Sealing device for sealing a return device for adjacent cooling channels of a cooling device

Abstract

Sealing device (10) for sealing a return device (100) for adjacent cooling channels (212) of a cooling device (210) of a battery device (200), comprising a base body (20) with at least one sealing section (30, 40) for circumferential sealing against at least one counter-sealing section (230, 240), wherein the sealing section (30, 40) has a supply sealing section (30) for circumferential sealing against a counter-supply sealing section (230) of the cooling device (210) and a return sealing section (40) for circumferential sealing against a counter-return sealing section (240) of the cooling device (210), characterized in that the base body (20) has a circumferential sealing section (50) for circumferential sealing against a counter-circumferential sealing section (150) of a circulation channel (110) of the return device (100), the base body (20) a stiffening section (80) for mechanically stiffening the base body (20),in particular of the supply sealing section (30) and / or the return sealing section (40), wherein the stiffening section (80) has a stiffening frame (82) which at least partially, in particular completely or substantially completely, surrounds the supply sealing section (30), the return sealing section (40) and / or the peripheral sealing section (50).

Description

The present invention relates to a sealing device for sealing a return device for adjacent cooling channels of a cooling device of a battery device, having a base body with at least one sealing section for circumferential sealing against at least one counter-sealing section, wherein the sealing section has a lead-in sealing section for circumferential sealing against a counter-lead-in sealing section of the cooling device and a return sealing section for) circumferential sealing against a counter-return sealing section of the cooling device. The invention also relates to a corresponding recirculation device and a battery device with such a recirculation device.It is known that battery devices have cooling devices for cooling the battery device. For this purpose, the cooling devices are usually equipped with cooling channels which pass through a corresponding cooling body. At one end of this cooling device, which is often designed in the form of a plate, feed connections are positioned in half of the cooling channels and return connections are positioned in the other half of the cooling channels. Thus, adjacent) cooling channels are usually formed in the forward and return operation. For this purpose, a first cooling channel is charged with a cooling fluid, which has to be deflected on the opposite side of the cooling plate of the cooling device in order to flow back again in the adjacent cooling channel as return.The known solutions have an extruded profile for the plate-shaped cooling device for this purpose. In order to provide the circulation between the forward flow and the return flow of the adjacent cooling channels, known solutions have return devices which are also placed as end covers or end plates on the plate-shaped cooling device. The problem with the known solutions is the high outlay which has to be operated in order to be able to ensure a clean seal of the cooling fluid. Thus, in the known solutions, a multiplicity of separate sealing means is usually necessary in order to seal the contact with the respective cooling duct and the circulation duct itself. From the generic German laid-open specification DE 10 2017 208 617 A1, a sealing device with a circumferential sealing section for adjacent cooling channels is provided. Connection pipe pieces are here connected to a coolant distributor in a sealed manner by soldering, welding or adhesive bonding. To avoid the large number of complex and different sealing elements, only solutions are known up to now which require a high complexity of the recirculation device. Thus, for example, already closed circulation channels can be provided with the aid of lost shapes in order to reduce the sealing thereof. In principle, it is known in this context from DE 10 2012 207 995 A1 to provide a sealing ring with a circumferential sealing section in a cooling device.It is an object of the present invention to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to improve the assembly and the sealing of the cooling device in a cost-effective and simple manner.The above object is achieved by a sealing device having the features of claim 1, a return device having the features of claim 6 and a battery device having the features of claim 8. Features and details which are described in connection with the sealing device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the recirculation device according to the invention and in connection with the battery device according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention in a mutually alternating manner.According to the invention, a sealing device serves for sealing a return device for adjacent cooling channels of a cooling device of a battery device. The base body of such a sealing device has a circumferential sealing section for circumferential sealing against the counter-circumferential sealing section of a circumferential channel of the recirculation device. In this case, the base body has a stiffening section for a mechanical stiffening of the base body, in particular of the forward sealing section and / or of the return sealing section. This can be, for example, a metallic insert which brings about the desired mechanical stiffening of the base body. Such a metallic plate or a metallic frame makes it possible to equalize sealing forces and distribute them in the base body, so that even when the sealing force is locally introduced, for example by corresponding fastening means of the return device, an equalized sealing force is provided on the entire circumferential flow sealing section, return sealing section and / or circumferential sealing section. This stabilizing function thus permits the balanced sealing function even in the regions in which, for example, a direct action of sealing force is absent due to the absence of counter force in an elongated slot groove of the circulation channel. The stiffening section has a stiffening frame which surrounds the lead-in sealing section, the return sealing section and / or the circumferential sealing section at least partially, in particular completely or substantially completely. This frame-like configuration can supplement a plate-shaped configuration