Heat dissipation device as well as electrical connection box, electrical energy storage device and vehicle including such a heat dissipation device.

Abstract

A heat dissipation device, particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising a heat pipe (10) configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, a hot source comprising an electrical component (14), and, on the other hand, a cold source (16), said device further comprising a first thermal interface element (18) having a first heat exchange surface in contact with said heat pipe (10) and a second heat exchange surface intended to come into contact with one of said hot or cold sources for heat exchange between said heat pipe (10) and said hot or cold source via said first thermal interface element (18), said device being configured to apply an elastic force (F) between said heat pipe (10) and said first thermal interface element (18). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 10

Description

Title of the invention: Heat dissipation device as well as electrical connection box, electrical energy storage device and vehicle comprising such a dissipation device.

[0001] The invention relates to a heat dissipation device, particularly for a motor vehicle. It also relates to an electrical connection box for an electrical energy storage device, particularly a battery, comprising such a dissipation device. It further relates to such an electrical energy storage device, particularly a battery, comprising such a box and / or such a dissipation device. It also relates to a vehicle comprising such a storage device, such a box, and / or such a dissipation device.

[0002] In this field, it is known that electric or hybrid vehicles are equipped with a battery pack comprising a casing which houses several electrochemical cells connected together and providing a high voltage at the terminals of the battery, typically a voltage of several hundred volts.

[0003] It is then necessary to equip the battery with an electrical connection box containing safety electrical components (relays, fuses) in order to cut off the current when necessary. These components are connected using busbars through which the input or output current from the battery flows.

[0004] In certain situations, the battery supplies or receives a high electrical power. This is the case, for example, during so-called fast charging of the vehicle's battery, or when the vehicle must exert significant traction. In these situations, the flow of a high-intensity current generates a sharp increase in temperature, particularly in areas commonly referred to as "hot spots," such as safety-critical electrical components, which are then at increased risk of degradation.

[0005] To limit this risk, it is common practice to oversize these components. However, this generates significant bulk, an excessive increase in weight, and an additional cost.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks and, to this end, proposes a heat dissipation device, particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising a heat pipe configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, a hot source comprising an electrical component, and, on the other hand, a cold source, said device further comprising a first component thermal interface having a first heat exchange surface in contact with said heat pipe and a second heat exchange surface, intended to come into contact with one of said hot or cold sources for heat exchange between said heat pipe and said hot or cold source via said first thermal interface element, said device being configured to apply an elastic force between said heat pipe and said first thermal interface element.

[0007] Thus, according to the invention, the first thermal interface element enhances heat exchange through dedicated exchange surfaces between the heat pipe and the hot or cold source in question. Furthermore, the anticipated force between the heat pipe and the first thermal interface element promotes contact between them and therefore good thermal conduction.

[0008] In the context of an application to an electrical energy storage device, it is thus possible to reduce the temperature to which the safety devices will be subjected and to avoid their oversizing.

