Cooling plate

A cooling plate with a structural plate and a cover plate, wherein the structural plate has a channel-like recess which is enclosed by a raised edge region. The cover plate rests on the raised edge region and covers the channel-like recess in order to form a channel. Openings with connection elements arranged at the openings are provided in the structural plate and/or in the cover plate in order to let a fluid into the channel and to let a fluid out of the channel. A first mounting opening, which is in the form of a round hole, and a second mounting opening, which is in the form of an elongate hole, are provided in both the structural plate and in the cover plate, the respective first and second mounting openings being aligned with one another in order to receive a pin for fixing the two plates during a soldering process.

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2015/069868, which was filed on Aug. 31, 2015, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2014 217 728.6, which was filed in Germany on Sep. 4, 2014, and which are both herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cooling plate, in particular for cooling a battery or battery components of a battery for motor vehicles.

Description of the Background Art

Cooling plates have become known in the prior art for cooling batteries. The cooling plate is formed by a structural plate and a cover plate covering the latter. The structural plate has a channel-like recess which forms a channel, which leads from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, the cover plate closing off the channel-like recess. A flange is arranged on the cover plate, which flange has an inlet and an outlet channel, which communicate with the openings in order to guide a fluid into the channel and out of the channel of the cooling plate. Such cooling plates are known from DE 20 2012 102 349 U1, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 9,531,045. In this case, the structural plate and the cover plate are arranged in a soldering frame for soldering in a sealing and connective manner, wherein the plates are arranged for guiding by means of pins through openings. In this case, an opening is designed as a round hole with a pin in a precisely fitting manner, a second opening being designed as an elongate hole, into which a pin is also slidably received. Due to the precise arrangement of the pin into the one opening formed as a round hole, the plates are centered with one another, wherein the pin in the elongate hole constitutes a secure positioning which is effective even in the case of thermal expansion of the plates. The two openings in the plates are arranged in the symmetry line of the plates, resulting in space problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cooling plate which requires a small installation space and can nevertheless be securely fixed during the soldering process.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cooling plate with a structural plate and a cover plate is provided, wherein the structural plate has a channel-like recess which is surrounded by a raised edge region, the cover plate, which is, if necessary, substantially planar, rests on the raised edge region and covers the channel-like recess in order to form a channel, wherein openings with connection elements arranged thereon are provided in the structural plate and/or in the cover plate, for admitting a fluid into the channel and for discharging a fluid from the channel, wherein in the structural plate and in the cover plate, in each case a first mounting opening designed as a round hole and a second mounting opening designed as an elongate hole are provided, the round holes and the elongate holes being respectively aligned with each other and aligned with each other for accommodating a pin for fixing the two plates during the soldering process, wherein at least one of the two plates is arranged away from a line of symmetry of the structural plate and the cover plate. As a result, the pins can be arranged further away from one another for fixing purposes, which permits easy assembly and is favorable for the space requirement.

At least one of the two mounting openings can be arranged on the line of symmetry of the structural plate and the cover plate, while the other of the two mounting openings is arranged away from the line of symmetry.

Both mounting openings can be arranged away from the line of symmetry of the structural plate and the cover plate.

The channel-like recess can be formed in a U-shape with two essentially parallel legs which are designed to be connected to each other at one of their end regions and which are surrounded by the raised edge region, the two limbs being separated from one another by a raised web. As a result, good heat transfer is achieved when the fluid guided through the cooling plate is guided with a deflection in the plane of the cooling plate. Thus, the fluid flowing through the cooling plate is guided through the cooling plate over a longer flow path.

The first mounting opening, which can be designed as a round hole, can be arranged on the line of symmetry in the region of the raised web, the second mounting opening, which is designed as an elongate hole, being arranged away from the line of symmetry in the region of the raised edge region. In this way, in each case a region of the cooling plate is used, which is spaced away from the flow channel of the fluid and thus also causes no leakage problems.

