Power supply module

Abstract

The invention relates to a power supply module (1) comprising a liquid expansion tank (2) and an air expansion tank (3). The liquid expansion tank (2) and the air expansion tank (3) are formed in a common housing (4). Figure for abstract: (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Power supply module

[0001] The invention relates to a power supply module for a liquid circuit through which a cooling liquid can pass for the immersion cooling of a vehicle battery according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A battery of a vehicle can be cooled by immersion in a liquid circuit comprising a coolant such as oil, for example. To achieve this, the coolant must be tempered, dried and filtered in the liquid circuit. In addition, the filling level of the coolant must be compensated due to a change in volume due to temperature and / or aging. To achieve these functions, the liquid circuit generally comprises a liquid expansion tank, an air expansion tank, a heat exchanger, a dehumidifier, a liquid filter and a liquid pump. The individual elements of the liquid circuit must then be connected to each other in a sophisticated liquid-conducting manner via pipes. This results in several hydraulic interfaces which must be checked and maintained.In addition, the liquid circuit has a high space requirement.

[0003] The objective of the invention is therefore to provide a power supply module in which the disadvantages described are overcome.

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

[0005] The present invention is based on the general idea of integrating a liquid pump and a plate heat exchanger and an expansion tank for liquid and an expansion tank for air and a dehumidifier in one module.

[0006] The supply module according to the invention is provided or designed for a liquid circuit through which a coolant can flow for immersion cooling of a vehicle battery. The coolant can in particular be a liquid such as oil. The supply module has a liquid expansion tank for compensating for a change in the volume of the coolant in the liquid circuit and an air expansion tank for receiving air. The liquid expansion tank is then connected in an air-conducting manner to the air expansion tank to compensate for pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of the coolant in the liquid expansion tank. The supply module has a common housing for the liquid expansion tank and the air expansion tank.The liquid expansion tank and the air expansion tank are formed in the housing and are delimited to the outside by the housing.

[0007] In the supply module according to the invention, the liquid expansion tank and the air expansion tank are formed in the common housing and are thus space-saving. Thus, the supply module has a high degree of integration and can be arranged in the liquid circuit in a space-saving manner. In addition, the degrees of involvement for the customer for assembly, maintenance and testing can be reduced.

[0008] The liquid expansion tank may be formed by a first section of the housing which delimits towards the outside a first space for receiving the coolant. The air expansion tank may be formed by a second section of the housing which delimits towards the outside a second space for receiving the air. The sections of the housing may be formed in one piece against each other or merge integrally into each other. In other words, the two sections may be inseparable. The two spaces may be separated from each other in a liquid-conducting manner inside the housing. An air-conducting connection between the liquid expansion tank and the air expansion tank may be formed inside the housing or directly in the housing, which makes it possible to reduce the space required for the power module and the number of hydraulic interfaces compared to conventional solutions.

[0009] In one possible embodiment of the power module, the housing may have an upper part and a lower part. The upper part and the lower part may thus be formed separately from each other and connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner. In particular, the upper part and the lower part may be welded to each other. The upper part and the lower part may jointly form or realize the two sections of the housing described above. The air expansion tank may then be formed in the upper part and the liquid expansion tank may be formed in certain areas in the upper part of the housing and in certain areas in the lower part of the housing. This design of the housing makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of the housing or the liquid expansion tank and the air expansion tank.

[0010] In a possible embodiment of the supply module, the liquid expansion tank can be divided into a working chamber for receiving the coolant and an overflow chamber for receiving excess coolant from the receiving chamber. The working chamber can then be connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the overflow chamber such that the coolant can flow into the overflow chamber from the working chamber and cannot flow into the working chamber from the overflow chamber. Excess coolant resulting from battery aging in the liquid circuit can be received in the overflow chamber. The liquid expansion vessel or the first space is then connected in a liquid-conducting manner to other elements of the supply module and / or the liquid circuit via the working chamber.

