Temperature control device for temperature control of a battery device of a vehicle

Abstract

Temperature control device (10) for the temperature control of a battery device (200) of a vehicle, comprising at least one temperature control medium line (20) for the conveyance of temperature control medium for the exchange of heat with the battery device (200), wherein the temperature control medium line (20) has at least one temperature control medium inlet (22) for the entry of temperature control medium and at least one temperature control medium outlet (24) for the exit of temperature control medium, wherein the temperature control medium line (20) further has at least one fire protection section (26) with a bed (30) of fire protection particles (32) with a defined melting range for the dissipation of heat in the event of a fire by phase transition, characterized in that the fire protection particles (32) have a mixed grain size.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature control device for the temperature control of a battery device of a vehicle, a fire protection insert for use in such a temperature control device and a method for the production of such a temperature control device.

[0002] Within the scope of the application, the battery device can be used for a vehicle, in particular an at least partially electrically powered vehicle, a water and / or underwater vehicle, in particular a boat, or an aircraft. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the battery device can be used in a trailer. The battery device can be used, for example, as a drive battery or supply battery.

[0003] It is known that vehicles with battery devices should be equipped with temperature control devices to adjust the temperature of the battery device. Battery devices must be kept within an ideal temperature range to reduce wear and improve usability. In cold external conditions, this requires heating of the battery device, while in the case of high power output or high external temperatures, the battery device must be cooled. This temperature control process is typically carried out using a liquid and / or gaseous temperature control medium, which is fed into the corresponding heat transfer zones of the battery device via temperature control medium lines.

[0004] Devices and methods of this type are known from the publications DE 10 2015 203 997 A1 and DE 10 2017 111 130 A1.

[0005] A disadvantage of the known solutions is that, in addition to temperature control, the battery devices must also have fire protection functionality. Battery devices consist of individual battery modules or individual battery cells in which the chemical components for the electrical power to be provided are arranged. Under mechanical influences, for example, in an accident or crash situation, damage to the battery devices can cause the individual chemical components to react with each other and high temperatures to develop. These high temperatures can lead to a fire in the battery device and / or the vehicle. To prevent such a risky situation, extinguishing devices or fire protection concepts are usually provided.However, these have the disadvantage that they entail additional weight, additional costs and, above all, additional space requirements.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to ensure fire protection in a battery device in a cost-effective and simple manner.

[0007] The above object is achieved by a temperature control device having the features of claim 1, a fire protection insert having the features of claim 10, and a method having the features of claim 11. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the temperature control device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the fire protection insert according to the invention and the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0008] According to the invention, a temperature control device is provided for controlling the temperature of a battery device of a vehicle. For this purpose, the temperature control device has at least one temperature control line for conveying temperature control medium for exchanging heat with the battery device. The temperature control line is equipped with at least one temperature control inlet for the entry of temperature control medium and at least one temperature control outlet for the exit of temperature control medium. The temperature control line further has at least one fire protection section with a bed of fire protection particles with a defined melting range for dissipating heat in the event of a fire through phase transition.

[0009] According to the invention, the temperature control device is based on known solutions for providing temperature control functionality in a battery device. This can be a battery device for a vehicle that has an electric drive as the main drive or as the auxiliary drive. The battery device is connected to the temperature control device in the region of the temperature control medium line via a heat transfer section in a heat-transfer manner, so that temperature control medium, which is pumped, for example, by a temperature control pump in forced circulation via the temperature control medium inlet through the temperature control medium line to the temperature control medium outlet, can be introduced or discharged via the temperature control medium. The desired heat exchange can also be understood as the primary temperature control functionality of the temperature control device.

[0010] In addition to the temperature control function, the temperature control device according to the present invention also has a secondary fire protection function. Thus, the temperature control device can provide two functionalities as a single unit, so that a separate fire protection unit with separate fire protection functionality can be avoided in terms of size, cost, and space requirements.

