Heat dissipation device as well as electrical connection box, electrical energy storage device and vehicle including such a heat dissipation device.

Abstract

A heat dissipation device (300, 300'), particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising heat pipes (10) configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, hot sources (12) each comprising an electrical component (14), and, on the other hand, a cold source (16), said device further comprising a first thermal interface component (20), referred to as the cold component, in heat exchange with said heat pipes (10) and intended to be in heat exchange with said cold source (16), so as to thermally connect each of said hot sources (12) with said cold source (16) and to electrically connect said hot sources (12) to each other via said heat pipes (10) and said cold thermal interface component (20). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Heat dissipation device as well as electrical connection box, electrical energy storage device and vehicle comprising such a dissipation device.

[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 such an electrical energy storage device, particularly a battery, comprising such a box and / or such a dissipation device. It also relates to a vehicle comprising such a storage device, such a box, and / or such a dissipation device.

[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.

[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 heat pipes configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, hot sources comprising respectively an electrical component, and, on the other hand, a cold source, said device further comprising a first thermal interface element, called cold, in thermal exchange relationship with said heat pipes and intended to be in thermal exchange relationship with said cold source, so as to thermally connect each of said hot sources with said cold source and to electrically connect said hot sources to each other through said heat pipes and said cold thermal interface element.

[0007] The dissipation device according to the invention enhances heat removal through the heat pipes. It also serves as an electrical conductor between the electrical components forming the hot sources, via the same heat pipes, and the cold thermal interface component connecting the heat pipes to each other.

[0008] 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 cold thermal interface element comprises a support pillar, intended to be in contact with said cold source, and one or more connecting pieces, intended to accommodate said heat pipes, - the said connecting piece(s) are supported by the support pillar, the said cold thermal interface element being configured to form a thermal bridge and electrical insulation between the said pillar, on the one hand, and the said connecting piece(s), on the other hand, - said pillar is hollow, - said cold thermal interface element is intended to be fixed to said cold source by welding and / or screwing, - the said connecting piece(s) have one or more first sleeves respectively intended to accommodate one of the said heat pipes, - the said heat pipe(s) are straight, - the said heat pipe(s) have a rounded cross-section, - the said heat pipe(s) have a substantially circular cross-section, - the said heat pipe(s) are sintered, - the said heat pipe(s) are twisted and / or grooved, - the said heat pipe(s) are inclined relative to said support pillar, - said device comprises several thermal interface elements, referred to as hot, respectively in thermal exchange relationship with one of said heat pipes and intended to be in thermal exchange relationship with one of said hot sources, - said second thermal interface elements are in direct contact with said corresponding hot sources, - said thermal interface elements comprise a second sleeve housing one or more of said heat pipes, said second sleeve is derived from the body of said second thermal interface component, The body of said second thermal interface organ(s) includes a flange for fixing to said hot source, said flange axially extends said second sleeve said heat pipes are fixed in said first or second sleeves by welding, brazing, crimping and / or by fitting. said first sleeves have a longitudinal extension direction inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of said first thermal interface element, said connecting pieces each comprise one of said first sleeves, said connecting pieces are stacked one on top of the other along a stacking axis, said stacking axis is transverse to an extension direction of said support pillar, said connecting parts have a disc configuration, said first sleeves are oriented radially with respect to said discs, said first sleeves extend from a periphery of said discs, The thickness of said discs is at most equal to the external diameter of said first sleeves. said discs have an opening for the passage of a fastening element to said support pillar, said passage opening is oriented perpendicularly to a direction of extension of said support pillar, said cold thermal interface element has a thermally conductive and electrically insulating pad between said support pillar and the nearest of the connecting parts of said support pillar, said cold thermal interface element has an electrically insulating ring intended to be located between said fixing element and the connecting part closest to a head of said fixing element, said connecting parts include a housing, intended to be in contact with said heat pipes, said cold thermal interface element further comprises an electrically insulating insert forming a thermal bridge between said pillar and said housing, said insert having an internal surface and an external surface respectively in contact with an external surface of the pillar and an internal surface of the casing, - said cold thermal interface element, in particular said internal and external surfaces, have a cylindrical configuration, - said internal and external surfaces are coaxial with said longitudinal axis, - the aforementioned first sleeves are located at the level of the said crankcase, - the first sleeves are located at approximately the same level along the longitudinal axis of said cold thermal interface element, - the first sleeves are distributed angularly around said longitudinal axis of said cold thermal interface element, - said pillar has a body extending along said longitudinal axis and a base extending transversely with respect to said body, - said foot is intended to come into contact with said cold source, - said foot has a disc shape, - at least one of the aforementioned first thermal interface components comprises a ring electrically insulating said housing of said foot, - the said ring is pierced by the body of the said pillar, - the said first sleeve(s) extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of said first thermal interface element, - said pillar has two opposing longitudinal ends, - said foot is located at the level of a first of said longitudinal extremities, - said first thermal interface element comprises an electrically insulating cover closing said casing, - said cover is located at the level of a second of said longitudinal ends of said pillar, - said first thermal interface element comprises one or more electrically insulating spacers to maintain an air gap between said pillar and said casing, - said spacers extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of said thermal interface element and / or are regularly distributed angularly around said longitudinal axis, - said spacers are positioned at notches formed in the insert and / or the housing, - said first sleeves are located near a longitudinal end of said casing.

