DE102019212361A1 - Plastic cooler and battery with such a cooler - Google Patents

Abstract

A plastic cooler has at least one tube (12) that is connected to a tube sheet (14) by means of ultrasonic welding, and is characterized in that the tube sheet (14) has a tube section (28) extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube (12) ) and has a flange (30) extending substantially perpendicular to this, and a welding of the tube sheet (14) to the tube (12) is provided in the region of the tube section (28) and at a distance from the flange (30).

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a cooler made of plastic and a battery with such a cooler.

Particularly in the field of electromobility, it is necessary for the batteries used to provide coolers in order to cool them in certain operating states and situations. Such coolers are often made of plastic, so that they can be produced comparatively inexpensively. When in use, for example, they are located between individual battery cells.

State of the art

From the KR 10-20090107192A and the DE 39 27 955 A1 heat exchangers made of plastic emerge in which individual components are welded to one another by means of ultrasound, and projections and / or grooves are provided in the weld areas in order to reliably perform the connection.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is based on the object of creating a cooler made of plastic, in which the connection, in particular between individual tubes and a tube sheet, can be further improved.

This problem is solved by the cooler according to patent claim 1.

Accordingly, this is made of plastic and has at least one tube which is connected by means of ultrasonic welding to a tube sheet, which has a tube section extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube and a flange that is essentially perpendicular to it. According to the invention, the tube sheet is welded to the tube in the region of the tube section. By means of the tube section, the tube sheet is, so to speak, lengthened in the direction of extension of the tube, so that a comparatively large connecting surface is available for the ultrasonic welding and the welding can be carried out particularly reliably. In particular, it is made possible for a device used for welding to act over a particularly large surface area, so that the welding can be carried out particularly reliably. The tube sheet and / or the water tank mentioned below can be produced by injection molding. The use of plastic and ultrasonic welding makes the cooler comparatively lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture, in particular compared to a cooler made of aluminum. Furthermore, no measures with regard to electrical insulation are required.

Preferred developments of the cooler according to the invention are described in the further claims.

If the pipe section has an extension on the inside at its end facing the pipe, this facilitates access for a welding device to the interface between the pipe and the pipe section of the pipe sheet. The widening can be designed as a bevel or a rounded inner edge with a curved section that the interior of the pipe section widens increasingly towards the pipe to be inserted.

Typically, the tube sheet is also connected by means of ultrasonic welding to a water tank, the wall of which defining the interior of the water tank is essentially at least in alignment with the interior of the tube. If the named inner walls are essentially aligned, this offers the advantage of particularly low flow losses in both directions of flow. If the cooling fluid flows from the pipe into the water tank at the point under consideration, the inner wall of the pipe can be arranged inside that of the water tank. Similarly, in order to keep flow resistances and losses low, the inner wall of the water tank can be located within that of the pipe at a point at which the cooling fluid flows from the water tank into the pipe.

Preferably, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the tube, the end of the tube is also aligned with the end of the tube sheet facing away from the tube section. In other words, the two named ends lie in one plane, so that the water tank can be connected over a large area, no recesses or the like arise due to misalignments, and can serve as a stop for the pipe in the manufacture of the water tank. This is particularly advantageous if the tube sheet and water tank are first connected and then the tube or tubes are introduced. However, the reverse procedure is also conceivable, namely that the tube sheet and tube are first connected and then the water tank is attached. In any case, both when connecting tube sheet and tube, as well as tube sheet and water tank, first the long sides, as can be seen from the figures, are welded, and then the rounded ends. If the tube is first connected to the tube sheet, this has the advantage that a support structure can be inserted into the tube opening in order to Welding to prevent deformation of the pipe and to ensure a good connection with the pipe sheet. In this case, the tube sheet can also have a stop for the tube.

For the connection between the tube sheet and the water tank, it has proven to be advantageous if at least one of the two components has a flange on which it is connected to the other component. A large connecting surface can be provided by means of a flange, so that extensive access is made possible for a welding tool and the connection can be designed to be particularly reliable.

Such a flange and / or the tube section of the tube sheet preferably has at least one projection which, in the case of the flange, can be inserted into a groove on the opposite flange in order to further improve the ultrasonic connection. Similarly, a protrusion on the pipe section of the pipe sheet results in an improved connection with the pipe. The projection can be designed, for example, in the form of a cross-section approximately triangular web or such a rib.

