Protection plate configured for a cooler

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection plate (10) configured to be assembled in a window of a cooler, notably a cooler formed by two joined plates, this protection plate (10) comprising at least one ventilation opening (12) which is initially closed by a cap (27) connected to the periphery of the ventilation opening (12) by at least one zone of frangible material (28) so that the cap (27) can be removed from the opening in order to define an off-gassing passage (29) in the event of off-gassing from a cell (101) of a battery positioned facing the cap (27), the protection plate (10) also being fire-resistant.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Protective plate configured for a cooler

[0003] [1] The present invention relates to a protective plate configured for a cooler, and a cooler for an electrical component capable of generating heat during its operation, in particular for at least one battery or battery cells (in particular of a battery pack) of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle.

[0004] [2] The vehicle can be of land, sea or air type.

[0005] [3] The invention relates in particular to plate coolers for circulating a heat transfer fluid, in particular glycol water or a refrigerant fluid, in a network of channels, enabling the cooling of batteries of hybrid or electric vehicles.

[0006] [4] The battery includes, for example, electrochemical cells. These cells can be exposed to the risk of thermal runaway, leading to outgassing. In the event of thermal runaway, a degassing system allows the very hot gases to be evacuated. These gases pass through the cooling system before being directed to a suitable space, ensuring the protection of the entire assembly.

[0007] [5] In particular, there is a need to further improve this type of thermal protection.

[0008] [6] The invention thus provides a protective plate configured for assembly in a window of a cooler, in particular a cooler formed of two joined plates, this protective plate comprising at least one ventilation opening which is initially closed by a flap connected to the periphery of the ventilation opening by at least one area of ​​frangible material so that the flap can be released from the opening to define a degassing passage in the event of degassing of a battery cell placed opposite the flap, the protective plate being further fire-resistant. [7] In the event of degassing of one of the cells, hot gas is ejected through the degassing passage into the window of the cooler.

[0009] [8] Advantageously, the protective plate is configured to protect the perimeter of the cooler window from hot gases during degassing. This perimeter of the window is formed within the thickness of the cooler, specifically the thickness of one or more of the cooler plates. This perimeter of the window thus corresponds to a slice of the window.

[0010] [9] The invention makes it possible, in particular, to avoid having to apply a fire-resistant coating to the perimeter (and therefore the thickness) of the cooler window. This fire-resistant function on the perimeter of the window is achieved by the additional protective plate, inserted into the cooler window.

[0011]

[0010] The temperature of the gases during degassing can reach 400°C, or 500°C, or even 900°C.

[0012]

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate is made of a fire-resistant material, in particular mica-based. Alternatively, the protective plate can be made of aluminum with a fire-resistant coating.

[0013]

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the zone of frangible material extends over the entire perimeter of the ventilation orifice.

[0014]

[0013] The frangible material zone is, for example, a material zone of reduced thickness compared to the rest of the protective plate, or a pre-cut zone.

[0015]

[0014] The reduced thickness frangible material zone can be broken in the event of pressure being applied to the lid, in the event of outgassing of one of the battery cells.

[0016]

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate comprises a main wall, in particular flat, on which the ventilation opening(s) are formed.

[0017]

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the main wall of the protective plate has a substantially rectangular perimeter.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the main wall of the protective plate is provided with a plurality of ventilation openings which are arranged, for example, in a row.

[0018]

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, each ventilation opening has a rounded perimeter, in particular substantially oval, or an elongated perimeter with straight edges parallel to the semi-circular ends.

[0019]

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate has at least one lateral rim.

[0020]

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate has lateral edges all around the main wall of the protective plate.

[0021]

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, each lateral edge, in particular in the form of a straight strip of material, extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the main wall of the protective plate.

[0022]

[0022] Advantageously, these side edges are to be placed opposite a contour of the cooler window.

[0023]

[0023] Thus these lateral edges make it possible to protect the perimeter of the cooler window, namely the thickness of the cooler, against gases appearing during an accidental outgassing of a battery cell.

[0024]

[0024] The side edges are, moreover, advantageously configured to form a barrier against the spreading of a thermal interface material (or "gap filler" in English), when the protective plate is assembled in the cooler window.

[0025]

[0025] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to these lateral edges of the protective plate, to contain the spreading of a thermal interface material which is deposited on an upper face of the cooler, a spreading which occurs when battery cells are placed on the cooler and the protective plate.

