Method for producing an inter-cell cooling unit, inter-cell cooling unit, and battery for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing an inter-cell cooling unit (20), in which a cooling body (26, 28) extending in a longitudinal extension direction (x) in the form of an extruded profile (28) is provided, the heat sink comprises an interior (32) having at least one cooling channel (30) through which a cooling medium can flow and is delimited in the longitudinal extension direction (x) by a first end region (36) having an end-side first opening region (36b) which opens into the environment (48). In this case, a first coupling unit (37) having at least one first coupling opening (37a) is formed from the first end region (36), said first coupling opening being different from the first opening region (36b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing an inter-cell cooling unit, wherein a cooling body extending in a longitudinal direction is provided in the form of an extruded profile. The cooling body has an interior space with at least one cooling channel through which a coolant can flow. The cooling body is delimited in the longitudinal direction by a first end region having a first end-side opening region into the environment. The present invention also relates to an inter-cell cooling unit for a battery and a battery for a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] For example, during rapid charging and when power is being used, heat is generated in the high-voltage battery of an electric vehicle. This heat must be dissipated as efficiently as possible to increase the service life. To this end, cooling devices are used in the battery. Heat is often dissipated only on one side of the battery cell, specifically on the underside, via a cooling base on which the battery cells, for example, are arranged in the form of a cell stack or battery module. Prismatic battery cells, in particular, often face this cooling base with their side that is not the largest in area. Conversely, cooling devices between the battery cells allow for particularly efficient cooling of the cells via their largest side. Due to the large number of battery cells typically installed in a battery, inter-cell cooling is often very complex, requiring a correspondingly large number of inter-cell cooling units, which must also be connected to corresponding coolant connections. Therefore, it is desirable to design and manufacture these inter-cell cooling units as simply and efficiently as possible. Another aspect that often makes the efficient provision of these inter-cell cooling units difficult is the connection of the connection device to the cooling body containing the cooling channels. Connectors are often provided that must be connected to these cooling elements in a corresponding manner. In high-voltage batteries in particular, or batteries in general, these connectors are often sealed multiple times for technical safety reasons to prevent leakage and potential damage. However, this is technically very complex and expensive, and especially with a large number of inter-cell cooling units, this means a high overall effort and high costs.

[0003] DE 10 2013 209 980 A1 describes a heat exchanger having a cooling plate with fluid channels. The cooling plate has openings at opposite ends as the ends of the fluid channels. A collector is provided at each of the opposite ends of the cooling plate, with the cooling channels being fluidically connected to the collector. The cooling plate can be made of a profile, in particular a metal material, while the collector can be made of plastic. The collector can include a plurality of pipe connections that are inserted into the openings of the fluid channels of the cooling plate.

[0004] DE 10 2016 125 859 A1 describes a heat exchanger for electrical components. The heat exchanger comprises: at least one metallic extruded profile as a cooling element, through which a coolant flows; at least one internally hollow, non-metallic connecting body; and a receiving area for the extruded profile. The opening of the receiving area is slightly larger than the cross-section of the extruded profile. Furthermore, a connecting layer is provided, which connects the extruded profile to the connecting body and provides a flexible mechanical connection between the extruded profile and the connecting body. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a method, an inter-cell cooling unit and a battery which allow the simplest and most efficient possible design and production of such an inter-cell cooling unit.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method, an inter-cell cooling unit and a battery having the features according to the respective independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0007] In the method for producing an inter-cell cooling unit according to the present invention, a cooling body extending in a longitudinal direction is provided in the form of an extruded profile. The cooling body has an interior space with at least one cooling channel through which a coolant can flow. The cooling body is delimited in the longitudinal direction by a first end region having a first end-side opening region leading to the environment. A first coupling unit having at least one first coupling opening is formed from the first end region. The first coupling opening is distinct from the first opening region.

