Cooling device for electrochemical or electrical components

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling device (1) for electrochemical and electrical components, comprising a component housing (4) having a housing body (6) and a cover (8), the component housing (4) being equipped with an inlet (10) and an outlet (12), an inner space (4) for receiving a coolant being provided in the component housing (4), the cover (6) comprising a first cover element (16) having an inner side (18) and an outer side (20), wherein the first cover element (16) has a semi-permeable element (22), and wherein the cover (6) comprises a second cover element (24) having an inner side (26) and an outer side (28), and wherein a gap (30) is formed between the outer side (20) of the first cover element (24) and the inner side (26) of the second cover element (24), which gap is fluidically connected to the outlet (12). The invention further relates to a cooling system.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for cooling an electrochemical or electrical component. In particular, the present invention relates to a cooling device for battery cells used in a mobile device, such as a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a cooling system. Background Art

[0002] It is known from the prior art that electrochemical or electrical components operate optimally within a predefined temperature window. For components that generate heat during their operation, it is also necessary to remove the generated heat again. Otherwise, the component may overheat, which depending on the component may only lead to a malfunction at the component or a safety-related situation.

[0003] For example, it is known from EP 2 503 199 A1 that when a plurality of individual battery cells are placed in a housing in a battery, it is advantageous to cool the battery or the battery system. A contact cooling part is known herein, where the contact cooling part can be used as a pressureless system with an aqueous medium or an air-conditioning device based on fluorohydrocarbons or carbon dioxide. It is also known from EP 2 503 199 A1 a pressure equalization device for a battery system, which provides an opening element for pressure equalization of the dead volume in the battery system. The known element ensures gas exchange between the battery system and the environment in order to avoid overpressure and thus damage to the battery system especially in the case of temperature fluctuations. Thus, it relates to a system in which the gaseous part of the coolant may be released into the environment, which results in a loss of coolant.

[0004] For example, other battery cooling systems are known from EP 3 113 279 A1. A two-phase fluid is used in the known battery system. Here, the gaseous coolant condenses in the uppermost module among a plurality of modules, or is guided to a condenser via a gas line. EP 3 113 279 A1 does not address the problem of retaining the liquid phase in the battery system, which is particularly important for electrochemical or electrical components.

[0005] In particular, when a two-phase fluid is to be used as a coolant, it is advantageous that there is no connection between the cooling circuit and the environment. In order to obtain an effective cooling effect, it makes sense to only remove the gaseous part of the coolant and cool it again. Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling device that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a cooling device should be provided that selectively discharges the gaseous part of the coolant from the cooling device. In addition, a cooling system should also be provided.

[0007] This object is achieved in terms of the device by the features of claim 1. Useful design solutions are derived from the corresponding dependent claims.

[0008] The cooling device according to the invention for electrochemical and electrical components comprises a component housing having a housing body and a cover, wherein the component housing is equipped with an inlet and an outlet. An internal space for receiving a coolant is provided in the component housing. The cover comprises a first covering element having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the first covering element has a semipermeable element. The cover comprises a second covering element having an inner side and an outer side, wherein a gap is formed between the outer side of the first covering element and the inner side of the second covering element, and the gap is fluidly connected to the outlet. The gaseous coolant can be guided from the internal space of the component housing through the semipermeable element of the first covering element into the gap and from the gap to the outlet.

[0009] In the design, the component housing is at least partially made of plastic in particular.

[0010] The outlet and the inlet each have an opening accordingly and are suitably arranged for attaching pipelines or hoses respectively.

[0011] The semipermeable element is understood in particular as an element that is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable or at least hardly permeable to liquids.

[0012] The housing body is designed as a basin-shaped in particular.

[0013] According to the invention, the cover is designed as at least two-piece. Here, the first covering element is designed in particular such that the first covering element lies against the housing body in a planar manner, and the first covering element and the housing body delimit the internal space. The outlet and / or the inlet are optionally configured in the cover or in the housing body. The second covering element covers at least the semipermeable element and the gap such that the component housing has a fluid connection between the internal space and the surroundings only via the inlet and the outlet.

[0014] The cooling device according to the invention has the advantage that the liquid-phase coolant remains in the internal space of the component housing and the gaseous coolant is selectively discharged from the internal space of the component housing.

[0015] The cooling device is particularly also suitable for applications in which the component housing, for example, undergoes attitude changes or accelerations in a vehicle.