[0026]

[0026] Indeed, when the battery cells are placed on the cooler, these cells come into contact with the thermal interface material which is spread out, and the lateral edges of the protective plate act as a barrier to prevent this thermal interface material from flowing into the degassing passage.

[0027] Initially, the thermal interface material can be deposited to a thickness of 4 mm and, after the battery cells are in place and this thermal interface material is spread, the thickness is reduced, for example to around 1 or 2 mm.

[0027]

[0028] The invention thus prevents thermal interface material from obstructing the degassing passage. Such an obstruction of the degassing passage is undesirable because it would prevent the gas from being safely vented into the free space beneath the cooler.

[0028]

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the lateral edges extends into a support strip, in particular substantially flat and substantially parallel to the main wall of the protective plate.

[0029]

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate has slots formed on this support strip to receive mounting tabs for the cooler.

[0030]

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the slot in the protective plate has an elongated shape, in particular a rectangular shape.

[0031]

[0032] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a cooler having a window and a protective plate as described above, assembled in the window.

[0032]

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate is configured so that it can be assembled with the cooler with the possibility of translating the protective plate relative to the cooler along a translation axis that is perpendicular to a principal plane of the cooler.

[0033]

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate and the cooler are configured so that the translation has a stroke between 2 and 5 mm, in particular a stroke substantially equal to 3 mm.

[0034]

[0035] Advantageously, the translational movement is carried out in the direction of bringing the protective plate closer to an upper face of the cooler, between a position raised relative to an upper face of the cooler, and a lowered position in which the protective plate has moved closer to the upper face of the cooler.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the translational movement is initiated by placing the battery cells on the protective plate, which has the effect of lowering the protective plate towards the cooler.

[0035]

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate comprises a main wall, in particular flat, on which the ventilation opening(s) are formed.

[0036]

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the main wall of the protective plate has a substantially rectangular perimeter.

[0037]

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate includes at least one lateral rim.

[0038]

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate has lateral edges all around the main wall of the protective plate.

[0039]

[0041] Advantageously, these side edges are located opposite a contour of the cooler window.

[0040]

[0042] Thus these side edges help to protect the perimeter of the cooler window, namely the thickness of the cooler, against gases appearing during an accidental outgassing of a battery cell.

[0041]

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the lateral edges extends into a support strip, in particular substantially flat and substantially parallel to the main wall of the protective plate.

[0042]

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate has slots formed on this support strip to receive mounting tabs for the cooler.

[0043]

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooler comprises a base plate and a channel plate configured to together define a network of channels for a heat transfer fluid, and the cooler's mounting lugs are formed, in particular as a single piece, on the channel plate.

[0044]

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly of the protective plate on the cooler includes a step of folding assembly tabs made on the cooler, assembly tabs which are previously inserted into slots in the protective plate.

[0045]

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the protective plate is assembled in the window of the cooler with the interposition of an elastic return element, for example in the form of a foam, which is configured to maintain the protective plate in an initial position raised relative to an upper face of the cooler, and to allow the protective plate to move in translation to a lowered position in which the protective plate approaches the upper face of the cooler.

[0046]

[0048] For example, the foam tends to push the protective plate towards its raised position.

[0047]

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastic return element is placed between a support area of ​​the cooler and a support strip of the protective plate.

[0048]

[0050] Thus, when the protective plate is pressed towards the cooler, the elastic return element is compressed between the support area of ​​the cooler and the support strip of the protective plate.

[0049]

[0051] In the raised position (initial position), the lateral edge of the protective plate acts as a barrier against the thermal interface material deposited on the upper face of the cooler.

[0050]

[0052] Next, this barrier prevents the thermal interface material from spreading out into the degassing passage throughout the downward translational movement of the protective plate.

[0051]

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, in the lowered position, the upper face of the protective plate remains at an altitude of approximately 1 mm above the upper face of the cooler.

[0052]

[0054] This residual thickness, for example of about 1 mm, is that which is ultimately occupied by the thermal interface material.

[0053]

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastic return element has a band shape which follows a closed perimeter, in particular a rectangular perimeter.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastic return member comprises shapes to perform a spring function, for example shapes with coils.

[0054]

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastic return element is placed between a support area of ​​the cooler and a support strip of the protective plate, and the support area of ​​the cooler is formed on returns of the cooler assembly tabs.

[0055]

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooler is placed in a case supported on one or more crossbeams so as to provide, between a lower face of the cooler and a bottom of the case, a free space allowing to receive a hot gas in case of thermal runaway and degassing of one of the cells.