[0011] In one possible embodiment of the supply module, the supply module may have a liquid pump for pumping the coolant into the liquid circuit. The liquid pump may then be attached directly to the housing and connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank. The liquid pump may, for example, be screwed to the housing. This design of the supply module allows the liquid pump to be arranged on the housing in a space-saving manner and the overall space required for the liquid pump in the liquid circuit to be reduced.

[0012] The liquid pump may have a spiral housing for receiving a pump rotor of the liquid pump. The spiral housing may then be formed in one piece with the housing or be formed inseparably from the housing. In particular, the spiral housing of the liquid pump may be injection molded onto the housing. This allows a particularly compact construction of the supply module to be achieved.

[0013] An inlet of the spiral housing of the liquid pump can discharge in a liquid-conducting manner into the liquid expansion tank directly or via a feed formed in the common housing. In other words, no other connecting elements, such as pipes or tubes, can be arranged between the inlet of the spiral housing and the housing. If the spiral housing is formed in one piece with the housing or in such a way as to be inseparable therefrom, then the inlet of the spiral housing can be formed, for example injection-molded, around an associated outlet of the liquid expansion tank. This design makes it possible to reduce the number of hydraulic interfaces in the supply module. The assembly and maintenance costs can be reduced accordingly.

[0014] An outlet of the spiral housing of the liquid pump can be directly connected in a liquid-conducting manner to an inlet of a heat exchanger fixed directly to the spiral housing. In other words, no other connecting elements, such as pipes or tubes, can be arranged between the outlet of the spiral housing and the heat exchanger. This design makes it possible in particular to reduce the number of hydraulic interfaces in the supply module and thus to reduce assembly and maintenance costs.

[0015] In one possible embodiment of the power module, the power module may have a heat exchanger for cooling the coolant in the liquid circuit. The heat exchanger can in particular be a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can be attached directly to the housing and connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank. The heat exchanger can, for example, be screwed to the housing. As described in more detail below, the heat exchanger can be connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank indirectly via the liquid pump described above. This design of the supply module allows the heat exchanger to be arranged on the housing in a space-saving manner and the overall space requirement for the heat exchanger in the liquid circuit to be reduced.

[0016] In one possible embodiment of the supply module, the supply module may have a liquid filter for filtering the coolant in the liquid circuit. The liquid filter may then be arranged in or on the liquid expansion tank and be connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank. If the supply module has a liquid pump, then the liquid filter may be mounted downstream of the liquid pump on the pressure side, or upstream on the suction side. The liquid filter can thus be arranged in a particularly space-saving manner and the number of hydraulic interfaces in the supply module can also be reduced. Installation and maintenance costs can be reduced accordingly.

[0017] In one possible embodiment of the supply module, the supply module may have a dehumidifier for receiving water contained in the coolant. The dehumidifier may then be arranged in or on the liquid expansion tank and be connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank. If the supply module has a liquid pump, then the dehumidifier may be mounted downstream of the liquid pump on the pressure side, or upstream on the suction side. In particular, the dehumidifier may receive the water present in the coolant and thus dry the coolant. The arrangement of the dehumidifier in the liquid expansion tank allows the supply module to be formed in a particularly space-saving manner.In addition, the number of hydraulic interfaces in the power module and, therefore, the assembly and maintenance costs can be reduced.

[0018] As already described above, other elements may be provided in the supply module in addition to the liquid expansion tank and the air expansion tank. These elements may be connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank and to each other. If the supply module has, for example, a liquid pump, then the liquid pump may be mounted liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank. The other elements can then be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner upstream or downstream of the liquid pump. If the supply module has a heat exchanger, then the heat exchanger can be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank. If the supply module has a liquid pump and a heat exchanger, then the liquid pump can be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank and the heat exchanger can be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid pump.If the power module has a dehumidifier and a liquid pump, then the liquid pump can be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank and the liquid filter can be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream or upstream of the liquid pump. If the power module has a liquid filter and a liquid pump, then the liquid pump can be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank and the dehumidifier can be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream or upstream of the liquid pump. If the power module has a dehumidifier and a liquid filter, then the dehumidifier can be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner upstream of the liquid filter.