[0016] In a suitable design, the first covering element has at least one perforation with a periphery, wherein the wall element extends from the first covering element to the second covering element along the periphery, and the wall element is at least partially formed by a semi-permeable element. Here, the wall element or at least the semi-permeable element can be arranged above the first covering element, i.e., on the side of the first covering element facing away from the interior space of the housing body. Thereby, compared to a planar design of the semi-permeable element arranged in the covering element, the semi-permeable element has a large distance from the liquid coolant.

[0017] In this design, the gaseous coolant first passes through the opening into the space arranged above the first covering element, and this space is laterally bounded by the wall element. The wall element can form one or more walls. The wall element is at least partially formed by a semi-permeable element such that at least one region of the one / more walls is semi-permeable. The gaseous coolant can enter the intermediate space between the first covering element and the second covering element through the semi-permeable region, and this intermediate space forms a gap. Then, the gaseous coolant is guided through the gap to the outlet.

[0018] In this embodiment, the distance between the liquid coolant in the housing body and the semi-permeable element is particularly large.

[0019] In other designs, the wall element is completely formed by a semi-permeable element.

[0020] In other designs, the perforation has a circular shape and a wall element that is hollow cylindrical. Thus, the semi-permeable element is an annular or hollow cylindrical element, which is suitably connected to the first covering element and / or abuts against the periphery of the perforation of the first covering element.

[0021] Suitably, the semi-permeable element is a sintered element. Due to using a sintered element as the semi-permeable element, only a small area is required for gas passage, while in the case of alternative semi-permeable elements such as membranes or non-woven fabrics, a considerably larger area is required.

[0022] The semi-permeable element, especially the sintered element, can be connected to the first covering element in a material-locking, force-locking, or form-locking manner. Other fastening possibilities known to those skilled in the art can also be envisaged. The semi-permeable element can be constructed as a plate-shaped element.

[0023] In the design, the semi-permeable element is a plastic element, in particular made of sintered polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The semi-permeable element and the covering element are suitably made of the same or similar materials. Such sintered elements made of the same or similar materials can be connected to the covering element, for example, in a material-compatible manner, such as by welding. This embodiment can be manufactured in a particularly cost-effective way.

[0024] Suitably, the first covering element includes one or more semi-permeable elements, in particular two to eight semi-permeable elements, especially two to four semi-permeable elements. In particular, each semi-permeable element is a sintered element. Suitably, the sintered elements are substantially the same. The sintered elements can have a pore size distribution adapted to the coolant.

[0025] In the design, the semi-permeable element is arranged in one, in particular each, corner region of the first covering element. In other designs, the semi-permeable element is arranged in two corner regions, which are arranged, for example, diagonally opposite.

[0026] The component housing, in particular the component body, can be designed to be square, and the first covering element and the second covering element can each have four corner regions.

[0027] In the design, the area of the first covering element is smaller than the area of the second covering element. Thus, the second covering element completely covers the first covering element.

[0028] In the design, a gap can be formed planar between the first covering plate and the second covering plate. Alternatively or additionally, the first covering element and / or the second covering element can have protrusions that extend towards the respective other covering element and delimit the width of the gap. One or more discharge channels can be formed by means of the protrusions and are connected to the outlet. Alternatively or additionally, the first covering element and / or the second covering element can have guiding elements in the form of, for example, grooves or slots, which guide the gas flow from the semi-permeable element to the outlet.

[0029] Suitably, one or more battery elements or accumulator elements are received in the component housing.

[0030] The component housing can have a safety element in the form of, for example, a bursting protector and / or a safety valve.

[0031] According to other aspects of the present invention, a cooling system is disclosed, which includes a cooling device and also includes a compressor and a cooler arranged outside the component housing. The compressor and the cooler liquefy the gaseous coolant again. Alternatively, the cooling system may also include a heat exchanger or a condenser arranged outside the component housing, which liquefies the gaseous coolant again. The cooling system forms a closed loop. Description of the Drawings

[0032] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the embodiments and the drawings for other features and advantages. They are shown in principle diagrams respectively:

[0033] Figure 1 A top view of a closed component housing is shown,

[0034] Figure 2 A top view of a partially opened component housing of the design is shown;

[0035] Figure 3 A longitudinal section along A-A of the component housing of the design is shown, Figure 1 of

[0036] Figure 4 A sectional enlarged view of Figure 3 is shown,

[0037] Figure 5 A cooling system is shown,

[0038] Figure 6 A top view of a partially opened component housing of another design is shown,

[0039] Figure 7 A longitudinal section along A-A of the component housing of the design is shown,

[0040] Figure 8 A sectional enlarged view of Figure 7 is shown,

[0041] Figure 9 A cross-section along B-B of the component housing of the design is shown,

[0042] Figure 10 A sintered element is shown. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0043] The cooling device 2 according to the present invention includes a component housing 4, see Figure 1。The component housing 2 has a housing body 6 and a cover 8. The housing body 6 is designed to be basin-shaped, and the cover 8 closes the interior space of the housing body 6. The component housing 2 is also provided with an inlet 10 and an outlet 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 10 and the outlet 12 each have tubular protrusions. The cover 8 has a second covering element 24 on its upper side. The second covering element 24 is provided with a safety element 38. The safety element 38 is in particular a burst protection device. In Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment, the housing body 6 is substantially square.

