Cooling device, and motor vehicle with a cooling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling device (10) comprising a cooling element (16) designed as a bag for a coolant, and a heat dissipation element (18) arranged on the cooling element (16). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (10) with an embodiment of the cooling device (10). Preferably, the heat dissipation element (18) can be designed as a frame element for the cooling element (16), wherein the frame element preferably has at least one groove (22) on its longitudinal side. Additionally or alternatively, the heat dissipation element (18) can be designed as a Peltier element, wherein the heat dissipation element (18) can form an outer wall (20) of the cooling element (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling device, in particular a cooling device for a component of a motor vehicle, for example for cooling a control unit of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a cooling device.

[0002] Today, more and more control units are installed in vehicles, which heat up so much due to high power losses that the electronic components are destroyed if the surfaces of the housings are not actively cooled.

[0003] In water-cooled cooling plates, deep-drawn sheets are often welded together; the water then flows through the profile, carrying away the heat absorbed by the sheets. A new variant involves replacing the deep-drawn sheets with a "water bladder" made of a temperature-resistant and thermally conductive material.

[0004] US 2023 / 0059778 B2 concerns an aerospace battery comprising a housing, a retaining seat located within the housing, and a battery pack core supported by the retaining seat within the housing. Optional cooling plates may incorporate features that help to insulate heat within areas of the cooling plate. For example, the cooling plate may include a flexible pouch that defines at least one liquid cooling channel.

[0005] US patent 2023 / 020052 A1 describes an efficient and environmentally friendly method for the selective extraction of lithium from secondary lithium-ion batteries of any capacity and size at the end of their service life. A specific temperature was achieved by placing the battery cell in a Peltier cooling platform.

[0006] DE 10 2011 082204 A1 describes a thermoelectric unit with an internal fluid guidance element that has a plurality of external surfaces and in which several fluid channels are arranged.

[0007] DE 197 53 036 A1 describes a Peltier element comprising a finned block in a ventilation chamber and connected to an insulated beverage container in which the liquid contents can be cooled or heated via a heat-conducting plate. The container is held in position by a spring.

[0008] US 7,508,670 B1 relates to a thermally conductive compartment for operation with a conduction-cooled electronic module comprising an expandable element that defines a fluid passage between a first and a second end, wherein the expandable element includes a first outer surface for contact with a first conduction-cooled electronic module, an inlet located at a first end for receiving a conductive fluid, and an outlet located at the second end for draining the conductive fluid.

[0009] DE 10 2019 215 336 A1 relates to a temperature control device for temperature control of an electrical device, in particular an electric battery, with at least one fluid channel through which a temperature control fluid flows and which is at least partially bounded by at least one volume-variable enclosure made of a flexible material. Furthermore, the temperature control device comprises at least one mounting device which surrounds a fluid chamber through which the temperature control fluid flows, preferably a non-volume-variable chamber, and to which the enclosure is attached, so that the fluid chamber communicates fluidically with the at least one fluid channel.

[0010] DE 197 04 549 A1 describes another heat sink for electrical or electronic components.

[0011] Cooling plates are designed to dissipate heat from the control units as efficiently as possible. Every material has its own thermal resistance. The thicker the material, the greater the resistance. Air has a very low thermal resistance, so a cooling plate must have the largest possible contact area with the control unit, free of air pockets. Often, a putty-like thermal interface material (TIM) is used for this purpose. This putty, however, incurs additional costs and installation problems in order to improve the contact area between the cooling plate and the control unit and to eliminate air pockets. These air pockets, however, also increase the thermal resistance. Further disadvantages of such thermally conductive putty include its softening over time, which reduces the holding force. Screws can loosen, making the assembly even less stable.

[0012] There are usually not many mounting options for a cooling plate, except at the edges, as the control units do not allow for additional screw holes in the central area. This increases the likelihood of the cooling plate warping away from the surface.

[0013] Alternatively, the surface of the cooling plate's contact area can be convex to achieve a uniform contact pressure, which also incurs additional costs for the manufacturer. Convexing the cooling plate could solve the problems with the thermally conductive putty, but it increases manufacturing costs and can lead to further problems with tolerances in the screw connections.

