Thermal regulation device

Abstract

Title: Thermal Regulation Device The invention relates to a thermal regulation device for cooling and / or heating at least one temperature-sensitive component, this component being in particular a power electronic module of an inverter, a battery cell, or a microprocessor. This thermal regulation device comprises: at least two interlayers (20) arranged in the enclosure (14), one after the other in the direction of flow along the fluid path (15). The interlayers (20) are configured to serve as a heat exchange surface between the heat transfer fluid circulating in the enclosure (14) and the external face. The downstream interlayer (20) has a transverse pitch (FTP) smaller than the transverse pitch (FTP) of the upstream interlayer (20), and / or the downstream interlayer (20) has a longitudinal pitch (FLP) smaller than the longitudinal pitch (FLP) of the upstream interlayer (20). upstream.Figure for the summary: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal regulation device

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device for the cooling and / or heating of at least one component whose operation is sensitive to temperature, this component being in particular a power electronic module of an inverter or a battery cell.

[0002] In the context of automotive electrification, many electronic components are being developed or improved for higher power output. Generally speaking, the electronics used are impacted by the quality of thermal management, as electronic components have a maximum operating temperature. In particular, there is a strong correlation between maximum temperature and component price. Alternative components that can withstand higher temperatures are often available, but at a higher cost. Consequently, there is a significant need to optimize the cooling of these electronic components in order to improve durability or reduce their associated costs. Examples of electronic components include components of a vehicle's electric motor, components of a DC-DC converter, an on-board charger, an inverter, etc.

[0003] For some of these components, the heat flux produced by these components is high due to their small surface areas (very small components). Furthermore, homogeneity of maximum temperatures is required between the various heat sources, namely the components.

[0004] In certain configurations, the liquid cooling circuits of electrical / electronic components are arranged in series to optimize compactness (or packaging) but this arrangement generates constraints on temperature and minimum flow rate of a heat transfer fluid used to cool these components.

[0005] The components to be cooled are, for example, switching cell modules of an inverter. This type of component is temperature-sensitive and requires precise thermal management. To date, a thermal device with a copper base plate and machined pin-shaped cooling elements immersed in a flow of coolant has provided this thermal management. In this thermal device, the temperature is not homogeneous because the pin arrangement is the same along the entire length of the plate, imposing a constant heat transfer coefficient. Due to the natural heating of the fluid along the plate, the temperature difference between the fluid and the switching cells decreases, resulting in a non-homogeneous temperature profile across the components.

[0006] The present invention aims in particular to further improve the thermal regulation of components, in particular for cooling them, by proposing thermally efficient solutions with a simpler design and / or less expensive to manufacture.

[0007] The invention thus relates to a thermal regulation device for the cooling and / or heating of at least one temperature-sensitive component, this component being in particular a power electronic module of an inverter, a battery cell, or a microprocessor, this thermal regulation device comprising: - an external face with at least one placement area for the temperature-sensitive component, - a fluid circulation chamber configured to receive a heat transfer fluid, this chamber comprising a fluid path between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; - at least two interlayers arranged in the enclosure, one after the other in the direction of flow on the fluid path, the interlayers being configured to serve as a heat exchange surface between the heat transfer fluid circulating in the enclosure and the external face, • the interlayers each comprising at least two rows of corrugated fins; the corrugations may be similar to a sinusoid or be crenellated, • the rows of fins extending along a transverse direction (DT) which is transverse to the fluid path, • the corrugated fins in the rows of each spacer having a predetermined transverse pitch (FTP) associated with each spacer, • the successive rows of fins in each interlayer being offset from one another along the transverse direction (DT) according to a predetermined offset (OS) associated with each interlayer, in particular strands of material link the consecutive rows of fins together, • the successive rows of fins in each spacer being spaced at a predetermined longitudinal pitch (FLP) associated with each spacer, • the downstream spacer having a transverse pitch (FTP) smaller than the transverse pitch (FTP) of the upstream spacer and / or the downstream spacer has a longitudinal pitch (FLP) smaller than the longitudinal pitch (FLP) of the upstream spacer.

