Battery Holder with Cooling System

Abstract

The cooling system includes at least a cooling wall (10) and a tube (22) for circulating a coolant. The tube is held against the cooling wall by being arranged between this cooling wall and a fixing plate (24) fixed to this wall, in particular by clinching.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery holder including a cooling system.

Background Art

[0002] A battery holder can be a casing component that includes a battery or a battery unit or cell. For example, the battery holder can be or include a wall or a part of a wall on which a battery or a battery cell is intended to be placed.

[0003] It is known that a battery or a battery cell needs to be cooled to avoid overheating. For this purpose, it is known to fix a cooling tube to the battery holder wall. For example, the cooling tube is made in the form of one or more coils through which a coolant circulates. The tube is fixed to the wall, for example, by welding. Fixing the tube to the wall can cause vulnerability.

[0004] Also, generally by deforming a base sheet that forms a coiled channel, a cooling coil is directly made in this sheet, and a lid sheet fixed to the sheet in which the channel is formed is used to close this channel, whereby it is known that the two sheets fixed in this way form the battery holder wall. However, this requires great precision when fixing the lid on the base sheet, and special attention must be paid to maintaining the sealing of this fixing and the correct circulation of the coolant in the channel formed between the two sheets. Since the fixing between these sheets is generally performed by welding, technical difficulties occur when performing this fixing, and problems of deterioration over time that damage the sealing occur.

[0005] Furthermore, from German Patent Publication No. 102010013025, it is known to add a coiled tube under the sheet, and the latter has a hollow deformation on its lower surface to accommodate this coil, for example, in a shape-fitting manner. A certain accuracy is required for sheet manufacturing. It is difficult to fabricate an assembly with a tube, and fixing the tube to the wall can be vulnerable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure aims to overcome at least substantially the aforementioned drawbacks while promoting proper cooling of the holder.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a battery holder including a cooling system including at least a cooling wall and a tube for circulating a coolant, wherein the tube is held against the cooling wall by being disposed between the cooling wall and a fixing plate fixed to the wall.

[0009] Optionally, the fixing plate is fixed to the cooling wall by clinching.

[0010] Optionally, the tube has at least one flattened surface oriented in the direction of the cooling wall and / or the fixing plate.

[0011] Optionally, the tube has at least one contact surface in thermal exchange contact with the cooling wall, and the contact surface is optionally a flattened surface.

[0012] Optionally, at least one of the members including the cooling wall and the fixing plate has a relief for wedging the tube.

[0013] Optionally, at least one of the members including the cooling wall and the fixing plate has at least one groove for receiving the tube.

[0014] Optionally, the fixing plate is fixed to the cooling wall in some fixing regions where the fixing plate and the cooling wall are in contact, and the fixing regions optionally include fixing regions located between portions of the tube.

[0015] Optionally, at least one of the members including the cooling wall and the fixing plate has a reinforcing protrusion protruding on the surface of the member directed towards the other member.

[0016] Optionally, at least some of the reinforcing protrusions have fixing regions.

[0017] Optionally, the cooling wall has a plane against which the tube is pressed by the fixing plate.

[0018] Optionally, the fixing plate substantially covers the entire tube, in particular by covering at least 80% of the length of the tube, or even 100%.

[0019] Optionally, at least one cooling wall forms part of the bottom wall of the holder. The tube is an independent member of the cooling wall itself. It is a member such as a closed-section pipe added between the cooling wall and the fixing plate and held against the cooling wall by the fixing wall. The tube can be a rigid pipe made of a heat-conductive material, particularly metal.

[0020] The fact that the coolant circulation tube is arranged between the cooling wall and the plate for fixing to this wall has several advantages. On the one hand, the presence of the fixing plate facing this wall makes it possible to limit the losses in cooling. In fact, the fixing plate limits the heat exchange between the tube and the surrounding air. On the other hand, the fixing plate facilitates the attachment and installation of the coolant circulation tube that can be sandwiched between the cooling wall and the fixing plate. Furthermore, the fixing plate provides a great degree of freedom in the fixing mode used by adjusting the large surface available for fixing between the cooling wall and the fixing plate. For example, fixing by welding, especially spot welding, can be avoided, thereby promoting the sustainability of the cooling system and its mechanical resistance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] This disclosure will be better understood and its advantages will appear more clearly when reading the following detailed description of the embodiments represented by non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings.

