Temperature control for individual battery cells assembled into a module

Abstract

A temperature control device for individual battery cells 1 assembled into a module is described, the temperature control device having a basic body 2 which has through-openings 4 located in pairs opposite each other with respect to a joining axis 3 for the circumferential closure of the battery cells 1 and which form a flow channel 5 for a temperature control liquid extending transversely to the joining axis 3. In order to simultaneously achieve good and uniform temperature control of the individual battery cells of a battery module with reduced temperature differences inside the battery module, it is proposed that the flow channel 5 be separated into at least two chambers 7, 8 by a membrane 6 extending transversely to the joining axis 3 and having through-openings 4 for the battery cells 1.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature regulation device for individual battery cells assembled into a module, The temperature control device has a base body, the base body being For the surrounding of the peripheral side of the battery cells, the battery cells have through openings located opposite each other in pairs with respect to one joining axis, and form flow passages for a temperature regulating liquid, which extend transversely to the joining axes. [Background technology]

[0002] From US Pat. No. 5,399,633 a temperature regulation device for individual battery cells assembled into a module is known. For this purpose, the temperature regulating device has a basic body formed in two parts, which forms paired, oppositely situated through-openings in each case with respect to a joining axis for the surrounding of the peripheral sides of the battery cells, which together with the battery cells define flow channels for a temperature regulating liquid, which flows directly towards the battery cells transversely to their joining axes. Certainly, the sealing between the battery cells and the through-openings is technically complex at the required operating pressure of the temperature-regulating liquid, but due to the almost complete peripheral flow of the battery cells on the casing side, an equally good temperature regulation of the individual battery cells can be achieved without intermediate cooling ducts, although it has the disadvantage that the temperature-regulating liquid is thereby gradually heated in the flow direction and therefore the cooling capacity in the flow direction is reduced. This results in a temperature difference between the battery cells arranged on the temperature regulating liquid inlet side and the battery cells arranged on the temperature regulating liquid outlet side, particularly in a module having battery cells, which leads to accelerated deterioration of the battery module as well as reduced power efficiency.

[0003] In order to load all battery cells within a module with approximately the same cooling capacity, the temperature control device known from Patent Document 2 has two cooling ducts extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the battery cells, with both cooling ducts being in contact with the respective battery cell to be cooled for heat transfer. It is possible for the flow directions of the temperature-regulating liquid running in the cooling conduits to be opposite to one another, whereby a smaller temperature difference is certainly achieved inside the module, but the individual battery cells are themselves exposed to increased thermal loads, since the heat exchange between the temperature-regulating liquid and the battery cells can only take place via the contact points of the cooling conduits. This not only results in a lower cooling capacity, but also in uneven cooling of the individual battery cells, which induces accelerated aging of these battery cells and a lower possible electrical load. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Austrian Patent No. 520920 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102013225521A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to propose a temperature control device of the type described at the beginning, which allows reduced temperature differences within a battery module while simultaneously achieving good and uniform temperature control of the individual battery cells of the battery module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The problem presented is that the flow passage is separated into at least two chambers by a membrane extending transversely to the joining axis and having through openings for the battery cells. , and the through opening in the foundation body is provided with a foundation body seal; the base body seal withstands a greater pressure difference than a membrane seal disposed at the through opening of the membrane; is solved by The invention is based on the recognition that in cylindrical cells, the heat transfer in the longitudinal or joint direction is significantly better than the heat transfer transverse to this direction, and this is due to the stack-shaped construction of the wound cell core. As a result of the features according to the invention, each battery cell is surrounded by a temperature-regulating liquid in all chambers along the joint axis of the battery cell, the temperature-regulating liquid in at least one first group of chambers flowing in the opposite direction to the temperature-regulating liquid in the second group of chambers. In a very simple manner, it is possible that two chambers, i.e. an inlet chamber and a return chamber, are provided, which are separated from one another by a membrane. However, it is also possible that several membranes are provided, which separate the flow passage into several chambers. In this case, it is possible that the outer chambers, each bounded by a single membrane, form the inlet chamber and the return chamber. A particularly advantageous temperature-regulating device is provided if the flow directions of the temperature-regulating liquid in two adjacent chambers are directed in opposite directions, with the temperature difference between the inflowing and return temperature-regulating liquid being equalized by good heat transfer inside the battery cells in the direction of their joining axes. Furthermore, the membrane can be kept thin due to the small pressure differences between the individual chambers and the associated small mechanical loads, so that the unwashed areas around the respective battery cell casings in the area of ​​the through-openings remain small, whereby, on the one hand, temperature differences inside the temperature regulating device are reduced to a minimum and, on the other hand, good and uniform temperature regulation of the individual battery cells is achieved. Since the basic body already needs to have a corresponding seal for the temperature-regulating liquid in the flow passage, an additional membrane in relation to this seal does not induce any extra expenditure. Effect of the Invention

