Battery housing cover for a prismatic battery

Abstract

Battery housing cover (1) for fluid-tight sealing of an opening (11) of a battery housing (10) of a prismatic battery, comprising: a collector plate (2), a transition adapter (3) and a carrier (4), wherein the collector plate (2) and the transition adapter (3) are permanently connected to each other by means of flat clinching, and wherein the carrier (4) is arranged in a circumferential receiving space (5) which is formed between the collector plate (2) and the transition adapter (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery housing cover for fluid-tight sealing of an opening of a battery housing of a prismatic battery with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Battery casing covers for prismatic batteries must reliably seal the cell interior from the external environment. At the same time, battery casing covers are often subject to requirements for a mechanically robust design, reliable manufacturing processes, and the electrical integration of contact and connection components. In particular, there is a need for solutions that allow for the permanent connection of multiple components and integrate sealing and / or electrically functional elements in a compact design. Furthermore, the cover assembly is typically subjected to thermal and mechanical load changes during operation, making a long-term stable seal and a reproducible mechanical connection essential.

[0003] German patent DE 20 2024 101 956 U1 is known from the prior art. It describes a cover assembly comprising a cover plate and insulation. Each pole contains a pole body and a pressure plate located at one end of the pole body. The pressure plate projects from the circumference of the pole body. The insulation is located on the side of the pressure plate facing the inside of the battery housing. Through-holes corresponding to mounting holes are provided in the insulating support components. The pole body passes successively through a mounting hole and a through-hole for connection to the pressure plate. The pressure plate is pressed against the side of the insulating support facing the inside of the battery housing. A sealing ring is arranged between the pressure plate and the pole body to prevent the inside of the battery housing from coming into contact with the outside and causing leakage.

[0004] Such cover arrangements can present disadvantages under thermomechanical stress and over the cell's lifetime, particularly with regard to a compact assembly with a permanently reliable, mechanically stable joint between key cover components, while simultaneously ensuring defined electrical function and long-term fluid tightness. Specifically, there is a need for a design that enables a robust, non-removable connection between the collector plate and the transition adapter, and at the same time provides an integrated arrangement of a support within a defined mounting structure.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a battery housing cover that enables a mechanically stable, non-removable connection between a collector plate and a transition adapter and at the same time provides an integrated arrangement of a carrier in a receiving space, whereby reliable fluid tightness and a defined electrical design are to be provided.

[0006] The problem is solved by a battery housing cover with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The battery housing cover according to the invention has the advantage that the non-removable connection of the collector plate with the transition adapter by means of flat clinching provides a mechanically robust and process-reliable joining point, which does not require additional connecting elements and is suitable for series production.

[0008] At the same time, the receiving space formed between the collector plate and the transition adapter enables the compact integration of the carrier, in particular with a circumferential sealing function and a defined electrical function.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the support is designed as an electrically conductive carrier and is either part of the housing or electrically connected to the housing, so that the support assumes the electrical potential of the housing. This allows, in particular, a defined potential connection to the housing and thus indirectly to a reference electrode or a reference potential of the overall system.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment, the support is designed as an electrically insulating support, so that the support does not take over the electrical housing potential and thus electrical decoupling of the support from the electrode can be achieved.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment, the carrier has a circumferential sealing area, which provides a fluid-tight seal between the receiving chamber and the cell interior, thus reducing leakage paths. The circumferential sealing area can be designed with robust tolerances, allowing for better compensation of manufacturing and assembly tolerances as well as thermal expansion. In a further development, a sealing element can additionally or alternatively be provided in the receiving chamber, preferably being made of an elastomer.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the carrier and collector plate are electrically separated from each other by an insulator and are in contact with each other, thereby achieving a defined electrical separation while simultaneously making the components easy to assemble.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the support is made of a polymeric material, in particular a thermoplastic or thermoset material, so that the support provides the structural stability required for functional integration. Preferably, the support is made of PA, PBT, PPS, PEEK, or PTFE. Elastomers are preferably not used as the load-bearing support material, but at most as a sealing material for the sealing element and / or for a sealing area.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the collector plate and the transition adapter are connected to each other by one or more flat clinch connections arranged distributed along a surface area, particularly an edge area, whereby a uniform force and stress distribution is achieved through this distribution. Each flat clinch connection can be round or oval in plan view.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the collector plate is designed for electrical contacting a busbar and / or discharge tabs inside the battery housing, thereby enabling a reliable electrical connection of the internal current collectors.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the battery housing cover features the electrode connector, which is metallurgically bonded to the transition adapter, thereby providing a permanently mechanically strong and electrically conductive connection. This metallurgical bond can be achieved, in particular, by laser beam welding and / or resistance spot welding and / or soldering. Additionally or alternatively, other joining methods can be provided, such as press-fitting, riveting, forming, or bonding, provided the respective sealing and conductivity requirements are met.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the electrode connector is designed on the outside as a connection element for contacting an external circuit, thus enabling easy external contacting.