[0009] The invention also relates to an electrical connection box for an electrical energy storage device, in particular a battery, comprising several hot sources, one cold source and one or more heat dissipation devices as described above to establish heat exchange between said hot source(s) and said cold source.

[0010] According to various additional features of the invention, which may can be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: - some of said hot sources, provided at approximately the same electrical potential, are connected to the same of said heat dissipation devices, - said electrical component includes an electrical protection component, - said electrical protection device includes an electrical relay, - said hot springs each comprise a protective casing housing said electrical components, - said protective housing includes electrical connection terminals, electrically connected to said electrical component and in thermal exchange relationship with said device, - said second thermal interface elements are in contact with said electrical connection terminals, - said electrical connection terminals are flush with said protective box, - said cold source comprises a plate exhibiting a thermal inertia much greater than that of said hot source - said plate comprises all or part of an underside of a casing of an electrical energy storage device, - said pillar extends perpendicularly to said plate, - at least some of these hot springs exhibit different electrical potentials, - the heat pipes associated with said hot sources, having different electrical potentials, are respectively in a heat exchange relationship with the cold thermal interface element of different of said heat dissipation devices, - said heat dissipation devices are stacked one on top of the other, - the pillar of said heat dissipation devices is common.

[0011] The invention further relates to an electrical energy storage device, in particular a battery of accumulators, comprising one or more dissipation devices as described above, in particular at the connection box of said storage device.

[0012] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising one or more dissipation devices as described above, in particular at the level of the vehicle's electrical energy storage device and / or the connection box of said storage device.

[0013] 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 that 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:

[0014] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in side view, a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0015] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in perspective, partially, a housing of connection including a first example of the realization of a heat dissipation device according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically, in perspective, in a completed manner, the casing connection of the [Fig.2];

[0017] [Fig.4] reproduces [Fig.2] in a partially exploded form;

[0018] [Fig.5] illustrates schematically, in perspective, in a partially exploded view the dissipation device and corresponding hot sources of the connection box of the [Fig.2];

[0019] [Fig.6] illustrates schematically, in perspective, partially, a casing connection including a second example of the realization of a heat dissipation device according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig.7] ] illustrates schematically, in perspective, in a completed manner, the casing connection of the [Fig.6];

[0021] [Fig.8] illustrates schematically, in perspective, in a partially exploded view the dissipation device and corresponding hot sources of the connection box of the [Fig.6];

[0022] [Fig.9] reproduces [Fig.7], one of the parts being shown in a cross-section longitudinal;

[0023] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates, in perspective, part of the dissipation device of the [Fig.6].

[0024] It should first be noted that the terms upstream and downstream used in the following description refer to the direction of flow of the fluid in question. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", "third", ... are used solely to distinguish the components concerned from one another and do not imply any order or potential importance of said components.

[0025] The invention relates to a heat dissipation device, in particular for motor vehicles.

