Arrangement for a high-voltage battery and manufacture and use of such an arrangement

Abstract

Arrangement comprising a plate (14) and a frame (15) for a high-voltage battery, characterized by the following features: - the plate (14) is traversed by a cavity for coolant, - the frame (15) has a balcony (11) on the outside, - the plate (14) lies flat on the balcony (11) and the frame (15), - the balcony (11) has a connection piece (13) for the coolant and - the connecting piece (13) leads through the balcony (11) into the cavity. • The plate (14) is sealed against the frame (15) by a sealing ring (12) • The plate (14) including the connecting piece (13) is inserted (threaded) against the frame (15) through the balcony opening (11). To ensure a sealed space for the battery modules, the sealing ring is glued to the plate around the connecting piece in the preliminary process so that it can later be pressed against the frame.

Description

The present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a plate and a frame for a high-voltage battery. The present invention also relates to the production and use of this arrangement and to a corresponding motor vehicle.Prior ArtIn the course of the further development of electric vehicles, high-voltage batteries (HV batteries) have gained increasing importance. These batteries are an elementary component of the drive train and provide the energy for the electric motor. A major challenge in handling these high energy batteries is to maintain their operating temperature in an optimum range.Too high temperatures can significantly degrade the performance and life of the battery, while low temperatures can also reduce the performance and degrade the efficiency of the battery. Therefore, an effective cooling system for this type of batteries is of considerable importance.Various techniques are known for cooling high-voltage batteries in motor vehicles. One common method is to use a cold plate that is attached to the bottom of the battery and through which a coolant, typically a liquid, circulates. The heat of the battery is dissipated to the coolant, which is then dissipated and cooled before it circulates through the cooling plate again.DE102021104914A1 discloses a cooling plate of a high-voltage battery of a motor vehicle, wherein the high-voltage battery comprises a housing and at least one battery module. The housing has an opening for filling in a heat-conducting paste, wherein the opening is sealed off from the outside, i.e. from the environment, by means of the cooling plate. The cooler plate is sealed off from the outside by means of a circumferential laser weld.US20180294452A1 discloses a coolant connection ("cooling liquid inlet") of a high-voltage battery ("power battery pack") of a motor vehicle, wherein the coolant connection is arranged outside a battery cell space ("mounting space"). The coolant connection is fluidically connected to a two-layer (compare "two layers of metal plates") cooler plate ("liquid cooling plate").CN219610568 U discloses a coolant connection (first-convection pipeline) of a high-voltage battery (battery pack / power battery) of a motor vehicle, wherein the coolant connection is arranged outside a battery cell space of the HV battery. The coolant connection is fluidically connected to a two-layer cooler plate ("double-layer liquid cooling plate").CN111934052 A discloses a coolant connection (cooling plate interface) of a high-voltage battery (battery system) of a motor vehicle, wherein the coolant connection is arranged outside a battery cell space (square frame) of the HV battery. The coolant connection is fluidically connected to the HV battery chamber by a plate (liquid cooling plate). In addition, the coolant connection is sealed off by means of a sealing ring ("sealing ring").CN212874591 U discloses a coolant connection (main liquid inlet) of a high-voltage battery (battery pack) of a motor vehicle, wherein the coolant connection is arranged outside a battery cell space of the HV battery. The coolant connection is fluidically connected to the HV battery chamber by a cooler plate ("cooling plate").Disclosure of the InventionIt is an object of the invention to provide an effective and reliable cooling system for high-voltage batteries in motor vehicles which is simultaneously safe and meets the requirements of vehicle integration.In particular, the positioning of the coolant connection within the battery compartment, as is customary in conventional systems, entails considerable risks. In the event of a leak or failure in the cooling system, the coolant could leak within the battery compartment. This could lead to a short circuit or even to battery fire, with significant consequences for the safety of the vehicle and its occupants.Moreover, the integration of an internal coolant port cooling system into the vehicle design may be difficult and costly. In particular, the need to house the coolant connection and the associated conduits within the limited space of the battery space may limit the design freedom and significantly increase the complexity of the assembly.Also, traditional implementation of the battery frame and the cooling plate as a single integrated element may pose problems. Although this embodiment makes the assembly simple and efficient, it can greatly restrict the freedom of design. In addition, the need to replace a complex, integrally implemented component in the event of a defect can result in increased cost and longer downtime.Another problem is that conventional cooling systems often consist of several separate components that must be assembled. This increases both the complexity and cost of the manufacturing process and the likelihood of errors or failures in the operation of the vehicle.Finally, conventional cooling systems are at risk that the cooling performance is insufficient or that the cooling system is unable to effectively regulate the temperature of the battery under all operating conditions. This could impair the performance, efficiency, and life of the high-voltage battery and lead to premature battery failure.In summary, therefore, there is a need for improvements in the safety, efficiency, cost, ease of assembly, and performance of cooling systems for HV batteries.The described problem is solved by an arrangement of a plate and a frame for a high-voltage battery, a method for producing and using the same arrangement and a motor vehicle according to the independent claims.A central feature of this solution is the positioning of the coolant port outside the battery compartment. This contributes significantly to improving safety, since the risk of coolant leakage within the battery compartment and thus the risk of short circuits or battery fires is decisively reduced. In addition, this arrangement enables a more flexible and cost-effective integration of the cooling system into the vehicle design, since the limited installation space can be used more efficiently.The arrangement of plate and frame also enables efficient and reliable cooling of the high-voltage battery. The plate through which the coolant circulates lies flat on the frame and is firmly connected to the latter, as a result of which optimum heat transfer from the battery to the coolant is ensured. The use of a two layer plate helps to effectively seal the coolant cavity and allows efficient heat transfer.Moreover, the method for manufacturing the arrangement enables an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process. The extrusion of the profile and the forming of the balustrade on the outside of the profile make it possible to produce the arrangement in a single production step, which simplifies the process and reduces the costs. Welding the plate and the frame simultaneously creates a robust and durable connection, which ensures reliable functioning and durability of the arrangement.The intended application of the arrangement in a motor vehicle, in particular in a sedan or a combination motor vehicle, provides a practicable and efficient solution for cooling the high-voltage battery within the scope of different vehicle types. The arrangement can be designed such that it inserts itself seamlessly into the vehicle design and in the process ensures effective cooling of the high-voltage battery.Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGThe FIGURE shows an arrangement according to the invention in a perspective sectional illustration.Embodiments of the InventionThe single FIGURE shows a combination of a plate (14) and a frame (15) for a high-voltage battery. The plate (14) is traversed by a cavity for coolant, which is located between an inner and an outer layer of the plate (14).The frame (15) has a balun (11) on the outside. This balun (11) is an integral part of the frame (15) and is embedded in the profile of the frame (15). The plate (14) rests flat on the balun (11) and the frame (15). The balun ( 11) has a connecting piece ( 13) for the coolant. The connecting piece (13) opens through the balun (11) into the cavity within the plate (14) in order to conduct the coolant into this cavity.The plate (14) and the frame (15) are connected to one another by a weld seam (10). This weld (10) extends around the balun (11) and the plate (14), ensuring a tight connection between these two components.Between the balun (11) and the plate (14), a seal ring (12) is disposed. This sealing ring (12) serves to seal the transition area between the balun (11) and the plate (14) and thus prevent entry of moisture and dust into the battery box.The arrangement of the sealed weld seam ( 10) between the battery frame ( 11) and the cooler plate ( 14), including the sealing ring ( 12), guarantees a drying space for the attachment of the battery modules. It should be noted that the balun part can be tightly welded from the battery frame (integrated in the extruded profile) or also as an additional part.The connecting piece ( 13) is part of the cooler plate.The plate (14) has an inner layer facing the frame (15) and an outer layer facing away from the frame (15). The cavity for the coolant is bounded on the one hand by the inner layer and on the other hand by the outer layer. This arrangement enables effective heat transfer from the high-voltage battery to the coolant.The arrangement shown provides an effective and reliable solution for cooling high-voltage batteries. The positioning of the coolant connection outside the battery compartment increases safety, while the special arrangement of plate (14), frame (15), balun (11) and sealing ring (12) enables efficient cooling. The arrangement can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner, which makes it an advantageous solution for cooling high-voltage batteries in motor vehicles.List of reference characters10 Weld 11 Balun 12 Sealing ring 13 Connecting piece 14 Plate 15 FrameReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 102021104914A1

