Dryer device, compensation container and battery cooling system

Abstract

The invention relates to a dryer device (8) for a compensation container (1) of a battery cooling system (3), the dryer device (8) having an air-permeable pocket-shaped housing (15) in which a drying agent is arranged, or the dryer device (8) having a dimensionally stable drying body (17) in which the drying agent is arranged, the drying body is made of a sintered, extruded or injection-molded drying agent. In this way, a cost-effective and structural space-optimized embodiment can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a dryer device for a compensating container of a battery cooling system. The invention also relates to a compensating container having such a dryer device and a battery cooling system having such a compensating container. Background Art

[0002] For environmental reasons, electric vehicles 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 vehicles or hybrid vehicles, it is sought to keep the traction battery of such electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles within an optimal temperature window for the traction battery, and for this purpose temperature control devices, in particular cooling devices, are used in a known manner.

[0003] In this case, such a battery cooling system for cooling, in particular a traction battery, also includes a compensating container in which air is stored as a compensation cushion for the temperature-induced volume change of the coolant. The coolant expands due to the increase in temperature, which can lead to high pressure loads in the compensating container and damage the compensating container if the overpressure generated here cannot be released and therefore needs to be avoided. For this reason, compensating containers of this type usually have a connection to the environment so that the pressure difference caused by the temperature can be reduced by blowing air into the environment when necessary. In order to prevent or at least reduce the undesirable discharge of hydrocarbons into the environment, an activated carbon filter has been provided so far, which is flowed through by the air to be blown into the environment and is arranged separately from the compensating container. If the coolant cools, it contracts, and a negative pressure is generated in the compensating container, which leads to the suction of fresh air from the environment. In order to prevent or at least reduce the unwanted introduction of moisture into the coolant, so-called dryer cartridges have hitherto been provided, in which a desiccant is arranged, through which the fresh air drawn from the environment flows during the suction process and thereby absorbs moisture and dries the drawn-in fresh air.

[0004] However, a disadvantage of this type of dryer device is its relatively expensive production. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for a dryer device, by means of which the disadvantages known from the prior art can be overcome.

[0006] 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.

[0007] The present invention is based on the following general concept: for the first time, a dryer device of a compensating container of a battery cooling system is constructed in a completely different way and can thus be manufactured and installed in a very cost-effective manner. Here, the dryer device according to the present invention has an air-permeable bag-shaped housing, in which a desiccant, for example a loose bulk material, is arranged, or the dryer device has a shape-stable drying body, which is composed of a sintered, extruded or injection-molded desiccant. Here, the dryer device with the bag-shaped housing and the desiccant arranged therein and the shape-stable drying body are both extremely cost-effective embodiments, and in addition, they can be inserted into and thus installed in the corresponding receiving part in the container housing of the compensating container in a shape-locking manner. Of course, this type of shape-stable drying body can also be arranged in a bag-shaped housing. As a result, it is also relatively easy to replace the dryer device by removing it from the container housing and inserting a new dryer device into the corresponding receiving part.

[0008] In an advantageous development corresponding to the first alternative of the dryer device according to the invention, the bag-shaped housing is constructed from a polyester fabric. Polyester is light and, moreover, does not absorb moisture, so that moisture absorption is only achieved via the desiccant. The construction of the bag-shaped housing from a polyester fabric offers the advantages of high strength, good processability and weldability, and high air permeability.

[0009] The desiccant is expediently arranged as loose bulk in the bag-shaped housing. As a result, the dryer device is optimally adapted to the inner contour of the first receptacle in the container housing of the compensating container and can be received therein in a form-fitting and positionally fixed manner. This type of embodiment can also avoid production tolerances which would lead to undesired bypass flows in the case of a rigid housing.

