EP4360159A2

EP4360159A2 - Electronic system with sealing element

Info

Publication number: EP4360159A2
Application number: EP22733627.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lionel ROBILLON; Mohamed Ibrahimi; Fabienne TOURNEUX; Juan Carlos BATISTA
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2021-06-22
Filing date: 2022-06-14
Publication date: 2024-05-01
Also published as: CN117546345A; FR3124323B1; WO2022268584A2; WO2022268584A3; FR3124323A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic system (1) comprising electrical and/or electronic components (4) and a temperature control device comprising a casing (2) configured to receive the electrical and/or electronic components (4), said casing (2) having a bottom wall (21) and side walls (22) in mutually opposing pairs defining an inner recess (3) capable of receiving the electrical and/or electronic components (4) arranged side by side along a longitudinal direction of the casing (2), said casing (2) comprising at least one temperature control fluid supply element (5) and at least one temperature control fluid discharge element (6). The electronic system (1) is characterized in that it comprises a single sealing element (9) configured to be placed, on the one hand, between the electrical and/or electronic components (4) and the walls (22) of the casing (2) and, on the other hand, in each gap formed between two adjacent electric and/or electronic components (4).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title: Electronic system equipped with a sealing element

The present invention lies in the field of thermal regulation devices for electrical or electronic components, and it relates more particularly to a thermal regulation device for an electronic system equipped with electrical and/or electronic components liable to heat up during their operation. working.

The electronic systems likely to be concerned by the present invention can equally well consist of computer servers and of electrical energy storage systems for motor vehicles, and more particularly for hybrid or electric vehicles.

The electric motors of such vehicles involve electronic systems that can take the form of batteries, which undergo successive phases of electrical charging and discharging and which need to be thermoregulated in order to protect the components they contain. When these electronic systems heat up, for example during a fast charge, it is therefore important to be able to cool them quickly and efficiently, so as to preserve their efficiency.

Thermal regulation devices can thus be associated with these batteries, to modify the temperature of an electric battery, whether when starting the vehicle in cold weather, by increasing its temperature for example, or whether driving or during a battery recharging operation, by reducing the temperature of this electric battery, which tends to heat up during use.

In general, such devices for thermal regulation of electric batteries make use of heat exchangers. The various battery cells of an electrical storage system can in particular be cooled by means of a cold plate inside which a thermal regulation fluid circulates, the plate being in contact with the battery cells to be cooled. It has been observed that such heat exchangers can lead to inhomogeneous cooling of the electrical batteries of the same electrical storage system, then leading to a reduction in the overall performance of the electrical storage system. These thermal regulation devices also have a high thermal resistance due to the thicknesses of material present between the thermal regulation fluid and the battery cells. With the aim of providing an answer to these various problems, there are known thermal regulation devices for electric battery elements of electric or hybrid cars comprising a hermetically sealed casing in which the battery elements of the electrical energy storage system are immersed in a dielectric thermal regulating fluid. In this way, heat exchange is ensured between the battery cells and the dielectric fluid, a tank of dielectric fluid being located outside the casing and connected to said casing via a pump in order to allow the circulation of the fluid dielectric and the renewal of this dielectric fluid inside the case. In this way, the dielectric fluid, set in motion and cooled prior to its return to the casing, is also capable of circulating inside the casing around the electrical storage cells.

The components of the electronic systems are thus at least partially immersed in the thermal regulation fluid, which has the capacity to recover the calories given off by the electronic systems, and thus contributes to their cooling. The more the electronic system is filled with thermal control fluid, the better the thermal effect on the electrical and/or electronic components of the electronic system. However, it is necessary to ensure, in this context of optimizing the thermal regulation of the electronic system, that the electrical connection elements of the components of this electronic system are secure and operational, i.e. to ensure that these electrical connection elements are not immersed in the thermal regulation fluid.

