WO2019150031A1

WO2019150031A1 - System for the thermal regulation of at least one electrical storage device of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2019150031A1
Application number: PCT/FR2019/050187
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mohamed Yahia; Stefan Karl; Roland AKIKI; Jin-ming LIU; Bertrand Nicolas
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2018-01-31
Filing date: 2019-01-29
Publication date: 2019-08-08
Also published as: FR3077378A1; FR3077378B1; EP3747079A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (100) for the thermal regulation of at least one electrical storage device (300) of a motor vehicle, the electrical storage device (300) comprising a plurality of electrical modules (310), the thermal regulation system (100) comprising at least two heat exchangers (152, 152') through which a fluid can flow, each electrical module (310) of the electrical storage device (300) being thermally coupled to one of the heat exchangers (152, 152'), the regulation system (100) comprising a plurality of control devices (210, 210'), each control device (210, 210') being associated with an electrical module (310), the regulation system (100) comprising a plurality of supply members (153, 153'), each supply member (153, 153') being configured to regulate the supply of fluid to a heat exchanger (152, 152').

Description

SYSTEM FOR THERMALLY REGULATING AT LEAST ONE DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY STORING A VEHICLE

AUTOMOBILE

The field of the present invention is that of heat treatment systems for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, and more particularly, the present invention relates to thermal treatment systems for thermal regulation of an electrical storage device for motor vehicles. electric or hybrid.

Global warming and dwindling fossil fuel sources are driving car manufacturers to invest in the development of cleaner vehicles that consume fewer traditional fuels. Thus, in recent years have emerged new vehicles operating, at least partially, through the electric power.

These vehicles, whether they are totally electric or hybrid, that is to say combining the use of a heat engine and an electric motor, therefore require a substantial supply of electrical energy and are equipped with safety devices. electrical storage, generally comprising several electrical modules. Electrical modules, that is to say a plurality of electric cells connected together, are thus arranged under the chassis of these vehicles. These electrical modules can not function well outside a certain temperature range. In particular, to optimize the operation and the life of the latter, it should be maintained at a temperature below 45 ° C, for example.

It is known to use a refrigerant circuit, also used to heat or cool different areas or different components of the vehicle, to cool the electrical storage device. The refrigerant circuit thus extracts the energy capable of cooling the electrical storage device during its use in rolling phases.

For example, the refrigerant circuit may be sufficient to cool the electrical modules of the electrical storage device during a conventional charging phase of the vehicle, namely a charging phase performed by connecting the vehicle for several hours to domestic electrical network. This charging technique makes it possible to maintain the temperature of the electrical storage device below a certain threshold, which makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the cooling system of the electrical storage device.

A new charging technique has appeared recently. It consists of charging the electrical storage device with high voltage and amperage, so as to charge the electrical storage device in a maximum of a few tens of minutes. This rapid charge involves a heating of the electrical storage device which imposes a greater dimensioning of the heat exchanger / (s) for (s) thermal regulation of the electrical storage device. However, if the need for cooling of the electrical storage device is very important during rapid charging phases, this need decreases during rolling phases or so-called "conventional" load. The use of an oversized heat exchanger is then unnecessarily energy consuming or generator of weight and / or bulk. In addition, if the need for cooling of the storage device is low and at the same time the need for cooling of the passenger compartment of the vehicle is important, it may be difficult to control the cooling power of the storage device electric and cooling power of the passenger compartment.

The present invention is in this context and proposes a solution for modulating the cooling of each electrical module of the electrical storage device according to its needs while respecting a temperature difference imposed by the temperature of an air flow. pulsed in the cockpit. It is therefore a question of modulating a cooling power under a fixed temperature difference.

An object of the present invention thus relates to a thermal control system of at least one electrical storage device of a motor vehicle, the electrical storage device comprising a plurality of electrical modules, the thermal regulation system comprising at least two heat exchangers heat exchanger capable of being traversed by a fluid, each electrical module of the electrical storage device being thermally coupled to one of the heat exchangers. According to the invention, the control system comprises a plurality of control devices, each control device being associated with an electrical module, and a plurality of supply members, each supply member being configured to regulate the power supply. in fluid of a heat exchanger.

