FR3138734A1 - Thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage devices. - Google Patents

Abstract

Thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage devices. The present invention relates to a device for thermal regulation of an electrical energy storage system, comprising: - a tube comprising at least one circulation channel, - a fluid collection box (32) onto which the circulation channel opens , the collection box (32) comprising a fluid inlet tube (324) and a fluid outlet tube (322), one of the tubes (322) being male and the other of the tubes being female (324 ), - a sealing member (31) mounted around the male tube (322), the regulating device (30) being characterized in that the sealing member (31) comprises an annular support, a first seal seal mounted in compression between the annular support and the male tube (322), and a second seal projecting from the annular support in an axial direction (X) of the male tube (322), on the side opposite to the collection box (32). (figure 4)

Description

Thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage devices.

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

Such electrical energy storage systems are used in particular in electric or hybrid vehicles which are equipped, in addition to their utility batteries intended to power their on-board networks, with high voltage batteries, of the order of 200 to 800 volts, intended in particular to power their electric traction motors and other high voltage devices. These high voltage electrical energy storage systems are generally composed of electrical energy storage members, also called electrical energy storage cells, electrically grouped in battery packs, for example arranged under the floors of these vehicles .

Given the power provided by these high voltage energy storage systems, thermal regulation devices are necessary in order to cool the energy storage organs which compose them, a too significant increase in their temperature could damage them to the point of cause their destruction. These thermal regulation devices can also be useful for heating the energy storage devices when their temperature is too low, for example when starting vehicles in extreme cold, given that at low temperatures their performance is generally too low to allow optimal operation of these vehicles.

There represents such an electrical energy storage system 1, equipped with thermal regulation devices 2. The electrical energy storage system 1 is a battery pack consisting of electrical energy storage cells 4 aligned in rows in a transverse direction Y, orthogonal to a longitudinal direction X of larger dimension of the battery pack along which several rows of cells are arranged. Each cell extends in a vertical direction Z orthogonal to the transverse Y and longitudinal dimensions X.

In this battery pack, each row of cells 4 is separated from the other rows of cells 4 by a thermal regulation device 2. Each thermal regulation device 2 is traversed by a heat transfer fluid which can, depending on the needs, either absorb the heat emitted by the cells 4 in order to cool them or provide them with heat if their temperature is too low, for optimal operation of the battery pack as mentioned previously.

The arrival of the heat transfer fluid in each thermal regulation device 2 takes place at the level of a collection box 12 shown . The collection boxes 12 of the thermal regulation devices 2 are connected to each other as illustrated in the . Each thermal regulation device 2 comprises tubes 6, 8 connected to the collection box 12 of the thermal regulation device 2, and return boxes 10 are arranged opposite the collection boxes to allow the heat transfer fluid to pass through 'a first tube 6 to a second tube 8 in each thermal regulation device 2. Such a configuration, which involves a U-shaped circulation of heat transfer fluid, can alternatively be replaced by a configuration involving an I-shaped circulation of heat transfer fluid, with collection boxes placed on either side of the tubes of the thermal regulation devices.

The collection box 12 comprises tubes arranged projecting from a collection chamber, with a first assembly formed of a first female tube 121 and a first male tube 123 arranged coaxially on either side of a first collection chamber 122 fluidly connected to the first tube 6 and with a second assembly formed of a second male tube 127 and a second female tube 125 arranged coaxially on either side of a second collection chamber 124 fluidly connected to the second tube 8.

As illustrated by the traffic arrows on the , the heat transfer fluid enters the battery pack at a first thermal regulation device 2 via an inlet pipe, here the first female pipe 121, of a first collection box 122 associated with this first thermal regulation device 2. From this first collection box 122, part of the heat transfer fluid enters the first tube 6 associated with this first thermal regulation device 2 and the other part of the heat transfer fluid leaves towards a first collection box adjacent and associated with a neighboring thermal regulation device, via an outlet pipe, here the first male pipe 123, of the first collection box 122. The part of the heat transfer fluid entering the first tube 6 passes through it and then circulates in the second tube 8 of the first thermal regulation device 2 passing through the associated return box 10, to then open into the second collection box 124 and be evacuated via an outlet pipe, here a second male pipe 127, from this second collection box 124, which is here connected to a fluid output of the battery pack. The other thermal regulation devices 2 are passed through in a similar manner by the heat transfer fluid. The tubes 6, 8 are glued to at least one row of cells 4 so as to optimize heat transfer from or to the cells 4 of this row.

