FR3132391A1 - Battery module, battery and associated cooling method - Google Patents

Abstract

Battery module, battery and associated cooling method The module (12) comprises a casing (16) extending along a longitudinal axis (A-A'), and a block of cells (20). The housing (16) defines a coolant distributor (22) opening into a passage (38) for distributing coolant through the cell block (20), the housing (16) defining a manifold (24) of cooling fluid defining a passage (58) for collecting cooling fluid that has passed through the cell block (20). The cell block (20) is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A'), the distributor (22) having a cooling fluid passage cross-section (34) of decreasing area along the cell block. cells (20) and manifold (24) having a coolant collection cross-section (54) of increasing area along the cell block (20). Figure for abstract: Figure 3

Description

Battery module, battery and associated cooling method

The present invention relates to a battery module comprising:

- a housing extending along a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising an upper wall and a lower wall, the housing defining an intermediate volume between the upper wall and the lower wall;

- at least one block of cells inserted in the intermediate volume, the block of cells comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells, each electrochemical cell extending along its height between a lower end and an upper end, the housing defining a fluid distributor cooling opening upstream, through a cooling fluid supply opening and downstream, through a cooling fluid distribution passage through the or each block of cells, the housing defining a cooling fluid collector, extending between a cooling fluid collection passage having passed through the cell block and an opening for evacuating cooling fluid from the housing.

Such a module is particularly intended to be placed in an electrical energy storage bay, for static energy storage applications. Alternatively, the battery module is intended to be embedded in a vehicle, for example in a motor vehicle, an aircraft, or a ship.

The battery module comprises a cell block comprising a large number of electrochemical cells, for example lithium-ion accumulators.

In the current context, the electrical energy storage capacity of such modules tends to increase significantly. This leads, during battery operation, to significant heating within the modules, which, depending on the applications, need to be cooled. This cooling is for example ensured by circulating a flow of air in the module around the accumulators.

For batteries integrating a large number of accumulators, which is the case in automobiles or energy storage, equal air distribution in/around the different accumulators is essential to guarantee uniform cooling. With “non-optimized” thermal management, and in particular on batteries of significant length, the air flows can be heterogeneous, that is to say with different flow rates, and certain accumulators can be less cooled than others. .

Such a situation can lead to certain accumulators deteriorating compared to others and lead to degraded operation of the battery.

To overcome this problem, CN 2 842 750 describes a battery module which comprises a distributor intended to pass a flow of air through the module between two blocks of cells, and an air collector recovering the air having circulated around blocks of cells.

However, such a battery module does not give complete satisfaction. In particular, the configuration of the distributor and the air collector requires that the upper wall of the box containing the cell block is protruding, with a substantially roof shape. This makes the battery module bulky, and prevents the stacking of several modules to create a high power battery.

In addition, if the air circulation is more homogeneous in the module around the cell blocks, local internal heating can still occur significantly within each cell block.

An aim of the invention is to provide a battery module which is particularly effective for cooling the cells of a cell block, while being very space-saving and easily stackable.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a battery module of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the cell block is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis by a non-zero angle and less than 90°, the distributor having a cooling fluid passage cross section of decreasing area along the cell block from the inlet opening and the collector having a cooling fluid collection cross section of increasing area towards the discharge opening along the cell block.

The battery module according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- the angle of inclination of the cell block relative to the longitudinal axis is between 0.5° and 5°;

- the upper wall is parallel to the lower wall and is parallel to the longitudinal axis;

- one of the upper wall and the lower wall at least partially delimits the cooling fluid passage cross section, the other of the upper wall and the lower wall at least partially delimits the fluid collection cross section cooling ;

- the upper ends of the electrochemical cells of the cell block are located in an upper plane, or/and the lower ends of the electrochemical cells of the cell block are located in a lower plane, at least one of the upper plane and the lower plane being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis by a non-zero angle and less than 90°;

