DE102024101703A1 - Flow-optimized quick connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a quick connector (1) for connecting fluid lines in battery thermal management systems, comprising a connecting body (10) which has a straight inlet section (2) for fluidly communicating connection to a main inlet line of the thermal management system and a straight outlet section (4) arranged substantially perpendicular thereto for fluidly communicating connection to a heat exchanger line of a battery, wherein the connecting body (10) encloses a fluid channel (5) and has a deflection section (3) arranged between the inlet and outlet sections (2, 4) for deflecting an inlet flow, characterized in that a fluid channel diameter (D) of the inlet and deflection sections (2, 3) corresponds to a diameter of the main inlet line and is larger than a fluid channel diameter (d) of the outlet section (4), wherein a diameter transition (7) of the fluid channel (5) is arranged downstream of the deflection section (3) in the region of the outlet section (4).

Description

The invention relates to a quick connector for connecting fluid lines in battery thermal management systems according to the preamble of claim 1.

The service life of a battery, such as a lithium-ion or iron phosphate electric car battery, depends heavily on the battery's thermal management. Among other things, the ambient temperature of the battery or the individual battery packs and the type of cooling play an important and crucial role.

The thermal management system requires the most homogeneous cooling possible to ensure and maximize battery efficiency, safety, and longevity. When designing and constructing a thermal management and cooling system, the batteries are often connected and wired in parallel to achieve the most homogeneous, uniform cooling possible.

To cool the battery, fluid is usually led from a large main inlet line via several smaller branch lines to the battery heat exchangers, which is why a diameter transition or change in diameter is required at the branches.

The branches to the individual heat exchangers are usually implemented using quick connectors in the form of T-connectors, 4-way branches, or 90° connectors. The connection of the last heat exchanger at the end of the main line is implemented using a 90° quick connector. The last heat exchanger typically represents a problem area with regard to cooling homogeneity because the pressure losses in the upstream branches, the main inlet line, or intermediate distributors add up, resulting in an overall lower pressure at the last heat exchanger and thus a lower flow rate. In addition, the 90° quick connector connecting the main inlet line to the last heat exchanger has a higher flow resistance than, for example, T-connectors, which in turn further reduces the flow rate of the last heat exchanger compared to the upstream heat exchangers. This means that the last heat exchanger receives the lowest flow and therefore much less heat is removed from the associated battery than from the other batteries or heat exchangers.

Known 90° quick connectors for battery thermal management systems typically comprise a connecting body bent substantially vertically around a fluid channel to redirect an inlet flow. The connecting body of the quick connector has a straight inlet section for fluid-tight connection to the main inlet line of the thermal management system. Perpendicular to this, the connecting body has another straight outlet section for fluid-tight connection to a line associated with the battery's heat exchanger. In this context, fluid-tight refers to a tight, fluid-communicating connection between two lines or sections for conveying or passing fluids. The fluid channel diameter in the inlet section often corresponds to a larger diameter of the main inlet line, and the diameter of the fluid channel in the outlet section corresponds to a smaller diameter of the heat exchanger line or a corresponding outlet distribution line. On an outlet side of the heat exchanger, the diameter ratios can also be reversed. In this case, the inlet and outlet flow directions or the inlet and outlet sections of the quick connector would also be reversed, which means that the inlet section of the heat exchanger into the 90° quick connector can in this case have a smaller diameter than the outlet section of the quick connector.

The inlet and outlet sections of the connecting body, arranged essentially at right angles, are connected to each other via an arcuate section to deflect the flow. The larger fluid channel diameter of the inlet section is reduced in the arcuate section of the connecting body by a direct diameter transition to the outlet section. The outlet section of the connecting body can be inserted into an additional counter body, wherein the fluid channel diameter of the counter body corresponds to the fluid channel diameter of the outlet section reduced by the deflection.

DE 11 2014 005 198 B4 For example, relates to such a 90° quick connector with a right-angled connecting body for redirecting an inlet flow.

