Fluid drainage arrangement for a battery arrangement

Abstract

Fluid drain arrangement (20) for a battery arrangement (12), which fluid drain arrangement (20) has a fluid inlet (31), a collection chamber (32), a membrane (40), a labyrinth chamber (34) and a fluid outlet (36), which membrane (40) is provided between the collection chamber (32) and the labyrinth chamber (34) and has a closed state and an open state, and which membrane (40) is configured to collect a coolant (14), which enters the collection chamber (32) via the fluid inlet (31), in the collection chamber (32) until the membrane (40) changes from the closed state to the open state at a predetermined first differential pressure between a side (51) of the membrane (40) associated with the collection chamber (32) and a side (52) of the membrane (40) associated with the labyrinth chamber (34) and allows the coolant (14) to drain via the labyrinth chamber (34) to the fluid outlet (36). enablesand which membrane (40) is designed to not return to the closed state after transitioning from the closed state to the open state.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid drainage arrangement, a battery arrangement and a vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2013 014 903 A1 shows a battery with liquid-cooled individual cells in which the wall of the battery housing has a predetermined breaking point that allows coolant to escape from the battery housing.

[0003] DE 10 2013 212 859 B4 shows a battery system in which a driver is informed in the event of water condensate formation, and valves are activated when an aqueous solution with coolant is detected.

[0004] The KR 10 2020 0 041 007 A shows a battery pack with a cooling flow path connector, a connecting flow path and a cooling water discharge unit.

[0005] US 2018 / 0 238 764 A1 shows a battery pack with a moisture collection unit and a moisture outlet unit.

[0006] DE 10 2011 015 926 A1 shows a battery system with a valve device.

[0007] DE 10 2008 034 879 A1 shows a battery housing which has an opening for reducing internal pressure.

[0008] EP 2 760 075 A1 shows a battery system with a housing which has a housing opening for gas exchange.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new fluid drainage arrangement, a new battery arrangement and a new vehicle.

[0010] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0011] A fluid drainage arrangement for a battery arrangement has a fluid inlet, a collection chamber, a membrane, a labyrinth chamber and a fluid outlet, which membrane is provided between the collection chamber and the labyrinth chamber and has a closed state and an open state, and which membrane is designed, in the closed state, to collect a coolant which enters the collection chamber via the fluid inlet in the collection chamber until the membrane changes from the closed state to the open state at a predetermined first differential pressure between a side of the membrane assigned to the collection chamber and a side of the membrane assigned to the labyrinth chamber and enables the coolant to drain via the labyrinth chamber to the fluid outlet.If a battery assembly is damaged, for example, in an accident, the coolant can escape through the fluid drain assembly, thus preventing a short circuit in the battery assembly. The labyrinth chamber can prevent, or at least impede, the unhindered penetration of liquid, dirt, or small mammals from the environment into the battery assembly. When closed, the membrane preferentially prevents the penetration of moisture from the air into the battery assembly.

[0012] The diaphragm is designed to not return to the closed state after transitioning from the closed state to the open state. This is possible, for example, if the diaphragm is destroyed and returns to the open state, or if no return element or return force is provided.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid drainage arrangement comprises a base element for a battery assembly, which base element is trough-shaped and has a drainage slope for a coolant, and which drainage slope is in fluid communication with the collection chamber to enable drainage of a coolant from the battery assembly to the collection chamber. The drainage slope enables controlled drainage of the coolant in the fluid drainage device.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the drainage slope is fluidly connected to the collection chamber via a hose. Hoses have the advantage of being easy to install and, if necessary, can also be designed to be elastic to reduce temporarily occurring high pressures.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the hose is secured by at least one clamp. Clamps enable stable connections, even under extreme conditions with strong vibrations.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the membrane is configured to transition from the closed state to the open state when a predetermined amount of coolant has accumulated on the first side of the membrane. This allows a non-critical amount of coolant to accumulate before the membrane transitions to the open state. However, when the amount of coolant is at least equal to the predetermined amount, the membrane is moved to the open state, and the coolant can flow out.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid drainage arrangement comprises a labyrinth chamber part and a cover part, which labyrinth chamber part forms the labyrinth chamber, which cover part forms the collection chamber in a cover part extension, and which cover part is connected to the labyrinth chamber part. This facilitates the manufacture of the labyrinth chamber and the collection chamber.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, a sealing element is provided between the labyrinth chamber part and the cover part. This prevents the leakage of coolant at the connection point.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid drainage arrangement comprises, at least in some areas, at least one material from the material group consisting of: - Plastic, - aluminum, and - Aluminum alloy.

