Battery storage-unit housing for the variable thermal insulation of a battery storage unit and method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates, inter alia, to a battery storage-unit housing (10) for the variable thermal insulation of a battery storage unit (20), comprising an inner housing (11), a thermal insulation layer (12) and an outer housing (13). According to the invention, formed in the insulation layer (12) there is at least one free space (14), parts of which are in contact with a surface of the inner housing (11) and parts of which are in contact with an opposite surface of the outer housing (13). The at least one free space (14) is connected in a media-conducting manner via an inlet (E) and an outlet (A), in order for a heat exchange medium (M) to be transferred through the at least one free space (14). The invention also proposes systems and a method for implementing hydraulically switchable insulation states.

Description

[0001] Battery storage housing for variable thermal insulation of a battery storage system and methods for this purpose

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery storage housing for variable thermal insulation of a battery storage system, a hydraulic insulation system for hydraulically switchable thermal insulation of a battery storage system through the battery storage housing, a temperature control system for a battery storage system with hydraulically switchable thermal insulation through the battery storage housing, and a method for changing a variable thermal insulation of a battery storage system using the battery storage housing.

[0003] Concepts combining external thermal insulation and internal thermal conditioning of battery storage systems with multiple battery cells or modules using liquid cooling are known in the prior art, particularly in the field of electromobility. The advantage of liquid cooling (often a water-glycol mixture) compared to cooling via gas flow arises from the fact that the product of mass flow rate and specific heat capacity exhibits advantageously high values ​​at typical flow rates, and the battery size can also be minimized. Furthermore, heat dissipation can be easily adapted to temperature fluctuations caused by varying power dynamics in different operating states by regulating the circulating mass flow rate.

[0004] Various battery storage systems with liquid-carrying channels are known, providing indirect contact between the medium and the battery cells via one or more materials with high thermal conductivity for heat transfer. Alternatively, systems with immersion cooling are known, which establish direct contact between the medium and the battery cells within a closed reservoir or a circulation system.

[0005] Furthermore, the use of a thermal insulation layer on the outer surface of the battery storage system is known, which passively decouples the inner and outer surfaces through low thermal conductivity. Particularly in a key application area of ​​such systems—namely, mobile applications of larger battery storage systems such as traction batteries—these are subject to spontaneous use under full exposure to external weather conditions. Therefore, maintaining a constant temperature in the battery cells, especially at the start of operation, can be significantly impaired by large deviations in the ambient temperature.

[0006] In other operating situations, however, thermal insulation of the battery storage system to prevent heat exchange between the battery housing and the environment can be disadvantageous. This is detrimental in terms of the increased cooling capacity required, necessitating a higher power output from the temperature control system. Furthermore, it negatively impacts the energy efficiency of the temperature control system in various temperature-dependent operating conditions, which, in the case of an electric vehicle, translates to a reduction in range.

[0007] Therefore, considering the target system and application of the battery storage system, especially in mobile applications, a decision must always be made for or against the use of an external thermal insulation layer on the battery storage system, or for dimensioning the thermal insulation layer accordingly. This is because, to date, there are hardly any dedicated means or structures known that allow for variable or selective insulation in an external area of ​​a battery storage system.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to at least partially overcome the aforementioned disadvantage of the prior art. Likewise, it is an object of the invention to provide a technology that enables variable thermal insulation properties of a battery storage device or supports the production of switchable thermal insulation states.

[0009] The foregoing problems are solved by a battery storage housing with the features of claim 1, a corresponding hydraulic insulation system with the features of claim 5, or a corresponding temperature control system with the features of claim 10, and, using these features accordingly, a method for changing a variable thermal insulation of a battery storage device with the steps of claim 16. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0010] Features and details described in connection with the battery storage housing according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the hydraulic insulation system or the temperature control system, and these in turn also apply in connection with the method and vice versa, so that mutual reference can always be made to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention.