[0026] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the invention also relates to an electrical connection box 1, an electrical energy storage device 2, in particular a battery, and a vehicle V comprising such a dissipation device. The latter is placed, for example, in the electrical connection box 1, said box 1 being used for connecting the electrical energy storage device 2 to an electrical network 3 of the motor vehicle V. Said vehicle V is advantageously an electric or hybrid vehicle connected to said electrical network 3.

[0027] As illustrated in the following figures, said heat dissipation device 300, 300' comprises several heat pipes 10, configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, several hot sources 12 and, on the other hand, a cold source 16. By "heat pipe", we mean a heat-conducting element allowing a fluid to circulate inside the element, in particular by capillarity and / or by gravity, this in a closed cycle according to a principle of successive evaporation and condensation of the fluid.

[0028] Said hot sources 12 and said cold source 16 are integrated herein into said connection box which has not been shown in full.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiments, each of the heat pipes 10 is intended to be in heat exchange relationship with only one of said hot sources 12.

[0030] Preferably, the heat pipe(s) 10 are straight. Alternatively, they are curved. They have, for example, a rounded cross-section, in particular a circular one. The heat pipe(s) 10 are, in particular, sintered and / or grooved. They have two opposing longitudinal ends.

[0031] Said hot sources 12 respectively comprise an electrical element 14. Said electrical element 14 is here formed of an electrical protection element, for example an electrical relay and / or a fuse intended to open in the event of an anomaly in the circuit 3. Said electrical element 14 comprises, for example, a coil, not visible.

[0032] Said hot sources 12 further include herein a protective housing 200 housing said electrical component 14. Said coil is housed in said housing 200.

[0033] Said hot sources 12 comprise electrical connection terminals 210, electrically connected to said electrical component 14, in particular said coil, and in heat exchange relationship with said dissipation device 300, 300'. Said electrical connection terminals 210 are in particular visible in Figures 5 and 8.

[0034] Said connection terminals 210 include, for example, sockets, passing through said protective box 200. Said electrical connection terminals 210, in particular said sockets, are flush with said protective box 200.

[0035] Said dissipation device 300, 300' is fixed to said protective housing 200, in particular by means of a fastening element such as a screw 202, engaged in said socket. Said socket is located, for example, on a face 204 of said protective housing. Said screw 202 is oriented here substantially perpendicular to said face 204.

[0036] Said housing 200 is, in particular, substantially parallelepiped in shape. It is fixed, for example, to said cold source 16, in particular by means of fixing tabs 206, at least for some of them.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiments, said hot sources 12, in particular said protective housings 200, are distributed in at least one column and / or at least one row. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 7, this involves two rows and two columns for four hot sources 12, the corresponding protective housings 200 being located two by two, one below the other.

[0038] More generally, preferably, some of said hot springs 12 are provided at substantially the same electrical potential. These are the hot springs located on the same row. Other of said hot springs 12 have different electrical potentials. These are the hot springs 12 located in the same column. In other words, here, pairs of hot springs located at the same vertical level are at the same electrical potential, while said pairs are at different electrical potential levels.

[0039] Preferably, the hot sources 12, provided at substantially the same electrical potential, are connected to the same of said heat dissipation devices 300, 300'. Hot sources 12 provided at different electrical potentials are connected to different of said heat dissipation devices 300, 300'. In other words, each of said heat dissipation devices 300, 300' is here connected to two of said hot sources 12.

[0040] Said cold source 16 comprises, for example, a plate 18 having a thermal inertia much greater than that of said hot source(s) 12. Said plate 18 may comprise all or part of a lower face of a housing of the electrical energy storage device. Said plate 18 is here provided with channels for circulating a heat transfer fluid.

[0041] According to the invention, said device further comprises a first thermal interface element 20, said cold, in thermal exchange relationship with said corresponding heat pipes 10 and intended to be in thermal exchange relationship with said cold source 16, so as to thermally connect each of the corresponding hot sources 12 with said cold source 16 and to electrically connect said hot sources 12 to each other via said heat pipes 10 and said cold thermal interface element 20.

[0042] The dissipation device 300, 300' according to the invention thus allows not only a particularly efficient thermal dissipation of the heat released by each of the hot sources 12 but also serves as an electrical conductor between the electrical components corresponding to said hot sources 12, thanks to the heat pipes 10 and the cold thermal interface component 20, electrically connected to each other.