The present invention falls within this context by proposing an electronic system comprising electrical and/or electronic components and a thermal regulation device comprising a box configured to accommodate the electrical and/or electronic components, this box having a bottom wall and side walls opposite two by two defining an internal housing capable of receiving the electrical and/or electronic components arranged side by side along a longitudinal direction of the casing, this casing comprising at least one thermal regulation fluid supply element and at least one thermal regulation fluid evacuation element, the electronic system being characterized in that it comprises a sealing element, configured to be arranged on the one hand between the electrical and/or electronic components and the walls of the box, and on the other hand in each gap formed between two electrical and/or electronic components s neighbours. This electronic system is therefore composed of electrical and/or electronic components and of a thermal regulation device comprising a box in which these components are housed in order to be immersed in the thermal regulation fluid. And the electronic system is particular in that the thermal regulation device is equipped with a sealing element forming in one piece an obstacle to the evacuation of the thermal regulation fluid between the components and the walls of the box and a obstacle to the evacuation of this fluid between the components. The purpose of this sealing element is to ensure that the portions of the electrical and/or electronic components which carry the connection elements are not in contact with the thermal regulation fluid. The sealing element according to the invention is formed from a single piece, which is configured to be arranged on the one hand between the electrical and/or electronic components and the side walls of the box, and on the other hand between the electrical and/or electronic components themselves. It is thus understood that the single sealing element surrounds each electrical and/or electronic component, and also surrounds the assembly formed by the juxtaposition of all the electrical and/or electronic components.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the electrical and/or electronic components extend mainly in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall, the sealing element being arranged in contact with the electrical and/or electronic components, in the vicinity of the vertical end of the electrical and/or electronic components opposite the bottom wall.

This arrangement of the sealing element makes it possible to optimize the quantity of thermal regulation fluid within the casing of the thermal regulation device, so as to increase the efficiency of the heat exchange carried out by the fluid, while ensuring sealing of the vertical end of the electrical and/or electronic components opposite the bottom wall, this vertical end being that which carries the connection elements of the electrical and/or electronic components which thus remain accessible.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the sealing element is composed of a periphery matching the shape of the faces of the walls of the box defining the internal housing, and of transverse ribs arranged equidistant from each other, these transverse ribs being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the box. According to one embodiment of the invention, the periphery of the sealing element and the transverse ribs extend mainly in the same plane.

The sealing element can thus be designed so as to be substantially flat, so that the periphery and the transverse ribs are arranged in the same plane, and by way of example a plane which includes a longitudinal axis. Such a sealing element has a reduced bulk, and in particular a reduced vertical bulk, which allows optimum circulation of the thermal regulation fluid around the electrical and/or electronic components.

According to an alternative embodiment, the periphery of the sealing element is extended by a flank extending substantially perpendicular to the plane in which this periphery mainly extends, the transverse ribs extending from this flank.

In this context, it is noteworthy that the transverse ribs do not extend in continuity with the circumference, but are offset, in particular vertically, with respect to this circumference.

According to a particular embodiment, the sealing element comprises a rigid body and an elastically deformable part attached to this rigid body.

The sealing element thus comprises a rigid body, which plays the role of a rigid skeleton on which a part made of an elastically deformable material is added, by being for example molded. The rigid body ensures the stability and solidity of the sealing element, while the elastically deformable part guarantees optimal sealing, this part being able to deform to match the shape of the electrical and/or electronic components that it surrounds. The rigid body may, without this being limiting of the invention, participate in defining the periphery of the sealing element and each of the transverse ribs, or else be only provided at the level of the periphery of the sealing element.

Advantageously, the sealing element rests on a shoulder formed in the faces of the walls of the box defining the internal housing, this shoulder being present on each of these faces.

This shoulder makes it possible to maintain the sealing element within the casing of the thermal regulation device. According to one characteristic of the invention, the sealing element is in position on the casing by cooperation of the periphery of the sealing element and the shoulder of the casing. As mentioned previously, at least the periphery comprises a rigid body which makes it possible to ensure a stable position of the sealing element resting on the shoulder.

Advantageously, the box has a cover, this cover being equipped with an opening giving access to the connection elements of the electrical and/or electronic components arranged in the internal housing, the peripheral zone of the internal housing being covered by the cover.

The peripheral zone of the internal housing is defined as the zone which is in the vicinity of the side walls of the box. It should be noted that the shoulder formed on the side walls and against which the periphery of the sealing element rests is arranged in this peripheral zone so that the cover comes to cover the periphery of the sealing element when it comes to rest against the box.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the faces of the walls of the casing defining the internal housing which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the casing comprise notches extending from a vertical end edge of said walls which is opposite to the wall of the casing. bottom, substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall.