If a projection is made on one flange and a groove is made on another, it is advantageous if the projection has a smaller extent than the groove perpendicular to the joining direction, in order to facilitate the arrangement of the projection in the groove.

It is also advantageous if the projection on one flange has a greater extent in the joining direction than the groove on the other flange, or if the pipe does not have a groove in the region of the projection formed on the pipe section. As a result, additional material for reliable ultrasonic welding is made available in the form of the projection.

The pipe is preferably a flat pipe and the water tank has an essentially cylindrical inlet or outlet. For an undisturbed flow, the flow cross-sections of the inlet or outlet on the one hand and of the pipe on the other hand can be essentially the same.

For the production of the tube, in particular as a flat tube with several flow channels delimited by walls, it offers advantages for the production, for example by extrusion, if all wall thicknesses are essentially the same. In this way, deformations due to shrinkage during cooling can be avoided.

As explained at the beginning, the cooler according to the invention is particularly suitable as a cooler for a battery, and a battery with such a cooler is to be regarded as the subject matter of the present application.

Figure list

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Abschnitts des erfindungsgemäßen Kühlers;
• 2 eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung desselben Abschnitts;
• 3 eine Querschnittansicht des Rohres des erfindungsgemäßen Kühlers;
• 4 eine perspektivische Schnittansicht des Rohrbodens;
• 5 eine perspektivische Schnittansicht des Wasserkastens;
• 6 eine Schnittansicht des mit dem Rohrboden verbundenen Rohres; und
• 7 eine Schnittansicht im Bereich des in 1 gezeigten Abschnitts.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the figures is explained in more detail below. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a portion of the cooler according to the invention;
• 2 an exploded perspective view of the same portion;
• 3 a cross-sectional view of the tube of the cooler according to the invention;
• 4th a perspective sectional view of the tube sheet;
• 5 a perspective sectional view of the water tank;
• 6th a sectional view of the tube connected to the tube sheet; and
• 7th a sectional view in the area of the in 1 section shown.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

As in 1 can be seen, the cooler according to the invention 10 essentially a flat tube 12 , a tube sheet 14th and a water tank 16 which are all explained in more detail below. For the water tank 16 is 1 can best be seen that in the case shown this is asymmetrically an essentially cylindrical inlet or outlet 18th having.

Out 2 shows that the connection between the water tank 16 and the tube sheet 14th by means of one on the water tank 16 formed flange 20th and a similar flange 30th on the tube sheet 14th he follows.

In Fig. 3 is the design of the flat tube with numerous parallel flow channels 24 to be recognized by numerous walls 26th are separated from each other. Like the outer walls of the flat tube, these walls have an exemplary wall thickness of approximately 0.4 mm. However, this can also be higher or lower, for example between 0.18 and 1.0 mm, in particular also about 0.27 mm. In the example shown, the width of each flow channel, in 3 measured from right to left, about 5.5 mm, and the flat tube is about 5 mm high, so that due to the two wall thicknesses of 0, 4 mm results in an inner, clear height of the flow channels of about 4.2 mm. The left and right ends of the flat tube have a radius of about 2.1 mm on the inside, and the width of the leftmost and rightmost flow channels is about 5 mm. The dimensions mentioned are only given by way of example and relate to a so-called 88 mm tube. However, a pipe width of 50 mm, for example, is also possible, with dimensions appropriately adapted as specified above. The width of the tube can, for example, be in the range from 48 to 90 mm.

In 4th is the associated tube sheet 14th shown in a perspective sectional view. One of these goes to the pipe 12 directed pipe section 28 and on the other hand, that extends to the length of the pipe 12 and accordingly a flange extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow 30th of the tube sheet 14th emerged. Here is the shape of the pipe section 28 essentially according to the cross-sectional shape of the tube 3 so that the pipe section 28 , as more precisely in 6th can be seen, lies completely circumferentially flat on the outer wall of the tube in the region of its end. The outer contour of the flange 30th is essentially concentric with this, in other words the flange extends 30th on the one hand parallel to the outer walls of the pipe on its long sides, and its ends are as in 4th can be seen above, rounded. The flange with a circumferential groove is parallel to this outer contour 32 provided that the connection with the water tank 16 serves as explained in more detail below.