[0010] In another advantageous embodiment, the desiccant comprises silica gel or zeolite. Silica gel is colorless silicon dioxide with a gel-like, rubber-like or even solid consistency. Silica gel has a large inner surface (approximately 600 m 2 / g) and are highly hygroscopic. Zeolites can absorb half their own weight in moisture and generate heat in the process, which can also support drying. The use of zeolites also provides a strong dehumidifying effect at low moisture contents, while silica gel has a high water absorption capacity and is also cost-effective.

[0011] The dimensionally stable drying body consisting of a sintered, extruded or injection-molded drying agent advantageously has an outer shape which is complementary to the inner contour of the first receptacle in the container housing of the compensating container, in particular a rod-shaped outer shape. As a result, the dryer device can be inserted into the associated first receptacle of the container housing in a form-fitting manner without requiring an additional housing of the dimensionally stable, extruded, sintered or pressed drying agent, whereby the production costs can be reduced.

[0012] The invention is also based on the general idea of ​​constructing a compensating container for compensating the air volume generated by the volume change of a cooling medium, in particular oil, due to temperature, the compensating container having a double-shell container housing, the container housing having a first receptacle, in which the dryer device according to the invention can be arranged in a form-fitting manner. Here, the compensating container according to the invention for a battery cooling system, in particular for air, has the above-mentioned container housing made of plastic, which has a first shell and a second shell connected thereto in a sealing manner. Here, a first receptacle is constructed in the first shell and / or in the second shell, in which the dryer device according to the invention according to one of the above paragraphs is received in a form-fitting manner, the dryer device having a desiccant, such as zeolite or silica gel, and an activated carbon cartridge can be arranged in a second receptacle, which can also be arranged in the first shell and / or in the second shell. Here, an activated carbon cartridge of this type can absorb pollutants, such as hydrocarbons. In addition, a first valve and a second valve are provided, through which air can be blown out of the compensating container into the environment when there is an overpressure in the compensating container, and through which fresh air can be sucked into the compensating container from the environment via the second valve when there is a negative pressure in the compensating container. The term "fresh air" can / should be understood as ambient air here. By constructing the container housing of the compensating container in a double-shell manner with a dryer device and an activated carbon cartridge arranged therein, a generally very cost-effective container housing of the compensating container can be achieved, wherein, at the same time, assembly advantages are generated, because only the dryer device constructed as an insert is required to be inserted into the first receiving portion of the first and / or second shell, and the activated carbon cartridge constructed as an insert is optionally inserted into the second receiving portion of the first and / or second shell, and then the two shells of the container housing are connected to each other in a sealed manner. Thus, it is also possible to arrange the dryer device or the activated carbon cartridge in the container housing in a protected manner during the service life. Thus, the production of the container housing that has been necessary so far and the subsequent installation of the dryer cylinder or the activated carbon cartridge can be completely eliminated. In this case, the production of the compensation container according to the invention can be carried out in particular even automatically, since, due to the inner contour of the first receiving part, which is designed essentially complementary to the outer contour of the dryer device, and the inner contour of the second receiving part, which is designed essentially complementary to the outer contour of the activated carbon cartridge, a positive-locking insertion of the dryer device into the first receiving part and a positive-locking insertion of the activated carbon cartridge into the second receiving part can be achieved, without requiring a worker for this purpose. If it is necessary to replace the dryer device / activated carbon cartridge and / or if it is necessary to replace the container housing, by arranging both the first valve and the second valve on the container housing, both valves can also be replaced together, whereby, for example, clogging of these valves due to prolonged use can be reliably avoided.

[0013] In an advantageous development of the compensation container according to the invention, the first valve is arranged in an intermediate wall which separates the second receptacle from the interior of the container housing. In this case, air is usually arranged in the interior of the container housing, which is loaded with pressure or negative pressure due to expansion of the coolant or contraction of the coolant, depending on the temperature of the coolant. By arranging the first valve in the intermediate wall which separates the second receptacle from the interior of the container housing, a direct assignment of the first valve to the second receptacle can be achieved. Of course, an outward opening is provided in the wall of the container housing downstream of the second receptacle for exchange with the environment.

