Cooling devices for electrochemical and electrotechnical components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (2) for electrochemical and electrotechnical components. The cooling device includes a component housing (4), the component housing (4) including an inlet (10) and an outlet (12). The component housing (10) also includes a main valve (40) and a control valve (42). The main valve (40) is disposed in a first region of the component housing (4) downstream of the inlet (10) and configured to control the supply of refrigerant to the component housing (4). The control valve (42) is disposed in a second region of the component housing (4) and is fluidly connected to the main valve (40). The control valve (42) is configured to control the open position of the main valve (40) depending on the charge height of the refrigerant in the component housing (4). The present invention also relates to a cooling system and valve arrangement.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for cooling electrochemical or electro-mechanical components. In particular, the present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling battery cells in a mobile device such as a vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cooling system and a valve mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known from the prior art that electrochemical or electro-mechanical components operate optimally within a certain temperature range. For components that generate heat during operation, the generated heat must be dissipated. Otherwise, the component may overheat and, depending on the component, may simply malfunction or experience a safety-related condition. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] When multiple individual cells are arranged in a battery housing, it is known to be advantageous to cool the battery or battery system, as disclosed, for example, in EP 2 503 199 A1. Contact cooling is known, and this can function as a non-pressurized system using an aqueous medium or as an air conditioning system based on hydrofluorocarbons or carbon dioxide. EP 2 503 199 A1 also discloses a pressure compensation device for a battery system, which includes an open-pored element for compensating the pressure of dead volumes within the battery system. This known element allows gas exchange between the battery system and the outside air, preventing overpressure, particularly during temperature fluctuations, and thus preventing damage to the battery system. This system therefore results in the release of gaseous components of the refrigerant into the outside air, resulting in refrigerant loss.

[0004] Another system for cooling batteries is known, for example, from EP 3 113 279 A1. In this known battery system, a two-phase fluid is used. The gaseous refrigerant is condensed in the top module of a multi-module system or is led to a condenser via a gas line. In the known system, the liquid level of the cooling fluid is controlled via an outlet in the lower module. This control increases the consumption of refrigerant.

[0005] WO 2016 / 118545 A1 discloses a high-performance two-phase cooling device suitable for cooling semiconductor devices. Heat is absorbed or released via a phase transition between a liquid state and a gas state. WO 2016 / 118545 A1 does not mention liquid level control.

[0006] In order to obtain an effective cooling effect, it is significant to control the liquid level of the liquid phase.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device for electrochemical or electrotechnical components which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular a cooling device in which the fill height of the coolant can be controlled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object with regard to the cooling device is achieved by the features of claim 1, and with regard to the valve mechanism by the features of claim 18. Advantageous embodiments follow from the respective dependent claims.

[0009] The cooling device for electrochemical and electrotechnical components according to the present invention includes a component housing having an inlet and an outlet. The component housing also includes a main valve and a control valve. The main valve is disposed in a first region of the component housing downstream of the inlet and configured to control the supply of refrigerant to the component housing. The control valve is disposed in a second region of the component housing and is fluidly connected to the main valve. The control valve is configured to control the opening state of the main valve depending on the fill level of refrigerant in the component housing. That is, when the control valve is open, the main valve is open or in the opening operation, and when the control valve is closed, the main valve is closed or in the closing operation.

[0010] The housing body is in particular designed in the shape of a trough.

[0011] According to the present invention, the cover is formed in at least two parts. In particular, a first cover element is configured to be placed flat on the housing body, and an interior space is defined by the first cover element and the housing body. The outlet and / or the inlet are selectively provided in the cover or the housing body. The outlet and the inlet each have an opening, which is advantageously configured for connecting a pipe or a hose.

[0012] The region of the component housing may be a region of the bottom or side wall of the housing body, or a region of the cover. In particular, the first region of the component housing is different from the second region of the component housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the main valve is located in an edge area of ​​the cover of the component housing or on the side of the body of the component housing.

[0014] The main valve is preferably configured as a spring-loaded diaphragm valve, and the second cover element may be configured as an opposing support for the spring.