[0009] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said first thermal interface element, referred to as cold, is configured for heat exchange between said heat pipe and said cold source, said first and second heat exchange surfaces being referred to as cold, - said device comprises a second thermal interface element, referred to as the hot element, having a first heat exchange surface, referred to as the hot element, in contact with said heat pipe and a second heat exchange surface, referred to as the hot element, intended to come into contact with said hot source, - said device comprises a support and an element for applying said force, intended to cooperate with said support, - said support is configured for fixing said heat source - said support is intended to be fixed to said cold source, - said second cold exchange surface has a shape designed to fit over an upper face of said cold source, - said second cold exchange surface is flat, - said cold thermal interface element comprises a body, housing said heat pipe, and a diffuser attached to said body and intended to come into contact with said cold source, - said cold thermal interface element has a hollow shape accommodating said heat pipe, - said body flares out towards said diffuser by means of curved shapes, said device includes a thermal conduction pad exhibiting electrical insulating properties, said pad is intended to be located between said second cold exchange surface and said cold source, said heat pipe is inclined so that, in use, a first zone of the heat pipe in heat exchange with said hot thermal interface element is vertically at a level lower than that of a second zone of the heat pipe in heat exchange with said cold thermal interface element, said device includes an electrically conductive busbar intended to be electrically connected to said heat source, said heat pipe is straight, said heat pipe has a rounded cross-section, said heat pipe has a substantially circular cross-section. said heat pipe is sintered. said heat pipe is twisted, said force-applying device includes a rod configured to apply said force, said rod is configured to exert said force on said heat pipe so as to press said heat pipe against said first cold exchange surface by a lever effect, said rod is threaded, said device comprises one or more nuts cooperating with said support to apply said force via said rod and through a relative position of said nuts along the rod with respect to said support, said rod comprises an elongated body and a head attached to said elongated body, said head being in contact with said heat pipe. said head comprises a first throat housing said heat pipe said first groove extends around an upper portion of said heat pipe, said hollow shape includes a second groove, said second gorge extends around a lower portion of said heat pipe, said electrical conduction busbar is fixed to said support, said electrical conduction busbar is traversed by said threaded rod and fixed to said support by means of said nut(s), said rod exhibits thermal conductivity properties such as to form said hot thermal interface organ, said head flares out from said body in curved shapes, - said head is welded, in particular brazed, and / or crimped to said heat pipe - said second groove has a rounded straight section, - said force application element comprises a spring exerting said force on an upper face of said cold thermal interface element, bearing against said support, - said spring is formed from a folded blade, - said hot thermal interface element includes a thermal conduction lug, - said thermal conduction leg has a first branch equipped with a first sleeve housing said heat pipe, - said first heat exchange surface is formed from an internal surface of said first sleeve, - said thermal conduction leg has a second branch configured to be attached to said hot source, - said first branch has a funnel shape extending from the base of said second branch, - the said first and second branches of the thermal conduction leg form an L, - said hollow shape is formed by a second sleeve housing said heat pipe, - said first cold exchange surface is formed from an internal surface of said second sleeve, - said electrical conduction omnibus bar is intended to be fixed between said thermal conduction lug and said hot source.

[0010] The invention also relates to an electrical connection box for an electrical energy storage device, in particular a battery of accumulators, comprising a hot source, a cold source and a dissipation device as described above.

[0011] According to various additional features of the invention, which may can be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - said electrical component includes an electrical protection component, - said electrical protection device includes an electrical relay, - said heat source includes electrical connection terminals, electrically connected to said electrical component and in heat exchange relationship with said dissipation device, - said cold source comprises a plate exhibiting a thermal inertia much greater than the thermal inertia of said hot source.

[0012] The invention further relates to an electrical energy storage device, in particular a battery of accumulators, comprising a connection box and / or a dissipation device as described above.

[0013] Advantageously, the connection box plate includes all or part of a lower face of a housing for the electrical energy storage device.

[0014] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising a storage device, a connection box and / or a dissipation device as described above.

[0015] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0016] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in side view, a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in perspective, exploded view, organs of a heat dissipation device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0018] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates in perspective the organs of the [Fig.2], assembled;

[0019] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates in perspective the dissipation device thermal according to the first embodiment of the invention, complete and mounted on a cold source;

[0020] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates, in longitudinal section view, the device of thermal dissipation of the [Fig.4], before mounting on the cold source;

[0021] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates in perspective, exploded view, organs of a heat dissipation device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0022] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates in perspective the organs of the [Fig.6], assembled;

[0023] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates in perspective the dissipation device thermal according to the second embodiment of the invention, complete and mounted on a cold source, according to a first orientation;

[0024] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates, in longitudinal section view, the device of thermal dissipation of the [Fig.8], before mounting on the cold source;

[0025] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates in longitudinal section view the heat dissipation device of the [Fig.8], after mounting on the cold source;

[0026] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates in longitudinal section view the heat dissipation device of [Fig.8], according to a second orientation.

[0027] It should first be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", ... are used only to distinguish the components concerned from each other and do not imply any order or possible importance of said components.

[0028] The invention relates to a heat dissipation device, in particular for motor vehicles.

