Assembly for detecting the overheating of a traction battery of an electric vehicle and method for detecting overheating implemented by said assembly

Abstract

Heating detection assembly for a traction battery of an electric vehicle and heating detection method implemented by such an assembly.The invention relates to an assembly (1) for detecting overheating of a traction battery of an electric vehicle (3), comprising: - a data acquisition device (7) for representative temperatures of a traction battery, comprising a housing (9) having a crush resistance greater than one tonne arranged on a floor (11) and a thermal camera mounted in said housing for acquiring thermal image data of said battery, - a controller, adapted for collecting said data, - a monitoring unit (15), for retrieving said data, programmed to send an alert trigger signal (17) when said data are representative of a temperature rise of said battery above a threshold value or of a temperature difference in a time interval greater than a threshold value. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Overheating detection assembly for a traction battery of an electric vehicle and overheating detection method implemented by said assembly technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of fire prevention in electric vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a heating detection assembly for a traction battery of an electric vehicle.

[0003] The invention also relates to a heating detection method implemented by such an assembly. Previous technique

[0004] The market for electric or hybrid vehicles is expanding very rapidly, and there is a great need to equip the territory with charging stations to ensure a transition to all-electric by 2035.

[0005] Among the types of electric vehicles, some are of the "BEV" type, English acronym for "Battery Electric Vehicle" or of the hybrid type comprising a thermal engine and an electric motor which operate simultaneously or alternately in order to reduce the power consumed by the vehicle, for example a plug-in hybrid vehicle (motor vehicle called "PHEV", English acronym for "Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle").

[0006] In both cases, the motor vehicle includes a traction battery comprising a set of electrochemical units, or cells, typically several thousand cells, mounted in a battery tray mounted under the floor of the vehicle's underbody.

[0007] Each cell typically comprises an anode and a cathode immersed in a highly flammable, ionically conductive liquid, the electrolyte. The battery further comprises a separator, or membrane, which may be made of a polymer material, designed to prevent any physical contact between the anode and the cathode that could lead to a short circuit in the battery, while facilitating the transport of ions between the cathode and the anode.

[0008] The traction battery can overheat in several types of situations. In particular, the traction battery can overheat in the event of battery overcharging, deep discharge, excessively rapid charging, excessively sporty driving, high temperatures, mechanical shock, etc.

[0009] When the battery heats up, the membrane loses its insulating capacity and becomes porous. The resistance between the cathode and the anode decreases, creating a passage of electrons and thus amplifying the heating within the cells.

[0010] If heating continues until a temperature exceeds approximately 80°C, there is a high risk of membrane rupture. A membrane rupture can short-circuit the anode and cathode of the battery cell in which the membrane rupture occurred.

[0011] Short-circuiting the traction battery cells releases a very large amount of heat very quickly, releasing oxygen into the electrolyte.

[0012] The heat generated by the short circuit heats the electrolyte which, in contact with the released oxygen, begins to burn when its combustion temperature is reached, the electrolyte being highly flammable.

[0013] The heat generated by the short circuit creates activation energy, while the electrolyte acts as fuel and oxygen as an oxidizer. The system thus defined instantly ignites the battery cell(s) in which the heating occurs. The temperature reached in the battery cell where the ignition occurs can be on the order of 1000°C. Such a temperature transfers heat to neighboring cells, so that they also ignite almost instantaneously. As they burn, the cells release oxygen again, creating a thermal runaway phenomenon that leads to the vehicle catching fire.

[0014] A current fire suppression system may include a heat detector and / or a smoke detector and / or a flame detector and / or one or more thermal imaging cameras, typically installed above the vehicle, for example on a ceiling when these systems are installed in covered parking areas. They detect the vehicle fire once it has started, and the fire's spread must be controlled after detection.

[0015] To limit the spread of fire, the vehicle can be sprayed with water, for example using fire hoses. However, it appears that the fire in the traction battery can reignite very quickly after the vehicle has been sprayed with water.

[0016] To limit the risk of reignition, it may be possible to partially immerse the vehicle in a cold water bath. The vehicle must remain submerged for a minimum of three days to limit the risk of a new fire, making this solution very restrictive. Furthermore, the use of a crane is necessary to lower the vehicle into the water, further complicating the implementation of such a solution.

