FR3112028A1 - Thermal regulation device. - Google Patents

Abstract

Thermal regulation device: The invention relates to a thermal regulation device (2) of an electrical or electronic component (4) comprising a box (6) configured to house the at least one electrical or electronic component (4), capable of release heat during its operation or its load, and a dielectric fluid (32) intended to be in contact with said electrical or electronic component (4) to allow the regulation of its temperature, the thermal regulation device (2) comprising also a power supply device (12) of said electrical or electronic component (4) and at least one control unit (14) configured to generate a main operating and/or charging control instruction of said electrical or electronic component (4) as well as a secondary control instruction in response to data detected by a sensor (16) for controlling an effective level (NE) of dielectric fluid in the box (6). Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Thermal regulation device.

The present invention lies in the field of devices for thermal regulation of electrical or electronic components, and it relates more particularly to a device for thermal regulation of electrical or electronic components liable to heat up during their operation.

The electrical or electronic components likely to be concerned by the present invention may just as well consist of computer servers as of electrical energy storage systems, in particular batteries, for motor vehicles.

In the field of motor vehicles, thermal regulation devices make it possible to modify the temperature of an electric battery, whether when starting the vehicle in cold weather, by increasing its temperature for example, or whether driving or during a battery recharging operation, by reducing the temperature of this electric battery, which tends to heat up during use.

In order to cool the electrical or electronic components, it is known that the thermal regulation devices use a dielectric fluid making it possible to capture the calories given off by the said electrical or electronic components during their charging or their operation. The dielectric fluid may be provided in sufficient quantity to completely immerse the electrical or electronic components, so that the latter are permanently in contact with said dielectric fluid. In such a configuration, a so-called monophasic dielectric fluid may in particular be provided, that is to say which has a phase change temperature greater than the maximum temperature present in the device during operation or charging of the electrical components. or electronic. This single-phase dielectric fluid remains in the liquid state and the thermal regulation is done by immersing the electrical or electronic components in this volume of liquid. Conversely, the dielectric fluid can be diphasic, that is to say it has a phase change temperature lower than the maximum temperature present in the device during operation or charging of the electrical or electronic components. . In this context, it is known to project the two-phase dielectric fluid against the electrical or electronic components in liquid form, this fluid vaporizing on contact with the components. After the vaporized dielectric fluid has condensed, the fluid, which has returned to liquid form, is collected in a tank before being sprayed again on the components. In one or other of the uses of the dielectric fluid, it is necessary for the level of the latter in liquid form to be constant so that in a first case the electrical or electronic components remain immersed in the latter and in a second case that there remains sufficient dielectric fluid that can be projected onto the electrical or electronic components, so that the cooling of these electrical or electronic components remains optimal.

A problem with these thermal regulation devices appears in particular when they experience a leak of dielectric fluid or even when the motor vehicle is traveling on an inclined course. Indeed, such scenarios can lead to a modification of the level of the dielectric fluid within the thermal regulation device such that all or part of some of the electrical or electronic components are not immersed in the dielectric fluid, which reduces performance. thermal regulation of said device and tends to reduce the life of the electrical or electronic components.

The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned problem by proposing a thermal regulation device as well as a thermal regulation method able to detect possible modifications of the level of dielectric fluid in the thermal regulation device and to propose a control instruction accordingly. of this detection.

More particularly, the invention relates to a device for thermal regulation of an electrical or electronic component comprising a box configured to house the at least one electrical or electronic component, capable of releasing heat during its operation or its load, and a dielectric fluid intended to be in contact with said electrical or electronic component to allow its temperature to be regulated, the thermal regulation device also comprising a device for supplying said electrical or electronic component and at least one control unit configured to generate a main operating and/or charging control instruction of said electrical or electronic component, the thermal regulation device being characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor for controlling an effective level of the dielectric fluid in the case, the control unit being able to generate a secondary control instruction adapted according to data acquired by the at least one sensor.

The function of the control unit is to control the operation and the load of the electrical or electronic component and the dielectric fluid makes it possible to regulate the temperature of said electrical or electronic component, in particular by capturing the calories of the latter. More particularly, the control unit manages the operation and the load of the electrical or electronic component by means of a main control instruction and a secondary control instruction. The main control instruction is more particularly implemented during normal operation of the electrical or electronic component, and in particular operation when the dielectric fluid is in sufficient quantity to fully perform its temperature regulation function, while the Secondary command instruction is implemented by the control unit when data from the level control sensor reflects an actual dielectric fluid level that is below a level suitable for standard temperature control.

Thus, it is understood that the control unit, by its secondary control instruction, adapts the operation and the load of the electrical or electronic component according to the effective level of dielectric fluid detected by the sensor and with respect to a reference level of said dielectric fluid in the case. The reference level is the expected level of dielectric fluid in the case under normal operating conditions and allowing optimal cooling of the electrical or electronic component. Advantage is therefore taken of the thermal regulation device comprising the sensor and the control unit in that it makes it possible to limit the damage to the electrical or electronic component by adapting its operation and its load as a function of said effective level of dielectric fluid detected by said sensor and thus to reduce the risks of overheating of the latter, said overheating phenomena having the consequences, in the long term, of reducing both the efficiency and the lifetime of these electrical or electronic components.

According to the invention, the secondary command instruction generated by the control unit consists of an operation command instruction intended for the electrical or electronic component and/or of a charge command instruction for the electrical or electronic component intended for of the power supply device.

It is therefore understood from the above that the secondary control instruction aims to reduce or stop the operation and/or the load of the electrical or electronic component when the effective level of the dielectric fluid detected by the sensor does not correspond to the expected reference level. for the thermal control device. In this way, damage to the electrical or electronic component is limited by ceasing or reducing its operation and/or its load when it cannot be sufficiently cooled by the dielectric fluid.

