DE102020129668A1 - Round cell cooling device for cooling round cells of a battery, manufacturing method for a round cell cooling device and motor vehicle with a round cell cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a round cell cooling device (14) for cooling round cells (22) of a battery (12), a manufacturing method and a motor vehicle (10) with a round cell cooling device (14). The round cell cooling device (14) comprises a plurality of cylindrical, flexible shell elements (16), with the respective shell elements (16) delimiting a respective interior space (18) of the shell element (16) from an exterior space (20), with the respective interior space (18) one of the round cells (22) is arranged, with the outer spaces (20) of the respective shell elements (16) forming a continuous cooling space into which a cooling medium can be introduced, the shell elements (16) being designed to introduced cooling medium by means of an introduction pressure to adapt to a lateral surface of the respective round cells (22).

Description

The invention relates to a round cell cooling device for cooling round cells of a battery with a plurality of round cells, a manufacturing method for a round cell cooling device and a motor vehicle with such a round cell cooling device.

Round cell cooling devices are currently being constructed by inserting and gluing long flat tubes, so-called multiport tubes, between round battery cells (round cells). The round cells are usually inserted into grid plates to hold the round cells in position.

The disadvantage here is that it is very expensive to integrate this cooling between the round cells and to glue it appropriately. In addition, a thermally conductive adhesive must be used in order to be able to dissipate the heat, and the adhesive is very expensive. In addition, these concepts are disadvantageous in the event of an accident, since no displacement of a round cell is permitted, and thus a short circuit or a deformation is generated when the round cells shift. In addition, the round cells are not dampened with regard to operating loads, which can lead to problems over a service life. A cooling capacity is also not utilized to the maximum since the entire lateral surface of the round cells cannot be cooled. In addition, thermal stresses can arise, since thermal inhomogeneities can occur in a respective round cell.

From the WO 2010/099355 A2 a generic electrical packaging system for arrays of energy storage cells is known. The system may consist of thermal transfer channels that maintain energy storage cell alignment and flexible printed circuit boards to ensure electrical contact with the package.

From the DE 601 24 634 T2 there is known a power supply device which is mainly used to supply power to a motor for driving a vehicle such as a hybrid or electric car.

From the EP 1 202 359 B1 an arrangement for cooling a power supply device is known.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved round cell cooling device for cooling a battery.

This object is solved by the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent patent claims, the following description and the figures.

The invention is based on the finding that round cells can be inserted into flexible casings, for example thin tubes, with the tubes clinging to the inserted round cells under pressure and thus being able to enclose the entire lateral surface of the round cells. These thin tubes can also be overmoulded with a flexible sealant so that a tight cavity is formed in which coolant can circulate to cool the cells.

The invention provides a round cell cooling device for cooling round cells of a battery. The round cell cooling device has a plurality of round cells, with a plurality of cylindrical, flexible shell elements also being provided, with a respective interior space of the shell element being delimited from an exterior space by the respective shell elements, with one of the round cells being arranged in the respective interior space, with the outer spaces of the respective shell elements form a coherent cooling space into which a cooling medium can be introduced, the shell elements being designed to adapt to a lateral surface of the respective round cell by means of an introduction pressure when the cooling medium is introduced.

In other words, the round cell cooling device has a plurality of cylindrical and flexible shell elements. A shell element can be designed in the form of a hose or tube, so that a wall of the shell element delimits an interior space of the shell element from an exterior space. Preferably, the sleeve element can be formed from a flexible material, so that a lateral surface of the sleeve element is stretchable, preferably elastically stretchable. A respective cover element can be made, for example, from a thin metal sheet, in particular an aluminum sheet, which can be pressed in by pressure from the outside. Alternatively, a respective cover element can be made of a plastic, for example a film, which can be pressed into the interior space from the outside inwards when pressure is applied.