The assembly of such an energy storage system 1 is therefore done by successive bonding of the thermal regulation device 2 on the rows of cells 4. Once the tubes 6, 8 of a thermal regulation device 2 are glued on the row of corresponding cells 4, the female tubes 121, 125 of each collection box 12 should fit tightly respectively into the male tubes 123, 127 of adjacent collection boxes or into input connectors or outlet of the energy storage system 1. The shape of the male and female tubes allows such interlocking and a fixing clip can be provided at each nesting to ensure the fixing of one tube relative to the other. Furthermore, to ensure the tightness of this fitting, it is known that the male tubes 123, 127 are respectively equipped with an annular seal 128, 129.

In practice, the number of rows of battery pack cells increasing, it is more and more difficult to fit the tubings of the collection boxes into each other in a watertight manner, the manufacturing and assembly tolerances implying that the tubings adjacent collection boxes are not perfectly coaxial. It is however desirable not to add additional constraints to the assembly of the thermal regulation devices 2 on the rows of cells 4, in particular by additional parts to be assembled between the thermal regulation devices 2, or by specific positioning processes thermal regulation devices 2 on the rows of cells 4.

There is therefore a need for thermal regulation devices allowing them to be assembled by gluing on the rows of cells of a battery pack, with a large positioning tolerance of a thermal regulation device relative to an adjacent regulation device, while ensuring a good seal between these thermal regulation devices.

The present invention aims to remedy at least in part the drawbacks of the prior art, by providing a thermal regulation device which allows simplified assembly of an electrical energy storage system, without adding intermediate parts and with great tolerance to positioning faults.

To this end, the invention proposes a device for thermal regulation of an electrical energy storage system, comprising:
- a tube comprising at least one fluid circulation channel,
- a fluid collection box onto which the circulation channel opens, the collection box comprising a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe, one of the pipes being male and the other of the pipes being female ,
- a sealing member mounted around the male tubing,
the regulating device being characterized in that the sealing member comprises an annular support, a first seal mounted in compression between the annular support and the male tubing, and a second seal projecting from the annular support in an axial direction of the male tubing, on the side opposite the collection box.

The tube of the thermal regulation device according to the invention is arranged between two rows of electrical energy storage members of the electrical energy storage system, and has a small thickness between these two rows, for example it is a tube in the form of a corrugated hollow plate, which allows it to stick as closely as possible to the energy storage organs that it cools, these storage organs being for example in the form of cylindrical cells.

The collection box of the thermal regulation device according to the invention may include several male and female tubes depending on the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit used. And the thermal regulation device can comprise two collection boxes arranged on either side of the tube comprising at least one circulation channel, in an I-shaped heat transfer fluid circulation configuration, or else comprise a single collection box and a return box on the opposite side, in a U-shaped heat transfer fluid circulation configuration.

Thanks to the invention, the thermal regulation device according to the invention offers a large positioning tolerance of its male tubing in a female tubing of another thermal regulation device according to the invention. In other words, these tubes may not be coaxial within a few millimeters. Indeed, thanks to the arrangement of the two seals on the annular support, one of the two seals is mainly compressed in a radial direction and the other of the two seals is mainly compressed in an axial direction, this which is equivalent to a very large joint.

The seal between male tubing and female tubing of two neighboring thermal regulation devices is ensured by two sealing levels, advantageously formed by two seals carried by the same part, here the annular support. More particularly, the first seal ensures the sealing of the sealing member, and of the annular support, with the male tubing, whatever the position of the annular support, which can take different positions along the male tubing. And the second seal ensures sealing between the sealing member and the female tubing, by extending axially to be able to cooperate more easily with a wall of this female tubing even in the event of manufacturing tolerances different from what has been foreseen.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the two seals carried by the same annular support protrude from said support by having free ends, intended to be in contact respectively with a male tube and a female tube, which form projections of the support in different directions, in particular perpendicular or substantially perpendicular.

