Cooling devices for electrochemical or electrotechnical components
The cooling device with a semi-permeable element and closed circuit addresses refrigerant loss and inefficiency by selectively discharging gaseous coolant, ensuring efficient cooling and re-liquefaction in electrochemical components like battery cells.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025532042
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-10
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing cooling systems for electrochemical components, such as battery cells, face issues with refrigerant loss and inefficiency in maintaining a liquid phase, particularly when using a two-phase fluid, and do not effectively manage the discharge of gaseous components.
A cooling device with a component housing featuring a semi-permeable element in its cover, allowing gaseous coolant to be selectively discharged while keeping the liquid phase within the housing, and a closed circuit for re-liquefaction of the gaseous refrigerant.
The solution ensures that the liquid phase refrigerant remains within the component housing, while gaseous refrigerant is efficiently discharged and re-liquefied, maintaining effective cooling and preventing refrigerant loss, suitable for applications with position changes and accelerations.
Smart Images
Figure 2025538701000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling electrochemical or electro-optical components. In particular, the present invention relates to a cooling apparatus for cooling battery cells in a mobile device such as a vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cooling system. [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 the known battery system, a two-phase fluid is used. The gaseous refrigerant is condensed in the top module of the battery system or is led to a condenser via a gas line. EP 3 113 279 A1 does not address the issue of maintaining a liquid phase in the battery system, particularly with regard to electrochemical or electrical components.
[0005] In particular, when using a two-phase fluid as the refrigerant, it is advantageous that there is no connection between the refrigeration circuit and the outside air: in order to achieve an effective cooling effect, it makes sense to discharge and re-cool only the gaseous component of the refrigerant.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling device that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, particularly to provide a cooling device that selectively discharges gaseous components of the refrigerant from the cooling device. A further object is to provide a cooling system. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The above object for such a device is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the respective dependent claims.
[0008] The cooling device for electrochemical and electrotechnical components according to the present invention includes a component housing having a housing body and a cover, the component housing having an inlet and an outlet. The component housing has an interior space for containing a coolant. The cover includes a first cover element having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the first cover element having a semi-permeable element. The cover also includes a second cover element having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a gap formed between the exterior surface of the first cover element and the interior surface of the second cover element, the gap being fluidly connected to an outlet. The gaseous coolant is guided from the interior space of the component housing through the semi-permeable element of the first cover element, into the gap, and from the gap to the outlet.
[0009] In one embodiment, the component housing is at least partially made of, in particular, synthetic resin.
[0010] The outlet and the inlet each have an opening, each advantageously configured for connection of a line or hose.
[0011] By semi-permeable element is meant in particular an element that is permeable to gases and impermeable or at least almost impermeable to liquids.
[0012] The housing body is in particular formed in a trough shape.
[0013] 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 second cover element covers at least the semi-permeable element and the gap, so that the interior space of the component housing is fluidically connected to the outside only via the inlet and the outlet.
[0014] The cooling device according to the invention has the advantage that the liquid phase refrigerant remains within the interior space of the component housing, while the gas phase refrigerant is selectively discharged from the interior space of the component housing.
[0015] Furthermore, the cooling device is particularly suitable for applications where the component housing is subject to position changes and accelerations, such as in vehicles.
[0016] In one advantageous embodiment, the first cover element has at least one through hole with a peripheral edge, along which a wall element extends from the first cover element to the second cover element, the wall element being at least partially formed by the semi-permeable element. The wall element, or at least the semi-permeable element, may be arranged above the first cover element, i.e., on the side of the first cover element that is remote from the interior space of the housing body. This configuration allows the semi-permeable element to be at a greater distance from the liquid refrigerant than if the semi-permeable element were arranged flat within the cover element.
[0017] In this embodiment, the gaseous coolant first flows through the opening into a space laterally surrounded by the wall member and located above the first cover element. The wall member may constitute one or more walls. The wall member may be at least partially constituted by a semi-permeable element, thereby making the wall, or at least a portion of the wall, semi-permeable. The gaseous coolant passes through this semi-permeable region and flows into the space formed between the first cover element and the second cover element and constituting the gap. The gaseous coolant then flows through the gap to the outlet.
[0018] In this embodiment, the distance between the liquid-phase refrigerant in the housing body and the semi-permeable element is particularly large.
[0019] In another embodiment, the wall member is entirely made up of the semi-permeable element.
[0020] In another embodiment, the through hole is circular and the wall member has a hollow cylindrical shape, whereby the semi-permeable element is configured as a ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical element, preferably connected to the first cover element and / or placed on the periphery of the through hole in the first cover element.
[0021] The semi-permeable element is preferably a sintered body, which reduces the surface area required for gas passage, whereas other semi-permeable elements such as membranes or nonwoven fabrics require a larger surface area.
[0022] The semi-permeable element, in particular the sintered body, may be connected to the first cover element by any of the following means: integral bonding, mechanical fastening or form fitting.
[0023] Other fastening means known to those skilled in the art may also be considered.The semi-permeable element may be configured as a plate-like element.
