TEMPERATURE CONTROL ELEMENT FOR TEMPERING AN ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature control element for temperature control of an electrical energy storage device, in particular for temperature control of a traction battery of a vehicle, for example in a passenger car, a truck or other commercial vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Temperature control elements are known for controlling the temperature of electrical energy storage devices in motor vehicles, particularly traction batteries. These elements have a temperature control medium channel through which a temperature control medium can flow in a specific direction. Using this temperature control medium, it is possible to bring the temperature control element to a temperature predetermined by the medium or to maintain it close to this temperature. In this way, heat can be supplied to or removed from the electrical energy storage device to heat or cool it accordingly.

[0003] Electrical energy storage devices for vehicles, and traction batteries in particular, have a preferred temperature range or window within which they can operate efficiently, or even at all. Accordingly, in winter, for example, it may be necessary to preheat a traction battery before operation to ensure the desired performance. Conversely, under high power demands, such as during charging or discharging, or at high ambient temperatures, it may be necessary to cool a traction battery to prevent overheating and thus inefficient operation or damage to the battery.

[0004] From DE 10 2014 001 975 A1, for example, a temperature control element for temperature control of a vehicle battery is known, which defines a cavity formed along a flow direction for guiding a temperature control medium and which can be manufactured by extrusion. Description of the invention

[0005] Starting from the known state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a temperature control element for temperature control of an electrical energy storage device, by means of which the most efficient possible temperature control of a battery system is made possible.

[0006] This problem is solved by a temperature control element for temperature control of an electrical energy storage device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the present description, and the figures.

[0007] Accordingly, a temperature control element for temperature control of an electrical energy storage device, in particular for temperature control of a vehicle traction battery, is proposed, comprising an extruded profile extending in an extrusion direction, which has a temperature control media channel for flow through with a temperature control medium. According to the invention, a guide vane is provided in the temperature control media channel formed integrally with the extruded profile.

[0008] By incorporating a guide vane formed in one piece with the extruded profile in the temperature control media channel, particularly efficient and simple temperature control of the electrical energy storage device can be achieved, since the guide vane creates turbulence in the temperature control medium flowing through the channel, thus achieving the most homogeneous heat absorption and heat release across the temperature control element, making the best possible use of the heat transfer capacity of the temperature control medium.

[0009] The flow direction of the temperature control medium essentially corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the extruded profile and thus also to the extrusion direction E of the extruded profile.

[0010] Because the guide vane is formed integrally with the extruded profile that creates the temperature control channel, it is possible to prevent incorrect installation of separate guide vanes, as well as slippage, displacement, or detachment of the guide vanes during assembly, other processing steps, and operation of the temperature control element. This ensures that the temperature distribution for which the respective temperature control element was originally designed can be achieved.

[0011] This also reduces the geometric variance and potential errors during the assembly and installation of the temperature control element, thereby increasing the overall quality of the temperature control element.

[0012] In particular, the one-piece arrangement of the guide vane formed with the extruded profile ensures that during assembly, a fitter or worker does not incorrectly mount guide vanes or mount them in the wrong position, thereby negatively influencing the temperature behavior of a temperature control element for temperature control of an electrical energy storage device.

[0013] In this context, it is important to note that electrical energy storage devices are particularly sensitive to an inhomogeneous, unintended, or faulty temperature distribution of a temperature control element. This is especially true because battery cells unintentionally supplied with lower temperature control power can age more rapidly than comparable battery cells supplied with the intended temperature control power. Accordingly, if the temperature control power of a temperature control element used to regulate the temperature of an electrical energy storage device is too low, there is a risk that the battery, cooled with poor homogeneity in this way, will have a shorter overall lifespan than would be the case with more homogeneous temperature control.

[0014] The guide vane can have a dimension extending transversely to the extrusion direction in order to achieve a particularly strong turbulence or disturbance of the temperature control medium flow.

[0015] The direct integration of the guide vanes into the extruded profile and thus also into the temperature control media channel results in a robust, safe and maintenance-free temperature control element in which the turbulence elements are formed integrally with the temperature control element.

[0016] Preferably, the guide vanes project into the temperature control medium channel with respect to a dimension perpendicular to the flow direction. Accordingly, a particularly efficient turbulence of the temperature control medium in the channel is achieved by introducing a disturbance that extends perpendicular to the intended flow direction.

