Cooling device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling device for a motor vehicle, comprising an accumulator housing with a lid, a base plate, a first side wall, a second side wall and a rear wall and a cover plate, wherein the accumulator housing defines a receiving space for at least one accumulator, wherein the accumulator housing comprises at least one degassing valve, wherein the degassing valve is configured to discharge a gas from within the receiving space, and wherein an outlet area of ​​the at least one degassing valve is arranged in a spray area of ​​at least one nozzle for atomizing a liquid.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device for a motor vehicle.

[0002] In today's electric vehicles, efficient battery cooling plays a crucial role in the vehicle's performance, lifespan, and safety. Due to the high energy density and significant thermal stress on the battery cells during operation, it is essential to design an effective cooling system, especially for unforeseen events.

[0003] A key element here is the consideration of thermal runaway resistance in the event of a battery cell. In extreme situations, such as a short circuit or mechanical damage, a battery cell can overheat and experience thermal runaway, potentially leading to a fire. The presented cooling system integrates special safety mechanisms designed to limit heat propagation to neighboring cells, thus minimizing the risk of cascade failure. This is achieved through the use of heat-resistant materials, strategically positioned thermal barriers, and active monitoring of battery temperatures. These measures not only significantly improve thermal runaway resistance but also enhance the overall safety and reliability of the battery pack. This innovation therefore makes a crucial contribution to increasing vehicle safety and protecting occupants.

[0004] DE 10 2023 119 238 A1 relates to an energy storage device for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing in which at least one energy storage cell, in particular at least one energy storage module comprising a plurality of energy storage cells, is accommodated or received, wherein the housing is connectable or connected to the environment by means of at least one degassing channel.

[0005] DE 10 2014 215 036 A1 relates to a method and devices for neutralizing battery cells that are combined to form battery modules and / or battery packs. A neutralizing solution is injected directly into an interior space of the battery cell, and / or a neutralizing solution under overpressure / pressure or an atomized mist thereof is injected into a degassing system of the battery pack or battery module.

[0006] US 2016 / 0 308 182 A1 concerns a method for neutralizing battery cells that are combined into battery modules and / or battery packs. In this method, a pressurizable neutralizing solution is injected directly into an interior space of the battery cell and / or a pressurized neutralizing solution is injected either into a degassing system of the battery pack or battery module, or into a battery pack or into an interior space of the battery pack or battery module.

[0007] DE 10 2021 123 314 A1 relates to an electric vehicle with an electric drive unit, an underfloor battery which has a battery housing and several battery cells arranged in an interior of the battery housing, an underbody protection plate which is arranged on an underside of the battery housing, and a degassing device which has at least one degassing channel, wherein the degassing channel can be fluidically connected on the one hand to the interior of the battery housing and on the other hand to the outside environment.

[0008] The aim of the invention is to ensure improved cooling and heat dissipation compared to the prior art, thereby optimizing the safety of the electric vehicle. Through innovative technologies and a well-thought-out design, this solution aims to make a significant contribution to the safety of modern electric vehicles.

[0009] According to the invention, a cooling device for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and a motor vehicle comprising the cooling device according to claim 6 are provided. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims and the description.

[0010] The invention relates to a cooling device for a motor vehicle, comprising an accumulator housing with a lid, a base plate, a first side wall, a second side wall and a rear wall and a cover plate, wherein the accumulator housing defines a receiving space for at least one accumulator, wherein the accumulator housing comprises at least one degassing valve, wherein the degassing valve is configured to discharge a gas from within the receiving space, and wherein an outlet area of ​​the at least one degassing valve is arranged in a spray area of ​​at least one nozzle for atomizing a liquid.

[0011] In an advantageous further development, the degassing valve can be designed to vent the gases or flames generated when the fluid passes through at least one accumulator. This allows for a controlled pressure reduction.

[0012] In an advantageous further development, the degassing valve is designed to release any existing overpressure from inside the accumulator housing to the outside. The degassing valve can also be designed as a safety feature to prevent the accumulator housing from bursting due to overpressure. By releasing the overpressure, a controlled pressure reduction can be achieved.

