Housing and charging apparatus for electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (1) for receiving a heat source (13), comprising: an outer cover (11) surrounding an inner cavity (12); a heat source (13) arranged in the inner cavity (12); a heat storage unit (14); at least one heat dissipation unit (16) arranged in the housing (11) or forming a sub-region of the housing. The heat source (13) is connected to the heat storage unit (14) via a heat transfer connection (15), and the coolant transfers heat dissipated by the heat source (13) from the heat source to the heat storage unit (14) via the heat transfer connection (15). Furthermore, a heat-dissipating connection (17) is provided which thermally connects the heat storage unit (14) to the heat-dissipating unit (16), the heat-dissipating connection (17) transferring the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit (14) to the heat-dissipating unit (16) in a time-shifted manner, and the heat-dissipating unit (16) discharging the transferred heat from the housing (1). The invention also relates to a charging device having a housing (1) and to a method for discharging heat from a heat source (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing for accommodating a heat source, the housing comprising: an outer cover, the outer cover surrounding an inner cavity; a heat source, the heat source being arranged in the inner cavity; a heat storage unit; and at least one heat dissipation unit, the at least one heat dissipation unit being arranged in the outer cover or forming a sub-region of the outer cover. The heat source is connected to the heat storage unit via a heat transfer connection, and a coolant transfers heat dissipated by the heat source from the heat source to the heat storage unit via the heat transfer connection. In addition, a heat dissipation connection is provided, which thermally connects the heat storage unit to the heat dissipation unit, wherein the heat dissipation connection transfers heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit to the heat dissipation unit in a time-staggered manner, and the heat dissipation unit conducts the transferred heat out of the housing. The present invention also relates to a charging device having a housing and a method for conducting heat from a heat source. Background Art

[0002] Charging systems or charging devices for electrically operated vehicles often generate significant amounts of waste heat, which must be dissipated from the charging device to ensure stable operation. Therefore, these charging devices often include active cooling systems that dissipate the waste heat generated by the use of electrical energy from the charging device housing. Operating such active cooling systems can sometimes require significant amounts of electrical energy, particularly when the charging device is compact. Furthermore, active cooling systems often generate loud noise, such as from fans, which can be perceived as disturbing in the surroundings of the charging device. For this reason, future regulations will establish noise limits for charging devices in public spaces and prohibit the operation of charging devices that exceed these limits.

[0003] DE 10 2016 101 115 A1 describes an electrically conductive vehicle charging port with a cooling infrastructure. The cooling infrastructure uses a coolant to dissipate heat from the charging port to the surrounding environment. Furthermore, the cooling infrastructure may include cooling fins that dissipate heat from the charging port directly to the surrounding environment.

[0004] US Pat. No. 11745612 B1 describes a method and system for temperature management of a vehicle charging system. The system may include a cooling plate that absorbs heat from the charging device and uses the absorbed heat to evaporate a coolant within the cooling plate. The vaporized coolant can then be fed to a condenser, where it condenses back into a liquid state while dissipating heat to the environment.

[0005] CN 213472824 U describes a high-power charging unit with stable heat dissipation. The charging unit includes multiple cooling fans and a heat-conducting plate disposed outside the charging unit. Excess heat generated within the charging unit is dissipated through convection and heat conduction in conjunction with a housing surrounding the charging unit. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution by which an electric vehicle can be reliably charged, while achieving reduced energy requirements and reduced noise generation for the cooling of the applied charging device.

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by a housing for receiving a heat source, the housing comprising:

[0008] - an outer casing that encloses an inner cavity;

[0009] - a heat source that dissipates heat in a time-dependent manner, the heat source being arranged in the inner cavity;

[0010] - a heat storage unit that is arranged in the inner cavity and is configured to temporarily store the heat dissipated by the heat source;

[0011] - at least one heat dissipation unit that is arranged in the outer casing or forms a sub-region of the outer casing,

[0012] wherein the heat source is fluidly connected to the heat storage unit via a heat transfer connection, and a coolant transfers the heat dissipated by the heat source from the heat source to the heat storage unit via the heat transfer connection,

[0013] wherein the heat storage unit comprises at least one heat storage plate that is flowed through or bypassed by the coolant and is configured to absorb heat from the coolant, and a heat dissipation connection is provided that thermally connects the heat storage unit to the heat dissipation unit, wherein the heat dissipation connection is configured to transfer at least part of the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit to the heat dissipation unit in a manner that is staggered in time from the heat dissipation time of the heat source, and the heat dissipation unit is configured to conduct the transferred heat out of the housing, and wherein a first heat flow that can be transferred from the heat source to the heat storage unit via the heat transfer connection is greater than a second heat flow that can be conducted out of the housing by the heat dissipation unit, in particular wherein the first heat flow is at least twice as large as the second heat flow.