[0017] Another solution is to use fire blankets that are placed over the vehicle to smother the fire. However, the installation of such fire blankets requires the intervention team to get very close to the vehicle, which is extremely dangerous given the explosions that can occur at the traction battery in the event of a fire.

[0018] In an attempt to prevent a fire from starting, it is known to use a so-called "sniffer" system, designed to detect a release of hydrogen which occurs as a consequence of the explosion of the battery occurring during the rise in pressure of the battery, the rise in pressure being generated by heating of the battery.

[0019] However, the time between the explosion of the battery and the ignition of the vehicle is too short, and prevents any action aimed at properly stopping the start of the fire.

[0020] Another solution, described in document KR20240114854A, relates to a fire prevention system in a charging station that could occur during the charging of an electric vehicle. The system comprises a plurality of infrared cameras installed in the floor of a parking lot collecting infrared images, a management server that determines the risk of fire to the charging electric vehicle using the infrared images, and a charger for charging the electric vehicle.

[0021] However, the implementation of such a system requires burying the infrared cameras.

[0022] Consequently, a special arrangement of the basement in which the infrared cameras are buried is necessary, making the installation of such a system complex.

[0023] Furthermore, burying cameras in the ground is not always possible. Typically, this is impossible in parking areas of the type provided on ships, particularly cruise ships or roll-on / roll-off ships, where it is impossible to excavate the ground to bury system components.

[0024] Moreover, some car parks, in particular of the type provided on cruise ships or ro-ro ships, do not have predetermined parking spaces, thus making the use of such a system with underground elements incompatible. Description of the invention

[0025] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a heating detection system for a traction battery of an electric vehicle, remarkable in that it comprises: - at least one device for acquiring representative data on the temperatures of a traction battery of an electric vehicle, said data acquisition device comprising a housing designed to exhibit crush resistance weighing more than approximately one tonne and to be arranged on and above ground on which said vehicle is likely to travel, and at least one thermal camera mounted in said housing, adapted to acquire thermal image data of said traction battery when said vehicle is above said housing, - a controller, adapted to collect the said data acquired by said at least one thermal camera, - a supervisory unit, designed to retrieve said data collected by said controller and programmed to send an alert trigger signal when said retrieved data is representative of a rise in the temperature of said traction battery beyond a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference in a determined time interval greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0026] Thus, providing an assembly comprising at least one data acquisition device including a housing designed to exhibit a crush resistance greater than about one ton and including at least one thermal camera mounted in said housing makes it possible to arrange said at least one data acquisition device directly on and above the ground, unlike prior art devices where infrared cameras are buried underground.

[0027] In this way, no special preparation of the basement is necessary thanks to the present invention, thus greatly simplifying the installation of the assembly according to the invention.

[0028] The use of an assembly according to the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, indicated in car parks of the type provided on ships, in particular cruise ships or ro-ro ships which do not have predetermined parking spaces.

[0029] Also, the data acquisition system according to the invention detects not a vehicle fire but an overheating of the traction battery and can be applied both when the vehicle is in the charging phase and when the vehicle is parked without charging necessarily being applied.

