a coolant. The frame 11 is intended to be mounted on this lower plate 4, as illustrated by the arrows in [Fig. 2], to enclose the first group of modules 21. In the following description, the terms "cooling lower plate" and "lower cooling plate" are used interchangeably, both terms referring to the lower plate 4 on which the first group of modules 21 is mounted.

[0054] Furthermore, the frame 11 carries an upper cooling plate 5, on which the second group of modules 31 and the control system 32 are mounted. Similar to the lower cooling plate 4, the upper cooling plate 5 is provided with an upper cooling circuit 52 for the passage of the coolant. The upper cooling plate 5 is visible in Figures 3a and 3b. These Figures 3a and 3b represent the frame 11 of the external housing 10 of the battery 1. Here, the modules 21, 31 and the control system 32 have been omitted to improve the visibility of the upper cooling plate 5.

[0055] Advantageously, for their assembly, each battery module 21, 31 comprises cells attached, as appropriate, to the cooling plate The lower 4 or upper cooling plate 5 is heated by a thermal conduction resin. For example, this thermal conduction resin is of the type called "gap filler." It is understood here that the lower 4 and upper 5 cooling plates can operate very close to the modules 21, 31 since no additional wall separates the plates from these modules. Thus, the heat produced by the modules 21, 31 is transferred by conduction to the cooling plates 4, 5. The coolant circulating in the cooling circuits 42, 52 absorbs this heat by convection and carries it away from the battery 1.

[0056] To supply the battery 1 with coolant, the external housing 10 has a coolant inlet 14 for the battery 1 (Figure 3a). The inlet 14 is advantageously connected to a vehicle cooling system, comprising, for example, a reservoir containing a mixture of water and glycol, for example 50% water and 50% glycol, or 60% water and 40% glycol. The external housing 10 also includes an outlet 16 for returning the coolant that has recovered heat from the modules 21, 31 to the vehicle cooling system, which further includes, for example, a heat exchanger for dissipating the heat.

[0057] In the example of Figures 3a, 3b, the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 are arranged on the upper cooling plate 5, but it is also possible to arrange the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 on the lower cooling plate 4. Furthermore, the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 include ports projecting from the external surface of the upper plate 5.

[0058] Figure 4 is a rear view of the battery 1. The arrangement shown in Figure 4 allows the liquid entering the upper circuit 52 to flow into the lower circuit 42. For this purpose, the external housing 10 includes a first lower port 44 connected to the lower cooling circuit 42 and a first upper port 54 connected to the upper cooling circuit 52. An external connecting conduit, referred to as the first external conduit 74, connects the first lower port 44 and the first upper port 54. Thus, the coolant circulating in the upper cooling circuit 52 can be directed to the lower cooling circuit 42. Thanks to this arrangement, it is not necessary to provide a separate inlet for each of the lower cooling plates 4 and upper cooling plates 5.Supplying the liquid to only one of these cooling plates simplifies the distribution of the liquid around battery 1 and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0059] Furthermore, the risks of damaging the modules are also reduced. Indeed, as can be seen in [Fig. 4], ports 44, 54 are arranged on a The external surface of the external housing 10 of battery 1 is projected from this external surface. Ports 44 and 54 are therefore located outside battery 1 and are isolated from the modules. In the event of accidental disconnection or a leak in the first external conduit 74, the coolant flows outside battery 1 and advantageously drips under the vehicle. The coolant cannot therefore reach modules 21 and 31, which remain protected by the external housing 10, forming a sealing barrier.

[0060] In an embodiment not shown in the figures, it is also possible to arrange the inlet 14 on the upper cooling plate 5 and the outlet 16 on the lower cooling plate 4, or vice versa. Advantageously, the coolant inlet 14 and outlet 16 are arranged on the external housing 10 on a surface opposite to a surface bearing the first lower port 44 or the first upper port 54. This configuration optimizes the circulation of the liquid through the battery 1.

[0061] Advantageously, the external housing 10 also includes a second lower port 46 connected to the lower cooling circuit 42 and a second upper port 56 connected to the upper cooling circuit 52. A second external connecting conduit, called the second external conduit 76, connects the second lower port 46 and the second upper port 56. This architecture allows for a "series" type connection. For example, the coolant can enter the upper cooling plate 5 through the inlet 14 and flow into the upper circuit 52, then into the lower cooling circuit 42 via the first external conduit 74 to flow into the lower circuit 42 before passing through the second external conduit 76 to return to the upper circuit 52 and be discharged to the outlet 16.It is of course possible to imagine the flow of the coolant from the lower circuit 42. In this embodiment, a single inlet 14 and a single outlet 16 are provided and are arranged on the same cooling plate, which allows for laminar flow of the liquid and reduces manufacturing costs. Advantageously, the first 74 and second 76 external conduits are flexible hoses, for example made of rubber or thermoplastic material.