[0011] The battery storage housing according to the invention serves for the variable thermal insulation of a battery storage system and comprises an inner housing that encloses a plurality of battery cells; and a thermal insulation layer that at least partially encloses the inner housing. According to the invention, an outer housing encloses the inner housing and the insulation layer, wherein the inner housing and the outer housing are each made of a thermally conductive material. At least one cavity is formed in the insulation layer, and this at least one cavity is in partial contact with a surface of the inner housing and an opposing surface of the outer housing.Furthermore, at least one free space is connected to an outside of the battery storage housing via an inlet and an outlet, and at least one free space is designed to be filled and emptied with a heat exchange medium via the inlet and the outlet.

[0012] Building upon this, the hydraulic insulation system serves for the hydraulically switchable thermal insulation of the battery storage system. For this purpose, in addition to the battery storage housing according to the invention, the hydraulic insulation system comprises a hydraulic circuit for the transfer of a heat exchange medium to and from the battery storage housing, for the hydraulic generation of insulation states.The hydraulic circuit comprises fluid-carrying lines that are communicatively connected to the inlet and outlet of the at least one transfer channel and / or the at least one free space in the battery storage housing; a reservoir for storing a volume of the heat exchange medium; a pump for conveying the heat exchange medium between the reservoir and the battery storage housing; and at least one valve arranged in the hydraulic circuit between the battery storage housing and the reservoir and / or between the battery storage housing and the pump, for switching between media transfers of the heat exchange medium for filling, emptying and / or flowing through the at least one free space in the battery storage housing.Thus, the hydraulic insulation system serves to create different thermal insulation states in the battery storage housing by filling or flowing through and emptying the free spaces with a thermally conductive liquid heat exchange medium.

[0013] Alternatively, a temperature control system for the battery storage unit serves to provide hydraulically switchable thermal insulation of the battery storage unit. In addition to the battery storage unit housing according to the invention, the temperature control system comprises a temperature control circuit for temperature control of the battery cells by means of a circulation of a heat exchange medium, and a hydraulic circuit for the transfer of the heat exchange medium to and from the transfer channel and / or at least a free space in the battery storage unit housing for the hydraulic generation of insulation states.The temperature control circuit comprises medium-carrying lines that are communicatively connected to an inlet and an outlet of the at least one temperature control channel in the battery storage housing; at least one heat exchanger for heat exchange between the heat exchange medium and an atmosphere of a system environment; and a temperature control pump for circulating the heat exchange medium in the temperature control circuit.The hydraulic circuit comprises fluid-carrying lines that are commutingly connected to the inlet and outlet of at least one transfer channel and / or at least one free space in the battery storage housing; a reservoir for storing a volume of the heat exchange medium; and at least one valve arranged between the battery storage housing and the reservoir and / or between the battery storage housing and the temperature control pump, for switching between media transfers of the heat exchange medium for filling, emptying, and / or flowing through the at least one free space in the battery storage housing. The temperature control circuit and the hydraulic circuit are commutingly interconnected. Similarly, a method for changing the variable thermal insulation of a battery storage system using the battery storage housing according to the invention is also provided.The procedure includes at least the following steps:

[0014] Filling or flowing a heat exchange medium through the at least one free space in the battery storage housing via the inlet or via the inlet and outlet by means of a hydraulic circuit, to create a thermal insulation state with higher thermal conductivity between an inside and an outside of the battery storage housing, and

[0015] Draining the heat exchange medium from the at least one free space in the battery storage housing via the output using the hydraulic circuit, to create a thermal insulation state with lower thermal conductivity between an inside and an outside of the battery storage housing.

[0016] According to the definition in the present disclosure, the term battery storage system includes, in particular, modularly constructed battery storage systems such as a traction battery for a vehicle, which comprises several battery modules with battery cells. However, the term battery storage system also includes battery storage systems containing battery cells without a modular intermediate structure, or battery storage systems that themselves constitute a battery module within a modular battery storage system.

[0017] The invention provides for the first time a liquid-fillable structure with one or more interconnected chamber-like free spaces in an insulated housing shell for a controllable, local insulation property in a battery storage system against external thermal influences.

[0018] A major advantage of the invention, compared to a permanently constant thermal insulation property such as that of a continuous rigid foam layer, is that variable insulation can be achieved temporarily. This, in combination with a related technology, allows for the selection of insulation states, which are preferably situation-dependent and controllable.