[0014] In this case, a second valve is arranged in the outer wall of the container housing, wherein the outer wall in which the second valve is arranged separates the first receptacle from the environment. Therefore, in the case of negative pressure in the container housing or in the compensation container, fresh air is sucked from the environment via the second valve and the first receptacle in which the dryer device is arranged. Therefore, the fresh air sucked from the environment is sucked through the desiccant of the dryer device and dried there, whereby in particular moisture and / or water can be prevented from entering the compensation container. Excessive humidity can make the coolant conductive, which can lead to short circuits in unfavorable situations, in particular in the case of immersion cooling.

[0015] The second valve described can also be designed as a double valve, which also enables air to be blown out of the container housing into the surrounding area.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a spring is arranged on the activated carbon cartridge, which preloads the activated carbon cartridge against the container housing. This type of spring allows a secure and positionally fixed arrangement of the activated carbon cartridge in the second receiving part, wherein the spring preload simultaneously prevents the activated carbon cartridge from producing, for example, shaking noises during operation that are perceived as disturbing. This type of spring can be designed, for example, as a cost-effective helical spring. This spring can also preload activated carbon that is designed, for example, as bulk material, but if the cover can be moved in the can of the activated carbon cartridge in a piston-like manner, it can also preload activated carbon that is arranged in a bag in the activated carbon cartridge, which bag is especially made of polyester, so that the activated carbon is subject to less wear during operation.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the compensating container according to the invention, the first shell and / or the second shell are configured as plastic injection molded parts. Here, configuring the first shell and / or the second shell as plastic injection molded parts provides the following great advantage: the container housing and the compensating container can be manufactured not only in a high-quality but also in a cost-effective manner.

[0018] The first shell and the second shell are preferably welded to each other. In the case where the two shells are configured as plastic injection molded parts, it is suitable to weld the two shells to each other in order to connect the two shells in a sealed manner. Alternatively, it is of course also conceivable to glue the two shells to each other. Alternatively, purely theoretically, it is conceivable to connect the two shells to each other via a clip connection or a screw connection, which provides the following great advantage: the container housing can be opened to replace the dryer device or the activated carbon cartridge, and the container housing can continue to be used after the dryer device or the activated carbon cartridge has been replaced. In this case, a seal should also be placed between the two shells.

[0019] In another advantageous embodiment of the compensating container according to the invention, the first shell and / or the second shell are constructed from polyoxymethylene (POM). POM is a partially crystalline thermoplastic which has high mechanical strength and rigidity and in addition has high wear resistance and low hygroscopicity, which is particularly advantageous when used in the compensating container according to the invention, since in this case water storage or moisture absorption increases the electrical conductivity of the dielectric coolant. Alternatively, polyketone can also be used as the plastic for the first and / or second shell. 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, the plastic can have glass fibers, in particular 25% glass fibers, and can be constructed in particular as POM GF-25.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention is based on the general idea of ​​equipping a battery cooling system with a compensating container as described in the above paragraphs and thereby transferring the advantages described with respect to the compensating container to the battery cooling system. In particular, the advantage of a battery cooling system equipped with a compensating container according to the invention is cost-effective production, wherein, for a possibly necessary replacement of the dryer device and / or the activated carbon cartridge, only the compensating container or, in the case of an openable container housing, only the dryer device and / or the activated carbon cartridge need to be replaced.

[0021] 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.

[0022] It should be understood 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 (such as a device, an apparatus or a component) can form a separate component or part of the unit or can be an integral region or section of the unit, even if this is shown in a different way in the drawings.

