Tubular connector and assembly comprising a temperature control device for cooling electrical energy storage members and a tubular connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a tubular collector (1) for fluidically connecting two temperature control devices together, the connector comprising two tubular elements (2) each comprising a flange (21), the tubular elements being connected to one another by a flexible part (3), which is more flexible than the tubular elements, the flexible part being arranged between the tubular elements and forming a tube with the tubular elements, which tube is configured for a fluid to pass therethrough, the flexible part is made in one piece, a first portion of the flexible part (31) being in contact with only a portion of the outer wall (22) of the tubular elements, a second portion of the flexible element (32) is in contact with only a portion of the inner wall of the rigid elements, and a third portion (33), referred to as a central portion, connects the two tubular elements together to form the tube.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title of the invention ■ Tubular connector and assembly comprising a thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage organs and a tubular connector.

[0003] The present invention relates to the fields of thermodynamics and mechanics, and more specifically concerns a connector for a thermal regulation device for an electrical energy storage system.

[0004] Such electrical energy storage systems are notably used in electric or hybrid vehicles, which are equipped, in addition to their auxiliary batteries for powering their onboard systems, with high-voltage batteries, ranging from 200 to 800 volts, primarily to power their electric traction motors and other high-voltage devices. These high-voltage electrical energy storage systems are generally composed of electrical energy storage units, also called electrical energy storage cells, electrically grouped into battery packs, for example, located under the vehicle floor.

[0005] Given the power output of these high-voltage energy storage systems, thermal management devices are necessary to cool the energy storage components within them, as excessive temperature increases can damage them to the point of destruction. These thermal management devices can also be useful for warming the energy storage components when their temperature is too low, for example, when starting vehicles in very cold weather, since their performance at low temperatures is generally insufficient for optimal vehicle operation.

[0006] Figure 1 shows an example of such an electrical energy storage system 100, equipped with thermal regulation devices 10, operating in a fluid circuit known as "U-flow". The electrical energy storage system 100 is a battery pack consisting of electrical energy storage cells 101 arranged in rows along a transverse direction Y, orthogonal to a longitudinal direction X of the largest dimension of the battery pack, along which several rows of cells are arranged. Each cell extends along a vertical direction Z orthogonal to the transverse dimension Y and the longitudinal dimension X.

[0007] In this battery pack, each row of cells is separated from the other rows of cells by a thermal regulation device. Each thermal regulation device is traversed by a heat transfer fluid which, depending on the needs, can either absorb the heat emitted by the cells to cool them or supply them with heat if their temperature is too low, for optimal operation of the battery pack as mentioned previously.

[0008] The heat transfer fluid enters each thermal control device via a collection box. The collection boxes of the thermal control devices are connected to each other by pipes as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0009] The collection box has tubing protruding from a collection chamber, arranged coaxially on either side of a first collection chamber fluidically connected to the first tube 6 and the second tube 8.

[0010] As illustrated by the flow arrows in Figure 1, the heat transfer fluid enters the battery pack at the first thermal regulation device via an inlet pipe, connected to a first collection box associated with this first thermal regulation device. From this first collection box, part of the heat transfer fluid enters the first tube 6 associated with this first thermal regulation device, and the other part of the heat transfer fluid returns to an adjacent first collection box associated with a neighboring thermal regulation device.The portion of the heat transfer fluid entering the first tube 6 flows through it and then circulates in the second tube 8 of the first thermal regulation device 10, passing through the associated return box, before exiting into the second collection box and being discharged via an outlet pipe from this second collection box, which is connected to a fluid outlet of the battery pack. The other thermal regulation devices are traversed by the heat transfer fluid in a similar manner.