[0015] In one embodiment, the main valve has a main valve inlet, a main valve outlet, and a main valve body. The main valve inlet is connected to the inlet. The main valve outlet is connected to the interior space of the component housing. The main valve body has a diaphragm movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the main valve inlet, having a main valve inlet chamber, is connected to the main valve outlet, having a main valve outlet chamber, and in the closed position, there is no fluid connection between the main valve inlet and the main valve outlet through the main valve body. The diaphragm is preferably biased to the closed position by a spring, preferably a coil spring.

[0016] In one embodiment, the control valve is arranged in the cover of the component housing, in particular in the central part, or alternatively, in the edge region of the cover.

[0017] According to one embodiment, exactly one control valve is provided.

[0018] According to another embodiment, two control valves, in particular exactly two control valves, are provided, which are connected to the main valve in such a way that when both control valves are closed the main valve is closed and when either one or both of the two control valves are open the main valve is open.

[0019] The control valves are preferably arranged in the cover of the component housing, in particular in areas spaced apart from each other, for example in opposite edge areas of the cover. Spaced apart positions in the cover allow for more accurate measurement of the refrigerant fill height even when the component housing is tilted. The two control valves may have the same or different configurations as those described below for one control valve.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the control valve is a float valve. A float valve has the advantage of not requiring an additional liquid level sensor. The float valve is disposed within the cover of the component housing. The float valve may have a lower limit stop that limits the downward movement of the float, i.e., away from the cover. This stop may define a lower limit for the refrigerant filling height. A float valve disposed in the center is less susceptible to tilting of the housing body than one disposed at an edge.

[0021] Within the scope of the present invention, a floating body is understood to mean a body that floats in or on a liquid, i.e., a liquid refrigerant. Such a floating body may be made of a material having a lower density than the liquid or may have an internal space, in particular an open or closed space, filled with a gas, in particular air. The floating body may, for example, be formed in the shape of a disk and may have a peripheral edge extending perpendicularly from the floating body.

[0022] Alternatively, the control valve may be configured as an electromagnetic valve, in which case a sensor is additionally provided for controlling the control valve depending on the liquid level, preferably in the central area near the cover.

[0023] The float valve preferably comprises a float having a sealing element that closes the opening of the control valve when the refrigerant contained in the interior space of the component housing exceeds an upper threshold for the fill height of the refrigerant, and opens the float valve when the refrigerant fill height falls below the upper threshold, guided by a guide provided in the interior space of the component housing.

[0024] In another embodiment, the float valve comprises a floating body and a lever with a sealing element, the sealing element closing the opening of the control valve when the refrigerant contained in the interior space of the component housing exceeds an upper threshold for the fill height of the refrigerant. The floating body and the lever open the float valve when the fill height of the refrigerant falls below the upper threshold. The lever is particularly articulated at one end to a cover, particularly a first cover element, and is rigidly or articulated at the other end to the floating body. The floating body may be guided in a guide, particularly provided in the interior space of the component housing.

[0025] A control channel is preferably disposed between the main valve and the control valve, and the control channel is connected to the inlet via a throttle provided in the main valve and to the interior space of the component housing via the control valve, and when the control valve is in an open state, the inlet is fluidly connected to the interior space of the component housing through the control channel via the throttle.

[0026] In particular, the coolant may flow from the inlet through the throttle, through the control channel, and into the interior space of the component housing.

[0027] In one embodiment with two control valves, a first section of the control channel is preferably disposed between the main valve and one of the two control valves, and a second section of the control channel is disposed between the two control valves. The first section of the control channel is connected to the inlet via a throttle provided in the main valve, and the control channel is connected to the interior space of the component housing via the control valve. When both control valves, or at least one control valve, are open, the inlet is connected to the interior space of the component housing through the control channel via the throttle.

[0028] Alternatively, a control channel may be provided between the main valve and each of the control valves.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cover includes a first cover element having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second cover element having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the control channel is formed by a space between the first and second cover elements. The control channel may be formed, inter alia, by a sidewall extending from the first cover element toward the second cover element and / or a groove formed in the first cover element. Alternatively, the control channel may be formed by a tubular element.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, one or more battery or storage elements are housed within the component housing.

[0031] In one embodiment, a semi-permeable element is arranged in the component housing, in particular in the first cover element, for conducting gaseous refrigerant from the interior space to the outlet.

