Cooling plate unit for a battery and method for producing a cooling plate unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling plate unit (10) for a battery (42), wherein the cooling plate unit (10) has a cooling plate (12) comprising two plate elements (16a, 16b) joined to one another in an edge region (12c), a flow-through cavity (22) formed between the plate elements (16a, 16b), and an interface region (14a, 14b) with at least one first opening (20, 18) opening into the cavity (22). Furthermore, the cooling plate unit (10) comprises a plastic component (14) with which at least the interface region (14a, 14b) is overmolded, wherein the plastic component (14) has a first component opening (32, 34) in the region of the first opening (20, 18) that provides access to the opening (20, 18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling plate unit for a battery, wherein the cooling plate unit comprises a cooling plate comprising two plate elements joined together in an edge region, a flow-through cavity formed between the plate elements, and an interface region with at least one first opening opening into the cavity. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a cooling plate unit for a battery.

[0002] Cooling plates, such as those used for cooling batteries or battery cells, typically have a cavity through which a coolant can flow, for example in the form of cooling channels, and at least one interface through which a coolant can be supplied to or removed from the cooling plate. For the coolant supply or removal, such a cooling plate may have a corresponding connection element, for example in the form of a nozzle, which can be connected to a cooling water hose or pipe or similar, for example with quick-release couplings, shrink-fitted hoses, spring clamps, or similar fittings. Due to the system design, these connection points only have one sealing surface. In the event of a leak at these interfaces, water can escape into the battery cavity. This poses an enormous safety risk with a fire hazard.

[0003] WO 2018 / 081631 A1 describes a cooling arrangement for cooling battery modules in a housing, which is designed with a leakage component located at a specific point outside the housing and which, in response to an impact, is designed to release coolant at that specific point. Connection points can also be sealed by means of gaskets.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a cooling plate unit and a method that make it possible to increase the leakage safety, especially in an interface area of ​​the cooling plate unit, in the simplest possible way.

[0005] This problem is solved by a cooling plate unit and a method with the features according to the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0006] A cooling plate unit according to the invention for a battery comprises a cooling plate, which includes two plate elements connected to each other in an edge region, a flowable cavity formed between the plate elements, and an interface region with at least one first opening opening into the cavity. At least the interface region is overmolded with a plastic component which has a first component opening in the region of the first opening, providing access to the opening.

[0007] The invention is based on the knowledge that overmolding plastic onto the cooling plate can advantageously be used as an additional sealing layer. Such plastic can therefore be overmolded directly onto the cooling plate at the desired locations to provide additional sealing, for example, in addition to already tight joints, such as between the plate elements or one or more other components, such as connecting pieces, and the cooling plate. It is therefore particularly advantageous if at least the interface area of ​​such a cooling plate is overmolded with such a plastic component. The overmolding of the interface area is designed such that the first opening leading into the cavity is not closed by the plastic component.For this purpose, the plastic component can be easily formed during injection molding onto the cooling plate with a corresponding opening. The plastic component is therefore not a separately manufactured injection-molded part that is subsequently attached to the cooling plate or otherwise affixed to it, for example by welding or gluing. Instead, the plastic component is attached directly and tightly to the cooling plate by being formed directly onto the cooling plate in an injection molding process. The cooling plate can thus be placed, for example, entirely or partially, into a suitable injection mold, and then the plastic forming the component is injected directly onto the cooling plate within the mold at the corresponding locations.This process allows for the overmolding of potentially leak-prone joining areas of the cooling plate, particularly those where components of the cooling plate are joined and / or where one or more additional optional components of the cooling plate unit are attached. A further significant advantage of the overmolded plastic component is that it can provide a coupling geometry for connecting to a suitable coolant supply or discharge line. Furthermore, numerous other beneficial functions, such as seals, can be easily integrated into the plastic component, as will be explained in more detail later. This significantly increases the leak-proofness of such a cooling plate unit in a very simple and cost-effective manner with minimal manufacturing and assembly effort.