[0020] These materials are lightweight and can conduct coolant well.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the labyrinth chamber has a side wall, a labyrinth interior, and shaped elements. These shaped elements extend from the side wall into the labyrinth interior to prevent or at least reduce a straight-line flow of a fluid through the labyrinth chamber. This allows the coolant to escape, but also impedes the direct entry of a fluid from the outside into the battery assembly.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the shaped elements at least partially approach the fluid outlet as they extend from the side wall into the labyrinth interior. With a preferred arrangement of the fluid outlet below the fluid inlet, a coolant, for example, can flow easily to the fluid outlet, while a liquid medium is prevented from flowing in the opposite direction. Furthermore, it becomes more difficult for animals to crawl into the labyrinth chamber.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the shaped elements are at least partially flat in design. This flat design is well suited to preventing a strong direct fluid flow through the labyrinth chamber.

[0024] A battery assembly features such a fluid drainage arrangement. This reduces the risk of a short circuit caused by the coolant in the event of a malfunction or destruction of the battery assembly's cooling system, resulting in more serious damage such as a fire in the vehicle.

[0025] The build-up of a coolant column in the battery arrangement can be prevented.

[0026] A vehicle has such a battery arrangement. Safety is important in vehicles, and the fluid drainage arrangement increases safety.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the vehicle's surroundings to allow the coolant to drain into the vehicle's surroundings. This ensures good separation of the coolant from the battery assembly and reduces the risk of a short circuit. Water-glycol mixtures are often used as coolants or for effective heat transfer, and draining such a mixture is possible in the event of a failure.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the collection chamber is arranged above the labyrinth chamber, at least in part. This facilitates the drainage of the coolant in the event of a failure.

[0029] Further details and advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings, which are in no way to be understood as limiting the invention, as well as from the dependent claims. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. It shows: Fig. 1 in a longitudinal section an embodiment of a fluid drainage arrangement, Fig. 2 in a three-dimensional representation a membrane of the fluid drainage arrangement of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through another embodiment of a fluid drainage arrangement, Fig. 4 in a three-dimensional representation of a membrane of the fluid drainage arrangement of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 in a partial longitudinal section a battery arrangement with the fluid discharge arrangement of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 in a partial longitudinal section a battery arrangement with the fluid discharge arrangement of Fig. 3, and Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle with a battery arrangement.

[0030] In the following, identical or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols and are usually described only once. The description builds on each figure to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a fluid drain arrangement 20 for a battery arrangement 12, as shown, for example, in Fig. 5. The fluid drain assembly 20 has a fluid inlet 31, a collection chamber 32, a membrane 40, a labyrinth chamber 34, and a fluid outlet 36.

[0032] The membrane 40 is provided between the collection chamber 32 and the labyrinth chamber 34. In a closed state, the membrane 40 is configured to collect a coolant 14, which enters the collection chamber 32 via the fluid inlet 31, in the collection chamber 32.

[0033] As soon as a predetermined first differential pressure P51 - P52 is present between a side 51 of the membrane 40 assigned to the collection chamber 32 with the pressure P51 and a side 52 of the membrane 40 assigned to the labyrinth chamber 34 with the pressure P52, the membrane 40 changes from a closed state to an open state, and the coolant from the collection chamber 32 can flow via the labyrinth chamber 34 to the fluid outlet 36. The predetermined first differential pressure can be, for example, 0.1 bar, 0.3 bar, or 0.5 bar. It is preferably in the range from 0.1 bar to 1.0 bar, more preferably in the range from 0.2 bar to 0.9 bar.

[0034] The fluid drain assembly 20 has a labyrinth chamber part 61 and a cover part 62.

[0035] The cover part 62 forms the collecting chamber 32 in a cover part extension 64, and the cover part 62 is connected to the labyrinth chamber part 61, for example by an adhesive connection or by a screw connection.

[0036] This design also allows for easy installation of the membrane 40 between the collection chamber 32 and the labyrinth chamber 34.

[0037] A sealing element 42 is provided between the labyrinth chamber part 61 and the cover part 62. The sealing element 42 can be, for example, an O-ring or a lip seal.

[0038] A lower cover part 63 is connected to the labyrinth chamber part 61, and the cover part 63 forms the fluid outlet 36. The cover part 63 is connected to the labyrinth chamber part 61, for example, via an adhesive connection 69, but another connection can also be selected, for example, a screw connection.

