Assembly for detecting heating of a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle and heating detection method implemented by the assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for detecting heating of a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle and to a heating detection method implemented by such an assembly. The invention relates to an assembly (1) for detecting heating of a traction battery of an electric vehicle (3), the assembly comprising: - a data acquisition device (7) for acquiring data representative of temperatures of a traction battery, comprising a housing (9) having a crush resistance greater than one tonne arranged on the ground (11) and a thermal camera mounted in the housing so as to acquire thermal image data from the battery; - a controller suitable for collecting the data; - a supervision unit (15) for receiving the data, the supervision unit being programmed to send an alarm triggering signal (17) when the data are representative of an increase in the temperature of the battery beyond a threshold value or of a temperature difference within a time interval greater than a threshold value.

Description

Assembly for detecting the overheating of a traction battery in an electric motor vehicle and method for detecting overheating implemented by said assembly

[0001] The invention relates to the field of fire prevention in electric motor vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a heating detection system for a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle.

[0003] The invention also relates to a heating detection method implemented by such an assembly.

[0004] The market for electric or hybrid motor vehicles is expanding very rapidly, and there is a great need to equip the territory with charging stations to ensure a transition to all-electric by 2035.

[0005] Among the types of electric motor vehicles, some are of the "BEV" type, English acronym for "Battery Electric Vehicle" or of the hybrid type comprising a thermal engine and an electric motor which operate simultaneously or alternately in order to reduce the power consumed by the vehicle, for example a plug-in hybrid motor vehicle (so-called "PHEV" motor vehicle, English acronym for "Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle").

[0006] In both cases, the motor vehicle includes a traction battery comprising a set of electrochemical units, or cells, typically several thousand cells, mounted in a battery tray mounted under the floor of the vehicle's underbody.

[0007] Each cell typically consists of an anode and a cathode immersed in a highly flammable, ionically conductive liquid, the electrolyte. The battery also includes a separator, or membrane, which may be made of a polymer material, designed to prevent any physical contact between the anode and cathode that could lead to a short circuit in the battery, while simultaneously facilitating the transport of ions between the cathode and the anode.

[0008] The traction battery can overheat in several situations. Specifically, it can overheat in cases of battery overcharging, deep discharge, excessively rapid charging, aggressive driving, high temperatures, mechanical shock, etc.

[0009] When the battery heats up, the membrane loses its insulating capacity and becomes porous. The resistance between the cathode and the anode decreases, creating a passage of electrons and thus amplifying the heating within the cells.

[0010] If heating continues until the temperature exceeds approximately 80°C, there is a high risk of membrane rupture. A membrane rupture can short-circuit the anode and cathode of the battery cell in which the rupture occurred.

[0011] Short-circuiting the traction battery cells releases a very large amount of heat very quickly, releasing oxygen into the electrolyte.

[0012] The heat generated by the short circuit heats the electrolyte which, upon contact with the released oxygen, begins to burn when its combustion temperature is reached, the electrolyte being highly flammable.

[0013] The heat generated by the short circuit creates activation energy, while the electrolyte acts as fuel and oxygen as an oxidizer. This system instantly ignites the battery cell(s) where the overheating occurs. The temperature reached in the ignited battery cell can be around 1000°C. Such a high temperature transfers heat to neighboring cells, causing them to ignite almost instantaneously as well. As they burn, the cells release oxygen again, creating a thermal runaway effect that leads to the vehicle catching fire.

[0014] A modern fire suppression system may include a heat detector, smoke detector, flame detector, and / or one or more thermal imaging cameras, typically installed above the vehicle, for example, on a ceiling in covered parking garages. These systems detect a vehicle fire once it has started, and the fire's spread must be controlled after detection.

[0015] To limit the spread of the fire, the vehicle can be sprayed with water, for example using fire hoses. However, it appears that the fire in the traction battery can reignite very quickly after the vehicle has been sprayed.

[0016] To limit the risk of reignition, partially submerging the vehicle in a cold water bath can be considered. The vehicle must remain submerged for a minimum of three days to minimize the risk of a new fire, making this solution very demanding. Furthermore, the use of a crane is required to lower the vehicle into the water, further complicating the implementation of this solution.