[0008] Advantageously, the first connecting unit can be constructed integrally with the extruded profile of the cooling body itself. Consequently, there is no need to manufacture a separate component and join it to the cooling body as a connecting unit. Advantageously, the number of components used to manufacture the inter-cell cooling unit can be reduced, which reduces manufacturing costs and also reduces the complexity of joining. Furthermore, a double sealing process is no longer necessary, as the sealing function is already provided by the integral construction of the first connecting unit and the cooling body. Specifically, this integral design eliminates the need for a joint connection, which then also eliminates the need for sealing the joint connection. Furthermore, the integral design makes it possible to more easily design any additional joint connections that may be provided, for example, as welded connections, which are significantly more stable in terms of their sealing properties compared to joint connections between, for example, metallic and non-metallic materials. Overall, the inter-cell cooling unit can advantageously be manufactured in a particularly simple and efficient manner, and the sealing effort is significantly reduced.

[0009] The heat sink is constructed as an extruded profile. In an unprocessed state, the heat sink has a constant cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal extension direction in its longitudinal extension direction. Based on the longitudinal extension direction, the heat sink can be bounded on both sides by two open end sides. These two end sides each include an opening area, such as a first opening area in the first end area of the heat sink. The first opening area can include one or more openings, for example, depending on the number of integrated cooling channels. In principle, the heat sink can be designed so that the heat sink has only one continuous interior space that is not divided into individual cooling channels. Thus, the interior space is correspondingly the cooling channel of the heat sink, in particular the only cooling channel. However, it is preferred that the interior space of the heat sink is divided into multiple cooling channels, for example, by a partition extending in the interior space, which will be described in detail later. In this example, the corresponding cooling channel can be discharged into the environment in the end area of the heat sink. Thus, the first opening area can correspondingly have multiple openings, wherein the corresponding openings can be assigned to the corresponding cooling channel.

[0010] The cooling body is preferably plate-shaped and substantially rectangular in cross-section, that is, it is substantially cubic overall. However, geometric shapes differing from this are also conceivable. Furthermore, it is preferred that the cooling body be made of a metallic material, such as aluminum or stainless steel. This provides the cooling body with a particularly high thermal conductivity and is particularly suitable for cooling components to be cooled, such as battery cells.

[0011] In order to construct at least one first connection opening of the first connection unit, a corresponding opening can be introduced, for example cut into one of the outer sides of the cooling body. It is advantageous here that the first connection opening is different from the first opening area. That is, the first connection opening is not provided by the first opening area, but is introduced separately into the cooling body. This enables a more efficient and adaptable design and arrangement of the cooling medium input connection end for inputting the cooling medium into the inter-cell cooling unit and the cooling medium output connection end for outputting the cooling medium from the inter-cell cooling unit. Here, the first connection unit in the first end area is designed in particular so that at least one first connection opening, or optionally also a plurality of first connection openings (which are each different from the first opening area) is the only opening in the first end area that establishes a flow connection between the interior space of the cooling body and the environment. The first opening area of the cooling body itself can be correspondingly closed in a fluid-tight manner, for example by welding, as explained later.

[0012] Furthermore, the heat sink can be constructed in the same manner in a second end region that is opposite the first end region relative to the longitudinal extension direction. In other words, a second coupling unit can also be constructed here similarly to that described for the first coupling unit. Therefore, all the configurations and configurations or production options of the first coupling unit described above and below should also apply similarly to this second coupling unit.

[0013] According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a heat sink is provided having at least two cooling channels extending in a longitudinal direction within an interior space. These cooling channels are separated from one another by a partition extending in the longitudinal direction within the interior space of the heat sink, wherein at least one section of the partition located in a first end region and adjacent to a first opening region is removed, in particular milled away. This milling of the partition advantageously allows the cooling channels within the interior space of the heat sink to be fluidically connected to one another in the first end region. This provides a collection region or distribution region for the first coupling unit. For example, coolant can be supplied to the heat sink via the first coupling opening and distributed to the individual cooling channels via the distribution region. Conversely, if the first coupling unit is configured, for example, to discharge coolant, coolant from the cooling channels can be collected in the collection region of the first coupling unit and discharged via at least one first coupling opening. Thus, by milling away at least one partition in the first end region, an interior space of the first coupling unit is created that is fluidically connected to the corresponding interior space of the corresponding cooling channel. In the end regions, the interior of the heat sink is no longer divided or segmented into individual channels by at least one or more partitions. This also has the advantage of simplifying the processing steps described in detail below, such as pressing and / or cutting away portions of the first end region to appropriately shape the first coupling unit. Therefore, if the heat sink includes a plurality of such partitions extending parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction within its interior, all of these partitions in the first end region, that is, all of their sections located in the end region, are preferably removed, in particular milled away.