According to the invention, the box comprises at least one base delimiting a housing of the box in which the at least one electrical or electronic component is arranged, and a cover covering said housing, the at least one sensor being provided in the housing of the housing.

According to the invention, the at least one sensor is arranged in contact with the base and/or the cover of the box.

According to a variant of the invention, the at least one sensor is provided in the housing of the box such that it is at a non-zero distance from the base and the cover of the said box.

It is then understood that in this variant of the invention, the sensor is free of any contact with the base and the cover of the box.

According to the invention, the base of the case comprises at least one bottom wall opposite the cover of the case, the at least one sensor being arranged in the housing of the case so that it is at a first distance from the wall of the case. bottom of the base, the first distance being equal to or less than a reference level of a surface of the dielectric fluid in the case.

The first distance is measured along a straight line perpendicular to the back wall. It is understood that the sensor can be positioned at a first distance which is equal to the reference level of the surface of the dielectric fluid, in order to detect a decrease in the effective level of the dielectric fluid with respect to the reference level of said dielectric fluid. Alternatively, the sensor can be positioned at a first distance which is less than the reference level of the dielectric fluid, in order to determine when the level of dielectric fluid crosses a threshold level constituting a minimum acceptable threshold of dielectric fluid in the case, necessary cooling of the electrical or electronic component.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the dielectric fluid has a phase change temperature such that the dielectric fluid remains in a liquid phase in contact with the electrical or electronic component, the at least one sensor being positioned in the housing between a vertex of the electrical or electronic component and the cover of the box.

It is understood that in this configuration, the dielectric fluid is single-phase. Thus, the electrical or electronic component is immersed in the dielectric fluid in order to be constantly in contact with it. This allows adequate calorie exchanges between the dielectric fluid and the electrical or electronic component in order to ensure its cooling.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the dielectric fluid has a phase change temperature such that the dielectric fluid is capable of vaporizing on contact with the electrical or electronic component, the at least one sensor being positioned in the case in such a way whether it is between a top of the electrical or electronic component and the bottom wall of the base of the box.

It is understood that, in this variant of the invention, the dielectric fluid is two-phase, that is to say that it has a phase change temperature such that the fluid is capable of vaporizing under the effect of the heat released by the operation or load of the electrical or electronic component. Thus, in such a configuration, the dielectric fluid is projected onto the electrical or electronic components by means of a dielectric fluid circuit which comprises at least one projection device which can in particular take the form of a projection nozzle. Once the two-phase dielectric fluid has been sprayed onto the electrical or electronic component, the latter vaporizes on contact with it in reaction to the heat given off by the latter. In this configuration, the electrical or electronic components are not immersed so that the reference level of the two-phase dielectric fluid is necessarily lower than the reference level of dielectric fluid when the latter is single-phase, the dielectric fluid being projected directly onto the component. electric or electronic. The reference level of the two-phase dielectric fluid is below the top of the electrical or electronic component and the result is that the sensor is positioned between the top of said electrical or electronic component and the bottom wall of the base of the box.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the at least one sensor for controlling the effective level of the dielectric fluid in the box is an optical sensor.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, at least two sensors are positioned in the housing of the case, a first sensor being arranged in contact with and/or in the vicinity of the lid and a second sensor being arranged in contact with and/or in the vicinity of the base of the box.

In such a configuration, one of the sensors makes it possible to determine the effective level of dielectric fluid by measuring the distance between the surface of the fluid and the bottom wall of the base, while the other sensor determines the level of the dielectric fluid by analyzing the position of the fluid surface relative to the side walls of the base.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, at least two sensors are provided in the housing of the box, a first sensor and a second sensor being arranged on the side walls of the base opposite one another. More particularly, the two sensors are arranged on faces of the housing arranged facing each other and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of advance of the motor vehicle in which the thermal regulation device is installed. Advantage is taken of such a characteristic in that it makes it possible effectively to differentiate a modification of the effective level of the dielectric fluid due to the inclination of the vehicle or due to a leak of the dielectric fluid outside the case. In the case of a dielectric fluid leak, the first sensor and the second sensor will notice a drop in the effective level of dielectric fluid, while in the case of a tilt of the motor vehicle, only one or the other of the first sensor or the second sensor will notice a drop in the effective level of the dielectric fluid.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the first sensor forms a signal transmitter means and the second sensor forms a signal receiver means emitted by said first sensor. The second sensor then corresponds to the sensor in communication with the control unit of the thermal regulation device.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, at least one sensor for controlling the effective level of the dielectric fluid in the box is a sensor floating on the surface of the dielectric fluid present in the box.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the sensor for controlling the effective level of the dielectric fluid in the case is integral with at least one electrical or electronic component.

The invention also relates to a method for regulating the operation or the load of at least one electrical or electronic component included in a thermal regulation device according to any one of the preceding characteristics, the regulation method comprising at least a first step of detecting an effective level of the dielectric fluid in the case by the sensor and at least a second step of controlling the device for supplying the electric or electronic component or controlling the operation of the electric or electronic component by the unit of control according to the effective level of dielectric fluid in the box detected by the sensor.

According to the method, during an intermediate step, between the first step and the second step, the control unit can compare the effective level of dielectric fluid detected by the sensor during the first step, with a reference level of dielectric fluid in the case.

According to the method, during the second step when the effective level of dielectric fluid detected by the sensor is lower than the reference level of dielectric fluid in the case, the control unit can command at least a reduction in the power of the load and/or power supply, from the electrical or electronic component, to the power supply device.

According to the method, during the second step, when the effective level of dielectric fluid detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a threshold level of dielectric fluid in the box, the control unit can command the stopping of the load and the power supply to the electrical or electronic component.