[0014] A state-of-the-art solution using a water-filled cooling system solves some of these problems. The material is very thin compared to sheet metal and can conform to uneven surfaces. Such a solution can be easily integrated into an electronic control unit (ECU), for example, between the circuit board and the housing base. However, problems could arise when screwing it to the housing at the outer surfaces if there is no contact surface opposite the ECU surface to be cooled.

[0015] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic of a common prior art solution principle, in which a device to be cooled, for example a control unit 1, is cooled by a cooling plate 2. Thus, two hard surfaces are pressed against each other. The contact area depends on the roughness and flatness of the surfaces. Dirt particles and air inclusions can separate the contact surfaces over a large area.

[0016] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows a prior art solution principle in which a bag 3, which can also be called a "water bag" or "pouch cell", presses against the surface of the control unit 1. Such a "water bag" fits much better against the surface than a "solid" cooling plate 2. Dirt particles are trapped and have little impact on the contact area.

[0017] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a prior art solution principle in which the housing of the exemplary control unit 1 has recesses on the side to be cooled. If the surface to be cooled has structural irregularities or recesses, both variants from the Fig. 1 and Fig. There are two disadvantages, because bag 3 does not compensate for unevenness or depressions.

[0018] One of the problems underlying the invention is to increase the efficiency of cooling devices, for example, equipment. This problem is solved by a cooling device and a motor vehicle according to the invention, as described in the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the sub-claims.

[0019] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing a cooling device that combines a cooling element designed as a pouch with a heat dissipation element. The pouch design means that the cooling element has a volume into which a cooling agent can be filled and stored, and whose outer wall is easily deformable. In other words, the cooling element is hollow and easily deformable and suitable for holding the cooling agent. The outer wall of the cooling element, and thus its shape, is therefore flexible. The outer wall of the cooling element can, for example, be made of an elastic material and / or be designed as a film or a deformable plastic. A cooling agent is understood to be a refrigerant, such as water, liquid metals, oil, or alcohol.In other words, the coolant is a gaseous, liquid, or solid substance, or a mixture of substances, that is used to remove heat and conduct it to a heat sink. In other words, the cooling element is a component that cools using the coolant.

[0020] The cooling device according to the invention comprises a cooling element designed as a pouch for a cooling medium, and a heat dissipation element arranged on the cooling element. Preferably, the cooling device can also include the cooling medium. A heat dissipation element is understood to be a component or a group of components that transfers heat between the device to be cooled, for example, a control unit of a motor vehicle, and the cooling element of the cooling device. Suitable materials for the heat dissipation element are, for example, metals.

[0021] The motor vehicle according to the invention has an embodiment of the cooling device according to the invention, wherein the cooling device is at least partially arranged with its heat-conducting element on a cooling side of the cooling element and on a device of the motor vehicle to be cooled.

[0022] The combination of a cooling element and a heat dissipation element achieves even more efficient heat transfer from the device being cooled to the cooling element. This also saves space and costs. The cooling element, designed as a pouch, can be fitted much more precisely to the device being cooled. The use of TIM material is unnecessary, thus avoiding its disadvantages. The stability of a cooling device fixed in this way is therefore much better and more durable. The heat dissipation element connects the cooling element to the device being cooled.

[0023] The cooling element has at least one nub on one cooling side. This means that at least one outer wall of the cooling element forms a nub. The cooling side of the cooling element is understood to be the side that faces the device to be cooled when installed. Preferably, the cooling side of the cooling element is the side against which the heat dissipation element rests. The presence of at least one nub allows for better compensation of unevenness and depressions in the housing of the device to be cooled.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the cooling device according to the invention, the cooling element can be designed as a hose. The use of a hose as the cooling element allows for a very space-saving arrangement, for example in a motor vehicle.

[0025] Preferably, the cooling element, in particular an outer wall of the cooling element, can have or consist of an electrocaloric material. Based on the principle of an electrocaloric heat pump, the heat can thus be dissipated. This results in particularly efficient cooling. In contrast to a Peltier effect, cooling is possible regardless of the current level.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, the cooling device can incorporate an electrocaloric system. This results in particularly efficient cooling. Suitable systems, such as an electrocaloric heat pump, are known to experts from the state of the art.

