Method for producing a semifinished product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing a semifinished product (1), in particular for a cooling plate (102). More variable production and increased economic viability in the case of small quantities can be achieved by providing a blank (2) corresponding to the dimensions of the semifinished product (1) and providing at least certain portions on one side (6) with adhesive (4). The invention also relates to a method for producing a cooling plate (102) using such a semifinished product (1).

Description

[0001] Process for producing a semi-finished product

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for producing a semi-finished product, in particular for a cooling plate. The invention also relates to a method for producing a cooling plate using such a semi-finished product.

[0003] In the manufacture of many products, semi-finished products are first produced and then joined together. Such semi-finished products can, for example, be made from sheet metal.

[0004] Typically, such a semi-finished product is manufactured by continuously processing a sheet metal roll, for example by applying a joining agent, and then cutting it to size after processing.

[0005] The present invention addresses the problem of providing improved or at least different embodiments of a method for producing a semi-finished product of the aforementioned type, as well as a method for producing a cooling plate using such a semi-finished product. In particular, the present invention addresses the problem of providing embodiments of the methods that are characterized by more variable production and / or increased cost-effectiveness for small batches.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. The embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the fundamental idea of ​​producing a semi-finished product, contrary to the usual procedure, by first cutting the semi-finished product to size and then processing it, in this case providing it with an adhesive. In this way, compared to the prior art, in which a roll is continuously processed and the processed roll is then cut to size, the semi-finished product is produced discontinuously and, in particular, the adhesive is applied discontinuously. This makes it possible, in particular, to produce the semi-finished product and thus also a product manufactured using the semi-finished product variably and economically in small quantities. Furthermore, it is possible in this way to use the semi-finished product produced in this way not to be used immediately after production for the manufacture of the associated product.The inventive concept thus allows for flexible intermediate storage and / or transport of the manufactured semi-finished product. Thus, the inventive methods are particularly suitable for the production of products in small series and / or with large dimensions and / or with complex geometries and / or for a series ramp-up phase.

[0008] According to the inventive concept, a blank is provided for the production of the semi-finished product that corresponds to the dimensions of the semi-finished product. Adhesive is also applied to one side of the blank. This means that adhesive is applied to at least some sections of the blank side, thus producing the semi-finished product.

[0009] As mentioned above, the blank corresponds to the dimensions of the semi-finished product. The dimensions of the blank therefore preferably correspond at least substantially to those of the semi-finished product. This means, in particular, that subsequent cutting of the semi-finished product is eliminated or at least not necessary.

[0010] The blank, and thus the semi-finished product, can be made of any material. In particular, the blank can be cut from sheet metal, for example, a metal or an alloy. This means, in particular, that the blank is a sheet metal blank. The semi-finished product can be of any type.

[0011] In particular, the semi-finished product may be a semi-finished product.

[0012] A corresponding product is conveniently manufactured using the semi-finished product.

[0013] The product can, in particular, be a heat exchanger used to control the temperature of an object or a fluid. In this case, temperature control refers in particular to heating and / or cooling.

[0014] The heat exchanger is advantageously a cooling plate, with the semi-finished product, preferably with another component of the cooling plate, hereinafter also referred to as a sheet metal part, defining a volume through which a temperature control fluid flows during operation for the purpose of temperature control. A flow path of the temperature control fluid thus leads through the volume and thus between the semi-finished product and the sheet metal part.

[0015] It is advantageous if the semi-finished product is a cover sheet and the sheet metal part is a channel sheet of the cooling plate, or vice versa.

[0016] The channel plate has elongated recesses which limit the volume in the cooling plate and through which the flow path leads.

[0017] The semi-finished product and / or the sheet metal part can thus be manufactured as a channel sheet metal having at least one such elongated recess. To produce the cooling plate, the manufactured semi-finished product is bonded to the sheet metal part using the adhesive, such that the volume between the semi-finished product and the sheet metal part through which the flow path of the temperature control fluid passes is limited. Thus, the manufactured semi-finished product and the sheet metal part are provided and bonded together using the adhesive.

[0018] The heat exchanger, especially the cooling plate, can in principle be used in any application. In particular, the heat exchanger is used to cool an object.

[0019] For example, the heat exchanger can be used in both a mobile application and a stationary application.

