DE102019105980A1 - Reversing collector for a cooling system of a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle and cooling system for a traction battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a reversing collector (1) for a cooling system of a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle, the reversing collector (1) being designed as an extruded profile with at least two channels (2) arranged one above the other and extending along the extruded profile, the channels (2) through a solid web (3) are separated from each other, the reversing collector (1) having at least one blind hole (5) with a diameter greater than or equal to the height of the web (3) on a longitudinal side at the level of the web (3) such that there is a fluid connection through the blind hole (5) to the two channels (2), the blind hole (5) being arranged centered in particular with respect to the height of the web (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a reversing collector for a cooling system of a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle and a cooling system for a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle with at least one layer of battery cells for storing electrical energy.

Modern traction batteries usually have a high density of battery cells. These can develop a considerable amount of heat during operation. To avoid damaging the traction battery, it must be cooled. Since the traction batteries usually have several layers of battery cells, cooling plates are used as floors or intermediate floors and / or covers, which conduct a coolant through the layers. For reasons of weight and production, it is known to manufacture the cooling plates as extruded profiles in which coolant channels are contained that are arranged parallel to one another and to the main plane of extent of the cooling plate. These typically open into coolant channel openings in the end faces of the cooling plate.

As a rule, coolant is supplied to one of the end faces of a group of coolant channels and the coolant is discharged from the other group of coolant channels. In order to implement such a fluid path, a fluid connection between the two groups of coolant channels must take place on the other end face of the cooling plate. The connection must be fluid-tight in order to prevent the coolant from escaping. For this purpose, it is known to arrange a reversing collector on the cooling plate, which produces such a fluid connection.

Such cooling systems, comprising a cooling plate and a reversing collector, are for example from the publications DE 10 2008 027 293 A1 , DE 20 2016 104 740 U1 , DE 10 2017 105 048 A1 , DE 10 2016 008 110 A1 and the DE 10 2014 106 941 A1 known.

Against this background, it is the object of the present invention to provide a reversible collector that is as light and easy to manufacture as possible, which enables an efficient and tight connection of the coolant channels.

To achieve the object, a reversing collector for a cooling system of a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle is proposed, the reversing collector being designed as an extruded profile with at least two channels arranged one above the other and extending along the extruded profile, the channels being separated from one another by a solid web, the Reversing collector has at least one blind hole with a diameter greater than or equal to the height of the web on a longitudinal side at the height of the web in such a way that there is a fluid connection through the blind hole with the two channels, the blind hole being arranged centered in particular with respect to the height of the web. In the context of the present invention, a reversing collector should be understood to mean a device which deflects fluid flows, in particular deflects a fluid flow incoming from a first direction in a second direction, the second direction preferably being arranged parallel and opposite to the first direction. The diameter of the blind hole is particularly preferably at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% greater than the height of the web. This advantageously enables a sufficient volume flow from or into the coolant channels via the channels of the reversing header. The web is formed in one piece with the reversing collector, since it is an extruded part or profile.

The person skilled in the art understands that the reversible collector according to the invention can be manufactured particularly easily and inexpensively due to its simple geometry. By making blind holes, a good fluid connection can be ensured quickly and reliably with simple means. The person skilled in the art also understands that the height of the web is preferably matched to the diameter of the coolant channel openings.