[0019] In one possible embodiment of the supply module, the air expansion tank may have an air inlet leading from the outside to the air expansion tank and an air outlet means leading from the air expansion tank to the outside. The supply module may then have an air dryer and / or a valve which are mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the air inlet. Alternatively or additionally, the supply module may have a hydrocarbon separator and / or a valve which are mounted in a liquid-conducting manner upstream of the air outlet means. The air inlet and the air outlet means make it possible to compensate for pressure differences in the air expansion tank.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the diagrams and are explained in more detail in the following description, the same signs of reference referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0023] The following are shown, respectively schematically:

[0024] [Fig-1]: view of a power supply module according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig.2]: view of a liquid circuit comprising the supply module according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig. 1] shows a view of a power supply module 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. The power supply module 1 is then provided or designed for a liquid circuit 12 through which a cooling liquid can flow, see for this purpose [Fig. 2], for the immersion cooling of a vehicle battery. In the first embodiment, the power supply module 1 comprises a liquid expansion tank 2 and an air expansion tank 3, which are formed in a common housing 4 of the power supply module 1.

[0027] In this case, the liquid expansion tank 2 is formed by a first section 4a of the housing 4, the first section 4a delimiting towards the outside a first space 5a for receiving the coolant. The liquid expansion tank 2 or the first space 5a is then divided into a working chamber 2a and an overflow chamber 2b. The overflow chamber 2b is connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the working chamber 2a in such a way that the coolant can flow from the working chamber 2a into the overflow chamber 2b and cannot flow in the opposite direction. The excess coolant resulting from the aging of the battery in the liquid circuit 12, see for this purpose [Fig. 2], can be received in the overflow chamber 2b.The liquid expansion vessel 2 or the first space 5a is then connected in a liquid-conducting manner to other elements of the supply module 1 and / or the liquid circuit 12 via the working chamber 2a.

[0028] The air expansion vessel 3 is formed by a second section 4b of the housing 4, said section 4b delimiting towards the outside a second space 5b for receiving the air. The two sections 4a and 4b of the housing 4 are formed integrally against each other or in such a way as to be inseparable. The air expansion vessel 3 can be connected in an air-conducting manner to the environment via an air supply 16a and an air discharge means 16b, see for this purpose [Fig. 2]. The supply module 1 can then have an air dryer for the air supply 16a and / or a hydrocarbon separator for the air discharge means 16b. The air entering via the air supply 16a may be dried via the dryer and / or the hydrocarbons may be separated from the air leaving via the air discharge means 16b via the hydrocarbon separator.In addition, the power module 1 may have a valve. mounted downstream of the air supply 16a and / or a valve mounted upstream of the air discharge means 16b for closing and / or opening the air supply 16a and the air discharge means 16b.

[0029] The housing 4 further comprises a lower part 6a and an upper part 6b which are connected in a liquid-tight manner, for example welded, to each other. The liquid expansion tank 2 or the first space 5a is formed in certain areas in the lower part 6a and in certain areas in the upper part 6b. The air expansion tank 3 or the second space 5b is then formed in the upper part 6b. Furthermore, the housing 4 comprises a cover 6c which closes the second space 5b at the upper part 6b. The housing 4 may for example be formed from plastic.

[0030] The liquid expansion tank 2 or the first space 5a and the air expansion tank 3 or the second space 5b are separated from each other in a liquid-tight manner within the housing 4 and are connected in a liquid-conducting manner exclusively via a line 7. The line 7 is then formed on the housing 4 or is formed integrally or in one piece with the housing 4. The line 7 makes it possible to compensate for pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of the coolant in the liquid expansion tank 2 with air from the air expansion tank 3. The working chamber 2a and the overflow chamber 2b are further connected in a liquid-conducting manner to each other via the line 7.Thus, the line 7 allows excess coolant to flow into the overflow chamber 2b from the working chamber 2a before the excess coolant flows into the second space 5b or into the air expansion tank 3. The excess coolant can then result from the aging of the battery 13 in the liquid circuit 12, see [Fig. 2] for this purpose. Over time, the battery cells of the battery 13 expand and thus permanently displace the coolant. This excess coolant can then be stored in the overflow chamber 2b and, if necessary, drained off during maintenance or removed from the liquid circuit 12.

