Device for containing liquid and its manufacturing process

Abstract

Device for containing liquid and its manufacturing process. The present invention relates to a device for containing liquid, in particular a thermal regulation circuit with a heat transfer fluid, comprising at least one metal wall (2) which has at least one opening (3, 3') for the passage of the liquid through said wall (2), a supply or discharge pipette (4, 4') being present on the external face (2') of said wall (2), at the level of said opening(s) (3, 3') and being connected in a leak-proof manner to the relevant opening (3, 3'). This device (1) is characterized in that the pipette(s) (4, 4') is a pipette made of thermoplastic material, and consists of a part that is either attached and secured by welding to the metal wall (2), or formed by molding onto the metal wall (2), the pipette(s) (4, 4') being fixed directly to the external face (2') of the metal wall (2).Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 5A.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for containing liquid and its manufacturing process

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of devices for containing, statically or dynamically, a liquid fluid, and in particular to the inlet and outlet ports, or supply and discharge connections, of such devices. In this context, the invention relates more particularly to devices of the type containing or circulating liquid, especially thermal regulation circuits with heat transfer fluid, for example for vehicles, as well as a corresponding manufacturing method. A particularly beneficial application of the invention concerns thermal regulation circuits with heat transfer fluid in the power or energy storage (battery) units of electric motor vehicles.

[0002] In relation to the foregoing, the invention relates to a device for containing liquid, of the type container or liquid circulation circuit, comprising at least one metal wall which has at least one opening for the passage of liquid through it. A feed pipette and / or a discharge pipette is present on the external face of said wall, at said opening or each opening, and is connected in a leak-proof manner to the relevant opening.

[0003] The type of thermal regulation circuit with heat transfer fluid concerned more specifically has in most cases a substantially planar, or even flat, structure.

[0004] Currently, interface or fluidic connection pipettes are generally pre-formed and attached metal parts with assembly by welding or brazing on one or both parts forming the circulation circuit, at the level of the opening concerned.

[0005] These metal pipettes include, depending for example on the environment under the hood or the connection requirements, straight pipettes (machined or stamped) and / or angled pipettes (machined and bent), but also in some cases more complex shapes.

[0006] However, the production of such pipettes requires, depending on their shape, one or more manufacturing operations (molding, forging, bending, machining, etc.) and an assembly operation (welding, brazing, TIG, MIG). Thus, pipettes of this type are not only expensive to manufacture (cost of materials, energy cost), but also expensive to assemble (energy cost and long, costly cycle time). Furthermore, the possible shapes are limited, or require additional operations that further increase their cost.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome at least the main drawbacks mentioned above and to propose an alternative embodiment of the pipettes in the context indicated, both for their manufacture and assembly. The proposed solution should improve the integration of the pipettes, allowing for complex shapes, with reduced mass and cost.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a device for containing liquid, of the type container or circulation circuit for liquid, as described above and which is characterized in that the pipette or each pipette is a pipette made of thermoplastic material, and consists of a part which is either attached and secured by welding to the metal wall, or formed by molding on the metal wall, the pipette or each pipette being fixed directly, with sealing, on the external face of the metal wall, around the opening concerned.

[0009] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0010] [Fig-1] is a partial cross-sectional view of a container in accordance with an embodiment of the device of the invention in the form of a container provided with two pipettes, the cross-sectional plane including the median plane of symmetry of one of the two pipettes;

[0011] [Fig.2A] is a cross-sectional view, along a plane including the median axes of the pipettes, of a device of the liquid circulation circuit type (thermal regulation circuit) according to a first embodiment of the invention for this type of device and

[0012] [Fig.2B] is a partial perspective view of the metallic wall forming part of the circuit shown [Fig.2A];

[0013] [Fig.3A] is a cross-sectional view, along a plane including the median axes of the pipettes, of a device of the liquid circulation circuit type (thermal regulation circuit) according to a second embodiment of the invention for this type of device and

[0014] [Fig.3B] is a partial perspective view of the metallic wall forming part of the circuit shown [Fig.3A];

[0015] [Fig.4A] is a cross-sectional view, along a plane including the median axes of the pipettes, of a device of the liquid circulation circuit type (thermal regulation circuit) according to a third embodiment of the invention for this type of device and

[0016] [Fig.4B] is a partial perspective view of the metallic wall forming part of the circuit shown [Fig.4A];

[0017] [Fig. 5A] is a cross-sectional view, along a plane including the median axes of the pipettes, of a device of the liquid circulation circuit type (thermal regulation circuit) according to a fourth embodiment of the invention for this type of device and

[0018] [Fig.5B] is a partial perspective view of the metallic wall forming part of the circuit shown [Fig.5A].

