EP4073864A1

EP4073864A1 - Compartment for an apparatus likely to emit heat

Info

Publication number: EP4073864A1
Application number: EP20823908.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sergio Da Costa Pito
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2019-12-12
Filing date: 2020-11-18
Publication date: 2022-10-19
Also published as: CN115152067A; WO2021116551A1; US20230006277A1; FR3104830A1; FR3104830B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a compartment (80) for an apparatus likely to emit heat during its operation, in particular for an electrical energy storage device (9) for a motor vehicle, this compartment comprising at least one cooling plate (20) arranged to have a cooling fluid flowing through it and arranged to cool said apparatus, this compartment also comprising an upper housing (81) arranged to receive said electrical equipment, and a lower housing (82) in which at least one fluid connection element (83) for supplying fluid to the cooling plate is placed, the lower and upper housings being insulated from one another in a fluid-tight manner.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: COMPARTMENT FOR EQUIPMENT LIKELY TO RELEASE

HEAT

[1] The present invention relates to a compartment for equipment capable of giving off heat during its operation, in particular for an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle.

[2] Patent applications US2017176108 and WO 2013056938 describe heat exchangers for cooling battery cells. Furthermore, patent application US 2011/0206967 A describes an example of such a battery. In this application, the cells are stored in containers having housings for receiving the cells. One wall of the containers, intended to be in contact with a wall of a neighboring container, has recesses forming part of a duct for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid.

[3] The present invention aims in particular to simplify the manufacture of a compartment for receiving battery cells.

[4] The present invention thus relates to a compartment for equipment capable of giving off heat during its operation, in particular for an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle, this compartment comprising at least one circulation channel. a cooling fluid, this channel being obtained by molding a polymer-based material, with assisted injection of a fluid, in particular assisted injection of a gas or a liquid, to form this channel in the material to be polymer base.

[5] The invention makes it possible in particular to have a compartment, for example for receiving battery cells, which also has a function of cooling these cells, the manufacture of which is simplified.

[6] The formation of the coolant channel (s) in the polymer-based material by assisted injection of a liquid or a gas allows for a one-step manufacturing process, instead of a one-step process. in several stages to form the channel (s) that would require soldering. Thus, the invention makes it possible to avoid certain sealing problems linked to fluid leaks from cooling. In the invention, as the channel or channels are formed by hollow shapes directly in the material, these leakage problems are avoided. Manufacturing operations are further simplified.

[7] According to one aspect of the invention, the channel has a seamless inner wall, as a result of the hollowing out of the polymer material by the fluid injected during molding.

[8] According to one aspect of the invention, the channel has a cylindrical shape, at least over part of its length, in particular with a rectangle or oval or round cross section.

[9] According to one aspect of the invention, the polymer-based material in which the channel is formed is bonded to a sheet of polymer-based composite material.

[10] This connection is in particular the result of a molding, in particular overmolding or co-molding, between the material which comprises the channel or channels for the circulation of cooling fluid and this sheet of composite material.

[11] According to one aspect of the invention, the sheet of composite material has an opening and the material which forms the channel passes through this opening so that this channel also passes through this opening of the sheet.

[12] According to one aspect of the invention, the material from which the channel is formed is in the form of a layer which extends over one side of the sheet of composite material.

[13] This layer and this sheet form in particular a bottom cover.

[14] According to one aspect of the invention, this layer of material and the sheet are flat over at least part of their area.

[15] According to one aspect of the invention, this layer and the sheet has an edge inclined relative to this flat part, and the channel passes through the layer of material on this edge.

[16] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the channel in the material is connected to a fluidic connection member, in particular on this inclined edge. [17] According to one of the aspects of the invention, this fluidic connection member is molded by the material of the layer which comprises the channel.

[18] According to one aspect of the invention, the layer of material comprises at least two channels resulting from assisted injection, these channels being called parallel over a major part of their length.

[19] According to one aspect of the invention, the compartment has a cooling plate disposed on one side of the sheet of composite material which is opposite to the side of the layer of molded material.

[20] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate is arranged to be traversed by a cooling fluid also circulating in the channels of the molded layer. These channels are in particular feeder channels which respectively supply and evacuate the cooling fluid circulating in the plate. For example, there is a single feeder feed channel and a single feeder evacuation channel.

[21] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the layer which comprises the feeder channels comprises a connection portion made in one piece with the rest of the layer and which is arranged to be connected to the cooling plate. . This connection portion protrudes through the sheet of composite material.

[22] According to one aspect of the invention, the channels are formed only in the layer of molded material, in other words the channels are not formed by the assembly of two separate layers for example.

[23] According to one aspect of the invention, the layer comprises grooves to form the channels and reinforcing ribs, in particular in the shape of a honeycomb, for the mechanical reinforcement of the compartment.

