HEAT DISSIPATION DEVICE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE.

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat dissipation device (1), particularly for a motor vehicle, said device (1) comprising a first housing (2) configured to be disposed on a cold source (3) and to accommodate a hot source (4) comprising an electrical component (5), external to the first housing (2), said device (1) further comprising one or more electrical conductors (6) intended to be connected to said electrical component (5), said electrical conductor(s) (6) passing internally through said first housing (2), said device (1) further comprising a thermally conductive fluid (7) contained within said first housing (2) such that said electrical conductor(s) (6) are at least partially immersed in said fluid (7), said first housing (2) being configured for heat exchange between said hot source (4) and said cold source (3) via said fluid (7). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: HEAT DISSIPATION DEVICE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE. Technical field of the invention

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

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

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

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

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

[0006] The invention aims to overcome, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks and, to this end, proposes a heat dissipation device, particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising a first housing configured to be arranged on a cold source and accommodate a hot source comprising an electrical component, external to the first housing, said device further comprising one or more electrical conductors, intended to be connected to said electrical component, said electrical conductor(s) passing internally through said first housing, said device further comprising a thermally conductive fluid contained within said first housing such that said electrical conductor(s) are at least partially immersed in said fluid, said first housing being configured for heat exchange between said hot source and said cold source via said fluid.

[0007] The heat dissipation device cools both the electrical component and the conductors within a footprint limited to that of the first housing, i.e., a compact footprint. This is achieved in particular through the fluid contained in the first housing, which establishes a thermal bridge to the cold source via the first housing. Cooling the electrical component and the conductors also increases the current they can handle while preventing potentially destructive overheating. The invention thus makes it possible to increase the current flowing in the circuit and therefore the charging speeds of vehicle batteries, especially within a limited footprint. The invention therefore increases battery charging performance without oversizing the electrical component or the conductors.

[0008] Moreover, the system is passive and economical to implement.

[0009] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: • said first enclosure comprises a frame, a support wall intended to be in thermal contact with said hot source, and / or a mounting wall intended to come into thermal contact with the cold source, • said framework, said supporting wall and / or said installation wall together define a housing containing said fluid, • said support and / or installation walls are thermally conductive, • said support and / or mounting walls are made of copper, copper alloy, made of aluminum and / or aluminum alloy, • said frame is made of plastic material, in particular polymer material and / or ABS, • said support and / or mounting walls are flat so as to cooperate with corresponding flat surfaces of the electrical component and / or the cold source, • said first housing has slots for the passage of the electrical conductor(s), • said passage slots are sealed, • said first enclosure includes forms for attaching to said cold source • the conductor(s) have connection ports at the level of portions emerging from said first casing, • there are at least two of said electrical conductors, • said electrical conductors are intended to present potentials different electrical systems • said fluid is a dielectric fluid, • said device comprises a first thermal conduction pad, said pad being intended to be located between said first housing and said cold source, • said device includes a second thermal conduction pad, said pad being intended to be located between said first housing and said heat source, • the said electrical conductor(s) include an electrical conduction busbar, • said bar is bent and has a first branch passing through said first housing and / or a second branch intended to be connected to said electrical component.

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

[0011] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: • said electrical component includes an electrical protection component, • said electrical protection device includes an electrical relay, • said hot source includes a second housing containing said electrical component • said first box is sandwiched between said second box and said cold source, • said cold source comprises a plate exhibiting a thermal inertia much greater than that of said hot source • said plate includes all or part of a lower face of a casing of the electrical energy storage device.

[0012] The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage device, in particular a battery of accumulators, comprising a device as described above.

[0013] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0014] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0015] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in exploded view and perspective, an example of heat dissipation device according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in assembled mode the heat dissipation device of the [Fig.1];

[0017] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically and partially, in perspective, an example of a connection box integrating the heat dissipation device of figures 1 and 2;

[0018] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view from [Fig.3]. Detailed description of the invention

[0019] It should first be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", ... are used only to distinguish the components concerned from each other and do not imply any order or possible importance of said components.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, respectively in exploded view and assembled view, a heat dissipation device 1, particularly for a motor vehicle, according to the invention. The heat dissipation device 1 comprises a first housing 2 configured to be placed on a cold source and to accommodate a hot source (referenced respectively as 3 and 4 in Figures 3 and 4). The hot source 4 comprises an electrical component 5, optionally located in a second housing 21. Said cold and hot sources 3, 4 are located outside the first housing 2. The heat dissipation device 1 further comprises one or more electrical conductors 6, intended to be connected to the electrical component 5. The electrical conductors 6 are at least two in number and preferably have different electrical potentials. The electrical conductor(s) 6 pass internally through the first housing 2.The electrical conductors 6 each include, for example, a busbar 14 for electrical conduction. The busbar 14 is notably angled and has in particular a first branch 15 passing through the first housing 2 and / or a second branch 16 intended to be connected to the component. electrical 5. In [Fig.2], the first branch 15 of the electrical conductors 6 is visible through transparency.

