Cooling plate, battery separation unit, and drive system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling plate for cooling at least one component, in particular a plurality of components, of at least one power electronics and for cooling at least one relay of a battery separation unit for separating a battery unit from at least one load of a drive system, comprising a first plate part, a second plate part, wherein the first and the second plate have a component section, at least one component can be arranged on the component section of the first plate, and wherein a first flow space for a coolant is provided in the component section between the first plate and the second plate, and wherein the first and the second plate have a relay section, wherein at least one relay of the battery separation unit or at least one fastening element of at least one relay of the battery separation unit can be arranged on the relay section, and wherein a second flow space for the coolant is provided in the relay section between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first flow space is fluidly connected to the second flow space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling plate having the features of independent claim 1 , a battery separation unit having the features of independent claim 9 , and a drive system having the features of independent claim 12 . Background Art

[0002] According to the prior art, a battery disconnect unit (BDU) is used to switch the battery of an electric vehicle on and off depending on the operating state. In this context, three BDU configurations are usually used:

[0003] 1. Fuse devices and relays

[0004] 2. Fuse devices and relays

[0005] 3. Safety devices, pyrotechnic safety devices and relays.

[0006] When a combination of relays and circuits is used for BDUs with the aid of semiconductors based on silicon carbide (SiC) (AMB modules), active cooling of these components is necessary. This is achieved, for example, with cooling plates through which a coolant flows. Here, according to the prior art, cooling plates produced from aluminum sheets in a brazing process can be used. Depending on the requirements with regard to the current to be switched and the resulting power loss in the form of heat, these cooling plates can be equipped with additional water fins (internal inserts) to increase the cooling performance.

[0007] DE 10 2020 206 338 and DE 10 2020 206 339 describe how heat dissipation of the relay can be achieved via a thermal connection of a busbar (busbar) next to the relay and / or a thermal connection of the relay itself to the battery housing (heat sink).

[0008] DE 11 2015 003 530 describes a heat exchanger consisting of a pair of plates.

[0009] When cooling the AMB assembly together with one or more relay components by means of a single cooling plate, the problem that arises due to the available structural space is that the two areas to be cooled can negatively influence each other in terms of heat. That is, when cooling the AMB assembly, the heat flow can negatively influence the area of ​​the relay cooling, and vice versa. This leads not only to a temperature increase at the AMB assembly, but also at the components of the relay component, which, for example, has a negative impact on the service life of the components. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention provides a cooling plate having the features of independent claim 1, a battery separation unit having the features of independent claim 9, and a drive system having the features of independent claim 12. Further features and details of the invention are derived from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Features and details described in conjunction with the cooling plate according to the invention are of course also applicable to features and details described in conjunction with the battery separation unit according to the invention and / or in conjunction with the drive system according to the invention, and vice versa, respectively, so that reference can always be made to the disclosure of the individual inventive aspects interchangeably.

[0011] A first aspect of the present invention is a cooling plate for cooling at least one component, in particular a plurality of components, of at least one power electronic device and for cooling at least one relay of a battery separation unit, which is used to separate a battery cell from at least one load of a drive system. In this case, the cooling plate has a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate and the second plate have a component section, wherein at least one component can be arranged on the component section of the first plate, and wherein a first flow space for a coolant is provided between the first plate and the second plate in the component section. In addition, the first plate and the second plate have a relay section, wherein at least one relay of the battery separation unit or at least one fastening element of at least one relay of the battery separation unit can be arranged at the relay section, and wherein a second flow space for a coolant is provided between the first plate and the second plate in the relay section. In this case, the first flow space is fluidly connected to the second flow space.

[0012] To form the cooling plate, the first plate part and the second plate part can be connected to one another at a connecting boundary in a materially bonded manner, for example by a soldered connection.

[0013] Such a cooling plate makes it possible to decouple the power electronics via the component section and the at least one relay via the relay section in terms of geometry and heat. This minimizes negative influences of the interaction of the two regions. At the same time, the cooling plate leads to an increased service life of the component and, concomitantly, of the battery disconnect unit.

[0014] In order to thermally decouple the two regions and thus prevent or minimize negative interactions of the heat flows generated in the component section and the relay section, the cooling plate is geometrically designed so that the heat input from the power electronics is carried away via the first flow space and the heat input from the relay is carried away via the second flow space of the cooling channel. Thus, during operation, the two regions are actively connected by the coolant underflow. As a result, the heat flow in the first flow space and the second flow space can be conducted directly to the coolant. This prevents heat flow from the power electronics into the relay or the relay component and causes an additional temperature increase of the relay or the relay component. At the same time, the direct underflow to the power electronics in the first flow space allows a high heat flow to be conducted away via a small surface.