[0014] The housing according to the present invention is configured to receive a heat source and further comprises components that are configured to first temporarily store heat in the housing and then or simultaneously conduct the temporarily stored heat out of the housing. The housing according to the present invention can for example be used as the housing of a charging device for charging an electric vehicle. However, in addition, the housing according to the present invention can also be used to protectively receive other heat sources, such as data processing modules, radio modules, etc. The housing is hereinafter described in relation to a charging device for an electrically operated vehicle, wherein the heat source is formed by the power module of such a charging device. However, the present invention is expressly not limited to this application of the housing.

[0015] The housing according to the present invention includes an outer casing that encloses an inner cavity. Here, the outer casing is substantially closed, but may have openings for cable penetration and for enabling gas exchange between the inner cavity of the housing and the environment. The outer casing is provided for protecting and spatially separating the components arranged in the inner cavity, including heat sources. At least one heat source is arranged in the inner cavity of the housing, which dissipates heat at least in a time-dependent manner, and then heat accumulates in the inner cavity. Preferably, the heat source dissipates heat discontinuously, i.e., in a time-dependent manner. The heat source dissipates a large amount of heat at certain times and less heat or no heat at other times. The heat source can be formed, for example, by power electronics for charging an electric vehicle. At least one heat storage unit is arranged inside the housing, which is provided for storing the heat dissipated by the heat source. For this purpose, the heat storage unit has a high heat storage capacity, i.e., the heat storage unit can absorb and temporarily store a larger amount of heat. The housing further includes a heat dissipation unit, which is arranged in or on the outer casing. The heat dissipation unit is used for dissipating heat from the inner cavity of the housing, in particular from the heat storage unit, to the outside of the housing. The heat dissipation unit can also form part of the outer casing.

[0016] The heat source is connected to the heat storage unit via a heat transfer connection, which fluidly transfers the coolant from the heat source to the heat storage unit. The heat transfer connection can be formed, for example, by a pipe that guides and transfers the coolant from the heat source to the heat storage unit. The heat storage unit includes at least one heat storage plate, which is flowed through or around by the coolant that flows from the heat source to the heat storage unit while being loaded with heat. The heat storage plate is an energy storage in the heat storage unit and first absorbs heat from the coolant itself and stores the heat there. The heat storage plate preferably has a large surface area in order to enable rapid heat transfer from the coolant to the heat storage plate. Preferably, a plurality of heat storage plates are provided, which are arranged in a labyrinth in the heat storage unit, so that the flowing coolant comes into contact with the plurality of heat storage plates and in this way a large amount of thermal energy can be transferred to the heat storage unit in a short time. Preferably, at least one heat storage plate is arranged in the housing of the heat storage unit. Preferably, the housing of the heat storage unit has a coolant inlet through which the warm coolant is introduced into the heat storage unit from the heat source. In addition, the heat storage unit preferably has a coolant outlet, which leads the cooled coolant (at least most of its thermal energy has been dissipated to the heat storage plate) out of the housing of the heat storage unit. The housing according to the present invention further includes a heat dissipation connection, which transfers the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit to the heat dissipation unit. The heat dissipation connection can be designed in different ways and is formed, for example, by a pipe connection that connects the heat storage unit and the heat dissipation unit. Finally, the heat dissipation unit dissipates the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit to the outside of the housing. The heat dissipation unit can also be designed in different ways and is formed, for example, by an opening in the housing through which the coolant flows out of the housing to the outside. Alternatively or additionally, the heat dissipation unit can also be formed by a closed sub-region of the outer casing.

[0017] According to the present invention, a first heat flow that can be transferred from the heat source to the heat storage unit is greater than a second heat flow that can be dissipated from the heat storage unit via the heat sink unit and out of the housing. Heat flow is understood here to mean the amount of heat transferred per time. If the heat source generates a relatively large amount of heat over time, this heat is first transferred by the coolant to the heat storage unit in the form of a first heat flow and stored there. The coolant and heat transfer connection are designed so that a large first heat flow can be transferred from the heat source to the heat storage unit. A large amount of heat can be generated by the heat source, for example, when an electric vehicle with a low state of charge is plugged into a charging device. After plugging in, a relatively high charging current is transferred to the vehicle, generating a large amount of waste heat in the corresponding power electronics. During the charging process of the electric vehicle, the charging current decreases, thereby reducing the amount of waste heat dissipated. Once the charging process of the electric vehicle is complete, the power electronics no longer generate significant amounts of heat. According to the present invention, the time-dependent heat generated by the heat source is first transferred to the heat storage unit via the high-performance thermal connection and temporarily stored there. Subsequently or simultaneously, heat is transferred from the heat storage unit to the exterior of the housing in the form of a second heat flow. According to the present invention, the second heat flow is smaller than the first heat flow, typically significantly smaller. Because the second heat flow is significantly smaller than the first heat flow, which requires the maximum power of the heat source to dissipate heat, significantly less power is required to dissipate heat from the housing compared to known housings. According to the present invention, heat is dissipated from the housing using a smaller heat flow than when the heat source generates heat in the housing at peak times. This is achieved by providing a heat storage unit within the housing that can temporarily store large amounts of heat over time without having to dissipate the heat directly to the exterior of the housing. Consequently, the heat sink connections and heat dissipation unit, which serve as cooling for the housing, can be significantly smaller, requiring less energy to operate. Furthermore, the housing according to the present invention generates significantly less noise when dissipating excess heat than in known solutions. For example, the housing can be designed to be completely enclosed, with the second heat flow dissipated via a subregion of the housing's outer cover. Consequently, the housing according to the present invention enables charging electric vehicles with reduced energy requirements for cooling and a lower noise level. In this case, a charging device or power electronics for charging an electric vehicle can be operated reliably, since the large amount of waste heat that occurs over time can be reliably transferred to the heat storage unit over a short distance, thereby preventing overheating of the power electronics.