[0011] Other similar systems are known, notably with a fluid circuit called "Lflow" in which the return boxes at the end of the tube are replaced by other collection boxes and tubing similar to those described previously. In both cases, in practice, as the number of cell rows in the battery pack increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to fit the collection box tubing into each other in a leak-proof manner, since manufacturing and assembly tolerances mean that the tubing of adjacent collection boxes is not perfectly coaxial. However, it is desirable not to add further constraints to the assembly of the thermal regulation devices on the cell rows, particularly through specific positioning methods for the thermal regulation devices.

[0012] There is therefore a need for thermal regulation devices that can be assembled with a large tolerance for the positioning of one thermal regulation device relative to an adjacent regulation device, while ensuring good sealing between these thermal regulation devices.

[0013] The present invention aims to remedy at least in part the disadvantages of the prior art, by providing a thermal regulation device which allows a simplified assembly of an electrical energy storage system and with a high tolerance to positioning errors.

[0014] To this end, the invention proposes a tubular connector for fluidly connecting two thermal regulation devices of an electrical energy storage system, each comprising a fluid tube, the connector comprising:

[0015] - two tubular elements, each comprising a flange, and each having an inner wall and an outer wall, the tubular elements being connected to each other by a flexible part, more flexible than the tubular elements, the flexible part being disposed between the tubular elements and forming with them a tube configured to be traversed by a fluid,

[0016] The connector is characterized in that the flexible part is a single piece, with a first portion of the flexible part in contact with only a portion of the outer wall of the tubular elements, a second portion of the flexible part in contact with only a portion of the inner wall of the tubular elements forming the flange, and a third portion, called the central portion, connecting the two tubular elements to form the tube. Thanks to the invention, the thermal regulation device according to the invention offers a wide tolerance for the positioning of the tubing between two opposing thermal regulation devices according to the invention. In other words, these tubing may be non-coaxial to within a few millimeters. Furthermore, the connector's structure allows for easy manufacturing while readily meeting the necessary rigidity, pressure, and flexibility requirements.

[0017] The flexible section ensures a watertight seal between the tubes, as does the management of any misalignment between them. The rigid elements of the connector provide pressure and rigidity constraints, as well as facilitated and reliable connection.

[0018] It is understood that a portion of the inner wall of the tubular element forms part of the opening of the tubular connector. This portion of the inner wall forming the opening is called the tubular part, the inner wall also partially forming the flange.

[0019] According to a particular feature of the invention, the tubular elements include through orifices, preferably at the base of the collar, the flexible part passing through the collar of the tubular elements by these orifices.

[0020] The collar is formed in particular at one end of each tubular element, especially at the ends of tubular elements facing each other.

[0021] According to a particular feature of the invention, the flexible part is overmolded onto a portion of the external and internal walls of the tubular elements.

[0022] This advantageously facilitates the production of the connector by allowing a single overmolding step to form the entire connector, thanks to its reduced number of components and despite its complex shape.

[0023] According to a particular feature of the invention, the first portion of the flexible part disposed on a portion of the external wall of at least one of the tubular elements has shapes chosen from grooves, ribs or ridges configured to be in contact with the tubing of a device when connecting the connector and said device so as to form a sealing means.

[0024] These shapes are in contact with the inner diameter of the tubing of the devices to be connected. Their number and height can vary depending on factors such as the required level of sealing, as having several successive grooves ensures better sealing quality, the geometric tolerance or surface finish of the inner wall of the tubing of the regulating device, and misalignment of the parts during assembly.

[0025] Indeed, it should be noted that this portion acts as a means of sealing which improves the management of misalignment of parts which is also managed by the central portion of the connector which should deform to absorb the misalignment.

[0026] Advantageously, this ultimately allows for a part that performs both the sealing function of the connection on the external wall of each rigid element, and the tolerance function through flexibility thanks to the central portion of the flexible part connecting the two rigid elements.

[0027] According to one particular feature of the invention, at least a portion of the collar of the tubular elements, in particular the portion formed by the outer wall of the tubular elements, is left free,

[0028] According to a particular feature of the invention, at least a portion of the internal wall of the tubular elements, in particular the portion forming part of the light of the tubular connector, is left free.