[0013] In a further advantageous design, the degassing valve can be configured as a mechanical and / or electronic pressure relief valve. The degassing valve can be designed to open and close reversibly or to include a predetermined breaking point.

[0014] The "runaway" of at least one battery generally refers to a state in which an uncontrolled chemical reaction occurs. This can lead to overheating, gas formation, or even explosion. Furthermore, runaway can be triggered by various causes such as overcharging, deep discharge, mechanical damage, or internal short circuits. Runaway occurs in several phases: Initially, overcharging or malfunctions can lead to overheating of at least one battery. The extreme heat can cause gases to form inside the battery, which can lead to expansion or even rupture of at least one battery. If the temperature continues to rise, the chemical reactions inside the battery can become uncontrollable, a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. This is a chain reaction in which the generated heat triggers further reactions that produce even more heat.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the end plate and / or the base plate and / or the lid and / or the rear wall and / or the first side wall and / or the second side wall can include cooling channels for cooling the accumulator housing, in particular the at least one accumulator. The cooling channels can form a cooling circuit through which a coolant is pumped. The coolant serves to cool the at least one accumulator.

[0016] In a further training, the cooling device includes a pump designed to supply at least one nozzle with a liquid.

[0017] In an advantageous further development, the pump is designed as a high-pressure pump.

[0018] According to the invention, the pump is connected to a cooling water circuit of the accumulator housing.

[0019] The amount of water or coolant in a vehicle's battery cooling circuit can vary depending on the vehicle model and type. In electric or hybrid vehicles, the volume of the coolant system that cools the battery can range from one liter to approximately ten liters.

[0020] According to the invention, the cooling device can be operated in a normal operating mode, wherein in the normal operating mode the cooling circuit of the accumulator housing is closed and serves to cool the at least one accumulator inserted into the receiving chamber, and wherein, The cooling device can be operated in an emergency operating mode in which a liquid can be extracted from the cooling circuit and supplied to the pump.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the fluid can be supplied to the pump via a switchable valve. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling circuit has a separate pump for the main pump, which is connected to at least one nozzle.

[0022] According to the invention, the cooling device is designed to electrically disconnect at least one accumulator from a load in emergency operating mode. In an advantageous embodiment, a mechanical and / or electronic switch can be provided for this purpose.

[0023] In an advantageous advanced training system, the emergency mode can be activated automatically or manually. An emergency switch can be provided for activation. This switch could be located, for example, inside the vehicle and / or under the hood, and activated by the vehicle user or the fire department. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature sensor can be provided that detects a short circuit in at least one battery and activates the emergency mode.

[0024] In a further training course, the pump is trained to be controlled via the temperature sensor.

[0025] In a further development, the accumulator housing comprises at least two nozzles, with the respective outlet area of ​​the degassing valve located within a spray area of ​​the at least two nozzles. The outlet area is thus in the immediate vicinity of at least one nozzle.

[0026] By spraying hot gases or flames escaping from the degassing valve, these can be cooled or extinguished, and their escape from the vehicle or from the side, front and rear areas can be dampened or prevented.

[0027] In a further training course, an additional container with an extinguishing agent additive is provided, whereby the additional container is connected to the pump and, when the pump is activated, is designed to deliver the extinguishing agent additive to the pump.

[0028] In electric vehicle fires, particularly those involving lithium-ion batteries, water with special extinguishing agent additives is often used to reduce fire intensity and improve cooling. One common extinguishing agent additive is F-500, a liquid wetting agent that can help contain and cool fires in lithium-ion batteries.

[0029] In a further development, the cooling device and / or a motor vehicle includes an underride guard which is at least partially located in the outlet area of ​​the degassing valve and / or opposite the degassing valve, wherein the underride guard is designed as a sandwich structure and / or includes drainage channels.

