Fluid management module, traction battery and electric or hybrid vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid management module (1) for a traction battery (7) of an electric or hybrid vehicle (8), comprising a housing part (2) on which a heat exchanger (3) for tempering a tempering fluid, a filter device (4) for filtering the tempering fluid and a pump (6) for conveying the tempering fluid are arranged, wherein the heat exchanger (3) is arranged on an outer side (10) of a housing part (2) of the fluid management module (1), and the filter device (4) and the pump (6) are arranged on opposite inner sides (11) of the housing part of the fluid management module. As a result, a space-optimized and cost-effective embodiment can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid management module and to a traction battery having such a fluid management module. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electric or hybrid vehicle having such a traction battery. Background Art

[0002] For ecological reasons, electric or hybrid vehicles are gaining more and more attention from consumers and are accordingly becoming more and more common on the roads. In order to be able to increase the range and efficiency of such electric or hybrid vehicles, it is desirable to keep the traction battery of such electric or hybrid vehicles in an optimal temperature window for the traction battery, for which purpose a temperature control device, such as a cooling device, is used in a known manner. In hybrid vehicles, the cooling device that is already present for the internal combustion engine can be used, while in pure electric vehicles such a temperature control device is used together with the air conditioning system of the vehicle interior or such a temperature control device is installed separately.

[0003] However, a disadvantage in this regard is that, similar to the case of internal combustion engine-driven motor vehicles with temperature control devices and filter devices, all such components are usually arranged separately in the engine compartment and the corresponding supply lines for both the electrical supply device and the temperature control fluid are laid between the individual components. This results in a large number of interfaces, which always involve at least a certain risk of leakage. In addition, such an arrangement of temperature control devices or filter devices separately in the engine compartment requires an increased variety of components and an assembly effort that cannot be underestimated and is therefore correspondingly complex and expensive. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the problem of specifying a fluid management module for a traction battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, with which the disadvantages known from the prior art can be at least partially overcome.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention is based on the general idea that a fluid management module having a housing part is arranged on the battery housing of a traction battery, on which a heat exchanger, a filter device and a pump are arranged. Thus, in contrast to the prior art, a compactly mounted fluid management module is delivered, for example, as a prefabricated assembly and mounted on the battery housing of the traction battery. In this case, the fluid conduction of the temperature control fluid between the pump, the heat exchanger and the filter device is preferably carried out at least partially in the housing part, thereby making it possible to not only dispense with the separate arrangement of the individual components, i.e. the separate arrangement of the heat exchanger, the pump and the filter device in the engine compartment, but also with the complicated and expensive fluid connections between these components. In this case, the fluid management module according to the invention has a housing part, on which a heat exchanger for temperature control of the temperature control fluid and thus of the traction battery, a filter device for filtering the temperature control fluid and a pump for conveying the temperature control fluid are arranged. Thus, the fluid management module forms an extremely compact assembly. In this case, the heat exchanger is arranged on a first side (outside) of the housing part, while the filter device and the pump are arranged on an opposite second side (inside) of the housing part of the fluid management module. If the housing part is mounted on a battery housing of a traction battery, for example, for driving an electric or hybrid vehicle, the housing part of the fluid management module forms part of the battery housing. In this case, the fluid management module is mounted on the battery housing of the traction battery by means of its housing part in such a way that the filter device and the pump are arranged inside the battery housing and the heat exchanger is arranged outside the battery housing. By arranging the filter device and the pump inside the battery housing, it is possible to arrange these components in a way that is not only protected but also space-optimized. The heat exchanger is arranged outside the battery housing and thus achieves optimal cooling of the temperature control fluid. Thus, by means of the fluid management module according to the invention and the traction battery according to the invention, a cost-effective and at the same time compact traction battery can be achieved, in which in particular the assembly effort can be significantly reduced due to the connection lines between the pump, the heat exchanger and the filter device, which were previously necessary but are now missing. In addition, by omitting the connection lines or fluid lines between the previously mentioned components, the variety of components and, in this connection, the storage costs and logistics costs can be reduced.