According to the invention, the heat exchangers are able to be traversed by a coolant or a heat transfer fluid, the latter may advantageously be a heat transfer liquid. The term "fluid supply of the heat exchanger", the fact of allowing or not allowing this fluid, whether it is a coolant or a coolant, to flow in the heat exchanger. concerned heat. When we speak of "regulation of the supply", it is understood that it is for example possible to modify the flow rate of the fluid that supplies these heat exchangers or the temperature of this fluid. In other words, by regulating the supply of a heat exchanger, its cooling capacity is changed, this modification being of course reversible.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the control system comprises at least one central control unit to which the control devices are connected. Here we mean "Connected" means that a cable provides an electrical connection between each control device and the central control unit. Thus, each control device is at least able to transmit and receive information with the central control unit, through these cables.

Advantageously, each heat exchanger is thermally coupled to a single electrical module.

According to one characteristic of the present invention, each control device is configured to determine an instantaneous temperature of the electrical module with which it is associated, and to determine a need for cooling of the electrical module concerned from this instantaneous temperature and a threshold temperature. predetermined. Depending on the need for cooling determined, the flow rate and / or the temperature of the fluid flowing in the heat exchanger which is thermally coupled to the electrical module concerned may be modified.

For example, the threshold temperature may be pre-recorded information in the central control unit, the latter being then configured to send this information to the control devices, for example by means of the cables arranged between the central control unit and each of these piloting devices. For example again, the threshold temperature may correspond to a maximum temperature supported by the electrical modules of the electrical storage device, that is to say a temperature beyond which these electrical modules may be damaged.

It is therefore understood that the present invention allows an individual and continuous control and regulation of the temperature of the electrical modules of the electrical storage device, which advantageously allows each electrical module to be maintained at its required temperature, or to cool all the modules , especially in running situation or during charging phases of the electrical storage device.

According to a characteristic of the present invention, each power supply member is under the control of one of the control devices, this power supply member and this control device being associated with one and the same electrical module. In other words, each supply member is then configured to regulate the supply of fluid to the heat exchanger which is thermally coupled to the electrical module associated with this supply member. Thus, the present invention advantageously allows independent thermal regulation of each of the electrical modules of the electrical storage device.

According to a first arrangement of the present invention, at least one of the control devices associated with the electrical modules is configured to drive the power supply member directly. electrical module with which is associated the steering device concerned.

According to a second arrangement of the present invention, at least one of the driving devices associated with the electrical modules is configured to send an instruction to the central control unit, this central control unit being configured to drive the power supply member of the central control unit. electrical module with which is associated the steering device concerned.

Advantageously, the control devices can be in communication with each other via the connections with the central unit, or through direct connections between the control devices.

For example, the feed members of the heat exchangers may be valves. These valves can be all-or-nothing valves, that is to say valves capable of taking two positions: one in which they allow the circulation of the fluid and one in which they prohibit it. Alternatively, these valves may be proportional valves, that is to say valves in which a fluid passage section is variable, thus allowing a finer regulation of the fluid flow.

According to a feature of the present invention, the control system comprises an expansion member configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid flowing through the heat exchangers. Advantageously, this expansion member may be common to all of the heat exchangers, that is to say that this expansion member participates in the regulation of the temperature of the fluid flowing through all the heat exchangers.

According to the invention, the detent member is controlled by the central control unit. In other words, according to this feature, the central control unit is configured to vary the temperature of the fluid that passes through the expansion member by changing a passage section of the fluid within the expansion member.

According to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the regulation system comprises a closed circuit in which the fluid circulates, this fluid being a refrigerant, a closed circuit on which at least one compression device and a first heat exchanger are arranged, the closed circuit comprising a primary branch carrying an expansion means and a second heat exchanger intended for the heat treatment of an air flow sent to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a plurality of secondary branches arranged in parallel with each other; others, each of these secondary branches carrying at least one of the heat exchangers and one of the supply members, this plurality of secondary branches comprising a common portion on which is arranged the trigger member, the closed circuit comprising in in addition to a collector at which primary brandy and secondary branches are connected.

Since a plurality of heat exchangers for cooling the thermal modules of the electrical storage device are successively supplied in packets for a limited time, the flow fluctuations of the refrigerant in the compression device are reduced. As a result, the second heat exchanger for the heat treatment of the air flow sent into the passenger compartment of the vehicle operates at a stable temperature.

The present invention thus advantageously makes it possible to maintain an acceptable temperature in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, while ensuring sufficient cooling of the electrical storage device, and in particular during the rolling phases or during charging phases of the electrical storage device.