[0014] According to another advantageous design of the present invention, the heat sink has a height in the second direction and a width in the third direction, the width being smaller than the height, wherein the heat sink has two cooling sides that define the heat sink on both sides with respect to the third direction, wherein the two cooling sides are pressed against each other along a preset contour in a first end region.

[0015] The two cooling sides are the outer sides of the cooling body with the largest area. This allows for particularly effective cooling of adjacent battery cells. Preferably, the width of the cooling body in the third direction is its smallest dimension. Therefore, the width is preferably smaller than the height of the cooling body and also smaller than the length of the cooling body in its longitudinal extension.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous here to press the two cooling sides against each other along a preset profile in the first end region. The preset profile can extend in a straight line (for example, also directly adjacent to the first end side of the heat sink in the longitudinal extension direction), or it can extend in a curved manner. In addition, the profile can have a certain width perpendicular to its extension direction. By pressing the two cooling sides against each other along the profile, the subsequent steps are simplified, that is, the two cooling sides are joined to each other along the profile. In other words, the heat sink can be advantageously closed fluid-tightly along the profile in the first end region, wherein the two cooling sides are first pressed against each other in the region of the preset profile. Here, the pressing against each other along the profile is preferably carried out locally. This means that after pressing against each other or during pressing against each other, the two cooling sides are in contact in the region of the preset profile, but in other regions, especially in regions different from the profile region, the two cooling sides do not contact. Advantageously, the flow-through property of the heat sink is not impaired due to the pressing against each other, especially the local pressing against each other, of the two cooling sides.

[0017] In this case, the pressing together is performed, in particular after at least one partition has been removed in the first end region. This simplifies the pressing of the two cooling sides together, in particular the pressing together of the two cooling sides, and in particular makes the pressing together possible at least when the cooling body comprises a plurality of cooling channels separated from one another by at least one such partition.

[0018] According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, after or during the pressing of the two cooling sides together, a portion of the first end region is removed, in particular cut away, along a predetermined contour. In other words, a portion of the end region can be cut away. This allows for a specific configuration of the first coupling unit. This allows for the removal of functionally unimportant regions of the end region, which in turn reduces weight. For example, the portion of the first end region to be removed can be cut away.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the two cooling sides are joined to one another along a predetermined contour, in particular by welding. If a portion of the first end region is cut away, the two cooling sides are then joined along the predetermined contour after the cut. This allows the two cooling sides to be connected along the predetermined contour in a particularly efficient and, in particular, fluid-tight manner. Consequently, the original first opening region of the cooling element is also ultimately closed in a fluid-tight manner.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a first connecting opening is introduced, in particular cut, into at least one of the two cooling sides in the first end region. In particular, a corresponding first connecting opening is introduced, in particular cut, into each of the two cooling sides in the first end region, so that the two first connecting openings are directly opposite each other in the third direction. For example, such a first connecting opening can be introduced as a hole, in particular a perfectly circular hole, into the corresponding cooling side, for example by cutting away a portion of such a cooling side in a perfectly circular shape. The first connecting opening or at least one of the first connecting openings thus produced can then also be provided with a connecting element, such as a cooling nipple. The connecting element can be provided in the form of a pipe nipple or the like. For example, such a connecting element can be welded and / or adhesively bonded or otherwise fastened or joined to the at least one provided first connecting opening.

[0021] For example, such a coupling element can extend outwardly from at least one cooling side or both cooling sides in opposite directions relative to the third direction. This allows, for example, a plurality of inter-cell cooling units provided in this manner to be arranged side by side in the third direction and to be fluidically coupled to one another and / or connected to a common coolant supply line and / or coolant discharge line.