Alternatively, the first mounting opening, which is designed as a round hole, can also be arranged in the region of the raised edge region, away from the line of symmetry, wherein the second mounting opening designed as an elongate hole is correspondingly arranged on the line of symmetry in the region of the raised web.

The raised edge region may be formed by two longitudinal regions arranged essentially parallel to one limb and two transverse regions connecting the two longitudinal regions. In this way, a peripherally extending edge region can be defined, on which the cover plate can be laid sealingly.

The elongate hole or the round hole can be arranged in one of the longitudinal regions. This way, an arrangement away from the line of symmetry is selected.

The elongate hole or the round hole can be arranged in one of the transverse regions. This way, the position of the elongate hole or round hole can also be selected away from the line of symmetry.

At least one elongate hole can be arranged in the structural plate and in the cover plate, the elongate holes being aligned in pairs when the cover plate rests on the structural plate, wherein the respective elongate holes are arranged in a longitudinal region or in a transverse region, or that in each case elongate holes are arranged in each of the longitudinal regions. As a result, the elongate holes are arranged either in the longitudinal or the transverse region, and an arrangement of several elongate holes is also provided. Thus, fixing can be improved, if necessary, if more than one elongate hole is provided per cover plate and structural plate.

Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the elongate hole(s) is or are formed as open on one side or closed. In the arrangement of the elongate holes open on one side, the edge region of the cover plate and/or structural plate can be narrower, which can help to save installation space or make the flow channel larger.

The raised web can have a widening in the area of introduction of a round hole or an elongate hole. As a result, the distance to the channel can be increased in order to further reduce the risk of leakage.

A plurality of further openings can be provided in the raised edge region. These openings preferably serve for the improved soldering of the structural plate and the cover plate on account of an enlarged surface. Thus, by introducing these additional openings, the width of the raised edge can also be reduced, if necessary.

The further openings can be arranged uniformly, irregularly or distributed in groups in the raised edge region. Thus, a uniform improvement in the soldering process or a locally defined improvement can be achieved.

The structural plate(s) and/or the cover plate(s) can have projecting impressions in the region of the channel-like recess, which protrude into the channel. By means of these projecting impressions, the heat transfer between the fluid that is flowing through and the wall is improved. Also, an impression can be designed so deep that it projects only partially into the channel, wherein on the other hand, the impression can also be designed so deep as to touch the opposing plate, so as to be soldered there, which increases stability, in particular, the bursting strength.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an exploded view of a cooling plate1with a structural plate2and a cover plate3. The cover plate3and the structural plate2have an approximately identical planar basic shape. The cover plate3is preferably designed planar or only with minor three-dimensional structuring. The structural plate2is formed with a channel-like recess4, which is preferably impressed into the structural plate2. The channel-like recess4is surrounded in the structural plate2by a raised edge region5which advantageously encloses the channel-like recess4completely in the plane of the raised edge region5. The raised edge region5is formed on three sides6,7,8of the structural plate2as a widened flange which extends in a plane. On a fourth side9, the raised edge region5is designed as a raised, rather narrow edge or flange.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, the channel-like recess4is designed as a U-shaped channel-like recess, which is formed from two essentially parallel limbs10,11, which are designed to be connected to each other at one of their end regions12. The two limbs10,11are circumferentially surrounded by the raised edge region5, so that they are closed off to the outside. The two limbs10,11are also separated from one another by a raised web13. The web13and the edge region5have the same height so that the cover plate3can rest on the edge region5as well as on the web13and can be soldered to these. According to the invention, the channel-like recess4can also have more than one simple deflection, so that it is designed S-shaped or multiple S-shaped. The channel-like recess4can also simply be designed in the form of an I-shape without a deflection.

