WO2024068419A1

WO2024068419A1 - Thermal regulation device for a vehicle battery pack

Info

Publication number: WO2024068419A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/076044
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julien Tissot; Kamel Azzouz; Moussa Nacer-Bey; Julio GUERRA
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2022-09-29
Filing date: 2023-09-21
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: FR3140476A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal regulation device (5) for a battery, comprising: a housing (3) having at least two side walls (3A) and a circuit (5A) for circulation of the heat transfer fluid, and capable of housing the battery comprising at least two battery cells (1A), the heat transfer fluid circulating around the cells (1A) being supplied and discharged by input (5B) and output (5C) collectors. A spacer (5F) is installed between the cells (1A), at least one of the collectors (5B, 5C) extending along the side wall (3A), the circuit (5A) of the heat transfer fluid being defined at least in part by the spacer (5F), and at least two orifices (5F.2a, 5F.2b) are arranged on the spacer (5F), each of the orifices (5F.2a, 5F.2b) opening into the input collector (5B) and into the output collector (5C), respectively.

Description

Title: THERMAL REGULATION DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE BATTERY PACK.

Technical area.

[1] The subject of the invention is a thermal regulation device for a vehicle battery pack, as well as a cooling system comprising such a device.

[2] The invention relates in particular to the technical field of thermal regulation of batteries, and more particularly of the cells making up said battery, said cells being capable of releasing heat during their operation. The invention applies preferentially, but not exclusively, to the automotive field, and more particularly to the field of vehicles with electric and/or hybrid engines.

State of the art.

[3] 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 whose electrical conduction is enabled by busbars (also called “busbar” or “busbar”). But when cells overheat, they can be caused to swell, risking damage. These swelling cells can also damage adjacent cells by coming into contact with them.

[4] 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, which keeps said cells at a distance from each other. Furthermore, a thermal regulation device is provided around the battery pack to control its temperature.

[5] 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 block battery, for example when starting the vehicle in cold weather, by increasing its temperature for example, or whether while driving or during a recharging operation, by reducing the temperature of the cells, which tend to heat up during use.

[6] 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 around the battery cells, and helps regulate the temperature of the battery pack. Inlet and outlet collectors also allow the heat transfer fluid to enter or exit at the level of the enclosure enclosing the battery pack. On the other hand, such collectors are often bulky, since they are generally positioned on an upper wall of the enclosure so as to open into it via openings provided for this purpose.

[7] In the published patent document EP 2 608 309 A1, for example, the thermal regulation device of a battery pack comprises the circulation circuit of the heat transfer fluid circulating between the battery cells, and inlet collectors and outlet of said fluid from/said circuit. These collectors are positioned one below the other in the middle of two rows of battery cells forming said block. But the regulation device described in this document is complex, made up of numerous parts whose installation can be difficult to implement, in addition to being bulky.

[8] The invention makes it possible to overcome the aforementioned problems. More particularly, an objective of the invention is to reduce the size of the battery pack in height, by reducing the space taken up by the thermal regulation device.

[9] The invention also aims to maintain a sufficient compression rate to avoid swelling of the cells, and to maintain a minimum distance between the cells in order to avoid damage to adjacent cells in the event of overheating. Thus, the cells maintain their electrical performance. [10] Finally, the invention allows the formation of an effective circulation circuit for the heat transfer fluid in the spacer, by improving the exchange coefficient and the homogeneity of cooling of the large lateral faces of the cells adjacent to said spacer.

Presentation of the invention.

[11] The solution proposed by the invention is a device for thermal regulation of a vehicle battery pack, said device comprising: a housing forming an enclosure sealed against a heat transfer fluid, having at least two side walls as well as a wall upper, and comprising a heat transfer fluid circulation circuit, which housing is capable of housing the battery pack, which block comprises at least two battery cells, the heat transfer fluid circulating around the battery cells to regulate them thermally, collectors inlet and outlet respectively to bring and evacuate the heat transfer fluid to said/said circulation circuit, a spacer being installed between the cells so as to space them from one another, at least one of the collectors extending along at least one side wall of the housing, the circulation circuit of the heat transfer fluid is defined at least in part by the spacer, and at least two orifices are provided on the spacer, each of the orifices opening respectively into the inlet collector and in the outlet collector..

[12] Positioning the collectors laterally to the battery pack housing makes it possible to reduce the size of said housing in the height direction. This reduction in bulk makes it easier to install, particularly in a motor vehicle. Finally, the integration of the circulation circuit in the spacer makes it possible to reduce the number of elements constituting the thermal regulation device of the battery, therefore reducing its bulk while simplifying its design.

[13] 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 do not necessarily contribute. defined above. The latter may be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications.

[14] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two side walls are opposite or facing side walls.

[15] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spacer (3) is configured to be in contact with large adjacent side faces of said cells, and comprises a flow zone arranged to be located opposite vis the large adjacent lateral faces of the cells and to extend over the majority of said large faces, one or more ribs extending in the flow zone, the rib(s) being arranged so as to form at least one circuit of forced circulation of the heat transfer fluid between said cells (10), preferably so that the fluid is in contact with the two large adjacent side faces of said cells, the forced circulation circuit comprises an inlet and an outlet.

[16] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet collectors both extend along at least one side wall of the housing.

[17] The positioning of the collectors along at least one of the side walls allows the reduction of the bulk of the thermal regulation device.

[18] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet collectors both extend along the same side wall of the housing.

[19] The positioning of the collectors along the same side wall allows a reduction in the bulk of the battery box, particularly in the direction of the width of said box.

[20] According to one embodiment of the invention, the output collector is located above the inlet collector.

[21] The presence of the outlet collector above the inlet collector facilitates the circulation of the fluid, due to variations in density of said fluid when it is hot or cold. In fact, the hot heat transfer fluid will rise, while the cold, heavier heat transfer fluid will go down in the circulation circuit. Thus, when the battery cells have heated the fluid, the height positioning of the outlet collector will facilitate the movement of the fluid from the inlet collector to the outlet collector, therefore maintaining constant cell cooling.

[22] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet collectors extend respectively along each of the two side walls.

[23] This embodiment makes it possible to reduce the size of the housing in the height direction.

[24] Advantageously, the two collectors are located at the same height or level against or on their respective side walls.

[25] Preferably, the two collectors are positioned against the side walls and close to the upper wall of the housing. Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid is brought into the inlet collector in a direction opposite to the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid evacuated from the outlet collector. This direction of circulation allows an additional reduction in the bulk of the thermal regulation device, by positioning all the elements of said device on the same side of the battery pack.

[26] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery block further comprises busbars located in an upper space formed between the battery cells and the upper wall of the housing, and one of said collectors of the device, advantageously the inlet collector extends along one of the side walls while the other collector is constituted at least in part by the upper space.

[27] Advantageously, one of said collectors is likely to be constituted by the upper space. If one of the collectors is formed partially in the upper space provided between the cells and the upper wall of the housing, then the cooling of the busbars is improved thanks to the passage of the heat transfer fluid near them. The presence of a single collector on the side wall also makes it possible to reduce the bulk of the thermal regulation device.

[28] Advantageously, the upper wall has an orifice to allow fluid communication of the heat transfer fluid present in the circulation circuit with the upper space. [29] 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 pump of the thermal regulation device improves the movement of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation circuit, therefore allowing better cooling of the cells.