[0005] US 20180294452A1

[0006] CN 219610568

[0007] CN 111934052

[0008] CN 212874591

[0009]

Claims

Arrangement consisting of a plate (14) and a frame (15) for a high-voltage battery, characterized bythe following features: - a cavity for coolant passes through the plate (14), - the frame (15) has a balun (11) on the outside, - the plate (14) lies flat on the balun (11) and the frame (15), - the balun (11) has a connecting piece (13) for the coolant, and - the connecting piece (13) opens into the cavity through the balun (11).Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized bythe following features: - the plate (14) and the frame (15) are connected by a weld (10) (100% seal), and - the balun (11) and the plate (14) are circulated (100% seal) by the weld (10).Arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized bythe following features: - the plate (14) has an inner layer facing the frame (15) and an outer layer facing away from the frame (15), and - the cavity is bounded on the one hand by the inner layer and on the other hand by the outer layer.Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized bythe following features: - the arrangement contains a sealing ring (12) between the balun (11) and the plate (14), and - the connecting piece (13) is surrounded on the outlet side by the sealing ring (12).Arrangement according to claim 4, characterised bythe following features: - the frame (15) is a profile and - the balun (11) is integrated into the profile or tightly weldedProduction of an arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized bythe following features: - the profile is extruded, - the balun (11) is integrally formed on the outside of the profile or is welded on, - the plate (14) is placed flat on the frame (15), the sealing ring (12) being pressed between the balun (11) and the plate (14), - the plate (14) and the frame (15) are welded circumferentially.Production according to claim 6, characterised bythe following feature: - the welding is effected with a laser.Use of an arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized bythe following features: - the high-voltage battery is arranged within the frame (15), - the plate (14) is connected to a cooling circuit via the connecting piece (13), and - the coolant is circulated in the cooling circuit through the cavity in order to cool the high-voltage battery as required.Motor vehicle, characterized bythe following features: - an arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 5, - a cooling circuit connected to the plate (14), and - a high-voltage battery arranged in the frame (15).Motor vehicle, characterized byone of the following features: - the motor vehicle is a sedan or - the motor vehicle is a combination motor vehicle.

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