DE102018123972A1 - Cooling plate and method for producing a cooling plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling plate 1 for battery cooling and a method for producing a cooling plate 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cooling device for a battery with at least one such cooling plate 1. The cooling plate 1 has a plate body 2 with a connecting piece 3. A cooling fluid is supplied to or removed from the cooling plate 1 via the connecting piece 3. The connecting piece 3 has a mounting flange 5 and a plug section 6. The mounting flange 5 lies flat on one side on the plate body 2 of the cooling plate. The plug-in section 6 is positioned in a mounting opening 8 of the plate body 2 and plastically deformed. Due to the plastic deformation of the plug section 6, the connecting piece 3 and the plate body 2 of the cooling plate are joined together.

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling plate for battery cooling, in particular for cooling a battery of motor vehicles, and a method for producing cooling plates. The invention further relates to a cooling device for a battery with at least one such cooling plate.

In electric vehicles, whether purely electrically powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles, rechargeable batteries are used, which usually have a large number of electrical storage cells connected in series and / or in parallel. In this case, electrical storage cells can be combined to form battery modules from which the battery is constructed.

Defined thermal management of the batteries is required to ensure the range, mileage and charging power as well as the service life of electrically powered vehicles. The batteries are sensitive to a different temperature distribution, which can lead to overheating and premature aging. Cooling devices are used to keep the batteries in an optimal temperature range. These are intended to ensure that waste heat that is not required when the batteries are operated is dissipated from the batteries and the battery is kept at a constant temperature level.

Cooling plates are used to cool batteries or battery modules, which contact the batteries directly or indirectly. Cooling plate arrangements are often mounted above and / or below the batteries for cooling the batteries or battery modules. A cooling fluid flows through the cooling plates. Such cooling plates usually consist of two plate-like components or plate bodies which, when put together, delimit one or more cooling channels located between them. The cooling plates are often made of light metal sheets, in particular aluminum sheets, or extruded light metal profiles, in particular aluminum profiles.

In order to supply and remove the cooling fluid from the cooling plate, the plates are provided with connecting pieces. As a rule, the connecting pieces are manufactured to give shape or cut. The connection of the connecting piece to the cooling plate is made cohesively by welding, soldering or gluing, screw connections are also known.

A cooling device for a vehicle battery with a cooling plate, which has a materially joined connection or connecting piece counts through the EP 2 828 922 B1 the state of the art.

From the DE 10 2015 216 719 A1 a cooling plate is known. A cooling duct and an inlet and an outlet communicating therewith are arranged in the cooling plate. In the area of the inlet and the outlet, a connection piece is provided, which is clamped between the upper part and the lower part of the cooling plate.

A cooling plate joined by soldering technology is formed from a structure plate and a cover plate DE 10 2014 217 728 A1 described.

Furthermore, the DE 10 2014 217 931 A1 a cooling device for a battery system of an electrically powered vehicle. This has a connection flange for connecting the cooling device to a vehicle-side refrigeration or coolant circuit. The connection flange has a base plate made of plastic, which has at least one, in particular two, connection points.

In the case of cohesive connections between the cooling plate and the connecting piece, possible leaks, in particular as a result of thermal distortions and the associated reworking effort, are disadvantageous. In contrast, adhesive connections are complex due to their cost-intensive surface preparation (pickling, etc.).

Based on the prior art, the invention is based on the object of demonstrating a cooling plate with a functionally and assembly-technically improved connecting piece, and to provide a method for producing a cooling plate which enables a connecting piece to be attached to the cooling plate in a process-reliable and economical manner.

The solution to the objective part of the task consists in a cooling plate according to the features of claim 1.

The procedural part of the task is solved by a method according to claim 6.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 5 and 7 to 9.

Claim 10 is directed to a cooling device for a vehicle battery with a cooling plate according to the invention or a cooling plate produced according to the invention.

In the context of the invention, a cooling plate is understood to mean both a single plate and a cooling plate composed of two plate components or plate bodies.

According to the invention, the connecting piece has a mounting flange and a plug section. The mounting flange rests on a plate body of the cooling plate. The plug section is positioned in a mounting opening of the cooling plate or the plate body and plastically deformed. Due to the partial reshaping of the plug-in section at least in some areas, the connecting piece is joined to the cooling plate. This takes place primarily in a form-fitting manner. It is possible to heat one or both joining partners and to carry out the joining in a warm state. After cooling, shrinkage also creates a frictional connection.

The connecting piece lies with its mounting flange on the outside of the cooling plate or a plate body of the cooling plate. The plug-in section is passed through the mounting opening, which is adapted to the plug-in section in the geometrical dimensions, into the plate body and plastically deformed on the side of the cooling plate body opposite the mounting flange. This creates a positive connection between the connection piece and the cooling plate. The shaping is carried out with a shaping tool, for example a shaping stamp. This can be done both in the direction of the upper plate body of the cooling plate and in the opposite direction from the lower side of the upper plate body.

