Search

DE-102013203468-B4 - Battery unit and method for improving the thermal contact of a cooling device of a battery unit

DE102013203468B4DE 102013203468 B4DE102013203468 B4DE 102013203468B4DE-102013203468-B4

Abstract

Battery unit (10) with a cooling device (1) for a battery unit (10), wherein the battery unit (10) is composed of at least two battery modules (11), and wherein the cooling device (1) has a cavity (2) and the cavity (2) is permeable to a cooling fluid (3), wherein a first surface (4) of the cooling device (1) facing the battery unit (10) is in operative contact with the cavity (2) and is designed to be deformable in such a way that, by applying pressure through the cooling fluid (3) in the cavity (2), the first surface (4) makes planar contact with the individual battery modules (11) of the battery unit (10).

Inventors

  • Steffen Benz
  • Benjamin Kopp

Assignees

  • ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20130301

Claims (8)

  1. Battery unit (10) with a cooling device (1) for a battery unit (10), wherein the battery unit (10) is composed of at least two battery modules (11), and whereby the cooling device (1) has a cavity (2) and the cavity (2) is permeable to a cooling fluid (3), whereby a first surface (4) of the cooling device (1) facing the battery unit (10) is in operative contact with the cavity (2) and is designed to be deformable in such a way that, by applying pressure through the cooling fluid (3) in the cavity (2), the first surface (4) makes planar contact with the individual battery modules (11) of the battery unit (10).
  2. Battery unit (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the first surface (4) is plastically deformable.
  3. Battery unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a turbulence device (7) is arranged in the cavity (2).
  4. Battery unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device (1) has at least a first (5) and a second plate (6), wherein the first surface (4) is formed by the first plate (5).
  5. Battery unit (10) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the cavity (2) is formed by the first (5) and the second plate (6).
  6. Battery unit (10) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that a turbulence device (7) is arranged in the cavity (2) and the turbulence device (7) is connected to the second plate (6).
  7. Battery unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact means (12) is provided on the cooling device (1).
  8. Method for improving the thermal contact of a cooling device (1) of a battery unit (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 to individual battery modules (11) of the battery unit (10), characterized by the following steps: a. Arranging the cooling device (1) on the battery unit (10), b. Flowing a cooling fluid (3) through the cavity (2) of the cooling device (1), c. Deforming the first surface (4) of the cavity (2) and d. Surface contact of the individual battery modules (11) of the battery unit (10) by the first surface (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a battery unit with a cooling device for a battery unit and a method for improving the thermal contact of a cooling device of a battery unit. STATE OF THE ART In modern technology, battery systems are used to provide electrical energy for a wide variety of applications. The range of applications for battery systems is particularly diverse, as they can be used in stationary applications, such as wind turbines, as well as in mobile applications, such as hybrid and electric vehicles. Furthermore, the use of battery systems in consumer electronics, such as laptops and mobile phones, is also common. Therefore, such battery systems are subject to a wide range of very high demands regarding reliability, safety, performance, and lifespan. To ensure optimal operation of such a battery system, the battery units can be connected to a temperature management system. Such a system can heat or cool the individual battery units to ensure they operate within an optimal temperature range. These systems include cooling devices designed to regulate the temperature of the battery units. The cooling devices disclosed in this application are designed for both cooling and heating battery units. The cooling device can be configured to make contact with the individual battery units. However, due to assembly tolerances, it is possible that the contact between the battery unit and the cooling device cannot be fully guaranteed. To improve this contact, for example, the DE 10 2009 058 809 A1 It is known to design the contact surface of the cooling device, intended for contact with the battery unit, with a mechanical preload and, in particular, a convex shape. This ensures that the surface of the cooling device is pressed against the battery unit during assembly. However, this does not compensate for larger irregularities on the underside of the battery, such as those that can occur when a battery unit is composed of several battery modules. Alternatively, the DE 20 2012 101 076 U1 A cooling device for a battery system, in which cooling fluid is circulated through a cooling hose. Pressurizing the cooling hose can either press a cooling plate between the hose and the battery unit against the battery unit, or press the cooling hose itself against the underside of the battery unit. This eliminates an air gap between the cooling device and the battery unit. However, a disadvantage is that pressure, and thus good contact between the cooling device and the battery unit, can only be ensured where the cooling hose is positioned within the cooling device. Contact across the entire contact surface of the battery unit cannot be guaranteed, especially if the battery unit has an uneven surface. The state of the art in this regard is also the printed publication. WO 2012/ 072 348 A1 , which relates to a device for directing a cooling fluid to cool an electrical component. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of known battery units and known methods for improving the thermal contact between a cooling device for a battery unit and the battery unit as described above. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a battery unit and such a method which enable particularly good heat exchange between the battery unit and the cooling device in a simple and cost-effective manner, wherein the cooling device is of a particularly simple mechanical design. The foregoing problem is solved by a battery unit with a cooling device for a battery unit having the features of independent claim 1, and by a method for improving the thermal contact of a cooling device of a battery unit having the features of claim 8. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the cooling device for a battery unit according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the battery unit and the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention ten is always, or can always be, mutually referenced. In a first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a battery unit with a cooling device for a battery unit, wherein the battery unit is composed of at least two battery modules. The cooling device has a cavity through which a cooling fluid can flow. In particular, a cooling device according to the invention features a first surface of the cooling device facing the battery unit that is operatively connected to the cavity and is designed to be deformable such that, when pressure is applied by the cooling fluid in the cavity, the first surface makes planar contact with the individual battery modules of the battery unit. The cooling device according to the invention has a cavity through which a cooling fluid can flow. The