DEVICE FOR COOLING A BATTERY IN AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE, AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING THE DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for cooling a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle and a method implementing the device (100). The device (100) comprises a reservoir (110) having a container (111). The device (100) further comprises a heat transfer circuit (120) having a portion of the heat transfer circuit (130) passing through the container and a heat exchanger (170). The heat transfer circuit (120) includes two valves (161, 162) configured to switch to an open or closed state so as to supply a heat transfer fluid to the battery (200) at a temperature within a range of predetermined temperature values. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR COOLING A BATTERY IN AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE, AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING THE DEVICE

[0001] The invention relates to electric vehicles, that is to say, those equipped with at least one battery for storing electrical energy intended for their propulsion. This includes vehicles with a single means of electric propulsion, as well as hybrid vehicles incorporating at least one mode of electric propulsion.

[0002] Patent application FR3096181 describes a device for cooling a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The device comprises a coolant reservoir, a coolant circuit, a filter, a pump, and a valve.

[0003] However, a fluid stored as such in the fluid reservoir cannot be supplied to the battery without limiting its circulation to be cooled or heated to a setpoint cooling fluid temperature far removed from the temperature of the fluid in the fluid reservoir.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to remedy this drawback and improve the energy consumption of the vehicle with a simple heat transfer circuit architecture.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a device for the thermoregulation of a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, the device comprising a reservoir having a container, the reservoir being suitable for containing a heat transfer fluid, the device comprising a heat transfer circuit comprising: - part of the heat transfer circuit passing through the container; - a thermostatic valve connected to the tank; - a pump configured to transmit the heat transfer fluid to the battery, the pump being connected to the part of the heat transfer circuit; - a first valve connected to a first temperature probe, the first valve comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and an auxiliary fluid outlet, the fluid inlet of the first valve being connected to the pump, the auxiliary fluid outlet of the first valve being connected to the part of the heat transfer circuit, the auxiliary fluid outlet of the first valve being configured to be in an open state or in a closed state, the auxiliary fluid outlet of the first valve being in the closed state by default; - a non-return valve configured to be connected to the battery; - a heat exchanger connected to the non-return valve; - a second valve connected to a second temperature probe, the second valve comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and an auxiliary fluid outlet, the fluid inlet of the second valve being connected to the fluid outlet of the first valve, the fluid outlet of the second valve being connected to the check valve, the auxiliary fluid outlet of the second valve being connected to the heat exchanger, the auxiliary fluid outlet of the second valve being configured to be in an open or closed state, the auxiliary fluid outlet of the second valve being in the closed state by default.

[0006] Such a device for the thermoregulation of an electric or hybrid vehicle battery reduces the volume of heat transfer fluid required, thereby decreasing the vehicle's total mass and improving its energy efficiency. Furthermore, due to its compact design, the device carries the heat transfer fluid over a shorter pipe length, minimizing heat loss and pressure drop, thus increasing heat transfer efficiency.

[0007] Furthermore, the device is designed to precondition the fluid, when the temperature conditions of the environment of the vehicle and of the vehicle itself require, for example in the case of cold or fast charging, to maintain the temperature of the fluid at a temperature close to the temperature required by the battery, reducing the time to heat up or cool down the battery when it has to be used and thus increasing the battery life.

[0008] Advantageously, the container comprises a phase-change material.

[0009] Such a material allows for the storage and release of thermal energy, such that excess heat is absorbed by the phase-change material when the temperature of the heat transfer fluid exceeds the material's phase-change point, thereby regulating the heat transfer fluid temperature. Similarly, the material solidifies, releasing heat, when the fluid temperature falls below the material's phase-change point. Thus, the heat transfer fluid is maintained at a stable temperature, protecting the battery against sudden temperature fluctuations that could impair its reliability and lifespan.

[0010] Advantageously, the heat transfer circuit includes a first filter connected to the fluid inlet of the first fluid inlet and the part of the heat transfer circuit and / or a second filter connected to the non-return valve.