[0019] This property is achieved in the technical implementation by locally bridging an insulating layer in a section of the battery storage housing with the thermal conductivity of a liquid heat exchange medium. When the heat exchange medium is removed, an empty volume, i.e., a replacement gas volume of air, acts as thermal insulation at the same location.

[0020] Advantageously, the invention provides a variable heat transfer between the battery cells and the environment, which can be influenced based on the thermal conductivity of the chamber-like structure according to the invention in the battery storage housing, wherein the thermal conductivity can be adjusted via a filling state of free spaces.

[0021] A further advantage is that a local center of gravity, i.e., a boundary or course, as well as an overall dimensioning, i.e., a maximum heat exchange capacity, of the described variable heat transfer through the battery storage housing can be selected depending on the chosen arrangement and surface area of ​​the chamber-like structure according to the invention within a housing shell. These properties can thus be predetermined either via the housing design or, building upon this, adjusted technically even during operation by targeted, area-related filling of free spaces using further hydraulic means such as channels and actuators.

[0022] From a global perspective, a maximum area-normalized value for thermal conductivity can be determined by the number and size of the fillable voids in the insulation layer, i.e., an area-specific density of such a chamber structure. Remarkably, this property persists despite the presence of an insulation layer that provides effective insulation, and whose insulating properties are hardly affected by the aforementioned chamber structure due to the insulating effect of air pockets in the unfilled state of the voids.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, a plurality of chamber-like spaces can be formed in the insulation layer, and each of these chamber-like spaces can be in partial contact with a surface of the inner housing and an opposing surface of the outer housing. The spaces are connected by at least one media-carrying transfer channel for the transfer of the heat exchange medium through the spaces, and this transfer channel comprises the inlet and outlet to the outside of the battery storage housing. Thus, the spaces are designed to be filled and emptied with the heat exchange medium via the inlet, the transfer channel, and the outlet.Thus, on one side of the battery storage housing, the free spaces can be supplied with heat via a bundled channel structure in the form of a distributor, while on the opposite side of the battery storage housing, the heat exchange medium is discharged from the free spaces through a similar channel structure in the form of a collector. Furthermore, a design with multiple chamber-like free spaces has the advantage that, during operation of a mobile application, the chamber walls counteract a one-sided or acceleration-biased distribution of the heat exchange medium due to the inertia of the fluid volume.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the majority of free spaces in the insulation layer can extend over at least two differently oriented surface sections of the inner casing and / or the outer casing. Thus, in a state where the switchable insulation state is deactivated, an active area for heat transfer between the battery cells and the environment can be increased or maximized.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one medium-carrying temperature control channel can extend through the inner housing and preferably be in thermal contact with the battery cells, enabling circulation of the heat exchange medium for temperature control of the battery cells. In this context, a temperature control medium can simultaneously be used as the heat exchange medium in the free spaces. Furthermore, a combination with a separate, conventional temperature control system is also conceivable.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the lines of the hydraulic circuit can connect the transfer channel and / or at least one free space in the battery storage housing, the expansion tank, and the pump to form a circuit for circulating media transfer within the hydraulic circuit. This creates a hydraulic variant for unidirectional transfer of the heat exchange medium through the free spaces from an inlet port to an outlet port of the transfer channel in conjunction with the hydraulic circuit.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the hydraulic circuit lines can connect the transfer channel and / or at least one free space in the battery storage housing and the expansion tank to one side of the pump in a single run, enabling bidirectional media transfer within the hydraulic circuit. This allows for an alternative hydraulic configuration, not discussed in detail later, in which bidirectional transfer of the heat exchange medium through the free spaces occurs via a common inlet / outlet connection of the transfer channel in conjunction with the hydraulic circuit. Additional means for venting the free spaces are required for this purpose.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one valve can comprise at least one switchable valve for selecting between hydraulic states of thermal insulation, which is communicatively connected to the transfer channel and / or the at least one free space in the battery storage housing, wherein a closed position of the at least one switchable valve blocks off a filling volume of the heat exchange medium in the at least one free space, and an open position of the at least one switchable valve allows the heat exchange medium to drain from the at least one free space. Thus, means for circuit-related support are provided for initiating and maintaining hydraulic processes in establishing thermal insulation states in the battery storage housing.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one valve can comprise at least one check valve, wherein an opening direction of the latter determines the direction of media transfer of the heat exchange medium and / or a blocking direction maintains a backflow of the heat exchange medium. Thus, further means are provided for circuit-related support in initiating and maintaining hydraulic processes during the creation of thermal insulation conditions in the battery storage housing.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the hydraulic circuit integrated into the temperature control system can additionally include its own pump for independently conveying the heat exchange medium between the expansion tank and the battery storage housing. Thus, the insulation states can be realized independently of the operation of the temperature control system.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, a heating device can be provided in the temperature control circuit for electrically heating the heat exchange medium. This allows for active heating, particularly at the start of operation and at low ambient temperatures, enabling a target temperature to be reached more quickly.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, a chiller arranged in the temperature control circuit can be provided for thermodynamic cooling of the heat exchange medium. This allows for active cooling at high power output and high ambient temperatures to reach a target temperature more quickly or at all.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, a temperature sensor arranged on the outside of the battery storage unit or in a system environment can be provided to detect an outside temperature. This supports control of the insulation states by means of measured values ​​generated within the system.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, a temperature sensor arranged in the battery storage unit can be provided to detect the battery temperature. This sensor also supports the control of the insulation states through measured values ​​generated within the system.