[0020] The heat exchanger, in particular the cooling plate, is advantageously used to temper a battery, in particular a traction battery.

[0021] It is also conceivable to use the heat exchanger, in particular the cooling plate, to control the temperature of a photovoltaic device.

[0022] It is also conceivable to use the heat exchanger, in particular the cooling plate, to control the temperature of a fuel cell system in a mobile or stationary application.

[0023] In preferred variants, a system is used to produce the semi-finished product. The adhesive is applied and thus applied within the system. This allows for automated and individually adjustable production of the semi-finished product. Preferably, the blank is guided through the system, and the adhesive is applied to the blank within the system. The system advantageously includes a conveyor belt to guide the blank through the system.

[0024] In principle, the adhesive can be of any type.

[0025] The adhesive is advantageously a polyolefin-based one.

[0026] Improved adhesive application and improved semi-finished product quality can be achieved by applying an adhesive film to the blank. It is conceivable to feed the adhesive film and the blank through the system, so that the adhesive film is applied to the blank in the system.

[0027] The system advantageously has successive zones through which the cut is passed one after the other.

[0028] The system preferably has a heating zone, an application zone, and a cooling zone, through which the blank is guided sequentially. This means that the blank is guided in the system through the heating zone, through the application zone following the heating zone, and through the cooling zone following the application zone. The heating zone is heated to a heating temperature. Furthermore, the application zone is heated to an application temperature that is higher than the heating temperature. The cooling zone is maintained at a cooling temperature that is lower than the heating temperature and higher than the ambient temperature. The adhesive is preferably applied before or in the heating zone. The blank and the adhesive are therefore preheated in the heating zone.This results in controlled heating of the blank and the adhesive, so that thermal stresses in the blank and between the blank and the adhesive are avoided or at least reduced. Further heating takes place in the application zone, resulting in improved adhesion of the adhesive to the blank. In the subsequent cooling zone, the semi-finished product undergoes controlled recooling. This avoids or at least reduces thermal stresses in the semi-finished product, and in particular between the blank and the adhesive. This leads to improved adhesion of the adhesive to the blank and thus to increased quality of the semi-finished product.

[0029] In advantageous variants, the heating temperature, the application temperature and the cooling temperature are each between 50° C and 280° C.

[0030] Preferred embodiments are those in which the heating temperature is between 100°C and 130°C, and / or the application temperature is between 140°C and 280°C, and / or the cooling temperature is between 70°C and 100°C. In particular, the heating temperature can be 115°C and / or the application temperature 160°C and / or the cooling temperature 90°C. This results in optimized adhesion of the adhesive to the blank and thus in improved quality of the semi-finished product.

[0031] In advantageous variants, the blank is guided through the system and thus through the zones at a speed between 0.2 m / min and 20 m / min. Preferably, the blank is guided through the system and thus through the zones at a speed between 0.5 m / min and 2.0 m / min. This ensures a sufficiently high thermal adaptation of the blank and / or the adhesive. This improves the adhesion of the adhesive to the blank and thus increases the quality of the semi-finished product. To produce the semi-finished product, the adhesive film and the blank are advantageously mechanically stressed against each other, particularly in the system.

[0032] Preferred embodiments are those in which the adhesive film and the blank are applied in the system, particularly in the application zone, with a pressure of maximum 90 N / cm 2 be mechanically stressed against each other.

[0033] Preferably, the adhesive film and the blank, especially in the application zone, are applied with a pressure of between 1.1 N / cm 2 and 18 N / cm 2 mechanically against each other. This leads, on the one hand, to improved adhesion of the adhesive film to the blank. On the other hand, any voids, bubbles, and the like that may be present between the adhesive film and the blank are removed, which further improves the adhesion of the adhesive film to the blank. The result is, in turn, increased quality of the semi-finished product.

[0034] The blank and the semi-finished product can have any dimensions.

[0035] In particular, the blank can have a length and a width running transversely to the length, wherein the length and / or the width are at least 1 m. For example, the length and / or the width can be between 1.5 m and 4 m.