[0007] In another advantageous embodiment of the fluid management module according to the invention, the filter device has a filter element, which is inserted into a corresponding receptacle of the housing part from the outside and can therefore be accessed from the outside and can be replaced. This offers the following great advantage: when the filter element is periodically replaced, the housing part itself can remain mounted on the battery housing and, for example, only a cover or a heat exchanger needs to be removed in order to reach the filter element and replace it. In this case, the connection between the housing part and the battery housing can be achieved, for example, via an adhesive connection, a screw connection (in particular via self-tapping screws) or a clamping connection with a corresponding seal in between. The filter element that can be replaced from the outside is therefore easy to maintain and thus reduces maintenance costs and inspection costs.

[0008] In another advantageous embodiment of the fluid management module according to the invention, the housing part has a filling nipple for the temperature-control fluid. The filling nipple can form an integral component of the housing part and can therefore preferably be manufactured, for example cast or injection-molded, together with the housing part. The filling nipple can be closed by means of a corresponding cover or a closing screw. The arrangement of the filling nipple on the housing part makes it relatively simple and therefore also problem-free, especially for untrained personnel, to fill the traction battery with the temperature-control fluid. The filling nipple is located on the battery side and can thus also be arranged in a space-optimized manner.

[0009] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the fluid management module according to the invention, the housing part has an exhaust device for exhausting the battery housing. This type of exhaust device is particularly necessary when filling the battery housing with a temperature-regulating fluid, wherein this type of exhaust device can be constructed, for example, as an exhaust connector, which is screwed into the corresponding receiving part of the housing part in a sealing manner. Purely theoretically, the exhaust device can also be integrated into the filling connection, so that the filling connection is double-tube-shaped and thus enables problem-free exhaust. Here, the separation between the filling connection and the exhaust device can be achieved, for example, by means of an O-ring seal in the housing part. Of course, separate connections, such as a filling connection and an exhaust connection, which are mounted on the housing part of the fluid management module or on the base plate of the heat exchanger can also be considered. The following valve can also be provided: the valve closes the corresponding opening after removing the filling device and prevents the temperature-regulating fluid, such as cooling oil, from flowing out and contaminants from entering.

[0010] The housing part is expediently formed from an aluminum die-cast part or from plastic. In the aluminum die-casting method, aluminum is pressed into a preheated die under high pressure in a liquid or pasty state. Aluminum offers the following great advantages: on the one hand, it is light and on the other hand, it enables a high heat transfer, so that in this case the housing part can simultaneously serve as a heat exchanger surface and contribute to cooling.

[0011] Alternatively, it is of course also conceivable to construct the housing part from plastic, in particular as a plastic injection molding, wherein polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is particularly suitable. PPS is a thermoplastic high-temperature polymer and has high chemical and corrosion resistance and high mechanical strength. The chemical resistance of PPS and the mechanical strength of PPS remain unchanged at temperatures above 200° C., so that use in the traction battery according to the invention is particularly suitable. When the housing part is constructed from plastic, in particular as a plastic injection molding, relatively cost-effective and nevertheless high-quality production is also very advantageous.

[0012] Alternatively, polyoxymethylene (POM) can of course also be used as material for the housing part, into which carbon fibers are admixed, for example, in different quantities, for example CF 10, ie 10% carbon fibers, in order to be able to reliably dissipate the charges.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment of the fluid management module according to the invention, the heat exchanger has a base plate which is at least 2 mm thick, preferably at least 4 mm thick, via which the heat exchanger is fastened to the housing part, for example screwed to the housing part via self-tapping screws. By means of the selected thickness of the base plate of the heat exchanger, a predefined distance to the housing part can be achieved which reliably prevents the adhesion of liquid drops.

[0014] With the base plate, the receptacle for the filter element can also be covered, so that in order to replace the filter element, the heat exchanger only needs to be unscrewed. This offers the great advantage that no separate closing element is required to close the receptacle for the filter element. In addition, the housing part can form a channel structure together with the base plate, via which the temperature control fluid is conducted, for example, from the heat exchanger to the filter device or vice versa.