Thus, according to this first exemplary embodiment, the expansion member is common to all of the heat exchangers in that the refrigerant fluid that exits the common expansion member is able to supply all of the heat exchangers. heat.

According to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, the regulation system comprises a first closed circuit in which a refrigerant circulates and on which at least one compression device and a first heat exchanger are arranged, the first closed circuit comprising a branch primary carrying a means of expansion and a second heat exchanger for the heat treatment of an air flow sent to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the first closed circuit comprising a secondary branch carrying the relaxation member and d a third heat exchanger intended for the heat treatment of the fluid, this fluid being a heat transfer fluid, this third heat exchanger being arranged on a second closed circuit in which the coolant circulates, this second closed circuit comprising a first carrying branch, at least, third heat exchanger and a pump configured to allow the circulation of the coolant in this second closed circuit, this second closed circuit comprising a plurality of second branches in communication with the first branch and arranged in parallel with each other, each of these second branches carrying at least one of the heat exchangers; thermally coupled heat to the electrical modules and one of the power organs of these heat exchangers.

It will be noted that this second closed circuit is arranged in parallel with the first closed circuit.

It is understood that the present invention also makes it possible to limit the temperature differences between the different electrical modules that constitute the storage device. electric. For example, this difference can be kept below 2 ° C to 5 ° C. Advantageously, the present invention thus makes it possible to ensure homogeneous aging of these electrical modules and thus to improve the longevity of the electrical storage device.

It will be understood that the third heat exchanger is traversed both by the refrigerant circulating in the first closed circuit and by the coolant circulating in the second closed circuit. This third heat exchanger is thus a refrigerant / heat transfer fluid exchanger, that is to say a unit in which calories are exchanged between the coolant and the heat transfer fluid. According to this second exemplary embodiment, the expansion member is common to all of the heat exchangers in that it makes it possible to thermally regulate the refrigerant circulating in the first closed circuit and thus, indirectly, this expansion member. allows the thermal fluid to be thermally regulated for supplying the heat exchangers thermally coupled to the electrical modules.

According to the invention, each control device is configured to control a voltage and / or an intensity of a current flowing from or to the electrical module with which it is associated. It is understood that this control is thus achieved, by each control device, in charge phases of the electric modules, just as in the discharge phase of these electrical modules, that is to say when these electrical modules provide electricity. to the electric motor of the vehicle on which is integrated the control system according to the invention.

Other details, characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below as an indication in relation to the various exemplary embodiments illustrated in the following figures:

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a system for thermal regulation of an electrical storage device at standstill, according to two arrangements of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic representations of the thermal regulation system illustrated in FIG. 1, according to two examples of operation;

FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically illustrate the thermal regulation system of the off-state electrical storage device, according to two arrangements of a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description, the terms upstream, downstream, input and output of a component, refer to the flow direction of a fluid flowing in a closed circuit of the thermal control system described here. The fluid is symbolized by an arrow on a pipe that illustrates the meaning of circulation of the latter in the considered pipe. In FIGS. 1 to 6, the thicker lines illustrate portions of the circuit in which the fluid is under pressure HP and the thinner lines illustrate portions of the circuit in which the fluid is under low BP pressure. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the solid lines represent portions of the closed circuit in which the fluid circulates and the dotted lines represent portions of the closed circuit in which the fluid does not circulate.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate, schematically, a system 100 for thermal regulation of an electrical storage device 300 of a motor vehicle. Advantageously, according to the examples illustrated here, this thermal control system 100 is also intended for the thermal regulation of a passenger compartment of this vehicle. It is understood that the electrical storage device 300 which is mentioned here is intended to supply an electric motor that provides all or part of the movement of the vehicle.

Figures 1 and 2 respectively illustrate a first arrangement and a second arrangement of a first embodiment of the present invention. According to this first exemplary embodiment, the thermal control system 100 comprises a closed circuit 110 in which a refrigerant circulates. This closed circuit 110 comprises, in order in a direction S 1 of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, a compression device 120 and a first heat exchanger 130. For example, the compression device 120 may take the form of an electric compressor, that is, a compressor that includes a compression mechanism, an electric motor, and an electrical control and conversion unit. A rotation mechanism specific to the compression device 120 is rotated by the electric motor whose rotation speed is controlled by a control device which is external to it. Thus the speed of rotation of the compression device 120 can be adapted as a function of the flow rate of refrigerant required.

