Fluid compensation container

Abstract

To provide a fluid compensation container to compensate for changes in the volume of cooling fluid in a fluid circuit for liquid immersion cooling of a vehicle battery.SOLUTION: A fluid compensation container (1) includes a containment chamber (3) for containing a cooling fluid and an overflow chamber (4) for accommodating excess cooling fluid from the containment chamber (3). The containment chamber (3) and the overflow chamber (4) are fluidically connected via an overflow passage (5).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid compensation container for compensating for volume changes of a cooling fluid in a fluid circuit for immersion cooling of a battery of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 .

[0002] A vehicle battery may be immersion-cooled with a cooling fluid, e.g., oil, in a fluid circuit. In this case, the fill level of the cooling fluid must be compensated for due to temperature-induced volume changes. To achieve this function, the fluid circuit typically includes a fluid compensation container. However, volume changes of the cooling fluid may also occur due to battery degradation. The volume change due to degradation is irreversible, resulting in a constant excess amount of cooling fluid in the fluid circuit as the battery ages. Due to this volume change, compensation is required in the cooling system, so the fluid compensation container must be constantly vented. In this case, the excess amount of cooling fluid must be stored in the fluid compensation container, at least temporarily. This requires a larger fluid compensation container. In this case, the fluid compensation container ideally should not increase its base area, while at the same time maintaining its venting function, in order to avoid providing additional space for the movement of the cooling fluid during operation, for example, due to sloshing or tilting.

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved or at least alternative embodiment of the fluid compensation container of the type described at the beginning, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are eliminated.

[0004] This problem 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 basic idea of the present invention is therefore to contain the excess amount of cooling fluid in an additional overflow container.

[0006] The fluid compensation container according to the present invention is provided or designed to compensate for volume changes of a cooling fluid in a fluid circuit for immersion cooling of a vehicle battery. The cooling fluid may in particular be a coolant, for example oil. In this case, the fluid compensation container has a storage chamber for storing the cooling fluid. Furthermore, the storage chamber has an inlet for allowing the cooling fluid to flow in from the fluid circuit and an outlet for allowing the cooling fluid to flow out into the fluid circuit. According to the present invention, the fluid compensation container has an overflow chamber for storing excess cooling fluid from the storage chamber. The fluid compensation container also has an overflow passage leading from the storage chamber to the overflow chamber. In this case, the overflow chamber and the storage chamber are fluidly connected to each other exclusively via the overflow passage.

[0007] In the fluid compensation container according to the present invention, excess cooling fluid generated due to volume changes caused by temperature and / or deterioration can be guided from the storage chamber into the overflow chamber and stored there. This allows the excess cooling fluid to be removed from the fluid circuit, simplifying the guidance of the cooling fluid within the fluid circuit. Furthermore, the storage chamber and therefore the fluid compensation container as a whole can be made more compact.

[0008] For emptying, the overflow chamber may have an outlet opening leading to the outside. This outlet opening may preferably be located at the lowest point of the overflow chamber when the fluid compensation container is oriented in the direction suitable for operation. Via the outlet opening, excess cooling fluid can be easily guided out of the overflow chamber or the fluid compensation container. Since the excess cooling fluid is already separated from the fluid circuit in the overflow chamber, emptying the overflow chamber does not affect the required amount of cooling fluid in the fluid circuit. This makes it particularly easy to remove excess cooling fluid from the fluid circuit.

[0009] To detect the level of excess cooling fluid in the overflow chamber, the fluid compensation container may have a level measuring sensor. This level measuring sensor may be preferably arranged in the overflow chamber and may send a signal to a user when the overflow chamber is filled. Accordingly, this can reliably prevent the overflow chamber from being overfilled. Therefore, the overflow chamber may have a relatively small volume, or at least a volume smaller than that of the receiving chamber.

[0010] In the fluid circuit, the cooling fluid may flow into the chamber via the inlet and out of the chamber via the outlet. When the fluid compensation container is oriented in a suitable direction for operation, the inlet may be located at the highest point of the chamber and the outlet may be located at the lowest point of the chamber. In this case, the outlet of the chamber may be located lower than the aforementioned outlet opening of the overflow chamber when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a suitable direction for operation.

