Nozzle element and an accumulator arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a one-piece nozzle element (1) for closing a hollow profile (20). The nozzle element (1) comprises a hollow cylindrical base body (2) made of a plastic, which surrounds an interior space (2a) through which a fluid can flow and extends along an axial direction (A) and has a bayonet structure (4) on an axial end face (3) for forming a bayonet connection (26) with the hollow profile (25).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a nozzle element and an accumulator arrangement with such a nozzle element.

[0002] In batteries for motor vehicles – so-called accumulators – longitudinal and transverse beams made of light metal are often used, which are optimally manufactured by extrusion or ramming. These beams are very lightweight yet offer high mechanical rigidity. Since such beams generally have multiple chambers inside, they are commonly used to convey a temperature-control fluid, which can be used to cool the individual accumulator cells. For the supply and discharge of fluid to and from these chambers, line connections with integrated nozzles – hereinafter referred to as "nozzle elements" – can be used. Fluid lines, such as hoses made of a flexible material or the like, can be connected to these connectors.

[0003] Against this background, it is known to manufacture said nozzle elements from the same material as the carrier - usually a light metal - so that both components can be soldered or welded together.

[0004] The disadvantage here is that the manufacture of said nozzle element with nozzles and their welding to the support is technically complex and therefore expensive.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved embodiment for a nozzle element in which this disadvantage is at least partially, ideally completely, eliminated.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0007] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to form a nozzle element, as described above, in one piece from a plastic material and to form a bayonet structure on its axial end face. This allows the nozzle element to be manufactured simply and cost-effectively, and also to be releasably and stably attached to a profile opening formed on an extruded profile of a battery. Thus, the nozzle element can be used for connecting fluid lines, for example, in the form of hoses and the like, in or for batteries.

[0008] A nozzle element according to the invention is intended for placement in a profile opening in a hollow profile. The hollow profile can be part of a battery arrangement with two battery cells. The nozzle element comprises a hollow-cylindrical base body made of a plastic material, which surrounds an interior space through which a fluid can flow and extends along an axial direction. According to the invention, the base body has a bayonet structure on one of its two axial end faces for forming a bayonet connection with the hollow profile. The nozzle element can preferably be a plastic injection-molded part.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the base body has a circumferential wall in the region of the axial end face. This circumferential wall has an annular geometry in a plan view of the end face along the axial direction. In this plan view, in this embodiment, two extensions integrally formed on the circumferential wall protrude radially outward from the annular circumferential wall as part of the bayonet structure—and preferably opposite one another. The two extensions and the base body are thus formed in one piece and made of the same material. These extensions allow for simple, yet stable mounting of the nozzle element on the hollow profile or in the profile opening.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the two extensions can each have the geometry of a ring segment extending along a circumferential direction of the circumferential wall.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the two extensions or the two ring segments can have an identical geometric shape. This variant is particularly easy to manufacture and therefore also cost-effective.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the nozzle element can have a 180° rotational symmetry in a plan view along the axial direction. Such rotational symmetry simplifies the installation of the nozzle element on the hollow profile.

[0013] According to an advantageous development, an axial stop can be formed on the base body at a distance from the end face. This allows for particularly precise axial positioning of the nozzle element during or after insertion into the profile opening.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the axial stop can be a collar that protrudes radially outward from the base body and is integrally formed on the base body, or at least comprise such a collar. In this variant, the base body and the collar or the axial stop are thus formed in one piece and made of the same material. Such a collar is technically particularly easy to manufacture.

[0015] According to another advantageous development, at least one locking element for locking the bayonet structure to the hollow profile is formed on the bayonet structure axially adjacent to one of the two extensions. This ensures a permanently stable fixation of the connecting element to the hollow profile, even under external influences such as, in particular, mechanical vibrations, impacts, or shocks.

[0016] Particularly expediently, at least one locking element can be designed as a projection integrally formed on the peripheral wall and projecting radially outward from the peripheral wall. This embodiment is technically particularly simple to manufacture and thus associated with comparatively low manufacturing costs.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment, at least one of the two extensions has an extension projecting axially from the extension at an end portion formed with respect to the circumferential direction to form a stop acting in the circumferential direction. This embodiment is also particularly easy to manufacture from a technical perspective and thus associated with comparatively low manufacturing costs.

