Cooling circuit component for a cooling circuit of a high-voltage storage device, round gasket for a cooling circuit component and high-voltage storage device comprising a cooling circuit with at least one cooling circuit component

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling circuit component (1) for a cooling circuit of a high-voltage storage device, comprising a first cooling circuit component part (2A) and a second cooling circuit component part (2B), wherein the first cooling circuit component part (2A) and the second cooling circuit component part (2B) overlap at least partially to form a coolant channel (3), and at least one seal (4) for a fluid-tight seal of the first cooling circuit component part (2A) with the second cooling circuit component part (2B), wherein the at least one seal (4) is in contact with both the first cooling circuit component part (2A) and the second cooling circuit component part (2B), and wherein the at least one seal (4) has at least one swelling element (5) comprising a swellable material.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling circuit component for a cooling circuit of a high-voltage storage device, comprising a first cooling circuit component part and a second cooling circuit component part, wherein the first cooling circuit component part and the second cooling circuit component part overlap at least partially to form a coolant channel, and at least one seal for fluid-tight sealing of the first cooling circuit component part with the second cooling circuit component part.

[0002] Cooling circuit components for a high-voltage storage system, such as a high-voltage storage system in a motor vehicle, are known from the prior art. In these components, several cooling circuit parts or several cooling circuit components form a coolant channel within the cooling circuit. The cooling circuit serves to regulate the temperature of the high-voltage storage system, particularly the battery cells. Therefore, the cooling circuit is located on the high-voltage storage system, especially in the immediate vicinity of the battery cells. Coolant channels serve to guide a coolant past the battery cells for heat transfer and / or to direct a coolant into designated heat exchangers. It is essential to prevent coolant from escaping the coolant channels.A leak of coolant inside a high-voltage battery can cause severe damage and therefore poses a significant safety risk. For example, a coolant leak can lead to the formation of explosive gases and corrosion of battery cells. Therefore, preventing coolant leaks is highly desirable.

[0003] A disadvantage of cooling circuit components known from the prior art is that they are not sufficiently leak-proof during operation, and fluids, especially coolant, can escape. Particularly when external forces act on the cooling circuit components, for example, due to acceleration forces generated during the movement of a motor vehicle, several cooling circuit component parts or several cooling circuit components relative to each other can shift, causing the seals within the cooling circuit components to lose their effectiveness or at least impair their effectiveness. Furthermore, manufacturing tolerances of the cooling circuit components, especially unfavorable accumulation of manufacturing tolerances across different cooling circuit components, can lead to a restriction or reduction in the effectiveness of the seals.

[0004] Against this background, the object of the invention is to improve the tightness of cooling circuit components and thus of cooling circuits in high-voltage storage systems. In particular, a cooling circuit component is to be provided that exhibits increased tightness even when several cooling circuit component parts are displaced relative to each other, thereby enabling improved protection against the escape of coolant from the cooling circuit.

[0005] This problem is solved by a cooling circuit component having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0006] More precisely, the problem is solved by a cooling circuit component, wherein the at least one seal is connected to both the first cooling circuit component part and the second cooling circuit component part, and wherein the at least one seal comprises a swellable material including at least one swelling element.

[0007] A cooling circuit component designed in this way offers the particular advantage that improved sealing is ensured even if the cooling circuit component parts shift relative to each other. In this respect, the provided seal can compensate for a gap that arises, for example, due to displacement, between the seal and the cooling circuit component part by means of its swelling element. The swelling element expands as soon as fluid, in this case, coolant, comes into contact with it. Through the swelling of the swelling element, the seal increases its volume and can thus close any gap that has occurred. The seal can therefore react to displacement of the parts relative to each other by swelling the swelling element and / or increasing its volume, thereby restoring its sealing effect. This provides improved protection against the leakage of coolant from the cooling circuit.