[0011] The overflow passage may be shaped such that, when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, cooling fluid cannot reach the storage chamber from the overflow chamber. This prevents cooling fluid that has reached the overflow chamber from the storage chamber from reaching the storage chamber and thus from being returned to the fluid circuit. In other words, cooling fluid can only flow from the storage chamber to the overflow chamber and cannot flow back. The overflow passage may also be shaped such that pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of cooling fluid in the overflow chamber can be compensated for via the overflow passage. Thus, air can flow from the storage chamber to the overflow chamber and also back through the overflow passage. This compensates for pressure differences between the storage chamber and the overflow chamber. In particular, this prevents pressure-induced overflow of cooling fluid from the overflow chamber into the storage chamber and vice versa.

[0012] The overflow passage may have an inlet leading to the storage chamber and an outlet leading to the overflow chamber. In this case, when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the inlet of the overflow passage may be positioned higher than the outlet of the overflow passage. This allows excess cooling fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet under the effect of gravity. Furthermore, cooling fluid that reaches the overflow passage will not flow back into the storage chamber.

[0013] The fluid compensation container may have a wall portion shaped to surround the inlet and a wall portion shaped to surround the outlet. In this case, the wall portion shaped to surround the inlet and the wall portion shaped to surround the outlet may merge into one another via a step. In this case, when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the wall portion shaped to surround the inlet may be arranged higher than the wall portion shaped to surround the outlet. The step may be arranged, for example, in a direction transverse to the extension direction of the overflow passage between the inlet and the outlet of the overflow passage. When the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the wall portion forming the step may form the bottom of the overflow passage. Inside the overflow passage, the step can, on the one hand, support the flow of excess cooling fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and, on the other hand, prevent backflow of cooling fluid from the outlet to the inlet.

[0014] The fluid compensation container may have a partition wall. This partition wall may be arranged in the overflow passage in a direction transverse to the extension direction of the overflow passage and between the inlet and the outlet of the overflow passage. In this case, the partition wall may reduce the cross section through which the overflow passage can flow. The partition wall may be molded into a wall portion of the fluid compensation container that defines the overflow passage. When the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the partition wall may be molded from above toward the bottom of the overflow passage. The partition wall can serve to prevent backflow of the cooling fluid inside the overflow passage of the fluid compensation container, particularly when the force acting on the cooling fluid changes rapidly along the extension direction of the passage.

[0015] When the fluid compensation container has a partition wall and a step, the partition wall and the step may be molded on opposing wall portions of the fluid compensation container that form the overflow passage. In this case, the partition wall and the step may be oriented parallel to each other, and a slit through which a flow can pass may be molded between the partition wall and the step. As already mentioned above, when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the step may be molded on the bottom of the overflow passage, and the partition wall may be oriented from above toward the bottom of the overflow passage. The partition wall and the step can particularly effectively prevent a backflow of the cooling fluid inside the overflow passage.

[0016] In one possible embodiment of the fluid compensation container, the fluid compensation container may have a housing, in which the storage chamber, the overflow chamber, and the overflow passage are molded or formed. In this case, the housing walls that define the storage chamber, the overflow chamber, and the overflow passage may merge into one another in an integrated manner. In other words, the storage chamber, the overflow chamber, and the overflow passage may be accommodated in a common housing and / or may be inseparably molded from one another. In this case, the housing may be molded or formed from multiple parts. In particular, the housing may have an upper part and a lower part that are fluid-tightly connected to one another. For example, the storage chamber and the overflow chamber may be molded partly in the upper part and partly in the lower part. The overflow passage may be molded, for example, in the upper part, or alternatively, partly in the upper part and partly in the lower part. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the number of hydraulic interfaces between the storage chamber and the overflow chamber and the number of components.

[0017] In a possible alternative embodiment of the fluid compensation container, the fluid compensation container may have a housing and a passage cover, the storage chamber and the overflow chamber being molded inside the housing, and the overflow passage being molded between the housing and the passage cover. Preferably, a seal may be arranged between the passage cover and the housing, thereby sealing the overflow passage from the outside. Unlike the previously described embodiment, in this embodiment the passage cover partially molds the overflow passage. The storage chamber and the overflow chamber remain molded inside the housing, as in the previously described embodiment. In this embodiment, the housing may also be molded from multiple parts. In particular, the housing may have an upper part and a lower part. In this case, the overflow passage may be molded between the upper part of the housing and the passage cover. In this embodiment, the housing and the passage cover can be manufactured easily, since no complex structures or shapes need to be molded inside the housing. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fluid compensation container can be made particularly compact.