[0018] In one embodiment, it is provided that the heat storage unit includes a plurality of heat storage plates, which are arranged in a maze-like manner with some of them being spaced apart from each other, wherein the coolant successively flows through or around the heat storage plates, and wherein the heat storage plates guide the coolant from the interface between the heat transfer connection and the heat storage unit through the heat storage unit to the interface between the heat storage unit and the heat dissipation connection. In this embodiment, a plurality of heat storage plates are provided, which are arranged in the heat storage unit such that the plurality of heat storage plates are successively or simultaneously flowed through or around by the coolant. Thereby, heat is efficiently transferred from the coolant to the large surfaces of the heat storage plates. The coolant is guided between the heat storage plates on an as long a path as possible in a maze-like manner. Here, the heat storage plates form a guiding path for the coolant. Preferably, the heat storage unit includes a housing, which has an interface between the heat transfer connection and the heat storage unit, which can also be referred to as the coolant inlet. In addition, the heat storage unit includes an interface between the heat storage unit and the heat dissipation connection, which can also be referred to as the coolant outlet. The heat storage plates are arranged between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet such that the heat storage plates are preferably flowed through by the coolant on both sides, so that the provided surface can be used for heat transfer as optimally as possible. Instead of a plurality of heat storage plates that are partially spaced apart from each other, a single, large and complexly shaped heat storage plate can also be provided, which can have, for example, a spiral shape.

[0019] In another embodiment, it is provided that at least one heat storage plate is constructed in multiple layers and includes a material with a high thermal conductivity in the outer layer and a material with a high heat storage capacity in the inner layer, wherein the outer layer transfers heat from the coolant to the inner layer, and the inner layer temporarily stores the heat. Here, the material with a high thermal conductivity can be selected, for example, from the following group: aluminum or aluminum sheets, copper or copper sheets, steel, and plastics. Here, as the material with a high heat storage capacity, for example, a low melting point plastic can be selected, such as a plastic with a melting point in the range of 30°C - 90°C, or a combination of multiple such plastics, especially selected from the group of normal paraffins. Here, as the material with a high heat storage capacity, for example, a material composed of the group of PCM (phase change material) can also be selected. Here, it can relate to the following materials, which change their phase when the phase change temperature is in the range of 30°C - 90°C (+ / -10°C).

[0020] In this embodiment, the heat storage plate is constructed in multiple layers, wherein different layers perform different functions. The inner layer arranged inside is provided for storing or temporarily storing heat. Such an inner layer includes a material with a high thermal conductivity so that as much heat as possible can be temporarily stored. The outer layer surrounding the inner layer is preferably made of a material with a very high thermal conductivity. The outer layer absorbs heat from the flowing coolant and conducts it into the interior of the heat storage plate until the inner layer, where the heat is stored. In the case where the coolant flows through at a temperature lower than the temperature of the heat storage plate, the heat stored in the heat storage plate is transferred back to the coolant and led out by the coolant. In this case, the heat stored in the inner layer is transferred to the coolant via the outer layer and led out by the coolant.

[0021] In another embodiment, it is provided that at least one heat storage plate partially comprises a phase change material which undergoes a change of state (phase change) from the solid phase to the liquid phase when temporarily storing heat and, conversely, undergoes a change of state from the liquid phase to the solid phase, and absorbs or dissipates latent heat therein, in particular, wherein the phase change material is arranged in the inner layer according to the foregoing embodiment. The phase change material is a raw material or element which has a phase conversion or change of state between the solid phase and the liquid phase within the temperature range in which the heat storage plate is used, in particular within the temperature range from -20° to 150 °C. For example, if a phase change material is used in the heat storage plate which changes from the solid state to the liquid state at 70 °C, then this phase change material absorbs latent heat in addition to the conventional heat storage at 70 °C. Latent heat is necessary for achieving the phase change. Generally, the achievable heat absorption capacity is greater due to the additional absorption of latent heat in the phase change material than in the case of a material which does not undergo a change of state within the temperature range of the heat storage unit. Therefore, a larger heat absorption capacity can be achieved by means of the phase change material in the same structural space. During cooling or when the heat is dissipated back to a coolant in which the heat source dissipates no heat or only a small amount of heat, the change of state is effected in the opposite direction from the liquid phase to the solid phase. Here, the previously absorbed latent heat is again dissipated to the coolant. As such a phase change material, for example, a low melting point plastic can be selected, such as a plastic having a melting point in the range of 30 °C - 90 °C, or a combination of several such plastics, in particular selected from the group of n-alkanes.