[0008] The cooling plate is preferably made of a metallic material. This ensures excellent heat conductivity. The injection molding of the plastic component onto the cooling plate can, if necessary, be carried out using an adhesion promoter. However, this is not strictly required. The cooling plate elements can be individual components joined together at their edges, for example, in the form of sheets or similar materials. These can be joined together in a closed, circumferential edge area, for example, by welding or soldering. Such a metallic cooling plate can therefore consist of two or more shells joined together. The plate elements can also be parts of a single component, for example, as two sections, sides, or walls of a one-piece cooling plate.The plate elements can also be shaped and / or provided with structures or similar features to form the cavity between the plate elements and optionally subdivide this into individual cooling channels.

[0009] The cooling plate unit is preferably an inter-cell cooling unit, in particular a plate-shaped inter-cell cooling unit, which, when arranged as intended in the battery, is positioned between at least two battery rows, especially between two adjacent cell rows, each containing several battery cells. The largest surfaces of the preferably prismatic battery cells then face the cooling plate. As mentioned, each cell row can comprise several cells, wherein the cells arranged adjacent to each other in a cell row do not face each other with their largest surfaces, but rather, for example, with their smaller end faces, on which the terminals of the respective battery cells may also be located.A cell array, also known as a cell bar, combined with a cooling plate unit, can form a module. Several such modules can be arranged or stacked perpendicular to the row direction to form a battery, particularly a high-voltage battery. The cooling plate units located between the cell arrays can be fluidically coupled or connected to each other via their respective interface areas, which preferably protrude laterally from the spaces between the cell arrays.The cooling plate unit according to the invention and its embodiments described below can, for example, be part of a cooling plate arrangement or cooling plate structure comprising several identical cooling plate units arranged side by side, which can be fluidically coupled to and decoupled from one another via their respective interface areas, in particular via a plug connection. The cooling plate units can be of identical design. The features described above and below with respect to the cooling plate unit according to the invention and its embodiments can therefore also apply analogously to further cooling plate units of this type.

[0010] The first opening is preferably arranged in one of the two plate elements. The interface area of ​​the cooling plate can encompass a portion of both plate elements.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cooling plate unit has two coupling units, one of which is designed as a nozzle and the other as a nozzle receptacle, the coupling units being arranged in the interface area of ​​the cooling plate. The nozzle and the nozzle receptacle can be configured to correspond to each other, such that the nozzle of the cooling plate unit can be coupled to such a nozzle receptacle of another similarly designed cooling plate unit by means of a plug connection. To establish such a plug connection, the nozzle can be inserted into the corresponding nozzle receptacle. The nozzle receptacle can, for example, be configured with an inner diameter that is at least partially larger than the outer diameter of the nozzle. Seals can also be provided between the nozzle receptacle and the nozzle, as will be explained in more detail later.It is particularly advantageous if such a nozzle and nozzle receptacle are arranged on opposite sides of the cooling plate. The nozzle and nozzle receptacle can each project perpendicularly from the cooling plate to the plate plane. One of the coupling units can, for example, be arranged on the first of the two plate elements of the cooling plate, and the other coupling unit on the other plate element, opposite the first coupling unit. Similarly, a second opening opposite the first opening can also be provided in the interface area, as will be explained later.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the two coupling units is formed as part of the plastic component, or both coupling units are formed as part of the plastic component. For example, if only one of the two coupling units is formed as a plastic component, the other of the two coupling units can be designed separately from the plastic component and, for example, be formed as part of the cooling plate or attached to the cooling plate as a separate component. Thus, if one of these coupling units is not part of the plastic component, this coupling unit is preferably also formed from a metallic material, e.g., the same metal as the cooling plate.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is arranged at the first opening, in particular wherein the nozzle is not part of the plastic component and is preferably metallic, and is attached to the first opening, for example by welding, wherein the plastic component covers a joint between the nozzle and the area of ​​the cooling plate surrounding the first opening. The nozzle can, for example, be designed as a metal nozzle and be attached to the cooling plate in the area of ​​the first opening, for example by welding or soldering. This joint between the nozzle and the cooling plate can advantageously be overmolded with the plastic of the plastic component, which significantly increases the tightness of this joint.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the nozzle can also be designed as part of the plastic component. The nozzle, which is thus arranged at the first opening, can therefore be directly injection-molded onto the cooling plate in the area of ​​this first opening as part of the plastic component. This also creates a particularly tight connection between this nozzle and the cooling plate in the area of ​​its first opening. This, too, ensures a high level of leakage resistance. Designing the nozzle as part of the plastic component also saves weight.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cooling plate has a second opening in the interface area, leading into the cavity and opposite the first opening. Each of the two openings is formed in one of the two plate elements, and the nozzle receptacle is formed as part of the plastic component and adjoins the second opening. As explained above regarding the nozzle, the nozzle receptacle can optionally be injection-molded directly onto the cooling plate, in particular onto one of the two plate elements in the area of ​​the second opening. This also ensures an extremely tight connection between this nozzle receptacle and the plate element of the cooling plate in the area of ​​this second opening.