[30] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fluidic junction between a collector and the spacer is made by adding a part or by extending the spacer allowing the spacer to be held on the cell .

[31] Advantageously, each battery cell comprises four side faces, two large side faces of which at least one is oriented towards one of the large side faces of the adjacent cell, and two small side faces connecting the two large side faces together. Advantageously, the spacer is extended onto the small side walls of the cell by small support zones. The positioning of the spacer makes it easier to mount and maintain said spacer on the battery cell.

[32] 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.

[33] The difference in width of the circulation sections of the circulation circuit makes it possible to keep a heat exchange coefficient between the heat transfer fluid and the cell constant along said circuit, therefore to have the same cooling efficiency whatever the location of the cell in contact with said fluid.

[34] 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 the inlet collector to the outlet collector.

[35] More specifically, a decreasing width of the circulation sections makes it possible to maintain the same cooling efficiency of the cells, thanks to the increase in the speed of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in said sections. [36] According to one embodiment of the invention, 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%.

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

[38] These two methods of fixing, by clipping or by gluing, make it possible to simplify the fixing and assembly of the spacer on the cell. These fixing methods also make it possible to reduce the bulk of the spacer and the circulation circuit in the housing. These fixings also make it easier to handle and assemble the spacers on the cells. Fixing the spacer on the cell also provides optimal sealing against the heat transfer fluid.

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

[40] By independent elements, we mean that the spacer is formed by several elements not connected to each other, and which form the circulation circuit. This simplifies the spacer, making it easier to mount and stick to the face of the corresponding battery cell.

[41] Advantageously, the spacer is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 W.nr ¹ .K ^-1 , preferably at most 0.2 Wm ^-1 .K“ ¹ . Preferably, the spacer is made of a polymer material or a polymer-based composite material, such as a flame-retardant polyamide. Even more preferably, the spacer comprises a material from the silicate family, preferably calcium silicate reinforced by fibers. These materials must be rigid to allow their assembly, and must prevent thermal conductivity as much as possible, so that it is limited to the heat transfer fluid, and is not transmitted, by the spacers, from one cell to another .

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

[43] The cooling system is designed so that a spacer is installed between two adjacent cells, so as to cool all of the large side faces of said cells.

[44] 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 large adjacent side faces of said battery cells, so that all the large side faces of the cells are cooled by the circulation circuit of the heat transfer fluid.

[45] This configuration allows efficient cooling of all of the large side faces of the battery pack cells, by also positioning a spacer between the end wall of the housing and the large side face of the adjacent end cell. Preferably, the inlet and outlet collectors bring or evacuate the heat transfer fluid from each portion of the circulation circuit located on each of the spacers.

[46] According to one embodiment of the invention, the N adjacent cells of the battery block form two or more rows of cells joined side by side, each spacer comprises ribs shaped so as to create one or more circulation circuits forced, each said circuit having one or more passes astride 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 edges of said large lateral faces, so that said median rib fills the space between the two cells and forms a seal between said cells.

[47] This embodiment is particularly suitable for devices whose inlet and outlet collectors are positioned on a single side wall of the case. Carrying out each pass astride the two cells side by side makes it possible to keep the temperature as homogeneous as possible.

[48] 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.

[49] According to one embodiment of the invention, an inlet collector and/or an outlet collector are extended and bent so as to open directly into the forced circulation circuit formed at least one of the cells end.

[50] Alternatively, the midrib may not be present, or be only partially present, so as to allow fluid flow between side-by-side cells. This embodiment is particularly suitable for devices whose inlet and outlet collectors are positioned on each of the two side walls of the housing. The space between the two cells then forms an intermediate collector which facilitates the distribution of the fluid between the cells.

[51] Generally speaking, the presence of a spacer, positioned between two adjacent cells, makes it possible to maintain a constant space between said cells, limiting the risk of them being in contact in the event of swelling. The spacer includes the circulation circuit, it also allows the heat transfer fluid to be in permanent contact with the cells. These spacers also serve to apply a minimum compression rate to said cells, in order to limit their possible swelling.

Brief description of the figures.

[52] 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 on which :

[Fig. 1 a] is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack integrated into a housing according to the invention, for a motor vehicle. [Fig. 1 b] shows a perspective view of a battery cell according to the invention.

[Fig. 2] is a simplified schematic representation of a thermal regulation device for a battery pack according to the invention.

[Fig. 3a] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at the level of a spacer, said device being according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 3b] is a perspective view of the spacer mounted on a battery cell according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 4a] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at the level of a spacer, said device being according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 4b] is a perspective view of the spacer mounted on a battery cell according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 5] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at the level of a spacer, said device being according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 6] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at the level of a spacer, said device being according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 7] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at the level of a spacer, said device being according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 8] is a sectional view of a thermal regulation device at the level of a spacer, said device being according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 9] is a perspective view of the spacer mounted on a battery cell, according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 10] is a battery pack comprising two rows of cells placed side by side. [Fig. 1 1 ] is a possible spacer configuration for the battery pack in [Fig. 10],

[Fig. 12] illustrates a possible configuration of fluid inlet and outlet manifolds.

Description of the embodiments.

[53] As used herein, and unless otherwise noted, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object simply indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are mentioned and does not 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+Y. Generally speaking, it will be appreciated that in the various attached drawings, the objects are arbitrarily drawn to facilitate their reading.

[54] The thermal regulation device which is the subject of the invention aims to regulate the temperature of a battery pack, in particular the 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 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.

[55] Figures 1 a and 1 b show perspective views of a battery pack and a battery cell according to the invention.

[56] A battery pack 1 comprises at least two 1 A battery cells and is housed in a housing 3. More generally, the battery pack 1 comprises between 2 and 25 1 A cells. According to one embodiment, the battery pack 1 comprises N adjacent 1 A cells, with N an integer greater than 2 and preferably greater than 3. The 1 A cells comprise two end cells 1 A.1 arranged at each of the ends of the battery pack 1, and possibly central cells 1 A.2 positioned between the two end cells 1 A.1. The central cells 1 A.2 and end cells 1 A.1 have a generally identical shape, therefore, for the sake of simplification, only the shape of a cell 1 A will be described below, and can indifferently represent the shape of a central cell 1 A.2 or an end cell 1 A.1.

[57] Generally, the 1 A battery cells are preferably prismatic, that is to say generally parallelepiped in shape, but can also be of any shape known to those skilled in the art. When cell 1 A is prismatic, it includes two large side faces 1 A.3, two small side faces 1 A.4, an upper face 1 A.5 and a lower face 1 A.6. These different faces (1A.3, 1A.4, 1 A.5, 1 A.6) are generally flat, but some can sometimes be curved or curved.

[58] More specifically, in Figure 1 b, cell 1 A is preferentially oriented. By oriented, we mean that the two large lateral faces 1 A.3 are not strictly identical. In fact, a first large lateral face

1 A.3a extends between the two small side faces 1 A.4 and is substantially flat. A second large side face 1 A.3b is positioned opposite the first 1 A.3a, and has at least one notch 1 A.3bi at the level of its junction with one of the small side faces 1 A .4. Preferably, the second large side face 1 A.3b has two notches 1 A.3bi, at each junction with each small side face 1 A.4 of the cell 1 A. The function of said notches 1 A.3bi will be detailed in the figure 3b.However, in some 1A cell configurations, the 1A.3bi notches may not be present.