The main disadvantage of the known standard 90° quick connectors is that they have a sharp edge on the inside of the bend section and a dome shape on the top of the bend section for the purpose of redirecting the flow and reducing the diameter of the fluid channel, resulting in an abrupt diameter transition and a step-like change in the flow cross-section directly in the bend section. Overall, the bend When the flow is redirected, the section and the diameter transition within it create a very large total pressure drop, which in turn has a significant impact on the pressure loss and flow distribution of the entire battery thermal management system. Cooling can no longer be achieved homogeneously, which negatively impacts the efficiency, safety, and service life of the batteries.

The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved quick connector for fluid-tight connection of fluid lines in battery thermal management systems and to maximize the efficiency, safety and longevity of the batteries.

Main features of the invention are defined in the characterizing part of claim 1. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 12.

In a quick connector for connecting fluid lines in battery thermal management systems, having a connecting body which has a straight inlet section for fluidly communicating connection to a main inlet line of the thermal management system and a straight outlet section arranged substantially perpendicular thereto for fluidly communicating connection to a heat exchanger line of a battery, wherein the connecting body encloses a fluid channel and has a deflection section arranged between the inlet and outlet sections for deflecting an inlet flow, it is provided according to the invention that a fluid channel diameter of the inlet and deflection section corresponds to a diameter of the main inlet line and is dimensioned larger than a fluid channel diameter of the outlet section, wherein a diameter transition of the fluid channel is arranged downstream of the deflection section in the region of the outlet section.

The arrangements of the inlet and outlet sections as well as the corresponding inlet and outlet flow directions correspond to the practical case that fluid is first fed into the quick connector via the main inlet line in the inlet flow direction, in order to then transport the fluid downstream via the deflection section towards the outlet section and in the outlet flow direction.

Preferably, there are no fixed inlet and outlet flow directions in the quick connector, so that fluids can flow through the quick connector in both directions. Further preferably, the inlet and outlet sections of the connecting body can have reversed functions, i.e., the connecting body described above can have an inlet section in the region of the outlet section for fluidly communicating with a heat exchanger of a battery, or the actual outlet section can function as an inlet section when the flow direction is reversed. In the region of the inlet section described above, however, the connecting body according to this reversed embodiment can consequently have a substantially vertically arranged outlet section. According to this further preferred embodiment, the inlet and outlet flow directions, or the flow direction of the fluid in the connecting body, can also be reversed according to the reversed inlet and outlet sections. The reversed arrangement of the inlet and outlet sections, as well as the corresponding inlet and outlet flow directions, in this embodiment corresponds, for example, to the practical case where a quick connector is arranged upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger. The quick connectors arranged upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger are preferably oriented with their smaller fluid channel diameters toward the heat exchanger. In accordance with their intended use, the quick connectors are preferably designed to have bidirectional flow in both directions during normal operation, which is why the inlet and outlet section designations in the context of the application are to be understood as examples of the specifically shown embodiments and flow conditions and not as fixed functional designations.

As described above, the known 90° quick connectors have a sharp edge and a protruding dome shape on the inside of the deflection section. This structure results in various fluid mechanics disadvantages. The shape of the inside in the deflection section leads to a separation or detachment of the flow from the fluid channel, which causes very strong turbulence and pressure losses in the flow. Due to the shape of the deflection section, a sudden reduction in diameter occurs directly in the area of the deflection section at the transition to the outlet section. This accelerates the fluid flowing through the fluid channel directly in the area of the deflection section, and the sharp edge creates larger areas of turbulence downstream of the deflection section. This inhomogeneous flow velocity distribution leads to the formation of turbulence and significant pressure losses. The larger the water vortex or turbulence, the greater the flow inhomogeneity and thus the pressure loss in the thermal management system.