By axial direction, we refer to the axis of revolution of the tubing concerned, a radial direction being orthogonal to this axial direction.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the annular support is movable along the male tubing. Thus, it is possible to adjust the axial position of the sealing member as a whole, and in particular the axial position of the second seal in order to ensure that it is sufficiently compressed against a wall of a female tubing of a neighboring thermal regulation device.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the second seal of the sealing member is configured to be mounted in compression in a female tube identical to the female tube of the collection box. In other words, the second seal is configured to be mounted in compression with a female tube of another thermal regulation device according to the invention.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the first seal and/or the second seal are lip seals. In this case, the lip of the first seal surrounds the male tubing while the lip of the second seal is intended to be pressed against the female tubing of the neighboring thermal regulation device. The use of lip seals allows the compactness of the sealing member despite the pressure exerted on the seals. Alternatively, and without this alternative being exhaustive of the possible alternatives to the types of seals that can be implemented, the use of annular seals is possible.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the thermal regulation device comprises a means of axial movement of the annular support on the male tubing. The axial movement means is configured to move the annular support towards the free end of the male tubing. This allows an axial tolerance of positioning of the male tubing in the female tubing of an adjacent thermal regulation device, and to ensure that the second seal protruding from the annular support associated with a male tubing of a device given thermal regulation device is in contact with a wall of the female tubing of a neighboring thermal regulation device.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the axial movement means comprises an elastic return means mounted between the annular support and a stop arranged on the male tubing.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the thermal regulation device comprises a ring fixedly mounted on the male tubing, capable of blocking the annular support at the end of the axial stroke. The sealing member cannot thus be easily removed from the thermal regulation device unless the ring is removed, and in particular in the context of an elastic return means which tends to push the sealing member towards the end free from the male tubing. This facilitates the assembly of thermal regulation devices according to the invention in the electrical energy storage system.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the annular support comprises a molded plastic body forming two separate receiving cages of the two seals, and a metal enclosure attached to the molded plastic body. This production of the annular support is simple to make and inexpensive. The bi-material production makes it possible, through the use of plastic, to ensure the adhesion of the seals to the annular support within their respective receiving cage while ensuring, through the use of a metallic element, a mechanical strength making it possible to resist the forces during the assembly of the thermal regulation devices to each other, and for example the thrust forces of the axial movement means associated with the annular support.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the metal enclosure comprises a bearing surface for the elastic return means, arranged at an axial end of the annular support. This bearing surface is for example the external surface of an annular disk arranged at an axial end of the annular support. Thus the spring exerts its force on a metal surface and the annular support is not deformed by the axial force exerted by the spring.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the molded plastic body comprises at least one annular portion extending radially from a radial end surface of the molded plastic body towards the male tube, the annular portion forming a wall of each of the two separate receiving cages.

The annular support comprises for example a first cylindrical wall coaxial with the male tubing, a first ring, corresponding to the annular portion of the molded plastic body, and a second ring, corresponding for example to the annular disc of the metal enclosure, the first ring and the second ring being coaxial with the male tubing and arranged between the first cylindrical wall and the male tubing, the first ring being distal to the main body of the collection box, and the second ring being proximal to the main body of the collection box collection, the first seal being mounted between the first ring, the second ring and the first cylindrical wall. The metal enclosure is preferably attached to the radial end surface of the molded plastic body, which is also the radial end surface of the first cylindrical wall of the molded plastic body.

The first ring extends for example radially from an internal cylindrical surface of the first cylindrical wall to a first end of a second cylindrical wall of the annular support extending from the first ring towards the side opposite the main body of the collection box, the second seal being mounted between the first ring, the first cylindrical wall and the second cylindrical wall. The molded plastic body preferably comprises the first cylindrical wall and the second wall as well as the first ring.

Optionally a third ring of the annular support extends radially from a second end of the second cylindrical wall towards the male tube, the third ring being configured to abut on the ring fixedly mounted on the male tube.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, a free end of the female tube comprises an annular docking surface extending radially towards the outside of the female tube, internal and external diameters of the annular docking surface being dimensioned to allow the docking of a second seal of a male tubing identical to the male tubing of the collection box, with a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, on the annular docking surface. Preferably this radial tolerance is between 2 and 3 millimeters.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the female tube is configured to receive a male tube identical to the male tube of the collection box, that is to say a male tube of another neighboring thermal regulation device, with an axial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters. For example, the female tube comprises a fixing base on the collection box, and an end tube extending axially and radially the fixing base, the annular docking surface extending the end tube, the end tube extending axially between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and having an internal diameter dimensioned to receive a male tubing identical to the male tubing of the collection box, with a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters. This allows an axial positioning tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters. Preferably this axial positioning tolerance is between 1 and 3 millimeters.