[0027] In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the heat dissipation element of the cooling device can be designed as a frame element for the cooling element. A frame element is understood to be a component that at least partially surrounds the cooling element and / or against which the cooling element at least partially rests. The frame element preferably has at least one groove along its longitudinal side. The side of the cooling element that then rests against this longitudinal side of the frame element is the cooling side. In the installed state, for example, when installed in a motor vehicle, the frame element rests against the device to be cooled. This results in even more efficient heat dissipation from the device being cooled.

[0028] The heat dissipation element, designed as a frame element, is manufactured to fit precisely, or even more precisely, the surface or housing of the control unit to be cooled. This allows the frame element to act as an adapter between the cooling element and the device being cooled. This increases stability and improves cooling efficiency. It also reduces air pockets. Furthermore, a heat dissipation element designed as a frame element has a significantly higher thermal conductivity than thermally conductive putty.

[0029] In a corresponding embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which has a cooling device with a heat dissipation element designed as a frame element, the cooling element rests with its cooling side against the heat dissipation element designed as a frame element, the opposite longitudinal side of which is shaped such that the longitudinal side rests flat against one side of the housing of the motor vehicle device to be cooled. The advantages have already been discussed above.

[0030] In a further development of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the frame element has at least one groove that engages in a recess of a housing of the cooling device of the motor vehicle. Due to the flexibility of the outer wall of the cooling element, the housing, frame element and cooling element are in direct contact with each other and the heat dissipation can take place even more efficiently.

[0031] At least one stud engages in a recess in the housing and / or in a groove of the heat dissipation element. This also ensures particularly efficient heat dissipation.

[0032] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the cooling device according to the invention, it has at least one spring element arranged on the cooling side of the cooling element. The spring element can, for example, be a portion of the outer wall of the cooling element or a separate component, which can be formed, for example, from one bent or two metal strips. This allows the cooling element to conform even more efficiently to unevenness and depressions of the device to be cooled. The spring element is a component or a portion of a component that can have a spring-like effect when subjected to pressure.

[0033] In an embodiment of the cooling device in which the heat dissipation element is designed as a frame element having at least one groove on its longitudinal side, preferably one bottom face of the at least one groove can be designed as the spring element. This gives the structure greater stability than if the spring element is not part of the frame element.

[0034] In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the cooling device according to the invention, the heat dissipation element can be configured as a Peltier element. The heat dissipation element can then form an outer wall of the cooling element. The outer layer can preferably be configured as the outer skin or outer wall of the cooling element. This allows for controlled cooling, and the cooling device can be used for targeted temperature control of the device to be cooled.

[0035] Depending on how the two materials of the Peltier element and the cooling element are energized, heating or cooling can occur. Material combinations for displacement and heat transfer are known to those skilled in the art.

[0036] The device to be cooled can be, for example, a vehicle battery, a rechargeable battery, or a control unit. In particular, an embodiment of the cooling device with a Peltier element is useful for temperature control of a battery or rechargeable battery, for example, to reduce the risk of the battery or rechargeable battery freezing at low ambient temperatures.

[0037] Another advantage of the Peltier element design is that additional energy can be recovered via the Peltier element when the vehicle is already switched off, but, for example, the control unit to be cooled is still hot.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the cooling device can additionally include a spacer element that separates the cooling side of the cooling element from a side of the cooling element opposite the cooling side. The cooling element can preferably be designed as a hose. This spacer element effectively separates the input load from the output load, thus preventing a short circuit.

[0039] 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. Optionally, the motor vehicle can be designed as an autonomous motor vehicle.

[0040] The invention also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features as already described in connection with the further developments of the cooling device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a cooling device from the prior art; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of another cooling device from the prior art; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of another cooling device from the prior art; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling device according to the invention with a heat dissipation element designed as a frame element, and an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a spring element; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling device according to the invention with a heat dissipation element designed as a Peltier element, and an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention; and Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a cooling device according to the invention with a heat dissipation element designed as a Peltier element, and an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0043] 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.