[0007] There is less demand on sealing the chambers with a membrane since the pressure difference between the chambers is relatively small, unlike the pressure difference between the flow passages and the outside of the base body, which during typical use of the invention can be 10 times or more greater than the pressure difference between the chambers. It is therefore possible for the through opening of the basic body to be provided with a basic body seal, which withstands a greater pressure difference than a membrane seal arranged at the through opening of the membrane. While the basic body seal is usually an annular seal having a relatively high surface pressure or a combination of several seals positioned one behind the other, it is possible for the membrane seal to form a simple sealing lip, which in a particularly simple embodiment is formed by the membrane itself.

[0008] If separate inlets and outlets are provided for the chambers, the membrane body can be closed except for the through openings for the battery cells. In order to further reduce the sealing costs, it is proposed that the membrane has flow openings connecting at least two of the chambers. Depending on the respective positioning of the inlets, the outlets and the flow openings, different flow directions and therefore different temperature conditions can be achieved in the individual chambers.

[0009] In order to be able to connect a number of temperature regulating devices in a simple manner, it is proposed that the basic body has an inlet which is flow-connected with the inlet chamber and an outlet which is flow-connected with the return chamber. As an inlet chamber, essentially, within the scope of the present invention, a chamber is understood in which the temperature-regulating liquid has a smaller temperature difference with respect to a given target temperature in comparison with the reflux chamber, the inlet chamber being accordingly arranged on the inlet side and the reflux chamber on the reflux side. In this connection, various embodiments are possible, which are explained in detail below.

[0010] In the case of an individual temperature control device or as the completion of several temperature control devices connected one after the other in series, it is possible for the membrane body to have a flow opening connecting the inlet chamber and the return chamber, which flow opening is spaced transversely to the joint axis from the inlet and outlet of the basic body. As a result, the temperature regulating liquid entering through the inlet flows in a first flow direction through the inlet chamber, passes through the flow openings in the membrane body into the return chamber and there flows back to the outlet in the opposite direction to the first flow direction. The inlet and the outlet are located opposite each other with respect to the membrane body for this purpose and are advantageously located on a common axis parallel to the joint axis. It is possible that the flow openings of the membrane body are located on the side of the basic body which is opposite the inlet or outlet in the first flow direction.

[0011] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is possible for the basic body to have at least two inlets, which are positioned opposite the at least two outlets in the direction of the joint axis, i.e. with respect to the membrane body. This means that at least two outlets or inlets are arranged on the same side of the basic body with respect to the membrane body, thus resulting in the formation of two mutually opposite flow directions in the inlet and return chambers, i.e. from the inlets respectively to the flow openings, which in this case are preferably arranged centrally in the membrane body, and further to at least two outlets located opposite each other. As a result, both temperature control device halves, which respectively form the flow openings to the inlet and outlet, are temperature controlled in counterflow, i.e. on the inflow side in the inflow chamber from the respective inlet to the flow opening and on the outflow side in the return chamber from the flow opening to the respective outlet.

[0012] In order to connect several temperature control devices to one another in a particularly advantageous manner, it is proposed that the inlet and the outlet are arranged both in the direction of the joint axis as well as transversely to the direction of this joint axis, i.e. on the same side of the basic body with respect to the membrane body. In this way, it is possible for two adjacent temperature regulating devices to be fluidly connected to one another via only one connecting location, i.e. in the region of the inlets and outlets arranged next to each other. In an advantageous embodiment, the inlets and outlets of the temperature regulating devices extend in the direction of the joining axis and are located on the side of the basic body which has the flow openings for the battery cells. In this case, for flow in the inlet and return chambers in the reverse direction towards the battery cell, an inlet or outlet passes through one of these chambers to form a fluid connection with the respective other chamber.