The notches may extend from the shoulder of the faces of the box walls defining the internal housing.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, elastic return means, intended to hold the electrical and/or electronic components relative to each other, are arranged in the notches, so as to be interposed between the wall of the corresponding box and one of the electrical and/or electronic components.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the electrical and/or electronic components are separated from at least one electrical and/or electronic component by a separation member.

This separating member acts as a spacer, which makes it possible to distance two elements. The separation member can for example be a corrugated sheet, which defines channels of passage of fluid along each of the electrical and/or electronic components arranged on either side of this separating member.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the separation member is configured to allow the thermal regulation fluid to pass between two electrical and/or electronic components.

For example, the electrical and/or electronic components are separated by a distance of between 0.2 and 1 mm by the separation device. This distance can in particular be adapted according to the viscosity of the thermal regulation fluid.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the box comprises a base and a lid, the base being constituted by the bottom wall and the side walls, this base being formed in one piece.

The base of the box then forms a one-piece assembly so that the bottom wall cannot be separated from the side walls without damaging one or the other. This one-piece assembly can in particular be obtained by additive manufacturing, for example by 3D printing.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the box comprises a base and a lid, the base being constituted by the bottom wall and the side walls, this base being formed of a first element comprising the bottom wall and two opposite side walls, the other two side walls being attached and fixed to the first element.

More particularly, the first element of the base can be formed from the bottom wall and transversely opposite side walls which carry the supply and evacuation elements, the two other side walls being attached to the first element to close in a second time the internal housing. This embodiment requires several manufacturing operations; the base can for example be formed by stamping, then the other side walls are fixed by brazing on this base.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the box is made of a material chosen for its thermal insulation properties.

In particular, this material chosen for its thermal insulation properties is a plastic material. Even more particularly, the plastic material can be organosheet. According to an alternative characteristic of the invention, at least the bottom wall and the walls bearing the supply element and the discharge element are made of metal. More particularly, this metal can be aluminum.

The invention further relates to a method for obtaining an electronic system as described previously, which comprises a step of positioning an assembly comprising at least the electrical and/or electronic components in the internal housing defined by the wall of the bottom and the side walls of the casing and a step during which the sealing element is arranged on the one hand between the electrical and/or electronic components and the walls of the casing, and on the other hand in each gap formed between two neighboring electrical and/or electronic components.

It is understood that electrical and/or electronic components can alone compose this assembly comprising at least the electrical and/or electronic components. Conversely, other elements can be added to these electrical and/or electronic components to form this assembly and participate in this positioning step.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the assembly comprising at least the electrical and/or electronic components comprises at least one separation member arranged between two neighboring electrical and/or electronic components.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the method for obtaining comprises a step of maintaining the electrical and/or electronic components in position, between the positioning step and the step during which the sealing element is arranged, this holding step consisting of positioning elastic return means between two opposite side walls and the assembly formed of at least the electrical and/or electronic components.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and exemplary embodiments given by way of indication and not limitation with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand. , on which ones :

[Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a perspective view of an electronic system according to the invention comprising a thermal regulation device and electrical and/or electronic components, some of these components having been removed to make visible a sealing element of the electronic system; [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates the electronic system of FIG. 1, seen in a vertical and transverse section plane;

[Fig. 3] is a view similar to that of Figure 2, in which all the electrical and/or electronic components have been removed to make visible the box in which these components are suitable to be housed;

[Fig. 4] schematically illustrates a perspective view of an electronic system from which the casing has been removed to make apparent the cooperation of the electrical and/or electronic components with the sealing element and separation members intended to be arranged between these electrical and/or electronic components;

[Fig. 5] illustrates, schematically, another perspective view of part of the sealing element and of the separation members of FIG. 4, the casing having also been removed in this view to make it possible to visualize the cooperation between these elements and electrical and/or electronic components;

[Fig. 6] schematically illustrates an exploded view of the electronic system of FIG.

2;

[Fig. 7] illustrates, schematically, an exploded view of the electronic system of FIG. 2 according to a variant embodiment.

The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other, in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive with respect to each other. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and/or to differentiate the invention. compared to the prior art.