[0030] According to optional features of the detection assembly according to the invention: - in one embodiment, said assembly comprises at least one support interface designed to be fixed on and above a ground on which said vehicle is likely to move and to support said at least one data acquisition device, said support interface comprising a longitudinal hollow body; - in an embodiment, said at least one support interface includes a cutout adapted to receive said at least one data acquisition device; - in one embodiment, said assembly comprises a closing plate having a central opening, said closing plate being fixed around a perimeter of said cutout such that said closure plate covers at least partially the housing of said data acquisition device and such that said at least one thermal camera passes through said central opening and extends above said closure plate when said data acquisition device is received in said cutout; - in a realization, said assembly comprises a plurality of support interfaces assembled together; - in an embodiment, at least one of said support interfaces includes a female connecting edge and a male connecting edge adapted to cooperate with said female connecting edge; - in an embodiment, said assembly comprises several data acquisition devices electrically connected in series directly to each other; - in an alternative embodiment, said assembly comprises a plurality of electrical junction boxes, electrically connected in series with respect to each other, each of said electrical junction boxes electrically supplying at least two of said data acquisition devices; - in another alternative embodiment, said assembly comprises a plurality of magnetic connectors, electrically connected in series with respect to each other and each supplying one of said data acquisition devices; - in an embodiment, said assembly comprises a head unit arranged upstream of said at least one support interface, said head unit comprising a power supply electrically supplying said at least one data acquisition device, said controller consisting of a controller integrated into said head unit; - in one embodiment, said controller consists of a microcontroller integrated into said housing of said at least one data acquisition device; - in one embodiment, the housing of said data acquisition device is made of a magnetic material; - in one embodiment, the assembly includes a refrigeration device adapted to spray a refrigeration solution at least towards the traction battery of said vehicle when said vehicle is above said housing; - in one embodiment, the assembly includes an image analysis device designed to detect the type of vehicle located above said box, said supervisory unit being further programmed to send said alert trigger signal only when said vehicle detected by said image analysis device is an electric vehicle.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for detecting overheating of a traction battery of an electric vehicle implemented by a detection assembly heating according to the invention, said method being remarkable in that it comprises the following steps aimed at: - to acquire thermal imaging data of said traction battery when said vehicle is located above said casing, - to retrieve the aforementioned acquired thermal image data, - process the retrieved data, - send an alert trigger signal when said retrieved data is representative of a temperature rise of said traction battery beyond a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference in a determined time interval greater than a predetermined threshold value. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] schematically represents the implementation of a detection system heating of a traction battery of an electric vehicle according to the invention.

[0034] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a data acquisition device according to a example of an implementation of the invention.

[0035] [Fig.3] illustrates an example of an embodiment of the attachment of the acquisition device ground data.

[0036] [Fig.4] shows in top view the assembly formed by a support interface supporting the data acquisition device.

[0037] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view along line VV of [Fig.4].

[0038] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a closure plate intended to be fixed on the support interface.

[0039] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of an example configuration of the assembly according to the invention.

[0040] [Fig.8] schematically represents an example of the assembly configuration according to the invention.

[0041] [Fig.9] shows a first example of electrical connection of a plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0042] [Fig. 10] shows a second example of electrical connection of a plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0043] [Fig. 11] shows a third example of electrical connection of a plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0044] [Fig. 12] shows the steps in carrying out the heating detection process according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0045] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0046] Reference is made to [Fig.1] schematically showing the implementation of a heating detection assembly 1 for a traction battery of an electric vehicle according to the invention.

[0047] Assembly 1 according to the invention is designed to detect a heating of a traction battery (not shown) of an electric vehicle 3.

[0048] The electric vehicle 3 may for example be of the "BEV" or "PHEV" type and includes a traction battery comprising a set of electrochemical units, or cells mounted in a battery tray mounted under the floor of a subframe 5 of the electric vehicle 3.

[0049] By way of illustrative and non-limiting example, assembly 1 can equip car parks, public or private, open or covered, with or without predetermined parking spaces.

[0050] In one example of use of the invention, assembly 1 equips the car parks of ro-ro ships or cruise ships which generally do not have predetermined car parks.

[0051] Assembly 1 can be installed in a space equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, or in a space which is not equipped with them.

[0052] In another envisaged application of the invention, the assembly 1 can be installed in an enclosed space which can, for example, transport one or more vehicles 3, for example a container.

[0053] According to the invention, assembly 1 comprises at least one data acquisition device 7 representing temperatures of the traction battery of the electric vehicle 3.

[0054] The data acquisition device 7 includes a housing 9 designed to be arranged on and above a floor 11 on which the vehicle 3 moves.

[0055] The data acquisition device 7 also includes at least one thermal camera 13 (visible in [Fig. 2]) mounted in the housing 9. As is known, a thermal camera consists of a device designed to capture radiation of waves on the order of ten microns, representative of the temperature of the element that generates these waves. Thus, a thermal camera generates images representative of the temperature of the filmed elements.

[0056] In the context of the invention, the thermal camera(s) 13 used in the data acquisition device 7 is / are adapted to acquire thermal image data of the traction battery of the vehicle 3 when the vehicle 3 is located above the housing 9, as shown in the illustration in [Fig. 1]. Thus, the cameras are oriented upwards relative to the ground 11, i.e. towards the floor of the vehicle 3 when the vehicle 3 is located above the housing 9.