[0008] A cooling circuit can, for example, be a component of a vehicle's thermal management system. During the operation of a high-voltage storage device, particularly a traction battery, a significant amount of heat can be generated due to the high currents flowing through it. This heat must be dissipated by the thermal management system, and thus specifically by the cooling circuit. A cooling circuit therefore serves primarily to cool the high-voltage storage device and can be located, at least partially, in its immediate vicinity, for example, within a battery housing. A high-voltage storage device can comprise battery cells, such as prismatic or cylindrical cells, as well as control units and other power electronics. Consequently, a high-voltage storage device can also include a battery housing to accommodate the battery cells.

[0009] A cooling circuit can comprise various components, such as pumps, heat exchangers, and separators. A cooling circuit does not refer exclusively to a coolant circuit, but can also refer to, for example, a refrigerant circuit. Furthermore, a cooling circuit always includes one or more coolant channels that carry a circulating coolant. A coolant channel can contain several coolant pipes that connect the individual components. A coolant channel can also include adapters that connect multiple coolant pipes or that connect fittings, valves, and heat exchangers to the coolant pipes. Finally, a coolant channel can contain a multitude of adapters and fittings that together form the coolant channel or a section thereof.

[0010] A cooling circuit component can therefore be understood as a component of a cooling circuit that forms a coolant channel, at least in part. For example, a cooling circuit component can consist of two coolant pipes that together form a coolant channel. The coolant pipes can, for instance, be arranged inside one another, with the two coolant pipes overlapping at least partially. Therefore, one coolant pipe can have a larger diameter at one end, for example, to accommodate the other coolant pipe. In this example, the two coolant pipes can be considered coolant component parts.

[0011] For example, a cooling circuit component can consist of a connection for a heat exchanger and an adapter, which together form a coolant channel. The connection and the adapter can be nested inside each other, overlapping at least partially. Therefore, the adapter can have a larger diameter to accommodate the connection. In this example, the connection and the adapter can be considered coolant component parts. It is also possible for an adapter to be connected to two connections. In this case, both connections and the adapter can be considered coolant component parts of a cooling system. Furthermore, a cooling circuit component can consist of two connections, each for a coolant pipe, which together form a coolant channel.The two connections can, for example, each have a flange surface and be arranged with their flange surfaces overlapping. In this example, the two connections can be understood as coolant component parts.

[0012] Furthermore, other combinations are also possible.

[0013] A coolant can be, for example, a liquid heat transfer medium used for thermal management and, in particular, heat dissipation. Such a coolant can consist, for instance, of a mixture of water and ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Additionally, a coolant can include additives such as corrosion inhibitors and surfactants. These additives serve, for example, to improve the performance and longevity of the cooling system. A coolant can also consist entirely of water or deionized water. A coolant can also be a refrigerant. Therefore, in this application, the terms coolant and refrigerant are used interchangeably. Thus, a coolant can also be a refrigerant comprising, for example, ammonia, carbon dioxide, water, or hydrocarbons.

[0014] A seal can be understood as a component used to seal two components, in this case, two cooling circuit components, against each other. Sealing here means preventing the escape of gases or liquids. A seal can be designed, for example, as a sealing strip, flat gasket, round gasket, or O-ring. The seal is therefore positioned between two cooling circuit components, specifically at the overlapping area of ​​the two components. Regarding the aforementioned examples, a seal can thus be positioned at the overlapping area of ​​two coolant pipes. Furthermore, a seal can be positioned at the overlapping area of ​​a fitting and an adapter to close a gap between the fitting and the adapter and to seal the two cooling circuit components against each other.A gasket can, for example, be arranged in a designated groove in one or both cooling circuit component parts. A gasket can also be positioned, for example, across a flat surface, between two adjacent flange surfaces of two cooling circuit component parts. To achieve improved assembly and sealing performance, a gasket can also be designed to be flexible.

[0015] The seal is positioned so that it is in contact with both the first and second cooling circuit components. For example, a seal can be located at the overlapping area of ​​the two cooling circuit components and touch both components. In this way, the seal can close the gap between the first and second cooling circuit components. It makes contact with both components in such a way that no fluid can flow between the respective cooling circuit component and the seal. The seal is therefore in contact with both cooling circuit components and seals the gap between them in a fluid-tight manner. The seal can be thicker than the height of the gap between the two cooling circuit components.When installed, the seal can be under pressure between the two cooling circuit components, or in other words, slightly compressed by them. Therefore, a seal can also be designed to be compressible to a certain degree.