A respective round cell, which is shielded from the outer space by the covering element, can be inserted into the respective inner spaces of the covering elements. The respective outer spaces can form a coherent cooling space, in which a cooling medium is preferably introduced the can, wherein the flexible shell elements can be pressed against a lateral surface of the respective round cells by an introduction pressure of the cooling medium in the cooling chamber. This means that the cover elements can nestle against the round cells. The shell elements can thus prevent direct contact of the cooling medium with the respective round cell. A cooling liquid can preferably be used as the cooling medium, for example water or a water-glycol mixture.

The advantage of the invention is that round cells can be cooled without the cooling medium coming into direct contact with the round cells, which can increase safety. In addition, however, heat transfer is very good, since the sleeve element rests directly on the respective round cell due to the adaptation to the lateral surface of the respective round cell and thus improved heat transfer is made possible. In particular, the shell element can rest over the entire lateral surface, as a result of which the respective round cells can be cooled over the entire lateral surface. Furthermore, the round cells can be braced by adapting the shell elements to the lateral surface, as a result of which they can be held firmly in position, with a partially flexible displacement of the cells being possible in the event of vibrations or an impact. Overall, an improved round cell cooling device can be provided in this way.

The invention also includes embodiments that result in further advantages.

One embodiment provides that the round cells with the cylindrical shell elements are arranged parallel to one another, with the shell elements being connected to one another at an upper flange area and/or a lower flange area by a sealing compound, with the cooling chamber being connected to an upper side and/or underside by the sealing compound is sealed. In other words, the round cells can be arranged standing next to one another, so that a longitudinal axis of the respective round cells is parallel to one another. The cylindrical shell elements can be arranged around the respective round cells, wherein the shell elements, which can be designed as thin tubes or hoses, can be arranged very close to one another, so that they touch or almost touch in a respective flange area. Preferably, the casing elements can be connected to one another in an upper flange area and/or a lower flange area by a sealing compound, with an upper flange area meaning an upper side or upper base surface of the casing elements and a lower flange area meaning an underside or a lower base surface of the cylindrical shape. This means that the shell elements are connected at the top and bottom by the sealing compound and are sealed, so that the cooling space can be formed between the shell elements, which is delimited at the top and bottom by the sealing compound. In this way, the respective round cells and the shell elements can be held in position relative to one another and a cooling space can be formed which is accessible from the side for introducing the cooling medium. Thus, for example, the round cell cooling device can be connected with a connection to a coolant circuit, which flows the cooling medium laterally into the cooling space of the round cell cooling device, in particular into the spaces between the shell elements. In addition, the round cells can be braced by the shell elements by means of the introduction pressure of the cooling medium. This embodiment has the advantage that the round cells can be held in position and the cooling space can be sealed off at the top and bottom. Thus, the cooling medium can be better separated from the round cells and the round cell cooling device can be made more compact.

Provision is preferably made for the sealing compound to have an elastic material. In particular, the sealing compound can have an elastic plastic, which allows the cover elements to move to a predetermined extent under an operating load or in the event of an accident. This means that the shell elements can absorb impacts elastically. For example, a slight movement in a z-direction and in the event of lateral impacts in an xy-direction may be possible.

Provision is preferably made for the sealing compound to be formed essentially from an elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, from a thermoplastic or from a duroplastic. These materials enable the sealing compound to seal the round cell cooling device particularly well at the top and bottom, with elasticity also allowing movement to a small extent, in particular cushioning of impacts.

Provision is particularly preferably made for at least the lower flange region to be sealed off by the sealing compound, with the interior being closed off by the sealing compound with the exception of a cutout in the direction of the underside, with condensed water being able to be discharged through the cutout. In other words, the round cell cooling device and the shell elements arranged next to one another can be completely closed by the sealing compound on the underside. At the level of a respective interior space in which the round cells are located, however, a recess can be provided, for example a hole, through which condensed water, which can form during the cooling of the round cells, can be discharged to the outside. In this case, “outside” means outside of the round cell cooling device. In particular, the inner space and the outer space, which forms the cooling space, can still be separated from one another by the respective shell element and the sealing compound. This means that the cut-out does not lead into the cold room, but that the condensed water can be drained from the round cell cooling device. This embodiment has the advantage that safety can be further increased, since any condensation that may form in the interior can be drained off the round cells, which means, for example, a short circuit due to liquids in the interior can be minimized.

