FR3071960A1 - BOX FOR PROTECTING A BATTERY PACK INTEGRATING A COLLECTOR BOX - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (12) for protecting at least one electric battery module (M) comprising at least one heat exchanger (10) for thermally regulating said at least one battery module (M). According to the invention, the housing (12) of protection is integral with at least one header (11) for supplying heat transfer fluid to said at least one heat exchanger (10) and configured to stiffen the housing (12) protection .

Description

Protective case of a battery pack including a manifold box

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of thermal regulation of battery modules, in particular for a motor vehicle the propulsion of which is supplied in whole or in part by an electric motor, located in a protective housing forming, with the battery modules, a battery pack.

2. State of the art

In the field of electric and hybrid vehicles, the electrical energy storage cells are linked together so as to create an electric generator of desired voltage and capacity, and positioned in a battery module (called module in the following) .

Several interconnected modules form the vehicle battery.

Generally, these modules are enclosed in a rigid and waterproof protective box (called "casing" in English), which protects the modules from the external environment.

The protective case which is conventionally made of metal has stiffening crosspieces on its outer surface.

The protective housing and the modules form a set generally called a battery pack.

Car manufacturers are now seeking to provide more powerful electric or hybrid vehicles with increased electric range.

To this end, an increasing number of modules are onboard in vehicles.

Thus, the battery pack, generally disposed at the level of the vehicle floor, covers an increasingly substantial surface of the vehicle floor and sometimes even forms the bottom of the body thereof.

Furthermore, during operation of the vehicle, the battery modules may be subjected to temperature variations which can in some cases cause them to be damaged or even destroyed.

Consequently, the thermal regulation of the modules is essential in order, on the one hand, to maintain them in good condition and, on the other hand, to ensure the reliability, the autonomy, and the performance of the vehicle.

Heat exchangers intended to regulate the temperature of the modules are therefore implemented in the enclosure of the housing to optimize the functioning of the modules.

These heat exchangers are traversed by a heat transfer fluid and provides the heating and / or cooling functions of the modules.

The heat transfer fluid can thus absorb the heat emitted by each module in order to cool it or, if necessary, it can provide it with heat if the temperature of the module is insufficient for its proper functioning.

Conventionally, each of the heat exchangers has a water box or manifold box which is assembled to a manifold plate into which flow tubes for circulation of a heat transfer fluid capable of heat exchange with the battery modules.

The water box or manifold has a fluid inlet and a heat transfer fluid outlet.

However, the distribution of the heat transfer fluid and the connection between the manifolds of the different heat exchangers require multiple fluid connections, which are bulky and thereby reduce the space allocated for receiving battery modules within the battery pack.

The implementation of these pipes for conveying the coolant puts a strain on the weight of the housing, requires numerous assembly operations and increases the risk of leakage of coolant.

3. Statement of the invention

The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks set out above.

To this end, the invention relates to a protective housing of at least one electric battery module comprising at least one heat exchanger intended to thermally regulate said at least one battery module.

According to the invention, the protective housing is integral with at least one manifold intended to supply heat transfer fluid to said at least one heat exchanger and configured to stiffen the protective housing.

The invention consists in developing the architecture of the battery pack housing by integrating therein the function of a manifold for the heat transfer fluid intended to cool the modules of the battery pack.

In this invention, the transport of the heat transfer fluid is carried out via one or more manifolds integrated into the case of the battery pack.

In the new architecture proposed, the manifold (s) make it possible to make the link between the various heat exchangers and the distribution circuits of the interior enclosure of the housing, thus achieving a closed circuit, and to ensure a structural function (stiffness) .

Or the water boxes or manifolds are thus adapted to consolidate the housing, especially when the latter is made of plastic composite.

The advantages are therefore:

- a gain in mass of the housing due to the elimination of the fluid delivery pipes;

- a gain in bulk;

- a gain in the number of parts (less assembly operation).

Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to provide reinforcing crosspieces on the outer surface of the housing, the manifold or boxes performing this function.

The manifolds can also be manifolds (which can for example be equipped with several connections) making it possible to optimize the circulation of the heat transfer fluid towards the areas requiring a greater heat exchange.

