Thermal regulation device for components

Abstract

Thermal regulation device for components The invention relates to a thermal regulation device (2) comprising a housing (30) defining a compartment (60) configured to receive said components, these components being intended to be immersed in dielectric fluid, the housing comprising a plurality of side walls forming said compartment, at least one side wall comprising a profile having a corrugated shape configured to follow the profile of the components in the compartment, the housing being configured to be in fluidic connection with a fluid collector external to the compartment, the profile of the side wall comprising fluid conduits being configured to be in fluidic connection with said collector so as to distribute fluid from the collector to the interior of the compartment, the conduits of the wall profile being disposed at least some of the vertices and bases of the corrugated shape.Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 8.

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal regulation device for components

[0001] The invention relates to a thermal regulation device for components whose operation is sensitive to temperature, these components being in particular intended for energy storage and being able to be battery cells, in particular for vehicles.

[0002] The invention also relates to a system comprising such a thermal regulation device and said components placed in the thermal regulation device.

[0003] The invention further relates to a method of assembling such a device and / or system.

[0004] It is now common practice to equip electric, internal combustion, or hybrid vehicles with electrochemical and / or electronic and / or electrical components. In particular, an electrochemical component is a battery cell. Battery cells can be positioned in a battery pack, or a battery module.

[0005] Furthermore, it is known to install all or at least part of these battery packs at the level of the vehicle floor, substantially over the entire width of the vehicle.

[0006] It is understood that, during the operation of the vehicle, the battery packs can release a significant amount of heat, and therefore be subject to temperature increases which in some cases may cause them to be damaged, or even destroyed.

[0007] Consequently, their cooling is essential to maintain them in good condition and thus ensure the reliability, range, and performance of the vehicle. Furthermore, the operation of battery packs may be less efficient at low temperatures, as the electrical or electronic components equipping these battery packs require a warm-up period before operating at full capacity.

[0008] To achieve this, a thermal regulation device is known, intended to regulate the temperature of the battery packs, which is implemented to ensure the heating and / or cooling functions of the battery cells forming these battery packs and thus optimize the operation of these battery cells.

[0009] These thermal regulation devices are generally traversed by a heat transfer fluid, in particular a dielectric fluid, namely an electrically inert fluid, which can, depending on the requirements, either absorb the heat emitted by each battery pack in order to cool it down, or to provide heat, if the temperature of the battery pack is insufficient for its proper functioning.

[0010] There is a need to improve the thermal regulation device to increase heat exchange between said components and the heat transfer fluid and to compensate for pressure losses in the heat transfer fluid.

[0011] The invention aims to meet this need.

[0012] The present invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device (2) for the cooling and / or heating of temperature-sensitive components, these components being in particular intended for energy storage and being battery cells, said device comprising: - a housing defining a compartment configured to receive said components, these components being intended to be immersed in a dielectric fluid, - a dielectric fluid flow channel in this compartment, this channel comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet of dielectric fluid, the housing comprising a plurality of side walls forming a compartment, at least one side wall, preferably two side walls, comprising a profile having a corrugated shape configured to follow the profile of the components, in particular cylindrical cells, in the compartment.the casing being configured to be in fluidic connection with a fluid manifold external to the compartment, the side wall profile including fluid conduits being configured to be in fluidic connection with said manifold so as to distribute fluid from the manifold into the interior of the compartment, the conduits of the wall profile being disposed at least at some of the vertices and bases of the corrugated shape.

[0013] The base is understood to be the trough of the undulation, as opposed to the crest.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the conduits arranged in the vertices of the corrugated shape have a different length and passage cross-section than the conduits arranged in the bases of the corrugated shape.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the conduits arranged in the apexes of the corrugated shape have a larger diameter and a greater length than the conduits arranged in the bases of the corrugated shape.

[0016] Preferably, the conduits arranged in the apexes of the corrugated shape have a diameter at least twice as large as the diameter of the conduits arranged in the bases of the corrugated shape.

[0017] Advantageously, this makes it possible to improve the homogeneity of the fluid flow in the fluid circuit.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing defines with a bottom support the compartment configured to receive the components, the housing comprising a side wall and a cover connecting to the side wall.