[0018] Regardless of the embodiment, the housing and possibly the passage cover may be molded from plastic, which may be, for example, electrically conductive so that charge can be conducted away from the fluid compensation container, or which may have low or no diffusion properties so that water ingress into the cooling fluid can be prevented.

[0019] The fluid compensation container may have a ventilation passage leading from the storage chamber to the outside. This ventilation passage may be fluidly connected to, for example, an air compensation container. The ventilation passage may be shaped so that cooling fluid cannot reach the ventilation passage when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation. In this case, the ventilation passage may be designed to compensate for pressure differences caused by different filling levels of cooling fluid in the storage chamber. In this case, the overflow passage may be arranged or shaped inside the ventilation passage. This simplifies the shape of the fluid compensation container and therefore its manufacture.

[0020] As already mentioned above, the overflow passage may have an inlet leading to the storage chamber and an outlet leading to the overflow chamber. The ventilation passage may have an inlet leading to the storage chamber and an outlet leading to the outside. When the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the outlet of the ventilation passage may be arranged above the inlet of the ventilation passage. Furthermore, when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the inlet of the ventilation passage may be arranged above the inlet of the overflow passage and above the outlet of the overflow passage. This makes it possible to combine the overflow passage and the ventilation passage, while still achieving fluid separation between the ventilation passage, through which air can flow, and the overflow passage, through which cooling fluid can flow.

[0021] The overflow passage may have a housing, as already described above. In this case, the storage chamber, the overflow chamber, the overflow passage, and the ventilation passage may be formed inside the housing. Alternatively, the fluid compensation container may have a housing and a passage cover, as already described above. In this case, the storage chamber and the overflow chamber may be molded inside the housing, and the overflow passage and the ventilation passage may be molded between the housing and the passage cover. In this case, the housing may be molded as already described above.

[0022] The fluid compensation container may further include a water collection chamber, which may be fluidly connected to the storage chamber. In this case, the water collection chamber may be located below the storage chamber when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, so that water descending from the cooling fluid inside the storage chamber can be collected in the water collection chamber. The water collection chamber and the storage chamber may be separated from each other, for example, by a sloshing protection cover. At least one opening may be provided in the sloshing protection cover to allow water to flow from the storage chamber into the water collection chamber.

[0023] Additionally, it may be specified that the outlet for discharging the cooling fluid into the fluid circuit is arranged at the lowest point of the storage chamber, and the water flow-down opening for letting the water collected in the water collecting chamber flow down is arranged at the lowest point of the water collecting chamber. Since the water collecting chamber is located below the storage chamber when the fluid compensation container is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, in this case the water flow-down opening of the water collecting chamber is arranged lower than the outlet of the storage chamber.

[0024] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and the corresponding description of the drawings based on the drawings.

[0025] Naturally, the features mentioned above and those further described below can be used not only in the combinations described respectively, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical elements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view of a fluid compensation container according to the present invention in a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fluid compensation container according to the present invention in a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fluid compensation container according to the present invention in a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fluid compensation container according to the invention in a first embodiment at the water collection chamber; [Figure 5] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively high fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 6]2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively high fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 7] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively high fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 8] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively high fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 9] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively high fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 10] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively low fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 11] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively low fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 12] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively low fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 13] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively low fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 14] 2A-2C are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively low fill level of cooling fluid at different positions; [Figure 15] 1A-1D are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a filled overflow chamber in different positions; [Figure 16] 1A-1D are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a filled overflow chamber in different positions; [Figure 17]1A-1D are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a filled overflow chamber in different positions; [Figure 18] 1A-1D are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a filled overflow chamber in different positions; [Figure 19] 1A-1D are schematic views of a fluid compensation vessel according to the invention in a first embodiment with a filled overflow chamber in different positions; [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fluid compensation container according to the present invention in a second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fluid compensation container according to the present invention in a second embodiment. [Figure 22] 3 is a schematic view of a fluid compensation container according to the invention in a second embodiment without a passage cover. [Figure 23] 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a fluid compensation container according to the invention in a second embodiment without a passage cover; FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a fluid compensation container according to the invention in a second embodiment with a passage cover; FIG. [Figure 25] 10 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a fluid compensation container according to the invention in a second embodiment with a passage cover; FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fluid compensation container according to the present invention in a second embodiment.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a diagram of a fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. This fluid compensation vessel 1 is designed or provided for compensating for volume changes of a cooling fluid in a fluid circuit for immersion cooling of a vehicle battery. In Figure 1, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented in a suitable direction for operation with respect to the gravitational force G of the Earth. Hereinafter, elements of the fluid compensation vessel 1 that are not directly visible are shown with dashed lines.