[0024] In one embodiment, the semi-permeable element is a synthetic resin material, particularly made of sintered polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Preferably, the semi-permeable element and the cover member are made of the same or similar materials. Such a sintered body of the same or similar material can be integrally joined to the cover member, for example, by welding. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in terms of manufacturing costs.
[0025] The first cover element preferably includes one or more semi-permeable elements, in particular 2 to 8, more particularly 2 to 4 semi-permeable elements. In particular, each semi-permeable element is a sintered body. Preferably, the sintered bodies are essentially identical. The sintered bodies may have a pore size distribution adapted to the refrigerant.
[0026] In one embodiment, the semi-permeable elements are arranged at the corners of the first cover element, in particular at each corner, whereas in another embodiment, the semi-permeable elements are arranged, for example, at two diagonally opposite corners.
[0027] The component housing, particularly the housing body, may be formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and the first cover element and the second cover element may each have four corners.
[0028] In one embodiment, the surface area of the first cover element is smaller than the surface area of the second cover element, so that the second cover element completely covers the first cover element.
[0029] In one embodiment, the gap may be formed flat between the first and second cover elements. Alternatively or additionally, the first and / or second cover elements may each have a protrusion extending toward the other cover element and defining the width of the gap. These protrusions may form one or more discharge channels connected to the outlet. Alternatively or additionally, the first and / or second cover elements may have a guide element, e.g., in the form of a channel or groove, configured to guide the gas flow from the semi-permeable element toward the outlet.
[0030] Preferably, one or more battery or storage elements are housed within the component housing.
[0031] The component housing may include safety features, such as an anti-burst element and / or a pressure relief valve.
[0032] 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, which re-liquefy the gaseous refrigerant. Alternatively, the cooling system may include a heat exchanger or a condenser disposed outside the component housing, which re-liquefy the gaseous refrigerant. The cooling system forms a closed circuit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0033] 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. 1 is a top view of a sealed component housing. [Figure 2] FIG. 12 is a top view of one embodiment of a component housing in a partially open state. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the component housing according to one embodiment taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates a cooling system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a top view of a partially open component housing according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the component housing taken along line AA of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a component housing taken along line BB. [Figure 10] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The cooling device 2 according to the present invention comprises a component housing 4 (see FIG. 1). The component housing 2 has a housing body 6 and a cover 8. The housing body 6 is formed in a tank-like shape, and the cover 8 closes the interior space of the housing body 6. The component housing 2 is further provided with an inlet 10 and an outlet 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 10 and the outlet 12 each have a tubular protrusion. A second cover element 24 is provided on the upper surface of the cover 8. The second cover element 24 is provided with a safety element 38. The safety element 38 is, in particular, an anti-burst element. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing body 6 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped.
[0035] 2 shows the component housing 4 with the second cover element 24 removed, making the first cover element 16 visible. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cover element 16 has four semi-permeable elements 22, which are arranged at each corner of the first cover element 16. The four semi-permeable elements 22 are preferably sintered and are preferably connected to the plate-like elements of the first cover element 16 in an integrally bonded manner. The first cover element 16 is also provided with a safety element 38, or the safety element 38 is provided across the first and second cover elements 16, 24.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 . An internal space 14 is defined within the component housing 4, particularly the housing main body 6. For example, the internal space 14 can accommodate battery cell elements. The internal space 14 also accommodates a refrigerant, which may partially contain both liquid and gas phases. The internal space 14 is defined by a cover 8 on the upper surface of the component housing 4. The cover 8 includes a first cover element 16 and a second cover element 24. The first cover element 16 faces the internal space 14, and the second cover element 24 faces the outer upper surface of the cover 8. That is, the inner surface 18 of the first cover element faces the internal space 14 and defines the internal space 14. Meanwhile, the outer surface 20 of the first cover element 16 and the inner surface 26 of the second cover element 24 face each other, with a gap 30 formed between them. As shown in the enlarged view of Figure 4, the gap 30 is located between the first cover element 16 and the second cover element 24. The first cover element 16 is provided with a semi-permeable element 22. The semi-permeable element 22 is configured in a plate-like shape here. The gaseous coolant present in the interior space 14 moves from the interior space 14 through the semi-permeable element 22 into the gap 30. A channel-like guide member is formed on the outer surface 20 of the first cover element 16 within the gap 30, guiding the gas flow toward the outlet. The gaseous coolant 22 is guided from the gap 30 to the outlet 12.
[0037] The cooling system according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. 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 then re-supplied to the cooling device 2 via another line 36 and introduced, for example via a valve 40, 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, in particular by waste heat from components such as battery cells housed therein. The gaseous refrigerant is selectively discharged again as described above, thereby forming a closed cooling circuit. Furthermore, multiple cooling devices, each supplied with a refrigerant, may be arranged in the cooling system, i.e., the component housing.
[0038] Another embodiment of the cooling device according to the invention is shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the second cover element 24 has been removed from the component housing 4, making the first cover element 16 visible. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cover element 16 has two semi-permeable elements 22, which are arranged at two diagonally opposite corners of the first cover element 16. The semi-permeable elements 22 are preferably sintered and are connected, for example, by being integrally bonded to the plate-like elements of the first cover element 16.