[0011] For this fire protection functionality, fire protection particles are introduced into a fire protection section in the form of a bed. The fire protection section can be formed or arranged in the heat transfer region, i.e. in the heat transfer section with the battery device. Preferably, the fire protection section overlaps or is completely incorporated into the heat transfer section. However, it is also conceivable in principle for the fire protection section to be arranged at other locations or even to extend completely or essentially completely over the temperature control line. For this fire protection functionality, a bed of fire protection particles is arranged in the fire protection section. In the context of the present invention, fire protection particles are characterized in that they have a defined melting range and / or a defined melting point.This means that when a defined temperature is reached, which is above or within the melting range or melting temperature of the fire protection particles, they begin to melt. In the normal operating state of the temperature control device, the fire protection particles are in a solid phase, whereas when the defined melting range is exceeded, they undergo a phase transition into a liquid or even gaseous phase. Heat is required for this phase transition to provide the necessary enthalpy for the phase transition. This heat is extracted from the environment, thus providing a cooling function for the surrounding components, in particular the battery device and / or the heat transfer section.

[0012] The fire protection particles are introduced in the form of a bed, which has two major advantages. Firstly, they can be introduced easily, cost-effectively and quickly, as pourable, particularly free-flowing fire protection particles can be introduced into the temperature control line easily and cost-effectively. A further advantage of introducing them in a bed is that a bed prevents complete flow closure within the temperature control line, as the individual fire protection particles in the form of a bed have a bed porosity through which the temperature control medium can continue to flow. This means that at the same time, particularly in the heat transfer section of the temperature control line orBy filling the battery device with fire protection particles, the fire protection functionality is provided on the one hand and the primary function of temperature control on the other hand, since the temperature control medium can flow and be available for heat transfer.

[0013] For the purposes of the present invention, a defined melting range is understood to mean a temperature range and / or a temperature point. This defines the phase transition of the fire protection particles from the solid phase to the liquid or gaseous phase. A melting range or melting point in a defined manner is preferably set so that the phase transition occurs before the risk of the surrounding components catching fire arises. Thus, the defined melting range is preferably provided with a temperature that is lower than the melting range of the surrounding wall of the temperature control line and / or the surrounding components, in particular the battery device, the corresponding adjacent battery modules or the housing of the adjacent battery modules. Thus, a local and, in particular, decentralized mode of action of the fire protection particles can take place directly at the location where the temperature rises.If the entire temperature control device, and in particular a large portion of the temperature control lines, is provided with a suitable bed of fire protection particles, a direct, local, and even decentralized cooling function can be ensured locally through the phase transition of the melting fire protection particles wherever overheating of the battery device occurs from the inside or outside. This cooling function is not only decentralized and local, but also immediately available, eliminating the need to first transport the appropriate cooling or fire protection fluid to the desired location in a centrally arranged fire protection system.

[0014] Another key advantage of the inventive solution is its essentially automated and control-free functionality. The fire protection particles are triggered exclusively by the corresponding temperature situation, i.e., they melt when the temperature reaches or exceeds the defined melting range. Detecting a fire using electrical sensors and correspondingly controlling a fire protection system is no longer necessary. Rather, the phase transition allows the fire protection functionality to be provided with the highest level of safety by filling the fire protection particles, while simultaneously leaving the functionality of the temperature control device unaffected or essentially unaffected with regard to its primary function of temperature control of the battery device.