[0036] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0037] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0038] They show, schematically

[0039] Fig. 1 is a side view of a blank for producing a semi-finished product,

[0040] Fig. 2 a side view of the blank with an adhesive during

[0041] Production of the semi-finished product,

[0042] Fig. 3 a side view of the semi-finished product,

[0043] Fig. 4 a sectional view through a plant during the production of the semi-finished product,

[0044] Fig. 5 is a sectional view during the manufacture of a product with the semi-finished product,

[0045] Fig. 6 a sectional view of the product,

[0046] Fig. 7 is a highly simplified side view of the product on a battery in a motor vehicle.

[0047] A semi-finished product 1, as shown by way of example in Figures 3, 5 and 6, is used to manufacture a product 100, as shown by way of example in Figures 6 and 7. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the product 100 is a heat exchanger 101, which is designed as a cooling plate 102. The heat exchanger 101 can, as shown by way of example in Figure 7, be used to temperature-control, in particular to cool, a battery 300. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 7, the battery 300 is a traction battery 301 in a motor vehicle 400. The motor vehicle 400 is therefore preferably driven at least partially electrically by means of the traction battery 301. In a variant not shown, the heat exchanger 101, in particular the cooling plate 102, can be used to temperature-control a photovoltaic device.

[0048] The production of the semi-finished product 1 is explained below using Figures 1 to 4.

[0049] To produce the semi-finished product 1, a blank 2 is provided, as shown individually in Figure 1. The dimensions of the blank 2 correspond to the semi-finished product 1. Subsequent cutting to produce the semi-finished product 1 can therefore be omitted. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the blank 2 is made of sheet metal, i.e. a sheet metal blank 3. The sheet can be a metal sheet, for example an aluminum sheet, or a sheet made of an alloy. To produce the semi-finished product 1, as indicated in Figure 2, an adhesive 4 is applied, i.e. applied, to the blank 2. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the adhesive 4 is an adhesive film 5, preferably based on polyolefin. The adhesive 4 is applied to one side 6 of the blank 2, at least in sections.As shown in the exemplary embodiments shown, the adhesive 4 can be applied to the entire side 6 and thus flatly on the blank 2.

[0050] The blank 2 can have a length 7, indicated in Figure 1, which is at least 1 m. For example, the length 7 is between 1.5 m and 4 m. Alternatively or additionally, a width of the blank 2 running transversely to the length 7 and not visible in the figures can be at least 1 m, for example between 1.5 m and 4 m.

[0051] As can be seen in Figure 4, the adhesive 4 can be applied to the blank 2 in a system 200. The blank 2 is guided through the system 200. For this purpose, the system 200 can have a conveyor belt (not shown).

[0052] According to Figure 4, the blank 2 is guided through successive zones 201, 202, 203 of the system 200. The speed at which the blank 2 is guided through the system 200 can be between 0.2 m / min and 20 m / min. For example, the speed is between 0.5 m / min and 2.0 m / min. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the blank 2 is guided through a heating zone 201, an application zone 202 following the heating zone 201, and a cooling zone 203 of the system 200 following the application zone 202. The adhesive 4 is applied to the blank 2 before or in the heating zone 201. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the adhesive 4 is applied to the blank 2 before the heating zone 201. This means that in the embodiment shown, the blank 2 is guided together with the adhesive film 5 through the heating zone 201, the application zone 202 and the cooling zone 203.The semi-finished product 1 thus produced is then removed from the system 200.

[0053] In the heating zone 201, a controlled preheating of the blank 2 and the adhesive film 5 takes place, whereby a temperature in the application zone 202, hereinafter also referred to as the application temperature, is higher than a temperature in the heating zone 201, hereinafter also referred to as the heating temperature. This results in improved adhesion of the adhesive 4 to the blank 2. In the subsequent cooling zone 203, a controlled cooling / recooling takes place so that separation of the adhesive 4 from the blank 2 is avoided or at least reduced. A temperature in the cooling zone 203, hereinafter also referred to as the cooling temperature, is above the ambient temperature and lower than the heating temperature. In the system 200, the heating zone 201 is heated to the heating temperature and the application zone 202 is heated to the application temperature. In addition, the cooling zone 203 is kept at the cooling temperature.This can be done by means of active cooling and / or active heating in the cooling zone 203.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiments, the heating temperature, the application temperature, and the cooling temperature are between 50°C and 280°C. The heating temperature is between 100°C and 130°C, for example, 115°C. The application temperature is between 140°C and 280°C, for example, 160°C. The cooling temperature is between 70°C and 100°C, for example, 90°C.