A further embodiment provides that the respective cylindrical sleeve elements are designed as a metal tube, in particular as an aluminum tube, or as a film tube. A metal hose or a metal pipe can have a small wall thickness, so that they can be pressed in a radial direction. Aluminum tubing can preferably be used. Alternatively, a film tube or a plastic tube can be used as the shell element, the wall of which can be adapted to the lateral surface of the respective round cell by the pressure of the coolant being introduced.

A further embodiment provides that the cooling medium is designed as a phase change material or a liquid cooling medium, in particular a water-glycol mixture and/or oil, the phase change material being designed to absorb heat from a solid to a liquid state switch. A phase change material can preferably store a high proportion of heat and/or cold energy. In particular, it can be provided that the phase change material for cooling the round cells is introduced into the cooling chamber and can better absorb the heat of the round cells through a phase change from solid to liquid. In order to introduce the phase change material into the cooling space, it can be heated, for example, so that it is in a liquid state, with the sleeve elements being able to be adapted to the round cells by the introduction pressure. The phase change material can then be cooled, for example, so that it changes to a solid state, with the shell elements preferably continuing to be adapted to the round cells in the solid state of the phase change material. Alternatively, it is preferably provided that the cooling medium comprises a liquid cooling medium, such as water, a water-glycol mixture and/or an oil. This embodiment results in the advantage that heat can be better dissipated.

A further embodiment provides that support elements are arranged in the cooling chamber, which are designed to support the shell elements with the round cells. In particular, since the shell members may be formed of a flexible material, they may be unstable in a lateral direction. Therefore, support elements can be formed between the respective shell elements in the cooling space, which provide stabilization. For example, the support elements can be designed as ribs that can be introduced into the cooling space. This embodiment has the advantage that the stability of the round cell cooling device can be improved.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a manufacturing method for a round cell cooling device, the manufacturing method comprising at least the following steps. Insertion of flexible aluminum tubes in an injection molding tool, overmoulding of an upper flange area of the aluminum tubes with a sealing compound, insertion of a lower cover on a lower flange area of the aluminum tubes and overmoulding of a lower flange area of the aluminum tubes and the cover with the sealing compound. In other words, the aluminum tubes can be arranged next to one another in an injection molding tool, so that an upper flange area of the aluminum tubes can be encapsulated with a sealing compound, which can preferably be elastic. Furthermore, a cover can be pressed onto an underside of the aluminum tubes, i.e. a lower flange area, and the cover can be overmoulded with the sealing compound together with the lower flange area of the aluminum tubes, so that the intermediate spaces of the aluminum tubes can be closed off by the sealing compound at the top and bottom . Thus, a cooling space can be formed in the spaces between the aluminum tubes. Provision can preferably be made for the round cells to be introduced into the aluminum tubes. As a result, a tight cooling chamber can be provided, with the aluminum tubes being able to nestle against the round cells when a cooling medium, in particular a cooling liquid, is introduced.

According to the invention, a motor vehicle is also provided with a round cell cooling device according to one of the embodiments described above. The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle. result in this the same advantages and possible variations as with the round cell cooling device.

The invention also includes developments of the method according to the invention, which have features as have already been described in connection with the developments of the cylindrical cell cooling device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

The invention also includes the combinations of features of the described embodiments. The invention also includes implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments were described as mutually exclusive.

• 1 ein schematisch dargestelltes Kraftfahrzeug mit einer Rundzellenkühlvorrichtung gemäß einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform;
• 2 schematisch dargestellte Herstellungsschritte für eine Rundzellenkühlvorrichtung gemäß einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform;
• 3 weitere schematisch dargestellte Herstellungsschritte für die Rundzellenkühlvorrichtung gemäß der beispielhaften Ausführungsform;
• 4 weitere schematisch dargestellte Herstellungsschritte für die Rundzellenkühlvorrichtung gemäß der beispielhaften Ausführungsform.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. For this shows:

• 1 a schematically illustrated motor vehicle with a round cell cooling device according to an exemplary embodiment;
• 2 Schematically illustrated production steps for a round cell cooling device according to an exemplary embodiment;
• 3 further schematically illustrated manufacturing steps for the round cell cooling device according to the exemplary embodiment;
• 4 further schematically illustrated manufacturing steps for the round cell cooling device according to the exemplary embodiment.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another and that each also develop the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is also intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those illustrated. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.