[0016] A swelling element can be understood as a component of the seal that comprises a swellable material. It is possible for the seal to consist entirely of a swelling element. However, it is also possible for a seal to include other elements or components. Therefore, a sealing effect or a fluid-tight contact can be achieved with just the swelling element. A swelling element can consist entirely of a swellable material. It can also consist solely of a swellable material or include other materials and / or components.

[0017] A swellable material can be understood as a natural or synthetically produced material that can absorb liquids and, conversely, increases its volume upon absorbing liquids. A swellable material can, for example, consist of or be composed of cellulose fibers. Hemp, or hemp fiber, is an example of a cellulose fiber. It is also possible for a swellable material to consist of one or more superabsorbent polymers. Furthermore, a swellable material can include, for example, swellable rubber or other hydrophilic materials, such as hydrophilic polyurethane or hydrophilic elastomers.

[0018] At least one seal can be designed as a circular seal. A circular seal can be understood as an annular seal, which is particularly suitable for sealing pipes and fittings or adapters with a circular cross-section. In this sense, for example, an O-ring can be considered a circular seal. Circular seals have the particular advantage that they allow for easy installation and can be ideally adapted to or manufactured for the respective diameter of the cooling circuit components, such as a coolant pipe. Furthermore, they enable a uniform seal and contact along the entire circumference of the cooling circuit component. A circular seal can, for example, have a circular or at least substantially circular cross-section. It is also possible for a circular seal to have an amorphous or otherwise shaped cross-section.

[0019] The swelling material of at least one swelling element can comprise a cellulose material. Cellulose material can be understood as a material comprising plant cell walls. Cellulose material is swellable and can therefore absorb water or other liquids, thereby increasing its volume. This allows cellulose material to serve as a sealing material and seal gaps, such as those between two cooling circuit components. Furthermore, cellulose material is chemically resistant, which additionally increases the seal's durability.

[0020] The at least one swelling element can contain a binder, and the cellulose material can be embedded in the binder. This configuration allows the binder to advantageously fix or structurally support the cellulose material, thereby improving its sealing function. In this way, the swelling capacity of the cellulose material and the binding properties of the binder can create an effective seal. Examples of binders include rubber, resins, or polymers.

[0021] The cellulose material can include a hemp fiber, preferably consisting entirely of hemp fiber. A swelling element comprising a hemp fiber is particularly advantageous because hemp is a natural material that swells upon contact with a liquid and is therefore capable of swelling. As a natural material, hemp is biodegradable and thus also an environmentally friendly material.

[0022] The swelling element can be at least partially enclosed by a sealing element. For example, the swelling element can be enclosed by a sealing element, such as one made of rubber, elastomer, or polymers. A sealing element can be designed as a jacket or tube. A sealing element is specifically designed to establish a sealing contact with one or more cooling circuit components. A sealing element can completely, or preferably partially, enclose a swelling element. For example, a seal can be designed as a round gasket and a swelling element as an O-ring, with the sealing element being tubular and enclosing the O-ring.The sealing element may have one or more openings, particularly in the direction of the coolant channel, or, for example, a continuous slot, so that the fluid from the coolant channel can reach the swelling element and thus cause it to swell. In such a case, the swelling element can expand, i.e., increase its volume, and bridge any gap that may have formed between the sealing element and a cooling circuit component. As the swelling element expands, it is pressed against the cooling circuit component, thus creating a seal. In this way, the sealing element can provide an improved sealing effect.

[0023] The sealing element can include at least one opening for receiving a liquid. Such an opening can, for example, be configured as a perforation or as an elongated slot. A sealing element can, for example, be configured as a sheath that does not completely enclose the swelling element and thus has an opening. During use according to the invention, this opening can, in particular, be oriented towards the coolant channel formed, so that the liquid from the coolant channel can reach the swelling element and thus cause it to swell.