[0016] The first and second openings can be circular and coaxial with each other. However, any other geometry is also conceivable, e.g., rectangular. The openings can optionally be aligned with each other or positioned along a straight line. The nozzle receptacle can also have an opening, e.g., cylindrical, which is later also referred to as the through-hole, and the nozzle itself can also have such an opening, e.g., cylindrical. These openings of the nozzle and the nozzle receptacle can also be arranged coaxially or aligned with each other, particularly along the aforementioned straight line. This allows for particularly easy interlocking of identical cooling plate units.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plastic component comprises at least one interface part with which the at least one interface area of ​​the cooling plate is overmolded, and a frame part which is designed as an overmold of part or the entire joining area located in the edge region of the cooling plate, in which the two plate elements are joined together in their respective edge regions. In other words, the plastic component can be overmolded onto the cooling plate not only in the interface area, but also in other areas of the cooling plate, particularly in the area of ​​joints or connections, in order to increase the tightness of these joints. The plastic frame or the plastic component as a whole can therefore be formed by overmolding the cooling plate. The plastic component is thus designed as a plastic overmolding of the cooling plate.

[0018] The part of the plastic component that is injection-molded onto the interface area can therefore be called the interface part, and the part of the plastic component that is overmolded to seal around the joining area of ​​the plate elements located at the edge can be called the frame part. Advantageously, the frame part and the interface part can be formed in one piece. This allows for particularly simple and fast manufacturing in a single injection molding process, in which the corresponding areas of the cooling plate are simply overmolded with plastic to form the plastic component. The frame part can be injection-molded onto the edge area or joining area in such a way that it surrounds the edge area where the two plate elements meet in a U-shape. Preferably, the plastic component completely surrounds the cooling plate at the edge.Alternatively, the frame component can be designed to simultaneously form part of a battery housing. If several cooling plate units are arranged next to each other with cells or cell bars located between them, the frame components can be arranged next to each other, connected or clipped together, and / or a closed top plate and / or a closed bottom can be formed.

[0019] The cooling plate unit, and in particular the cooling plate itself, can be designed to be elongated in a longitudinal direction, in which the cells of the same cell row of a cell bar described above are also arranged side by side. This can also be referred to as the longitudinal direction of the cooling plate and the cooling unit. The cooling plate can have an interface area on both sides along this longitudinal direction. These interface areas can both be designed as described above for the first interface area of ​​the cooling plate. Both interface areas can be overmolded by a corresponding interface part of the plastic component, just as described above for the first interface area. In other words, the plastic component can also include two such interface parts.Such an interface part can include, for example, at least one of the coupling units mentioned above, or optionally both coupling units: the nozzle and the nozzle receptacle. Furthermore, the interface part of the plastic component can also be designed as an overmold covering the entire end section of the cooling plate, so that the interface part only provides access to the first and / or second opening in the cooling plate, while covering all other areas of the corresponding end section of the cooling plate. The interface part provides, in particular, a tight seal at the interface of the cooler, i.e., the cooling plate. This offers a particularly high level of leakage protection, especially in the end sections with the coolant interfaces located in the respective interface areas of the cooling plate.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the nozzle receptacle comprises a base body with a through-cavity arranged therein, which provides an insertion opening and adjoins the second opening, and which fluidically connects the insertion opening to the second opening, which is located opposite the insertion opening in a insertion direction. Furthermore, a relief channel is arranged in the base body, opening from the surroundings of the base body into the interior of the through-cavity. Such a relief channel can be configured as a bore, i.e., as a relief bore. The relief channel thus penetrates the base body at a specific point and opens into the through-cavity. The relief channel therefore provides a fluidic connection between the interior of the through-cavity and the surroundings, at least in a state of the nozzle receptacle not coupled to a corresponding nozzle.