[0044] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a cooling device 10 according to the invention, which can already be arranged for cooling on a device 12 to be cooled, for example a control unit. Fig. Figure 4 also shows, in a highly schematic form, an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle 14 in which the exemplary control unit can be installed with the cooling device 10.

[0046] Motor vehicle 14 of the Fig. 4 can, for example, be designed as a passenger car or a truck.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the principle of combining a cooling element 16 designed as a bag and a heat dissipation element 18. In the example of the Fig. In Figure 4, the heat dissipation element 18 is designed as a frame element. The cooling element 16 can, for example, be a bag containing water as a coolant, and an outer wall 20 of the cooling element 16 can, for example, consist of or enclose a soft plastic. In a configuration other than that shown in Figure 4, the heat dissipation element 18 is designed as a frame element. The cooling element 16 can, for example, be a bag containing water as a coolant, and an outer wall 20 of the cooling element 16 can, for example, consist of or enclose a soft plastic. Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the cooling element 16 can be designed as a hose.

[0048] The heat dissipation element 18, designed as a frame element, is shaped in its longitudinal extent such that the longitudinal side lies flat against a part of the housing of the device 12 to be cooled, and can preferably be made of a thermally conductive material.

[0049] The outer wall 20 forms bumps, at least on the cooling side, which can be shaped to fit the grooves 22 of the heat dissipation element 18. The cooling element 16 can then be inserted into the heat dissipation element 18 with its grooves 22, and the heat dissipation element 18 can then be inserted with its grooves 22 into corresponding recesses 24 in the housing of the device 12 to be cooled. Preferably, the heat dissipation element 18 can be shaped on one longitudinal side to fit the surface of the device 12 to be cooled, either precisely or partially.

[0050] In a design with nubs, optionally in combination with spring elements, these nubs can be designed, for example, as "air cushion nubs", but preferably each be a bulge of the outer wall 20, so that the coolant fills the nubs from the inside.

[0051] Preferably, one bottom side 26 of a groove 22 can be designed as a spring element 28. Fig. Figure 5 shows an example of a preferred spring element 28 with two legs, such that the base 26 may be interrupted, and one of the legs may be doubly angled. In its installed state, this doubly angled leg either presses against the recess 24 of the device 12 to be cooled, or the doubly angled leg may be oriented towards the outer wall 20 of the cooling element 16. A spring element 28 is understood to be a component that exerts a spring-like counter-pressure when pressure is applied. The spring element 28 may preferably be made of, for example, aluminum or copper, or have aluminum or copper components. For example, by making the spring element 28 entirely or partially from aluminum, a heat dissipation of 120-130 watts per megakelvin can be achieved.The at least one spring element 28 can preferably be made of or have a thermally conductive material. This ensures not only a precise fit of the cooling element 16 to the frame element, i.e., improved contact of the cooling element 16, but also better heat dissipation in the recesses 24.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, individual, separate spring elements 28 can form the heat dissipation element 18, whereby the individual spring elements 28 may or may not be connected to one another. In the latter embodiment, for example, several spring elements 28 can be attached directly to the outer wall 20 of the cooling element 16. Attachment can be achieved, for example, by gluing.

[0053] The Fig. Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which the heat dissipation element 18 is designed as a Peltier element and forms the outer wall 20 of the cooling element 16. In this example, the cooling element 16 can preferably be designed as a tube. The outer wall 20 can also be referred to as the outer skin. In the example of the Fig. Figure 6 shows the heat dissipation element 18 fully integrated around its circumference; however, the heat dissipation element 18 can also be only partially integrated around its circumference. The example control unit may, for instance, require a "comfortable" temperature, i.e., an optimized and controlled temperature. Depending on the direction of the current applied to the Peltier element, heat can then be supplied to the control unit being cooled.

[0054] The Peltier element can then form the heat dissipation element 18 using two different, for example, separate material layers 30, 32. Suitable material combinations are known to those skilled in the art. Another advantage of using a Peltier element is that it can recover energy when the vehicle 14 is switched off, but the exemplary control unit is still hot.

