COOLING PLATE FOR ARRANGEMENT ON A VEHICLE BATTERY MODULE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD

Abstract

Fluid-permeable cooling plate (1) for arrangement on a vehicle battery component, comprising a plate-shaped base plate (2) and a plate-shaped top plate (3) which are spaced apart from each other and which are joined together by an adhesive bond (7, 8), wherein at least one fluid-permeable cooling channel (9) is arranged between the base plate (2) and the spaced-apart top plate (3), characterized in that at least one fluid-carrying wall (8) of the cooling channel (9) is formed by the adhesive bond (7, 8), wherein the adhesive bond (7, 8), in particular an adhesive for forming it, is applied directly to a surface of the base plate (2) and a surface of the top plate (3).

Description

Technical FieldThe present invention relates to a fluid-permeable cooling plate for arrangement on a vehicle battery component according to the preamble of claim 1.Prior ArtIt is known from practice that batteries are used as electrical energy stores and / or traction batteries in vehicle technology, in particular in electric or hybrid vehicles. During the operation of a vehicle, such a vehicle battery heats up, in particular due to efficiency-related waste heat. As a result of the heating, the vehicle battery may age prematurely or be damaged due to heat-promoted chemical reactions. Therefore, it is common to provide cooling so as to maintain the vehicle battery at an optimum operating temperature. Fluid-permeable cooling plates have proven to be suitable means for heat dissipation.For example, cooling plates according to the preamble of claim 1 are known from WO 2013 / 037742 A1. In the introduction to the description of WO 2013 / 037742 A1, for example, two-part or multi-part cooling plates are mentioned, through which a fluid can flow for the purpose of heat dissipation or cooling a battery component. Usually, the individual components of the cooling plates mentioned therein are placed against one another and / or have a distance from one another, wherein the components are joined together by means of a cohesive connection, such as for example by means of a welded, soldered or by means of an adhesive connection. Usually, at least one cooling channel is also arranged between the individual components of the cooling plates. Common to these cooling plates is that either cooling tubes or other cooling elements are introduced or cooling channels are formed into the individual components of the cooling plate by mechanical shaping methods.DE 10 2013 011 894 A1 discloses a receiving device for receiving at least one energy storage component with at least one receiving part, in the surface of which a coolant channel structure is formed.DE 10 2012 218 724 A1 describes an arrangement and system for controlling the temperature of an energy store, in which cooling channels are formed as slots in an intermediate sheet.DE 10 2010 005 097 A1 describes a temperature-controllable battery cell arrangement in which the battery cells are arranged in pockets and a cooling fluid flows around the pockets.The disadvantage of this is that the production of such a cooling plate is comparatively complicated, because either a plurality of different components have to be connected to one another. Or because the components, for example due to the molding of the cooling channel, have to be provided in a plurality of production steps and using a plurality of production methods. Therefore, it is desired to simplify the provision of such cooling capability.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the invention is therefore to create a comparatively small cooling possibility for a vehicle battery component, which cooling possibility is as easy to manufacture as possible, using means which are as simple in design as possible.This object is achieved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying figures.A fluid-permeable cooling plate according to the invention, which is suitable in particular for arrangement on a vehicle battery component, a vehicle battery cell, a vehicle battery, a vehicle battery module, a vehicle battery system or the like, has a base plate as a first plate and a cover plate as a second plate, which are arranged at a distance from one another. The cooling plate is therefore preferably constructed in two parts. The base plate and the cover plate are joined together by an adhesive bond, wherein at least one fluid-permeable cooling channel is arranged between the base plate and the cover plate spaced apart therefrom. According to the invention, at least one fluid-conducting wall of the cooling channel is formed at the same time by the adhesive connection. The wall can also be formed with the aid of further constructive features, but an adhesive of the adhesive connection at least partially has the function of a wall and is in direct contact with the cooling fluid.In other words, the adhesive connection provided or present in any case for the joining together or a subsection