[0015] It can be advantageous if, in a temperature control device according to the invention, the defined melting range is more than 10% above the maximum operating temperature in the temperature control line and / or less than 10% below the fire temperature in the temperature control line. This refers to the maximum limits in order to ensure safe and timely functioning of the fire protection. These two limits can be combined in particular, but can also be maintained separately. Defining a melting range of 10% above the maximum operating temperature of the temperature control line by selecting the appropriate material for the fire protection particles in the bed ensures a corresponding safety margin to prevent the fire protection particles from entering the phase transition during normal operation. In particular, the defined melting range is therefore greater than the maximum operating temperature in the temperature control line.At the other end of the defined melting range, a corresponding safety margin of 10% also serves to improve functionality. This makes it possible to determine a fire temperature in the temperature control line, which can be defined, for example, by the melting or ignition temperature of the adjacent line wall of the temperature control line or the adjacent battery modules, battery cells or battery housing. As soon as this temperature is reached, there is a risk that the adjacent components will melt or ignite. To avoid this, the cooling functionality of the fire protection particles should be triggered beforehand, which is why the defined melting range lies below this fire or melting temperature or ignition temperature of the surrounding components. Here, too, a safety buffer of approx.10% is provided in order to ensure simplified triggering and high safety, on the one hand, to prevent false triggering at temperatures that are too low and, on the other hand, to ensure timely triggering in the event of a fire.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the fire protection particles in a temperature control device according to the invention are at least partially porous. The porosity leads to an enlarged surface area, so that a corresponding fire protection functionality can be defined and adjusted even more easily. In particular, this leads to faster melting when the defined melting range is reached, so that a greater amount of enthalpy of melting and accordingly cooling functionality can be made available in a shorter time. The porosity can also influence the desired melting points or melting ranges, so that a preferred material selection can be adjusted by the porosity with regard to a preferred and defined melting range. In principle, the individual pores of the fire protection particles can be designed in both an open and a closed manner.The combination of open and closed pores in fire protection particles as well as pore-free and porous fire protection particles is of course also conceivable within the meaning of the present invention.

[0017] It can be advantageous if, in a temperature control device according to the invention, the fire protection particles are at least partially hollow, in particular with a closed cavity. Such a cavity can also be provided by many individual small cavities in the form of closed pores. The cavity or hollow pores mean that, due to the closed and thus gas-tight design, penetration of temperature control medium into this cavity can be prevented. Thus, when the temperature control device is filled, i.e., when the temperature control medium is filled, the respective gas volume is not filled with temperature control medium, so that the total weight of the temperature control device is reduced by the proportion of the temperature control medium weight saved in this way.Furthermore, such a cavity, which is designed as a closed and gas-tight cavity, can also have additional fire protection functionality if a suitable fire protection gas is arranged within this cavity. This can be, for example, an inert gas, such as nitrogen. Other fire protection gases, which in particular have a positive effect on the adjacent chemicals in the battery device, such as cooling or reaction-reducing, are of course also conceivable within the scope of the present invention.

[0018] A further advantage is when, in a temperature control device according to the invention, the fire protection particles have a regular geometric shape, in particular spherical or substantially spherical. This is particularly advantageous because the bulk density of the poured fire protection particles becomes easier to predict. The layering or packing of the fire protection particles is also easier to predict in this way. With regard to production costs, a regular geometric shape for the fire protection particles also offers advantages. Last but not least, a regular geometric shape, in particular spherical or substantially spherical, can also provide a good prediction of the melting functionality or the melting process during the phase transition.

[0019] According to the invention, the fire protection particles in a temperature control device according to the invention have a mixed grain size. This means that the individual fire protection particles have different grain sizes, i.e., different grain diameters or particle diameters. This also applies in particular to the fact that the individual fire protection particles can have different geometric outer contours. A mixed grain size is considered particularly simple and cost-effective with regard to the production of the fire protection particles. In this case, coarse sieving can adjust the mixed grain size with regard to desired upper and lower limits in order to provide good predictability of the influence on fire protection in the temperature control medium line in the fire protection compartment.