For the sake of simplicity, a variant is described below in which a reversing collector is assigned to a cooling plate. Of course, the present invention also includes variants in which one reversing collector is assigned to more than one cooling plate. In this case, the reversing collector preferably has more channels or webs arranged one above the other.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the reversing header is essentially cuboid, the length of the reversing header being greater than the depth and the height, the height preferably being greater than the depth. Length, depth and height are selected here only for better understanding and relate to a customary orientation of the reversing collector relative to the cooling plate, in particular to the orientation shown in the figures. The reversing collector preferably has a flat surface, at least on the side intended for contact with the cooling plate, which in particular is only pierced by the blind holes and possibly by through holes. This enables a good seal through the contact between two flat surfaces. Particularly preferred the reversing collector has four flat surfaces. Very particularly preferably, the dimension parallel to the coolant channels of the cooling plate, when the reversing header is arranged on the cooling plate, is the smallest dimension of the reversing header. Usually, in particular the length, ie the dimension parallel to the interface between the reversing header and the cooling plate, will be the largest dimension.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the reversing collector is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the web, the channels in particular being identical in terms of their dimensions. This advantageously simplifies the assembly of the reversing collector, since the reversing collector can also be mounted in an axis running through 180 ° around an axis running centrally through the reversing collector and parallel to the direction in which the blind holes are introduced. Furthermore, a simple, symmetrical production of the reversing collector is made possible in an advantageous manner, which in turn also leads to less stress on the reversing collector during operation, since the identical structure of the ducts means that no duct is preferably traversed and is therefore subject to higher loads.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the web is preferably formed centrally, in particular in relation to the height of the reversing collector, in the reversing collector. This, too, advantageously enables simpler manufacture, since, for example, the blind holes can simply be introduced centrally with respect to the height of the reversing header without the exact position relative to the web having to be determined.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the reversing collector has at least one through hole for a fastening means on the longitudinal sides at the level of the web, the diameter of the through hole being smaller than the height of the web, the through hole preferably with respect to the height of the web is arranged centered. This makes it possible, in a particularly advantageous manner, for the reversing collector to be easily fastened to the cooling plate, with an even contact pressure being made possible in particular in the area of the coolant channel openings through adjacent through holes. The fact that the diameter of the through hole is preferably at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% smaller than the height of the web ensures that no accidental fluid connection is created even in the event of a manufacturing error.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the reversing header comprises at least two covers which close the reversing header, in particular the channels, on both end sides with respect to the longitudinal extent of the reversing header, in particular fluid-tight, the covers preferably being welded to the reversing header. This further simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the reversing collector in an advantageous manner. Preferably, the shape and dimensions of the covers are adapted to the end or front sides of the reversing collector. Fastening is particularly preferred in a form-fitting, force-fitting and / or material fit. A material connection in the form of welding is particularly advantageous, since a fluid-tight connection is thus permanently provided.

Another object of the present invention is a cooling system for a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle with at least one layer of battery cells for storing electrical energy, the cooling system having at least one cooling plate, the cooling plate having a plurality of elongated and parallel to the main extension plane of the cooling plate as well as mutually arranged coolant channels for conducting coolant through the layer of battery cells, wherein the cooling system comprises a reversing header fluidly connecting the coolant channels for diverting the coolant, wherein the reversing header is arranged on one side of the cooling plate on which openings of the coolant channels are arranged, and is connected to the cooling plate in a fluid-tight manner, the cooling plate being designed as an extruded profile, the reversing collector being an inventive reversing collector.

The cooling system according to the invention has a particularly simple structure, is simple to manufacture and is comparatively light in weight. At the same time, a fluid-tight connection between the reversing header and cooling plate and simple and quick assembly between the two elements are made possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that sealing rings are arranged, in particular pressed, between the openings of the coolant channels and the associated blind holes of the reversing header. In this way, a fluid-tight connection is provided in a particularly advantageous manner.

• 1 eine Ausführungsform einer Traktionsbatterie mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Kühlsystem in einer schematischen Darstellung;
• 2a - 2d eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Umkehrsammlers in mehreren schematischen Ansichten;
• 3a und 3b eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Umkehrsammlers in verschiedenen perspektivischen Schnittdarstellungen;
• 4a und 4b Detailansichten einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Umkehrsammlers in Schnittdarstellungen;
• 5 eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Kühlplatte in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 6 eine Detailansicht einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kühlsystems in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 7a und 7b Detailansichten einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kühlsystems in perspektivischen Schnittdarstellungen.

In the following, further advantageous features and details of the invention will be explained on the basis of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Here show:

• 1 an embodiment of a traction battery with a cooling system according to the invention in a schematic representation;
• 2a - 2d an embodiment of a reversing collector according to the invention in several schematic views;
• 3a and 3b an embodiment of a reverse collector according to the invention in different perspective sectional views;
• 4a and 4b Detailed views of an embodiment of a reversing collector according to the invention in sectional views;
• 5 an embodiment of a cooling plate according to the invention in a perspective view;
• 6th a detailed view of an embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention in a perspective illustration;
• 7a and 7b Detailed views of an embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention in perspective sectional views.