[0017] Another solution is to use fire blankets placed over the vehicle to smother the fire. However, installing such fire blankets requires the emergency response team to get very close to the vehicle, which is extremely dangerous given the potential for explosions in the traction battery in the event of a fire.

[0018] In an attempt to prevent a fire from starting, it is known to use a so-called "sniffer" system, designed to detect a release of hydrogen that occurs following the explosion of the battery when the battery pressure rises, the pressure rise being generated by the heating of the battery.

[0019] However, the time between the battery explosion and the vehicle catching fire is too short, preventing any action aimed at properly stopping the start of the fire.

[0020] Another solution, described in document KR20240114854A, concerns a fire prevention system for a charging station that could prevent a fire from occurring while an electric vehicle is charging. The system includes multiple infrared cameras installed in the parking lot floor that collect infrared images, a management server that uses the infrared images to determine the risk of fire to the charging electric vehicle, and a charger for charging the electric vehicle.

[0021] However, implementing such a system requires burying the infrared cameras.

[0022] Therefore, special preparation of the basement in which the infrared cameras are buried is necessary, making the installation of such a system complex.

[0023] Furthermore, burying cameras in the ground is not always possible. Typically, this is impossible in parking areas such as those found on ships, particularly cruise ships or roll-on / roll-off vessels, where it is impossible to excavate the ground to bury system components.

[0024] Furthermore, some car parks, particularly those of the type provided on cruise ships or roll-on / roll-off ships, do not have predetermined parking spaces, thus making the use of such a system incompatible with underground elements.

[0025] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and, to this end, relates to a system for detecting the overheating of a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle, remarkable in that it comprises: - at least one device for acquiring data representative of the temperatures of a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle, said data acquisition device comprising a housing designed to have a crush resistance exceeding approximately one ton and to be arranged on and above a surface on which said motor vehicle is likely to travel, and at least one thermal camera mounted in said housing, adapted to acquire thermal image data of said traction battery when said motor vehicle is located above said housing, - a controller, adapted to collect said data acquired by said at least one thermal camera, - a monitoring unit,designed to retrieve said data collected by said controller and programmed to send an alert trigger signal when said retrieved data is representative of a temperature rise in said traction battery beyond a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference within a specified time interval exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

[0026] Thus, providing an assembly comprising at least one data acquisition device including a housing designed to exhibit crush resistance exceeding approximately one ton and including at least one thermal camera mounted in said housing allows said at least one data acquisition device to be arranged directly on and above the ground, unlike prior art devices where infrared cameras are buried underground.

[0027] Thus, no special preparation of the basement is necessary thanks to the present invention, thereby greatly simplifying the installation of the assembly according to the invention.

[0028] The use of an assembly according to the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, indicated in car parks of the type provided on ships, especially cruise ships or ro-ro ships which do not have predetermined parking spaces.

[0029] Also, the data acquisition system according to the invention detects not a vehicle fire but an overheating of the traction battery and can be applied both when the vehicle is in the charging phase and when the vehicle is parked without charging necessarily being applied.

[0030] According to optional features of the detection assembly according to the invention: - in one embodiment, said assembly comprises at least one support interface designed to be fixed on and above a ground on which said vehicle is likely to move and to support said at least one data acquisition device, said support interface comprising a longitudinal hollow body; - in one embodiment, said at least one support interface comprises a cutout adapted to receive said at least one data acquisition device;- in one embodiment, said assembly comprises a closing plate having a central opening, said closing plate being fixed to a periphery of said cutout such that said closing plate at least partially covers the housing of said data acquisition device and such that said at least one thermal camera passes through said central opening and extends above said closing plate when said data acquisition device is received in said cutout; - in one embodiment, said assembly comprises a plurality of support interfaces assembled together; - in one embodiment, at least one of said support interfaces comprises a female connecting edge and a male connecting edge adapted to cooperate with said female connecting edge;- in one embodiment, said assembly comprises several data acquisition devices electrically connected in series directly with respect to each other; - in an alternative embodiment, said assembly comprises a plurality of electrical junction boxes, electrically connected in series with respect to each other, each of said electrical junction boxes supplying electrical power to at least two of said data acquisition devices; - in another alternative embodiment, said assembly comprises a plurality of magnetic connectors, electrically connected in series with respect to each other and each supplying power to one of said data acquisition devices;- in one embodiment, said assembly comprises a head unit arranged upstream of said at least one support interface, said head unit comprising a power supply electrically supplying said at least one data acquisition device, said controller consisting of a controller integrated into said head unit; - in one embodiment, said controller consists of a microcontroller integrated into said housing of said at least one data acquisition device; - in one embodiment, the housing of said data acquisition device is made of a magnetic material; - in one embodiment, the assembly comprises a cooling device adapted to spray at least one cooling solution towards the traction battery of said vehicle when said vehicle is above said housing;- in one embodiment, the assembly includes an image analysis device designed to detect the type of vehicle located above said housing, said monitoring unit being further programmed to send said alert trigger signal only when said vehicle detected by said image analysis device is an electric vehicle.;