[24] Thus the molded layer only partially occupies the outer face of the composite sheet, and not all of this face. This molded layer occupies for example less than 50% of the outer face of the sheet, or even less than 25% thereof.

[25] The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage module comprising a plurality of battery cells in particular arranged according to a row, and a compartment as described above, the cells being placed in this compartment in thermal interaction with the cooling plate.

[26] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a compartment for equipment capable of releasing heat during its operation as described above, the method comprising the step of forming a layer of base material. of polymer, with assisted injection of a fluid to form a channel in this layer.

[27] A further subject of the invention, independently or in combination with the foregoing, is a compartment for equipment capable of giving off heat during its operation, in particular for an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle, this compartment comprising at least one cooling plate arranged to be traversed by a cooling fluid and arranged to cool said equipment, this compartment further comprising an upper housing arranged to receive said electrical equipment, and a lower housing in which is placed a minus a fluid connection element for supplying fluid to the cooling plate, the lower and upper housings being isolated from each other in a fluidtight manner.

[28] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooling plate (s) separate the lower housing from the upper housing.

[29] According to one aspect of the invention, a plurality of cooling plates separate the lower housing from the upper housing, and these plates are arranged in parallel rows.

[30] According to one of the aspects of the invention, each cooling plate comprises a fluid inlet and a cooling fluid outlet each connected to one of the fluid connection elements, these fluid inlet and outlet are all tours in the lower accommodation.

[31] Thus in the event of a leak at these inlet and outlet, the cooling fluid flows into this lower housing and not into the upper housing so as to preserve the electrical components, in particular when these elements are battery cells. . [32] In particular conduits are provided within the cooling plates for the circulation of cooling fluid.

[33] According to one aspect of the invention, the compartment has a bottom cover including a coolant channel, and the fluid connection member is connected to this channel.

[34] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom cover has a substantially planar main face.

[35] According to one aspect of the invention, this bottom cover defines with the cooling plates the lower housing.

[36] According to one aspect of the invention, the lower and upper dwellings cover substantially the same area. These housings thus have a stacked arrangement.

[37] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom cover comprises at least one sheet of composite material based on plastic.

[38] According to one aspect of the invention, the lower housing has, in free space, a height of less than 25%, in particular less than 15%, of the height of the upper housing.

[39] According to one aspect of the invention, a seal is disposed on a junction periphery between the lower housing and the upper housing.

[40] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper housing has at least one frame, including aluminum, which defines a perimeter of the upper housing, and the seal is in contact with this frame.

[41] According to one aspect of the invention, this frame comprises external bars forming a perimeter and partitions, in particular parallel to each other, to form receptacles each to receive a battery cell. These partitions form for example two identical rows of several receptacles.

[42] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the cooling plates are assembled on the frame, for example by screwing or gluing. [43] According to one of the aspects of the invention, one or more seals are provided between these bars and partitions of this frame, on the one hand, and the lower housing, on the other hand.

[44] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the seal or seals are disposed in a sealed manner between an area of the frame and an area of a cooling plate, and / or between an area of the frame and an area of the bottom cover.

[45] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the seal is made of an electrically conductive material so as to participate in an electromagnetic protection function (also called EMC or Electromagnetic Compatibility) of the upper housing receiving the electrical component. .

[46] According to one aspect of the invention, the top cover is arranged to rest against the frame to close the compartment, in particular with the interposition of a seal, in particular of electrically conductive material.

[47] The invention makes it possible to have a total height of the compartment which is relatively low, which is advantageous given the size constraints. The compartment can also be made in a simplified manner.

[48] According to one aspect of the invention, the top cover comprises a composite material based on plastics.

[49] The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage device comprising a plurality of battery cells, in particular arranged in a row, and a compartment according to one of the preceding claims, the cells being placed in this interacting compartment. thermal with the cooling plate.

[50] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, and several embodiments given by way of indication and not by way of limitation with reference to the appended schematic drawings d. on the other hand, on which:

[51] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of a compartment according to an example of the invention, from the side, [52] [Fig.2] shows the compartment of [Fig.1], in section,

[53] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a compartment according to another example of the invention,

[54] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the figure [Fig.3],

[55] [Fig.5] is another schematic view of figure [Fig.4]

[56] There is shown in Figures 1 and 2 an electrical energy storage module 1 comprising a plurality of battery cells, visible in Figure 2, and a compartment 2.

[57] This compartment 2 has two channels 3 for circulating a cooling fluid, visible in Figure 1, which are parallel. This figure 1 shows the lower and outer face of the compartment 2. This compartment 2 defines, with an upper cover not shown, a housing 5 which contains the battery cells 9. The bottom of this housing 5 is on this compartment 2.

[58] Each channel 3 is obtained by molding a polymer-based material 8, with assisted injection of a fluid, in particular assisted injection of a gas or a liquid, to form this channel 3 in the material to be polymer base.