The invention creates an advantageous and quick, assembly-friendly and process-reliable connection between the connecting piece and the cooling plate. A high process stability is guaranteed. There is no thermal influence on surrounding components or component components. There is no need for a pickling process. A short cycle time can be realized. It is also possible to replace a connection piece in the event of damage.

Due to the forming process and the partial deformation of the plug section, the mounting flange of the connecting piece is pulled against the plate body.

This also results in the nozzle section or the material of the nozzle section coming into contact with and / or in the assembly opening, as a result of which a first metallic seal is created. In the further forming process, the connecting piece moves axially in the direction of the plate body. This creates an additional sealing effect. Furthermore, a seal or a sealing element can be incorporated between the mounting flange and the cooling plate or the plate body. Due to the reshaping movement and the bracing of the connecting piece and plate body against one another, the sealing element is pressed against the plate body and elastically deformed until the connecting piece is fully in contact with the plate body. This creates a second positive and tight connection.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the plug-in section provides that it has a widened shoulder area at the end. This common shoulder area extends radially inwards. The plug-in section accordingly has a smaller inner diameter at its mouth-side opening than in its remaining length range.

As already stated, the assembly of the connection piece is simple and reliable. A connection piece is provided, which has a mounting flange and a plug-in cutout. Furthermore, the plate body of a cooling plate is provided. A mounting opening is made in the plate body. This mounting opening has a diameter that is matched to the outer diameter of the plug section. The plug-in section is inserted into the mounting opening until the mounting flange rests on the cooling plate or the plate body. The connecting piece is then joined to the plate body, for which purpose the plug-in section is plastically deformed, in particular in some areas, by means of a shaping tool.

In particular, the free end of the plug-in section is widened by the shaping tool and shaped outwards in the direction of the underside of the plate body.

Here, the forming tool is moved relative to the plug section during the molding process. The forming tool can be moved axially relative to the plug section during the molding process. A rotational movement of the forming tool relative to the plug section is also advantageous. The combination of an axial and a rotary movement of the forming tool during the molding process relative to the plug-in section is also advantageous. In particular, the superposition of an axial and a rotary relative movement is efficient.

The forming tool is configured accordingly for the molding process. The forming tool can be a forming die with an expansion cone at the end. The expanding cone can taper conically or widen conically. Also a multi-part forming tool with a stamp body and a conical expansion ring or cone, which are displaced against one another, is possible.

Due to the plastic deformation of the plug-in section, the components are braced against one another and seal one another. Preferably, a seal is incorporated between the mounting flange and the cooling plate, which is also clamped during the forming process or the joining of the connecting piece and plate body of the cooling plate.

The plate body provided with the at least one connecting piece is then completed to form the cooling plate. The plate body can be joined with another plate-shaped component. In this way, a cooling plate with a closed pipe system is produced. In principle, it is also possible first to add a plate body with a further plate body or a plate element to the cooling plate arrangement and then to add the necessary connecting pieces into prepared mounting openings in the plate body according to the invention.

• 1 einen Ausschnitt einer Kühlplatte mit Anschlussstutzen während des Montagevorgangs;
• 2a bis 2c den Montagevorgang des Anschlussstutzens gemäß der Darstellung von 1 in drei Montagesituationen und
• 3a bis 3c den Montagevorgang von Anschlussstutzen und Plattenkörper der Kühlplatte in drei Montagesituationen bei Verwendung eines anderen Umformwerkzeugs.

The invention is described below with reference to drawings. Show it:

• 1 a section of a cooling plate with connecting piece during the assembly process;
• 2a to 2c the assembly process of the connector according to the representation of 1 in three assembly situations and
• 3a to 3c the assembly process of the connection piece and plate body of the cooling plate in three assembly situations when using a different forming tool.

The 1 shows a section of a cooling plate 1 . The cooling plate 1 has a plate body 2nd and one on the plate body 2nd specified connection piece 3rd for a cooling fluid.

The cooling plate usually has 1 two connecting pieces 3rd for the inlet and outlet of cooling fluid. The cooling plate is completed 1 by a second lower plate body or a lower plate element, not shown here. This forms the bottom or the bottom end of the cooling plate 1 . Between the upper plate body 2nd and the lower plate element run one or more cooling channels.

The connecting piece 3rd has an upper connection section 4th on. This is configured to connect a cooling fluid line (not shown). Furthermore, the connection piece has 3rd one radially from the connection section 4th outwardly extending mounting flange 5 on. In extension of the connection section 4th has the connecting piece 3rd below the mounting flange 5 a plug section 6 on (see also 2a to 2c as well as the 3a to 3c ). Through the connector 3rd a through opening extends in the longitudinal direction thereof 7 .

In the plate body 2nd is an assembly opening 8th brought in. The assembly opening 8th has a diameter DM on that on the outside diameter DS of the plug section 6 is coordinated. End of the plug section 6 is a widened shoulder area in the area of its lower opening 9 intended. The shoulder area 9 extends all the way radially inwards. The 2a and 3a clarify that the inside diameter of the through hole 7 in the shoulder area 9 in the initial state of the connecting piece 3rd is reduced.