[0031] The supply module 1 further comprises a liquid pump 8 which is directly fixed to the housing 4. For this purpose, the liquid pump 8 can, for example, be screwed to the housing 4. Alternatively, the liquid pump can have a spiral housing which is injection-molded onto the housing 4. The liquid pump 8 is then connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank 2 or to the working chamber 2a of the liquid expansion tank 2. A hydraulic interface 9 between the liquid pump 8 and the housing 4 can, for example, be sealed to the outside by means of an O-ring or a molded seal. Furthermore, the module supply module 1 comprises a heat exchanger 10 which is directly fixed to the housing 4. For this purpose, the heat exchanger 10 can for example be screwed to the housing 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the heat exchanger 10 is a plate heat exchanger. Furthermore, the supply module 1 may have a dehumidifier and / or a liquid filter which can be arranged inside the liquid expansion tank 2 or the first space 5a or the working chamber 2a or on the liquid expansion tank 2.

[0032] [Fig. 2] shows a view of a liquid circuit 12 comprising the supply module 1 according to the invention. The liquid circuit 12 comprises, in addition to the supply module 1, a battery 13 cooled by immersion of a vehicle. Here, the passage of the coolant is indicated by continuous arrows and the passage of the air by broken arrows. The coolant may in particular be a liquid such as for example oil.

[0033] The supply module 1 comprises the liquid expansion vessel 2, the air expansion vessel 3, the liquid pump 8, the heat exchanger 10, a liquid filter 14 and a dehumidifier 15. In the supply module 1, the liquid pump 8 is mounted downstream of the liquid expansion vessel 2 and is connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the working chamber 2a of the liquid expansion vessel 2 via an inlet 11. Furthermore, the heat exchanger 10 is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid pump 8, the dehumidifier 15 is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the heat exchanger 10 and the liquid filter 14 is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the dehumidifier 15. The dehumidifier 15 can alternatively be arranged in the liquid expansion vessel 2 and be mounted in a liquid-conducting manner. liquid upstream of it.

[0034] In the liquid circuit 12, the coolant is discharged by the liquid pump 8. The coolant then flows into a main circuit HK via the liquid pump 8, the heat exchanger 10, the dehumidifier 15, the liquid filter 145 and the battery 13. In the event of a change in the volume of the coolant in the main circuit HK, the coolant can flow from the main circuit HK into the working chamber 2a of the liquid expansion tank 2 via a secondary circuit NK or flow from the working chamber 2a into the main circuit HK via the inlet 11.

[0035] The working chamber 2a is then connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the air expansion vessel 3, so that the air contained in the air expansion vessel 3 can compensate for the pressure differences in the working chamber 2a. For this purpose, the air expansion vessel 3 is connected to the environment, as already described above, via the air supply 16a and the air discharge means 16b, in a manner enabling air exchange. Furthermore, the working chamber 2a is connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the overflow chamber 2b. The overflow chamber 2b can then, as already described above, receive excess coolant from the working chamber 2a. The excess coolant can then be discharged to the outside via a discharge means 17 during maintenance.

Claims

Claims

1. 1 Supply module (1) for a liquid circuit (12) through which a coolant can flow for immersion cooling of a battery (13) of a vehicle, - wherein the supply module (1) has a liquid expansion tank (2) for compensating for a change in the volume of the coolant in the liquid circuit (12) and an air expansion tank (3) for receiving air, - wherein the liquid expansion tank (2) is connected in an air-conducting manner to the air expansion tank (3) for compensating for pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of the coolant in the liquid expansion tank (2), - wherein the supply module (1) has a common housing (4) for the liquid expansion tank (2) and the air expansion tank (3),and - wherein the liquid expansion tank (2) and the air expansion tank (3) are formed in the housing (4) and are delimited outwardly by the housing (4).,

2. 2 Power supply module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the liquid expansion tank (2) is formed by a first section (4a) of the housing (4), which delimits towards the outside a first space (5a) for receiving the coolant, and - the air expansion tank (3) is formed by a second section (4b) of the housing (4), which delimits towards the outside a second space (5b) for receiving the air, - the first section (4a) of the housing (4) and the second section (4b) of the housing (4) merge completely into each other.