The invention also relates to an electrical energy storage system comprising a plurality of electrical energy storage members and a plurality of thermal regulation devices according to the invention, in which the tubes of the thermal regulation devices are arranged against rows of the plurality of storage members, the collection boxes of the thermal regulation devices being arranged facing each other, the male tubes of the collection boxes being fitted into female tubes of adjacent collection boxes of the plurality of collection boxes, or in a cooling fluid outlet or inlet member of the storage system.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear further through the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which :

already commented on in relation to the prior art, is a perspective view of an electrical energy storage system according to the prior art, equipped with thermal regulation devices,

already commented on in relation to the prior art, is a perspective view of a portion of a thermal regulation device of the ,

represents in perspective portions of thermal regulation devices according to the invention, according to a first embodiment of the invention, making in particular visible the cooperation between male tubes of thermal regulation devices and female tubes of neighboring thermal regulation devices ,

is a sectional view of part of the elements of the , making visible the cooperation between a male tube of a thermal regulation device and a female tube of a neighboring thermal regulation device,

is an exploded perspective view of elements of the thermal regulation device according to the invention in the first embodiment of the invention, namely a male tubing, an associated sealing member, and an axial displacement means, capable to cooperate with a female tube of a neighboring thermal regulation device,

is a sectional view of a part of the sealing member of the thermal regulation device of the ,

is a view similar to that of the , in a variant of the first embodiment of the invention,

is a schematic view of the sealing member of the mounted on a tube of a thermal regulation device,

is a schematic view similar to that of , another alternative embodiment of the invention, and

is a perspective and partially sectional view of a portion of a thermal regulation device according to the invention, in a second embodiment of the invention.

In the detailed description which follows, the characteristics, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other, according to various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. others. It will be possible in particular to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described subsequently 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 art.

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

As a reminder, the invention relates to a thermal regulation device of an electrical energy storage system, comprising at least one male tube intended to cooperate with a female tube of a neighboring thermal regulation device, the male tube comprising a particular sealing member in that it comprises an annular support equipped with two separate seals, configured to be in contact, one with the male tubing of the thermal regulation device and the other with the female tubing of the device neighboring thermal regulation.

According to a first embodiment of the invention shown , an electrical energy storage system according to one aspect of the invention comprises electrical energy storage members (not shown), and in particular cells such as they could be mentioned with reference to the , which are cooled, or heated, by a plurality of thermal regulation devices whose tubes are interposed between the rows of cells, the making visible two neighboring thermal regulation devices 20, 30.

The thermal regulation devices 20, 30 each comprise at least one tube 24, 34, shown here schematically and interposed, being glued, between two rows of electrical energy storage members. These tubes 24, 34 each comprise circulation channels 26, 36 of heat transfer fluid, the direction of the arrows illustrating an arbitrary, non-limiting direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

Each thermal regulation device 20, 30 comprises a collection box 22, 32 into which the heat transfer fluid from the tube 24, 34 arrives, this collection box 22, 32 being linked here to a single female tube 224, 324 and a single male tube 222, 322. When the storage system is assembled, with neighboring thermal regulation devices which cooperate with each other, and in particular the male tubes which are respectively fitted into a neighboring female tube, the male tubes 222, 322 and female tubes 224, 324 are all substantially coaxial, that is to say aligned in the same direction, here a longitudinal direction X of the electrical energy storage system.

By substantially coaxial, we mean that the tubings are coaxial with a radial tolerance of a few millimeters, for example 5 millimeters. This radial tolerance is expressed in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, that is to say in the plane parallel to the transverse direction Y and to a vertical direction Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal directions

The different elements of the thermal regulation devices according to the invention such as the tubes, the collection boxes and the tubing are made of aluminum and brazed together once the different rows of cells and the thermal regulation devices are assembled together. interposed between these rows. Of course, as a variant, other materials or assembly processes can be used.

There illustrates a collection box arranged at one longitudinal end of the tube of the thermal regulation device and equipped with a single set of male-female tubes. Such a configuration can in particular be implemented with another identical collection box, arranged at the other longitudinal end, for an I-shaped refrigerant circulation configuration. Of course, what follows in the description could be applied to a collection box comprising two sets of male-female tubing, whether in an I-shaped or U-shaped refrigerant circulation configuration in particular.

As mentioned previously, and as visible on the , and more particularly on the for example, a male tube of a thermal regulation device according to the invention comprises a particular sealing member 31 making it possible to ensure the tightness of the cooperation between this male tube and a female tube of a thermal regulation device neighbor.