[0015] Preferably, a fluid-tight electrical plug connection is arranged on the housing part, which passes through the housing part and is used for the electrical contact of the pump. The pump for conveying the temperature-control fluid is arranged inside the battery housing in the assembled state of the traction battery, as described above, and is contacted via an electrical cable with the fluid-tight electrical plug connection on the housing part. The temperature-control fluid is usually dielectric, so that the electrical line can be contacted with the temperature-control fluid without any problem, without having to worry about short circuits. For example, the fluid-tight electrical plug connection on the housing part has a plug which is injection-molded into the plastic of the housing part, which plug penetrates the housing part and is contacted from both sides, i.e. from the inside of the battery housing by the electrical cable of the pump and from the outside of the battery housing by other lines. By integrating the fluid-tight electrical plug connection into the housing part or attaching the fluid-tight electrical plug connection to the housing part, it is also possible to dispense with a separate electrical plug connection, which must be sealed in a complex manner and always poses a risk of leakage.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the fluid management module, an EMC filter is arranged on the housing part. With the aid of such an EMC filter, electromagnetic interference can be suppressed and thus a reliable operation of the traction battery can be ensured. In this case, the EMC filter provides shielding of the customer interface, in particular with the aid of a metallic, bare and surrounding area for mounting an EMC band. By integrating the EMC filter into the housing part, further functions can be integrated into the assembly, so that the additional mounting of such an EMC filter can be omitted. This in turn reduces the variety of components and, in this context, reduces the storage and logistics costs as well as the assembly effort.

[0017] Preferably, an elastomeric molded hose for the fluid connection is arranged between the pump and the housing part. Here, the elastomeric molded hose becomes synonymous with the mechanical and acoustic decoupling between the pump and the housing part, so that, for example, vibrations of the pump are not transmitted to the housing part during operation and no disturbing noises that could be uncomfortable are generated in the vehicle interior. Alternatively, a so-called frame part (plastic part with elastomeric seals on both sides) can also be provided. In addition, not only the elastomeric molded hose but also the frame part can make it possible to compensate for production tolerances and also for movement tolerances between the pump and the housing part.

[0018] The pump can also be arranged on the housing part via a holding device which allows mechanical and acoustic decoupling. The holding device can, for example, have a collar with an elastomeric insert, wherein in addition a damping element can be arranged on the screw connection between the holding device and the housing part. In general, the holding device, i.e. the pump holder, can also be made of an acoustically damping plastic, for example of polyamide with an elastomeric part or a polypropylene part.

[0019] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one channel for the temperature control fluid is integrated into the housing part. By integrating at least one channel of this type, for example, the connection between the filter device, the heat exchanger and the pump can be arranged completely or at least partially in the housing part. Additionally or alternatively, it is of course also conceivable that at least part of such a channel for conducting the fluid is integrated into the base plate of the heat exchanger, so that only the inlet opening and the outlet opening need to be provided in the housing part.

[0020] In another advantageous embodiment, the housing part has contact surfaces with the pump and the heat exchanger, which contact surfaces have a paint or coating, in particular a KTL coating (cathodic electrophoretic coating). If, for example, the pump and the housing part consist of different metals, which can lead to contact corrosion due to different potentials when in direct contact, then this type of paint or coating can significantly reduce the risk of corrosion. In the case of this type of contact corrosion, the non-precious metal becomes the anode and the precious metal becomes the cathode, which leads to dissolution of inorganic materials in the long term. This can be prevented by the coating.

[0021] In order to prevent the seal from spreading, the outer wall of the sealing groove can additionally be set back, for example by at least 0.5 mm, wherein, additionally or alternatively, a draw region below the base plate of the heat exchanger can be avoided. Bereich), additional grooves around the sealing point and greasing of the contact surfaces.

[0022] The invention is also based on the general idea of ​​providing a traction battery having a battery housing and having a fluid management module according to the above description. In this case, the housing part of the fluid management module forms part of the battery housing, wherein the fluid management module is mounted on the battery housing of the traction battery by means of its housing part in such a way that the filter device and the pump are arranged within the battery housing and the heat exchanger is arranged outside the battery housing. This makes it possible to achieve a compact design, in which the pump and the filter device of the fluid management module are arranged within the battery housing. Due to the fluid management module according to the invention, a traction battery of this type also results in a reduced variety of components and reduced assembly effort.

[0023] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​equipping an electric or hybrid vehicle with the traction battery described above and thereby transferring the advantages described with regard to the traction battery and the fluid management module to the electric or hybrid vehicle, in particular in a compact, assembly-friendly and cost-effective design.

[0024] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0025] It is obvious that the features mentioned above and to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively given combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the framework of the present invention. The individually marked components mentioned above and still to be mentioned below of a superordinate unit (e.g., an apparatus, a device or a component) can form individual components or parts of the unit or can be integral regions or sections of the unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or components having the same function.