Unless differences are explicitly mentioned, the various embodiments of the figures essentially correspond to one another, so that, with regard to each figure, reference is generally made to the statements relating to the other figures.

In the following, the terms length, height and depth are used for the sake of better understanding. The terms relate in particular to the orientation of the elements shown in the figures, the length preferably being an extension in the x direction (cf. 2 ), ie from right to left in the plane of the drawing, means width an extension in the y direction, ie out of the plane of the drawing, and height an extension in the z direction, ie from bottom to top in the plane of the drawing. The person skilled in the art understands that the terms must be adapted accordingly in the case of a different location and / or orientation.

In 1 an embodiment of a traction battery with a cooling system according to the invention is shown in a schematic representation. For the sake of clarity, there is only one layer of battery cells 9 or modules shown. The battery cells 9 or the battery cells combined to form battery modules 9 are arranged side by side in a battery housing in the form of a grid. Under the battery cells 9 is a cooling plate 7th arranged, which is designed here as an extruded part or extruded profile and a plurality of parallel to each other and in the main plane of extent of the cooling plate 7th lying coolant channels 11 having. In the embodiment shown, the coolant channels open 11 on the left and right face of the cooling plate 7th . For example, on the left front side, new coolant is fed in and the coolant that has already been passed through the layer is discharged. On the right here is a reverse collector 1 arranged, which diverts the coolant again in the opposite direction.

2a - 2d is an embodiment of a reverse collector according to the invention 1 shown in several schematic views. The reverse collector 1 is an extruded part or profile. It is designed here as an essentially elongated cuboid with a length that is much greater than the width or height, the height also being greater than the width. However, other dimensions and shapes are also possible. In the 2a The side shown is the one for contact with the cooling plate 7th designated page. The extruded profile is provided in such a way that it has two elongated channels at the top and bottom 2 has, which by a massive web 3 are separated. In the present case, the height of the web corresponds to 3 roughly the heights of the two channels 2 , which are otherwise designed in the same way. The reverse collector 1 is particularly with respect to a longitudinal through the web 3 extending central axis formed symmetrically.

At the ends of the reversal collector 1 are preferably lids 6th attached, in particular welded, to the ducts 2 complete. Then there are two types of holes in the web 3 brought in. All holes are centered in the bridge 3 drilled. On the one hand there are through holes 4th introduced, which have a diameter that is smaller than the height of the web 3 is so that they are not fluidically connected to the channels. These through holes 4th are provided for fasteners, e.g. screws, to the reversing collector 1 on the cooling plate 7th to fix. On the other hand, there are blind holes 5 , so holes that do not cover the entire reverse collector 1 penetrate, introduced. These blind holes 5 have a diameter that is equal to or slightly larger than the height of the web 3 . This creates areas of the web 3 attached to the channels 2 boundaries also removed, creating a fluidic connection between the blind hole 5 and the channels 2 arises. These blind holes 5 are now like this in the reversing collector 1 attached to the positions of the coolant channel openings of the cooling plate 7th correspond. Now becomes the reverse collector 1 on the cooling plate 7th mounted, the coolant can flow out of the coolant channels 11 through the blind holes in the channels 2 flow and in the intended for passage in the opposite direction Coolant channels 11 arrive and from there again passed through the location and then removed.

While the diameter of the blind holes 5 preferably essentially the diameter of the coolant channels 11 corresponds, the volume flow can, among other things, by the height of the web 3 can be controlled as this is in combination with the diameter of the blind holes 5 the size of the openings to the channels 2 certainly.

In the 2 B and 2 B it is easy to see that the blind holes 5 in contrast to the through holes 4th not through the reverse collector 1 lead through. At least the one to rest on the cooling plate 7th designated area of the reversing collector 1 is preferably flat in order to ensure a good seal over an exact system.

In 3a and 3b is an embodiment of a reverse collector according to the invention 1 shown in different perspective sectional views. The cuts run lengthways through the reversing collector 1 at different heights. In 3a can be seen that the bridge 3 only through the blind holes 5 is broken.