thereof additionally or simultaneously also functions at least as a fluid-conducting wall of the at least one cooling duct arranged between the base plate and cover plate. The adhesive connection thus performs an advantageous dual function. Thus, the fluid can be guided at least partially directly and optionally exclusively by the adhesive connection. It has surprisingly been found that the adhesive connection can be configured, for example, by selecting a technically suitable adhesive and / or a geometrically suitable adhesive profile such that the fluid can be guided or conducted reliably and also permanently. The cooling channel can be designed, for example, as a cooling channel running around inside the cooling plate.The cooling plate according to the invention can thus offer the advantage that it is particularly light and space-saving in construction and comparatively cost-effective to produce, in particular in comparison with coolant channels which are formed separately and arranged between the individual plates. A substantial advantage can also consist in the fact that, despite or on account of the comparatively small (construction) thickness, both surfaces of the cooling plate can be used (but do not have to) for heat dissipation or cooling of vehicle battery components, such as, for example, on a battery module, without an excessively large amount of installation space being unnecessarily occupied by separately inserted channels. In addition, a pressure loss of the fluid can be kept as low as possible, since the adhesive connection can be formed or profiled in a simple manner in a fluidically favorable manner. Compared to coolant channels which are worked or formed into one or both of the plates, i.e. for example milled, stamped or embossed, the cooling plate according to the invention offers the advantage that the production can be made significantly more cost-effective, since the plate geometry is made comparatively simple and an adhesive connection can be made comparatively easily. In the simplest case, the base plate, the cover plate or both plates can thus be provided substantially planar or planar.A particularly preferred development of the invention provides that at least one fluid-conducting cooling channel is formed by the adhesive connection. In other words, the entire cooling channel can be formed solely or exclusively by the adhesive connection, that is to say without additional (mechanical or physical) components or without additionally used shaping or other production methods. Thus, in this refinement according to the invention, neither fluid guide elements, such as fluid guide plates or the like, nor the working in or embedding of coolant channels in the base plate and / or in the cover plate, by embossing, punching, milling or the like, for example, are necessary and therefore also not provided according to the invention. Rather, the at least one coolant channel can be formed alone, i.e. exclusively, by the adhesive connection. This allows a particularly simple production of the cooling plate and allows a comparatively simple plate geometry. In addition, the cooling plate can be made particularly small and / or can be made with a comparatively low own weight.For an even simpler structural design, it is advantageous if the adhesive connection also forms a fluid seal towards the outside for fluid sealing, wherein the fluid seal is spaced apart from the wall in the radial direction. In other words, the adhesive connection can also function as a substantially fluid-tight seal, that is to say can be provided as a fluid barrier or fluid barrier. By spacing the partial section of the adhesive connection serving as the wall of the coolant channel, the wall can be supplemented to form a coolant channel. This means that the coolant channel can be formed laterally in the flow direction on the one hand by the wall and on the other hand by the fluid seal. In this way, the adhesive connection in principle fulfils three tasks with different, advantageous effects.For the most efficient possible heat dissipation or cooling by using the cooling plate, it is advantageous if the adhesive connection is profiled as a function of at least one parameter of the vehicle battery module or of a fluidic requirement of the vehicle battery module. For example, the size of the battery module, the shape of a (battery) cell arrangement or the like can be used as parameters. The adhesive profile of the adhesive connection can also be designed or shaped, i.e. profiled, in such a way that flow-related turbulences are generated. The corresponding profile can be determined for this purpose, for example, by technical experiments or simulations.The manufacture of the cooling plate can be made even simpler in technical terms if the adhesive connection, in particular an adhesive for forming the same, is applied or applied directly to a surface (flat side) of the base plate, the cover plate or of both plates. This can be done, for example, manually or (fully) automatically by means of a dispenser, an