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

Abstract

Heat dissipation device, particularly for motor vehicles, said device comprising a heat pipe (10) configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, a hot source (12) comprising an electrical component (14), and, on the other hand, a cold source, said device further comprising a first thermal interface component (20), referred to as hot, and electrical conductors (22) intended to be electrically connected to electrical connection terminals of said electrical component (14), said terminals having different electrical potentials, said hot thermal interface component (20) being configured for heat transfer between said heat pipe (10) and said electrical conductors (22) as well as for establishing a thermal bridge between said electrical conductors (22) while electrically insulating them from each other,said hot thermal interface element (20) comprising a mounting flange (30) intended to be fixed to said electrical conductors (22). Figure for the abbreviation: 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 a heat pipe configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, a hot source comprising an electrical component, and, on the other hand, a cold source, said device further comprising a first thermal interface element, said hot, and electrical conductors intended to be electrically connected to electrical connection terminals of said electrical element, said terminals having different electrical potentials, said hot thermal interface element being configured for heat transfer between said heat pipe and said electrical conductors as well as for establishing a thermal bridge between said electrical conductors while electrically insulating them from each other, said first thermal interface element comprising a fixing flange intended to be fixed to said electrical conductors.

[0007] Such a heat dissipation device improves the cooling of the electrical component through the use of a heat pipe and avoids the need to oversize the electrical component. Furthermore, it features a simplified configuration, with a single heat pipe thermally connected to each of the electrical connection terminals of the electrical component, via a single mounting flange. It should also be noted that the heat dissipation device allows for temperature equalization between the connection terminals of the electrical component, which is a factor contributing to its proper operation.

[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 electrical conductors include electrical conduction bars, - said electrical conduction bars are configured to allow for an offset of said heat pipe relative to said electrical component, - said electrical conduction bars are angled, - said electrical conduction bars comprise a first branch intended to be in contact with one of said connection terminals and / or a second branch in contact with said fixing flange, - said mounting bracket is sandwiched between said electrical conductors, - said device comprises a flexible, electrically insulating and thermally conductive material disposed, on the one hand, between said fixing flange and one of said electrical conductors and / or, on the other hand, between said fixing flange and the other of said electrical conductors, - said flexible material is in the form of a pad and / or a layer of pasty material, - said device includes a protective cage for said flexible material, - said cage has several compartments for receiving said flexible material so that it is in contact, on one side, with said flange of fixation, and on the other hand, of one of said electrical conductors through said cage, said device includes a means of attaching said mounting flange to said electrical conductors, said fastening device is common to all of said electrical conductors, said fastening element allows for a fixing with a degree of freedom in pivoting of said fixing flange on said electrical conductors, said fixing flange, said electrical conductors, or even said cage(s), each have an opening for the passage of said fixing element, said openings being located in a line extending from one another, said first thermal interface element comprises a first sleeve housing said heat pipe, said fixing flange is located in an axial extension of said first sleeve. said device includes a second thermal interface element, on the cold side, intended for heat exchange between said heat pipe and said cold source, said second thermal interface element slides on said heat pipe, said second thermal interface element comprises a part having a surface for receiving said heat pipe, said portion presenting the surface for receiving the heat pipe includes a sleeve into which said heat pipe is inserted. said second thermal interface element comprises a diffuser intended to be in a heat exchange relationship with said cold source, said part presenting the surface for receiving the heat pipe and said diffuser are articulated relative to each other, said second thermal interface element comprises a thermally conductive material intended to be in contact with said cold source, said thermally conductive material is in contact with said diffuser, said second thermal interface element includes a spacer to protect said thermally conductive material, said spacer is fixed to said diffuser so as to define a housing for said thermally conductive material, said housing being intended to be located between said diffuser and said cold source, the heat pipe(s) said 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, in particular if they are intended to be oriented horizontally, - the said heat pipe(s) are smooth, in particular if they are intended to be oriented vertically, - the said heat pipe(s) are grooved, in particular if they are intended to be oriented horizontally.