[0022] In one embodiment, it is provided that the coolant is formed by air, wherein the coolant moves passively from the heat source to the heat storage unit via the heat transfer connection by free convection, or a coolant pump is provided in or on the housing, and the coolant pump actively transports the coolant from the heat source to the heat storage unit via the heat transfer connection. Air is a suitable coolant because air is always present and can also be drawn in from outside the housing. However, it goes without saying that heat transfer in the housing can also be achieved using another coolant, such as water or oil. The transport of the coolant in the housing can be achieved passively. The following effect is used here, namely that the density of the loaded hot or heated coolant decreases and thus it automatically rises vertically. If air is used as the coolant, the heated air can rise, for example, from the heat source in the direction of the heat storage unit. Conversely, if heat has been temporarily stored in the heat storage unit, the heated coolant can also rise by free convection from the heat storage unit. Thereby, a suction effect is generated in the heat storage unit, which draws in cold air from below and in this way a second heat flow is derived from the heat storage unit and the housing without the need for active components. The housing (in which heat transfer inside and to the outside is achieved by free convection) has a particularly low energy requirement for cooling the heat source because no active components, such as coolant pumps, need to be and do not need to be operated. To increase the efficiency during heat transfer in the housing, instead of or in addition to free convection, a coolant pump can be used, which transports the coolant inside the housing. However, due to the possibility of heat storage in the heat storage unit in the housing according to the invention, the coolant pump can be dimensioned smaller compared to known housings. The coolant pump can also be activated only time-dependently, in particular when the heat dissipated by the heat source reaches a peak, otherwise heat transfer is only achieved by free convection. To control and regulate the coolant pump, a temperature sensor is provided in combination with a regulating unit, which activates the coolant pump only when needed.

[0023] In another embodiment, it is provided that the heat dissipation unit is designed as an opening in the outer casing of the housing, the heat dissipation connection is designed as a pipeline, and the pipeline fluidly connects the heat storage unit with the heat dissipation unit, wherein the coolant flowing out of the housing via the heat dissipation unit derives a second heat flow from the housing. In this embodiment, the outer casing of the housing has at least one opening, which forms the heat dissipation unit. The second heat flow from the heat storage unit to the outside of the housing is derived by convection. The coolant absorbs heat in the heat storage unit and transfers the heat to the outside of the housing. Advantageously, due to the heat storage capacity of the heat storage unit, a smaller second heat flow is sufficient for continuously deriving heat from the housing. Thereby, the amount of coolant discharged from the housing each time can be reduced compared to known solutions. Thereby, the noise load generated by the coolant flowing out of the heat dissipation unit is also reduced for the environment.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the heat dissipation unit forms a sub-region of the outer casing, and the heat dissipation connection part is at least partially formed by a coolant in the inner cavity. The coolant transfers heat from the heat storage unit to the heat dissipation unit by convection and / or heat conduction. The heat dissipation unit includes at least one heat transfer plate, and the at least one heat transfer plate conducts the second heat flow out of the housing by heat conduction. In this embodiment, the outer casing can be designed to be completely enclosed. The conduction of the second heat flow is achieved by heat conduction through at least one heat transfer plate, which forms part of the outer casing. Thus, for example, a large-area heat transfer plate made of copper or aluminum with a very high thermal conductivity can be provided as part of the outer casing. Heat in the housing is transferred from the heat storage unit to the heat dissipation unit designed as a heat transfer plate by the coolant or other components installed in the housing through convection or heat conduction. The heat transfer plate then conducts the heat out to its outer side, where the heat is dissipated to the environment of the housing. This embodiment is absolutely noiseless when dissipating heat to the outside of the housing and is therefore very quiet. The heat transfer plate can also be designed as other heat storage devices, for example, in the case of applying phase change materials, as already described in the embodiment of the heat storage plate of the heat storage unit before. Such a heat transfer plate that also has the function of a heat storage plate serves as a heat insulation part of the housing and protects its inner cavity from extreme temperatures occurring outside the housing. In addition, the heat dissipation unit designed as a heat transfer plate can be combined with the heat dissipation unit designed as an opening in the outer casing.

[0025] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a charging device for an electric vehicle, which charging device comprises:

[0026] - a housing according to one of the foregoing embodiments;

[0027] - at least one plugging structure, which is connected to the housing by an electric wire and is arranged for connection to an electric vehicle,

[0028] wherein the heat source is formed by power electronics for providing a charging current to the electric vehicle, the first heat flow guides the heat dissipated by the power electronics during charging of the electric vehicle to the heat storage unit, and the second heat flow conducts at least part of the heat stored in the heat storage unit out of the housing in a manner at least partially staggered from the charging time of the electric vehicle.

