FR3140479A1 - thermal regulation device comprising an output collector positioned under the battery pack. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for thermal regulation (1) of a battery pack, comprising: a housing (1A) housing the battery pack and forming an enclosure sealed against a heat transfer fluid, and having a bottom wall (1A.4) with a circulation circuit (1B) of the heat transfer fluid, the block comprising at least two battery cells (3A) around which the heat transfer fluid circulates to regulate them thermally, a spacer (5) installed between the battery cells (3A) defining at least in part the circulation circuit (1B), the bottom wall (1A.4) having a slope (p) and a gutter (1A.4a) so as to bring the heat transfer fluid having circulated in the circulation circuit ( 1B), under the effect of gravitation, up to the gutter (1A.4a), and the bottom wall (1A.4) further comprising a plurality of studs for the raised support of the cells (3A) of battery. Abstract Figure: Fig. 3a

Description

thermal regulation device comprising an output collector positioned under the battery pack. Technical area.

The present invention relates to a regulation device for a motor vehicle battery pack. The invention also relates to a cooling system for a motor vehicle.

The invention relates in particular to the technical field of thermal regulation of batteries, and more particularly of the cells making up said batteries. The invention applies preferentially, but not exclusively, to the automotive field, and more particularly to the field of vehicles with electric and/or hybrid motors.

State of the art.

A motor vehicle, and more particularly an electric and/or hybrid vehicle, requires one or more battery packs to produce the energy necessary for its operation. Each battery pack is made up of at least two cells, each cell allowing the production of electricity. But when cells overheat, they can be caused to swell, potentially damaging themselves and adjacent cells.

Thus, in order to avoid swelling of the battery cells, two devices are provided. On the one hand, a spacer is positioned between two adjacent cells and maintains said cells at a distance from each other. Furthermore, a thermal regulation device is provided around and in the battery pack to control the temperature.

More particularly, in the field of motor vehicles, the thermal regulation device of a battery pack makes it possible to control its cooling. This device makes it possible to modify the temperature of a battery pack, for example when starting the vehicle in cold weather, by increasing its temperature for example, or whether while driving or during a recovery operation. recharges, by reducing the temperature of the cells, which tend to heat up during use.

Such a thermal regulation device generally comprises a sealed enclosure in which the battery pack is positioned. A heat transfer fluid is conveyed by a circulation circuit passing through the spacers between the battery cells, and makes it possible to regulate the temperature of the cells of the battery pack.

In the published patent document EP 2 608 309 A1, for example, the thermal regulation device of a battery pack includes in particular the circulation circuit of the heat transfer fluid passing between the battery cells. The arrival and recovery of the heat transfer fluid are provided centrally, between the two rows of cells, the arrival of the fluid being provided from the bottom of the battery block and the recovery of the fluid from the top. But the regulation device described in this document is complex, in addition to being cumbersome. It is not adaptable to a thermal regulation device with a fluid collection system below the battery pack.

In the published patent document FR 3 060 863 A1, a thermal regulation device for a battery pack is also described. The cells are arranged longitudinally in a housing, and separated by spacers. The air inlet is provided centrally in an upper end of an end wall of the housing, and the air outlet is provided centrally, on the same end wall mentioned above. But, due to the variation in densities between hot air and cold air, it is difficult to evacuate hot air. The size of the case is also important, due to the space provided for the passage of air above and below the battery pack.

In the published patent document US 2009/0305124 A1, the temperature of the battery pack is controlled by the thermal regulation device, which includes an introduction unit and a unit for evacuating a heat transfer fluid. The battery pack is made up of different groups of cells stacked on top of each other, each group being configured to be supplied with heat transfer fluid through channels positioned in the introduction unit. Each channel is configured to pass behind the corresponding group of cells and then to pass below said group. The heat transfer fluid passes between each stacked cell of a group, to rise through channels positioned at the front of the corresponding groups of cells, these channels being fed into the evacuation unit. But, the entire housing is bulky because it includes the fluid introduction and evacuation units in addition to the channels surrounding the battery pack. It is also not suitable for having a fluid collection system below the battery pack.

The invention aims to overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to reduce the bulk of the housing, while improving its resistance.

The invention also aims to allow better distribution of the weight of a cell on the surface of the bottom wall of the housing.

Another objective of the invention is to allow the cells to keep their integrity, avoiding their deformation.

Finally, another objective of the invention is to improve the flow of the heat transfer fluid towards the outlet collector.

Presentation of the invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is a device for thermal regulation of a vehicle battery pack, comprising: a housing forming an enclosure sealed against a heat transfer fluid having a bottom wall and comprising a circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid, which housing is capable of housing the battery block, which block comprises at least two battery cells, the heat transfer fluid circulating around the battery cells to regulate them thermally, a spacer installed between the battery cells so as to space them, the circulation circuit of the heat transfer fluid being defined at least in part by the spacer, the bottom wall has a slope and a gutter so as to bring the heat transfer fluid having circulated in the circulation circuit, under the effect of gravitation, up to the gutter, the bottom wall further comprises a plurality of studs for the raised support of the battery cells.

By “plurality of pads”, we mean that at least two pads per cell are positioned on the back wall. The pads are preferably positioned at regular intervals and below each cell, so as to allow said cell not to deform under its own weight.

Alternatively, the pads can also be positioned on the spacer, when the spacer has a support zone which extends under the cell. These pads will then be distributed so as to balance the distribution of the weight of the cell on the back wall.

Advantageously, the presence of a slope in the bottom wall makes it easier to evacuate the heat transfer fluid by gravity into the gutter. This slope also makes it possible to reduce the bulk of the housing, to the extent that the bottom wall can then be thinner to collect the heat transfer fluid and allow its evacuation.

Other advantageous characteristics of the device which is the subject of the invention are listed below. Each of these characteristics can be considered alone or in combination with the notable characteristics defined above. Each of these characteristics contributes, where appropriate, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and to which the remarkable characteristics defined above do not necessarily contribute. The latter may be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the gutter is configured to evacuate or recirculate the heat transfer fluid out of the housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the slope of the bottom wall is at least 1%, advantageously at least 3%.

The minimum percentage of the slope is important so that gravitation is effectively exerted on the heat transfer fluid, therefore to allow the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid into the gutter. The maximum percentage of the slope makes it possible to limit the size of the bottom wall, and therefore more generally to limit the size of the thermal regulation device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pads have variable heights so that the battery cells lie flat or horizontal.