[0008] The invention allows for different surface densities to be associated with each interlayer. Indeed, by reducing the transverse pitch (FTP) and / or the longitudinal pitch (FLP) when moving from one interlayer to the next (in the direction of the heat transfer fluid flow), the number of fins is increased. With more fins, the heat exchange surface area, and therefore the surface density, increases. Consequently, heat exchange is increased in the second interlayer compared to the first. The invention thus makes it possible to compensate for the increase in the temperature of the heat transfer fluid along the fluid path by providing a larger heat exchange surface area where the heat transfer fluid temperature is higher.

[0009] The invention thus makes it possible to maintain a substantially homogeneous wall temperature (without excessive variations) across the various placement areas where the components to be cooled are positioned. Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to have the heat transfer fluid excessively cold at the inlet to maintain its temperature at an acceptable level as it travels through the fluid path. On the contrary, the invention actually promotes increased heat exchange once the heat transfer fluid has heated up.

[0010] The term "transverse pitch (FTP)" refers to the distance, within each spacer, between two consecutive fins that are repeated in a row of fins. The transverse pitch (FTP) thus corresponds to the period of the undulations formed by the fins in each row.

[0011] The term "longitudinal pitch (FLP)" means the longitudinal dimension (measured in the direction of the flow of the heat transfer fluid), in each spacer, of each row of fins.

[0012] The "offset (OS)" can also be understood as the distance of a geometric translation in the transverse direction (DT), which brings, in each spacer, one of the fin rows to the following fin row. The rows are symmetrical to each other with respect to this translation.

[0013] This offset between two rows corresponds in particular to half of a transverse pitch (FTP), potentially increased or decreased by 15% of this transverse pitch value.

[0014] Preferably, both the downstream spacer has a smaller transverse pitch (FTP) than the upstream spacer and the downstream spacer has a smaller longitudinal pitch (FLP) than the upstream spacer.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the downstream spacer has a transverse pitch (FTP) smaller than the transverse pitch (FTP) of the upstream spacer and the downstream spacer has a longitudinal pitch (FLP) equal to the longitudinal pitch (FLP) of the upstream spacer

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the transverse pitch (FTP) is constant when moving from one row of fins to another in the same spacer.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the spacers have the same length and / or the same height and / or the same width. Preferably, the spacers have the same length, height, and width. In this case, the spacers all have the same footprint within the enclosure. For example, the spacers have different lengths and varying longitudinal spacing.

[0018] Advantageously, one can aim for a longitudinal step size that allows for an integer number of convolutions on the spacer, even if this deviates from the theoretically optimal longitudinal step size in terms of temperature equilibrium. In this case, it may then be advantageous to adjust the length of the spacer to adjust the temperature equilibrium result.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the external face of the thermal regulation device comprises at least a first placement zone for placing a component and a second placement zone for placing another component, these first placement zone and second placement zone being arranged one after the other so that the first of the interlayers is located under the first placement zone of the external face and the second of the interlayers is located under the second placement zone of the external face.

[0020] For example, three placement zones can be provided one after the other on the external face of the thermal regulation device. In this case, for all pairs of spacers, the downstream spacer has a transverse pitch (FTP) smaller than the transverse pitch (FTP) of the upstream spacer and / or the downstream spacer has a longitudinal pitch (FLP) smaller than the longitudinal pitch (FLP) of the upstream spacer.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, among the spacers in the thermal regulation device, the spacer which has the smallest transverse pitch (spacer with closely spaced fins) is made with the thinnest thickness and the spacer which has the largest transverse pitch is made with the greatest thickness.

[0022] In other words, the interlayers are made with different thicknesses. The thickness of the interlayers is greater at the beginning of the fluid circulation chamber and thinner at the end.

[0023] This allows for a homogeneous mechanical resistance to compression throughout the fluid circulation chamber.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the dividers are separate parts. In other words, the dividers do not form a single, monolithic part.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, in each interlayer, strands of material connect the consecutive rows of fins together.