[0017] A plane formed by the guide vane can form an angle with the extrusion direction, in particular an angle between 10° and 170°. In this way, a particularly flexible design of the guide vane can be achieved, by means of which the temperature control element can be adapted to the respective specified or desired temperature distribution.

[0018] Within the temperature control media channel, a web extending in the extrusion direction and formed integrally with the extruded profile is arranged, and the guide vane is formed integrally with the web. This allows the guide vane to be formed at a desired location within the temperature control media channel.

[0019] The guide vane is defined by a first cut in the web extending essentially perpendicular to the extrusion direction and by a second cut in the web extending essentially in the extrusion direction. The guide vane is integrally connected to the web along a bending edge. This allows for particularly simple and efficient production of the guide vanes within the extruded profile, ensuring that the guide vanes are positioned precisely within the profile and thus guaranteeing reliable assembly.

[0020] To form the guide vanes, two second cuts extending in the extrusion direction can also be provided in the web, defining opposite sides of the guide vane. This allows for a window-like design of the guide vane, which is particularly advantageous with a higher web design or when the web spans the temperature control media channel.

[0021] A plane formed by the guide vane can form an angle with the plane formed by the web, in particular an angle between 10° and 170°. In this way, a particularly flexible design of the guide vane can be achieved, by means of which the temperature control element can be adapted to the respective specified or desired temperature distribution.

[0022] A homogeneous formation of the vortices can be achieved by providing at least two guide vanes that form planes aligned parallel to each other.

[0023] In the temperature control media channel, several guide vanes can also be formed in one piece with the extruded profile in order to create a suitable rib structure in the temperature control media channel through the guide vanes.

[0024] The one-piece formation of the guide vanes with the extruded profile allows for a positionally stable design and thus also long-term functional stability.

[0025] Accordingly, by implementing the guide vanes directly in the semi-finished product or in the extruded profile that forms part of the temperature control element, the need for additional components, including their assembly and fixing, is eliminated. This allows the temperature control element to be manufactured more efficiently and cost-effectively overall.

[0026] The guide vane can be easily adapted in its position and geometry to the respective desired design by creating different surfaces and different angle positions, which can be important for the desired turbulence of the temperature control medium and can provide the corresponding functionality.

[0027] The temperature control channel is preferably formed in one piece. In other words, the extruded profile is a closed profile that completely encloses the temperature control channel, at least in the extrusion direction and thus also in the flow direction. The extruded profile is only open at the end faces, and access to the temperature control channel is only provided via these end faces.

[0028] The problem described above is also solved by a method with the features of claim 9. Advantageous further developments result from the present description, the figures, and the dependent claims.

[0029] Accordingly, a method for providing a temperature control element for temperature control of an electrical energy storage device, in particular for temperature control of a vehicle traction battery, is proposed, wherein an extruded profile extending in an extrusion direction is provided, which has a temperature control media channel for flow through with a temperature control medium. According to the invention, a guide vane is formed integrally with the extruded profile in the temperature control media channel.

[0030] In the temperature control media channel, a web extending in the extrusion direction and formed integrally with the extrusion profile is arranged, and the guide vane is defined by a first cut in the web extending essentially perpendicular to the extrusion direction and a second cut in the web extending essentially in the extrusion direction, and is bent into the temperature control media channel along a bending edge from the plane formed by the web. Brief description of the characters

[0031] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. These show: Figure 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a temperature control element for temperature control of an electrical energy storage device, and Figure 2 is a schematic, partially cutaway perspective top view of the temperature control element. Figure 1, with the upper half of the extruded profile removed. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0032] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the different figures are designated with identical reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are sometimes omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0033] In Figure 1 A perspective and schematic representation shows a temperature control element 1 for temperature control of an electrical energy storage device, for example for temperature control of a traction battery for a motor vehicle.

[0034] The temperature control element 1 comprises an extruded profile 2, which has, among other things, a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24. The extruded profile 2 extends in an extrusion direction that is Figure 1is indicated by the arrow E, and can be in the form of a semi-finished product which can ultimately be combined with other components to build a temperature control element 1, for example with connection plates not shown in the figures to provide a supply for a temperature control medium on one of the end faces 20 of the extruded profile 2.