According to the method, during the second step, the control unit can determine a time during which the effective level of dielectric fluid detected by the sensor is lower than the reference level of dielectric fluid in the box.

According to the method, during the second step, when the time determined by the control unit is less than a threshold time, the control unit can command a reduction in the load power and/or the power supply of the electrical or electronic component by the power supply device.

The threshold time corresponds to a time limit making it possible to differentiate between the case where the motor vehicle is in an inclined position and the case where the casing of the electronic device has a leak of dielectric fluid. Thus, when the time determined by the control unit is less than the threshold time, the control unit considers that the vehicle is on a slope. Thus, the change in effective level of the dielectric fluid corresponds to an inclination of its surface, this inclination then being temporary. In this way, the control unit reduces the load power or the power supply of the electrical or electronic component until the effective level of the dielectric fluid in the case is restored to the reference level.

According to a variant of the method, during the second step, when the time determined by the control unit is greater than a threshold time, the control unit commands a stoppage of the load and the supply of the electrical component or electronics by the power supply.

In such a configuration, the change in the effective level of dielectric fluid corresponds to a leak of the dielectric fluid outside the casing of the motor vehicle. It is therefore necessary to interrupt the operation or charging of the electrical or electronic component until the application of a corrective measure aimed at restoring the tightness of the case. In this way, deterioration of the electrical or electronic component by heating without adequate cooling is prevented.

According to the method, simultaneously with the stopping of the load and the power supply of the electrical or electronic component by the power supply device, the control unit can transmit a signal to a driver of the motor vehicle. Thus, the driver can apply the aforementioned corrective action.

According to the method, the first step of the method can be carried out during the charging of the electrical or electronic component.

According to the method, during the first step, the control sensor can determine the effective level of the dielectric fluid in the case at regular intervals during the operation of the electrical or electronic component. This ensures constant monitoring of the effective level of the dielectric fluid in the case.

The invention also covers a motor vehicle comprising at least one thermal regulation device according to any one of the preceding characteristics, implementing the method for regulating a load of at least one electrical or electronic component included in the thermal regulation according to any one of the preceding characteristics.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description given below by way of indication in relation to the drawings in which:

is a general perspective view of a motor vehicle comprising an electrical storage system equipped with a thermal regulation device according to the invention;

is a vertical sectional view of the electrical storage system equipped with the thermal regulation device of FIG. 1 according to a first example of a first variant of the invention;

is a vertical sectional view of the thermal regulation device of FIG. 1 according to a second example of the first variant of the invention;

is a vertical sectional view of the thermal regulation device of FIG. 1 according to a third example of the first variant of the invention;

is a perspective view of the electrical storage system equipped with the thermal regulation device of FIG. 1 according to a second variant of the invention;

is a vertical sectional view of the thermal regulation device of FIG. 5 according to the second variant of the invention;

is a flowchart representing the steps of a process for thermal regulation of an electrical or electronic component housed in the electrical storage system equipped with the thermal regulation device of FIG. 1.

It should first be noted that if the figures expose the invention in detail for its implementation, these figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary. It should also be noted that these figures show only a few embodiments of the invention, and that the same references designate the same elements in all of the figures.

The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other, in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. It is possible in particular to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from to the state of the prior art.

In the detailed description which follows, the thermal regulation device according to the invention will be described in relation to a motor vehicle electrical energy storage system, but it should be understood that such an application is not limiting. and that it could in particular be applied in the context of the invention to electrical or electronic components equipping other electronic systems, and for example computer servers.

An electrical storage system 1, suitable in particular for equipping a motor vehicle 500 with electric or hybrid motorization, is illustrated in FIG. 1. Such an electrical storage system 1 is in particular intended to supply electrical energy to the motor vehicle 500 with a view his move.

The electrical storage system 1 comprises a thermal regulation device 2 configured to cool or raise the temperature of each electrical or electronic component 4 forming part of the electrical storage system 1, these components being in particular liable to heat up during their operation or to their load.

More particularly, this thermal regulation device 2 comprises at least one box 6 which is configured to receive a plurality of said electrical or electronic components 4, here taking the form of battery cells 8, and it further comprises a thermal regulation system 10 adapted to regulate the temperature of these electrical or electronic components 4 inside this case 6. The thermal regulation device 2 also comprises a device 12 for supplying the electrical or electronic components 4 and at least one control unit 14 configured to generate at least one main operating and/or charging command instruction for said electrical or electronic components 4, the control unit 14 being able to generate a secondary command instruction adapted according to the data acquired by at least one sensor 16 for controlling a level of the dielectric fluid in the box 6. Operation of the control unit 1 4 and at least one level control sensor 16 will be detailed later in the following detailed description.

The casing 6 of the thermal regulation device 2, particularly visible in FIG. 2, comprises a plurality of walls which define inside this casing 6 a housing 18 which is configured to receive at least the electrical or electronic components 4 and the thermal regulation system 10. The walls defining the box 6 notably form a base 20 and a lid 22, each of the walls having an internal face 24 facing the housing 18 of the box 6 and an external face 26, opposite the internal face 24 and facing away from said housing 18.

The base 20 of the housing 6 comprises a bottom wall 28 and a plurality of side walls 30. More specifically, the bottom wall 28 is in the shape of a quadrilateral, and the plurality of side walls 30 each extend from one side of the bottom wall 28, in a vertical direction V of the box 6, perpendicular to the bottom wall 28.