[0029] In this case, the fluid compensation container 1 has a housing 2 with an upper part 2a and a lower part 2b that are fluid-tightly connected, for example, welded, to each other. The fluid compensation container 1 has a storage chamber 3 and an overflow chamber 4 that are fluidly connected to each other via an overflow passage 5. In this case, the overflow passage 5 has an inlet 5a leading to the storage chamber 3 and an outlet 5b leading to the overflow chamber 4. In this case, the overflow passage 5 is shaped so that excess cooling fluid from the storage chamber 3 can flow into the overflow chamber 4 and cannot flow back. This ensures that excess cooling fluid generated by volume changes due to temperature and / or deterioration is stored in the overflow chamber. In this case, the storage chamber 3, the overflow chamber 4, and the overflow passage 5 are molded into the housing 2. This housing 2 may be molded, for example, from plastic.

[0030] The storage chamber 3 has an inlet 3a leading from the outside to the storage chamber 3 and an outlet 3b leading from the storage chamber 3 to the outside. The storage chamber 3 of the fluid compensation container 1 is integrated into the fluid circuit via the inlet 3a and the outlet 3b. For this purpose, the inlet 3a and the outlet 3b may be fluidly connected to other components of the fluid circuit. In this case, the fluid circuit and the other components of the fluid circuit are not part of the present invention. The cooling fluid can flow from the fluid circuit into the storage chamber 3 or the fluid compensation container 1 via the inlet 3a, and the cooling fluid can flow from the storage chamber 3 or the fluid compensation container 1 into the fluid circuit via the outlet 3b. When the fluid compensation container 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the outlet 3b is preferably located as centrally as possible in the recessed area of the storage chamber 3.

[0031] The fluid container 1 further has a water collection chamber 6 with a water downflow opening 6a, which leads to the outside. When the fluid compensation container 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the water collection chamber 6 is located below the storage chamber 3 and is fluidly connected to the storage chamber 3, so that water from the cooling fluid can fall downward and be collected in the water collection chamber 6. The water collected in the water collection chamber 6 can be allowed to flow down through the water downflow opening 6a. When the fluid compensation container 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the water downflow opening 6a is preferably located at the lowest point of the water collection chamber 6, lower than the outlet 3b of the storage chamber 3. The structure of the water collection chamber 6 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0032] The fluid compensation container 1 further has an outlet opening 7 leading from the overflow chamber 4 to the outside. This outlet opening 7 is preferably located at the lowest point of the overflow chamber 4 when the fluid compensation container 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation. The fluid compensation container 1 is further equipped with a filling level measuring sensor 8 which detects the filling level of excess cooling fluid in the overflow chamber 4. If the overflow chamber 4 is full, the user can be informed via a signal from the filling level measuring sensor 8 and can manually guide the excess cooling fluid outwards from the overflow chamber 4 or from the fluid compensation container 1 via the outlet opening 7.

[0033] Furthermore, the fluid compensation container 1 has a ventilation channel 9 leading from the storage chamber 3 to the outside. For this purpose, this ventilation channel 9 has an inlet 9a leading to the storage chamber 3 and an outlet 9b leading to the outside or to the air compensation container. The storage chamber 3 can be pneumatically connected to the air compensation container via the ventilation channel 9, so that pressure differences resulting from different filling levels of cooling fluid in the storage chamber 3 can be compensated for. In this case, the air compensation container is not part of the present invention.