[0026] These strands of material come from manufacturing steps of the interleaves.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the spacers are arranged in the enclosure with a gap between two successive spacers. In other words, the successive spacers do not touch each other.

[0028] For example, the enclosure comprises a single chamber in which the at least two interlayers are arranged.

[0029] Alternatively, the successive interlayers are arranged in the enclosure by being placed end to end in contact with each other.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the fins are manufactured by a stamping process or by a rolling process.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the enclosure is free of passage restriction between the placement zones.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the enclosure is configured so that the main direction of fluid flow remains constant, along the fluid path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the enclosure houses a number of spacers which is equal to the number of placement zones on the outer face, on each of which one or more components can be placed.

[0034] For example, if there are three placement zones on each of which one or more components can be placed, the enclosure houses three spacers, each spacer being opposite one of the placement zones.

[0035] Alternatively, at least one of the dividers extends opposite two successive placement zones.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the enclosure houses a number of spacers that is smaller than the number of placement zones on the outer face, on each of which one or more components can be placed. For example, there may be two spacers and three placement zones. In this case, for example, one of the spacers extends opposite the first placement zone and also a portion of the second placement zone, and the other of the spacers extends opposite the remainder of the second placement zone and the third placement zone.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the enclosure is devoid of finless areas.

[0038] Other features, details, and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, on the one hand, and several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, on the other hand, in which:

[0039] [Fig. 1] The [Fig. 1] is a perspective representation of a thermal regulation device according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0040] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a representation of an insert of the regulating device thermal of the [Fig.l];

[0041] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a top view of the regulating device thermal of the [Fig.l].

[0042] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising 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 the prior art.

[0043] Figure 1 shows a thermal regulation device 1 for the cooling and / or heating of temperature-sensitive components 2. Only one of these components 2 is shown in Figure 1.

[0044] The thermal control device 1 is part of an assembly 100 which includes electronic components 2 placed on an external face 10 of the thermal control device 1 to be cooled by the flow of fluid (for example glycol water) in the thermal control device 1. These components 2 are in particular power electronic modules of an inverter or battery cells, and are placed on the external face 10, at location areas 110 on the external face 10 of the thermal control device 1.

[0045] In the example described, the external face 10 of the thermal regulation device 1 includes a first placement zone 110a, a second placement zone 110b, and a third placement zone 110c.

[0046] This thermal regulation device 1 comprises a collector base 4 forming a base of the thermal regulation device 1, this collector base 4 having a longitudinal shape along the X direction. This collector base 4 comprises a fluid inlet 5 and a fluid outlet 6 configured to be connected respectively to an external fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe. This fluid inlet 5 and this fluid outlet 6 are arranged at two opposite ends along the X axis of the collector base 4.

[0047] A cover plate 40 forms with the collector base plate 4, here brazed together, a heat transfer fluid circulation chamber 14 configured to receive a heat transfer fluid, this chamber 14 having a fluid path 15 between the fluid inlet 5 and the fluid outlet 6. The chamber 14 defines a single fluid flow chamber.

[0048] The enclosure 14 is configured so that the main flow direction (along the X axis) of the fluid remains constant, on the fluid path 15 between the fluid inlet 5 and the fluid outlet 6.

[0049] The cover plate 40 defines the external face 10.

[0050] The cover plate 40 and the collector base 4 are, for example, made of metal, for example, in aluminium.

[0051] The thermal regulation device 1 comprising a plurality of interlayers 20 arranged in the enclosure 14, one after the other in the direction of flow X on the fluid path 15, the interlayers 20 being configured to serve as a heat exchange surface between the heat transfer fluid circulating in the enclosure 14 and the external face 10.

[0052] The spacers 20 each have at least two rows Rn of corrugated fins 25. The corrugations may be similar to a sinusoid or, as in the example illustrated in [Fig.2], be crenellated.

[0053] Fig. 2 shows one of the 20 dividers.