In the figures, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same function.

In 1 a schematic motor vehicle 10 is shown, which can be, for example, an electrically operated motor vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The motor vehicle 10 may have a battery 12, wherein the battery 12 may include a round cell cooling device 14 according to an exemplary embodiment. The round cell cooling device 14 in the motor vehicle 10 is shown in this figure in a perspective view, with a sectional plane S representing a lateral sectional view of the round cell cooling device 14 .

The round cell cooling device 14 can have a plurality of cylindrical, flexible shell elements 16, wherein the shell elements 16 can be designed, for example, as an aluminum hose or aluminum pipe. A respective inner space 18 of the respective cover element 16 can be delimited from an outer space 20 by the respective cover elements 16 . A round cell 22 is preferably arranged in the interior space 18 of the respective casing element 16 .

The outer space 20 of the respective shell elements 16 can be a continuous space which can be referred to as a cooling space 20 . In particular, a cooling medium, for example a cooling liquid, can be introduced into the cooling chamber 20 to cool the round cells 22, wherein the flexible sleeve elements 16 can be designed to adapt to a lateral surface of the respective round cells 22 by means of an introduction pressure of the cooling medium when the cooling medium is introduced. For this purpose, the shell elements 16, which can be designed as aluminum hoses, can preferably have a small wall thickness, as a result of which the walls of the shell elements 16 can be pressed inwards against the round cells 22 due to the pressure of the cooling medium and can thus adhere to the entire lateral surface of the respective round cells 22 can snuggle up. As a result, an improved heat exchange of the respective round cell 22 with the cooling medium can take place. In addition, the round cells 22 can be held in a respective position by the respective shell elements 16 in that they are braced by an operating pressure of the cooling medium.

Provision can furthermore be made for the shell elements 16 to be connected to one another in an upper flange area 24 and a lower flange area 26 by a sealing compound 28 , the sealing compound 28 being able to seal the cooling chamber 20 at the top and bottom. Sealing compound 28 can preferably have an elastic material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, which can seal the cooling chamber on the one hand and protect round cells 22 from impacts on the other, since an impact can be dampened by sealing compound 28, in particular elastically cushioned.

A cooling effect can thus be improved, since the shell elements 16 bear directly against the lateral surface of the round cells 22 without the cooling medium, which can alternatively also be designed as a phase change material, flowing directly around the round cells 22, which can improve safety. In addition, the round cells 22 can be better protected from impacts by the embodiment shown, since the elastic sealing compound 28 allows the round cells 22 to be cushioned to a certain extent.

In 2 manufacturing steps for manufacturing a round cell cooling device 14 according to an exemplary embodiment are shown. In a step S10, flexible aluminum tubes 16, which can represent a respective cover element 16, can be inserted into an injection molding tool 30, wherein a respective aluminum tube 16 or aluminum profile piece can have formed edges, in particular bent inwards on a bottom side and outwards on a top side. The injection molding tool 30 can be, for example, a six-sided prism with openings for the aluminum tubes 16, with the injection molding tool 30 being able to be expanded as desired, or with the injection molding tool 30 being designed only for an aluminum tube.

In a further step S12, the injection molding tool 30 can be closed by pressing the aluminum tubes 16 with the injection molding tool 30 in an upper flange area 24, resulting in a closed injection molding tool 32 with the aluminum tubes 16 pushed in.

In a step S14, the upper flange area 24 of the aluminum tubes 16 can be overmoulded with a sealing compound 28, wherein the sealing compound 28 can comprise a plastic, e.g. polyurethane. Thus, sealing surfaces 34 can be formed, which are sprayed all the way around by the sealing compound 28 and close the outer space 20 of the aluminum tubes 16 at the top.