[0035] An electrical energy storage device (not shown in the figures) can, for example, be arranged on the top surface 22 or the bottom surface 24 of the extruded profile 2 of the temperature control element 1 in order to achieve heat transfer between the temperature control element 1 – in particular the extruded profile 2 – and the electrical energy storage device. The temperature control element 1, and thus the extruded profile 2, can also be arranged between battery modules of an electrical energy storage device, so that, for example, a battery module for temperature control of the electrical energy storage device can be provided on both the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 24 of the extruded profile 2.

[0036] For example, a traction battery can be in thermally conductive contact with the top 22 or the bottom 24 of the extruded profile 2 of the temperature control element 1 in order to achieve temperature control of the traction battery. Individual battery modules of the traction battery can also be in thermally conductive contact with the extruded profile 2.

[0037] The extruded profile 2 includes a temperature control channel 3, which is defined by the extruded profile 2. The extruded profile 2 forms a completely closed circumference around the temperature control channel 3 along the extrusion direction E, so that access to the temperature control channel 3 is only provided at the end faces 20 of the extruded profile 2.

[0038] The extruded profile 2 extends along the extrusion direction E such that the temperature control channel 3 also defines a flow direction S for a temperature control medium flowing through the temperature control element 2 in the temperature control channel 3. The extrusion direction E thus also defines a flow direction S for a temperature control medium along which a temperature control medium can flow through the temperature control channel 3. The temperature control medium can, for example, be a heated or cooled fluid by means of which heat transfer can be achieved in the extruded profile 2.

[0039] The temperature control medium can be used to control the temperature of the temperature control element 1 comprising the extrusion profile 2 and thus also to control the temperature of an electrical energy storage device in thermally conductive contact with the extrusion profile 2, in order to cool or heat the electrical energy storage device.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the extruded profile 2 has webs 30 lying in the temperature control media channel 3, which are formed integrally with the extruded profile 2 and which were extruded together with the extruded profile.

[0041] The in the in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the webs 30 shown do not extend over the entire height of the temperature control media channel 3, but only over a partial area of ​​it - in the illustrated embodiment, for example, to approximately half the height of the temperature control media channel 3.

[0042] In another embodiment, which is not shown here, the webs 30 can also extend over a smaller or larger height or completely span the space between the top 22 and the bottom 24 of the extruded profile 2.

[0043] The webs 30 can be used for the mechanical stiffening of the extruded profile 2.

[0044] The webs 30 can also serve to guide the temperature control medium within the temperature control medium channel 3.

[0045] The webs 30 can also cause turbulence in the temperature control medium and thus serve to achieve a more homogeneous distribution of the temperature control medium within the temperature control medium channel 3. In this way, a more homogeneous heat exchange between the temperature control medium and the different spatial sections of the extruded profile 2 can also be achieved.

[0046] To achieve an even more homogeneous distribution of the temperature control medium in the temperature control medium channel 3, guide vanes 4 are formed integrally with the extruded profile 2. The guide vanes 4 each have at least one dimension q extending transversely to the extrusion direction E into the temperature control medium channel 3.

[0047] Thus, the guide vanes 4 also have a dimension q extending transversely to the flow direction S of the temperature control medium, which accordingly introduces a disturbance into the temperature control medium flow, resulting in a circulation or turbulence of the temperature control medium in the temperature control medium channel 3, which leads to an even more homogeneous heat exchange between the top 22 or the bottom 24 of the temperature control element 1.

[0048] In Figure 2 is the temperature control element 1 made of Figure 1The upper surface 22 of the extruded profile 2 has been removed for clarity. It is particularly evident here that the guide vanes 4 are formed by having a first cut 32 in the webs 30, perpendicular to the extrusion direction E, and a second cut 34, longitudinal to the web 30, also in the extrusion direction E. The resulting exposed portion of the web 30 material is then bent out of the plane defined by the web 30. This creates a bending edge 36 on the remaining edge of the guide vane 4, at which the guide vane 4 is integrally connected to the web 30.

[0049] In another embodiment, two second cuts 34 can also be provided, which then define two opposite sides of the guide vane 4. This design is particularly important if the web 30 has a greater height or even extends from the upper surface 22 to the lower surface 24. In this case, the guide vane 4 is bent out of the web like a window.