[0018] The invention further relates to a battery arrangement comprising a carrier made of a metal, in particular aluminum, and comprising a battery having at least two rechargeable battery cells. The carrier comprises a hollow profile which delimits a fluid path through which a temperature control fluid flows. The battery of the battery arrangement according to the invention is arranged on the outside of the hollow profile, so that the hollow profile supports the battery. Furthermore, at least one profile opening is arranged in the hollow profile for introducing the temperature control fluid into the fluid path or for discharging the temperature control fluid from the fluid path. The profile opening is thus designed as a through-opening or as an opening.

[0019] According to the invention, the accumulator assembly further comprises a previously presented, inventive connecting piece element for releasably securing it in the at least one profile opening by means of a bayonet connection. The above-explained advantages of the connecting piece element according to the invention are therefore transferred to the accumulator assembly according to the invention.

[0020] Preferably, the support can be formed by an extruded profile. Such an extruded profile is simple and therefore cost-effective to manufacture and simultaneously enables stable fixation of the battery.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the accumulator arrangement according to the invention, the nozzle element, in particular with its bayonet structure, can be arranged in the profile opening and releasably fixed to the hollow profile by means of the bayonet connection.

[0022] According to an advantageous development of the accumulator assembly according to the invention, the nozzle element and the profile opening are designed and coordinated with one another such that the nozzle element can be inserted into the profile opening to close the profile opening, in particular along the axial direction. In this development, after insertion, the nozzle element can be adjusted by a rotational movement, in particular perpendicular to the axial direction, into a fixing position in which the nozzle element is fixed in the profile opening.

[0023] Particularly preferably, in the plan view of the profile opening along the axial direction, the geometry of the profile opening can be identical to the geometry of the bayonet structure of the nozzle element.

[0024] According to a further advantageous development, the accumulator is fluidically connected to the fluid path, so that the fluid path for controlling the temperature of the accumulator cells leads through the accumulator, in particular through a housing of the accumulator. Thus, the fluid guided through the fluid path can be introduced directly into the accumulator to cool the accumulator cells there.

[0025] According to another advantageous development of the accumulator assembly according to the invention, the accumulator has a housing which surrounds a housing interior in which the at least two rechargeable accumulator cells are arranged. In this development, the fluid path communicates fluidically with the housing interior via a fluid line connected to the nozzle element. In this development, the housing interior can be supplied with temperature control fluid from the fluid path using the nozzle element according to the invention.

[0026] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0027] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0029] They show, schematically: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a nozzle element according to the invention, Fig. 2 the geometric shape of a profile opening formed in the hollow profile for receiving a nozzle element according to the invention, Fig. 3 the profile opening of the Fig. 3 with the nozzle element according to the invention arranged therein. Fig. 4 the nozzle element of the Fig. 3 in a fixing position, Fig. 5 shows an isometric view of an example of an accumulator arrangement according to the invention.

[0030] The Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a nozzle element 1 according to the invention for arranging in a profile opening 27 which is provided in a Fig. 2, a hollow profile 25 of an accumulator arrangement 20 according to the invention is provided.

[0031] The nozzle element 1 is formed in one piece. The nozzle element 1 comprises a hollow cylindrical base body 2 made of a plastic material, which surrounds an interior space 2a through which a fluid can flow and extends along an axial direction A. The axial direction A, in turn, runs along a central longitudinal axis M of the base body 2. A radial direction R extends perpendicular to the axial direction A away from the central longitudinal axis M. A circumferential direction U runs perpendicular to both the axial direction A and the radial direction R around the central longitudinal axis M.

[0032] The base body 2 has on a first end face 3a of its two axially opposite end faces 3a, 3b a bayonet structure 4 for forming a bayonet connection 26 with the hollow profile 25.

[0033] According to Fig. 1, the hollow cylindrical base body 2 has a peripheral wall 5. This peripheral wall 5 has an annular geometry in a plan view of the first end face 3a along the axial direction A. In said plan view, two extensions 6a, 6b integrally formed on the peripheral wall 5 protrude radially outward and opposite one another from the annular peripheral wall 5. The two extensions 6a, 6b and the base body 2 are thus formed in one piece and from the same material. The two extensions 6a, 6b can each have the geometry of a ring segment 7a, 7b extending along the circumferential direction U of the peripheral wall 5 and, as indicated, have an identical geometric shape.

[0034] As the Fig. 1 also illustrates, an axial stop 8 can be formed on the base body 2 axially at a distance from the first end face 3a, which is formed by an annular collar 9 projecting radially outwards from the base body 2 and formed integrally thereon.

[0035] The nozzle element 1 can expediently have a 180° rotational symmetry in the plan view along the axial direction A. Such rotational symmetry simplifies the assembly of the nozzle element 1 on the hollow profile 25 or in the profile opening.