[59] Each channel 3 has an internal wall 10 without a joint, as the result of the hollowing out of the polymer-based material by the fluid injected during the molding.

[60] Each channel 3 has a cylindrical shape, at least over part of its length, in particular with a rectangle or oval or round cross section.

[61] The polymer-based material 8 in which the channels 3 are formed is bonded to a sheet 11 of polymer-based composite material.

[62] This connection is the result of an overmolding or co-molding between the material which comprises the channels 3 for the circulation of cooling fluid and this sheet 11 of composite material.

[63] The sheet 11 of composite material has openings 13 and the material 8 which forms the channels 3 passes through these openings 13 so that each channel 3 also passes through this associated opening 13 of the sheet 11. [64] The material 8 in which and formed the channel is in the form of a layer which extends over one face of the sheet of composite material.

[65] Sheet 11 is planar over at least part of its surface area in a planar region 17.

[66] This layer 8 and the sheet 11 has an inclined edge 15 relative to this flat region 17, and the channel 3 passes through the material layer 8 on this edge 15.

[67] Each channel 3 in the material connects to a fluidic connection member 27, on this inclined edge 15.

[68] Each fluidic connection member 27 is overmolded by the material of layer 8.

[69] Compartment 2 has a cooling plate 20 disposed on one side 21 of the sheet of composite material which is opposite side 22 of layer 8.

[70] The plate 20 is arranged to be traversed by a cooling fluid also circulating in the channels 3 of the layer. These channels 3 are feeder channels which respectively feed and evacuate the cooling fluid circulating in the plate 20. For example, a single feeder feed channel and a single feeder outlet channel are provided.

[71] The plate 20 is formed of two sub-plates 24 which, once assembled, form a circulation circuit 39 of cooling fluid.

[72] Layer 8 comprises connection portions 29 made integrally with the rest of the layer and which are arranged to be connected to cooling plate 20. This connection portion 29 protrudes through the sheet. composite material and is traversed by the associated channel 3 to bring this channel 3 to the plate 20. This plate 20 is opposite the sheet 11.

[73] Layer 8 comprises grooves 33 to form the channels and reinforcing ribs 34, in particular in the shape of a honeycomb, for the mechanical reinforcement of compartment 2.

[74] The fluid for the assisted injection may be water. [75] Thus, layer 8 only partially occupies the outer face of the composite sheet, and not all of this face. This layer occupies for example less than 50% of the outer face of the sheet 11, or even less than 25% thereof.

[76] The cells 9 are placed in this compartment 2 in thermal interaction with the cooling plate 20.

[77] Each channel 3 has a length of at least 5 cm, in particular at least 10 cm.

[78] The composite material of sheet 11 comprises glass fibers, optionally alternatively carbon fibers or of another nature, pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

[79] Compartment 2 has a raised edge 36 around its periphery.

[80] The honeycomb structure 34 is outwardly of the housing 5.

[81] The coolant used in this case can in particular be a liquid coolant based on carbon dioxide, such as R744 for example, 2, 3, 3, 3-tetrafluoropropene (or HFO-1234yf) or 1, 1, 1, 2-tetrafluoroethane (or R-134a). The coolant can also be a nanofluid. The coolant can still be water, possibly including additives.

[82] The battery cells include, for example, a plurality of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for use in a hybrid vehicle. In another embodiment, the plurality of battery cells are Li-ion batteries for use in a battery electric vehicle.

[83] The cooling plate 20 forms a heat exchanger included in a cooling circuit, not shown, of the type comprising a compressor and other heat exchangers.

[84] The plates are for example an assembly of two aluminum walls delimiting cooling fluid circulation ducts, taking the form of a meandering path, for example.

[85] The compartment 2 and the battery cells 9 form, with other components, a device 40 for storing electrical energy for a motor vehicle. [86] Layer 8 and this sheet 11 form a bottom cover.

[87] There is shown in Figures 3 to 5 a compartment 80 for battery cells 9 of a motor vehicle, this compartment 80 comprising cooling plates 20 arranged to be traversed by a cooling fluid and arranged to cool the cells 9.

[88] This compartment 80 further comprises an upper housing 81 arranged to receive the cells 9, and a lower housing 82 in which are placed fluid connection elements 83 for supplying the cooling plates 20 with fluid.

[89] The lower 82 and upper 81 housings are insulated from each other in a fluid-tight manner.

[90] The cooling plates 20 separate the lower housing 82 from the upper housing 81, as can best be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

[91] A plurality of cooling plates 20 separate the lower housing 82 from the upper housing 81, and these plates 20 are arranged in parallel rows.

[92] Each cooling plate 20 has a fluid inlet 84 and a coolant outlet 85 each connected to one of the fluid connection elements 83, these fluid inlet and outlet 84 and 85 are all turned in the lower housing 82.