The cover 22 has a shape substantially identical to that of the bottom wall 28, therefore here in the form of a quadrilateral, and is arranged to cover the base 20 of the box 6 and close the opening between the side walls 30 by which the electrical or electronic components 4 are placed in the housing 18. It is understood in particular that the cover 22 is arranged overhanging the base 20, in contact with the free edges of the plurality of side walls 30, when the electrical storage system 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

The thermal regulation system 10 is configured so that the dielectric fluid 32 is in contact with the electrical or electronic components 4 inside the housing 18. More specifically, in the rest of the detailed description, a first variant will be described. in which the dielectric fluid is single-phase with reference to Figures 2 to 4 and a second variant in which the dielectric fluid is two-phase with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

According to the first variant of the invention in which the dielectric fluid 32 is single-phase, the thermal regulation system 10 consists of the immersion of the electrical or electronic components 4 in a volume of dielectric fluid 32 single-phase. The dielectric fluid 32 is said to be single-phase when its phase change temperature is higher than the temperature which can be reached within the housing 18 when the electrical or electronic components 4 are operating or under load. Thus it is understood that the single-phase dielectric fluid 32 remains in a liquid phase in contact with the electrical or electronic components 4.

A vertex 34 of each of the electrical or electronic components 4 is defined as being a part of the latter closest to the cover 22 of the box 6. Each of the vertices 34 of each of the electrical or electronic components 4 is at a first height H1 of the bottom wall 28 of base 20 of box 6, corresponding to the distance measured, along a straight line parallel to vertical direction V of thermal regulation device 2, between each of vertices 34 and bottom wall 28. In the example illustrated, all the electrical or electronic components 4 all have the same vertical position so that the first height H1 is the same for each component. It should be considered that in a non-illustrated example of the invention, each of the vertices of each of the electrical or electronic components can be arranged at a height of the bottom wall which is distinct from one component to another. We therefore consider the first height as it has been mentioned as the greatest distance measured vertically between the bottom wall and one of the vertices of one of the electrical or electronic components.

A first level N1 of the single-phase dielectric fluid 32 in the housing 18 is also defined, corresponding to the reference level of a surface S of this dielectric fluid in the vertical direction V of the thermal regulation device 2. The first level N1 is measured between the surface S of the fluid and the bottom wall 28 of the casing 6, along a straight line parallel to the vertical direction V of the thermal regulation device 2 and corresponds to a standard level of the dielectric fluid in the casing when the thermal regulation device is in normal operating conditions.

Similarly, a threshold level NS of dielectric fluid is defined, corresponding to the level of the latter from which it is no longer able to cool the electrical or electronic components in an appropriate manner. In other words, the threshold level NS corresponds to the minimum limit of dielectric fluid acceptable in the case, so that when the dielectric fluid has a level lower than the threshold level, the fluid is in insufficient quantity to cool the electrical or electronic components 4 of adequately. Thus, it is understood that the threshold level NS is necessarily lower than the first reference level N1.

In this first variant embodiment of the invention, the first reference level N1 of the single-phase dielectric fluid 32 is greater than or equal to the first height H1 of the vertices 34 of the electrical or electronic components 4. Such a characteristic of the thermal regulation system 10 according to the first variant of the invention allows the electrical or electronic components 4 to be completely immersed in the dielectric fluid 32 and thus to ensure the exchange of calories therewith. It should be considered that without departing from the scope of the invention, provision may be made for the electrical or electronic components to bathe in the single-phase dielectric fluid without them being completely immersed. Thus, without departing from the context of the invention, the first reference level of the single-phase dielectric fluid may be slightly lower than the first height provided that the level of single-phase dielectric fluid is however sufficient for it to properly cool the electrical components or electronics.

As mentioned previously, the thermal regulation device 2 comprises the at least one sensor 16 of the level of the dielectric fluid 32 in the box 6, positioned in the housing 18 defined by the box 6. It is therefore understood that the sensor 16 is configured to determine an effective level NE of the dielectric fluid 32 in the box 6., the effective level NE corresponding to an actual level of dielectric fluid in the box 6. In particular, under normal operating conditions of the box, the effective level NE of the fluid dielectric measured by sensor 16 is equal to the first reference level N1.

The level sensor 16 can be, without limitation, an optical sensor or even a float-type sensor. A level sensor 16 of the optical sensor type is configured so as to on the one hand emit a light wave in a certain form and on the other hand receive a return wave which is deformed or not, and if necessary more or less deformed , depending on the presence of dielectric fluid in the path of the light wave. A float-type sensor comprises a floating body able to move vertically over a defined height range, the position of the floating body below a given value in the defined height range signifying that the level of the fluid, on the surface of which the floating body is likely to float, is insufficient. Advantage is taken of such a level sensor 16 in that it makes it possible to monitor the effective level NE of dielectric fluid 32 present in the housing 18 of the box 6, and that it makes it possible in particular to implement a comparison of this effective level with the first reference level N1, the latter being essential for proper cooling of the electrical or electronic components 4. Thus, the sensor 16 makes it possible to monitor a potential change in this effective level NE of dielectric fluid 32 within the case. More precisely, the level sensor 16 makes it possible to detect when the effective level NE of dielectric fluid falls below the first reference level N1 and possibly below the threshold level NS of dielectric fluid.

According to a first example of the invention, visible in Figure 2, the level sensor 16 can be provided in the housing 18 of the box 6 so that it is independent of the base 20 and the cover 22 of the latter. More precisely, the sensor 16 is, in this embodiment, at a non-zero distance from the base 20 and the cover 22 of the box 6. In other words, the level sensor 16 is positioned in the housing 18 of the box 6 , at a distance from the internal faces 24 of the base 20 and the cover 22. According to this first embodiment, the sensor 16 is preferably a sensor 16 floating on the surface of the dielectric fluid 32. The floating sensor can then be held in position at the within the box by a link secured to one of the walls of the box. This allows the sensor to float on the surface S of the dielectric fluid and to allow its vertical displacement to follow the fluid level variations, while keeping a substantially constant distance with the walls of the case and therefore preventing the floating part of the sensor does not come into contact with the electrical or electronic components 4 and the walls of the case.