[0021] As described above, the base body can also be part of the plastic component that is injection-molded onto the cooling plate. A through-cavity can be formed within this base body. This cavity can, for example, have a substantially cylindrical shape. The axis of this cylindrical through-cavity can be parallel to the aforementioned insertion direction and, in particular, runs coaxially with the first and second openings as well as coaxially with the insertion opening. Such a coaxial or aligned arrangement of the openings and the through-cavity is also possible with any other geometries of the through-cavity and the openings. Steps or edges can also be integrated into the through-cavity. In other words, it does not necessarily have to be a continuous cylinder with a constant diameter. The through-cavity can, for example, have different radii in the insertion direction.For example, the passage cavity in an area adjacent to the insertion opening may have a larger radius than in an area of ​​the passage cavity closer to the second opening. This reduction can be provided in the form of a step. This allows, for example, the provision of an axial seal between this step and the end face of the fitting to be inserted.

[0022] A particular advantage is the inclusion of a relief channel or bore. This allows for the provision of an emergency drain, especially in the event of a leak in one of the seals described in more detail later. The outlet of this relief channel is located directly opposite the bore of a nozzle inserted into the passageway, for example, of another cooling plate unit, specifically in a sealed area between the nozzle and the base of the nozzle receptacle. If the seal fails, coolant can enter this area during operation of the cooling plate unit and drain away via the relief channel. This allows for the controlled discharge of any leakage fluid.This advantageously prevents such leakage fluid from entering undesirable areas, especially coming into contact with the battery cells.

[0023] The cooling plate unit can, for example, also have a liquid or humidity sensor, which is located, for example, in the area of ​​the relief channel or in a container or other location to which the water escaping from the relief channel or the liquid in the event of a leak is directed, for example via an additional line connected to the relief channel or similar.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one seal, preferably two seals, are arranged on the nozzle receptacle and / or on the nozzle, in particular by which one of the two coupling units can be sealed against the other of the two coupling units of a further cooling plate unit in the coupled state, wherein the two seals are designed as axial seals, or both of the seals are designed as radial seals, or one of the seals is designed as an axial seal and the other as a radial seal. Suitable seals include, for example, O-rings, lamellar seals, or similar materials.

[0025] This further increases safety, as these seals reliably seal the corresponding coupling units against each other when coupled. The use of two seals is preferred, since in the event of a failure of one seal, the seal can still be maintained by the other. There are numerous possibilities for positioning these seals, which in particular allows axial and radial seals to be combined in any desired configuration.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, two seals are arranged on the nozzle receptacle and / or on the nozzle itself, so that when the nozzle receptacle is coupled to a nozzle of another identical cooling plate unit, one seal is arranged upstream and one downstream of the relief channel in the insertion direction. These two seals, one upstream and one downstream of the relief channel in the insertion direction, need not necessarily be seals of the same cooling plate unit; rather, one of these seals can be part of a first cooling plate unit and the other part of the second identical cooling plate unit. However, both seals can also be provided by the same cooling plate unit.

[0027] Advantageously, when two cooling plate units are connected, one seal is positioned upstream of the relief channel and another downstream. This allows, in the event of a failure of the seal upstream of the channel, this failure to be detected by the fluid escaping through the relief channel, while the tightness of the assembly is still ensured by the second seal; that is, the relief channel thus constitutes the only point of leakage. This allows the failure of a seal to be detected by the fluid escaping from the relief channel without the risk of fluid entering other undesirable areas.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one seal is arranged in a groove provided in the plastic component, or the at least one seal is designed as a seal injection-molded onto the plastic component. The seals can, for example, be designed as separate seals, such as sealing rings or similar components. The plastic component can be provided with corresponding grooves at the relevant locations where these seals are provided or are to be arranged. The sealing rings can be held in the grooves by friction. However, it is also conceivable that the seals are designed as injection-molded seals. These can therefore also be added to the corresponding location on the plastic component during their manufacture in an injection molding process.This can be achieved, for example, within the same injection molding process in which the plastic component is formed and injection molded onto the cooling plate, or in a subsequent injection molding step. The seals are preferably made of a different plastic material than the plastic component. The injection-molded seals simplify assembly. Grooves do not need to be provided, nor do separate sealing rings need to be placed in the grooves, thus reducing assembly effort.