[0035] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features and embodiments mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings schematically illustrate:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a section of a battery storage housing with hydraulically variable insulation through a chamber-like structure in a housing shell according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a further embodiment of the invention in the form of a temperature control system with a functionally dependent, integrated hydraulic circuit for the battery storage housing, and

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention with a combination of a temperature control system and a functionally independent hydraulic insulation system with a hydraulic circuit for the battery storage housing.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section through the casing of a multi-part battery storage housing 10 of a battery storage system 20, which consists of an inner housing 11, an outer housing 13, and an intermediate insulating layer 12, which serves to thermally decouple the inside and outside of the battery storage housing 10. The outer housing 13 essentially completely encloses the insulating layer 12 and the inner housing 11, with the insulating layer 12 at least partially enclosing the inner housing 11. The inner housing 11 and the outer housing 13 are made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as a metallic or ceramic material or a composite material. The insulating layer 12 consists, for example, of a polymer-based rigid foam with a gas-filled pore structure and low thermal conductivity.This results in a sandwich structure for the housing shell, which provides a thermally conductive structure and surface to an inside and an outside of the battery storage housing 10, and has thermal insulation in its core.

[0039] The figure on the right shows an exemplary, media-carrying channel structure of a temperature control channel 16, which runs through a bottom section of the inner housing 16 to temperature-control the battery cells 22 of the battery storage system 20 contained therein. Alternatively, a channel structure of the temperature control channel 16 can also extend directly to the battery cells 22 through a receiving chamber of the inner housing 11 or communicate with an immersion volume in the inner housing 11 to establish direct thermal contact between the heat exchange medium M and the battery cells 22. Functionally, it is essential that the temperature control channel 16, expediently with a branching channel structure to the battery cells 22, runs through the inner housing 11 to temperature-control the battery cells 22 with the heat exchange medium M.

[0040] The insulation layer 12 has a chamber-like structure of voids 14. These voids 14 are formed as openings, i.e., as recesses extending through the entire thickness of the insulation layer 12, so that over a surface area corresponding to at least part of the outer surface of the inner housing 11 and at least part of the inner surface of the outer housing 13, no material of the insulation layer 12 remains between the inner housing 11 and the outer housing 13 in the voids 14. Similar to the media-carrying channel structure of the temperature control channel 16 in the inner housing 11, the voids 14 are also used as a media-carrying channel structure or media-carrying chamber structure, with the individual voids 14 additionally being interconnected via a channel structure of a transfer channel 15.The transfer channel 15 serves functionally to fill or flow through the free spaces 14 with the heat exchange medium M and to empty the free spaces 14, wherein the transfer channel 15 comprises an inlet E and an outlet A to an outside of the battery storage housing 10.