[0019] Preferably, the inlets and outlets are arranged on opposite walls.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator has a profile following the profile of at least one side wall of the casing, and presents a space with the casing wall forming the passage between two stages defining sections of the fluid passage in the compartment.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal regulation device further comprises at least two separators arranged to receive the components so that these components extend through, on both sides, the separators, these separators being configured to create at least three stages of dielectric fluid flow, the separators being arranged so that the dielectric fluid entering through the inlet passes successively through the stages which each define a section of said channel, and the separators each have a free edge so as to provide a fluid passage, in particular in a U shape, between two stages.

[0022] The separators are configured in the housing so that each component, once inserted, is on either side of at least two separators by passing through them.

[0023] Preferably, the fluid channels are configured so that the components are immersed in said fluid.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the three floors have different heights.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the first two stages in the direction of fluid flow are configured to form fluid sections opposite the body of the components, the third stage having a lower height than the first two stages, and configured to form a fluid flow section cooling the electronic connections of the components.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing comprises at least two opposing side walls, the housing further comprising an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold of dielectric fluid on two opposing side walls of said housing.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the sections of the fluid circulation channel have a fluid passage cross-section equivalent to plus or minus 10%, in particular the last section intended to cool the electrical connections having the largest effective passage cross-section.

[0028] By "passage section" is understood the passage section measured once the cells are present in the channel and inserted into the separators.

[0029] The invention also relates to a thermal regulation system, comprising components whose operation is sensitive to temperature, these components being in particular intended for energy storage and being able to be battery cells comprising a thermal regulation device as described above, in which the height of the stages is defined according to the following formula: 40% of the wall height of the components < X < 60% of the wall height of the components 40% of component wall height < Y < 60% of component wall height 90% of component wall height < X + Y < 100% of component wall height height of electrical connections of components + 2 mm < Z < 10% height of wall of components + height of electrical connections of components + 5 mm.

[0030] By electrical cell connections, we mean the connector present on the cell, and the "busbar", the element enabling the electrical connection of the cell to the electrical circuit of the battery.

[0031] The invention also relates to a thermal regulation method by a thermal regulation device for the cooling and / or heating of components as described above, or a thermal regulation system as described above, in which the direction of circulation is controllable, and in which for the cooling of the components, the direction of circulation of the fluid is chosen as from the first stage opposite a wall of the component to the third stage opposite the electrical connections of the components, and for the heating of the components, the direction of circulation of the fluid is chosen as from the third stage opposite the electrical connections of the components to the first stage opposite a wall of the components.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a system as described above, which comprises the following steps: - Provide an enclosure defining a compartment configured to receive the components, - Arrange at least two separators, these separators being configured to create at least three stages of dielectric fluid flow, the separators being arranged so that the dielectric fluid entering through the inlet passes successively through the stages which each define a section of said channel, and the separators each have a free edge so as to provide a fluid passage, in particular in a U shape, between two stages. - Introduce components, including battery cells, into the casing, inserting the components through the separators so as to that each of the components be on either side of at least two separators by passing through them.

[0033] In the context of the present invention, the different stages are located at different heights when the thermal regulation device is mounted on the vehicle. The stages are thus in different vertical positions.

[0034] Thanks to the invention, the dielectric fluid can make three or more passes in contact with each of the components to be cooled, thereby increasing heat exchange between the components and the dielectric fluid. The invention thus allows for better cooling or heating of the components.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the stage which communicates with the dielectric fluid inlet is a high stage, namely the highest stage among all the stages.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the stage which communicates with the dielectric fluid outlet is a low stage, namely the lowest stage among all the stages.

[0037] The fact that the fluid passes are at different stages, with a flow of dielectric fluid from top to bottom, making one or more vertical turns, allows gravity to be used to compensate for pressure losses.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes a pump configured to force the flow of dielectric fluid.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, the stage which communicates with the dielectric fluid inlet is a low stage, namely the lowest stage among all the stages.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the stage which communicates with the dielectric fluid outlet is a high stage, namely the highest stage among all the stages.

[0041] In this example of bottom-up flow embodiment, a pump is provided to force the flow of dielectric fluid from bottom to top.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the two consecutive separators are arranged alternately on the walls of the housing so as to form said dielectric fluid flow channel.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator includes openings configured each to receive a component.

[0044] Once placed in the opening, the component protrudes on each side of the separator.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, each opening has a circular contour.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the openings are arranged in rows, in particular parallel rows.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator has a generally flat shape.