- the maximum height of the cooling fluid collection section in the collector is greater than the maximum height of the cooling fluid passage section in the distributor;

- each electrochemical cell has an external peripheral surface, the cell block having at least one cooling fluid circulation channel connecting the distributor to the collector for each electrochemical cell of the cell block, the circulation channel extending around at minus a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the electrochemical cell, advantageously around the entire outer peripheral surface of the electrochemical cell;

- the cell block comprises a cellular structure defining, for each electrochemical cell, a cell receiving the electrochemical cell, each cell being delimited by a peripheral partition, the circulation channel being defined between the peripheral partition and the outer peripheral surface of the cell electrochemical;

- the cell block comprises at least one perforated upper plate, arranged on the upper ends of the electrochemical cells and at least one lower perforated plate, arranged below the lower ends of the electrochemical cells, the upper and lower plates having opposite each cell electrochemical, a through hole;

- the upper and lower plates comprise, in each through hole facing each electrochemical cell, at least one retaining tab for the electrochemical cell;

- the cell block comprises for each cell, an upper capsule engaged on the upper end of the cell and a lower capsule engaged on the lower end of the cell, the upper capsule and the lower capsule each being provided with an orifice through, the upper capsule and the lower capsule being wedged respectively in a respective through hole of the upper plate and the lower plate;

- the cell block comprises an upper perforated electrical connection bar, placed in contact with the upper plate, and/or a lower electrical connection bar, placed in contact with the lower plate;

- the distributor is located above the cell block, the collector being located below the cell block;

- the cell block comprises a plurality of adjacent cell sub-blocks, each cell sub-block being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis, by an angle non-zero and less than 90°;

- the cooling fluid is a gas, notably air.

The invention also relates to a battery comprising:

- at least one battery module as defined above;

- a cooling fluid supply system, the supply system being connected to the inlet opening of the distributor of the or each battery module.

The invention also relates to a method of cooling a battery, comprising the following steps:

- supply of a battery as defined above;

- activation of the cooling fluid supply system to generate a flow of cooling fluid;

- circulation of the cooling fluid through the distributor, through the cell block, and collecting the cooling fluid in the collector before being discharged through the discharge opening.

The cooling process according to the invention may include the following characteristic:

- each electrochemical cell has an external peripheral surface, the cell block having at least one cooling fluid circulation channel connecting the distributor to the collector for each electrochemical cell of the cell block, the circulation channel extending around at least part of the outer peripheral surface of the electrochemical cell, the cooling fluid circulating in the circulation channel and sweeping at least partially the peripheral surface of each electrochemical cell of the cell block.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- there is a perspective view of a first battery module according to the invention;

- there is a side view of the battery module of the , the side wall of the box having been removed;

- there is a schematic view of a section along a median axial plane of the battery module of Figures 1 and 2;

- there is a view of a detail of the section of the ;

- there is a top view of the battery pack, illustrating a cell holding wall;

- there is a view of the honeycomb structure of the battery pack, receiving the cells;

- there is a partial perspective view of a battery module variant, comprising a battery block comprising several sub-blocks, the distributor having been dismantled;

- there is a view analogous to the illustrating a variant of battery module according to the invention; And

- there is a perspective view of another battery module according to the invention having prismatic cells.

In all that follows, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are understood in relation to the normal direction of circulation of a fluid, in particular the cooling fluid in the module.

A first battery 10 is shown schematically on the . The battery 10 comprises at least a first battery module 12 according to the invention, and a cooling fluid supply system 14, connected to the battery module 12.

In this example, the cooling fluid is a gas, notably air. The battery module 12 is cooled with a gas flow constituting the cooling fluid.

As a variant (not shown), the cooling fluid is a liquid, in particular a dielectric liquid.