[0013] In order to achieve an even more compact design for the connection location, the inlet and the outlet each form a connecting piece, one of which runs through the other, whereby it is proposed that the free cross sections of both connecting pieces are numerically identical in order to achieve identical flow rates. If a temperature control device is to be connected to further temperature control devices, these each have two of these connection parts which are configured in the manner of a double tube, with these connection parts being arranged on the other side of each of the basic bodies both in the direction of the joining axis as well as transversely to this joining axis. In order to prevent temperature differences within a number of temperature control devices connected to one another in this manner, it is possible that, at one connection, the connection piece of the inlet extends through the connection piece of the outlet, and, at the other connection, the connection piece of the outlet extends through the connection piece of the inlet.

[0014] In order to allow simple assembly of the temperature regulating device, the basic body is provided with two sealing elements positioned opposite each other in the direction of the joint axis, and It is proposed that at least one of the sealing elements has a retaining pin for the membrane which projects into the flow channel. The basic body is accordingly constructed in two parts, in such a way that the sealing elements are assembled with one or more membranes interposed therebetween, separated by spacers, such that the battery cells can be guided through the respective through-openings of the sealing elements or membranes. In order to support the membrane during this joining process as well as during operation of the temperature control device, at least one of the sealing elements has holding pins which project into the flow channel, on which the membrane rests. Advantageously, holding pins project from both sealing elements, between which the membrane is guided.

[0015] It is possible for the retaining pins to form a flow distribution device for the temperature-regulating liquid, so that the support of the membrane simultaneously allows for an improvement in the heat transfer between the temperature-regulating liquid and the battery cells. As a result of this measure, premature detachment of the temperature-regulating liquid from the battery cell casing is prevented, and with it the formation of dead water, which would adversely affect the heat transfer.

[0016] In the drawings, the subject matter of the invention is illustrated exemplarily. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is an interrupted cross-sectional view of a temperature regulating device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a plurality of temperature adjustment devices in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a plurality of temperature adjustment devices in the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a plurality of temperature adjustment devices in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The temperature regulating device according to the invention for individual battery cells 1 assembled into a module, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 1, has a basic body 2. This basic body 2 has through-openings 4 located opposite each other in pairs with respect to a respective joining axis 3 for the peripheral surrounding of the battery cells 1 and defines together with the battery cells 1 a flow passage 5 for a temperature regulating liquid, which runs transversely to the joining axis 3. In order to create small temperature differences between the battery cells 1 assembled into a module and at the same time to enable uniform temperature control of the individual battery cells 1, the flow passage 5 has a membrane body 6 extending transversely to the joining axis 3 of the battery cells 1, which membrane body separates the flow passage 5 into several chambers 7, 8, such as an inlet chamber 7 and a return chamber 8, in which through openings 4 for the battery cells 1 are provided. The flow directions of the temperature-regulating liquid in each inlet chamber 7 or return chamber 8 are opposite to each other. As a result of this measure, each battery cell 1 is surrounded by the temperature-regulating liquid in the return chamber 8 as well as by the temperature-regulating liquid in the inlet chamber 7. Since the temperature of the temperature-regulating liquid increases in the flow direction in the case of cooling and the flows in the inlet chamber 7 or return chamber 8 run in opposite directions, each battery cell 1 is loaded with approximately the same cooling capacity, which corresponds to the average value of the cooling capacities of the inlet chamber 7 or return chamber 8.

[0019] Basically, the pressure difference between the outside of the basic body and the flow channel 5 is greater than the pressure difference between the inlet chamber 7 and the return chamber 8. This has the consequence that the membrane seal 9 has to withstand a smaller pressure difference than the basic body seal 10. It is possible for the membrane seal 9 to be equipped with a simple sealing lip, whereas for the basic body 2 a double ring seal is provided which has a comparatively large surface pressure.

[0020] If the basic body 2 has an inlet 11 which is flow-connected with the inlet chamber 7 and an outlet 12 which is flow-connected with the return chamber 8, it is possible for several temperature regulating devices to be connected to one another.