[0057] Assembly 1 further includes a controller adapted to collect the data acquired by the thermal camera(s) 13. The controller can be integrated into the data acquisition device 7, in the form of a microcontroller, or, as will be seen in the rest of the description, can be remote relative to the data acquisition device 7.

[0058] Assembly 1 further comprises a supervisory control unit 15 designed to retrieve the data collected by the controller and programmed, via software, to send an alert trigger signal 17 when the retrieved data indicates a temperature rise in the traction battery above a predetermined threshold value. The alert trigger signal 17 is therefore sent before a fire occurs in the traction battery and the vehicle 3.

[0059] The connection enabling communication between the controller and the supervisory unit 15 can be made by wired connection or by wireless connection, for example Wi-Fi.

[0060] For example, the predetermined threshold value may be approximately 60°C, for example 60°C. Alternatively, the predetermined threshold value may be approximately 70°C, for example 70°C.

[0061] Alternatively, the alert trigger signal 17 can be sent by the monitoring unit 15 when the retrieved data indicates a temperature difference over a specified time interval exceeding a predetermined threshold value. For example, a temperature increase exceeding approximately 5°C over a time interval of about one minute triggers the sending of the alert trigger signal 17.

[0062] The pre-fire alarm trigger signal 17 is sent to an alarm device 19 comprising an audible and / or visual alarm means, for example a siren and / or a lamp, for example an LED lamp.

[0063] The alert device 19 may include one or more alert modules which may be directly integrated into the data acquisition device 7 or, alternatively, be remote from the data acquisition device 7.

[0064] In one embodiment, the alert device 19 may include a module integrated into the supervision unit 15, in addition to or alternatively to the integration of one or more other module(s) integrated within the data acquisition device 7 or remote from the data acquisition device 7.

[0065] As an alternative or in addition to sending the pre-fire alarm trigger signal 17 by means of visual and / or audible alert, the alert trigger signal 17 may be transmitted to a supervisory device called "IAS", English acronym for "Integrated Automation System" for "integrated automation system" or to any other means of site supervision.

[0066] In one embodiment, the data acquisition device 7 can be powered by an electric battery. Alternatively, the data acquisition device 7 can be powered by batteries or connected to mains electricity.

[0067] Reference is made to [Fig.2], which is a perspective view of the data acquisition device 7 according to an example embodiment.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7 is designed to have a crush resistance exceeding approximately one tonne. In one embodiment, the housing 9 is designed to have a crush resistance exceeding approximately ten tonnes.

[0069] In one embodiment, the housing 9 can be made of stainless steel.

[0070] In one embodiment, the housing has a protection rating of “IP68”.

[0071] In one embodiment, the housing 9 can be designed to meet the requirements of the “ATEX” (“Explosive Atmospheres”) regulations.

[0072] The housing 9 comprises a set of side faces 21, a lower face 23 and a top face 25 arranged on either side of the set of side faces 21.

[0073] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the housing 9 has a truncated pyramid shape. However, other geometric shapes may be used.

[0074] When the housing 9 has a geometric shape of a truncated pyramid, the housing 9 has four lateral faces 21, the lower face 23 and the upper face 25.

[0075] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lower face 23 and the upper face 25 are parallel to each other. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the lower face 23 and the upper face 25 may not be parallel to each other.

[0076] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the upper face 25 is parallel to the ground 11 when the housing 9 is installed on the ground 11. According to a variant not illustrated, the upper face 25 may not be parallel to the ground 11 when the housing 9 is installed on the ground 11.

[0077] The housing 9 has at least one opening 27 receiving a thermal camera lens 13. For example, the opening 27 can be arranged at one of the lateral faces 21 of the housing 9.

[0078] The housing 9 is adapted so that the thermal cameras 13 it contains can film the entire underbody 5 of the vehicle 3. To this end, the housing 9 can by example includes four orifices 27 and four thermal cameras 13. Each orifice 27 is arranged on one of the lateral faces 21 and receives a lens of one of the four thermal cameras 13.