[0030] In an advantageous further development, the underride guard is designed such that gases and / or flames escaping from the degassing valve are introduced into the underride guard and can be distributed or selectively discharged via drainage channels. By extending the path and spraying the underride guard, the introduced gases and / or flames can be further cooled.

[0031] When hot gases or flames are expelled through the degassing valve, the underride guard acts as a baffle plate, preventing the flames or hot gases from escaping directly. This is intended to protect anyone approaching the vehicle, whether as a helper or as a vehicle occupant.

[0032] In an advantageous further training, the underride protection may be made of metal and / or glass fiber reinforced plastic, or may include such a material or such a material mix.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment, the glass fiber reinforced plastic is designed as, or comprises, a glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic. The glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic can be designed to withstand high temperatures and / or be insulating. The glass fibers in the glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic can be configured as long fiber structures.

[0034] Glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics that integrate long fibers can offer several advantages over short-fiber reinforced thermoplastics. By embedding long fibers within the polymer matrix material, significantly improved mechanical properties can be achieved, including higher tensile strength, impact strength, and increased fatigue resistance. This is due to the effective load distribution that long-fiber reinforced structures enable within the material.

[0035] An additional advantage is the increased fracture toughness, which translates into improved energy absorption of the material before fracture occurs. This makes components reinforced with long fibers significantly more resistant to brittle failure and high temperatures.

[0036] Long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics offer clear advantages in terms of weight savings while maintaining stiffness and strength. They are not only lighter but can also exhibit superior thermal properties, making them more reliable, especially under extreme temperatures. Furthermore, long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics can offer improved chemical resistance.

[0037] Glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics are materials that combine a base plastic with glass fibers to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the original plastic. This reinforcement can significantly increase its strength and stiffness, making the material more resistant to mechanical stress. Additionally, it can offer improved dimensional stability and reduced elongation under thermal stress. In a preferred embodiment, long glass fibers can be used to fabricate the upper and / or lower cell support structure entirely from such a glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic.

[0038] The exact properties can be adjusted by the type of thermoplastic used, such as PA, PP, PBT, and / or the type, length and orientation of the glass fibers and / or the ratio of the glass fibers to the thermoplastic, as well as the processing method.

[0039] In an advantageous further development, the underride guard can be designed as a sandwich structure and include the drainage channels within the sandwich structure. Alternatively or additionally, the underride guard can include drainage channels on a side facing the degassing valve.

[0040] In a further advantageous design, the underride guard can be part of the cooling system. Alternatively or additionally, the underride guard can be a separate component connected to the vehicle's underbody.

[0041] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a cooling device according to at least one of the preceding further developments.

[0042] In a further development, the vehicle includes a control / processing unit and at least one temperature sensor, which is designed to process the signals from the temperature sensor and, if a temperature threshold is exceeded in the area of ​​the degassing valve, to activate the pump. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle may include an emergency switch.

[0043] In a further advantageous embodiment, the temperature sensor is implemented as an analog sensor. For example, a PT100 sensor located in the accumulator housing or in the battery outlet area can be used. Alternatively or additionally, the temperature sensor signal can be digitally pre-processed and fed to the control / processing unit.

[0044] In an advantageous further development, the control / processing unit includes a microcontroller and / or FPGA and / or processor, or is designed as such, which is trained to perform the tasks described above.

[0045] In an advantageous advanced training, the control / processing unit is trained to enter emergency operating mode.

[0046] The invention is described below by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. Figure 1 shows a cooling device according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. Figure 2 shows a motor vehicle with a cooling device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cooling device 100 for a motor vehicle 200, comprising an accumulator housing 110 with a cover 111, a base plate 112, a first side wall 113, a second side wall 114 and a rear wall 115 and a cover plate, wherein the accumulator housing 110 defines a receiving space 120 for at least one accumulator 130, wherein the accumulator housing 116 comprises at least one degassing valve 117, wherein the degassing valve 117 is configured to discharge a gas from within the receiving space 120, wherein an outlet area of ​​the at least one degassing valve 117 is arranged in a spray area of ​​at least one nozzle 140 for atomizing a liquid.