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Figure 1 shows a battery holder 1, which can be, in particular, a casing part that contains or holds one or more battery units or cells. This holder includes a cooling wall 10, for example, a bottom wall on which a battery or battery unit can be placed. The battery holder 1 can be fixed to an outer holder member, for example, a chassis part of a vehicle.

[0024] In the example described herein, the cooling wall 10 is considered to be the bottom wall.

[0025] Figure 1 shows this wall 10 in a perspective view from above. This Figure 1 shows end pieces 20A and 20B that serve to ensure the circulation of the coolant within the tube 22, and the end pieces 20A and 20B function as an inlet and an outlet of the fluid, respectively. In particular, this fluid can be water or another liquid.

[0026] Also, considering Figure 2, the tube 22 extends under the bottom wall 10 and is held against it using a fixing plate 24, and as a result, it is understood that the tube is sandwiched between the bottom wall 10 and the fixing plate 24. Thus, the cooling tube is disposed between the bottom wall 10 and the fixing plate 24. This wall and this plate have, in this case, fixing lugs 10A and 24A, respectively, together with matching drill holes, and these lugs project laterally with respect to the tube 22. Optionally, these lugs can be used to strengthen the fixation between the wall 10 and the plate 24 using bolts or the like. They can also be used to fix the wall 10 and / or the plate 24 to an outer holder such as a vehicle part.

[0027] The exploded view of FIG. 2 shows that the cooling wall 10, the tube 22 and the bottom plate 24 are separated from each other. The tube is formed like a coil by forming a loop 22A. It can be understood that the wall 10 and the plate 24 each have respective reliefs 10B and 24B which are for wedging the tube. It is understood that these wedge reliefs are arranged so as to be inserted into the loop 22A of the tube 22 when the tube 22 is sandwiched between the wall 10 and the plate 24. In this case, the reliefs are arranged in columns, and their widths correspond to the inner width of the loop 22A itself arranged in adjacent columns. It can be imagined that only one of the two members formed by the wall 10 and the plate 24 has a relief formed hollowly from its outer wall so as to extend into the space between the wall 10 and the plate 24. However, in this case, the wall 10 and the plate 24 each have such a relief formed hollowly also from their respective outer walls, but these reliefs are present only on the part of the wall 10 or the plate 24 which substantially corresponds to half of this wall or this plate. In practice, the wall 10 and the plate 24 can be formed by two identical members which can be fixed together by arranging their respective reliefs 10B or 24B on two independent halves instead of facing each other in this way. In other words, the relief 10B of the wall 10 is then arranged on the opposite side of the region of the plate 24 without the relief 24B, and vice versa. Thus, once the wall 10 and the plate 24 are joined, the reliefs 10B and 24B form a complete set of wedge reliefs which can effectively wedge the tube between the wall 10 and the plate 24 from one end of this wall and this plate to the other end. The reliefs 10B and 24B can be produced by stamping.

[0028] Furthermore, the tube 22 can have opposed surfaces 23A, 23B which are flattened so as to be effectively pressed against the inner surfaces of the cooling wall 10 and the fixing plate 24. In particular, the part of the tube in contact with the inner surface of the cooling wall 10 forms a contact surface which is in heat exchange contact with this cooling wall. The fact that this contact surface is flattened maximizes the heat exchange surface between the cooling wall and the tube.

[0029] For that part, the fixing plate protects the tubes outside the cooling system, especially against the impact or risk of movement. In addition, the fixing plate tends to confine the cold of this tube in the gap space between the cooling wall 10 and the fixing plate 14, further promoting the cooling of the battery in contact with the cooling wall.

[0030] The fact that the tube is flattened on its two opposite faces allows maximizing the width of the tube for a given section, thereby increasing its contact surface with the inner face of the cooling wall (against which the faces of the battery, for example their bottoms, are arranged).