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for detecting overheating of a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle implemented by a overheating detection assembly according to the invention, said method being remarkable in that it comprises the following steps aimed at: - acquiring thermal image data of said traction battery when said motor vehicle is above said housing, - retrieving said acquired thermal image data, - processing said retrieved data, - sending an alert trigger signal when said retrieved data is representative of a temperature rise of said traction battery beyond a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference in a determined time interval greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0032] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows, for understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] schematically represents the implementation of a heating detection system for a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0034] is a perspective view of a data acquisition device according to an example of an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] illustrates an example of how to mount the data acquisition device to the ground.

[0036] shows in top view the assembly formed by a support interface supporting the data acquisition device.

[0037] is a cross-sectional view along line VV of the.

[0038] is a perspective view of a closure plate intended to be fixed to the support interface.

[0039] is a perspective view of an example configuration of the assembly according to the invention.

[0040] schematically represents an example of the configuration of the assembly according to the invention.

[0041] shows a first example of electrical connection of a plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0042] shows a second example of electrical connection of a plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0043] shows a third example of electrical connection of a plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0044] shows the steps for implementing the heating detection process according to the invention.

[0045] In the following description, elements with an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0046] We refer to the diagram schematically demonstrating the implementation of a heating detection assembly 1 for a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0047] Assembly 1 according to the invention is designed to detect heating of a traction battery (not shown) of an electric motor vehicle 3.

[0048] In the context of the present invention, the term "motor vehicle" means a motorized land vehicle designed to travel on roads, in particular a private, utility or industrial vehicle.

[0049] The invention is not intended for application to railway vehicles, nor more generally to guided vehicles operating on rails or dedicated tracks, which have specific architectures and operating conditions distinct from those of road vehicles. Furthermore, their thermal constraints differ significantly from those of electric road vehicles.

[0050] For the sake of editorial simplification, the term "vehicle" may be used in the rest of the text to refer to a motor vehicle, namely a motorized land vehicle intended for road use.

[0051] The electric vehicle 3 can for example be of the "BEV" or "PHEV" type and includes a traction battery comprising a set of electrochemical units, or cells mounted in a battery tray mounted under the floor of a subframe 5 of the electric vehicle 3.

[0052] As an illustrative and non-limiting example, set 1 can equip car parks, public or private, open or covered, with or without predetermined parking spaces.

[0053] In one example of use of the invention, assembly 1 equips the car parks of roll-on / roll-off ships or cruise ships which generally do not have predetermined car parks.

[0054] Set 1 can be installed in a space equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, or in a space that is not equipped with them.

[0055] In another envisaged application of the invention, the assembly 1 can be installed in an enclosed space which can, for example, transport one or more vehicles 3, for example a container.

[0056] According to the invention, assembly 1 comprises at least one data acquisition device 7 representative of the temperatures of the traction battery of the electric vehicle 3.

[0057] The data acquisition device 7 includes a housing 9 designed to be arranged on and above a floor 11 on which the vehicle 3 moves.

[0058] The data acquisition device 7 also includes at least one thermal camera 13 (visible in the image) mounted in the housing 9. As is known, a thermal camera is a device designed to capture radiation of waves on the order of ten microns, representative of the temperature of the element generating these waves. Thus, a thermal camera generates images representative of the temperature of the filmed elements.

[0059] In the context of the invention, the thermal camera(s) 13 used in the data acquisition device 7 is / are adapted to acquire thermal image data of the traction battery of the vehicle 3 when the vehicle 3 is located above the housing 9, as shown in the illustration. Thus, the cameras are oriented upwards relative to the ground 11, that is, towards the floor of the vehicle 3 when the vehicle 3 is located above the housing 9.