[0019] Figures 1, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A each show a device (1) intended to contain liquid, of the container type ([Fig.1] partially) or circulation circuit for liquid (Figures 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A), in particular thermal regulation circuit with heat transfer fluid (for example for a power electronics module or an electrical energy storage / battery module).

[0020] This device (1) comprises at least one metal wall (2) which has at least one opening (3, 3') for the passage of liquid through said wall (2), a supply or discharge pipette (4, 4') being present on the external face (2') of said wall (2), at the level of said or each opening (3, 3') and being connected in a leak-proof manner to the opening (3, 3') concerned,

[0021] According to the invention, this container or circuit type device (1) is characterized in that the pipette or each pipette (4, 4') is a pipette made of thermoplastic material, and consists of a part which is either attached and secured by welding with the metal wall (2), or formed by molding on the metal wall (2), the pipette or each pipette (4, 4') being fixed directly, with sealing, on the external face (2') of the metal wall (2), around the relevant opening (3, 3').

[0022] Thus, the invention makes it easy to equip the device (1) containing liquid, at each of its inlet / outlet ports (openings 3, 3'), in particular, with pipettes (4, 4') that can have various shapes and constructions, especially with different fluidic connection means and mechanical connection means. In addition to their flexible, multi-shaped design, these pipettes (4, 4') are only attached to the outer face (2') of the metal wall (2) – therefore access to only one face is sufficient during their manufacture – and only in a local area (5) surrounding the openings (3, 3'), simplifying their manufacturing process.

[0023] Preferably, the bond between the thermoplastic pipette or each thermoplastic pipette (4, 4') and the metal wall (2) is a bond by mechanical attachment or by chemical adhesion of the thermoplastic material of the pipette (4, 4') with a micro-structured and / or chemically altered surface layer of the external face (2') of the metal wall (2).

[0024] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the mechanical fastening connection corresponds to a multiple interlocking of the material thermoplastic with surface microstructures present at least in a zone (5) surrounding the opening (3, 3') concerned, and resulting for example from a surface structuring process by laser or other.

[0025] By way of example, the aforementioned microstructures may result from a surface microstructuring process such as that described in US document 11745295.

[0026] In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the chemical bonding corresponds to a surface bonding of the thermoplastic material with at least one zone (5) surrounding the opening (3, 3') concerned and having undergone a surface treatment of the passivation or anodizing type.

[0027] In order to achieve a realization exhibiting low weight, reduced cost price and nevertheless a high variability in shape, it may be provided that the metal wall (2) consists of a formed sheet.

[0028] According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown [Fig.1], the metal wall (2) has two thermoplastic material pipettes (4 and 4') on its external face (2') and forms with at least one other constituent part (6') the envelope of the container (1), for example of the reservoir type.

[0029] According to a second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A, the metal wall (2) has two thermoplastic pipettes (4, 4') on its outer face (2') and is assembled with a second wall or complementary plate (6), having a grooved pattern (7) and sealed, for example by welding, to said metal wall (2). This grooved pattern (7) forms, by cooperation with the inner face (2") of said metal plate (2), against which the wall or complementary plate (6) is applied, a conduit or network of conduits (8) for circulating liquid between the two openings (3, 3'), forming respectively an inlet opening and an outlet opening, each of which is provided with a thermoplastic pipette (4, 4'), said device (1) thus constituting a thermal regulation circuit.

[0030] Advantageously, the aforementioned circulation circuit constitutes a thermal regulation circuit with a liquid circulation pipe (8) comprising at least one serpentine portion.

[0031] In a first preferred embodiment of the second variant, resulting in a lightweight construction with an excellent heat transfer coefficient, the second wall (6) consists of a metal plate, of the type formed or molded sheet metal.

[0032] In a second preferred embodiment of the second variant, the complementary plate (6) consists of a plate made of thermoplastic material.

