Liquid expansion tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid expansion vessel (1) having a receiving space (3, 4) and a wall (12, 13), wherein the wall (12, 13) divides the receiving space (3, 4) into several subspaces (14, 15). The subspaces (14, 15) are then fluidically connected via openings (16) in the wall (12, 13). Abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Expansion vessel for liquid

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid expansion tank for compensating for a variation in the volume of a cooling liquid in a liquid circuit for immersion cooling of a vehicle battery according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A vehicle battery can be cooled by immersion in a liquid circuit with a coolant such as oil, for example. The filling level of the coolant must then be compensated due to a temperature-induced volume change. To achieve this function, the liquid circuit usually comprises a liquid expansion tank. The excess amount of coolant can be stored, at least temporarily, in the liquid expansion tank. Usually, the liquid expansion tank is not completely filled, so that when the liquid expansion tank moves, the coolant can also move in the liquid expansion tank. This results in unpleasant so-called sloshing noises, which must be avoided.

[0003] The aim of the invention is therefore to indicate, for an expansion vessel for liquid of the generic type, an improved or at least alternative embodiment, in which the disadvantages described are overcome.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] The present invention is based on the general idea of providing inner walls in the liquid expansion tank, wherein uniform flow is ensured through the liquid expansion tank by means of passages in the inner walls.

[0006] The liquid expansion tank according to the invention is provided or designed to compensate for a change in volume of a coolant in a liquid circuit for immersion cooling of a battery of a vehicle. The liquid expansion tank then has at least one receiving space for receiving the coolant and at least one wall. One of the walls is arranged in at least one of the receiving spaces and the receiving space is divided by the wall into at least two sub-spaces. The wall has at least one opening, the mutually adjacent sub-spaces of the receiving space being fluidically connected to each other via at least one of the openings. Suitably, in the liquid expansion tank oriented in a manner adapted to the operation, the opening can be located at the point deeper than at least one of the two partial spaces fluidly connected via this opening.

[0007] In the liquid expansion tank according to the invention, it is possible to prevent sloshing of the coolant in the receiving space by means of the wall. In particular, the coolant can be distributed between the partial spaces of the receiving space, thereby reducing the intensity of sloshing noises. The openings in the wall allow the coolant to flow freely between the partial spaces, so that at an outlet of the liquid expansion tank, the coolant is always available to flow into the liquid circuit.

[0008] In one possible embodiment, at least one of the openings in the wall can be formed by a slot. In the liquid expansion tank oriented in a manner adapted to the operation, the slot in the wall can extend from the top to the deepest point of at least one of the two partial spaces fluidically connected by this slot. By means of the slot, the coolant can flow particularly easily and quickly between the partial spaces and the uniform flow through the liquid expansion tank can be achieved in a simplified manner. The fact that the slot extends to the deepest point of one of the two partial spaces further ensures that the coolant does not remain in one of the partial spaces. This excludes any accumulation of water in the individual partial spaces and achieves complete emptying of the liquid expansion tank.

[0009] Furthermore, it may be provided that a bead is formed on both edges of the wall delimiting the slot. The bead may in particular extend over the entire length of the slot. The bead makes it possible to stabilize or reinforce the slot and therefore the wall.

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the liquid expansion vessel may have a housing and the housing may delimit the receiving space to the outside. The wall may be formed separately from the housing and be connected to the housing by means of a material bond, preferably by welding. Thus, the liquid expansion vessel can be manufactured in a particularly simple manner.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the liquid expansion vessel may have a housing having an upper part and a lower part. The receiving space may then be formed in certain areas in the upper part and in certain areas in the lower part. The wall may then have an upper wall section arranged in the upper part and a lower wall section arranged in the lower part. The upper wall section of the wall and the lower wall section of the wall may bear against each other, so that the different partial spaces are formed in certain areas in the part upper part and in certain areas in the lower part. This simplifies the manufacture of the liquid expansion tank. In addition, the receiving space can thus be completely divided into sub-spaces, so that, regardless of the filling level of the coolant in the liquid expansion tank, the coolant is distributed in the individual sub-spaces and is not in a common volume.

[0012] The upper part of the housing and the lower part of the housing can then be formed separately from each other and connected to each other by material bonding, preferably by welding. The upper wall section of the wall and the lower wall section of the wall can be formed separately from each other and connected to each other by material bonding, preferably by welding. This makes it possible on the one hand to simplify the manufacture of the housing and the wall and on the other hand to connect the housing and the wall to each other securely.