[0029] As described, the seals can be arranged in various locations. With regard to a connected state between a nozzle and a nozzle receptacle, such a seal can, for example, be located between an outer wall of the nozzle and the inner wall of the nozzle receptacle, or both seals can be located between the outer wall of the nozzle and the inner wall of the nozzle receptacle, or one or two seals can be located between an insertion-side end face of the nozzle receptacle and a flange area of ​​the plastic component adjacent to the nozzle, or one or two seals can be located between an end face of the nozzle and a support edge formed in the through-hole.

[0030] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a cooling arrangement with a cooling plate unit according to the invention or one of its embodiments. The cooling arrangement can also comprise several cooling plate units according to the invention or cooling plate units according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. The cooling plate units can be of identical design and configured to be pluggable and reversibly decoupled as described.

[0031] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a battery with a cooling plate unit according to the invention or one of its embodiments, as well as a battery with a cooling arrangement according to the invention or one of its embodiments. The battery can, for example, be designed as a high-voltage battery. The battery can comprise several battery cells. These can, for example, be designed as prismatic battery cells. These can be arranged in cell blocks as already described. In addition, the battery cells can, for example, be lithium-ion cells. The battery can, for example, be designed as a traction battery for a motor vehicle.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a battery according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0033] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0034] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cooling plate unit with a cooling plate comprising two plate elements that are connected, in particular joined, to one another in an edge region, and between which a flowable cavity is formed, wherein the cooling plate is formed in an interface region with at least one first opening opening into the cavity. At least the interface region is overmolded with a plastic component, such that this component has a first opening in the region of the first opening, providing access to the opening.

[0035] The advantages mentioned in connection with the cooling plate unit according to the invention and its embodiments apply equally to the method according to the invention.

[0036] The invention also includes further developments of the method according to the invention, which have features already described in connection with the cooling plate unit according to the invention and its embodiments. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

[0037] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0038] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a schematic exploded view of a cooling plate unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic and perspective representation of the cooling plate unit made of Fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 a schematic cross-sectional representation of a part of two cooling plate units coupled to each other in an interface area according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of two coupled cooling plate units according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of two cooling plate units coupled in the interface area according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of two cooling plate units coupled in the interface area according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 a schematic and perspective representation of a battery with a cooling plate arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 8 a schematic detailed representation of the battery Fig. 7 with openly shown coupling areas according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0040] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0041] The figures depict coordinate systems, in particular Cartesian coordinate systems. The x-direction shown corresponds to the aforementioned longitudinal direction. With respect to a standard installation position in a motor vehicle, the z-direction shown preferably corresponds to a vehicle vertical direction. The x- and y-directions can each correspond to a vehicle longitudinal direction and a vehicle transverse direction, respectively.

[0042] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a cooling plate unit 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows the cooling plate unit 10 again in a perspective view. The cooling plate unit 10 comprises a cooling plate 12 and a plastic component 14, which is injection-molded onto the cooling plate 12 in certain areas. The plastic component 14 can comprise a first interface part 14a, which corresponds to a first interface area 12a of the cooling plate 12, a second interface part 14b, which corresponds to a second interface area 12b of the cooling plate 12, and a frame part 14c. The frame part 14c is injection-molded in a sealing manner onto an edge area 12c of the cooling plate 12, in which the two plate elements 16a, 16b encompassed by the cooling plate 12 are located (see Figure 2). Fig. 3) are joined together, in particular welded together. The two plates 16a, 16b, between which a flow-through cavity of the cooling plate 12 is formed, are thus welded together completely around the edge region 12c of the cooling plate 12. The frame 14c surrounds both plate edges of the respective plate elements 16a, 16b in a U-shape.