[0036] In the following, the Fig. 3 to 5 the assembly of the nozzle element 1 according to the invention in the Fig. 2 shown, provided in the hollow profile 25. The Fig. 2 shows the profile opening 27 without the nozzle element 1 in a plan view along the axial direction A onto an inner side 15 of the hollow profile 25.

[0037] As in Fig. 3 shows the nozzle element 1 for mounting on the hollow profile 25 is pushed along its axial direction A into the profile opening 27 until the Fig. 1, the axial stop 8 bears on the outside against an opening edge 29 of the hollow profile 25 that encloses the profile opening 27. For insertion, the nozzle element 1 is aligned relative to the profile opening 27 such that the central longitudinal axis M of the nozzle element 1 is orthogonal to an opening plane E of the profile opening 27 (cf. Fig. 2) is arranged.

[0038] As the Fig. 3, in the plan view of the profile opening 27 along the axial direction A, the geometry of the profile opening 27 is identical to the geometry of the bayonet structure 4 of the nozzle element 1. This means that the profile opening 27 has two radially opposite radially outer opening extensions 27a, 27b (cf. Fig. 2) which are complementary to the two projections 6a, 6b of the bayonet structure 4 (cf. Fig. 1, Fig. 3) are designed so that with appropriate alignment of the nozzle element 1 relative to the profile opening 27 as in Fig. 3, the two extensions 6a, 6b are guided along the axial direction A through the two opening extensions 27a, 27b, as shown in Fig. 3 is recognizable.

[0039] According to Fig. 4, after the nozzle element 1 has been axially pushed into the profile opening 27, the nozzle element 1 is adjusted by a rotational movement (cf. arrow P) along the circumferential direction U, i.e. perpendicular to the axial direction A or about a rotation axis D extending along the axial direction A - this is preferably identical to the central longitudinal axis M of the base body 2 - into a fixing position in which the nozzle element 1 is fixed in the profile opening 27 or on the hollow profile 25. In the fixing position, the two extensions 6a, 6b are arranged offset in the circumferential direction U from the two opening extensions 27a, 27b, so that the opening edge 29 of the hollow profile 25 prevents axial movement of the nozzle element 1 out of the profile opening 27. In the fixing position, the hollow profile 25 is therefore sandwiched between the two extensions 6a, 6b and the axial stop 8 (cf. Fig. 4, Fig. 1) clamped.

[0040] As the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 also illustrate, both extensions 6a, 6b can each be connected to a first stop 12a (cf. Fig. 4) of its two end sections 12a, 12b formed with respect to the circumferential direction U, an extension 14 projecting in the axial direction A from the respective extension 6a, 6b (see also Fig. 1). In the fixing position, the two extensions 14 rest on the opening edge 29 of the hollow profile.

[0041] In the following we will return to the Fig. 1. For locking the bayonet structure 4 with the hollow profile 25, two locking elements 10a, 10b can be formed on the bayonet structure 4, each axially adjacent to one of the two extensions 6a, 6b, which are radially opposite one another (in the isometric representation Fig. 1 only a first 10a of the two locking elements 10a, 10b is visible. The position of the second locking element 10b is shown in the Fig. 1. Each of the two locking elements 10a, 10b can be designed as a projection 11a, 11b formed integrally on the peripheral wall 5 and projecting radially outward therefrom.

[0042] The Fig. 5 shows, by way of example, an isometric view of an example of a rechargeable battery arrangement 20 according to the invention. This arrangement comprises a carrier 21 made of a metal, for example aluminum, and a rechargeable battery 22. The rechargeable battery 22 has a housing 28 which surrounds a housing interior 23 in which electrically rechargeable rechargeable battery cells (not shown) are arranged. The carrier 21 comprises a hollow profile 25 which delimits a fluid path 24 through which a temperature control fluid can flow. The rechargeable battery 22 of the rechargeable battery arrangement 20 according to the invention is arranged on the outside of the hollow profile 25, such that the hollow profile 25 supports the housing 28 of the rechargeable battery 22.

[0043] How Fig. 5, two profile openings 27 are arranged in the hollow profile 25 at a distance from one another for introducing the tempering fluid into the fluid path 24 or for discharging the tempering fluid from the fluid path 24.

[0044] The accumulator arrangement 20 also comprises two nozzle elements 1, 1 according to the invention, which are arranged in one of the two profile openings 27, 27 and are each connected by means of the previously described bayonet connection 26 (in Fig. 5 not shown) are releasably fixed in the profile opening 27 on the hollow profile 25.