[0056]

[0059] The flow of hot gas escaping through the window impacts the bottom of the case and comes onto the underside of the cooler.

[0057]

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooler comprises a lower face having a fire-resistant coating.

[0058]

[0061] This provides thermal protection for the cooler on its underside against the bottom of the case.

[0059]

[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooler comprises a plurality of windows, in particular identical ones, configured to each receive a protective plate according to the invention.

[0060]

[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the number of windows on the cooler is, for example, 4.

[0061]

[0064] In summary, the invention is advantageous because the protective plate allows for several functions:

[0062] - Protect against outgassing by allowing a ventilation orifice to open in the event of outgassing,

[0063] - Protect the perimeter of the cooler window against hot gases,

[0064] - Contain the spreading of the thermal interface material.

[0065] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly comprising a cooler having a window and a protective plate as described above, the method comprising the following step:

[0065] - assemble the protective plate onto the cooler, in the window, in particular so that the protective plate is connected to the cooler in a movable manner,

[0066] - in particular, bending assembly tabs made on the cooler, assembly tabs which are previously inserted into slots in the protective plate.

[0067]

[0066] According to one aspect of the invention, the process includes an additional step of adding thermal interface material followed by the placement of the cells.

[0068]

[0067] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0069]

[0068] - [Figure 1] illustrates, schematically and partially, an assembly according to an example of an embodiment of the invention, in top view;

[0070]

[0069] - [Figure 2] illustrates, schematically and partially, the whole of figure 1, in view from below;

[0071]

[0070] - [Figure 3] illustrates, schematically and partially, in cross-section, the whole of figures 1 and 2, in a raised position;

[0072]

[0071] - [Figure 4] illustrates, schematically and partially, a part of the whole of figure 1, in view from below;

[0073]

[0072] - [Figure 5] schematically illustrates the protective plate of the whole of figure 1;

[0074]

[0073] - [Figure 6] illustrates, schematically and partially, the cooler of the assembly of Figure 1,

[0075]

[0074] - [Figure 7] illustrates, schematically and partially, a step in assembling the protective plate with the cooler;

[0075] - [Figure 8] illustrates, schematically and partially, in cross-section, the whole of Figures 1 and 2, in the lowered position.

[0076]

[0076] Figures 1 and 2 show a system 200 comprising a module 201 of battery cells 101 to be cooled, for example arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, and a cooler 1 arranged to cool the cells 101, which are in thermal contact with the cooler 1.

[0077]

[0077] The cooler 1 comprises a base plate 80 and a channel plate 81 configured to together define a channel network 82 for a heat transfer fluid, here glycol water. Other fluids can be used as a refrigerant (for example, R1234yf).

[0078]

[0078] The cooler 1 is part of an assembly 100 comprising the cooler 1 which includes a plurality of windows 5, and protective plates 10 assembled in each of the windows 5.

[0079]

[0079] The windows 5 are identical, and there are, for example, 4 of them.

[0080]

[0080] The protective plate 10 is configured so that it can be assembled with the cooler 1 with a possibility of translation of the protective plate 10 relative to the cooler 1 along a translation axis AT which is perpendicular to a principal plane PP of the cooler 1.

[0081]

[0081] The protective plate 10 and the cooler 1 are configured so that the translation has a stroke between 2 and 5 mm, in particular a stroke substantially equal to 3 mm.

[0082]

[0082] Advantageously, the translational movement along the axis AT is carried out in the direction of bringing the protective plate 10 closer to an upper face 50 of the cooler 1, between a raised position (illustrated in Figure 3) relative to the upper face 50 of the cooler 1, and a lowered position (illustrated in Figure 8) in which the protective plate 10 has moved closer to the upper face 50 of the cooler 1.

[0083]

[0083] The translational movement is initiated by placing the battery module 201 on the protective plate 10, which has the effect of lowering the protective plate 10 towards the cooler 1. This corresponds to the lowered position illustrated in Figure 8.

[0084] The protective plate 10 has a main flat wall 11 on which ventilation openings 12 are formed.

[0084]

[0085] Each ventilation opening 12 has an elongated perimeter with straight edges parallel to the semi-circular ends.

[0085]

[0086] As illustrated in Figure 5, each ventilation orifice 12 is initially sealed by a cover 27 connected to the periphery of the ventilation orifice 12 by at least one area of ​​frangible material 28 so that the cover 27 can be released from the orifice 12 to define a degassing passage 29 in the event of degassing of a battery cell placed opposite the cover 27, the protective plate 10 also being fire resistant.