In 4a and 4b are detailed views of an embodiment of a reversing collector according to the invention 1 shown in sectional views. While in 4a a vertical section in the area of a through hole 4th shown is in 4b a vertical section in the area of a blind hole 5 pictured.

In 5 an embodiment of a cooling plate according to the invention 7th shown in a perspective view. The cooling plate 7th is part of a battery housing of the traction battery. The cooling plate 7th has a large number of openings on its end face that form the coolant channels 11 assigned.

In 6th is a detailed view of an embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention shown in a perspective view. To the cooling plate 7th out 5 became here an inventive reversing collector 1 assembled. The reverse collector 1 is by means of fasteners 10 , for example screws, on the cooling plate 7th attached.

In 7a and 7b detailed views of an embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention are shown in perspective sectional views. In 7a a cut through a through hole 4th , ie in the area of the attachment between the reversing collector 1 and cooling plate 7th , shown while in 7b a cut through a blind hole 5 , ie in the area of the coolant duct shown. The fluid path of the coolant, which from the coolant channel, is indicated by arrows 11 through the blind hole 5 in the channels 2 flows. With an adjacent coolant duct 11 the coolant is preferably removed from the channels 2 through the blind hole 5 in the coolant duct 11 flow and transported from there to the outlet.

In order to ensure a fluid-tight connection, there are in particular between the blind holes 5 and the coolant duct openings sealing rings 8th arranged. Metallic sealing rings 8th are thereby between reversing collector 1 and cooling plate 7th pressed.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely 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

• DE 102008027293 A1 [0004]
• DE 202016104740 U1 [0004]
• DE 102017105048 A1 [0004]
• DE 102016008110 A1 [0004]
• DE 102014106941 A1 [0004]

Claims (8)

Reversing collector (1) for a cooling system of a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle, characterized in that the reversing collector (1) is designed as an extruded profile with at least two superposed channels (2) extending along the extruded profile, the channels (2) being through a massive web (3) are separated from each other, the reversing collector (1) on a longitudinal side at the level of the web (3) at least one blind hole (5) with a diameter greater than or equal to the height of the web (3) such that a There is fluid connection through the blind hole (5) to the two channels (2), the blind hole (5) being arranged in a centered manner, in particular with respect to the height of the web (3). Reversing collector (1) Claim 1 , characterized in that the reversing collector (1) is designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the web (3), the channels (2) in particular being identical in their dimensions. Reversing collector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web (3) is formed in the reversing collector (1) preferably in the middle, in particular in relation to the height of the reversing collector (1). Reversing collector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reversing collector (1) is essentially cuboid, the length of the reversing collector (1) being greater than the depth and the height, the height preferably being greater than the Depth. Reversing collector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reversing collector (1) has at least one through hole (4) for a fastening means on the longitudinal sides at the level of the web (3), the diameter of the through hole (4) being smaller is than the height of the web (3), wherein the through hole (4) is preferably arranged centered with respect to the height of the web (3). Reversing collector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reversing collector (1) comprises at least two covers (6) which cover the reversing collector (1), in particular the channels (2), on both end sides with respect to the longitudinal extent of the reversing collector ( 1), in particular in a fluid-tight manner, with the cover (6) preferably being welded to the reversing header (1). Cooling system for a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle with at least one layer of battery cells (9) for storing electrical energy, the cooling system having at least one cooling plate (7), the cooling plate (7) having a plurality of elongated and parallel to the main extension plane of the Has cooling plate (7) and coolant channels (11) arranged to one another for guiding coolant through the layer of battery cells (9), the cooling system comprising a reversing header (1) fluidly connecting the coolant channels (11) for diverting the coolant, the reversing header ( 1) is arranged on one side of the cooling plate (7), on which openings of the coolant channels (11) are arranged, and is connected to the cooling plate (7) in a fluid-tight manner, the cooling plate being designed as an extruded profile, characterized in that the reversing collector ( 1) is a reversing collector (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Cooling system after Claim 7 , characterized in that sealing rings (8) are arranged, in particular pressed, between the openings of the coolant channels (11) and the associated blind holes (5) of the reversing collector (1).

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