The pipe section 28 is on its inside with a likewise circumferential projection 34 in the form of a rib which is essentially triangular in cross section, which reliably connects to the pipe 12 serves. As in 4th can be seen is this rib 34 and thus the area of the connection with the pipe 12 in the area of the pipe section 28 and in particular from the flange 30th formed at a distance, so that particularly good access is possible for tools that are used for the ultrasonic connection.

Out 5 is the cross-section of the design of the water tank 16 in the area of the inlet or outlet 18th emerged. As in 4th can be seen is the inlet or outlet 18th , roughly in the middle along its extension with a thickening 36 , a groove 38 and a lead-in bevel 40 provided, which are used for attachment to an adjacent component. In the lower area of the water tank there is also a two-stage projection 42 to recognize its first, closer to the flange 20th located part is in a paragraph, the shape of which is essentially that of the groove 32 on the tube sheet 14th (compare 4th ) is complementary. This is followed by a rib that is essentially triangular in cross section and that of the rib formed on the tube sheet 34 is similar and for a good connection to the tubesheet 14th cares. The groove 32 can also be attached to the flange 20th of the water tank 16 be formed, and the projection 42 on the flange 30th of the tube sheet 14th .

In 6th first is the connection between the pipe 12 and the tube sheet 14th shown. It should be mentioned in this context that the projection 34 on the pipe section 28 of the tube sheet 14th essentially in the middle, along its extension in the longitudinal direction of the pipe (in 6th vertical). The end of the tube is also in line 12 essentially with the flange 30th of the tube sheet.

As in 7th In addition, it can be seen that any gaps or recesses in the connection with the (flat) flange can thereby be seen 20th of the water tank 16 be avoided. In 7th it can also be seen that the inner wall of the pipe ( 12 ) essentially with that of the water box 16 is aligned so that pressure losses can be avoided in both flow directions. If in a first step tube sheet 14th and water tank 16 can be connected to each other, one can be compared with the inner wall of the tube sheet 14th further inside inner wall of the water tank 16 as a stop for the pipe to be inserted 12 to serve. In the area of the pipe section 28 of the tube sheet 14th is at its end in 7th in addition an extension 44 to recognize the insertion of the tube 12 facilitated. In the radial direction (in 7th right and left) show the flanges 20th , 30th of the water tank 16 or tube sheet 14th roughly the same extent.

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

• KR 1020090107192 A [0003]
• DE 3927955 A1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Cooler (10) made of plastic with at least one tube (12) that is connected to a tube sheet (14) by means of ultrasonic welding, characterized in that the tube sheet (14) has a tube section (28) extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube (12) and has a flange (30) extending substantially perpendicular to this, and a welding of the tube sheet (14) to the tube (12) is provided in the region of the tube section (28) and at a distance from the flange (30). Cooler (10), after Claim 1 , characterized in that the pipe section (14) has an enlargement (44) on the inside at its end facing the pipe (12). Cooler (10) Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the tube sheet (14) is connected to a water tank (16), and a wall defining the interior of the tube (12) is essentially at least in alignment with a wall defining the interior of the water tank (16). Cooler (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one end of the tube (12) is essentially in alignment with an end of the tube sheet (14) facing away from the tube (12). Cooler (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube sheet (14) and / or the water tank (16) has a flange (30, 20) on which it connects to the water tank (16) or the tube sheet ( 14) is connected. Cooler (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flange (30, 20) and / or the tube section (28) of the tube sheet (14) has a projection (34, 42). Cooler (10) Claim 6 , characterized in that a flange (30) has a groove (32) and a flange (20) has a projection (42), the projection (42) having a smaller extension than the groove (32) perpendicular to the joining direction. Cooler (10) Claim 6 or 7th , characterized in that a flange (30) has a groove (32) and a flange (20) has a projection (42) which in the joining direction has a greater extent than the groove (32). Cooler (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube (12) is a flat tube. Cooler (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube has several flow channels (24), and walls (26) between the flow channels and outer walls of the tube (12) have essentially the same thickness. Cooler (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water tank (16) has an essentially cylindrical inlet or outlet (18). Cooler (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooler is a cooler for a battery. Battery with at least one cooler (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

Images