[0041] Alternatively, instead of a plurality of free spaces 14 connected by the transfer channel 15, only one continuous free space 14 can be formed, which includes the input E and the output A to the outside of the battery storage housing 10 or is directly connected to them in a communicating manner.

[0042] The heat exchange medium M is a liquid, water- or oil-based medium that offers high, or at least higher, thermal conductivity and, in its liquid phase, better heat transfer than the solid material of the insulation layer 12. When the cavities 14 are filled with a sufficient volume of the heat exchange medium M, the heat exchange medium M forms a thermally conductive path in each cavity 14 from a surface of the inner casing 11 to a surface of the outer casing 13. Depending on the temperature ratio or direction, the cavities 14 in the battery storage housing 10 therefore form thermal bridges or cold bridges between the inner casing 11 and the outer casing 13, each effective with respect to a surface area of ​​the casing where the insulation layer 12 is penetrated by the cavities 14.If, on the other hand, the heat exchange medium M is emptied from the free spaces 14 via the transfer channel 15, these spaces are filled with air or at least a gas phase that acts as a thermal insulator, similar to the gas-containing pore structure of the rigid foam material of the insulation layer 12. Therefore, by creating at least two filling states of the free spaces 14 with the heat exchange medium M, i.e., at least by bringing about a completely filled state and an empty state, two different hydraulically introduceable insulation states with different thermal conductivities of the battery storage housing 10 can be provided.This applies both to a local value of the thermal conductivity with respect to surface sections of the housing shell in which the hydraulically active or activatable chamber-like structure of the free spaces 14 is arranged, and also globally, to an average value of the thermal conductivity with respect to the entire structure and housing shell of the battery storage housing 10. In addition, intermediate states in the range of almost complete filling can optionally be set in a fine-tuning of a required hydraulic system, which cause a variation in the thermal conductivity over a distance through the respective free space 14.

[0043] With a horizontal orientation of the sandwich structure of the housing shell, as in a housing lid, an air gap that forms in an unfilled upper section of the free space 14 interrupts the heat transfer. With a vertical orientation of the sandwich structure of the housing shell, as in a side wall, the unfilled upper section of the free space 14 proportionally reduces the active heat transfer area. By dimensioning and arranging the chamber-like free spaces 14, as well as by combining differently oriented sections of the housing shell with them, the thermal performance of the heat transfer and its behavior with respect to a hydraulic process for filling or flowing through and emptying with the heat exchange medium M can be designed specifically for each model.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the temperature control system 200 for the battery storage 20, in which a hydraulic circuit 30, as a functionally essential fragment from the hydraulic isolation system 100 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, has been retained. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the hydraulic circuit 30 integrated in the temperature control system 200 is driven by the pump 32, thus making the operation of the hydraulic circuit 30 dependent on the operation of the temperature control system 200, but simplifying the system design with fewer components and, in particular, only one pump, the temperature control pump 42.

[0045] In this process, a relatively small partial flow, compared to the total flow rate of the temperature control circuit 40, is diverted from the circulation of the heat exchange medium M for hydraulic purposes. A control-operated directional control valve 37 with two positions selectively directs the diverted partial flow, in one position, for the previously described hydraulic processes of insulation, into the hydraulic circuit 30 and via the transfer channel 15 through the free spaces 14. Thus, the free spaces 14 are completely filled and flowed through, and the hydraulically switchable insulation feature is deactivated.

[0046] In the other position, the directional control valve 37 selectively directs the diverted partial flow via a bypass past the battery storage housing 10 into the expansion tank 31 and back to the temperature control pump 42. Without the supply of heat exchange medium M from the temperature control pump 42 upstream into the transfer channel 15, any existing fill of the free spaces 14 with heat exchange medium M flows into the expansion tank 31. Thus, the free spaces 14 are emptied and the hydraulically switchable insulation feature is activated.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment with two interconnected media-carrying systems: a hydraulic insulation system 100 for the battery storage housing 10 from Fig. 1 and a temperature control system 200 for the battery storage 20. The battery storage housing 10, shown in cross-section in Fig. 1, is shown in longitudinal section in Figs. 2 and 3. The insulation system 100 and the temperature control system 200 are medially connected, i.e., they are operated together with the same heat exchange medium M. However, both systems can be driven functionally independently of each other via their own pumps, i.e., a pump 32 and a temperature control pump 42. The hydraulic insulation system 100 requires significantly smaller volumes and a considerably lower flow rate than the temperature control system 200.