[0027] The accompanying drawings schematically show:

[0028] Figure 1 shows an exploded schematic diagram of a fluid management module according to the invention for a traction battery according to the invention in an electric or hybrid vehicle also according to the invention,

[0029] Figure 2 A view showing a fluid management module according to the invention from the inside,

[0030] Figure 3 Shown with Figure 2 The same diagram as in the example above, but from the outside,

[0031] Figure 4 Shown in accordance with Figure 2 A housing part of a fluid management module according to the invention in a view of FIG. 1 , wherein different areas are marked,

[0032] Figure 5 Shown with Figure 4 The same diagram as in the example above, but from the outside.

[0033] Figure 6 A sectional view of a fluid management module according to the invention is shown in the region of the connection between pump and housing part by means of a frame part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] according to Figures 1 to 3 The fluid management module 1 according to the invention has a housing part 2, on which a heat exchanger 3 for temperature-controlling a temperature-controlling fluid, in this case a stacked plate heat exchanger, a filter device 4 for filtering the temperature-controlling fluid, and a pump 6 for conveying the temperature-controlling fluid are arranged, the filter device having a filter element 5. The fluid management module 1 according to the invention is used in the field of a traction battery 7 of an electric or hybrid vehicle 8, the traction battery 7 having a battery housing 9.

[0035] Here, if we observe Figures 1 to 3 , it can be seen that the heat exchanger 3 is located on the outer side 10 of the housing part 2, while the pump 6 and the filter device 4 are arranged on the opposite inner side 11. In this case, the terms "outer side" 10 and "inner side" 11 relate to the assembled traction battery 7, to which the fluid management module 1 according to the invention is installed as a component of the battery housing 9. The inner side 11 is therefore located inside the battery housing 9, while the outer side 10 is located outside the battery housing.

[0036] If we look more closely Figure 1 , it can be seen that the filter device 4 has the aforementioned filter element 5, for example a folded star or a screen, wherein the filter element 5 can be accessed from the outside 10 of the housing part 2 and can therefore be replaced, so that in the case of maintenance or repair, it is possible to periodically replace the filter element 5. To replace the filter element 5 , it is not necessary to remove the fluid management module 1 from the battery housing 9 of the traction battery 7 . In this case, the filter element 5 of the filter device 4 is pushed or inserted from the outside 10 into the receptacle 12 of the housing part 2 .

[0037] The filter element 5 is covered toward the outside 10 by a base plate 13 of the heat exchanger 3, wherein a seal 14, in particular made of ethylene acrylate rubber (AEM), is arranged between the base plate 13 and the housing part 2. To replace the filter element 5, the heat exchanger 3 must first be removed from the housing part 2, for which purpose, for example, screws 15, in particular self-tapping screws, with which the heat exchanger 3 is fastened to the housing part 2 must be loosened.

[0038] Furthermore, a filling connection 16 for filling the fluid management module 1 with a temperature control fluid is arranged on the housing part 2, which can be closed by a closure element 17, for example a closure screw. In order to be able to fill the fluid management module 1 with a temperature control fluid without problems, a venting device 18, in particular a venting connection 19, can also be provided. Purely theoretically, of course, the filling connection 16 can also be formed by two tubes, one of which is used for filling and the other for venting.

[0039] The housing part 2 itself can be made of aluminum die-casting or of plastic, wherein in particular aluminum die-casting provides high strength and at the same time a large heat transfer surface, via which, for example, a heated temperature control fluid can transfer heat to the outside. Alternatively, it is of course also conceivable to construct it from plastic, in particular as a plastic injection molding, wherein in particular polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is conceivable. PPS has high mechanical strength and high resistance to corrosion and chemical processes and remains stable even at temperatures greater than 200° C. In addition, PPS is fire-resistant. The housing part 2 can also be made of plastic by means of a metal heat shield on the outside 10, in particular a pressed metal foil, a plastic with a metal shield (EMC shield) on the inside 11 or the outside 10, or a plastic with a metal coating (fire protection, EMC shield). Fiber-reinforced plastics with metal fabrics or, for example, polyoxymethylene (POM CF 10) with 10% carbon fibers are also conceivable in order to conduct away electrical charges.

[0040] In this case, the base plate 13 of the heat exchanger 3 has a thickness of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 4 mm, so that the adhesion of liquid drops is avoided.