[0060] Assembly 1 also includes a controller adapted to collect the data acquired by the thermal camera(s) 13. The controller can be integrated into the data acquisition device 7, in the form of a microcontroller, or, as will be seen in the rest of the description, can be remote relative to the data acquisition device 7.

[0061] Assembly 1 further includes a supervisory control unit 15 designed to retrieve the data collected by the controller and programmed, via software, to send an alert signal 17 when the retrieved data indicates a temperature rise in the traction battery above a predetermined threshold value. The alert signal 17 is therefore sent before a fire occurs in the traction battery and the vehicle 3.

[0062] The connection enabling communication between the controller and the supervisory unit 15 can be made by wired connection or by wireless connection, for example Wi-Fi.

[0063] For example, the predetermined threshold value could be approximately 60°C. Alternatively, the predetermined threshold value could be approximately 70°C.

[0064] Alternatively, the alert trigger signal 17 can be sent by the monitoring unit 15 when the retrieved data indicates a temperature difference over a specified time interval exceeding a predetermined threshold value. For example, a temperature increase exceeding approximately 5°C over a time interval of about one minute triggers the sending of the alert trigger signal 17.

[0065] The pre-fire alarm trigger signal 17 is sent to an alarm device 19 comprising an audible and / or visual alarm means, for example a siren and / or a lamp, for example an LED lamp.

[0066] The alert device 19 may include one or more alert modules which may be directly integrated into the data acquisition device 7 or, alternatively, be remote from the data acquisition device 7.

[0067] In one embodiment, the alert device 19 may include a module integrated into the supervision unit 15, in addition to or as an alternative to the integration of one or more other module(s) integrated within the data acquisition device 7 or remote from the data acquisition device 7.

[0068] As an alternative or in addition to sending the 17 signal for triggering a pre-fire alarm by means of visual and / or audible alert, the 17 signal for triggering an alarm can be transmitted to a supervisory device called "IAS", English acronym for "Integrated Automation System" for "integrated automation system" or to any other means of monitoring the place.

[0069] In one embodiment, the data acquisition device 7 can be powered by an electric battery. Alternatively, the data acquisition device 7 can be powered by batteries or connected to mains electricity.

[0070] We refer to laqui which is a perspective view of the data acquisition device 7 according to an example of implementation.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7 is designed to have a crush resistance exceeding approximately one ton. In another embodiment, the housing 9 is designed to have a crush resistance exceeding approximately ten tons.

[0072] In one design, the housing 9 can be made of stainless steel.

[0073] In one design, the enclosure has a protection rating of "IP68".

[0074] In one implementation, the housing 9 can be designed to meet the requirements of the "ATEX" ("Explosive Atmospheres") regulations.

[0075] The housing 9 comprises a set of side faces 21, a lower face 23 and a top face 25 arranged on either side of the set of side faces 21.

[0076] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the housing 9 has a truncated pyramid shape. However, other geometric shapes can be used.

[0077] When the case 9 has a geometric shape of a truncated pyramid, the case 9 has four lateral faces 21, the lower face 23 and the upper face 25.

[0078] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lower face 23 and the upper face 25 are parallel to each other. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the lower face 23 and the upper face 25 may not be parallel to each other.

[0079] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the upper face 25 is parallel to the floor 11 when the housing 9 is installed on the floor 11. According to an alternative not illustrated, the upper face 25 may not be parallel to the floor 11 when the housing 9 is installed on the floor 11.

[0080] The housing 9 has at least one opening 27 receiving a thermal camera lens 13. For example, the opening 27 can be arranged at one of the lateral faces 21 of the housing 9.

[0081] The housing 9 is adapted so that the thermal cameras 13 it contains can film the entire underbody 5 of the vehicle 3. For this purpose, the housing 9 can for example include four openings 27 and four thermal cameras 13. Each opening 27 is arranged on one of the lateral faces 21 and receives a lens of one of the four thermal cameras 13.

[0082] In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the data acquisition device 7 can be arranged on and above the ground 11, without being fixed to the ground. It is held in place by gravity, for example, by weighting the data acquisition device 7.