[0033] In relation to this second preferred embodiment of the second variant, the complementary plate (6) is advantageously welded to the inner face (2”) of the metal wall (2), the connection between this plate (6) and the metallic wall (2) being a connection by mechanical attachment or by chemical adhesion of the thermoplastic material of the plate (6) with a micro-structured and / or chemically altered surface layer of the inner face (2”) of the metallic wall (2).

[0034] A surface treatment identical to that implemented for the realization of the zone or zones (5) surrounding the opening or each opening (3, 3') can be implemented locally or over the entire surface of the inner face (2") of the metal plate (1).

[0035] In the context of the different embodiments of the invention, and as shown in the attached figures, the thermoplastic pipettes (4, 4') can be of the male or female type (see pipette 4' in figures 5), have various shapes (straight, curved, angled, etc.), include various means or sites for connecting (grooves, rib or annular flange, etc.) for external conduits, as well as sites for receiving sealing means (O-ring or other) and / or locking means (clip, circlip, etc.).

[0036] The invention also relates to a power and / or electrical energy storage module, comprising a protective housing (which contains the electronic components and circuits and / or the energy storage elements). This module is characterized in that one of the walls of said housing is constituted by a metallic wall (2) forming part of a device (1) intended to contain liquid of the type of liquid circulation circuit, in particular a thermal regulation circuit with heat transfer fluid, as described above.

[0037] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a device (1) of the type containing or circulating circuit for liquid, in particular a thermal regulation circuit, comprising at least one metallic wall (2) which has at least one opening (3, 3') for the passage of liquid through said wall (2), a supply or discharge pipette (4, 4') being present on the external face (2') of said wall (2), at said or each opening (3, 3') and being connected in a leak-proof manner to the relevant opening (3, 3'). The device (1) of the type containing or circulating circuit for liquid obtained by this method is preferably a device as described above.

[0038] According to the invention, this method is characterized in that it comprises at least the steps of: providing a metal wall (2), for example of the formed sheet type; subjecting at least one area (5) of the outer face (2') of this metal wall (2), surrounding said wall or each opening (3, 3'), to a surface treatment resulting in a microstructured and / or chemically altered surface layer at least in this area (5); and installing a thermoplastic pipette (4, 4') fixed directly onto the outer face (2') of the metal wall (2), at said wall or each opening (3, 3'), either as a part attached and secured by welding to the metal wall (2), or as a part formed by molding on the metal wall (2); to assemble said metal wall (2) with at least one other part (6, 6') to constitute the container or the circulation circuit (1).

[0039] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the manufacturing process may consist of subjecting at least one area (5) surrounding the opening (3, 3') to a laser or similar surface structuring process, producing surface microstructures that allow, during the molding or welding of the pipette (4, 4') concerned, multiple interlocking of the thermoplastic material. One such structuring process is described in particular in US patent 11745295.

[0040] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the manufacturing process may consist of subjecting at least one area (5) surrounding the opening (3, 3') to a surface treatment of the type passivation or anodization promoting a surface chemical adhesion of the thermoplastic material of the pipette concerned (4, 4').

[0041] Advantageously, it may be provided that, for the realization of a circulation circuit, the metal wall (2) is assembled with a second wall or a complementary plate (6), made of a metallic or thermoplastic material, having a grooved pattern (7) and sealed together, for example by welding, against said metal wall (2), this grooved pattern (7) forming by cooperation with the inner face (2”) of said metal plate (2), against which the wall or complementary plate (6) is applied, a conduit or a network of conduits (8) for the circulation of liquid between the two openings (3, 3'), which correspond respectively to an inlet opening and an outlet opening and each of which is provided with a pipette made of thermoplastic material (4, 4').

[0042] The process may consist, for the purpose of forming the pipette(s) (4, 4') by overmolding with thermoplastic material, of placing the metal wall (2) in an injection mold capable of correcting the flatness of said wall if necessary. Such correction makes it possible to compensate for any deformations and to eliminate any stresses and strains that may affect said metal wall (2) depending on its manufacturing method, and also to manufacture said wall with a greater tolerance in terms of precision, and therefore more easily. Since the pipette(s) (4, 4') is / are located exclusively and entirely on one side of the wall (2) and fixed exclusively to its outer face, the overmolding process and the mold required for its production are greatly simplified.

