Liquid expansion tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid expansion tank (1) having a receiving space (3) for receiving the coolant and an overflow space (4) for receiving excess coolant from the receiving space (3). The receiving space (3) and the overflow space (4) are then fluidically connected via an overflow channel (5). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

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 volume change due to temperature. To achieve this function, the liquid circuit generally includes a liquid expansion tank. However, a volume change of the coolant can also be due to aging of the battery. The volume change of the coolant due to aging is irreversible, so that an excess amount of coolant is always present in the liquid circuit as the battery ages. Due to their principle, these volume changes require compensation in the cooling system, which must ensure constant ventilation of the liquid expansion tank.The excess amount of coolant must then be stored at least temporarily in the liquid expansion tank. This requires a larger liquid expansion tank. Ideally, the base area of the liquid expansion tank should not increase so as not to provide additional space for coolant movements during operation, e.g. due to lapping or inclined positions, while still maintaining the ventilation function.

[0003] The aim of the invention is therefore to indicate, for a generic type liquid expansion vessel, 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 basic idea of the invention is therefore to receive an excess quantity of coolant in an additional overflow vessel.

[0006] The liquid expansion tank according to the invention is provided or designed to compensate for a change in the volume of a coolant in a liquid circuit for immersion cooling of a battery of a vehicle. The coolant may in particular be a coolant such as oil, for example. The liquid expansion tank then has a receiving space for receiving the coolant. In addition, the space receiving has an inlet for the flow of coolant from the liquid circuit and an outlet for the flow of coolant into the liquid circuit. According to the invention, the liquid expansion tank has an overflow space for receiving excess coolant from the receiving space. The liquid expansion tank further has an overflow channel which leads into the overflow space from the receiving space. In this case, the overflow space and the receiving space are fluidically connected to each other exclusively via the overflow channel.

[0007] In the liquid expansion tank according to the invention, excess coolant formed by the volume change due to temperature and / or aging can be conducted from the receiving space into the overflow space and stored there.This allows excess coolant to be removed from the liquid circuit and simplifies the guidance of the coolant in the liquid circuit. In addition, the receiving space and thus the liquid expansion tank can be designed more compactly overall.

[0008] For draining, the overflow space may have an outlet opening leading to the outside. The outlet opening may be suitably positioned at the deepest point of the overflow space in the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation. The outlet opening allows excess coolant to be led from the overflow space or the liquid expansion tank to the outside in a simplified manner. Since the excess coolant in the overflow space is already separated from the liquid circuit, draining the overflow space does not affect the amount of coolant required in the liquid circuit. Thus, the removal of excess coolant from the liquid circuit can be particularly simplified.

[0009] In order to detect an excess coolant filling level in the overflow space, the liquid expansion tank may have a filling level measuring sensor. The filling level measuring sensor may be arranged appropriately in the overflow space and send a signal to a user when the overflow space is filled. As a result, overflow of the overflow space can thus be reliably prevented. Therefore, the overflow space may have a relatively small volume or at least a smaller volume than that of the receiving space.

[0010] In the liquid circuit, the coolant can flow into the receiving space via the inlet and flow out of the receiving space via the outlet. In the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation, the inlet can be arranged at the most high of the receiving space and the outlet can be arranged at the deepest point of the receiving space. The outlet of the receiving space can then be arranged deeper than the outlet opening of the overflow space described above in the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation.

[0011] The overflow channel can be formed in such a way that the coolant cannot flow into the receiving space from the overflow space in the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation. Thus, the coolant that flows into the overflow space from the receiving space can no longer flow into the receiving space and thus return to the liquid circuit. In other words, the coolant can flow exclusively from the receiving space into the overflow space and not in the opposite direction. The overflow channel can also be formed in such a way that pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of the coolant in the overflow space can be compensated via the overflow channel.As a result, air can flow from the receiving space to the overflow space and vice versa via the overflow channel. This allows pressure differences between the receiving space and the overflow space to be compensated. In particular, this prevents the coolant from overflowing from the overflow space into the receiving space and vice versa due to pressure.