The battery 10 is for example intended for the static storage of electrical energy, for example in the form of at least one electrical storage bay in which several modules are stacked. Alternatively, the battery 10 is intended to be embedded in a motor vehicle, railway, naval vehicle, and/or in an aircraft.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the battery module 12 comprises a housing 16, of longitudinal axis A-A' here horizontal, internally defining an intermediate volume 18. The battery module 12 comprises, within the intermediate volume 18 of the housing 16, at least one block 20 of cells arranged inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A-A' of the housing 16.

The housing 16 extends along the longitudinal axis A-A' between an upstream longitudinal end (on the left on the ) and a downstream longitudinal end (to the right on the ).

The length of the housing 16 is for example greater than 200 mm and is in particular between 300 mm and 2000 mm.

It comprises an upper cover defining a cooling fluid distributor 22, intended to distribute cooling fluid within the cell block 20, a lower cover defining a cooling fluid collector 24 having passed through the cell block 20, and advantageously , an intermediate side wall 26 extending between the distributor 22 and the collector 24.

The distributor 22 extends along the horizontal axis A-A’. It has an upper wall 30 parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A', and a peripheral rim 32 partially inclined along the axis A-A'.

In reference to the , the upper wall 30 and the rim 32 internally define a cooling fluid passage section 34 extending between a cooling fluid supply opening 36, provided at the upstream end of the housing 16, and a lower passage 38 fluid distribution to the cell block 20.

The upper wall 30 and the rim 32 externally define an exterior surface of the housing 16.

The distributor 22 and more particularly its upper wall 30 cover the entire block of cells 20 over the entire length and over the entire width of the block of cells 20.

As visible on the , the rim 32 has two longitudinal regions 40A, 40B located on either side of the longitudinal axis A-A', and each defining a free edge inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A-A'. The rim 32 further comprises two transverse regions 42A, 42B joining the longitudinal regions 40A, 40B to the longitudinal ends of the housing 16.

In reference to the , the height of each longitudinal region 40A, 40B taken at the level of the transverse region 42A at the upstream end of the housing 16 is greater than the height of the longitudinal region 40A, 40B, taken at the level of the second transverse region 42B, at the downstream end of the housing 16.

Likewise, the height of the first longitudinal region 42A is greater than the height of the second longitudinal region 42B.

The feed opening 36 is provided through the transverse region 42A. The transverse region 42B is on the contrary completely full.

The free edges of regions 40A, 40B, 42A, 42B define the periphery of the lower passage 38.

The cross section 34 is delimited upwards by the upper wall 30, downwards by the cell block 20 and by the lower passage 38, and laterally by the peripheral rim 32.

As illustrated by the , the cross section 34 of air passage through the distributor 22 (taken here vertically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A') has a decreasing area as it moves from the inlet opening 36 at the upstream end from the housing 16 towards the downstream end of the housing 16.

The height h1 of the cross section 34 for passing cooling fluid, taken at the level of the inlet opening 36, is greater than the height h2 of the cross section 34 for passing cooling fluid, taken at the level of the transverse region 42B.

For example, the ratio of height h1 to height h2 is greater than 3. This ratio may in particular be less than or equal to the number of longitudinal channels. Indeed, the greater the length of the battery module 12, the greater the number of channels to be supplied between the cells of the cell block 20. Consequently, the area of the cross section 34 is chosen to be larger in the vicinity of the feed opening 36.

Thus, the angle α of inclination of the free edge of the longitudinal regions 40A, 40B relative to the longitudinal axis A-A', which here corresponds to the angle of inclination α of the block of cells 20 relative to the 'longitudinal axis A-A' is for example greater than 0.5° and is in particular between 1° and 5°.

The collector 24 also extends along the horizontal axis A-A’. It has a lower wall 50 parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A', and a peripheral rim 52 partially inclined along the axis A-A'.

The lower wall 50 and the rim 52 internally define a cooling fluid collection section 54 extending from an upper passage 58 for collecting fluid coming from the cell block 20 towards a cooling fluid evacuation opening 56 provided at the downstream end of the housing 16.