[59] Each 1 A cell also has two positive and negative terminals 1A.7 for electrical connection. More specifically, each 1 A cell is connected in series via its terminals 1 A.7 to the terminals 1 A.7 of the adjacent 1 A cells, by means of busbars 1 B (also called “bus bar” or “bus bar”). . The busbars 1 B of the battery block 1 extend in an upper space 3E formed between the cells 1 A of the battery block 1 and the upper wall 3C of the housing 3, between either the positive terminals 1 A.7 or the terminals 1 A .7 negative, of the two end cells 1 A.1. [60] The housing 3 containing the battery pack 1 comprises two side walls 3A and two end walls 3B, said walls (3A, 3B) being closed in their upper ends by an upper wall 3C and, in their lower ends a wall 3D bottom. Thus, the housing 3 forms a waterproof enclosure, which is configured to receive one or more battery packs 1. Advantageously, the two side walls 3A are opposite side walls 3A or facing each other. The cells 1 A of the battery block 1 are preferably positioned in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3, that is to say that the large side faces 1 A.3 of the cells 1 A are positioned parallel to the end walls 3B of the housing 3. Thus, each end cell 1 A.1 is arranged at an end wall 3B, and more specifically, one of the large side faces 1 A.3 of the end cell 1 A. 1 is adjacent to one of the end walls 3B of the housing 3. The rest of the cells 1 A are then positioned adjacently at the level of their large side faces 1 A.3.

[61] In these figures, the housing 3 is generally parallelepiped in shape, but other shapes can be considered, which may in particular depend on the general shape of the battery pack 1. According to one embodiment, the walls (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) can be made by molding a plastic material, but other materials suitable for those skilled in the art can be used. This box 3 is part of a thermal regulation device of a battery pack 1.

[62] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of part of the thermal regulation device according to the invention.

[63] As mentioned above, regulation of the temperature of battery pack 1 is necessary to limit the risk of cell degradation (the cells not being shown in Figure 2). This is why the thermal regulation device 5 is important for the proper functioning of the battery pack 1.

[64] This thermal regulation device 5 comprises a circulation circuit 5A of a heat transfer fluid, said fluid being maintained around the battery block 1 thanks to the sealed enclosure formed by the housing 3. The circulation circuit 5A is preferably designed to pass between the cells of the battery pack 1, in order to regulate them thermally.

[65] The thermal regulation device 5 further comprises an inlet collector 5B which brings the heat transfer fluid to the circulation circuit 5A, and an outlet collector 5C which evacuates said fluid from said circuit 5A. This device 5 further comprises a pump 5D which will facilitate the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation circuit 5A. The pump 5D allows the circulation of the heat transfer fluid from a tank 5E, via an external circulation circuit 5A' to the housing 3, the external circulation circuit 5A' connecting said tank 5E to the housing 3 of the battery block 1. Also, pump 5D is connected to circulation circuit 5A. The arrows shown on the external circuit 5A’ represent the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid. Alternatively, the pump 5D can be included in the circulation circuit 5A, this embodiment not being shown in these figures. In this figure, the collectors (5B, 5C) are positioned on the side walls 3A of the housing 3.

[66] Particularly advantageously, the inlet collector 5B may comprise a sieve, said sieve being 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. The sieve is therefore preferably placed at the entrance of the inlet collector 5B and/or in at least part of said collector 5B, upstream of the arrival of the heat transfer fluid within the circulation circuit 5A. Advantageously, the sieve can be of generally cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the sieve may have the shape of collector 5B. The sieve is generally made up of a rigid structure, made in particular 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 200 pm, more preferably 50 pm. The mesh grid is advantageously made of metallic material.

[67] The following Figures 3 to 9 show different embodiments of a spacer according to the invention. [68] Generally speaking, spacers are designed to be positioned between two adjacent cells of the battery pack. The spacers are intended to keep the cells spaced from each other, at a determined distance. They also make it possible to compress said cells, in order to prevent them from swelling in the event of overheating.

[69] In the thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to the invention, spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) are installed between two adjacent cells (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A'). Thus, the device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprises at least N-1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), N being the number of cells (1 A;101A;201A;301A;401A;

501A; 601A; 701 A, 701 A’) present in the battery pack (1; 701). Preferably, the thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305;

405; 505) includes N+1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F). Indeed, preferably, an additional spacer is advantageously provided between one of the end cells 1 A.1 and the end wall 3B of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) adjacent, this particular installation not being specifically represented in the figures. The spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) are therefore in contact with the large lateral faces (1 A.3; 101 A.3; 201 A.3; 301 A.3;

401 A.3; 501 A.3; 601 A.3; 701 A.3, 701 A’.3) adjacent to the battery cells (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A’). Even more preferably, the thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205;

305; 405; 505) includes N+2 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F;

505F; 605F; 705F), two additional spacers being provided between each of the two end cells 1 A.1 and the end wall 3B of the corresponding housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703).

[70] In all embodiments of the invention, the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) also define a portion of the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) of the heat transfer fluid. Thus, the presence of spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) in contact with the large lateral faces (1 A.3; 101 A.3; 201 A.3; 301 A.3; 401A.3; 501 A.3; 601 A.3; 701 A.3, 701A'.3) of each cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') of the battery allows cooling of said large faces (1A.3; 101 A.3; 201 A.3; 301 A.3; 401 A.3; 501 A.3; 601 A.3; 701 A.3, 701 A'.3) by the circuit of circulation (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) of the heat transfer fluid. The arrival of the heat transfer fluid in the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 705A) is permitted by an inlet collector (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B), and the outlet of said fluid is permitted by an outlet manifold (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C). At least one collector (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C;

705B, 705C) extends along at least one of the side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) forming the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703). According to another embodiment, the collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) extend along at least one of the walls lateral (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) forming the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703). Optionally, one of the collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C;

505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) can be formed by the upper space (3E; 203E; 303E) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703).

[71] Advantageously, the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) also have a relatively low thermal conductivity, so as to play a role of thermal insulator between the cells (1 A; 101 A; 201A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A'). Preferably, the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) are made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.4 Wm ^-1 .K“ ¹ , preferably d 'a thermal conductivity of at most 0.2 Wm ^-1 .K“ ¹ . The material used may be a polymer or a polymer-based composite material, such as a flame-retardant polyamide, or a material from the silicate family, preferably fiber-reinforced calcium silicate.

[72] Generally speaking, 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 the air blown. The fluid can be previously cooled or heated depending on the desired thermal regulation.

[73] Figures 3a and 3b show, respectively, a sectional view at the level of a spacer of the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a first embodiment of the invention, and a perspective view of said spacer mounted on a cell.

[74] In this first embodiment of the invention, the inlet 5B and outlet 5C collectors of the heat transfer fluid extend along the same side wall 3A of the housing 3 of the thermal regulation device 5. The collector output 5C is preferably positioned above the input collector 5B. This positioning makes it easier to move the heat transfer fluid through the circulation circuit 5A. Indeed, the heat transfer fluid which has performed its function as a heat exchanger will be hotter, therefore less dense, and will spontaneously tend, outside of the operation of the pump mentioned in Figure 2, to rise along the circulation circuit 5A. . Preferably, the collectors (5B, 5C) are formed in the corresponding side wall 3A. Even more preferably, the formation of the collectors (5B, 5C) in the side wall 3A of the housing 3 is carried out by stamping.