Downstream of this first heat exchanger 130, the closed circuit 110 is divided into a primary branch 140 and a plurality of secondary branches 150, this plurality of secondary branches 150 comprising a common portion 250 before dividing. These secondary branches 150 are arranged in parallel with each other, in view of the refrigerant fluid. In order to facilitate the reading of the figures, only two of these secondary branches 150 are referenced in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the description below applies mutatis mutandis to all the secondary branches 150 that equip the thermal regulation system 100. according to the invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the primary arm 140 comprises an expansion means 141 and a second heat exchanger 142, the latter being for example for cooling a flow of air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The second exchanger thermal 142 is disposed downstream of the expansion means 141, and just after it.

As can be seen in these Figures 1 and 2, the common portion 250 to all the secondary branches 150 carries an expansion member 151 downstream of which this common portion 250 is divided into the plurality of secondary branches 150, each of these secondary branches 150 being a carrier of a heat exchanger 152. "Relaxing member 151", or "expansion means 141", means a member capable of varying a thermal power in the branch considered of the closed circuit 110 by modulating a passage section of the refrigerant fluid within it. They may take the form of a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, a tube orifice or the like.

It is understood from this arrangement that the heat exchangers 152 are arranged in parallel with each other and that the expansion member 151 is common to all of these heat exchangers 152, being arranged in series of these heat exchangers. In other words, the refrigerant flowing out of this expansion member 151 can supply each of the secondary branches 150, simultaneously, and therefore each of the heat exchangers 152 carried by these secondary branches 150.

Each secondary branch 150 also carries a valve 153, each of these valves 153 thus being associated with the heat exchanger 152 carried by the secondary branch 150 concerned. In order to facilitate understanding of the figures, only one of these valves 153 is referenced but the description below applies mutatis mutandis to all the valves 153 which equip the thermal control system 100 according to the invention.

As will be more fully detailed below, these secondary branches 150 are intended for the cooling of the electrical storage device 300 of the vehicle, and more particularly, each of the heat exchangers 152 that they carry is intended for the cooling of one electrical modules 310 which constitute the electrical storage device 300. Thus, each electrical module 310 is thermally coupled to one of these heat exchangers 152. For example, each electrical module 310 can be arranged in contact with one of the heat exchangers 152.

The primary branch 140 and the secondary branches 150 meet at a manifold 160 to which they are connected and which is also connected the compression device 120.

Thus, the refrigerant fluid enters the compression device 120 in gaseous form. This compression device 120 is then configured to compress this gas, that is to say to increase the pressure of the latter. The refrigerant therefore emerges from this compression device 120 in gaseous form, HP pressure and high temperature. This gas under pressure then joins the first heat exchanger 130 in which it is cooled by an exchange of heat with a flow of air passing through the first heat exchanger 130, the air flow being outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle that receives the thermal control system 100 according to the invention.

At the outlet of this first heat exchanger 130, the refrigerant is then in liquid form, always at high HP pressure. In other words, according to the example illustrated here, the first heat exchanger 130 is comparable to a condenser.

Following the primary branch 140, the refrigerant then enters the expansion means 141 in which it undergoes a relaxation, that is to say a decrease in its pressure. At the outlet of this expansion means 141, the refrigerant fluid is thus in two-phase form, that is to say that it comprises a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, and low pressure BP. It then joins the second heat exchanger 142 in which it evaporates by heat exchange with a flow of air passing through the second heat exchanger 142. This second heat exchanger 142 is therefore, according to the illustrated example, comparable to an evaporator . The flow of air thus cooled is then sent to the cabin of the vehicle to cool the latter while the refrigerant fluid from the second heat exchanger 142 in gaseous form and joins the compression device 120 to implement a new thermodynamic cycle .

By now following the secondary branches 150, the refrigerant fluid joins the expansion member 151 common to at least two secondary branches 150, and preferably to all the secondary branches 150. This trigger member 151 operates on the same principle as the means of trigger 141 arranged on the primary branch 140. Thus, the coolant exits this expansion member 151 in biphasic form, at low pressure LP, and can then supply each of the heat exchangers 152 carried by the different secondary branches 150.