[0039] The first cover element 16 has two through holes 50 in this embodiment. Each through hole 50 has a peripheral edge 52, which is formed in a circular shape in this embodiment. A wall member 54 is provided along the peripheral edge 52, extending in a direction perpendicular to the first cover element 16. The wall member 54 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The wall member 54 is particularly configured as a semi-permeable element as a whole, and is formed as a sintered body. Its shape is a hollow cylinder, as shown in FIG. 10 .
[0040] The first cover element 16 is also provided with a safety element 38 or the safety element 38 is provided across the first cover element 16 and the second cover element 24 .
[0041] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line AA according to another embodiment. An internal space 14 is defined within the component housing 4, particularly the housing main body 6. For example, the internal space 14 can accommodate battery cell elements. The internal space 14 also accommodates a refrigerant, which may partially contain both liquid and gas phases. The internal space 14 is defined by a cover 8 on the upper surface of the component housing 4. The cover 8 includes a first cover element 16 and a second cover element 24. The first cover element 16 faces the internal space 14, and the second cover element 24 faces the outer upper surface of the cover 8. That is, the inner surface 18 of the first cover element 16 faces the internal space 14, defining the internal space 14. The outer surface 20 of the first cover element 16 and the inner surface 26 of the second cover element 24 face each other, with a gap 30 formed between them. A gap 30 is located between the first cover element 16 and the second cover element 24, as particularly shown in the enlarged views of FIGS.
[0042] The first cover element 16 is provided with two semi-permeable elements 22. The semi-permeable elements 22 extend perpendicularly from the first cover element 16 to the second cover element 24. In particular, the semi-permeable elements 22 rest on the peripheral edges 52 of the through holes 50 of the first cover element 16, and are thus arranged on the outer surface 20 of the first cover element 16, remote from the interior space 14. The gaseous coolant present in the interior space 14 moves from the interior space 14 through the semi-permeable elements 22 into the gap 30. In this process, the gaseous coolant first passes through the through holes 50 and reaches the space bounded by the wall element 54 and then by the second cover element 24. The gaseous coolant then passes through the wall element 54, which is made of the semi-permeable elements 22, in particular a sintered body, and flows into the gap 30. Channel-shaped guide elements 23 are formed in the gap 30 on the outer surface 20 of the first cover element 16, and these guide the gas flow in the direction of the outlet 12. These guide members 23 are particularly visible in the cross-sectional view of Figure 9. The gaseous coolant 22 is guided from the gap 30 to the outlet 12. [Explanation of symbols]
[0043] 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 23: Guide member 24: Second cover element 26: Inner surface 28:Outer surface 30: Gap 32: Corner 33: Compressor 34: Radiator 36: Line 38 :Safety factor 40: Valve 50:Through hole 52: Periphery 54:Wall components
Claims
1. A cooling device (1) for use in electrochemical and electrotechnical components, comprising: The device includes a component housing (4) having a housing body (6) and a cover (8), the component housing (4) having an inlet (10) and an outlet (12); An internal space (14) for accommodating a refrigerant is provided within the component housing (4), The cover (6) includes a first cover element (16) having an inner surface (18) and an outer surface (20), the first cover element (16) having a semi-permeable element (22); the cover (6) includes a second cover element (24) having an inner surface (26) and an outer surface (28), a gap (30) formed between the outer surface (20) of the first cover element (16) and the inner surface (26) of the second cover element (24), the gap being fluidly connected to an outlet (12); A gaseous refrigerant is guided from the interior space (14) of the component housing (4) through the semi-permeable element (22) of the first cover element (16) to the gap (30), and further from the gap (30) to an outlet (12). A cooling device (1) characterized in that
2. 2. Cooling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the semi-permeable element (22) is a sintered body.
3. 3. Cooling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the semi-permeable element (22) is a synthetic resin component, in particular made of sintered PE, PET or PTFE.
4. Cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the semi-permeable element (22) and the first cover element (16) are made of the same or similar type of material.
5. The cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first cover element (16) comprises a plurality of the semi-permeable elements (22), in particular two to four of the semi-permeable elements (22).
6. 6. Cooling device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the semi-permeable elements (22) are arranged at the corners (32), in particular at each corner (32) of the first cover element (16).
7. The cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the component housing (4), in particular the housing body (6), is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and the first cover element (16) and the second cover element (24) each have four corners (32).
8. Cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the surface area of the first cover element (16) is smaller than the surface area of the second cover element (24).
9. Cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the semi-permeable element (22) is formed in the shape of a plate.
10. 9. The cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first cover element (16) comprises at least one through hole (50) having a peripheral edge (52), along which a wall member (54) extends from the first cover element (16) towards the second cover element (24), the wall member (54) being at least partially formed by the semi-permeable element (22).
11. 11. Cooling device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the wall member (54) is entirely constituted by the semi-permeable element (22).
12. 11. The cooling device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the through-hole (50) is formed in a circular shape and the wall member (54) is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.
13. Cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that one or more battery elements or storage elements are accommodated in the component housing (4).
14. A cooling system comprising the cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a radiator (34) and a compressor (33) arranged outside the component housing (36).