[75] In this embodiment, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the collectors (5B, 5C) is in the same direction. Also, if the fluid inlet is made on one of the end walls of the housing 3 (said end walls not being visible in these figures), then the heat transfer fluid outlet is made at the level of the other end wall. The direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid is represented in Figures 3a and 3b by arrows.

[76] These figures also show one of the 5F spacers positioned against a cell 1 A. Each 5F spacer defines a portion of the circulation circuit 5A of the heat transfer fluid, all of the parts on each of the 5F spacers present in the housing 3 forming the circulation circuit 5A. The structure of a 5F spacer according to the invention has the general shape of a U-shaped channel, and can be in the form of a single piece. The spacer 5F also has a large support zone 5F.1 configured to come to bear against the large lateral face 1 A.3 of the cell 1 A, and more particularly against the first large lateral face 1 A.3a of the cell 1 A. The spacer 5F further comprises two small support zones 5F.2 configured to come to bear against the small lateral faces 1 A.4 of said cell 1A, and each oriented towards one of the side walls 3A of the housing 3. The small support zones 5F.2 form an extension of the spacer 5F which allow it to be held on the cell 1 A.

[77] When the cells 1 A are installed in the usual configuration in the housing 3, the large support zone 5F.1 not only comes to rest against the large side face 1A.3 of the cell 1 A against which the The 5F spacer is installed (hereinafter called the large “front” side face), but also comes to rest against the large side face of the adjacent cell (hereinafter, the large “rear” side face). The large support zone 5F.1 is thus sandwiched between the adjacent large side faces 1 A.3 of the cells 1 A. According to a preferred embodiment, the contacts between the large support zone 5F.1 and the large side faces 1A.3 front and rear of adjacent cells 1A are fluid-tight contacts.

[78] The large support zone 5F.1 has the same dimensions, or substantially the same dimensions, in length and width, as those of a large side face 1 A.3 of cell 1 A. It defines a section of circulation 5A.1 of the heat transfer fluid located opposite the large side face 1 A.3 of the cell 1 A against which the spacer 5F is installed, and which extends over the major part of said large face lateral 1 A.3. Symmetrically, this circulation section is also located opposite the large rear side face of the adjacent cell, so that the heat transfer fluid which flows in said section 5A.1 is in contact with the two large side faces 1 A.3 of adjacent cells 1 A.

[79] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the circulation section 5A.1 extends over at least 51%, advantageously at least 90% and preferably at least 95% of the surface of the large side faces 1 A .3 adjacent. The majority of these large side faces 1 A.3 can thus be in contact with the heat transfer fluid, as explained further in the description. [80] Each spacer 5F further comprises one or more horizontal ribs 5F.3 which extend in the perforated part of the circulation section 5A.1, and are arranged so as to form a portion of the circulation circuit 5A forced heat transfer fluid between adjacent cells 1 A. By “forced circulation”, we mean that the fluid is forced to follow a singular path, from bottom to top, imposed by the arrangement of the rib(s) 5F.3. This or these portions of circuits 5A are thus delimited on the one hand by the large side faces 1 A.3 adjacent to the cells 1 A, and on the other hand by the ribs 5F.3. All the large side faces 1 A.3 of the cells 1 A are thus cooled by the forced circulation circuit 5A. The number of passes (i.e. the changes of direction in a portion of forced 5A circulation circuit) 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 forced circulation circuit portion 5A has at least one change in direction of the fluid, advantageously at least 3 changes in direction of the fluid.

[81] At least one or more orifices (5F.2a, 5F.2b) are also arranged on the spacer 5F, each of the orifices opening respectively into the inlet collector 5B and into the outlet collector 5C of the device. thermal regulation 5. In Figures 3a and 3b, one of the small support zones 5F.2 of the spacer 5F has one or more upper orifices 5F.2a and one or more lower orifices 5F.2b, each adapted for put the portion of the circulation circuit 5A into fluid communication with the collectors (5B, 5C). In Figure 3a, the lower orifice 5F.2b ensures the entry of the fluid into the portion of the circulation circuit 5A from the inlet collector 5B, and the upper orifice

5F.2a allows the exit of the fluid from said portion of the circuit 5A towards the outlet collector 5C. This arrangement advantageously makes it possible to have collectors of reduced size. More specifically, the sum of the heights of the two collectors (5B, 5C) is less than the height of the adjacent cell 1 A.

[82] Each 5F spacer also has a structure configured to be installed in a removable manner on the cell 1A, preferably by clipping or by gluing. According to one embodiment, the structure of the spacer 5F is adjusted (for example, by elastic deformation of said structure) to the shape of cell 1 A to be mounted tightly on said cell 1 A, so that the contacts between said structure and said cell 1 A are waterproof contacts to the fluid.

[83] The two small support zones 5F.2 can also be extended, towards the rear, by rear support zones 5F.4. These rear support zones 5F.4 are intended to allow the clipping of the spacer 5F on the cell 1 A. In order to maintain the seal of the portion of the circulation circuit 5A located between two adjacent cells 1 A, these zones rear support 5F.4 are configured to each insert into one of the notches 1 A.3bi of the second large side face

1 A.3b of cell 1 A. However, as for the notches 1 A.3bi, the rear support zones 5F.4 may not be found on the spacer 5F. The clipping of the 5F spacer on the 1A cell will then only be achieved thanks to the small support zones 5F.2 and thanks to the compression of said 1A cells. Alternatively, a 5F spacer of this type can also be glued.

[84] The circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the thermal regulation device is described below. In this embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid therefore arrives via the inlet collector 5B, preferably positioned on or against the lower end of one of the side walls 3A, and enters the circulation circuit 5A thanks to to the lower orifice 5F.2b positioned at one of the small support zones 5F.2 of the spacer 5F. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the circulation sections 5A.1 of said circuit 5A, formed in particular by the ribs 5F.3, towards the upper orifice 5F.2a, located on the same small support zone 5F.2 of the spacer 5F. The heat transfer fluid can then leave the housing 3 via the outlet collector 5C positioned laterally on the same side wall 3A of the housing 3. The support zones 5F.2 will therefore also allow the fluidic junction between said spacer 5F and the collectors ( 5B, 5C). Alternatively, this fluid junction could be made by an attached part. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for reducing the height and width of the housing 3 containing the battery pack, by positioning the two collectors (5B, 5C) on the same side of said housing 3. [85] Figures 4a and 4b show, respectively, a sectional view at the level of a spacer of the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a second embodiment of the invention, and a perspective view of said spacer. These figures repeat the numbering of the previous figures for identical or similar elements, the numbering however being incremented by 100. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the first embodiment of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the first embodiment of the invention and the second embodiment of the invention.

[86] In this second embodiment of the invention, the inlet 105B and outlet 105C collectors of the heat transfer fluid extend along each of the two side walls 103A of the housing 103 of the thermal regulation device 105. The two collectors (105B, 105C) are preferably positioned at the same height or at the same level of the side walls 103A, and are preferentially positioned against or on their respective side walls 103A. Preferably, the collectors (105B, 105C) are formed in the corresponding side wall 103A. Even more preferably, the collectors (105B, 105C) are positioned in upper ends of the side walls 103A.