[0043] In one of the plate elements 16a, 16b, a first opening 20 is arranged in the respective interface area 12a, 12b. Furthermore, a second opening 20 is arranged in the opposite plate element 16b. Both openings 18, 20 of a respective interface area 12a, 12b open into the cavity 22 (see figure). Fig. 3) between the plate elements 16a , 16b. In addition, the cooling plate unit 10 may also include seals D1, D2, as these will be explained in more detail later.

[0044] The two interface areas 12a, 12b and the corresponding interface parts 14a, 14b of the plastic component can be designed to correspond, so that only one of these interface areas 12a and interface parts 14a will be described in more detail below.

[0045] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of two cooling plate units 10, 10' coupled together in the interface area 12a, in particular two identically designed cooling plate units 10, 10'. Also visible are the two metallic plates 16a, 16b of the cooling plate 12, which are joined together in the edge area 12c by a joining connection, for example a weld. In this example, the cooling plate unit 10 includes a nozzle 24, in particular a metallic nozzle 24, which is joined to the first opening 20 in a joining area 26 by a joining connection, for example a weld, for example welded. The first opening 20 is opposite the aforementioned second opening 18.The housing component 14, in particular the interface area 14a, is now injection-molded onto the interface area 12a of the cooling plate 12 in such a way that it surrounds the edge area 12c where the two plates 16a, 16b are joined. This allows the joint between the two plates 16a, 16b to be additionally sealed. Furthermore, the joint 26 between the nozzle 24 and the cooling plate 12 is also overmolded. This also results in an additional sealing plane E. This sealing plane E is illustrated by a dashed contour on the further cooling plate unit 10'.

[0046] The plastic component 14 also provides a coupling geometry in the form of a nozzle receptacle 28. The nozzle receptacle 28 comprises a base body 30, which includes a through-cavity 32. This through-cavity connects to the second opening 18 on one side and provides an insertion opening 34 opposite the second opening 18 on the other. A relief channel 36 also opens into this through-cavity 32. The through-cavity 32 is dimensioned such that the nozzle 24 of another cooling plate unit 10' can be inserted into it, or conversely, the nozzle 24 is dimensioned such that it can be inserted into the corresponding through-cavity 32 of another cooling plate unit 10'.

[0047] Each cooling plate unit 10 is provided with two seals D1 and D2 in its corresponding interface area 12a. In this example, the first seal D1 is an axial seal and the second seal D2 is a radial seal. The first seal D1 is arranged on an end face 28a of the nozzle receptacle 28, specifically in a groove 29 provided there. In this example, seal D1 is designed as a sealing ring, i.e., as a separate solid seal. The second seal D2 is also designed as a separate solid seal, for example, in the form of a sealing ring, and is arranged on an inner wall 30a of the through-bore or through-cavity 32, specifically also in a corresponding groove 29'. The relief channel 36 is located accordingly, in the insertion direction, which can always be defined, for example, against the y-direction, between these two sealing positions of seals D1 and D2.In the event of a failure, for example of the second seal D2, fluid can enter between the nozzles 24 and the inner wall 30a and thus into the relief channel 36. The fluid can then flow away via this relief channel 36 and be directed to a desired location, for example to a fluid sensor.

[0048] The base body 30 also includes a clamping flange 30b, which is positioned opposite the nozzle 24 in the z-direction, at least on one side. The base body 30 of the additional cooling plate unit 10' can thus be inserted between the nozzles 24 and into this clamping flange 30b. The through-hole 36 of the additional cooling plate unit 10' then continues in the opposite z-direction into a corresponding through-hole 36' in the flange 30b of the cooling plate unit 10.

[0049] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of two coupled cooling plate units 10, 10' according to a further embodiment of the invention. In particular, the same section is shown here as is also shown for the two cooling plate units 10, 10' from Fig. Figure 3. The cooling plate units 10, 10' can be designed as described above, except that the nozzle 24' is now designed as part of the plastic component 14, in particular the interface part 14a. Therefore, no separate metallic nozzle needs to be attached or welded to the cooling plate 12 itself.