[0079] In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the data acquisition device 7 can be arranged on and above the ground 11, without being fixed to the ground. The device is held in place by gravity, for example, by weighting the data acquisition device 7.

[0080] Alternatively, the data acquisition device 7 can be fixed to the ground 11.

[0081] In a first embodiment, the data acquisition device 7 can be fixed directly on the ground 11.

[0082] To do this, the housing 9 may for example include a mounting plate (not shown) capable of receiving a mechanical fixing element.

[0083] Alternatively, when the floor 11 is metallic, the data acquisition device 7 can be attached to the floor 11 by making the housing 9 from a magnetic material. This solution is particularly advantageous when the assembly 1 is used in ship parking areas, which are generally made of metal and do not typically have predetermined parking spaces. The fact that the housing 9 is made of a magnetic material allows for quick and easy deployment of the data acquisition devices 7 on the floor, making it possible to rapidly create, on demand, a grid of the parking area based on the geometric characteristics of the vehicles to be parked, in particular to take into account the lengths and widths of the vehicles, which vary from one vehicle to another and from one type of vehicle to another. In this way, such an assembly 1 secures the parking space while easily optimizing the parking area..

[0084] Reference is made to [Fig.3] showing a second embodiment of the fixing of the data acquisition device 7 to the ground 11.

[0085] In a second embodiment of the fixing of the data acquisition device 7 to the ground 11, the data acquisition device 7 is fixed indirectly to the ground 11.

[0086] To do this, the assembly 1 includes at least one support interface 29, designed to be fixed on and above the ground 11 and to support the data acquisition device 7.

[0087] By convention, and without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted, indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the support interface 29.

[0088] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support interface 29 comprises a longitudinal hollow body 31, advantageously generating a volume within the support interface 29, which allows the passage of cables, in particular electrical cables for powering the acquisition device(s). data 7 and / or electrical cables for data transfer with the data acquisition device(s) 7. In this way, when the support interface 29 is fixed to the ground 11, the electrical cables are protected by the support interface 29, thus facilitating the implementation of assembly 1.

[0089] Providing such a support interface 29 further simplifies the implementation of assembly 1 in that the electrical cables are routed directly into the support interface 29. No additional device for concealing the electrical cables is then necessary.

[0090] The support interface 29 can, for example, be made of a thermoplastic material, for example a material designated by the acronym "TPR" ("Thermo-propylene rubber"). The support interface has a crush resistance of at least approximately 20 tonnes.

[0091] Reference is made to [Fig.4] showing in top view the assembly formed by a support interface 29 supporting the data acquisition device 7 and to [Fig.5] which is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of [Fig.4].

[0092] In the embodiment shown, the fixing of the support interface 29 to the ground 11 is carried out via fixing holes 33 receiving fixing elements (not shown).

[0093] Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown in the figures, the mounting of the support interface 29 to the floor 11 can be achieved by means of a magnetic mounting device integrated into the support interface 29. This is particularly advantageous when the assembly 1 is used in ship parking areas, to allow for quick and easy deployment of the support interfaces 29 to the floor 11. As is the case when the mounting of the data acquisition device 7 to the floor 11 is achieved by making the housing 9 from a magnetic material, this allows for the rapid and on-demand construction of a parking floor grid based on the geometric characteristics of the vehicles to be parked. This makes it possible to take into account the lengths and widths of the vehicles, which vary from one vehicle to another and from one vehicle type to another. The parking space is thus secured while easily optimizing the parking area.Furthermore, the electrical cables are now routed directly into the support interface 29, thus avoiding the need for an additional device to conceal the electrical cables if necessary.

[0094] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support interface 29 has a cutout 35 adapted to receive the data acquisition device 7.

[0095] The cut 35 is made from an upper face 37 of the support interface 29. The cut 35 extends transversely relative to the support interface 29, that is to say in the thickness of the support interface 29.

[0096] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support interface 29 has a trapezoidal cross-section. However, other cross-sections may be used, in particular a semi-circular cross-section.

[0097] According to an optional arrangement of the invention, the assembly 1 comprises a closing plate 39 fixed on a perimeter 41 of the cutout 35 of the support interface 29 and covering at least partially the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7.