The lower wall 50 and the rim 32 externally define an exterior surface of the housing 16.

The entire block of cells 20 over the entire length and over the entire width of the block of cells 20 opens facing the collector 24 and more particularly, its lower wall 50.

The lower wall 50 is parallel to the upper wall 30. In the example shown in the figures, these walls 30, 50 also have an identical area, and are located opposite each other. In projection in a horizontal plane containing the longitudinal axis A-A’, their contours coincide.

This arrangement increases the compactness of the case, and makes it possible to accumulate several battery modules 12 by stacking while optimizing the space occupied by the battery modules 12. This reduces the overall volume of the battery 10, while increasing the electrical energy stored.

As visible on the , the rim 52 has two longitudinal regions 60A, 60B located on either side of the longitudinal axis A-A', each defining a free edge inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A-A'. The rim 52 further comprises two transverse regions 62A, 62B joining the longitudinal regions 60A, 60B to the longitudinal ends of the collector 24.

In reference to the , the height of each longitudinal region 60A, 60B taken at the level of the transverse region 62A at the upstream end of the housing 16 is less than the height of the longitudinal region 60A, 60B, taken at the level of the second transverse region 62B, at the downstream end of the housing 16.

Likewise, the height of the first longitudinal region 62A is less than the height of the second longitudinal region 42B.

The evacuation opening 56 is provided through the transverse region 62B at the downstream end of the housing 16. The transverse region 62A located at the upstream end of the housing 16 is on the contrary completely full.

The free edges of regions 60A, 60B, 62A, 62B define the periphery of the upper passage 68.

The cross section 54 is delimited downwards by the lower wall 60, upwards by the cell block 20 and by the upper passage 58, and laterally by the peripheral rim 52.

As illustrated by the , the cross section 54 for collecting cooling fluid through the collector 24 (taken here vertically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A') has an increasing area as it moves towards the evacuation opening 56 at the end downstream of the housing 16, from the upstream end of the housing 16.

The height H2 of the cross section 54 for collecting cooling fluid, taken at the level of the discharge opening 56, is greater than the height H1 of the cross section 54 for collecting cooling fluid, taken at the level of the transverse region 62A.

For example, the ratio of height H1 to height H2 is greater than 1.2 and is notably between 1.5 and 5.

Thus, the angle -α of inclination of the free edge of the longitudinal regions 60A, 60B relative to the longitudinal axis A-A', which here corresponds in absolute value to the angle of inclination α of the block of cells 20 relative to the longitudinal axis A- A' is for example greater than 0.5° and is in particular between 1° and 5°.

The maximum height h1 of the cooling fluid passage section 34 in the distributor 22 is also less than the maximum height H2 of the cooling fluid collection section 54 in the collector 24. The ratio h1/H2 is advantageously greater to 1.2, in particular between 1.5 and 5.

The provision of a greater height for the passage of the cooling fluid in the collector 24 compared to the height in the distributor 22 minimizes fluid disturbances in the flow of the cooling fluid from the cell block 20 towards the collector 24 .

The side wall 26, when present, connects the free edges of the flanges 32, 52 over the entire periphery of the battery module 12. It extends inclined with respect to the horizontal axis A-A', around of the cell block 20. Alternatively, the side wall 26 is defined within the cell block 20. It externally defines an exterior surface of the housing 16.

The block of cells 20 extends longitudinally along an axis B-B' inclined relative to the longitudinal horizontal axis of the housing A-A'.

With reference to Figures 4 to 6, the cell block 20 comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells 70 arranged adjacent to each other while being spaced from each other, and advantageously, a cellular structure 74 visible in detail on the , intended to contain the cells 72.

The cell block 20 further comprises an upper plate 76 for holding the cells 70 and a lower plate 78 for holding the cells 70. It optionally comprises an upper intermediate electrical distribution bar 80 (or "bus bar" in English), a lower intermediate electrical distribution bar 82, and connectors 84, intended to connect the cells 70 to the upper and lower intermediate bars 80, 82.