[0034] The fluid compensation vessel 1 further has a closure screw 10 and an opening 11. This opening 11 leads from the receiving chamber 3 to the outside and is closed by the closure screw 10. The fluid compensation vessel 1 and thus the fluid circuit can be filled with cooling fluid via the opening 11.

[0035] Figures 2 and 3 show cross-sectional views of a fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the present invention in a first embodiment. With the fluid compensation vessel 1 oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the cross-sectional plane is oriented vertically in Figure 2 and horizontally in Figure 3. In Figures 2 and 3, the flow direction of the cooling fluid is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow direction of the air is indicated by dashed arrows. In Figures 2 and 3, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation with respect to the gravitational force G of the Earth.

[0036] As already mentioned above, excess cooling fluid can reach the overflow chamber 4 from the storage chamber 3 and accumulate there. In this case, a backflow of cooling fluid from the overflow chamber 4 into the storage chamber 3 is prevented or at least largely prevented. However, air can reach the overflow chamber 4 from the storage chamber 3 via the overflow channel 4, thereby compensating for pressure differences in the overflow chamber 4 that arise due to different filling levels of cooling fluid.

[0037] In the fluid compensation container 1, the overflow passage 5 and the ventilation passage 9 are combined. In this case, when the fluid compensation container 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the ventilation passage 9 is arranged above the overflow passage 5, so that the cooling fluid does not reach the outside or into the air compensation container. Referring to FIG. 2, for this purpose, the outlet 9b of the ventilation passage 9 is located above the inlet 9a of the ventilation passage 9. Furthermore, the inlet 9a of the ventilation passage 9 is located above the inlet 5a and outlet 5b of the overflow passage 5, so that the cooling fluid does not reach the inlet 9a. Furthermore, the inlet 5a of the overflow passage 5 is located above the outlet 5b, so that the cooling fluid can flow from the inlet 5a to the outlet 5b when it reaches the overflow passage 5.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid compensation container 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment at the water collection chamber 6. As can be particularly clearly seen in this figure, when the fluid compensation container 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the water collection chamber 6 is located below the storage chamber 3. In this case, the storage chamber 3 and the water collection chamber 6 are separated from each other by a sloshing protection cover 17 and are fluidly connected via an opening 18 provided in this sloshing protection cover 17. As can also be seen in Figure 4, a protruding collar 19 is molded into the storage chamber 3, surrounding the outlet 3b. This collar 19 can prevent water from flowing into the outlet 3b.

[0039] 5 to 9 show views of the fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the present invention in a first embodiment with a relatively high filling level of cooling fluid in the accommodation chamber 3. In FIGS. 5 to 9, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. In FIG. 5, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is shown at rest, with the cooling fluid filling plane F oriented horizontally. Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 during braking, FIG. 7 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 during acceleration, FIG. 8 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 when turning in one direction, and FIG. 9 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 when turning in another direction. In FIGS. 6 to 9, the cooling fluid filling plane F is oriented at an angle corresponding to the acting force. As can be seen from FIGS. 5 to 9, when the cooling fluid filling plane F is oriented in any direction, a sufficient amount of cooling fluid remains at the outlet 3b of the accommodation chamber 3, so that cooling fluid is always supplied to the fluid circuit. Furthermore, unless additional volume due to battery deterioration is present in the storage chamber 3, the cooling fluid will not flow into the inlet 5a of the overflow passage 5, thereby ensuring that the cooling fluid is not unnecessarily extracted from the fluid circuit.

[0040] 10 to 14 show views of the fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment with a relatively low filling level of cooling fluid in the accommodation chamber 3. In FIGS. 10 to 14, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. In this case, FIG. 10 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 at rest, FIG. 11 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 during braking, FIG. 12 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 during acceleration, FIG. 13 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 when turning in one direction, and FIG. 14 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 when turning in another direction. As can be seen from FIGS. 10 to 14, even in these figures, when the filling plane F of the cooling fluid is oriented in any direction, a sufficient amount of cooling fluid remains at the outlet 3b of the accommodation chamber 3, so that cooling fluid is always supplied to the fluid circuit.