[0098] The closing plate 39 has a central opening 43, more clearly visible in [Fig.6] to which reference is also made in addition to the reference made to [Fig.5], and showing the closing plate 39 in perspective.

[0099] The closing plate 39 has a flat face 45 extending over the periphery of the central opening 43 in a substantially horizontal plane when the closing plate 39 is mounted in the support interface 29.

[0100] When the data acquisition device 7 is received in the cutout 35, the thermal camera(s) 13 pass through the central opening 43 and extend over the closing plate 39.

[0101] The fixing of the closing plate 39 on the perimeter 41 of the cutout 35 can for example be carried out by means of fixing elements, for example fixing screws 47 received in fixing holes 49 made in the face 45 of the closing plate 39.

[0102] The presence of the closing plate 39 makes it possible to fill the space between the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7 and an inner wall 51 of the cutout 35, which makes it possible to further reinforce the peripheral area of ​​the cutout 35 arranged between the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7 and the support interface 29. Also, filling the space E defined between the housing 9 and the inner wall 51 of the cutout 35 makes it possible to protect the support interface against the introduction of unwanted external elements, in particular dust, water, leaves, etc.

[0103] In one embodiment, a sealing gasket can be arranged between the closing plate 39 and the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7. In this way, the water seal between the closing plate 39 and the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7 is reinforced.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap plate 39 has a collar 53 extending inside the cutout 35 when the end cap plate 39 is mounted on the support interface 29. The collar 53 extends downwards along the face 45 when the end cap plate 39 is mounted on the support interface 29. This allows it to penetrate at least partially inside the cutout 35, thereby limiting the longitudinal movement of the end cap plate 39 and thus limit the stress on the fastening elements. In the illustrated embodiment, the collar 53 extends around the entire perimeter of the face 45.

[0105] Reference is made to [Fig.7] showing an example of the configuration of set 1 seen in perspective.

[0106] In one embodiment of the invention, the assembly 1 comprises a plurality of support interfaces 29 assembled together.

[0107] In the illustrated embodiment, the support interfaces 29 are assembled together via a connection interface 55. Unlike the support interface 29, the connection interface 55 does not have a cutout 35 adapted to receive the data acquisition device 7. The connection interface 55 does, however, have a longitudinal hollow body generating a volume inside the connection interface 55 allowing the passage of cables.

[0108] In an alternative embodiment not shown, two support interfaces 29 are assembled directly together, i.e. that assembly 1 does not include a connection interface 55.

[0109] The assembly of the support interfaces 29 thus defines a network for dividing a parking space into a grid. The presence or absence of the connection interfaces 55 is determined in particular by the dimensions of the area to be covered. In this way, the positioning of the support interfaces 29 on the ground is made modular, which makes it possible to further improve the grid according to the geometric characteristics of the vehicles to be parked.

[0110] The assembly of support interfaces 29 together defines a support rail for the data acquisition devices 7, due to the geometric shape defined by the support interfaces 29 once assembled.

[0111] Reference is again made to [Fig.4]. According to one arrangement, at least one of the support interfaces 29 has a female connecting edge 57 and a male connecting edge 59 adapted to cooperate with the female connecting edge 57.

[0112] This makes it even easier to assemble the support interfaces 29 together, either directly with each other, or indirectly through the connection interfaces 55.

[0113] In the second case, the connection interfaces 55 also include a male connection edge and a female connection edge, cooperating respectively with the female connection edge 57 and with the male connection edge 59 of the support interface 29.

[0114] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the female connecting edges 57 and male connecting edges 59 are respectively arranged at the longitudinal ends 61, 63 of the support interface 29. According to an arrangement of the invention not shown in the figures, the support interface 29 may include male connecting edges / female at the transverse ends 65, which further improves the mesh of the space to be monitored.

[0115] Reference is made to [Fig.8] schematically showing an example of the configuration of set 1.

[0116] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.8], assembly 1 comprises a plurality of rows 67, each comprising a plurality of support interfaces 29 assembled together.

[0117] According to one arrangement of the invention, the assembly 1 comprises a head unit 69 arranged upstream of each of the support interfaces 29.

[0118] The head unit 69 includes a power supply 71, electrically supplying the data acquisition devices 7 via power supply cables 73.