[0023] 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings schematically show:

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

[0026] Figure 2 Shown as Figure 1 The diagram shown, but in another perspective,

[0027] Figure 3 A sectional view of a compensating container according to the invention is shown, which has a dryer device according to the invention and an activated carbon cartridge,

[0028] Figure 4 Shown as Figure 3 Shown is a cross-sectional view of a further dryer arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] according to Figure 1 and 2 The air compensation container 1 according to the invention for the battery cooling system 3 according to the invention has a container housing 4 made of plastic, which has a first shell 5 and a second shell 6 connected thereto. In this case, a first receiving portion 7 is provided or formed in the first shell 5 and / or in the second shell 6 (see Figure 3 and 4 ), a dryer device 8 is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the first receiving portion.

[0030] Here, according to Figure 3 The dryer device 8 has an air-permeable bag-shaped housing 15 in which a desiccant is arranged. Alternatively, the dryer device 8 can also have a dimensionally stable drying body 17, which is composed of a sintered, extruded or injection-molded desiccant, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0031] If you observe Figure 3, you can see there the dryer device 8, in which a bag-shaped housing 15 is constructed, which is made of polyester fabric. Of course, other materials that are resistant to the coolant in the battery cooling system 3 can also be considered here. The desiccant can be arranged in the bag-shaped housing 15 as a bulk material, for example as pearl-shaped silica gel or zeolite. As a result, the outer contour of the dryer device 8 can be optimally adapted to the inner contour of the first receiving part 7, thereby enabling a form-fitting and reliable receiving part. By means of the form-fitting receiving part, in particular, undesired bypass flows of the sucked fresh air 2a can also be avoided.

[0032] Used according to Figure 4 The desiccant of the dimensionally stable dryer device 8 can also comprise silica gel or zeolite. Figure 4 The dimensionally stable drying body 17 consisting of a pressed, sintered, extruded or injection-molded drying agent has a rod-shaped shape.

[0033] Here, the dryer device 8 or the drying body 17 has an outer shape that is complementary to the inner contour of the first receiving part 7 in the container shell 4 of the compensation container 1, thereby enabling the dryer device 8 to be inserted into the corresponding first receiving part 7 of the container shell 4 in a form-fitting manner without the need for a shape-stable drying body 17 consisting of an extruded, sintered or injection-molded desiccant of an additional shell, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0034] Furthermore, the compensating container 1 according to the invention has a first valve 9, via which the air 2 can be blown out of the compensating container 1 into the environment in the event of an overpressure in the compensating container 1. In the event of an underpressure in the compensating container 1, fresh air 2a enters the compensating container 1 from the environment via a second valve 10.

[0035] In addition, a second receiving portion 11 is formed in the first shell 5 and / or the second shell 6, in which an activated carbon cartridge 12 is received in a form-fitting manner (see also Figure 3 and 4 ). Thus, the illustrated compensation container 1 has a container housing 4, which has two receiving parts 7, 11 arranged therein, in which a dryer device 8 or an activated carbon cartridge 12 is arranged. Thus, in the case of an overpressure in the compensation container 1, the air 2 flows outwards into the environment through the first valve 9 and the activated carbon cartridge 12 arranged in the second receiving part 11. By blowing the air 2 through the activated carbon cartridge 12, harmful substances, in particular hydrocarbons, can be reliably blocked. Here, fresh air 2a is sucked from the environment into the compensation container 1 via the second valve 10 and the dryer device 8, and the sucked fresh air 2a is dried in the dryer device.

[0036] Here, the first valve 9 is arranged in the intermediate wall 13, which separates the second receiving part 11 from the interior space 16 of the container housing 4. Here, the second valve 10 is arranged in the outer wall of the container housing 4, which separates the first receiving part 7 from the environment, and the second valve can also be configured as a double valve, that is, a valve that can be permeable in two directions. Of course, the second valve 10 described above and a further overpressure valve can also be arranged in the outer wall of the container housing 4, and the air 2 is blown out of the compensation container 1 into the environment via the further overpressure valve.