The cells 70 are here mounted in the block 20 being placed at a distance from each other. Each cell 70 extends along a cell axis C-C' between an upper end 90A located opposite the distributor 22 and a lower end 90B located opposite the collector 24. Each cell 70 defines an exterior peripheral surface 92 between the ends 90A, 90B.

Each cell 70 contains electrochemical elements intended to store and/or produce electrical power at the terminals of the cell 70 which are here located respectively at the upper end 90A and at the lower end 90B.

In this example, the number of cells 70 contained in a block 20 is greater than two, in particular greater than 10, in particular greater than 20.

The cells 70 are here cylindrical accumulators, and the peripheral surface 92 is then cylindrical. Alternatively, the cells 70 are prismatic accumulators, in particular prismatic or are pockets.

The block of cells 20 being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A-A', the cell axis C-C' of each cell 70 is also inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A-A'. In this example, all the axes C-C' of cells 70 are parallel to each other.

The height of the cells 70, taken between the upper ends 90A and the lower ends 90B, is also identical for all the cells 70.

Consequently, the upper ends 90A of the cells 70 define a first plane P1 inclined at the angle α relative to the horizontal axis A-A', and the second ends 90B of the cells 70 define a second plane P2 parallel to the plane P1 .

The peripheral surfaces 92 of the cells 70 are arranged completely apart from each other. In particular, the peripheral surface 72 of each cell 70 is arranged completely away from the peripheral surface 92 of the adjacent cells 70 by defining interstices.

The alveolar structure 74 is interposed in the interstices between the cells 70. With reference to the , it defines a plurality of cells 94, each cell 94 containing a single cell 70, and comprises peripheral partitions 96 sealingly separating the cells 94.

Each cell 94 opens upwards and downwards. It extends along the C-C’ axis of cell 70 which it contains.

Each cell 94 has a cross section perpendicular to the axis C-C' of homothetic contour of the exterior contour of the peripheral surface 92 of the cell 70.

Thus, the cell block 20 defines, around each peripheral surface 92 of a cell 70, a cooling fluid circulation channel 98 which connects the passage section 34 of the distributor 22 to the passage section 54 of the collector 24.

In the example shown in the figures, the channel 98 present, around each cell 70, extends over the entire periphery of the cell 70 around the entire peripheral surface 92, between the partition 96 and the peripheral surface 92.

Thus, the heat exchange between the air flow and the peripheral surface 92 of the cell 70 is maximized when the flow of cooling fluid passes through the cell block 20 from the distributor 22 towards the collector 24.

The upper plate 76 is applied to the upper ends 90A of the cells 70. It has, for each cell 70, a through hole 100 for the passage of cooling fluid, and comprises, in each passage hole 100, at least one tab 102 of timing of cell 70.

The upper plate 76 extends from the angle α in a plane inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A–A’. It has a thickness less than the height of a cell 20, and less than the maximum height h1 of the passage section 34 of the distributor 22.

The wedging tab 102 projects radially into the hole 100 towards the center of the hole 100. It has a free end located away from the center of the hole 100. In projection in a plane passing through the axis C-C', the tab 102 has a square shape allowing the wedging of an upper edge of the peripheral surface 92 of the cell 70.

The number of wedging lugs 102 in each hole 100 is for example greater than 2, and in particular between 3 and 10. The wedging lugs 102 define between them intermediate spaces through which the flow of cooling fluid enters the block 20 , and supplies the channels 98 around the cells 70.

The intermediate bar 80 is made of an electrically conductive material. It also has through holes 104 for the passage of cooling fluid, coinciding with the through holes 100 made in the upper plate 76.