[0043] Advantageously, said cold thermal interface element 20 comprises a support pillar 21, intended to be in contact with said cold source 16, and one or more connecting pieces 23, intended to accommodate said heat pipes 10.

[0044] Said pillar 21 is preferably hollow. It is, for example, tubular. Said cold thermal interface element 20, in particular said support pillar 21, is intended to be fixed to said cold source 16, in particular said plate 18, notably by welding and / or screwing. Said pillar 21 extends, for example, perpendicularly to said plate 18.

[0045] Advantageously, the connecting piece(s) 23 are supported by the support pillar 21. The thermal interface element 20 is configured to form a thermal bridge and electrical insulation between the pillar 21, on the one hand, and the connecting piece(s) 23, on the other hand. The manner in which such a function is fulfilled in each of the illustrated embodiments will be detailed below.

[0046] To accommodate said heat pipes 10, said connecting piece(s) 23 here have one or more first sleeves 36.

[0047] Said heat pipes 10 are advantageously inclined with respect to said support pillar 21 so as to promote their operation by placing, in use, a hot part of the heat pipes 10 at a level lower than a cold part of said heat pipes 10, as will be detailed below in each of the illustrated embodiments.

[0048] Preferably, said dissipation device 300, 300' further comprises several thermal interface elements 50, said hot, respectively in thermal exchange relationship with one of said heat pipes 10 and intended to be in thermal exchange relationship with one of said hot sources 12.

[0049] According to the various embodiments illustrated, said second thermal interface elements 50 comprise a body 52 for fixing to said corresponding hot source 12.

[0050] Said second thermal interface members further comprise herein a second sleeve 54 housing the or one of said heat pipes 10. Said second sleeve 54 is originating from the body 52 of said second thermal interface member 50.

[0051] The heat pipe(s) 10 are fixed in the first or second sleeve(s) 36, 54, for example, by welding, brazing, crimping and / or by press-fitting, in particular according to a fit known by reference H7p6. They are here fixed in the said first or second sleeves 36, 54 in the vicinity of the opposite longitudinal ends of the said heat pipes 10, provided respectively inserted in the said first or second sleeves 36, 54.

[0052] The body 52 of said hot thermal interface elements includes, for example, a flange 56 for fixing to said hot source 12. Here, said flange 56 axially extends said second sleeve 54, with or without radial offset.

[0053] The body 52 of said second thermal interface element(s) 50, in particular said flange 56, is intended to extend in a plane substantially parallel to the face 204 of said protective housing 200. Said screw 202 passes through said flange 56, said screw 202 having a head bearing against said flange 56.

[0054] According to the various embodiments illustrated, in addition to the hot sources 12, the cold source 16 and one or more dissipation devices 300, 300' intended to establish a heat exchange between said hot sources 12 and said cold source 16, as described above, said electrical connection box according to the invention includes one or more electrical conduction busbars 100 intended to be electrically connected to said hot source 12, in particular to said electrical component 14.

[0055] It is noted that the said busbar(s) 100 are electrically connected only to one of the terminals 210 of the hot sources 12, in particular by a screw 212 passing through an orifice 102 formed in the said busbar(s) 100.

[0056] The other of the terminals 210 is connected to said or to one of said dissipation devices 300, 300'. Here, each of said screws 202 is in contact with one of said hot sources 12, on the one hand, and with said or one of said dissipation devices 300, 300', on the other hand. In addition, alternatively or cumulatively, one of the faces of the flanges 56 is in contact with one face of the bushings forming said connection terminals 210, this in order to increase a contact surface between said hot sources 12 and said dissipation device(s) 300, 300'. In other words, said second thermal interface organs 50 are in contact with said electrical connection terminals 210 without interposition of omnibus conductors 100. This promotes good thermal and electrical conduction through said dissipation device(s) 300, 300'.

[0057] The said busbar(s) 100 are also intended to be electrically connected to another electrical component, not shown, of said connection box and / or said electrical network 3.

[0058] According to all the illustrated embodiments, the heat pipes 10 associated with said hot sources 12 having different electrical potentials are respectively in thermal exchange relationship with the cold thermal interface element 20 of different of said thermal dissipation devices 300, 300'.