[0022] According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the heat sink is delimited in the second direction by a first boundary side, wherein at least one first connection opening is introduced into the first boundary side in a first end region, in particular wherein the two cooling sides, along a predetermined contour along which they are pressed against and / or engage with one another, abut the end side delimiting the heat sink in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the connection opening can also be arranged on the heat sink, for example, on the top or bottom side, that is, on the first boundary side delimiting the heat sink relative to the second direction. When the inter-cell cooling unit is properly arranged in a motor vehicle, the second direction preferably corresponds to the vertical direction of the vehicle. The battery is preferably arranged such that a plurality of inter-cell cooling units and battery cells, in particular a cell grid formed by the battery cells, are arranged side by side or stacked in a third direction. Advantageously, the arrangement of the first connection opening on the first boundary side thus enables the supply and / or removal of cooling medium via a cooling system or connection system, for example, located above such a battery arrangement. This saves considerable structural space, particularly in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] If a heat sink is provided from the outset, it can have a length in the longitudinal direction that essentially corresponds to the length of the cell grid. In other words, if the top and / or bottom connection concept is provided by providing at least one first connection opening in the first boundary side, the heat sink does not have to extend beyond the gap between the cell grids in the longitudinal direction. In this case, it is also possible to first remove the partition section in the interior of the heat sink, optionally located in the first end region, and then to press and weld the heat sink at the end, thereby closing its initial end opening.

[0024] According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the joint region where the two cooling sides are joined together along a predetermined contour and / or the end region with the formed first connection unit is sealed with a sealing compound. This sealing compound can also be referred to as a sealant. To absolutely ensure the tightness, the profile, that is, the cooling element, can also be sealed. For example, the cooling element can be immersed at the end with its first end region in a bath of liquid or viscous sealant, which is then allowed to cure. Alternatively or additionally, this sealant can be sprayed onto the cooling element using a forming nozzle at the corresponding locations that are to be additionally sealed, for example, at the joint connection.

[0025] According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the heat sink has a second end region lying opposite the first end region relative to the longitudinal extension, the second end region having a second end-side opening region leading to the environment, wherein a second coupling unit having at least one second coupling opening, which is different from the second opening region, is formed from / by the second end region. The second coupling unit can be formed in the second end region as already described in conjunction with the embodiment of the first coupling unit in the first end region.

[0026] Thus, a cooling medium input can be provided via one of the two coupling units and a cooling medium output can be provided via the other coupling unit.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an inter-cell cooling unit for a battery produced by means of the method according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0028] Furthermore, the method according to the invention or one of its embodiments can also be part of a method for producing a battery, in particular a high-voltage battery, for a motor vehicle.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a battery for a motor vehicle having an inter-cell cooling unit according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0030] For example, the battery can be designed as a high-voltage battery. Furthermore, the battery includes at least one battery cell, preferably a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells can be designed, for example, as lithium-ion cells. In particular, the battery cells can be designed as prismatic battery cells. The advantages described for the inter-cell cooling unit according to the invention and its embodiments, as well as for the method according to the invention and its embodiments, apply in the same manner to the battery according to the invention.

[0031] According to another advantageous design scheme of the present invention, the battery has a cell grid unit, the cell grid unit has an inter-cell cooling unit and a cell grid, the cell grid has a plurality of prismatic battery cells arranged side by side along a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal extension direction of the inter-cell cooling unit, wherein the cell grid is arranged at the inter-cell cooling unit so that one of the two cell sides with the largest area of the corresponding battery cell faces the inter-cell cooling unit respectively, and in particular, wherein the battery includes a plurality of cell grid units arranged side by side along a third direction.