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

In the detailed description which follows, the denominations "longitudinal",

"transverse" and "vertical" refer to the orientation of the electronic system according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main direction of elongation of the casing of the thermal regulation device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference L, Y, T illustrated on the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction in which the electrical and/or electronic components mainly extend, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T.

In addition, in the present description, the term "thermal regulation fluid" can refer to any heat transfer fluid or liquid, advantageously dielectric, diphasic or refrigerant, since this fluid or liquid has the effect of regulating the temperature of the electrical components and / or electronics of a thermal regulation device.

Furthermore, in the detailed description which follows, the thermal regulation device according to the invention will be described in relation to an electronic system in the form of a motor vehicle electrical energy storage system, but it must be understood that such an application is not limiting and that it could in particular be applied in the context of the invention to electrical or electronic components equipping other electronic systems and for example computer servers.

FIG. 1 thus illustrates, schematically, a perspective view of an electronic system 1 according to the invention, in which a thermal regulation device is configured to modify the temperature, in particular in cooling, of electrical and/or electronic components, which here are electric battery module cells for a hybrid or electric vehicle.

The electronic system 1 thus comprises on the one hand electrical and/or electronic components 4 and on the other hand a thermal regulation device. This thermal regulation device comprises a box 2 elongated mainly in a longitudinal direction, between a first longitudinal end 200 of the box 2 and a second longitudinal end 201 of the box 2. The box 2 comprises a bottom wall 21 and four side walls 22 opposite two by two, these walls delimiting an internal housing 3, configured to accommodate the electrical and/or electronic components 4. A part of these electrical and/or electronic components 4 has been removed from the illustration presented in FIG. 1 in order to allow a better visualization of the other components of the electronic system 1. The electrical and/or electronic components 4 are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the box 2, here being arranged parallel to each other, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the box. At least one of the faces of an electrical and/or electronic component 4 extending in a vertical and transverse plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the box, is facing one of the faces, extending in a vertical and transverse plane, of an electrical and/or electronic component 4 close. Each electrical and/or electronic component 4 is arranged at a distance from the neighboring electrical and/or electronic component 4, and at a distance from the side walls 22 which delimit the internal housing 3, so as to define spacings between them. These spacings allow in particular the thermal regulation fluid to circulate between the electrical and/or electronic components 4 and between the electrical and/or electronic components 4 and the side walls 22, which ensures optimum thermal regulation of each electrical component and/or electronics within the electronic system 1.

The electrical and/or electronic components 4 have, on a vertical end face 40 which extends opposite the bottom wall, connector elements 41 making it possible to connect the electrical and/or electronic components to a network electrical supply and/or distribution of the vehicle.

The side walls 22 of the box 2 have external faces 220, these external faces 220 of the side walls 22 being defined as those which are opposite to the internal housing 3.

In order to allow a circulation of thermal regulation fluid within the thermal regulation device, and a renewal of this thermal regulation fluid to facilitate the exchange, and in particular the evacuation, of calories out of the box 2 of the thermal regulation device , the box 2 comprises at least one thermal regulation fluid supply element 5 and at least one thermal regulation fluid discharge element 6, these supply 5 and discharge 6 elements being communicating with the internal housing 3. In the example illustrated, without this being limiting of the present invention, the thermal regulation fluid supply element 5 and the thermal regulation fluid discharge element 6 respectively protrude on one external faces 220 of the side walls 22 of the box 2. The electronic system 1 comprises a sealing element 9, which is particular according to the invention in that it is configured to be arranged on the one hand between the electrical and/or electronic components 4 and the walls 22 of the box 2, and on the other hand in each gap formed between two neighboring electrical and/or electronic components 4. It is thus understood that the sealing element 9, in one piece made in one piece, surrounds each electrical and/or electronic component 4, and also surrounds the assembly formed by the juxtaposition of all the electrical and/or electronic components. electronics 4. The sealing element, in different embodiments, will be described in more detail below.

The box 2 may also include fastening means 210, which here consist of extensions of the bottom wall 21 and which include stiffening ribs linked to the side walls 22 which form the first longitudinal end 200 and the second longitudinal end 201 of the casing 2. These fixing means 210, for example fixing lugs equipped with eyelets, make it possible to facilitate the securing of the electronic system 1 to the hybrid or electric motor vehicle that it is intended to be equipped with.