[0059] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5, said pillar 21 is formed of a tube, here of substantially rectangular cross-section. Said pillar 21 has fixing holes 400 for said connecting pieces 23. Said fixing holes 400 are distributed along said pillar 21, in particular one below the other in respective areas of said pillar 21.

[0060] Advantageously, said connecting pieces 23 each comprise one of said first sleeves 36. Said connecting pieces 23 have, for example, a disk configuration. Here, said first sleeves 36 are oriented radially with respect to said disks, from a periphery of the latter. Said first sleeves 36 are, for example, formed from the material of said disks. An angular orientation of said disks allows the inclination of said heat pipes 10 mentioned above.

[0061] A thickness of said discs is at most equal to an external diameter of said first sleeves 36. In other words, said discs are less thick than the first sleeves 36.

[0062] Said connecting pieces 23 are stacked one on top of the other along at least one stacking axis. In the illustrated example, there are two stacks, namely one for each of the dissipation devices 300, 300'. Said stacking axis is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to an extension direction of said support pillar 21.

[0063] Said discs have an advantageously central orifice 402 for the passage of a fixing member 410 of said support pillar 21. One of said fixing members of the discs passes through each of the stacks of discs to cooperate with one of the fixing orifices 400 of said pillar 21. Said passage orifices 402 are oriented, for example, perpendicular to an extension direction of said support pillar 21.

[0064] Preferably, said cold thermal interface member 20 has a thermally conductive and electrically insulating pad 404 between said support pillar 21 and the one(s) among the connecting pieces 23 closest to said support pillar 21. Alternatively, it is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating pad layer.

[0065] Alternatively or cumulatively, said cold thermal interface member 20 has an electrically insulating ring 406, intended to be located between said fixing member 400 and that one or more of the connecting pieces 23 closest to a head 408 of said fixing member 410.

[0066] In this way, the pillar 21 is electrically isolated from a passage of current through said connecting pieces 23, said heat pipes 10 and said second thermal interface elements 50.

[0067] According to the embodiment of figures 6 to 10, said support pillar 21 forms an internal part of said first thermal interface element 20. It is formed, for example, of a tube, here of round section.

[0068] As more clearly seen in figures 9 and 10, said connecting parts 23 include, for example, a housing 24, intended to be in contact with said heat pipe(s) 10.

[0069] Said first thermal interface element 20 further comprises an electrically insulating insert 26 forming a thermal bridge between said pillar 21 and said housing 24. In addition, said insert 26 has an internal surface 26a and an external surface 26b respectively in contact with an external surface of the pillar 21 and an internal surface of the housing 24.

[0070] Such an embodiment makes it possible to enlarge the heat exchange surfaces, in a limited space, thanks to the contact surfaces created between the pillar 21 and the insert 26, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the casing 24 and the insert 26.

[0071] Preferably, said first thermal interface element 20, in particular said internal and external surfaces 26a, 26b, have a cylindrical configuration. Said first thermal interface element 20 thus has a coaxial configuration with the pillar 21, the insert 26 and the housing 24. Said pillar 21 is located inside and said housing 24 outside, while the insert 26 is located concentrically between said pillar 21 and said housing 24, in the manner of a radial stack.

[0072] Said first thermal interface element 20 has a longitudinal axis Z and said internal and external surfaces 26a, 26b are coaxial with said longitudinal axis Z. In figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that said longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to said plate 18.

[0073] Said pillar 21 here presents a body 30 extending along said longitudinal axis Z and a foot 32 extending transversely with respect to said body 30.

[0074] The cold thermal interface element(s) 20 are intended to be fixed to the cold source 16 by the foot 32 of the pillar 21. The foot 32 is intended to come into contact with the cold source 16. The foot 32 is shown here in the form of a disc. Alternatively, not illustrated, it is rectangular or even square.

[0075] Said pillar 21 has two opposite longitudinal ends. Said foot 32 is located at the level of a first of said longitudinal ends.

[0076] Advantageously, at least one of said first thermal interface members 20 comprises a ring 34 electrically insulating said housing 24 said foot 32. Said ring 34 is traversed by the body 30 of said pillar 21. It is coaxial with said pillar 21, said insert 26 and said housing 24.