[0015] This can positively influence the service life of the component. It is also prevented that heat flows from the relay assembly into the region of the power electronics and cause a temperature increase there. Here, too, the service life of the power electronics can be positively influenced.

[0016] The separation of the battery cell from the load is achieved by power electronics (e.g., silicon carbide metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (SiC Mosfet) AMB) and / or by relays. Here, the relay is part of the battery separation unit. Likewise, the power electronics are part of the battery separation unit. Relays are required in order to meet the requirements of electrical separation. The relay separates the positive electrode of the battery from the load. The power electronics separates the negative electrode of the battery from the load.

[0017] Within the scope of the invention, it can be advantageous if the second flow space of the relay section is designed in the form of a channel.

[0018] This makes it possible to increase the flow velocity for the underflow of the relay in an easy way. At the same time, the direction of the second flow space can be adapted to the particularities of the heat dissipation of the relay. The channel-shaped second flow space can then have a deflection portion which causes a change in the direction of the flow. The direction of the second flow space can then be designed in such a way that the heat dissipation of the relay or relay group can be achieved not only at one location, but also at least at two locations.

[0019] It is conceivable within the scope of the invention that the first flow space has a coolant distribution region with a coolant inlet and a deflection region for deflecting the coolant into the second flow space, and that the second flow space has a coolant collecting region with a coolant outlet.

[0020] The shape of the coolant distribution area (the coolant distribution area is usually V-shaped and widens toward the flow area) ensures that the coolant entering through the coolant inlet is distributed over the entire cross-sectional area, so that the bottom surface of the power electronic device is underflowed in the component section to remove its heat. The flow speed of the coolant is increased by the reduction of the cross section in the coolant collection area, so that the heated coolant can flow out of the flow space quickly.

[0021] This ensures in an easy manner that the heat generated by the power electronics can be dissipated quickly and efficiently.

[0022] Within the scope of the invention, it can be provided that the first plate and the second plate have a recess in the relay section for locally accommodating at least one relay and at least one supporting region for supporting at least one relay or at least one fastening element of at least one relay.

[0023] This allows a compact design of the cooling plate, so that cooling or heat dissipation can take place in the relay section without having to accept restrictions on the installation space.

[0024] It is conceivable here that the cooling plate is designed so that the relay is supported on the cooling plate at one or more fastening elements, wherein the relay is arranged in the receptacle and the heat is dissipated by the fastening elements. Then, the one or more fastening elements are arranged so that they are directly underflowed in the relay section.

[0025] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the relay section of the cooling plate is designed as a section that supports the relay or the relay assembly, wherein the other section is arranged in the recess.

[0026] The cooling plate or the relay section can then be adapted not only to the general installation space but also to the relay or relay components and their geometry and / or their heat dissipation requirements.

[0027] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the second flow space is designed to be circumferential around the recess at least in sections.

[0028] The stability of the cooling plate can thus be ensured. At the same time, the second flow space can extend around the recess in such a way that heat is dissipated from at least two regions of the relay or of the relay's fastening element. The surrounding of the second flow space also makes it possible to easily adapt the position of the coolant outlet to the pre-set requirements for the connection point.

[0029] It is also conceivable that a flow grid is arranged between the coolant distribution region and the deflection region of the first flow chamber.

[0030] By means of the flow grid, the turbulence in the flow space can be increased, which increases the heat transfer to the coolant. In addition, the flow grid serves to support the internal pressure generated by the coolant.

[0031] The flow grid can be connected to the first plate part and / or the second plate part in a material-bonded manner.

[0032] Within the scope of the invention, it is optionally possible for the first plate and / or the second plate to have a shaped portion for forming the first flow space and the second flow space.

[0033] In this case, one of the plate parts can also be of planar design, wherein components of the power electronics are arranged on the planar plate part.

[0034] The shaped part can be produced easily, wherein its size, in particular the shaped depth, has an influence on the flow cross section during underflow on the component and can thus determine the flow velocity.

[0035] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention it can be provided that the second thickness of the second sheet metal part is at least 1.0 times, preferably at least 1.5 times, further preferably at least 2.0 times, the first thickness of the first sheet metal part.

[0036] Due to the different thicknesses, stability of the cooling plate can be ensured with good heat transfer from the component or the relay to the coolant.

[0037] A second aspect of the present invention is a battery separation unit, which is used to separate a battery cell from at least one load, and the battery separation unit has: a cooling plate according to the first aspect of the present invention; at least one ceramic substrate; at least one component of a power electronic device, wherein the at least one ceramic substrate is arranged on the outer side of a first plate at a component section, and wherein at least one component is arranged on the ceramic substrate, and wherein a first flow space is arranged below at least one component of the power electronic device; and at least one relay, wherein at least one relay is arranged at a relay section, and wherein a second flow space is arranged below at least one relay or at least one fastening element of at least one relay.