[93] Thus in the event of a leak at these inlet and outlet 84 and 85, the cooling fluid flows into this lower housing 82 and not into the upper housing 81 so as to preserve the battery cells.

[94] Ducts are provided within the cooling plates for the circulation of cooling fluid 20.

[95] The compartment 80 has a bottom cover 88 comprising channels 3 for cooling fluid like those described in the previous example.

[96] The fluid connection elements 83 are connected to these channels e being for example formed by an extension of material which also forms the channels 3. These channels 3 are produced by assisted injection of fluid into this layer of material, as described. in the previous example. [97] The bottom cover 88 has a substantially planar main face 89.

[98] This bottom cover 88 defines with the cooling plates 20 the lower housing 82.

[99] The lower 82 and upper 81 dwellings cover substantially the same area. These housings 81 and 82 thus have an arrangement stacked vertically when the assembly is mounted on the vehicle.

[100] The bottom cover 88 comprises a sheet of composite material based on plastic.

[101] The lower housing 82 has, in free space, a height h less than 25%, in particular less than 15%, of the height H of the upper housing.

[102] Seals 90 are arranged on a junction periphery 91 between the lower housing 82 and the upper housing 81.

[103] The upper housing 81 comprises an aluminum frame 93, which defines a periphery 95 of the upper housing, and the seal 90 is in contact with this frame 93.

[104] This frame 93 comprises external bars 94 forming a perimeter and partitions 96, which forms a grid, to form receptacles 97 each to receive a battery cell. These partitions 96 form for example two identical rows of several receptacles 97.

[105] The bars 94 are in particular in a honeycomb structure. These bars are made of steel or aluminum, for example.

[106] The cooling plates 20 are assembled on the frame 93, for example by screwing or gluing.

[107] The seals 90 are provided between these bars 94 and partitions 96 of this frame, on the one hand, and the lower housing 82, on the other hand.

[108] The gaskets 90, for example based on silicone, are disposed in a sealed manner between a zone of the frame 93 and a zone of a cooling plate 20, and / or between a zone of the frame 93 and a zone of the cover background 88.

[109] Each seal 90 is made of an electrically conductive material so as to participate in an electromagnetic protection function of the upper housing 81 receiving the cells. [110] An upper cover 98 is arranged to rest against the frame 93 to close the compartment, with the interposition of seals 90.

[111] The invention makes it possible to have a total height of the compartment which is relatively low, which is advantageous in view of the size constraints. The compartment can also be made in a simplified manner.

[112] The top cover 98 comprises a composite material based on plastic, and in particular has a substantially flat shape.

[113] The feeder channels 3 are particularly oriented towards the lower housing

82.

Claims

[Claim 1] Compartment (80) for equipment capable of giving off heat during its operation, in particular for a device (9) for storing electrical energy for a motor vehicle, this compartment comprising at least one cooling plate (20 ) arranged to be traversed by a cooling fluid and arranged to cool said equipment, this compartment further comprising an upper housing (81) arranged to receive said electrical equipment, and a lower housing (82) in which is placed at least one element connecting fluid (83) for supplying fluid to the cooling plate, the lower and upper housings being isolated from each other in a fluid-tight manner.

[Claim 2] A compartment according to the preceding claim, in which the cooling plate (s) (20) separate the lower housing from the upper housing.

[Claim 3] A compartment according to one of the preceding claims, in which each cooling plate (20) has a fluid inlet (84) and a cooling fluid outlet (85) each connected to one of the connection elements. fluid (83), these fluid inlet and outlet are all turned in the lower housing.

[Claim 4] A compartment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartment (80) has a bottom cover (88) comprising a coolant channel (3), and the fluid connection member (83). is connected to this channel.

[Claim 5] A compartment according to one of the preceding claims, in which a seal (90) is disposed on a junction periphery between the lower housing and the upper housing.

[Claim 6] Compartment according to the preceding claim, in which the upper housing (81) comprises at least one frame (93), in particular made of aluminum, which defines a periphery of the upper housing, and the seal (90) is in contact with this. frame.

[Claim 7] A compartment according to the preceding claim, wherein the seal (s) (90) are sealingly disposed between an area of the frame (93) and an area of a cooling plate (20), and / or between a frame area and a bottom cover area.

[Claim 8] A compartment according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the seal (90) is made of an electrically conductive material so as to participate in an electromagnetic protection function u upper housing receiving the electrical component.

[Claim 9] Compartment according to one of the preceding claims, in which an upper cover (98) is arranged to rest against the frame to close the compartment, in particular with the interposition of a seal, in particular of electrically material. driver.

[Claim 10] An electrical energy storage device comprising a plurality of battery cells (9) in particular arranged in a row, and a compartment according to one of the preceding claims, the cells being placed in this compartment in thermal interaction with the cooling plate.