[0083] Alternatively, the data acquisition device 7 can be fixed to the ground 11.

[0084] In a first embodiment, the data acquisition device 7 can be fixed directly to the ground 11.

[0085] To achieve this, the housing 9 may, for example, include a mounting plate (not shown) capable of receiving a mechanical fixing element.

[0086] Alternatively, when the floor 11 is metallic, the data acquisition device 7 can be attached to the floor 11 by making the housing 9 from a magnetic material. This solution is particularly advantageous when the assembly 1 is used in ship parking areas, which are generally made of metal and do not typically have predetermined parking spaces. The fact that the housing 9 is made of a magnetic material allows for quick and easy deployment of the data acquisition devices 7 on the floor, enabling the rapid and on-demand creation of a grid on the parking area floor based on the geometric characteristics of the vehicles to be parked, notably to account for vehicle lengths and widths, which vary from one vehicle to another and from one vehicle type to another. In this way, such an assembly 1 secures the parking space while easily optimizing the parking area.

[0087] We refer to the demonstration of a second realization of the fixing of the data acquisition device 7 to the ground 11.

[0088] In a second embodiment of the fixing of the data acquisition device 7 to the ground 11, the data acquisition device 7 is fixed indirectly to the ground 11.

[0089] To do this, assembly 1 includes at least one support interface 29, designed to be fixed on and above the ground 11 and to support the data acquisition device 7.

[0090] By convention, and without limitation, we will adopt longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the support interface 29.

[0091] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support interface 29 comprises a longitudinal hollow body 31, advantageously generating a volume inside the support interface 29, which allows the passage of cables, in particular electrical cables for supplying the data acquisition device(s) 7 and / or electrical cables for data transfer with the data acquisition device(s) 7. In this way, when the support interface 29 is fixed to the ground 11, the electrical cables are protected by the support interface 29, thus facilitating the implementation of the assembly 1.

[0092] Providing such a support interface 29 further simplifies the implementation of assembly 1, as the electrical cables are routed directly into the support interface 29. No additional device for concealing the electrical cables is then required.

[0093] The presence of such a support interface 29 makes the assembly 1 easily demountable and modular, facilitating its installation, removal, or adaptation to different types of parking facilities. This modularity applies both to parking facilities equipped with charging stations and to those without, for example, parking facilities on ships, where space and access constraints may be particularly challenging, especially when no modification of the ground (drilling, trenching, sealing, etc.) is possible, whether due to the nature of the support, such as a metal bridge, a raised floor, or a waterproof coating, or due to regulatory requirements mandating a reversible installation. In this case, the support interface 29 ensures the stability and support of the assembly 1 while allowing for rapid deployment without altering the existing infrastructure.

[0094] The support interface 29 can, for example, be made of a thermoplastic material, for example a material designated by the acronym "TPR" ("Thermo-propylene rubber"). The support interface has a crush resistance of at least approximately 20 tonnes.

[0095] We refer to the top view of the assembly formed by a support interface 29 supporting the data acquisition device 7 and to the one which is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of the.

[0096] In the embodiment shown, the fixing of the support interface 29 to the ground 11 is carried out via fixing holes 33 receiving fixing elements (not shown).

[0097] Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown in the figures, the mounting of the support interface 29 to the floor 11 can be achieved by means of a magnetic fastening device integrated into the support interface 29. This is particularly advantageous when the assembly 1 is used in ship parking areas, allowing for quick and easy deployment of the support interfaces 29 to the floor 11. As is the case when the data acquisition device 7 is mounted to the floor 11 by making the housing 9 from a magnetic material, this allows for the rapid and on-demand creation of a parking floor grid based on the geometric characteristics of the vehicles to be parked. This accommodates the varying lengths and widths of vehicles, both from one vehicle to another and from one vehicle type to another. This secures the parking space while easily optimizing the parking area.In addition, the electrical cables are now routed directly into the support interface 29, which avoids the need for an additional device to conceal the electrical cables if necessary.

[0098] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support interface 29 has a cutout 35 adapted to receive the data acquisition device 7.

[0099] The cut 35 is made from an upper face 37 of the support interface 29. The cut 35 extends transversely relative to the support interface 29, that is to say in the thickness of the support interface 29.

[0100] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support interface 29 has a trapezoidal cross-section. However, other cross-sections can be used, including a semi-circular cross-section.