At an end region of the cover plate3, passage openings and connection elements14, such as connecting pieces, are arranged in order to communicate with the end regions15of the flow channel, which is formed by the channel-like recess4in order to allow a fluid to flow through the cooling plate1. As an alternative to the configuration of the passage openings and connection elements14in the cover plate3, the passage openings and connection elements14can also be arranged on the structural plate2or on the structural plate2and on the cover plate3, respectively.

In order to fix the cover plate3and the structural plate2relative to one another, during soldering the two plates2,3are placed in a device, such as a soldering frame, wherein mounting openings16,17,18,19are formed in the plates2,3, through which fixing pins can engage in order to be able to fix the cover plate3to the structural plate2.

A respective mounting opening16,18in the structural plate2and in the cover plate3is designed in each case as a round hole. The respective other mounting opening17,19is designed as an elongate hole.

The respective mounting openings16,18and17,19are in alignment with one another when the cover plate rests on the structural plate in order to pass a fixing pin through the two openings16,18and17,19.

According to the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the round hole is arranged as a mounting opening16,18in the center of the plates2,3on their respective line of symmetry. If the plates3are not symmetrical, the respective round hole16,18can advantageously still be arranged on the center line or near the center line. The respective round hole is arranged close to one narrow side of the plates2,3, on which the connection elements14are also arranged. The round hole18is arranged centrally in the raised web13. The web13has a widening in the region of the round hole18, so that a certain predeterminable edge is provided around the round hole in order to achieve a good seal against the channel.

The respective elongate hole17,19is arranged away from the line of symmetry. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the elongate hole19is arranged in the region of the raised edge5in the front region of the side6, which runs essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal sides7,8. The elongate hole19itself is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction or the central line or the line of symmetry of the plates2,3. The elongate hole17is arranged in the front edge region in the cover plate3so as to be aligned with the elongate hole19. Both elongate holes17,19are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web13, but away from the line of symmetry20.

FIGS. 4 to 6show a configuration of a cooling plate1, which is designed essentially like the cooling plate1according toFIGS. 1 to 3. In order to fix the cover plate3and the structural plate2to one another, during soldering the two plates2,3are likewise placed in a device, such as a soldering frame, wherein in each case mounting openings16,18,21,22are formed in the plates2,3, through which fixing pins can engage in order to be able to fix the cover plate3to the structural plate2.

A respective mounting opening16,18in the structural plate2and in the cover plate3is designed in each case as a round hole. The respective other mounting opening21,22is designed as an elongate hole. The respective mounting openings16,18and21,22are aligned with one another when the top plate3rests on the structural plate2in order to be able to pass a fixing pin through the two openings16,18and2122.

According to the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 6, the round hole is arranged as a mounting opening16,18in the center of the plates2,3on their respective line of symmetry20. If the plates2,3are not symmetrical, the respective round hole16,18can nevertheless be advantageously arranged on the center line or near the center line. The respective round hole16,18is arranged close to one narrow side of the plates2,3, on which the connection elements14are also arranged. The round hole18is arranged centrally in the raised web13. The web13has a widening in the region of the round hole18, so that a certain predeterminable edge is provided around the round hole in order to achieve a good seal against the channel.

The respective elongate hole21,22is arranged away from the line of symmetry20. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 6, the elongate hole21is arranged in the raised edge region5in the front region of the longitudinal side8. The elongate hole21itself is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction or the central line or the line of symmetry20of the plates2,3. The elongate hole22is arranged in the front lateral edge region in the cover plate3such that it is aligned with the elongate hole21. Both elongate holes21,22are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web13, but away from the line of symmetry20.

As an alternative to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 to 6, the openings designed as a round hole or elongate hole could also be arranged elsewhere. The first mounting opening, which is designed as a round hole, can also be arranged away from the line of symmetry in the region of the raised edge region, wherein the second mounting opening designed as an elongate hole is arranged on the line of symmetry in the region of the raised web.FIGS. 1 to 6show that the elongate hole is arranged in one of the longitudinal regions or that the elongate hole is arranged in one of the transverse regions. Alternatively, the round hole may also be arranged in one of the longitudinal regions, or the round hole may be arranged in one of the transverse regions.