The sealing member 31 is movably mounted on the male tubing, and an axial movement means can be associated with the male tubing to accompany the mobility of the sealing member along the male tubing, i.e. that is to say axially in relation to this male tubing.

The axial movement means here is an elastic return means making it possible to maintain the sealing member at the end of the male tubing, as close as possible to the female tubing of the neighboring thermal regulation device. So on the , the male tube 322 comprises a sealing member 31 held at its free end by a spring 38 forming the axial displacement means. This arrangement allows an axial mounting tolerance in the longitudinal direction . It can be seen on the , which makes visible the male tube 222 of the neighboring thermal regulation device, that this arrangement is reproduced step by step since this male tube 222 comprises a sealing member 21 held at the end of the male tube 222 by a spring 28 .

There represents more precisely the sealing member 31 of the male tubing 322 of a thermal regulation device, fitted into the female tubing 224 of the neighboring thermal regulation device. It should be noted that the male and female tubes are identical step by step and that the description which will be made of the two female tubes 224, 324 visible on the applies to all female tubes.

The female tube 224, 324 comprises a fixing base 2241, 3241 brazed to a collection chamber 221, 321 of the collection box 22, 32, this collection chamber 221, 321 also communicating with the male tube 222 and the tube 24 of the neighboring thermal regulation device. The female tube 224, 324 further comprises a release portion 2243, 3243 connected by one of its ends to the fixing base 2241, 3241 and having a diameter larger than that of this fixing base 2241, 3241. The portion of clearance forms a step between the fixing base and a flat ring of the female tube 224, 324 which extends the clearance portion opposite the fixing base. This flat ring forms an annular docking surface 2245, 3245 for the sealing member 31 of the thermal regulation device brought to cooperate with the female tubing 224, 324, this annular docking surface 2245, 3245 extending substantially perpendicularly the clearance portion to extend radially from the clearance portion 2243, 3243 to a terminal cylindrical wall 2247, 3247 of the female tube 224, 324 which axially extends the directory docking surface 2245, 3245.

As illustrated on the , the release portion 2243 has the particular function of allowing the free end of the male tubing intended to engage in the female tubing to sink without obstacle until the sealing member associated with the male tubing meets a wall, in particular the annular docking surface 2245, of the female tubing. For this purpose, we understand that the internal diameter of the release portion 2243 is larger than the external diameter of the male tube 322 which it is intended to receive.

When the regulating devices 20 and 30 are glued to rows of electrical energy storage members of the electrical energy storage system according to the invention, the male tubing 322 fits into the female tubing 224.

In order to ensure the tightness of this fitting despite potential positioning defects, the sealing member 31 is positioned not between the release portion 2243 and the male tubing 322, but between the annular docking surface 2245 and the male tubing 322, the sealing member 31 being movable on the male tubing 322.

More precisely, the sealing member 31 comprises an annular support 316 formed of a molded plastic body 313 and a metal enclosure 311. A first seal 312, here a lip seal, is compressed between the support annular 316 and the male tubing 322, and a second seal 314, here a lip seal, is compressed between the annular support 316 and the annular docking surface 2245. If necessary, in a working position of the sealing member, an end part of the lip seal 314 can be inserted into a circular groove of the male tube 322.

The seal between the male tube 322 of a thermal regulation device and the female tube 224 of a neighboring thermal regulation device is thus ensured by a two-stage seal, that is to say with two sealing elements. sealing distinct from each other and embedded on the same support associated with one of the tubes, here the male tube. One of the sealing elements, here the first seal, ensures the sealing of the connection between the sealing member and the male tubing, despite the mobility of this sealing member, and the other sealing element, here the second seal, ensures the sealing of the connection between the sealing member 31 and the female tubing. This sealing of the connection between the sealing member 31 and the female tube is ensured in particular by the compression of the spring forming the axial displacement means, which thus ensures contact of the second seal on the annular docking surface 2245.

For this purpose, the spring 38 is mounted in compression between an annular stop 3222 formed on the male tube 3222, and the sealing member 31. A ring 33 fixedly mounted in a circular groove at the end of the male tube 322 prevents the The sealing member 31 comes out of the male tube 322. This ring 33 is for example a circlip.