A description will now be given, with reference to FIG. 2, of a first embodiment of an electronic system according to the invention, which takes up most of the characteristics described above with reference to FIG. 1.

The box 2 comprises a cover 23, not visible in Figure 1 and which closes the internal housing 3 defined by the side walls 22 and the bottom wall 21. This cover 23 rests on a rim 231 formed by an extension of a vertical end of these side walls 22 opposite the bottom wall. More particularly, a first portion 231 A of this flange 231 extends towards the outside of the internal housing 3, extending substantially perpendicularly the corresponding side wall in a substantially transverse direction and a second portion 231B of this flange 231 extends substantially perpendicularly extending the first portion 231 A opposite the bottom wall 21 in a substantially vertical direction. In the example illustrated, the flange 231 is present continuously over the entire circumference of the box 2, forming an extension of each of the side faces 22.

The cover 23 extends from the first longitudinal end 200 of the box 2 to the second longitudinal end 201 of the box 2, substantially parallel to the wall bottom 21. This cover 23 constitutes an empty frame in its center, so as to cover only the parts of the electrical and/or electronic components 4 which are in the vicinity of the side walls 22, and thus to leave the connector elements 41 accessible. , not shown in this figure 2, and which are arranged on the vertical end face 40 of these electrical and/or electronic components 4. It is thus understood that the cover 23 is equipped with an opening giving access to these elements of connectors 41 of the electrical and/or electronic components 4 arranged in the internal housing 3, the peripheral zone of this internal housing 3 being covered by the cover 23.

The cover 23 can be fixed on a base 24 of the casing 2 by means of screws or rivets 230, thus contributing to the tightness of the electronic system 1.

The sealing element 9 has a perimeter 91 and transverse ribs 92 which extend across the area delimited by the perimeter. According to the embodiment represented by FIG. 2, the periphery 91 of the sealing element 9 rests on the flange 231, and more particularly on the first portion 231A of this flange extending in a transverse and longitudinal plane. The sealing element 9 is thus in contact with each of the side faces 22 of the box 2.

The sealing element 9, at least around its periphery, comprises a rigid body and an elastically deformable part molded onto this rigid body. The presence of the rigid body allows the sealing element to rest stably on the first portion 231A of the flange 231, and the elastically deformable part makes it possible to ensure contact between the sealing element and the walls of the box. , here the first portion of the rim, to achieve the seal.

Still according to the embodiment represented in FIG. 2, the periphery 91 of the sealing element 9 is extended by a flank 93 extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal and transverse plane in which this periphery 91 mainly fits, the ribs transverse 92 extending from this flank 93.

In this context, the transverse ribs 92 can all extend in a plane parallel to the longitudinal and transverse plane in which the circumference 91 mainly fits, in vertical offset relative to the circumference 91 and therefore relative to the first portion 231A of the flange 231, or they can each extend in a vertical and transverse plane from the side 93. In each of these cases, the transverse ribs 92 form strips of the sealing element 9 which cross the box right through in a transverse direction.

It is thus understood that the transverse ribs 92 are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the box 2.

The transverse ribs 92 are arranged at regular intervals along a longitudinal direction, so that each transverse rib 92 can be arranged in the interstices formed between two neighboring electrical and/or electronic components 4 or, in the vicinity of the longitudinal ends 200 and 201 of the box 2, between an electrical and/or electronic component 4 and a side wall 22.

These transverse ribs 92 are arranged near the vertical end 40 of the electrical and/or electronic components 4, this vertical end 40 being defined as their end which is at a distance from the bottom wall 21.

At least one of the walls delimiting the internal housing, here the bottom wall 21, can comprise holding elements 42 which are configured to hold the electrical and/or electronic components 4 at a distance from each other and at a distance from the walls delimiting the internal housing 3 of the casing 2. By way of example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, these holding elements 42 are aligned in two parallel rows, extending from the first longitudinal end 200 of the casing 2 at the second longitudinal end 201 of the box 2.

A second embodiment will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 in particular, which differs from what has been previously described in the arrangement of the bearing zone for the sealing element which is formed in the side walls of the box and in the shape of the sealing element.

As mentioned above, the side walls 22 of the box 2 have external faces 220, defined as those which are opposite to the internal housing 3, and they have internal faces 221, which are those which are opposite this internal housing 3 , as they are particularly visible in Figure 3.