Due to the inventive arrangement and relocation of the diameter transition downstream from the deflection section into the area of the outlet section, flow separation is advantageously counteracted in the area of the deflection section at the transition to the outlet section in such a way that no or at least only a greatly reduced flow separation results in the area of the deflection section. The diameter reduction is advantageously relocated to the straight outlet section. Overall, this creates a larger flow channel cross-section with a larger fluid channel diameter in the area of the deflection. This leads to significantly lower flow velocities in the area of the deflection section, which reduces dead water and turbulence immediately after the deflection section and significantly reduces the pressure drop compared to known quick connectors. Furthermore, the inventive design can be manufactured without a complex tool concept through appropriate mold adaptations.

Overall, the solution according to the invention thus achieves a significant improvement in the homogeneity of the cooling of the thermal management system and a significant reduction of the pressure loss in the quick connector by more than 50%.

In particular, significantly more heat can be dissipated from the last heat exchanger connected to the main inlet line. The improved quick connector according to the invention thus optimizes and maximizes the overall energy efficiency, safety, and longevity of the batteries or individual battery packs, which are tempered or cooled by the battery thermal management system.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet section of the connecting body can have a receiving area for receiving and fluidly connecting a counter-body, wherein the diameter transition of the fluid channel arranged downstream of the deflection section is formed in the counter-body inserted into the outlet section. As a result, the connecting body is no longer inserted into the counter-body as a male part with its outlet section, as in the prior art, but can advantageously receive a corresponding counter-body in its receiving area as a female part and connect it in a fluid-communicating manner to the deflection and inlet sections. This measure particularly supports the relocation of the diameter transition into the outlet section downstream of the deflection section. Because a corresponding counter-body can be inserted into the receiving area, it is relatively large and can therefore ensure and support the realization of a virtually constant fluid channel cross-section and fluid channel diameter in the transition between the deflection and outlet sections.

Further preferably, an outer contour of the counter body can be configured to be substantially complementary to an inner contour of the receiving area of the outlet section. This ensures almost complete reception of the counter body in the receiving area of the outlet section. The counter body can be fixed to the connecting body in a form-fitting manner, for example by a screw connection. Alternatively, a materially bonded welded connection between the counter body and the connecting body is also possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the deflection section of the connecting body can comprise a virtually constant fluid channel cross-section that extends into the outlet section without a sudden diameter transition, wherein a side of the counter body facing the deflection section has a fluid channel diameter that corresponds to the fluid channel diameter of the inlet and deflection sections and is of the same size. This eliminates the protruding dome-shaped structure on an upper side of the deflection section (cf. prior art connectors) and creates a virtually constant transition with reduced pressure losses. As a result, the diameter transition is no longer located directly in the deflection section or in the inlet section, and consequently, there is no stepped, sudden diameter reduction to the smaller fluid channel diameter directly in the deflection section. Because the inlet section has a constant, large flow channel diameter, the flow is no longer additionally accelerated shortly before the deflection section. The large diameter of the inlet and diverter sections remains virtually constant during the transition to the outlet section and is only further reduced in the outlet flow direction. The larger and constant cross-sectional area in the larger-diameter diverter section advantageously leads to a lower flow velocity in this critical area, resulting in a reduction in dead water and turbulence downstream of the diverter section and a significant pressure drop reduction of up to 57% compared to the state-of-the-art solution.