The fact that the sealing member is movable along the male tubing ensures that the second seal 314 is in contact with the annular docking surface 2245 of the female tubing with which this male tubing must cooperate, whatever the manufacturing tolerances and the assembly tolerances when the free end of the male tubing 322 is in the vicinity of the clearance portion 2243 and the fixing base 2241.

More particularly, this configuration of a sealing member movable axially along the male tubing, with a second seal which projects beyond the sealing member 31 in this axial direction along which the sealing member is movable on the male tube 322, as well as the shape of the female tube 224, allows a tolerance of axial positioning of the male tube 322 in the female tube 224, of a few millimeters. The axial positioning tolerance d may in particular be between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, preferably between 1 and 3 millimeters, and it may for example be 2 millimeters.

In addition, the annular docking surface 2245 is dimensioned so as to allow a radial positioning tolerance c of a few millimeters as well. In this embodiment of the invention, the internal diameter a of the male tube 322 is 20 millimeters and the external diameter b of the terminal cylindrical wall 2247 is 47 millimeters, leaving a free space between the sealing member 31 and the terminal cylindrical wall 2247 of 2.7 millimeters when the male tube 322 and the female tube 224 are perfectly coaxial. In other words, the male 322 and female 224 tubes intended to cooperate during assembly may not be coaxial within 2.7 millimeters, which corresponds to the radial positioning tolerance c in this first embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the radial positioning tolerance c is between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and preferably is between 2 and 3 millimeters.

As mentioned, the thermal regulation devices of the electrical energy storage system according to the invention have sealing interfaces identical to that which has just been described in relation to the , with the possible exception of the sealing interfaces of the thermal regulation devices arranged at a longitudinal end of the electrical energy storage system and therefore intended to be connected to a specific input or output interface of the storage system. 'electric energy.

The exploded view of the allows us to understand a method of mounting the sealing member 31 on the male tube 322. The spring 38 is first mounted on the male tube 322, between the free end of the male tube 322 and the annular stop 3222 of the male tube 322. Then the sealing member 31 (here shown in section) is mounted on the male tube 322 and held in compression against the spring 38 by an operator or a machine. Finally, the ring 33 is mounted at the end of the male tube 322, in a suitable groove, to form an end stop for the sealing member 31 which can then be released by the operator or the machine. The male tube 322 is then ready to be fitted into the female tube 224 (here shown in section) of the neighboring thermal regulation device, with the sealing member 31 which is able to slide along the male tube, via the compression or relaxation of the spring forming the axial displacement means.

In this first embodiment of the invention, as shown in the , the metal enclosure 311 is attached to the molded plastic body 313, the assembly forming a receiving cage for the first seal 312 and another receiving cage for the second seal 314. The seals The seals 312 and 314 are for example glued, or overmolded, on the molded plastic body 313, and the materials are chosen so that adhesion of the materials ensures that the seals hold in place relative to the molded plastic body. The metal enclosure 311 can be made integral with the molded plastic body 313 by different means, including an overmolding operation, a gluing operation, or even screwing one of the components relative to the other.

More precisely, the metal enclosure 311 comprises a cylindrical wall 3112 attached to a radial end surface 3133 of a first cylindrical wall 3132 of the molded plastic body 313. The cylindrical wall 3112 is extended radially, on the side intended to face at the stop 3222 of the male tubing when the sealing member is mounted on this male tubing, by an annular disc 3114 of the metal enclosure 311, serving as a bearing surface for the spring 38.

The first cylindrical wall 3132 of the molded plastic body 313 has one end adjacent to the annular disc 3114, and an opposite end extended radially by an annular portion 3134. The annular portion 3134 extends radially from the internal surface 3131 of the first cylindrical wall 3132 to an internal surface 3135 of the annular portion 3134 intended to face the male tube 322. The annular portion 3134 participates in forming a second cylindrical wall 3136 of the molded plastic body 313, extending from a first axial end 3137 which is also an axial end of the annular portion 3134, up to an axial end 3139 serving as a bearing surface on the ring 33.

The first seal 312 is housed in a receiving cage formed between the annular disc 3114, the first cylindrical wall 3132 and the annular portion 3134. The first seal is for example glued or overmolded on the internal surface 3131 of the first cylindrical wall 3132. A free end of this first seal protrudes radially from the receiving cage, towards an axis of revolution of the sealing member.

The second seal 314 is housed in a receiving cage formed between the annular portion 3134, the second cylindrical wall 3136 and the cylindrical wall 3112 of the metal enclosure. The second seal is for example glued or overmolded on one of the surfaces delimiting this receiving cage, and a free end of this second seal protrudes axially from the receiving cage, moving away from the first seal sealing.