[0039] The labyrinth chamber 34 has a side wall 65, a labyrinth interior 67, and shaped elements 66. The shaped elements 66 extend from the side wall 65 into the labyrinth interior 67. This prevents or at least reduces a linear flow of the coolant 14 or, in general, a fluid through the labyrinth chamber 34.

[0040] The shaped elements 66 approach at least partially, at least in sections, the fluid outlet 36 as they extend from the side wall 65 into the labyrinth interior 67. In other words, the shaped elements 66 protrude in the arrangement according to Fig. 1 are at least partially directed downwards toward the fluid outlet 36, or they are inclined in this direction. This allows the coolant 14 to flow easily toward the fluid outlet 36, but impedes the flow of fluid in the opposite direction.

[0041] The shaped elements 66 are preferably at least partially flat, at least in sections. They can, for example, protrude into the labyrinth interior 67 like a springboard, but they can also be laterally connected to the side wall 65 up to their free end.

[0042] A further advantage of the labyrinth chamber 34 is that the intrusion of animals from the fluid outlet 36 to the fluid inlet 31 and possibly into the battery assembly is prevented or at least made more difficult by the design of the labyrinth interior 67. In particular, martens and other animals belonging to the taxonomic suborder of canids can be prevented from penetrating the high-voltage battery by the labyrinth chamber 34.

[0043] The fluid drainage arrangement 20 preferably comprises, at least in some areas, at least one material from the material group consisting of: - Plastic, - aluminum, and - Aluminum alloy.

[0044] These are lightweight yet sturdy materials that are particularly suitable.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the membrane 40 of Fig. 1. The diaphragm 40 has two predetermined tear points 44 arranged in a cross shape, which tear open at a predetermined differential pressure between the top and bottom of the diaphragm 40 and enable fluid flow through the diaphragm 40. The predetermined tear points 44 can also be referred to as predetermined breaking points. In such a design, the diaphragm 40 can be made, for example, from a plastic or a thin sheet metal. Due to the tearing, the diaphragm 40 can no longer transition from the open state to the closed state; the transition from the closed state to the open state is therefore irreversible, and the diaphragm 40 is destroyed. In such a case, the diaphragm 40 can be replaced, for example, in a workshop.

[0046] The membrane 40 is preferably configured to transition from the closed state to the open state when a predetermined amount of coolant 14 is collected on the first side 51 of the membrane 40. As the coolant 14 rises in the collection chamber 32, the hydrostatic pressure increases, and above a certain hydrostatic pressure level, the membrane 40 opens.

[0047] The membrane 40 also opens, for example, when an overpressure occurs in the battery assembly 12 due to degassing and can act as a safety valve for the battery assembly 12, either alone or in support of a pressure equalization element such as a rupture disc. Such an overpressure can arise, for example, when the battery assembly is damaged.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment, the membrane 40 has a round basic shape or, for example, the basic shape of an ellipse.

[0049] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the fluid drainage arrangement 20. The basic mode of operation corresponds to the mode of operation of the fluid drainage arrangement 20 of Fig. 1. In contrast to the embodiment of Fig. 1, the labyrinth chamber 34 is wider relative to the height of the labyrinth chamber 34. The labyrinth chamber part 61 is connected to the cover part 62 via a snap connection 68, and this facilitates the replacement of the membrane 40.

[0050] Unlike the example of Fig. 1, the labyrinth chamber 34 has a square cross-section.

[0051] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the membrane 40 for the fluid drain assembly 20 of Fig. 3. Matching the cross-section of the labyrinth chamber 34 of Fig. 3, the membrane 40 has a square shape with rounded corners.

[0052] Fig. 5 shows a battery assembly 12 with the fluid drain assembly 20 attached thereto. The battery assembly 12 is preferably a traction battery or a high-voltage battery assembly.

[0053] The fluid drainage arrangement 20 has a base element 70 for the base region of the battery arrangement 12. The base element 70 is trough-shaped and has a drainage slope 72 for the coolant 14. The drainage slope 72 is in fluid communication with the collection chamber 32 via a drain 74 to enable the coolant 14 to drain from the battery arrangement 12 to the collection chamber 32. The coolant 14 can, for example, enter the base element 70 and thus to the collection chamber 32 if a leak occurs in the coolant circuit of the battery arrangement 12. This can be the case, for example, in the event of damage due to an accident or the occurrence of a leak.