The studs serve, on the one hand, to facilitate the flow of fluid under the battery pack. Due to the slope, the positioning of the cells is not necessarily horizontal. The presence of pads of varying heights makes it possible to compensate for the slope and keep the cells horizontal. This positioning also allows minimal space for the thermal regulation device, and limits the risk of degradation of the cells which could be damaged due to their weight. Advantageously, the pads are designed to be made of a non-heat-conducting material, such as a plastic material such as polyamide (whose acronym is “PA”).

According to one embodiment of the invention, the gutter consists of a groove or a groove extending longitudinally.

The grooves or grooves are easy to make in the back wall, using techniques known to those skilled in the art.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the groove or groove extends in the middle of the bottom of the wall.

The formation of the groove in the middle of the bottom wall makes it easier to manufacture the thermal regulation device and maintain the battery pack in the housing. This also makes it possible to limit the percentage of the slope to obtain maximum technical effect.

Alternatively, the gutter can be made in one of the side ends of the back wall.

Advantageously, the circulation circuit of the heat transfer fluid comprises or is connected to at least one pump making it possible to facilitate the circulation of said fluid in the circuit.

The presence of a pump facilitates the circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the thermal regulation device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit comprises fluid circulation sections of variable width, preferably these circulation sections of variable width being formed by the spacer.

The presence of circulation sections of variable widths facilitates the flow of the heat transfer fluid between the inlet and outlet collectors.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit comprises fluid circulation sections of decreasing width, preferably gradual or continuous, from at least one inlet collector to at least one outlet collector.

The decreasing width of traffic sections can be gradual or continuous.

Advantageously, the decreasing width of the fluid circulation sections from the inlet collector to the outlet collector is between -20% and -80%, preferably between -40% and -60%.

The flow speed of the heat transfer fluid between the inlet and outlet manifolds is increased as one approaches the outlet manifold. Thus, the heat exchange coefficient remains constant from one end to the other of the part of the circulation circuit of the spacer, and the efficiency of regulating the temperature of the cells is maintained throughout the circuit. traffic. This variation in width of the circulation sections is made possible in particular by the design of the spacer, of which the longitudinal and/or vertical segments forming the part of the circulation circuit are closer together near the outlet collector.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the spacer is clipped onto a battery cell or stuck onto at least one battery cell.

The methods of clipping or gluing the spacer onto the battery cell are methods known to those skilled in the art, and easy to implement.

According to one embodiment of the invention, when the spacer is glued, the spacer is formed of a plurality of segments or independent elements.

The separation of the spacer into independent elements or into a plurality of segments makes it easier to stick to the cell(s). The independent elements are therefore not connected to each other.

Advantageously, the spacer is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 Wm ⁻¹ .K ⁻¹ , preferably a thermal conductivity of at most 0.2 Wm ⁻¹ .K ⁻¹ . A low thermal conductivity makes it possible to limit the transmission of heat through the spacer between two adjacent cells.

Advantageously, the spacer is made of a polymer material or of a polymer-based composite material.

The polymer materials used must preferably be rigid to prevent the spacer from moving in the event of overheating of the cell, and thus avoid its swelling. This type of material is also preferred because they do not transmit heat easily.

Advantageously, the spacer comprises a material from the silicate family, preferably calcium silicate reinforced by fibers.

Silicate materials provide good rigidity and low thermal conductivity to limit heat transmission. The fibers further reinforce the rigidity of the material.

The invention also relates to a cooling system comprising a device according to the invention, and further comprising: a battery pack comprising N adjacent battery cells, including two end cells each arranged at a wall of end of the housing, N being an integer greater than 3, the device comprises at least N-1 spacers, preferably N+1 spacers.

The presence of spacers between two adjacent cells makes it possible to have cooling of a maximum of lateral faces in contact with said spacers thanks to the circulation circuit, and also to have good compression of said cells.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a spacer is installed between each cell adjacent to another cell, a spacer is installed between each end wall of the housing and the end cell of which a large side face is adjacent to said wall, the spacers are in contact with the adjacent large side faces of said battery cells so that all the large side faces of the cells are cooled by the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit.

The two additional spacers provided between each of the end walls and the large side face of the adjacent end cell allow cooling of the large side faces of all of the cells. This also limits the risk of overheating of the cells and their swelling.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery block comprises two or more rows of cells joined side by side, each spacer comprises segments shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits, each said circuit having a or several passes straddling the two large lateral faces of two cells arranged side by side, each spacer comprises a median rib which extends in the height of said cells and which is installed, in use, between lateral ends of said large lateral faces, so that said median rib fills the space between the two cells and forms a seal between said cells.

According to one embodiment of the invention, openings are provided in the central rib so as to allow the circulation of fluid between the large lateral faces of two cells arranged side by side.

Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid is brought to the level of the spacer by two inlet collectors each positioned on one of the large side walls of the housing. The cooling of the large lateral faces of the cells adjacent to the spacer will be done either by immersion of said faces by the fluid, or by dispersing said fluid using a spraying device. The shape of the spacer will then be adapted to the chosen cooling method.

Alternatively, the heat transfer fluid is brought to the level of the spacer by an inlet collector positioned on one of the large side walls of the housing. The shape of the spacer and the housing will therefore be adapted to the presence of a single collector, and to the chosen fluid cooling method.

Brief description of the figures.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which:

is a diagram representing part of a thermal regulation device of a battery pack according to the invention.

is a longitudinal section of a housing containing a battery pack according to the invention.

shows a perspective view of a battery cell according to the invention.

is a cross section made at a spacer of a housing containing a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the invention.

is an enlargement of the cross section of the , at the junction between a cell and a bottom wall of the housing.

is a partial cross section made at a spacer of a housing containing a battery pack, according to an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment of the invention. This section shows more precisely the junction between a cell and a bottom wall of the housing.

is a partial cross section made at a spacer of a housing containing a battery pack according to a variant embodiment of the invention. This section shows more precisely the junction between a cell and a bottom wall of the housing.

is a cross section made at a spacer of a housing containing a battery pack, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

is a cross section made at a spacer of a housing containing a battery pack, according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

is a schematic representation of a spacer mounted on a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the invention.

is a battery pack comprising two rows of cells placed side by side.

is a possible configuration of a spacer for the battery pack of the .

is a possible configuration of fluid inlet and outlet manifolds.

Description of the embodiments.

As used herein, and unless otherwise noted, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object merely indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are mentioned and does not imply that the Objects thus described must be in a given sequence, whether in time, in space, in a classification, etc. “X and/or Y” means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. Generally speaking, it will be appreciated that in the various attached drawings, the objects are arbitrarily drawn to facilitate their reading.