[0041] If we observe further Figure 1, it can be seen that a fluid-tight electrical plug connection 20 is arranged on the housing part 2 for electrical contacting of the pump 6. In the present case, the plug connection 20 is screwed to the housing part 2 with the seal 14 in between, for example via self-tapping screws, so that electrical contact can be achieved not only from the outside 10 but also from the inside 11. In addition, an EMC filter, for example a metal strip 21, can be arranged on the housing part 2. In addition, an elastomer molded hose or a frame part 22 can be arranged between the pump 6 and the housing part 2, wherein both the elastomer molded hose and the frame part 22 at least reduce the transmission of vibrations.

[0042] The pump 6 itself can be fixed to the housing part 2 via a retaining device 23, in particular a portion thereof, wherein the retaining device 23 can also achieve acoustic and mechanical decoupling from the housing part 2 via corresponding elastomeric inserts 24. In addition, the pump 6 can also be screwed to the housing part 2 via corresponding damping elements 25 and associated screws 15', thereby also achieving mechanical decoupling, acoustic decoupling and vibration decoupling.

[0043] according to Figure 4 and 5 The housing part 2 has contact surfaces 26 with the pump 6 and the heat exchanger 3 or generally with other components, which have a paint or coating 27, whereby direct metallic contact of different noble metals can be reliably excluded and the risk of contact corrosion can thus be reduced.

[0044] At least one channel 28 for the temperature control fluid can be integrated into the housing part 2, whereby the previously required connecting lines, in particular fluid lines, between, for example, the pump 6 and the heat exchanger 3 can be omitted. Purely theoretically, it is also conceivable that such a channel 28 is formed by the interaction between the base plate 13 of the heat exchanger 3 and the housing part 2. Independently of this, however, separate connecting lines, which are not only expensive to produce but also complex and therefore expensive to assemble, are also omitted here.

[0045] All in all, a compact construction which is also assembly-friendly, maintenance-friendly and cost-effective can be achieved with the fluid management module 1 according to the invention and the traction battery 7 according to the invention.

Claims

1. A fluid management module (1) for a traction battery (7) of an electric or hybrid vehicle (8), The fluid management module comprises a housing (2), on which a heat exchanger (3) for controlling the temperature of a temperature-control fluid, a filter device (4) for filtering the temperature-control fluid, and a pump (6) for conveying the temperature-control fluid are arranged. in, The heat exchanger (3) is arranged on the outer side (10) of the housing (2) of the fluid management module (1), and the filter device (4) and the pump (6) are arranged on the opposite inner side (11) of the housing of the fluid management module.

2. The fluid management module according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The filter device (4) has a filter element (5) which is accessible from the outside (10) in a corresponding receptacle (12) of the housing part (2) and can be replaced.

3. The fluid management module according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The housing part (2) has a filler neck (16) for a temperature-control fluid.

4. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The housing part (2) has an exhaust device (17) for exhausting air.

5. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The housing part (2) is made from an aluminum die-cast part or from plastic.

6. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The heat exchanger (3) has a base plate (13) which is at least 2 mm thick, preferably at least 4 mm thick, via which the heat exchanger is fastened to the housing part (2).

7. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that An electrical plug connection (20) for making electrical contact with the pump (6) is arranged on the housing part (2), penetrating the housing part and being fluid-tight or being connected to the housing part (2) in a sealing manner.

8. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that An EMC filter is arranged on the housing part (2).

9. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that An elastomeric molded hose or frame element (22) is provided between the pump (6) and the housing element (2) for fluid connection.

10. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The housing part (2) has a contact surface (26) with the pump (6) and the heat exchanger (3), which has a paint or coating (27), in particular a KTL coating.

11. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least one channel (28) for a temperature-control fluid is integrated into the housing part (2).

12. A fluid management module according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The pump (6) is arranged on the housing part (2) via a retaining device (23) which allows mechanical and acoustic decoupling.

13. A traction battery (7) comprising a battery housing (9), The traction battery has a fluid management module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The housing element (2) of the fluid management module (1) forms a part of the battery housing (9), The fluid management module (1) is mounted with its housing part (2) on a battery housing (9) of the traction battery (7) in such a way that the filter device (4) and the pump (6) are arranged inside the battery housing (9) and the heat exchanger (3) is arranged outside the battery housing (9).

14. An electric or hybrid vehicle (8) having a traction battery (8) according to claim 13.

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