adhesive robot or the like.For a constructionally particularly simple establishment of a predetermined distance between the base plate and the cover plate, it is advantageous if at least one spacer, in particular in the form of a bushing, is arranged between the plates. This bushing can be provided, for example, as a spacer in order to space the two plates apart from one another by a predetermined distance. It has proven advantageous if the bushing is arranged at a distance from the respective plate edge. In particular, the bushing can be arranged outside the cooling channel formed by the adhesive connection (with), in particular radially on the inside thereof. The bushing can simultaneously also serve as a fastening element for fastening to, for example, a vehicle battery module or the like or also to other components of the vehicle. In this case, the spacer can also be formed separately from the two plates and be attached to them.Alternatively to the bushing, a type of frame could also serve as spacer, which can simultaneously also increase the mechanical rigidity of the cooling plate. This frame could also serve as an assembly aid and be arranged radially on the outside with respect to the adhesive connection. The frame can be formed separately from the two plates.For a particularly high mechanical load-bearing capacity, it is advantageous if at least one stiffening element is provided, which is arranged between the base plate and the cover plate. The stiffening element can be, for example, a stiffening grid, which is preferably manufactured from plastic. Alternatively, the stiffening element can also be manufactured from a metal material. In this case, the stiffening element can be bonded in particular to the base plate or the cover plate, preferably using the same adhesive as is also used for the adhesive bond. It is also possible for the stiffening element to function simultaneously as a spacer.For the simplest possible production, it can be provided that the base plate and the cover plate are pressed together (and together) to a predetermined distance from one another. This can be accomplished with a comparatively simple pressing device.For the intended purpose of use of the cooling plate, it has proven advantageous if the base plate and / or the cover plate are manufactured from aluminum (Al) or an aluminum alloy. This can be provided as an (alloyed) aluminum sheet. Alternatively, other materials can also be used, such as copper (Cu) or a copper alloy. Materials different from one another can also be used, for example a plastic in one plate (base plate or cover plate) for insulation and aluminum in the other plate (base plate or cover plate) for thermally conductive connection in the case of only one-sided connection of the cooling plate.Advantageously, the cooling plate can have a connection geometry for introducing and / or discharging the fluid into or out of the at least one cooling channel. This connection geometry can have, for example, at least one connection piece, preferably one inlet connection piece and one outlet connection piece each, for connection to a cooling system of a vehicle. The connection geometry can be made of a preferably coolant-resistant plastic. Particularly preferably, the connection geometry is also glued to the cooling plate. It is also possible for the connection geometry to function simultaneously as a spacer for spacing the plates apart.Surprisingly, it has been found that the adhesive connection is reliably fluid-tight and durable even when the fluid flowing through the cooling plate is a coolant, in particular a liquid coolant. This can be branched off, for example, from the coolant circuit of a vehicle equipped with the cooling plate.The invention also relates to an advantageous method for producing a cooling plate, which is flown around by fluid, for attachment to a vehicle battery module or another battery component. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:providing a base plate and a cover plate,applying an adhesive, preferably coolant-resistant, having at least one predetermined adhesive profile to at least one of the two plates,compressing the base plate and the cover plate in such a way that the base plate and the cover plate are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, wherein an adhesive bond and at the same time a fluid-conducting cooling channel are at least partially formed between the base plate and the cover plate, andproviding a connection geometry for introducing and / or discharging a fluid into and / or out of the cooling channel formed by the adhesive connection.The application of the adhesive having the at least one predetermined adhesive profile comprises the adhesive profile of a wall of the at least one cooling channel.For a particularly simple production or production of the cooling plate, the application of the adhesive with the at least one predetermined adhesive profile can comprise the adhesive profile of a fluid seal for fluid sealing to the outside.The cooling plate according to the invention and the above-explained production method for this can be used particularly advantageously for heat dissipation or cooling a vehicle battery component, such as a vehicle battery, a vehicle battery module or the like. However, the invention is not limited to the heat removal or cooling of a vehicle battery component, but is also suitable for the heat removal of a vehicle battery component by a corresponding supply and, if appropriate, removal of a heated fluid.Brief description of the FiguresIn the following, an advantageous embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the accompanying figures. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematically illustrated perspective top view of a cooling plate according to the invention with a base plate and a partially hidden cover plate, between which a cooling channel is formed by an adhesive connection, and with a connection geometry, FIG. 2 shows a schematically illustrated perspective top view of a base plate of a cooling plate according to the invention, wherein a cover plate thereof is omitted for illustration purposes, FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of a cooling plate according to the invention, having a base plate and a cover plate, between which a cooling channel is formed by an adhesive bond, FIG. 4 shows a schematically illustrated perspective top view of the cooling plate according to the invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show an illustration of a further embodiment of the cooling plate according to the invention.The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to explain the invention. Identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals throughout.FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of a schematically illustrated cooling plate 1, which is suitable in particular for heat dissipation or cooling of a vehicle battery component.The cooling plate 1 is designed to be fluid-permeable, wherein the fluid used for the heat dissipation is, for example, a liquid coolant. The coolant may be taken from, for example, a coolant circuit (not shown) of a vehicle.The cooling plate 1 comprises a base plate 2 and a cover plate 3, which are each produced from a plate-shaped metal sheet made of aluminum (Al) or an aluminum alloy. The base plate 2 and the cover plate 3 are arranged spaced apart from one another and pressed together, which is explained in more detail further below.In addition, the cooling plate has a connection geometry 4 with an inlet 5 and an outlet 6 as well. The inlet 5 and the outlet 6 are each designed as connecting pieces and serve for the introduction and discharge of the fluid. The connection geometry 4 is here bonded to the cooling plate 1 by means of an adhesive bond, for example.It can be seen in FIG. 1 that a first adhesive profile is applied or applied as a fluid seal 7 on the base plate 2, which is arranged in the vicinity of an outer edge of the base plate 2. This fluid seal 7 serves for the fluid seal towards the outside, i.e. it holds the fluid within the cooling plate 1.In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that a second adhesive profile is also applied or applied as wall 8 of a cooling channel 9 on the base plate 2. The wall 8 is spaced apart from the fluid seal 7 in the radial direction toward the interior of the base plate 2, so that the cooling channel 9 is formed between the fluid seal 7, which in principle also functions as a wall here, and the wall 8. This cooling channel 9 is configured to allow a coolant to be carried therein as a fluid. It can be seen that the wall 8 is formed substantially in meandering fashion and is configured so as to run circumferentially around the base plate 2.The fluid seal 7 and the wall 8 of the cooling channel 9 have in common that they are formed exclusively by the use of an adhesive suitable for this purpose. The adhesive profiles of the fluid seal 7 and the wall 8 of the cooling channel 9 simultaneously also serve for the material-bonded connection between the base plate 2 and the cover plate 3 pressed therewith. Thus, the adhesive profiles of the fluid seal 7 and the wall 8 fulfil a dual function, namely as a component of the cooling channel 9 and at the same time as a material-bonded connection for joining the two plates 2 and 3 of the cooling plate 1.As can be seen in FIG. 1, a separately formed bushing 10 is arranged on the base plate 2 radially on the inside with respect to the wall 8, said bushing serving as a spacer and optionally also as a fastening possibility, namely for example for a battery module. The bushing 10 here penetrates the base plate 2 and is glued to it. In addition, the base plate 2 has an optional stiffening element 11 which increases the mechanical load-bearing capacity of the cooling plate 1 and which is designed here as a grid. The stiffening element 11 is manufactured, for example, from a suitable plastic, but other materials are also conceivable. Depending on the radial thickness of the stiffening element 11, it also