[0119] The head unit 69 also receives a controller 75, which is thus remote relative to the data acquisition device 7, and capable of transferring data with the data acquisition device(s) 7 via electrical data transfer cables 77.

[0120] As represented by the dotted line, the controllers 75 of the head units 69 communicate with the supervisory center 15, by wired or wireless connection, for example Wi-Fi.

[0121] Reference is made to figures 9 to 11, which illustrate examples of electrical connection of data acquisition devices 7.

[0122] In the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig.9], several data acquisition devices 7 are electrically connected in series directly with respect to each other.

[0123] For this purpose, the power supply cable 73 connects the power supply 71 of the head unit 69 to the first data acquisition device 7, then each of the data acquisition devices 7 is connected to the previous data acquisition device 7 by the power supply cable 73.

[0124] Similarly, the electrical data transfer cable 77 connects the controller 75 of the head unit 69 to the first data acquisition device 7, and then each of the data acquisition devices 7 is connected to the previous data acquisition device 7 by the electrical data transfer cable 77.

[0125] In the second embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 10], assembly 1 comprises electrical junction boxes 79 electrically connected in series with respect to each other.

[0126] For this purpose, the power supply cable 73 connects the power supply 71 of the head unit 69 to the first electrical junction box 79, and then each of the boxes electrical junction box 79 is connected to the previous electrical junction box 79 by the electrical supply cable 73.

[0127] Similarly, the electrical data transfer cable 77 connects the controller 75 of the head unit 69 to the first electrical junction box 79, and then each of the electrical junction boxes 79 is connected to the previous electrical junction box 79 by the electrical data transfer cable 77.

[0128] Each electrical junction box 79 electrically supplies at least two of the data acquisition devices 7, i.e. each of the electrical power supply cables 73 and data transfer cables 77 connects each electrical junction box 79 to two data acquisition devices 7.

[0129] Such an electrical assembly makes it possible to disconnect one or more of the data acquisition devices 7 without disconnecting the others. This allows maintenance operations to be carried out simply and quickly on one or more of the data acquisition devices 7 without total interruption of the assembly 1.

[0130] In the third embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1 1], assembly 1 comprises a plurality of magnetic connectors 81 electrically connected in series with respect to each other.

[0131] For this purpose, the power supply cable 73 connects the power supply 71 of the head unit 69 to the first magnetic connector 81, then each of the magnetic connectors 81 is connected to the previous magnetic connector 81 by the power supply cable 73.

[0132] Similarly, the electrical data transfer cable 77 connects the controller 75 of the head unit 69 to the first magnetic connector 81, and then each of the magnetic connectors 81 is connected to the previous magnetic connector 81 by the electrical data transfer cable 77.

[0133] Each magnetic connector 81 supplies power to each one data acquisition device 7.

[0134] The presence of the magnetic connectors 81 allows for an electrical bridging of the power supply cables 73, so that one of the data acquisition devices 7 can be disconnected without disconnecting the others, allowing here also for simple and quick maintenance operations to be carried out on one or more of the data acquisition devices 7 without total interruption of the assembly 1.

[0135] According to an optional provision of the invention applicable to all embodiments of the invention, assembly 1 may include a refrigeration device (not shown) adapted to spray a refrigeration solution at least towards the traction battery of vehicle 3 when vehicle 3 is above the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7. The device The cooling system can be activated simultaneously with or after the sending of the alert trigger signal 17. The cooling device can, for example, be installed on the ground, for instance near the data acquisition device 7, or under the vehicle 3 when the vehicle 3 is positioned above the housing 9.

[0136] According to another optional embodiment of the invention, assembly 1 may include an image analysis device (not shown) designed to detect the type of vehicle located above the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7. In this case, the monitoring unit 15 is programmed to send the alert trigger signal 17 only when the vehicle 3 detected by the image analysis device is an electric vehicle. This prevents the erroneous triggering of an alert if a measurement were taken on a heat-producing component of an internal combustion engine vehicle, for example, the exhaust pipe. The image analysis device may, for example, use a trained artificial intelligence algorithm to determine whether the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle or an electric vehicle.The image analysis system may include one or more cameras, for example mounted above the vehicle, for example on the ceiling.