[0029] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the invention also relates to an electrical connection box 1, an electrical energy storage device 2, in particular a battery, and a vehicle V comprising such a dissipation device. The latter is placed, for example, in the electrical connection box 1, said box 1 being used for connecting the electrical energy storage device 2 to an electrical network 3 of the motor vehicle V. Said vehicle V is advantageously an electric or hybrid vehicle connected to said electrical network 3.

[0030] As illustrated in the following figures, said heat dissipation device comprises a heat pipe 10, configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, a hot source 12 and, on the other hand, a cold source 16. By "heat pipe", we mean a heat-conducting element allowing a fluid to circulate inside the element, in particular by capillarity and / or by gravity, this in a closed cycle according to a principle of successive evaporation and condensation of the fluid.

[0031] Preferably, said heat pipe 10 is straight. It has, for example, a rounded cross-section, in particular circular. Said heat pipe 10 is, in particular, sintered and / or twisted.

[0032] As particularly visible in figures 2 and 3 as well as 6 and 7, said device further comprises a first thermal interface element 18 having a first heat exchange surface 18a in contact with said heat pipe 10 and a second heat exchange surface 18b intended to come into contact with one of said hot or cold sources, here the cold source, for a heat exchange between said heat pipe 10 and said hot or cold source via said first thermal interface element 18.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiments, said first thermal interface element, said cold, has a first heat exchange surface 18a, said cold, in contact with said heat pipe 10, and a second heat exchange surface 18b, said cold, intended to come into contact with said cold source 16.

[0034] Said cold thermal interface element 18 comprises a body 22, housing said heat pipe 10, and a diffuser 24, connected to said body 22 and intended to come into contact with said cold source 16. Said body 22 and said diffuser 24 are, for example, made of continuous material. Said cold thermal interface element 18 is, in particular, made of copper.

[0035] Advantageously, said cold thermal interface organ 18, in particular here said body 22, has a hollow shape hosting said heat pipe 10 so that an internal face of said hollow shape defines said first cold exchange surface 18a.

[0036] Said diffuser 24 is formed, for example, of a plate. Said plate extends here beyond a junction surface between said body 22 and said diffuser 24 so that the diffuser 24 has a heat conduction surface that is enlarged relative to said body 22 in the direction of said cold source 16.

[0037] Preferably, said body 22 flares out towards said diffuser 24 by means of curved shapes. This is particularly visible in Figures 6 and 7, where the presence of a radius of curvature at the junction between the body 22 and the plate can be seen. Such shapes promote heat conduction within said cold thermal interface element 18.

[0038] Said second cold exchange surface 18b is defined here by a lower face of the diffuser 24. Advantageously, said second cold exchange surface 18b has a shape designed to fit an upper face of said cold source 16, which is here provided to be substantially flat. In the illustrated embodiments, said second cold exchange surface 18b is flat.

[0039] Said dissipation device further comprises a second thermal interface element 20, referred to as the hot element. Said hot thermal interface element has a first heat exchange surface 20a, referred to as the hot surface, in contact with said heat pipe 10 and a second heat exchange surface 20b, referred to as the hot surface, intended to come into contact with said hot source 12, for heat exchange between said heat pipe 10 and said hot source via said second thermal interface element 20. The structure and operation of said hot thermal interface element 20 will be further described in relation to the various illustrated embodiments.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5 and 6 and 7 to 10, according to the invention, said dissipation device is configured to apply an elastic force between said heat pipe 10 and said first thermal interface member, namely here, for the record, said cold thermal interface member 18.

[0041] As will become apparent from the various examples illustrated later, the elastic nature of the force arises from the components used to apply it and / or from the elasticity of the materials used. Such a force has been illustrated in the figures by an arrow labeled F.

[0042] The first thermal interface element 18 enhances the heat exchange between the heat pipe 10 and the source 16 in question by means of their dedicated exchange surfaces, here the cold exchange surfaces 18a, 18b. Furthermore, the force F expected between the heat pipe 10 and said first thermal interface organ 18 promotes contact between them and therefore good thermal conduction.