[0029] The charging device according to the invention is arranged in the housing according to one of the foregoing embodiments. The charging device can be arranged in an electrically operated vehicle and can also be arranged outside such a vehicle. In addition, the charging device can be designed to be stationary and designed as a so-called charging pile. In the charging device according to the invention, the heat source in the housing is formed by power electronics, which provides a charging current for charging an electric vehicle. Such power electronics generates a large amount of waste heat over time, which is first stored in a storage unit in the housing according to the invention. Thus, the first heat flow of the charging device is guided from the power electronics to the heat storage unit. A smaller second heat flow is guided out of the heat storage unit to the outside of the housing as previously described in relation to the housing. When charging an electric vehicle, especially when a large charging current has to be provided just then, a large amount of waste heat is generated over time in or on the power electronics. However, such a large charging current has to be provided only over time. At other times, for example when the electric vehicle has been mostly charged, only a smaller charging current is required, resulting in a smaller amount of waste heat. The charging device according to the invention first stores the large amount of waste heat that occurs briefly in the heat storage unit without having to conduct a large amount of waste heat out of the housing. Immediately afterwards or simultaneously, the stored heat is continuously conducted out of the heat storage unit to the outside of the housing in the smaller heat flow. "Conducting heat out of the housing" can also continue in the case where the power electronics as the heat source no longer generates waste heat. Since in the charging device according to the invention only a small second heat flow that has to be conducted out of the housing is required due to the possibility of storing heat, significantly less energy is required for cooling the charging device compared to known solutions. In addition, the noise interference or the noise level generated during charging is significantly lower. However, due to the possibility of guiding the large first heat flow from the heat source to the heat storage unit, it is ensured at the same time that the heat can be reliably conducted out of the power electronics and thus these power electronics do not overheat.

[0030] The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for conducting heat away from a heat source, wherein for carrying out the method a housing according to one of the foregoing embodiments is used, in which a heat source is arranged, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0031] A) Transferring a first heat flow from the heat source via a heat transfer connection to the heat storage unit,

[0032] B) Storing the heat in step A) of the method in the heat storage unit,

[0033] C1) Conducting a second heat flow out of the housing, wherein the heat stored in step B) of the method is conducted out of the heat storage unit via a heat dissipation connection to a heat dissipation unit and from the heat dissipation unit to the outside of the housing by means of the second heat flow,

[0034] Among them, method step C1) is performed at least partially in a time - staggered manner with respect to method step A), and the first heat flow is greater than the second heat flow.

[0035] The method according to the invention is used to derive heat from a heat source, in particular when a charging device is used to charge an electrically operated vehicle. The method according to the invention is based on the following design: A large amount of heat emitted by the heat source, which occurs dynamically, i.e., only time - related, is first temporarily stored in a heat storage unit and continuously dissipated from there to the environment.

[0036] In a first method step A), heat is transferred from the heat source to the heat storage unit or into it in a first heat flow. This first heat flow is guided through a heat transfer connection.

[0037] In a second method step B), the heat transferred through the first heat flow is stored in the heat storage unit. For this purpose, the heat storage unit includes at least one heat storage plate that absorbs the transferred heat.

[0038] In a third method step C1), the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit is continuously dissipated outside the housing in a second heat flow. Here, the second heat flow is guided outside the housing via a heat dissipation connection and a heat dissipation unit. According to the invention here, method step C1) is performed at least partially in a time - staggered manner with respect to method step A). In particular, method step C1) continues after method step A) has ended. In this way, the time - related high first heat flow in the housing can be compensated by a smaller second heat flow that is continuously dissipated over a longer period. Thus, the method according to the invention can cool the heat source in an energy - efficient manner and generate less noise interference in the housing environment.

[0039] Alternatively, instead of method step C1), method step C2) can also be performed, which provides that the heat dissipation unit, the heat dissipation connection, and / or the coolant pump are briefly disconnected, so that the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage plate remains in the housing in order to thermally regulate the housing at low temperatures.

[0040] In an embodiment of the method, it is provided that the heat source is formed by the power electronics of a charging device for an electric vehicle, and the transfer of the first heat flow in method step A) is used to cool the power electronics. In this embodiment, the heat source is formed by the power electronics for charging an electric vehicle. The method in this embodiment is used to derive the waste heat from the power electronics and ensure its stable operation. Thus, the method is used to cool the power electronics when charging an electric vehicle.

[0041] The features, functions, and advantages disclosed in relation to the housing are also considered disclosed in relation to the charging device and the method. Conversely, the features, functions, and advantages disclosed in relation to the method and the charging device are also considered disclosed in relation to the housing. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0042] The present invention will be schematically illustrated in the drawings according to the embodiments and further described with reference to the drawings.