Preferably, the counter body can have a connection piece for connecting a heat heat exchanger line, wherein the counter body can be inserted into the receiving area of the outlet section and extends along an outlet flow direction such that the connection piece of the counter body, in the inserted state, protrudes axially from the receiving area of the outlet section in the direction of the heat exchanger line. Further preferably, the diameter transition can be displaced downstream of the deflection section in the outlet flow direction up to the connection piece. This ensures that there is a sufficient distance between the diameter transition and the deflection section, so that the diameter reduction of the protruding fluid channel advantageously occurs in the straight outlet section at the transition into the area of the outlet piece. The connection piece can preferably be provided with a fir tree structure on an outer surface. As a result, the connection piece can be safely and quickly inserted into a corresponding heat exchanger line and connected to it in a fluid-communicating manner. The fir tree structure ensures a secure connection of the lines thanks to its radial fir tree structures. This method has proven to be a particularly cost-effective, simple and safe method for fluid-communicating connection or joining of the quick connector with corresponding lines.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting piece of the counter body can be arranged concentrically with the upstream fluid channel of the connecting and counter body. This has particular manufacturing advantages because it creates a rotationally symmetrical counter body.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the connecting piece of the counter body can be arranged eccentrically to the upstream fluid channel of the connecting and counter body. The eccentric arrangement of the connecting piece results in significantly more uniform flow accelerations, particularly in the area of the deflection section, the counter body, and the diameter transition, without flow separation in the area of high flow velocities, which leads to a significant reduction in pressure loss. This advantageously results in an even further optimized fluid and flow channel in the quick connector, which delivers up to 59% better pressure loss values than conventional quick connectors.

Preferably, the receiving area of the outlet section of the connecting body can have an opening contour facing the counter body, wherein the diameter transition of the counter body inserted into the receiving area is formed in the region of the opening contour of the receiving area. This additionally supports an axial displacement of the diameter transition or the position of the diameter reduction downstream of the deflection plug. As a result, the position of a diameter reduction can be displaced axially away from the deflection section up to one end of the entire connecting body, so that the reduction can occur approximately at the level of the opening contour and shortly before the beginning of the fluid channel to the connecting piece.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the diameter transition can be formed by a tapered section in the counter-body that can be inserted into the receiving area of the outlet section, wherein the tapered section tapers continuously and evenly from the larger fluid channel diameter in the outlet flow direction to the smaller fluid channel diameter. This positively creates a flowing or gentle diameter transition that additionally suppresses a sudden reaction of the flow and thus further pressure losses. In the concentric design of the connecting piece, the tapered section of the counter-body can taper evenly and symmetrically from the larger fluid channel diameter to the smaller fluid channel diameter. In the eccentric embodiment of the connecting piece, it can preferably be designed to be radially offset eccentrically with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the base body, so that in this embodiment the fluid channel in the counter-body or diameter transition tapers only from one side of the counter-body to the eccentrically arranged connecting piece. This also reduces the larger fluid channel diameter to the smaller fluid channel diameter.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the connecting body can have a connecting piece on its inlet section for connecting the main inlet line to the connecting body, wherein the connecting piece is provided with a fir tree structure on its outer surface. Due to the connecting piece, the inlet section can be safely and quickly inserted into a corresponding main inlet line and connected to it in a fluid-communicating manner. The fir tree structure ensures a secure connection of the lines through its radial fir tree structures. This method has proven to be a particularly cost-effective, simple and safe method for fluid-communicating Connecting or connecting the quick connector with corresponding cables has proven to be effective.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlet section, the deflection section, and the outlet section of the connecting body can be formed as a single piece and from a single material. The single piece and single material design of the entire connecting body allows for a reduction in manufacturing effort and costs. Furthermore, there are no seams in the connecting body that could generate load peaks when the connecting body is loaded and influence the flow, for example, in the form of resistance points.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the inlet section and the deflection section of the connecting body are formed as a single piece and from a single material, wherein the outlet section is arranged as a separate component and is fluidly connected to the deflection section of the connecting body. Furthermore, the separate outlet section can preferably be at least partially incorporated into the region of the deflection section, wherein the separate outlet section can be connected to the deflection section of the connecting body via a contact surface in a force-fitting or material-fitting manner. The separate outlet section can be connected to the deflection section of the connecting body in a material-fitting manner, in particular by welding the contact surface. In this way, both the separate outlet section and the remainder of the connecting body, i.e., the deflection section and the inlet section, can be manufactured using simple and cost-effective injection molding processes.