[0101] According to an optional arrangement of the invention, the assembly 1 comprises a closing plate 39 fixed on a perimeter 41 of the cutout 35 of the support interface 29 and covering at least partially the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7.

[0102] The closing plate 39 has a central opening 43, more clearly visible in the one to which reference is also made in addition to the reference made to the one, and showing the closing plate 39 in perspective.

[0103] The closing plate 39 has a flat face 45 extending over the periphery of the central opening 43 in a substantially horizontal plane when the closing plate 39 is mounted in the support interface 29.

[0104] When the data acquisition device 7 is received in the cutout 35, the thermal camera(s) 13 pass through the central opening 43 and extend over the closing plate 39.

[0105] The fixing of the closing plate 39 on the perimeter 41 of the cutout 35 can for example be achieved by means of fixing elements, for example fixing screws 47 received in fixing holes 49 made in the face 45 of the closing plate 39.

[0106] The presence of the closing plate 39 makes it possible to fill the space between the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7 and an inner wall 51 of the cutout 35, which further reinforces the peripheral area of ​​the cutout 35 arranged between the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7 and the support interface 29. Also, filling the space E defined between the housing 9 and the inner wall 51 of the cutout 35 helps to protect the support interface against the introduction of unwanted external elements, including dust, water, leaves, etc.

[0107] In one embodiment, a sealing gasket can be arranged between the closing plate 39 and the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7. In this way, the water seal between the closing plate 39 and the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7 is reinforced.

[0108] In the illustrated embodiment, the end plate 39 has a flange 53 extending inside the cutout 35 when the end plate 39 is mounted on the support interface 29. The flange 53 extends downwards along the face 45 when the end plate 39 is mounted on the support interface 29. This allows it to penetrate at least partially inside the cutout 35, thereby limiting the longitudinal movement of the end plate 39 and thus reducing the stress on the fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 53 extends around the entire perimeter of the face 45.

[0109] We refer to the diagram showing an example of the configuration of set 1 seen in perspective.

[0110] In one embodiment of the invention, assembly 1 comprises a plurality of support interfaces 29 assembled together.

[0111] In the illustrated embodiment, the support interfaces 29 are assembled together via a connection interface 55. Unlike the support interface 29, the connection interface 55 does not have a cutout 35 adapted to receive the data acquisition device 7. The connection interface 55 does, however, have a longitudinal hollow body generating a volume inside the connection interface 55 allowing the passage of cables.

[0112] In an alternative embodiment not shown, two support interfaces 29 are assembled directly together, i.e. that assembly 1 does not include a connection interface 55.

[0113] The assembly of the support interfaces 29 defines a network that allows for the structuring of a parking space. The presence or absence of the connection interfaces 55 is determined, in particular, by the dimensions of the area to be covered. In this way, the positioning of the support interfaces 29 on the ground is made modular, which further improves the grid based on the geometric characteristics of the vehicles to be parked.

[0114] The assembly of support interfaces 29 together defines a support rail for the data acquisition devices 7, due to the geometric shape defined by the support interfaces 29 once assembled.

[0115] We refer again to the. According to one arrangement, at least one of the support interfaces 29 has a female connecting edge 57 and a male connecting edge 59 adapted to cooperate with the female connecting edge 57.

[0116] This makes it even easier to assemble the support interfaces 29 together, either directly with each other, or indirectly through the connection interfaces 55.

[0117] In the second scenario, the connection interfaces 55 also include a male connection edge and a female connection edge, cooperating respectively with the female connection edge 57 and with the male connection edge 59 of the support interface 29.

[0118] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the female connecting edges 57 and male connecting edges 59 are respectively arranged at the longitudinal ends 61, 63 of the support interface 29. According to an arrangement of the invention not shown in the figures, the support interface 29 may have male / female connecting edges at the transverse ends 65, which further improves the meshing of the space to be monitored.

[0119] We refer to the diagram showing schematically an example of the configuration of set 1.

[0120] In the embodiment example illustrated in the figure, set 1 comprises a plurality of rows 67, each comprising a plurality of support interfaces 29 assembled together.

[0121] According to one arrangement of the invention, assembly 1 comprises a head unit 69 arranged upstream of each of the support interfaces 29.