[0043] Advantageously, the complementary plate (6) is a grooved plate made of thermoplastic material (preferably with thermal transmission properties increased, for example by the presence of additives) and is joined by welding on the inner face (2”) of the metal wall (2), the bond obtained between this plate (6) and the metal wall (2) being a bond by mechanical attachment or by chemical adhesion of the thermoplastic material of the plate (6) with a micro-structured and / or chemically altered surface layer of the inner face (2”) of the metal wall (2), during a pre-treatment step of said inner face (2”).

[0044] In particular, when the metal wall (2) is thin (reduced weight and material cost), the process may further consist, during the overmolding of the pipette(s) (4, 4'), of simultaneously or subsequently overmolding at least one other area of ​​the outer (2) and / or inner (2") face of the metal wall (2) with a thermoplastic material, identical or different from that forming the pipette(s) (4, 4'), to form, for example, stiffening and / or structural reinforcement structures or a protective coating, preferably after a surface treatment of the area(s) concerned that promotes the adhesion of the thermoplastic material. The surface treatment may be of the same nature as that described above with respect to the areas (5) on which the pipettes (4, 4') are formed and fixed.

[0045] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (1) for containing liquid, of the type container or circulation circuit for liquid, in particular a thermal regulation circuit with heat transfer fluid, comprising at least one metal wall (2) which has at least one opening (3, 3') for the passage of liquid through said wall (2), a supply or discharge pipette (4, 4') being present on the external face (2') of said wall (2), at the level of said opening or each opening (3, 3') and being connected in a leak-proof manner to the opening (3, 3') concerned, a device (1) of the type container or circuit characterized in that the pipette or each pipette (4, 4') is a pipette made of thermoplastic material, and consists of a part which is either attached and secured by welding to the metal wall (2), or formed by molding onto the metal wall (2), the pipette or each pipette (4, 4') being fixed directly, with a seal being achieved,on the outer face (2') of the metal wall (2), around the relevant opening (3, 3').

2. Device (1) of the type container or circulation circuit for liquid according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the thermoplastic pipette or each thermoplastic pipette (4, 4') and the metal wall (2) is a connection by mechanical attachment or by chemical adhesion of the thermoplastic material of the pipette (4, 4') with a microstructured and / or chemically altered surface layer of the external face (2') of the metal wall (2).

3. Device (1) of the type containing or circulating circuit for liquid according to claim 2, characterized in that the mechanical hooking connection corresponds to a multiple interlocking of the thermoplastic material with surface microstructures present at least at the level of a zone (5) surrounding the relevant opening (3, 3'), and resulting for example from a surface structuring process by laser or other.

4. Device (1) of the type container or circulation circuit for liquid according to claim 2, characterized in that the chemical adhesion bond corresponds to a surface adhesion bonding of the thermoplastic material with at least one zone (5) surrounding the relevant opening (3, 3') and having undergone a surface treatment of the passivation or anodizing type.

5. Device (1) of the type containing or circulating circuit for liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the metal wall (2) consists of a formed sheet.

6. Device (1) of the type container or circulation circuit for liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the metal wall (2) has two pipettes of thermoplastic material (4 and 4') on its external face (2') and forms with at least one other constituent part (6') the envelope of the container (1), for example of the reservoir type.

7. Device (1) of the type containing or circulating circuit for liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the metal wall (2) has two pipettes of thermoplastic material (4, 4') on its external face (2') and is assembled with a second wall or a complementary plate (6), having a grooved pattern (7) and sealed tightly, for example by welding, with said metal wall (2), this grooved pattern (7) forming by cooperation with the internal face (2”) of said metal plate (2), against which the wall or complementary plate (6) is applied, a conduit or a network of conduits (8) for circulating liquid between the two openings (3, 3'), forming respectively an inlet opening and an outlet opening and each of which is provided with a pipette of thermoplastic material (4, 4'), said device (1) constituting a thermal regulation circuit.

8. Device (1) of the type containing or circulation circuit for liquid according to claim 7, characterized in that said circulation circuit constitutes a thermal regulation circuit with a liquid circulation conduit (8) comprising at least one serpentine portion.