[0050] Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 each shows a part of the interface area 12a of two coupled cooling plate units 10, 10' with differently designed seals D1, D2 or sealing positions. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 5, the two seals D1 and D2 are designed as axial seals. The first seal D1 is located, as previously described, on an end face 26a of the nozzle receptacle 28, and the second seal D2 is located, in this example, on the end face 24a of the nozzle 24'. The nozzle 24' is again designed as part of the plastic component 14 in this example. However, seal D2 can just as easily be arranged on the end face 24a of the metallic nozzle 24, as described in Figure 5. Fig. 3 described.

[0051] In Fig. Figure 6 shows the two seals D1 and D2 as radial seals. They are both located between an outer surface 24b of the nozzle 24' and an inner wall 30a of the nozzle receptacle 28. In this example, a metallic nozzle 24 could again be used instead of the plastic nozzle 24'.

[0052] Furthermore, the seals D1, D2 can again be provided as separate sealing components, for example sealing rings, which fit into corresponding grooves 29, 29', as described above. Fig. 3 described, are arranged or can be arranged, although no such grooves are shown here. Alternatively, one or more of these seals D1, D'' or both seals D1, D2 can be used, as in particular in the examples from Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows that the seals can also be injection-molded. These can be directly molded onto the corresponding locations in an injection molding process. This is advantageous if the seals D1 and D2 are molded onto the plastic component 14, as this allows for better adhesion than on a metallic substrate. Instead of being molded onto the locations shown, the respective seals D1 and D2 can also be molded onto the opposing component. For example, the first seal D1 can be made of Fig. 5 instead of being injection-molded on the front face 28a of the nozzle receptacle, being injection-molded on a corresponding opposite mounting flange area 40, which connects around the nozzle 24 or 24' and surrounds it radially.

[0053] Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic and perspective view of a battery 42 according to an embodiment of the invention. This battery comprises a cooling arrangement 44, which in turn includes several cooling plate units 10. These can be configured as previously described and, in the present illustration, are in a connected state in their respective coupling areas K1, K2. The cooling plate units 10 are also designed such that a cavity or space is formed between each pair of cooling plate units 10 in the y-direction, in which cell rows, more precisely cell bars 46, can be accommodated. Each cell bar 46 comprises several battery cells 48, in this example prismatic battery cells. The interconnected coupling units 24, 28 of the cooling plate units 10 form a sealed coolant channel 50, through which the coolant can be supplied to or discharged from the plates 12.On the side opposite the x-direction in the second coupling area K2, a corresponding sealed channel 52 is created. Coolant can therefore be supplied via one of the two channels 50, 52 and discharged via the other. This allows any number of cell blocks to be mounted or connected in series with the cooling plate units to form a module, subsystem, or cell-to-pack with a high degree of protection against water leakage.

[0054] Fig. Figure 8 shows another schematic detail of battery 42. Fig. 7 in the first coupling area, which is shown half-open for better illustration.