[0055] The Fig. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a cooling element 16 with a Peltier element as a heat dissipation element 18, in which a power source 34 is also shown. Fig. Figure 7 shows an inflow direction 36, through which cold coolant flows in, and an outflow direction 38, through which heated liquid flows out. By reversing the direction, warm liquid can be introduced and cold liquid can flow out. The Peltier element, past which the water at different temperatures flows, generates a voltage and a current that can be measured. From this, the temperature and thus the cooling capacity during operation can be read and derived.

[0056] The Fig. Figure 7 also shows a spacer element 40, i.e., a component used to space the two opposite sides of the cooling element 16. The spacer element can preferably be made of a non-thermally conductive material, for example, a rigid plastic.

[0057] Overall, the examples show how a cooling device, for example a smart cooling plate or a smart hose cooling system, can be provided.

[0058] In contrast to previously known methods, optional designs with at least one spring element 28, which can be designed as a spring, for example, and / or with at least one stud ensure optimal contact of the cooling element 16 with the housing to be cooled. Fig. 4).

[0059] Another preferred design ( Fig. 6) is based on a further development of a Peltier element. The advantages of integrating it into the pouch-shaped cooling element 16, which can also be called a "pouch cell," are A) even better cooling performance because applying a voltage allows heat to be dissipated more efficiently and quickly, and B) the performance of the "cooling cell" can be monitored at any time by measuring the generated voltage. This is much more precise than any temperature sensor. It is not necessary to integrate the Peltier element assembly all the way around. If the vehicle component to be cooled, for example, a control unit, requires a "comfortable" temperature, heat can also be supplied to the control unit by reversing the current.

[0060] The optional Peltier element flows past the cooling fluid, for example water, at different temperatures, generating a voltage and a current that can be measured. From this, the temperature and thus the cooling performance during operation can be read and derived. Fig. 7).

[0061] Overall, any design flaw can be immediately detected in all embodiments. Performance can be adjusted at any time. Energy recovery is possible. Cooling performance is improved, weight is reduced, and all variants are less expensive to manufacture.

[0062] All variants reduce the required installation space and significantly increase cooling efficiency.

Claims

[1] Cooling device (10) comprising: a cooling element (16) designed as a bag for a cooling agent, and a heat dissipation element (18) arranged on the cooling element (16), wherein the cooling element (16) forms at least one stud on a cooling side. [2] Cooling device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element (16) is designed as a hose. [3] Cooling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat dissipation element (18) is designed as a frame element for the cooling element (16); preferably wherein the frame element has at least one groove (22) on its longitudinal side. [4] Cooling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one spring element (28) arranged on the cooling side of the cooling element (16). [5] Cooling device (10) according to claims 3 and 4, wherein a bottom side (26) of the at least one groove (22) is designed as the spring element. [6] Cooling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat dissipation element (18) is designed as a Peltier element, and wherein the heat dissipation element (18) forms an outer wall (20) of the cooling element (16). [7] Cooling device (10) according to claim 6, comprising a spacer element (40) which separates the cooling side of the cooling element (16) from a side of the cooling element (16) opposite the cooling side, preferably wherein the cooling element (16) is designed as a hose. [8] Motor vehicle (14) with a cooling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling device (10) is at least partially arranged with its heat dissipation element (18) on a cooling side of the cooling element (16), and is arranged on a device (12) of the motor vehicle (14) to be cooled. [9] Motor vehicle (14) with a cooling device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the cooling element (16) with its cooling side rests against the heat dissipation element (18) designed as a frame element, the longitudinal side of which is shaped and arranged on the device (12) to be cooled such that the longitudinal side rests flat against a side of a housing of the device (12) to be cooled of the motor vehicle (14). [10] Motor vehicle (14) according to claim 9, wherein the frame element has at least one groove (22) which engages in a recess (24) of a housing of the device (12) to be cooled of the motor vehicle (14). [11] Motor vehicle (14) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the cooling element (16) of the cooling device (10) forms at least one nub on its cooling side, which is arranged on the cooling side in such a way that it engages in a recess (24) of the housing and / or in a groove (22) of the heat dissipation element (18). [12] Motor vehicle (14) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the device (12) to be cooled is a control unit or a battery of the motor vehicle (10).

Images