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator has a plate shape.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator is configured so that it can be placed substantially halfway up the component.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator comprises, for each opening, a sealing gasket for each component, this gasket being configured to apply itself to the component to seal the opening.

[0051] Thus, the seals on the separator prevent leaks of dielectric fluid through the separator, through the openings.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator has a multilayer structure with two external layers and an internal layer forming a sealing joint.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the outer layers may comprise at least one polymer material. The polymer material is a polyamide such as PA6 or PA66.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the inner layer may comprise at least one polymer material. The polymer material is in particular an elastomer such as FKM. In an alternative embodiment, the separator comprises a single rigid layer and at least one sealing gasket.

[0055] According to an alternative embodiment, the separator comprises a single rigid layer.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the inner layer is configured to come into contact with the component placed in the opening to ensure sealing.

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator has a multilayer structure with two external layers and an internal layer forming a sealing gasket, the internal layer being configured to come into contact with the component placed in the opening to ensure sealing.

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator comprises one or more dielectric fluid circulation orifices configured to allow the dielectric fluid to flow through the separator.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the dielectric fluid circulation orifice(s) are placed near, in particular between, the openings receiving the components.

[0060] This reduces pressure losses while maintaining the desired cooling capacity. If an electric pump is used to circulate the heat transfer fluid, this reduces the pump's power consumption.

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator has a number of openings for the components, a number which is at least equal to half the total number of components to be placed in the thermal regulation device.

[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing defines with a bottom support the compartment configured to receive the components, the housing comprising a side wall and a cover connecting to the side wall.

[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall has an annular shape, namely that it follows a closed perimeter, for example this perimeter being geometrically inscribed in a rectangle.

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the compartment is delimited between two opposite faces of the side wall of the case, in particular two opposite vertical faces belonging to the side wall of the case, and one of the separators being contiguous with one of these faces and the other of the separators being contiguous with the other of these faces.

[0065] In other words, at least half of the components are inserted into the separator. The number of openings may be greater than 60% or 70% of the total number of components to be placed in the compartment. This number is preferably less than 80% or 90% of the total number of components.

[0066] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall and the cover are made of a single piece, for example of plastic material.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall fits within a rectangular perimeter.

[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall includes a region for fixing the separator to the side wall.

[0069] This fixing region is in the form of a strip in which an edge of the separator is embedded.

[0070] The separator is for example secured to the side wall of the housing during an overmolding of material on the separator in order to form the side wall.

[0071] Alternatively, the separator can be in contact with the side wall without being attached to it.

[0072] According to one aspect of the invention, the separator may include flow disruptors. These disruptors are, for example, of the "dimples" type.

[0073] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing comprises a dielectric fluid supply conduit communicating with the inlet of the dielectric fluid flow channel and a dielectric fluid outlet conduit communicating with the outlet of the dielectric fluid flow channel.

[0074] According to one aspect of the invention, the conduits are made in one piece with the rest of the housing.

[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, the supply and discharge conduits for the dielectric fluid are arranged on one face of opposite side walls.

[0076] According to one aspect of the invention, the lid comprises, on its main external face, reinforcing reliefs, in particular in the form of boxes.

[0077] According to one aspect of the invention, the lid comprises, on its main internal face facing the compartment, retaining reliefs configured to retain the components placed in the compartment.

[0078] According to one aspect of the invention, these retaining reliefs include studs, in particular made in one piece with the lid.

[0079] These pins are arranged in circular lines so as to be able to surround the top of the components, in particular the battery cells.

[0080] According to one aspect of the invention, the components are cylindrical battery cells.

[0081] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall has a shape conforming to the contour of components to be placed in the compartment.

[0082] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall comprises rounded undulations.

[0083] According to one aspect of the invention, the base support is configured to hold the components to be placed in the compartment.

[0084] According to one aspect of the invention, the base support includes housings for each housing a component.

[0085] According to one aspect of the invention, each housing has a circular shape.

[0086] According to one aspect of the invention, the housings are formed by openings on a main wall of the base support.

[0087] According to one aspect of the invention, each housing includes a shoulder, in particular of annular shape, configured to serve as a stop for the component to be placed in this housing.

[0088] This stop is preferably sealed against the dielectric fluid.

[0089] According to one aspect of the invention, each housing receives a sealing gasket configured to apply to the component that is to be placed in this housing.