[0043] Said dissipation device includes, for example, a support 30, in particular made of reinforced ABS, and an application element 40 of said force F, intended to cooperate with said support 30.

[0044] Advantageously, said support 30 is configured for fixing said hot source 12. Alternatively or cumulatively, said support 30 is intended to be fixed to said cold source 16.

[0045] Preferably, the device comprises a thermal conduction pad 44 having electrical insulation properties. The pad is intended to be located, for example, between the second cold exchange surface 18b and the cold source 16. The pad is advantageously compressible. Alternatively, instead of the pad, the device comprises, for example, a layer of paste-like material having thermal conduction and electrical insulation properties.

[0046] According to the embodiments of Figures 4 and 5, and 8 and 9, said heat pipe 10 is intended to be oriented horizontally. Here, it has a slight, non-visible inclination, so that, in use, a first zone of the heat pipe 10 in heat exchange with said hot thermal interface element 20 is vertically at a level slightly lower than that of a second zone of the heat pipe 10 in heat exchange with said cold thermal interface element 18.

[0047] Alternatively, as illustrated in [Fig. 10], the heat pipe 10 is intended to be oriented vertically during operation, with the hot source 12 then located at its lower end. The cold source 16 extends vertically along the entire height of the dissipation device, but its heat exchange with the device is only at its upper end.

[0048] Said connection box includes one or more bus bars 50, 50a, 50b of electrical conduction intended to be connected electrically, or even thermally, to said hot source 12.

[0049] Said hot source 12 includes an electrical component 14. Said electrical component 14 is formed here of an electrical protection device, for example an electrical relay and / or a fuse designed to open in the event of a fault in circuit 3. Said hot source 12 includes electrical connection terminals, electrically connected to said electrical component 14 and in a heat exchange relationship with said device. Said electrical connection terminals are not visible in the embodiment of Figures 2 to 5 and are illustrated in Figures 116a and 116b in the embodiment of Figures 6 to 10.

[0050] Said cold source comprises, for example, a plate 52 having a thermal inertia much greater than that of said hot source 12. Said Plate 52 may include all or part of a lower face of a housing for the electrical energy storage device. This plate 52 is provided with channels for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid.

[0051] The embodiment of figures 2 to 5 will now be described in more detail.

[0052] In this mode, said force-applying member 40 comprises a rod 60 configured to apply said force F. Said rod 60 is configured to exert said force F on said heat pipe 10 so as to press said heat pipe 10 against said first cold exchange surface 18a by a lever effect.

[0053] Preferably, said rod 60 has thermal conductivity properties so as to form said hot thermal interface member 20. It is, for example, made of copper.

[0054] Said rod 60 is, in particular, straight. It is, for example, threaded, at least along part of its length, in particular at an end opposite said heat pipe 10.

[0055] Said device includes one or more nuts 62a, 62b cooperating with said support 30 to generate said force F via said rod 60 and through a relative position of said nuts 62a, 62b along the rod 60 with respect to said support 30.

[0056] Said rod 60 here comprises an elongated body 64 and a head 66 linked to said elongated body 64, at the level of an end of said elongated body 64 turned towards said heat pipe 10.

[0057] Said elongated body 64 has the thread for positioning the nuts 62a, 62b, in particular at the end of said elongated body 64 opposite the heat pipe 10. Said elongated body 64 has a rounded, in particular circular, straight section.

[0058] Said head 66 is in contact with said heat pipe 10. It is, for example, welded, in particular brazed, and / or crimped to said heat pipe 10. Said head 66 includes, for example, a first groove 68 receiving said heat pipe 10. Said first groove 68 defines said first hot exchange surface 20a.

[0059] Said head 66 here has a substantially parallelepiped shape. It is connected to said elongated body 64 at one of its faces, namely an upper face 70, by means of rounded shapes. More generally, said head 66 flares out from said elongated body 64 in curved shapes.

[0060] Said first groove 68 is oriented substantially orthogonally to said elongated body 64. It extends around an upper portion of said heat pipe 10, in particular over substantially 180°.