Preferably, the separate outlet section can continue an upper inner contour of the deflection section in an arcuate manner, wherein the separate outlet section has an opening contour facing the deflection section, which has a diameter identical to the larger fluid channel diameter of the deflection section. This creates an overall hemispherical or dome-shaped internal structure from the deflection section to the displaced diameter transition in the outlet section. This enables a smooth transition between the deflection and outlet sections. The arcuate extension of the inner contour makes it possible to provide a quick connector that can deliver an even further improved pressure drop characteristic.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten Schnellverbinders;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Schnellverbinders mit konzentrischem Anschlussstutzen;
• 3 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Schnellverbinders aus 2 mit exzentrischem Anschlussstutzen;
• 4 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Schnellverbinders;
• 5a eine schematische Darstellung einer Strömungssimulation (Geschwindigkeitsfeld) mit einem bekannten Schnellverbinder gemäß 1;
• 5b eine schematische Darstellung einer Strömungssimulation (Geschwindigkeitsfeld) mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Schnellverbinder gemäß 3.

Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show:

• 1 a schematic sectional view of a quick connector known from the prior art;
• 2 a schematic sectional view of a quick connector according to the invention with a concentric connecting piece;
• 3 a schematic sectional view of the quick connector according to the invention from 2 with eccentric connection piece;
• 4 a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of the quick connector according to the invention;
• 5a a schematic representation of a flow simulation (velocity field) with a known quick connector according to 1 ;
• 5b a schematic representation of a flow simulation (velocity field) with a quick connector according to the invention according to 3 .

The 1 The quick connector generally designated 1 shows an example of a 90° connector known from the prior art for connecting fluid lines in thermal management systems of batteries (not shown).

The quick connector 1 comprises a substantially vertically curved, one-piece connecting body 10 for deflecting an inlet flow by 90° from an inlet flow direction E into an outlet flow direction A. For this purpose, the connecting body 10 encloses a fluid channel 5 and has a straight inlet section 2 for fluidly communicating with a main inlet line (not shown) of the thermal management system. Perpendicular to the inlet section 2, a straight outlet section 4 is provided for fluidly communicating with a line (not shown) associated with the battery's heat exchanger.

The inlet and outlet sections 2, 4 of the connecting body 10, which are arranged essentially at right angles to one another, are provided with an intermediate curved section 3 for deflecting the flow. A fluid channel diameter D of the inlet section 2 corresponds to a larger diameter of the main inlet line, and a fluid channel diameter d of the outlet section 4 corresponds to a smaller diameter of the heat exchanger line or a corresponding outlet distribution line.

Downstream in the direction of the deflection section 3, the fluid channel 5 in the inlet section 2 is provided with a cross-sectional taper, so that the fluid channel diameter D is reduced to a slightly smaller fluid channel diameter D', forming a dome shape 6 in the deflection section 3. The fluid channel diameter D' is still larger than the reduced fluid channel diameter d in the outlet section 4.

As can be seen, the larger fluid channel diameter D' of the inlet and deflection section 3 is reduced by a direct diameter transition 7 toward the outlet section 4. Due to the direct, abrupt diameter transition 7 in the deflection section 3, a sharp edge 8 is formed on an underside of the connecting body 10 on the inner structure of the deflection section 3.

The outlet section 4 of the connecting body 10 is axially inserted into an additional counter body 20. The counter body 20 comprises a receiving area 21 designed essentially complementary to an outer contour 15 of the outlet section 4. The outlet section 4 is inserted almost completely into the receiving area 21 of the counter body 20 in a fluid-communicating manner and is fluid-tightly sealed to the outside via corresponding sealing elements (not shown).