[87] In this embodiment, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the collectors (105B, 105C) takes place in opposite directions. Also, the entry and exit of the heat transfer fluid is carried out on the same end wall (the end walls not being visible in these figures) of the housing 103. The direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid is shown on the Figure 4a by arrows.

[88] In addition, the structure of the 105F spacer also has a general U-shaped trough shape, and is in the form of a single piece. As previously, the spacer 105F has a large support zone 105F.1 configured to come to bear against the large side face 101 A.3 of the cell 101 A, preferably the first large side face 101 A.3a of the cell

101 A, and two small support zones 105F.2 configured to come to bear against the small side faces of said cell 101 A (the small side faces not being visible in Figures 4a and 4b). Positioning of the 105F spacer with respect to adjacent cells 101 A is similar to previously indicated in the first embodiment of the invention. The large support zone 105F.1 also defines a circulation section 105A.1 of the heat transfer fluid, which determines a circulation of said fluid along the large lateral faces 101 A.3 of the adjacent cells 101 A, in one direction this time - this vertical.

[89] As previously, the small support zones 105F.2 can also be extended, towards the rear, by the rear support zones 105F.4 which fit into one of the notches 101 A.3bi of the second large side face 101 A.3b of the cell 101 A. However, as for the previous embodiment, the rear support zones 105F.4 and the notches 101 A.3bi may not be found respectively on the spacer 105 and on cell 101 A. The differences between these two embodiments come in the configuration of spacer 105F. Indeed, the spacer 105F comprises one or more vertical ribs 105F.3 which extend in the perforated part of the circulation section 105A.1, and are arranged so as to form a portion of the forced circulation circuit 105A of the fluid heat transfer between adjacent cells 101 A. This forced circulation is permitted from a first side wall 103A.1 towards a second side wall 103A.2 of the housing 103. This or these portions of circuits 105A are thus delimited on the one hand by the large side faces

101 A.3 adjacent to the cells 101 A and on the other hand by the ribs 105F.3. The number of passes (i.e. changes of direction in a portion of the forced circulation circuit 105A) is also 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 portion of the forced circulation circuit 105A has at least one change in direction of the fluid, advantageously at least 3 changes in direction of the fluid.

[90] Differences exist concerning at least one or more orifices 105F.2a, which are provided on the spacer 105F. Each of the orifices opens respectively into the inlet collector 105B and into the outlet collector 105C. Each of the two small support zones 105F.2 of the spacer 105F has one or more upper orifices 105F.2a adapted to allow the passage of the heat transfer fluid. Preferably, the upper orifice 105F.2a of a first small support zone 105F.2c allows the fluid to be brought into the circulation circuit 105A, while the upper orifice 105F.2a of a second support zone 105F.2d allows evacuate said fluid from the circulation circuit 105A.

[91] In this second embodiment of the invention, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is also different. Indeed, the heat transfer fluid arrives through the inlet collector 105B positioned preferentially on or against an upper end of one of the side walls 103A of the housing 103. The fluid then enters the circulation circuit 105A thanks to the upper orifice 105F.2a positioned on the first small support zone 105F.2c of the spacer 105F. Said fluid then circulates in the circulation sections 105A.1 of said circuit 105A, said sections 105A.1 being formed against the large side face 101 A.3 of the adjacent cells 101 A. The heat transfer fluid then circulates towards the upper orifice 105F.2a located on the second small support zone 105F.2d of the spacer 105F, and can leave the housing 103 via the outlet collector 105C. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for reducing the overall height of the housing 103.

[92] Figure 5 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer and the battery pack mounted in the housing 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 the second embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the third embodiment of the invention.

[93] In this embodiment of the invention, a single inlet collector 205B of the thermal regulation device 205 extends along one of the side walls 203A of the housing 203. The outlet collector 205C is formed , at least in part, by the upper space 203E of the housing 203, and can be positioned anywhere on the upper wall 203C of said housing 203. More preferably, in order to have the most efficient cooling possible with a cooling fluid which circulates throughout the upper space 203E, the outlet manifold 205C is positioned at one end of the housing 203, on the side of the inlet manifold 205B. The outlet collector 205C communicates with the upper space 203E and the circulation circuit 205A via an orifice, which is not shown in this figure. This orifice allows the passage of the heat transfer fluid. Alternatively, the collector which extends along one of the side walls may be the outlet collector. This will then be the inlet collector which will be formed, at least in part, by the upper space of the housing. This variant is not specifically shown in these figures.

[94] In this embodiment of the invention, the spacer 205F also presents, on the large support zone 205F.1 to one of the large side faces 201 A.3 of one of the cells 201 A , more specifically the first large side face 201 A.3a of said cell 201 A, vertical ribs 205F.3. These ribs 205F.3 will delimit circulation sections 205A.1 of the heat transfer fluid on the surface of adjacent cells 201 A, so as to allow effective cooling of the large side faces 201 A.3 of the cells 201 A. In the same way as previously, the spacer 205F is positioned between two adjacent cells 201 A and is pressed against said cells 201 A, so as to allow the sealed circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[95] At least one or more orifices 205F.2a are arranged on the spacer 205F, each of the orifices 205F.2a opening into the inlet collector 205B. The spacer 205F further has an upper outlet orifice 205F.1 a positioned on an upper edge of the spacer 205F, and at the opposite end of the upper orifice 205F.2a positioned in the small area of support 205F.2 in contact with the lateral inlet collector 205B.

[96] In this embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer fluid arrives via the inlet collector 205B, preferably positioned on or against the upper end of one of the side walls 203A, and enters a portion of the circuit circulation 205A thanks to the upper orifice 205F.2a positioned at the level of the small support zone 205F.2 of the spacer 205F. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the circulation sections 205A.1 of said portion of the circuit 205A, formed against the large side face 201 A.3 of the adjacent cells 201 A, towards the orifice upper outlet 205F.1 located at an opposite end of the spacer 205F of the inlet collector 205B. This orifice 205F.1a is positioned at the level of the large support zone 205F.1, on the upper edge of said zone 205F.1. Thus, the heat transfer fluid will be able to flow at the level of the upper space 203E of the housing 203. It can in particular circulate above and around the busbars 201 B. The heat transfer fluid will then be able to leave the housing 203 through an orifice provided at this effect in the upper wall 203C of said housing 203, extended by the outlet collector 205C. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if it is desired to provide, in addition to cooling of the cells 201 A, cooling of the busbars 201 B.

[97] Figure 6 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer and the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a fourth 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 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. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the fourth embodiment of the invention.

[98] In this fourth embodiment of the invention, the inlet 305B and outlet 305C collectors of the heat transfer fluid extend along the same side wall 303A of the housing 303 of the thermal regulation device 305. The collector output 305C is preferably positioned above the inlet collector 305B. At least one or more orifices (305F.2a, 305F.2b, 305F.1 a, 305F.1 b) are provided on the spacer 305F, some of the orifices (305F.2b, 305F.2a) opening respectively into the collector inlet 305B and in the outlet collector 305C. More specifically, a lower orifice 305F.2b is arranged in the spacer 305F, and more particularly in one of the small support zones 305F.2 of said spacer 305F, so as to be in fluid communication with the inlet collector 305B. An upper orifice 305F.2a is also arranged in the spacer 305F, and more particularly in the same small support zone 305F.2 of said spacer 305F, so as to be in fluid communication with the outlet manifold 305C. Two other orifices are also arranged in the upper edge of said spacer 305F, an upper outlet orifice 305F.1 a and an upper return orifice 305F.1 b, said orifices (305F.1 a, 305F.1 b) allowing, respectively , the entry and exit of heat transfer fluid into the upper space 303E, from and to said spacer 305F.