[0032] This arrangement provides particularly effective battery cell cooling because the inter-cell cooling unit can cool the side of the battery cell with the largest area. Furthermore, the described arrangement provides a particularly space-saving and efficient structure because the individual battery cells can be arranged side by side in the form of a cell grid. Advantageously, therefore, a single inter-cell cooling unit can be used to cool not only two adjacent cells in the third direction and opposite the third direction, but also multiple adjacent cells in the third direction and opposite the third direction. This reduces the number of inter-cell cooling units and their connections, and thus significantly reduces the effort required to connect them. This also saves space, reduces weight, and reduces the number of additional connection points and sealing measures. It is also advantageous that each battery cell has two cell poles, which are arranged on the sides of the battery cell that delimit the battery cell in the first direction and opposite the first direction. These cell poles can also be referred to as cell terminals. Consequently, the cell poles of battery cells in the same cell grid face each other. This makes connecting the battery cells particularly simple. It is also very advantageous if the battery is composed of a plurality of such cell grid units, for example. That is, the cell grids and inter-cell cooling units can be stacked alternately side by side in a third direction. The inter-cell cooling units and / or the cell grids can also be inserted or accommodated in a carrier. Preferably, the carrier is designed such that direct surface contact is nevertheless achieved between the cell side of the battery cell with the largest area and the inter-cell cooling units adjacent in the third direction and / or opposite the third direction. This allows for a particularly space-saving battery with particularly effective and efficient cell cooling.

[0033] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle having a battery cell according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0034] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a car, in particular a passenger car or a truck, or as a bus or a motorcycle.

[0035] The present invention also includes improvements to the inter-cell cooling unit according to the invention and to the battery according to the invention, which have the features already described in conjunction with the improvements to the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding improvements to the inter-cell cooling unit according to the invention and to the battery according to the invention will not be described again here. Instead, the features described in conjunction with the inter-cell cooling unit according to the invention and its design, as well as the features described in conjunction with the battery according to the invention and its design, enable improvements to the method according to the invention for producing an inter-cell cooling unit and / or a battery by means of further corresponding method steps.

[0036] The present invention also includes combinations of features from the described embodiments. Therefore, the present invention also includes implementations that each have a combination of features from a plurality of the described embodiments, as long as these embodiments are not described as mutually exclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery having a cell grid unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of an inter-cell cooling unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0040] Figure 3 FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of an inter-cell cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an extruded profile for manufacturing an inter-cell cooling unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0042] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a portion of a cooling body during the manufacture of an inter-cell cooling unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0043] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a portion of a cooling body manufactured according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0044] Figure 7A schematic diagram of a connection unit of a heat sink and a connection pipe joint arranged at the connection unit is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The following examples relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the examples, the components described in the embodiments are individual, independently viewable features of the present invention, each of which also independently improves the present invention. Therefore, the present disclosure also encompasses feature combinations that differ from the combinations of features of the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, the described embodiments may be supplemented by other features of the already described features of the present invention.

[0046] In the figures, the same reference numerals respectively denote elements with the same function.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a battery 10 having a cell grid unit 12 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cell grid unit 12 is shown in an exploded view. Furthermore, the battery 10 may include a plurality of such cell grid units 12, which may be arranged side by side along the y-direction shown.

[0048] This cell grid unit 12 has a cell grid 14 with a plurality of prismatic battery cells 16 arranged side by side in the x-direction. Each of these cells 16 has two sides with the largest area, which are designated here by 16a. These two sides 16a delimit the respective cell 16 in the y-direction and against the y-direction. In addition, each cell 16 has two further cell sides 16b lying opposite each other with reference to the x-direction, on which preferably one of the two cell poles 18 of the cell 16 is arranged for each cell 16. In addition, each cell 16 has a corresponding upper side and lower side 16c, which are correspondingly lying opposite each other with reference to the z-direction shown. As in Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, to form such a cell grid 14, the cells 16 are not arranged side by side with their sides 16a having the largest area facing each other, but rather with their cell sides 16b (on which the cell poles 18 are also arranged), i.e. with their cell poles 18 facing each other.

[0049] Furthermore, the cell grid unit 12 includes an inter-cell cooling unit 20. The inter-cell cooling unit has a length L in the x-direction (the x-direction is also referred to as the longitudinal extension direction x), a height H in the z-direction, and a width B in the y-direction. The width B is smaller than the height H, and the height H is preferably smaller than the length L of the inter-cell cooling unit 20. The inter-cell cooling unit 20 has two cooling sides 22 or cooling surfaces 22 that are opposite each other relative to the y-direction. In the assembled state, these cooling surfaces 22 rest directly on the cell grid 14, specifically on the side 16a of the battery cell 16 with the largest area. This allows for particularly effective cooling of the cells 16. In order to hold the cells 16 and the inter-cell cooling unit 20 in position and / or to fix them relative to each other and / or to fix a plurality of cell grid units 12 relative to each other, a carrier 24, which can also be referred to as a holding frame 24, can also be provided. In the carrier, on the one hand, the battery cells 16 and, on the other hand, the inter-cell cooling units 20 can be inserted and / or snapped into place. In particular, the carrier 24 can be used or designed, for example, to hold the battery cells 16 in position relative to one another and to contact their cell poles 18 with one another in a series connection.