9. Device (1) of the type containing or circulating circuit for liquid according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the second wall (6) consists of a metal plate, of the type formed or molded sheet metal.

10. Device (1) of the type containing or circulating circuit for liquid according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the complementary plate (6) consists of a plate made of thermoplastic material.

11. Device (1) of the type containing or circulating circuit for liquid according to claim 10, characterized in that the plate complementary (6) is joined by welding on the inner face (2”) of the metal wall (2), the connection between this plate (6) and the metal wall (2) being a connection by mechanical attachment or by chemical adhesion of the thermoplastic material of the plate (6) with a microstructured and / or chemically altered surface layer of the inner face (2”) of the metal wall (2).

12. A power and / or electrical energy storage module, comprising a protective housing (which contains the electronic components and circuits and / or the energy storage elements). This module is characterized in that one of the walls of said housing is constituted by a metallic wall (2) forming part of a device (1) intended to contain liquid of the type liquid circulation circuit, in particular a thermal regulation circuit with heat transfer fluid, according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for manufacturing a device (1) of the type container or circulation circuit for liquid, in particular a thermal regulation circuit, comprising at least one metallic wall (2) which has at least one opening (3, 3') for the passage of liquid through said wall (2), a feed or discharge pipette (4, 4') being present on the external face (2') of said wall (2), at said or each opening (3, 3') and being connected in a hermetic manner to the relevant opening (3, 3'), a method characterized in that it comprises at least the steps of: providing a metallic wall (2), for example of the formed sheet type; subjecting at least one area (5) of the external face (2') of this metallic wall (2), surrounding said or each opening (3, 3'), to a surface treatment resulting in a microstructured and / or chemically altered surface layer at least in this area (5);to install a pipette (4, 4') made of thermoplastic material fixed directly to the external face (2') of the metal wall (2), at the level of said or each opening (3, 3'), either as an added part and secured by welding to the metal wall (2), or as a part formed by molding on the metal wall (2); to assemble said metal wall (2) with at least one other part (6, 6') to constitute the container or the circulation circuit (1).;

14. A manufacturing method according to claim 13, characterized in that it consists of subjecting at least one zone (5) surrounding the opening (3, 3') to a surface structuring process by laser or similar, producing surface microstructures allowing during the molding or welding of the pipette (4, 4') concerned a multiple interlocking of the thermoplastic material.

15. Manufacturing method according to claim 13, characterized in that it consists of subjecting at least one area (5) surrounding the opening (3, 3') to a surface treatment of the type passivation or anodization promoting a surface chemical adhesion of the thermoplastic material of the pipette concerned (4, 4').

16. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, for the realization of a circulation circuit, the metal wall (2) is assembled with a second wall or a complementary plate (6), made of a metallic or thermoplastic material, having a grooved pattern (7) and sealed together, for example by welding, against said metal wall (2), this grooved pattern (7) forming by cooperation with the inner face (2”) of said metal plate (2), against which the wall or complementary plate (6) is applied, a conduit or a network of conduits (8) for the circulation of liquid between the two openings (3, 3'), which correspond respectively to an inlet opening and an outlet opening and each of which is provided with a pipette made of thermoplastic material (4, 4').

17. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that it consists, for the purpose of forming the pipette(s) (4, 4') by overmolding thermoplastic material, of placing the metal wall (2) in an injection mold capable of rectifying the flatness of said wall if necessary.

18. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the complementary plate (6) is a grooved plate made of thermoplastic material and is joined by welding to the inner face (2”) of the metal wall (2), the bond obtained between this plate (6) and the metal wall (2) being a bond by mechanical attachment or by chemical adhesion of the thermoplastic material of the plate (6) with a microstructured and / or chemically altered surface layer of the inner face (2”) of the metal wall (2), during a pre-treatment step of said inner face (2”).

19. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that it consists, during the formation of the pipette(s) (4, 4') by overmolding, of simultaneously or in a delayed manner overmolding at least one other area of ​​the external face (2) and / or internal face (2") of the metal wall (2) with a thermoplastic material, identical or not to that forming the pipette(s) (4, 4'), to form for example stiffening and / or structural reinforcement structures or a protective coating, preferably after a surface treatment of the area(s) concerned promoting the adhesion of the thermoplastic material.

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