[0012] The overflow channel may have an inlet leading into the receiving space and an outlet leading into the overflow space. In the case of the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation, the inlet of the overflow channel may then be arranged above the outlet of the overflow channel. This allows excess coolant to flow from the inlet to the outlet under the effect of gravity. In addition, the coolant entering the overflow channel cannot flow in the opposite direction into the receiving space.

[0013] The liquid expansion vessel may have a wall section formed around the inlet and a wall section formed around the outlet. The wall section formed around the inlet and the wall section formed around the outlet may thus merge into one another completely by means of a step. In the liquid expansion vessel oriented appropriately for operation, the wall section formed around the inlet may then be arranged above the wall section formed around the outlet. The step may, for example, be arranged between the inlet of the overflow channel and the outlet of the overflow channel, transversely to the direction of extension of the overflow channel. In the liquid expansion vessel oriented appropriately for operation, the wall sections forming the step may form a bottom of the overflow channel. Inside the overflow channel- full, the step can, on the one hand, help the flow of excess coolant from the inlet to the outlet and, on the other hand, prevent the flow of coolant in the opposite direction from the outlet to the inlet.

[0014] The liquid expansion tank may have a partition. The partition may be arranged in the overflow channel transversely to its direction of extension and between the inlet of the overflow channel and the outlet of the overflow channel. The partition may then reduce a cross-sectional area of the overflow channel that can be traversed. The partition may be formed on a wall section of the liquid expansion tank that forms the overflow channel. In the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation, the partition may be formed from the top to a bottom of the overflow channel. The partition may help prevent coolant from flowing in the reverse direction within the overflow channel of the liquid expansion tank, particularly when forces acting on the coolant vary rapidly along the direction of extension of the channel.

[0015] If the liquid expansion tank has a partition and a step, the partition and the step may be formed on opposite wall sections of the liquid expansion tank forming the overflow channel. The partition and the step may be aligned parallel to each other and a slot that can be passed through may be formed between the partition and the step. As described above, in the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation, the step may be formed at a bottom of the overflow channel and the partition may be oriented from above towards the bottom of the overflow channel. The partition and the step are particularly effective in preventing a reverse flow of the coolant within the overflow channel.

[0016] In one possible embodiment of the liquid expansion vessel, the liquid expansion vessel may have a housing, wherein the receiving space and the overflow space and the overflow channel are formed or produced within the housing. Wall sections of the housing forming the receiving space and the overflow space and the overflow channel may then merge completely into one another. In other words, the receiving space and the overflow space and the overflow channel may be housed in the common housing and / or be formed inseparably from one another. The housing may then be formed or produced in several parts. In particular, the housing may have an upper part and a lower part which are then connected to one another in a liquid-tight manner.For example, the receiving space and the overflow space may be formed in certain areas in the upper part and in certain areas in the lower part. The overflow channel may for example be formed in the upper part or, alternatively, in certain areas in the upper part and in . certain areas in the lower part. This design reduces the number of hydraulic interfaces between the receiving space and the overflow space, as well as the number of parts.

[0017] In a possible alternative embodiment of the liquid expansion vessel, the liquid expansion vessel may have a housing and a channel cover, wherein the receiving space and the overflow space are formed inside the housing and the overflow channel is formed between the housing and the channel cover. Suitably, a seal may be arranged between the channel cover and the housing, thereby sealing the overflow channel to the outside. In contrast to the embodiment described above, the channel cover here forms the overflow channel in certain areas. The receiving space and the overflow space remain formed inside the housing, as in the embodiment described above. Here too, the housing may be formed in several parts. In particular, the housing may have an upper part and a lower part.The overflow channel can then be formed between the upper part of the housing and the channel cover. In this embodiment, the housing and the channel cover can be manufactured in a simplified manner, since it is not necessary to form complex structures or shapes inside the housing. In addition, the liquid expansion tank can be produced in a particularly compact manner.