The lower plate 78 is applied to the lower ends 90B of the cells 70. It has, for each cell 70, a through hole 110 for the passage of cooling fluid, and comprises, in each passage hole 110 at least one lug 112 for wedging of cell 70.

The lower plate 78 extends in a plane inclined at the angle α relative to the axis A–A’. It has a thickness less than the height of a cell 20, and less than the maximum height of the collector 24.

The wedging tab 112 projects radially into the hole 110 towards the center of the hole 110. It has a free end located away from the center of the hole 110. In projection in a plane passing through the axis C-C', the tab 112 has a square shape allowing the wedging of a lower edge of the peripheral surface 92 of the cell 70.

The number of wedging lugs 112 in each hole 110 is for example greater than 2, and in particular between 3 and 10. The wedging lugs 112 define between them intermediate spaces through which the flow of cooling fluid leaves the block 20, from channels 98 around cells 70 and enters collector 24.

The intermediate bar 82 is made of an electrically conductive material. It also has through holes 114 for the passage of cooling fluid, coinciding with the through holes 110 made in the lower plate 76.

The connector 84 has for example electrically conductive paths connecting the terminals of a plurality of cells 70, for example of a row of cells 70, and connection pads 120A, 120B between the conductive paths and the intermediate bars 80 , 82.

The cooling fluid supply system 14 is connected to the supply opening 36. It comprises for example at least one fan or a pump intended to create a flow of cooling fluid which is introduced into the distributor 22 by the the inlet opening 36. It is possibly connected to the discharge opening 56

The cooling of the battery 10 by the cooling fluid will now be described.

When charging or discharging the battery 10, and/or during a waiting phase, it may be necessary to cool the cells 70 of the block 20.

The cooling fluid supply system 14 is then activated to generate a flow of cooling fluid which is introduced into the distributor 22 via the inlet opening 36.

The cooling fluid is then guided longitudinally along the passage section 34 away from the inlet opening 36, up to the transverse region 42B. It is then guided between cells 70 of block 20 via channels 98.

Due to the decreasing height of the passage section 34, the cooling fluid is distributed very homogeneously between the channels 98 around the cells 70 along the block 20.

The flow rates of cooling fluid entering the block 20, at the level of each channel 98 through each through hole 100, 104 are substantially identical, ensuring uniform cooling of the cells 70.

By “substantially identical” is meant that the maximum variation in flow rate in each channel 98 relative to the arithmetic average of the flow rates in each channel 98 is less than 10%, in particular is less than 5%.

Once in the channels 98, the cooling fluid sweeps the entire peripheral surface 92 of each cell 70, which ensures very efficient heat exchange and appropriate cooling of each cell 70.

Then, the cooling fluid comes out through the through holes 110, 114, and is collected in the collector 24.

The flow of cooling fluid increases as it moves towards the discharge opening 56. However, taking into account the increase in the height of the passage section 54 towards the discharge opening 56, the flow within of each channel 98 is not disturbed and the cooling remains homogeneous between the cells 70.

As indicated previously, this is all the more the case when the maximum height H2 of the passage section 54 in the collector 24 is greater than the maximum height h1 in the distributor 22, to minimize disturbances to the flow of cooling fluid leaving the channels 98 and redirecting towards the evacuation opening 56.

Thanks to the inclination of the cell block 20 within the intermediate volume 18, it is possible to maintain the parallelism between the lower wall 50 and the upper wall 30, and therefore to minimize the space occupied by each battery module 12, while allowing simple accumulation by stacking different battery modules 12 within the same battery 10, in particular in a storage bay.

In the variant shown on the , the cell block 20 is formed of a plurality of sub-blocks 120A, 120B, 120C, each sub-block 120A, 120B, 120C being of structure similar to a block 20 described previously in Figures 4 to 6.

In a variant (not shown), the distributor 22 is mounted under the cell block 20, the collector 24 being arranged above the cell block 20.