[0021] As can further be seen from Fig. 1, the membrane body 6 has flow openings 13, which flow-connect the inlet chamber 7 with the return chamber 8. Through the inlet chamber 7 or through the return chamber 8, respectively, the same temperature-regulating liquid flows, which flows in a first flow direction through the inlet chamber 7 via the inlet 11, through the flow openings 13 in the membrane body 6 into the return chamber 8 and there flows back to the outlet 12, against the first flow direction. A desired flow course is predefined for the temperature-regulating liquid by the flow openings 13 being spaced transversely from the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 relative to the joint axis 3. It is possible for the flow openings 13 to be provided on the side of the basic body 2 which lies opposite the inlet 11 or the outlet 12, for example according to FIG.

[0022] 2 shows a schematic arrangement of a number of thermostats according to the invention in a first embodiment, in which the outlet 12 of a first thermostat T1 is connected via a connecting pipe 14 running through the subsequent thermostat T2 to the inlet 11 of the next third thermostat T3 forming a first thermostat circuit. If the outlet 12 of the temperature control device T4 is connected to the inlet 11 of the temperature control device T2 via a connecting tube 14 passing through the temperature control device T3, a second temperature control cycle is provided in an analogous manner.

[0023] 3 shows a second embodiment of a temperature regulating device according to the invention, in which the basic body 2 can have two inlets 11 and two outlets 12. The inlets 11 and the outlets 12 are located opposite each other in the direction of the joint axis 3 or with respect to the membrane body 6. Particularly favorable flow behavior is achieved in this case if the flow opening 13 is arranged centrally in the membrane body 6. Two successive thermostats of this embodiment are connected to one another in such a way that the outlet 12, which is located on the common side of the membrane body 6 of the first thermostat T1, is fluidly connected via a connecting tube 14 with the inlet 11 of the thermostat T2 which follows this first thermostat. This measure results in the formation of two opposite flow directions in the inlet chamber 7 and the return chamber 8, which results in two independent thermostat halves which can be thermostatted according to the counter-flow principle. This can be advantageous, for example, if the battery cells 1 assembled into a module are exposed to uneven temperature loads from outside the basic body. As can be seen from Fig. 3, it is also possible for the second embodiment of the temperature regulating device to be connected to a further temperature regulating device.

[0024] 4 shows yet another embodiment of a temperature regulating device according to the invention, in which the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are arranged on the same side of the basic body 2, i.e. on the same side in the direction of the joint axis 3 as well as on the same side transversely to the direction of the joint axis 3. Advantageously, the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are located on the side of the basic body 2 having the through-opening 4. In this way, two adjacent thermostats can be fluidly connected to one another via only one connection location with one inlet 11 and one outlet 12. The connection 15 for the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 then has two connection pieces 16, 17, one of which can be pierced by the other connection piece. As shown in Fig. 4, the inner connection piece 16 connects the inlet chamber 7 of the first thermostat T1 with the inlet chamber 7 of the second thermostat T2, whereas the outer connection piece 17 connects the return chamber 8 of this thermostat T2 with the return chamber 8 of this thermostat T1. The outer connecting piece 17 thereby surrounds the inner connecting piece 16, which in turn passes through the outer connecting piece 17. It is however also possible for the connecting pieces 16, 17 in this embodiment to be arranged side by side as well. In this embodiment, it is possible for the last thermostat T4 to have only one connection 15 as connection location for connecting the inlet branch with the return branch, for which the membrane body 6 of this thermostat T4 has a flow opening 13 connecting the inlet chamber 7 with the return chamber 8. In contrast to the above, the inlet chamber 7 and the return chamber 8 of the preceding thermostats T1-T3 are not flow-connected to one another via the flow openings 13. In this way, temperature differences can likewise be reduced between several temperature regulating devices connected in series.

[0025] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the basic body 2 comprises two sealing elements 18, which are located opposite each other in the direction of the joining axis 3. At least one of the sealing elements 18 can have a retaining pin 19 which projects into the flow channel 5 and which supports the membrane body 6. It is likewise possible for both sealing elements 18 to have retaining pins 19 so that they can be clamped between them.