FIGS. 7 to 9show an embodiment similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, wherein instead of a respective elongate hole17,19, in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 7 to 9, two elongate holes17,19are arranged in the structural plate2and in the cover plate3. In this case, the respective elongate holes17,19are arranged away from the line of symmetry. However, these are advantageously arranged symmetrically to the line of symmetry20. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 7 to 9, the respective elongate hole19is arranged in the region of the raised edge5in the front region of the side6. The respective elongate hole17itself is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction or the center line or the line of symmetry20of the plates2,3. The respective elongate hole19is arranged in the front lateral edge region in the cover plate3such that it aligns with the elongate hole17. The elongate holes17,19are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web13, but away from the line of symmetry20.

FIGS. 10 to 12show an exemplary embodiment similar to the embodiment inFIGS. 4 to 6, wherein instead of one respective elongate hole21,22, the embodiment ofFIGS. 10 to 12show two elongate holes21,22in the structural plate2and in the cover plate3. In this case, the respective elongate holes21,22are located away from the line of symmetry. However, these are advantageously arranged symmetrically to the line of symmetry20. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 10 to 12, the respective elongate hole21is arranged in the region of the raised edge5in the front region of the longitudinal side8and7, respectively. The respective elongate hole21itself is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction or the center line or the line of symmetry20of the plates2,3. The respective elongate hole22is arranged in the front lateral edge region in the cover plate3such that it is aligned with the elongate hole21. Both elongate holes21,22are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web13, but are located away from the line of symmetry20.

FIGS. 13 to 15show an exemplary embodiment similar to the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 7 to 9, wherein instead of two closed elongate holes17,19in the embodiment ofFIGS. 13 to 15, in each case two elongate holes23,24open on one side are arranged in the structural plate2and in the cover plate3. In this case, the respective elongate holes23,24are likewise arranged away from the line of symmetry. However, these are advantageously arranged symmetrically to the line of symmetry20. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 13 to 15, the respective open elongate hole23is arranged in the region of the raised edge5in the front region of the side6. The respective elongate hole23itself is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction or the center line or the line of symmetry20of the plates2,3. The respective elongate hole24is arranged in the front lateral edge region in the cover plate3such that it is aligned with the elongate hole23. The elongate holes23,24are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web13, but away from the line of symmetry20. The elongate holes23,24are open on one side so as to be U-shaped with an edge open on one side, wherein the open edge is arranged in the short side6of the raised edge5or in the cover plate.

FIGS. 16 to 19show an exemplary embodiment similar to the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, wherein in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 16 to 19, an elongate hole23,24open on one side is arranged in the structural plate2and in the cover plate3, instead of a closed elongate hole17,19. In this case, the elongate holes23,24are also arranged away from the line of symmetry: In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 16 to 19, the open elongate hole23is arranged in the region of the raised edge5in the front region of the side6. The respective elongate hole23itself is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction or the center line or the line of symmetry20of the plates2,3. The respective elongate hole24is arranged in the front lateral edge region in the cover plate3such that it is aligned with the elongate hole23. The elongate holes23,24are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web13, but away from the line of symmetry20. The elongate holes23,24are open on one side so as to be U-shaped with an edge open on one side, wherein the open edge is arranged in the short side6of the raised edge5or in the cover plate.FIG. 19shows that the raised edge region5can be narrower in the case of an open elongate hole23. This can be used to reduce the required installation space.