[0031] It has been mentioned that the wall 10 and the plate 24 can be fixed together by bolts passing through the drill holes of the respective lugs 10A and 24A. This can function as a secure fixture at the ends of the wall and the plate. However, it is also desirable for the wall and the plate to be fixed together at their current parts away from their edges. In this regard, fixing by welding could be envisaged. However, as shown in Figure 3, it is interesting to carry out this fixing by clinching.

[0032] The cooling wall 10 and the fixing plate 24 can be made of metal in particular and can be sheet pieces. The clinching between two pieces of this type is constituted by pressing them together in the recess of a counter tool using a punch in the area where they are pressing against each other. As a result, a flow of the material of the two pieces being pressed simultaneously occurs, and the two pieces remain closely connected. Clinching thus forms a cup in which the two pieces are pressed together and in which a very strong mechanical fixing is ensured.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, clinching can be performed using a key relief. In fact, as shown in the enlarged view on the left side of FIG. 3, clinching can be performed, for example, at the bottom of the key relief 10B of the cooling wall 10. In this region, the inner surface of the key relief 10B (this inner surface is directed towards the plate 24) substantially contacts the inner surface of the fixed plate 24. As shown by the arrow F, using a punch applied from below the fixed plate, the fixed plate can be locally pushed in the direction towards the cooling wall 10 by the bottom of the key relief. Thereby, a small clinching cup is created on the outer surface of the fixed plate 24, and this cup forms a protrusion on the outer surface of the key relief 10B. Thus, the key relief 10B serves its function of keying the tube 22 by being accommodated in the loop 22A of this tube, and also helps in fixing by clinching between the wall 10 and the plate 24. Similarly, in the enlarged right - hand portion of FIG. 3, it can be understood that clinching is performed at the key relief 24B of the fixed plate by pushing a part of the wall 10 in contact with this key relief towards the fixed plate in the direction of the arrow G. Thus, this creates a small clinching cup that forms a boss on the outer surface of the cooling wall 24. It is possible to select to perform clinching with all or some of the key reliefs. Generally, it is not necessary to form clinching in a very large number of areas, but it is desirable to disperse them on the surfaces of the wall 10 and the fixed plate 24. Thus, the clinching areas can be made in a part of the key reliefs, for example, 10% - 50% of these reliefs. In what has been described just now, the clinching areas are made within the key reliefs by utilizing the fact that the inner surfaces of the wall 10 and the plate 24 are naturally close to each other in these reliefs. However, alternatively or additionally, it would be possible to create clinching areas in other areas of the wall 10 and the plate 24, but these other areas are not further used for keying the tube 22.

[0034] Another embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4-6. In these drawings, members corresponding to those in the previous drawings are designated by the same reference numbers increased by 100. Thus, the cooling plate 110, the coolant circulation tube 122 and its end pieces 120A and 120B, and the fixing plate 124 are identified. As in the previous embodiment, wedge reliefs are provided. These are, on the one hand, the wedge relief 110B which forms a cavity from the outer surface of the cooling wall, and on the other hand, the wedge relief 124B which forms a cavity from the outer surface of the fixing plate 124. These wedge reliefs, in the example shown, form elongated protrusions extending over a substantial (on the order of 80% of the length of these loops) portion of the length of the loop 122A formed by the coils of the tube 122. Thus, on the other hand, in the previous embodiment, there were some wedge reliefs of shortened length (measured in the length direction of the loop) in the loop 22A of the tube, whereas this embodiment uses fewer (e.g., a single relief in a given loop) but longer wedge reliefs. It is possible to provide wedge reliefs 110B and 124B extending over 20% to 90% of the length of the loop 122A, for example, 40% to 80% of this length, and one or two wedge reliefs may be provided in the loop. The reliefs 110B and 124B can be produced by stamping.

[0035] As in the previous embodiment, the cooling wall 110 and the fixing plate 124 are fixed together by clinching. The clinching areas are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It can be understood that these are distributed over the fixing reliefs.