[0018] Regardless of the embodiment, the housing and, if applicable, the channel cover may be formed from plastic. The plastic may, for example, be electrically conductive in order to conduct electrical charges away from the liquid expansion tank. The plastic may, for example, be low-diffusion or non-diffusion, in order to prevent water from entering the coolant.

[0019] The liquid expansion tank may have a ventilation channel leading outward from the receiving space. The ventilation channel may, for example, be fluidically connected to an air expansion tank. The ventilation channel may be formed such that, when the liquid expansion tank is oriented appropriately for operation, the coolant cannot enter the ventilation channel. The ventilation channel may then be designed to compensate for pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of the coolant in the receiving space. The overflow channel may then be arranged or formed inside the ventilation channel. This simplifies the shape and thus the manufacture of the liquid expansion tank.

[0020] As described above, the overflow channel may have an inlet leading to the receiving space and an outlet leading to the overflow space. The ventilation channel may have an inlet leading to the receiving space and an outlet leading to the outside. In the liquid expansion tank oriented in a manner suitable for operation, the outlet of the ventilation channel can be arranged above the inlet of the ventilation channel. Furthermore, in the liquid expansion tank oriented in a manner suitable for operation, the inlet of the ventilation channel can be arranged above the inlet of the overflow channel and above the outlet of the overflow channel. Thus, the overflow channel and the ventilation channel can be joined while achieving a fluid separation between the ventilation channel through which air can flow and the overflow channel through which the coolant can flow.

[0021] As described above, the liquid expansion tank may have a housing. The receiving space and the overflow space as well as the overflow channel and the ventilation channel may be formed inside the housing. Alternatively, the liquid expansion tank may have a housing and a channel cover, as described above. The receiving space and the overflow space may be formed inside the housing and the overflow channel and the ventilation channel may be formed between the housing and the channel cover. The housing may then be formed as described above.

[0022] The liquid expansion tank may further have a water collection chamber and the water collection chamber may be fluidically connected to the receiving space. In the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation, the water collection chamber may then be arranged below the receiving space, so that water from the coolant that settles inside the receiving space can be collected in the water collection chamber. The water collection chamber and the receiving space may be separated, for example, by a splash guard. To allow water to flow from the receiving space into the water collection chamber, at least one opening may be provided in the splash guard.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be provided that the outlet for the flow of the coolant in the liquid circuit is arranged at the deepest point of the receiving space and that a water discharge opening for discharging the water collected in the water collecting chamber is arranged at the deepest point of the water collecting chamber. Since the water collecting chamber is located below the receiving space in the liquid expansion tank oriented appropriately for operation, the water discharge opening of the water collecting chamber is then located deeper than the outlet of the receiving space.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The following are shown, respectively schematically: [Fig.l]: a view of a liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment; [Fig.2] and [Fig.3]: sectional views of the liquid expansion tank according to the invention in the first embodiment; [Fig.4]: a sectional view of the liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in the first embodiment at the level of a water collection chamber; [Fig.5] to [Fig.9]: views of the liquid expansion tank according to the invention in the first embodiment with a relatively high filling level of the coolant in different positions; [Fig. 10] to [Fig. 14]: views of the liquid expansion tank according to the invention in the first embodiment with a relatively low filling level of the coolant in different positions; [Fig. 15] to [Fig. 19]: views of the liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in the first embodiment with an overflow space filled in different positions; [Fig.20] and [Fig.21]: views of the liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in a second embodiment; [Fig.22]: a view of the liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in the second embodiment without channel cover; [Fig.23]: a partial sectional view of the liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in the second embodiment without channel cover; [Fig.24] and [Fig.25]: partial sectional views of the liquid expansion vessel according to the invention in the second embodiment with the channel cover; [Fig.26]: a sectional view of the liquid expansion tank according to the invention in the second embodiment.