[0054] The rows Rn of fins 25 extending along a transverse direction Y which is transverse to the fluid path 15.

[0055] The corrugated fins 25 in the rows Rn of each spacer 20 have a predetermined transverse pitch FTP (measured along the Y axis) associated with each spacer.

[0056] The successive rows Rn of fins 25 in each spacer 20 are offset from one another along the transverse direction Y according to a predetermined offset OS (measured along the Y axis) associated with each spacer 20.

[0057] The successive rows Rn of fins 25 in each spacer 20 are spaced by a predetermined longitudinal pitch FLP (measured along the X axis) associated with each spacer 20.

[0058] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the first placement zone 110a, second placement zone 110b, and third placement zone 110c are arranged one after the other and the first of the spacers 20 is under the first placement zone 110a, the second of the spacers 20 is under the second placement zone 110b, and the third of the spacers 20 is under the third placement zone 110c.

[0059] In this case, for all pairs of spacers 20, the downstream spacer 20 has a transverse pitch FTP smaller than the transverse pitch FTP of the upstream spacer and / or the downstream spacer has a longitudinal pitch FLP smaller than the longitudinal pitch (FLP) of the upstream spacer.

[0060] The invention allows for different surface densities to be associated with each spacer 20. Indeed, by reducing the transverse pitch FTP and / or the longitudinal pitch When moving from one interlayer 20 to the next, in the X direction of the heat transfer fluid flow, the number of fins 25 is increased. With more fins 25, the heat exchange surface area, and therefore the surface density, increases. Consequently, heat exchange is increased in the second interlayer 20 compared to the first interlayer 20. The invention thus compensates for the increase in the heat transfer fluid temperature along the fluid path 15 by providing a larger heat exchange surface area where the heat transfer fluid temperature is higher.

[0061] The invention thus makes it possible to have a wall temperature across the different placement zones 110 where the components 2 are positioned, which remains substantially homogeneous (without excessive variations). Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary for the heat transfer fluid to be excessively cold at the inlet, which would allow its temperature to be maintained at an acceptable level as it travels through the fluid path. On the contrary, the invention actually promotes increased heat exchange once the heat transfer fluid has heated up.

[0062] The term "transverse pitch FTP" refers to the distance, within each spacer 20, between two consecutive fins 25 that are repeated in a row Rn of fins. The transverse pitch FTP thus corresponds to the period of the undulations formed by the fins 25 in each row Rn.

[0063] The term "longitudinal pitch FLP" means the longitudinal dimension, measured in the X direction of the flow of the heat transfer fluid, in each spacer 20, of each row Rn of fins.

[0064] The "OS offset" can be understood as the distance of a geometric translation in the transverse direction Y, which brings, in each spacer 20, one of the fin rows Rn to the following fin row Rn. The Rn rows are symmetrical to each other under this translation.

[0065] This offset between two rows Rn corresponds in particular to half of a transverse pitch FTP, potentially increased or decreased by 15% of this transverse pitch value.

[0066] Preferably, both the downstream spacer 20 has a smaller transverse pitch FTP than the upstream transverse pitch FTP of the upstream spacer 20 and the downstream spacer 20 has a smaller longitudinal pitch FLP than the upstream longitudinal pitch FLP of the upstream spacer 20.

[0067] The transverse pitch FTP is constant when moving from one row Rn of fins to the next row Rn in the same spacer 20.

[0068] The spacers 20 have the same length L measured along the X-axis and / or the same height FH measured along the Z-axis and / or the same width W measured along the Y-axis. Preferably, the spacers have the same length and the same height and the same width. In this case, the dividers all have the same footprint within enclosure 14.

[0069] The width of the spacers 20 is, for example, between 40 mm and 50 mm, and their height is between 8 mm and 11 mm.

[0070] The length of each spacer 20 is between 130 mm and 185 mm.

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, among the spacers 20 in the thermal regulation device 1, the spacer 20 which has the smallest FTP transverse pitch (close-flange spacer) is made with the thinnest thickness and the spacer 20 which has the largest FTP transverse pitch is made with the greatest thickness.

