Compensation container and battery cooling system

Abstract

The invention relates to a compensation container (1) for a battery cooling system (3), having a container housing (4) made of plastic, which has a housing groove (5) and at least one cover part (6), which rests on the housing groove (5) from a first direction (7) and is sealingly connected thereto, having a dryer device (8), which is arranged in the housing groove (5), the dryer device has a dryer housing (11) made of plastic, a dryer insert (18) arranged in the dryer housing, and a dryer housing cover (19) closing the dryer housing (11), the container housing (4) and the dryer housing (11) being formed in one piece and connected to one another in a communicating manner, the dryer housing cover (19) can be sealingly placed onto the dryer housing from a second direction (20), the first direction (7) extending orthogonally to the second direction (20). As a result, a cost-effective and maintenance-friendly embodiment can be achieved.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a compensation container having a dryer device and a battery cooling system having such a compensation container. Background Art

[0002] Due to environmental considerations, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles are increasingly attracting the attention of consumers and are accordingly becoming increasingly common on the roads. In order to increase the range and efficiency of such electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, it is sought to keep the traction battery of such an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle within the optimal temperature window for the traction battery. For this purpose, temperature control devices, in particular cooling devices, are used in a known manner.

[0003] Here, such a battery cooling system for cooling in particular a traction battery also includes a compensation container in which air is stored as a compensation cushion for the temperature-induced volume changes of the coolant. The coolant expands due to the temperature increase. In the case where the resulting overpressure cannot be discharged, this can lead to a high pressure load in the compensation container and may damage the compensation container and therefore needs to be avoided. For this reason, this type of compensation container usually has a connection to the environment so that, if necessary, the pressure difference caused by the temperature can be reduced by blowing air into the environment. In order to prohibit or at least reduce the undesired discharge of hydrocarbons into the environment, adsorbers have hitherto been provided which are traversed by the air to be blown into the environment and are arranged independently of the compensation container. If the coolant cools, the coolant contracts, thereby creating a negative pressure in the compensation container, which causes fresh air to be sucked in from the environment. In order to prohibit or at least reduce the undesired introduction of moisture into the coolant, a dryer filter element has hitherto been provided in which a desiccant is arranged and which is traversed by the fresh air sucked in from the environment during the suction process and absorbs moisture and dries the sucked-in fresh air here.

[0004] However, a disadvantage of the known compensation containers is their relatively complex and thus also expensive manufacture and maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the present invention studies the following problem: to provide an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for the compensation container by means of which the disadvantages known from the prior art can be overcome.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention is based on the following general concept: For the first time, the dryer device of the compensation container of the battery cooling system is laterally arranged on the container housing, wherein at least one dryer housing is integrally formed with the container housing, in particular with the housing groove of the container housing, but can be opened laterally, and thus can be manufactured cost-effectively together with the container housing, in particular together with the housing groove of the container housing, and at the same time the dryer insert can be more easily installed. By laterally accessing the dryer device, the maintenance can be significantly simplified, especially in the case of a compensation container installed in a motor vehicle. The compensation container for a battery cooling system according to the present invention has a container housing made of plastic, the container housing having a housing groove and at least one cover member that is placed on the housing groove from a first direction and is sealingly connected to the housing groove. Furthermore, a dryer device is provided, which has a dryer housing made of plastic, a dryer insert arranged in the dryer housing, and a dryer housing cover closing the dryer housing, wherein the container housing, in particular the housing groove of the container housing and the dryer housing are integrally formed and connected to each other in a communicating manner, and wherein the dryer housing cover can be sealingly placed on the dryer housing from a second direction. Specifically, this means that the housing groove and the dryer housing are constructed as a coherent one-piece member, wherein the cover member can be placed on the housing groove and the dryer housing cover can be placed on the dryer housing. Here, the first direction extends orthogonally to the second direction. In the case of overpressure in the compensation container, air enters from the compensation container into the environment via a first valve, while in the case of negative pressure in the compensation container, fresh air enters from the environment into the compensation container via a second valve. The term "fresh air" can / should be understood here as ambient air. Thereby, not only can cost-effective manufacturing be achieved, since the container housing, in particular the housing groove of the container housing and the dryer housing are manufactured in a common injection molding process, but also the dryer device can be relatively easily equipped with desiccant, especially during maintenance in the case of a compensation container installed in a motor vehicle. In addition, the desiccant can be pressed simultaneously when welding the dryer housing cover. Thereby, the area loaded by pressure can be reduced and thus the load on the weld can be reduced. In other embodiments, the sealing surface or joint surface loaded by pressure is also reduced.