A first distance D1 of the sensor 16 is defined, taken along a straight line parallel to the vertical direction V of the thermal regulation device 2 between said sensor 16 and the bottom wall 28 of the base 20 of the box 6. The first distance D1 of the sensor 16 is non-zero and may be less than or equal to the first reference level N1 of the surface of the dielectric fluid 32 single-phase. In order to determine any variations in the effective level NE of the dielectric fluid in the housing 18 with respect to the first reference level N1, the sensor 16 must be positioned in the housing 18 so that the first distance D1 is at most equal to said first reference level N1. According to this first embodiment in which the sensor 16 is a floating sensor, it is understood that the first distance D1 of the sensor 16 is here equal to the first reference level N1 of the single-phase dielectric fluid 32 under normal operating conditions of the case 6 and may vary depending on the effective level NE of the dielectric fluid in said box 6.

It is also understood from the above that, in this first variant in which the electrical or electronic components 4 are immersed in the single-phase dielectric fluid 32 and in which the first reference level N1 is at least equal to or greater than the first height H1 of the vertices 34 of the electrical or electronic components 4, the at least one sensor 16 is positioned in the housing 18 of the box 6 between one of the vertices 34 of the electric or electronic components 4 and the cover 22 of the box 6. Thus, the first distance D1 of the sensor 16 is greater than or equal to the first height H1 of the vertices 34 of the electrical or electronic components 4 and equal to the first reference level N1 of single-phase dielectric fluid 32 in the case 6, under normal operating conditions of the case 6.

According to a second example of the invention, visible in FIG. 3, the sensor 16 can be arranged in contact with one or the other of the base 20 or of the cover 22. In a configuration where the sensor 16 is in contact of the base 20 of the box 6, it is in contact with the internal face of one of the side walls 30. In such a configuration of the sensor 16, the latter can be arranged at a first distance D1 less than the first level N1 of reference of the dielectric fluid 32 in the case while being greater than or equal to the first height H1 of the vertices 34 of the electrical or electronic components 4. In such a configuration of the sensor 16, it is understood that the latter is an optical sensor or a sensor of float type retained here, in the example shown, below the fluid level by the support along which it is able to slide.

According to a third embodiment, visible in Figure 4, the thermal regulation device 2 comprises at least two sensors 16, made in the housing 18 of the box 6. More specifically, a first sensor 16a and a second sensor 16b are each positioned against the internal face 24 of one of the side walls 30 of the base 20, and in opposition to one another. Thus, in the context of the third exemplary embodiment, the first sensor 16a and the second sensor 16b are arranged on faces opposite each other when considering the longitudinal direction L of advancement of the motor vehicle in which is implanted the thermal regulation device according to the invention. Advantage is taken of such a configuration in that it makes it possible to accurately estimate the variations in the level of dielectric fluid 32 and in particular to differentiate when it is a question of a leak of dielectric fluid 32 outside the housing. 18 of the box 6 or an inclination of the surface S of the dielectric liquid 32 due to a sloping positioning of the motor vehicle. In the case of positioning the motor vehicle on a slope, the surface S of the dielectric fluid remains horizontal, while the bottom wall 28 and the cover 22 follow the inclination of the motor vehicle. In this way, the effective level NE is variable from one side wall 30 to the other of the base of the box 6 considering the longitudinal direction of advance of the vehicle.

In other words, in the event of a leak of the dielectric fluid 32, the first sensor 16a and the second sensor 16b will both detect a drop in the effective level NE of the dielectric fluid 32, whereas in the case of a motor vehicle inclination, only one of the first sensor 16a or the second sensor 16b will detect a drop in the effective level NE of the dielectric fluid 32.

As a complement to the third embodiment and its previously described variant, the first sensor 16a can form a signal transmitter means and the second sensor 16b can form a receiver means for the first sensor 16a.

It should be noted that it is possible to combine in the same exemplary embodiment the characteristics previously described, and in particular the presence of a floating sensor and an optical sensor in the same housing. In such a combination, the floating sensor can determine the level of dielectric fluid with respect to its distance from the bottom wall of the base, while the optical sensor can determine the level of dielectric fluid with the position of its surface by relative to the side walls of the base.

According to another example of the invention not illustrated, the thermal regulation device may also comprise four level control sensors, each of the four sensors being positioned against the internal surface of each of the side walls of the base of the case. In this way, a more precise determination of the drop in level of the dielectric fluid is obtained, and in particular with regard to the differentiation between, on the one hand, the drop in level generally due to a leak of the dielectric fluid and, on the other hand. apart from the local and temporary drop in level due to the inclination of the motor vehicle.

Still according to an example of the invention not shown, the dielectric fluid level control sensor can be secured to one of the electrical or electronic components housed in the box.

In order to control the operation and the load of the electrical or electronic components 4 housed in the thermal regulation device 2, the latter comprises the control unit 14 as previously mentioned. In a standard context of operation of the thermal regulation device, that is to say in a configuration where the effective level NE of dielectric fluid measured by the sensor 16 is equal to the first reference level N1, making it possible to ensure cooling optimal electrical or electronic components 4, the control unit 14 generates a main control instruction. The main control instruction makes it possible in particular to use the electrical or electronic components 4 to the maximum of their capacity and thus to release a maximum of heat without this altering their operation or degrading the box. It is then understood that the main control instruction consists of an instruction intended for the power supply device so that the electrical or electronic components 4 are electrically supplied and, where appropriate, of an instruction intended for a control module of the electrical or electronic component when the operation of the latter can be modulated.