The internal faces 221 of the side walls 22 here comprise a shoulder 222, which extends along these internal faces 221 over the entire periphery of the box 2. This shoulder 222 extends substantially parallel to the bottom wall, towards the outside of the box 2, and participates in forming an enlargement of the dimension of the internal housing 3 delimited between the side walls 22. The side walls 22 also have, at their vertical end opposite the bottom wall, a rim 231 formed by a substantially vertical extension of these side walls 22, the rim 231 extending towards the outside of the internal housing 3 in a substantially transverse direction. According to the embodiment presented in FIG. 3, and unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the rim 231 only has a first portion 231A extending substantially perpendicularly from the corresponding side wall in a substantially transverse direction. This rim 231 is present on each of the side faces 22, the first portion 231 A perpendicularly extending the shoulder 222.

The internal faces 221 of the side walls 2 which are arranged in the vicinity of the first longitudinal end 200 and the second longitudinal end 201 of the box 2, in other words the internal faces 221 of the side walls 2 which do not carry the power supply element in thermal regulation liquid 5 and the thermal regulation liquid discharge element 6, have indentations 223.

The notches 223 have a longitudinal end 224, which originates at the level of the shoulder 222 of the internal faces 221 of the side walls 22 of the box 2 defining the internal housing 3. These notches 223 are formed by a local deformation of the side wall 22 which creates a projection on the outer face 220. However, one could imagine an embodiment with a flat outer face 220 and a notch 223 cut into the material of the corresponding side wall 22.

These notches 223 extend from the shoulder 222, in a substantially vertical direction, towards the bottom wall 21 but without extending as far as the latter. The notches 223 thus have a vertical end 224, opposite the shoulder 222 which extends away from the bottom wall 21.

The notches 223 are suitable for receiving elastic return means, for example springs, intended to hold the electrical and/or electronic components 4 relative to each other, by exerting an elastic return force substantially perpendicular to the plane of elongation principal of each of the electrical and/or electronic components 4.

It should be noted that such notches and such associated elastic return means may be present in the electronic system configured according to the first embodiment and particularly illustrated in FIG. 2. Figures 4 and 5 make more particularly visible the particular shape of the sealing element as used in the second embodiment, it being understood that in this particular form, the sealing element could be put in Works with other cabinet configurations. In these figures, the box 2 has been erased in both figures in order to show the components located inside it.

The sealing element 9 is here again configured to be arranged between the electrical and/or electronic components 4 and the side walls 22. This sealing element 9 is arranged near the vertical end 40 of the electrical and/or electronic components. or electronic 4 and has a perimeter 91 and transverse ribs 92.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, and unlike the embodiment of Figure 2, the periphery 91 of the sealing element 9 and the transverse ribs 92 extend mainly in the same plane . It is thus understood that the sealing element 9 is here a substantially flat element.

Perimeter 91 rests, according to this embodiment, on shoulder 222 as illustrated in FIG. 3, this shoulder 222 being formed by side walls 22 inside internal housing 3. Perimeter 91 therefore matches the shape of the internal housing 3.

The periphery 91 extends mainly in a longitudinal and transverse plane, the transverse ribs 92 extending across the box 2 substantially in this same plane, in a transverse direction.

In accordance with what has been previously described, the transverse ribs 92 are arranged equidistant from each other, and are configured so as to be able to be inserted between each electrical and/or electronic component 4, thus ensuring the tightness of the vertical end 40 of each electrical and/or electronic component 4. This particular arrangement of the sealing element 9 makes it possible to avoid the immersion of the connector elements 41 of the electrical and/or electronic components 4 in the regulating fluid thermal, these connection elements 41 being arranged on the vertical end 40 of the electrical and/or electronic components 4.

The other characteristics of the sealing element described in relation to FIG. 2 apply mutatis mutandis to the embodiment presented in these FIGS. 3 to 5, provided that they are not incompatible therewith. Furthermore, the electrical and/or electronic components 4 are here separated from at least one neighboring electrical and/or electronic component by a separation member 8. Each separation member 8 therefore extends within the internal housing of a end to the other of box 2 in a substantially transverse direction, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation of box 2.