[0090] According to one aspect of the invention, each component is inserted through the housing and then, at the end of the insertion stroke, the component comes to rest against this shoulder so that this component cannot cross the housing beyond a required position.

[0091] The components are thus held, at the bottom, by the base support, and, at the top, by these retaining reliefs, for example in the form of pins.

[0092] According to one aspect of the invention, each housing is provided with one or more slots around its perimeter to allow the passage of dielectric fluid.

[0093] In this way, the pressure losses due to the passage of the dielectric fluid through the housing are reduced.

[0094] According to one aspect of the invention, the base support includes a side wall connecting to the main wall which defines the housings.

[0095] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom support is closed by a bottom plate which is applied against the side wall of the bottom support.

[0096] According to one aspect of the invention, one or more conductive bars are placed in the space between the base plate and the base support.

[0097] According to one aspect of the invention, these conductive bars, also called "Busbars" in English, serve for the electrical connection of the battery cells.

[0098] According to one aspect of the invention, the base plate has reliefs, for example in the form of studs, configured to apply the conductive bar(s) against the components.

[0099] According to one aspect of the invention, the components rest on these conductive bars, once these components are mounted on the thermal regulation device.

[0100] According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes an electrical connector configured to connect the set of conductive bars in contact with the components.

[0101] The invention further relates to a module comprising at least one thermal regulation device according to the invention, and components, in particular battery cells, placed in the thermal regulation device.

[0102] According to one aspect of the invention, the component includes an enlarged base configured to come against the shoulder of the housing which receives this component.

[0103] The invention further relates to a method of assembling a module according to the invention, comprising the step of inserting the components into the housings, in particular the openings, of a base support of the thermal regulation device.

[0104] This insertion is accomplished by passing the component through the opening until the enlarged base of the component abuts against the shoulder of the housing that receives this component. Once these insertions are complete, the base plate is assembled with the base support, for example by gluing or welding.

[0105] The insertion of the components, in particular the battery cells, is thus carried out, in a way, from the underside of the base support.

[0106] In the invention, the components, in particular the battery cells, are immersed in the dielectric fluid, at least to a certain height.

[0107] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0108] - Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic and perspective view of a first mode of implementation of the thermal regulation device according to the invention;

[0109] - Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic and perspective view of the regulation device thermal according to a second embodiment according to the invention without the device housing;

[0110] - [Fig. 3] shows a cross-sectional view of the thermal regulation device according to a third embodiment;

[0111] - [Fig.4] shows a view of the thermal regulation device;

[0112] - [Fig. 5] shows a cross-sectional, perspective view of the regulating device thermal;

[0113] - [Fig.6] shows a top view of the base support with the components;

[0114] - Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of the device of the invention

[0115] - [Fig.8] shows a detail of a cross-sectional view of the device of [Fig.3];

[0116] - The characteristics, variants and different embodiments of the invention These features can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may include only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from prior art.

[0117] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" refer to the orientation of a thermal regulation device according to the invention.

[0118] A longitudinal direction corresponds to a principal extension direction of a thermal control device, namely the direction of the greatest length of the control device. The transverse and vertical directions correspond to directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. These three directions—longitudinal, transverse, and vertical—form a trihedral angle.

[0119] Figures 1 to 8 show a thermal regulation device 2 for cooling and / or heating components 4 whose operation is sensitive to temperature, these components 4 being cylindrical battery cells 4.

[0120] The device 2 comprises a housing (30) defining a compartment (60) configured to receive the components, a dielectric fluid flow channel (6) in this compartment, this channel (6) comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet of dielectric fluid (8, 10), at least two separators (12) arranged to receive the components (4) such that these components (4) extend through, on both sides, the separators (12), these separators (12) being configured to create at least three stages of dielectric fluid flow (El, E2, E3), the separators being arranged so that the dielectric fluid entering through the inlet passes successively through the stages (El, E2, E3) which each define a section (26) of said channel (6), and the separators (12) each have a free edge (27) so as to provide a fluid passage, in particular in U, between two stages (El, E2, E3).

[0121] In the example shown in [Fig.2], a separator 12 is placed approximately halfway up the walls of the battery cells 4, but it can be placed in other configurations at other heights.

[0122] In the context of the present invention, the different stages El, E2, E3 are located at different heights when the thermal regulation device 2 is mounted on the vehicle (not shown). The stages El, E2, E3 are thus in different vertical positions.