In 3 further manufacturing steps for manufacturing the round cell cooling device 14 are shown, with the left side in 3 the closed injection mold 32 obtained after step S14 is shown with overmolded upper flange areas. In a step S16, a lower cover 36, which in particular can be injection molded externally, can be inserted onto a lower flange area 26 of the aluminum tubes 16.

In a further step S18, the lower flange area 26 can then be closed by an injection molding tool 38 on the nozzle side, in that the lower cover 36 is pressed with the aluminum tubes 16 by the tool half of the injection molding tool 38 on the nozzle side. Subsequently, in a step S20, the lower flange area 26 can be overmoulded with the sealing compound 28, so that a demolded, finished component 40 is obtained.

In 4 are final further steps of the manufacturing process for manufacturing the round cell cooling device 14 shown, wherein in the illustration on the left side of the 4 the demolded finished component 40 is shown, which is obtained after the method step S20. In a step S22, round cells 22 can be inserted into the interior 18 of the aluminum tubes 16, so that the round cell cooling device 14 with inserted round cells 22 is finally obtained (shown in perspective and as a section through the sectional plane S). In particular, a cooling medium can now be introduced into the respective outer space 20 of the aluminum tubes, i.e. the cooling space 20, which is sealed at the top and bottom by the sealing compound 28, with the aluminum tubes 16 being formed onto a lateral surface of the respective round cells 22 by the pressure of the coolant being introduced can become.

Overall, the examples show how a flexible, displaceable and sealed jacket surface cooling concept can be provided by the invention.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited 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

• WO 2010/099355 A2 [0004]
• DE 60124634 T2 [0005]
• EP 1202359 B1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Round cell cooling device (14) for cooling round cells (22) of a battery (12), with a plurality of round cells (22); characterized by a plurality of cylindrical, flexible shell elements (16), with the respective shell elements (16) delimiting a respective inner space (18) of the shell element (16) from an outer space (20), with the respective inner space (18) having a of the round cells (22), with the outer spaces (20) of the respective shell elements (16) forming a coherent cooling space into which a cooling medium can be introduced, the shell elements (16) being designed to move when the cooling medium is introduced by means of a Adapt insertion pressure to a lateral surface of the respective round cells (22). Round cell cooling device (14) after claim 1 , the round cells (22) with the cylindrical shell elements (16) being arranged parallel to one another, the shell elements (16) being connected to one another in an upper flange area (24) and/or a lower flange area (26) by a sealing compound (28). , wherein the cooling space is sealed by the sealing compound (28) to a top and / or bottom. Round cell cooling device (14) after claim 2 , wherein the sealing compound (28) comprises an elastic material. Round cell cooling device (14) according to one of claims 2 or 3 , wherein the sealing compound is essentially formed from an elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, from a thermoplastic or from a duroplastic. Round cell cooling device according to one of claims 2 until 4 , wherein at least the lower flange area (26) is sealed by the sealing compound (28), wherein the interior (18) is also closed by the sealing compound (28) with the exception of a recess in the direction of the underside, it being possible for condensation water to be discharged through the recess. Round cell cooling device (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective cylindrical casing elements (16) are designed as a metal hose, in particular as an aluminum hose, or as a foil hose. Round cell cooling device (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling medium is designed as a phase change material or a liquid cooling medium, in particular a water-glycol mixture and/or an oil, wherein the phase change material is designed to absorb heat from a solid to change to a liquid state. Round cell cooling device (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein support elements are arranged in the cooling space which are designed to support the shell elements (16) with the round cells (22). Manufacturing method for a round cell cooling device (14), with the steps: - Insertion (S10) of flexible aluminum tubes (16) in an injection mold (30); - Coating (S14) of an upper flange area (24) of the aluminum tubes (16) with a sealing compound (28); - Inserting (S16) a lower cover (36) on a lower flange portion (26) of the aluminum tubes (16); - Overmoulding (S20) the lower flange area (26) of the aluminum tubes (16) and the cover (36) with the sealing compound (28). Motor vehicle (10) with a round cell cooling device (14) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th .

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