The separation member 8 constitutes a spacer, which makes it possible to ensure a defined distance between two neighboring electrical and/or electronic components 4. This separation member 8 can be interposed between each electrical and/or electronic component 4, or even be placed every two electrical and/or electronic components 4, so that each electrical and/or electronic component 4 is separated by at least another electrical and/or electronic component 4 by a separation member 8.

The separating member 8 can in particular be a corrugated sheet, which defines fluid passage channels along each of the electrical and/or electronic components 4 arranged on either side of this separating member 8. It is thus understood that the separation member 8 is configured to allow the thermal regulation fluid to pass. The undulations of the sheet metal of the separation member are arranged in such a way as to allow and guide the circulation of the thermal regulation fluid transversely, from one side wall to the other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical and/or electronic components 4 are separated by a distance of between 0.2 and 1 mm by the separating member 8.

FIG. 6 illustrates the electronic system 1 of FIG. 2 in perspective view. According to the embodiment shown in this figure, the box 2 comprises a base 24 and a cover 23 as previously mentioned, this base consisting of the bottom wall 21 and the side walls 22. This base forms a one-piece assembly, which is formed in one piece. It is therefore not possible to separate the bottom wall 21 from the side walls 22 without damaging one or the other of these elements. The one-piece assembly can in particular be obtained by additive manufacturing, and more particularly by 3D printing. In this context, the box 2 can be made of a material chosen for its thermal insulation properties. In particular, this material chosen for its thermal insulation properties can be a plastic material. Even more particularly, this plastic material can be organosheet. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment which differs from what was previously described in that the base 24 does not form a one-piece assembly. The base 24 is here formed of a first element comprising the bottom wall 21 and two opposite side walls 22, while the other two side walls 22 are made independently and then attached and fixed to the first element. It is understood that the base 24 can thus be made up of the bottom wall 21 and the opposite side walls 22 which carry the thermal regulation liquid supply element 5 and the thermal regulation liquid discharge element 6, the other two side walls 22 being attached to the first element of the base 24.

At least the bottom wall 21 and the side walls 22 carrying the thermal regulation liquid supply element 5 and the thermal regulation liquid discharge element 6 can be made of metal. Advantageously, this metal can be aluminum.

In this context, the first element of the base 24 can for example be formed by stamping, which simplifies the formation of the U-shaped section of each of the ducts 50, 60, then the other side walls 22 are fixed by brazing on the first base element 24.

An electronic system 1 according to the invention can be obtained by a method which comprises a step of positioning an assembly comprising at least the electrical and/or electronic components 4 in the housing defined by the bottom wall and the side walls of the box , and a step during which the sealing element 9 is arranged on the one hand between the electrical and/or electronic components 4 and the walls 22 of the casing 2, and on the other hand in each gap formed between two components electric and/or electronic 4 neighbours. Such a method of obtaining can equally well be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 6 according to which the base 24 forms a one-piece assembly, and to the embodiment of FIG. 7 according to which the base 24 is formed from a first element comprising the bottom wall 21 and two opposite side walls 22, the other two side walls 22 being attached to this first element.

The positioning step consists of arranging an assembly comprising at least the electrical and/or electronic components 4 within the internal housing 3 of the box 2. This step may in particular involve the holding elements 42, which are capable of being inserted between each electrical and/or electronic component 4 in order to ensure a optimal positioning of the electrical and/or electronic components 4 within the internal housing 3. The assembly comprising at least the electrical and/or electronic components 4 can also comprise at least one separation member 8 placed between two electrical and/or electronic components neighboring electronics. This separation member 8 can be arranged between two adjacent electrical and/or electronic components 4, or even both electrical and/or electronic components 4, so that each electrical and/or electronic component 4 is separated by at least one other electrical and/or electronic component 4 by this separation member 8.

The method for obtaining an electronic system according to the invention continues with a step during which the sealing element 9 is arranged on the one hand between the electrical and/or electronic components 4 and the walls 22 of the box 2, and secondly in each gap formed between two electrical and / or electronic components 4 neighbors. It is understood that the periphery 91 of the sealing element 9 is arranged between the electrical and/or electronic components 4 and the side walls 22 of the casing, while the transverse ribs 92 of this sealing element are inserted between each electrical and/or electronic component 4, in the interstices separating them. This periphery 91 rests on a bearing surface formed, according to the embodiments, by the shoulder 221 formed in the faces of the walls 22 or by the first portion 231A of the rim 231 of these walls 22, and rests stably on this support surface thanks to its rigid body. Once the sealing element 9 has been positioned, the box 2 can be closed by the cover 23. This cover 23 can be fixed on the flanges 231, for example by means of screws or rivets 230, in order to ensure the sealing of the casing 2.