[0072] In other words, the spacers 20 are made with different thicknesses. The thickness of the spacers 20 is greater at the beginning of the fluid circulation chamber 14 and thinner at the end.

[0073] This allows for a homogeneous mechanical resistance to compression throughout the fluid circulation enclosure 14.

[0074] The dividers 20 are separate parts. In other words, the dividers 20 do not form a single, monolithic part.

[0075] In each spacer 20, strands of material connect the consecutive rows of fins together. These strands of material originate from manufacturing steps of the spacers 20.

[0076] The spacers 20 are arranged in the enclosure 14 with a gap between two successive spacers 20. In other words, the successive spacers 20 do not touch each other.

[0077] Alternatively, the successive interlayers 20 are arranged in the enclosure by being placed end to end in contact with each other.

[0078] The fins 25 are manufactured by a stamping process or by a rolling process from aluminum sheet.

Claims

Demands

1. Thermal control device (1) for cooling and / or heating at least one temperature-sensitive component (2), this component (2) being in particular a power electronic module of an inverter or a battery cell or a microprocessor, this thermal control device comprising: an external face (10) having at least one placement area (110a, 110b, 110c) for placing the component (2) whose operation is sensitive to temperature, a fluid circulation enclosure (14) configured to receive a heat transfer fluid, this enclosure (14) comprising a fluid path (15) between a fluid inlet (5) and a fluid outlet (6); at least two interlayers (20) arranged in the enclosure (14), one after the other in the direction of flow on the fluid path (15), the interlayers (20) being configured to serve as a heat exchange surface between the heat transfer fluid circulating in the enclosure (14) and the external face (10), • the spacers (20) each comprising at least two rows of corrugated fins (25), the corrugations may be similar to a sinusoid or be crenellated, • the rows of fins (25) extending along a transverse direction (DT) which is transverse to the fluid path (15), • the corrugated fins (25) in the rows of each spacer (20) having a predetermined transverse pitch (FTP) associated with each spacer, • the successive rows of fins (25) in each spacer (20) being offset from one another along the transverse direction (DT) according to a predetermined offset (OS) associated with each spacer (20), in particular strands of material connect consecutive fin rows together, • successive fin rows (25) in each spacer (20) being spaced by a predetermined longitudinal pitch (FLP) associated with each spacer (20), • the downstream spacer (20) having a transverse pitch (FTP) smaller than the transverse pitch (FTP) of the upstream spacer (20) and / or the downstream spacer (20) has a longitudinal pitch (FLP) smaller than the longitudinal pitch (FLP) of the upstream spacer (20).

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein, among the spacers (20) in the thermal regulation device, the spacer (20) which has the smallest transverse pitch is made with the thinnest thickness and the spacer (20) which has the largest transverse pitch is made with the greatest thickness.

3. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the downstream spacer (20) has a transverse pitch (FTP) smaller than the transverse pitch (FTP) of the upstream spacer (20) and the downstream spacer (20) has a longitudinal pitch (FLP) equal to the longitudinal pitch (FLP) of the upstream spacer (20)

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacers (20) have the same length and / or the same height and / or the same width, and preferably, the spacers (20) have the same length and the same height and the same width.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the spacers (20) have different lengths, and variable longitudinal pitches.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer face (10) of the thermal regulation device comprises at least a first placement zone (110a) for placing a component (2) and a second placement zone (110b) for placing another component (2), these first and second placement zones being arranged one after the other such that the first of the spacers is located under the first zone

7.

8.

9. of placement of the outer face (10) and the second of the intercalators is located under the second placement zone of the outer face. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacers (20) are separate parts. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacers (20) are arranged in the enclosure (14) with a gap between two successive spacers (20). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enclosure (14) is free of passage restriction between the placement zones, in particular the enclosure (14) is configured so that the main direction of fluid flow remains constant, on the fluid path (15) between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

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