[0054] The drainage slope 72 is fluidly connected to the collection chamber 32 via a hose 38. The outlet 36 is fluidly connected to the surroundings of a vehicle via a hose 39, for example; it can end, for example, in the area of ​​the vehicle's underbody. The hoses 38, 39 are preferably attached via clamps 54, 55, and 56, respectively.

[0055] The entire fluid drain arrangement 20 can be plugged together or assembled relatively easily for assembly.

[0056] Fig. 6 shows a corresponding embodiment with the battery arrangement 12 and the fluid drain arrangement 20 of Fig. 3.

[0057] Fig. 7 shows a vehicle 10 having the battery assembly 12 with the fluid drain assembly 20. The fluid outlet 36 is preferably in fluid communication with the environment 18 of the vehicle 10 to allow the coolant 14 to drain or discharge into the environment of the vehicle 10.

[0058] Naturally, various variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0059] The fluid drainage assembly 20 is preferably arranged such that the fluid outlet 36 is below the collection chamber 32 to facilitate proper drainage or outflow by gravity. However, it is also possible to arrange the fluid drainage assembly 20 in a different position and orient it as mentioned above only when necessary.

[0060] The fluid inlet 31 and the fluid outlet 36 can be provided further away from the labyrinth chamber 34 by extension elements such as the hoses 38, 39 or the base element 70.

Claims

[1] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) for a battery arrangement (12), which fluid drainage arrangement (20) has a fluid inlet (31), a collection chamber (32), a membrane (40), a labyrinth chamber (34) and a fluid outlet (36), which membrane (40) is provided between the collection chamber (32) and the labyrinth chamber (34) and has a closed state and an open state, and which membrane (40) is designed, in the closed state, to collect a coolant (14), which reaches the collection chamber (32) via the fluid inlet (31), in the collection chamber (32) until the membrane (40) changes from the closed state to the open state at a predetermined first differential pressure between a side (51) of the membrane (40) associated with the collection chamber (32) and a side (52) of the membrane (40) associated with the labyrinth chamber (34) and allows the coolant (14) to drain via the labyrinth chamber (34) to Fluid outlet (36) enablesand which membrane (40) is designed not to return to the closed state after the transition from the closed state to the open state., [2] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises a base element (70) for a battery arrangement (12), which base element (70) is trough-shaped and has a drainage slope (72) for a coolant (14), and which drainage slope (72) is in fluid communication with the collection chamber (32) in order to enable a drainage of a coolant (14) from the battery arrangement (12) to the collection chamber (32). [3] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) according to claim 2, wherein the drainage slope (72) is in fluid communication with the collection chamber (32) via a hose (38). [4] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) according to claim 3, wherein the hose (38) is fastened by at least one clamp (54, 55). [5] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the membrane (40) is arranged to carry out a transition from the closed state to the open state when a predetermined amount of coolant (14) is collected on the first side (51) of the membrane (40). [6] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, which has a labyrinth chamber part (61) and a cover part (62), which labyrinth chamber part (61) forms the labyrinth chamber (34), which cover part (62) forms the collection chamber (32) in a cover part extension (64), and which cover part (62) is connected to the labyrinth chamber part (61). [7] Fluid drain arrangement (20) according to claim 6, wherein a sealing element (42) is provided between the labyrinth chamber part (61) and the cover part (62). [8] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the labyrinth chamber (34) has a side wall (65), a labyrinth interior (67) and shaped elements (66), which shaped elements (66) extend from the side wall (65) into the labyrinth interior in order to prevent or at least reduce a straight-line flow of a fluid through the labyrinth chamber (34). [9] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) according to claim 8, in which the shaped elements (66) at least partially approach the fluid outlet (36) at least in sections as they extend from the side wall (65) into the labyrinth interior (67). [10] Fluid drainage arrangement (20) according to claim 8 or 9, in which the shaped elements (66) are at least partially flat in design, at least in sections. [11] Battery assembly (12) comprising a fluid drain assembly (20) according to any one of the preceding claims. [12] Vehicle (10) comprising a battery assembly (12) according to claim 11. [13] The vehicle (10) of claim 12, wherein the fluid outlet (36) is in fluid communication with the environment (18) of the vehicle (10) to allow drainage of a coolant (14) into the environment of the vehicle (10). [14] Vehicle (10) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the collection chamber (32) is arranged at least in regions above the labyrinth chamber (34).

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