[0086]

[0087] The frangible material zone 28 extends around the entire perimeter of the ventilation opening 12.

[0087]

[0088] The frangible material zone 28 is, for example, a material zone of reduced thickness compared to the rest of the protective plate 10.

[0088]

[0089] The thin, frangible material zone 28 can be broken if pressure is applied to the lid 27, in the event of outgassing from one of the battery cells.

[0089]

[0090] In the event of degassing of one of the cells, hot gas is ejected through the degassing passage 29, into the window 5 of the cooler 1.

[0090]

[0091] The main wall 11 of the protective plate 10 has a substantially rectangular perimeter.

[0091]

[0092] The protective plate 10 has lateral edges 14 all around the main wall 11 of the protective plate 10.

[0092]

[0093] Advantageously, these lateral edges 14 are located opposite a contour 15 of the window 5 of the cooler 1.

[0093]

[0094] Thus these lateral edges 14 make it possible to protect the contour 15 of the window 5 of the cooler 1, namely the thickness of the cooler 1, against gases appearing during an accidental outgassing of a battery cell.

[0095] The lateral edges 14 each extend into a support strip 18, substantially flat and substantially parallel to the main wall 11 of the protective plate 10.

[0094]

[0096] The protective plate 10 has rectangular slots 16 formed on this support strip 18 to receive mounting tabs 17 of the cooler 1. The protective plate 10 is thus guided on the cooler 1. The mounting tabs 17 are clearly visible in figures 4 and 6 in particular.

[0095]

[0097] The assembly tabs 17 of the cooler 1 are formed as a single piece on the channel plate 81.

[0096]

[0098] The assembly of the protective plate 10 on the cooler 1 includes a step of bending assembly tabs 17 made on the cooler 1, assembly tabs 17 (initially flat) which are previously inserted into the slots 16 of the protective plate 10, as illustrated in figure 7.

[0097]

[0099] The protective plate 10 is assembled in the window 5 of the cooler 1 with the interposition of an elastic return element 20, in the form of a foam, which is configured to maintain the protective plate 10 in the initial raised position illustrated in Figure 3, and to allow the protective plate 10 to move in translation to a lowered position illustrated in Figure 8.

[0098]

[0100] For example, the foam tends to push the protective plate 10 towards its raised position.

[0099]

[0101] The elastic return element 20 is placed between a bearing area 30 of the cooler 1 and a bearing strip 18 of the protective plate 10. The bearing area 30 of the cooler 1 is formed on returns of the assembly tab 17 of the cooler 1.

[0100]

[0102] Thus, when pressure is applied to the protective plate 10 in the direction of the cooler 1, the elastic return member 20 is compressed between the bearing area of ​​the cooler 1 and the bearing strip 18 of the protective plate 10.

[0101]

[0103] In the raised position (initial position), the lateral edges 14 of the protective plate 10 serve as a barrier against the thermal interface material 22 deposited on the upper face 50 of the cooler 1.

[0104] This barrier prevents the thermal interface material 22 from flowing out by spreading, in the degassing passage throughout the downward translational movement of the protective plate 10.

[0102]

[0105] In the lowered position, the upper face 33 of the protective plate 10 remains at an altitude of approximately 1 mm above the upper face 50 of the cooler 1.

[0103]

[0106] This residual thickness, for example of about 1 mm, is that which is finally occupied by the thermal interface material 22.

[0104]

[0107] The elastic return element 20 has a band shape which follows a closed, rectangular perimeter.

[0105]

[0108] In an unillustrated variant, the elastic return member 20 has shapes to perform a spring function, for example shapes with coils.

[0106]

[0109] As illustrated in Figure 3, the cooler 1 is placed in a case 60, supported on one or more cross members 61 so as to provide, between a lower face of the cooler 1 and a bottom 62 of the case 60, a free space 64 allowing to receive a hot gas in case of thermal runaway and degassing of one of the cells 101 of the module 201.

[0107]

[0110] The hot gas flow escaping through window 5 impacts the bottom 62 of the housing 60 and comes onto the lower face 52 of the cooler 1, this lower face 52 having a fire-resistant coating.

[0108]

[0111] This allows thermal protection of the cooler 1 on its lower face 52 in relation to the bottom 62 of the case.