A longitudinal section of a battery pack means that the cut is made along the length direction of said block, and extends along a plane parallel to a plane passing through one of the large side walls of the battery pack housing. A cross section of the battery pack means that the cut is made along a plane parallel to a plane passing through one of the end walls of the battery pack housing.

There is a diagram representing a thermal regulation device for a battery pack according to the invention.

Generally speaking, a motor vehicle may comprise one or more battery packs 3 depending on whether the vehicle is a hybrid, internal combustion or electric vehicle (the vehicle not being shown in these figures). Thus, a thermal regulation device 1 is generally provided per battery block 3 and achieves optimal control of the temperature of said block 3.

This device 1 controls the temperature of the battery block 3 using a heat transfer fluid, which it transports within said block 3. The heat transfer fluid used is preferably a dielectric liquid, for example a mineral oil or a fluorinated liquid. The heat transfer fluid can, however, be in another form, for example blown air. The fluid can be previously cooled or heated depending on the desired thermal regulation.

In order to maintain the fluid around the battery block 3, the thermal regulation device 1 comprises at least one housing 1A in which said block 3 is positioned. The housing 1A comprises two large side walls 1A.1, two end walls 1A. 2, a top wall 1A.3 and a bottom wall 1A.4. The large side walls 1A.1 extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 1A, and the two end walls 1A.2 extend perpendicular to said side walls 1A.1. The upper walls 1A.3 and bottom walls 1A.4 extend respectively from upper and lower ends of said side walls 1A.1 and end walls 1A.2, so that the housing 1A forms a fluid-tight enclosure heat carrier. The terms “upper” and “lower” are defined according to the normal positioning of box 1A of battery pack 3 in the vehicle. Advantageously, the two large side walls 1A.1 of the housing 1A are side walls 1A.1 opposite or facing each other.

In all of the appended figures, the housing 1A of the thermal regulation device 1 is generally parallelepiped in shape. However, other shapes can be considered, which may in particular depend on the general shape of the battery block 3. According to one embodiment, the walls (1A.1, 1A.2, 1A.3, 1A.4) of the housing 1A can be produced by molding a plastic material, but other materials and methods known to those skilled in the art can be considered.

This housing 1A of the thermal regulation device 1 further comprises a circulation circuit 1B of the heat transfer fluid which will control the temperature of the battery block 3. The circulation circuit 1B is preferably designed to be able to convey the heat transfer fluid into the battery block 3.

In order to allow the entry of the heat transfer fluid into the circulation circuit 1B, at least one inlet collector 1C is positioned against one of the large side walls 1A.1 of the housing 1A. Preferably, an inlet collector 1C is positioned on each of the two large side walls 1A.1 of the housing 1A. An outlet collector 1D, allowing the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid from the circulation circuit 1B, is positioned against one of the end walls 1A.2, and more preferably against a lower end of said end wall 1A.2 .

Particularly advantageously, the inlet collector(s) 1C may comprise a sieve configured to filter the heat transfer fluid, so as to avoid the circulation of particles in said fluid (the sieve not being shown in these figures). These particles also have the disadvantage of reducing the efficiency of the heat transfer fluid, particularly when the heat transfer fluid is a dielectric fluid. The sieve is preferably placed at the entrance to the inlet collector(s) 1C and/or in at least part of said collector(s) 1C, upstream of the arrival of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation circuit 1B. Advantageously, the sieve can be of generally cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the sieve may have the shape of the collector(s) 1C. The sieve is generally made up of a rigid structure which can in particular be manufactured from a plastic or metallic material, in the form of a net or frame. This net serves as a support for a mesh grid capable of allowing the filtration of particles preferably less than 200µm, more preferably less than 50µm. The mesh grid is advantageously made of metallic material.

The thermal regulation device 1 according to the invention further comprises a pump 1E which is connected to the circulation circuit 1B and which will facilitate the movement of the heat transfer fluid in said circuit 1B. Pump 1E will allow the circulation of the heat transfer fluid from a tank 1F to the box 1A, and from the box 1A to the fluid tank 1F, via an external circulation circuit 1G. This 1A box being waterproof, it will allow the heat transfer fluid to be maintained around the battery block 3. The arrows shown in the on the external circuit 1G show the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid. Alternatively, the pump 1E can be included in the circulation circuit 1B, this embodiment not being shown in these figures. A second pump can also be provided in the device, as well as a heat exchanger making it possible to control the temperature of the battery, these elements not being shown in these figures.

The thermal regulation device which is the subject of the invention aims to regulate the temperature of the battery pack, in particular of a battery pack of an electric and/or hybrid motor vehicle. It can, however, be fitted to other types of vehicles or be used to regulate the temperature of other electrical and/or electronic components, such as power electronics elements, for example and without limitation semiconductors, such as as diodes or transistors. It could also be computer server components. According to a preferred embodiment, thermal regulation consists of cooling the cells of the battery pack.

Figures 2a and 2b show, respectively, a sectional view of the housing comprising the battery pack, and a perspective view of a battery cell according to the invention.

On the , the battery pack 3 comprises at least two 3A battery cells and is housed in the 1A housing. More generally, battery pack 3 includes between 2 and 25 3A cells. According to one embodiment, the battery pack 3 comprises N adjacent battery cells 3A, with N an integer greater than 2 and preferably greater than 3.

More specifically, the battery pack 3 according to the invention comprises two end cells 3A.1 arranged at each end of said block 3, said cells 3A.1 each being in contact with one of the end walls 1A. 2 of box 1A. The battery pack 3 may further comprise at least one central cell 3A.2 positioned between the end cells 3A.1. Several central cells 3A.2 can be found in a battery block 3, their number depending mainly on the power of the desired battery. The central 3A.2 and end 3A.1 cells preferably have a substantially identical shape. For the sake of simplification, only the general shape of a cell 3A will be described below, and can represent either the shape of a central cell 3A.2 or an end cell 3A.1.

A 3A cell according to the invention is preferably prismatic, that is to say generally parallelepiped in shape, and more preferably in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. However, it is understood that a 3A cell can also be of any shape known to those skilled in the art. On the , it is therefore a 3A cell of the prismatic type which is represented. This cell 3A comprises two large side faces 3A.3, two small side faces 3A.4, an upper face 3A.5 and a lower face 3A.6. These different faces (3A.3, 3A.4, 3A.5, 3A.6) are generally flat, but some of these faces (3A.3, 3A.4, 3A.5, 3A.6) can sometimes be curved or curves.