[0011] Such a filter purifies the heat transfer fluid by removing impurities and particles that could obstruct the heat transfer circuit or damage the elements of the heat transfer circuit, so as to ensure the reliability and longevity of the device and of the battery in particular by preventing short circuits in the battery.

[0012] Advantageously, the tank includes a dehumidifier filter.

[0013] The dehumidifier filter makes it possible to eliminate the moisture present in the tank, in particular due to temperature variations which could cause condensation inside the tank, the moisture contributing to the degradation of the device.

[0014] Advantageously, the reservoir includes a membrane.

[0015] The membrane is designed to compensate for variations in the volume of the heat transfer fluid in the tank, particularly due to temperature changes, so that the pressure inside the tank remains stable, preventing overpressure that would degrade the device.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for the thermoregulation of a battery, implementing a device defined as above, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of measuring a first temperature value of the heat transfer fluid by the first temperature probe; - a step of measuring a second temperature value of the heat transfer fluid by the second temperature probe; - a switching step of the auxiliary fluid outlet of the first valve from the closed state to the open state when the first measured temperature value is less than a first predetermined temperature value; - a switching step of the auxiliary fluid outlet of the second valve from the closed state to the open state when the second measured temperature value is greater than a second predetermined temperature value.

[0017] Advantageously, the first predetermined temperature value is between -20°C and 10°C.

[0018] Advantageously, the second predetermined temperature value is between 35°C and 55°C.

[0019] The predetermined values ​​are chosen so as to be low enough for the first predetermined temperature value to activate the heating of the fluid in cold conditions, without heating all the heat transfer fluid beyond the second predetermined temperature value, degrading the battery.

[0020] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the process defined as above, when the program is running on a computer.

[0021] The invention further relates to an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising: - a battery; - a device defined as above, the device being connected to the battery; - an electronic control unit connected to the device for battery thermoregulation, the electronic control unit comprising means for data acquisition, processing by software instructions stored in memory as well as the control means required for the implementation of the computer program defined as above.

[0022] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.1] illustrates a perspective view of an electric or hybrid vehicle battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries and a device according to an embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective view of the device, illustrated in [Fig.1], according an embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a heat transfer circuit of the device illustrated in [Fig.2] according to one embodiment of the invention; - [Fig. 4] illustrates a flowchart representing the steps of a process for the cooling of a battery, implementing a device illustrated in [Fig.2], according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a battery pack 10 for an electric or hybrid vehicle. The battery pack 10 comprises a device 100 in a first compartment and at least one battery 200 in a second compartment. The first and second compartments are preferably sealed.

[0024] In this case, in [Fig.1], the battery pack 10 comprises a plurality of parallelepiped-shaped batteries 200, arranged relative to each other in a grid architecture, so as to ensure efficient heat distribution and a compact assembly.

[0025] The plurality of batteries 200 is immersed in a heat transfer fluid. In practice, the heat transfer fluid is a dielectric fluid, for example of a fluorinated or non-fluorinated two-phase type of PAO "polyalphaolefin".

[0026] Figure 2 illustrates the device 100 comprising a heat transfer circuit 120, shown in part, configured to transmit heat transfer fluid to the battery 200, according to one embodiment.

[0027] The device 100 includes a reservoir 110 configured to contain heat transfer fluid.

[0028] The reservoir 110 preferably includes a membrane 115.

[0029] Alternatively, the membrane 115 is replaced by a filling access for the reservoir 110.

[0030] The tank 110 also preferably includes a dehumidifier filter 112. The dehumidifier filter 112 is arranged so as to be in contact with the atmosphere of tank 110 when tank 110 is partially filled with heat transfer fluid.

[0031] Figure 3 illustrates the device 100 comprising the reservoir 110 containing the heat transfer fluid. The reservoir 110 also includes a container 111 preferably comprising a phase-change material.

