CELLULAR BATTERY ASSEMBLY SUITABLE FOR DIFFERENT CHARGING MODES, FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A cellular battery assembly (EB) equips a vehicle (V) comprising a charging circuit (CR) that can be coupled to a first charging source providing a first charging current characteristic of a first charging mode, and includes a tray (BB) housing cellular modules (MC) and comprising: - a first electrical connector (CE1) coupled to the charging circuit (CR) and the cellular modules (MC) to supply them with a second continuous charging current during charging in the first mode, and - a housing (LB) equipped with a second electrical connector (CE2) and housing a charging unit (BR) that can receive a third charging current characteristic of a second charging mode from a second charging source, and supplying a second continuous charging current, derived from the third charging current, to this second electrical connector (CE2) so that it powers the cellular modules (MC) during charging in the second mode. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: CELLULAR BATTERY ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO DIFFERENT CHARGING MODES, FOR A VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to assemblies (or “packs”) of cellular batteries which are suitable for equipping vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles (possibly of the automobile type) include at least one set (or pack) of cellular battery which is rechargeable and charged with supplying electrical energy (and more specifically direct current) to at least one electric motive machine of their powertrain (or PWM).

[0003] Generally, this type of cellular battery assembly (or pack) includes a tray housing at least one cellular module suitable for storing electrical energy when supplied with continuous charging current, and includes an electrical connector suitable for being coupled to a charging circuit of its vehicle and coupled to the (each) cellular module to supply it with continuous charging current during charging.

[0004] Herein, "cell module" means a module comprising at least one electrical energy storage cell. Furthermore, "electrical energy storage cell" means a rechargeable and possibly electrochemical cell (for example, of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd type).

[0005] The vehicle's charging circuit is arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to an external charging source providing a charging current characteristic of a particular charging mode. Depending on the vehicle's arrangement, this coupling can be achieved either by wire, in which case the vehicle includes a charging connector that is connected to its charging circuit and designed to be coupled to an external charging source via a charging cable, or by induction, in which case the vehicle must be equipped with a secondary inductive charging circuit that is part of its charging circuit and is designed to cooperate with a primary inductive charging circuit that is part of the external charging source (and for example, mounted on a robot).

[0006] In the case of a wired connection, charging can be done in direct current (or mode 4) and / or in alternating current (or mode 2 or 3).

[0007] It is recalled that in a mode 2 or 3 charging operation, the cellular modules are recharged with direct current by a converter that is part of the vehicle's charging circuit, after an AC / DC ("Alternating Current / Direct Current") conversion. Current") of an alternating current from an external charging source. For example, this AC / DC conversion can be done from 220 V AC (alternating current) to 450 V DC (direct current).

[0008] It is also recalled that in a mode 4 charge, the cellular modules are charged with a high continuous charging current (typically 125 A or 250 A) which comes directly from an external charging source, without conversion by a converter.

[0009] Each vehicle described above therefore includes a cell battery assembly that is specifically adapted to its charging circuit, and therefore cannot be used for a different charging circuit. In other words, there is currently no charging circuit with a converter capable of converting alternating currents of very different frequencies (typically 50 Hz or 60 Hz via wired connection and (currently) between 70 kHz and 90 kHz via induction) into direct current, just as there is currently no charging circuit adapted solely for Mode 4 charging, or for Mode 2 or 3 charging respectively, and also usable for Mode 2 or 3 charging, or for Mode 4 charging respectively, or adapted solely for inductive charging and also usable for Mode 4 charging.

[0010] Consequently, currently, when it is desired that the entire cellular battery of a vehicle can be recharged in significantly different ways, it is necessary to add a supplementary charging circuit to its "main" charging circuit, and to couple these main and supplementary charging circuits by means of a specific junction box, which may require at least partial rethinking of the vehicle's electrical architecture, which is costly, and causes an increase in the vehicle's internal dimensions, which is not always possible.

[0011] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0012] It proposes in particular for this purpose a cellular battery assembly, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a vehicle which includes a charging circuit suitable for being coupled to a first charging source providing a first charging current characteristic of a first charging mode, and, on the other hand, including a tray housing at least one cellular module suitable for storing electrical energy when it is supplied with a second continuous charging current, and including a first electrical connector suitable for being coupled to the charging circuit and coupled to (each) cellular module to supply it with a second continuous charging current during a charging of the first mode.