[0048] The temperature control system 200 largely corresponds to a known cooling circuit for a battery. The heat exchange medium M circulates under a delivery pressure of the temperature control pump 42 in a temperature control circuit 40 through the temperature control channel 16 of the battery storage housing 10 and through an ambient heat exchanger 41. Depending on the overall thermal situation with regard to the temperature in the battery storage 20 and the ambient temperature, the heat exchanger 41 can also be bypassed by means of a switchable directional control valve 45. Furthermore, a heating device 43 and a chiller 44 are arranged in the temperature control circuit 40. These allow the heat exchange medium M to be actively heated or cooled if this is necessary for correct temperature control of the battery cells 22.The temperature control system 200 is regulated exclusively or predominantly by maintaining a target range of the operating temperature of the battery cells 22 in the battery storage system 20 in order to ensure high performance in terms of power input and output, as well as low aging and a long service life.

[0049] The hydraulic insulation system 100 is connected to an inlet and an outlet of the transfer channel 15 in the battery storage housing 10. The heat exchange medium M circulates under the delivery pressure of the pump 32 in a hydraulic circuit 30, which in this embodiment is configured as a circuit, through the transfer channel 15 and the free spaces 14 in the battery storage housing 10 and through an expansion tank 31. The check valves 34, 35, and 36 define the direction of circulation from the pump 32 to the transfer channel 15. The transfer channel 15 comprises a branched channel structure, not shown in the longitudinal section of the battery storage housing 10, which connects all the free spaces 14. In particular, the channel structure of the transfer channel 15 is connected to each free space 14 both upstream of the pump 32's circulation direction and downstream of it.On the downstream side, the transfer channel 15 leads via a switchable valve 33 to an expansion tank 31. The valve 33 can be actuated by a control unit. In a closed position of the valve 33, the heat exchange medium M supplied by the pump 32 does not flow into the expansion tank 31 on the opposite side. Thus, the free spaces 14 fill with the heat exchange medium M until the maximum fill level in the riser, which is shown as a bypass to the switchable valve 33, is reached. To control a fill level, in particular complete filling, a pressure sensor can be arranged in a section between the pump 32 and the valve 33. Furthermore, sensors can be provided for the volumetric detection of a moderate, incomplete filling or a fill level of the heat exchange medium M in all of the free spaces 14 or in selected groups of free spaces 14.

[0050] In the open position of valve 33, the heat exchange medium M flows from the free spaces 14 into the expansion tank 31. As long as pump 32 continues to circulate, the free spaces 14 are circulated under the delivery pressure. This ensures complete filling of all free spaces 14 and thus uninterrupted heat transfer without an air gap, even in a horizontal orientation of the sandwich structure of the housing shell, as in the housing cover. In this state, the battery storage housing 10 exhibits its highest thermal conductivity, i.e., the hydraulically switchable thermal insulation property is deactivated.

[0051] When pump 32 stops pumping, the heat exchange medium M flows out of the free spaces via the open valve 33 and collects in the expansion tank 31. After the free spaces 14 are emptied and have filled with air, the heat transfer through the free spaces 14 is eliminated by air cushions. In this state, the battery storage housing 10 exhibits the lowest thermal conductivity, i.e., the hydraulically switchable thermal insulation property is activated.

[0052] Alternatively, in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3, instead of the multiple chamber-like free spaces 14 and the transfer channel 15, only a single, and possibly correspondingly larger, free space 14 can be formed in the battery storage housing 10, which is filled and emptied or through which fluid flows via the inlet E and the outlet A. To support the hydraulic processes and to prevent the formation of a mixture of gas and liquid phases, i.e., hydraulically unstable conditions, a pressure equalization line with a check valve 36 for venting the free spaces 14 with air from the compensating reservoir 31 is arranged between the expansion tank 31 and the side upstream of the transfer channel 15. Furthermore, a riser line is arranged as a bypass to the switchable valve 33 for hydraulic reasons.A liquid column and its pressure in the riser are chosen such that in a rest state, in which the pump 32 is not pumping, no volume of gas below atmospheric pressure in the expansion tank 31 returns to the free spaces 14 and causes undefined conditions with respect to thermal conductivity.