[0137] Reference is made to [Fig. 12] showing the steps for carrying out the heating detection process according to the invention implemented by assembly 1 according to the invention.

[0138] The heating detection method according to the invention comprises the following steps aimed at: - Step 11: Acquire thermal image data of the traction battery when vehicle 3 is above housing 9, - Step E2: Retrieve the acquired thermal image data: Step E2 is executed by the supervisory unit 15 after data collection by the controller, which may consist of the microcontroller integrated into the data acquisition device 7 or the controller 75 integrated into the head unit 69, - Step E3: Process the retrieved images: Step E3 is executed by the supervisory unit 15 or by a server to which the supervisory unit 15 is connected, - Step E4: Send the alert trigger signal 17 when the retrieved data are representative of a rise in the temperature of the traction battery beyond a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference in a determined time interval greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0139] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this heating detection assembly for a traction battery of an electric vehicle and of this heating detection method implemented by such an assembly, described above solely by way of illustrative examples, but on the contrary encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents the means described and their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (1) for detecting the heating of a traction battery of an electric vehicle (3), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one data acquisition device (7) for acquiring representative temperatures of a traction battery of an electric vehicle (3), said data acquisition device (7) comprising a housing (9) designed to have a crush resistance exceeding approximately one tonne and to be arranged on and above a floor (11) on which said electric vehicle (3) is likely to travel, and at least one thermal camera (13) mounted in said housing (9), adapted to acquire thermal image data of said traction battery when said electric vehicle (3) is located above said housing (9), - a controller, adapted to collect said data acquired by said at least one thermal camera (13), - a monitoring unit (15),designed to retrieve said data collected by said controller and programmed to send an alert trigger signal (17) when said retrieved data is representative of a temperature rise in said traction battery above a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference within a specified time interval exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one support interface (29) designed to be fixed on and above a floor (11) on which said electric vehicle (3) is capable of moving and to support said at least one data acquisition device (7), said support interface (29) comprising a longitudinal hollow body (31).

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one support interface (29) has a cutout (35) adapted to receive said at least one data acquisition device (7).

4. Assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a closing plate (39) having a central opening (43), said closing plate (39) being fixed to a periphery (41) of said cutout (35) such that said closing plate (39) at least partially covers the housing (9) of said data acquisition device (7) and such that said at least one thermal camera (13) passes through said central opening (43) and extends over said closing plate (39) when said data acquisition device (7) is received in said cutout (35).

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of support interfaces (29) assembled together.

6. Assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of said support interfaces (29) comprises a female connecting edge (57) and a male connecting edge adapted (59) to cooperate with said female connecting edge (57).

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises several data acquisition devices (7) electrically connected in series directly with respect to each other.

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of electrical junction boxes (79), electrically connected in series with respect to each other, each of said electrical junction boxes (79) electrically supplying at least two of said data acquisition devices (7).

9. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of magnetic connectors (81), electrically connected in series with respect to each other and each supplying one of said data acquisition devices (7).

10. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a head unit (69) arranged upstream of said at least one support interface (29), said head unit (69) comprising a power supply (71) electrically supplying said at least one data acquisition device (7), said assembly (1) being further characterized in that said controller consists of a controller (75) integrated into said head unit (69).

11. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said controller consists of a microcontroller integrated into said housing (9) of said at least one data acquisition device (7).

12. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the housing (9) of said data acquisition device (7) is made of a magnetic material.

13. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a refrigeration device adapted to spray a refrigeration solution at least towards the traction battery of said electric vehicle (3) when said electric vehicle (3) is above said housing (9).

14. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises an image analysis device designed to detect the type of vehicle located above said housing (9), said supervisory unit (15) being further programmed to send said alert trigger signal (17) only when said vehicle detected by said image analysis device is an electric vehicle.

15. A method for detecting the heating of a traction battery of an electric vehicle (3) implemented by a heating detection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps for: - acquiring (step E1) thermal image data of said traction battery when said electric vehicle (3) is above said housing (9), - retrieving (step E2) said acquired thermal image data, - processing (step E3) said retrieved data, - sending (step E4) an alert trigger signal (17) when said retrieved data is representative of a temperature rise of said traction battery beyond a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference in a determined time interval greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Images