[0028] [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 variation in volume of a coolant in a liquid circuit for immersion cooling of a vehicle battery. In [Fig.l], the liquid expansion vessel 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. Here and further on, elements not directly visible in the liquid expansion vessel 1 are indicated by broken lines.

[0029] 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 by welding. The liquid expansion tank 1 comprises a receiving space 3 and an overflow space 4 which are fluidically connected to each other via an overflow channel 5. The overflow channel 5 has an inlet 5a leading into the receiving space 3 and an outlet 5b leading into the overflow space 4. The overflow channel 5 is then shaped in such a way that excess coolant can flow from the receiving space 3 into the overflow space 4 and cannot flow in the opposite direction. Thus, excess coolant resulting from volume change due to temperature and / or aging can be safely stored in the overflow space.The receiving space 3, the overflow space 4 and the overflow channel 5 are then formed in the housing 2. The housing 2 can for example be formed from plastic material.

[0030] The receiving space 3 has an inlet 3a leading from the outside into the receiving space 3 and an outlet 3b leading to the outside from the receiving space 3. Via the inlet 3a and the outlet 3b, the 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 inlet 3a allows the coolant to flow from the liquid circuit into the receiving space 3 or into the liquid expansion tank 1 and the outlet 3b allows the coolant to flow from the receiving space 3 or the liquid expansion tank 1 into the liquid circuit.In the liquid expansion vessel 1 oriented appropriately for operation, the outlet 3b is conveniently located as centrally as possible in the recessed area of the receiving space 3.

[0031] The liquid vessel 1 further has a water collection chamber 6 having a water discharge opening 6a which leads outwards from the water collection chamber 6. In the liquid expansion vessel 1 oriented appropriately for operation, the water collection chamber 6 is located below the receiving space 3 and is fluidically connected to the receiving space 3, so that water from the coolant can settle downwards and be collected in the water collection chamber 6. The discharge opening water outlet 6a is used to discharge the water collected in the water collection chamber 6. In the liquid expansion tank 1 oriented appropriately for operation, the water discharge opening 6a is appropriately located at the deepest point of the water collection chamber 6 and deeper than the outlet 3b of the receiving space 3. The structure of the water collection chamber 6 is explained in more detail below with the aid of [Fig. 4].

[0032] The liquid expansion tank 1 further has an outlet opening 7 leading outward from the overflow space 4. The outlet opening 7 is conveniently located at the deepest point of the overflow space 4 in the liquid expansion tank 1 oriented appropriately for operation. Furthermore, the liquid expansion tank 1 comprises a filling level measuring sensor 8 which detects the filling level of the excess coolant in the overflow space 4. If the overflow 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 from the overflow space 4 or the liquid expansion tank 1 to the outside via the outlet opening 7.

[0033] Furthermore, the liquid expansion tank 1 has a ventilation channel 9 which leads outwards from the receiving space 3. For this purpose, the ventilation channel 9 has an inlet 9a leading into the receiving space 3 and an outlet 9b leading outwards or into an air expansion tank. The ventilation channel 9 makes it possible to connect the receiving space 3 to the air expansion tank in an air-conducting manner, so that pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of the coolant in the receiving space 3 can be compensated. The air expansion tank is not part of the present invention.

[0034] The liquid expansion tank 1 further has a closing screw 10 and an opening 11. The opening 11 leads outwards from the 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.

[0035] Figures 2 and 3 show sectional views of the liquid expansion tank 1 according to the invention in the first embodiment. In the liquid expansion tank 1 oriented appropriately for operation, the sectional plane of [Fig. 2] is oriented vertically and the sectional plane of [Fig. 3] is oriented horizontally. In Figures 2 and 3, the direction of flow of the coolant is indicated by a solid arrow and the direction of flow of the air by a broken arrow. In Figures 2 and 3, the liquid expansion tank 1 is oriented appropriately for operation relative to the Earth's gravitational force G.