[0044] In Figure 2 the illustrated component housing 4, the second covering element 24 is removed so that the first covering element 16 is visible. In the illustrated embodiment, the first covering element 16 has four semi-permeable elements 22, which are respectively arranged in the corners of the first covering element 16. The four semi-permeable elements 22 are in particular constructed as sintered elements, which are preferably connected to the plate elements of the first covering element 16 in a material-locking manner. The first covering element 16 is likewise provided with a safety element 38, or the safety element 38 extends over the first covering element 16 and the second covering element 24.

[0045] Figure 3 A longitudinal section along A-A through Figure 1 is shown. The interior space 14 is located in the component housing 4, in particular in the housing body 6. In the interior space 14, for example, battery cell elements can be received. In addition, a coolant is received in the interior space, which can be partially liquid and partially gaseous. The interior space 14 is bounded by the cover 8 with respect to the upper side of the component housing 4. The cover 8 includes a first covering element 16 and a second covering element 24. The first covering element 16 is arranged facing the interior space 14, and the second covering element 24 is arranged facing the outer upper side of the cover 8. That is, the inner side 18 of the first covering element points to the interior space 14 and bounds the interior space 14. The outer side 20 of the first covering element 16 and the inner side 26 of the second covering element 24 are opposite each other and bound the gap 30 arranged between the first covering element 16 and the second covering element 24, as is particularly shown in Figure 4 in an enlarged view. The first covering element 16 is provided with semi-permeable elements 22. Here, the semi-permeable elements 22 are designed to be plate-shaped. The gaseous coolant located in the interior space 14 passes from the interior space 14 through one or more semi-permeable elements 22 into the gap 30. In the gap 30, guiding elements in the form of grooves are constructed on the outer side 20 of the first covering element 16, which guide the air flow to the outlet. The gaseous coolant 22 is guided from the gap 30 to the outlet 12.

[0046] In Figure 5A cooling system according to the present invention is shown. The cooling device 2 has its outlet 12 connected via a pipeline 36 to a cooler 34 and a compressor 33, which re-liquefies the gaseous coolant. Then the liquid coolant can be supplied again via other pipelines 36 to the cooling device 2 so that it reaches again, via the inlet 10, for example via a valve 40, into the interior space 14 of the component housing. In the component housing, the coolant is heated again by the waste heat from the components received in the component housing, in particular battery cells, and is at least partially converted into the gas phase. As described above, the gaseous coolant can be selectively discharged again, thus creating a closed cooling circuit. In the cooling system, a plurality of cooling devices, i.e., component housings, can also be arranged, each of which is supplied with coolant.

[0047] Figure 6 Other design variants of the cooling device according to the invention are shown. In Figure 6 the component housing 4 shown, the second covering element 24 is removed so that the first covering element 16 is visible. In the embodiment shown, the first covering element 16 has two semi-permeable elements 22, which are each arranged in a corner of the first covering element 16. The two semi-permeable elements 22 are arranged in diagonally opposite corners. The semi-permeable elements 22 are in particular designed as sintered elements, which are connected, for example in a material-fitting manner, to the plate element of the first covering element 16.

[0048] The first covering element 16 has two perforations 50 here. Each of the perforations 50 has a periphery 52 which is circular here. A wall element 54 extends along the periphery 52 and also extends perpendicular to the first covering element 16. The wall element 54 is hollow cylindrical. The wall element 54 is in particular a semi-permeable element designed entirely as a sintered element, which is designed as a hollow cylinder as Figure 10 shown.

[0049] The first covering element 16 is also provided with a safety element 38, or the safety element 38 extends over the first covering element 16 and the second covering element 24.