As described above, the at least one sensor 16 has at least the function of determining the effective level NE of the dielectric fluid 32 within the housing 18 of the box 6. More particularly, the sensor 16 acquires data continuously on the state of the effective level NE of the dielectric fluid 32 in the housing 18 of the box 6 and it transmits these acquired data to the control unit 14 so that the latter processes them and possibly generates a secondary command instruction according to said data when these data are representative of a noticeable change in the values of the effective level of dielectric fluid.

The secondary control instruction generated by the control unit 14 then consists of an operation control instruction intended for the electrical or electronic components 4 and/or a charge control instruction for the electrical or electronic components 4 intended for the device supply 12 which differs from the main control instruction, depending on the variation in value of the data acquired by the at least one sensor 16. More precisely, when the sensor 16 determines that the effective level NE of the fluid dielectric is lower than the first reference level N1, and therefore the ability to cool the electrical or electronic components is reduced, the control unit generates a secondary control instruction as mentioned above which consists of a reduction in the load and /or the power supply of the electrical or electronic components. In the event that the sensor 16 determines that the effective level NE of dielectric fluid is lower than the threshold level NS previously mentioned, and therefore that the cooling of the electrical or electronic components is impossible to ensure under acceptable conditions, the control unit generates a secondary control instruction which consists in stopping the supply and/or the charging of the electrical or electronic components.

Advantage is taken of such a configuration of the control unit 14 and of the sensor 16 in that it makes it possible to adjust the operation or the load of the electric or electronic components 4 according to the quantity of dielectric fluid 32 present at the within housing 18 of box 6.

In particular, in the case of a leak of the dielectric fluid outside the case, the control unit 14 can generate a secondary command instruction such that the power supply to the electrical or electronic components is lowered and/or such that the their operation is stopped, this control modification being able for example to be implemented until the effective level NE rises to the first reference level N1 of the dielectric fluid.

In the event of a modification of the level due to the sloping position of the vehicle, the control unit can be configured not to generate a secondary control instruction, and therefore remain in the standard operating mode with the main control instruction, since the inclination of the vehicle due to the slope is temporary. Optionally, if the inclination of the motor vehicle persists, for example during a trip in the mountains, the control unit can generate a secondary control instruction aimed at reducing the power supply to the electrical or electronic components.

In either case, it is understood that the secondary control instruction makes it possible to limit the damage to the electrical or electronic components when the effective level NE of dielectric fluid in the case is insufficient to ensure the correct cooling of the electrical or electronic components.

A second variant of the invention will now be described in relation to FIGS. 5 and 6. It should therefore be considered that only the distinct characteristics of the first variant embodiment of the invention will be detailed in the remainder of the description. For the common characteristics, please refer to figures 2 to 4.

According to the second variant, the thermal regulation system 10 comprises a circuit 36 of dielectric fluid 32 configured to transport a two-phase dielectric fluid 32 and allow its use to cool the electrical or electronic components 4. By two-phase dielectric fluid 32 is meant a fluid which has a phase change temperature such that it is capable of vaporizing under the effect of a release of heat similar to that produced by the electrical or electronic components housed in the case 6.

The circuit 36 of dielectric fluid comprises at least one device 38 for spraying dielectric fluid 32 in the direction of the electrical or electronic components 4 whose temperature must be regulated, in particular because of a rise in temperature during their operation. Each spray device 38 may in particular consist of a spray nozzle 40 equipping an outlet hole of the circuit 36 with dielectric fluid 32 and configured to allow the spraying of the dielectric fluid 32 on at least one of the electrical or electronic components 4. In accordance with this which has been described above, the dielectric fluid 32 is capable of capturing calories emanating from the electrical or electronic components 4 in operation, and in the present case, its phase change temperature implies that it vaporizes under the effect of this calorie intake.

The circuit 36 of dielectric fluid 32 is here formed by a tubular conduit 42 arranged projecting from the internal face 24 of the side walls 30, this tubular conduit 42 being equipped at regular intervals with projection devices 38, allowing a homogeneous distribution of the dielectric fluid 32 on the electrical or electronic components, here battery elements 8. It should be noted that, without departing from the context of the invention, the tubular conduit 42 forming the circuit 36 of dielectric fluid 32 could be made in the thickness of the plurality of side walls 30, and/or in the thickness of the cover 22 of the box 6, and/or be produced by a flexible hose running in the housing, for example along the internal face of the side walls or of the cover.

Once the two-phase dielectric fluid 32 has been sprayed onto the electrical or electronic components, it is vaporized under the effect of the heat given off by the operation of the electrical or electronic components 4, then is condensed on contact with the walls defining the housing 18 of the case. 6 and whose temperature allows the condensation of the dielectric fluid 32. Subsequently, the two-phase dielectric fluid 32 flows along the walls of the case 6, to come into a recovery tank 44 placed in the vicinity of the bottom wall of the case 6 .

The recovery tank 44 is provided with an evacuation hose 46 for the dielectric fluid 32 as well as a recirculation pipe 48. The dielectric fluid 32 recovered inside the recovery tank 44, in liquid form, is then evacuated outside said recovery tank 44 by the evacuation hose 46 which is in communication with the recirculation pipe 48 of the dielectric fluid 32. The recirculation pipe 48 is equipped with a pump 50 to suck the dielectric fluid 32 out of the drip tray 44 and direct it towards an inlet 52 of dielectric fluid 32 connected to the conduit 42 tubular.

It is thus understood that the dielectric fluid 32 travels through a circulation loop comprising the recovery tank 44 of the two-phase dielectric fluid 32 in the liquid state, the recirculation pipe 48 of the dielectric fluid 32 equipped with the pump 50, the fluid circuit 36 dielectric 32 and the spray nozzles 40 spraying the electrical or electronic components 4 with the dielectric fluid 32.