[0077] Said first sleeves 36 are located at the level of said housing 24. In other words, said housing 24 has several said first sleeves 36, namely here, as many as there are hot sources 12 connected to said housing 24 by means of one of said heat pipes 10. Said first sleeves 36 extend transversely to the longitudinal axis Z of said first thermal interface element 20. They originate from a body 25 of said housing 24, said body 25 of the housing 24 being oriented along said longitudinal axis Z.

[0078] Said first thermal interface element 20 further includes herein an electrically insulating cover 38 closing said housing 24, or at least a housing formed between said housing 24 and said pillar 21 to accommodate said insert 26. Said cover 38 is oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis Z.

[0079] Said first thermal interface element 20 comprises one or more electrically insulating spacers 40 for maintaining a radial air gap between said pillar 21 and said housing 24. Said spacers 40 are in contact with said housing 24 and extend radially towards said pillar 21 while remaining at a distance from it. They limit the risk of unwanted contact between said pillar 21 and said housing 24 which could cause an electrical short circuit.

[0080] The spacers 40 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the thermal interface element 20. They are distributed angularly around the longitudinal axis Z, in particular in a regular manner. Advantageously, the spacers 40 are positioned at notches formed in the insert 26 and / or the housing 24. This facilitates, among other things, their assembly.

[0081] Said second thermal interface element 50 and, consequently, said heat pipe 10 and said housing 24 are electrically energized. Conversely, thanks to the insert 26 and, in this case, to the ring 34, said pillar 21 is electrically insulated and is not energized. Said pillar 21, in particular said base 32, can therefore be in direct contact with said cold source 16, in particular said plate 18.

[0082] Said first sleeves 36 are located, for example, near a longitudinal end of the housing or housings 24 of said cold thermal interface member 20 so that, in use, a part of the cold thermal interface member 20 where said first sleeves 36 are located is higher than said hot thermal interface member 50.

[0083] More generally, as mentioned above, the sleeves 36 have a longitudinal extension direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis Z of said cold thermal interface member 20 allowing the part of said heat pipe 10 in contact with said cold thermal interface member 20 to be higher than the part of the heat pipe 10 in contact with said hot thermal interface member 50.

[0084] In order to further promote heat transfer, the said first sleeve(s) 36 have a radius of material with the body 25 of the housing 24.

[0085] In Figures 2 and 6, only one row or stage of hot sources 12 of said connection box has been illustrated. As will be understood, said heat pipes 10 are in a heat exchange relationship with the cold thermal interface element 20 of one of said dissipation devices 300, 300'.

[0086] Figures 3 and 7 illustrate two rows or stages of hot sources 12 of said connection housing. As will be understood, said heat pipes 10 of the same stage are in a heat exchange relationship with the cold thermal interface element 20 of the same of said dissipation devices 300, 300'. Heat pipes 10 located at different stages are in a heat exchange relationship with two different of said dissipation devices 300, 300'. More precisely, here, they are in a heat exchange relationship with two different stacks of said connection pieces 23 in the form of a disc, in the first embodiment, and two different housings 24, in the second embodiment of said dissipation device.

[0087] Advantageously, the pillar 21 of said heat dissipation devices 300, 300' is common.

[0088] In other words, in the first embodiment, said pillar 21 receives two different stacks of said disc-shaped connecting pieces 23. Said stacks are located one below the other and are respectively fixed to one of said fixing holes 400.

[0089] It is observed that a spacing of said fixing orifices 400 allows the heat pipes 10 of said dissipation devices 300, 300' to be parallel to each other from one stage to the other.

[0090] In the second embodiment, said heat dissipation devices 300, 300' are stacked one on top of the other. Said pillar 21 comprises, for example, several zones located one below the other. A first 500 of said zones is intended to be located in the lower part during use. It is connected to said foot 32. It is externally visible and forms a first spacer between the foot 32 and the housing 24 of a first of said dissipation devices, namely the one, designated 300, located closest to said plate 18. Other of said zones 502, 504 of said pillar 21 respectively form part of the cold thermal interface element 20 of one of said heat dissipation devices 300, 300'. The said other zones 502, 504 are intended to be located above the said first zone 500, in use.