The solution of the invention can be used in any type of vehicle in the transport sector but also in building, industry and the tertiary sector, where electric batteries are contained in a box and cooled directly or indirectly by a coolant.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said at least one manifold has four branches forming a cross.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said at least one manifold has three branches forming a Y.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the ends of said branches are integral with the inner surface of the peripheral wall of said housing.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said at least one manifold is in the form of a crosspiece connecting two opposite edges of the peripheral wall of said housing.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said at least one heat exchanger is in the form of a plate carrying said at least one battery module and delimiting at least one heat transfer fluid transport circuit communicating with an inlet orifice of coolant and a coolant outlet orifice provided on said at least one manifold.

The manifold (s) can also integrate the input and output function of the heat transfer fluid.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said housing comprises two heat exchangers each being in the form of a plate, the plates extending parallel around said at least one manifold.

The heat exchangers can be located at different heights, in a staggered fashion, within the housing.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said at least one manifold forms the closing cover of said housing.

The manifold ensures a tight closing function of the case.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said housing comprises two manifolds connecting two opposite edges of the peripheral wall of said housing and into which open a bundle of pipes for circulation of heat transfer fluid.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, said housing is made at least in part from plastic composite.

The invention also relates to a battery pack for a hybrid or electric vehicle comprising a protective case as described above, in which is housed at least one battery module.

4.

List of Figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description below, provided by way of nonlimiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figures IA to IC are partial views of a battery pack housing according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising a manifold which has the shape of a cross;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are partial views, from above and in section, of a battery pack housing according to a second embodiment of the invention comprising a manifold which has the shape of a cross-member;

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of a battery pack housing according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a battery pack housing according to a fourth embodiment of the invention comprising a manifold taking the form of a sealed closure cover of the housing, and Figure 5 is a schematic view a battery pack housing according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

5. Detailed description of the invention

Identical elements in the different figures have the same references.

In FIG. 1A, the reference 1 designates a battery pack consisting of a hollow protective housing 12 according to a first embodiment, and of a battery consisting of an assembly of modules M housed in the enclosure of the housing 12, M modules comprising an assembly of cells (of cylindrical, prismatic or flexible type).

The casing 12 for protecting battery modules M is closed in leaktight fashion by a cover (not shown).

The protective housing 12 is made of composite material and comprises, in its internal space, one or more thermal regulation elements, or heat exchange elements, made of thermally conductive material.

The composite used to manufacture the walls of the protective housing can be a plastic composite, such as a polymer reinforced with carbon fibers or glass fibers.

In the example illustrated, a thermal regulation element 10 in the form of a rectangular plate is disposed on the rectangular bottom wall of the protective housing 12.

In this element or thermal regulation plate 10 are defined circuits for transporting a heat-transfer fluid (not shown) defined opposite the battery modules M and allowing thermal exchanges with the modules M to regulate the temperature of the latter, and especially to cool them.

A water box or collector box 11 is disposed on the plate forming the thermal regulation element 10.

As illustrated in the partial view of the battery pack 1 in FIG. 1B, the water box 11 has four branches forming a cross.

An inlet orifice 11A for heat transfer fluid and an outlet orifice 11B for heat transfer fluid are provided in the center of the cross.

As illustrated in the partial view of the battery pack 1 in FIG. 1C, the inlet 11A and outlet 11B ports of the manifold 11 communicate respectively with an inlet port 10A and an outlet port 10B formed on the upper surface of the thermal regulation plate 10.

The input 10A and output 10B ports communicate with each of the heat transfer fluid transport circuits (not shown) defined opposite the battery modules M.

The manifold 11 distributes the heat transfer fluid between the different parts of the housing 12 located on either side of its branches, and the connection of the battery pack 1 with the thermal regulation loop of the vehicle.

The manifold 11 also rigidifies the protective housing 12 made of composite.

The manifold 11 is made of plastic, aluminum or stainless steel for example.

The four ends of the branches of the manifold 11 are integral with the inner surface 121 of the peripheral wall of the housing 12 extending from the bottom wall.