According to the invention, the valves 153 may be valves "all or nothing", that is to say valves that can take only two positions: one in which they allow the passage of refrigerant and one in which they prohibit the passage of this refrigerant. Alternatively, the valves 153 may be "proportional" valves, that is to say valves whose passage section through which the refrigerant circulates within them is variable. It is therefore understood that depending on the choice of the valves 153, the regulation of the supply of the heat exchangers 152 associated with these valves 153 will be more or less fine.

In addition, according to the invention, it is also possible to modify the temperature of the refrigerant which supplies the heat exchangers 152 by modifying a passage section of this refrigerant fluid within the expansion member 151.

According to the arrangements illustrated herein, each of these valves 153 is arranged between the expansion member 151 common to the secondary branches 150 and the heat exchanger 152 with which it is associated. In other words, each valve 153 is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger 152 with which it is associated, with respect to the direction Si of circulation of the refrigerant.

As previously mentioned, the heat exchangers 152 arranged on the secondary branches 150 are intended for cooling the electrical modules 310 constituting the electrical storage device 300. The refrigerant fluid enters these heat exchangers 152 in two-phase form, after having passed through the expansion member 151. A heat exchange then takes place between the refrigerant circulating in each of the heat exchangers 152 and the electrical modules 310 of the electrical storage device 300 disposed in contact with these heat exchangers 152. It is understood that that this heat exchange is related to the temperature difference between the refrigerant circulating in the heat exchangers 152 and the temperature of the electrical storage device 300, and more specifically of each of the electrical modules 310 constituting this electrical storage device 300. As a result, the regulation of the temperature of the refrigerating fluid circulating in the heat exchangers 152, as well as the regulation of the flow rate of this refrigerant fluid have a direct impact on the heat exchange which takes place between these heat exchangers 152 and the electrical modules 310 with which they are in contact. By capturing the calories emitted by the electrical storage device 300, the coolant changes state and returns to the gas phase before rejoining the compression device 120. Each heat exchanger 152 is thus used as an evaporator.

Advantageously, the partitioning of the supply of these heat exchangers 152 allows a thermal regulation of each electrical module 310, resulting in a fine thermal regulation of the electrical storage device 300. It is indeed understood that depending on the cooling requirement of these electrical modules 310, it will be possible to choose to supply refrigerant fluid to all of these heat exchangers 152, when the need for cooling is important, for example when the electrical storage device 300 is in the fast charging phase, or to feed only a few of these heat exchangers 152 when the need for cooling of the electrical storage device 300 is less important, for example during the rolling phases or so-called "conventional" load.

In order to allow this thermal regulation, the thermal control system 100 further comprises a plurality of control devices 210 electrically connected to a central control unit 200. This electrical connection can for example be made by cables

220. As shown, each of these control devices 210 is associated with one of the electrical modules 310 of the electrical storage device 300. Each control device 210 is thus firstly configured to regulate the intensity and voltage of the an electric current flowing in the electrical module 310 with which it is associated and on the other hand to at least control an instantaneous temperature of the electrical module 310 with which it is associated. By "instantaneous temperature" is meant here a temperature of this electrical module 310 measured at a given instant.

Once the instantaneous temperature of the electrical module 310 has been determined, the control device 210 can either compare this instantaneous temperature with a threshold temperature that the electrical module 310 concerned must not exceed, or send an information corresponding to this instantaneous temperature to the unit. central control 200 so that it can perform the comparison of this instantaneous temperature to the threshold temperature. For example, the transmission of this information can be carried out by means of the cables 220 which connect each control device 210 to the central control unit 200. In particular, depending on the difference measured between these temperatures, the central control unit 200, or each control device 210, are then configured to determine a cooling requirement of the electrical module 310 concerned. When the cooling requirement is determined directly by each control device 210, the latter can be configured to transmit accordingly information corresponding to this cooling requirement to the central control unit 200.

It is therefore understood that the more the instantaneous temperature of an electrical module 310 approaches the threshold temperature, the greater the need for cooling of this electrical module 310 is important. For example, this threshold temperature may be a maximum temperature supported by each electrical module 310, that is to say a temperature beyond which these electrical modules 310 may be damaged.

Thus, depending on the importance of this need for cooling, the central control unit 200 may decide to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant fluid upstream of the heat exchanger 152 to which is thermally coupled the electrical module 310 concerned and / or d increase the flow rate of this coolant in this heat exchanger 152.

In order to reduce the temperature of the coolant, the central control unit 200 sends an instruction, for example by means of an electric cable 230, to the expansion member 151 in order to modify the passage section of the cooling fluid. within this one.