[0043] As shown in the figures:

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view shows an embodiment of a charging device according to the present invention,

[0045] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view shows a second embodiment of a heat storage unit of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0046] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view shows a third embodiment of a heat storage unit of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0047] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view shows a fourth embodiment of a heat storage unit of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] List of Reference Numerals:

[0049] 1 Housing

[0050] 11 Outer Cover

[0051] 12 Inner Cavity

[0052] 13 Heat Source

[0053] 14 Heat Storage Unit

[0054] 141 Heat Storage Plate

[0055] 141a Small Heat Storage Plate

[0056] 15 Heat Transfer Connection Part

[0057] 16 Heat Dissipation Unit

[0058] 17 Heat Dissipation Connection Part

[0059] 18 Coolant Pump

[0060] 19 Plug-in Structure

[0061] KE Coolant Inlet

[0062] KA Coolant Outlet Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0063] Figure 1A schematic cross-sectional view illustrates one embodiment of a charging device according to the present invention. The illustrated charging device is configured for charging electric vehicles. The charging device comprises a housing 1, which protects components and parts arranged within its interior 12. A heat source 13 within interior 12 comprises power electronics for supplying charging current to the electric vehicle. The charging device includes a schematically illustrated plug-in structure 19, which is connected to the heat source 13 via electrical conductors (not shown). This plug-in structure 19 is connected to the vehicle to charge the electric vehicle. The charging device can be designed as a stationary or fixed charging station or charging pile. Alternatively, the charging device can be formed by a mobile device that is located in or on the vehicle or at least transportable within the vehicle. Housing 1 is surrounded by an outer cover 11, which has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The outer cover 11 encloses interior 12, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is filled with air. A heat source 13, formed by power electronics, is arranged on the right side of interior 12. Heat source 13 dissipates heat, with the amount of heat dissipated varying over time. A heat storage unit 14 is located on the upper left side, next to the heat source 13. This unit is configured to temporarily store heat. The heat source 13 is fluidically connected to the heat storage unit 14 via a heat transfer connection 15. In the illustrated embodiment, air is used as the coolant for dissipating heat from the heat source 13. The coolant, formed from air, flows from the heat source 13, where heat is absorbed by the coolant, via the heat transfer connection 15 into the heat storage unit 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer connection 15 is formed by a pipe connecting the heat source 13 to the heat storage unit 14. In the illustrated embodiment, heat is dissipated from the housing 1 via two parallel heat dissipation units 16. The first heat dissipation unit 16 is located on the left side, next to the heat storage unit 14, and is formed through an opening in the housing 11. A heat dissipation connection 17, designed as a pipe, fluidically connects the heat storage unit 14 to the heat dissipation unit 16. In this way, the coolant, formed from air, can be discharged from the heat storage unit 14 via the heat dissipation connection 17 and the heat dissipation unit 16, out of the housing 1. This transfer of a second heat flow occurs from the coolant discharged from the housing 1. In parallel with the heat sink 16, which is designed as an opening, a second heat sink 16 is arranged in the upper part of the housing 1. The second heat sink 16 is designed as a subarea of the housing 11. The heat sink 16, integrated into the housing 11, is formed by a heat transfer plate with high conductivity, which conducts a second heat flow from the housing 1 by thermal conduction. The heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit 14 is transferred to the heat sink 16, which is designed as a heat transfer plate, by a coolant in the interior 12. This coolant transfers heat from the heat storage unit 14 to the heat sink 16 by convection and / or thermal conduction. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, a coolant pump 18 is arranged in the housing 1. This coolant pump actively moves or transports the coolant, which is formed in this case by air, within the interior 12 of the housing 1. The coolant pump 18 can be designed as a blower, for example.First, the coolant pump 18 moves the coolant to the heat source 13, where it absorbs heat. The heated coolant then moves via the heat transfer connection 15 to the heat storage unit 14, where it dissipates the heat. At least a portion of the coolant is then directed from the heat storage unit 14 to the exterior of the housing via the heat sink 16, which is designed as an opening. A portion of the coolant can also be directed from the heat storage unit 14 back into the interior 12 of the housing 1, for example, to transfer heat there to the heat sink 16, which is designed as a heat transfer plate. However, the coolant pump 18 is optional and can be omitted. Without the coolant pump 18, the coolant automatically moves from the heat source 13 via the heat transfer connection 15 to the heat storage unit 14 by free convection. To this end, the heat transfer connection 15 is connected to the heat source 13 on its upper side. In this way, the coolant heated by the heat source 13 automatically rises upward due to its lower density and moves toward the heat storage unit 14.

[0064] exist Figure 1 The heat storage unit 14 in the embodiment shown in FIG comprises a plurality of heat storage plates 141, which are arranged in a spaced-apart manner and parallel to one another in the housing of the heat storage unit 14. Here, the heat storage plates 141 are arranged in a labyrinthine manner. In this way, the coolant flowing into the heat storage unit 141 is guided between the heat storage plates 141 over a long distance and is guided through the heat storage plates. As a result, the heated coolant reaches a very large surface area of the heat storage plates 141 and in this way can quickly and efficiently transfer heat to the heat storage plates 141 or absorb heat from the heat storage plates 141. An alternative embodiment for arranging one or more heat storage plates 141 in the heat storage unit 14 is shown in FIG. Figures 2 to 4 , which is shown and described in the accompanying drawings. The heat storage plate 141 guides the coolant in the heat storage unit 14 from the interface between the heat transfer connection 15 and the heat storage unit 14 (which may also be referred to as the coolant inlet KE) via the heat storage unit 14 to the interface between the heat storage unit 14 and the heat dissipation connection 17 (which may also be referred to as the coolant outlet KA). Thus, the heat storage plate 141 defines a coolant guide path that guides the coolant through the heat storage unit 14. The heat storage plate 141 is designed so that it has a high heat absorption capacity and can therefore temporarily store a large amount of heat. To this end, the heat storage plate 141 can be constructed in a single layer or multiple layers. Optionally, the heat storage plate 141 can also include, at least in part, a phase change material that transforms from a solid phase to a liquid phase when absorbing heat. This phase transition allows for greater heat storage than a material that does not undergo a phase transition when absorbing heat.