[0018] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and further developing the battery housing cover according to the invention. Reference is made to the claims subordinate to claim 1 for these possibilities. A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the drawing and the accompanying description. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic, cutaway side view through the battery housing cover in the assembled state. The illustration is schematic; not all optional elements mentioned in the claims are necessarily labelled separately with reference numerals in the figure.

[0019] In the Fig.1 The battery housing cover 1 according to the invention can now be clearly seen in the assembled state for fluid-tight sealing of an opening 11 (not visible) of a battery housing 10 of a prismatic battery.

[0020] The battery housing cover 1 comprises a collector plate 2, a transition adapter 3, and a support 4 arranged in a receiving space 5 formed between the collector plate 2 and the transition adapter 3. The collector plate 2 and the transition adapter 3 are permanently connected to each other by means of at least one flat clinch connection 6. In a preferred embodiment, several flat clinch connections 6 are arranged distributed along a surface area, in particular an edge area, to achieve uniform force transmission and increased fatigue strength.

[0021] The carrier 4 has a circumferential sealing area 7 that provides a fluid-tight seal between the receiving chamber 5 and a cell interior 8. Additionally or alternatively, a sealing element, preferably made of an elastomer, can be provided in the receiving chamber 5 or the sealing area 7. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing area 7 and / or the sealing element can be connected to a mating component by means of an adhesive and / or sealant, the adhesive and / or sealant layer simultaneously forming or supporting the fluid-tight seal.

[0022] An insulator 14 is arranged between the support 4 and the collector plate 2, so that the support 4 and collector plate 2 are in contact with each other in an electrically isolated manner. The insulator 14 can be designed as a separate component, in particular as an insulating film, insulating frame, or insulating insert, wherein the material is, for example, an electrolyte-resistant plastic, preferably polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Additionally or alternatively, the insulator 14 can be provided as an insulating layer formed on the support 4 and / or the collector plate 2, for example, as a lacquer, polymer, or ceramic coating.The insulator 14 is preferably designed and arranged such that electrical separation between the carrier 4 and the collector plate 2 is ensured even in the event of possible contact with electrolyte; for this purpose, the insulator 14 can, in particular, be arranged over a surface or circumferentially within a separation zone and may optionally have recesses or openings for functional areas. For applications with a cell internal voltage of < 5 V, a corresponding layer or component thickness is sufficient for reliable potential separation, whereby the insulator 14 can simultaneously provide a media-resistant barrier against the electrolyte.

[0023] Outside the battery housing 10, an electrode connector 12 is metallurgically bonded to the transition adapter 3 and designed as a connection element 13 for contacting an external circuit. The metallurgical bond can be produced in particular by laser beam welding and / or resistance spot welding and / or soldering.

[0024] The collector plate 2 is designed for electrical contacting a busbar 9 and / or of drain tabs 9a inside the battery housing 10.

[0025] Flat clinching is a forming joining process in which a permanent bond between the joining partners is created through local plastic deformation. Reference symbol list 1 Battery case cover 2 Collector plate 3 transition adapters 4 carriers 5 Recording room 6 flat cinch connection 7 Sealing area 8 cell interior 9 busbar 9a Lead flag(s) 10 battery cases 11 Opening 12 electrode connectors 13 Connection element 14 Insulator QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2024 101 956 U1

[0003]

Claims

Battery housing cover (1) for fluid-tight sealing of an opening (11) of a battery housing (10) of a prismatic battery, comprising: a collector plate (2), a transition adapter (3) and a support (4), wherein the collector plate (2) and the transition adapter (3) are permanently connected to each other by means of flat clinching, and wherein the support (4) is arranged in a circumferential receiving space (5) formed between the collector plate (2) and the transition adapter (3). Battery housing cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (4) is designed as an electrically conductive support and is designed as part of the housing (10) or is electrically connected to the housing (10) so that the support (4) assumes the electrical housing potential. Battery housing cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (4) is designed as an electrically insulating support, so that the support (4) does not assume the electrical housing potential. Battery housing cover according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the carrier (4) has a circumferential sealing area (7) which fluid-tightly seals the receiving space (5) against a cell interior (8). Battery housing cover according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrier (4) and the collector plate (2) are separated from each other by an insulator (14) and are in contact with each other. Battery housing cover according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the carrier (4) is made of a polymeric material, in particular PA, PBT, PPS, PEEK or PTFE. Battery housing cover according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the collector plate (2) and the transition adapter (3) are connected to each other by one or two or more flat clinch connections 6 arranged distributed along a surface area, in particular an edge area, wherein each flat clinch connection (6) is round or oval in plan view. Battery housing cover according to claim 7, characterized in that a sealing element is provided in the receiving space (5). Battery housing cover according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the collector plate (2) is designed for electrical contacting a busbar (9) and / or of drain tabs (9a) within the battery housing (10). Battery housing cover according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the battery housing cover has an electrode connector (12) which is materially bonded to the transition adapter (3), in particular by a welding or soldering process. Battery housing cover according to claim 10, characterized in that the electrode connector (12) is designed on the outside as a connection element (13) for contacting an external circuit.

Images