In a variant, the flow rate of injected fluid is adjustable for example via modulation of the rotation speed of a pump or a fan of the supply system 14, for example as a function of a temperature measured by a probe present within the cell block 20. Thus, the start of fluid is adapted according to the cooling needs of the cells 70.

In another variant, shown on the , the lugs 102, 112 for wedging each cell 70 are defined respectively on an upper capsule 130 and on a lower capsule 140 engaged respectively on the upper end 90A and on the lower end 90B of the cell 70.

Each capsule 130, 140 has an annular base 150 arranged in a complementary manner in a through hole 100, 110 respectively of the upper plate 76 and the lower plate 78.

The annular bottom 150 has an exterior contour conjugate to the interior contour of the through hole 100, 110 in which it is received. The annular bottom 150 defines a central through orifice 152 connecting the channel 98 respectively to the fluid passage section 34 and to the fluid collection section 54. The tabs 102, 112 project towards the cell 70 from the annular bottom 150 .

Each capsule 130, 140 is immobilized along the axis B-B' respectively by the upper plate 76 and by the lower plate 78. It is immobilized perpendicular to the axis B-B' away from the cell 70 by contact of the annular bottom 150 with respectively the upper intermediate bar 80 and with the lower intermediate bar 82 at the periphery of the respective hole 104, 114.

This contact is preferably waterproof. This ensures that the air flow from the passage section 34 entering the cell block 20 via a given hole 104 is directed exclusively towards the channel 98 opposite this given hole 104 through the orifice 152 of the capsule upper 130. This also ensures that the air flow coming from the channel 98 exits exclusively into the collection section 54 through the hole 114 located opposite the channel 98, via the orifice 152 of the lower capsule 140. Thus, the homogeneity of air flows between channels 98 is guaranteed.

In the variant illustrated by , cells 70 are prismatic. Each cell 70 here has a parallelepiped shape. It has at least one main face perpendicular to the axis B-B' located opposite and away from a main face of an adjacent cell 70.

Advantageously, a spacer is placed between the adjacent main faces to permanently define at least one channel 98 for circulating the cooling fluid between the passage section 34 and the collection section 54, even in the event of overpressure in one or more cells 70 .

Claims (18)