[0123] Thanks to the invention, the dielectric fluid can make three or more passes in contact with each of the battery cells to be cooled, which increases the heat exchange between the battery cells and the dielectric fluid.

[0124] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the fact that the fluid passes are at different stages E1, E2, E3, with a dielectric fluid flow from stage to stage, here represented from top to bottom F by making several vertical turns Fv, makes it possible to take advantage of gravity to compensate for pressure losses. The invention thus makes it possible to better cool or heat the battery cells 4.

[0125] In this figure, the second separator at the bottom is part of a support plate 80; the opening allowing passage from the second stage E2 to the third stage E3 is not visible. This support plate contains the portion of the cells comprising the busbars cooled by the passage of the fluid during the pass through the third stage E3.

[0126] In other alternative embodiments, the cells are placed with the conductive bars 116, busbars, upwards, the third stage E3 is then formed between a separator 12 and the cover 38. The housing includes a support plate 80, which is preferably fluid-tight.

[0127] This conductive bar 116, also called "Busbar" in English, serves for the electrical connection of the battery cells 4. The battery cells 4 further each include an orifice arranged to be connected to the conductive bar.

[0128] Figure 3 represents the device in a cross-sectional view in which the cells 4 have been inserted into two separators 12, in order to form three circulation stages of fluid El, E2, E3. Stage E3 includes the 116 busbars, or 116 conductive bars, at the top of the cells.

[0129] With reference to [Fig.4] and 8, the thermal regulation device 2 comprises a housing 30 defining with a base support 32 a compartment configured to receive the battery cells 4.

[0130] The housing 30 further includes a side wall 36 and a cover 38 connecting to the side wall 36.

[0131] The housing 30 includes a dielectric fluid supply conduit 40 communicating with the inlet of the dielectric fluid flow channel and a dielectric fluid outlet conduit 42 communicating with the outlet of the dielectric fluid flow channel.

[0132] The conduits 40, 42 are made in one piece with the rest of the housing 30.

[0133] The dielectric fluid supply and discharge conduits 40, 42 are arranged on one same face of a lateral wall 36.

[0134] Thus, the pipes (not shown) which connect to the conduits 40, 42 are placed on the same side, which allows for an optimized footprint.

[0135] The side wall 36 has a wavy shape.

[0136] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 8, the side wall 36 has a shape conforming to the contours of the battery cells 4 to be placed in the compartment. The side wall 36 includes rounded corrugations.

[0137] As illustrated by way of example in [Fig.8], the conduits arranged in the vertices of the corrugated shape may have a larger diameter and a greater length than the conduits arranged in the bases of the corrugated shape.

[0138] This advantageously allows balancing the fluid flow between the different conduits in order to optimize the overall cooling of components 4.

[0139] The difference in diameter and / or length is, for example, a factor of 2.

[0140] The side wall 36 may include a region for attaching the separator 12 to the side wall 36. This fixing area is in the form of a strip in which an edge of the separator 12 is embedded.

[0141] The separator 12 can be secured to the side wall 36 of the housing 30 by overmolding material onto the separator 12 in order to form the side wall 36.

[0142] Alternatively, the separator 12 can be in contact with the side wall 36 without being attached to it.

[0143] Other means of fixing the separator 12 to the side wall 36 are conceivable, such as for example a notch in the side wall into which the separator 12 is inserted. The notch may include sealing means such as an elastic seal to form a watertight connection with the separator 12.

[0144] As can be seen in [Fig.5], the side wall 36 and the cover 38 can be made in one piece, for example out of plastic.

[0145] The cover 38 includes, on its main external face 50, reinforcing reliefs 52 in the form of boxes.

[0146] The cover 38 includes, on its main internal face 54 facing the compartment 60, retaining reliefs 70 configured to retain the battery cells 4 placed in the compartment 60.

[0147] These retaining reliefs 70 include studs made in one piece with the lid 38.

[0148] These pins 70 are arranged in circular lines so as to be able to surround the top 72 of the battery cells 4.

[0149] As illustrated in [Fig.6], the base support 80 is configured to hold the battery cells 4 to be placed in the compartment 60.

[0150] The base support 80 includes housings 82, each for housing a battery cell 4. Each housing 82 has, for example, a circular shape. In other alternative embodiments, the housings 82 have polygonal shapes, for example, hexagonal shapes.