[0050] The design of the inter-cell cooling unit 20 is explained in detail below. The inter-cell cooling unit comprises a cooling body 26. The cooling body is manufactured as a processed extruded profile 28 and comprises at least one or more integrated cooling channels 30 (see Figure 4 ).

[0051] In particular, the heat sink 26 can be divided into a central region 27 and at least one end region (e.g., a first end region 36), and in this example, into three regions: the central region 27, the first end region 36, and the second end region 38. The first end region 36 is simultaneously configured as a first connection unit 37, which includes at least one first connection opening 37a. The second end region 38 is similarly embodied as a second connection unit 39, which includes at least one second connection opening 39a. The respective connection units 37, 39 are configured as integral components of the extruded profile 28 of the heat sink 26. In other words, they are not manufactured as separate components and joined to the heat sink 26, but are formed by processing the extruded profile 28 in a specific manner. This saves a number of processing steps, as well as material and costs. Furthermore, this simplifies the sealing of the inter-cell cooling unit 20. The production and construction of the connection units 37, 39 are now described in detail below.

[0052] Figure 2A schematic perspective view of an inter-cell cooling unit 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Here, the inter-cell cooling unit 20, or more specifically, the cooling body 26 providing the inter-cell cooling unit, can also be further divided into three regions: a central region 27, a first end region 36, and a second end region 38. Since the end regions 36 and 38 can be designed identically, similarly, or similarly, the design of the coupling unit 37 will be described in more detail below, by way of example, with reference only to the first end region 36. However, a similar design can also be applied to the second end region 38.

[0053] In this example, the first coupling unit 37 is designed so that it protrudes from the central area 27 in the longitudinal extension direction x. In this example, the length L of the entire inter-cell cooling unit 20 can be designed so that the inter-cell cooling unit length is slightly larger than the cell grid 14 (see Figure 1 ). This makes it possible to connect the connection end 37a laterally, that is, relative to the x-direction, next to the battery 10 or next to the cell grid 14. In this example, the connection openings 37a, 39a are also arranged in the cooling side 22. The connection openings 37a, 39a in the cooling side 22 can be designed, for example, in a circular or perfectly circular shape. This makes it easy to attach the connecting element 54 in the form of a pipe joint (see Figure 7 ) becomes possible.

[0054] However, it is also conceivable that the connection ends, in particular the connection openings 37a, 39a, are not arranged in the cooling side 22 as in this example, but instead in one of the boundary sides 20a, 20b which delimit the cooling body 26 on both sides with reference to the z direction, as exemplified in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in .

[0055] also, Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of another example of an inter-cell cooling unit 20 is shown, in which the coupling openings 37a, 39a are arranged, by way of example, in the first boundary side 20a in the respective end regions 36, 38. In this example, the coupling openings 37a, 39a can be embodied as elongated in the longitudinal extension direction x.

[0056] Now, the production of such an inter-cell cooling unit 20 will be explained in detail below.

[0057] In this regard, Figure 4A schematic perspective view shows a portion of a heat sink 26 embodied as an extruded profile 28 before forming a first coupling unit 37. The heat sink 26 again has the cooling side 22 described, which delimits the heat sink 26 on both sides relative to the y-direction, and two boundary sides 20a, 20b, which delimit the heat sink 26 on both sides relative to the z-direction. The extruded profile 28 is open at its ends in the x-direction and opposite the x-direction. The heat sink 26 has an interior space 32. This interior space contains at least one cooling channel 30. In this example, the interior space 32 is divided into a plurality of cooling channels 30 by respective partitions 34 located between the cooling channels 30, specifically separating the cooling channels from one another. The partitions 34 can extend from one cooling side 22 to the opposite cooling side 22. Furthermore, the partitions extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal extension direction x. A first end side 36a having a first opening region 36b can be defined for the first end region 36. The opening region 36b is divided by, or includes, the individual openings of the respective channels 30.