[0061] Said support 30 comprises a first wing 32 in the shape of an inverted U. Said heat pipe 10 passes between lateral sides 34a, 34b of said first wing 32, at one of the ends of the heat pipe 10 located on the side of said source hot 12. An upper base 36 of said first wing 32 has a light allowing passage of said rod 60. Nuts 62a, 62b are located on either side of said support 30, in particular of said upper base 36, thus forming a nut / locknut assembly.

[0062] 5 It is fixed to said support 30, for example to said upper base 36. Said The electrical conduction busbar 50 is traversed by the threaded rod 34 and fixed to the support 30 by means of the nut(s) 62a, 62b. The busbar 50 is intended to be electrically, and possibly thermally, connected, on the one hand, to one of the first electrical connection terminals of the electrical component 14 by one of its ends, and on the other hand, to the rest of an electrical circuit of the connection box, in particular to another of its electrical components, not shown. The first connection terminal of the electrical component 14 is located, in particular, at one of the longitudinal ends of the electrical component 14, the electrical component having a cylindrical outer contour.

[0063] Although this is not illustrated either, said connection box is intended to include a second dissipation device identical to the previous one and connected to the second electrical connection terminal of said electrical member 14, said second electrical connection terminal being located at a longitudinal end of said electrical member 14, opposite to the longitudinal end provided with said first electrical connection terminal.

[0064] Here we notice a symmetry with respect to a median plane of said electrical organ 14.

[0065] Because of this symmetry, it is understood that another support 30' comprising a second inverted U-shaped wing 32' is located at the opposite longitudinal end of the electrical component 14. This other support 30' is intended to be traversed by the rod of the second heat dissipation device and to accommodate between its lateral sides the heat pipe of said second heat dissipation device.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, said first and second wings 32, 32' are integrated into a single frame, of which they form two opposite sides. Said frame defines a housing for said electrical element 14. Said frame includes a lower base 56 connecting the second wing 32' to the first wing 32. Said lower base 56 is parallel to and fixed to said cold source 16. Said electrical element 14 is at least partially located between said first and second wings 32, 32'.

[0067] On the side of said cold thermal interface element 18, said hollow shape is formed here by a second groove 46. Said second groove extends around a lower portion of said heat pipe 10, in particular over approximately 180°. Said second groove 46 has, for example, a rounded cross-section.

[0068] The body 22 of said first thermal interface element 18 has a substantially parallelepiped shape with a direction of greatest extension parallel to a longitudinal direction of said heat pipe 10. Said second groove 46 is oriented substantially parallel to said direction of greatest extension. As already mentioned, although not shown, lateral faces of said body 22 of said first thermal interface element 18 are advantageously connected to the diffuser 24 by radial shapes.

[0069] As can be seen from [Fig. 5], the relative positioning of the nuts 62a, 62b allows the vertical positioning of the rod 60 to be adjusted with respect to the support 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the head 66 of the rod 60 is thus positioned vertically with respect to a lower edge 72 of the lateral sides 34a, 34b of the support 30. It is understood that, once the support 30 is in place on the plate forming the cold source 16, the force applied to the heat pipe 10 by the rod 60 is thus controlled. The same is true of the force F applied to said cold thermal interface element 18 by the effect of the lever arm transmitted by the heat pipe 10.

[0070] Still in the illustrated embodiment, it is further observed that the bearing 44 has a thickness El before assembly. Moreover, a vertical distance E2 between the lower edge 72 of the support 30 and an underside of the bearing 44 is determined by the vertical positioning of the rod 70 relative to the support 30, via the heat pipe 10 and the cold thermal interface element 18. It is understood that, during the assembly of the dissipation device, the difference between El and E2 allows for the determination of a compression of the bearing 44 between the cold thermal interface element 18 and the plate 52 under the effect of the force F.

[0071] The embodiment of figures 6 to 11 will now be described in more detail.

[0072] In this mode, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, said application member 40 of the effort F includes a spring 80 exerting said effort on an upper face 82 of said cold thermal interface member 18 bearing on said support 30.