[0029] According to a particular feature of the invention, the flange of the tubular elements is configured to form a stop when a tube of a thermal regulation device is inserted into the tubular connector

[0030] Advantageously, this allows the connection to be made against a female tube of the device being connected, while the connector acts as the male tube, being inserted until the device's tube butts up against the connector's flange. Advantageously, the flexible portion covering the outer wall of the tubular elements seals the connection between the connector and the device's tube.

[0031] Advantageously, the tubular elements give a certain “stiffness” to the whole, essential for gripping by the operator, assembly on the device (manually, semi-automatically or automatically) and the flexible part allows the connector to deform to absorb the misalignment between two tube cooling devices to be connected.

[0032] In some embodiments, the tubular connector has an oblong tube shape, particularly at its internal perimeter. Similarly, the tubing of the device also has an oblong shape.

[0033] This advantageously allows for the connection of a greater number of channels present in the tube of a thermal regulation device.

[0034] In some embodiments, each of the tubular elements of the connector is configured to receive a female tube from a device, in particular from the collection box of a device, with an axial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters.

[0035] According to a particular feature of the invention, the central portion of the flexible part has folds.

[0036] These folds advantageously give the tubular connector a certain flexibility and allow it to deform easily in order to meet assembly constraints, particularly in the case of misalignment.

[0037] Thus, in certain embodiments, the flexible part, particularly the overmolded part, has a bellows shape in its central part between the two ends of the connector formed by the tubular elements.

[0038] The number of folds and their shape are of course linked to the need to compensate for misalignment to be made up between the exchangers to be connected.

[0039] The flexible part is obtained by overmolding onto the rigid part. It can be made of elastomer material (EPDM, nitrile, for example) or TPE / TPU and any other polymer material compatible with the coolant and resistant to the temperature constraints of the environment.

[0040] The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a thermal regulation device for an electrical energy storage system, comprising: - a tube having at least one fluid circulation channel, - a fluid collection box into which the circulation channel opens, the collection box having a fluid inlet tube and a fluid outlet tube,

[0041] and a tubular connector as described above, inserted into at least one, preferably one into each, of the device's fluid inlet or outlet tubing.

[0042] According to a particular feature of the invention, the assembly as described above further comprises a second thermal regulation device, in which each of the tubular elements of the connector is connected to a tube of one of the two devices, in particular of the collection box of each of the devices, preferably with an axial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters.

[0043] The present invention also relates to an electrical energy storage system comprising a plurality of electrical energy storage elements, at least one assembly as described above, in which the tubes of the thermal regulation devices are arranged against rows of the plurality of storage elements.

[0044] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a tubular connector as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0045] - Supply of two tubular elements having at least one, preferably a plurality of through-holes in their wall,

[0046] - Overmolding of the two tubular elements with a flexible material, in particular an elastomer, forming the flexible part of the connector, during the same operation so as to link them together, the elastomer thus overmolded flowing through at least one, preferably the plurality of through holes present on the walls of the tubular elements, to only partially cover the inner wall and the outer wall of the two tubular elements.

[0047] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0048] - Supply of a manifold as described above, - Welding of the outer wall of a tubular element of the connector onto the inlet or outlet of fluid of a thermal control device for an electrical energy storage system, comprising a tube having at least one fluid circulation channel, and a fluid collection box into which the circulation channel opens, the collection box having a fluid inlet tube and a fluid outlet tube.

[0049] In some embodiments, the thermal regulation devices each include a collection box which carries the female tubes of the thermal regulation devices, the collection boxes being in particular aligned opposite each other.

[0050] The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage system comprising a plurality of electrical energy storage organs and a plurality of thermal regulation devices according to the invention, wherein the tubes of the thermal regulation devices are arranged against rows of the plurality of storage organs, the collection boxes of the thermal regulation devices being arranged facing each other.