Battery module (12) comprising:
- a housing (16) extending along a longitudinal axis (A-A'), the housing (16) comprising an upper wall (30) and a lower wall (50), the housing (16) delimiting an intermediate volume ( 18) between the upper wall (30) and the lower wall (50);
- at least one cell block (20) inserted in the intermediate volume (18), the cell block (20) comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells (70), each electrochemical cell (70) extending along its height between a lower end (90A) and an upper end (90B), the housing (16) defining a cooling fluid distributor (22) opening upstream, through a cooling fluid supply opening (36) and downstream, through a cooling fluid distribution passage (38) through the or each cell block (20), the housing (16) defining a cooling fluid collector (24), extending between a collection passage (58) cooling fluid having passed through the cell block (20) and an opening (56) for evacuating cooling fluid out of the housing (16),
characterized in that the block of cells (20) is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (A-A') by a non-zero angle and less than 90°, the distributor (22) having a cross section (34) cooling fluid passage of decreasing area along the cell block (20) from the supply opening (36) and the collector (24) having a cross section (54) for collecting cooling fluid of increasing area towards the discharge opening (56) along the cell block (20). Battery module (12) according to claim 1, in which the angle of inclination (α) of the cell block (20) relative to the longitudinal axis (A-A') is between 0.5 ° and 5°. Battery module (12) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the upper wall (30) is parallel to the lower wall (50) and is parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A'). Battery module (12) according to claim 3, in which one of the upper wall (30) and the lower wall (50) at least partially delimits the cross section (34) for passing the cooling fluid, the other of the upper wall (30) and the lower wall (50) at least partially delimits the cross section (54) for collecting the cooling fluid. Battery module (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper ends (90A) of the electrochemical cells (70) of the cell block (20) are located in an upper plane (P1), or/and the lower ends (90B) of the electrochemical cells (70) of the cell block (20) are located in a lower plane (P2), at least one of the upper plane (P1) and the lower plane (P2) being inclined relative to to the longitudinal axis (A-A') of a non-zero angle and less than 90°. Battery module (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum height (H2) of the cooling fluid collection section (54) in the collector (24) is greater than the maximum height (h1) of the cooling fluid passage section (34) in the distributor (22). Battery module (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each electrochemical cell (70) has an external peripheral surface (92), the cell block (20) having at least one channel (98) for circulation of cooling fluid connecting the distributor (22) to the collector (24) for each electrochemical cell (70) of the cell block (20), the circulation channel (98) extending around at least part of the peripheral surface (92) exterior of the electrochemical cell (70), advantageously around the entire exterior peripheral surface (92) of the electrochemical cell (70). Battery module (12) according to claim 7, in which the cell block (20) comprises a cellular structure (74) defining, for each electrochemical cell (70), a cell (94) receiving the electrochemical cell (70), each cell (94) being delimited by a peripheral partition (96), the circulation channel (98) being defined between the peripheral partition (96) and the external peripheral surface (92) of the electrochemical cell (70). Battery module (12) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, in which the cell block (20) comprises at least one upper plate (76) perforated, arranged on the upper ends (90A) of the electrochemical cells (70 ) and at least one perforated lower plate (78), arranged below the lower ends (90B) of the electrochemical cells (70), the upper and lower plates (76, 78) having opposite each electrochemical cell (70), a through hole (100, 110). Battery module (12) according to claim 9, wherein the upper and lower plates (76, 78) comprise, in each through hole (100, 110) facing each electrochemical cell (70), at least one tab (102). , 112) for retaining the electrochemical cell (70). Battery module (12) according to claim 9, in which the cell block (20) comprises for each cell (70), an upper capsule (130) engaged on the upper end (90A) of the cell (70) and a lower capsule (140) engaged on the lower end (90B) of the cell (70), the upper capsule (130) and the lower capsule (140) each being provided with a through orifice (152), the upper capsule (130) and the lower capsule (140) being wedged respectively in a through hole (100, 110) respective of the upper plate (76) and the lower plate (78). Battery module (12) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the cell block (20) comprises an upper bar (80) of perforated electrical connection, arranged in contact with the upper plate (76), and /or a lower electrical connection bar (82), placed in contact with the lower plate (78). Battery module (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distributor (22) is located above the cell block (20), the collector (24) being located below the cell block (20). ). A battery module (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell block (20) comprises a plurality of adjacent sub-cell blocks (120A, 120B, 120C), each sub-cell block (120A , 120B, 120C) being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (A-A'), of the non-zero angle and less than 90°. Battery module (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cooling fluid is a gas, in particular air. Battery (10), comprising:
- at least one battery module (12) according to any one of the preceding claims;
- a cooling fluid supply system (14), the supply system (14) being connected to the inlet opening (36) of the distributor (22) of the or each battery module (12). Method for cooling a battery (10), comprising the following steps:
- supply of a battery (10) according to claim 16;
- activation of the cooling fluid supply system (14) to generate a flow of cooling fluid;
- circulation of the cooling fluid through the distributor (22), through the cell block (20), and collection of the cooling fluid in the collector (24) before being evacuated through the evacuation opening (56 ). Method according to claim 17, in which each electrochemical cell (70) has an external peripheral surface (92), the cell block (20) having at least one cooling fluid circulation channel (98) connecting the distributor (22) to the collector (24) for each electrochemical cell (70) of the cell block (20), the circulation channel (98) extending around at least part of the outer peripheral surface (92) of the electrochemical cell ( 70), the cooling fluid circulating in the circulation channel (98) and sweeping at least partially the peripheral surface (92) of each electrochemical cell (70) of the cell block (20).