In order to increase the flow rate of refrigerant which feeds the heat exchanger 152 concerned, an instruction is sent to the valve 153 associated with this heat exchanger 152. According to the first arrangement illustrated in Figure 1, the opening or the modulation of the passage section refrigerant fluid within the valve 153 is controlled by the control device 210 associated with the electrical module 310 concerned. It will be understood that, according to this first arrangement, each control device 210 is electrically connected to the valve 153 which it controls, for example by means of cables 240. According to the second arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the opening or the modulation of the coolant passage section within the valve 153 is controlled by the central control unit 200 which is then electrically connected to each of these valves 153, for example by means of cables 241. It is understood according to this second arrangement, the central control unit 200 is able to control each valve 153 independently of the others. Conversely, when the cooling requirement of the electrical module 3'0 decreases, the central control unit 200 may decide to increase the temperature of the refrigerant upstream of the heat exchanger 152 to which the module is thermally coupled. 3'0 and / or decrease the flow rate of this refrigerant in this heat exchanger 152. It is understood that when the need for cooling of the electrical module is zero, the refrigerant supply of the heat exchanger 152 concerned can be cut, for example by closing the corresponding valve 153, that is to say by closing the passage section of the refrigerant within this valve 153 ·

Thus, according to one or other of these arrangements, the flow rate and / or the temperature of the refrigerant is adjustable according to the cooling requirement of each electrical module.

310.

FIG. 3 illustrates for example a situation in which the vehicle equipped with the thermal regulation system 100 according to the invention is in the rolling phase. As illustrated, only two electrical modules 3'0 of the electrical storage device 300 present, at the instant illustrated, a cooling requirement, and thus only two valves 153, respectively associated with one of these electrical modules 3 '0, are open. Advantageously, only the two heat exchangers 152 thermally coupled to these two electrical modules 3'0 are fed.

FIG. 4 illustrates, for its part, an example of operation in which the electrical storage device 300 is in fast charge state. It will be understood that it is during these rapid charging phases that the cooling requirement of each electrical module 3 '0 is the largest. Thus, FIG. 4 illustrates an example of operation of the thermal control system 100 in which all the valves 153 are open, thus supplying all the heat exchangers 152. As illustrated, the system 100 also allows the occupants of the vehicle equipped with this system 100 to maintain an acceptable temperature in the passenger compartment throughout the rapid charging phase, thanks to the heat treatment performed by the second heat exchanger 142. FIGS. 3 and 4 each illustrate the regulation system 100 according to the first arrangement of the first exemplary embodiment, but it is understood that the descriptions which have just been made of these figures could be transposed to figures which would illustrate the system 100 according to the second arrangement of the first embodiment, that is to say the arrangement in which the valves 153 are controlled by the central control unit 200.

Figures 5 and 6 each illustrate a second embodiment of the thermal control system 100 according to the present invention according to, respectively, the first arrangement and the second arrangement.

According to this second exemplary embodiment, the thermal control system 100 comprises a first closed circuit 410 and a second closed circuit 420 arranged at least partly in parallel with each other. The first closed circuit 4'0 is similar to the closed circuit 110 described above with reference to the first embodiment. Thus, this first closed circuit 410 is traversed by a refrigerant fluid and comprises, in the order in a flow direction Si 'of this refrigerant fluid, a compression device 120', and a first heat exchanger 130 '. Downstream of this first heat exchanger 130 ', the first closed circuit 410 is divided into a primary branch 140' and a secondary branch 150 '. As illustrated, the primary branch 140 'carries an expansion means 141' and a second heat exchanger 142 'intended for the heat treatment of an air flow sent towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The secondary branch 150 'is carrying an expansion member 151' and a third heat exchanger 400. As illustrated, this third heat exchanger 400 comprises a first portion 4 "in which the coolant circulates and a second portion 421 in which a heat-transfer fluid circulates, as illustrated, this coolant circulates in the second closed circuit 420. This second closed circuit 420 comprises a first branch 422 on which are arranged the third heat exchanger 400 and a pump 423. configured to ensure the circulation of the coolant in this second closed circuit 420 in a direction S 2. Downstream of the third heat exchanger 400, the first branch 421 is divided into a plurality of second branches 424, each of these second branches 424 being a carrier. a heat exchanger 152 'and a valve 153' associated therewith As previously, each of these exchangers of heat 152 'is thermally coupled, for example by contact, with one of the electrical modules 3'0 constituting the electrical storage device 300 of the vehicle comprising the system 100 according to the invention. In order to facilitate the reading of the figures, only one of the second branches 424 is referenced, but the description which follows applies mutatis mutandis to all the second branches 424 of the thermal control system 100 according to the invention. The same goes for valves 153 and heat exchangers 152 '. As illustrated, the first closed circuit 410 includes a portion in which the coolant is under pressure HP. On this portion of the first closed circuit 410, the operating principle is the same as that described above, with reference to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the same for the primary brandy 140 'of this first closed circuit 410.