of the stiffening section or can be provided as an alternative thereto. This outer stabilization serves for improved protection during storage and assembly and at the same time for improved handling during the assembly movement. The individual sealing sections preferably project axially beyond the frame in order to be able to provide the sealing effect by elastic deformation under the action of the sealing force. The effect of the sealing force is likewise provided axially, so that, as explained in the preceding paragraph, the stiffening frame supports for the transverse distribution and for the purpose of making this sealing force introduced at points more uniform.The arrangement of the individual sealing sections, i.e. the forward flow sealing section, the return flow sealing section and the circumferential flow sealing section, is in particular adapted to the corresponding geometric positioning and configuration of the counter-forward flow sealing section, the counter-return flow sealing section and the counter-circumferential flow sealing section. For a particularly compact and cost-effective embodiment, the forward sealing section and the return sealing section are preferably arranged together on the same side of the base body, while the circumferential sealing section is arranged in particular on an opposite or opposite side of this base body.According to the invention, a triple sealing function is thus now integrated in a base body. On the one hand, the base body makes it possible to provide a seal with the flow sealing section between the base body and the flow of the corresponding cooling channel of the cooling device. At the same time, the same base body can ensure a corresponding sealing of the connection to the return channel of the cooling device via the return sealing section. In particular on the oppositely oriented side of the base body, sealing of the circulation channel with the aid of the circulation sealing section is ensured as a third sealing functionality. In other words, the sealing device, in particular the base body, can now be inserted between the outlets of the adjacent cooling channels on the one hand and the circulation channel of the recirculation device on the other hand in order to ensure the desired sealing. Whereas in known solutions a plurality of individual sealing means had to be used, the seal for all three sealing functions can now be fulfilled here with an individual sealing device, in particular with an individual base body, and thus preferably with a single mounting movement.Of course, a wide variety of materials or material combinations are conceivable. It is also possible for the base body to be formed integrally, integrally or monolithically with one or more of the sealing sections. However, multi-part base bodies are also conceivable, or can be configured with the stiffening possibilities explained below.In addition to the simple installation possibility and the reduction of the complexity and the reduction of the number of components, tolerance compensation, in particular transversely to the axis alignment of the cooling channels, can also be provided in an improved manner by a sealing device according to the invention. This is based in particular on the corresponding compensation possibilities during the sealing between the circumferential sealing section and the counter-circumferential sealing section. Because the circumferential seal has now likewise been integrated into the base body of the sealing device in a simple and cost-effective manner, the circumferential channel can be made available in a cost-effective and simple manner, for example by removing material in a return body of the return device. This can be made available, for example, by a corresponding milled-out with corresponding side walls and axial walls, as will be explained later. A simple slot can thus be used to produce the circulation channel in a cost-effective and simple manner, while a simple and cost-effective sealing possibility is provided integrated into the sealing device via the circulation sealing section.The sealing device relates in particular in accordance with the invention to battery devices which are used in vehicles. In particular, these are battery devices which make the drive energy available completely or at least partially for driving such a vehicle.It can likewise be advantageous if, in a sealing device according to the invention, the flow-forward sealing section and / or the return sealing section have a guide section for guiding engagement in the respective cooling channel of the cooling device. Such a guide section allows in particular an improved relative positioning of the respective sealing section with respect to the respective cooling channel. In addition, such guide sections can also engage in the corresponding cooling channel wall or contact it, so that an additional sealing effect can even be produced here. The entire cross-sectional area, which is available in the axial direction as a sealing section or counter-sealing section, can thus be provided completely and thus in a maximized manner to the sealing functionality. A correspondingly elastic configuration of this guide section makes it possible to add an additional sealing function even in the radial transverse direction by elastic deformation and a corresponding pressing-in of the guide section.A further advantage is if, in a sealing device according to the invention, the guide section has an insertion section, in particular in the form of a ribbed cross, for easier insertion and centering of the guide section relative to the respective cooling channel. This insertion function facilitates the relative positioning during assembly even further and prevents, in particular, incorrect assembly. Such a rib cross can be designed, for example, as a permeable or screen-like rib cross in order to additionally avoid the distribution of suspended matter or the undesired closure by contaminants. Such a rib cross, which in particular has a pointed tip, as an insertion section makes it possible to carry out a type of prepositioning in which the insertion section is inserted into the respective cooling channel. Subsequently, the final assembly is carried out, in which the base body is brought from this relative position pre-positioned in this way into the desired end position in a sealed manner.It can likewise be advantageous if, in a sealing device according to the invention, the circumferential sealing section has at least one positioning section for a relative positioning of the