[0065] For the waste heat utilization of the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage plate 141, it can be stipulated that the heat dissipation unit 16, the heat dissipation connection part 17 and / or the coolant pump 18 are disconnected, so that the heat stored in the heat storage plate 141 remains in the housing 1 and the inner cavity 12 for temperature regulation at low temperatures.

[0066] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the heat storage unit 14 of the housing 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. In the previously described Figure 1 the heat storage unit 14 according to the first embodiment is shown, which has a plurality of heat storage plates 141 arranged parallel to each other. In Figure 2 In the second embodiment shown, the heat storage plates 141 are arranged at different angles relative to each other. Here, four large heat storage plates 141 are arranged at acute angles relative to the adjacent heat storage plates 141 respectively. Here, these four large heat storage plates 141 also form a maze, and the coolant is guided through this maze as indicated by the arrows. Here, the coolant, especially in the form of air, is introduced into the housing of the heat storage unit 14 via the coolant inlet KE, passes through the maze composed of the large heat storage plates 141, and finally escapes from the housing of the heat storage unit 14 via the coolant outlet KA. Two smaller heat storage plates 141a are respectively arranged between the four large heat storage plates 141, and the smaller heat storage plates are arranged spaced apart from each other and spaced apart from the large heat storage plates 141. The coolant also flows through the space between the small heat storage plates 141a respectively. In this way, the coolant flows around a very large surface of the heat storage plates 141 and 141a during its travel through the heat storage unit 14 and can transfer a large amount of heat into the heat storage unit 14 quickly in this way. Preferably, the shown second embodiment of the heat storage unit 14 is installed in the housing 1 such that the coolant flows from the coolant inlet KE to the coolant outlet KA substantially in the horizontal direction.

[0067] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the heat storage unit 14 of the housing 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. In this third embodiment, the coolant, preferably air, also flows through the heat storage unit 14 from the coolant inlet KE in the direction of the coolant outlet KA. Different from the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the difference from the embodiment shown in Figure 3 is that the embodiment shown in Figure 3The embodiment shown is particularly suitable for a housing 1 without a coolant pump 18, in which the transport of the coolant is effected only by free convection. The coolant loaded with heat and introduced at the coolant inlet KE automatically rises via the housing of the heat storage unit 14 and leaves the heat storage unit again via the coolant outlet KA. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of serrated heat storage plates 141 are arranged parallel to one another, with an interval provided between the heat storage plates 141, through which the coolant flows upwards. The sawtooth shape prolongs the flow path of the coolant, so that the coolant remains in contact with the larger surface of the heat storage plate 141 for a longer time. In this way, rapid and efficient heat transfer between the coolant and the heat storage plate 141 is ensured. In this embodiment, smaller heat storage plates 141a are also arranged on both sides horizontally outside the large heat storage plates 141, and the smaller heat storage plates also have an interval relative to one another, through which the coolant flows respectively. Thereby, the wetted surface of the heat storage plates 141 and 141a is further increased. In addition, the small heat storage plates 141a also increase the total heat storage capacity of the heat storage unit 14.

[0068] Figure 4 A fourth embodiment of the heat storage unit 14 of the housing 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a schematic sectional view. In Figure 4 the fourth embodiment shown, the heat storage unit 14 has only a single heat storage plate 141, which has a spiral shape. The coolant loaded with heat is introduced through the coolant inlet KE of the housing of the heat storage unit 14. The heat storage plate 141 extends into the drawing plane, and the individual coils of the heat storage plate 141 formed as a spiral are arranged spaced apart from one another. The coolant flows through the interval between the coils, whereby the coolant passes through a very large surface in all the coils of the heat storage plate 141. In this way, very good heat transfer between the coolant and the heat storage plate 141 is ensured. Immediately inside the spiral, the coolant enters the drawing plane and is led out of the housing of the heat storage unit 14 again via the coolant outlet KA. The different shapes of the heat storage plates 141, 141a in the heat storage unit 14 can also be combined with one another.