The counter body 20 has a connecting piece 22 with a fir tree structure for connecting the heat exchanger line. The connecting piece 22, with its fluid channel 5, axially adjoins the receiving area 21. The outlet section 4 is inserted axially into the receiving area 21 of the counter body 20 up to this connection point. The fluid channel 5 of the connecting piece 22 comprises an identical fluid channel diameter d, which corresponds to the fluid channel diameter d of the outlet section 4, reduced by the deflection. The connecting piece 22 thus extends the outlet section 4 and the fluid channel 5 axially in the direction of the heat exchanger line. The inlet section 2 also comprises a connecting piece 9 with a fir tree structure for connecting a main inlet line of the battery thermal management system.

2 shows a first embodiment of a quick connector 1 according to the invention for connecting fluid lines in battery thermal management systems.

The inlet section 2, the deflection section 3, and the outlet section 4 of the connecting body 10 are formed as a single piece and are made of a single material. The outlet section 4 of the connecting body 10 is designed as a female part and comprises a receiving area 11 for receiving and fluidly connecting a counter body 20 designed as a male part to the inlet and deflection sections 2, 3.

The counter body 20 has an outer contour 25, which is configured essentially complementary to an inner contour of the receiving area 11 of the outlet section 4. The counter body 20 is inserted into the receiving area 11 of the outlet section 4 up to the deflection section 3 and is fluidly connected to the inlet and deflection sections 2, 3 of the connecting body 10.

The inlet section 2 has a large fluid channel diameter D and fluid channel cross-section corresponding to the main inlet line, which extends constantly and downstream via the deflection section 3 into the outlet section 4 and the fluid channel 5 of the counter body 20. The deflection section 3 of the connecting body 10 therefore has a virtually constant fluid channel cross-section that extends without a sudden diameter transition into the outlet section 4 and fluid channel 5 of the counter body 20, wherein a side of the counter body 20 facing the deflection section 3 has a fluid channel diameter D which corresponds to the fluid channel diameter D of the inlet and deflection sections 2, 3 and is of the same size.

The receiving area 11 of the outlet section 4 comprises an opening contour 12 facing the counter body 20. Approximately at the axial height of the opening contour 12 of the receiving area 11, the diameter transition 7 to the smaller fluid channel diameter d is arranged, which extends through the connecting piece 22.

The diameter transition 7 is formed by a tapered section 23 in the fluid channel 5 of the counter body 20. The tapered section 23 tapers continuously and uniformly in the outlet flow direction A from the larger fluid channel diameter D to the smaller fluid channel diameter d. The diameter transition 7 is axially displaced downstream of the deflection section 3 up to the connecting piece 22.

The connecting piece 22 with a fir-tree structure is arranged concentrically to the upstream fluid channel 5 of the connecting and counter body 10, 20. The tapered section 23 of the counter body 20 tapers the fluid channel cross-section evenly and symmetrically from the larger fluid channel diameter D to the smaller fluid channel diameter d of the connecting piece 22.

3 shows a fundamentally similarly constructed embodiment of a quick connector 1 according to the invention with an alternative arrangement of the connecting piece 22 with a fir tree structure. As can be seen, the connecting piece 22 of the counter body 20 is arranged eccentrically to the upstream fluid channel 5 of the connecting and counter body 10, 20.

The connecting piece 22 is arranged eccentrically offset from an upper side of the base body 20. In this embodiment, the tapered section 23 of the counter body 20 extends continuously and evenly from a lower side 27 of the counter body 20 to the eccentrically arranged connecting piece 22 and thus tapers the fluid channel diameter D to the fluid channel diameter d. The upper side 26 of the base body 20, however, has no cross-sectional change or taper. Otherwise, the embodiment is identical to that in 2 shown embodiment.

4 shows a further alternative embodiment of a quick connector 1 according to the invention, in which the inlet section 2 and the deflection section 3 of the connecting body 10 are formed in one piece and from a single material, wherein the outlet section 4 is arranged as a separate component and is fluidly connected to the deflection section 3 of the connecting body 10.

The separate outlet section 4 according to this embodiment is partially introduced into the area of the deflection section 3 and welded to the deflection section 3 of the connecting body 10 via a contact surface 13.