[99] In addition, the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the collectors (305B, 305C) is in the same direction. Also, if the fluid inlet is made on one of the end walls, the outlet is made on the other wall (the end walls not being visible in these figures) of the housing 303. The meaning circulation of the heat transfer fluid is represented in Figure 6 by arrows.

[100] Finally, the spacer 305F presents, on the large support zone 305F.1, one of the large side faces 301 A.3 of a cell 301 A, more specifically the first large side face 301 A. 3a of said cell 301 A, vertical and horizontal ribs 305F.3. These ribs 305F.3 will delimit the circulation sections 305A.1 of the heat transfer fluid on the surface of the cells 301 A, so as to allow effective cooling of said side faces 301 A.3. In the same way as previously, the spacer 305F is positioned between two adjacent cells 301 A and is pressed against said cells 301 A, so as to allow the sealed circulation of heat transfer fluid.

[101] In this embodiment of the invention, the circulation circuit 305A is significantly different from the circulation circuits previously described. Indeed, the heat transfer fluid arrives via the inlet collector 305B positioned preferentially on or against the lower end of one of the side walls 303A of the housing 303. The heat transfer fluid then enters a portion of the circulation circuit 305A thanks to the lower orifice 305F.2b positioned at one of the small support zones 305F.2 of the spacer 305F. Said fluid then circulates in the circulation sections 305A.1 of the portion of said circuit 305A delimited by the spacer 305F, said sections 305A.1 being formed against the large lateral faces 301 A.3 of the adjacent cells 301 A, then heads towards the upper outlet port 305F.1 a located at an opposite end of the spacer 305F of the inlet collector 305B. This 305F.1 a orifice is positioned Tl at the upper edge of said support zone 305F.1. Thus, the heat transfer fluid will be able to flow at the level of the upper space 303E of the housing 303, in particular above and around the busbars 301 B. The heat transfer fluid will then be able to leave the upper space 303E through an upper return orifice. 305F.1 b located at the upper edge of the large support zone 305F.1, and at an end opposite the upper outlet orifice 305F.1 a. Said fluid will then be able to reach the outlet collector 305C located on the upper end of the same side wall 303A as the inlet collector 305B, before being evacuated. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if it is desired to combine a reduction in the bulk of the housing 303 with cooling of the busbars 301 B.

[102] Figure 7 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer and the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a fifth 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 the fourth embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the fifth embodiment of the invention.

[103] In this embodiment, the spacer 405F comprises the large support zone 405F.1 configured to come to bear against the large lateral face 401 A.3 of the cell 401 A, more preferably, the first large face lateral 401 A.3a of said cell 401 A, and the two small support zones 405F.2 configured to come to bear against the small lateral faces of the cell 401 A (the small lateral faces not being visible in the figure 7). At least one or more orifices 405F.2a are also arranged on the spacer 405F, each of the orifices 405F.2a opening either into the inlet collector 405B or into the outlet collector 405C.

[104] The housing 403 further comprises the two inlet 405B and outlet 405C collectors, each collector (405B, 405C) being respectively positioned on one of the two side walls (403A, 403A.1, 403A. 2) of said housing 403. The small support zones 405F.2 of the spacer 405F each comprise at least one upper orifice 405F.2a, the orifice 405F.2a of the first small support zone 405F.2c allowing the entry of the heat transfer fluid in the portion of the circulation circuit 405A of the spacer 405F, and the upper orifice 405F.2a of the second small support zone 405F.2d allowing the exit of said fluid from the portion of the circulation circuit 405A. In addition, the spacer 405F has vertical ribs 405F.3 which will delimit the circulation sections 405A.1.

[105] More specifically, the portion of the circulation circuit 405A of the heat transfer fluid formed in the spacer 405F has circulation sections 405A.1 of variable widths. Advantageously, said sections 405A.1 have a decreasing width from the inlet collector 405B to the outlet collector 405C. Preferably, this decrease can be gradual or continuous. The decreasing width of the circulation sections 405A.1 is between -20% and -80%, and preferably between -40% and -60%. This reduction in width is possible thanks to the 405F spacer, whose vertical ribs 405F.3 become closer as they are positioned near the 405C outlet collector.

[106] Two distinct operating modes are then possible.

[107] First of all, when the pump of the thermal regulation device 405 is functional (said pump not being visible in this figure), the reduction in the size of the circulation sections 405A.1 from the inlet collector 405B towards the outlet collector 405C, makes it possible to increase the speed of the heat transfer fluid, while increasing the turbulence of said fluid. Effective cooling of the large side faces 401 A.3 of the cells 401 A is then permitted.

[108] Then, when the pump of the thermal regulation device 405 is not active (in the event of thermal runaway, for example), heating of the heat transfer fluid will still allow it to move. Indeed, the variation in density between the hot fluid and the cold fluid will allow the fluid to move from bottom to top in the circulation circuit 405A, and the cooling of part of the heat generated by the cell 401 A will be maintained. Reducing the width of traffic sections 405A.1 then makes it possible to promote the flow of fluid, and improve the cooling of said cell 401 A.

[109] Figure 8 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer and the battery pack mounted in the housing according to a sixth 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 the fifth embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the sixth embodiment of the invention.

[1 10] In this embodiment, the spacer 505F comprises the large support zone 505F.1 configured to come to bear against the large lateral face 501 A.3 of the cell 501 A, more preferably, the first large lateral face 501 A.3a of said cell 501 A. The spacer 505F further comprises the two small support zones 505F.2 configured to come to bear against the small lateral faces of the cell 501 A (the small faces lateral not being visible in Figure 7).

[1 1 1] In Figure 8, the positioning of the collectors (505B, 505C) is carried out on a single side wall 503A of the housing 503. Also, at least one or more orifices (505F.2b, 505F.2a) are provided on the spacer 505F, each of the orifices opening respectively into the inlet collector 505B and into the outlet collector 505C. These orifices (505F.2b, 505F.2a) are positioned on one of the small support zones 505F.2 of the spacer 505F and comprise at least one upper orifice 505F.2a and one lower orifice 505F.2b, each said orifices (505F.2a, 505F.2b) being adapted to allow the passage of the heat transfer fluid. Preferably, the lower orifice 505F.2b makes it possible to bring said fluid into the portion of the circulation circuit 505A located on the spacer 505F, and the upper orifice 505F.2a makes it possible to evacuate said fluid from said portion of the circulation circuit. circulation 505A.

[1 12] This spacer 505F also has the particularity of presenting circulation sections 505A.1 which decrease in width as we approach the outlet collector 505C, as in Figure 7. This reduction in width is achieved, in this embodiment, in the direction of height, and is due to the presence, on the spacer 505F, of horizontal ribs 505F.3 which extend into the perforated part of the circulation section 505A.1. The circulation sections 505A.1 are arranged so as to form a portion of the forced circulation circuit 505A of the heat transfer fluid between the adjacent cells 501 A, the circulation then being carried out from bottom to top.