[0032] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a valve mechanism comprising two control valves and a main valve, the valves being particularly designed for use in the cooling system of the present invention. The two control valves and the main valve are disposed in a component housing having at least an inlet. The two control valves are connected to the main valve such that the main valve is closed when both control valves are closed and the main valve is open when either one or both of the two control valves are open.

[0033] The control valves are preferably arranged in the cover of the component housing, in particular in spaced apart areas, for example in the opposite edge areas of the cover, such that the refrigerant fill level can be determined more accurately, especially when the component housing is tilted. The control valves are particularly designed as float valves, for example as described above.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, a cooling system is disclosed, which includes, in addition to the cooling device, a compressor and a radiator disposed outside the component housing. The cooling device, compressor, and radiator are connected to one another via lines. The compressor and the radiator re-liquefy the gaseous refrigerant. Alternatively, the cooling system may include a heat exchanger or a condenser disposed outside the component housing and re-liquefy the gaseous refrigerant. The cooling system forms a closed circuit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to further features and advantages with reference to the description of embodiments and the accompanying drawings, which are all schematic diagrams showing: [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a partially opened component housing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 3]1 is a diagram showing a cooling system. [Figure 4a] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the main valve in the first embodiment. [Figure 4b] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the main valve in the first embodiment. [Figure 5a] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the main valve in the second embodiment. [Figure 5b] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the main valve in the second embodiment. [Figure 6a] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a control valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6b] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a control valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7a] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a control valve according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7b] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a control valve according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a partially opened component housing according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a top view of a closed component housing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling device 2 according to the present invention includes a component housing 4. The component housing 4 has a housing main body 6 and a cover 8. The housing main body 6 is formed in a tank shape, and the cover 8 closes the interior space of the housing main body 6. The component housing 4 further has an inlet 10 and an outlet 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 10 and the outlet 12 each have a tubular protrusion. The cover 8 has a first cover element 16 on its upper surface. A second cover element 24 is disposed above the first cover element 16. This second cover element 24 is omitted in FIG. 1 but is shown in FIG. 2. The first cover element 16 has an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20, and the second cover element 24 has an inner surface 26 and an outer surface 28. The outer surface 20 and the inner surface 26 are disposed opposite each other.

[0037] The control channel 44 is formed by the space between the first cover element and the second cover element 24 .

[0038] The main valve 40 is disposed within the cover 8 (in the first cover element 16 in this embodiment). The main valve 40 is fluidly connected to the inlet 10. Furthermore, a control valve 42 is disposed in the center of the first cover element 16. A control channel 44 is provided within the first cover element 16 and is fluidly connected to the main valve 40 and the control valve 42. Here, the control channel 44 is formed by a sidewall extending from the first cover element to the second cover element and, if necessary, a groove formed in the first cover element. The first cover element 16 may optionally include a semi-permeable element for guiding the gaseous refrigerant to the outlet 12. In this case, the control channel 44 is separated by the sidewall from the gap between the first cover element 16 and the second cover element 24 through which the gaseous refrigerant is guided. In other words, the control channel 44 is not fluidly connected to the gap.

[0039] 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the cooling device along line AA in FIG. 1. The inlet 10 is connected to a main valve 40. When the main valve 40 is open, the refrigerant is guided from the inlet 10 into the interior space 14 of the component housing 4. When the main valve 40 is closed, the inlet 10 is blocked. In the illustrated embodiment, the main valve 40 has a diaphragm 52 and a spring 54. A control channel 44 extending from the main valve 40 is provided in the first cover element 16. In this embodiment, the control channel 44 is closed at the top by the second cover element 24. The control channel 44 extends to the control valve 42, forming a fluid connection between the main valve 40 and the control valve 42.

[0040] The control valve 42 is configured as a float valve 58. The float valve has a float 64 and an opening 60. The control valve 42 is opened and closed by the float 64 depending on the fill height 62 of the refrigerant.

[0041] The cooling system according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 3. The outlet 12 of the cooling device 2 is connected via a line 36 to a radiator 34 and a compressor 33, which re-liquefy the gaseous refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is re-supplied to the cooling device 2 via the line 36 and, when the main valve 40 is opened, is again introduced into the interior space 14 through the inlet 10 of the component housing. Within the component housing, the refrigerant is reheated and at least partially converted to a gaseous phase by waste heat, particularly from components such as battery cells housed in the component housing. The refrigerant, particularly the gaseous refrigerant, is returned to the compressor via the outlet 12.