The battery modules M are arranged on the heat exchange plate between the branches of the manifold 11.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are partial views, from above and in section, of a housing 12 of a battery pack 1, according to a second embodiment, comprising a manifold 11 which has a cross-shaped shape connecting two opposite sides of the housing 12 and stiffening the latter.

FIG. 2B shows the inlet orifice 11A of the manifold 11 and a portion of a transport circuit 101 of a heat transfer fluid (not shown) defined in the thermal regulation plate 10 opposite the battery modules M , the thermal regulation plate 10 being disposed on the bottom wall 123 of the housing 12.

Figure 3 is a partial and schematic sectional view of a housing 12 of a battery pack 1, according to a third embodiment, comprising a manifold 11 ensuring the connection and distribution of the heat transfer fluid between the different parts of the housing 12, and two thermal regulation plates 10 spaced apart vertically, on which are arranged battery modules M.

In each of the thermal regulation plates 10 is defined a transport circuit 101 of a heat transfer fluid.

The manifold 11 may have a cross, Y or straight cross-type shape, connecting at least two opposite edges of the peripheral wall of the housing 12 and stiffening the latter.

The branch or branches of the water box 11 are integral with the inner surface 121 of the peripheral wall of the housing 12. Furthermore, the manifold 11 bears on the bottom wall 123 of the housing 12 and passes through the two regulation plates thermal 10.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a box 12 of a battery pack 1, according to a fourth embodiment, comprising a manifold 11 taking the form of a cover or cover allowing the sealed closure of the box 12.

The manifold 11 participates in the distribution of the heat transfer fluid in a transport circuit 101 of a heat transfer fluid extending above (within the cover), below (at the bottom wall 123 of the housing 12 ) and on the sides (within the peripheral wall of the housing 12) of the battery modules M.

The manifold 11 incorporates a structural function in the sense that it provides stiffness and improves the mechanical strength of the housing 12.

In a fifth embodiment illustrated schematically in Figure 5, the housing 12 comprises in its interior space two manifold boxes 11 spaced apart and parallel, called lateral manifolds, between which extends a bundle of parallel tubes T for circulation of heat transfer fluid intended for thermal exchange with battery modules (not shown) arranged opposite (above and / or below) T tubes.

The ends of the tubes T open into the two manifolds 11.

The two manifolds 11 connect two opposite edges of the peripheral wall of the housing 12, thus stiffening the latter.

The heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet can be located on the same manifold or distributed over the two manifolds.

The tubes T are here formed in a heat exchange plate 10 disposed at the bottom of the housing 12.

It should be noted that in the embodiments described above, said at least one manifold can be mounted on the housing in a removable manner or not.

Claims (10)

1. Housing (12) for protecting at least one electric battery module (M) comprising at least one heat exchanger (10) intended to thermally regulate said at least one battery module (M), characterized in that the housing (12) of protection is integral with at least one manifold (11) intended to supply heat transfer fluid to said at least one heat exchanger (10) and configured to stiffen the housing (12) of protection. 2. Housing (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one manifold (11) has four branches forming a cross. 3. Housing (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one manifold (11) has three branches forming a Y. 4. Housing (12) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the ends of said branches are integral with the inner surface (121) of the peripheral wall of said housing (12). 5. Housing (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one manifold (11) is in the form of a cross connecting two opposite edges of the peripheral wall of said housing. 6. Housing (12) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one heat exchanger (10) is in the form of a plate carrying said at least one battery module (M) and delimiting at least one transport circuit (101) of heat transfer fluid communicating with an inlet orifice (11A) of heat transfer fluid and an outlet orifice (11B) of heat transfer fluid formed on said at least one manifold (11). 7. Housing (12) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises two heat exchangers (10) each being in the form of a plate, the plates extending parallel around said at least one manifold ( 11). 5 8. Housing (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one manifold (11) forms the closure cover of said housing (12). 9. Housing (12) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two manifolds (11) connecting two opposite edges of the wall 10 peripheral of said housing and into which open a bundle of tubes (T) for circulation of heat transfer fluid. 10. Housing (12) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is manufactured at least in part from plastic composite.