[0053] The preceding descriptions of the embodiments describe the present invention solely by way of example. Naturally, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided this is technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0054] Reference symbol list

[0055] 10 battery storage housings

[0056] 11 Inner casing

[0057] 12 Insulation layer

[0058] 13 Outer casings

[0059] 14 open spaces

[0060] 15 transfer channels

[0061] 16 Temperature control channel

[0062] 20 battery storage units

[0063] 22 battery cells

[0064] 30 Hydraulic circuit

[0065] 31 expansion tanks

[0066] 32 Pump

[0067] 33 Switchable valve 4 Check valve 5 Check valve 6 Check valve

[0068] 37-way valve with two switching states 0 Temperature control circuit 1 Heat exchanger 2 Temperature control pump

[0069] 43 Heating device

[0070] 44 Refrigeration machine

[0071] 45-way valve with two switching states

[0072] 100 hydraulic insulation system

[0073] 200 temperature control system

[0074] E Entrance

[0075] E Exit

[0076] M Heat exchange medium

Claims

Patent claims 1. Battery storage housing (10) for variable thermal insulation of a battery storage unit (20), comprising: an inner housing (11) enclosing a plurality of battery cells (22); and a thermal insulation layer (12) enclosing the inner housing (11) at least partially; characterized in that an outer housing (13) encloses the inner housing (11) and the insulation layer (12), wherein the inner housing (11) and the outer housing (13) are each made of a thermally conductive material; wherein at least one free space (14) is formed in the insulation layer (12), and the at least one free space (14) is in partial contact with a surface of the inner housing (11) and an opposing surface of the outer housing (13);and wherein the at least one free space (14) is connected to an inlet (E) and to an outlet (A) to an outside of the battery storage housing (10) in a media-carrying manner, and the at least one free space (14) is designed to be filled and emptied with a heat exchange medium (M) by means of the inlet (E) and the outlet (A).

2. Battery storage housing (10) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of chamber-like free spaces (14) are formed in the insulating layer (12), and the chamber-like free spaces (14) are each in partial contact with a surface of the inner housing (11) and an opposing surface of the outer housing (13); and wherein the free spaces (14) are connected by at least one media-carrying transfer channel (15) for media transfer of the heat exchange medium (M) through the free spaces (14), and the at least one transfer channel (15) comprises the inlet (E) and the outlet (A) to the outside of the battery storage housing (10), wherein the free spaces (14) are connected by means of the The inlet (E), transfer channel (15) and outlet (A) are designed to be filled and emptied with the heat exchange medium (M).

3. Battery storage housing (10) according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of free spaces (14) in the insulation layer (12) extend over at least two differently oriented surface sections of the inner housing (11) and / or the outer housing (13).

4. Battery storage housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least one media-carrying temperature control channel (16) which is arranged leading through the inner housing (11) and preferably in thermal contact with the battery cells (22), for a circulation of the heat exchange medium (M) for temperature control of the battery cells (22).

5. Hydraulic insulation system (100) for hydraulically switchable thermal insulation of a battery storage system (20), comprising: the battery storage housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4;and a hydraulic circuit (30) for transferring a heat exchange medium (M) to and from the battery storage housing (10), for hydraulically generating different insulation states, comprising: media-carrying lines that are communicatively connected to the inlet (E) and outlet (A) of the at least one transfer channel (15) and / or the at least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10), an expansion tank (31) for storing a volume of the heat exchange medium (M), a pump (32) for conveying the heat exchange medium (M) between the expansion tank (31) and the battery storage housing (10), and at least one valve (33, 34, 35, 36) located between the battery storage housing (10) and the expansion tank (31) and / or between the battery storage housing (10) and the pump 32 in the; hydraulic circuit (30) is arranged for switching between media transfers of the heat exchange medium (M) for filling, emptying and / or flowing through the at least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10).