[0038] In order to thermally and mechanically connect the components of the power electronics, a cold injection molded copper layer is preferably applied to the cooling plate. In this case, the components of the power electronics are connected with their bottom side (copper alloy) to the copper layer on the cooling plate in a materially bonded manner using a further soldering process. This achieves a very good heat transfer from the components to the cooling plate and thus to the coolant.

[0039] The first flow space corresponds in its width at least to the width of the power electronics component and in its length at least to the length of the power electronics component, so that the bottom surface of the power electronics component is directly underflowed in order to carry away heat.

[0040] The heat flow flows from the relay to the cooling plate, or flows from the relay through its fastening element to the cooling plate and flows through its structure into the second flow space and thus the coolant. Here, the area of ​​the relay heat dissipation to be cooled is underflowed through the cooling channel.

[0041] With regard to the invention, it is conceivable that the relay is arranged in the recess and is supported on at least one supporting region by at least one fastening element.

[0042] This is particularly space-saving. In this case, the heat of the relay is dissipated by at least one fastening element.

[0043] Here, the relay or at least one fastening element is supported on the cooling plate, wherein the relay is arranged in the receiving portion and the heat is dissipated by the fastening element. Then, one or more fastening elements are arranged in such a way that they are directly underflowed in the relay section.

[0044] Furthermore, it is conceivable that at least one fastening element is a busbar.

[0045] The busbars can be used to ensure an electrical connection while simultaneously supporting the relay.

[0046] A third aspect of the present invention is a drive system comprising a battery cell, a load and a battery separation unit according to the second aspect, wherein the battery cell and the battery separation unit are electronically connected to each other via a battery interface of the battery separation unit, and wherein the load and the battery separation unit are connected to each other via a load interface of the battery separation unit.

[0047] The drive system comprises the battery separation unit and its advantages described above. The advantages described in detail with respect to the cooling plate according to the first aspect of the present invention also apply to the battery separation unit according to the second aspect of the present invention and the drive system according to the third aspect of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are obtained from the following description, in which several exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be important to the invention individually or in any combination. The invention is shown in the following drawings:

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a cooling plate according to the invention,

[0050] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a battery separation unit according to the present invention,

[0051] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a drive system according to the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] exist Figure 11 shows a cooling plate 10 for cooling at least one component 12, in particular a plurality of components 12, of at least one power electronic device 14 and for cooling at least one relay 16 of a battery disconnect unit 18, which is used to disconnect a battery cell 20 from at least one load 22 of a drive system 24. The cooling plate 10 has a first plate 26 and a second plate 28. The first plate 26 and the second plate 28 have a component section 30. At least one component 12 can be arranged on the component section 30 of the first plate 26.

[0053] A first flow space 32 for the coolant is provided in the component section 30 between the first plate 26 and the second plate 28. In addition, the first plate 26 and the second plate 28 have a relay section 34. At least one relay 16 of the battery disconnect unit 18 or at least one fastening element 36 of at least one relay 16 of the battery disconnect unit 18 can be arranged at the relay section 34.

[0054] Here, a second flow space 38 for the coolant is provided in the relay section 34 between the first plate 26 and the second plate 28. Here, the first flow space 32 is fluidically connected to the second flow space 38, so that the coolant flows from the first flow space 32 into the channel-shaped second flow space 38 of the relay section 34.

[0055] For the coolant to flow in, the first flow space 32 has a coolant distribution region 40 with a coolant inlet 42 and a deflection region 44 for deflecting the coolant into the second flow space 38. The second flow space 38 has a coolant collecting region 46 with a coolant outlet 48 for the coolant to flow out.

[0056] In order to achieve a compact design of the cooling plate 10 , the first plate 26 and the second plate 28 have in the relay section 34 a recess 50 for locally accommodating at least one relay 16 and at least one supporting area 52 for supporting at least one relay 16 or at least one fastening element 36 of at least one relay 16 .

[0057] In this case, the second flow space 38 extends at least partially around the recess 50 , so that the supporting region 52 is underflowed by the coolant in the second flow space 38 and thus serves to dissipate heat from the relay 16 .

[0058] In order to maximize the surface, a flow grid 54 is arranged between the coolant distribution region 40 and the deflection region 44 of the first flow space. This flow grid is not shown at this time.

[0059] In order to form the first flow space and the second flow space, the second plate 28 has a shaped portion in the present case, wherein the first plate 26 is of planar design in the present case.

[0060] It is also conceivable that, in addition or as an alternative, the first metal sheet 26 has a shaped portion.

[0061] For better heat transfer, the second thickness D2 of the second plate 28 is at least 1.5 times the first thickness D1 of the first plate 26 , wherein the first thickness D1 and the second thickness D2 can also be equal.