[0062] Furthermore, the upper cooling plate 5 protrudes from the lower side casing 112, the protruding portion of the plate carries the first upper port 54, and the lower cooling plate 4 protrudes from the lower side casing 112, the protruding portion of this plate carries the first lower port 44. Thus, as can be seen in [Fig. 4], the protruding portions of the upper cooling plate 5 and the lower cooling plate 4 form a sort of open housing so as to further protect the external conduits 74, 76 and prevent that they come into contact with external obstacles during vehicle assembly.

[0063] It is understood from the above description, and the figures 1 to 4 shown, that the external housing 10 is formed by the side walls 12, 13 of the frame 11 (or side casing 112, 113), the lower cooling plate 4 and the upper cover (not visible) intended to enclose the upper compartment 3. This external housing 10 is configured to protect the contents of the battery 1, i.e., the modules 21, 31 as well as the control system 32, in particular against rain or shocks. Ports 44, 46, 54, 56 protrude from the external surface of the external housing 10 and external conduits 74, 76 are arranged outside the external housing 10, away from modules 21, 31, so that in case of a leak, the coolant can flow outside the external housing 10 without reaching modules 21, 31.

[0064] For attaching the external conduits 74, 76 to the ports 44, 46, 54, 56, each external conduit 74, 76 comprises two ends, each equipped with a self-locking mechanism. In the example of [Fig. 4], this mechanism is made possible by means of a fluidic connection device 8 called a "quick connect." This fluidic connection device 8 comprises a substantially L-shaped body forming a female portion that assembles with a complementary male portion formed by the ports 44, 46, 54, 56. Both the male and female portions include an internal fluidic communication passage. The female portion is configured to be mounted on a corresponding port 44, 46, 54, 56 in a connected configuration. Preferably, the female part includes a locking device that engages when connected to port 44, 46, 54 or 56. The male part is inserted into one end of the corresponding external conduit 74, 76.Thus, the internal passage of the fluidic connection device 8 is made fluidically connected to ports 44, 46, 54, and 56 to allow the flow of coolant through the exterior of the external housing 10. This connection allows for easy mounting of the external conduits 74 and 76 without requiring any additional parts. Furthermore, the conduits can also be easily removed for after-sales service or replacement in case of wear.

[0065] Figures 5a and 5b each illustrate a cooling plate 4, 5 isolated from the battery. Preferably, Figure 4a illustrates the upper cooling plate 5 and Figure 4b illustrates the lower cooling plate 4, according to the example where the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 are arranged on the upper cooling plate 5. The upper cooling plate 5 and / or the lower cooling plate 4 is composed of two stamped metal sheets to form the corresponding cooling circuit 42, 52 and welded together.

[0066] The two cooling plates 4, 5 comprise a main inlet branch 402, 502 connected to the coolant inlet and an outlet branch 404, 504 connected to the coolant outlet. In the case of Figure 5a, the coolant inlet corresponds to the inlet 14 communicating with the vehicle's cooling system, and the coolant outlet corresponds to the outlet 16 communicating with the vehicle's cooling system. Whereas in Figure 5b, this inlet corresponds to the first lower port 44 from which the coolant enters the lower cooling plate 4, and the outlet corresponds to the second lower port 46, which returns the coolant to the upper cooling plate 5.In addition, the two plates 4, 5 include a cooling section comprising a set of cooling branches 406, 506 connecting the inlet branch 402, 502 to the outlet branch 404, 504. The set of branches 406, 506 includes serpentine channels or branched channels arranged parallel to each other. These branches allow for a larger surface area to be covered for cooling the modules 21, 31.

[0067] Furthermore, in Figure 5a, the upper cooling plate 5 also includes a cooling section 508 of the other plate, here of the lower cooling plate 4. This cooling section 508 of the other plate connects the inlet branch 502 to the first upper port 54 for connection with the inlet branch 402 of the lower plate 4. Thus, it is understood that the inlet branch 502 opens into two different sections, one to cool the upper plate 5, and the other to send the coolant to the lower plate 4. The upper cooling plate 5 also includes a return section 509 connecting the second upper port 56 to the outlet branch 504, in order to direct the liquid to the outlet 16 and possibly to the vehicle's cooling system.

[0068] Of course, when the inlet 14 and outlet 16 are arranged on the lower plate 4, the latter includes a cooling section from the other plate which allows the inlet branch 402 to be connected to the first lower port 44 to send the liquid to the upper cooling plate 5, and also, according to the embodiment, a return section connecting the second lower port 46 to the outlet branch 404.

[0069] Figure 6 illustrates the flow path of the coolant. It can be seen that the coolant enters through inlet 14 into inlet branch 502 of the upper cooling plate 5. Then, some of the coolant flows to branches 506 of the upper plate, and some of the coolant flows to the first upper port 54, which joins the first lower port 44 via the first external conduit 74 to reach the lower cooling plate 4. The coolant in the lower cooling plate 4 flows into branches 406 of the lower plate 4 before to join the outlet branch 404. This outlet branch 404 opens into the second lower port 46 to join the second upper port 56 via the second external conduit 76. The part of the liquid that has recovered the heat from the lower plate 4 joins the part of the liquid that has recovered the heat from the upper plate 5 and goes towards the outlet branch 504 of the upper plate 5 in order to take the outlet 16 and go outside the battery 1.