[0021] The heat dissipation device 1 further comprises a thermally conductive fluid 7 contained in the first housing 2 such that the electrical conductor(s) 6, which pass through the first housing 2, are at least partially immersed in the fluid 7. The first housing 2 is configured for heat exchange between the hot source 4 and the cold source 3 via the fluid 7. The fluid 7 is, for example, a dielectric fluid.

[0022] The first housing 2 includes, in particular, a frame 8, a support wall 9 intended to be in thermal contact with the hot source 4 and / or a mounting wall 10 intended to be in thermal contact with the cold source 3. The frame 8, the support wall 9 and / or the mounting wall 10 together define a housing 11 containing the fluid 7. The frame 8 includes, in particular, four walls 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d which, together with the support wall 9 and the mounting wall 10, define the housing 11, which is in particular parallelepiped-shaped, especially rectangular. A seal is provided between the support wall 9 and the frame 8 and / or between the mounting wall 10 and the frame 8 to prevent the fluid 7 from flowing outside the first housing 2.

[0023] The fluid 7 is for example introduced into the first housing before placing the last wall between the support wall 9 and the mounting wall 10. The first housing 2 can also be equipped with an orifice allowing the housing 11 to be filled after assembly of the first housing 2, or even with an air exhaust orifice, the said orifice(s) being intended to be plugged after filling.

[0024] Preferably, the support walls 9 and / or mounting walls 10 are thermally conductive. The support walls 9 and / or mounting walls 10 may be made of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, and / or aluminum alloy. The frame 8 is, for example, made of plastic, in particular polymer material and / or ABS. The support walls 9 and / or mounting walls 10 are flat so as to cooperate with corresponding flat surfaces of the hot source 4, in particular a bottom wall of the second housing 21, and / or of the cold source 3.

[0025] The first housing 2, and in particular the frame 8, has, for example, passage slots 12al, 12b1, 12a2, 12b2 for the electrical conductors 6. The passage slots 12al, 12bl, 12a2, 12b2 allow the passage of the busbars 14, in particular the first branch 15 of the busbars 14. The passage slots 12al, 12bl, 12a2, 12b2 are sealed so that the fluid 7 does not leak outside the first housing 2. A seal is made in the passage slots 12al, 12bl, 12a2, 12b2, that is to say between the electrical conductors 6 and the first housing 2.

[0026] In particular, the reinforcement 8 has, for each omnibus bar 14, a first slot 12al,12a2 located on a first wall 8a of the reinforcement 8 and a second slot 12b1, 12b2 are located on a second wall 8b of the reinforcement 8, opposite the first wall 8a of the reinforcement 8, such that the busbar 14 passes through the entire first box 2 and has a portion that protrudes externally on each side of the reinforcement 8. In particular, the first branch 15 passes through the entire first box 2 such that a first end 15a of the first branch 15 protrudes from the first box 2 at the level of the first reinforcement 8a and a second end 15b of the first branch 15 protrudes from the first box 2 at the level of the second reinforcement 8b. The first end 15a of the first branch 15 is connected to the second branch 16 at the angled portion of said busbar.

[0027] The first housing 2 includes, for example, attachment points 30 for the cold source 3, in particular, lugs 30 for the passage of fastening elements (referenced 31 in Figures 3 and 4). The first housing 2 includes, for example, two attachment points 30 for the cold source 3. One of the attachment points 30 for the cold source 3 is, for example, located at an angle of the first housing 2 formed between a third wall 8c of the frame 8 and the second wall 8b of the frame 8. A second of the attachment points 30 for the cold source 3 is, for example, located on a fourth wall 8d of the frame 8.

[0028] The conductors 6 have, in particular, connection ports 18 at portions extending from the first housing 2. Each conductor 6 includes, in particular, a connection port 18. The portions extending from the first housing 2 are, in particular, the second branches 16. Each second branch 16 includes, in particular, a connection port 18.

[0029] Figures 3 and 4 show in particular an electrical connection box 20 according to the invention for an electrical energy storage device, in particular a battery, comprising the hot source 4, the cold source 3, and the heat dissipation device 1. The electrical component 5 includes an electrical protection component 17, for example, an electrical relay 25. The hot source 4 here includes the second housing 21 which accommodates the electrical component 5. The second housing 21 is, for example, parallelepiped-shaped.

[0030] The heat dissipation device 1 includes, for example, a first thermal conduction pad 13a. The first pad 13a is located between the first housing 2, in particular the bearing surface 10, and the cold source 3, such that the bearing surface 10 is in thermal contact with the cold source 3 through said first pad 13a. The heat dissipation device 1 includes, for example, a second thermal conduction pad 13b. The second pad 13b is located between the first housing 2, in particular the support surface 9, and the hot source 3, such that the support surface 9 is in thermal contact with the hot source 4 through said pad 13b. The pad(s) 13a, 13b are in particular Electrically insulating and very compact, thus contributing to the compactness of the heat dissipation device 1 of the invention. Alternatively, they are replaced by a layer of electrically insulating thermal paste. The pad(s) and / or the layer(s) of thermal paste enhance thermal conduction between the first housing 2 and the cold and hot sources 3, 4.