[0013] This battery assembly is characterized by the fact that its tray includes a housing:

[0014] - equipped with a second electrical connector coupled to (each) cellular module, and

[0015] - housing a charging unit coupled to this second electrical connector, own to receive from a second charging source a third charging current characteristic of a second charging mode and to supply with a second continuous charging current, from this third charging current, the second electrical connector so that it powers the (each) cellular module during a second mode charging.

[0016] Thus, the adaptation to the charging of the second mode is now fully ensured by the charging box which is installed in the housing of the tray, which makes it possible to no longer have to rethink at least partially the electrical architecture of the vehicle and increase the internal size of the vehicle.

[0017] The battery assembly according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0018] - in a first embodiment, the charging case may include a converter which is capable of converting a third alternating charging current into a second direct charging current;

[0019] - in a second embodiment, the charging case may include, on the one hand, a secondary induction charging circuit which is suitable for cooperating with an external primary induction charging circuit, forming part of the second charging source, to provide the third alternating charging current, and, on the other hand, a converter which is suitable for converting this third alternating charging current into a second direct charging current;

[0020] - in at least one of the first and second embodiments, the housing may This includes a fluidic connector that is coupled to a cooling circuit installed in the tray and through which a cooling fluid from the vehicle circulates. In this case, the charging unit may include a cooling sub-circuit coupled to the fluidic connector, located near the converter, and designed to cool the converter;

[0021] - in a third embodiment, the charging case may be specific to receive a third continuous charging current which is identical to the second continuous charging current;

[0022] - its container may include initial coupling elements suitable for cooperating with second coupling elements for the charging unit to couple the latter to the bin;

[0023] - its container may include first fastening elements which are own to cooperate with secondary fixing elements of the charging case to immobilize the latter in relation to the tray;

[0024] - its tray may include, on the one hand, an opening adapted for the introduction / extraction of the charging case in / out of the housing, and, on the other hand, a trapdoor sealing, in a removable way, this opening.

[0025] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one cellular battery assembly of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a side view, a example of a vehicle including an example of an embodiment of a cellular battery assembly according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a top view, a first example of an embodiment of a cellular battery assembly according to the invention, during the installation of a first example of an embodiment of a charging case,

[0029] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a top view, the cellular battery assembly of [Fig.2], once its charging case has been installed in the housing,

[0030] [Fig.4] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a top view, a second embodiment of a cellular battery assembly according to the invention, equipped with a second embodiment of a charging case, and

[0031] [Fig.5] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a top view, a third example of an embodiment of a cellular battery assembly according to the invention, equipped with a third example of an embodiment of a charging case. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] The invention aims in particular to provide an EB cellular battery assembly (or pack) intended to equip a vehicle V and adapted to different charging methods.

[0033] In what follows, vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. It is, for example, a car (as illustrated, without limitation, in [Fig. 1]). But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any vehicle comprising at least one set (or pack) of rechargeable cellular batteries. Thus, it relates to all vehicles (land vehicles (y including rail or all-terrain (or off-road), and in particular construction equipment and trucks), maritime (or river), and air).

[0034] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a non-limiting example of a vehicle V (here a vehicle) comprising an example of an embodiment of a set (or pack) of cellular battery EB according to the invention, installed on the underside of its body (under the passenger compartment), and coupled to a charging circuit CR allowing each module MC to be recharged and to an electric drive machine MME of its powertrain (or powertrain) to supply it with electrical energy (in particular to ensure its movement).

[0035] The CR charging circuit is arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to a first external charging source and capable of supplying it with a first charging current cri that is characteristic of at least one first charging mode. It will be understood that the arrangement of this CR charging circuit depends on this (each) first charging mode in which it must participate.

[0036] For example, when the coupling between the CR charging circuit and the first external charging source is done by wire, the CR charging circuit is connected to a CN charging connector of the vehicle V and includes a first CV1 converter ensuring an AC / DC type conversion when it receives a first alternating charging current cri characteristic of a first charging mode of type 2 or 3. This first CV1 converter is then coupled to a first IEC connector of the cellular battery assembly EB which it supplies with a second direct charging current crc2.It should be noted that such a CR charging circuit can also possibly participate in a first type 4 DC charging mode, and in this case it includes a sub-part directly interconnecting the vehicle V's CN charging connector to the first IEC connector (or another first connector) of the cellular battery assembly EB (the second DC charging current crc2 is then equal to the first DC charging current cri supplied by the first external charging source).