A variant embodiment of the sealing member is illustrated on the , with the metal enclosure 211 and the molded plastic body 211 which have shapes slightly different from those of the metal enclosure 311 and the molded plastic body 313 illustrated in the .

Indeed, in this alternative embodiment, the metal enclosure 211 also comprises a cylindrical wall 2112, and an annular disc 2114 extending radially the metal wall 2112 and serving as a bearing surface for the spring 28, but also comprises an additional annular disc 2216 extending radially the cylindrical wall 2112 on the side opposite the annular disc 2114. Here again, the spring 28 is compressed between an annular stop 2222 (visible on the ) formed on the male tubing 222, and the sealing member 21.

The molded plastic body 213 comprises a first cylindrical wall 2132 extending axially over the same length as the cylindrical wall 2112 of the metal enclosure 211. The metal enclosure can therefore be attached to the molded plastic body 213 by fitting onto the molded plastic body 213, where applicable by being glued. The additional annular disc 2216 covers at least partly the radial thickness of the first cylindrical wall 2132, at one of the axial ends of the first cylindrical wall 2132, without extending radially from this thickness so as not to hinder installation. of the second seal.

An annular portion 2134 extends radially from the first cylindrical wall 2132 so as to form a wall common to two receiving cages, one housing a first seal 212, and the other a second seal 214 Here again, without limiting the invention, the first seal 212 and the second seal 212 are lip seals.

The annular portion 2134 extends radially from an internal surface 2131 of the first cylindrical wall 2132 to a surface 2135 of opposite radial end of the annular portion 2134, facing the male tube 322. This surface 2135 of opposite radial end is extended axially by a second cylindrical wall 2136 of the molded plastic body 313 which extends axially from a first axial end 3137 of the second cylindrical wall 2136, which is also an axial end of the annular portion 3134, up to to a second axial end 2139 of the second cylindrical wall 2136. Another annular portion 2138 of the molded plastic body 213 extends radially from this second axial end 2139 towards the male tube 222. This other annular portion 2138 serves as a surface of pressing on ring 23 as illustrated on the .

In this alternative embodiment, the first seal 212 is housed in a receiving cage formed as previously between the annular disc 2114, the first cylindrical wall 2132 and the annular portion 2134 by being for example glued or overmolded on the internal surface 2131 of the first cylindrical wall 2132.

The second seal 214 is housed in a receiving cage here formed integrally by the molded plastic body, between the annular portion 2134, the first cylindrical wall 2132 and the second cylindrical wall 2136. The second seal 214 is for example glued or overmolded onto this molded plastic body.

There illustrates another alternative embodiment of a sealing member 41, mounted around a male tube 422 forming a projection from a collection box 42 of a thermal regulation device according to the invention. In accordance with what has been described previously, the sealing member 41 is mounted movably between a ring 43 fixedly mounted at a free end of the tube 422, and an annular stop 4222, with a spring 48 which is compressed between the sealing member 41 and the annular stop 4222, which has the effect here of holding the sealing member 41 against the ring 43 and ensuring plating, when the male tubing 422 equipped with this sealing member is in the female tubing of the neighboring thermal regulation device, of the sealing member with a wall of the female tubing.

In this other alternative embodiment of the invention, the sealing member 41 comprises an annular support 416 consisting solely of a molded plastic body. Two first annular seals 412, 418 are compressed between the annular support 416 and the male tube 422, and a second annular seal 414, housed in a receiving cage of the annular support 416, projects axially from the annular support 416 on the side opposite the annular stop 4222.

Of course other variants are possible, including, without this being exhaustive, the sealing member of the thermal regulation device according to the invention may comprise both one or more lip seals and one or more annular seals. , these lip seals or annular seals being arranged either between the annular support of the sealing member and the male tubing on which it is mounted, or axially projecting from the annular support, on the side opposite the main body of the box. collection of the thermal regulation device.

A second embodiment of the invention, shown , relates to a thermal regulation device 20 which comprises many elements identical to those of the first embodiment of the invention. These identical elements are therefore not redescribed and bear the same references as in the first embodiment of the invention.