[0020] It may also be advantageous if, in a temperature control device according to the invention, the fire protection particles have a sieved grain size, in particular with a defined grain size and / or with a grain size in the range of ±10%. This is an alternative or additional embodiment to the previous paragraph. A sieved grain size allows the individual fire protection particles to be placed on top of one another, so to speak, so that a denser packing with a lower filling porosity can be provided. A sieved grain size also allows a more precise prediction of the manner and with which quantitative and qualitative intensity the fire protection can be influenced in the fire protection section of the temperature control line.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in a temperature control device according to the invention, the fire protection particles have conductivity and / or permeability for acoustic and / or optical signals. This is particularly advantageous when data communication is used within the temperature control medium, since the resistance functionality of the fire protection particles is reduced to influencing fire protection in the fire protection compartment. The resistance to the passage of acoustic and / or optical signals is reduced or even minimized by the permeability. For example, visual communication based on light waves and / or acoustic communication based on sound waves is possible within the temperature control medium. The permeability also refers in particular to low scattering and / or lower resistance to such signaling.

[0022] It is also advantageous if, in a temperature control device according to the invention, the fire protection section has at least one section wall transversely or substantially transversely to the flow direction for stabilizing the position of the fire protection particles. The position of the fire protection particles is to be understood in particular as the amount of fire protection particles packed in the fire protection section. In this way, conveyance of the fire protection particles together with the temperature control medium transversely to the flow direction is avoided or at least reduced. Flat and / or acute angles of attack of such a section wall are also possible within the meaning of the present invention. Of particular importance here is the non-parallel or unparallel design of the section wall correlating with the flow direction of the temperature control medium.This can also provide increased stability against centrifugal forces or other lateral accelerations that may occur during operation of the vehicle in which such a temperature control device is installed.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in a temperature control device according to the invention, the fire protection section, the temperature control medium inlet and / or the temperature control medium outlet have a retaining device for retaining the fire protection particles so that they cannot be conveyed along with the temperature control medium. Such a retaining device can also be referred to and understood as a filter device or grid device. It at least partially prevents the filling material or individual fire protection particles of the filling material from escaping. In particular in the direction of a pump device for generating a flow of the temperature control medium, this retaining device can prevent the fire protection particles from penetrating such a pump. At the outlet and / or at the inlet of the temperature control medium line, in particular viewed in the direction of flow, this retaining device thus brings with it the advantages described.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a fire protection insert for use in a fire protection section of a temperature control line of a temperature control device according to the invention. Such a fire protection insert has an insert chamber with a bed of fire protection particles with a defined melting range for dissipating heat in the event of a fire through phase transition. Thus, a fire protection insert according to the invention offers the same advantages as those explained in detail with reference to a temperature control device according to the invention. Such a fire protection insert can, on the one hand, provide a modular production method and, at the same time, also allow for the retrofitting of existing temperature control devices.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a method for producing the temperature control device according to the present invention, comprising the following steps: - Introducing a bed of fire protection particles into the temperature control line, - Arranging the introduced fire protection particles in the at least one fire protection section with a defined melting range for the reduction of heat in the event of a fire by phase transition.

[0026] By manufacturing a temperature control device according to the invention, a method according to the invention provides the same advantages as those explained in detail with reference to a temperature control device according to the invention. The filling material is introduced in particular in a trickling or pouring manner if the fire protection particles are free-flowing material. Depending on the specific application, the introduction of the filling material and the corresponding selection of the fire protection particles result in a pre-definition and adjustment of the fire protection through the selected fire protection particles for the filling material.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the fire protection particles are introduced through the temperature control agent inlet and / or the temperature control agent outlet. This eliminates the need for an additional inlet for introducing the fill material, thus reducing the complexity of the temperature control device and also the complexity of implementing the method. This significantly simplifies the introduction and construction.

[0028] It is also advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the fire protection particles are introduced in the form of a fire protection insert according to the present invention. The use of a fire protection insert can take place in a prefabrication process, so that during the final production of the temperature control device and / or the battery device, the fire protection insert can be used as such without any risk of spillage or increased effort due to the handling of free-flowing fire protection particles.