Cell 3A is also represented, on the , as being oriented. By oriented, we mean that the two large lateral faces 3A.3 of cell 3A are not strictly identical. Indeed, a first large side face 3A.3a extends between the two small side faces 3A.4 and is substantially planar. A second large side face 3A.3b, positioned opposite the first 3A.3a, has a notch 3A.3bi at the level of its junction with each of the two small side faces 3A.4. Thus, the second large side face 3A.3b has two notches 3A.3bi at the two side ends of said second face 3A.3b. However, in some configurations of 3A cells, the 3A.3bi notches may not be present. In addition, the upper faces 3A.5 and lower faces 3A.6 of the cell 3A extend into the upper and lower ends of the side faces (3A.3, 3A.3a, 3A.3b, 3A.4) of the cell. 3A, following the direction of positioning of said cell 3A in the housing 1A. Thus, each 3A cell forms a closed structure which will allow the production of electricity.

These cells 3A are also positioned successively next to each other in the housing 1A, so as to be aligned and adjacent at one of their large side faces 3A.3. In this way, each of the small side faces 3A.4 of the cells 3A is oriented towards the large side walls of the housing 1A (said large wall not being visible in Figures 2a and 2b).

Thus, the cells 3A of the battery block 3 are preferably positioned in the longitudinal direction of the housing 1A, that is to say that the large side faces 3A.3 of the cells 3A are positioned parallel to the end walls 1A.2 of the 1A box. As a result, each end cell 3A.1 is arranged at one of the end walls 1A.2. Alternatively, the arrangement of the cells 3A of the battery pack 3 may be different, depending in particular on the type of cell used or the type of battery desired.

In the box 1A, the cells (3A, 3A.1, 3A.2) are preferably kept at a distance from each other thanks to spacers 5, this distance being preferentially constant between all the cells 3A. A spacer 5 is thus positioned between two adjacent cells 3A, and more precisely between the two large lateral faces (3A.3, 3A.3a, 3A.3b) of said cells 3A. Preferably, a spacer 5 is positioned between the first large side face 3A.3a of a cell 3A and the second large side face 3A.3b of an adjacent cell 3A. Thus, with N, the number of cells 3A in the box 1A, the spacers 5 are at least number N-1, and preferably number N+1. Indeed, as each of the two end cells 3A.1 is positioned near one of the end walls 1A.2 of the housing 1A, an additional spacer 5 is preferably installed between said wall 1A.2 and the cell corresponding end 3A.1. Each spacer 5 further defines at least part of the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit (said circuit not being shown in Figures 2a and 2b). Thus, all the large lateral faces 3A.3 of the cells 3A are in contact with said fluid, and can be thermally regulated by the circulation circuit of the heat transfer fluid which is positioned around the battery cells 3A.

Advantageously, the spacer 5 is made of a material which has a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 Wm ^-1 .K ^-1 , preferably a thermal conductivity of at most 0.2 Wm ^-1 .K ^-1 . The spacer 5 is advantageously made of a polymer material or of a polymer-based composite material. The spacer 5 may also comprise a material from the silicate family, such as calcium silicate, and be reinforced with fibers. By “ fibers ” we mean natural or synthetic fibers, intended to reinforce the material. Materials having low thermal conductivity are particularly preferred in order to limit the risk of heat transmission through the spacer 5 between two adjacent cells.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are sections of the thermal regulation device at the level of a spacer according to a first embodiment of the invention.

These figures show an embodiment of the invention in which the heat transfer fluid is sprayed on the large lateral faces 3A.3 of the cells 3A by a spraying device 1B.2 of said fluid. This device 1B.2 is supplied by inlet collectors 1C of said fluid, each positioned on one of the large side walls 1A.1 of the housing 1A. Advantageously, the inlet collectors 1C are positioned in the upper ends of said walls 1A.1. Advantageously, the spraying device 1B.2 is included in the circulation circuit 1B of the heat transfer fluid, and can in particular include nozzles 1B.2a. These nozzles 1B.2a spray the fluid onto the large side faces 3A.3 of the cells 3A.

Advantageously, the nozzles 1B.2a are mounted on a spacer 5, itself mounted on a cell 3A. The spacer 5 has, in Figures 3a to 3c, a general shape of a U-shaped chute, and can be in the form of a single piece. This spacer 5 therefore comprises a main support zone 5A configured to come into contact with the first large side face 3A.3a of the cell 3A, and two lateral support zones 5B configured to come into contact with the small side faces of said cell 3A (the small side faces not being visible in Figures 3a to 3c). Each spacer 5 also has a structure configured to be installed in a removable manner on the cell 3A, preferably by clipping or by gluing. According to one embodiment, the structure of the spacer 5 is adjusted (for example by elastic deformation of said structure) to the shape of the cell 3A, so as to be mounted tight. Thus, the contacts between the structure of the spacer 5 and the cell 3A are fluid-tight contacts. In this embodiment, the presence of notches on cell 3A, mentioned in , can help clip spacer 5 onto cell 3A.

Preferably, the main support zone 5A has the same dimensions, or substantially the same dimensions, in length and width, as those of a large side face 3A.3 of a cell 3A. This support zone 5A defines at least one circulation section 1B.1 of the heat transfer fluid located opposite the first large lateral face 3A.3a of the cell 3A and against which the spacer 5 is installed, this section 1B.1 extending over most of said face 3A.3a. Symmetrically, the circulation section 1B.1 defined by the support zone 5A of the spacer 5 is also located opposite the second large side face of the adjacent cell, so that the heat transfer fluid , which flows into said section 1B.1, or in contact with the two large side faces 3A.3 of the adjacent cells 3A. Thus, the nozzles 1B.2a, which extend above this space, can simultaneously spray the two large side faces 3A.3 of the adjacent cells 3A. In addition, the circulation sections 1B.1 defined by the spacer 5 will determine part of the circulation circuit 1B of the heat transfer fluid, all of the parts on all of the spacers 5 forming said circulation circuit 1B.

More specifically, the spacer 5 according to this embodiment is configured to be positioned around the first battery cell 3A. The main support zone 5A of the spacer 5 comprises at least one longitudinal segment 5A.1 which extends along the first large lateral face 3A.3a of the cell 3A. This longitudinal segment 5A.1 is more preferably an upper longitudinal segment 5A.1a which extends at the level of an upper end 3A.3ai of said lateral face 3A.3a. Preferably, the nozzles 1B.2a are supported by the upper longitudinal segment 5A.1a of the spacer 5.

In addition, from the upper longitudinal segment 5A.1a of the spacer 5 extend vertical segments 5A.2, which are preferably configured to delimit three distinct traffic sections 1B.1. These three sections 1B.1 extend on either side of one of the nozzles 1B.2a of the spray device 1B.2, and will facilitate the flow of the heat transfer fluid along the large side faces 3A. 3 of cells 3A, towards the back wall 1A.4.

Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, the nozzles 1B.2a are positioned at regular intervals along the longitudinal segment 5A.1, so as to be able to spray the entire surface of the cell 3A. One or more pipes also make it possible to supply the spray nozzle(s) 1B.2a. The spray zone is located in the upper or upper part of the housing 1A while the recovery zone is located in the lower or lower part of the housing 1A, and is constituted by the bottom wall 1A.4.

This bottom wall 1A.4 of the housing 1A has a gutter 1A.4a, which advantageously consists of a groove or a groove extending longitudinally in said wall 1A.4. The gutter 1A.4a is preferably positioned, in Figures 3a to 3c, in the middle of the bottom of the wall 1A.4. The bottom wall 1A.4 further comprises reinforcements 1A.4b configured to reinforce said wall 1A.4, so that it supports the weight of the cells 3A.

The bottom wall 1A.4 also has a slope p determined relative to a horizontal, itself defined by the lower face 3A.6 of the cell 3A. This slope p is measured from a lower and lateral edge 3A.6a of the cell 3A to the gutter 1A.4a, said slope p being advantageously at least 1%, more preferably at least 3% relative to the horizontal. This slope p is intended to bring the heat transfer fluid, which has circulated in the circulation circuit 1B, to the gutter 1A.4a by gravitation, after its passage over the large side faces 3A.3 of the cells 3A. The gutter 1A.4a will then allow its evacuation or recirculation outside the box 1A.

The presence of the slope p in the bottom wall 1A.4 can however be problematic for the cells 3A positioned in the box 1A. Indeed, these cells 3A not being fully supported by the bottom wall 1A.4 at the level of their lower face 3A.6, they could deform during their operation and thus lose efficiency. The difference in weight experienced by the bottom wall 1A.4 could also cause damage to the housing 1A, leading in particular to a loss of watertightness. This is why a plurality of studs 1A.4c are positioned on the bottom wall 1A.4 and under each cell 3A, in order to raise and support them. The slope p allows the fluid to slide towards the gutter 1A.4a, then towards the outlet collector (said collector not being shown in these figures).

Thus, these studs 1A.4c have variable heights Hpl, so that the supported cells 3A rest flat, or horizontally in relation to the bottom wall 1A.4. Preferably, the pads 1A.4c are positioned equidistant from each other, so as to support the cell 3A as effectively as possible. More preferably, the number of pads 1A.4c is two, positioned so as to divide the cell 3A into three identical portions.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the height Hpl of the stud 1A.4c is determined according to the following mathematical formula:

With d( B Pl ) the distance between the lower and lateral edge 3A.6a of cell 3A and the plot 1A.4c, tan(p), the tangent of the angle of the slope p, and Hpl, the height of the plot 1A.4c.

Thus, the height of plot 1A.4c can be calculated as follows:

According to an alternative embodiment shown in , the cells 3A can be raised in the housing 1A relative to the bottom wall 1A.4. In this case, two lateral studs 1A.4ci can also be positioned at the two lower and lateral edges 3A.6a of the cell 3A, and two central studs 1A.4cii are positioned in the middle and at regular intervals so as to centrally support the cell 3A. In this case, the lateral studs 1A.4ci have a height Hpli less than the height Hplii of the central studs 1A.4cii, so that the cell 3A remains flat.

Particularly advantageously, the pads 1A.4c are made of materials with low thermal conductivity, such as polymer materials, such as a polyamide.

Alternatively, the pads 1A.4c can be positioned under the spacer 5, when the spacer 5 comprises a support zone extending under the cell 3A, so as to support said cell 3A.

There is a section of the thermal regulation device at the level of the spacer, according to a variant embodiment of the invention.

In this figure, the gutter 1A.4a is positioned at one of the lateral ends 1A.4d of the bottom wall 1A.4 of the housing 1A. More specifically, gutter 1A.4a is positioned on the right end, but positioning gutter 1A.4a at the left end is also possible. In the same way as for Figures 3a to 3c, in order to keep cell 3A horizontal, pads 1A.4c must be positioned under the lower face 3A.6 of cell 3A.

In this case, at least one side pad 1A.4ci is positioned at one of the lower and side edges 3A.6a of the cell 3A. Preferably, the lateral stud 1A.4ci is positioned at a lateral end 3A.7 of the cell 3A on the side of the gutter 1A.4a. Indeed, the slope p being oriented towards the gutter 1A.4a, the lateral stud 1A.4ci is necessary to maintain the horizontal of the cell 3A. Two central pads 1A.4cii are also positioned so as to centrally support said cell 3A. The lateral stud 1A.4ci is of height Hpli greater than the height Hplii of the central studs 1A.4cii, the height Hpl of said studs (1A.4ci, 1A.4cii) being greater as said studs (1A.4ci, 1A .4cii) are near gutter 1A.4a.

In this scenario, the determination of the height of the central studs 1A.4cii must take into account the height Hpli of the lateral stud 1A.4ci. Thus, the formula for determining the height Hplii of the central stud 1A.4cii is as follows:

The spacer 5 also has similar characteristics presented in Figures 3a to 3c, and will allow, using the sprinkling device (not visible in this figure) the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid via the gutter 1A.4a.

According to a variant embodiment of the invention not shown in the appended figures, the characteristics mentioned in can also be combined with the features described in , that is to say that the entire cell 3A can be raised by studs 1A.4c.

Figures 5a and 5b show two sections of a thermal regulation device according to a second embodiment of the invention. These figures repeat the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering however being incremented by 100 compared to the previous figures. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiment of the invention.

Figures 5a and 5b describe an embodiment in which immersion by the heat transfer fluid of the large side faces 103A.3 of the cells 103A is preferred.

In these figures, an inlet collector 101C of the heat transfer fluid extends along one of the large side walls 101A.1 of the housing 101A of the thermal regulation device 101. Preferably, the inlet collector 101C is formed in the corresponding large side wall 101A.1 of the housing 101A. More preferably, the formation of this collector 101C is carried out by stamping.

The circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the inlet 101C and outlet collectors is done in the same direction (the outlet collector not being visible in this figure), the gutter 101A.4a allowing the evacuation of the heat transfer fluid towards the outlet collector. Also, if the fluid inlet is made on one of the end walls of the housing 101A (said walls not being visible in Figures 5a and 5b), then the heat transfer fluid outlet is made on the other end wall. The direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid, in the part of the circulation circuit 101B delimited by the spacer 105, is represented in these figures by arrows.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the circulation sections 101B.1 are delimited using longitudinal segments 105A.1 of the spacer 105, said segments 105A.1 being able to be upper longitudinal segments 105A.1a, lower 105A. 1b and medians 105A.1c. Segments 105A.1c extend into the openwork part of circulation section 101B.1. The median longitudinal segments 105A.1c are arranged so as to form part of the forced circulation circuit 101B of the heat transfer fluid between the adjacent cells 103A. By “forced circulation”, we mean that the fluid is forced to follow a singular path, from top to bottom, imposed by the arrangement of the segment(s) 105A.1c. These segments 105A.1c extend preferentially between the two upper and lower longitudinal segments (105A.1a, 105A.1b) of the main support zone 105A of the spacer 105.

The part or parts of the circulation circuit 101B are thus delimited, on the one hand, by the large adjacent lateral faces 103A.3 of the cells 103A, and on the other hand, by the median longitudinal segments 105A.1c. All the large side faces 103A.3 of the cells 103A are thus cooled by the forced circulation circuit 101B. The number of passes (that is to say the changes of direction in a part of forced circulation circuit 101B) is adjusted according to the desired heat exchange and/or according to the allowed pressure loss. The best results in terms of heat exchange are obtained when the part of the forced circulation circuit 101B has at least one change of direction of the fluid, advantageously at least 3 changes of direction, therefore when the spacer 105 comprises three median longitudinal segments 105A .1 C.

Thus, the circulation sections 101B.1 delimited by the spacer 105 extend over at least 51%, advantageously at least 90%, and more preferably at least 95% of the surface of the large side faces 103A.3 of the cells 103A adjacent. The majority of these large side faces 103A.3 can thus be in contact with the heat transfer fluid.

The circulation of the heat transfer fluid in this embodiment is described below. The heat transfer fluid arrives via the inlet collector 101C preferably positioned on or against the upper end of one of the large side walls 101A.1. Said fluid then enters the circulation circuit 101B thanks to an upper orifice 105B.1 positioned at one of the lateral support zones 105B of the spacer 105. The heat transfer fluid then circulates in the different circulation sections 101B .1 of said circuit 101B, formed against the large lateral faces 103A.3a of the adjacent cells 103A, towards a lower orifice 105B.2 located at the level of the lower longitudinal segment 105A.1b of the spacer 105. The heat transfer fluid will then be able, thanks to at the slope p formed in the bottom wall 101A.4, be evacuated towards the gutter 101A.4a. The gutter 101A.4a can be positioned in the middle of the bottom wall 101A.4 ( ) or on one of the lateral ends as shown in (the gutter 101A.4a being positioned on the left end). The heat transfer fluid can then leave the housing 101A via the outlet collector (not shown in Figures 5a and 5b) positioned at one of the end walls of the housing 101A (said wall not being visible in these figures).

Alternatively, the gutter 101A.4a can be positioned on the right end of the bottom wall 101A.4. According to another alternative, the inlet collector 101C can be positioned on the other side wall 101A.1, the orientation of the median longitudinal segments 105A.1c of the spacer 105 will then be reversed. The pads (101A.4ci, 101A.4cii) will be positioned similarly to the variants described in Figures 3a to 3c, following the positioning of the gutter 101A.4a and the desired spacing between the cell 103A and the bottom wall 101A .4.

According to another alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the spacer 105 may have one or more vertical segments which delimit the different circulation sections 101B.1 of the fluid vertically. These segments extend into the perforated part of the circulation section 101B.1 and are arranged so as to form part of the forced circulation circuit 101B of the heat transfer fluid between the adjacent cells 103A. This or these circuit parts 101B are thus delimited, on the one hand, by the large adjacent lateral faces 103A.3 of the cells 103A and, on the other hand, by the vertical segments. All the large side faces 103A.3 of the cells 103A are thus cooled by the forced circulation circuit 101B. The number of passes is preferably similar to what was previously described above.

In this variant, the heat transfer fluid arrives through the inlet collector 101C preferably positioned on or against the upper end of one of the large side walls 101A.1, and enters the circulation circuit 101B thanks to an upper orifice 105B .1 positioned at one of the lateral support zones 105B of the spacer 105. The heat transfer fluid then circulates vertically in the circulation sections 101B.1 of said circuit 101B, and exits the spacer 105 through an orifice lower 105B.2 located on the lower longitudinal segment 105A.1b of said spacer 105, at an end opposite the large side wall 101A.1 comprising the collector 101C. The heat transfer fluid will then be evacuated through a gutter 101A.4a, positioned centrally or laterally to the bottom wall 101A.4, towards the outlet collector. Particularly advantageously, the gutter 101A.4a is positioned at the opposite lateral end of the end comprising the lower orifice 105B.2.

According to another variant of the second embodiment of the invention not shown in the appended figures, the spacer 105 can also have two lateral portions, each connected to inlet collectors 101C positioned, each, on one of the large side walls 101A.1 of the housing 101A. A left side portion will be described below, the right side portion corresponding symmetrically to said left side portion. Thus, each portion comprises two vertical segments positioned, respectively, in the middle and on one of the lateral ends of the large lateral face 103A.3 of the cell 103A on which the spacer 105 is mounted. Upper longitudinal segments 105A.1a and lower 105A.1b are also found and positioned on the upper and lower ends of said face 103A.3. At least one median longitudinal segment 105A.1c is found and extends in the perforated part of the circulation section 101B.1. The longitudinal segments 105A.1 are arranged so as to form part of the forced circulation circuit 101B of the heat transfer fluid between the adjacent cells 103A. The particularly preferred number of passes is as previously described.

In this variant, the heat transfer fluid arrives through the inlet collectors 101C positioned on or against the upper ends of each large side wall 101A.1, and enters the circulation circuits 101B formed by each side portion. The entry of the fluid is carried out, for each circuit 101B, by an upper orifice 105B.1 positioned at the level of each lateral support zone 105B of the spacer 105. The heat transfer fluid then circulates in the circulation sections 101B.1 of said circuits 101B, formed against the large lateral faces 103A.3 of the adjacent cells 103A, and exits the spacer 105 through two lower orifices 105B.2 located on the lower longitudinal segment 105A.1b of the spacer 105, at the ends opposite the large side walls 101A.1 including the upper orifices 105B.1. The heat transfer fluid will then be evacuated through a gutter 101A.4a, positioned centrally or laterally of the bottom wall 101A.4, towards the outlet collector. The lateral positioning of the gutter 101A.4a, particularly in the case where it is located opposite the lower orifice 105B.2 of the spacer 105, makes it possible to reduce the bulk of the housing 101A. Particularly advantageously, the gutter 101A.4a is positioned centrally to allow the simultaneous evacuation of the two lateral portions of the spacer 105, at the same speed.