circumferential sealing section and / or of the base body with respect to the circumferential channel of the return device. In a similar manner as has already been explained with regard to the guide section, a guide functionality can also facilitate the corresponding relative positioning here. Accordingly, the positioning section is in particular combined with the described guide section or the described insertion section of the preceding paragraphs. Here too, the positioning section can be a corresponding engaging contacting and / or conical surface. Here again, an elastic deformability is possible which, by pressing it into the circulation channel, allows an additional seal against the side wall of the circulation channel. By means of the relative positioning aid in the side walls of the circulation channel, the correspondingly available entire sealing surface of the counter-circulation sealing section can be optimized or maximized in the same way.In addition, it is advantageous if, in a sealing device according to the invention, the forward sealing section and the return sealing section are designed identically or substantially identically, in particular symmetrically or substantially symmetrically. An identical configuration, in particular in a symmetrical or mirrored manner, allows a more cost-effective production of the sealing device. In addition, in particular with a symmetrical configuration, a more free alignment and thus a mounting possibility reduced in errors can be ensured.The present invention likewise relates to a recirculation device for recirculating cooling fluid between adjacent cooling channels of a cooling device of a battery device. Such a return device has a return body with at least one circulation channel with at least one side wall and at least one axial wall. The at least one side wall is surrounded circumferentially by a counter-circumferential sealing section for sealing against a circumferential sealing section of a sealing device according to the invention. Thus, a recycling device according to the invention brings with it the same advantages as have been explained in detail with reference to a sealing device according to the invention.A return device according to the invention can be developed to the effect that the return body has at least one fastening section, in particular at least two fastening sections on both sides of the at least one circulation channel. In the simplest case, such a fastening section is provided as a through-opening for a corresponding fastening means, for example in the form of screws. A symmetrical introduction of sealing force on both sides of the circulation channel allows a particularly uniform sealing function on all sealing sections. The fastening sections can be designed for a reversible, but also for an irreversible, formation of the fastening functions.The present invention likewise relates to a battery device having a cooling device with cooling ducts for carrying cooling fluid for cooling the battery device. Such a battery device has a recirculation device according to the invention and at least one sealing device according to the invention. Preferably, a sealing device is provided for each cooling channel pair, i.e. for each feed channel and for each return channel. Thus, a battery device according to the invention provides the same advantages as have been explained in detail with reference to a recirculation device according to the invention and with reference to a sealing device according to the invention.Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show schematically: FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a sealing device according to the invention in a perspective illustration, FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a lateral illustration, FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a further lateral illustration, FIG. 4 shows the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 in plan view, FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of a sealing device according to the invention in a partial section, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a battery device according to the invention, FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of a battery device according to the invention without a sealing device, FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of a battery device according to the invention with closed recirculation device, and FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a recycling device according to the invention.FIGS. 1 to 4 show one possibility of a sealing device 10 according to the invention, which is equipped with a base body 20 which has two component parts. This is firstly the sealing component group which has the forward sealing section 30, the return sealing section 40 and, on the opposite side, the circumferential sealing section 50. Furthermore, a stiffening section 80 is provided as a second component group, which comprises a metallic material here and additionally provides a stiffening frame 82 completely circumferentially around the base body 20. The embodiment of these figures is a single component as a stiffening section 80, which also has the stiffening frame 82 in one piece. In addition, in this component of the stiffening section 80, grooves are formed in which the sealing sections 30, 40 and 50 are arranged.As can be seen clearly, on the one hand, on the upper side in FIG. 2, the forward sealing section 30 and the return sealing section 40 are provided. Guide sections 60 are provided here via conical slopes, which guide sections have insertion sections 62 as a star-shaped rib structure for an even further improved relative positioning during assembly. As shown in FIG. 4, this star-shaped rib structure is permeable to corresponding cooling fluid during the passage through the base body 20.On the opposite side, i.e. on the underside in FIG. 2, the circumferential sealing section 50 can be seen, as is also shown in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4. This in turn is equipped with a positioning section 70 which is capable of providing the relative positioning with respect to the circulation channel 110 which will be explained later, likewise by conical configuration. Of course, a design without such a positioning section 70 is also possible. In such a case, the assembly takes place, for example, by axial pressing.The mode of operation of the sealing functions is clearly evident in particular in FIG. 5. A partial section can be seen here with the sealing device 10 