[0062] exist Figure 2 The battery separation unit 18 is shown in FIG. Figure 1 The cooling plate 10, at least one ceramic substrate 56, at least one component 12 of the power electronic device 14, and at least one relay 16. Here, the at least one ceramic substrate 56 is arranged on the outer side 58 of the first plate 26 at the component section 30, and the at least one component 12 is arranged on the ceramic substrate 56. Here, the first flow space 32 is arranged below the at least one component 12 of the power electronic device 14. The at least one relay 16 is arranged at the relay section 34, so that the second flow space 38 is arranged below the at least one relay 16 or the at least one fastening element 36 of the at least one relay 16.

[0063] As can be seen, the relay 16 is arranged in the recess 50 and is supported on at least one supporting region 52 by means of at least one fastening element 36. In this case, the at least one fastening element 36 is a busbar, so that an electrical connection is simultaneously ensured.

[0064] exist Figure 3 The drive system 24 is shown in FIG. 1 , which has a battery unit 20, a load 22 and a Figure 2 The battery cell 20 and the battery disconnect unit 18 are currently connected electronically to each other via a battery interface 60 of the battery disconnect unit 18. The load 22 and the battery disconnect unit 18 are connected to each other via a load interface 62 of the battery disconnect unit 18.

Claims

1. A cooling plate (10) for cooling at least one component (12), in particular a plurality of components (12), of at least one power electronic device (14) and for cooling at least one relay (16) of a battery disconnect unit (18) for disconnecting a battery cell (20) from at least one load (22) of a drive system (24), the cooling plate comprising: A first plate (26); The second plate (28), in, The first plate (26) and the second plate (28) have a component section (30), wherein the at least one component (12) can be arranged on the component section (30) of the first plate (26), and wherein a first flow space (32) for a coolant is provided in the component section (30) between the first plate (26) and the second plate (28), The first plate (26) and the second plate (28) have a relay section (34), at least one relay (16) of the battery separation unit (18) or at least one fastening element (36) of at least one relay (16) of the battery separation unit (18) can be arranged at the relay section (34), and a second flow space (38) for a coolant is provided in the relay section (34) between the first plate (26) and the second plate (28), wherein the first flow space (32) is fluidically connected to the second flow space (38).

2. The cooling plate (10) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The second flow space (38) of the relay section (34) is designed in the form of a channel.

3. The cooling plate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The first flow space (32) has a coolant distribution area (40) with a coolant inlet (42) and a deflection area (44) for deflecting the coolant into the second flow space (38), and the second flow space (38) has a coolant collecting area (46) with a coolant outlet (48).

4. The cooling plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The first plate (26) and the second plate (28) have a recess (50) in the relay section (34), the recess being used to partially receive the at least one relay (16) and at least one supporting area (52) being used to support the at least one relay (16) or at least one fastening element (36) of the at least one relay (16).

5. The cooling plate (10) according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The second flow space (38) is designed to be circumferential around the depression (50) at least in sections.

6. The cooling plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A flow grid (54) is arranged between the coolant distribution region (40) and the deflection region (44) of the first flow space.

7. The cooling plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The first plate (26) and / or the second plate (28) have a shaped portion for forming the first flow space (32) and the second flow space (38).

8. The cooling plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The second thickness (D2) of the second plate (28) is at least 1.0 times, preferably at least 1.5 times, and more preferably at least 2.0 times, the first thickness (D1) of the first plate (26).

9. A battery separation unit (18) for separating a battery unit (20) from at least one load (22), the battery separation unit comprising: A cooling plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims; at least one ceramic substrate (56); At least one component (12) of the power electronic device (14), wherein: The at least one ceramic substrate (56) is arranged on the outer side (58) of the first plate (26) at the component section (30), wherein the at least one component (12) is arranged on the ceramic substrate (56), and wherein the first flow space (32) is arranged below the at least one component (12) of the power electronic device (14); and At least one relay (16), wherein the at least one relay (16) is arranged at the relay section (34), wherein the second flow space (38) is arranged below the at least one relay (16) or at least one fastening element (36) of the at least one relay (16).

10. The battery separation unit (18) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The relay (16) is arranged in the recess (50) and is supported on at least one supporting region (52) by means of the at least one fastening element (36).

11. The battery separation unit (18) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, It is characterized in that The at least one fastening element (36) is a busbar.

12. A drive system (24) comprising a battery cell (20), a load (22) and a battery disconnect unit (18) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The battery cell (20) and the battery separation unit (18) are electronically connected to each other via a battery interface (60) of the battery separation unit (18), and the load (22) and the battery separation unit (18) are connected to each other via a load interface (62) of the battery separation unit (18).

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