[0037] Also, for example, when the coupling between the CR charging circuit and the first external charging source is done by induction, the CR charging circuit includes a secondary inductive charging circuit (CSR) that is designed to cooperate with a primary inductive charging circuit that is part of the first external charging source (and, for example, mounted on a robot that temporarily positions itself under the secondary inductive charging circuit (CSR)). The first external charging source supplies a first alternating charging current (Cri) to its primary inductive charging circuit, and therefore the secondary inductive charging circuit (CSR) delivers another alternating charging current which is converted into a second continuous charging current crc2 by an AC / DC converter of the CR charging circuit.

[0038] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 5, a cellular battery assembly EB, according to the invention, comprises a tray BB and at least one cellular module MC.

[0039] The (each) MC cellular module is suitable for storing electrical energy when supplied with a second continuous charging current crc2.

[0040] It is recalled that the term "cell module" here means a module comprising at least one electrical energy storage cell. It is also recalled that the term "electrical energy storage cell" here means a rechargeable and possibly electrochemical cell (for example, of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd type).

[0041] For example, the cellular module(s) MC may allow the cellular battery assembly EB to deliver a low voltage (typically 450 V or 600 V by way of illustration) at its terminals. But it could also deliver a medium voltage or a high voltage, for example.

[0042] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 5, the EB cellular battery assembly comprises four MC cellular modules. However, the number of MC cellular modules in an EB cellular battery assembly can be any value greater than or equal to one. When several (at least two) MC modules are present, these modules can be connected in series and / or in parallel, as required.

[0043] The BB tray defines an internal cavity housing at least one MC cell module, and includes an open upper face which is closed by a dedicated upper cover or by a part of the floor of the vehicle V.

[0044] In addition, the BB tray includes the first IEC electrical connector (mentioned above), which is suitable for being coupled to the CR charging circuit of vehicle V, and which is coupled to (each) MC cellular module to supply it with a second continuous charging current crc2 during first mode charging.

[0045] In addition, the BB tray includes an LB housing equipped with a second CE2 electrical connector and housing a BR charging box.

[0046] It should be noted that the LB housing may optionally be delimited by PB partitions fixedly attached to the BB tray, as illustrated, but not limited to, Figures 1 to 5. In this case, the second electrical connector CE2 may be fixedly attached to one of these PB partitions. However, this is not mandatory, and in this case, the second electrical connector CE2 is fixedly attached to one of the walls of the BB tray.

[0047] The second electrical connector CE2 is coupled to (each) cellular module MC. It should be noted that for this purpose the second electrical connector CE2 can be connected to the first IEC connector, although this is not mandatory.

[0048] The BR charging unit is connected to the second electrical connector CE2, for example via a dedicated third electrical connector (not shown). Furthermore, this BR charging unit is configured to receive a third charging current cr3 from a second charging source, for example via a DC connection cable, which is characteristic of a second charging mode. In addition, this BR charging unit is configured to supply a second continuous charging current crc2, derived from the third charging current cr3, to the second electrical connector CE2 so that it powers each MC cell module during charging in the second mode.

[0049] Thanks to this LB housing, defined in the BB compartment with a dedicated second electrical connector CE2, and the BR charging unit, which is adapted for a second charging mode and connected to this second electrical connector CE2 when needed, the EB cellular battery assembly can now be charged not only in at least one first mode, but also in a second mode. This is particularly advantageous because it eliminates the need to add a supplementary charging circuit to the vehicle's CR charging circuit V and to connect these CR and supplementary charging circuits using a specific junction box.Therefore, we no longer need to rethink, at least partially, the vehicle's electrical architecture and increase the vehicle's internal dimensions, because the adaptation to charging in the second mode is fully ensured by the BR charging unit which is installed in the LB compartment of the BB tray.

[0050] At least three embodiments of the BR charging box can be envisaged so that they are adapted to different first charging modes, enabled by the different arrangements of the CR charging circuit, and to different second charging modes.

[0051] In a first embodiment illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3, the BR charging box may include a second converter CV2 which is suitable for converting a third alternating charging current cr3 into a second direct charging current crc2.

[0052] It will be understood that this first embodiment is suitable:

[0053] - either in the case where the CR charging circuit is adapted only for charging a The first charging mode is type 4. The second charging source, which is temporarily connected to the BR charging box (for example via a DC connection cable), then provides charging in a second mode of type 2 or 3.