[0026] It is possible for the retaining pin 19 to form a flow distributor for the temperature regulating liquid, in order to be able to adjust the optimum inflow behavior to the battery cell. In addition, the present application relates to the invention described in the claims, but may also include the following as other aspects. 1. A temperature control device for individual battery cells (1) assembled into a module, comprising: The temperature control device has a base body (2), which is The temperature regulating device has through openings (4) located opposite each other in pairs in the direction of the joining axis (3) for the surrounding of the peripheral side of the battery cells (1) and forms flow passages (5) for a temperature regulating liquid, which run transversely to the joining axis (3). the flow passage (5) is separated into at least two chambers (7, 8) by a membrane (6) extending transversely to the joining axis (3) and having through openings (4) for the battery cells (1); A temperature control device characterized by: 2. The through opening (4) of the foundation body (2) is provided with a foundation body sealant (10); 2. The temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the basic body seal withstands a greater pressure difference than the membrane seal (9) arranged at the through opening (4) of the membrane (6). 3. The temperature control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the membrane body (6) has a flow opening (13) connecting at least two of the chambers (7, 8). 4. A temperature control device as described in any one of 1 to 3 above, characterized in that the basic body (2) has an inlet (11) flow-connected with the inlet chamber (7) and an outlet (12) flow-connected with the return chamber (8). 5. The membrane body (6) has a flow opening (13) connecting the inlet chamber (7) and the return chamber (8); 5. A temperature regulating device as described in claim 4, characterized in that the flow openings are spaced apart transversely to the joint axis (3) from the inlet (11) and outlet (12) of the basic body (2). 6. The temperature control device described in 5 above, characterized in that the basic body (2) has at least two inlets (11), which are positioned opposite at least two outlets (12) in the direction of the joint axis (3). 7. A temperature control device as described in claim 4, characterized in that the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) are arranged on the same side of the basic body (2) both in the direction of the joining axis (3) as well as transversely to the direction of the joining axis (3). 8. The temperature control device described in item 7 above, characterized in that the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) each form one connection piece (16, 17), and one of the connection pieces (16) extends through the other connection piece (17). 9. The basic body (2) comprises two sealing elements (18) located opposite each other in the direction of the joint axis (3); and at least one of the sealing elements (18) has a retaining pin (19) for the membrane (6) protruding into the flow passage (5); 9. A temperature control device as described in any one of 1 to 8 above, characterized in that 10. The temperature regulating device according to claim 9, wherein the retaining pins (19) form a flow distribution device for the temperature regulating liquid.

Claims

1. A temperature control device for individual battery cells (1) assembled into a module, comprising: The temperature regulating device has a base body (2), which is The temperature regulating device has through openings (4) located opposite each other in pairs in the direction of the joining axis (3) for the peripheral side surrounding of the battery cells (1) and forms flow passages (5) for a temperature regulating liquid, which run transversely to the joining axis (3). the flow passage (5) being separated into at least two chambers (7, 8) by a membrane (6) extending transversely to the joining axis (3) and having through openings (4) for the battery cells (1); the through opening (4) of the foundation body (2) is provided with a foundation body seal (10); This basic body seal withstands a greater pressure difference than the membrane seal (9) arranged at the through opening (4) of the membrane (6); A temperature control device characterized by:

2. 2. A temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the membrane (6) has flow openings (13) connecting at least two of the chambers (7, 8).

3. 3. The temperature regulating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the basic body (2) has an inlet (11) which is flow-connected with the inlet chamber (7) and an outlet (12) which is flow-connected with the return chamber (8).

4. The membrane body (6) has a flow opening (13) connecting the inlet chamber (7) and the return chamber (8), 4. A temperature regulating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the flow openings are spaced apart transversely to the joint axis (3) from the inlet (11) and outlet (12) of the basic body (2).

5. 5. The temperature regulating device according to claim 4, characterized in that the basic body (2) has at least two inlets (11) which are located opposite at least two outlets (12) in the direction of the joint axis (3).

6. 4. The temperature regulating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) are arranged on the same side of the basic body (2) both in the direction of the joint axis (3) as well as transversely to the direction of the joint axis (3).

7. 7. The temperature control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) each form a connection piece (16, 17), one of the connection pieces (16) extending through the other of the connection pieces (17).

8. the basic body (2) comprises two sealing elements (18) located opposite each other in the direction of the joint axis (3), and at least one of the sealing elements (18) has a retaining pin (19) for the membrane (6) protruding into the flow passage (5); The temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 9. Temperature regulating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the retaining pins (19) form a flow distributor for the temperature regulating liquid.

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