[0055] Overall, the examples demonstrate how the invention can provide a battery assembly with cell blocks and safety measures against water ingress into a high-voltage compartment. The connections to the metallic cooling plate can be designed as metallic tubes, the aforementioned nozzles, and soldered or welded on. The contacting, i.e., the coupling of these connections to one another, can be carried out as described above. To increase the safety of this assembly, a plastic geometry can be densely injection-molded onto the metallic cooling plate around the interface or its openings and joining points, optionally using methods that utilize adhesion promoters. This injection-molded plastic geometry, previously also referred to as a plastic component, can provide various functions.It offers additional sealing surfaces and positioning grooves for axial and / or radial seals, positioning aids, and a fixing option for securing the cells, as well as a mounting option for electrical cables, etc. It improves the mechanical properties, especially with regard to crashes, vibrations, etc. It enables a positive-locking connection of multiple cooling plates or cooling plate units with the cell bars held in the spaces between them. An optional relief bore allows the cooling medium to be specifically drained from the battery compartment in the event of a leak in the first sealing layer, for example, a first radial or axial sealing layer. Various configurations of the sealing combinations are possible.With respect to a specific direction, for example, the insertion direction, the first seal can be axial and the second radial, the first seal axial and the second axial, the first seal radial and the second axial, or the first seal radial and the second radial. To save costs, the required seals can be injection-molded directly onto the plastic of the component using a two-component injection molding process. This also significantly reduces the assembly error rate. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2018 / 081631 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Cooling plate unit (10) for a battery (42), wherein the cooling plate unit (10) comprises: - a cooling plate (12) comprising two plate elements (16a, 16b) joined together in an edge region (12c), a flowable cavity (22) formed between the plate elements (16a, 16b) and an interface region (14a, 14b) with at least one first opening (20, 18) opening into the cavity (22), characterized by , that the cooling plate unit (10) comprises a plastic component (14) with which at least the interface area (14a, 14b) is overmolded, wherein the plastic component (14) has a first component opening (32, 34) in the area of ​​the first opening (20, 18) which provides access to the opening (20, 18). [2] Cooling plate unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the cooling plate unit (10) has two coupling units (24, 24', 28), one of which is designed as a nozzle (24, 24') and the other as a nozzle receptacle (28), wherein the coupling units (24, 24', 28) are arranged in the interface area (14a, 14b) of the cooling plate (12). [3] Cooling plate unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the two coupling units (24, 24', 28) or both coupling units (24', 28) is / are designed as part of the plastic component (14). [4] Cooling plate unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the nozzle (24, 24') is arranged at the first opening (20), in particular wherein the nozzle (24, 24') - is not part of the plastic component (14), and in particular is metallic, and is attached to the first opening (20, 18), wherein the plastic component (14) covers an joining connection (26) between the nozzle (24) and the area of ​​the cooling plate (12) surrounding the first opening (20, 18), - is formed as part of the plastic component (14). [5] Cooling plate unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cooling plate (12) in the interface area (14a, 14b) has a second opening (18, 20) opening into the cavity (22) which is opposite the first opening (20, 18), wherein each of the two openings (20, 18) is formed in one of the two plate elements (16a, 16b), wherein the nozzle receptacle (28) is formed as part of the plastic component (14) and adjoins the second opening (18). [6] Cooling plate unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the plastic component (14) comprises at least one interface part (14a, 14b) with which the at least one interface area (14a, 14b) of the cooling plate (12) is overmolded, and a frame part (14c) which is designed as an overmolding of part or the entire joining area located in the edge area (12c) of the cooling plate (12) in which the two plate elements (16a, 16b) are joined together in their respective edge areas. [7] Cooling plate unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the nozzle receptacle (28) has a base body (30) with a through cavity (32) arranged in it, which provides an insertion opening (34) and which connects to the second opening (18), and which fluidically connects the insertion opening (34) with the second opening (18), which is in particular opposite the insertion opening (34) in a insertion direction (y), wherein a relief channel (36) opening from the surroundings of the base body (30) into the interior of the through cavity (32) is also arranged in the base body (30). [8] Cooling plate unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one seal (D1, D2), preferably two seals (D1, D2), are arranged on the nozzle receptacle (28) and / or on the nozzle (24, 24'), in particular by which one of the two coupling units (24, 24', 28) can be sealed against the other of the two coupling units (24, 24', 28) of a further cooling plate unit (10) in the coupled state, wherein both seals (D1, D2) are designed as axial seals or both of the seals (D1, D2) are designed as radial seals or one of the seals (D1, D2) is designed as an axial seal and the other as a radial seal. [9] Cooling plate unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that two seals (D1, D2) are arranged on the nozzle receptacle (28) and / or on the nozzle (24, 24') so that, when the nozzle receptacle (28) is coupled to a nozzle (24, 24') of another similar cooling plate unit (10), a seal (D1, D2) is arranged in the insertion direction (y) before and after the relief channel (36). [10] Cooling plate unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one seal (D1, D2) is arranged in a groove (29, 29') which is arranged in the plastic component (14), or that the at least one seal (D1, D2) is designed as a seal (D1, D2) that is injection molded onto the plastic component (14). [11] Method for manufacturing a cooling plate unit (10) with a cooling plate (12) comprising two plate elements (16a, 16b) joined together in an edge region (12c) and between which a flowable cavity (22) is formed, wherein the cooling plate (12) is formed in an interface region (14a, 14b) with at least one first opening (20, 18) opening into the cavity (22), characterized by , that at least the interface area (14a, 14b) is overmolded with a plastic component (14) so ​​that this has a first component opening (32, 34) in the area of ​​the first opening (20, 18) which releases access to the opening (20, 18).

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