[0045] In the example, the housing interior 23 of the accumulator 22 communicates fluidically with the fluid path 24 via two fluid lines 30a, 30b, which may, for example, each be formed as a hose and made of a flexible material. For this purpose, the two fluid lines 30a, 30b are arranged as shown in Fig. 5 indicated connected to one of the two nozzle elements 1, 1.

Claims

[1] One-piece nozzle element (1) for arranging in a profile opening (27) formed in a hollow profile (25), comprising a hollow cylindrical base body (2) made of a plastic, which surrounds an interior space (2a) through which a fluid can flow and extends along an axial direction (A) and has a bayonet structure (4) on an axial end face (3a) for forming a bayonet connection (26) with the hollow profile (25). [2] Nozzle element according to claim 1, characterized by in that the base body (2) comprises, in the region of the axial end face (3a), a peripheral wall (5) which, in a plan view of the end face (3a) along the axial direction (A), has an annular geometry, wherein, in the plan view, two extensions (6a, 6b) integrally formed on the peripheral wall (5) protrude radially outwards and opposite one another from the annular peripheral wall (5) as part of the bayonet structure (4). [3] Nozzle element according to claim 2, characterized by that the two extensions (6a, 6b) each have the geometry of a ring segment (7a, 7b) extending along a circumferential direction of the circumferential wall (5). [4] Nozzle element according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the nozzle element (1) has a 180° rotational symmetry in a plan view along the axial direction (A). [5] Nozzle element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an axial stop (8) is formed on the base body (2) axially at a distance from the end face (3a). [6] Nozzle element according to claim 5, characterized by that the axial stop (8) is a collar (9) projecting radially outwards from the base body (2) and formed integrally thereon or comprises such a collar (9). [7] Nozzle element according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized bythat at least one locking element (10a, 10b) for locking the bayonet structure (4) to the hollow profile (25) is formed on the bayonet structure (4) axially adjacent to one of the two extensions (6a, 6b). [8] Nozzle element according to claim 7, characterized by that at least one locking element (10a, 10b) is designed as a projection (11a, 11b) formed integrally on the peripheral wall (5) and projecting radially outwards therefrom. [9] Nozzle element according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by that at least one of the two extensions (6a, 6b) has an extension (14) projecting in the axial direction (A) from the extension (6a, 6b) on an end section (12) formed with respect to the circumferential direction (U) in order to form a stop (13) acting in the circumferential direction (U). [10] Accumulator arrangement (20), - with a carrier (21) made of a metal, in particular of aluminum, and with an accumulator (22) having at least two rechargeable accumulator cells, - wherein the carrier has a hollow profile (25) which delimits a fluid path (24) through which a tempering fluid can flow, - wherein the accumulator (22) is arranged on the outside of the hollow profile (25) so that the hollow profile (25) carries the accumulator, - wherein at least one profile opening (27) is arranged in the hollow profile (25) for introducing the tempering fluid into the fluid path (24) or for discharging the tempering fluid from the fluid path (24), - with at least one connecting piece element (1) according to one of the preceding claims for releasably fixing in the at least one profile opening (27) by means of a bayonet connection (26) [11] Accumulator arrangement according to claim 10, characterized by that the support is formed by an extruded profile. [12] Accumulator arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the nozzle element (1), in particular with its bayonet structure (4), is arranged in the profile opening (27) and is releasably fixed to the hollow profile (25) by means of the bayonet connection (26). [13] Accumulator arrangement according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by in that the nozzle element (1) and the profile opening (27) are designed and matched to one another in such a way that the nozzle element (1) can be inserted into the profile opening (27) for releasable fixing in the profile opening (27), in particular along the axial direction (A), and after the fixing is adjustable by a rotary movement, in particular about a rotary axis along the axial direction (A), into a fixing position in which the nozzle element (1) is fixed to the hollow profile. [14] Accumulator arrangement according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized bythat in the plan view of the profile opening (27) along the axial direction (A), the geometry of the profile opening (27) is identical to the geometry of the bayonet structure (4) of the nozzle element (1). [15] Accumulator arrangement according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by that the accumulator is fluidically connected to the fluid path (24), so that the fluid path for tempering the accumulator cells leads through the accumulator (22), in particular through a housing (28) of the accumulator (22). [16] Accumulator arrangement according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by , that - the accumulator (22) has a housing (28) which surrounds a housing interior (23) in which the at least two rechargeable accumulator cells are arranged; and that - the fluid path (24) communicates fluidically with the housing interior (28) via a fluid line (30a, 30b) connected to the nozzle element (1).

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