Claims

1. A housing (1) for receiving a heat source (13), the housing comprising: - an outer cover (11) which surrounds the inner cavity (12); a heat source (13) which emits heat in a time-dependent manner, the heat source being arranged in the inner cavity (12); - a heat storage unit (14), which is arranged in the inner cavity (12) and is configured to temporarily store heat emitted by the heat source (13); at least one heat dissipation unit (16), which is arranged in the housing (11) or forms a subregion of the housing (11), wherein the heat source (13) is fluidically connected to the heat storage unit (14) via a heat transfer connection (15), and a coolant is provided to transfer heat emitted by the heat source (13) from the heat source (13) to the heat storage unit (14) via the heat transfer connection (15), The heat storage unit (14) includes at least one heat storage plate (141), the at least one heat storage plate being passed through or flowed around by a coolant and being configured to absorb heat from the coolant. A heat dissipation connection portion (17) is provided, which thermally connects the heat storage unit (14) and the heat dissipation unit (16), wherein the heat dissipation connection portion (17) is configured to transfer heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit (14) to the heat dissipation unit (16) at least partially in a manner staggered with the heat dissipation time of the heat source (13), and the heat dissipation unit (16) is configured to conduct the transferred heat from the housing (1), wherein a first heat flow that can be transferred from the heat source (13) to the heat storage unit (14) via the heat transfer connection portion (15) is greater than a second heat flow that can be conducted from the housing (1) through the heat dissipation unit (16), and in particular, wherein the first heat flow is at least twice as large as the second heat flow.

2. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat storage unit (14) comprises a plurality of heat storage plates (141), which are partially spaced apart from each other and arranged in a labyrinthine manner, wherein a coolant flows through or around the heat storage plates (141) in succession, wherein the heat storage plates (141) guide the coolant from an interface between a heat transfer connection (15) and the heat storage unit (14) via the heat storage unit (14) to an interface between the heat storage unit (14) and a heat dissipation connection (17).

3. The housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one heat storage plate (141) is constructed in multiple layers and includes a material with high thermal conductivity in an outer layer and a material with high heat storage capacity in an inner layer, wherein the outer layer transfers heat from the coolant to the inner layer and the inner layer temporarily stores the heat.

4. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The at least one heat storage plate (141) partially comprises a phase change material, which undergoes a physical state change from a solid phase to a liquid phase and conversely undergoes a physical state change from a liquid phase to a solid phase when temporarily storing heat, and absorbs or dissipates latent heat, in particular, wherein the phase change material is arranged in the inner layer according to claim 3.

5. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The coolant is formed by air, wherein the coolant moves passively by free convection from the heat source (13) via the heat transfer connection (15) to the heat storage unit (14), or A coolant pump (18) is provided in or on the housing (1), which actively transfers coolant from the heat source (13) to the heat storage unit (14) via the heat transfer connection (15).

6. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The heat dissipation unit (16) is designed as an opening in the outer cover (11) of the housing (1), and the heat dissipation connection part (17) is designed as a pipeline that fluidly connects the heat storage unit (14) and the heat dissipation unit (16). Among them, the coolant flowing out of the housing (1) via the heat dissipation unit (16) conducts the second heat flow out of the housing (1).

7. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The heat dissipation unit (16) forms a sub-region of the outer cover (11), and the heat dissipation connection part (17) is at least partially formed by the coolant in the inner cavity (12). The coolant transfers heat from the heat storage unit (14) to the heat dissipation unit (16) through convection and / or heat conduction. Among them, the heat dissipation unit (16) includes at least one heat transfer plate, and the at least one heat transfer plate conducts the second heat flow out of the housing (1) through heat conduction.

8. A charging device for an electric vehicle, the charging device comprising: - The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; - At least one plug-in structure (19), the at least one plug-in structure is connected to the housing (1) by an electric wire and is arranged for connection to an electric vehicle, Among them, the heat source (13) is formed by power electronics for providing a charging current to the electric vehicle. The first heat flow guides the heat dissipated by the power electronics when charging the electric vehicle to the heat storage unit (14), and the second heat flow conducts at least part of the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage unit (14) out of the housing (1) in a manner staggered at least in part from the charging time of the electric vehicle.

9. A method for deriving heat from a heat source (13), characterized in that, To perform the method, the housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is used, and a heat source (13) is arranged in the housing. The method includes the following steps: A) Transfer the first heat flow from the heat source (13) to the heat storage unit (14) via the heat transfer connection part (15), B) Temporarily store the heat in step A) of the method in the heat storage unit (14), where at least one heat storage plate (141) is used as a heat storage device, C1) Conduct the second heat flow out of the housing (1), where the heat temporarily stored in step B) of the method is conducted from the heat storage unit (14) to the heat dissipation unit (I6) via the heat dissipation connection part (17) and out of the housing (1) from the heat dissipation unit, Among them, conducting the second heat flow out of the housing (1) is performed at least in part in a manner staggered from the time of step A) of the method, and the first heat flow is greater than the second heat flow, or C2) Temporarily disconnect the heat dissipation unit (16), the heat dissipation connection part (17) and / or the coolant pump (18), so that the heat temporarily stored in the heat storage plate (141) remains in the housing (1) for temperature adjustment of the housing at low temperatures.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The heat source (13) is formed by the power electronics of the charging device for the electric vehicle, and the transfer of the first heat flow in step A) of the method is used to cool the power electronics.

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