[0036] Therefore, FIG. 6, which is a view similar to FIG. 3 for this second embodiment, shows a clinching cup formed hollowly from the outer surface of the fixing plate 124 so as to form a protrusion 125A protruding on the outer surface (in the bottom) of the wedge relief 110B. Similarly, the enlarged right portion of FIG. 6 shows a clinching cup 125B formed hollowly on the outer surface of the cooling wall 110 so as to form a protrusion extending to the bottom of the outer surface of the wedge relief 124B of the fixing plate 124. It can be understood here that the clinching cups 125A and 125B, also identified in FIG. 4, are made by forming an angle together. Of course, these cups could be of the same dimensions and could have a general shape of rotation. However, here it is chosen to make them in the form of cups elongated in one direction, so it can be understood that some of the clinching cups 125A are elongated in direction D1 while others are elongated in direction D2. The same applies to the clinching cup 125B elongated either in direction D3 (which could be the same as direction D2 in this case) or in direction D4 (which could be the same as direction D1 in this case). The inventors have found that this promotes the mechanical resistance of the clinching between the cooling wall and the fixing plate in different directions.

[0037] Therefore, the fact that the clinching cups are thus oriented in different directions makes it possible to maximize their overall mechanical resistance to shear stress, regardless of the direction of application of these stresses.

[0038] In the embodiment just described, the wedge relief extends into the space formed in the loop 22A or 122A of the cooling tube. In fact, the wedge relief formed in one of the members including the cooling wall 10 and the fixing plate 24 extends towards the other member until the other member contacts the inner surface of this other member.

[0039] Thus, in this case, the keyway relief forms a reinforcing projection that ensures the desired spacing between the cooling wall and the fixing plate and accommodates the tube 22 or 122 between these members, which is done by ensuring the desired contact surface between the tube and the cooling wall, but also by ensuring that the cooling wall and the fixing plate mechanically protect the tube from the risk of impact and crushing.

[0040] This makes it possible, in particular, to produce the tube from a material that is mechanically less resistant than the materials of the cooling wall and the fixing plate. The tube can be made of metal, for example steel or aluminum. For economic reasons, tubes with thin walls can be used because protection against impact is ensured elsewhere. It can be chosen to make the tube from another material, for example a synthetic material, in particular a type of thermoplastic polymer used in cooling circuits for cooling automobile engines.

[0041] Thus, the members 10B, 24B, 110B, 124B described just now fulfill the dual function of the keyway relief for the tube and the reinforcing projection between the cooling wall and the fixing plate. Their function as keyway relief is ensured by the fact that they are dimensioned to be inserted into these loops in such a way that they can key the loops formed by the coils of the coolant circulation tubes against their ends. Their function as a reinforcing projection is related to the fact that their depth or their thickness, measured in the direction of the spacing between the wall and the plate, is determined to define the thickness of the gap space formed between the cooling wall and the fixing plate. These two functions can, of course, be dissociated by having a keyway relief that does not necessarily contact the opposite surface of the wall or the plate on the one hand and by having a reinforcing projection on the other hand.

[0042] In this case, at least some of the reinforcing projections (which are also keyway reliefs in this case) have a fixing area, in this case enabling fixing by clinching.

[0043] In the example just described, the cooling wall 10 or 110 has an inner plane against which the tubes are pressed by the fixing plates 24 or 124. In this case, the fixing plates 24 or 124 substantially cover the entire tubes 22 or 122. In this case, it can be understood that, apart from the end pieces 20A, 20B or 120A, 120B, the tubes do not protrude from the cooling wall of the fixing plate. These two members, the cooling wall and the fixing plate, are in this case formed by a solid or substantially solid member, except for any slots made at the ends of the fixed relief, as indicated by reference numeral 127 in FIG. 4. This makes it possible to optimize the cooling of the exchange surface and the cooling wall by the tubes. However, it will be determined that one of these members, in particular the fixing plate, is perforated. In this case, the fixing plate 24 or 124 substantially covers the entire tube by covering at least 80% or even 100% of its length. However, it will be determined that the fixing plate covers only a smaller portion of the length of the tube.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment will be described here. In these drawings, the members corresponding to the members of the previous drawings are designated by the same reference numerals as the members of FIGS. 1 to 3 increased by 200. Thus, the cooling system shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a cooling wall 210 and a fixing plate 224, between which a coolant circulation tube 222 is sandwiched, and this tube has inlet and outlet end pieces 220A and 220B for the coolant. A fixing lug 224A can be provided on the fixing plate 224, for example, to fix an assembly formed by the cooling system including the cooling wall 210, the tube 222 and this plate 224 to another wall of the battery holder or another member such as a part of the vehicle chassis. Of course, the cooling wall 210 may have a fixing lug corresponding to the lug 224A, as was the case in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4. As in the previous figures, the fixing wall 224 covers substantially the entire length of the tube, except for the end pieces 220A and 220B.