[0151] The housings 82 are formed by openings 84 on a main wall 86 of the base support 80. Each housing 82 includes a shoulder 88 of annular shape, configured to serve as a stop for the component 4 to be placed in this housing 82.

[0152] This stop 88 is preferably sealed against dielectric fluid, when the third stage is formed between a separator 12 and the cover 38.

[0153] Each housing 82 may include a sealing gasket 90 configured to apply to the battery cell 4 which is to be placed in this housing 82.

[0154] The housing seal 90 includes notches 92.

[0155] The battery cells 4 each include an enlarged base 94 configured to come abutting against the shoulder 88 of the housing 82 which receives this cell 4.

[0156] Each cell 4 is inserted through the housing 90 and then, at the end of the insertion stroke, the cell 4 comes to rest against this shoulder 88 so that this cell 4 cannot cross the housing 90 beyond a required position.

[0157] The battery cells 4 are thus held, at the bottom, by the base support 80, and, at the top, by these retaining reliefs in the form of pins 70.

[0158] With reference to variants of figures 5 and 6, but including for other variants of the invention, all the battery cells 4 can be held at the bottom, by the base support 80, and, at the top, by these retaining reliefs in the form of pins 70.

[0159] A single separator is shown in [Fig. 5] to facilitate understanding and to make particularly visible the fact that the separator 12 includes openings 100 having a circular contour, the 100 openings each being configured to receive a battery cell 4.

[0160] Once placed in the opening 100, the battery cell 4 protrudes on each side of the separator 12.

[0161] The 100 openings are arranged in parallel rows.

[0162] Each separator 12 can include, for each opening 100, a sealing gasket 102 for each battery cell 4, this gasket 102 being configured to apply to the battery cell 4 to seal the opening 100.

[0163] Advantageously, the seals 102 on the separator 12 prevent leakage of dielectric fluid through the separator 12, through the openings 100.

[0164] Each separator 12 may have a multilayer structure with two external layers 104 and an internal layer 102 forming a sealing joint 102. In alternative embodiments not shown, the separator 12 comprises a single rigid layer, with or without additional joints.

[0165] The outer layers 104 may comprise a polymer material. The polymer material is a polyamide such as PA6 or PA66.

[0166] The inner layer 102 may comprise a polymer material. The polymer material is, in particular, an elastomer such as FKM. In the case of a multilayer structure, the inner layer 102 is configured to apply itself against the battery cell 4 placed in the opening 100 to

[0167] Device 2 includes an electrical connector configured to connect the set of conductive bars in contact with the components.

[0168] In alternative embodiments not shown, the conductive bar(s) 116 are located between the cover 38 and the cells 4.

[0169] In the example of [Fig.7], the thermal regulation device comprises two separators 12, configured to provide three stages of dielectric fluid flow El, E2, E3, and each separator 12 has a free edge 27 so as to provide a U-shaped fluid passage between two consecutive stages, namely between El and E2 or E2 and E3.

[0170] These two U-shaped bends form an S-shaped path between the supply and discharge conduits 40, 42.

[0171] The two consecutive separators 12 are arranged alternately on the dielectric fluid flow channel.

[0172] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the separators 12 include flow perturbators. These perturbators are, for example, of the "dimples" type.

[0173] Of course, whatever the variant of the invention, the separator(s) 12 may include flow disruptors.

[0174] The separator 12 has several dielectric fluid circulation orifices configured to allow the dielectric fluid to flow through the separator 12.

[0175] These dielectric fluid circulation orifices are placed close together between openings 100 receiving the battery cells 4.

[0176] In the case where an electric pump (not shown) is used to move the heat transfer fluid, this makes it possible to reduce the electrical consumption of the pump.

[0177] In an unrepresented variant, the stage which communicates with the dielectric fluid inlet is a low stage, namely the lowest stage among all the stages and the stage which communicates with the dielectric fluid outlet is a high stage, namely the highest stage among all the stages.

[0178] In this example of bottom-up flow embodiment, a pump is provided to force the flow of dielectric fluid from bottom to top.