[0032] For example, the phase change material is of the paraffin type such as henicosane having a melting point of 40°C, or a metal such as gallium having a melting point of 29.8°C.

[0033] The tank 110 also includes a drain 113 configured to drain the tank 110 when the tank 110 contains heat transfer fluid.

[0034] The heat transfer circuit 120 includes at least a portion of the heat transfer circuit 130 passing through the container 111.

[0035] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the heat exchange part 130 extends along the entire length of the container 111 so as to increase the heat exchange surface, increasing the efficiency of the heat exchanges.

[0036] The heat transfer circuit 120 includes a thermostatic valve 140 connected to the reservoir 110.

[0037] The thermostatic valve 140 is advantageously configured to be in an open state or a closed state, the thermostatic valve 140 being in the closed state by default.

[0038] For example, the thermostatic valve 140 is a wax valve configured to switch from the closed state to the open state when the temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the reservoir 110 is below 10°C. Thus, the thermostatic valve 140 allows heat transfer fluid from the reservoir 110 to be introduced into the heat transfer circuit 120.

[0039] The heat transfer circuit 120 includes a pump 150 configured to transfer the heat transfer fluid to the coil 200. The pump 150 is connected to the part of the heat transfer circuit 130 that passes through the container 111. Thus, the pump 150 imposes a direction of flow of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer circuit 120. In this case, the direction of flow of the heat transfer fluid is from the pump 150 towards the coil 200 as schematically illustrated by arrows on the heat transfer circuit 120 in [Fig. 3].

[0040] According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3], the pump 150 is outside the reservoir 110.

[0041] In another embodiment, the pump 150 is located in the reservoir 110, so that the pump 150 is immersed in the heat transfer fluid.

[0042] The heat transfer circuit 120 includes a first valve connected to a first temperature probe 161'. The first valve 161 includes a fluid inlet 161A, a fluid outlet 161B and an auxiliary fluid outlet 161C.

[0043] The heat transfer circuit 120 preferably includes a first filter 180 connected to the fluid inlet 161A of the first valve 161 and the part of the heat transfer circuit 130 as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0044] Alternatively, the first filter 180 is integrated into the pump 150.

[0045] The auxiliary fluid outlet 161C of the first valve 161 is connected to the part of the heat transfer circuit 130.

[0046] The fluid inlet 161A of the first valve 161 is connected to the pump 150.

[0047] The auxiliary fluid outlet 161C of the first valve 161 is configured to be in an open state or in a closed state, the auxiliary fluid outlet 161C of the first valve 161 being in the closed state by default.

[0048] The heat transfer circuit 120 includes a non-return valve 190 configured to be connected to the coil 200.

[0049] The heat transfer circuit 120 includes a heat exchanger 170 connected to the non-return valve 190.

[0050] The heat transfer circuit 120 also includes a second valve 162 connected to a second temperature probe 162'. The second valve 162 includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and an auxiliary fluid outlet.

[0051] The fluid inlet 162A of the second valve 162 is connected to the fluid outlet 161B of the first valve 161.

[0052] The fluid outlet 162B of the second valve 162 is connected to the non-return valve 190.

[0053] The auxiliary fluid outlet 162C of the second valve 162 is connected to the heat exchanger 170.

[0054] The auxiliary fluid outlet 162C of the second valve 162 is configured to be in an open state or in a closed state, the auxiliary fluid outlet 162C of the second valve 162 being in the closed state by default.

[0055] The heat transfer circuit 120 preferably includes a second filter connected to the non-return valve 190.

[0056] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for thermoregulating battery 200, the steps of the method being described below according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0057] In a measurement step El, a first temperature value of the heat transfer fluid is measured by the first temperature probe 161'.

[0058] In a measurement step E2, a second temperature value of the heat transfer fluid is measured by the second temperature probe 162'.