[0091] Said ring 34 is, for example, sandwiched between said first zone 500, provided here for this purpose with a shoulder formed in said body 30 of pillar 21, and the housing 24 of the first heat dissipation device 300.

[0092] Said dissipation devices 300, 300' are electrically isolated from each other by the cover 38 of the one 300 below. The cover 38 of said device dissipation 300 below also forms here a second spacer allowing, by its height, that the heat pipes 10 of said dissipation devices 300, 300' are parallel to each other from one stage to the other.

[0093] It can be seen that, in each of the embodiments, the first sleeves 36 of said cold thermal interface element 20 of each of said dissipation devices 300, 300' are located substantially at the same level along the longitudinal axis Z of said cold thermal interface element 20. They advantageously have the same inclination. They are distributed angularly around said longitudinal axis of the cold thermal interface element 20, preferably in a regular manner, therefore, here, at 180° to each other.

[0094] Furthermore, apart from the different areas of pillar 21 involved in each of the thermal dissipation devices 300, 300', said thermal dissipation devices 300, 300' have an identical configuration.

Claims

Demands

1. Heat dissipation device (300, 300'), in particular for motor vehicles, said device comprising heat pipes (10) configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, hot sources (12) comprising respectively an electrical element (14), and, on the other hand, a cold source (16), said device further comprising a first thermal interface element (20), referred to as cold, in heat exchange relationship with said heat pipes (10) and intended to be in heat exchange relationship with said cold source (16), so as to thermally connect each of said hot sources (12) with said cold source (16) and to electrically connect said hot sources (12) to each other via said heat pipes (10) and said cold thermal interface element (20).

2. Device according to the preceding claim comprising several thermal interface elements (50), said to be hot, respectively in thermal exchange relationship with one of said heat pipes (10) and intended to be in thermal exchange relationship with one of said hot sources (12).

3. Device according to the preceding claim in which said second thermal interface members (50) are in direct contact with said corresponding hot sources (12).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said cold thermal interface member (20) comprises a support pillar (21), intended to be in contact with said cold source (16), and one or more connecting pieces (23), intended to accommodate said heat pipes (10).

5. Device according to the preceding claim in which said connecting piece(s) (23) are carried by the support pillar (21), said thermal interface member (20) being configured to form a thermal bridge and electrical insulation between said pillar (21), on the one hand, and said connecting piece(s) (23) on the other hand.

6. Device according to any one of claims 4 or 5 in which said heat pipe(s) (10) are inclined with respect to said support pillar (21).

7. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the connecting piece(s) (23) have a or several first sleeves (36) respectively intended to accommodate one of the said heat pipes (10).

8. Device according to claim 7 in which said connecting pieces (23) each comprise one of said first sleeves (36), said connecting pieces (23) being stacked one on top of the other along a stacking axis.

9. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 7 in which said connecting piece(s) (23) comprise a housing (24), intended to be in contact with said heat pipes (10), said cold thermal interface member (20) further comprising an electrically insulating insert (26) forming a thermal bridge between said pillar (21) and said housing (24), said insert (26) having an internal surface (26a) and an external surface (26b) respectively in contact with an external surface of the pillar (21) and an internal surface of the housing (24).

10. Electrical connection box for electrical energy storage device, in particular accumulator battery, comprising several hot sources (12), a cold source (16) and one or more heat dissipation devices (300, 300') according to any one of the preceding claims to establish a heat exchange between said hot source(s) (12) and said cold source (16).

11. Housing according to claim 10 in which some of said hot sources (12), provided at substantially the same electrical potential, are connected to one of said heat dissipation devices (300, 300').

12. Housing according to any one of claims 10 or 11 in which at least some of said hot sources (12) have different electrical potentials, the heat pipes (10) associated with said hot sources (12) having different electrical potentials are respectively in heat exchange relationship with the cold thermal interface element (20) of different of said heat dissipation devices (300, 300').

13. Housing according to the preceding claim, claim 10 being taken in its relation to any one of claims 4 to 9, housing in which the pillar (21) of said heat dissipation devices (300, 300') is common.

14. Electrical energy storage device, in particular accumulator battery, comprising one or more heat dissipation devices (300, 300') according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

15. Vehicle comprising one or more heat dissipation devices according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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