3. 3 Power supply module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - the housing (4) has a lower part (6a) and an upper part (6b), wherein the lower part (4a) and the upper part (4b) are formed separately from each other and connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner, and - that the liquid expansion tank (2) is formed in certain areas in the lower part (6a) of the housing (4) and in certain areas in the upper part (6b) of the housing (4), and - that the air expansion tank (3) is formed in the upper part (6b).

4. 4 Power module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the liquid expansion tank (2) is divided into a working chamber (2a) for receiving the coolant from the liquid circuit (12) and an overflow chamber (2b) for receiving excess coolant from the receiving chamber (2a), and - the working chamber (2a) is connected to the overflow chamber (2b) in such a way that the coolant can pass into the overflow chamber (2b) from the working chamber (2a) and cannot pass into the working chamber (2a) from the overflow chamber (2b).

5. 5 Supply module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the supply module (1) has a liquid pump (8) for delivering the coolant into the liquid circuit (12), and - the liquid pump (8) is fixed directly to the housing (4) and is connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank (2).

6. 6 Supply module (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that - the liquid pump (8) has a spiral housing for receiving a pump rotor of the liquid pump (8), and - the spiral housing is formed in one piece with the housing (4).

7. 7 Power supply module (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that - an inlet of the spiral housing of the liquid pump (8) opens in a liquid-conducting manner into the expansion tank for liquid (2) directly or via an inlet (11) formed in the housing (4), and / or - that an outlet of the spiral housing of the liquid pump (8) is directly connected in a liquid-conducting manner to an inlet of a heat exchanger (10) fixed directly to the housing (4).

8. 8 Supply module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the supply module (1) has a heat exchanger (10) for cooling the coolant in the liquid circuit (12), and - the heat exchanger (10) is fixed directly to the housing (4) and is connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank (2).

9. 9 Supply module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the supply module (1) has a liquid filter (14) for filtering the coolant in the liquid circuit (12), and - the liquid filter (14) is arranged in or on the liquid expansion tank (2) and is connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank (2).

10. 10 Supply module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the supply module (1) has a dehumidifier (15) for receiving water contained in the coolant, and - the dehumidifier (15) is arranged in or on the liquid expansion tank (2) and is connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the liquid expansion tank (2).

11. 11 Supply module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the supply module (1) has a liquid pump (8), wherein the liquid pump (8) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank (2), and / or

12. - that the supply module (1) has a heat exchanger (10), in which the heat exchanger (10) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank (2), and / or - that the supply module (1) has a liquid pump (8) and a heat exchanger (10), in which the liquid pump (8) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank (2) and the heat exchanger (10) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid pump (8), and / or - that the supply module (1) has a liquid filter (14) and a liquid pump (8), in which the liquid pump (8) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank (2) and the liquid filter (14) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream or upstream of the liquid pump (8), and / or - that the supply module (1) has a dehumidifier (15) and a liquid pump (8), in which the liquid pump (8) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the liquid expansion tank (2) and the dehumidifier (15) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream or upstream of the liquid pump (8), and / or - that the supply module (1) has a liquid filter (14) and a dehumidifier (15), wherein the dehumidifier (15) is mounted in a liquid-conducting manner upstream of the liquid filter (14). 12 Power supply module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the air expansion tank (3) has an air inlet (16a) leading from the outside to the air expansion tank (3) and an air outlet means (16b) leading from the air expansion tank (3) to the outside, and - that the supply module (1) has an air dryer and / or a valve which are mounted in a liquid-conducting manner downstream of the air supply (16a), and / or a hydrocarbon separator and / or a valve which are mounted in a liquid-conducting manner upstream of the air discharge means (16b).

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