[0042] 4a and 4b show the main valve 40 in the first embodiment in more detail. The main valve 40 has a main valve inlet 46 and a main valve outlet 48. The main valve further includes a main valve body 50 in which a diaphragm 52 and a spring 54 are disposed. In the closed state, the diaphragm 52 seals the valve against a valve seat 68. In the open state, a gap is formed between the diaphragm 52 and the valve seat 68. The spring 54, which may be configured as a coil spring, presses the diaphragm 52 against the valve seat 68. The spring 54 is supported by the second cover element 24 on the side opposite the valve seat 68. The second cover element 24 preferably has a flange 66 that seals the main valve body 50 against its upper surface and circumferentially surrounds the spring 54. The control channel 44 extends from the main valve body 50. Furthermore, the inlet 10 or the main valve inlet 46 is fluidly connected to the control channel 44 via a throttle 56.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b , the throttle 56 is arranged in the component housing 4 and is configured in particular as a channel in the housing body 6 .

[0044] 5a and 5b show a second embodiment of the main valve 40. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the position of the throttle 56, which in this embodiment is arranged in the diaphragm 52. In this embodiment too, the throttle 56 provides a connection between the inlet 10 and the control channel 44.

[0045] 6a and 6b show a first embodiment of the control valve 42. The control valve 42 has an opening 60 connecting the control channel 44 to the interior space 14 of the component housing 4. The control valve 42 has a float 64. In this embodiment, the float 64 is substantially cylindrical. The float 64 has a centrally located sealing element 70. The float 64 has a protrusion 78 on its periphery that can engage with the guide groove. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface 18 of the first cover element is provided with a recess 80 that can at least partially accommodate the float 64 around the opening 60.

[0046] 7a and 7b show a second embodiment of the control valve 42. The control valve 42 is similarly configured as a float valve 58 and has a floating body 64. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the floating body 64 is connected to the component housing 4 via a lever 74. In particular, the component housing 4 comprises a bearing 76, by means of which the lever 74 is articulated to the component housing 4 on a first side. On a second side of the lever 74, the lever 74 is articulated to the floating body 64. A sealing element 72 is provided on the lever 74, i.e., on the side facing the first cover element 16, so as to hermetically close the opening 60 in the first cover element 16 in the closed state of the control valve 42. An advantage of this embodiment is that the control valve 42 can be closed even when a relatively high pressure is present in the control channel 44.

[0047] The operating principle of the control valve in the first and second embodiments is as follows: The float 64 floats on the refrigerant present in the interior space 14 of the component housing 4. When the refrigerant fill height 62 exceeds a predetermined threshold, i.e., an upper threshold, the sealing elements 70, 72 press against the opening 60, closing the control valve 42. Closing the control valve 42 increases pressure in the control channel 44, which is connected to the inlet 10 via the throttle 56. This pressure increase shifts the spring-loaded main valve 40 to its closed position. This limits the refrigerant fill height 62 to the upper threshold, preventing further refrigerant from flowing into the interior space 14. When the refrigerant fill height 62 in the interior space 14 falls below the upper threshold, the float 64 sinks, and the sealing elements 70, 72 open the opening 60 in the control valve 42. This allows a small amount of refrigerant to flow into the interior space 14 via the control channel 44 and the opening 60. More importantly, the pressure in the control channel 44 drops, causing the spring-loaded main valve 40 to transition from a closed position to an open position, again directing refrigerant from the inlet 10 through the main valve 40 and into the interior space 14. The refrigerant fill height 62 is again replenished to the upper threshold.

[0048] The embodiment of the cooling device 2 shown in FIG. 8 includes a component housing 4. The component housing 4 includes a housing body 6 and a cover 8. The housing body 6 is configured like a tank, and the cover 8 closes the interior space of the housing body 6. The component housing 2 further includes an inlet 10 and an outlet 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 10 and the outlet 12 each have a cylindrical protrusion. A first cover element 16 is provided on the upper surface of the cover 8. A second cover element 24 is arranged above the first cover element 16, which is not shown in FIG. 8 but is shown in FIG. 9. The first cover element 16 has an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20, and the second cover element 24 has an inner surface 26 and an outer surface 28. The outer surface 20 and the inner surface 26 are arranged opposite each other.