[0050] The dimensions of the guide vanes 4 are therefore essentially determined by the height h of the first section 32 in the web 30 and by the length l of the second section 34 along the longitudinal extent of the web 30. If the length l of the second section 34 is extended, the dimension q of the guide vane 4 extending transversely to the flow direction S can also be increased, so that the guide vane 4 then extends correspondingly further or deeper into the temperature control media channel 3 and the disturbance generated by the guide vane 4 is more pronounced.

[0051] The dimensioning of the first cut 32 and the second cut 34, as well as the bending angle at which the respective guide vane 4 is bent out of the plane defined by the web 30, can be designed differently for each application.

[0052] In particular, for the formation of the dimension q of the guide vane 4 extending transversely to the extrusion direction E, it is not necessary that a plane 400 formed by the guide vane 4 forms an angle α of exactly 90° with the plane 300 formed by the web 30. Rather, different angles α between the plane 400 of the guide vane 4 and the plane 300 of the web 30 are possible, for example, angles α between 10° and 170°, depending on the desired application or effect.

[0053] The shape of the guide vane 4, formed in this way, removes material from the plane 300 of the web 30 and bends it into the temperature control medium channel 3. This creates an opening 40 in the web 30 in the area from which the guide vane 4 is bent. This opening allows for an exchange of temperature control medium between the two sides of the web 30, thus enabling further mixing of the temperature control medium and further homogenization of the heat transfer.

[0054] Where applicable, all individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and / or exchanged without leaving the scope of the invention. Reference symbol list

[0055] 1 Temperature control element 2 Extruded profile 20 End face 22 Top of the extruded profile 24 Bottom of the extruded profile 3 Temperature control media channel 30 Web 32 First section 34 Second section 36 Bending edge 300 Plane formed by the web 4 Guide vane 40 Opening 400 Plane formed by the guide vane α Angle S Flow direction E Extrusion direction q Transverse stretching h Height of the first cut l Length of the second cut

Claims

1. Temperature-control element (1) for controlling the temperature of an electrical accumulator, in particular for controlling the temperature of a traction battery of a vehicle, comprising an extruded profile (2) extending in an extrusion direction (E) which has a temperature-control medium channel (3) for passage of a temperature-control medium, characterized by a guide vane (4) integrally formed with the extruded profile (2) in the temperature-control medium channel (3), wherein a rib (30) extending in the extrusion direction (E) and integrally formed with the extruded profile (2) is arranged in the temperature-control medium channel (3) and the guide vane (4) is integrally formed with the rib (30), wherein the guide vane (4) is defined by a first cut (32) in the rib (30) extending substantially perpendicularly to the extrusion direction (E) and a second cut (34) in the rib (30) extending substantially in the extrusion direction (E) and the guide vane (4) is integrally connected to the rib (30) along a bending edge (36).

2. Temperature-control element (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guide vane (4) has a dimension (q) extending transversely to the extrusion direction (E).

3. Temperature-control element (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plane (400) formed by the guide vane (4) forms an angle (α), in particular an angle (α) of between 10° and 170°, with the extrusion direction (E) .

4. Temperature-control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two second cuts (34) in the rib (30) extending in the extrusion direction (E) are provided which define opposite sides of the guide vane (4).

5. Temperature-control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plane (400) formed by the guide vane (4) forms an angle (α), in particular an angle (α) of between 10° and 170°, with a plane (300) formed by the rib (30).

6. Temperature-control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an opening (40) in the rib (30) is then provided at the guide vane (4).

7. Temperature-control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two guide vanes (4) are provided which have planes (400) oriented parallel to one another.

8. Temperature-control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of guide vanes (4) integrally formed with the extruded profile (2) are provided for providing a ribbed structure.

9. Method for providing a temperature-control element (1) for controlling the temperature of an electrical accumulator, in particular for controlling the temperature of a traction battery of a vehicle, wherein an extruded profile (2) extending in an extrusion direction (E) which has a temperature-control medium channel (3) for passage of a temperature-control medium is provided, characterized in that a guide vane (4) is integrally formed with the extruded profile (2) in the temperature-control medium channel (3), wherein a rib (30) extending in the extrusion direction (E) and integrally formed with the extruded profile (2) is arranged in the temperature-control medium channel (3) and the guide vane (4) is defined by a first cut (32) in the rib (30) extending substantially perpendicularly to the extrusion direction (E) and a second cut (34) in the rib (30) extending substantially in the extrusion direction (E) and is bent along a bending edge (36) out from the plane (300) formed by the rib (30) into the temperature-control medium channel (3).