[0059] In a switching step E3, the auxiliary fluid outlet 161C of the first valve 161 is switched from the closed state to the open state when the first the measured temperature value is lower than a first predetermined temperature value.

[0060] Preferably, the first predetermined temperature value is between -20°C and 10°C.

[0061] In a switching step E4, the auxiliary fluid outlet of the second valve 162 is switched from the closed state to the open state when the second measured temperature value is greater than a second predetermined temperature value.

[0062] Preferably, the second predetermined temperature value is between 35°C and 55°C.

[0063] The method advantageously includes a switching step E5 of the thermostatic valve 140 from the closed state to the state when the temperature value measured by the thermostatic valve 140 is less than the first predetermined temperature value.

Claims

1. Demands Device (100) for the thermoregulation of a battery (200) of an electric or hybrid vehicle, the device (100) comprising a reservoir (110) having a container (111), the reservoir (110) being capable of containing a heat transfer fluid, the device (100) comprising a heat transfer circuit (120) comprising: - part of the heat transfer circuit (130) passing through the container (111); - a thermostatic valve (140) connected to the tank (110); - a pump (150) configured to transmit the heat transfer fluid to the battery (200), the pump (150) being connected to the part of the heat transfer circuit (130); - a first valve (161) connected to a first temperature probe (161'), the first valve (161) comprising a fluid inlet (161A), a fluid outlet (161B) and an auxiliary fluid outlet (161C), the fluid inlet (161A) of the first valve (161) being connected to the pump (150), the auxiliary fluid outlet (16IC) of the first valve (161) being connected to the part of the heat transfer circuit (130), the auxiliary fluid outlet (161C) of the first valve (161) being configured to be in an open state or in a closed state, the auxiliary fluid outlet (161C) of the first valve (161) being in the closed state by default; - a non-return valve (190) configured to be connected to the battery (200); - a heat exchanger (170) connected to the non-return valve (190); - a second valve (162) connected to a second temperature probe (162'), the second valve (162) comprising a fluid inlet (162A), a fluid outlet (162B) and an auxiliary fluid outlet (162C), the fluid inlet (162A) of the second valve (162) being connected to the fluid outlet (161B) of the first valve (161), the fluid outlet (162B) of the second valve (162) being connected to the check valve (190), the auxiliary fluid outlet (162C) of the second valve (162) being connected to the heat exchanger (170), the auxiliary fluid outlet (162C) of the second valve (162) being configured to be in a state open or in a closed state, the auxiliary fluid outlet (162C) of the second valve (162) being in the closed state by default.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (111) comprises a phase-change material.

3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat transfer circuit (120) comprises a first filter (180) connected to the fluid inlet (161A) of the first valve (161) and the part of the heat transfer circuit (130) and / or a second filter (180') connected to the non-return valve (190).

4. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reservoir (110) comprises a membrane (115).

5. A method for thermoregulating a battery (200), implementing a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of measuring a first temperature value of the heat transfer fluid by the first temperature probe (161'); - a step of measuring a second temperature value of the heat transfer fluid by the second temperature probe (162'); - a step of switching the auxiliary fluid outlet (161C) of the first valve (161) from the closed state to the open state when the first measured temperature value is less than a first predetermined temperature value; - a step of switching the auxiliary fluid outlet (162C) of the second valve (162) from the closed state to the open state when the second measured temperature value is greater than a second predetermined temperature value.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first predetermined temperature value is between -20°C and 10°C.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the second predetermined temperature value is between 35°C and 55°C.

8. Computer program comprising program code instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to claim 7, when the program is running on a computer.

9. Electric or hybrid vehicle comprising: - a battery (200); - a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the device (100) being connected to the battery (200); - an electronic control unit connected to the device (100) for thermoregulation of the battery (200), the electronic control unit comprising means for acquisition, processing by software instructions stored in memory and control means required for the implementation of the computer program according to claim 8.

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