[0013] If the wall has at least one of the slots described above, at least one of the slots may have an upper slot section formed in the upper wall section of the wall and a lower slot section formed in the lower wall section of the wall. The upper slot section of the slot and the lower slot section of the slot may then be offset from each other. In other words, the slot may be interrupted or not continuous. This ensures a sufficiently high strength of the liquid expansion tank and in particular increases the lateral rigidity of the components of the liquid expansion tank.

[0014] The terms "upper" and "lower" as used herein and hereinafter refer to the operationally oriented liquid expansion tank. In the operationally oriented liquid expansion tank, the "upper" elements are arranged above the "lower" elements.

[0015] Advantageously, each subspace of the receiving space can be fluidically connected to all the subspaces adjacent to it. This makes it possible to achieve a uniform flow through the liquid expansion vessel in a particularly simplified manner. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the subspaces adjacent to each other of the receiving space are fluidically connected to each other exclusively via at least one of the openings. It is also conceivable that the receiving space is completely divided into several subspaces. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the wall divides the receiving space into a total of six or a total of nine subspaces. It is further conceivable that all the subspaces of the receiving space have an identical shape and / or an identical volume and / or an identical cross-section.Furthermore, it is also conceivable that at least one of the partial spaces of the reception space is filled, at least in certain areas, with a . Open-pore foam. Due to its structure, open-pore foam allows coolant to flow between the partial spaces, while advantageously preventing sloshing within the partial space.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, it can be provided that the liquid expansion tank can have exactly two receiving spaces. In this case, the first receiving space can be designed to receive the coolant from the liquid circuit and the second receiving space can be designed to receive the excess coolant from the first receiving space. The liquid expansion tank can then have an overflow channel, the first receiving space and the second receiving space being fluidically connected to each other exclusively via the overflow channel. The liquid expansion tank can further have exactly two walls. The first receiving space can then be divided by the first wall into at least two partial spaces and the second receiving space can be divided by the second wall into at least two partial spaces.The first receiving space may have an inlet for the flow of coolant from the liquid circuit and an outlet for the flow of coolant into the liquid circuit. The inlet and the outlet may then flow into one or the other of the sub-spaces of the receiving space. In the case of a liquid expansion tank oriented in a manner suitable for operation, the outlet may be arranged at the deepest point of the first receiving space in one of the sub-spaces.

[0017] Other important characteristics and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the diagrams and the description of the corresponding figures with the aid of the diagrams.

[0018] It goes without saying that the above-mentioned features and those which will be explained later can be used not only in the combination respectively indicated, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the diagrams and are explained in more detail in the following description, the same reference signs referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0020] The following are shown, respectively schematically:

[0021] [Fig.l]: a view of a liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment;

[0022] [Fig.2] and [Fig.3]: sectional views of the liquid expansion tank according to the invention in the first embodiment;

[0023] [Fig.4] and [Fig.5]: views of the liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in a second embodiment;

[0024] [Fig.6]: a view of a lower part of a housing of the expansion tank for liquid according to the invention in the second embodiment;

[0025] [Fig.7]: a view of an upper part of the liquid expansion tank housing according to the invention in the second embodiment.

[0026] [Fig.l] shows a view of a liquid expansion tank 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. The liquid expansion tank 1 is designed or provided to compensate for a change in volume of a coolant in a liquid circuit for immersion cooling of a battery of a vehicle. In [Fig.l], the liquid expansion tank 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G.

[0027] The liquid expansion tank 1 has a housing 2 having an upper part 2a and a lower part 2b which are connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner, for example are welded. The liquid expansion tank 1 comprises a first receiving space 3 and a second receiving space 4 which are fluidically connected to each other via an overflow channel 5. The overflow channel 5 is then formed in such a way that excess coolant can flow from the first receiving space 3 into the second receiving space 4 and cannot flow back. Thus, excess coolant resulting from a volume change due to temperature and / or aging can be safely stored in the second receiving space 4. The first receiving space 3, the second receiving space 4 and the overflow channel 5 are then formed in the housing 2.The housing 2 may for example be formed from plastic.