[0051] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0052] [fig 1] already discussed in relation to the prior art, is a perspective view of an electrical energy storage system according to the prior art, equipped with thermal regulation devices,

[0053] [fig 2] is a perspective view of two thermal regulation devices connected by a tubular connector according to a first embodiment,

[0054] [fig 3] represents, in perspective, a tubular connector according to the first embodiment,

[0055] [fig 4] is a cross-sectional view of the tubular connector according to the first embodiment along axis A-A,

[0056] [Fig. 5] is a cross-sectional view of the tubular connector according to a second embodiment, [Fig. 6] is a cross-sectional view of the tubular connector according to a third embodiment.

[0057] [fig 7] is a cross-sectional view of the tubular connector according to the first embodiment along the BB axis,

[0058] [fig 8] is a schematic view of a detail of the tubular connector according to one variant embodiment,

[0059] [fig 9] is a cross-sectional view of a tubular connector according to a fourth embodiment.

[0060] In the detailed description that follows, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention may be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0061] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0062] As a reminder, the invention relates to a tubular connector (1) for fluidly connecting together two thermal regulation devices (10) of an electrical energy storage system (100), each comprising a fluid tube (11), the connector (1) comprising two tubular elements (2), each comprising a flange (21), and each having an inner wall and an outer wall, the tubular elements (2) being connected to each other by a flexible part (3), more flexible than the tubular elements (2), the flexible part (3) being disposed between the tubular elements (2) and forming with them a tube configured to be traversed by a fluid, the connector (1) being characterized in that the flexible part (3) is monobloc, a first portion (31) of the flexible part (3) being in contact with only a portion of the outer wall of the tubular elements (2),a second portion (32) of the flexible element (3) is in contact with only a portion of the inner wall of the tubular elements (2) forming the collar (21), and a third portion (33), called the central portion, connects the two tubular elements (2) to each other to form said tube.

[0063] It is understood that a portion of the inner wall of the tubular element (2) forms part of the opening of the tubular connector (1). This portion of the inner wall forming the opening is the so-called tubular part, the inner wall also partially forming the collar (21).

[0064] This tubular connector is designed to connect two thermal control devices in an electrical energy storage system, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows only one tubular connector, but in the control system there is indeed one connector for each pair of facing thermal control device tubing, i.e., two in this case. The devices form part of an electrical energy storage system that also includes electrical energy storage components (not shown), specifically cells such as those mentioned in Figure 1, which are cooled or heated by a plurality of thermal control devices with tubes interposed between the rows of cells. Figure 2 shows two adjacent thermal control devices.

[0065] In this embodiment, the tubing of the devices is female tubing whose inner wall comes into contact with the connector seal to allow the connection to be sealed.

[0066] In Figure 2, the cooling tubes of the devices are shown as flat, but they can be corrugated to improve contact between the tubes and cylindrical battery cells. Similarly, other types of tube-based thermal regulation devices can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. By way of non-limiting example, the devices can form U-shaped coolers, where the cooling fluid flows through a tube in one direction, then makes a U-turn at the end of the tube to return through the adjacent tube. Conversely, the devices can form I-shaped coolers, where the cooling fluid flows in a parallel direction between all the tubes, each tube having a fitting at its end to supply or discharge the fluid flowing through it.

[0067] In some embodiments, the tubular elements (2) include through orifices (25), preferably at the base of the collar (21), the flexible part (3) passing through the collar (21) of the tubular elements (2) by these orifices.

[0068] The collar (21) is formed in particular at one end of each tubular element (2), in particular at the ends of the tubular elements (2) facing each other.

[0069] In some embodiments, the flexible part (3) is overmolded onto a portion of the external and internal walls of the tubular elements (2).