[1 13] The same characteristics, previously described in Figure 7, of the circulation sections 505A.1 of the thermal regulation device 505 are found in Figure 8, and produce the same effects as previously described, whether or not the pump is activated.

[1 14] Figure 9 shows a sectional view at the level of a spacer mounted or not on a battery cell, according to a seventh 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 the sixth embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. We will focus below on the differences between the previous embodiments and the seventh embodiment of the invention.

[1 15] In this embodiment of the invention, the spacer 605F is designed to be glued to one of the large side faces 601 A.3 of the cell 601 A, preferably the first large side face 601 A. 3a of said cell 601 A.

[1 16] So that this spacer 605F can be glued as efficiently as possible, it is preferable that the large support zone 605F.1 is formed of a plurality of segments, or independent elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1d) without connection between them. In the case where the spacer 605F is constituted by independent elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d), said elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) are formed by a first element 605F.1 c and a second element 605F.1, which are glued to one of the large side faces 601 A.3 of the battery cell 601 A. [1 17] More specifically, these elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) have vertical ribs (605F. I ci, 605F.1 di) and horizontal ribs (605F.1 cii, 605F.1 dii) in a manner to define a portion of the circulation circuit 605A of the heat transfer fluid within the spacer 605F. The circulation of said fluid is preferably carried out from bottom to top, between the two large side faces 601 A.3 of the two adjacent cells 601 A.

[1 18] Advantageously, the first element 605F.1 c has a vertical rib 605F. Here configured to be positioned against a first lateral end 601 A.3ai of the first large lateral face 601 A.3a of said cell 601 A. Two horizontal ribs 605F.1 cii extend from the vertical rib 605F. Here along the first large side face 601 A.3a of the cell 601 A, the first element 605F.1 c being preferably designed to be positioned in the middle of the large side face 601 A.3a.

[1 19] Preferably, the second element 605F.1 d has a vertical rib 605F.1 di configured to be positioned against a second lateral end 601 A.Saii of the first large side face 601 A.3a of the cell 601 A. Three horizontal ribs 605F.1 dii extend from the vertical rib 605F.1 di along the first large lateral face 601 A.3a, the second element 605F.1 d being preferably designed to frame, at least partially, the first item 605F.1 c. Two of the horizontal ribs 605F.1 dii therefore frame the first element 605F.1 c, the third horizontal rib 605F.1 dii extending between the horizontal ribs 605F.1 dii of the first element 605F.1 c.

[120] These two elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) can, once glued to one of the large side faces 601 A.3 of cell 601 A, delimit a portion of circulation circuit 605A which, as previously, will allow the passage of the heat transfer fluid to the surface of the adjacent cells 601 A, therefore the cooling of said cells 601 A. Due to the bonding of the elements (605F.1 c, 605F.1 d) directly on the cell 601 A, the spacer 605F naturally has orifices 605F.5 necessary for moving the heat transfer fluid to and from the portions of the circulation circuit 605A, to and from the fluid inlet or outlet collectors (the collectors not being shown on this figure). At at least one or more orifices 605F.5 are arranged on the spacer 605F, each of the orifices 605F.5 being configured to open respectively into the inlet collector and into the outlet collector (the collectors not being visible in these figures ).

[121] The bonding of the spacer 605F on the large side face 601 A.3 of the cell 601 A can be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art.

[122] Thus, the spacer 605F according to this embodiment is simpler: it only has a large support zone 605F.1, it is therefore easier and faster to produce. It also avoids the use of an elastomer while maintaining good sealing of the 605F spacer, so it is less expensive to produce.

[123] Figures 10, 1 1 and 12 show, respectively, a sectional view of a thermal regulation device, a perspective view of a spacer and a sectional view of the device with the collectors positioned on the same side of the housing, according to an eighth 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 seventh embodiment of the invention. Reference is also made to the description of these elements in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention.

[124] In this embodiment, the battery pack 701 has two or more rows of cells (701 A, 701 A’) joined together. In Figure 10, the battery pack 701 is composed of two rows of cells (701 A, 701 A’) placed side by side.

[125] To allow the holding of the cells (701 A, 701 A') and the homogeneous flow along their large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3), the ribs 705F.3 of the spacer 705F are shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits 705A each having one or more passes, as in the case of a spacer for a single cell described previously.

[126] Advantageously, so that the temperature is as uniform as possible, each circuit 705A (and each of its passes) extends - or straddles - the two large side faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3) of the cells (701 A, 701 A') arranged side by side.

[127] Spacer 705F forms a fluid seal along circuit 705A as with a single cell spacer described previously.

[128] In Figures 10, 1 1 and 12, the spacer 705F comprises a central rib 705F.3a which extends in the height of the cells (701 A, 701 A') and which is installed in use between the lateral edges of the large side faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3). This median rib 705F.3a thus fills the space between the two cells (701 A, 701 A’) and forms a seal between said cells (701 A, 701 A’). Openings 705F.3ai are provided in the central rib 705F.3a so as to allow the circulation of the fluid between the large lateral faces

(701 A.3, 701 A’.3).

[129] The midrib 705F.3a also allows distancing of the cells (701 A, 701 A') arranged side by side and plays a mechanical role against the swelling of said cells (701 A, 701 A') induced by their rise in temperature. It contributes to further maintaining the cells (701 A, 701 A') in compression under the effect of this swelling, which ensures maximum capacity of said cells (701 A, 701 A').

[130] The seal between the cells (701 A, 701 A') is particularly advantageous when the fluid inlet/outlet collectors (705B, 705C) are arranged laterally and on one side of the battery block 701, as illustrated in Figure 10. The lower inlet orifice 705F.2b and the upper outlet orifice 705F.2a (Figure 1 1) of the circuit 705A are then arranged in the spacer 705F, at the level of a rib, or a small support area, located at the edge of the cell.

[131] If the collectors are positioned on either side of the cells (701 A,

701 A') (for example, the inlet collector is positioned on one side of the cell 701 A and the outlet collector is positioned on the opposite side of the cell 701 A'), this sealing would no longer necessarily be important. Indeed, the space between the cells (701 A, 701 A') can be used as an intermediate collector facilitating the distribution of the fluid between the cells. In this case, the spacer 705F may not include a central rib 705F.3a or include a median rib 705F.3a, but which does not fill the space between the two cells (701 A, 701 A').

[132] According to another embodiment, the ribs 705F.3 can be arranged so as to form a first circuit which winds along the large side face 701 A.3 of the first cell 701 A and a second circuit which winds along the large side face 701 A'.3 of the second cell 701 A'. Communication between the two circuits can be carried out at the upper wall 703C (more particularly at the busbar area) or at the lower wall 703D of the housing 703. This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring 'tightness between the cells (701 A, 701 A'), but is not optimal in terms of temperature homogeneity due to the fact that the fluid arrives hotter on the second cell 701 A' than on the first cell 701 A.

[133] In Figure 12, the fluid inlet/outlet collectors (705B, 705C) are arranged laterally and on one side of the battery block 701. To ensure the supply of one or more cells 701 A located at the ends of the battery block 701, the input collector 705B and/or the output collector 705C can be extended and bent so as to open directly into the circuit 705A formed at least one of said end cells.