The mounting flange 5 points to the plate body 2nd agile underside 10th a recording 11 in the form of an annular groove. In the recording 11 is a sealing element 12th in the form of a sealing ring.

For mounting the connecting piece 3rd with the plate body 2nd becomes the connector 3rd with its mating section 6 into the assembly opening 8th inserted until the mounting flange 5 flat on top of the plate body 2nd is present. Through axial displacement of a stamp-shaped forming tool 13 becomes the mating section 6 plastically deformed. Here, the bottom through the assembly opening 8th protruding free end 14 of the plug section 6 widened and bent outwards. The forming process is in the 1 through the arrows V clarifies. Due to the plastic deformation of the plug section 6 the material will also touch the hole edge of the assembly opening 8th molded. This creates a metallic seal. As a result of the further forming, the mounting flange 5 towards the plate body 2nd drawn. Here, the sealing element 12th clamped against the plate body, which results in a further positive seal.

The forming tool 13 can also be rotated during the molding process. Axial displacement with simultaneous rotary movement of the forming tool is also possible.

After the installation process is complete, the connecting piece is 3rd stable and tight with the plate body 2nd connected.

In the assembly process as with the 2a to 2c shown, a forming tool comes 13 in the form of a stamp. This becomes axial in the direction of the arrow P1 shifted. The stamp path of the forming tool 13 is in the image plane from top to bottom towards the plate body 2nd the cooling plate 1 . The forming tool 13 has a conical expansion cone 15 on. When moving, this reaches the inside of the shoulder area that projects inwards 9 to the plant ( 2a) . With the further downward movement according to the arrow P1 becomes the mating section 6 deformed outwards ( 2 B) until the plastic deformation is complete and the connecting piece 3rd is fixed ( 2c ).

The representations of the 3a to 3c basically correspond to that previously described. Therefore, corresponding components or component components are provided with the same reference numerals.

During the assembly process as in the 3a to 3c shown, a forming tool comes 13a with a conically widening cone 15a to use. The forming tool 13a is already in the connector 3rd introduced from below. The stamp path is according to the arrow P2 in the image plane from bottom to top. When moving the end area 16 of the plug section 6 through the expanding cone 15a plastically deformed to the outside. In this way the connection piece 3rd form-fitting and tight with the panel body 2nd added.

A plate body 2nd with joined connecting pieces 3rd is completed by adding necessary component components, in particular another plate-shaped component, to the cooling plate.

Reference list

1 -

Cooling plate

2 -

Plate body

3 -

Connecting piece

4 -

Connection section

5 -

Mounting flange

6 -

Plug-in section

7 -

Through opening

8th -

Assembly opening

9 -

Shoulder area

10-

bottom

11 -

admission

12 -

Sealing element

13 -

Forming tool

13a -

Forming tool

14 -

free end of 6

15 -

Expanding cone

15a -

Expanding cone

DM -

diameter

DS -

outer diameter

V -

arrow

P1 -

arrow

P2 -

arrow

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 2828922 B1 [0006]
• DE 102015216719 A1 [0007]
• DE 102014217728 A1 [0008]
• DE 102014217931 A1 [0009]

Claims (10)

Cooling plate for battery cooling, which has a plate body (2) with a connection piece (3) for cooling fluid, characterized in that the connection piece (3) has a mounting flange (5) and a plug-in section (6), the mounting flange (5) on the plate body (2) abuts and the plug-in section (6) is positioned in an assembly opening (8) of the plate body (2) and is plastically deformed and joined to the plate body (2). Cooling plate after Claim 1 , characterized in that the free end (14) of the plug section (6) is widened. Cooling plate after Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized in that the plug section (6) has a widened shoulder region (9) at the end. Cooling plate according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that a sealing element (12) is incorporated between the mounting flange (5) and the plate body (2). Cooling plate after Claim 4 , characterized in that the sealing element (12) is arranged in a receptacle (11) in the mounting flange (5). Method for producing a cooling plate with a connecting piece (3), characterized by the following steps: - providing a connecting piece (3) which has a mounting flange (5) and a plug-in section (6); - Providing a plate body (2) which is provided with a mounting opening (8), the mounting opening (8) having a diameter (DM) which is matched to the outer diameter (DS) of the plug-in section (6); - Inserting the plug-in section (6) into the mounting opening (8) until the mounting flange (5) abuts the plate body (2); - Joining the connecting piece (3) with the plate body (2) by plastic deformation of the plug section (6) by means of a forming tool (13, 13a); - Complete the plate body (2) to the cooling plate. Procedure according to Claim 6 , the free end (14) of the plug section (6) is widened by the forming tool (13, 13a). Procedure according to Claim 6 or 7 , wherein the forming tool (13, 13a) is moved during the molding process relative to the plug section (6). Procedure according to one of the Claims 6 to 8th , A sealing element (12) being incorporated between the mounting flange (5) and the plate body (2). Cooling device for a vehicle battery with a cooling plate according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 or produced by a method according to one of the Claims 6 to 9 .

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