[0031] It is understood that said support surface 9 is advantageously intended to accommodate said hot source 4, with or without interposition of the pad 13b.

[0032] The first housing 2 is in particular sandwiched between the second housing 21 and the cold source 3. The second housing 21 has in particular a base, in particular flat, and in particular of a shape and dimension substantially identical to those of the support wall 9. The contact of the first housing 2 with the second housing 21 is made in particular at the level of the support wall 9 and the base of the second housing 21.

[0033] The second housing 21 includes, in particular, openings intended to be located opposite the connection openings 18 of each of the connectors 6. The openings of the second housing 21 each accommodate, in particular, a socket 26 for supplying power to the electrical component 5. The heat emitted by said electrical component 5 is transferred, in particular, through said sockets 26. The electrical connection housing 20 includes, for example, connection means 19 for fixing and / or electrically connecting the electrical conductors 6 to the second housing 21, in particular by being connected to the sockets 26 through the connection openings 18. The fixing means 19 are, for example, screws, passing through the openings 18 and screwing into the inside of the sockets 26 of the second housing 21.

[0034] The cold source 3 comprises, for example, a plate 22 having, in particular, a thermal inertia much greater than that of the hot source 4. The plate 22 comprises all or part of a lower face 23 of a housing 24 of the electrical energy storage device. The fasteners 31 are, for example, screws 31 screwed into the cold source 3, in particular into the plate 22. The fasteners 31 are, for example, screwed into the plate 22 until the bearing(s) 13a, 13b are compressed by 25 to 50%.

[0035] The transfer of heat by the heat dissipation device 1 of the invention between the cold source 3 and the hot source 4 is thus effected via one or more of the following thermally conductive elements: the first pad 13a, the mounting wall 10, the fluid 7, the support wall 9, and the second pad 13b. The cold source 3 thus cools the first pad 13a, the mounting wall 10, the fluid 7, the support wall 9, and the second pad 13b, which is in contact with the hot source 4 and therefore cools the latter. The connectors 6 are cooled directly by the fluid 7. The first housing 2 thus captures the heat from the hot source 4 and the electrical connectors 6 and transfers it to the cold plate via the fluid 7. The transfer of heat by the heat dissipation device 1 between the hot source 4 and the cold source 3 thus takes place in a compact environment and is optimum for cooling both the hot source 4 and the connectors 6 and the electrical component 5, in particular for cooling a control coil of the electrical relay 25.

[0036] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a device 1 according to the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Heat dissipation device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, said device (1) comprising a first housing (2) configured to be disposed on a cold source (3) and to accommodate a hot source (4) comprising an electrical component (5), external to the first housing (2), said device (1) further comprising one or more electrical conductors (6), intended to be connected to said electrical component (5), said electrical conductor(s) (6) passing internally through said first housing (2), said device (1) further comprising a thermally conductive fluid (7) contained in said first housing (2) such that said electrical conductor(s) (6) are at least partially immersed in said fluid (7), said first housing (2) being configured for heat exchange between said hot source (4) and said cold source (3) via said fluid (7).

2. Heat dissipation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first housing (2) comprises an armature (8), a support wall (9) intended to be in thermal contact with the hot source (4) and / or a mounting wall (10) intended to come into thermal contact with the cold source (3).

3. Heat dissipation device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said frame (8), said support wall (9) and / or said mounting wall (10) together define a housing (11) receiving said fluid (7).

4. Heat dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein said support walls (9) and / or mounting walls (10) are thermally conductive.

5. Heat dissipation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which, said first housing (2) has passage slots (12al, 12bl, 12a2, 12b2) for the electrical conductor(s) (6).

6. Heat dissipation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electrical conductors (6) are intended to have different electrical potentials.

7. A heat dissipation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device (1) comprises one or more thermal conduction pads (13a, 13b), said pad(s) (13a, 13b) being intended to be located between said first housing (2) and said cold source (3) and / or between said first housing (2) and said hot source (4).

8. Heat dissipation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which said electrical conductor(s) (6) comprise an electrical conduction busbar (14), said busbar (14) being bent and having a first branch (15) passing through said first housing (2) and / or a second branch (16) intended to be connected to said electrical component (5).

9. Electrical connection box (20) for electrical energy storage device, in particular accumulator battery, comprising a hot source (4), a cold source (3) and a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Electrical connection box (20) according to claim 9, wherein said electrical member (5) includes an electrical protection member (17).

11. Electrical energy storage device, in particular accumulator battery, comprising a dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. Vehicle comprising a dissipation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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