[0041] 15 to 19 show views of the fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment with a filled overflow chamber 4. In FIGS. 15 to 19, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented in a suitable direction for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. In this case, FIG. 15 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 at rest, FIG. 16 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 during braking, FIG. 17 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 during acceleration, FIG. 18 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 during a turn in one direction, and FIG. 19 shows the fluid compensation vessel 1 during a turn in another direction. As can be seen from FIGS. 15 to 19, in the fluid tilt position, it is important to pay attention to ensuring that the cooling fluid present in the overflow chamber 4 does not rise to the outlet 5b of the overflow passage 5. This allows the cooling fluid to reach the storage chamber 3 from the overflow chamber 4 when the filling plane F is not oriented.

[0042] Figures 20 and 21 show views of a fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment. In Figures 20 and 21, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the fluid compensation vessel 1 has a housing 2 and a passage cover 12. In this case, the overflow passage 5 and the vent passage 9 are molded between the housing 2 or the upper part 2a of the housing 2 and the passage cover 12. Figures 20 and 21 also show a shut-off valve 13.

[0043] FIG. 22 shows a view of the fluid compensation container 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention without the passage cover 12. In this figure, the fluid compensation container 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. As can be seen in FIG. 22, the inlet 5a of the overflow passage 5 is located above the outlet 5b of the overflow passage 5, so that the cooling fluid can flow from the inlet 5a to the outlet 5b upon reaching the overflow passage 5. Furthermore, the inlet 9a of the ventilation passage 9 is located above the inlet 5a and the outlet 5b of the overflow passage 5, so that the cooling fluid does not reach the inlet 9a. Furthermore, a step 14 is arranged in the overflow passage 5 between the inlet 5a and the outlet 5b, preventing the cooling fluid from flowing back in the overflow passage 5. Also visible in FIG. 22 is the inlet 3a to the storage chamber 3, which is partially surrounded on the outside by the passage cover 12. The inlet 3 a is preferably fluidly separated from the overflow passage 5 and the vent passage 9 by a passage cover 12 .

[0044] Figure 23 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment without the passage cover 12. In Figure 23, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented for operation with respect to the gravitational force G of the Earth. In Figure 23, the step 14 and the slope of the overflow passage 5 from the inlet 5a to the outlet 5b can be seen in particular.

[0045] 24 and 25 show partial cross-sectional views of the fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention with the passage cover 12. In these figures, the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation with respect to the Earth's gravitational force G. As can be seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, the passage cover 12 is formed with a partition wall 15 that protrudes into the overflow passage 5 and is arranged on the step 13. This partition wall 15 can prevent or at least prevent overflow of the cooling fluid due to sloshing from the overflow chamber 4 into the storage chamber 3. In this case, a slit 16 is formed between the partition wall 15 and the step 13, which allows the cooling fluid to flow from the storage chamber 3 into the overflow chamber 4.

[0046] Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid compensation vessel 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the fluid compensation vessel 1 is oriented in a direction suitable for operation with respect to the gravitational force G of the Earth. In particular, the inlet 9a of the ventilation passage 9 can be seen in Figure 26.

Claims

1. A fluid compensation vessel (1) for compensating for volume changes of a cooling fluid in a fluid circuit for immersion cooling a battery of a vehicle, comprising: The fluid compensation vessel (1) has a chamber (3) for containing the cooling fluid, The chamber (3) has an inlet (3a) for allowing the cooling fluid to flow in from the fluid circuit and an outlet (3b) for allowing the cooling fluid to flow out into the fluid circuit. In the fluid compensation vessel (1), The fluid compensation vessel (1) has an overflow chamber (4) for receiving excess cooling fluid from the storage chamber (3), The fluid compensation container (1) has an overflow passage (5) leading from the storage chamber (3) to the overflow chamber (4), The storage chamber (3) and the overflow chamber (4) are fluidly connected to each other only via the overflow passage (5). A fluid compensation vessel (1) characterized in that:

2. the overflow passage (5) is shaped in such a way that the cooling fluid cannot reach the overflow chamber (4) into the receiving chamber (3) when the fluid compensation vessel (1) is oriented in a suitable direction for operation, and / or The overflow passage (5) is shaped in such a way that pressure differences caused by different filling levels of the cooling fluid in the overflow chamber (4) can be compensated via the overflow passage (5). A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is

3. The overflow passage (5) has an inlet (5a) leading to the storage chamber (3) and an outlet (5b) leading to the overflow chamber (4), When the fluid compensation vessel (1) is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the inlet (5a) of the overflow passage (5) is located above the outlet (5b) of the overflow passage (5).