In this second variant embodiment of the invention, the dielectric fluid being capable of taking two different forms, liquid and gaseous, the focus is on controlling the level of the dielectric fluid in its liquid form, and therefore on the effective level NE of dielectric fluid in the recovery tank 44. A second reference level N2 of the two-phase dielectric fluid is then defined as being the optimum level of dielectric fluid for the adequate cooling of the electrical or electronic components. The second reference level N2 can then be chosen according to the quantity of dielectric fluid in liquid form which is deposited in the bottom of the box during normal operation.

The lower face 54 of the electrical or electronic components 4 is arranged facing the bottom wall 28, forming the part of the latter which is closest to the bottom wall 28 of the base 20 of the case 6. a second height H2 corresponding to the distance taken along a straight line parallel to the vertical direction V of the thermal regulation device 2, between the lower face 54 of the electrical or electronic components 4 and the bottom wall 28 of the base 20. In this second variant of the invention, a second reference level N2 of the two-phase dielectric fluid 32, measured along a straight line parallel to the vertical direction V thermal regulation device 2 can in particular be chosen to be less than or equal to the second height H2 of the lower faces 54 of the electrical or electronic components 4, said dielectric fluid 32 vaporizing on contact with said components.

According to the second variant of the invention, in which the dielectric fluid 32 is diphasic, the at least one sensor 16 is positioned in the case 6 such that it is between the lower face 54 of the electrical or electronic component 4 and the bottom wall 28 of the base 20 of the box 6. More specifically, the sensor 16 can advantageously be arranged in the housing so that the first distance D1 associated with it is less than or equal to the second reference level N2 of the dielectric fluid in order to be able to compare the effective level NE of dielectric fluid with this second reference level N2, and less than or equal to the second height H2 of the electrical or electronic components so that the sensor is arranged in a zone where the dielectric fluid is under liquid form.

As regards the dielectric fluid 32, it is understood from the above that the latter is chosen according to its phase change point. For example, the fluid chosen here must have an evaporation temperature at atmospheric pressure above 32, 33 or 34 degrees Celsius and a condensation temperature below 31, 30 or 29 degrees Celsius.

A process for regulating the operation or the load of at least one electrical or electronic component 4 included in the thermal regulation device 2 mentioned above will now be described in relation to FIG. 6 showing a flowchart of the various stages of the process.

The method comprises at least a first step 100 of detecting the actual level of the dielectric fluid in the box by means of the sensor. The first step 100 of the method is implemented continuously during charging or during operation of at least one electrical or electronic component. This detection of the level of the dielectric fluid within the housing of the case is carried out in particular at regular intervals during the charging or operation of the electrical or electronic component.

Subsequently, during an intermediate step 150 subsequent to the first step 100, the control unit compares the actual level of dielectric fluid detected by the sensor during the first step with the first reference level, or with the second reference level, of dielectric fluid in the case. More precisely, when the dielectric fluid used is single-phase, the effective level of dielectric fluid is compared with the first reference level and when the dielectric fluid used is two-phase, the effective level of dielectric fluid is compared with the second reference level such that they may have been presented previously.

Following the intermediate step, the method comprises at least a second step 200 of controlling the power supply and/or the operation of the electrical or electronic component according to the comparison of the effective level of dielectric fluid with the first level of reference or the second reference level, as previously mentioned during the intermediate step 150.

More precisely, still during the second step 200, in a first configuration 210, when the effective level of dielectric fluid detected by the sensor is at least equal to the first reference level or second reference level of dielectric fluid, respectively single-phase or diphasic, the operation and/or the load of the electrical or electronic component are unchanged by the control unit, the latter not modifying the main control instruction.

In a second configuration 220, during the second step 200, when the effective level of dielectric fluid detected by the sensor is lower than the first reference level or second reference level of dielectric fluid in the case, the control unit can generate a secondary command instruction in which it commands at least a reduction in the power of the load and/or the power supply of the electrical or electronic component to the power supply device.

It should be considered that in the following, it is considered that the thermal regulation device is configured according to the fourth example of the first variant, that is to say with a first sensor and a second sensor opposite one another. another on the side walls of the base of the case, and therefore capable of detecting both drops in level due to a leak and a slope without it being necessary to provide for a verification of the duration during which this drop in level appears to differentiate the two cases.

In this context, a first option 221 of the second configuration 220 consists of the case where the level sensors detect an inclination of the motor vehicle. The control unit then does not generate a secondary control instruction. Alternatively, if the control unit identifies that the inclination of the motor vehicle persists, in particular due to traffic on a mountain road for example, the control unit can generate a secondary control instruction which aims to temporarily reduce the power supply to electrical or electronic components.

A second option 222 of the second configuration 220 consists of the cases where the level sensors detect a leak of dielectric fluid outside the case. The control unit then generates a secondary control instruction which consists of reducing the power supply to the electrical or electronic components or else stopping the operation or charging of the latter, for example if the effective level drops below the dielectric fluid threshold level. Simultaneously with the secondary instruction to control the stopping of the charge and the operation of the electrical or electronic component, the control unit transmits a signal 300 to the driver of the motor vehicle so that he can exercise a corrective action on the thermal regulation, and for example stop at a garage to have the level of dielectric fluid topped up, if necessary via an intervention aimed at remedying the leak.

Following the second configuration 220 of the method, at a final step 400 once the effective level of the dielectric fluid has been restored to a value at least equal to the first reference level or second reference level, the control unit generates the reactivation operation and/or load of the electrical or electronic component. The process for controlling the level of dielectric fluid, and therefore the process for regulating the operation or the load of at least one electrical or electronic component, then resumes cyclically at its original stage.