[0049] The control channel 44 is formed by the space between the first cover element 16 and the second cover element 24 .

[0050] In this embodiment, a main valve 40 is disposed in the first cover element 16 within the cover 8. The main valve 40 is fluidly connected to the inlet 10. Furthermore, two control valves 42a, 42b are disposed in the first cover element 16. A control channel 44 is disposed within the first cover element 16 and is fluidly connected to the main valve 40 and the control valves 42a, 42b. The main valve 40 may be configured as shown in Figures 4a, 4b or 5a, 5b.

[0051] The control valve 42a is disposed adjacent to the main valve 40. The control valve 42a is fluidly connected to the main valve 40 via a first section 44a of the control channel 44. The control valve 42b is disposed on the other longitudinal side of the component housing 4, i.e., on the opposite side from the cover element 16. The control valve 42b is fluidly connected to the control valve 42a via a second section 44b of the control channel 44.

[0052] The configuration of the control valve 42b is also shown in the longitudinal section of FIG. 10 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9. The control valve 42b is arranged at an end of the component housing 4, particularly on the side opposite the outlet 12. The control valve 42b is configured as a float valve 58. The float valve has a float 64 that moves away from or toward the cover 8 depending on the refrigerant filling level. The float valve 58 also has a sealing element 70 that can open and close the valve's sealing seat. The float 64 is connected to the first cover element 16 via a lever 74, as shown in FIG. 10. The float may be guided in a guide provided in a side wall of the housing body 6. The other of the two control valves, the control valve 42a, preferably has the same configuration.

[0053] In this embodiment, the control channel 44 is defined by a sidewall extending from the first cover element 16 to the second cover element 24 and, if necessary, a groove formed in the first cover element. The first cover element 16 may optionally include a semi-permeable element for directing the gaseous refrigerant to the outlet 12. In this case, the control channel 44 is separated by the sidewall from the gap 30 between the first cover element 16 and the second cover element 24 through which the gaseous refrigerant is directed. That is, the control channel 44 is not fluidly connected to the gap. The control channel shown in FIG. 8 has a first section 44a and a second section 44b. The first section 44a extends from the main valve 40 to the control valve 42a, and the second section 44b extends from the control valve 42a to the control valve 42b. When either of the two control valves 42a, 42b is opened, the pressure in the control channel 44 decreases, thereby opening the main valve 40 at the pump pressure present at the inlet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 2: Cooling device 4: Parts housing 6: Housing body 8: Cover 10:Inlet 12: Outlet 14: Interior space 16: First cover element 18: Inner surface 20:Outer surface 22: Semi-transparent element 24: Second cover element 26: Inner surface 28:Outer surface 33: Compressor 34: Radiator 36: Line 38 :Safety factor 40: Main valve 42, 42a, 42b: Control valve 44: Control channel 44a: First section 44b: Second section 46: Main valve inlet 48: Main valve outlet 50: Main valve body 52: Diaphragm 54: Spring 56: Throttle 58: Float valve 60: Opening 62: Filling height 64: Floating body 66: Flange 68: Valve seat 70:Sealing element 72:Sealing element 74: Lever 76: Lever bearing 78:Protrusion 80: Recess

Claims

1. A cooling device (2) for use in electrochemical and electrotechnical components, comprising: A component housing (4) is provided, The component housing (4) has an inlet (10) and an outlet (12); The component housing (10) includes a main valve (40) and a control valve (42); the main valve (40) is disposed in a first region of the component housing (4) downstream of the inlet (10) and is configured to control the supply of refrigerant to the component housing (4); The control valve (42) is disposed in a second region of the component housing (4), is fluidly connected to the main valve (40), and is configured to control the open position of the main valve (40) depending on the charge height of the refrigerant in the component housing (4). A cooling device (2) characterized in that:

2. 2. Cooling device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises exactly one control valve (42).