inserted. The two cooling channels 212 extend in a plate-shaped cooling device 210 of the battery device 200. On the end face of the cooling device 210, the corresponding counter-sealing sections, i.e. the counter-forward sealing section 230 and the counter-return sealing section 240, can be seen flat. These are capable of entering into sealing contact with the corresponding forward sealing section 30 and the return sealing section 40 when the sealing device 10 is inserted via the insertion section 62 and the guide section 60. Here too, it is of course possible to mount it even without a guide section 60, for example by radial pressing. Subsequently, after this has been carried out for all adjacent cooling channels 212, the common return body 120 of the return device 100 is placed on and fastened through the fastening sections 122 via corresponding fastening means. In this case, the circumferential sealing section 50 arranged on the opposite side of the sealing device 10 now comes into a flat and thus sealing contact in the axial direction with the counter-circumferential sealing section 150. The sealing force is set by the fastening force of the fastening means. As can also be seen clearly in FIG. 5, the circulation channel 110 is bounded, apart from the base body 20 of the sealing device 10, by a side wall 112 and an axial wall 114, and can be formed as an elongated slot groove in a cost-effective and simple manner, for example by machining. A build-up production or the use of an injection molding method, in particular with plastic, is also conceivable for producing such a configuration.Furthermore, it can be easily seen from FIG. 5 how, as it were, a bridging of an empty hollow channel takes place by the sealing device 10. In this embodiment, the two adjacent cooling channels 212 have an empty hollow channel between them. This is sealed by the forward sealing section 30 and the return sealing section 40.FIG. 6 schematically shows how a plurality of cooling channels 212 in a cooling device 210 of the battery device 200 can cooperate with a corresponding recirculation device 100 having a plurality of circulation channels 110. FIG. 7 shows the situation before the mounting of the individual sealing devices 10 for such a cooling device 210 of the battery device 200. Once the return body 120 of the return device 100 has been arranged and fastened, the situation is as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows an opened return body 120 of the return device 100. Here again, the plurality of circulation channels 110 and the fastening sections 122 arranged adjacent to each other can be seen well. The circumferential counter-circumferential sealing sections 150 and the corresponding side walls 112 and axial walls 140 of the circumferential channels 110 are also shown in FIG. 9.The foregoing explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, insofar as technically expedient, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Sealing device (10) for sealing a return device (100) for adjacent cooling channels (212) of a cooling device (210) of a battery device (200), comprising a base body (20) with at least one sealing section (30, 40) for circumferential sealing against at least one counter-sealing section (230, 240), wherein the sealing section (30, 40) comprises a lead-in sealing section (30) for circumferential sealing against a counter-lead-in sealing section (230) of the cooling device (210) and a return-in sealing section (40) for circumferential sealing against a counter-return sealing section (240) of the cooling device (210), characterized in that the base body (20) comprises a circumferential sealing section (50) for circumferential sealing against a counter-circumferential sealing section (150) of a circumferential channel (110) of the return device (100), the base body (20) has a stiffening section (80) for a mechanical stiffening of the base body (20), in particular of the lead-in sealing section (30) and / or of the return-in sealing section (40), wherein the stiffening section (80) has a stiffening frame (82) which surrounds the lead-in sealing section (30), the return-in sealing section (40) and / or the circumferential sealing section (50) at least partially, in particular completely or substantially completely.Sealing device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the forward sealing section (30) and / or the return sealing section (40) have a guide section (60) for guiding engagement in the respective cooling channel (212) of the cooling device (210).Sealing device (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the guide portion (60) has an insertion portion (62), in particular in the form of a ribbed cross, for easier insertion and centring of the guide portion (60) with respect to the respective cooling channel (212).Sealing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circumferential sealing section (50) has at least one positioning section (70) for a relative positioning of the circumferential sealing section (50) and / or of the base body (20) with respect to the circumferential channel (110) of the return device (100).Sealing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the forward sealing section (30) and the return sealing section (40) are of identical or substantially identical design, in particular of symmetrical or substantially symmetrical design.Return device (100) for the return of cooling fluid between adjacent cooling channels (212) of a cooling device (210) of a battery device (200), characterized in that a return body (120) is provided with at least one circulation channel (110) with at least one side wall (112) and at least one axial wall (114), wherein the at least one side wall (112) is surrounded circumferentially by a counter-circulation sealing section (150) for sealing against a circulation sealing section (50) of a sealing device (10) with the features of one of claims 1 to 5.Return device (100) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the return body (120) has at least one fastening section (122), in particular at least two fastening sections (122) on both sides of the at least one circulation channel (110).Battery device (200) having a cooling device (210) with cooling channels (212) for carrying cooling fluid for cooling the battery device (200), characterized in that a return device (100) having the features of claim 6 or 7 and at least one sealing device (10) having the features of at least one of claims 1 to 5 are provided.

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