In this second embodiment of the invention, the thermal regulation device 20 comprises, in addition to a first tube 24, a second tube 25 comprising one or more heat transfer fluid circulation channels. The two tubes 24, 25 are connected at one of their ends to the collection box 22, and at the other of their ends to a return box. The collection box 22 therefore comprises two collection chambers, one connected to the first tube 24 and the other to the second tube 25. The direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid is thus done in a manner similar to the prior art of the , in this second embodiment of the invention.

Each collection chamber connected respectively to one of the tubes 24, 25 is also connected to a set of male-female tubes arranged, substantially coaxially, on either side of the collection box 22 and to the female tube 224 ( shown in section) of the collection box 22.

It should be noted that to alleviate the , only the stop rings 23, 27 have been shown on their respective male pipes 222, 228, but of course these two male pipes have sealing members and means for axial movement of these sealing members as described previously.

Given the directions of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in this second embodiment of the invention, one of the faces of the collection box 22 comprises the female tube 224 associated with the first collection chamber and the male tube 228 associated with the second collection chamber, and the other side of the collection box 22 comprises the female tube 226 to the second collection chamber and the male tube 222 associated with the first collection chamber.

As it has just been described through several exemplary embodiments, the present invention achieves the goals it had set for itself, namely, in the case of assembling male and female tubings of different control devices. neighboring thermal regulation within an electrical energy storage system, with these thermal regulation devices which are glued between electrical energy storage cells, making it possible to ensure a tight assembly taking into account the manufacturing clearances and editing games.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

Thermal regulation device (30) of an electrical energy storage system, comprising:
- a tube (34) comprising at least one fluid circulation channel (36),
- a fluid collection box (32) onto which the circulation channel (36) opens, the collection box (32) comprising a fluid inlet pipe (324) and a fluid outlet pipe (322), one of the tubes (322) being male and the other of the tubes being female (324),
- a sealing member (31) mounted around the male tube (322),
the regulating device (30) being characterized in that the sealing member (31) comprises an annular support (316), a first seal (312) mounted in compression between the annular support (316) and the male tubing (322), and a second seal (314) projecting from the annular support (316) in an axial direction (X) of the male tubing (322), on the side opposite the collection box (32) . Thermal regulation device (30) according to claim 1, in which the second seal (314) of the sealing member (31) is configured to be mounted in compression in a female tube (224) identical to the female tubing (324) of the collection box (32). Thermal regulation device (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first seal (312) and/or the second seal (314) are lip seals. Thermal regulation device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the thermal regulation device (30) comprises means for axially moving the annular support (316) on the male tube (322). Thermal regulation device (30) according to claim 4, in which the axial movement means comprises an elastic return means (38) mounted between the annular support (316) and a stop (3222) arranged on the male tube (322) . Thermal regulation device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a fixedly mounted ring (33) on the male tube (322), capable of blocking the annular support (316) at the end of axial travel. Thermal regulation device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the annular support (316) comprises a molded plastic body (313) forming two separate receiving cages of the two seals (312, 314) , and a metal enclosure (311) attached to the molded plastic body (313). Thermal regulation device (30) according to claims 5 and 7, in which the metal enclosure (311) comprises a bearing surface of the elastic return means (38), arranged at an axial end of the annular support (316). Thermal regulation device (30) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the molded plastic body (313) comprises at least one annular portion (3134) extending radially from a radial end surface (3133) of the plastic body. molded plastic (313) towards the male tube (322), the annular portion (3134) forming a wall of each of the two separate receiving cages. Thermal regulation device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a free end of the female tube (324) comprises an annular docking surface (3245) extending radially towards the outside of the female tube (324), internal and external diameters of the annular docking surface (3245) being dimensioned to allow the docking of a second seal of a male tubing identical to the male tubing (322) of the box collection (32), with a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, on the annular docking surface (3245). Thermal regulation device (30) according to the preceding claim, in which the female tubing (324) is configured to receive a male tubing identical to the male tubing (322) of the collection box (32), with an axial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters, and a radial tolerance of between 0.5 and 5 millimeters. Electrical energy storage system comprising a plurality of electrical energy storage members and a plurality of thermal regulation devices (20, 30) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tubes (24, 34) thermal regulation devices (20, 30) are arranged against rows of the plurality of storage members, the collection boxes (22, 32) of the thermal regulation devices being arranged facing each other, the male tubes ( 222, 322) collection boxes (22, 32) being fitted into female tubes (224) of adjacent collection boxes (20) of the plurality of collection boxes (20, 30), or in an outlet member or coolant inlet of the storage system.