As can be seen, the separate outlet section 4 continues an upper inner contour of the deflection section 3 in an arcuate manner downstream, wherein the separate outlet section 4 has an opening contour facing the deflection section 3, which has a diameter D identical to the larger fluid channel diameter D of the inlet and deflection sections 2, 3.

As with known 90° quick connectors, the separate outlet section 4 is inserted into a corresponding receiving area 21 of the counter body 20 via a complementary outer contour 15 and connected in a fluid-communicating manner. The diameter transition 7 is arranged after the extension of the upper, arcuate inner contour in the fluid channel 5 of the separate outlet section 4.

5a highlights the results of a flow simulation with a well-known 90° quick connector and 5b shows in comparison the simulation results with a quick connector 1 according to the invention with eccentric connection piece 22. Because 5a and 5b Since the flow fields and not the quick connectors as such are illuminated, the quick connector is designated 1 only for assignment reasons. Velocity fields (magnitude and vectors) of the flow are depicted, and the flow fields in the area of the diameter transitions 7 are illuminated in detailed views X1, X2.

How to use the enlarged detail view X1 in 5a As can be seen, in the area of the sudden diameter transition 7 on an inner side of the deflection section 3, a sharp edge 8 and a protruding dome shape 6 are formed. This structure leads to a separation or detachment of the flow from the fluid channel, which causes very strong turbulence and pressure losses in the flow, directly at the beginning of the outlet section 4. This is schematically represented by the flow vectors. Directly in the area of the deflection section 3 at the transition to the outlet section 4, the sudden reduction in diameter causes the flow to accelerate. The sharp edge 8 creates larger areas of turbulence and eddies downstream of the deflection section 3. This inhomogeneous flow velocity distribution leads to the formation of turbulence and considerable pressure losses. The larger the water vortex or turbulence, the greater the flow inhomogeneity and thus the pressure loss in the thermal management system.

By adding 5b In comparison, it is noticeable that the arrangement and displacement of the diameter transition 7 according to the invention downstream of the deflection section 3 into the region of the outlet section 4 does not result in such a strong acceleration of the flow at the transition to the outlet section 4. Advantageously, this reduces flow separation to such an extent that no flow separation occurs in the region of the deflection section, or at least only a very weakened flow separation occurs.

As can be seen in the detailed view X2, significantly lower flow velocities and turbulences are present in the area of the deflection section 3 and the diameter transition 7. The tapered section 23 creates a uniform and continuous diameter reduction to the fluid channel diameter d, which leads to a reduction in dead water and turbulence immediately after the deflection section 3 and to a significant reduction in pressure drop compared to the known quick connectors.

Overall, the solution according to the invention therefore results in a significant Improvement in the homogeneity of the cooling of the thermal management system and a significant reduction in the pressure loss in the quick connector by up to 59%.

In particular, significantly more heat can be dissipated from the last heat exchanger connected to the main inlet line. The improved quick connector according to the invention thus optimizes and maximizes the efficiency, safety, and service life of the batteries or individual battery packs.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be modified in many ways.

All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations.

List of reference symbols

E

Inlet flow direction

A

Outlet flow direction

D

Large fluid channel diameter inlet section (connection main inlet line)

D'

Additional fluid channel diameter inlet section (state of the art)

d

Small fluid channel diameter outlet section (heat exchanger connection)

X1

Detailed view of diameter transition

X2

Detailed view of diameter transition

1

Quick connector

2

Inlet section

3

Deflection section

4

Outlet section

5

Fluid channel

6

Dome shape (inner contour of deflection section)

7

Diameter transition

8

sharp edge (inner contour of deflection section)

9

Connection piece (inlet section)

10

connecting body

11

Intake area (outlet section)

12

Opening contour (receiving area)

13

Contact surface

15

Outer contour (outlet section)

20

Counterbody

21

Recording area (counter body)

22

Connection piece (counter body)