[0070] This advantageously facilitates the production of the connector (1) by allowing a single overmolding step to form the entire connector (1), thanks to its reduced number of components and despite its complex shape.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first portion (31) of the flexible part (3) disposed on a portion of the external wall of at least one of the tubular elements (2) has shapes chosen from grooves, ribs or ridges configured to be in contact with the tubing (11) of a device (10) when connecting the connector (1) and said device (10) so as to form a sealing means.

[0072] Thus, according to certain embodiments of the invention as represented by way of example in Figure 3, the tubular connector includes grooves, in particular three, on the external wall of at least one, here each of the tubular elements intended to be in contact with the tubing of a thermal regulation device.

[0073] In other embodiments, the tubular connector includes a single gusset, or two.

[0074] This advantageously ensures a good seal for the whole assembly.

[0075] These shapes are in contact with the inner diameter of the tubing (11) of the devices (10) to be connected. Their number and height can vary depending on, in particular, the level of sealing required, as having several successive grooves ensures better sealing quality, the geometric tolerance or surface finish of the inner wall of the tubing (11) of the regulating device (10), and the misalignment of the parts during assembly.

[0076] Indeed, it should be noted that this portion acts as a means of sealing which improves the management of misalignment of parts which is also managed by the central portion (33) of the connector (1) which should deform to absorb the misalignment fault.

[0077] Advantageously, this ultimately allows for a part that performs both the sealing function of the connection on the external wall of each rigid element (2), and the tolerance function through flexibility thanks to the central portion (33) of the flexible part (3) connecting the two rigid elements (2).

[0078] At least a portion of the flange (21) of the tubular elements (2), specifically the portion formed by the outer wall of the tubular elements (2), is left free. At least a portion of the inner wall of the tubular elements (2), specifically the portion forming part of the lumen of the tubular connector (1), is left free. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the tubular connector in which the two rigid elements connected by a flexible portion can be seen. This flexible portion allows for the management of alignment and connection constraints between two tubes of thermal control devices.

[0079] The through-holes (25), or windows (25), through which the flexible part passes through the rigid elements are not shown here.

[0080] Figure 5 shows a similar cross-sectional view according to another embodiment which includes grooves on the central part of the flexible section located between the two rigid sections, on the outer wall of said flexible section. This advantageously allows for greater control of the deformation of the central area compared to the other areas when it is subjected to pressure.

[0081] In some embodiments, the flange (21) of the tubular elements (2) is configured to form a stop when a tube (11) of a thermal control device (10) is inserted into the tubular connector (1). Advantageously, this allows the connection to be supported by a female tube of the device (10), while the connector (1) acts as a male tube, being inserted until the tube (11) of the device (10) butts against the flange (21) of the connector (1). Advantageously, the flexible portion (3) covering the outer wall of the tubular elements (2) seals the connection between the connector (1) and the tube (11) of the device (10).

[0082] Advantageously, the tubular elements (2) give a certain “hold” to the whole, essential for gripping by the operator, assembly on the device (10) (manually, semi-automatically or automatically) and the flexible part (3) allows the connector (1) to deform to absorb the misalignment between two tube cooling devices to be connected.

[0083] In some embodiments, the tubular connector (1) has an oblong tube shape, particularly at its internal perimeter. Similarly, the tubing (11) of the device (10) also has an oblong shape.

[0084] This advantageously allows a greater number of channels present in the tube (12) of a thermal regulation device (10) to be connected.

[0085] In some embodiments, each of the tubular elements (2) of the connector (1) is configured to receive a female tube from a device (10), in particular from the collection box of a device (10), with an axial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters. In some embodiments, the central portion (33) of the flexible part (3) has pleats (34).

[0086] These folds (34) advantageously allow the tubular connector (1) to have a certain flexibility and allow it to be easily deformed in order to meet assembly constraints, particularly in the case of a misalignment.

[0087] Thus, in certain embodiments of the invention, as illustrated by way of example in Figure 6, the central part of the flexible section, located between the two rigid sections, has a number of folds, which advantageously allows for greater flexibility of the flexible section in this central area, compared to other areas, without requiring a different material. This facilitates the design constraints of the connector. In certain embodiments, the flexible section (3), particularly when overmolded, has a bellows-like shape in its central part (33) between the two ends of the connector (1) formed by the tubular elements (2).