[0058] To form the first coupling unit 37, the section 34a of the corresponding web 34 located in the first end region 36 is now removed, for example, by milling. For example, the first end region 36 of the extruded profile 28 can be defined before processing so that, starting from the first end side 36a, it has a length in the x-direction of, for example, between 2 cm and 10 cm, for example, between 3 cm and 8 cm, for example, approximately 5 cm. Thus, for example, the web section 34a can be removed over a length of 5 cm starting from the end side 36a.

[0059] exist Figure 5 In the next production step described in , the two cooling sides 22 are pressed against each other along a predetermined contour 50, in particular so that the cooling sides 22 overlap each other in the region of this contour 50 in a manner that they touch or come into contact with each other. Furthermore, a portion 26' of the cooling body can be removed or cut away along the contour 50. The cut portion is denoted by 26'. Figure 6 In a further step, schematically illustrated in FIG, the two cooling sides 22 can be joined to one another, for example welded to one another, along a joining contour 50, by means of a joining connection 52. Furthermore, at least one connecting opening 37a can be introduced during this, before, or after this step by cutting a connecting opening out of at least one of the cooling sides 22, in this example, out of both cooling sides 22, so that the two openings 37a lie directly opposite one another relative to the y-direction.

[0060] When producing such a single component, ie, the inter-cell cooling unit 20 , from the extruded profile 28 , the connection possibility, ie, the connection possibility of the first connecting unit 37 and / or the second connecting unit 39 to a central cooling device, can be integrated at the same time.

[0061] This can be achieved, for example, by making the extruded profile 28 approximately 10 cm longer than is subsequently required, ie, for example, 10 cm longer than the length of the cell grid 14 in the longitudinal extension direction x.

[0062] The inner plate 34, also referred to as a partition 34, extending in the longitudinal direction x, can be removed at the end using a milling cutter over a length of, for example, 5 cm, starting from the end or end side 36a of the profile 28. Thus, in the first 5 cm at the beginning and end of the profile 28, that is, in the two end regions 36, 38, a quadrilateral open cross section is obtained without such an intermediate plate 34 or partition 34. Subsequently, the two large side faces 22, that is, the cooling sides 22 of the extruded profile 28 can be pressed together in a press, thereby locally reducing the gap in the interior of the extruded profile 28 to the extent of 0 cm. At the same time, the press preferably also punches out excess material 26'. This produces, for example, Figure 5 The profile 28 shown in FIG. In particular, the press also punches out a hole 37a which is later used for connection to a central cooling device. This hole 37a is also referred to as a connection opening 37a. A cooling connection 54 or, in other words, a connection element 54 can then also be introduced into the hole 37a at the same time, as for example Figure 7 The cooling connection can be joined to the extruded profile 28, for example, by means of welding. Subsequently, the sides of the extruded profile 28, which are still open but pressed to a gap of 0 cm, can be joined together at the end, that is, along the contour 50, for example, by means of sealing welding. This ultimately results in, for example, a partially Figure 6 and Figure 7 The components shown in .

[0063] Here, Figure 7 In particular, a schematic perspective view of at least a portion of the thus formed coupling unit 37 is shown, wherein a coupling socket 54 is additionally joined (e.g., welded and / or adhesively bonded, etc.) to the opening 37a on both sides and relative to the y-direction so as to protrude from the opening 37a. The socket 54 can also be made of a metal material or a plastic.

[0064] Here, Figure 6 The described joint connection 52, which can be implemented as a weld seam, for example, closes the original opening area 36b of the extruded profile 28. In addition, the joint contour 52 is also provided, for example, at Figure 2 In the case of a construction variant in which the connecting openings 37a, 39a are arranged at the two boundary sides 20a, 20b, the predetermined contour 50, along which the two cooling sides 22 are pressed against one another and furthermore joined together via the joining connection 52, can extend adjacent to the end side 36a of the extruded profile 28, in particular straightly in the z direction, as exemplarily shown in FIG. Figure 3As shown in .