[0009] The invention also relates to an electrical connection box, for example, for an electrical energy storage device, in particular a battery of accumulators, said box comprising a hot source, a cold source and a device as described above for establishing a heat exchange between said hot source and said cold source.

[0010] 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 electrical component includes a protective housing presenting said electrical connection terminals, - said connection box includes electrical conduction busbars, - said cold source comprises a plate exhibiting a thermal inertia much greater than that of said heat source, - said plate includes all or part of a lower face of a casing of the electrical energy storage device.

[0011] The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage device, in particular a battery of accumulators, comprising a connection box and / or heat dissipation device as described above.

[0012] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising an electrical energy storage device, a connection box and / or a heat dissipation device as described above.

[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 including a connection box conforming to the invention;

[0015] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in perspective, in exploded view, a set consisting of a hot source and part of an example of a heat dissipation device according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically in perspective, in assembled mode, the whole of the [Fig.2];

[0017] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in side view, the set of figures 2 and 3, some of the pieces are represented according to a longitudinal section;

[0018] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an area identified as V in [Fig.4];

[0019] [Fig.6] illustrates schematically, in perspective and in partially exploded view, a portion of a connection box comprising the thermal conduction device shown in Figures 2 to 5,

[0020] [Fig.7] reproduces [Fig.6] in assembled mode,

[0021] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates, in longitudinal section view, a part upper part of the connection box shown in figures 6 and 7.

[0022] 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.

[0023] The invention relates to a heat dissipation device, in particular for motor vehicles.

[0024] 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 connection box 1 being used to electrically connect said 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.

[0025] As illustrated in the following figures, said dissipation device comprises a heat pipe 10 configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, a hot source 12 and, on the other hand, a cold source 16. Thanks to said heat pipe 10, said device improves the heat exchange between said hot source 12 and said cold source 16.

[0026] By "heat pipe" we mean a heat-conducting component allowing a fluid to circulate inside the component, in particular by capillarity and / or by gravity, in a closed cycle according to a principle of successive evaporation and condensation of the fluid.

[0027] Preferably, the heat pipe(s) 10 are straight with two opposing longitudinal ends, in particular tapered. They have, for example, a rounded cross-section, in particular circular. The heat pipe 10 is, in particular, sintered and / or grooved.

[0028] Said hot source 12 comprises an electrical component 14 equipped with electrical connection terminals 24, 26 having different electrical potentials. Said connection terminals 24, 26 are, for example, two in number, in particular positive and negative.

[0029] Said device further includes a first thermal interface element 20, referred to as hot, and electrical conductors 22. Each of the electrical conductors is intended to be respectively electrically connected to said electrical connection terminals 24, 26. Said hot thermal interface element 20 is configured for heat transfer between said heat pipe 10 and said electrical conductors 22 as well as for establishing a thermal bridge between said electrical conductors 22 while electrically insulating them from each other.

[0030] In other words, said hot thermal interface element 20 is configured to form a thermal bridge between said electrical conductors 22. It thus allows temperature balancing between said connection terminals 24, 26. However, in order not to form a short circuit at the terminals 24, 26 of said electrical element 14, said hot thermal interface element 20 is electrically insulating between said electrical conductors 22.

[0031] Similarly, said hot thermal interface element 20 is configured to form a thermal bridge between the heat pipe 10 and each of said electrical conductors 22. It thus participates, as expected, in the conduction of heat between the hot source 12 and the cold source 16. However, in order that said heat pipe 10 is not energized, said hot thermal interface element 20 is electrically insulating between said heat pipe 10 and each of said electrical conductors 22. Said dissipation device thus has a simplified configuration by dissipating heat from said electrical element 14 from its connection terminals 24, 26 by means of a single heat pipe.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the invention, said first thermal interface element 20 comprises a fixing flange 30 intended to be fixed to said electrical conductors 22. In other words, said fixing flange 30 forms a common fixing element for said electrical conductors 22, which further simplifies the configuration of said heat dissipation device.