[0008] In an advantageous refinement of the compensation container according to the invention, the dryer device has a desiccant which is arranged in a first air-permeable bag, or the dryer device has a dimensionally stable drying body which consists of a sintered, extruded or injection-molded desiccant, or the dryer device has a dryer insert which is designed as a dryer cartridge and which has a desiccant arranged in the dryer cartridge. In the case of the desiccant in the first air-permeable bag, a particularly simple shape adaptation can be achieved and thus also a sufficient utilization of angular structural spaces. In the case of the dimensionally stable drying body, handling is particularly facilitated. Here, the dimensionally stable drying body can be adapted in its outer contour to the inner contour of the dryer housing, whereby an optimal space utilization is achieved and undesired bypass flows can be avoided. The dryer insert designed as a dryer cartridge offers the advantage of easy handling.

[0009] Suitably, the first bag is constructed of a fabric, in particular a polyester fabric or a polyamide fabric. Polyester is light and, moreover, does not absorb moisture, so that moisture absorption is effected only by the desiccant. In addition, constructing the bag of polyester fabric offers the advantages of high strength, good processability and weldability, and high air permeability. Using polyamide has advantages such as high robustness and tear resistance, as well as high elasticity and durability.

[0010] Preferably, the desiccant is arranged as bulk material in the first bag. Thereby, the desiccant is optimally adapted to the inner contour of the dryer housing and can be received form-fittingly and orientation-fixedly in this inner contour. By this type of implementation, production tolerances can also be avoided which, in the case of a rigid housing, can lead to undesired bypass flows.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment, the desiccant has silica gel or zeolite. Silica gel is colorless silicon dioxide which has a consistency ranging from gel-like, rubber-like to solid. Silica gel has a large internal surface (about 600 m 2 / g) and is very water-absorbent. Zeolite can absorb about 20% of its own weight of moisture and generates heat in the process, whereby drying can also be supported. The use of zeolite also provides a strong dehumidification effect in the case of low moisture content, while silica gel has high water absorbency and is inexpensive and of good quality.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a spring is provided which pre-tensions the first bag. By means of a spring of this type, a reliable and orientation-fixed arrangement of the desiccant in the dryer housing can be achieved, wherein the spring pre-tensioning simultaneously prevents the desiccant from generating, during operation, noise which is perceived as disturbing, for example. A spring of this type can be configured, for example, as a cost-effective helical spring. The pre-tensioning can also prevent the desiccant, which is arranged as loose bulk material in the first bag, from being ground during operation. The pre-tensioning can also ensure that the desiccant or the bag is circumferentially pressed against the dryer housing, such that the air to be dried is forced through the desiccant and cannot flow past the desiccant.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment, an adsorber is provided which has an adsorber housing made of plastic, an activated carbon insert arranged in the adsorber housing and an adsorber housing cover closing the adsorber housing, the activated carbon insert having activated carbon. For example, the adsorber can be configured, for example, as an HC adsorber. Here, the container housing, in particular the housing groove of the container housing and the adsorber housing are integrally configured and are connected to each other in a communicating manner, whereby the container housing, in particular the housing groove of the container housing together with the dryer housing and the adsorber housing can be manufactured in a common cost-effective injection molding process. Here, the adsorber housing cover can be placed sealingly onto the adsorber housing from a second direction, whereby maintenance of the adsorber and the dryer device can be carried out from the same direction.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the compensation container according to the invention, the activated carbon of the adsorber is arranged in a second air-permeable bag. By means of the activated carbon arranged in the air-permeable second bag, a particularly simple shape adaptation can be achieved and also a full utilization of an angular structural space can be achieved. In addition, undesired bypass flows can be avoided.

[0015] Advantageously, the second bag is also made of a fabric, in particular of a polyester fabric or a polyamide fabric. Thereby, the advantages described, in particular with respect to the first bag made of polyester, can also be achieved for the second bag.

[0016] In another advantageous embodiment, a spring is provided which pre-tensions the second bag and thus pre-tensions the activated carbon. By means of such a spring, a reliable and orientation-fixed arrangement of the activated carbon in the absorber housing can be achieved, wherein the spring pre-tensioning simultaneously prevents the activated carbon from being ground, for example, during operation and thus losing its function.

[0017] Suitably, at least one cover member is welded, clamped, screwed or glued to the housing groove. Additionally or alternatively, the dryer housing cover can also be welded, clamped, screwed or glued to the dryer housing, or the adsorber housing cover can also be welded, clamped, screwed or glued to the adsorber housing. Here, the releasable connection between the dryer housing cover and the dryer housing or between the adsorber housing cover and the adsorber housing provides an advantage in the case where it may be necessary to replace the desiccant or activated carbon.