[0065] Optionally, an additional sealing step can also follow. For example, after forming the respective coupling units 37, 39, the profile 28 can be immersed at its respective end side 36a in a bath of liquid sealant, which then hardens, or the respective area to be sealed can be sprayed with sealant using a forming nozzle.

[0066] In summary, the examples demonstrate how the present invention can provide a novel battery concept with an integrated, close-to-cell cooling concept and an optimized cooling connection concept. The extruded profile can be equipped with a connection option for a central cooling system, namely, at least one first connection unit, during the production of the individual components. This has the advantage of reducing the number of components, which lowers manufacturing costs and also reduces the complexity of the assembly process. Furthermore, a double sealing process is no longer necessary, as the individual components already have the initial sealing function. This reduces the risk of leakage.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an inter-cell cooling unit (20), wherein: A cooling body (26, 28) is provided in the form of an extruded profile (28) extending in a longitudinal extension direction (x), the cooling body having an interior space (32) with at least one cooling channel (30) through which a cooling medium can flow, the cooling body being delimited in the longitudinal extension direction (x) by a first end region (36), the first end region having a first opening region (36b) at the end side leading into the environment (48), characterized in that a first connecting unit (37) having at least one first connecting opening (37a) is constructed from the first end region (36), the first connecting opening being different from the first opening region (36b).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that A cooling body (26, 28) is provided having at least two cooling channels (30) extending in a longitudinal extension direction (x) in an interior space (32), wherein the cooling channels are separated from one another by a partition (34) extending in the longitudinal extension direction (x) in the interior space (32) of the cooling body (26, 28), wherein at least one section (34a) of the partition (34) located in a first end region (36) and adjacent to a first opening region (36b) is removed, in particular milled off.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cooling body (26, 28) has a height (H) in a second direction (z) and a width (B) in a third direction (y), the width being smaller than the height (H), wherein the cooling body (26, 28) has two cooling sides (22) which delimit the cooling body (26, 28) on both sides with reference to the third direction (y), wherein the two cooling sides (22) are pressed against each other along a predetermined contour (50) in a first end region (36).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that After or during the pressing of the two cooling sides (22) together, a portion (26') of the first end region (36) is removed, in particular cut away, along a predetermined contour (50).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The two cooling sides (22) are joined to one another along a predetermined contour (50), in particular by means of welding.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A first connecting opening (37a) is introduced, in particular cut out, in at least one of the two cooling sides (22) in the first end region (36), in particular wherein, in the first end region (36), a corresponding first connecting opening (37a) is introduced, in particular cut out, in each of the two cooling sides (22), so that the two first connecting openings (37a) are directly opposite each other in the third direction (y).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cooling body (26, 28) is delimited in a second direction (z) by a first boundary side (20a), wherein, in a first end region (36), at least one first connecting opening (37a) is introduced in the first boundary side (20a), in particular wherein a predetermined contour (50) along which the two cooling sides (22) are pressed against one another and / or engage with one another adjoins an end side (36a) delimiting the cooling body (26, 28) in the longitudinal extension direction (x).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cooling body (26, 28) has a second end region (38) which is opposite to the first end region (36) with reference to the longitudinal extension direction (x), and the second end region has a second opening region at the end side which leads into the environment (48), wherein a second connecting unit (39) having at least one second connecting opening (39a) is constructed from the second end region (38), the second connecting opening being different from the second opening region.

9. An inter-cell cooling unit (20) for a battery (10), wherein: An inter-cell cooling unit (20) is produced by means of a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A battery (10) for a motor vehicle having an inter-cell cooling unit (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The battery (10) has a cell grid unit (12), the cell grid unit has an inter-cell cooling unit (20) and a cell grid (14), the cell grid has a plurality of prismatic battery cells (16) arranged side by side along a longitudinal extension direction (x) of the inter-cell cooling unit (20), wherein the cell grid (14) is arranged at the inter-cell cooling unit (20) so that one of the two cell sides (16a) with the largest area of the corresponding battery cell (16) faces the inter-cell cooling unit (20), in particular, wherein the battery (10) includes a plurality of cell grid units (12) arranged side by side along a third direction (y).

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