[0054] - either in the case where the CR charging circuit is adapted only for charging a first mode of induction type (and therefore includes a secondary charging circuit) by induction coupled to a first AC / DC type converter CV1). The second charging source, which is temporarily coupled to the BR charging box (for example via a DC connection cable), then provides a second mode charging of type 2 or 3.

[0055] In a second embodiment illustrated, without limitation, in [Fig. 4], the charging unit BR may include a secondary inductive charging circuit CSR and a second converter CV2. The secondary inductive charging circuit CSR is adapted to cooperate with an external primary inductive charging circuit, forming part of the second charging source temporarily connected to the charging unit BR (for example, via a DC connection cable), to provide the third AC charging current cr3. The second converter CV2 is adapted to convert this third AC charging current cr3 into a second DC charging current crc2. The second charging source, which is temporarily connected to the charging unit BR (for example, via a DC connection cable), then provides a second-mode inductive charging.

[0056] It will be understood that this second embodiment is suitable for the case where the CR charging circuit is adapted:

[0057] - to the recharges of a first mode of type 2 or 3 (and therefore includes a first CV 1 converter (AC / DC type), and / or

[0058] - to the recharges of a first mode of type 4.

[0059] It should be noted that the BR charging unit can participate in inductive charging because the cellular battery assembly EB is generally installed under the floor (or body) of the vehicle V (at least in the case of a car). However, this requires that the lower wall defining the bottom (or floor) of the BB tray be made of a material that does not interfere with the magnetic induction field. Alternatively, the lower wall defining the bottom (or floor) of the BB tray could include a through hole, at least partially and securely, through which the secondary inductive charging circuit CSR passes.

[0060] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the BB tray may include a CR cooling circuit in which a cooling fluid from the vehicle V is suitable for circulating. In this case, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, at least in the first embodiment and / or the second embodiment, the LB housing may include a CF fluid connector which is coupled to this CR cooling circuit, and the BR charging box may include an SCR cooling sub-circuit which is coupled to this CF fluid connector, defined near the second CV2 converter, and suitable for cooling the latter (CV2).

[0061] The CR cooling circuit can, for example, be installed below the MC cell modules and above the lower wall defining the bottom (or floor) of the BB tray. For example, this CR cooling circuit can include plates between which a circuit, or a serpentine conduit, is defined, in which a refrigerant circulates that is not necessarily dedicated to cooling the entire EB cell battery assembly (and in particular its MC cell modules).

[0062] In a third embodiment illustrated, without limitation, in [Fig. 5], the BR charging unit is arranged to receive a third DC charging current cr3, which is identical to the second DC charging current crc2, and therefore does not include a second converter CV2. The second charging source, which is temporarily coupled to the BR charging unit (for example, via a DC connection cable), then provides a second charging mode of type 4.

[0063] It will be understood that this third embodiment is suitable:

[0064] - either in the case where the CR charging circuit is adapted only for charging a first mode of type 2 or 3 (and therefore includes a first AC / DC type CV1 converter),

[0065] - either in the case where the CR charging circuit is adapted only for charging a first induction type mode (and therefore includes a secondary induction charging circuit coupled to a first AC / DC type CV 1 converter).

[0066] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 5, the BB tray and the BR charging box can respectively include first EC1 and second EC2 coupling elements which are suitable to cooperate together to couple the BR charging box to the BB tray.

[0067] By way of example, the first coupling elements EC1 can be arranged as two parallel slides (in a horizontal or vertical plane) onto which the BR charging case is screwed, clipped, or recessed. In the case of screwing, the second coupling elements EC2 are holes, possibly threaded, defined in two opposite walls of the BR charging case, into which screws passing through the EC2 slides are inserted or screwed. In the case of clipping, the second coupling elements EC2 can, for example, be clipping tabs fixedly attached to two opposite walls of the BR charging case and clipped into clipping holes defined in the EC2 slides.In the case of a recessed installation, the second coupling elements EC2 can, for example, be ribs defined in two opposite walls of the BR charging housing and which are inserted by sliding into corresponding slots in the EC2 slides. It should be noted that the two slides can optionally be telescopic (as is the case in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig.2]).