[0029] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show schematically: Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a tempering device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a tempering device according to the invention, Fig. 3 an embodiment of a fire protection particle according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a fire protection particle according to the invention, Fig. 5 an embodiment of a tempering device according to the invention and Fig. 6 a further embodiment of a temperature control device according to the invention with a fire protection insert.

[0030] The Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show different forms of a temperature control device 10 according to the present invention. These are all based on a solution that combines two basic functionalities for the temperature control device 10. What all four representations have in common is that a battery device 200, here with different battery modules or battery cells, is arranged adjacent to a temperature control medium line 20 of the temperature control device 10. This region can also be understood as a heat transfer section, in which heat can be introduced from a temperature control medium into the battery device 200 or from the battery device 200 into the temperature control medium. Thus, a heating functionality and / or a cooling functionality for the battery device 200 can be provided by the temperature control device 10 and by the flow of a temperature control medium in the temperature control medium line 20.

[0031] In order to be able to provide a flow through the temperature control line 20, this is preferably connected via the temperature control inlet 22 to a temperature control pump, which can pump the corresponding temperature control medium via the temperature control inlet 22 through the temperature control line 20 via the temperature control outlet 24 in the circuit.

[0032] For fire protection, a fire protection section 26 is provided within the temperature control line 20, in which a bed 30 of fire protection particles 32 is arranged. This bed 30 has a bed porosity, which can be understood as free flow porosity, through which the temperature control medium can flow through the temperature control line 20. Thus, although the fire protection particles 32 in the form of the bed 30 fundamentally represent a flow resistance, they prevent a complete blockage of the temperature control line 20, so that despite the presence of the bed 30 in the fire protection section 26, further flow of the temperature control medium through the temperature control line 20, and in particular also through the fire protection section 26, is possible. The flow direction is indicated by the corresponding arrow directions.While the free flow cross-section SQ is completely available before and after the fire protection section 26, a remaining free cross-section remains due to the fill porosity in the area of ​​the fire protection section 26, which is smaller but still present, so that the flow of temperature control medium is still possible here, either freely or essentially freely.

[0033] To provide fire protection, the individual fire protection particles 32 are equipped with a defined melting range. This range lies above the normal operating temperature of the temperature control medium and below the melting temperature of the adjacent wall of the temperature control medium line or the ignition temperature of the adjacent battery modules of the battery device 200. In the event of a fire, for example, due to increased temperature exposure from the outside or due to a chemical reaction in the adjacent battery device 200, the temperature in the temperature control medium line 20 will also rise. This occurs significantly faster and higher than during normal operation, so that the temperature will reach and exceed the defined melting range of the fire protection particles 32 in the bed 30.As soon as this occurs, the fire protection particles 32 begin to melt locally and precisely at the point of highest temperature. This melting process requires the corresponding fusion enthalpy or phase transition enthalpy as a phase transition. To make this energy available, it must be extracted from the environment, so that a cooling effect and thus a fire protection effect can be provided locally, decentrally, and automatically controlled or without any control.

[0034] The embodiments of the Fig. 2, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are based on the same combination of fire protection functionality with temperature control functionality. However, different details are presented in more detail. While in the Fig. 1 shows a regular bed 30 with identical and / or substantially identical and spherical fire protection particles 32, the Fig. 5, for example, a more irregular fill 30. Here, regular geometric shapes, for example spherical or cylindrical, are also provided for the individual fire protection particles 32, but they are equipped with different sizes, so that, as the Fig. 5 clearly shows, a greater porosity of the fill material is created, which leads to a facilitated flow with faster flow velocities as well as larger volume flows of tempering medium through the fire protection section 26. In the Fig. 5 also clearly shows that, to prevent the fire protection particles 32 from being displaced in the bed, section walls 28 are provided, which simultaneously serve as retention devices 40. These are grid inserts with a corresponding grid size, which prevent and prevent the fire protection particles 32 from being conveyed along with the flowing tempering medium.