[0122] The head unit 69 includes a power supply 71, electrically supplying the data acquisition devices 7 via power supply cables 73.

[0123] The head unit 69 also receives a controller 75, which is thus remote relative to the data acquisition device 7, and capable of transferring data with the data acquisition device(s) 7 via electrical data transfer cables 77.

[0124] As represented by the dotted line, the controllers 75 of the head units 69 communicate with the supervisory center 15, by wired or wireless connection, for example Wi-Fi.

[0125] Reference is made to figures 9 to 11, which illustrate examples of electrical connection of data acquisition devices 7.

[0126] In the first example of implementation illustrated in the figure, several data acquisition devices 7 are electrically connected in series directly to each other.

[0127] For this purpose, the power supply cable 73 connects the power supply 71 of the head unit 69 to the first data acquisition device 7, then each of the data acquisition devices 7 is connected to the previous data acquisition device 7 by the power supply cable 73.

[0128] Similarly, the electrical data transfer cable 77 connects the controller 75 of the head unit 69 to the first data acquisition device 7, and then each of the data acquisition devices 7 is connected to the previous data acquisition device 7 by the electrical data transfer cable 77.

[0129] In the second embodiment illustrated in the figure, assembly 1 comprises 79 electrical junction boxes electrically connected in series with respect to each other.

[0130] For this purpose, the power supply cable 73 connects the power supply 71 of the head unit 69 to the first electrical junction box 79, then each of the electrical junction boxes 79 is connected to the previous electrical junction box 79 by the power supply cable 73.

[0131] Similarly, the electrical data transfer cable 77 connects the controller 75 of the head unit 69 to the first electrical junction box 79, and then each of the electrical junction boxes 79 is connected to the previous electrical junction box 79 by the electrical data transfer cable 77.

[0132] Each electrical junction box 79 electrically supplies at least two of the data acquisition devices 7, i.e. each of the electrical power supply cables 73 and data transfer cables 77 connects each electrical junction box 79 to two data acquisition devices 7.

[0133] This electrical setup allows one or more of the data acquisition devices 7 to be disconnected without disconnecting the others. This enables simple and quick maintenance operations to be carried out on one or more of the data acquisition devices 7 without a complete interruption of the entire system 1.

[0134] In the third embodiment illustrated in the figure, set 1 comprises a plurality of magnetic connectors 81 electrically connected in series with respect to each other.

[0135] For this purpose, the power supply cable 73 connects the power supply 71 of the head unit 69 to the first magnetic connector 81, then each of the magnetic connectors 81 is connected to the previous magnetic connector 81 by the power supply cable 73.

[0136] Similarly, the electrical data transfer cable 77 connects the controller 75 of the head unit 69 to the first magnetic connector 81, and then each of the magnetic connectors 81 is connected to the previous magnetic connector 81 by the electrical data transfer cable 77.

[0137] Each magnetic connector 81 powers each one data acquisition device 7.

[0138] The presence of the magnetic connectors 81 allows for an electrical bridging of the power supply cables 73, so that one of the data acquisition devices 7 can be disconnected without disconnecting the others, allowing here also for simple and quick maintenance operations to be carried out on one or more of the data acquisition devices 7 without total interruption of the assembly 1.

[0139] According to an optional provision of the invention applicable to all embodiments of the invention, assembly 1 may include a cooling device (not shown) adapted to spray a cooling solution at least towards the traction battery of vehicle 3 when vehicle 3 is located above the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7. The cooling device may be activated simultaneously with or after the sending of the alert trigger signal 17. The cooling device may, for example, be installed on the ground, for example near the data acquisition device 7, under vehicle 3 when vehicle 3 is located above the housing 9.

[0140] According to another optional embodiment of the invention, assembly 1 may include an image analysis device (not shown) designed to detect the type of vehicle located above the housing 9 of the data acquisition device 7. In this case, the monitoring unit 15 is programmed to send the alert trigger signal 17 only when the vehicle 3 detected by the image analysis device is an electric vehicle. This prevents the erroneous triggering of an alert if a measurement were taken on a heat-producing component of an internal combustion engine vehicle, such as the exhaust pipe. The image analysis device may, for example, employ a trained artificial intelligence algorithm to determine whether the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle or an electric vehicle.The image analysis system may include one or more camera(s) mounted, for example, above the vehicle, for example on the ceiling.