[0028] The first receiving space 3 has an inlet 3a leading from the outside into the receiving space 3 and an outlet 3b leading outward from the first receiving space 3. Via the inlet 3a and the outlet 3b, the first receiving space 3 of the liquid expansion tank 1 is integrated into the liquid circuit. For this purpose, the inlet 3a and the outlet 3b can be fluidically connected to other components of the liquid circuit. The liquid circuit and the other components of the liquid circuit are not part of the present invention. The coolant can then flow from the liquid circuit into the first receiving space 3 or the liquid expansion tank 1 via the inlet 3a and the coolant can then flow out of the first receiving space 3 or the liquid expansion tank 1 into the liquid circuit via the outlet 3b.In the expansion tank for liquid 1 oriented from . conveniently for operation, outlet 3b is located in the center and, conveniently, at the deepest point of the first receiving space 3.

[0029] The liquid vessel 1 further has a water discharge opening 6 which leads outwards from the first receiving space 3. The water discharge opening 6 allows the water collected in the first receiving space 3 to be discharged. In the liquid expansion vessel 1 oriented in a manner suitable for operation, the water discharge opening 6 is suitably located at the deepest point of the first receiving space 3.

[0030] The liquid expansion tank 1 further has an outlet opening 7 leading outward from the second receiving space 4. The outlet opening 7 is conveniently located in the liquid expansion tank 1 oriented in a manner suitable for operation at the deepest point of the second receiving space 4. Furthermore, the liquid expansion tank 1 comprises a filling level measuring sensor 8 which detects the filling level of the excess coolant in the second receiving space 4. If the second receiving space 4 is full, the user can be informed via a signal from the filling level measuring sensor 8 and the excess coolant can be manually led outward from the second receiving space 4 or the liquid expansion tank 1 via the outlet opening 7.

[0031] Furthermore, the liquid expansion tank 1 has a ventilation channel 9 which leads outwards from the first receiving space 3. The ventilation channel 9 makes it possible to connect the first receiving space 3 to an air expansion tank in an air-conducting manner, so that pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of the coolant in the first receiving space 3 can be compensated. The air expansion tank is not part of the present invention.

[0032] The liquid expansion tank 1 further has a closing screw 10 and an opening 11. The opening 11 leads outwards from the first receiving space 3 and is closed by the closing screw 10. The opening 11 allows the liquid expansion tank 1 and thus the liquid circuit to be filled with the coolant.

[0033] [Fig. 2] shows a sectional view and [Fig. 3] shows an enlarged sectional view of the liquid expansion vessel 1 according to the invention in the first embodiment. As can be seen in [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3], the liquid expansion vessel 1 has a first wall 12 and a second wall 13. The first wall 12 is arranged in the first receiving space 3 and divides the first receiving space 3 into several partial spaces 14, here nine. The second wall 13 is arranged in the second receiving space 4 and divides the second receiving space 4 into several partial spaces 15, here six. The walls 12 and 13 then have several openings 16 by means of which the different partial spaces 14 and 15 are fluidically connected to each other. In the first embodiment of the liquid expansion vessel 1, the openings 16 are formed as slots 17.

[0034] In the liquid expansion vessel 1 oriented in a manner suitable for operation, the slots 17 are oriented vertically with respect to the earth's gravitational force G and pass through the entire height of the walls 12 and 13 from top to bottom. Beads 18 are formed on the edges of the walls 12 and 13 which delimit the individual slots 17. The beads 18 stabilize the respective slot 17 and thus reinforce the walls 12 and 13.

[0035] The walls 12 and 13 and the slots 17 are then formed in certain areas in the upper part 2a of the housing 2 and in certain areas in the lower part 2b of the housing. Accordingly, the wall 12 comprises an upper wall section 12a in the upper part 2a of the housing 2 and a lower wall section 12b in the lower part 2b of the housing 2. Similarly, the wall 13 comprises an upper wall section 13a in the upper part 2a of the housing 2 and a lower wall section 13b in the lower part 2b of the housing 2. The wall sections 12a and 12b as well as 13a and 13b bear against each other and can, for example, be welded together. The slots 17 respectively comprise an upper slot section 17a and a lower slot section 17b. The slot sections 17a and 17b of each slot 17 are offset from each other, so that the slot 17 is not continuous or is interrupted.This makes it possible to stabilize or reinforce the walls 12 and 13 and, overall, the liquid expansion tank 1.

[0036] [Fig. 4] and [Fig. 5] show views of the liquid expansion vessel 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, the liquid expansion vessel 1 here has the housing 2 and a channel cover 19. The overflow channel 5 and the ventilation channel 9 are then formed between the housing 2 or the upper part 2a of the housing 2 and the channel cover 19. [Fig. 4] and [Fig. 5] also show a shut-off valve 20.