According to another variant of the second embodiment of the invention not shown in the appended figures, the circulation circuit 101B of the heat transfer fluid comprises fluid circulation sections 101B.1 of variable width. Particularly preferably, these sections 101B.1 are formed in the spacer 105.

Preferably, the circulation sections 101B.1 of the heat transfer fluid are of decreasing width from the inlet collector 101C towards the outlet collector, that is to say that the circulation sections 101B.1 positioned near the collector d The inlet 101C has a width greater than the circulation sections 101B.1 positioned near the bottom wall 101A.4 of the housing 101A. These sections 101B.1 are advantageously formed by one or more longitudinal segments 105A.1 or vertical segments of the spacer 105, said segments 105A.1 coming closer and closer as they are positioned near the outlet collector. This reduction in width can be gradual or continuous, and is between -20% and -80%, more preferably between -40% and -80%.

In these two alternative embodiments, reducing the size of the circulation sections 101B.1 allows the increase in the speed of the heat transfer fluid, and improves the flow of the fluid, while increasing the turbulence of the fluid. Effective cooling of the large side faces 103A.3 of the cells 103A is then maintained throughout the circulation circuit 101B.

There represents a view of the spacer according to a third embodiment of the invention. This figure repeats the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering however being incremented by 100 compared to Figures 5a and 5b. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention.

The spacer 205 according to the third embodiment of the invention is designed to be glued to one of the large side faces 203A.3 of the cell 203A, preferably the first large side face 203A.3a.

So that this spacer 205 can be glued as efficiently as possible, it is preferable that it is formed of a plurality of segments, or independent elements (205D.1, 205D.2). Thus, the plurality of segments are distinct from each other, and the independent elements (205D.1, 205D.2) are without connection between them. The independent elements (205D.1, 205D.2) can be formed by a first element 205D.1 and a second element 205D.2. More particularly, each element (205D.1, 205D.2) has vertical (205D.1a, 205D.2a) and longitudinal (205D.1b, 205D.2b) segments, so as to define a part of the circulation circuit 201B of the heat transfer fluid within the spacer 205. The circulation of said fluid is preferably carried out from bottom to top, between the two large side faces 203A.3 of two adjacent cells 203A.

Advantageously, the first element 205D.1 has a vertical segment 205D.1a configured to be positioned against a first lateral end 203A.3aiii of the first large lateral face 203A.3a of the cell 203A. Two longitudinal segments 205D.1b extend from the vertical segment 205D.1a along the first large side face 203A.3a, the first element 205D.1 being preferably designed to be positioned in the middle of the large side face 203A.3a .

Preferably, the second element 205D.2 has a vertical segment 205D.2a configured to be positioned against a second lateral end 203A.3aiiii of the first large lateral face 203A.3a of the cell 203A. Three longitudinal segments 205D.2b extend from the vertical segment 205D.2a along the first large lateral face 203A.3a, the second element 205D.2 being preferably designed to frame, at least partially, the first element 205D.1 . Two of the longitudinal segments 205D.2b extend at the level of the upper ends 203A.3ai and lower ends 203A.3aii of the first large lateral face 203A.3a of the cell 203A, the third longitudinal segment 205D.2b extending between the segments longitudinal 205D.1b of the first element 205D.1.

These two elements (205D.1, 205D.2) can, once stuck on one of the large side faces 203A.3 of a cell 203A, delimit a part of the circulation circuit 201B which, as previously, will allow the passage of the heat transfer fluid to the surface of the adjacent cells 203A, therefore the cooling of said cells 203A. Due to the bonding of the elements (205D.1, 205D.2) directly on the cell 203A, the spacer 205 naturally presents orifices 205D.3 necessary for the movement of the heat transfer fluid to and from the parts of the circulation circuit 201B, towards and from the fluid inlet or outlet collectors (the collectors not being shown in this figure).

Thus, the spacers 205 according to this embodiment are simpler: they only have a main support zone 205A, they are therefore easier and faster to produce. They also make it possible to avoid the use of an elastomer while maintaining a good seal of the spacer 205, they are therefore less expensive to produce.

The bonding of the spacer 205 on the large side face 203A.3 of the cell 203A can be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art. The features described in other embodiments can be easily combined with the features of this embodiment of the invention.

According to alternative embodiments of the invention not shown in the appended figures, the different spacers described in Figures 5a and 5b can be divided into a plurality of segments or independent elements.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show, respectively, a sectional view of a thermal regulation device, a perspective view of a spacer and a sectional view of said device with the collectors positioned in the same way. side of the housing, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. These figures repeat the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering however being incremented by 100 compared to the third embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention.

In this embodiment, the battery pack 303 has two or more rows of cells (303A, 303A') joined together. On the , the battery pack 303 is composed of two rows of cells (303A, 303A') placed side by side.

To enable the holding of the cells (303A, 303A') and the homogeneous flow along their large lateral faces (303A.3, 303A'.3), the segments (305A.1, 305A.2) of the spacer 305 are shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits 301B each having one or more passes, as in the case of a spacer for a single cell described previously.

Advantageously, so that the temperature is as uniform as possible, each circuit 301B (and each of its passes) extends – or straddles – the two large lateral faces (303A.3, 303A'.3) of the cells ( 303A, 303A') arranged side by side.

Spacer 305 forms a fluid seal along circuit 301B as with a single cell spacer described previously.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, the spacer 305 comprises a central rib 305A.3 which extends in the height of the cells (303A, 303A') and which is installed in use between the lateral ends of the large side faces (303A.3, 303A'.3). This median rib 305A.3 thus fills the space between the two cells (303A, 303A’) and forms a seal between said cells (303A, 303A’). Openings 305A.3a are provided in the central rib 305A.3 so as to allow the circulation of the fluid between the large side faces (303A.3, 303A’.3).

The median rib 305A.3 also allows distancing of the cells (303A, 303A') arranged side by side and plays a mechanical role against the swelling of said cells (303A, 303A') induced by their rise in temperature. It contributes to further maintaining the cells (303A, 303A') in compression under the effect of this swelling, which ensures maximum capacity of said cells (303A, 303A').

The seal between the cells (303A, 303A') is particularly advantageous when the fluid inlet/outlet manifolds (301C, 301D) are arranged laterally and on only one side of the battery pack 303, as illustrated in the . A lower outlet 305B.3 and an upper inlet 305B.1 ( ) of circuit 301B are then arranged in spacer 305, at the level of a rib, or a lateral support zone, located at the edge of the cell.