[0036] As indicated above, the excess coolant can flow into the overflow space 4 from the receiving space 3 and be stored there. The reverse flow of the coolant from the overflow space 4 to the receiving space 3 is then excluded or at least largely excluded. The overflow channel 4, however, allows air to flow into the overflow space 4 from the receiving space 3, thereby compensating for pressure differences resulting from the different filling levels of the coolant in the overflow space 4.

[0037] In the liquid expansion tank 1, the overflow channel 5 and the ventilation channel 9 are joined together. The ventilation channel 9 is then arranged above the overflow channel 5 in the liquid expansion tank 1 oriented appropriately for operation, so that the coolant cannot escape to the outside or into the air expansion tank. With reference to [Fig. 2], the outlet 9b of the ventilation channel 9 is located above the inlet 9a of the ventilation channel 9. Furthermore, the inlet 9a of the ventilation channel 9 is located above the inlet 5a and the outlet 5b of the overflow channel 5, so that the coolant cannot arrive in the inlet 9a at this location. Furthermore, the inlet 5a of the overflow channel 5 is located above the outlet 5b, so that the coolant can flow from the inlet 5a to the outlet 5b when it arrives in the overflow channel 5.

[0038] [Fig. 4] shows a sectional view of the liquid expansion vessel 1 according to the invention in the first embodiment at the water collection chamber 6. It can be seen here particularly clearly that, when the liquid expansion vessel 1 is oriented appropriately for operation, the water collection chamber 6 is located below the receiving space 3. The receiving space 3 and the water collection chamber 6 are separated from each other by an anti-splash cover 17 and fluidically connected via an opening 18 in the anti-splash cover 17. [Fig. 4] further shows that a collar 19 which penetrates into the receiving space 3 is formed around the outlet 3b. The collar 19 can prevent water from flowing into the outlet 3b.

[0039] Figures 5 to 9 show views of the liquid expansion tank 1 according to the invention in the first embodiment with a relatively high filling level of the coolant in the receiving space 3. In Figures 5 to 9, the liquid expansion tank 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. The liquid expansion tank 1 is shown in the rest state in [Fig. 5] and the filling plane F of the coolant is oriented horizontally. Furthermore, the liquid expansion tank 1 is shown in [Fig. 6] during braking, in [Fig. 7] during acceleration, in [Fig. 8] during turning in one direction and in [Fig. 9] during turning in another direction. In Figures 6 to 9, the filling plane F of the coolant is oriented so that it is inclined according to the forces involved. As can be seen in Figures 5 to 9, regardless of the orientation of the filling plane F of the coolant, there remains a sufficient quantity of coolant at the outlet 3b of the receiving space 3, so that the liquid circuit is always supplied with coolant.It is further ensured that no part of the coolant enters the inlet 5a of the overflow channel 5 as long as no additional volume resulting from the aging of the battery is present in the receiving space 3, so that the coolant is not extracted from the liquid circuit unnecessarily.

[0040] Figures 10 to 14 show views of the liquid expansion tank 1 according to the invention in the first embodiment with a relatively low filling level of the coolant in the receiving space 3. In Figures 10 to 14, the liquid expansion tank 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. The liquid expansion tank 1 is shown in [Fig. 10] in the rest state, in [Fig. 11] when braking, in [Fig. 12] when accelerating, in [Fig. 13] when turning in one direction and in [Fig. 14] when turning in another direction.As can be seen from Figures 10 to 14, even in this case, regardless of the orientation of the filling plane F of the coolant, there remains a sufficient quantity of coolant at the outlet 3b of the receiving space 3, so that the liquid circuit is always supplied with coolant.

[0041] Figures 15 to 19 show views of the liquid expansion tank 1 according to the invention in the first embodiment with the overflow space 4 filled. In Figures 15 to 19, the liquid expansion tank 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. The liquid expansion tank 1 is thus shown in [Fig. 15] in the rest state, in [Fig. 16] when braking, in [Fig. 17] when accelerating, in [Fig. 18] when turning in one direction and in [Fig. 19] when turning in another direction. As shown in Figures 15 to 19, care must be taken in inclined liquid positions to ensure that no part of the coolant in the overflow space 4 rises towards the outlet 5b of the overflow channel 5.Thus, if the filling plane F is not oriented, the coolant can arrive in the receiving space 3 from the overflow space 4.