[0073] Said spring 80 is formed, for example, of a folded blade, in particular in an inverted omega shape. Said blade has a flexibility that gives it its elastic spring properties.

[0074] Said support 30 is formed, for example, of a casing 84 having a housing 86 for the spring 80. Said spring 80 bears on an upper face 90 of said support 30 by the ends of the lateral legs of the spring 80 and / or exerts said force F on said upper face 82 of the cold thermal interface member 18 by a vertex 88 of said spring 80.

[0075] As more clearly seen by referring again to figures 6 and 7, said hot thermal interface member 20 here comprises a thermal conduction lug 100.

[0076] Said thermal conduction leg 100 has, for example, a first branch 102 and / or a second branch 104. It is, in particular, made of copper.

[0077] Said first branch 102 is provided with a first sleeve 106 receiving said heat pipe 10. Said first hot exchange surface 20a is formed of an internal surface of said first sleeve 106.

[0078] Said first branch 102 further includes a plate 105 under which said first sleeve 106 is located. Said first sleeve 106 is oriented parallel to said heat pipe 10. It extends in a direction of greater extension of said plate 105.

[0079] Advantageously, said first branch 102, in particular said plate 105, has a funnel shape, in particular trapezoidal. Said first branch 102 extends, for example, from a base 108 of said second branch 104 to a free edge 110 corresponding here to a longitudinal end of said first sleeve 106. In the trapezoidal shape formed by said plate 105, said base 108 of said second branch 104 has a width greater than said free edge 110 of said first branch 102.

[0080] Said second branch 104 is configured to be fixed to said hot source 12, in particular by screwing, as will be detailed below. It is substantially rectangular. Its axis of greatest extension is substantially orthogonal to said heat pipe 10.

[0081] Advantageously, said first and second branches 102, 104 give said thermal conduction leg 100 an L-shape. Such a configuration, possibly combined with the material which constitutes it, allows said thermal conduction leg 100 to offer good elasticity thanks to a spring effect present between said first and second branches 102, 104.

[0082] On the side of said cold thermal interface member 18, said hollow shape is formed inside a second sleeve 112 housing said heat pipe 10. Said first cold exchange surface 18a is thus formed from an internal surface of said second sleeve 112. The upper face 82 of said cold thermal interface member 18 at which said spring 80 presses on said cold thermal interface member 18 is formed from an external upper face of said sleeve 112.

[0083] Said second sleeve 112 here forms said body 22 of the cold thermal interface element 18. It has a substantially parallelepiped shape. Said second sleeve 112 has a direction of greatest extension parallel to said heat pipe 10. Said second sleeve 112 has external lateral faces provided with the curved shapes, mentioned above, serving for injunction with the diffuser 24.

[0084] Referring again to Figures 8 to 10, it can be seen that said envelope 84 extends to the thermal conduction tab 100. Said interface element thermal cold 18, said heat pipe 10 and / or said first branch 102 of the conduction leg 100 are located in said envelope 84.

[0085] The said envelope 84 further presents here a notch 114 at the level of its upper face 90 to accommodate the electrical element 14.

[0086] As already mentioned, said electrical component 14 has two electrical connection terminals 116a, 116b which also form, possibly, a thermal bridge and / or heat-generating points.

[0087] Said connection box here includes a second dissipation device identical to the previous one, the heat pipe of said second heat dissipation device being illustrated 10' in [Fig.8]. A symmetry with respect to a median plane of said electrical component 14 is noted.

[0088] Two busbars 50a, 50b are illustrated, each associated with one of the heat dissipation devices. They are fixed to the electrical component 14 and / or to the corresponding thermal conduction lug 100, for example to an upper end of its second arm 104, here by means of screws whose screw heads are visible at the reference points 116a, 116b. The busbars 50a, 50b are located between one of the thermal conduction lugs 100 and the electrical component 14.