[0024] At least one further seal, preferably a round seal, can be provided, wherein the at least one further seal can be arranged redundantly with the at least one seal. In this respect, the at least one further seal can be identical to the at least one seal and arranged parallel to it. The at least one further seal can thus be arranged in the same way at the overlapping area of ​​two cooling circuit component parts and be in contact with both the first cooling circuit component part and the second cooling circuit component part. In this respect, the at least one further seal can be understood as arranged redundantly. Such a seal can be arranged both between the at least one seal and the coolant channel and between the at least one seal and the environment.At least one additional seal can also be made entirely of rubber or caustic rubber, without a swelling element. Two or more seals can be arranged side by side, thus providing redundancy. Such a redundant arrangement further improves the sealing of the cooling circuit component and effectively prevents fluid from leaking out of the coolant channel.

[0025] The invention further relates to a round seal for a cooling circuit component according to one of the aforementioned examples, characterized in that the round seal has at least one swelling element comprising a swellable material.

[0026] The invention further relates to a high-voltage storage device comprising a plurality of battery cells and a cooling circuit with at least one cooling circuit component according to one of the aforementioned examples.

[0027] Further advantages and application possibilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a cooling circuit component according to a first embodiment, Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a cooling circuit component according to a second embodiment.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 1 is a cooling circuit component 1 for a cooling circuit of a high-voltage storage device according to a first embodiment. The cooling circuit component comprises a first cooling circuit component part 2A, a second cooling circuit component part 2B, and a third cooling circuit component part 2C. The first cooling circuit component part 2A and the second cooling circuit component part 2B overlap in certain areas, forming a coolant channel 3. The second cooling circuit component part 2B and the third cooling circuit component part 2C overlap in certain areas, extending the coolant channel 3. Furthermore, the cooling circuit component includes two seals 4 and two seals 4A for a fluid-tight seal between the cooling circuit component parts 2A, 2B, and 2C. Thus, two seals 4 and 4A are in contact with both the first cooling circuit component part 2A and the second cooling circuit component part 2B, while the other two seals 4 and 4A are in contact with both the first cooling circuit component part 2A and the second cooling circuit component part 2B.4A is connected to both the second cooling circuit component part 2B and the third cooling circuit component part 2C. All seals 4 and 4A are identically designed as round seals and consist entirely of a swelling element 5. The swelling element 5 comprises a swelling material, for example, hemp. The swelling element 5 can also consist entirely of this swelling material, and thus, for example, be made entirely of hemp.

[0029] The coolant channel 3 is tubular in design and therefore has a round or circular cross-section. The cooling circuit component 1 can be understood as a component consisting of a connection for a heat exchanger 6 and an adapter, which together form the coolant channel 3. Coolant component parts 2A and 2C are each designed as adapters, and coolant component part 2B is a connection for a heat exchanger 6. The connection includes a connecting pipe 7 which is centrally connected to the heat exchanger 6. Coolant flowing through the coolant channel 3 can thus flow through the connecting pipe into the heat exchanger 6.

[0030] The connector and the two adapters are each nested inside one another, with the connector and adapter overlapping in certain areas. Therefore, the first cooling circuit component 2A (the first adapter) and the second cooling circuit component 2B (the connector) are nested inside one another and overlap in certain areas. The second cooling circuit component 2B (the connector) and the third cooling circuit component 2C (the second adapter) are also nested inside one another and overlap in certain areas. For this reason, the adapters have a larger diameter to accommodate the connector.

[0031] The seals 4 and 4A are each arranged such that they are in contact with both of their associated cooling circuit component parts 2A and 2B, and 2B and 2C, respectively. Therefore, the seals 4 and 4A are positioned at the overlapping areas of the respective cooling circuit component parts 2A, 2B, and 2C, and contact both cooling circuit component parts 2A and 2B, and 2B and 2C, respectively. Each seal 4 and 4A seals the gap between its associated cooling circuit component parts 2A and 2B, and 2B and 2C, respectively. Thus, each seal 4 and 4A contactes both cooling circuit component parts 2A and 2B, and 2B and 2C, respectively, in such a way that no fluid can flow between the respective cooling circuit component part 2A, 2B, or 2C and the seal 4 or 4A.