6. Hydraulic isolation system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the lines of the hydraulic circuit (30) connect the transfer channel (15) and / or the least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10), the expansion tank (31) and the pump (32) to a circuit, for a circulating media transfer in the hydraulic circuit (30).

7. Hydraulic isolation system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the lines of the hydraulic circuit (30) connect the transfer channel (15) and / or the least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10) and the expansion tank (31) to one side of the pump (32) in a route, for bidirectional media transfer in the hydraulic circuit (30).

8. Hydraulic insulation system (100) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the at least one valve comprises at least one switchable valve for selecting between hydraulic states of the thermal insulation, which is communicatively connected to the transfer channel (15) and / or the at least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10), wherein a closed position of the at least one switchable valve blocks off a filling volume of the heat exchange medium (M) in the at least one free space (14), and an open position of the at least one switchable valve releases the heat exchange medium (M) from the at least one free space (14).

9. Hydraulic insulation system (100) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the at least one valve comprises at least one check valve, wherein an opening direction of the same provides a direction in a media transfer of the heat exchange medium (M) and / or a blocking direction provides a maintenance of a backflow of the heat exchange medium (M).

10. Temperature control system (200) for a battery storage system (20) with hydraulically switchable thermal insulation, comprising: the battery storage housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4; a temperature control circuit (40) for temperature control of battery cells (22) by circulation of a heat exchange medium (M), comprising: medium-carrying lines which are communicatively connected to an inlet and an outlet of the at least one temperature control channel (16) in the battery storage housing (10), at least one heat exchanger (41) for heat exchange between the heat exchange medium (M) and an atmosphere of a system environment, and a temperature control pump (42) for circulation of the heat exchange medium (M) in the temperature control circuit (40);a hydraulic circuit (30) for transferring the heat exchange medium (M) to and from the transfer channel (15) and / or the at least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10), for hydraulically generating insulation states, comprising: media-carrying lines that are communicatively connected to the inlet (E) and the outlet (A) of the at least one transfer channel (15) and / or the at least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10), a reservoir (31) for storing a volume of the heat exchange medium (M), and at least one valve (33) arranged between the battery storage housing (10) and the reservoir (31) and / or between the battery storage housing (10) and the temperature control pump (42), for switching between media transfers of the heat exchange medium (M) for filling, emptying and / or flowing through the at least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10); wherein; the temperature control circuit (40) and the hydraulic circuit (30) are interconnected in a communicating manner.

11. Temperature control system (200) according to claim 10, wherein the hydraulic circuit (30) additionally comprises a pump (32) for independently conveying the heat exchange medium (M) between the expansion tank (31) and the battery storage housing (10).

12. Temperature control system (200) according to claim 10 or 11, comprising a heating device (43) arranged in the temperature control circuit (40) for electrically heating the heat exchange medium (M).

13. Temperature control system (200) according to one of claims 10 to 12, comprising a refrigeration machine (44) arranged in the temperature control circuit (40) for thermodynamic cooling of the heat exchange medium (M).

14. Temperature control system (200) according to one of claims 10 to 13, comprising a temperature sensor arranged on an outside of the battery storage (20) or in a system environment for detecting an outside temperature.

15. Temperature control system (200) according to one of claims 10 to 14, comprising a temperature sensor arranged in the battery storage (20) for detecting a battery temperature.

16. Method for changing a variable thermal insulation of a battery storage device (20) using the battery storage device housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the steps: - Filling or flowing a heat exchange medium (M) through the at least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10) via the inlet (E) or via the inlet (E) and the outlet (A) by means of a hydraulic circuit (30), to create a thermal insulation state with higher thermal conductivity between an inside and an outside of the battery storage housing (10), and - Emptying the heat exchange medium (M) from the at least one free space (14) in the battery storage housing (10) via the outlet (A) by means of the hydraulic circuit (30) to create a thermal insulation state with a lower thermal conductivity between an inside and an outside of the battery storage housing (10).

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