[0045] What distinguishes this embodiment from the previous one is the fact that the cooling wall 210 includes a groove 228 for receiving the tube 222. This groove can be produced, in particular, by stamping. In this case, this groove 228 forms a hollowed coil on the inner surface of the cooling wall 210, and this coil receives the coil of the tube 222. Thus, in these regions 229 located between the coil loops formed by the groove 228, the cooling wall 210 can be pressed against the fixing plate 224. Of course, it would be possible to provide the reverse embodiment by forming a groove on the inner surface of the fixing plate, or a hybrid embodiment by forming a groove in the cooling wall partially (e.g., over more than half of its depth) and forming a groove in the fixing plate for the remaining part. In any case, the groove or the grooved part can be produced by stamping.

[0046] The cooling wall 10 and the fixing plate can be fixed together in these regions, in particular, by clinching cups similar to those described in the previous figures, and these cups can be oriented in different directions.

[0047] In the various embodiments just described, the fixing plate is fixed to the cooling wall in several fixing regions where the plate and the wall are in contact. These fixing regions can be arranged within the wedge reliefs or the reinforcing protrusions, as has been described, or generally within the contact region between the cooling wall and the fixing plate.

[0048] In the examples just described, the cooling wall and the fixing plate cover the tube substantially over its entire length, in particular over all of the loops formed by its coil. Generally, these loops comprise straight segments (when wedge reliefs are provided, these reliefs can be arranged particularly between the straight segments), and also rounded connecting segments that connect adjacent straight segments together.

[0049] For reasons of manufacturing simplicity, it may be provided that the cooling wall and / or the fixing plate do not cover these curved connection segments. This may apply in particular to the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 in order to simplify the structure of the groove 228, especially when the groove 228 is formed not in the cooling wall 210 but in the fixing plate 224 as shown in the drawing. In this case, this fixing plate may stop at the junction between the straight and curved portions of the cooling tube.

Claims

1. A battery holder (1) comprising a cooling system including at least a cooling wall (10; 110; 210) and a tube (22; 122; 222) for circulating a coolant, wherein the tube is held against the cooling wall by being disposed between the cooling wall and a fixing plate (24; 124; 224) fixed to the wall.

2. The battery holder according to claim 1, wherein the fixing plate (24; 124; 224) is fixed to the cooling wall (10; 110; 210) by clinching.

3. The battery holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube (22; 122; 222) has at least one flattened surface (23A, 23B) oriented in the direction of the cooling wall (10; 110; 210) and / or the fixing plate (24; 124; 224).

4. The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube (22; 122; 222) has at least one contact surface (23A) in thermal exchange contact with the cooling wall (10; 110; 210), and the contact surface is optionally a flattened surface.

5. The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the members including the cooling wall (10; 110; 210) and the fixing plate (24; 124; 224) has a relief (10B, 24B; 110B, 124B; 228) for wedging the tube.

6. The battery holder according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the members including the cooling wall (210) and the fixing plate (224) has at least one groove (228) for receiving the tube (222).

7. The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fixing plate (24; 124; 224) is fixed to the cooling wall (10; 110; 210) in some fixing regions where the fixing plate and the cooling wall are in contact, and the fixing regions optionally include fixing regions located between portions of the tube (22; 122; 222).

8. The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the members including the cooling wall (10; 110; 210) and the fixing plate (24; 124; 224) has a reinforcing protrusion (10B, 24B; 110B, 124B) protruding on the surface of the member directed toward the other member.

9. The battery holder according to claims 7 and 8, wherein at least some of the reinforcing protrusions (10B, 24B; 110B, 124B) have a fixing region (25A, 25B, 125A, 125B).

10. The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cooling wall (10; 110; 210) has a plane, against which the tube (22; 122; 222) is pressed by the fixing plate (24; 124; 224).

11. The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one cooling wall (10; 110; 210) forms part of the bottom wall of the holder (1).

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