The third heat exchanger 400 carried by the secondary branch 150 'is thus fed by the refrigerant which exits the expansion member 151' in two-phase form, as previously described. A heat exchange then takes place within this third heat exchanger 400 between the refrigerant circulating in its first portion 411 and the coolant flowing in its second portion 421. As mentioned above, this heat transfer fluid is then sent, thanks to the pump 423 to the heat exchangers 152 'for the thermal regulation of the electrical modules 310. It is therefore understood that the refrigerant flowing in the first portion 4 "of the third heat exchanger 400 changes state and goes into phase gaseous by capturing the calories transported by the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second portion 421 of the third heat exchanger 400. The heat transfer fluid is thus discharged from these calories and is then directed, through the pump 423 to the heat exchangers 152 'in which can then take place a transfer of calories between the electrical module 310 thermally coupled to the heat exchanger 152 'in question and this heat transfer fluid.

As before, each electrical module 310 is associated with a control device 210 'configured on the one hand to regulate the voltage and the intensity of the current flowing in the electrical module 310 with which it is associated and, on the other hand, to measure, regularly, the instantaneous temperature of this electrical module 310. As described above, this instantaneous temperature is then compared, directly by the control device 210 ', or by the central control unit 200 to which are electrically connected, by for example by wires 220 ', all the control devices 210', at a threshold temperature that the electrical module 310 must not exceed, this comparison resulting in the determination of a cooling need of the electrical module 310 concerned. As previously, this threshold temperature may be a maximum temperature supported by each electrical module 310, that is to say a temperature beyond which these electrical modules 310 may be damaged.

According to this cooling requirement, a decision is made either to modulate the passage section of the coolant within the expansion member 151 'in order to reduce the temperature of this refrigerant, in which case the control unit central 200 sends a corresponding instruction, for example wired 230 ', to this expansion member 151', either to open the valve 153 'associated with the electrical module 310 concerned, or to modulate the fluid passage section heat transfer within this valve 153 '· According to the first arrangement shown in Figure 5, the opening or the modulation of the passage section within the valve 153' is controlled by the control device 210 'associated with the electrical module 310 concerned. According to this first arrangement, it is understood that each control device 210 'is electrically connected, for example by means of cables 240', to the valve 153 'associated with the heat exchanger 152' concerned.

According to the second arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6, the opening or the modulation of the passage section within the valve 153 'is controlled by the central control unit 200 which is then electrically connected to each of these valves 153. for example by means of cables 241 '. It will be understood that, according to this second arrangement, the central control unit 200 is able to control each valve 153 'independently of the others.

310. According to any of the exemplary embodiments described here, the determination of the instantaneous temperature of each electrical module 310 is carried out at regular intervals and close in time. Thus, the present invention allows a precise and real-time thermal regulation of each electrical module 310. Advantageously, this makes it possible to avoid too low a cooling which could result in an impairment of the capacities of the electrical storage device 300 constituted by these electrical modules. 310 and also to avoid excessive cooling that would cause unnecessary energy consumption, which is also not desirable for the user of the vehicle in which is integrated this electrical storage device.

The present invention thus proposes a thermal regulation system of an electrical storage device allowing a fine modulation of its heat treatment according to the real needs of the vehicle at a given moment, in particular during the fast charge phase and in taxiing phase. , for example. Such a regulation makes it possible to achieve efficient cooling of the electrical storage device, at any time, while optimizing the energy consumption of this thermal regulation system. The present invention, however, can not be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and any combination of technically operating means such means. In particular, the number and arrangement of valves and heat exchangers can be modified without harming the invention to the extent that they fulfill the functionality described in this document.