Claims

Demands

1. A thermal regulation device (2) for cooling and / or heating temperature-sensitive components (4), these components (4) being in particular intended for energy storage and possibly being battery cells (4), said device (2) comprising: - a housing (30) defining a compartment (60) configured to receive said components, these components being intended to be immersed in a dielectric fluid, - a dielectric fluid flow channel (6) in this compartment, this channel (6) comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet of dielectric fluid (8, 10), the housing comprising a plurality of side walls forming said compartment, at least one side wall, preferably two side walls, comprising a profile having a corrugated shape configured to follow the profile of the components, in particular cylindrical cells, in the compartment,the casing being configured to be in fluidic connection with a fluid manifold external to the compartment, the side wall profile comprising fluid conduits being configured to be in fluidic connection with said manifold so as to distribute fluid from the manifold into the interior of the compartment, the conduits of the wall profile being disposed at least at some of the vertices and bases of the corrugated shape.

2. Thermal regulation device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the conduits arranged in the apexes of the corrugated shape have a length and a passage cross-section different from the conduits arranged in the bases of the corrugated shape.

3. Thermal regulation device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the conduits arranged in the peaks of the corrugated shape have a larger diameter and a greater length than the conduits arranged in the bases of the corrugated shape.

4. Thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (30) defines, with a base support (80), the compartment (60) configured to receive the components, the housing (30) comprising a side wall (36) and a cover (38) connecting to the side wall (36).

5. Thermal control device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a separator has a profile following the profile of at least one side wall of the casing, and has a gap with the casing wall forming the passage between two stages defining sections of the fluid passage in the compartment.

6. Thermal regulation device (2 according to any one of the preceding claims, said device (2) comprising: - at least two separators (12) arranged in the compartment to receive the components (4) such that these components (4) extend through, on either side, the separators (12), these separators (12) being configured to create at least three stages of dielectric fluid flow (El, E2, E3) in the compartment, the separators being arranged so that the dielectric fluid entering through the inlet passes successively through the stages (El, E2, E3) which each define a section (26) of said channel (6), and the separators (12) each have a free edge (27) so as to provide a fluid passage, in particular in a U shape, between two stages (El, E2, E3).

7. Thermal regulation device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the three stages have different heights.

8. Thermal regulation device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first two stages in the direction of fluid flow are configured to form fluid sections opposite the body of the components, the third stage having a lower height than the first two stages, and configured to form a fluid flow section cooling the electronic connections of the components.

9. Thermal control device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing 30 comprises at least two opposing side walls 36, the housing further comprising an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold of dielectric fluid on two opposing side walls 36 of said housing.

10. A thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sections of the fluid circulation channel have a fluid passage cross-section equivalent to more or minus 10%, in particular the last section intended to cool the electrical connections having the largest effective passage cross-section.

11. Thermal regulation system, comprising temperature-sensitive components (4), these components (4) being in particular intended for energy storage, which may be battery cells (4), and comprising a thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Thermal regulation system according to the preceding claim, in combination with claim 6, wherein the height of the stages is defined according to the following formula: 40% wall height of components (4) < X < 60% wall height of components (4) 40% wall height of components (4) < Y < 60% wall height of components (4) 90% wall height of components (4) < X + Y < 100% wall height of components (4) + height of electrical connections of components (4) + 2 mm < Z < 10% wall height of components (4) + height of electrical connections of components (4) + 5 mm, X, Y and Z being the respective heights of the three dielectric fluid flow stages (E1, E2, E3).

13. A method of thermal regulation by means of a thermal regulation device (2) for the cooling and / or heating of components (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in combination with claim 6, or a thermal regulation system according to claim 11 or 12 in combination with claim 6, wherein the direction of flow is controllable, and wherein for the cooling of the components, the direction of flow of the fluid is chosen as from the first stage opposite a wall of the component to the third stage opposite the electrical connections of the components, and for the heating of the components, the direction of flow of the fluid is chosen as from the third stage opposite the electrical connections of the components to the first stage opposite a wall of the components.

14. A method for assembling a system according to claim 11 or 12, comprising the following steps: Provide an enclosure (30) defining a compartment (60) configured to receive the components, Arrange at least two separators (12), these separators (12) being configured to create at least three stages of dielectric fluid flow (El, E2, E3), the separators being arranged so that the dielectric fluid entering through the inlet passes successively through the stages (El, E2, E3) which each define a section (26) of said channel (6), and the separators (12) each have a free edge (27) so as to provide a fluid passage, in particular in U, between two stages (El, E2, E3). Introduce components, including battery cells, into the casing, with the components inserted through the separators so that each component is on either side of at least two separators as it passes through them.

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