3. A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises:

4. The fluid compensation container (1) has a wall portion shaped to surround the inlet (5a) of the overflow passage (5) and a wall portion shaped to surround the outlet (5b) of the overflow passage (5), the wall portion shaped to surround the inlet (5a) and the wall portion shaped to surround the outlet (5b) merge into one piece via a step (14); When the fluid compensation vessel (1) is oriented in a suitable direction for operation, the wall portion shaped to surround the inlet (5a) is located above the wall portion shaped to surround the outlet (5b).

4. A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it is

5. The fluid compensation container (1) has a partition wall (15), and the partition wall (15) is arranged in the overflow passage (5) in a direction transverse to the extension direction of the overflow passage (5), The partition (15) is disposed between the inlet (5a) of the overflow passage (5) and the outlet (5b) of the overflow passage (5), and reduces the cross section through which the overflow passage (5) can pass.

5. A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it is

6. The partition wall (15) and the step (13) are formed on opposing wall portions of the fluid compensation container (1) that form the overflow passage (5) and are oriented in parallel directions to each other; A slit (16) through which fluid can pass is formed between the partition wall (15) and the step portion (13). A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that

7. The fluid compensation vessel (1) has a housing (2), and the storage chamber (3), the overflow chamber (4), and the overflow passage (5) are formed inside the housing (2); or The fluid compensation container (1) has a housing (2) and a passage cover (12), the storage chamber (3) and the overflow chamber (4) are molded inside the housing (2), and the overflow passage (5) is molded between the housing (2) and the passage cover (12). A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is

8. The fluid compensation container (1) has a ventilation passage (9) which leads from the storage chamber (3) to the outside, The ventilation passage (9) is shaped so that the cooling fluid cannot reach the inside of the ventilation passage (9) when the fluid compensation container (1) is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, The overflow passage (5) is disposed inside the ventilation passage (9). A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is

9. The overflow passage (5) has an inlet (5a) leading to the storage chamber (3) and an outlet (5b) leading to the overflow chamber (4), The ventilation passage (9) has an inlet (9a) leading to the storage chamber (3) and an outlet (9b) leading to the outside, When the fluid compensation container (1) is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the outlet (9b) of the ventilation passage (9) is located above the inlet (9a) of the ventilation passage (9); When the fluid compensation container (1) is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the inlet (9a) of the ventilation passage (9) is located above the inlet (5a) of the overflow passage (5) and above the outlet (5b) of the overflow passage (5). A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it

10. The fluid compensation vessel (1) has a housing (2), and the storage chamber (3), the overflow chamber (4), the overflow passage (5), and the ventilation passage (9) are molded inside the housing (2); or The fluid compensation container (1) has a housing (2) and a passage cover (12), the storage chamber (3) and the overflow chamber (4) are molded inside the housing (2), and the overflow passage (5) and the ventilation passage (9) are molded between the housing (2) and the passage cover (12). A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it is

11. The fluid compensation vessel (1) has a water collection chamber (6), which is fluidly connected to the storage chamber (3); The water collection chamber (6) is disposed below the storage chamber (3) when the fluid compensation vessel (1) is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, so that water descending from the cooling fluid inside the storage chamber (3) can be collected in the water collection chamber (6). A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is

12. the outlet (3b) for allowing the cooling fluid to flow into the fluid circuit is arranged at the lowest point of the storage chamber (3), and a water flow-down opening (6a) for allowing the water collected in the water collecting chamber (6) to flow down is arranged at the lowest point of the water collecting chamber (6); When the fluid compensation vessel (1) is oriented in a direction suitable for operation, the water flow down opening (6a) is located below the outlet (3b). A fluid compensation vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is

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