[0033] As more clearly seen in Figures 2 to 4, said first thermal interface element 20 is configured to be in contact with said heat pipe 10. For this purpose, said first thermal interface element 20 comprises a first sleeve 32 receiving said heat pipe 10, in particular at one of its longitudinal ends. Said heat pipe 10 is fixed in the first sleeve 32, for example, by welding, brazing, crimping and / or by press-fitting, in particular according to a fit known by reference numeral H7p6.

[0034] Said fixing flange 30 is located, for example, in an axial extension of said first sleeve 32. Said fixing flange 30 is preferably substantially flat.

[0035] Said electrical conductors 22 and / or said fixing flange 30 as well as said first sleeve 32 are, for example, made of copper and / or copper alloy.

[0036] Said electrical conductors 22 include, for example, electrical conduction bars 28. They are here symmetrical with respect to said fixing flange 30.

[0037] Advantageously, said electrical conduction bars 28 are configured to allow lateral offset of said heat pipe 10 relative to said electrical component 14. Said electrical conduction bars 28 are, for example, bent. They comprise here a first branch 28a intended to be in contact with one of said connection terminals 24, 26 and / or a second branch 28b in contact with said mounting flange 30.

[0038] Figure 2 shows an orthonormal coordinate system with axes X, Y, and Z. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat pipe 10, the first sleeve 32, and / or the mounting flange 30 are oriented along a Z axis of the coordinate system. The first branches 28a of the electrical conductors 22 extend along an X axis of the coordinate system, and the second branches 28b extend along a Y axis of the coordinate system. This allows for the offset, mentioned above, of the heat pipe 10 relative to the electrical component 14.

[0039] Preferably, said mounting flange 30 is sandwiched between said electrical conductors 22, in particular between their second branches 28b. Said second branches 28b extend, for example, in a plane parallel to said mounting flange 30. Said first branches 28a extend from a longitudinal edge of said second branches 28b.

[0040] Preferably, said device comprises a flexible, electrically insulating, and thermally conductive material 34. Said flexible material 34 is disposed, on the one hand, between said mounting flange 30 and one of said electrical conductors 22 and / or, on the other hand, between said mounting flange 30 and the other of said electrical conductors 22. Said flexible material 34 is in the form of a pad and / or a layer of paste-like material. It provides the desired thermal bridge and electrical insulation. It also compensates for any surface defects of the mounting flange 30 and / or the electrical conductors 22 that may limit their proper contact.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, said device includes cages 36 for protecting said flexible material 34. Said cages 36 are, for example, made of a plastic material, in particular a polymer material and / or ABS.

[0042] Here, said cages 36 have several compartments 38 intended to accommodate said flexible material 34 so that it is in contact, on the one hand, with said fixing flange 30, and on the other hand, with one of said electrical conductors 22. through said cages 36. In other words, each of said compartments 38 is filled with a layer and / or a pad of said soft material 34.

[0043] Said device further includes a fixing member 40 for said fixing flange 30 on said electrical conductors 22. This is, for example, a screw 42 - nut 44 assembly. Preferably, said fixing member 40 is common for all of said electrical conductors 22.

[0044] Advantageously, said fastening member 40 allows a fixing with a degree of freedom in pivoting of said fixing flange 30 on said electrical conductors 22.

[0045] Said fixing flange 30, said electrical conductors 22, or even said cage(s) 36 respectively have a passage orifice 46, 48, 50 of said fixing member 40. Said passage orifices 46, 48, 50 are here situated in an extension of each other, here along the axis X perpendicular to said flange 30.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the device further comprises electrically insulating washers 52. A first of these washers 52 is located between a head 54 of the screw 42 and one of the electrical conductors 22. A second of these washers 52 is located between the nut 44 and the other of the electrical conductors 22. Neither the screw head 54 nor the nut 44 is therefore in contact with either of the electrical conductors 22.