3. a control channel (44) disposed between the main valve (40) and the control valve (42); the control channel (44) is connected to the inlet via a throttle (56) disposed in the main valve (40), and the control channel (44) is connected to the internal space (14) of the component housing (4) via the control valve (42); When the control valve (42) is in an open state, the inlet (10) is fluidly connected to the interior space (14) of the component housing (4) through the control channel (44) via a throttle valve (46).

3. Cooling device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is

4. 2. Cooling device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two said control valves (42, 42a, 42b), in particular exactly two said control valves (42a, 42b).

5. 3. The cooling device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the main valve (40) is closed when both of the control valves (42, 42a, 42b) are closed, and the main valve (40) is open when one or both of the two control valves (42a, 42b) are open.

6. 6. The cooling device (2) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the control valves (42, 42a, 42b) are arranged in a cover (8) of the component housing (4), in particular at positions spaced apart from one another within the cover (8).

7. a first section (44a) of a control channel (44) is disposed between the main valve (40) and a first control valve (42, 42a) of the two control valves (42, 42a); the first section (44a) of the control channel (44) is connected to the inlet via a throttle (56) disposed in the main valve (40), and the first section of the control channel (44) is connected to the interior space (14) of the component housing (4) via the control valve (42a); a second control valve (42b) of the two control valves is connected to the first control valve of the two control valves via a second section (44b) of the control channel (44); The cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that when at least one of the control valves (42a, 42b) is in an open state, the inlet (10) is fluidly connected to the internal space (14) of the component housing (4) through the control channel (44) via a throttle (46).

8. The cover (8) comprises a first cover element (16) having an inner surface (18) and an outer surface (20), and a second cover element (24) having an inner surface (26) and an outer surface (28); 8. Cooling device (2) according to claim 3 or 7, characterized in that the control channel (44) is formed by a space between the first cover element and the second cover element (24).

9. The cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the main valve (40) is arranged in an end region of the cover (8) of the component housing (4) or on a side of the component housing body (6).

10. Cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the main valve (40) is configured as a spring-loaded diaphragm valve.

11. The main valve (40) has a main valve inlet (46), a main valve outlet (48), and a main valve body (50); The main valve inlet (46) is connected to the inlet (10); The main valve outlet (48) is connected to the internal space (14) of the component housing (4); 11. The cooling device (2) of claim 1, wherein the main valve body (50) has a diaphragm (52) movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the main valve inlet (46) is connected to the main valve outlet (48), and in the closed position there is no fluid connection between the main valve inlet (46) and the main valve outlet (48) through the main valve body (50).

12. The cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the control valve (42) is arranged in a cover (8) of the component housing (4).

13. Cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the control valve (42) is a float valve (58).

14. The float valve (58) comprises a lever (74) having a float (64) and a sealing element (70); The float (64) closes the opening (60) of the control valve (42) by means of the sealing element (70) when the refrigerant contained in the internal space (14) of the component housing (4) exceeds an upper threshold value of a fill height (62) of the refrigerant, and opens the float valve (58) when the fill height (62) of the refrigerant is less than the upper threshold value; 14. The cooling device (2) according to claim 13, wherein the floating body (64) is guided in a guide provided in particular in the interior space (14) of the component housing (4).

15. The float valve (58) comprises a lever (74) having a float (64) and a sealing element (72); 14. The cooling device (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that the sealing element (72) closes the opening (60) of the control valve (42) when the refrigerant contained in the internal space (14) of the component housing (4) exceeds an upper threshold value of a fill height (62) of the refrigerant, and the float (64) opens the float valve (58) together with the lever (74) when the fill height (62) of the refrigerant is less than the upper threshold value.

16. The cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that one or more battery elements or storage elements are accommodated in the component housing (4).

17. A cooling system comprising a cooling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it comprises a radiator (34) and a compressor (33).

18. A valve mechanism, particularly for use in a cooling device (2), comprising: Two control valves (42a, 42b) and a main valve (40), The two control valves (42a, 42b) are connected to the main valve (40); The main valve (40) is configured to be closed when both of the control valves (42 a, 42 b) are closed, and to be open when one or both of the control valves (42 a, 42 b) are open, The valve mechanism is characterized in that the control valves (42a, 42b) are arranged in particular in a cover of a component housing.

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