[0037] [Fig. 6] shows a view of the lower part 2b of the housing 2 and [Fig. 7] shows a view of the upper part 2a of the housing 2 of the liquid expansion vessel 1 according to the invention in the second embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, the openings 16 in the walls 12 and 13 are here formed as through holes 21. The holes 21 are respectively formed at the deepest point of the partial spaces 14 and 15. In other respects, the two embodiments correspond.

Claims

Claims

1. 1 Liquid expansion tank (1) for compensating for a change in the volume of a coolant in a liquid circuit for immersion cooling of a battery of a vehicle, - wherein the liquid expansion tank (1) has at least one receiving space (3, 4) for receiving the coolant and at least one wall (12, 13), and - wherein one of the walls (12, 13) is arranged in at least one of the receiving spaces (3, 4) and the receiving space (3, 4) is divided by the wall (12, 13) into at least two partial spaces (14, 15), characterized in that the wall (12, 13) has at least one opening (16) and the neighboring partial spaces (14, 15) of the receiving space (3, 4) are fluidically connected to each other by means of at least one opening (16). minus one of the openings (16).

2. 2 Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - at least one of the openings (16) in the wall (12, 13) is formed by a slot (17), and - in the liquid expansion vessel (1) oriented in a manner suitable for operation, the slot (17) in the wall (12, 13) extends from the top to the deepest point of at least one of the two partial spaces (14, 15) fluidically connected by said slot.

3. 3 Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a bead (18) is formed on both edges of the wall (12, 13) delimiting the slot (17).

4. 4 Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid expansion vessel (1) has a housing (2) having an upper part (2a) and a lower part (2b) and the receiving space (3, 4) is formed in certain areas in the upper part (2a) and in certain areas in the lower part (2b), - that the wall (12, 13) has an upper wall section (12a, 13a) arranged in the upper part (2a) and a lower wall section (12b, 13b) arranged in the lower part, and - that the upper wall section (12a, 13a) of the wall (12, 13) and the lower wall section (12b, 13b) of the wall (12, 13) bear against each other, so that the different partial spaces (14, 15) are formed in certain areas in the upper part (2a) and in certain areas in the lower part (2b).

5. 5 Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that - the upper part (2a) of the housing (2) and the lower part (2b) of the housing (2) are formed separately from each other and are connected to each other by material bonding, preferably by welding, and / or - the upper wall section (12a, 13a) of the wall (12, 13) and the lower wall section (12b, 13b) of the wall (12, 13) are formed separately from each other and are connected to each other by material bonding, preferably by welding.

6. 6 Liquid expansion vessel (1) at least according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that - at least one of the slots (17) of the wall (12, 13) has an upper slot section (17a) formed in the upper wall section (12a, 13a) of the wall (12, 13) and a lower slot section (17b) formed in the lower wall section (12b, 13b) of the wall (12, 13), and - the upper slot section (17a) of the slot (17) and the lower slot section (17b) of the slot (17) are offset relative to each other.

7. 7 Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid expansion vessel (1) has a housing (2) and the housing (2) delimits the receiving space (3, 4) towards the outside, and - the wall (12, 13) is formed separately from the housing (2) and is connected to the housing (2) by material bonding, preferably by welding.

8. 8 Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the partial spaces (14, 15) of the receiving space (3, 4) is filled at least in certain areas with an open-pored foam.

9. 9 Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - each partial space (14, 15) of the receiving space (3, 4) is fluidically connected to all the partial spaces (14, 15) adjacent to it, and / or - all the partial spaces (14, 15) of the receiving space (3, 4) have an identical shape and / or an identical volume and / or an identical cross-section, and / or - the wall (12, 13) divides the receiving space (3, 4) into a total of six or a total of nine partial spaces (14, 15), and / or - the receiving space (3, 4) is completely divided into different partial spaces (14, 15), and / or - the neighboring partial spaces (14, 15) of the receiving space (3, 4) are fluidically connected to each other exclusively via at least one of the openings (16).

10. 10 Liquid expansion tank (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid expansion tank (1) has exactly two receiving spaces (3, 4), wherein the first receiving space (3) is designed to receive the coolant from the liquid circuit and the second receiving space (4) is designed to receive the excess coolant from the first receiving space (3), - the liquid expansion tank (1) has an overflow channel (5) and the first receiving space (3) and the second receiving space (4) are fluidically connected to each other exclusively via the overflow channel (5), and - the liquid expansion tank (1) has exactly two walls (12, 13), wherein the first receiving space (3) is divided by the first wall (12) into at least two partial spaces (14) and the second receiving space (4) is divided by the second wall (13) into at least two partial spaces (15).

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