23

Tapering section

25

Outer contour (counter body)

26

Top

27

bottom

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 11 2014 005 198 B4 [0008]

Claims (12)

A quick connector (1) for connecting fluid lines in battery thermal management systems, comprising a connecting body (10) having a straight inlet section (2) for fluidly communicating connection to a main inlet line of the thermal management system and a straight outlet section (4) arranged substantially perpendicular thereto for fluidly communicating connection to a heat exchanger line of a battery, wherein the connecting body (10) encloses a fluid channel (5) and has a deflection section (3) arranged between the inlet and outlet sections (2, 4) for deflecting an inlet flow, characterized in that a fluid channel diameter (D) of the inlet and deflection sections (2, 3) corresponds to a diameter of the main inlet line and is larger than a fluid channel diameter (d) of the outlet section (4), wherein a diameter transition (7) of the fluid channel (5) is arranged downstream of the deflection section (3) in the region of the outlet section (4). Quick connector according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the outlet section (4) of the connecting body (10) has a receiving area (11) for receiving and fluid-communicating connection of a counter-body (20), wherein the diameter transition (7) of the fluid channel (5) arranged downstream of the deflection section (3) is formed in the counter-body (20) introduced into the outlet section (4). Quick connector according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the deflection section (3) of the connecting body (10) comprises a virtually constant fluid channel cross-section which extends into the outlet section (4) without a sudden diameter transition to the smaller fluid channel diameter (d), wherein a side of the counter body (20) facing the deflection section (3) has a fluid channel diameter which corresponds to the fluid channel diameter (D) of the inlet and deflection section (2, 3) and is of the same size. Quick connector according to one of the Claims 2 or 3 , characterized in that the counter body (20) has, on its end face facing away from the deflection section (3), a connecting piece (22) for connecting a heat exchanger line, wherein the counter body (20) can be introduced into the receiving area (11) of the outlet section (4) and extends along an outlet flow direction (A) in such a way that the connecting piece (22) of the counter body (20) protrudes axially in the direction of the heat exchanger line from the receiving area (11) of the outlet section (4) in the inserted state. Quick connector according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the connecting piece (22) of the counter body (20) is arranged concentrically to the upstream fluid channel (5) of the connecting and counter body (10, 20). Quick connector according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the connecting piece (22) of the counter body (20) is arranged eccentrically to the upstream fluid channel (5) of the connecting and counter body (10, 20). Quick connector according to one of the Claims 2 until 6 , characterized in that the receiving area (11) of the outlet section (4) has an opening contour (12) facing the counter body (20), wherein the diameter transition (7) in the counter body (20) is formed approximately at the axial height of the opening contour (12) of the receiving area (11). Quick connector according to one of the Claims 2 until 7 , characterized in that the diameter transition (7) is formed by a tapered section (23) in the counter-body (20) which can be introduced into the receiving area (11) of the outlet section (4), wherein the tapered section (23) tapers continuously and uniformly from the larger fluid channel diameter (D) in the outlet flow direction (A) to the smaller fluid channel diameter (d). Quick connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting body (10) has a connecting piece (9) on its inlet section (2) for connecting the main inlet line to the connecting body (10), the connecting piece (9) being provided with a fir tree structure on its outer surface. Quick connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet section (2), the deflection section (3) and the outlet section (4) of the connecting body (10) are formed in one piece and from a single material. Quick connector according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the inlet section (2) and the deflection section (3) of the connecting body (10) are formed in one piece and from a single material, wherein the outlet section (4) is arranged as a separate component and is connected to the deflection section (3) of the connecting body (10) in a fluid-communicating manner. Quick connector according to one of the Claims 11 , characterized in that the separate outlet section (4) is at least partially introduced into the region of the deflection section (3), wherein the separate outlet section (4) is connected to the deflection section (3) of the connecting body (10) in a force-fitting or material-fitting manner via a contact surface (13).