[0018] Advantageously, the dryer housing cover and the adsorber housing cover are integrally formed, in particular as an integrally formed plastic injection molding. Thereby, not only can the manufacturing cost be reduced, but also the assembly and maintenance can be simplified.

[0019] At least one of the following components is made of polyoxymethylene (POM) or of polyketone: the cover member, the housing groove, the dryer housing cover, the dryer housing, the adsorber housing cover, the adsorber housing. POM is a partially crystalline thermoplastic which has high mechanical strength and stiffness and moreover has high wear resistance and low hygroscopicity, which is particularly advantageous especially when used for the compensation container according to the invention, because in this case, water storage or moisture absorption increases the conductivity of the dielectric coolant. Alternatively, polyketone can also be used as the plastic. Polyketone (PK) is a thermoplastic high-performance polymer which has high impact toughness, low wear, good solvent resistance and low water absorption. Silicone also has high environmental compatibility. In order to further increase the mechanical strength and wear resistance here, the plastic can have glass fibers, in particular 25% glass fibers, and can in particular be constructed as POM GF-25.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention is based on the general concept of equipping the battery cooling system with the compensation container described in the above paragraphs and thereby transferring the advantages described with respect to the compensation container to the battery cooling system. Specifically, the advantage of the battery cooling system equipped with the compensation container according to the invention lies in cost-effective manufacturing and simple maintenance.

[0021] Other important features and advantages of the present invention result from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the drawings.

[0022] It should be understood that the features mentioned above and to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations given accordingly, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the framework of the present invention. The separately marked components mentioned above and still to be mentioned below of the superior unit (such as a device, equipment or assembly) can form separate components or parts of the unit or can be regions or sections that form the unit as a whole, even if this is shown otherwise in the drawings.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below, where like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components. Description of the Drawings

[0024] The drawings schematically show respectively:

[0025] Figure 1 A view of a compensation container according to the present invention of a battery cooling system according to the present invention,

[0026] Figure 2 As shown in Figure 1 A schematic diagram shown, but in another perspective,

[0027] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the compensation container according to the present invention in the area of the dryer device,

[0028] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3 A detailed schematic diagram in

[0029] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the compensation container according to the present invention in the area of the adsorber,

[0030] Figure 6 Shown Figure 5 A detailed schematic diagram in Detailed Description of the Invention

[0031] According to Figures 1 to 6, the compensating container 1 for air 2 of the battery cooling system 3 according to the invention has a container housing 4 which is made of plastic and has a housing groove 5 and two cover elements 6 which are placed onto the housing groove 5 from a first direction 7 and are sealingly connected to the housing groove. Here, the two cover elements 6 can also be constructed in one piece and can thus form a common cover element 6 for covering the housing groove 5. In addition, the compensating container 1 has a dryer device 8 which has a dryer housing 11 made of plastic, a dryer insert 18 arranged in the dryer housing and a dryer housing cover 19 closing the dryer housing 11, wherein the container housing 4, in particular the housing groove 5 of the container housing 4 and the dryer housing 11 are constructed in one piece and are connected to one another in a communicating manner. Here, the dryer housing cover 19 can be placed onto the dryer housing 11 sealingly from a second direction 20, wherein the first direction 7 extends orthogonally to the second direction 20. Thereby, not only can cost-effective manufacturing be achieved since the container housing 4, in particular the housing groove 5 of the container housing 4 and the dryer housing 11 can be manufactured, for example, in a common injection molding process, but also the dryer device 8 can be relatively easily equipped with the dryer insert 18 and the desiccant 21 arranged in the dryer insert, especially when performing maintenance in the case of the compensating container 1 installed in a motor vehicle.

[0032] Here, preferably, the dryer device 8 has a desiccant 21 which is arranged in a gas-permeable first bag 15. Alternatively, the dryer device 8 can also have a dimensionally stable drying body 17 which consists of a sintered, extruded or injection-molded desiccant 21. Here, in Figure 4 two embodiments are shown, where, of course, it is clear that these two embodiments are only used alternatively.