5

Claims

System (ΐqq) for thermal regulation of at least one electrical storage device (300) of a motor vehicle, the electrical storage device (300) comprising a plurality of electrical modules (310), the control system (ΐqq) comprising at least two heat exchangers (1 52, 152 ') capable of being traversed by a fluid, each electrical module (310) of the electrical storage device (300) being thermally coupled to one of the heat exchangers (1) 52, 152 '), the control system (ΐqq) comprising a plurality of control devices (210, 210'), each control device (210, 210 ') being associated with an electrical module (310), the system ( ΐqq) comprising a plurality of feed members (153, 153 '). each supply member (153, 153) being configured to regulate the fluid supply of a heat exchanger (152, 152 ').

2. Control system (ΐqq) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one central control unit (200) to which are connected the control devices (210, 210 ').

3. Control system (ΐqq) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each supply member (153, 153 ') is configured to regulate the fluid supply of a single heat exchanger (152, 152 ').

4. Control system (ΐqq) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each control device (210, 210 ') is configured to determine an instantaneous temperature of the electric module (3'q) with which it is associated, and to determine a cooling requirement of the relevant electrical module (310) from this instantaneous temperature and a predetermined threshold temperature.

5. Control system (ΐqq) according to any preceding claim, wherein each supply member (153, 153 ') is under the control of one of the control devices (210, 210'), this feeding member (153, 153 ') and said driving device (210, 210') being associated with one and the same electrical module (310).

6. Thermal control system (ΐqq) according to the preceding claim, in which at least one of the control devices (210, 210 ') associated with the electric modules (3'0) is configured to directly drive the supply member ( 153, 153 ') of the electrical module (31q) with which is associated the steering device concerned (210, 210 ').

7. Thermal control system (ΐqq) according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the control devices (210, 210 ') associated with the electrical modules (3'q) is configured to send an instruction to the control unit. central unit (200), this central control unit (200) being configured to drive the power supply unit (153 ', 153') of the electric module (3'q) with which the relevant control device (210, 210 ') is associated. ).

8. Control system (ΐqq) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid is a refrigerant, the control system (ΐqq) comprising an expansion member (151, 15l) configured to operate a relaxation of the fluid refrigerant which flows through the heat exchangers (152, 152 ').

9. Control system (ΐqq) according to the preceding claim, wherein the expansion member (151, 15l) is controlled by the central control unit (200).

10. Control system (ΐqq) according to one of claims 8 or 9, comprising a closed circuit (il q) in which the fluid circulates, the fluid being a refrigerant, closed circuit (lio) on which are arranged at least a compression device (120) and a first heat exchanger (130), the closed circuit (lio) comprising a primary branch (140) carrying an expansion means (141) and a second heat exchanger (140) for the heat treatment of an air flow sent to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a plurality of secondary branches (150) arranged in parallel with each other, each of these secondary branches (150) carrying at least one of heat exchangers (152) and one of the supply members (153), this plurality of secondary branches (150) comprising a common portion (250) on which the expansion member (15) is arranged, the closed circuit (lio) further comprising a collar reader (ΐ6q) at which are connected the primary branch (l40) and the secondary branches (l50).

11. Control system (ΐqq) according to one of claims 8 or 9, comprising a first closed circuit (4'0) in which circulates a refrigerant and on which are arranged at least one compression device (120 ') and a first heat exchanger (130 '), the first closed circuit (4'0) comprising a primary branch (140') carrying an expansion means (141 ') and a second heat exchanger (142') intended for the heat treatment of an air flow sent to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the first closed circuit (410) comprising a secondary branch (150 ') carrying the expansion member (151') and a third heat exchanger (400) for the heat treatment of the fluid, this fluid being a heat transfer fluid, this third heat exchanger (400) being arranged at least in part on a second closed circuit (420) in which circulates the heat transfer fluid said second closed circuit (420) comprising a first branch (422) carrying at least the third heat exchanger (400) and a pump (423) configured to allow the circulation of the coolant in said second closed circuit (420), this second closed circuit (420) comprising a plurality of second branches (424) in communication with the first branch (422) and arranged in parallel with each other, each of these second branches (424) carrying at least one of the exchangers heat (152 ') thermally coupled to the electric modules (3'q) and one of the supply members (l53) of these heat exchangers (152').

12. Control system (ΐqq) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each control device (210, 210 ') is configured to control a voltage and / or an intensity of a current flowing to or from the electrical module (3'q) with which it is associated.