[0042] Figures 20 and 21 show views of the liquid expansion vessel 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment. In Figures 20 and 21, the liquid expansion vessel 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. In contrast to the first embodiment, the liquid expansion vessel 1 here has the housing 2 and a channel cover 12. The overflow channel 5 and the ventilation channel 9 are then formed between the housing 2 or between the upper part 2a of the housing 2 and the channel cover 12. Figures 20 and 21 also show a shut-off valve 13.

[0043] [Fig. 22] shows a view of the liquid expansion tank 1 according to the invention in the second embodiment without the channel cover 12. Here, the liquid expansion tank 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. As can be seen in [Fig. 22], the inlet 5a of the overflow channel 5 is located above the outlet 5b of the overflow channel 5, so that the coolant can flow from the inlet 5a to the outlet 5b when it arrives in the overflow channel 5. Furthermore, the inlet 9a of the ventilation channel 9 is located above the inlet 5a and the outlet 5b of the overflow channel 5, so that the coolant cannot arrive in the inlet 9a at this location. Furthermore, a step 14 is arranged in the overflow channel 5 between the inlet 5a and the outlet 5b, which prevents the coolant from flowing in the opposite direction into the overflow channel 5.In [Fig. 22] the inlet 3a into the receiving space 3 is further seen, which is partially surrounded towards the outside by the channel cover 12. Suitably, the inlet 3a is fluidically separated from the overflow channel 5 and the ventilation channel 9 by the channel cover 12.

[0044] [Fig. 23] shows a partial sectional view of the liquid expansion vessel 1 according to the invention in the second embodiment without channel cover 12. In [Fig. 23], the liquid expansion vessel 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. [Fig. 23] shows in particular the step 14 and the inclination of the overflow channel 5 from the inlet 5a to the outlet 5b.

[0045] Figures 24 and 25 show partial sectional views of the liquid expansion vessel 1 according to the invention in the second embodiment with the channel cover 12. Here, the liquid expansion vessel 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. In [Fig. 24] and [Fig. 25], it can be seen that a partition 15 is formed at the channel cover 12, which partition extends into the overflow channel 5 and is arranged on the step 13. The partition 15 can prevent or at least make it difficult for the coolant to overflow from the overflow space 4 into the receiving space 3. A slot 16 is then formed between the partition 15 and the step 13, which allows the cooling liquid to flow from the receiving space 3 into the overflow space 4.

[0046] [Fig. 26] shows a sectional view of the liquid expansion tank 1 according to the invention in the second embodiment. Here, the liquid expansion tank 1 is oriented appropriately for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. [Fig. 26] shows in particular the inlet 9a of the ventilation channel 9.

Claims

Claims

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 a receiving space (3) for receiving the coolant, - wherein the receiving space (3) has an inlet (3a) for the flow of coolant from the liquid circuit and an outlet (3b) for the flow of coolant into the liquid circuit, characterized in that - the liquid expansion tank (1) has an overflow space (4) for receiving excess coolant from the receiving space (3), - the liquid expansion tank (1) has an overflow channel (5) leading into the overflow space (4) from the receiving space (3),and - that the receiving space (3) and the overflow space (4) are fluidically connected to each other exclusively via the overflow channel (5).,

2. Liquid expansion tank (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the overflow channel (5) is formed in such a way that the coolant cannot flow into the receiving space (3) from the overflow space (4) when the liquid expansion tank (1) is aligned appropriately for operation, and / or - the overflow channel (5) is formed in such a way that pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of the coolant in the overflow space (4) can be compensated via the overflow channel (5).

3. Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - the overflow channel (5) has an inlet (5a) leading into the receiving space (3) and an outlet (5b) leading into the overflow space (4), and - that, in the liquid expansion vessel (1) oriented appropriately for operation, the inlet (5a) of the overflow channel (5) is arranged above the outlet (5b) of the overflow channel (5).

4. Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that - the liquid expansion vessel (1) has a wall section formed around the inlet (5a) of the overflow channel (5) and a wall section formed around the outlet (5b) of the overflow channel (5), - the wall section formed around the inlet (5a) and the wall section formed around the outlet (5b) merge into one another integrally via a step (14), and - in the liquid expansion vessel (1) oriented appropriately for operation, the wall section formed around the inlet (5a) is arranged above the wall section formed around the outlet (5b).

5. Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that - the liquid expansion vessel (1) has a partition (15) and the partition (15) is arranged in the overflow channel (5) transversely to its direction of extension, and - the partition (15) is arranged between the inlet (5a) of the overflow channel (5) and the outlet (5b) of the overflow channel (5) and reduces a cross-section of the overflow channel (5) which can be passed through.

6. Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that - the partition (15) and the step (13) are formed on opposite wall sections of the liquid expansion vessel (1), which form the overflow channel (5), and are oriented parallel to each other, and - a slot (16) which can be traversed is formed between the partition (15) and the step (13).

7. Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid expansion vessel (1) has a housing (2), in which the receiving space (3) and the overflow space (4) and the overflow channel (5) are formed inside the housing (2), or - that the liquid expansion tank (1) has a housing (2) and a channel cover (12), in which the receiving space (3) and the overflow space (4) are formed inside the housing (2) and the overflow channel (5) is formed between the housing (2) and the channel cover (12).

8. Liquid expansion tank (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid expansion tank (1) has a ventilation channel (9) and the ventilation channel (9) leads outwards from the receiving space (3), - the ventilation channel (9) is formed in such a way that, when the liquid expansion tank (1) is oriented appropriately for operation, the coolant cannot enter the ventilation channel (9), and - the overflow channel (5) is arranged inside the ventilation channel (9).

9. Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that - the overflow channel (5) has an inlet (5a) leading into the receiving space (3) and an outlet (5b) leading into the overflow space (4), - the ventilation channel (9) has an inlet (9a) leading into the receiving space (3) and an outlet (9b) leading to the outside, and - in the liquid expansion vessel (1) oriented appropriately for operation, the outlet (9b) of the ventilation channel (9) is arranged above the inlet (9a) of the ventilation channel (9), and - in the liquid expansion vessel (1) oriented appropriately for operation, the inlet (9a) of the ventilation channel (9) is arranged above the inlet (5a) of the overflow channel (5) and above the outlet (5b) of the overflow channel (5) and above the outlet (5b) of the overflow channel (5). overflow (5).

10. 0 Liquid expansion vessel (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that - the liquid expansion vessel (1) has a housing (2), in which the receiving space (3) and the overflow space (4) and the overflow channel (5) and the ventilation channel (9) are formed inside the housing (2), or - that the liquid expansion tank (1) has a housing (2) and a channel cover (12), in which the receiving space (3) and the overflow space (4) are formed inside the housing (2) and the overflow channel (5) and the ventilation channel (9) are formed between the housing (2) and the channel cover (12).

11. 1 Liquid expansion tank (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid expansion tank (1) has a water collection chamber (6) and the water collection chamber (6) is fluidically connected to the receiving space (3), and - the water collection chamber (6) is arranged, in the liquid expansion tank (1) oriented in a suitable manner for operation, below the receiving space (3), so that water from the coolant which settles inside the receiving space (3) can be collected in the water collection chamber (6).

12. 2 Liquid expansion tank (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the outlet (3b) for the flow of the coolant into the liquid circuit is arranged at the deepest point of the receiving space (3) and a water discharge opening (6a) for discharging the water collected in the water collection chamber (6) is arranged at the deepest point of the water collection chamber (6), and - in the liquid expansion tank (1) oriented in a manner suitable for operation, the water discharge opening (6a) is arranged below the outlet (3b).

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