serves as a spacer between the base plate 2 and the cover plate 3.In FIG. 2, which shows a perspective top view of the base plate 2, the cover plate 3 is omitted for the sake of better illustration. It can be seen that the adhesive profile of the fluid seal 7 and the adhesive profile of the wall 8 of the cooling channel 9 are each formed so as to run around the base plate 2, so that the cooling channel 9 formed thereby is also formed so as to run around.FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the cooling plate 1, wherein here the base plate 2 and the cover plate 3 are connected to one another in a materially integral manner by the adhesive connection comprising the adhesive profile of the fluid seal 7 and the wall 8, and the cooling channel 9 is formed between these. It can also be seen that the base plate 2 and the cover plate 3 are pressed together while maintaining a defined distance d.FIG. 4 shows an outer surface 12 of the cooling plate 1 in a perspective plan view, it being evident that the bushing 10 penetrates the cooling plate 1 at least partially, such that, for example, a battery module can be fastened thereto.With reference to FIG. 1, which shows a schematic illustration of the cooling plate 1 in a perspective plan view, the method according to the invention for producing the cooling plate 1 will now be explained.First, the bottom plate 2 and the top plate 3 are provided in the form of plate-shaped aluminum sheets. An adhesive with the predetermined adhesive profile of the fluid seal 7 and the wall 8 of the cooling channel 9 is then applied, namely at least one of the two plates 2 and 3. The application takes place by means of a dispenser or adhesive robot, wherein the adhesive profiles to be applied are preferably predefined and are driven away mechanically or automatically. Furthermore, the fluid-tight sealing of the connection geometry 4 also takes place.Subsequently, the base plate 2 and the cover plate 3 are pressed together in such a way that the base plate 2 and the cover plate 3 are arranged at a predetermined distance d from one another, wherein an adhesive bond and at the same time the fluid-conducting cooling channel 9 are formed between the base plate 2 and the cover plate 3. Separate teachings, separate spacers or the above-described spacers, for example in the form of the bushing 10 or the stiffening element 11, are optionally also used for the pressing.In addition, the connection geometry 4 is also provided for the introduction and / or discharge of the fluid into and / or out of the cooling channel 9 formed by the adhesive connection. This is effected, for example, by arranging and adhering the connection geometry 4 to the cooling plate 1.Starting from the illustrated embodiment, the cooling plate 1 according to the invention can be modified in many ways.For example, it is conceivable that the adhesive profiles of the fluid seal 7 and the wall 8 of the cooling channel 9 have a different shape, for example both are linear. In addition, the inlet 5 and the outlet 6 can be arranged on different, opposite short sides of the plates 2 and 3. It is also possible that only one fluid-conducting boundary of the cooling channel 9 that is lateral in the flow direction is formed by an adhesive and the other lateral boundary is formed by another component, such as a stiffening frame, spacer frame or a rubber seal. In addition, the base plate 2 and the cover plate 3 can be manufactured from materials different from one another.Referring to Fig. 5, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the shaping for the adhesive is facilitated. A boundary 13 is applied to a base plate 2 (base plate and cover plate each made of aluminum with a thickness of 0.5 mm), into which the adhesive can be poured before the cover plate (not shown) is placed on and bonded to the base plate 2 via the adhesive. The boundary 13 is an injection-molded plastic part which specifies the casting mold and stretches meandering over the base plate 2. Other contours for the cooling channels are also conceivable. The distance between the bottom plate and the cover plate is adjusted by means of four spacers 16. They also serve for fastening the module. The height of the spacers 16 is greater than the height of the boundary, so that adhesive protrudes beyond the boundary and comes into contact with the cover plate. In the cured state and connected to the cover plate, the adhesive is also in contact with the cooling fluid and itself forms part of the wall of the cooling channel 9.FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the cooling plate. Inlet and outlet 5, 6 are integrated directly in order to avoid sealing surfaces. The boundary 13 is formed from two partial walls 14 which produce a circumferential gap which now serves for filling with a suitable adhesive. The partial walls 14 are connected to a plurality of webs which are arranged centrally in the higher part of the partial walls, with the result that the structure can be injection-molded in one piece and the adhesive