[0055] The blank 2 and the adhesive 4, in the illustrated embodiments the adhesive film 5, are mechanically applied to each other to produce the semi-finished product 1. In the illustrated embodiments, this is done in the system 200, for example, by means of air cushions (not shown). The adhesive film 5 and the blank 2, particularly in the application zone 202, are subjected to a maximum pressure of 90 N / cm 2mechanically against each other. For example, the pressure is between 1.1 N / cm 2 and 18 N / cm 2 .

[0056] To manufacture the product 100, in the illustrated embodiments of the cooling plate 102, as indicated in Figures 5 and 6, the semi-finished product 1 is joined to a sheet metal part 103, which in turn may be a semi-finished product. Thus, the semi-finished product 1 and the sheet metal part 103 are provided. The semi-finished product 1 and the sheet metal part 103 are bonded together by means of the adhesive 4 in such a way that a volume 104 is defined in the cooling plate 102 between the semi-finished product 1 and the sheet metal part 103, through which a flow path of a temperature control fluid passes. This means that during operation, the temperature control fluid flows through the volume 104 to achieve temperature control. In the embodiment of Figure 7, as explained above, the tempering fluid is used to temper, in particular to cool, the battery 300. To realize the volume 104, the semi-finished product 1 and / or the sheet metal part 103 is manufactured as a channel sheet 105 in the embodiment shown.The channel plate 104 has elongated recesses 106 that delimit the volume 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheet metal part 103 is designed / manufactured as a channel plate 105, purely by way of example. Four such recesses 106 are shown, purely by way of example.

[0057] *****

Claims

Claims 1 . Method for producing a semi-finished product (1 ), in particular for a cooling plate (102), - wherein a blank (2) corresponding to the dimensions of the semi-finished product (1), in particular a sheet metal blank (3), is provided, - wherein adhesive (4) is applied at least in sections to one side (6) of the blank (2) and the semi-finished product (1) is thus produced.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that - that a system (200) is provided for applying the adhesive (4), - that the blank (2), in particular by means of a conveyor belt, is guided through the system (200) and the adhesive (4) is applied to the blank (2) in the system (200).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an adhesive film (5), in particular based on polyolefin, is applied to the blank (2) as the adhesive (4).

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that - that the blank (2) is guided in the system (200) through a heating zone (201), an application zone (202) following the heating zone (201) and through a cooling zone (203) following the application zone (202), - that the heating zone (201 ) is heated to a heating temperature, - that the application zone (202) is heated to an application temperature which is higher than the heating temperature, - that the cooling zone (203) is maintained at a cooling temperature which is lower than the heating temperature and higher than the ambient temperature, - that the adhesive (4) is applied to the blank (2) before or in the heating zone (201).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the heating temperature, the application temperature and the cooling temperature are between 50° C and 280° C.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that - that the heating temperature is between 100° C and 130° C, - that the application temperature is between 140° C and 280° C, - that the cooling temperature is between 70° C and 100° C.

7. Method according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the blank (2) is guided through the system (200) at a speed between 0.2 m / min and 20 m / min, in particular between 0.5 m / min and 2.0 m / min.

8. Method according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the adhesive film (4) and the blank (2) are mechanically pressed against each other be applied.

9. Method according to claim 8 and one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the adhesive film (4) and the blank (2) in the system (200), in particular in the application zone (202), with a pressure of maximum 90 N / cm 2, especially between 1.1 N / cm 2 and 18 N / cm 2 , are mechanically stressed against each other.

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that such a blank (2) is provided with a length (7) and a width running transversely to the length (7), wherein the length (7) and / or the width are at least 1 m, in particular between 1.5 m and 4 m.

11. Method for producing a cooling plate (102), in particular for a battery (300) and / or for a fuel cell system and / or for a photovoltaic device, - wherein a semi-finished product (1) is produced according to the method according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein a sheet metal part (103) is provided, - wherein the semi-finished product (1) and the sheet metal part (103) are connected to one another by means of the adhesive (4) in such a way that a volume (104) is defined between the semi-finished product (1) and the sheet metal part (103), through which volume a flow path of a tempering fluid leads.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the semi-finished product (1) and / or the sheet metal part (103) is produced as a channel plate (105) which has at least one elongate recess (106) which limits the volume (104).

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