[0141] We refer to the diagram showing the steps for carrying out the heating detection process according to the invention implemented by assembly 1 according to the invention.

[0142] The heating detection method according to the invention comprises the following steps aimed at: - step E1: acquiring thermal image data of the traction battery when the vehicle 3 is above the housing 9, - step E2: retrieving the acquired thermal image data: step E2 is executed by the supervisory unit 15 after data collection by the controller, which may be the microcontroller integrated into the data acquisition device 7 or the controller 75 integrated into the head unit 69, - step E3: processing the retrieved images: step E3 is executed by the supervisory unit 15 or by a server to which the supervisory unit 15 is connected,- Step E4: Send the alert trigger signal 17 when the retrieved data indicates a rise in traction battery temperature above a predetermined threshold value or a temperature difference within a specified time interval exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

[0143] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this heating detection assembly for a traction battery of an electric vehicle and of this heating detection method implemented by such an assembly, described above only as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Assembly (1) for detecting the heating of a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle (3), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one data acquisition device (7) for representative temperatures of a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle (3), said data acquisition device (7) comprising a housing (9) designed to have a crush resistance greater than approximately one tonne and to be arranged on and above a floor (11) on which said electric motor vehicle (3) is likely to travel, and at least one thermal camera (13) mounted in said housing (9), adapted to acquire thermal image data of said traction battery when said electric motor vehicle (3) is located above said housing (9), - a controller, adapted to collect said data acquired by said at least one thermal camera (13), - a monitoring unit (15),designed to retrieve said data collected by said controller and programmed to send an alert trigger signal (17) when said retrieved data is representative of a temperature rise in said traction battery above a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference within a specified time interval exceeding a predetermined threshold value. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one support interface (29) designed to be fixed on and above a floor (11) on which said electric vehicle (3) is capable of moving and to support said at least one data acquisition device (7), said support interface (29) comprising a longitudinal hollow body (31). Assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one support interface (29) has a cutout (35) adapted to receive said at least one data acquisition device (7). Assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a closing plate (39) having a central opening (43), said closing plate (39) being fixed on a periphery (41) of said cutout (35) such that said closing plate (39) covers at least partially the housing (9) of said data acquisition device (7) and such that said at least one thermal camera (13) passes through said central opening (43) and extends over said closing plate (39) when said data acquisition device (7) is received in said cutout (35). Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of support interfaces (29) assembled together. Assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of said support interfaces (29) comprises a female connecting edge (57) and a male connecting edge adapted (59) to cooperate with said female connecting edge (57). Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises several data acquisition devices (7) electrically connected in series directly with respect to each other. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of electrical junction boxes (79), electrically connected in series with respect to each other, each of said electrical junction boxes (79) electrically supplying at least two of said data acquisition devices (7). Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of magnetic connectors (81), electrically connected in series with respect to each other and each supplying one of said data acquisition devices (7). Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a head unit (69) arranged upstream of said at least one support interface (29), said head unit (69) comprising a power supply (71) electrically supplying said at least one data acquisition device (7), said assembly (1) being further characterized in that said controller consists of a controller (75) integrated into said head unit (69). Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said controller consists of a microcontroller integrated into said housing (9) of said at least one data acquisition device (7). Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the housing (9) of said data acquisition device (7) is made of a magnetic material. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a refrigeration device adapted to spray a refrigeration solution at least towards the traction battery of said electric vehicle (3) when said electric vehicle (3) is above said housing (9). Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises an image analysis device designed to detect the type of vehicle located above said housing (9), said supervisory unit (15) being further programmed to send said alert trigger signal (17) only when said vehicle detected by said image analysis device is an electric vehicle. Method for detecting overheating of a traction battery of an electric motor vehicle (3) implemented by an assembly (1) of overheating detection according to any one of claims 1 to 14, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps aimed at:- acquiring (step E1) thermal image data of said traction battery when said electric motor vehicle (3) is above said housing (9),- retrieving (step E2) said acquired thermal image data,- processing (step E3) said retrieved data,- sending (step E4) an alert trigger signal (17) when said retrieved data are representative of a temperature rise of said traction battery beyond a predetermined threshold value or of a temperature difference in a determined time interval greater than a predetermined threshold value.

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