[0109]

[0112] Advantageously, the protective plate 10 is configured to protect the perimeter of the window 5 of the cooler 1 from hot gases during degassing. This perimeter of the window 5 is formed within the thickness of the cooler 1, specifically the thickness of one or more plates of the cooler 1. This perimeter of the window 5 thus corresponds to a slice of the window 5.

[0110]

[0113] Protective plate 10 is made of fire-resistant material, particularly mica-based material. Alternatively, protective plate 10 can be made of aluminum with a fire-resistant coating.

[0114] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the lateral edges 14 of the protective plate 10, to contain the spread of a thermal interface material 22 which is deposited on an upper face of the cooler 1, a spread which occurs when battery cells are placed on the cooler 1 and the protective plate 10.

[0111]

[0115] Indeed, when the battery cells are placed on the cooler 1, these cells come into contact with the thermal interface material 22 which is spread out, and the lateral edges 14 of the protective plate 10 act as a barrier to prevent this thermal interface material 22 from flowing into the degassing passage.

[0112]

[0116] Initially, the thermal interface material 22 can be deposited to form a thickness of 4 mm and, after the battery cells are in place and this thermal interface material 22 is spread, the thickness is reduced, for example to the order of 1 or 2 mm.

[0113]

[0117] The invention thus prevents thermal interface material 22 from obstructing the degassing passage. Such an obstruction of the degassing passage is undesirable because it would prevent the gas from being safely vented into the free space below the cooler 1.

[0114]

[0118] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an assembly comprising a cooler 1 having a window 5 and a protective plate 10 as described above, the method comprising the step of assembling the protective plate 10 onto the cooler 1, in the window 5, in particular so that the protective plate 10 is linked to the cooler 1 in a movable manner.

[0115]

[0119] The process further includes a step of bending assembly tabs 17 made on the cooler 1, assembly tabs which are previously inserted into slots in the protective plate 10.

Claims

Demands

1. Protective plate (10) configured to be assembled in a window (5) of a cooler (1), in particular a cooler (1) formed of two joined plates, such protective plate (10) comprising at least one ventilation orifice (12) which is initially closed by a cover (27) connected to the periphery of the ventilation orifice (12) by at least one frangible material zone (28) so that the cover (27) can be cleared from the orifice to define a degassing passage (29) in the event of degassing of a battery cell (101) placed opposite the cover (27), the protective plate (10) furthermore being fire resistant.

2. Protective plate (10) according to the preceding claim, the protective plate (10) being made of fire-resistant material, in particular mica-based, or of aluminium with a fire-protective layer.

3. Protective plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frangible material zone (28) is a material zone of reduced thickness compared to the rest of the protective plate (10), or a pre-cut zone.

4. Protective plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising lateral edges (14) around the entire perimeter of a main wall of the protective plate (10), and each lateral edge, in particular in the form of a straight strip of material, extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the main wall of the protective plate (10), these lateral edges (14) being positioned opposite a contour of the cooler window (1).

5. Assembly comprising a cooler (1), in particular a cooler (1) formed of two joined plates, comprising a window (5) and a protective plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, assembled in the window.

6. Assembly according to claim 5, wherein the protective plate (10) is configured to be able to be assembled with the cooler (1) with a possibility of translation of the protective plate (10) relative to the cooler (1) along a translation axis which is perpendicular to a principal plane of the cooler (1).

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the protective plate (10) has lateral edges (14) around the entire perimeter of a main wall of the protective plate (10) and at least one of the lateral edges (14) extends into a support strip (18), in particular substantially flat and substantially parallel to the main wall of the protective plate (10).

8. Assembly according to claim 7, wherein the protective plate (10) has slots formed on this support strip (18) to receive mounting tabs (17) of the cooler (1).

9. An assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the protective plate (10) is assembled in the window of the cooler (1) with the interposition of an elastic return element (20), for example in the form of a foam, which is configured to maintain the protective plate (10) in an initial position raised relative to an upper face of the cooler (1), and to allow the protective plate (10) to move translationally towards a lowered position in which the protective plate (10) approaches the upper face of the cooler (1).

10. A method for manufacturing an assembly comprising a cooler (1) having a window (5) and a protective plate (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising the following steps: - assemble the protective plate (10) onto the cooler (1), in the window, in particular so that the protective plate (10) is connected to the cooler (1) in a movable manner, - in particular bending assembly tabs made on the cooler (1), assembly tabs which are previously inserted into slots in the protective plate (10).

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