[0070] Advantageously, the inlet branch 402, 502 has a tubular shape with cross-section SI, and the branch assembly 406, 506 has an inlet tube with cross-section S2, such that S2 is strictly less than SI. For example, the cross-section S2 is less than 60% of the cross-section SI, preferably less than 50% of the cross-section SI. The coolant flow rate in the inlet branch is between 3 and 15 liters per minute, preferably close to 12 liters per minute.

[0071] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and that numerous variations could be envisaged, particularly concerning the cooling circuits, their connection, or the external battery casing. Reference list

[0072] 1: battery 2: lower compartment 3: upper compartment 4: Lower cooling plate 5: Top cooling plate 8: Fluidic connection device 10: External housing 11: frame 12: Lower side walls 13: Upper side walls 14: Coolant entering the battery 16: Coolant outlet from the battery 21: first group of modules 31: second group of modules 42: Lower cooling circuit 44: first lower port 46: Second lower port 54: first upper port 56: Second upper port 74: first external conduit 76: second external conduit 112: lower lateral envelope 113: upper lateral envelope 402: Inlet branch of the lower plate 4 404: Lower plate output branch 4 406: Branches of the lower plate 4 502: Inlet branch of the upper plate 5 504: output branch of the upper plate 5 506: Branches of the lower plate 5 508: Cooling section of the other plate 509: Return section

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle battery (1) comprising an external housing (10) delimiting: - a lower compartment (2) housing a first group of battery modules (21), the lower compartment (2) comprising a lower module cooling plate (4) provided with a lower circuit (42) for the passage of coolant, and - an upper compartment (3), disposed above the lower compartment (2) and housing a second group of battery modules (31), the upper compartment (3) comprising an upper module cooling plate (5) provided with an upper circuit (52) for the passage of coolant, characterized in that the external housing (10) comprises: - a first lower port (44) connected to the lower cooling circuit (42), - a first upper port (54) connected to the upper cooling circuit (52), and in that the battery (1) has an external connection conduit,said first external conduit (74), connecting the first lower port (44) and the first upper port (54).

2. Battery (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the external housing (10) also includes: - a second lower port (46) connected to the lower cooling circuit (42), - a second upper port (56) connected to the upper cooling circuit (52), and the battery (1) has a second external connecting conduit, called the second external conduit (76), connecting the second lower port (46) and the second upper port (56).

3. Battery (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the external housing (10) further comprises an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) of coolant into the battery (1), the inlet (14) and outlet (16) being configured to be connected to a vehicle cooling system.

4. Battery (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein a plate (4, 5), referred to as the main plate, selected from the upper (5) and lower (4) cooling plates, comprises: - a main inlet branch (402, 502), connected to the coolant inlet, - a main outlet branch (404, 504), connected to the coolant outlet, - a cooling section of the main plate, comprising a set of cooling branches (406, 506) connecting the main inlet branch (402, 502) to the main outlet branch (404, 504), and - a cooling section (508) of the plate other than the main plate, connecting the main inlet branch (402, 502) to the first lower (44) or upper (54) port for connecting the main inlet branch (402, 502) to the plate other than the main plate main.

5. Battery (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the inlet branch (402, 502) has a tubular shape of cross section SI and the branch assembly (406, 506) has an inlet tube of cross section S2, such that S2 is strictly less than SI.

6. Battery (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the coolant flow rate in the inlet branch (402, 502) is between 3 and 15 l / min, preferably close to 12 l / min (liters per minute).

7. Battery (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (74) or second (76) external connecting conduit comprises two ends each equipped with a self-fixing mechanism (8), for its attachment to a port of the external housing.

8. Battery (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper cooling plate (5) or lower cooling plate (4) is composed of two stamped metal sheets to form the corresponding cooling circuit (42, 52) and welded together.

9. Battery (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each battery module (21, 31) comprises cells attached to the lower plate (4) or the plate upper (5) cooling, possibly via a thermal conduction resin.

10. Battery (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the outer casing (10) comprises a lower side casing (112) and an upper side casing (113), disposed above, delimiting respectively side walls (12) of the lower compartment (2) and side walls (13) of the upper compartment (3), - the lower compartment (2) is delimited in its lower part by the lower cooling plate (4) and in its upper part by the upper cooling plate (5), - the upper compartment (3) is delimited in its lower part by the upper cooling plate (5) and in its upper part by an upper cover of the battery.

11. Battery (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein: - the upper cooling plate (5) protrudes from the lower side casing (112), the protruding part of this plate bearing the first upper port (54), and - the lower cooling plate (4) protrudes from the lower side casing (112), the protruding part of this plate bearing the first lower port (44).

12. Vehicle comprising a battery (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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