[0035] The Fig. 2 shows that for a facilitated flow, a combination with the fire protection functionality can also be provided with a central free space, for example a central tube, which is surrounded by the fire protection particles 32 as fill 30.

[0036] In the Fig. Figure 6 shows a solution that offers significant advantages, particularly with regard to the manufacturing process. Here, the fire protection particles 32 of the fill 30 are arranged as a fire protection section 26 in an insert chamber 110 of a fire protection insert 100. This allows for prefabrication of this fire protection insert without the fill having to be formed during the final production of the temperature control device. This leads to further simplification and improvement of production.

[0037] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shows alternative ways in which the individual fire protection particles can be further improved. Fig. 3 a fire protection particle 32 with a central cavity. This is sealed gas-tight and can, for example, contain a fire protection gas or an inert gas. The gas-tight sealing functionality of the cavity ensures that no temperature control medium can penetrate into this cavity, so that the overall weight of the temperature control device 10 can be reduced by the corresponding displacement. Fig. 4 shows a fire protection particle 32 in a porous configuration, whereby both open and closed pores can be used.

[0038] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols 10 Tempering device 20 Tempering line 22 Tempering agent inlet 24 Tempering agent outlet 26 Fire protection section 28 Section wall 30 filling 32 fire protection particles 40 Restraint device 100 fire protection operations 110 Operational Chamber 200 battery device SQ flow cross-section

Claims

[1] Temperature control device (10) for the temperature control of a battery device (200) of a vehicle, comprising at least one temperature control line (20) for the conveyance of temperature control medium for the exchange of heat with the battery device (200), wherein the temperature control line (20) has at least one temperature control inlet (22) for the entry of temperature control medium and at least one temperature control outlet (24) for the exit of temperature control medium, wherein the temperature control line (20) further has at least one fire protection section (26) with a bed (30) of fire protection particles (32) with a defined melting range for the reduction of heat in the event of a fire by phase transition, characterized by that the fire protection particles (32) have a mixed grain size. [2] Tempering device (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the defined melting range is more than 10% above the maximum operating temperature in the temperature control line (20) and / or less than 10% below a fire temperature in the temperature control line (20). [3] Tempering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fire protection particles (32) are at least partially porous. [4] Tempering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fire protection particles (32) are at least partially hollow, in particular with a closed cavity. [5] Tempering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fire protection particles (32) have a regular geometric shape, in particular spherical or substantially spherical. [6] Tempering device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the fire protection particles (32) have a sieved grain size, in particular with a defined grain size and / or with a grain size in the range of +- 10%. [7] Tempering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fire protection particles (32) have a conductivity and / or a permeability for acoustic and / or optical signals. [8] Tempering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fire protection section (26) has at least one section wall (28) transversely or substantially transversely to the flow direction for stabilizing the position of the fire protection particles (32). [9] Tempering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the fire protection section (26), the temperature control medium inlet (22) and / or the temperature control medium outlet (24) has a retaining device (40) for retaining the fire protection particles (32) against being conveyed along with the temperature control medium. [10] Fire protection insert (100) for use in a fire protection section (26) of a temperature control line (20) of a temperature control device (10) with the features of one of claims 1 to 9, comprising an insert chamber (110) with a bed (30) of fire protection particles (32) with a defined melting range for the reduction of heat in the event of a fire by phase transition, characterized by that the fire protection particles (32) have a mixed grain size. [11] Method for producing a temperature control device (10) having the features of one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: - introducing a bed (30) of fire protection particles (32) into the temperature control line (20), - Arranging the introduced fire protection particles (32) in the at least one fire protection section (26) with a defined melting range for the reduction of heat in the event of a fire by phase transition. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by that the introduction of the fire protection particles (32) takes place through the temperature control medium inlet (22) and / or the temperature control medium outlet (24). [13] Method according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized by that the fire protection particles (32) are introduced in the form of a fire protection insert (100) with the features of claim 10.

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