In an exploded view,FIGS. 20 to 22show a further exemplary embodiment of a cooling plate1with a structural plate2and a cover plate3. The cover plate3and the structural plate2have an approximately identical planar basic shape. The cover plate3is preferably designed planar or only with minor three-dimensional structuring. The structural plate2is formed with a channel-like recess4which is preferably impressed into the structural plate2. The channel-like recess4is surrounded in the structural plate2by a raised edge region5which advantageously encloses the channel-like recess4completely in the plane of the raised edge region5. The raised edge region5is formed on three sides6,7,8of the structural plate2as a widened flange which extends in a plane. On a fourth side9, the raised edge region5is designed as a raised, rather narrow edge or flange.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 20 to 22, the channel-like recess4is again formed as a U-shaped channel-like recess, which is formed from two essentially parallel limbs10,11which are connected to each other at one of their end regions12. The two limbs10,11are circumferentially surrounded by the raised edge region5, so that they are closed off to the outside. The two limbs10,11are also separated from one another by a raised web13. The web13and the edge region5have the same height so that the cover plate3rests on the edge region5as well as on the web13and can be soldered to these. According to the invention, the channel-like recess4can also have more than one simple deflection, so that it is designed S-shaped or multiple S-shaped. The channel-like recess4can also be designed simply in the form of an I-shape without a deflection.

At an end region of the cover plate3, passage openings and connection elements14, such as connecting pieces, are arranged in order to communicate with the end regions15of the flow channel formed by the channel-like recess4in order to allow a fluid to flow through the cooling plate1. As an alternative to the formation of the passage openings and connection elements14in the cover plate3, the passage openings and connection elements14can also be arranged on the structural plate2or on the structural plate2and on the cover plate3, respectively.

In order to fix the cover plate3and the structural plate2to one another, the two plates2,3are placed in a device during soldering, such as a soldering frame, wherein in each case mounting openings25,26,27,28are formed in the plates2,3through which fixing pins can engage in order to be able to fix the cover plate3to the structural plate2.

A respective mounting opening25,26in the structural plate2and in the cover plate3is designed in each case as a round hole. The respective other mounting opening27,28is designed as an elongate hole.

The respective mounting openings25,26and27,28are aligned with one another when the cover plate rests on the structural plate in order to pass a fixing pin through the two openings25,26and27,28.

According to the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 20 to 22, the round hole is arranged as a mounting opening25,26on the side of the plates2,3, away from the line of symmetry20, in a raised edge region in the vicinity of the connections14or laterally on the cover plate3. The elongate hole27,28, on the other hand, is situated on the line of symmetry20. The respective elongate hole27,28is arranged in the vicinity of one of the narrow sides of the plates2,3, and this way, the elongate hole28is arranged at an end region of the web13, which is the end region of the web13away from the connection elements14. The web13has a widening in the region of the elongate hole28so that a certain predeterminable edge is provided around the elongate hole28in order to achieve a good seal against the channel.

FIG. 23shows a section of a structural plate2in which a web is inserted. The elongate hole28is arranged at the end region29of the web13, as is already shown inFIG. 20. In this case, the web13is widened around the elongate hole28.

Instead of arranging the round hole18on the opposite end region30, as shown inFIGS. 1, 4, 7, 10, 13 and 16, the round hole18can also be moved closer to the end region29and be arranged between the end regions29and30. This is shown inFIG. 23.

Alternatively, a plurality of round holes18may also be provided along the web13, which can be used as needed to receive a fixing pin.

FIGS. 24 to 26show a structural plate2and a cover plate3, which can be used for the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 1 to 23, wherein the position of the round hole and the elongate hole are not yet fixed and thus still selectable according to the invention. It can be seen that a plurality of further openings31are provided in the raised edge region5. In this case, the arrangement of the further openings in the raised edge region5is arranged uniformly, irregularly or distributed in groups so that an enlarged surface results over the raised edge region5which leads to a better soldering of the raised edge region5to the cover plate3.

In all exemplary embodiments, as also inFIG. 24, the optional feature is shown that the structural plate2and/or the cover plate3have impressions32in the region of the channel-like recess4, which protrude into the channel. These can be designed such that they only partially protrude into the channel or that they abut the opposite plate in order to be soldered there.