can likewise seal above and below it.Even if here ultimately the plastic is predominantly in contact with the coolant, the adhesive ultimately serves as a seal and forms part of the wall.In an alternative design, spacers 16 and partial walls 14 of the boundary 13 are approximately of the same height. The adhesive filled between the partial walls 14 then leads to a fastening of the bottom and top plates 2, 3, it will optionally be separated from the cooling fluid by the partial walls 14 and not form part of the wall, which in this case is formed completely by the boundary 13.List of reference characters1 Cooling plate 2 Base plate 3 Cover plate 4 Connection geometry 5 (fluid) inlet 6 (fluid) outlet 7 Fluid seal / adhesive profile 8 Wall / adhesive profile 9 Cooling channel 10 Bushing 11 Stiffening element 12 Outer surface 13 Boundary 14 Partial walls 15 Webs 16 Spacers d Predetermined distance between base plate 2 and the cover plate

Claims

Fluid-permeable cooling plate (1) for arrangement on a vehicle battery component, having a plate-shaped base plate (2) and a plate-shaped cover plate (3) which are arranged at a distance from one another and which are joined together by an adhesive joint (7, 8), wherein at least one fluid-permeable cooling duct (9) is arranged between the base plate (2) and the cover plate (3) at a distance from it, characterized in that at least one fluid-conducting wall (8) of the cooling duct (9) is formed by the adhesive joint (7, 8), wherein the adhesive joint (7, 8), in particular an adhesive for forming the same, is applied directly to a surface of the base plate (2) and a surface of the cover plate (3).Cooling plate (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive connection (7, 8) forms a fluid seal (7) for sealing fluid outwards, wherein the wall (8) is spaced apart from the fluid seal (7) in the radial direction towards the interior of the base plate (2).Cooling plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive connection (7, 8) is profiled as a function of at least one parameter of a vehicle battery module or of a fluidic requirement of the vehicle battery module.Cooling plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one spacer (10, 11) is arranged between the base plate (2) and the cover plate (3).Cooling plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one stiffening element (11) is provided, which is arranged between the base plate (2) and the cover plate (3).Cooling plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (2) and the cover plate (3) are pressed together to a predetermined distance (d) from one another.Cooling plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (2) and / or the cover plate (3) are manufactured from aluminium or an aluminium alloy.Cooling plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling plate (1) has a connection geometry (4, 5, 6) for introducing and / or discharging the fluid into or out of the at least one cooling duct (9).Cooling plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid is a liquid coolant.Cooling plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a boundary (13) is applied to the base plate (2) or the cover plate (3), which boundary is filled with an adhesive forming the adhesive bond (7, 8).Cooling plate (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the boundary (13) consists of two separate partial walls (14) which are connected to one another in particular in their course by webs (15) between which the adhesive is poured over the height of the partial walls (14).Cooling plate (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the boundary (13) is produced from plastic, in particular by injection moulding, and the webs (15) are fitted approximately centrally within the height of the partial walls (14).Method for producing a cooling plate (1) around which fluid flows for attachment to a vehicle battery component, having: - provision of a plate-shaped base plate (2) and a plate-shaped cover plate (3), - application of an adhesive having at least one predetermined adhesive profile to at least one of the two plates (2, 3), - pressing of the base plate (2) and the cover plate (3) in such a way that the base plate (2) and the cover plate (3) are arranged at a predetermined distance (d) from one another, wherein an adhesive bond (7, 8) and at the same time a fluid-conducting cooling duct (9) are formed at least partially between the base plate (2) and the cover plate (3), and - provision of a connection geometry (4, 5, 6) for introducing and / or discharging a fluid into and / or out of the cooling duct (9) formed by the adhesive bond (7, 8), wherein - the application of the adhesive with the at least one predetermined adhesive profile comprises the adhesive profile of a wall (8) of the at least one cooling channel (9).Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the application of the adhesive with the at least one predetermined adhesive profile comprises the adhesive profile of a fluid seal (7) for fluid sealing outwards.

Images