[0033] If one observes Figure 4 , one can see the dryer device 8 there, in which the first bag 15 is constructed of a fabric, in particular a polyester fabric or a polyamide fabric. Of course, other materials can also be considered here which are resistant to the coolant in the battery cooling system 3. The desiccant 21 can be arranged in the first bag 15 as bulk material, for example as pearl-shaped silica gel or zeolite. Thereby, the outer contour of the dryer insert 18 can be optimally adapted to the inner contour of the dryer housing 11, and thereby a form-fitting and reliable reception can be achieved. By the form-fitting reception, in particular an undesired bypass flow of the sucked-in fresh air 2a can also be avoided.

[0034] The desiccant 21 for the dimensionally stable drying body 17 can also have silica gel or zeolite. Here, according to Figure 4, a shape-stable drying body 17 composed of an extruded, sintered, extruded, or injection-molded desiccant 21 can have the following outer contour: The outer contour is configured to be complementary to the inner contour of the dryer housing 11 and thereby also avoid an undesired bypass flow of the suctioned fresh air 2a. By means of the shape-stable drying body 17, an additional housing, such as the first bag 15, can be dispensed with, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0035] In addition, the compensation container 1 according to the invention can have an adsorber 12, which has an adsorber housing 22 made of plastic, an activated carbon insert 23 arranged in the adsorber housing, and an adsorber housing cover 24 closing the adsorber housing 22, and the activated carbon insert has activated carbon 25.

[0036] An opening 27 can be provided in the adsorber housing cover 24, and in the case of a corresponding overpressure, air 2 can be blown out into the environment via this opening.

[0037] Here, the container housing 4, in particular the housing groove 5 of the container housing 4 and the adsorber housing 22, are integrally constructed and connected to each other in a communicating manner, whereby the container housing 4 together with the dryer housing 11 and the adsorber housing 22 can be manufactured in a common cost-effective injection molding process. Here, the adsorber housing cover 24 can also be placed on the adsorber housing 22 in a sealed manner from the second direction 20, whereby maintenance of the adsorber 12 and the dryer device 8 can be carried out from the same direction (here the second direction 20).

[0038] The dryer housing cover 19 and the adsorber housing cover 24 can be integrally constructed, in particular as an integrally injection-molded plastic part, which reduces the manufacturing cost and simplifies the operation. Alternatively, the dryer housing cover 19 and the adsorber housing cover 24 can also be constructed independently of each other.

[0039] The activated carbon 25 of the activated carbon insert 23 or of the adsorber 12 can be arranged in a gas-permeable second bag 26.

[0040] In the case of an overpressure in the compensation container 1, air 2 can enter from the compensation container 1 into the environment via the first valve 9, wherein, for cleaning purposes, air 2 can flow through the adsorber 12. By blowing air 2 through the adsorber 12, harmful substances, in particular hydrocarbons, can be reliably blocked. In the case of a negative pressure in the compensation container 1, fresh air 2a can be suctioned from the environment into the compensation container 1 via the second valve 10. Here, the battery cooling system 3 is connected to the compensation container 1 in a communicating manner via a connecting piece 28 (such as a quick connector). Here, fresh air 2a is suctioned from the environment into the compensation container 1 via the second valve 10 and the dryer device 8, and the suctioned fresh air 2a is dried in this dryer device.

[0041] Here, a first valve 9 is arranged in the intermediate wall 13 which separates the adsorber 12 from the interior space 16 of the container housing 4. Here, a second valve 10 is arranged in the outer wall of the container housing 4. Of course, the previously described second valve 10 and a further overpressure valve can also be arranged in the outer wall of the container housing 4, via which the air 2 is blown from the compensation container 1 into the environment.

[0042] If one continues to observe Figure 5 and 6 , it can be seen that a spring 14' is arranged on the adsorber 12, which pre-tensions the adsorber 12 or the activated carbon 25 against the container housing 4 (here specifically against the intermediate wall 13). By means of the spring 14', a vibration-free and thus rattle-free fixing of the adsorber 12 can be achieved. Thereby, in particular, an increased user comfort can be achieved due to the lower noise generation, and furthermore, the activated carbon 25 in the activated carbon insert 23 can be prevented from being ground.

[0043] Here, the container housing 4, i.e. the container trough 5 and / or the cover part 6, as well as the dryer housing 11, the dryer housing cover 19, the adsorber housing 22 and the adsorber housing cover 24 can be constructed as plastic injection moldings, whereby a high-quality and cost-effective manufacture can be achieved.

[0044] At least one cover part 6 can be welded, clipped, screwed or glued to the housing trough 5. Additionally or alternatively, the dryer housing cover 19 can be welded, clipped, screwed or glued to the dryer housing 11, and / or the adsorber housing cover 24 can be welded, clipped, screwed or glued to the adsorber housing 22. In particular, a snap connection or a screw connection offers the following great advantage: for replacing the dryer insert 18 or the activated carbon insert 23, the dryer housing 11 or the adsorber housing 22 can be opened, and after replacing the dryer insert 18 or the activated carbon insert 23, the dryer housing or the adsorber housing can continue to be used.