[0037] If you continue to observe Figure 3 and 4 , it can be seen that a spring 14 is arranged on the activated carbon cartridge 12, which preloads the activated carbon cartridge 12 against the container housing 4, specifically against the intermediate wall 13. The spring 14 allows a vibration-free and therefore rattling-free fixation of the activated carbon cartridge 12 in the second receiving part 11. This makes it possible to achieve increased user comfort, in particular due to lower noise generation.

[0038] Here, the first shell 5 and / or the second shell 6 can be designed as a plastic injection molded part, thereby enabling not only high-quality production but also cost-effective production. Here, the two shells 5, 6 can be welded or glued to each other, wherein, purely theoretically, it is also conceivable that the two shells 5, 6 are connected to each other via a clip connection or a screw connection, which provides the following great advantage: the container housing 4 can be opened for replacing the dryer device 8 or the activated carbon cartridge 12, and after replacing the dryer device 8 or the activated carbon cartridge 12, the container housing can continue to be used.

[0039] Here, the first shell 5 and / or the second shell 6 can be constructed from polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyketone, that is, made from a plastic with high strength and low moisture absorption, which is very advantageous in particular for the compensation container 1 for the air 2 of the battery cooling system 3. In order to further improve the strength and wear resistance of the container shell 4, the plastic of the two shells 5 and 6 can be reinforced with the aid of fibers, in particular glass fibers.

[0040] All in all, an extremely cost-effective, space-optimized and maintenance-friendly solution can be achieved with the dryer device 8 according to the invention, the compensating container 1 according to the invention and the battery cooling system 3 according to the invention.

Claims

1. A dryer device (8) for a compensating container (1) of a battery cooling system (3), -in, The dryer device (8) has an air-permeable bag-shaped housing (15) in which a desiccant is arranged, or The dryer device (8) has a dimensionally stable drying body (17) which consists of a sintered, extruded or injection-molded drying agent.

2. The dryer device according to claim 1, in a first alternative, It is characterized in that The bag-like housing (15) is constructed of polyester fabric.

3. The dryer device according to claim 1, in a first alternative, It is characterized in that The desiccant is arranged as bulk material in the bag-shaped housing (15).

4. The dryer device according to claim 1, in a second alternative, It is characterized in that The drying body (17) has a rod-like appearance.

5. An activated carbon cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The desiccant includes silica gel or zeolite.

6. A compensating container (1) for a battery cooling system (3), the compensating tank has a tank housing (4) made of plastic, the tank housing having a first shell (5) and a second shell (6) connected to the first shell, -in, A first receiving portion (7) is formed in the first shell (5) and / or in the second shell (6), the compensating container has a dryer device (8) according to any of the preceding claims, which is received in the first receiving part (7) in a form-fitting manner, 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).

7. The compensating container according to claim 6, It is characterized in that - a second receiving portion (11) is formed in the first shell (5) and / or in the second shell (6), An activated carbon cartridge (12) is received in the second receiving portion (11) in a form-fitting manner.

8. The compensating container according to claim 6 or 7, It is characterized in that The first valve (9) is arranged in an intermediate wall (13) which separates the second receiving portion (11) from an interior space (16) of the container housing (4).

9. The compensating container according to any one of claims 6 to 8, It is characterized in that The first shell (5) and / or the second shell (6) are designed as plastic injection-molded parts.

10. The compensating container according to any one of claims 6 to 9, It is characterized in that The first shell (5) and the second shell (6) are welded, clamped, screwed or bonded to each other.

11. The compensating container according to any one of claims 6 to 10, It is characterized in that The first shell (5) and / or the second shell (6) are made of polyoxymethylene (POM) or of polyketone.

12. The compensating container according to any one of claims 6 to 11, It is characterized in that The first shell (5) and / or the second shell (6) comprises glass fibers, in particular a 25% glass fiber content in the plastic.

13. The compensating container according to any one of claims 6 to 12, It is characterized in that The second valve (10) is arranged in an outer wall of the container housing (4), which separates the first receptacle (7) from the environment.

14. A battery cooling system (3) comprising a compensating container (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 13.

Images