According to another embodiment, the segments (305A.1, 305A.2) can be arranged so as to form a first circuit which winds along the large side face 303A.3 of the first cell 303A and a second circuit which winds along the large side face 303A'.3 of the second cell 303A'. Communication between the two circuits can be carried out at the upper wall 301A.3 (more particularly at the busbar area) or at the bottom wall 301A.4 of the housing 301A. This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring sealing between the cells (303A, 303A'), but is not optimal in terms of temperature homogeneity due to the fact that the fluid arrives hotter on the second cell 303A' than on the first cell 303A.

On the , the fluid inlet/outlet collectors (301C, 301D) are arranged laterally and on one side of the battery block 303. To ensure the supply of one or more cells 303A located at the ends of the battery block 303, the inlet collector 301C and/or outlet collector 301D can be extended and bent so as to open directly into circuit 301B formed at at least one of said end cells.

The bottom wall 301A.4 of the housing 301A may include the gutter with the slope previously described in the other embodiments, as well as the plurality of studs, these elements not being shown, for the sake of ease, in Figures 7 at 9.

The thermal regulation device according to the invention, as well as the associated battery pack, can in particular form part of a cooling system, such as a vehicle cooling system according to the invention. Such a cooling system is not shown in these figures.

The arrangement of the different elements and/or means and/or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any case, it will be understood that various modifications can be made to these elements and/or means and/or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Additionally, one or more features set forth only in one embodiment may be combined with one or more other features set forth only in another embodiment. Likewise, one or more characteristics presented only in one embodiment can be generalized to other embodiments, even if this or these characteristics are described only in combination with other characteristics.

The use of the verb “include”, “understand” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

Claims (14)

Thermal regulation device (1; 101) of a vehicle battery pack (3; 303), comprising:

• a housing (1A, 101A; 301A) forming an enclosure sealed against a heat transfer fluid having a bottom wall (1A.4; 101A.4; 301A.4) and comprising a circulation circuit (1B; 101B; 201B; 301B) of the heat transfer fluid, which housing (1A, 101A; 301A) is capable of housing the battery pack (3; 303), which block (3) comprises at least two battery cells (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A') , the heat transfer fluid circulating around the battery cells (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A') to regulate them thermally,
• a spacer (5; 105; 205; 305) installed between the battery cells (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A') so as to space them, the circulation circuit (1B; 101B; 201B; 301B) of the fluid heat transfer being defined at least in part by the spacer (5; 105; 205; 305),

characterized in thatthe bottom wall (1A.4; 101A.4; 301A.4) has a slope (p) and a gutter (1A.4a; 101A.4a) so as to bring the heat transfer fluid having circulated in the circulation circuit ( 1B; 101B; 201B; 301B), under the effect of gravity, up to the gutter (1A.4a; 101A.4a),
and in thatthe bottom wall (1A.4; 101A.4; 301A.4) further comprises a plurality of studs (1A.4c, 1A.4ci, 1A.4cii; 101A.4ci, 101A.4cii) for the raised support battery cells (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A'). Device (1; 101) according to claim 1, in which the gutter (1A.4a; 101A.4a) is configured to evacuate or recirculate the heat transfer fluid out of the housing (1A, 101A; 301A). Device (1; 101) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the slope (p) of the bottom wall (1A.4; 101A.4; 301A.4) is at least 1%, advantageously at least minus 3%. Device (1; 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pads (1A.4c, 1A.4ci, 1A.4cii; 101A.4ci, 101A.4cii) have heights (Hpl, Hpli, Hplii) variables so that the battery cells (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A') lie flat or horizontal. Device (1; 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the gutter (1A.4a; 101A.4a) consists of a groove or a groove extending longitudinally. Device (1; 101) according to claim 5, in which the groove or groove extends in the middle of the bottom of the wall (1A.4; 101A.4). Device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circulation circuit (101B) of the heat transfer fluid comprises circulation sections (101B.1) of the fluid of variable width, preferably these circulation sections (101B. 1) of variable width being formed by the spacer (105). Device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circulation circuit (101B) of the heat transfer fluid comprises circulation sections (101B.1) of the fluid of decreasing width, preferably gradual or continuous, from at least an input collector (101C) to at least one output collector. Device (1; 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spacer (5; 105; 205; 305) is clipped onto a battery cell (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A') or glued on at least one battery cell (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A'). Device according to claim 9, in which, when the spacer (5; 105; 205; 305) is glued, the spacer (5; 105; 205; 305) is formed of a plurality of segments or independent elements (205D.1; 205D.2). Cooling system comprising a device (1; 101) according to one of the preceding claims, and further comprising:

• a battery pack (3; 303) comprising N adjacent battery cells (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A'), including two end cells (3A.1) each arranged at an end wall ( 1A.2) of the housing (1A, 101A; 301A), N being an integer greater than 3,
• the device (1; 101) comprises at least N-1 spacers (5; 105; 205; 305), preferably N+1 spacers (5; 105; 205; 305).

System according to claim 11, in which:

• a spacer (5; 105; 205; 305) is installed between each cell (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A') adjacent to another cell (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A'),
• a spacer (5; 105; 205; 305) is installed between each end wall (1A.2) of the housing (1A, 101A; 301A) and the end cell (3A.1) including a large side face ( 3A.3; 103A.3; 203A.3, 303A'.3) is adjacent to said wall (1A.2),
• the spacers (5; 105; 205; 305) are in contact with the large side faces (3A.3; 103A.3; 203A.3; 303A.3, 303A'.3) adjacent to said cells (3A; 103A; 203A ; 303A, 303A') of battery so that all the large side faces (3A.3; 103A.3; 203A.3; 303A.3, 303A'.3) of the cells (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A, 303A) ') are cooled by the circulation circuit (1B; 101B; 201B; 301B) of heat transfer fluid.

System according to claim 12, in which:

• the battery pack (303) comprises two or more rows of cells (303A, 303A') placed side by side,
• each spacer (305) comprises segments (305A.1, 305A.2) shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits (301B), each said circuit having one or more passes astride the two large lateral faces ( 303A.3, 303A'.3) of two cells (303A, 303A') arranged side by side,
• each spacer (305) comprises a median rib (305A.3) which extends in the height of said cells (303A, 303A') and which is installed, in use, between lateral ends of said large lateral faces (303A.3 , 303A'.3), so that said central rib (305A.3) fills the space between the two cells and forms a seal between said cells.

System according to claim 13, in which openings (305A.3a) are provided in the central rib (305A.3) so as to allow the circulation of the fluid between the large lateral faces (303A.3, 303A'.3) of two cells (303A, 303A') arranged side by side.