The method for obtaining may also comprise a step of holding the assembly comprising at least the electrical and/or electronic components 4 in position, between the positioning step and the step during which the element of sealing 9 is arranged. This holding step may in particular consist of positioning elastic return means as described above, between two opposite side walls 22 and the assembly formed of at least the electrical and/or electronic components 4. Such means of elastic return, such as springs, can be arranged in the notches 223 of the internal faces 221 of the side walls 22, in order to hold the electrical and/or electronic components 4 in place.

The present invention thus proposes an electronic system comprising electrical and/or electronic components and a thermal regulation device, this system electronic being provided with a sealing element capable of preventing the circulation of the thermal regulation fluid in the vicinity of the end of the electrical and/or electronic components which carries their connection elements. Such an electronic system also presents easy assembly, since the sealing element is made in one piece. In a single assembly operation, it is thus possible to fill all the gaps or interstices through which the thermal regulation fluid would be liable to escape.

The present invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means, provided that it includes an element of sealing configured to, in a single piece, be arranged on the one hand between the electrical and / or electronic components and the walls of the box, and on the other hand between two neighboring electrical and / or electronic components.

Claims

1. Electronic system (1) comprising electrical and/or electronic components (4) and a thermal regulation device comprising a casing (2) configured to accommodate the electrical and/or electronic components (4), this casing (2) having a bottom wall (21) and side walls (22) opposite in pairs defining an internal housing (3) capable of receiving the electrical and/or electronic components (4) arranged side by side along a longitudinal direction of the box (2), this box (2) comprising at least one thermal regulation fluid supply element (5) and at least one thermal regulation fluid discharge element (6), the electronic system (1) being characterized in that it comprises a sealing element (9), configured to be arranged on the one hand between the electrical and/or electronic components (4) and the walls of the box (2), and on the other hand in each gap formed between two electrical and/or electrical components ronics (4) neighbors.

2. Electronic system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (9) is composed of a periphery (91) matching the shape of the faces (221) of the walls (22 ) of the box (2) defining the internal housing (3), and transverse ribs (92) arranged equidistant from each other, these transverse ribs (92) being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the box (2), advantageously the periphery (91) of the sealing element (9) and the transverse ribs (92) extend mainly in the same plane.

3. Electronic system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the periphery (91) of the sealing element (9) is extended by a flank (93) extending substantially perpendicular to this periphery (91) , the transverse ribs (92) extending from this blank (93).

4. Electronic system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (9) comprises a rigid body and an elastically deformable part molded onto this rigid body.

5. Electronic system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (9) rests on a shoulder (222) formed in the faces (221) of the walls (22) of the box (2) defining the internal housing (3), this shoulder (222) being present on each of these faces (221).

6. Electronic system (1) according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 4, characterized in that the sealing element (9) rests on the shoulder (222) by its rigid body.

7. Electronic system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the faces (221) of the walls of the casing (2) defining the internal housing (3) which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the casing (2 ) comprise notches (223) extending from a vertical end edge of said walls opposite the bottom wall (21), substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall (21).

8. Electronic system (1) according to the preceding claim and in combination with claim 7, characterized in that the notches (223) have a longitudinal end (224) originating at the level of the shoulder (222) of the faces (221 ) of the walls of the box (2) defining the internal housing (3).

9. Electronic system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box (2) comprises a base (24) and a cover (23), the base (24) being constituted by the bottom wall (21) and the side walls (22), this base (24) being formed of a first element comprising the bottom wall (21) and two opposite side walls (22), the other two side walls (22) being attached .

10. Method for obtaining an electronic system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of positioning an assembly, comprising at least electrical and/or electronic components ( 4), in the internal housing (3) defined by the bottom wall (21) and the side walls of the box (2) and a step during which the sealing element (9) is arranged on the one hand between the electrical and/or electronic components (4) and the walls of the box (2), and on the other hand in each gap formed between two adjacent electrical and/or electronic components (4).