[0048] Fig.Figure 2 shows a motor vehicle 200 with a cooling device 100, comprising an accumulator housing 110 with a cover 111, a base plate 112, a first side wall 113, a second side wall 114 and a rear wall 115 and a cover plate, wherein the accumulator housing 110 defines a receiving space 120 for at least one accumulator 130, wherein the accumulator housing 116 comprises at least one degassing valve 117, wherein the degassing valve 117 is configured to discharge a gas from within the receiving space 120, wherein an outlet area of ​​the at least one degassing valve 117 is arranged in a spray area of ​​at least one nozzle 140 for atomizing a liquid.

[0049] An underride guard 150 is arranged under the motor vehicle 200 in the outlet area of ​​the cooling device 100 or the degassing valve 117. When hot gases or flames are expelled through the degassing valve 117, the underride guard 150 acts as a baffle plate and prevents the flames or hot gases from escaping directly.

[0050] The motor vehicle 200 comprises a control / processing unit 210 and at least one temperature sensor, which is designed to process the signals from the temperature sensor and to control the pump when a temperature threshold is exceeded in the area of ​​the degassing valve.

[0051] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Within the scope of the invention, all described and / or drawn features can be combined with one another as desired, unless otherwise stated. Reference sign 100 Cooling device 110 accumulator housings 111 lids 112 Base plate 113 First side wall 114 Second side wall 115 Back panel 116 End plate 117 Degassing valve 120 recording room 130 accumulator 140 nozzle 150 Underride protection 200 motor vehicles 210 Control / Processing Unit

Claims

[1] Cooling device (100) for a motor vehicle (200), comprehensive, an accumulator housing (110) with a lid (111), a base plate (112), a first side wall (113), a second side wall (114) and a rear wall (115) and a cover plate (116), wherein the accumulator housing (110) defines a receiving space (120) for at least one accumulator (130), wherein the accumulator housing (116) includes at least one degassing valve (117), wherein the degassing valve (117) is designed to expel a gas from inside the receiving chamber (120), wherein an outlet area of ​​at least one degassing valve (117) is arranged in a spray area of ​​at least one nozzle (140) for atomizing a liquid, characterized by , that the cooling device (100) comprises a pump configured to supply the at least one nozzle (140) with a liquid, wherein the cooling device (100) is operable in a normal operating mode, wherein in normal operating mode the cooling circuit of the accumulator housing (110) is closed and serves to cool the at least one accumulator (130) inserted into the receiving chamber and wherein, the cooling device (100) can be operated in an emergency operating mode in which a liquid can be extracted from the cooling circuit and supplied to the pump, wherein the cooling device (100) is designed to electrically disconnect at least one accumulator (130) from a load in emergency operating mode. [2] Cooling device (100) for a motor vehicle (200), according to claim 1, characterized by , that the pump (140) is connected to a cooling water circuit of the accumulator housing (110). [3] Cooling device (100) for a motor vehicle (200), according to claim 2, characterized by that an additional container with an extinguishing agent additive is provided, wherein the additional container is connected to the pump and, when the pump is activated, is designed to deliver the extinguishing agent additive to the pump. [4] Cooling device (100) for a motor vehicle (200), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the accumulator housing (110) includes at least two nozzles (140), wherein the respective outlet area of ​​the degassing valve (117) lies in a spray area of ​​the at least two nozzles (140). [5] Cooling device (100) for a motor vehicle (200), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the cooling device includes an underride guard (150) which is at least partially located in the outlet area of ​​the degassing valve (117) and / or opposite the degassing valve (117), wherein the underride guard (150) is designed as a sandwich structure and / or includes drainage channels. [6] Motor vehicle (200), comprising a cooling device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims. [7] Motor vehicle (200) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the motor vehicle (200) comprises a control / processing device (210) and at least one temperature sensor, which is designed to process the signals from the temperature sensor and to control the pump when a temperature threshold is exceeded in the area of ​​the degassing valve.

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