[0088] The number of folds (34) and its shape are of course linked to the need to compensate for misalignment to be made up between the exchangers to be connected.

[0089] The flexible part (3) is obtained by overmolding onto the rigid part. It can be made of elastomer material (EPDM, nitrile, for example) or TPE / TPU and any other polymer material compatible with the coolant and resistant to the temperature constraints of the environment.

[0090] The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a thermal regulation device (10) for an electrical energy storage system (100), comprising a tube (12) having at least one fluid circulation channel, a fluid collection box into which the circulation channel opens, the collection box having a fluid inlet tube (11) and a fluid outlet tube (11), and a tubular connector (1) as described above, inserted into at least one, preferably one in each, of the fluid inlet or outlet tubes (11) of the device (10).

[0091] In some embodiments, an assembly as described above further includes a second thermal regulation device (10), in which each of the tubular elements (2) of the connector (1) is connected to a tube (11) of one of the two devices (10), in particular of the collection box of each of the devices (10), preferably with an axial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters.

[0092] Some embodiments include an electrical energy storage system (100) comprising a plurality of electrical energy storage elements (101), at least one set as described above, in which the tubes (12) of the thermal control devices (10) are arranged against rows of the plurality of storage elements (101).

[0093] In some embodiments, the thermal regulation devices (10) each include a collection box which carries the female tubes of the thermal regulation devices (10), the collection boxes being in particular aligned opposite each other.

[0094] In certain embodiments of the invention, as illustrated by way of example in Figure 7, at least one of the rigid elements comprises a plurality of windows allowing the flexible part to pass through the rigid element. This advantageously enables the overmolding of the flexible part onto the rigid element(s) in a single step, forming a fixed assembly with a single-piece flexible part. The windows can be formed in various ways; for example, they can take the form of openings on the shoulder that acts as a stop for the tubing of a device, as shown in Figure 7, or they can, for example, take the form of a material recess along the entire skirt of the rigid element, with an opening formed at this recess between the shoulder and the skirt.

[0095] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the tubular connector is directly welded at one of its tubular elements, either through the outer wall as shown or through the inner wall (not shown), to a tube of a first device. The other tubular element is configured to contact a tube of a second device via the grooves formed by the flexible portion. The flexible portion may optionally, as shown, have a plurality of folds in its central section between the two tubular elements.

[0096] To ensure the flexible section remains attached to the tubular elements, it is necessary for the flexible section to pass through the tubular element that is welded to the tube. It can then be simply overmolded or actively incorporated into the weld.

[0097] Welding can be carried out for example by laser welding, ultrasound, vibration, hot plate, or equivalent.

[0098] The thermal regulation devices 10 each comprise at least one tube 12, shown here schematically and interposed, by being glued, between two rows of electrical energy storage elements. These tubes 12 each have channels for circulating a heat transfer fluid. Each thermal regulation device 10 includes a collection box into which the heat transfer fluid from the tube 12 flows. When the storage system is assembled, with the neighboring thermal regulation devices cooperating with each other, the tubes are all substantially coaxial, that is to say, aligned along the same direction, here a longitudinal direction X of the electrical energy storage system.

[0099] By "substantially coaxial," we mean that the tubes are coaxial with a radial tolerance of a few millimeters. This radial tolerance is expressed in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, that is, in the plane parallel to the transverse direction Y and to a vertical direction Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0100] The various elements of the thermal regulation devices according to the invention, such as tubes, collection boxes and tubing, are made of aluminum and / or plastic.

[0101] As described above through several examples of implementation, the present invention achieves its objectives, namely, in the case of the assembly of male and female tubes of different neighboring thermal regulation devices within an electrical energy storage system, with these thermal regulation devices which are glued between electrical energy storage cells, to ensure a leak-proof assembly taking into account manufacturing and assembly clearances.