[0032] The seals 4 and 4A are each arranged in a groove 8 provided in the adapters, i.e., in the cooling circuit component parts 2A and 2B. The grooves 8 are designed as recesses in the overlapping areas of the cooling circuit component parts 2A and 2B, which accommodate the seals 4 and 4A, respectively, which are designed as round seals with a circular cross-section.

[0033] In each overlapping area, i.e., the overlapping area between cooling circuit component parts 2A and 2B and the overlapping area between cooling circuit component parts 2B and 2C, two seals 4 and 4A are arranged. One seal 4 in each overlapping area is positioned closer to the coolant channel 3, and thus closer to the coolant flowing through it, when viewed along the path of the gap 7. A second seal 4A is positioned correspondingly further away from the coolant channel 3 in each overlapping area. The second seal 4A can be considered redundant to the first seal 4. Therefore, the second seal 4A is identical in design to the first seal 4 and arranged parallel to it. The second seal 4A is positioned along the path of the gap 7 between the first seal 4 and the surrounding environment.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a cooling circuit component 1 for a cooling circuit of a high-voltage storage device according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment essentially corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, therefore the corresponding description of the Fig. 1. Reference is made to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs only in the design of the seals 4.

[0035] In the second embodiment, the two seals 4 are designed such that the respective swelling element 5 is partially enclosed by a sealing element 9. The respective sealing element 9 can be described as a jacket or a tube. The sealing element 9 is specifically designed to establish a sealing contact with the respective cooling circuit component parts 2A and 2B or 2B and 2C. The respective sealing element 9 only partially encloses the respective swelling element 5 of the seals 4. For this purpose, the sealing elements 9 are tubular in shape and enclose the swelling element 5, with the sealing elements 9 having an opening 10 designed as a continuous slot so that the fluid from the coolant channel 3 can reach the respective swelling element 5 and thus cause the swelling element to swell.

[0036] The respective opening 10 of both seals 4 is oriented such that, during use according to the invention, it is aligned towards the coolant channel 3 formed. This allows the fluid from the coolant channel 3 to reach the swelling element 5 of the seals 4 and thus cause the swelling element 5 to expand. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1. Cooling circuit component 2A. First cooling circuit component 2B. second cooling circuit component part 2C. Third cooling circuit component 3. Coolant channel 4. Seal 4A. Seal (redundantly arranged seal) 5. Source element 6. Heat exchanger 7. Gap 8. Nut 9. Sealing element 10. Opening (in the sealing element)

Claims

[1] Cooling circuit component (1) for a cooling circuit of a high-voltage storage device, comprising a first cooling circuit component part (2A) and a second cooling circuit component part (2B), wherein the first cooling circuit component part (2A) and the second cooling circuit component part (2B) overlap at least partially to form a coolant channel (3), and at least one seal (4) for fluid-tight sealing of the first cooling circuit component part (2A) with the second cooling circuit component part (2B), characterized by , that which at least one seal (4) is connected to both the first cooling circuit component part (2A) and the second cooling circuit component part (2B), and that which comprises at least one seal (4) and at least one swelling element (5) and has a swelling material. [2] Cooling circuit component (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that at least one seal (4) is designed as a round seal. [3] Cooling circuit component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the swelling material of the at least one source element (5) comprises a cellulose material. [4] Cooling circuit component (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that at least one source element (5) has a binder, and the cellulose material is embedded in the binder. [5] Cooling circuit component (1) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized by that the cellulose material comprises a hemp fiber, preferably consists of a hemp fiber. [6] Cooling circuit component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the source element (5) is at least partially enclosed by a sealing element (9). [7] Cooling circuit component (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the sealing element (9) includes at least one opening (10) for receiving a liquid. [8] Cooling circuit component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one further seal (4A), preferably a round seal, is provided, wherein which at least one further seal (4A) is redundantly arranged with at least one seal (4). [9] Circular seal (4) for a cooling circuit component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the circular seal (4) comprises at least one swelling element (5) made of a swelling material. [10] High-voltage storage device comprising a plurality of battery cells and a cooling circuit with at least one cooling circuit component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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