According to a variant of the second configuration of the method, not illustrated, a threshold time value is defined corresponding to a time limit to differentiate the case where the motor vehicle which carries the thermal regulation device is on a slope and the case where the box has leaking dielectric fluid. In this variant, the control unit is capable of measuring an effective time value during which the effective level of dielectric fluid is lower than the first reference level or second reference level.

Thus, according to a first case of this variant of the second configuration, when the effective time value measured by the control unit is less than the threshold time value, the control unit can command a reduction in the charging power and/or the supply of the electric or electronic component by the supply device. Indeed, when the effective time value is less than the threshold time value, the control unit considers that the vehicle is in an inclined position, thus causing a variation in the level of the temporary dielectric fluid, and thereby requiring only a temporary reduction in the load and/or power supply to the electrical or electronic component.

According to a second case of this variant of the second configuration, when the effective time value measured by the control unit is greater than the threshold time value, the control unit can generate a secondary command instruction which commands a stop charging and powering the electrical or electronic component by the power supply device. Indeed, when the effective time value is greater than the threshold temp value, the control unit considers that a leak is present in the case and then stops the operation and the load of the electrical or electronic components in order to limit their damage in the absence of a cooling system.

The process for thermal regulation of the operation and/or the load of the electrical or electronic components as it has just been described advantageously makes it possible to modify in real time the operation and/or the load of the said electrical or electronic components according to the level of dielectric fluid in the case. In this way, the damage caused by insufficient cooling of the electrical or electronic components by the cooling system in particular situations such as the inclination of the motor vehicle or even the leakage of dielectric fluid outside the housing of the device is limited. thermal regulation.

The invention as it has just been described therefore makes it possible, by simple means, to increase the durability of electrical or electronic components while optimizing their cooling by the cooling system. The invention, as it has just been described, cannot however be limited to the means and configurations exclusively described and illustrated, and also applies to all means or configurations, equivalents and to any combination of such means or configurations.

Claims (10)

Device for thermal regulation (2) of an electrical or electronic component (4) comprising a box (6) configured to house the at least one electrical or electronic component (4), capable of releasing heat during its operation or its charge, and a dielectric fluid (32) intended to be in contact with said electrical or electronic component (4) to allow its temperature to be regulated, the thermal regulation device (2) also comprising a supply device (12) for said electrical or electronic component (4) and at least one control unit (14) configured to generate a main operating and/or charging control instruction of said electrical or electronic component (4), the thermal regulation device (2) being characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor (16) for controlling an effective level (NE) of the dielectric fluid (32) in the box (6), the control unit (14) being able to generate a instruction secondary control mode adapted according to data acquired by the at least one sensor (16). Thermal regulation device (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the secondary control instruction generated by the control unit (14) consists of an operation control instruction intended for the electrical or electronic component (4) and/ or in a charge control instruction of the electrical or electronic component (4) intended for the power supply device (12). Thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the box (6) comprises at least one base (20) delimiting a housing (18) of the box (6) in which the at least one electrical or electronic component (4), and a cover (22) overlapping said housing (18), the at least one sensor (16) being provided in the housing (18) of the case (6). Thermal regulation device (2) according to claim 3, in which the at least one sensor (16) is provided in the housing (18) of the box (6) so that it is at a non-zero distance from the base (20) and the lid (22) of said box (6). Thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, in which the base (20) of the casing (6) comprises at least one bottom wall (28) opposite the lid (22) of the casing (6 ), the at least one sensor (16) being arranged in the housing (18) of the box (6) such that it is at a first distance (D1) from the bottom wall (28) of the base ( 20), the first distance (D1) being equal to or less than a reference level (N1, N2) of a surface (S) of the dielectric fluid (32) in the case. Thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, in which the dielectric fluid (32) has a phase change temperature such that the dielectric fluid (32) remains in a liquid phase in contact with the component electrical or electronic component (4), the at least one sensor (16) being positioned in the casing (6) between a top (34) of the electrical or electronic component (4) and the cover (22) of the casing (6). Thermal regulation device (2) according to Claim 6, in which the dielectric fluid (32) has a phase change temperature such that the dielectric fluid (32) is able to vaporize it on contact with the electrical or electronic component (4) , the at least one sensor (16) being positioned in the case (6) such that it is between a top (34) of the electrical or electronic component (4) and the bottom wall (28) of the base ( 20) of the box (6). Thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one sensor (16) for monitoring the effective level (NE) of the dielectric fluid (323) in the casing (6) is an optical sensor and/or a sensor floating on the surface (S) of the dielectric fluid (32) present in the case (6). Thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, in combination with Claim 3, in which at least two control sensors (16) are positioned in the housing (18) of the box (6), a first sensor (16a) being arranged in contact with and/or in the vicinity of the cover (22) and a second sensor (16b) being arranged in contact with and/or in the vicinity of the base (20) of the case (6). Method for regulating the operation or the load of at least one electrical or electronic component (4) included in a thermal regulation device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, the regulation method comprising at least one first step (100) of detecting an effective level (NE) of the dielectric fluid (32) in the box (6) by the sensor (16) and at least a second step (200) of controlling the power supply device ( 12) of the electrical or electronic component (4) or control of the operation of the electrical or electronic component (4) by the control unit (14) according to the effective level (NE) of dielectric fluid (32) in the box ( 6) detected by the sensor (16),
the method also comprising during an intermediate step (150), between the first step (100) and the second step (200), the control unit (14) compares the effective level (NE) of dielectric fluid (32 ) detected by the sensor (16) during the first step (100), at a level (N1, N2) of dielectric fluid reference (32) in the case (6).