[0089] The screws are connected to the electrical connection terminals 116a, 116b through slots provided in the busbars 50a, 50b and in the thermal conduction tabs 100. The busbars 50a, 50b are electrically, and possibly thermally, connected, on the one hand, to one of the electrical connection terminals 116a, 116b of the electrical component 14 by one of their ends, and on the other hand, to the remainder of an electrical circuit of the connection box, in particular to another of its electrical components, not shown. The electrical component 14 has a parallelepiped-shaped outer contour. It is provided with a partition 120 located between the busbars 50a, 50b.

[0090] In [Fig. 8], it is further noted that said casing 84 is common to said dissipation devices. It advantageously has lateral sides 92 extending from the upper face 90 of the support 30. These rest on said cold source 16. Said casing 84 is here open opposite the ends of the heat pipes 10, 10' located on the side of said hot thermal interface element 20. Alternatively, these characteristics apply to a casing that would house a single dissipation device as described above.

[0091] As illustrated in [Fig.9], before mounting on said cold source 16, said heat pipe 10 is slightly inclined from bottom to top going from said cold thermal interface member 18 to said hot thermal interface member 20.

[0092] In [Fig. 10], after mounting on said cold source 16, said heat pipe 10 is substantially horizontal, except for presenting the slight angle, mentioned above, to promote its operation.

[0093] Such a change in inclination before and after assembly promotes good compression of the bearing 44 thanks to the elasticity conferred by said dissipation device. It also promotes good contact with said cold source 16, in addition to the effect produced by said force F.

Claims

Demands

1. Heat dissipation device, in particular for motor vehicle, said device comprising a heat pipe (10) configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, a hot source (12) comprising an electrical component (14), and, on the other hand, a cold source (16), said device further comprising a first thermal interface component (18) having a first heat exchange surface (18a) in contact with said heat pipe (10) and a second heat exchange surface (18b), intended to come into contact with one of said hot or cold sources for heat exchange between said heat pipe and said hot or cold source via said first thermal interface component (18), said device being configured to apply an elastic force (F) between said heat pipe (10) and said first thermal interface component (18).

2. Device according to claim 1 in which said first thermal interface element (18), said cold, is configured for heat exchange between said heat pipe (10) and said cold source (16), said first and second heat exchange surfaces (18a, 18b) being said to be cold.

3. Device according to the preceding claim in which said device comprises in addition a second thermal interface element (20), said hot, having a first heat exchange surface (20a), said hot, in contact with said heat pipe (10) and a second heat exchange surface (20b), said hot, intended to come into contact with said hot source (12).

4. Device according to any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein said cold thermal interface member (18) comprises a body (22), hosting said heat pipe (10), and a diffuser (24) linked to said body (22) and intended to come into contact with said cold source (16).

5. Device according to the preceding claim in which said body (22) flares out towards said diffuser (24) by curved shapes.

6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 in which said device comprises a thermal conduction pad (44) having electrical insulating properties, said pad (44) being intended to be located between said second cold exchange surface (18b) and said cold source (16).

7. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 6 in which said device comprises a support (30) and an element (40) for applying said force (F), intended to cooperate with said support (30).

8. Device according to the preceding claim in which said force application member (40) comprises a rod (60) configured to apply said force (F).

9. Device according to the preceding claim in which said rod (70) is configured to exert said force (F) on said heat pipe (10) so as to press said heat pipe (10) against said first cold exchange surface (18a) by a lever effect.

10. Device according to any one of claims 8 or 9 in which said rod (60) is threaded and said device comprises one or more nuts (62a, 62b) cooperating with said support (30) to apply said force (F) via said rod (60) and through a relative position of said nuts (62a, 62b) along the rod (60) with respect to said support (30).

11. Device according to claim 7 in which said force application member (40) comprises a spring (80) exerting said force (F) on an upper face (82) of said cold thermal interface member (18) bearing on said support (30).

12. Device according to the preceding claim in which said spring (80) is formed of a bent blade.

13. Electrical connection box for electrical energy storage device, in particular accumulator battery, comprising a hot source (12), a cold source (18) and a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. Electrical energy storage device, in particular accumulator battery, comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Vehicle comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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