[0047] As more clearly seen in [Fig.6], said cages 36 and / or said washers 52 here have collars 56 which fit into fillets provided opposite said collars 56 in said cages 36 and / or washers 52 at said passage holes 46, 48, 50 so as to form an electrically insulated passage 60 for said screw 42. Said screw 42 is thus insulated from the electrical conductors 22.

[0048] As illustrated in the following figures, in the illustrated embodiment, said device includes a second thermal interface element 60, on the cold side, intended for heat exchange between said heat pipe 10 and said cold source 16.

[0049] Said second thermal interface element 60 comprises, for example, a portion 62 having a surface for receiving the heat pipe 10. Said portion 62 having the surface for receiving the heat pipe 10 comprises, for example, a second sleeve 64 into which said heat pipe is inserted. Said second sleeve 64 is located here in the vicinity of the other longitudinal end of said heat pipe 10.

[0050] Said second thermal interface element 60, in particular said sleeve 64, advantageously slides on said heat pipe 10 so as to form a sliding connection. Said second thermal interface element 60 is further configured to be locked in position along said heat pipe 10 by means of said cold source 16, as will be described below.

[0051] Preferably, said second thermal interface element 60 comprises a diffuser 66 intended to be in heat exchange contact with said cold source 16. It is in the form of a disc. It offers an enlarged heat exchange surface with said cold source 16.

[0052] Said part 62, having the surface for receiving the heat pipe 10, and said diffuser 66 are advantageously articulated, for example, by pivoting, with respect to each other. Said pivoting articulation is achieved here by means of a pivot axis 68 and a first articulation flange 70 and / or a second articulation flange 72 of said cold thermal interface element 60. Said first articulation flange 70 is derived, for example, from said second sleeve 64, in particular radially. Said second articulation flange 72 is derived, for example, from said diffuser 66, in particular perpendicularly. Said pivot axis 68 passes orthogonally through said articulation flanges 68, 70.

[0053] The pivoting joint located at the level of said first and / or second thermal interface member 20, 60, combined or not with the sliding connection of the second thermal interface member 60 on said heat pipe 10, facilitates good contact between the parts and thus promotes heat conduction between the hot source 12 and the cold source 16.

[0054] Said part 62 presenting the surface for receiving the heat pipe 10 and said diffuser 66 are, for example, made of copper and / or copper alloy.

[0055] Preferably, said second thermal interface element 60 comprises a thermally conductive material 74 intended to be in contact with said cold source 16. Said thermally conductive material 74 is in contact with said diffuser 66. It is, for example, in the form of a pad and / or a layer of paste-like material. It compensates for any surface defects of the diffuser 66 and / or said cold source 16 that limit their proper contact. It should be noted that said thermally conductive material 74 does not have to be electrically insulating since, according to the invention, such electrical insulation is provided at the level of said hot thermal interface element 20.

[0056] Said second thermal interface element 60 here includes a spacer 76 for protecting said thermally conductive material 74. Said spacer 76 is fixed, for example, on said diffuser 66 so as to define a housing 78 for said thermally conductive material 74. Said housing 78 is intended to be located between said diffuser 66 and said cold source 16.

[0057] Said electrical connection box 1 includes said electrical component 14 and said cold source 16. Said connection box 1 further includes a heat dissipation device as described above for heat conduction between said hot and cold sources 12, 16.

[0058] Said electrical component 14 includes, for example, an electrical protection component such as, in particular, an electrical relay and / or a fuse. In this case, it is a relay. Said relay includes, for example, a coil, not visible, electrically connected to each of said electrical connection terminals 24, 26.

[0059] Said electrical component 14 comprises, for example, a protective housing 100. Said coil is housed in said protective housing 100. Said protective housing 100 is, in particular, substantially parallelepiped in shape. It has said electrical connection terminals 24, 26.

[0060] More specifically, here, said connection terminals 24, 26 open onto the surface of said protective housing 100. Said connection terminals 24, 26 include, for example, sockets, passing through said second housing 100. Said electrical connection terminals 24, 26, in particular said sockets, are flush with said second protective housing 100. Said sockets are located, for example, at the level of a face 102 of said protective housing 100.