[0068] It should also be noted that when the housing LB is delimited by walls PB fixedly attached within the tray BB, the first coupling elements EC1 are fixedly attached to two of these walls PB (opposite and therefore parallel to each other). Otherwise, the first coupling elements EC1 are fixedly attached to two walls of the tray BB that are parallel to each other.

[0069] Also, for example, the BB tray and the BR charging case may respectively include first and second fastening elements that are adapted to cooperate together to immobilize the BR charging case relative to the BB tray. For example, the first and second fastening elements may be screws and threaded holes respectively, or vice versa.

[0070] It should be noted that, depending on the types of the first EC1 and second EC2 coupling elements, first and second fixing elements may or may not be used in addition to them. Conversely, depending on the types of the first and second fixing elements, first EC1 and second EC2 coupling elements may or may not be used in addition to them.

[0071] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 5, the BB tray may include an opening O adapted for the insertion / extraction of the charging box BR into / out of the housing LB, and a trapdoor T removably sealing this opening O. This option advantageously allows the installation of a charging box BR in the housing LB after the manufacture of the cellular battery assembly EB (with its "empty" housing LB) or after the installation of the cellular battery assembly EB (with its "empty" housing LB) under the floor (or body) of the vehicle V, or the extraction of a charging box BR from a cellular battery assembly EB after the manufacture of the latter (EB) with a view to its possible replacement by another charging box BR possibly of another type, before or after the installation of this cellular battery assembly EB under the floor (or body) of the vehicle V.Note that in the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the opening O (associated with the hatch T) is defined on a lateral (or longitudinal) wall (approximately vertical) of the BB tray because the EC1 slides are installed in a substantially horizontal plane. However, when the EC1 slides are installed in a substantially vertical plane, the opening O (associated with the hatch T) is defined on a lower or upper wall of the BB tray.

Claims

Demands

1. A cellular battery assembly (EB) suitable for equipping a vehicle (V) comprising a charging circuit (CR) suitable for being coupled to a first charging source providing a first charging current characteristic of a first charging mode, said assembly (EB) comprising a tray (BB) i) housing at least one cellular module (MC) suitable for storing electrical energy when supplied with a second continuous charging current, and ii) comprising a first electrical connector (CEI) suitable for being coupled to said charging circuit (CR) and coupled to said cellular module (MC) to supply it with a second continuous charging current during a charging of said first mode, characterized in that said tray (BB) comprises a housing (LB) a) provided with a second electrical connector (CE2) coupled to said cellular module (MC), and b) housing a charging box (BR) coupled to said second electrical connector (CE2),capable of receiving from a second charging source a third charging current characteristic of a second charging mode and of supplying with a second continuous charging current, from said third charging current, said second electrical connector (CE2) so that it powers said cellular module (MC) during a charging of said second mode.

2. Cellular battery assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said charging case (BR) includes a converter (CV2) suitable for converting a third alternating charging current into said second direct charging current.

3. Cellular battery assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said charging case (BR) comprises i) a secondary induction charging circuit (CSR) adapted to cooperate with an external primary induction charging circuit, forming part of said second charging source, to provide said third alternating charging current, and ii) a converter (CV2) adapted to convert said third alternating charging current into said second direct charging current.

4. A cellular battery assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said housing (LB) comprises a fluidic connector (CF) coupled to a cooling circuit (CDR) installed in said tray (BB) and in which a fluid is suitable for circulating cooling from said vehicle (V), and in that said charging unit (BR) includes a cooling sub-circuit (SCR) coupled to said fluidic connector (CF), defined near said converter (CV2), and suitable for cooling the latter (CV2).

5. Cellular battery assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said charging case (BR) is suitable for receiving a third continuous charging current identical to said second continuous charging current.

6. Cellular battery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said tray (BB) comprises first coupling elements (EC1) adapted to cooperate with second coupling elements (EC2) of said charging box (BR) to couple the latter (BR) to said tray (BB).

7. Cellular battery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said tray (BB) includes first fastening elements adapted to cooperate with second fastening elements of said charging case (BR) to immobilize the latter (BR) relative to said tray (BB).

8. Cellular battery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said tray (BB) comprises i) an opening (0) adapted for the insertion / extraction of said charging case (BR) into / out of said housing (LB), and ii) a trapdoor (T) removably sealing said opening (0).

9. Vehicle (V), characterized in that it comprises at least one cellular battery assembly (EB) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.

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