[0102] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. (Legend)

[0103] 1. Tubular connector

[0104] 2. tubular element

[0105] 3. Flexible part

[0106] 6. First tube

[0107] 8. Second tube

[0108] 10. Thermal regulation device

[0109] 11. Device tubing

[0110] 12. Tube

[0111] 21. Collar

[0112] 25. Through-holes or Window

[0113] 31. First portion of the flexible part

[0114] 32. Second portion of the flexible part

[0115] 33. Third portion, called the central portion of the flexible part. 34. Fold of the central zone.

[0116] 100. Electrical energy storage system

[0117] 101. Electrical energy storage device

Claims

DEMANDS 1- Tubular connector (1) for fluidly connecting together two thermal regulation devices (10) of an electrical energy storage system, each comprising a fluid tube (11), the connector (1) comprising: - two tubular elements (2) each comprising a collar (21), and each having an inner wall and an outer wall, the tubular elements (2) being connected to each other by a flexible part (3), more flexible than the tubular elements (2), the flexible part (3) being disposed between the tubular elements (2) and forming with them a tube configured to be traversed by a fluid, the connector (1) being characterized in that - The flexible part is monobloc, a first portion of the flexible part being in contact with only a portion of the external wall of the tubular elements, a second portion of the flexible element is in contact with only a portion of the internal wall of the tubular elements forming the collar (21), and a third portion, called the central portion, connects the two tubular elements together to form said tube. 2- Tubular connector according to the preceding claim, in which the tubular elements include through orifices (25), preferably at the base of the collar, the flexible part passing through the collar of the tubular elements by these orifices (25). 3- Tubular connector according to the preceding claim, in which the flexible part is overmolded onto a portion of the external and internal walls of the tubular elements. 4- Tubular connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion of the flexible part disposed on a portion of the external wall of at least one of the tubular elements has shapes selected from grooves, ribs or ridges configured to be in contact with the tubing of a device when the connector and said device are connected so as to form a sealing means. 5- Tubular connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central portion of the flexible part has folds. 6- Assembly comprising a thermal regulation device (10) for an electrical energy storage system, including: - a tube (12) comprising at least one fluid circulation channel, - a fluid collection box into which the circulation channel opens, the collection box comprising a fluid inlet pipe (11) and a fluid outlet pipe (11), and a tubular connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, inserted into at least one, preferably one in each, of the fluid inlet or outlet tubing of the device. 7- Assembly according to the preceding claim, further comprising a second thermal regulation device (10), in which each of the tubular elements of the connector is connected to a tube (11) of one of the two devices (10), in particular of the collection box of each of the devices, preferably with an axial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters. 8- Electrical energy storage system (100) comprising a plurality of electrical energy storage elements (101), at least one assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the tubes (12) of the thermal regulation devices (10) are arranged against rows of the plurality of storage elements. 9- Method for manufacturing a tubular connector (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, comprising the following steps: - Supply of two tubular elements (2) having at least one, preferably a plurality of through-holes in their wall, - Overmolding of the two tubular elements with a flexible material, in particular an elastomer, forming the flexible part of the connector, during the same operation so as to link them together, F elastomer thus overmolded through F at least one, preferably the plurality of through-holes present on the walls of the tubular elements (2), to cover only partially the inner wall and the outer wall of the two tubular elements (2). 10- A method for manufacturing an assembly according to claim 6, comprising the following steps: - Supply of a collector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, - Welding of the outer wall of a tubular element (2) of the connector onto the fluid inlet or outlet pipe of a thermal control device (10) for an electrical energy storage system, comprising a tube (12) having at least one fluid circulation channel, and a fluid collection box into which the circulation channel opens, the collection box having a fluid inlet pipe (11) and a fluid outlet pipe (1).

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