[0061] Said connection box 1 includes herein screws 104 for fixing said electrical conductors 22 to said protective box 100. Said screws 104 pass through said electrical conductors 22 to engage in the sockets of the electrical connection terminals 24, 26.

[0062] Although not illustrated, said connection box 1 advantageously comprises one or more electrical busbars. These busbars are respectively connected to said electrical conductors 22 and / or to said electrical connection terminals 24, 26, on the one hand. On the other hand, they are intended to be connected to other electrical components of said connection box 1 and / or to the rest of the circuit 3.

[0063] Said cold source 16 includes, for example, a plate 18 having a thermal inertia much greater than the thermal inertia of the heat source formed by the electrical component 14. Advantageously, said plate 18 includes all or part of a lower face of a housing of the electrical energy storage device 2. Said plate 18 here has one or more circulation channels for a heat transfer fluid.

[0064] As illustrated in [Fig.8], said dissipation device includes a fixing screw 80 of said second thermal interface member 60 on said cold source 16. Said fixing screw 80 of the second thermal interface member passes through said plate 18. It is engaged in said diffuser 66.

[0065] Said spacer 76 comprises, for example, an outer ring 82 and / or an inner ring 84, here concentric. Said outer ring 82 closes one periphery of said housing 78. Said inner ring 82 allows passage of said fixing screw 80 of the second thermal interface member 60. Said outer ring 82 is fixed, by for example, on a periphery of said diffuser 66. Said internal ring 84 is here centered on a pin 86 of said diffuser 66 which advantageously also serves to position said diffuser 66 on said plate 18 by means of an orifice formed in the latter.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, said connection box is configured so that, in use, said heat pipe 10 is substantially vertical with the hot source 12 at the bottom and the cold source 16 at the top, which is favorable to its operation.

Claims

Demands

1. A heat dissipation device, particularly for a motor vehicle, said device comprising a heat pipe (10) configured for heat exchange between, on the one hand, a hot source (12) 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 hot, and electrical conductors (22) intended to be electrically connected to electrical connection terminals (24, 26) of said electrical component (14), said terminals (24, 26) having different electrical potentials, said hot thermal interface component (20) being configured for heat transfer between said heat pipe (10) and said electrical conductors (22) as well as for establishing a thermal bridge between said electrical conductors (22) while electrically insulating them from each other,said hot thermal interface element (20) comprising a mounting flange (30) intended to be fixed to said electrical conductors (22).

2. Heat dissipation device according to claim 1 in which said fixing flange (30) is sandwiched between said electrical conductors (22).

3. Heat dissipation device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a flexible material (34), electrically insulating and thermally conductive, disposed, on the one hand, between said fixing flange (30) and one of said electrical conductors (22) and / or, on the other hand, between said fixing flange (30) and the other of said electrical conductors (22).

4. Heat dissipation device according to the preceding claim comprising a cage (36) for protecting said flexible material (34).

5. Heat dissipation device according to the preceding claim in which said cage (36) has several compartments (38) intended to accommodate said flexible material (34) so ​​that the flexible material (34) is in contact, on the one hand, with said fixing flange (30), and on the other hand, with one of said electrical conductors (22) through said cage (36).

6. A heat dissipation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device comprises a means (40) for attaching said mounting flange (30) to said electrical conductors (22), said fixing member (40) being common for all said electrical conductors (22).

7. Heat dissipation device according to any one of the preceding claims in which said first thermal interface member (20) comprises a first sleeve (32) hosting said heat pipe (10), said fixing flange (30) being located in an axial extension of said first sleeve (32).

8. Electrical connection box for electrical energy storage device, in particular accumulator battery, comprising a hot source (12), a cold source (16) and a heat dissipation device according to any one of the preceding claims for establishing heat exchange between said hot source (12) and said cold source (16).

9. Electrical energy storage device, in particular accumulator battery, comprising a dissipation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle comprising a dissipation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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