[0045] In addition, at least one of the following components can be constructed from polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyketone, i.e. made of a plastic with high strength and low moisture absorption, which is very advantageous especially for the compensation container 1 for the air 2 of the battery cooling system 3: the cover part 6, the housing trough 5, the dryer housing cover 19, the dryer housing 11, the adsorber housing cover 24, the adsorber housing 22. In addition, in order to further increase the strength and wear resistance of the container housing 4 here, the plastic can have glass fibers, especially a glass fiber share of 25% in the plastic.

[0046] In summary, by means of the compensation container 1 according to the invention and the battery cooling system 3 according to the invention, an extremely cost-effective and structurally space-optimized solution can be achieved.

Claims

1. A compensating container (1) for a battery cooling system (3), the compensating tank has a tank housing (4) which is made of plastic and has a housing groove (5) and at least one cover (6) which is placed onto the housing groove (5) from a first direction (7) and is connected to the housing groove in a sealing manner, the compensating container has a dryer device (8) having a dryer housing (11) made of plastic, a dryer insert (18) arranged in the dryer housing and a dryer housing cover (19) closing the dryer housing (11), -in, The container housing (4) and the dryer housing (11) are constructed in one piece and are connected to one another in a communicating manner. wherein the dryer housing cover (19) can be placed sealingly onto the dryer housing (11) from a second direction (20), - wherein the first direction (7) extends orthogonally to the second direction (20), the compensating container has a first valve (9) through which air (2) passes from the compensating container (1) into the environment in the event of an excess pressure in the compensating container (1), The compensating container has a second valve (10) through which fresh air (2a) from the environment enters the compensating container (1) when a negative pressure is present in the compensating container (1).

2. The compensating container according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The dryer device (8) has a desiccant (21) which is arranged in a first air-permeable bag (15), or The dryer device (8) has a dimensionally stable drying body (17) which consists of a sintered, extruded or injection-molded drying agent (21), or The dryer insert (18) is designed as a dryer cartridge having a desiccant (21) arranged therein.

3. The compensating container according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The first bag (15) is made of fabric, in particular polyester fabric or polyamide fabric.

4. The compensating container according to claim 2 or 3, It is characterized in that The desiccant (21) is arranged as bulk material in the first bag (15).

5. The compensating container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, It is characterized in that The desiccant (21) includes silica gel or zeolite.

6. The compensating container according to any one of claims 2 to 5, It is characterized in that A spring (14) is provided, which pre-tensions the desiccant (21) in the first bag (15) or in the dryer cylinder.

7. The compensating container according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - an adsorber (12) is provided, which has an adsorber housing (22) made of plastic, an activated carbon insert (23) arranged in the adsorber housing, and an adsorber housing cover (24) closing the adsorber housing (22), the activated carbon insert having activated carbon (25), the container housing (4) and the adsorber housing (22) are constructed in one piece and are connected to one another in a communicating manner, The adsorber housing cover (24) can be placed sealingly on the adsorber housing (22) from the second direction (20).

8. The compensating container according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The activated carbon (25) of the adsorber (12) is arranged in a second air-permeable bag (26).

9. The compensating container according to claim 8, It is characterized in that A spring (14') is provided which pre-tensions the second bag (26) and thereby the activated carbon (25) arranged therein.

10. The compensating container according to any one of claims 6 to 9, It is characterized in that - at least one cover (6) is welded, clamped, screwed or bonded to the housing groove (5), and / or - the dryer housing cover (19) is welded, clamped, screwed or bonded to the dryer housing (11), and / or The adsorber housing cover (24) is welded, clamped, screwed or adhesively bonded to the adsorber housing (22).

11. The compensating container according to any one of claims 6 to 10, It is characterized in that The dryer housing cover (19) and the adsorber housing cover (24) are designed in one piece, in particular as a one-piece plastic injection-molded part.

12. The compensating container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, It is characterized in that At least one of the following components is made of polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyketone: cover (6), housing groove (5), dryer housing cover (19), dryer housing (11), adsorber housing cover (24), adsorber housing (22).

13. The compensating container according to any one of claims 6 to 12, It is characterized in that The plastic contains glass fibers, in particular a glass fiber content of 25% in the plastic.

14. A battery cooling system (3) comprising a compensating container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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