[0050] Figure 7A longitudinal section along A-A shows other design solutions. The internal space 14 is located in the component housing 4, in particular in the housing body 6. For example, battery cell elements can be received in the internal space 14. In addition, a coolant is received in the internal space, which can be partially liquid and partially gaseous. The internal space 14 is bounded by the cover 8 with respect to the upper side of the component housing 4. The cover 8 includes a first covering element 16 and a second covering element 24. The first covering element 16 is arranged facing the internal space 14, and the second covering element 24 is arranged facing the outer upper side of the cover 8. That is, the inner side 18 of the first covering element points to the internal space 14 and bounds the internal space 14. The outer side 20 of the first covering element 16 and the inner side 26 of the second covering element 24 face each other and bound the gap 30 arranged between the first covering element 16 and the second covering element 24, as shown enlarged especially in Figure 8 and Figure 9 as shown.

[0051] The first covering element 16 is provided with two semi-permeable elements 22. The semi-permeable elements 22 extend perpendicular to the first covering element 16 towards the second covering element 24. In particular, the semi-permeable elements 22 abut against the periphery 52 of the perforation 50 of the first covering element 16 and are thus arranged on the outer side 20 of the first covering element 16 facing away from the internal space 14. The gaseous coolant located in the internal space 14 passes from the internal space 14 through one or more semi-permeable elements 22 into the gap 30. For this purpose, the gaseous coolant first passes through the perforation 50 and is located in the space bounded by the wall element 54, which is bounded on the upper side by the second covering element 24. The gaseous coolant can now pass through the wall element 54 formed by the semi-permeable elements 22, in particular sintered elements, into the gap 30. In the gap 30, guide elements 23 in the form of grooves are constructed on the outer side 20 of the first covering element 16, which guide the air flow to the outlet. These guide elements 23 are visible especially in Figure 9 in the sectional view. The gaseous coolant 22 is guided from the gap 30 to the outlet 12.

[0052] List of reference numerals

[0053] 2 Cooling device

[0054] 4 Component housing

[0055] 6 Housing body

[0056] 8 Cover

[0057] 10 Inlet

[0058] 12 Outlet

[0059] 14 Internal space

[0060] 16 First covering element

[0061] 18 Inner side

[0062] 20 Outer side

[0063] 22 Semi-permeable element

[0064] 23 Guide element

[0065] 24 Second covering element

[0066] 26 Inner side

[0067] 28 Outer side

[0068] 30 Gap

[0069] 32 Corner area

[0070] 33 Compressor

[0071] 34 Cooler

[0072] 36 Pipeline

[0073] 38 Safety element

[0074] 40 Valve

[0075] 50 Perforation

[0076] 52 Periphery

[0077] 54 Wall element

Claims

1. Cooling device (1) for electrochemical and electrical components, comprising a component housing (4) having a housing body (6) and a cover (8), wherein the component housing (4) is provided with an inlet (10) and an outlet (12), wherein an internal space (14) for receiving a coolant is provided in the component housing (4), wherein the cover (6) comprises a first covering element (16) having an inner side (18) and an outer side (20), and wherein the first covering element (16) has a semi-permeable element (22), wherein the cover (6) comprises a second covering element (24) having an inner side (26) and an outer side (28), and wherein a gap (30) is formed between the outer side (20) of the first covering element (24) and the inner side (26) of the second covering element (24), and the gap is in fluid connection with the outlet (12), wherein gaseous coolant can be guided from the internal space (14) of the component housing (4) through the semi-permeable element (22) of the first covering element (16) into the gap (30) and from the gap (30) to the outlet (12).

2. Cooling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the semi-permeable element (22) is a sintered element.

3. Cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the semi-permeable element (22) is a plastic element, in particular made of sintered PE, PET or PTFE.

4. Cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the semi-permeable element (22) and the first covering element (16) are made of the same or similar materials.

5. Cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first covering element (16) comprises a plurality of semi-permeable elements (22), in particular two to four semi-permeable elements (22).

6. Cooling device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the semi-permeable element (22) is arranged in the corner regions (32) of the first covering element (16), in particular in each corner region (32).

7. Cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the component housing (4), in particular the housing body (6), is designed to be square, and the first covering element (16) and the second covering element (24) each have four corner regions (32).

8. Cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the area of the first covering element (16) is smaller than the area of the second covering element (24).

9. Cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the semi-permeable element (22) is designed to be plate-shaped.

10. The cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first covering element (16) has at least one perforation (50) with a periphery (52), and a wall element (54) extends from the first covering element (16) to the second covering element (24) along the periphery (52), and the wall element (54) is at least partially formed by the semi-permeable element (22).

11. The cooling device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the wall element (54) is completely formed by the semi-permeable element (22).

12. The cooling device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the perforation (50) has a circular shape and the wall element (54) is hollow cylindrical.

13. The cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more battery elements or accumulator elements are received in the component housing (4).

14. A cooling system, comprising the cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a compressor (33) and a cooler (34) arranged outside the component housing (36).

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