[134] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, a motor vehicle generally comprises a cooling system. This system comprises a battery pack, a thermal regulation device according to the invention and at least one spacer. The thermal regulation device for this vehicle may comprise one or more of the aforementioned characteristics in the different embodiments of the invention.

[135] 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. [136] 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.

[137] 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

[Claim 1] Thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) of a vehicle battery pack (1; 701), said device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprising :

- a housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) forming an enclosure sealed against a heat transfer fluid, having at least two side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) as well as a upper wall (3C; 203C; 703C), and comprising a circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A) of the heat transfer fluid, which housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) is capable of housing the battery pack (1; 701), which block (1; 701) comprises at least two cells (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') of the battery, the heat transfer fluid circulating around the cells (1A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') of the battery to regulate them thermally ,

- inlet collectors (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B) and outlet collectors (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C) respectively to bring and evacuate the heat transfer fluid to said/said circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A),

- a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) configured to be installed between the cells (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') so as to space them from each other, characterized in that at least one of the collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) extends along at least one side wall (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) , in that the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A; 705A) of the heat transfer fluid is defined at least in part by the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F ; 605F; 705F), and in that at least two orifices (5F.2a, 5F.2b; 105F.2a; 205F.2a, 205F.1 a; 305F.2a, 305F.2b, 305F.1 a, 305F.1 b; 405F.2a; 505F.2a, 505F.2b; 605F.5; 705F.2a, 705F.2b) are arranged on the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), each of the orifices (5F.2b, 5F.2a; 105F.2a; 205F.2a; 305F.2b, 305F.2a; 405F.2a; 505F.2b, 505F.2a; 605F.5; 705F.2b, 705F.2a) opening respectively into the inlet collector (5B; 105B; 205B; 305B; 405B; 505B; 705B) and/or into the outlet collector (5C; 105C; 205C; 305C; 405C; 505C; 705C).

[Claim 2] Device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to claim 1, in which the two side walls (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) are side walls (3A; 103A ; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) opposite or opposite each other.

[Claim 3] Device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the collectors (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B , 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C), inlet and outlet, both extend along at least one side wall (3A; 103A; 203A; 303A; 403A; 503A) of the housing ( 3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703).

[Claim 4] Device (5; 305; 505) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the collectors (5B, 5C; 305B, 305C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C), inlet and outlet, both extend along the same side wall (3A; 303A; 503A) of the housing (3; 303; 503; 703).

[Claim 5] Device (5; 305, 505) according to claim 4, wherein the output collector (5C; 305C; 505C; 705C) is located above the inlet collector (5B; 305B; 505B; 705B ).

[Claims] Device (105; 405) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the collectors (105B, 105C; 405B, 405C), input and output, extend respectively along each of the two side walls (103A; 403A).

[Claim 7] Device (205) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which:

- the battery pack further comprises busbars (201 B) located in an upper space (203E) formed between the battery cells (201 A) and the upper wall (203C) of the housing (203), and

- one of said collectors (205B, 205C) of the device (205), advantageously the inlet collector (205B), extends along one of the side walls (203) while the other collector (205B, 205C) is constituted at least in part by the upper space (203E).

[Claim s] Device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fluid junction between a collector (5B, 5C; 105B, 105C; 205B, 205C; 305B, 305C; 405B, 405C; 505B, 505C; 705B, 705C) and the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F;

405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is made by adding a part or by extending the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) allowing the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F;405F;

505F; 605F; 705F) on the cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A;

601A; 701 A, 701 A’).

[Claim 9] Device (405; 505) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circulation circuit (405A; 505A) of the heat transfer fluid comprises circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of the heat transfer fluid. variable width, preferably these circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of variable width being formed by the spacer (405F; 505F).

[Claim 10] Device (405; 505) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circulation circuit (405A; 505A) of the heat transfer fluid comprises circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of the heat transfer fluid. decreasing width, preferably gradual or continuous, from the inlet collector (405B; 505B) towards the outlet collector (405C; 505C).

[Claim 11] Device (405; 505) according to claim 10, in which the decreasing width of the circulation sections (405A.1; 505A.1) of the fluid from the inlet collector (405B; 505B) towards the collector output (405C; 505C) is between -20% and -80%, preferably between -40% and -60%.

[Claim 12] Device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is clipped onto at least one battery cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 701 A, 701 A'), or stuck onto at least one cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') of battery. [Claim 13] Device according to claim 12, wherein, when the spacer (605F) is glued, the spacer (605F) is formed of a plurality of independent segments or elements (605F.1c, 605F.1d ).

[Claim 14] Cooling system comprising a thermal regulation device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) according to one of the preceding claims, and further comprising:

- a battery pack (1; 701) comprising N adjacent battery cells (1A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A'), including two end cells (1A.1) each arranged at an end wall (3B) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703), N being an integer greater than 3,

- the device (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505) comprising at least N-1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F), preferably N+1 spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F).

[Claim 15] System according to claim 14, in which:

- a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is installed between each cell (1 A; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701A, 701A ') adjacent to another cell (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'),

- a spacer (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) is installed between each end wall (3B) of the housing (3; 103; 203; 303; 403; 503; 703) and the end cell (1 A.1) including a large side face (1A.3; 101A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701 A '.3) is adjacent to said wall (3B),

- the spacers (5F; 105F; 205F; 305F; 405F; 505F; 605F; 705F) are in contact with the large side faces (1A.3; 101A.3; 201 A.3; 301 A.3; 401 A. 3; 501 A.3; 601 A.3; 701 A.3, 701A'.3) adjacent said battery cells (1A; 101A; 201A; 301A; 401A; 501A; 601A; 701A, 701A'), so that all the large lateral faces (1A.3; 101 A.3; 201A.3; 301A.3; 401A.3; 501A.3; 601A.3; 701A.3, 701A'.3) of the cells (1 A ; 101 A; 201 A; 301 A; 401 A; 501 A; 601 A; 701 A, 701 A') are cooled by the circulation circuit (5A; 105A; 205A; 305A; 405A; 505A; 605A; 705A) of the heat transfer fluid.

[Claim 16] System according to claim 15, in which:

- the N adjacent cells of the battery pack (701) form two or more rows of cells (701 A, 701 A’) joined side by side,

- each spacer (705F) comprises ribs (705F.3) shaped so as to create one or more forced circulation circuits (705A), each said circuit presenting one or more passes astride the two large lateral faces (701 A. 3, 701 A'.3) of two cells (701 A, 701 A') arranged side by side,

- each spacer (705F) comprises a median rib (705F.3a) which extends in the height of said cells (701 A, 701 A') and which is installed, in use, between lateral edges of said large side faces ( 701 A.3, 701 A'.3), so that said central rib (705F.3a) fills the space between the two cells and forms a seal between said cells.

[Claim 17] System according to claim 16, in which: openings (705F.3ai) are provided in the central rib (705F.3a) so as to allow the circulation of the fluid between the large lateral faces (701 A.3, 701 A'.3) of two cells (701 A, 701 A') arranged side by side.

[Claim 18] System according to any one of claims 16 or 17, in which:

- an inlet collector (705B) and/or an outlet collector (705C) are extended and bent so as to open directly into the forced circulation circuit (705A) formed at least one of the end cells . |